US07669815B2
A dual release locking system for locking and unlocking the foldable leg members of a sign supporting stand. For deployment, a locking pin can be retracted by the stepping action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand. Consequently, this same pin can be retracted for retrieval by a kicking action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand.
US07669812B2
A stand for a display device that adjusts the height and tilt of the display device in a variety of ways to increase user convenience is provided. The stand includes a sliding portion, a supporting portion, and a base. The sliding portion extends toward a rear surface of the display device. The supporting portion slidably supports the sliding portion. The base extends the supporting portion upward. The sliding portion and the supporting portion are formed to extend in mutually different directions.
US07669802B2
A space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system and method of using same is provided. The space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system includes a satellite having a control system configured to maintain an orbit in outer space around the earth and to deorbit the satellite on a desired trajectory corresponding to an earth based target upon a command, and a projectile object operably connected to the satellite. The projectile object includes a dense mass and a heat shield operably surrounding the mass such that at least a portion of the mass survives reentry into the earth's atmosphere and strikes the earth based target delivering its kinetic energy.
US07669798B2
The tires that equip airplane wheels have elastomer treads from which a piece may detach and damage a zone of the airplane. Shredding means, situated between wheel and another part of the airplane, shred the piece of tread, which detaches from the tire and is projected onto the other part of the airplane, into several small pieces. These shredding means, such as a grid with blades that can cut the tread material, are arranged so as to disperse the pieces. A process reinforces the tolerance of an airplane to impacts of a detached piece of the tread, by shredding the piece into several small pieces between the instant when the piece is detached and the instant when the piece would have struck airplane.
US07669797B2
A foldable boarding ramp is operatively connected to a door opening provided in a body and is selectively extendable to the ground. The foldable boarding ramp is stored in a folded state inside a fairing covering a connecting portion between the body and a main wing. Thus, a reduction in the space of a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment due to the storage of the folded boarding ramp is prevented. In addition, an increase in air resistance can be suppressed without providing a dedicated fairing for covering the boarding ramp. Further, an interlocking member connects together a door for opening and closing the door opening and the boarding ramp when the door is opened. The boarding ramp may be automatically deployed to improve convenience.
US07669793B2
A food cutting device has a bowl, two cutting blades supported in the bowl for rotation relative to each other, and a drive mechanism supported by the bowl for rotating the cutting blades to cut food in the bowl. The cutting blades are rotatable in opposite directions relative to each other to perform a scissors-like cutting action.
US07669787B2
The present invention teaches a car wash wand having a fan mounted thereon which allows the wash wand user to blow the vehicle dry using the same lightweight hand carried device used to wash the car. The fan may be powered by the pressurized water flowing through the wash wand, which may be diverted to a turbine chamber to power the turbine, which in turn provides mechanical power to turn the fan. The wash wand may also have selection devices allowing at least two modes of operation: water coming out versus air coming out, and optionally a third mode of operation in which nothing comes out.
US07669784B2
An agricultural sprayer implement which includes a wheeled main body and a cantilevered boom. The cantilevered boom has a plurality of sections which fold with respect to one another and place significant torsional stress on one or more of the boom sections. The interior boom sections have a cylindrical tube as a lower member and preferably a square tube as an upper member with a plurality of braces extending between them. The cylindrical tube resists the torsional stress which is maximized during folding of the boom. The square tube resists particularly an upward/downward bending moment.
US07669783B2
The invention relates to an injection valve which has a piezo actuator that is functionally connected to a nozzle needle by a hydraulic transmission device. The hydraulic transmission device is connected to a pressure reservoir by a sealing gap so that the pressure differences between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic transmission device are compensated in the long term.
US07669781B2
A drinking straw with a wall having a first and a second end, wherein the drinking straw comprises a reinforced section at its first and/or second end. A method for producing a drinking straw is also provided.
US07669778B2
An auto creeper tread has the following features: three or four rows of circular holes disposed in an orderly manner on a skid-proof pad, wherein, the edge of each of the circular holes protrudes outwards; two rows of rectangular holes disposed on two sides of the skid-proof pad; two protruding reinforcing grooves disposed in the middle of the skid-proof pad; a row of small circular holes disposed on each of the two ends of the skid-proof pad; a track connected to the skid-proof pad by rivets; and a tire lock connected to one end of the track with a clamping plate. The auto creeper tread is designed to provide anti-sink and anti-skid solutions for automobiles.
US07669774B2
The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.
US07669773B2
To realize compatibility with an SIM card and adaptation to a high-speed memory access in an IC card module having a microcomputer and a memory card controller. An IC card module includes a plurality of first external connecting terminals and a plurality of second external connecting terminals both exposed to one surface of a card substrate, a microcomputer connected to the first external connecting terminals, a memory controller connected to the second external connecting terminals, and a volatile memory connected to the memory controller. The shape of the card substrate and the layout of the first external connecting terminals are based on a standard of plug-in UICC of ETSI TS 102 221 V4.4.0 (2001-10) or have compatibility. The second external connecting terminals are disposed outside the minimum range of the terminal layout based on the standard for the first external connecting terminals. The first and second external connecting terminals respectively include signal terminals electrically separated from one another.
US07669772B2
An electronic payment system is configured to process both proximity payment card type and magnetic stripe card type transactions. The magnetic stripe card transaction data is communicated between cards, readers, and transactions authorizing or approving parties in common industry ISO 7811 standard data structures or tracks. The proximity payment card transaction data such a dynamic authentication codes are placed in unused space in the same standard formatted data structures. The availability of unused space varies with card issuer or vendor. An issuer-specific bitmap provides an index to the available space in discretionary data fields in magnetic stripe tracks. The bitmap also is stored in the card's discretionary data field.
US07669765B2
Various method and apparatus embodiments involving RFID switching are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes receiving an excitation signal at a switch associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a disabling material, and changing a state of the RFID tag with the switch based on proximity of the disabling material to the RFID tag.
US07669764B2
Systems and methods are provided for reconciling data associated with delivery items, such as mail. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method reconciles data associated with a delivery item shipment. The method includes the steps of receiving a first set of data associated with the shipment, and electronically receiving a second set of data associated with the shipment. The method further includes the steps of scanning the shipment during processing for scanned data associated with the shipment and determining if the first set of data matches the second set of data. If the first or second set of data matches the second set of data, the method determines if the second set of data matches the scanned data. If the first or second set of data matches the scanned data, the method indicates both the first set of data and the second set of data as valid.
US07669759B1
A location verification provision is implemented to determine the location of a device associated with a user at the time of an attempted transaction. The attempted transaction includes receiving user identification and/or payment information, which is associated with the device in an entry stored in a database. Location information of the device, as well as a time at each location, may also be stored in the database. To verify that the device is located at the location of the transaction, a comparison operation may be performed. If the device is located where the transaction is being processed, the transaction may be completed. Predetermined criteria may be defined to account for possible inaccuracies in location and time calculations.
US07669756B2
Survey of fishery resources is automatically effected by providing an identification element (i.e. IC tag) to each fishing gear, locating a plurality of such fishing gears under the sea to catch fishery resources, thereafter, using a reading device (e.g. tag reader) to read all the identification elements to obtain an identification data for each of the fishing gears, while obtaining an operating position in this survey by GPS device, and then counting number of fish catches for each of the fishing gears. All the data thus obtained are processed by a computer, so that a data of fishery resources distribution under the sea can be obtained automatically, without requiring much labor and expenses in conducting the survey. A device for effecting such method is also provided.
US07669754B2
The self-mounting and collapsible tray has a base (1), two side walls (2) and two end walls (3), as well as, in correspondence with each corner, a corner pillar which comprises at least four segments (41-44) separated by fold lines (4a-4c).The last segment (44) is affixed to the end wall so that at least one part of the last segment extends from one of the intermediate segments (43) and toward the center of the end wall, distancing itself from the corresponding corner of the tray. In addition, the tray comprises, in correspondence with each end wall (3), a transversal flap (5) constituted by at least one part of a prolongation of the end of the end wall which corresponds to the upper part of the end wall of the tray in the erect position, said transversal flap (5) having two ends (51), each folded over and affixed to an outside face of the corresponding side wall (2).
US07669752B2
A flux contains resin having film forming ability, activator, solvent and at least one complex selected from silver complex and copper complex. The flux is used when soldering is performed onto a circuit having electroless nickel plating or further having gold plating on the electroless nickel plating. Allowing a barrier layer of silver or copper to deposit on the surfaces of lands suppresses the diffusion of nickel into the melted solder alloy during soldering, and also prevents phosphorous concentration. This improves the bonding strength of soldering and suppresses the reduction deposition of silver and/or copper to portions other than circuit patterns.
US07669750B2
A preform and method for forming a structural assembly are provided. The preform can be formed by friction welding structural members to a base member and subsequently providing a connection material to join the structural members. The resulting preform can be formed with dimensions and a configuration that approximate the dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly. Thus, the structural assembly can be formed by joining multiple members that are generally smaller than the finished assembly.
US07669743B2
An apparatus for carrying an infant upon the hip of an individual is disclosed. The apparatus includes a harness for supporting the infant. The apparatus also includes a far shoulder strap supported by one shoulder of the individual. The far shoulder strap has a front section resting on the chest region of the individual and a back section resting on a back region of the individual. The apparatus also includes a second near shoulder strap supported by the other shoulder of the individual. Each shoulder strap may include a pad for placement upon the shoulder to provide comfort while supporting the weight of the infant. The infant rests upon the hip of the individual. Both shoulders and one hip of the individual support the weight of the infant.
US07669736B2
Disclosed is a pocketable container in the form of a resealable polymeric packet designed to hold and disperse multiple doses of a useful fluid. Resealing is achieved by means of a simple yet reliable fold closure technique making possible a cost effective tool for carrying about small quantities of useful liquids, specifically hand sanitizing fluids for control of sickness and infectious disease in a human population.
US07669733B2
A cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus includes a cassette main body that contains medicine, a dispensing block that aligns medicine for dispensing according to a prescription and a partitioning member that blocks medicine from discharging from the cassette main body and allows medicine to be discharged only when the partitioning member is controlled to discharge medicine according to the prescription. The partitioning member includes a non-deforming portion and a deforming portion that is connected to the non-deforming portion. The non-deforming portion contacts medicine aligned in the dispensing block. The deforming portion deforms when as external force is applied whereby the non-deforming portion can be displaced.
US07669727B2
The present invention provides a support system (6) for biobags (2) or disposable manufacturing components that uses one or more channels (20) filled with one or more types and/or sizes of media (13). The media (13) is fluid at atmospheric pressure but becomes rigid when under less than atmospheric conditions. The channels (20) conform to one or more edges and/or surfaces of the support and preferably one or more transverse ribs (26) connect them together. A vacuum is applied to the media (13) in the channels removing the air, compacting the media together and rendering the media in the channel(s) rigid and self-supporting. Supports can be designed as part of the disposable biobag (2) or as a separate item which surrounds at least a portion of the biobag.
US07669720B2
Membranes comprising functional polyarylether having structural units of formula I are useful for hemodialysis and hemofiltration: wherein X is selected from Br, NR4R5, OOCR6, OR7, NR4CONR5R6, NR4COOR5R6 and combinations thereof; R1, R2 and R3 are independently at each occurrence CH2X, H, halo, cyano, nitro, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R4 and R5 are independently H, a C1-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; R6 is H, a C2-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R7 is OCH2CH2(OCH2CH2)nOH or OOCCH2(OCH2CH2)nCH3; Z is a direct bond, O, S, SO, SO2, CO, phenylphospinyl oxide, alkenyl, alkynyl, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; a, b, and c are independently 1 or 2; and m, n and p are independently 0 or 1.
US07669714B1
A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments.
US07669710B2
A baggage handling system includes a first conveyor section having a first conveying surface, a second conveyor section having a second conveying surface with the first conveying surface angled with respect to the second conveying surface, and a conveyor belt extending between the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section. The belt is driven in a conveying direction and includes an upper section defining the first and second conveying surfaces and a lower section extending below the first and second conveying surfaces. In addition, the conveyor belt is configured to extend the first conveying surface over the second conveying surface such that there is no gap between the first and second conveying surfaces in the conveying direction wherein items conveyed on the first conveying surface are deposited onto the second conveying surface.
US07669708B2
A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
US07669703B2
Process for reducing clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train having a drive motor, clutch and another drive train, in which process the moment transmitted by the clutch for the control of an actuator that operates an operating member of the clutch when oscillations occur is changed such that oscillations are diminished, where an electric voltage driving the actuator is modulated according to the formula: UM=UMSt*w+UMR*(1−w), whereby, w is a weighting factor which assumes a value between 0 and 1, UMst is a modulation voltage controlled in a defined manner by an actuator model and a required travel modulation and, UMR is a modulation voltage regulated by a control device, which voltage is a magnitude that characterizes an operating state of the clutch on the basis of deviation between a required value and the actual value.
US07669702B2
A transmission box (3) for a wheeled machine includes a motor input shaft (4) driving a drive wheel (8) to actuate at least one drive shaft (9A, 9B) of at least one wheel (2A, 2B) of the machine (1). A clutch mechanism (13) is disposed between the drive wheel (8) and a drive shaft (9A, 9B) and is actuated by driving in rotation the drive wheel (8) and deactuated by driving in rotation the drive shaft (9A, 9B) when the motor input shaft (4) is stopped or when the speed of rotation of the drive shaft (9A, 9B) is greater than the speed of rotation of the drive wheel (8). The box (3) contains two clutch mechanisms (13), each coacting with one drive shaft (9A, 9B) to permit the free wheeling of one and/or the other of a pair of wheels (2A, 2B).
US07669701B2
A first orifice is provided in a first fluid passage upstream of a cooler, and a second orifice is provided in a second fluid passage. The flowrates of hydraulic fluid flowing through the first and second fluid passages are regulated by the first and second orifices, respectively, and are thus suppressed from becoming excessive. Also, the downstream side of the second fluid passage is connected to the first fluid passage between the first orifice and the cooler, and a lubrication passage is connected to the first fluid passage downstream of the cooler. Accordingly, the lubrication passage is a single passage and the cooler and the lubrication passage are arranged in series so the cooler flowrate and the lubrication flowrate are the same. As a result, the flowrate of hydraulic fluid that flows out from a secondary regulator valve to the upstream side of an oil pump can be increased.
US07669695B2
A fire evacuation operation system for group-controlled elevators that enables a large number of people to evacuate a building in a short time is provided. Safe elevators are provided for evacuation of the building according to the position of the floor on which the fire breaks out. The fire evacuation operation system includes an evacuation operation propriety judging unit that judges whether an evacuation operation is improper or possible, a rescue floor setting unit that sets a rescue floor, and an evacuation operation instruction unit that assists people who are present in the building to evacuate.
US07669691B2
A steering device for a vehicle includes a planet gear mechanism which can vary transmission ratio, and a lock mechanism for fixing the transmission ratio. The planet gear mechanism includes a first sun gear connected to a steering member, a second sun gear connected to turning wheels, a planet gear which is meshed with both the first and second sun gears and a carrier in an annular shape which supports the planet gear. The lock mechanism includes a restraining member which is engageable with the carrier thereby to restrain rotation of the carrier.
US07669687B2
A vehicular muffler mounting structure in which a muffler is supported inside wheels by a body frame is provided. The muffler is connected to the body frame through a fastener that is screwed substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of a body.
US07669676B2
A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined. A hybrid cruising range, which is greater than the distance D is selected, and a controller controls the operation of the first and second propulsion systems, in accord with a profile, so as to power the vehicle such that when the vehicle has traveled through the hybrid cruising range, the selected percentage of electrical energy is depleted, and when the vehicle has traveled through the first 50% of the hybrid cruising range, over 50% of the selected percentage of electrical energy stored in the battery is depleted. Also disclosed is a controller for implementing the method.
US07669672B2
The present application is directed an apparatus for installing boreholes in the formation surrounding a main wellbore, the apparatus comprising an indexing tool comprising an indexing deflector and a deflector shoe; the deflector shoe comprising an opening therethrough configured to receive a borehole forming member; wherein the indexing deflector is configured to direct the deflector shoe from a first setting to at least a second setting for the installation of boreholes at each setting through said opening; to methods employing the apparatus, and methods for using the indexing tool to locate and access boreholes.
US07669671B2
In one aspect of the invention a downhole tool string component has a segmented sleeve slideably attached over the exterior of a mandrel which is adapted for connection to an adjacent tool string component. An end of the sleeve is abutted against a shoulder element of the mandrel and an opposite end of the sleeve is axially loaded by a threaded element attached to the mandrel. The sleeve comprises at least one sleeve segment with an engagement end comprising at least one axial anti-rotation assembly adapted to transfer torque to an adjacent sleeve segment, the shoulder element, or the threaded element.
US07669665B2
The mandrel comprises a body having a longitudinal axis together with a radially-expandable annular assembly. The annular assembly presents a peripheral surface for pressing against a borehole and a peripheral surface for pressing against the body. Around the longitudinal axis, the annular assembly comprises a plurality of radial-expansion blocks. Each block has a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface, and two side surfaces disposed respectively facing a side surface of at least one adjacent block. The block are displaceable relative to one another between a radially-contracted configuration, and a radially-expanded, engagement configuration in which each side surface of a block is in contact with the side surface of the adjacent block.
US07669645B2
This invention is structured by:forming a core body by turning-up a strip-shaped metal plate in fanfold manner to create a large number of flat flow passages; blocking the individual flow passages at both ends thereof using the respective comb teeth of a pair of comb-state members; and fitting the casing to the core body, while providing inlet/outlet port of the fluid at a side face of the casing. The object of the invention is to establish uniform communication of the fluid in individual flat flow passages. As a means for achieving the object, a pair of header portions are provided at both end portions of the cylindrical casing, the inlet/outlet ports are provided at both edge portions of one side of the casing via a pair of small tank portions, the small tank portion at inlet side of the first fluid has a buffer plate arranged at a position closer to the outlet side of the first fluid between the core body and the inlet/outlet port, thereby allowing the first fluid to bypass the buffer plate in the small tank portion and to enter an end portion of the first flow passage from an edge opposite to the outlet.
US07669642B1
A thermal module includes at least one heat dissipating element, at least one cooling chip, and a heat radiating unit. The cooling chip has a cold end in contact with one side of the heat dissipating element and a hot end in contact with the heat radiating unit. With the cooling chip in direct contact with the heat radiating unit and the heat dissipating element, the heat dissipating element can be directly cooled by the cooling chip, and the thermal module can have a simplified structure to occupy a reduced room while providing enhanced heat dissipating efficiency and accordingly upgraded heat-dissipating effect.
US07669623B2
An elastic wheel comprises a rim for mounting a tire, a disk to be fixed to an axle, and a connecting apparatus for connecting elastically between the rim and disk, the apparatus comprising a pair of axially spaced internal flanges each provided on an inner circumference side of the rim and extending circumferentially, an external flange provided on a radially outer portion of the disk, the external flange disposed in a space between the internal flanges with an axial gap on its both sides and extending circumferentially, a pair of rubber dampers each disposed in the axial gap and connecting between the internal and external flanges, wherein each internal flange is provided on its axially inner side with a first groove, the external flange is provided on its both sides with a second groove so as to face each first groove, axial ends of each damper are inserted into the first and second grooves, and a radial gap is provided between the external flange and the inner circumference side of the rim in the space.
US07669618B1
A wood processor attachment for skid steer loader for efficiently cutting and splitting logs. The wood processor attachment for skid steer loader generally includes a pivotally mounted support structure including a receiving end, a working end opposite the receiving end and a loading apparatus. A conveying member, a cutting unit, a ram and a wedge are attached to the support structure. The loading apparatus extends from the receiving end, wherein the loading apparatus transfers a log to the conveying member. The conveying member travels between the receiving end and the working end, wherein the cutting unit, the ram and the wedge are adjacent the working end to selectively cut and split the log. The support structure may be pivotally mounted upon various objects, such as but not limited to a skid steer loader or a tractor.
US07669607B2
An interdental cleaning device that is easy to handle, especially for kids and handicapped people, including a frame supporting four zones for removing food and plaque between the teeth. Each zone having a particular thickness combined with cleaning substance and cleaning surface for a thorough teeth cleaning.
US07669604B2
A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.
US07669600B2
A cleaning apparatus including an elongate tubular member utilized by extending into an endotracheal tube. A cleaning assembly provided at a distal end of the elongate tubular member radially expands to engage the interior wall of the endotracheal tube, for cleaning thereof by an irregular configuration on an exterior surface, achieving an effective cleaning engagement. A fluid impervious bladder portion provides an effective seal preventing fluid seepage during cleaning withdrawal. Further, a ventilator coupling connects to the endotracheal tube, a first inlet port couples to a ventilator assembly to supply air to a patient, and a second inlet port receives the elongate tubular member there through into the endotracheal tube. Also, a bypass coupling assembly connects between the channel of the elongate tubular member and the ventilator assembly directing air into the channel of the elongate tubular member and out the distal end upon occlusion of airflow.
US07669594B2
A volume flow controller (1) for controlling the flow of a gas mixture of variable proportions through a conduit (3) has a valve means (5) for regulating the flow of gas through the conduit, a drive means (9) for driving the valve means, a volumetric flow meter (7), such as a Pelton wheel, for measuring the flow of gas through the conduit, which provides a feedback signal (29) for comparison with a setpoint signal (17) in an amplifier (15) which generates an adjustment signal (11) which is fed to the drive means. The setpoint signal is generated by a setpoint signal generating means (19), which comprises a potentiometer (21) for inputting a value corresponding to a desired flow rate and a slowdown circuit (23) consisting of a resistor (25) and a capacitor (27) for delaying the change in the setpoint from the previous setpoint to the desired setpoint for a period of time sufficient to compensate for the delay in response inherent in the volumetric flow meter, thus providing smooth and stable control of the gas flow. Preferably, the potentiometer is a digital potentiometer (403), which voltage is variable by independent manipulation of rotary encoders (417).
US07669592B2
A collector for solar energy is disclosed having a closed hollow partially spherical container with a window for permitting solar energy to enter the container. The container has a reflective inner surface for retaining the energy. The collecting lens focuses the solar energy. Central tubing is provided and a pump circulates fluid through the tubing to a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the fluid in the tubing to a utilization device.
US07669591B2
According to the invention, a steam generator is provided with a housing for forming a steam generating chamber, the housing having a steam outlet port. A heater plate is supported by the housing within the steam generating chamber. A water inlet valve is fluidly connected to the housing for selectively supplying water into the steam generating chamber whereby water is directed to the heater plate for conversion to steam. The heater plate forms a bottom wall of the steam generating chamber and is arranged to have a high point. The water inlet valve is opened and closed in accord with a duty cycle which alternates between two phases: a fill phase duty cycle and a steady state duty cycle.
US07669589B2
A self propelled concrete saw compensates for blade cutting resistance, for example by adjusting a movable drive assembly. An actuator may be used to move the drive assembly, for example through the operation of a control switch by an operator.
US07669587B2
In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine.
US07669582B2
An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a correlation coefficient K based on the result of comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored previously; calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from the magnitude V detected based on a signal transmitted from a knock sensor; creating frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) by using magnitude values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K larger than a threshold K(1) is calculated; and counting knock proportion KC by using the created frequency distribution. If the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of noise components, the correlation coefficient K is calculated to be smaller comparing with a case of not including it.
US07669581B2
A throttle control apparatus includes a valve. A motor is provided for generating driving force to rotate the valve. Gears transmit the driving force to the valve. A biasing unit generates biasing force to bias the valve in a close rotative direction. A control unit is provided for supplying electricity to the motor to generate the driving force. When the control unit terminates electricity supply to the motor, the valve is biased to a full close position by the biasing force. When the control unit performs a full close control to manipulate the valve toward the full close position, the control unit continues electricity supply to the motor to stop the valve at a full close control point, which is set in advance of the full close position.
US07669578B2
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston and a spark plug, comprising during a first mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions and producing auto-ignition in said combustion chamber without requiring spark from said spark plug; and during a second mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber close to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions, forming a small cloud of stratified air-fuel mixture near said spark plug, igniting said fuel cloud by a spark form said spark plug, and then causing cylinder pressure to rise, thereby producing auto-ignition at other sites in said combustion chamber wherein said first mode is implemented in a first operating range and said second mode is implemented only in a second operating range where engine speed and load are lower than said first operating range.
US07669575B2
A counterbalancing shaft accommodating structure includes: a pair of counterbalancing shafts, provided in an oil pan attached to a lower end portion of an engine; and a housing, adapted to accommodate the counterbalancing shafts in the oil pan. An upper end portion of the housing is provided further upwards than the lower end portion of the engine. An opening is formed continuously to expand over both rotational axes of the pair of counterbalancing shafts in an upper surface of the housing.
US07669574B2
An accessories arrangement structure for an internal combustion engine for securing a banking angle, increasing a degree of the freedom of the layout, concentrating heavy accessories and an overhanging part of the internal combustion engine, enhancing the maneuverability of the vehicle and reducing the size of the engine. An accessories arrangement structure of an internal combustion engine for a motorcycle includes an oil cooler and an oil filter that are attached together with a balancer in a lower part wherein the front of a crankcase that journals a crankshaft directed in a vehicular width direction, in which the oil cooler and the oil filter are attached to the front in a vehicular traveling direction of the crankcase project with a balancer, the oil cooler and the oil filter being adjacent in a front view of the vehicle and arranged abreast in parallel with a crankshaft.
US07669564B2
Provided is a variable valve lift internal combustion engine including a control shaft pivotally supported by a cylinder head via a pivot arm pivotally supported by the cylinder head so as to able to move angularly around a rotational center line extending in parallel with an axial line of the control shaft, a power transmitting member supported by the control shaft, an actuator for causing an angular movement of the control shaft around the rotational center line via the power transmitting member and a control arm having a base end pivotally supported by the control shaft and a free end interposed between a cam lobe of an engine camshaft and a part of a rocker arm. The lift of the engine valve can be varied by angularly moving the control shaft around the rotational center line and moving the base end of the control arm.
US07669554B2
A dog drinking device has a trapezoidal water container with a top cover. A rotatable round drum made of plastic or stainless steel is rotatably mounted in the water container. A plurality of transverse grooves formed on the round surface of the drum. A top portion the round surface of the drum is exposed through a rectangular access opening of the cover. A long ear dog may drink the water by standing at the narrower front end of the device with its ears falling on the outside of two forward converging sides of the trapezoidal shape water container and licking the water carried to the exposed round surface of the drum by the transverse grooves without water splashing on its face and floor area around the device or to its ears to cause potential ear infection.
US07669548B2
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.
US07669543B2
A display device for a motor vehicle, e.g., an instrument cluster, includes at least one first display device emitting image-forming light, and at least one illuminated and/or self-luminous electromechanical second display device. The first display device is arranged in a visual field of an observer. The second electromechanical display device is arranged at an angle to the first display device, and a combination element is provided between the first display device and the electromechanical display device, the combination device being transparent to the image-forming light in the first display device and reflective to the image-forming light of the electromechanical second display device.
US07669540B2
An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.
US07669534B2
A system and method for retrofitting a propulsion circuit of an existing Off Highway Vehicle to enable the propulsion circuit to operate as a hybrid energy Off Highway Vehicle propulsion circuit. The hybrid propulsion circuit includes a primary power source, and a traction motor for propelling an Off Highway Vehicle in response to the primary electric power. The traction motor has a motoring mode of operation and a power dissipation mode of operation. The traction motor generates dynamic braking electrical power in the power dissipation mode of operation. An electrical energy storage system includes a chopper circuit coupled to an energy storage device. The storage device is responsive to the chopper circuit to selectively store electrical energy generated in the power dissipation mode. The storage system selectively provides secondary electric power from the storage device to traction motor to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle during the motoring mode.
US07669532B2
Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight.
US07669528B2
A silkscreen printer machine (8) includes: a support structure (48); and at least one printing station (54) secured to the structure (48) and including at least one screen support (68) presenting a reception area adapted to receive a screen texture (70) having a pattern for printing placed thereon. The screen support (68) is carried by at least three support elements (78) secured to the structure (48), the support elements (78) not being in alignment and being positioned on either side of the reception area (69). The invention also provides associated printer apparatus.
US07669527B2
A moving belt conveyor dough press is provided with a pair of vertically opposing platens, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. A continuous belt is arranged to pass between the pair of platens, and to carry on an upper surface thereof, a supply of dough masses to be pressed by the platens. At least one of the platens is formed of a cast metal material, and an electrical resistance heating element is cast in place within the at least one platen.
US07669520B2
The fryer (1) comprising a rotatable cooking basket (4) and an oil container (3) has air heating means (19) and forced circulation means (13) of the heated air through the basket for at least partially cooking the food product contained in the basket.
