US07678662B2
A memory cell comprises a p-doped substrate with a pair of spaced apart n-doped regions on the substrate that form a source and drain about the channel. A stack of layers on the channel comprises, in sequence, (i) a tunnel oxide layer, (ii) a floating gate, (iii) an inter-gate dielectric, and (iv) a control gate. A polysilicon layer is on the source and drain. A cover layer covering the stack of layers comprises a spacer layer and a pre-metal-deposition layer. Optionally, contacts are used to contact each of the source, drain, and silicide layers, and each have exposed portions. A shallow isolation trench is provided about n-doped regions, the trench comprising a stressed silicon oxide layer having a tensile stress of at least about 200 MPa. The stressed layer reduces leakage of charge held in the floating gate during operation of the memory cell.
US07678661B2
Embodiments relate to semiconductor device and a method of forming an insulating layer with a low dielectric constant in a semiconductor device. The method may include forming a plurality of metal patterns on a semiconductor substrate, depositing a first insulating layer on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate having the plurality of metal patterns, depositing an etch stop layer on the first insulating layer, depositing a second insulating layer on the etch stop layer, removing the second insulating layer until the etch stop layer formed above each of the plurality of metal patterns is exposed, etching the exposed etch stop layer, and depositing a third insulating layer on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07678658B2
A method of forming an improved static random access memory (SRAM) interconnect structure is provided. The method includes forming a sidewall spacer around a periphery of a patterned poly-silicon layer formed over a silicon layer of a semiconductor substrate; removing the patterned poly-silicon layer for exposing a portion of a cap layer; etching the exposed portion of the cap layer for revealing a portion of the silicon layer; etching the portion of the silicon layer, in which a portion of said silicon layer connects at least a portion of pull-down device of said SRAM to at least a portion of pull-up device of said SRAM; forming a gate oxide; and forming a gate conductor over the gate oxide. An interconnect structure is also provided.
US07678645B2
Method for forming a highly relaxed epitaxial semiconductor layer (52) with a thickness between 100 nm and 800 nm in a growth chamber includes four principle steps. In a first step, the method provides a substrate (51) in the growth chamber on a substrate carrier. In a second step, the method maintains a constant substrate temperature (TS) of the substrate (51) in a range between 350° C. and 500° C. In a third step, the method establishes a high-density, low-energy plasma in the growth chamber such that the substrate (51) is being exposed to the plasma. In a fourth step, the method directs Silane gas (SiH4) and Germane gas (GeH4) through the gas inlet into the growth chamber, the flow rates of the Silane gas and the Germane gas being adjusted in order to form said semiconductor layer (52) by means of vapor deposition with a growth rate in a range between 1 and 10 nm/s. The semiconductor layer (52) has a Germanium concentration x in a range between 0
US07678641B2
There is provided a semiconductor device having a device isolation region of STI structure formed on a silicon substrate so as to define a device region, wherein the device isolation region comprises a device isolation trench formed in the silicon substrate, and a device isolation insulation film filling the device isolation trench. At least a surface part of the device isolation insulation film is formed of an HF-resistant film.
US07678639B2
An inductor formed within an integrated circuit and a method for forming the inductor. The inductor comprises an underlying layer of aluminum formed in a first metallization layer and patterned and etched into the desired shape. In one embodiment the aluminum line comprises a spiral shape. According to a damascene process, a conductive runner, preferably of copper, is formed in a dielectric layer overlying the aluminum line and in electrical contact therewith. The aluminum line and the conductive runner cooperate to form the inductor. In another embodiment the aluminum line and the conductive runner are formed in a vertically spaced-apart orientation, with tungsten plugs or conductive vias formed to provide electrical connection therebetween. A method for forming the inductor comprises forming an aluminum conductive line and forming a conductive runner over the conductive line.
US07678632B2
Some embodiments discussed herein include a semiconductor having a source region, a drain region and an array of fins operatively coupled to a gate region controlling current flow through the fins between the source region and the drain region. The semiconductor also has at least one cooling element formed at least in part of a material having a heat capacity equal to or larger than the heat capacity of the material of the source region, drain region and array of fins, the cooling elements being in close vicinity to fins of the array of fins electrically isolated from the fins of the array, the source region and the drain region. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07678631B2
A method to form a strain-inducing three-component epitaxial film is described. In one embodiment, the strain-inducing epitaxial film is formed by a multiple deposition/etch step sequence, followed by an amorphizing dopant impurity-implant and, finally, a kinetically-driven crystallization process. In one embodiment, the charge-neutral lattice-substitution atoms are smaller and present in greater concentration than the charge-carrier dopant impurity atoms.
US07678623B2
This invention relates to a process for fabricating a staggered source/drain and thin-channel TFT structure, which simplifies the conventional process for fabricating the structure by decreasing the number of mask steps and achieving better results at suppressing the electric field near the drain junction and reducing the leakage current. The process comprises (1) re-crystallizing a-Si into poly-Si (02), which is performed by depositing an a-Si layer on a substrate and then applying a general photolithographic step and a RIE etching step for defining the amorphous Si islands provided with higher regions and lower regions, wherein the residual width of the thin channel of the a-Si is about 5 to 200 nm after etching; then the a-Si is changed into poly-Si (02) after a subsequent annealing; (2) defining the gate region (05), source/drain region (07) and the channel; (3) applying the implantation; and (4) applying the connection.
US07678622B2
In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a wafer includes a first semiconductor region of a first crystal orientation and a second semiconductor region of a second crystal orientation. Insulating material is formed over the wafer. A first portion of the insulating material is removed to expose the first semiconductor region and a second portion of the insulating material is removed to expose the second semiconductor region. Semiconductor material of the first crystal orientation is epitaxially grown over the exposed first semiconductor region and semiconductor material of the second crystal orientation is epitaxially grown over the exposed second semiconductor region.
US07678617B1
An improved arrangement and process for packaging integrated circuits are described. More particularly, a universal lamination tool is described that functions to secure an adhesive film to a lead frame. The lamination tool of the present invention uses compressed gas to press the lead frame against the adhesive film. In this manner, the lamination tool itself does not physically press on the lead frame thereby substantially reducing the likelihood of damage to the bonding wires or other delicate components during this stage of the encapsulation process. Moreover, such a lamination tool is not package specific making it applicable for a wide variety of package configurations and lead frame sizes.
US07678616B2
An apparatus, method, and system for providing thermal management for an integrated circuit includes a first metallic layer directly placed on a back surface of the integrated circuit. An integrated heat spreader with a substantially cap-like shape is placed over the integrated circuit, with an aperture of a ceiling wall of the integrated heat spreader exposing a back surface of the integrated circuit at least in part. The first metallic layer is directly placed on top of an exterior surface of the ceiling wall of the integrated heat spreader as well as the back surface of the integrated circuit.
US07678613B2
An apparatus, method, and system for providing a mechanical divider adapted to shield at least a portion of an active surface of an integrated circuit from out-gassing from underfill material. The mechanical divider is attached to a mounting substrate. The underfill material is dispensed on the mounting substrate. The integrated circuit is placed on both the mechanical divider and on the underfill material after the mechanical divider has been at least partially cured. The mechanical divider may include a base surface adapted to contact the mounting substrate, a lower wall surface extending upwardly from the base surface, an upper wall surface adapted to abut a side wall of the integrated circuit, and a ledge surface extending between the lower wall surface and the upper wall surface, the ledge surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the active surface of the integrated circuit.
US07678612B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: a step of forming a via plug erected on an electrically conductive layer, and embedding the via plug in an insulation layer to form a wiring structure; and a step of bonding the wiring structure to a wiring substrate including electronic components mounted thereon.
US07678606B2
A phase change memory device is disclosed. A second conductive spacer is under a first conductive spacer. A phase change layer comprises a first portion substantially parallel to the first and second conductive spacers and a second portion on top of the second conductive spacer, wherein the second conductive spacer is electrically connected to the first conductive spacer through the second portion of the phase change layer.
US07678598B2
A method for manufacturing a surface-emitting semiconductor laser having a structure in which the single horizontal mode of high power is stably maintained is provided. A scattering-loss-structure portion composed of a low refractive-index region is disposed around a main current path in a surface-emitting semiconductor laser, namely around a cavity structure portion; the low refractive-index region is disposed at intervals; and the shape of the tip portion opposing to the center portion is set to be a tapered shape, for example, at an acute angle. Accordingly, in the cavity structure portion, the loss of light-emitting laser of a high-order mode localized in the outer circumferential portion becomes large, so that a surface-emitting semiconductor laser that oscillates the single-mode laser with favorable performance is constructed.
US07678597B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device provides a semiconductor device with a gallium-nitride-based semiconductor structure that allows long-term stable operation without degradation in device performance. After formation of an insulation film on a surface other than on a ridge surface, an oxygen-containing gas such as O2, O3, NO, N2O, or NO2 is supplied to oxidize a p-type GaN contact layer from the surface and to thereby form an oxide film on the surface of the p-type GaN contact layer. Then, a p-type electrode that establishes contact with the p-type GaN contact layer is formed by evaporation or sputtering on the oxide film and on the insulation film. Heat treatment is subsequently performed at temperatures between 400 and 700° C. in an atmosphere containing a nitrogen-containing gas such as N2 or NH3 or an inert gas such as Ar or He.
US07678594B2
An integrated optical device comprising a first semiconductor optical element provided on a first region of the main face of a substrate and a second semiconductor optical element provided on a second region and optically coupled to the first semiconductor optical element is fabricated. A first III-V compound semiconductor layer containing Al element is formed on the main face. A second III-V compound semiconductor layer for forming the first semiconductor optical element is then formed on the first III-V compound semiconductor layer. An etching mask M is formed on the first region. The end point of the dry etching is detected by using the etching mask M to dry-etch the second III-V compound semiconductor layer while detecting Al element. The first semiconductor optical element is thus formed. The second semiconductor optical element is formed on the second region.
US07678581B2
A tissue sample to be analyzed is tested. Multiple different samples of multiple areas of said tissue sample, each of said multiple areas is a smaller area than an entire tissue sample to be analyzed. After analysis, the tissue sample is processed in a way that facilitates viewing tumor information on the sample, for example, by fixing or staining. An area is identified on the stained sample, and at least one of the samples that corresponds to an identified area is tested. This small area is tested using a technique that homogenizes the sample before testing.
US07678577B2
A corpuscle/plasma separating part is disposed at the lower end of the substrate, and a sensor part connected to the corpuscle/plasma separating part is disposed at the upper end of the substrate, with a calibration solution reservoir being disposed on the lower side of the sensor part, and a calibration solution waste reservoir being disposed on the upper side of the sensor part. A first centrifugal axis is located upper to the corpuscle fraction storing part and lower to the plasma fraction storing part of the corpuscle/plasma separating part, while a second centrifugal axis is located within or close to the sensor part. Conveyance and discharge of the calibration solution can be carried out by performing centrifugation around the first centrifugal axis which is distant from the sensor part at a low speed of rotation, so that the centrifugal force exerted on the sensors would be small. During the centrifuge operation at a high speed of rotation for the separation of blood corpuscles, centrifugation can be performed around the second centrifugal axis so that the centrifugal force exerted on the sensors is small. Centrifuge operation allows separation of the blood corpuscles and blood plasma, and conveyance of the blood plasma and the calibration solution, as well as certain discharge of the calibration solution from the sensors, thereby allowing precise analysis. Any damage in the sensors due to strong centrifugal force during the separation of blood corpuscles and blood plasma can be prevented.
US07678569B2
Embodiments described herein include nucleic acid sequences, which encode hepatitis C virus of strain HC-TN, genotype 1a, proteins and polypeptides and fragments thereof. Use of these compositions, and diagnostics for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV are also contemplated.
US07678557B2
The invention relates to methods for the accumulation and retention of immune-enhancing, bacterial-derived ribonucleotides smaller than 10,000 Daltons (ORN<10 kDa) in bacteria that are produced when bacteria are grown naturally, allowing the pH of the growth medium to become acidic. The immune-enhancing, bacterial-derived ribonucleotides (ORN) and bacteria comprising ORN are useful in the preparation of animal feed or animal drinking water as well as for use in enhancing the immune system of an animal and/or its resistance to infection. The invention also discloses methods of preventing the loss of ORN during bacterial production and storage as well as methods to aid in the release of ORN when consumed by an animal.
US07678553B2
Strains of Lactobacillus which have been selected for their capability of reducing gastrointestinal inflammation, such as that due to Helicobacter pylori, and products derived from these strains, including agents for treatment or prophylaxis of inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori for administration to humans and include conditioned media in which the selected strains have grown and protein-containing extracts of the conditioned media.
US07678545B2
The present invention is directed to methods for providing a polyelectrolyte multilayer film at a liquid-liquid interface. Such methods include steps of sequentially-depositing layers of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes at a liquid-liquid interface that is formed between immiscible first and second liquids whereby a polyelectrolyte multilayer film is provided at the liquid-liquid interface. In certain preferred embodiments, the first liquid is an aqueous solution and the second liquid is a liquid crystal. In alternative embodiments, the first liquid is an aqueous solution and the second liquid is an oil. The invention further encompasses polyelectrolyte multilayer films provided by the disclosed methods as well as applications utilizing such materials.
US07678544B2
The present invention provides a method, an assay and a kit for providing an indication of abnormal cell function. It was surprisingly found that the change in the serum ADAM12 concentration in individuals was useful as a prognostic tool to predict the clinical outcome, complications and mortality following an abnormal cell function.The present inventors describes ADAM12 as a overall general marker for abnormal cell function, and the present inventor for the first time demonstrate that ADAM12 is an important indicator of fetal chromosomal disease and placenta function. Specifically ADAM12 is a good marker for e.g. Downs's syndrome, trisomy 18, preeclampsia, Turner syndrome in both first and second trimester.The present inventors developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the quantification of ADAM12 in serum.The present application demonstrates in several examples the variation of the ADAM12 level in fetal abnormality and/or adverse pregnancy outcomes correlated gestational age when compared to normal controls. It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement of the existing marker tests that exhibits a decreased false positive rate.
US07678543B2
A method for amplifying genomic DNA is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (1) incubating a cell-containing agarose solution at a pH of 9 to 12 and a temperature of 45 to 80° C. to produce a genomic DNA-dispersed agarose solution wherein 0.002 to 1 copies/5 microliter of single-stranded genomic DNA is dispersed; (2) solidifying the genomic DNA-dispersed agarose solution to produce a genomic DNA-dispersed agarose gel and neutralizing a pH of the gel; and (3) adding a DNA polymerase with strand displacement activity, primer and dNTP to the genomic DNA-dispersed agarose gel and incubating the gel at a temperature of 0 to 60° C. to amplify the genomic DNA.
US07678541B2
The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for generating a signal indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample comprising forming a cleavage structure by incubating a sample comprising a target nucleic acid sequence with upstream and downstream oligonucleotides, and cleaving the cleavage structure with a nuclease to generate a signal. The presence of a detectable signal is indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence and a non-invasive cleavage structure.
US07678527B2
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and compositions for providing photoresists with improved liquid-contact properties. For one embodiment of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that are resistant to diffusion between the photoresist and an index-matching liquid (IML). For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist component is provided that is hydrophobic thus reducing diffusion between the photoresist and the water. In various alternative embodiments of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that encourage diffusion between the photoresist layer and the IML in such manner as to impart beneficial liquid-contact properties to the photoresist layer. For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist is provided having one or more hydrophilic constituents.
US07678526B2
Radiation curable thermal transfer elements including a substrate and a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and processes to make the thermal transfer elements. The light-to-heat conversion layer is derived from a radiation curable material capable of being cured by exposure to radiation at a curing wavelength and an imaging radiation absorber material not substantially increasing radiation absorbance at the curing wavelength. The radiation curable transfer elements can be used in processes for making organic microelectronic devices.
US07678524B2
A magnetic toner including at least: a binder resin; and a magnetic body, in which, when magnetization at a magnetic field strength of 397.9 kA/m and a coercive force of the magnetic toner are denoted by σs (Am2/kg) and Hc (kA/m), respectively, a magnetic field strength at which the magnetic toner shows a magnetization value equal to 95% of σs is denoted by H95% (kA/m), and a number average particle size of the magnetic body is denoted by d (μm), H95%, Hc, and d satisfy the following expressions. 151
US07678518B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer formed thereon in this order, wherein the surface layer contains a Group 13 element and at least one of nitrogen or oxygen.
US07678517B2
A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, and an active layer in contact with the substrate, and which active layer contains a photogenerating pigment of a titanyl phthalocyanine, at least one charge transport component, and a mixture of a metal oxide and a chelating agent, where the titanyl phthalocyanine is prepared by dissolving a Type I titanyl phthalocyanine in a solution comprising a trihaloacetic acid and an alkylene halide; adding the resulting mixture of the dissolved Type I titanyl phthalocyanine to a solution comprising an alcohol and an alkylene halide thereby precipitating a Type Y titanyl phthalocyanine; and treating the Type Y titanyl phthalocyanine with a monohalobenzene to form Type V titanyl phthalocyanine.
US07678502B2
An alkaline storage cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte. The hydrogen storage alloy has a composition expressed by a general expression: ((PrNd)αLn1-α)1-βMgβNiγ-δ-εAlδTε, where Ln represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of La, Ce, etc., T represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of V, Nb, etc., and subscripts α, β, γ, δ and ε represent numerical values which satisfy 0.7<α, 0.05<β<0.15, 3.0≦γ≦4.2, 0.15≦δ≦0.30 and 0≦ε≦0.20.
US07678501B2
In the present invention, the electrode assembly is first formed, and then a tab portion is formed by compressing an active material unfilled portion in an electrode having a foamed-metal electrode substrate (Tab Portion Formation Step). Accordingly, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, even if winding misalignment is created in which the edge of the separator is located adjacent to one edge of the active material unfilled portion during the formation of the electrode assembly, the misaligned portion of the separator is pushed in the width direction of the electrode together with the active material unfilled portion when the compression is applied in the Tab Portion Formation Step. Herewith, it is less likely to tuck a part of the separator between the tab portion and the current collector when the current collector is joined in the Current Collector Joining Step.
US07678496B2
An object of the present invention is to take fundamental measures against the phenomenon that the positive current collector of a lead-acid battery elongates due to corrosion, in consideration of a mechanism, and to inhibit corrosion elongation. A current collector is prepared by the steps of: mixing a lead oxide of pinning compounds for inhibiting recrystallization with the atomized powder of lead or a lead alloy; and then powder-rolling the mixture. A lead-acid battery is composed with the use of the current collector.
US07678484B2
The present invention relates to an electrochemical device. The device features an anode constructed of materials such that the device can be chemically recharged. In addition, the device is capable of switching between operating as a fuel cell or as a battery. The switch can occur without cessation of electrical output. In certain aspects of the invention, the device is capable of operating at a temperature of less than 1000° C. Other aspects feature a liquid anode which allows higher output, dispersion of fuel and minimal stresses in an interface comprising the anode. Preferably the anode is a liquid at a temperature of less than 1000° C. The invention also relates to methods for energy conversion in which a continual electrical output can be produced in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption or the absence of fuel.
US07678479B2
A method for providing hydrogen to a hydrogen-powered device comprises providing a buffer connected to supply hydrogen to the device. The buffer is filled with hydrogen by coupling the buffer to a cartridge containing a predetermined quantity of hydrogen. The hydrogen in the cartridge may be stored in a form having a higher energy density than the hydrogen in the buffer. Systems comprising hydrogen-powered devices that include such buffers are also described.
US07678476B2
A thin film structure comprises a first layer including a first plurality of grains of magnetic material having a first intergranular exchange coupling, and a second layer positioned adjacent to the first layer and including a second plurality of grains of magnetic material having a second intergranular exchange coupling, wherein the second intergranular exchange coupling is larger than the first intergranular exchange coupling and wherein the Curie temperature of the first layer is greater than the Curie temperature of the second layer. A data storage system including the thin film structure is also provided.
US07678466B2
Disclosed herein is a flooring comprising a surface layer made of a synthetic resin, and a wood-based board as a base. Preferably, the surface layer includes a printed layer formed by general gravure, transfer, heat-sublimation, silk screen or digital printing using a printer, a protective made of a synthetic resin, and a UV-curable or heat-curable surface treatment layer. The wood-based board is selected from plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), particle board, and resin-wood flour composite board. The flooring may further comprise a bottom layer laminated under the wood-based board for protecting the flooring against moisture from the bottom. The flooring is cut into pieces having an appropriate size, and the pieces are processed into a finished product in a tongue and groove (T & G) shape.
US07678464B2
A substrate having at least one main surface comprising a first coating deposited on said main surface and a second coating having anti-soiling properties deposited and adhering on the surface of said first coating, the first coating being a (meth)acrylate based coating and being obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable composition comprising: i) at least one (meth)acrylate compound and ii) at least one compound I having at least one —M—Z′ bond with M representing Si or a Metal atom, Z′ representing OH or a hydrolysable group, and at least one ethylenic unsaturated group or epoxy group, and/or iii) at least one silica or metal oxide colloid having free ethylenically unsaturated groups; and the second coating, having anti-soiling properties, being obtained by depositing on said first coating an anti-soiling coating composition comprising at least one compound II, or a hydrolyzate thereof, having at least one —Si—Z″ group with Z″ representing OH or a hydrolysable group.
US07678462B2
Anti-reflective coating materials for deep ultraviolet photolithography include one or more organic light-absorbing compounds incorporated into spin-on-glass materials. Suitable absorbing compounds are strongly absorbing over wavelength ranges around wavelengths such as 365 nm, 248 nm, and 193 nm that may be used in photolithography. A method of making absorbing spin-on-glass materials includes combining one or more organic absorbing compounds with alkoxysilane or halosilane reactants during synthesis of the spin-on-glass materials.
US07678453B2
Barrier structure for furnishing, selectively and variously, penetration and fire-threat protection on the outside surface of a target structure. The barrier structure includes a high-elastomeric coating having an inner face bonded to such a surface, an exposed outer face, and, within this coating, at least one elastomeric layer region extending to the outer face, and containing an embedded distribution of intumescence elements. Basic variations of this structure include (a) an additional layer region which is formed with elastomeric-material including an embedded distribution of liquid-imbiber beads, and (b) an additional layer region which is formed purely of elastomeric material. The elastomeric material employed, and the embedded liquid-imbiber beads where included, react to liquid petroleum-based substances (1) to imbibe such liquid, (2) to swell in size as a result of such imbibing, and (3) to coagulate into a sticky mass.
US07678450B2
To provide a sewing thread that is excellent in high-speed sewability and automatic sewing characteristics. A sewing thread includes a plurality of under-twisted yarns provided with upper-twist, the yarns each being composed of a sheath-core structure yarn composed of two or more multifilament yarns, wherein part of the sheath-core structure yarn protrudes as loops on a yarn surface, the loops being composed of 50 to 300 loops/m with 0.7 to less than 1.2 mm length and 10 or less loops/m with 1.2 mm or more length, and wherein the yarns have a strength of 4 to 6 CN/dtex.
US07678443B2
The present invention is directed to an adhesive article and methods of manufacturing the adhesive article. The adhesive article comprising at least one major surface comprising a microstructured surface, the microstructured surface comprising microstructured elements, the microstructured elements comprising walls and at least one wall has variable height with a maximum height and a minimum height along the wall length.
US07678433B2
An objective of this application is to provide a sealant for liquid crystals witch is extremely less apt to contaminate liquid crystals and has high adhesion strength. This application discloses a sealant for liquid crystals comprising as essential ingredients (a) a radiation-curable resin represented by the general formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear, branch or cyclic monovalent alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, m represents an integer of 1 to 4, and may be the same or different, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and the number n of the repeating units is a positive number in the range of 0 to 20; (b) a photopolymerization initiator; and (c) an inorganic filler having an average particle diameter of 3 μm or less.
US07678429B2
A method of forming a coating on a powdered substrate, which method comprises introducing an atomized liquid and/or solid coating forming material and separately transporting a powdered substrate to be coated into an atmospheric plasma discharge and/or an ionized gas stream resulting therefrom, and exposing the powdered substrate to the atomized liquid and/or solid coating forming material.
US07678424B2
A method of forming a carbon nanotube emitter includes: forming a carbon nanotube composite on a substrate with a predetermined shape, coating surface treating material in a liquid phase on the carbon nanotube composite and drying the surface treating material, and peeling the dried surface treating material off of the carbon nanotube composite.
US07678422B2
A process to deposit metal silicon nitride on a substrate comprising: sorbing a metal amide on a heated substrate, purging away the unsorbed metal amide, contacting a silicon-containing source having one or more Si—H3 fragments with the heated substrate to react with the sorbed metal amide, wherein the silicon-containing source has one or more H3Si—NR02 (R0═SiH3, R, R1 or R2, defined below) groups selected from the group consisting of one or more of: wherein R and R1 in the formulas represent aliphatic groups typically having from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, e.g., branched alkyl, cycloalkyl with R and R1 in formula A also being combinable into a cyclic group, and R2 representing a single bond, (CH2)n, a ring, or SiH2, and purging away the unreacted silicon-containing source.
US07678416B2
In a method of coating a substrate, inner walls of flow channels of the substrate are coated with a slurry. A plurality of flow channels each opened at both end faces are formed in the substrate. The method includes a step of storing a predetermined amount of slurry in a slurry container in which the end of the substrate, where the flow channels of the substrate are opened, can be inserted under pressure into the slurry container. A step of inserting the substrate with the end of the substrate being downward in the slurry container and dipping the substrate under pressure to the slurry liquid surface, and a step of extending the slurry along the inner wall of the flow channels by blow-opening the respective flow channels in a state of up-turning the slurry container together with the substrate.
US07678408B2
A method compensates film height modulations in spin coating of a resist film layer. From a desired layout pattern, a substrate topography as a result of lithographically structuring in image fields is determined. A spin coating model is provided to determine a modeled resist film height based on the substrate topography during spin coating of a resist film. A nominal resist film height by using the spin coating model with an unperturbed substrate topography having a flat surface is determined. Next, film height modulations based on a difference are determined for test points and the desired layout pattern is optimized by implementing further structural elements in order to form an optimized mask pattern by minimizing the film height modulations.
US07678405B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide oil in water type emulsion supplemented with phytosterol, and having an excellent emulsion stability during storage. The present invention relates to oil in water type emulsion comprising ester-type phytosterol of 1.5˜50%, and free-type phytosterol of 0.01˜1.0% of oil phase of the emulsion.
US07678403B2
A method comprising selection of unbroken whole grain rice that are first washed, or whole grain corn that is first reduced in size, and then making an aqueous slurry that is subsequently wet milled to release all the protein, fat, fiber, and starch components normally held in the structure of the grain. The resulting slurry can be reacted with heat to gelatinize the starch and the subsequent product dried. Also, the heated slurry containing the liberated components can be treated to enzymatic hydrolysis via the process of liquefaction and optionally saccharification, producing whole grain rice milk products having diverse carbohydrate compositions. The whole grain milk products are characterized by a nutritional composition containing substantially all the nutritional components of the whole grain, being an opaque whole milk colloid, having smooth texture versus pulpiness, lacking in all bitterness normally associated with whole grain products, and having a variety of sweetness levels from non-sweet to very sweet.
US07678395B2
Flavanoid components of the Ginkgo biloba tree are useful to stimulate the growth of hair and are thus useful in treatment of alopecia or baldness.
US07678382B2
A cosmetic composition is provided which includes from 0.01 to 10% of single-crystal platy barium sulfate, from 0.5 to 10% of a water insoluble powdered acrylic polymer in porous particle form and a carrier. The compositions have soft focus optics imparting radiance to the applied skin area without excessive shininess or opacity and have excellent skinfeel properties.
US07678379B2
The invention provides novel Class I HLA-A2 and Class II HLA-DR4-restricted epitopes and methods for their use in detecting T-cells in peripheral blood specific for infection or latency of mycobacterial infection, including M. tuberculosis and M. leprae as others. For example, methods for diagnosing the presence of infection or exposure by M. tuberculosis utilize multimers of HLA monomers or modified monomers having a bound HLA-binding peptide to perform high throughput screening of patient PBLs. The methods can be used for monitoring the success of anti mycobacterial treatment in patients and to screen vaccines and drugs for effectiveness in treating or preventing exposure, infection and latency of mycobacteria in humans.
US07678369B2
The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting a toxin in an animal, such as a human, by administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer having a plurality of pendant acid functional groups which are directly attached to the polymer backbone or attached to the polymer backbone by a spacer group. The spacer group can have a length in the range from 0 to about 20 atoms. The toxin is, typically, an exotoxin secreted by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium.
US07678368B2
To find a substance which has a skin cosmeticizing effect such as prevention of skin aging, amelioriation of sensitive skin, or antipruritic action, and can serve as an effective ingredient for a hair-care product, thereby providing cosmetics comprising the effective ingredient. Concretely, there are provided cosmetics characterized in that the cosmetics comprise as an effective ingredient a compound selected from a fucoidan, a degradation product thereof, a sulfated monosaccharide or a salt thereof.
US07678362B2
A hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material is a combination of LiBH4 with MHx, wherein greater than about 50% of M comprises Al.
US07678361B2
The present invention discloses a microreactor for performing heterogeneous catalytic reactions, being of plate or stack construction for industrial use, with provision made for chambers between the plates for the chemical reaction and for the heat removal. Inside the reaction chambers, catalyst material is applied to the internal walls or filled into recesses, and in all chambers there are spacers. In particular the slot-shaped reaction chambers have channels with a hydraulic diameter smaller than 1500 μm and a ratio of free slot width to free slot height in the range of 10 to 450.
US07678352B2
Devices and methods for the production of ammonia as a reducing agent for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of a combustion source, especially of an internal combustion engine. The ammonia is admixed with the exhaust gas in the direction of flow in front of a SCR-catalytic converter. In so doing, nitrogen oxide is produced in a nitrogen oxide production unit separated from the combustion source and its exhaust gas duct and is stored in at least one storage catalytic converter or a nitrogen oxide storage and a subsequently connected catalytic converter. Furthermore, hydrogen and/or a hydrogen-carbon monoxide-mixture is produced in a hydrogen production unit separated from the combustion source and its exhaust gas duct and delivered to a storage catalytic converter. Hydrogen and the stored nitrogen oxide are converted catalytically to ammonia in the storage catalytic converter or in the catalytic converter.
