US07691260B2
The present invention provides method for recovering fossil-based materials from oil sources using multifunctional, multipolymeric continuous composition spectrum surfactant mixtures. The invention also provides methods for reducing the loss of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oil storage containers using multifunctional, multipolymer surfactants. The multifunctional, multipolymer surfactants are characterized by a hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part. The hydrophobic part of the polymer surfactants includes functionalities that impart a polarity of greater than 0 Debye to the hydrophobic part. The polymer surfactants are further characterized by molecular weights that are above their entanglement weights. The result is polymer surfactants and their continuous composition surfactant-thickener mixtures with demulsifying characteristics.
US07691257B2
A process is provided for producing low sulfur diesel by hydrotreatment of suitable feed in the presence of a bulk metal catalyst. The feed is exposed under effective hydrotreating conditions to a catalyst including at least one Group VI metal, at least one Group VIII metal, and Niobium. Treatment of the feed results in production of a liquid diesel product, which is separated from a gas phase product that is also produced during the hydrotreatment.
US07691255B2
A sensor capable of measuring a plurality of measuring items quickly and accurately, a measuring device, and a measuring method are provided. The sensor includes a sample-holding unit for holding a sample containing an analyte; a sample-supplying port for supplying the sample to the sample-holding unit; a detecting unit for carrying out an electrochemical measurement, the unit being provided in the sample-holding unit; an optical measuring unit for carrying out an optical measurement, the unit being provided in the sample-holding unit; and a reagent-holding unit for holding a reagent for the optical measurement, the unit being provided in the sample-holding unit; wherein in the flowing direction of the sample supplied from the sample-supplying port in sample-holding unit, the sample-supplying port, the detecting unit, and the reagent-holding unit are positioned in the order recited.
US07691254B2
The functioning of an amperometric electrochemical sensor having an electrochemical cell is monitored by the electrochemical cell. A perturbation quantity is imposed on the sensor, which is operated with voltage control at a given polarization voltage. The response to the perturbation is measured and a check value is calculated, using the response under the perturbation as an input value. The check value is compared to a system-dependent limit value. If the check value is larger than the system-dependent limit value, the initial polarization voltage is changed by a predefined voltage increment and the process is repeated, until an optimal polarization voltage has been found, i.e., until the calculated check value is smaller than the system-dependent limit value. A measuring system that serves to carry out the method is also described. An automated embodiment utilizes a computer-supported control- and processing-unit with a data memory and a data-evaluating program.
US07691250B2
This invention provides membrane-mediated electropolishing (MMEP) processes for polishing and/or planarizing metal work pieces using topographically patterned membranes. The processes can be used for both pure metals and alloys, and provide advantages over conventional electropolishing processes and known MMEP processes using smooth membranes. This invention also provides a cathode half-cell and an apparatus useful in membrane-mediated electropolishing processes. The invention also provides processes for electroengraving and electromachining topographic patterns, holes and/or grooves into the surface of a metal work piece.
US07691249B2
An insulating end cap for a cylindrical electrolysis cell the type comprising at least two tubular electrodes with a cylindrical membrane arranged co-axially between them, comprises a first annular section with first and second axial ends, having at its first axial end a circular seating or one end of an outer cylindrical electrode and at its second end a circular aperture, of smaller diameter than the circular seating and co-axial therewith, to accommodate one end of the membrane. A second annular section of the end cap is detachably secured to the first and has a central circular aperture of smaller diameter than the central aperture of the first section and co-axial therewith, to accommodate one end of the inner cylindrical electrode. The two part construction of the end cap facilitates the assembly of the cell, and reduces the likelihood of breakage of the fragile ceramic membrane.
US07691243B2
A plasma processing system and method provide an internal coil in a vacuum chamber for maintaining a high density plasma therein in a manner that may have a less restrictive requirement on metal flux shielding than when the shield protects a dielectric window. The shield also shields the coil from plasma heat load. The coil need not be actively cooled. Some metal is allowed to pass through the shield and deposit on the coil. This leads to a thinner shield with less complicated slots than for shields in external coil configurations. Good RF transparency of the shield is a result of the much simpler shield shape. The coil is not sputtered and is thus not consumable. The coil is enclosed in a small conductive space, reducing its inductance, resulting in reduced coil current and voltage, in turn simplifying the design and construction of the tuning network and RF connectors. Stiffeners support the coil and are profiled to avoid formation of conductive paths forming from metal deposits.
US07691242B2
The present invention describes an electrochemical half-cell, comprising a gas space, an electrolyte space and a gas diffusion electrode in the form of a cathode or anode. The gas diffusion electrode separates the gas space from the electrolyte space and comprises an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active coating. The gas diffusion electrode includes a coating-free edge region and is connected to a support structure in the coating-free edge region via an electrically conductive plate, which covers at least the coating-free edge region as well as a coated edge region.
US07691233B2
Temporary wet strength additives, more particularly, temporary wet strength additives comprising a polymer backbone, wherein the polymer backbone has an internal homo-crosslinking monomeric unit, a co-crosslinking monomeric unit and a cationic monomeric unit, wherein the homo-crosslinking monomeric unit is derived from a monomer having the following structure: and X is —O—,—NH—, or —NCH3—; and R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic groups; and Y3 is —H, —CH3, or a halogen, fibrous structures including such temporary wet strength additives, sanitary tissue products containing such fibrous structures and processes for making such fibrous structures and/or such sanitary tissue product are provided.
US07691227B2
This invention relates to bleached mechanical paper pulps, based on fibrillated fibers of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, containing calcium carbonate, in which calcium carbonate is crystallized and at least partly covers the fibrillated fibers of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin to which the calcium carbonate is mechanically bonded, papers made from these pulps and their preparation process.
US07691215B2
The invention relates to inorganic intermetallic compounds having a PMR effect (combined GMR/CMR effect), which are characterized in that they contain at least two elements per formula unit and have a field sensitivity of less than 10% per 0.1 T at temperatures greater than 290 K. The invention also relates to composites consisting of these compounds, to a method for the production thereof an to their use, in particular, as magnetic field sensors or in the domain of spin electronics.
US07691199B2
A melter assembly supplies a charge of molten source material to a crystal forming apparatus for use in forming crystalline bodies. The melter assembly comprises a housing and a crucible located in the housing. A heater is disposed relative to the crucible for melting solid source material received in the crucible. The crucible has a nozzle to control the flow of molten source material such that a directed flow of molten source material can be supplied to the crystal forming apparatus at a selected flow rate.
US07691194B2
A self-dispersible colorant has a hydrophilic group incorporated into a colorant. A method of preparing the self-dispersible colorant reacts a cyclic anhydride with a reactive colorant in the presence of a Lewis acid. An ink composition comprising the self-dispersible colorant provides long-term storage stability and dispersion stability.
US07691187B2
An electrode wire for use in an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode wire includes a wire portion of a predetermined length L, a first end, and a second end. The electrode wire further includes retaining bodies formed on the first end and the second end of the wire portion. A retaining body of the retaining bodies is substantially solid.
US07691178B2
A process for producing desulphurised iron in a solid form. The process includes (a) direct smelting an iron-containing metalliferous feed material and producing molten iron; (b) desulphurising molten iron produced in the direct smelting (a); and (c) casting desulphurised molten iron from the desulphurisation (b) into a solid form, such as pigs.
US07691177B2
Porous microparticles of high-purity tantalum may be processed in a vacuum plasmatron using a hollow cathode and spraying apparatus in which the coolant is in the form of a metal surface. In one embodiment, the initial powder of tantalum is introduced through a coaxial hole in a hollow cathode and supplied to a vertical column of plasma by inert gas and exposed to heating to temperatures close to the melting point of tantalum. The atomizing tantalum particles are directed through a hole in the anode and collide with a rotating inclined tantalum substrate and cooled from within water, thereby flattened and solidifying the particles.
US07691171B2
This invention provides a process for the preparation of water insoluble, bio-release iron-manganese fertilizer which comprises, heating phosphoric acid with a mixture of (i) source of iron oxide such as goethite and hematite, (ii) pyrolusite and (iii) one or more basic compound(s) selected from oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, (b) neutralisation followed by drying and pulverisation.
US07691166B2
A filter arrangement includes a media construction comprising a corrugated sheet secured to a flat sheet rolled into a coiled construction. A frame and a first seal member are provided. The frame secures the first seal member to the coiled construction. The first seal member is preferably oriented to form a radial seal with a housing. A second seal member is secured to the outer annular surface of the coiled construction. The second seal member includes a gasket extension having first and second opposite ends; an attachment portion; and a protrusion extending from the attachment portion. The second seal member is preferably oriented to form an axial seal with a housing. Air cleaners preferably utilizing filter arrangements as described herein operably installed within housings. Methods of installing, filtering, assembling, and servicing preferably include arrangements as described herein.
US07691150B2
A provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic system includes a keel and a plate configured to be secured to the keel. The keel may further include a body and at least one fin extending outwardly therefrom. The fin functions to prevent rotation of the keel once it is implanted within a bone. In one embodiment, the plate includes a captured screw having a flanged head and external threads. The captured screw is retained by the plate and configured to secure the plate to the keel. In this embodiment, the captured screw extends through an aperture in the plate. Further, the captured screw may be retained by the plate due to the interaction of the flange head and external threads of the captured screw with the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, respectively.
US07691144B2
Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US07691138B2
A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.
US07691137B2
A medical device comprises a catheter having a catheter shaft and a medical balloon positioned thereon, as well as a rotatable assembly disposed about the balloon. The balloon has a pre-expansion state and an expanded state. The rotatable assembly comprises a sheath, wherein the sheath is disposed about the balloon in both the pre-expansion state and in the expanded state. The sheath is rotatable about the balloon in the pre-expansion state. The sheath comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer is in rotatable contact with the balloon and the outer layer is disposed about the inner layer. The inner layer is at least partially constructed of at least one material having a durometer value greater than that of the outer layer.
US07691130B2
A method of spacing spinal elements includes installing a first spinal implant having a sensor associated therewith; selecting a second spinal implant based on measurement data provided by the sensor; and replacing the first spinal implant with the second spinal implant. The first and second implants may be installed in separate surgical procedures, or during the same surgical procedure, and the implants may be positioned between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process and advantageously directly engage the same. The selection of the second implant may be based on the data provided by the sensor and a material property of the second spinal implant, such as its stiffness. The measurement data may correspond to strain or force data. The sensor may be, but is not required to be, embedded in the first spinal implant. A corresponding apparatus is described.
US07691128B2
Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration.
US07691127B2
Drug eluting vascular closure devices and methods for closing a blood vessel puncture site disposed at a distal end of a tissue tract are described. The devices and methods rely on a combination of the body's own natural mechanism to achieve hemostasis with bio-chemical agents to accelerate the hemostatic process. One method includes the steps of introducing a closure device through the tissue tract and deploying an expansible member at a distal end of the device within the blood vessel to occlude the puncture site. A bio-chemical sealing member disposed proximal the expansible member is then displaced so as to expose a bio-chemical region or release region of the device. At least one bio-chemical agent is thereafter released from the device and into the tissue tract to accelerate the occlusion process in the tract.
US07691122B2
An intravascular filter having a filament which expands a filter element. The filament is a coil which is stretched to reduce the diameter of the coil for introduction. The filter element is preferably biased toward the closed position and is opened by the coil when tension is released on the coil. The filament slides along the internal surface of the filter element so that the filter element may assume intermediate positions.
US07691118B2
The resheathing tool includes a flexible tubular body with a wall, an inner bore, and an aperture formed in the wall. The tool can be used to facilitate the unsheathing of the vasoocclusive device from the reloadable slotted introducer sheath by threading a proximal portion of the sheath out the aperture of the tool while sliding the vasoocclusive device distally through the sheath. The tool facilitates resheathing of the vasoocclusive device by introducing the vasoocclusive device through the slot of a reloadable slotted introducer sheath into the sheath by threading the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the aperture and into the inner bore of the tool while threading the vasoocclusive device through the inner bore of the tool. At the same time, the resheathing tool prevents the elongated vasoocclusive device from moving out of the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the slot.
US07691108B2
A position locating instrument for accurately determining the location of a cutting plane includes a base connected to means capable of determining the position of the instrument. The base includes bent blades 28 A to 28 D that are flexible enough not to prevent the insertion of plate 24 into opening 36 of a bone cuffing guide. Bent blades 28 A to 28 D are however rigid enough to maintain lower surface 25 of plate 24 pressed against lower surface 38 of opening 36, with the free ends of bent blades 28 A to 28 D bearing against upper surface 39 of opening 36. Bent blades 28 A to 28 D have a sufficient stiffness to provide a sufficient force to oppose displacement of plate 24 that is inserted in opening 36 by pushing lower surface 25 of plate 24 onto lower surface 38 of opening 36. Play between plate 24 and opening 36 are suppressed. By determining the position of plate 24, the position of the cuffing plane is thus directly and accurately obtained.
US07691106B2
Various embodiments provide surgical cutting devices and systems for orthopedic and other procedures. Specific embodiments provide saw devices for accessing and cutting subjacent bone and other tissue while minimizing injury to surrounding tissue. One embodiment provides a transverse acting saw blade for performing surgical cuts to bone tissue with minimal injury to surrounding tissue. The blade comprises an elongated member having a first portion and a second portion and a longitudinal and lateral axis. The first portion is configured to engage a drive source to produce longitudinal movement of the first portion that is atraumatic to surrounding tissue. The second portion includes a cutting surface. The longitudinal movement of the first portion is converted to a lateral movement of the second portion that is sufficient to cut engaged bone tissue with the cutting surface. The movement of the second portion is substantially transverse to the movement of the first portion.
US07691101B2
An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the voltage potential being sufficient to generate plasma at the active electrode; and stimulating the ulcer with the active electrode to increase blood flow, remove unhealthy tissue and induce the body's natural healing response.
US07691094B2
The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
US07691092B2
An ambulatory device for measuring urine flow comprises a portable hand-held container and a handgrip mounted thereto. A flow-measuring device is located in the container, and a means for collecting the data measured by the flow-measuring device is also provided. The parameters of the urine flow in the container are measured by the flow-measuring device and are processed by the aforementioned means for collecting data. The handgrip is pivotally mounted to the container by a double-pivot mechanism for maintaining the container substantially vertical in a number of positions of the handgrip. The flow-measuring device includes a sensor that measures a displacement of an air column related to a variation of pressure due to a variation of a urine level in the container.
US07691090B2
Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end.
US07691081B2
A catheter device and related method for diagnostic vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment of a subject's vasculature having a lesion. The device including: a guide catheter comprising a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a guide wire disposed in the guide catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the guide wire transfers beyond the lesion during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment; and one or more expandable component disposed at the distal portion of the guide wire. The expandable component(s) may be positioned distally beyond the lesion during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment. The expandable component(s) being used to: anchor said guide wire to mitigate and/or prevent loss of guide wire position during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment; and avoid and/or mitigate trauma to the vasculature during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment.
US07691076B2
A custom articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) system is disclosed that is formed on a cast of the wearer's foot. It has an adjustably tightenable calf section hingedly connected to an adjustably tightenable foot section. It is made of thermally formable plastic sheet, is lined inside and outside, and is padded inside. The brace permits dorsal/plantar flexion while supporting the ankle against supination and pronation. The apparatus and methods of manufacture are disclosed.
US07691062B2
In a method for the non-invasive determination of the position and orientation of prominent structures inside the body of a human being or an animal, wherein the body is irradiated with ultrasonic radiation in the area of the prominent structure by means of an ultrasonic head which emits ultrasound and receives ultrasound, the ultrasonic radiation reflected on the prominent structure is received, and an image corresponding to the travel time of the reflected radiation is represented on a display, in order to determine the position of the prominent structure in the body, it is proposed that the position and orientation of the ultrasonic head and of the body in the area of the prominent structure be determined by means of a navigation system with the assistance of marking elements fixed to the ultrasonic head and to the body, that a prominent structure be selected on the display, that the position and orientation of the prominent structure relative to the ultrasonic head be determined on the basis of the radiating direction of the ultrasonic head and the measured travel time of the ultrasonic radiation, and that the position and orientation of the prominent structure relative to the body be determined from the position and orientation of the ultrasonic head relative to the body.
US07691059B2
A method for providing a covering physician service includes informing a patient of a practicing physician of the availability of the plurality of patient terminals and referring the patient to one of the patient terminals upon the agreement of the patient. A call from the patient at the patient terminal is received at a call center. The call center enables any of a first plurality of physician (or other health care practitioner) terminals to be in audio-visual communication over the network with any of a second plurality of patient terminals. The call is routed to an available physician or other health care practitioner at one of the health care practitioner terminals so that the available physician may carry on a two-way conversation with the patient and visually observe the patient. The available physician or health care practitioner is permitted to make an assessment of the patient and to treat the patient.
US07691056B2
An endoscope apparatus including: an elongated insertion section; an adaptor, which has an illuminating section including optical elements, and an observation optical system, that are attached to and removed from a tip of the insertion section; a sensor provided in the adaptor; and electrical contacts for the illumination section, and electrical contacts for the sensor, provided in the adaptor and the tip of the insertion section.
US07691049B2
Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.
US07691044B2
A creasing-folding machine, for producing paper and bookbinding articles, has a feed unit, for feeding sheets along a feed path, a creasing unit, and a folding unit in series with one another; the creasing unit has at least one creasing roller positioned with its axis perpendicular to the feed path and having, on its lateral surface, a creasing blade extending crosswise to the feed path, and a pressure roller which cooperates with an opposite face of each sheet to the creasing roller; the creasing unit is interposed between the feed unit and the folding unit to perform transverse creasing operations upstream from the folding unit.
US07691042B2
The disclosed invention provides an abdominal exerciser comprised of a padded bench with an adjustable arc shaped lumbar support mounted to a tubular support frame. The radius of the lumbar support is slightly larger than the radius of ordinary spinal arching. The lumbar support fully extends the lumbar section of the spine decompressing the intervertebral space while stretching the abdominal muscles and neutralizing the lumbar muscles in preparation for a sit-up or legs-up movement in which the spine is fully supported. Adjustably attached on either side of the lumbar support are two generally semicircular shaped side extensions. The support frame includes a base, two feet, and an arc shaped extension with a plurality of parallel footrests. The support frame also includes a hinge about which the bench rotates through the arc of the extension to adjust the inclination angle of the bench.
US07691039B2
A Pilates step barrel/chair exercise apparatus has side walls and a unique elastic resistance member anchor structure fastened to each of the side walls. Each anchor structure has an anchor socket assembly fastened to one of the side walls and a removable elastic member anchor bar assembly mounted in the anchor socket assembly. The anchor socket assembly has a central tubular portion passing through the one of the side walls and a flange portion fastening the tubular portion to the side wall. The anchor bar assembly has an L shaped anchor bar, a cylindrical yoke receiving and holding a long leg of the anchor bar, and a spring bar tube rotatably fastened to a short leg of the anchor bar. The cylindrical yoke has a portion adapted to fit within a central bore of the tubular portion of the anchor socket assembly, and has a plurality of spaced radial holes therearound for engaging with and retain the anchor bar assembly in the anchor socket assembly.
US07691036B1
A support for holding a fitness ball includes a centrally located vibration assembly. The vibration assembly includes a vibrating plate upon which the fitness ball resides. In an embodiment of the invention the support has arms which receive the fitness ball. Each of the arms has a vibrating member.
US07691033B2
The invention relates to a method for a targeted training of the human body as well as a corresponding training device for realizing said method. The training device is used for the training of the body region (vertebral column) between shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle (back region) by using the limbs, arms and legs, such that the body region of the shoulder girdle is turned (twisted) in the opposite direction as the body region of the pelvic girdle, thereby resulting in a relative turning movement between the respective vertebras of the vertebral column.
US07691031B2
A training apparatus is disclosed which allows a trainee to attain a sense of accomplishment by continuing an exercise until a target is reached, without undue strain. A torque motor applies a load to a handle bar, which is driven by the exercise of a trainee. If the movement of the trainee who moves the handle bar is about to stop, then the load is gradually reduced. If the handle bar once again begins to move due to a load reduction, then it is inferred that the trainee has resumed the exercise, and the load at that time is maintained until, for example, the direction of motion of the handle bar changes. By gradually reducing the load at the fatigue limit of the trainee, it is possible to promote the resumption and the continuance of the exercise.
US07690999B2
A shaft coupling includes plates fitted on ends of input and output shafts, respectively. A plurality of guide grooves are formed in the opposed surfaces of the plates, respectively, so that each of the grooves extends perpendicular to the corresponding groove formed in the other plate. A steel ball is disposed between each pair of guide grooves of the plates at a portion where the pair of grooves cross each other. When the steel balls are pushed by the driving plate, they push the driven plate while rolling in the guide grooves, with their movements restricted by a retainer in the radial direction of the plates. Thus, large power can be smoothly transmitted between the rotary members with less frictional resistance. The offset amount can be changed easily. Between the plates, there are only the steel balls and the retainer.
US07690994B2
A game controller includes an image-capturing section, and outputs, as control data, a captured image itself or a result of performing a predetermined operation on the captured image. Using the control data obtained from the game controller, distance data regarding the distance between the game controller and the imaging target is calculated. A predetermined game process is performed on a virtual game world based on the calculated distance data. Then, the virtual game world after the game process is displayed as an image on a display device.
US07690993B2
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU generates a game Background Music (BGM) corresponding to a proceeding situation of a game, and etc. The CPU selects data, from a main memory conductor, according to the proceeding of the game, and etc., and generates BGM data regarding one or more track data included in the conductor data. When generating the BGM data, rhythm data, within a rhythm group designated by the track data, is selected in predetermined order or at random, and phrase data, within the same designated phrase group, is selected at random. Then, the BGM data is generated from the selected rhythm data and the phrase data.
US07690991B2
A betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests backing a given outcome, each backing bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will occur. The betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests laying the given outcome, each laying bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will not occur. The betting exchange system aggregating backing bet requests specifying the same price, aggregating laying bet requests specifying the same price, automatically matching a received backing bet request with individual or aggregated laying bet requests to complete a betting transaction, and automatically matching a received laying bet request with individual or aggregated backing bet requests to complete a betting transaction.
US07690985B1
A slot machine that has a bonus feature related to the “15 puzzle.” An empty space symbol can appear, thereby allowing other symbols to slide around the matrix, creating different payout combinations. The symbols can slide around to create an optimal arrangement of the symbols, and then the player can be paid on paylines.
US07690984B2
A gaming machine arranged to display a symbol in each element of a matrix of elements; each column of elements of said matrix of elements comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel and wherein at an occurrence of a trigger event at end of play of a main game; (a) said main game is completed and any prize is awarded, (b) at least one feature game may be awarded wherein each said rotatable reel is caused to be spun and brought to rest to display elements of said matrix in a first stage; said first stage displaying symbols in elements of at least one said column and uniform imagery in elements of each remaining said column; said feature game then progressing to a further stage wherein elements with said uniform imagery are populated by symbols of said elements of said at least one column.
US07690980B2
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
US07690976B2
A method of playing a poker game comprises receiving a primary wager to initiate game play and displaying a first card hand formed from a first group of cards. The method further comprises evaluating whether the first card hand is a winning hand payable according to a paytable. The method further comprises displaying a second card hand formed from a second group of cards, and if the second card hand satisfies a bonus award criteria, awarding a bonus award. In an embodiment, the first card hand comprises five cards and the second card hand comprises two cards.
US07690975B2
According to a function 188 which stores in the first memory for difference, pickup image data from CCD camera 42 based on a predetermined timing, a function 190 which stores in the second memory for difference, pickup image data from CCD camera 42 based on another timing, a function 192 which obtains a difference between the pickup image data stored in the first memory for difference 24 and the pickup image data stored in the second memory for difference 26, a function 194 for specifying an image having moved based on the data as a difference, a function 196 which determines whether or not the image having moved is touching the character image, and a function 200 which increases a value of parameters such as experiential value, physical energy, and offensive power, when it is determined that the image having moved comes into contact with the character image, it is possible to expand a range of card game used to be played only in a real space up to a virtual space, and offer a new game which merges the card game and video game.
US07690970B2
An abrasive abrading a grinding device (10) having a housing (12) for moving over a concrete surface. The housing has depending abrasion elements (14) with a substrate layer (30) and a backing layer (32) mounted to a support bracket (34) that in turn is affixed to the housing. The substrate layer (30) has a front surface (44) with a distal section (40) having abrasive particles (42) brazed thereon with brazing material (46).
US07690969B2
There are disclosed a polishing method and a polishing device in which cleaning of a glass substrate surface can be achieved to a high level. A glass substrate (MD substrate 1) in the shape of a circular disc having a circular hole in a center portion is polished with an abrasive liquid 50 containing free abrasive grains being supplied, and an inner peripheral end surface of the glass substrate is polished using the abrasive liquid containing the free abrasive grains by rotating a rotary brush 4 or a polishing pad in contact with the inner peripheral end surface.
US07690968B2
Aqueous slurry compositions for use in loose-abrasive machining processes, particularly aqueous abrasive slurries for use in wire saw processes. These aqueous slurry compositions comprise abrasive particles uniformly and stably dispersed in lubricant, which comprises a combination of a vehicle and water, particularly PEG and water.
US07690966B1
A method for planarizing a semiconductor substrate is provided. The method initiates with tracking a signal corresponding to a thickness of a conductive film disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Then, a second derivative is calculated from data representing the tracked signal. Next, the onset of planarization is identified based upon a change in the second derivative. A CMP system configured to identify a transition between stages of the CMP operation is also provided.
US07690960B2
Production method of organic EL device and cleaning method of organic EL device production apparatus
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of stably producing a high quality organic EL device by surely avoiding adverse influence due to organic matters and the like when an organic layer is formed on a surface of, for example, a substrate having an anode formed thereon. The means for resolution is characterized in that the inside of an organic EL device production apparatus equipped with an organic film-forming chamber for forming an organic layer on a surface of, for example, a substrate having an anode formed thereon is cleaned with an ozone gas, and the organic layer is then formed.
US07690959B1
Mounting arrangement for a drive unit of a boat, and boat with mounting arrangement for a drive unit
A mounting arrangement is provided for mounting a boat drive to a boat hull and includes a mounting collar including a first plate having a first opening therein and a first wall extending from a top surface of the first plate around the first opening and defining a first cylinder. The mounting arrangement also includes a clamping collar including a second plate having a second opening therein and a second wall extending from a top surface of the second plate around the second opening and defining a second cylinder, an external shape of at least a top end of the first cylinder substantially matching an internal shape of at least a bottom end of the second cylinder. The first wall of the mounting collar has a first alignment member and the second wall of the clamping collar has a second alignment member, the first alignment member and the second alignment member being positioned so that, when the first plate is mounted against an exterior of the boat hull and the second plate is mounted against an interior of the boat hull with the first cylinder received in the second cylinder, the first alignment member and the second alignment member align when the boat hull is at least a predetermined thickness.
US07690954B2
The present invention is to provide a connector terminal, which is crimp connected with an aluminum or aluminum alloy conductor having a large diameter, to be inserted into a terminal receiving chamber of a conventional connector housing designed for a copper conductor with less change of electrical characteristic and less modification. The connector terminal having the conductor of the present invention is widely adapted to a vehicle. The connector terminal crimping the electrical wire has a link portion longer than a link portion of a standard connector terminal so that an electrical wire crimp portion projects outwardly from a rearward face when the connector terminal is received in the connector housing. An insulation crimp portion is positioned spaced apart from the rearward face of the connector housing to prevent physical interference with the connector housing.
US07690953B2
An electrical connection apparatus includes at least one stackable block operably coupleable to another stackable block, at least one pin receiving portion defined by an inner wall within the stackable block, and at least one electrical connection contact having a C-shaped contact portion with elastic properties disposed within the pin receiving portion and a lead portion disposed at a location exterior to the stackable block. The electrical connection apparatus may further include an adjustment component and an adjustment component receiving portion defined by in inner wall within the stackable block. In addition, sliders may be arranged on the stackable block and may engage with tabs formed on the at least one electrical connection contact. The sliders may be moved to a raised or lowered position in order to move the at least one electrical connection contact between a contact and an insertion position.
US07690949B2
In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet comprising of a base module and interface module. The base module connects to the wiring and attached to a wall. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet will provide the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.
US07690941B2
An active jack, which is a powered device, is installed as the network connection at a workstation which provides the capability to determine the physical location of a destination device, such as a VOIP phone, in real time. Uninterruptible power supplies may be used to provide power to network components, for example during an emergency. Power-and-data deployments are shown for powering network components and destination devices.
US07690940B1
A power cord coupling device comprising: a compressible base with a first end and a second end, and the second end is threaded; a threaded cap, configured to thread onto the second end of the compressible base; and where compressible base is configured to compress about a coupled plug and receptacle located within the compressible base upon a tightening of the threaded cap onto the second end of the compressible base. A power cord coupling device comprising: an inner compressible member of a first length, the inner compressible member comprising: a plug-receptacle volume located within the inner compressible member; an inner slot extending along the first length; a first end with a first end slot that is contiguous with the inner slot; a second end, the second end being generally opened; an inner set of teeth located on an outer surface of the inner compressible member; an outer member of a second length, removeably attachable to the inner compressible member; the outer member comprising: an outer slot extending along the second length; a first end, the first end being generally opened; a second end with a second end slot that is contiguous with the inner slot; an outer set of teeth located on an inner surface of the outer member, the outer set of teeth configured to mesh with the inner set of teeth to hold the inner compressible member within the outer member. To be completed upon approval of claim scope.
US07690939B2
An electronic module (100) includes an elongated housing (10) having a front portion and a rear portion, with a pair of spaced guide members (123) integrated with a peripheral portion of the rear portion; a latch mechanism (60) assembled to the housing, said latch mechanism including a slider member (61) disposed between and supported by the pair of guide members, a bail member (62) pivotally engaging with the rear portion of the housing and further linking with the slider member; and rocking the bail actuating the slider moving along a front-to-back direction for detaching the electronic module from a receptacle module.
US07690934B2
An electrical distribution harness assembly configured for coupling with a modular wall panel includes at least one electrical connector including a body and an elastic clip bracket configured for snap-fitting to the modular wall panel, the body forming an overmolded connection with the elastic clip bracket.
