US07674931B1
A method for maximizing the yield of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol di-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD di-2-ethylhexanoate) from the reaction of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD Glycol) and 2-ethylhexanoic acid through the intermediate compound 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD mono-2-ethylhexanoate) is disclosed. The method involves maintaining a water level in the reactor of at least 0.10 weight %, and preferable above 0.20 weight %, thereby reducing formation of 2,2,4-trimethylpent-3-enyl-2-ethylhexanoate, an undesirable by-product.
US07674926B1
Dopant-group substituted (cyclo)silane compounds, liquid-phase compositions containing such compounds, and methods for making the same. Such compounds (and/or ink compositions containing the same) are useful for printing or spin coating a doped silane film onto a substrate that can easily be converted into a doped amorphous or polycrystalline silicon film suitable for electronic devices. Thus, the present invention advantageously provides commercial qualities and quantities of doped semiconductor films from a doped “liquid silicon” composition.
US07674923B2
The preparation of atorvastatin calcium epoxide dihydroxy (AED) is described. AED can be used as a standard or marker in determining the amount of AED in a sample. AED can therefore be used as a tool in preparing atorvastatin calcium substantially free of AED.
US07674916B2
The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100° C. to about 400° C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.
US07674910B2
Process for preparing diimine compounds, in which a discarbonyl compound is reacted with primary amines in the presence of phosphorus pentoxide.
US07674906B2
The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to methods and use for clinical treatment of medical conditions which may benefit from immunomodulation, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, transplantation, systemic lupus erythematosis and psoriasis. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, which are CD80 antagonists capable of inhibiting the interactions between CD80 and CD28.
US07674903B2
Compounds represented by the following structure (I) are disclosed: as are methods for making such compounds, wherein said methods comprise reacting a diacyldiketopiperazine with a first aldehyde to produce an intermediate compound; and reacting the intermediate compound with a second aldehyde to produce the class of compounds with the generic structure, where the first aldehyde and the second aldehydes are selected from the group consisting of an oxazolecarboxaldeyhyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde, a benzaldehyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde derivatives, and benzaldehyde derivatives, thereby forming the above compound wherein R1, R1′, R1″, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6, X1 and X2, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 may each be separately defined in a manner consistent with the accompanying description. Compositions and methods for treating cancer and fungal infection are also disclosed.
US07674899B2
This invention relates to novel azacyclic derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US07674895B2
RNA interference using small interfering RNAs which are specific for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and the VEGF receptor genes Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR inhibit expression of these genes. Diseases which involve angiogenesis stimulated by overexpression of VEGF, such as diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration and many types of cancer, can be treated by administering the small interfering RNAs.
US07674881B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for synthesizing a polypeptide using kinetically controlled reactions involving fragments of the polypeptide for a fully convergent process. In more specific embodiments, a ligation involves reacting a first peptide having a protected cysteyl group at its N-terminal and a phenylthioester at its C-terminal with a second peptide having a cysteine residue at its N-termini and a thioester at its C-termini to form a ligation product. Subsequent reactions may involve deprotecting the cysteyl group of the resulting ligation product and/or converting the thioester into a thiophenylester.
US07674880B2
Isolated peptides of the Bacillus anthracis Anthrax Toxin Lethal factor Protein pX01-107, antibodies specific for the peptides and methods of stimulating the immune response of a subject to produce antibodies to the Bacillus anthracis Anthrax Toxin Lethal factor Protein pX01-107 are disclosed. Also disclosed are isolated peptides of the Small Pox Virus Surface Antigen S Precursor Protein, antibodies specific for the peptides and methods of stimulating the immune response of a subject to produce antibodies to the Small Pox Virus Surface Antigen S Precursor Protein.
US07674879B2
The invention provides a sterically hindered polymer that comprises a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having at least one terminus covalently bonded to an alkanoic acid or alkanoic acid derivative, wherein the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group of the acid or acid derivative group has an alkyl or aryl group pendent thereto. The steric effects of the alkyl or aryl group allow greater control of the hydrolytic stability of polymer derivatives. The polymer backbone may be poly(ethylene glycol).
US07674877B2
A process for thermally crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing pellets into a liquid medium having a temperature of at least 140° C. within a liquid medium zone and crystallizing the submerged pellets at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid medium without increasing the molecular weight of the pellets, and while the pressure on at least a portion of the pellets is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium, separating at least a portion of said pellets and at least a portion of the liquid medium from each other. The crystallization is desirably conducted in the liquid medium zone without mechanically induced agitation. Optionally, the pellets are wormed by an underfluid pelletizer. There is also provided a process for thermally crystallizing solid pellets in a pipe by directing a flow of solid pellets in a liquid medium through a pipe having an aspect ratio L/D of at least 50:1, wherein the solid pellets are crystallized in the pipe at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer.
US07674869B2
A random copolymer having improved mechanical toughness and properties suitable for thin wall thermoforming applications is provided. The random copolymer exhibits the following physical properties: a flexural modulus profile having a 2% flexural modulus of about 168,000 psi, a 1% flexural modulus of about 190,000 psi, and a 0.4% flexural modulus of about 199,000 psi; a melt flow rate of at least about 2.0 g/10 min.; and a haze of less than about 40%. The random copolymer preferably comprises a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, wherein the ethylene content is in the range of from about 0.2% to about 0.8% ethylene by weight of the copolymer. The random copolymer also preferably includes a stabilizer and a clarifying agent such as a sorbitol based clarifier or a nucleator. Various articles of manufacture such as thermoformed containers and packaging may be formed from the random copolymer.
US07674859B2
An adhesive sheet which can actualize a high package reliability wherein there is no separation at the adhesive interface and no package cracking, in a package in which a semiconductor chip being reduced in thickness is mounted under severe reflow conditions after exposure to a hot and humid environment. The adhesive sheet includes a base material and, formed thereon, an adhesive layer having an adhesive composition including an acrylic copolymer (A) containing 20 to 95% by weight of a structural unit derived from a benzyl (meth)acrylate, an epoxy thermosetting resin (B), and a thermosetting agent (C).
US07674856B2
A process for the production of a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is provided comprising (1) forming an elastomer composition by mixing in the form of a solution, 33.5 to 95% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-isoprene block copolymer (a) having two or more poly(aromatic vinyl) blocks, 0 to 47.5% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-isoprene diblock copolymer (b), and 5 to 33% by weight of isoprene homopolymer (c) having a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, wherein the elastomer composition has a content of aromatic vinyl monomer unit of 14 to 50% by weight, (2) separating the elastomer composition from the solvent, (3) drying the elastomer composition, and (4) blending a petroleum resin with the elastomer composition made by steps (1)-(3), wherein the amount of the petroleum resin is 10 to 500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the elastomer composition.
US07674853B2
Process for preparing a polyol comprising particulate material in dispersed form by reacting an MDI-based polyisocyanate and a polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400 in a relative amount such that the number of NCO-groups is 70-100% of the number of OH-groups in said polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400, the reaction being carried out in a polyol having an equivalent weight of 500 or more. The polyols are claimed as well.
US07674846B2
As a paint composition of cationic electrodeposition and a method preparing thereof, the paint composition of cationic electrodeposition comprises about 42 to about 47 percent by weight of a cationic electrodeposition resin composition, about 6 to about 13 percent by weight of a pigment paste composition, and about 40 to about 48 percent by weight of ion exchange water. An electronic part film coated by utilizing the paint composition of cationic electrodeposition on alloy such as an iron, an aluminum, etc. does not include a lead and a tin. In addition, when assembling electronic parts, an error rate is minimized by inhibiting frictional static electricity through anti-static capacity, and the probability of a fire is dirninished by inhibiting static electricity.
US07674845B2
Laser writable composition comprising a polymeric laser light absorber dispersed in a matrix polymer, the absorber comprising carbonizing particles that comprise a core and a shell, the core comprising a carbonizing polymer having a first functional group, and the shell, comprising a compatibilizing polymer having a second functional group that can react with the first functional group of the carbonizing polymer, further comprising a reflector.
US07674838B2
A two-part curable foaming composition comprising: (A) A first part comprising: (i) an alkoxysilyl capped prepolymer; and (ii) a polyhydrogen siloxane; (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; and (B) A second part comprising: (i) a nitrogen-containing compound having an active hydrogen; (ii) water; and (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; provided that at least one of the parts contain a catalyst and wherein after mixing together the first and second parts a cured elastomeric foam is formed.
US07674828B2
The present invention provides novel pyridyl or phenyl ureas and analogues thereof, which are selective inhibitors of the human P2Y1 receptor. The invention also provides for various pharmaceutical compositions of the same and methods for treating diseases responsive to modulation of P2Y1 receptor activity.
US07674825B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of the formula (I) and to their salts and stereoisomers, for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
US07674823B2
The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) and isomers, salts, solvates, chemically protected forms, and prodrugs thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting the activity of DNA-PK, wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-7 alkyl group, C3-20 heterocyclyl group, or C5-20 aryl group, or may together form, along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring having from 4 to 8 ring atoms; X and Y are selected from CR4 and O, O and CR′4 and NR″4 and N, where the unsaturation is in the appropriate place in the ring, and where one of R3 and R4 or R′4 is an optionally substituted C3-20 heteroaryl or C5-20 aryl group, and the other of R3 and R4 or R′4 is H, or R3 and R4 or R″4 together are —A—B—, which collectively represent a fused optionally substituted aromatic ring. The compounds also selectively inhibit the activity of DNA-PK compared to PI 3-kinase and/or ATM.
US07674816B2
The invention provides 2 aryl substituted derivatives of melatonin. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives, methods for preparing such derivatives, and methods of using such derivatives to induce general anesthesia, sedation, and/or hypnotic or sleep effects in a patient, and to treat conditions affected by melatonin activity in a patient.
US07674811B2
The present invention relates to 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Compounds disclosed herein can be useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, arthritis, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, allograft rejection, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, acne, atherosclerosis, cancer, pruritis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, other inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Processes for the preparation of disclosed compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the disclosed compounds and their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors are also provided.
US07674803B2
The present invention relates to thiazolylpiperidine derivatives of the general formula (I): in which: A represents a radical chosen from the radicals a1 and a2 below: G represents a bond or a divalent radical chosen from the groups g1, g2 and g3 below: and R1, R2, R2′, R3, R4, R5, Y and Z are as defined in the description. Application of the compounds of the formula (I) to the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and dyslipidaemia.
US07674802B2
The present invention relates to a chemical genus of biaryl nitrogen-attached heterocycles that are inhibitors of LTA4H (leukotriene A4 hydrolase). The compounds have the general formula: They are useful for the treatment and prevention and prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases and disorders.
US07674801B2
Compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described. Processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, their use as medicaments and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.
US07674799B2
In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.
US07674794B2
Compounds of formula (I) wherein n is 0, 1, or 2; X is O, S, —NH—, and —N-alkyl-; Ar1 is a 6-membered aromatic ring; and Ar2 is a fused bicycloheterocycle. The compounds are useful in treating conditions or disorders prevented by or ameliorated by α7 nAChR ligands. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions having compounds of formula (I) and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US07674792B2
Invented is the compound (5Z)-5-(6-quinoxalinylmethylidene)-2-[(2,6 -dichlorophenyl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and pro-drugs thereof. Also invented are pharmaceutical compositions containing this compound, methods of preparing this compound and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates and pro-drugs thereof. Also invented are methods of using this compound as an inhibitor of hYAK3 proteins.
US07674788B2
The invention relates to new pteridines which are suitable for treating respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints or diseases, inflammatory diseases of the joints, skin or eyes, diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system and cancers. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
US07674785B2
Disclosed are topical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections on the skin or scalp which include a polyvalent metal salt of pyrithione and include a metal ion source. Also disclosed are methods for treating microbial infections of the skin or scalp using such compositions.
US07674781B2
Hyaluronic acid-retaining biopolymer is provided which exhibits low levels of protein adsorption and surface friction. The biopolymer is useful for incorporation in products, such as contact lenses, used in biological environments.
US07674778B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one ligand. In certain embodiments, a ligand is bound to only one of the two oligonucleotide strands comprising the double-stranded oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, both of the oligonucleotide strands of the double-stranded oligonucleotide independently comprise a bound ligand. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide strands comprise at least one modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a phosphate linkage in one or both of the strands of the oligonucleotide has been replaced with a phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkage. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand is cholesterol or 5β-cholanic acid. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a single-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one ligand. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a phosphate linkage of the oligonucleotide has been replaced with a phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkage. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand is cholesterol or 5β-cholanic acid. The ligand improves the pharmacokinetic properties of the oligonucleotide.
US07674777B2
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
US07674775B2
The present invention relates to a compound according to Formula (I): A-(L-Y)p, wherein A comprises at least one substantially cell-membrane impermeable pendant group; L comprises any suitable linker and/or spacer group; Y comprises at least one arsenoxide or arsenoxide equivalent; p is an integer from 1 to 10; and the sum total of carbon atoms in A and L together, is greater than 6.
US07674766B2
The invention provides a method to C-terminally label proteins in a complex sample and identify those proteins, e.g., using mass spectrometry.
US07674762B2
A particulate detergent composition or component therefor which comprises a bi- or tri-valent carboxylic acid salt, preferably magnesium stearate, which, without the carboxylic acid salt being present, has a hygroscopicity value of greater than 25%.
US07674760B2
Floor finishes are stripped or deep scrubbed using a floor stripper/cleaner composition containing sparingly water-soluble floor finish solvent; water; sulfonic acid, sulfate acid, phosphonic acid, phosphate acid or aromatic acid coupler in an amount sufficient to provide a homogenous aqueous liquid phase and no or low foaming during shaking; and sufficient organic amine so that the composition pH is about 2 to about 11.
US07674754B2
A water-based metalworking fluid is comprised of a polymeric boron species which includes at least B, N and H, together with a surfactant operable to provide an emulsion of the boron species with water. The polymeric boron species may be a polyborane or a borazine polymer and may be configured as a polyborane or borazine polymer backbone having side chains pendent thereupon. The side chains may include silicon and/or phosphorous. The silicon may be in the form of a silane or a siloxane species, including polymeric species. Disclosed are specific compositions as well as methods for using the compositions and methods for making the compositions.
US07674750B2
A synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising A) picolinafen; or one of its environmentally compatible salts; and B) a synergistically effective amount of at least a triazolopyrimidine herbicide selected from the triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilides and penoxsulam; or one of its environmentally compatible salts or esters; and, if desired, C) at least a safener. Compositions comprising these mixtures, processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for controlling undesired plants.
US07674748B2
(1) A 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer dispersion characterized by being obtained by wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylphenyl)butane and 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, or in the presence of 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanuric acid; (2) a method for wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer, characterized by wet grinding a 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenylsulfone developer in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylphenyl)butane and 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, or in the presence of 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanuric acid; and (3) a heat-sensitive recording material having a heat-sensitive recording layer containing the developer dispersion.
US07674746B2
A purification catalyst for exhaust gas enhances the activities of the precious metals, preventing drop of activities at high temperature, and exhibiting a sufficient performance even during low temperature (below 400° C.) operation when starting a vehicle or during idling. The Pd oxide is supported on the Al oxide, and the Al oxide is LnAlO3 (Ln: rare-earth element).
US07674743B2
This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.
US07674733B2
In one embodiment, a breathable, incrementally stretched elastic composite material comprises an inner elastomeric film extrusion-laminated to an outer nonwoven web at each film surface. The inner elastomeric film has a random pattern of incremental stretch-formed macroholes therein and is substantially free of pore-forming filler. In another embodiment, a breathable, incrementally stretched elastic composite material comprises an elastomeric film extrusion-laminated to a nonwoven web at one or both of the film surfaces. The elastomeric film has a random pattern of incremental stretch-formed macroholes therein and is substantially free of pore-forming filler. Methods of manufacturing the composite materials comprise extrusion laminating and incremental stretching. Garments and disposable articles are formed at least in part from the composite material.
US07674717B2
A method of fabricating a two dimensional nano-structure array of features comprising the steps of providing a substrate (10); forming an intermediate layer on said substrate (20), said intermediate layer having at least two selectively located regions (21, 22) of different uniform thickness; placing at least one layer of elements (30) over said intermediate layer, said elements placed in a close-packed arrangement forming an array of voids (33) between said elements; etching the intermediate layer through said voids, and so forming the array of features (51, 52) in said intermediate layer corresponding to the voids.
US07674716B2
Disclosed is an adjuvant for use in simultaneous polishing of a cationically charged material and an anionically charged material, which forms a adsorption layer on the cationically charged material in order to increase the polishing selectivity of the anionically charged material to cationically charged material, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polyelectrolyte salt containing: (a) a graft type polyelectrolyte that has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000˜20,000 and comprises a backbone and a side chain; and (b) a basic material. CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) slurry comprising the above adjuvant and abrasive particles is also disclosed.
US07674714B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to an example embodiment may include forming an isolation layer defining an active region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicon pattern and a sacrificial pattern on the active region, the sacrificial pattern including a semiconductor material different from the silicon pattern, forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the silicon pattern and a sidewall of the sacrificial pattern, removing the sacrificial pattern to expose a top surface of the silicon pattern, and/or forming a gate silicide on the silicon pattern.
US07674711B2
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a flash memory device. The method may include forming a first and a second interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate having a cell region, etching the second and first interlayer insulating films, thus forming a contact hole through which a junction region of the cell region is exposed, forming a contact plug within the contact hole, the contact plug having a height lower than that of an interface of the first and second interlayer insulating films, and forming a spacer on sidewalls of the contact hole over the contact plug.
US07674710B2
A method for integrating a metal-containing film in a semiconductor device, for example a gate stack. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber, depositing the tungsten-containing film on the substrate at a first substrate temperature by exposing the substrate to a deposition gas containing a tungsten carbonyl precursor, heat treating the tungsten-containing film at a second substrate temperature greater than the first substrate temperature to remove carbon monoxide gas from the tungsten-containing film, and forming a barrier layer on the heat treated tungsten-containing film. Examples of tungsten-containing films include W, WN, WSi, and WC. Additional embodiments include depositing metal-containing films containing Ni, Mo, Co, Rh, Re, Cr, or Ru from the corresponding metal carbonyl precursors.
US07674707B2
Devices and methods are presented to fabricate diffusion barrier layers on a substrate. Presently, barrier layers comprising a nitride layer and a pure metal layer are formed using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process that requires multiple ignition steps, and results in nitride-layer thicknesses of no less than 2 nm. This invention discloses devices and process to produce nitride-layers of less than <1 nm, while allowing for formation of a pure metal layer on the nitride-layer without re-igniting the plasma. To achieve this, the flow of nitrogen gas is cut off either before the plasma is ignited, or before the formation of a continuous-flow plasma. This ensures that a limited number of nitrogen atoms is deposited in conjunction with metal atoms on the substrate, thereby allowing for controlled thickness of the nitride layer.
US07674697B2
A process is described for forming a fully multiple silicided gate for complementary MOSFET (CMOS) devices. A silicidation process is performed on a gate structure, which includes a gate material overlying a gate dielectric disposed on a substrate. A layer of insulating material is formed which covers the gate structure; the thickness of this layer is less at sidewalls of the gate structure than on a top surface of the gate structure. A portion of the layer of insulating material is then removed, so that the sidewalls of the gate structure are exposed. A layer of metal is formed which covers the gate structure so that the metal is in contact with the sidewalls of the gate structure. The silicidation process is then performed, in which a metal silicide is formed from the gate material and the metal; the gate material is thereby fully silicided.
US07674695B1
An electromegasonic wafer cleaning system is disclosed that is extremely important, if not essential, in the fabrication of advanced microelectronic devices having a line width or feature size of from 0.05 to 0.10 micron. A unique synergistic combination is provided wherein piezoelectric transducer means are operated at a tolerable power level, such as from 1 to 2 watts per square centimeter, to minimize the risk of harm to the extremely delicate microcircuits and wherein the face of each wafer is negatively charged to a temperate voltage, such as from 5 to 20 volts, sufficient to cause effective removal of colloidal or sub 0.4-micron contaminant particles.This unique wafer cleaning system supersedes and replaces the standard megasonic-assisted RCA-type wet wafer cleaning systems which have never been able to eliminate or provide efficient purging of harmful sub 0.1-micron particles.
US07674693B2
A method forming a semiconductor device includes forming a domed gate oxide film to relieve stress resulting from a thermal expansion rate difference of an oxide film and silicon film during a subsequent thermal process and preventing leakage current between source/drain regions through thickness regulation of the gate oxide film to improve refresh characteristics.
US07674685B2
Disclosed are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices incorporating a composite trench isolation structure comprising a first oxide pattern, a SOG pattern and a second oxide pattern wherein the oxide patterns enclose the SOG pattern. The methods include the deposition of a first oxide layer and a SOG layer to fill recessed trench regions formed in the substrate. The first oxide layer and the SOG layer are then subjected to a planarization sequence including a CMP process followed by an etchback process to form a composite structure having a substantially flat upper surface that exposes both the oxide and the SOG material. The second oxide layer is then applied and subjected to a similar CMP/etchback sequence to obtain a composite structure having an upper surface that is recessed relative to a plane defined by the surfaces of adjacent active regions.
US07674681B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including first and second well areas doped with second conductive ions, a third well area in the first well and doped with the second conductive ions, a base area in the third well and doped with first conductive ions, an emitter area in the third well and doped with the second conductive ions, an emitter electrode on the emitter area, a first contact plug in contact with the emitter electrode, a second contact plug in contact with the base area, a collector area in the second well and doped with the second conductive ions, and a third contact plug in contact with the collector area.
US07674676B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with diffused layers by impurity implantation includes forming a first mask including an opening, implanting a channel impurity for threshold voltage control using the first mask, forming a first diffused layer using the first mask by implanting a first impurity, forming a first gate wiring layer and a second gate wiring layer after removing the first mask, and forming a second diffused layer and a third diffused layer using the first gate wiring layer and the second gate wiring layer as a second mask by implanting a second impurity.
US07674671B2
Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.
US07674670B2
The invention includes methods of forming channel region implants for two transistor devices simultaneously, in which a mask is utilized to block a larger percentage of a channel region location of one of the devices relative to the other. The invention also pertains to methods of forming capacitor structures in which a first capacitor electrode is spaced from a semiconductor substrate by a dielectric material, a second capacitor electrode comprises a conductively-doped diffusion region within the semiconductor material, and a capacitor channel region location is beneath the dielectric material and adjacent the conductively-doped diffusion region. An implant mask is formed to cover only a first portion of the capacitor channel region location and to leave a second portion of the capacitor channel region location uncovered. While the implant mask is in place, dopant is implanted into the uncovered second portion of the capacitor channel region location.
US07674664B2
A fabricating method of an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device including forming a polycrystalline silicon film on a substrate having a display region and a peripheral region, the polycrystalline silicon film having grains of square shape, forming a first active layer in the display region and a second active layer in the peripheral region by etching the polycrystalline silicon film, forming a first gate electrode over the first active layer, a second gate electrode over the second active layer and a gate line connected to the first gate electrode, and forming first source and drain electrodes connected to the first active layer, second source and drain electrodes connected to the second active layer and data line connected to the first source electrode. Further, the second gate electrode overlaps the first active layer to form a first channel region, and the first channel region is formed inside one of the grains.
US07674663B2
In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, when harmonic of CW laser is irradiated to a semiconductor film with relatively scanning the harmonic, several long crystal grains extending in a scanning direction are formed. In the scanning direction, thus formed semiconductor film is substantially close to a single crystal in characteristic. However, the output of the harmonic of the CW laser is small to cause a low annealing efficiency. In the present invention, aid for the output is performed by irradiating second harmonic of CW laser and a fundamental wave of CW laser at the same time to the same portion. In general, the fundamental wave has a wavelength band around 1 μm, and is not well absorbed in a semiconductor film. When the harmonic with a wavelength of visible light or a shorter wavelength than visible light is irradiated at the same time as the fundamental wave to a semiconductor film, the annealing efficiency is remarkably increased since the fundamental wave is well absorbed in the semiconductor film melted by the harmonic.
US07674661B2
In a memory device and a method of manufacturing the memory device, a pair of channel layers included in the memory device may be formed on a sidewall of the sacrificial single crystalline layer pattern located on a protrusion of a semiconductor substrate. Accordingly, an etch damage may be reduced at the channel layer. The sacrificial single crystalline layer pattern may be removed to generate a void between the pair of the channel layers. As a result, a generation of a coupling effect may be reduced between the channel layers.
US07674660B2
A method of fabricating a multilevel semiconductor integrated circuit is provided, comprising: forming on a first active semiconductor structure a first plurality of transistors with respective gate structures disposed on a first substrate and source or drain regions disposed within the first substrate; depositing a first insulation layer on the first substrate and the gate structures; etching the insulation layer to form a plurality of openings exposing portions of the first substrate contacting the bottoms of the openings; forming a semiconductor seed layer filling the openings; forming an amorphous layer on the seed layer and the insulation layer; subjecting the first active semiconductor structure to at least one application of laser irradiation to transform the amorphous layer to a crystalline semiconductor layer having a protrusion region with a peak at or near the middle of two adjacent openings; forming on a second active semiconductor structure a second plurality of transistors with respective gate structures disposed on the crystalline semiconductor layer and forming a contact structure to electrically connect a transistor of the first active semiconductor structure to a transistor of the second active semiconductor structure.
US07674658B2
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method can form a structure of a thin film transistor (TFT) having a symmetric lightly doped region, and thus provide superior operation reliability and electrical performance. In addition, the manufacturing method forms gate patterns of different TFTs by the same mask process and thereby avoids the misalignment of masks so as to improve the processing yield and reduce the manufacturing cost.
US07674657B2
There is provided a method of making an encapsulated component package, including providing a support for supporting the components of the package during encapsulation, the support including legs extending beyond the perimeter of the final package, rupturing the support legs, and covering the exposed ends of the legs with an insulating material. There is also provided a package formed in accordance with the method.
US07674655B2
Semiconductor devices and assemblies including interconnects and methods for forming such interconnects are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of first side trenches to an intermediate depth in a molded portion of a molded wafer having a plurality of dies arranged in rows and columns. The method also includes removing material from a second side of the molded portion at areas aligned with the first side trenches, wherein removing the material forms openings through the molded portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of electrical contacts at the second side of the molded portion at the openings and electrically connecting the second side contacts to corresponding bond-sites on the dies.
US07674650B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region.
US07674635B2
The present invention supplies a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which includes a non-contact inspection process capable of confirming if a circuit or circuit element formed on an array substrate is normally performed and can decrease a manufacturing cost by eliminating wastes to keep a defective product forming.An electromotive force generated by electromagnetic induction is rectified and shaped by using primary coils formed on a check substrate and secondary coils formed on an array substrate, whereby a power source voltage and a driving signal are supplied to circuits or circuit elements on a TFT substrate so as to be driven.
US07674634B2
A semiconductor device incorporating a capacitor structure that includes a ferroelectric thin film is obtained by forming, on a single crystalline substrate 10 having a surface suited for growing thereon a thin film layer of ferroelectric single crystal having a plane (111), a ferroelectric single crystalline thin film 12′ containing Pb and having a plane (111) 11 in parallel with the surface of the substrate (or a ferroelectric polycrystalline thin film containing Pb and oriented parallel with the plane (111) in parallel with the surface of the substrate) and part 16 of a circuit of a semiconductor device, to thereby fabricate the single crystalline substrate 10 having said ferroelectric thin film containing Pb and said part of the circuit of the semiconductor device; and bonding said single crystalline substrate 10 to another substrate on which the other circuit of the semiconductor device has been formed in advance, to couple the two circuits together.The capacitor in the semiconductor device thus obtained includes a ferroelectric thin film having a large amount of polarizing charge. The semiconductor device can be used as a highly reliable nonvolatile memory.
US07674632B1
A method and composition for detecting and measuring analytes, such as antibodies, which are capable of binding with certain binding partners such as antigens. A homogenous assay is performed in the presence of free unbound antibodies. Such a homogeneous assay testing for specific antibodies is herein possible by defining of test subsets of microparticles having specific antigens thereon which are capable of binding with specific target antibodies. The microparticle suspension also includes at least two calibration subsets of microparticles having a binding partner thereon with at least two known levels of concentration which is capable of binding with human antibodies for the purpose of assay calibration. A verification subset of microparticles is included with another binding partner thereon at a known concentration, capable of binding with anti-human antibodies. This suspension is incubated with a human sample and then is incubated with a tagging component.
US07674622B2
A method for enumerating white blood cells and nucleated red blood cells. The steps of the method are as follows: (a) providing a lysed sample of whole blood; (b) introducing the lysed sample to a light-scattering multi-angle depolarizing flow cytometer; (c) removing depolarizing interference, e.g., lipid droplets and other measured particles; (d) differentiating nucleated red blood cells and noise from white blood cells in the absence of depolarizing interference; (e) differentiating nucleated red blood cells from noise in the absence of depolarizing interference and white blood cells; and (f) differentiating possible platelet clumps.
