US07754036B1
A pressable explosive composition is provided. The composition includes at least 40 weight percent of substantially uncoated fuel particles, a nitramine mechanically blended with the substantially uncoated fuel particles, and a binder coating the nitramine. The binder constitutes about 1 to about 6 weight percent of the pressable explosive composition. Also provided are a pressed thermobaric explosive, weapons containing the pressed thermobaric explosive, and methods for making the composition and thermobaric explosive.
US07754035B2
A method for improving the strength, creep and failure resistance of a single crystal component, such as a turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a component, such as a turbine engine component, having a single crystal microstructure with a plurality of γ′ cuboids forming a limited amount of oriented platens in a particular direction prior to the component being placed into service to delay coalescence of the platens relative to the applied load.
US07754028B2
The invention relates to a method for the plasma-nitriding of precipitation-hardenable stainless steels or stainless maraging steels. The invention also relates to a shaver cap for an electric shaver. The invention also relates to a cutting device. The invention further relates to an electric shaver comprising at least one such cutting device.
US07754025B1
A dishwasher having at least one door defining at least part of a washing area when the door is closed. The dishwasher has at least one supply housing supported by the door, and the supply housing is sized to hold an amount of liquid dish washing supply which is sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles. The dishwasher also has at least one dispenser supported by the door, and the dispenser has an outlet positioned on the door. Also, the dishwasher has an indicator operable to indicate how much of the liquid dish washing supply remains in the supply housing.
US07754022B2
A wash cylinder or chamber for an automated cleaning station to clean an object or a person's body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.
US07754019B2
Method for cleaning a surface is disclosed comprising a cleaning step with an aqueous cleaning medium, which is supplied to said semiconductor surface wherein the cleaning medium comprises cleaning particles suspended in a colloidal form and mechanical agitation is applied to the particles to be removed for at least part of the time during the cleaning step.
US07754014B2
A vacuum valve assembly for use in a vacuum processing chamber includes a seat defining an opening in the vacuum valve, with the seat having a sealing face adjacent the opening and normal to the direction of the opening; and a gate having a sealing face adapted to mate with the seat sealing face, the gate being movable toward and away from the seat sealing face to seal and open the vacuum valve opening. A continuous elastomeric seal extends around the vacuum valve opening between the gate sealing face and the seat sealing face of sufficient size such that when the gate is positioned to seal the vacuum valve opening, there exists a gap between the gate sealing face and the seat sealing face. A purge gas port system, disposed in the seat or in the gate, has an inlet for a purge gas, an essentially continuous outlet extending around the vacuum valve opening and adjacent the elastomeric seal and gap, and a manifold system connecting the inlet and the outlet. When a purge gas is introduced through the inlet, the manifold distributes the gas to the outlet which evenly distributes the gas to the vicinity of the continuous elastomeric seal around the vacuum valve opening in the gap between the gate sealing face and the seat sealing face.
US07754010B2
A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
US07754001B2
The invention concerns a method for producing a friction material mass, in particular for friction linings in vehicles, in which essentially fibrous material, fillers, lubricants, metallic components and binding agents are wet-processed. In order to be able to produce from the friction material mass friction linings with increased thermostability, water glass is used as binding agent.
US07753994B2
In a discharge device for performing streamer discharge between a discharge electrode (41) including a plurality of discharge parts (61) and a counter electrode (42) including a plurality of counter parts (62) confronting the discharge parts (61), a resistor (60) is provided in a current carrying path between power source means (45) and the discharge parts (61).
US07753992B2
Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include injecting fluid cracking catalyst particles into a flue gas stream.
US07753990B2
The present invention provides a system for reducing entrained and dissolved gasses from a well fluid. The system includes a well fluid, at least one process tank into which the well fluid flows, wherein a first process tank comprises a weir arrangement over which the well fluid spills, a mechanical degasser coupled to the at least one process tank and configured to receive the well fluid, and an aeration device disposed in the at least one process tank that generates bubbles in the well fluid. The present invention also provides a method of reducing entrained and dissolved gases from a well fluid that includes flowing a well fluid into a process tank, exerting a centrifugal force on the well fluid, and generating bubbles in the well fluid in the process tank.
US07753989B2
A method of producing passivated Ti or Ti alloy particles with oxygen concentrations of less than about 900 parts per million (ppm), which includes introducing a halide vapor of Ti or the metal constituents of the alloy at sonic velocity or greater into a stream of liquid alkali or liquid alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof forming a reaction zone in which the halide is reduced by the liquid metal present in sufficient excess of stoichiometric such that Ti or Ti alloy powder from the reduction of the halide by the liquid metal is friable. After filtration and distillation excess liquid metal is removed from the Ti or Ti alloy powder that is then maintained at elevated temperature for a time sufficient to grow the particles to average diameters calculated from BET surface area measurement greater than about one micron. After cooling the Ti or Ti alloy powder to temperature of about 80° C. or less, the cooled Ti or Ti alloy powder is contacted with air and/or water to passivate the particles to produce friable metal powder and to remove other reaction products. A system for accomplishing the method is also shown.
US07753981B2
The present invention provides filter units that, when joined together, allow joining portions thereof to be fixed together satisfactorily and can prevent air from leaking at the joining portions. A filter unit includes a filter medium that has been pleated and a frame that supports the circumference of the filter medium. The frame has a protruding part on at least one face selected from an upper face and a lower face thereof, with the protruding part being formed by allowing a part of the at least one face to protrude. The upper face is a surface of the frame that faces the upstream side relative to the flow of air that passes through the filter medium, and the lower face is a surface of the frame that faces the downstream side relative to the flow of air.
US07753980B2
The present air cleaner includes: a cleaner case having a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall provided with an air inlet in its lower part, and a support wall formed on the bottom wall inside the circumferential side wall; and a cylindrical cleaner element supported on an upper end portion of the support wall. An air chamber is defined by the cleaner case, the support wall, and the cleaner element so as to surround the cleaner element and the support wall. A bottom of the cleaner element is inclined at an angle to the bottom wall of the cleaner case so that a distance between the bottom wall of the cleaner case and the bottom of the cleaner element increases from a side opposite to the air inlet toward an air inlet side.
US07753978B2
A filter for engine exhaust gases includes a housing coupled to an engine to receive engine exhaust gases, and a filter media which is located in the housing. The filter media includes a plurality of filter passages, and a plurality of particles of a transition metal deposited on at least a portion of the filter media. The size of the particles are approximately thirty nanometers or less.
US07753973B2
The process of the invention converts carbonaceous feedstock such as coal, hydrocarbon oil, natural gas, petroleum coke, oil shale, carbonaceous-containing waste oil, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, carbonaceous-containing military waste, carbonaceous-containing industrial waste, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, carbonaceous-containing sewage sludge and municipal solid waste, carbonaceous-containing agricultural waste, carbonaceous-containing biomass, biological and biochemical waste, and mixtures thereof into electrical energy without the production of unwanted greenhouse emissions. The process uses a steam/CO2 reformer operating in the exit range of at least 700° to about 1600° C. (1300-2900° F.) to convert the carbonaceous feedstock and a greenhouse gas stream into a synthesis gas comprising mostly carbon monoxide and hydrogen that contains poisons and the compounds that poison fuel cells. The syngas is sent to an interface zone to remove these poisons and other fouling compounds that are electrochemically oxidized in an electricity-producing fuel cell into an exit gas comprising carbon dioxide and water.
US07753969B2
A method of creating a multi-phase fuel wherein said fuel comprises a gas, a solid, a liquid solvent phase and an aqueous phase from animal waste comprising the combination of the animal waste, a solvent, and a water/alcohol solution into a fluid mixture, placing the mixture into a closed reactor, heating said reactor between about 245° C. and 385° C. for between about 5 and 70 minutes and cooling said resulting multi-phase fuel. The animal waste may be manure, mortalities, municipal waste, or chicken litter. The preferred solvent is petroleum with the preferred petroleum being diesel fuel. The final multi-phase fuel can be separated into four separate fuels: a solid fuel, an emulsified solid in the liquid solvent phase by blending the solid, the solvent and a surfactant, an aqueous phase, and the recovered liquid solvent phase. Petroleum is the preferred solvent and the separation may be any conventional means. The mixture preferably consists of 1 part by weight animal waste, about 1.5 parts by weight diesel and between about 0.11 to about 1.86 parts by weight a water/alcohol solution. The water/alcohol solution is between about 5% to about 85% alcohol before heating. Additionally, an alkali base may be added to increase waste solubility.
US07753965B2
A hair dye composition including a first part containing an alkaline agent and a second part containing an oxidizing agent, which are mixed together immediately before use, wherein at least one of the first part and the second part contains a diazacycloheptane represented by the following general formula (1) or a salt thereof, and the pH of the mixture is 7.5 to 12; wherein Z represents a hydroxy group, a primary amino group, or a C1 to C4 acyloxy group; R1 and R2 represent H or a C1 to C4 alkyl group which may be branched; and R3 represents H, a C1 to C6 alkyl or C1 to C6 alkoxy group which may be branched, or an aralkyl or aryl group, having a total of 12 or less carbon atoms, which may have been substituted by one or more C1 to C4 alkyl or alkoxy groups.
US07753963B2
Selectively demineralized bone-derived implants are provided. In one embodiment, a bone sheet for implantation includes a demineralized field surrounding mineralized regions. In another embodiment, a bone defect filler includes a demineralized cancellous bone section in a first geometry. The first geometry is compressible and dryable to a second geometry smaller than the first geometry, and the second geometry is expandable and rehydratable to a third geometry larger than the second geometry.
US07753955B2
This present invention describes methods and compositions useful for the reconstruction of various soft tissue features such as lips, areola, and many other features by taking a mold of the skin feature to be replaced, such as the areola, prior to surgical resection, re-creating the size and shape of the soft tissue feature, for example, the nipple and areola, and making a polymer or biopolymer scaffold that is biocompatible, has the ability to allow the epithelization of the skin cells over the polymer, the capability of cell integration into the body of the scaffold, as well as the capability of infiltration of surrounding nerve fibers into the substance of the scaffold, so that the patient may have the benefit of a reconstructed soft tissue feature that not only has the same size and shape and appearance as the native tissue, but also has functional sensation.
US07753953B1
An accommodating intraocular lens system for implantation in a capsular bag of an eye includes an optic component comprising first and second light-transmitting lens elements that define a fluid-filled deformation chamber located between the first and second lens elements. The first and/or second lens elements have an elastic membrane adapted to deform in response to a change in pressure. The elastic membrane includes a first portion having a first deformation response and a second portion having a different second deformation response. The system also includes a refractive fluid filling the deformation chamber and at least one haptic member coupled to the optic component. The haptic member is configured for changing a hydrostatic pressure in the deformation chamber in response to muscle movement in the eye in order to deform the elastic membrane of the first and/or second lens elements, thereby changing the shape and the refractive characteristics of the optic component.
US07753950B2
An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that all portions of the side-branch vessel at the bifurcation are covered by the proximal angled stent. A main-vessel stent is provided for implanting in the main vessel, wherein the main-vessel stent has an aperture or stent cell that aligns with the opening to the side-branch vessel to permit unobstructed blood flow between the main vessel and the side-branch vessel. Side-branch and main-vessel catheter assemblies are advanced over a pair of guide wires for delivering, appropriately orienting, and implanting the proximal angled stent and the apertured stent.
US07753949B2
Valve prostheses are disclosed that are adapted for secure and aligned placement relative to a heart annulus. The valve prostheses may be placed in a non-invasive manner, e.g., via trans-catheter techniques, and may be positioned/repositioned until proper alignment and positioning is achieved. The valve prosthesis may include a resilient ring, a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the resilient ring, and a plurality of positioning elements movably mounted with respect to the flexible ring, each of the positioning elements defining a first tissue engaging region and a second tissue engaging region spaced from the first tissue engaging region. The positioning elements are adapted to substantially completely invert by rotating relative to the resilient ring between a first position in which each of the first and second tissue engaging regions is inwardly directed for facilitating positioning of the valve prosthesis within a delivery catheter, and a second position in which each of the first and second tissue engaging regions is outwardly directed for engaging tissue. The valve prosthesis may also include a valve skirt mounted with respect to the resilient ring.
US07753945B2
The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line. The deployment system also includes an endo-prosthesis mounting member placed between the endoluminal device and an underlying catheter. The endo-prosthesis mounting member serves to cushion and retain the endoluminal device when constrained by the sheath and may assist in expansion of the endoluminal device when unconstrained by the sheath.
US07753939B2
A surgical implant assembly, and components thereof, are disclosed. Such assemblies include a connector device and an anchoring shaft. The assemblies are useful for insertion into bone and connecting a foreign object to bone via a polyaxial coupling mechanism.
US07753938B2
A device for treating spinal stenosis having an implant body structure sized and configured to be positioned between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae. The device may have a body portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and a sleeve between the first and second end portions. The device may also have at least two retainers positioned in and extendable from the body portion. A mechanism positioned within the body portion may be used to move the retainers between a retracted position and a deployed position. When the retainers are in the deployed position, the retainers may be positioned around the spinous process of at least one of two adjacent vertebrae. A plurality of installation tools may be used to install the device.
US07753929B2
A method of treating a patient's sphenoid sinus having an obstructed or narrowed sphenoid ostium. A balloon of a balloon catheter is inflated in the obstructed or narrowed sphenoid ostium to enlarge the ostium. The ostium remains enlarged after the balloon catheter is removed.
US07753924B2
Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
US07753923B2
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
US07753921B2
Methods and apparatus for determining the orientation and the position of an object in space with the assistance of a sensing instrument are provided. The sensing instrument is provided with a marking element. The orientation and position of the marking element is determinable by means of the navigation system. In order to be able to carry out a reliable determination of the position, even under confined conditions of access, the sensing instrument is adapted to be successively connected in a guided manner to the object for free rotation about two non-parallel, defined axes of rotation. The sensing instrument can be rotated about these axes of rotation, and the orientation and the position of the two defined axes of rotation in space and hence the orientation and the position of the object in space can be calculated from the resulting movement of the marking element during this rotation.
US07753920B2
A surgical apparatus for cutting a tissue mass comprising an elongated housing having a distal portion, a rotatable shaft positioned in the elongated housing, and a plurality of flexible electrocautery cutting blades extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of cutting blades are radially expandable from a first position defining a first diameter to a second larger diameter and the blades are rotatable and transmit electrical energy to cut the tissue mass.
US07753918B2
A medical grasping device (1) has an elongate control member (9) with a grasping member (17) proximal to its distal tip. An outer sheath (3) with a passageway therethrough surrounds the elongate control member and is relatively movable with respect to the control member. A control assembly (2) disposed at a proximal end of said outer sheath has a fixed handle (5) and a sliding handle (7) and the proximal end of the elongate control member is fixed to the sliding handle to move the control member. The grasping member (17) has a plurality of pre-formed wire loops (50, 52, 54, 56) which self-deploy transversely upon emerging from said distal end of said outer sheath. Each wire loop is fastened to substantially opposite sides of the elongate control member so that each of said wire loops is substantially semi-circular upon full deployment and the respective ends (27, 29) of each wire loop extend substantially in opposite directions from the elongate control member.
US07753913B2
A device and method for targeting objects and specifically for locating intramedullary screw openings is described. The device and method include a target magnet and a sensor comprising an elliptical array of magnetoresistive elements, designed to give information on the three-dimensional orientation of the magnet. The sensor array is designed such that each magnetoresistive element is a member of an opposing pair and relays information on their alignment with the target magnet. The array is connected to a display such that the position of the sensor in relation to the target magnet is easily discerned. The invention is lightweight and portable, capable of operating on batteries and can be used in primitive situations where a stable supply of electricity is not available.
US07753912B2
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces is disclosed using a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column. A wafer insertion apparatus includes a wafer cartridge configured to carry a stack of wafers to be inserted into the space, a track assembly including a first track for carrying a wafer toward the space, a second track and means for preventing retrograde movement of a wafer within the first track, an advancer/pusher mechanism slidably disposed within the second track and operable on a wafer within the first track to advance the wafer along the first track, and an advancement gun operably coupled to the advancer/pusher mechanism to propel the mechanism along the second track.
US07753905B2
A cryogenic catheter includes an outer flexible member having at least one cryogenic fluid path through the flexible member. The at least one fluid path is defined by a plurality of flexible members disposed within the outer flexible member.
US07753896B2
An absorbent article having a silhouette including a first end, a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally extending edge, the first and second longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; and a layered portion having a body-facing layer and a garment-facing layer, wherein the absorbent article is drapeable.
US07753894B2
An apparatus for cleansing wounds with means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound, in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound promotes wound healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
US07753893B2
A drug solution injector for determining an accurate injection volume of a drug solution by weighing the drug solution reservoir with a weighing scale. A drug solution injector is provided with a weighing scale that is compact, does not disturb handling and enables an accurate determination of the injection volume of the drug solution. A drug solution injector includes a drug solution reservoir composed of a chamber for reserving a drug solution therein and pressurization mechanism for pushing out of the reserved drug solution. An injection line is connected to the reservoir to inject the drug solution to the body. The drug solution reservoir is fixedly provided with a weighing scale for measuring a weight of the drug solution stored in the drug solution reservoir.
US07753883B2
An administration feeding set for use with a flow control apparatus to deliver fluid from at least one fluid source to a patient. The set comprises tubing for flow of fluid along a fluid pathway, and a mounting member on the tubing for engaging the flow control apparatus. The fluid pathway extends linearly through the mounting member. The mounting member has at least two receiving portions, each adapted to receive an identification member. One or more identification members are selectively positioned on one or more of the receiving portions of the mounting member to permit identification of the administration set as having a particular functional configuration different from another functional configuration. Other embodiments, including a method of identifying an administration feeding set, are disclosed.
US07753881B2
An administration feeding set for use with a flow control apparatus to deliver fluid from at least one fluid source to a patient. The set includes tubing for flow of fluid along a fluid pathway and a mounting member on the tubing adapted to engage the flow control apparatus. The mounting member has at least two receiving portions co-axial with the fluid pathway. The set also includes one or more identification members selectively positioned on one or more of the at least two receiving portions of the mounting member to permit identification of the administration feeding set as having a particular functional configuration different from another functional configuration.
US07753877B2
A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
US07753872B2
A device, system and method for improving delivery of hemostatic material, in which the device includes a vent cap body capable of removably engaging a cannula. The vent cap has a passage extending through the vent cap body from the cannula to an exterior of the vent cap body where a restricter for restricting the flow of fluid from the cannula to the exterior. In one embodiment, the vent cap has a valve which has an opened and closed position. In the closed position, the valve is designed to provide a back pressure or resistance. When a certain force is applied against the valve, the valve moves from the closed position to the opened position, where a gas or fluid may pass through the vent cap. The vent cap is designed to help maintain the continuity of the hemostatic material during delivery of the material from the adaptor to the trial staging chamber.
US07753863B2
A limb stabilizing device includes a base, a first clamping member adjustably mounted to the base, and a second clamping member mounted in an opposed relationship with the first clamping member. The first clamping member includes a first adjustment mechanism that operates to allow the first clamping member to slide laterally along the base and to maintain the first and second clamping members in lateral alignment.
US07753862B2
The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.
US07753861B1
A method for monitoring human activity using an inertial sensor includes monitoring accelerations from an inertial sensor disposed in a chest strap. The accelerations are processed to determine one or more acceleration statistics. The acceleration statistics are formatted to a generic format understandable by a plurality of devices. The formatted acceleration statistics are then transmitted.
US07753857B2
A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates an attached tape indexing mechanism in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide sequentially stored tissue samples in a replaceable serial stacking assembly.
US07753854B2
A technique is disclosed for determining blood flow in a living body by changing the thermal energy level in the venous blood flow path and determining temperatures in both the venous and arterial blood flow paths. Blood flow is calculated as a function of the change in energy level and the temperature differences in the venous and arterial blood flow paths.
US07753853B2
Left atrial access apparatus and methods are described herein. Different parameters, such as oxygen saturation difference, between the left and right atrial chambers is utilized to guide a needle or catheter into a desired position within the heart. Various sensing elements can be utilized to detect the physiological parameter difference, such as oxygen levels, in the left atrium. The sensor can be carried by the needle, at its tip or along its body, and can measure the physiological parameter levels contained in the blood, fluid, or tissue.
US07753849B2
A Doppler radar signal processing system and method and a Doppler radar employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an input configured to receive at least one radar output signal representing a reflected Doppler radar signal, (2) signal processing circuitry coupled to the input and configured to produce an arc-length cardiopulmonary signal from the at least one radar output signal and employ a respiration fundamental frequency estimate to extract a heart rate signal from the arc-length cardiopulmonary signal and (3) an output coupled to the signal processing circuitry and configured to provide the heart rate signal.
US07753846B2
An apparatus for measuring skin moisture content, the apparatus including: an electrode unit comprising a reference (R) electrode, a current (C) electrode, and a measuring (M) electrode; an operational amplifier including an inverting input terminal that is supplied to a first voltage and connects with the R electrode, and an output terminal that connects with the C electrode; a switch controlling a connection between the output terminal and the C electrode; and a comparison control unit comparing the first voltage with a voltage at the output terminal, and controlling the switch to connect the output terminal and the C electrode when the voltage at the output terminal is less than or equal to a value that is acquired by multiplying the first voltage and a predetermined constant.
US07753843B2
Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention may include an outer flexible tube and a positioning mechanism configured for rotating one portion of the flexible tube relative to another portion of the flexible tube.
US07753840B2
A biomaterial useful for bioprostheses such as bioprosthetic heart valves is provided in which the fixed tissue has improved elastic properties. The high elastin-containing biomaterial is further characterized by having anisotropic properties wherein the biological material has a greater stiffness in one direction and a greater elasticity in a cross direction. For instance, the biological material has an elastin content of about 30% by weight. In one embodiment, the biological material is vena cava tissue.
US07753838B2
An implantable hearing aid transducer is provided that allows providing movement for stimulation purposes in at least first and second directions. This allows for moving an auditory component in a direction that may be substantially aligned with a natural direction of movement for the auditory component. In one arrangement, a middle ear transducer having an elongated vibratory member that extends into a patient's tympanic cavity is operative to move a tip of the vibratory member in at least first and second directions. A first direction may be along a long axis of the vibratory member while a second direction may be in a direction that is at least partially transverse to the long axis of the vibratory member. Further, the transducer may be positionable to provide alignment of the vibratory member such that the transverse direction of movement is substantially aligned with a direction of natural movement of a middle ear component (e.g. ossicles bone) to be stimulated.
US07753836B2
Systems and methods for providing controllable pulse parameter magnetic stimulation are described. One aspect is directed to a magnetic stimulation system for inducing approximately rectangular electric field pulses in a body organ, comprising an electrical energy storage device, a stimulating coil, and a switching means for electrically coupling said electrical energy storage device to said stimulating coil to produce current pulses in said stimulating coil which generates, in response to the current pulses, magnetic field pulses that can induce approximately rectangular electric field pulses in the body organ.
US07753833B2
Groove-type paper scoring apparatus according to the invention comprises a platform providing a planar rectangular work surface. On the platform are a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels extending longitudinally from one end of the platform to the other. Shallow boundary walls extend along the side edges and the distal end of the platform. The distal end wall of the platform is provided with spaced vertical notches each mating with an associated one of the series of score channels. A scale or ruler extends along each of the walls.
US07753832B2
A method and equipment for molding an article produced from paperboard or cardboard. Moulding is carried out by a molding tool that mechanically works the board; and to improve its moldability, momentary irradiation on the microwave frequency is exerted on the board. The method applies to the manufacture of packages and disposable containers made of paperboard or cardboard; for example, to the forming of a rolled-up or folded rim around a drinking cup, mug or a container, the forming of a stiffening crease or projection on a paperboard container, or to press molding of paperboard containers or plates.
US07753823B2
A brake regulating system for motor vehicles is provided having an electronic control unit, by which an automatic parking brake function is activatable at a standstill of the motor vehicle, whose deactivation is performed as a function of the instantaneous drive torque, is implemented in such a way that in the event of activated parking brake function, a deactivation of the parking brake function may be suppressed if, on the basis of a function executed at a standstill of the motor vehicle, an automatic increase of the drive torque which does not result from a starting command of the driver is necessary.
US07753819B2
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US07753807B2
A hollow golf club head having a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion and a hosel portion comprises: a face component made of a titanium alloy and forming a major part of the face portion; a hosel-and-heel component made of a titanium alloy and forming a heel-side part of the sole portion and side portion and the hosel portion; and a rear component made of a magnesium alloy and forming a rear part of the head. The above-mentioned heel-side part of the sole portion formed by the hosel-and-heel component extends towards the toe of the head and intersects a vertical straight line passing through the center of gravity of the club head so as to form a major part of the sole portion.
US07753801B2
A joint assembly has a pair of constant velocity universal joints and a connecting drive shaft. A cover unit protects the constant velocity universal joints and prevents hanging down of the joints under their own weight. The unit cover is arranged to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and boots. The unit cover is formed from elastomer material by injection molding. The cover unit inner circumferential surface has a configuration corresponding to the outline configurations of the pair of constant velocity universal joints and the boots.
US07753800B2
An expandable shaft includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft. Plural rolling elements are pinched elastically in a space between raceway grooves of the outer shaft and the inner shaft. An outer peripheral surface of the inner shaft includes flat portions parallel to each other. An inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft includes flat limiting portions parallel to each other. The respective limiting portions limit relative rotation of the outer shaft and the inner shaft by engaging with corresponding flat portions. A deformation promoting portion is placed in a specific region of the outer shaft between a plane including a center of curvature of the raceway groove of the outer shaft as well as a central axis line of the outer shaft and each limiting portion.
US07753793B2
A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving a request for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games; initiating a first game of the automated session, the first game corresponding to a first gaming device; and initiating a second game of the automated session, the second game corresponding to a second gaming device.
US07753785B2
A game apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU generates a game image based on an image photographed by a virtual camera arranged in a game space, and displays the game image on a monitor connected to the game apparatus. A character location of a player character is used as a target location, for example, and the virtual camera is moved in such a manner that a location of a point-of-regard (point-of-regard location) of the virtual camera is brought close to this target location at a predetermined ratio. That is, the virtual camera follows the player character from behind after some delay.
US07753772B1
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate transactions. An indication associated with an item is received from a player, and a game event outcome associated with the player is determined. For example, a player may indicate that he or she is interested in receiving a free soft drink at a fast food restaurant, and a payout amount associated with the player's instant lottery ticket may be determined. It is then arranged for the player to receive the item based on information associated with the item and the game event outcome.
US07753765B2
An apparatus for providing convenience services to a stationary vehicle independent of the vehicle's electrical system. At least one conduit is attached to a housing for transferring the services to a supply panel. The supply panel includes a face on which the various controls and connectors associated with the supplied convenience services, such as heating, cooling, electrical power, compressed air, computer network communications, telephone, video, and television, are disposed. The supply panel is dimensioned to interface with the stationary vehicle through an opening in the vehicle, such as a window or service door, and includes means for providing a substantially airtight seal for climate control.