US07678350B2
Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous trimethylammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.
US07678342B1
A riser reactor for fluidized catalytic conversion process consists of a prelift zone, a first reaction zone, a second reaction zone with enlarged diameter, an outlet zone with reduced diameter along coaxial direction form bottom to top, and the end of the outlet zone connects to a horizontal tube. The reactor is used for adjusting different operating conditions to process single or plural feedstock in each different reaction zone for producing the desired product.
US07678337B2
A slide holder comprising a rectangular frame having two side walls facing each other, a first end wall facing a second end wall, the second end wall having a latch pivotally attached thereto, the latch capable of being pivoted in such a manner as to enable locking and unlocking of the slide holder in a slide holder carrier. The slide holder carrier has a first end wall, a first side wall, a second end wall, a second side wall, and a shaft running from the first end wall of the slide holder carrier to the second end wall of the slide holder carrier. At least one slide holder is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
US07678336B2
Disclosed is a focusing channel device which focuses fluid containing micro particles so that the micro particles flow in a line. The channel device comprises a nozzle formed by left and right walls each of which comprises an inclination surface. The cross sectional area in vertical direction decreases from the entrance of the nozzle toward the exit of the nozzle. The shape of cross sectional view in horizontal direction is asymmetric for the central line in the length direction. Using the focus channel device of the invention, the micro particles in the fluid are not combined with each other and passed through the channel one by one. Thus, blockage of the channel or combination and movement of two particles together does not occur.
US07678325B2
A combination of a metal and Sn may be used as a solvent material for bulk crystallization and sintering of single crystal diamond to form a biocompatible and corrosion-resistant biomedical device.
US07678324B2
A method for manufacturing a hollow plastic product. The method includes the steps of forming a reinforce member in a desired shape having a defined welding surface formed with a first hole by injection molding; forming a hollow main body by blow molding using said reinforce member as an insert, thereby having said reinforce member integrally formed with said hollow main body and having a portion of said hollow main body extended into said first hole in the shape of a mesa when blow-molded; thermally welding a top end surface of a connector pipe to said welding surface and also to a top surface of said mesa shaped portion; and forming a second hole in said top surface of said mesa shaped portion to be aligned with said second hole, thereby forming a fluidic communication passage between an interior of said hollow main body and an interior of said connector pipe.
US07678313B2
A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a cure-altering material comprising an organosulfur compound, an inorganic sulfide compound, or a metal-containing organosulfur compound; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.
US07678311B2
This invention relates to a method for coating an elastomeric component with a coating that has a low coefficient of friction and the articles formed by the method. The method includes preparing an elastomeric coating; applying the coating to a substrate; contacting the coated substrate with an elastomeric compound; and heating the elastomeric compound and the coated substrate under pressure to bond the coating to the elastomeric compound and form a coated elastomeric component.
US07678306B2
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of vibration. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods of vibration for tooling in a structure, such as, for example, a fuselage. In one implementation, the tooling comprises at least two conductors that create a force to vibrate the media in the tooling, which improves the compaction of the media in the tooling and the extraction of the media from the tooling. Other implementations may be used for compaction and/or extraction of the media in the tooling.
US07678305B2
A method of pre-applying a bolster assembly to an interior trim part includes the steps of applying a base skin layer to a groove of a first nest, applying a bolster skin layer to a second nest, positioning the first nest in an open position, and inserting a leading edge of a bolster skin layer in the groove of the first nest when the first nest is in the open position until the bolster skin layer engages the base skin layer. The bolster assembly can be attached to the interior trim part by a Foam-In-Place (FIP) or Low-Pressure Molding (LPM) operation. The interior trim part may comprise a dashboard garnish, an instrument panel (IP), a door panel, and the like. A boss locating portion can be integrally formed within the base skin layer and is used for locating the bolster assembly on the interior trim piece during the manufacturing process. Because the bolster assembly is pre-applied to the interior trim part prior to the FIP or LPM operation, the bolster assembly can be positioned at the bottom-most portion of the groove to provide a consistent fit and finish, while reducing scrap material and cost of the interior trim part.
US07678301B2
Vesicle compositions from high molecular weight silicone polyether copolymers, methods for preparing the vesicle compositions, and personal, household, and healthcare formulations containing the vesicle compositions are disclosed.
US07678297B2
The present invention provides a transparent conductive material with little change in electric resistance under influence of temperature or humidity and a transparent conductive membrane using the same. The transparent conductive material of the present invention includes a resin, a transparent conductive particle, a silica material containing at least either of a silica particle or a precursor of silica particle, and a silane coupling agent.
US07678293B2
A coated phosphor, formed by a powder of individual grains of a phosphor as base material, the grains being coated with a coating material. The layer comprises a plurality of individual layers and is particulate in form, the individual primary particles of the layer being at least 5 nm in size. The mean layer thickness is at least 20 nm.
US07678292B2
An ionic dopant comprising a sulfur or a phosphorus containing anion with a randon cation, for use in a smectic A liquid crystal composition. The cation preferably comprises a quaternary ammonium cation.
US07678289B2
A method of indicating the progress of a sacrificial material removal process, the method, comprising; freeing a portion of a member, the member being disposed in a cage and laterally surrounded by the sacrificial material; and preventing the freed portion of the member from floating away by retaining the freed member.
US07678283B2
A rotary drum filter has a plurality of longitudinally extending division grids mounted about the outer circumference of a drum. A plurality of corrugated sheets are provided, with the leading and trailing edges of each sheet mounted to circumferentially adjacent pairs of division grids to define filtrate compartments. An equivalent number of perforated filter plates are also provided. Each filter plate is attached to the top of a corrugated sheet and has a leading edge and a trailing edge that are set back from the leading edge and trailing edge of the corrugated sheet. A seal clip is positioned near the leading edge of each corrugated sheet. A seal member or seal members is/are held in place by the seal clip and is/are positioned at the face of the leading edge of each corrugated sheet or beneath and near the face or each corrugated sheet. A perforated cap strip can be removably attached to the top of each division grid to thereby retain for confined movement each filter plate and corrugated sheet combination (filter deck and drainage deck) during rotary drum filter operation and to allow easy replacement of the filter plate and corrugated sheet combination(s) and/or cap strip(s) when the rotary drum filter is not in operation. This rotary drum filter design and operation has increased capacity and efficiency.
US07678278B2
A process for treating water is provided where the water is mixed with an inorganic reagent powder such as powder activated carbon. Organics and micropollutants are absorbed by the reagent powder. After the reagent powder has been mixed with the water, the water is directed to a setting tank and sludge from the water settles to produce a clarified effluent. Forming a part of the sludge is the reagent powder previously added. Sludge is collected and directed to a separator that separates the reagent powder from the sludge. Separated reagent powder is recycled and mixed with the water being treated.
US07678273B2
A filter unit includes membrane plates placed together parallel to one another, which at least in zones around connecting elements for the purpose of draining permeate are connected together liquid-tight. The membrane plates because of their shape and after two membrane plates have been placed one on top of the other are provided for manufacturing a liquid-tight connection or a seal by welding. As a result unfiltered liquid flows through between the membrane plates and contamination of the permeate within a volume situated between the connecting elements is prevented. Over a number of connecting elements and zones located in between it is possible to attach a hollow profile, which is closed-off at its ends. This hollow profile in a liquid-tight manner surrounds discharge openings of the connecting elements and the zones located in between with positive material engagement. As a result, a permeate collection channel is formed, out of which and through a permeate discharge the permeate can be extracted through suction.
US07678267B2
The invention relates to a device for thermally purifying waste water, comprising a tank through which waste water can flow. The inventive device is characterized by having at least one flow guiding means for guiding the waste water inside the tank in an essentially meandering manner, and by having at least one heating means inside the tank for regulating a predetermined temperature.
US07678258B2
An improved method of stabilizing wet chemical baths is disclosed. Typically such baths are used in processes for treating workpieces, for example, plating processes for plating metal onto substrates. In particular, the present invention relates to copper plating baths. More particularly, the present invention relates to the stability of copper plating baths. More particularly, the present invention relates to prevention of void formation by monitoring the accumulation of deleterious by-products in copper plating baths.
US07678252B2
Long lived anion-selective sensors based on a covalently attached metalloporphyrin as anion receptor
A graft copolymer having metalloporphyrin ionophores covalently attached in a manner that prevents dimer formation is provided. A method of making the graft copolymer comprises polymerizing a functionalized metalloporphyrin monomer, which includes a polymerizable group, with a co-monomer. Methods for synthesizing the polymerizable metalloporphyrin monomers are provided. The graft copolymer can be incorporated into anion-selective membranes for use in anion-detecting sensors, which have improved longevity and response times.
US07678236B2
Disclosed is a system and method of data transmission/reception in which picture signals are encoded into image data, the attribute information of the image data is obtained, meta data are generated from the attribute information of the image data. The image data and the meta data are transmitted separately. With this system and method of data transmission/reception, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, i.e. only when a moving body is detected or abnormal data or data including significant information are detected, image data and meta data are transmitted. Therefore, since not all the data are transmitted, the amount of transmitted data is reduced. As a result, the amount of data accumulated in data recipient can be reduced and the load of data analysis operation can be alleviated. In addition, the burden on an operator visually monitoring image data can be eased. Furthermore, inadvertent failure in checking abnormal data or data including significant information can be prevented.
US07678226B2
The present invention presents an improved bellows shield for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the bellows shield coupled to a substrate holder electrode advantageously provides protection of a bellows with substantially minimal erosion of the bellows shield.
US07678225B2
A focus ring for a plasma processing apparatus has an inner region, middle region, and outer region, disposed in this order from the inner side to surround a target substrate. On the side to be exposed to plasma, the surfaces of the inner region and outer region consist essentially of a dielectric, while the surface of the middle region consists essentially of a conductor. The middle region is arranged to shift the peak of plasma density to the outside of the peripheral edge of the target substrate. If there is no middle region, the peak of plasma density appears substantially directly above the peripheral edge of the target substrate.
US07678222B2
A system and method for bonding and unbonding of small objects using small adhesive particles. The system and method includes the use of a plurality of optical tweezers to manipulate objects to be bonded and adhesive particles suspended in a fluid. The objects to be bonded (or unbonded) and the adhesive particles are positioned by lower power optical tweezers and then an intense bonding optical tweezer is activated to cause the adhesive to join the objects together (or used to unbond objects).
US07678212B2
A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a liquid crystal material container to contain liquid crystal, the liquid crystal material container provided with a first code corresponding to liquid crystal information; a reading unit to read the recognition code; a discharge pump to draw in and discharge liquid crystal from the liquid crystal material container; and a nozzle to dispense liquid crystal from the discharge pump onto a substrate.
US07678211B2
A device for joining substrates (11) is provided inside a clean booth (12). a single axis robot (46) and a five axis robot (47) convey a wafer (25) and a glass substrate (33). A transcribing station (91) obtains a transcribing film (112) on which adhesive is applied from a film supplying section (113), and presses the transcribing film (112) to the glass substrate (33) so as to transcribe the adhesive to the glass substrate (33). A peeling station (92) peels the transcribing film (112) from the glass substrate (33). A joining station (57) positions the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), adjusts parallelism of joining surfaces of the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), and joins these substrates together. Since the handling and the joining of the wafer (25), the glass substrate (33) and the transcribing film (112) are performed in the clean booth, it is prevented that a yield ratio of the product decreases because of the adhesion of foreign matters.
US07678201B2
The invention relates to a chemical composition and a process for using the chemical composition to remove and recover petroleum hydrocarbons from a contaminated substrate including an ammonia compound; a nitrogen-containing compound; and an aqueous carrier solution.
US07678198B2
The invention provides a coater, and methods of using the coater, for depositing thin films onto generally-opposed major surfaces of a sheet-like substrate. The coater has a substrate transport system adapted for supporting the substrate in a vertical-offset configuration wherein the substrate is not in a perfectly vertical position but rather is offset from vertical by an acute angle. Preferably, the transport system includes a side support for supporting a rear major surface of the substrate. Preferably, the coater includes at least one coating apparatus (e.g., which is adapted for delivering coating material) on each of two sides of the path of substrate travel.
US07678194B2
A method and apparatus for generating gas for a processing system is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas for a processing system includes a canister having at least one baffle disposed between two ports and containing a precursor material. The precursor material is adapted to produce a gas vapor when heated to a defined temperature at a defined pressure. The baffle forces a carrier gas to travel an extended mean path between the inlet and outlet ports. In another embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas includes a canister having a tube that directs a carrier gas flowing into the canister away from a precursor material disposed within the canister.
US07678188B2
Disclosed is a method for producing ultrafine particles of a Prussian blue-type metal complex wherein (A) an aqueous solution containing an anionic metal cyano complex having a metal atom M1 as the central metal is mixed with an aqueous solution containing metal cations of a metal atom M2 for precipitating a crystal of a Prussian blue-type metal complex having the metal atom M1 and the metal atom M2; then (B) a solution obtained by dissolving a ligand L in a solvent is mixed with the crystal of the Prussian blue-type metal complex for forming a dispersion liquid of ultrafine particles of the Prussian blue-type metal complex; and the (C) the Prussian blue-type metal complex is separated from the dispersion liquid as nanometer-sized ultrafine particles.
US07678184B2
Coatings containing particulate metal alloy are disclosed. The coatings provide corrosion protection to a substrate, such as a metal substrate. The coatings contain zinc-metal-containing alloy in flake form, most particularly an alloy flake of zinc and aluminum. The coating can be from compositions that are water-based or solvent-based. The compositions for providing the coating may also contain a substituent such as a water-reducible organofunctional silane, or a hexavalent-chromium-providing substance, or a titanate polymer, or a silica substance constituent. the coating may desirably be topcoated.
US07678180B2
An integral fuel cartridge and filter apparatus includes a fuel cartridge, a filter housing coupled to the fuel cartridge, and a filter coupled to the filter housing.
US07678174B2
A soft magnetic material has an iron based powder that has an insulating coating on the surface and an ester wax. The ester wax is added in an amount not less than 0.02% by weight and not more than 0.6% by weight in relation to the soft magnetic material. Consequently, seizure between a metal mold and a material to be molded at the time of molding can be suppressed and the arising of a black residue can be prevented.
US07678163B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intensifying the energy content of an organic material by converting the material into hydrocarbons and the resulting product thereof. A method for converting an organic material into hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of pressurising said organic material being in a fluid to a pressure above 225 bar, heating said organic material in said fluid to a temperature above 200 C in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IA of the periodic table of elements. The disclosed method further comprises the steps of contacting said organic material in said fluid with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IVB of the periodic table and/or alpha-alumina assuring that said fluid has initially a pH value of above 7.
US07678162B2
An electrically conducting gas diffusion substrate, capable of removing oxidisable impurities from an impure gas stream, which comprises an electrically conducting porous structure and a first catalytic component, wherein the first catalytic component comprises a first catalyst supported on an electrically non-conducting support is disclosed. In addition, an electrode, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell each comprising said electrically conducting gas diffusion substrate is disclosed.
US07678155B2
Excellent water- and oil-repellency and soil releasability can be obtained by a method of preparing a treated textile, having steps of: (1) preparing a treatment liquid containing a water- and oil-repellent agent and a stain blocking agent, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the water- and oil-repellent agent contains at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer and a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, and the water- and oil-repellent agent or the treatment liquid contains a cationic emulsifying agent.
US07678152B2
An artificial knee joint including a femoral component and a tibial component which are in relation of making relative rotation, in which the tibial component has a post that has an outwardly curving posterior surface and is disposed approximately in the longitudinal center between the articular surfaces so that the post is inside an intercondylar groove that is between the medial and lateral condyles and extends from the posterior end to the anterior end of the femoral component; and the femoral component has a cam that is disposed at the posterior portion of the intercondylar groove and comes into contact with the posterior surface of the post when the above-described rotation proceeds; and the post and the cam are shaped so that the femoral component is turned outwardly when the cam comes into contact with the post as a result of the rotation and as the rotation proceeds.
US07678147B2
A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.
US07678146B2
A biocompatible hydrogel comprises a specified content of polyacrylamide and pyrogen-free water. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydrogel and an injectable or implantable endoprosthesis. The hydrogel may also be used to treat a cosmetic or functional defect. Hydrogels specified according to their polyacrylamide content may be used for medical indications, such as an implantable or injectable endoprostheses for mammoplastic reconstruction, implantable or injectable endoprostheses for treating (reflux) oesophagitis, and for body contouring of various body parts.
US07678145B2
Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.
US07678143B2
A coated stent is provided including a coating composed of one or more co-polymers of ethylene with carboxylic acid wherein the carboxylic acid co-monomer content is 5-50 wt %.
US07678142B2
The bifurcating double stent apparatus (10) of the present invention comprises a generally cylindrical main stent (12), a generally cylindrical branch stent (15), which are shown as fully dilated in a subject main vessel (8), and a subject branch vessel (7). The main stent (12) is deployed prior to the branch stent (15) which is then aligned with the side opening (16) of the main stent (12), and attached at that location.
US07678138B2
In one aspect of the invention, a cross-pin includes a distal portion having an axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. A proximal cylindrical portion includes a threaded exterior surface. A junction may be interposed between the distal and proximal portions to enable the proximal portion to rotate relative to the distal portion. In another aspect of the invention, a graft retaining system for retaining a graft in a bone tunnel includes a graft block having a proximal end and a distal end, and sized to fit within the bone tunnel. A cross pin transverse to the bone tunnel attaches the graft block adjacent the tunnel. An intermediate connector is attached to the graft block at a point distal to the cross pin and connects the graft to the graft block so as to apply compressive forces to the graft block.
US07678137B2
A pedicle screw coupling construct for a pedicle screw construct provides fixation of angular orientation thereof relative to a pedicle screw independent of fixation of a received spinal rod to the coupling construct. The pedicle screw construct forms one component or element in a spinal fixation system. The independent fixation coupling construct also provides for fixation of the angular orientation of the coupling construct while the coupling construct has received the spinal rod. In another form, a coupling head or construct is configured to allow a pedicle screw shaft to pass therethrough but retain the pedicle screw head for rotation of the coupling head about the pedicle screw head. The coupling head or construct is also configured to allow at least a 45° arc of pivot or articulation about a pedicle screw shaft relative to a longitudinal axis of a spinal rod received in the body. This allows the head with a received spinal rod to fold, bend or pivot relative to the pedicle screw shaft, particularly to a greater degree than the prior art.
US07678134B2
A knotless suture anchor for reattachment of tissue to bone features a barbed body having a Y-shaped slot formed distally for capturing a length of suture. The suture is passed through the tissue to be reattached, and a simple knot formed in the suture is captured in the slot on the suture anchor. The anchor is installed with the captured suture into a pre-formed pilot hole to draw the tissue to the bone.
US07678119B2
An embodiment of a medical retrieval device includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket. The basket has a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded. The basket includes a plurality of legs, at least one leg having a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket. A distal portion of the plurality of legs may be formed from a single piece of material.
US07678112B2
An apparatus for connecting an implant with a rod comprises a body, a collet, an annular ring member, a washer, and a nut. The body defines a first channel to receive the rod and a second channel extending through the body. The collet is positionable in the second channel and defines an aperture for receipt of the implant. The ring member includes a gap and defines an aperture for receipt of the collet. The washer is positionable adjacent the second channel and is configured to translate along the body to allow pivoting of the collet relative to the body. The nut is operable to connect with the collet to move the collet within the second channel. Movement of the collet is operable to expand the ring member and contract the collet around the implant to secure the implant at a desired position.
US07678107B2
A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, and a lumen located within at least a portion of the body, wherein the lumen has a cross-sectional shape that is a polygon. A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, at least a portion of the body having a cross-sectional profile that is a polygon, wherein the elongated element is a cannula.
US07678105B2
A sidewall of biological tissue which surrounds and defines an opening in the tissue is sealed or fused to occlude the opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an adequate seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition such that sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an effective seal. The precursor fusion condition is detected upon the peak RF current delivered to the tissue remaining below a threshold value for a threshold time.
US07678103B2
An orifice device for delivering a drug includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. A winding is helically wound around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding.
US07678088B2
A port catheter for introducing a fluid into a hollow organ of a human or animal body includes a port unit implantable into the human or animal body, which port unit includes an interior chamber, to which the fluid to be introduced into the hollow organ of the human or animal body can be supplied. The port catheter further includes a tube connected to the port unit, which tube includes an inner channel through which fluid can be conducted into the hollow organ. The port catheter further includes a grip piece connected to the port unit and removable from it, for the manipulation of the port unit during the implantation of the port catheter into the human or animal body.
US07678086B2
The device comprises a support sheath (14), a syringe body (10) secured to said sheath, and a protection sheath (16) movable between a retracted position and an extended protection position. The device includes retaining means (17) for retaining the protection sheath that are adapted to be urged so as to allow the sheath to be extended. The syringe body (10) is secured to the support sheath (14) via a ring (20) including a coupling wall (22) that is substantially transverse. This wall presents at least one slot (23) enabling the retaining means to be acted upon from the side of the coupling wall (22) that is opposite from the distal end of the support sheath.
US07678076B2
A blood collection set including a non-patient needle assembly interconnected with an intravenous needle assembly through tubing is provided. The non-patient needle assembly includes a hub assembly adapted for mounting with a blood collection set, and an internal blunting member including a blunted tip. The non-patient needle assembly further includes an external cannula concentric with the internal blunting member and including a non-patient puncture tip adjacent the blunted tip. The external cannula is axially displaceable with respect to the hub assembly between a first retracted position in which the non-patient puncture tip extends beyond the blunted tip and a second activated position in which blunted tip extends beyond the non-patient puncture tip.
US07678074B2
A deflectable catheter includes a catheter shaft having a deflectable distal tip. A support member is coupled around a proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and the support member includes a first brake portion extending along at least a portion of the support member. A handle is coupled around the support member. The deflectable catheter includes a carriage moveably coupled along the handle, and the carriage includes a second brake portion sized and shaped to engage with at least a portion of the first brake portion. A flexible element is coupled between the deflectable distal tip and the carriage. A biasing device is adapted to bias the second brake portion into engagement with the first brake portion.
US07678071B2
An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
US07678067B1
An apparatus for providing dorsiflexion assistance in an orthotic device having ankle and foot sections joined by a hinge connection. The orthotic device may be, for example, an ankle foot orthotic or a night splint. The apparatus includes an elastic member, such as an elastomeric strap, having a first end that is attached to an upper portion of the ankle section of the orthotic device, and a cable that connects a second end of the elastic member to the foot section of the device at a position that is spaced anteriorly from the hinge connection, so that tension supplied by the elastic member creates dorsiflexion torque about the hinge connection. A tension adjuster is provided to allow the amount of torque to be adjusted to meet individual needs. An optional cable guard protects the cable from interference, and can also be used as a cable stop that effectively increases dorsiflexion force to compensate for loss of tension due to shortening of the elastic member upon dorsiflexion. The cable member may be attached to the foot section by routing it through a channel in a bridge piece under the arch area of the foot section of the device. The characteristics and amount of torque can be adjusted by adjusting the distance by which the cable attachment is spaced anteriorly (forward) of the hinge connection. The assist apparatus can readily be mounted to existing orthotic devices without requiring significant modification of the latter.
US07678055B2
A piezoelectric transducer for sending and receiving an ultrasonic wave and an FPC for applying current to the piezoelectric transducer is provided, the FPC is arranged oppositely to a side face of the piezoelectric transducer, and a soldering material for electrically connecting the piezoelectric transducer to the FPC is arranged in a corner portion formed by the piezoelectric transducer and the FPC.
US07678051B2
Using compression, tissue elasticity data from two or more different fields of view is acquired. Since different amounts of compression may be used for the different fields of view, the dynamic range of the elasticity data is updated. A panoramic elasticity image is generated from the updated elasticity data of multiple fields of view. A panoramic elasticity image represents the combined fields of view for the elasticity data.
US07678050B2
A method and apparatus for detecting cardiac events. Ultrasonic data comprising a heart cycle is acquired by a probe. Tissue velocities associated with the ultrasonic data are detected. One of a maximum and a minimum value is detected based on the tissue velocities. A time within the heart cycle associated with the maximum or minimum value is determined, and a cardiac event is detected with respect to the time within the heart cycle and the maximum or minimum value.
US07678046B2
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The track includes an inner upstanding annular wall and an outer upstanding annular wall connected by a base member. A ratchet mechanism controls motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet arm oriented to engage a ratchet surface and the ratchet surface is positioned between the inner upstanding annular wall and the outer upstanding annular wall.
US07678044B2
A first balloon is fitted to an insertion portion of an endoscope and a second balloon is fitted to an insertion aid member. An end connector of a tube is connected to a balloon control device that supplies and sucks air into and from the first balloon and the second balloon. A duct that communicates with the first balloon, a duct that communicates with the second balloon, and a duct that communicates with a clearance between the insertion portion and the insertion aid member are formed in the end connector.
US07678037B2
The invention provides a method of making a bag from a foldable pattern, comprising: a) inserting the foldable pattern into an assembly machine; b) placing a series of glue spots on designated surfaces of the pattern; c) folding the foldable pattern, in a sequence such that the resulting product is a finished bag with a glued bottom; and d) exiting the finished bag from the assembly machine.
US07678029B2
An inflatable punching bag includes an inflatable bag, at least one sensor device, a control box and a base. At least one impact area is formed on the inflatable bag. A single sensor device is attached behind each impact area. Each sensor device preferably includes a sensor case, at least one light source and an impact sensor. A control box includes a power source, a sound transducer and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit receives input from at least one impact sensor. The electrical circuit provides a light output through the at least one light source and/or an audible output through the sound transducer. The base preferably includes a weighted portion and intermediate portion. The weighted portion is filled with a dense solid or a liquid to provide support for the inflatable bag. A second embodiment includes a motor for pivoting the inflatable bag.
US07678017B2
In a shift control device and a shift control method for an automatic transmission, when the shift range is switched from a non-travel range to a travel range, a squat control of temporarily forming a high-speed step that is smaller in speed change ratio than the first speed change step by engaging a first engagement element and a second engagement element, and then forming the first speed change step by releasing the second engagement element. In the case of standing-start of the vehicle in the high-speed step, the squat control is ended before the first speed change step is formed by releasing the second engagement element.
US07678012B2
A bicycle hub gearbox comprises a first planetary gear mechanism and a second planetary gear mechanism and a tubular linking member. The second planetary gear mechanism is operatively coupled with the first planetary gear mechanism. The tubular linking member include a first toothed ring part engaged with the first planetary gear mechanism at a first axial region and a second toothed ring part engaged with the second planetary gear mechanism at a second axial region such that a permanent synchronization between the at least two planetary gear mechanisms is achieved. The first and second toothed ring parts have different diameters and being axially spaced apart.
US07678006B2
A first data section is provided that has a given data actually used when a frictional element is operated under a manual shift mode for providing an engine brake, and a second data section is provided that is actually used when an automatic shift is carried out. A control unit is so configured that when, during a shift from a second speed stage to a first speed stage under the manual shift mode, a mode change from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode is instructed, releasing operation of the frictional element is carried out by using the given data of the first dada section.
US07677998B2
A bicycle front derailleur includes a base member, a movable member and a linkage assembly. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to a bicycle frame. The movable member has a chain guide portion. The linkage assembly is coupled between the base member and the movable member to move the chain guide portion between a retracted position and an extended position. The chain guide portion includes a chain guide element defining a chain path and a movable plate arranged to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the chain guide element in a see-saw movement.
US07677987B2
A putter-type club head (20) having a main body (25) and a removable aft member (30) is disclosed herein. The putter-type club head (20) has a main body (25) that is preferably composed of an aluminum alloy. The removable aft member (30) is preferably composed of stainless steel and has a mallet shape.
US07677973B2
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
US07677963B2
An enclosing structure (S), in particular for enclosing and isolating outer environment of a packaging machine includes a plurality of enclosing panels (2), suitably and air-tightly assembled. At least one of the panels (2) defines a separating surface (1) for separating two different environments (A,B). Conveying means for conveying flows of purified air (F,F1,F2,F3,F4) are associated to the panel (2) to define, together therewith, a fluid-dynamic barrier, which avoids relative contamination between one environment (A) and the other environment (B).
US07677960B2
An electrically operated knife includes a handle and a first set of dual cutting blades connected together for reciprocal side-to-side linear motion. A first stationary motor connected to a power source and a first reciprocating assembly is removably connected to the first set of dual cutting blades and coupled to an output shaft of the first motor for reciprocally moving the first set of dual cutting blades. There is a second set of dual cutting blades mounted in spaced relationship to the first set of dual cutting blades. A second motor and a second reciprocating assembly are provided for reciprocally moving the second set of dual cutting blades. A mounting member and a pivotable lever are provided for selectively adjusting a spaced relationship between the first set of dual cutting blades and the second set of dual cutting blades and a switch which operates both motors.
US07677957B2
The present invention is a polishing pad used for polishing a semiconductor substrate, wherein, at least, grooves having a radial pattern are formed on a surface of the polishing pad, and so that a groove depth of the groove parts located nearer to the center than the substrate is shallower than a groove depth of the groove parts existing immediately below the substrate, and an intersection point where the grooves overlap each other at the central part of the radial pattern of the grooves does not exist immediately below the substrate. A method for processing the pad, and a method for producing a substrate using this pad are also disclosed.
US07677933B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a bail, a first conductive member having a first hook portion extending from a first wedge portion, wherein the first hook portion adapted to engage a main conductor, and a second conductive member having a second hook portion extending from a second wedge portion. The second hook portion is adapted to engage the bail. The first wedge portion and the second wedge portion are adapted to nest with one another and be secured to one another to capture and electrically connect the main conductor and the bail.
US07677931B2
Methods are provided for reducing port to port crosstalk on a multiport assembly. Steps of the method include placing at least one BEMI in at least one compensation region, disposed on a PCB. The BEMI reduces port to port crosstalk noise by generating an opposite polarity signal to an unwanted noise signal generated through port to port adjacency. The PCB includes a plurality of ports, at least including adjacent first and second ports, each of which is an RJ45 jack port. Each port of the plurality of ports includes a plurality of modular insert pins, and is associated with an IDC pin group. The at least one compensation region includes one or more regions for generating noise compensation with respect to crosstalk noise resulting from coupling between respective modular insert pins of, or IDC pins associated with, the first and second ports, respectfully.