US07674620B2
The present disclosure is directed to improved methods for efficiently producing neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated neural cells such as dopaminergic neurons and serotonergic neurons from pluripotent stem cells, for example human embryonic stem cells. Using the disclosed methods, cell populations containing a high proportion of cells positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, a specific marker for dopaminergic neurons, have been isolated. The neuroprogenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells of the present disclosure can be generated in large quantities, and therefore may serve as an excellent source for cell replacement therapy in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
US07674614B2
An optical resolving reagent comprising at least one of compounds represented by the following formulae (1) and (2) (1) (2) (wherein R1 to R8 each represents hydrogen or C1-20 alkyl; R9 represents optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-20 alkenyl, formyl, or acyl; and R10 represents C1-6 alkyl; provided that the molecule represented by the formula (1) is of the cis configuration with respect to R9 and OR10); and a method of optically resolving with the optical resolving reagent an alcohol having an asymmetric carbon atom in the molecule and represented by the formula (3): (R11)(R12)(R13)COH (wherein R11, R12, and R13 each represents hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, provided that at least one of R11, R12, and R13 is not hydrogen). The method of optical resolution is highly suitable for general purposes. By the method, a mixture of optical isomers of any of various alcohols can be optically resolved easily and industrially advantageously.
US07674609B2
Crypthecodinium cohnii, or microorganisms derived from Crypthecodinium cohnii, are grown in a culture medium including propionic acid. The propionic acid increases the production of one or more of dry cell weight, total lipid and docosahexaenoic acid.
US07674598B2
Methods for differentially identifying cells in an instrument employ compositions containing a combination of selected antibodies and fluorescent dyes having different cellular distribution patterns and specificities, as well as antibodies and fluorescent dyes characterized by overlapping emission spectra which form non-compensatable spectral patterns. When utilizing the compositions described herein consisting of fluorescent dyes and fluorochrome labeled antibodies with overlapping spectra that cannot be separated or distinguished based upon optical or electronic compensation means, a new fluorescent footprint is established. This new fluorescent footprint is a result of the overlapping spectra and the combined cellular staining patterns of the dyes and fluorochrome labeled antibodies chosen for the composition. The new fluorescent footprint results in histogram patterns that are useful for the identification of additional cell populations or subtypes in hematological disease.
US07674596B2
The present invention relates to a cell line in which a potassium channel is introduced. More specifically, it is a cell line capable of activating the T-type α1H calcium channel by depolarization wherein a vector encoding a potassium channel is introduced. Since the cell line of the present invention is available for a high throughput screening of candidate T-type α1H calcium channel inhibitors, it may accelerate the development of therapeutic agents for diseases related to T-type α1H calcium channels.
US07674593B2
The present invention presents construction of a detection method requiring no step of removing free biotin during preparation of a biotinylated protein having a biotin tag, in a detection method of a substance interacting with a protein, and studied various preparation methods of the biotinylated protein. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present inventor has found that in a cell-free protein synthesizing system, in particular, a wheat embryo cell-free protein synthesizing system, when biotinylation is performed during or after protein's synthesis, the biotinylation of the protein can be attained in an remarkably lower concentration of the biotin than that in the conventional biotinylation operations, and has accomplished the present invention by using the protein having the biotin tag in each detection system.
US07674591B2
Polynucleotides encoding the IL-13 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-13 receptor proteins, methods for their production, inhibitors of binding of IL-13 and its receptor and methods for their identification are also disclosed.
US07674584B2
The invention provides a method for measuring binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR). The invention also provides a method for identifying and measuring the effect that an agent has upon modulating the binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor.
US07674582B2
The invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of one or more nucleic acid sequences of interest. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of sequences of interest in real time. The methods disclosed herein provide methods for monitoring the amplification of one sequence or two or more sequences from a single sample, as well as methods for monitoring the amplification of one or more than one sequence from two or more samples. The monitoring methods of the invention permit improved determination of the abundance of one or more target nucleic acids, especially target RNA species, in one or more original samples.
US07674575B2
A silver halide color photosensitive material for being subjected to a color development within nine seconds of being imagewise exposed, and comprising a support and a photograph constitution layer provided on the support, the photograph constitution layer containing at least one layer that comprises a yellow dye-forming coupler, at least one layer that comprises a magenta dye-forming coupler, at least one layer that comprises a cyan dye-forming coupler, and at least one non-photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layer. The coupler-comprising layers respectively include silver halide emulsions, and at least one of the silver halide emulsions has the characteristics of: (i) a silver chloride content of 90 mol % or more; and (ii) containing at least one specific metal complexes. The color development is preferably completed within 28 seconds.
US07674565B2
A photoconductive having an overcoat layer that includes a cured or substantially crosslinked product of at least a melamine-formaldehyde resin and a charge transport compound, and an optional phenol compound.
US07674563B2
A phase shift mask manufacturing method comprises the steps of processing a light-shielding layer over a transparent substrate into a predetermined light-shielding pattern, forming a resist film on the predetermined light-shielding pattern, performing writing on the resist film based on writing data and developing the resist film, thereby forming a resist pattern, and etching an underlying layer using the predetermined light-shielding pattern and the resist pattern as a mask, thereby forming recesses, that serve as phase shift portions, in the underlying layer. The writing data includes a portion where pattern data corresponding to at least the two recesses adjacent to each other through a light-shielding portion in the predetermined light-shielding pattern are combined into one pattern data.
US07674561B2
A method of producing a mask blank has a resist film forming (resist coating) process of dispensing a resist solution containing a resist material and a solvent onto a square-like substrate, and rotating the substrate to spread the dispensed resist solution over the substrate and to dry the resist solution on the substrate, thereby forming a resist film on the substrate. While the substrate is rotated in the resist film forming (resist coating) process, an exhausting member performs an exhausting operation to cause an airflow along an upper surface of the substrate from the center of the substrate towards an outer peripheral portion of the substrate so that a puddle of the resist solution formed at a peripheral end portion of the substrate is prevented from being moved towards the center of the substrate by the rotation of the substrate.
US07674557B2
An electrode active material further comprising an amphoteric compound, an alkali metal sulfide or an alkali metal oxide, and lithium secondary batteries using the electrode active material, are disclosed. The lithium secondary batteries neutralize acids generating around electrode active material so that it can inhibit the reduction in battery capacity. In addition, the lithium secondary batteries are excellent in its charge-discharge characteristics, cycle life and thermal stability. A method for preparing the electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries is also provided.
US07674549B2
A fuel cell system is provided in which the amount of a reaction product discharged outside the system can be reduced, the reaction product, such as water, being formed by the electrochemical reaction of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell power generation apparatus and a fuel cartridge which is detachable from a fuel cell. The fuel cell power generation apparatus includes a case containing a fuel cell therein, an air intake port provided in the case, and an emitted material discharge port provided in the case. The air intake port and the emitted material discharge port are arranged in different positions of the case. The fuel cartridge includes a fuel storage unit storing fuel, a fuel supply port supplying the fuel to the fuel cell, and a removal unit which removes water discharged from the fuel cell.
US07674545B2
The invention relates to a new micro power cell applying the microfluidic-chip with multi-channel type. The streaming potential is the main thrust, which is created by Helmholtz-Smoluchowski's electrokinetic principle when electrolytic solution flows through a microchannel. The microfluidic-chip comprises an inflow port, a distributor, a multi-channel, a collector, an outflow port, and a pair of electrodes. The present invention could be applied to a new power source of clean energy.
US07674542B2
A fuel cell system includes a stack for generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel supply unit for supplying fuel to the stack, an air supply unit for supplying air to the stack, and a vaporizing unit connected with the stack and for vaporizing moisture discharged from the stack.
US07674538B2
Apparatus and method for operating a fuel cell system including a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer and close-coupled fuel cell stack by recycling anode syngas into the reformer in a range between 60% and 95% of the total syngas. At equilibrium conditions, oxygen required for reforming of hydrocarbon fuel is derived from endothermically reformed water and carbon dioxide in the syngas. Reforming temperature is between about 650° C. to 750° C. The stack exit temperature is about 800° C. to 880° C. such that the required endotherm can be provided by the sensible heat of the recycled syngas. The stack has approximately equal anode and cathode gas flows in opposite directions, resulting in cooling from both the anodes and cathodes.
US07674532B2
Security films that are useful for pharmaceutical packaging. In particular, anti-counterfeiting security films having a luminescent composition on or in a fluoropolymer layer, which luminescent composition luminesces upon the application of ultraviolet radiation in the 200 nm to 300 nm range, in which the luminescent component is optionally and preferably not viewable to the unaided eye. The films are particularly useful for the formation of anti-counterfeiting blister packaging in compliance with FDA regulations.
US07674526B2
This invention describes a process for producing a nanoscale zero-valent metal, including reduction of a metal ion solution with a dithionite compound, wherein the reduction is carried out under alkaline conditions under substantially an inert atmosphere. A nanoscale zero-valent metal obtainable by this process, and having a new crystalline form, is also described. The nanoscale zero-valent metal produced by the process of the invention is preferably iron, and is advantageously used for the remediation of contaminated water.
US07674522B2
The invention relates to wood fiber insulating material boards and mats, in which the wood fibers and the binder fibers are aligned three-dimensionally. The fleece of wood fibers and binder fibers can alternatively have synthetic resin granules scattered on it. Likewise, a woven fabric or a film can be applied to one or both sides. The product obtained in this way is heated in a heating/cooling oven, calibrated and/or compacted to the desired final thickness.
US07674508B2
A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-1) and (1-2), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds having a group represented by formulas (2-1) and (2-2): wherein R1 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a single bond or ethylene; X1 is independently fluorine, chlorine, OCF3 or OCF2H; Y1 is independently hydrogen or fluorine; and n is independently 1 or 2.
US07674506B2
There is provided a direct backlight type liquid crystal display device having high light diffusability, keeping excellent color and having high brightness.The direct backlight type liquid crystal display device comprises: a backlight source, a light diffusion sheet which may have a protective film on a surface thereof which faces the backlight source or both surfaces thereof as desired, a light ray adjusting film, and a liquid crystal panel, wherein the light diffusion sheet is formed from a composition comprising predetermined amounts of (C) at least one heat stabilizer (component C) selected from the group consisting of a phosphate compound (component C-1), a phosphate compound (component C-2) and a phosphonite compound (component C-3), (D) an ultraviolet absorber (component D) and (E) a fluorescent whitening agent (component E), based on 100 parts by weight of the total of (A) an aromatic polycarbonate resin (component A) and (B) polymeric fine particles (component B) having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 50 μm.
US07674502B2
The invention relates to a radiation-curable precious-metal preparation, in particular a bright-gold preparation, that contains—in addition to a gold compound, which in particular is soluble in the printing medium, and further customary organometallic compounds—a radiation-curable, in particular UV-curable, printing medium, the polymerisation being initiated by the UV radiation and proceeding in accordance with a cationic mechanism which may optionally be assisted by y process that takes place simultaneously in accordance with a radical mechanism. The invention also relates to a transfer picture containing the precious-metal preparation, and to a process for decorating substrates that are suitable for decoration firing by direct application/printing and indirect printing (decalcomania).
US07674496B2
The invention concerns a method for making granules which comprises coating, in a rotary drum, a core with at least a coating layer comprising at least of a solution and then drying the coated core, after each new coating. Drying is carried out in the rotary drum and comprises the following phases: mild drying by spraying a lukewarm gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 25° C. and 35° C.; strong drying by spraying a hot gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C.; final drying by spraying a lukewarm gas stream corresponding to a temperature between 25° C. and 35° C. The invention is applicable in particular to granules for aromatic, cosmetic, food or dietetic use.
US07674478B2
The present invention is directed to a coated biomedical device said micelle having a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic inner core, or a hydrophobic outer shell and a hydrophilic inner core said micelle comprised of a block copolymer having a HLB value ranging from about 1 to about 40. The medical device may have one coating thereon or multiple coatings. The present invention is also directed to the use of the micelle as a drug carrier.
US07674461B2
The present invention relates to blocking the activity of IL-TIF polypeptide molecules. IL-TIF is a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes anti-IL-TIF antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-TIF using such antibodies and binding partners in IL-TIF-related human inflammatory diseases, amongst other uses disclosed.
US07674457B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the neuroprotective effect of umbilical cord blood cells. More particularly, the present invention provides methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders by administering umbilical cord blood cells and a substance capable of permeabilizing the blood brain barrier. In one embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is mannitol. In another embodiment, the blood brain barrier permeabilizer is Cereport.
US07674447B2
An electrical connection structure that is able to electrically connect wiring to a biopolymer, a production method of the electrical connection structure, and an electric wiring method which is able to perform wiring on a nanometer-scale. A first aspect of the production method of the present invention uses a carbon nanotube as an electrode, and makes the carbon nanotube contact the biopolymer. A second aspect of the production method applies electric current between the electrode and the biopolymer of the first aspect. The electrical connection structure of the present invention comprises at least the electrode formed by the carbon nanotube and the biopolymer, wherein the electrode is in contact with the biopolymer. In the electric wiring method of the present invention, the electrode formed by the carbon nanotube contacts the biopolymer to complete an electrical connection.
US07674443B1
A system involving a two-step gasification of a carbonaceous source to produce bulk hydrogen that avoids the early formation of CO2 and obviates the traditional water gas shift (WGSR) step, carbochlorination of a metallic ore the production of metals found in the ore that utilizes carbon monoxide as an oxygen sink, rather than the traditional coke, and carbon oxides management that eliminates major impediments to emission-neutral power generation and the reduction of major metals. The gasification uses a rotary kiln reactor and gas-gas cyclonic separation process to separate synthesis gas into purified hydrogen and purified carbon monoxide. Purified bulk carbon monoxide issued in metallurgical reduction, and purified bulk hydrogen as fuel for an emission-neutral hydrogen combined cycle (HCC) turbine power generation station. The carbochlorination is integrated with: a) the concurrent separation and purification of all metal-chlorides (metchlors) and capture of CO2 for passage to the carbon oxides management system; b) the direct reduction of metchlors to nanoscale metallurgical powders and/or to dendritically-shaped particles, including metchlor reduction for the ultrahigh-performance semiconductor metals of the III-V group; and, c) the reforming of metal-oxides with improved crystalline structure from metchlors. The carbon oxides management collects, stores and directs to points of usage, carbon oxides that arise in various processes of the integrated system, and captures carbon monoxide for process enhancement and economic uses and captures carbon dioxide as a process intermediate and for economic uses.
US07674442B2
Processes and compositions are provided for decreasing emissions of mercury upon combustion of fuels such as coal. Various sorbent compositions are provided that contain components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon burning of coal. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; are added partially to the fuel before combustion and partially into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent compositions comprise a source of halogen and preferably a source of calcium. Among the halogens, iodine and bromine are preferred. In various embodiments, inorganic bromides make up a part of the sorbent compositions.
US07674437B2
An anion generating device includes an outer housing formed with air inlet and outlets as well as a heat exchanging space, a fan unit disposed in the heat exchanging space, an anion generator operable so as to generate anions near a discharge electrode unit thereof disposed between the air outlet of the outer housing and an air outlet of the fan unit, and a power control unit disposed in a receiving space in the outer housing for supplying electrical power to each of the fan unit and the anion generator by means of electrical energy converted from solar power by a solar power collecting plate mounted on a heat conductive top wall of the outer housing. The anions are impelled by air expelled by the fan unit to move outwardly of the outer housing via the air outlet of the outer housing.
US07674436B1
An indoor air purification system and method of same includes a case which removably attaches to an exhaust of cleaning equipment. An air purification chamber housed within the case includes an intake and exhaust wall and side walls, including a first side wall having an outside and inside surface. The intake and exhaust walls of the chamber are covered by aluminum metal mesh filters with a titanium dioxide coating. An ultraviolet-A blacklight blue is mounted to the inside surface of the first side wall of the chamber and includes an elongated u-shaped lamp for activating the titanium dioxide coating. An ultraviolet-C germicidal light for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation is mounted above the ultraviolet-A blacklight blue within the chamber and includes an elongated u-shaped lamp. A solid state high frequency electronic ballast powers and activates the lamps and converts voltage.
US07674427B2
By using a rare earth metal having a minimal content of impurity metal element, machining it into a member and cleaning with an organic acid-base capping agent, there is obtained a rare earth metal member composed entirely of a rare earth metal and containing not more than 100 ppm of impurity metal element in a sub-surface zone, which member is characterized by a high surface purity, a large grain size, minimized grain boundaries, and improved halogen resistance or corrosion resistance.
US07674424B2
The method and the device serve for the blow moulding of containers (2). Preforms (1) of a thermoplastic material are heated in the region of a heating path (24) and then transferred to a blowing device (25). The blowing device (25) is provided with at least one blowing station (3) for moulding the preforms (1) into the containers. The preforms (1) are retained along at least a section of the transport path thereof by a support element (46) which is at least partly loosely introduced into a mouth section (21) of the preform (1) and tightened in the mouth section (21) after the introduction thereof.
US07674422B2
A method and a system for forming a polymeric resin mold for molding plastic items, wherein the method includes: (a) using a rapid-prototyping process to create a polymeric resin shell having a configuration in the form of the mold; (b) introducing a reinforcing material into the shell; and (c) curing the shell. The system includes a rapid-prototyping apparatus that creates a plurality of the polymeric resin shells on a platform; a reinforcing material introduction apparatus that introduces a reinforcing material into each of the shells while the shells are on the platform to form a plurality of uncured molds on the platform; and a curing apparatus that cures the shells while they are on the platform.
US07674419B2
A method and apparatus for the making of an impression of a person's foot in foam to be used in the manufacture of orthotics comprising in combination a box of foam that will be deformed by the person's foot during the making of a foot impression, placed in foam box receptacle that is supported on a base and which can adjustably swivel or rotate so that the person's knee, ankle and foot will be put in a neutral position and when in use the person is placed in a seated position and a box of foam is placed in the receptacle and a strap assembly is used to exert a downward force on the person's lower leg, the strap being secured to a lever arm used to exert a downward pressure and engage with a block arm which correspondingly exerts a downward force on a block situated above the box of foam and which pushes the foot down into the foam and wherein the block is slideable transversely to the box of foam to align with the arch of the person's foot and to insure that the block exerts its downward pressure evenly and directly on the person's foot.
US07674417B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a window having at least one of a radio wave stealth property and an electromagnetic wave shield property comprising: a step for forming a thin-film composed of a conductive material on the surface of a transparent window member having a curved surface, and a step for forming the thin-film into a mesh shape. As a result, it is, possible to manufacture, at lower cost, a window having a radio wave stealth property that scatters radio waves in various directions so as not to be detected by radar, while transparency to visible light is improved, as well as a window having an electromagnetic wave shield property that effectively prevents harmful electromagnetic waves, except for visible radiation, from invasion into an aircraft.
US07674392B2
The present invention provides a method of fabricating a hinge. First, a wafer is provided, and a hinge region and at least two through regions are defined on the wafer. The wafer in the hinge region is partially removed from a bottom surface of the wafer. Subsequently, the wafer in the through regions is completely removed from a top surface of the wafer, and the hinge is formed. Thereafter, a wafer level test is performed on the hinge of the wafer. Next, an etching process is performed to adjust the shape of the hinge. According to the method of the present invention, the thickness of the hinge is no longer limited by the thickness of the wafer, and the hinge can accept the wafer level test.
US07674389B2
Methods of shape modifying a nanodevice by contacting it with a low-energy focused electron beam are disclosed here. In one embodiment, a nanodevice may be permanently reformed to a different geometry through an application of a deforming force and a low-energy focused electron beam. With the addition of an assist gas, material may be removed from the nanodevice through application of the low-energy focused electron beam. The independent methods of shape modification and material removal may be used either individually or simultaneously. Precision cuts with accuracies as high as 10 nm may be achieved through the use of precision low-energy Scanning Electron Microscope scan beams. These methods may be used in an automated system to produce nanodevices of very precise dimensions. These methods may be used to produce nanodevices of carbon-based, silicon-based, or other compositions by varying the assist gas.
US07674387B2
An oil filtration system includes three separate tanks. A first of these tanks is to receive oil from a wheel motor of the mining or construction vehicle. A second of these tanks is to receive the oil from the first tank after the oil in the first tank has been sufficiently heated so as to remove moisture therefrom. And, a third of these tanks is to receive the oil from the second tank after the oil has been sufficiently filtered so as to remove particles and debris therefrom. The third tank can hold the filtered oil therein until it is ready to be supplied back to the wheel motor.
US07674386B2
A slurry filtration system and apparatus with peripheral elements for conditioning a slurry prior to entry into a pressure filter (32) and the control of fluid and liquid introductions into the filter (32) to produce a desired filter cake or filtrate. The system includes a controller (16) for controlling the operation of the peripheral treatment for the introduction of coagulants, flocculants and polymers to treat or condition a slurry introduced into the filter (32) and the control of additional peripheral equipment for treatment of the slurry with liquid clearing or cake forming gas, steam, or drying or conditioning gas within the filter chamber (40) for the production of both filtrate and filter cake from the filter (32) to a form desired.
US07674379B2
Wastewater treatment systems and processes for removal of solids, pathogens, nitrogen, and phosphorus from municipal and agricultural wastewater include the simultaneous separation of solids and phosphorus from wastewater and industrial effluents.
US07674360B2
A lift mechanism for and a corresponding use of a magnetron in a plasma sputter reactor. A magnetron rotating about the target axis is controllably lifted away from the back of the target to compensate for sputter erosion, thereby maintaining a constant magnetic field and resultant plasma density at the sputtered surface, which is particularly important for stable operation with a small magnetron, for example, one executing circular or planetary motion about the target axis. The lift mechanism can include a lead screw axially fixed to the magnetron support shaft and a lead nut engaged therewith to raise the magnetron as the lead nut is turned. Alternatively, the support shaft is axially fixed to a vertically moving slider. The amount of lift may be controlled according a recipe based on accumulated power applied to the target or by monitoring electrical characteristics of the target.
US07674359B2
The invention relates to a cylindrical electrode for gas evolution comprising a non-activated conductive core whereto an easily detachable and replaceable component provided with catalytic activation is secured, for instance an undulated sheet or a mesh.
US07674357B2
There are provided: (1) a process for producing an InSbO4-containing transparent electroconductive film, which comprises the step of sputtering simultaneously: (i) a target (A) for sputtering, which comprises In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.9 to 1.1, and (ii) a target (B) for sputtering, which comprises Sb, (2) a transparent eletroconductive film, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 0.8 to 1.5, and (3) a target for sputtering, which contains In, Sb and O, and whose atomic ratio of Sb/In is from 1.2 to 2.0.
US07674349B2
There is provided a method for continuous production of a functional membrane whereby a functional membrane in which a functional polymer is filled into the micropores of a porous resin sheet can be obtained both continuously and efficiently.The method for continuous production of a functional membrane of the present invention comprises a step for impregnating and depositing a polymer precursor having a functional group on a continuously conveyed porous resin sheet; a polymerization step for continuously feeding and bringing into contact first and second resin films to one side and the other side, respectively, of the precursor-impregnated/deposited sheet comprising the porous resin sheet into which the polymer precursor is impregnated and deposited, and polymerizing the polymer precursor in a state in which the sheet is sandwiched between the two resin films; a film peeling step; and a polymer removal step.
US07674348B2
When an air bag is prepared by laying a pair of silicone rubber-impregnated and/or coated base fabric pieces one on the other, with the coated surfaces of the pieces inside, and joining peripheral portions of the pieces together to form a bag, an addition curable silicone rubber composition which is loaded with aluminum hydroxide powder and cures into a silicone rubber having an elongation at break of at least 1000% is used as a sealer and applied to the peripheral portions of the base fabric pieces, thereby achieving improved adhesion therebetween.
US07674341B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for more thoroughly cleaning internal combustion engines, fuel systems and emission systems and that operate with reduced toxic emissions. The invention provides an apparatus that contains at least one vessel for receiving a cleaning fluid and an electrode in a cleaning fluid flow path configured to apply a charge to a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluids are unique fuel derived products which do not contain detergents. The apparatus is unique in that it can provide any of several cleaning processes including a pre-combustion cleaning process, a post-combustion cleaning process or a combined pre-combustion and post-combustion cleaning process. The method is particularly effective at cleaning oxygen sensors in exhaust systems.
US07674339B2
The invention relates to a method of cleaning the surface of a material (4) that is coated with an organic substance. The inventive method is characterised in that it comprises the following steps, consisting in: introducing the material (4) into a treatment chamber (2), having a pressure of between 10 mbar and 1 bar therein, which is supplied with a gas stream containing at least 90 volume percent of oxygen; and generating a plasma by passing an electric discharge between the surface of the material and a dielectric-covered electrode (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) in order to break down the organic substance under the action of the free radicals O thus produced. The invention also relates to an installation (1) that is used to carry out said method.
US07674337B2
The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus for epitaxial film formation that includes an epitaxial chamber adapted to form an epitaxial layer on a substrate; a deposition gas manifold adapted to supply at least one deposition gas and a carrier gas to the epitaxial chamber; and an etchant gas manifold, separate from the deposition gas manifold, and adapted to supply at least one etchant gas and a carrier gas to the epitaxial chamber. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
US07674332B2
An embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing an extended settable composition comprising hydraulic cement, cement kiln dust, water, and a set retarding additive, wherein the extended settable composition is capable of remaining in a pumpable fluid state for at least about 1 day; adding a cement set accelerator to the extended settable composition; introducing the extended settable composition into a well bore; and allowing the extended settable composition to set. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing an extended settable composition comprising hydraulic cement, cement kiln dust, water, and a set retarding additive; storing the extended settable composition; adding a cement set accelerator to the extended settable composition; introducing the extended settable composition into a well bore; and allowing the extended settable composition to set.
US07674330B2
An ink used in an ink-jet recording process in which ink droplets are ejected from a recording head by the action of thermal energy to record images on a recording medium; the ink containing at least (a) a pigment, (b) a dispersing agent, (c) a liquid medium and (d) an alkali metal salt of a malonic acid derivative, represented by the following Formula (1): wherein R represents an alkyl group, and M represents an alkali metal.
US07674328B2
A dye-based ink includes a dye and a solvent. The dye-based ink has a high print quality on plain paper. The dye-based ink may have a print quality similar to pigment-based inks. This may be particularly relevant for black inks.
US07674325B2
An absorber (110) in a gas treatment plant (100) produces a rich solvent (116) that is flashed to produce flashed rich solvent (134D) and recycle gas (132D), wherein the recycle gas (132D) is not mixed with the absorber feed gas (112) as commonly practiced, but mixed with the rich solvent (116). Such configurations exhibit superior rich solvent loading, thereby reducing solvent circulation. Further contemplated gas treatment plants (100)may also include a regenerator (150) in which carbon dioxide from atmospheric flashed vapor (142) of the rich solvent (144) is employed as a stripping gas in a regenerator (150) to strip hydrogen sulfide from the rich solvent (144), and wherein sweet gas (114) is employed to strip the carbon dioxide from the rich solvent (144).
US07674323B2
An apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a gas. The apparatus includes at least one tube with a substantially axially located ionizer structure, and a fan for propelling the gas through the at least one tube. The ionizer structure includes a flat blade extending axially along at least a substantial part of the tube and having a saw tooth shape with a high number of sharp teeth placed regularly along the blade edges. The blade is twisted about its own longitudinal centerline to provide rotation for a gas stream flowing along the tube.
US07674317B2
A method of using scrap rubber and other scrap materials, such as tires or parts or pieces of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals in a furnace is disclosed. The scrap rubber may be used as a carbon source for the manufacture of steel and other metals, and may be used as an energy source to melt the scrap metal used to make the steel and other metals. The net benefit of this method includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or metal production, less energy is required from other sources.
US07674316B2
A hearth material is laid in the form of a layer on the hearth prior to supply of a mixture containing a carbonaceous reducing agent and iron oxides onto a hearth of a reduction melting furnace, thereby forming a renewable hearth capable of being renewed, and the metallic iron is produced while renewing a part or the whole of the renewable hearth, which has deteriorated during operation, with the hearth material.
US07674315B2
A metallurgical process involves providing an ingredient enclosure and placing a plurality of granules of a first material in the ingredient enclosure. The first material contains a first ingredient in a metallurgical process. A metallurgical process furnace having a chamber in which ingredients for the metallurgical process are added is provided and the ingredient enclosure and the first material are added to the chamber. The chamber is heated after the addition of the ingredient enclosure and the first material to the chamber, although it may also be heated prior to such addition. In one form, the granules comprise mill scale and the metallurgical process furnace is a blast furnace.
