US07717962B2
A system and method for improving proprioception in a patient having a feedback site are disclosed. The method includes affixing to the feedback site a sensor adapted to provide a sensor signal indicative of a sensed parameter, providing to the patient a signaler adapted to generate a manual signal in response to actuation by the patient, providing a microprocessor programmed to receive the sensor signal and the manual signal and to generate a system output based on the sensor signal and the manual signal, causing the patient to actuate the signaler on the basis of sensation at the feedback site, and causing the microprocessor to generate a system output based on the sensor signal and the manual signal.
US07717960B2
Provided is an implant comprising: a platform; a deformable pad affixed to the platform and adapted to seat two or more bearings; and the two or more bearings. The deformable pad can have a number of neutral positions matching the number of bearings, with the deformability of the pad adapted to apply force on the bearings any time the bearings are displaced laterally, with the force being in the direction of the corresponding neutral position.
US07717952B2
Implantable medical devices, such as intraluminally implantable stents and valves, are provided having certain preferred shapes. Preferably, a portion of the implantable medical device can define a sinus region having a preferred geometry. The sinus region can have one or more preferred geometric configurations described herein, for example to mitigate or prevent thrombosis within a body vessel. The medical device can include a valve means, such as one or more valve leaflets positioned within the sinus region. The implantable medical devices can be delivered from a catheter within a body vessel, and are preferably expandable from a compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The implantable frames can be self-expanding or balloon expandable. Portions of the medical device, such as the implantable frame or a valve leaflet, are optionally coated with one or more bioactive materials.
US07717950B2
A stent-graft deployment system (10) includes a stent-graft (15), a flexible catheter tip (12) attached to a catheter shaft (25), a retractable primary sheath (20) containing the stent-graft in a first constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The stent-graft deployment system further includes a flexible secondary sheath (14) disposed within the retractable primary sheath and also containing the stent-graft, wherein when the primary sheath is removed from around the stent-graft, the flexible secondary sheath contains the stent-graft in a second constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The removal of the secondary sheath releases the stent-graft from a radial constraint so that stent-graft deployment may proceed.
US07717949B2
A covered self-expanding stent (114, 130, 132) with a length of 200 mm or more can be restrained against axial movement with a pusher (40) within the lumen of the stent that carries a spiral of wire (48) that provides protrusions that are accommodated within a luminal covering layer (24) radially inside the stent body. The protrusions distribute the stress over the full length of the stent. The pusher can be removed from the stent lumen by “unscrewing” the spiral relative to the covering layer (24). When the stent expands, the pusher can be withdrawn proximally, out of the stent lumen, without any need for rotatory movement. The covered stent can utilize a variety of stenting rings (110-118) along its length that manifest different mechanical properties so that the implant can exhibit mechanical properties that vary over its length, to suit the specific body and stenting site to which it is to be introduced.
US07717948B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
US07717947B1
A bone screw has a screw head and a threaded shank. An axial bore into which a plurality of radial bores set at a distance from each other open, extends through the threaded shaft. The axial bore is open at the screw head side end, and the radial bores are also open at the radially outer end. The axial bore is closed in an axial direction in the area of the end of the screw shank that lies opposite the screw head.
US07717945B2
Orthopedic systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits. In some embodiments, these systems may be used for selectively tapping apertures of bone plates, to form threaded apertures during installation of the bone plates (i.e., intraoperatively).
US07717926B2
An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion with a body extending distally from the handle portion defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body. The apparatus also has a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body with the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus further has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position with an actuator. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and has a cam link. The apparatus also has a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position. The cam link longitudinally moves wedge plate between the first and the second jaw portions.
US07717917B2
Ancillary device for positioning a bone graft in a joint in order to ensure arthrodesis of the joint
An ancillary device for positioning a bone graft between bones separated by an articular slot, to ensure arthrodesis of a joint, wherein the bone graft is placed in a recess provided at the end of one or more bones defining the articular slot, and comprising means for driving the bone graft, provided with support means on the bone graft suitable for moving the latter in the recess, and actuation means, functionally connected to the driving means, and capable of being handled in order to control the movement of the bone graft.
US07717914B2
A treatment device of this invention has a pair of first, second jaws capable of opening/closing with respect to each other at the tip end portion and comprises a tissue pressing portion in the relatively dull shape provided on a surface portion of the first jaw opposite to the second jaw and having a projection portion formed projecting toward the second jaw side, a receiving member provided on a surface portion of the second jaw opposite to the first jaw at a position opposite to the tissue pressing portion, and a plurality of electrode portions provided at least at one of the first jaw and the second jaw so that a high-frequency current flows through a living tissue compressed by the tissue pressing portion and the receiving member.
US07717911B2
For the coagulation of tissue by plasma, instruments are known that comprise a tubular probe body through which inert gas is conducted and an ignition electrode within the lumen in the region of an outlet of the probe body. A current conductor is provided to supply a coagulation current to the ignition electrode. The ignition electrode is fixed to the probe body substantially in the middle, by means of fixing devices. The present invention provides an instrument for plasma coagulation wherein a fixing device for the ignition electrode comprises a piece of sheet metal, a wafer or similar flat body, which is fixed by its longitudinal edges to the tube wall so that it extends substantially diametrically across the lumen, and to which the ignition electrode is attached.
US07717909B2
An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation of organs and other tissues includes a radio frequency generator which provides a radio frequency signal to ablation electrodes. The power level of the radio frequency signal is determined based on the subject area of ablation. The radio frequency signal is coupled with the ablation electrodes through a transformation circuit. The transformation circuit includes a high impedance transformation circuit and a low impedance transformation circuit. The high or low impedance transformation circuit is selected based on the impedance of the ablation electrodes in contact with the subject tissue. Vacuum level, impedance level, resistance level, and time are measured during ablation. If these parameters exceed determinable limits the ablation procedure is terminated.
US07717903B2
Some embodiments of a portable medical device, such as an infusion pump, can receive an external reference signal (e.g., a radio, cellular and/or satellite signal) to provide an automatic time-setting and maintenance operation. In these circumstances, the medical device can maintain accurate time and date information even in the event of a power interruption, a time-zone change and/or an internal clock error, for example. In this manner, the portable medical device provides safe operation and added convenience to the user.
US07717900B2
A locking clamp is provided that is used for securing at least one tube. The locking clamp has a first and second end axially opposed end pieces and a plurality of locking members extending between the first and second end pieces. Living hinges connect the first and second end pieces to the locking members and allow selective movement of the locking members between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the locking members can extend in overlying partially coextensive relation to each other, and the one set of locking members can be defined in a substantially axially opposed, coplanar parallel relationship to the second set of locking members. The clamp may be used during high pressure applications to secure one tube in relationship to another tube.
US07717895B2
A method for accomplishing the application to a wearer of a disposable absorbent article having particular features is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a kit, the kit including a disposable absorbent article having an elastically stretchable topsheet with a longitudinal opening therethrough and a primary serviceable indicium disposed thereon, and a package having secondary information including a depiction of at least part of the absorbent article and the primary serviceable indicium, the primary serviceable indicium and the secondary information being present to aid the care giver in the correct application of the article to a wearer.
US07717873B2
An applicator for delivering pharmaceutical products or the like to a bodily cavity includes a barrel member having a distal end which is equipped with an opening. The applicator also includes a plurality of petals extending outwardly from the distal end in a generally axial direction. The petals cooperate with the opening so as to form a receptacle for releasably receiving a pharmaceutical product in the distal end of the barrel member. Each of the petals has a truncated flexible tip sized and shaped so as to engage a substantially central portion of the pharmaceutical product such that a large section of the pharmaceutical product extends outwardly beyond the petals so as to facilitate the release of the pharmaceutical product from the receptacle. The device also includes a plunger member for releasing the pharmaceutical product from the receptacle. In accordance with the present invention, the device can be packaged in a package together with the pharmaceutical product received in the receptacle.
US07717872B2
An implantable fluid shunting apparatus having a tube and a shunt tip attached to the tube end, that tapers towards the end of the shunt tip, a tip lumen extending through the shunt tip in fluid communication with the tube lumen, wherein the tip lumen has a closed end, and has a wall that comprises laser-ablatable material such that an opening can be formed through the wall and into the tip lumen using laser energy on an outer surface of the shunt tip. The shunt tip may consist essentially of the laser-ablatable material; the tube end is attached to an implantable diffusion chamber and the laser-ablatable material may be polypropylene. The tube and the shunt tip may be a one-piece completely integral unit or may be of separate bodies fitted together frictionally adhesively, thermally or chemically welded to the tube.
US07717868B2
Disclosed is a chair-type massaging apparatus that is capable of massaging lower legs freely and precisely in pressing angles or pressing positions with a user seated therein and allows the user to assume a desired posture without interference. The chair-type massaging apparatus of the present invention typically includes a leg rest including a support portion configured to support lower legs of a user, and massaging portions configured to protrude and retract to press the lower legs of the user. The support portion includes protrusible portions that is mounted on both sides in the rightward and leftward direction and is protrusible to rise up inward in the rightward and leftward direction and is retractable. The massaging portions are mounted on the protrusible portions. With the protrusible portions and the massaging portions retracting, the protrusible portions and the support portion located inward relative to the protrusible portion in the rightward and leftward direction and the massaging portions form a substantially flat surface.
US07717867B2
A massage apparatus having a main unit in operative association with a first massage actuator and a second massage actuator is disclosed. A hollow prosthetic member having a plurality of annular protrusions encases the first massage actuator, while the second massage actuator may be engaged to a detachable connecting ribbon that may be secured to different portions of the plurality of annular protrusions in order to change the position of the second massage actuator relative to the first massage actuator.
US07717863B2
A tissue penetration device includes a penetrating member driver and a cartridge. A plurality of penetrating members are integrated with the cartridge. Each penetrating member is coupled to the penetrating member driver when advanced along a path into a tissue target. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.
US07717856B2
A sphygmomanometer having an elongated tube, an air chamber coupled to a first end of the tube, and a liquid chamber coupled to a second end of the tube. The liquid chamber is partially filled with fluid and is couplable to a source of external pressure. An offset region located proximate the second end of the tube has a significantly reduced cross-sectional area so as to reduce the effect of fluid level changes on pressure measurement accuracy. At least one ventilation valve is coupled to the elongated tube and the air chamber and is operative to vent the elongated tube and the air chamber to atmosphere.
US07717855B2
A system for remote ischemic preconditioning that includes a cuff, and actuator, and a controller that operates the actuator according to a treatment protocol. The treatment protocol includes a plurality of treatment cycles that each comprise cuff actuation, an ischemic duration, cuff release, and a reperfusion duration.
US07717854B2
A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the left atrium of the patient's heart, and delivering an electrical stimulus to a location in the heart. The electrical stimulus is delivered based at least in part on the sensor signal. The method also includes the steps of generating a processor output indicative of a treatment to a signaling device. The processor output is based at least in part on the sensor signal. At least two treatment signals are provided to the medical patient. The treatment signals are distinguishable from one another by the patient, and are indicative of a therapeutic treatment. The treatment signals are based at least in part on the processor output.
US07717848B2
At least one of a medical device, such as an implantable medical device, and a programming device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are associated with a current therapy parameter set. In some embodiments, a programming device presents sleep quality information to a user based on determined sleep quality metric values values. A clinician, for example, may use the sleep quality information presented by the programming device to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy delivered to the patient by the medical device, to adjust the therapy delivered by the medical device, or to prescribe a therapy not delivered by the medical device in order to improve the quality of the patient's sleep.
US07717846B2
The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.
US07717826B2
The invention is a human and animal performance data acquisition, analysis, and diagnostic system for fitness and therapy devices having an interface box removably disposed on incoming power wiring to a fitness and therapy device, at least one current transducer removably disposed on said interface box for sensing current signals to said fitness and therapy device, and a means for analyzing, displaying, and reporting said current signals to determine human and animal performance on said device using measurable parameters.
US07717822B2
A method for operation of a drivetrain, comprising an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving the shift speed of successive upshifts or downshifts such that during a first shift at least one shift element required for a successive shift is prepared such that when a synchronization point is reached, the successive shift is immediately carried out. Two successive shifts can be carried out as overlapping single shifts by actuating three shift elements such that: a) during the first shift a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged while the second shift element is either engaged or disengaged; b) during the successive shift a second shift element is prepared for disengagement or engagement while the third shift element is prepared for engagement or disengagement, the actuation of the second shift element, when transiting from the first to the successive shift, takes place by a desired selection.
US07717818B2
A power transmission apparatus is provided with a housing, which rotates together with an input shaft, a differential mechanism, and a main clutch. The main clutch links the input shaft and the first output shaft. The differential mechanism distributes drive force that is inputted from the input shaft via the housing into a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The differential mechanism is provided with a ring gear that is provided within the housing, a sun gear that is provided within the ring gear, and a planetary gear. The planetary gear is engaged with the ring gear and the sun gear and supported in such a manner as to be orbital and rotational. The first output shaft is linked to the ring gear. The main clutch is formed of a plurality of outer clutch plates and inner clutch plates, which are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the housing and on the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear.
US07717809B2
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an outermost layer cover with a surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples, and one or more intermediate layer between the core and the cover. At least one intermediate layer and the outermost layer cover are each formed primarily of an ionomer-containing thermoplastic resin. The resin of which the outermost layer cover is formed contains up to 20 wt % of a ternary copolymer ionomer and has formulated therein from 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight of short organic fibers per 100 parts by weight of the resin. The golf ball of the invention has a fully satisfactory flight performance and a good feel on impact. Moreover, it has an excellent durability to cracking on repeated impact and also an excellent scuff resistance.
US07717808B2
The present invention provides a golf ball having a resilient core made of rubber and a cover of one or more layer enclosing the core, wherein, letting V be the initial velocity (m/s) of the ball as measured by a method set forth in the Rules of Golf using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as the USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting E be the deflection (mm) of the ball when subjected to loading from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) to a final load of 1.275 N (130 kgf), the value of V/E is at most 19. The golf ball has a good feel on impact and an excellent flight performance when hit with an iron.
US07717794B2
A longitudinal plunging unit comprises a profiled sleeve with longitudinally extending first ball grooves, and a profiled journal with longitudinally extending second ball grooves. The profiled journal engages said profiled sleeve with balls arranged in groups in pairs of first ball groove and second ball grooves. A ball cage positioned between the profiled sleeve and the profiled journal fixes the balls in their axial position relative to one another. The ball cage is displaceable relative to the profiled journal between spaced axial stops. On the profiled journal, there is arranged a stop sleeve, which can abut the profiled journal or a component connected thereto. The stop sleeve delimits the displacement path of the ball cage towards the second portion.
US07717792B2
A torsional detuner for dampening vibrations developed in an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, a flywheel connected to the crankshaft and a transmission assembly coupled to the flywheel. The detuner includes a planar body mounted to the flywheel and having a central hub, a peripheral rim and a plurality of elastically deformable members connecting the hub to the rim. The deformable members extend outward from the hub to the rim in an outwardly radial spiral. Advantageously, vibrations developed in the engine are dampened by the relative rotation between the hub and rim.
US07717790B2
A symbol display device for a game machine includes a reel unit having a plurality of reels, each having a peripheral surface with a plurality of peripheral symbols. An end reel arranged at an end position of the reels has a lateral surface where a pointer is displayed. A reel supporting member that supports the reels rotatably independently includes a lateral wall having a window through which the lateral surface of the end reel is seen. The lateral wall of the reel supporting member has a plurality of lateral symbols arranged around the window, whereby any one of the lateral symbols is pointed by the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel due to rotation of the end reel. A pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to a first position where the peripheral surfaces of the reels are observable and to a second position where the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel and the lateral symbols on the lateral wall of the reel supporting member are observable.
US07717784B2
According to some embodiments of the present invention, methods and apparatus are described for performing a supplementary process. In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving an override signal. If the override signal indicates performance of a supplementary process, the method further provides for determining an upsell in dependence on a purchase, determining an upsell price in dependence on the purchase, and offering to exchange the upsell price for the upsell.
US07717781B2
A computer game which makes the player operate a falling object that falls in a predetermined display area, and clears the falling object and falling stop objects by combining the falling object and falling stop objects under a predetermined condition. If falling stop objects including blocks that stop falling include a group of blocks which meet a predetermined clear condition, the group of blocks are registered as blocks to be cleared, and the control waits for a clear waiting state. Even in this waiting state, the next falling object begins to fall. After that, when a sequence bar (701) which moves vertically or horizontally in synchronism with a music output along with the progress of the game has passed the blocks to be cleared, these blocks are cleared.
US07717780B2
A game machine is comprised of means for producing a field having two or more stages which are connected with each other on world coordinates, means for respectively locating two or more characters appearing in a game in the stage, means for locating an operation character, means for computing a character density in the stage where the operation character is located, means for judging as to whether or not the character density is lower than a predetermined character density, means for computing a number of short characters, and means for extracting the short characters from the stages other than the stage where the operation character is located and relocating the short characters.
US07717779B1
The invention concerns a combine (10) with a chassis (12) that can be moved across a field in the forward operating direction, a harvested crop processing arrangement (26) with an outlet (62) for straw and a straw chopper (60) with an inlet for straw (58). A rotating conveyor drum (68) is attached downstream of the outlet (62) of the harvested crop processing arrangement (26) and upstream of the inlet (58) of the straw chopper (60) that rotates in a first direction of rotation in the swath deposit operating mode and that conveys the straw received from the harvested crop processing arrangement (26) past the straw chopper (60) to the ground, and conveys it in the chopper operating mode in the second direction of rotation into the inlet (58) of the straw chopper (60).
US07717777B2
An improved threshing and separating mechanism for a combine that includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis within a rotor housing on the combine. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor to form an annular space between the rotor and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. A rear portion of the rotor tube includes one or more discharge flights or vanes that are adjustable in height and assist in discharging material through the outlet of the rotor housing. The discharge vanes work in conjunction with the vanes in the top covers of the rotor housing.
US07717776B2
A method and apparatus for the controlled feeding of added air into a permanently inertized room in which a predefined inertization level is or must be set and maintained within a certain control range provide for the volume flow rate at which an inert gas is fed into the room atmosphere to attain a value that is adequate for maintaining the predefined inertization level in the room atmosphere that will minimize fire risk. In addition, provisions are made whereby at all times just enough fresh air is injected into the room atmosphere as is necessary to remove from the room atmosphere that proportional concentration of hazardous substances that has not already been removed, via a corresponding return-air exhaust system as a result of the injection of inert gas.
US07717775B2
A filter for suspended particles for a clean room has at least one filter medium and at least one illumination device. The illumination device is arranged at least mostly within a vertical extension of the at least one filter medium. Alternatively, the illumination device is arranged in an area outside of an outflow cross-section of the at least one filter medium. The flow of clean air into the clean room is not disturbed in this way.
US07717774B2
An arrangement for the sterile, aseptic production and/or filling of pharmaceutical products contains a housing which, with the exception of an inlet and an outlet with a clearly defined cross-section, is closed in an airtight manner. Through the air inlet air is forced via a filter into the interior of the housing. The air passes out of the housing through the air outlet or channels. The size of the cross-section of the air outlet and the performance of the ventilating device are matched in such a way that within the interior of the housing there is a laminar unidirectional or combined airflow and a constant overpressure with respect to the pressure outside the housing.
US07717771B1
A simple three piece machined steel Collet-Spindle Adaptor for angle grinders includes a hat-shaped base having interior threading for coupling with a threaded spindle on an angle grinder. A sleeve extends therefrom and has an interior surface which engages with a collet. The preferred adaptor converts an angle grinder to accept die grinding tools and other similar tools, thereby providing flexibility of tooling, flexibility of application and work area, ergonomics in operator comfort by providing two hand operation, safety in lower operating tool speed, and reduced cost as an additional die grinder and expensive air compressor are not required. Simple machined design allows rapid change over and small size allows easy toolbox storage.
US07717758B2
A connector has a retainer (40) mounted on a housing (10) for movement between a temporary locking position and a main locking position in a direction (Y) oblique to a fit-in direction (X) of the housing (10). Terminal fittings (70) can be inserted into the housing (10) when the retainer (40) is at the temporary locking position and are locked in housing (10) when the retainer (40) is at the main locking position. The housing (10) has a locking part (28) and the retainer (40) has a to-be-locked portion (52) that can be locked together. Locking surfaces of the locking part (28) and the to-be-locked portion (52) are inclined to the movement direction (Y) of the retainer (40) and to the fit-in direction (X) of the housing (10).
US07717757B2
Lock portions 4 are provided more inside than outermost wall surfaces 5a, 6a of a cassette relay block 1, and the cassette relay block 1 is inserted into space surrounded by peripheral walls 16 to 19 on an attaching side, and fixed by the lock portions 4 and locked portions 10 located on the peripheral wall side. The peripheral walls 16 to 19 on the attaching side are formed as a cassette frame 2. The cassette frame is used in common for the cassette relay block 1 or other cassette electric parts mounting blocks. The plural cassette frames are coupled to each other by lock members 54, and coupled to a connection box body by locked members thereby to constitute an electric connection box.
US07717754B2
An implantable medical device connector assembly and method of manufacture include a molded, insulative shell having an inner surface forming a connector bore, a circuit member including a one or more traces extending through the shell; one or more conductive members positioned along the connector bore and electrically coupled to the traces; and sealing members positioned between the conductive members.
US07717753B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing (1) defining a receiving cavity (10) with an opening (101) opened forward and running through a mating face (11). A plurality of terminals are mounted in the insulating housing. A cover (4) defines a space for partly receiving the insulating housing therein, and includes a front wall (43) with an aperture (430) corresponding with the opening (101). A shell (5) is provided for shielding the insulating housing and the cover. A sleeve (3) has a base portion (32) sandwiched between the mating face (11) and the front wall (43) of the cover (4), and a ring (31) projecting forward through the aperture (430), therefore the sleeve can not release from the insulating housing easily.
US07717746B2
Disclosed is a bulb socket structure for an onboard interior lighting system, in which: a bulb attachment hole 12 to which a wedge base bulb 21 is attached is formed in a resin-made housing 10 constituting the onboard interior lighting system; and power supply terminals 15 configured to contact, and conduct electricity to, terminals of a base 21b arranged under a bulb part 21a of the wedge base bulb when the base is inserted into the inside of the bulb attachment hole are provided in the inside of the bulb attachment hole. In the bulb socket structure, a spacer 30 is provided to the bulb attachment hole 12. The spacer is includes a supporting cylindrical part 31 capable of supporting the bulb part 21a of the wedge base bulb from its outer periphery. The spacer is capable of causing the power supply terminals 15 to contact the respective terminals of the base part while protecting the power supply terminals. Guiding slopes 35 configured to guide the base 21b to a right position in the inside of the bulb attachment hole 12 while the base is being inserted to the bulb attachment hole are provided to the inside of the supporting cylindrical part.
US07717738B2
A cord management device includes a first end (13); a second end (13); and an intermediate portion (12) between the first (13) and the second (13) ends. The first (13) and the second (13) ends include mating details for engaging with a socket device (5) and forming a closed loop (14) between the intermediate portion (12) and the socket device (5).
US07717730B2
A camera module connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of terminals (2) received therein, a shell (3) encircling the housing 1, and a lid 4 covering the housing (1), there are ears (411) located in the lid (4). When the connector (100) disassembled, carry the ears (411) will make disassembling easily.
US07717723B2
An electrical plug-in connector with a first housing part, a second housing part and at least one metal interlocking clip which is pivotally mounted on the first housing part, two bearing journals being mounted on the first housing part and two interlocking projections being provided on the second housing part, the interlocking clip having two interlocking legs and a handle piece which connects the interlocking legs to one another, the interlocking legs each having a bearing arm with a recess for the bearing journal and an interlocking arm for overlapping an interlocking projection. Damage to the interlocking projections by the metal interlocking arms is prevented by two plastic parts which are located on the two interlocking legs of an interlocking clip such that a respective section of a plastic part covers the free end surface of an interlocking arm when the interlocking clip is pivoted into the closed position.
US07717716B2
In order to realize the electric contacting of two parallel printed boards, the invention proposes a printed board connector that features coaxial plug modules realized in the form of pin and socket contacts.For this purpose, it is proposed that the two plug modules have such a design that they can be turned and tilted about their central mating axis within a certain range on the printed board in order to compensate misalignments or deviations between the positions of the printed boards relative to one another.It is furthermore proposed to realize certain distances between the printed boards by means of plug modules of different lengths on the pin side.
US07717711B2
A collapsible, portable motion platform for use with video games, personal computers, simulators, and virtual reality systems is disclosed. The motion platform may include a motion control system including user adjustable regulating devices for setting the range of motion, acceleration and other motion elements in one or more degrees of freedom. The framing may be collapsible and may include an enclosure case. One embodiment of the platform is lightweight and portable, and includes an enclosure case for protection in storage.
US07717710B2
The present invention relates to a rotating instrument made of a ceramic material and comprising a shaft 1 and a working member 2 which is secured to the shaft or can detachably be secured thereto, wherein at least part of the working member 2 is made from a ceramic material, characterized in that the ceramic part of the working member 2 has a surface roughness of 0.5 μm to 6 μm.
US07717709B2
A contact cap is attached to a top cover of a camera of a dental tooth measuring apparatus, and when shooting, positioning of the tooth to be measured is performed with a bite section being slightly bitten by both of adjacent teeth sandwiching the tooth to be measured, and with keeping a state where the inside of the adjacent teeth is in contact with a camera side surface of a positioning convex section. Positioning of the tooth to be measured and the adjacent teeth with variation among individuals with respect to the camera can be performed more precisely.
US07717705B2
The present invention relates to a device for supporting, stacking and transporting kiln run, in particular, when firing ceramic products, comprising an assembly from supports and support beams, in particular carrier beams, cross beams, large plates or similar, on which, in particular, one or several supports for placing kiln run are provided. The device comprises at least one substantially rectangular sleeve, in particular disposed on a kiln cart. In this sleeve a substantially rectangular support of the support assembly is disposed, wherein the sleeve has at least one adjustment means, which is supported in the sleeve, and which can be pressed against the support, wherein the sleeve additionally comprises at least one pressure means, formed from at least one elastic element, which is preloaded through the impact of the adjustment devices, so that it builds up reversal forces against the support.
US07717704B2
A wire mesh burner plate for use in large, gas burners for large ovens is comprised of spaced-apart wire mesh plates. The spacing between the wire mesh plates defines an air/fuel mixture space. The fuel passes through the lower or first mesh, experiences a pressure drop, mixes with air and passes through a second wire mesh. The gas combusts after passing through the second wire mesh. The fine gauge of the mesh prevents combustion from flowing backwardly into the fuel/air mixture space. Several individual wire mesh burner plates can be flexibly attached to each other such that a very wide space can be covered. Thermal stresses are reduced by being distributed across multiple burners.
US07717699B2
A nozzle is used with a mold formed with a rearwardly open recess having an apex at which opens a gate orifice. The nozzle has a body rearwardly closing the recess. The body is centered on an axis aligned with the orifice and formed with an axially extending central passage adapted to receive a hot melt. The body has a tip spacedly received in the recess and itself formed with at least one radially throughgoing branch passage extending from the central passage and opening into the recess at a location spaced as far as possible from the gate orifice. The tip also is formed with a throughgoing bore axially aligned with the gate orifice. A nozzle pin is axially shiftable in the body by an actuator between an extended position projecting from the bore and fitting into and blocking the gate orifice and a retracted position unblocking the orifice.
US07717698B2
A plasticizing and injecting device for a plastics injection molding machine includes an axially fixed and rotationally driven plasticizing screw, and an injection plunger movable forwards and backwards inside the plasticizing screw by a linear drive and including, at its front end, a non-return valve. An injection cylinder is provided anteriorly of the plasticizing cylinder. The non-return valve can be moved by the injection cylinder forwards and backwards inside the injection cylinder between a rear position at the beginning of the injection process and a front position after completion of the injection process. In addition, a melt chamber is formed between the front end of the plasticizing screw and the non-return valve, and forms, during the injection process and during the holding pressure phase, an annular gap between the injection plunger and the injection cylinder for receiving plastic melt as the plasticizing screw continues to rotate during injection.
US07717694B2
An apparatus and method for tensioning material (12) over a mold (14), such as a cure tool, comprises a tensioning fork (10) consisting of two substantially parallel tapered legs (18,20) between which material (12) is disposed. A tensioning fork (10) is positioned at a first side edge (42) and proximate a first end edge (38) of the material (12). A first leg (18) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed under the material (12), and a second leg (20) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed over the material (12). When force is applied to the second leg (20), it pivots about the first leg (18) along the length of the legs, remaining parallel to the first leg (18), thereby pressing a portion of the material (12) against the mold (14).
US07717693B2
The invention relates to a novel metal mold having anti-adhesive properties comprising a base metal mold and an anti-adhesive layer comprising a fluorinated alkyl phosphoric acid derivative or a fluorinated alkyl poly-phosphoric acid derivative, including a phosphorous atom and an alkyl chain. The anti-adhesive layer is bonded directly onto a surface of the base metal mold. The base metal mold may be e.g. Nickel, and said fluorinated alkyl phosphoric acid derivative or said fluorinated alkyl poly-phosphoric acid derivative may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphonates and phosphonate salts, phosphonates and phosphonate salts, or their respective oligomers, such that the phosphorous atom is coupled directly to the alkyl chain, such that the phosphorous atom is coupled directly to the alkyl chain.
US07717683B2
An electrical power supply for powering electrical pump instrumentation and process control equipment associated with a pump having a rotating member. The power supply includes an electrical current generator driven by the rotating member of the pump, and a voltage regulator for regulating the output of the generator.
US07717675B1
A stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine, the vane having a plurality of near wall mini serpentine flow cooling modules arranged in an array on the airfoil walls. Each module includes a series of multiple pass serpentine flow cooling channels extending in the airfoil chordwise direction. Each module is connected by a cooling air feed hole to a cooling air supply cavity and a cooling air discharge hole connected to a cooling air discharge cavity, where both cavities are formed between the airfoil walls. Each series of multiple pass serpentine cooling channels is connected together by a spanwise channel. The spanwise channels can include a row of film cooling holes to discharge film cooling air onto the airfoil external surface. The discharge cavity can also include film cooling holes to discharge cooling air from the cavity onto the airfoil external surface.