US07669519B2
A spray head for use with or in combination with a beverage making apparatus. The spray head receives liquid from a liquid dispensing path of the beverage making apparatus and distributes liquid over a beverage making substance retained in close proximity to the spray head. The spray head includes a body portion (14) having a lip (15) extending generally from a periphery of the body portion. A plurality of holes (20) are formed extending through at least the lip portion. A connector (49) is provided for removably attaching the spray head to the beverage making apparatus. The spray head is removable from the beverage making apparatus for facilitating direct contact cleaning of the surfaces of at least the body of the spray head to remove particles and mineral deposits therefrom.
US07669511B2
A razor head has blade members with straight front cuffing edges which are mutually parallel and lie in a cutting plane. Imaginary median surfaces of the blade members are continuously curved from the cutting plane, from the cutting edges toward the rear edges. The razor has a handle with a pair of fork arms, the distal ends of which are connected to the head at positions adjacent the respective ends of the head. Each fork arm has a groove allowing pivoting of the distal end about a pivot axis parallel to the head axis but which does not pass through the razor head. Each groove is filled with a resiliently deformable material which is deformed when a pivoting force is applied to the razor head during shaving and which restores the razor head to a normal position when the force is removed.
US07669508B2
A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and a shank on the tool post holding at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The tool tip has diffractive features in contact with the work piece in order to machine macro-scale features having nano-scale features. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.
US07669507B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately providing not only for normal rotation but for reverse rotation in a tightening tool having a clutch.Representative tightening tool according to the invention comprises a body, a driving motor housed in the body, a driving-side clutch element, an auxiliary clutch element, a driven-side clutch element, a driven shaft and a tool bit. During normal rotation of the driving motor, the driven-side clutch element is caused to move in the axial direction by application of a pressing force of the user to the body to engage with the driving-side clutch element. During reverse rotation of the driving motor, the driving-side clutch element and the auxiliary clutch element are caused to move relatively with respect to each other in the axial direction by rotating torque of the driving-side clutch element and the driving-side clutch element or the auxiliary clutch element engages with the driven-side clutch element.
US07669506B2
A shingle removing tool includes, among other possible things, a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a base connected to the shaft. A length of the shaft is adjustable. The base includes a blade portion that is configured to separate one or more shingles from a support structure to which the shingles are affixed.
US07669503B2
A grip for a parking-brake operating lever includes a tubular-shaped grip main body which is press-fitted on a lever main body of the operating lever so as to be mounted on an outer circumferential periphery of the lever main body, a grip cover which is mounted on a part of a circumferential periphery of the grip main body, an engaging tab which projects from an inner surface of the grip cover and which is inserted through an insertion hole provided in the grip main body and is held in engagement with an engaging portion provided in the lever main body, such that the engaging tab is movable relative to the engaging portion in a longitudinal direction of the lever main body, and a fitting protrusion and recess which are respectively provided in the inner surface of the grip cover and the outer circumferential surface of the grip main body, and which are held in fitting engagement with each other for positioning the grip cover in a predetermined relative to the grip main body.
US07669502B2
A shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a mounting member adapted to mount the shift control device to a bicycle; a first lever operatively coupled to the mounting member such that the first lever stops at a plurality of positions corresponding to gear positions of the bicycle transmission, wherein the first lever moves in a first plane; and a second lever operatively coupled to the mounting member for movement in a second plane between a rest position and an operating position such that the second lever returns to the rest position after moving to the operating position. In this embodiment, the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane.
US07669495B2
A transmission for vehicles is provided with a plurality of drive gears, an input shaft connected to the drive shaft of an engine, an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft, a driven gear which meshes with each drive gear and is rotatably disposed on the output shaft, a synchromesh mechanism which has a sleeve movable in the axial direction of the output shaft, is engageable with a side portion of the driven gear, and couples the driven gear to the output shaft, and a parking gear formed integrally with the sleeve of the synchromesh mechanism. The parking gear and the bearing on the shaft end radially overlap each other. With this structure, the transmission is composed with a small number of components and has a reduced width.
US07669493B2
A spindle drive and patient positioning system is provided. The spindle drive includes a drive that is operative to drive a spindle nut. An axially transportable spindle is circled by the spindle nut. A catch nut that is not in mutual engagement with the spindle has a predefined distance to the drive. When the spindle nut fails, the spindle is operative to move the catch nut into mutual engagement with the spindle. A switching element is fixed to the catch nut and includes an emergency off switch, which is activated by a switching sensor.
US07669476B2
A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold.
US07669472B2
A liquid level detector 10 includes a liquid guiding pipe 14 that guides a liquid in a tank to an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank, and a branching liquid guiding pipe 15 for detecting a liquid level, which branches off from the liquid guiding pipe to guide the liquid into an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank. The branching liquid guiding pipe 15 is provided with position sensors 16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) for detecting the liquid level of the liquid in the branching liquid guiding pipe 15. On a part where the liquid guiding pipe 14 and the branching liquid guiding pipe 15 are connected to each other, there is disposed a bubble passage prevention member 17 of a porous plate shape, which prevents bubble generated in the liquid from entering the branching liquid guiding pipe 15.
US07669465B2
A system for air injection into tires, comprising a rotary air chamber secured to a hub cap wherein the rotary air chamber is configured to inject air into at least one tire when tire pressure drops below a first adjustable preset value and to release air from the at least one tire when tire pressure rises above a second adjustable preset value, an air shaft extending through the hub cap and into the rotary air chamber, an air line attached to the air shaft, and ball bearings affixed between the air shaft and the hub cap. A bracket can be fastened to the hub cap such that the rotary air chamber is fastened to the bracket. The hub cap and air shaft are fastened to the axle such that an air line extends from inside the axle through the air shaft to the rotary air chamber.
US07669460B1
An apparatus for conducting a small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test (SSBT), and a related test method that simulates a large scale test of explosive materials while employing small quantities of materials for the characterization. The apparatus includes a small scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) device, and an internal blast test device including a pressure chamber with an accessible interior, a pressure transducer, a multipurpose port provides an electrical connection to the shock reactivity test device, and a small gas port. The SSRT device is housed within the pressure chamber, and gases and materials produced during a small scale shock reactivity test are quasi-statically retained by the pressure chamber. The pressure transducer is in communication with an instrument that can display the pressure detected in the pressure chamber for analysis.
US07669456B2
In a method for determining the reset time in a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and emits a corresponding pressure signal, with the pressure curve in the combustion chamber having at least one high-pressure region the reset time is determined as a function of at least one pressure value detected in the high-pressure phase, so that it is possible, within the sensor, to determine a favorable time at which to reset the drift, based on the pressure range. In the method, information about the auxiliary rotation speed is determined based on the pressure curve of the compression phase and is then used to generate the reset time, the method entails only slight circuitry-related expense and can therefore be implemented even in an ASIC without complex signal processing, and the method functions in almost all known engine operating states.
US07669454B2
Press brake tool holders suitable for holding press brake tools for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments is a press brake tool holder. Some embodiments provide the tool holder in combination with a press brake tool. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool holder has a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving a tool parallel to a pressing axis of the tool holder.
US07669450B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of ductile material by superplastic forming. The gas pressure is varied to control the material flow during the forming process. Accordingly, the gas pressure can be increased or decreased to control the rate of deformation of the workpiece. Accordingly, the method and apparatus contemplates the use of predetermined pressure profiles to reduce the overall forming time.
US07669448B1
An apparatus for forming a thin wall sheet with first and second edge portions into a shell with a predetermined body configuration and a lockseam in which the edge portions are folded over each other. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a means for at least partially wrapping the sheet around the mandrel into the predetermined body configuration, and a number of gathering bars for engaging the sheet to configure the first and second edge portions according to a predetermined design. The apparatus also includes a number of forming bars for forming the first and second edge portions into respective preselected shapes extending above the top side of the mandrel, and a number of lockseaming rollers for folding the first and second edge portions over each other to form the lockseam.
US07669447B2
The invention relates to a method for cold-rolling strips consisting of, inter alia, special steels and/or nonferrous metals, in a multi-stand tandem rolling mill. The first stand(s) carry out comparatively high reductions and the last stand(s) determine the surface quality of the strip, with a relatively low reduction. The aim of the invention is to improve the capacity of the tandem rolling mill in terms of thickness reduction and in terms of the surface quality of the rolled strips. To this end, an emulsion is used as a coolant and lubricant for the first passages of the strip through the tandem rolling mill with relatively high reduction. The adhesive coolant and lubricant film is then squeezed off the strip following removal from the roll gap of the last emulsion-operated stand. Rolling oil is used as a lubricant for especially the last passage(s) through the tandem rolling mill with relatively low reduction. The invention also relates to an installation for carrying out the inventive method.
US07669430B2
The present invention realizes a reliable heat pump apparatus and heat pump apparatus having high recovering efficiency. The heat pump apparatus includes an expander 711 for expanding working fluid, a permanent magnet type synchronization power generator 710 which is disposed for recovering power by the expander 711 and which generates three phase AC power, and a first converter 708 which converts the AC power to DC power, and which rotates the power generator 710 at a predetermined target number of revolutions by switching of a switching element group 709. The generated electricity is consumed by connection of an AC power supply 701 to a DC power line which is rectified and smoothened by a rectifier circuit 702 and a smoothing capacitor 703, and by driving of an electric motor 706 which rotates a compressor 707 through a motor drive apparatus 704, and the power is efficiently recovered.
US07669425B2
A cooling fluid reuse system for a turbine engine for capturing spent cooling fluids from row one turbine vanes and directing those fluids into a mixing chamber to be mixed with liner cooling fluids and used in a combustor. The cooling fluid reuse system may be formed from a fluid channel extending from the a cooling fluid collection channel in the first row of turbine vanes, through a rotor cooling fluid collection chamber in the rotor assembly, through a cooling fluid manifold, and into the at least one mixing chamber.
US07669420B2
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine has a swirl slot that supplies fuel to a prefilmer. The swirl slot has an upstream lip and a downstream lip that are arranged eccentrically. The slot is thus provided with an area of high static pressure and an area of low static pressure caused by the flowing over the eccentrically arranged lips.
US07669419B2
A system for generating back-up electrical power. The system includes a vessel adapted to contain a volume of compressed gas and a valve to release gas from the vessel at a predetermined pressure. A scroll expander is adapted to receive and pass the released gas. A rotary member is rotated by the flow of the released gas passed by the expander. An electrical generator is drivingly connected to the rotatable member of the expander to generate a supply of electrical power. A power conditioning unit has at least one capacitor to store electrical energy to provide a back-up electrical supply for a brief period until the scroll expander and generator can produce the required supply of electrical power.
US07669407B2
An assembly for cleaning blowby gases has an electric heater and a downstream catalyst positioned in series relationship in a blowby conduit leading from an engine's crankcase to the atmosphere. The heater is controlled by a controller to maintain a selected temperature at the inlet to the catalyst as determined by a temperature sensor. The heating of the blowby gases increases the blowby gas temperature to a level where the catalyst is active to oxidize the constituents of the blowby gas stream.
US07669398B1
A machine is provided for harvesting produce such as fruit from a pair of adjacent, generally parallel rows of trees. The machine includes a land vehicle for being driven between the adjacent rows of trees. The land vehicle includes a chassis that supports a fruit collection receptacle. There are at least one pair of selectively extendible and retractable lift arms pivotably mounted to the chassis. Each arm in each pair supports proximate a distal end thereof a carrier for holding a person. Each arm is adjustable to position the carrier such that a person in the carrier is able to manually collect fruit form a respective one of the rows of trees. There are plurality conduits, each of which is attached proximate an upper end thereof to a respective one of the carriers such that an entrance of the conduit is accessible to a person in a respective carrier. Each conduit is attached proximate a lower end thereof to the receptacle such that fruit deposited into the entrance of the conduit by the person in the carrier is transmitted through the conduit and discharged into the receptacle.
US07669396B2
A timing crank for a cylindrical conveyor of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a unitary body in the form of an elongate member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a first aperture having a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second end defines a second aperture having a second longitudinal axis, wherein each of the apertures are joined by a longitudinal slot extending between and being in communication with the first and second apertures.
US07669373B2
Building means, having a main plate 1, a lower ledge 2 extending outwards of a first face of the plate, a first bolt portion 4 extending outwards of the first face of the plate and a second bolt portion 5 extending outwards of a second face of the plate opposite the first face; the building means being formed such that when it is in use a structural member can be fastened to the first bolt portion 4 while the plate 2 is arranged at least partially behind exterior cladding 8 of a building so that the ledge 2 extends to beyond the cladding 8, and wherein rainwater contacting the first face of the plate can run down the first face and be guided by the ledge 2 to a drain away position in front of the cladding.
US07669371B2
An underfloor distribution system, includes a first module having a main body; an end closure and a cover. The end closure and the cover are removably mounted to the main body, and the first module is adapted to be removably mounted to a second module.
US07669369B2
A door threshold water return system, comprising: a lower sill; an upper sill; a rear wall; and a front wall forming a chamber, wherein at least one baffle is provided projecting into the chamber from the rear wall, a first gap is provided in proximity to the rear wall and between the upper sill and the rear wall, and a second gap is provided in proximity to the lower sill and between the lower sill and the front wall, whereby water introduced into the system through the first gap exits the system through the second gap.
US07669367B2
A horizontal wall is formed with a notch groove. The notch groove is formed by cutting a tip end of the horizontal wall on the side of the vehicle body substantially along an approaching/separating direction between a vehicle body and a slide door. A connecting unit which turnably connects a plate and a roller holder of a connection assembly to each other is movably inserted into the notch groove. The plate and the horizontal wall of the bracket are fastened to each other in a state where they are superposed on each other.
US07669366B2
A planter for growing a transplantable plant includes a container having a sidewall and a bottom and further includes a retainer member for retaining a plant which has been transplanted within the container through the sidewall or bottom thereof. The retainer member defines an expandable opening which is movable between expanded and normally-collapsed conditions so that by urging a plant root system end-first against the retainer member, the expandable opening is moved to an expanded condition to permit the root system to pass through the expandable opening into the container interior. Upon passage of the root system through the expandable opening, the expandable opening is permitted to return toward its normally-collapsed condition about the stem of the plant to thereby prevent the withdrawal of the root system of the plant from the container interior through the plant retainer.
US07669363B2
A bait station is formed of a single unitary member which is folded to bring a first portion into contact with a second portion. An intermediate portion connects the first and second portions. The bait station includes a pair of passageways which lead from opposite edges of the bait station to a central recess portion. A block of rodenticide material is located in the recess portion and the passageways are angled to prevent access to the rodenticide material by children.
US07669358B1
A dynamic process for increasing the wear life of ferrous articles subjected to a high-temperature environment created by combustion of a propellant or fuel comprises selecting the propellant or fuel so that its combustion products include relatively large amounts of nitrogen, which nitrogen forms a protective nitride layer on the surface of the ferrous article. Disclosed is a specific embodiment of the invention for prolonging the wear life of gun barrels.
US07669354B2
For determining the load of an excavator bucket, or optionally of another holding region, a measurement step and an evaluation step are carried out. In the measurement step, the position of a load surface is determined by a noncontact distance-measuring device and, in the evaluation step, a load volume is determined from the position of the load surface and the position and shape of the excavator bucket or of the holding region. For determining the position of the load surface, at least one two-dimensional matrix with distance values is created by means of a distance-measuring camera. For determining the position of the excavator bucket, the distances to at least three points of the excavator bucket, in particular to points on the upper bucket edge, optionally to marked points are determined using the distance-measuring apparatus for determining the surface.
US07669353B2
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a transition apparatus having a hitch tongue constructed and arranged to be securable to the vehicle; the transition apparatus having a subframe including a plate having apertures; wherein the apertures in the plate can facilitate placement of the subframe at various heights with respect to the mounting apparatus.
US07669352B2
A shoe system is provided that comprises a removable upper unit and a sole unit that can be interconnected utilizing respective upper and lower connecting means. The sole unit can include a support panel that can extend substantially continuously about a periphery of the sole unit. A lower portion of the support panel can be connected to an interior area of the sole unit and an upper portion can extend generally upwardly from the lower portion and be disposed circumferentially within the interior of a lower connecting means along the sole periphery. The support panel can be so configured so as to provide structural strength to the shoe system when worn to resist transverse force and reduce tactile friction of the user's foot against the upper and lower connecting means.
US07669348B2
An apparatus, method and system is provided for treating sewage sludge by heating the same in a container to drive off pathogens and/or pasteurize the sewage sludge while the material is tumbled in the container and with moisture gases being evaporated therefrom and drawn off from the container. After treatment the treated sludge is discharged from the container. There is provided at least one weight-responsive member on which the container is mounted, and a control is provided connected to the one or more weight-responsive member whereby the solids content of the treated material can be determined by measuring the difference in weight of material in the container, before and after moisture is drawn off from the material and prior to its discharge from the drum. The control is preferably effected by means of a computer.
US07669347B1
An improvement on the structure of a measuring tape device is that a magnetic mechanism is secured at the distal end of a measuring tape. The magnetic mechanism is not placed onto the leg piece of the hook member and thus is not formed as part of the body of the hook member of the measuring tape. The front end of the magnetic mechanism is placed in alignment with the “0” cm mark on the measuring tape. During measuring process of an object of measurement and a designated point, the magnetic mechanism allows the measuring tape to be magnetically attached to the surface of the object and anchored at the exact starting point of measurement, and therefore, the measuring precision will not be skewed because of thickness of the hook member or because of the gap caused by the movable mechanics of the hook member.
US07669343B2
An improved adjustable gable end line puller is disclosed. A method for using the improved adjustable gable end line puller is also disclosed.
US07669326B2
It is known from the prior art that holes in a workpiece are filled completely with a solder powder, which leads especially in the case of large holes to the formation of cracks within the solder due to the large volume filled in once the solder cools off after soldering. The invention provides a method for closing a recess of a workpiece, which allows closing an opening of a recess without the risk of crack formation, by using only a solder film for closing the recess. The solder film has a content of non-melting material and therefore is substantially less prone to form cracks.
US07669320B2
A method for fabricating an IC support for supporting a first IC die connected in series with a second IC die; the IC support comprising a stack of alternating layers of copper features and vias in insulating surround, the first IC die being bondable onto the IC support, and the second IC die being bondable within a cavity inside the IC support, wherein the cavity is formed by etching away a copper base and selectively etching away built up copper.
US07669303B2
The invention concerns a process for preparing a complex sheet comprising a layer of drylaid glass fibers and a layer of organic fibers, comprising: mechanical needling or fluid entanglement, e.g. hydroentanglement, of a nonwoven fabric of continuous organic fibers and of a veil of non-preconsolidated continuous glass fibers, the said nonwoven fabric of organic fibers and the said veil of glass fibers being juxtaposed and the said needles respectively the fluid, water jets being sent from the same side as the nonwoven fabric of organic fibers, in order to make a sheet; and then application of a binder to the bilayer. The so obtained complex fibrous structure shows a low tendency to delaminate and can be impregnated with asphalt or bitumen, and used in the field of roofing, sealing covering or membranes.
US07669298B2
A buckle assembly for connecting safety belts according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The buckle assembly includes a buckle body including two side openings; a release button disposed in the buckle body including an engaging portion; two shoulder-strap buckles each having an opening to allow the waist-strap buckles passing through; and two waist-strap buckles each having a prong portion; wherein each of the shoulder-strap buckles is respectively positioned between each of the waist-strap buckles and the buckle body and incapable of departing from the buckle body freely when the prong portion of the waist-strap buckle is received in each of the side openings of the buckle body and engaged with the engaging portion of the release button; and the shoulder-strap buckles are departed from the buckle body together with the waist-strap buckles when the release button is actuated.
US07669297B2
Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
US07669296B2
The invention provides a slide fastener with a top end stop, wherein a linear fastener element row is sewed on the fastener tape, the top end stop is formed by burying linear fastener elements facing a space portion with synthetic resin, a projecting portion 11 to be in contact with a slider is formed on a side surface of the top end stop for preventing the slider from slipping out, a protrusion protruded upward along the sewing thread is formed on a front surface of the top end stop, a groove is carved in a center longitudinal direction of the protrusion, and the sewing thread is prevented from being deflected and exposed on the front surface of the top end stop by being pressed by a projecting ridge provided in a molding die for forming the groove toward the linear fastener elements.
US07669291B1
The invention is a pot holder that will insulate the hand from heat, have adequate friction for holding, and be readily available and usable with one hand. The holder or handgrip of the invention comprises an elastomer sheet such as silicone rubber with a small permanent magnet affixed adjacent one edge. The magnet has sufficient attractive force to support the holder in place against a ferromagnetic surface such as the vertical side of a refrigerator or microwave oven, for example. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a small piece of ferromagnetic material may be affixed to an opposite edge of the sheet to removably attach to the magnet on the opposite edge to thereby form the sheet into a tube that may be used to removably attach to a handle. The sheet may have one or both broad surfaces provided with a texture to enhance friction to provide a non-slip surface. The sheet has sufficient insulating properties to protect a hand from a hot handle. It has sufficient surface friction properties to provide a good grip on a pot or jar.
US07669289B2
A dual-axis hinge includes at least a connecting section, an upper hinge and a lower hinge. The connecting section has two sides orthogonally connected to the upper and lower hinges respectively. The connecting section has a circuit cavity that communicates with circuit outlets of the upper and lower hinges to form a passage for accommodating a transmission circuit. The upper hinge is connected to a first sleeve for joining the top cover of a folding electronic product, and the lower hinge is connected to a second sleeve for joining the body of the folding electronic product. These connections enable the top cover to rotate in at least two different directions.
US07669287B2
A hinge structure is disclosed to include a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure respectively mounted on the base member and cover of a lifter cover type mobile electronic product, two master connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure for allowing the cover to be opened from the base member, and two auxiliary connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure in such a manner that the auxiliary connecting members lock the cover to the second hinge structure and the cover is closed on the base member, and unlock the cover from the second hinge structure for adjustment of the inclined angle of the cover when the cover is opened from base member.
US07669285B2
Damping device (30) for hinges (10) for the pivotable articulation of door leaves (12) or door flaps on the carcass of pieces of furniture, in which the hinge has respectively a supporting wall mounting part (18) which can be fixed on the supporting wall (14) and a door leaf mounting part (24) which is pivotably coupled via a linkage mechanism (20; 22) to the supporting wall mounting part and can be fixed on the inner face of the door leaf or flap, and which is preferably constructed as a cup part which is countersunk and engages in a recess in the door leaf or flap and has a laterally projecting fixing flange which bears on the inner face of the door leaf.The damping device (30) has a damper housing which is provided on the door leaf mounting part (24) and which is provided in the cavity thereof with a fluid or gaseous damping medium and a resistance element which is movable relative to the damping medium and is coupled to an actuating element (39) which extends out of the housing. At least during part of the pivoting movement of the mounting parts (18, 24) relative to one another the actuating element is in engaged connection directly or indirectly with the supporting wall mounting part (18) and transmits to the resistance element the relative movement of the mounting parts as they pivot.The damper housing (32) is a separate component which is provided with laterally projecting fixing flanges (38, 46) which can be fixed on the fixing flanges of the door leaf mounting part (24).
US07669277B2
A connector (20) for securing a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes a base member (21) including a forward upper portion (32) and a rearward upper portion (33); a locking member (22) for holding either a U-hook portion (12) or a side pin (11) mounted to the base member (21); and a flexible connecting member (23) connecting the locking member (22) to the base member (21). To attach the connector (20) to the side pin (11), the connector is rotated toward the side pin (11) from the opposite side of the side pin (11) so that the side pin (11) fits into a recess (33A) of the rearward upper portion (33). The side pin (11) also fits into the recesses (47 and 48) of the locking member (22) so that the side pin (11) is held between the base member (21) and the locking member (22). The connector enables the firm securing of the wiper blade to the wiper arm so as to restrict vibrations between the wiper blade and the wiper arm.
US07669275B2
In a clutch device, an output shaft supports an input disk rotatably about an axis thereof, and a clutch disk non-rotatably about the axis and movably in an axial direction of the output shaft. An elastic member exerts resistive force on the input disk or the clutch disk when the clutch disk is about to come out of an engagement with the input disk. One of the input disk and the clutch disk has a trailing surface inclined by a predetermined angle from the axis, and the other has a curved control surface to come in a line contact with the trailing surface in a circumferential direction of the output shaft. The trailing surface and the curved control surface generate a component force of a driving force in the axial direction. The other having the curved control surface is higher in hardness than the one having the trailing surface.
US07669274B2
A device for restoring a light permeability of headlight lenses of motor vehicles has a holder, a working layer attached to the holder and adapted to clean and polish a surface of a headlight lense when the device is moved relative to the latter, and a sponge-like element located between the holder and the working layer and formed so that it applies an elastic biasing action to the working layer to provide a cleaning and polishing action by the working layer and at the same time to absorb a liquid required for the cleaning and polishing action.
US07669273B2
A system for applying liquid coating such as paint to a surface including a spindle-shaped roller cover having painting fabric permanently attached to the roller cover body and that can match the nap of the paint fabric used in a conventional roller used to paint flat surfaces; and a paint pan adapter which enables the user to use the corner-painting roller cover in a conventional paint pan as a reservoir for holding the coating material. The adapter is provided with a V-shaped grille which has a plurality of holes. The grille is elongated like a trough. Part of the length of the grille is submerged in the coating material and part is not. The trough along which the roller cover roles makes it possible for the roller cover to pick up paint from the reservoir of the paint pan and to remove excess coating material from the roller cover and return it top the reservoir.
US07669270B2
A method of aligning one end of a passenger boarding bridge with a doorway of an aircraft includes a step of parking the aircraft within a parking space that is defined adjacent to the passenger boarding bridge. An imager disposed aboard the aircraft is used for scanning a target that is located proximate the parking space, the target including machine-readable information that is uniquely associated with the passenger boarding bridge. Data relating to the machine-readable information of the target is extracted from image data and used for encoding a signal for transmission to a controller of the passenger boarding bridge. The controller determines the presence of the extracted data and compares the data to a unique bridge identifier code for that passenger boarding bridge. When a match is determined, then communication with an aircraft within or proximate a parking space adjacent to that passenger boarding bridge is confirmed.
US07669267B2
Disclosed is a method of controlling a ball balancer of a washing machine. The method includes variously setting sensing time corresponding to a plurality of water temperature ranges to detect an unbalanced mass, detecting imbalance of laundry and a laundry volume based on a water temperature, which is measured in real time, and the preset sensing time when an optional dehydration mode starts and performing a dehydration process.
US07669262B2
An accessory has a substantially radiolucent frame, a floor-supported base, and a support structure extending between the base and one end of the frame. A second end of the frame is coupleable to a surgical table in a manner that permits the frame to articulate relative to the surgical table. The support structure is extendable and retractable to change the height at which the first end of the frame is supported above the base. The support structures is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the base and the frame is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the support structure. The frame is movable to a compact storage position having the second end of the frame supported on the base. A set of wheels are provided on the base to permit the accessory to be wheeled from one location to another.
US07669257B2
A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complimentary fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet.
US07669254B2
The convertible furniture includes an elongate central bench section. A subframe is provided having an elongate planar member with load-bearing upright support members supporting arm rests or back rests extending upward at opposite ends of the elongate planar member. The central bench section is disposed atop the upright support members. Two lateral extension sections are pivotally attached to opposite edges of the bench section so that the lateral extension sections independently swing out from the central bench section to define a bed frame. Each of the lateral extension sections includes extendable support legs, which provide stability to the respective lateral extension section when extended to the bed frame configuration. Removable mattresses are provided for each section of the furniture. The mattresses are stored on the subframe and hidden from view when the extension sections are retracted. Placing a mattress on the bench section converts the bench to a chaise.
US07669249B2
A band that extends around a garment appendage, such as a sleeve or trouser leg. The band has a concealed position that hides a reflective tape and a deployed position where the reflective tape is visible. The band includes a strip that encircles and is attached to the garment appendage at a distance from the free end of the garment appendage. The reflective tape is bonded to the underside of the strip or to the garment appendage.
US07673346B1
Mechanisms for enforcing permissions on stored data. Prior to storing the data, a data structure containing the data is accessed, and then modified to include a license that represents permission(s) for how the data should be used when the data structure is later accessed. The modified data structure is then stored, after perhaps some optional transformation. When the data structure is later accessed, the license is acquired from the data structure. The license is then used to determine whether or not to honor specific requests to use the data. This determination may be made based on license validation instructions executed from a removable media. Furthermore, the license may be the exclusive determining factor for the license validation instructions in determining whether or not to honor specific requests.
US07673344B1
A method and apparatus for detecting preselected data embedded in information content is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving information content and detecting in the information content a sequence of content fragments that may contain a portion of preselected data. The method further comprises determining whether a sub-set of these content fragments matches any sub-set of the preselected data using an abstract data structure that defines a tabular structure of the preselected data.
US07673343B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning data. Initially, scanning control logic is executed utilizing a central processing unit. A request related to data is then identified at the central processing unit. In response to the request, the data is indicated to a scanning co-processor coupled to the central processing unit so that the data is scanned by the scanning co-processor under the control of the scanning control logic. The central processing unit then waits for results from the scanning co-processor. Additional logic is executed utilizing the central processing unit while waiting for the results from the scanning co-processor. An event is then initiated based on the results from the scanning co-processor. By this design, the scanning co-processor offloads intensive scanning operations from the central processing unit.