US07674314B2
Agglomerates with a carbonaceous material incorporated therein and a process for producing reduced metal using the agglomerates are provided. The agglomerates are prepared with high-VM coal, which is widely and abundantly produced and is less expensive, and they provide high strength after reduction without the need for finer metal oxide particles. The agglomerates are made of a carbonaceous material and a raw material to be reduced that contains a metal oxide, such as iron ore. The carbonaceous material used is a high-VM coal containing 35% or more by mass of volatile matter. The agglomerates are formed at a pressure of at least 2 t/cm2 so that the porosity thereof is reduced to 35% or less. The reduction in porosity is effective in promoting heat transfer inside the agglomerates in a rotary hearth furnace in a high-temperature reduction step so that the sintering of reduced metal proceeds efficiently in the overall regions of the agglomerates to produce a reduced metal having high crushing strength.
US07674311B2
A method is provided for manufacturing a liquid nitrogen fertilizer from organic wastes and manures, in which nitrogen is extracted as an aqueous ammonia, and further concentrated, and eventually converted to nitrate in a biological reactor. The method may utilize nitrogen rich organic wastes and manures, such as wastewater sludge, slaughter house wastes, broiler layer, and guano, and it is especially suitable for providing a nitrogen fertilizer in organic farming.
US07674302B1
A method of manufacturing carpet provides for an old art dyeing effect. Specifically, acid and cationic dyes are provided in a solution to a carpet tufted with cationic and acid dye fibers. The carpet is preferably tufted in such a way that there is a relative scarcity of one of the cationic and acid dye fibers at a first width. An abundance of the other dye accumulates in higher concentration than in surrounding areas at the first width. This higher concentration tends to diffuse and/or be moved by other mechanisms to the surrounding areas or widths where the dye attaches to appropriate contacts. This creates at least one of the dark band, a fade and/or a old art dye effect at that location. By precisely controlling the carpet fiber location at the upper surface, the dye solution and the dyeing process, fades and other process can be precisely controlled for repeatable performance as has not been experienced in the prior art.
US07674297B2
A spinal fusion system includes a cage with a fillable volume and removable locking gate, thereby enabling the fillable volume to be packed with graft, biologic or other materials prior to the gate being closed and locked. In the preferred embodiment, the locking gate is positioned anteriorally, though lateral, posterior, and combinations thereof are also possible. The cage is preferably radiolucent, being composed of a carbon fiber, but with one or more radiopaque markers to provide a certain degree of visualization. Some or all of the walls of the cage may include superior and/or inferior surface features to enhance positioning and/or minimize back-out, and the posterior wall may be indented to prevent neurocompression. The sidewalls of the cage may further include a recessed face with nipple indents and locking fasteners. According to a system aspect of the invention, multiple cages are provided, each being shaped differently for use at different spinal levels. For example, the cage may be larger and more trapezoidally-pronounced for the L5-S1 levels, or smaller and less trapezoidally pronounced for the T and L2 levels. The system may further including an implant introducer instrument geometrically matched to the cage, and the matched implant introducer instruments and cages may be color-coded to expedite the procedure.
US07674296B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US07674295B2
A vertebral defect device includes a housing having a convexly tapered distal end, a convexly tapered proximal end, a top, a bottom, an anterior side, a posterior side and an outer surface having generally rounded edges thereby facilitating insertion into an intervertebral space between a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The length of the housing as measured from the distal end to the proximal end is greater than the width of the housing as measured between the anterior and posterior sides and is greater than the height of the housing as measured between the top and bottom.
US07674292B2
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes an insertion plate comprising a base, a first mounting element of the base operable to engage a first member of an intervertebral disc replacement device and a second mounting element of the base operable to engage a second member of the intervertebral disc replacement device, the first and second mounting elements cooperating to engage and orient the first and second members of the intervertebral disc replacement device for simultaneous insertion into an intervertebral disc space of a spinal column. The invention also comprises a method for replacing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc in a spinal column, comprising the steps of removing the portion of the intervertebral disc from the spinal column and simultaneously inserting first and second members of an intervertebral disc replacement device into an intervertebral disc space of the spinal column, the first and second members being engageable with and operable to permit adjacent vertebral bones defining the intervertebral disc space to articulate with respect to one another, and the first and second members being detachably coupled to an insertion plate that is operable to orient the first and second members with respect to one another for such insertion.
US07674290B2
A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
US07674284B2
An endoluminal graft includes a unitary tube of graft material forming two adjacent legs that are integral and monolithic to each other. The graft can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an integral bifurcated leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the graft can be deployed within both iliac arteries.
US07674278B2
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces is provided. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted using a wafer insertion apparatus between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers. A detachable wafer assembly is provided that includes a base wafer initially associated with a track assembly of a wafer insertion apparatus. The base wafer is dislodged from the track assembly so that the base wafer is left within the distraction site as the track assembly is removed. A top cap wafer is provided that is situated at the top of the wafer stack, in which the top cap wafer is larger than the remaining wafers to form a gap surrounding the stack to receive biologic material.
US07674262B2
A high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope including a flexible sheath being made of electrically insulating material to be inserted through an insertion channel of the endoscope, a conductive operation wire, which is adapted to be advanced and retracted inside the flexible sheath, and a partially elongated electrode being arranged at a distal end of the high-frequency treatment tool separately from the operation wire, to which high-frequency electrical current is supplied for high-frequency treatment, is provided. The electrode is adapted to be protruded and retracted in an axial direction thereof from the distal end of the high-frequency treatment tool by an operation to the operation wire. The electrode is allowed to be removed from the high-frequency treatment tool independently from the operation wire.
US07674260B2
A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.
US07674259B2
A surgical instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes and for causing thermal effects in polymer tissue-contacting members. In one embodiment, the instrument has a working end with an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid. An energy source causes a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior of the instrument. The vapor phase media then is ejected from the working surface of the instrument, and a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue applies thermal energy substantially equal to the heat of vaporization to ablate tissue. The vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, or internal energy releases, can be provided about thin-film flexible structures for engaging body lumens and cavities. An exemplary embodiment can be used for shrinking, sealing, welding or creating lesions in tissue—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow in the engaged tissue.
US07674257B2
A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
US07674255B2
A surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be inclinable, in which instrument head, in turn, an effector including at least one pivotable engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle comprises a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms designed for operating the instrument head and/or the effector. One of the manipulators consists of an operating element in the form of a rotary knob with respect to its function, the operating element being rotatably supported on the instrument handle.
US07674254B2
A connector (10) is provided for sterile connection to a complementary connector (12). The connector (10) has a housing (14) with an engagement device (16) to engage a complementary engagement device (18) of the complementary connector (12) along an engagement direction (44). The connector (10) is displaceable relative to the complementary connector (12) along the engagement direction (44) after the engagement device (16) engages the complementary engagement device (18). The housing (14) has a feed-through opening (24) for receiving a sensor (34) and a cover (22). The cover (22) is displaced relative to the connector (10) along the engagement direction (44) to close the feed-through opening (24) in a sterile manner. The connector (10) also has a sterile sensor (34) that is movable along a sensor displacement direction (52) that differs from the engagement direction (44).
US07674234B2
The present invention provides a cervical collar with a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism. The rack moves a chin support member, which raises and lowers a chin piece. Independently, the present invention provides methods and mechanisms in which the chin support can angulate independently of the collar body. Such angulation is preferably accomplish by pivotally supporting the chin piece on the racks, or on the left and right chin support pieces. Thus, in a preferred class of embodiments, the collar has a pivot for the chin support pieces relative to the collar body, and an other pivot for the chin piece relative to the chin support pieces.
US07674231B2
An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time, and calibrated to account for the hydrostatic component of blood pressure arising due to vertical displacement of the extremity with respect to the heart.
US07674222B2
Devices and methods are described herein which are directed to the treatment of a patient's heart having, or one which is susceptible to heart failure, to improve diastolic function.
US07674214B2
The invention relates to methods and an apparatus used to lift a barbell. In some embodiments, the invention relates to an apparatus having a centralized handle and opposing hooks extending away from and attached to opposing ends of said handle. In other embodiments, the invention relates to methods for attaching said hooks to a barbell to assist in the performance of weight-bearing exercise and lifting.
US07674208B2
An apparatus and method for changing barbell weights. The apparatus includes at least one stand having a ramp sloping upwards to a first cradle and a second cradle. The first cradle is sized to hold a circular barbell weight. The height of the first cradle exceeds the height of the second cradle by at least the difference between a weight bore diameter and a bar diameter. When a barbell is supported in the stand, only an innermost weight at each barbell end rests against the cradle floor; the other weights all depend from the bar and are easily slid off of, and onto, the bar. Method steps include rolling the barbell onto one or more stands, changing weights as desired, and rolling the barbell off of the stand(s).
US07674207B1
A coupling assembly is adapted to removably couple an associated bucket to an associated foot of a user. The coupling assembly includes a lower component. The lower component is adapted to encompass an associated bucket. The coupling assembly also includes an upper component. The upper component is formed as a strap. The upper component is adapted to couple with respect to a foot of a user. The coupling assembly also includes an intermediate component. The intermediate component is formed as a plurality of vertical straps. The straps couple the upper and lower components.
US07674204B2
A control device for an automatic gearbox, coupled to the engine or a motor vehicle, by a torque converter, including a locking device for a fixed connection of the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft of the automatic gearbox, to produce a lock-up and conversely to release the lock-up. The device further includes an engine control unit, for providing an order for the engine, such as a demand for torque, and a control unit for the gearbox for transmitting to the engine control unit an order such as a torque request. The gearbox control unit may transmit to the engine control unit a torque request as a function of slip and the torque value as demanded by the driver of the vehicle such that the speed of the engine may approach the speed of a turbine of the torque converter so that a lock-up or lock-up release can be carried out.
US07674203B2
Method of operating a drivetrain, comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving a speed of successive upshifts or successive downshifts in an overlap manner so that, during a first upshift or downshift, at least one shift element, required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift or downshift and, when a synchronization point is reached, the subsequent second upshift or downshift can be carried out immediately. Two successive respective upshifts or downshifts can be carried out as an overlapping single shift by actuating first, second and third shift elements. Implementing the first and the second upshifts or downshifts so that actuation of the second shift element, from the first upshift or downshift to the subsequent second upshift or downshift, occurs via a minimum selection of a first alternative or by a maximum selection of a second alternative.
US07674197B2
A continuously variable transmission driven-pulley cam having a third cam surface which decreases the travel distance of the roller preventing the drive belt from dropping to a lower radius, thus preventing the transmission from going into a higher gear ratio upon inversion of torque transmitted to the driven pulley. The cam further includes a locking surface which prevents the roller from travelling axially to the cam, thus prevents the inner sheave from moving away from the outer sheave when the driven pulley is operating in the reverse direction. A continuously variable transmission driven-pulley cam roller assembly includes an inner roller and an outer roller wherein the diameters of the inner and outer rollers are different.
US07674171B2
Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the condition is satisfied. The at least one entry in the lottery drawing is created only if the condition satisfied.
US07674166B2
The present invention provides a server device for net games which can improve the excitement of watching net games. The lobby server 13 transmits the game watching information to watch a game which a user to be a player plays using the client computer 2A to the client computer 2B of another member to be a spectator of this game, and receives a message transmitted from the client computer 2B of one spectator, and transmits the received message to the client computer 2B of the other spectator.
US07674164B2
An air-conditioning system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The air-conditioning system includes an air-treatment unit and with a series of ventilation outlets distributed inside the passenger compartment and connected to the air-treatment unit. Some of the ventilation outlets are mounted on the side surface of a tubular body, which is set in a bottom portion of the passenger compartment. An internal pipe communicates with the air-treatment unit, and is mounted to oscillate about a longitudinal axis thereof.
US07674163B2
A fillet board for filleting fish having spines or horns on their pectoral fins extending outwardly from the sides of the fish body. The board defines apertures each sized to receive the horn of a fish laid flat on one side with the horn secured by the board. A plurality of apertures are sized and spaced along a portion of the length of the board to accommodate fish of different sizes. The fillet board has a spacer element to elevate the board above a supporting surface to provide clearance for fish horns to extend below the board. The fillet board includes a tail clamp for securing the tail of a fish.
US07674162B1
An apparatus for spitting whole poultry mid-wing sections into a first radius portion that includes the radius bone of the mid-wing and its surrounding muscle, tissue, and skin and a second ulna portion that includes the ulna bone of the mid-wing and its surrounding muscle, tissue, and skin. The apparatus is provided with a rotatably driven carrier wheel having a plurality of product carrier slots formed therein for accepting mid-wings and moving them along a predetermined arcuate path. A splitting blade is mounted in the arcuate path for engaging and splitting the mid-wings into the desired portions. The apparatus is additionally provided with a retention fender for preventing mid-wings from exiting the carrier slots while the mid-wings are being split, and an ejector comb for forcing the mid-wings out of the carrier slots after they have been split.
US07674161B2
A method and apparatus for tenderizing meat by electrical stimulation is characterized by a portable device supplying an electrical current through an electrode or electrodes.
US07674159B1
A board for opening an oyster has a cradle consisting of a support wall and a cradle portion sloping upwardly therefrom. The outer wall supports and anchors first end portions of the oyster which rest in abutment against, while the second end portions are disposed and elevated slightly on the cradle portion for opening of the oyster at the second end portions.
US07674157B2
In effecting two-sided surface grinding for surface-grinding the opposite surfaces of a workpiece simultaneously by a pair of oppositely disposed grinding wheels, infeed grinding is performed by oscillating the workpiece within the range where the surfaces to be ground of the workpiece do not protrude from the inner and outer peripheries of the grinding wheel surfaces of the grinding wheels, and then through-grinding is performed by feeding the workpiece to allow the surfaces to be ground to pass along the inner and outer peripheries of the grinding wheel surfaces. As an effect, worn wheel edges or the like can be prevented from being formed in the inner and outer peripheral edges, that grinding wheel surfaces can be maintained in proper shape for a prolonged time, that the grinding accuracy is better, and that dress interval can be prolonged, thus improving the life of grinding wheels.
US07674150B2
A toy. The toy includes a body and a plurality of tethers moveably coupled to the body. The toy also includes a corresponding plurality of tethered pieces coupled to the plurality of tethers and moveable between a retracted state in which the plurality of tethers hold the tethered pieces proximate the body and an extended state in which the plurality of tethers hold the tethered pieces away from the body. A triggering mechanism operatively is adapted to move the plurality of tethered pieces from the retracted state to the extended state responsive to a triggering event.
US07674146B2
A propeller thrust transmission device includes a taper portion of a propeller shaft that is fitted in a spacer divided into a first half and a second half. A thrust force acting on a propeller is received by the taper portion of the propeller shaft through the spacer. The first half includes a taper hole having an inner surface which corresponds in shape to an outer surface of the taper portion and in which the taper portion is fitted. The second half has a smaller diameter portion extending from one side of a ring-shaped wall portion closer to the propeller and fitted in a hole of an attachment device spaced from the propeller shaft, and a larger diameter portion extending from the other side of the ring-shaped wall portion and fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the first half.
US07674136B2
Modular electrical jack connector system comprising at least one jack connector housing and at least one therein inserted jack connector subassembly wherein each jack connector housing comprises a front coupling side having at least two openings which openings are disposed one above the other to receive a variety of electrical plug connectors through the front coupling side and an oppositely disposed rear side for insertion of at least one jack connector subassembly wherein further each jack connector subassembly comprises a longitudinal strip-like carrier having a substantially right-angled profile and further on the upper side and on the lower side respectively a series of extrusion-coated or injection-molded jack terminals which at a front end of the strip-like carrier form uncoated, bent-back cantilevered contact portions.
US07674128B2
The present invention improves reliability of an in-vehicle electronic device against corrosive gases. A trapping agent that has trap performances (adsorptive performance, suction performance, absorption performance, chemical reactivity, etc.) that are higher than that of water vapor with respect to corrosive gases other than water vapor is held within a connector having a terminal that is insert-molded in a case housing an electronic circuit. Here, the trapping agent may be held in a counterpart connector of the connector integrally formed in the case.
US07674120B2
A hand held electronic device, such as a flash memory drive, includes a mechanism for extending and withdrawing a connector, such as a USB plug, that is adapted for engaging a mating connector of a host device. A positive latch holds the connector with respect to an outer shell when in the extended and withdrawn positions. Movement of a separate housing portion unlatches the connector and outer shell, and also provides movement of the connector. A protective door closes over a connector opening when the connector is withdrawn into the device, and the door is withdrawn into the device when the connector is extended, thereby not interfering with the extended connector.
US07674112B2
Embodiments of resilient contact elements and methods for fabricating same are provided herein. In one embodiment, a resilient contact element for use in a probe card includes a lithographically formed resilient beam having a first end and an opposing second end; and a tip disposed proximate the first end of the beam and configured to break through an oxide layer of a surface of a device to be tested to establish a reliable electrical connection therewith; wherein at least a central portion of the beam has a continuous sloped profile defining, in a relaxed state, a height measured between the beam and a plane representing an upper surface of a device to be tested that is greater near the second end of the beam than near the first end of the beam.
US07674110B2
Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.
US07674104B2
A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a mold having a pattern to be transferred to the workpiece, with the pattern including recesses, a first support member for supporting the mold, and a second support member, arranged opposite to the first support member, for supporting the workpiece. A pressing mechanism brings the first and second support members close to each other and presses the mold and the workpiece together so as to transfer, to the workpiece, the pattern on the mold. Recessed portions are provided on at least one of a surface of the mold on the first support member side, a region of the first support member, and a region of the second support member. The recessed portions correspond to recesses in the pattern of the mold.
US07674103B2
Durable seamless replication tools are disclosed for replication of seamless relief patterns in desired media, for example in optical recording or data storage media. Methods of making such durable replication tools are disclosed, including preparing a recording substrate on the inner surface of a support cylinder, recording and developing a relief pattern in the substrate, creating a durable negative relief replica of the pattern, extracting the resulting durable tool sleeve from a processing cell, and mounting the tool sleeve on a mounting fixture. Apparatus are disclosed for fabricating such seamless replication tools, including systems for recording a desired relief pattern on a photosensitive layer on an inner surface of a support cylinder. Also disclosed are electrodeposition cells for forming a durable tool sleeve having a desired relief pattern. The replication tool relief features may have critical dimensions down to the micron and nanometer regime.
US07674102B2
An extruder system and a cutting assembly for cutting a material extruded from an extruder plate.
US07674100B2
A pump is formed by a housing (10) having an inlet (11) for connection to a source of fluid and an outlet (12) for pumped fluid. A rotor (15) is rotatable within the housing and the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are spaced apart around the path of the rotor (15) in the housing. The rotor (15) has surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) that form, with the housing (10), closed chambers (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) which travel around the housing (10) to convey fluid from the inlet (11) to the outlet (12). The housing (10) carries a seal (14) that is located between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) in the direction of travel of the rotor (15). The seal (14) co-operates with the rotor surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) as the surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) pass between the outlet (12) and the inlet (11) to prevent the formation of a chamber during said passage and so prevent fluid flow from the outlet (12) to the inlet (11). Such a pump is easily and cheaply produced and is particularly useful in medical applications.
US07674084B2
A system is used with a boom pivoted on a frame about a horizontal pivot axis between raised and lowered positions by a first fluid ram joining the frame and the boom. A releasable locking mechanism locks the boom relative to the frame to prevent pivotal movement of the boom about its horizontal pivot axis. A second fluid ram is disposed between the frame and the boom, the second fluid ram compressed between the frame and the boom when the boom is adjacent the raised position, but prior to the boom achieving a latched position substantially coinciding with the raised position. A fluid circuit of the second fluid ram has two selectable pressure levels. The first level substantially prevents the boom from achieving the latched position, the second level permits the boom to achieve the latched position while providing fluid cushioning to dissipate impact forces between the boom and frame.
US07674077B2
A method of transporting tuberous vegetables from a storage facility that is remote from a processing facility to a processing facility includes providing a pipeline from the storage facility to the processing facility. A sufficient amount of water is continuously fed into a pump inlet along with a continuous selected amount of tuberous vegetables such that a pump, located proximate the storage facility, forces the water along with the tuberous vegetables through the pipeline and discharges the water and tuberous vegetables to the processing facility where the processing facility separates the water from the tuberous vegetables.
US07674074B2
The present invention discloses a vortex induced vibration inhibitor (“VIVI”) comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having an elongated opening defined by locking edges. The housing is operable between an open and a closed position. Connecting assemblies include barbed connector pins received in grooved housings. Connector slots are provided in the connector and receptor housings. Retainer pins provide for release of connecting assemblies. Spacers are provided to limit movement of the housing in relation to the surrounded structure. An alignment stub is provided.
US07674073B2
A concrete section of an offshore platform substructure comprises a concrete body with a central opening and at least one guidepost hole extending through a height of the concrete body, wherein a width of the concrete body is greater than the height. An offshore platform substructure comprises a base portion resting on the ocean floor, and a plurality of concrete support sections stacked one on top of another on the base portion. A method of assembling an offshore platform with a concrete substructure comprises locating a guidepost in the ocean floor at a well site, towing a plurality of concrete sections to the well site, sequentially engaging each of the plurality of concrete sections with the guidepost, and sequentially sinking each of the plurality of concrete sections, thereby forming a stack of concrete sections on the ocean floor.
US07674062B2
The invention relates to a ring binder mechanism comprising a housing (10) for receiving two carrier rails (20), wherein the carrier rails are positioned adjacent one another with at least a portion of their inner longitudinal edges (23) facing each other to form a linkage axis (22) and at least a portion of their outer longitudinal edges (24) engaging the housing (10). The carrier rails (20) have at least two half-rings (16) rigidly connected with the carrier rails, which together form a ring (14). The carrier rails (20) are limitedly pivotable relative to each other about the linkage axis (22), taking along the half-rings (16), between an open position and a closed position. A locking rod (31) having at least one locking element (32) is movable parallel to the linkage axis (22) relative to the housing (10) and the carrier rails (20) via an actuating element (18). The locking rod is provided adjacent the bottom or exterior surface of the carrier rails (i.e. the surface facing away from the housing). The locking element (32) engages a portion of the carrier rails and blocks the pivot path of the carrier rails (20) in the closed position. Abutments or bearings are provided on the carrier rails (20) or on the housing flanks (28) for receiving locking forces, against which the locking element (32) is supported in the closed position.
US07674058B2
A wipe includes a substrate with a pouch configured on an application side thereof. An access opening is provided into an internal space of the pouch. A composition delivered by the wipe upon use of the product is stored in a container that is inserted into the pouch through the access opening. Upon use of the wipe, the container within the pouch releases the composition, which is delivered through the pouch for application by the wipe.
US07674057B2
An image forming apparatus includes a cover member that is capable of being opened and closed, wherein the cover member includes a discharge tray that is capable of holding printed recording medium, and an automatic document reader that is provided above the discharge tray, wherein when the cover member is opened to a predetermined position, the automatic document reader supports the printed recording medium placed on the discharge tray so that the printed recording medium does not fall therefrom when the cover member is open.
US07674048B2
A polarity checking apparatus for multi-fiber connectors includes a body, a diverging lens attached to the body and a screen attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine test and/or determine polarity of the multi-fiber connector. The screen may be translucent or may be opaque in part and rotatable for checking whether a signal is being transmitted on an individual optical fiber position of the multi-fiber connector. The invention is also directed to a method for checking the polarity of an optical assembly.
US07674040B2
A reclosable bag having two spaced-apart flexible closures and external finger guide ridges and/or pressure distribution ridges to facilitate their closure. The ridges lie in a region between the double closures and they extend generally parallel to each other and to the closures when the bag is in an empty and flat state. The pressure distribution ridges improve the finger pressure distribution by moving the applied forces closer to the closure profiles. When used in conjunction with external finger guide ridges, the pressure distribution ridges also improve the bearing surface of the external finger guide ridges with the thumb and forefinger of the person closing the bag.
US07674038B2
To measure and regulate temperature, a temperature measuring resistor and a control element are accommodated in one layer as metallization on a substrate. The printed or otherwise manufactured conductors of the temperature measuring resistor and of the control element are arranged in close proximity to one another.
US07674032B2
An apparatus (10) for surface treating particulate material (M) with surface treatment particles (S) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12) having a top (18), bottom (16) and sidewall (14). A mixing chamber (42) is defined within the body (12). At least one injector inlet (36) and at least one process air inlet (32) are in communication with the mixing chamber (42). At least one outlet (34) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (42).
US07674026B2
A vehicle lamp can include LEDs configured to be a light source of the lamp, where the LEDs can be controlled to be turned on in part or in whole for a predetermined period and in a configuration that is different from the originally intended display purpose configuration of the lamp. The configuration can be controlled to be different when the vehicle is stopped and when a driver (or other person) initiates a predetermined operation on the vehicle. Contents such as color and pattern that are displayed by the LEDs on this occasion can be different from the contents associated with the original display purpose configuration of the vehicle lamp, resulting in an additional new display function, and new design.
US07674017B2
An optical module according to the present invention comprises an electric wiring substrate, a first optical element mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that a heat generation section of the first optical element is positioned relatively close to a substrate surface of the electric wiring substrate and a heat sink mounted on the same plane as the mounting plane of the first optical element on the electric wiring substrate, the heat sink being mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that an area of electric wiring on the electric wiring substrate overlaps the heat sink. This improves the efficiency of heat radiation of the optical module.
US07674002B1
Portable solar powered light sources, devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching and using the light source. The light sources can have a single small housing having an upper roof portion with an exposed solar cell, a photocell activator, and small housing. The housing can have two parts that pivot with one another so that a front end of the housing can be biased together by a spring, and the rear side having edges that are spaced apart. An operator can press the rear spaced apart edges together, to open the front end to slide about a support structure, such as an open umbrella fabric edge. The housing allows for the light source powered by batteries to be activated by the photocell during dark(night) conditions), with the light direction being adjustable underneath. During daylight, the solar cell receives sunlight to charge the batteries within the housing.
US07674001B1
The present invention is for an apparatus and method for using a special effects drinking lid which can be used to create movement in a moveable object, produce light, and/or produce a distinctive aroma or odor from a drinking container lid. The special effects drinking lid comprises: a container lid; a straw hole; an attaching means for connecting said container lid to a drinking container; an electrical circuit assembly; at least one activating mechanism for triggering at least one special effect; said activating mechanism is connected to said special effects; and said special effects are connected to said container lid.
US07673998B2
An enclosure assembly allows a hinge bracket to realize establishment of the opened attitude or the closed attitude of a second enclosure relative to a first enclosure. The second enclosure rotates relative to the hinge bracket around the second rotation axis. The second enclosure in this manner changes its attitude relative to the first enclosure. The hinge bracket stays where it is. The hinge bracket does not rotate. The position of the light sources is thus kept unchanged. The position of the light is maintained regardless of a change in the attitude of the second enclosure around the second rotation axis. The enclosure for an electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy an enhanced appearance. This leads to an enhanced appearance of the electronic apparatus.
US07673990B2
An individual eyeglass lens in which the vertical distance from the near reference point to the far distance point amounts to max. 18 millimeters, the progressive length is max. 14 millimeters, the main progressive length is max. 10 millimeters and the increase in refractive index, starting from the effect of the eyeglass lens at the far reference point up to a point 2 millimeters below the centering point amounts to less than 10% of the addition. The progressive length corresponds essentially to the vertical distance between the far reference point and a point essentially on the main line at which, starting from the far reference point, the value of the effect of the eyeglass lens corresponding the first time essentially to the near value.
US07673987B2
A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly is described that can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.
US07673986B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a belt transporting apparatus, a nip roller nipping a recording medium in cooperation with an outer peripheral face of a transport belt at a predetermined position, a nip-roller moving mechanism, an inkjet head, an applying unit which applies cleaning fluid to the outer peripheral face, a blade which is in contact with the outer peripheral face on a downstream side of a position where the cleaning fluid is applied to the outer peripheral face to scrape off the cleaning fluid and ink that adhere to the outer peripheral face, a travel controlling unit which controls the transport belt driving unit to cause the transport belt to travel, and a nip-roller movement controlling unit which causes the nip roller to be contacted with the outer peripheral face after an initial contact place passes the predetermined position.
US07673983B2
An inkjet printer containing a print zone and an inkjet printhead for printing on a substrate in the print zone, a supply unit for storing and delivering the substrate for printing, and a transport unit for transporting the substrate from the supply unit to the print zone, in which printer the supply unit contains a number of substrate holders, each holding a roll on which a substrate web is wound, each substrate holder being operatively connected to a sensor for detecting the end of the web in the substrate holder corresponding to that sensor, wherein the transport unit includes a first transport means for engaging and transporting the substrate emerging from the supply unit, a downstream, second transport means for further transporting the substrate and positioning the same in the print zone, and a guide element rotatably disposed between the first transport means and the second transport means.