US07753760B2
A finishing device for finishing the exterior, flutes and tip of a drill bit is disclosed. The finishing device includes a containment vessel which houses an abrasive media which may have a visco-elastic component and an abrasive component. The drill bit is inserted into or through the abrasive media and rotated. A rotary member may be connected to the shank of the drill bit to provide rotation of the drill bit. The drill bit displaces the abrasive media thereby finishing the exterior, flutes, cutting edges and tip of the drill bit.
US07753756B2
An external positioning data linked radio controlled system and method for radio controlled vehicle (RCV) racing emulation including an infield RCV control device for receiving externally generated positional data from remote race vehicles on a remote race course, receiving locally input control signals from a user, an electronically reproduced racecourse map of the remote racecourse in a memory used to compute an electronic boundary for RCV devices, and error correction signals generated from feedback from an RCV. The infield RCV control device transmits wireless local control RCV signals containing RCV position, speed and direction data to each of a plurality RCVs responsive to the wireless local control RCV signals. The wireless local control RCV signals containing RCV position, speed and direction data based on processing the externally generated positional data, the locally input control signals, the electronically reproduced racecourse map, and error correction signals.
US07753755B2
A motorized toy vehicle or Wall Racer that is capable of operating on vertical and inverted horizontal surfaces such as walls and ceilings, while being manufacturable at reasonable cost and operable on batteries having sufficient lifetime as to be enjoyable. One or more battery-powered fans draw air from around all or defined portions of the periphery of the interior volume of the Wall Racer through a carefully-shaped duct, so that the air in the portion of the duct immediately adjacent the surface flows at high velocity and low pressure; the relatively greater pressure of the surrounding air urges the vehicle against the surface, allowing it to adhere to vertical surfaces, such as walls, or operated inverted on horizontal surfaces, such as ceilings.
US07753748B2
A control device for boats, particularly sailboats, includes a control member, which regulates the operating conditions of an operating unit such as a motor, and which can be moved along a predetermined path and for a predetermined range between two extreme stop positions. The device is configured to be coupled to a linkage or tie rod system and/or displacement and/or position electric/electronic sensors, such that a movement of the control member causes a corresponding movement of a member regulating the operating unit. The control member includes a handle extension movable between an actuating operative position, in which the handle extension is deployed, and a non-operative position, in which the extension is laid down and/or withdrawn to reduce overall dimensions.
US07753747B1
A boat hull includes a pair of spaced apart cavities formed in the bottom thereof. Mounted within each cavity is an electric trolling motor. An air purge system is provided for purging air from each cavity when the boat rests on a water surface. Additionally each cavity is closed at front and rear ends and is open from the bottom. The depth of each cavity varies from front to rear with a maximum depth occurring generally intermediately between the ends. In operation each trolling motor generates a propulsion stream of water that is directed generally rearedly and downwardly from the rear end of each cavity.
US07753741B2
An electrical interconnection system is described. The electrical interconnection system comprises a first contact and a second contact configured to electrically couple together. The system also comprises a receptacle assembly including a receptacle shell and a first retaining ring secured within the receptacle shell. The receptacle assembly is configured to couple the first contact to the receptacle shell. The system further comprises a plug assembly including a plug shell and a second retaining ring secured within the plug shell. The plug assembly is configured to couple the second contact to the plug shell. The receptacle shell and the plug shell are further configured to align the first contact and the second contact for coupling together.
US07753734B2
A terminal device has a housing of insulating material, the housing surrounding a portion of the cable end of a sleeve and having a flange directed towards a terminal receptacle. There is additionally provided an inner shield sleeve of conductive material arranged in the housing and surrounding the cable, the inner shield sleeve is connected conductively to a shield of the cable and which has a flanged contact zone directed towards the terminal receptacle. Fastening screws are used simultaneously to press the housing and the flanged contact zone, resting on the housing, of the inner shield sleeve axially against a shield housing of the terminal receptacle.
US07753732B2
A shield connector structure 1 includes a pair of connectors 2 and 6 that is capable of being fitted to each other and a conductive connector attachment portion 11. One connector 2 includes a terminal metal part 21, an insulating connector housing 22, and a conductive shield shell 23. The other connector 6 includes a terminal metal part 61, an insulating connector housing 62, and a conductive shield shell 63. The shield shell 23 is provided with a connection portion 49, and the shield shell 63 is provided with a connection portion 83. When the connectors 2 and 6 are fitted to each other so that the shield shells 23 and 63 are shield-connected to each other, each of the connection portions 49 and 83 is connected to the connector attachment portion 11 and the shield shells 23 and 63 are grounded.
US07753721B1
An electrical adapter with a replaceable plug structure includes an adapter housing and a plug mounting/dismounting structure mounted to the adapter housing. The plug mounting/dismounting structure includes a carrier, at least one set of contact plates, and at least one releasable fastening structure. The contact plates are in electrical connection with a circuit assembly accommodated in the adapter housing and are exposed on the carrier. The releasable fastening structure is mounted to the adapter housing and includes at least one pair of pushbuttons and at least one pawl section, which is set at a locked position when the pushbuttons are not depressed and is set at a released position when the pushbuttons are depressed in a predetermined operation direction. A plug structure is coupled to the carrier of the plug mounting/dismounting structure with a coupling surface thereof and the plug structure is selectively locked/released by operation of the pawl section.
US07753713B2
A consumer device interface assembly is provided that utilizes a male over-mold adapter that is operable to engage a conventional USB female shroud. A locking clip is associated with the male over-mold so as to provide locking engagement between the over-mold and the female adapter. The over-mold is universal thus allowing a host of consumer device interfaces to be used with the assembly.
US07753707B1
An electrical connecting assembly includes an insulating base, terminals, a PCB, a cover, and a driving unit. The insulating base has receiving holes and a first hole. The terminals are disposed in the receiving holes. The PCB has a first connecting area and has a second connecting area. The cover can be moved horizontally on the insulating base. The cover has a second hole. The driving unit has one metal sheath, at least one welding portion, and one cam piece. Two ends of the welding portion are respectively connected to the metal sheath and the second connecting area. The cam piece has an actuating portion, a first cam shaft, and a second cam shaft which is eccentric with first cam shaft. The first cam shaft is disposed inside the first hole and is held by the metal sheath. The second cam shaft is disposed inside the second hole.
US07753697B2
An electrical connection (1) for electrically interconnecting adjacent first and second metal parts (2, 3) that are electrically insulated from each other, includes clamping elements (30) together with first and second metal inserts (10, 20) that are arranged respectively in first and second openings (4, 5) formed in the first and second metal parts (2, 3), the first and second inserts (10, 20) being secured to each other by the clamping elements (30) so as to be electrically in contact.
US07753692B2
A socket connector comprises an insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways and a receiving cavity for receiving an electrical package, and a plurality of contact respectively disposed in said passageways. The receiving cavity comprises a first cavity, and a second cavity smaller than the first cavity. The second cavity is in communication with the first cavity and outer space, the second cavity defining standoffs for positioning the electrical package when the electrical package is inserted into the receiving cavity.
US07753683B2
The invention relates to a headrest system for a vehicle seat. The headrest system includes a headrest supported by at least one holding rod, a guide component which can be secured in a backrest of the vehicle seat and is configured to accommodate the holding rod, a first electric connector disposed on a free end of the holding rod, and a second electric connector which cooperates with the first electric connector and can be secured in the backrest. The joining direction of the first and second electric connectors runs approximately coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the free end of the holding rod. Each of the first and second electric connectors includes at least two contact elements, each of the contact elements designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner in relation to the central longitudinal axis.
US07753679B1
A non-firing rifle that emulates a semi-automatic or automatic rifle for training in procedures for safe handling, cleaning, and field stripping of such weapons. The non-firing rifle retains the upper receiver assembly, barrel assembly, and ammunition magazine of the emulated rifle, as well as some of the components of the lower receiver assembly of the emulated rifle, but substitutes a modified forging for the lower receiver forging of the emulated rifle. Unlike the lower receiver forging of the emulated rifle, the modified forging has no cutouts to allow a trigger or hammer to be installed. A cutout is provided in a bottom wall of the forging, however, to allow installation of a pseudo-trigger. Accordingly, it is incapable of firing a live ammunition round.
US07753675B2
An auxiliary position apparatus is adapted for an injection molding machine which includes a nose and the nose has a nozzle at one end thereof. The auxiliary position apparatus includes a position device for being mounted to the nose and at least two light emitting devices adjustably mounted to the position device. The two light emitting devices can emit two adjustable light beams to focus as a light-spot which is substantially in alignment with the nozzle on a mold placed on the injection molding machine. By moving the mold to make the light-spot located at an injecting hole of the mold, the nozzle can be adjustably in alignment with the injecting hole rapidly and precisely before the injection molding operations.
US07753665B2
On screw compressors for extremely high discharge pressures, e.g. for application in refrigeration systems operating with CO2 in a transcritical process, featuring two rotors, a male rotor and a female rotor having a ratio of male-to-female rotor lobes of 4:6, 5:6 or 5:7, with the male rotor having a drive-shaft end, and both rotors are enclosed in a housing, the wrap angle of the profile section of the male rotor is less than 1.5 the lobe-pitch angle, and the working cycle from the beginning of suction till the end of discharge is less than 600° of the angle of rotation of the male rotor, and the length-to-diameter ratio of the profile section of the male rotor lies between 0.3 and 0.5.
US07753663B2
A bolt hole receiving a fixing bolt is formed in a portion of an end plate overlapping an annular piston or a fixed wrap as viewed in a thickness direction of the end plate to open at the back face of the end plate. In fixing a discharge valve to the end plate, the fixing bolt is screwed into the bolt hole.
US07753660B2
An apparatus for delivering a fluid includes a housing, an inlet in the housing for receiving the fluid, and an outlet in the housing for discharging the fluid. A piston channel is provided within the housing through which the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet. An actuator is positioned within the housing and is moveable between a retracted position and a forward position, the actuator defining a piston chamber for storing fluid received through the inlet when the actuator is in the retracted position and for driving the fluid stored in the piston chamber toward the outlet when the actuator transitions from the retracted position to the forward position. The actuator includes an armature and a piston coupled to the armature and moveable within the piston channel. The piston is provided with a groove in an outer surface for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet.
US07753658B2
A self-attaching pump includes a cylinder, a nozzle attached to the cylinder, a piston installed in the cylinder, a rod connected to the piston, a handle with a first end and an opposite second end, a fastener for pivotally connecting the second end of the handle to the rod and a stressing device arranged on the cylinder for stressing the self-attaching pump. There are defined a first value for the distance between the fastener and the first end of the handle, a second value for the length of the elastic element when the stressing does not stress the self-attaching pump and a third value for the distance between the piston and the nozzle when the first end of the handle reaches the stressing device while the stressing device does not stress the self-attaching pump. The first value is larger than the second value that is larger than the third value.
US07753644B2
A vertical axis multi-phased wind turbine power generating system is disclosed. An adjustable air scoop directs air from a first phase of the prevailing wind into an air turbine for efficient power generation. An exit section, which uses a second phase of the prevailing wind in combination with an optional and adjustable exit section drag curtain or barrier, provides for efficient re-entrainment of this first stage of power generating air back into the downstream prevailing wind. The adjustable air scoop and adjustable exit drag curtain or barrier, where utilized, is automatically rotated in a self correcting manner to be suitably and optimally oriented to the prevailing wind direction. The design provides for a second stage of power generation to be accomplished by additionally utilizing a portion of the second phase of prevailing wind to directly or indirectly drive the turbine in a second stage of power production.
US07753638B2
A library apparatus includes cells. A positioning mechanism serves to position a carriage relative to the cells within an operating region adjacent to a standby region. A transporting mechanism drives the carriage toward the standby region. A swaying mechanism allows grasping fingers on the carriage to go around an object lying on the movement path of the grasping fingers when the transporting mechanism carries the carriage to the standby region. The grasping fingers acts to hold an object within the cell. If the positioning mechanism malfunctions, the transporting mechanism transfers the carriage to the standby region. Even if an object exits on the movement path of the grasping finger, the carriage is allowed to keep moving because the swaying mechanism allows the grasping finger or fingers to sway around the object on the movement path. The carriage thus reliably reaches the standby region.
US07753616B2
The present disclosure relates to a system and permanent pavement marker for coating or bonding or both coating and bonding a first underlying substrate, wherein a second layer comprises a polyurea epoxy curable composition of about 200 centipoise which is bonded to the first underlying substrate, wherein the curable composition second layer is further bonded to a third layer, wherein the third layer comprises an epoxy bonder paste in a range of 10,000 to 300,000 centipoise, and the third layer is further bonded to a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is a preformed thermoplastic marking tile that is applied over the third layer of epoxy bonder paste, thereby forming a the permanent pavement marking. The system and pavement marker may also include a thermoplastic adhesive applied between the epoxy bonder paste and the preformed thermoplastic marking tile such that the bonder paste acts as a water vapor barrier reducing the rate of water vapor transmission into the marking tile.
US07753615B1
Long load racking system for vehicles, adjustable runners horizontal and vertical with telescoping members—both single rail, double rail; and trombone shaped; multi-functional, split and corner couplings with accessible transverse to coupling base friction adjustments, ramping ground to bed and bed to elevated locations.
US07753605B2
A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
US07753597B2
An apparatus for splicing of optical waveguide sections is in the form of a handheld splicer. The splicer comprises a preprocessing unit, which may comprise a plurality of processing devices for carrying out removal, cleaning and cutting steps. The optical waveguide sections are clamped in a holding apparatus and are prepared in the preprocessing unit. The holding apparatuses are inserted with the prepared optical waveguide sections into a splicing unit, where they are spliced. The spliced optical waveguide sections can be fed by means of a transfer station to a shrinking oven for shrinking a shrink sleeve on. The preprocessing unit, the splicing unit and the shrinking oven can be controlled by means of one hand of an operator, while the splicer is held with the other hand.
US07753595B2
A bearing mount of a rotatable printer drum having a rotational axis includes a main drum bearing, rotationally supporting the drum and having an outer bearing race, and at least two secondary roller bearings, angularly spaced from each other. The secondary roller bearings are positioned to rollably support the outer bearing race and allow lateral translation of the main bearing.
US07753591B2
An exemplary bearing and locating pin system for a turbocharger includes a locating pin including a shaft, a head and an aperture and a bearing having a central axis and including an internal bore to receive a shaft extending between a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel, the internal bore including a plurality of axial grooves, the bearing including a locating pin aperture substantially equidistant from axial ends of the bearing for engaging the locating pin to prevent rotation of the bearing within a bearing case bore, the bearing further including a plurality of lubricant inlets, each inlet extending between an outer surface of the bearing and one of the axial grooves at an angle non-orthogonal to the central axis. Other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
US07753588B2
A tabless, self-opening T-shirt-styled thermoplastic bag is provided having a handle, stress relief notch, and mounting tab structure for providing a wide-opening bag mouth and a bag having high weight carrying capacity. Handles have a narrow upper portion, a wide middle portion and a narrow lower portion. Handle mounting apertures are provided in the wide middle portion, which projects inwardly above the mouth of the bag. The handle mounting apertures are formed by a blade having an elongate section that is bent to form an obtuse angle. The handle mounting aperture has a sufficient width for accommodating arms of a dispensing rack and a height about three times as great as the width. The bag has a central mounting tab extending above the mouth of the bag and between the handles. A stress relief notch having a reasonably tight radius of curvature is provided between each handle and the mounting tab. The mounting tab has a mounting aperture formed by two blades meeting at a sharp corner, the corner having essentially no radius of curvature. A severable region is provided between the corner and an outer edge of the mounting tab, which can tear as the bag is removed from a mounting hook on a dispensing rack. Multiple bags are aligned and bonded together to provide a unitary pack, where pulling one bag off a dispensing rack pulls an adjacent bag open.
US07753586B2
A grid 3 arranged with a scattered radiation shielding plate 31 for each column is arranged at a front face of a radiation detector 2. The distance between the grid 3 and the radiation detector 2 is desirably a integral multiple of the height of the scattered radiation shielding plate 31. A true image signal of the pixel column including the shade is estimated from the image signal of the pixel column adjacent to the pixel column including the shade 41. The scattered radiation distribution is estimated from the image signals of the pixel column including the shade of the scattered radiation shielding plate and the image signals when considering that the shielding plate is not included in the shielded pixel. A clear diagnosis image without influence of scattered radiation is obtained by subtracting the estimated scattered radiation distribution from the estimated image signal distribution.
US07753583B2
An apparatus for measuring the temperature of outside air provided with a thermometer mounted in a housing connected to a forced ventilation blower for drawing a current outside air across the thermometer and with a Venturi nozzle having an air penetration opening disposed orthogonally relative to the air current for generating vacuum pressure and prevent reverse flow of air through the housing.
US07753576B2
A flotation device includes a pocket formed within its hollow body in open communication with an exterior surface thereof and a hollow housing mounted in the pocket. Illuminatable fiber optic strands are disposed in a predetermined pattern within the hollow body each having a light receiving end thereof protruding into the pocket through a wall thereof in an air impermeable manner and further into the housing. An illumination source is mounted inside the housing in close proximity to the light receiving ends of the fiber optic strands and a power source is also disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the illumination source. A multi-colored filter pane is mounted within the housing intermediate the illumination source and the receiving end of the each illuminatable fiber optic strand. A switch is provided and is manually operable by a user to operate the illumination source causing the strands to emit light.
US07753575B2
A vehicle lamp is provided with a plurality of lamp units respectively including light sources, and optical units for emitting light from the light sources ahead of the lamp unit, and a driving unit configured to swivel the plurality of optical units in different strokes.
US07753564B2
An illumination lamp (40) includes at least one solid-state lighting member (41) for radiating light, and a lampshade (10) being arranged corresponding to the at least one solid-state lighting member. The lampshade includes an array of lenses (11). Each lens has an incidence surface (110) for incidence of the light into the lampshade, and an opposite emitting surface (112) for emission of the light from the lampshade into ambient. At least one of the incidence surface and the emitting surface is a concave surface. The concave surface extends along a first direction. At least one micro-structure (111) is formed on the concave surface. The at least one micro-structure is long and narrow, and extends along the first direction. The micro-structure is configured for increasing radiating area of the light entering into the lampshade along a second direction intersecting the first direction.
US07753563B2
A display device comprising a body for housing first and second transparent members and a carrier that supports sources of light. The first member is spaced from the second member such that a first plenum chamber is formed between the first and second members. The carrier is spaced from the second member on a side of the second member opposite the first chamber such that a second plenum chamber is formed between the second member and the carrier. A spacer separates the carrier from the second member by a predetermined amount. The sources of light being directed at the first and second members and the first and second chambers. The first chamber is filled with optical particles to diffuse the light passing through. The carrier applies a load, via the spacer, on the second member such that the particles are maintained at a pressure.
US07753561B2
An optical device for coupling the luminous output of a light-emitting diode (LED) to a predominantly spherical pattern comprises a transfer section that receives the LED's light within it and an ejector positioned adjacent the transfer section to receive light from the transfer section and spread the light generally spherically. A base of the transfer section is optically aligned and/or coupled to the LED so that the LED's light enters the transfer section. The transfer section can comprises a compound elliptic concentrator operating via total internal reflection. The ejector section can have a variety of shapes, and can have diffusive features on its surface as well. The transfer section can in some implementations be polygonal, V-grooved, faceted and other configurations.
US07753556B1
An LED lamp includes a body comprising a supporting ring and a holding ring. A heat sink cover is mounted to a top surface of the supporting ring to cover a top end of the body. The heat sink cover comprises a plate and a plurality of fins formed on a top surface thereof. An LED module is received in the body and mounted to a bottom surface of the plate. A transparent envelope is mounted to the holding ring to cover a bottom end of the body. A retaining ring is mounted to a bottom surface of the holding ring to secure the transparent envelope in position. A suspension device is mounted to the heat sink cover. A power module is disposed in the suspension device.
US07753548B2
The present invention relates to an input device having an indicating lamp. The input device includes a case and an electronic lighting module. The electronic lighting module includes a printed circuit board, an electronic lighting element and a light guide post. The light guide post has a crooked shape. Due to the crooked shape, the light beams emitted by the electronic lighting element are no longer focused as a spot on the surface of the case.
US07753547B2
There is provided hands-free lighting, components thereof, and other accessories combined with the hands-free lighting. The hands-free lighting is preferably lighted headgear including hats and includes various accessories for use therewith, such as a protective switch guard associated with hat packaging surrounding an activation switch to prevent inadvertent activation while still allowing intentional actuation thereof.
US07753541B2
A motor vehicle has an exterior coating. A fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance is added to the exterior coating or forms a part of the exterior coating. The fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance serves to emit light, in particular red, green and/or blue light, in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range.
US07753540B2
An illuminable indicator (40) has an opaque base (42); a cover (44) for the base (42), the cover (44) having a formed design (46) therein having a given circumference with an area (48) defined by the circumference, the area (48) provided with a reflector (49) and at least the formed design being translucent; and mounting means (50) formed in the base for receiving a light engine (10).
US07753525B2
A virtual sensitivity value which is obtained, variously changing a pupil diameter is measured in advance for many examinees, and volume of correction which is necessary at the time when the sensitivity value is corrected into one in a standard pupil diameter is stored as correction volume database. An apparatus has measurement means for measuring the pupil diameter of the eye to be examined, computing means for computing a shape parameter rate of the measured pupil diameter to the standard pupil diameter, and judgment means for computing volume of correction by referring to the correction volume database from the shape parameter rate and correcting the virtual sensitivity value obtained by measurement of the eye to be examined and for judging a sensitivity step of the eye to be examined.
US07753511B2
A solid ink stick incorporates structural features and aspect ratios that facilitate movement of the ink stick through a feed channel. The ink stick includes an ink stick body having a width, a length, and a height, a first skew limiter in a lateral side of the ink stick, the first skew limiter having a length substantially equal to the length of the ink stick and a width that is less than one-half of the width of the ink stick, and a second skew limiter in a lateral side of the ink stick opposite the lateral side in which the first skew limiter is located, the second skew limiter having a length substantially equal to the length of the ink stick and a width that is less than one-half of the width of the ink stick.
US07753505B2
An ink cartridge includes a wall, and an ink supply portion positioned at the wall. The ink supply portion has an ink supply opening formed therein. The ink cartridge also includes a plurality of protrusions which includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend from the wall. In an embodiment, a distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is greater than 0 mm and less than a diameter of the ink supply opening. In another embodiment, the distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is greater than 0 mm and less than a diameter of the ink supply opening.
US07753497B2
A metal oxide layer is disposed on the lower potential side when an electric field in a predetermined direction is applied to the piezoelectric body which is deformed by an applied electric field, and compensates for the oxygen vacancies which are generated in the piezoelectric body by applying the electric field. A second metal oxide layer is disposed on the higher potential side of the electric field applied to the piezoelectric body, and by applying an electric field in the direction reverse to the electric field, compensates for the oxygen vacancies which are accumulated in the piezoelectric body, thus degradation of the piezoelectric characteristic of a piezoelectric element can be repaired.
US07753495B2
A base member for use in manufacturing an ink jet recording head, which includes a supply port, an ejection outlet, a liquid flow path for directing liquid supplied from the supply port to the ejection outlet, and an ejection pressure generating element, disposed in the liquid flow path, for ejecting the liquid. The supply port is formed as a through-opening in a substrate on which the ejection pressure generation element is provided. The base member includes a recessed portion formed on the side of the substrate provided with the ejection pressure generation element. The recessed portion extends from an edge of the supply port to a neighborhood of the ejection pressure generation element. A protection layer is provided at least on a portion of the substrate surface constituting the recessed portion.
US07753494B2
A printhead is provided having a plurality of chambers on a substrate, each chamber having a nozzle, a heater arranged in each chamber so as to heat fluid within the chamber to form a gas bubble therein and thereby cause ejection of a drop from the corresponding nozzle, and a plurality of passages formed in the substrate so that each passage supplies the fluid to an associated one of the chambers. Each heater includes solid material and has a mass of less than 10 nanograms of the solid material, which is configured to be heated to cause formation of the gas bubble.
US07753493B2
A nozzle arrangement for an ink jet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate arrangement defining an ink inlet channel and a first wall surrounding the ink inlet channel; a movable ink ejection structure defining an ink ejection port and a second wall surrounding the first wall so that the wafer substrate arrangement and ink ejection structure together define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and the ink ejection port; and a plurality of thermal bend actuators movably coupling the ink ejection structure to the wafer substrate arrangement. Each actuator includes an arm for moving the ink ejection structure responsive to an applied electrical signal, whereby a volume of the nozzle chamber is varied. Each arm includes a pair of inner active portions and a pair of outer passive portions, the inner active portions having a profile inverse to that of the outer passive portions.
US07753491B2
A nozzle arrangement is provided for a printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer arrangement and a nozzle extending from the wafer arrangement. The nozzle defines a nozzle chamber in which ink can be stored and an ink ejection port though which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. The wafer arrangement includes a pair of spaced apart electrodes located within the nozzle chamber. One of the electrodes defines a corrugated portion proximal to the nozzle that facilitates ejection of ink in the nozzle chamber out through the ink ejection port upon a potential difference being applied across the electrodes.
US07753488B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink supplying member which has an ink storage section, an exhaust section, and a space portion formed between the ink storage section and the exhaust section, an ink-jet head, and two flexible flat cables (FPC) which are drawn in mutually opposite directions from the ink-jet head. One FPC is wired by passing along a side of the ink supplying member, opposite to the exhaust section, and the other FPC is wired by passing through the space portion. Since the FPC is wired avoiding the ink supplying member and the exhaust section, it is possible to eliminate adhering of ink to the FPC, and to eliminate a waste of FPC wiring. Moreover, it is possible to reduce a cost, and to uniformize electrical characteristics of the two flexible flat cables.
US07753484B2
A printhead comprising a plurality of unit cells, at least one of the plurality of unit cells comprising a substrate including an ink inlet passage. A chamber is defined by chamber sidewalls and at least part of a nozzle plate defining an aperture for ejection of ink from the chamber, the chamber being in fluid communication with the inlet passage. A nozzle enclosure comprising enclosure sidewalls and a roof defining an opening for ejection of ink, the nozzle enclosure surrounding the aperture. Ink ejected from the aperture is directed to the opening of the nozzle enclosure, thereby isolating the aperture from an adjacent aperture of an adjacent unit cell.
US07753480B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a recording head that forms an image onto a recording medium; a guide shaft disposed to extend in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and includes a support portion formed integrally with the carriage; and a bearing unit attached to an inner surface of the support portion and allows the carriage to be moved along the guide shaft, and includes plate-shaped bearing portions that are disposed to have a contained angle that allows the bearing portions to contact with a circumferential surface of the guide shaft at two points.