US07717665B2
A method and apparatus for stacking first and second loaded pallets includes a pallet stacker that defines a stationary stacking location. A first loaded pallet is conveyed to the stationary stacking location. A pair of pallet lift carriages are vertically adjustable at the stationary stacking location to selectively engage the first loaded pallet and raise it to a temporary holding position. A second loaded pallet is conveyed into vertical registration with the first loaded pallet. The first loaded pallet is then vertically adjusted into stable stacked relation with the second loaded pallet, and the pallet lift carriages disengage the first loaded pallet. The first and second loaded pallets, in stable stacked relation to each other, thereafter are discharged from the stationary stacking location.
US07717664B2
A loader includes a hydraulically operated extension arm, a load sensor for monitoring the load condition on the loader and a hydraulic arrangement for actuation of the extension arm and/or an implement attached to the extension arm. The hydraulic arrangement exhibits at least one hydraulic cylinder with one supply line on the piston rod side and one supply line on the piston side. At least one hydraulically switchable control device is coupled between a source of fluid pressure and a hydraulic tank, on the one hand, and the supply lines on the other hand. An actuating device is coupled for routing control pressure to the control device via first and second control pressure lines. An electronic control unit is connected for effecting operation of a control pressure control device, which is coupled to at least one of the control pressure lines, in response to a load signal received from the load sensor so as to actuate the control device for achieving a slowed-down actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in conjunction with the onset of a critical load condition. Thus, a restriction of a volumetric flow is achieved in at least one of the supply lines coupled to the hydraulic cylinder.
US07717663B1
A powered lift mechanism for stowing and deploying scooters relative to the cargo area of a conventional SUV. The lift mechanism comprises an L-shaped box-section boom which is pivotally attached to the D-pillar on the inside of the SUV cargo area so as to leave the floor of the cargo area available. A powered linear actuator controls the angle of the boom relative to the D-pillar mounting structure to raise and lower the loaded scooter. The entire lift mechanism swings in the vehicle and permits the lift gate to be fully closed with both the lift mechanism and the scooter stored within the SUV. A releasable suspension linkage is also disclosed.
US07717644B2
The present invention relates to a stairs-type hydrophilic revetment block having seawater flow ports and a construction method thereof. The existing coastal breakwaters, embankment, revetments, etc. are constructed to pacify the sea areas. However, because of occlusiveness of their structure, seawater flow is significantly reduced and pollutants are accumulated without being diffused to the open sea. As a result, the self-cleaning action is interrupted and the benthic ecosystem is in danger of being destroyed due to oxygen deficiency as the accumulated organic materials are decomposed. And, the conventional structures are designed and constructed mainly to block waves in order to pacify the sea areas and protect harbor facilities. In contrast, the stairs-type hydrophilic revetment block having seawater flow ports of the present invention provides easy access for people, reduces reflected waves, pacify the sea areas, maximizes improvement of seawater quality through smooth inflow and outflow of seawater and reduces cost needed for setup and protection of mound. The hydrophilic revetment block of the present invention comprises a base block, an intermediate block and an intermediate block having reservoirs. The present invention also provides a construction method using the revetment block.
US07717638B2
A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.
US07717637B2
The invention relates to an appliance for personal care (3) comprising a fluid channel (4) having an inlet opening (5) and an outlet opening (6), a coupling structure (7) for coupling an outlet opening (18) of a cartridge (8) for storing an auxiliary fluid to the inlet opening (5) of the fluid channel (4), said coupling structure (7) comprising a contact element (71) with at least one orifice (75) forming the inlet opening (5) of the fluid channel (4), which contact element (71) is connectable to the outlet opening (18) of the cartridge (8), and a sealing element (72) which is moveable relative to the contact element (71) between a first position in which it covers the orifice (75) and a second position in which it is released from said orifice (75), said sealing element (72) comprising engagement means (73) for engaging with means (83) in the cartridge and moving the sealing element (72) to the first position upon disconnection of the cartridge (8) from the appliance (3). The invention furthermore relates to a cartridge (8) for use with an appliance for personal care (3), said cartridge comprising a space for storage of an auxiliary fluid and an outlet opening for coupling the cartridge to said appliance, wherein the cartridge comprises means (83) for cooperating with the engagement means (73) of the sealing element (72) of the coupling structure (7), and to a system comprising such an appliance and such a cartridge.
US07717636B2
A hand-held dry-erase board system for efficiently storing a writing instrument in the handle of a portable dry-erase board. The hand-held dry-erase board system includes a frame including a writable surface, a handle, wherein the handle includes an upper end and a lower end and wherein the upper end of the handle is attached to the frame and a clip, wherein the clip is attached to the handle and wherein the clip secures a marker.
US07717633B2
In a sheet bundle printing system, a sheet is fed by peeling an uppermost sheet from a sheet bundle. A printing device has a printing head and a platen roller for printing on the sheet. An ink ribbon is fed through space between the printing head and the platen roller in parallel with the sheet at the time of printing thereon. The platen roller is moved back and forth relative to the printing head between a printing position in which the platen roller is urged into contact with the printing head and a contact-free position in which the platen roller is out of contact with the printing head. Ink-ribbon feeding is suspended in a manner interlocked with the relative movement of the printing head and the platen roller between the printing position and the contact-free position.
US07717621B2
A linear motion guide system is disclosed in which a clearance between a slider and a guide rail is closed truly to clear foreign matter away from entering inside the system through any end of the slider traveling on the guide rail. Thus, the linear motion guide system is befitting to severe working environment where much foreign matter occurs. A highly-tight sealing unit is provided which is comprised of a cassette constituted with a front panel and an enclosure, a sealing plate stowed into the cassette, and a rear panel to close an open edge of the enclosure. The sealing plate is composed of an intermediate spongy medium flanked by skin layers, and lubricant is forcibly absorbed in pores or cells in the intermediate layer.
US07717614B2
A clamping mechanism and method are disclosed for a mixing machine that detects when the upper clamping member engages the tops or lids of the containers loaded into the mixing machine. The disclosed clamping mechanism includes a lower base and an upper plate defining an adjustable clamping distance disposed therebetween. At least one of the lower base and upper plate is moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance. The upper plate is pivotally connected to a cross member so the upper plate is at least partially pivoted away from the cross member when nothing is clamped between the upper plate and lower base. At least one of the cross member and upper plate is associated with a sensor. The sensor is linked to a controller, which controls the movement of the upper plate or the lower base (or both) for clamping and unclamping articles disposed on the lower base. The sensor is activated and sends a signal to the controller when the upper plate has been pressed against the cross member by a top surface of an article clamped between the upper plate and lower cross member under movement controlled by the controller.
US07717612B2
The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour-and-water-based food dough comprising two mixing tools rotatably mounted one above the other about an axis of rotation, wherein the top tools is embodied in the form of a helix extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to said axis of rotation in such a way that the ingredient mixture is produced, the lower tool comprises at least one radial arm provided with a leading surface inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and an enclosure is provided with a mixed dough discharge opening which is arranged in the peripheral side part of a mixing space and in front of the lower tool.
US07717607B2
A portable computing device, including a keyboard illumination device and system may include a light emitter housing incorporated into the hinge element of a portable computing device. The light emitter housing may include an aperture and a light emitter and may be configured to illuminate a keyboard while keeping the source of the emitted light hidden from the user and others who may be in the vicinity of the portable computing device. The light emitter, which illuminates the keyboard, may be driven by a different light source than the light source that illuminates a display panel of the portable computing device. It follows that the brightness of the light emitter may be adjusted without having any effect on the brightness of the display panel.
US07717599B2
A light source module is provided comprising an emitter having at least one light emitting surface and an at least partially hollow integrating optic mounted over the emitting surface; where the index of refraction within the hollowed area is less then the index of the subsequent medium along the optical path. The integrating optic has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface. The distal end of the integrating optic is flat and has a rectangular aspect ratio which can differ from the aspect ratio of the emitter. One or more optical films and/or an optical component such as a collection lens can be adhered to the distal end of the integrating optic.
US07717598B2
A light guide is disclosed. The light guide includes an incident surface, an exit surface, and a light guide section. Light emitted from a plurality of light emitting devices disposed in line enters from the incident surface. The exit surface is formed in a shape causing light to be concentrated. The light which has entered from the incident surface exits from the exit surface. The light guide section is bent. The volume of the light guide gradually increases in a direction from the incident surface to the exit surface.
US07717590B1
An LED lamp with reflecting casings comprises a bulb seat having an international standard joint at an outer side thereof; an interior of the bulb seat having a power supply; an insulating layer for isolating the power supply and an auxiliary heat dissipating casing; a main heat dissipating casing being a hollow tapered shape and being opened at two ends; the tapered size of the main heat dissipating casing being smaller than that of the auxiliary heat dissipating casing; an LED lamp body having a conductive metal heat sink with good conductivity at an upper side thereof; an inner supporting surface of the LED lamp body serving to install with at least one LED chip; the metal heat sink having a round shape and a rear end thereof protrudes with chip pins; and a heat conducting base for receive the LED lamp body.
US07717586B2
A foldable, rechargeable light emitting diode (LED) pocket light is disclosed. The light includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a hinge element. The first compartment has a housing, a plurality of LED lights, a rotatable hinge, and a hook for hanging the light. The second compartment includes a housing, a member for receiving the rotatable hinge and a power source. The light also includes an activating member and circuitry for activating the LED lights.
US07717584B1
A waterproof vibrating and twinkling LED backlighting device includes: a main body (1), said main body (1) comprises a light-tight, hollow and polymorphous frame (11), and a transparent cover plate (12) installed on top of said frame (11); a circuit element (3), said circuit element (3) comprises a circuit board (31) and a circuit-control element (32) electrically connects with the circuit board (31); at least one light emitting device (4) which electrically connects with the circuit board (31), and its light emitting angle is parallel with the circuit board (31), said light emitting device (4) comprises: at least one Light-Emitting Diode (LED) (41) mounted on the side of the surface of said circuit board (31) and connected electrically with which; a power supply (5); a ball-rolling switch (6) electrically connects with the circuit element (3); and a transparent encapsulation body (2) filled inside the main body (1) to cover the circuit element (3), power supply (5) and ball-rolling switch (6).
US07717578B2
An illumination system is provided for combining two or more light sources. A plurality of light sources radiate random polarization light. A plurality of collecting light pipes corresponds to the plurality of light sources. Each collecting light pipe has an entrance end disposed towards the respective light source. The collecting light pipes are laterally offset and overlapping opposite their respective entrance ends. A combining light pipe is disposed perpendicular to the collecting light pipes. A polarizing beam splitter and a mirror are sequentially arranged in each collecting light pipe essentially opposite the entrance end directing a first polarization light and a second polarization light, respectively upwards towards the combining light pipe. The combining light pipe has an entrance end overlying the polarizing beam splitter and mirror of each collecting light pipe to collect and combine the light from each polarizing beam splitter and mirror.
US07717568B2
A manufacturing method for a cooling unit that includes a cooling plate in which a cooling fluid flows, the cooling plate having a cooling pipe through which the cooling fluid flows, and a pair of tabular members arranged to be opposed to each other across the cooling pipe, the manufacturing method for a cooling unit includes: forming a groove in which the cooling pipe is housed at least in one opposed surface of the pair of tabular members; combining the pair of tabular members while housing the cooling pipe in the groove; and filling a heat conduction material in a gap between the groove and the cooling pipe.
US07717560B2
A physiologic test, and a system for implementing this test, including, from a methodologic point of view, (a) illuminating the central field in a test subject's eye with a relative-motion test image produced on an image display structure by a motion-image-creation structure, (b) by such illuminating, creating a related, subject-perception image, (c) requesting a subject report describing the observed presence and nature, if any, of a distortion, relative to the test image, in the perception image, and (d) thereafter utilizing such a report to assess a test subject's physiologic condition involving macular, paramacular, and neural-pathway physiologic degeneration. A preferred test image, which is fully adjustable by a test administrator with respect to substantially all of its image parameters, takes the form of an image field of elongate, spaced, parallel lines, having edges which distinctly contrast with a background field, and which move smoothly and linearly across the image field.
US07717559B2
A method for designing a spectacle lens that includes an optical convex surface on an object side of the spectacle lens and an optical concave surface on an eye side of the spectacle lens and is mounted in a spectacle frame in a manner tilting with respect to a forward sight line, the optical convex surface being spherical, the optical concave surface being optically curved according to a prescription, the method including: defining a design reference point at an intersection of the optical concave surface and the forward sight line; and determining an angle formed by a tangent line at the design reference point and a perpendicular plane perpendicular to the forward sight line as a lens tilt angle θ with which the spectacle lens is mounted in the spectacle frame.
US07717553B2
Spectacles comprising spectacle mounts (a bridge piece (15) and two side pieces (29)) affixed to two lenses (2), the spectacle mounts being affixed by means of pins (25, 31) which are inserted into appropriately positioned holes or slots (28) drilled into the lenses (2). A single hole or slot (28) in the lens (2) is required to allow the attachment of each mount (15, 29) by location with the appropriate pin (25, 31). The holes or slots (28) are sized to match the dimensions of the pin to give the pins (25, 31) a “close” fit, and the adhesive is specifically chosen to act as a buffer between the pins (25, 31) and the lens (2), thereby substantially reducing or even eliminating the pressure around the assembly point which produces stress marks in rimless spectacles constructed using known methods.
US07717543B2
An ink jet printhead that has a plurality of nozzles, a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively, the bubble forming chambers adapted to contain a bubble forming liquid; and at least one looped heater element disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers respectively, the heater elements configured for thermal contact with the bubble forming liquid; wherein heating of the looped heater element to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid forms a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid through the nozzle corresponding to that heater element.
US07717535B2
A printer has a replaceable cartridge (ink pack), a recording head, and a control section. The recording head ejects ink supplied by the cartridge through a nozzle. The control section detects the retaining amount of the ink in the cartridge and the environmental temperature in the proximity of the printer. Further, the control section sets a threshold value, with reference to which it is determined whether the cartridge needs be replaced by a unused cartridge, to a lower value as the detected environmental temperature becomes higher.
US07717524B2
The invention relates to cleaning devices adapted to sweep floors with an attached squeegee, and to methods of manufacturing such cleaning devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a squeegee blade may be molded out of a first material. Subsequently, a head member may be molded, out of a second material of greater hardness than the first material, to a first portion of the previously molded squeegee blade. Bristles and a handle may be attached to the head member.
US07717521B2
A milling machine for milling a paved surface has milling tools connected to an underside of a body of the machine. At least one ferrous metal detector is attached to a front end of the machine. Electronic equipment is disposed within the machine and is in communication with the metal detector, the equipment being adapted to interpret feedback from the detector.
US07717518B2
An elbow support apparatus with distal sides and front, back, upper and lower sides constructed as a cushioned or inflatable device having at least a flexible upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit on the lap of the driver of a motor vehicle when the driver is seated adjacent the steering wheel of the vehicle whereby the elbows of the driver are supported such that the driver's hands are maintained in the 9:15 position on the steering wheel; the device is provided with an apron attached to the front side, fasteners attached to each of the distal sides, plural fasteners attached to the back side, and plural, inverted u-shape locating members configured on the lower side of the cushion device.
US07717516B2
Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.
US07717515B2
A chair having an automatically adjusting resistance to tilt. The chair includes a back support, a frame, a base and a back pivot member, which is pivotally mounted to the frame, and a seat, which is also pivotally mounted to the frame, such that an occupant of the chair adjusts resistance to tilt or reclining of the chair by applying a rearward force to the back support.
US07717497B2
A vehicle having a cowl tray and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is provided with one or more coolant-to-air heat exchangers near the intake opening of the HVAC system or attached to the cowl tray, in order to prevent an accumulation of snow and ice from blocking the flow of intake air into the HVAC system and interfering with the windshield wiper system. The accumulation of snow and ice in the HVAC intake is a problem commonly experienced by vehicles having the HVAC intake located near the base of the vehicle windshield, due to turbulent precipitation.
US07717490B2
A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
US07717472B2
A method of locking tubular components in end to end relation. A first tubular body is provided having a tongue with an outwardly facing groove protruding past one end along an interior surface that has a keyway. A second tubular body is provided having a tongue with an inwardly facing groove protruding past one end along an exterior surface. A split ring is positioned in the grooves to connect the bodies. The split ring has a tapered outer surface to permit removal by an axial force. A tubular insert carries a locking key which engages the axial keyway. When the tubular insert is fully inserted into the first tubular body, the key underlies the split ring and prevents the split ring from having sufficient clearance to be withdrawn.
US07717470B1
A quick fluid connector includes two mating portions. Leakage may occur during mating and demating. In order to contain such leakage, the mating portions of the connector are mounted on the distal end of a projecting boss and at the fundus of a matching well, respectively, so that the boss and well together define a chamber which surrounds the two mating portions of the quick connector. One or more drainage channels are coupled to the chamber to carry away leakage.
US07717455B2
A drawbar assembly includes a shank that can slidingly engage a first hitch receiver having an interior opening with a first size, which may be a class I receiver with a one and one-quarter inch square opening and provisions for a one-half inch hitch pin. First and second adapter parts, each having two sides forming a right angle, are removably coupled to the shank on opposite sides. The drawbar assembly can slidingly engage a second hitch receiver having an interior opening with a second size, which may be a class III receiver with a two inch square opening and provisions for a five-eighths inch hitch pin. A threaded hitch pin may clamp the drawbar assembly to the receiver.
US07717444B2
An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
US07717443B1
The working clearance height of a high-clearance vehicle is normally established by four main suspension spindles that are respectively received for reciprocating within upright journals provided at the opposite ends of front and rear axle assemblies of the vehicle main frame, with the bottom end each of the main spindles being received in a bore at the top of an associated wheel motor housing that serves also as a wheel hub mounting bracket. In order to increase the working clearance height of the vehicle, an optional elongate spacer assembly is mounted between the bottom of each elongate main suspension spindle and the associated wheel motor housing. Each main suspension spindle is inclined slightly outwardly relative to a vertical plane extending in the direction of travel of the vehicle and, in order for the spacing between tires at opposite sides of the vehicle to remain the same, with or without the usage of the spacer assemblies, each spacer assembly includes a coupler spindle extending parallel to, and offset inwardly from, a pivot axis of the associated main suspension spindle by a distance calculated to result in the desired tire spacing, this coupler spindle being received in the bore at the top of the associated wheel motor housing.
US07717442B2
A suspension system includes a laterally extending axle and an arm assembly welded to the axle. The arm assembly includes a longitudinally extending arm body having top and bottom surfaces, an axle connector welded to the axle and an end of the arm body, and a plate extending longitudinally over and welded to the arm body top surface, wrapped rearwardly about and welded to the axle connector, and extending longitudinally over and welded to the arm body bottom surface. A method includes the steps of welding an axle connector to an axle; welding a plate to the axle connector, the plate being wrapped rearwardly about the axle connector; and welding an arm body to the axle connector and to the plate, the arm body having top and bottom surfaces, and the plate being welded to each of the top and bottom surfaces.
US07717439B2
A skate device that has one or more turnable wheels. In one group of embodiments, the turnable wheels may be linked such that when one wheel turns another wheel turns in a manner that facilitates turning. In another group of embodiments, the turnable wheels are not so linked. The skate device of the present invention may achieve turning from a point underneath the shoe or foot region of the skate, thus more closely approximately turning on ice skates. The skate device may have inline wheels and maybe relatively light-weight and compact.
US07717438B2
A chassis system for a motor vehicle has a device for roll stabilization and a device for wheel camber adjustment. The device for roll stabilization and the device for wheel camber adjustment have one or more hydraulic actuating devices. The device for roll stabilization and the device for wheel camber adjustment are coupled to one another by a common hydraulic system. Accordingly, a link is provided between the roll stabilization arrangement and the camber adjustment arrangement in the motor vehicle. An active camber adjustment arrangement is realized by using the hydraulic power supply and the valves of the roll stabilization arrangement.
US07717437B2
A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.
US07717436B1
A continuously adjustable collet chuck assembly comprising: a) a collet chuck body, b) an adjustment ring positioned within the collet chuck body, the adjustment ring including fixed key sized and configured to engage a keyway on a collet, and c) a locking member positioned in the collet chuck body to exert a force on the ring, the force having a substantial component in the axial direction to prevent rotation of the ring. The axial force securely fixes the adjustment ring, and therefore the collet, at any rotational position.
US07717430B2
The disclosure relates to a golf game and method of playing. More particularly, a method of gameplay which follows the career of a selected golf professional, as each game participant attempts to attain victories in the selected golf professional's career by selecting game pieces from a stack at random. A method in accordance with the disclosure entails providing a two dimensional array including the major tournament results of a selected golf professional, providing a plurality of game pieces, a player selecting a game piece, wherein the game piece corresponds to an element in the array, and repeating game piece selection for each successive player until a victory condition is met. Scoring mode, grand slam mode, and career win mode can each be used in the game play method in accordance with the present disclosure.
US07717429B2
Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.
US07717412B2
A spring-pressurizing unit includes a pair of screw members which are respectively formed with male and female screws to be screwed to each other and in which after the male and female screws are fastened to each other, a shaft having a predetermined length is formed, a spring disposed as to be wound around the shaft, a pressing member which is disposed on one end of the spring and which is pressed toward the spring after the pair of screw member are fastened to each other, thereby compressing the spring, and a support member which supports the pressing member in a state where the pressing member compresses the spring.
US07717409B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an active vibration isolating support apparatus to effectively reduce a transient vibration which occurs at the time of engine starting. In order to achieve the above object, an active vibration isolating support apparatus for suppressing a vibration transmitted to a vehicle body including: active mounts to elastically support a load of an engine in the vehicle body each of which includes an actuator; and a control unit to drive the actuator to extend and contract periodically in response to a waveform of the vibration of the engine; in which the control unit supplies a predetermined current to the actuator based on a starting control condition, and starts a control of the actuator based on a control instruction value of a current in response to the vibration of the engine is provided.
US07717399B2
A solenoid valve for a slip control system in a vehicle is disclosed. A flow passage is provided in which working fluid such as oil that generates a break hydraulic pressure flows from the side of a solenoid valve through a filter, flows to the front of a plunger through a side hole formed in a valve body of the solenoid valve, and then flows along the side of valve body, that is, is discharged out of an outlet through a side space between valve body and a valve seat. Therefore, linear pressure control is easy because working fluid flows into toward the front of valve plunger through a side inlet of solenoid valve and the entire size is reduced because a special channel for guiding working fluid to the front of the valve plunger is not needed in a pump housing case.
US07717396B2
The magnetic actuator device of the invention comprises a magnetic field generator external to the duct and a permanent magnetic field generator internal to the duct, separated from the magnetic field generator external to the duct by a non-magnetic separator wall, and connected to a moving member, the permanent magnetic field generator internal to the duct being dimensioned to have a face spaced apart from the separator wall so as to define a space that can receive particles of metal without the actuator device jamming.
US07717394B2
A vehicle interior accessory retainer includes a base, a base inner and a plate spring. In the base inner, upper and front openings are formed in upper and front parts, respectively, side walls are formed in side parts in the upper opening, a lower part is formed at a position opposite to the upper opening with the side walls in between, and a stay mount part is provided in the lower part. The plate spring has a planar portion, upright portions, and base-retaining pieces. The stay mount part has a projection. A nip part is formed between the projection and the lower part of the base inner. A through hole is formed in the planar portion in the plate spring. A tension applying part is formed between the upper surface of the lower part in the base inner and the projection in the stay mount part.
US07717383B2
An adjustable support mechanism is assembled from: a first bracket that can attach to the underside of a desk; a second bracket that can attach to a keyboard platform; a pivotally coupled connecting member; and a linking member. In one embodiment of the present invention, pivotal movement of the connecting member relative to the first bracket causes the linking member to move the second bracket in a corresponding manner.
US07717382B2
An accessory mounting system and mounting method thereof provides an effective solution for sectioning a portion of a room and for organizing tools, objects and cables involved in the activity that gives rise to the need for sectioning or organizing the room. In particular, the present invention provides an accessory mounting system and method whereby accessories can be mounted to poles that are designed for use in temporary partitioning systems, or to other poles such as painter's poles. Such accessories can include, for example, a caution tape dispenser that mounts to a side surface of a pole following installation of the pole, and various pole clips that locate the caution tape at other poles in a clean, visually attractive, and effective manner. Other accessories include tool mounts, cable mounts, shelves, trays, drawers, hooks, camera or laser mounts, and the like, all attachable to a side surface of a pole following installation of the pole.
US07717381B2
The present invention is a novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed.
US07717379B2
A furniture balancing pad stabilizes a furniture piece having an uneven leg base or support surface. The furniture balancing pad comprises a biscuit portion having a top surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and side walls. A flexible stabilization cushion having a central cushion thickness is attached to the top surface of the biscuit to form an outer perimeter shelf extending horizontally and adjacently in relation to the flexible stabilization cushion and adjacent to the side walls of the biscuit. This shelf acts as a support lip for the furniture piece. The outer perimeter shelf of the biscuit includes a perimeter thickness, or height, and a shelf depth. The flexible stabilization cushion and the biscuit may be constructed as a unitary pad. As arranged, the flexible stabilization cushion and the outer perimeter shelf of the biscuit level and buttress the uneven leg base or uneven surface when the furniture balancing pad is slid under the furniture piece.
US07717375B2
A rotation control device for a support arm of a lamp comprises a support arm having a first end and a second end; a rotating arm having a first end and a second end; a lamp head assembled to the second end of the rotating arm; a cambered track fixed to a predetermined position of the support arm; and a cambered slot being formed in the cambered track; a stop sheet installed to a predetermined position of the cambered track; the stop sheet being movable along the cambered slot of the cambered track and is fixable at a predetermined position so that the rotating arm is retained to a predetermined angle.
US07717368B2
A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame; a duct carried by the vehicle frame with the longitudinal axis of the duct perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame; a propeller rotatably mounted within the duct about the longitudinal axis of the duct to force an ambient fluid through from an inlet at the upper end of the duct through an exit at the lower end of the duct, and thereby produce an upward lift force applied to the vehicle; a first plurality of substantially parallel, spaced vanes non-pivotally mounted across at least the inlet end of the duct; and fluidic means for affecting the ambient fluid flow around the vanes to generate horizontal force components to the lift force applied to the vehicle.
US07717367B2
In a pretensioner device, engaging teeth of a pinion (rotating body) have first projections which project-out toward the other side in the peripheral direction of a cam portion. Meshing claws of a clutch plate have second projections which project-out toward a one side in the peripheral direction of the cam portion, and whose gear portion side end surfaces face the first projections. In a state before operation of the pretensioner device, movement of the clutch plate toward one side in the axial direction with respect to the pinion is restricted due to the second projections engaging with the first projections. Accordingly, in the pretensioner device, in the state before operation, even if some type of external force is applied to the clutch plate, positional offset of the clutch plate toward the one side in the axial direction with respect to the pinion can be prevented.
US07717361B2
A water distribution plate and diffuser plate assembly for distributing a stream emitted from a sprinkler nozzle comprising: a shaft having one end attached to a sprinkler component and an opposite end supporting first and second plates in axially spaced relationship for rotation about the shaft independent of one another; the first plate located adjacent the nozzle and formed with at least one water distribution groove shaped and arranged to divide a primary stream emitted from the nozzle into a plurality of secondary streams, and the second plate located downstream of the first plate and formed with at least one diffuser element arranged to be struck by at least some of the secondary streams exiting the first plate, and wherein speed of rotation of the first and second plates is braked.
US07717353B2
An apparatus for dispensing and mixing flowable materials that includes at least one hopper connected to a mixing chamber. The apparatus further includes at least one valve associated with the hopper. The valve operates to regulate the flow of material from the hopper to the mixing chamber. The apparatus also includes a controller that communicates with the at least one valve wherein the controller selectively controls the operation of the valve.
US07717349B2
A semiconductor device for an IC tag comprises a receive unit for demodulating receive data from a received RF signal and a signal processing unit for detecting a command comprising data signals from the receive data demodulated by the receive unit and executing processing based on the command, wherein the signal processing unit has a command acceptance mode for detecting the command from the receive data and a command execution mode for executing the command, and cancels the data signal when the data signal is detected from the receive data in the command execution mode.
US07717338B2
In an apparatus for identifying items in a cargo hold, having an entrance that is accessible by a user, each of the items includes an individual mesh network communication device and each individual mesh network communication device includes a memory that stores a unique item identification. The apparatus includes a primary mesh network communications device and a portable computational device in data communication with the primary mesh network communication device. A frame separates the primary mesh network communications device from the portable computational device at a distance that enables the user to hold the portable computational device and to direct the mesh network communications device to the entrance of the cargo hold.
US07717335B2
A stored-value card includes a substrate including an account identifier and a graphical depiction of a character. The account identifier links the stored-value card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record. The substrate defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of a finger of a card bearer. The aperture is positioned relative to the character such that, when the finger is received by the at least one aperture, the finger appears as an appendage of the character. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other stored-value card embodiments are also disclosed.
US07717333B2
A method and means of registering for a debit card includes a card having an account number that is the same as an account number encoded on a magnetic strip of the card. Removably attached to the card is a first and a second label. The first label has the account number printed thereon and a designated area where customer information is filled in. The second label has an authorization code such as a PIN number printed thereon. Both the account number and PIN number are stored in a database maintained by a service provider. To register, the first label is removed from the card and attached to a customer's check and the second label is removed and retained by the customer. The check is scanned and transmitted to the service provider. The service provider compares the account number on the first label of the scanned check with the stored PIN number and creates a debit card account for the customer associated with the customer's checking account.
US07717326B2
A system for protecting data within a portable storage device. A self-destruct unit associated with the portable storage device is enabled. If the portable storage device is not within a pre-specified route tolerance or if the portable storage device is not at a pre-selected identification checkpoint, an alert message is sent. In response to receiving a particular response, a self-destruct signal is sent to the enabled self-destruct unit. Then the enabled self-destruct unit creates an electromagnetic pulse from a xenon flash tube to render confidential data within the portable storage device unusable.