US07673342B2
An e-mail client serves to detect mass mailing malware by detecting if over a threshold number of addressees from within the address book of that e-mail client are being sent an e-mail or over a predetermined number of substantially identical e-mails are being sent by that e-mail client. A quarantine queue may be provided in which e-mail messages are held for a predetermined period prior to being sent out in order that separate e-mail messages being sent to a large proportion of the address book addressees may be identified and linked together.
US07673337B1
A system for online configuration and communication for a supervisory control and data acquisition system comprising an online configurable enterprise server, at least one intelligent electronic device, an online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module, and a configurable server interface. Both the online configurable enterprise server and the online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module include respective cryptography chips and computer instructions for instructing respective processors to selectively encrypt and decrypt commands, messages, data, and responses, allowing non-encrypted transmissions between the at least one intelligent electronic device and the online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module, and selectively encrypted transmission between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and the online configurable enterprise server.
US07673334B2
A communication system and a security assurance device are proposed, which are capable of assuring that a target party for communication is implementing security countermeasures. A server 3 transmits information 104 necessary for AC issuance to a security assurance authority 2. The security assurance authority 2 verifies the security of the server 3 during communication based upon this information necessary for AC issuance 104. And, when the security of the server 3 during communication is confirmed, the security assurance authority 2 issues an AC 105 which proves the security of the server 3 during communication, and transmits it to the server 3. Upon receipt of this AC 105, the server 3 transmits the AC 105 to a client 4, according to a connection request from the client 4. And, upon receipt of this AC 105, the client 4 verifies the security during communication of the server 3, based upon the AC 105.
US07673328B1
A network system includes a plurality of individual Internet service providers each having access points, and a parallel Internet service provider connected to the plurality of individual Internet service providers, the individual Internet service providers and the parallel Internet service provider each include an authentication server. When the access point of a provider receives a connection request from a user who contracts with the parallel service provider, the provider transfers a connection ID and a password to an authentication server of the parallel Internet service provider to perform user authentication. When a result of the authentication is good, the user terminal is connected to the user terminal through the access point.
US07673326B2
A system and method that utilizes clean groups for reducing security management complexity. The system reduces the complexity of managing security technologies by automatically assigning objects such as computers or persons to clean groups which are defined by existing management infrastructure. In an embodiment where members are computers, ongoing automatic efforts ensure that clean groups include only computers that satisfy specified security principles, which allows administrators to treat all computers that are in compliance as a group. Separately, the members of the clean group are required to implement self-governance, which is an ability to detect being compromised and to take steps to remove themselves from the clean group when they are compromised. In addition to attempting to remove itself from the clean group, a compromised computer may take additional steps aimed at minimizing further damage, such as erasing or hiding computer domain credentials, hiding/protecting/disabling cryptographic (e.g. EFS) keys, or logging out a user.
US07673323B1
A system and method for maintaining security in a distributed computing environment comprises a policy manager located on a server for managing and distributing a security policy, and an application guard located on a client for managing access to securable components as specified by the security policy. In the preferred embodiment, a global policy specifies access privileges of the user to securable components. The policy manager may then preferably distribute a local client policy based on the global policy to the client. An application guard located on the client then manages access to the securable components as specified by the local policy.
US07673320B2
It is targeted that CMs by e.g., television broadcast be detected automatically, an access site to detailed contents of a specified one of the CMs be acquired automatically, and connection be made automatically to the access site to enable accessing to the detailed information. A broadcasting station 302 sends out airing signals containing CMs. A consumer terminal (303) detects these CMs from the aired signals and connects to an access site information furnishing device (305) based on the airing time and the airing channel of the detected CM to acquire the access site information of the distribution terminal (301) for e.g., an article of commerce owning the detailed information pertinent to the CM. Based on the access site information, the consumer terminal (303) accesses the distribution terminal (301) to acquire the detailed information pertinent to the CM.
US07673305B2
In one embodiment, jobs requiring short processing time are given preference over jobs requiring long processing time by processing to completion all jobs for the first N seconds of the job. Jobs requiring longer than N seconds to complete are given a lower priority than a newly arriving job can and continue being processed, but are subject to reduction in resources by new jobs as each new job arrives.
US07673304B2
Systems and methods are provided for scheduling the processing of a coprocessor whereby applications can submit tasks to a scheduler, and the scheduler can determine how much processing each application is entitled to as well as an order for processing. In connection with this process, tasks that require processing can be stored in physical memory or in virtual memory that is managed by a memory manager. The invention also provides various techniques of determining whether a particular task is ready for processing. A “run list” may be employed to ensure that the coprocessor does not waste time between tasks or after an interruption. The invention also provides techniques for ensuring the security of a computer system, by not allowing applications to modify portions of memory that are integral to maintaining the proper functioning of system operations.
US07673299B2
In a computer operating system having a user interface, a resource loader, and a registry resource database, a method for dynamically verifying whether the resource content of a resource module is compatible with the most current version of the operating system. Upon obtaining a request for a resource, the resource loader verifies that the resource modules remain compatible with the operating system prior to loading a resource from an alternate resource module. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the operating system has a multilingual user interface and utilizes resource modules that are language specific.
US07673289B1
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for ignoring one or more output arguments of a function in a programming environment. Users or programmers may designate one or more output arguments that are not desired by the users. The called function determines which output arguments are designated by the users. The one or more output arguments designated by the users are ignored by the function. The called function may reclaim memory space for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function may also avoid operations for generating values for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function does not need to return values for the output arguments designated by the users.
US07673278B2
The invention provides apparatus and methods for processing substrates using a hot-spot library.
US07673276B2
Method and system for conducting low-power design explorations are disclosed. The method includes receiving an RTL netlist of a circuit design, creating one or more power requirement files, wherein each power requirement file comprises power commands corresponding to the RTL netlist, generating one or more low-power RTL netlists using the corresponding one or more power requirement files and the RTL netlist, and conducting low-power design explorations using the one or more low-power RTL netlists.
US07673272B1
Method and apparatus for generating an area constraint for a module in a programmable logic device (PLD) is described. In an example, first logic resources are selected in a floorplan of the PLD for implementing a first module of a circuit design. A routing resource area constraint is defined that reserves first routing resources associated with the first logic resources and second routing resources associated with second logic resources. The second routing resources are required for use of the first logic resources. A logic resource area constraint is defined that reserves the first logic resources and excludes the second logic resources. The logic resource constraint area for the module may be non-rectangular or include multiple disjoint regions.
US07673270B1
Method and apparatus for compensating an integrated circuit design for mechanical stress effects. One aspect of the invention relates to designing an integrated circuit. Layout data is obtained that describes layers of the integrated circuit. At least one of the layers is analyzed to detect at least one structure susceptible to damage from mechanical stress. A bias is automatically added to each of the at least one structure to reduce mechanical stress of the at least one structure as fabricated. Augmented layout data is then provided for the integrated circuit.
US07673269B2
Automatic trace determination apparatus comprises: means for setting candidate starting route and candidate ending routes that are tangent to an obstacle existing on a straight line connecting between a starting point and an end point of a trace; means for, when a plurality of obstacles exist on the straight line, setting, with respect to each pair of two of the obstacles, straight routes, each of which is tangent only to such two obstacles and does not intersect with any obstacle other than such two obstacles; means for setting tentative routes, each of which includes any one of the candidate starting routes and any one of the candidate ending routes and, when the plurality of obstacles exist, may further include any of candidate intermediate routes selected with respect to each pair of the obstacles; and means for, among the tentative routes, determining the tentative route that has the shortest distance between the starting point and the end point as an optimal trace route.
US07673267B1
Methods and circuits to reduce jitter in a design block including partitioning the design block. A circuit design is partitioned into multiple partitioned design blocks performing the same task as the original circuit deign. In one embodiment, a core clock signal is supplied to each of the partitioned design blocks, having a frequency higher than frequency of the reference clock signal. Additionally each of the partitioned design blocks receives a mutually exclusive enable signal, where each of the partitioned design blocks may be activated once at a given time.
US07673265B2
A simulation apparatus, including a first simulator assigning an operating cycle number, a second simulator assigning an operating cycle number, and a control portion for synchronously controlling the first simulator and the second simulator, the control portion causing communication between the first simulator and the second simulator so as to control control-information and synchronous-information of the first simulator and the second simulator, the control-information controlling operations of the first simulator and the second simulator, wherein the control portion sets up the operating cycle numbers of the first simulator and the second simulator at a first cycle value when a synchronous condition of the synchronous-information is established, the control portion sets up at least one of the operating cycle numbers of the first simulator and the second simulator at a second cycle value being larger than the first cycle value when the synchronous condition of the synchronous-information is not established.
US07673254B2
An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07673251B1
Panel presentation is described, including presenting a foreground panel over a background panel, detecting an input associated with the background panel, the input being configured to invoke the background panel, and rendering the foreground panel and the background panel in a substantially similar region of an interface, the foreground panel and the background panel being rendered without modifying the foreground panel.
US07673250B2
Systems and methods for a dimmable user interface. A user interface is simultaneously displayed with video content or other data in the same window of a display device. The user interface has a level of transparency that is user adjustable. The user can thus make the user interface either more or less visible with respect to the video content. At the same time, the video content is correspondingly made less or more visible. Each item included in the user interface may also have a level of transparency that can be adjusted independently of the level of transparency of the user interface.
US07673236B2
There is disclosed a method of inputting text into a data processing apparatus, including the steps of (a) providing a database of words arranged hierarchically into a plurality of levels; (b) displaying at least one window on a visual display unit of said data processing apparatus; (c) showing a plurality of said words in said at least one window; (d) choosing a word or words from said plurality of words shown in said at least one window; and (e) outputting an output in response to choosing of said word(s) in said step (d). There is also disclosed a computer program configured and executable, when installed in a data processing apparatus, to (a) provide in said data processing apparatus a database of words arranged hierarchically into a plurality of levels, (b) display at least one window on a visual display unit of said data processing apparatus, (c) show a plurality of said words in said at least one window, (d) choose a word or words from said plurality of words shown in said at least one window; and (e) output an output in response to choosing of said word(s) in (d) above.
US07673230B2
A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.
US07673225B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using a structured Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code. The transmitter performs structured LDPC coding on input information data using a structured LDPC code, parallel-converts a structured LDPC codeword generated by performing the structured LDPC coding, in units of groups having a predetermined size, and transmits data. The receiver receives a plurality of parallel data streams, serial-converts the received parallel data streams in units of groups having a predetermined size, and performs structured LDPC decoding on the data which was serial-converted group by group, using a structured LDPC code.
US07673220B2
A flash memory device is disclosed that comprises memory cells, a sense node connected to a selected bit line, a sense circuit configured to selectively provide a first voltage to a common node in accordance with a voltage level of the sense node, a first register connected to the sense node and the common node and configured to store data in accordance with a voltage level of the common node, a second register configured to store data in accordance with the voltage level of the sense node, a switch configured to provide a second voltage to the second register, and a discharge circuit configured to selectively discharge the sense node in accordance with the data stored in the second register.
US07673216B2
A memory cache device in which a storage area used for a memory data protection function is effectively used at the time of not using the memory data protection function. A mode selection signal makes ECC code sections for storing an ECC code function as a storage area for storing ECC codes used for performing error detection or error correction on data stored in data RAMs at the time the memory data protection function is enabled and as a way added to the data RAMs at the time the memory data protection function is disabled.
US07673210B2
A method for diagnosing a degree of interference between a plurality of faults in a system under test, the faults being detected by means of applying a test suite to the system under test, includes: 1) for each of the plurality of faults, and for each of a plurality of test syndromes, where a test syndrome is a pattern of passing and failing tests of the test suite, determining relative frequencies at which particular ones of the faults are coupled with particular ones of the syndromes; and 2) using the relative frequencies at which particular ones of the faults are coupled with particular ones of the syndromes to calculate and display to a user, via a graphical user interface, and for the test suite as a whole, test suite degrees of interference between pairs of the faults. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07673196B2
A system and method are disclosed which may include establishing a stored test vector, including a plurality of data bits, within a vector data engine; transmitting the stored test vector to a memory array; performing at least one arithmetic or logical operation upon the stored test vector by a vector data generator within the vector data engine to update the stored test vector; and repeating the steps of transmitting and performing so as to continuously transmit continuously changing stored test vectors to the memory array.
US07673190B1
A system and method are provided for detecting and recovering from errors in an Instruction Cache RAM and/or Operand Cache RAM of an electronic data processing system. In some cases, errors in the Instruction Cache RAM and/or Operand Cache RAM are detected and recovered from without any required interaction of an operating system of the data processing system. Thus, and in many cases, errors in the Instruction Cache RAM and/or Operand Cache RAM can be handled seamlessly and efficiently, without requiring a specialized operating system routine, or in some cases, a maintenance technician, to help diagnose and/or fix the error.
US07673184B2
A network diagnostic device or component such as a network analyzer or a jammer that is placed in-line between two nodes in a network to perform a flow control operation transparently without the requirement of a separate link layer implementation. The network diagnostic device may include a diagnostic module configured to perform network analyzer operations, a memory a first flow control module a second flow control module. In some embodiments, when performing the flow control operation, various modules and/or components may cause the network diagnostic device to enter a first pass-through mode and to then enter into a first flow control handshaking mode from the first pass-through mode. The various modules and/or components may also cause the network diagnostic device to enter a second pass-through mode from the first flow control handshaking mode and to then enter into a second flow control handshaking mode from the first pass-through mode.
US07673178B2
Break and optional hold preserves a state of a computing environment on which a software program has failed. Being able to examine the status of the environment existing upon the occurrence of the failure, including the condition of various processes and values facilitates resolution of the cause of the failure. Upon occurrence of a failure during the execution of a first software program in a first computing environment, execution of the first software program breaks. A first state of the first computing environment existing upon the breaking in execution of the first software program is then held. A failure notification is generated to signal the failure to a monitoring system. The monitoring system accesses hold information to determine whether the first computing environment should hold its current state and whether one or more other computing environments interacting with the first computing environment should also hold their states.
US07673172B2
Provided is a method, system, and program for processing Input/Output (I/O) requests to a storage network including at least one storage device and at least two adaptors, wherein each adaptor is capable of communicating I/O requests to the at least one storage device. An error is detected in a system including a first adaptor, wherein the first adaptor is capable of communicating on the network after the error is detected. In response to detecting the error, a master switch timer is started that is less than a system timeout period if the first adaptor is the master. An error recovery procedure in the system including the first adaptor would be initiated after the system timeout period has expired. An operation is initiated to designate another adaptor in the storage network as the master if the first adaptor is the master in response to detecting an expiration of the master switch timer.
US07673168B2
A switch includes a reference log storage table for storing a plurality of reference logs for performing normal connection processing between network nodes, a connection candidate log search program for searching for a connection candidate log from among a plurality of reference logs based on a failure log acquired when a connection failure occurs between network nodes; and a re-connection program for re-connecting the network nodes by using the connection candidate log.
US07673162B2
An information processing terminal includes a WOL monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a particular packet for indicating resumption of operation from a suspended state is received, a resume processing unit for resuming the operation from the suspended state, a factor monitoring unit for recording a factor of the resumption to a memory, a cancel monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a cancel signal to a communication request received after the resumption is received, and a suspend processing unit for switching the operation to the suspended state when the factor of the resumption is reception of the particular packet as well as the cancel signal is received after the resumption. With this arrangement, power consumption of the information processing terminal can be suppressed.
US07673161B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selecting a waking process. An input module receives a specified input during the off state of a data processing device. In addition, the input module stores the input in the storage module. The storage module may be integrated within the input module. The input module activates the data processing device in response to the input. A wake module retrieves the input from the storage module. In addition, the wake module determines a process that corresponds to the input. The wake module wakes the data processing device using the process.
US07673159B2
A device state control method for use in an information processing apparatus that has a body, a device connectable to the body, a storage portion which stores information of a state of power supply to the device, the device state control method including: determining whether the information of state of power supply stored in the storage portion is information of power-supply OFF state or not, after instructing to shift the state of the power supply to the device from the power-supply OFF state into a power-supply ON state; and starting the power supply to the device, when the information of power-supply OFF state is stored in the storage portion.
US07673158B2
A method (and system) of managing heat in an electrical circuit, includes using a thermal instruction appended to an instruction to be processed to determine a heat load associated with the instruction.
US07673157B2
Method and system for controlling a mixed array of point-of-load regulators through a bus translator
A power control system comprises at least one point-of-load (POL) regulator adapted to provide an output voltage to a corresponding load and a system controller operatively connected to the at least one POL regulator via a data bus and adapted to send a first data message in a first format to the at least one POL regulator via the data bus. A bus translator is interposed along the data bus between the at least one POL regulator and the system controller. The bus translator converts the first data message from the first format to a second format that is compatible with the at least one POL regulator. The bus translator is adapted for bi-directional operation to convert a second data message communicated from the at least one POL regulator in the second format to the first format compatible with the system controller. The first and second data formats may comprise either a digital data format or an analog data format. The bus translator may further include a phase-locked loop circuit adapted to synchronize operation of the bus translator to a detected data rate of the data bus.
US07673149B2
A method and apparatus for identifying and/or authenticating a user of a mobile device in a server on the basis of fingerprints of the user that have been read through haptic input means of the mobile device with a fingerprint reader in the mobile device.
US07673147B2
The present invention provides a policy specification framework to enable an enterprise to specify a given insider attack using a holistic view of a given data access, as well as the means to specify and implement one or more intrusion mitigation methods in response to the detection of such an attack. The policy specification provides for the use of “anomaly” and “signature” attributes that capture sophisticated behavioral characteristics of illegitimate data access. When the attack occurs, a previously-defined administrator (or system-defined) mitigation response (e.g., verification, disconnect, de-provision, network re-routing, or the like) is then implemented.
US07673144B2
The invention concerns a system enabling a member (M) of a group (G) to produce, by means of customized data (z; K), a message (m) accompanied by a signature (8) proving to a verifier that the message originates from a member of the group (G). The invention is characterized in that the customized data is in the form of an electronic physical medium (26). Advantageously, the latter also incorporates: encrypting means (B3) for producing a customized cipher (C) from the customized data prior to the signature S of the message (m), means (B5) for producing a combination of a message m to be signed and the cipher (C) associated with said message, for example in the form of a concatenation of the message (m) with the cipher (C), and means (B6) for signing (Sig) the message (m) with the customized data (z; K) in the form of a cipher (C) associated with said message. Advantageously, the physical medium is a smart card (26) or the like.
US07673135B2
An authentication mechanism for use in network-based services generates an authentication token. The authentication token is provided to a client device as part of the code comprising a content page. The content page code is received and loaded by a browser application at the client device. When the content page code is received and loaded by the browser application, the authentication token is loaded by the browser as well. Upon receiving subsequent input, the browser application may send a content request to the server. The content request includes the authentication token maintained by the browser application in the content page. A server may validate the authentication token provided in the request using version information and one or more master authentication tokens.
US07673131B2
A computing device is configured to assemble and boot an operating system in stages. A primary boot image is first obtained that includes enough of the operating system to support basic networking. Once the primary boot image is obtained, either through download or from storage on the device, the primary boot image is booted to start the networking. Once the networking is active, the boot activity for the device is suspended and one or more secondary operating system images are downloaded by the device. These images are chained to the primary boot image thereby creating a single/cohesive operating system. These secondary operating system images are successively booted in “stages” with each successive stage building upon the functionality of the previous stage.
US07673129B2
Provided are a method, device, and system for booting from a memory device having an array of blocks of cells. An initial memory map has a mapping of memory addresses to accessible blocks of cells in the memory device that are accessible following a boot sequence. There are secure blocks of cells in addition to the accessible blocks of cells that are not accessible through the memory addresses in the initial memory map. In response to detecting an initialization event, the secure blocks of cells are mapped to a range of memory addresses in the memory map to generate an altered memory map. Code is executed in the secure blocks using the range of memory addresses in the altered memory map. The range of memory addresses mapping to the secure blocks are remapped to map to the accessible blocks to which the range of memory addresses mapped in the initial memory map to restore the initial memory map from the altered memory map.
US07673123B2
The invention relates to a microprocessor device and to a branch prediction method that determines which of a plurality of predetermined branch classes a respective branch instruction to be executed is assigned to, and determines whether the branch is likely to be taken or not, depending on the branch class determined. Advantageously, a respective adaptive branch prediction device assigned to the determined branch class is used for determining whether the branch is likely to be taken or not.
US07673121B2
A method for the transmission of digital messages by the output terminals of a monitoring circuit which is integrated into a microprocessor, the digital messages being representative of first specific events which are dependent on the execution of a series of instructions by the microprocessor. The method includes transmitting the following signals to the monitoring circuit by dedicated access points, namely (i) a request signal for the sending of a message that is associated with a specific event from second specific events which are independent of the execution of the series of instructions by the microprocessor and (ii) a signal comprising characteristic data which are associated with the aforementioned specific event; forcing the monitoring circuit to read the request message and, if the resource management conditions are fulfilled, sending an acknowledgement message and storing said characteristic data signal and transmitting a digital message which is representative of the stored characteristic data signal.
US07673118B2
This present invention brings to the multiprocessor what vectorization brought to the single processor. It provides similar tools to speed communication that have traditionally been used to speed computation; namely, the capability to program optimal communication algorithms on an architecture that can replicate their performance in terms of wall clock time. In addition to the usual complement of logic and arithmetic units, each processor contains a programmable communication unit that orchestrates traffic between the network and registers that communicate directly with comparable registers in neighboring processors. Communication tasks are performed out of these registers like computational tasks on a vector uniprocessor. The architecture is balanced and the hardware/software combination is scalable to any number of processors.
US07673113B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses to dynamically balance execution loads on a partitioned system among processor cores or among partitions.
US07673112B2
The system according to the present invention comprises a first storage area for storing a plurality of logical volume data where the attributes on a plurality of logical volumes are recorded respectively, a second storage area for storing allocation destination candidate data where the attributes on an allocation destination candidate selected from one or more allocation destination candidates are recorded, a third storage area for storing one or more history data to indicate a relationship of a logical volume having a certain attribute among the plurality of logical volumes to an allocation destination candidate having a certain attribute among one or more allocation destination candidates, a device refining unit for refining the plurality of logical volume data to one or more logical volume data based on the plurality of logical volume data, allocation destination candidate data, and one or more history data, and a refined result output section for outputting the content of the refined one or more logical volume data.
US07673110B2
In a system where a first storage system and a second storage system are connected to a third storage system, when the first storage system virtualizes and provides a device in the third storage system as a device in its own storage system, update data stored in a cache in the first storage system is written into the device of the third storage system to be reflected, attributes of the device are transferred to the second storage system, and the second storage system virtualizes the device of the third storage system as a device of its own storage system.
US07673108B2
Techniques for cache management including cache replacement are provided. In one aspect, a distributed caching technique of the invention comprises the use of a central cache and one or more local caches. The central cache communicates with the one or more local caches and coordinates updates to the local caches, including cache replacement. The invention also provides techniques for adaptively determining holding times associated with data storage applications such as those involving caches.
US07673099B1
Described are techniques for initializing a cache in connection with storing a received data set. A previously stored data set that is similar to the received data set is identified. A cache is initialized in accordance with the previously stored data set. Processing is performed using the cache to store the received data set.
US07673098B2
A system and method for synchronizing mirrored and striped disk writes. A data storage system may include a client computer system coupled to a first data storage device and a second data storage device and configured to transmit a first data write request. The first storage device may be configured to transmit a sequence number to the client computer system in response to receiving the first data write request. The client computer system may be further configured to transmit a second data write request including the sequence number to the second storage device. The second data storage device may include a counter and is configured to compare a current counter value to the sequence number. If the counter value is equal to the sequence number, the second storage device stores the data bytes corresponding to the second data write request and increments its counter.
US07673095B2
A FIFO memory with a frequency f and a size of M n-bit words, to successively store n-bit words received serially at an input and give said words serially at an output in the order in which they are stored, comprises a basic memory with a frequency f/2, capable of simultaneously storing two n-bit words successively received at the input of the FIFO memory. The memory also comprises a storage circuit to store either one n-bit word received at the input of the FIFO memory or simultaneously two n-bit words produced by the basic memory and to produce, at the output OUT of the FIFO memory, one of the words that said storage circuit stores.
US07673093B2
A computer system having a memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.
US07673091B2
A bus bridge between a high speed DMA bus and a lower speed peripheral bus sets a threshold for minimum available buffer space to send a read request dependent upon a frequency ratio and the DMA read latency. Similarly, a threshold for minimum available data for a write request depends on the frequency ratio and the DMA write latency. The bus bridge can store programmable values for the DMA read latency and write latency.
US07673079B2
In an apparatus to be controlled 20 such as a USB-compatible peripheral device connected to a controlling apparatus such as a personal computer, when a specification change is detected such as a change in the apparatus to be controlled 20 itself and a change in the connection situation of an attached device 30 (S201: YES), identification information corresponding to the changed specification is extracted (S205) and the extracted identification information is set as identification information to be transmitted to the controlling apparatus 10 (S206). The identification information having been set is transmitted to the controlling apparatus 10, and the controlling apparatus 10 controls the apparatus to be controlled 20 having the changed specification, on the basis of the identification information. This controlling apparatus for controlling the apparatus to be controlled on the basis of the identification information for identifying the apparatus to be controlled adjusts easily to the change in the specification of the apparatus to be controlled.
US07673078B2
A mechanism is provided for storage enclosures to communicate with one another using pre-existing cables allowing the user to dynamically attach different types and speeds of Fiber Channel enclosures together. The mechanism uses a transmit disable line and receive loss of signal line of a small form-factor pluggable optical cable to provide a communication link between enclosures before the Fiber Channel loop is setup and stable. The mechanism on the transmit side pulses the transmit disable line to communicate configuration information. The mechanism on the receive side receives the configuration information on the receive loss of signal line. The transmit disable line and the receive loss of signal line operate as a one-wire communication scheme, providing a communication link to communicate configuration information before the Fiber Channel loop is established.
US07673076B2
An enhanced direct memory access (EDMA) operation issues a read command to the source port to request data. The port returns the data along with response information, which contains the channel and valid byte count. The EDMA stores the read data into a write buffer and acknowledges to the source port that the EDMA can accept more data. The read response and data can come from more than one port and belong to different channels. Removing channel prioritizing according to this invention allows the EDMA to store read data in the write buffer and the EDMA then can acknowledge the port read response concurrently across all channels. This improves the EDMA inbound and outbound data flow dramatically.
US07673074B1
The avoidance of port collisions in a hardware-accelerated network protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP), is disclosed. In one example, a hardware-accelerated host bus adaptor (HBA) offloads protocol processing from a host computer's operating system. However, a port collision occurs if a non-accelerated host TCP/IP stack and a hardware accelerated host bus adapter TCP/IP stack choose the same port for establishing a network connection. In a double-ended TCP/IP acceleration connection, a unique TCP port is bound to the accelerated TCP/IP stack. In a single-ended TCP/IP acceleration connection, either the host TCP/IP stack is prevented from using that port or a non-accelerated connection is associated with an accelerated connection without binding a port.
US07673072B2
A system for protocol processing in a computer network has an intelligent network interface card (INIC) or communication processing device (CPD) associated with a host computer. The INIC provides a fast-path that avoids protocol processing for most large multi-packet messages, greatly accelerating data communication. The INIC also assists the host for those message packets that are chosen for processing by host software layers. A communication control block for a message is defined that allows DMA controllers of the INIC to move data, free of headers, directly to or from a destination or source in the host. The context is stored in the INIC as a communication control block (CCB) that can be passed back to the host for message processing by the host. The INIC contains specialized hardware circuits that are much faster at their specific tasks than a general purpose CPU. A preferred embodiment includes a trio of pipelined processors with separate processors devoted to transmit, receive and management processing, with full duplex communication for four fast Ethernet nodes.
US07673071B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for generating a name for a system of devices. An identifier identifies each component in the system. Once each component is identified, information such as the World Wide Name (WWN) of each component is stored in a database. Additional information such as the IP address of each component may also be stored within the database. A comparator then compares a name such as the WWN of each component and selects the name of a selected component based on specified parameters provided by a user. The selected name is modified and then assigned as an identifier of the entire system of devices. The system of devices is thus assigned a unique identifier that remains the same each time those components form a system of devices.
US07673069B2
A structured peer-to-peer overlay performs a key-based routing (KBR) that achieves a strong routing consistency guarantee as well as reasonable scalability. The key space of the structured overlay is partitioned into zones, each separately managed by a group membership service that provides total ordering of membership query and change actions. The strongly consistent KBR has two phases: first, a key value is routed to a contact node in its zone via a weakly consistent KBR protocol; and then performing a lookup of the destination node for the key value by the contact node using the group membership service of the zone. By appropriately tuning the zone size, the strongly consistent KBR balances the trade-off between scalability and routing liveness. The KBR can maintain this balance by merging and splitting zones to account for system chum and scale changes.