US07753472B2
A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead, and an engagement mechanism for reciprocally moving the pad between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The engagement mechanism is configured to move the pad rotatably with respect to the printhead such that, during engagement, a first part of the surface is contacted with the face prior to a second part of the surface. During disengagement the second part is disengaged from the face prior to the first part.
US07753466B2
A device (200) for manufacturing a color printing includes a printhead (10), a device (300) for additional printing of the color printing, and a printhead motion and jetting control (100). The device (300) also provided herein includes a printhead identification unit (80) and the host processor (90). The printhead identification unit is configured for identifying type of the N jets, calculating the numbers of the defective jets, and then outputting measurement information of the N jets and the defective jets. The host processor is configured for receiving the measurement information from the printhead identification unit and outputting movement instructions of the printhead with a starting position of the printhead in the first printing process.
US07753457B2
Apparatus and slide cassette for removably retaining or securing a slide. The cassette includes trays for holding a slide. Each tray has a retaining lip at an end thereof. A first edge of a slide contacts a support member within the cassette when the slide that is placed in a slot. The support member can be an elastomeric member, a spring, a foam member, or an insert with slide retention surfaces. The support member pushes or urges the slide in the opposite direction so that an opposite edge of the slide contacts the retaining lips of the trays. As a result, the slide is removably retained or secured on the trays and between the retaining lips and the support member(s).
US07753453B2
A wheel balance weight for an automobile is provided. The wheel balance weight for an automobile includes a weight holder 10 having a hook part 12 press-fitted between a rim 7 of an automobile wheel 5 and a tire bead part 9 and an arcuate gripping part 14 provided at the other end of the hook part 12, and a weight element 20 detachably gripped by an inner periphery of the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10, wherein the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10 has a cut-out part 14a formed at a center part thereof to a certain length in a circumferential direction thereof, and the weight element 20 has a fixing protrusion 22 projecting from an outer periphery thereof through the cut-out part 14a of the gripping part 14 to the exterior and fixedly hooked by the gripping part 14.
US07753450B2
The present invention relates to a fitting (8) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat. The fitting comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have two fitting parts (11, 12, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to each other and that are mechanically interlinked by way of an eccentric epicyclic gear defining backlash. The present invention is characterized in that the first individual fitting (10) has an eccentric that is not able to eliminate the backlash and the second individual fitting (50) has an eccentric adapted for eliminating the backlash.
US07753448B2
A seat position-adjusting device is used to connect adjustably a seat to a leg unit of a highchair, and includes a tube component, a slide seat and a locking unit. The tube component is sleeved on the leg unit, and is formed with positioning holes aligned along a tube axis. The slide seat is sleeved on the tube component, and is connected to the seat. The locking unit includes a latch disposed in the slide seat, pivoted to the slide seat, and pivotable between locking and unlocking positions to engage and disengage a selected positioning hole to thereby selectively lock and unlock the slide seat relative to the tube component.
US07753432B2
A retractable roof device for a vehicle, including a roof panel configured to be displaced by a guide, moving from a closed position covering the passenger compartment of the vehicle to a retracted position in a rear area of the vehicle. The device also includes a cover structure. The controlled displacement of the roof between the closed position and the retracted position causes displacement of the rear cover structure and/or part of the passenger compartment such that the rear cover structure and/or passenger compartment part allows the roof panel and guide to be displaced.
US07753425B2
Load carrier mountable above a bed structure of a vehicle having an upper surface and an internal bed rail system is disclosed. The load carrier broadly includes an upright base support member, an internal rail clamping assembly, and a clamp adjustment assembly. The upright base support member rests upon the upper surface of the side wall of the bed structure and connects with the internal rail clamping assembly. The upright base support member has a first clamp surface for asserting a clamping force upon the upper surface of the side wall of the bed structure. The rail clamping assembly is releasably securable to the internal bed rail system and includes a second clamp surface for asserting a clamping force upon the internal bed rail system. The clamp adjustment assembly positionally adjusts the first clamping surface with respect to the second clamping surface between clamped and unclamped positions.
US07753414B2
A pipe coupling for connection to a pipe end of pipe made of polymer material includes an inner sleeve which is intended for insertion into the pipe end and for abutment with the inner surface of the pipe end, and an outer sleeve which is intended for abutment with the outer surface of the pipe end and which includes a slot-like opening. The pipe coupling also includes a device for adjusting the opening, and a pre-widening device positioned between the edges of the slot-like opening. The pre-widening device makes the slot-like opening larger such that the inner diameter of the outer sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe.
US07753408B2
The invention relates to a composite component comprising an insert made of expanded metal surrounded by foamed material, particularly a steering column collision protection element.
US07753407B2
A side airbag cover for holding a folded shape of a side airbag to be stored includes a first cover portion for covering a front inflation portion of the side airbag, the front inflation portion inflating and deploying substantially forward in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; and a second cover portion for covering a lower inflation portion of the side airbag, the lower inflation portion inflating and deploying substantially downward.
US07753404B2
An airbag device comprises an airbag having at least one chamber, which can be filled with gas by a gas generator, and a ventilation opening in fluid communication with the chamber. The ventilation opening is sealed by an airbag section, which is detachably mounted to a fastening member, and is configured as an insertion opening for the gas generator.
US07753400B2
A multi-axle leaf spring suspension having a compliant equalizer. The leaf springs are mounted one behind the other on each side of the vehicle. Adjacent ends of the leaf springs are pivotally attached to the compliant equalizer. The compliant equalizer is pivotally mounted to a vehicle frame. The compliant equalizer comprises a pair of arms that are pivotally connected to each other in a scissor-like fashion. One end of each arm is pivotally connected to the end of a leaf spring. The other end of each arm is cooperatively arranged to contain and compress a spring member between them. The compliant equalizer reduces the magnitude of shocks that would be other wise transmitted to the suspension and frame by absorbing them through compression of the spring member.
US07753390B1
A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and an “I-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span across parallel longitudinal truck frame members and it includes mounting flanges extending generally downward from either lateral side where the mounting flanges have a plurality of apertures for receiving suitable fasteners inserted therein for mounting said beam member to the truck frame members. The transverse member also includes a plurality of pivot bearing pairs to receive the journal bearings of the fifth wheel which is coupled thereto by a trunnion.
US07753381B2
A tool chuck may include a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis. A sleeve may be mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position. A clutch part provided on the sleeve. The clutch part may engage with a cooperating clutch part when the sleeve is in the second axial position. The clutch part may have a working surface that faces in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
US07753377B2
A shaft seal includes an elastomeric annular body having a radially inwardly protruding annular lip. An annular outer case receives the elastomeric annular body. An annular inner case is embedded into the elastomeric annular body. An annular insert is positioned adjacent the inner case. A backup/support insert is received in a recessed pocket in the elastomeric body and outboard of an axially extending annular bead protruding from the body and compressed sealingly against the radially inward extending leg of the seals annular outer case. The backup/support insert and axially extending annular bead act to prevent sealed fluid pressure from acting against a rind portion of the elastomeric body thus leaving outwardly extending beads of the rind portion free to compress or decompress to accommodate eccentric deflection of the shaft. The outer case, the insert, the backup insert and the inner case support the lip and compensate for shaft offset.
US07753376B2
There is provided a plunger seal (1) for a fuel injection pump for a direct-injection gasoline engine, in which, even if a resin material is used for a fuel seal member (12), the plunger seal can be made compact, sealing ability is increased, and assembling man-hours can be reduced, and in which set sealing performance can be achieved when a U-shaped elastic member (33) for applying an energizing force in a diametrical direction is used in a groove (41) formed in the fuel seal member (12). The resin fuel seal member (12) and an oil seal member (13) are assembled to form one seal system. Further, when the U-shaped elastic member (33) is installed in the groove (41), an axial position (L1) of an end surface (44a) at the side opposite to the sealed object of a fixing collar (44) formed on an inner peripheral surface of the groove (41) is positioned at the side (B) opposite to the sealed object than the axial position (L2) of a leading end portion (15b) of a seal lip (15) of the fuel seal member (12).
US07753375B1
An amusement system including a housing having a receiving aperture at a top surface and an ejecting aperture at a front surface and further including a channel connecting the receiving aperture to the ejecting aperture; a motorized rotatable flywheel mounted inside the housing and coupled to the channel between the top surface and the channel for engaging an object travelling through the channel; a roller assembly mounted inside the housing and coupled to the channel opposite of the flywheel and disposed so an object engaging the flywheel concurrently engages the roller assembly wherein the flywheel and the roller assembly cooperatively eject the object a distance less than fifteen feet from the ejecting aperture when the flywheel rotates and contacts the object; and wherein the housing includes a mounting system to attach to an object no less than about three feet above a surface supporting the object.
US07753372B2
An apparatus for opening and depositing a signature onto a transporting device includes a continuously rotating gripper cylinder having a first shaft and carrying at least one signature. First and second opening cylinders are arranged below the gripper cylinder to open the signature and deposit the opened signature onto the transporting device. The first and second opening cylinders each have a second and third shafts, respectively, extending substantially parallel to the first shaft. The first and second opening cylinders each have a peripheral section, the peripheral section of the first opening cylinder engaging in a region of rotation of the gripper cylinder to grip a signature such that the signature can be released again. The first opening cylinder includes a guide element to aid in conveying the signature.
US07753365B2
In an image scanning apparatus, when documents on a document tray are sequentially transferred, different control steps are performed according to a scanning speed when an upper surface height of the documents is lowered thereby turning off a height detection sensor. In a first control mode, which is not a high speed scanning, the document tray is elevated little by little during an inter-transfer time between each time one document is transferred until the upper surface height reaches a target height that is higher by a predetermined distance since the height detection sensor is turned on. In a second control mode, in which high speed scanning is performed, the document tray is elevated little by little during the inter-transfer time each time the one document is transferred until the upper surface height reaches a height that is higher by a predetermined distance than a height at a time when the height detection sensor is turned off.
US07753364B2
The sheet capacity of a pivoting feed head is combined with a complimentary pivoting design for the paper tray lift, such that a large total capacity of sheets is attained within a compact space, while allowing the lifting mechanisms to be located outside of the perimeter of the paper tray.
US07753363B2
A paper feeding device includes a cover, a base, a pickup roller assembly and at least one paper blocking unit. The paper blocking unit is placed beside the pickup roller assembly, has a paper blocking element and a projection projecting from the upper portion of the side wall of the pickup roller assembly. The paper blocking element includes a connecting portion, a paper blocking arm, a pivot rotatablely connecting the cover. A connecting arm extends upwards from the end of the pivot, a blocking portion projects from the outer side of the connecting arm, a passage is formed between the blocking portion and the connecting arm. The projection can be downward against the blocking portion of the paper blocking element or pass through the passage of the paper blocking element to allow the paper to be fed in, so the cooperation is easy, the paper feeding device works smoothly.
US07753356B2
The present application is directed to methods and devices for a locking mechanism to connect input components for use within an image forming device. Two or more input components are placed in a stacked arrangement. The locking mechanism of a first input component engages the locking mechanism of a second input component to connect the input components. The locking mechanism may be activated automatically when the input units are stacked.
US07753350B2
The present invention is a T-Slot block assembly that provides a plurality of attachment points for attachment to a milling machine worktable and to other T-Slot blocks for accommodating a variety of differing clamping or work piece holding jobs. Furthermore said invention can utilize common available clamps, fasteners, step blocks, T-nuts and various common but numerous work holding tooling. No additional mounting plates, or any type of preparatory hardware is required to directly mount the T-Slot Block onto the milling table or other work table where a T-slot is provided.
US07753348B2
A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. Each tray assembly has two levels of tray decks and associated downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. A novel downcomer configuration is provided for use in multipass trays. The shape of downcomer bottom chord is designed to allow for liquid to travel across any part of each tray deck at a similar distance between the inlet and the outlet weir. As a result, liquid on the tray deck travels in plug flow pattern. Benefits include a higher Murphree tray efficiency due to minimum liquid back-mixing, as well as minimum local entrainment due to uniform froth height.
US07753322B1
A device for holding a collapsible bag, such as a plastic trash bag, in an open and operable position. A rim supports the mouth of the bag, while a handle and forearm brace permit a user to hold it easily and without fatigue. The handle and brace are placed at the edge of the rim so as to leave the opening unobstructed and maximize versatility for both trash and leaf pickup.
US07753312B2
A fiber reinforced strip is adhesively bonded to an outwardly facing surface of a reinforcing frame and to an inwardly facing outer skin surface. Such a strip position reduces crack propagation in a lightweight structure particularly in the outer skin adhesively bonded to the reinforcing frame through the strip. For this purpose the fiber reinforced strip is interposed between the outer skin and the frame and adhesively bonded to the outer skin and to the frame. The strip has reinforcing fibers extending in parallel to each other or the reinforcing fibers are woven into a fabric embedded in a synthetic adhesive bonding material. The embedding of the parallel fibers or of the fiber fabric in the bonding material is performed either prior to the bonding or during the bonding of the strip to the outer skin and to the reinforcing frame.
US07753302B2
A rotor of an impact crusher has at least one stellate plate, which can be attached to the rotor shaft. A plurality of paddle-blade type hammer tools are mounted on each stellate plate. The hammer tools are secured above and below the stellate plate by tool mounting brackets having hook-shaped ends that engage with the hammer tools. A respective adapter piece is placed in the stellate plate between the two tool mounting brackets. A retaining bolt penetrates the two tool mounting brackets and the adapter piece. A security slide secures the retaining bolt in position. The hammer tools of the inventive rotor for an impact crusher have a high usage volume and the rotor is extremely user-friendly with respect to the recurring tasks of setting and replacing the hammer tools, without having to loosen screw connections.
US07753299B1
An apparatus includes a drive structure on which are mounted both a first blade carrier and a second blade carrier. The first blade carrier has a first blade facing a cutting surface of a first screen portion, and is mounted on the drive structure so that the first blade is moveable along a first positioning axis with respect to the cutting surface of the first screen portion. The second blade carrier has a second blade facing a cutting surface of a second screen portion, and is mounted on the drive structure so that the second blade is moveable along a second positioning axis with respect to the cutting surface of the second screen portion. A first pressure is used to vary the force with which the first blade presses against the first screen portion and a second fluid pressure is used to vary the force with which the second blade presses against the second screen portion.
US07753297B2
A grinding mechanism for a food waste disposer includes a grinding ring defining a plurality of window openings therethrough. The grinding ring is received in a housing of a grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism has a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the window openings that are disposed outboard of the window openings. A plurality of stacked disks form a rotatable shredder plate that is situated to rotate relative to the grinding ring.
US07753296B2
A pulverization/classification apparatus including a cylindrical vessel having an inner wall, on a surface of which a layer including a release agent is located; a pulverizer configured to pulverize a material such as toner raw materials in the cylindrical vessel using a compressed air to prepare a particulate material; and a classifier configured to classify the particulate toner material to prepare a powder of the material. Alternatively, the inner wall of the cylindrical vessel has a circumferentially projected portion. A method for manufacturing a powder such as toners using the pulverization/classification apparatus is also provided.
US07753288B2
A system and method are provided for failsafe storage and dispensing of a liquid material from a container having a storage compartment. A dispensing control unit coupled to the container includes a control valve portion operable to selectively direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby, and a response valve portion coupled to the neck portion. The response valve portion is reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream as directed thereto. The response valve portion in the first state seals an access opening of the container from the storage compartment, while in the second state maintains the access opening in communication with the storage compartment. The response valve portion is resiliently biased to its first state, whereby release of the liquid material therethrough is prevented in the absence of suitable fluid pressure actuation therefor. The response valve portion in certain embodiments includes a displaceable piston assembly, and in certain other embodiments a deflectable member, for selective reconfiguration between the first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream.
US07753287B2
The present invention comprises a cleaning system for headlamps, windshields or other surfaces, particularly of motor vehicles, comprising a tube system with liquid reservoir and a pump for providing and supplying a cleaning liquid and a nozzle configuration with liquid exit for applying a cleaning liquid of a surface to be cleaned wherein said liquid exit comprises a curved slot and/or a sphere arrangement to apply the cleaning liquid with low liquid pressure onto the surface to be cleaned.
US07753277B2
A user-operable actuation device for use in a system. The user-operable actuation device includes a user-operable component supported within a support structure, and operated by the user, and also has an electronic-ink display label. An activation module is provided for transmitting electromagnetic data signals to the electronic-ink display label so as to provide instructions for use in the determinating of graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. Each electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure. The electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representing information representative of one or more symbols associated with the operation of the user-operable component within the system.
US07753273B2
A ballot marking system and apparatus for marking a paper ballot listing a plurality of candidates which includes a marking space for each candidate which can be either hand-marked by a voter, or machine-marked by the marking apparatus. The voting station includes a multiple key-switch navigation sub-panel by which the voter enters his or her selections in response to audio prompts. If a ballot is to be machine marked, the ballot is inserted into the marking device and candidate selections are presented to the voter through an audio voting sequence and/or on the touchscreen. Candidate selections entered on the sub-panel or touchscreen are marked on the ballot by a print mechanism which marks spaces corresponding to the selected candidates, and the ballot is returned to the voter in a form which enables the voter to visually confirm that his selections have been marked. The ballot, whether hand-marked or machine-marked, is inserted in a ballot scanning device, wherein it is tallied and deposited in a ballot box.
US07753267B2
The present invention provides systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfers. One such method includes receiving a request for a transfer pair verification from a vendor location (360), and verifying that the transfer pair is associated with a valid transfer pair record (362). The method includes sending the transfer pair verification to the vendor location (368), receiving a money transfer request (370) associated with the transfer pair from the vendor location, and authorizing a money transfer (372) to at least one of a first and second customers associated with the transfer pair. In this manner, a vendor location, which may include a point-of-sale device and may be a retail outlet (e.g., grocery store, gas station, or the like), can be used to facilitate a money transfer between two customers.
US07753265B2
A system and method is disclosed for verifying a commercial transaction between a card-holder, a merchant, and a credit card company. The card-holder makes a purchase with the merchant using a full credit card number. The merchant submits a transaction approval request for approval with the credit card company. The credit card company executes conventional credit approval of the transaction approval request, as well as verifies the transaction approval request with the card-holder. An approval is sent to the merchant only after the transaction approval request is both conventionally approved by the credit card company and verified by the card-holder. The card-holder, or the credit card company, may initiate verification of the transaction approval request. The transaction approval request can also be automatically verified if one or many pre-verification criteria is/are satisfied by data contained in the transaction approval request. The pre-verification criteria can be initially determined and/or modified by the card-holder. As another security feature, the card-holder may selectively activate and deactivate their credit card/account as desired. The credit card itself includes indicia of security measures.
US07753255B2
A top closure obturating panel (2) of a carton is formed with a partial depth cut (4) in the form of an open loop of which one end (4a) is at a greater distance from a central zone of the loop (4) than is the other end (4b). Following filling and top-sealing of the carton, there is applied to the panel (2) a pour spout fitment consisting of a flanged pour spout, a screw cap on the pour spout, and a plunger co-operating with the screw cap and the pour spout in such manner that, upon unscrewing of the screw cap, the plunger screws inwards. At its inner end, the plunger is formed with arcuate pushing blades (6), which thereby cause the laminate material of the panel (2) to fracture along the partial depth cut (4) such that an encircling portion (2a) of the panel (2) and an encircled portion (2b) within the loop (4) separate from each other along the loop (4), but remain interconnected by way of an intermediate portion (2c) extending through between the ends (4a) and (4b) of the loop (4).
US07753254B2
A method and apparatus for producing a sandwich structure that is lightweight and many times stiffer than regular sheet metal, and which is easily formable into curved structures as well as structures having compound curves. In one embodiment, a formed core includes a plurality of cells comprising alternating front and rear projections extending outwardly in front of and behind a median plane, with each projection having a bonding surface area or land configured to be bonded with corresponding external sheets on both sides of the formed core. A plurality of micro-abrasions or indentations are formed on the bonding lands, allowing stronger bonding joints to be formed between the core and the external sheets by facilitating improved capillary action by the core during the bonding process.
US07753252B2
A system and method for using friction stir welding, friction stir processing, and friction stir mixing to create pressure vessels, pipes or other containers comprised of a single material or multiple layers of different materials, and having superior strength and endurance characteristics.
US07753251B2
A method and a apparatus for removing a micro component surely and leveling solder remaining on a substrate without imposing thermal damage to solder lands, the substrate and components on the periphery. A thermosetting adhesive (15) is provided on the surface (12a) of a micro component (12) opposite to the side of a substrate (11), and the distal end of a component holding pin (13) having cross-section area falling within the surface (12a) of the micro component (12) opposite to the side of the surface (11) is passed through the thermosetting adhesive (15) to abut against the surface (12a) of the micro component (12). Subsequently, solder (16) between the micro component (12) and the substrate (11) is heated to melt and the component holding pin (13) is moved in the direction receding from the substrate (11). Consequently, the micro component (12) is removed from the substrate (11).
US07753242B2
A suction roller system includes a suction roller and a control head having a ventilation zone situated at a face side of the suction roller. The suction roller system allows rapid ventilation of the suction bores situated on the face side opposite the control head via a cost-advantageous and space-saving expansion. For this purpose, the suction roller is equipped, on the second face side, with a closure plate having an opening that corresponds to the ventilation zone.
US07753241B2
A hanger for suspending multiple articles, such as automotive floor mats, is injection-molded in one piece from a suitable polymer. The hanger has at least four stationary article gripping members and four mobile article gripping members which are fastenable to respective ones of the stationary gripping members. Article-supporting fingers of the stationary gripping members extend horizontally away from the hanger body, two in one direction and two in another. The stationary gripping members are arranged in pairs, with one member in a pair extending in one direction, and the other member of the pair extending in an opposite direction. In one embodiment, a shared structural plate makes up a portion of the “C” channel for each gripping member in the pair.
US07753236B2
Apparatus for storing water, especially purified water, for use in a beverage dispenser is provided with a microbiological agent to kill or deter microbiological growth and maintain the quality of the water. The agent is provided in a physical form to promote contact with the water and may be renewable to maintain effectiveness of the agent over a period of time. In one arrangement, the agent is contained in a cartridge 92 arranged in a re-circulation loop 89 through which the water in a reservoir 80 is passed and returned to the reservoir 80. The cartridge 92 and/or a carrier for the agent within the cartridge 92 may be replaceable to renew the agent. The agent may also be provided within the reservoir 80 and various arrangements for this are also disclosed.
US07753235B2
The invention generally relates to a foot activated dispenser and more particularly to a foot activated dispenser for dispensing a liquid product such as a skin care product (i.e. hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion, etc.). More specifically, the foot activated dispenser includes a bladder connected to tubing that is connected to a piston pump. The piston pump is located within a shroud that is removably attached to a wall bracket. The wall bracket includes a bottle retainer for holding a bottle having a pump.
US07753233B2
A spout unit having a tamper-evident function so that it is easy to determine visually that a sealed cap is opened when the cap is unsealed, wherein strong force is not needed to open while modification of moderate curve in convex from an easy-to-break portion of a tamper-proof ring is corrected when the spout is sealed with the cap, is provided. A spout unit comprising a spout 20 having a cylindrical opening 21 and a cap 2 which seals the opening of the spout, wherein the cap 2 has a tamper-proof ring 10 connected to a lower end portion of the cap 2 via an easy-to-break linking piece; wherein the tamper-proof ring has an easy-to-break portion 14, which breaks by tension applied in the circumferential direction of the ring, and a claw part engageable with a ratchet provided at the spout side; and wherein a tamper-proof ring support 45 is provided at least at two points around the opening of the spout, in which the tamper-proof ring support is in partial contact with undersurface of the tamper-proof ring upon screwing the cap and has a height to maintain a position of the tamper-proof ring in horizontal direction at a constant level.
US07753232B2
A fluid dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid, and includes a fluid reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed, a dispense tube to dispense the fluid, and an elevator mechanism. The fluid reservoir receives a fluid from a fluid supply. A dispense tube has a dispense outlet, and is connected to an outlet port on the fluid reservoir. The elevator mechanism changes a relative vertical displacement between the dispense outlet and the outlet port, such that the fluid is dispensed when the dispense outlet is lower than the outlet port, and not dispensed when the dispense outlet is higher than the outlet port.
US07753228B2
A case body is provided with a cover which opens from and closes against the case body. The cover includes a hinge boss rotatably attached to the case body through a hinge pin. On the opposite side of the hinge pin is provided a hook mechanism with which the cover is engaged with the case body to form a closed state. A pressure member contacts and presses to the hinge boss to reduce the rotation speed of the hinge boss. A radius reduction portion is formed so that the outer dimension of the hinge boss is reduced gradually as the cover is getting closer to its full-opened position in order to weaken a frictional contact function with the pressure member.
US07753227B2
A torsion spring includes a spring body wound by a helical wire, a first arm extending tangently from an end of the spring body, and a second arm extending from the other end of the spring body. The first arm includes sequentially a first portion extending from the spring body, a curved second portion bent toward a first direction from the first portion, and a curved third portion bent toward a different second direction from the second portion. A torsion spring assembly and a releasable casing using the torsion spring are also disclosed.
US07753225B2
A valve assembly for an elastic mouthpiece for drinking from a liquid container. The valve assembly comprises a flexible membrane, having at least one valve opening, and a rigid membrane supporting element, which has at least one valve opening. The invention also relates to a mouthpiece for drinking from a liquid container that is provided with an inventive valve assembly, which is placed on a cap with an opening for the passage of liquid.
US07753221B2
A blow-molded container is provided, which has a low blow ratio and good appearances with no flash line, glossy spot, and/or color spot on the sidewall of the container near the bottom. The mold created for this purpose is used in blow molding and is characterized in that a split mold has a mold parting face perpendicular to the mold-clamping direction, splits into front and rear mold halves, and has a mold pinch-off section, which is used to pinch off parison P and is provided with pinch-off blades on bottom surface of mold cavity bottom. In the cross-sectional plan view of said split mold in its closed state, a bottom parting line is formed by a linear pinch-off line, which is formed on the bottom surface by the pinch-off blades, a pair of mold parting lines formed by said mold parting face on the right and left peripheries, and a pair of connecting lines that connects the right and left ends of said pinch-off line with the inner ends of said right and left mold parting lines. The all or those portions of said connecting lines that lie adjacent to said pinch-off line are formed by end parting faces located at right and left ends of the pinch-off section of said split mold so that a pair of roughly right-angled bent corners is formed by all or those adjacent portions of said connecting lines and said pinch-off line.
US07753219B2
A reinforcing frame structure for a storage rack is disclosed having spacer blocks set in between outer rectangular open frame and inner rectangular open frame of each of top and bottom rectangular open frame units thereof at two sides of each of the upright supports at four corners, a reinforcing angle block attached to each rectangular open frame unit at each of the four corners at an inner side, and reinforcing pins transversely fastened to the inner and outer rectangular open frames, the spacer blocks and the reinforcing angle blocks at each of the four corners to reinforce the structural strength of the rectangular open frame units.