US07717321B2
A package includes a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.
US07717315B2
On production of a component, two primary pieces must often be fixed together to give one piece. In order to achieve the above, it is important that the two primary pieces are oriented in a particular manner during the fixing process, which provides some difficulties. According to the invention, a plug body is fixed to the component by a mounting, whereby the position of the plug body relative to the component remains unchanged during a fixing process.
US07717314B2
A friction stir welding tool is used in welding structures. The tool comprises a shoulder and a probe extending from the shoulder. The probe has at least three sections equiangularly arranged around the longitudinal axis of the probe, each section comprising at least three contiguously arranged flats arranged about the axis of the probe. The flats are so arranged that the normal axes of the flats converge in a direction towards the axis of the probe thereby resulting in the sections each having a generally convex shape. The probe also includes a threaded portion disposed between each pair of adjacent generally convexly shaped unthreaded sections.
US07717297B2
A mixing device and method for mixing at least one first ingredient and at least one second ingredient. The device includes a body which has a wall defining a cavity. A first inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the first ingredient and a second inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the second ingredient. An outlet is provided in communication with the cavity receiving the mixed first and second ingredient which have been mixed in the cavity. The ingredients are mixed by introducing one ingredient as a stream and the second ingredient as a forcefully introduced stream. An area upstream of the ingredients is provided for mixing ingredients. Once mixed the ingredients must flow through the body before reaching the outlet. Multiple mixing devices can be cascaded to produce additional variations and mixing methods. The device can be in the form of a kit for retrofitting on existing devices such as beverage dispensers.
US07717292B2
A surgical instrument container assembly includes a container and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one wire handle coupled with the container, and a pair of handle halves. Each handle half includes a pair of ends and a pair of partial openings respectively positioned at the ends. Each partial opening of one handle half is adjacent a respective partial opening of the other handle half. The adjacent partial openings conjunctively receive a portion of the at least one wire handle therein. The handle halves surround a portion of the at least one wire handle and are snap fitted together.
US07717290B2
A transport device such as an ISO container that is adapted to be transported by air or surface transportation. The transport device includes a base, a plurality of movable ISO corner blocks movably coupled to the base, and a plurality of adjustment mechanisms. Each adjustment mechanism is adapted to couple a respective corner block to the base and to selectively move the corner block with respect to the base between an air transport position, wherein the bottom surface of the corner block does not extend beyond the bottom surface of the base, and a surface transport position wherein the bottom surface of the corner block is located below the bottom surface of the base. The base includes a plurality of roller plates that form the bottom surface of the base and that are adapted to engage rollers of an aircraft cargo handling system. The transport device also includes detent rails that are removably attached to the base. The detent rails includes tabs and detents that are adapted to cooperate with an aircraft cargo handling system to releasably secure the transport device in place within an aircraft.
US07717287B2
A storage tank having an inner vessel suspended within the outer vessel. One or more stiffening members support portions of the outer vessel. The use of the stiffening members limits deformation of the outer vessel due to the suspension of the inner vessel therein.
US07717285B2
The disposable splatter guard is a cover for food being heated in a microwave oven. The splatter guard has a fluted wall member and a semi-rigid, pyramidal top made from a fluted material. The flutes of the wall member and the pyramidal top maintain rigidity and prevent the splatter guard from collapsing into the food product. The top has a plurality of vents to allow steam to escape. The pyramidal configuration prevents condensation from dripping back onto the cooked food and permits easy stacking and dispensing. The disposable splatter guard is made from a microwave transparent material, such as paper.
US07717282B2
A semi-rigid collapsible container has a side-wall with an upper portion, a central portion, a lower portion and a base. The central portion includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion and an initiator portion. The control portion is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, than the initiator portion. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container, the initiator portion will flex inwardly to cause the control portion to invert and flex further inwardly into the container and the central portion to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container. Raised ribs made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state. In another embodiment the telescoping of the container back to its original position occurs when the vacuum force is released following removal of the container cap.
US07717274B2
A newborn transfusion cell washing device generally comprising a disposable, graduated test tube shaped container having a cap with an inlet port, an injection/sampling port, a suction port, and a vent. The container is capable of being inserted into a conventional clinical centrifuge. The device requires a relatively small volume to operate, 25 ml or less per procedure, and can be performed easily by any hospital blood bank technologist without any special skills. Washed RBCs can be provided to the patient in a timely manner, without the need for “fresh blood.” Any in-dated RBCs can be washed to remove excessive potassium and other toxins. The main RBC aliquot can be saved and repeatedly sampled until the unit is expired or exhausted. This provides a cost savings to the hospital and more importantly, minimizes the recipient's donor exposure.
US07717271B2
A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. Each of the unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the interconnected pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and disposing a second layer on the first layer. Disposing a second layer includes depositing a conducting layer on the first layer; and anodizing the conducting layer to convert the conducting layer into a porous layer.
US07717270B2
Various embodiments of an end-of faucet filter assembly connectable with a faucet on a standard sink and having a plurality of outlets corresponding with selectable modes of operation are disclosed herein. One mode of operation provides unfiltered, aerated water dispenses from the filter assembly. A second mode of operation provides a pulsing jet spray, while a third mode of operation provides filtered water. One embodiment of the present invention also includes a connection assembly between the end-of-faucet filter and the faucet that utilizes a water-tight radial seal that allows the end-of-faucet filter to swing or rotate back and forth relative to the faucet without impairing the integrity of the seal. Other embodiments of the present invention also include a filter cartridge assembly configured to provide a user with an easy method of removing and installing the cartridge.
US07717267B2
A card and blister package for small articles of commerce has a clear plastic blister piece, a card and a retainer piece. The blister piece had an article-receiving cavity and a flange extends along the upper edge of the cavity, and pluralities of upwardly extending locking posts are spaced apart along the flange. The card has openings for receiving therethrough the locking posts and the retainer piece had a plurality of integral downwardly-opening locking caps spaced therealong, whereby when the posts are engaged through the card openings the caps can be snapped into locking engagement with the blister posts so as to secure the card to the blister. Each cap is encircled by an arrangement of perforations, so as to detachably connect the cap to the retainer piece and whereby twisting of the cap will cause it to shear free of the retainer, and rotation through about 90 degrees will cause the caps to unlock from the posts, allowing the package to be opened.
US07717263B2
Portable container support systems are disclosed which include at least one re-closable enclosure which is operable to be coupled to the exterior of a portable container, and which has an integral support coupling adapted to receive supports used for supporting the portable container in a preferred orientation, such as a nearly vertical position for use as a rack for assembled articles. Various re-closable enclosures are disclosed which enable convenient deployment of support legs while providing protection for the supports when stowed for transport. The system may be used with a wide variety of portable containers, such as pool cue cases, golf bags, equipment bags, etc.
US07717262B1
A compact disk (CD) box structure includes a seat having an upward extended central post, which has an externally threaded upper end; a knob having a downward extended and internally threaded hollow central column for screwing to the externally threaded upper end of the central post, so that CDs stacked on the seat around the central post can be immovably held to the seat by the knob; a protective barrel being a cylindrical container with a closed bottom and an open top, so that the seat having CDs stacked thereon can be fitly received in the protective barrel; and a top cover being connectable to a flange around the open top of the protective barrel by high-frequency heating or heat melting to seal the CDs in the protective barrel. The CDs stored in the CD box are not only well protected against dust, but also scratches possibly caused by vibration.
US07717259B2
A container for holding a smoker's article. The container has a lid and a body. The body includes a first chamber for holding smoker's articles, and a second chamber for holding a cigarette or a pipe. The lid is rotatably supported atop the container and is rotatable between the position covering both, or at least partially covering one or the other of the two chambers. A magnet in the body cooperates with a magnet in the lid for retaining the lid in the closed position over both chambers. A third small hole or chamber in the body is shaped to receive a magnetized element such as a poker. A magnet at the top of the body removably magnetically retains the poker in its chamber.
US07717254B2
A glass sheet guidance system includes a guidance member (22) having a small contact area with the glass sheet (12) and being taut to provide guidance to the glass sheet. In order to provide consistent guidance, even in environments where there is a large change in temperature, the guidance member is held taut by a tension member (24). The guidance member is supported by holders (10) so that, while remaining taut, the guidance member can be moved in three dimensions so as to accommodate glass sheets having different widths (1), heights (2), and thicknesses (3). Also, there is provided a method of guiding glass sheets with the guidance system.
US07717253B2
An arrangement for processing disks provides a continuous loop, such as a roller drive chain, to which a plurality of disk securing elements, such as chain fingers, are attached at varying distances from one another. The chain fingers have a center line on an outwardly extending portion that is non-perpendicular with respect to the plane of the roller drive chain when viewed in a top view.
US07717250B2
A centrifugal clutch is disclosed including a driver adapted to engage and to be rotated by an input shaft, a drum adapted to engage a driven component, a plurality of shoes located between the driver and the drum, and a plurality of springs, each spring engaged with adjacent shoes for urging the shoes together. The shoes are radially movable between an outward position in which the shoes contact the drum and an inward position in which the shoes are spaced apart from the drum. Each shoe has an asymmetrical contacting member for engaging the drum, the contacting member having a toe protruding circumferentially therefrom in one direction. Each shoe is capable of being independently installed into the clutch with the toe of the contacting member facing either towards or away from the direction of rotation of the driver, provided that the driver remains rotationally balanced. The contacting member of each shoe further includes one or more cavities each adapted to receive at least one weight to enable adjustment of the mass of each shoe and the mass distribution within each shoe.
US07717248B2
In a process which is for controlling and/or regulating an automated clutch, in particular in the drive train of a vehicle, and in which an actuating element, whose position determines the clutch torque transmissible by the clutch, is actuated for setting a predefined clutch torque according to a characteristic curve, the actuating element is actuated according to a characteristic curve which in a first range of the clutch torque specifies the clutch torque as a function of the position of the actuating element and in a second range of the clutch torque specifies the clutch torque as a function of the force applied to the clutch by the actuating element.
US07717244B2
A replacement torque converter cover designed to withstand mechanical stresses generated in the torque converter lock-up clutch of ALLISON transmissions when such transmissions are utilized with diesel engines and other high-torque truck engines. The original equipment cover includes through-drilled holes for receiving unitary threaded stud pins, which function to attach the cover to the engine crankshaft externally and to drive the lock-up clutch piston internally during operation. The present replacement cover provides a lock-up clutch piston interface wherein such through-drilled holes and unitary threaded stud pins are eliminated, which substantially reduces stress concentration and mechanical fatigue in the replacement cover. In comparison to the unitary threaded stud pins of the original equipment cover, the present replacement cover provides separate threaded stud and drive pin components respectively, which are installed at radially offset positions on opposite sides of a modified radial wall having an increased axial thickness and improved durability.
US07717243B2
In one embodiment, a torque converter is provided with a fluid coupling and a viscous coupling. The viscous coupling includes a plurality of closely-spaced surfaces, wherein facing ones of the closely-spaced surfaces are alternately splined to rotate with driving or driven elements of the torque converter, and wherein the closely-spaced surfaces have an average spacing that causes ones of the surfaces rotating with the driving elements to exert a viscous pull on ones of the surfaces rotating with the driven elements when the torque converter is filled with a viscous fluid. A fluid receiving portion of the torque converter receives a viscous fluid into the torque converter, and a fluid return portion expels the viscous fluid from the torque converter. The fluid receiving and fluid return portions are positioned to define a fluid pumping path through the torque converter, wherein the fluid pumping path traverses paths between the closely-spaced surfaces of the viscous coupling, and wherein the fluid pumping path increases a shear force of the viscous fluid as the viscous fluid is pumped between the closely-spaced surfaces of the viscous coupling.
US07717242B2
A torsional vibration damping disk with a base body which has a circumferential edge on the outside which is partially turned back in order to form receiver spaces for spring elements, in particular for bow spring elements. In order to create a torsional vibration damping disk which has a long service life at high rotational rates, a reinforcement strap, the free end of which is fastened to the base body, extends out from the circumferential edge in the area of at least one receiver space.
US07717233B2
An oil tank uses centrifugal movement of oil to separate blow-by gases. The oil tank has a tank body with an internal oil chamber. The oil chamber is spaced from the walls of the oil tank. The oil is delivered to the oil chamber and the oil swirls along the inner wall of the oil chamber in a helical pattern thereby allowing separation between the oil and the blow-by gases. The oil settles in the bottom of the oil chamber, which is in fluid communication with the region defined between the tank body and the oil chamber. The oil chamber is placed in an off-center location relative to the bottom of the tank body.
US07717230B2
A device for amplifying the suction noise of a vehicle is disclosed. The device comprises an intake duct, a connecting pipe and a composite membrane. The intake duct is for feeding air to an engine intake port. A connecting pipe is connected to an interior of the intake duct. The composite membrane is positioned within the connecting pipe. The composite member blocks an interior passage formed in the connecting pipe. The composite member further includes at least two elastic membranes with one of masses and rigidities that different from each other. A method is also disclosed.
US07717228B2
A sound absorbing element, in one example, includes a first wall area, a second wall area as well as a plurality of spring elements. In this arrangement, the first wall area and the second wall area are arranged so as to be spaced apart by a clear space. In one example, the plurality of spring elements are arranged in the clear space and connect the first wall area and the second wall area to each other. By pre-tensioning the plurality of spring elements to a state in which their spring constant approaches zero, significant decoupling between the first and the second wall areas may occur, with accompanying sound noise reduction.
US07717220B2
A center section for a crossmember of a vehicle chassis comprises a driveshaft hoop, crossmember attachment areas extending generally from opposing sides thereof, and trailing arm mounts on either side of the driveshaft hoop for attachment of one or more trailing arms to the center section. The crossmember attachment areas have heights that allow attachment of crossmember portions to the center section at offset heights. A method of constructing a crossmember of a vehicle chassis comprises providing a center section having crossmember attachment areas of predetermined heights extending generally from opposite sides of a driveshaft hoop, and attaching crossmember portions within the crossmember attachment areas at heights that are offset from each other.
US07717205B2
A hood assembly for a machine includes an enclosure within which at least one exhaust aftertreatment device is mounted. The engine hood assembly may be preassembled so that the exhaust aftertreatment system is integrated into the enclosure. This may allow the hood assembly to be assembled to the machine and the exhaust aftertreatment system mated to an exhaust pipe from the engine as a unit while the machine is being built on an assembly line. The engine hood assembly may include ventilation openings to assist in heat rejection from the engine compartment and from the exhaust aftertreatment devices. The hood assembly of the present disclosure finds particular application in assisting large track type tractors in meeting ever more stringent exhaust emission requirements without extensive and expensive redesign alternatives.
US07717200B2
A coaxial two-wheel vehicle is provided. The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes a step plate for a rider to ride on; a vehicle body supporting the step plate to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center when a traveling direction is set to the roll axis; and a pair of wheels disposed on the same axis at both sides of the vehicle body in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction and rotatably supported by the vehicle body. Further, the coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes a pair of wheel drivers driving and rotating the pair of wheels independently and a control lever directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.
US07717188B2
A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
US07717186B2
A removable horseshoe clip for temporarily placement on a horseshoe during the fitment process to secure the horseshoe against slipping or rotational movement during nailing, and method of use. The removable horseshoe clip includes an inner retaining clip sized to engage the inner peripheral edge of a horseshoe, a broad base for seating against the bottom surface of the horseshoe, and an outer retaining clip adapted to abut the outer peripheral edge of a horseshoe and the outer surface of a hoof wall.
US07717179B2
The invention provides an apparatus to be lowered in a borehole, comprising: (i) a delivery section for delivering a plugging fluid; (ii) a setting section comprising a longitudinal element and a flexible and permeable sleeve into which the plugging fluid is delivered; and (iii) a disconnect mechanism to allow the delivery section to be disconnected from the setting section, characterized in that the flexible sleeve is connected by at least one floating means to the longitudinal element. Additionally, the invention provides a method of installing a plug in a borehole, comprising: positioning the apparatus as described above in the borehole at a position at which the plug is to be installed, pumping fluid into the flexible sleeve via the delivery section so as to inflate the flexible sleeve, disconnecting the setting section from the delivery section, pumping an excess of the fluid into the borehole above the plug and withdrawing the delivery section from the borehole leaving the setting section at the position, said setting section acting as the plug.
US07717177B2
A process for generating and subsequently breaking a filter cake, including dissolving a non-reactive gas in a wellbore fluid to form an energized fluid; pumping the energized fluid into a formation at a downhole pressure, wherein the pumping is at overbalanced conditions; producing a filter cake; and decreasing the down hole pressure to below a cut point of the dissolved gas in the energized fluid to form a vapor phase, wherein the vapor phase compromises the integrity of the filter cake is disclosed.
US07717174B2
A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100 % quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.
US07717172B2
A method of sampling fluid from a subterranean formation includes positioning a first tool having a heater in a borehole so that the heater is adjacent a portion of the subterranean formation; heating with the heater the portion of the subterranean formation; removing the first tool from the borehole; orienting a second tool having a sampling probe in the borehole so that the sampling probe is to contact a portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater; and obtaining via the sampling probe a fluid sample from the portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater.
US07717169B2
A well drilling head comprises a well drilling head housing, a bearing assembly, a first lubricant manifold and a second lubricant manifold. The well drilling head housing has a sidewall structure defining a central bore. The bearing assembly is configured for being removably seated within the well drilling head housing and for having a stripper rubber assembly attached to a lower end portion thereof. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearings and a bearing lubricant flow path configured for allowing bearing lubricant to be circulated through the bearings. The first lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to the first end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path. The second lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to a second end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path.
US07717168B2
A reinforced stripper rubber assembly with a stripper rubber body including a drillstring engaging portion having a drillstring bore extending axially therethrough. The drillstring engaging portion of the stripper rubber body is made from an elastomeric material, has an inner surface that engages a drillstring when the drillstring is dispose therein and has a reinforcing insert receiving recess within an exterior surface thereof extending at least partially around the drillstring bore. A reinforcing insert is disposed within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. The reinforcing insert includes an elastomeric material bonded to the stripper rubber body within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. A support structure is disposed within a support structure engaging portion of the stripper rubber body. The support structure includes a central opening generally aligned with the drillstring bore thereby allowing the drillstring to pass jointly through the central opening and the drillstring bore.
US07717165B2
Disclosed is a heat exchanger, particularly a charge-air/coolant radiator (1), having a disk-type structure. Said heat exchanger comprises a plurality of disks (2) which are penetrated by a coolant and a fluid that is to be cooled. The inlet zone and/or outlet zone for the fluid that is to be cooled is/are expanded at least at the discharge end or delivery end.
US07717160B2
A transmission/heat exchanger unit includes a transmission having an input and at least one output and a heat exchanger, which is assigned to the output side of the transmission and is connected to said transmission at least indirectly via connecting lines. A duct or ducts route fuel, and is/are integrated in the case of the transmission, and extend(s) at least over part of the axial extent of the case to an end face of the transmission on the output side. A retaining device is provided for fastening the heat exchanger to the end face of the case of the transmission on the output side. The connecting lines that couple the fuel-routing duct or ducts in the transmission with the heat exchanger are integrated in the retaining device. Complementary connections of a standard type and size, which are located on the retaining device and the transmission case, are provided for fuel routing and for fastening the retaining device.
US07717155B2
An operator system for moving a barrier between limit positions, comprising an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the barrier, at least a portion of said operator motor assembly movable depending upon an operating condition thereof; a counterbalance system adapted to be connected to the barrier, said counterbalance system coupled to said operator motor assembly to move the barrier; and an integral cable storage drum and transfer assembly connecting said operator motor assembly to said counterbalance system.
US07717148B2
A machine is provided having a web tension nulling mechanism that is effective to cancel out web tension-effect forces exerted on machine members, such as rollers, so these forces to not substantially interfere with the position of the machine members during operation of the machine.
US07717142B2
A method for the production of a filled metering pump arrangement fills a product capable of flow into a film bag, which is accommodated in a container. The film bag and the container are closed by means of a pump that can be activated manually, which blocks a fluid connection between an outlet opening and the interior of the film bag, in the unstressed state, by means of at least one kick-back valve. Furthermore, the gas situated in the film bag is removed, at least approximately completely, by having at least one feed channel remain open in the container after it has been closed by the pump. By means of the at least one feed channel, a fluid that is under pressure is introduced into the container so that the film bag is compressed in the container and as a result, the gases situated in the film bag are ejected from it through the pump and/or through a bypass channel that circumvents it.
US07717140B2
Healds that consist of a metal ribbon section having the width (B) that is narrower than the total width B+X required for the flat ribbon heald (20). The flat ribbon heald (20) has an essentially non-machined—in any event, not trimmed—edge (9) derived from the metal ribbon section and an edge (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) that has been produced, in the region of the shaft (4) and the transition regions (5, 6), by trimming the metal ribbon section. An outward-directed crank of the shaft (4) creates an enlarged distance (R) between two associate oppositely cranked flat ribbon healds of a heald pair (23) which comprises two oppositely cranked flat ribbon healds (20, 21).
US07717132B2
A valve-actuator for a hydraulic valve includes a valve chamber, ports spaced mutually and opening into the chamber, a spool axially located in the chamber for opening and closing hydraulic connections between at least two of the ports as the spool moves axially in the chamber. An actuator includes a housing having mutually spaced surfaces, and a piezoelectric element located in the housing between the surfaces, the element expanding and contracting in response to an electric signal applied to the element. A temperature compensation and motion damping circuit comprising feedback resistors and a thermistor. The spool moves axially in the chamber in response to expansion and contraction of the element.
US07717131B2
A diverter valve (10) for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from a fluid source to one of several fluid outlets (132, 136) includes a fixed ceramic disk (14) fixed to a housing (12) and a rotating ceramic disk (16) retained in the housing against the fixed disk by a retainer (24). An accessory mount (20) is adhered to the rotating ceramic disk to facilitate connection to accessories and to direct fluid from the valve. Flow passages (88, 90, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) in the disks cooperate with flow passages (54, 64, 66, 68) in the housing and flow passages (116, 118, 122) in the accessory mount to balance the pressure of fluid flow within the valve against the disks to minimize leaks and prolong durability.
US07717126B2
A float valve structure that includes a case; a valve seat that is formed at an end portion of the case, at a position near an upper opening of the case; a float that is arranged in a space formed in the case so as to be vertically movable; a valve support member that is arranged above the float and that can be inserted into the upper opening; a valve that is fitted to the valve support member and that can contact the valve seat; and a valve opening member that can vertically move together with the float and that opens at least one portion of the valve.
US07717125B2
An assembly includes a first panel and a second panel. Each panel has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering selected portions of the respective frame member to form the respective panel when the respective frame member is in the unfolded orientation. A connection system is provided to removably connect the first and second panels.
US07717124B1
A portable and collapsible blind including a flexible cover mounted on a support structure having a plurality of side walls and a top; wherein at least one side wall includes first and second opposite edges, and the opposite edges cooperatively defining a window; an elongated member extending across the opposite edges; and a selective fastener joined to one edge and adjustably joined to the strap, the fastener selectively being fixedly joinable to the elongated member.
US07717118B2
The subject invention provides a shield for protecting a patient's extremities when positioned on an arm or leg board or other surgical or examination table extension. The shield comprises essentially an inverted C-shaped or U-shaped covering with a channel therein. It may further comprise one or more flanges to aid in supporting and positioning the shield.
US07717113B2
The object of the invention is a device for supplying respiratory gas to a patient according to respiratory cycles, comprising a gaseous flow rate generator provided with a turbine with low inertia and high nominal speed, a first circuit called a supply circuit for the gaseous flow toward a respiratory mask or an intubation means of the patient, means for measuring pressure and/or measuring flow rate of the gaseous flow, computation means for parameters of pressure and/or flow rate, and means for controlling the speed of rotation of the generator, characterized in that the measuring means, the computation means and the speed control means coact automatically to control the speed of rotation of the turbine as a function of the inspiration and expiration phases and as a function of patient pressure signals and/or inspiration flow rate signals.
US07717108B2
A front-mounted swimming snorkel has a forehead brace which pivots about an axis perpendicular to the snorkel tube to adapt to different swimmers' heads.
US07717107B2
A smokeless cooker includes a table located indoors, with a cabinet, which may include a plurality of individual boxes stacked and assembled together, below the table. A gas-discharge flow path leads from the cabinet to the outdoors. The cabinet includes an inner box with an open upper portion in an upper opening section of an outer box. An installed cooking means is located inside the inner box. A suction flow path is formed outside the inner box, with a suction hole in the inner wall of the suction flow path above a heating surface of the installed cooking means. The gas-discharge flow path includes a fat/oil filtering section, an absorption deodorizing section, a HEPA filter and a fan. A duct leading to the outdoors is present at the downstream side of the HEPA filter.
US07717104B2
A device comprising an improved electrical hot-air gun for fast ignition of the charcoal-bed of a barbeque charcoal grill for home use having a very short distance between the front of the hot-air gun and the electrical heating wire of the heating assembly and a very high outlet temperature. The hot-air gun also has a scraper mounted on the igniter/heater front to be able to aid in cleaning the grating of a BBQ grill.
US07717103B2
An arrow rest assembly is connected to an archery bow so that an arrow rest is: (i) positioned to support the shaft of an arrow nocked and ready for drawing or drawn and ready for shooting, (ii) positioned to support the shaft of the arrow during an early portion of shooting of the arrow by the bow, and (iii) to allow substantially unimpeded passage of the fletching of the arrow during only the latter portion of shooting of the arrow by the bow. The arrow rest assembly exerts only substantially negligible force on any cable of the bow when the bow is drawn.
US07717098B2
An engine controller performs low opening degree control during a first intake stroke period since an engine start is commenced until first intake strokes of respective cylinders end. Thus, an opening degree of an intake throttle valve is controlled to a fully closed position or proximity of the fully closed position such that intake pressure downstream of the intake throttle valve becomes equal to or lower than critical pressure with respect to intake pressure upstream of the intake throttle valve during an intake stroke of each cylinder. The controller calculates a leak air quantity at the time when the intake throttle valve is fully closed based on an intake air quantity sensed during the low opening degree control. The controller corrects a feedback gain of idle speed control in accordance with the leak air quantity of the intake throttle valve.
US07717091B2
A fuel supply system includes a pressure regulator (16) regulating the pressure of fuel supplied from a fuel pump (14). A valve device (18) is associated with the pressure regulator (16) for controlling the pressure of the fuel regulated by the pressure regulator (16). The valve device (18) supplies a part of the fuel as a control fluid to the pressure regulator (16). The part of the fuel supplied from the valve device (18) as the control fluid is not discharged into a fuel tank (12) when the pressure regulator (16) regulates the pressure of the fuel to have a higher value.
US07717087B2
A connection point of a chamber subjected to high pressure in a body subjected to high pressure of a high-pressure injection system for fuel at a bore extending substantially vertically through the body. In the chamber subjected to high pressure of the body, a cylindrically shaped pocket or an encompassing groove is embodied, into which the bore discharges, forming an intersection point.
US07717084B2
A controller includes a first intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of an internal combustion engine is shifted from a compression ignition operation mode to a spark ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes, and a second intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is shifted from the spark ignition operation mode to the compression ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes. An air supply amount and a fuel supply amount to a combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture becomes rich gradually in the first intermediate mode, and the air supply amount and the fuel supply amount to the combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture becomes lean gradually in the second intermediate mode. As a result, when the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is switched between the compression ignition operation mode and the spark ignition operation mode, it becomes possible to suppress fluctuations in the output torque of the internal combustion engine, etc. and smoothly perform the switching.
US07717080B1
A serpentine belt system for use in connection with an engine block for an automotive engine is disclosed. A spacer, which is preferably a pair of brackets, is provided for mounting on the face of the engine block, and the water pump is mounted on the spacer brackets and does not need to be attached to the engine block. A bridge bracket is secured to the spacer brackets, and other elements of the automotive system, such as the air conditioner compressor and alternator, may be secured to the bridge bracket. A tensioner housing is mounted on and supported by the air conditioner compressor and the spacer member.
US07717079B2
An engine includes: a cylinder block; and a piston ring, in which the cylinder block has a cylinder liner portion formed of an aluminum-based composite reinforced by a ceramic containing at least either of a silicon carbide and an alumina, and in which the piston ring is coated with a nitride film (20) including a vanadium nitride layer (21) exposed on an outer circumferential sliding surface (17).
US07717077B2
A starting system is provided for delivering pressurized fuel to an engine to start the engine without a starter. The starting system includes an accumulator for storing pressurized fuel during engine operation and engine shut-down. During engine start-up, the accumulator delivers the stored pressurized fuel to the engine to start the engine. The accumulator is in fluid communication with a low pressure fuel reservoir and the engine. The accumulator includes an accumulator housing defining an accumulator cavity and including an accumulator piston and spring assembly, which is moveable longitudinally within the accumulator cavity. An electronic control module (ECM) is in electronic control with the starting system and the engine. The ECM is operable to activate the accumulator, forcing pressurized fuel stored within the accumulator into a high-pressure fuel line for injection into the engine, to generate at least one starting combustion event to start the engine without a starter.
US07717074B2
A camshaft adjuster (1) for an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein the relative angle between a drive wheel (2) and an inner rotor associated with a camshaft can be adjusted via hydraulic loading of pressure spaces (9, 10) between an outer rotor (3) and the inner rotor (6), wherein the drive wheel (2) is made of plastic and the outer rotor (3) associated with the drive wheel (2) is made of metal. Particularly good linkage can be obtained and mounting complexity can be reduced by having at least one bearing surface between the outer rotor (3) and the inner rotor (6) that is connected with a firmly bonded material or positive fit in the drive wheel that is made from plastic.