US07673066B2
A method is disclosed for communicating using a device having a Palm OS. SMB is preferentially used to communicate with a node, and if use of SMB is not possible, FTP is used, and if use of FTP is not possible, Bluetooth is used. If FTP or Bluetooth is selected as the protocol, file sharing between the device and node that entails a read or write is executed by temporarily copying a file to an internal Palm OS memory of the device, performing the read or write on the file, and then copying the file back to the node to overwrite a previous version of the file at the node. For non-Palm OS file transfer to the internal memory, the file is wrapped in a Palm OS stream in the internal memory for executing reads or writes. For file transfer to an expansion Palm OS memory card, byte-to-byte copying of the file is executed using the FAT of the expansion memory, with the file being transferred through an internal Palm OS memory of the device.
US07673063B2
In the present technique of streaming a main media stream that has been requested, an anti-shadow stream (36) that represents a backup copy of the main media stream (24) is sent along with an output media stream (34) that represents an output copy of the main media stream. The content of the anti-shadow stream (36) is preferably forward-shifted in time from the output media stream (34) so as to provide replacement of loss data of the output stream. Put differently, sequenced data frames of the output stream (34) are delayed by order compared to that of the anti-shadow stream (36).
US07673050B2
A system and method for optimizing server resources while providing interaction with documents accessible through the server. The system allows a user to open and interact with a document without opening a session. Aspects of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method having steps for determining whether a document is static in response to a request to open the document, and opening the document in a sessionless mode when the document is static. Other aspects of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method having steps for determining whether a trigger has occurred and transitioning to a session mode for the document when a trigger has occurred.
US07673047B2
The present invention is directed to technology for determining the set of groups of which a user is a member. A user can be a static member, dynamic member or nested member of a group. A user is a nested member of a first group if that user is a member of a second group and the second group is a member of the first group. There can be multiple levels of nesting. For example, an entity can be a nested member of a first group if that entity is a member of a second group, which is a member of a third group, which is a member of a fourth group, which is a member of the first group. The present invention can determine the groups of which the user is a static member, dynamic member or nested member.
US07673037B2
A method and system for monitoring the statuses of components within a telephony system, especially a cable-based telephony system, and to monitor quality issues within such system. By determining how components with the system are behaving, a network administrator may be able to troubleshoot problems remotely using a known set of problem resolution techniques. Such techniques may be applied stepwise by the administrator or may be automated through computer intervention.
US07673034B1
A self service data interface includes communications logic providing communications with a personal data device and a data infrastructure, such as the computer resources in a department or building. A processor executes a data interface management process that communicates with the data infrastructure to obtain information about available data services, where the information includes information about how the available data services are accessed. The data interface management process also communicates with the personal data device to provide the information about the available data services to the user. The information is used by the personal data device to invoke the services directly via the self service data interface. The self service interface can have multiple communications links to the personal data device, such as a wire link and a wireless link. The information from the self service data interface can be provided as a hypertext page that is accessed and handled by a browser within the personal data device.
US07673025B2
Techniques are provided for controlling access message flow. The techniques include receiving one or more access messages; determining one or more sets of features, one for each access message; receiving a particular access message; determining a particular set of one or more features for the particular access message; determining whether the particular access message satisfies a particular condition based on the particular set of one or more features and the one or more sets of features; and if the particular access message satisfies the particular condition, performing a responsive action based on the particular condition.
US07673021B2
Approaches for provisioning phones in packet voice networks are disclosed. One approach provides determining that an Internet Protocol (IP) phone has registered in a network; receiving a unique identifier of the IP phone; determining, based on the unique identifier of the IP phone, a user identifier of an individual user associated with the IP phone; generating a configuration for the IP phone based on the user identifier; and providing the configuration to the IP phone. Various approaches for deriving a user identifier based on the unique identifier of the phone are disclosed.
US07673017B2
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communication with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communication with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server upon receipt of an update request from the Internet advertisement server.
US07673014B2
A product information providing apparatus for providing, via a network, product information for supporting operations of a product, comprises an electronic product information storage that stores electronic product information which contains a group of hierarchized files having a file format browsable through a Web browser; a table holder that holds an event table in which an event indicating a change in the state of the product is associated with address information of the product information corresponding to the event; an event detector that detects occurrence of the event; an address information acquisition unit that acquires address information corresponding to the event detected by the event detector by referring to the table holder; an accessing unit that accesses the corresponding electronic product information based on the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit; and a display that displays the electronic product information accessed by the accessing unit.
US07673008B2
A network system includes devices connected to a network each of which is assigned an ordinal rank in the system, in which a device of the highest ordinal rank functions as a master device and devices of the other ordinal ranks function as general devices. In the network system, each device includes: a master device checking unit configured to operate when the device is functioning as a general device to check that a device functioning as the master device exists in the system; an ordinal rank judging unit configured to judge the ordinal rank of the device when no device functioning as the master device exists; and a first control unit configured to control the device to function as the master device when the ordinal rank of the device is judged to be the highest by the ordinal rank judging unit.
US07673006B2
Writing a collaborative email document with hierarchical authorities including establishing a collaborative email document on an administrator's computer, identifying one or more signatories for the document, identifying one or more collaborators who are authorized to view and edit the document, providing to the collaborators copies of the document for viewing and editing, where the collaborators' copies reside on collaborators' computers, updating the copies of the document on collaborators' computers with revisions from the collaborators, and sending the collaborative email document from the administrator's computer to addressees when the document bears valid digital signatures from all signatories. Typical embodiments also include providing at least one user authority to delegate signature authority, establishing a hierarchy of delegation authority for signatures, establishing at least one authority delegation policy including at least one rule for automated delegation of signature authority among signatories and delegating signature authority from at least one signatory to another.
US07673005B2
A computer-readable storage medium comprising a program element for execution by a processing device to implement an electronic mail processing entity. The program element comprises program code for receiving an indication of an electronic mail message selected by a user, the electronic mail message including a header portion, a body portion, and an attachment. The program element also comprises program code for providing the user with an opportunity to select an option to exclusively transmit the attachment of the electronic mail message. Also provided are an apparatus for processing electronic mail, a method for processing electronic mail, and a graphical user interface for interacting with a user to provide electronic mail communication capability to the user.
US07673004B1
Techniques for enabling secure communications between IM modules are provided. An IM is received from a first IM client for a second IM client at a first IM module. It is determined if the second IM client can receive IMs through a second IM module that is capable of receiving secure communications from the first IM module. If the second IM module is capable of receiving secure communications from the first IM module, an encrypted IM is sent from the first IM module to the second IM client. The encrypted IM is received at the second IM module, which decrypts the IM and sends the decrypted IM to the second IM client.
US07673003B2
A user's address book includes a first group of email addresses. Those email addresses are used to identify address books that include another group of email addresses. Multiple iterations may be used to identify several groups of email addresses, representing a user's social network. When an email message addressed to the user is received, the message is trusted if the sending email address is within the user's social network. Otherwise, the message is flagged as junk mail. Varying trust levels may be applied to messages that are received based on a distance within a social network between the sending email address and the user and/or how often the sending email address appears within the social network.
US07672999B2
A system for enabling the transmission of a prepared message to multiple intended recipients, wherein the information contained in the message is substantially the same as received for all the recipients but differs in parts or portions for certain recipients comprising: a module containing the entire message which includes both the common and unique information to be transmitted and the instructions for selectively providing the information to different recipients; and scheme for sending together from the module all the parts or portions of the information to all recipients, but including means responsive to the instructions, for having selectively different parts or portions of the information received by the different recipients.
US07672998B1
The invention provides systems, mechanisms and techniques for controlling transmission of outbound messages, such as e-mail or other types of messages, onto a computer network from an originator computer system. Connection equipment can authenticate and authorize the connection for the computer user and can capture and map originator network address information assigned to the originator computer system. A quota server can then determine if the message count exceeds the message limit for the originator identity associated with the outbound message Embodiments of the invention control message transmission from a sending or origination point prior to the messages being transmitted on the computer network, resources of a computer network are conserved and these embodiments prevent computer users from transmitting large amounts of outbound messages in excess of the message limits.
US07672985B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically identifying a term of interest and building a term database with supplemental content from an assigned source for that term. A term can be selected by applying various rules. An advertiser can sponsor the term, for example, by having an advertisement window automatically pop-up on a keyword search. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. Data objects that represent the contents of the database and templates are syndicated to remote servers running a processing engine. The processing engine uses these data objects to execute linking rules without requiring a connection to the database.
US07672982B2
A method of defragmenting a Windows NT file system volume includes the step of selecting a file record which is stored in a master file table associated with the Windows NT file system volume, in which one or more non-resident attributes are associated with the file record, and data associated with one or more non-resident attributes is stored outside the file record in one or more data extents. The method also includes the step of querying the one or more data extents without opening the one or more non-resident attributes. For example, the one or more data extents may be queried using a FSCTL_GET_NTFS_FILE_RECORD command. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining whether to defragment the one or more non-resident attributes based on information obtained from querying the one or more data extents. For example, the information may include a location of the one or more non-resident attributes.
US07672976B2
A method of increasing information content for content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems includes the steps of providing a CBIR database, the database having an index for a plurality of stored digital images using a plurality of feature vectors, the feature vectors corresponding to distinct descriptive characteristics of the images. A visual similarity parameter value is calculated based on a degree of visual similarity between features vectors of an incoming image being considered for entry into the database and feature vectors associated with a most similar of the stored images. Based on said visual similarity parameter value it is determined whether to store or how long to store the feature vectors associated with the incoming image in the database.
US07672969B1
A computer-based system for configuring and displaying information on changes in, and present status of, a collection of events associated with a project. Classes of icons for decision events, configurations and feedback mechanisms, and time lines (sequential and/or simultaneous) for related events are displayed. Metadata for each icon in each class is displayed by choosing and activating the corresponding icon. Access control (viewing, reading, writing, editing, deleting, etc.) is optionally imposed for metadata and other displayed information.
US07672964B1
A method for dynamically initializing a view for a streaming database system. The method includes accessing a stream of events. An initial view is materialized from the stream, wherein the initial view comprises a dynamically defined view of the stream of events from the streaming database system. The method also includes processing a plurality of recent view snapshots from the initial view. A view state derived from each of the recent view snapshots is generated. An updated view is subsequently maintained in accordance with the view state, wherein the updated view incorporates new events of the stream.
US07672956B2
When a message having at least one attachment is obtained for indexing, it is indexed as N+1 separate documents, where N is the number of attached documents. If the message is part of a message thread, then information regarding the last message in the thread is retrieved, and search index attachment meta data for the last message is extracted. A unique identifier is computed for the newly obtained attachments, and used to search for matches in the attachments for the last message in the thread. If there is a match, then the newly obtained attachment is not indexed, but the unique identifier of the previously indexed matching attachment is added to a body index document for the new message. A unique identifier associated with the new message is also added to a list of parent identifiers associated with the attachment.
US07672955B2
A method and system are disclosed for platform-independent file system interaction that can abstract the system-level idiosyncrasies associated with multi-platform, multi-language, multi-encoding file system interactions. One embodiment of the method of this invention can comprise instantiating a string object via a development environment coded calling process and setting a file name and a file path, having an easily-identifiable format, for the string object with the calling process. The string object can determine the encoding of the file name and the file path and the calling process can forward the string object and an associated file operation to an operating system level file system interface handler. The operating system level file system interface handler can call an operating system naming function to format the string object. The string object naming function can be compiled along with an encoding marker indicating the target operating system for the desired file operation. The file name and the file path can be transcoded, based on the encoding marker value, to the encoding of the target operating system. The transcoded file name and file path can be returned to the development environment (e.g., to a developer's application) by the string object naming function. The operating system level file system interface handler can then execute the file operation.
US07672953B2
Communications, such as emails or other information, in a work setting can be retained in a shared database that operates similar to an Internet social network. As work activities are performed, the content of the work activities can be associated with one or more shared databases based on the individual performing the activities, a common topic or theme associated with the activity and/or a manual entry. As various individuals review information contained in the shared database, notifications relating to who reviewed the content and a time of review can be sent to a contributor of the content to provide for accountability issues.
US07672949B2
A connection manager includes a dispatcher that dispatches requests to two or more heterogeneous software suites. The connection manager receives client requests and dispatches the request to either of the software suites coupled by a request/response shared memory to the connection manager.
US07672943B2
A web crawler system as described herein utilizes a targeted approach to increase the likelihood of downloading web pages of a desired type or category. The system employs a plurality of URL scoring metrics that generate individual scores for outlinked URLs contained in a downloaded web page. For each outlinked URL, the individual scores are combined using an appropriate algorithm or formula to generate an overall score that represents a downloading priority for the outlinked URL. The web crawler application can then download subsequent web pages in an order that is influenced by the downloading priorities.
US07672935B2
A method and apparatus for maintaining indices for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving requests for data from a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) repository. The method further includes evaluating queries performed for the requests and generating an LDAP index based on an evaluated query.
US07672933B2
In an information processing apparatus which can encrypt a file and can store the encrypted file at a predetermined location, an input file is separated into a header field and data field, and the separated data field is encrypted and saved in association with information included in the header field. In the meantime, a keyword required to specify the file is extracted from the separated data field, and the extracted keyword is converted into a hash value. The obtained hash value is stored in association with the information included in the header field. Upon storing a file, the contents of the file after storage can be prevented from being easily recognized by a third party.
US07672930B2
A system and methods for organizing and querying data within a linear grid management system. Data having multiple dimensions is associated with physical locations, where a first dimension is associated with a node and a second dimension is associated with a data storage identifier of a memory storage device. The data may have a third dimension which provides a field for ordering data within the memory storage device. Metadata may be used to map a logical table to data stored in the memory storage device. The data query may be divided into multiple subqueries, wherein each subquery is related directly to one node associated with a data storage identifier related to a memory storage device. A preSQL and postSQL process may be generated to access an external database. A dispatcher may manage data subrequests and a node may generate a unique and efficient parsing process from the received data subrequest.
US07672929B2
A database system including an encoder module and a revision control archive module is disclosed. The encoder module receives signals representing a database access request, generates database access commands, and executes the database access command against a revision control archive module if the database access command causes a change to a data record in the database.
US07672928B2
A searchable index is created using a query process and an indexing process. The query process cooperates with the indexing process to catalogue items that are located within a specified search scope. Previously indexed items are evaluated to ensure that their indexes are up-to-date. Items that are out-of-date have unreliable indexes that should be updated. Items to be indexed within the specified search scope are grouped in batches for processing. As processing of each batch is completed their respective indexing results become available such that partially indexed search scopes are useable while the indexing process continues. Since indexing results trickle in on an ongoing basis, users are permitted to process and/or view indexing results without waiting for the complete indexing process to be completed.
US07672902B1
A method, program product and system for pre-funding interest in the process of managing a group of aggregated accounts, each aggregated account held in a different one of a plurality of deposit institutions, each of the aggregated accounts associated with at least one financial entity and holding funds of a plurality of clients of the at least one financial entity, each of the clients having a client asset balance in a respective client account associated with the at least one financial entity, the method comprising: (a) receiving or calculating a pre-funding amount for interest for one or more client accounts; (b) receiving access to or obtaining control over funds for the pre-funding amount; (c) receiving information about a termination of a given client account with funds held in the one or more aggregated accounts prior to an end of an interest period; (d) receiving or calculating an interest payment due to the client account for the client asset balance; and (e) transferring before the end of the interest period an amount from the funds for the pre-funding amount to satisfy the interest payment due for the one or more aggregated accounts.
US07672899B2
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction.
US07672894B2
A computer implemented bidding method for use in bidding on auction items that allows for a desired optimization of bid amounts. The method includes selecting a set of one or more biddable items offered at auction wherein for a biddable item the auction offers a ranking for one or more received bids according to bid amounts, determining the current bids for a set of the biddable items, determining a bid amount for a selected biddable item based on a given utility function to determine a set of rankings for achieving a desired optimized outcome from the bidding, and submitting a set of bid amounts.
US07672889B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems to help investors determine the fair value and ratings of assets (such as equity or debt instruments, etc.), and thereby make better informed investment decisions, through: automatically consolidating selected asset historical performance, forecasting and rating information; automatically computing asset valuations based on default and/or customized valuation parameters; and automatically determining asset under or over valuation.
US07672886B2
Providing interest to clients' deposited funds without limitation on the number of demand withdrawals from deposit accounts is accomplished by an administration system that keeps all of the records for the clients' deposits and withdrawals, calculates the total of the deposits and withdrawals for all clients, and uses the calculation to determine whether funds are deposited to or withdrawn from one or more deposit accounts in which all clients' deposit funds are kept. Clients can make unlimited withdrawals, such as by check, credit card, debit card, or electronic transfer, through the administrator. By placing the administrator as the holder of the deposit account(s), exemptions to the limitation on earning interest in demand accounts is facilitated; additionally, dispersing the deposit account funds among multiple banks allows the client to obtain FDIC insurance for all of the deposited funds, which may amount to insurance in excess of the statutory maximum allowed (presently $100,000.00).
US07672883B2
Described is a system and method that satisfies offers from customers with quotes from suppliers in a way that increases the likelihood of achieving an acceptable match. The system of the present invention is configured to receive from a customer an offer for a product. The system queries in parallel multiple suppliers for rate quotes on the desired product. Each of the suppliers is ranked according to the lowest rate quoted by each supplier. The supplier quoting the lowest rate is selected as the winner of the offer. The system may then evaluate any other rate quotes provided by the winning provider. The system may satisfy the customer's offer with the winning provider at a higher rate (if one was provided) than the winning rate quoted, up to the customer's offer (perhaps adjusted for a reasonable profit). In this way, even though the provider provides low rate quotes to win the offer, the provider may still realize a much higher rate for the goods or services by quoting additional, higher rate quotes as well.
US07672880B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated accounting of document reading device usage. The system and method include a configurable accounting agent adapted to automatically generate usage reports of the document generating device and transmit the reports to one or more destinations.
US07672872B2
A point-of-purchase (“POP”) display employing RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology for inventory control is provided. The POP is preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material, and incorporates one or more shelves and/or cover layers. An RF antenna structure is applied to the surfaces of, or built into, the one or more shelves and/or cover layers. Suitable RF transmitter/receiver circuitry may also be built into the POP, or the POP may simply have suitable connections built in, to permit such transceiver apparatus to be plugged into the POP. The transceiver circuitry is connected in any suitable manner to an inventory control computer, such as the retail store's computer. Each article that is to be displayed in the POP is provided with an RFID tag. Removal of an article from the POP, results in a signal being transmitted to the inventory control computer, corresponding to the removal of the article from the POP, and corresponding adjustment of the inventory records in the inventory control computer.
US07672861B2
Systems, program products, and methods of human resources planning and development are provided. An embodiment of a system includes a server in communication with a communication network and having a human resource database associated therewith, a plurality of client computers, and a computer medium associated with the server and having program code responsive to preselected manning assumptions to process human resource information from the human resource database for predicting a future number of employees desired within the organization for a preselected period of time, program code responsive to preselected employment development assumptions to process the human resource information for assigning a plurality of employment development activities to participating employees in the organization, and program code responsive to information generated by the employment development plan to revise the human resources manning plan and responsive to revisions in the human resources manning plan to revise the employment development plan.
US07672857B2
A system of health care service and an associated method of the administration thereof to a plurality of subscribers including a providing entity organizationally structured to implement a health care program which includes categorizing subscribers desirous of health care service, including preventative services, into a plurality of predetermined profiles. The profiles are defined by personal characteristics including age, gender, clinical history, etc. and each profile is associated with a predetermined curative or preventative treatment regimen with which a respective subscriber is expected to comply. An incentive system is implemented to motivate the subscribers into compliance with the assigned treatment regimen and comprises the assignment of credits and penalties based on a degree of compliance with the treatment regimen. Valuable consideration is awarded to the subscriber evidencing a satisfactory degree of compliance.
US07672855B2
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with transportation planning in light of drop trailer arrangements are described. One exemplary computer-implemented method embodiment includes receiving orders that describe items to be delivered to facilities as controlled by order requirements. The method may also include accessing a transportation planning model that includes information concerning shipping modes and carriers by which an order can be delivered to a facility. The transportation planning model may also include data concerning drop trailer arrangements between facilities and the carriers. The method may also include selectively consolidating orders into shipments based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer arrangement. The method may also include selectively assigning shipments to loads based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer action. The method may output an actionable plan of loads stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium.
US07672853B2
A facility for presenting approval requests is described. The facility simultaneously displays information describing both a first approval request and a second approval request, where the first approval request is generated using a first application program, and the second approval request is generated using a second application program that is distinct from the first application program.
US07672849B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.
US07672841B2
Speech signal information is formatted, processed and transported in accordance with a format adapted for TCP/IP protocols used on the Internet and other communications networks. NULL characters are used for indicating the end of a voice segment. The method is useful for distributed speech recognition systems such as a client-server system, typically implemented on an intranet or over the Internet based on user queries at his/her computer, a PDA, or a workstation using a speech input interface.
US07672839B2
A method for detecting the presence or absence of an audio signal in a communications system in which an audio signal is encoded by a delta modulation encoding algorithm, and in which a step size parameter is adapted according to characteristics of the encoded signal, the method comprising determining based on the magnitude of the step size parameter whether the encoded signal represents audio activity, and adapting the operation of the communication system based on that determination.
US07672832B2
A method is disclosed for providing a chunking utility that supports robust natural language processing. A corpus is chunked in accordance with a draft chunking specification. Chunk inconsistencies in the corpus are automatically flagged for resolution, and a chunking utility is provided in which at least some of the flagged inconsistencies are resolved. The chunking utility provides a single, consistent global chunking standard, ensuring compatibility among various applications. The chunking utility is particularly advantageous for non-alphabetic languages, such as Chinese.
US07672823B2
In a computerized method for adherence to physical restrictions in the construction of an ITE hearing aid, each component to be placed in the shell of the hearing aid has a collision plot associated therewith. The collision plot is generated as a scatter plot by measurement and simulation, and represents the physical extent of the influence of a particular property of the component on other components. When virtual representations of the respective components are moved relative to another in the e-detailing software for determining the physical positions of the components in the ITE hearing aid, the collision plot for a given component is visually displayed, so that it can easily be seen when another component invades that collision plot, thereby representing an unacceptably close relative position of the two components.
US07672822B2
Computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing data representing a three-dimensional object model includes generating an image of a modeled object. The modeled object is formed from a number of different components that can be arranged in different positions, and the generated image depicts a change in a position of a first one of the components with respect to a second one of the components.
US07672811B2
Disclosed herein are a system, method and apparatus for reporting, making alerts and predicting fault codes generated by machines in a line. Historical fault code data is received and filtered according to particular criteria to generate filtered fault code data. Classification of the filtered fault code data into physical groups and into logical groups is followed by sorting the groups to produce fault trend data. Processing the fault trend data with a plurality of analyzers generates output including reports, alerts, and predictions of future fault code occurrences.
US07672800B2
Aspects of a method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequencies using a delay circuit are provided. In this regard, a variable delay circuit may be adjusted such that an output signal generated by the delay circuit may be twice the frequency of a signal input to the delay circuit. The adjustment may be via an variable capacitance and/or a variable number of delay elements utilized to generate the output signal. Moreover, the adjustment may be based on a signal strength of the output signal. In this regard, the delay may be adjusted to maximize the signal strength of the output signal. The input signal may be delayed to generate a second signal that is 90° phase shifted relative to the input signal. The second signal and the input signal may be mixed to generate the output signal. The output signal may be filtered by a bandpass filter centered at twice the frequency of the input signal. Accordingly, the center frequency of the bandpass filter may be tunable.
US07672797B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal.
US07672792B1
Methods and systems are disclosed for classifying mass spectra to discriminate the absence or existence of a condition. The mass spectra may include raw mass spectrum intensity signals or may include intensity signals that have been preprocessed. The method and systems include determining a first or higher order derivative of the signals of the mass spectra, or any linear combination of the signal and a derivative of the signal, to form a mass spectra data set for training a classifier. The mass spectra data set may be provided as input to train a classifier, such as a linear discrimination classifier. The classifier trained with the derivative-based mass spectra data set then classifies mass spectra samples to improve discriminating between the absence or existence of a condition.
US07672783B2
A system and a method for recording, transmitting and analyzing data and information accrued from, low-frequency, electromagnetic radiation, where the electromagnetic radiation originates from at least one impulse source of natural and/or artificial origin, from at least one atmospheric discharge or from at least one transmitter, a precise characterization of the impulse source, a reliable differentiation between cloud-ground lightning and cloud-cloud lightning within a cloud or between clouds is provided for, including localize the altitude of the impulse source, the emission altitude or the broadcast altitude, and/or the directionality, the spatial direction path of the impulse emission or impulse broadcast caused by the impulse, by determining the difference between the arrival time of the signal at the measuring station located closest to the impulse source and the arrival time of the signal at at least one, preferably two, measuring stations which are not located closest to the impulse source.
US07672781B2
A system includes a moveable body and a first device for mounting on the movable body. The first device includes an orientation sensor, an inertial position sensor, a first processor, a frequency agile RF transceiver, and a memory device.
US07672778B1
A system and method are disclosed for providing geographic data to mobile units from a remotely located navigation-services provider. When a mobile unit requests route information, the navigation-services provider transmits an initial set of geographic data representing an area around a current position of the mobile unit. The navigation-services provider calculates a route to the destination and then identifies an intermediate exit point along the route that is located within the initial set of data. The mobile unit calculates an initial portion of the route to the intermediate exit point. The navigation-services provider determines a list of geographic-data groups needed to represent the remainder of the route and transmits this list to the mobile unit. Each geographic-data group is transmitted to the mobile unit along with an intermediate exit point. Using the received data, the mobile unit provides route guidance to a local end user.
US07672774B2
A method of determining traffic information for a mobile vehicle includes receiving a plurality of service requests at a call center from a telematics unit via a wireless connection. The service request includes time, date, and vehicle location data. A database of the received service requests is compiled. A plurality of eligible service requests is determined based on the time and date of the received service requests in the database. A traffic profile is determined based on a comparison of digital map data to vehicle location data of the eligible service requests.
US07672767B2
A method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle including the steps: detecting a first measured variable and simultaneously generating a corresponding first signal for indicating a necessity for triggering at least one occupant protection device; detecting an acceleration value in the z direction and simultaneously generating a corresponding second signal; calculating a trigger signal for triggering at least one occupant protection device as a function of the first and second signals, and triggering the at least one occupant protection device as a function of the calculated trigger signal. An appropriate device is also described.
US07672762B2
In an OFF condition of an ECO switch, a stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W1 (step S420). In an ON condition of the ECO switch, the stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W2 (step S430). When an output limit Wout of a battery set according to a battery temperature and a state of charge of the battery is not less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is permitted to stop (step S450). When the output limit Wout is less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is prohibited from stopping (step S460). The value W1 is specified as a value of electric power required for a smooth restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle. The value W2 is specified to be close to a value of minimum electric power required for a restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle and is set to be smaller than the value W1.
US07672753B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for optimizing storage library operations. In one embodiment a method may comprise storing a plurality of efficiency values indicative of relative efficiencies of storage targets in a storage library, and executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. Efficiency values may include, for example, information on a physical layout of the storage library. In one embodiment storage targets may include at least the following classes: a slot class, a portal class, a drive class, a picker class, and a media class. In one embodiment, executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values may comprise selecting one or more storage targets to implement the storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. For example, a drive closest to a given media unit may be selected to read the media unit.
US07672746B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling overtime and time-off for a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a workforce schedule including assignments of workers to shifts; receiving a template describing alterations to shifts; and applying schedulable objects to the workforce schedule in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a user interface and a scheduler. The user interface allows creation of shift alteration templates and associating templates with workers. The scheduler uses the shift alteration templates to modify an existing schedule of assignments of workers to shifts.
US07672745B1
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. The present invention, in one implementation, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating the optimization or improvement of manufacturing processes relative to one or more criteria. In some implementations, the present invention facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes relative to one or more attributes—such as cycle time, cost, and performance—while still optimizing process output relative to design specifications for a given article characteristic.
US07672744B2
A method of decoding for an audio signal comprises the step of receiving a downmix of an audio signal, an object information, and a mix information, the object information including an object level information, an object correlation information, and an object gain information, generating a downmix processing information using the object information and the mix information, and processing the downmix of the audio signal using the downmix processing information. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for decoding multi-object audio signals fast and efficiently by reducing process time, computer resource, thereby relieving the resource requirement like the wide bandwidth. The object parameters according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide backward compatibility in the view of the channel-oriented decoding process.
US07672734B2
A system for stimulation includes an implantable pulse generator, a lead, and conductors. The lead includes an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body. A center electrode may also be disposed on the array body. The electrodes may be arranged in more than one concentric ring. A method of using an implantable stimulator includes implanting an implantable stimulator and providing an electrical signal to at least one electrode of the implantable stimulator to stimulate a tissue. The electrical signal may be provided between diametrically opposed electrodes or between electrodes that are not diametrically opposed. If the implantable stimulator has a center electrode, the electrical signal may be provided between the center electrode and at least one concentrically arranged electrode.