US07677929B2
A sacrificial power connector engages a power receptacle on a laptop computer. The connector includes a first end that mates with the power receptacle and a second end that receives a plug from a power cord. A tab includes adhesive that maintains the connector in engagement with the power receptacle of the laptop computer. In this manner, the sacrificial power connector wears out and prevents damage to the power receptacle on the laptop computer. The sacrificial connector allows a broken path of electrical current to be reestablished.
US07677924B2
A high-current coaxial connection with two plug elements that can be connected with one another, in particular to connect a current-carrying coaxial conductor to a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance apparatus, has a first and second coupling rings provided at the respective plug elements. The first coupling ring with a first thread is screwed onto one plug contact to be fixed to the plug element while the second coupling ring with a second thread that overlaps the first coupling ring, is screwed onto a mating thread section at the other plug element. Both coupling rings are rotationally locked relative to one another and the first thread and the second thread are different.
US07677908B2
A lever type connector comprises a first connector housing; a second connector housing including a projection; and a lever pivotally engaged with the first connector housing and including two arm plates and an interconnecting bar which connects the two arm plates. The each arm plate comprises a provisional-retaining projection projecting from the arm plate toward the other arm plate, which abuts to the projection and causes to deform the arm plate so that the arm plate recedes to the other arm plate when the projection is inserted into the cam groove; and a cancellation lever extending from an edge of the arm plate and positioned at a counter side of the inlet with respect to the pivotal support, which cause to deform the arm plate so that the arm plate recedes to the other arm plate when the cancellation lever is pressed to come close to the other cancellation lever.
US07677906B2
In a board-edge connector designed for directly contacting a printed board includes a ground connection between the printed board and the connector which engages before the printed board is completely mated and connected to the voltage supply. A grounding contact is arranged in one of the corner regions within the plug-in slot of the printed board connector, wherein the grounding contact is connected to a grounding strip on the printed board on which the printed board connector is fixed. During the mating process, the printed board, onto which a grounding strip is applied on at least one of the lateral edges within the mating region, slides past the grounding contact such that an electrostatic equalization between the printed board to be newly inserted and the connector takes place before the contacting of the remaining electric contacts.
US07677898B2
An exemplary patch panel includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of signal terminals for connecting to two pairs of peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-E) X1 differential signal terminals of an I/O controller hub (ICH), an interface terminal of a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), four pairs of differential signal terminals of the HDMI, four pairs of differential signal terminals of a graphic and memory controller hub (GMCH), one of another differential signal terminal of the GMCH, and two pairs of differential signal terminals of a PCI-E X16 slot. Therefore, the ICH is connected to the PCI-E X16 slot via the patch panel for supporting a PCI-E X1 card while the GMCH is connected to the HDMI via the patch panel. A patch panel connector is provided to mount the patch panel on a motherboard.
US07677876B2
A die for rotational pressing includes a breather device for connection of the interior of the die with the exterior and which has a passage between the interior and the exterior of the die equipped with a valve operated by an actuator piloted by a handling controller for opening the passage after a first step of the pressing process. The valve allows the breather of the internal pressure of the die and/or controlled injection of air under pressure into the die.
US07677872B2
A fuel pump assembly includes a pump bushing defining a dual-chambered pumping cavity, a fluid channel for shuttling fuel between the chambers, a plunger, and a plurality of fluid control valves. A first check valve is a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump bushing and with either an inlet of a second check valve or an inlet of the pump bushing. Another check valve or a control orifice may be used in parallel with the second check valve, with the third check valve or control orifice being positioned at least partially external to the fuel pump assembly. A vehicle includes a transmission, engine, a returnless high-pressure fuel pump assembly, and a low-pressure fuel line in fluid communication with an inlet side of an inlet control valve. The high-pressure fuel pump assembly inhibits a pressure pulsation from propagating through the low-pressure fuel line.
US07677865B2
An air purifier includes a bell-mouth having an enhanced structure to prevent an increase of noise at a particular frequency when air flows into the blowing fan through the bell-mouth. The air purifier includes a housing, a filter unit and a blowing fan placed inside the housing, and a bell-mouth placed toward an intake side of the blowing fan. The bell-mouth includes an inlet port formed at a center of the bell-mouth, a flow guide extending from a periphery of the inlet port toward the blowing fan, and a flat section positioned to discontinue the flow guide to increase a distance between the blowing fan and the bell-mouth. The flat section is formed at the section in the range of about 240°˜330° with respect to a starting point of a scroll inside the bell-mouth. The flat section may have a saw-tooth shape to effectively distribute air passing therethrough.
US07677862B2
A VAWT wind engine includes a support structure, an articulating rotor mounted on the support structure for rotation about a vertically extending axis, and at least one airfoil on the rotor for rotor-powering purposes. The articulating rotor is mounted in a manner enabling tilting movement of the rotor during rotation so that the airfoil produces rotor rotation and rotor tilt as the airfoil orbits the rotational axis. At least one mechanical linkage is included to actively vary airfoil pitch according to rotor tilt. The partially articulating rotor of a teetering-rotor embodiment seesaws up and down about a horizontally extending pivotal axis. The fully articulating rotor of another embodiment supports three airfoils as it tilts in any direction by virtue of a gimbal or other rotor hub assembly providing a 360-degree swiveling action, while furling hinges help protect the airfoils against damaging winds during wind engine shutdown.
US07677856B2
A drill floor device has two or more mouseholes for assembly and disassembly of pipe string sections. The mouseholes are arranged to be displaced underneath the drill floor by a drive system and positioned under a hole or an opening in the drill floor. At least one of the mouseholes is provided with an elevator arranged to raise and lower a pipe or a pipe string section located in the mousehole, between an upper working position in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section projects above the drill floor and a lower position of rest in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section is below the drill floor.
US07677853B2
A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may or may not include a frangible pintail.
US07677838B2
A motion reduction apparatus has an orthorhombic shaped floating main body (11), a plumb plate supported vertically on one side section of the floating main body by stay members (13), and flow sections (15) for flooding with incoming water are provided between the floating main body and the plumb plate in such a way that an upper end section of the plumb plate is at about the same height as the bottom surface of the floating main body.
US07677826B2
A device may include an applicator including an applicator element that is at least partially elastically deformable and a receptacle configured to contain a substance to be applied and configured to house the applicator element when not in use. The receptacle may include an opening through which the applicator element passes while the applicator element is being removed from the receptacle. The applicator element may include at least one inner cavity that is defined, at least in part, between at least two branches that are at least partially flocked. An outside cross-section of the applicator element may be large enough for the applicator element to deform while passing through the opening of the receptacle, the deformation resulting in a shape of the cavity being modified.
US07677797B2
An X-ray imaging stand that supports an upright X-ray imaging panel by a column standing vertically through a carriage, includes a bar-like member having a longitudinal bar section that extends from the carriage in the upward direction over the upper end of the X-ray imaging panel and a horizontal bar section that extends from the leading end of the longitudinal bar section in the horizontal direction over the surface of the X-ray imaging panel receiving the X-ray, and a support mechanism that supports the longitudinal bar section of the bar-like member above the carriage such that the angle thereof is variable in plural stages in a plane parallel to the surface of the X-ray imaging panel receiving the X-ray.
US07677795B2
A differential scanning calorimeter apparatus includes reference and sample cells and controlled temperature shields. The temperature of the shields is controlled such that baseline curvature is reduced by eliminating heat flow from the furnaces to their surroundings (quasi adiabatic conditions) and by controlling heat flow through a well defined solid state heat resistance between the furnaces and a temperature controlled heat sink. The temperature of each shield can be controlled independently to reduce differential heat flow over the whole temperature range of the scan, or maintained at a constant temperature for conventional power compensated DSC operation. The temperature/time profile for each shield can be controlled according to actual furnace temperature, obtained from an empty run, or stored in the computer memory and recalled for sample measurements.
US07677793B2
In order to counter the effects of the Earth's gravitational force on the operation of a watch movement, the timepiece includes an escapement mechanism designed to drive a finish gear-train of a watch movement which defines a reference plane, and a balance co-operating with the escapement mechanism. Particularly, the balance is mounted in a frame (28, 60), said frame pivoting about a first axis (AA, CC) relative to the reference plane, and the orientation of the frame (28, 60) relative to the first axis (AA, CC) depends on the orientation of the Earth's gravitational force.
US07677783B2
An exemplary point light source (20) includes a light emitting body (230), and a light guide portion (210) adjacent the light emitting body. The light emitting body includes an illuminating portion configured for providing light beams, and a shell packaging the illuminating portion. The light guide portion is configured for guiding the light beams to propagate in desired directions. A size of a cross-section of the light guide portion far away from the light emitting body is less than a size of a cross-section of the light guide portion adjacent to the light emitting body. A backlight module (200) using the point light source is also provided.
US07677780B2
A light guide assembly and method of forming the assembly. The light guide assembly includes an elongate light guide having an optically smooth surface for propagating light along its length and a light emitting region extending along at least a portion of the light guide length. The light emitting region has light extraction structures extending into the elongate light guide to extract or reflect light radially from the light guide. The assembly also includes a light source connector coupled to the light input end of the light guide. The light input end has primary encoding orientation geometry. The light source connector has a first end with secondary encoding orientation geometry, configured to mate with the primary encoding orientation geometry, and an opposing second end configured to accept a light source.
US07677778B2
A projector lamp unit includes: a lamp; a lamp case, housing the lamp; a wire protective member, attached to the lamp case, and comprised from resin having a smaller thermal conductivity than the lamp case; and a resin-covering wire, led from the lamp to the outside of the lamp case through a hole provided with the wire protective member.
US07677754B2
A controller with a dial for manipulating objects in a computer environment. The dial is in communication with an optical encoder system using the reflective method. A knob is attached to the dial and provides both a reference point for the rotational position of the dial and a tactile element allowing the user to rotate the dial.
US07677748B2
Disclosed is a light guide device for a water spraying device. The light guide device includes a light guide block that is a light-transmitting block having a refractive index greater than one. The light guide block has a circumferential face in which a plurality of mounting holes is defined for receiving and retaining light-emitting elements. A plurality of through holes is defined through the light guide blocks and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting holes. Each through hole has a roughened inside surface. The through holes are in fluid communication with water discharge holes of the water spraying device so that water jets supplied from the water spraying device can flow through the through holes for discharging. The light-emitting elements emit light rays that transmit through the light guide block and get into the through holes and the water jets. The rays are subject to reflection inside the water jets to provide lighting or luminous effect to the water jets.
US07677739B2
A projector includes a lens cover which is slidable relative to a chassis for covering and exposing a projection aperture of a projection lens. A detecting section includes a light emitting portion which projects a light beam and detects the opened state or closed state of the lens cover depending on the absence or presence of the light beam received by a light receiving portion. The light emitting portion and light receiving portion are disposed so that the optical path of the light beam projected from the light emitting portion and received by the light receiving portion intersects the slide direction of the lens cover. A light shielding portion is provided in the lens cover. The light shielding portion is formed in a predetermined width in the slide direction of the lens cover.
US07677738B2
According to the present invention, an image projector includes a reflecting light valve, a group of refracting lenses forming a projecting optical system that enlarges and projects an optical image given from the light valve, a power mirror having a power and forming the projecting optical system together with the group of refracting lenses, and a transmissive screen for displaying the optical image that is given from the light valve and enlarged by the projecting optical system, wherein the exit pupil position is set such that the minimum angle of view θmin exceeds 40°, and the Petzval partial sum of lenses is set larger than a value determined by the minimum angle of view.
US07677735B2
A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light. The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.
US07677732B2
The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display apparatus. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a first projection element group, a second projection element group, and a reflecting optical system. The first projection element group includes a plurality of first projection elements operable to project first light fluxes in a first direction. The second projection element group includes a plurality of second projection elements operable to project second light fluxes in a second direction which is different from the first direction and in which the second light fluxes are directed to the first light fluxes. The reflecting optical system is operable to reflect the second light fluxes toward the first direction.
US07677726B2
To ensure optical performance within a permissible range, making outward appearance excellent, and making binocular vision comfortable. In cases where a difference of prescription including dioptric power between the right and left eyes is equal to or more than prescribed, when curvature of a first refracting surface and a second refracting surface of the right and left spectacle lenses is designed, binocular vision balanced design such as selection of at least either of a first or second refracting surface out of the right and left spectacle lenses, or an intermediate curvature of the first and second surfaces of the right and left spectacle lenses according to a dominant eye ratio so that a difference between curvature of the first refracting surfaces of right and left spectacle lenses is within a prescribed range after the right and left spectacle lenses fulfill prescription conditions containing dioptric power respectively, and optical performance of the right and left spectacle lenses are within their permissible ranges respectively.
US07677717B2
A maintenance system and method for maintaining an imaging member of an imaging device includes a pre-cleaning device to clean the imaging member; an applicator to apply release agent to the imaging member; a metering device to meter release agent on the imaging member; a reservoir to remotely store release agent; and a pump to supply the applicator with release agent from the reservoir. The saturation level of the applicator is monitored and maintained within a predetermined range. The applicator, pre-cleaning device and metering device may be independently actuated to engage the imaging member. Release agent collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be recycled. Debris collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be stored and/or removed.
US07677716B2
Ejected liquid forms a latent image on a charged transfer surface. In some invention aspects electrostatic charge is first applied to the surface; inkjet devices eject the image-forming liquid; voltage is established between the devices and surface; another, separate substance associated with the latent image actuates it. In other aspects hydrophobic or hydrophilic material in the surface stabilizes the image on it; electrostatic apparatus, associated with the surface, cooperates with the stabilizing material, further controlling image-droplet position and size. In other aspects a desired image forms on a final printing medium, based on an input electronic image-data array; the liquid ejection is onto an intermediate transfer surface, based on detailed incremental control by the data, forming a latent image representing the desired image. An actuating substance, initially discrete from the liquid, is associated with the image, and a reaction initiated to modify that substance—which is transferred from surface to final medium.
US07677707B2
A method to form a thick layer by screen printing and a method to form a piezoelectric actuator of an inkjet head. The method to form the thick layer including forming a guide groove in a surface to a predetermined depth, and forming the thick layer by applying a material to the surface inside the guide groove through screen printing. The method to form the piezoelectric actuator including forming an insulating layer on a top surface of a vibration plate and forming a guide groove in the top surface of the vibration plate or an insulating layer to a predetermined depth at a position corresponding to each of a plurality of pressure chambers, forming a lower electrode on the top surface of the insulating layer; forming a piezoelectric layer inside the guide groove by screen printing, and forming an upper electrode on a top surface of the piezoelectric layer.
US07677700B2
A liquid discharge head includes a liquid discharge substrate containing an energy generating element and a liquid discharge port, a flow path member of a resinous material fixed to the liquid discharge substrate and having at least a liquid supply path, a sealing material of a resinous material, a concave part, and a support substrate, wherein a distance L1 from a lateral face of the concave part of the flow path member to an end of the support substrate, a distance L2 from the lateral face of the concave part to a lateral face of the liquid discharge substrate, a linear expansion coefficient E1 of the flow path member and a linear expansion coefficient E2 of the sealing material satisfy a relation: L1×E1>L2×E2.
US07677698B2
A modular printhead assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The modular printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis defining a plurality of slots. An elongate ink reservoir is fast with the chassis. The ink reservoir defines: a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels for storing respective types of ink, a plurality of spaced apart sets of ink outlets with the ink outlets of each set being in fluid communication with respective ink channels, and a plurality of receiving formations located along the ink reservoir which can receive a plurality of printhead modules. The plurality of printhead modules is configured to releasably engage with respective sets of ink outlets and print ink supplied from the ink reservoir. Each printhead module includes a plurality of resilient fastening legs configured to be received within the receiving formations at particular locations during engagement so that access to the legs is thereafter enabled through the slots to facilitate disengagement of the printhead modules from the ink reservoir.
US07677694B2
An image-forming apparatus is provided which is capable of forming a high-quality image without adverse effect (deterioration in printing precision) which may be caused by a dimensional error in producing ink ejection orifice rows, an error in arranging the ink ejection orifice rows, an error in delivering a recording medium, or a like error. With the apparatus employing six rows of ink ejection orifices, an image is formed by ejecting the ink from the third row of the six ink ejection orifice row numbered in the delivery direction onto a raster line zone L3, ejecting the ink from the fifth row onto a raster line zone L5, ejecting the ink from the sixth row onto a raster line zone L6, ejecting the ink from the fourth row onto a raster line zone L4, ejecting the ink from the second row onto a raster line zone L2, and ejecting the ink from the first row numbered in the recording medium delivery direction onto a raster line zone L1.
US07677687B2
A printer includes a plurality of stationary printhead modules located across a print media transport path. In order to provide continuity of printheads across the transport path some, or all, of the printheads are slanted so that the ends of the printheads overlap. In one embodiment the printhead modules are each inserted into ink reservoirs that are in turn attached to a mounting frame that lies across the print media transport path.
US07677684B2
An ink jet printer is provided with an ink jet head that executes a printing action in which ink is discharged toward a print medium, a transportation device that transports the print medium, and a controller that controls the ink jet head to execute the printing action. The controller controls the ink jet head to execute the printing action when the ink jet printer has finished receiving a predetermined amount of print data. In a case where a time since a last printing action has exceeded a predetermined time, the controller prevents the ink jet head from executing the printing action against a partially printed print medium, and controls the transportation device to eject the print medium.
US07677677B1
A wheel cover attachment system including a cover for a wheel wherein the wheel includes a plurality of wheel fasteners and a valve stem. The cover comprises a cover circumference, cover axis, an exposed side simulating a wheel, an attachment side opposite the exposed side, at least one cover fastener, and at least one attachment bracket. The attachment bracket is removeably secured to the attachment side and includes a post shaped to accept the cover fastener, first and second concavities, and at least one biasing armature. Each concavity is shaped to accept one of the wheel fasteners and the biasing armature is shaped to engage one of the wheel fasteners in the first concavity and secure the bracket to one of the wheel fasteners.
US07677672B2
In one aspect of the invention, a milling machine for milling a paved surface comprises milling tools connected to an underside of a body of the machine and also a depth probe comprising a base end opposite a distal end. The probe is connected to a front end of the machine through a probe base disposed proximate the base end. A monitor is adapted to detect a distance between the distal end of the probe and an outer surface of the base. The distal end of the probe is adapted to extend away from the outer surface of the base and penetrate into a paved surface.
US07677671B2
A passenger restraint apparatus for funfair rides is disclosed. It includes: a restraint body (30) having a leg support surface (31) which is adapted to be placed on the thighs of the passenger, and a first guide lever (40) which is fixed at its first end to the restraint body and which is pivotably coupled with its second end in the floor region in front of a passenger seat of a funfair ride in such a way that the restraint body can be pivoted in relation to the passenger seat about a first lower axis (61) which is disposed in transverse relationship to the longitudinal axis of the thigh of the seated passenger from an opened position into a closed position, characterized in that the first guide lever is coupled at its first end to the restraint body pivotably about a first upper axis (34) which is disposed in parallel relationship with the first lower axis and arranged adjacent to the first guide lever is a second guide lever (50) which i. is spaced from the first guide lever in a direction in transverse relationship with the first lower axis and ii. is coupled at its first end to the restraint body pivotably about a second upper axis (35) which is arranged in parallel spaced relationship with the first upper axis and iii. is coupled at its second end pivotably about a second lower axis (62) arranged in parallel spaced relationship with the first lower axis in the region of the passenger footrest of a funfair ride, in such a way iv. that the restraint body is guided by the first and second guide levers (40, 50) in the manner of a parallelogram or trapezium lever arrangement.
US07677669B2
A metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat, is disclosed. The structure includes a deep-drawn front shell and a deep-drawn rear shell, in addition to at least one fitting that can be fixed to the metal structure with the aid of a fixing lug, the fixing lug being located between the front shell and the rear shell. The fixing lug is connected to the front shell and rear shell, for example by laser welding, which achieves a particularly favorable input of force from the fitting to the metal structure.
US07677666B2
A seat recliner assembly established at a hinge location between a seat bottom and a pivotally associated seat back including a base plate and an inwardly teethed and package supporting sector secured to the seat back and seat bottom, respectively and sandwiched together in selectively rotatable fashion relative to define a component receiving space therebetween. A shaft projects through an aperture of a rotatably slaved cam situated within the space. A pair of locking pawls with exteriorly toothed surfaces are displaceable to engage with inwardly teethed locations of the package supporting sector. A pair of anti-chuck pawls are selectively engagable both by the cam and with the locking pawls. The cam is biased in a first rotational locking condition to influence the anti-chuck pawls outwardly against the locking pawls. The cam is rotated in an opposite and counter-biasing direction, thereby directly contacting the locking pawls and pivoting the same such that their exteriorly toothed surfaces are inwardly disengaged from the teethed sector, permitting rotational between the base plate and package sector.
US07677665B2
A compound fitting (18) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat, comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have at least two fitting parts (11, 12, 40, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to one another, the inner fitting parts being interlinkable and the outer fitting parts being interlinkable. One of the individual fittings is a adjusting fitting (10) for adjusting the compound fitting (8), and the other individual fitting is a locking fitting (50) for locking the compound fitting (8). Two fitting parts (11, 12) of the adjusting fitting (10) can be interlinked by way of a non-self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear. At least to a large extent, the locked locking fitting (50) bridges the adjusting fitting (10) in terms of the flow of force.
US07677662B2
The illustrative exemplary non-limiting embodiments relate to a seat cover that may include such features as a protective first side, multiple front securing straps arranged on a leading edge, and multiple rear securing straps arranged on a trailing edge. The protective cover can be held in place by securing the straps to headrests in the car. Additionally, the cover may include multiple pockets, accessible through an upwards facing side of the cover, and capable of being slid into a gap between an upper portion lower portion of the rear seats of a vehicle. One or more objects, placed within the pockets when the pockets are in position, help to hold the cover in place. The cover may also be reversible, machine-washable, and easy to remove and install.
US07677660B2
The present invention relates to an acoustically tuned vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a cushion supported on the frame, and a non-cloth trim material secured over the cushion, the non-cloth trim material having at least one slitted region having a plurality of scored slits.
US07677644B2
A rear body panel for a golf car includes a seat support portion and a bag well portion disposed rearward from the seat support portion. The rear body panel also includes a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposite sides of the bag well portion. The seat support portion includes a discontinuous recessed flange, a lower end trim edge, and at least one tab for limiting movement of the rear body panel on the golf car. Stiffening ribs are also included adjacent the wheel wells, and hand hold apertures are further included. The bag well portion includes a front wall portion, a pair of outwardly sloped side walls, and a floor portion with an impact absorption feature.
US07677637B2
A protective cover for motor vehicle, motor vehicle components, machines, etc., includes a cover protecting the principal part of the object, and at least one protective covering for at least one component movably affixed on the object. The protective covering for the movable component is a protective covering that is separate from the cover for the principal part of the object.
US07677635B2
A convertible vehicle is provided with a rear windshield and a rear roof element that laterally comprises C pillars that are at least substantially located next to the rear windshield, adjoining which is at least one front roof element, arranged upstream thereof in the direction of travel when the roof is closed. In order to open the roof the rear roof element can move rearward and downward, and the front roof element can swivel toward the rear roof element. When the roof is open, the C pillars can be swiveled inward in relation to a center section comprising the windshield about axes into a position lying above the center position when the roof is open, and the axes when the roof is closed have at least one component in the direction of travel and one upwardly directed component.
US07677624B1
A recreational vehicle outdoor carpet system includes a recreational vehicle that has a bottom wall. A housing is attached to the bottom wall. The housing has an open end and a casing is mounted in the housing. The casing is selectively positioned in stored position positioned within the housing or in a deployed position extending outwardly of the open end. A spindle is rotatably mounted in the casing. A flexible panel defines a rug having a first end edge and a second end edge disposed opposite of each other. The first end edge is attached to the spindle. The spindle is rotated in a first direction to position the panel in a rolled up configuration on the spindle and rotated in a second direction remove the panel from the spindle to position the panel on a ground surface.
US07677621B1
An oil-dispensing asphalt shovel for preventing asphalt from sticking to the blade-like member of the shovel. The shovel includes a blade-like member having a top end to which is attached a tubular oil dispensing member. The blade-like member has a plurality of holes being spaced along and extending through a side wall thereof, and has inlet ports extending through a side wall thereof and being diametrically opposed to the holes. A hollow shaft support member has a top end and a pair of leg portions securely attached to the tubular oil dispensing member. The leg portions have apertures extending through a bottom thereof and aligning with an inlet port of the tubular oil-dispensing member. The hollow shaft member has a first end to which is attached a handle member and a second end securely attached to and extended into the hollow shaft support member for storing oil with the hollow shaft member having an opening extending through a side wall and near the first end thereof, and also having an outlet port extending through the second end thereof with the opening being closeable with a plug. An oil dispensing assembly allows oil to be dispensed from the hollow shaft member to the dispensing member.
US07677612B2
A clamp for connecting flanged tubes comprising a pair of tangs having a tampered groove around their insides to engage the flanges. One of the tangs is provided with a pivotally connected screw, which passes through an aperture in one end. A nut attached to the screw holds the tangs in position. To prevent rotation of the tang about the screw, the lower shaft of the screw is provided in a non-circular shape, with the aperture in the tang being provided in mating conformity.
US07677611B2
A flanged joint for a pressure medium. The flanged joint includes a first component and a second component having an interior. Also included is at least one flat gasket held between facing surfaces of the first and second components. An annular groove and a radially opposed working diameter are located between the interior and the at least one flat gasket. At least one lamella ring is held in the annular groove and biased, essentially without a gap, against the working diameter.
US07677606B2
A connector with an additional tolerance compensation capacity for articulately connecting a first and second pipeline of an engine-powered hot air supply system in an aircraft. One pipe end of the first pipeline is articulately connected by a tie rod with a pipe end of the second pipeline with the formation of a gap. The pipe ends each include a bearing ring incorporating an essentially centrically arranged receptacle for attaching the tie rod. The receptacle is connected with a bearing ring inner surface by at least two braces pointing radially outward. The opposing pipe ends are enveloped by a sealing unit for sealing the gap. A first end of the tie rod includes an adjusting unit in the form of a screw-on ball head for length adjustment while the second end includes a fixed ball head.
US07677605B2
A hose-clamp system for securing a hose to an air connector that engages an inflation port of a garment for use in pump therapy for enhancing venous and arterial blood flow of a human foot. The system includes a fitting having an internal stem and an external stem, the internal stem configured to engage an inside diameter of an end of the hose, a cradle configured to received the internal stem and the end of the hose and having opposing locking protrusions, and a seal positioned from the locking protrusions at substantially the length of the internal stem and configured to engage the external stem.
US07677598B1
A vehicle seat and integrated side impact protection system includes a seat bottom, a seat back movably attached to the seat bottom, and a fold-flat mechanism within a lower portion of the seat back for permitting movement of the seat back between a seating configuration and a fold-flat configuration. An airbag module is located within an upper portion of the seat back adjacent the outboard side thereof and includes a side airbag and an inflator supplying inflation gasses. A lap belt extends between inboard and outboard sides of the seat and has an inflatable portion adjacent the outboard side of the seat. A gas conduit extends between the airbag module and the lap belt for conducting gasses released by the inflator to the inflatable portion of the lap belt. The gas conduit has a flexible portion permitting folding movement of the seat back.
US07677597B2
In an air bag apparatus structured such that an air bag (11) housed in a part of a vehicle in a folded manner is inflated and deployed by a gas supplied from an inflator (14) so as to protect an occupant, the gas supplied from the inflator (14) is dispersed in a three-dimensional direction by a shower head (13a) so as to be supplied to a gas passage (11b) of the air bag (11).
US07677596B2
An apparatus for assisting and guiding deployment of a side airbag through a deployment seam of a seat cover for a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes an airbag assembly connectable to a support portion of the seat back frame, an intensifier pocket having an inboard and outboard panel, and an elongate support rod releasably connectable to the seat back frame of the vehicle seat for closing and anchoring an opening in the pocket. Each panel has a first peripheral portion connected to opposite edges of the deployment seam in the seat cover to be forced open during inflation of the side airbag, second peripheral portions extending inwardly toward the seat back frame where the inboard and outboard panels are connected to one another, and third peripheral portions defining an opening in the pocket of sufficient size to allow the pocket to be positioned over the airbag assembly and support portion of the seat back frame. The support rod can be engaged through at least one sleeve formed along the third peripheral portion of each panel for closing and anchoring the opening in the pocket.
US07677592B2
A trailer with interchangeable cargo specific pods positionable into alignment with a flatbed of the trailer and including fasteners in vertical alignment with fasteners of the trailer. The cargo specific pods may carry cargo such as bicycles, kayaks, canoes, skis, sailboats, skidoos, luggage, seadoos, surfboards, livestock, scoreboards, advertising panels, rowing sculls, contractor's equipment, camping units, and camper trailer pods. One or more pods may be placed on the flatbed at a time for transport by the trailer. One cargo pod includes doors to allow for easy access to cargo. A bicycle pod includes an arrangement of inclined grooved supports for receiving bicycle tires. Sets of hooks may be staggered in height from highest to lowest. Each grooved support includes a hook for hooking about a bicycle tire. A watercraft pod comprises a ladder assembly having opposing ladder towers, each tower including at least one support formed from a rung which pairs with an opposing rung. The ladder towers are supported by an adjustable brace assembly.
US07677590B2
A stroller is provided including a stroller frame supported for movement on at least one wheel. The stroller frame supports at least one child seat, and includes a handle that is grasped by the operator to drive the stroller. The handle includes a main handle portion and an auxiliary handle portion that is telescopically connected to the main handle portion. The auxiliary handle portion is thus movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the main handle portion.
US07677586B2
A wheelchair includes a seat carried by a frame including at least one front wheel and opposed rear wheels. A circular handrim is coupled to one of the rear wheels with spaced-apart connecting pins. A framework is secured to the handrim, and a ratchet operatively couples an inner end of a lever to the framework. The lever extends upwardly from the ratchet to the outer end allowing a user seated in the seat of the wheelchair to grasp the outer end of the lever and move the lever between a first position and a second position. The ratchet acts on the framework to impart rotation to the one of the rear wheels in response to movement of the lever between the first and second positions.