US07673982B2
A print media stacker assembly comprises a housing having an opening therein. A tray, disposed within the housing downstream of a feeder, has a front lip, a collecting portion, and a back wall. A stopper lever is in operative relationship with the tray a distance upstream from the back wall. The stopper lever has a first position in which the stopper lever prevents media sheets from passing beyond the stopper lever and a second position in which the stopper lever permits media sheets to pass beyond the stopper lever.
US07673981B2
An image formation apparatus with a plurality of laser diodes that form color-component images, which correspond to a plurality of color components, onto a plurality of corresponding photosensitive drums respectively, and a transfer belt onto which the color-component images that are formed on the respective photosensitive drums are transferred. The image formation apparatus adjusts the image formation timing based on the positions of the color-component images that are transferred to the transfer belt; and when adjusting the image formation timing, the respective laser diodes form color-component images at formation intervals that correspond to an integral multiple of the period of a periodic noise.
US07673978B2
A droplet ejection apparatus has an ejection unit that ejects a droplet of liquid onto a target. The ejection unit is arranged in a multi-joint robot. The robot moves the ejection unit in a two-dimensional direction above the target. The ejection unit includes a droplet ejection head, a liquid tank, and an auto-seal valve. The auto-seal valve adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied from the liquid tank to the droplet ejection head to a predetermined pressure. The auto-seal valve has a valve body that is movable between a closing position and an opening position in correspondence with the difference between the pressure of the liquid in the droplet ejection head and the pressure of the liquid in the liquid tank. The valve body is arranged such that the direction of acceleration that produces force capable of moving the valve body from the closing position to the opening position differs from the direction of acceleration of the ejection unit moving in the two-dimensional direction.
US07673977B2
There is disclosed an ink cartridge including a cylindrical member having an ink port at one axial end thereof, a piston, a piston rod, and a thrusting portion. The piston rod is fitted in the cylindrical member air-tightly and slidably, and partially defines an ink chamber within the cylindrical member. The ink chamber is in communication with the ink port. The piston rod is connected to the piston on the side opposite to the ink chamber, and extends in the cylindrical member along an axial direction of the cylindrical member. The thrusting portion is at least partially positioned in the cylindrical member and configured to apply a thrust force to the piston rod and thereby move the piston along the axial direction. The thrusting portion comprises a driven portion drivable from the exterior of the cylindrical member.
US07673973B2
A micro-fluid ejecting device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of fluid ejection elements formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of nonvolatile programmable memory devices for storing information related to the operation of the micro-fluid ejecting device. The programmable memory devices, which are at least partially embedded in the semiconductor substrate, each include a source region and a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate. The source and drain regions have a conductivity type which is opposite the conductivity type of the semiconductor substrate. An insulative layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate over the source region and drain region. A floating gate region is formed on the insulative layer and is spatially disposed between the source region and drain region. The floating gate region is electrically insulated from the source and drain regions by the insulative layer. Electrical contacts are connected to the source region and the drain region. The programmable memory devices collectively provide a high density of memory bits embedded on the substrate for storing information about the micro-fluid ejecting device.
US07673970B2
A flexible circuit having improved corrosion resistance and method therefor. The flexible circuit includes, a polymeric support substrate, a conductive layer providing tracing attached to a first surface of the support substrate, and lead beams in electrical communication with the tracing for attaching the flexible circuit to a micro-fluid ejection head. A plasma polymerized layer is deposited on at least a portion of the conductive layer to reduce corrosion of the conductive layer. The plasma polymerized layer may also improve adhesion between the flexible circuit and an adhesive use to attach the flexible circuit to a structure.
US07673961B2
A method is provided for inspecting a recording head including a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements and a temperature detection element placed above or below each of the plurality of electrothermal conversion elements. The method includes driving the electrothermal conversion element, determining whether there is a change in slope of a temperature fall process in temperature detected by the temperature detection element during a predetermined time, if it is determined that there is a change in slope of the temperature fall process, obtaining a timing of the change in slope, and determining whether ink is discharged normally based on the obtained timing of the change in slope and a predetermined timing of a change in slope of the temperature fall process.
US07673949B2
An electrically powered brake system capable of performing a self-diagnosis of elements of the electrically brake system to diagnose a failure before a vehicle is driven is provided. The electrically powered brake system having a parking brake having a conversion mechanism 6 converting a rotary motion of a motor 2 into a linear motion, propelling a piston 7 according to the rotation of a rotor 2A of the motor 2 by the conversion mechanism, pressing brake pads 3 and 4 against a disc rotor 5 by the piston to generate a braking force, and retaining the braking force by a locking mechanism 10 has a control unit 20 performing a diagnosis of elements constituting the system during actuation of the parking brake. The control unit performs a diagnosis of a fail safe relay 26 receiving the supply of electric power of the motor, and performs diagnoses of a braking force sensor 8, a rotation angle detecting sensor 9 and a current sensor.
US07673936B2
An adjustable bicycle seat assembly includes an adjusting unit which includes a top end member connected to the seat post and an adjusting tube is connected to a lower end of the top end member. An inner space is defined in the adjusting tube and an outer space is defined between the adjusting tube and the seat post. A path is defined between the adjusting tube and the top end member so as to communicate with the inner space and the outer space. An axle is movably received in the path and removably seals the path. An anti-rotation device is located between the seat post and the seat tube so as to prevent the seat post from rotating relative to the seat tube.
US07673924B1
An exterior vehicle windshield protective cover used to cover the outside of a vehicle front windshield. The protective cover reflects the sun's ray in the summer to help keep the vehicle cool and protect the windshield from snow and ice when the vehicle is parked outside. The protective cover includes a flexible exterior windshield cover member dimensioned to cover the exterior of a vehicle's windshield. The cover member includes a pair of flexible wings hinged along fold lines and attached to the sides of the cover member. The wings include a pair of elastic loops. When the front doors of the vehicle are opened, the wings are inserted inside the vehicle with the elastic loops attached to windshield visor posts for holding the cover member securely against the windshield in tension. A windshield wiper well cover is hinged along a fold line attached to the bottom of the cover member. The well cover is held in place on a portion of the vehicle's hood using a plurality of magnets. The well cover covers the windshield wipers in a wiper well and prevents snow and ice from gathering inside the wiper well.
US07673920B2
An operator's station structure for a work vehicle having a motor section, comprising: a seat that is disposed on the operator's station for a work vehicle and has a moveable seat part; and a removable storage box that is disposed below the seat, that has an upwardly opening shape, and that has an interior accessible by moving the seat part.
US07673916B2
An end effector includes a base part and a first member. The first member includes first, second, and third serially articulated struts. The first strut articulates with the base part for relative angular displacement about a first pitch axis and about a first roll axis. The first roll axis is substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis. The second strut articulates with the first strut for relative angular displacement about, firstly, a first yaw axis substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis and the first roll axis, and, secondly, about a second pitch axis substantially parallel to the first pitch axis and substantially orthogonal to the first yaw axis. The third strut articulates with the second strut for relative angular displacement about a second yaw axis substantially parallel to the first yaw axis.
US07673908B2
A foldable clipboard. The foldable clipboard includes a pair of support panels that are hinged together. The hinged design allows the clipboard to be conveniently folded for easy transportation and storage. The clipboard also can be unfolded into a substantially flat configuration.
US07673905B2
In a lock device of a sliding mechanism, a pair of locking claws provided on a moving member are brought into resilient engagement with locking grooves of a locking groove group, whereby downward sliding of the moving member is permitted but upward sliding thereof is locked. The distance between the locking claws is longer than distance between the locking grooves, so that the moving member becomes locked against upward sliding at an interval smaller than the distance between the locking grooves. Thus, the moving member adapted to slide in one (downward) direction along a guide rail can be reliably locked against movement in the opposite (upward) direction at a very small interval.
US07673903B2
This connecting device between a steering column of a motor vehicle and a cross member fixedly joined to the vehicle body, the device being of the type comprising a steering column support fixedly joined to the column and secured to a rigid arm rigidly connected to the cross member, the connection between the arm and the column support being deformable under the effect of a front impact exerted on the cross member, is characterized in that the deformation is produced by the folding of a metal sheet of the support.
US07673888B2
A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. A pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to a frame so as to have a rearwardly-facing position and a forwardly-facing position. A seat is pivotally attached to the frame so as to have a horizontal position and a vertical position. When using the supportive device as the wheelchair, a pair of front legs of the frame terminate in wheels, the seat is in the horizontal position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the rearwardly-facing position thereof. When the supportive device is used as the walker, the pair of front legs terminate in either wheels or caps, the seat is in the vertical position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the forwardly-facing position thereof.
US07673877B2
A game that uses a source of compressed gas, such as compressed air, to provide gas to move a play object across a play surface. The compressed gas source is capable of providing compressed gas to jets in communication with the play surface for directing the gas to move the play object across the play surface. A triggering device allows the player to select one or more jets and selectively trigger the flow of gas from a selected jet.
US07673874B2
A paper-money receipt/payment machine comprises a conveyance path, on which paper sheet can be conveyed in dual directions, and a paper-money discrimination unit provided midway the conveyance path to discriminate the paper sheet. The machine further comprises a temporary holding unit for storage of rejected paper sheet to be rejected, and an exclusive storage box, separately provided from the temporary holding unit, for storage of jammed paper sheet. The exclusive storage box is arranged at one end or both ends of the conveyance path.
US07673867B2
A flexible strip of low coefficient of friction material is attached to a paddle wheel hub and placed over a predetermined length of the drive side of the paddle wheel blades in order to reduce the drive force of the paddle wheel blades on the top sheet in a stack to thereby allow the accurate compiling of a greater range of curled sheets.
US07673866B2
A sheet conveying apparatus is connected between an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus to receive the sheet ejected from the image forming apparatus, and to eject the sheet to the post-processing apparatus. The sheet conveying apparatus receives, from the post-processing apparatus, a sheet reception line speed information showing a line speed for the post-processing apparatus to receive the sheet, and receives, from the image forming apparatus, a sheet ejection line speed information showing a line speed for the image forming apparatus to eject the sheet. A conveyance line speed control section controls the conveyance line speed at the time of receiving the sheet from the image forming apparatus based on a sheet ejection line speed information, and controls the conveyance line speed at the time of ejecting the sheet to the post-processing apparatus based on a sheet reception line speed information.
US07673864B2
A folding device for folding continuous paper, which is previously provided with fold lines at given intervals, along the fold lines in a zigzag pattern. The folding device comprises a feeding member of the continuous paper, a swinger fin that swings using its one end as a fulcrum like a pendulum in synchronization with the fold lines while feeding the continuous paper into its inside, and a table to be surmounted by the continuous paper that has been folded. The swinger fin includes a feed roller pair for feeding the continuous paper while sandwiching the paper therebetween, and at least a pair of guide plates facing each other with a given gap therebetween, in which the continuous paper is fed through the gap. One of the feed rollers constructing the feed roller pair and one of the guide plates, which are located on one side of the continuous paper, can be integrally opened or detached from the swinger fin.
US07673853B2
A railing section is capable of being adapted for varying conditions of use. The railing section includes first and second support rails. The first support rail has a longitudinal void. A plurality of movable fence members are perpendicularly disposed between the first and second support rails. A drive mechanism is disposed in the longitudinal void of the first support rail and coupled to the plurality of movable fence members. Operation of the drive mechanism causes simultaneous rotation of the movable fence members along longitudinal axes of the respective movable fence members through an angle 360 degrees or more. Two or more railing sections may be coupled together by a member that couples the respective drive mechanisms of the sections.
US07673851B2
A block with a rotating sheave mounted between a pair of side plates. Captured between the side plates may be a post about which a mounting loop may be mounted. The post is removable from the between the side plates to permit the loop to be attached or detached from the block.
US07673847B2
A movable valve 131 is movably supported by a support plate 135 within a valve body having a gas injection nozzle 129. The valve body consists of a plurality of members 103, 105, 107, 109, 127. Impermeable joints 147a, 147b, 147c are formed between the members. The support plate 135 includes a plurality of elastically deformable support portions each having an inner radial connection, an outer radial connection and a circumferential connection. The support portions are phase adjusted to radial fluid passages 131h formed in the movable valve 113.
US07673843B2
A pedestal comprising lower and upper vertical columns having different vertical axes, and a horizontal support which is rotatably connected to the top of the lower column and the bottom of the upper column. The pedestals are particularly useful in the catering and hospitality industries for supporting food and beverage containers, tableware, flower vases and sculptures.
US07673836B2
A device of the present invention for supporting a user's arms, head, and hands allowing the user to perform tasks requiring stability and fine motor movement, the device includes a base, at least two upright members operatively attached to the base, and support means operatively attached to each of the upright members.
US07673822B2
A shredder having a safety feature(s) that reduces potential safety hazards by detecting the temperature of a shredder motor and issuing a warning as an predetermined overheat temperature approaches.
US07673818B2
In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve designed so that the contact of a movable attraction face at a rear end of a movable core with a stationary attraction face included at a front end of a stationary core is inhibited, a ring-shaped stopper (28) made of a material non-magnetic or magnetic weakly more than a movable core (18) is press-fitted into an inner periphery of a rear portion of the movable core (18), and a flat abutment face (51), which is disposed at a location displaced from a flat movable attraction face (41) formed at the rear end of the movable core (18) toward a stationary attraction face (42), is formed at a rear end of the stopper (28) to be able to abut against the stationary attraction face. A slant (52) is formed on an inner periphery of the rear end of the movable core (18) and an outer periphery of the rear end of the stopper (28) to continuously and smoothly connect the movable attraction face (41) and the abutment face (51) to each other. Thus, the accumulation and deposition of chips and a magnetic powder can be prevented, and the area of application of an electromagnetic attraction force to the movable core can be increased substantially, while decreasing the number of parts and the number of assembling steps to provide a reduction in cost.
US07673812B2
The present invention related to an ultrasonic nebulizer apparatus and a method for adjusting an operation frequency and checking an operating state of the ultrasonic nebulizer apparatus. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a current detecting element for actively detecting an electrical current passed through it early. By detecting the current to determine a resonance frequency and whether deviated from a predetermined normal range, the nebulizer apparatus according to the present invention can check the operating state and operate at the resonance frequency for increasing efficiency and saving power.
US07673811B2
A compensating element (30) for an injection valve has a cup-shaped body (32) with a cup base (34) and a recess. Furthermore, the compensating element has a piston (36) which makes a clearance fit in respect of the recess of the cup-shaped body (32) on an axially extending guide segment (41) of the piston (36) and which is arranged at least partially axially moveable with the guide segment (41) in the recess of the cup-shaped body (32). A sealing element (44) is arranged on the side of the guide segment (41) facing away from the cup base (32) and couples the cup-shaped body (32) with the piston (36). A hydraulically and/or pneumatically sealed system is delimited by the cup-shaped body (32), the piston (36) and the sealing element (44). The coupling of the sealing element (44) with the cup-shaped body (32) and/or the piston (36) is friction-fit.
US07673806B2
The present invention provides a method of authenticating an article having a hidden image printed on a surface thereof, wherein the image can only be detected when viewed through an optical device.
US07673803B2
A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based engine including; an engine housing having light transmission aperture; an image formation and detection module and having an image detection array and image formation optics with a field of view (FOV) extending from the image detection array, through the light transmission aperture and onto an object moving relative to the engine housing during object illumination and imaging operations; a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device, and having at least one visible laser illumination source arranged in relation to the image formation and detection module, for producing a planar light illumination beam (PLIB), and projecting the planar light illumination beam through light transmission aperture and oriented such that the plane of the PLIB is coplanar with the field of view of the image formation and detection module so that the object can be simultaneously illuminated by the planar light illumination beam and imaged within the field of view and onto the image detection array for detection as a digital linear image of the object; a laser despeckling mechanism for reducing the coherence of the PLIB during object illumination and imaging operation so that the power of speckle-pattern noise is substantially reduced in digital linear images detected on said image detection array.
US07673798B2
A card reader comprises two rows of electric contacts in the form of elastically deformable contact springs for contacting the electric contact fields of a card inserted into the card reader, wherein the contact springs extend parallel to the card insertion direction and wherein each contact spring comprises a contact section projecting into the card path for contacting one of the contact fields of the card, a connecting section for connecting to a write/read device, an intermediate U-shaped joining section, and a mounting section for mounting the contact spring to the card reader housing, all being formed in one piece with the contact spring. In accordance with the invention, the contact section, the U-shaped joining section and the mounting section are symmetrical relative to the center plane of the contact spring.
US07673796B2
A system and method enables intervention events occurring at a self-checkout station at a retail site to be addressed by an operator located at a remote site distant from the retail site. The system includes a checkout station located at a retail site, a video camera and microphone mounted at the checkout station, a data communicator for collecting video and audio data from the video camera and microphone and operational data from the checkout station, an intervention service station for receiving the video, audio, and operational data from the data communicator, the intervention service station being located off-site from the retail site; and the intervention service station includes a checkout station command generator for generating and sending checkout station commands to the checkout station in response to the operational data received from the data communicator so that an operator at the intervention service station can intervene in the checkout station operation.
US07673793B2
A fraudulent business transaction application (FBTA) is provided in embodiments of the present invention for monitoring fraudulent transactions. When a consumer supplies account access information in order to carry out an Internet business transaction, the FBTA uses an online fraud mitigation engine to detect phishing intrusions and identity theft. Embodiments are also provided for calculating travel velocity and transaction frequency, which are useful for determining a fraudulent transaction. Further embodiments are provided for authenticating a transaction using a cookie stored on a client device and a behavior profile stored on a server.
US07673790B2
A vote-by-mail return envelope that includes a pouch portion for containing the ballot and a stub portion on which the voter applies his/her signature and method for processing are provided. Each portion of the envelope contains a respective barcode that identifies the respective portion. When the envelope is received at the vote-counting location, the stub is separated from the pouch, thereby separating the voter's signature, name, etc. from the ballot. The signature is then verified from the stub, and subsequent processing of the pouch uses the pouch barcode identifier as a link to the stub barcode identifier and/or to the result of the signature verification, to determine whether the ballot in the pouch is eligible for counting or whether some remedial procedure is necessary.
US07673770B2
A sleeve for enhancing a user's grasp of the handles and handholds of various tools and implements comprising: an elongated flexible hollow cylindrical sleeve having a first end, second end, interior wall surface, and exterior wall surface; and a lengthwise, non-radial slit from said first end to said second end, penetrating through said exterior wall surface to said interior wall surface.
US07673767B2
The claimed invention is a novel container system that adds utility and convenience for the consumer “on-the-go”. The container system claimed includes a main tray member that holds food product (e.g. carrots), and lid member that is configured so that, when it is inverted, it acts as a secondary tray member that holds food product (e.g. condiment) and is further attachable to the rim of the tray member via an interference fit or snap-fit grip fit. The resulting utility is that the consumer is able to hold the main tray member with one hand or have held the main tray member (e.g. in a recess in an automobile consol) and access the contents of both trays with a free hand.
US07673765B2
A hot fill container of the type that is used package fruit juices and other beverages includes a vacuum panel configuration that provides optimal volumetric efficiency, material usage and container strength and is particularly suited for use with smaller containers. The vacuum panel configuration includes a plurality of cageless vacuum panels that are separated by longitudinally extending outwardly projecting creases that are defined in a sidewall of the container. This arrangement maximizes the effective surface area of the vacuum panels relative to the external surface area of the container. Each of the longitudinally extending outwardly projecting creases has a curved outer surface that is convex when viewed in longitudinal cross-section. The cageless vacuum panels are constructed and arranged to be convexly curved when a pressure within the container is equal to an external pressure, but become concavely curved when a predetermined partial vacuum condition exists within said container.
US07673760B2
A cradle unit for supporting metal coils, and other cylindrical objects, consists of two, parallel and separate saddles preferably made of polyurethane having an approximate hardness range of between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore D, which saddles are connected together via a pair of parallel steel angle-brackets that provide inherent structural integrity to the cradle unit itself, while still allowing the unit to conform to the shape or level of the underlying support structure. The single cradle unit may be as a mobile support-device, or may be bolted or otherwise attached to a surface for a specific location of the stored product. The cradle unit of the invention may, also, be attached to the bed of a transportation vehicle, such as a truck trailer or rail car, in order to provide secure, protective storage and location of the items. In this case, the nature of the resilient or soft material from which the cradle unit is made provides shock-absorption qualities for the transported coil. The cradle unit is generally concave-shaped and has a first main or central lower concave curvature of a first radius, and a middle or secondary transitional curvature that connects the first main lower curvature to an upper, tertiary concave curvature of a second radius greater than the first radius, so that coils or rolls of different diameter may be safely and firmly supported.
US07673759B2
A dinnerware display includes a piece of dinnerware, a base, a track and a dinnerware mount. The track is securely coupled to the base behind the piece of dinnerware. The dinnerware mount is at least partially received by and is slidably coupled to the track such that the dinnerware mount can be slid along the track. The dinnerware mount includes two arms circumferentially spaced from one another and each defining a clasp for receiving a portion of the piece of dinnerware. When the dinnerware mount is in a first position with respect to the track, the piece of dinnerware is securely maintained between the base and the dinnerware mount. When the dinnerware mount is in a second position with respect to the track, the piece of dinnerware is removable from between the base and the dinnerware mount. Other dinnerware displays, fixtures and associated methods are also disclosed.
US07673758B2
Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.
US07673755B2
A mechanical separator having a primary frame, a tray frame linked to the primary frame, and an oscillator linked to the tray frame for imparting relatively short period reciprocating and/or orbital motion thereto. The tray frame includes a plurality of tines preferably rigidly linked at their proximal ends to one end of the tray frame, and a supporting cross member that permits restricted motion of the tines when subject to kinetic impetus. The supporting cross member preferably defines holes through which the tines pass, and the distal ends of the tines are preferably free to move, being only restricted in motion by the supporting cross member. The tray frame is preferably suspended from the primary frame by extension members, which also provide for tilt, elevation and vibration isolation features.
US07673754B2
A sterile, compact packaging is provided to present components in order of preferred or required use in a medical procedure. Pockets are arranged along one or more end sections of the packaging, and an absorbent material is at least partially adhered to the moisture proof sheet at a workspace thereon. Components are placed in the pockets in order of use, and the packaging is folded up. The folded packaging is sealed in a gas-permeable pouch, which maintains the components in a sterile condition until use. In use, the packaging is unfolded to expose the medical components.
US07673742B2
A method of manufacturing an endless conveyor belt comprises providing a flexible web in the form of a PTFE cross film laminate which in its as laminated state has a first length and a first lengthwise yield strength. The web is prestressed by lengthwise stretching to a second length greater than its as laminated first length to thereby achieve a second lengthwise yield strength greater than its as laminated first lengthwise yield strength. The ends of the prestressed web are then interconnected.
US07673740B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring a conveying installation, comprising: a conveying belt (2) made of elastomeric material with a load-bearing side (3) for the conveying material and with a running side (4), the conveying belt having, in particular, an embedded reinforcing element (7); at least one detectable segment (8) which is embedded in the load-bearing side (3) and/or running side, in the vicinity of the surface; a detection system (6), in particular in the form of an optoelectronic system, which contactlessly senses and evaluates the detectable segment (8), in particular in conjunction with a process computer; and other installation parts, namely a drive drum, reversing drum, supporting rollers, supporting frameworks, and possibly other components; the detectable segment (8) being based on a thermochromic substance which results in a change in color if the temperature changes within the critical temperature range of a conveying belt, the detection system (6) sensing and evaluating the change in color.
US07673739B2
A method and system are provided for in-belt conveyor idler condition monitoring. A sensor is mechanically coupled to a conveyor belt and senses a characteristic of a support structure associated with the conveyor belt. The sensor wirelessly transmits a corresponding signal to a monitor system. The monitor system determines a condition of the support structure based upon the transmitted signal.The support structure may be one of a plurality of support structures and characteristics of each of the support structures may be sensed, associated with identifiers for the support structures, and transmitted to the monitor system. The support structure may include a plurality of elements and a characteristic of each element may be sensed and transmitted by one of a corresponding plurality of sensors.
US07673734B2
A positioning element for positioning advancing food products includes an engaging member with a contact side for engaging on the products for positioning, and a displacing assembly connecting to the engaging member for intermittently displacing the engaging member in a direction which encloses an angle with the contact side of the engaging member. The engaging member of the positioning element is also provided with at least two engaging sides remote from each other to exert a positioning effect in two directions. Also disclosed is a method for positioning food products.
US07673728B2
Rotational driving force can be transferred to the follower side (clutch plate) of a friction clutch by adjusting the engagement condition of the clutch so that a first gear and a second gear of a dog-clutch-type transmission can rotate relative to each other. At the time of shift change during stop of the vehicle, the clutch can be further connected at a low speed after connection of the clutch until it reaches a reference clutch position.
US07673723B2
A brake caliper assembly includes a caliper body connected to a torque plate via a mating protrusion and cavity that transfer torque through facing abutment surfaces to reduce twisting of the caliper. The mating protrusion and cavity provide a stiff connection and also allow use of a smaller, lighter connecting bolt. This arrangement eases removal and reinstallation of the caliper.
US07673719B2
The invention is a combination drive and suspension system that includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly pivotally connected. The pivoting drive system provides improved ground clearance for a farm vehicle capable of carrying a large quantity of field application material.
US07673702B2
An impact mechanism includes a shaft, a hammer and an anvil coupled to the hammer. The shaft has a first helical groove and the hammer has a second helical groove. A ball is received in the first and second helical grooves to rotationally couple the hammer to the shaft and permit axial travel of the hammer relative to the shaft. An axial stop inhibits axial travel of the hammer along a first travel path and permits axial travel of the hammer along a second travel path. The axial stop includes first and second stop members, the first and second stop members having a first relative position to inhibit axial travel of the hammer and a second relative position to permit axial travel of the hammer.
US07673699B2
The sway restrictor includes a bracket attachable between the draft link or arm and an adjacent upwardly and downwardly extending structural element of a work machine, and is operable for substantially restricting or preventing relative sideward movement therebetween, particularly swaying of the hitch, while allowing relative upward and downward movements thereof, including tilting movements.
US07673695B2
A dry/deluge valve for an automatic sprinkler system. The valve includes a main chamber having an input port for receiving fluid from a supply line and an output port. A clapper assembly is installed in the main chamber for sealing the input port. The clapper assembly includes a threaded valve seat configured to be screwed into a wall of the main chamber, so as to be in communication with the input port. The assembly further includes a collar configured to receive the valve seat, wherein the collar is held in position by the valve seat. A clapper configured to seal the input port, in cooperation with the valve seat, is hinged to the collar, and a lever also is hinged to the collar and is movable between a first position in which the clapper is held closed by the lever and a second position in which the clapper is allowed to open. The dry pipe/deluge valve further includes a sensing chamber having components responsive to a control pressure of the sensing chamber, the components being in communication with the lever to move the lever between the first position and the second position.
US07673692B2
The present invention relates to a seal element for a wellbore which includes a support member, a bag positioned on the support member and a eutectic material positionable in the bag. The bag may be axially compressed and axially extended along the support member thereby permitting sealing and unsealing of an annulus in a wellbore. The eutectic material may be a phase changing salt.
US07673685B2
A method for increasing oil recovery from an oil reservoir in which method surplus gas streams from a plant for synthesis of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas is injected into the reservoir, is described. The surplus streams from the plant is the tailgas from the synthesis and optionally nitrogen from an air separation unit which delivers oxygen or oxygen enriched air to the plant for synthesis of higher hydrocarbons.
US07673669B2
To manufacture a casting core, one or more recesses are formed in at least one face of metallic sheetstock. After the forming, a piece is cut from the metallic sheetstock. The piece is deformed to a non-flat configuration.
US07673667B2
A motorized window covering has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. When the motor is energized to move a window covering, a pulse detector counts the motor current pulses to determine the position of the window covering. A user can save a motor current pulse count corresponding to a desired position and then return the desired position from a different position by simply pressing a button on a remote control unit. Further, inaccuracies caused by motor current pulses that were not counted by the pulse detector, e.g., at start up, at shut down, or during coast down, are minimized by error correction logic.
US07673665B2
A window covering comprises a flexible panel having a top edge and a bottom edge. At least one lift cord is provided for raising and lowering the bottom edge. Each lift cord is connected to one end of a stiffener at a first point and the opposite end of the stiffener is connected to approximately the bottom edge of the flexible panel. The stiffener prevents the folding of the flexible panel between the bottom edge and the first point. The top edge may be connected to a head rail and the bottom edge may be connected to a bottom rail. A motor may be located adjacent the top rail where the lift cord is connected to the motor.
US07673664B2
This invention provides a sticking tool capable of sticking a sticking matter to a sticking target position easily and accurately and executing the sticking operation smoothly. This sticking tool includes a casing body 2, a sticking tool main body 3 which is moved in the direction of being projected from and submerged into the casing body 2 by a pressing force F1 applied at the time of sticking operation so as to stick a patch P to the peripheral portion Xb of a punch hole Xa and an alignment portion 7 for determining a relative position of the sticking tool main body 3 to the punch hole Xa and the alignment portion 7 is so constructed to be capable of moving between an overlapping position (Q) which substantially overlaps the peripheral portion Xb of the punch hole Xa and a retraction position (R) not interfering with the sticking tool main body 3 and paper X.