US07690926B2
An electrical connector assembly comprises a stiffener including a base with a first portion and a second portion, insulative housing, a load plate and a lever. An embossed portion is formed on the base and has substantial distance to a first end of the first portion. An insulative housing is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. A load plate is pivotally mounted on the second portion of the stiffener. A lever is pivotally assembled to the first portion of the stiffener to lock the load plate and includes a retaining portion adjacent to the embossed portion to abut against the lever when it is rotated.
US07690924B1
In one aspect, an electrical connector to connect circuit cards includes a compliant member that includes a first end portion and a second end portion, a first rigid member attached to the first end portion of the compliant member and including a first bore extending along an axis, a second rigid member attached to the second end portion of the compliant member and including a second bore extending along the axis and a pin secured in the first bore and configured to move within the second bore. The compliant member is configured to translate along the axis from a first position corresponding to the first and second rigid members being separated to a second position corresponding to the first and second rigid members being in direct contact.
US07690923B2
An electrical connector with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) received may carry electrical signals between the FPC and a substrate. Latching mechanisms may serve to position the cap on the body such that the positions facilitate the insertion and retention of the FPC in the cap for a good electrical connection. The FPC may be received loosely in the cap when the cap is in a first position on the body. When the cap is depressed into a second position, the FPC may be compressed between the cap and the body. Mating ends of the contacts may electrically connect to exposed conductive elements of the FPC. Mounting ends of the contacts in the contact housing may electrically connect to the conductive elements on a substrate. If the contacts are compression contacts, the terminals of the contacts may deflect or compress when a force is exerted upon them. The electrical connector may have a sealing surface that is adapted to provide suitable compression against an FPC received by the electrical connector so as to keep out gases or fluids.
US07690905B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a chip packaged with a resin mold. The apparatus includes a first mold, a second mold, and a buffer sheet. The first mold has a first cavity for forming the resin mold on a first side of the semiconductor device, and a convex part for forming an exposed area of the chip. The second mold has a second cavity for forming the resin mold on a second side of the semiconductor device. The buffer sheet is disposed between the convex part and the chip for covering the exposed area.
US07690899B2
A piston pump includes a first piston pump including a first piston and a first pump chamber, a second piston pump including a second piston and a second pump chamber, the second piston operating to follow the first piston, a pressure release passage formed in communication with the second pump chamber, and a relief valve provided at the pressure release passage and defining an upper limit discharge pressure of the second piston pump. When a discharge pressure of the second piston pump is equal to or smaller than the upper limit, a discharge fluid of the second piston pump is added to that of the first piston pump so as to flow into an outlet port. When the discharge pressure exceeds the upper limit, the discharge fluid is released to the pressure release passage and the discharge fluid of the first piston pump only flows to the outlet port.
US07690889B2
A variable vane actuation mechanism is comprised of a first drive vane arm and a second drive vane arm for driving a first variable vane array and a second variable vane array, respectively, of a stator vane section of a gas turbine engine. The first drive vane arm and second drive vane arm are connected to each other at a first end by a linkage. The first drive vane arm and second drive vane arm are connected at a second end to a first drive vane and a second drive vane, respectively, of the first and second variable vane arrays. The first drive vane arm and second drive vane arm respond in unison to a single actuation source connected to one of the first drive vane arm and second drive vane arm.
US07690884B2
A device for separating battery plates from stacks comprises a lifting device (30) with which vertical stacks (14) are gradually lifted to a plate placer (51). The plate placer (51) lifts the uppermost plate from the stack (14) and places it onto a conveyor belt (60), whose loading end is located underneath the plate placer (51) and which comprises conveying elements (61) that are moved underneath the plate placer (51) after a plate has been lifted from the stack (14). The delivery end of the conveyor belt (60) is situated underneath the loading end of a vacuum conveyor belt (70). The vacuum conveyor belt (70) receives separated plates from the conveyor belt (60) and moves them to devices located downstream.
US07690883B2
A device for stacking articles which are molded and stamped in a multi-impression molding and stamping tool includes a transfer device having a single gripper plate made of lightweight construction for accepting all articles ejected from one work cycle of the molding and stamping tool. A stacking station having two stacking baskets arranged on respective arms is arranged so that the baskets are pivotable about a first axis for moving a first basket of the two baskets to a transfer position and a second basket of the two baskets to an ejection position, the transfer device transferring the articles to the transfer position of the stacking station. An ejector unit and conveyor belt are arranged proximate the ejection position, each of the first and second baskets being pivotable about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, at the ejection position to a pivoted position. The ejector unit pushes a row of article stacks onto the conveyor at the pivoted position, the each of the first and second baskets being movable in steps to align successive rows of articles stacks with the ejector unit, and the ejector unit being movable transversely to the movement of the each of the first and second baskets.
US07690881B2
A substrate transfer apparatus for loading and unloading substrates in a reaction chamber, includes: an arm having a distal end which is laterally movable in a straight line direction; and end-effectors for loading and unloading substrates in a reaction chamber, which include a lower end-effector and an upper end-effector. One of the lower end-effector or the upper end-effector is movably coupled to the arm at a distal end of the arm, and the other end-effector is fixed to the movably coupled end-effector. The fixed end-effector is fixed to the movably coupled end-effector.
US07690876B2
A clip comprises a pin having a flange and a shank and a bush having a flange and a hollow shank into which the pin shank is inserted. The clip is configured so that the pin and bush can be temporarily connected, and the bush shank can be inserted into a mounting hole in a workpiece such as a panel while the pin and bush are temporarily connected. When the pin shank is further inserted into the bush shank, the bush shank expands to fix the clip to the workpiece. The bush flange has a wall extending to about the level of the pin flange when the pin and the bush are temporarily connected so as to shield the pin flange and the pin shank.
US07690872B2
A chattering vibration inhibiting mechanism capable of inhibiting chattering vibration of a machine tool without increasing weight nor requiring a time-consuming adjustment work is provided. A box-shaped package body 21 attached to a spindle head 6, a supporting member 22 disposed to bridge between front and rear walls 21a, 21b in the box-shaped package body 21, and a damper 23 composed of an elastic member 27 and a weight 26 supported by the supporting member 22 are provided.
US07690864B2
A high performance, multiple rotor, hydraulically driven riding trowel for finishing concrete includes a rigid trowel frame with two or more downwardly-projecting, bladed rotor assemblies that frictionally engage the concrete surface. The rotor assemblies are tilted with double acting hydraulic cylinders to effectuate steering and control. Double acting hydraulic cylinders also control blade pitch. Hydraulic pressure to the rotors is monitored and controlled by an unloader valve system that monitors drive pump pressure with a shuttle valve to derive an unloader pilot signal. A sequence valve responds to the unloader pilot signal to control a pressure valve that bypasses the normal foot control valve in an overpressure situation. The pressure control head signal normally applied to the hydraulic drive motor control heads is modified with a feedback signal to automatically control the associated pump swash plates.
US07690861B1
Disclosed is a temporary pavement marker for pavement surface treatment of existing pavement. The temporary pavement marker may include a base configured to be placed against the existing pavement. An upright section may be connected to the base. The upright section may include a bridge connected between a first upright and a second upright to form a treatment passageway. The bridge, the first upright, the second upright, and the base may be positioned around the treatment passageway.
US07690858B1
A commercial vehicle safety barrier that is designed to assist a commercial tanker truck when delivering gasoline to a service station by keeping pedestrians and motorists away from the vehicle while the fuel was being unloaded. The barrier is fabricated from four separate casings that are mounted to the side of a commercial fuel tanker trunk. The casings are mounted to the same side of the truck on which the hose manifolds are located. Each casing includes a nylon strap attached to a retractable, spring-loaded reel, allowing each nylon strap to be pulled out and attached to a portable cone via a hook located on the nylon strap. The strap may contain a message to notify passersby of danger or an emergency. The barrier may also be used to assist police and emergency vehicles, as well as utility workers to notify passersby of danger or an emergency.
US07690856B2
A connection device for connecting objects. The connection device includes a first elongated element with a first groove and a locking portion, a second elongated element with a second groove and a through hole, a spring member and a pin connected to the spring member, and an actuating member adapted for actuating the spring member and moving the pin.
US07690850B2
An apparatus for splicing optical waveguides has a memory circuit in which data items which identify a state of the apparatus for splicing the optical waveguides are stored. The memory circuit is used to store data items which identify a state of the optical waveguides to be spliced. Stored data items indicate conditions of the environment in which a splice process has been carried out. The apparatus can be used to record a plurality of data items which can be evaluated for analysis of a splice process, in particular for an analysis of a fault which has occurred during the splice process.
US07690849B2
A fiber optic connector insert for a connector may include a housing to be received within a passageway of a connector body, a circuit board extending longitudinally within the housing and having opposing first and second ends, and a first base and first electrically conductive pins carried thereby. The first electrically conductive pins may be coupled to the circuit board adjacent the first end thereof. The fiber optic connector insert may also include an opto-electronic (O/E) converter having a second base and second electrically conductive pins extending outwardly therefrom. The second electrically conductive pins may be coupled to the circuit board adjacent the second end thereof.
US07690847B2
A rolling bearing (10) having an outer ring (1), an inner ring (2), and a plurality of rolling elements, wherein at least one of the members, the outer ring (1), inner ring (2) and rolling elements (3), has a nitrogen rich layer and the grain size number of austenite crystal grains is in the range exceeding the number 10.
US07690845B2
An object is to reduce manufacturing cost of a housing, and enable to disuse an adhesive in fixation portions between a housing and a bearing sleeve and the like.A housing 7 is made of resin material, which comprises a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) as crystalline resin blended with carbon nanotubes in a blending ratio of 2 to 35 vol % as a conductive filler, by injection molding. A bearing sleeve 8, which is inserted into the inner peripheral surface 7c of the housing 7, is secured to the housing 7 by ultrasonic welding.
US07690831B2
A surface light source device includes two or more point light sources that are arranged linearly, a light guide plate having an incident surface on which light emitted from each of the point light sources shines, for outputting input light from a front surface thereof, and light diffusing means provided on a back surface of the light guide plate, for diffusing light. The incident surface of the light guide plate is inclined toward a back side.
US07690825B2
A vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit, a bracket which supports the lamp unit such that the lamp unit is swivelable in right and left directions, a lamp body which supports the bracket such that the bracket is tiltable in the right and left directions and in up and down directions with respect to the lamp body, an actuator which is supported by the bracket and swivels the lamp unit, a rotating shaft member which is supported by the bracket, and a joint member which is coupled to the actuator. The lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, a rotating shaft attaching portion to which the rotating shaft member is attached, and a joint attaching portion to which the joint member is attached.
US07690820B2
An optical sheet includes a substrate having rear and front surfaces, a micro-lens-array on the front surface of the substrate, the micro-lens-array including a plurality of micro-lenses, a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other on the rear surface of the substrate, and an intercepting reflector layer on the protrusions.
US07690818B2
A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens through which an optical axis passes. The optical axis extends in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector which reflects a direct light from the light source toward a front direction so as to become close to the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source and having an edge portion positioned near the rear focal point of the projection lens; and an auxiliary reflector disposed between the projection lens and a shade. The auxiliary reflector reflects a part of the light reflected by the reflector toward the projection lens such that an upward irradiation light is irradiated from the projection lens. The shade shields a part of the light reflected by the reflector and a part of the direct light emitted from the light source and forms a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern. A space is provided between the auxiliary reflector and the shade so as to maintain a light quantity of at least 75% of a main light distribution obtained by the light reflected from the reflector.
US07690812B2
Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate.
US07690807B2
The present invention consists of an optical mirror element to be used in combination with a light source. Light from a light source contained within the mirror element shank provides illumination in front of and behind the mirror head. In this way, for example, the invention can be used in dentistry both for illuminated, indirect vision in the mouth and as an illuminated cheek or tongue retractor. The invention can be used in combination with any suitable light source including, but not limited to, a conventional lamp, a light emitting diode, or a light pipe.
US07690802B2
An LED based emergency lighting system is described. Unlike a typical approach in which one lighting system provides normal ambient lighting and a second different system provides auxiliary emergency lighting, a common integrated system can be satisfactorily employed.
US07690796B2
The present invention is a 3D/2D convertible color projection display system with two color LCoS panels, which enable the system to project two orthogonal polarized images. When the two images correspond to different view angles, each eye of an observer wearing a pair of polaroid glasses can only see one of the images, creating a 3D stereoscopic effect. When the two images correspond to the same view angle, then the observer, without any special glasses, can watch regular 2D images with multiple primary colors.
US07690794B2
An image-combining device comprising of a polarizing beam-splitter, two waveplates and two reflective micro-electro-mechanical display panels is described. It combines images with orthogonally polarized light. Projection display apparatus having such image-combining device(s) are used to project two-dimensional or three-dimensional images with orthogonally polarized light.
US07690789B2
Devices, systems, and methods measure, diagnose, and/or treat one or both eyes of a patient. Adaptive optics systems (such as those having a deformable mirror) may be configured to an aspherical or multi-spherical presbyopia-mitigating prescriptive shape to allow objective and/or subjective measurements of a candidate prescription. A plurality of viewing distances allow subjective and/or objective evaluations of performance using a light spot or a test viewing image. Measurements of aberrations at selected viewing conditions (including distances and/or brightness) with correlating pupil sizes may also be provided. Wavefront measurement systems and methods may help position and isolate the eye from ambient light.
US07690780B2
An ink for ink-jet recording is provided which enables high quality printing at a fast speed. The ink is also suitable for use in an ink-jet recording head employed in a line head method. The ink for ink-jet recording includes at least a coloring agent, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol propyl ether and water. The amount of ethylene glycol with respect to the total ink amount is about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, and the amount of propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %. Further, the total amount of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 45 wt. % to about 60 wt. %.
US07690779B2
A high-resolution ink jet printer includes a drum supported for rotation about an axis, substrate positioning means for positioning a substrate sheet on the surface of the drum to receive a printed image, carriage means movable parallel to the drum axis, printhead means supported on the carriage means and having at least one array of orifices disposed in spaced relation to the surface of the drum for projecting ink drops onto a substrate sheet carried by the drum, drive means for driving the carriage parallel to the axis of the drum, encoder means providing a train of signals at a rate dependent upon the rate of rotation of the drum, and control means for controlling the projection of the ink drops from the printhead means at a rate that depends on the rate of signals received by the control means.
US07690773B2
An ink cartridge includes a case, and the case includes a first case member. The first case member includes a first wall, and the first wall includes a translucent portion extending from the first wall in a predetermined direction. The translucent portion has an inner space formed therein. The case also includes a second case member connected to the first case member. The first case member and the second case member define an ink chamber therein, and the second case member includes a second wall which is opposite to the first wall, and a support member connected to an interior surface of the second wall. Moreover, the ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a signal blocking portion. The signal blocking portion is positioned within the inner space of the translucent portion, and the movable member is connected to the support member.
US07690771B2
A liquid ejection head includes a channel unit with a channel substrate provided with a channel section having pressure chamber cavity rows formed by arranging a plurality of pressure chamber cavities in rows. The liquid ejection head also includes a nozzle substrate provided with a plurality of nozzle orifices formed so as to correspond to the pressure chambers. A sealing plate of the liquid ejection head seals an opening of the channel section of the channel substrate, in which the nozzle substrate is joined, with one surface of the channel substrate. The sealing plate is joined with the opposite surface of the channel substrate so that the channel unit has a series of liquid channels from a common liquid chamber to the nozzle orifices. The liquid ejection head has a head case to which the channel unit is fixed.
US07690766B2
A liquid ejection head having: a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a flat nozzle plate on which the nozzle is provided; a cavity to store the liquid to be ejected from an ejection hole of the nozzle; a pressure generating section which generates pressure on the liquid in the nozzle and forms a meniscus of the liquid in the ejection hole of the nozzle; an electrostatic voltage applying section which applies electrostatic voltage between a base material and the liquid in the nozzle and the cavity, and generates electrostatic suction force; and an operation control section which controls applying of the electrostatic voltage by the electrostatic voltage applying section, and controls applying of drive voltage to drive the pressure generating portion, wherein a volume resistivity of the nozzle plate is 1015 Ωm or more.
US07690750B2
A method of adjusting bidirectional registration to reduce negative effects on the image such as “banding” even if bidirectional registration includes a slight amount of displacement is provided. For that purpose, correction is applied to a first adjustment value for adjusting a bidirectional registration displacement in response to an extent of inclination of a printing head to obtain a second adjustment value. Then a bidirectional printing is performed with timing adjusted on the basis of the second adjustment value. As a result of that, even if there is a slight variation in an adjustment value of the bidirectional registration and the inclination of the printing head, the banding generated by this can be reduced as much as possible.
US07690743B2
A nozzle drive control device and method includes applying a drive voltage to a nozzle, sensing a size or speed of an ink droplet ejected by the applied drive voltage, determining whether the sensed result is included within a predetermined range, and calculating the drive voltage to eject an ink droplet when the sensed size or ejecting speed of the ejected ink droplet is not included within the predetermined range.
US07690739B2
A drawer (1) for a corner cabinet includes a front panel (4) angled inwards, two drawer side walls (2), a rear wall (5), and a drawer base (3). The front panel (4) has at least two plates (7′3″) which, when the drawer (1) is extended from within the corner cabinet, move relative to the drawer side walls (2) at the beginning of the opening process and at the end of the closing process.
US07690736B2
In a liquid pump for a braking system of a vehicle, one end of a piston is slidably inserted into a cylindrical space of a housing member, and a sliding ring is provided on the piston. A suction chamber is formed by an inner peripheral surface of the housing member, an outer peripheral surface of the piston and the sliding ring. An inner diameter “Dk” of the housing member is made larger than an inner diameter “Dc” of the cylindrical space. As a result, the volume of the suction chamber is increased, without making the piston smaller in its diameter.
US07690735B2
A vehicle air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilizes a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.
US07690723B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a cushion, and an air bag assembly mounted upon the frame within a hollow provided in the cushion. A trim cover includes a side panel facing the side of the vehicle and a front panel facing forwardly, the side panel and front panel being joined to one another at a vertical extending seam. The side panel also has a lower horizontal extending separable seam, an upper horizontal extending separable seam, and a forward vertical seam that may or may not be sewn to the front panel. On inflation of the air bag, the inflating air bag forces the side panel outwardly causing separation of the separable seams and inflate forwardly, upwardly and downwardly through separable seams of the side panel. In addition, a rear vertical extending seam can be provided that would extend between the upper and lower horizontal extending separable seam.
US07690721B2
The invention relates to a junction structure for connecting two profiles(1, 2), especially in a vehicle support frame. The first profile (1) has at least two planar, parallel sides and the second profile (2) comprises two parallel, opposite girders (3, 4) and at least one strip (5, 6) connecting the girders (3, 4). The girders (3, 4), with their lateral ends, project relative to the strip (5, 6), the projections forming paired, parallel flanges (31, 41, 32, 42). The junction structure is characterized in that the first profile (1) at the location of connection, is provided with a recess (7) into which the second profile (2) is inserted on the front side in such a manner that the parallel sides of the opposite ends (8, 9) of the first profile limiting the recess (7) rest in a form fit against the insides (31a, 41a, 32a, 42a) of the opposite flanges (31, 41, 32, 42) of the second profile (2) and are connected thereto.
US07690703B2
A bumper body extends in a vehicle-width direction and is formed with an air intake opening. A garnish extends in a vehicle-width direction, is attached to the air intake opening and has a first engaging portion. A bezel is adapted to cover a light of the vehicle, is attached to the bumper body and has a first engaged portion. The garnish and the bezel are arranged in the vehicle-width direction. The first engaged portion is engaged with the first engaging portion.
US07690692B2
Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.
US07690688B2
A safety belt roll-up mechanism is provided, and includes a force limitation device that operates in a multi-stage manner and has a two-stage torque rod and a pyrotechnically operating switching device that couples the torque rod, in various clamping lengths, with a belt shaft. The extent of the belt strap unwound from the belt shaft is utilized for actuation of the force limitation device. A ratchet wheel is connected to the belt shaft via a reduction gear mechanism. A portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel has a toothing for engaging the reduction gear mechanism. A further portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel has a switching contour that rests against a contact pin of an electric switch. The switching contour has a profile that effects the connection or disconnection of the switching device for the torque rod.
US07690683B2
Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for automatically closing a vent opening in response to inflation of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, primary and secondary tethers are provided, both of which are coupled to an airbag cushion. The primary tether may be used to restrain the inflation size of the airbag cushion during a partial deployment. A tether cutter may also be provided to cut the primary tether upon detecting a condition that would warrant full deployment of the airbag cushion. The secondary tether may be configured to at least partially close one or more vent openings in response to the airbag cushion being inflated to a fully-inflated configuration after the primary tether has been cut.
US07690675B2
A body receptacle for a wheeled frame allows for the transport of babies in a bicycle trailer. The body receptacle has a flexible mat that is brought into the intended transport form with the help of tensioning devices.
US07690670B1
The invention is a trailer tongue alignment accessory that attaches to the tongue of the trailer. The invention includes a mounting assembly, three lighted posts, and position sensing means. The position sensing means comprises a laser projector that is attached to the mounting assembly, and a reflector that is attached to the trailer hitch.
US07690664B2
A trailer slider system includes a body rail that slides longitudinally relative to a suspension frame side rail. One of the rails includes holes that provide multiple suspension positions. The trailer slider system also includes a pin connection assembly having a pin that is arranged to extend into one of the holes in a locked position and retract out of the hole in an unlocked position. A cam is coupled for movement with the pin connection assembly. A tube is coupled with the cam to rotate as the pin moves between the locked and unlocked positions. A pneumatic actuator is coupled with the tube for selectively rotating the tube to move the cam which in turn moves the pin, between the locked and unlocked positions.
US07690663B2
An air suspension system for a load carrying vehicle has multiple air bags associated with selected vehicle wheels to at least assist supporting the load and to control relative movement between the respective wheel and a supporting frame structure of the vehicle. A high flow-rate air tube connected to at least one air bag receives air from the connected air bag when air pressure in the air bag increases above that in the air tube. Air flows from the high flow rate air tube to a connected air bag when the air pressure in the air tube is above that of the air bag. The flow rate of air from the air tube to the air bag is controlled by the structure of the fittings between the respective air bags and the high flow-rate air tubes. A height valve maintains a predetermined pressure in the air bags when the vehicle is at rest.
US07690654B2
A card game combined with a board game. The object of the game, which can be played by at least two players, is to score the most points over the other competitors. A related aim of the game in this quest to achieve the highest points possible is to create horizontal, vertical, and diagonal placements of cards in the spirit and basics of tic-tac-toe.
US07690652B2
An image formation device includes an image formation unit and a paper feed mechanism. The image formation unit is configured to print an image on a recording paper. The paper feed mechanism includes a feed roller, a press roller, cylindrical press rings and press roller bearings. The feed roller is configured to impart conveyance force to the recording paper. The feed roller has grip portions being configured to contact the recording paper. The press roller is disposed across from the feed roller. The press roller is configured to press the recording paper against the feed roller. A paper feed path through which the recording paper is fed to the image formation unit is formed between the feed roller and the press roller. The cylindrical press rings are attached to the press roller at locations adjacent to ends of the press roller. The press roller bearings support the press roller and bias the press roller toward the feed roller via the press rings.
US07690648B2
A sheet aligning device includes first and second aligning plates disposed on opposite lateral sides of the feeder board, the first and second aligning plates being capable of being reciprocatingly moved in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction and each having a sheet abutting surface parallel to the sheet conveying direction, an input member for inputting a sheet width, and a controller for controlling the first and second aligning plates so that the first aligning plate is moved, based on the inputted sheet width, to allow the sheet abutting surface thereof to be brought into abutment with a first lateral side of each sheet, thereby laterally aligning the sheet, and the second aligning plate is moved, based on the inputted sheet width, to allow a second lateral side of each sheet close to the second aligning plate to pass through a sheet-lateral-side passing zone on the second aligning plate. The sheet-lateral-side passing zone is located closer to the axis or centerline of the sheet than the sheet abutting surface is and has a flat surface throughout the sheet conveying direction.
US07690647B2
A mechanical device to stabilize the stack height position of a compiler output tray and compress the sets in the tray is provided. The small mechanical device may be mounted in the back wall of the stacker tray near the top limit. The mechanical device includes a gravity-activated arm that moves out of the way when a set is ejected and, then, when the stacker tray lowers, the arm returns to the extended position. The tray rises again to the compiling position for the next set, pushing the arm upwards and compressing the set against the rubber contact member. The compression reduces the stack height, increases tray capacity and prevents each new set from pushing out the top of the stack.
US07690646B2
A sheet storing device having a conveyance device that converts the conveyance direction while holding the sheet and a storing section that has the first support member supporting the surface of the sheet substantially vertically, the second support member supporting the edge of the sheet and a pressing member pressing the sheet against the first support member, a post-processing apparatus equipped with the sheet storing device and an image forming system equipped with the aforesaid items.
US07690642B2
A method maintains an environment within an interior of a sheet feeder during dead-cycling of an image forming device to which the sheet feeder is operatively connected. The method jets pulses of air into the interior of the sheet feeder that houses two or more pieces of media therein while the image forming device is dead-cycling. By the method, the attractive forces between two pieces of adjacent media. In a stack are reduced or minimized, and feeding of multiple sheets can be reduced or eliminated.
US07690639B2
A sheet conveying device, that can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a first conveying unit to convey a sheet in a first sheet conveying direction, a second conveying unit including a sheet holding section to hold and transfer the sheet in a second sheet conveying direction, a sheet conveying path provided between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, a belt-type sheet conveying unit including a belt and first and second rotary belt holding members, a shaft holding member to hold the first and second rotary belt holding members to be spaced at a given constant interval, and a regulation member to regulate a movement of the belt in the sheet width direction.
US07690630B2
A long travel, varying spring rate combination spring includes two differing rate springs connected end-to-end in such a way that the lower rate spring is compressed until positive engagement of a plunger with an intermediate flange member occurs with the higher rate spring thereafter compressed. Each spring may be assembled separately and connected together with a coupling to create a combination spring, allowing various springs to be combined to meet the requirements of a particular application.
US07690627B2
A pulling tool for grabbing and pulling material from underneath structural elements. The tool has a handle, the handle having a main body portion and having one flat end portion bent from one end of the body portion. A thin, narrow, claw member is attached to the free end of the one end portion and extends across and past both sides of the one end portion to form a claw on each side of the handle at one end of the handle. Each claw is tapered to a straight end edge which edge is transverse to the end portion. Each claw has a narrow v-shaped material receiving slot extending inwardly from the straight end edge to allow the claw to grab the material being removed.
US07690624B2
A valve drive device which can prevent a locknut fixing a stem nut to a drive sleeve from getting loosened. The valve drive device comprises: the stem nut for screwing a valve stem thereinto; the drive sleeve engaging with a male spline formed on a peripheral outer surface of said stem nut, said drive sleeve including a worm gear on a peripheral outer surface thereof; a worm in meshing engagement with said worm gear; and a housing that supports said drive sleeve by bearings. The valve drive device further comprises: a stem nut fastening member having a first male screw that engages with a female screw provided on a peripheral inner surface of said drive sleeve; and a locknut that engages with a second male screw provided on a reduced diameter portion of said stem nut fastening member, said second male screw having a reverse screw thread relative to said first male screw, so that no slack may arise between said stem nut fastening member and said drive sleeve.
US07690617B2
According to one embodiment, an anti-toppling band includes a band main body having a flexibility and a plurality of through-holes formed in the band main body and arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof at an interval. The band main body includes a plurality of first portions where the plurality of through-holes are respectively located, and a plurality of second portions located in sections between the plurality of through-holes. The cross sectional area of the plurality of first portions taken along a width direction of the band main body and the cross sectional area of the plurality of second portions taken along a width direction of the band main body are equal to each other.
US07690611B2
A mounting system includes a first surface and a second surface. A device panel can include at least first and second engaging members. The first and second surfaces are sized and shaped to engage the first and second engaging members respectively, and the first and second engaging members move along the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are sized and shaped so the reaction forces between the first and second engaging members and the mounting panel cooperate to counteract the moment created by the center of gravity of the device panel to continuously immobilize the device panel at the plurality of angles relative to the support surface.
US07690602B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for active motion damping of a spacecraft whose attitude control system (SACS) has experienced a partial failure. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises, an attitude control processor (ACP), a motion damping controller (MDC) coupled to the ACP, a control moment gyro (CMG) comprising a gimbal loop controller (GLC) coupled to the MDC and a gimbal motor with input coupled to the GLC and gyroscopic torque output coupled to the satellite. Normally, a gimbal rate command (GRC) from the ACP passes to the GLC for execution to rotate the CMG gimbal and the coupled satellite. If the ACP output becomes invalid, the MDC assumes control and can modify CMG operation in several ways to safely decelerate a moving satellite without hazardous mechanical stress. Following such active motion damping, the CMG remains quiescent until a RESET is received whereby further valid GRCs are then executable.
US07690593B2
A wire guiding device includes a base and a guide portion for streamlining the flow of coiled wire from a storage container. Side walls may be included to bridge the distance between the device and the storage container to prevent wire from rising upward around the outside of the wire guiding device. As the amount of wire in the bin decreases, the wire guiding device will float downward maintaining constant downward pressure on the coil of wire. Wire in the storage container will therefore be drawn out in a smooth manner limiting or substantially preventing tangles.
US07690587B2
A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector comprising: a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seat to control fuel injection through an injector outlet; an actuator arrangement arranged to control fuel pressure with in a control chamber, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to fuel pressure with in the control chamber such that fuel pressure variations within the control chamber control movement of the valve needle relative to the valve needle seat; damping means for damping opening movement of the valve member, the damping means comprising a damper chamber and the damping means being arranged such that fuel pressure variations within the damper chamber damp opening movement of the valve member wherein the damping means is arranged such that in use there is a through flow of fuel through the damper chamber.
US07690585B1
A volcano food fountain is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the volcano food fountain includes a fountain base having a bowl, a simulated volcano carried by the fountain base in the bowl, a pump provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the bowl, a volcano opening provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the pump and a tray carried by the fountain base.