US07672730B2
Methods and apparatus for treating an impaired neural function in a brain of a patient. In one embodiment, a method for treating a neural function in a brain of a patient includes determining a therapy period during which a plurality of therapy sessions are to be performed to recover functional ability corresponding to the neural function. The method continues by identifying a stimulation site in or on the brain of the patient associated with the neural function, and positioning an electrode at least proximate to the identified stimulation site. The patient is then treated by providing electrical stimulation treatments to the stimulation site. The treatment can comprise delivering electrical stimulation signals to the electrode during the therapy sessions. After expiration of the therapy period, the method includes preventing electrical stimulation signals from being delivered to the stimulation site.
US07672722B1
A hardware-based state machine is provided for use in a pacemaker or other implantable cardiac stimulation device for use in discriminating near field signals sensed in the atria from far field signals emanating from the ventricles. The state machine is interposed between atrial/ventricular channel sense amplifiers and a main microcontroller of the device. The state machine operates to quarantine each P-wave interrupt received from the atrial channel sense amplifier to determine whether the P-wave interrupt corresponds to a true P-wave (i.e. a near field P-wave) as opposed to a false P-wave (i.e. a far field R-wave). Interrupts corresponding to true P-waves are forwarded by the quarantine circuit to the microcontroller after a short time delay. Interrupts corresponding to false P-waves are not forwarded. Hence, the microcontroller receives only true P-wave interrupts and therefore does not need to devote processing resources to distinguishing between true P-waves and false P-waves.
US07672716B1
Techniques are provided for detecting dilated cardiomyopathy within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Briefly, values representative of QT duration and QT dispersion are detected within the patient and then the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy is evaluated based on the values of QT duration and QT dispersion. In one particular example, the implanted device calculates an index representative of the extent to which individual QT duration and QT dispersion values deviate from a daily mean. The device then compares the index against a threshold indicative of a substantial likelihood of the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy within the patient. Additional techniques described herein relate to distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy from heart failure within patients that may have one or both conditions.
US07672711B2
A method is disclosed for providing tomographic pictures of a patient with the aid of a tomographic system by using contrast medium injections. The patient is firstly injected with a defined test bolus, while the temporal concentration profile of the contrast medium in at least one body region is determined in at least one scanning plane. The functional parameters of a prediction model that maps or at least approximates the relationship between the profile of a contrast medium injection and the temporal profile of the contrast medium concentration in the body region are determined from the measured profile of the contrast medium concentration in relation to the profile of the test bolus injection. After the specification of a desired contrast in the body region, the profile of a contrast medium injection that is required therefore is automatically calculated in temporal relationship with the scan, and the start of the tomographic scan and the start of the contrast medium injection and the profile thereof are started automatically in a fashion temporally tuned to one another.
US07672706B2
The systems and methods described herein allow measurement of the velocity of a pulse wave propagating within a body lumen using an intravascular elongate medical device. The elongate medical device can include a data collection device configured to collect pulse wave data at a location within the lumen. The data collection device is communicatively coupled with a velocity measurement system and configured to output the collected data to the velocity measurement system. The velocity measurement system is configured to calculate the velocity of the pulse wave based on the collected data. The velocity of a pulse wave over a region of the lumen can be used for tissue characterization, diagnosis and the like.
US07672705B2
A displacement of a lesion within a patient is determined for the purpose of administering radiation treatment by generating sets of surface elements from three-dimensional images of the lesion taken at different times. Weights are assigned to the surface elements, and based on weights and the proximity of corresponding elements in one set to elements in another set, a displacement is determined.
US07672703B2
An electrode for measuring an electrocardiogram. The electrode comprises a signal detector operable to detect an electrocardiogram signal. An electrolytic gel is coated onto a first surface of the signal detector. The gel is electrically conductive and operable to adhere to a skin. A connector is electrically connected to the signal detector.
US07672695B1
A portable access point comprises a wireless LAN transceiver that selectively establishes a plurality of Ethernet wireless links with a plurality of wireless client devices, respectively. A wireless WAN transceiver establishes an Ethernet data connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from at least one of said wireless client devices to said ISP and receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from said ISP to said one of said wireless client devices. A routing device routes Ethernet data packets between said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN transceiver. A control module controls operation of said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN transceiver. A first storage device stores operating system and application instructions for said control module.
US07672689B2
A multipath wideband communications receiver (100) having a plurality of RF signal paths (116, 136) covering different but overlapping frequency bands and a plurality of baseband signal paths (140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190), the paths being re-configurable for sharing of the first and second paths in different ways in order to facilitate processing of received signals in different modes.Also, a rake receiver (800) employs a sigma-delta modulator arrangement (810) and programmable delays to provide fine delay adjustment. The sigma-delta modulator (810) may use sigma-delta circuitry from a sigma-delta A/D converters in a baseband paths of the receiver (100), that this may be achieved with no loss of functionality if in a particular reception configuration that sigma-delta A/D converter is not being utilized.
US07672687B2
A wireless signal transceiver unit with turning mechanism for adjusting antenna direction includes a base, a rotatable antenna assembly, and a pivot mechanism provided between the antenna assembly and the base for rotatably supporting and connecting the antenna assembly to the base. The antenna assembly includes a plate-shaped body upright located on a circular disk, and is manually turned about the pivot mechanism relative to the base toward a selected direction for best receiving a wireless signal.
US07672685B2
A base station carries out training for obtaining correlation information that correlates the reception quality of a packet channel transmitted from a terminal and the transmission power of an associated channel, and based on the correlation information, uses the transmission power of the associated channel to obtain a predicted value of the reception quality of the packet channel, and controls the transmission of data through the packet channel based on that predicted value. The base station transmits through the associated channel transmission control information for controlling the transmission of the reception quality of the packet channel by the terminal. The terminal controls the transmission of the reception quality of the packet channel based on the transmission control information included in the data of the associated channel transmitted from the base station.
US07672681B1
A method, a combined cellular phone, PDA, GPS communication device and system having specialized software applications for allowing a plurality of combined cellular phone/PDA device users to monitor each other's locations and status, to initiate cellular phone calls by touching a symbol on the touch screen display with a stylus which can also include point to call conferencing calling. Each participant's cellular phone/PDA device includes a GPS navigation receiver with application software for point to call cellular phone initiation to participants and geographical entities including vehicles, persons or events, conference calls and video transfers. An administrator can: (a) create and remotely install new symbology and modify the symbols and nomenclature used in each participant's cell phone screen display for a specific environment such as police and military; (b) create and remotely install screen drawn soft switches used in each participant's cell phone, the activation of which accesses application software; and (c) create and remotely install screen drawn soft switches used in each participant's cell phone, the activation of which accesses a URL address.
US07672673B2
The present invention provides a relief method of competition between a Down Link RRC message and inter-cell movement of user equipment which can continue communication even when acknowledgment of the Down Link RRC message cannot be performed. An RLC layer of the radio network controller (RNC) divides a Down Link RRC message into RLC AMD_PDU and transmits them, and gives an RLC error notice to an RRC layer from the RLC layer when a number of RLC AMD_PDU resending is exceeded because RLC ACK cannot be received from user equipment (UE). An RRC layer of the radio network controller activates a timer. When receiving CELL UPDATE within a fixed period, the RRC layer regards the RLC error as competition with inter-cell movement of the user equipment to reset the RLC layer of the radio network controller. The RRC layer of the radio network controller makes RLC RESET INDICATOR be TRUE in RRC:CELL UPDATE CONFIRM from the radio network controller so as to reset the RLC layer of the user equipment.
US07672668B2
A method of calibrating a base station that comprises an adaptive antenna array is provided. The method includes selecting one operational mode from a plurality of operational modes for the base station. An operational mode component set corresponding to the selected operational mode is selected from a plurality of operational mode component sets in the base station. The base station is calibrated using the selected operational mode component set.
US07672659B2
A method and system for increasing the compression point of a receiver by deriving a feedback signal from mixer output signals. The feedback signal prevents the receiver from going into compression on strong out-of-band or blocking signals, while enhancing the receiver gain at the desired frequency. The desired frequency coincides with the local oscillator (LO) signal and is therefore particularly applicable for, but not limited to, homodyne receivers where selectivity can be made quite narrowband. Since the selectivity is coupled to the LO, a tunable receiver may be achieved that enables selectivity over a wide range of input frequencies.
US07672658B2
A frequency-converting circuit and a down converter with the frequency-converting circuit are disclosed. The above-mentioned frequency-converting circuit is used for converting an RF signal into a first baseband signal according to a poly-phase LO signal. The frequency-converting circuit includes a coupler, a first transduction unit and a first switching unit. The coupler is for receiving and splitting the RF signal and delivering a first RF signal via the first output terminal thereof. The first transduction unit is for amplifying the first RF signal. The first switching unit is for performing switching operations on the output signal of the first transduction unit and producing the first baseband signal.
US07672656B2
Systems and methods for passively calibrating and correcting for I/Q mismatch in a quadrature receiver without the necessity of modifying the analog portion of the receiver by adding calibration signals or correction circuitry are presented. The passive I/Q mismatch calibration system proceeds using normally received incoming transmitted data signals to obtain statistical information on which to base I/Q mismatch compensation factors. The I/Q mismatch compensation factors can be used to adjust the magnitude and phase response in the time domain or the frequency domain, the analog or the digital portion of the receiver. Depending on the embodiment, the passive I/Q mismatch calibration system can calibrate frequency dependent gain or magnitude imbalance, frequency independent magnitude imbalance, frequency dependent phase imbalance, and frequency independent phase imbalance or combinations or these.
US07672648B1
System for linear amplitude modulation. Apparatus is provided for linear amplitude modulation of an amplifier. The apparatus includes a processing circuit that receives an amplitude modulation signal and produces one or more amplifier control signals that are coupled to the amplifier. The apparatus also includes a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal from an output of the amplifier that is input to the processing circuit; and a network that controls a bias of the amplifier in response to the feedback signal to linearize the amplifier's amplitude control.
US07672634B2
A printing system (10) includes at least one marking device (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D). Each of the marking devices is configured for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) is associated with each of the marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the applied images to form printed media. A portion of the printed media may be only partially fused in the primary fusing treatment. A secondary fusing device (26) receives the printed media from the at least one marking device. The secondary fusing device and/or primary fusing device is addressable. A control system (90) may be operably coupled with the secondary fusing device. The control system evaluates whether the printed media is only partially fused and instructs the secondary fusing device to apply a further fusing treatment to the printed media evaluated as being only partially fused.
US07672629B2
A fixing unit includes a heating rotary member for heating a sheet, a pressing rotary member that is pressed against the heating rotary member with a specific pressure, forming a nip in between, and at least one separating member having a far end directed toward a surface of one of the rotary members with a narrow gap (d) on a downstream side of the nip so that the far end of the separating member hooks on and separates the sheet which is going to turn with the one rotary member. The gap (d) between the far end of said separating member and the surface of the one rotary member and a minimum width (L) of a top margin of the sheet along a leading edge thereof where the toner image is not formed are set to satisfy a relationship expressed by the inequality: d+1.5≦L≦3d+1.5.
US07672626B2
An objective is to provide a developing roller in which increase of residual potential is inhibited during repetitive operation without deteriorating interlayer adhesion, and prepared is a layer immediately below the surface capable of preventing fog caused by toner scattering, accompanied with a surface layer capable of preventing stains formed from foreign matters adhered to the surface, as well as preventing image unevenness since toner electrification is even under the presence of appropriate elasticity, and also to provide a image forming method employing the developing roller. Disclosed is a developing roller possessing an elastic layer made of silicone rubber provided around a conductive shaft, and a plurality of resin layers further provided on the elastic layer, wherein an outermost surface layer among the resin layers comprises silicone copolymerization polyurethane; and a layer immediately below the surface layer comprises a polyurethane resin-silica hybrid.
US07672624B2
The present application is directed to toner cartridges with a bearing plate to locate and provide a bearing surface to one or more rotational members. The bearing plate may be positioned on an outer wall of a body of a toner cartridge. The bearing plate may include apertures to receive shafts of a series of rotational members. The bearing plate may locate the shafts relative to the body such that each is operatively connected together through a gear train. Bearing plate may also provide a bearing surface for the rotating shafts.
US07672617B2
An imaging apparatus has an image carrier, an exposure unit to irradiate the image carrier; a developing part; a rotator on which a plurality of such developing parts is provided; a color toner replenishing part which moves from a retracted position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed, to a replenishing position where light emitted from the exposure unit is obstructed, and with which the color toner of the color developing part in the replenishing position is replenished; and a black toner replenishing part which is disposed in a position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed and with which the black toner is replenished to the black developing part in the replenishing position.
US07672609B2
A toner bottle that is composed of a main body filled with toner and a bottle-side toner discharges port for discharging toner from the main body is adapted to discharge the toner in the main body out of the container whilst the toner bottle is being rotated in the toner bottle's peripheral direction. The toner bottle has a sealing element that seals the bottle-side toner discharge port. This sealing element is formed of a flexible member, and is peeled off the main body of the toner bottle as the toner bottle is rotated so as to open the bottle-side toner discharge port.
US07672594B2
An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via a light guide associated with each communication path, where an optical signal produced by the optical light source and received by the optical detector travels a path where at least a first light redirection unit redirects the optical signal between an angle in which the optical signal travels along at least a portion of the length of the light guide, and an angle which allows the optical signal to exit the light guide. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, one or more of the light redirection units are diffractive optical elements. In some instances, one or more of the light redirection units are reflectors.
US07672590B2
Data processing devices in a data center are more easily relocated by consolidating the data and power connections to the data processing devices within a mobile data cabinet. The mobile data cabinet includes an access switch to consolidate communications and connections among computing devices in the mobile cabinet and to consolidate communications to a central communication service through a main communication cable. A single data communication connection through the main communication cable and a single electrical power connection through a power delivery cable to the mobile cabinet reduces and simplifies number and difficulty of the disconnections and connections that must be made to move the mobile cabinet.
US07672586B2
Dynamic allocation of connections is performed in a communication network. When a new connection request is received by the network management system this request can be accepted or rejected. In case it is accepted, the connection can be set up by allocating new or reconfiguring existing connection resources. The reconfiguration options are constrained to a set of allowed reconfigurations which is a subset of the set of all possible reconfigurations of the existing connections on the network.
US07672585B2
Each of a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers operates as an optical gate switch and selects an optical signal indicated by a gate control signal from an optical gate switch control unit. A plurality of photodetectors monitor the power of an optical signal input through a corresponding input port. A VOA control unit calculates an amount of attenuation corresponding to each input port based on the power of each optical signal. A variable optical attenuator attenuates the selected optical signal according to the calculated amount of attenuation in synchronization with the gate control signal.
US07672584B2
A digital device which can accommodate a large display yet still have a small overall size is provided. The digital device includes a first body with a lens and a display, and a second body with at least one operation button. The first and second body slide with respect to each other between a first position and a second position. The lens of the first body and the at least one operation button of the second body are exposed as the first body and the second body are slid into the first position.
US07672582B2
A portable electronic device is described that includes a main body 1, an attachable camera module 2 and a connecting mechanism 12. The attachable camera module 2 comprises a sleeve barrel 20, a lens module 22, a focusing mechanism 24, an image sensor module 26, and a signal linker 212 that transfers image signal from the image sensor module 26 to the main body 1. The connecting mechanism 12 connects to the main body 1 and the attachable camera module 2; the connecting mechanism 12 is installed on one side of the main body 1 to support the attachable camera module 2.
US07672577B2
A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members.
US07672576B2
Water dispensers are disclosed which include a Sabbath function. When activating the Sabbath function, water refill of the hot water reservoir tank is prevented and the heating of the water in the hot reservoir tank is modified to provide a constant heating at a less than boiling temperature.
US07672567B2
The recording medium includes a path management area storing path management information. The path management information identifies clips of video data associated with each reproduction path of at least a segment of a title.
US07672564B2
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program for executing a sequence of processing operations including the recording of video data recorded to a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format without user's manual intervention. If the information processing apparatus determines that the recording time of a frame just reproduced by a predetermined reproduction device is earlier than the recording time of a frame reproduced by said reproduction device immediately before the above-mentioned frame (step S89) or an unrecorded area has been reproduced by the reproduction device for more than a predetermined period of time (step S90), the information processing apparatus stops the acquisition of the data recorded to a digital video tape reproduced by the reproduction device (step S92), thereby stopping the reproduction of the digital video tape (step S93). The present invention is applicable to information processing apparatus for recording data from digital cassette video tape to DVD, for example.
US07672562B1
An optical fiber cable includes a stopper, an enlarged section, around a portion of its outside surface that is adapted to engage a tool, which is used for pulling the cable through a conduit or the like. The stopper may be an integrated part of the cable, or it may be applied to the cable as a shrink tube or an adhesive tape.
US07672550B2
A coherent light source includes a plurality of light emitting points arranged in one-dimensional array. A beam shaping unit shapes a light beam so that a diameter of a light emitted from the coherent light source in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the light emitting point array is larger than a diameter in the direction of the light emitting point array, and an intensity distribution of the light emitted from each of the light emitting points is uniform. A magnification of a focusing optical system is set such that a light emitted from the beam shaping unit is coupled to an optical fiber based on a maximum diameter of the light emitted from the beam shaping unit.
US07672548B2
Light emitting diode (LED) structures are described that include a first layer and a light-generating layer, wherein light generated in the light-generating layer generally emerges from the LED structure through the upper surface of the first layer. The coupling out of light generated by spontaneous emission is enhanced by the presence of patterning in the first layer, which may take the form of an embedded photonic quasicrystal, a photonic structure comprising an amorphous array of subregions, or a zone plate structure. The invention provides the benefit of improved light extraction from the LED without undesirable far field illumination patterns.
US07672541B2
Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in, a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining, distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.
US07672540B2
Motion of the heart during contrast enhancement is modeled at two hierarchical levels: global translation and local deformation. Large-scale, i.e., global, translational motion is identified using global template matching, while the local deformation of a portion of the object (e.g., the left ventricle where the object is a heart) is obtained using an adaptive local template matching scheme which adapts to the local edge distributions by varying the height and the width of the template as well as the location of the template followed by spatial regularization. To address the difficulty of rapid intensity changes across the image sequence as the contrast agent perfuse into the tissue, an edge-based similarity measure is used for template matching.
US07672530B2
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination boundary in an image. The method comprises the steps of performing dynamic sampling in preselected local areas of the image to determine spectral ratio information for the image at each of the preselected local areas, and utilizing the spectral ratio information to identify an illumination boundary.
US07672526B2
The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. With regard to an input image of dimensions fewer than the dimensions of actual world light signals, wherein actual world light signals have been projected and a part of the continuity of the actual world light signals has been lost, actual world signals are estimated at an actual world signal estimating unit 10003 from the input image within a processing region set at a processing region setting unit 10001, corresponding to continuity set at a continuity setting unit 10002. On the other hand, information relating to at least one of processing region, continuity, and actual world signals, is supplied from a user I/F 10006 to the processing region setting unit 10001, continuity setting unit 10002, or actual world signal estimating unit 10003, according to user operations. The present invention can be applied to, for example, cases of removing movement blurring from an image, for example.
US07672524B2
A method and apparatus transcode an image. An encoded input bitstream of the image is analyzed to obtain a structure of the encoded input bitstream, in which the image includes a region-of-interest and a background region, and in which the encoded input bitstream is a stream of packets. A first quality value for the region-of-interest and a second quality value for the background region are determined. An encoded output bitstream is composed from a subset of the packets selected from the encoded input bitstream according to the structure, in which the subset of packets includes a first set of packets corresponding to the region-of-interest having the first quality value, a second set of packets corresponding to the background region and having second quality value, and empty packets.
US07672522B2
This invention realizes an image decoding apparatus and an image decoding method capable of correctly performing a decoding process in short time with a simple construction. In an image decoding apparatus and an image decoding method for performing a decoding process under a prescribed coding method, simple playback frames comprising an I-picture and following prescribed pieces of P-pictures on the basis of the I-picture existing at a desired position in picture data encoded with the coding method are extracted in a fast playback mode.
US07672520B2
The invention relates to a method for coding N+1 images comprising a step of temporal analysis of these images generating a low-frequency image and N high-frequency images. It furthermore comprises the following steps: dividing each of the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images into N+1 parts; interleaving the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images so as to generate N+1 interleaved images and so that the N+1 parts of the low-frequency image are distributed between the N+1 interleaved images, each of the N+1 interleaved images comprising a single part of the low-frequency image; and coding the N+1 interleaved images independently of one another, each of the interleaved images being coded with one and the same number of bits.
US07672519B2
A method for detecting and removing noise from an image, the method includes the steps of applying a frequency transform to the image for obtaining a magnitude image; applying a threshold value to values of the magnitude image for obtaining threshold values; setting one or more threshold values to a predetermined value; and reconstructing the image from the magnitude image having the predetermined values for removing noise from the image.
US07672516B2
Methods of statistical learning for Bayesian inference in the context of efficient optimization schemes for image restoration are presented. Second and third order priors that may be learned while maintaining graph representability are identified. A framework to learn and impose prior knowledge on the distribution of pairs and triplets of labels via graph cuts is presented. The disclosed methods optimally restore binary textures from very noisy images with runtimes in the order of seconds while imposing hundreds of statistically learned constraints per node.
US07672515B2
Apparatus are provided, which include a color image processor, an edge distinguisher, and an edge trapping mechanism. The color image processor processes color images, including a given color image. The given color image includes plural color separations each having a set of color values for respective image pixels. The edge distinguisher distinguishes some edges of the given color image as opposing edges. An edge is a transition in the color separation of the given color image from a non-white color intensity value, at one side of the edge, to a white intensity value, at the other side of the edge. A given edge is an opposing edge when a transition of the given edge goes, for a separation of the given color image, in one direction from a non-white color value to a white value, and goes, for another separation of the given color image, in the same direction from a white value to a non-white color value.
US07672512B2
Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a display surface that includes a machine-distinguishable form identifier keyed to an electronic version of the form and at least two fields. Each field of the at least two fields respectively includes a unique machine-distinguishable field identifier keyed to a field of the electronic version of a form, a content area that accepts a hand-formed entry, and a unique user-understandable field identifier.
US07672509B2
Images are colorized, recolorized, or otherwise manipulated by adding scribbles of a blending medium (such as chrominance) to a measurement medium (such as luminance) of the image. The blending medium propagates from the scribbles according to an intrinsic or geodesic distance that is a function of the measurement medium. Intrinsic distances may be weighted. An effect scribble may produce an effect, such as result data, in the blending medium according to a predefined function. A preprocessing scribble may be converted to one or more effect scribbles which are then propagated. A measurement scribble may propagate so as to alter the intrinsic distances of other scribbles.
US07672504B2
Method and system for obtaining high resolution 3-D images of moving objects by use of sensor fusion
A system to scan 3D images applies sensor fusion of a passive triangulation sensor in combination with an active triangulation sensor to obtain high resolution 3D surface models from objects undergoing arbitrary motion during the data acquisition time.
US07672499B2
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. According to one embodiment the device comprises an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated and at least one output receptacle positioned to receive bills after evaluation. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the at least one output receptacle. The device also comprises a denomination discriminating unit adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations. According to some embodiments, the device is adapted to deliver any bill that has been denominated to one and only one of the at least one output receptacle. According to some embodiments, the device has a single output receptacle.
US07672497B2
A computer aided disease detection system and method for multiple organ systems. The method performs computer aided examination of digital medical images. A patient exam type of a digital medical image is determined. Based on the patient exam type, one or more of a plurality of knowledge based anatomical segmentation blocks are invoked, each block performing image segmentation for a single organ or organ system present in the image. Based on the patient exam type, for each successfully segmented organ or organ system, one or more of a plurality of knowledge based computer aided detection blocks are invoked, each block of which is designed to search for and locate potential disease foci in a particular organ or organ system.
US07672494B2
A method, system, and related computer program products are provided for processing a medical image of a body part according to a computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm, the medical image having an image border, the body part comprising imaged tissue appearing inside the image border and outlying tissue not appearing in the medical image, wherein likely anatomical abnormalities in the outlying tissue near the imaged tissue border are detected by the CAD algorithm. In one example, the detected likely abnormalities in the outlying tissue are located within a first distance from the imaged tissue border, wherein the first distance corresponds to a spatial ambit of a neighborhood-based feature computed by the CAD algorithm.
US07672493B2
A method for analyzing medical image includes obtaining a plurality of surface fronts on an object, such points being disposed in a three dimensional volume in the object; varying the volume of each one of the points such volumes combining into a common volume; and terminating the process when the common volume reaches boundaries of the object.
US07672489B2
Apparatus that includes a communication interface capable of communication with a management entity over a network; a biometric module adapted to acquire an image of a skin-covered body part submitted thereto; an output device; and a processing unit. The processing unit is adapted for releasing a prompting signal via the output device, the prompting signal prompting submission of a skin-covered body part at the biometric module. Furthermore, responsive to acquisition of an image by the biometric module further to releasing the prompting signal, the processing module is adapted for producing a candidate code based on geometric measures of respective combinations of pixels taken from a plurality of subsets of like-shaded pixels in the image. Finally, the processing module is adapted for releasing the candidate code via the communication interface for comparison at the management entity with an expected code, thereby to verify presence of a person associated with the expected code.
US07672486B2
The quality of printed matter, which is one of several copies of the same printed matter produced by a printing machine, is evaluated. An amount of copies of the printed matter is selected from the total production of this printed matter. The selected amount of these copies are evaluated with regard to at least one error type which belongs to an amount of different error types or with regard to at least one feature of the error. Within the selected amount of copies, an error of a defined error type or of a defined feature, which is detected on at least one of the copies, is evaluated in relation to at least one error of another type or feature detected on the same copy, or another copy of the selected amount. The printed matter is classified as having good or bad quality based on that evaluation. A common reading, producing image data, is obtained by an image sensor from the selected copies. All of the errors to be evaluated in relation to each other are detected from image data gathered during the same common recording.
US07672475B2
A method for verifying a hologram, comprising the steps of reading at least two images of the hologram, the images being representative of images derived at respective different viewing angles, comparing a characteristic derived from the respective images with a reference characteristic to establish if the hologram is authentic, and outputting a signal indicative of the authenticity or otherwise of the hologram.
US07672473B2
In a loudspeaker, a lead wire of a voice coil is fastened to a diaphragm, and is extended along the diaphragm. A bottom surface of a frame supporting the diaphragm is placed so as to face against a rear surface of the diaphragm. A protrusion is formed on the bottom surface so as to protrude toward the rear surface of the diaphragm. Therefore, the loudspeaker can prevent the lead wire of the voice coil, which is extending along the diaphragm, from being broken. Further, the loudspeaker can prevent the forward protruding diaphragm from being crushed and damaged.
US07672463B2
A temperature control apparatus used with an audio amp to prevent the audio amp from overheating and noise from being generated by effectively controlling a cooling fan of the audio amp includes a power supply to supply an electrical power, a power amp to amplify an input audio signal using the electrical power supplied from the power supply, a signal detector to detect the amount of the current flowing from the power supply during a predetermined time, a temperature sensor to sense a temperature over a predetermined level generated from the power amp, and a micro controller to control a cooling fan according to the amount of current output from the signal detector and/or the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
US07672462B2
An acoustic shock protection method and device are provided. A pattern analysis-based approach is taken to an input signal to perform feature extraction. A parameter space is identified, which is corresponding to the signal space of the input signal. A rule-based decision approach is taken to the parameter space to detect an acoustic shock event. The device may be advantageously implemented using a weighted overlap-add approach to provide low group delay, high-fidelity and a high degree of protection from acoustic shock events.
US07672456B2
The invention concerns an anti-pirate method for the distribution of digital content by pro-active diversified transmission, associated transmitter device and portable receiving object. The method, designed to make the same information (Kc) available to several receivers (1) belonging to a group (G) of receivers, each receiver storing information (SAi) specific to it, is characterized in that it includes the following steps: define a relation Kc=f(K, bi, SAi) where (f) is a given function, (K) is information common to all the receivers, and (bi) is information different for each receiver and for each value of the information (K); —enable each receiver to access information (bi) before making (Kc) available; and transmit the information (K) to all receivers, just before making (Kc) available; so that each receiver can calculate information (Kc) using said relation.
US07672454B2
A method for copy protection of digital content, wherein at least a part of the digital content is an active part enabling the execution of the digital content, includes steps of storing digital content in a storage, choosing reference storage blocks from the storage, creating dependencies between the digital content and the chosen reference storage blocks and executing by way of the active part the digital content only after verification of the dependencies in order to verify the presence of the chosen reference storage blocks. A storing medium also includes a digital content being copy protected according to the method and to a reproducing apparatus executes the steps of the above-described method.
US07672442B2
A signal relay device, method thereof, and system using the same. The system utilizes SCTP with multiple transmission addresses to share communication layers above the transmission layer in signal gateway cluster, automatically switching to an available signal gateway for maintaining online status and increasing availability of signal transmission.