US07677585B2
An auxiliary seat (1) attachable to a pushchair (2) to enable it to accommodate two children seated side-by-side. The seat comprises a frame (10) having a backrest (22) and a base (21) and a wheel (30) in contact with the ground in an operative position. A child seated on the base is supported with their back against the backrest (22). The frame (10) is configured so that the backrest (22) and the base (21) fold substantially flat when the auxiliary seat is not in use. The auxiliary seat (1), including the base (21) and backrest (22), can pivot relative to the pushchair (2) to be folded against the side thereof in a storage position with the wheel (30) off the ground, once the base (21) and the backrest (22) of the seat have been folded substantially flat.
US07677577B2
To improve performance without increasing size, a sealing device comprises a seal body (6) sealing a clearance (5) between the periphery of the shaft hole (3) of a housing (2) and a shaft (4) inserted into the shaft hole (3) and the sound insulating seal (7) insulating sound transmitted through the clearance (5), the seal body (6) comprises a bellows part (10) between a mounting part (8) fitted to the housing (2) and a seal lip part (9) contacting with the shaft (4), the sound insulating seal (7) comprises a sound insulating member (20) disposed at the inner peripheral side of the mounting part (8), and the sound insulating member (20) is held to the seal body (6) in the state of contacting with the mounting part (8) at its outer peripheral part (20a) and with the seal lip part (9) at its inner peripheral part (20b).
US07677572B2
A game machines has a back side display unit composed of reels for displaying back patterns, and a front side display unit composed of transparent EL panels for displaying overlapping patterns overlapping with the back patterns. The back side display unit and the front side display unit are disposed not to produce blind spot regions of the back patterns. The game machine can provide various overlapping patterns with good visibility and a high game selection capability to a player.
US07677565B2
A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform on the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.
US07677560B2
An apparatus for deflecting sheet material from a first transport direction to a second transport direction while maintaining the orientation of the sheet material comprises a deflecting area (5) with a sheet-material supply zone (5a) and a sheet-material removal zone (5b), as well as at least one slider (11) with slider elements (12), which engages on the trailing edge of the sheet material to be deflected. By moving the slider from the sheet-material supply zone to the sheet-material removal zone around a rotation axis (13) the sheet material is deflected by the desired deflection angle. The sheet-material transport path preferably has two steps and the rotation axis (13) of the sliders (11) is preferably arranged in such a fashion that the slider elements (12) substantially only engage with the sheet-material transport path in the deflecting area (5) and emerge from the sheet-material transport path both upstream of the sheet-material supply zone (5a) and downstream of the sheet-material removal zone (5b).
US07677540B1
A mechanism for converting the force from a linear extension spring into a constant force. A cable, connected to the spring, rides in a variable radius input pulley groove. A second cable rides in a variable radius output pulley groove. The dual pulley mechanism is smaller than previous spiral pulley mechanisms. The output force and stroke is a function of the sizes of both pulleys. A standardized design enables a small number of input and output pulleys to cover a large range of applications. An end plug in a helical spring can be used to make fine adjustments to the output force. The pulleys can be accurately phased relative to each other with a spline mechanism. The pulley grooves may lie in a plane, or they may advance in an axial direction as the pulley rotates. By continuously varying the rate of axial advance, the tangent to the groove can be aimed or focused at an external point. The focused groove reduces cable friction and wear. Axially advancing the groove allows the pulley to rotate more than one revolution, further reducing the size of the pulley. The input and output grooves can be combined into one continuous groove. The input and output cables can be a single continuous piece, eliminating cable terminations and reducing stress on the pulley.
US07677523B2
A gravity compensation device partially or completely compensates a force exerted by a basic mass (10) on a balancing device (12) at a first distance from an axis of rotation (13) by using a force generating device, such as spring (14), exerting a counterforce on the balancing device at a second distance from the axis of rotation. The first distance, the second distance, or both are selectable for providing the desired gravity compensation. One or more pulleys with an angle-variable radius may be used. The gravity compensation device does not add substantial mass to the basic mass, and is simple in design.
US07677521B2
An adjustable hanger assembly comprises a hanger, a hanger mount, and a bracket assembly. The hanger comprises a first set of serrations, a center slot, and a hanger tab. The hanger mount comprises a second set of serrations, and a mount aperture. The hanger mount aperture is positioned in coplanar alignment with the center slot axis. The hanger and the hanger mount are assembled together by meshing the serrations in the first and second sets of serrations in a pre-selected position to accommodate users' positioning requirements. A mounting fastener extends through the hanger and the hanger mount for clamping the abutting assembly together and mounting the same to a wall. The hanger assembly is laterally positionable within, and snap-fittable to, the bracket assembly. Together the hanger assembly and the bracket assembly enable the user to adjust the target wall-hanging in two-dimensional space.
US07677505B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to arcuate saddles with partial ribs typically used to anchor and suspend insulated or non-insulated pipes. Partial ribs on the lower face of the saddle inhibit the saddle from sliding relative to the hanger when engaged and provide strengthening force to the saddle.
US07677497B2
A hatch-actuating mechanism, particularly for aircraft landing gear. The mechanism includes a lateral closing panel (1) and a secondary closing panel (4) articulated to one another. A lateral pivoting fitting (5) is joined to the lateral panel (1) and pivots about a fixed point on the structure (7). A secondary pivoting fitting (8) is joined to the secondary panel (4). A lateral actuating cylinder (10) controls the movement of the lateral panel. An intermediate actuating cylinder controls the movement of the secondary panel, the intermediate actuating cylinder (13) being actuatable independently from the lateral actuating cylinder (10).
US07677496B2
The present invention relates to a stringer for an aircraft wing and a method of reinforcing such a stringer in which the stringer is formed with a substantially lambda shaped section.
US07677484B2
A distributor plate adapted to be releasably mounted on a horizontal lower disc of a rotor of a vertical shaft impact crusher. The rotor has an opening for the intake of material to be crushed and at least one outflow opening for material leaving the rotor. The distributor plate is an equilateral polygon as seen from above.
US07677479B2
When a fuel injection valve is mounted on an engine, a distance between a core and an armature during non-energization of a coil can be prevented from becoming narrow. The coil is arranged inside the core, and a body is fixedly secured at its one end to an end of the core. A housing is arranged outside the coil with its one end abutting a cylinder head. A cap is arranged at the other end of the housing, and abuts at its side opposite to the housing with a fastening unit. The armature is arranged for reciprocation inside the body, and is magnetically attracted to the magnetized core. A gap is formed between the housing and the body, with the cap and the core being fixed to each other, and upon mounting the valve on the engine, the housing and the fastening unit abut the cylinder head and the cap, respectively.
US07677475B2
The present invention relates to an irrigation sprinkler head having a removable weighted collar thereon. The sprinkler head has a tapered water inlet for wedging a weighted collar having a matching tapered opening therethrough.
US07677474B2
A sprinkler is disclosed for improved flow characteristics. The sprinkler has a sprinkler head rotatably supported for distributing water and defining a flow channel for directing water flow therethrough with reduced head loss. The flow channel has a smoothly tapered portion for receiving water and channeling the water towards an outlet in communication with a first nozzle for distributing the water. The flow channel with reduced head loss produces a greater throw distance at a lower trajectory with a lower flow rate and pressure. The flow channel may be formed within a flow channel member positioned within the sprinkler head. The flow channel member may cooperate with the sprinkler head to define a cavity allowing water to pass through the cavity from the flow channel for emission from a plurality of other nozzles.
US07677467B2
Methods and devices are provided for aerosolizing medicament to be inhaled by a user. A housing is provided with an aerosol generator contained within the housing. A medicament feed system supplies medicament to the aerosol generator. A mouthpiece has separate medicament and air flow passages. The medicament flow passage provides aerosolized medicament from the aerosol generator to an outlet of the medicament flow passage, and the air flow passage has an inlet in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere. The outlets of the medicament and air flow passages are provided at an end of the mouthpiece to provide simultaneous flows of medicament and air that mix in the user's mouth upon inhalation by the user at the end of the mouthpiece.
US07677458B2
A financial transaction card includes a substrate and a visual distortion member. The substrate defines an aperture and includes an account identifier. The account identifier links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record. The visual distortion member is positioned at least partially within the aperture and coupled with the substrate, and the visual distortion member is configured to distort images viewed therethrough. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other financial transaction card embodiments are also disclosed.
US07677455B2
A safety marking and a method for producing a safety marking according to the CIT principle for printed areas are provided. The safety marking is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, the image elements of which are coded in a size and arrangement, which cannot be perceived by the human eye and are visible only with the help of optical decoders. A printable safety marking is created according to the CIT principle, which can be implemented at little expense at any place of a material being printed and therefore also in areas that are not rastered. This is accomplished by a coding of the image elements by locally different reflection properties of a lacquer coating formed from at least two different lacquer layers, the coding being independent of the chrominance and tonal value of the printed area.
US07677454B2
A digital information recording media system including a digital information recording media device, and a digital information reading and writing drive unit for writing digital information to, and reading digital information from the digital information recording media device. An electronic-ink display label is provided to the digital information recording media device for displaying graphical indicia on the electronic-ink display label representative of information relating to the digital information recording media device and/or digital information recorded thereon. An activation module is arranged in communication with the digital information reading and writing drive unit, for providing instructions employed in the determination of determined graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. The electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure. The electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representing information relating to digital information recorded on the digital information recording media device.
US07677447B2
Methods, systems, and software are disclosed for configuring an ATM. The ATM receives one or more configuration messages in an XML-based format. The ATM interprets the one or more configuration messages. The ATM restricts one or more ATM operations based on at least a portion of the one or more configuration messages.
US07677446B2
A system, method and apparatus having the capability of issuing at least one unique identifying card, associating a payment amount and face value with each unique identifying card and receiving a payment for each unique identifying card. The method, system and apparatus are further capable of crediting the payment to one or more revenue distribution recipients in real time and updating the face value of the unique identifying card in real time to reflect its use for a transaction, and of tracking information about the card and use of the card.
US07677440B2
Tracking at the local point of sale terminal level, changes in data associated with each terminal, such as a changed printer or POS register supporting a particular POS terminal, the identified cash drawer for the terminal, the particular changeable removable cash till in the cash drawer or the particular terminal operator. The POS terminal comprises a cash drawer including a drawer identifier, a cash till, including a till identifier, removably engagable with the drawer, as well as apparatus for reading the drawer identifier, apparatus for reading the till identifier when said till is engaged with the drawer and apparatus for transmitting the read drawer and till identifiers to the system administrator.
US07677439B2
An assembly and process for identifying and tracking assets, such as tubulars, equipment, tools and/or devices. An antenna is electrically connected to a responding device, such as a radio frequency identification device, and this assembly is connected to an asset. The antenna may be positioned about the exterior and/or the interior of the asset and significantly increases the range of signals that may be received and/or broadcast by the responding device. A transceiver may accordingly be positioned a greater distance from the asset without regard to the orientation of the asset and still permit communication between the transceiver and the responding device. In this manner, information that specifically identifies the asset may be compiled in a data base so as to maintain an accurate history of the usage of such assets as tubulars, equipment, tool and/or devices.
US07677433B2
In accordance with the invention, a method of manufacturing containers such as shipping, display and display ready packaging, for example, and resulting containers and associated preassemblies and blanks are provided, which, when utilized, result in preassemblies that are more easily and quickly assembled into fully assembled containers. According to the invention, a primary flank is affixed to an auxiliary blank using adhesive applied to a second portion section of each of the plurality of divider sections included in the primary blank, such that, as the container is assembled, pressure on the auxiliary blank separates a first portion of each of the plurality of divider sections from second portion and carries each of the plurality of divider tabs to engage with corresponding lock slots of the first and/or second divider lock.
US07677431B2
A large electronic device having a bonding area on one side that comprises first and second portions may be bonded by first locating the first portion but not the second portion of the electronic device for bonding by a bonding tool. After the first portion of the electronic device has been bonded, the electronic device is conveyed to a rotary platform that is rotatable along a substantially horizontal plane. The electronic device is rotated on the rotary platform to change the respective positions of the bonded first portion and unbonded second portion of the electronic device, before the electronic device is conveyed to the bonding tool such that the second portion of the electronic device is located for bonding by the bonding tool. The second portion of the electronic device may then be bonded.
US07677428B2
A motor vehicle body framing apparatus located at a welding station of a motor vehicle assembly line for use in precisely positioning body panels arriving at the welding station for welding. The apparatus includes a base structure positioned at the welding station and having a longitudinal extent in the direction of body panel movement and a transverse extent; a parking structure upstanding vertically from the base structure on either side of the welding station and each defining parking devices; and a pair of longitudinal side gates each carrying tooling fixtures for engagement with body side panels and each including parking devices operative in coaction with the parking devices on the upstanding parking structures to precisely position the gates on the parking structure and thereby precisely position the tooling fixtures relative to the body panels. A plurality of sets of gates each having tooling fixtures mounted thereon corresponding respectively to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles are provided and the sets of gates are selectively interchanged utilizing the coacting parking devices so as to readily exchange tooling fixtures to accommodate the plurality of body styles being produced on the assembly line.
US07677425B2
A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably mounted in the housing around a first axis and define a plurality of locating formations arranged thereon. An adjustment rod can be operatively coupled for movement with the knob. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. An indexing member can be movable along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The indexing member can be selectively biased into engagement with one of the locating formations upon rotation of the knob to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing. Rotation of the knob can cause the contact trip to translate toward and away from the housing to define a desired penetration depth for the fastener.
US07677423B2
A container for the storage and dispensing of a liquid and which incorporates a sealing mechanism includes a blow-molded container body including a neck portion having a series of external threads and defining an annular, non-planar sealing surface, a pouring spout assembled into the body and a unitary closing lid including a series of internal threads constructed and arranged to engage the threads of the neck portion. The unitary closing lid includes the sealing mechanism in the form of a pair of annular sealing lips constructed and arranged to be compressed against the annular, non-planar sealing surface to establish a sealed interface between the closing lid and the body.
US07677421B2
In another aspect the invention is a (drink bottle or container) closure assembly as a unit having an occlusion region providing first component, the first component being adapted for a closing engagement with a complementary bottle or container, and having a liquid passageway to be open from the bottle or container to an outlet below at least part of the occlusion region, as a second component, a spout or top with a dispensing outlet capable of being occluded by the occlusion region to provide a substantially liquid tight environment from an engaged liquid bearing bottle or container unless the second component rises from its dispensing outlet occluding condition, and a third component, rotation of which controls the rise and fall of the second component relative to said occlusion region.
US07677415B2
The invention relates to a dispenser for delivering portions of liquid to pasty substances, having a storage container and a pumping chamber, the pumping chamber having at least one valve, and having a delivery head which can be displaced relative to the storage container and the displacement of which allows the substance to be delivered, the delivery head further having formed in it a delivery channel with a delivery opening, which delivery opening can be closed by a closure part which is removable, but is held in captive fashion on the delivery head. In order to specify such a dispenser for delivering portions of liquid to pasty substances which is configured in an advantageous manner, in particular, in respect of a closure part, it is proposed that the closure part is a sliding part which also forms a delivery-channel portion and interacts with a fixed closure pin.
US07677409B2
The cartridge comprises a housing, a plurality of test sensors, a mechanical mechanism, and a pusher assembly. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The plurality of test sensors is stacked in the housing. The plurality of test sensors is adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction. One of the plurality of test sensors is positioned for extraction from the cartridge. The pusher assembly is adapted to push one of the plurality of test sensors from the cartridge. The pusher assembly includes a ferromagnetic material or a magnet.
US07677399B2
A process for manufacturing a separation membrane with excellent productivity, which can uniformly dry and imidize a separation membrane precursor solution formed on an inner surface of through-holes of a monolith substrate and which does not require complicated operations such as placement of a monolith substrate in a dryer, and the separation membrane manufactured by the process are provided. The separation membrane is manufactured comprising: causing a separation membrane precursor solution to pass through through-holes in a porous monolith substrate, to form a membrane of the precursor solution on the surface of the through-holes, and drying the membrane by causing hot wind to pass through the through-holes.
US07677389B2
A commodities package is provided for containing commodities, such as staples. The package includes a base container and a cover, the base container and cover having interengaging structure in order to hold them together. The base container and cover are wrapped with shrink wrap to provide a sealed package. An outer package contains a plurality of commodity packages and facilitates loading of the commodity packages onto a display structure. The outer package is manually alterable so that it supports each of the plurality of commodity packages while the display structure is received by hanger members provided on the commodity packages. Once the commodity packages are loaded onto the display structure, the outer package is pulled away.
US07677372B2
A conductor clamp (4) for a trailing line (5) which is secured to crabs (7) which can be moved along a carrier rail (1) comprises a support (8) for the trailing line, a clamping device (9) for securing the trailing line to the support and a shock absorber (10) for absorbing an impact of the first crab on the conductor clamp. The shock absorber has at least two spring bodies (20, 22) which have different characteristics and which are arranged one behind the other in the anticipated direction of action of the shock absorber. In this context, the most resilient spring body (20) is arranged closest to the end of the shock absorber which is provided for the application of an impact force. The shock absorber also has a lifting rod (16) which can be displaced under the effective impact force in the anticipated direction of action of the shock absorber. At the two ends of the lifting rod, spring bodies with different characteristics are arranged. The shock absorber has a housing in which the lifting rod is movably mounted, with an internal end of the lifting rod being located inside the housing, and an external end of said lifting rod being located outside the housing.
US07677366B2
After chemical nickel plating has been applied onto a rotor-side surface 10 of a caliper 5a made of aluminum alloy and an opposite surface 11 disposed in an opposite side of the rotor-side surface, nickel-tungsten alloy plating is applied onto these both surfaces 10, 11. Then, gold plating is applied onto only the rotor-side surface 10. As a result, a reflectance to incident light on the rotor-side surface 10 is made higher than a reflectance to incident light on the opposite surface 11.
US07677359B2
Sound absorbent (1) of a hard material, such as metal, glass, hard plastic or composites thereof, for absorption of acoustic waves by friction of viscous flow, essentially in the frequency range between 100 and 4000 Hz. The sound absorbent (1) comprises a panel element (3) with microslits (5) therethrough, said microslits (5) having a minimum slit width (b) of less than 0.45 mm. When in use, the panel element (3) is arranged with a distance to a rear surface.
US07677357B2
A muffler that inhibits reduction in engine performance and reduces exhaust noise volume includes a conduit that passes through an expansion chamber. A partition wall is provided at a central section of the conduit. An upstream section upstream from the partition wall includes an outflow section that has a side surface in which outflow holes are formed that allow exhaust gas to flow out to the expansion chamber. A downstream section downstream from the partition wall has an inflow section that has a side surface formed with inflow holes that allow exhaust gas to flow in from the expansion chamber. An inner diameter of at least one section of the downstream section is smaller than an inner diameter of the outflow section.
US07677356B2
An acoustic material includes at least a kind of synthetic staple fiber and a kind of low melting point fiber having a melting point lower than that of the at least one kind of synthetic staple fiber. Method for making the acoustic material includes the following steps: a) blending the synthetic staple fiber with the low melting point fiber together; b) cross lapping the mixed fibers to a predetermined thickness; c) drying the fibers to bond the fibers together.
US07677354B2
An electronic apparatus having a structure in which the inside of a cabinet having a speaker unit incorporated therein is effectively cooled, so that the speaker unit satisfactorily plays back a bass sound in which the speaker cabinet has at least two bass-reflex ducts. One bass-reflex duct is used for air-discharge, through which air in the cabinet is discharged by a fan unit, and another bass-reflex duct is used for air-intake. Thus, the inside of the speaker cabinet is effectively cooled while making use of the bass-reflex effect.
US07677348B1
An apparatus for deterring instability of a motorcycle comprising: a support member; a stabilizer link communicating with the support member, and a frame bracket communicating with the stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer link maintains a substantially constant positional relationship between the support member and the frame bracket.
US07677345B2
Within a moving robot of narrow footprint, having quick traveling performance on a plane-surface, as well as, anti-tumbling function, and further being suitable for operations under coexistence with a human being, being able to travel coping with traveling situations on a level difference, etc.: in front and rear of main driving wheels 2 and 3, each being controlled through the inverted pendulum control, are disposed supporting legs 4 and 5, tips of which can be lifted up and down, wherein the tips of the supporting legs 4 and 5 are positioned to keep a predetermined distance between a traveling surface, when running on the inverted two-wheels travel, and the supporting legs 4 and 5 are fixed or either one in the fall-down direction is thrust out into the fall-down direction, so as to protect it from falling down. Further, upon the basis of detection information of floor-surface distance sensors 4e and 5e and side-surface distance sensor 4f, 4g, 5f and 5g, which are provided at the tips of the supporting legs 4 and 5, the robot senses an existence of a level difference and/or an inclined surface, so as to let the supporting legs to escape from the level difference and/or the inclined surface, and holds the position of gravity center thereof, stably, through other one of the supporting legs, being landed on the ground, and the main driving wheels 2 and 3; thereby enabling to travel over the level difference and the inclines surface.
US07677333B2
A drill bit has cutting elements with multiple cutting surface geometries that are positioned so that their cutting profiles overlap, but do not completely contain or engulf one another. The different cutting surface geometries and the specific overlap create a zone of high density in the middle regions of the cutting profiles and low density in the periphery, resulting in a cutting profile that becomes sharper with increasing wear. Such an arrangement is more effective and stable as the drill bit encounters hard and abrasive formation materials. Moreover, cutting elements with larger axial volumes may be combined with cutting elements having smaller axial volumes, resulting in an even more effective drill bit in terms of durability and ability to drill efficiently in hard and abrasive formations.
US07677332B2
A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas an configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.
US07677320B2
A subsea well production system has a natural drive mode and a lift-assist mode using a submersible pump. The submersible pump can be installed while the well is live. The well system has a downhole safety valve in the production tubing. The operator closes the downhole safety valve and lowers an electrical submersible pump assembly into the production tubing. Once landed, the valve is opened and the pump assembly placed in operation.
US07677318B2
The present invention relates to a method of removing deposits from various types of wells (17) including environmental recovery, water supply, horizontal, barrier, injection, recharge, and/or disposal wells (17). The method includes equipping a well (17) with an automated energy delivering system that is attached to the well (17). The energy delivering system is used to clean the surface of the well (17) and aquifer by supplying various types of energy to the well (17) and aquifer via injection lines (5, 6, 11, 12 and 13) and an educator pipe (10). A pump (14) is used to pump the energy through flow valves (20 and 21) and injection lines (5, 6, 11, 12 and 13) and into the well (17). The energy that is supplied to the well (17) mobilizes any deposits in the well (17) and aquifer and cause them to flow into and up the wellbore thereby cleaning the well (17) and aquifer.
US07677310B2
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are disclosed herein. Methods for treating a tar sands formation may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. Pressure may be allowed to increase in an upper portion of the formation to provide a gas cap in the upper portion. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from a lower portion of the formation.
US07677309B2
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.
US07677302B2
A spoolable connector which connects two opposing sections of coil tubing so as to transmit load between one section of coil tubing and another section of coil tubing. The spoolable connector has opposing non-circular grooves into which portions of the sections of coil tubing are deformed so as to create the torque transmitting connection between the spoolable connector and sections of coil tubing. The spoolable connector also includes a plurality of parallel radial slots on each opposing end to enhance bending of the connector at the ends as well as a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end to accommodate the weld seam line in the coil tubing. Seals may be installed as a sleeve which in use fits over the mid-section of the connector.
US07677291B2
An engaging device is provided which is capable of advantageous switchover from an engaging position to an open position. Also provided is a transfer instrument employing the structure of such an engaging device. The transfer instrument (A) includes the engaging device (X) which is capable of gradually moving an engaging surface (23) widthwise of an engaging surface (13) to retract two engaging components relative to each other by pivotally moving a dangling wall (11) of a transfer instrument body (1) and a sidewall (21) of an arm (2) relative to each other to press a sliding contact edge (24) against a guide edge (14) gradually from a first end portion (14a) toward an opposite second end portion (14b) of the guide edge (14).
US07677282B2
A knife assembly and chipping knife therefor. The knife is rotated about an axis and has a front side facing the direction of rotation. The knife has a single deflector ridge extending from the front side of the knife and two indexing features on either side of the deflector ridge, each corresponding to spaced apart, parallel cutting edges of the knife defining a plane.
US07677281B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a power router tool having an output shaft with a mechanism for attaching a working tool for engaging a work portion for performing a work operation thereon, comprising a generally cylindrical housing having a motor therein configured to drive the output shaft during operation, the housing having a nose portion from which the output shaft extends and a rear end portion opposite the nose portion, at least one switch in the housing operatively connected to the motor for controlling the operation thereof, an adjustable and removable depth guide mounted to the nose portion of the housing, the depth guide having an axial portion that is generally parallel to the output shaft and an end portion that is generally perpendicular to the output shaft, the axial and end portions having a construction that provided minimal visual obstruction during use.
US07677274B2
A portable device for delivering nitrogen to multiple tires includes a gas source and supply line connected to a controller. The device also includes a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with each other. A gas delivery line is operably connected to the controller and a plurality of extension lines with engagement chucks are operably connected to the outlets. The controller controls the supply of gas to the gas delivery line and controls a relief valve for venting the gas delivery line. The device also includes a sensor and a processor connected the controller and sensor which accepts user inputs. The controller, manifold and processor are affixed to a stand.
US07677265B2
A heating apparatus (11) has sheet heaters (12) arranged in both sides of at least one line and heating fluid control devices (2, 3, 4) and joint members (5), heat insulating boards (13, 14) made of an engineering plastic are respectively brought into contact with outer sides of the sheet heaters (12), and the heat insulating boards (13, 14) are coupled to each other by at least one thread member (15), whereby the sheet heater (12) is prevented from dropping out.
US07677263B2
When the pressure in a main fluid supply channel is lower than a no-load operation start pressure, the spool moves against the biasing force of a biasing member, and the area of opening of a auxiliary fluid supply channel is reduced with regards to opening of the internal flow channel. When the pressure in the main fluid supply channel rises and reaches a no-load operation start pressure, the area of opening in the auxiliary fluid supply channel with regards to opening of the internal flow channel becomes smaller and while connected to the main fluid supply channel, the auxiliary fluid supply channel is connected to the return flow channel. When the pressure in the main fluid supply channel rises above the no-load operating start pressure and reaches a no-load operation pressure, the auxiliary fluid supply channel is cut off from the main fluid supply channel.
US07677262B2
A safety valve for a compressed gas storage tank (12) includes a relief conduit (16, 18) provided for fluid connection to an interior chamber (14) of the compressed gas storage tank (12), and a closing member (22) sealing the relief conduit (16, 18); a retaining device (24) being provided which, in a normal condition, locks the closing member (22) in place and which, in safety-critical conditions, opens a cross-sectional flow area (30) in such a manner that the relief conduit (16, 18) is open to the atmosphere. In accordance with the present invention, the closing member (22) is connected to an adjustor (26) which adjusts the cross-sectional flow area (30) of the relief conduit (16, 18) as a function of an upstream interior pressure.
US07677257B2
An artificial nail is formed by injection molding a first section and a second section. The first section and second section are adjacent to one another. One of the sections defines a front distal tip of the artificial nail and is formed by injecting a quantity of heated material under pressure from a nozzle into a sprue, through a runner and through a cavity gate into a mold cavity. The other section is formed by injecting another quantity of heated material under pressure from a heated nozzle through another cavity gate into the mold cavity.
US07677253B2
A regenerated tobacco material is manufactured through extracting a natural tobacco material with an extracting solvent to obtain an extracted solution containing components of the natural tobacco material and an extraction residue. A regenerated tobacco web is prepared by using the extraction residue. On the other hand, the extracted solution is subjected to a fractionating treatment by means of ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis filtration, or reversed-phase partition chromatography to obtain a first fraction enriched in desired components and depleted in undesired components, and a second fraction enriched in the undesired components and depleted in the desired components. The first fraction is added, optionally together with the second fraction decreased in amount, to the regenerated tobacco web to prepare a regenerated tobacco material.
US07677251B2
An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes provides for such manufacture in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus and method provide for delivering at least one charge of tobacco filler from a supply of tobacco filler onto a predetermined length of wrapping paper in a garniture. The wrapping paper can be formed about the charge of tobacco filler by a forming mechanism in the garniture to form a cigarette rod having a finite length. The formed cigarette rod can then be transferred to a cutting device where, in a separate step, the cigarette rod can be cut into a plurality of individual cigarettes. The cigarettes may have filter elements attached, and may be packaged for a consumer. The filter element and tipping paper can provide for air dilution of the cigarettes.
US07677239B2
The present invention relates to a kitchen-range (1) and/or an oven (100) with a self-cleaning system, having a cleaning-element spraying assembly (6, 7, 106, 107), preferably water with detergent, arranged at the cooking top (13) and/or cooking chamber (113) for spraying it in a pressurized way and removing the existing dirt. A circuit is coupled to the cooking top (13) and/or cooking chamber (113), formed by conduits (5, 105, 4, 104) and a pump (19), so that the sprayed cleaning-elements can circulate and remove dirt from the surfaces to be cleaned.
US07677230B2
A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two spark plugs per cylinder include selectively isolating all but one spark plug associated with the cylinder at least during an ionization current sensing period to reduce or eliminate interference among ionization current signals flowing through more than one spark plug.
US07677222B2
In a diesel engine control device, a normal injection mode that implements normal combustion and a premixed injection mode that implements premixed combustion are set, the normal injection mode is implemented when the actual engine operating conditions are in the normal region, and the premixed injection mode is implemented when the actual engine operating conditions are in the premixed region. When one control mode is being implemented in the corresponding engine operating region, the control mode is forcibly switched to the other control mode when the engine enters a predetermined transition state. This makes it possible to switch earlier than normal, and in particular when accelerating, the desired acceleration performance can be obtained.
US07677213B2
A deactivating roller follower assembly for deactivating an associated poppet valve for an internal combustion engine includes a body including a valve end, a pivot end, and a plunger bore. The valve end of the body is configured to contact the associated poppet valve and the pivot end of the body is configured to contact a pivot of the associated internal combustion engine. The assembly further includes a pivotable arm including a hinged end and a free end. The hinged end is rotatably mounted to the valve end of the body. The free end includes a curvilinear engaging surface for transmitting a force required to activate the associated poppet valve. In addition, the assembly includes a plunger including a latching end and a piston end. The plunger is disposed in the plunger bore in the pivot end of the body. The plunger moves between an extended position and a retracted position. The latching end of the plunger selectively engages the free end of the arm to place the arm in a latched state, whereby preventing the arm from moving relative to the body. And, the latching end of the plunger selectively disengages the free end of the arm to place the arm in an unlatched state, whereby permitting the arm to move relative to the body.