US07690582B2
A humidity controller apparatus (20) contains an adsorption rotor (24) and a heater (25). A first passage (21) along which a first air stream flows and a second passage (22) along which a second air stream flows are formed in the humidity controller apparatus (20). The amount of heat exchange between the first and second air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between the first and second air streams vary by adjustment to the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24), and the humidity controller apparatus (20) is switched between a dehumidification operation and a humidification/heating operation. During the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is set low. The first air stream is dehumidified by the adsorption rotor (24) and then supplied to the inside of a room. The second air stream is used for regeneration of the adsorption rotor (24) and then discharged to the outside of the room. During the humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (24) is set high. The first air stream receives heat and moisture from the adsorption rotor (24) and then is supplied to the inside of the room. The second air stream is heat/moisture-adsorbed by the adsorption rotor (24) and then discharged to the outside of the room.
US07690575B2
Infrared light having a wavelength in a range from about 700 nm to about 760 nm, which is non-readily visible, illuminates indicia to be electro-optically read by default. Blue visible light having a wavelength in a range from about 430 nm to about 505 nm illuminates the indicia when high-density and/or low-contrast indicia are detected.
US07690571B2
An item handling system for and method of handling items in an item stream, the system comprising: a validation unit for validating an element containing an authentication code on each item in an item stream, wherein an item is assigned as being spoiled where the element does not satisfy at least one validation criterion; and a sorting unit for separating spoiled items from the item stream.
US07690570B2
An apparatus for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and wireless smart card is provided. The apparatus includes a mode detection circuit, a switching block, a controller, an antenna, and a wired interface. Furthermore, an apparatus for a triple-mode smart card is also provided herein. The apparatus for the triple mode smart card includes a mode detection circuit, a switching block, a controller, an antenna, and a wired interface. The apparatus for the triple mode smart card operates in one of a wireless mode, a USB mode and an International Standards Organization 7816 mode or other wired mode. Furthermore, the apparatus for any of these smart cards could operate in both the wireless and wired mode(s) without conflict, and without switching power off and on to change configuration.
US07690569B2
A data acquisition system including a first sensor, a second sensor, and an electronic data acquisition device. The sensors can assume a variety of forms, such as analog, digital, bus, GPS, etc., and have disparate information formats. The data acquisition unit is electronically coupled to the sensors, and includes a processor, an aggregator module and a communication device. The processor processes information from the sensors. The aggregator module correlates signaled information from the first sensor with signaled information from the second sensor based on time. Finally, the communication device is adapted to transmit information generated by the aggregator module to a location remote of the housing.
US07690566B2
A method and form for an integrated voting system includes a single sheet having ballot information, verification information and mailing information thereon. The sheet is folded to form various panels including a first and a second panel having ballot information thereon. Sealing means is provided on one of the first and second panels and located to obscure the ballot information from view when used seal the first and the second panels. A verification panel is attached to the first and said second ballot panels to provide for verification. A first mailing panel is attached to one of the first and the second ballot panel and said verification panel to form an outer mailing envelope such that the ballot panels and verification panel can be mailed to a voting authority for processing. The panels may be of different heights to facilitate processing by a voting authority.
US07690563B2
The present invention is a method and system for protecting an identity of a user. The method includes conducting a transaction with a transaction medium issued from of an institution, which provides transaction information to the institution. A government-issued identification number (GIN) of the user and a personal identification number (PIN) of the user are provided to a database. The database returns verification information based on whether the GIN and the PIN provided to the database correspond to a recorded GIN of the user stored in the database and a recorded PIN of the user stored in the database. The institution is allowed to authorize the transaction based on the returned verification information.
US07690558B2
A system and method in a computerized healthcare environment for determining whether one or more supply items are associated with one or more task items for a patient is provided. A patient identifier is received and patient data is accessed from the patient's electronic medical record. A scanned medical supply item identifier is received and data for the scanned supply item is accessed. The supply item data and patient data are utilized to determine whether one or more task items for the patient are associated with the scanned supply item.
US07690552B2
In a first step, a roof panel and a front header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a front-end frictional joint area, and the roof panel and a rear header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a rear-end frictional joint area. The roof panel and a side roof rail are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at left-side and right-side frictional joint areas. Subsequently, in a second step, the members are joined at the plural rivet joint portions at a border area of the above-described joint areas, and the members are joined at plural rivet joints at a bounder area of the above-described joint areas. Accordingly, there can be provided a joining method and structure of metal members that can properly reduce deformation due to a thermal strain.
US07690550B2
In a reflow soldering apparatus comprising a conveyor 4 to transport circuit boards 5 mounted with electronic components into multiple chambers 1, 2 and 3, and fans 6 installed in the chambers 1, 2 and 3, the centers of the impellers in the adjacent fans 6 are not on a single perpendicular plane along the transport line of the conveyor and arrayed offset to the left and right. This apparatus may also employ a structure wherein the centers of the impellers in the adjacent fans are not on a single horizontal plane and arrayed offset up and down. Further, it may also employ a structure wherein the fans are arranged with their rotation shafts inclined.
US07690546B2
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tool actuation device comprising a housing configured to be attached to a pneumatic tool, a piston slidably moveable within a drive chamber formed within the housing and an air inlet chamber formed within housing and configured to accept a pressurized gas and direct it to the drive chamber. The piston further comprises an O-ring disposed in an annular groove formed in the piston and forming a seal between the piston and the drive chamber. The air inlet chamber is operably connected to a hose through which a pressurized gas travels and enters the housing to move the piston. The movement of the piston actuates a trigger located on the pneumatic tool.
US07690544B2
The automatic coiling machine is a device for automatically coiling an elongated flexible element, such as a fishing line. The automatic coiling machine includes a housing adapted for mounting to a support surface, such as a wall of a boat. The housing includes at least one sidewall. A drive roller is rotatably mounted to the sidewall by a drive shaft. A drive system, such as a motor, is mounted to the sidewall for selectively and controllably driving rotation of the drive shaft and, thus, the drive roller. An idler roller is rotatably mounted to the sidewall adjacent the drive roller and contacting the drive roller so that rotation of the drive roller drives rotation of the idler roller. The sidewall is angled so that an axis of rotation of the drive roller is angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the idler roller.
US07690539B1
A viscous material dispense system including a dispense valve having an outlet, a mix tube secured at an upper end thereof to the outlet of the dispense valve, a mixer shroud positioned telescopically over the mix tube and including a conical lower end, and an air shroud fitted telescopically over the lower end of the mixer shroud and defining a conical surface positioned in confronting relation to the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud. The air shroud and the lower end of the mixer shroud coact to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending flutes extending downwardly between the outer surface of the mixer shroud and the inner surface of the air shroud and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending flutes defined between the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud and the conical surface of the air shroud. Each radial flute communicates with a respective axial flute so that air enters proximate the upper end of the air shroud, moves downwardly between the air shroud and the mixer shroud as a series of axially spaced air streams, and thereafter moves radially inwardly between the lower end of the mixer shroud and the air shroud as a plurality of radially inwardly moving air streams which impinge upon a material bead exiting from the lower end of the mix tube to impart a swirling movement to the bead.
US07690534B2
A device for placing in contact at least two products which are packaged separately in two compartments. The device includes a first compartment delineated by a container and a second compartment at least partially delineated by a body connected by an intermediate part to the container. The body is designed, in response to an actuating motion, to move from a first configuration or position, in which the two compartments are isolated from each other, to a second configuration or position enabling the compartments to communicate. The intermediate part is detachable relative to the container and includes a tubular channel configured to be placed in communication with the container. The body includes a sealing element around which is defined the second compartment, with this sealing element closing off the sealing container prior to the actuating motion.
US07690530B2
A dispenser for viscous material packaged in a collapsible sleeve includes a chamber for receiving the packaged material and a piston rod and piston assembly for compressing the collapsible sleeve to dispense the viscous material through a dispensing orifice in a closure removably retained on the forward end of the chamber. The piston assembly includes a movement-limiting member having a distal surface that extends forward of a piston for limiting movement of the piston rod and piston by engaging the peripheral surface of the closure. The movement-limiting member also has an outer peripheral surface that is positioned inwardly of an inner surface of the chamber to provide an annular compartment for receiving portions of the collapsible sleeve therein when the viscous material in the sleeve has been dispensed.
US07690528B2
A mould and method for the injection-moulding of an assembly for creating a closable fluid connection, and an assembly. The assembly comprises a female element (20) and a stopper (30) which is used to close off a bore (27) in the female element (20). The mould comprises a core with a core (2) with a core body (3) and a head (4). Furthermore, the mould comprises a mould ring which is composed of a plurality of mould parts (10, 11) are designed in such a manner that the mould cavity for the stopper (30), is located at a distance from the mould cavity for the female element (20). The mould parts (10, 11) of the mould ring which lie around the core (2) together delimit an annular sealing surface (15), by means of which the mould ring, in a zone between the mould cavity for the stopper (30) and the mould cavity for the female element (20), bears in a sealing manner against the core (2) during the injection moulding, so that the mould cavities are completely separated from one another.
US07690525B2
The screw cap of plastic for closing a filling and/or removal opening of a container for the transport and storage of liquids is equipped with a plug, in which a venting and aerating device is integrated. The screw cap has a sealing cap; and a protective cover, which completely covers the screw cap and protects the screw cap against contamination.
US07690523B2
A food storage and retrieval system includes a food storage container and a basket disposed within the container. The basket includes a base and a plurality of wings disposed about a periphery of the base. The wings are pivotally attached to the base and biased to engage an inner surface of the container. An elongated handle is slidable through the base. The handle includes a flange at a lower end thereof for engaging a facing surface of the base to lift the basket within the container, and a key selectively engageable with the base to push the basket downwardly within the container.
US07690507B2
A package is formed from a carton and containers extending through a bottom panel of the carton. Engaged upper and lower strut pairs and brace apertures in the carton sidewalls provide support for the containers accommodated within the carton.
US07690504B1
An apparatus for carrying a plurality of spherical objects such as billiard balls can include a rectangular frame defining an interior area for receiving the billiard balls, in which at least some of the balls contact an inner surface of the frame, and an engaging section connected to the frame and positioned within the interior area of the frame between two opposed sides of the frame. The engaging section can move between a release position in which the billiard balls can be placed into and removed from the frame, and an engage position in which the engaging section frictionally engages some of the balls, and the balls are maintained within the frame such that they are carried by the frame and can be transported therein.
US07690502B2
The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure with two foldable receptacles extending outwardly from the vertical support panel structure. The outside wall of each receptacle is extended upwardly and bent over to cover the receptacle, and the top portions of those walls are joined together to form a carrying handle structure, either with or without the upper portion of the vertical support panel structure. The potions of the outside walls forming the covers can have openings to receive the necks of bottles such as wine and beer bottles to give added lateral support for the bottles.
US07690501B2
A conveyor module includes a plurality of first projections extending in a first direction. Each of the first projections include a hinge hole for receiving a first hinge pin. A plurality of second projections extends in a second direction substantially opposed to the first direction. Each of the second projections include a hinge hole for receiving a second hinge pin. A reinforcement bracket nests with at least a portion of one of the second projections. The reinforcement bracket includes a first hinge hole aligned with the hinge holes in each of the first projections for receiving the first hinge pin. The reinforcement bracket further includes a second hinge hole aligned with the hinge holes in the one of second projections for receiving the second hinge pin.
US07690500B2
A connector assembly for a draper belt in a harvesting machine having first and second connecting bars on opposite first and second sides of belt end flanges and a flat belt splice along the leading or trailing edge of the draper belt. By providing a flat belt splice along the leading edge, the draper belt can be located underneath a belt cover to prevent grain from leaking out onto the ground.
US07690498B2
In a device for relocating a product, in particular a blister, in a packaging machine and with an associated method, the product is received at a supply location and deposited at a deposition location. The relocating device has a first pivotable relocating arm and a second pivotable relocating arm which each have a holding mechanism for the product. The relocating arms can be adjusted along different trajectories between a transfer position at the common supply location and a deposition position at the common deposition location, and pass each other during their adjustment motion.
US07690496B1
A diverter is for intended use in connection with a diverter conveyor for diverting articles moving in a conveying direction from a first path of travel to a second path of travel. The diverter includes a guide mounted for relative movement thereto from a first position adjacent one side of the diverter corresponding to the first path of travel to a second position adjacent another side of the diverter corresponding to the second path of travel. A magnetic coupling is formed between the diverter and the guide for maintaining the guide in either the first position or the second position. A selector may be provided as part of a switch for switching the guide between the first and second positions. Related aspects include a conveyor incorporating the diverter and methods of use and manufacture.
US07690495B1
The present invention relates to a card reader assembly. The card reader assembly can be mounted in a variety of vending equipment, arcade game equipment, and other suitable equipment. Furthermore, the card reader assembly can be mounted in a standard size vending machine bill validator opening.The card reader assembly can provide for the optional mounting of a card reader, a card reader interface circuit board, a payment module board, a communication board, and or a printer. The printer mechanism is mounted on a printer bracket. The printer bracket can be slid over the edges of and fastened to the support bracket. A paper exit slot can be provided in the card reader assembly faceplate to allow the printer paper to exit through the faceplate such that a user can receive the printer paper.In addition, the printer mechanism, card reader, and or a pushbutton can be electrically connected to the card reader interface board. The card reader interface board can be electrically connected to a computing platform 802, vending interface unit (system 500), or other suitable data processing device. In addition, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) can be incorporated into the card reader assembly. The LED display can be viewable by a user of the card reader assembly.
US07690493B1
Systems and methods to facilitate the cleaning of arenas, such as stadiums having different seating levels. Pivotable bins can collect and funnel trash from different levels such as the concourse level. A series of tubes or chutes can be fixed to the arena structural undercarriage. Approximately 24″ diameter tubes can be used to funnel trash from the bins located on perimeter arena walkways to receptacle containers, recycling containers at ground levels, and even refuse removal trucks. The chutes and tubes can be located adjacent to walkway aisles on different levels of the arena. The chutes/tubes can be vertically oriented and/or be inclined as long as refuse can move down the chutes by gravity. Grates can be also used beneath the bins. And locks can further provide safety.
US07690469B2
Presented herein are four-wheel drive systems incorporating a bi-directional overrunning clutch design to control the torque transmission between front and rear transaxles. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a four-wheel drive system comprising a front transaxle, a rear transaxle, a transmission receiving drive power from a prime mover, and a bi-directional overrunning clutch drivingly coupled to an output shaft of the transmission and selectively coupled to the front and rear transaxle.
US07690468B2
To provide a drive switching mechanism for a vehicle which allows the number of parts to be reduced by simplifying the structure for 2WD/4WD switching and differential lock switching. In a drive switching mechanism for a vehicle which enables 2WD/4WD switching and differential lock switching to be effected by a single operating lever, a flange is supported on the body side so as to be pivotable in one direction, the operating lever is coupled to the flange and the flange is pivoted in the one direction, and the operating lever is supported so as to be pivotable in the other direction different from the one direction, the operating lever being operated in the one direction or the other direction to enable the 2WD/4WD switching and the differential lock switching.
US07690462B2
An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels.
US07690461B2
An all terrain vehicle is constructed to prevent rainwater or the like from entering an inner portion of an air cleaner without complicating the structure of the vehicle or making the assembly work difficult, while improving the external appearance of the vehicle. An air cleaner is provided below a seat, and the air cleaner is positioned between left and right rail main bodies when viewed from above. Left, right, bottom and rear surfaces of the air cleaner are covered with an undercover, which is separate from the air cleaner.
US07690452B2
A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the vehicle. A motor actuator drives each aft wheel, and a controller governs the motor actuator or motor actuators in such a manner as to dynamically stabilize the vehicle, according to a uniform control law, when the forward wheel is in contact with the underlying surface or not. A torque is applied to the aft wheel on the basis of vehicle pitch or the force on the forward wheel normal to the direction of motion. Additionally, a periodic rotational modulation may be applied to the aft wheel, and a stabilizing torque provided based on a detected response, either of vehicle pitch or of normal force on the front wheel. Left and right motor actuators may independently control left and right aft wheels to continue turns as governed by user steering, whether or not forward wheels are in contact with the ground.
US07690451B2
A heavy-duty vehicle accessory assembly includes a vehicle accessory having an input shaft; an electric accessory motor having an output shaft, the electric accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory; and a mechanical coupling configured to couple the electric accessory motor with the vehicle accessory, the mechanical coupling including a first pulley affixed to the output shaft of the electric accessory motor, a second pulley affixed to the input shaft of the vehicle accessory, and one or more belts that mechanically couple the first pulley with the second pulley.
US07690440B2
An agricultural seeder or fertilizer having a meter device which dispenses seed or fertilizer to a plurality of ground-engaging members. The supply of metered seed or fertilizer to each of the ground-engaging members is controlled via input from a GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system to prevent the meter device delivering seed or fertilizer to selected of the ground-engaging members which would otherwise pass over soil which has been previously seeded or fertilized. Raising means, responsive to input from said GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system detecting that the device is travelling or is about to travel over areas of soil that has been previously seeded or fertilized, is further is provided to raise the selected ground-engaging members to which delivery of seed/fertilizer has been prevented in order to prevent soil which has been previously seeded or fertilized from being disturbed. A method of operating a seeder/fertilizer implement to achieve the aforesaid is further disclosed.
US07690430B1
A tool for extracting well pipe casings resembles an enlarged pipe-thread tap. The tool is designed to be suspended under and driven by the traveling rotary table and hydraulic vertical drive system of a conventional drilling rig. By this means, well pipe casings are withdrawn from wells by engaging the tops of such well pipe casings, and unlike the prior art, which grapples well pipe casings at their very bottom, and at the end of a cable. Unlike withdrawing casing by a cable pull, wherein cables stretch and unstuck casings might launch like projectiles, the extractor tool manages to withdraw well pipe casing in a recoilless manner, which is more controlled, and safer.
US07690429B2
In an embodiment, a sealant composition comprising a swelling agent is displaced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to maintain isolation of the formation. The sealant composition may be displaced into a permeable zone through which fluid can undesirably migrate. In another embodiment, the sealant composition comprising the swelling agent is displaced into the wellbore to reduce a loss of a fluid to the formation during circulation of the fluid in the wellbore. The fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a secondary sealant composition, a fracturing fluid, or combinations thereof. The sealant composition may be displaced into a flow pathway through which fluid can undesirably migrate into the formation. In both embodiments, the swelling agent contacts water such that it swells and thereby reduces fluid flow through the permeable zone/flow pathway. The swelling agent may comprise a crosslinked co-polymer.
US07690425B2
A downhole plunger for oil and gas wells comprises an electronic ambient environmental sensor via a cargo bay. Although the sensor is preferably a downhole time, temperature, pressure and flow sensor, the device contemplates the use of any appropriate cargo to ascertain well conditions. The device can also be used to sample fluid. The sensor has a measured data memory.
US07690413B1
A tape dispensing system uses a handle section that has a plate member with a handle thereon and a receiver which removably receives a J-shaped guide bar such that its minor leg has a rounded cross-section and its major leg, used to guide, has a triangular cross-section. A drum section has a ring with upwardly facing scalloped indents and downwardly depending resilient tabs that receive the core of the roll and bias against the roll. A circumferential lip of the handle section is removably and rotatably received within an annular lip on an inner edge of the ring member.
US07690408B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique to improve usability of a workbench for a power tool. To achieve the object, a representative workbench for a power tool is provided with a table, first and second supports, a shaft, a handle body, a handle, a lock mechanism and a lock release member. The lock release member includes an elongated element disposed below the upper surface of the table and extending along the table toward the handle, and the lock of the table is released when the user pulls the elongated element in the longitudinal direction of the elongated element. According to the invention, the user can release the lock of the table simply by pulling the elongated element, so that ease of lock releasing operation is enhanced.
US07690399B2
A surge tank is sized to retain a volume of fluid. A fluid inlet/outlet port is attached to the tank, and an elastomeric bladder is disposed within the tank and separates the fluid from a volume of gas. A nozzle system is disposed within the tank and has a nozzle member comprising a first plurality of axially elongate perforations, and a second plurality of perforations. The nozzle member can extend a partial or complete distance with tank. The tank body includes a throat that extends outwardly from a portion of the tank adjacent the port, and a portion of the nozzle member comprising the first plurality of perforations is disposed within the throat. An annular space exists adjacent the nozzle member in the neck to facilitate the flow of solid constituent within the fluid from the tank and into the nozzle member.
US07690390B2
A frame is formed of two laterally spaced rods. The rods have forward ends and rearward ends. The frame has a plurality of cross tubes. The cross tubes have opposed ends. The opposed ends are coupled to the rods. Forward retaining components couple the forward ends of the rods to a vehicle forwardly. Rearward components couple the rearward ends of the straps to a vehicle rearwardly. A flexible canopy fabric has pockets receiving the rods and cross tubes.
US07690385B2
An electrically heated cigarette smoking system includes a cigarette that is formed with a tobacco rod portion, a filter tube portion, a tobacco mat layer wrapped around the tobacco rod portion and the filter tube portion with opposite ends of the tobacco mat layer abutting along a seam parallel to the central axis of the cigarette and cigarette paper wrapped around the tobacco mat layer and bonded to itself along an overlapped seam that is offset from the seam of the tobacco mat layer. The method of manufacturing the cigarette includes wrapping the tobacco mat layer and the cigarette paper around the tobacco rod portion and the filter tube portion on a single, high-speed machine.
US07690383B2
A cigarette making apparatus includes a cooling-water passage which allows a coolant to circulate along a flavoring-material supply path which connects an application nozzle for applying a flavoring material to a wrapping-paper web and a pump for supplying the flavoring material to the application nozzle, to thereby cool the flavoring material. A cooling unit controls the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooling-water passage. Specifically, the cooling unit controls the temperature of the flavoring material by selectively activating a first control system for detecting the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooling-water passage and controlling the temperature of the coolant, and a second control system for detecting the temperature of the flavoring material supplied to the application nozzle and controlling the temperature of the coolant. Since the temperature of the flavoring material is controlled to fix the viscosity thereof, the amount per unit area of the flavoring material applied to the wrapping-paper web is fixed only by controlling the drive of the pump depending on the rate of supply of the wrapping-paper web.
US07690377B2
The invention provides receivers which can be used to heat a working fluid to high temperature. In preferred embodiments, concentrated solar radiation is received and converted to heat at varying depths in the receiver such that multiple layers of surface are used to heat the working fluid. In addition, the depth-loading configuration helps to trap received heat to reduce radiant thermal loss.
US07690375B2
The gas tube fryer comprises substantially 90° in-shot burners, burner mounting boxes, a one-piece burner mounting bracket, and a bracket housing, all of which are used in conjunction with heat exchanger tubes, heat transfer baffles, a frypot, and a flue in a fryer. The burner mounting boxes are keyed specifically to the face of the burner, preventing substantial movement of the burners and introduction of ambient air into the heat exchange tubes. Each burner is also keyed to the mounting bracket, also preventing substantial movement and providing easy installation and repair. The ninety-degree orientation of the burners facilitates mixing of the combustion gases, and the burner comprises a screen on its face that helps to ensure maximum burner efficiency.
US07690370B2
A fuel injection controller for an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a fuel vapor treatment device having a collector for collecting fuel vapor generating in a fuel tank; a purge line that introduces purge gas into an intake passage of the engine, the purge gas being a mixture of fuel vapor released from the collector and air; and a purge valve provided in the purge line to adjust flow rate of the purge gas. The fuel injection controller corrects an amount of fuel injected from an fuel injection valve based on an amount of fuel vapor contained in the purge gas flowing into a combustion chamber of the engine. The fuel injection controller comprises an estimation section for estimating the inflow amount of the purge gas flowing into the combustion chamber based on a passed amount of purge gas that has passed through the purge valve and a compensation value for compensating transportation delay. The compensation value is set based on internal pressure of the intake passage and velocity of intake air that flows into the combustion chamber.
US07690367B2
An engine (internal combustion engine), in accordance with an embodiment, includes: a cylinder head disposed above a crankcase; a cylinder head cover attached to cover an upper side of the cylinder head; and an ignition plug provided with a plug part inserted into the cylinder head and a plug cap disposed outside the cylinder head cover. The cylinder head cover includes a gas passage formed in such a U-shape as to surround the plug cap of the ignition plug as viewed from an insertion side of the ignition plug, the gas passage allowing fuel gas (blow-by gas) containing oil to flow in from the crankcase.
US07690366B1
A throttle assembly including a first throttle component that is formed of a plastic material including a conductive additive substantially homogeneously dispersed within the plastic material, and a second throttle component is axially aligned with the first throttle component and movable relative to the first throttle component between a first position and a second position to selectively vary a flow through the throttle assembly. A terminal is coupled to the first throttle component such that electricity may be provided to the first throttle component, thereby resistively heating the first throttle component via the conductive additive and a flow window is defined in one of the first throttle component and the second throttle component.
US07690359B2
A flange assembly 23 of a fuel supply unit includes a flange 22 constructed and arranged to be mounted to a fuel tank and a strut support structure 18 separate from the flange. The support structure includes a body 20 and at least a pair of strut supports 30 integral with the body and disposed in spaced relation. Each strut support is constructed and arranged to engage and support a strut. The body 20 is coupled to the flange 22 at one of a plurality of possible orientations such that the strut supports 30 are located at one of a plurality of selectable positions with respect to the flange 22.
US07690352B2
A system and method for selecting the data content of an ionization feedback signal is disclosed. An ignition system monitors both the ionization signal and ignition coil dwell data. The ignition system outputs either the ionization signal or the ignition coil dwell data on the ionization feedback line, depending on what information is desired by the powertrain control module. In one embodiment, the ionization signal is only output during the before ignition period when the operating condition of the engine indicates possible pre-ignition conditions.
US07690345B2
An intake manifold system for an international combustion engine includes an engine intake manifold having a valve; and an actuator connected to the valve to control valve opening. The actuator is connected to a pressurized coolant reservoir of the engine to allow the use of the pressurized fluid of the coolant reservoir to operate the actuator.
US07690339B2
A variable valve timing and lift mechanism includes an actuator that adjusts the period in which an intake valve is held open by moving a drive element. When a control unit switches the duration, the control unit controls the actuator so that the duration is changed at a first speed when the duration is equal to a first value, and at a second speed when the duration is equal to a second value that is smaller than the first value. The absolute value of the second speed is smaller than the absolute value of the first speed. In effect, the actuator is controlled so that when the duration is in a short-duration range, the duration changes more slowly than when the duration is in a long-duration range.
US07690328B2
The invention relates to a milk conveyer device (100) for an animal. The milk conveyer device is to be implemented in a milking arrangement which comprises a milk storage reservoir (101) coupled to a milking attachment for attaching to an animal to be milked through a main milk conduit (103, 105). A sample element (109, 111) extracts milk, which is collected in a sample reservoir (115, 117). The sample reservoir (115,117) is connected to an analysis element (129) through an analysis conduit (123, 125). During the flow of the milk from the sample reservoir to the analysis element (129), the milk itself provides a cleaning effect. The flow is initially at a high flow rate and later at a reduced flow rate. A plurality of analysis conduits (123, 125) are connected to the analysis element (129), which comprises a selector unit (127), which couples milk from one of the analysis conduits (123, 125) to the analysis element (129). The device provides a self-cleaning effect and a low carry-over of milk between two successive milking operations, i.e. between the milk of two different animals.
US07690321B2
A collapsible path barrier has at least three integrally-formed wall sections with a plurality of living hinges, as a series, joining each adjacent pair of wall sections, the at least three wall sections including two endmost wall sections joinable to form an upright structure. A collapsible path barrier may include a plurality of interconnected wall sections each having a top-facing side, where one of the top-facing sides has a pocket adapted for securely holding a light. A thermoformed unitary plastic object may include at least two wall sections, at least one hinge member connecting adjacent interior ones of the wall sections' longitudinal sides, the hinge member comprising a plurality of interconnected living hinges, where a nominal thickness of the at least one hinge members of the thermoformed unitary plastic object approximates 0.100 inch.
US07690315B2
A nestable pallet includes an upper deck from which a plurality of feet extend downwardly. The upper deck includes an upper planar member and cross-ribs extending downwardly therefrom. The pallet is sturdy yet light weight and can be optionally provided with a reinforcement sheet secured to the lower ends of the ribs to provide a stronger, stiffer pallet.
US07690313B2
A chairlift has chairs for conveying persons. The chairs may be detachably fastened to a haulage and conveying cable. A closing bar can be moved from a closed position into an open position and is mechanically connected by way of a Bowden cable or the like to a lever which interacts with rails that are arranged at the entry and exit of a station of the cableway system. In order to check whether the closing bar is completely opened or closed, a sensor for detecting the position of the actuating device is arranged in the region of the end of the rails as viewed in the conveying direction of the cable.
US07690312B2
A projectile, including a compacted and sintered mixture of a plurality of tungsten particles and a plurality of iron particles. At least a portion of the plurality of iron particles are bonded together, and no intermetallic compounds or alloys of the tungsten particles and iron particles are formed during the compaction and sintering processes. The final density of the projectile is from about 8.1 grams per cubic centimeter to about 12.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and no substantial densification occurs during sintering. A method of producing such a projectile is also disclosed.
US07690305B2
The invention relates to an increment charge (4) to be placed around a tail shaft of a fin-stabilized mortar projectile (1), the increment charge (4) having a centrally located space for the tail shaft and a mounting opening in the space for mounting the increment charge (4). On the opposite side of the increment charge (4) there is provided a protrusion that fits into the mounting opening of an adjacent increment charge (4) for locking them in relation to each other.
US07690300B2
A method for producing a security document having printed image 1 produced by steel intaglio printing and embossed microstructures 2 of an order of magnitude of less than 100 microns is carried out by one printing plate 8 on which both the steel intaglio structures and the microstructures are present. The parts of the microstructures closest to printing plate surface 9 are located 20 to 100 microns below the printing plate surface so that they are not touched and destroyed by the wiping cylinder. Alternative methods for producing a steel intaglio printing plate with integrated microstructures are provided. The microstructures can be used for embossing a diffractive relief or a blind embossing.
US07690297B1
A baler tie feed apparatus is provided having a compaction chamber, a platen and a door, wherein aligned channels are defined within the top and bottom of the compaction chamber, the platen and the door so as to define a plurality of continuous open channels surrounding a bale of compacted material having horizontal top and bottom portions and vertical front and rear portions. A tie feed apparatus is provided which comprises a plurality of elongate tie engaging members, each of which engages tying media inserted through the top and rear portions of the channels and is advanced to thread the tying media through the bottom portion of the channels.