US07753218B2
A tilt back merchandise display stand has a front panel tilted at the top rearwardly to its rear panel. The stand has two triangular side panel foldable inwardly along two vertical middle fold lines. A horizontal fold line formed at the middle position of the stand so that the stand may be folded into a collapsed condition. A single large rectangular merchandise display shelving or two separate merchandise display shelving may be mounted to the front panel with S-shaped hooks mounted to open mounting slots formed at the top edge and at the horizontal fold line of the front panel. A plurality of separate merchandise display trays with upper L-shaped tabs may also be mounted to the front panel with a plurality of vertical mounting slots formed along its side edges. The display stand is self-erectable with the provision of an elastic cord mounted between a brace panel and the rear panel within the stand.
US07753210B2
A damper system for transportation includes a packaging box for storing a container containing a work and also includes a pair of an upper damper and a lower damper each placed between the packaging box and the container. The upper and lower dampers contain foamed polyethylene or polypropylene, the upper damper includes upper impact-absorbing sections, and the lower damper includes lower impact-absorbing sections. The sum of h2 and h1 is equal to the width of an upper or lower space between the packaging box and the container, and h1 is greater than h2, wherein h2 represents the height of the upper impact-absorbing sections and h1 represents the height of the lower impact-absorbing sections. The shape of the upper and lower impact-absorbing sections is rectangular parallelepiped shape.
US07753208B2
In order to produce a packaging for a sink which has particularly good absorption properties and a low rate of transportation damage there is proposed a packaging for a sink which comprises at least one supporting body that is formed at least partly from a foamed plastic material and comprises at least one seating element incorporating a seating channel for an edge section of the sink, and an outer packaging whose interior accommodates the sink and the at least one supporting body, wherein the at least one supporting body extends over substantially the entire internal height of the interior of the outer packaging.
US07753203B2
A sharps handling device can include a base and a holder. The base and the holder can form a stand in which sharps devices can be retained so as to be accessible. The base and the holder can also form a container for enclosing sharps devices.
US07753201B2
A data disc protector and a method for using same to protect data discs stored in data disc storage cases is disclosed. Embodiments of the data disc protector comprise a protective sheet of material sized to fit between a data disc and a back cover of a data disc storage case and adapted to form a barrier between the back cover and the data disc when sandwiched between a data disc and the back cover. The data disc protector forms a physical barrier inhibiting the transfer of airborne hydrocarbons emitted by plastics in the storage case to the disc and preventing the data disc from contacting the back cover during storage. Embodiments of the data disc protector are made of a material that traps hydrocarbons. Embodiments of the data disc protector are provided with a central aperture adapted to allow installation on a hub in the storage case.
US07753193B2
A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt having a drive drum having an outer surface. The outer surface of the drive drum is adapted to engage a securement means. A contoured collar has an inner surface and an outer surface. The contoured collar is adapted to receive the securement means and adapted to engage the outer surface of the drive drum at predetermined positions therefore providing defined gaps between the inner surface of the contoured collar and the outer surface of the drive drum. The key sprocket drive system further comprises a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration with externally facing teeth-like protrusions at spaced intervals. The sprocket member is adapted to receive the securement means whereby the securement means engage the sprocket member and the contoured collar to secure the sprocket member and the contoured collar to the drive drum. The teeth-like protrusions engage the conveyor belt so as to drive the conveyor belt.
US07753189B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.
US07753181B2
A damper for damping movement of an object is formed from silicone impregnated or silicone containing components. The damper includes a housing having walls defining a well and a rotor positioned in the housing within the well. The rotor is positioned to define a space between the rotor and the walls. One or more seals is positioned between the housing and the rotor to isolate the space from the environment. A damping fluid is present in the well between the rotor and the housing for damping rotation of the rotor relative to the housing. The housing, the rotor and the seals are formed from silicone containing or silicone impregnated materials. The damping fluid is also a silicone based material.
US07753172B2
A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a structure disposed for high-speed rotation about an axis. The lubrication scavenge system also includes a sump housing with an inwardly-facing surface substantially encircling the structure for receiving and directing lubricant expelled from the structure. A volume is defined between the structure and the inwardly-facing surface. The lubrication scavenge system also includes an open cell metal foam body disposed in the volume and tightly encircling the structure to substantially reduce windage.
US07753154B2
A family of snowmobiles having different tunnel widths is disclosed. A snowmobile having spacers between the tunnel and the sides of the engine compartment and a method of manufacturing such a snowmobile are also disclosed. A snowmobile having a countershaft which is disposed rearwardly of the engine, vertically higher than the air intake opening, and forwardly of the air intake controller is also disclosed.
US07753151B2
A drive axle assembly for driving a wheel of a vehicle includes a moveable suspension arm and a wheel spindle fixed to the suspension arm. A planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The carrier encompasses the wheel spindle and is drivingly connected to the wheel. An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor drives the sun gear.
US07753148B2
A combination integrates a power take-off unit, a gear box and air compressor into a single component that is mounted to and suspended from the side mount PTO provision of a vehicle transmission. The combination eliminates the need for a separate drive line and provides a reduced footprint for underdeck applications. The combination also reduces the installation difficulties by reducing fluid lines and consolidating component location.
US07753147B2
A power distribution system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine is disclosed. The power distribution system includes an electric motor/generator, a vehicle accessory drive system comprising a first accessory, and a power distribution apparatus. The power distribution apparatus includes a first power transfer member comprising a first shaft, the first shaft being configured to transfer power to the engine and from the engine. The power distribution apparatus further includes a second power transfer member comprising a second shaft, the second shaft being configured to transfer power to the motor/generator and from the motor/generator. The power distribution apparatus further includes a third power transfer member comprising a third shaft, the third shaft being configured to transfer power to the accessory drive system to drive the first accessory. The power distribution apparatus further includes a first clutch and a second clutch.
US07753146B2
A leg type mobile robot includes a foot joined to a distal end of a leg through a second joint. The foot includes a foot flat portion having a ground contact end of the foot, a movable portion joined to the second joint and configured to be movable in a first direction with respect to the foot flat portion, a shock absorber comprising first and second end portions allowed to move closer to or away from each other in a second direction, the first end portion of the shock absorber being joined to a first point of the movable portion, and a motion direction conversion mechanism configured to convert a motion of the movable portion in the first direction to a motion of the second end portion of the shock absorber in the second direction with respect to the first point of the movable portion.
US07753134B1
A coulter assembly is provided that includes a torsion spring configured to maintain a substantially constant contact force between a scraper and a coulter disk sufficient to remove accumulated soil despite wearing of the scraper and/or coulter disk. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a scraper having a blade and an arm. The blade is disposed adjacent to a soil engaging portion of the coulter disk, and the arm is rotatably coupled to the coulter assembly and extends along a substantially straight path to the blade. A torsion spring is disposed about a rotational axis of the arm and configured to rotationally bias the blade toward the coulter disk by applying a torque between the coulter assembly and the arm. This configuration obviates manual adjustment of the scraper relative to the coulter disk, thereby reducing maintenance costs and operational delays.
US07753117B2
The permeability of the cement annulus surrounding a casing is measured by locating a tool inside the casing, placing a probe of the tool in contact with the cement annulus, measuring the change of pressure in the probe over time, where the change in pressure over time is a function of among other things, the initial probe pressure, the formation pressure, and the permeability, and using the measured change over time to determine an estimated permeability. The estimated permeability is useful in determining whether carbon dioxide can be effectively sequestered in the formation below or at the depth of measurement without significant leakage through the cement annulus.
US07753104B2
A method involves forming a core assembly. The forming includes molding a first ceramic core over a first refractory metal core to form a core subassembly. The subassembly is assembled to a second ceramic core.
US07753103B1
A method of casting a rotary friction plate includes preparing a casting mold with a cavity and a core shaped to form the friction plate. Molten metal is poured into the mold through a central sprue where a portion of the metal flows radially outward across the top of the core to fill friction plate forming regions of the cavity from above, while another portion flows through a central opening in the core to fill a hub forming region at the bottom of the cavity as well as additionally supply metal to the lower friction plate forming region from below. The metal is allowed to cool, which begins at the radially outer regions of the at least one friction surface and progresses radially inward to develop a uniform cast structure.
US07753093B2
A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a removable valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem has protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve has a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body has a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.
US07753090B2
A device is disclosed which acts to contain the contaminated effluent of an operation such as a hydro-blasting operation. The device has flexible bag for containing the effluent. The bag has an opening interfacing with a vessel being fluid blasted, into which opening the blasting effluent is received. A drain port is positioned on the containment bag to gravity empty the effluent from the interior of the bag, and a vent appropriately located on the containment bag to relieve pressure in the interior space during use and emptying. A flange strap disposed secures the bag opening to the vessel, and a support means is arranged to suspend the containment bag in proper relationship with the vessel. An expansion mechanism can be used to hold the containment bag in an expanded condition to facilitate use of the bag to properly contain the effluent.
US07753085B2
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
US07753082B2
A tube which includes: a tube body portion through which a fluid flows; a protector portion having an interior hollow space in which the tube body portion is provided, and an exterior wall defining the interior hollow space and having a flat outer surface; and a supporting portion supporting the tube body portion inside the hollow space in a position spaced from an inner surface of the hollow space. The supporting portion extends from the exterior wall of the protector portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flat outer surface of the exterior wall and across the hollow space to support the tube body portion at a middle portion thereof.
US07753081B2
A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangibly connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.
US07753077B2
A user input device is provided for a hydraulic system that has a source of pressurized fluid and a tank. The user input device includes a body with a supply passage for receiving the pressurized fluid, a tank passage for connection to the tank, and a first chamber. A handle is pivotally attached to the body and operates one or more valves within the body. In a preferred embodiment, the handle can be pivoted independently about two orthogonal axis with separate pairs of valves operated by movement about each axis. In response to the position of the handle, each valve connects a separate chamber alternately to either the supply passage or the tank passage and different pressure sensor produces an electrical signal indicating a level of pressure in the chamber of each valve. Thus an electrical signal is produced from each valve to indicate motion of the handle.
US07753071B2
A leak detector pad comprising a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface, spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface, and an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface. The circuit includes a first segment adapted to create an alternating current (AC) voltage waveform, a second segment adapted to apply the AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board, a third segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, and a fourth segment adapted to create a direct current (DC) voltage alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the third segment indicates the presence of fluid.
US07753064B2
The technology of the present application provides a collapsible canopy shelter having reinforced eaves for additional structural integrity, as well as at least one collapsible ventilation flap in the canopy cover that is capable of moving between a closed position and an open position to ventilate air from beneath the canopy cover as desired. Further, the collapsible canopy shelter comprises a canopy frame with a robust, spring-loaded pull latch, allowing the user to quickly and easily assemble and collapse the shelter without risking injury.
US07753062B2
A spray arm for a dishwasher is provided, comprising a first portion having a first engaging surface extending about an outer surface periphery thereof, and a second portion having a second engaging surface extending about the outer surface thereof and complementarily configured with respect to the first engaging surface. The engaging surfaces form a laterally-extending, non-linear interface upon engagement such that the first and second portion outer surfaces are directed away from each other. The second portion also includes a flange extending about the outer surface, and disposed laterally outward of and spaced apart from the second engaging surface, to define a channel having a depth extending across the interface. A securing material is introduced into and substantially fills the channel, and extends across the interface and about the first portion outer surface periphery, to secure the first and second portions together. An associated method is also provided.
US07753050B2
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body.
US07753041B2
A crossbow that enables arrows to be shot with simple operation is provided. The crossbow includes a bow stock that has a fitting recess for a cylinder formed between a front end and a rear end thereof, a bow that is attached to the front end of the bow stock thereacross, and has a string tensioned between both ends thereof, a wire catch that is rockably provided at the rear end of the bow stock to hook the tensioned string, a trigger that is provided at the rear end of the bow stock to cock the wire catch that has hooked the string and to release the cocking of the wire catch by triggering, thereby shooting an arrow, a cylinder that is rotatably fitted in the fitting recess of the bow stock, and has a plurality of arrow grooves formed at predetermined angular intervals in an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, and has arrows slidably inserted in the plurality of arrow grooves, respectively, and a rotation operating mechanism that rotates the cylinder at every predetermined angle, and locates one arrow groove in front of the wire catch.
US07753032B2
There is provided a control apparatus for a cylinder injection internal combustion engine which suppresses fuel pulsation caused by cam phase deviation and thereby prevents internal combustion engine exhaust deterioration, so that the reliability of a high-pressure fuel system using a high-pressure fuel pump is improved. The control apparatus for a cylinder injection internal combustion engine includes a high-pressure fuel pump that raises the pressure of fuel and discharges the fuel to a fuel rail, and a fuel pressure sensor that detects a pressure of fuel stored in the fuel rail. The control apparatus controls the high-pressure fuel pump based on the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor. The control apparatus further includes a cam phase estimation means for estimating a phase of a cam shaft of the internal combustion engine which drives the high-pressure fuel pump, and based on the phase estimation value calculated by the cam phase estimation means, corrects the amount of controlling the high-pressure fuel pump.
US07753025B2
The present disclosure relates to combusting fuel during cold start. A glow-plug may be provided within a combustion chamber having a volume including a piston, wherein the glow plug may provide a localized heated region. Air may then be provided into the chamber and compressed. A mass of fuel may also be provided into the combustion chamber, wherein an amount of the fuel mass may be directed towards the localized heated region of the glow plug, wherein the heated region of the glow plug may have a temperature T1, and the equivalence ratio of the fuel in the heated region achieves a value that the temperature T1 provides auto-ignition. All or a portion of the mass of fuel directed towards the heated region of said glow plug may be ignited, and then the remainder of the fuel may be ignited by auto-ignition and/or flame propagation.
US07753023B2
A cylinder liner has an outer circumferential surface on which a film is formed. The film functions to form gaps between the cylinder block and the cylinder liner. Alternatively, the film functions to reduce adhesion of the cylinder liner to the cylinder block. The cylinder liner suppresses excessive decreases in the temperature of a cylinder.
US07753019B2
The invention relates to a transmission assembly (34), for imparting a phase difference between an outer wheel and an inner wheel of a spline VVT. The assembly comprises a tubular meshing member (36) having an inner surface (38) and an outer surface (40), wherein at least a portion of the inner surface is provided with a first spline (42) and at least a portion of the outer surface is provided with a second spline (44). The first spline and the second spline do not have the same pitch in the same groove direction. The transmission assembly further comprises a bearing arrangement (46) and an actuation member (48). The bearing arrangement is arranged between the meshing member and the actuation member to allow a transfer of an axial displacement of the actuation member to the meshing member and allow a rotation of the meshing member relative to the actuation member.
US07753012B2
The invention relates to a motorcycle comprising a space-saving, lightweight motor assembly. The use of a compact W or VR-type internal combustion engine permits the motorcycle to have reduced dimensions and a low weight. Internal combustion engines comprising six to twelve cylinders can thus be used for motorcycles. The compact dimensions of the motor enable the production of motorcycles with sleek lines and an advantageous aerodynamic shape.
US07753009B2
An appliance having an enclosure arranged to receive articles to be treated also includes a water container and a steam chamber with a steam outlet. A water dispenser is arranged to dispense water from the water container to the steam chamber. A heating element is thermally associated with the steam chamber. A control is arranged to selectively operate the heating element. A steam path extends between the steam outlet and the enclosure. A chemical dispenser is positioned along the steam path. The heating element heats water in the steam chamber to create steam, and the chemical dispenser adds a chemical to the steam as the steam passes through the steam path.
US07753008B2
A harness suitable for comfortably securing a diaper to a four-legged pet, such as a dog or cat. The harness includes first and second strap members, each having first and second ends. The first and second strap members form a first intersection located in proximity to the first ends of the first and second strap members, and a second intersection located in closer proximity to the second ends of the first and second strap members than the first intersection. The first strap member defines a loop between the first and second intersections that is sized and configured to cross the chest of an animal. The first and second ends of the first strap member are equipped with features for securing a diaper to the first strap member. The second strap member is equipped with features for forming an adjustable loop with the second strap member.
US07753005B2
A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. A cartridge assembly may be mounted in the housing. One or more fans may be mounted to the cartridge assembly. The fans may intake air through the air inlet and expel air through an air outlet located on the housing. One or more motors may be mounted to the cartridge assembly and coupled to the fans. The cartridge assembly may be removed from the housing with the fans and motors mounted to the cartridge assembly. The blower system may be portable. The blower system may allow a user to apply the air from the air outlet to livestock.
US07753003B2
A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.
US07752994B2
To provide an indicating instrument capable of reducing the number of parts and improving the positioning precision. An indicating instrument 1 comprises: an indicator 3; said dial 4 disposed around said indicator 31 an indicating needle 6 for moving around said indicator 3; and a drive source 7 for driving said indicating needle 6. Said indicating needle 6 moves over said dial 4 while bypassing at least the back of said indicator 3, and said indicator 3 and said dial 4 are held by a holding member 2 constituted of a first holding portion 27 for holding said indicator 3 and a second holding portion 28 for holding said dial.
US07752990B2
A device for destroying subsea objects comprising a first part 2 provided with propulsive units, a second part 4 which can pivot relative to the first part on an axis, so that the device can approach a subsea object from different directions, and a fairing 3 protecting the second part 4.
US07752989B2
A deep water high capacity anchoring system in which the fixing of an anchor structure under compact layers of ocean soil is reached by jetting fluid in rising directions and, simultaneously in a radial and/or perpendicular direction to the external surfaces of said anchor structure injected from its lower extremity, thus guaranteeing anchoring of large size floating structures, related to the petroleum industry, such as stationary production units and oil drilling platforms.
US07752988B2
An apparatus for towing behind an underwater vehicle has a body and a yoke pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point and having a tether remote from the pivot point by which the apparatus us towed. The yoke has wings which generate a resultant force on the body when the apparatus is towed. By varying the orientation of the yoke relative to the body, the magnitude of the resultant force may be varied. The resultant force tends to reduce the displacement of the tether relative to the pivot point in at least one plane, thereby generating a force to counter the buoyancy of the apparatus, and so stabilize the apparatus when it is being towed.
US07752987B2
A sail assembly having a single, closed-loop support batten that supports a flexible sail. The sail is a hollow body defining a substantially hemispherical shape when fully expanded by captured wind. The support batten is housed in a perimeter sleeve at the front end of the sail. The support batten is stiff enough to support the sail, yet elastic enough that it can be twisted and coiled as three contiguous coils for compact folding. The sail has a significantly smaller size in the folded and coiled orientation, and is capable of rapid self deployment due to the energy stored in the folded batten. The deployed sail can be fastened to the deck of a small watercraft, hand held, or fastened to the blade end of a paddle or oar for capturing the energy in the wind to propel a small watercraft.
US07752977B1
A decelerating apparatus includes a sleeve having a forward end and a rear end. A plurality of helical grooves formed in the sleeve. Each helical groove begins at the forward end of the sleeve and has a depth that decreases from the forward end of the sleeve towards the rear end. The depth of each helical groove at the forward end of the sleeve is large enough so that the helical groove cuts completely through the sleeve at the forward end. The plurality of helical grooves define deformable petals therebetween.
US07752968B2
In a method and device for determination of a marking of an endless carrier material relevant for positioning of the endless carrier material to be printed in a printer or copier, the endless carrier material is inserted into the printer or copier. The endless carrier material is positioned in the printer or copier such that the marking is arranged in a detection region of a sensor arrangement. The pointing device is positioned at a position of the marking relevant for the positioning of the carrier material in the printer or copier. The position of the positioned pointing device is detected with aid of the sensor arrangement.
US07752964B2
Printing units are supported between side frames of a web-fed rotary printing press. Each such printing unit includes at least one transfer cylinder and at least one cooperating printing cylinder, which is embodied as a form cylinder. These cylinders are rotatably mounted between the spaced side frames. The printing unit is provided with an inking unit that includes a roller.
US07752963B1
A screen fabric frame is disclosed including a locking strip and a frame member. The frame member includes a locking strip groove extending at least a portion of a length of the frame member. The locking strip groove includes a central groove configured to receive the locking strip, a minor side groove having a minor depth, and a major side groove distal the central groove, the major side groove having a major depth greater than minor depth of the minor side groove.
US07752950B2
An electric miter saw includes a base, a cutting table, a cutting member and a link arm. The cutting table is mounted on the base. The upper portion of the link arm is connected to a cutting member with the cutting saw blade driven by a motor. The lower portion of the link arm is connected to the upper portion of a supporting member and secured by a threaded central bolt. The linear ball bearing is mounted in the inner aperture of the supporting member, which is slidably connected to the slide rod by a linear ball bearing. At the outer end of the slide rod is mounted a position limit socket. The inner end of the slide rod is connected and secured beneath the cutting table via a releasable securing configuration mentioned above. A flexible blade guard is also provided.
US07752945B2
A pipe torquing sprag tool comprises one or more elastomeric sprags supported on a sprag support in an arrangement lying generally in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the rotatable sprag support. Each sprag has a solid, uninterrupted side and an interrupted side, and each sprag reacts to a lateral force in the general direction tangential to the surface of the sprag support and applied near the top of the sprag to bend the elastomeric sprag either toward the interrupted side to at least partially lean, fold or collapse, or towards the substantially uninterrupted side for being deformed to a generally compressed and non-compliant configuration for gripping. The sprag tool of the present invention may comprise a sprag support for positioning an external arrangement of sprags for being inserted into the bore of an add-on pipe segment. Alternately, the sprag tool of the present invention may comprise a sprag support for positioning an internal arrangement of sprags for being received over the end of an add-on pipe segment.
US07752944B2
Objects of the present invention provide a multi-use anchor and system for setting the same. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multi-use anchor including a bolt, an elastomeric sleeve fitting over a threaded portion of the bolt, and a receiver arranged to couple to the bolt, where tightening the receiver on the bolt compresses the elastomeric sleeve such that the sleeve radially expands to engage a hole in rigid substrate material.
US07752936B2
An automatic transmission assembly having a transmission unit including a plurality of gear pairs, a shift drum, a pair of clutches; and a controller. The controller performs a preliminary upshifting action in advance for angularly moving the shift drum depending on a next gear position in an upshifting direction while rotary drive power is being maintained at a given gear position, and when an upshifting command is output, the controller engages one of the clutches simultaneously with the command. When a downshifting command is output, the controller performs a preliminary downshifting action in advance based on the downshifting command. The partially neutral positions are provided between predetermined angular positions on the shift drum for temporarily reducing the angular speed of the shift drum when the shift drum is being angularly rotated.
US07752928B1
An on-stream sample collection and conditioning system, which is easier to construct, implement, maintain, and is more cost efficient then existing systems. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a modular system adaptable to a variety of diverse sample conditioning requirements. The system having incorporated a seamless piece having a surface for docking multiple sample conditioning components and having a system of internal passages to provide fluid flow between sample conditioning components. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also contemplates a modular system containing essentially the entire sample conditioning components required for one or more fluid streams.
US07752920B2
A modular force sensor apparatus, method, and system are provided to improve force and torque sensing and feedback to the surgeon performing a telerobotic surgery. In one embodiment, a modular force sensor includes a tube portion including a plurality of strain gauges, a proximal tube portion for operably coupling to a shaft of a surgical instrument that may be operably coupled to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, and a distal tube portion for proximally coupling to a wrist joint coupled to an end portion.
US07752911B2
A waveguide transition for a fill level radar may include a printed circuit board in which a resonator is integrated. Together with a coupling element, the resonator is used for decoupling high-frequency waves from a feed line, that is also integrated in the printed circuit board, to a waveguide that is screwed onto the printed circuit board. There is thus no need to provide an external resonator.
US07752909B2
A flow sensor may include a heater for heating a partial region of the outer wall surface of a pipe forming a flow path or for heating a particular region in the pipe; and a temperature detector for measuring the temperatures of regions, the regions being on the upstream side and the downstream side of the pipe with respect to the heated region. The temperature detector may include an upstream-side non-contact temperature detector and a downstream-side non-contact temperature detector arranged near the outer wall surface of the pipe in a state of being not in contact with the outer wall surface, and the non-contact temperature detectors can measure the temperatures of the upstream-side heat energy radiating region and downstream-side heat energy radiating region in a state of being not in contact with the outer wall surface of the pipe.
US07752906B2
A method for determining a property of formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the periphery of the borehole, including the following steps: obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a pre-bit sample of the mud in the drill string as it approaches the drill bit; obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a post-bit sample of the mud in the annulus, entrained with drilled earth formation, after its egression from the drill bit; implementing pre-bit measurements on the pre-bit sample; implementing post-bit measurements on the post-bit sample; and determining a property of the formations from the post-bit measurements and the pre-bit measurements.
US07752905B2
An improvement is achieved in productivity of a tire by preventing an unacceptably molded green tire, which is produced in a molding process, from flowing to a vulcanizing process. Measures therefor comprise putting an unvulcanized green tire on a mount surface of a mount stage, sticking an information label to a side wall of the green tire with a label sticking device arranged below a through-hole formed in a position, which corresponds to an inside of a bead body of the green tire, on the mount surface, and measuring a weight of the green tire with a gravimeter, which supports the mount stage.
US07752903B2
The present invention relates to a roller brake testing dynamometer (P) for vehicles whose braking forces are to be ascertained, wherein there is provided at least one roller (L) which is driven by way of a drive (A) in order in turn to drive a vehicle tire (R) bearing against the roller (L), and wherein the dynamometer (P) has at least one contact-less sensor unit (S) for detecting the position of the tire (R) relative to the at least one roller (L).
US07752900B2
Method of detecting a misfire in an internal combustion engine provided with at least two cylinders and a crankshaft, includes: a. producing a measurement signal linked to the crankshaft travel time by supplying a succession of instantaneous values each corresponding to the difference between two successive segment times, each of these segment times corresponding to the time interval separating two characteristic instants of the movement of the pistons in two successive cylinders in the firing order, b. comparing the value of the measurement signal with a threshold value, and c. generating a signal representative of a misfire if the value of the measurement signal crosses the threshold value, the measurement signal having, for each cylinder, an average value that is offset relative to a reference average value, a step of reducing, for each cylinder, this offset, is performed by a high-pass filtering operation on the measurement signal.
US07752898B2
An atomic force microscope sensing structure includes a substrate, a flexible membrane and an actuating element. The flexible membrane has a first end that is clamped to the substrate and an opposite second end that is clamped to the substrate. A central portion of the membrane and the substrate define a first gap width therebetween. A peripheral portion of the membrane and the substrate define a second gap width therebetween. The first gap width is different from the second gap width. The actuating element is disposed at least adjacent to the first end and the second end and is configured to displace the membrane relative to the substrate.
US07752896B2
A specimen pretreating device which includes a micro scale or nano scale high-performance liquid chromatograph having a capillary column (2), a probe (1) integrally formed at the tip of the capillary column (2), and an additive feeding flow passage (16). The probe (1) is formed in a multi-tube structure in which a plurality of tubes are disposed on the same axis. The innermost tube is located at the tip of the capillary column (2), and one of the outer tubes is used as an additive supply tube converging an additive solution to an eluent solvent eluted from the capillary column (2) to form liquid drops including the eluent solvent and an additive, and the liquid drops are released from the tip of the probe (1). The specimen is not diffused since a detector is not present in the flow passage.