US07673658B1
An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks and tankers provides an injection-molded reservoir and an injection-molded cover attached to the reservoir by hinges. Reinforcing ribs molded into the reservoir provide strength and ruggedness without the need for reinforcing steel collars and saddles. Gussets molded into the reservoir hinge brackets ensure repeated stresses produced by energetic opening of the cover does not result in failure of the hinge brackets. An optional load line mounting assembly permits secure mounting of the load line container directly onto the load line. An optional cleanout assembly provides a valved suction line for removing retained spillage, and an optional sampling assembly provides a valved sample line for sampling the liquid being transferred.
US07673648B1
An air gap apparatus comprising a deodorizer agent positioned within the apparatus. The deodorizer agent may be any combination of a liquid, solid, granules or paste placed on or in a vent cap, an upper housing or upper housing cap of the air gap or receptacle thereon, a plugged inlet or inlet port extension extending from the air gap body, an under-mount nut or spacer installed on the air gap body, or an impregnation of or coating on any of the components thereof. With such an air gap installed for use, odors associated with bacterial growth within the air gap and discharged air passing through and out of the air gap are removed, disguised, offset or otherwise reduced or eliminated.
US07673646B1
A fluid-collection pan configured for supporting a unit or system responsible for fluid damage risk to its surroundings. Multiple large egg-shaped supports upwardly extend from the pan's bottom surface and are integrated with it. They also each have an arcuate top surface that is transformed into an elliptical base as it meets the pan's bottom surface. Each support also has an upwardly-tapering protrusion with a convexly-shaped top edge that extends centrally from one of the longer sides of the elliptical base toward the support's top surface. The protrusion and the narrow sides of the elliptical base form a substantially triangular shape, which broadens the weight distribution of the supported fluid-causing unit across the pan's bottom surface. The top surface of each support also has a central indentation configured for receipt of a vibration isolator that provides contact with the supported unit. Optional stress-transmitting ribs may extend between adjacent egg-shaped supports.
US07673645B2
The multiple antisymmetric optimal (MAO) control algorithm is disclosed for a gas delivery system including a flow ratio controller for dividing a single mass flow into multiple flow lines. In the MAO control algorithm, each flow line is provided with a flow sensor and a valve actively controlled by a SISO feedback controller combined with a linear saturator to achieve the targeted flow ratio set point. For optimal control performance, these SISO controller and linear saturators are substantial identical. It is proved that each valve control command is multiple antisymmetric to the summation of all other valve control commands. Therefore, the MAO control algorithm guarantees that there exists at least one valve at the allowable maximum open position at any moment, which achieves the optimal solution in terms of the maximum total valve conductance for a given set of flow ratio set points.
US07673637B2
A photomask cleaner includes a clamp assembly using clamping plates with an elastic buffer device for clamping a photomask to be cleaned positively, a displacement mechanism for moving the clamp assembly among workstations subject to a predetermined track, a cleaning unit installed in one workstation for cleaning the photomask carried by the clamp assembly, and an air dryer installed in one workstation for drying the well-cleaned photomask carried.
US07673628B1
A guard for protecting a cook or chef from burn injury from accidentally touching a hot oven rack comprising a sleeve of material mounted on the front rail of a metal oven rack. The sleeve is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is lower than than the thermal conductivity of the metal oven rack, so that when the guard is accidentally touched, insufficient thermal energy is transferred to an oven user to cause a burn, allowing the oven user to withdraw from the sleeve before injury can result. Preferably, the material forming the sleeve is heat resistant and has a lower thermal mass and thermal conductivity than the metal oven rack.
US07673627B2
The present invention discloses a device and method for wireless communication between a paintball marker or gun and it's associated paintball loading device. This wireless communication, whether bidirectional or unidirectional, allows for the transmission of “load” commands and various other useful information between the paintball marker and the paintball feeding device. When the “load” command, which is much more responsive than the “passive” communication found in the prior art, is wirelessly received by the paintball feeding device, the paintball feeding device loads a singular or plurality of paintballs into the paintball marker of appropriate conduit.
US07673619B2
A gas vapor control system may include a canister for capturing gas vapor that is generated from a fuel, a throttle valve that is disposed substantially in the middle of an intake passage through which air flows into a cylinder of the engine, a gas passage that communicates from the canister to one side downstream of the throttle valve, a purge control valve that is disposed on the gas passage, and a control portion that stops an engine in an idle state and controls a real fuel injection amount that is to be injected while restarting the engine according to a first fuel amount that is included in gas vapor that is discharged into the intake passage.
US07673616B2
Systems and methods are described, including one example method of controlling an engine having a cylinder with at least one valve operated by a variable valve mechanism (VVM) having a sensor coupled to the valve, the method comprising: adjusting at least one operating parameter in response to an indication of detonation of a combustible mixture in the cylinder, the indication based on the sensor coupled to the valve.
US07673615B2
An engine ECU executes: calculating 15-degrees integrated value integrating vibration intensity for each of six crank angle ranges; detecting an amount of change in the 15-degrees integrated value between ignition cycles; specifying two ranges having larger amounts of change; specifying a crank angle having intensity larger than that of a neighboring crank angle in a search range determined to be the same as the specified ranges; calculating a coefficient of correlation K corresponding to a difference between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model while the specified crank angle is matched with a timing at which intensity peaks in the knock waveform model; and, if the coefficient of correlation K is larger than a threshold value K(0), determining that knock has occurred.
US07673608B2
A method for controlling an engine including at least a first cylinder having a first piston and a second cylinder having a second piston, at least one of said first and second cylinders having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation: closing electrically actuated valves in at least the first and the second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount based on a position of the first piston and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount based on a position of the second piston; performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and applying a starter motor to assist engine starting rotation; after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.
US07673599B2
A valve timing control device includes: a unit for calculating a target valve timing for one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve in accordance with an operational state; a unit for detecting an actual valve timing of one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve; an actual valve timing control unit for generating a controlled variable for the VVT based on a difference between the target valve timing and the actual valve timing; a unit for learning a learning value of the controlled variable required for maintenance of the actual valve timing based on an integral correction value; and a unit for detecting a malfunction in a VVT from an amount of a shift in the actual valve timing when learning is not completed yet, and for detecting a malfunction in the VVT from the difference when learning is already completed.
US07673590B2
A method for operating an engine having at least a first and second cylinder, comprising operating the first cylinder with a spark timing more retarded than a spark timing of a second cylinder; and operating one of said first cylinder and second cylinders with a first number of strokes per cycle different from other cylinders of the engine for at least one combustion cycle, wherein said first cylinder operates with valve timing different from said second cylinder.
US07673587B2
An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.
US07673581B2
A device for the application of at least two liquid to pasty application media to one or both sides of a moving surface, having a curtain applicator for applying the application media. The curtain applicator discharges the application media onto the moving surface as curtains moving substantially under the force of gravity, and the moving surface being one of a surface of a material web and a surface of a transfer element, which transfers the application media to the surface of the material web. The device includes a collecting device for the separate collection of each application medium. The collecting device being positionable between the curtain applicator and the material web. The curtain applicator and the collecting device being movable relative to each other.
US07673580B2
An apparatus for coating a polyimide layer includes a print table for receiving a substrate thereon, an inkjet head positioned over the print table and having a jetting surface with a plurality of nozzles for jetting polyimide liquid onto the substrate, and a polyimide liquid supply tank for supplying polyimide liquid, and a wiper movable from one side of the jetting surface to an other side of the jetting surface while the wiper contacts the jetting surface of the inkjet head.
US07673579B2
A movable pointer is mounted for pivoting movement on a traffic cone to reliably and safely direct traffic in a desired traffic flow-direction.
US07673574B2
The subject matter of the present invention is a method for joining at least two portions or sections of clothing or covering materials in the form of pieces of flexible skins, the materials of the two pieces of skin having a similar or different thickness and/or rigidity or folding stiffness, the join being formed between and along two edges folded opposite one another and in contact end to end of said pieces of skin, so as to form a joining line.
US07673568B2
A train is connected to provide wired distribution power (WDP) using at least one standard locomotive consist. The train includes a first locomotive separated from a second locomotive by a plurality of cars; and a communication train line connected to the locomotive and cars and extending through the train. Each of the locomotives has a propulsion system, a propulsion controller to control the propulsion system in response to one of operator propulsion signal and multi-unit (MU) propulsion signal, and a MU communication line and connector for communicating control signals, including the MU propulsion signal, with an adjacent locomotive. At least the first locomotive is connected to the communication train line of an adjacent car by the multi-unit connector of the first locomotive to one of receive and transmit the MU propulsion signals via the communication train line.
US07673564B2
A lined tray may be made by printing on a film an ink comprising from about 15 to about 50 weight percent binder resin selected from ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamide polymers, polystyrene polymers, and acrylic polymers. The printed film is laminated to a tray substrate to form a lined tray substrate, so that the outermost ink surface of the printed film is directly adhered to the tray substrate. The lined tray may be formed into a tray.
US07673560B2
A brewing apparatus for a coffee machine, in particular for domestic use, comprises a housing (10) which encloses a brewing chamber (19) and has a nozzle assembly (8, 9, 11) arranged on one side and a base (12) with an outflow (40) for the brewed fluid arranged on an opposite side, a sealing element (20) being provided between the nozzle assembly (8, 9, 11) and housing (10). According to the invention, the sealing element (20) is retained on the nozzle assembly (8, 9, 11) such that it can be moved in the direction of the housing (10) and of the brewing chamber (19). Sealing can thus take place straightforwardly and, in addition, it is possible to configure the volume of the brewing chamber (19) in a variable manner via the sealing element (20).
US07673558B2
An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine. The insert comprises, or is adapted to contain in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients in a brewing volume. A lower surface of the insert comprises an inlet and an outlet arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head of the beverage preparation machine when the insert is inserted into the machine such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head. The lower surface of the insert further comprises a RFID or barcode which, in use, is readable by a RFID or barcode reader of the beverage preparation machine for controlling operation of the beverage preparation machine, wherein the barcode or RFID is located on the lower surface of the insert such that a line joining the outlet of the insert to a center of the barcode or RFID and a line joining the outlet of the insert to the inlet of the insert separated by a minimum angular separation of greater than 70 degrees.
US07673539B2
An arrangement and method for removing a shaft from a gearbox housing without having to totally disassemble the housing. The gear box has an aperture in the housing. The aperture is used to gain access to the retaining ring that locks the shaft within the housing. Once the retaining ring is removed, the shaft may then slide out of the housing. A plug member is used to cover the aperture when it is not necessary to remove the shaft.
US07673536B2
An industrial robot (10) comprising three power transmission units (21, 22, 23) arranged concentrically and three drive means for driving the three power transmission units, respectively, is disclosed. The drive means for at least one of the three power transmission units includes two motors (31, 34). Also, all of the three power transmission units and the three drive means are desirably built into the base (15) of the industrial robot. This configuration makes it possible to have high-duty operation with a comparatively compact structure.
US07673529B2
A method for processing a detection signal of a vibratory inertial force sensor is disclosed. This method improves detection accuracy of the vibratory inertial force sensor. A detection circuit of the vibratory inertial force sensor removes harmonic component from signals synchronously wave-detected, and amplifies the resultant signals, and then smoothes the amplified signals. A vibratory inertial force sensor adopting this method is also disclosed.
US07673528B2
Sensor systems, methods of making sensor modules and circuit modules, and methods of making expanded sensor systems including the sensor modules and circuit modules. A sensor module can include a flexible substrate, internal conductor lines, edge conductor lines for module interconnection, and sensors integrated thereon. One sensor module includes an array of interconnected capacitive pressure tactile sensors (taxels), being row addressable from address lines and readable through data lines. The sensor modules can be bonded to each other to form a larger array of sensors. One bonding method utilizes anisotropic conductive paste (ACP). The sensor system provided can be flexible and easy to expand to cover large areas. By using various sensor modules, the sensor system can be used for various applications. Readout modules can be coupled to the exterior edges to read all the individual sensors. Applications include robotic skin and wearable sensor fabrics.
US07673527B2
The invention relates to a flow cell for an ultrasonic flow meter comprising two transducers of ultrasonic waves wherein the two transducers are reversibly detachable from the flow cell. The flow cell with the transducers detached is sterilisable and is particularly suitable for use in disposable or single-use systems.
US07673509B2
The internal movement of one embodiment of a sealed fuel level sender employs two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about a pivot. The actuator that is operated by in-tank fuel level has two magnets disposed diametrically opposite each other about the axis with one pole of each magnet of the actuator confronting an opposite pole of a respective magnet of the movement to provide the magnetic coupling for causing the movement to follow the fuel level while minimizing, and preferably substantially eliminating, cross thrust on the pivot. Pole pieces may be associated with the magnets in a further embodiment. Still another embodiment employs magnets to only one side of the pivot, but with pole pieces that reduce cross thrust.
US07673507B2
An apparatus for predicting a downhole viscosity of a treating fluid has an energizer and a viscometer. The treating fluid has a gel. The energizer is capable of energizing a sample of the gel. The viscometer is capable of measuring a viscosity of the energized sample. The viscosity of the sample is predictive downhole viscosity of the treating fluid. The predicted downhole viscosity may be used to improve downhole viscosity. After the downhole viscosity is predicted, a concentration modification fluid can be added to cause the predicted viscosity to approach a desired viscosity.
US07673505B2
In one embodiment, a method comprises sampling a sensor during rotation, determining a percentage of samples within a target range, and calculating a circumferential portion of the rotation associated with the percentage of samples. In other embodiments, additional systems and methods and disclosed.
US07673504B2
An apparatus and method derives a deformation amount of a contact-portion of the tire based on the tire information, the contact-portion being in contact with the ground, and calculates an evaluation value based on the derived deformation amount, and comparing the calculated evaluation value with a reference value to determine whether or not the internal mechanical failure has occurred in the tire.
US07673503B2
A method for estimating exhaust temperature on an output of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the cylinder including a crankshaft transforming into a rotation a translational movement of a piston mounted sliding in the cylinder, the piston closing a combustion chamber of the cylinder. The exhaust temperature is estimated based on the temperature inside the cylinder at a time of opening of the valve, the temperature inside the cylinder being itself estimated from an angle of rotation of the crankshaft, cylinder pressure, volume of air injected into the cylinder, and flow rate of recycled gases. A method diagnoses a cylinder pressure sensor based on an estimate of the exhaust temperature.
US07673494B2
A device for testing at least one pressure sensor, by applying a pressure signal, the device testing the operativeness of the pressure sensor as a function of the pressure signal. In addition, it is provided that the device tests the tightness of the pressure sensor as a function of the pressure signal.
US07673491B2
A method of making an easy open end for a container includes steps of providing a can end blank having an end panel and forming the can end blank in a series of forming operations that are performed with specialized and unique tooling. The can end is preferably shaped during the forming operations so that a major portion of the end panel is curved. Specifically, the curvature is preferably such that a top surface of the major portion is generally concave and a bottom surface of the major portion is generally convex. The end panel is also preferably shaped and constructed so that the curved major portion will invert in shape upon the application of a sufficient predetermined pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces. A method of testing a fill level of a sealed container is performed in reliance on this “cricketing” or “oil canning” effect.
US07673485B2
Hot press forming of a steel material is made possible by coating the surface of the steel material with a plated layer of zinc or a zinc alloy and forming thereon a barrier layer which prevents the vaporization of zinc even when heated to 700-1000° C. Corrosion resistance can also be guaranteed without requiring post treatment, and hot press forming of high tensile steel sheet and stainless steel sheet is made possible. The barrier layer is formed by forming an upper plated layer, by surface oxidation, by contact with an oxidizing agent, by contact with Zn and an oxidizing agent, by anodic electrolysis, by cathodic electrolysis, or by coating with a ZnO sol.
US07673472B2
A refrigerator door having a dispenser is disclosed. The refrigerator door includes an outer case forming a front appearance of the refrigerator door, an inner case forming a rear appearance of the refrigerator door, and an insulation layer disposed between the outer case and the inner case. First and second mounting frames are installed at both side ends of the refrigerator door and have first and second mounting slots longitudinally formed in the first and second mounting frames in opposition to each other. The dispenser is detachably coupled to a front surface of the outer case and includes a housing, which forms an external appearance of the dispenser and is formed with a recess section. An external plate section is coupled to the front surface of the outer case except for an area in which the dispenser is installed, forming an external appearance of the refrigerator door.
US07673467B2
A refrigerated display merchandiser in which is stored food products and which is ordinarily exposed to prevailing ambient light is provided with transparent sheets which function as filter media to prevent harmful light from reaching the foods stuffs. The filtering media comprises a transparent sheet affixed to the display merchandiser as well as about any fluorescent lighting disposed within the merchandiser. The transparent sheet is either clear (untinted), or tinted, and passes either red or blue light or alternatively, absorbs ultraviolet light including both UV-A light and UV-B light.
US07673463B2
A refrigerator includes a housing defining at least one chamber and a condenser system in which a refrigerant flows. The condenser system includes a condenser, a switching device, and a hot gas loop in flow communication with one another. The condenser system is configured to be in heat transfer relation with the chamber and the switching device is configured to allow the refrigerant to bypass the hot gas loop when a thermal demand of the refrigerator is met.
US07673449B2
A torque converter in which the inner turbine output diameter or the inner pump input diameter is smaller than the inner stator passage diameter.
US07673447B2
The present invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, with an exhaust line in which an oxidation catalyst is provided for treatment of the exhaust gases coming from the internal combustion engine. To be able to heat the oxidation catalyst more rapidly in a cold start of the internal combustion engine, a pre-oxidation unit may be provided in the exhaust line upstream from the oxidation catalyst and connected to a secondary fuel supply and adapted so that it partially oxidizes the secondary fuel supplied in combination with an oxidizer in a catalyst heating operation and the partially oxidized intermediate products are supplied to the oxidation catalyst for complete oxidation.
US07673446B2
An exhaust emission control system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust emission control system has a first passageway and a second passageway disposed to receive exhaust in parallel. The exhaust emission control system also has a valve arrangement configured to regulate the flow of exhaust to the first and second passageways, and at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a constituent of the exhaust. The at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to the sensed parameter. The exhaust emission control system also has a controller in communication with the valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to affect operation of the valve in response to the signal.
US07673444B2
An exhaust gas purification apparatus includes an NOx reduction catalytic converter disposed in an engine exhaust passage to reductively purify NOx in exhaust gas using ammonia or its precursor as a reducing agent, a first concentration sensor which detects an ammonia concentration in an exhaust gas moving on a downstream side of the NOx reduction catalytic converter, and a control unit which incorporates therein a computer. The control unit conducts calculation to estimate an ammonia concentration in the exhaust gas moving on the downstream side of the NOx reduction catalytic converter, and when a difference between the ammonia concentration detected by the first concentration sensor and the estimated ammonia concentration by the calculation becomes larger than a first predetermined value, determines that the NOx reduction catalytic converter is deteriorated.
US07673437B2
A reclosable package having a slider-operated zipper wherein the contents of the package are accessed through the front wall of the package, not through the top of the package. The reclosable package comprises: a bag body comprising front and rear walls of bag making material; a flexible zipper joined to the front wall and not joined to the rear wall; and a slider mounted to the zipper, the slider being movable in a first direction along the zipper for opening the zipper and movable in a second direction along the zipper for closing the zipper. Alternatively, the flexible zipper is joined to the front wall along first and second zones of joinder disposed at different heights on the front wall, and is joined to the rear wall only in zones of joinder where the zipper is joined to both of the front and rear walls.
US07673435B2
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. The bottle plate support tables each have removable and replaceable top plate portions to permit replacement of worn friction linings, or to permit the bottle plate support table to handle bottles or containers of different dimensions or shapes.
US07673431B2
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07673428B1
A boxable drywall corner trim that can include an elongated semi-rigid member that forms a pair of flanges joined at a grooved hinge along a centerline. Each of the flanges can have a thinner part and a thicker part joined at a step that is approximately parallel to the centerline a predetermined distance from the centerline. The thicker part of the flanges can form a protruding nose member that makes the piece boxable by preventing the cross-over of wet drywall mastic or mud from one flange to the other. The thinner portion of the flange may optionally be perforated with a pattern of punched holes of any configuration throughout the flange assembly. The piece can have a wall-facing paper or other fibrous layer of material that has a tacky adhesive on its wall-facing side. The adhesive can be in a pattern of dots, ridges, lines or any other pattern, or the adhesive can be continuously coated on the surface. This tacky adhesive allows the piece to be applied to the corner, moved, removed and re-applied if necessary.
US07673427B2
A clamp for use with metal bar joists (or beams) has one or more steel angled bracket members or plates, adapted to fit under the corrugations of a corrugated steel roof. Each plate of the clamp is adapted to sit horizontally across a top of the bar joist perpendicular to the joist, and extend slightly over an edge of the joist. Each plate contains an elongate slot allowing a bolt to be inserted through the slot. A retainer heel clip is secured to an end of each such bolt. This retainer heel clip is tightened to the underside of the top flange of the bar joist using a washer and a threaded plate or nut, thus providing a clamping action. Each clamp has a vertical attachment tongue section of steel welded to it, including one or more elongate slots which complement perforations that occur along the length of a steel framing angle, allowing bolts to attach the clamp and the framing angle together. A pair of the clamps may be used to secure a pair of support angles for supporting a rod for hanging objects at desired locations within a roof support structure.
US07673414B1
A method of fishing that employs a fishing loop as the terminal tackle article that holds bait and interoperates with fish attractants. The fishing loop opens a gap urged by pressure between a gradual bend top and a loop closing extension to receive bait and allow fish flesh to pass. The gap closes after pressure is released holding the bait or engaged fish. The fishing loop has an elongated lever eye for securing fishing line. The lever eye also serves to help the loop stay closed under pressure from swimming fish. The fishing loop can be shaped from a single section of wire or rod; or, the loop closing extension can be a separate flexible material when rigidity in the fish engaging portion is desired. The fishing loop can be used with natural or penetrable artificial bait. A jig head slug or lure body with an opening sized to accommodate the fishing loop can also be used as a fish attractant in place of natural or penetrable artificial bait; wherein the structure of the opening is compatible with the fishing loop allowing it to operate effectively.
US07673413B2
A method for upgrading a non-recoil suppressing (NRS) stock to a special operations (Spec Ops) stock with full recoil suppression. The new parts are the slide member and lever that has a cam member mounted on its upper end and an extension spring attached to its bottom end. A locking pin is removed from the stationary slide member and two retainer pins are inserted from the sides into the new slide member to facilitate spring action. This structure functions in the same manner as the recoil reduction structure illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,195. A replacement sleeve has a rib member extending downwardly from its bottom surface. Replacement sleeve and extension spring are assembled in a tubular member to form a second recoil reduction assembly. This recoil reduction structure functions in the same manner as the structure illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,466.
US07673405B2
An electric steam iron includes a water tank, a bottom plate, a heating device which is used to heat the bottom plate, a steam generator having a boiling chamber, a heating device to heat the boiling chamber and a temperature controller, with the inlet of the boiling chamber being in fluid communication with the water tank and the outlet of the boiling chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet opening of the bottom plate. The heating devices of the bottom plate and the steam generator are connected in series with their respective heating circuit, so that there is sole control of the steam generator, such that when using the iron again, it can spray steam directly without warming up the steam generator, thereby eliminating the warming up time of the steam generator and greatly speeding up boiling of the water.
US07673375B2
A method of fabricating a polymer-based capacitive ultrasonic transducer, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a first conductor on the substrate; (c) coating a sacrificial layer on the substrate while covering the first conductor by the same; (d) etching the sacrificial layer for forming an island while maintaining the island to contact with the first conductor; (e) coating a first polymer-based material on the substrate while covering the island by the same; (f) forming a second conductor on the first polymer-based material; (g) forming a via hole on the first polymer-based material while enabling the via hole to be channeled to the island; and (h) utilizing the via hole to etch and remove the island for forming a cavity.
US07673371B1
A vacuum broom apparatus for removing particulate debris from surfaces such as those of floors includes a housing which has an upper wall from which protrudes a vacuum inlet tube connectable to a vacuum power source. The housing includes a shroud which protrudes downwardly from the upper wall and peripherally surrounds a broom which protrudes downwardly within the shroud through a bottom opening thereof. One or more vacuum nozzles which communicate with the vacuum inlet tube are positioned adjacent to the broom. Optionally, a front wall of the shroud is elastically flexible to thereby effect an air dam between a lower edge of the front wall and a floor surface against which it may be pressed. Also, the broom may take the form of a block which at least partly encloses a lower entrance opening of the shroud, the block having a lower surface from which bristles protrude downwardly, and a plurality of vacuum passageways interspersed within the bristles and which have lower debris entrance openings in the lower surface of the block, and upper debris exit openings through an upper surface of the block which communicates with a negative pressure region of an interior region of the shroud.
US07673364B2
An improved combination garbage disposal safety poker and scraper for scraping waste from eating ware and sinks and pushing such materials into the disposal unit so that such wastes are close as possible to the blades of the disposal. The safety poker/scraper has interchangeable tops which may consist of a cup-shaped drain and handle, an elastomeric cap and handle or simply an enlarged handle. The scraper portion is detachable and can be replaced when worn. The scraper portion is curved so that it can fit more easily into the garbage disposal unit.
US07673360B2
An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
US07673354B2
A resting method and apparatus for a young child. The young child can be either a newborn, infant, or toddler. The resting apparatus will attach to a cushion such as a mattress, or other back supporting device which is generally associated with a crib or other child's sleeping environmental structure. The resting apparatus has a base sheet or cover which attaches to the cushion. On top of the base cover is attached a pouch section. The pouch section is sized to allow the child to fit comfortably within the interior of the pouch from the child's neck to the child's feet. The pouch fits securely against the outer surface area of the child. The child is laid on its back within the pouch. The arms and legs are held in longitudinal alignment within the pouch. The pouch is designed to restrain the child from overturning from its back position to a front facing position.
US07676835B2
A content management system integrated with a web caching proxy that delivers content according to access control rules. An access control token is generated using a secret key when a user selects a desired object (to be provided only upon token validation, thus the object retrieval and delivery task can be delegated). However, tokens for other content and/or for other users could be generated by a rogue resource manager. If the desired object is already cached, the proxy asks the resource manager to validate the token and then selectively provides the desired object without contacting a library server. Alternately, the proxy itself performs the token validation, but must coordinate with the library server to ensure it has the latest secret key. Finally, the tokens may contain digital signatures generated with a private key and validated with a corresponding public key, so that private keys need not be distributed.
US07676826B2
In a cable network providing, among others, interactive video services, data cells carrying real-time data concerning, e.g., trick mode commands (pause, rewind and fast-forward) initiated by a user are instantly transmitted to a headend facility for immediate processing. The invention is premised upon a recognition that such real-time data typically does not fully utilize the transport capacity of the data cells. In accordance with the invention, non-real-time (NRT) data to be transmitted to the headend facility, although accorded a lower priority than the real-time data, is inserted into those underutilized data cells before their transmission, thereby fully exploiting the transport capacity of the data cells.
US07676824B2
Processing signals from a remote control device within a home audiovisual network comprising a plurality of nodes for interconnecting a plurality of terminals, wherein, within the network, at least two types of remote-control signals are used, including first type remote-control signals specific to the nodes and sent by at least one first remote control device associated with the nodes, and second type remote-control signals specific to the terminals and sent by at least one second remote control device associated with at least one of said terminals. Each node of the network, called a local node, when receiving a first remote-control signal, performs analysis of the type of the received first remote-control signal, if the type of the received first remote-control signal is determined to be one of the first type remote-control signals, processing the signal and performing at least one function in response to the received first remote-control signal, if the type of the received first remote-control signal is determined to be one of the second type remote-control signals, transparently sending said received second type remote-control signal to a target node if the target node, to which a target terminal is connected, has been determined beforehand, said target terminal being connected with said target node, through at least one predetermined link between the target node and the target terminal, and if no target node has been determined beforehand, ignoring said received second type remote-control signal.
US07676820B2
An apparatus for playing video content includes a play means (100) for playing video content. The video content includes overlapping scenes (621, 622, 641, 642, 661, 662, 681, 682), with each scene having an associated scene signature. A scene hopping selector (44) is operative while the play means (100) is playing video content for selecting a hop. The selecting defines a current scene (102) which the play means (100) is playing at a time of the selection, and a current scene signature corresponding to the current scene (102). A similar scene hopping processor (104) operates responsive to a defining of a current scene (102). The similar scene hopping processor (104) compares the current scene signature with other scene signatures of the video content to identify a similar scene (106). The similar scene hopping processor (104) causes the play means (100) to transfer the playing to the similar scene (106).