US07690291B2
A method is described of preventing weapon fire during operation of a self-contained gimbaled weapon system (GWS). The GWS has a sighting system, a weapon and a weapon cradle. The weapon cradle is elevated by an operator using a first elevation drive and moved in azimuth using an azimuth drive. In the method, the sighting system is moved using a second elevation drive and the azimuth drive to acquire a target based on signals received from a first operator interface and display unit located remotely from the GWS. The method further involves observing target information received from the first operator interface and display unit using a second observation unit having a display unit, and overriding operator control of the weapon based on the observation of the second observation unit to prevent firing of the weapon.
US07690285B2
One embodiment of a manual safety vegetable cutter has a frame which is supported on feet and which is provided with two parallel longitudinal uprights. The uprights define two guiding rails for a carriage which can be moved back and forth in translation and which are connected by means of a plate for adjusting the cutting width. At least one cutting blade is mounted transversely between the longitudinal uprights. The vegetable cutter is provided with at least one removable disc-cutting cartridge which can be inserted longitudinally between the uprights of the frame and which comprises a first edge, on which the cutting blade is mounted This disc-cutting cartridge is provided with gripping elements which co-operate with positioning elements provided on the frame.
US07690277B2
A device for starting an internal combustion engine for hand-held tools, chainsaws, lawnmowers, trimmers and the like, includes a rotatable pulling medium roller which can be brought into functional connection with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine in order to bring about a rotation of the crankshaft. The starting device has a simply configured functional connection between the crankshaft and the pulling medium roller and effectively reduces the force peaks reaching the pulling medium roller. To accomplish this, a deformation body having elastic deformation behaviour is arranged in the functional connection between the pulling medium roller and the crankshaft. The deformation body compensates for leading or lagging of the crankshaft with respect to the pulling medium roller.
US07690273B2
The force-measuring device includes a measuring unit and a reference unit, the latter serving to deliver a reference quantity, a reference current (IREF) or a reference voltage (UREF), through which the force (FMO) of a measurement object which is to be determined can be measured by the measuring unit. The reference unit is a force-measuring device which is loaded with a reference mass and which in accordance with the principle of electromagnetic force compensation generates a reference current (IREF) that can be regulated through a measuring- and regulating device in such that in a first reference coil which is held by a reference lever, the reference current (IREF) generates a magnetic field which cooperates with the magnetic field of a reference magnet. Through this cooperation a magnetic force is brought to bear on the reference lever. As a result, the force (FREF) of the reference mass which is likewise acting on the reference lever can be compensated by said magnetic force.
US07690265B2
A testing device applies a load controlled bending moment which is constant along a length of an elongated member. The testing device also includes a drive system which rotates the elongated member while the bending load is applied to rapidly find defects which may only appear at a particular rotational position to determine whether the bending stiffness is uniform about the entire diameter of the elongated member.
US07690263B2
A strain sensor is provided including a substrate, and a sensing layer, including cobalt, provided on the substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the sensing layer, and a tunnel layer including aluminum oxide is provided on the sensing layer. In addition, a pinned layer, also including cobalt, is provided on the tunnel layer. An exchange biasing layer is provided on the pinned layer, and a second electrode is coupled to the exchange biasing layer. The strain sensor is configured such that, over a range of values of strain applied to the sensor, a resistance of the sensor is a linear function of the strain. A related method is also disclosed.
US07690258B2
An impact elastic wave test is conducted to measure propagating waves in a pipe to be examined, a frequency spectrum of the propagating waves is analyzed, and at least a spectral area value in a first frequency region and a spectral area value in a second frequency region of the frequency spectrum are evaluated, thereby determining a type of a deteriorated state of the buried pipe. A correlation relationship between a parameter obtained from a force-deformation relationship indicating a relationship between a force externally input to a sample pipe and a deformation of the sample pipe due to the force, and impact elastic wave test data obtained by conducting an impact elastic wave test with respect to the sample pipe is previously obtained, an impact elastic wave test is conducted with respect to a pipe to be examined to collect impact elastic wave measurement data of the pipe to be examined, and the actually measured impact elastic wave measurement data is evaluated based on the correlation relationship, thereby quantitatively determining a degree of deterioration of the pipe to be examined.
US07690253B2
A fall detecting method and a device for detecting a fall with high accuracy even when an object touches a human or a thing while falling. The fall detecting device has an output detecting part for generating an acceleration detection output after comparing the magnitude of acceleration detected by a three-axis acceleration sensor with a certain threshold, an output interruption correcting part for generating an output interruption corrected acceleration output which is corrected for an interruption when a fall acceleration output recovers within a first predetermined time after the fall acceleration output interrupts, and an output continuation time judging part for generating a fall judgment output when the output interruption corrected acceleration output continues for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time.
US07690244B2
The invention relates to a method for measuring the permeability to gases of the wall of a hollow body (6) made of polymeric material, characterized: in that it comprises a first conditioning step during which a flushing gas flushes said hollow body (6), and a second measuring step during which a measurement gas is introduced into said hollow body (6); in that the flow of flushing gas is greater than the flow of the measurement gas, and; the flushing gas is sent into the hollow body (6) without mixing with the measurement gas.
US07690234B2
A tip tool guide apparatus is brought into a water chamber of a steam generator of nuclear power equipment, and guides a tip tool, such as a shot peening head, along a necessary region. For this purpose, a tip tool guide apparatus 1000 is composed of a swivel support portion 100, a slide table 200, and a manipulator 300. The swivel support portion 100 is self-supported and fixed within the water chamber, and turns the slide table 200 connected thereto. The slide table 200 connects the manipulator 300, and moves the manipulator 300 slidingly in a fore-and-aft direction. The manipulator 300 grasps the tip tool at its leading end. For bringing into the water chamber, the swivel support portion 100, the slide table 200, and the manipulator 300 are separated from each other, brought in individually, and assembled within the water chamber to constitute the tip tool guide apparatus 1000.
US07690232B2
A locking device having a locking cylinder and a key. The locking cylinder includes a cylinder core with tumblers in a cylinder core, which is rotatably mounted in a cylinder housing. Standard coding for the key is produced by a step with longitudinal profiling on at least one flat side of the edge profile of the key, said step being associated with a counter step on the tumbler. In addition to the standard coding produced by step and counter step, the key has at least one set of beveled edge coding in a corner section of the edge profile. The beveled edged coding consists of recesses in the form of beveled cuts in the corresponding corner sections of the edge profile, relative to which are provided counter touching points in the corresponding tumbler. In a section of the key shaft, either the standard coding or beveled edge coding can optionally be used, thereby considerably increasing the diversity of the locking device while retaining the space-saving design.
US07690224B1
A yarn changing set for color altering heads includes a yarn splint plate, a movable cutter plate, a yarn cutting plate and a yarn changing plate positioned in an overlapped manner. A plurality of pins are coupled between the yarn splint plate and yarn cutting plate to allow the movable cutter plate and yarn changing plate to move between them. The movable cutter plate and yarn changing plate have respectively a notch at one edge opposing each other to form a confined area to limit movement of the pins when driven by a cam. The yarn cutting plate has a plurality of notches on the edges to hold the pins. Thus an open type design is formed to expose cotton accumulating portions to facilitate clearing of accumulated cotton. Therefore, smooth operation can be maintained and life span of the machine and elements increases.
US07690220B2
The invention provides a personal ornament capable of reliably retaining the personal ornament with strong magnetic attraction force of metallic magnets. The magnetic attraction force is not less than a predetermined value, and hence it enhances safety against theft, and is excellent in wearing and removing by a wearer. The personal ornament comprises a string-shaped tube made of a flexible material and capable of being twisted and bent, a plurality of columnar metallic magnets inserted into the string-shaped tube, and an outer covering provided on an outer peripheral surface of the string-shaped tube. Alternatively, the personal ornament comprises a personal ornament body formed by inserting a plurality of columnar metallic magnets into a string-shaped tube, and a retainer capable of fixing one end side and the other end side of the personal ornament body in a state where both end sides are aligned in parallel with each other.
US07690192B2
A rocket engine includes a combustor assembly for carrying out a combustion process of fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants to produce thrust. A swirl generator is positioned within the combustor assembly to produce a turbulent flowfield of the fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants within the combustor assembly.
US07690184B2
A method for treating an airflow, laden with oil, flowing in a tube communicating with a rolling bearing enclosure of a gas turbine engine, wherein the airflow is made to travel into a coking box associated with a heating mechanism, in which the air is heated to a sufficient temperature to coke the oil particles contained in the airflow. Preferably, the solid residues produced by the coking are collected in the coking box.
US07690183B2
Disclosed is a chain lock for round steel chains, comprising two lock halves, each of which is provided with a rear section (4, 5) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain lock (1) as well as coupling sections (6 to 9) that adjoin the ends of the rear section (4, 5). One respective coupling section (6, 8) is fitted with a locking pin (16) which extends perpendicular to a parting plane (TE) of the chain lock (1) and encompasses a web-like projection (22) at the free end (18) thereof, on the side facing the other coupling section (7, 9). The projection (22) borders a pocket that extends from one side surface (20) to another side surface (21) of the lock half (2, 3) and accommodates a forked leg (26) of the other lock half (2, 3), which conforms to the contour of the pocket (23). The pocket (23) has external, essentially rectilinear flanks (27, 28) which face the side surfaces (20, 21), the angle (W1) enclosed by the flanks (27, 28) ranging from 120° to 150°.
US07690179B2
A method of maintaining the location of a fiber doff inner-diameter-tow at a point of payout within a constant inertial reference frame includes providing a flat fiber tow payout system with a center-pull doff of flat fiber tow that pays out at a point of payout along an inner diameter of the center-pull doff with rotation of the center-pull doff about a vertically oriented axis of rotation, the flat fiber tow payout system including a constant inertial reference frame for payout of the flat fiber tow along the inner diameter of the center-pull doff without twisting the flat fiber tow; and accelerating and stopping rotation of the center-pull doff with the flat fiber tow payout system so as to maintain payout of the flat fiber tow along the inner diameter of the center-pull doff in the constant inertial reference frame, preventing twisting of the flat fiber tow.
US07690172B2
This invention is a device and method to seal covers on containers such as food containers. But it can be used to seal containers for other products also. Its design allows its configuration for use on containers and covers of different sizes and shapes.
US07690167B2
Novel structural support framing assemblies and component thereof are described herein for use in residential, commercial, and industrial building construction. Preferred embodiments of the inventive framing assembly include the employment of a variety of structural studs and stud mounts, the studs preferably fabricated of a composite material.
US07690166B2
A waterproof structure of a building, includes: at least two face members disposed on an exterior of the building; a sealing member disposed between end edge portions of the face members; a joint covering member disposed between the end edge portions. The end edge portions are folded to protrude exteriorly and have constrained portions for narrowing a gap therebetween. The sealing member is disposed between the end edge portions to close the gap between the end edge portions. The joint covering member covers and presses the sealing member from an exterior side. The joint covering member is attached to the constrained portions acting elastic force between the constrained portions.
US07690160B2
The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members.
US07690155B2
A window regulator for a vehicle includes first, second, third, fourth belt guiding members, a loop belt member including a plurality of teeth at a first surface and installed on the belt guiding members with exhibiting an eight-shape, and a rotational member engaged with the belt member and driven by a motor. The belt member includes first and second moving portions, which are arranged in parallel with each other, and third and fourth moving portions, which are arranged to intersect each other. First and second supporting members are connected to the belt member at the first and second moving portions, respectively. First and second twisted portions are provided at the belt member at the third and fourth moving portions, respectively, by twisting the belt member for reversing first and second surfaces of the belt member. Accordingly, the teeth of the belt member contact all of the belt guiding members.
US07690149B2
The embodiments of Fan Fold Support employ a foam sheet with folds and apertures formed by the foam sheet. The apertures are formed by the foam sheet at alternating folds so that every other fold has an aperture. The final end shape is formed by folding in an accordion-like manner the folds and secured with a compression band. When folded the foam sheet folds are oriented at the top of the folded structure and the apertures are located at the bottom of the folded structure. The sheet may be of various geometry so as to accommodate a variety of final folded end shapes such as a block form, an oval shape, a square, a cylindrical, a cone, a cubic, hexagon, a pentagon, and other multi-sided structures. Objects to be supported are then placed between the folds formed by the foam sheet in the Fan Fold Support.
US07690146B2
A cheating dummy for repelling deer and similar animals from forbidden site is invented. In addition to cheating ability, the dummy also equipped with sensor for detecting approaching animals and capable of triggering actions such as spreading water toward approaching animals, generating ultra-sound to scare them and even making a gunshot sound to repel them. By combining cheating and scaring functions, the repelling effect is expected to be much better than those devices using only sprinkling water or ultra-sound repelling alone. The cheating dummy is user decoratable by dressing with customized outfits for decoration or increasing cheating ability.
US07690145B2
A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.
US07690143B2
An air conditioner is provided. In the air conditioner, a front frame is coupled to a front portion of a main body; a panel member is coupled to a front portion of the front frame; and an art panel detachably inserted into the panel member.
US07690133B2
Shoe (10), in particular for a child, which advantageously has an unusually long lifetime, is of the type comprising a sole (12) and a upper (14), that define a determined fitting volume (V2), in which a determined length (L2) and a determined fitting (C2) are individualized, said shoe (10) comprising at least one removable, fittable spacer (20), which determines a reduced fitting volume (V1), in which a reduced length (L1) and a reduced fitting (C1) are individualized with respect to said determined length (L2) and said determined fitting (C2), respectively.
US07690124B1
A self-supporting apparatus and method for locating a stud in a wall and providing a hands-free laser-level with visible indication of the stud includes a body and a rare earth magnet attached to the body. A battery-operated laser assembly is attached to the device and emits a laser-line that is visible on a surface of a wall when it is energized. A means for leveling the laser is attached to the body to align or indicate when the laser-line is plumb or disposed at an angle with respect to vertical.
US07690113B2
A process for producing a high temperature-resistant structure provides at least one at least partially structured metallic layer. A smooth metallic layer is deformed by a rolling process, in which oil at least partially wets the at least one layer. The oil is at least partially removed. Lubricant is fed onto at least one subsection of the at least one layer. A structure is at least partially shaped. Technical joining connections are produced for fixing the structure.
US07690112B2
Process and apparatus for producing a turbine component, turbine component and use of the apparatusTurbine components have to withstand high thermal and mechanical loads. It therefore proves advantageous for them to be made from a material with a preferred crystal orientation. Hitherto, the turbine components with a preferred crystal orientation have been produced as a single piece, with relatively high scrap rates. The proposed concept makes it possible to produce a preferred turbine component (9, 10) in a particularly simple way by assembling a turbine component (9, 10) at least from a first base part (1) and a build-up material (8), the subregion (7) of the joining zone having a preferred crystal orientation (2), so that disadvantageous properties of a joining zone without a preferred crystal orientation (2) which have hitherto been encountered are avoided.
US07690111B2
A method for repairing a rotor of a turbine includes providing a rotor having a groove portion defined by a circumferential portion of the rotor. The circumferential portion of the rotor is removed to create an opening to provide access to the groove such that the opening, immediately adjacent the groove, is narrower than the groove. A guide block may be extended into a receiving slot separating a first protruding surface from a second protruding surface of the rotor such that a weld area slot of the guide block extends over at least a portion of the opening. The opening may be welded adjacent the guide block to close at least a portion of the opening.
US07690108B2
A unique self-compensating structure mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a compensating block element having a back portion with at least a first guide surface and a front portion with at least a third guide surface. A mechanical support member having at least a second guide surface with at least a guide element disposed thereon for sliding engagement with the at least a first guide surface. At least a complaint member cooperatively positioned between a surface on the compensating block element and the at least a third guide surface on the mechanical support member. The at least a third guide surface being cooperatively and movably associated along a back portion of an electrical socket connector via the at least a complaint member for compensating and absorbing external stress and strain of a plug-in connector during alternating plugging and unplugging of the plug-in connector from the socket connector, while simultaneously mitigating damage to the PCB.
US07690107B2
A method and apparatus for aligning components on a module. A flexible circuit may be attached to a module in which a tooling apparatus is attached to the module. A plurality of circuit pads on a functional section of the flexible circuit is aligned by a first alignment structure located on a sacrificial portion of the flexible circuit to a second alignment structure on the tooling apparatus. The flexible circuit is attached to the module while the flexible circuit is in an aligned position.
US07690106B2
A ceramic header configured to form a portion of an electronic device package includes a mounting portion configured to provide a mounting surface for an electronic device. In addition, the ceramic header includes one or more conductive input-output connectors operable to provide electrical connections from a first surface of the ceramic header to a second surface of the ceramic header. The ceramic header also includes one or more thermally polished surfaces.
US07690097B1
In some embodiments, methods for securing a cylindrical screen jacket to a base pipe include heating the screen jacket to expand it so that its inner diameter becomes greater than the outer diameter of the base pipe, positioning the base pipe at least partially within the screen jacket and allowing the screen jacket to cool and contract, engaging the base pipe.
US07690096B1
Mattresses and methods for processing a flexible foam material for use in a mattress to provide a mattress foam material that has more consistent firmness over time and area. The methods include pre-conditioning the foam pad or mattress by applying a force across a substantial portion of a major surface of the mattress to compress or stretch the height of the foam, the length of the foam, and/or the width of the foam to break or open closed cells. In certain embodiments, the force is applied by repeatedly pressing a platen against the foam pad or placing the foam pad between one or more rollers.
US07690095B2
To provide a method for manufacturing a quartz piece which can suppress the deterioration of the CI and the temperature characteristic failure by forming the end surface of the quartz piece perpendicularly. A method for manufacturing a quartz piece that has a shape having two sides facing each other from a quartz substrate, includes the steps of: forming an etching mask provided with an opening area for forming the outside shape along one side out of the two sides which face each other, and provided with no opening area on the other side out of the two sides facing each other, on one surface side of the quartz substrate; and forming an etching mask provided with an opening area for forming an outside shape along the other side out of the two sides which face each other, and provided with no opening area on the one side, on the other surface side of the quartz substrate. Formation of protrusions is reduced when, at the time of etching from one surface side of the quartz substrate, the rate of etching in the direction from the one side toward the other side is greater than the rate of etching in the direction from the other side toward the one side due to the anisotropy of quartz, and at the time of etching from the other surface side of the quartz substrate, the rate of etching in the direction from the other side toward the one side is greater than the rate of etching in the direction from the one side toward the other side due to the anisotropy of quartz.
US07690093B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for producing nonwoven, fleece-like fiber products, said apparatus comprising a transfer belt configured to transport an intermediate product on the underside of a transfer belt to a roller arrangement, said roller arrangement comprising four rotatable rollers that are arranged and configured to interact in pairs in constellations that can be selectively modified, wherein each of the four rollers has a rotational axis, and the four rotational axes run at least approximately parallel to each other.
US07690091B2
A loop closure includes a deformable loop and a closure with at least one entrance opening for at least one end of the loop which is fixed in the closure. The closure has a locking bolt opening with a locking bolt fixed once in the closure. By way of the locking bolt the end of the deformable loop is positively and/or non-positively fixed in the closure.
US07690085B2
The invention relates to a pole grip (1), particularly for walking sticks, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross-country ski poles and Nordic walking poles, comprising a grip body (3) and a hook-like device (14) for attaching a hand-retaining device particularly provided in the form of a hand strap or a glove. Latching means (6, 11) are placed in the area of the hook-like device (14) in such a manner that a strap-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device (33), which is inserted from above into the hook-like device (14) and which is provided on a hand-retaining device, is fixed in the hook-like device (14) in a self-latching manner. This simple and self-latching mechanism enormously simplifies use and is preferably combined with a safety release in the event of a heavy load acting in the opening direction of the hook-like device.
US07690082B2
The present invention discloses a multi-directional spindle construction, comprising a fixed part which is a seat having a rod hole, at least a sleeve on one side, and an axle hole disposed in the sleeve; at least a horizontal coupler which is a rod provided with an elastic axle fittingly inserted to the axle hole on one side and a linking portion on the other side; a vertical coupler which is also a rod provided with an elastic axle inserted through the rod hole of the fixed part to be secured vertically; and a rotating part which is a tubular body disposed with a sleeve to be insertingly connected to the axle, such that the axle of the horizontal coupler may rotate in the sleeve of the fixed part to achieve lifting open or close and the axle sleeve of the rotating part may freely rotate on the shaft of the vertical coupler.
US07690078B2
A vacuum cleaner includes a base having first and second inlet ports and a fan configured to draw air through the inlet ports into the base. A vacuuming head is removably attachable to the base to channel air from a surface into the first inlet port to clean the surface while covering and blocking the second inlet port. An attachment, different than the head, is removably attachable to the base to channel air into the second inlet port.
US07690074B2
The invention relates to a connecting device for a blade on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system, the wiper blade being formed by a springy support element that is provided with a wiper strip. The inventive connecting device comprises a holding mechanism that is fastened to the outer edges of the support element, and a connecting bolt which is disposed on the holding mechanism and runs transversal to the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade. The aim of the invention is to design such a connecting device in such a way that the parts which are subject to wear are placed on the wiper blade. The aim is achieved by the fact that an adapter bracket is hinged to the connecting bolt. The final piece of the wiper arm, which is adapted to the adapter bracket, can be joined in a fixed and detachable manner to the adapter bracket via a locking connection or latch and is connected thereto in a fixed manner in the assembled state of the wiper blade. Moreover, the adapter bracket us embodied such that the connecting bolt, and thus also the wiper blade, is able to perform a swinging movement relative thereto the swinging movement being due to and determined by a curvature of the vehicle window.
US07690066B2
An automatic pool cleaner is provided of the type for random travel over submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool or the like to dislodge and collect debris. The pool cleaner includes an electric-powered traction drive system for rotatably driving cleaner wheels, and an electric-powered water management system including a water supply pump and related manifold unit for venturi-vacuuming and collection of settled debris within a porous filter bag. A directional control system including an on-board compass monitors turning movements of the pool cleaner during normal random travel operation, and functions to regulate the traction drive system in a manner to prevent, e.g., excess twisting of a conduit such as a power cable tethered to the pool cleaner.
US07690058B1
An adjustable bed frame assembly includes a clamp which fits with two aligned and overlapping frame rails, including horizontal and vertical legs of the frame rails, to enable relative adjustment of the frame rails and to fix the bed frame at a set dimension. A leg mount extends from the clamp with a structure for mounting a vertical leg for additional elevation and support of the bed frame. The vertical extent of the leg is also adjustable by interconnection with one or more extension pieces. The configuration of the clamp and the leg mount both stiffens the bed frame and provides a very rigid support member for the bed frame. The leg mount can be formed from a single piece of metal with an open seam, and the extension pieces can be formed from a single piece of metal with an open seam.
US07690049B2
A safety vest is sized to be worn by a human, wherein the vest has a front and back and left and right sides each having a shoulder portion. An EL strip is provided on each side of the vest extending from the bottom of the vest upwards toward the shoulder portion. A power source is supported by the vest and connected to the EL lamp strips to supply electrical energy to the strips so that they emit EL light, wherein the EL light emitted by the EL strip is a safety yellow color, and wherein other portions of the vest are a safety orange color. Further safety articles of clothing and devices are also described, including a power pack unit.
US07694341B2
A digital rights management system permits an application owner to cause code to be injected into the application's run-time instruction stream so as to restrict execution of that application to specific hardware platforms. In a first phase, an authorizing entity (e.g., an application owner or platform manufacturer) authorizes one or more applications to execute on a given hardware platform. Later, during application run-time, code is injected that performs periodic checks are made to determine if the application continues to run on the previously authorized hardware platform. If a periodic check fails, at least part of the application's execution string is terminated—effectively rendering the application non-usable. The periodic check is transparent to the user and difficult to circumvent.
US07694334B2
A digital “baton” is provided from a firewall or other gateway, or other network device, to a device B outside the firewall, when a device A, which is inside the firewall, requests information from the device B. The device B may pass the digital baton to subsequent electronic devices that may respond to the request using the digital baton to send messages or information through the firewall to the device A. The firewall authenticates and filters the messages based on authentication of the batons contained within the messages.
US07694330B2
The present invention provides a flexible, tamper-resistant authentication system, or personal authentication device (PAD), which can support applications in authentication, authorization and accounting. The PAD stores at least one public key associated with a certificate authority (CA) and receives one or more digital certificates, which may be authenticated based on the stored CA public keys. The PAD outputs a service key that, depending on the application, may be used to gain access to a controlled space, obtain permission for taking a certain action, or receive some service. The operation of the PAD and the nature of the service key may be determined by digital certificates that it receives during operation. Using a stored PAD private key that is kept secret, the PAD may perform a variety of security-related tasks, including authenticating itself to a user, signing service keys that it generates, and decrypting content on received digital certificates.
US07694324B2
The present invention provides for rendering graphics/image data at an electronic device that typically has limited resources. A video data steam is received at an electronic device, the video data stream including either user interface information or slideshow presentation data coded in a video codec format. A video processor of the electronic device is used to decode at least a portion of the video data stream into video frame data. A portion of the user interface or slideshow presentation is then displayed as video from data on a display of the electronic device.
US07694321B1
A system and method for providing two modes of operation for a program guide and a video display depending on the position of a highlight or cursor. When the cursor or highlight is moved to a channel name/number grid, the video display will display program content of the program currently being received by the highlighted channel. On the other hand, when the cursor or highlight is moved to a program grid, the content of the video window does not change.
US07694312B2
A method and system for interconnecting peripherals, processor nodes, and hardware devices to a data network to produce a network bus providing OS functionality for managing hardware devices connected to the network bus involves defining a network bus driver at each of the processor nodes that couples hardware device drivers to a network hardware abstraction layer of the processor node. The network bus can be constructed to account for the hot-swappable nature of the hardware devices using a device monitoring function, and plug and play functionality for adding and, removing device driver instances. The network bus can be used to provide a distributed processing system by defining a shared memory space at each processor node. Distributed memory pages are provided with bus-network-wide unique memory addresses, and a distributed memory manager is added to ensure consistency of the distributed memory pages, and to provide a library of functions for user mode applications.
US07694306B2
Computational load is balanced across a plurality of processors. Source code subtasks are compiled into byte code subtasks whereby the byte code subtasks are translated into processor-specific object code subtasks at runtime. The processor-type selection is based upon one of three approaches which are 1) a brute force approach, 2) higher-level approach, or 3) processor availability approach. Each object code subtask is loaded in a corresponding processor type for execution. In one embodiment, a compiler stores a pointer in a byte code file that references the location of a byte code subtask. In this embodiment, the byte code subtask is stored in a shared library and, at runtime, a runtime loader uses the pointer to identify the location of the byte code subtask in order to translate the byte code subtask.
US07694305B2
An embodiment of a method of controlling access to a computing resource within a shared computing environment begins with a first step of measuring performance parameters for workloads accessing the computing resource to determine a performance parameter vector for the workloads. The method continues with a second step of estimating a controller function for the computing resource by analysis of recent performance parameters and recent throughputs. The controller function comprises a mathematical operation which takes an input and provides an output. In a third step, the method compares the performance parameter vector to a reference performance parameter vector to determine an error parameter. In a fourth step, the method applies the controller function to the error parameter to determine a target throughput for each of the workloads. The method concludes with a fifth step of adjusting access to the computing resource for each work load having a throughput limit different from about the target throughput by reducing or increasing the throughput limit for the workload to about the target throughput.
US07694301B1
A method for supporting input/output for a virtual machine. The method includes the step of executing virtual machine application instructions, wherein the application instructions are executed using micro architecture code of a processor architecture. An I/O access is received from the virtual machine application. Virtual memory protection is used to generate an exception, wherein the exception is caused by the I/O access. A single step mode is entered to perform the I/O access using a host operating system. State data for the virtual machine application is updated in accordance with the I/O access. Subsequently, execution of the virtual machine application is resumed.
US07694294B2
The usefulness of task templates can be maintained in a number of ways. Task templates can be updated on a client server from a remote task update server by initiating communication with the remote task update server, selecting a task template from a list of available task templates presented by the remote task update server, and downloading the selected task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can be updated on a client server by receiving a request from the client server, presenting a task template based on the request, receiving a selection of the task template, and transmitting the task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can also be managed by downloading task templates, assigning group names, and storing the downloaded task templates in a database.
US07694293B2
Update package catalog for update package transfer between generator and content server in a network
A network wherein a generator is communicatively coupled to an update store or repository employs an update package container or catalog (UPC) that may be used to save information, using an XML format. The UPC may comprise update packages for one or more devices, and one or more transitions of versions for each device. The UPC may also comprise metadata information and security information associated with each the update packages. The complete update packages and associated metadata may be incorporated into an UPC, or external references to the update packages may be provided.
US07694286B2
An apparatus for detecting base-register usage conflicts in computer code includes a parsing module configured to parse source code, an identification module configured to identify statements in the source code that reference a base register for address resolution according to base-displacement form, and a determination module configured to determine whether a base register referenced by one statement matches the base register referenced by another. If two statements do reference the same register, an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may notify a user such that corrective action may be taken.
US07694277B2
A client or Web application assembly or group of assemblies is bound to a version of shared assemblies associated with a particular targeted execution environment. The targeted execution environment (and thus the version of shared assemblies associated with it) may be selected or detected. A file such as a configuration file is automatically modified. The selected or detected execution environment may be the same as or different than the local version. The client or Web assembly is automatically bound to the targeted shared assemblies. A user interface enables the selection of a particular execution environment. Alternatively, a user interface informs of the detected targeted execution environment and enables the reconfiguration of the Web assembly. This invention provides a mechanism and process for maintaining legacy software after a new software development tool is installed, without deploying a new version of shared assemblies.
US07694258B1
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for inserting several fills in an integrated circuit (“IC”) layout. The method identifies a set of potential fills in a region of an IC layout, where the set of potential fills has a first fill size, wherein the first fill size is from a set of fill sizes. The method specifies a halo around each potential fill in the set of potential fills. For each potential fill, the method determines whether the specified halo overlaps with a foreign object in the region of the layout. For each potential fill, the method specifies a legal fill in the region of the IC layout if the specified halo does not overlap with a foreign object in the region of the IC layout. The method inserts at least one legal fill in the region of the IC layout. In some embodiments, the halo is a spacing halo.