US07717073B2
An engine variable valve actuation mechanism that substantially equally adjusts the valve lift amount in each cylinder. The mechanism includes variable valve lift mechanisms respectively arranged in association with the engine cylinders. A control shaft extends through the variable valve lift mechanisms. An actuator moves the control shaft in the axial direction and drives the variable valve lift mechanisms. Collars are arranged alternately with the variable valve lift mechanisms. Each collar includes a cylindrical sleeve and flanges formed integrally with the sleeve. The flanges directly or indirectly contact the end faces of adjacent variable valve lift mechanisms. This determines the positions of the variable valve lift mechanisms with respect to one another in the axial direction.
US07717066B2
A portable device for use in detecting dangerous materials and illegal substances in shipping containers with the aid of a trained dog. The device is used by a dog handler and constructed to be able to withdraw air from within a shipping container, through a high air vent in it's sidewall, and present the withdrawn air to the dog to smell. The dog is beside the handler on the ground beside the container when smelling the withdrawn air.
US07717065B2
An aquaculture system (10) comprises one or more tanks (14) that are arranged to be disposed within a body of water such as a pond (12). A reticulation system (16) recirculates water from the pond (12) through the one or more tanks (14). Solid waste material including uneaten food is extracted from the tanks (14) and deposited at a location that is isolated from communication with the pond (16).
US07717062B2
A pet seat for comparatively small pets which pet seat may be detachably mounted on the console structure of a vehicle.
US07717061B2
A processing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of switching supplies of a raw material gas and a reducing gas alternately, while continuously forming a plasma of the reducing gas. An excitation device (12) excites a reducing gas supplied thereinto, and the excited reducing gas is supplied into a process chamber (2). A switching mechanism (20) is arranged between the excitation device (12) and the process chamber (2), and a bypass line (22) is connected to the switching mechanism (20). The switching mechanism (20) switches the flow of the excited reducing gas from the excitation device (12) between the process chamber (2) and the bypass line (22).
US07717056B2
The present invention relates to coating of tubes, and more particularly to a system and method for coating and/or renovating deteriorated or pitted tubes to extend tube life and enhance performance. Using this system and method a thin coating is applied to the interior of a tube such that the coating is uniform in thickness and covers all regions of the tube. The coating material may be selected to minimize changes in heat transfer or may be selected to provide for the change in working fluid within the tube such that the working fluid does not negatively interact with the tube material.
US07717054B2
A cruiser arch moving and control mechanism includes a pair of carriage guides (32, 150, 188) fixed to opposite sides of a cruiser hull, and a pair of carriages (30, 170), each mounted to one of the opposing legs of the cruiser arch. Each of the carriage guides includes a slot (40, 156, 190) with an elongate linear track section and an adjacent arcuate track section. Each carriage includes a pair of spaced apart bearings (76/78, 164/176, 198/200) that are confined for reciprocal travel along one of the slots to support the carriage moveably relative to the associated carriage guide. Two linear actuators (34), one coupled between each carriage and its associated guide, are extendable and retractable in concert to move the arch between working and clearance positions. The carriage guides are configured to prevent any substantial rotation of the carriages until the arch is extended linearly at least a predetermined distance from the working position.
US07717052B2
A high performance full spade rudder for ships includes a rudder blade, a rudder trunk and a rudder post. The rudder blade widens from the leading edge to a central area which constitutes the widest point of the rudder profile. The rudder blade profile tapers from the central area to a narrow rear area and widens again from the rear area to the trailing edge. A bearing is placed in an inner longitudinal bore of the rudder trunk for bearing the rudder post, wherein the bearing penetrates with its free end into a recess, taper or the like in the rudder blade. No bearing is provided between the rudder blade and the rudder trunk. The bearing for the rudder post is placed in the rudder trunk in the area of the free end of the rudder trunk.
US07717044B2
A bar counter (100) for use standing across a relatively upper floor (10) and a relatively lower floor (13) interconnected by steps (11 and 12), comprises a body (110) having a first side (110R) on the upper floor (10) and an opposite second side (110F) on the lower floor (13). The body (110) has a bottom (120) adapted to engage said upper and lower floors (10 and 13) and includes a top (130) having a relatively higher horizontal surface (130H) on the first side (110R) and a relatively lower horizontal surface (130L) on the second side (110F), for use by people on opposite sides of the counter (100).
US07717032B2
A rotary-to-reciprocating linear drive conversion device is linked to drive moveable elements of a multi-unit fruit juice extraction machine. At least two co-rotating members drive a reciprocating transverse member by means of respective protruding force-transfer posts of the co-rotating members rotating while disposed to slidingly engage in the groove, so that the rotation of the co-rotating members results in reciprocal movement of the transverse member, and of elements of the multi-unit fruit extraction machine linked thereto.The elements of the multi-unit fruit extraction machine include opposing sets of a plurality of matched peeler cups, forming matched pairs of opposing peeler cups, each peeler cup comprising a plurality of outwardly extending blades cooperatively intermeshing with a corresponding plurality of outwardly extending blades of an opposing peeler cup of the matched pair, one of said cups additionally comprising a filter device.
US07717027B2
The invention provides a beverage extractor permitting extraction of a beverage of high quality irrespective of its type. The extractor is provided with a first extraction channel for letting the beverage extracted in a cylinder flow into the extraction pipe via beverage outlet holes of a second piston having a prescribed first bore and a second extraction channel via a communication hole having a prescribed second bore, which is smaller in bore than the outlet holes, for letting the beverage extracted in the cylinder flow into the extraction pipe, and the first and second extraction channels are switched over between each other by the movement of the second piston. This makes it possible to select an extraction channel suitable for the type of beverage, whether regular coffee or espresso coffee, and accordingly to extract a beverage of high quality irrespective of the type of beverage.
US07717025B2
A fluid actuator with fluid limit valves (550, 551) and adjustable mechanical limits enables the construction of fluid linkages which are able to completely replace mechanical linkages. In a fluid circuit comprising of two or more fluid actuators, the pistons (102) of the fluid actuators can become uncorrelated when fluid leakage occurs. At the piston (102) extension and retraction limits, fluid limit valves (550, 551) open. The open fluid limit valves (550, 551) allow fluid to bypass pistons (102) and/or allow fluid from an external source to compensate the fluid leakage. The fluid bypassing pistons (102) at their extension or retraction limit and/or externally supplied fluid forces the uncorrelated pistons (102) to reach their extension or retraction limit as well. The fluid actuator with adjustable mechanical limits have one or more additional pistons (686, 688), which have an adjustable separation from the main piston (102) or end of cylinder. The fluid actuator with fluid limit valves (550, 551) and adjustable mechanical limits enables mechanical linkages to be replaced by fluid circuits composed of the fluid actuators.
US07717018B2
A machining unit that is supported on a machine tool and machines a workpiece by a revolving tool with a main spindle section being driven and rotated includes an eccentric rotational section, a tool holder, a tool revolution-radius changing mechanism, and a cutting-edge-orientation correcting mechanism. The eccentric rotational section is disposed on the main spindle section, and is rotatable about an eccentric axis that is located eccentrically at any distance in a radial direction of the main spindle section from a rotation center of the main spindle section. The tool holder is disposed on the eccentric rotational section, and supports the tool. The tool revolution-radius changing mechanism moves the tool in the radial direction, and changes the radius of the revolution of the tool by rotating the eccentric rotational section about the eccentric axis. The cutting-edge-orientation correcting mechanism corrects the orientation of a cutting edge of the tool by making the tool holder spin about an axis of the tool holder, the axis being parallel to the rotation center of the main spindle section.
US07717007B2
A gear change control device for improving the stability of shift changes in a straddle-type vehicle. In response to an operation of a shift up switch or a shift down switch, the target angular position (θmax(up), θmax(down), θmeet(up), θmeet(down), θon(up), θon(down)) and the rotational speed (vmax(up), vmax(down), vo(up), vo(down), v12(up)-v34(up), v21(down)-v43(down)) of a shift shaft are set based on a gear change command input signal inputted from the shift up switch or the shift down switch to a CPU. The shift shaft is rotationally driven at the set rotational speed until the set target rotational position is reached.
US07717004B2
A rail-mounted, wheel-sensing system is shown having a wheel sensor and a rail mounting platform. The system includes a rugged steel rail clamp including two blocks mounted on the base of the rail by a pair of bolt extending under the rail. One block is connected to a vertically adjustable mounting bracket for carrying a sensor or other device. The mounting bracket includes a platform for the sensor. Two shields on the platform protecting a sensor mounted between them. An adapter plate may be added between the mounting bracket and the clamp for installation on lighter or heavier rails.
US07716992B2
The invention generally relates to a design structure of a circuit design, and more particularly to a design structure of a delamination sensor for use with low-k materials. A delamination sensor includes at least one first sensor formed in a layered semiconductor structure and a second sensor formed in the layered semiconductor structure. The at least one first sensor is structured and arranged to detect a defect, and the second sensor is structured and arranged to identify an interface where the defect exists.
US07716990B1
A self contained internally illuminated diagnostic gauge used to display the magnitude of physically measured quantities in low or no light areas. The diagnostic gauge uses mechanical gauge needles to indicate the magnitude of the measurements on a dial. The dial is illuminated internally with a thin and flexible electroluminescent panel layer. This electroluminescent layer emits photons of light in response to a applied electrical energy. The electrical energy is supplied from a small battery system and driven through electronic circuitry both of which are contained inside of the gauge shell housing unit. The gauge shell has a removable battery cover that enables access to the power supply and the electronic drive circuitry of the device.
US07716967B2
A leak detector sleeve allows performing leak detection at a flanged joint. The leak detector sleeve is made of elastomeric material that allows achieving a gas-tight seal when the leak detector sleeve encircles a flanged joint. The leak detector sleeve includes a hole that communicates with a gap in the flanged joint, thereby allowing the tip of a sniffer probe to be placed in or near the hole to detect whether the flanged joint is leaking. The leak detector sleeve is made of material that will withstand the operating temperature of the flanged joint without becoming hardened or brittle. A method for detecting a leak using the leak detector sleeve allows for efficiently and conveniently detecting leaks. In addition, the sleeve may be easily used and reused without the adverse effects or intensive manual labor required in the prior art.
US07716961B2
A method for executing water jet peening for giving an impact force to a surface of a structure member by a crushing pressure of a water jet and cavitation and improving residual stress, or washing, or reforming said surface,wherein said water jet peening is executed so as to make a natural frequency of oscillation of said structure member and a excitation frequency of oscillation of water jet peening different from each other.
US07716955B2
A sinker set comprising a coulier sinker (11) and a plush sinker (12). The sinkers (11, 12) can be moved together in a direction transverse to a knitting needle (2). The sinkers have spaced apart edges for the accommodation of stitches. In order to adjust the distance between these edges, the sinkers (11, 12) can be moved relative toward each other in the driving-out direction of the needle. To do so, they have spaced apart guiding edges (17, 18; 27, 29, 30) that are in contact with various support surfaces or guiding surfaces (20, 22; 26, 32, 33).
US07716952B2
In a known method for the production of a blank mold for optical fibers, a fluorine-doped SiO2 enveloping glass is produced on a core glass cylinder that rotates about its longitudinal axis, wherein a silicon-containing starting substance is fed to a plasma burner, said substance is then oxidized in a plasma flame assigned to the plasma burner to obtain SiO2 particles, the SiO2 particles are deposited by layers on the enveloping surface of the cylinder of the core glass cylinder in the presence of fluorine and sintered into the enveloping glass. The invention aims at providing an economical method, which builds upon the above-mentioned method, in order to produce a blank mold from which optical multi-mode fibers (52) can be obtained. In comparison with fibers (51) produced according to standard methods, said optical multi-mode fibers are characterized by high initial transmission in the UV wavelength range and good resistance with respect to brief UV radiation, more particularly in the 210-300 nm wavelength range. According to the invention, a plasma flame that irradiates an ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 214 nm with an intensity of at least 0.9 ?W—determined on the basis of plasma flame intensity measurement—is used for the formation and deposition of the SiO2 particles on the core glass.
US07716951B2
A method of producing a glass-particle-deposited body that has a small diameter variation and the like resulting from alteration of the deposition condition is offered. When the glass-particle-deposited body is produced, a burner row constituted by placing a plurality of burners is moved relative to a starting member, and glass particles ejected from the burners are deposited on the starting member. In the method of producing a glass-particle-deposited body, alteration of the deposition condition is performed during the course of the deposition of the glass particles on the starting member. The method of producing a glass-particle-deposited body has a feature in that the alteration of the deposition condition is performed at least twice and that the burner positions along the length of the starting member at which the deposition condition is altered are placed at intervals shorter than the intervals between burners.
US07716949B2
A method having particular utility for making outer and inner formed windshield glass sheets is performed by glass sheet positioning centrally on a forming face (34) of a forming mold (32) to form each glass sheet to a design shape regardless of any size difference between the glass sheets from one cycle to the next.
US07716948B2
A fused glass crucible includes a collar of doped aluminum silica that defines uppermost and outermost surfaces of the crucible. The melt line that defines the surface of molten silicon in the crucible may be substantially at the lower end of the collar or slightly above it. Crystallization of the collar makes it hard and therefore supports the remaining uncrystallized portion of the crucible above the melt line. The melt line may also be below the lower end of the collar, especially if the melt is drawn down or poured early in the process. Because there is little or no overlap or because the overlap does not last long, the doped aluminum collar is not damaged by the heat of from the melt.
US07716947B2
Apparatus for condensing hydrocarbons, such as but not limited to butane and propane, from a stream of natural gas includes as its primary components a pre-cooler assembly, a chiller assembly, a refrigerant compressor/condenser assembly, and separator assembly. In the pre-cooler assembly warm gas entering the apparatus is cooled by counter-current flow heat exchange with cooled natural gas exiting the apparatus. The chiller assembly of the apparatus the hydrocarbon stream is cooled in co-current flow heat exchange with a first refrigerant tube, carrying a first refrigerant which is itself cooled in co-current heat exchange with a second refrigerant tube disposed in coaxial relationship with the first refrigerant tube. Both first and second refrigerant tubes are disposed in coaxial relationship with an outer jacket conveying the gas stream through the chiller assembly. Condensed hydrocarbons are separated from the gas stream in the separator assembly.
US07716943B2
A heat pump system including a first heating/cooling exchange loop including a refrigerant to water heat exchanger to produce a first output. A second heating/cooling exchange loop includes a refrigerant to forced air heat exchanger to produce a second output. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the first heating/cooling exchange loop and the second heating/cooling exchange loop. A controller is connected to control the first output and the second output and to transmit control signals to the at least one compressor, for balancing the first output and the second output responsive to a structural heating/cooling load.
US07716942B2
An air conditioner having a service valve assembly which comprises a connection body connected with a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows, and having a penetration passage through which the refrigerant flows; an opening/closing unit disposed in the connection body, and having a blocking hole for opening/closing the passage of the refrigerant flowing through the penetration passage; a plurality of ports disposed at the connection body, respectively, by a particular interval therebetween, connected with the penetration passage, and having an opened end portion, respectively; and a filter unit removably coupled to each end portion of the ports such that the refrigerant flowing through the penetration passage is bypassed to the ports to thus be filtered thereby, whereby it is possible to basically solve the problem in a blocking caused by moisture and foreign materials within a circulation system of the air conditioner, and to simplify the construction of the system by being provided with a filter and a drier which are removable.
US07716937B2
A refrigerator has a refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, an evaporator, a variable speed evaporator fan. The refrigerator further includes multiple temperature sensors that communicate with an electronic microprocessor-based control system that in turn controls the operation of the refrigerator system based on the information provided by the multiple temperature sensors.
US07716934B2
An object is to improve performance and efficiency of an air conditioning device constituted of a waste heat utilization circuit in which waste heat of a heat source is utilized in heating a room to be conditioned in a heat exchanger for heating; a refrigerant circuit in which carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant and which has a supercritical pressure on a high pressure side; and a cascade heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between a fluid flowing from the heat source to the heat exchanger for heating in the waste heat utilization circuit and the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant discharged from a compressor is passed through the cascade heat exchanger, the refrigerant discharged from the cascade heat exchanger is divided by a flow divider, one divided refrigerant is passed from an auxiliary pressure reduction unit to an internal heat exchanger to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigerant discharged from the cascade heat exchanger and then sucked into an intermediate pressure section of the compressor, and the other divided refrigerant is passed from a main pressure reduction unit to a heat absorber and then sucked into a low pressure section of the compressor.
US07716929B2
An arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases in a supercharged combustion engine. The arrangement includes an exhaust line operable to lead exhaust gases out from the combustion engine, an inlet line operable to lead air at above atmospheric pressure to the combustion engine, a return line which comprises a connection to the exhaust line and a connection to the inlet line, so that via the return line it is possible to recirculate exhaust gases from the exhaust line to the inlet line. A first cooler incorporated in the return line for cooling the exhaust gases in the return line before they are mixed with the air in the inlet line. The exhaust gases in the first cooler are cooled by a first medium which is at a temperature substantially corresponding to the temperature of the surroundings.
US07716927B2
A Stirling engine assembly comprising a Stirling engine having a generally cylindrical head. An annular burner surrounds the head and defines a combustion chamber between the burner and head. An annular seal between the burner and head provides a seal for combustion gases. A thermocouple housing is in thermal contact with the head and sealed from the combustion chamber. The thermocouple housing extends out of the combustion chamber, with the interface between the thermocouple housing and combustion chamber being sealed. The thermocouple housing has an opening outside the combustion chamber. A thermocouple in the thermocouple housing extends from a location adjacent to the head out of the opening in the thermocouple housing.
US07716924B2
A NOx occluding and reducing catalyst 7 is arranged in the exhaust gas passage 2 of a lean burn engine 1. When the engine 1 is in operation at a lean air-fuel ratio, the operating air-fuel ratio is changed over to a rich air-fuel ratio for a short period of time to execute the rich spike operation for reducing and purifying the NOx occluded in the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst. At the time of the rich spike operation during the lean burn operation being supercharged by a supercharger 45 provided in the intake air passage 4, an electronic control unit 30 of the engine so sets the richness degree of the engine operating air-fuel ratio as to decrease with an increase in the supercharged pressure. This prevents the HC and CO components from flowing out in large amounts to the downstream of the catalyst 7 due to blow-by, and prevents a decrease in the NOx reduction efficiency of the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst.
US07716923B2
The invention concerns a system for assisting regeneration of pollution management means (1) associated with oxidation catalyst forming means implementing an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) function, and integrated in an exhaust line (3) of a motor vehicle diesel engine (4), wherein the engine is associated with common ramp means (7) supplying fuel to the cylinders thereof. The invention is characterized in that it comprises means (8) for determining the number of incomplete regeneration processes of the pollution management means and for comparing same to predetermined threshold values (10) to control the engine (4) in a first lean mixture regeneration operating mode (11) for a number less than the threshold values or in a second regeneration operating mode of engine operation sequences alternating rich mixture and lean mixture operating phases (12) for a number greater than the threshold values.
US07716918B2
In an exhaust gas purification system, including a catalyst unit carrying an NOx occlusion-reduction type catalyst, a first-stage rich control having a target air-fuel ratio lower than theoretical air-fuel ratio and which is conducted through addition of an amount of a reducing agent meeting an amount of oxygen emitted in the initial stage of regeneration control. In the first-stage rich control a completion of oxygen emission is judged on the basis of an oxygen concentration on the downstream side of the catalyst unit. Upon determination of the completion of the oxygen emission, a later-stage rich control close to the theoretical air-fuel ratio with the target air-fuel ratio increased over that of the first-stage rich control is conducted to thereby accomplish regeneration of the catalyst unit. As a result, there can be prevented not only any outflow of unpurified NOx occurring in the initial stage of regeneration but also any outflow of virgin reducing agents, such as HC and CO, occurring in the later stage of regeneration.
US07716911B2
A ball chain including metal balls with a small wall thickness and can withstand a large tensile load are provided. A method of manufacturing the same includes rounding a piece of metal to form rotation-axis symmetric bodies (22) and connecting the rotation-axis symmetric bodies (22) in a chain-like manner with connecting shafts. Each of the connecting shafts has connecting heads on both end portions. Each of the rotation-axis symmetric bodies (22) has a butt seam (24) in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotation-axis symmetric body and a weld part (25) at least one part of the butt seam (24).
US07716909B2
A berry harvester movable along berry bushes in a berry field for picking berries includes a rake head having a plurality of spaced apart rake teeth. The rake teeth form a rake having a top face for collecting berries and a bottom face which faces a ground of the berry field in a harvesting position. A cleaner is mounted on the rake head and is juxtaposed to a bottom face of the rake and has protrusions extending in interspaces defined between the rake teeth from the bottom face towards the top face.
US07716908B2
A row unit comprises a row unit gearbox with two shearing edges and two stalk rolls with corresponding shearing edges, wherein the stalk roll shearing edges shear against the gearbox shearing edges when the stalk rolls rotate during normal operation of the row unit, thereby chopping material that might otherwise be wrapped around the row unit gearbox and be jammed between the stalk rolls and the gearbox.
US07716902B2
The invention concerns a method for controlling a transfer device in a packaging machine. The transfer device comprises a first conveying device which is moved in cycles, a second conveying device which is moved in cycles and extends, at least in sections, parallel to the first conveying device, and a pushing device which performs a pushing motion substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying devices. A product is supplied by the first conveying device to a transfer location, is transferred by the pushing device to the second conveying device during a standstill phase of both conveying devices and subsequently further transported by the second conveying device. The pushing device is in a withdrawn position outside of the path of motion of the product disposed on the first conveying device and extends over the first conveying device and also at least partially over the second conveying device in an insertion position. Further transport of the transferred product by the second conveying device starts before the pushing device has reached its withdrawn position.
US07716896B2
Floorboards with a format corresponding to a traditional parquet block for laying of mechanically joined floating flooring. Rectangular floorboards include a surface layer and a core with two long sides and two short sides, for making a floating flooring, which floorboards are mechanically lockable and which along their four sides have pairs of opposing connectors for locking similar, adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally wherein the long sides have a length not exceeding 80 cm and the short sides have a width not exceeding 10 cm.
US07716890B2
A tapered load plate transfers loads across a joint between adjacent concrete floor slabs. The top and bottom surfaces may taper from approximately 4 inches wide to a narrow substantially pointed end over a length of approximately 12 inches. The tapered load plate accommodates differential shrinkage of cast-in-place concrete slabs. When adjacent slabs move away from each other, the narrow end of the tapered load plate moves out of the void that it created in the slab thus allowing the slabs to move relative to one another in a direction parallel to the joint. Tapered load plates may be assembled into a load-plate basket with the direction of the taper alternating from one tapered load plate to the next to account for off-center saw cuts. A tapered load plate and an end cap may be used to provide load transfer across an expansion joint.
US07716886B2
A building fenestration that reduces the amount of time, effort and expense associated with installing a jamb in a rough opening of a building panel structure includes a jamb positioned plumb in the opening, the jamb having outwardly facing planar surfaces, at least one bracket receiving slot on at least one of the outwardly facing planar surfaces of the jamb, and a bracket having first and second legs at right angles to each other, the first leg of the bracket received in the bracket receiving slot and the second leg of the bracket fastened to the building panel structure, wherein the bracket receiving slot is defined between one of the outwardly facing planar surfaces of the jamb and a substantially flat plate.
US07716877B2
An adjustable connector is provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that attaches to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and a cap that attaches to the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member, with a pin connection that enables rotation between the cap and the side attachment member.An unadjustable connector is also provided for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. The connector is provided with a side attachment member that can attach directly to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member.
US07716872B2
A greenhouse comprising: a substantially transparent surface; a protective coating comprising a pigment and a binder. The binder comprises a vinyl polymer based on one or more of the monomers selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, styrene, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid, having a weight-average molecular weight of 10,000-100,000 and an acid value of 40-250. The binder has a polydispersity of 2-6 and a glass transition temperature of 10 to 60° C. The protective coating is on said substantially transparent surface and the protective coating is removable with a removing agent comprising a base and a complex former.
US07716864B2
A molded firearm stock is disclosed. The stock includes a molded front sling lug and a molded rear sling lug. Both sling lugs are integrally molded to the stock and accommodate the fastening of a sling. The stock also includes a cavity with an open end that is open to a butt-plate of the stock. The cavity is integrally molded to the stock and is sized to accommodate a recoil-reducing device. The stock has a bed portion with a forward section, and a plurality of crossbeams are in the forward section to provide increased strength and rigidity.
US07716850B2
A paper machine configured as a swing machine capable of producing both light and heavy grades providing a Yankee hood split into a wet end half and a dry end half, at least one hood half being a flex-hood half wherein the supply for that half is capable of being run with either combustion heat or recycled heat and is capable of either recirculating the exhaust from the hood or discharging it to the atmosphere. The heater for the flex-hood half comprises both a primary combustion heat source and an indirect heat source capable of extracting by-product heat from another operation. The exhaust system for the flex hood half is capable of being run in either a straight through mode or in a recirculating mode.
US07716849B1
A portable, free-standing dryer device with generally tapered portions formed about a generally central axis facilitating insertion into clothing items to be dried from inside, for example gloves, mittens, socks and other substantially tubular items. The device has a connector temporarily fastening it to a forced air vent. The dryer device comprises at least first and second drier portions joined by an intermediate shoulder portion, each of which defines multiple air passages widening from inner to outer surfaces of the portions to define an expansion volume fostering air flow. A larger substantially open end in the first portion receives air from the vent. The air flows from within the drier outwardly through the passages. An angular relationship of outer surfaces of the first, second and intermediate portions relative to the device central axis ensures that the second drier portion has an extended, narrowing configuration facilitating its insertion into clothing items.
US07716838B2
An outer ring of a cross roller bearing is a composite component having an outer ring main body portion constructed of a lightweight metal alloy and a raceway surface formation portion linked to an inner side thereof and constructed of a ferrous material. A ring for forming the raceway surface formation portion is preformed, and is inserted into a forging die, powder forging is performed using a metal powder for manufacturing the outer ring main body portion, a composite component is manufactured in which a ringshaped portion for forming the outer ring main body portion is integrally formed with the raceway surface formation ring, and an after-treatment is performed on the product.
US07716837B2
A constant velocity joint, wherein all of those rolling elements excluding a plurality of rolling elements are divided into a plurality of rolling element groups and arranged along the inner diameter part of a roller member. The excluded plurality of rolling elements are dispersed in first to third cam grooves at intervals in the circumferential direction. When the rolling elements are pressed in the radial outer direction by the first to third pressing faces of a cam rotating in the arrow A direction, they are simultaneously press-fitted into first to third clearances between the rolling elements from the side of the inner diameter part of the roller member.
US07716830B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a fuel injector comprising a glass substrate and a nozzle enclosed within the glass substrate, wherein the nozzle comprises at least one injection hole is provided. The method of manufacturing the fuel injector comprises defining (105) a shape of at least one injection hole in a glass substrate to obtain an at least one outlined injection hole and etching (110) the at least one outlined injection hole to obtain the at least one injection hole.
US07716825B2
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board, including forming a thermosetting resin layer on the printed wiring board; heating and curing the resin layer; and then polishing the cured resin layer, thereby exposing the circuit patterns. Additionally, the step of heating and curing includes maintaining the resin layer at a non-curable temperature in a state where the resin layer is pressed via the smoothing plate in a reduced pressure chamber; heating the resin layer in the pressed state to a curing temperature; introducing outside air into the reduced pressure chamber with the pressed state and the curing temperature maintained; reducing the pressure applied to the smoothing plate with the curing temperature maintained; and cooling the resin layer.
US07716821B2
A method of manufacturing a circuit board assembly for a controller. The method includes providing first and second printed circuit boards wherein the first printed circuit board has a plurality of copper pads containing slots therein that correspond to a plurality of power tabs in the second printed circuit board. The power tabs are then slid into the slots and the tabs are flooded with copper. At this time the power tabs are soldered within the slots to provide an electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards that allows for the transfer of current between the boards of more than three amps.
US07716820B2
Apparatus for precision deploy-attaching beam-mount structure to the outside of an elongate column at plural, defined attachment sites that are distributed and spaced along the length of the column. During use, a column support jig with plural openable/closeable yokes in the apparatus supports a column horizontally for selective rotation about its long axis. A carriage in the apparatus, which holds beam-mount structures to be attached to a supported column, is selectively moveable and position-lockable in defined locations distributed along the supported column between yokes in a pair of spaced yokes to enable precision weld-attaching of the mounts to sides of the column.
US07716818B2
A method for transferring a substrate includes moving first and second substrate holding sections opposite each other, moving a first substrate stage holding the substrate so as to be disposed between the first and second substrate holding sections, delivering the substrate from the first substrate stage to the first and second substrate holding sections by releasing the holding of the substrate by the first substrate stage and holding the substrate by the first and second substrate holding sections, moving the first and second substrate holding sections from a first substrate taking-over position to a second substrate taking-over position, moving a second substrate stage so as to be disposed in the interval between the first and second substrate holding sections at the second substrate taking-over position, and delivering the substrate to the second substrate stage by releasing the substrate and holding the substrate by the second substrate stage.
US07716817B2
A stator bar installation fixture and method for installing stator bars into specific stator core slots within a stator core of rotating electrical equipment. The stator bar installation fixture includes rotating mechanisms, rotatingly fixed at each end of the rotating electrical equipment, for supporting and controlling an angular positioning of a stator bar insertion mechanism relative to the stator core. The stator bar insertion mechanism supports a stator bar within the stator core, angularly locates a stator bar in alignment with the specific stator core slot, and inserts the stator bar into the specific stator core slot.
US07716816B2
A method of forming a switch assembly that includes a magnetic intensifier constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the switch assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression.
US07716815B2
The present invention is a process for fabricating a cloth-like heating element with two pairs of electrical conductors and parallel circuits which are formed via a severing process. A pair of electrical conductors, which looks as a twin belt aligned in parallel, is fabricated on both edges of the heating element by the weaving process; Severing predetermined portions of the inner electrical conductor in order to increase the electrical resistance of heating wires, the pertinent heating wires are connected in series circuitry with each side of the outer electrical conductors; and the heating element is completed when the said process of series linkage is continuously carried out in parallel alignment in accordance with predetermined design.