US07672440B2
A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.
US07672437B2
A system and method for processing traffic study requests in a communications network. The system provides a log-in window for a user identification validation. If a user is an authorized user of the system, the system provides a window for displaying a CPNI disclaimer. The system provides a new order request window for receiving customer information and input parameters. The system provides a new study request window for receiving a telephone number to be studied. Once the traffic study is completed, the system receives a report of the traffic study. The system then forwards the report to the user.
US07672436B1
Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. For example, the system can detect the signature block or privacy notice tags and not render the signature block or privacy notice as speech. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message. Preferably, an email server that receives and stored the email message inserts the tags into the email. Alternatively, the tags could be inserted by an email client application. The tags are detected by an email parser, which can be incorporated into the system rendering email as speech, or, alternatively implemented in a separate logical entity.
US07672435B2
A radiation therapy apparatus has a multi-leaf collimator device, a driving gear, a torque wire and a driving unit. The multi-leaf collimator device has a pair of collimator components which respectively comprise a plurality of leaves arranged close to one another such that the leaves face one another across an irradiation axis, and configured to set a desired irradiation field by individually moving the leaves. The driving gear is engaged with a gear tooth of the each leaf, respectively. The torque wire is connected to a shaft center of the driving gear, respectively. The driving unit is configured to drive the driving gears through the torque wire.
US07672413B2
A synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20) records a synchronism pattern detecting timing at which a synchronism pattern is detected in reception data, a synchronism decider (12) collates the reception data with reference data to decide whether or not the reception data is consistent in phase with the reference data, and a timing generator (22) operates, when the synchronism decider (12) gives a decision for inconsistency in phase, for a match between the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorded in the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20), as a subsequent one, and a timing of a synchronism pattern of the expectation data, and the subsequent synchronism pattern detecting timing in record is used to render the phases consistent, allowing for a rapid synchronization to be obtained, without the need of waiting a detection of synchronism pattern, even with an inconsistency in phase due to a false synchronism pattern.
US07672409B2
A method of multi-user detection in a given uplink and downlink time slot in a software-defined receiver which includes filtering and sampling a received signal; forming a block-banded matrix A of the sampled signals; and solving {circumflex over (d)}=T−1y, where T=(AHA), y=AHx. The methods of solving for the matrix T includes a) computing Cholesky factors of the matrix T by approximating using the block-banded property of the matrix T and A; b) Schur decomposition for Cholesky factors of the matrix T and approximating the lower triangular Cholesky factor matrix R using block Toeplitz property of matrix T; or c) Fourier Transformation.
US07672406B2
Disclosed is a clock-and-data recover circuit in which a data sampling circuit, a phase comparator, a phase controller and a phase interpolator make up a loop. The data sampling circuit samples serial input data, and the phase comparator receives an output from the data sampling circuit to detect the phase relationship between clock and the data. The phase controller outputs a phase control signal based on the result of phase comparison of the phase comparator to output a phase control signal. The phase interpolator receives a multi-phase clock composed of plural clock signals with different phases and supplies a clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the phase control signal, to the data sampling circuit. The clock and data recovery circuit further includes a second phase interpolator and a second data sampling circuit. The phase controller generates and outputs a second phase control signal to the second phase interpolator. The second phase interpolator receives the multi-phase clock and outputs a second clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the second phase control signal and supplies the second clock signal to the second data sampling circuit. The second data sampling circuit samples the input data based on the second clock signal from the second phase interpolator. Preferably, the second phase interpolator has a variably set threshold level for sampling the data.
US07672403B2
A system on a chip integrated circuit includes a first in-phase digital submodule and a first quadrature phase digital submodule such that the first in-phase digital submodule and the first quadrature phase digital submodule are operable to produce at least one output signal based on at least one input signal. A digital clock generator generates a first in-phase digital clock signal having a plurality of first in-phase digital clock cycles over a predetermined period and a first quadrature phase digital clock signal having a plurality of first quadrature phase digital clock cycles over the predetermined period. The plurality of first in-phase digital clock cycles are substantially interleaved with the plurality of first quadrature phase digital clock cycles over the predetermined period.
US07672396B2
Methods of reducing spectral leakage due to I-Q imbalance within a transmitter are disclosed. The method includes the transmitter receiving a data stream of coefficients of a multi-carrier modulation signal. The data stream is pre-processed by processing a set of the coefficients that correspond with selected notch frequencies to reduce the effects of I-Q imbalance of the transmitter, wherein at least a portion of the set of coefficients corresponds to non-symmetrical notch frequencies. The pre-processed data stream is multi-carrier modulated. The multi-carrier modulated pre-processed data stream is I-Q modulated before transmission.
US07672393B2
The present invention discloses a single-wire asynchronous serial interface, and a method for transmitting commands and data through one transmission wire, wherein the transmission wire is capable of transmitting signals of three level states. The disclosed interface comprises a signal level extraction circuit receiving signals transmitted through the wire and outputting logic or functional bits according to the received signals; a clock extraction circuit generating clock signals according to the functional bits, and a memory circuit controlled by the clock signals and storing the logic bits. The disclosed method comprises: using two of the level states to represent logic 0 and, logic 1, and the third of the states as a functional bit; and determining whether a group of signals is a command or data by the existence of a functional bit within the group.
US07672384B2
Techniques are described for multicarrier multiple access wireless transmission, e.g. orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) transmissions, over frequency selective fading channels. The techniques are designed to maintain constant modulus transmissions for uplink while effectively mitigating intersymbol interference. Specifically, the techniques utilize non-redundant unitary precoding across OFDMA subcarriers to maintain constant modulus transmissions for uplink communications. For example, the techniques involve precoding a block of information symbols and assigning a different subcarrier for each symbol of the block. The subcarriers are selected to be equi-spaced and may be selected, for example, from a phase-shift keying constellation. The number of symbols per block is equal to the number of subcarriers assigned per user. Importantly, even with multiple subcarriers per user, the techniques enable constant modulus transmissions for uplink. Consequently, the techniques may achieve high power and bandwidth efficiency as well as improved performance over conventional OFDMA and GMC-CDMA transmissions.
US07672368B2
A control module for controlling convergence of cancellers, a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and a timing recovery module. The control module includes a state machine operable to decouple the timing recovery module from the cancellers and the DFE while converging the cancellers and the DFE at the same time.
US07672353B2
A semiconductor laser device has an optically pumped, surface-emitting vertical emitter with a radiation-generating vertical emitter zone comprising a layer containing an organic material and a monolithically integrated pump radiation source for the optical pumping of the vertical emitter. The pump radiation source is designed to emit pump radiation in a main radiation direction transverse to the main radiation direction of the vertical emitter.
US07672348B2
Disclosed is a laser (10) comprising a lasing cavity with a lasing medium and primary optical feedback means in the form of a facet (17) at either end of the cavity, the laser cavity defining a longitudinally extending optical path; and secondary optical feedback means formed by a plurality of refractive index perturbations (16, 22) in the laser cavity, each perturbation defining two interfaces (20, 21); characterized in that, for at least one perturbation, only one of the two interfaces contributes to optical feedback along the optical path. The present invention relaxes the lithographic tolerances for making single longitudinal mode devices and improves performance characteristics.
US07672347B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: a substrate; a laminate structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer; and a current confinement part for limiting a current injection region of the active layer in the second semiconductor layer, or between the active layer and the second semiconductor layer, on the substrate, wherein the current confinement part includes a current confinement layer having a conductive region corresponding to the current injection region of the active layer and a nonconductive region corresponding to a region other than the current injection region of the active layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the current confinement layer and the second semiconductor layer or the active layer in order to prevent a mixed crystal from being formed between the current confinement layer and the second semiconductor layer or the active layer.
US07672338B2
An ultra wideband adapter and a system including the ultra wideband adapter are disclosed. The ultra wideband adapter includes a first input to receive video from a passive optical network element, a second input to receive data from the passive optical network element, an ultra wideband modulator to modulate the received data, a diplexer to diplex the received video with the modulated ultra wideband data to provide a diplexed video, and an output to transmit the diplexed video.
US07672329B2
A generating unit generates an apparatus reference frame phase that becomes a reference in a data multiplexing/demultiplexing apparatus, based on a reception frame phase of the data input to a predetermined reception buffer and a predetermined delay amount. A multiplexing/demultiplexing unit reads data from the reception buffer based on the apparatus reference frame phase generated by the generating unit, and multiplexes or demultiplexes the data.
US07672320B2
A gateway device in an IP communications system can be controlled by a gateway controller even when an IP address of the gateway device is not fixed. The IP communications system includes a gateway device having a subscriber terminal interconnected thereto, a gateway controller for controlling the gateway device, provided on a subscriber side in accordance with a protocol conforming to the master-slave architecture, a database for providing subscriber information to the gateway controller, and an IP address allocator for dynamically allocating IP addresses. The gateway device requests the IP address allocator to allocate an IP address to acquire an IP address, and notifies the gateway controller of that IP address to get the IP address stored in the database.
US07672315B2
Write logic and read logic are coupled to SDRAM and a frame status table. VCG members are written into SDRAM by the write logic and an entry (based on the MFI and SQ) in the frame status table is maintained by the write logic for each member. The read logic scans the frame status table to identify the earliest frame number for which data is available in SDRAM. Based on the frame status and the address pointer offset, the read logic maintains a state table entry for each VCG member and a state for each VCG. According to the preferred embodiment, the read logic is provided in two parts separated by a temporary buffer. The first part of the read logic performs the functions described above and writes chunk data into the temporary buffer. The second part of the read logic reads byte data from the temporary buffer according to a selectable leak rate.
US07672312B1
The present invention is a method for releasing at least a part of a connection in a two-layer communication network that includes a first communication network layer adapted to establish or which establishes a communication channel to a terminal, and a second communication network layer adapted to establish or which establishes an application layer connection. The method includes deciding in one of the first and second communication network layers that at least the part of the connection associated with the terminal is to be released, and forwarding the decision from the one of the communication network layers in which the decision has been taken, to the other of the communication network layers via an interface between the first and second communication network layers.
US07672309B1
A system and method to adjust dynamically network speed or bandwidth allocation. A network connection is established at some initial speed. The bandwidth usage through the connection is monitored, and when the connection speed becomes congested with data, the connection is dropped and a higher-speed connection is established.
US07672307B2
For use in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), a first MANET node for routing data packets using Layer 2 information. The first MANET node comprises: 1) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for wirelessly communicating with other MANET nodes; and 2) a controller for receiving incoming data packets from the RF transceiver and sending outgoing data packets to the RF transceiver. The controller receives a first data packet from an Internet protocol (IP) layer associated with the first MANET node, determines a first medium access control (MAC) layer address associated with the first data packet, and adds the first MAC layer address to the first data packet.
US07672306B2
Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications of this inventions other that be capable point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure.
US07672302B2
A router comprising: i) a switch fabric; and ii) N Layer 2 modules coupled by the switch fabric, each of the N Layer 2 modules capable of receiving data packets in Layer 2 frames and forwarding the received data packets using Layer 2 addresses associated with the Layer 2 frames, wherein a first one of the Layer 2 modules comprises a Layer 3 routing engine capable of forwarding a first received data packet through the switch fabric directly to a second one of the Layer 2 modules using a Layer 3 address associated with the first received data packet if the first Layer 2 module does not recognize a Layer 2 address associated with the first received data packet.
US07672301B2
A distribution stage is disclosed comprising a plurality of inputs coupled to a plurality of first stage switching devices, a plurality of outputs coupled to a plurality of second stage switching devices, and a distribution configuration. The distribution configuration is configured to receive a plurality of bandwidth units (BU's) from each first stage switching device, and to distribute at least one BU from each first stage switching device to each second stage switching device, such that each second stage switching device is assured of receiving at least one BU from each first stage switching device. In effect, the distribution stage ensures that each first stage switching device has a logical link to each second stage switching device. In one embodiment, the distribution stage is configured in accordance with a distribution configuration that is static. Because the distribution configuration of the distribution stage is static, it does not add complexity to the overall switching determination of a switching network. Thus, the distribution stage enables the switching network to be expanded without degrading the switching performance of the network.
US07672295B1
A method and system for implementing run-time control over voice application behavior. The method includes identifying a plurality of control point locations within a given voice application and a plurality of corresponding required responses to the control points. A design-for-control methodology is used to instrument the control points of voice application. A control agent is configured with web-based controls to manage the control points. The control points are used to alter the voice application's behavior during run-time.
US07672293B2
In an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for hardware throttling of network traffic, includes: receiving a packet; and preventing the packet from being copied, based on a rate field value associated with a new address in the packet information in the packet. The packet is not copied even if a copy rule is triggered.
US07672283B1
Computer implemented techniques for detecting the presence and identity of unauthorized wireless devices (“UWD”) on a network. The technique is capable of detecting the presence and existence UWDs irrespective whether the UWDs implements encryption in their communication. Furthermore, it is unnecessary for the computer-implemented method to access the management console of a wireless access point for the purpose of determining the identity of the wireless client devices that currently employ the access point to accomplish the wireless communication. The computer-implemented method also does not require any software agent to be installed on the wireless client devices for the purpose of detecting unauthorized wireless communication.
US07672277B2
The invention discloses a method of estimating carrier frequency offset for subscriber terminal, including: determining number of effective base stations from which more than one signals are received by a subscriber terminal; combining the signals of each station corresponding to said number of effective base stations; calculating a rough estimation value of the carrier frequency offset based on combined signal. The invention also discloses a device of estimating carrier frequency offset for subscriber terminal, including: decision module, used to determine the number of effective base stations from which more than one signals received by subscriber terminal, combining module, used to combine the signals of the effective base station and output the combined signal to the carrier frequency offset acquiring module; carrier frequency offset acquiring module, used to estimate the carrier frequency offset of the merged signal. According to the invention, the carrier frequency offset for the subscriber terminal will meet system requirement, and improve cell searching success probability.
US07672276B2
Disclosed is a handover method in radio communication. A base station apparatus monitors the receiving state of a terminal, detects, based upon the receiving state, whether the terminal is one in which there is a possibility that loss of a call or a decline in quality will occur or one in which loss of a call or a decline in quality has occurred, and hands over the terminal to another base station apparatus having a carrier frequency different from that of the present base station apparatus.
US07672275B2
Packet routing via payload inspection at routers in a core of a distributed network. Packets include subjects and attributes in addition to routing information. The subjects correspond with particular types of content for subscriptions, and the attributes encapsulate the data or content. The routers store filters corresponding with subscriptions to content. Upon receiving a packet, a router inspects the payload section of the packet containing the attributes in order to retrieve the attributes and apply them to the filters for the subscriptions. If an attribute satisfies a filter, the packet is routed to the next link. If the attributes do not satisfy the filters, the router discards the packet. These routing decisions are distributed among routers in the network core. The router locally caches the data in the network core.
US07672271B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a high-speed wireless backbone connection, Backbone Connection Facilitator (BCF), to create a wireless home network, which may consist of many short-range wired/wireless networks. BCF dynamically creates concurrent data pipelines to meet the data bandwidth demand to transfer packets from one short-range wired/wireless network to another. BCF employs the newly developed antenna technologies (ex. MIMO, SDMA) to minimize the transmit power, to reduce the interferences, and to support the real time communication.BCF contains the BCF-PHY layer, the BCF-Data-Link-Layer, and the BCF-Network-Layer. The BCF-PHY layer consists of antenna array, a PHY Base Band controller, and a digital beam former. The BCF-Data-Link-Layer provides the MAC functionality. The BCF-Network-Layer assembles the packet, provides the source and destination address, and provides the BCF-PHY beam forming information. The BCF-Network-Layer is also responsible for parsing and assembling the packet payloads for the high-speed backbone connection.
US07672263B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling power consumption in a short-range wireless terminal. In order that the power save mode could be adapted to the traffic pattern of the terminal, the data traffic of the terminal is monitored and at least one parameter describing the data traffic is defined. Based on said at least one parameter and the beacon interval information received in beacon frames, the power state of the terminal is dynamically controlled so that the terminal is maintained in one of at least two power states including an active state and a power save state.
US07672260B2
A target radio frequency identification (RFID) device may include a receiver to receive valid bits common to a first set of random numbers and to receive a signal indicating a change in a number of time slots from a first number of a plurality of time slots to a second number of a plurality of time slots in which the target device may respond. The target device may include processing circuitry to generate a random number, to determine if the random number is in the first set, to generate a random value, and to randomly select a time slot. The target device may further include a transmitter to communicate a response if the random number is determined to be in the first set, and to communicate the random value during the randomly selected time slot.
US07672252B2
A method for resolving switch number conflicts in a stackable switch system includes communicating a message between switches in the stackable switch system and determining, based on the communicated message, that two or more switches in the stackable switch system have the same switch number. The method also includes, in response to the determination that two or more switches have the same switch number, determining whether any of the switches should keep the switch number or select a new switch number.
US07672250B2
A method, apparatus, and system permits an access terminal (“AT”) for a multi-carrier CDMA wireless communication system to concurrently receive data on N different-frequency carriers while restricting one or more parameters that affect data reception rate, so that limited resources of the AT will be sufficient to properly process data packets on the N carriers. The data rate controlling parameter may be “I,” the number of supported H-ARQ channels for one or more of the N carriers. A relationship may be defined between the number of supported forward and/or reverse link carriers, versus the number of supported H-ARQ channels and/or other data rate controlling parameters. Messages may enable identification of AT characteristics, and configuration and/or dynamic re-configuration of AT data communication capabilities that are related to different values of N and corresponding different data rate controlling parameters.
US07672249B2
An Internet appliance accesses an HTML page on a Web site containing configuration information for the appliance, such as an Internet compatible telephone. Data from the HTML page are downloaded to the appliance to modify its options or settings automatically upon accessing the HTML page, or as directed by the user. The data may be downloaded to a programmable memory in the Internet appliance and the stored data may be used to upgrade the appliance. The upgrade HTML page may include information to alert the user when the new information is available regarding changes to options and settings of the appliance. Alternatively, data from the Internet appliance are placed in an HTML page and the data are then uploaded to the Web site. Additional embodiments provide other functions that may be placed in an HTML page to effect some internal action in the Internet appliance, such as checking e-mail.
US07672245B2
A request-packet transmitting unit transmits a predetermined number of request packets having a non-unicast destination address that can be received by a target network including a network identified by a first network address, from a monitoring network identified by a second network address different from the first network address through a layer 3 relay device. A layer 2 loop detecting unit receives response packets corresponding to transmitted request packets through the layer 3 relay device, and detects a layer 2 loop in the target network based on number of received response packets and number of transmitted request packets.
US07672234B2
Network congestion avoidance within aggregated channels is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method first transmits a packet associated with a first channel of a plurality of related channels from a source protocol layer (e.g., a source IP layer) of a source through a network (e.g., the Internet). Next, the method triggers an ECN event by the packet at the network. Finally, at least one channel is determined to have decreased packets transmitted therethrough, in response to the triggering of the ECN event (e.g., based on a congestion pricing criteria).
US07672228B1
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a system and method of network loop detection and recovery. In one embodiment of the invention, a networked node contains a loop detection and recovery agent. The loop detection and recovery agent may include a loop detection module and a loop recovery module. The loop detection module may be independent of a redundancy protocol implemented by the networked node. In contrast, the loop recovery module may be embedded in the redundancy protocol implemented by the networked node.
US07672223B2
Network connection switchover is accomplished through a method comprising receiving information defining a first connection between a first network device and a computer; establishing a replication channel between the first network device and a backup device; storing backup control information at the backup device; communicating a message flow between the first network device and the computer on the first transport connection; in response to unavailability of the first network device, communicating messages on the replication channel that cause (a) establishing a second connection between the backup device and the computer; (b) continuing communication of the message flow between the backup device and the computer based on the backup control information. TCP connections, for example, can be switched from an active device to a backup device without reset or re-transmission.
US07672221B2
An OFDM receiver includes a timing error detection unit that determines error information based on a difference between receiving timing of a desired signal from a counterpart transmitter and receiving timing of an undesired signal from a non-counterpart transmitter. The timing error detection unit includes a pilot signal detection unit configured to detect a pilot signal of the desired signal and a pilot signal of the undesired signal from an FFT-processed received signal; a first converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the desired signal to a first time-domain channel impulse response; a second converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the undesired signal to a second time-domain channel impulse response; and an error information determination unit configured to determine the error information based on the first and second channel impulse responses.
US07672218B1
A plurality of data signals are separated into parallel bit streams with each parallel stream having a bandwidth characteristic such that the combined cumulative effect of all the individual bandwidths produces a spectral characteristic of the data signals that match the spectral high speed data characteristic of a twisted pair.
US07672216B2
In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US07672201B2
The invention relates to a diffraction grating, a light-receiving element, and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them and provides a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element capable of detecting a signal of high quality and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them. A diffraction grating includes a diffracting region which is formed only on a light exit surface and which diffracts and separates first laser light or second laser light emitted by a two-wavelength semiconductor laser to generate a main beam and positive and negative first order sub beams. The depth of concavity formed on the diffracting region is 220 nm. The irregularities are formed such that the pitch length thereof is 22 μm and such that a convexity thereof has a width of 17.6 μm. The ratio of the width of the convexity to the pitch length of the irregularities is 0.8.
US07672199B2
A focus servo system with a focus close algorithm is disclosed. The focus close algorithm provides a bias control effort to the focus servo system when focus is closed. A method of closing focus includes positioning an optical pick-up unit at a first position away from an optical medium, moving the optical pick-up unit towards a second position by altering a focus control effort, monitoring a sum signal obtained from signals received from the optical pick-up unit, and setting the bias control effort to the focus control effort when a closure criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a sum signal exceeds a threshold value. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a focus error signal is below a FES threshold.
US07672197B2
An optical pickup device having a lens through which light transmits, a holder to which the lens is mounted, a position adjusting member which is mounted on the holder, and a housing to which the holder is mounted has a structure to allow adjustment of a mounting position of a lens assembly formed by mounting the lens and the position adjusting member on the holder when the lens assembly is assembled in the housing. In this manner, the lens can be mounted to the housing with high precision.
US07672181B2
Each sub word line is coupled to a gate of a transfer transistor of a memory cell. A first switch of a sub word decoder couples the sub word line to a high level voltage line when a main word line is in an activation level. A second switch couples the sub word line to a low level voltage line when the main word line is in an inactivation level. A third switch couples the sub word line to the low level voltage line when a word reset signal line is in an activation level. A reset control circuit disables the inactivation of the main word line or the activation of the word reset signal line during a test mode. One of the second and third switches is forcibly turned off, and thereby, an operation failure of a sub word decoder can be detected easily.
US07672177B2
A memory device and a method thereof. The memory described includes a control module and a single-port memory array. The control circuit generates control signals according to a clock signal, a read command signal and a write command signal. The single-port memory array is accessed according to the control signals.
US07672171B2
A first plane of memory cells is formed on mesas of the array. A second plane of memory cells is formed in valleys adjacent to the mesas. The second plurality of memory cells is coupled to the first plurality of memory cells through a series connection of their source/drain regions. Wordlines couple rows of memory cells of the array. Metal shields are formed between adjacent wordlines and substantially parallel to the wordlines to shield the floating gates of adjacent cells.
US07672170B2
A method for programming a flash memory device with a plurality of memory cells. A selected memory cell is programmed under a condition where a bulk area is biased with a high voltage. A program pass/fail of the memory cell is verified with the high voltage applied to the bulk area.
US07672167B2
A non-volatile memory device may include at least one string, at least one bit line corresponding to the at least one string, and/or a sensing transistor. The at least one string may include a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series. The sensing transistor may include a gate configured to sense a voltage of the corresponding bit line. A threshold voltage of the sensing transistor may be higher than a voltage obtained by subtracting a given voltage from a voltage applied to read the corresponding bit line connected to a memory cell transistor to be read of the plurality of memory cell transistors.
US07672146B2
A switching mode power supply includes a switching transistor, coupled to a primary coil at a primary side of a transformer for converting an input DC voltage, supplying power to a secondary and a tertiary coil at a secondary side of the transformer according to an operation of the switching transistor; a switching controller receiving a feedback voltage corresponding to a first voltage generated in the secondary coil and receiving a detection signal corresponding to a current of the switching transistor to generate a switching control signal for controlling the turn on/off of the switching transistor; and a feedback signal generator receiving the first voltage and the switching control signal to set a sampling period, and storing the first voltage, sampled with a last pulse of the first pulse string within the sampling period as a feedback voltage. The output voltage is thereby accurately detected without opto-couplers or shunt regulators.
US07672145B2
An electronic component module includes a module body including a substrate having components mounted thereon. A metal case is attached to the substrate to cover the components of the module body. The metal case includes a top-plate portion arranged substantially parallel to the main surface of the substrate and claw portions arranged at both edges thereof. The claw portions each include a claw body defined by a rectangular portion that is bent at an edge of the top-plate portion and extends in the direction of the substrate and a holding claw. In addition, contacting portions are bent at both ends of the rectangular portion to extend towards the inner portion of the main surface of the substrate. The contacting portions come into contact with the main surface of the substrate, and the holding claws are soldered to the side surfaces of the substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an electronic component module in which the proportion of a mounting area, in which components can be mounted, to a main surface of a substrate is increased, and in which positioning of a metal case can be easily performed.
US07672142B2
Electronic devices may be provided with one or more electrical components that may be coupled to one or more circuit boards by flexible circuits that can have reduced ground lengths. Each flexible circuit can include at least one ground conductor that may run along its length and that may have at least one portion exposed for coupling to a grounding element that may also be coupled to a ground plane.
US07672127B2
An information processing device includes a housing part; a heating part arranged in the housing part; a cooling unit configured to cool the heating part; an airflow supplying member configured to supply an airflow to the cooling unit; and an airflow limitation member configured to limit the airflow supplied by the airflow supplying member. A part of the cooling unit, the airflow limitation member, and the airflow supplying member are arranged in series. An air intake part is provided in one surface of the housing part so as to intake air into the airflow limitation member. An air discharge part is provided in another surface of the housing part so as to discharge air cooling the part of the cooling unit. An air discharge unit is provided at an air discharge opening provided at one side surface of the airflow limitation member.
US07672125B2
An electronic component generates heat in an electronic apparatus. The heat of the electronic component is transferred to a thermal conductive plate of a heat receiver in a liquid cooling unit. The heat is transferred to coolant from the thermal conductive plate. The temperature of the coolant rises. The heat exchanger absorbs heat of the coolant. The coolant gets cooled. The heat of the electronic component is also transferred to the printed wiring board. The heat spreads over the printed wiring board through a wiring pattern in the printed wiring board. Since the tank or/and pump is placed at a position outside the printed wiring board, the heat cannot be transferred to the tank or/and the pump. This results in prevention of rise in the temperature of the coolant in the tank or/and the pump. The efficiency of heat radiation can thus be enhanced.
US07672122B2
A flash memory disk includes a holder, a plug, a housing and a pulling ring. The plug is joined with the holder and exposed out of the holder. The housing has a containing space for accommodating the holder and the plug, wherein two sides opposite to each other respectively have a through sliding groove and the third side of the housing there has an opening. The two arms of the pulling ring have sliding blocks, and the sliding blocks are moveable and matched with the through sliding grooves, wherein the pulling ring is rotated about the axis connecting both the sliding blocks, and when the sliding blocks of the pulling ring is moved, the holder would be located between a first position where the plug is entirely accommodated in the containing space and a second position where the plug is entirely protruded out of the opening.
US07672115B2
The subject matter of the invention is an inverter including a casing (1), said casing (1) including at least two casing chambers (2, 3) that are each closable through a separate cover (2a, 3a).
US07672105B2
An apparatus for disabling a circuit when the circuit is in a first preselected condition includes a critical element that has an enable state and a disable state. The critical element is configured in relation to the circuit such that the circuit cannot operate normally if the critical element is in the disable state. A trigger generates a state signal that causes the critical element to enter the disable state when a comparison of a current condition to a stored value indicates that the circuit is in the first preselected condition. In a method of controlling operation of a circuit, a current condition is sensed. Whether the current condition corresponds to a stored value is determined. If the current condition corresponds to the stored value, then a critical element is caused to enter a disable state so that the circuit is prevented from operating normally.
US07672096B2
An improved switching apparatus and method are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second ports, a first switching device such as a contactor coupled between the ports, and a second switching device coupled in parallel with the contactor between the ports, where the second switching device can be or include a solid-state semiconductor device. The second switching device is operated to become conductive at a first time prior to a second time when the contactor switches between a conductive state and a non-conductive state, and remains conductive up to a third time subsequent to the second time. In at least some further embodiments, the apparatus also includes one or both of a voltage sensing capability and a current sensing capability and switches the second switching device to become conductive based upon voltage and/or current information.
US07672094B2
A tunnel junction TMR magnetoresistive sensor formed on layers having nitrogen interspersed therein. The nitrogenation of the layers on which the sensor is deposited allows the sensor layers to have very smooth, uniform surfaces. This greatly improves sensor performance by, for example, providing a very uniform barrier layer thickness.