US07694253B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically generates an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification. During operation, the system receives a description of the circuit design. Next, the system determines a target value for a control signal in the description and a mutant value for the control signal. The system then determines if an input sequence exists for the circuit design that stimulates the control signal to the target value and causes the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value to reach an observation point in the circuit such that the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value differ at the observation point. If such an input sequence exists, the system then simulates operation of the circuit design using the input sequence. During simulation, the system generates two sets of signal outputs for the circuit design. The first set of signal outputs is affected by the target value for the control signal, while the second set of signal outputs is affected by the mutant value for the control signal.
US07694247B2
A program-controlled arrangement for the identification of ESD and/or latch-up weak points in the design or in the concept of an integrated circuit comprises a pre-processor, which processes first data about the description of the integrated circuit, second data about already ESD-characterized circuit parts of the integrated circuit, and third data which contain information about ESD test standards. A simulator device is connected downstream of the pre-processor which has a simulator which, by using the fourth and fifth data generated by the pre-processor, performs an ESD simulation of the integrated circuit, which has a monitoring controller for controlling the ESD simulation sequence in the simulator. An analysis device is connected downstream of the simulator device, which performs an evaluation of the sixth data generated in the simulator device with regard to their physical validity and meaningfulness, and marks the simulation runs having physically relevant ESD failure events.
US07694244B2
A method and apparatus for modeling and cross correlation of design predicted criticalities include a feedback loop where information from the manufacturing process is provided to cross correlation engine for optimization of semiconductor manufacturing. The information may include parametric information, functional information, and hot spots determination. The sharing of information allows for design intent to be reflected in manufacturing metrology space; thus, allowing for more intelligent metrology and reduces cycle time.
US07694241B1
Automated design process and method with set of syntactic elements compensates for inability to represent voltage island connection of multi-rail cells in RTL source files in traditional design process which inhibits development of design automation methods and causes hardship and risk of failure to simulate, synthesize, perform physical design or formally verify a semiconductor chip design implemented with multi-rail.
US07694240B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for hanging protocol generation using gesture recognition. Certain embodiments provide a method for creating a hanging protocol based on gesture input in a clinical environment. The method includes specifying a hanging protocol specification using gesture-based input. The method also includes translating the gesture-based input into a hanging protocol. The method further includes facilitating display of clinical information based on the hanging protocol. Certain embodiments provide a gesture detection system. The system includes a sensor surface configured to detect gesture-based input made on the sensor surface. The gesture-based input specifies a hanging protocol layout. The system also includes a processor configured to identify the gesture-based input and translate the gesture to a corresponding hanging protocol definition for display of image and clinical data.
US07694237B2
A method and an apparatus for using menu functions of an electronic device are presented. The electronic device provides the menu functions in a menu layer structure that comprises a top menu layer and at least one lower menu layer. One of the lower menu layers is a bottom menu layer. The top menu layer overlaps at least partially the lower menu layers. A user of the electronic device selects a menu layer to be provided as a top menu layer from the lower menu layers by giving a first command and the user selects a function to be performed from the top menu layer by giving a second command.
US07694235B2
A integrated content guide for multiple sources is provided with hyper-text type links to allow for the selection of various programs. The hyper-text links are provided for a transmitted and then stored digital bit stream. This allows for the embedding within the content guide what could be additional commercial information. The embedding may also be as to additional information for other related television or radio shows or the like. Information can be additional television shows, related information or activities on on-line services or automatic telephone ordering of products or services being displayed.
US07694232B2
A method and apparatus are provided for a user of a mobile wireless communications device to have the option of viewing security status messages in a large or small format depending upon the user's preferences, form factor of the mobile communications device, or the like. In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the invention, a user may opt to display status icons on one row of a display and include an abbreviated text associated with each icon that is displayed when a particular icon is highlighted by the user. If no icon is highlighted by the user, the most important status text (determined based on predetermined criteria) is displayed. The user has the option of switching to a large status display to view additional information relating to the status icons.
US07694219B2
A tree is used for representing relationships between various entities and, in an embodiment, may be used for conducting transactions. In an embodiment, the tree may be dynamically updated at run time and/or each time an agent accesses the tree by, for example, conducting a transaction or requesting new information. An application running on a server may be used for accessing a database and generating a display language tree (which may be a tree written in a display language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or Extensible Markup Language (XML)). The application sends the display language tree to the agent's appliance where the display language tree is displayed. In an embodiment, nodes having different interrelationships, such as aggregation relationships and association relationships, may be handled differently from one another even if the same type of parent/child relationship is displayed in an image of the tree to the agent.
US07694215B2
A method for providing sponsorship for a directory comprises permitting a search of the directory. The method further comprising displaying a search result on a page and incorporating a designated web page of a sponsor on the same page as the search result.
US07694205B2
A method and apparatus for providing a read channel having combined parity and non-parity post processing is disclosed. A post-processor combines parity and non-parity post processing to make both parity and non-parity corrections so that error events that cannot be detected by parity may be corrected. Non-parity detectable error events are only kept for consideration if their likelihood is above a set threshold.
US07694203B2
Embodiments of an integrated circuit that includes a debug circuit are described. This debug circuit is configured to test an asynchronous circuit by performing analog measurements on asynchronous signals associated with the asynchronous circuit, and includes a triggering module configured to gate the debug circuit based on one or more of the asynchronous signals. This triggering module has a continuous mode of operation and a single-shot mode of operation. A timing module within the debug circuit has a timing range exceeding a pre-determined value, and is configured to provide signals corresponding to a first time base or signals corresponding to a second time base. Furthermore, control logic within the debug circuit is configured to select a mode of operation and a given time base for the debug circuit, which is either the first time base or the second time base.
US07694199B2
A process initializes the state of an output memory circuit of a scan cell located at the boundary of a logic circuit within an integrated circuit. Data is scanned into an input memory circuit of the cell while maintaining the cell in a mode providing normal operation of the logic circuit. The cell is placed in a test mode that disables normal operation of the logic circuit. The data scanned into the input memory circuit is transferred into the output memory circuit simultaneous with the placing the cell in the test mode. A transmission gate between the logic circuit and the output memory circuit and a transmission gate between the input memory circuit and the output memory circuit effect the changes between normal operation and test modes.
US07694194B2
A highly reliable semiconductor device includes, for example, a memory circuit MEM such as a multiport RAM and a BIST circuit (BIST[A] and BIST[B]) for carrying out a test for each of the ports PO[A] and PO[B] of the MEM, as well as pointers PNT0[A] to PNT3[A] and PNT0[B] to PNT3[B] corresponding to the PO[A] and PO[B], respectively. Each of the BIST[A] and BIST[B] manages plural respective segments SEG0 to SEG3 obtained by dividing the MEM and the PNT0[A] to PNT3[A] are provided for those SEG0 to SEG3, respectively. For example, the BIST[A], upon accessing SEG0, writes ‘1’ in PNT0[A] while the BIST[B] refers to the value in this PNT0[A], thereby its access to SEG0 can be avoided. Consequently, each port can execute a complicated test pattern asynchronously.
US07694190B2
An administrator node (130) adjusts a trustworthy-measure associated with nodes (110) that are suspected of unauthorized modifications of content material. The original provider of the content material to a network binds an identifying code to it. Upon receiving the material from a source node (110), a target node (120) computes an associated code for the received material. If the computed code and the identifying code differ, the material is determined to be modified, and a discrepancy report is submitted to the administrator node (130). The administrator node (130) effects a penalty against the root source if the modification is confirmed; or against the target node (120) if the discrepancy report is unfounded. The penalties include downgrading of the trustworthiness-measure associated with each node, and these trustworthiness-measures are available for use by potential target nodes in their selection of preferred source nodes.
US07694187B2
A method of implementing a circumvention and recovery system comprising conveying peripheral identifiers to a controller, and determining a level of susceptibility of a peripheral to select events based on the peripheral identifier. The method further includes controlling each peripheral based on the level of susceptibility of the peripheral during detection of a select event.
US07694183B2
User input defines transmission filter rules to be met when sending an error report to a support provider. User input also defines collection filter rules to be met when including failure data within an error report. Error reports corresponding to crash failures at clients are filtered with the transmission filter rules to determine which of the error reports to send to the support provider, and each error report to be sent to the support provider is further filtered to remove any failure data that fails to satisfy the collection filter rules. Each error report that satisfies the transmission filter rules, along with the failure data satisfying the collection filter rules, is sent to the support provider for analysis. Standard and or custom failure responses corresponding to the failures at the clients may be retrieved and sent to the clients in accordance with the collection filter rules.
US07694173B1
A technique manages the addition of disks to a volume of a storage system. A disk addition procedure is encapsulated into a DISKADD object conforming to a configuration management framework used to implement a RAID subsystem of the storage system. The DISKADD object is responsible for determining a set of available disks required to satisfy a disk addition request issued by an operator through a user interface of a storage operating system executing on the storage system. Furthermore, the DISKADD object is responsible for monitoring the state of the disks, including preparation/initialization of the disks (e.g., disk zeroing) and possible disk failures, as well as placing those disks into RAID groups of the volume once preparation completes. Persistent storage of the state of a pending disk addition is then accomplished using an implementation of the configuration management framework.
US07694172B2
A data backup device according to the present invention comprises a first table, a second table, an update management part configured to perform recording in the second table an identifier of updated portion of a first memory, a table rewriting part configured to perform rewriting the first table such that the first table identifies the portion of the first memory identified by the second table, and a data copy control part configured to perform output of first data from the portion of the first memory identified by the first table.
US07694163B1
A system for generating and monitoring voltages on a variety of different components on a common printed circuit board. The system includes a programmable controller, a plurality of DC/DC converters for producing voltages for the devices and a plurality of voltage regulators for produced voltages for a plurality of CPUs on the board, such CPU voltages being produced in accordance with VIDs provided to the regulator by the CPU. The programmable controller: establishes a set point voltage for such one of the DC/DC converters; sequentially monitors the produced voltages produced, monitors voltages produced by the regulators for the CPUs by comparing the VIDs to the voltages produced by the regulators, and if during the sequencing any one of the converters is determined by the programmable controller as producing an improper voltage or if the any one of the regulators fails top produce the voltage indicated by the VIDs, disables the board.
US07694161B2
A method is described that involves controlling the traffic levels through an uncore to provide thermal management for the uncore. The method including determining if an uncore's temperature in a first uncore state is above a first threshold value and changing the first uncore state to a second uncore state if the uncore temperature is above the first threshold value.
US07694156B2
A cryptographic unit includes a first processing unit for determining an output signal on the basis of the AES algorithm and for determining a first comparison signal, a second processing unit for determining a second comparison signal, and a release unit for providing the output signal, wherein the release unit is designed to perform a defense measure against an external tapping of the output signal when the first comparison signal is not related to the second comparison signal in a predetermined relationship. The first comparison signal is determined in a different way as compared to the second comparison signal, so that, in the case of the injection of faults into the cryptographic unit, these faults may be detected very easily.
US07694145B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for presenting status of digital signatures. A digital document is received that defines a presentation structure and includes a digital signature. The digital document specifies a representation of the digital signature and a location in the presentation structure for the representation of the digital signature. A status is determined for the digital signature. A status representation is associated with the digital signature, where the status representation identifies the status determined for the digital signature. Without altering the representation of the digital signature, at least a portion of the digital document and the status representation of the digital signature are presented in a user interface, where the status representation is presented in the presentation structure at a location that depends upon the location of the digital signature.
US07694140B1
A computing device may access a description of a Web service. The computing device may generate a Web service proxy based, at least in part, on the accessed description of the Web service. The computing device may provide a client protocol implementation to extend the functionality of the generated Web service client proxy. A feature of the client protocol implementation may be set to define a behavior of the Web service client without regenerating the Web service client proxy.
US07694139B2
A software development system (SDS) (228) digitally signs software (230) developed on the system. The SDS (228) executes on a computer system (112) having a trusted computing platform. The platform includes protected areas (220, 226) that store data and cannot be accessed by unauthorized modules. A code signing module (232) executing in a protected area (226) obtains a private/public key pair and a corresponding digital certificate. The SDS (228) is configured to automatically and transparently utilize the code signing module (232) to sign software (230) produced by the system. End-user systems (114) receive the certificate with the software and can use it to verify the signature. This verification will fail if a parasitic virus or other malicious code has altered the software (230). Accordingly, the SDS (228) greatly reduces the risk of malicious code executing on the end-user computer system (114).
US07694137B2
When a host computer connected to a network is to remotely control information in an image processing apparatus, authentication to the image processing apparatus is performed by using a password, and, on the basis of an encryption code of an encryption chip stored in the host computer, an authentication process for an operation with respect to the information in the image processing apparatus is performed by using a dictionary in an authentication server.
US07694136B2
A method to distribute and authenticate public encryption keys. A client concatenates its ID, its public key, and a secret password known to the client and a server, and hashes the result. The client forms an extended concatenation including the ID, the public key, and the hashed value, and sends the extended concatenation to the server. The server reads the ID and public key, and re-computes the hashed value based on its own knowledge of the password. If the received and the computed hashed values are the same, the server concludes that the client's public key is authentic. An analogous process enables the server to distribute its public key, and enables the client to authenticate the server's distributed public key.
US07694134B2
Systems and methods are provided for encrypting data without regard to applications writing the data to, or reading the data from, encrypted data storage devices. An operating system intercept detects information indicating that a file will be encrypted and, in respond, sets device-level flags indicating encryption and also establishes one or more encryption keys to be used in the encryption process. A second intercept detects an input/output event and, in response, calls an encryption application to encrypt (or decrypt) the data before it is written to (or read from) the data storage device.
US07694133B2
A technique for integrating message authentication with encryption and decryption is disclosed. Intermediate internal states of the decryption operation are used to generate a validation code that can be used to detect manipulation of the encrypted data. The technique is optimized with respect to processing time, execution space for code and runtime data, and buffer usage. The technique is generally applicable to a variety of block ciphers, including TEA, Rijndael, DES, RC5, and RC6.
US07694131B2
Providing reference tokens. A method includes receiving a request for a token. In response to the request for a token and in place of a token, one or more rich pointers are sent referencing one or more tokens. The rich pointers point to locations where one or more actual tokens can be retrieved. When only a single pointer is sent, the pointer is a reference other than an HTTP URL.
US07694130B1
A system and method to authenticate a user utilizing a time-varying auxiliary code. The code may be appended to a fixed password, but that is not required. The code is generated by a central electronic authentication system. The user retrieves it manually using a fungible communications device such as a telephone or a computer connected to the Internet. The user must learn the code because he inputs it manually, thereby authenticating himself. The present invention performs the same function as inventions with tokens, that is, it provides an extension to the PIN or password, but it eliminates the token and the synchronization required with such a token.
US07694118B2
A function addition apparatus allows an added function to be started-up immediately after a computer has been powered on or reset. A function expansion program stored in a program storage section is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program and is executed by the CPU. The functional expansion program controls a functional section. Under a first condition, the CPU is prevented from returning to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU. Under a second condition, the CPU is returned to execution of a start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU so that the operating system is started-up. When the operating system is started-up after the CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program, the operating system or the like controls the functional section.
US07694113B1
A method for use by a host microprocessor which translates sequences of instructions from a target instruction set for a target processor to sequences of instructions for the host microprocessor including the steps of beginning execution of a speculative sequence of target instructions by committing state of the target processor and storing memory stores previously generated by execution at a point in the execution of instructions at which state of the target processor is known, executing the speculative sequence of host instructions until another point in the execution of target instructions at which state of the target processor is known, rolling back to last committed state of the target processor and discarding the memory stores generated by the speculative sequence of host instructions if execution fails, and beginning execution of a next sequence of target instructions if execution succeeds.
US07694110B1
Various embodiments of methods and systems for implementing a set of microcode operations corresponding to a microcoded instruction as a microcode subroutine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microprocessor includes a dispatch unit configured to dispatch operations and a scheduler coupled to the dispatch unit and configured to schedule dispatched operations for execution. In response to receiving a microcoded instruction, the dispatch unit is configured to dispatch a microcode subroutine call operation that specifies a tag identifying a microcode subroutine.
US07694108B2
An arithmetic unit capable of reconfiguring circuitry in accordance with configuration data supplied includes a data processing unit performing a processing using input data; an output data maintenance unit maintaining the result of the processing to output it as an output data; and an output valid signal control unit outputting an output valid signal indicating whether or not the output data is valid, in which an output timing of a valid data to outside the arithmetic unit can be controlled optionally by controlling the output timing of the output valid signal.
US07694106B2
A multiprocessor system includes a judging unit judging whether a read command inputted to a global address crossbar is a read command to a memory on an own system board, an executing unit speculatively executing, when the judging unit judges that the read command is a read command to the memory on the own system board, the read command before global access based on an address notified from the global address crossbar, a setting unit setting for queuing data read from the memory in a data queue provided on a CPU without queuing the data in a data queue provided on the memory, and an instructing unit instructing, based on notification from the global address crossbar, the data queue provided on the CPU to discard the data or transmit the data to the CPU.
US07694102B2
There are disclosed systems, computer program products, and methods for self-tuning memory. In an embodiment, a method for self-tuning memory comprises setting a tuning interval and a target range for free memory for a memory pool. If memory consumption falls outside of the set target range for free memory during a tuning interval, a new target size for the memory pool is set based on the target range for free memory. Memory allocation for the memory pool is increased or decreased for the next tuning interval, such that the new target size for the memory pool is reached. A decrement rate may be used to provide a controlled decrease of the memory pool over a plurality of tuning intervals if necessary, until the new target size for the memory pool is reached.
US07694099B2
A memory controller with an interface for providing a connection to a plurality of memory devices at least one of said plurality of memory devices supporting burst mode data transfers comprises data interface circuitry for connecting to a plurality of separate data buses for communicating data signals between said memory controller and a respective one of said memory devices, each of said data buses providing a dedicated data signal path to a different one of said memory devices, address interface circuitry for connecting to a common address bus for communicating address signals to each of said memory devices on a shared address signal path, address signals which are directed to different ones of said memory devices being time division multiplexed together on said common address bus, and device selecting circuitry for generating one or more device selecting signals synchronised with said time division multiplexing of said common address bus to select that memory device to which address signals currently asserted on said common address bus are directed. In this way, an increased bandwidth memory controller can be provided which is efficient for both short, narrow and long and wide burst lengths and which has interface circuitry with a relatively low pin count.
US07694095B2
A method and apparatus for managing snapshots of a file system using messages. A snapshot is a restorable version of a file system created at a predetermined point in time. A message is a persistent data structure supported by a file server. A message may include one or more snapshots, attributes for the message, and/or access control information for the message. The attributes and access control information are applied to all snapshots in the message. The attributes in the message enable users to perform automatic event-based management of the snapshots in the message. The access control information in the message provides granular access control to the snapshots in the message.
US07694092B2
One or more random access-type storage devices comprise a volume group and a journal volume. The volume group contains a volume pair configured from a primary volume and a secondary volume. Whenever data is received from a host device, this received data is written in the primary volume, a journal containing the write sequence of the data and the data is produced, and the journal is written in a journal volume. A plurality of journals accumulated in a journal volume are written in a sequential access-type storage device. Based on the write sequence recorded in each of the plurality of journals recorded in the sequential access-type storage device, the data of the journals is restored to the primary volume for storing the data and to a secondary volume from which the volume pair is configured.
US07694084B2
A microcomputer architecture comprises a microprocessor unit and a first memory unit, the microprocessor unit comprising a functional unit and at least one data register, the functional unit and the at least one data register being linked to a data bus internal to the microprocessor unit. The data register is a wide register comprising a plurality of second memory units which are capable to each contain one word. The wide register is adapted so that the second memory units are simultaneously accessible by the first memory unit, and so that at least part of the second memory units are separately accessible by the functional unit.
US07694082B2
A resource management system uses a virtual resource pool distributed across a set of storage devices to manage resources in a distributed storage system. The storage devices dedicate a resource in an allocation pool available to the virtual resource pool. The virtual resource pool is a virtual storage server in which an application receives at least a predetermined amount of storage capacity, a predetermined level of performance, or a predetermined reliability, represented by tokens. A virtual resource pool manager gives the tokens to an application. The application transmits the tokens along with the commands to the storage device. The token represents a right to consume up to some limit of resources on a specific storage device in a computing session. The storage device locally tracks resource consumption through the token.
US07694079B2
In some embodiments, a storage device, comprises a processor, a memory module communicatively connected to the processor, and logic instructions in the memory module which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a read input/output operation, and configure a prefetch disk data into cache memory in response to a prefetch tag embedded in the read input/output operation.
US07694076B2
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The method includes providing a cache community comprising at least one peer. Each peer has an associated first content portion indicating content to be cached by the respective peer. A client may be allowed to join the cache community. A peer list associated with the cache community is updated to include the client. The peer list indicates the peers in the cache community. A respective second content portion is associated with each peer based on the addition of the client.
US07694068B1
A processing system includes a network processor and a CAM device having a re-entrant processor coupled to a CAM array. The re-entrant processor is configured to selectively modify an initial search key provided by the network processor by replacing portions of the initial search key with portions of one or more previous search keys and/or one or more previous results. The re-entrant processor is also configured to initiate a series of subsequent compare operations between new search keys and data stored in the CAM array without receiving additional instructions or search keys from the network processor.
US07694062B1
Systems and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit (IC) are described. Capacitive elements disposed within a transmitting IC effectively function as AC coupling capacitors for a PCIe, DisplayPort™ or other interconnect linking the transmitting IC with a receiver disposed remote there from. Integrating the coupling capacitors allows for a smaller and more economical design for the circuits that utilize the interconnect.
US07694056B2
A computer system is provided which includes a computer configured to detect for the occurrence of an event. The computer is also configured to determine whether content related to the event should be generated by a device coupled to the computer and to provide a signal to the device if it determines that the device should generate the content related to the event. The device includes a first module which is configured to generate the content related to the event.
US07694051B2
A method of detecting master/slave response time-out under continuous packet format communications protocol, which calculates the time required for the slave device to respond to a Modbus request subject to Modbus TCP/UDP protocol. The method is to continuously send Modbus requests to a slave device through a detection device and to record each Modbus request sent time, and to have the slave device provide to the detection device a response for each Modbus request. By means of calculating the precise response time-out from the response time-outs which are gotten from the slave device responds to a predetermined number of Modbus requests, the user or manager can determine the response time-out required for the slave device precisely so as to give an EXECUTE instruction or command at the accurate time point.
US07694047B1
A PCI-Express module that is coupled to plural host systems and to at least an input/output (I/O) device is provided. The PCI-Express module includes an upstream port module and a downstream port module that use a mapping table to facilitate the plural host systems sharing the I/O device by modifying a transaction layer packet (TLP) field. For upstream ID based traffic, a source identifier is replaced based on the mapping table and a destination identifier is replaced with a value that is captured during upstream port module initialization. For upstream address based traffic, the mapping table routes TLPs by using a downstream port number and a function number in a source identification field. For downstream ID based traffic, a destination identifier is replaced by using the mapping table for routing TLPs. For downstream address based traffic, the PCI-Express module uses an address map to route TLPs.
US07694031B2
A memory controller including a dual-mode memory interconnect includes an input/output (I/O) circuit including a plurality of input buffers and a plurality of output drivers. The I/O circuit may be configured to operate in one of a first mode and a second mode dependent upon a state of a mode selection signal. During operation in the first mode, the I/O circuit may be configured to provide a parallel interconnect for connection to one or more memory modules. During operation in the second mode, the I/O circuit may be configured to provide a respective serial interconnect for connection to each of one or more buffer units, each configured to buffer memory data that is being read from or written to the one or more memory modules.
US07694030B2
Automatic protocol migration when upgrading operating systems includes checking, after upgrading at least a portion of an operating system of a host device, whether a new driver supporting enhanced functionality for a portable device is now available, where a driver supporting base functionality would have been previously used for communicating with the portable device. If such a new driver supporting enhanced functionality for the portable device is now available, then the host device installs the new driver supporting enhanced functionality for the portable device.
US07694029B2
A mechanism is provided for unique identification of each endpoint in a storage area network interconnect that is bridged by a specialized cable. Each endpoint is capable of querying peer endpoints for a unique identification. Once a unique identifier is obtained for all peer connections to a given endpoint, the endpoint may perform a comparison to validate that the cable connection terminations are connected to valid endpoints. If all endpoints are valid, then the mechanism enables the ports connected to the cable.
US07694027B2
Videoconferencing through an information handling system is supported with a display, camera and microphone that communicate with the information handling system through a single cable, such as a DisplayPort cable. Visual information is communicated from the information handling system to the display through a unidirectional main link and display control information is communicated between the information handling system and the display through a bidirectional auxiliary link. Peripheral information, such as digitized audio signals captured by the microphone and packetized video information capture by the camera, are communicated to the information handling system through the auxiliary link. Peripheral commands generated at the information handling system, such as camera control commands, are communicated from the information handling system to the peripheral through the auxiliary link.
US07694024B2
A network interface device has a fast-path ACK generating and transmitting mechanism. ACKs are generated using a finite state machine (FSM). The FSM retrieves a template header and fills in TCP and IP fields in the template. The FSM is not a stack, but rather fills in the TCP and IP fields without performing transport layer processing and network layer processing sequentially as separate tasks. The filled-in template is placed into a buffer and a pointer to the buffer is pushed onto a high-priority transmit queue. Pointers for ordinary data packets are pushed onto a low-priority transmit queue. A transmit sequencer outputs a packet by popping a transmit queue, obtaining a pointer, and causing information pointed to by the pointer to be output from the network interface device as a packet. The sequencer pops the high-priority queue in preference to the low-priority queue, thereby accelerating ACK generation and transmission.
US07694019B2
A system, method, and program product are provided that gather a plurality of IP addresses that each correspond to a common domain name. A list of domain names is provided for gathering corresponding IP addresses. For each of the received domain names, IP addresses are retrieved from a number of DNS tables. The unique IP addresses are identified from the gathered IP addresses retrieved for each of the domain names. The domain names and their associated IP addresses are stored in a domain name repository.
US07694009B2
A method and system is provided for balancing work load for a plurality of computer processors in a multiple processor computer system. In such a system, there are a plurality of packets to be processed. First, a plurality of hash buckets are generated and each packet is assigned to a bucket by performing a predetermined hash function. The different hash buckets are then assigned to the processors based on the workload of all the processors. In connection with processing connections with a timer thread, a plurality of connections are processed with a plurality of timer threads. A plurality of hash buckets are provided, and each connection is mapped to one of the hash buckets. Further, each hash bucket is assigned to a processor timer thread based on a workload thereof.
US07694007B1
A management control center communicates with multiple agents in a storage area network. On behalf of the management control center, the agents communicate with a switch resource management entity that maintains configuration information about resources such as a group or groups of switches in the storage area network. Based on a chain of communications from the management control center through the agents to the remote management entity, the management control center can indirectly learn about a configuration of switch resources in the storage area network. The agent utilizes a calculated current load value (e.g., a value indicating a relative burden placed on the remote management entity to service the forwarded set of requests) to selectively forwards requests to the switch resource management entity. This technique ensures that the switch resource management entity is not overwhelmed by a task of servicing too many requests at the same time.
US07693994B2
An intermediary apparatus for intermediating communications between a first communications apparatus and multiple second communications apparatuses is disclosed. The intermediary apparatus includes first receiving means for receiving from the first communications apparatus at least an operational request, first transmitting means for transmitting to a second communications apparatus to be a forwarding destination each operational request received by the receiving means according to a type of the operational request, second receiving means for receiving from one of the second communications apparatuses at least an operational response to the operational request transferred from the first communications apparatus, and second transmitting means for transmitting to the first communications apparatus each operational response received by the second receiving means.
US07693974B2
A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for network development, management, and monitoring includes a GUI front end that provides a graphical representation of a telecommunication network comprised of communication devices represented by GUI network elements. A network proxy provides a communication layer between the GUI and a network server and allows the GUI to connect to multiple instances of a network server without having to hard code the connections to the network servers. The network proxy transmits commands and messages between the network server and the GUI. The network server determines how to handle traffic in the network model, such as how to provide call setup, call routine, and call tear down. The network server transmits call routing commands and messages to the network proxy which dispatches them to the GUI. An external systems interface provides the mechanism for which the network server communicates with communication devices in an external system.
US07693968B2
A printing system which allow an administrator to change the settings of client apparatuses concerning the apparatus configuration of a printer, on his/her own initiative. Apparatus configuration information on the printer is acquired from the printer by a server apparatus via the network. The acquired apparatus configuration information on the printer is coupled to driver data, and the driver data having the apparatus configuration information on the printer coupled thereto is installed in the client apparatuses in response to an installation instruction from a user without waiting for an installation request to be received from any of the client apparatuses via the network.
US07693966B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring and controlling the configuration of terminals and/or network components within an electronic network. A configuration unit is provided in the network, the configuration unit monitors the configuration and can automatically configure the terminals connected to the network, and/or the network components.
US07693959B2
The present invention is a network architecture or framework that supports hosting and content distribution on a truly global scale. The inventive framework allows a Content Provider to replicate and serve its most popular content at an unlimited number of points throughout the world. The inventive framework comprises a set of servers operating in a distributed manner. The actual content to be served is preferably supported on a set of hosting servers (sometimes referred to as ghost servers). This content comprises HTML page objects that, conventionally, are served from a Content Provider site. In accordance with the invention, however, a base HTML document portion of a Web page is served from the Content Provider's site while one or more embedded objects for the page are served from the hosting servers, preferably, those hosting servers near the client machine. By serving the base HTML document from the Content Provider's site, the Content Provider maintains control over the content.
US07693950B2
A method and system for generating and tracking an email campaign is described. An email campaign generator generates an email campaign template from an email target database. The email target database comprises at least one email target. An email campaign engine generates a custom email corresponding to each of the at least one email target. The custom email is formed from the email campaign template. The email campaign engine sends to each of the at least one email target the corresponding custom email. A campaign tracker receives at least one response corresponding to the sent custom email. The campaign tracker creates a campaign tracking list that includes the received at least one response.