US07752890B2
A method and device are disclosed that provide for detection of fluid leaks in analytical instruments and instrument systems. The leak detection device includes a collection tube, a fluid absorbing material, and a circuit that electrically couples to an indicator device. When assembled, the leak detection device detects and monitors for fluid leaks, providing a preselected response in conjunction with the indicator device when contacted by a fluid.
US07752889B2
An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density.
US07752886B2
The invention concerns a gas analyzer, which comprises: an electromagnet that has an air gap; a power source for supplying cyclically variable electrical current/voltage to said electromagnet; a sample gas conduit and a reference gas conduit opening into said air gap; an exit conduit communicating with said air gap for removing the intermixed sample and reference gases; pressure detecting microphone or microphones connected to said sample gas conduit and to said reference gas conduit for sensing gas pressures at a first acoustic measuring frequency in the respective conduits giving at least one acoustic pressure signal component; and electronics connected to said microphone(s) to receive said acoustic pressure signal component or components to form at least a first intermediate output signal describing content of a paramagnetic gas component in the sample gas.
US07752881B2
Press driving modules are provided to permit a standardized press design. The presses of a press line are equipped with always identical press driving modules, and the pressing force of the presses is varied only by the adaptation of the number of press driving modules. The press driving modules each contain two driving devices, respectively, that interact parallel or in series and have different characteristic curves. In particular, they have different maximal traveling speeds and different maximal forces. They can also have a different design with respect to their positioning capability and path resolution. This concept permits not only a standardization of presses of different performance classes within a press line but, beyond that, the largely free definition of characteristic path-time curves of the slides, and thereby finally also a freer design of workpieces, particularly of vehicle body parts.
US07752877B2
According to certain aspects of the invention, rotary actuation latches are disclosed. The latches include a disconnect feature, so that when locked certain elements of the latches are deactivated. The disconnect feature may be operated by a locking device, such as a key lock or other device. The latch may be a rotary compression latch.
US07752872B2
A loading basket for a washing machine includes a rear wall (8), a front wall (9) and a side wall (7) extending about a longitudinal axis (X), and one or more dragging blades (12) that are arranged on the side wall (7) and projecting to the inside of the basket. The side wall (7) includes a substantially cylindrical and/or truncated cone-shaped wall portion (13) with one or more approximately plane interruption areas (14) extending from a rear area of the side wall (7) close to the rear wall (8) to the vicinity of the front wall (9). The dragging blades (12) are connected to the interruption areas (14).
US07752865B2
An ice cube catcher is disclosed for positioning on a door of a refrigerator to catch ice cubes dispensed from an in-door dispenser. The catcher may include a body having a sloped portion and a pair of sidewalls. The sloped portion may include a top and a bottom edge and a pair of ends. The sidewalls may be positioned at each end of the sloped portion and include a flange portion. These flange portions may have a fastener that may operable to secure the body to a refrigerator door. Finally, a water retention portion such as ridge or dam or groove be provided proximate the bottom edge of the sloped portion to retain water from melting ice within the body of the catcher.
US07752861B2
The present invention includes foundation legs of an outdoor unit that are made of a relatively thin plate material, and can reduce cost. This outdoor unit includes a compressor, an outdoor refrigerant circuit that includes pipes and a heat exchanger, a case that houses the refrigerant circuit, and a plurality of supports provided so that they protrude downward from the bottom part of the case. Furthermore, foundation legs are provided at the lower ends of the plurality of supports for fixing such, so that they extend towards the inner side of the case.
US07752856B2
An air conditioning monitoring and control system includes an air conditioner, a first air conditioning monitoring and control device and a second air conditioning monitoring and control device. The first air conditioning monitoring and control device communicates with the air conditioner via a first communication line. The first air conditioning monitoring and control device includes a first monitoring and control function and a second monitoring and control function. The second air conditioning monitoring and control device communicates with the air conditioner via a second communication line. The second air conditioning monitoring and control device includes the first monitoring and control function and a third monitoring and control function.
US07752855B2
An air conditioner has a heat source unit with a compressor and a heat source heat exchanger and utilization units with utilization expansion valves and utilization heat exchangers. The heat source unit and the utilization unit are interconnected via refrigerant communication pipes. The air conditioner is capable of switching and operating between a normal operation mode in which control of the respective devices is performed depending on the operation loads of the utilization units and a refrigerant quantity judging operation mode in which the utilization units perform cooling operation. The utilization expansion valves are controlled such that degrees of superheating at outlets of the utilization heat exchangers become a positive value, and an operation capacity of the compressor is controlled such that evaporation pressures in the utilization heat exchangers become constant.
US07752853B2
A method for monitoring refrigerant in a refrigeration system includes sensing, a refrigerant pressure of a refrigeration system, averaging the refrigerant pressure over a time period, determining an expected pressure based on said time period, comparing the average to the expected pressure, and determining a system condition based on said comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.
US07752852B2
A system and method includes a thermoelectric device in heat-transfer relation with a working fluid flowing through a vapor compression circuit. Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a first fluid medium and then from the first fluid medium to a second fluid medium.
US07752851B2
A combustion chamber module includes a combustion chamber attached to a casing. The downstream end of the outer wall of the combustion chamber is secured to an annular connection part having fastener tabs directed in an upstream direction, each tab end being engaged in a hook-forming groove of the casing.
US07752849B2
An arrangement for controlling flow of fluid to a component of a gas turbine engine, the arrangement comprising: a conduit, coupled to a supply of fluid, for providing fluid to the component of the gas turbine engine; a magnetic valve for at least partially restricting the conduit and having a valve member with at least a first configuration in which the conduit is at least partially restricted and a second configuration in which the conduit is relatively open, wherein the configuration of the valve member is controlled by magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit which includes at least one member comprising ferromagnetic material, whereby the configuration is responsive to the temperature of the ferromagnetic material.
US07752848B2
A system for co-production of hydrogen and electrical energy comprising a reformer configured to receive a reformer fuel and steam and produce a reformate rich in hydrogen. The system further comprises a separation unit in fluid communication with the reformer wherein the separation unit is configured to receive the reformate to separate hydrogen from the reformate and produce an off gas. The system also includes a combustor configured to receive a fuel for combustion and produce heat energy and a hot compressed gas, wherein the combustor is coupled with the reformer. A gas turbine expands the hot compressed gas and produces electrical energy and an expanded gas; wherein at least a part of the heat energy from the combustor is used to produce the reformate in the reformer.
US07752844B2
In an engine braking method and an internal combustion engine including an engine braking arrangement, wherein the engine has high pressure and low pressure exhaust gas turbochargers connected in series, with a bypass (12) around the high-pressure compressor allowing the air mass flow selectively to bypass the high pressure compressor which is arranged near the engine, and bypasses around both turbines permitting the exhaust gas mass flow selectively to bypass the high-pressure exhaust gas turbine which is near the engine and also the low pressure turbine the intake air and the exhaust gas flow are controlled so as to accurately provide for a desired engine braking power for example for maintaining a desired vehicle speed.
US07752841B2
The present invention provides a vacuum intensifier for vehicle brake that stably provides enough negative pressure at a predetermined level or more to a brake booster even though the operational condition of engine and the surroundings change, with simple structure and good assemblage.
US07752834B2
Disclosed are propulsion systems 30 providing reduced fuel burn, weight and cost. A single gas generator core 38 drives multiple bladed propulsion elements 36 with a power train 48. The core 38 has a forward compressor 56 and a rearward turbine 40 and rotates about a longitudinal core axis 62. The bladed propulsion elements 36 rotate about bladed propulsion element axes 78 that are not coaxial with the core axis 62. The bladed propulsion elements 36 discharge an ambient air stream 50 rearward as a bypass stream 52 portion and a core stream 54 portion. The core stream 54 portion is directed to the compressor 56. The propulsion systems 30 mount inside a fuselage 22 of an airframe 20 or they are suspended beneath a wing 24 via pylons 32.
US07752824B2
A continuity system for a building is designed to compensate for the downward settling of building elements over time, which occurs due to the shrinkage of wooden building members. The continuity system comprises one or more hold-down assemblies each having a stud-connector secured to a generally vertical stud, a generally vertical rod inserted into an opening of the stud connector, a rod-gripping member in toothed engagement with the rod above the opening, and one or more positioning elements exerting a downward force on the rod-gripping member. The rod has a lower portion secured to a stable building element such as the building's foundation. The opening of the stud-connector defines a frustoconical bearing surface on the upper surface of a portion of the stud-connector, or on a gripper support element in some embodiments. The rod-gripping member includes a plurality of gripping portions each having a lower surface defining a circumferential portion of a frustoconical shape sized and adapted to conform with the frustoconical bearing surface of the stud-connector.
US07752811B1
A gutter insert device is shaped to fit within a gutter hollow channel. The insert is a foamed material and it will at least partially fill the gutter hollow channel to resist accumulation of leaves, sticks and other debris. A top later is formed of reticulated polyurethane foam to resist ultraviolet light and flame retardants. Stock foam raw material is cut so that it will expand to form an elongated insert base.
US07752810B2
The invention relates to a device for supporting a displaceable separation element (3), in particular a sliding door. Said device comprises a carriage (1), which is guided in a rail (2), equipped with a carriage body (10) and mechanically mounted in the rail (2) by means of rollers (8) or at least one sliding element (11; 110). The rail comprises a central part (2′) and two lateral parts (2″), which are equipped with opposing rail feet (21) that mechanically support the carriage (1). According to the invention, the carriage body (10) is provided with at least one hard magnetic magnet (12, 120), which exerts a force on at least one of the rail magnets (22, 22′, 22″, 220, 2200) that is connected to the rail (2), said force acting in opposition, preferably in an axially parallel manner, to the gravitational force exerted by the separation element (3) on the carriage (1).
US07752809B2
Drive assembly for door and window frames, comprising at least one actuating member and at least one transmission rod fastened to the actuating member, The transmission rod comprises a central portion and two lateral portions positioned at opposite sides relative to the central portion and forming two channel-shaped longitudinal guides, the central portion having a longitudinal groove positioned between the longitudinal guides, the longitudinal groove of the central portion being closed by a base. The transmission member has a connecting portion including two longitudinal ribs with ends shaped in such a way as to establish a telescopic coupling with the longitudinal guides of the transmission rod and a central portion positioned between said ribs and provided with a threaded hole in which is inserted a screw having a tip that is able to cut a hole in the base of the transmission rod at said longitudinal groove.
US07752806B2
A holding device for rod-shaped components comprising holding elements that move through a series of positions. To hold a component the holding elements move in sequence from open releasing positions, to contacting positions, to aligning positions and finally to fully closed positions. Holding elements in aligning positions permit the held component to be moved and aligned even though the holding elements are more firmly in contact with the component than in their contacting positions. Slide-resistant surfaces formed on the holding elements are made in such a way that in the case of the movement of a misaligned component, sliding resistance is intensified in one direction while sliding resistance is reduced in another direction to permit movement of the component in that direction into the desired alignment. The holding elements are moved in the opposite sequence to release a component.
US07752798B2
A see-through periscope for sighting-in optical sights or open sights by co-aligning one type of sighting system with the other type. The small see-through periscope is preferably used with firearms that have two conditions: (1) the rifle must be equipped with open sights, and (2) a gap must exist between the front of the optical sight and the rear open sight where the periscope can be mounted. Four unique mounts allow the periscope to be used with both magnifying or non-magnifying optical sights of different types, sizes, and shapes and open sights of different heights. The mounts position the bottom mirror at the height of the open sights and the top mirror at a point higher than the optical sight. The bottom mirror captures an image of the open sights aimed at a target and reflects that image to the top mirror, which in turn reflects the image across the top of the optical sight and into the eye of the shooter. The optical sight can still be used because the periscope mounted in front of it has no front or back panels, leaving a window for the shooter to see through the optical sight.
US07752792B2
A billboard (100) includes a light module (120) and a light-permeable panel (140). The light module comprises a plurality of elongated light conductors (122) and at least one LED (124). Each of the light conductors has two end surfaces (1222, 1224) and a circumferential lateral surface (1223) interconnected between the end surfaces, and one of the end surfaces of each of the light conductors is adjacent to and optically coupled to the at least one LED. The light-permeable panel has a light incident surface (142) and an opposite light emitting surface (144). One of the light incident surface and the light emitting surface has a pattern (143).
US07752791B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a display device that presents great decorative effects.For a display device that provides a luminous display consisting of characters, numbers, symbols or figures, or arbitrary combinations of them, having a desired form, a half mirror layer is formed above a mirror surface, through a translucent layer, and a desired form is luminously displayed at a location between the mirror surface and the half mirror layer and at a distance from the mirror surface.
US07752790B1
A lighted display device that includes components that are over molded or encased in a polymer gel. The polymer gel exhibits a high surface coefficient of friction such that the gel has a tacky surface and allows the display device to cling to a surface of any orientation. The polymer gel is clear or translucent such that the over molded components, which include light emitting components, can back or front light a display. The polymer gel can be flat on its sides or include three dimensional protrusions or inclusions on the surfaces.
US07752789B2
An exemplary display device includes a support member, a pair of displays slidably attached to the support member, and positioning members disposed between the displays and the support member. The support member includes a straight slideway, and a curved slideway defined therein. The curved slideway includes a slanting portion, and a first straight portion and a second straight portion extending out from opposite ends of the slanting portion. The straight slideway is parallel to the first straight portion of the curved slideway and in line with the second straight portion of the curved slideway. The displays are slidably received in the straight slideway and the curved slideway respectively. The displays may be positioned to form a large screen, or slid to overlap leaving a single display visible.
US07752785B2
A license plate holder for a motor vehicle holds a vehicle license plate on the vehicle. The holder has a carrier plate to which the vehicle license plate can be fastened, and one or more devices for fastening the carrier plate to the vehicle in a license plate area provided for the vehicle license plate. Each fastening device has a base part fixedly arranged on the carrier plate and a securing part rotatably about a rotation axis arranged on the base part relatively thereto. Spaced away from the carrier plate, the securing part has at least one bracket radially projecting with respect to the rotation axis and can be swiveled about the rotation axis between a starting position and a securing position, whereby the at least one bracket 14 reaches behind a vehicle-fixed holding contour for fastening the carrier plate to the vehicle in the securing position.
US07752784B2
This description relates to a card construction that may be assembled from a paper material support and at least one bent wire formed into a character outline. The resulting bent wireform may be held to the support with discrete areas of adhesive materials that are positioned to hold the character outline substantially in its mounted form and to (optionally) separate the character outline from the paper material support. The construction may be used as a greeting card, announcement card, artwork, label, or the like.
US07752782B2
An article to be worn, such as a badge, displays indicia such as identification and advertising. The article includes a housing, a first indicia member positioned on the first indicia portion of the housing and a second indicia member positioned on the second indicia portion of the housing. The first and second indicia portions are discrete from one another and can receive interchangeable indicia members. The invention further includes a method of identifying a wearer of the article, such as a sales clerk or food service preparer, and advertising a product or service, all with the same badge.
US07752780B2
An earth-working vehicle, such as a backhoe loader, has an implement, such as a backhoe, mounted in a manner that the implement can be shifted transversely with respect to the vehicle. A hydraulic motor and roller cable or rack are secured to the vehicle main frame and implement supporting plate to position the implement transversely of the vehicle without the jerky movements of prior backhoe loaders.
US07752770B2
Tool for measuring of the diameter of a body with circular cross section, where two arms (1) are provided in a fixed angle to another, in that a distance sensor device (2) is provided axially between the two arms (1), in that the distance sensor device (2) is adapted to register a contact point for the distance sensor device (2) against the body with respect to the contact points of the arms against the body, and that a viewing device (3) is adapted to calculate and show the diameter of the circle on the basis of the three contact points on the circle.
US07752765B2
An angle measurement tool having two legs joined together about a common axis so that one of the legs rotates with respect to the other to form a desired angle the value of which is read utilizing gears that are housed in said legs in combination with indicia means indicating the degree of rotation of the gears.
US07752764B2
An automatic apparatus for leveling suspended articles or hung objects to an angle relative to a reference. The shift lever assembly (112), used as a gravity reference, is activated when the pendulum member swings horizontally in response to slightest inclination or tilt, thereby causing the conductor pin (114.14) to contact one side of a pair of conductor plates (114.24b) or (114.24b). The contacting of the conductor pin to one side of the pair of conductor plates (114.24b) or (114.24b) completes the electrical circuit and allows the electrical storage device (118) to provide electrical current to the planetary motor (116), causing it to rotate. The turning of the planetary motor (116) causes the shift lever assembly (112) to automatically shift the elongated lever arm (112.10) against the rigid axle (122.22), thereby shifting the center of balance of the object in the opposite direction of the rotation of the wheel-like driven gear (112.20). Leveling occurs when the elongated lever arm (112.10) returns to its original vertical orientation, the conductor pin (114.14) is no longer in contact with either side of the pair of conductor plates (114.24a) or (114.24b), and the motor stops turning.
US07752763B2
An electric drill having a function for preventing drilling of unexpected oblique hole. Further in the electric drill, when the direction of drilling is displaced in drilling work using the electric drill, it is sensed automatically to stop the drilling. The electric drill (1) performs drilling in the direction perpendicular a workpiece (7) and have a tilt sensor (10) mounted on a tilt sensor mounting surface (8) defined in parallel to the ground surface. When the rotation axis (C) of the drill positioned perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece is tiled to an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, the tilt sensor (10) senses the tilt shutoff a drive current of the electric drill.
US07752761B2
An angle measuring arrangement for determining a relative angular position of two components, which are rotatably arranged around an axis of rotation. The angle measuring arrangement including a cap, a connecting cable, including a fixation area having a longitudinal axis and a receptacle device arranged on the cap for receiving the fixation area of the connecting cable. The receptacle device includes an undercut for maintaining the fixation area in a direction with a directional component extending orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis. In a position in which the fixation area is fixed in place on the receptacle device, the longitudinal axis of the fixation area lies along a first axis. The longitudinal axis of the fixation area can be introduced into the undercut of the receptacle device by movement along a second axis that is oriented inclined in relation to the first axis.
US07752754B2
A method for increasing the current carried between two high voltage conductor support towers is provided. The method includes removing a first high voltage carrying cable mounted between the towers and replacing it with a composite core cable. This replacement of cable may be accomplished with existing cable hanging equipment and without the need for additional tooling.
US07752749B2
One of an electrode terminal of an electronic component and a connecting terminal of a wiring substrate is provided with solder beforehand, one of the wiring substrate and the electronic component is secured, and the electrode terminal and the connecting terminal are made to abut each other so that one of the wiring substrate and the electronic component, whichever is not secured, is held. The electronic component is heated so that the solder melts, and the solder is solidified while the electronic component is held, so that the electrode terminal and the connecting terminal are bonded to each other by the solder. Further, while an interval formed between the wiring substrate and the electronic component by the melted solder is being held, the electrode terminal and the connecting terminal are finely moved relative to each other with reference to a surface of the wiring substrate in an XYθ direction.
US07752734B2
A method for forming improved superconducting composites having improved Jc values by assembling octagonal or curved octagonal elements which when assembled allow for formation of uniformly continuously spaced voids. The voids are then filled with a metal, alloy, intermetallic substance, or ceramic oxide. The assembly of the octagonal elements and the filling of the voids is performed in a metal can. Accordingly, the flexibility in design of the present invention allows control of the performance of the superconductor and is cost effective.
US07752728B2
A material composite has a part made from steel or a titanium-based material and a part made from a copper-based or aluminum-based material. The parts of the material composite are joined by way of an intermediate piece. The intermediate piece likewise comprises a region made from steel or a titanium-based material and a region made from a copper-based or aluminum-based material, which are connected by explosion welding. The parts of the material composite are connected to the regions of the intermediate piece which are in each case of the same type by means of a fusion or diffusion welding process.
US07752724B2
A method of trimming blinds is disclosed in which at least one spacer is attached to a blind to space the headrail, bottomrail, and window covering between the headrail and bottomrail in relative positions that correspond to openings in a cutting device. A portion of the blind that is desired to be cut is then moved into those openings and cut away.
US07752723B2
The invention relates to a ceramic nozzle core and a method for producing a ceramic nozzle core which is part of a device used for producing loop yarn. The inventive ceramic nozzle core is embodied with an approximately constant wall thickness and a reduced size so as to perform the central functions of the yarn processing duct comprising air injection and a yarn outlet for forming loops while being produced in a molding process. In a particularly preferred method, the ceramic nozzle core is injection-molded with high precision. The inventive ceramic nozzle core can be configured in a miniaturized fashion and as part of a two-piece nozzle core, the ceramic nozzle core being inserted into an outer nozzle core jacket. The two-piece nozzle core can be incorporated into a housing known in prior art, for example, as a replaceable nozzle core.
US07752716B2
Elastic force originating from an elastic body is applied to gripping portions, so that a lower member and an upper member functions as a clip. An elastic member is formed in such a manner as to be cut out from an attachment surface of the lower member along the contour (other than a portion thereof) of a closed figure, and can warp with respect to the attachment surface with that portion taken as a warp axis. The elastic member has a projection on the leading end thereof, and a rear panel has a recess in an attachment surface thereof. When the rear panel is rotated with respect to the lower member, the projection is disengaged from the recess by warping of the elastic member, or engaged with the recess by a retroaction of the warping.
US07752704B2
The invention relates to a crank (14) which is intended for the windscreen wiper mechanism of a motor vehicle. The inventive crank is of the type that comprises a horizontal body (16) having a first end (14a) which is linked in rotation to a wiper arm and a second end (14b) which is articulated to a connecting rod. The aforementioned body (16) comprises: a segment (22) which can be deformed in order to adjust the distance between the ends (14a, 14b) of the crank (14), and a longitudinal oblong hole (24) which divides the aforementioned segment (22) into two deformable longitudinal branches (26) which are symmetrical in relation to a center line of said segment (22). The invention is characterized in that the oblong hole (24) takes the form of a quadrilateral with two essentially-perpendicular diagonals (E1, E2), the larger diagonal (E1) extending along the main axis (C) of symmetry of the segment (22) and intersecting the small diagonal (E2) at the midpoint thereof.
US07752701B2
A device for cleaning golf equipment such as golf clubs and golf shoe includes a handle, a brush head surface formed in an underside of the handle at a proximal end thereof, and a plurality of metal and plastic bristles extending downward from the brush head surface. The bristles are configured so that the plastic bristles are arranged around an outer circumference of the brush head surface to encircle the metal bristles extending from a central portion of the brush head surface.
US07752698B2
A carwash brush support structure is extendable relative to a vertical support beam. Extension of the carwash brush carriage is facilitated by means of roller bearings each of which is made up of a U-bolt having threaded ends and a plurality of loosely packed rollers on the U-bolt which engage and roll relative to the surface of a cylindrical rail. The rollers may be of substantially the same size or may be graduated in size toward the opposite ends of the U-bolt to trap the bearing on a cylindrical beam. Rollers of a distinctive color may be located on U-bolt where the greatest roller loading is expected.
US07752696B2
A height-adjustable docking buffer is described for protecting facades when vehicles are docked in building openings. The docking buffer is made up of a fixed mounting frame and a height-adjustable buffer block for a loading ramp or a transfer bridge. The buffer block is designed as an essentially horizontal bumper bar, and includes an inflatable gasket, the ends of which are height-adjustably supported on two spaced, fixed mounting frames, preferably in the form of pillars. A method for operating the docking bar is also disclosed.
US07752693B2
A mattress assembly for a playard has a plurality of support panels coupled to one another and movable relative to one another. The support panels are movable between a generally planar in-use configuration having a top side and a bottom side and a multi-sided storage configuration with an interior space sized to surround a collapsed playard. A mattress pad is detachable from and attachable to the plurality of support panels. The mattress pad lies against the top side of the plurality of support panels and is movable with the plurality of support panels between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration. A plurality of attachment devices are provided for selectively attaching the mattress pad to and detaching the mattress pad from the plurality of support panels.
US07752690B1
A sleeping bag sized to enclose the body of a user from at least the neck to the toes has a plurality of transverse ingress/egress openings in the top cover disposed between the head end and foot end in parallel longitudinally spaced apart relation at locations corresponding generally to various body areas and segments of a human body that enable concurrent passage of selected parts or segments of the user's body into and out of the interior space such that at least one selected part or segment of the user's body can be extended into the interior space to be covered, while concurrently therewith, other selected parts or segments of the user's body can be left out or extended out of the interior space through other respective openings to be uncovered. The openings may be provided with closures and portions of the closures may be luminescent.
US07752684B1
A combination cleaning tool and plunger integrates a cleaning tool and plunger in a single shafted tool to save storage space and provide the tools required for non-invasive plumbing maintenance in one convenient tool assembly. The plunger portion of the tool may be attached in a position near the lower end of the shaft for use in plunging a drain, or slidably moved to be attached in a position near the shaft handle at the upper end of the shaft, exposing the cleaning tool at the lower end of the shaft for use. No disassembly of parts or handling of the working parts is required to use either tool.
US07752678B1
A calf protector for rowers, comprising a single strip of neoprene (or a similar synthetic or natural rubber) with strips of hook and loop fasteners (commonly known as “VELCRO®”) on its ends. The neoprene strip is wider in the main middle part, and narrower at the ends with the strips of hook and loop fasteners. Hook fasteners on the inside surface at one end of the strip can engage loop fasteners on the outside surface at the opposite end of the strip (or visa versa) so that it forms a loop around the rower's leg, to protect the back of the leg from friction against the front ends of rails on which the seats in a boat move when rowing. The invention may also be used by other persons to protect their legs and/or arms. The invention encompasses both an apparatus and a method for protecting limbs using the apparatus.
US07757302B2
A computer security device for controlling the passage of data signals to and from a computer allows the operator to control access to that computer by outside parties. The device is a switch that can be connected to or disconnected from a computer in modular fashion. The switch may include a rotatable lever connected to a contact body with a plurality of data paths thereon. The communication paths are connected or disconnected to data lines by arcuate movement of the lever. The switching mechanism may be a spring board within a platform. Moving the spring board in and out of the plane of the platform connects and disconnects data lines to the computer. The switch may be a rotary switch that turns to connect and disconnect the data lines. The device may also be a single throw, twelve pole switch that allows data connection or disconnection.
US07757295B1
Structures and methods within an integrated circuit for controlling access to secured information embedded therein. A security block embedded within an integrated circuit (e.g., an SOC) may control authorized and unauthorized access to secured information stored within a memory of the integrated circuit. The security block may combine security key techniques and structures with a counting technique and structure such that when a maximum number of unauthorized attempts are detected, all further access to the secured information will be denied thereby rendering the IC unusable. In one aspect, the counting features may be implemented using a one time programmable register comprising a plurality of one time programmable bits such that each bit may be set to indicate detection of an unauthorized access attempt. If all bits of the OTP register are so set, the maximum number of unauthorized attempts has been detected and the circuit precludes all further access attempts.