US07672091B2
A device resets a biasing magnetization of a biasing element in a magnetic sensor. The device includes a magnetic structure that is magnetically coupled to the biasing element. A conductive element is disposed around at least a portion of the magnetic structure. When a current is passed through the conductive element, a magnetic field is produced that resets the biasing magnetization of the biasing element.
US07672089B2
This invention provides a CPP TMR or GMR sensor with an amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer and a crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer strongly exchange-couples to an underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer and planarizes its rough surface. The crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer strongly antiparallel-couples to an adjacent ferromagnetic reference layer across a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer is preferably made of a Co—Fe—B alloy film with an Fe content high enough to ensure strong exchange-coupling to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer, and with a B content high enough to ensure the formation of an amorphous phase for planarizing an otherwise rough surface due to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer is preferably made of a Co—Fe alloy film with an Fe content low enough to ensure strong antiparallel-coupling to the adjacent ferromagnetic reference layer across the nonmagnetic spacer layer. The sensor is annealed at temperatures low enough to prevent the amorphous phase from transforming into a polycrystalline phase, but also high enough to maximize TMR.
US07672080B1
A writer pole for perpendicular recording and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The writer pole comprises a laminated structure of a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic amorphous metal spacer layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers. Additional ferromagnetic and non-magnetic layers can be added, in an alternating fashion, to produce other laminated structures. Forming a perpendicular writer element includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a spacer layer on the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer on the spacer layer. Forming the perpendicular writer element can further include trimming the writer pole.
US07672079B2
A main pole layer is deposited within an opening in a patterned photoresist layer on a substrate. The photoresist is thinned to expose an upper portion of a pole tip region that is then trimmed to a rectangular shape while a lower portion retains an inverted trapezoidal shape. Thereafter, a second trimming process forms a pole tip with a first width in the upper rectangular portion and a second thickness and second width which is less than the first width in the lower portion. A CMP step subsequently thins the upper portion to a first thickness of 0.04 to 0.08 microns while the second thickness remains at 0.16 to 0.32 microns. The bottom surface of the lower portion along the ABS becomes the trailing edge in a recording operation. The pole tip has a consistent first width (track width) that is not influenced by CMP process variations.
US07672077B2
A vertical autoloader design enables multiple data cartridges to be selectively loaded into a drive while minimizing the device footprint. The structure of the vertical autoloader incorporates Geneva steps into the walls of the autoloader. The Geneva steps interface with gearing on a drive carriage to move the drive vertically. The data cartridges are inserted into slots on the front of the vertical autoloader, and the data cartridges not currently loaded into the drive can be removed and replaced while the autoloader is in operation. Further, the vertical autoloader includes prevent devices in the cartridge slots to ensure the data cartridges are loaded correctly.
US07672071B2
A servo field preamble detector includes an upsampling module that generates a plurality of upsampled read samples by upsampling a read signal by an upsampling factor. An interpolation filter module generates a plurality of interpolated read samples from the plurality of upsampled read samples. A peak detection module identifies a plurality of peak samples from the plurality of interpolated read samples. A magnitude estimation module generates a magnitude estimation signal from the plurality of peak samples. A comparison module compares the magnitude estimation signal to a magnitude threshold and asserts a servo preamble detection signal when the magnitude estimation signal compares favorably to the magnitude threshold.
US07672065B2
A high-performance lens system includes lens elements of small diameters for projecting enlarged images from light valves (mainly Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs))for forming images by changing reflecting directions of light. The lens system includes, sequentially in order from a magnifying side, a first lens group which makes up a substantially afocal optical system as a whole and a second lens group having a positive refractive power as a whole. Depending on the application a third lens group made up of a single positive lens element is provided in the vicinity of the light valve on a contracting side of the second lens group.
US07672064B2
An optical unit includes one or more optical elements 15 and 25. At least one of the one or more optical elements has an optical functional surface that refracts incident light and rough surfaces 19 and 29 formed on an outer side with respect to the optical functional surface. The rough surfaces scatter the incident light which has been internally reflected. With this configuration, the rough surface formed on the surface located on the outer side with respect to the optical functional surface scatters the light which is incident on the optical element and which may generate ghost due to its internally reflection by the surface located on the outer side with respect to the optical functional surface. Therefore, generation of the ghost is suppressed. Also, since the optical unit includes the optical element having the rough surface, the generation of the ghost is suppressed.
US07672061B2
A zoom lens comprises: a stationary group that is stationary at the time of variable power; and a variable power group, disposed on an image side of the stationary group, that makes a variable power operation by moving in an optical axis direction at the time of variable power, wherein the stationary group comprises: a first lens group including a negative meniscus lens and a positive lens and having a positive refractive power as a whole; and a second lens group, disposed on the image side of the first lens group, including: a negative lens group including a negative meniscus lens and a positive lens; and a positive lens group including at least one positive lens, in order from an object side, the second lens group having a positive refractive power as a whole.
US07672060B2
A lens unit includes a lens having a focal length variable responsive to an applied electrical field, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector is a flexible circuit element that connects the lens to an electrical power supply.
US07672056B2
A wavefront correction system using a dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator to vary phase relationships of a wavefront is disclosed. A light beam from the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be split into a reference beam and a plurality of measurement beams to enhance a speed and/or accuracy of phase measurement. A temperature of the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be sensed to facilitate temperature control and/or temperature compensation, so as to enhance the accuracy associated with use of the crossover frequency used to control the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
US07672050B2
A refractive index controlled diffractive optical element having a two-dimensional refractive index distribution to be written on a transparent material, wherein a first refractive index region with a refractive index n1 and width d1 is formed in a transparent material, and the ith refractive index region with a refractive index ni (assuming ni≠ni−1) and a width di is formed adjacent to the (i−1)th refractive index region and opposite to the (i −2)th refractive index region (at an arbitrary side of the (i−1)th refractive index region when i=2) where i is an integer within a range of 2≦i≦x. Accordingly, a diffractive optical element simultaneously having high diffraction efficiency to a particular order and thinness of the element itself can be obtained.
US07672048B2
A positioning mechanism capable of decreasing width and size and a microscope using the positioning mechanism are provided.The positioning mechanism is provided with a supporting shaft possessing a spherical surface part at a prescribed position and guides disposed substantially parallel to the supporting shaft and is characterized, on the assumption that of the three-dimensional directions, the axial direction of the supporting shaft constitutes the z direction, by the fact that the supporting shaft is nipped by the guides at the position of the spherical surface part and enabled to oscillate on the spherical surface part as a fulcrum in the xy directions and as well slide in the z direction.
US07672043B2
A relatively high spectral bandwidth objective employed for use in imaging a specimen and method for imaging a specimen is provided. The objective includes a lens group having at least one focusing lens configured to receive light energy and form an intermediate image, at least one field lens oriented to receive the intermediate image and provide intermediate light energy, and a Mangin mirror arrangement positioned to receive the intermediate light energy and apply light energy to the specimen. The objective may provide, in certain instances, a spectral bandwidth up to approximately 193 to 266 nanometers and can provide numerical apertures in excess of 0.9. Elements are less than 100 millimeters in diameter and may fit within a standard microscope. The field lens may include more than one lens and may be formed of a material different from at least one other lens in the objective.
US07672034B2
A manufacturing method is provided for a light modulation device that improves utilization efficiency of light. After forming a first reflective layer using a metallic material such as Pt or the like, on a substrate, a light modulating film is formed using an electro-optic material in which refractive index changes in accordance with an applied electrical field. After that, planarization is carried out so that irregularities on an upper surface of the light modulating film are less than or equal to 1/100 of the wavelength of light incident on the light modulation device. A transparent electrode is then formed using ITO, ZnO, or the like, on the light modulating film, and a second reflective layer including a dielectric multilayer is formed.
US07672017B2
A multi-spectral camera is provided which includes an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject. A wavelength selecting device receives light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs a light beam having a selected wavelength. A wavelength switching device selectively switches the selected wavelength of the wavelength selecting device. An image pickup element receives the light beam output from the wavelength selecting device and outputs image data. A spectroscope receives the light beams from the image pickup optical system and outputs spectral data. And a subject characteristic calculating unit calculates a spectral data characteristic of the subject from the spectral data output from the spectroscope.
US07671989B2
Maintenance of information content in a focused beam of electromagnetic radiation when the intensity thereof is attenuated by application of an aperture-like element.
US07671987B2
An optical detection system for flow cytometry that uses light sources positioned laterally at different distances from the central axis of the flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. By using two or more light sources, the particle position can be detected, and the alignment and width of the core stream can be monitored and controlled.
US07671982B2
Inspection systems, circuits, and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by reducing thermal damage to large particles by dynamically altering the incident laser beam power level supplied to the specimen during a surface inspection scan. In one embodiment, an inspection system includes an illumination subsystem for directing light to a specimen at a first power level, a detection subsystem for detecting light scattered from the specimen, and a power attenuator subsystem for dynamically altering the power level directed to the specimen based on the scattered light detected from the specimen. The power attenuator subsystem may reduce the directed light to a second power level, which is lower than the first, if the detected scattered light exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The systems and methods described herein may also be used to extend the measurement detection range of an inspection system by providing a variable-power inspection system.
US07671964B2
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to light via a reticle. A cooling device cools first water supplied from a facility by use of second water supplied for the facility, in which a temperature of the second water to be supplied from the facility is lower than a temperature of the first water to be supplied from the facility, a first supply path supplies the first water from the facility to the cooling device, a second supply path supplies the second water from the facility to the cooling device, and a third supply path supplies the first water cooled by the cooling device from the cooling device to a heat source inside the exposure apparatus.
US07671963B2
An immersion lithographic apparatus includes a liquid supply system member configured to contain a liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate and a liquid supply system member compensator arranged to compensate an interaction between the liquid supply system member and substrate table.
US07671961B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, column spacers at designated areas of the second substrate, protrusions having a first height on the first substrate corresponding to portions of the column spacers, compensation patterns having a second height on the first substrate corresponding to the edges of the column spacers, the second height being lower than the first height, and a liquid crystal layer filling a gap between the first and second substrates.
US07671954B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an array substrate; a gate line formed on the array substrate; a data line formed on the array substrate crossing the gate lines; a thin film transistor formed on the array substrate, the thin film transistor being formed at an intersection between the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode formed on the array substrate and connected to the thin film transistor; an insulating interlayer formed on an entire surface of the array substrate; a common electrode formed on the insulating interlayer and having a plurality of slits; a metal line formed on the insulating interlayer overlapping the data line and the common electrode; a color filter substrate attached to the array substrate; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate.
US07671950B2
Disclosed is an in-plane switching liquid crystal display, which uses a positive biaxial retardation film while adjusting an optical axis direction and the retardation value of the positive biaxial retardation film. The in-plane switching liquid crystal display improves the contrast characteristic at a predetermined angular position as well as at a front position thereof, so a color shift according to the viewing angle in the black state is minimized.
US07671946B2
The invention relates to a method of electronic contrast enhancement for an LCD panel for use in an imaging device. The method comprises the step of coupling the LCD panel with a trim retarder in a pre-determined azimuthal orientation for at least partially compensating the residual in-plane retardance, followed by the step of non-mechanical fine-tuning of a dark state of the LCD panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fine-tuning of the dark state of the LCD panel is realized by adjusting the dark-state magnitude of the LC voltage. The method can be used in batch, e.g. wafer-level manufacturing of integrated trim retarder/LCD panels assemblies that can be electronically tuned to provide high on/off contrast.
US07671933B2
A liquid crystal display module for preventing noise caused by friction between a support main and a light guide plate is provided. In the module, a hole is defined at a support main having at least one of a polygonal shape or a circular shape. A light guide plate is disposed on the support main. A protrusion which protrudes from a side surface of the light guide plate is inserted into the hole. The protrusion has at least one of said polygonal shapes and said circular shape.
US07671932B2
An active matrix substrate facilitates correction of a pixel defect and a pixel defect correcting method. A laser target portion of a drain electrode extension portion is irradiated with laser light so as electrically disconnect a TFT from a subpixel electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light so as to melt an insulating layer, thereby establishing electrical connection between a drain electrode extension portion and a corrective connecting electrode and between a data signal line (13(m+1)) and the corrective connecting electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light, thereby establishing electrical connection between a drain electrode extension portion of a pixel P(n+1, m) and a corrective connecting electrode and between the data signal line (13(m+1)) and the corrective connecting electrode. Laser target portions are irradiated with laser light so as to separate part of the data signal line (13(m+1)) and use the separated part of the data signal line (13(m+1)) as a detour conductor.
US07671924B2
A scaling device for video displays includes a limited number of line buffers and produces stable output frames by using a stable clock source to produce the output image clock. The scaling device further includes an error counter for determining an error between an ideal output line length and an actual line length and an error accumulator for keeping a running total of all output line length errors. The error accumulator can signal when the total line error for a given frame is greater than one, indicating that an additional output point should be added to the blanking area of that output line.
US07671923B2
A digital processing system and method for tracking a subcarrier included in a video signal are provided, where a phase comparator tracks the phase of a color burst signal based on predetermined supposed phases, Y/C separation and demodulation are carried out based on a compensation phase that is updated by a phase compensator in response to the tracked phase, and the Y/C separation and demodulation are performed based on a compensation frequency determined by a frequency compensator by checking short-term and long-term variations in the updated compensation phase.
US07671921B2
An image pickup apparatus comprises: an image pickup unit for picking up an object image; an image display unit for displaying an image; a grip portion to be grasped by an operator; a moving portion for allowing the grip portion to move between a first position in which the grip portion overlaps part of the image display unit and a second position in which the grip portion does not overlap the image display unit.
US07671917B2
The present invention discloses an image taking apparatus which can control image deterioration caused by the image size of an attached lens apparatus and image generating region of an image pickup element not corresponding. The image taking apparatus has an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by the attached lens apparatus; an image producing section which produces recording image data to be recorded based on an output from the image pickup element; and a controller which judges an image size of the attached lens apparatus and changes an image producing region for producing the recording image data within a light receiving region of the image pickup element based on the judged image size.
US07671910B2
An interpolator and method for high image resolution by interpolation with adaptive filtering of Bayer pattern color signals, and a digital image signal processor implementing the same. The digital image signal processor can generate interpolation data close to actual pixel data by applying a nonlinear low pass filter (LPF) that reflects the change rate of the data centered around a center pixel and the data of the center pixel, and by simultaneously applying a LPF, a band pass filter (BPF), and a high pass filter (HPF) having linear characteristics, and can generate interpolation data that reduces aliasing (at “edges”) and emphasizes a high frequency component.
US07671899B2
In an electronic camera, during a photographing operation for photographing a white sheet of paper or the like to obtain white balance data, a plurality of distance measuring points provided in an automatic focusing mechanism are restricted to only the one that is located at a central portion of the image plane. Further, a determination level used for determining an in-focus state in the automatic focusing mechanism is set lower than where an ordinary object is photographed. Accordingly, the photographing operation for obtaining white balance data can be completed for a short time. Furthermore, if the automatic focusing operation itself is inhibited during the photographing operation for photographing a white sheet of paper or the like to obtain white balance data, that photographing operation can be completed for a very short time.
US07671883B2
A laser beam emitted from each semiconductor laser 27 is guided by a step index type multi-mode optical fiber, a graded index type multi-mode optical fiber deformable and movable with movement of a recording head, and a step index type multi-mode optical fiber, to be emitted from a light emitter toward an imaging optical system.
US07671878B2
A thermal printer has a first thermal head, a second thermal head, and a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds one of thermal papers which include a double-sided thermal paper having thermosensitive layers formed on both sides thereof and a single-sided thermal paper having a thermosensitive layer formed on one side thereof. The first thermal head is so provided as to be brought into contact with a first side of the thermal paper fed by the feeding mechanism. The second thermal head is so provided as to be brought into contact with a second side of the thermal paper fed by the feeding mechanism. The thermal printer determines whether a mark has been printed at least one of the first and second sides of the thermal paper and controls print operation based on a determination result.
US07671872B2
A method for determining which one of regions in a chrominance space an input point belongs to. The regions are defined by boundary lines. The method includes generating in the chrominance space a first line, extending through the input point and the origin of the chrominance space, and a second line, connecting a point on the Cb axis of the chrominance space and a point on the Cr axis of the chrominance space. The method further includes comparing coordinates of a first intersection point, at which the first line and the second line intersect, and coordinates of second intersection points, at which the second line and the boundary lines intersect, to determine the region to which the input point belongs.
US07671867B2
A method of highlighting a selected object in a 3D scene comprises: executing an off screen rendering software and, responsive thereto, generating a texture image containing an image of the visible parts of a selected object over a background color, and, in response to said texture image, executing an on screen rendering software in combination with a fragment shader software thereby drawing a silhouette of the selected object.
US07671865B2
A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for sending to a display device only those regions of the display screen that change. A frame buffer is divided into tiles, which may be composed of one or more regions, and data in the frame buffer represents pixels on the display screen. When data representing a pixel is modified in the frame buffer, the region or tile associated with the pixel is marked as dirty, and those tiles or regions that are dirty in the frame buffer are written to the display.
US07671861B1
A method of creating an animated entity for delivering a multi-media message from a sender to a recipient comprises receiving from the sender an image file to a server, the image file having associated sender-assigned name, gender, category and indexing information. The server presents to the sender the image file and a group of generic face model templates. After the sender selects one of the generic face model templates, the server presents the image file and the selected model template to the sender and requests the sender to mark features on the image file. After the sender marks the image file, the server presents to the sender a preview of at least one expression associated with the marked image file. If the user does not accept the image file after the preview, the server presents again the image file and selected model template for the sender to redo or add marked features on the image file. If the user accepts the image file after the preview, the server presents the image file as an optional animated entity when the sender chooses an animated entity to deliver a multi-media message.
US07671831B2
An output buffer with an improved output deviation and a source driver of a flat panel display which employs the output buffer wherein the output buffer includes a first input terminal to which a first differential input signal is applied, a second input terminal to which a second differential input signal is applied, an output terminal that generates an output signal based on the second differential input signal and feeds back the output signal to the first input terminal as the first input signal, a first power supply terminal to which a first power supply voltage is applied, a second power supply terminal to which a second power supply voltage is applied, and an amplification unit that amplifies a difference between the first differential input signal and the second differential input signal, pulls up the output signal to the first power supply voltage or pulls down the output signal to the second power supply voltage, and includes a plurality of transistors.
US07671827B2
An electro-optical device comprising a display drive system with the display timing related to the unit time t for writing-in a picture element and to the time F for writing-in one picture is disclosed. In the device, a gradated display corresponding to the ratio of the division can be obtained by time-sharing the signal during a write-in of time t without changing the time F.
US07671826B2
A display device includes a load, a transistor for controlling a current value supplied to the load, a capacitor, a first wiring, a second wiring, and first to fourth switches. Variations in the current value caused by variations in the threshold voltage of the transistor can be suppressed through the steps of: (1) holding the threshold voltage of the transistor in the storage capacitor, (2) inputting a potential in accordance with a video signal, and (3) holding a voltage that is the sum of the threshold voltage and the potential in accordance with the video signal, in the storage capacitor. Accordingly, a desired current can be supplied to the load such as a light emitting element.
US07671820B2
A hemispherical Luneberg dielectric lens including a hemispherical center layer having a hemispherical outer surface, and a plurality of hemispherical dome-shaped layers each having concentric hemispherical inner and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces of the center layer and dome-shaped layers having different diameters and the inner surfaces of said dome-shaped layers having different diameters. The center layer and dome-shaped layers are successively concentrically fitted into one another and integrated into a hemispherical shape. The center layer is a foam molding of ceramic-containing thermoplastic resin expanded beads, while each of said dome-shaped layers is a foam molding of thermoplastic resin expanded beads containing 0 to 80% by weight of a ceramic. The ceramic content per unit volume of the center and dome-shaped layers decreases from the center layer to the outermost dome-shaped layer, and the standard deviation of the apparent density of each of the center and dome-shaped layers is 0.07 g/cm3 or lower.
US07671817B2
An antenna arrangement for a communication device is provided that may include a monopole antenna element having a bottom side joined to a first lateral side and joined to a second lateral side. The bottom side may be joined to each lateral side at an angle less than 90 degrees for forming an antenna element area defined at least by the bottom side and the first and second lateral sides. The antenna element area may include an central part arcuate around a longitudinal axis in a conical fashion, so that at least a part of the bottom side is provided half a turn around the longitudinal axis.
US07671807B2
A high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna is disclosed. The high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna includes a first element, a first radiating body, a second radiating body, a third radiating body, and a fourth radiating body. The first element has a first feeding point, wherein its equivalent reactance is inductive. One end of the first radiating body is connected to the first element and the other end of the first radiating body is a coupling surface. The second radiating body has a second feeding point and is extended through the second feeding point to the coupling surface so that the energy is transferred between the first radiating body and the second radiating body through the coupling surface. The first resonant frequency is attained by the first radiating body and the second radiating body, and the second resonant frequency is attained by the third radiating body and the fourth radiating body.
US07671799B1
A phased array antenna system includes an RF front end, a radome, and an optical calibrator embedded in the radome for enabling in-situ calibration of the RF front end. The optical calibrator employs an optical timing signal generator (OTSG), a Variable Optical Amplitude and Delay Generator array (VOADGA) for receiving the modulated optical output signal and generating a plurality of VOADGA timing signals, and an optical timing signal distributor (OTSD). The in-situ optical calibrator allows for reduced calibration time and makes it feasible to perform calibration whenever necessary.
US07671780B2
A method is for processing an incident signal, in which the incident signal is delivered to a transconductor stage, and a current output of the transconductor stage is coupled to an output capacitor so as to deliver to the output capacitor a current signal lasting for at least part of the first half-period of each period of a periodic signal and to thus obtain a frequency-transposed signal at the output capacitor. Upon the occurrence of each part of the first half-period, the voltage of the current output, seen from the output capacitor, is reset to a value equal to that of the voltage of the output capacitor.
US07671775B2
A converter of 6-bit input includes a reference voltage generating circuit generating 17 reference voltages, a first switch circuit having 19 switch pairs each including MOS transistors for selecting two adjacent reference voltages in accordance with the four most significant bits, a second switch circuit including a series circuit of MOS transistors for dividing the selected two reference voltages into four to obtain three intermediate voltages, and a third switch circuit for selectively outputting the lower of the selected two reference voltages or one of the three intermediate voltages. In a second mode in which a gray level having a smaller ON-resistance of a MOS transistor than that in the first mode is selected, the number of MOS transistors used in the first and second switch circuits for voltage division is increased.
US07671774B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for overload recovery in high order sigma-delta feedback topologies. An apparatus is provided for an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter comprises a first integrator having a first input, wherein the first integrator is configured to produce a first integrated output. A first switched resistance element is coupled between the first input and the first integrated output, wherein the first integrated output is altered when the first switched resistance element is activated. A quantizer is coupled to the first integrated output, the quantizer having a digital output wherein the quantizer converts the first integrated output to a digital value. A digital-to-analog converter is coupled between the digital output and the first input, wherein the digital-to-analog converter converts the digital value to an analog value.
US07671767B2
Embodiments described herein may include example embodiments of a method, article and/or apparatus for coding data which may be used for communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system, and/or for communication between computing platforms via a network or other interconnection medium.
US07671764B2
Methods and systems are provided for selectively using traffic flow data to provide routing options for a vehicle traveling to a destination point. There is provided a method comprising setting a threshold traffic flow data availability level, receiving traffic flow data from traffic flow sensors placed along one or more routes to the destination point, and determining whether the traffic flow data for each route meets the threshold availability level. The method further comprises enabling a flow-based route guidance for those routes for which the traffic flow data meets the threshold availability level. In one embodiment, the flow-based route guidance comprises utilizing the traffic flow data to calculate an estimated time of arrival at the destination point along each route.
US07671762B2
A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed.
US07671761B2
The system contains a receiver in communication with a programmable device. The receiver receives a first horizontal distance from the aircraft to a threshold of the runway, an angle of a glide path, and a threshold crossing height. The programmable device determines a projected ground distance from the aircraft to the threshold. The programmable device determines a projected ground distance from the threshold to a glide path intercept point. The programmable device determines a vertical value along the glide path relative to a projected ground distance between the aircraft and the glide path intercept point. The programmable device determines a synthetic altitude above runway for the aircraft.
US07671753B2
System and method are disclosed for monitoring slurry from a central location and replenishing the slurry as needed. The method/system allows a slurry supplier to track various properties of the slurry, as well as monitor various aspects of the slurry storage and delivery system. When the volume of slurry at the remote location falls below a predetermined point, the slurry supplier can schedule both the production of the appropriate slurry and its timely delivery to the customer. Changes in the condition of existing slurry, as well as leaks and other malfunctions in the slurry storage system, may be promptly detected and the slurry supplier immediately notified so that corrective actions may be taken. Multiple slurry storage systems at several remote locations may be monitored simultaneously from the central location. Such an arrangement offers a complete, one-stop solution to customers whose businesses depend on a reliable supply of “field ready” slurry.
US07671751B2
A business method for conducting pet, death, DNA and other related transactions over a computer network is disclosed. A one-stop site on the Internet permits remote users to establish accounts, run user sessions, obtain information, and order pet, death, DNA and other related products and services from a variety of sources and vendors. The one-stop site performs multiple services that are ordinarily done by many both for the initial user and for subsequent related users that are referenced to the site. Charges for all transactions are made to user accounts and payments need only be made to the one-stop site.
US07671741B2
A security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a membrane operable for attachment to merchandise, wherein the housing is connected the membrane, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the housing from the membrane and an alarm operable to emit a tamper signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the housing from the membrane in an unauthorized condition. A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a security tag operable for connection to merchandise to be secured, a monitoring device operable to monitor whether a party removes or attempts to remove the security tag from the merchandise and an alarm operable to emit a tamper alarm signal when the monitoring device indicates that a party has removed or attempted to remove the security tag from the merchandise in an unauthorized condition.
US07671736B2
A wireless system including an antenna, an electrical energy storage unit connected to the antenna, the energy storage unit receiving power via electromagnetic coupling of the antenna with an RF field generated by a master unit, and an electronics package. The electronics package is powered by the energy storage unit, and it includes a sensor, a processor that is capable of acquiring data from the sensor, and a transmitter connected to the processor and to the antenna, wherein the energy storage unit is capable of storing sufficient energy to supply power for the processor to format a message containing data acquired from the sensor and for the transmitter to transmit the message wirelessly via the antenna.
US07671734B2
A footprint location system installed on footwear is disclosed. A user simply has to wear the shoes to track his/her locations without any setup or calibration efforts. The footprint location system measures and tracks the displacement vectors along a trail of footprints. The position of a user can be determined by summing up the current and all previous displacement vectors. In addition to being infrastructure-free, the footprint location method does not have problems found in existing indoor location systems, such as obstacles, multi-path effects, signal noises, signal interferences, and dead spots.
US07671732B1
An indication of an emergency alert message is provided to a user, potentially having a disability, via a networked enabled portable device. The emergency alert message is provided via sign language video images indicative of the emergency alert. A notification makes the user aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. In various embodiments, the portable device is enabled to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the potentially disabled user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. The user can be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, the user can optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, and/or the user can otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data, such as a link to the information.
US07671729B2
There is provided a system for remote monitoring a plurality of security systems connected to the Internet, the security systems being assigned dynamic IP addresses, each of the security systems comprising a remote monitoring server module, the system comprising a central alarm monitoring service connected to the Internet for periodically communicating with the plurality of security systems and determining a status thereof to generate an alarm signal as a function of the status, the alarm monitoring service storing a current IP address of the plurality of security systems in an IP address database, and a remote monitoring gateway providing authenticated or unauthenticated dynamic domain name service (DDNS) server functionality to connect a given remote monitoring client to a desired one of the security systems, the gateway being connected to the IP address database and to the Internet. There is further provided a method of remote monitoring a security system.
US07671725B2
A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, a vehicle surroundings monitoring method, and a vehicle surroundings monitoring program which can rapidly determine an object such as a pedestrian to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle from an image of the surroundings of the vehicle and can provide information to a driver or control the vehicle behaviors. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus includes an object extraction process unit (11) which extracts objects existing around a vehicle (10) from images taken by infrared cameras (2R, 2L), a pedestrian extraction process unit (12) which extracts a pedestrian from the extracted objects, a posture determination process unit (13) which determines the posture of the extracted pedestrian, an object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14) which determines whether the extracted object is an object to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle (10) by executing a determination algorithm including at least a first determination process on the posture of the pedestrian determined by the posture determination process unit (13), and a vehicle equipment control process unit (15) which controls equipment of the vehicle (10) at least according to the determination result of the object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14).
US07671715B2
A magnetic element having an excellent direct-current saturation characteristic by effectively utilizing a size of a core is provided. The magnetic element has cores 11, 7, 8 and 17 formed of a magnetic material, buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 in the magnetic material, and a plurality of branch conductor parts 22, 23, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42 and 43 branching from the buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 to be a plurality of parts and separately turning around the magnetic material.