US07693934B2
A network device having a message receiving module for receiving notify messages transmitted from controlled devices connected in a network, a device list management module for collecting information regarding the controlled devices connected in the network and creating and managing a list of service information of all the controlled devices connected in the network, and a control module for searching for service information of a specific controlled device, which has been requested by a control point, in the device list management module and transmitting the searched information. Since a controlled device has a list of other controlled devices connected thereto in a network, when a message searching for a specific controlled device has been received from a control point, another controlled device can transmit a response message to the control point on behalf of the specific controlled device even though the specific controlled device cannot receive the message from the control point.
US07693924B2
A 2N-point and N-point FFT/IFFT dual mode processor is provided. The processor includes a butterfly operator, the first and second MUXs, and the first and second N-point FFT processors. The butterfly operator receives 2N data and butterfly-operates on the received 2N data when receiving a control signal ‘0’ from the controller. The first and second MUXs respectively receive results from the butterfly operator to output the results in an increment of N when receiving a control signal ‘0’ from the controller, and respectively outputs different N data when receiving a control signal ‘1’ from the controller. The first and second N-point FFT processors N-point FFT operate on the results from the first and second MUXs and respectively output the same under control of the controller. Since the N-point FFT operation can be simultaneously performed two times at a receiver, the performance of the receiver can be enhanced.
US07693921B2
An aspect of the present invention takes advantage of the fact that the coordinates of fixed points do not change, and thus the energy (sum of squares of the coordinates defining the vector) of each fixed point is computed and stored. The energy of each variable input point may also be computed. The distance between each pair of fixed and input points is computed based on the respective energies and the dot product.
US07693917B2
A method for managing a back-end information storage infrastructure and a flexible development environment for data storage using a computer system. The method includes managing system resources including a relational database. Meta data models are created to model processes and to define meta data elements and their relationships by using trees and graphs. The method manages access to the data by authenticating users through several levels of authentication describing user rights, while providing management of multi-user access and concurrency. The method includes running the processes that generate instance data, storing the instance data following the meta data model, and transforming the instance data into physical views.
US07693914B2
Systems and methods are for production, management, syndication and distribution of digital assets through a network such as the Internet or wireless network. Digital media assets are distributed to consumers through a syndicated network of Outlets under control of a central platform. Distribution is format agnostic.
US07693913B2
A compiler, which makes a computer carry out a process for generating a program used for a remote access to a virtual database comprising a first computer 11 including an application program and a second computer 12 being connected to the first computer 11 by way of a network and including one or more databases, replaces (1c) a description part relating to a DML execution process for the virtual database from a source code 7 of the application program with a description relating to an RPC process and generates a program for executing the DML execution process for the native databases based on the RPC process. The use of the program enables a high performance remote database access while applying a virtual database function aiming at facilitating a business logic buildup.
US07693901B2
A vertical search engine may rank items based on both the quality of data associated with each item and the popularity of each item. The vertical search engine may access data associated with items from a variety of different sources, including feed sources and crawl sources. Data quality inputs are determined for each item based on the quality of the data associated with each respective item. In addition, popularity inputs are determined for each item based on user interest in each respective item. A global rankings score is then calculated for each item based on the data quality inputs and popularity inputs for each respective item. The global ranking score may be used to order search results for search queries in such a way that items from feed data and items from crawl data may be displayed in a unified manner, rather than being segregated by data source.
US07693897B2
Embodiments of systems, program products, and methods to enhance and more effectively manage media content are provided. An embodiment of a system, for example, can include a first preselected network framework defining a first network stage and a second preselected network framework responsive to the first network stage and defining a second network stage. The system can also include a code generator responsive to the second network stage to generate program code, a framework stage responsive to the code generator to establish a content management framework and defining a content search engine, a media content services core responsive to the content search engine to enhance digital file management and allow a plurality of media content management services to be performed, and a set of media content service modules each responsive to the media content services core to perform content management services to media.
US07693895B2
A network device comprises a Web service provider unit. In order to provide a client in a network with a service to display a list of multiple images stored in a predetermined storage area, the client having a function as a Web browser, the Web service provider unit sends the client in response to a request from the client a markup language file described in a predetermined markup language. The Web service provider unit includes a layer configuration unit and a Web program generator. The layer configuration unit configures as an element included in the markup language file at least one layer having a visibility attribute that defines whether or not the layer will be displayed on the client and assigns each of the multiple images to one of the layer. The Web program generator generates a Web program that operates on the client and sends the Web program to the client. The Web program is a program that causes the client to implement a first function to set the visibility attribute of the layer and a second function to issue a request to obtain each of the multiple images such that each of the multiple images is respectively placed on the layer to which the image is assigned.
US07693894B1
A system and method operable to cache and retrieve flight availability data. System components are a cache database for storing flight availability data, an airline cache control for configuring the cache database for a plurality of airlines, a subscriber cache control for configuring the cache database for a plurality of subscribers, and a cache query utility for interacting with the cache database. Additional system components are a data display utility for displaying flight availability data stored in the cache database, a success rate utility for tracking statistics associated with use of the cache database, and a dual mode processing utility that allows access to flight availability data from either the cache database or a real-time response. The system is provided as an intermediary between the subscribers and a plurality of airline servers.
US07693892B2
An NFS server, an NFS server control program and an NFS control method can reduce the extended lock reacquisition period. The NFS server comprises a prior-to-restart lock acquiring client information recording section for recording the identifiers of the NFS clients that have acquired locks before a restart of the NFS server and the number of the first files that is the number of files for which locks have been acquired, a lock acquiring client information recording section for recording the identifiers of the NFS clients that have reacquired locks after the restart of the NFS server and the number of the second files that is the number of files for which lock have been reacquired and an NSM that ends the reception of any lock reacquisition request from any of the NFS clients when the number of the second files of all the NFS clients acquired by the prior-to-restart lock acquiring client information recording section becomes equal to the number of the first files.
US07693890B2
A method comprising selecting a data object from a first storage location; assigning an identifier (ID) to the data object; storing the ID in a transactional type lock object; determining whether the ID is stored successfully in the transactional type lock object, and upon a successful storage, storing the ID in a permanent type lock object; determining whether the ID is stored successfully in the permanent type lock object, and upon a successful storage, deleting the ID from the transactional type lock object; storing the data object at the second storage location; assigning the second storage location to the ID in the permanent type lock object; deleting the data object from the first storage location; and deleting the ID from the permanent type lock object after the respective data object assigned to that ID has been deleted from the first storage location.
US07693883B2
A system to delete a data volume may include storage of a plurality of data pages of the data volume of a data area into a cache, prevention of writing of data pages to the data volume, and designation of each of the plurality of data pages in the cache as modified. The system may also include writing of all data pages in the cache that are designated as modified to a respective location in one or more other data volumes of the data area, and updating, for each of the written data pages, a converter page of the cache to associate the written data page with its respective location in the one or more other data volumes.
US07693880B1
A file system includes a plurality of entries, wherein each entry is configured to store an indication of data block locations corresponding to a specified file, and wherein each entry is further configured to store an indication of mirrored data block locations corresponding to the specified file. Each entry may include one or more dirty indicators to identify out-of-sync data blocks. In yet another embodiment, the system may be configured to resynchronize a plurality of instances of data blocks depending upon dirty indicators corresponding to the plurality of instances of data blocks.
US07693877B1
An automated information lifecycle management (ILM) system for network storage automatically searches a network storage system to identify data items stored therein. The network storage system includes multiple data storage facilities of different types coupled to a network. The ILM system automatically classifies each of the data items into a category of multiple data categories, and automatically optimizes each of the data items to a particular data storage facility of the multiple data storage facilities, according to the category into which the data item was classified. The ILM system may also automatically discover and detect storage devices added to the network and assign them to the proper storage class, for storing data of the corresponding category. The ILM system further may automatically determine or predict when additional storage capacity is needed for any particular class of storage and may alert a user accordingly and/or free up additional storage capacity.
US07693875B2
A method of searching a data page in a table space of a database for inserting a data record to a first table, wherein the table space comprises space map pages and sets of data pages, wherein each space map page comprises information about the available storage space of one set of data pages, wherein each space map page and the corresponding set of data pages is further assigned to a table range for each table to which at least one data page in the set of data pages belongs to, wherein the database further comprises a clustering index for the first table in the database management system, wherein the database management system comprises a space usage information database, and wherein the space usage information database holds space usage information for each table range.
US07693871B2
Storing, by an owner of a digital media product, the product in a distributed media library, the library including information describing the modifiable part of the digital media product and a digital grant of rights to modify and distribute the product; producing, from users' digital expressions of preferences, information describing a user community preference for replacing the modifiable part of the digital media product with a replacement part; retrieving the digital media product and the digital grant of rights to modify and distribute the digital media product; receiving at least one replacement part, a digital grant of rights to use the replacement part to modify the digital media product, and a digital grant of rights to distribute the replacement part with the digital media product; and replacing, in accordance with the information describing the user community preference and the digital grants of rights, the modifiable part with the replacement part.
US07693870B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information. In one implementation, an image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires two or more images to be grouped together. The images include time information as attribute information. The image processing apparatus groups the images based on whether the intervals among times represented by the time information are greater than at least one threshold value. The images are managed in the form of a binary tree structure and handled in single or different groups based on comparing a threshold value with the standard deviations of intervals among the times so as to match a user's subjective intention.
US07693868B2
The subject mater herein relates to human resources data processing and, more particularly, to separation of employee data for different applications, such as personnel administration applications. Various embodiments provide systems, software, and methods that maintain a first set of employee data in an employee object, wherein the first set of employee data is valid across one or more other objects, and executing a process of a business object requiring at least a portion of the first set of employee data. In some embodiments, the business object obtains the portion of the first set of employee data from the employee object and maintains a second set of employee data that is not valid across all other objects.
US07693866B1
A system and method stores electronic legal documents, such as email messages, in a database system such that electronic characteristics associated a native format of the electronic legal documents are substantially preserved. The electronic characteristics that are preserved include metadata and conversational threading information, directory path information, attachments, and other electronic document information. Once in the database system, the stored electronic legal documents are indexed and can be searched by users at terminals. The users at the terminals are provided with access to the database system via a server. The terminals have user interfaces to provide the users with a variety of searching, processing, and saving capabilities, including the ability to follow conversation threads, view attachments, and index and retrieve selected electronic legal documents in a manner that allows use of the stored electronic characteristics.
US07693861B2
Establishing relationships between one or more entities of a first application and one or more entities of a second application using metadata. At least one entity of the second application is identified for establishing a relationship with at least one entity of the first application. Metadata from the second application is received at the first application. The metadata includes information associated with the identified entity of the second application. An expression is generated, based on the metadata, specifying a relationship between the entity of the first application with the identified entity of the second application.
US07693852B2
Data records contain identification data and user data and are either contained in a highest grouping level or are directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is either contained in the highest grouping level or is directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is in this way either empty or contains at least one directly subordinate element, which is either a data record group or a data record. A selection criterion is specified to a computer by a user, whereupon the computer displays to the user via a display device a list of at least the elements contained in the highest grouping level. The list is sorted according to an ordering criterion independent of the selection criterion. The identification data of each data record fulfilling the selection criterion and contained in the highest grouping level is displayed, and each data record group contained in the highest grouping level and to which at least one data record which fulfils the selection criterion is in turn directly or indirectly subordinate, is displayed. All other elements contained in the highest grouping level are not displayed. With regard to each displayed element, which is not contained in the highest grouping level, the data record group directly superordinate to the displayed element is displayed as well.
US07693842B2
A system and method that facilitates and effectuates in situ search for active note taking. The system and method includes receiving gestures from a stylus and a tablet associated with the system. Upon recognizing the gesture as belonging to a set of known and recognized gestures, the system creates an embeddable object, initiates a search with terms indicated by the gesture, associates the search results with the created object and inserts the object in close proximity with the terms that instigated the search.
US07693840B1
A system for updating web page common elements is provided. The system includes a distribution component that is operable on a first server. The distribution component transfers new common elements provided on the first server to a plurality of other servers that may be geographically dispersed. The plurality of other servers are each provided with a distribution agent that is operable to receive the common element and to store the common element in a directory on each of the plurality of other servers. The common code elements may be common elements, for example, on one or more enterprise web pages. A method for updating common elements for enterprise web pages is also provided.
US07693832B2
A unique system and method that facilitates synchronizing data across multiple accounts at about the same time is provided. The system and method involve configuring an intelligent set of synchronization rules that can apply to various data types from one or more user accounts or storage locations. In addition, the system or method can leverage off of existing search folders or search queries to configure the synchronization rules.
US07693827B2
A system and method for using a user profile to order placed content in search results returned by a search engine. The user profile is based on search queries submitted by a user, the user's specific interaction with the documents identified by the search engine and personal information provided by the user. Placed content is ranked by a score based at least in part on a similarity of a particular placed content to the user's profile. User profiles can be created and/or stored on the client side or server side of a client-server network environment.
US07693820B2
Methods and systems for integrating use of materialized transient views into generation of an optimized query execution plan. Features and aspects hereof provide rapid identification of common expressions in a query as transient view candidates and then rapidly select among the transient view candidates for those transient views that most benefit the cost of execution of the query. The selected transient views are incorporated into a generated final, optimized query execution plan including operator to materialize the selected transient views for re-use in execution of the query.
US07693814B2
In general, the invention features methods by which more than one client program connected to a network stores the same data item on a storage device of a data repository connected to the network. In one aspect, the method comprises encrypting the data item using a key derived from the content of the data item, determining a digital fingerprint of the data item, and storing the data item on the storage device at a location or locations associated with the digital fingerprint. In a second aspect, the method comprises determining a digital fingerprint of the data item, testing for whether the data item is already stored in the repository by comparing the digital fingerprint of the data item to the digital fingerprints of data items already in storage in the repository, and challenging a client that is attempting to deposit a data item already stored in the repository, to ascertain that the client has the full data item.
US07693807B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for mapping between anonymous modules in an event environment. Through the use of one or more event type to executable module bindings, a binding/dispatch manager maps events, for example, peer-to-peer, grid, or parallel processing computing events, to appropriate methods for processing the events. When an event is received from an event infrastructure, the binding/dispatch manager refers to annotations (e.g., based on the shape of the parameters) to identify an appropriate method for processing the event. Parameters are transferred to the appropriate method, which processes the parameters and returns any results to the binding/dispatch manager. In some embodiments, the binding/dispatch manager then forwards a response to the event infrastructure.
US07693805B2
A system and method to facilitate automatic identification of event classification errors in a network are described. Session data containing events logged by a user entity over a network in a predetermined period of time is retrieved from one or more event logs. Each event is further parsed to generate one or more event units. A frequency parameter of co-occurrence of the event units within each event of the session data is further determined and at least one session distance is determined among the events based on the frequency parameter. At least one classification distance is further retrieved from a data storage module, such as, for example, a database or a datastore, the one or more classification distances representing a relation between the events and corresponding classification categories within the database or datastore. Each session distance is further compared to each retrieved classification distance to ascertain event classification errors within the database or datastore. A predetermined error code is then assigned to each event if the corresponding session and classification distances are different. Finally, a list of classification errors containing the identified events and their corresponding error codes is output for further review and analysis, either through manual editing or, in the alternative, through automatic editing.
US07693797B2
A mobile terminal is equipped for SMS payment and service authentication with a remote transaction provider. The remote provider uses common secrets & a seed in a keyed Hash Machine Address Code (HMAC) executing a Message Digest Algorithm to generate a list of authentication token (username-password) for the purchase of services an/or goods. The common secrets and seed are shared with local redemption devices which also generate the list of authentication token. A subscriber conducts payment with the remote transaction provider and receives an authentication token corresponding to the purchased service. The subscriber provides the authentication token to the redemption device which compares the authentication token with sets of valid authentication tokens generated by the redemption terminal. If the comparison indicates a match, the redemption device provides the service to the subscriber.
US07693787B2
An account reconciliation system having a particular usefulness in the reconciliation of centrally billed accounts and more specifically, in the reconciliation of centrally billed accounts in the travel industry is provided. The system and methods of the present invention expand on the traditional match/non-match techniques and provide complete transaction management for every item on a client's account. In another sense, reconciliation is redefined to include each and every transaction on an account regardless of its reconciliation status, i.e., matched, unresolved, pending, etc. Consequently, the present invention reconciles the client's account to the account balance.
US07693785B1
A method of performing a card transaction includes accessing a web server using a point of service terminal having a web browser and a card reader, wherein the web server includes commands for obtaining authorization of the transaction; entering a transaction card into the card reader in order to enter an account number associated with the card into the web server; responding to prompts generated by the web server using the terminal; and obtaining authorization for the transaction through the web server.
US07693780B2
A system and method for the electronic trading of investment vehicles, such as stocks, bonds, options, commodities, stock and futures index contracts, and the like, is disclosed. The system and method provide a graphical user interface having a versatile and efficient market depth tool with a dynamic price axis for executing trades. The tool facilitates the display of and the rapid placement of trade orders within the market. The system provides for user initiated functionality to control, among other things, the manner in which the dynamic price axis moves in response to market conditions.
US07693771B1
A method and apparatus for identifying recurring payments analyzes historical transactions from a predefined time period to identify potential recurring payments and payees, based on one or more potential recurring payment identification parameters. Once potential recurring payments are identified by analyzing the historical transaction data, the user is presented with potential recurring payments report including a list of the potential recurring payments. In one embodiment, the user is given the opportunity to designate a given potential recurring payment as a confirmed recurring payment. Once a potential recurring payment is confirmed as a recurring payment, the data associated with that recurring payment, such as payee, account number, routing/address, payment amount, and date of payment is saved and the user has the opportunity to set up automatic payment of the recurring payment at a selected interval or to have the recurring payment appear as a payment option at a time selected interval.
US07693769B1
The present invention is a computerized tax savings tool for adjusting a taxpayer's taxable income to identify tax savings opportunities. The tax savings tool may be implemented as a component of a proprietary tax preparation software system that is used to prepare tax returns for taxpayer clients of a tax preparation firm. The tool automates the calculations of legal steps that a taxpayer may take to reduce his or her AGI on a current or a future tax return, which in turn enables the taxpayer to take advantage of additional adjustments, deductions, exemptions, credits, etc. provided by the tax code of the taxing authority. The tax savings opportunities are presented in one or more onscreen reports that may be reviewed by a tax return preparer and taxpayer. The onscreen report identifies specific actions that the taxpayer may take to reduce his or her taxable income, and therefore, related tax liability.
US07693767B2
A method for solving a business problem includes pooling transaction data received from a plurality of subscribers over a network, the transaction data including samples of fraudulent transactions. A data mining algorithm is then applied to the pooled transaction data, resulting in a predictive model that detects a fraudulent transaction. The predictive model is then provided to the subscribers in exchange for a subscription fee. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
US07693765B2
A system for providing a registered land asset includes a property transaction database in communication with a computer network the property transaction database provides information related to transactions associated with each registered land asset parcel, each land parcel having a registered land asset identifier representing global coordinates particular to the parcel. The system also includes a location characteristic database in communication with the computer network. The location characteristic database provides socioeconomic data regarding the location wherein the land parcel associated with the registered land asset is situated. A registered land asset contract may give a leaseholder an option to purchase the land by the end of a given term. A computer receives data from the property transaction database and the location characteristic database via the computer network and calculates prices and values associated with a registered land asset contract associated with the land parcel and a registered land asset contract is recorded in association with the land asset identifier corresponding to the land parcel in an electronic land title registry in communication with the computer network.
US07693761B1
A Value Analyzer system is a data-driven computer-facilitated financial model that provides accurate and consistent profitability calculations using account and event data stored in a relational database managed by a relational database management system (RDBMS), wherein the account data comprises attributes of the accounts being measured and the event data comprises attributes of account-related transactions. A selector function uses selection criteria to select accounts and events from the relational database in order to generate a number of inputs for profitability calculations.
US07693755B2
The computerized auction couples with bidder computers and an auction clearinghouse computer displaying data for the auction goods. The clearinghouse computer accepts bids, sorts bids by value, creates a bid paddle display showing the then highest bid and a bidder identifier. Bidders can incrementally increase bids substantially in real time and clearinghouse displays these further bids. The clearinghouse also accepts high value override bids. The system processes all bids until a maximum bid is accepted and displayed for a predetermined period of time. An auctioneer character figure executes a closing sale routine, first, second and third and final call, for additional bids. In the absence of a higher bid, the auctioneer closes the auction with a sold item routine. The sold item display routine visually and audibly identifies that the auction item is sold. If an additional bid is received during close sale, the system restarts the routine.
US07693750B2
A system for comparing terms to describe a transaction. The system receives, for a plurality of sellers of a time sensitive fixed capacity non-physical goods, a plurality of purchase information describing a transaction associated with each of the plurality of sellers, the purchase information comprising list price, taxes, and purchase terms. The system aggregates the plurality of purchase information in a database and standardizes a first purchase information and a second purchase information in response to a query for the first purchase information for a seller of non-physical goods. In addition, the system displays for substantially simultaneous viewing the standardized first purchase information with the second purchase information.
US07693749B2
A method of managing purchasing orders for a plurality of items to be purchased is shown. The method includes receiving a personal variant including search criteria associated with retail items to be used in populating an order list, populating a purchase order list based upon the personal variant, displaying the purchase order list including order list items satisfying criteria in the personal variant, receiving a selection of purchase order list items and providing a list of functions associated with the selected purchase order list items, and performing the selected functions on the order list item.
US07693747B2
A system and method of initiating an online auction. The system receives a request to acquire at least one line item using the online auction from a buyer and presents a data collection template to the buyer, where the data collection template is being used to collect data having a plurality of attributes relating to the line item being auctioned in the online auction. The system also generates, in response to at least one of the attributes of the data collected from the buyer, a report showing the data including at least one of the attributes relating to the line item and transmits the report to at least one supplier.
US07693738B2
Method and apparatus for computer-aided assessment of organizational process or system. Method and apparatus are adapted to display questions on a computer to an assessor, who then inputs numerical and/or textual inputs relative to the assessor's perception of the process or system. Filtering techniques inhibit entry of unsupported numerical and/or textual inputs which may be untrue and/or exaggerated. Questions used in combination with additional questions provide more accurate assessment of the system or process, where the question combinations already exist in a database. Questions asked may be directed to one or more recognized standards, and duplicative questions from different standards may be omitted. Evaluations of collected information are performed and additional corrective action questions are asked to identify degrees of risk and areas of weakness of the process or system.
US07693737B2
The invention is directed to a budget planning system that improves the accuracy and predictability of budget planning within large organizations by enabling organizations to reconcile corporate financial models and organizational targets with detailed spending forecasts. The budgeting system includes a database that is configured to store data defining a budgeting model for the organization. The model has a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes, each node corresponding to a “contributor” that either provides forecast data or review data provided by contributors associated with lower level nodes. The system is configured to capture target data from a set of financial analysts, capture forecast data from the contributors and reconcile the target data and the forecast data according to the model.
US07693736B1
The present invention provides methods and systems for scheduling recurring calendar items. More specifically, a recurring meeting may be scheduled between participants where the recurring meeting includes at least two different meetings that are set to occur at two different times with a determined periodicity. Allowable dates and times for the recurring meeting can be scheduled based on a number of criteria defined such as the availability of the participants for all meeting times and the availability of participants for certain meeting times.
US07693734B2
A method for scheduling conference resources is provided, that includes receiving a request for a conference reservation. The request may include the identities of a plurality of proposed participants, a proposed start time, and at least one fixed resource criterion. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a projected location of at least one of the proposed participants is automatically calculated. The projected location may be a location at which the at least one of the proposed participants is expected to be at approximately the proposed start time. The method may also include automatically calculating a projected location of at least one invitee of the conference. In accordance with this embodiment, the projected location of the at least one invitee may be used to select an optimal one of a plurality of fixed resources, that match the at least one fixed resource criterion.
US07693727B2
Interactive methods and systems for directing, integrating, documenting, and tracking steps taken by medical providers during the process of care for a patient's given condition. Doctors' actions are directed by a prescriptive protocol—a checklist of discrete steps designed for efficient or optimal care of an individual patient's specific condition. The step-by-step checklist is abstracted from decision tree guidelines for the optimal work up and treatment for the condition using probability-based methodology. The care protocols can be derived from widely available and non-proprietary guidelines and decision trees based on public medical research literature.In one embodiment, the invention can be employed by a primary care clinician at the point of referral into the specialist sector, and at the specialist level when proposing a risky or expensive or otherwise problematic medical or surgical diagnostic or treatment intervention. At these two critical transaction points in care, the checklist functions like a lock, based on a hidden clinical decision algorithm (an explanation of which can be displayed upon request). The system asks the clinician for data and then generates the patient's optimal checklist, displaying it as a point and click form keyed to the stage of care being undertaken by each doctor. As the clinician enters data into the checklist, a decision engine determines whether the checklist data satisfies predetermined criteria for authorization of the proposed action. The system can also document each transaction taken in the process of care to create an electronic record that can be made accessible to all clinicians involved in the process of care.
US07693722B2
An audio decoding apparatus for decoding and reproducing a plurality of compressed audio streams simultaneously without sound interruption, even when the number of samples per frame is different. The audio decoding apparatus includes: a first and second audio decoder which decode two inputted compressed audio streams, and output audio data; a first and second intermediate buffer which temporarily hold the outputted audio data; a first and second audio output unit which convert the audio data into audio signals and output such audio signals; an output control unit which reads the audio data from the first and second intermediate buffer, and transmits the audio data to the first and second audio output unit. The output control unit repeats the reading and transmission of either the same number of samples of audio data or the number of samples of audio data for the same amount of transmission time.
US07693719B2
A method for synthesizing speech from text includes receiving one or more waveforms characteristic of a voice of a person selected by a user, generating a personalized voice font based on the one or more waveforms, and delivering the personalized voice font to the user's computer, whereby speech can be synthesized from text, the speech being in the voice of the selected person, the speech being synthesized using the personalized voice font. A system includes a text-to-speech (TTS) application operable to generate a voice font based on speech waveforms transmitted from a client computer remotely accessing the TTS application.
US07693717B2
An apparatus comprising a session file, session file editor, annotation window, concatenation software and training software. The session file includes one or more audio files and text associated with each audio file segment. The session file editor displays text and provides text selection capability and plays back audio. The annotation window operably associated with the session file editor supports user modification of the selected text, the annotation window saves modified text corresponding to the selected text from the session file editor and audio associated with the modified text. The concatenation software concatenates modified text and audio associated therewith for two or more instances of the selected text. The training software trains a speech user profile using a concatenated file formed by the concatenating software. The session file may have original audio associated with the selected text, wherein the apparatus further comprises software for substituting the modified text for the selected text. In some embodiments, the concatenation software concatenates modified text and audio associated therewith for two or more instances of the selected text. In some embodiments, the training software trains a speech user profile using a concatenated file formed by the concatenating software.
US07693716B1
Disclosed herein are various aspects of a toolkit used for generating a TTS voice for use in a spoken dialog system. The embodiments in each case may be in the form of the system, a computer-readable medium or a method for generating the TTS voice. An embodiment of the invention relates to a method of tracking progress in developing a text-to-speech (TTS) voice. The method comprises insuring that a corpus of recorded speech contains reading errors and matches an associated written text, creating a tuple for each utterance in the corpus and tracking progress for each utterance utilizing the tuple. Various parameters may be tracked using the tuple but the tuple provides a means for enabling multiple workers to efficiently process a database of utterance in preparation of a TTS voice.
US07693712B2
A pre-processing system of a signal of interest in an automatic speech recognition system in a vehicle, includes an acoustic sensor to sense the signal of interest, a non acoustic sensor to sense a non acoustic noise signal, a pre-processing unit of the signal of interest, comprising a processing section of coherent frequency bands signals for suppressing the noise from the received signal, a processing section of non coherent frequency bands signals, comprising transfer function estimation device of a signal through the vehicle cabin, and a methods selection section for determining the coherence properties of the received signal, and for selecting the processing section of coherent frequency bands signals or the processing section of non coherent frequency bands signals depending on the result of the properties of the received signal.
US07693710B2
The present invention relates to a method and device for improving concealment of frame erasure caused by frames of an encoded sound signal erased during transmission from an encoder (106) to a decoder (110), and for accelerating recovery of the decoder after non erased frames of the encoded sound signal have been received. For that purpose, concealment/recovery parameters are determined in the encoder or decoder. When determined in the encoder (106), the concealment/recovery parameters are transmitted to the decoder (110). In the decoder, erasure frame concealment and decoder recovery is conducted in response to the concealment/recovery parameters. The concealment/recovery parameters may be selected from the group consisting of: a signal classification parameter, an energy information parameter and a phase information parameter. The determination of the concealment/recovery parameters comprises classifying the successive frames of the encoded sound signal as unvoiced, unvoiced transition, voiced transition, voiced, or onset, and this classification is determined on the basis of at least a part of the following parameters: a normalized correlation parameter, a spectral tilt parameter, a signal-to-noise ratio parameter, a pitch stability parameter, a relative frame energy parameter, and a zero crossing parameter.
US07693705B1
The present invention provides a new method for returning context specific questions during the process of authoring a document or report. The questions alert an author of possible omissions and vague or general statements. The method employs techniques in semantic analysis including corpus linguistics and sentential logic. The method takes as input sentences created by the document author, and looks up semantic propositions connected to these sentences, which are in the document's knowledge domain, and questions linked to these propositions or other related propositions. The questions are sorted based on priority determined by a knowledge engineer. Additional methods are used to suppress redundant or nonspecific questions to increase their usefulness to the document author. The resulting question list aids the author in creating a high quality document.
US07693702B1
A visualization system for a computer system includes a modeling portion configured to specify the virtual geographic location in response to a three-dimensional model of the virtual geographic location and in response to the position of the viewer with respect to the virtual geographic location, a satellite data portion configured to specify a representation of satellite status data in response to the position of the viewer with respect to the virtual geographic location and in response to the satellite status data, and a three-dimensional output portion configured to provide at least two images of the virtual geographic location and the representation of the satellite status data to the viewer.