US07716812B2
A main magnetic pole of a recording head is formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape by ion milling but, the long milling time poses a problem of variations in the inverted trapezoidal shape and the dimensional variations in track width. In one embodiment of the invention, a recording head is formed by first forming a lower magnetic pole, a gap layer, and conductor coils, forming an upper magnetic yoke over the gap layer at a position recessed from the air bearing surface, and forming an inorganic insulative layer in the recessed portion. A back magnetic pole connected with the upper magnetic yoke is formed on the back of the lower electrode. Successively, the upper surfaces of the inorganic insulative layer and the upper magnetic yoke are planarized, on which an underlayer film such as of Rh is formed. A magnetic layer is formed by stacking a plurality of thin magnetic films by sputtering over the underlayer film from the air bearing surface as far as the position overlapping the upper magnetic yoke. Successively, ion milling is applied to form a main magnetic pole of an inverted trapezoidal shape having a taper on the lateral surface as viewed from the air bearing surface.
US07716802B2
The present application is directed to a process for forming a machined part. The process comprises providing a substrate and depositing a rough part on the substrate. One or more sacrificial supports are deposited adjacent to the rough part on the substrate. All or a portion of the one or more sacrificial supports and a portion of the rough part are removed. Additional embodiments are directed to aircraft part assemblies, and aircraft parts made by the above process.
US07716797B2
An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.
US07716795B2
An anti-rattle tongue plate assembly for a seat belt and the method of making the same are provided with a cover member of a hard material that is a distinct component and has soft material on the cover member to reduce noise. The cover member may be a cinch member slidably mounted on the tongue plate. The soft material may be mechanically joined and bonded to the hard material of the cinch member.
US07716793B2
A child safe fastening device comprises a clip, one or more than one padded layer covering one or more surfaces of the clip and one or more than one cover layer secured to the padded layer. The clip, the padded layer, and the cover layer form a plush device.
US07716789B1
The sanitary handle apparatus provides a leveraged handle with a like-shaped rod within. The rod is partially exposed. A protective covering is fed onto the rod to prevent contact with germs and bacteria left by other individuals. The apparatus is especially useful for publicly and industrially used doors. The covering is an automatically feeding roll of hygienic, biodegradable paper or plastic rod covering. The roll is placed inside a durable, plastic or metal housing that operates via 12-volt, rechargeable battery packs and/or 12-volt transformer and also includes a motion sensor for motor activation.
US07716788B2
An extension pad has a clamp device to hold a tablet computer on the extension pad securely. The clamp device has a mounting base and a rotating clamp. A hinge for a tablet computer extension pad in accordance with the present invention is mounted in the clamp device and has a pivoting leaf, a limiting segment, a stationary leaf and a spring. The pivoting leaf is mounted in the rotating clamp. The limiting segment is mounted around the pivoting leaf to selectively limit rotation of the rotating clamp. The stationary leaf is mounted rotatably on the pivoting leaf and is mounted securely in the mounting base. The spring is mounted between the pivoting leaf and the stationary leaf. Consequently, the hinge allows the clamp device to hold the tablet computer securely on the extension pad.
US07716787B2
A locking device for locking a first part to a second part, including a shaft which connects the first part and the second part to one another in a pivotable manner. A rotational movement of the shaft entrains the first part in rotation, and the second part is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The first part is arranged on the shaft in an axially moveable fashion and can be engaged with the second part, and at least one damping element is assigned to the shaft and to the first part.
US07716785B2
The present invention refers to a floor cleaning machine comprising a brush adapted to scrub the floor with a cleaning, i.e. detergent, liquid in view of removing soil and dirt therefrom, and a wiping device adapted to scrape the floor in order to remove the dirty cleaning liquid therefrom; the wiping device comprises a front flap and a rear flap adapted to elastically and slidably engage the floor so as to define a suction chamber therebetween, wherein the suction chamber is fluidly connected to a suction device, and wherein the front flap is provided with a plurality of indentations of a reduced cross-sectional size to convey the dirty cleaning liquid into the suction chamber; at least a portion of the front flap is provided in the form of a tab that is associated to the same front flap via a rupture edge, wherein such tab is adapted to be removed so as to form a breach or passageway having a broader cross-sectional size in the front flap in order to reduce the speed of the air entering the suction chamber and, as a result, the related suction noise.
US07716773B1
A debris sweeper has a powered rotary brush for sweeping debris, such as aerator cores, from a turf surface into a debris collecting hopper. The brush and hopper are carried on a wheeled tow frame. The hopper is pivotally supported on a pivotal lift frame that moves the hopper between a lower, debris collecting position and an upper, debris dumping position. The lift frame pivots on the tow frame behind an axis of a pair of wheels while the hopper pivots on the lift frame in front of the wheel axis. This ensures that positive weight is kept on the tongue of the tow frame at all times.
US07716759B2
A patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus of the present invention is articulated and sized to fit between the body and the open door of virtually all vehicles. Further, the patient transport apparatus uses a height-adjustable seat that is aligned with the vehicle seat to allow for simplified extraction of the patient from the vehicle. The height-adjustable seat lowers to just above ground height making the recovery of a fallen patient easier. A set of casters allows omni-directional travel of the patient transport apparatus for precise placement and a pair of primary motion wheels makes linear travel easier while providing a turning radius substantially approaching zero.
US07716757B2
The present invention relates to a sink access device which is utilized to facilitate a child or a diminutive person to wash their hands at a lavatory located at a public restroom. The sink access device includes a step support mount having a base and an upwardly extending arm. The step support mount is fixedly attached to a portion of a public restroom. A step is pivotally mounted to the upwardly extending arm of the step support mount. The step has a first position wherein the step is in a vertical position and a second position wherein the step is in a horizontal position providing a platform for a diminutive person to step onto. The step is positioned either at or behind a vertical plane defined by the front profile of a sink when the step is in the first position and the step breaks the plane when in the second position.
US07716755B1
An athletic pants having a body joined to a waist band and legs. A cup pouch accommodating a jock cup is releasably connected to the waist band for adjusting the location of the cup pouch relative to the parts. Knee supports secured to the legs have cushions to protect a person's knees.
US07716754B1
The present invention is a ski helmet that combines a visor and face shield. Adapted to the ski helmet is a suitably thick strip of resilient foam material positioned across the exterior front-facing surface of the helmet protecting the forehead area of the person wearing the helmet. The face shield can be rotated to various positions which will change the contact area of the face shield and foam strip and thus the amount of air flow between the face shield and user's face. When the face shield is in maximum contact with the foam strip, air flow is minimized.
US07716752B2
A protective undergarment is provided according to exemplary aspects of this invention. The undergarment includes a waist portion adapted to encircle the waist of a user. The undergarment also includes a crotch portion having an end segment extending from the waist portion, a central segment, and a terminal end segment attachable to the waist portion. The terminal end segment of the crotch portion extends substantially perpendicular to the waist portion.
US07716748B2
A protective shield having an upper portion, which may be configured to provide ballistic protection to at least a head of a user, and a lower portion, which may be configured to provide ballistic protection to at least a torso of the user. The upper portion may have a width wider than the head of the user. The lower portion may have a width that is greater than the width of the upper portion, and therefore extends laterally beyond the upper portion (forming at least one weapon support region on the protective shield).
US07721338B2
DVDs can be copy protected by incorporating regions which contain unreadable or subversive data within the data area (42). For example, such a region may be configured as a cell of a video object (VOB) (50) within a VOB file (51). Access to the region of subversive data is prevented during normal playback, for example, by ensuring that there are no pointers leading to the subversive region. To defeat such a copy protection method, the content on the copy protected optical disc is accessed by utilising the navigation provided for normal playback of the disc. Thus, the subversive regions are navigated around during copying of the disc. The accessed content is stored in a corresponding data area and, where subversive regions are identified, arbitrary data is incorporated within regions of the copy data area which correspond to regions of unreadable or subversive data in the original data area.
US07721336B1
The present invention provides systems and methods for dynamic detection and prevention of electronic fraud and network intrusion using an integrated set of intelligent technologies. The intelligent technologies include neural networks, multi-agents, data mining, case-based reasoning, rule-based reasoning, fuzzy logic, constraint programming, and genetic algorithms. The systems and methods of the present invention involve a fraud detection and prevention model that successfully detects and prevents electronic fraud and network intrusion in real-time. The model is not sensitive to known or unknown different types of fraud or network intrusion attacks, and can be used to detect and prevent fraud and network intrusion across multiple networks and industries.
US07721335B2
Ambient calculus-based modal logics for mobile ambients are disclosed. Formal analysis mechanisms or frameworks with which mobile ambients can be described, and within which policies such as security policies can be tested against those ambients, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method receives at least one container, where each container has at least one process. The method applies the containers, including their processes, against a predetermined modal logic. The modal logic is based on ambient calculus, and provides for spatial relationships among the processes of the containers. The containers and their processes are output, as applied against the logic.
US07721333B2
A method and system for detecting a keylogger on a computer is described. One illustrative embodiment creates, in a memory of the computer, a hidden window; generates a unique, unpredictable data pattern; inputs, to the hidden window, the unique, unpredictable data pattern in a manner that mimics keyboard input from a user; scans running processes in the memory other than a keylogger detection process for the unique, unpredictable data pattern; and performs a secondary scan of a suspect process, the suspect process having an associated buffer that contains the unique, unpredictable data pattern.
US07721332B2
Retrieval software and add-on collection software are integrated to provide a computer user information on add-ons attempting to instantiate, or alternatively, install, on the user's computer system. The retrieval software, i.e., software for locating and retrieving information from networked information services, uses information from data the collection software, i.e., software capable of collecting information about add-ons that exist via the World Wide Web, can retrieve on an add-on to create a record of status information on the add-on. The retrieval software displays this record of status information to the computer user. The retrieval software can also use information collected on an add-on to generate a recommendation identification for the add-on. The recommendation identification is an indication of what the retrieval software suggests the computer user should do with the add-on, e.g., allow its instantiation or deny its instantiation, or, alternatively, allow or block its installation.
US07721325B2
A method and apparatus for managing communication security in a wireless network are provided. The method includes receiving from a station that intends to associate in the wireless network including an access point, first key generation information provided by the access point and second key generation information provided by the station, providing third key generation information, generating a security key using the first key generation information, the second key generation information, the third key generation information, and an initial key, and sending the third key generation information and the security key to the station.
US07721316B2
The present invention relates to a TV and a control method of the same which is capable of displaying function information or an error checkup menu etc. of a TV in accordance with a request of a user, in particular to a TV in accordance with the present invention comprises a service-related site server for providing function information and error item information of a product, a storing unit for storing proper information of the product and contact information of the service-related site, and a controlling unit for displaying the function information on a screen of the product by using the contact information and proper information and controlling in order to restore automatically an error occurred in the product, accordingly a user can be provided product information easily and an error occurred in a TV can be restored automatically.
US07721315B2
A method of delivering personalized content to customers of a subscription television service for display on their televisions, the method comprising: (a) converting Internet-based content from an Internet based format to a format suitable for display on a customer's television through a customer's set top box, and (b) after the conversion, delivering the converted content to a set top box associated with that customer for display on that customer's television. With such a method, the customer's set top box need not be Internet-enabled. Preferably, the customer's subscription television service is a cable television service.
US07721314B2
A system and method automates a scheduled retrieval, storage, and access of media data. Media data is retrieved from an external source and downloaded to an end user media device storage for subsequent playback at the end user media device. Media data is accessible from the end user media device storage based upon criteria including a selection of the end user, rules regulating the media data, and whether a playback time of the media data is sufficient to retrieve additional media data. The system performs regularly scheduled dynamic controls to determine whether additional media data is required for continuous and uninterrupted access of the media data.
US07721311B2
Disclosed is a method for displaying a plurality of objects on a display (105). Each object has at least a first attribute and a second attribute. The method sets a range of first attributes to be displayed. A set of objects is then displayed having the same second attribute on a radial line of an ellipse based on a comparison between the range and the first attribute of the objects. Desirably the method is used for displaying information regarding a plurality of broadcast programs on the display, each broadcast program having attributes comprising at least time of transmission and channel of transmission. In that implementation a display period is set. The method then compares the time of broadcast transmission of one or more programs with the display period and then displays (eg. 600) information regarding a set of programs (602, 604, 606) having the same channel of transmission (eg. 12) on at least one radial line of an ellipse, based on the comparison. The described arrangements are particularly useful in displaying television electronic program guide (EPG) information.
US07721310B2
A television programming recommender is disclosed that selectively obtains feedback information from a user to update one or more profiles associated with the user. Previously obtained implicit and explicit preferences are utilized to selectively focus the collection of feedback information to further update and refine the implicit and explicit preferences. The present invention obtains feedback from a user in a manner that maximizes the value of the obtained information and improves the performance of the television programming recommender. The present invention automatically requests feedback from the user upon the occurrence of predefined criteria. The nature of the requested feedback, and the manner in which the obtained feedback is used to adjust a profile, can vary.
US07721308B2
Playing an interactive multimedia presentation involves pre-rendering a media object at certain times based on a frame rate of the interactive content, a frame rate of the video content (which may include video, audio, data, or any combination thereof), and a play speed of the presentation. Certain actions taken include calculating a current elapsed play time representing an amount of the presentation's play duration that has passed. Based on the calculated time, a current interactive content presentation time is ascertained from an interactive content timeline. The interactive content timeline represents times at which the media object is presentable. A subsequent interactive content presentation time is selected from the interactive content timeline. The presentation state of the media object is predicted for the subsequent interactive content presentation time. The media object is pre-rendered within a time offset period before the subsequent interactive content presentation time occurs.
US07721305B2
A system and method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable broadcasting network is disclosed. The presence of a viewer in front of the television is sensed, presence information is then transmitted to a cable broadcasting service center via the cable broadcasting network, a control signal is sent to the television adapted to receive same, and regular cable programming is suspended. The present invention allows the cable broadcasting company to provided additional services to the cable subscriber to retain and attract additional customers. These additional services may be tailored to the specific needs of the cable subscriber, thus a higher quality cable service is provided.
US07721295B2
An execution multiplicity control system is provided which measures a load distribution over service objects for each case when one type of service requests are inputted into a distributed object system; calculates an effect index for when the execution multiplicity of each of the service objects is varied, based on the load distribution; measures, for each type of the service requests, the number of service requests actually inputted, to acquire a request distribution; calculates and stores a total effect index for when the execution multiplicity of each of the service objects is varied, based on the effect index and the request distribution; and controls the execution multiplicity of the service objects by applying a method of controlling the execution multiplicity of the service objects in descending order of the respective total effect indices calculated.
US07721292B2
Program instructions, responsive to processor utilization being above a first predetermined upper threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file of the server to increase a number of real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server. Program instructions, responsive to the processor utilization being below a second predetermined lower threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file to decrease a number of the real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to the LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server. Program instructions, responsive to the processor utilization being below a second predetermined lower threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file to decrease a number of the real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to the LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server.
US07721290B2
A job scheduling management method is provided for managing job schedules. The management method includes the steps of monitoring an operating state of each of a plurality of computers to which one or more jobs are allocated, determining if the operating state meets a predetermined condition, if the operating state meets the predetermined condition, detecting an uncompleted job at a time when the predetermined condition is met from the jobs allocated to the computer, extracting another computer among the computers that is available to execute the detected uncompleted job based on information about one or more resources required for executing the detected uncompleted job, and allocating the detected uncompleted job to the extracted other computer.
US07721287B2
A method of organizing a transmission of repository data includes receiving, in a computer system, a request to transmit data from a data repository to a data recipient, the data to be transmitted by executing batch jobs that each identify a data amount to be transmitted to the data recipient. Control parameters are individually assigned to each of the batch jobs. Upon detecting during transmission that a performance parameter of the computer system does not meet a predefined standard, the data amount identified by at least one of the batch jobs is automatically changed in accordance with the control parameter assigned to the at least one of the batch jobs. An optimizer may determine the control parameters by solving a constraint optimization problem. The optimizer may take into account system characteristics such as priorities, transmission constraints or the volume of the data to be transmitted.
US07721286B2
An operating system combines preemptive scheduling with cooperative or non-preemptive scheduling. In particular, tasks are divided into groups of interdependent tasks. Interdependent tasks are tasks that utilize the same modules of code or resources Each group includes tasks that should not be run asynchronously relative to each other. The scheduler in the operating system provides each group with a time slot of processor time. The tasks within the group are cooperatively scheduled to exploit the time slot assigned to the group. Dependencies between modules and tasks are maintained to assure that no difficulties arise amongst preemptively scheduled groups.
US07721284B2
The deployment of multiple embedded operating system components provides a designer with flexibility when customizing an embedded operating system for a target computing device. The embedded operating system components provide extra features to expand the functionality of the target computing device. The ease with which the designer may select various embedded operating system components to deploy from an originating computing device to the target computing device simplifies the design process. Configuration data of a core embedded operating system and configuration data of the deployed embedded operating system components are merged and any conflicts between configuration data are automatically resolved without rebooting the target computing device.
US07721283B2
A system and method are described for deploying non-J2EE containers on a J2EE server. In one embodiment, non-J2EE containers are created and deployed on the J2EE server in communication with J2EE containers already deployed on the J2EE server.
US07721281B1
A system detects an application attempting to invoke an administrative utility on a target application for installation of software. In response, the system identifies the administrative utility as an installer launcher. The system then detects the installer launcher invoking execution of the target application, and in response, identifies the target application as an installation application. The system allows classification of applications as installer launchers and installation applications and in response to detecting operation of such programs, enforces installation security profiles during their operations that apply varying levels of access to certain system resources that differ from a level of access normally applied during non-installation activities.
US07721279B1
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an enterprise application packaging method and archive file. Applications and support components are developed by a developer, which are then included in the archive file. A revision control file indicates which files correlate to a present revision of the application package. A naming convention is applied to the application and support component files to indicate versions which correspond to each other. The archive file contains the file corresponding to the present version, as well as previous versions, as well as previous version revision control files so that, in the event of a failure or other error, the executing machine may revert to a previous version.
US07721265B1
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can be implemented to provide a debugger agent, either separate form or integrated into the script-based testing platform, to coordinate the selection, activation, and or/operation of debuggers suitable for a particular unit and program under test. Such a debugger agent can provide run time monitoring and debugging activities where previously not possible. The debugger agent is generally independent agent, in that it can work with a variety of types of test scripts, test script handlers, programming languages, and debuggers without customization. Moreover, implementation generally needs no code instrumentation.
US07721259B2
Systems and methods of generating and executing customized variants of a software application are provided. The customized variants include customization of user interfaces, data processing logic, and data models. Customization is accomplished by overlaying custom metadata on base metadata. The base metadata characterizes the software application and the custom metadata characterizes variants of the software application. The custom metadata and base metadata have an object-oriented relationship. Related variants are optionally applied as a set to assure compatibility between variants of the same software application.
US07721257B2
A method for effecting software maintenance in a software system landscape comprising a central control system and a plurality of logical systems interconnected by logical transport paths, each system having associated therewith one of a plurality of system roles is described. The method comprises: providing system role types, each system role type comprising a group of system roles; providing an association of tasks to system role types; providing a transport track that defines a route for software services through a group of systems in a particular order and specifies one source system in which software services are permitted, adjacent interconnected systems, and at least one target system, each software service relating to at least one of the code and the data of at least one system in the landscape; and generating a maintenance instance from the system role types, the association and the transport tracks, the maintenance instance defining tasks for effecting a software service in a maintenance interval.
US07721243B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a router that can define a route that has different widths along different directions on the same layer. To facilitate the creation of such a route, some embodiments adaptively define the shape of interconnect-line ends (i.e., the shape of route-segment ends) on a particular layer based on the routing directions available on the particular layer. By so defining these shapes, these embodiments improve the alignment of route segments that have differing widths. In other words, dynamically defining the interconnect-line ends improves the shape of a route at bends along which the route transition from one width to another. Also, to facilitate the creation of a route with different widths and/or spacing in different directions on a particular layer, some embodiments define, for each available routing direction on the particular layer, an “unroutable” bloated region about a previously defined geometry (e.g., a previously defined obstacle, wire, or via pad) on the particular layer. An item's bloated region for a particular routing direction specifies the portion of the particular layer that is not available for route segments along the particular routing direction. As further described below, the item's bloated region for a particular direction is derived based on the minimum spacing required between the item and any route segment in the particular direction for the particular net.
US07721240B2
Three-dimensional structures are provided which improve manufacturing yield for certain structures in semiconductor devices. The three-dimensional structures take into account the interaction between an upper layer and a lower layer where the lower layer has a tendency to form a non-planar surface due to its design. Accordingly, structures built on a layer above the lower layer are formed on a more planar surface and thus are more likely to function properly. The changes to improve manufacturing yield are made at the design stage rather than at the fabrication stage.
US07721234B2
There is a need for keeping the amount of data to be saved and a simulation process time almost constant irrespectively of a hierarchical level of a hierarchical circuit to be simulated. This simulation method includes a first process and a second process. The first process saves result data obtained from simulating an interface node between higher-level and lower-level hierarchies in accordance with a result of simulation using hierarchical circuit data hierarchized for multiple hierarchies. The second process uses result data saved by the first process to reproduce internal node data not saved by the first process. Result data for the interface node between hierarchies indirectly determines a value for the internal node. Result data to be saved is data concerning the interface node between hierarchies. The amount of saved data and the time needed for the second process are independent of a hierarchical level or a higher-level or lower-level hierarchy.
US07721225B2
A system and method for creating and presenting modal dialog boxes in web-based applications is presented herein. The invention includes client devices that initiate requests for webpages that include modal dialog boxes and a server that receives and processes the web page requests and includes modal dialog controls to generate HTML instructions to render and display the modal dialog boxes at the client devices. The modal dialog controls include a web rendering module to determine the existence of children controls within the modal dialog box and to generate display related information. The modal dialog controls also include an event handling module to intercept attempts to access elements of the web page while the modal dialog box has not been responded to.
US07721224B2
It is difficult to effectively manage an electronic calendar that is shared by a group of people such as family members. This is achieved by enabling users to send messages to an electronic calendar apparatus. The messages are received and stored at the apparatus and may be viewed by a user such as a mother of a family. A graphical user interface at the calendar apparatus provides a calendar and a message receiver region. A user is able to edit the calendar using information from the messages and in some examples may move or copy message indicators into the calendar from the message receiver region. In some examples, the calendar may only be edited by user input received directly at the calendar apparatus rather than from a remote location. The calendar apparatus may be provided in a protective housing to enable the apparatus to be used in a domestic kitchen.
US07721223B2
An improved application sharing system and method are described wherein shared window data is treated according to different sets of rules depending upon the fraction of the shared window data that corresponds to the actual shared window. In this manner, occlusions of a shared window on a sharer display may be disguised or handled by a viewer display to minimize the impact of the occlusion on a viewing user, providing a more consistent and less confusing viewer experience.
US07721222B1
A non-English text generation system and method is presented by which text can be generated in any language without a keyboard. Initially, only a few base characters or radicals of a language are displayed. A desired character or derivative symbol is reached by lookup through successive menus. When a desired character or symbol is reached, it can be displayed on a computer monitor using a computer mouse or a similar interactive device. This system and method can be applied to any non-English language such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, That, Lao, etc. The system and method has significant utility in internet searching, authentication, email, chat, wireless messaging, document preparation, online advertisement creation, form filling in e-commerce etc, in non-English languages.
US07721207B2
A communication device may include a lens and processing logic. The lens may receive a gesture made by a user of the mobile terminal and the processing logic may identify the gesture. The processing logic may also generate a command based on the identified gesture, where the command instructs the mobile terminal or an external device to perform a control action.
US07721206B2
A system and methods for remotely viewing a dynamically generated page layout is described. The page layout can represent a reader ordering of pages defined as part of a print production job. Alternatively, the page layout can represent an arrangement of pages based on information defined as part of a print production job.
US07721200B2
The invention relates to a system and method for automatically producing documents that incorporate one or more data elements. A guided/structured software environment is provided that assists users in creating manuals by defining the appropriate content for each manual section, content rules and relationships, and tasks to be performed for each type of manual entry. Manual content is stored as structured data elements, rather than pages of sentences, to more efficiently generate, revise, and store the content of a manual. A storage database is provided for retrieving and storing predefined templates, documents and individual data elements to produce a final manual. Manuals are created by combining various data elements. An instant preview interface permits a user to quickly view what revisions will look like in a final document prior to actually publishing the manual. A published manual is compiled by assembling the stored data elements and into a document.
US07721198B2
Techniques relating to story tracking for fixed layout markup documents are described. In one instance, a process identifies stories contained in a fixed layout markup document. The process also determines which portions of the fixed layout markup document relate to an individual story.
US07721197B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer-readable medium for viewing Web pages on small form factor computing devices. More specifically, the present invention layers Web browsing in a system where a Web page is first displayed in an overview mode at a predetermined magnification. From a Web page displayed in overview mode, the user may issue adaptive viewing commands that cause relevant content to be displayed using additional screen space.
US07721196B2
Visual elements can be arbitrarily rendered in a code editor. Visual elements can be rendered at any location on a display. Visual elements can include text, images, graphics, video, and/or multi-media. Rendering of visual elements will not obstruct a view of rendered text. Nor will rendering of the visual element obstruct a view of the visual element. Visual elements can be rendered between lines of text and/or in-line with text. If a selected location will obstruct a view or either rendered text or another visual element, the rendered text and/or the other visual element is reconfigured to allow space for rendering the visual element.
US07721186B2
To improve reliability for multi-layer media, a data stream U is received for recording to a multi-layer rotating storage medium, the data stream U comprising a sequence of data bits. Each data bit U(J) is encoded into X representation bits. A first representation bit B(1,J) is recorded onto a first layer of the storage media, the second representation bit B(2,J) is recorded onto a second layer of the storage media, etc. When a request to read the recorded data U from the storage media is subsequently received, a plurality of the X representation bits are read back from the storage media and are decoded into the original data bit U(J). One embodiment employs a convolution encoding algorithm and PRML decoding algorithm. Another embodiment employs Reed Solomon encoding/decoding.
US07721182B2
Techniques are disclosed for minimizing the effects of soft errors associated with memory devices that are individually accessible. By way of example, a method of organizing a column in a memory array of a memory device protected by an error correction code comprises the step of maximizing a distance of the error correction code by maximizing a physical distance between memory bits associated with a memory line within the column protected by the error correction code. Other soft error protection techniques may include use of a feed forward error correction code or use of a memory operation (e.g., read or write operation) suppress and retry approach.
US07721181B2
A memory 1-bit error checking method is provided. Firstly, at least one piece of data fragment whose side is 2n bits is received. Next, an error correction code, a parity code and a data code are generated and written in the memory. Then, the at least one piece of data fragment is read from the memory and used as at least one piece of read data fragment. Next, a new error correction code, a new parity code and a new data code are generated. Afterwards, a determination as to whether the at least one piece of read data fragment has a 1-bit error is made. After that, if the at least one piece of read data fragment does not have a 1-bit error, then the at least one piece of read data fragment is outputted.
US07721180B2
An information management system has an information management apparatus that receives a data stream with a general-purpose format, which is constituted of data and additional information, from a data-supplying system and separates the additional information from the data stream to hold and manage the data obtained by separating the additional information from the data stream. The information management system has a data storage device that stores the data obtained by separating the additional information from the data stream with the information management apparatus. The data is stored in the data storage device as it is with the data having the general-purpose format.
US07721178B2
Systems, methods and computer program products for providing a nested two-bit symbol bus error correcting code. Methods include constructing a nested error correcting code (ECC) scheme. The method includes receiving a Hamming distance n code. A symbol correcting code H-matrix is created by iteratively adding rows of H-matrix bits on a symbol column basis such that the symbol correcting code H-matrix describes a symbol correcting code, and the Hamming distance n code is preserved as a subset of the symbol correcting code H-matrix.
US07721177B2
In a device for determining a position of a bit error in a bit sequence, a check matrix is used which has a predefined number of rows and a predefined number of columns. The check matrix includes a plurality of square submatrices having a submatrix row number and a submatrix column number corresponding to the predefined number of rows or the predefined number of columns of the check matrix. The device for determining then includes a unit for receiving a bit sequence and a unit for identifying a syndrome using the check matrix and the received bit sequence. Furthermore, the device includes a unit for establishing a position of a bit error in the received bit sequence, wherein the unit for establishing is adapted to identify a syndrome bit and a syndrome bit group in the syndrome, and wherein the unit for establishing is further adapted to determine the position of the bit error in the received bit sequence using information on a position of the syndrome bit or the syndrome bit group in the syndrome, information on a relationship between the syndrome bit and the syndrome bit group, and a submatrix row number or a submatrix column number of a submatrix.
US07721176B2
A method, system, and computer program product for integrated circuit recovery testing using simulation checkpoints is provided. The method includes executing an error injection test on an integrated circuit that includes a plurality of domains and latches. The error injection test includes injecting an error into one of the domains, clock stopping the domain with the error, performing fencing between the domain with the error and the other domains, and quiescing the other domains. A checkpoint is created of a state of the integrated circuit after the clock stopping, fencing and quiescing have been completed. A mainlines test of the integrated circuit is executed. The mainline test includes applying the checkpoint to the integrated circuit, and performing a recovery reset of the stopped domain. It is determined if the mainline test executed correctly and the results of the determining are output.
US07721172B2
A broadcaster, system, and method for reducing test data volume and test application time in an ATE (automatic test equipment) in a scan-based integrated circuit. The scan-based integrated circuit contains multiple scan chains, each scan chain comprising multiple scan cells coupled in series. The broadcaster is a combinational logic network coupled to an optional virtual scan controller and an optional scan connector. The virtual scan controller controls the operation of the broadcaster. The system transmits virtual scan patterns stored in the ATE and generates broadcast scan patterns through the broadcaster for testing manufacturing faults in the scan-based integrated circuit. The number of scan chains that can be supported by the ATE is significantly increased. Methods are further proposed to reorder scan cells in selected scan chains, to generate the broadcast scan patterns and virtual scan patterns, and to synthesize the broadcaster and a compactor in the scan-based integrated circuit.The scan architecture used can also be random access scan based, where the integrated circuit comprises an array of random access scan (RAS) cells that are randomly and uniquely addressable. In random access scan, test patterns can be applied by selectively updating RAS cells and test responses can be observed through a direct read-out process. Eliminating the shifting process inherent in serial scan, random access scan produces much lower test power dissipation than serial scan.