US07677206B1
A boot (10) for enclosing a foot of a quadruped up to, but not including, a carpal or tarsal joint (32), made generally of a first flexible material (14) with a slit (16) forming an opening for inserting the foot. A lower portion of the first flexible material forms a toe box (20). An upper portion of the toe box is formed of a second flexible material (12A, 12B) that is more elastic than the first flexible material, such as an elastic fabric. The elastic fabric allows the toes to flex downward at the end of each step, then pulls them upward to prevent them from curling under the foot on the next step. An upper retainer (16) may be provided on an upward extension strap (15). The upper retainer loops around the leg above the carpal or tarsal joint (32) to provide vertical retention of the boot.
US07677197B2
Apparatus for treating tissue specimens comprises a stationary outer casing (2) in the top of which is positioned an annular trough (3) for holding a liquid. Rotatably mounted in the outer casing (2) is a central hub (5) supporting a disc-like lid (6) the underside of which carries a magnet (7). In use, the magnets hold, in a detachable manner, tissue specimens (12) and the trough (3) is filled with a liquid for treating the specimens. The hub (5) is capable of vertical translational movement with respect to the casing (2) to enable the specimens to be lowered into and subsequently lifted out of the trough (3). A method of treating tissue specimens is also provided.
US07677192B2
The present invention comprises systems and methods of utilizing hull arrangements that combine aerodynamic and hydrodynamic effects to provide marine vessels with broader ranges of performance capabilities. The combination hull arrangements variously combine V-hulls, slot aspects, topographic features, and other hull characteristics that enable a vessel to retain the primary performance benefits of conventional V-hulls and achieve assorted improvements. Embodiments of the slot-V hull system employ specifically shaped hull characteristics to influence the manners in which water, air, and air/water spray mixtures interact with the vessel's hull. One principal operative effect can enable a vessel with the slot-V hull system to achieve a planing attitude more rapidly and efficiently than a standard V-hull.
US07677188B2
The device comprises a loading member (3) onto which the tubular knitted article (M) is loaded, and a pick-up member to engage the open toe of the article. The pick-up member has a plurality of elements (13) to engage the toe of the article, arranged about the axis of the loading member, which can take a circular or polygonal configuration and a substantially rectilinear flattened configuration to pick up the article from the loading member and insert it in a guide or in a guillotine (61) of a sewing machine.
US07677182B2
A work space assembly for use by a pair of people where the pair of people include first and second persons, the system providing each of the first and second persons with a private space and also providing a shared space to be shared by the pair of people during collaboration, the assembly comprising an enclosure wall having first and second distal wall edges that are within an opening plane, the enclosure wall forming a station space including one open side between the distal edges, a rear portion of the enclosure wall spaced a station depth from the opening plane, the enclosure wall having an enclosure height of at least forty-eight inches, divider components including a table top having a table top length dimension between first and second oppositely facing ends and a table height of between 44 and 55 inches and wherein, divider components are positioned with the table top length dimension substantially perpendicular to the rear portion of the enclosure wall and extending therefrom toward the opening plane, the divider components together partitioning the station space into first and second subspaces.
US07677180B2
A steering apparatus and method is implemented that allows high speed, clean, particle-free transport of a semiconductor wafer or lithographic reticle on a transport vehicle at various positions on the vehicle track, especially when entering and exiting turns. Three computer-controlled electro-magnets are mounted at the left, center, and right side of a front steering truck, and are energized to attract strategically placed permanent magnet material mounted on a side of the track where the vehicle enters or exits a turn. The transport vehicle can be levitated by an air cushion or travel on wheels, and controlled by electromotive or electromagnetic forces about the track. Using the steering electro-magnets as a LVDT, a computer processor monitors the location of the transport vehicle about the track.
US07677178B2
A device for controlling a platform door (14) located at the guideway (1) of a vehicle (2) is described. According to the invention, the device comprises, a sensor unit (17), which is mounted at the guideway (1) and which serves to detect a preselected state of the vehicle (2). An evaluating device (18) connected to the sensor unit (17) permits an opening of the platform door (14) only when the vehicle (2) is in the preselected state.
US07677168B1
An easy-maintenance strap guide system of a strapping machine includes a board, a driving set, a first rod, a second rod, a first matching portion, a second matching portion, and an engaging element. The driving set includes an advance roller portion and a retreat roller portion for conveying a strap. When the engaging element disengages with the first rod, the first rod rotates and makes the second rod, the first matching and the second matching portion moving. Hence, a maintenance space is formed. Thus, the maintenance work can be done quickly without the use of tools. It saves the detaching and assembling time. Plus, it can release automatically due to the gravity.
US07677165B2
A food storage device includes a housing defining an interior area accessible through a door coupled to the housing. The food storage device includes a vacuum pump in communication with the interior area for selectively removing air from the housing. A pressure activated switch is in communication with the vacuum pump and interior area for selectively actuating the pump. A humidifier is also positioned relative to the interior area for maintaining that area at a predetermined humidity level. A humidity sensor communicates with the humidifier for selectively actuating the humidifier to add moisture to the interior area so as to maintain a desired humidity level. The food storage includes a pressure equalizing valve in communication with the housing interior area and with an area external to the housing for equalizing a pressure inside the interior area with a pressure outside the housing.
US07677160B2
A griddle for cooking a food product includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a front side and a rear side. A serpentine passageway is formed on the lower surface. A collector tank is secured directly to the lower surface adjacent to the first side of the griddle. The collector tank is in communication with the serpentine passageway formed on the lower surface. A boiler is secured directly to the lower surface adjacent to the second side of the griddle. The boiler is in communication with the serpentine passageway formed on the lower surface. Heat may be applied directly to at least one of the collector tank and the boiler for heating a fluid disposed therein and supplying the heated fluid to the serpentine passageway for providing heat for cooking a food product disposed on the upper surface of the griddle.
US07677154B2
In an electrohydraulic control unit for rotor blade adjustment of a wind farm via a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder has one piston chamber and one piston rod chamber. Via an inflow valve assembly, a pressure fluid connection can be established between the pump and the piston chamber, while via an outflow valve assembly, a pressure fluid connection can be established between the piston rod chamber and the tank. Each valve assembly has at least two parallel-connected switch valves, which open and can be closed in various combinations in order to establish a desired position of the hydraulic cylinder. This control unit makes precise regulation of the rotor blade possible.
US07677151B2
A protective structure for protecting buildings, bridges, roads and other areas from explosive devices such as car bombs and the like comprises: (a) a mesh structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an annular space; (b) a plurality of structural steel cables in contact with the mesh structure; (c) a composite fill material which resides within the annular space of the mesh structure and within the mesh structure; (d) at least one reinforcement member which resides within the composite fill material; and (e) a composite face material which resides upon the outer surface of the mesh structure. The mesh structure may be made up of, for example, steel wire. A protective system for protecting buildings, bridges, roads and other areas from explosive devices such as car bombs and the like comprises a plurality of the above described protective structures and a plurality of support members, wherein the support members provide interlocking engagement of the protective structures to the support members.
US07677150B2
A system for connecting an accessory to a firearm having an enlarged muzzle portion has a body with a bore sized to closely receive the enlarged portion. The body has a stop to limit the insertion depth of the muzzle. A gate is received by the body for movement along the path perpendicular to the bore axis. The gate has a recessed area sized to receive the enlarged muzzle portion. A spring generates axial force to retain the muzzle portion within the recessed area. Compression of the spring enables movement of the gate to shift between an open and closed position, so that the accessory may be removed or installed when in the open position, and secured when in the closed position.
US07677140B2
A tool having a telescoping handle including a main shank and an outer sleeve complementary shaped to receive the main shank therein. A guide groove is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the main shank for receiving a guide pin formed or attached to an inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve. A locking collar may be provided to cause a bearing member to selectively engage locking structures formed on the main shank in order to selectively lock the telescoping handle in selected positions. The bearing member may also serve as the guide pin. Alternatively, at least two distinct locking and release mechanisms may be provided to selectively lock the telescoping handle in selected positions.
US07677139B2
An engine turning device for use in rotating the crankshaft of an engine. The device has a first structure on a first side used when coupling the device to an engine employing a harmonic balancer and a second structure on a second side used when coupling the device to an engine that does not have a harmonic balancer or if the harmonic balancer has been removed.
US07677137B1
A reversible ratchet mechanism for ratchet tools comprises a positioning portion the middle section of which is formed with a concave U groove. Two sides of the U groove are each formed with a receiving groove to which a wedge flake is wedged. An elastic part is provided in the U groove to elastically push open the wedge flakes. A reversible ring is set around the positioning portion, the inner circumference of which is formed with two stoppers that may drive the wedge flakes to turn. A ratchet is set around the positioning portion, the inner side of which is formed with a gear wedging the wedge flakes. Thus, when turning an angle, the reversible ring may drive one of the wedge flakes to release from the gear and thus make the ratchet clutch in a direction.
US07677136B2
A tire repairing assembly for inserting a resilient tire puncture plug into a punctured pneumatic tire. The assembly being adapted to be rolled over by the tire while still mounted to the wheel and the wheel mounted to the automobile. The tire repairing assembly having an arcuate base member and an insertion pin mounted to the base member. In an alternative embodiment, the insertion pin is moveably or pivotally mounted to the base member.
US07677127B2
There is provided a rotation transmission assembly that can be produced in large quantities and at low cost and has an anti-rotation function and an anti-release function. This rotation transmission assembly has a rotation transmission member formed in a substantially circular plate configuration, in a center of which there is a substantially circular cylinder shaped through hole that is formed by an inner circumferential surface, and that includes a rotation transmission portion located on an outer circumferential portion of the rotation transmission member; and an inner side member that is press-inserted into the through hole, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the rotation transmission member is provided with: a smooth ring-shaped surface that is placed adjacent to one end of the inner circumferential surface; and a plurality of protrusion shaped portions that, taking the ring-shaped surface as a basis, protrude inwards in the radial direction, and extend along a portion of the length in the axial direction of the through hole, and wherein the inner side member and the rotation transmission member mesh with each other within the range in which the protrusion shaped portions extend, and are in surface contact with each other within a range in which the ring-shaped surface extends.
US07677125B2
A rack and pinion stabilizer system for a refrigerator drawer. The rack and pinion stabilizer system comprises a pair of drawer glides attached to first and second liner walls of a refrigerator. Each of the drawer glides has an attached rack gear with at least one tooth having an irregular profile. A pair of gear wheels having an axle therebetween are also provided. The gear wheels are provided in rotatable engagement with the rack gears and are capable of rotating in unison. An alignment mechanism is also provided. The alignment mechanism is attached to at least one of the rack gears for providing initial alignment of the first and second rack gears with the first and second gear wheels. Additionally, a drawer in operable communication with at least one of the drawer glides and axle is disclosed. When the drawer is inserted completely within the cabinet, the first and second gear wheels are positioned over the irregular teeth, providing a tolerance permitting closure of the drawer in the event of misalignment.
US07677124B2
The invention provides a transmission of a vehicle which can smoothly execute shift-up and shift-down operations. The transmission is provided with change gears, a shift member, a change drum, a change shaft rotationally operated at a predetermined angle by a rider, and a change operation force transmitting mechanism transmitting the rotation of the change shaft to the change drum. The change operation force transmitting mechanism includes a driven body integrally rotating with the change drum and having a concave portion in an inner peripheral surface, a pole holder arranged in an inner side of the driven body and rotationally reciprocating on the basis of a rotational reciprocation of the change shaft, a pole held to the pole holder, and being displaceable around a supporting point between an engaged state in which a leading end is engaged with the concave portion and a non-engaged state in which a leading end is away from the concave portion toward an inner side in a diametrical direction of the pole holder, an energizing means for energizing the pole to the engaged state, and a limiting means for limiting in such a manner that the supporting point of the pole is not displaced with respect to the pole holder.
US07677097B2
In a gas flowmeter in which a rod and a sensor element are formed as a single body, for preventing heat of the sensor element from flowing into a sensor probe through a substrate (rod) so as to suppress considerable power consumption, and for obtaining a necessary response speed with respect to a flow rate of gas to be measured or a change in temperature, the gas column (rod) is made of an insulating material on a center axis of the sensing probe and is formed with a conductor pattern on its surface, and the sensing probe connects the sensor element disposed in a pipe through which the gas to be measured flows and a harness terminal through the conductor on the surface of the rod, so as to measure a gas flow rate by using the sensing prove.
US07677085B1
A gas leak detection apparatus includes a main body, a magnetically operated valve, a magnetically exciting device, a pressure sensing device, and a pressure detector. Thus, if the pressure detector detects that the gas leak happens to the pipe located at the rear side of the gas regulator, the control circuit board drives the magnetically exciting device to produce a magnetic force to drive the magnetically operated valve to close the conduit of the valve chamber and the outlet of the main body so as to interrupt the gas flow, thereby preventing the gas from entering the pipe located at the rear side of the gas regulator so as to provide a safety effect to the user.
US07677080B2
A dual mode contact sensor for an automotive vehicle includes an impact-responsive tubular sensing member, and a first linear contact which is closed with the outer surface of the tubular sensing member. A second linear contact is mounted within the tubular sensing member such that a higher force impact, sufficient to cause plastic deformation of the tubular sensing member will cause a circuit to be closed with the second linear contact.
US07677076B2
An angular velocity sensor unit judging whether there is a failure in both of two angular velocity sensors. The angular velocity sensor unit includes a first angular velocity sensor (12) and a second angular velocity sensor (13), each including an oscillator having a shaft portion and an oscillatory portion. Each of the angular velocity sensors (12, 13) is arranged such that its shaft portion is not in parallel with an XY-plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis of three orthogonal axes. The failure of the second angular velocity sensor is judged based on whether or not a detection value of an angular velocity about a Z-axis lies outside a tolerance range of a detection value of the angular velocity about the Z-axis by the other angular velocity sensor, and the failure of the first angular velocity sensor is judged by comparison with a pseudo-calculated angular velocity.
US07677073B2
A method of manufacturing a part with a tooth profile by cold forging includes an initial step of forming a initial tooth profile and a finishing step of forming a completed tooth profile by sizing. Between the initial step and the finishing step, is an intermediate step tooth thickness of the initial tooth profile is either maintained or reduced by 10% or less from the tooth thickness of the initial tooth profile. In the intermediate step an addendum part is expanded beyond the initial tooth profile by cold forging.
US07677065B1
A lock for a USB connector has a shell with an end opening, multiple lock assemblies mounted rotatably through the shell and an actuator mounted pivotally in the shell. Each lock assembly has a locking notch. The actuator has multiple locking protrusions selectively engaging the locking notches. The USB connector is inserted through the end opening into the shell and is selectively locked by a mounting segment on the actuator.
US07677062B2
A spraying device for a washing machine includes a body including a wall having an outer surface, a water inlet and a channel defined therein. The channel is in flow communication with the water inlet, and a plurality of nozzles extend through the wall and in flow communication with the channel. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a basket mounted within the wash tub. The basket is configured to rotate. The nozzles include an inlet, an outlet, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. At least a portion of the outlet includes a surface substantially perpendicular to a flow of water through the nozzle, and the nozzles have a length longer than a thickness of the wall. At least a portion of the outlet is unitary with the wall outer surface.
US07677053B2
A refrigeration appliance has an access door in which is located a recess containing a dispensing unit. The recess can include an upper surface, a rear surface and opposed side surfaces. The dispensing unit includes at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid such as water and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice. The dispensing unit also includes at least one emitting source for emitting a beam of light and a respective receiver for receiving the beam of light from each of the at least one emitting source. Each of the at least one emitting source and the respective receiver comprise a light couple. The emitting source and receiver of each light couple are arranged so that the light passing between the emitting source and the receiver passes substantially vertically beneath at least one of the at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice.
US07677048B1
A gas turbine engine with a turbine section having at least a first stage turbine blade and a last stage turbine blade. The first stage turbine blade includes cooling fluid passages therein in which a compressed cooling fluid, usually from the compressor section of the gas turbine engine, is passed through for cooling of the first stage blade. The last stage turbine blade includes cooling fluid passages therein, but draws the cooling air from an outside ambient pressure source instead of from a compressor. The rotation of the last stage turbine blade and rotor disk provides for a centrifugal force to drive the cooling air into the blade and through the blade for cooling thereof. No additional compression of the last stage cooling fluid is required. A cover plate with a plurality of impellers covers a back side of the last stage rotor disk and provides for an additional means to pump the ambient cooling fluid into the last stage blade.
US07677041B2
Bearing systems for high speed rotating shafts, such as turbocharger shafts, include a first ball bearing in one end of an elongated cylinder capable of carrying axial thrust in both directions and a second ball bearing in the opposite end of the elongated cylinder with its outer race slideably mounted in the cylinder against the biasing force of a preload spring. The second ball bearing is free to move axially with the shaft upon axial expansion of the shaft when exposed to high temperature. The inner races of the ball bearings are clamped to and rotate with the shaft as part of the rotating assembly.
US07677039B1
A stirling engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least two fluid chambers; a displacer, which may be rotary; and a movable seal. At least one displacer may be included in each of the at least two fluid chambers. The movable seal separates the at least two fluid chambers. In a further aspect, a stirling engine may include any one of at least one heat source, at least one heat sink, at least one converter, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.
US07677034B1
A diesel engine with an associated rotary pump pumps a fluid in a path of travel. A linear cylinder motor oscillates a disc. First and second multi stage cylinder pumps with associated attachment members operate in response to the movement of the disc. A hydraulic motor with a generator and pressure tank has a line for feeding fluid. An electric motor with a pressure tank and lines feeds fluid from the multi stage cylinder pumps to the pressure tank and feeds fluid from the pressure tank to the generator for powering the generator.
US07677031B2
A particulate trap regeneration system is provided, which may include a particulate trap having a filter medium configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine and a regeneration device configured to reduce an amount of particulate matter in the particulate trap, as well as a radio frequency-based particulate loading monitoring system configured to determine an amount of particulate matter trapped by the filter medium. The particulate loading monitoring system may include at least one radio frequency probe configured to transmit radio frequency signals of predetermined magnitude and predetermined frequency toward the filter medium and at least one radio frequency probe configured to receive and measure the magnitude of received radio frequency signals that pass through the filter medium. Further, the system may be configured to transmit radio frequency signals along a length of the exhaust conduit.
US07677028B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a particulate trap regeneration temperature control system. The system may include a particulate trap configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine. The system may also include a heating system configured to increase the temperature of the particulate trap. The system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the heating system during execution of a thermal regeneration event of the particulate trap. The controller may control operation of the heating system by effectuating a first temperature increase of the particulate trap at a predetermined rate up to a first predetermined temperature. The controller may also be configured to effectuate a first temperature hold by maintaining the temperature of the particulate trap at the first predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time. The controller may further be configured to effectuate a second temperature increase of the particulate trap at a predetermined rate to a higher second predetermined temperature. In addition, the controller may also be configured to effectuate a second temperature hold by maintaining the temperature of the particulate trap at the second predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
US07677022B2
A convertible mower deck has a plurality of adjoining cuffing chambers under a mower deck, each cutting chamber having a cutting blade mounted to the lower end of a vertical spindle. Angled pivoting baffles are positioned in the openings between adjoining cutting chambers, and a baffle also is mounted in the discharge opening from one of the cutting chambers. The baffles may pivot between an open position for the grass clippings to be discharged or collected, a closed position for the grass clippings to be mulched, and one or more intermediate positions for some of the clippings to be discharged or collected, and the remainder to be mulched.
US07677021B2
A reel mower assembly having a frame and a reel rotatably mounted to the frame. The reel is a casting having spatially separated end members and a plurality of cross members homogenously connected to the end members. One or more support rings can also be positioned between the end members and homogenously connected to the cross members. A drive is operable to rotate the reel about a reel axis.
US07677016B2
A capsule filling machine (100) for the production of hard gelatin capsules (C) of the type with lid (3) and body (2) containing a quantity (1) of pharmaceutical material comprises a rotary turret or carousel (15) which defines at least one capsule (C) handling line (L) and on which the following are positioned, one after the other: at least one station (6) for feeding empty capsules (C); at least one opening station (20) where the capsule bodies (2) are separated from the lids (3) to form two separate rows of capsule bodies (2) and lids (3); at least one station (7) for feeding and dosing the quantities (1) of pharmaceutical material to be filled into the capsule bodies (2); and at least one station (8) for closing the capsules (C) by placing a lid (3) over each respective body (2); the machine (100) also comprises means (9) for detecting and volumetrically checking the quantity (1) of pharmaceutical material filled into each capsule body (2), the detecting and checking means (9) comprise transducer means (5) for measuring the volume of said quantities (1) before they are filled into the capsule bodies (2).
US07677000B2
A post system for a railing, the post system including a railing post, an insert and a post base. The railing post includes an elongated tubular body with first and second ends. The insert may snugly be insertable within the first end of the railing post. The post base may be connectable to the first end of the railing post and may have an inner member and an outer member substantially encasing the inner member. The inner member may be constructed from a first material, while the outer member may be constructed of a second material. The post base may include a base member and a housing member connected to and extending from the base member. The housing member may be adapted to engage the railing post.
US07676999B2
A connector device is provided for a curtain wall system of the type having structural members secured to the building framing to define frames to support glazing panels. The glazing panels each have a sash by which they are secured to the frames of structural members to form an outer wall portion of a building. The curtain wall system has connector devices securing one of the glazing panels to the frames of structural members. The connector device comprises a keeper secured to a frame, and a latch mechanism secured opposite the keeper on the sash. The latch mechanism has a latch bolt automatically displaceable to a locking position upon contact with the keeper. The keeper and the latch mechanism cooperate in the locking position to lock the glazing panel to the frame in a secured position. A method for installing the connector device is also provided.
US07676998B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a multifamily dwelling which may include: at least one building, which may include: a townhouse façade on at least a front of the building; at least three dwelling units in the building, each of the at least three dwelling units may include: an individual garage, and a non-shared, individual entry between each individual garage and an associated dwelling unit.
US07676997B1
A tendon tensioning anchor has a base member having a tubular section extending therefrom, and a pair of flanges extending outwardly on opposite sides of the tubular section, and a polymeric encapsulation in generally air-tight juxtaposition with an exterior of the base member. A hole is formed through each of the pair of flanges. The polymeric encapsulation extends entirely through and fills the holes so as to integrally connect the polymeric material overlying one surface of the flange with the polymeric material overlying an opposite surface of the flange. The hole is formed adjacent to the tubular section.
US07676996B2
A window and door head flashing assembly is fabricated at a construction site to fit specific door or window widths. A center section which may be extruded with a sloped base, a rear flange, and a front lip. End caps may be provided to snap or glue on the center section. The end caps have a perpendicular fin which serves as an end dam to block the lateral movement of water. The assembly may be inverted for use as a sill pan. The center section may be cut to a desired length and installed over arched windows or doors by bending to shape as it is installed. For arched applications, a combination of rigid and flexible PVC may be coextruded to provide a desired cross sectional profile that is flexible enough to be bent around the arch, but stiff enough to retain its cross section for drainage.
US07676995B2
A polymeric interlocking tile for an adhesive-free assemblage with adjacent tiles having substantially similar, but inverted, edge interlocks thereon. The interlocks on each edge of a tile include a row of first and second sets of male-female types of alternating interlocks. The first interlock set includes a male lug projection having sidewalls forming one sidewall of a channel of U-shaped cross-section. The channel forms a female interlock cavity for the first set. The second interlock set is contiguous to the first set and includes a male projecting rib having two parallel sidewalls, one sidewall faces the edge and forms an opposite sidewall of the channel and an opposite, inwardly facing sidewall forms an enclosure for a second female cavity of the next set. At the opposite ends of each interlock row, the U-shaped channel sidewalls are wider to facilitate an initial interlock meshing between contiguous tiles of the assemblage.
US07676987B2
A greening structure comprising a plant-cultivatable planting portion on a water-reserving portion and laid on a pavement for forming a greening area. The greening structure further comprises post-shaped members provided substantially consecutively from a portion where an external force loaded on the planting portion is directly received, to the bottom of the water-reserving portion or to the pavement, so that the external force loaded on the planting portion is received on the pavement through the post-shaped members. The greening structure is excellent in the supporting strength and the stability to provide a satisfactory treading feel. The substantially consecutive post-shaped members include: first post-shaped members disposed upward from the bottom of the planting portion; and second post-shaped members disposed downward from the bottom of the planting portion.
US07676971B2
A display system for trade shows and method for assembly thereof. The display system comprises lower and upper lateral frame members, and a plurality of vertical members adapted to connect releasably at the top and bottom to the lateral frame members. Each vertical member has a lower portion that extends outside a first reference plane, and an upper portion that extends outside said first reference plane in the direction opposite the direction of extension of the lower portion. The system further comprises a plurality of legs connected to respective vertical members and releasable fasteners for attaching a sheet of flexible material to the lower and upper lateral members and at least two vertical elongate members for displaying information. The invention also includes a method for assembling a display as described above without the use of extrinsic tools.
US07676970B2
A display apparatus (10, 10′) for sequentially displacing sheets (A) to a display position, comprising a drive (20) for displacing sheets (A) in a circuit to a display position. An actuator (30) actuates the drive (20). Connector devices (40, 50) connect opposed ends of sheets (A) along the drive (20). Each connector device (40, 50) has (i) a first connector (40) securing a first edge portion (A1) of a sheet (A) to the drive (20), and (ii) a second connector device (50) having a longitudinal member (41′) secured to a second edge portion (A2) of the sheet (A) and connected to the drive (20) so as to be restrictively displaceable along the drive (20). An abutment portion (43′) is securable against the longitudinal member (41′) for retaining the edge portion (A2) of the sheet (A) therebetween. A tensioner (52) connects the longitudinal member (41′) to the drive (20) to maintain the sheet in a taut condition with a predetermined tension.
US07676949B1
A measuring tape (150) having a pivoting catch (160) that rotates (172) about a measuring tape axis (159). A rotational catch coupling assembly is secured to the distal end of the measuring tape. The catch (160) is pivotally assembled to the rotational catch coupling assembly via a pivot assembly having a pivot shaft (180) and a lock assisting spring (188). The pivot shaft (180) is oriented parallel to the measuring tape axis (159). A registration interface such as pins (174) and apertures (176, 177, 178) maintain the catch (160) in position. The catch (160) rotates 360 degrees, and can include registration at any angle, but preferably at least 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees.
US07676944B2
A shape inspection device is adapted for a curved resin hose having a hose body including a bent portion. The shape inspection device has a first fixing portion for fixing one longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, a second fixing portion for fixing the other longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, and an inspecting portion between the first and the second fixing portions. The inspecting portion has an inspecting and verifying arrangement along a pathway of the hose body of the curved resin hose as designed. The inspecting and verifying arrangement has verifying members disposed outside the pathway and spaced from the pathway.
US07676933B2
A spatula having a body with a top working surface and a bottom surface is provided. The spatula body also includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A handle is mounted to the first end of the body and the body has a first mounting member depending from the spatula body proximate the second end of the spatula body. The mounting member has an interior for receiving a mounting portion of the spatula blade and a second open end opposed to the first open end. The spatula body includes an opening in the body for cleaning the mounting member. A blade is provided for the spatula. The blade has a front section having a top surface and a bottom surface. At least a first spring tab extends rearwardly of the front section. The spring tab has a concave surface for one of its top and bottom surfaces.
US07676932B2
A knife with a spring-assisted articulation mechanism for assisting the user in the folding and unfolding of the blade from the pocket of the liner. The spring-assisted articulation mechanism also helps retain the blade in the folded position to prevent the blade from becoming unintentionally unfolded. The knife includes a pocketed liner and a blade attached to liner at one end of the liner by a pivot pin. The blade has a pointed end and a base end, the base end pivotally secured to the second end of the liner by the pivot pin such that the blade is capable of pivoting between a folded “closed” position and an unfolded “open” position. A guide pin is also attached to the blade of the knife at the base. A spring is provided to exert a closing force on the blade when the blade is in the closed position and an opening force on the blade when the user moves the blade into a partially open position.
US07676929B2
The present invention is a razor blade carrier having a base with at least two stepped protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The stepped protrusion define at least two landing positions that support a portion of the razor blade. The landing surfaces of the stepped protrusions cooperate to define at least two razor blade locations. The razor blade carrier is used in a razor cartridge.
US07676925B2
An interference with existing structures is prevented at a time of a lifting construction of a boiler module. When the boiler module is lifted from the ground by lifting jacks provided on a steel frame main-beam and made an install construction to the main-beam, lifting jacks enabled to move laterally on the main-beam are disposed at forward and backward thereof to suspend the boiler module. The suspended module is lifted up to the main-beam and installed while changing a suspending position between an interference preventing position with existing modules and a prescribed suspending position by alternately moving the forward and backward lifting jacks laterally.
US07676924B2
A method of constructing an inner thermal lining or jacket of a jacketed gasifier having an outer shell with an opening allowing access to an interior of the gasifier, includes inserting jacket wall segments (40) into the gasifier interior through the opening, the jacket wall segments (40) each comprising an elongate jacket plate (42) with an annulus face (44) and a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced stiffener formations (46) standing proud of the annulus face (44). The jacket wall segments (40) are arranged side by side leaving an aperture or space between adjacent jacket plates. The stiffener formations (46) of adjacent spaced jacket wall segments are welded together through the aperture or space between said adjacent spaced jacket wall segments, and the apertures or spaces are closed with window plates.
US07676916B2
In an electronic component mounting method of mounting electronic components on a substrate by means of soldering by using an electronic component mounting system having a screen printing apparatus and an electronic component mounting apparatus connected to each other to manufacture a mounting substrate, prior to a screen printing process, the positions of pattern holes provided in a screen mask are measured to calculate mask aperture data, and the coordinates of a mounting position when a component mounting operation is performed by a mounting head are calculated, on the basis of the mask aperture data. In this way, it is possible to calculate the positional deviation of solder, without measuring the position of solder after printing whenever the solder is printed, and to prevent defects in mounting due to the positional deviation of solder, which results in high productivity.
US07676914B2
In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a magnetic sensor includes forming a first conductive layer over a substrate containing circuitry, forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive layer, forming a second conductive layer over the dielectric layer such that the first conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer form a first capacitor, and providing first and second terminals, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the first conductive layer and the second terminal is coupled to the second conductive layer.