US07693695B2
In one aspect, the invention provides a method for modeling the performance of a fixed cutter bit drilling an earth formation. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a drill bit and an earth formation to be represented as drilled, simulating the bit drilling the earth formation, displaying the simulating, and adjusting at least one parameter affecting the performance. The method of design is used to make a fixed cutter drill bit. In another embodiment the method includes numerically rotating the bit, calculating bit interaction with the earth formation during the rotating, and determining the forces on the cutters during the rotation based on the calculated interaction with earth formation and empirical data.
US07693688B2
A field bus distribution unit (VE) designed for use in process automation technology involving several field devices. The unit is equipped with a microcontroller μC, which is connected to the field bus (FB) and transmits device-specific information of the field devices that are connected to a field bus distribution unit (VE).
US07693683B2
An information classifying device calculates, for a plurality of populations containing pieces of sample information, evaluation distance between a center of gravity of the pieces of sample information belonging to each population and a piece of sample information as an object of classification (object sample), calculates statistical information such as mean, variance and standard deviation of the evaluation distance for each population, evaluates the evaluation distance of the sample information to the population based on the evaluation distance and the statistical information and evaluates degree of assignment relevancy of the object sample to the population, determines to which population the object sample is to be assigned in accordance with the degree of assignment relevancy, and assigns the object sample to the population. Evaluation distance between the center of gravity of each updated population and the object sample belonging to each population is calculated. If the degree of assignment relevancy to every population is out of a prescribed range, a new population is formed, and the object sample is assigned to the new population. Thus, autonomous and stable classification of object sample to a population becomes possible.
US07693682B2
A method for measuring critical dimensions of a pattern using an overlay measuring apparatus is provided. The method includes setting a first scan range, inputting a step pitch for the overlay measuring apparatus, inputting X and Y coordinates of a point on a reticle, and inputting a size of the reference pattern. The method further includes inputting a position of the reference pattern, inputting a second scan range, measuring the size of the reference pattern, and inputting an ideal pattern size. The method still further includes measuring a size and a first Z-axial focus position of a top region of the reference pattern, storing the first Z-axial focus position, measuring a size of the selected pattern of the first wafer using stored reference information, and determining whether the size of the selected pattern is suitable relative to the ideal pattern size.
US07693681B2
A method for determining a three-dimensional position of an RFID tag includes moving a mobile object carrying an RFID antenna in a workplace to a first position where the RFID antenna receives a radio signal from the RFID tag. A horizontal angle and a vertical angle are determined from the RFID antenna to the RFID tag based on the feasibility of communication between the RFID antenna and the RFID tag as the RFID antenna is turned or moved in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively, at the first position. A distance from the RFID antenna to the RFID tag is determined based on the power of the signal received from the RFID tag. A three-dimensional position of the RFID tag is determined by vector calculation using the horizontal angle, the vertical angle, and the distance.
US07693670B2
An electric power meter includes an embedded decomposition module that is configured to decompose a power meter signal into constituent loads to segregate and identify energy consumption associated with each individual energy consumption device within a plurality of energy consumption devices coupled to the power meter.
US07693669B2
A brown out detection circuit includes a sense amplifier for sensing a current level exhibited by a flash cell. Combinatorial logic is coupled to the sense amplifier for identifying a program condition of the flash cell based on the sensed current level, including a brown out condition, in order to provide a warning to avoid potential malfunction from a brown out condition.
US07693667B2
A method and system for determining a predicted flash endurance Vt of a flash cell after N program/erase cycles. The method includes measuring a Vtp value and a Vte value of the flash cell after a cycle number in a range from 2000 to less than N/2 program/erase cycles; calculating a Vtp slope of a line starting from the measured Vtp value in a half logarithmic graph representation based on historical test data from flash cells of wafers having substantially the same process steps compared to the flash cell under investigation; calculating a Vte slope of a line starting from the measured Vte value in a half logarithmic graph representation based on the historical test data; and determining the Vtp and Vte values at 2 million program/erase cycles by extrapolating from the measured Vte and Vtp values.
US07693662B2
A drive recorder stores information regarding a dangerous location where a vehicle collision or a dangerous driving situation occurred in the past. When it is determined that the vehicle approaches the dangerous location based on a position signal from a GPS receiver for detecting the present position of the vehicle, a warning is provided to the vehicle driver. According to the warning, the vehicle driver can recognize that the vehicle is approaching the dangerous location where the vehicle collision or the dangerous driving situation occurred in the past.
US07693660B2
A method and apparatus for determining long term orbit (LTO) models using variable time-horizons to improve the orbit and clock model accuracy. The method and apparatus use either historic ephemeris or historic measurements for at least one satellite to produce an orbit parameter prediction model (an LTO model). The parameter predicted by the model is compared to an orbit parameter of a current broadcast ephemeris. The result of the comparison (an indicia of accuracy for the model) is used to establish a time-horizon for the orbit parameter prediction model for that particular satellite. Such a time-horizon may be established in this manner for each satellite within a satellite constellation.
US07693655B2
In a navigation system, a current position is designated as a center of a start-point area. A category of a spot, e.g., a point of interest, is designated. Feature information of a spot within the start-point area then appears on a display device as initially provided information to a user with respect to the spot. This feature information allows the user to easily perceive the feature of the spot. The user only needs operation up to designating the category and can easily determine whether the spot is an intended one by perceiving its feature.
US07693651B2
A method for monitoring fuel status of a vehicle having a fuel tank includes the steps of determining an amount of fuel in the fuel tank, obtaining a geographic location of the vehicle, calculating a fuel threshold based at least in part on the geographic location, and providing a low fuel indication if the amount of fuel is less than the fuel threshold.
US07693648B2
A method of detecting an assembly condition, such as, for example, a misassembly, of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a machine includes a step of executing an aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm. The executing step includes detecting an electronic identification feature of an aftertreatment component of the exhaust aftertreatment system, and comparing the electronic identification feature to an expected value.
US07693643B2
A system and method is provided that facilitates improved fault detection. The fault detection system provides the ability to detect symptoms of fault in the fuel system of a turbine engine. The fault detection system captures selected data from the turbine engines that is used to characterize the performance of the fuel system. The fault detection system includes a feature extractor that extracts salient features from the selected sensor data. The extracted salient features are passed to a classifier that analyzes the extracted salient features to determine if a fault is occurring or has occurred in the turbine engine fuel system. Detected faults can then be passed to a diagnostic system where they can be passed as appropriate to maintenance personnel.
US07693641B2
A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer is comprised of a controller which is arranged to receive a vehicle speed command, to obtain an anticipated vehicle speed command from the vehicle speed command taking account of a delay factor of a control system of the vehicle, to calculate a driving force a driving force command from the anticipated vehicle speed command, to obtain an accelerator opening command from a previously stored driving force characteristic map based on the driving force command and a detected vehicle speed, and to control an accelerator opening of the vehicle according to the accelerator opening command so as to adjust the detected vehicle at the vehicle speed command.
US07693635B2
The present invention provides a method for approximating the flow rate of hydraulic fluid in an automatic transmission. The method includes estimating a flow rate value for each of a plurality of temperatures. Thereafter, the current transmission temperature is measured. The flow rate corresponding to the current transmission temperature is then learned in the following manner. The process of learning the flow rate initially includes identifying the presence of a predefined shift aberration. If the predefined shift aberration was not identified, the flow rate estimation corresponding to the current transmission temperature is iteratively adjusted. If the predefined shift aberration was identified, the flow rate estimation corresponding to the current transmission temperature is reversed by one iterative step thereby providing the learned flow rate value for the current transmission temperature.
US07693631B2
An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.
US07693620B2
An approach guidance method for an airborne mobile platform, for example an aircraft, and associated system. The method includes determining a radius of a capture arc tangential to a glide slope, determining an altitude for tangentially intercepting the capture arc, and guiding the mobile platform to an intercept point on the capture arc. The glide slope is associated with a waypoint, and the radius of the capture arc depends on variable mobile platform speed. The altitude for intercepting the capture arc depends on the radius of the capture arc and on variable flight angle.
US07693619B2
A control system of a spacecraft for controlling two or more sets of collinear control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) comprises an attitude control system. The attitude control system is configured to receive a command to adjust an orientation of the spacecraft, determine an offset for a momentum disk for each of the two or more sets of CMGs that maximizes torque, determine a momentum needed from the two or more sets of CMGs to adjust the orientation of the spacecraft, and calculate a total torque needed by taking the derivative of the momentum. The control system further comprises a momentum actuator control processor coupled to the attitude control system, the momentum actuator control processor configured to calculate a required gimbal movement for each of the CMGs in each of the two or more sets of collinear CMGs from total torque.
US07693611B2
A variable power supply is controlled to supply power at approximately a first supply level for an electronic device. The variable power supply is controlled to control a transition of the power from approximately the first supply level toward a second supply level prior to controlling the variable power supply to supply power at approximately the second supply level for the electronic device. One or more power supply controller parameters are dynamically controlled.
US07693609B2
A system and method for recharging a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The system includes a controller that schedules the recharging of the vehicles on local electrical distribution networks. The system arranges the schedule to minimize the demand loading on the local distribution network to more efficiently operate power plants providing electrical power to the distribution networks. A system for collecting charges associated with the recharging of plug-in hybrid vehicles is also disclosed providing for prepaid utility accounts.
US07693608B2
A system for filtering and interpreting real-time sensory data from an electrical system is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The data acquisition component acquires real-time data output from the electrical system. The power analytics sewer is comprised of a virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine, and a decision engine.The virtual system modeling engine generates predicted data output for the electrical system. The analytics engine monitors real-lime data output and predicted data output of the electrical system. The decision engine compares the real-time data output against the predicted data output to filter out and interpret indicia of electrical system health and performance.The client terminal is communicatively connected to the power analytics server and configured to display the filtered and interpreted indicia.
US07693607B2
A system for protection, control, metering, and monitoring of the delivery of electrical power is disclosed. Embodiments of the system provide input/output devices called bricks to receive analog and binary field data from primary equipment located in a power substation switchyard. The bricks are linked via fiber-optic patch cables and patch panels with one or more intelligent electronic devices (“IEDs”). In operation, the bricks convert the received binary and/or analog field data into digital signals, and transmit the digital signals synchronously to their associated IEDs using clock signals provided by each IED to the individual bricks. The bricks may accept a computer software code download from each of its master IED(s). Multiple code implementations, each tailored to the requirements of its master IED(s) can therefore co-exist on a single brick.
US07693601B2
A method comprising providing printed products to form a first mail stream on a printing line, providing printed products to form a second mail stream on a printing line, and placing printed product from the second mail stream onto a printed product of the first mail stream to create the combined mail stream in the sequence of a master mailing list.
US07693598B2
To provide an embroidery data creation apparatus, an embroidery data creation program, and a recording medium that records the embroidery data creation program, which create embroidery data for embroidery that is clear and sharp even when the tint or output size of an image is changed. The number of pixels necessary to create embroidery data is determined from thread density, size of the embroidery, and copied color data. Initial angle information is created from angle data and the angle information having necessary pixel configuration is re-computed from the initial angle information. Then, line segment data is created from the re-computed angle information, color data is created from the size adjusted color data and the line segment data, and the embroidery data is created from the line segment data and the color data.
US07693597B2
A substrate processing method for removing a resist film from a substrate having the resist film formed thereon comprises maintaining the inner region of the chamber at a prescribed temperature by putting a substrate in a chamber, denaturing the resist film by supplying ozone and a water vapor in such a manner that ozone is supplied into the chamber while a water vapor is supplied into the chamber at a prescribed flow rate, the amount of ozone relative to the amount of the water vapor being adjusted such that the dew formation within the chamber is prevented, and processing the substrate with a prescribed liquid material so as to remove the denatured resist film from the substrate.
US07693593B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a production planning method and system. Where a manufacturing apparatus is shared by a plurality of products in a production line, if a manufacturing (production) availability number is changed, a cause parameter is automatically investigated so that a production plan with high precision can be prepared in a short time. With respect to a production plan as the previous/current comparison objects, a production process used in the production plan in which a change occurs, is extracted. From the production process, a parameter item to be used in the production capacity evaluation is extracted for all products, a difference comparison is made between the value of the previous parameter and the value of the current parameter, so that the parameter item as the cause is specified. The combination of the cause parameter items is calculated, and a cause parameter list is prepared. Next, from the specified parameter list, the parameter item is sequentially changed, and the manufacturing (production) availability number is recalculated. An influence index given to the manufacturing (production) unavailability number by the cause parameter, is calculated.
US07693592B2
A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprises the steps of receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between the engineering/control system within the facility and the machines or installations; manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill the definition or specification and adapting the communication interface unit to the definition or specification; providing the communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing the machine or installation; delivering the machine or installation and the communication interface unit to the facility; and integrating the machine or installation equipped with the communication interface unit within the facility.
US07693586B2
A process model specified using, for example, UML activity diagrams can be translated into an event-based model that can be executed on top of a coordination middleware. For example, a process model may be encoded as a collection of coordinating objects that interact with each other through a coordination middleware including a shared memory space. This approach is suitable for undertaking post-deployment adaptation of process-oriented composite applications. In particular, new control dependencies can be encoded by dropping new (or enabling existing) coordinating objects into the space and/or disabling existing ones.
US07693584B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for motivating persons to undertake exercise, employing camera based computer monitoring of persons and/or exercise apparatus, and displays of video data, which may be derived from such monitored information.
US07693580B2
A radiant therapeutic wrist heating pad, which is not hot to the touch, provides substantial infrared radiation to a user's wrist to alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be used for extended periods without feeling uncomfortable to the skin, while imparting deep therapeutic heat to the user's wrist. The heating pad is comprised of a radiant heat generating layer having a plane surface comprising means for radiating heat evenly from its surface, a pair of flexible electrically insulating and radiation permeable layers located adjacent and covering opposite sides of the layer, a thermal insulation layer disposed against and covering one of the electrically insulating layers, and a sealed radiation permeable envelope enclosing the entire heater. Preferably the flexible heat generating layer is comprised of a fiberglass material impregnated with a resistive material, which material provides a surface temperature, when current is conducted therethrough, which is no greater than about 54 degrees Celsius. Current limiting thermostats are provided to prevent energy and temperature spikes in the event that any of the electrical components are creased or bent. A stiffening element helps protect the electrical components, and also orients the user's hand with respect to the forearm so as to place the wrist in a therapeutic position.
US07693577B2
At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.
US07693568B2
A medical device includes a sensor for sensing for an MRI gradient magnetic field and a microprocessor for responding to the detected gradient magnetic field by switching from a first electrical signal processing mode to a second electrical signal processing mode, such that electrical signals induced by the gradient magnetic field and an associated RF burst are not counted as cardiac events.
US07693567B2
A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument, and in particular a sleeve, to a biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions. A depth stop enhances accurate insertion, and prevents over-insertion or inadvertent retraction of the sleeve. The sleeve receives a probe of the MRI-compatible biopsy instrument and may contain various features to enhance its imagability, to enhance vacuum and pressure assist therethrough, and marker deployment etc.
US07693560B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure analyte or non-analyte related signal, both of which electrode include an interference domain.
US07693558B2
A wireless communication terminal transmitting/receiving data with a folder closed and a method thereof are disclosed. The wireless communication terminal includes: a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data through a wireless communication network; a storage for storing the transmitted data and the received data; a detector for detecting a state of the folder of the wireless communication terminal in order to determine whether the folder is opened or closed; an outputting unit for indicating a result of the data transmission/reception; and a controller for analyzing the transmitted/received data to detect the last packet of the data, and continuing to perform the data transmission/reception without regard to the detected state of the folder until the last packet of the data has been detected.
US07693551B2
A method for determining beamforming coefficients begins by obtaining channel information for a multiple tone communication. The method then continues by deriving the beamforming coefficients based on the channel information and a smoothness criteria.
US07693549B2
An electronic device for a mobile device and a mobile device comprising the electronic device are provided. The electronic device comprises: a battery including: a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two or more side surfaces; one or more battery cells within the housing; and a battery interface positioned on a surface of the housing; and a smart card having a smart card interface positioned on a surface of the housing.
US07693548B2
A mobile telephone device, comprising, an enclosure; a plurality of hardware components that provide the functionality of a cellular telephone or a satellite telephone, at least some of said components being inside or on said enclosure; a solid state non-volatile storage system inside of said enclosure; and a directly accessible connection for said storage system, adapted to connect to an external host system.
US07693545B2
Disclosed are a system and a method for controlling functions of a mobile communication terminal when in a predetermined zone. The system includes a function control apparatus for requesting a function list stored in the mobile communication terminal when detecting that the mobile communication terminal has entered a predetermined zone, indicating functions to be deactivated and generating a first function control list when the function list is received from the mobile communication terminal, and transmitting the first function control list to the mobile communication terminal; and the mobile communication terminal for transmitting the function list to the function control apparatus in response to the request for the function list received from the function control apparatus, and updating the stored function list in accordance with the first function control list when the first function control list is received from the function control apparatus.
US07693540B2
A mobile terminal which includes a terminal body, a main printed circuit board (PCB) embedded in the terminal body, and a support member fixed to the main PCB and having a camera and a sub-PCB mounted thereto.
US07693535B2
Methods for providing a group play list for a plurality of multimedia content records include associating respective ones of a plurality of users associated with a user network with corresponding ones of the multimedia content records on the group play list. A presence status of the respective ones of the users associated with the user network is detected. Rendering of the multimedia content records on the group play list to the users associated with the network is automatically adjusted based on the detected presence status. The user network may be, for example, a computer based social network.
US07693534B1
A method and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically selecting a complete or referenced group indication when initiating a group communication session in a communication system. A client device may include logic through which the device will decide, at the time of group session initiation, whether to initiate the session by reference to a complete group listing or rather whether to initiate the session by reference to a group identifier (e.g., group-ID). The client device may be capable of maintaining group data in order to indicate whether the client device and a communication server have agreed on a group-ID to correspond with a particular group. When a user directs the client device to initiate a session with a particular group, the client device will initiate the session by reference to the group-ID if the client device and communication server have agreed on a group-ID to correspond to the particular group. On the other hand, if not, the client device will initiate the session by reference to the complete group listing for the particular group.
US07693533B2
A method for performing session merging between PoC sessions under the environment of multiple PoC sessions is provided. A merging PoC client sends a request for the session merging with a merged session to a PoC server managing a merging session to which the PoC client belongs. The PoC server managing the merging session sends a session merge request to a PoC server managing the merged session. Negotiation of a CF (Controlling PoC Function) for managing a session to be merged is performed between the PoC server of the merging session and the PoC server of the merged session. When an entire CF of the session to be merged is selected as the negotiation between the PoC servers is completed, the PoC server of the merged session sends an UPDATE message of modified media parameters to a PoC client of the merged session. The PoC server of the merging session sends, to a PoC client of the merging session, a NOTIFY message of a merge request notifying that the PoC server of the merging session is selected as the entire CF.
US07693532B2
The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.
US07693526B2
In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring utilization of an access medium relative to one or more access classes, receiving a QoS request. The QoS request identifies an access class. The method further includes computing a first allocation of an access medium for the QoS request and approving the QoS request if the computed first allocation is less than an amount of the access medium available to the access class identified in the QoS request.
US07693521B1
A mobile station is associated with a first wireless coverage area that has a first pilot signal. A second wireless coverage area that has a second pilot signal is in the mobile station's neighbor list. The mobile station measures E1, the energy per chip of the first pilot signal, and I1, the total received power at the first pilot's frequency. The mobile station also measures E2, the energy per chip of the second pilot signal, and I2, the total received power at the second pilot's frequency. If E2 exceeds E1 by at least a first predetermined amount and E2/I2 exceeds E1/I1 by at least a second predetermined amount, then a handoff of the mobile station from the first wireless coverage area to the second wireless coverage area is effected.
US07693518B2
First, the strength A of a first pilot signal currently transmitted by a base station and strength B of a second pilot signal transmitted by a base station other than the foregoing base station are measured, the correction value D of a handoff threshold value according to the multicast service availability and radio configuration information of the multicast content is obtained, and handoff threshold value C is obtained, as well. Next, if the difference between the strength B of the second pilot signal and the strength A of the first pilot signal is greater than the sum of the handoff threshold value C and the correction value D, the idle handoff is started. Through this, idle handoff to neighbor base stations delivering the same multicast content is facilitated and idle handoff to other base stations is made difficult.
US07693511B2
Methods and apparatus support communication between a communication device and a compatible communication device over a telecommunications network. The communication devices have unique identities. The methods and apparatus are configured to detect the presence of the compatible communication device using a low power radio frequency technology; to determine the identity of the detected compatible communication device; and, in response to detection of the presence of the compatible communication device, to redirect incoming calls intended for the detected compatible communication device having the determined identity to the communication device, wherein the controller sends control signals to the compatible communication device, such that the compatible communication device can control the redirection of the incoming calls at the network.
US07693505B2
The present invention relates to a signal detector, which discerns the presence of signals in a circumscribed area, and a warning is given if a signal is detected. The signal detector adjusts its conditions for the background noise elimination depending on the detected environments in order to discern the presence of signals more efficiently and correctly. Moreover, the present invention shows on a display device the protocol of the detected signal, and enables the user to know the type of the detected signal. Besides, the user can also choose to control the signal detector in a wired or wireless way through the signal connection port, and the user can manually adjust detecting conditions to its environment.
US07693498B2
A power amplifier module includes a transmit power probability module and a power amplifier circuit. The transmit power probability module is coupled to determine a transmit power level probability. The power amplifier circuit is coupled to amplify an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal at a power level in accordance with the transmit power level probability and a desired transmit power level.
US07693495B2
A transmitting arrangement includes a matching circuit, a reference circuit and a comparator. The output of the matching circuit can be coupled to an antenna and comprises an adjustable impedance. The reference circuit is connected to an input of the matching circuit and comprises a reference impedance. Inputs of the comparator are coupled to the matching circuit and the reference circuit and its output is coupled to the adjustable impedance via a control input of the matching circuit.
US07693477B2
An image forming member includes: an electrostatic latent image holding member that holds an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit that develops a toner image formed by a toner on a surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member; a toner removing member that removes a residual toner remaining on a surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member; a conveying path including a conveying member that is internally provided in the conveying path and that returns the residual toner removed from the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member to the developing unit; and a trapping portion that traps a foreign matter conveyed by the conveying member, the electrostatic latent image holding member, the developing unit, the toner removing member, the conveying path, and the trapping portion of the image forming member being integrally and detachably attached to an image forming apparatus body.
US07693473B2
A fuser assembly configured to fix a toner image to a sheet of print media includes a fuser belt having a first side edge and a second side edge. A plurality of end cap assemblies is positioned to locate the fuser belt. The plurality of end cap assemblies include a first end cap assembly having a first compliant stopping flange positioned to engage the first side edge of the fuser belt, and a second end cap assembly having a second compliant flange positioned to engage the second side edge of the fuser belt.
US07693464B2
A user-removable stabilizer for a toner cartridge assembly comprises of at least one member that becomes inserted in the toner cartridge assembly for capturing a first movable section of the toiler cartridge assembly and interconnecting at least the first movable section with a second movable section of the toner cartridge assembly, and a stopping member protruding upwardly from the at least one member for limiting insertion of the stabilizer into the toner cartridge assembly. A method of stabilizing movable sections of a toner cartridge assembly is also provided.
US07693463B2
A developing device has a bearing member that can bear a toner, a storing chamber for storing the toner, a waiting chamber disposed below the storing chamber for receiving the bearing member that can be filled with the toner and a buffer chamber positioned between the storing chamber and the waiting chamber for storing the developer material. A first horizontal connecting path connects upper portions of the storing and buffer chambers, and two second connecting paths connect lower portions of the buffer chamber and the waiting chamber. A feed member feeds toner from the storing chamber through the first connecting path into the buffer chamber. A first conveying member in the buffer chamber conveys the toner from one of the connecting paths to the other of the connecting paths, and a second conveying member in the waiting chamber conveys the toner within the waiting chamber in the opposite direction.
US07693461B2
A development unit for a printing device is described. An equalizing element is provided to minimize residual charges which cause ghosting. The equalizing element can, for example, be a roller or a blade positioned downstream of a cleaning nip between the cleaning roller and the development roller and charged to an electric potential which is substantially the same as an electric potential of the development roller. The equalizing element can alternatively, or in addition to being charged to perform equalization, operate to aid in charge residual charge dissipation on the development roller by blocking developer from reaching the development roller downstream of the cleaning roller.
US07693459B2
A charging device and an image forming apparatus using the charging device. The charging device includes a charging member to uniformly charge a surface of a latent image bearing member in contact therewith, a charge bias application unit to apply a charge bias to the charging member, a conductive member to contact a surface of the charging member, and a different-valued bias application unit to apply a different-valued bias different from the charge bias to the conductive member. The image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearing member to bear a latent image, a latent image forming unit to form the latent image on the latent image bearing member, a development unit to develop the latent image with toner, and the charging device.
US07693457B2
A charging member has a surface layer. The surface layer contains a polysiloxane having a first unit, a second unit and a third unit each of which is represented by a specific formula. The ratio of the sum of the mole numbers of the first and second units to the sum of the mole numbers of the first to third units is in a specific range.
US07693456B2
A conductive member including a conductive supporting body (1), an electric resistance adjusting layer (2) formed on the conductive supporting body (1), and space holding members (3, 3) provided on opposite ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2), at least one engaging projection (50, 60,70, 80) being provided on one of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3), and an engaging opening (51, 61, 71, 81) in which the engaging projection is inserted being provided in the other of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3).
US07693455B2
A conductive member to be disposed so as to abut on an image carrier is provided. The conductive member includes an elongate conductive supporter, an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on a circumferential surface of the supporter, and a pair of gap maintaining members provided respectively to the two ends of the adjusting layer. A gap with a certain clearance between an outer circumferential surface of the adjusting layer and an outer circumferential surface of the image carrier provided in parallel to the adjusting layer is formed. A stepped portion is formed in a joint section between the adjusting layer and each of the gap maintaining members with the joint section. An inclination is formed so as to be continuously inclined from the outer circumferential surface of each of the gap maintaining members to the outer circumferential surface of the adjusting layer in the stepped portion.
US07693444B2
An image reading and recording apparatus has a scanner unit for effecting exposure conforming to an image signal on a photosensitive drum, a heat roller pair for fixing a toner image formed on a recording sheet, and a reading unit for reading an original. The heat roller pair is disposed above a process cartridge, and a cartridge dismounting space for permitting dismounting of the process cartridge therethrough is disposed between the heat roller pair and the scanner unit.
US07693443B2
In a developing cartridge, the contact plate of the electrode member is disposed to contact the developing bias terminal within a plane of projection when a driven coupling part is projected in a first direction. A first axis line, which is an axis of the developing roller shaft, and a second axis line, which is an axis of the input gear, are disposed in parallel and equidistant in the front-rear direction. A part of the contact plate is disposed on the second axis line. A first line connecting an axis about which the input gear rotates and the developing roller shaft and a second line connecting the contact plate and the developing roller shaft are disposed parallel to each other. The distance between the first axis line and the second axis line equals the distance between the first axis line and the contact plate.
US07693440B2
An image forming apparatus for forming an image with a fixing member, which fixing member includes a first heating member and a plurality of second heating members is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a capacitor, a charging part for charging the capacitor, a first drive part for lighting on/off the first heating member by controlling a first power supply to the first heating member, a second drive part for lighting on/off at least one of the plurality of second heating members by controlling a second power supply to the plurality of second heating members, and a control part for dividing the plurality of second heating members into groups and permitting at least one of the groups to receive the second power supply during a waiting period of the image forming apparatus.
US07693435B2
A fixing device has a heating roller with a heat source therein. A power supply operates the heat source for heating a transfer material and fixing a toner image thereon. A pressure roller is spaced from the heating roller and a facing member faces the heating roller. An endless fixing belt is mounted on the facing member and the heating roller and contacts the pressure roller to form a nip. A temperature detector faces the outer surface of the fixing belt for detecting the surface temperature thereof. An excessive temperature preventer faces part of the outer surface of the heating roller where the fixing belt is not mounted for detecting the surface temperature of the heating roller and cutting off the power supply to the heat source when the surface temperature rises above a preset temperature.
US07693427B2
An object of this invention is to provide a modulator, an optical transmitter and an optical transfer device which can modulate a channel signal while suppressing residual AM signals regardless of the frequency of a channel signal and suppressing deterioration of the channel signal due to impossibility of giving a sufficient FM demodulation amplitude. A modulator 2 according to this invention is a modulator 2 for modulating an input signal, comprising: a branching circuit 21 for producing an inverted signal with an inverted phase of the phase of a first input signal transferred within a first frequency bandwidth; a first semiconductor laser 22a for FM-modulating the first input signal to produce a first FM-modulated light beam; a second semiconductor laser 22b for FM-modulating the inverted signal to produce a second FM-modulated light beam; an optical phase-modulating unit 23 for changing the phase of one of the first FM-modulated light beam and the second FM-modulated light beam on the basis of a second input signal transferred within a second frequency bandwidth, thereby producing a phase-modulated light beam; an optical merging unit 24 for merging the other of the first FM-modulated light beam and the second FM-modulated light beam and the phase-modulated light beam thereby to produce a modulated light beam; and a photoelectric converting unit 25 for converting the modulated light beam in a modulated signal through optical heterodyne detection.
US07693420B2
A system and method for detecting and compensating for thermal drift in an optical network in a manner that enables an increased number of optical channels to be used on a given optical medium, such as on a single optical fiber. A pair of narrow band, closely spaced optical signals from an optical transmitter function as a “temperature probe” signal. The two narrow band signals are centered within one passband of a filter of an optical device, such as an optical router. When the two narrow band signals are transmitted back to an optical receiver via the router, the magnitudes of the two signals are compared and a determination can be made as to the magnitude and direction of thermal drift of the passbands of the filter of the optical router. A control subsystem is then used to control a heating/cooling subsystem to either heat or cool the transmitter to induce a shift in the optical signals being generated by the transmitter that causes the transmitted optical signals to effectively track the centers of the passbands of the optical router.
US07693418B2
This invention discloses a system to attach various photographic accessories to a camera by using an apparatus that attaches to the existing shoulder strap loop of a camera. The apparatus has a body, a strong hook to attach to the shoulder strap loop, and a thumbscrew that tightens the apparatus to the camera. The apparatus also incorporates an additional shoulder strap loop to replace the one covered when this system is used. Various mounting plates then attach to the body of the apparatus to which the various accessories are mounted.