US07721171B2
A method for optimizing a scan chain ordering in circuit designs in an electronic computer-aided design system is provided. The method comprising: creating a schematic representative of a circuit design having a first cell and a second cell, the first cell and the second cell each having latches therein; creating a scan input pin and a scan output pin for each of the latches in the first cell and the second cell on the schematic; generating a first label on the schematic to provide a first wiring arrangement for the latches in the circuit design, the first wiring arrangement identifies a first order to which the scan input of each of the latches is wired to the scan output of another one of the latches; creating a layout representative of the circuit design; generating a first scan chain having a first length on the layout based on the first wiring arrangement; creating a second scan chain from the first scan chain on the layout, the second scan chain having a second length less than the first length of the first scan chain; and generating a second label on the schematic based on the second scan chain, the second label provides a second wiring arrangement for the latches in the circuit design, the second wiring arrangement identifies a second order to which the scan input of each of the latches is wired to the scan output of another one of the latches.
US07721168B2
An eFuse data alignment verification mechanism is provided. Alignment latches are provided in a series of latch units of a write scan chain and a logic unit is coupled to the alignment latches. A sequence of data that is scanned-into the series of latch units of the write scan chain preferably includes alignment data values. These alignment data values are placed in positions within the sequence of data that, if the sequence of data is properly scanned-into the series of latch units, cause the data values to be stored in the alignment latches. The logic unit receives data signals from the alignment latches and determines if the proper pattern of data values is stored in the alignment latches. If the proper pattern of data values is present in the alignment latches, then the data is aligned and a program enable signal is sent to the bank of eFuses.
US07721163B2
An integrated circuit containing memory includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) controlled self-repair system that permits permanent repair of the memory after the integrated circuit has been packaged. The JTAG controlled self-repair system allows a user to direct circuitry to blow fuses using an externally supplied voltage to electrically couple or isolate components to permanently repair a memory location with JTAG standard TMS and TCK signals. The system may optionally sequentially repair more than one memory location using a repair sequencer.
US07721159B2
A data communications architecture employing serializers and deserializers that reduces data communications latency. In an illustrative implementation, the data communications architecture communicates data across communications links. The architecture maintains various mechanisms to promote data communications speed and to avoid communication link down time. These mechanisms perform the functions including but not limited to generating processing debug information, processing link identification information, injecting errors across communications links and performing error detection.
US07721153B2
System, method and computer program product for recovering from a failure of a computing device. Start up of a first component of the device is monitored and a determination is made whether the first component has started successfully. If so, a second, higher level component of the device is started. Operational data received from the second component is monitored. If the operational data falls outside of an operational boundary, an action is performed on the second component to enable the second component to operate within a preferred operational boundary. If the first component does not start up successfully, a determination is made if start up of the first component is critical to operation of the second component. If so, a corrective action is performed relative to the first component and afterwards, an attempt is made to start up the second component.
US07721151B2
An apparatus has at least one processing unit to generate a request having a request privilege level. At least one resource exists in the apparatus to receive the request and determine if the request is allowable. The apparatus includes an error handler that determines the nature of an error and performs a reset based upon the privilege level of the request that cause the error.
US07721150B2
Provided are techniques for failover when at least one of a first network adapter and a data path through the first network adapter fails, wherein the first network adapter is connected to a filter driver, and wherein the first network adapter is connected to a second network adapter. With the filter driver, a path fail notification is received that at least one of the first network adapter and the data path through the first network adapter has failed. With the filter driver, packets directed to the first network adapter are rerouted to the second network adapter.
US07721147B2
A method and apparatus are provided for managing a bad run-time block in a multi-level cell flash memory. The apparatus includes a buffer-allotting module which allots a buffer in which data programmed in a least significant bit (LSB) of a cell is temporarily stored, a data-copying module which copies the data programmed in the LSB of the cell to the allotted buffer, and a bad-block-managing module which programs the copied data to a free block if a program error occurs in a page of the cell.
US07721146B2
A system and method for managing bad blocks that utilizes a remapping pool formed across an array of disks to remap bad blocks formed on individual disks. When a bad block is discovered in a particular disk the bad block is then remapped within the remapping pool and is stored across multiple disks.
US07721142B2
The present invention provides a method and a system for backing up data (copying data) from a primary computer system onto a removable backup medium and/or a copy computer system combined with verifying the data copied onto the medium and/or computer, whereby a more fail-safe backup system is provided and a stand-in computer in case of primary computer failure is readily available. In particular the verification includes functional tests, wherein the functionality of files and databases on the copy computer system is tested. The method offers the user a possibility of assuring that a functional backup has been obtained and furthermore, in case of breakdown of the primary computer the copy computer may function as stand-in.
US07721140B2
Systems and methods for improving serviceability of a memory system including a method for identifying a failing memory element in a memory system when two or more modules operate in unison in response to a read request. The method includes receiving syndrome bits and an address associated with an uncorrectable error (UE). In response to a previous correctable error (CE) having occurred, the location of the previous CE is retrieved. The location of the CE specifies a memory device position of the CE. A location of the UE is determined using the location of the previous CE and the syndrome bits of the UE as input. The location of the UE specified a memory device position. A failing memory element associated with the location of the UE is identified.
US07721134B2
A method and system for determining the eye pattern margin parameters of a receiver system during diagnostic testing is presented. The circuitry in the receiver's front end comprises a series of latches, XOR gates and OR gates which first provide the data samples and edge samples, i.e., data sampled at the rising or falling edge of an (edge) clock characterized by a phase delay relative to the data sampling clock. The receiver also comprises optimization circuitry for the ideal alignment of the edge clock (edges) with the data edges. The method further provides for a phase shifting of the edge clock to the left and right from the ideal/locked position to screen the data eye pattern in order to compute the Bit Error Rate (BER) value. The position of the edge clock relative to the data sampling clock determines the horizontal eye opening for the computed BER.
US07721126B2
In a communication apparatus for wirelessly communicating directly with a communication apparatus that is participating in a network, a filter is set so as to receive only a signal from a communicating party before start of a power-saving control function at the time of standby, the set filter is removed after the power-saving control function for standby is terminated, and a logical address on the network is reset. As a result, when the power-saving control function is utilized, collision of physical addresses is prevented and it is possible to perform data communication without mismatch.
US07721125B2
Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environment is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment.
US07721124B2
A signaling circuit may be implemented with a connection comprised of signal lines having predefined signals and/or functions. The predefined signals and/or functions may be defined by an individual entity or standards organization. The signaling circuit transmits information in addition to the predefined signals and/or functions. The information may be transmitted from a second device, such as a visual display screen, to a first device, such as a computing device, using at least one signal line in the connection. The information may include information about the state or status of the second device.
US07721123B2
A component of a microprocessor-based data processing system, which includes features for regulating power consumption in snoopable components and has gating off memory coherency properties, is determined to be in a relatively inactive state and is transitioned to a non-snoopable low power mode. Then, when a snoop request occurs, a retry protocol is sent in response to the snoop request. In conjunction with the retry protocol, a signal is sent to bring the component into snoopable mode. When the retry snoop is requested, the component is in full power mode and can properly respond to the snoop request. After the snoop request has been satisfied, the component again enters into a low power mode. Therefore, the component is able to enter into a low power mode in between snoops
US07721117B2
A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients involves identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client and selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the clients in the event of a resource failure. In an example, the identified attribute is an indication of the popularity of the content element (e.g., as measured by the number of active streams), such that the protection mechanism is selected as a function of the popularity of the content element. In an embodiment, protection mechanisms that offer a higher level of protection are selected for the more popular content elements and protection mechanisms that offer a lower level of protection are selected for the less popular content elements.
US07721115B2
A secure media device preferably includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage Class (MSC) interface and a USB Human Interface Device (HID) interface. A storage media area is also preferably provided. The storage media is preferably divided into a secure and nonsecure area by arranging the storage media into multiple Logical Units (LUNs). The nonsecure area is preferably accessed in a conventional manner using a host USB MSC driver through the USB MSC interface on the storage device. A password dialog application can be located in the nonsecure area of the storage device.
US07721111B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, secure content objects are transcoded from an input format to an output format based upon identified capabilities of a receiving device. In one embodiment, a plurality of trusted processing components are identified to collectively transcode the secure content object from the identified input format to the determined output format. In one embodiment, each of the trusted processing components are authenticated prior to operating on the secure content object.
US07721104B2
A system is provided for downloading pushed content includes a terminal capable of receiving service loading content that identifies download content and has a digital signature. The terminal is capable of authenticating the service loading content based upon the digital signature, and if the service loading content is authenticated, pulling the download content to the terminal. In this regard, the terminal is capable of authenticating the service loading content, and pulling the download content, in response to receiving the service loading content and independent of interaction from a user of the terminal. The terminal can also be capable of determining if an interruption occurs in receiving the download content such that the terminal receives less than the entire download content. And if an interruption occurs, the terminal can be capable of recovering the download content such that the terminal receives the plurality of data packets.
US07721095B2
A personal identity authenticating system where the registrant/cardholder and the registrar are assigned specific identifiers and secret keys and public keys that are mapped to the identifiers at the authentication support station (ASS). Personal identity to which the registrar identifier is attached is encrypted wit the registrant/cardholder's secret key. Personal identity data is embedded as an encrypted watermark image data by means of the registrar's secret key. Both encrypted identity and watermarked image data are recorded on the IC card. When authentication is required, the identity data with the registrar identifier is decrypted with the cardholder's public key that is supplied by the ASS. The registrar's public key is obtained from the ASS by using the decrypted registrar identifier. The registrar's public key permits the personal identity to be retrieved from the watermarked image data. Internal authentication is executed by matching between personal identity strings and image data.
US07721089B2
Methods, components and systems for implementing secure and efficient broadcast encryption schemes with configurable and practical tradeoffs among a pre-broadcast transmission bandwidth t, a key storage cost k, and a key derivation cost c, in which the schemes use subtree difference and key decomposition to generate secondary keys, use the secondary keys to encrypt the broadcast and generate ciphertexts, and use the RSA encryption scheme to implement derivability between the primary keys and the secondary keys. To decrypt the broadcast, a privileged user uses one of its primary keys to derive a secondary key, which is used to decrypt the broadcast. The product of key derivation costc and the key storage cost k is at most (2a−log a−2)loga n, when n is the number of users, 1≦b≦log n, a=2b, and revoked users r
US07721087B1
Mobile device user interface techniques are disclosed that can run across multiple platforms. These techniques allow for unobtrusive and intuitive communication with the user of the mobile device. For instance, one particular embodiment of the present invention allows a security product executing on a mobile device to use SMS-like messages to alert the user of the security status of the device, and more generally that security products (e.g., anti-virus, anti-spyware, email scanning, and/or intrusion detection) are actively protecting his/her device. A non-platform-user-interface dependent means of providing such alerts is also provided.
US07721083B2
A CPU reads a clear pattern held in a register in a watchdog timer when a system is booted up or reset, thereby determining whether or not the boot-up or the reset is a reset performed by the system or a reset due to runaway of a program to be executed and performing a process for booting up the system so as not to restart the task in which the runaway has occurred.
US07721082B2
A new method of advertising where the advertising information is presented visually (displayed) on the screen of the computer system, and/or in auditory way (as a sound) on the sound system of a computer system, a software program based on the said method, and a hardware peripheral card using the said method and program.The information is presented after powering on of the computer and before booting an operating system, or after rebooting the operating system and before the next boot. The computer system contains a motherboard, to which is attached a peripheral card, which includes a memory chip, which includes peripheral BIOS. The said peripheral BIOS includes advertising information and advertising related program. The peripheral BIOS program executes the advertising related program, which then presents the stored advertising information visually and/or in auditory way.
US07721081B2
A computer system with a main memory is equipped with an HDD that has a disk and a driving motor driving the disk, a non-volatile storage unit provided in the HDD storing therein a booting program of an operating system, and a control unit reading out the booting program stored in the non-volatile storage unit and loading the booting program onto the main memory before the driving motor reaches a normal speed as power is supplied to the computer system. With this configuration, there is provided a computer system capable of reducing the booting time of the HDD.
US07721076B2
Method, apparatus and system embodiments provide a register to track the oldest exception event or sticky event in a processor. The processor may be an out-of-order processor. Dispatched instructions (or micro-ops) may be maintained in a queue, such as a reorder buffer (ROB), for in-order retirement. For at least one embodiment, event information is maintained only in the register and is not maintained in a ROB. For at least one other embodiment, event information is maintained in a ROB entry for some events and in the register for others. For such latter embodiment, a retire engine takes the contents of both the ROB entry and the register into account when determining whether to take an exception or otherwise initiate a handling sequence during in-order instruction retirement. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07721071B2
A processor core and a method for distributive scoreboard scheduling in an out-of-order processor pipeline are described herein. In an embodiment, control logic appends operand availability bits to each instruction. The appended operand availability bits form a distributive scoreboard for each instruction. The appended operand availability bits are propagated together with the instruction through multiple stages of the processor pipeline. An instruction dispatch buffer stores the instruction and the operand availability bits. A dispatch controller determines when an instruction is to be issued. The determination is based, at least in part, on the operand availability bits stored in the instruction dispatch buffer.
US07721070B2
A high-performance, superscalar-based computer system with out-of-order instruction execution for enhanced resource utilization and performance throughput. The computer system fetches a plurality of fixed length instructions with a specified, sequential program order (in-order). The computer system includes an instruction execution unit including a register file, a plurality of functional units, and an instruction control unit for examining the instructions and scheduling the instructions for out-of-order execution by the functional units. The register file includes a set of temporary data registers that are utilized by the instruction execution control unit to receive data results generated by the functional units. The data results of each executed instruction are stored in the temporary data registers until all prior instructions have been executed, thereby retiring the executed instruction in-order.
US07721067B2
A processor having a multistage pipeline includes a TLB and a TLB controller. In response to a TLB miss signal, the TLB controller initiates a TLB reload, requesting address translation information from either a memory or a higher-level TLB, and placing that information into the TLB. The processor flushes the instruction having the missing virtual address, and refetches the instruction, resulting in re-insertion of the instruction at an initial stage of the pipeline above the TLB access point. The initiation of the TLB reload, and the flush/refetch of the instruction, are performed substantially in parallel, and without immediately stalling the pipeline. The refetched instruction is held at a point in the pipeline above the TLB access point until the TLB reload is complete, so that the refetched instruction generates a “hit” in the TLB upon its next access.
US07721042B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that implements a content-addressable memory (CAM) which has multiple banks. During operation, the system receives a request to insert an item into the CAM, wherein the request includes a key which is used to index the item and a body containing data. Next, for each bank in the CAM, the system calculates a different hash function based on the key to produce an index and a tag. The system then uses the calculated index and the tag for each bank to lookup an entry in each bank. If the lookups do not generate a hit in any bank, the system stores an entry for the request into a highest priority bank which does not contain a valid entry in the location accessed by the lookup. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple banks in the CAM have varying sizes.
US07721035B2
A first processor in a multiprocessor system for processing interrupts by a plurality of processors accepts an interrupt and executes first interrupt processing in accordance with the accepted interrupt. In the first interrupt processing, second interrupt processing corresponding to the accepted interrupt is assigned to a second processor.
US07721029B2
Described are a method and apparatus for preserving data integrity which can be practiced in a data storage library that receives data from a host computer. The data storage library includes a docking station that stores data to and from an operatively linked mobile random access storage device. Once the data is stored on the mobile random access storage device, the elapsed time is accounted for. The mobile random access storage device is adapted to be unlinked from the docking station, such as for purposes of archiving the mobile random access storage device. A user can be notified when the elapsed time has reached a time limit. Upon indicating that the data on mobile random access storage device should be restored, the mobile random access storage device can be re-linked with the docking station for data restoration, thus, starting a new elapsed time.
US07721028B2
An improved KVM switch is provided which enables computers to be connected to the KVM switch by reduced numbers of cables. It also supports transmission of digital audio signals between the computers and the KVM switch. A single USB port is provided to transmit keyboard, mouse, speaker and microphone signals between the KVM switch and each computer. The improved KVM switch is provided with one or more USB hubs to separate the keyboard/mouse signals and the digital audio signals, and one or more audio codecs to convert the audio signals from a digital form to an analog form and vice versa.
US07721024B2
A system and method for interrupt processing includes a technique for exiting from interrupt mode in multiple processor systems. Those processors that were in a suspended or halt state immediately before entering the interrupt mode are released immediately with reference to the resolution of the interrupt condition. Those processors not responsible for the processing tasks associated with resolving the interrupt condition serially exit from interrupt mode on a time-delayed basis following the resolution of the interrupt condition.
US07721019B2
An industrial controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The industrial controller is operable to communicate using an optimized connection packet including I/O data from a plurality of I/O modules arranged as an unstructured data block. The processing unit is operable to operate on the I/O data within the optimized connection packet to control a process. The memory is operable to store a plurality of cast tags. Each cast tag is associated with one of the I/O modules and provides a logical reference to a subset of the unformatted data block including at least a portion of the I/O data for the associated I/O module.
US07721015B2
For dynamically adjusting a color code corresponding to a task performed by an input/output (I/O) port, a retasking request for the I/O port is received. The retasking request may be generated in response to detecting a plugging in of a multimedia device into the I/O port. The retasking request includes switching the task from a first task to a second task. In response to the retasking request the task performed by the I/O port is automatically reconfigured from the first task to the second task. The color code is automatically changed from a first color code corresponding to the first task to a second color code corresponding to the second task in response to the reconfiguring, without user intervention.
US07721014B2
A method for flexibly configuring default values of a network device and a network device using such flexible configuration method is described. First, it is determined whether the default values are obtained through a microprocessor interface or a memory interface. When it is determined that the default values are obtained through the memory interface, a header is received from a memory through the memory interface it is determined from the header whether any default value of the network device should be updated. If the network device should be updated, then at least one configuration instruction is fetched from the memory and the at least one configuration instruction is interpreted. A register default value of the default values is changed, corresponding to the interpreted at least one configuration instruction. Alternatively, when it is determined that the default values are obtained through the microprocessor interface, the default values are changed according to data received through the microprocessor interface.
US07721011B1
A reordering command queue for reordering memory accesses in a computer system. The reordering command queue may reduce the power that is typically used up in computer systems when performing accesses to main memory by improving the scheduling of memory accesses with a pattern that is optimized for power and which has no (or negligible) impacting on performance. During a compare operation, the address corresponding to the command stored in each of one or more current storage locations of the reordering command queue may be compared to the address corresponding to the command stored in an adjacent storage location to determine whether the commands are in a desired order. In response to one or more of the commands not being in the desired order, a reordering operation may be performed, which may reorder each of the one or more commands from a current storage location to the adjacent storage location.
US07721006B2
A generic device controller unit system (10) includes a generic “true real time” peripheral device controller and a data and protocol communications interface that uses a common set of instructions from a meta-message set. The system (10) is generic, in that the system (10) is capable of connecting a processor (40) to any number of various peripheral devices (50), instead of being designed to interconnect a processor (40) only to a specific peripheral device (50). The system (10) interfaces between a standard non-true real time operating system and peripheral devices (50) in such a manner as to employ true real time peripheral device control using the meta-message set. The device controller of the system (10) allows a standard non-true real time operating system to send instructions from the meta-message set to implement true real time control of peripheral devices (50). The system (10) interfaces between a processor (40) and peripheral devices (50) such that the data and protocol communications interface of the system (10) allows the processor (40) to utilize a single protocol, associated data and set of instructions in order to communicate with peripheral devices (50) which are utilizing different protocols and associated data.
US07721004B2
A inter-network interface device usable in a highly reliable industrial control system provides an interface between a producer module transmitting redundant messages in accordance with a communication protocol and a consumer module receiving the messages in accordance with a different communication protocol. The inter-network interface device includes a first network interface receiving two messages from the producer, a microprocessor capable of converting the messages from the producer communication protocol to consumer communication protocol, and a second network interface transmitting the messages to the consumer. One of the messages is reversible altered with respect to the other message. The altered message is uninverted in the consumer module, and compared to the other message to ensure that no transmission errors have occurred.
US07720998B2
A system and method for broadcasting messages to selected websites in order to provide emergency information to the U.S. populace, or zone applicable populace, from a central authority. This is achieved by implementing a “partial deflection” of a website altering the applicable zone file on a DNS server having authority over a website. Depending up which authority makes a request for broadcasting an emergency message, an emergency website is created and a partial deflection of the original entity's page is deflected to a main frame accompanying a header frame displaying the emergency alert message the emergency alert webpage. The requesting authority retains control over the content of the emergency message and can trigger the implementation of the broadcast from a variety of signal interfaces.
US07720996B2
Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment information is collected from Address Allocation Tables (AATs) of a plurality of IP address assigning registrars. The information is processed and stored into one or more data structures. The information is accessed to determine a proximity measure for any two given IP addresses. In one embodiment, the proximity determination includes the determination of superblock memberships of the IP addresses, comparison of the assigning registrars, as well as the location countries of the IP addresses. In one embodiment, the proximity detection is applied to locating IP addresses of peer providers of a resource. In one embodiment, Autonomous System (AS) numbers and IP addresses for a plurality of peer providers for a plurality of resources are also collected and organized into one or more data structures; this organized information of the peer providers is also used in locating the closest peer providers of a resource in terms of network topology.
US07720993B2
A sensor network routing is formulated as a joint optimization problem taking into account routing cost and information aggregation. Information gain is used explicitly to optimize the routing path. The optimization approach involves a shortest path algorithm in a modified network graph. A method is provided that routes queries from an arbitrary entry point to high activity network sensor regions using inputs from sensor nodes along the path to refine the message. The multiple step look-ahead approach provides deadlock avoidance and routing around sensor network holes. For point-to-point query routing, a method based on real-time A* (RTA*) search is provided to find a path which takes detours efficiently to maximize information aggregation. Future information expected to be gained along the path from an arbitrary node to an exit node may be estimated to allow the selection of a successor sensor node.
US07720991B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products for embedding a foreign data block in a host data file. In general, in one aspect, the computer-implemented method includes receiving a host data file, the host data file having a host data file format, receiving a packet to be embedded into the host data file, the packet including a foreign data block and further including a header and a trailer that delimit the foreign data block, the header including an identifier designed to be distinguishable from all other data in the host data file, a byte pattern that indicates a presence of the header, and a character encoding format of the foreign data block, the byte pattern selected based on the character encoding format of the foreign data block, and embedding the packet in the host data file.
US07720989B2
An electronic device and wireless base station for maintaining a persistent connection is provided. In an embodiment, a system includes an electronic device that connects to a web-server via a physical link that is bandwidth-constrained. The physical link also includes a wireless base station and at least one network address translation (“NAT”) router that is configured to terminate idle connections between the client and the web-server. One of the electronic device and the wireless base station is configured to send keep-alive packets to the web-server in order to reduce the likelihood of the NAT router terminating the connection. The keep-alive packets are sent on a variable basis that is intended to reduce bandwidth consumption while ensuring that the NAT router does not deem the connection idle and terminate the connection.
US07720987B2
In a digital network that includes a plurality of devices, which include multiple devices that transmit transport streams, a system and method are provided for discovering and mapping the transport streams and the plurality of devices included in the digital network. One such method sends a transport stream map request to a plurality of network devices. The network devices include a plurality of network transport stream sources and a plurality of network transport stream handlers. The method receives a plurality of replies to the transport stream map request. Each reply includes information associated with the respective network device. The method generates a transport stream map based on the received replies. The transport stream map represents a flow of transport streams among the plurality of network devices.
US07720977B1
A switch may be used to force the expiration of a cookie on a user's system by inserting an expiration field into the cookie contained in a network response packet. Additionally, a mechanism is provided to delete or damage a cookie contained in a network request packet, so that server software is not disrupted by the receipt of a cookie. Deleting a cookie results in a cleaner request, but damaging a cookie may be more efficient in certain circumstances. By providing these features, an efficient cookie switching design is provided.
US07720973B2
The invention deploys a message-based data transport platform, in which a communication engine controls the delivery of server or other backup data or other large quantity data to a remote site based on message objects as fundamental units. Data sessions from one or more servers or other data sources may be buffered over established pipes for delivery to a remote data host which likewise contains messaging control. Relatively large message units may wait for communication over the channel in a queue, and be released when prior messaging is complete. Completion port or other polling or other mechanisms may indicate that connections have become open for use. In embodiments the message objects may be signed, or encrypted to safeguard against alteration or unauthorized viewing. The communication engine may rely upon TCP or other underlying transport mechanisms to effect lower level transmission.
US07720970B2
A method of providing media content (e.g., audio and/or video) and processing data received over a network. Received data may be processed at a reduced rate while at least one media application is running. Received packets may be processed in batches, and media data may be processed in between processing the batches. The method may provide for reducing or eliminating glitches in the media content caused by receiving data over a network while providing the media content.
US07720968B2
A method and system for configuring elements of a distributed computing system based on evaluations of their value add and cost impact. The system and method for configuring elements of a distributed computing system comprises the steps of: determining one or more system metrics that relate to hardware and/or software elements of a configured distributed system; determining a system value in response to one or more system metrics, the value determined according to one or more value criteria; and, re-configuring elements of the distributed computing environment according to said determined system value. The re-configuring step further comprises steps of determining one or more potential changes in the distributed computing environment based on the system value determined, and, determining an alternate system value based on at least one potential change determined, the alternate value reflecting an economic consequence including but not limited to: increased revenue, or decreased cost resulting from a potential change.
US07720965B2
Implementations of client health validation using historical data are described. In one implementation, historical data on a client, such as a laptop, attempting to access a network is scanned. The historical data can come in many forms, including cookies and application data caches saved on the client. The historical data can be used to assess a health of the client. For example, if historical data stored in an application data cache indicates interactions between the client and a website known to disseminate malicious agents, the client can be assessed to have unacceptable health. Alternately, if the historical data indicates that the client has not interacted with enough suspicious sources to constitute a danger to the network, the client can be assessed to have acceptable health. In such a case, the client can be allowed to access the network.
US07720963B2
The invention can enable monitoring of the display of content by a computer system. Moreover, the invention can enable monitoring of the displayed content to produce monitoring information from which conclusions may be deduced regarding the observation of the displayed content by an observer. The invention can also enable monitoring of the display at a content display site of content that is provided by a content provider site over a network to the content display site. Additionally, the invention can enable the expeditious provision of updated and/or tailored content over a network from a content provider site to a content display site so that the content provider's current and appropriately tailored content is always displayed at the content display site. Aspects of the invention related to transfer of content over a network are generally applicable to any type of network. However, it is contemplated that the invention can be particularly useful with a computer network, including private computer networks (e.g., America Online™) and public computer networks (e.g., the Internet). In particular, the invention can be advantageously used with computer networks or portions of computer networks over which video and/or audio content are transferred from one network site to another network site for observation, such as the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.
US07720961B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a managed affiliate system and method configured to provide authorized content for use and distribution. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a managed affiliate system that is configured to verify and monitor whether the content or property offered for use or sale by a participant is in compliance with any use restrictions.
US07720959B2
We describe multiple methods and apparatuses for characterizing the quality of a network path by means of metrics that at the same time are (1) additive and (2) characterize the performance of network applications.
US07720948B2
A method and system for controlling packet classification behavior of a plurality of heterogeneous network processors in a network is disclosed. The network also includes at least one host processor that utilizes at least one packet classification application. The method and system include providing a plurality of generic application program interfaces (APIs). The generic APIs communicate with the packet classification application(s) and the heterogeneous network processors. The generic APIs communicate with the packet classification application(s) in the host processor(s) in a network processor independent manner, but manage the packet classification behavior of the heterogeneous network processors in a network processor specific manner. Thus, the generic APIs allow the packet classification application(s) to be network processor independent and to manage the packet classification behavior of the heterogeneous network processors in the network processor specific manner.
US07720945B2
A system for the automatic detection and inventory of a network boot capable computer and for the automatic deployment of an appropriate operating system to the network boot capable computer. First, an initial broadcast packet from the network boot capable computer is received. In response to receiving the initial broadcast packet, a discovery kernel is sent to the network boot capable computer. The discovery kernel generates a hardware details file. The hardware details file is received from the network boot capable computer and is analyzed. After the hardware details file is analyzed, an appropriate operating system is deployed to the network boot capable computer.
US07720940B1
An element manager acquires information identifying a network element. Based on the acquired information, the element manager associates a template configuration with the network element. The template configuration includes configuration parameter values. Subsequent to the associating, the element manager provides configuration information describing a configuration of the network element without retrieving the configuration information from the network element. The configuration information is based on the template configuration. An element manager and programming first determine that a configuration of a network element should match a template configuration. The configuration includes configuration parameter values utilized by the network element. The element manager and programming acquire at least one of the configuration parameter values and determine that the at least one acquired configuration parameter value does not match a corresponding configuration parameter value of the template configuration. Based on this determination, the element manager and programming take an action.
US07720931B2
A system and method of remotely loading artifacts is disclosed. The method involves storing and indexing a plurality of artifacts in a centralized location. A query is received from a client to locate an artifact, and the artifact is located within the central location. A reply is then returned to the client, wherein the reply includes a location of the artifact. In one embodiment, the method of remotely loading artifacts further involves the artifacts being previously extracted from an application during the installation of the application.
US07720928B2
A virtual storage system comprises an agent to store a first table to map virtual storage segments to storage locations, and a controller to store a second table and to intermittently cause contents of the first table to be replaced by contents of the second table. During an I/O operation, one of the entries in the first table can be accessed by a host to determine one of the storage locations. Also, a method for performing an I/O operation on a virtual storage segment, defined by first table that maps a storage segment to a first storage location, comprises turning off I/O operations at the first storage location, identifying portions of the virtual storage segment to be effected during a write operation, storing a record of identified portions at a second table not the first table, and writing to portions of the second storage location associated with the identified portions.