US07676910B2
A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (1000) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (1002). The pressure sensor (1002) is electrically connected to conductive bands (304), (306) and (308) located on electrical connector (300). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (602) and shaft or hypotube (704). The use of electrical connector (300) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (1000), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (100).
US07676906B2
A progressive die assembly and a method for manufacturing lamina stacks from a plurality of separate strips of stock material. The die assembly includes a plurality of feed pathways for the material strips, each feed pathway having an associated punch set. Each punch set includes one or more punches for stamping lamina features in the strip, as well as at least one blanking punch for blanking individual laminas from the strips. The die assembly additionally includes a choke assembly which is adapted to receive laminas which are blanked from each of the material strips by the blanking punches.
US07676904B2
A method of manufacturing a GMR, TMR or CPP GMR sensor having a smooth interface between magnetic and non-magnetic layers to improve sensor performance by exposing a layer to a low energy ion beam prior to depositing a subsequent layer.
US07676900B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, comprising at least two engaging elements which co-act when engaging on a carrier. The invention also relates to a processing element for processing electronic components mounted on a carrier, which processing element can be coupled interchangeably to an apparatus according to the invention. The invention furthermore relates to a method for product-related adjustment of such an apparatus.
US07676888B2
A hinge for wings or doors, in particular of electrical appliances, having a first element, a second element and a rocker lever for connecting the first and second elements; the lever pivots on the second element and has a first arm integral with the first element to render the first and second elements movable relative to one another with a tilting action between a closed position and an open position; the second element consisting of a substantially box-shaped body containing both elastic parts, inserted between the second element and a second arm of the lever to apply an elastic action on the lever, and a damping device, for applying a damping action on the lever during the reciprocal motion of the first and second elements, when the closed position is almost reached.
US07676887B2
A door hinge adapted to provide vertical and depth adjustments of an engaged door with a door frame. The hinge features a first hinge member adapted for fixed recessed engagement to a side edge of a door jam which is rotationally engaged with a support member extending from a second hinge member adapted for engagement to the door. Adjustment of height and depth of the door inside the door jam is easily achieved by rotation of adjustment screws accessible from a single surface that is visible when the second hinge member is engaged to the door.
US07676877B2
A cleaning implement for cleaning a soft or a hard surface comprises a handle, a sweeper head, rotating blades and a collection bin. The bottom wall of the collection bin includes an opening that is covered by a cleaning sheet during the cleaning operation. The height of this bottom wall relative to the surface being cleaned is adjustable by a user. The cleaning implement can be used with a disposable cleaning sheet, which includes protrusions that are capable of removing entangled hair from a carpet surface.
US07676874B2
Disclosed herein is a still operation of a washing machine, and more particularly, a washing machine which includes an operation condition of the washing machine in correspondence with each of a plurality of stillness modes and operates according to the operation condition corresponding to any one selected from the plurality of stillness modes. The washing machine includes a controller which, by the selection of any one of a plurality of stillness modes which are distinguished according to a stillness degree of an operation, controls the washing machine according to an operation condition corresponding to the selected stillness mode.
US07676870B2
The present invention provides a pillow to prevent snoring. The pillow includes a base and a mobile seat A shift control assembly shifts the mobile seat between positions and includes a motor, gear set and drive assembly. The shift control assembly also contains a motor output control module for controlling the rotational cycle of output end of the motor. The mobile seat shifts to different positions prior to and after shift based on the set value of the rotational cycle, and this rotational cycle is accurately controlled. The head position or posture happens through different positioning of the mobile seat prior to and after shift, thus helping to stop the snore with improved applicability.
US07676866B2
A bedframe for medical beds has a height-adjustable frame member and an obstruction detector on the height-adjustable frame member. The obstruction detector has a contact member which is displaceable, for obstruction detection, both upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame member. A sensor detects such displacement to stop movement of the frame member. The frame member may be a height adjustable lower frame member of a bedframe having also a height adjustable upper frame member. The bedframe also has a manually removable panel of its headboard and footboard, to allow access to a patient between columns carrying the height-adjustable upper frame member.
US07676862B2
A siderail assembly for a hospital bed is provided. In one embodiment the bed is a chair bed having a first deck section, a second deck section and a third deck section. A pair of siderails are operably connected to the third deck section of the bed. In another embodiment, the siderail coupled to the third deck section remains stationary relative to the third deck section during movement of the third deck section between the generally horizontal and the substantially vertical position. The siderail is configured to be gripped by a patient while the patient is entering and exiting the chair bed.
US07676860B2
A baby bed includes a base member arranged on a middle of a bottom of a frame thereof; the frame includes two connecting rods, which will extend along a same diagonal line of the bottom of the frame after the baby bed is expanded; two stopped components are joined on inward ends of the connecting rods respectively, and a stopping bar mechanism is pivoted on a middle of the base member; an elastic element is fitted on the stopping bar mechanism to bias the stopping bar mechanism into a stretched state; the stopped components will come into contact with the stopping bar mechanism to prevent the connecting rods from bouncing when the baby bed is in expanded configuration; the stopping bar mechanism will be apart from the stopped components to allow the baby bed to be folded after the stopping bar mechanism is pivoted with its upper ends moving upwards.
US07676855B2
Disclosed are thermal liners for protective garments and protective garments that comprise thermal liners. In one embodiment, a thermal liner comprises an insulation layer comprising a batt of entangled flame resistant fibers, the insulation layer having a three-dimensional pattern that defines a plurality of closed-cell air pockets that are configured to trap air to insulate a wearer of the thermal liner, the insulation layer being shaped and configured for inclusion in the protective garment and for donning by the wearer.
US07676852B1
Maternity wear of the invention accommodates the changing shape of a woman's body during pregnancy, minimizing the need for maternity clothes. In one aspect of the invention, pants or a skirt are worn with the upper end unfastened so as to conform to the shape of the swelling torso in pregnancy, and an elastic band shaped similarly to a tube top is worn generally around the waist, so as to overlap the top of the unfastened pants or skirt and retain them on the body. A top, such as a blouse or shirt, can be worn with its tail end extending over the band. In another aspect of the invention, too-large maternity clothing is worn with the band garment engaged over the upper end. If desired the band garment can be folded over on itself, thus doubling its thickness.
US07676851B2
A headed piece having a crown defining an opening into which a wearer's head can be directed and a brim/bill projecting away from the crown. The crown has an inside surface for engaging a wearer's head, directed into the opening, to thereby maintain the headed piece in an operative position upon the wearer's head. The crown and brim/bill further have an exposed outside surface to which ornamentation is applied. The ornamentation includes bullion wire that is applied to the exposed outside surface so as to define at least a part of a viewable component that consists of at least one of: a) a scene; b) a logo; c) a design; d) a word; e) a letter; and f) a depiction of a: i) person; ii) place; and/or iii) thing.
US07676849B2
Disclosed is a headwear which is mainly made of non-stretchable fiber. The headwear comprises a head receiving portion including a first stretchable fabric made of high twist yarn and a sweat band peripherally attached to the inside of the head receiving portion. Since the head receiving portion is mainly made of high twist yarn, the headwear has a fixed peripheral size but is adjustable within a predetermined range corresponding to small changes of head size. Also, the headwear can fit the head size to provide a comfortable sense of wearing.
US07681240B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a trusted database system that leverages a small amount of trusted storage to secure a larger amount of untrusted storage. Data are encrypted and validated to prevent unauthorized modification or access. Encryption and hashing are integrated with a low-level data model in which data and meta-data are secured uniformly. Synergies between data validation and log-structured storage are exploited.
US07681237B1
In the method of the present invention, an anti-virus scan of a file is performed in real time. A thread manager (101) detects (202) that an activity concerning a file has been initiated by a first thread. Responsive to the detection, the thread manager (101) determines (204) that a scan of the file should be conducted. The thread manager (101) initiates (206) the scan of the file by a second thread, thereby enabling the first thread to complete the activity concerning the file and to perform other tasks while the scan occurs. The thread manager (101) blocks (212) access to the file while the scan occurs.
US07681232B2
The present invention relates to a credit card comprising a card body, which comprises fingerprint reading means providing fingerprint signals representative of at least one fingerprint from a card user, when at least one finger of said user is pressed against said fingerprint reading means. Said card body further comprises data carrier means holding at least card owner fingerprint data and secured data, and fingerprint authentication means for activating said secured data. The card body further comprises an electrical power supply delivering electrical current to at least said fingerprint reading means. Accordingly, there is no need for an external electrical power supply, and thus the existing standard card reading systems, such as ID-card readers, money transfer machines such as ATM's and the like may be used in conjunction with said credit card. Thus, investments into new standard reader systems are not necessary in order to improve the security of the secured data carried by the credit card. A complete and self-contained automated authentication process is conducted prior to communication concerning said secured data being established between said credit card and any of the existing ATM's on the market today, irrespective of type (automated or manually operated), manufacturer, version, or geographical position of said ATM and of credit card use.
US07681227B2
An encrypted stream of video information (20) contains first video frames (22) and second video frames which are accessible and not accessible during trick play respectively. From a source stream encrypted that is for decryption with repeatedly changing control words sections of the stream are identified where respective first ones of the frames occur in the stream. Control words for decryption (24) are included in the stream. At least part of the control words are included in the stream at positions selected synchronized to the identified sections.
US07681222B1
In a video-on-demand system, memory-based video streams are seamlessly replaced with disc-based video streams. This is achieved by first switching each memory-based video stream to a mixed video stream; and later, switching each mixed video stream to a disc-based video stream.
US07681218B2
When a multi-directional antenna is connected to a digital TV broadcast signal receiver, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver measures a term suitable for switching or changing an effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to kind or specification of the multi-directional antenna. Control signals are outputted at an interval suitable for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to the measured term so as to switch the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to an optimum signal receiving direction of a channel chosen by a user. Consequently, it is possible to shorten a term necessary for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to the optimum signal receiving direction of the channel chosen by the user.
US07681212B2
A photosensitive recording medium cartridge comprising a cartridge body, an opening, and a shutter, the cartridge body receiving a disc type photosensitive recording medium therein so that the photosensitive recording medium can rotate, the opening being provided in the cartridge body for exposing the photosensitive recording medium to an outside, the shutter being attached to the cartridge body so that the shutter can move between a close position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, wherein: the shutter includes a bent portion which is formed in an outer circumferential end portion of the shutter so as to be bent toward the cartridge body side; and the cartridge body includes a protrusion portion which is formed in a position corresponding to the outer circumferential end portion.
US07681208B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for management of network access on a per application basis. Initially, applications are selected from a group of applications adapted for working in conjunction with a first application program interface to gain access to a network. Next, a second application program interface is utilized which is adapted for precluding all of the applications from accessing the network. In use, the selected applications are wrapped for allowing such applications to access the network via the second application program interface.
US07681204B2
Architecture that facilitates performance enhancement in message-based computing across a performance-based interface. When a request from a source is transmitted across the interface to a destination, a filter component in communication with the destination dynamically allows only one or more relevant responses from the destination to transition the interface to the source. This mechanism achieves an even tighter filtering of events while at the same time giving developers more flexibility over the events they choose to register, thereby enhancing the performance of message-based computing architectures by reducing unnecessary computation.
US07681202B2
Techniques that enable an application or component developed according to a first framework specification to use services provided by an application executing on a second framework that is different from the first framework. A portal architecture is described that is capable of running portal snippets developed according to different framework specifications. A J2EE framework-based portal is configured to execute portal snippets developed using Java for a Java-based framework and also to provide support for and execute portal snippets that have been developed using a language supported by another framework such as .NET framework.
US07681194B2
Tasking systems and methods are provided that support user interfaces for displaying objects, the displayed objects enabling user access to resources that provide for effecting tasks among the system and devices of the systems' environment. More particularly, tasking systems and methods are provided that support the foregoing features, wherein the systems and methods support clustering operations respecting such task-associated objects so as to enhance the effecting of the associated tasks, such clustering operations responding to context. The clustering operations preferably are both adaptive and dynamic. Tasking systems and methods preferably support the tracking of selected states, including, as examples, one or more of environment states, device states, and system states. Tracked states typically also include states respecting other relevant criteria, such as temporal criteria.
US07681171B2
A method of generating complementary masks based on a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process. The method includes the steps of: defining an initial H-mask corresponding to the target pattern; defining an initial V-mask corresponding to the target pattern; identifying horizontal critical features in the H-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; identifying vertical critical features in the V-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; assigning a first phase shift and a first percentage transmission to the horizontal critical features, which are to be formed in the H-mask; and assigning a second phase shift and a second percentage transmission to the vertical critical features, which are to be formed in the V-mask. The method further includes the step of assigning chrome to all non-critical features in the H-mask and the V-mask. The non-critical features are those features having a width which is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical width. The non-critical features are formed in the H-mask and the V-mask utilizing chrome. The target pattern is then imaged on the substrate by imaging both the H-mask and V-mask.
US07681167B2
A judgment section determines whether or not a reduction in the power dissipation is possible by relocation of an improvement-target cell. If a reduction in the power dissipation is possible, a calculation section calculates the delay time of a target path including the improvement-target cell to obtain a possible shift distance of the improvement-target cell, within which the timing constraint is satisfied. A layout change section relocates the improvement-target cell within a range in which the power dissipation can be reduced and timing constraint can be satisfied.
US07681160B1
Various techniques are provided to selectively collapse connections. In one example, a computer readable medium includes a computer program for performing a method of selectively collapsing connections between a plurality of LUTs. The method includes performing a first timing analysis to determine a timing slack value for each connection and determine a number of timing paths using each connection. The method also includes calculating a weight for each connection based on at least the timing slack value and the number of timing paths. The method further includes comparing the connections associated with a first one weight interval with collapsing criteria, wherein the first weight interval includes weights larger than weights of the remaining weight intervals. The method also includes collapsing the connections associated with the first weight interval that satisfy the collapsing criteria, and selectively repeating the comparing and collapsing for connections associated with remaining weight intervals.
US07681157B2
A method and system for decreasing processing time in multi-corner static timing analysis. In one embodiment, slack cutoff values are assigned across a parameter process space. For example, a slack cutoff value is assigned to each parameter in a process space by determining an estimated maximum slack change between a starting corner and any other corner in a corresponding process sub-space. In another embodiment, parameters are ordered in a parameter order by decreasing magnitude of impact on variability of timing.
US07681154B2
A method for designing a device that comprises a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip and an adjustment target is disclosed. The first semiconductor chip comprises an input pad, a first power supply pad and a first ground pad. The second semiconductor chip comprises an output pad coupled to the input pad. The adjustment target is connected to the first and the second semiconductor chips. A main target variable is calculated from an input circuit chip model, an output circuit chip model of the second semiconductor chip in frequency domain and a target impedance model of the adjustment target in frequency domain. The input circuit chip model is created by representing the first semiconductor chip in frequency domain in consideration of a first capacitor model between the input pad and the first power supply pad, a second capacitor model between the input pad and the first ground pad, and a chip internal capacitor model between the first power supply pad and the first ground pad. The main target variable is compared with a predetermined constraint represented in frequency domain to decide design guidelines for the adjustment target.
US07681152B2
A design structure including a voltage translator circuit and a method for operating the same. The voltage translator circuit includes (a) an input node, an output node, and a ground node; (b) a voltage divider circuit including a first and second resistors coupled in series between the input node and the ground node; (c) a first circuit coupled to a first voltage and to the input node; (d) a second circuit coupled to the output node; and (e) a capacitive circuit having a first and second capacitive nodes. The first capacitive node is coupled to the voltage divider circuit. The second capacitive node is coupled (i) to the first voltage via the first circuit, and (ii) to the output node via the second circuit. In response to the input node changing towards the first voltage, the first circuit may disconnect the second capacitive node from the first voltage.
US07681138B2
A system and appertaining method provide a user interface application whose design is optimally modular and can be simply serviced and expanded on, and offers and optimally “free” configuration in order to cover all types of system conditions. A GUI file comprising description of graphical elements and appertaining identifiers is used to permit field changes by non-software developers without rebuilding any software. A similar communications file comprising communications parameters is provided that permits linkage to the GUI file by utilizing identifiers in common with those of the graphical elements in the GUI file.
US07681136B2
Described herein is a collaborative and Web-based whiteboarding tool for creating, collecting, storing, managing and performing searches on graphical customer information and information related thereto. When implementing the present invention, the company retains possession of and control over the sales-related diagrams generated by its sales force. Participants in a collaborative Web session are provided with one or more palettes of diagram primitives, which reduce the whiteboarding (diagram) task to an easily mastered series of object drag-and-drops, line connections, and text blurbs. The diagrams, as well as the diagram primitives (including, for example, icons, diagrams and portions thereof) are stored in a selectably accessible database. In addition, the diagram primitives may have fully searchable information associated therewith, in the form of metadata or tags, for example.
US07681125B2
A conditional text publication system and method. Conditional text publication allows for the publication of text that varies based on data values associated with the text. More specifically, allows for the inclusion and exclusion of text to or from a publication based on clauses such as conditional clause, functions such as database functions, and operators such as mathematical, logical and set operators that utilize selectors such as fields, attributes, validations, families and other entities associated with data in a database.
US07681124B2
In one aspect, the user can rapidly enter and search for text using a data entry system through a combination of entering one or more characters on a digitally displayed keyboard with a pointing device and using a search list to obtain a list of completion candidates. The user can activate the search list to obtain a list of completion candidates at any time while entering a partial text entry with the data entry system. When the search list is active, a list of completion candidates is displayed on a graphical user interface for the user to select from and the user can perform one of several actions. When the user deactivates the search list, the user can continue adding to or modifying the current partial text entry being entered, and may re-invoke the search list to further search for completion candidates based on the modified partial text entry.
US07681123B2
An apparatus, method and article of manufacture of the present invention provide improved rate of text presentation to a reader. The invention provides a method for defining a region of the display at which text is preferably read, and further provides a user interface for adjusting the speed of text display according to a screen location corresponding to that at which text is being read at any time.
US07681122B1
A flexible and scalable file format conversion system is capable of supporting a number of contemporaneous conversion requests. For each file, a conversion request entry and one or more related conversion task entries are maintained in FIFO queues under the control of a distribution manager program. Conversion operations are handled by application programs under the control of associated graphical processor programs. Conversion tasks are assigned to graphical processors by the distribution manager based on the conversion capabilities of the associated application program. The uploaded files received from clients for conversion are stored in a shared folder pending access by the assigned graphical processor. The graphical processors have a uniform interface with the queues and the memory. The results of the processing are stored in the shared folder where they are subsequently accessed by the web server and transmitted back to the client.
US07681121B2
A read document image is converted into first vector data. First layout structure information representing the layout structure of the first vector data is generated. The first layout structure information is changed into second layout structure information on the basis of preset layout setting information. The first vector data is converted into second vector data on the basis of the changed second layout structure information.
US07681109B2
A plurality of logical pages is stored in a MBC flash memory along with corresponding ECC bits, with at least one of the MBC cells storing bits from more than one logical page, and with at least one of the ECC bits applying to two or more of the logical pages. When the pages are read from the memory, the data bits as read are corrected using the ECC bits as read. Alternatively, a joint, systematic or non-systematic ECC codeword is computed for two or more of the logical pages and is stored instead of those logical pages. When the joint codeword is read, the logical bits are recovered from the codeword as read. The scope of the invention also includes corresponding memory devices, the controllers of such memory devices, and also computer-readable storage media bearing computer-readable code for implementing the methods.
US07681100B2
A system and method for retransmission of voice packets in wireless communications are provided. The method includes transmitting a voice packet from a base station to a communication unit or from a communication unit to a base station at a rate faster than a generation rate of the voice packet. The method further includes determining whether the transmitted voice packet is successfully received and retransmitting the voice packet if not successfully received. The number of retransmissions is limited by a predetermined value.
US07681080B2
A diagnostic system and method for repairing computing devices comprises a diagnostic application running on a same computing system having a failed operating system (O/S). The diagnostic application is provided with access to the file system of the failed O/S image. The diagnostic software application collects relevant configuration information from the file system of the failed O/S image, and transports this information to a proxy system running the same operating system as the computing device being diagnosed. The proxy system utilizes the collected data to diagnose the subject failed O/S system. Once the proxy makes a determination it synthesizes repair information comprising new or modified files and instructions to be transported back to the diagnostic software system to apply. A network connection is provided between the computer running the diagnostic application and the proxy system that enables data to be easily transported between the two systems without human intervention.
US07681077B1
A graphics processing unit has a reduced memory space shadow memory as a source of state information for performing validation of commands. The reduced memory space shadow memory is smaller in size than a full version of state variables associated with an abstract state machine representation of a class of commands received from a software driver.
US07681069B1
In one embodiment, a data corruption checker is integrated into the data backup operation. In one embodiment, the data corruption checker can skip over minor corruptions and back up the non-corrupt files, or can abort the backup and locate a major corruption. In one embodiment, the present invention includes receiving a backup command at a storage server, the backup command requesting that the storage server perform a backup operation on a storage component, scanning a set of inodes associated with the storage component to determine a subset of inodes corresponding to files to be backed up, and, as part of the scanning, identifying one or more corrupted files.
US07681065B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for processing messages. Aspects of the method may comprise receiving at least one signal on a chip that controls switching from a core processor to a DSP. At least a first bus that couples the core processor to a message processor and at least a first clock signal that clocks the core processor may be switched. At least a second bus that couples the DSP to the message processor and at least a second clock signal that clocks the DSP may be switched. When a loss of clock signal from the core processor or the DSP to the message processor is detected, a third clock signal for clocking the message processor may be generated. The message processor switch significantly reduces the amount of bandwidth utilized for transfer of data between the core processor and the DSP and provides incremental redundancy (IR) without high hardware cost and software MIPS, thereby providing significant improvement in system performance.
US07681063B2
A clock data recovery circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit is configured to receive data and a clock signal and to detect transitions in the data and provide a first signal based on the clock signal and the transitions in the data. The second circuit is configured to receive the first signal and provide a first shift signal based on the first signal. The third circuit is configured to receive the first shift signal, wherein the first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit are configured to form a first circuit loop and the third circuit is configured to disable the first circuit loop and shift the clock signal based on the first shift signal.
US07681042B2
A computer-based system (10) and method for dis-identifying personal identifiable information (152, 162) and associated records (172) is disclosed. The system includes a system manager (20) module, an encryption and key management module (30), and a storage module (40). The system manager module (20) stores related sensitive information portions (152) of the personal identifiable information (152, 162), non-sensitive information portions (162) of the personal identifiable information, and associated records (172) in separate databases (100, 110, 120 or 150, 160, 170) in storage module (40) with each database record including one or more hidden links generated by the encryption and key management module (30) that can be used to determine the related records or information in one of the other databases. The hidden links are encrypted so that the relationships between the database records are hidden. The methods provide for storing sensitive and non-sensitive personal identifiable information and associated records as database records, and for storing the hidden links associated with these database records. The present invention also includes methods for retrieving sensitive personal identifiable information for a given associated record and for retrieving the associated record(s) for a given sensitive personal identifiable information.
US07681027B2
Methods and apparatus for providing self-describing media are disclosed. In one example, the processor readable media includes a first portion storing information arranged according to a format and further includes a second portion storing a firmware extension thereon. In such an arrangement, the firmware extension is adapted to be read by a processor in a pre-boot environment and to inform the processor of the format of information stored in the first portion.
US07681019B1
Reference architecture instructions are translated into target architecture operations. In some embodiments, an execution unit of a processor executes a function determined from a collection of operations, the function specifying functionality based on instructions, the collection selected from operations translated from the instructions. In further embodiments, the function is specified as a fused operation. Sequences of operations are optimized by fusing collections of operations; fused operations specify a same observable function as respective collections, but advantageously enable more efficient processing. In some embodiments, a collection comprises multiple register operations. Sequences of operations, in a predicted execution order in some embodiments, form traces. In some embodiments, fusing operations requires setting only final architectural state, such as final flag state; intermediate architectural state is used implicitly in a fused operation. In some embodiments, fused operations only set architectural state, such as high-order portions of registers, that is subsequently read before being written.
US07681016B2
A low overhead mechanism for supporting speculative execution and code compression in a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) microprocessor. Profitable speculations can be determined statically at compile time and a low overhead hardware recovery mechanism used that does not require compensation code.
US07681005B1
An integrated circuit memory device is designed for high speed data access and for compatibility with existing memory systems. An address strobe signal is used to latch a first address. During a burst access cycle the address is incremented internal to the device with additional address strobe transitions. A new memory address is only required at the beginning of each burst access. Read/Write commands are issued once per burst access eliminating the need to toggle the Read/Write control line at the device cycle frequency. Transitions of the Read/Write control line during a burst access will terminate the burst access, reset the burst length counter and initialize the device for another burst access. The device is compatible with existing Extended Data Out DRAM device pinouts, Fast Page Mode and Extended Data Out Single In-Line Memory Module pinouts, and other memory circuit designs. Additionally, a DRAM is provided having both pipelined and burst Extended Data Out modes of operation and the ability to switch between them.
US07680985B2
A method and apparatus for accessing a cache. The method includes receiving a request to access the cache. The request includes an address of requested data to be accessed. The method also includes using a first portion of the address to perform an access to a first directory for the cache and using a second portion of the address to perform an access to a second directory for the cache. Results from the access to the first directory for the cache and results from the access to the second directory for the cache are used to determine whether the cache includes the requested data to be accessed.
US07680973B2
The invention provides for a sideband signal for the USB that has real-time interrupt capabilities. A system and method for hardware detection of an interrupt signal provides for the ability to superimpose a high frequency interrupt signal on a USB power line for transmission to a controller. Alternatively, an overcurrent flow may be generated from a peripheral device and detected by an overflow current detector on the USB. In response, the overflow current detector may output an interrupt/overflow current detection signal to the controller.
US07680969B1
A method and system for disk I/O (input output) command splitting in a computer system. The method includes tracking a head position of a disk drive. Upon receiving a request for data from the disk drive, a first split access is executed to read a first portion of the data and a second split access is executed to read a second portion of the data. The second split access is executed after a rotation of the disk drive. The first split access and the second split access are used to fulfill the request for data.
US07680968B2
An enhanced switch/network adapter port incorporating shared memory resources (“SNAPM™”) selectively accessible by a direct execution logic element and one or more dense logic devices in a fully buffered dual in-line memory module (“FB-DIMM”) format for clustered computing systems employing direct execution logic such as multi-adaptive processor elements (“MAP®”, all trademarks of SRC Computers, Inc.). Functionally, the SNAPM modules incorporate and properly allocate memory resources so that the memory appears to the associated dense logic device(s) (e.g. a microprocessor) to be functionally like any other system memory such that no time penalties are incurred when accessing it. Through the use of a programmable access coordination mechanism, the control of this memory can be handed off to the SNAPM memory controller and, once in control, the controller can move data between the shared memory resources and the computer network such that the transfer is performed at the maximum rate that the memory devices themselves can sustain. This provides the highest performance link to the other network devices such as MAP® elements, common memory boards and the like.
US07680964B2
A method for improving timing behavior of a processing unit in a multithreading environment is disclosed, wherein the processing unit generates data frames for an output unit by combining data from a plurality of input units, and the processed data are buffered in an output buffer between the processing unit and the output unit. The method comprises sending from the output unit to the processing unit a value corresponding to the filling of the output buffer, calculating a timer value, setting a timer with the timer value, wherein the timer calls the processing unit thread after the specified time. The timer value depends on the value corresponding to the averaged filling of the output buffer. As a result, the average filling of the output buffer is lower compared to conventional thread management, and thus the system is more flexible and reacts quicker.
US07680946B2
A stream data processor suitable for various applications and which performs the process of various types of stream inputs in packet data. In the stream data processor which decides individually and sequentially whether packets forming an input stream are to be processed by a predetermined process, after stream data is temporarily stored packet by packet, packet selection and data processing based on a packet identifier present in any bit position are possible.
US07680940B2
Methods and systems are described for managing dynamic associations between folksonomic data and resources. One method includes receiving from a subscriber a subscription request to establish at least one of a first subscription to tag/resource association data associated with a resource and a second subscription to tag/resource association data associated with a folksonomic tag, wherein the folksonomic tag is unstructured metadata that includes a user-defined character string and establishing at least one of the first subscription and the second subscription. The method further includes determining a change to the tag/resource association data associated with at least one of the folksonomic tag and the resource identified in the subscription request, generating a notification message including at least one of an identifier of the folksonomic tag and an identifier of the resource in response to determining the change to the tag/resource association data associated with at least one of the folksonomic tag and the resource, and sending the notification message to the subscriber pursuant to at least one of the first subscription and the second subscription.
US07680921B2
A management system of one embodiment of the invention has a management computer and a managed computer which is managed by the management computer. The management computer comprises a communication device configured to receive operating data of a monitoring object inside a managed computer and information relating to an event. A processor is configured to identify from the operating data received by the communication device a portion of the operating data which relates to the event, based on the operating data and the information relating to the event indicating trouble occurrence or performance decrement of the monitoring object.
US07680918B2
A method and system for monitoring and managing applications and services. A repository comprising information identifying a plurality of assets and one or more relationships among the assets is maintained. One or more assets used to support an application are identified, along with one or more applications that are included in a service. Event and performance data are collected by a plurality of tools that perform monitoring and/or managing of the identified assets, the application, and/or the service. The gathered event and performance data is aggregated. The user is provided with a portal to access the aggregated event and performance data. Through this portal, the user can determine an impact of an event or a performance issue on the application or service based on the aggregated event or performance data and the relationships among the assets.
US07680916B2
Method and apparatus for separating background utilization from transaction resource consumption to simulate resource costs on system servers including a computer application server is taught. Transaction throughput combined with resource consumption data. Regression analysis on the resulting data set provides information useful for determining performance and for creating discrete event simulations. In a first embodiment, data from an application server is combined with the application transaction log to find a background utilization on the application servers and to simulate transaction resource cost with a background load. In a second embodiment, data from servers other than the application server are combined with the application transaction log to estimate the resource cost per transaction for a given resource in the system. In a third embodiment, data from servers other than the application server are combined with the application transaction log to simulate resource cost for a given resource based on transaction throughput.