US07671709B2
A substrate module includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises a base material; a transmission line in which a signal line is sandwiched between two ground patterns, on the surface of the base material; a ground pattern on the rear surface of the base material; and an exposed portion in which the ground pattern on the substrate surface is exposed by partially cutting out the base material and the ground pattern on the substrate rear surface. The second substrate comprises a base material and a transmission line in which a signal line is sandwiched between two ground patterns, on the surface of the base material. In connecting a transmission line of the first substrate and that of the second substrate, the ground patterns of the first and second substrates are fused with each other at the exposed portion and fixed.
US07671708B2
The present invention relates to a mechanical compensating device for a waveguide (1). More precisely, the present invention provides a technology for ensuring phase stability in a waveguide (1) subject to expansions and contractions owing to temperature changes. To do this, actuators, which may consist of pairs of prongs (8-9, 10-11), connected to longitudinal ribs (2, 3) cut in the body of the waveguide (1) and integral therewith, cause, because of a large difference between the respective coefficients of thermal expansion of the waveguide (1) and of the actuators, a rotation of the longitudinal ribs (2, 3) about themselves, deforming the short sides (4, 5) of the waveguide (1) when said waveguide (1) expands or contracts according to the changes in temperature.
US07671704B2
An LC resonant circuit. The LC resonant circuit comprises an inductor and a conductor. The inductor is an electrode plate of a capacitor. The conductor is over, under, or on both sides of the inductor and used as the other electrode plate of the capacitor.
US07671702B2
A power combiner comprising an LC lattice structure is shown, together with a method for generating a planar wave front. The LC structure can comprise constant or voltage dependent capacitors. Either the delay or the characteristic impedance of the two-dimensional transmission line formed by the LC lattice structure are kept constant. A planar wave propagating along one direction of the transmission line gradually experiences higher impedances at the edges, creating a lower resistance path for the current in the middle. This funnels more power to the center as the wave propagates.
US07671687B2
RF field is sensed to produce an incoming voltage that drives a microarray of electron guns in a sweep pattern towards a detector array. The electron guns emit a beam current that may amplify the incoming voltage signal, and the detector material may be selected to amplify the beam current at the detector, for example, by avalanche and/or cascade in a Schottky material, to provide a low current, high gain amplification. The microarrays may be arranged in various combinations to produce successive amplifications, frequency multipliers, transmit-receive amplifiers, crossbar switches, mixers, beamformers, and selective polarization devices, among other such devices.
US07671682B2
A variable gain power amplifier includes a power amplifying unit and a signal generating unit. The power amplifying unit includes a control terminal, and a gain of the power amplifying unit is variable by a control signal provided through the control terminal. The signal generating unit generates the control signal to be provided to the control terminal. The signal generating unit includes a switching circuit to be turned on and off by a binary signal, a constant current source that generates a constant current, and a variable current source that generates a variable current. Also, the signal generating unit generates, when the switching circuit is on, a control signal of a magnitude that turns on the power amplifying unit and depends on a magnitude of a sum of the constant current and the variable current. When the switching circuit is off, the signal generating unit generates a control signal of a magnitude that turns off the power amplifying unit.
US07671681B2
Circuitry to remove switches from signal paths in integrated circuit programmable gain attenuators. Programmable gain attenuators and programmable gain amplifiers commonly switch between signal levels using semi-conductor switches. Such switches may introduce non-linearities in the signal. By isolating the switches from the signal path linearity of the PGA can be improved.
US07671680B2
An electronic circuit includes an input terminal, a transimpedance amplifier connected to the input terminal and including an amplifier and a feedback resistor, a first time constant circuit smoothing an output from the transimpedance amplifier, a gain control circuit arranged between the input terminal and ground potential and controlling current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential on the basis of the output from the first time constant circuit, and a safeguard circuit controlling the gain control circuit and blocking the current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential, when a signal to be input into the input terminal is stopped.
US07671667B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a current mirror system. The system comprises a master circuit configured to conduct a first current in response to an activation state of an activation signal. The system also comprises a slave circuit configured to generate at least one second additional current in response to the activation state of the activation signal. Each of the at least one additional current can be proportional to the first current. The system further comprises a current path circuit that is configured as a substantial copy of the master circuit, the current path circuit being configured to conduct the first current in response to a deactivation state of the activation signal.
US07671666B2
A circuit and a method for adjusting the performance of an integrated circuit, the method includes: comprising: (a) measuring the performance of a first monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a first set of FETs, each FET of the first set of FETs having a designed first threshold voltage; (b) measuring the performance of a second monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a second set of FETs, each FET of the second set of FETs having a designed second threshold voltage, the second threshold voltage different from the first threshold voltage; and (c) applying a bias voltage to wells of the FETs of the second set of FETs based on comparing a measured performance of the first and second monitor circuits to specified performances of the first and second monitor circuits.
US07671654B2
A method for generating a clock signal and a device having clock generating capabilities, the device includes: (i) a first divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a first clock signal; (ii) a second divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a second clock signal; wherein the first clock signal is phase shifted in relation to the second clock signal by half an input clock cycle; wherein a delay period of the first divider substantially equals a delay period of the second divider over a large range of delay affecting parameter values; (iii) a reconstruction circuit, connected to the first and second divider circuits, adapted to receive the first and second clock signals and apply a logical operation on the first and second clock signals to provide a reconstructed clock signal; and (iv) a selection circuit, connected to the first divider, second divider and reconstruction circuit, adapted to output an output clock signal in response to a selection signal that indicates whether to output the first clock signal, the second clock signal or the reconstructed clock signal.
US07671649B2
An apparatus for generating multi-phase clocks in accordance with the present invention includes a clock delay configured to delay a source clock by a delay time corresponding to a control signal to generate a plurality of clocks; a clock multiplexer configured to output a first clock for a first locking region and a second clock for a second locking region sequentially as a selected clock in response to a locking detection signal; a phase detector configured to detect a phase of the selected clock in comparison to a phase of the source clock to output a phase detection signal; and a control voltage signal generator configured to generate the control signal corresponding to the phase detection signal.
US07671647B2
A system and method for trimming an unadjusted forward delay of a delay-locked loop (DLL) and trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals provided by a DLL. For trimming an unadjusted forward delay, delay is added to one of a feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal path and a feedback clock signal is provided from the feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal is provided from the input clock signal path for phase comparison. For trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals, one of a first delayed input clock signal and a second delayed input clock signal is delayed. The first and second delayed input clock signals are complementary. The delayed clock signal and the other clock signal are provided as the first and second output clock signals.
US07671635B2
A frequency synthesizer is provided in the present invention. The frequency synthesizer includes a single phase-locked loop having a reference frequency signal input, a first output, a second output and a pair of divide-by-N circuits coupled with each other and electrically connected to the second output; a multiply-by-M circuit having a first input electrically connected to the first output and a third output; and a combination of a buffer and a mixer having a second input electrically connected to the second output and a third input electrically connected to the third output generating a frequency signal output.
US07671630B2
A high-speed universal serial bus (USB) transceiver includes a voltage-mode architecture for generating a USB signal. The voltage mode architecture reduces power consumption by reducing the current requirements for high-speed USB communications. The USB transceiver can include a reference voltage generator, a resistive element, and a switching element for completing and breaking a circuit including the reference voltage generator, the resistive element, and a data pin of a USB port to generate half of the differential USB signal (e.g., the D+ signal). A similar circuit can be used to generate the other half of the differential USB signal (i.e., the D− signal). The resistive element can be a set of parallel resistors in the transceiver, with the set of parallel resistors being specifically selected from a larger population of resistors to provide the specified resistance (45 Ω±10%) in the USB transceiver.
US07671628B2
A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths.
US07671627B1
In the case of a pipelined processor, a performance gain is achievable through dynamically generating a main clock signal associated with a synchronous logic circuit and generating at least one backup register clock signal, the backup register clock signal at the same frequency as the main clock signal and phase shifted from the main clock signal to thereby provide additional time for one or more of the logic stages to execute. Error detection or error recovery may be performed using the backup registers. The methodology can further be extended, to design a system with cheaper technology and simple design tools that initially operates at slower speed, and then dynamically overclocks itself to achieve improved performance, while guaranteeing reliable execution.
US07671626B1
An embodiment of this invention pertains to a versatile and flexible logic element and logic array block (“LAB”). Each logic element includes a programmable combinational logic function block such as a lookup table (“LUT”) and a flip-flop. Within the logic element, multiplexers are provided to allow the flip-flop and the LUT to be programmably connected such that either the output of the LUT may be connected to the input of the flip-flop or the output of the flip-flop may be connected to the input of the LUT. An additional multiplexer allows the output of the flip-flop in one logic element to be connected to the input of a flip-flop in a different logic element within the same LAB. Output multiplexers selects between the output of the LUT and the output of the flip-flop to generate signals that drive routing lines within the LAB and to routing lines external to the LAB. These output multiplexers are constructed such that the combinational output (output from the LUT) is faster than the output from the flip-flop. A collection of routing lines and multiplexers within the LAB are used to provide inputs to the LUTs. Each of the input multiplexers for each logic element is connected to a subset of the routing lines within the LAB using a specific pattern of connectivity of multiplexers to associated wires that maximizes the efficiency of use of the routing wires. Control signals for the set of logic elements within the LAB are generated using a secondary signal generation unit that minimizes contention for shared signals. One of the control signals is an “add-or-subtract control signal” that allows all of the LEs in a LAB to perform either addition or subtraction under the control of a logic signal. In a PLD supporting redundancy, the carry chain for the LABs is arranged in the same direction that redundancy shifts to remap defective LABs and a multiplexer on the carry input of a LAB is used to select the appropriate carry output from another LAB depending on whether redundancy is engaged.
US07671621B2
Systems and methods for closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the integrated circuit's behavior.
US07671619B2
A measuring system comprises a pulse generator, an under test device, a variable resistor and a detecting control system. The pulse generator provides pulse signals with different voltage peaks to the under test device and the variable resistor. The variable resistor adjusts its resistance value according to a control signal. The detecting control system detects the voltage ringing ranges of the first terminal of the under test device at different resistance values. The detecting control system generates the control signal to adjust the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the voltage ringing ranges.
US07671607B2
A method of determining the air gap distance between an air bearing pad and an apparatus floating on the air bearing pad comprises coupling a first probe to the air bearing pad; coupling a second probe to the apparatus floating on the air bearing pad, wherein the first and second probes provide the capacitance level between the air bearing pad and the apparatus; converting the capacitance level to a frequency; converting the frequency to a voltage level proportional to the air gap distance; and calculating the air gap distance based on the voltage level.
US07671605B2
The invention measures the X-parameters (or large-signal S and T scattering functions, sometimes called linearized scattering functions, which are the correct way to define “large-signal S-parameters”) with only two distinct phases for small-signals on a frequency grid established by intermodulation frequencies and harmonics of the large-tones, with guaranteed well-conditioned data from which the X-parameter functions can be solved explicitly, without the need for regression, and not limited by performance limits of the reference generator or phase-noise.
US07671603B2
A method for screening electrolytic capacitors places a capacitor in series with a resistor in series with a resistor, applying a test voltage and following the charge curve for the capacitor. A high voltage drop indicates high reliability and a low voltage drop is used to reject the piece. The leakage current is not adversely affected during the test.
US07671593B2
A system for isolating vibration and reducing acoustic noise in the RF coil of an MR imaging apparatus is presented. The system positions an RF conductor in its operative position proximate to an RF support form. The RF conductor is sandwiched between a vibration decoupling layer and a mass loading layer. The vibration decoupling layer is affixed to the RF support form so that the vibration decoupling layer is positioned between the RF conduit and the RF support form while the mass loading layer is located exterior of the RF conductor. By this arrangement, the acoustic energy is decoupled from the RF support form by the vibration decoupling layer while the vibration is reduced by the mass loading layer located exterior of the RF conductor.
US07671591B2
A method of comparing micro-electronic devices. The method includes: placing a first micro-electronic device in a sample chamber of a magnetic resonance imaging machine, subjecting the first micro-electronic device to a magnetic field and a radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a first returned RF pulse from the first micro-electronic device and storing first data relating to the first returned RF pulse; placing a second micro-electronic device in the sample chamber, subjecting the second micro-electronic device to the magnetic field and the radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a second returned RF pulse from the second micro-electronic device and storing second data relating to the second returned RF pulse; and comparing the first data to the second data and determining if the second micro-electronic device is essentially identical to the first micro-electronic device based on the comparing.
US07671584B2
The present invention attains downsizing of a permanent magnet with a simple structure to reduce a manufacturing cost thereof. Provided is a rotation angle detection device, including: a cylindrical magnetic circuit mounted to a shaft; and non-contact sensors provided in an inner void of the magnetic circuit, in which the magnetic circuit is composed of a first yoke and a second yoke formed of a magnetic material and having a pair of flat portions parallel and opposed to each other, and a pair of permanent magnets whose magnetic poles are aligned in the same direction so that magnetic fields whose magnetic fluxes are parallel to each other are generated in the void between the flat portions, and the non-contact sensor detects a rotation angle of the shaft by detecting a change in the direction of the magnetic fluxes.
US07671582B2
The magnetic encoder is constituted by integrally bonding a magnet portion obtainable by forming a magnetic material containing a magnetic powder and a binder for the magnetic powder in a circular ring shape to a slinger. The binder contains at least a thermoplastic resin and an impact resistance-improving agent.
US07671580B2
An integrated current sensing transformer includes a bobbin, a magnetic core assembly, a first primary winding element, a second primary winding element, a secondary winding element. The bobbin has a receptacle therein. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded into the receptacle for providing a closed path of magnetic flux. The first primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a first test current therein. The second primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a second test current therein. The secondary winding element is wound around the bobbin for outputting a sensing current when either the first test current or the second test current is sensed. The magnitude of the sensing current is directly proportional to the magnitude of the first test current or the second test current.
US07671569B2
A method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of series-connected capacitance, wherein at least during the discharge of the capacitances, there is determined a voltage of every capacitance, and in the instance of a drop-off of a voltage of one of the capacitances below a first threshold voltage of this capacitance, the capacitance is bridged over to at least the end of the discharge. Also provided are devices for determining every voltage of every capacitance, devices for symmetrizing voltages among the capacitances, and devices for the deactivation of at least one of the capacitances.
US07671568B2
The present invention relates to a method for charging a lithium-ion accumulator with a negative electrode at an operating potential larger than 0.5 volts relatively to the Li+/Li pair, which comprises a first charging step at a constant voltage between 2 volts and 5 volts.
US07671553B2
In a servo controller according to the invention, a position feedback correction unit (3) calculates a first-axis position feedback signal (pmfb1) based on a first-axis position (pm1) as a self-axis position, and a second-axis position (pm2) as an other-axis position; and a deviation between a model position (pa1) and the first-axis position feedback signal (pmfb1) is inputted from a subtracter (5) to a position control unit (4), which performs positional control to output a velocity command. A velocity feedback correction unit (6) calculates a first-axis velocity feedback signal (wmfb1) from a first-axis velocity (wm1) as the self-axis velocity, and a second-axis velocity (wm2) as the other-axis velocity; and the velocity control unit (8) adds a model velocity (wa1) and the velocity command outputted from the position control unit (5), and subtracts the first-axis velocity feedback signal (wmfb1) therefrom, and outputs a feedback torque command (Tfb1) based on the corrected velocity command.
US07671545B2
The invention is a device for operating a high-pressure gas discharge lamp, which is provided with a starting auxiliary electrode, with a current of alternating polarity. The device has a series resonance circuit with a resonance inductive resistor, through which flows the lamp current when the lamp is in operation, and a starting device for subjecting the starting auxiliary electrode to the starting voltage required for starting the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp. There is also a capacitive component, which is connected in series to the resonance inductive resistor and is dimensioned in such a manner that the capacitive component effects, after the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp has been started, at least a partial compensation for the inductance of the resonance inductive resistor, through which the lamp current flows.
US07671533B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of manufacturing a self-emission unit including a self-emission module having self-emission elements formed on a substrate, and a frame for protecting the self-emission modules, without carrying out some troublesome steps, thus making it possible to manufacture the self-emission unit in a shortened time. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-emission unit capable of being attached to an attachment base with a high precision. The self-emission unit has a self-emission module and a frame. The frame is provided to cover a part or the whole of the self-emission module so as to protect the same. Further, the frame has fastening sections for attaching the self-emission module to an attachment base. The frame is formed integrally with the self-emission module so that it is possible to avoid some troublesome steps and thus shorten manufacturing time. The foregoing structure also makes it possible to improve an attachment precision when attaching the self-emission unit to an attachment base.
US07671532B2
The present invention relates to a thin organic electroluminescent device capable of preventing permeation of oxygen or moisture. The organic electroluminescent device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels and a planarization layer. The substrate has grooves formed at the periphery of an active area. The pixels are formed in the active area. The planarization layer covers the pixels on the substrate. The passivation layer covers the planarization layer and the grooves. Since the organic electroluminescent device includes the grooves or path extending sections, oxygen (O2), water (H2O), etc. are not permeated into the inside of a passivation layer.
US07671525B2
An electron emission device and display including the same include a substrate; a cathode electrode including a first electrode portion formed on the substrate and having opening portions, and second electrode portions placed within respective ones of the opening portions such that the second electrodes are separated from the first electrode; a resistance layer electrically interconnecting the first electrode portion and the second electrode portions of the cathode electrode; and electron emission regions electrically connected to the second electrode portions. A width of the second electrode portions or of the resistance layer between the first and second electrode portions varies along a longitudinal direction of the cathode electrode.
US07671522B2
An electron beam irradiator capable of performing electron beam irradiation in a wide area at a high current density with a field emitter tip. The electron beam irradiator comprises: a vacuum chamber having a beam irradiation window formed longitudinally in an outer periphery of the vacuum chamber; a cathode placed centrally and longitudinally inside the vacuum chamber, and having a field emitter tip formed on the cathode, corresponding to the beam irradiation window; and a high voltage supply placed at one end of the vacuum chamber, and adapted to apply high voltage toward the cathode. The electron beam irradiation can be made in a wide area without using an electromagnet as well as in a high current density without using a heater such as a filament or an additional power supply, thereby to ensure a simplified structure as well as a reduced size.
US07671520B2
A display device comprising at least one substrate(1, 2), a first and a second electrode(7, 8), a display medium (12) and an optically active layer(3, 5), wherein said optically active layer comprises a polarizer (3) and is arranged between said substrate and said display medium, and wherein said substrate is made of a birefringent material.
US07671515B2
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device, having mechanical structures encapsulated in a chamber prior to final packaging. An embodiment further includes location of a piezoelectric material as part of a semiconductor sensing structure. The semiconductor sensing structure, in conjunction with the piezoelectric material, can be used as a sensing device to provide an output signal associated with a sensed event.
US07671512B2
An impact drive actuator comprises a vibrating base plate configured to be slightly displaced in a reciprocating manner by a vibrator in first and second directions, a first slider disposed on the vibrating base plate, a first electrode formed on the vibrating base plate, a second electrode so formed on the first slider as to face the first electrode through an insulation film, and a potential difference generator configured to generate a potential difference between the first and second electrodes to allow a first electrostatic attractive force to act between the vibrating base plate and first slider. When the vibrator reciprocates the vibrating base plate, the time needed to displace the vibrating base plate in the first direction is different from that in the second direction. The first slider is displaced relative to the vibrating base plate in the direction where the time needed for displacement is larger.
US07671509B2
A permanent magnet electric generator includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly has axially disposed annular outer and inner rings concentric with an axis of rotation. A plurality of magnets is disposed on the outer ring, each magnet having a north pole and a south pole. The permanent magnets are aligned with the axis of rotation, and adjacent magnets have alternating polarity. The stator assembly includes a plurality of stator blocks aligned to form an annular ring-shaped stator member retained by a stator frame. The stator member is configured to be at least partially disposed inside the rotor assembly and is circumferentially encircled by the rotor assembly.
US07671502B2
A rotating electric machine comprises a stator having stator salient poles, three-phases windings would around said stator salient poles, a rotor rotatable held inside the said stator, and permanent magnets inserted into said rotor and positioned opposite to said stator salient poles. The three-phase windings are concentratively wound around each of the stator salient poles, with windings of each phase wound around at more than one stator salient pole. The windings of each phase have a phase difference of voltage between at least one of the windings and the other.
US07671500B2
A motor includes inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral rotors which rotate coaxially and have permanent magnets along a circumference of each rotor; and a phase varying device for relatively rotating the rotors so as to vary a relative phase therebetween. The device has a forward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor forward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a backward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor backward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a passage switching valve for performing distribution with respect to supply and drainage of the working fluid between the working chambers in accordance with the position of a spur; and an electromagnetic pressure control valve for controlling pressure of the working fluid, and for controlling the position of the spur in the passage switching valve based on the controlled pressure.
US07671499B2
A bearing structure, which is cooperated with a shaft, includes a housing, a bearing, an elastic element and a blocking element. The shaft passes through the bearing. The elastic element presses against the bearing to provide a pre-stress to the bearing. The blocking element is apart from the bearing by a predetermined distance.
US07671497B2
Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable splined output shaft and a rotational enhancement mechanism that is rotatably engaged to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The rotational enhancement mechanism has an auxiliary shaft that is in-line with the hobby servo motor output shaft. Embodiments also include a support panel that is rigidly connected to the hobby servo motor and displaced from the hobby servo motor. The support panel has an aperture that receives and supports the auxiliary shaft.
US07671492B1
A repelling magnetic field engine. An illustrative embodiment of the engine includes a cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder and emitting a static magnetic field, a magnet assembly provided in the cylinder and emitting a dynamic magnetic field having the same magnetic polarity as the static magnetic field and a crankshaft drivingly engaged by the piston.
US07671487B2
An uninterruptible power supply and method for controlling same are disclosed. The controlling method includes the steps of bypassing the first AC power to the output terminal via the bypass loop and the switch and converting a second AC power having a voltage, phase and frequency substantially equal to that of the first AC power by an inverter when the first AC power is normal; and switching the second AC power to the output terminal via the switch when the phase or frequency of the first AC power is changed so as to generate a difference value between the first AC power and the second AC power and the difference value is larger than a predetermined difference value.
US07671483B2
A remote isolator interface uses a vehicle's OEM remote (or aftermarket remote door lock) entry signal to interface between the battery and aftermarket electrical equipment, electronically separating the OEM systems/battery from aftermarket systems such that a short or power spike in the aftermarket system does not damage the OEM system. The invention also shuts off power to the aftermarket systems when the vehicle doors are locked by OEM remote entry or electric door locks, and can be combined with a magnetic battery disconnect to allow electrical current to reach the aftermarket systems when the doors are unlocked. The invention can also be combined with a fused distribution panel to become a single source of power for any aftermarket equipment, thereby eliminating the need for an installer to cut into the OEM systems for a power source and thereby void the manufacturer's warranty.
US07671474B2
A semiconductor device package (10) with a substantially rectangular shape comprising: a die attach pad (12) having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of contact pads (26i-26n) provided in at least four rows that correspond to the rectangular shape of the package, each contact pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; at least two tie bars (18) for supporting the die attach pad until the singulation of the package during manufacturing thereof the tie bars having a top surface and a bottom surface and extending from the die attach pad towards a corner of the package; —a semiconductor die (20) mounted on the top surface of the die attach pad (12) and having bonding pads (44) formed thereon; a plurality of electrical connections between selected ones of the bond pads (44) and corresponding ones of the contact pads (26i-26n); an encapsulation encapsulating the semiconductor die (20), the top surface of the die attach pad (12), the electrical connections, the top surface of the tie bars (18) and the top surfaces of the contact pads (26^2On), and leaving the bottom surface of the die attach pad and the bottom surface of the contact pads exposed; characterized in that, at least one strip (30) having a top surface and a bottom surface is disposed between the die attach pad (12) and a corresponding row of contact pads, the strip having at least one lateral part (36) that is connected to at least one of the contact pads in said row, electrical connections being provided between the strip and selected bond pads (44) on the semiconductor die (20) adjacent to the strip.
US07671462B2
A power semiconductor device, having a first semiconductor region, and a second semiconductor region; mounted with a first electrode pad on a semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, mounted in the second semiconductor region, and a multilayer substrate having first and second wiring layers, to take out an electrode of the semiconductor chip; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, mounted on the multilayer substrate, in a region opposing to the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, and the first electrode pad, by a conductive material; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, and the second wiring layer at a conductive part; and extending the second wiring layer to the outside of a region opposing the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region.
US07671460B2
A three dimensional integrated circuit and method for making the same. The three dimensional integrated circuit has a first and a second active circuit layers with a first metal layer and a second metal layer, respectively. The metal layers are connected by metal inside a buried via. The fabrication method includes etching a via in the first active circuit layer to expose the first metal layer without penetrating the first metal layer, depositing metal inside the via, the metal inside the via being in contact with the first metal layer, and bonding the second active circuit layer to the first active circuit layer using a metal bond that connects the metal inside the via to the second metal layer of the second active circuit layer.
US07671457B1
A semiconductor package including top-surface terminals for mounting another semiconductor package provides a three-dimensional circuit configuration that can provide removable connection of existing grid-array packages having a standard design. A semiconductor die is mounted on an electrically connected to a circuit substrate having terminals disposed on a bottom side for connection to an external system. The die and substrate are encapsulated and vias are laser-ablated or otherwise formed through the encapsulation to terminals on the top surface of the substrate that provide a grid array mounting lands to which another grid array semiconductor package may be mounted. The bottom side of the vias may terminate and electrically connect to terminals on the substrate, terminals on the bottom of the semiconductor package (through terminals) or terminals on the top of the semiconductor die. The vias may be plated, paste-filled, filled with a low melting point alloy and may have a conical profile for improved plating performance.
US07671453B2
A semiconductor device in which chips are resin-molded, including: frames having front and back surfaces and die pads; power chips mounted on the surfaces of the die pads; an insulation resin sheet having a first and a second surfaces which are opposed against each other, the resin sheet being disposed such that the back surfaces of the die pads contact the first surface of the resin sheet; and a mold resin applied on the first surface of the resin sheet so as to seal up the power chips. The thermal conductivity of the resin sheet is larger than that of the mold resin.
US07671451B2
A leadframe chip scale package includes a double leadframe assembly. The first leadframe has a central die paddle and peripheral leads, and the second leadframe, superimposed over the first leadframe in the package, has peripheral leads. The peripheral leads of both leadframes are situated in at least one row along an edge of the package, and in some embodiments in a row along each of the four edges of the package. The leads are patterned such that when the second leadframe is superimposed over the first leadframe, the leads do not contact each other; in a plan view, the leads of the first leadframe appear to be interdigitated with the leads of the second leadframe.
US07671447B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) with a semiconductor body (12) comprising a bipolar transistor with an emitter region (1), a base region (2) and a collector region (3) of, respectively, a first conductivity type, a second conductivity type, opposite to the first conductivity type, and the first conductivity type, wherein, viewed in projection, the emitter region (1) is positioned above or below the base region (2), and the collector region (3) laterally borders the base region (2). According to the invention, the base region (2) comprises a highly doped subregion (2A) the doping concentration of which has a delta-shaped profile in the thickness direction, and said highly doped sub-region (2A) extends laterally as far as the collector region (3). Such a lateral bipolar transistor has excellent high-frequency properties and a relatively high breakdown voltage between the base and collector regions (2, 3), implying that the device is suitable for high power applications. The doping concentration lies preferably between about 1019 and about 1020 at/cm3, and the thickness of the sub-region (2A) lies between 1 and 15 nm and preferably between 1 and 10 nm. The invention also comprises a method of manufacturing such a device (10).
US07671446B2
A capacitor can prevent a problem of step coverage in semiconductor device, caused by a thickness of an insulator film and an upper metal film included a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, between the MIM capacitor region and its circumferential region. A capacitor in a semiconductor device includes a first metal film provided with a recess having a predetermined depth over a semiconductor substrate. An insulator film and a second metal film may be formed in the recess with a thickness corresponding to a depth of the recess. The insulator and second metal films are disconnected from an inner lateral side of the recess. A dielectric film including a plurality of plugs is in contact with the first and second metal films and the insulator film. A plurality of metal electrodes is in contact with the plugs over the dielectric film.
US07671436B2
Assemblies involving integrated circuit dies (e.g. packaged integrated circuits) and packaged dies electrically connected to circuit boards at times mechanically fail at conducting pads used for electrical interconnection. Such failure is mitigated by underlying appropriate pads with a compliant region having specific characteristics.
US07671435B2
An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices.
US07671431B1
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cloverleaf microgyroscope containing an integrated post comprising: attaching a post wafer to a resonator wafer, forming a bottom post from the post wafer being attached to the resonator wafer, preparing a base wafer with through-wafer interconnects, attaching the resonator wafer to the base wafer, wherein the bottom post fits into a post hole in the base wafer, forming a top post from the resonator wafer, wherein the bottom and top post are formed symmetrically around the same axis, and attaching a cap wafer on top of the base wafer.