US07720924B2
System providing methodology for the restoration of original media quality in messaging environments
A system providing methodology for the restoration of original media quality in messaging environments is described. In one embodiment, for example, deployed in a messaging system, a method of the present invention is described for restoring media items to original quality, the method comprises steps of: upon receipt of a message containing an original media item that is new, storing the original media item in a repository; generating an identifier for identifying the original media item stored in the repository; replacing the original media item in the message with a substitute copy that includes the identifier; and upon future encounter of a particular media item having the identifier, restoring the particular media item to original quality using the identifier.
US07720923B2
The present invention provides a method and system to alert the recipient of an electronic message of some action that is required from the recipient. The invention also provides a method to alert the sender of the electronic message of the completion of the action required in the original electronic mail message. In the method of the present invention, the originator or recipient of an electronic mail message can choose to designate the message as one that requires an action by the message recipient. The recipient will notice the ‘Action Required’ icon and will be alerted to the fact that an action is required with this message. At the completion of the action, the sender of the original message will receive a notification that the requested action has been taken by the recipient.
US07720917B2
Based on user configuration, a main messaging user interface screen on a messaging device either presents a list of references to messages stored on the device based on a complete index of references to the stored messages or based on a filtered index of references to the stored messages. References to stored messages of a predetermined type are not maintained in the filtered index.
US07720906B2
Systems and methods of a Web service for remote terminal service application discovery are described. In one aspect, a Web service in an Intranet is provided. The Web service is coupled to a public network. The Web service facilitates remote client computer discovery over the public network of information corresponding to application(s) deployed on the Intranet. The remote client computer is external to the Intranet. The application(s) are configured for terminal server based access for a user of the remote client computer.
US07720902B2
Methods and apparatus provide for accumulating bit streams from four partial products and producing a carry-save output pair, including: producing the save, S, portion of the carry-save output pair, in accordance with the following Boolean expression: S=d3 XOR ((d0 XOR d1) XOR (d2 XOR Cin)), wherein d0, d1, d2, d3 are the bit streams from the four partial products, and Cin is a carry in bit stream receivable from an adjacent compression circuit of an overall partial product reduction array.
US07720897B2
An apparatus and method for DFT processing using prime factor algorithm (PFA) on a selected number P of midamble chip values received by a CDMA receiver, where P has a plurality M of relatively prime factors F, and the DFT process is divided into M successive F-point DFT processes. The P data values are retrieved from a single input port memory and selectively permuted by a controller into parallel caches to optimize factoring with associated twiddle factors stored in parallel registers. The permuted inputs are factored in two or more parallel PFA circuits that comprise adders and multipliers arranged to accommodate any size F-point DFT. The outputs of the PFA circuits are processed by consolidation circuitry in preparation for output permutation of the values which are sent to memory for subsequent DFT cycles.
US07720893B2
In one illustrative example, a method for use in mapping a location in a computer device includes the steps of receiving an electronic file or message which includes a hypertext link mapping indicator associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) string having a server address and latitude and longitude coordinates; receiving, through a user interface of the computer device, an end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator in the electronic file or message; and in response to the end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator: if a predetermined type of mapping application is provided in the computer device, invoking a mapping function of the mapping application to produce a map of a location corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates for visual display in a display of the computer device (e.g. based on received maplet data); and if the predetermined type of mapping application type is not provided in the computer device, requesting and receiving map data from a map coordinating server identified by the server address of the URL string to produce a map of the location for visual display in the display (e.g. based on a bitmap image). Advantageously, processing of the received hypertext link mapping indicator is handled differently depending on the type of device or whether a predetermined mapping application is installed in the device, so that optimal mapping functionality is provided for different device environments.
US07720887B2
Database interaction is facilitated by graphically presenting database objects in groups that are not necessarily dictated by object types of the database objects. In an example implementation, database navigation is facilitated by determining object dependency groups for a database in which each object dependency group corresponds to a database source object and includes at least those database objects that depend directly or indirectly from the corresponding database source object. When these data source object-based dependency groups are graphically displayed, selecting a database object thereof provides access thereto. In another example implementation, a user can designate an attribute associated with database objects by which the database objects are to be grouped. Thus, the database objects are grouped by various values that the user-designated associated attribute takes. These designated-attribute-based value-driven groups may also be graphically displayed to enable navigation of and access to the different database objects assigned to them.
US07720885B2
Documents are automatically generated from data within a database. The look and feel of the document is defined externally from the data in the database such that a consistent look and feel is applied to the retrieved data. Templates are defined that specify the structure of the document including its look and feel for the documents created by using data from the database. When a document is requested to be generated for viewing and/or editing, the appropriate data from the database is retrieved and placed within the document according to the defined look and feel that is contained within the templates.
US07720882B2
A data file management and search method based on file attributes is disclosed. At least one data file, externally imported or generated by a user, is retrieved. Attributes of the data file are edited, a virtual catalog corresponding to the data file is generated, and a catalog tree is built according to the data file and the virtual catalog. The virtual catalog and the data file are displayed by a user interface. A search operation is performed based on a search command to locate at least one required virtual catalog or data file among multiple data files and virtual catalogs. A basic operation is implemented on the located virtual catalog or data file.
US07720879B2
An interactive configuration environment consistent with the present invention integrates and displays a table-based business application using a single, interactive display. When business application structures are displayed using object-oriented code structures, the business meaning of the object-oriented code structures may also be displayed in the integrated environment. Users can write a new business rule using object-oriented code, and that code may be converted into logic entities to apply the new rule in the business application. When a user rolls a mouse over an item in the object-oriented code, documentation of the underlying business meaning may be displayed in a pop-up box.
US07720875B2
An information processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a system acquisition data conversion unit that converts system acquisition data acquired as information for use by one or more applications installed in the information processing apparatus into universal data, and an application usable data conversion unit that converts the universal data into application usable data usable by the one or more applications. The universal data are independent of the data structure of the system acquisition data and the data structure of the application usable data.
US07720873B2
A computerized method, program product, and a service that discovers trace data inserted into a source database having an unknown schema. Once the trace data is found by a dynamic data discovery engine, the tables, the fields, and the attributes of the fields in the source schema in which the trace data were located can be evaluated to determine if the data in the fields are pertinent to a target database. If so, then the data in those fields can be mapped and transferred to a target database. The dynamic data discovery engine generates the commands in both the source and the target database command language to find all pertinent data, map and transfer the data from the source database to a target database. The dynamic data discovery engine generates commands to create the target database and/or fields within an existing target database for the mapped and transferred data.
US07720869B2
A method in a data processing system of searching a plurality of electronic files identified by filenames in a first hierarchical file structure that is on a recordable medium of the data processing system. A user-defined metalabel is assigned to each of the electronic files. The electronic files are organized as a function of the metalabels into a second hierarchical file structure existing simultaneously with the first hierarchical file structure on the recordable medium of the data processing system. A search query is received from a user and the metalabels of the second hierarchical file structure are searched as a function of the query. Each electronic file having a metalabel matching the query is returned to the user as a search result.
US07720865B2
A document management apparatus for managing an object includes an input unit that inputs setting of an operation related to an object, an execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to the object, based on the setting, a setting selection unit that selects setting of an operation related to a past-executed object, and an object selection unit that designates an object to which the setting selected by the setting selection unit is applied, wherein the setting of the operation related to the object is performed by utilizing the content of past setting of an operation related to another object of the same or a different type.
US07720861B1
An object-oriented system provides a comprehensive and integrated tool to manage, operate, analyze and inspect structures by providing 3-D visualization of the structures, a database interface, connectivity with one or more databases, a data display and analysis capabilities. The structural model is stored as an object-oriented, serialized file as a series of objects, including primitives, coordinates, object names, group names and other object identifiers. The system integrates various types of data, including tabulated textual data, annotated engineering drawings, photographic records, graphical plots, audio and videotaped records, from different tables and databases. Data are displayed to the user based on queries that the user submits to the system, which queries are evaluated at run-time. As a result, the user achieves unparalleled flexibility in data analysis and evaluation.
US07720854B2
Techniques are described herein that can be used to access entries in a packed table. An unpacked table includes empty and filled elements. Filled elements can be accumulated and included in a packed table. An element in the packed table can be accessed by considering the location the element would have been located in the unpacked table. The location can be used to determine the location of the element in the packed table.
US07720853B1
Generally described, a method and system for providing a flexible rule-based infrastructure for a self-policing discussion board is provided. More specifically, a method and system is provided for processing reports for messages posted in a discussion board and determining whether each report is accurate based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria are defined by a set of report handling rules which evolve over time by learning from previously processed activity reports. The set of report handling rules also defines an appropriate action to take with regards to an accused message as response to the report when the predetermined criteria are satisfied.
US07720852B2
A system, method, and computer program product retrieve information associated with the signals. The information retrieval can be performed on a signal by quantizing the signal, forming words, and indexing based on weights of the words. The words are formed by grouping letters together to form a number of words within predetermined threshold values. The weights of the words are determined using a binomial log likelihood ratio analysis. The present invention may be applied to identification of an unknown song.
US07720842B2
A method for facilitating the navigation of data generated using an analytic application. In particular, a method of creating and using a query chain to access data is described. The user designates some data field as being of particular interest. A list of further query chains for the user to choose from is shown. The user can select one of these query chains to further navigate the database, modify one of the query chains listed, or can create a new query chain by further navigating the database. The selections made by the user while further navigating the database are recorded and linked into a query chain, which can be stored for later use. Accordingly, user access to a field of particular interest is facilitated, and information of particular interest can be accessed in a timely manner.
US07720841B2
Disclosed are a method, information processing system, and computer readable medium for managing data collection in a distributed processing system. The method includes dynamically collecting at least one statistical query pattern associated with a selected group of information processing nodes. The statistical query pattern is dynamically collected from a plurality of information processing nodes in a distributed processing system. At least one operating attribute distribution associated with an operating attribute that has been queried for the selected group is dynamically monitored. The selected group is dynamically configured, based on the query pattern and the operating attribute distribution, to periodically push a set of attributes associated with the each information processing node in the selected group.
US07720833B1
A method and system for updating searches on an online auction site are described. In one embodiment, a database of auction postings is automatically searched based upon at least one search criteria to produce at least one new search result. The at least one new search result is compared with at least one previous search result. In addition, an e-mail notification of the result of the comparison is sent to a user notifying a user of the comparison.
US07720826B2
In a database whose entries contain values organized in categories, a first query is performed that includes input query values respectively associated with at least some of the categories and that seeks entries whose values match each input query value. Upon finding no entries, a category whose input query value to eliminate is identified. A second query is performed that includes the input query values except for the identified at least one category. The second query seeks any of the entries whose values match each of the input query values of the second query and that has no specified value for the identified at least one category. A data structure is configured to indicate an order that at least some of several categories will be eliminated when generating a new query after a previous query does not result in a match among entries of a database.
US07720825B2
A system, method, and computer program product for managing a retention period for electronic content data are disclosed. The method includes running a records manager system. The records manager system defines a retention period for a plurality of electronic content data. The records manager system instructs a digital rights manager system to protect each of the plurality of electronic content data. Each of the plurality of electronic content data are protected with at least one usage policy for at least one of the plurality of electronic content data related to the retention period as governed by the records manager system. The defined retention period is logged, for later auditing, for each of the plurality of the electronic content data.
US07720814B2
Word processing documents that are created using content from a database are used to repopulate a database. The document includes content placeholders that link the content to locations within the database from which the content was retrieved. The appropriate content based on the changes made to the document is extracted from the document and is placed back within the database at the correct location. The database is repopulated such that the content within the database does not include all of the metadata required to produce the desired look and feel of a document that is generated using the content.
US07720810B2
A method and system for synchronizing M application documentations across N database instances. N and M are each at least 2. A documentation synchronization agent is executed which updates N1 database instances with the M application documentations and does not update a remaining N-N1 database instances with the M application documentations if N1 is equal to N. N1 is at least 1. If N1 is less than N, then each of the remaining N-N1 database instances include a first and/or second characteristic. The first characteristic is that the remaining database instances include the M application documentations upon initiation of the executing. The second characteristic is that the agent is unable to access the remaining database instance during the executing.
US07720805B1
A method and system for unloading an IMS database. Segments in the segment array are stored in an indexed order or are stored in a relative byte address (RBA) order. In both cases, either an image copy of an IMS database or an actual IMS database processed sequentially may be utilized. For indexed order storage, a lookup table may be created to include a key value and a segment array location. A segment array may be created to store both the root and child segments from the IMS database. For RBA ordered storage, a first segment array may be created to store the root segments from the IMS database in a sequential order. Additionally, a second segment array may be created to store the child segments from the IMS database in a relative byte address (RBA) order.
US07720803B2
Systems and techniques for mapping of a transactional data model to a reporting data model are described. In one aspect, an article includes one or more machine-readable media storing instructions operable to cause one or more machines to perform operations. The operations include receiving a transactional data model and a view that includes a collection of view fields, each view field referencing an object in the transactional data model, mapping one or more of a plurality of view fields in the collection to one or more of a plurality of data warehouse objects, and grouping the mapped data warehouse objects into a reporting data model.
US07720801B2
A system and method for improving the efficiency of the transmission of updated blocks generated by logging all the block allocations and deletes as well as CPs and PCPI creation and deletion in a persistent log. The log is scanned during each update cycle (in which changes are transmitted to a destination mirror) by the storage operating system, and only changed blocks that are referenced by the file system as it existed at the end of the update cycle or referenced by PCPIs that existed at the end of the update cycle are actually sent in the transmission. This reduces the number of changes being transmitted.
US07720800B2
A method for hosting versioned web services includes steps of: receiving a request from a service requester, the request comprising version metadata; parsing the request; extracting the version metadata from the parsing step; and locating a target implementation version using the version metadata. If the target implementation version is located, the method proceeds by dynamically routing the versioned request to the target implementation version.
US07720797B2
A system that electronically collects, translates, groups, and delivers wage assignment information from at least one initiator to at least one recipient via an accumulator is described. An initiator initially receives the wage assignment information. Then, an accumulator collects the wage assignment information from at least one initiator, such as a government agency. The accumulator then translates the wage assignment information into a format compatible with electronic data interchange (EDI), such as the ANSI X12 standard. The accumulator then groups the EDI wage assignment information into specific files, batching the files based upon one data field contained within the wage assignment information data set, such as a recipient. The accumulator then delivers a batched EDI wage assignment file to each respective recipient. Once the EDI wage assignment file is received by the recipient, the wage assignment may then be implemented.
US07720792B2
Disclosed are methods and computer program products for automatically identifying and compensating for stop words in a text processing system. This automatic stop word compensation allows such operations as performing queries on an abstract mathematical space built using all words from all texts, with the ability to compensate for the skew that the inclusion of the stop words may have introduced into the space. Documents are represented by document vectors in the abstract mathematical space. To compensate for stop words, a weight function is applied to a predetermined component of the document vectors associated with frequently occurring word(s) contained in the documents. The weight function may be applied dynamically during query processing. Alternatively, the weight function may be applied statically to all document vectors.
US07720791B2
A job searching and matching system and method is disclosed that gathers job seeker information in the form of job seeker parameters from one or more job seekers, gathers job information in the form of job parameters from prospective employers and/or recruiters, correlates the information with past job seeker behavior, parameters and behavior from other job seekers, and job parameters and, in response to a job seeker's query, provides matching job results based on common parameters between the job seeker and jobs along with suggested alternative jobs based on the co-relationships and based on ratings and preferences provided by the job seeker and provides negative filtration of undesirable jobs based on job seeker input and in response to queries from the system in order to efficiently and accurately accommodate job seeker perception. In addition, the system correlates employer/recruiter behavior information with past employer/recruiter behavior, parameters and information concerning other job seekers, which are candidates to the employer, and resume parameters, and, in response to a Employer's query, provides matching job seeker results based on common parameters between the job seeker resumes and jobs along with suggested alternative job seeker candidates based on the identified co-relationships and specifies job seekers to be eliminated from displayed results.
US07720784B1
A system and method of obtaining and processing emotive intelligence in electronic applications and devices is disclosed. This includes capturing author feelings. Feelings are assigned a pain-pleasure attribute and performance of string operations on the feelings attached text in performance of a service couple author intended meaning, satisfaction or motivation to degree of pleasure or pain associated with string text or string operations. The capability to capture and process emotive content allows for locating goods or services on a network, where providers anticipate a transaction on customer needs emotionally based.Artificial emotive intelligence is applied in machine characters by endowing them with software entities of emotive states and associated intensities, and threshold values that trigger actions, with events triggering actions or behavior by threading through the character emotive makeup.
US07720783B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that detects inferences from documents. During operation, the system receives one or more documents and extracts a first set of knowledge relevant to the documents. The system further formulates one or more queries to one or more reference corpora based on the first set of knowledge. The system then extracts a second set of knowledge from results received in response to the queries. Additionally, the system produces a mapping relationship between at least one document and a piece of the second set of knowledge which is not within the first set of knowledge, the mapping relationship indicating an inference from the documents.
US07720782B2
Predictive models are developed automatically for a plurality of modeling variables. The plurality of modeling variables is transformed, based on a transformation rule. A clustering of the transformed modeling variables is performed to create variable clusters. A set of variables is selected from the variable clusters based on a selection rule. A regression of the set of variables is performed to determine prediction variables. The prediction variables are utilized in developing a predictive model. The development of the predictive model may include modification of the predictive model, review of the plurality of transformations, and validation of the predictive model.
US07720781B2
A feature selection method for selecting a predetermined number of features, the method may comprise for each category, ranking features according to feature ranking for two-category problems; and while the predetermined number of features has not yet been selected: picking a category c; selecting a feature based on the ranking for category c; and adding the selecting feature to an output list if not already present in the output list and removing the selected feature from further consideration for the category c. An apparatus and computer program code are also provided.
US07720780B1
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating multiple users or groups in thinking about and working collaboratively on an arbitrary problem, Embodiments of the system includes logic to facilitate multiple user or group specification of a problem specification, a conclusion specification, and a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the system further include logic to subdivide and link at least one of the problem specification, conclusion specification and knowledge specification, as for work by individuals or subteams. Some embodiments include automatic composition logic to combine at least one of the problem specification, knowledge specification and conclusion specification across multiple users or teams and other embodiments provide automatic suggestioning regarding the archetype group problem solving process.
US07720774B2
A learning apparatus for building a network structure of a Bayesian network based on learning data. In the Bayesian network, a cause and effect relationship between plural nodes is represented by a directed graph. The learning apparatus includes a storage portion in which the learning data is stored and a learning portion for building the network structure based on the learning data. The learning portion prepares an initial population of individuals formed by individuals each having a genotype in which orders between the nodes and cause and effect relationship have been stipulated, repeatedly performs processing for crossovers and/or mutations on the initial population of individuals based on a genetic algorithm, calculates an evaluated value of each individual based on the learning data, searches for an optimum one of the individuals, and takes a phenotype of the optimum individual as the network structure.
US07720772B2
A document (or multiple documents) is analyzed to identify entities of interest within that document. This is accomplished by constructing n-gram or bi-gram models that correspond to different kinds of text entities, such as chemistry-related words and generic English words. The models can be constructed from training text selected to reflect a particular kind of text entity. The document is tokenized, and the tokens are run against the models to determine, for each token, which kind of text entity is most likely to be associated with that token. The entities of interest in the document can then be annotated accordingly.
US07720766B2
Auxiliary digital data is sold and bought. A process for selling auxiliary digital data is performed with respect to a process for cancelling a limitation of use of the digital data. A process for buying the auxiliary digital data is performed. A process for receiving a selling request and a buying request is performed, and selling and buying transactions are concluded. The process of selling, the process of buying, and the process of selling and buying are each performed by transmitting and receiving data through a communication network.
US07720752B2
Methods, media, and systems for providing a custom hedged adjustable rate mortgage are provided. These methods, media, and systems provide hedges and mortgages that may be used in conjunction with the retail mortgage sector. To facilitate these hedges and mortgages, computer systems are provided that allow a user to calculate fees, interest rates, and payments for these products based upon various factors selected by a user. The methods, media, and systems also provide a savings calculator that enables a user to determine what savings will be made be purchasing a hedge and/or mortgage under one or more scenarios.
US07720749B2
A computer-implemented method of purchasing or selling exchange-traded shares is performed by entering into a computer an order to purchase or sell exchange-traded shares on behalf of an investor on the secondary market through a broker, executing the order on the secondary market via one or computers, and updating account data of the investor in one or more account data computers to reflect the new number of exchange-traded shares held by the investor. The exchange-traded shares are exchange-traded shares that are associated with a single investment company that has issued one or more classes of shares that are bought from and redeemed with the single investment company at a net asset value, and one or more classes of shares that are listed for trading on a securities exchange and that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices. The shares that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices are the exchange-traded shares. The owner of any share of any share class has an undivided interest in the single investment company.
US07720746B2
An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed.
US07720736B2
Participants purchase into a given system for a given period of time. Those with investment gains, by definition, are without loss and need no compensation from the system. Those with investment losses are reimbursed by the system according to previously agreed upon terms. Total loss of a given system's participants is calculated, with that figure compared to the previously agreed upon amount of funds available for loss compensation (total revenue generated by participant premiums minus previously agreed upon detracted percentage for firm or a sum set forward by the company that is independent of a given system's generated revenue).
US07720732B2
A system for generating recommendation data includes an assessment unit and an evaluation unit. The assessment unit is configured to receive transaction data for a plurality of transactions and to assess each transaction and generate assessment data based thereon. The evaluation unit is coupled with the assessment unit and configured to receive an evaluation request including a proposed transaction, and generate recommendation data including a certainty indicator which indicates a level of certainty that the proposed transaction will be successful according to predetermined criteria.
US07720726B2
Financial management applications may operate according to RIB rules in which expenditure budget limits are increased as an organization or department thereof realizes revenue. When such applications operate in conjunction with complicated data structures for revenues and budget, it can become burdensome to define a plurality of RIB rules individually. A configuration system includes a RIB strategy array containing a relatively small set of meta-rules for identifiers of various portions of a revenue data structure to which they apply. An automated configuration system surveys the revenue data structure, determines which value transforms and destination addresses of a budget database apply and generate a larger set of RIB rules that will govern in the financial management application during normal system operation.
US07720724B2
A management server for managing inventory of articles and a terminal device for inquiring the condition of inventory are provided. The management server is provided with an inventory database and a database control portion for controlling input and output of data to and from the inventory database. The inventory database stores, as management information, information identifying articles and salespersons responsible for the articles as well as, for articles specified to be included in open inventory, information indicating that persons other than the salespersons responsible for the articles are permitted to sell the particular article. Furthermore, the management server accepts access by particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in ordinary inventory and also accepts access by users other than the particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in open inventory.
US07720722B2
A system that receives, at a network-based social platform, a request from a first user of the network-based social platform. The request is to add an item to a list associated with a second user of the network-based social platform. The list is for watching items offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. Next, the system determines whether the first user is authorized to add the item to the list associated with the second user based on relationship information that identifies a predetermined relationship between the first user and the second user on the network-based social platform. Finally, the system communicates the request to the network-based marketplace to add the item to the list associated with the second user.
US07720716B2
A quotation system and method are provided (see FIG. 1). A relational database (10) allows various departments (14, 16, 18, 20) to prepare a quotation. The relational database centralizes data to increase efficiency, and the data may be modified, as needed, for particular quotation solutions.
US07720712B1
A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a user at a client system and received by a server system. The client system can display information identifying the item and, for each of multiple procurement options having information related to ordering the identified item, can display an indication of the procurement option such that selection of the displayed indication represents an ordering of the identified item using the information of the procurement option. In response to selection of a displayed indication, the client system can send to a server computer a request to order the identified item using the information of the procurement option for the selected indication.
US07720710B2
A self-service system and method which uses shared components. The self-service checkout system includes a checkout platform including a plurality of checkout stations arranged together and associated with a plurality of checkout lanes, and checkout components including unshared components at each of the checkout stations and shared components available for use by customers at any of the checkout stations, and a computer for receiving indications of starts of overlapping transactions at two or more of the plurality of checkout stations, for establishing transaction records for the transactions, for determining that one of the checkout components must be used at a point in one of the transactions, for interrupting the one transaction, for determining that the one checkout component is a shared component, for determining that the one checkout component is in use by another of the transactions, and for resuming the one transaction after the one checkout component is no longer being used by the other transaction.
US07720696B1
A computerized system of tracking health conditions of users associated with a client for diagnosing sleep apnea through forming an encrypted web based questionnaire. The user inputs information such as company personal information, individual personal information, health information, and personal health information. This information is then electronically compiled and a health screening service report is outputted such as witnessed sleep apnea, self admitted sleep apnea, body mass index of each user, and summary of results of a sleep test.
US07720691B2
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system (10), a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system (10) has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from the first computer system (10). The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. The rules engine defines a plurality of health care data fields in the predefined format, as well as a plurality of relationships between fields of normalized data.
US07720690B2
A computer-implemented method is performed during an online chat session between a customer service representative (CSR) of a merchant, and the merchant's customer. Conversational text of the session is analyzed to determine a mood of the customer. Previously collected information about the customer is accessed, from a database that stores information about customers of the merchant. A tip is determined and sent to be displayed to the CSR. The tip is determined based on the mood and the accessed previously collected information. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07720687B2
A method and system provides transactions and arrangements in virtual world environments. A user can participate in transactions to acquire virtual property and related virtual rights. In some implementations, real-world and virtual parties can be involved in possible transfers of various types of virtual property and virtual property rights.
US07720680B2
A method and system of providing an interactive manual, including a speech engine to receive and process speech from a user, convert the speech into a word sequence, and identify meaning structures from the word sequence, a structured manual including information related to an operation of a device, a visual model to relate visual representation of the information, a dialog management arrangement to interpret the meaning structures in a context and to extract pertinent information and the visual representation from the structured manual and the visual model, and an output arrangement to output the information and visual representation.
US07720675B2
A method and system for determining text coherence in an essay is disclosed. A method of evaluating the coherence of an essay includes receiving an essay having one or more discourse elements and text segments. The one or more discourse elements are annotated either manually or automatically. A text segment vector is generated for each text segment in a discourse element using sparse random indexing vectors. The method or system then identifies one or more essay dimensions and measures the semantic similarity of each text segment based on the essay dimensions. Finally, a coherence level is assigned to the essay based on the measured semantic similarities.
US07720673B2
A method and system for dynamic language modeling of a document are described. In one embodiment, a number of local probabilities of a current document are computed and a vector representation of the current document in a latent semantic analysis (LSA) space is determined. In addition, a number of global probabilities based upon the vector representation of the current document in an LSA space is computed. Further, the local probabilities and the global probabilities are combined to produce the language modeling.
US07720671B2
A method for emulating a system call includes making the system call by a first process in a first operating system (OS) for interacting with a second process, wherein the first OS is emulated in a second OS, spawning an agent process, wherein the agent process is a child process of the first process, implementing a functionality of the system call using a general mechanism in the second OS between the agent process and the second process, passing a result associated with the system call from the second process to the agent process using the general mechanism, and relaying the result from the agent process to the first process using a system call in the second OS, wherein the result is stored by the first process.
US07720661B2
A method for a geometry of a lateral comb drive for an in-plane, electrostatic force feedback, closed-loop, micromachined accelerometer or closed-loop Coriolis rate gyroscope device, or closed-loop capacitive pressure or force measuring device. When vibration is applied to the device, the error in the time-average output, which is vibration rectification error, due to this input vibration is minimized or eliminated. The geometry resulting from practice of the present invention is space-efficient because drive force is maximized while vibration rectification is minimized or eliminated.
US07720659B2
A method, system and computer program product for simulating a fluid flow in a reservoir are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the current invention includes a method for simulating a fluid flow in a reservoir, the method comprising: providing an initial grid including multiple grid cells, each grid cell including a cell property; adjusting the initial grid to generated a modified grid in the case that a pressure equivalent radius under the initial grid is smaller than a well bore radius of the reservoir; and simulating the fluid flow in the reservoir based on the modified grid.
US07720652B2
A location history is a collection of locations over time for an object. By applying a recurring time period to a location history, it can be converted into a stochastic model of the location history. For example, a location history can be reorganized based on intervals that subside a recurring cycle. In a described implementation, training a location history model involves traversing each interval of multiple cycles of a target location history. After each object location at each interval is entered into a training matrix, the intervals can be normalized to determine relative probabilities per location for each interval of a designated cycle. The training and resulting location history model can be Markovian or non-Markovian. Applications include probabilistic location estimation, fusion of location estimates, location-history simulation, optimal scheduling, transition analysis, clique analysis, and so forth.
US07720648B2
A method for adapting threshold values in an electronic signal processing device, involving a plurality of different threshold values being calculated and being compared with processing variables calculated in the signal processing device, involves calculation of a common correction value which is valid for the various threshold values. The threshold values are then set on the basis of the common correction value.
US07720644B2
A spectrum of a set of samples from a data stream of sampled data is estimated until a targeted signal to noise ratio is achieved.
US07720636B1
Performance monitors (PMs) are provided in a system to identify the execution time for data being transferred within the system and determine operation parameters of the system based on the rate data is transferred. The operation parameters are then used to configure hardware within the system. The PMs can provide a histogram of the transactions usable to evaluate system performance. The PMs can provide a time line diagram of the transactions to show the specific order the transactions occurred. The PMs can be provided in a multi-port memory controller (MPMC) to monitor the speed of read and write transactions from the MPMC ports, and used to configure logic within the MPMC to maximize the rate of data flow.
US07720630B1
A computer-implemented method of providing personalized weather and transportation information includes receiving operational parameters, a user profile, and weather data. Personalized weather and transportation information is derived based on the received weather, operational parameters, and the user profile. The personalized weather and transportation information is presented to a user.
US07720628B2
Systems and methods for digitally controlling sensors. In one embodiment, a digital controller for a capacitance diaphragm gauge is embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller receives digitized input from a sensor AFE via a variable gain module, a zero offset module and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller automatically calibrates the received input by adjusting the variable gain and zero offset modules. The controller also monitors and adjusts a heater assembly to maintain an appropriate temperature at the sensor. The controller utilizes a kernel module that allocates processing resources to the various tasks of a gauge controller module. The kernel module repetitively executes iterations of a loop, wherein in each iteration, all of a set of high priority tasks are performed and one of a set of lower priority tasks are performed. The controller module thereby provides sensor measurement output at precisely periodic intervals, while performing ancillary functions as well.