US07757294B1
A method and system for maintaining the security of design information is disclosed. The method includes generating an encrypted IP core by encrypting an IP core using a public key, downloading the encrypted IP core to a programmable logic device (PLD), and recovering the IP core by decrypting the encrypted IP core using a private key. The private key is associated with the PLD, and the public key and the private key correspond to one another. The method may further include the PLD receiving authorization information corresponding to the IP core and comparing local authorization information stored at the PLD with the authorization information.
US07757291B2
The invention discloses a method and system for protecting a computer platform from malware. The protection is achieved by encapsulating an application that can serve as a malware conduit within a protected capsule environment, so as to prevent the conduit application or any processes originated therefrom from accessing and making changes to objects associated with an operating system (OS) of the computer platform or with other applications running on the computer platform outside of the capsule environment, thereby preventing the malware provided via the conduit application from contaminating the computer platform outside of said secure protected environment, or capsule. Capsule runtime software manages the dynamic state of the encapsulated application, and re-directs system service requests generated by the application and associated processes from OS-provided system objects to corresponding object libraries provided within the capsule object set, so that any malware induced changes remain local to the capsule. Protection of the operating system and most applications running on the computer platform is thus provided by the isolation of the conduit applications within a secure capsule environment, which can be safely removed from the computer platform, together with any changes introduced by the malware to the computer platform, without affecting the computer operation.
US07757287B2
A method and system for maintaining computer security including providing a signature file; receiving an incoming message from at least one client computer; comparing the received incoming message with the signature file to determine whether the incoming message is malicious; and blocking the incoming messages determined to be malicious from reaching a web server.
US07757284B1
An install control module allows installation of a software application onto a computer in presence of malicious code that is attempting to prevent installation. A metamorphic installation program is generated randomly to be substantially unique using metamorphic stealthing techniques. The program can be installed and is executed on the computer. Identifying information in the metamorphic installation program is substantially disguised from the malicious code so the program is substantially unrecognizable. The software application is installed onto the computer, and the metamorphic program protects the installation to allow the software application to be installed without substantial interference from the malicious code. In another embodiment, installation occurs by booting a preinstall environment on the computer without running a primary operating system. The software application is installed offline without the primary operating system running and before malicious code present on the computer is executed.
US07757280B2
A computer-implemented method for protecting a memory is provided. The method includes responsive to a direct memory access (DMA) request received from a consumer for a transaction of data from an IO device to the memory, the request including an IO command and a capability (CAP), generating a cryptographically signed capability (CAPB), forming a credential from CAP and CAPB, appending the credential to the IO command, configuring the IO device according to the credential and the IO command, transmitting the data from the IO device to the memory and prior to allowing execution of the DMA, authenticating that the credential is valid, further includes regenerating CAPB from a key available to an authenticating entity and from the CAP (included in CAPB) and verifying that the memory region information described in the cryptographically signed capability is the same as the requested region that was originally created, and that the cryptographically signed capability encompasses the IO command.
US07757275B2
A domain controller (DC) side plugin supports one time passwords natively in Kerberos, Part of the key material is static and the other part is dynamic, thereby leveraging properties unique to each to securely support one time passwords in an operating system. The user is permitted to type in the one time passcode into a logon user interface. Rather than calling the SAM APIs to get the static passwords, vendors may register callbacks on the DC to plugin their algorithm. These callback functions will return the dynamically calculated passcodes for the user at a specific point in time. This passcode will then be treated as a normal password by the DC.
US07757274B2
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a first key is exchanged between a granting node and a requesting node via a peer-to-peer wireless network. Further, a human-perceptible hash is generated at the granting node and the requesting node, utilizing the first key. Such human-perceptible hashes are then compared via an out-of-band communication channel. To this end, a second key may then be transmitted to the requesting node for providing access to a centrally-based wireless network.
US07757270B2
Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system. A method for overriding a policy associated with a digital asset on a client computer after determining a centralized policy database is inaccessible includes: selecting, by a management computing device, a first digital asset likely to exist on a client; digitally signing, by the management computing device information corresponding to the first digital asset and information identifying a second digital asset and a policy corresponding to the second digital asset; receiving, by the client, the digitally signed information; and implementing, by the client, the policy corresponding to the second digital asset.
US07757267B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to broadcast premium video programming. Thus, once premium video programming is received, it is encoded into the vertical blanking interval and unused/non-interfering Active lines found in a typical television broadcast. However, the encoded information is completely transparent to the pre-existing/typical television channel. The resulting encoded content is then broadcast with the typical television broadcast.
US07757260B2
Apparatus and method for multi-tasking in mobile terminal having multimedia processor for video-on-demand (VOD) services that identifies port of each data received during use of VOD service and processes data to enable user to implement any other network application program simultaneously with use of VOD service. Method provided includes setting port number for VOD services of multimedia processor and accessing VOD server when demand for VOD services is received, processing VOD data received through the set port number to deploy VOD services, determining whether port number of data received during VOD services is identical to the set port number. When the port number of the received data is identical to the set port number, recognizing received data as VOD data to deploy VOD services, when not, recognizing received data as general data and sending it to MSM from the multimedia processor, and processing general data sent to the MSM.
US07757238B2
Briefly, techniques to reduce the impact of interrupts and swaps on the completion time of tasks. In an embodiment, a code segment within a task adjusts the priority of the task. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07757237B2
In one aspect, a data race condition is detected based on an address of a variable shared by at least first and second threads for executing the program code, the shared variable address being stored in a hardware table. Detection of the data race condition in the program code is reported. In another aspect, at least first and second threads for executing the program code are synchronized based on an address of a variable shared by the threads and stored in a hardware table.
US07757235B2
A trigger support system and method for a bi-directional job broker is provided. One or more action requests, or triggers, are registered, for example, by a manager job scheduler or a broker. The one or more action requests are associated with one or more jobs scheduled to run on a client job scheduler. A broker communicates the one or more action requests to the client job scheduler. The client job scheduler takes an action based on the one or more action requests and reports the result of the action to the manager job scheduler.
US07757233B2
Controlling a computer system having at least one processor including a plurality of cores includes establishing a core max value that sets a maximum number of the plurality of cores operating at a predetermined time period based on an operating condition, determining a core run value that is associated with a number of the plurality of cores of the at least one processor operating at the predetermined time period, and stopping at least one of the plurality of cores in the event the core run value exceeds the core max value at the predetermined time period.
US07757229B2
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for installing computer applications executes installation actions that are common from one implementation to the next using user-supplied, application-specific details for each installation. The teachings involve parsing an XML file to determine attributes of a user interface and attributes of the installation actions. The user interface is then constructed according to user-defined interface attributes and the installation actions are performed according to user-defined installation attributes.
US07757226B2
An improved method and mechanism for performing rolling upgrades to distributed software installations is disclosed. The present approach eliminates or minimizes extraneous downtime when performing a rolling upgrade, thereby improving performance an availability for users of the software installation. A rolling upgrade can be performed by defining a private symbolic link for each member that is upgraded to reference the upgraded version of the software installation.
US07757222B2
Code is affine partitioned to generate affine partitioning mappings. Parallel code is generated based on the affine partitioning mappings. Generating the parallel code includes coalescing loops in the parallel code generated from the affine partitioning mappings to generate coalesced parallel code and optimizing the coalesced parallel code.
US07757212B2
A method for responding to a change in source code, said method comprising: interconnecting a plurality of nodes to form a graph data structure wherein the graph embodies at least one dependency between a plurality of software projects; traversing the graph to identify dependent code affected by the change; evaluating the identified dependent code; and wherein the changed source code is from a first software project and the identified dependent code is from a second software project.
US07757210B1
An object framework can provide unique and uniform methods for explicit and precise object identification. The object framework features a virtual object space providing access to multiple objects, each object having a set of functionality and being identifiable by a unique identifier provided by the virtual object space. A visualization framework visualizes objects independent of an application implementing an object. Each object is visualized using the object's unique identifier and according to the object's corresponding set of functionality.
US07757203B2
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method, computer program, computer program product, data structure, and computer for providing automated process flow in product development. A structured data object may be defined comprising at least one recipe and at least one defined formula. Trial stages within said product development are also defined as are object types within said data object referring to said trial stages. An instance of said data object is instantiated from said data object definition. A type of said instance is specified from one of said object types. A user may then be provided said recipe and/or said formula according to the specified type.
US07757197B1
A method for designing a system on a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. Routing resources are selected for a user specified signal on the PLD in response to user specified routing constraints. Routing resources are selected for a non-user specified signal on the PLD without utilizing the user specified routing constraints.
US07757196B2
Techniques for optimizing application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and other IC pin assignment corresponding to a high density interconnect (HDI) printed circuit board (PCB) layout are provided. Applying the techniques described herein, pin assignments may be systematically and strategically planned, for example, in an effort to reduce the PCB layer count and associated cost, increase signal integrity and speed, reduce the surface area used by an ASIC and its support circuitry, reduce plane perforations, and reduce via crosstalk when compared to conventional designs with an ASIC mounted on a multilayered PCB.
US07757194B1
A method and system for generating implementation files from a high level specification are described. In one example, a method for creating a package file for an integrated circuit is described. First, a grid is formed having a plurality of blocks. A height and a width are then determined for each block. At least one bump is placed on a block and a corresponding package pin is assigned to the at least one bump. Finally, the package file is output.
US07757192B2
Shielded clock wiring used in an integrated circuit is designed by storing a table of identifiers of shielded clock wiring usable in the integrated circuit, storing dividing rule information in correspondence with each identifier, describing a way of dividing the shielded clock wiring indicated by the each identifier; inputting a wiring layer of a shielded clock wiring of a wiring request, inputting an identifier of the shielded clock wiring of the wiring request and inputting a starting point and an end point of the shielded clock wiring of the wiring request; specifying a dividing rule of the shielded clock wiring indicated by the identifier; and judging whether to permit the shielded clock wiring of the wiring request, by judging whether shielded clock wiring resulting from division based on the dividing rule is spatially permissible.
US07757190B2
Layout patterns are identified as problematic when they have particular parameters required to exceed standard limits. The problematic layout patterns are associated with preferred design rules in a DRC-Plus deck. Layout data is scanned to generate match locations of any problematic layout patterns. The match locations are forwarded to a DRC engine that compares layout parameters of the match locations to corresponding preferred layout rules in the DRC-Plus deck. The DRC-Plus check results are used to modify the layout to improve manufacturability of the layout.
US07757184B2
The present invention relates to a method of selecting buttons displayed in a graphics bar on a display screen. The entry of a first navigation command triggers the selection of a first button adjacent to the one selected in the bar. This first button is graphically highlighted. Then, the entry of a second navigation command in order to select a second button adjacent to the one previously selected triggers the selection and highlighting of a third button located in another position on the bar serving as a starting point for subsequent navigation commands. In this way, the user can skip from one button to another button located in any other location in the bar.
US07757179B2
A display method wherein a labeled scatter chart is displayed on a graphical user interface, the scatter chart having a plurality of labels. A first modification of one of the labels is entered via a graphical user interface by a user. Execution of labeling instructions that implement a labeling algorithm for generating a first modified labeled scatter chart in response to the entry of the first modification is started. The first modified labeled scatter chart is displayed.
US07757177B1
A technology enabling a developer to configure a graphical user interface (GUI) such that only a subset of the inputs contained in the GUI will be processed, depending on the user's interaction with the GUI. The configuration identifies one or more logical units known as virtual forms, with each virtual form identifying zero or more input components from the GUI that are said to participate in the virtual form, and one or more submission components from the GUI that are said to submit the virtual form, such that when a user interacts in some particular way with (e.g., clicks) a component that submits a virtual form, only the inputs that participate in that virtual form are processed while other inputs in the GUI are not processed.
US07757171B1
A system and method for facilitating non-linear viewing of media is provided. The system facilitates non-linear viewing of media by providing a scene selector that scans a digitized media and selects a scene in the digitized media and a metadata generator that produces metadata associated with the scenes and relates the metadata to the selected scene. With the scenes annotated with metadata, a playlist generator can generate a playlist of related scenes based on user inputs like queries and a playlist updater can adapt the playlist based on user reaction to the displayed scenes. The scenes can be displayed on a variety of devices exhibiting various levels of intelligence. The displays can be distributed as can the system.
US07757169B2
A production system and method for producing a VIPDL output stream from a dynamic document and a recipients list including a data iterator for iterating through the recipients list one record at a time and computing values for each dynamic object in the dynamic document for the record, a document instantiator for creating an instance document for the record, an output generator operating in tandem with the document instantiator for generating code specifying the rendering of the document instance, and a merge component for generating the VIPDL output stream from output of the output generator.
US07757164B2
A page information collection program for efficiently collecting pages required to verify a web site. When a page acquisition request is input, a page acquisition section acquires the contents of a page and creates page information including the contents of the page and communication information used to acquire the page. Next, a classification section stores the page information put into a group in accordance with an assignment determination condition. If the target page information does not satisfy the assignment determination condition of any group, a grouping section creates an assignment determination condition satisfied by the target page information and a corresponding group, and stores the page information put into the created group. A page acquisition request section outputs a page acquisition request based on the link information in the page information put into the group created by the grouping section, to the page acquisition section.
US07757162B2
In a system for inputting and managing document collections, the order in which documents are presented to the system dictates the organization and hierarchy for the electronically stored document collection. Users can add annotations to documents and collections by writing on a coversheet; the system scans the coversheet, reads the written material, and adds the material to the electronically stored document and/or collection. In addition, in one aspect the invention provides a mechanism for granting different levels of access to different individuals, by generating coversheets that point to the same collection but that provide different levels of access to the collection.
US07757159B1
A method of determining a projected area of a component can include acquiring an image file having a component drawing. The component drawing of the image file can be superimposed onto a workspace. One of a component area and a non-component area can be shaded with a first color to create a shaded image file. The other of the component area and the non-component area can have a second color distinct from the first color. A ratio of the first color verses the second color can be calculated. The projected area of the component can be determined based on the ratio calculated.
US07757158B2
A link destination hypertext is acquired of an original anchor present in a processing range in an original hypertext, and link destination anchor information composed of a pair of a link destination anchor character string and a link destination URL is extracted from the link destination hypertext. An original anchor effective range is determined which serves as a candidate character string range to which a new anchor is added in the original hypertext, a character string present in the original anchor effective range is compared with a character string present in the link destination anchor information, new anchor information is generated which is composed of a pair of a matched ranged character string and a new link destination URL, and a new anchor is attached to the matched range character string of the original hypertext, so as to convert the original hypertext to a new hypertext.
US07757151B2
A turbo decoder iteratively decodes a received, encoded signal with one or more constituent decoders employing a simplified log-maximum a posteriori (SMAP) decoding algorithm. The SMAP decoding algorithm calculates reliability information as a log likelihood ratio for a log-MAP algorithm using a reduced set of path metrics recursively updated based on maximum likelihood recursion. Updated extrinsic information for a subsequent decoding may be derived from the LLR calculated by the SMAP decoding algorithm.
US07757148B2
A method (100) of operating an Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) transmitter (102) and an ARQ receiver (104) suspends an ARQ reset under circumstances where an ARQ reset would be superfluous. When a transmitter has a final currently-available data block, it deactivates its transmitter ARQ sync loss timer (172) and transmits a ‘suspend ARQ reset’ signal (122). Upon receipt of the ‘suspend ARQ reset’ signal (122), the receiver deactivates its receiver ARQ sync loss timer (176) and sends ARQ feedback (128). At this point, the ARQ connection can be maintained without superfluous ARQ resets even when no ARQ data blocks are being sent. When resuming transmission of ARQ data blocks, the transmitter activates its transmitter ARQ sync loss timer (182) and transmits an ARQ data block (142). The receiver receives the ARQ data block, activates its receiver ARQ sync loss timer (186) and sends ARQ feedback (148).
US07757145B2
The test method, integrated circuit and test system embodiments disclosed herein relate to testing at least one integrated circuit which uses an internal operating clock and has a first number of address pins, a second number of command pins and an address generation circuit which receives at least one encoded address information item using a third number of the address pins, which is smaller than the first number, and provides the other address pins as a fourth number of free address pins, where at least one first command is transferred using the command pins and at least one second command is transferred using at least one portion of the fourth number of the address pins from a test apparatus to the integrated circuit using a test clock which has a lower rate than the internal operating clock.
US07757143B2
A semiconductor device includes one or more test terminals and a test control circuit is disclosed. The test control circuit tests an internal circuit according to the signals received from the one or more test terminals. Afterwards, specification information held in a specification information holding unit is renewed such that one or more inputs of the test control circuit are fixed to a predetermined level.
US07757136B2
A testing system includes a plurality of test applying portions and a plurality of testing portions, each test applying portion having a test device that generates an output signal and each testing portion tests the output signal of the test device, in response to the test applying portion. The testing system further includes a switch portion that switches the output signal of the test device between the test applying portions and the testing portions. The test applying portion has a selecting portion that selects the testing portion through the switch portion for testing the output signal according to test item information, the test item information including information about a test capability of the testing portion.
US07757133B1
An integrated circuit (IC) having a memory built-in self-test (MBIST) controller. The IC includes an MBIST controller and a plurality of memory arrays. One or more the memory arrays has a different physical organization with respect to other ones of the memory arrays. The MBIST controller is configured to generate a logical address of a memory under test. The MBIST controller is further configured to permute the bits to produce a physical address. The user programmed permutation enables a simple address incrementer to create an address sequence that traverses the physical organization of the memory in accordance with the type of desired test.
US07757132B2
The invention relates to a memory with a memory array with memory cells, with an input/output circuit which is connected to the memory cells and which interchanges data with the memory cells, with an output register which is connected to the input/output circuit, with the output register being used to output data via a data output, having an input register which is connected to a data input and to the input/output circuit, with the data input and the input register being used to input data into the memory cells, with test data being written to the output register in a test mode. The invention furthermore relates to a process for testing a memory and to a memory module.
US07757130B2
RAID control of multiple hard disk drives in a computer system includes performing a fault-tolerant data computing operation for a written data. The timing for performing the fault-tolerant data computing operation is determined by accessing a data stored in one of the hard disk drives, detecting a partial data length of a data stream having been transmitted from the hard disk drive to the computer system, issuing a triggering signal when the data length has reached a unitary length less than the total length of the data stream, and then performing the fault-tolerant data computing operation with the unitary length of data in response to the triggering signal.
US07757109B2
An integrated circuit includes functional blocks, a power control unit controlling the provision of power to the different functional blocks of the integrated circuit, a detecting unit detecting if a turned off functional block is to be turned on, and a clock signal control unit controlling the provision of the clock signal for the functional blocks. The clock signal control unit interrupts the clock signal for the activated functional blocks of the integrated circuit for a predetermined number of clock cycles. The power control unit provides power to the turned off functional block during the interrupted clock cycles.
US07757103B2
Briefly, a processor and a method of estimating an active energy consumption of two or more cores of a processor based on dispatching micro operations to one or more execution units of the processor.
US07757102B2
A secure terminal comprises: primary means consisting of processing means, data and program storage means, security means and data input means, wherein the components of the primary means are interconnected by a first data bus; peripheral means consisting of printing means, means for reading from/writing to a card and means for accessing a telecommunications network, wherein the components of the peripheral means are interconnected by a second data bus; and power supply means connected to the primary and peripheral means. The primary means arc grouped in a main housing that cannot be dismantled without damaging at least one of the components of the primary means, and the peripheral means are grouped in at least one housing capable of being connected to the main housing.
US07757100B2
A method provides a protected region of a data storage device associated with a computational device, where data in the protected region is primarily protected by preventing access without proper access authorization. The method comprises the steps of providing, in an unprotected region of the data storage device, a first operating system and associated operating system data; monitoring operating system data accessed by the computational device until a predetermined functionality becomes available; storing, in the protected region, the monitored operating system data; providing, in the protected region, a second operating system; transferring control of the computational device from the first operating system to the second operating system; storing data in the protected region; and preventing access to the stored data in the protected region without access authorization. In a further embodiment of the method, the second operating system optionally provides a second level of security by preventing decryption of data stored in the protected region without decryption authorization.
US07757095B2
In a personal identification system 10 for identifying a user on the basis of biometric information, a hologram is formed in a holographic recording portion 13 of an optical information recording medium 12. The hologram is provided by the interference between a reference beam subjected to spatial light modulation by record cryptographic identification information based on the biometric information of the user obtained by a biological information sensor 14 and an object beam. At the time of identification, an information processing device 16 makes validation cryptographic identification information from the biometric information directly obtained from the user, and a spatial light modulator 20 modulates a hologram reproduction reference beam by the validation cryptographic identification information. The right or wrong of a reproduced image is detected, and the leakage of the identification information is prevented.
US07757086B2
A system for enabling authenticated communication between a first entity and at least one other entity, the system including a second entity, wherein: the first entity and the second entity share transport keys; and the second entity includes at least one authentication key configured to be transported from the second entity to the first entity using the transport keys, the authentication key being usable to enable the authenticated communication by the first entity.
US07757081B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes verifying an initiating logical processor of a system; validating a trusted agent with the initiating logical processor if the initiating logical processor is verified; and launching the trusted agent on a plurality of processors of the system if the trusted agent is validated. After execution of such a trusted agent, a secure kernel may then be launched, in certain embodiments. The system may be a multiprocessor server system having a partially or fully connected topology with arbitrary point-to-point interconnects, for example.
US07757080B1
A system for storage of user access information is described. The user access information is used for validating a user for access data on a computer server over a network. The system may comprise an encryption module for encrypting the user access information using a function that includes data from a system from which the user has accessed the computer server as an input to generate enhanced security user access data and a storage module for storing the enhanced security user access data.
US07757079B2
A system and method for supporting operations with multiple certification authorities (CAs) on a communication device. A common CA interface is provided between a plurality of secure communication applications and a plurality of CA-specific components, each of which interacts with a particular CA. A further common interface may also be provided for operatively coupling the secure communication applications to cryptographic components in the device.
US07757077B2
To determine whether digital content can be released to an element such as a computer application or module, a scaled value representative of the relative security of the element is associated therewith, and the digital content has a corresponding digital license setting forth a security requirement. The security requirement is obtained from the digital license and the scaled value is obtained from the element, and the scaled value of the element is compared to the security requirement of the digital license to determine whether the scaled value satisfies the security requirement. The digital content is not released to the element if the scaled value does not satisfy the security requirement.
US07757068B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for measuring processor performance during speculative-execution. The system starts by executing instructions in a normal-execution mode. The system then enters a speculative-execution episode wherein instructions are speculatively executed without being committed to the architectural state of the processor. While entering the speculative-execution episode the system enables a speculative execution monitor. The system then uses the speculative execution monitor to monitor instructions during the speculative-execution episode to record data values relating to the speculative-execution episode. Upon returning to normal-execution mode, the system disables the speculative execution monitor. The data values recorded by the speculative execution monitor facilitate measuring processor performance during speculative execution.
US07757051B2
A system and method for processing data (e.g., encoded audio data in an audio decoder). Various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first memory module comprising a first software module and a second software module. A signal-processing module may comprise a processor and local memory. A first data segment may be received, and the processor may identify the first software module for processing the first data segment. The first software module may be transferred to the local memory and executed by the processor to process the first data segment. A second data segment may be received, and the processor may identify the second software module for processing the second data segment. The second software module may be transferred to the local memory in memory space formerly occupied by the first software module. The processor may then utilize the second software module to process the second data segment.
US07757049B2
A method for processing using a shared file that includes allocating a first working buffer between the shared file and a plurality of address spaces, wherein each of the plurality of address spaces is associated with one of a plurality of processors, copying first data from the shared file to the first working buffer by a first aggregator copying the first data from the first working buffer to the plurality of address spaces by the first aggregator, processing the first data, in parallel, by the plurality of processors to obtain a result, wherein the plurality of processors access data from the plurality of address spaces, and storing the result in the shared memory.
US07757048B2
A data processor apparatus and memory interface comprises a memory, a plurality of processor units couplable to receive data from the memory, and control means for controlling transmission of data from the control means to each processor unit. The control means for controlling operations of the data processor units is arranged to transmit data intended for each processor unit (i.e. broadcast data) to the memory, and is adapted to control each processor unit to receive the broadcast data from the memory. This arrangement eliminates the need for a dedicated broadcast bus from the array controller to each PU, which thereby enables the area/space required to accommodate the data processor to be significantly reduced.
US07757047B2
Maintaining a cache of indications of exclusively-owned coherence state for memory space units (e.g., cache line) allows reduction, if not elimination, of delay from missing store operations. In addition, the indications are maintained without corresponding data of the memory space unit, thus allowing representation of a large memory space with a relatively small missing store operation accelerator. With the missing store operation accelerator, a store operation, which misses in low-latency memory (e.g., L1 or L2 cache), proceeds as if the targeted memory space unit resides in the low-latency memory, if indicated in the missing store operation accelerator. When a store operation misses in low-latency memory and hits in the accelerator, a positive acknowledgement is transmitted to the writing processing unit allowing the store operation to proceed. An entry is allocated for the store operation, the store data is written into the allocated entry, and the target of the store operation is requested from memory. When a copy of the data at the requested memory space unit returns, the rest of the allocated entry is updated.
US07757039B2
In some embodiments, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication interface, an input/output interface, a processor, and logic to collect, in the electronic apparatus, a first identifier associated with a first communication device and second identifier associated with a second communication device, logic to establish a communication connection between the electronic apparatus and the first communication device, and logic to initiate, in the electronic apparatus, a connection request for a communication connection between the first communication device and the second communication device. Other embodiments may be described.
US07757036B2
A storage control apparatus capable of analyzing volume information and a control method thereof is provided. The present storage device controller comprises a volume information analysis module, volume information memory, a display device interface and a power regulation circuit to display the volume information on the display device through the display device interface so that a user can independently read the storage medium and analyze the volume information, regardless of whether it is connected or disconnected.
US07757031B2
A data transmission coordinating method is used between a central processing unit and a bridge chip of a computer system. By entering the computer system into a coordinating state, the data transmission coordinating method is executed. The bridge chip and the CPU are informed of maximum bit numbers of each other for data transmission therebetween via the front side bus. Then, a commonly operable maximum bit number for data transmission between the CPU and the bridge chip can be coordinated according to the first and second maximum bit numbers. Once the commonly operable maximum bit number is determined, the CPU is reset to operate with the commonly operable maximum bit number. The maximum bit numbers are those of bus transmission width or bus transmission speed.