US07676815B2
A command line utility is described that overlays the management infrastructure of an enterprise to provide easier command options for administrators to effectively manage the enterprise. The primary intent of the command line utility is to facilitate management of the environment without requiring administrators to write scripts or navigate a vast schematized enterprise exposed through the management infrastructure. The command line utility provides command options through class aliases that enable the mapping of management queries and operations to a common term or friendly name that can be extended both in an alias file or at run time in the command line.
US07676813B2
In a method for accessing resources provided by an operating system, a request for a resource is received by an application program executing inside a first environment. A first identifier associated with the resource is acquired. A second identifier referring to the requested resource and to a launch environment on which to launch the resource is determined. The request for the resource is redirected to the identified instance of the resource, responsive to the second identifier. The request for the resource is responded to using the instance of the resource located inside an environment on which the resource resides.
US07676810B2
A system and method for identification of the execution context of a thread is disclosed. Under an embodiment of the invention, a method comprises associating a program object with a program thread; storing information concerning the program thread in the program object; and retrieving the information concerning the program thread upon request.
US07676808B2
A system and method for scheduling threads in a Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) processor environment utilizing multiple SMT processors is provided. Poor performing threads that are being run on each of the SMT processors are identified. After being identified, the poor performing threads are moved to a different SMT processor. Data is captured regarding the performance of threads. In one embodiment, this data includes each threads' CPI value. When a thread is moved, data regarding the thread and its performance at the time it was moved is recorded along with a timestamp. The data regarding previous moves is used to determine whether a thread's performance is improved following the move.
US07676806B2
Techniques for deploying, maintaining and configuring complex hardware and software systems are provided. An abstract configuration of the system describes the system's desired state. Each component of the system declares the general form of the resources it requires and an abstract representation of the versions of the services it both requires and provides. A configuration process uses the abstract configuration of the system and the descriptions of each of the components in the system to validate that the system can operate effectively, ensures that each component is in the correct state and at the right version, and generates the necessary interconnections for the application components to interoperate with each other.
US07676802B2
A method for facilitating the downloading of an application from a server computer to a client device, whereby the client device generates to the server computer an initiation request for information describing available applications. In response to receipt of the initiation request, the server computer retrieves, for each available application, information describing the respective application, and a link to an application descriptor for the respective application. The server computer transmits the information and link to the client device, which in turn displays the information and stores the link. When the user selects an application, the link for the selected application is recalled and is reached on the server computer for retrieval of the application descriptor. From the application descriptor, the client device may determine whether the application fits the device profile and, hence, whether to download the application.
US07676801B1
In computer systems including memory which execute programs of instructions, vtables associated with objects contain pointers which invoke operations to be performed by the program which are related to the objects. The operation invoked may include the step of modifying the pointer such that upon a subsequent reference to the vtable a different operation is invoked. In one embodiment, such vtables are utilized in conjunction with garbage collection methodologies such as those that invoke the train algorithm, such that operations such as reference processing, insertion and scanning during garbage collection may be invoked by pointers in vtables associated with cars or objects in the cars, and the vtables may invoke differing versions of the said operations depending on the characteristics and past history of the car or object, and upon an operation being executed the operation may change the pointer so that a different version of the operation is performed upon a subsequent reference to the vtable associated with the car or object.
US07676799B1
A method for optimizing executable code includes identifying a plurality of instructions in the executable code matching a predetermined instruction pattern, assessing whether the binary number conforms to a predetermined bit pattern, and transforming the plurality of instructions into transformed instructions when the binary number conforms to the bit pattern.
US07676794B2
To efficiently decide input data of an API to be executed and indicate a candidate for an API to be executed, a tool for testing a scenario which sequentially executes a plurality of APIs includes an API test control unit that stores, with the execution of the API, sequence data indicating an execution sequence of the APIs and input and output data in a test information database via an API sequence registering unit. Association data indicating association of input and output data between the APIs is also stored in the test information database via an association registering unit. Responsively, the API test control unit displays a candidate API list indicating one or more candidates for an API to be executed next based on the sequence data, and decides the input data of the API to be executed next based on the association data.
US07676793B2
This software invention requires that information be saved with each object that is placed in a source control system. This information includes the name, type, status, version number, and references to parent objects. When the object is checked-out, this information is used to determine the legality of checking-out any dependent objects. A method is used to generate the information that is saved and another method is used to determine which objects need to be checked-out. The dependent objects that need to be checked-out are then automatically checked-out.
US07676791B2
The present invention adds support for concurrency to a mainstream object-oriented language. Language extensions are provided that can enable programs to be developed that can either be run in one address space, distributed across several process on a single computer, or distributed across a local-area or wide-area network, without recoding the program. Central to this aspect is the notion of a service, which can execute its own algorithmic (logical) thread. Services do not share memory or synchronize using explicit synchronization primitives. Rather, both data sharing and synchronization is accomplished via message-passing, e.g., a set of explicitly declared messages are sent between services. Messages can contain data that is shared, and the pattern of message exchange provide the necessary synchronization.
US07676788B1
A method is described comprising: scheduling jobs for a program build to execute in parallel across a plurality of nodes; predicting the files required to complete each of the jobs; and preloading the files to each node prior to the execution of each job.
US07676786B2
A system and method is provided for generating a software application including a plurality of components, a first set of the components having metadata descriptors expressed in a structured definition language for defining configuration information of the software application and a second set of the components being expressed as a series of scripted instructions coupled to the metadata descriptors for defining a workflow of the software application. The software application is used for facilitating interaction with a schema-defined service by a terminal device over a network. The system and method comprise a workflow extractor for identifying a workflow sequence generated by a modeling tool in an output of the modeling tool. The workflow sequence is associated with at least one of a flow diagram or a relational diagram of the modeling tool for describing interactions between a pair of components of the first set of components. The system and method also include a workflow generator for generating a workflow mechanism based on the identified workflow sequence, the workflow mechanism for associating processing of the metadata descriptors of one component of the pair of components with the other component of the pair of components during execution of the software application. The workflow mechanism can be a component mapping expressed in the metadata descriptors of the first set of components or expressed as the series of scripted instructions.
US07676759B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed which provide a scroll bar for use with a display device. The scroll bar has an index and the data displayed on the display device is presented according to the index. In response to user commands the method and apparatus provide additional nested indexes for the displayed data.
US07676754B2
Resolving an ambiguous input. When an ambiguous user input is received, the user input is displayed, for example, in a way that either the ambiguity is resolved or the ambiguity is indicated to the user by unique and distinctive graphical indications. Then, after waiting either for a time to receive a corrective input from the user or for a predetermined time, the display of the user input is faded.
US07676744B2
Methods and computer programs for automatically creating a text layout in a markup language design for a product to be printed. A number of defined text elements are available for user text. The layout is based on the text elements having user text content. Text elements without text content are disregarded. Positioning of the text elements is determined based on the height of the text elements, defined text element spacing distances, and a defined positioning order. Creating a layout may include positioning design elements relative to the text elements. Font sizes and spacing distances are automatically reduced if necessary to create a suitable layout.
US07676735B2
In a data decoder for decoding data from received symbols received over a channel from an encoder, a method for decoding data wherein the received data includes erasures and includes source symbols and repair symbols organized into one or more source blocks. The decoder uses a generator matrix, any square submatrix of which is invertible, such that the decoder performs decoding operations concurrently with the arrival of the source symbols and repair symbols that are a part of a source block. Novel methods for interleaving and specifying encoding structure for a large class of FEC codes, scheduling the sending of packets and the like, are also applied in conjunction with the method for decoding data.
US07676726B2
A method of stabilizing an identification series of bits by iteratively reading the identification series and logical OR'ing the identification series with a mask string after each read of the identification series. This produces a mask string having a first value in all positions of the mask string where bits in the identification series have never changed value during all of the readings of the identification series, representing stable bits, and a second value in all positions of the mask string where bits in the identification series have changed value during at least one of the readings of the identification series, representing unstable bits. The number of the unstable bits in the mask string having the second value is counted, and a method failure code is selectively reported when the number of unstable bits exceeds a maximum allowable number of unstable bits. An identification string is produced from the stable bits, and an identification code is calculated from the identification string. The identification code does not disclose the identification string, but is able to confirm the accuracy of the identification string and selectively correct a given number of bits within a corrupted identification string. At least one of the identification string, the identification code, and the mask string are stored.
US07676716B2
A method of testing a tristate element by applying a given value to the tristate, applying an opposite value to a keeper element connected at an output of the tristate, capturing a first value at a downstream position of the tristate, evaluating a second value at the output of the tristate using the first value, comparing the second value to the opposite value, and producing a failure code for the tristate when the second value is not equal to the opposite value. Then, applying the opposite value to the tristate, applying the given value to the keeper element, capturing the first value, evaluating the second value using the first value, comparing the second value to the given value, and producing a failure code for the tristate when the second value is not equal to the given value. A passing code for the tristate is produced when a failure code has not been produced.
US07676713B2
An intertwined test specification (ITTS) is used for controlling Automated Test Equipment (ATE) to apply a sequence of stimulus signals to a device under test (DUT) during a stimulus run and to validate returned response signals during a validation run. The ITTS has response validation scripts intertwined with stimulus invoking scripts where the response validation scripts are conditionally executed during the validation run but not during the stimulus invoking run. Response signals are logically associated with unique stimulus identification codes so that appropriate response signals can be matched with corresponding validation scripts even if the response signals are returned out-of-order to the ATE or to a response logging unit interposed between the ATE and the DUT.
US07676712B2
According to the invention, an IP core is clocked during a debugging operation by switching from the clock used for testing the device under test to a clock oscillator or any other free-running clock source.
US07676701B2
A computer readable medium stores a program causing a computer to execute a process for error recovery. The process includes: when an error is detected during transfer of dummy data for maintaining a link, executing device reset to recover from the error, and monitoring whether or not another error occurs during an error monitoring period starting from the device reset; when the other error occurs during the error monitoring period, executing the device reset to recover from the other error, monitoring whether or not still another error occurs during the error monitoring period starting from the device reset; counting number of the successive error monitoring periods in each of which the error occurs; and judging an error occurrence state based on a result of the counting.
US07676700B2
A system for testing hard disks includes a hard disk testing device and a computer. The computer has a mainboard and a key-press controller. The hard disk testing device connects with the mainboard and includes: a hard disk interface configured for connecting one or more hard disks to be tested to a south bridge of the mainboard; a key-press panel configured for connecting the key-press controller of the computer, and providing a hard disk testing control interface for users; and a hard disk testing unit configured for testing the one or more hard disks.
US07676693B2
A status notification register storing a state of a function executing section is arranged for each function executing section. The function executing section includes at least one circuit for performing a predetermined function. By determining one of two values set in the status notification register, a power failure occurring in a functional unit is identified and an initial setting process is performed to an identified location when power is restored.
US07676687B2
In a multi-node computer system, file access by a failed node is limited. Upon receipt on an indication of a node failure, a fencing command is sent to disks in a disk subsystem to which the failed node has access. If the fencing command sent to a disk fails, the fencing command is sent to a server having access to at least one disk in a disk subsystem to which the failed node has access to limit access by the failed node to the disk in the disk subsystem. If the fencing command sent to the server does not result in limiting access by the failed node to all the disks in the disk subsystem, sending the command to another server having access to at least one disk in the disk subsystem to limit access by the failed node to the disks in the disk subsystem. The fencing command may be sent to various servers until access by the failed node to all the disks in the disk subsystem is limited or until the fencing command has been sent to all the servers. The fencing command may be sent one at a time to servers having access to the disks in the disk subsystem, may be sent concurrently to all the servers having access to the disks in the disk subsystem, or may be forwarded from one server to another.
US07676683B2
Processors arranged in a multi-processor configuration for substantially parallel operations receive their initialization data in order to start operations, such as graphics computations, real-time multimedia streaming, etc. Due to a change in the processing load, one or more processors might be deactivated. Subsequently, the load increases to such a level that requires all or some of the deactivated processors to be active again. In this case, the boot-up process of the entire system is not carried out as it would be time-consuming and wasteful; instead, responsive to a control signal only those processors that were previously in inactive mode are re-initialized by selecting a configuration data supplied by another processor, controller or any other intelligent programmable device. Alternatively, the configuration data may be accessed and retrieved from a local storage medium individually located in each processor, thereby re-booting only those inactive processors and without re-initializing the entire system.
US07676681B2
A computer based method, system and apparatus of authentication which compares a first number associated with a user with a second number, wherein the second number is a mathematical function of at least two predetermined digits within the user's identification number, preferably a Social Security Number. A computer based method, system and apparatus for authenticating a user's identification number, which compares a first code associated with a user with a second code, wherein said second code is an alphabetic translation of at least two predetermined digits within the user's identification number.
US07676674B2
A secure method for sending register, authenticated electronic documents is disclosed. The sender sends a first set of data, not including the plaintext message, encrypted with the public key of the recipient, and a second set of data, including the plaintext message, encrypted with a session key which was included in the encrypted first set of data. The recipient is first asked if he wants to receive the message, and then, upon seeing an abstract, asked if he wants to receive the full message. Confirmatory data regarding the decryption of the message and the presentation of the data to the recipient is recorded and sent to an authentication agent.
US07676671B2
A system for multi-profile boot selection of an embedded device and method therefor are described. The system comprises a storage device reader, a processing device, and a memory. The processing device communicates with the storage device reader and the memory stores instructions including a boot controller which, when executed by the processing device, interacts with the storage device reader and automatically generates a default boot configuration file based on determining a failure from interaction with the storage device reader.
US07676670B2
A power supply control device includes a first signal output unit that outputs a re-power signal and an off-ready signal, the re-power signal being a signal for turning off the power supply of an apparatus for a predetermined period of time and then turning on the power supply of the apparatus, the off-ready signal indicating that the power supply of the apparatus is ready to be turned off; a second signal output unit that outputs a power-off enable signal for turning off the power supply of the apparatus to a power supply unit when the re-power signal and the off-ready signal are supplied to the second signal output unit; and a holding unit that holds the power-off enable signal for the predetermined period of time.
US07676663B2
A method and apparatus enable supplementing a Branch Target Buffer (BTB) table with a recent entry queue that prevents unnecessary removal of valuable BTB table data of multiple entries for another entry. The recent entry queue detects when the startup latency of the BTB table prevents it from asynchronously aiding the microprocessor pipeline as designed for and thereby can delay the pipeline in the required situations such that the BTB table latency on startup can be overcome. The recent entry queue provides a quick access to BTB table entries that are accessed in a tight loop pattern where the throughput of the standalone BTB table cannot track the throughput of the microprocessor execution pipeline. By using the recent entry queue, the modified BTB table processes information at the rate of the execution pipeline which provides acceleration thereof.
US07676659B2
In a processor executing instructions from a variable-length instruction set, a preload instruction is operative to retrieve from memory a data block corresponding to an instruction cache line, pre-decode instructions from a variable-length instruction set in the data block, and load the instructions and pre-decode information into the instruction cache. An instruction execution unit indicates to a pre-decoder the position within the data block of a first valid instruction. The pre-decoder successively determines the length of each instruction and hence the instruction boundaries. An instruction cache line offset indicator that identifies the position of the first valid instruction may be generated and provided to the pre-decoder in a variety of ways.
US07676657B2
Instruction dispatch in a multithreaded microprocessor such as a graphics processor is not constrained by an order among the threads. Instructions for each thread are fetched, and a dispatch circuit determines which instructions in the buffer are ready to execute. The dispatch circuit may issue any ready instruction for execution, and an instruction from one thread may be issued prior to an instruction from another thread regardless of which instruction was fetched first. If multiple functional units are available, multiple instructions can be dispatched in parallel.
US07676655B2
A method and mechanism for controlling threads in a multithreaded multicore processor. A processor includes multiple cores, each of which are capable of executing multiple threads. A control register which is shared by each of the cores is utilized to control the status of the threads in the processing system. In one embodiment, the shared register includes a single bit for each thread in the processor. Depending upon the value written to a bit of the shared register, one of three results may occur with respect to a thread which corresponds to the bit. In one embodiment, writing a “0” to a bit of the shared register will cause a corresponding thread to be Parked. Writing a “1” to a bit of the shared register will cause a corresponding thread to either be UnParked or be Reset. Whether writing a “1” to a bit of the register causes the corresponding thread to be UnParked or Reset depends upon a state of the processor.
US07676650B2
When an instruction stored in a specific instruction buffer is the same as another instruction stored in another instruction buffer and logically subsequent to the instruction in the specific instruction buffer, a connection is made from the instruction buffer storing a logically and immediately preceding instruction, not the instruction in the other instruction buffer, to the specific instruction buffer without the instruction in the other instruction buffer, and a loop is generated by instruction buffers, thereby performing a short loop in an instruction buffer system capable of arbitrarily connecting a plurality of instruction buffers.
US07676648B2
A method for generating a reflection of data in a plurality of processing elements comprises shifting the data along, for example, each row in the array until each processing element in the row has received all the data held by every other processing element in that row. Each processing element stores and outputs final data as a function of its position in the row. A similar reflection along a horizontal line can be achieved by shifting data along columns instead of rows. Also disclosed is a method for reflecting data in a matrix of processing elements about a vertical line comprising shifting data between processing elements arranged in rows. An initial count is set in each processing element according to the expression (2×Col_Index) MOD (array size). In one embodiment, a counter counts down from the initial count in each processing element as a function of the number of shifts that have peen performed. Output is selected as a function of the current count. A similar reflection about a horizontal line can be achieved by shifting data between processing elements arranged in columns and setting the initial count according to the expression (2×Row_Index) MOD (array size). The present invention represents an efficient method for obtaining the reflection of data.
US07676644B2
In a data processing system having a storage system and a management computer for managing the storage system, the management computer has an access right setting request unit for transmitting, to the storage system, a request to set a right to access a designated logical volume in response to a predetermined external input. The storage system also has: a control unit for dynamically expanding, as necessary based on an access request from the host computer, the capacity of a first type logical volume by dynamically assigning storage areas in units of segments of predetermined size thereto; and an access right setting unit for setting, in response to a request to set a right to access the first type logical volume from the management computer, a designated access right for each segment assigned to the first type logical volume.
US07676637B2
In shared-memory multiprocessor systems, cache interventions from different sourcing caches can result in different cache intervention costs. With location-aware cache coherence, when a cache receives a data request, the cache can determine whether sourcing the data from the cache will result in less cache intervention cost than sourcing the data from another cache. The decision can be made based on appropriate information maintained in the cache or collected from snoop responses from other caches. If the requested data is found in more than one cache, the cache that has or likely has the lowest cache intervention cost is generally responsible for supplying the data. The intervention cost can be measured by performance metrics that include, but are not limited to, communication latency, bandwidth consumption, load balance, and power consumption.
US07676624B2
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.
US07676622B2
A system for bus communication includes a first port coupled to a bus, comprising a first engine configured to respond to bus signals on the bus, according to a predetermined protocol. A second port couples to the bus, comprising a second engine configured to respond to bus signals according to the predetermined protocol. A control module couples to the second port and is configured to receive a port state signal, and to disable the second port based on the received port state signal.
US07676619B2
A portable computer adapted for electrical connection to a docking station having multiple power modes of operation is described. The portable computer has one or more CPU chips which have at least two power modes of operation, a low power mode and a high power mode. When the portable computer is operated as a stand-alone computer, it operates in the low power mode. When the portable computer is operated while electrically connected to the docking station, it operates in a high power mode. The docking station has greater cooling capacity than the portable computer alone to provide enhanced cooling of the high power mode of operation.
US07676613B2
Methods and associated structure to assure correct order in delivery of SATA frames over a SAS wide port. In one aspect hereof, new connection requests from a SATA device are rejected until prior frames residing in receive buffers of the SAS/SATA controller are properly processed. In another aspect, when a device is already connected to the controller, the SAS/SATA controller may prevent return of a receiver ready primitive in response to a transmitter ready primitive until previously received frames are removed from the receive buffers.
US07676612B2
A device determines whether a speed mode between the device and an external device is a first speed mode or a second speed mode, communicates with the external device at first speed if the speed mode is the first speed mode, and communicates with the external device at second speed slower than the first speed if the speed mode is the second speed mode. The device enables transfer of image data and displays the image data being transferred to the external device, if the speed mode is the first speed mode. The device disables the transfer of the image data and stops displaying the image data, if the speed mode is the second speed mode.
US07676610B2
An input/output device stores host status information about the status of a host, and controls the input/output of data. By referring to the input/output information and the host status information, the device performs optimization control of selecting notification either by an interrupt process or a non-interrupt process. When a notification by the interrupt process is selected, data transfer control is performed to the host, and the data is transferred to the host by an interrupt. When a notification by the non-interrupt process is selected, data transfer control is performed to the host, and notification control is performed to transfer the data to the host by polling.
US07676609B2
A non-disruptive unassignment of an address from a fabric responsive to a request from a channel adapter. A logout command requests the fabric to unassign an address. The status of the address is thereby changed from active to unassigned and an acknowledgment sent back to the channel adapter.
US07676596B1
Method and system for broadcasting live data over a network are described. In one embodiment, live data is accessed. Next, a first client is authenticated. The live data is then broadcast to a first client, wherein the first client is capable of buffering and re-transmitting the live data. Next, a second client is authenticated. A list of clients receiving the live data is then sent to the second client. The second client then selects the first client from the list, contacts the first client, and then receives the live data from the first client.
US07676591B2
A system and a method transfer multiple data channels between a server and a terminal via a stream session over a network. The system and the method utilize a bitstream switching, a fast buffer filling and/or a fast playback start to facilitate a switch from a first data channel and a second data channel. The first data channel and/or the second data channel is delivered to and/or is transferred to the terminal from the server over the network via a streaming session. The server transfers second data of the second data channel to the terminal via one or more tracks which are encoded at more than one bitrate and/or are configured in one or more configurations. The terminal requests a change between the first track and/or the second track without terminating the stream session for the first data channel between the terminal and the server. As a result, the system and/or the method minimizes the delay period of time between requesting the switch to the second data channel and displaying the second data channel.
US07676578B1
A control system for controlling resource entitlement for a resource compartment in a resource-on-demand system includes nested loops. An inner loop includes an adaptive feedback control system including an adaptive controller operable to automatically determining a gain for the control system. The gain varies depending on a demand of the resource compartment in a previous interval, and the adaptive controller is operable to determine a resource entitlement for the resource compartment for a current interval based on the gain and a target utilization for the current interval. An outer loop includes a feedback control system operable to automatically determine the target utilization for the current interval, wherein the target utilization varies based on at least one QoS metric measured for the previous interval and a QoS metric target.
US07676576B1
Server load-balancing operation-related data, such as data associated with a system configured for global server load balancing (GSLB) that orders IP addresses into a list based on a set of performance metrics, is tracked. Such operation-related data includes inbound source IP addresses (e.g., the address of the originator of a DNS request), the requested host and zone, identification of the selected “best” IP addresses resulting from application of a GSLB algorithm, and the selection metric used to decide on an IP address as the “best” one. The data includes a count of the selected “best” IP addresses selected via application of the GSLB algorithm, and for each of these IP addresses, the list of deciding performance metrics, along with a count of the number of times each of these metrics in the list was used as a deciding factor in selection of this IP address as the best one. This tracking feature allows better understanding of GSLB policy decisions (such as those associated with performance, maintenance, and troubleshooting) and intelligent deployment of large-scale resilient GSLB networks. The counters can be cleared as needed and without having to reload the system.
US07676574B2
An Internet-based analysis tool follows, in real-time, the flow of traffic through a website. For every website page requested by a website visitor, the state of the visitor's browser is recorded and data relating to the path visitors take through the website is collected and studied. The state of the visitor's browser path is maintained in a traffic analysis cookie that is passed between a website file server and the visitor browser with every page requested for viewing. The cookie is maintained in a size that can be passed from server to browser and back again without negatively impacting server performance and without negatively impacting browser performance. The data in the cookie can follow the visitor browser through independent file servers, regardless of how the pages of a website might be distributed in storage.
US07676566B2
Disclosed herein are filtering systems and methods that employ an electronic message source reputation system. The source reputation system maintains a pool of source Internet Protocol (IP) address information, in the form of a Real-Time Threat Identification Network (“RTIN”) database, which can provide the reputation of source IP addresses, which can be used by customers for filtering network traffic. The source reputation system provides for multiple avenues of access to the source reputation information. Examples of such avenues can include Domain Name Server (DNS)-type queries, servicing routers with router-table data, or other avenues.
US07676564B2
A method and system for managing stored data on a computer network organizes data into logical volumes, and each logical volume has a friendly name associated with it. A domain controller keeps track of the friendly names of the logical volumes and associates those friendly names with the actual physical paths of the logical volumes. When a client computer on the network wishes to access a logical volume, it sends a look-up request having the friendly name to the domain controller. The domain controller may fulfill the request by sending the path of the logical volume to the client computer.
US07676562B2
To maintain and manage a computer network, a system administrator may monitor a large number and variety of components, each component comprising a variety of resources. The instrumentation of a resource may be monitored and/or manipulated by receiving a Simple Object Accessing Protocol (SOAP) message comprising an operation identifier for accessing instrumentation information and a resource identifier associated with a computer system resource. The management system may resolve the resource identifier into an address for a local handler associated with the resource, and may send a local request to the local handler at the resolved address.
US07676560B2
A system that uses a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) to uniquely identify a class of resources. The schema uses a URI with a placeholder substituted for the resource name, effectively creating a URI template. Processing of the URI template facilitates retrieval of resource class information. If specificity is required, the URI template can be converted to a specific URI by replacing the placeholder with the name of a given resource or instance to get information about that particular instance. URI templates allow probes to be identified and the probe characteristics to be understood without actually retrieving the probe for a particular instance.
US07676554B1
A network acceleration device includes a persistent, in-memory cache of network content. For example, the cache may store content in a manner that allows a software process to map virtual memory to specific, known regions of an underlying physical memory. Upon detecting a failure of a process executing within the network device, the network acceleration device may restart the software process and remap data structures of the cache to the known regions of the physical memory without necessarily requiring that the cache content be reloaded from a non-volatile memory, such as a hard drive. In this manner, the network acceleration device may accelerate download speeds by avoiding timely cache content restoration in the event of a software process failure.
US07676547B2
A system for processing an e-mail is disclosed. The system includes: a host, for issuing a first request to get a mail subject of the e-mail; a first server, for sending a first information associated with the e-mail, wherein the first information includes at least the mail subject and does not include all mail contents of the requested e-mail; a second server, for analyzing a second information to determine whether or not the mail subject is delivered to the host and then outputting an analysis result; and a parser, for receiving the information, outputting the second information to the second server, and directing the mail subject to the host if the analysis result indicates the parser should deliver the mail subject to the host.
US07676543B2
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method and system for associating presence information with a digital image. Aspects of the preferred embodiment include allowing an identifier associated with at least one object depicted in the image to be stored as image metadata; using the identifier to associate presence information with the at least one object; and performing an action related to the object using the associated presence information.
US07676542B2
Establishing an electronic collaboration area includes receiving from an application a collaboration area request that identifies a collaboration area template structure, receiving one or more collaboration area parameters relating to the collaboration area template structure, and establishing a collaboration area having content that is a function of the collaboration area template structure and the received one or more collaboration area parameters, the collaboration area being accessible to a plurality of collaboration area participants.
US07676540B2
Methods, systems, and data structures for communicating object metadata are provided. A generic metadata container is presented that allows object metadata to be described in an extensible manner using protocol-neutral and platform-independent methodologies. A metadata scope refers to a dynamic universe of targets to which the included metadata statements correspond. Metadata properties provide a mechanism to describe the metadata itself, and metadata security can be used to ensure authentic metadata is sent and received. Mechanisms are also provided to allow refinement and replacement of metadata statements. The metadata container may be used to convey referral data to update routing tables in network nodes, and may also be used register referral statements and query a node for referral information.
US07676538B2
Local transactions are supported by an application view instance that can switch from a stateless session bean to a stateful session bean in order to open a connection for a local transaction. The state that the stateful session bean holds is ten the connection. The stateful session bean can hold the connection open across multiple requests in the local transaction interface allows a user to manage the transaction in the application view, and to switch the application view between a stateless session bean and a stateful session bean. A local transaction interface can contain a local transaction management contract, which enables an application server to provide an infrastructure and run-time environment for management of the transaction.
US07676535B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to perform floating-point operations. A floating-point (FP) squarer squares a first argument to produce an intermediate argument. The first and intermediate arguments have first and intermediate mantissas and exponents. A FP multiply-add (MAD) unit performs a multiply-and-add operation on the intermediate argument, a second argument, and a third argument to produce a result having a result mantissa and a result exponent. The second and third arguments have second and third mantissas and exponents, respectively.