US07720626B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying dissimilarity indices for a structure is presented. A first test signal is sent into a baseline model of the structure. An estimated response signal to the first test signal sent into the baseline model of the structure is received. A second test signal is sent into the structure. A second response single to the second test signal is received. A value is assigned to a model-based dissimilarity index using the first response compared to the second response.
US07720625B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a measuring device, especially a flowmeter. The aim of the invention is to simplify inspection if the sensors have been correctly installed. For this purpose, the installation state is detected by the sensors themselves, i.e. by sensing a corresponding sensor value and comparing it with characteristic data. The result of comparison is electronically evaluated and automatically estimated whether the characteristic data obtained match the comparative data within at least a defined tolerance.
US07720620B2
A system and method for determining non-linear load harmonics impact on the voltage distortion at the point of common coupling is disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising metering voltage on an electric power system; metering current on the electric power system; determining a predicted voltage based upon the metered current; comparing the predicted voltage with the metered voltage; and determining a harmonic voltage component using a plurality of weights determined when the predicted voltage converges with the metered voltage.
US07720618B2
A method for monitoring fluid levels in a tank. A first step involves modelling the tank to identify fluid zones of fluids having differing densities, the heat retention characteristics of each the fluid zones and the relative relationships between each of the fluid zones. A second step involves obtaining a heat profile of the tank. A third step involves analyzing the heat profile based upon the modelling to generate relative fluid level data for the tank.
US07720612B2
The present invention relates to methods for resolving convoluted peaks in a chromatogram into one or more constituent peaks using peak resolution values. The peaks methods of the invention determine empirical peak resolution values of “well-defined” or “isolated” peaks in the data, then extrapolate these empirical resolution values to peaks in neighboring regions to predict the number of constituent peaks at a given peak position. Predicted peak resolution values are compared to observed peak resolution values of low-resolution or convoluted peaks to determine the number of constituent peaks in the convoluted peaks. These methods enable extension of the region of data that can used for identifying nucleotide sequences, and increase base-calling accuracy in the low-resolution region (end region) of data.
US07720610B2
A method for detecting a psychological disorder in a person comprises collecting movement and, optionally, other data from the person by a device borne by the person; storing the data in a memory in contact with the device during the collection of data; transferring the stored data to a computer; calculating at least one set of parameter data distinctive of the movement data; feeding the least one set of parameter data to an Artificial Neural Network trained to recognize in the data a feature specific for a psychological disorder or a group of such disorders. Also is disclosed an assembly for carrying out the method.
US07720608B2
The present invention is directed to signal processing means for detecting and discriminating between geological layers encountered by kinetic energy subterranean vehicles in flight (terra-craft), using a raw signal representing deceleration of the terra-craft. The signal processing means uses autocorrelation and filtering to amplify the rate of deceleration, allowing the same to be compared to extensive data compiled for the US government regarding rates of deceleration in known materials, using various craft geometry. In this way, the unknown material encountered by the terra-craft can be identified by comparing the deceleration of the craft through a layer of material to the known data for the craft geometry. The signal processing means may further include a plurality of circuits to detect and annunciate varying layers in a media, and to track in real time the location of the projectile.
US07720597B2
A vehicle control system includes a tracking unit and a function unit cooperating therewith. The tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a tracking controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Further, the function unit may include at least one uniquely coded transmitter to be carried by a user, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the at least one uniquely coded transmitter, and a function controller at the vehicle and connected to the receiver for learning the at least one uniquely coded transmitter to permit control of a vehicle function by the user. The function controller may advantageously cooperate with the wireless communications device of the tracking unit for sending an alert indication of whether at least one new uniquely coded transmitter has been learned.
US07720594B2
A fuel injector control method comprises determining a required separation time between a termination of an on signal associated with a first injection event and an initiation of an on signal associated with a second injection event. The method comprises calculating an overlap time between the separation time and the time to charge the piezoelectric stack to a first level; dividing the overlap time into first and second time periods as a function of the charge and discharge currents; applying the charge current to the piezoelectric stack for a charge time; and applying the discharge current to the piezoelectric stack for a discharge time so as to discharge the stack to a second level, wherein the discharge time is calculated on the basis of the second time period of the overlap time. Thus, first and second injection events are merged in a pulse mode of operation.
US07720581B2
This document describes, among other things, a systems and methods for monitoring vehicle conditions via cellular networks. In some embodiments, a system for monitoring vehicle conditions is provided that includes at least one network information repository server having at least one database containing information related to vehicle conditions. The at least one network information repository server is configured to receive updates from mobile stations that perform a comparison of vehicle conditions based on actual information sensed by the mobile stations as compared to expected vehicle conditions and that upon identifying an inconsistency send an update to the network information repository server. Moreover, the network information repository server is configured to transmit updated information to a cellular network for broadcasting or multicasting to mobile stations or to send information via a cellular interface or wirelessly to mobile stations.
US07720580B2
An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The image array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at the vehicle with a field of view exteriorly of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The captured image comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control algorithmically processes the image data set to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The control processes the reduced image data set to extract information from the reduced image data set. The control selects the reduced image data set based on a steering angle of the vehicle.
US07720577B2
Systems and methods having front end filters for data links for improved tracking of moving objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing at least one characteristic of a moveable object using a sensor of an acquisition system, and sensing at least one characteristic of the moveable object using an auxiliary sensor. A data link update is transmitted from the auxiliary sensor to the acquisition system, and the data link update is conditioned to provide composite likelihood. The conditioning includes differencing the data link update and at least one predicted characteristic of the moveable object to produce at least one residual (e.g. using a plurality of Kalman filters). A viewing direction of the sensor may be adjusted based at least in part on the composite likelihood. In another embodiment, residuals are projected along sensor line of sight to form a multi-modal non-Gaussian composite likelihood.
US07720573B2
A robot control apparatus includes a control apparatus body fixedly installed and connected to a robot and a portable teaching pendant connected to the control apparatus body to operate the robot through the teaching pendant. The teaching pendant includes an imaging device connector for connecting an imaging device to the teaching pendant so as to enable the image picked up by the imaging device to be directly input to the teaching pendant through the imaging device connector.
US07720571B2
A process execution apparatus and method is disclosed by which a process can be executed significantly simply and readily. The process execution apparatus includes a direction recognition section for recognizing a housing member shaking direction in which a housing member is shaken, and a process execution section for executing a process in response to the housing member shaking direction recognized by the direction recognition section. The direction recognition section recognizes the housing member shaking direction with respect to a direction of the gravity detected when the housing member is held by a person.
US07720567B2
An apparatus includes a conveyor, a programmable motion device, and a controller. The conveyor preferably includes actuatable rollers, and the programmable motion device is preferably a robotic arm. The controller operates the conveyor, a stopping rail, and a positioning rail to move and position a box in a cutting position relative to the robotic arm. The controller determines three dimension of the box and translates a programmed cut pattern to those determined dimensions. Based on the determined dimensions, the controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cut pattern in the box with the cutting element. The cutting element preferably has square blade so that each of the four blades can be used to cut a side of the box without having to rotate the cutting element during operation.
US07720566B1
Three software programs are respectively run on the main processing constituent of a programmable logic controller (PLC), the network-controlling constituent of the PLC, and a human interface unit. Intelligent (e.g., switch, sensor, control, etc.) devices are distributed within a communications network associated with a vertical package conveyor (VPC). Signals are transmitted between/among the processing constituent, the controlling constituent, the interface and the devices. In an ongoing informational and regulative process, the devices provide input for the processing constituent, which in turn provides output to the devices. In furtherance of human safety, the processing constituent causes VPC operation to stop upon the occurrence of any of the following events: breached light curtain; open machinery access door; inoperable run stop button; inoperable emergency stop button; activated emergency stop button; misplaced package. The processing constituent also dictates the direction (up or down) and mode (constant or variable) of the VPC.
US07720559B1
A method and an apparatus for routing a semiconductor wafer to at least one of a plurality of processing tools based upon tool performance. Data relating to a performance of a first processing tool and a performance of a second processing tool is acquired. A semiconductor wafer is routed to one of the first processing tool or the second processing tool based upon a comparison between the performance of the first processing tool and the performance of the second processing tool using a controller.
US07720558B2
In a first aspect, a first method of mapping contents of a substrate carrier is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) coupling a sensor to the substrate carrier or a loadport adapted to receive the substrate carrier; and (2) determining a presence or absence of a substrate in a slot of the substrate carrier using the sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07720555B2
A heating device for a field-device display module includes a heating element. The heating element is adapted to the shape of the field-device display module and is equipped such that it converts an electrical current to thermal energy. The heating element can be coupled to the field-device display module such that by the heating element the field-device display module can be heated.
US07720554B2
The invention is generally related to the estimation of position and orientation of an object with respect to a local or a global coordinate system using reflected light sources. A typical application of the method and apparatus includes estimation and tracking of the position of a mobile autonomous robot. Other applications include estimation and tracking of an object for position-aware, ubiquitous devices. Additional applications include tracking of the positions of people or pets in an indoor environment. The methods and apparatus comprise one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, signal processing circuitry, and signal processing methods to determine the position and orientation of at least one of the optical sensors based at least in part on the detection of the signal of one or more emitted light sources reflected from a surface.
US07720548B2
Techniques for adjusting stimulation are disclosed. A medical device measures an impedance associated with one or more electrodes, e.g., the impedance presented to the medical device by a total electrical circuit that includes the one or more electrodes, the conductors associated with the electrodes, and tissue proximate to the electrodes. The medical device stores at least one patient-specific relationship between impedance and a stimulation parameter, and adjusts the value of the stimulation parameter based on the measured impedance according to the relationship. The medical device may store multiple relationships, and select one the relationships based on, for example, an activity level of the patient, posture of the patient, or a current stimulation program or electrode combination used to deliver stimulation. By adjusting a stimulation parameter, such as amplitude, according to such a relationship, the stimulation intensity as perceived by the patient may be kept substantially constant.
US07720544B2
A system for enabling telemetry in implantable medical devices is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an implantable medical device having radio-frequency telemetry capabilities. The device includes a housing and electronic circuitry contained within the housing. The device also includes an antenna connected to the electronic circuitry, the antenna having a helical portion and a whip portion, the whip portion separate from a feed conductor and adapted to enhance a radiation pattern of the antenna. According to various embodiments, the antenna and circuitry are adapted to facilitate transmission and reception of modulated radio-frequency energy at a specified carrier frequency. At least a portion of the antenna is embedded in a dielectric compartment, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US07720536B2
A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the power supply comprising a capacitor subsystem for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing electrical energy to the capacitor subsystem.
US07720532B2
An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed. Additionally a method for malignant tumor removal is provided, comprising, fixing the soft tissue within a frame, performing imaging with the hand-held, integrated tool, from a plurality of locations and orientations around the soft tissue, reconstructing a three-dimensional image of the soft tissue and the tumor within, defining a desired clean margin on the reconstructed image, calculating a recommended incision path, displaying the recommended path on the reconstructed image, and cutting the tissue while determining its type, at the near zone volume of the incision surface. The method may further include continuously imaging with the cutting, continuously correcting the reconstructed image and the recommended incision path, and continuously determining the tissue type, at the near zone volume of the incision surface.
US07720531B2
A system and method determines from EEG signals the lack of awareness and the depth of anesthesia of a patient to whom an anesthetic agent is being administered. In particular, a log-log representation of the EEG power spectrum is converted to two intersecting lines so that the intersection point and the relative slopes can be analyzed to determine a state of awareness of a patient. This system and method may also be used in an analysis of the brain function of a sleeping individual to distinguish between different levels of non-REM sleep, REM sleep, and awakeness.
US07720529B1
A control system for an implantable cardiac therapy device, the device defining a plurality of sensing vectors including at least one impedance sensing vector and operating under a set of a plurality of variable operating parameters that define conditions for delivery of therapy and wherein the control system evaluates signal quality from the at least one impedance sensing vector and, if the quality is sufficient to discern valvular events, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to dynamically improve cardiac performance, including synchrony with valvular events, and if the quality is insufficient to discern valvular events, but sufficient to discern peaks, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to dynamically improve cardiac performance independent of valvular events, and if the quality is insufficient to discern peaks, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to induce cardiac performance towards a defined performance goal.
US07720527B2
A subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus includes: a light source section that irradiates a surface of a living body with plural light rays having different central wavelengths; a light receiving section that receives the plural light rays of different wavelengths emerging from the surface of a living body and determining the quantities of the plural light rays received; and a calculator section that calculates the thickness of subcutaneous fat of the surface of a living body from the quantities of the plural light rays received measured by the light receiving section using a previously determined relationship among subcutaneous fat thicknesses, blood concentrations in subcutaneous fat and quantities of plural light rays having different central wavelengths.
US07720523B2
A medical imaging system includes a medical imaging device, a medical imaging control subsystem, and an activation unit. The medical imaging control subsystem includes a processing unit and a monitor. The processing unit is in communication with the medical imaging device and the monitor. The activation unit is operatively connected to the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem, wherein the activation unit is operable to deactivate the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem.
US07720508B2
A radio controller includes: a schedule information receiver for receiving schedule information related to a schedule of data transmission; a selection execution determiner for determining, based on the schedule information, whether or not to select a cell used by a mobile station after the data reception; and a selection execution commander for commanding the mobile station to select the cell used after the data reception in accordance with a determination result by the selection execution determiner.
US07720503B2
A method for controlling power in a communication system. In the power control method, a transmitter receives feedback information from receivers located in its own cell; determines data rates of the receivers according to the received feedback information, calculates a load of the cell by calculating an amount of data to be transmitted to the receivers; and calculates transmission power of the transmitter by comparing the load of the cell with a threshold.
US07720500B2
In a wireless local area network which includes access point having variable transmitter power levels, transmitter power data is sent from the access points to the mobile units and used by the mobile units in order to provide a corresponding variation in the transmitter power of the mobile unit.
US07720499B2
A method of optimizing link transmission parameters between access nodes within a mesh network is disclosed. The method includes each access node within the mesh transmitting packets at N different combinations of data rates and power levels. Each receiving node that receives the data packets at one or more of the N combinations, selects a most desirable one of the received combinations. The receiving nodes indicate to the transmitting nodes the selected most desired combination for transmitting to the receiving node.
US07720498B2
Apparatus and method are provided for displaying a push-to-talk (PTT) communication service subscriber having the right to speak in a portable terminal capable of using a PTT communication service. When the PTT communication service is executed, information of a PTT communication service subscriber having the speaking right is received. Image information is extracted from the received information of the PTT communication service subscriber having the speaking right. The extracted image information is displayed. While the PTT communication service is executed, an image of a buddy having the speaking right can be displayed. Accordingly, the PTT communication service can be realistically executed, the speaking right that is frequently shifted can be clearly identified, and user convenience can be improved.
US07720496B2
A method of processing data comprises the receiving a frame of data having a predetermined number of time slots (502,504,506). Each time slot comprises a respective plurality of data symbols (520). The method further comprises a primary (508), a secondary (510) and a tertiary (512) synchronization code in each said predetermined number of time slots.
US07720492B2
The present application discloses an apparatus, system and method for reducing the time required for transmitting a multimedia message from any sender to any addressee and thus generally cut the cost of the multimedia message service. A traffic channel connection is kept to a receiving telecommunication device, which is established by a multimedia message service center that has received a multimedia message designated by a transmitting telecommunication device for said receiving telecommunication device, for example, in order to transmit an information message to the receiving telecommunication device during an SMS session by means of which the multimedia message service center informs the receiving telecommunication device about the arrival of the multimedia message, established for at least the period of time it takes the receiving telecommunication device to evaluate the received information message and hold an MMS session for fetching the message content of the multimedia message designated for the receiving telecommunication device from the multimedia message service center.
US07720479B2
A wireless communications system, e.g., an OFDM system, uses a plurality of carrier frequencies each with an associated frequency band. A base station sector transmitter in the system transmits ordinary signaling, e.g., user data, in its own assigned band. In addition the sector base station transmitter periodically transmits beacon signals into its own frequency band and the frequency bands used by adjacent sector transmitters for their ordinary signaling. Beacon signals, being short duration high power signals with sector transmission power concentrated on one or a few tones, are easily detectable. Each beacon signal may be identified as to the source base station sector transmitter, e.g., based on tone. A mobile node, tuned to a single carrier band, receives a plurality of beacon signals, identifies the sources of the received beacons, compares the received strength of the beacons, and makes handoff decisions, without having to switch carrier band.
US07720476B2
A method for is disclosed in which a first message is received from a first device. Upon receipt of the first message, a registration request is transmitted via the first device to a home agent for pre-registration of a co-located care-of address associated with a second device. The registration request includes the co-located care-of address associated with the second device. If the first message is received again from the first device prior to attaching to the second device, the registration request is re-transmitted via the first device.
US07720475B2
An apparatus and method for providing a communiqué constituting program content concurrently delivered to a plurality of subscribers is described. Subscriber confirmation for each of a plurality of subscribers is stored. The subscribers whose wireless devices are active in a cell are identified. Data that identifies a plurality of subscribers is automatically generated. One or more cell are selected to provide communiqué to subscribers who are members of at least one community of subscribers and who are served by other cells of the cellular communication network. Data constituting said communiqué from a selected program source is routed, concurrently, to authorized wireless subscriber devices.
US07720466B2
A communication system includes a transmission unit configured to transmit control information relating to plural radio communication systems to a radio terminal through a dedicated control channel commonly used by the plural radio communication systems and for transmitting the control information relating to the plural radio communication systems.
US07720460B2
In one embodiment, when a mobile telephone accessible to the Internet accesses a homepage provider server, character codes of the homepage accessed is identified. Thereafter, a homepage is displayed using character codes in the mobile telephone on the basis of the identification. The homepage provider server provides information for identifying character codes. A character code provider always updates and registers the latest character codes. The mobile telephone accesses the homepage provider server and the character code provider through wireless telephone network and the Internet.
US07720459B2
The remote collection of data for the account of an entity (2) uses a data communications network (26) operated by a third party (28) with respect to the entity. It is characterised in that the access to said data communication network (26) by the entity for remote data collection is governed dynamically by said third party (28) as a function of the spare data-carrying capacity of the communications network. The third party (28) may thus grant the entity (2) access to the communications network (26) when the level of the third party's own data traffic on said network is below a determined threshold value, corresponding to an occupation below peak capacity. The approach finds applications notably in the field of automatic meter reading (AMR), where the network operator, e.g. a cellular telephone operator, is a third party with respect to the utilities company (2), and the collected data is meter reading data from remote meters (14a-14g) sent via GPRS interfaces (16a-16d).
US07720446B2
A multi-position device has first and second body elements configured for sliding engagement and constrained movement with respect to one another along a common plane in X, Y and XY coordinate directions for positioning the body elements in multiple different fixed positions relative to one another and for accessing one or more user interfaces carried on an outward facing surface of one body element covered by the other body element. The body elements are arranged to move relative to another from an overlapping alignment along linear, L-shaped and triangular paths in X, Y and XY coordinate directions back to the original overlapping alignment.
US07720445B2
Described is a modular access point for wireless communications. The access point includes a housing which has at least one module receiving slot and a first wireless communication radio. The radio communicates with a first wireless device via a first frequency band. The access point also includes a removable module configured for insertion into the module receiving slot. The module includes a second communication radio utilizing a second frequency band so that, when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a second wireless device via at least one of the first and second frequency bands. The access point includes a plurality of antenna connectors which are connected to the first and second radios. The access pint may utilize external antennas or internal antenna modules which interchangeably attachable to the antenna connectors.
US07720444B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which 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 the meaning of the claims.
US07720439B2
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for integrating a media device with a network. A media device may be connected to a cradle device to receive updates of digital content. The cradle device may be coupled to a wireless link to receive content data and/or signals.
US07720438B2
Methods, mobile terminal devices and computer program products are provided that are capable of reducing power consumption by detecting error events signifying unsuccessful short-range wireless communication activation operations and adjusting the frequency of the activation of the reader based on the detection of the error events. In this regard, the invention prevents the device from powering-up the processor for the read operation when the mobile terminal is in the vicinity of a wireless communication system whose signals are being received by the mobile terminal but are not intended for the use of the mobile terminal. By limiting the powering-up of the processor, power of the mobile terminal is preserved.
US07720434B2
A system for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is provided. The system includes a GPS antenna configured to receive signals transmitted by a GPS satellite, and a satellite digital radio antenna configured to receive satellite digital radio signals. The system also includes an amplifier that is electrically coupled to the GPS antenna and satellite antenna. The amplifier is configured to amplify GPS and satellite digital radio signals received by the satellite digital radio antenna and GPS antenna. A method for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is also provided.
US07720426B2
A cleaning device excellent in cleaning performance and durability and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided. The cleaning device includes an edge part coming into contact with the surface of the image carrier; the edge part is made of an elastic expanded body having an expanded cell; and number particle size distribution values D10 and D90 of the expanded cell meet the following requirements (1) and (2) against a number particle size distribution value D10 of the toner. (1) The number particle size distribution value D10 of the expanded cell is ¼ times or more of the number particle size distribution value D10 of the toner. (2) The number particle size distribution value D90 of the expanded cell is not more than 50 times of the number particle size distribution value D10 of the toner.
US07720421B2
An apparatus that includes a first print engine positioned to print front side information on a base material. The first print engine further includes a multi-color print head having a pile height leveling ink delivery system. A fuser is positioned to affix the front side information on the base material, and a second print engine positioned to print a removable scratch-off layer covering at least part of the front side information after the fuser affixes the front side information.
US07720417B2
A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.
US07720416B2
The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening.
US07720413B2
An image-forming device includes: a main body; at least one photosensitive member; a plurality of developing units; a transferring unit; a first holding unit; and a guiding unit. The photosensitive member has a support shaft. Each developing unit has a developer-accommodating section that accommodates developer. The developer-accommodating section has an opening in a top side thereof. Each developing unit further has a developer-carrying member that is disposed near the opening of the developer-accommodating section. The first holding unit holds the plurality of developing units that are arranged in a row along a first removal direction. The first removal direction is orthogonal to the support shaft of the photosensitive member. The first holding unit is accommodated at a first accommodating position in the main body. The guiding unit enables the first holding unit to move between the first accommodating position and a first removal position that is separate from the first accommodating position in the first removal direction.
US07720408B2
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is transportable in a state of being mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the member with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the roller, a sealing member unsealably sealing the opening and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the opening when the sealing member is removed from the opening. The grip member is movable between a first position where the cartridge can move to a predetermined position in the main assembly to permit transportation of the cartridge when mounted to the main assembly, and a second position where the cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position.
US07720402B2
A toner-concentration controller includes a controller configured to control a toner supply amount in accordance with a detection result of a toner-concentration of two-component toner, and a sensor unit configured to detect the toner-concentration of two-component toner. The sensor unit includes a correction mechanism to correct an output signal of the sensor unit by changing an external-input voltage, based on relationship data between an output voltage change of the sensor unit and a toner-concentration of unused developer, to control the toner supply amount when the toner-concentration of the two-component toner deviates a predetermined amount from the toner-concentration of the unused developer. The sensor unit is configured to detect the toner-concentration of the unused developer from unused two-component toner based on a change in the external-input voltage.
US07720395B2
There is provided a monitoring apparatus which is capable of efficiently notifying an external host of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatuses, and completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus is connected to a management apparatus for communication therewith. The monitoring apparatus acquires maintenance information from the image forming apparatuses, and sends the acquired maintenance information to the management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out one of management of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus and central management of completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses.
US07720391B2
A system and method for generating an optical return-to-zero signal. The system includes a bit separator configured to receive an electrical non-return-to-zero signal and generate a first signal and a second signal, and a driver configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and generate a driving signal. The driving signal is associated with a difference between the first signal and the second signal. Additionally, the system includes a light source configured to generate a light, and an electro-optical modulator configured to receive the light and the driving signal, modulate the light with the driving signal, and generate an optical signal. The electrical non-return-to-zero signal includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The first signal includes the first plurality of bits, and the second signal includes the second plurality of bits. The optical signal is an optical return-to-zero signal.
US07720383B2
An optical transmission apparatus has a first wavelength selective switch (WSS) for route switching, provided with respect to each route, to selectively output signal light from a first input route to second through Nth output routes and to selectively output signal lights from second through Nth input routes to a first output route, for every wavelength, a second WSS for add and drop, to selectively output a signal light from an add port to the first through Nth output routes via the first WSS for every wavelength, and to selectively output the signal lights from the first through Nth input routes to a drop port via the first WSS for every wavelength, and an optical coupler to multiplex each of the signal lights output from the first WSS to the output routes and each of the signal lights output from the second WSS to the output routes, for every route, and to send multiplexed signal light to a first WSS of an other route, and to branch and supply multiplexed signal light input from said other route to the first WSS and the second WSS. The signal lights input and output by the first WSS and the second WSS are transmitted bidirectionally within a single optical transmission line.
US07720381B2
Provided are an optical transmission apparatus and an optical access network for a wavelength-division multiplexing optical network with sub-carrier multiplex and sub-carrier multiple access schemes. The optical transmission apparatus includes: a multiplexer and/or demultiplexer demultiplexing M forward A band optical signals having wavelengths each comprising a plurality of sub-carriers and multiplexing M backward B band optical signals having wavelengths each comprising a plurality of sub-carriers; a plurality of optical power splitters splitting each of the M forward A band optical signals into N optical signals; a plurality of optical receivers receiving backward optical signals belonging to a C band; and M optical transmitters converting the backward optical signals in the C band into the M backward B band optical signals.
US07720375B2
An object detecting system includes a plurality of photographing mechanisms that are used to detect information about objects inside and outside a vehicle. An object detecting system is installed in a vehicle and comprises a first camera and a second camera to obtain information about objects inside and outside the vehicle. They system further includes a controller for conducting controls to detect information about an object and an electrical power unit to supply electrical power from a vehicle battery to the respective cameras. At least one of the controller and the electrical power unit is shared by the first camera and the second camera.
US07720372B2
A photographing device configured to photograph a plurality of images consecutively by changing an exposure value is provided. The photographing device may include a control-range-determination unit configured to determine a control range which is a range where the exposure value is varied, and an interval-calculation unit configured to calculate a control interval which is an interval between photographing-exposure values that are exposure values existing in the control range and that are exposure values of the photographed images so that the photographing-exposure values are uniformly distributed over the control range according to a number of the photographed images.
US07720368B2
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for enhancing a projected image to reduce the optical depth of field, and create a more desirable film-like image. The present invention provides a multi-function imaging element for enhancing a projected image that includes a focusing screen that minimizes light hot spots in an image projected on the focusing screen and filters ultraviolet rays. The focusing screen can be static, moving, oscillating or rotating. The ultraviolet rays are filtered using a coating on the focusing screen, or by a separate filter made of glass, plastic or film. Note that the multi-function imaging element can be integrated into an adapter, a camera, a video camera, a projector, a television, a monitor, or other image capture or display device.
US07720367B2
An anti-shake apparatus (an image-stabilization apparatus) of a photographing device comprises a movable unit and a controller. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable and rotatable for an anti-shake operation. The controller controls the movable unit for the anti-shake operation. The controller obtains information regarding a resolution at the edge of a lens that is used for an imaging operation of the imaging device. The controller controls a degree of the anti-shake operation that is performed for correcting hand-shake caused by roll on the basis of the resolution at the edge of the lens.
US07720362B2
A heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates of a high flow rate infusion unit to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are integrated with the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects air from the infusate exiting the laminar flow path, and includes an air vent in contact with the infusate that vents the air from the bubble trap. The valve shuts off the flow of infusate if air is detected in the bubble trap.
US07720359B2
A picture photographed by a camera portion is sent to a video capturing portion of a computer. The picture is displayed in an operation area of a monitor. A panorama picture of which pictures in part or all moving range of a pan tiler are combined is displayed in a panorama operation area. A pan tilter portion sends positional information of pan and tilt to the computer through a mode controller. With a mouse, the operation area and the panorama operation area are operated so as to select an object. The computer obtains data for driving the pan tilter. Thus, the selected object is displayed at the center of the operation area.
US07720352B2
Systems, methods, and computer products that facilitate transmission of information used for fast and responsive video and audio playback at non-standard, trick mode speeds. An embodiment of the present invention uses low resolution, compressed, and independent frames derived from the encoded digital video or audio information to facilitate the operation of user-requested VTR-like speed change functions associated with digital video and digital audio frames. The present invention greatly simplifies locating specific frames in a video or audio presentation for purposes such as fast forward and fast reverse scanning that is typically used in digital editing.
US07720342B2
An optical device includes at least two materials forming a structure with a graded bandgap where photocarriers are generated. A first of the at least two materials has a larger concentration at opposed ends of the graded bandgap structure than a concentration of the first of the at least two materials at an interior region of the graded bandgap structure. The second of the at least two materials has a larger concentration at the interior region of the graded bandgap structure than the concentration of the second of the at least two materials at the opposed ends of the graded bandgap structure.
US07720336B2
The present invention provides an optical access network system that allows the transmission of packets irrespective of the packet length and which is also capable of adapting to cases where another user temporarily requires a large capacity bandwidth. This system performs two-way optical communications using a code division multiplexing system via an optical fiber channel and a star coupler between an optical line terminal and first and second optical network units. The optical line terminal comprises a bandwidth control section and a bandwidth allocation section and the bandwidth control section has signal converter pairs installed therein in a number equal to the number of optical network units. Further, the optical network units each comprise first and second bandwidth control sections and first and second bandwidth allocation sections. The bandwidth control sections each have one set of signal converter pairs installed therein. The bandwidth control sections of the optical line terminal and the optical network units each have a signal converter pair that is constituted by one set of a variable serial to parallel conversion unit and a variable parallel to serial conversion unit each having a variable bandwidth management function.