US07757012B2
Techniques are disclosed for enabling a single computer system to execute both operating systems that permit multiple devices to be mapped to a single PCI function and operating systems that do not permit such mapping. Prior to loading and executing an operating system (e.g., during system reset), the computer system determines whether the operating system supports mapping of multiple devices to a single function. If such mapping is supported, the computer system maps multiple devices on a single PCI card to a single function in the PCI configuration space for the card. If such mapping is not supported, the computer system maps each device to a separate PCI function. The computer system then loads and executes the operating system. The operating system is thereby enabled to access all devices on the bus according to the particular device-function mapping scheme supported by the operating system.
US07757006B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing conditional packet alterations based upon a transmit port. A selection mechanism is provided for implementing packet alterations. A sequence of frame alteration instructions and transmit port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted is applied to the selection mechanism. The selection mechanism performs alterations on the packet being transmitted responsive to the applied sequence of frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with the packet. The selection mechanism includes a multiplexer that sequentially receives frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted, and an indirect data array for providing packet alteration data from the indirect data array.
US07756994B2
The present invention has an object of managing information without generating any inconsistency between a plurality of servers. A server system according to the present invention includes a plurality of server devices that perform processing using a plurality of processing data without duplication. Each of the server devices relays a signal initially transmitted by any of the server devices so that the signal passes through all the server devices to be finally received by the server device initially transmitting the signal, transmits a first signal indicating use of processing data to another server device when any of the processing data is to be used, receives the first signal from the another server device and relays it to a further another server device, and permits use of the processing data to be used when transmission means transmits the first signal and the first signal is relayed from one of the other server devices.
US07756993B2
A reproducing apparatus and method is provided. The reproducing apparatus includes a detection device, a list preparation device, and a reproduction device. The detection device is configured to detect acquisition of first page information. The list preparation device is configured to prepare a list of content identification information collected at least from the first page information and from second page information linked from the first page information when the detection device detects the acquisition of the first page information, the content identification information being such as to indicate where streaming content data is availably located. The reproduction device is configured to reproduce the streaming content data upon acquisition, the streaming content data corresponding to the content identification information in the list prepared by the list preparation device.
US07756990B2
A configurable protocol engine (CPE) capable of constructing (110) a desired protocol structure (112) according to the received configuration information. In addition, the CPE schedules the processing of received service primitives according to the priority levels thereof. The configuration information may include service requirements (102), indications of hardware and software resources (106, 108), and the required QoS (Quality of Service, 104) level. The CPE may be implemented as software, hardware, or as a combination of both.
US07756989B2
A method (and system) for managing and controlling allocation and de-allocation of resources based on a guaranteed amount of resource and additional resources based on a best effort for a plurality of customers, includes dynamically allocating server resources for a plurality of customers, such that the resources received by a customer are dynamically controlled and the customer receives a guaranteed minimum amount of resources as specified under a service level agreement (SLA). The best effort is defined in the SLA as a range of service to be provided to the customer if server resources are currently available.
US07756982B2
Under the present invention, a request for a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is received from a client on a server. Upon receipt, a corresponding session object is obtained, and a response identifier is generated. Based on the response identifier, it is determined whether the URL was previously requested by the client. If not, generation of a final response begins. As the response is being generated, a response refresh header is generated and returned to the client with a temporary response. The response refresh header contains a time value for causing the client to automatically send a subsequent request for the URL. After generation of the final response is complete, it is stored in a cache according to the response identifier. Then, when the subsequent request is received from the client, the final response is retrieved from the cache and served to the client.
US07756976B2
Methods of controlling dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) communication on a network are presented including: receiving a data frame on a network switch; and if the data frame is a DHCP offer frame that is not received from an authorized DHCP server port, dropping the data frame. In some embodiments, methods further include if the data frame is not the DHCP offer frame, forwarding the data frame. In some embodiments, methods further include if the data frame is the DHCP offer frame that is received from the authorized DHCP server port, forwarding the data frame.
US07756969B1
Systems and methods provide identification services over a distributed network. Systems and methods provide the tools to receive data from reader devices, process the received data, and provide the processed data to users. Enhanced event handling and dynamic service provisioning enable robust and flexible deployment of identification services in a distributed network.
US07756966B2
An automation device interactive user interface and method of using the interface is provided herein. The interface is network based in that it employs a browser enhanced by an interactive program embedded therein and an execution engine to execute the program. The interface can be proximate to an associated automated device(s) or remotely connected thereto using a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. To facilitate ease of use, the embedded interactive program presents information in an appealing multimedia fashion such that interface appears live and changing. Furthermore, data associated with automation devices can be monitored, extracted, transmitted or otherwise manipulated in real time.
US07756955B2
An information processing apparatus connected to a peripheral device, including: a reception unit adapted to receive a network leaving message from the peripheral device; a first determination unit adapted to determine if a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device as a source of the network leaving message received by the reception unit meets a predetermined condition; and an uninstall unit adapted to uninstall the device driver corresponding to the peripheral device as the source of the network leaving message when the first determination unit determines that information of the device driver meets the predetermined condition.
US07756954B2
A method for provisioning systems within a solution which includes mapping a physical identifier of a component within a system to a logical identifier of the component within a system and mapping the logical identifier of the component within a system to an implementation identifier of the component within the system. The mapping conforms to a predetermined user identifiable naming convention.
US07756916B2
A display method comprises the steps of: searching, from a group of information including information associated with a plurality of programs, information corresponding to information obtained by extracting, using at least one of databases including: databases for a name of person, an attribute name of person, a name of thing and an attribute name of thing; databases for a name of place, an attribute name of place, a name of event, an attribute name of event; and databases into which a part or all of the databases is integrated, at least one of the information which can be identified in the database being used, from a group of information associated with a selected program; and displaying information on a program associated with the searched information.
US07756900B2
Records representing items in a dimensionally-modeled fact collection are assigned to bins. A count-based portion of a user interface receives user bin assignment specification of the records based on user-specified counts of records. Actual counts for bin assignment are determined by constraining records having a same data value at a specified particular dimension to be within the same bin. A user-observable indication of the determined actual counts is provided. The user interface may include a value-based portion. The value-based portion of the user interface may be operated to receive user indication of bin assignment specification of records based on user-specified at least one value at the particular dimension. Determining actual counts includes reconciling the user indication of bin assignment specification in the count-based portion with the user indication of bin assignment specification in the value-based portion.
US07756891B2
The present invention provides a search method and system for matching a commodity to one or more applications for using the commodity. A plurality of properties associated with the commodity are identified. A collection of documents for searching for a plurality of combinations of said properties is then defined, wherein the combination includes a single property or multiple properties. The defined collection of documents is searched for all occurrences of the combination of properties, and the hits retrieved for those documents that include the properties. The hits are then associated with one or more subclasses of a classification scheme, and reviewed for those hits that include the properties of the commodity but not the commodity, wherein subclasses not including hits that include the commodity are matched as applications for the commodity.
US07756890B2
Semantic identities are provided. A semantic identity is created for an agent. The semantic identity is associated with one or more categories and the categories are associated with interests. The semantic identity mines a network for information that relates to the one or more categories or the interests and packages the information for the agent's subsequent review and consumption.
US07756887B1
A method and system of modulating search result relevancy use various types of user browsing activities. In particular, a client assistant residing in a client computer monitors movements of a user controlled pointer in a web browser, e.g., when the pointer moves into a predefined region and when it moves out of the predefined region. A server then determines a relevancy value between an informational item associated with the predefined region and a search query according to the pointer hover period. When preparing a new search result responsive to a search query, the server re-orders identified informational items in accordance with their respective relevancy values such that more relevant items appear before less relevant ones. The server also uses the relevancy values to determine and/or adjust the content of an one-box result associated with a search query.
US07756883B2
A control method for modifying information concerning a remote work site includes: (i) setting up a database that comprises information concerning a remote work site; (ii) using an electronic device that has an image-capturing unit, in order to capture images of equipment or construction sites at the remote work site; (iii) communicating with an access platform and an option menu arranged on the access platform via an Internet connected module, creating an issue in a network database via the electronic device with an Internet browser and accessing information about the issue via the option menu that allows access to the database according to an authority level of a user; or creating an issue directly on a network database via an network connected module; and (iv) modifying the information in accordance with the issue of the images from the remote work site.
US07756882B2
Data is requested by an XML application conforming to the XML data model. The data is stored in an SQL database conforming to the relational data model. A mapping component transforms the XML query into an SQL query using a mapping component comprising instructions obtained from an instruction set defined by a mapping algebra. The transformed operation is used to retrieve the data. Once retrieved, the algebraically defined mapping component transforms the SQL data from data conforming to the relational data model to data conforming to the XML data for use in the XML application.
US07756880B2
A method provides content items located on a server to a client, the server being able to communicate with the client via a communication network. The method includes generating a content recommendation list comprising several content recommendation list entries in dependence on a user feedback profile, each content recommendation list entry representing a content item, and transferring the content recommendation list from the server to the client. The method also includes providing a representation of the content recommendation list entries through a client user interface, each entry being selectable and arranged such that for each entry, user feedback may be generated and corresponding user feedback information sent to the server and that upon selection of an entry at a predetermined position in the content recommendation list, a recommendation list request is transferred to the server.
US07756877B2
Systems and methods for compressing an index are described. In one exemplary method, the results of a search are annotated and then encoded into one or more chunks of compressed data in accordance with the annotations of the results. The annotations include an indication of a best encoding method selected from a set of available encoding methods, and an indication of whether to switch to a new chunk during encoding or to continue encoding in the current chunk. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
US07756869B2
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for extracting referential keys from a document are provided. A document is parsed to identify at least one key, the key being identified from at least one contextual indication. The key is classified according to a key type, the key type being identified from the contextual indication. The key is extracted and then stored in a location in a structured shell with the location corresponding to the key type. As a result, the key can be found by a search seeking one of the key and the key type allowing a searcher to identify the document from which the key was extracted.
US07756866B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates automatically organizing digital images using metadata which is embedded in the digital images. The system operates by receiving a digital image with embedded metadata, wherein the embedded metadata includes Global Positioning System (GPS) data. The system uses the embedded metadata, including the GPS data, to identify additional metadata associated with the digital image. The system then saves the digital image on a storage medium. In addition, the system saves the embedded metadata and the additional metadata on the storage medium in a searchable format.
US07756863B2
A method of enhancing the decoding performance of text indexes of an indexed collection of text documents is disclosed. The posting list includes a plurality of list entries being of variable size depending on the value stored in each posting list entry. The inventive method is base on a statistical analysis of the posting list entries of the plurality of list entries. Prior to decoding, the method selects a decoding routine being appropriate to decode the most frequent type of posting list entries or of a plurality of various posting list entries. After selecting a particular decoding routine and executing the decoding routine for decoding of the entire posting list, a failure check is performed. In the exceptional case that a failure has occurred, a second alternative decoding procedure is selected and executed.
US07756856B2
A database query optimizer for a computer system having dynamically configurable logical partitions generates an optimized query strategy which is dependent on a logical partition configuration. When the query is executed, the configuration of the logical partition in which the query is executed is compared to the logical partition configuration for which the query was optimized. If the configurations are different, a new query can be automatically generated. Optimizing database queries to the current system configuration of a dynamic, logically partitioned system potentially offers greater efficiency in the execution of database queries for complex, logically partitioned systems.
US07756846B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a lock on an object dependent upon a nested LUW. The disclosed systems and methods may include registering a lock manager with an LUW manager responsible for managing a nested LUW on a buffer. The nested LUW may comprise an inner LUW and an outer LUW. The systems and method may further include locking an object affected by the inner LUW of the nested LUW. The LUW manager may transmit to the lock manager any events pertaining to the inner LUW. The lock manager may be operative to determine, based on the events pertaining to the LUW received from the LUW manager, whether the lock should be retained or released such that the status of the lock is consistent with the state of the nested LUW.
US07756843B1
An automated method for identifying confidential information may include inputting a search term based on a set of policy rules into a search engine, and causing the search engine to perform a search based on the search term. The method may also include analyzing search results obtained from the search engine against the policy rules to identify the search results containing confidential information.
US07756840B2
Database performance and availability monitoring of changes impacting database performance, availability and continuity to the underlying business may be performed. A method for doing so may include analytical and visual real-time analysis engines to identify and provide alert notifications on changes in database performance statistics (such as CPU consumption, physical I/O, etc.) related to a sample period of time on a single database or across multiple databases. Result data may be displayed through a series of charts and/or summary tables that may indicate whether correlations exist between unexpected database performance and relative changes in database performance statistical parameters.
US07756834B2
A method and computer program product with encoded instructions provides for repeatedly making data backups for files by making a series of snapshots of file storage volumes containing the files. The method and computer product further provide for determining that a malware attack has occurred, identifying corrupted files and, for each corrupted file, scanning the series of snapshots to identify an uncorrupted version of the file. Each corrupted file is restored to an uncorrupted version thereof. An event log contains write events and snapshot creation events corresponding to creation of each of the snapshots. A forensic scan scans the event log to determine modifying writes made by the corrupted files and which modified further files. The further files are restored to unmodified versions thereof. A list of at-risk files includes the corrupted files and the further files and the forensic scan is repeated on the at-risk files.
US07756828B2
A configuration management database for storing configuration information about an IT system. The configuration management database may have representations of configuration items that correspond to configuration items in the IT system, indicia of relations between the configuration items, and attributes of the configuration items. The configuration management database may also have configuration state information of the configuration items, where the configuration state information has information indicating whether a configuration item, relation, or attribute is in a state of pending approval or in a state of planned deployment. The configuration management database may also have temporal information indicating a temporal state of a configuration item, relation, or attribute.
US07756822B2
An architecture and system for integrating online transactional processing (OLTP) systems with online analytical processing (OLAP) system. The architecture includes a data access layer having one or more data access programs for accessing OLTP data, a service layer having a business intelligence (BI) platform for generating OLAP data, and a data abstraction layer providing a common meta-model for OLTP data integrated with OLAP data. The architecture further includes a user interface presentation layer configured to provide a user interface for displaying a report run on the integrated OLTP and OLAP data.
US07756820B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for an activity browser. A computer system includes a user interface linked to a processor arranged to perform instructions in accordance with a business application stored in a memory, the business application including context code portions representing at least one context, the context representing a business situation, service interface code portions defining at least two interfaces between services and the context, each of the interfaces arranged for exchanging data from a parameter of the context and the service associated with the context, and user-interface code portions for outputting at the user interface data representing information about the context.
US07756819B2
Disclosed are an integrated authoring system for an electronic technical manual and a paper technical manual using logistics support analysis data, which is capable of authoring an interactive electronic technical manual (IETM) of Class IV level and a paper technical manual at the same time. The integrated authoring system for an electronic technical manual and a paper technical manual using logistics support analysis data comprises: an iCAST-LSA (intelligent computer based acquisition support tool-logistics support analysis) module; a TMM (Technical Manual Management) module for performing a technical manual management function by importing from the DB of the iCAST-LSA module or exporting to the DB of the iCAST-LSA module; an illustrated drawing manager module; and a TMA (Technical Manual Author) module for performing a manual author manager function for sending and receiving illustrated drawings (ID) or CGM data to and from the illustrated drawing manager module.
US07756818B1
A system and method for recovering a database table that depends on a tablespace receives a backup copy of the tablespace and reads log records associated with the table. The system then applies the log records to the backup copy and builds new table data pages from the backup copy. Finally, the system scans the new table data pages for records of the first table and updates the table from the records.
US07756816B2
A system for managing a project and its associated information over a network is presented. The system includes a project information database associated with the network and a project information management tool. The project information database stores information associated with a project being carried out by a corporate entity having at least one sub-entity. The project information management tool includes a project information module to manage the information associated with the project, and at least one cross-sub-entity project-component module. The cross-sub-entity project module manages and tracks overall information and sub-entity specific information, of the information associated with the project, related to the project-component.
US07756815B2
A semantic publish/subscribe system enables semantic event routing and allows publishers (resp. subscribers) to use self-defined event schemas to publish (resp. subscribe) events. The constraints on value-based publish/subscribe systems that publishers and subscribers must share the same event schemas are removed. With ontology support, the system conducts event correlation based on their semantics using relational operators. Event sources are searched for subscriptions and selected events are automatically correlated according to subscriptions. The system enables efficient semantic event routing by rewriting the subscription SQL statement, wherein no redundant events are generated.
US07756813B2
A data structure is provided for preventing access, in a computer system, to a data object having an identifier (ID). The data structure comprises a first lock object, in which the ID of the data object is stored, and in which a link to a storage location of the data object is assigned to the ID, and a second lock object, in which the ID of the data object is stored. In one embodiment, the ID is stored in the second lock object before storing the ID in the first lock object or before assigning the storage location of the data object to the ID in first lock object. Further, the ID is deleted from the second lock object after storing the ID in the first lock object or after assigning the storage location of the data object to the ID in the first lock object. The data object may be accessible by a software application, whereby the access of the software application to the data object is prevented if the ID is stored in the first or second lock object.
US07756801B2
Various implementations provide for a task assignment method that describes a spatial computing application by providing an abstract task graph (ATaG) wherein the abstract task graph specifies the behavior of the application without reference to the number, placement and connectivity of the nodes performing the application and the tasks are automatically mapped to the network. The ATaG specifies a set of tasks, a set of data objects and a set of channels, including various constraints and preferences on where in the network tasks may be performed, how data is moved between locations and the data required at various locations. Moreover, various implementations provide for a task assignment system which maps the abstract tasks and channels to specific nodes and communication links, either at the time of the construction of the system or throughout the time of its operation.
US07756796B2
A method and system for enabling a mailer to sort incoming mail pieces in accordance with changeable criteria that are important to the mailer. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a unique identifier or code tying the mail piece to a data file on each business reply envelope, on or in each windowed envelope or post card that is sent to a customer and returned to the mailer. The unique identifier would enable the mailer to establish parameters for evaluating the unique identifier so as to set a priority for processing mail that is in the mail stream, i.e. prioritize mail that is received just before a late fee is due to improve customer relations. The code tying the mail piece to a data file may be used by the mailer to track payment cycles, order the sortation of incoming mail based upon credit balances, process mail based upon the expected amount of the enclosed check. The foregoing would enable the mailer to receive monies earlier and improve the mailers cash flow.
US07756793B2
The present invention is to provides a content data supply system, a content data supply apparatus and method, a content data reproduction apparatus and method, and a program. The content supply system supplies content data from a content data supply apparatus to a content reproduction apparatus via a network. The content reproduction apparatus includes notification means, content list acquisition means, activation file acquisition means, content data acquisition means, and license data acquisition means. The content data supply apparatus includes customer information management means, content list generation means, activation file generation means, storage means, content data supply means, and license data supply means.
US07756792B2
Systems and methods for controlling the use and duplication of digital content distributed on removable media are described. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention digital content is protected by allowing a particular number of protected (e.g., encrypted) copies of the digital content to be made. Typically, these copies may only be used on and moved between authorized devices. In one embodiment, if copies are desired, the maximum number of allowable copies of the protected digital content are made and stored on a computer's hard drive when the storage medium (e.g., a CD) containing the content is inserted into the computer. Each copy can then be moved but not copied to other devices (e.g., portable solid state devices). In an alternative embodiment, the storage medium containing the digital content is writable (e.g., a CD-R). When the storage medium is inserted into the computer, the computer writes information to the storage medium which regulates future copying and playing of the digital content on the storage medium.
US07756787B1
A genetic algorithm determines a plan for payment of payment obligations in accounts payable of a finance account. The genetic algorithm operates to satisfy certain objectives, including maximizing or minimizing the total amount of payments of the payment obligations on a given day within the amount of cash available for the given day. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents an optimal bill payment plan for the payment obligations such that payment of each payment obligation in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.
US07756785B2
The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating commercial transactions involving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or other value between remote individuals, as in the case of transactions between users of a distributed computer network such as the Internet. Remote individuals are provided with a convenient, cost-efficient, and secure means for engaging in commercial transactions with one another. The invention provides remote sellers with an irrevocable means of receiving funds from a remote purchaser; means for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party; transaction tracking; and rapid funds availability. The invention also provides remote purchasers with means for making a secure, confidential transfer of funds; means for immediate initiation of shipment by a seller; means for releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods, services, or other value; means for demonstrating proof of payment; and means for having some level of recourse against a remote seller.
US07756783B2
A method includes obtaining from a first financial organization first information relating to a first financial account indicative of financial performance for the first financial account, obtaining from a second financial organization independent of the first financial organization second information relating to a second financial account indicative of financial performance for the second financial account, and determining if the first financial account and the second financial account relate to a common customer.
US07756778B1
A system for facilitating the analysis of a transaction request. The system includes an interface. The interface is configured to receive input data related to the transaction request. The input data includes at least a selection of a variance transaction or a recourse transaction. The system further includes a transaction request processor configured to generate a transaction assessment based on at least the input data and a reporting engine configured to provide the transaction assessment.
US07756776B2
Some embodiments provide a method and a system for generating an administrative note associated with a network-based commerce facility, associating an administrator-selected aspect of the network-based commerce facility with the administrative note, and storing the administrative note.
US07756772B1
A system, method and device for (semi-)automated e-commerce on the Internet, the WWW and other networks. Trading parties present intentions, made of more elementary components, which are used to express their willingness to engage in deals subject to constraints. Parts of intentions may be variable components. Some variable components may be associated with computational devices that transform them, optionally communicating via messages, into more specified components. This mechanism encodes business rules. By fitting intentions, contracts are formed. While fitting intentions, negotiations are carried out via the exchange of messages. Negotiations are automated by encoding users wishes as mathematical programs. Following the deal formation an optional deal improvement phase, in one-to-one mode or one-to-many mode, is carried out to improve the deal. The improvement phase may be based on a trading mechanselected from an available collection of such mechanisms including such mechanisms as constructed by users of the system.
US07756771B2
A method for determining an earnings portion of a distribution from a 529 plan. The method includes receiving information associated with a plurality of 529 plan accounts, identifying related 529 plan accounts, aggregating the information for related 529 plan accounts, and determining an earnings portion of a distribution from at least one of the 529 plan accounts.
US07756765B2
A system and method for managing product orders coordinates corresponding retail and wholesale orders, to provide efficient settlement and distribution of funds to all parties involved. The systems and methods disclosed do not require retailers to carry an inventory of products, and the processing of the retail order and its corresponding wholesale order, and shipment of the product, are transparent to the consumer or retail buyer. As a result of this transparency, the consumer sees only the delivered product and a corresponding charge on a credit card statement.
US07756762B1
A method for providing audit support including displaying sample letter images, where each of the sample letter images is associated with one of a number of audit categories. The method further includes receiving a selection of one of the sample letter images from a user, in response to the selection, displaying a detailed sample letter image and a first confirmation question corresponding to the selected sample letter image, and receiving a first response to the first confirmation question from the user, where the first response confirms the user's selection. The method further includes displaying a first audit category description corresponding to the audit category associated with the user's selection, and displaying an action item list associated with the user's selection, where the action item list includes at least one action for the user to take to resolve the audit described by the first audit category description.
US07756759B1
A method is disclosed that includes identifying an inventory item corresponding to a product configuration. The product configuration is defined using a feature map. The inventory item is also defined using the feature map. Each entry of the feature map corresponds to one of a number of features of a product.
US07756748B2
A method of controlling access to a service over a network, including the steps of automatically identifying a service user and acquiring user information, thereby to control the access. Additionally, a method of providing service over a network, in which the service requires identification of a user, including the steps of automatically identifying the user; and associating the user with user information, thus enabling the service.
US07756743B1
A computer-assisted method of establishing a brand presence in a facility. The method includes accessing, by facility personnel, a computer having a playlist that controls the playback of audio and video broadcasting within the facility and entering on the playlist, by facility personnel, identifiers of advertisements related to the facility.
US07756740B2
Disclosed is a method for maintaining compact descriptions of the behavior of customers in a database of information relating to customer transactions. Of all possible variables that might be used to characterize customer transactions, a limited number are selected on the basis of discriminating power to define customer profiles. Customers are classified according to distinguishing features of their profiles. A new customer can be initially assigned to a particular class based on data characterizing his first few transactions.
US07756724B2
A system and methods for organizing, manipulating, and displaying worklists of patient studies for access by medical personnel is provided. The patient studies may include medical images and data relating to medical images. In some embodiments, the worklists are easily customizable, to permit a wide range of tasks to be handled in the worklist system. Updated worklist information may be pushed to the appropriate workstations or users in nearly real-time, as updates become available, reducing errors that may be caused by outdated information in worklists. In some embodiments, worklists contain overlapping information, which permits numerous users to see the information, even if it is not immediately relevant to their tasks. This increased scrutiny may help to reduce errors.
US07756721B1
The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating and managing health care between a medical provider and a patient. In one aspect, the system and method includes providing a patient having a first criteria, which includes a medical symptom. The system and method also include selecting a subset of medical providers having expertise in treating the medical symptom, generating a care request to obtain a treatment proposal for the medical symptom of the patient, and updating the care request with medical information associated with the medical symptom. The system and method further include receiving at least one treatment proposal of the medical symptom from the medical providers and selecting a treatment proposal of the medical symptom from the medical providers.
US07756716B2
A lossless encoding and/or decoding apparatus which encodes audio data on a real-time basis includes a lossless compression unit which losslessly compression encodes the audio data stored in an input buffer in units of predetermined data and outputs the encoded data in sequence, and an output buffer which stores the encoded audio data output from the lossless compression unit. A bitrate controller divides a plurality of the encoded audio data stored in the output buffer into first data having a data amount exceeding the maximum bitrate and second data having a data amount less than the maximum bitrate, divides the first data into third data being the encoded audio data having a data amount of the maximum bitrate and fourth data being the encoded data of the portion exceeding the maximum bitrate, and controls the output buffer so that the fourth data is output together with the second data.
US07756711B2
A coding apparatus capable of reducing a circuit scale and also reducing the amount of coding processing calculation is disclosed. In this apparatus, frequency domain conversion section (103) performs a frequency analysis of the signal sampled at a sampling rate Fx with an analysis length of 2·Na and calculates first spectrum S1(k) (0≦k
US07756708B2
A method for generating a speech recognition model includes accessing a baseline speech recognition model, obtaining information related to recent language usage from search queries, and modifying the speech recognition model to revise probabilities of a portion of a sound occurrence based on the information. The portion of a sound may include a word. Also, a method for generating a speech recognition model, includes receiving at a search engine from a remote device an audio recording and a transcript that substantially represents at least a portion of the audio recording, synchronizing the transcript with the audio recording, extracting one or more letters from the transcript and extracting the associated pronunciation of the one or more letters from the audio recording, and generating a dictionary entry in a pronunciation dictionary.
US07756706B2
A method and system for performing computer implemented recognition is disclosed. In one method embodiment, the present invention first accesses user input stored in a memory of a mobile device. On the mobile device, the present invention performs a coarse recognition process on the user input to generate a coarse result. The coarse process may operate in real-time. The embodiment then displays a portion of the coarse result on a display screen of the mobile device. The embodiment further performs a detailed recognition process on the user input to generate a detailed result. The detailed process has more recognition patterns and computing resources available to it. The present embodiment performs a comparison of the detailed result and the coarse result. The present embodiment displays a portion of the comparison on the display screen.