US07676534B2
A coordinate mutual conversion module is provided which is capable of readily utilizing a global mesh code. A zone number (I-VI) and an east-west number within a block are derived from the longitude of a requested position (S1). A block number and a south-north number are derived from the latitude of the requested position (S2). A unit number is derived from the east-west number and south-north number (S3). The value of the western end longitude of the derived unit is subtracted from the value the longitude of the position to derive the difference which is divided by 2160 seconds (S4), the resulting value is multiplied by 10 raised to n, and an integer part of the resulting value is defined to be an east-west number of a mesh (S5). The latitude of the position is subtracted from the northern end latitude of the derived unit to derive the difference which is divided by a value in seconds converted from difference A of the unit (S6), the resulting value is multiplied by 10 raised to n, and an integer part of the resulting value is defined to be a south-north number of the mesh (S7). The block number, unit number, east-west number, and south-north number are arranged in this order to create an N-code (S8).
US07676532B1
A system includes M memories, wherein a first mapping assigns each point of an N-point input sequence to one of the M memories. A pipelined data path receives an input from each of the M memories, stores an output to each of the M memories, and iteratively processes pairs of points of the N-point input sequence. A control module designates the pairs of points from the M memories for processing by the data path, wherein only one point of each of the pairs is designated at one time.
US07676531B2
Methods and apparatus provide for powering up a static random access memory (SRAM); interrogating at least some contents of the SRAM resulting from power up; and using the contents as at least a basis of a random number.
US07676530B2
A circuit for tracking the minimum and maximum duration of an event of interest is described. The circuit is connected to a counter for counting a number of clock cycles that the event of interest is active and comprises logic for detecting deactivation of the event of interest and generating a duration end signal; logic responsive to the duration end signal for comparing a count value with a shadow value; and logic for updating the shadow value based on results of the comparing.
US07676527B2
The present invention provides an arithmetic unit comprising an input register for storing externally input digital data as a P-bit digital data, an output register for storing a Q-bit digital data, and an output bit selecting means. The output bit selecting means is operable to receive the P-bit digital data which is output from the input register as a first input data, and the Q-bit digital data which is output from the output register as a second input data. The output big selecting means is further operable to select bits, values of which bits are to be output, among bits of the first input data and bits of the second input data, in accordance with a control data which is input from outside. The output bit selecting means is still further operable to output Q-bit digital data comprising the values of the selected bits to the output register. This arithmetic unit is suitable for being employed in an image processing system to perform the multiplexing processing or the demultiplexing processing for codes at high speeds.
US07676525B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for optimization and efficient processing of MERGE statements. MERGE allows performing a mix of inserts, updates, and deletes in a single statement, and introduces new challenges compared to legacy DML statements, where the kind of action to be performed is hard-coded and known at compile time. Such optimizations may include Halloween Protection detection for MERGE statements, optimized prevention of non-deterministic MERGE statements, in-place inserts for MERGE statements scanning the “Read Instance” of the target table, and optimized execution of MERGE statements seeking the “Read Instance” of the target table. Such optimizations may be fundamental in order to ensure proper performance and reliable processing times.
US07676522B2
A method and system are described for including data quality in data streams. An example method may include obtaining a first group of data items, each data item including one or more data attribute values. A first group of data quality items may be determined, each data quality item including one or more data quality attribute values associated with one of the data items of the first group. A first aggregated data quality value may be determined based on the first group of data quality items. A first data stream interval including the first group of data items and the first aggregated data quality value may be output.
US07676509B2
Methods and apparatus for modifying a data stream of backup data to be provided to a fixed position delta reduction backup method are disclosed. When the data stream is received, at least a portion of the data stream is parsed into a plurality of data blocks and a plurality of sets of validation bytes, wherein each of the plurality of data blocks corresponds to one of the plurality of sets of validation bytes. One or more modified data streams are then generated such that the plurality of data blocks are separate from the plurality of sets of validation bytes.
US07676505B2
Users create, share, and build collaboration communities around tailored versions of the functional pages of a web site, such as the pages used to select and purchase products, or the pages used to present course materials in an online-learning site. The tailored versions of the web site are stored at the common web site development web site or at another server side location. Users access the tailored versions to select a tailored version for their own use and/or modification.
US07676504B2
It is possible for an information processing device to read or write a large amount of contents-related information more quickly if the device has a relatively small processing capacity. The file format identifier information and the block identifier information that correspond to contents-related information are identified in Step S11 and it is determined in Step S17 if the file format version information read out from the file identified by the file format identifier information and the predefined file format version information agree with each other or not. If it is determined that the two pieces of file format version information agree with each other, the related information is read out from the block identified by the block identifier information of the identified file according to the block position information of the identified file in Step S22.
US07676493B2
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate an incremental approach to an Object-Relational mapping solution. The architecture can provide a rich data model that is defined at the value layer. The rich data model can expose an interface that conforms with the interfaces exposed by common storage-specific data providers. The architecture can extend common storage-specific data provider to support common command representations, and provide entity services that work in terms of the rich data model as well as object services such as identity management, updating and change tracking.
US07676482B2
An apparatus and methodology are provided for obtaining data from a data source and providing the data to a data consumer, as well as for providing data from a data provider to an interface. The method provides for sending an origin request message to a data provider, receiving an origin response message having a presentation schema and data, and rendering the data to an interface by providing a presentation language representation of the data according to the presentation schema.
US07676472B2
Methods, apparatuses and computer programs for making information relating to web services available to applications hosted by a client platform and/or using such information to invoke web services for use by an application hosted by a client platform are disclosed. The information is preferably obtained from a local repository or otherwise from a remote repository via the internet. The information may relate to web services previously used by the applications such as particular invocation instances of those web services. The information may comprise statistical Quality of Service (QoS) information relating to particular invocation instances of web services.
US07676471B2
In an embodiment of the present invention, in a matrixed method for serial attached SCSI (SAS) fabric management, a user is provided with a graphical dynamic matrix table, which illustrates a plurality of matrixed cells corresponding to a plurality of zone groups in a one-to-one relationship. The matrixed cells are organized as a graphical dynamic table on an X-axis and a Y-axis. The table is a packed table, meaning the X and Y axes only display populated (or active) zone groups. To modify the zoning configuration the user uses a pointing device such as a mouse to left click the appropriate matrixed cell to toggle between states. There are four states ‘mutual access’, ‘previous mutual access’, ‘proposed mutual access’, and ‘no access’.
US07676466B2
An apparatus for providing a feature in a network environment is provided that includes a central web site operable to interface with one or more end users and to manage information related to one or more of the end users. The central web site includes a set of questions for one or more of the end users to complete, whereby the central web site is operable to display a comparison of answers for the questions that are submitted by a first end user and a second end user.
US07676465B2
Web page clustering techniques described herein are URL Clustering and Page Clustering, whereby clustering algorithms cluster together pages that are structurally similar. Regarding URL clustering, because similarly structured pages have similar patterns in their URLs, grouping similar URL patterns will group structurally similar pages. Embodiments of URL clustering may involve: (a) URL normalization and (b) URL variation computation. Regarding page clustering, page feature-based techniques further cluster any given set of homogenous clusters, reducing the number of clusters based on the underlying page code. Embodiments of page clustering may reduce the number of clusters based on the tag probabilities and the tag sequence, utilizing an Approximate Nearest Neighborhood (ANN) graph along with evaluation of intra-cluster and inter-cluster compactness.
US07676460B2
Provided are techniques for providing suggestions for a search query. As input of a search query is received, it is determined that the input corresponds to a stem. It is determined whether the stem resolves to a predetermined term. In response to determining that the input resolves to a predetermined term, a new query is generated based on the predetermined term and zero or more previously resolved terms. In response to executing the new query, results are received and suggestions for completing the search query are provided based on the received results.
US07676458B2
A method of querying a hierarchically organized sensor network, said network being sensor network with a global coordinator node at a top level which receives data from lower level intermediate nodes which are either leader nodes for lower level nodes or sensor nodes, wherein a sensor node i at a lowest level receives a signal Y(i,t) at time t, said method including constructing a sketch Swkt=(Swkt1, . . . , Swktn) for an internal node k from S wkt j = ∑ i ∈ LeafDescendents ( k ) ∑ q = 1 i b wiq · r iq j , wherein component Swktj is a sketch of a descendent of node k, ritj is a random variable associated with each sensor node i and time instant t wherein index j refers to independently drawn instantiations of the random variable, bit bwit represents a state of sensor node i for signal value w=Y(i,t) at time t, and LeafDescendents(k) are the lowest level sensor nodes under node k, wherein said sketch is adapted for responding to queries regarding a state of said network.
US07676453B2
When a query is performed an execution plan is formed, which is made up of a plurality of plan operators. Before executing any given plan operator, a storage area is checked. If a results set has been stored corresponding to the plan operator, then the cached results set is used instead of the executing the plan operator. If no results set exists that corresponds to the particular plan operator, the plan operator is executed, and the results set that is output may be stored for use by another plan operator of another execution plan.
US07676450B2
Techniques for performing a “null-aware” anti-join operation are described. Unnesting using anti-join of NOT IN/ALL subquery uses null-aware anti-join operation, resulting in a rewritten query that, when computed, produces results consistent with the NULL semantics of NOT IN/ALL subquery. The semantics of the “null-aware” anti-join operation allow the query having the NOT IN/ALL subquery to be rewritten even though a no-NULL restriction requirement, for the operands of the anti-join condition in the query, may not be met.
US07676447B2
A scientific experiment control system includes a main controller for high-level control, an experimental manager for lower-level control of scientific experiments, and a roll-up engine for automatically propagating modifications (or “changes”) within the system to ensure consistency across the system and instruments which are linked to it in an automatic and dynamic manner. When any of experiment control objects automatically detects a change event as defined by any of the metrics inherited from the metric objects it transmits a notification to an interface. The latter automatically instantiates a change event object, which is managed in a queue by an input interface of the roll-up engine. The roll-up engine automatically interrogates the network of objects contained in the program object to determine the identity of every object in the hierarchy down to the notifying object which is involved in performance of the current experiment run. It then automatically transmits a notification to each of these identified objects.
US07676444B1
A search engine for selectively perform iterative compare operations between a searchable pattern and S overlapping substrings of an input string of characters includes a memory for storing a bitmap having S next success size (NSS) bits, wherein each NSS bit indicates whether an associated substring including a corresponding unique number of the input characters is to be compared with the searchable pattern in successive compare operations, and includes a compare circuit for selectively performing the successive compare operations in response to the NSS bits.
US07676440B2
An intrinsically stable neuromorphic motion controller comprising of two an agonistic actuators coupled with paired torque and position sensors. Each mechanical linkage having at least one degree of freedom is actuated by two motors via two flexible tendons with built-in stretch (torque) sensors.
US07676433B1
Risk of personal identity theft, especially in connection with on-line commerce, is mitigated by maintaining private data in a secure database maintained by a trusted third party verification service. To authenticate the identity of a user or customer, in one embodiment, a knowledge-based challenge is issued to the user, and the response is compared to stored data by the verification service. The verification service reports to the vendor, to authenticate the user identity, capability and or authorization for the proposed transaction without disclosing private data to the vendor.
US07676432B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating electronic commerce in an environment in which a service provider handles business transactions between registered users and participating vendors and shipping companies, wherein users may establish and manage primary accounts and sub-accounts to purchase goods and services from participating vendors' web sites.
US07676431B2
Embodiments of the invention include a method and system for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network. The method is implemented by a system having multiple processors. The payor may hold a payor account at a payor institution and the payee may have a payee account at a payee institution. The method includes generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account, and an amount of the payment and transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution. The method further includes debiting the payor account by the amount of the payment; transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution though the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment in response to the receipt of the EFT credit message.
US07676428B2
A computer system and method is disclosed that aids assessors in valuing commercial real estate. To support their cost-based value, assessors use the system to generate an income-based value. The user inputs ranking criteria. The system has a database of rents, vacancy rates, expenses, and cap rates that are derived from the market and are specific for application to properties within the assessor's district. The system calculates an income value based on recommended or custom indicators. The system also aids assessors in accurately calculating obsolescence. After the user inputs requested data, the system brings up the trended income value, calculates a percent difference between the cost and income values, and offers an obsolescence analyzer test to determine if there is obsolescence. If there is obsolescence, the system instructs the user on the correct way to apply it, and if not, additional questions are offered to help identify the discrepancy.
US07676425B1
Methods and systems for providing flexible financing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a business card product with a customer activated credit line extension for accommodating large ticket purchases where the credit line extension may be linked to other business loan/lease products so that balances may be transferred to a customer's preferred financing product (or products). The purchases may be considered secured or unsecured loans/leases that may be capitalized as well as appreciate and depreciate in value. The purchases may include various types of revenue producing property, such as computer, office equipment, office furniture, copiers, farm equipment, and other types of revenue producing property.
US07676419B2
A caching mechanism is provided for use by a Bid Manager in a multi-agent resource allocation bidding system. The caching mechanism stores the most recent bids issued by one or more Bidders for a given bidding context. The cache is updated using a notification mechanism.
US07676411B2
A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. The “Mercury” display and trading method of the present invention ensure fast and accurate execution of trades by displaying market depth on a vertical or horizontal plane, which fluctuates logically up or down, left or right across the plane as the market prices fluctuates. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently.
US07676403B2
Systems and methods for demonstrating displays and image capture devices are presented. Such systems and methods are typically provided in a retail environment. Customers may efficiently and easily compare disparate displays and image capture devices at a single location using the systems and methods disclosed herein.
US07676402B2
A customized envelope security tint design is generated based on user-supplied information. When ordering envelopes online, a user is provided with the option of entering characters for use as a custom security tint. A preview image of a custom tint design is displayed to the user for review. The user can place an order for production of envelopes having the custom design printed as the envelope security tint.
US07676399B2
Numbers 1, 2, . . . , M are assigned to bidding prices from the minimum to maximum values V1 to VN. For a bidding value Vvi each user 11-i generates two sequences of information si={si,1, si,2, . . . , si,M} and ti={ti,1, ti,2, . . . , ti,M} such that si,1=ti,1, . . . , si,vi−1=ti,vi−1, si,vi≠ti,vi, . . . , si,M≠ti,M, then secretly sends the two sequences of information si and ti to quantitative competition apparatuses 15A and 15B, respectively, and sends hash values H1i=h(si) and H2i=h(ti) of the two sequences of information si and ti and a hash value h(Vvi∥ri) containing an intended value Vvi to a bulletin board apparatus 21. The quantitative competition apparatuses 15A and 15B extract w-th elements si,w from respective sequences s1 to sN and w-th elements ti,w from respective sequences t1 to tN, then create a concatenation Seqs,w of N elements si,w and a concatenation Seqt,w of N elements ti,w, then compare them using a one-way function without revealing their values, and, if they differ, deciding that the intended value Vvi equal to or smaller than a value Vw is present, and determines the minimum value by changing w.
US07676396B1
A digital receipt (e-receipt) having various transaction data that is generated after a consumer transaction by a retail terminal or via a public or private electronic network may be forwarded to the consumer or third party with selective transaction data omitted from the digital receipt. The digital receipt is forwarded to the consumer either directly from the point of the transaction or indirectly via a data warehouse, clearing center or the like.
US07676393B2
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards.
US07676391B1
The present invention describes the scheduling requirements if a business to an automatic scheduling system in a way which allows efficient automatic scheduling of appointments for resources of the business. In one embodiment, the scheduling system schedules the resources based not only on total capacity, but based on how many appointments can be initiated at a given time.
US07676390B2
Electrical data processing techniques are described for performing business analysis based on datasets that are incomplete (e.g., contain censored data) and/or based on datasets that are derived from a stage-based business operation. A first technique offsets the effects of error caused by the incomplete dataset by performing a trending operation followed by a de-trending operation. A second technique provides a model containing multiple sub-models, where the output of one sub-model serves as the input to another sub-model in recursive fashion. A third technique determines when a specified event is likely to occur with respect to a given asset by first discriminating whether the event is very unlikely to occur; if the asset does not meet this initial test, it is further processed by a second sub-model, which determines the probability that the specified event will occur for each of a specified series of time intervals.
US07676388B2
Survival risk insurance is a method of transferring the financial consequences associated with the risk that deaths occurring within a specified period of time in a selected group of insured lives will be less in number than the expected number of deaths or less in amount than the expected amount of death benefits paid. More particularly, one entity, the Coverage Recipient, can transfer a financial risk that the actual number of deaths or the actual amount of death benefits paid during a specified period relative to a selected group of insured lives will be less than the expected deaths or the expected amount of death benefits paid to another entity, the Coverage Provider, for the payment of an appropriate premium based on the method of this invention.
US07676379B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for automated extraction and display of past health care use to aid in predicting future health status. A system and method that converts raw medical and pharmacy claims data into Hierarchical Major Clinical Condition (HMCC) and Place of Treatment (POT) time-series data to facilitate the health assessment of a member's total clinical conditions and aid in predicting his or her future health status. The HMCC categories are organized in body systems and likely disease progression to permit both spatio-temporal digital signal processing and the development of a dynamical learning system. Each medical and pharmacy claim of the member is mapped onto one or more HMCC/POT-time cells. At the end of mapping, multiple entries in each HMCC-time cell are accumulated with the temporal resolution determined as a function of group size and temporal fidelity required for model building.
US07676372B1
A speech transformation apparatus comprises a microphone 21 for detecting speech and generating a speech signal; a signal processor 22 for performing a speech recognition process using the speech signal; a speech information generator for transforming the recognition result responsive to the physical state of the user, the operating conditions, and/or the purpose for using the apparatus; and a display unit 26 and loudspeaker 25 for generating a control signal for outputting a raw recognition result and/or a transformed recognition result. In a speech transformation apparatus thus constituted, speech enunciated by a spoken-language-impaired individual can be transformed and presented to the user, and sounds from outside sources can also be transformed and presented to the user.
US07676370B2
A device for inputting voice commands into a system such as a car navigation system includes a microphone for inputting voice commands, a display panel for displaying a help frame when required, a memory for storing a list of the voice commands and their respective usage frequencies in the past, and a controller for controlling operation of an entire system. A user confirms a voice command before inputting it, referring to a command list displayed on the display panel as a help frame. The command list shows all of the voice commands in a reverse order of their usage frequencies in the past. The commands which have not been frequently used and are not familiar to the user are shown in an earlier part of the list. Therefore, the commands for which confirmation are necessary can be quickly found in the list. Those commands which have been used in excess of a predetermined frequency level in the past may be eliminated from the list.
US07676362B2
A speech filter (108) enhances the loudness of a speech signal by expanding the formant regions of the speech signal beyond a natural bandwidth of the formant regions. The energy level of the speech signal is maintained so that the filtered speech signal contains the same energy as the pre-filtered signal. By expanding the formant regions of the speech signal on a critical band scale corresponding to human hearing, the listener of the speech signal perceives it to be louder even though the signal contains the same energy.
US07676360B2
A method, system and computer program product for computationally efficient estimation of the scale factors of one or more frequency bands in an encoder. These scale factors are dependant on a plurality of variables. One of the variables is approximated according to embodiments of the invention. This reduces the complexity of the estimation of scale factors, especially in digital signal processors.
US07676359B2
Data languages, executable programs, and user interfaces are synchronized by a database for storing data enumerations in a first language, a configuration file for mapping language neutral tags to the data enumerations, a user interface operable responsive to the language neutral tags for presenting to a user interface view selected data enumerations in the second language; the user interface responsive to user selection at the user interface view of a data enumeration in the second language corresponding to a selected language neutral tag for accessing the configuration file to retrieve a corresponding data enumeration in the first language, and for returning the corresponding data enumeration to the database.
US07676356B2
Object simulation and interaction of and between computer-generated or graphical objects in a virtual space includes neutral scene graphs, data structures and procedures for using such graphs and data structures.
US07676355B1
Various techniques permit more thorough development of digital systems and devices by designers while protecting the proprietary interests of the owners of the intellectual property incorporated in such systems and devices. More specifically, the present invention provides to an end customer IP hardware which is suitable for prototype testing, but unusable for production purposes. One method limits the physical or electrical mode of operation of a hardware platform used for prototype testing of intellectual property (such as limiting the number of electrical contacts between the hardware and an external electrical device or limiting the data format(s) usable in the hardware during prototype testing). Another method limits the temporal operation of a hardware platform using an internal counter within the software provided by the intellectual property owner. Once a clock count limit is reached, the software disables the hardware in one or more prescribed ways, such as a reset of one or more registers, a global tri-state of the hardware 10, or a random failure of some type. Suitable hardware fabrication and/or augmentation also may be used to differentiate between the prototype and production manners of operation.
US07676347B2
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for accumulation of summaries of test data. The system includes a data populator having code to: (1) generate data objects from the test data and store the data objects in a data model, (2) arrange the data objects in a tree structure, (3) generate summaries of the test data, (4) store the summaries of the test data in the tree structure, and (5) delete the data objects. The system also includes a number of clients in communication with the data model, the clients having code to: (1) selectively read the test data from the data objects stored in the data model, and (2) read the summaries of the test data stored in the tree structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07676346B2
A system for observing and predicting a physiological state of an animal has been provided. The system includes a computer including a processor and being operatively connected to a database, at least one sample providing device for repetitively providing at least one sample of a body fluid of the animal, an analysis apparatus for analyzing the at least one sample, so as to obtain at least one sample value of at least one parameter of the body fluid, a data interface for repetitively entering the sample value of the at least one parameter in the database, where the database is adapted to store multiple database entries representing the sample value of the at least one parameter at various points in time, and where the processor is programmed to: perform at least one mathematical analysis of the at least one sample value, and selecting, on the basis of the at least one mathematical analysis, the point in time for providing a subsequent sample and performing a subsequent analysis of the subsequent sample for at least one of the parameters.
US07676344B2
An apparatus and method is presented for controlling the quality of a mass density measurement of a multiphase fluid mixture including a plurality of fluid fractions and a plurality of constituting elements. The method includes the steps of: submitting a measuring pipe to a flux of high energy photons and measuring count rates; determining a mass density of the multiphase fluid mixture based on count rate measurements in a first and second energy windows; determining an electronic density of the multiphase fluid mixture based on count rate measurements in a third energy window; and comparing the electronic density to the mass density of the multiphase fluid mixture.
US07676339B2
A method of compensating a measurement. The method includes determining a zero-point, determining a rate of change of the zero-point, and compensating the measurement based on the rate of change of the zero-point and/or the zero-point. In one embodiment, the compensated measurement is used to control a safety device in a vehicle.
US07676337B2
An irreversible-reaction measurement method comprising: a step in which a perturbation is applied to one of the divided portions of a measurement sample placed in a light path of a Fourier-transform spectrophotometer to cause an irreversible-reaction while a mirror of the spectrophotometer remains at a data point; a step in which interferogram is detected from the sample portion placed in the path at predetermined time intervals after the application of the perturbation; a step in which the mirror moves to and remains at the next data point after the reaction of the sample portion reaches an end point; a step in which the sample portion placed in the light path is changed to the next sample portion each time the mirror moves to the next data point; and a step in which the irreversible-reaction of the measurement sample is analyzed in accordance with the interferogram obtained by repeating the steps.
US07676328B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying cell-specific proteins comprising the following steps: a) determining cell-specific protein combination patterns of n cells; b) comparing the protein combination patterns of healthy and pathologically or physiologically modified cells of one cell type or comparing the protein combination patterns of cells of a different cell type affected by the same disease; c1) subtracting the coincident parts of the protein combination patterns of healthy and pathologically or physiologically modified cells of one cell type compared in step b) and determining a cell-specific protein resulting therefrom; or c2) subtracting the non-coincident parts of the protein combination patterns of cells of a different cell type affected by the same disease compared in step b) and determining a cell-specific protein resulting therefrom; and d) identifying the resulting cell-specific protein in terms of molecules and spatial structure.
US07676322B1
A combustion control system for a vehicle comprises a pressure ratio (PR) module, a pressure ratio difference (PRD) module, and a pressure ratio difference rate (PRDR) module. The PR module determines fired PR values and measured motored PR values based on cylinder pressures measured by a cylinder pressure sensor when a cylinder of an engine is fired and motored, respectively. The PRD module determines PRD values for predetermined crankshaft angles, wherein each of the PRD values is determined based on one of the fired PR values and one of the measured motored PR values at one of the predetermined crankshaft angles. The PRDR module determines and outputs a PRDR value based on a rate of change of the PRD values over a range of the predetermined crankshaft angles.
US07676320B2
In a lower partial load range of, a setpoint value of the mass flow of air into the combustion chambers is determined as a function of a predefined torque request such that it is greater than necessary for implementing the predefined torque request and large enough that individual exhaust packets can be differentiated from one another with the exhaust gas probe. Depending on the air/fuel ratio setpoint value, an actuator is actuated whose position affects the actual air mass flow. To implement the torque request, engine efficiency is simultaneously reduced by actuating another actuator. A measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe is detected. The air/fuel ratios of the exhaust packets are determined as a function of the measurement signal detected. At least one operating parameter affecting the air/fuel ratio in at least one of the cylinders is adapted as a function of the air/fuel ratios determined.
US07676311B2
In a method for controlling a safety device in a motor vehicle, wherein the safety device is controlled as a function of at least one preset characteristic of a vehicle seat in the motor vehicle, an electric adjusting mechanism, which is provided for adjusting the preset characteristic of the vehicle seat, detects the measured adjustments, which relate to the preset characteristic, and that the preset characteristic is determined with the aid of the measured adjustments.
US07676310B2
Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle steering system are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a desired front road wheel angle signal at a controller. The desired front road wheel angle signal is indicative of a desired front road wheel angle of vehicle wheels. The method further includes receiving a parking assist request signal at the controller indicating a parking assist operational mode is desired. The method further includes generating a desired motor torque signal for controlling a power steering motor in the parking assist operational mode utilizing the controller, based on the desired front road wheel angle signal and the parking assist request signal.
US07676297B2
A spring-forming control system and its control method for a spring forming machine in which the spring-forming control system uses a host computer to provide graphical spring parameter setting, program modification, and dragline-method program modification graphical interfaces that are selectively switchable on a display monitor. After setting of spring processing parameters through the spring parameter setting interface, a trial production is done subject to a spring parameter auto-generation software built in the spring-forming control system, and then the production is started if the trial meets the requirements, or the spring processing parameters are modified through the spring parameter setting interface, program modification interface, or dragline-method program modification interface if the trial does not meet the requirements, and then a further trial production is performed till the shaped spring meets the requirements. A spring preview is available during running of the spring-forming control system. The graphic interface operation has the advantages of convenience, rapidness, and accuracy.
US07676288B2
A process control and manufacturing information database client application is disclosed displaying received time-series data in an unambiguous manner when a displayed range of time-series data includes a DST transition for a designated time zone for displaying the data. A data acquisition interface obtains timestamped time-series data values for an observed parameter from the process control and manufacturing information database. The data values are requested/received/stored by the client application, for example, according to the UTC time standard. The client application renders the timestamped time-series data values as a series of points on a time-line graph. The time-line graph includes alphanumeric time labels specified in accordance with a designated time zone. The display function renders the time-line graph without disruptions over a time span containing a Daylight Savings Time (DST) transition for the designated time zone.
US07676284B2
A compensation of cyclical interferences occurring during operation of motor controlled by an electrical motor drive comprising the controllable motor and a speed governor, wherein a position determiner is provided for continuously determining a position of said motor, responsive to a position signal indicative of said position of said motor and wherein a load observer responsive to a first output signal received from said position determiner and to a second output signal received from the speed governor is provided for generating a load signal indicative of an estimated load and continuously applying said load signal to an output of the speed governor.
US07676281B2
A distributed database system within an industrial automation environment comprises a plurality of associated programmable logic controllers, wherein each of the programmable logic controllers includes data relating to one of a process and a device. Furthermore, the data within the plurality of programmable logic controllers can conform to a hierarchically structured data model, which, for example, can be based upon ISA S95, ISA S88, OMAC, or any suitable combination thereof. A reception component receives and services a request for data that is located within at least one of the programmable logic controllers.
US07676274B2
The present invention is a micro-machined electrode for neural-electronic interfaces which can achieve a ten times lower impedance and higher charge injection limit for a given material and planar area.
US07676271B2
A process is described for non-invasively screening a patient to select a stimulation site for treatment of head, neck or facial pain and tension symptoms caused by disorders such as occipital neuralgia. The screening process involves application of a transcutaneous stimulation screening device, a percutaneous micro-electrode screening device, and a temporary implantable screening device to the patient to select a site for chronic implantation.
US07676269B2
Methods are provided for treating a subject for a fertility condition. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is modulated to increase the sympathetic activity/parasympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Embodiments of the subject invention include modulating a subject's autonomic nervous system using electrical energy and/or one or more pharmacological agents. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different fertility conditions. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.