US07693412B2
An aureolegraph includes a reflective screen with an aperture therein, a lens for focusing an image onto the screen, an imager for imaging the image on the screen, and a light trap for preventing light passing through the aperture in the screen from passing back out through the aperture.
US07693402B2
A thermal storage unit having at least one conduit around which a cast is made is provided. The thermal storage unit uses conventional piping or tubing to create conduits that economically maximize the surface area of flow in contact with the thermal mass by proving multiple passes for the fluid through the cast. This enables the thermal storage unit to economically provide heat storage as well as effective heat delivery and pressure containment for a fluid flowing through the conduit.
US07693398B2
High audibility output is realized when audio output is provided in special playback. In special playback with audio output, skip/repeat control is done so that decoding and outputting of the audio data is periodically repeated/skipped during part of one frame. The output level may be corrected so as to emphasize appropriate frequency components. This realizes good audio output. In addition, the skip/repeat control and output level correcting methods are changed according to characteristics of the audio data to be reproduced. Also, this realizes good audio output.
US07693397B2
A watching support apparatus and a program recording system recording a currently broadcasted program or a program to be broadcasted by an in-home recording apparatus set in a user's residential area even in the case where the user goes to a different location from the user's residential area. A watching support apparatus includes: a recording apparatus position obtainment unit which obtains information indicating a location where the recording apparatus is positioned; a recordable-program guide obtainment unit which obtains a program guide including broadcast content of the recording apparatus setting position; a watching possible program guide obtainment unit which obtains a program guide including broadcast content in the current location; a same program judgment unit which compares a program included in the watching possible program guide with a program included in the recordable-program guide, and judges sameness of the respective programs; and a display unit which displays whether or not the currently watched program can be recorded by the recording apparatus based on the sameness judged by the sameness judgment unit.
US07693390B2
An apparatus for controlling inclined angle of an AV front panel for automobile is disclosed. Rotating force from a motor is transmitted to a rack attached to a slide plate through a power transmission system, and the slide plate is thus extended outward. The outer end of the slide plate pushes a lower part of the front panel, and the upper part of the front panel is lowered along a trajectory guide. Thereafter, rotating force from a second motor is transmitted to a sector gear through a second power transmission system. The rotation of the sector gear causes an end of an arm link to be lowered, thereby allowing the upper part to exit from an opening of the trajectory guide. As the upper part of the front panel is lowered, the front panel is laid down to be accessed therein.
US07693386B2
A parallel path cable routing system that incorporates parallel paths into a single system. The parallel path cable routing system includes a first cable trough having a cable pathway and a second cable trough having a cable pathway. The first cable trough is parallel to the second cable trough. The parallel path cable routing system also includes a single component having a cable pathway that is coupled to both the first and second cable troughs. The single component connects the first cable trough pathway to the second cable trough pathway to allow the cables to run from the first cable trough to the second cable trough thereby transitioning the cables in the parallel path cable routing system.
US07693371B1
A chirp optical waveguide includes a chirp grating formed in a ferroelectric substrate, and a waveguide part orthogonal to the chirp grating. The chirp grating has a plurality of grating segments and has a normalized grating period Λx/Λ0 that increases exponentially in each grating segment and decreases stepwise from each grating segment to a following one of the grating segments, where Λ0 is an initial grating period at the wave propagation distance of zero, and Λx is a grating period at the wave propagation distance of x. The chirp grating provides high wave conversion efficiency for short pulse widths and effectively compensates for a reduction in conversion efficiency due to chromatic dispersion.
US07693361B2
Provided is a hybrid laser diode. The hybrid laser diode includes: a silicon layer constituting a slab waveguide; and a compound semiconductor layer disposed on the silicon layer to constitute a channel waveguide.
US07693357B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for mitigating polarization changes associated with an optical communication signal caused by mechanical disturbances to an optical fiber dispersion compensation module of an optical communication network. The methods include disposing a first damping material between an optical fiber and a housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the first damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively fast polarization changes. Optionally, the methods also include disposing a second damping material between the optical fiber and the housing associated with the optical fiber dispersion compensation module; wherein the second damping material is selected and positioned such that it mitigates relatively slow polarization changes. Thus, frequency range specific optical fiber dispersion compensation module mechanical perturbation isolation methods and systems are provided.
US07693354B2
A salicide heater structure for use in thermo-optic and other heat-influenced semiconductor devices is disclosed. In one example embodiment, a system is provided that includes a silicon substrate, and a salicide heating element formed on the substrate, for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device. Another example embodiment is a salicide semiconductor system that includes a silicon substrate and a salicide structure formed on the substrate, wherein the salicide structure is for delivering heat radiation to a heat-influenced semiconductor device.
US07693353B2
An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store sightseeing information in a storing unit, a detection unit configured to detect sightseeing information corresponding to a predetermined sightseeing site stored in the storing device, a display unit configured to display the sightseeing information detected by the detection means on a display unit, and an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of an object. The storage unit links an image obtained as a result of capturing an image using the image-capturing unit to the sightseeing information detected by the detecting unit and stores the image.
US07693349B2
System and method for incorporating user input on the fly during an otherwise automatic registration process. During rigid registration, user input adjusts the current computed pose or transformation that relates the two images being aligned. During warping, user input adjusts the flow field locally, and is gradually smoothed into the surrounding flow field. During multi-scale registration where images are first aligned at a course resolution, and subsequently at progressively finer resolutions, user input is applied at the current scale. User input is detected during the automated process either by interrupts or polling. Between user inputs the registration results are re-rendered.
US07693340B2
The method includes the following units: a coefficient number detecting unit (109) for detecting the number of coefficients which has a value other than 0 for each block according to the generated coefficient, a coefficient number storing unit (110) for storing the number of coefficients detected, a coefficient number coding unit (111) for selecting a table for variable length coding based on the numbers of coefficients in the coded blocks located on the periphery of a current block to be coded with reference to the selected table for variable length coding so as to perform variable length coding for the number of coefficients.
US07693331B2
A method tracks an object. A sequence of visible images and a sequence of infrared images are acquired concurrently of a scene. A visible background image is maintained from each current visible image, while an infrared background image is maintained from each current infrared image. Each current visible image and the visible background image, and each current infrared image and the infrared background image are compared to generate corresponding changed pixels. Shadow pixels and reflectance pixels are discarded from the changed pixels to identify foreground pixels associated with an object in the scene.
US07693330B2
Image display methods and systems are provided wherein only portions of a still image of a motion picture, generated for display during an image time interval, are displayed during respective sub-intervals of the image time interval. A still image is thereby separated into portions and displayed separately during corresponding sub-intervals. Preferably, no single portion of the image includes all of the content of the entire image. However, the sum of all of the portions preferably includes all of the content of the image, and all of the portions are displayed within the image time interval. Although an image displayed in this manner can be correctly perceived by a viewer, recording of such an image may capture fewer than all of the portions of the image to thereby degrade the quality of recorded copies of the image and thus the motion picture. Intensity compensation is performed such that a consistent brightness is perceived by a user notwithstanding the fact that some portions are displayed for less time.
US07693326B1
An image processing method and system using a low-complexity scheme is provided. According to one aspect of the method, input components from a RGB model are used directly to calculate the down-sampled components of a YCbCr model. In an exemplary instance where average down-sampling and a down-sampling rate of “4:2:0” are used, the following equations are used to derive the down-sampled components of the YCbCr model: Y l ″ = 0.29900 R i + 0.58700 G l + 0.11400 B l Cb ″ = - 0.04219 ∑ i = 0 3 R l - 0.082815 ∑ i = 0 3 G l + 0.12500 ∑ i = 0 3 B l + 2 SP / 2 Cr ″ = 0.12500 ∑ i = 0 3 R i - 0.10467 ∑ i = 0 3 G i - 0.02033 ∑ i = 0 3 B i + 2 SP / 2 where Ri, Gi and Bi are three input components of the color conversion for the pixel i and “SP” represents a specified sample precision under the RGB model. The foregoing method reduces computational complexity and cost thereby allowing an image color conversion process to be performed in a more efficient manner.
US07693306B2
A system and method of tracking a patron in a gaming environment uses a database that stores known images and known text descriptions of existing patrons. An image of a patron is captured by an image capture device, and a text description of the patron is obtained. The image and the text description are transmitted to the database. A comparator compares the image or the text description to those on the database. The image is stored in a patron folder if the image or the text description is found to match an existing patron. The image is stored in a temporary folder if the image or the text description fails to match one of the existing patrons, and once the patron has been identified, the image is transferred from the temporary folder to the patron folder.
US07693305B2
A document processing system and method for using image quality to sort documents. The document processing system comprises: a document sorting system that designates a destination pocket for each document based on data gathered from each document; a document imaging system that captures an image of each document; and an image quality analysis system that analyzes each image and causes any document having an unacceptable image to be redirected to an unacceptable destination pocket.
US07693304B2
An exemplary method for determining quality of an image, includes segmenting the image into sections, generating quality measures for each section, and combining the quality measures of the sections to form a quality measure for the image. An exemplary system for determining quality of an image includes a memory for storing the image, and a processor for segmenting the image into sections, generating quality measures for each section, and combining the quality measures of the sections to form a quality measure for the image, and for storing the quality measure for the image in the memory.
US07693300B2
The presently claimed invention relates generally to color signal processing. One claim recites a method including: obtaining a measure or value associated with one or more color characteristics of data representing video or imagery; based at least in part on the measure or value, determining for the data those samples that should receiving steganographic encoding; transforming at least some of the data into a transform domain; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, altering transform domain coefficients of the at least some data that has been transformed to steganographically encode the data. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided.
US07693286B2
Delivering a Direct Proof private key in a signed group of keys to a device installed in a client computer system in the field may be accomplished in a secure manner without requiring significant non-volatile storage in the device. A unique pseudo-random value is generated and stored along with a group number in the device at manufacturing time. The pseudo-random value is used to generate a symmetric key for encrypting a data structure holding a Direct Proof private key and a private key digest associated with the device. The resulting encrypted data structure is stored in a signed group of keys (e.g., a signed group record) on a removable storage medium (such as a CD or DVD), and distributed to the owner of the client computer system. When the device is initialized on the client computer system, the system checks if a localized encrypted data structure is present in the system. If not, the system obtains the associated signed group record of encrypted data structures from the removable storage medium, and verifies the signed group record. The device decrypts the encrypted data structure using a symmetric key regenerated from its stored pseudo-random value to obtain the Direct Proof private key, when the group record is valid. If the private key is valid, it may be used for subsequent authentication processing by the device in the client computer system.
US07693277B2
Generating a digital signature utilizing a cryptograph key includes: receiving into a computer system input data from a user (UID); generating within the computer system a cryptographic key as a deterministic function of the UID; clearing from the computer system the UID; generating within the computer system a digital signature as a function of the generated cryptographic key; and clearing the generated cryptographic key from the computer system following generation of the digital signature. The digital signature further may be generated as a function of whether a digital signature has yet been generated using the generated cryptographic key following receipt of the UID. Neither the received UID nor the generated cryptographic key is exported from the computer system.
US07693275B2
The present invention discloses an online service system capable of predicting waiting time. The service system serves the users through a queuing mode and an electronic whiteboard mode. The queuing mode comprises a queuing-user counting unit for counting number of the user entering the queuing mode, a service channel counting unit for counting number of the service channels providing service, and a waiting-time prediction unit for predicting and showing the waiting time to the queuing users. Alternatively, the queuing users can search for related information from the database through a search engine. Once the service channel is available, the queuing user can exit from the queuing mode and request for service through the electronic whiteboard mode by transmitting audio/video, picture and character data. The present invention may further provide a performance evaluation mode for the system manager's reference.
US07693267B2
Improved systems and methods are provided for transcribing audio files of voice mails sent over a unified messaging system. Customized grammars specific to a voice mail recipient are created and utilized to transcribe a received voice mail by comparing the audio file to commonly utilized words, names, acronyms, and phrases used by the recipient. Key elements are identified from the resulting text transcription to aid the recipient in processing received voice mails based on the significant content contained in the voice mail.
US07693266B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for testing a network communications component. A model of a substantially ideal communications network is provided and a test signal is generated at an input of the network model. An output signal from the model is transmitted to the network component. The signal is suitable for analyzing acoustic parameters of the network component. The acoustic parameters are analyzed based upon a response of the network component to the output signal.
US07693264B2
A system for controlling a gas load imposed upon a high vacuum chamber includes a first chamber enclosing a high vacuum and positioned within an ambient environment, a second chamber enclosing a gas and positioned within the ambient environment adjacent to the first chamber, and a rotatable shaft having a first portion extending into the first chamber and a second portion extending into the second chamber. A ferrofluid seal is positioned about the rotatable shaft and positioned between the first portion and the second portion and the ferrofluid seal fluidically separates the first chamber from the second chamber. A control unit is attached to the second chamber and configured to control the gas enclosed in the second chamber such that a gas load in the first chamber is reduced.
US07693261B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining radiation transmission data including providing a radiation source, e.g., x-ray or gamma-ray source, and a radiation detector system, e.g., x-ray or gamma-ray detection system, spaced therefrom to define a scanning zone therebetween, the detector system capable of detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation. Collecting a dataset of information about radiation incident including transmissivity of an object in the scanning zone at at least one scanning position from radiation transmitted through the object and received at the detector system. Resolving each dataset spectroscopically across a plurality of frequency bands within the spectrum of the source; at least one of the frequency bands corresponding to a characteristically scattered wavelength of a target species to be identified. The absence of or substantial reduction in a transmitted signal intensity at the frequency band is interpreted as the presence of the said target species.
US07693260B2
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.
US07693256B2
A stereoscopic phase-contrast X-ray imaging system (1) comprises a stereoscopic radiation head (20) having at least one X-ray source (30, 31) providing a first (32) and second (33) X-ray beam in stereoscopic configuration onto an object (110). At least one detector (40, 41) detects the beams (32, 33) having passed through the object (110) and generates detection data. This data is processed by a phase-contrast stereoscopic reconstruction processor (60) to generate two 2D phase-contrast images (80, 82) of the object (110) collectively forming a stereoscopic image pair or stereo image providing high resolution 3D representation of the object (110).
US07693255B2
Compression pad for a mammography apparatus comprising a compression plate made of a material transparent to X-rays, and a support by which said pad is configured to be mounted onto a mammography apparatus. The support has an arch shape configured to go over the edge of a compression plate, and said compression plate and said support comprise complementary mechanical means capable of enabling manual locking/unlocking of the support on said plate, in particular for cleaning said plate and said support.
US07693254B2
An x-ray device comprises means for the production of at least one standard projection image of the object in which presumed suspect zones corresponding to radiological signs are represented by markers. The device comprises means for the production of a digital volume of markers in which 3D markers are created in order to represent presumed suspect zones of the object. It also comprises means of re-projection of the 3D markers in the standard projection image in order to confirm the presence of the markers or eliminate or add the markers of the projection image is necessary.
US07693250B2
A fast reactor 1 controlled with a reflector comprises: a reactor vessel 7 accommodating therein a coolant 5; a reactor core 2 disposed in the reactor vessel 7 and immersed in the coolant 5; and a reflector 4 that vertically moves for adjusting leakage of neutrons generated from the reactor core 2 to control a reactivity of the reactor core 2, the reflector 4 including a neutron reflecting part 4a disposed on an outside of the reactor core 2 in a vertically movable manner, the neutron reflecting part 4a having a neutron reflecting ability higher than that of the coolant 5, and a cavity part 4b positioned above the neutron reflecting part 4a, the cavity part 4b having a neutron reflecting ability lower than that of the coolant 5. The neutron reflecting part 4a is formed of a plurality of metal plates 37 that are stacked on each other. Each of the metal plates 37 has a plurality of coolant channels 36 through which the coolant 5 flows.
US07693247B2
A phase locked loop having reduced inherent noise is provided. The phase locked loop comprises a controlled oscillator for outputting a periodic output signal as a result of a control signal; a feedback unit for providing at least two periodic feedback signals having a constant phase shift to each other and each depending on the output signal; a phase/frequency detector for providing difference signals each depending on a periodic input signal and at least one of the feedback signals; and a control circuit for providing the control signal to the controlled oscillator depending on the difference signals.
US07693231B2
The claimed subject matter relates to estimating noise variance associated with a transmitter. For example, the noise variance can be estimated in connection with determining performance parameters associated with a transmitter. Determining noise variance can include the acts of estimating phase alteration of a received signal through utilization of a least squares-based phase estimation algorithm. Determining noise variance can also include the act of determining an unbiased estimation of noise variance as a function of the estimated phase alteration.
US07693229B2
A system and method for processing a received Global Positioning System (GPS) signal into a processed position finding GPS signal and for processing a first and a second input signal jointly with the GPS signal. A modulator and transmitter for modulation and transmission of processed signals in cellular systems and in mobile network, wherein cellular system and mobile network are distinct. A modulator and transmitter for transmission of processed signals in a satellite system and in a cellular system. Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmitter and receiver having a transmit filter and a receiver filter wherein the transmit and receiver filter are mismatched. A modulator and transmitter which comprise cascaded hybrid systems, including a cascaded GSM or EDGE, of cascaded infrared (IR) or GSM or CDMA or TDMA or UMTS systems and contain Radio Frequency identification (RFID) signals.
US07693226B1
An aggregation channel for providing data communication for M data streams to N data streams comprises a first first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer module that receives the M data streams and realigns them with each other based on respective alignment symbols. A lane mapping module receives the realigned M data streams from the first FIFO buffer module and routes predetermined ones of the M data streams to predetermined ones of the N data streams, wherein each of the N data streams receives at least one of the alignment characters. M is greater than N, N is greater than 1, and each of the M data streams includes an alignment symbol.
US07693225B2
A MCM (multi-carrier modulation) receiver that utilizes a plurality tones to transmit information. Identify a first subset of tones that have negligible ISI (inter-symbol interference) and ICI (inter-carrier interference), and a second subset of tones that ISI/ICI cancellation is needed to improve the performance. For tones in the first subset, conventional FEQ (frequency-domain equalization) is performed to obtained soft decisions from the raw decisions. For those tones in the second subset, perform FEQ along with ICI/ISI cancellation. For tones in the second subset, identify a third subset (one for each of the tones in the second subset) to perform ICI cancellation and a series of fourth subsets (one for each of the tones in the second subset) to perform ISI cancellation. The selection of the first subset, the second subset, the third subset (for each of the tone in the second subset), and the fourth subset (for each of the tone in the second subset) are based on examining the frequency response of the communication channel.
US07693221B2
A system is provided for processing a compressed image stream of a stereoscopic image stream, the compressed image stream having a plurality of frames in a first format, each frame consisting of a merged image comprising pixels sampled from a left image and pixels sampled from a right image. A receiver receives the compressed image stream and a decompressing module in communication with the receiver decompresses the compressed image stream. The left and right images of the decompressed image stream are stored in a frame buffer. A serializing unit reads pixels of the frames stored in the frame buffer and outputs a pixel stream comprising pixels of a left frame and pixels of a right frame. A stereoscopic image processor receives the pixel stream, buffers the pixels, performs interpolation in order to reconstruct pixels of the left and right images and outputs a reconstructed left pixel stream and a reconstructed right pixel stream, the reconstructed streams having a format different from the first format. A display signal generator receives the stereoscopic pixel stream to provide an output display signal.
US07693207B2
In a CO2 laser a pre-ionizer is assembled in a flange configured to be attached to a laser-gas enclosure of the laser over an aperture in a wall of the enclosure. An aperture in the base of the flange is aligned over the aperture in the enclosure wall. The aperture in the pre-ionizer flange is covered by a ceramic membrane. A disc electrode is in contact with the ceramic membrane on a side of the membrane outside of the laser-gas enclosure. An RF potential applied to the disc electrode creates a corona discharge on the side of the ceramic membrane inside the enclosure. The corona discharge ionizes laser gas in the enclosure before RF power is applied to electrodes of the slab laser. A cylindrical ceramic sleeve extends from the membrane for containing the discharge.
US07693193B2
A laser light source device includes: a laser light source that emits a laser light; and an optical wavelength conversion section that includes a ferroelectric material carrying therein a plurality of polarization inversion rows in which a polarization inversion area and a polarization non-inversion area are alternately formed in a predetermined direction, and converts the laser light directed in the predetermined direction into a second harmonic. In the laser light source device, the laser light source is disposed at a fixed position to allow any one of the polarization inversion rows to be positioned on an optical path of the laser light.
US07693192B2
A mode-locked laser device includes a Fabry-Perot resonator, a mode-locking element disposed within the resonator, a solid-state laser medium disposed within the resonator, and exciting means for applying excitation light to the solid-state laser medium. The opposite ends of the resonator, the mode-locking element and the solid-state laser medium are disposed to provide an average beam diameter of lasing light of not more than 150 μm on the mode-locking element and an average beam diameter of the lasing light of not more than 200 μm within the solid-state laser medium.
US07693188B2
A method and system are provided for remultiplexing program bearing data. The remultiplexing method and system are applicable to MPEG-2 compliant transport streams carrying video programs. Remultiplexing functions may be distributed across a network. The remultiplexer can furthermore optimize the bandwidth of transport streams by replacing null transport packets with transport packet data to be inserted into the output transport stream. Remultiplexing and program specific information can be seamlessly dynamically varied without stopping, or introducing a discontinuity in, the flow-of outputted transport packets.
US07693187B2
The integrated information communication system is comprised of an access control apparatus for connecting a plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment to each, and a relay device for networking the aforementioned access control apparatus. The system has functions for performing routing by transferring information by a unified address system and by changing address at the access control apparatus, and is configured such that the aforementioned plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment can perform communications in an interactive manner. The integrated information communication system ensures communication speed, communication quality, communication trouble countermeasures in a unified manner, without using dedicated lines or the Internet, wherein security and reliability in communication is ensured without change of a private address system.
US07693178B2
The present invention provides a small form factor, pluggable ONU, which includes a bi-directional optical transceiver configured to transmit optical signals to and receive optical signals from an OLT. The ONU further includes an ONU chip coupled to the optical transceiver and configured to communicate with the OLT. Also included is a pluggable interface configured to electrically interface between the ONU chip and a piece of subscriber premise equipment (SPE). The ONU includes a power management module to provide power to the ONU chip and the optical transceiver, using power delivered from the SPE through the pluggable interface. The ONU is enclosed a small form factor enclosure, thereby allowing the pluggable ONU to be directly plugged into the SPE and providing an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) uplink to the SPE without requiring an separate power supply.
US07693170B2
A transmission rate control method, includes: transmitting, at a radio base station, a relative rate grant channel which includes a command for controlling a transmission rate in uplink to a mobile station; and determining, at the mobile station, that the relative rate grant channel which includes a HOLD command for instructing to maintain the transmission rate is received at the mobile station, when data to be transmitted becomes empty in a transmission buffer and a receive signal in the relative rate grant channel is detected as “0” or “+1”, and maintaining the transmission rate.
US07693168B2
Apparatus for providing connectivity at a hub having a plurality of subscriber lines and a plurality of feeder lines. The apparatus includes a first switch module for coupling to N of the plurality of subscriber lines, where N is an integer. The first switch module is also for coupling to a digital subscriber line access modem (DSLAM) at the hub. A second switch module is coupled to the first switch module and the DSLAM. The second switch module is also adapted for coupling to M of the plurality of feeder lines at the hub, where M is an integer.
US07693164B1
Packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems receive a request to enable layer-two Ethernet communication between service virtual local area networks via edge bridges fully connected by packet tunnels. The packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems direct the edge bridges to establish the packet tunnels and modify Ethernet packets received from the service virtual local area networks by adding an instance service identifier and a tunnel identifier to the received Ethernet packets.
US07693161B2
A control device by which a priority for service is assigned based on quality of service (QoS) for each control point residing on a network and services are provided according to the assigned priority. The control device includes communication S/W module which receives control messages transmitted from the control points or transmits reply messages to the control points, a priority management module which determines the priority for service based on a QoS level for each control point, a UPnP S/W module which analyzes the control messages received from the communication S/W module and controls service operations corresponding to the analyzed control messages, and a service S/W module which performs the service operations under the control of the UPnP S/W module. Consistent with the present invention, the priority for service is assigned according to the QoS for the control point and the services are provided according to the assigned priority.
US07693157B2
An access control mechanism in a network connecting one or more sink devices to a server providing audio/visual data (A/V) in streams. As a sink device requests access, the server measures available bandwidth to the sink device. If the measurement of available bandwidth is completed before the sink device requests a stream of audio/visual data, the measured available bandwidth is used to set transmission parameters of the data stream in accordance with a Quality of Service (QoS) policy. If the measurement is not completed when the data stream is requested, the data stream is nonetheless transmitted. In this scenario, the data stream may be transmitted using parameters computed using a cached measurement of the available bandwidth to the sink device. If no cached measurement is available, the data stream is transmitted with a low priority until a measurement can be made. Once the measurement is available, the transmission parameters of the data stream are re-set. With this access control mechanism, A/V streams may be provided with low latency but with transmission parameters accurately set in accordance with the QoS policy.
US07693154B2
A transmitter equipped with a plurality of transmission path ports and a relay section. The relay section has a routing table and a router. In the routing table, information about the relay of the received packet to one of the transmission path ports connected to a relay transmission path is stored, correlated with both a port identifier of each the transmission path port and the source address of the transmitter that transmitted the packet. The router extracts the port identifier of the transmission path port that received the packet and the source address contained in the received packet, and routes the received packet to the transmission path port connected to the relay transmission path by referring to the routing table for the extracted port identifier and the extracted source address.
US07693153B2
In a telecommunications network, a method of controlling a media gateway to handle a multiplex session, using a media gateway controller, the media gateway and the media gateway controller communicating using a standardised interface protocol, e.g. H.248, providing for a set of command messages each of which contains: a context field for identifying a context of the media gateway; a termination field for identifying one or more terminations of the media gateway; at least one descriptor for defining properties of the context; and optionally a package identity and at least one associated property. The method comprises, at the media gateway controller, generating a command message said structure and containing a multiplex descriptor including a package identifier, the package identifier identifying a package implemented at the media gateway for handling a multiplex session, sending the generated command message from the media gateway controller to the media gateway, and, at the media gateway, establishing the context identified in the message according to the specified package. Preferably, the multiplex descriptor includes at least one property which is one of a circuit assignment map and a contiguous or non-contiguous service type.
US07693150B2
In one embodiment, a signaling message is received from an endpoint. It is determined from the signaling message whether, prior to sending the signaling message, the endpoint performed network address translation on the body of the signaling message. If it is determined from the signaling message that, prior to sending the signaling message, the endpoint did not perform network address translation on the body of the signaling message, application layer gateway functionality is applied to the body of the signaling message such that a modified signaling message is generated.
US07693128B2
Methods (400, 500) and corresponding systems (100, 200, 300) for managing a packet (318) for transmission include obtaining a quality of service (QoS) parameter value for a data stream (404), and determining one or more QoS statistics for previously transmitted data (406). Thereafter, a packet is selected from the data stream (408), and scheduling information is estimated for the packet (410) based upon the QoS statistics and the QoS parameter value. The scheduling information is assigned (414) to the packet. A transmission time window of a transmission buffer is determined (506). If the scheduling information assigned to the packet falls within the transmission time window (508), the packet is queued for transmission in the transmission buffer. The labeled packet can be arranged among one or more queued packets in response to comparing scheduling information of the labeled packet and the queued packets.
US07693121B2
Methods and apparatus for implementing a home network including a wireless module. In one implementation, a home network includes: two or more host devices, where at least one host device includes a wireless module port, and where the host devices are connected in a local network; and a wireless module connected to the wireless module port of a host device, where the wireless module provides a wireless connection to an external network; where at least one host device is a consumer appliance.
US07693117B2
A novel method for coordinating the delivery of frames to and the receipt of frames from a power-saving station in a wireless local-area network (LAN) is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment establishes a wake-up schedule for a power-saving station based on a temporal period and temporal offset that reduces the frequency with which multiple stations in a network wake up simultaneously, thereby reducing traffic delays and power consumption. The illustrative embodiment is particularly well-suited to networks with traffic that has delay/jitter quality-of-service (QoS) requirements (i.e., voice calls, videophone calls, etc.).
US07693116B2
A processing unit performs adaptive array signal processing. A modem unit performs modulation and demodulation processing. A derivation unit derives signal strength as radio communication qualities among a plurality of terminal apparatuses of half rate format. A control unit assigns time slots in a plurality of terminal apparatuses of half rate format to be communicated with a base station apparatus. The control unit selects two terminal apparatuses whose difference between signal strengths is smaller, from among the plurality of terminal apparatuses of half rate, and then assigns time slots, having predetermined relationships, in these selected terminal apparatuses.
US07693111B2
Each of a plurality of multicarrier wireless communication devices generate a carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimate from a downlink polling frame (302) and apply the CFO estimate to signals prior to transmission to a receiving station over a multi-user uplink.
US07693100B2
In an adaptive feedback method for a cellular communication system having plural terminals feeding back channel information to an access point, the system selects one of an opportunistic mode and a polling mode as a feedback mode between an access point and the terminals on the basis of system and traffic parameters, sets up the access point and the terminals for the selected feedback mode, and feeds back the channel information from the terminals to the access point in the selected feedback mode. The adaptive feedback method changes the feedback mechanism adaptively to the system and traffic environment, making it possible to increase the system throughput as well as to decrease the MAC overhead regardless of the variation of the number of MSs.
US07693098B2
A method for controlling the communication with mobile stations in a network, preferably in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, wherein the network comprises access points through which the mobile stations are associated with the network and wherein the mobile stations can be set to power save mode is—with respect to an especially energy-efficient operation of the mobile station-designed in such a way that paging signaling is performed in order to locate a mobile station.
US07693095B2
A method and apparatus is provided for processing a received orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal at a receiver, wherein said signal has been distorted by one or more transmission bursts from a transmitter. The method and apparatus generate a phase compensated OFDM signal based upon a pre-fast fourier transform (pre-FFT) phase progression estimate and information regarding timing of the one or more transmission bursts.
US07693091B2
Methods and systems for communicating between Teredo clients behind UPnP-enabled symmetric or restricted Network Address Translators.