US07680907B2
A system that includes one or more clients, databases and servers. The clients communicate with the servers using hyper-text transfer protocol. Each client includes a scheduling and monitoring agent. Each server includes several components. A first server component performs a plurality of functions, including receiving requests from the client(s) for configuration file verification information and storing in the database(s) a log of the requests. A second server component is capable of performing a plurality of functions, including receiving hardware and software inventory information, as well as software metering statistics, and storing the inventory information in at least one of the databases.
US07680906B2
A “Device Correlator,” operates to identify and configure complementary devices as a combined function of device “touching” and observations of contextual history of human interaction with the various devices in an ad-hoc network environment. New devices are brought into a local trust domain of the network via a “touch-based” process. Further, as each device is added to the trust domain, a contextual history of user interaction with each device is recorded. This recorded context history is evaluated to determine probable device associations. Inter-device associations and device behaviors for trusted devices are then automatically configured as a function of both the context history and the capabilities of the various devices. The result is an automatically configured invisible computing environment, wherein the only actions required by the user are to bring new devices into the local area of the ad-hoc network, and then designate those devices as being trusted.
US07680903B2
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the configuration of a device in a data network. According to said method, a domain name is first stored in the device. The device then transfers an inquiry message comprising the domain name to an addressing server that serves for the conversion between the domain name and the associated internet addresses. In a further step, the addressing server transmits an address information of a parameter server associated with said device to the device as a response to said inquiry message. The device establishes a link to the parameter server on the basis of said address information. The parameter server transmits via this link parameters to the device which serve to configure the device.
US07680900B2
The invention relates to a message broker for managing subscription requests in a multicast messaging system. The messaging system comprises a plurality of publishers publishing information to the broker and a plurality of subscribers subscribing to information received from one or more publishers. The broker is able to receive a subscription request pointing to topic information in which the requesting subscriber is interested, the topic information defining a specific topic within a topic hierarchy. The broker is able to parse the request to determine if the request includes a wildcard and if the request does include a wildcard, the broker instructs the requesting subscriber to listen on a multicast address associated with the topic in the topic hierarchy which precedes the wildcard.
US07680896B2
A system in which even in the case where an arbitrary client computer downloads or uploads a large amount of data to/from a device on a network, no influence is exerted on device management which is being executed by another client computer is provided.
US07680894B2
The present invention relates to a method for the distribution of multimedia content, comprising: a first step comprising a download in “push” mode of a multimedia content, in a partial way, from a content server to a client device, and a second step comprising a download of the missing elements of said multimedia content in “pull” mode via a “peer to peer” mechanism from a second client device, and in that the multimedia content can be reconstituted with n+p blocks, n and p being non-null natural integers, n blocks being downloaded during said first step and p blocks being downloaded during the second step, the multimedia content being exploitable only after reception of n+p blocks.
US07680891B1
Methods and systems of spam control for content creation systems include evaluation of documents created by a creator for characteristics associated with spam. A challenge rate is determined based on the evaluation. Whenever the creator attempts to create a document, he may be presented a challenge in accordance with the challenge rate. The challenge rate may be adjusted based on the creator's response to the challenge.
US07680890B1
Systems and methods for classifying e-mail messages as spam by combining outputs of a plurality of spam classifiers or classification tools using a fuzzy logic voting algorithm or formula are provided. According to one embodiment, a first classification value associated with an e-mail message and a second classification value associated with the e-mail message are received. The first classification value and the second classification value being indicative of whether the e-mail message is spam. Then, a single, aggregated classification value for the e-mail message is generated by combining the first classification value and the second classification value using a fuzzy logic-based voting mechanism.
US07680888B1
Systems and methods for processing instant messenger messages are described. In one embodiment, an instant messenger event is captured by compiling event data associated with at least one instant messenger message, the instant messenger event is associated with a conversation, and at least some of the event data associated with the instant messenger event is indexed.
US07680886B1
Computer implemented methods, apparati, and computer readable media for suppressing spam entering a computing device. A method embodiment comprises the steps of routing an electronic message leaving the computing device to a machine learning based spam filter defining the message to be clean; and training the filter, with the message being an input to the filter.
US07680864B2
In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include determining, at least in part, by a device comprised, at least in part, in storage, whether to request that the storage perform, at least in part, at least one operation. The at least one operation may involve, at least in part, at least one object stored in the storage. The determining may be based, at least in part, upon metadata associated with the at least one object. The metadata may be stored in the storage, and may indicate an earliest permitted deletion time for the at least one object and/or a latest permitted access time for the at least one object. Of course, many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US07680862B2
The TABLE function mechanism available in a RDBMS is used to integrate RDF models into SQL queries. The table function invocation takes parameters including an RDF pattern, an RDF model, and an RDF rule base and returns result rows to the SQL query that contain RDF triples resulting from the application of the pattern to the triples of the model and the triples inferred by applying the rule base to the model. The RDBMS includes relational representations of the triples and the rules. Optimizations include indexes and materialized views of the representations of the triples, precomputed inferred triples, and a method associated with the TABLE function that rewrites the part of the SQL query that contains the TABLE function invocation as an equivalent SQL string. The latter technique is generally applicable to TABLE functions.
US07680861B2
A system and process is presented that identifies nearby objects and/or points in relation to a base object or point. An object or point is nearby if it resides within a prescribed area around the base point. The identification is based on information accessed from a database of geometric data. The identification of nearby neighbors begins by dividing the geographic system defined by said geometric data into a plurality of zones. The zone in which each object or point resides and the zones intersected by the prescribed area are determined. The nearby objects and/or points of interest are then identified by initially considering only those that are identified as residing in the zones intersected by the prescribed area. The search for nearby neighbors can be further refined by limiting the objects and/or points considered to those with locations within the lateral extent and/or within the height of the prescribed area.
US07680855B2
A computer system and method for capture, managing and presenting data obtained from various often unrelated postings via the Internet for examination by a user. This system includes a scraping module having one or more scraping engines operable to scrape information data sets from listings on the corporate sites and web sites, direct feeds, and other sources, wherein the scraping module receives and stores the scraped listing information data sets in a database. The system also has a management platform coordinating all operation of and communication between the sources, system administrators and processing modules. The processing modules in the platform include scraping management module analyzing selected scraped data stored in the database, and a categorization module that examines and categorizes each data set stored in the database into one or more of a predetermined set of categories and returns categorized data sets to the database.
US07680852B2
A technique to maintain the fast search capability for the large-scale documents without causing the update delay is provided. This search processing method includes: causing an index search unit for carrying out an index search using a search index before document update to carry out the index search relating to a search request, and obtaining a first list of document IDs of pertinent documents; causing a string pattern matching unit having document contents after the document update to carry out a string pattern matching relating to the search request for the document contents after the document update, and obtaining a second list of document IDs of pertinent documents; and generating a search result for the search request by using the first and second lists and a third list of document IDs of documents relating to the document update.
US07680850B2
A computer-readable recording medium storing an information search program capable of retrieving desired information with ease. An index information-producing section produces index information associating a preparation object keyword with file identification information for identifying files in the file information each including, in a usage time zone thereof, a date and time matching a date and time at which the preparation object keyword was entered, based on dates and times at which the keyword in the keyword information stored in a keyword information-storing section was entered, and usage time zones during which files in the file information are used. A retrieval section retrieves the preparation object keyword matching a search object keyword entered by a keyword input operation from the index information, and outputs the file identification information for identifying files associated with the retrieved preparation object keyword.
US07680848B2
In a multi-tenant environment, synchronous processing requests from clients associated with tenants are handled by middle tier servers, which forward requests for asynchronous processing to queues associated with organizational databases for each tenant directed by a locator service. A group of independent asynchronous processing servers are used to perform the asynchronous processing interacting with the databases in a distributed manner. The allocation of the requests among the asynchronous servers is managed by an exponential back off for organizations with no waiting requests algorithm combined with a quota system based on historic load for organizations that have requests. The independence of the synchronous and asynchronous processing servers, as well as the distributed interaction between the asynchronous processing servers and the databases enables scalability of the system based on request types and implementation of reliable recovery mechanisms.
US07680839B1
System and method for resynchronizing mirrored volumes in a storage system. According to one embodiment, a system may include a first volume located at a primary site and associated with a first storage management device, and a second volume located at a secondary site and associated with a second storage management device, where the secondary site is coupled to the primary site via a data link, and where the second volume is configured as a mirror of the first volume. The first storage management device may be configured to convey to the second storage management device an indication of a data block written to the first volume subsequent to a failure of the data link. Dependent upon the indication, the second storage management device may be configured to create a snapshot of the data block as stored on the second volume prior to resynchronization of the data block.
US07680836B2
In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each include nested files and directories. According to one embodiment, the system stores representations of the snapshots that govern a file or directory and its descendants within metadata associated with that file or directory. Before modifying a file or directory, the system updates the representations of the governing snapshots by traversing the metadata of ancestors of the file or directory.
US07680828B2
A method and a system for facilitating data retrieval from a plurality of data sources are provided. A plurality of ‘Local Data Objects’ (LDOs) corresponding to the plurality of data sources are generated. Further, the plurality of LDOs are mapped onto a ‘Global Data Object’ (GDO). The GDO consolidates the plurality of LDOs into a single integrated model. The mapping of the LDOs onto the GDO includes a plurality of ‘binding conditions’ that relate LDO attributes to GDO attributes. The mapping also includes a plurality of ‘transformation functions’ for transforming the LDO attributes to the GDO attributes.
US07680825B2
Exemplary methods and systems may designate a data structure as tenant-specific or shared. By reviewing a plurality of data structures at the provider corresponding to a plurality of tenants, the provider may determine which of the plurality of data structures are specific to a first tenant of the plurality of tenants, and generate a tenant specific designation to identify a data structure as specific to the first tenant. Further, the provider may associate a data structure determined to be specific to the first tenant with the generated tenant specific designation. With this capability a provider-tenant system may separately store each tenants data.
US07680822B1
A method and system are provided for inserting access control rules into an access control list. The access control list may be configured to contain independent rule blocks having ordered access rules. In one example, the method includes creating a new independent rule block and inserting a new access rule into the block if the list is empty. If the list is not empty, a set of mapped independent rule blocks may be created from the list. For each block in the set, the method may attempt to determine a position for the new access rule. Those blocks for which a position cannot be determined may be removed from the set, and the blocks in the set may be merged to form a new independent rule block with the new access rule.
US07680819B1
A basic architecture for managing digital identity information in a network such as the World Wide Web is provided. A user of the architecture can organize his or her information into one or more profiles which reflect the nature of different relationships between the user and other entities, and grant or deny each entity access to a given profile. Various enhancements which may be provided through the architecture are also described, including tools for filtering email, controlling access to user web pages, locating other users and making one's own location known, browsing or mailing anonymously, filling in web forms automatically with information already provided once by hand, logging in automatically, securely logging in to multiple sites with a single password and doing so from any machine on the network, and other enhancements.
US07680817B2
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for organizing information elements in a system having a display capability which (a) generates a first information element vector based on a predetermined first characterization attribute, (b) generates a second information element vector based on a second characterization attribute, and (c) display on the display device the first information element vector adjacent to the second information element vector. Furthermore, the computer-executable instructions allow a user to select the characterization attributes and to visualize the information element vectors.
US07680815B2
A user data management apparatus for connection to a terminal data processor used by a user through a network, registers data that is dependent on a user ID peculiar to the user. The user data management apparatus has a first unit for generating a first data registration screen, when data of the user is to be initially registered, which differs from user ID to user ID, and a second unit for displaying, on the terminal data processor, a second data registration screen based on the first data registration screen generated by the first unit, when the data of the user is to be registered.
US07680809B2
An indexing system in a computer system may include applications, a capture processor, a queue, a search engine, and a display processor. The indexing system captures events of user interactions with the applications. Events are queued and if indexable, indexed and stored for user access through the search engine. Capture components in the capture processor can include a keyboard capture component that processes user keystrokes to determine events. A display capture component captures event data from windows associated with the applications. Display event data can be captured on a polling schedule or based on state changes of window elements. To determine target applications and window applications of interest application profiles and window profiles can be used.
US07680808B2
A transmission apparatus includes a license data input unit accepting an input of license data which permits reproduction of a storage content linked from a streaming content; a multiplexer generating multiplexed data by multiplexing the inputted license data on a broadcast content for a predetermined period of time; and an output unit transmitting the generated multiplexed data to a content reproduction apparatus via digital broadcast. The content reproduction apparatus includes a receiving unit receiving multiplexed data; a demultiplexer extracting license data and a broadcast content from the received multiplexed data; and a content reproduction unit reproducing the extracted broadcast content, and when obtaining a storage content whose reproduction is permitted based on the extracted license data, reproducing the obtained storage content based on the license data by switching the reproduction from the broadcast content to the storage content.
US07680807B2
The inventive method makes it possible to reduce the size of a digital audio, image and/or video file in such a way that a reduced number of representative data needed for reformatting a file is transmitted to a receiving entity encoder. Said method consists in assigning references of at least one file component value to another value of the same component or in integrating at least one reference of the value group of the same component or another component into a component value group.
US07680805B2
A method is described that involves generating an update to an object-oriented model of an information system from information that describes a new state of the information system. The generating includes applying a synchronization rule for a sub-system identified within the information system. The synchronization rule indicates whether a new component within the sub-system that appears within the information is merged within the sub-system or replaces a component within the sub-system.
US07680804B2
According to one embodiment, a content data store maintains the one or more content items in accordance with a programmable indexing schemes, with each container in the comprising storage for one or more references to one or more content items. Systems and methods are provided that re-index the references to content items that the content data store is indexing in accordance with one or more container creation schemes for ease of management and navigation.
US07680796B2
The usefulness, and consequently the performance, of advertisements are improved by allowing businesses to better target their ads to a responsive audience. Location information, such as country, region, metro area, city or town, postal zip code, telephone area code, etc. is determined (or simply accepted) and used. For example, location information may be used in a relevancy determination of an ad. As another example, location information may be used in an attribute (e.g., position) arbitration. Such location information may be associated with price information, such as a maximum price bid. Such location information may be associated with ad performance information. Ad performance information may be tracked on the basis of location information. The content of an ad creative, and/or of a landing page may be selected and/or modified using location information. Finally, tools, such as user interfaces, may be provided to allow a business to enter and/or modify location information, such as location information used for targeting and location-dependent price information.
US07680782B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for automatically generating a query. Data and occurrence is described using a sequence type. The data and occurrence from the sequence type are matched to a sequence type pattern. Sentences in a query language are generated automatically using the sequence type pattern for testing an ability of a query processing engine to interpret queries.
US07680781B1
Techniques are presented for automatic search query generation and results set management. A searcher makes selections from metadata; the metadata is associated with a particular lexicon or industry. Furthermore, the selections are mapped to fields associated with a data source. A thread-safe or unique search query is generated in response to the fields. The thread-safe search query is in a query language format which can query the data source. In an embodiment, the thread-safe search query is executed against the data source and the results returned are customized to rank the results, to sort the results, to filter the results, and/or to acquire a random sampling of the results.
US07680780B2
A method, system and article of manufacture for providing natural language support for users running queries against a multilingual database. One embodiment comprises identifying one or more physical values defined by physical data in the multilingual database for a query result associated with an executed query. At least one translation function configured to transform at least a portion of the identified physical values defined in one or more different natural languages into alternative values defined in a selected language is executed. From each executed translation function, a data structure mapping at least a portion of the identified physical values to translated values defined in the selected language is identified and the translated values defining the alternative values defined in the selected language are retrieved from each identified data structure. The query result associated with the executed query including the alternative values defined in the selected language is output.
US07680778B2
Computerized methods and systems for generating a suggested query list with suggested search terms displayed as highlighted text utilizing a user-defined query are provided. Query search terms are received by a user-interface display. Upon inputting query search terms, the user-interface automatically generates a suggested query list. The suggested query list is associated with the query search term and the suggested query list is comprised of at least one suggested search term. A query suggestion architecture determines if the query search term and the suggested search term are a match, and if so, highlights the suggested search term that is not a match. The user interface displays the highlighted terms to assist in refining a search. The present invention further provides a stemming algorithm that extracts the root form of the query search term.
US07680777B2
A contents display and search system for navigating and searching and exploring a collection of objects includes a database of Attributes; each of the Attributes being associated with one or more objects, and a database of Kinds, each Kind being associated with one or more Attributes. When a user enters a search query including at least one Attribute, an object is tested to determine whether it has Attributes of the Kind corresponding to the Kind of the at least one specified Attribute before function testing is performed. Search and contents investigation results are presented in a hierarchical format in which Kinds and Attributes rather than objects, are displayed until the search or content type is further specified by selecting additional Kinds and/or Attributes such that the number of objects satisfying the specified search is below a threshold. User interaction modifies the hierarchical order of Kinds and Attributes in the display.
US07680767B2
A data access architecture is provided that includes a mapping architecture for mapping data as may be used by an application to data as persisted in a database. The mapping architecture makes use of two types of mapping views—a query view that helps in translating queries and an update view that helps in translating updates. Incremental view maintenance can be used to translate data between the application and database.
US07680762B2
A system and method is provided to facilitate communications between object systems. A caller is provided having optimized in-lined functionality when initiating a remote function call between managed and unmanaged object systems, for example. The in-lined functionality includes utilizing direct calls and returns within a calling function. In this manner, pushing additional arguments onto an execution stack because of an external stub reference is mitigated. In addition, one or more code loops can be analyzed to enable stack markers to be “hoisted” and thus pushed a single time instead of each time the calling function executes. Other aspects of the optimized caller provide garbage collection and thread management, security attribute checking on outgoing calls, calling convention considerations, wherein arguments and return values are organized according to the convention utilized by the remote object system, and in-lined marshalling to provide enhanced performance over external stub code references. Code extensibility options can be included enabling functions to be generalized thereby insulating object systems from implementation details of the called functions.
US07680750B2
A method of scheduling network resources in a first domain by transforming the problem to a second domain, solving the problem and transforming back to the first domain.
US07680749B1
Adaptive navigation techniques are disclosed that allow navigation systems to learn from a user's personal driving history. As a user drives, models are developed and maintained to learn or otherwise capture the driver's personal driving habits and preferences. Example models include road speed, hazard, favored route, and disfavored route models. Other attributes can be used as well, whether based on the user's personal driving data or driving data aggregated from a number of users. The models can be learned under explicit conditions (e.g., time of day/week, driver ID) and/or under implicit conditions (e.g., weather, drivers urgency, as inferred from sensor data). Thus, models for a plurality of attributes can be learned, as well as one or more models for each attribute under a plurality of conditions. Attributes can be weighted according to user preference. The attribute weights and/or models can be used in selecting a best route for user.
US07680748B2
Object recognition techniques are disclosed that provide both accuracy and speed. One embodiment of the present invention is an identification system. The system is capable of locating objects in images by searching for local features of an object. The system can operate in real-time. The system is trained from a set of images of an object or objects. The system computes interest points in the training images, and then extracts local image features (tokens) around these interest points. The set of tokens from the training images is then used to build a hierarchical model structure. During identification/detection, the system, computes interest points from incoming target images. The system matches tokens around these interest points with the tokens in the hierarchical model. Each successfully matched image token votes for an object hypothesis at a certain scale, location, and orientation in the target image. Object hypotheses that receive insufficient votes are rejected.
US07680739B1
A method for processing checks includes capturing check data from a check, where the check data includes payee information or payor information. A category of the check is identified based at least in part on the captured check data. A user account is updated with the category and at least a portion of the captured check data. The user account is analyzed to identify transactions involving paper checks. Based on the analysis, an incentive is provided to a user associated with the user account, where the incentive discourages paper check transactions by the user.
US07680737B2
Methods and systems of processing a plurality of payments. One method can include receiving the plurality of payments from a plurality of customers, the plurality of payments payable to at least one receiver, determining a first set of payments included in the plurality of payments to automatically accept based on validation parameters, determining a second set of payments included in the plurality of payments to reject based on the validation parameters, determining a third set of payments included in the plurality of payments to conditionally accept based on the validation parameters, and electronically prompting at least one user to accept or reject payments included in the third set of payments.
US07680729B2
Systems and methods are provided for education planning. One method embodiment includes collecting information associated with a cost of obtaining an education and information associated with funding the cost, determining an amount to be financed by using the information associated with the cost and the information associated with funding the cost, and providing a payment plan for financing the amount to be financed, the payment plan including a levelized payment (L) to be made at a number of intervals for a repayment term, wherein the levelized payment is determined by using a net present value (V) associated with more than one funding event over the course of an education program.
US07680722B2
A computer-implemented system and method for executing trades of financial securities according to a combination passive/aggressive trading strategy that reliably executes trades of lists of securities or blocks of a single security within a desired time frame while taking advantage of dynamic market movement to realize price improvement for the trade within the desired time frame. A passive trading agent executes trades at advantageous prices by floating portions of the order at the bid or ask to maximize exposure to the inside market and attract market orders. An aggressive agent opportunistically takes liquidity as it arises, setting discretionary prices in accordance with historical trading data of the specified security.
US07680719B1
The invention enables a system user to create a scenario that includes an analysis resolution, portfolio component data and analysis environment data. Once the scenarios are established, the system user can conduct processing/modeling/analysis in order to optimize the portfolio allocation data—effectively maximizing the return on the component investments, while minimizing the risk exposure for the portfolio. In achieving the optimization, the system can process stored user or system defined scenarios based on a series of modeling/analysis system modules. Further, it is possible for a system user to model, analyze and compare multiple scenarios historically or prospectively. The system may provide wealth outcome analysis which allows a user to determine likely long term outcomes of a particular investment plan, while accounting for the tax consequences of the chosen plan. In an implementation, the system is configured to store the modeling/analysis results and generate a scenario report. Further, the system can be configured to generate the report in a standardized format and automatically distribute the report to designated recipients.
US07680714B1
One disclosed embodiment comprises a computerized method and system for matching structured cash flows by transmitting a information of an exchange definition comprising information of two or more underlyings, a notional amount or range, and a payment provision, and receiving information of a linear combination of one or more partial exchange definitions such that the net present value of the cumulative cash flow of the linear combination of partial exchange definitions is substantially zero.
US07680708B1
A method for associating a tax-line item to a user transaction in a financial management software application including obtaining the user transaction by the financial management software application, associating a first tax line item with the user transaction, where the tax line item is selected by accepting input from a user separately from categorizing the transaction, and presenting the user transaction and the first tax line item selected by the user.
US07680705B2
A system and method is provided for automating placement of orders from a catalog that has been JumpCode enabled by inclusion of bar codes. A sequence of additive bar codes uniquely identify each item available from the catalog. A scanner is used for designating items from the catalog by scanning the identifying sequences of bar codes, which include at least a bar code element that uniquely identifies the catalog and the page of an item, and a further bar code element that uniquely identifies an item among the other items on a page, using a common reference scheme that is applicable to each page. This combination of bar code elements is a JumpCode, and JumpCodes for the items scanned are grouped into orders by affiliate and sent to the respective e-commerce sites of each affiliate, which are designed to handle orders from the catalog. The web sites generate shopping carts from the orders and appropriate URLs are returned to the user, who can use a browser to complete the order by direct communication with the respective web sites.
US07680704B2
In the present invention, items are described with a compact item descriptor where two items with the same compact item descriptor are interchangeable. The compact item descriptor can be generated for an item using a classification process and a set of parameters with values that describe the item.An organization assigns an identifier, a part number, to an item. The compact descriptor for the part number is stored in the item description field of the materials planning system and in the Approved Manufacturing List, AML. The AML identifies the supplier and supplier part number that may be ordered as the item. The Bill of Materials, BoM, for a product, is the parts list to build the product. The AML is used to identify the suppliers and supplier part number to purchase items needed to build the product The AML may contain errors and must be validated by the contract manufacturing company, called an EMS, Electronic Manufacturing Service provider. The EMS can use the compact item descriptor to validate or change the AML for a product quotation, for the ordering parts or components on the BoM.
US07680702B1
Price searching and customer self-checkout on a mobile device is provided. A system for purchasing products comprises at least one subsystem that receives from a mobile device at least price and seller identification data of a product, (at least the price of said product having been electronically read by the mobile device), and at least one subsystem that charges a user for the product based upon the received price and identification data.
US07680695B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for role-based authorization in web shopping. According to the embodiments, operations available to a user of a web shop may be filtered based on the user's role, and correspond authorization level, within an organization.
US07680694B2
A solution is provided for a method for a user to shop online in a three dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) setting by receiving a request at a shopping server to view a shopping location, having at least one store, and displaying the shopping location to the user's computer in a 3D interactive simulation view via a web browser to emulate a real-life shopping experience for the user. The server then obtains a request to enter into one of the stores and displays the store website to the user in the same web browser. The store website has one or more enhanced VR features. The server then receives a request to view at least one product and the product is presented in a 3D interactive simulation view to emulate a real-life viewing of the product.
US07680693B2
A system constituted by a product information supply server 2, an automatic graphic server 3, an order processing server 4 and a product information database 1. The servers 2, 3 and 4 may be connected to product information database 1 on a network 5, wherein product information is supplied and an order is accepted on the basis of a request from a customer terminal 6. The product information supply server 2 searches and supplies various pieces of product information in accordance with the request from the customer terminal 6. The product information supply server 2 searches a product specification database 11 on the basis of the product specification information entered from the customer terminal 6, extracts a call number of a relevant product from the product specification database 11, and supplies the call number of the relevant product together with price information and delivery to the customer terminal 6.
US07680689B2
An ATM network is coupled to a data warehouse. Information about transactions, the timing of transactions and advertisements displayed on or near ATM terminals in the network are stored in the data warehouse. Complex queries performed on the data warehouse are then used to provide information about the effectiveness of advertisements displayed on or near the ATM terminals and also to enable choices of subsets of the terminals to be made to provide information about suitable subsets for advertising placement.
US07680685B2
A computer system models customer response using observable data. The observable data includes transaction, product, price, and promotion. The computer system receives data observable from customer responses. A set of factors including customer traffic within a store, selecting a product, and quantity of selected product is defined as expected values, each in terms of a set of parameters related to customer buying decision. A likelihood function is defined for each of the set of factors. The parameters are solved using the observable data and associated likelihood function. The customer response model is time series of unit sales defined by a product combination of the expected value of customer traffic and the expected value of selecting a product and the expected value of quantity of selected product. A linear relationship is given between different products which includes a constant of proportionality that determines affinity and cannibalization relationships between the products.
US07680683B2
Systems and methods that dynamically reset a workflow state by employing a dynamic state manager that is external to the workflow, and enables interaction of a host with a workflow instance. An event driven workflow or state machine workflow can be supplied, wherein ad hoc events are employed to reset and manipulate the workflow to states that have not been modeled as part of the workflow itself, to dynamically create relation ships at runtime.
US07680679B1
The present invention relates to a method and system for processing transactions involving accounts for reimbursing medical expenses or patient responsible balances, wherein the accounts may be handled by multiple payors having multiple transaction substantiation requirements. Examples of such accounts include flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangement accounts, medical savings account, health savings account and the like. The system and method of the present invention allow an employer that uses multiple payors for administering the aforementioned accounts to distinguish its employees based on their associated payors in order to determine the proper transaction substantiation requirement per each employee and associated payor without having required to collect payor data at the employee level.
US07680670B2
The invention relates to compression coding and/or decoding of digital signals, in particular by vector variable-rate quantisation defining a variable resolution. For this purpose an impulsion dictionary comprises: for a given dimension, increasing resolution dictionaries imbricated into each other and, for a given dimension, a union of: a totality (D′i
US07680668B2
A computer-implemented method for generating a language-independent regression test script. A language-specific regression test script comprising at least one object is received, wherein the language-specific regression test script is for use by an automated testing tool for testing an application in a first language. A translatable string of the object is identified, wherein the translatable string is represented in the first language. The translatable string is replaced with a language-independent string that can be represented in a plurality of languages, generating a language-independent regression test script that can be used for testing internationalized applications.
US07680649B2
A system, method, and computer program are disclosed for recognizing one or more words not listed in a dictionary database. One or more sequences of characters in the word are checked to determine a probability that the word is valid. A prefix removal process removes any prefixes from a word, and obtains information about the removed prefix. A suffix removal process removes any suffixes from the word, and obtains information about the removed suffix. A root process obtains information about a root word from the dictionary database. A combination process then determines if the prefix, the root, and the suffix can be combined into a valid word as defined by one or more combination rules, obtains one or more of the possible parts of speech of the valid word, and stores the parts of speech with the valid word in the dictionary database.
US07680646B2
In a translation apparatus, a translation memory (32) stores (i) source language target language translation unit pairs and (ii) structural information for at least some source language translation units indicating a structural position within a document from which the source language translation unit was derived. A comparator (30) compares a new source language translation unit with source language translation units stored in the translation memory. Each comparison includes (i) a textual comparison and (ii) a structural comparison between an identified structural position within a source language document (10) from which the new source language translation unit was derived and the structural information for the source language translation unit stored in the translation memory.
US07680643B2
A portable device is connected to a host system that operates according to a first industry standard architecture (e.g., a personal computer built according to the IBM Personal Computer standard). The user initiates a session in the host system using the software and data in the portable device. The user suspends the state of the session, the state is stored in the portable device, and the user disconnects the portable device from the host. The user later connects the portable device to a second host that operates according to a second industry standard architecture (e.g., Apple Macintosh™ computer). The second host boots an autoconfiguring host operating system stored in the portable device and starts a virtual machine layer also stored in the portable device. The user then resumes operation of the suspended virtual machine layer session.
US07680642B2
An equivalent circuit for a coil incorporated in a circuit simulator is a model of an equivalent circuit for a coil included in a circuit simulator for analysis of an electrical device including a coil forming a magnetic circuit. The equivalent circuit of a coil included in an electric motor or other electrical device is preferably comprised of a resistance component (R), induced voltage component (−dΦ/dt), and inductance component (L). The equivalent circuit of the inductance component is provided with a current source, a voltage extractor for extracting the voltage across the terminals of this current source, a current generator for determining the value of the current of the current source based on the value of the voltage output by this voltage extractor, and a current-carrying path connected in parallel to the current source and carrying a regenerative current at the time of off operation. By the above configuration, an electrical device including a coil can be analyzed and the iterative calculation at the time of handling nonlinear characteristic data becomes unnecessary. An actual model can be realized with variable values of the inductance element.