US07676266B1
An exemplary method includes providing a maximum right ventricular systolic pressure value and corresponding time during a cardiac cycle, providing a left ventricular displacement value for the corresponding time, determining a product of the maximum right ventricular systolic pressure value and the magnitude of the left ventricular displacement value and assessing ventricular synchrony for the cardiac cycle based at least in part on the product. Such a method may include adjusting one or more cardiac pacing parameters based at least in part on the product. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US07676264B1
Techniques are provided for detecting and evaluating ventricular dyssynchrony based on morphological features of the T-wave and for controlling therapy in response thereto. For example, the number of peaks in the T-wave, the area under the peaks, the number of points of inflection, and the slope of the T-wave can be used to detect ventricular dyssynchrony and evaluate its severity. As ventricular dyssynchrony often arises due to heart failure, the degree of dyssynchrony may also be used as a proxy for tracking the progression of heart failure. Pacing therapy is automatically and adaptively adjusted based on the degree of ventricular dyssynchrony so as to reduce the dyssynchrony and thereby improve cardiac function.
US07676263B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for ambulatory, long term monitoring of a physiological signal from a patient. At least a portion of the systems of the present invention may be implanted within the patient in a minimally invasive manner. In preferred embodiments, brain activity signals are sampled from the patient and are transmitted to a handheld patient communication device for further processing.
US07676259B2
A cardiac rhythm management device in which amplitudes of electrograms from one or more cardiac sites are measured in order to ascertain the extent of hypertrophy. The device may then pace the heart by delivering pacing therapy in a manner that unloads the hypertrophied myocardium to effect reversal of undesirable remodeling.
US07676258B2
A system and method for enhancing images of ex-vivo or in-vivo tissue produced by confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, two-photon microscopy, or ultrasound, is provided by applying to the tissue a solution or gel having an effective concentration of citric or other alpha-hydroxy acid which enhances tissue structures, such as cellular nuclei, in such images. Such concentration may be 3-20% acid, and preferably 5% acid.
US07676230B2
A method for allocating a channel quality information channel (CQICH) in a communication system is disclosed. After fast switching from a serving anchor base station (BS) to a target anchor BS, a mobile station (MS) detects absence of a CQICH allocated from the target anchor BS. Upon detecting the absence of the allocated CQICH, the MS sends a request for allocating the CQICH to the target anchor BS. Upon receiving the CQICH allocation request, the target anchor BS detects a need to allocate a CQICH to the MS.
US07676227B2
When a downlink transmission is performed in the handover state in a mobile communication system having a mobile station, base stations and a base station controller, user data from the base station controller is transmitted from a first base station to the mobile station and error correction code for the user data from the base station controller is transmitted from a second base station to the mobile station. The mobile station subjects the received user data to error correction processing using the received error correction code and decodes the user data. Also, at the time of an uplink transmission in the handover state, user data and error correction code are transmitted from the mobile station to the base station controller via separate transmission paths.
US07676226B2
A fast handover method optimized for IEEE 802.11 networks. In a wireless local area system including a mobile terminal and at least two wireless access points (APs) that communicate with the mobile terminal over a unique radio channel, the fast handover method includes receiving a beacon frame signal from the serving AP and the neighbor APs of the mobile terminal; generating a first signal to determine a state of each of the neighbor APs based on the beacon frame signal received from each of the neighbor APs; comparing the first signal with predefined thresholds, classifying the neighbor APs into a detected AP, a candidate AP, and a target AP according to a result of the comparison, and storing the classification result in a neighbor AP list; and selecting an AP for the handover based on the classification result in the neighbor AP list.
US07676222B1
A telecommunication terminal for accessing a data network via an access network using a set of provisioning data stores a current set of provisioning data and at least one set of protected provisioning data. The protected provisioning data cannot be updated without the intervention of the terminal user. This enables a mobile terminal to change access network without losing the provisioning data of the home access network. It avoids the need for further provisioning on returning to the home access network.
US07676221B2
A method for intercepting calls from a remote or mobile device for customer self-support detects when users or subscribers dial one or more predetermined numbers. If the number corresponds to one of the predetermined numbers (such as a customer support number), the phone may intercept the call and display a list of potential solutions to the subscriber's problems. Various other features and embodiments art disclosed.
US07676215B2
An emergency routing number is assigned to each switch in a wireless network. When a switch of the wireless network routes an emergency call to a Public Service Answering Point (PSAP), the switch sends the emergency routing number as the calling party number and provides the PSAP with the identifier of the mobile station. If the emergency call drops, the PSAP performs a call back using the emergency routing number as the called party number. The switch that routed the emergency call from the mobile station to the PSAP receives the call back. The PSAP also sends the identifier of the mobile station to the switch. When a switch receives its emergency routing number as the called party number, the switch recognizes an emergency call back situation and pages the mobile station identified by the mobile station identifier received in association with the emergency routing number. The mobile station is then reconnected with the PSAP.
US07676205B2
Method (500) and system (402) for actively detecting and determining a range of a remotely located radio receiver (100). The invention also provides a method and system to determine whether a remote receiver (100) is receiving a transmitted signal (418) and the minimum necessary transmitter power required to establish a communication link to the receiver (100). Finally, the invention also provides a method and system to resolve directional ambiguities due to multipath.
US07676202B2
A radio system for the reception of broadcast signals is provided that includes two antennas picking up radio signals and two signal receivers receiving the radio signals, the two antennas and the two receivers operating in diversity operating modes. The radio system further includes an antenna switching unit for creating a connection between the receivers and the antennas and a control unit for controlling the antenna switching unit and selecting the operating mode according to predetermined diversity control criterion.
US07676199B2
The terminating impedance of a networked device in a wired communication channel is controlled to avoid an impedance discontinuity when power is applied and removed from the node or other event occurs that would change the impedance of the signal interface. When the node transmits or receives signals using the communication channel, the transmit or receive device presents a matched termination to the channel. When power is removed or the device is reset, the transmit and receive circuitry is not operational and the matched impedance is therefore maintained by a separate device. The impedance may be varied slowly from a match to a high impedance to allow other devices in the network to adapt to the change in multipath environment that results from the impedance change. Alternatively, the signal interface can be switched to a passive static impedance that is maintained while power is off or the disrupting event occurs.
US07676190B2
An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feeding cassette which selectively stores at least two kinds of paper sheets having different size with respect to a paper feeding direction, and includes a posterior end cursor which restricts a posterior end position of the stored paper sheets with respect to the paper feeding direction, wherein the height of the posterior end cursor is changeable. According to this construction, a smaller space is provided to stack large-sized paper sheets which are not frequently used while a larger space is provided to stack small-sized paper sheets which are frequently used can be reserved.
US07676185B2
A toner container of the present invention includes a cylindrical portion containing toner used in an electrophotographic type complex machine. When the cylindrical portion is driven to rotate, the toner gets out via an outlet thereof. The cylindrical portion of the toner container has an inner wall provided with a coat layer containing fluorine-containing silica fine particles, which are obtained by modifying a property of the surfaces of silica fine particles by using a fluorine-based silane coupling agent. This coat layer effectively prevents the toner from being adhered to the inner wall of the toner container.
US07676170B2
A toner density detection apparatus has a sensor unit and a controller. The sensor unit irradiates a toner patch formed on an image carrier with light, splits the light reflected by the toner patch into first and second light components, receives the first and second light components, and outputs first and second light reception signals. The controller causes an analog/digital converter to convert, based on a reference voltage, the output first and second light reception signals into first and second digital data, and detects the density of the toner patch based on the first and second digital data. The toner density detection apparatus adjusts the toner density detection value based on a comparison between a first reference value stored in advance and the first digital data, and a comparison between a second reference value stored in advance and the second digital data.
US07676156B2
Light carrying information for access terminals is carried via optical fibers. Information for terminals from groups is multiplexed over different time-slots and different communication wavelengths of the light in the fiber for a group. The information is passed between the fibers and the transport network via transceivers. The use of the transceivers is multiplexed between the optical fibers. Each transceiver passes information for selectable light guides at selectable communication wavelengths in different timeslots.
US07676145B2
The present disclosure relates to an image capture device and a technique for capturing an image. The technique includes configuring an image capture device in a learning mode for sensing at least one variable in the device's surroundings and defining a normal state of the at least one variable. Further, the technique includes initiating image capture upon detecting a transition of the at least one variable from the normal state to a new condition, wherein the transition exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and redefining the normal state to the new condition.
US07676136B2
Fiber distribution hubs for distributing fiber optic networks are disclosed. The fiber distribution hub includes a mounting plate for supporting a termination of at least one fiber cable, a patch enclosure for protecting the termination, and a splice enclosure for protecting at least one splice connection to an optical fiber included in a feeder cable. The patch enclosure includes a first door and defining a patch chamber. The mounting plate is positioned within the patch chamber. The splice chamber includes a second door. The splice enclosure is releasably coupled to the patch enclosure.
US07676135B2
A system may include a housing and a patch panel located within the housing. The patch panel may include a connection plate, and a matrix of fiber connectors connected to the connection plate and arranged to receive optical fibers in a vertical direction.
US07676134B2
A field termination kit includes an optical fiber preparation device for preparing an end of an optical fiber, an optical inspection device for inspecting the end of the optical fiber, and a termination assembly for terminating the end of the optical fiber. A method of using a field termination kit includes rotating an end of a first optical fiber about a center of an abrasive portion of an optical fiber preparation tool. The end is pressed against an adhesive portion of the optical fiber preparation tool to clean contaminants from the end. The end is inserted into an inner passage of an optical fiber inspection device for viewing. The end is inserted into a termination assembly. The end is terminated to an end of a second optical fiber in a termination region of the termination assembly.
US07676129B1
Optical waveguide fiber that is bend resistant and single mode at 1260 nm and at higher wavelengths. The optical fiber includes a core with a central core region and an annular core region or, alternatively, a high index core region and a low index core region. The optical fiber also includes a cladding with an annular ring region and an annular outer region.
US07676124B2
A monolithically integrated optoelectronic subassembly having a waveguide layer stack which is applied on a substrate and has a fiber light-receiving waveguide layer in which at least one photodiode is waveguide-integrated is proposed. A plurality of photodiodes is integrated in the waveguide which is structured laterally and/or vertically in such a manner that there is connected to a coupling waveguide an optical distribution network which in turn feeds the plurality of waveguide-integrated photodiodes in parallel via waveguide parts, which photodiodes are connected electrically in series. All the components are integrated on one chip and conversion of an optical input power into an electrical power is undertaken for current supply purposes. A photodiode can be configured as a signal diode which is supplied from the remaining of the plurality of diodes, as a result of which a self-supplied photodetector is formed. With an antenna which is integrated in addition on the chip, a monolithically integrated antenna circuit which radiates into free space is made available.
US07676119B2
A method for using an optical sensor array to control a labeling device includes scanning a surface texture of an imageable media with the optical sensor array, collecting surface data corresponding to the surface texture of the imageable media, and controlling the labeling device in response to the surface data.
US07676115B2
An image processing method includes a step of obtaining an input image, and a transformation step of performing multiple image transformations including multiple geometric transformations. The transformation step includes calculating correspondences between image coordinates of the input image and image coordinates of the output image based on multiple coordinate transformation equations corresponding to geometric transformations, then defining pixel values of the corresponding output image based on pixel values of the input image, and interpolating space pixels of the output image that do not have corresponding pixels in the input image once for each space pixel.
US07676113B2
A method of displaying an image with a display device is provided. The method includes generating a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame corresponding to image data for the image including calculating a first sub-frame pixel value in the first sub-frame using a first sharpening factor associated with a first plurality of gradients from the image data, and alternating between displaying the first sub-frame in a first position and displaying the second sub-frame in a second position spatially offset from the first position.
US07676111B2
An inter-frame difference generation circuit generates, in every pixel unit, a difference level of an image between a present frame and a frame before one frame period. A histogram generation circuit generates a difference histogram indicating a frequency distribution of difference levels between the frames in a state in which a difference corresponding to a pixel including predetermined or more image changes is removed from generated difference levels. An erroneously detected histogram exclusion judging section excludes a histogram which is inappropriate as a histogram for use in deciding a noise amount among histograms generated by the histogram generation circuit from the histograms generated by the histogram generation circuit. A noise amount judging section decides the noise amount based on the histograms remaining without being excluded by the erroneously detected histogram exclusion judging section. Therefore, noises included in a dynamic image are detected with a good precision.
US07676109B2
A deblocking method, for removing blocking artifacts comprises selecting a plurality of first pixels according to a bandwidth of a memory device, wherein the first pixels are uniformly distributed at two sides of a block boundary; calculating a first value according to the first pixels stored in the memory device; determining a computing mode according to the first value and a first predetermined value; generating a plurality of second pixels according to the first pixels and the computing mode; and replacing the first pixels stored in the memory device with the second pixels.
US07676107B2
Described herein is a method and system for video classification. The method and system can use predetermined color ranges to classify a video block. On a relative basis, a greater number of bits can be allocated to perceptually important video data such as skin. The quantization is adjusted accordingly. Determining relative quantization shifts for macroblocks in a picture prior to video encoding enables a corresponding bit allocation that can improve the tradeoff between perceptual quality and bit rate.
US07676106B2
Methods and apparatus for performing 2:1 downscaling on video data are provided. At least one input matrix of N×N (e.g., N=16) Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients is formed from the video data by combining four N/2×N/2 field-mode DCT blocks. Vertical downsampling and de-interlacing are performed to the input matrix to obtain two N/2×N/2 frame-mode DCT blocks. An N×N/2 input matrix is formed from the two frame-mode DCT blocks. Horizontal downsampling is performed to the N×N/2 matrix to obtain one N/2×N/2 frame-mode DCT block.
US07676072B2
A superimposed image generation unit generates a two-dimensional superimposed image obtained by superimposing pieces of information of a plurality of volume data as corresponding objects along a predetermined direction (e.g., a direction crossing a body axis at right angles). A correspondence processing unit performs correspondence (positioning) between different volume data in accordance with a position of a characteristic portion on the superimposed image.
US07676070B2
A device for improved on-line histogramming of data acquired in a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. The device is a Smart DRAM (SD) PCI card, of which more than one can be used in combination within a PC-based architecture for on-line histogramming. The SD PCI card is applied as either of a Gating Buffer, a histogramming card, and a normalization buffer. The Gating Buffer card alternately stores an arriving PET data packet stream into two dedicated DRAM banks. The two DRAM banks store and retransmit the packet stream in the order of arrival for an entire physiological cycle. The histogramming SD RMW PCI cards provide a very high rate of histogramming. The extendible daisy-chain of SD RMW PCI cards supports large memory banks across potentially hundreds of SD RMW PCI cards. Under a single PC, a multiple PCI Expansion chassis is employed such that a large number of PCI cards are supported.
US07676069B2
Improved techniques are disclosed for adapting signature verification systems to natural signature variations. For example, a technique for adapting a signature verification system to variations in a signature of a user includes the following steps/operations. One or more signature samples are obtained from the user. The one or more obtained signature samples are submitted by the user as part of a regular authentication procedure associated with the signature verification system. A reference set of signature samples for the user is updated through selection of one or more signature samples from the obtained signature samples, such that the updated reference set is usable by the signature verification system for verifying subsequent signature samples attributed to the user. The selection of the one or more signature samples used to update the reference set is conditioned on a false rejection rate of the user when at least one obtained signature sample of the user is authenticated and on an identification check when no obtained signature sample is authenticated.
US07676044B2
A sound produced at the location of a listener is captured by a microphone in each of a plurality of speaker devices. A sever apparatus receives an audio signal of the captured sound from all speaker devices, and calculates a distance difference between the distance of the location of the listener to the speaker device closest to the listener and the distance of the listener to each of the plurality of speaker devices. When one of the speaker devices emits a sound, the server apparatus receives an audio signal of the sound captured by and transmitted from each of the other speaker devices. The server apparatus calculates a speaker-to-speaker distance between the speaker device that has emitted the sound and each of the other speaker devices. The server apparatus calculates a layout configuration of the plurality of speaker devices based on the distance difference and the speaker-to-speaker distance.
US07676041B2
A first cryptographic key (318) and a second cryptographic key (322) are created by a mobile radio terminal (103) and by a computer of the home communications network (108, 109) by using authentication key materials (312). The first cryptographic key (318) is transmitted to the computer of the visited communications network (113), and the second cryptographic key (322) is transmitted to an application server computer (106, 107).
US07676039B2
Provided is an apparatus for controlling storage and playback of digital broadcasting contents. The apparatus can control a broadcasting content to be recorded and stored, temporarily stored, and played back while protecting and managing it securely. The apparatus of the present research includes: a control information providing unit for generating control information for recording storage, temporary storage, and playback of a broadcasting content, using the control information as watermarking information, multiplexing and scrambling the broadcasting content including the control information, and outputting a scrambled transport; and a storing and playback unit for storing the broadcasting content by using the control information, comparing the control information stored together with the broadcasting content with control information added as watermarks, and determining whether to play back the broadcasting content.
US07676037B2
An elliptic curve cryptography method which generates a public key for use in a communication encryption using an elliptic curve, including: changing a number of a secret key (d) of (k) bits to an odd number; encoding the secret key to yield an encoded secret key (d) in which a most significant bit (MSB) is (1) and a rest positional number is (1) or (−1); and computing the public key (Q=Dp) by multiplying the encoded secret key (d) by a predetermined point (P) on the elliptic curve by a scalar multiplication.
US07676028B2
Storing a voicemail message in a communication environment includes receiving a voicemail message at a first endpoint. The voicemail message is separated into a plurality of segments. The segments of the voicemail message, which comprise media bits, are distributed to a plurality of second endpoints.
US07676020B2
A measurement system is presented. The measurement system includes a source and a detector located a selected distance from the source with the source and the detector movable about a point, an axis or about a plane located proximate the detector.
US07676002B2
In a blind detection apparatus and method capable of determining a modulation mode by comparing the absolute values of the real and imaginary parts of a sequence of intersymbol phase differences between symbols separated from each other at an interval of four symbols (instead of comparing intersymbol phase differences of symbols at an interval of one symbol as in the related art), the symbols being included in a training sequence code of a received normal burst. Therefore, a number of calculations for the blind detection may be decreased e.g., by a factor of four, and as a result, the time for performing the blind detection may be decreased. In addition, the hardware design for the blind detection may be simplified.
US07676000B2
A technique for signal distortion compensation using a filter that can support a higher delay spread distortion without substantially increasing hardware complexity. In one example embodiment, an adaptive receiver design compensates for signal distortions with the use of non-uniform tap delay filters. The non-uniform tap delay filters are used to output an adaptively channel matched signal for decoding.
US07675991B2
A wireless device, method, and signal for use in communication of a wireless packet between transmitting device and a wireless receiving device via a plurality of antennas, wherein a signal generator generates wireless packet including a short-preamble sequence used for a first automatic gain control (AGC), a first long-preamble sequence, a signal field used for conveying a length of the wireless packet, an AGC preamble sequence used for a second AGC to be performed after the first AGC, a second long-preamble sequence, and a data field conveying data. The AGC preamble sequence is transmitted in parallel by the plurality of antennas.
US07675989B2
An apparatus for estimating an antenna weight vector in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access System (OFDMA) having a smart antenna. The apparatus includes receiving and storing training symbols in the time domain transmitted to estimate an antenna weight vector during a training symbol transmission interval; estimating carrier frequency offsets using training symbols in the frequency domain that are obtained by performing a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) algorithm with respect to the training symbols received during the training symbol transmission interval; compensating the stored training symbols in the time domain based on the estimated carrier frequency offsets; and estimating an antenna weight vector using training symbols in the frequency domain that are obtained by applying an FFT algorithm with respect to the training symbols in the time domain derived by compensating the carrier frequency offsets during the training symbol transmission interval.
US07675988B2
An apparatus and method for performing beamforming or transmitting a plurality of bit streams output through Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) via a plurality of transmission antennas in a base station using a multi-antenna scheme. The apparatus and method include classifying the plurality of transmission antennas into a plurality of transmission antenna groups; selecting one of the transmission antenna groups depending on a group selection signal being fed back from a mobile station; and outputting each of the bit streams to its associated transmission antenna among the transmission antennas constituting the selected transmission antenna group.
US07675987B2
A trellis-based lock detector and method for digitally modulated signals are presented. A global survivor for consecutive time indexes is computed as a maximum cumulative branch metric corresponding to a given time index for consecutive branches of the trellis structure. The invention is based on a concept that for a noise signal entering the lock detector, in contrast to an informative signal, the probability of a long succession of true evaluations of a global survivor is very small. The latter allows for using data, representative of the number of consecutive true conditions for a global survivor over an averaging time, as an informative parameter for making a decision on the status of lock detection.
US07675983B2
A baseband receiver and corresponding methods are arranged and configured to mitigate effects of direct current (DC) distortion and process an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal as provided from a direct conversion radio or receiver. The baseband receiver includes an OFDM demodulator configured to demodulate the OFDM signal, a post processor coupled to the OFDM demodulator and configured to provide symbols corresponding to the OFDM signal, and a compensator coupled to at least one of the OFDM demodulator and the post processor and configured to reduce error rates out of the baseband receiver that result from DC distortion in the direct conversion radio.
US07675963B2
A device and associated method for passing parameters to a finger in a rake receiver are disclosed. The finger is initially operated with a first parameter set which is held in a first memory area (PAR_RAM). To change the parameter set, a second parameter set is loaded into a second memory area (PAR_CHG_RAM1/2), a check is carried out to determine whether a switching condition (SCHED_RAM) is satisfied, and if it is an access for that finger is switched (MUX) from the first memory area (PAR_RAM) to the second memory area.
US07675962B2
Techniques for deriving a channel impulse response estimate (CIRE) having improved quality are described. A first CIRE with multiple channel taps is obtained based on (1) an initial CIRE derived from a received pilot or (2) a filtered CIRE derived from the initial CIRE. In one aspect, the channel taps in the first CIRE are scaled with multiple scaling factors to obtain a second CIRE. For point-wise LMMSE scaling, the energy of each channel tap is estimated. The noise energy for the channel taps is also estimated, e.g., based on energies of channel taps on one or both edges of the first CIRE. Each channel tap is scaled based on a scaling factor determined by the energy of that channel tap and the noise energy. Each channel tap with energy below a threshold may be set to zero. In another aspect, the second CIRE is obtained by zeroing out selected ones of the channel taps in the first CIRE.
US07675961B2
The present invention describes a spread spectrum communication system wherein the frequency of carriers and the code channels of the carriers or both for transmission to a given remote station user vary in time. This provides for a direct sequence spectrum communications system which changes frequency or code channel according to a predetermined pattern. The code channels and frequencies can be determined in accordance with a deterministic function or based upon a subset of the data to be transmitted. A receiver structure is also described for receiving the same.
US07675958B2
A lasing method including the steps of providing a laser resonator; utilizing birefringence compensation in said resonator whereby said resonator is induced to operate in a Laguerre-Gaussian higher order mode; and utilizing polarized outcoupling of lasing energy at said higher order mode from said resonator. In the illustrative application, the laser resonator is a high-power, solid-state laser resonator. In the specific embodiment, the inventive method further includes the step of changing an outcoupling preference for a non-degenerate high-order Laguerre-Gaussian mode. In one embodiment, the step of changing outcoupling preference includes the step of changing an outcoupling polarization. In another embodiment, the step of changing outcoupling preference includes the step of changing an orientation of a roof edge of a prism in the laser resonator. Lower order Laguerre modes are discouraged from appearing in an output of the resonator by adding loss at the center of the rod aperture of the resonator or detuning the orientation of a first or a second quarter-wave plate. In the illustrative embodiment, the gain lifetime of the resonator is longer than an interpulse period thereof.
US07675957B2
A surface emitting laser (100) and a monitoring photodetector (MPD) 158 are mounted in a TO (transistor outline package) can (150) on the same plane as one another. Light from a rear facet (108) of the laser is directed to the MPD through a polymer light guide (164).
US07675955B2
A laser assembly comprises a substrate and two or more lasers. The substrate has a substantially planar surface region and a raised feature. The raised feature comprises two or more reflective surfaces. Each of the two or more lasers is mounted to the substantially planar surface region and is configured to emit a laser beam directed towards the raised feature at a nonzero tilt angle in relation to the substantially planar surface region.
US07675949B2
Multiple interfaces dedicated to individual logic circuits such as memory arrays are capable of being dynamically reconfigured from operating separately and in parallel to operating in a more collective manner to ensure that data associated with all of the logic circuits will be communicated irrespective of a failure in any of the interfaces. Specifically, a plurality of interfaces, each of which being ordinarily configured to communicate data associated with an associated logic circuit in parallel with the other interfaces, may be dynamically reconfigured, e.g., in response to a detected failure in one or more of the interfaces, to communicate data associated with each of the interfaces over each of at least a subset of the interfaces in a time multiplexed and replicated manner.
US07675946B2
A system, method, and computer program product for dynamically managing packet delay of a received packet of data between multiple endpoints, including a delay estimator module adapted to calculate packet delay of the received packet of data. The system further includes a predictor module adapted for predicting a playout time for each received packet of data indicative of the calculated packet delay of the at least one received packet of data. Furthermore, the system includes a buffer module adapted for buffering the received packet of data for a variable amount of time and a player module adapted for playing only the received packet of data and to discard packets of data received after the predicted playout time. The delay estimator is adapted to calculate maximum delay of all the packets of data received in an interval within a predetermined threshold indicative of the calculated packet delay.
US07675945B2
A backbone network, comprising a first switch comprising a first port configured to communicate a data stream via an Ethernet interface, and a second port configured to communicate the data stream via a SONET/SDH interface, and a second switch comprising a third port configured to receive the data stream from the first switch via the Ethernet interface, wherein the first switch and the second switch are synchronized.
US07675944B2
An outer decoder and an inner decoder encode a block of information to be transmitted, to improve protection by adding redundancy. The redundancy permits decoding of the information from less than a complete encoded block of information. Time re-alignment of two transmissions of the same content from two base stations can mitigate the problem of duplicated frames. The user of the subscriber station can experience seamless service without repetition of content, even when handing over to a new cell while receiving a buffer of broadcast content.
US07675942B2
The present invention relates to transmitting data units of a radio protocol layer, wherein one logical channel identifier is added to one or more data units belonging to one logical channel. Because only one logical channel identifier is added to the data units belonging to one logical channel in constructing a MAC-e PDU, overheads of the MAC-e PDU are reduced. Such reduction of the PDU overheads increases data throughput, which is advantageous for a high-speed data communication system, such as the HSUPA.
US07675941B2
A method and apparatus for enabling efficient use of radio resources by reducing an RLC PDU size in a mobile communication system supporting voice service over a packet network are provided. An RLC layer constructs an RLC PDU without inserting information indicating the start and end of an SDU or indicating the use or non-use of padding. The RLC layer sets an LI in a header to indicate inclusion of an intermediate SDU segment in the data field of the RLC PDU. Therefore, the resulting decrease of overhead arising from packet transmission facilitates the efficient use of limited radio resources.
US07675937B2
A method and system for accessing a remote real communication port (“COM port”) from a server blade in a server blade chassis by creating a virtual COM port in the server blade. A basic input/output system (BIOS) controller monitors an internal COM port in the server blade for communication traffic. Upon detecting the communication traffic, the BIOS controller reroutes the traffic to a virtual USB COM port created by the BIOS controller chipset. The virtual USB COM port directs the communication traffic to an internal universal serial bus (USB) device in the server blade. The USB device then forwards the traffic to an Ethernet media access controller (MAC) input/output (I/O) on a sideband channel to a remote system, which passes the communication traffic to a real COM port in the remote system.
US07675929B1
A data flow management system and method in which an application and its clients are made aware of the available credits for each type of transfer before the transfer is attempted. This enables the clients to transmit packets only when the RX side has issued a sufficient number of credits to insure that the transmission will not be stalled. The invention eliminates the need for FIFO buffers in the PCI-Express core, since the application will not transmit packets to the core until the required number of credits for the particular transfer type is available. Therefore, packet transmissions do not require buffering in the core, as they are only sent when they can be sent all the way through the core to the link. The efficient back-to-back transfer support enabled by this protocol increases the overall throughput and efficiency of the system as transfers through the application interface have fewer gaps therebetween, because the credit management protocol with its back-to-back feature reduces the idle times between packets traversing the application interface. An enhanced Quality of Service feature is also introduced by creating an environment where the low-latency packets can receive a highest attention and the lowest transmission wait time.
US07675928B2
Methods and apparatus for improving cache hits in network processors using flow-based packet assignment to compute engines. Packet processing operations are performed on a network processor having multiple compute engines via execution of instruction threads on those compute engines. Via execution of the threads, a flow-based packet processing assignment mechanism is implemented that causes at least a portion of the packet processing operations for packets associated with common flows to be performed on compute engines assigned to perform packet processing operations for those flows. This results in the same compute engines performing packet processing on packets assigned to common sets of flows, thus increasing the cache hits on data that is stored locally on the compute engines pertaining to the flows.