US07680632B1
The present invention provides methods and systems for using a design element in a graphical model to represent and identify a precondition for use by a verification tool in verifying an executable form of the design represented by the graphical model. The precondition design element provides a specification of a verification constraint without affecting the behavior of the design. The constraint is to be applied by the verification tool in verifying the design. As such, the precondition design element of the present invention provides a mechanism and formalism in a model-based design approach that is used to constrain automatically generated tests or verification of the design represented by the graphical model.
US07680628B1
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a processor usage adjustment factor and for automatically applying the processor usage adjustment factor to provide a processor usage estimate for an SMT processor. In one implementation, the methods and systems obtain samples of processor usage reported by the operating system at a predefined sampling rate over a predefined sampling interval. Thread states for the threads substantially corresponding to the reported processor usage are so obtained at the predefined sampling rate and over the predefined sampling interval. This sampling may be performed for servers running different applications and having diverse processing loads. An estimate of the distribution of the number of threads running for the processor usage reported may then be determined from the sampled data. A processor usage adjustment factor may then be derived, based on the distribution, and used to provide a processor usage estimate.
US07680615B2
A parallel testing system with shared golden calibration table includes: a storage unit, multiple testing platforms, and a server. The storage unit is used for storing the golden calibration table, and the testing platforms are used to test a device under test (DUT) respectively by utilizing the golden calibration table. The server is connected to the storage unit and the testing platforms to send the golden calibration table to the testing platforms, and then, to cumulatively record calibration data produced after the testing platforms respectively test the DUTs, so that the server can further perform a weighted arithmetic operation to the calibration data so as to update the golden calibration table. Thereby, the purpose of accelerating the convergence speed of the golden calibration table can be achieved.
US07680612B2
A vehicle power supply device performs highly accurate determination of degradation of the capacitor unit as follows. Internal resistance and capacitance are corrected according to the temperature of capacitor unit during charge or discharge, thereby obtaining a corrected calculated value if capacitance. The corrected calculated value of capacitance is substituted into a degradation determination formula, which is pre-calculated according to the temperature, thereby calculating the standard value corresponding to the temperature detected by temperature sensor. When the standard value is equal to or less than the corrected calculated value of internal resistance, capacitor unit is determined to be degraded.
US07680611B2
A method for detecting and reporting fluid leaks in a distribution network, particularly in condominium water or gas distribution networks, the method providing the steps of: acquiring at a preset rate statistical samples related to the extent of the water flow in input to the network; acquiring a variation coefficient which indicates the characteristics of the samples over a set time interval; comparing the variation coefficient with a preset reference value to identify a situation of fluid leak or of normality within the network; reporting the situation to monitoring devices.
US07680601B1
Methods for the computational analysis of polyketides and the computer-assisted design of PKS genes are facilitated by representing the structure of a polyketide and/or a PKS gene that encodes the PKS that produces the polyketide by alphanumeric symbols that facilitates computer assisted analysis. A database of polyketides and corresponding PKS genes that can be rapidly searched and information extracted for a variety of applications, including the design and specification of PKS genes via the recombining of modules or portions of modules or sets of modules from already known and available PKS genes.
US07680592B2
A drive assistance system is provided for assisting an operation of a driver of a vehicle in a manner that does not cause disturbance for the driver, based on image information derived from an external apparatus such as roadside cameras or the like. The image information is provided for the driver by a liquid crystal display unit, and the provision of the image information is accompanied by a provision of supplemental information from a headup display unit that draws driver's attention to the provision of the image information from the liquid crystal display unit in an appropriate manner.
US07680591B2
A navigation apparatus that includes a position information acquiring unit acquiring position information of a parking position; a parking information acquiring unit acquiring information as to a parking time in the parking position; and a memory storing the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit when it is judged on the basis of the information as to the parking time acquired by the parking information acquiring unit that its parking time exceeds a predetermined time.
US07680581B2
A method for diagnosing an air intake throttle with a spring activated throttle actuator, on an electronic controlled internal combustion engine system including an electronic control unit (ECU) with memory, a battery electrically connected to said engine and an ignition switch for connecting said battery to said engine and supplying current, comprising engaging the ignition switch to close a circuit between said battery and said engine; applying a first predetermined voltage to an air intake throttle plate actuator and determining a first period of throttle response time elapsed from a full open throttle position to a full close throttle position for a first throttle velocity; discontinuing application of said first predetermined voltage to said air intake throttle actuator and determining a second period of throttle response time elapsed from a full close throttle position to a full open throttle position for a second throttle velocity; applying a second voltage to said air intake throttle plate actuator and determining a third period of throttle response time elapsed from a full open throttle position to a full close throttle position for a third throttle velocity; and determining a fourth period of throttle response time elapsed from a full close throttle position to a full open throttle position with no voltage applied to the throttle plate actuator for a fourth throttle velocity.
US07680577B2
The estimating method for a road friction coefficient μ includes the steps of detecting a steering angle by a steering angle sensor; detecting a lateral acceleration by a lateral acceleration sensor; and calculating an approximate friction coefficient μ by referring to a road friction coefficient μ determination table where a plurality of regions each composed of steering angle and lateral acceleration are defined so as to respectively correspond to a plurality of road friction coefficients μi (i=1 to n, n is an integer not less than 2) on the basis of a boundary line derived from lower limits of the lateral acceleration over various values of the steering angle, and by specifying one of said regions according to the steering angle detected by said steering angle sensor and the lateral acceleration detected by said lateral acceleration sensor to thereby specify one of said road friction coefficients μi as said approximate friction coefficient μ.
US07680569B2
An automotive lane deviation prevention (LDP) apparatus includes a control unit connected to a yawing-motion control actuator for LDP control purposes. The control unit determines, based on information regarding a lane marking line detected based on a picture image in front of a host vehicle, whether the host vehicle is in a state FLD≠0 where there is an increased tendency for the host vehicle to deviate from the driving lane. The control unit executes, based on a state Fdw≠0 where the host vehicle is traveling on predetermined irregularities formed on or close to the lane marking line and the information regarding the lane marking line, vehicle yawing motion control by which the host vehicle returns to a central position of the driving lane, in a lane-marking non-detecting state Fcamready=0 where the lane marking line is out of an image pick-up enabling area.
US07680566B2
A consist controller is provided that enables an operator to take advantage of all horsepower combinations for locomotives in a consist. The consist controller provides a fractional increase option and a fractional decrease option that enables the operator to increase or decrease horsepower output with finer adjustments. In a preferred implementation, the fractional increases and decreases are used in conjunction with a fuel optimization routine such that the target setpoint, from which a range of horsepower values is computed, can be increased or decreased in steps that are less than a full notch increase or decrease.
US07680560B2
A recording material stacking apparatus equipped with a plurality of discharge ports and a plurality of stacking trays can be set to normal mode and large capacity stacking mode each having a different maximum loading capacity. A stacking tray on the upper side has a plurality of lower limit positions and uses a lower limit position located on the upper side when normal mode is selected. On the other hand, it uses a lower limit position located on the lower side when the large capacity stacking mode is selected. The lower limit position located below a stacking tray on the upper side when this large capacity stacking mode is selected exists at a position in which it blocks a lower discharge port of sheets. Selection of the large capacity stacking mode and normal mode is executed according to a result of computation from data input through an input portion.
US07680553B2
Methods of interfacing nanomaterials used to monitor and execute the pharmaceutical manufacturing process are disclosed herein. The nanomaterials are useful to provide a plurality of analysis to the manufacturing process. Consequently, the methods provide a means to perform validation and quality manufacturing on an integrated level whereby pharmaceutical manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost.
US07680552B2
The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for improvement of High Frequency Reconstruction (HFR) techniques using frequency translation or folding or a combination thereof. The proposed invention is applicable to audio source coding systems, and offers significantly reduced computational complexity. This is accomplished by means of frequency translation or folding in the subband domain, preferably integrated with spectral envelope adjustment in the same domain. The concept of dissonance guard-band filtering is further presented. The proposed invention offers a low-complexity, intermediate quality HFR method useful in speech and natural audio coding applications.
US07680536B2
Approaches for estimating capture thresholds for alternate pacing vectors of multi-electrode pacing devices are described. Capture thresholds of at least one initial pacing vector is measured. The impedance of the initial pacing vector and at least one alternate pacing vector is measured. The initial and alternate pacing vectors have an electrode in common. The common electrode has the same polarity in both the initial and the alternate pacing vectors. The capture threshold for the alternate pacing vector may be estimated based on the measured capture threshold of the initial pacing vector, the measured the impedance of the initial pacing vector, and the measured impedance of the alternate pacing vector.
US07680535B2
A system and method recording sensing and pacing events in a cardiac rhythm management device. The method may be particularly useful in assessment of pacing parameters for ventricular resynchronization therapy.
US07680530B2
A cardiac rhythm management system that includes a pacemaker configured for biventricular pacing and an external programmer with an associated display for displaying electrogram data and markers representing ventricular events. Associated with each marker are intraventricular intervals designed to relate information to a user in a manner suited for ventricular resynchronization pacing.
US07680521B2
Disclosed is a battery pack locking device for a mobile phone which attaches or detaches the battery pack to or from a body of the phone by slidably moving a cover of a camera lens module. The battery pack locking device includes a sliding cover; a push locker portion moved upwardly or downwardly according to movement of the sliding cover; a slide locker portion slidably moved according to the upward or downward movement of the push locker portion to restrict or release the battery pack; and a resilient member.
US07680514B2
A portable wireless-enabled system includes an input transducer (for example, a microphone), an output transducer (for example, a speaker) and a wireless transceiver system. Also included, is a memory having a programmable user speech profile. A processor system controls operation of the input transducer, the output transducer, the wireless transceiver system and the memory.
US07680508B2
A transmitter is included in a mobile communication network. The transmitter is included configured to transmit to a receiver a data channel and a first control channel controlling data transmissions on the data channel, transmit, on the first control channel, an indicator indicating that there is data transmission to the receiver on the data channel. The transmitter also is configured to omit data transmission on the data channel.
US07680504B2
A method for transmitting a message including inputting, at a transmitting terminal, a message body and an activation condition indicating when the message body is to be activated on a receiving terminal, and transmitting message data to the receiving terminal. The message data includes the message body and the activation condition. Further, the activation condition is compared to a current status of the receiving terminal to determine when the message body is to be activated.
US07680503B2
An apparatus and method of mapping a short message service (SMS) information from a first communications system to a corresponding message in a second, different cellular system is claimed. SMS information having a format required by the first communication system is received. The SMS information is mapped into a format required by the second communication system. Additional information is appended, if necessary, or information is removed as being extraneous information, if necessary, as required by the second communication system.
US07680492B2
A technique for updating and maintaining a wireless communication database (40) includes several features. One feature is a search capability that facilitates, for example, an individual locating appropriate portions of the database to be updated in a desired manner. A platinum data image portion includes a relational database regarding various rules governing the contents of the wireless communication database. If a proposed change will violate any of these rules, an error message is provided. If a proposed change is acceptable, it will be implemented on an automated basis. A disclosed example includes the capability of scheduling proposed changes into the future, indicating a proposed change for one particular data field and instructing an automated update of all similar or related data fields in a particular manner.
US07680489B2
A method for providing concurrent service in a mobile communication system is disclosed in which a SCCP connection identifier SLR/DLR of a lower layer and a Service Option Connection Identifier (SOCI) on an IOS message of the higher layer to be exchanged are transmitted when a SCCP connection is established between a BSC and a MSC, thereby providing additional services to those already requested from a mobile station after the SCCP connection establishment without stopping a currently used service. According to the method, the concurrent service is provided while minimizing the conventional call processing procedures on the interface between the BSC and the MSC, thereby allowing a subscriber to use new additional service without stopping the current service or concurrently use a plurality of services such as voice and packet data services. Furthermore, a flexible confront is possible to a future development direction of the network. Providing concurrent service is an essential function of the third generation mobile communication network in a multimedia environment.
US07680487B2
Upon detecting (201) a communication need for a group of communication recipients that entails attempting to make at least one transmission to each of the communication recipients in the group (wherein at least one of the communication recipients has both a scheduled personal communication opportunity and a scheduled group communication opportunity), one automatically uses (202) whichever of the scheduled communication opportunities occurs first to make the at least one transmission to the communication recipient(s) for which this option applies. In one approach this response is further informed and influenced by one or more other factors, such as but not limited to system loading (203), group size and/or known whereabouts (204), and/or whether a recent transmission response was received (205).
US07680484B2
A method for transmitting surveillance image data over a wireless network includes associating an authorized identification with a surveillance device, and transmitting the surveillance image data and the authorized identification to a mobile telecommunications switching station.
US07680478B2
Different types of traffic requiring different inactivity timer settings are assigned to different bearers or to different QoS classes. Different inactivity timer settings are established for different traffic types. Individual bearers or individual QoS classes are linked to a corresponding inactivity timer profile. The link may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, an additional QoS parameter may be employed in a 3GPP QoS profile, or a new QoS class identifier may be mapped to an inactivity timer setting. Different inactivity timer settings allows both UE battery power conservation to be prioritized for some traffic and end-user experience (quick subsequent response times) to be prioritized for other traffic.
US07680475B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate dynamically scheduling frequency sets for reuse by user devices to reduce inter-cell interference by evaluating an overall scheduling metric for each user device in a wireless communication region. The overall scheduling metric can be evaluated by determining a fairness metric for each user device in a wireless communication region, an overall channel peak desirability metric for each user device, and a channel delay desirability metric for each user device. The overall scheduling metric can be the product of the fairness metric and one or more of the overall channel peak desirability metric and the channel delay desirability metric. A user device with a highest overall scheduling metric score for a given round of dynamic scheduling can be awarded a frequency set.
US07680468B2
A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining an error signals with the appropriate phase shift with input signals to be amplified. The error signal being generated by subtractively combining a fed-forward portion of the input signal with a portion of the fed-back amplified output signal, and signal processing applied to it between its generation and application to correcting the input signal in the baseband domain. The error therefore being down-converted, filtered, and up-converted in the feedback path. The filtered baseband error signal components providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and feedback path in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.
US07680453B2
A method of storing, accessing and displaying electronic data features: storing a first part of the data in a memory tag; storing a second part of the data in a separate location having an address, using a reader, when data is accessed, to couple to the memory tag and access the first part of the data and, while or after the first part of the data is being displayed on a screen, and using a communication unit to link to the address of the separate location and obtain the second part of the data.
US07680447B2
A method of securely duplicating in a copying machine a document which includes a readable security device. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: reading the readable security device to determine contents of the readable security device; copying the document; generating a copy of the readable security device that includes data which is determined from the contents of the readable security device; and attaching the copy of the readable security device to the copy of the document before the copy of the document exits the copying machine to generate a secure duplicate of the document.
US07680434B2
A developing cartridge includes a main frame including a photosensitive medium, and a charging member frame including a charging member to charge the photosensitive medium and detachably disposed at the main frame. The main frame includes a plurality of frame reference grooves, and the charging member frame includes a plurality of frame reference projections to be inserted into the plurality of frame reference grooves of the main frame.
US07680429B2
A charging device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus are provided. The charging device includes a charging roller configured to charge an image carrier and a cleaning roller configured to clean the charging roller while making contact with a surface of the charging roller. The charging device further includes a bearing member including a first portion configured to rotatably support a rotational shaft of the charging roller and a second portion configured to rotatably support a rotational shaft of the cleaning roller. The charging device also includes an elastic member provided outside of the second portion of the bearing member with respect to an axial direction of the rotational shaft of the cleaning roller such that the charging roller makes contact with the image carrier when the first portion of the bearing member is pressed by the elastic member.
US07680419B2
A repeater is disclosed that transmits an optical signal using wave division multiplexing. The repeater includes a demultiplexing unit that separates plural channels contained in the optical signal, an adjusting unit that adjusts at least optical power of each of the channels according to a control signal, a multiplexing unit that outputs a multiple wavelength signal in which the channels are multiplexed, and a monitoring unit that determines a modulation scheme and a bit rate of the optical signal for each of the channels so as to generate the control signal.
US07680410B2
Upon depression of a release button, pre-shooting is performed before regular shooting. In the pre-shooting, flash of a predetermined amount is emitted and exposure of an image sensor is performed. A shooting frame is divided into small areas. As to each of the small areas, subject brightness of pre-emission and subject brightness of non-emission are detected to calculate a difference between them. The small area having the maximum difference is selected as a main-subject area. The brightness of the non-emission of the selected small area, which is the brightness of an ambient light applied to the main subject, is set as reference brightness. A correction amount of the flash amount of the regular shooting corresponding to the reference brightness is derived with reference to an LUT. In the regular shooting, regular emission is performed during a regular-emission time corresponding to the collected flash amount.
US07680404B2
A device includes a housing capable of forming an internal space during operation of the device. The device also includes a camera having an optical zoom portion provided within the housing. The optical zoom portion is capable of expanding into the internal space when the camera is in use.
US07680395B2
The present invention relates to method and apparatus of providing supplementary service information for A/V contents written in a recording medium. This method has a recording medium containing Presentation Language data, which have to be included like as in a digital television signal for supplementary service information in accordance with Advanced TV Enhancement Forum or Digital TV Application Software Environment standard, and reproduces, if a disk reproduction is requested, the Presentation Language data as well as requested A/V data and provides them for a connected external device such as a digital television. As a result, various video information and functions provided with Presentation Language data by a recording medium can be realized at a digital television set being able to accept Presentation Language data.
US07680392B2
A streaming contents recording method of a mobile terminal including comparing a length of streaming contents with a remaining memory capacity of the mobile terminal, and recording the streaming contents by omitting a specific frame type if the length of the streaming contents is greater than the memory capacity. Further, the omitted specific frame types include a B-frame type or a B-frame type and a P-frame type.
US07680388B2
A method for testing a fiber drop terminal from a single geographic location may include placing a signal onto a first optical fiber at the single geographic location. The first optical fiber is communicatively coupled to a first output receptacle on the fiber drop terminal. The method may also include detecting the signal via a second optical fiber at the single geographic location. The second optical fiber is communicatively coupled to a second output receptacle on the fiber drop terminal, and the second output receptacle is communicatively coupled to the first output receptacle via a loop-back assembly.
US07680377B2
Techniques for ultra-high density connection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultra-high density connector includes a bundle of substantially parallel elongate cylindrical elements, where each cylindrical element is substantially in contact with at least one adjacent cylindrical element. Ends of the elongate cylindrical elements are disposed differentially with respect to each other to define a three-dimensional interdigitating mating surface. At least one of the elongate cylindrical elements has an electrically conductive contact positioned to tangentially engage a corresponding electrical contact of a mating connector.
US07680374B2
An apodised Bragg grating comprises a base grating section formed by a base order 5 periodic pattern of marks and spaces. The Bragg grating further comprises one or more apodised grating sections that are formed by a periodic pattern of marks and spaces, each defined by the base order pattern from which at least some of the marks are missing. The determination of which marks are missing may be performed by combining the base order pattern with a higher order modulation envelope function.
US07680373B2
Scanning beam devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a housing having a transparent portion. A scanning optical element may be enclosed within the housing. Light may be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing. The device may include a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed, as are base stations to control the adjustment of the temperature.
US07680372B2
A resonator sensing device having an optics coupler device for communicating light between light source(s) and sensor(s) and a hollow core fiber resonator. Light from one resonator fiber tip is coupled to a second resonator fiber tip via a graded index (GRIN) lens having the appropriate pitch such that the maximum coupling efficiency is achieved and having two angled surfaces. The angled surfaces are coated with an appropriate coating having a reflectance R in order to achieve the desired degree of coupling. Light reflected by the second angled surface is captured with another lens (such as a microlens) and coupled to a third fiber segment (coupled port). The optical parameters for the GRIN lens and the microlens are tailored to have the least loss.
US07680367B2
In the optical connection between multi-layered optical waveguides and photoelectric converting elements or optical waveguide array connectors formed on a substrate, the optical coupling efficiency is to be prevented from degrading due to deviation of the optical axis positions between optical elements and the optical waveguide layers that is caused by a radiation due to a beam expansion or by a deviation of positioning layers in producing the optical waveguides. There are stacked, on a substrate, optical waveguide layers, each of which comprises a clad layer and a core having a higher refractive index than the clad layer, and optical elements formed on the uppermost optical waveguide layer. The optical elements are positioned such that they correspond to the optical path conversion mirrors of the cores of the underlaying optical waveguide layer. The light transmission/reception between the optical elements and the optical path conversion mirrors of the cores of the underlaying optical waveguide layer is performed via the cores of overlying optical waveguide layer.
US07680366B2
The present invention relates to an optical waveguide chip, etc., having a structure for effectively avoiding or suppressing peeling of an optical waveguide layer in a process of cutting a wafer. The optical waveguide chip comprises a substrate having a main surface, and an optical waveguide layer formed on the main surface of the substrate. The optical waveguide layer comprises a cladding portion and a core portion that is disposed inside the cladding portion and that has a higher refractive index than the cladding portion, and at least one of side surfaces of the optical waveguide layer is positioned at a predetermined distance toward a center of the main surface from an edge of the main surface. This arrangement includes an arrangement having a thin film portion at a peripheral region that includes the edge of the main surface. In the case that the optical waveguide layer has the thin film portion at its periphery, the optical waveguide layer has a side surface that coincide with the side surface of the substrate including the edge of the main surface and a side surface that is separated by a predetermined distance from edge of the main surface. By this arrangement, when cutting a wafer into chip units, even if chipping occurs at an edge of the main surface of the substrate to be cut, peeling of the optical waveguide layer, formed on the substrate, is suppressed effectively.
US07680363B2
The present invention aims to provide an optical pressure sensor capable of detecting a more minute pressure change. A base film is formed with a through hole passing first and second surfaces, an optical fiber is fixed to the base film at a region other than the FBG portion such that the FBG portion is positioned on the through hole in plan view. The optical pressure sensor according to the present invention is attached to an object body such that the second surface of the base film is closely attached to a surface of the object body directly or indirectly.
US07680358B2
When the data is divided into blocks each having a set block size, and image data includes an object which extends over a plurality of blocks, the object is divided based on object information associated with the object. The object information of the divided object is re-set based on the object information associated with the object divided into blocks. Block vector image data are generated using the object having the re-set object information.
US07680355B2
A method includes making a first determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a mosquito noise artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the first determination. In addition, or alternatively, a method includes making a second determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a ringing artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the second determination.
US07680343B2
The invention automatically evaluates the quality of the visual images in a collection of visual images and selects one or more visual image(s) from the collection based on the evaluation of the quality of the visual images.
US07680336B2
An imaging apparatus index detecting unit detects an index in a physical space from an image captured by an imaging apparatus including a first camera. A position and orientation estimating unit estimates the position and orientation of the imaging apparatus based on information relating to image coordinates of a detected index. A second camera index candidate detecting unit monitors an index on the imaging apparatus with a second camera positioned in the physical space, and detects an index candidate. A position constraint condition calculating unit calculates a position constraint condition based on information relating to image coordinates of a detected index candidate. A second camera index identifying unit identifies a second camera index based on the estimated position and orientation of the imaging apparatus and the position constraint condition of the second camera index candidate.
US07680331B2
The present invention provides a document processing device including: a general feature vector memory that stores feature vectors of a shape for each of plural characters; an input unit that optically reads in a document; a extracting unit that extracts feature vectors from the shapes of characters in a document read in by the input unit; a general shape recognition unit that estimates a character for which the feature vectors of its shape extracted by the extracting unit, based on the feature vectors extracted by the extracting unit and the content stored in the general feature vector memory; and a specific feature vector memory that stores the feature vectors extracted by the extracting unit in association with an estimation result of the general shape recognition unit.
US07680318B2
A method and apparatus for reading MICR characters is disclosed, in which both magnetic and optical data are read and stored. The magnetic and optical data are then normalized and combined to form a combined data set which is compared to templates representing combined magnetic imaging and optical imaging of the standard MICR characters. Character values are selected in response to the comparison of the combined data sets.
US07680317B2
A method and apparatus for reading MICR characters is disclosed, in which both magnetic and optical data are read and stored. Each type of data is analyzed to identify possible character values and a confidence level associated with each identified value. The result of the analysis for each type of read data are then analyzed together to finally identify characters.
US07680313B2
A method is disclosed for post-processing of a 3D image data record which has been recorded by way of an imaging tomographic appliance of a body area, and covers at least one hollow organ which is at least partially filled with contrast agent. An imaging apparatus is also disclosed. In the method, an automatic three-dimensional edge detection process is carried out in the 3D image data record in order to determine transitions between areas which have contrast agent and a wall of the hollow organ as boundary surfaces. A weighted high-pass filtering process is carried out at right angles to the boundary surfaces and leads to removal of the areas which have contrast agent and in which process areas around the transitions are given a lower weighting than areas which are further away from the transitions. After low-pass filtering in the areas around the transitions, a 3D image data record is produced from which the areas which are filled with contrast agent are eliminated, without image artifacts being produced at the transitions to the wall of the hollow organ. The method can be used in particular for virtual bowel cleaning in virtual colonography.
US07680305B2
Provided in this invention is a vein authentication device comprising: an interface on which a part of a living body; one or more light sources for emitting infrared light; an image pickup unit for picking up a blood vessel image of the part of the living body using infrared light emitted from the light sources; an image computing unit for processing the blood vessel image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a light shielding unit for shielding infrared light emitted from the light sources and preventing the infrared light from traveling in an image pickup direction of the image pickup unit, wherein the interface has an opening opened in the image pickup direction of the image pickup unit, and wherein the light sources irradiates the part of the living body with infrared light from an image pickup side of the part of the living body.
US07680303B2
A method registers images by first determining spatial gradient magnitudes for each pixel in each image to provide a corresponding energy image. Each energy image is transformed according to motion parameters associated with the energy image. An average sum of the transformed energy images is maximized. The motion parameters are then updated according to the maximized average sum. The above steps are repeated until a termination condition is reached, and then the images can be registered with each other according to the updated motion parameters.
US07680288B2
An apparatus for generating, storing or editing an audio representation of an audio scene includes audio processing means for generating a plurality of speaker signals from a plurality of input channels as well as means for providing an object-oriented description of the audio scene, wherein the object-oriented description of the audio scene includes a plurality of audio objects, wherein an audio object is associated with an audio signal, a starting time instant and an end time instant. The apparatus for generating further distinguishes itself by mapping means for mapping the object-oriented description of the audio scene to the plurality of input channels, wherein an assignment of temporally overlapping audio objects to parallel input channels is performed by the mapping means, whereas temporally sequential audio objects are associated with the same channel. With this, an object-oriented representation is transferred into a channel-oriented representation, whereby on the object-oriented side the optimal representation of a scene may be used, whereas on channel-oriented side the channel-oriented concept users are used to may be maintained.
US07680282B2
A signal processing circuit is configured by connecting a plurality of basic circuits connected in series, each of the basic circuits comprising an arithmetic circuit subjecting a first input signal and a second input signal to a signal processing; a first selection circuit outputting the first input signal or an output signal of the arithmetic circuit; and a second selection circuit outputting the second input signal or an output signal of the arithmetic circuit, so as to make it possible to change operations of the circuit as a whole by properly making a selection on which signal should be output with the aid of the first and second selection circuits, and to execute different signal processing on a single circuit depending on the selection.
US07680273B2
Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing error detection to detect unauthorized modification of transmitted data. The system includes an encrypting device and a decrypting device operatively coupled to the first encrypting device. The encrypting device is configured to re-order and encrypt a first data stream to form a second data stream, and the decrypting device is configured to re-order and decrypt the second data stream to form a third data stream substantially identical to the first data stream. Each of the encrypting and decrypting devices includes at least one pseudo-random number generator, a reversible function device responsive to a first pseudo-random number generator to cause data stream bits to be re-ordered, and a XOR function responsive to a second or the first pseudo-random number generator to cause either consecutive portions of the data stream bits to be encrypted or decrypted.
US07680270B2
A method of elliptic curve encryption includes, (a) selecting an elliptic curve Ep (a,b) of the form y2=x3+ax+b mod (p) wherein a and b are non-negative integers less than p satisfying the formula 4 a3+27b2 mod (p) not equal to 0; (b) generating a large 160 bit random number by a method of concatenation of a number of smaller random numbers; (c) generating a well hidden point G (x,y) on the elliptic curve Ep (a,b) by scalar multiplication of a point B (x,y) on the elliptic curve with a large random integer which further includes the steps: (i) converting the large random integer into a series of powers of 231; (ii) converting each coefficient of 231 obtained from above step into a binary series; (iii) multiplication of binary series obtained from steps (i) and (ii) above with the point B (x,y) on the elliptic curve; (d) generating a private key nA (of about >=160 bit length); (e) generating a public key PA (x,y) given by the formula PA (x,y)=(nA−G (x,y)) mod (p); (f) encrypting the input message MSG; (g) decrypting the ciphered text.
US07680268B2
Systems and methods for elliptic curve octupling using Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing are described. In one aspect, a weighted projective point P on an elliptic curve, P having coordinates (x, y, z) is identified. Value 8P is computed from P with 12 sets of field multiplications using SIMD processing. Each set of field multiplications includes one to four respective field multiplications. Each set of field multiplications is performed in parallel according to an assigned time-step.
US07680261B2
The invention concerns a method of providing an improved call forwarding service in a telecommunications network, and a network unit and a computer program product to execute this method. A call initiated by a caller (10) to a first callee (21) is consecutively forwarded, starting from the first callee (21), to one or more further interlinked callees (22, 23), thereby forming a call forwarding chain (401, 402). A set of data is added to the call, the data comprising an identifier of each of the callees (21, 22, 23) involved in the call forwarding chain (401, 402) and an address associated with a respective message memory (210, 220, 230) assigned to each of the callees (21, 22, 23) involved in the call forwarding chain (401, 402). When the call is forwarded to the message memory (230) assigned to a last callee (23) of the call forwarding chain (401, 402), the caller (10) is prompted to provide a message to be stored in one or more of the message memories (210, 220, 230). From the set of data one or more of the addresses associated with the message memories (210, 220, 230) are retrieved. And the message received from the caller (10) is delivered to one or more of the message memories (210, 220, 230) by routing the message to the retrieved one or more addresses.
US07680245B2
A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, the ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the ocular structures inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the ocular structures within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, the position of the ocular structure is tracked and related to the status of the radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, the structure is an eye and the eye is tracked by the system. In some embodiments, the eye is held in place and in some embodiments, the eye is fixed by the patient. In some embodiments, a fiducial is placed on the eye to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.
US07680244B2
A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.