US07756701B2
An apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof are disclosed. Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining a reference value corresponding to a plurality of data and a difference value corresponding to the reference value and entropy-decoding the difference value and obtaining the data using the reference value and the entropy-decoded difference value.
US07756696B2
A simulation system includes a simulation computer having a Web server and a client computer with an Internet browser. On the simulation computer, a process engineering process model of a technical plant is available, to which access can be made by the client computer via the Internet. In preferred embodiments, the simulation computer additionally includes an automation engineering process model of the technical plant, operation and observation software and a project engineering tool for changing the aforementioned programs in the simulation computer.
US07756695B2
A cache replacement system for extending the debugging capabilities of accelerated simulation by enabling enhanced cache data and state checking is provided. The system includes a Cell Broadband Engine Architecture (CBEA) compliant system implementing Replacement Management Tables in an accelerated simulation environment. The RMTs control cache replacement and allow the software to direct entries with specific address ranges at a particular subset of the cache. The RMTs further allow for locking data in the cache and are utilized to prevent overwriting data in the cache by directing data that is known to be used only once at a particular set. Using the locking mechanism in an accelerated simulation environment, a user is able to run code sets, which, when the microprocessor system being tested is correctly designed, generates identical and verifiable data and cache states in each of the different sets of the cache.
US07756686B2
A modeling system and process for computer-aided, block-based modeling by preparing a first block diagram in a first model plane that relates to a first abstraction stage, in which at least one block is placeable in the first model plane and several blocks are connectable to one another by horizontal data transfer devices for horizontally exchanging data. At least one other block diagram is arrangeable on at least one other model plane assigned to the first abstraction stage that is separated from the first model plane. The first block diagram of the first model plane and the other block diagram of the other model plane form an overall block diagram that can be arranged on a selection of at least two model planes from the first model plane and the other model planes, so that a vertical exchange of data between at least two selected model planes can be produced.
US07756675B2
In a communication system having at least three communication devices communicating with each other, a seating-order determination device for generating seating-order information for information sent from each communication device and for transmitting the seating-order information to each communication device is provided. Each communication device controls the output position of each information according to the seating-order information to output the information sent from the other communication devices in a seating order corresponding to the seating-order information. The seating order is always automatically changed to the most appropriate condition according to the progress of a conference and the state of conversations to provide the user with a comfortable conference environment and a comfortable communication environment.
US07756672B2
A method is for setting at least one predetermined distance between a machine tool (10) and a metallic or non-metallic electrically conductive workpiece (12) according to which a capacitive and/or inductive sensor (16) fixed to the machine tool (10) while facing the workpiece (12). The machine tool (10) is displaced with constant speed toward the workpiece (12) by means of a drive device, and a sensor signal is output at predetermined time intervals by means of a data processing unit (24). The sensor signal has a characteristic quantity that continuously changes in a non-linear manner according to the distance of the machine tool (10) from the workpiece (12). The data processing unit (24) compares each read out value of the characteristic quantity with a comparative value read out before at a predetermined number of time intervals and calculates the difference between the values that are compared with one another.
US07756671B2
A method of timing a remarkable angular position (θR) of at least one sensor (12) carried by a tire (10) rotating relative to an external frame of reference. The following steps are performed: forming, from an output signal from the sensor (12), a reference signal suitable for presenting a remarkable extremum during one revolution of the tire (10); determining the time of an origin angular position (θ0) of the sensor as being the time of the remarkable extremum of the reference signal; and determining the time of the remarkable angular position (θR) relative to the time of the origin angular position.
US07756665B2
An electronic measuring device that includes a transceiver device, a microprocessor operatively connected to the transceiver device, as well as a memory, an electronic output device, and a plurality of input mechanisms, all of which are operatively connected to the microprocessor. In some embodiments, the microprocessor may be programmed with logic that allows a user of the device to take and manipulate measurements using a menu-driven procedure by using the input mechanisms to select and activate desired operations.
US07756663B2
Various embodiments of self-calibration systems and methods are described. One method embodiment, among others, includes imposing an alternate test to components within the device, responsive to the imposition of the alternate test, providing test responses corresponding to the components, and substantially, simultaneously mapping each of the test responses to corresponding specification values of the components.
US07756655B2
An observation apparatus which observers operations of an observation target apparatus, and which includes: an output signal acquisition unit for sequentially acquiring signal values by observing signals outputted by the observation target apparatus; a state storage unit for sequentially storing the acquired signal values; a determination unit for determining whether a first signal value newly acquired is identical with a second signal value which is acquired prior to the first signal value, and which is stored in the state storage unit; and a separation unit for separating and outputting a signal sequence, which includes a plurality of signal values acquired between the first signal value and the second signal value, as transactions of the output signals, on condition that it is determined that the first signal value is identical with the second signal value.
US07756651B2
A novel method and device for measuring electrical parameters in an energy meter in an electrical system is described. The novel method samples an electrical energy signal and determines a relevant portion of the sampled electrical energy signal. The relevant portion of the electrical energy signal is then separately multiplied by a first and second reference waveform. The relevant portion may be reflective of a particular line cycle at a particular frequency of interest. In addition, other samples in the line cycle may be accumulated. The samples whose portions may be determined may be the first and/or last signal, while other sampled signals may be evaluated in whole.
US07756637B2
Methods and systems for a position indicating display system for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a map display unit configured to display a map representative of an area being traversed by the aircraft, and an overlay comprising an own ship depiction, said overlay displayed on the map for a period of time in response to an input from at least one of a user and an aircraft sensor.
US07756631B2
An absolutely optimal routing or a quasi-optimal routing is computed for a first plurality of resources m to be routed to a second plurality of resource destinations n, depending on a count of m and n. Three different algorithms are used. For the case where the count is m≦6 and n≦8, a first algorithm is used to arrive at an absolutely optimal routing. An example of the first algorithm is Depth First Branch and Bound Search. For a second count, where the value of the count is more numerous than the first count, m is greater than six, but equal to, or less than or equal to fifty, 6
US07756629B2
A method of facilitating the use of a navigational chart. The method is performed by a computer including a display and a rotary input device, e.g., a mouse wheel. A view of the navigational chart is provided on the display. Movement of the mouse wheel is detected. In response to the movement, the computer uses one or more geographical locations to identify one or more points on the chart, and pans the view in the display to center in the view at least one of the one or more points. This method provides an easy, intuitive way for a pilot or other user to follow a route in a charting application.
US07756628B2
A navigation system including a drive for reading out navigation data which is stored on a data medium. In addition to the navigation data, a pregap is present on the data medium in which identification data is stored. The drive is designed in such a way that it is able to read CD information in the pregap and compares the identification data stored in the pregap to predefined data to allow or deny access to the navigation data.
US07756624B2
A route planning system for an agricultural working machine including at least one crop material storage unit for storing quantities of crop material transferable to forage vehicles, has a unit for generating driving routes in a territory based on a defined working width assigned to the agricultural working machine, a unit for reconciling a crop material quantity stored in the crop material storage unit depending on at least one characteristic parameter, and a unit for dynamically adapting the reconciliation to changes in the at least one characteristic parameter.
US07756620B2
A method, system, and computer program product for tire slip angle limiting in a steering control system for a vehicle are provided. The method includes calculating a first steering augmentation angle from a vehicle speed and a handwheel angle. The method further includes calculating an upper bound angle limit and a lower bound angle limit as functions of a vehicle slip angle and a tire slip angle limit. The method also includes bounding the sum of the handwheel angle plus the first steering augmentation angle between the upper bound angle limit and the lower bound angle limit to produce a first bounded angle. The method additionally includes subtracting the sum of the handwheel angle plus the first steering augmentation angle from the first bounded angle to produce a first limiting function, and producing a motor angle command by adding the first limiting function plus the first steering augmentation angle.
US07756619B2
An active vibration insulator includes an electromagnetic actuator, a controller, and a bad-roads processor. The electromagnetic actuator generates vibrating forces depending on electric-current supplies. The controller carries out vibrating-forces generation control. In the vibrating-forces generation control, the electric-current supplies are made variable so as to actively inhibit vibrations generated by an on-vehicle vibration generating source of a vehicle from transmitting to a specific part of the vehicle based on cyclic pulsating signals output from the on-vehicle vibration generating source. Thus, the controller lets the electromagnetic actuator generate the vibrating forces. The bad-roads processor stops the vibrating-forces generation control effected by the controller when the vehicle travels on bad roads.
US07756609B2
A method for the operation of a wind park with a plurality of wind energy plants, which each one have one control unit at a time, which can control and/or adjust the wind energy plant in response to a received desired value for an electric variable, the method having the following steps: a higher order control calculates and/or receives a currently permitted maximum value for the electric variable which the wind park is allowed to provide, the higher order control determines a desired value for the electric variable for each wind energy plant and forwards the same to the wind energy plants, characterized in that the higher order control determines the desired value for each one of the wind energy plants depending on the currently maximum and/or minimum available values of all the wind energy plants.
US07756604B1
A vending system restricts, limits and/or controls access and/or to various products, and tracks purchases, use or consumption of those products by an individual, group, class or classification, and implements continued decisions regarding future access within the context of a hierarchy of policy enforcement or guideline recommendations. The individual or group is associated with a unique identification, captured by an input device, such that product selection availability is based upon identity, product type, quantity limits, serving recommendations and nutritional guidelines, user preferences, governance and access restrictions. Subsequent tracking of the dispensing of products, permits the system to compare consumption and make future decisions regarding access to products.
US07756596B2
An information processing apparatus includes a data acquisition unit for acquiring data containing at least audio data, a recording unit for recording the data, an output unit for outputting the data, an operation input acquisition unit for acquiring an operation input when the output unit outputs the data, a setting unit for setting bookmark information mapped to the data, the bookmark information indicating a position of the data that is output from the output unit at the moment the operation input acquisition unit acquires the operation input, and a supplying controller for controlling supplying of the first data and the bookmark information to another apparatus.
US07756585B2
In a method and a system of providing walking assistance and/or therapy to a person with impaired gait, electrical stimulation is applied to muscles of a leg that effect dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle of the leg. The timing of the electrical stimulation is determined from gait event signals developed from sensors under the heel and forepart of the foot of the other leg. In the method and the system, the electrical stimulation is enabled when the person is sensed to be active and is disabled when the person is sensed to be inactive. The method and the system are applicable to persons having unilateral or bilateral impairment of their walking ability.
US07756578B2
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to discriminate between a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) and a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT), such as upon detecting sudden onset and one-to-one tachycardia. In certain examples, a detected tachyarrhythmia is analyzed to determine whether it is sudden onset and 1:1. If so, a first fast beat is identified. One or more ventricular intervals in close proximity to the first fast beat are analyzed to determine an initial classification of either VT or SVT. The initial classification is used to adjust a morphological feature correlation coefficient (FCC) threshold. A morphology analysis is performed with the adjusted FCC threshold value to yield a secondary classification.
US07756566B2
MRI echo data is acquired by performing selective-excitation on regions composed of multi-slices of an object, while the object is moved continuously. The positions of the multi-slices are moved within a predetermined imaging range fixedly determined by an MRI system, according to object movement. This allows positions of the multi-slices to be changed in compliance with the moved object, so that the multi-slices positionally track with the object within the imaging range. Accordingly, a multi-slice imaging technique can be provided, which is executable during even continuous movement of the object.
US07756562B2
There is provided a blood-flow analysis apparatus for analyzing the time intensity curve for each pixel or region of interest of time-series images collected by photographing a desired region of a sample over time with a medical modality by applying a tracer to the blood of the sample. The analysis apparatus includes a calculation unit for calculating parameters indicative of blood-flow dynamics peculiar to the measured tissue of the sample as ratio to or difference from parameters at a desired reference region on the basis of only the time intensity curve of the measured tissue, and a visual-information presentation unit for visually presenting the calculations by the calculation unit.
US07756551B2
A communication system (10) has an audio receiver path (12), and a digital transceiver path (14), wherein both paths (12, 14) are integrated on a single integrated circuit. The audio receiver path (12) has a concealment device (16), and the communication system (10) also has at least one functional block (18) connected to and shared by the both paths (12, 14). The communication system (10) has a digital controller (20) connected to both paths (12, 14), the at least one functional block (18), and the concealment device (16). The digital controller (20) is operable to schedule the operation of the digital transceiver path (14), and to inform the concealment device (16) of start and end points of the activity of the digital transceiver path (14). The concealment device (16) is operable to mask interruptions in the audio stream from the audio receiver path (12) caused during periods of activity of the digital transceiver path (14).
US07756540B2
A system and method of conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network and identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network. A join request is received at the dispatch network from the subscriber in response to identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session and the subscriber is joined to the session in response to the received join request. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and identifies the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network. The dispatch network joins the subscriber to the dispatch multi-party communication session in response to a join request received at the dispatch network from the subscriber.
US07756536B2
A device and method of creating and displaying a short message service (SMS) message capable of attaching and displaying animated characteristics is disclosed. To create an animated SMS message the user responds to input prompts asking for: a mobile identification number that identifies the receiving party, an animation flag that determines whether the SMS message will have animation characteristics, a content pointer location that specifies the location of a content file resident on the receiving device, and the actual text of the SMS message. To display an animated SMS message the receiving device parses the SMS message to determine how to apply the desired animation characteristics. An animation flag is checked and the location of a content file on the receiving device is determined. The content file is retrieved and combined with the text of the SMS message and the combination is then animated according to the animation type specified.
US07756530B2
The invention provides a data output system which can control a printer in accordance with the position of a user without providing a mobile terminal and the printer with special devices, which can reduce the processing load on the mobile terminal, which can ensure the convenience of the user when using the printer, and which avoids inconvenience as a result of incorrect settings by the user. The invention can include a print control terminal that obtains mobile terminal position information from a relay station. When the distance between the mobile terminal position specified by the obtained mobile terminal position information and the printer position specified by printer position information from a storage device is less than a predetermined value, a print command and corresponding print data are transmitted to a printer PR in response to a request from a mobile terminal.
US07756526B2
A method of retrieving a web page using a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining a print media identifier from the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the print media identifier having been linked to the web page; and, retrieving, using the mobile telecommunications device, the web page.
US07756523B2
A managing server 1 and a propagation characteristic computing server 3 grasp a load situation for each cell that is a coverage range of each of a plurality of APs 4a to 4d, calculate an evaluation value defined for evaluating the load situation, and take a control of the load situation of each cell so that this evaluation value is minimized. The control of load situation is a control for altering a shape (including size) of each cell, and further, specifically, a control for making a cell alteration so that the above-mentioned evaluation value is minimized, by performing processes such as regulation of the transmission power of the AP, alteration of the installation position of the AP and addition of the AP. This allows the load of each cell (AP) to be regulated most suitably.
US07756512B2
A transmission and reception system includes a transmission apparatus and reception apparatuses. The transmission apparatus transmits a storage identifier for identifying a storage medium and data. The reception apparatuses each include a receiving section for receiving the storage identifier for identifying the storage medium and the data, and a storage control section for storing the data received by the receiving section on the storage medium identified by the storage identifier received by the receiving section. Hence, automatic storage of data conforming to personal taste and simultaneous automatic storage of data for plural persons are realized.
US07756510B2
The present invention relates to an authentication method for wireless distribution system including at least one base station providing access service to mobile stations in a coverage of the base station. In the authentication method, an unregistered base station receives an authentication request from a mobile station, multicast an identity request for identifying the mobile station over the wireless distribution system, receives identity responses from at least one base station in response to the identity request, and performs authentication of the mobile station on the basis of the identity responses. The distributed authentication method of the present invention is performed without AAA server, when a new base station is installed or isolated base stations are joined, such that it is possible to extend the network in an easy manner without degradation of the security degree and additional labor burden of the operator.
US07756505B2
To realize a software radio processing with a reduced circuit area by hardware and software which can process transmission and reception, or synchronization and demodulation in time division. There are provided a circuit DRC that can dynamically change a configuration with a structure that can change the configuration at a high speed, a general processor, and an interface for connection with an external device such as an AD converter or a DA converter. Software radio is realized by using a software radio chip that conducts plural different processing such as transmission and reception, or synchronization and demodulation in time division. The different processing during the radio signal processing can be conducted in time division. As a result, the software radio can be realized with a circuit of a reduced area in a software radio system that allocates regions of an FPGA to the respective processing.
US07756495B2
In one embodiment, a receiver includes a voltage margin controller, a set of first components coupled to the voltage margin control, and a set of offset compensation controllers coupled to the set of first components.
US07756494B2
The RF power amplifier includes first and second amplifiers Q1 and Q2 as final-stage amplification power devices connected in parallel between an input terminal RF_In and an output terminal RF_Out. The amplifiers Q1 and Q2 are formed on one semiconductor chip. The first bias voltage Vg1 of the amplifier Q1 is set to be higher than the second bias voltage Vg2 of the amplifier Q2 so that the amplifier Q1 is operational between Class B and AB, and Q2 is operational in Class C. The first effective device size Wgq1 of the amplifier Q1 is intentionally set to be smaller than the second effective device size Wgq2 of the amplifier Q2 beyond a range of a manufacturing error of the semiconductor chip. An RF power amplifier that exhibits a high power-added efficiency characteristic regardless of whether the output power is High or Low can be materialized.
US07756477B2
Disclosed are a device and method for searching and connecting to Bluetooth devices. A Host Device restricts the Bluetooth transmit power below a preset level, so as to limit the transmission range of an HCI inquiry signal output from the Host Device. When two or more Bluetooth devices are detected within the restricted transmit range, the Host Device compares the intensities of response signals received from the Bluetooth devices, and then selects a Bluetooth device having the response signal with the greatest intensity. Next, the Host Device attempts to connect to the selected Bluetooth device and starts to provide Bluetooth services. Thus, it is possible to restrict the Bluetooth devices detected according to the restricted transmission power. Further, the Host Device can connect to the Bluetooth device located at the nearest position, thereby making it possible for a user to easily and conveniently start a Bluetooth device service.
US07756468B2
A relay apparatus for managing a base station that connects to a mobile station by wireless is disclosed. The relay apparatus includes: an idle mode detection unit configured to detect that the mobile station is in an idle mode; a renewal execution unit configured to execute a renewal process on behalf of the mobile station in the idle mode by communicating messages necessary for the renewal process with a server; and a timer synchronization unit configured to synchronize timers of the mobile station and the server after the mobile station returns to a normal mode from the idle mode.
US07756461B2
An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive drum (2), a transfer roller (5) above photosensitive drum (2), a transport line (14) that passes between photosensitive drum (2) and the transfer roller (5), a cleaning unit (6) below the transport line (14) and downstream of the photosensitive drum (2), and provided with a cleaning blade (11) and a polishing roller (10) to polish a surface of photosensitive drum (2), and rotation-direction selector (21) to selectively change a rotation direction of the polishing roller (10). The polishing roller (10) is above the cleaning blade (11) and rotationally upstream of photosensitive drum (2) relative to the cleaning blade (11). The rotation-direction selector (21) allows the polishing roller (10) to rotate in the same direction as the photosensitive drum (2) during a polishing mode for polishing the surface of photosensitive drum (2), and in a reverse direction at other times.
US07756457B2
A fuser assembly includes a fuser housing, a fuser roller rotatably mounted to the fuser housing, an actuator mechanism, and a fuser detack mechanism. The fuser detack mechanism includes a detack housing pivotably mounted to the fuser housing. The fuser detack mechanism is pivoted from a first position to a second position when the actuator mechanism is actuated. A plurality of detack fingers is mounted to the detack housing. Each of the plurality of detack fingers has a distal end, wherein when the fuser detack mechanism is in the first position, the distal end of each of the plurality of detack fingers is positioned to be disengaged from an exterior surface of the fuser roller, and when the fuser detack mechanism is in the second position, the distal end of each of the plurality of detack fingers is positioned to be engaged with the exterior surface of the fuser roller.
US07756452B2
A developing device supplies developer to an electrostatic latent image bearing body of an image forming apparatus. The developing device includes a container housing with an opening in a position opposite to the electrostatic latent image bearing body and stores developer to be supplied to the electrostatic latent image bearing body. A developing roller is rotatably disposed so that a part of the developing roller is exposed from the opening. A regulator is disposed along an axial direction of the developing roller and has a leading end facing the developing roller to regulate the thickness of developer layer on the developing roller. Two holders support the developing roller and the regulator on the container housing. Each holder includes a developing roller support for supporting an end part of the developing roller and a regulator retainer for retaining the regulator on the container housing.
US07756446B2
A pulse-like DC voltage is applied from two power sources to transfer residual toner uniformizing means and toner charge amount control means, respectively, to expel transfer residual toner deposited on these means from these means onto a photosensitive drum. In a low humidity environment, the number of application of the DC voltage is increased so as to sufficiently expel the transfer residual toner because the transfer residual toner is less liable to be expelled even when the pulse-like DC voltage is applied to the above two means in the low humidity environment in which an absolute moisture content in atmosphere is small and electrical resistances at portions of a photosensitive drum contacting the above two means.
US07756444B2
A liquid developer which has excellent preservability, storage stability for a long period of time, and fixing characteristic of toner particles and which is also harmless to the environment is provided. The liquid developer contains an insulation liquid and toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid. The insulation liquid contains a saturated fatty acid and at least one component selected from a group comprising a linolenic acid component, a linoleic acid component and an oleic acid component. The liquid developer may contain an antioxidizing agent and an oxidation polymerization accelerator for accelerating an oxidation polymerization reaction of the linolenic acid component, the linoleic acid component or the oleic acid component during a fixing process.
US07756443B2
A system that provides a compact and functional image forming device that can securely supply a driving force to the developing cartridge is described. A developing cartridge is described that can be mounted to the image forming device in an insertable/removable manner. A passive coupling gear and cylinder externally project in the width direction of the collar member allowing secure supply of a driving force through connection of the passive coupling gear to the coupling input shaft. In addition, the amount of movement of the coupling input shaft to connect with the passive coupling gear can be minimized, thereby allowing for a miniaturization of the color laser printer. Furthermore, in addition to the original function, the function of being guided by the left guiding groove for the passive coupling gear and the function of being guided by the right groove for the cylinder can be added.
US07756442B2
A guide is used to protect a corona cartridge during shipping and during insertion into an electrostatic marking apparatus. The guide has dimensions that will permit the cartridge to fit therein and has a locking mechanism that securely holds the cartridge in place during shipment or movement. When the cartridge is to be removed from the guide and inserted into an electrostatic marking system, a handle attached to a latch is used to free the latch from a groove in the guide. The groove in the guide is located between two upwardly protruding ramps having a slidable side and a locking side that abuts the latch and holds it in place until activation when the latch handle frees it from the groove.
US07756432B2
An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus includes a first casing accommodating a developing agent and having a first opening, an agitating member rotatably provided in the first casing and agitating the developing agent, a detection device outputting a signal in response to receiving of detection light passing through the first casing, and a control unit detecting an amount of the developing agent accommodated in the first casing and the position of the agitating member on the basis of the signal output from the detection device.
US07756426B2
When a developer cartridge is mounted together with a drum unit in a main body casing, a detection gear is rotated by driving of a motor, and an abutment projection of the detection gear is brought into abutment against a lever of a drum subunit to move the lever. The movement of the lever is detected by an optical sensor. A CPU judges information on the developer cartridge on the basis of the results of the detection by the optical sensor. Therefore, the information on the developer cartridge can be judged with a simple construction at reduced costs. Further, the developer cartridge can be mounted in the main body casing in spaced relation, so that the design flexibility is increased.
US07756424B2
An optical code division multiple access communication system using a processor processes at least one collimated input beam which has been modulated with a data signal to produce multiple time-delayed output beams. The multiple time-delayed output beams are spatially distributed and independently phase shifted. An integration lens receives the phase modulated output beams and reintegrates the phase modulated output beams into a single encoded beam with a time series chip sequence. The integrated encoded beam is transmitted. A receiving system includes a processor to process the encoded collimated light beams received from a transmitter to produce multiple time-delayed output beams. The multiple time-delayed output beams are spatially distributed and independently phase shifted. An integration lens receives the phase-shifted output beams and reintegrates the phase-shifted output beams into a single decoded beam.
US07756423B2
A wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission apparatus for transmitting wavelength division multiplexing optical signals, the apparatus including a plurality of optical transmitting units outputting optical signals having a different wavelength from each other, a plurality of optical intensity modulating units intensity-modulating the optical signals, and a wavelength multiplexing unit multiplexing the optical signals. The plurality of optical intensity modulating units sets the amount of wavelength chirp adapting to each wavelength of the optical signals for the optical signals outputted from each of the plurality of optical transmitting units, and the wavelength multiplexing unit multiplexes the optical signals having the amount of wavelength chirp set respectively and then outputs the multiplexed optical signals.
US07756417B2
A light-transmitting apparatus for demultiplexing an input signal completing waveform division multiplexing into wavelength components and transmitting the wavelength components through their respective transmission lines includes a wavelength-count-detecting unit for detecting the number of wavelengths of wavelength components included in the input signal and determining whether the number of wavelengths is normal or abnormal. The light-transmitting apparatus further includes a plurality of identifier-detecting units each associated with one of the wavelength components and used for determining whether or not an identifier set in one of the wavelength components that has the associated wavelength is normal, and a judgment unit for forming a judgment on existence of an error for each of the wavelength components on the basis of a detection result output by the wavelength-count-detecting unit and a detection result output by the identifier-detecting unit associated with the wavelength component.
US07756412B2
An optical sensor receives light of a light emitting tube. A photoelectric current output from the optical sensor is integrated by a capacitor. A stop signal output part compares the generated voltage of the capacitor with a comparison voltage and outputs a light emission stop signal when the generated voltage exceeds the comparison voltage. A voltage setting part predicts, from target amount of light, an amount of overrun light from when the light emission stop signal is output until when light emission of the light emitting tube terminates and sets the comparison voltage so that a total amount of light emission including the amount of overrun light is a target amount of light emission.
US07756408B2
In the AF processing section, the parameter obtaining section obtains a weighting parameter value for a principal component that represents a sharpness level of a face portion of an image, an example of a predetermined structure in an image, detected by the face detection section by applying the detected face portion to a model generated by a predetermined statistical processing, such as AAM or the like, based on a plurality of images that represent the face portion in different sharpness levels, and the control amount determination section determines the focus control amount according to the obtained parameter value.
US07756407B2
A method and system deblurs images acquired of a scene by a camera. A light field acquired of a scene is modulated temporally according to a sequence of ons and offs. The modulated light field is integrated by a sensor of a camera during an exposure time to generate an encoded input image. The encoded input image is decoded according to a pseudo-inverse of a smearing matrix to produce a decoded output image having a reduced blur.
US07756396B2
An information processing system serves to input a timer record setting of a content. The system includes a dividing unit that divides a first timer record setting to record the content delivered from a predetermined source for a predetermined period into a plurality of second timer record settings each designed to record the content corresponding thereto, which is expected to be delivered for the predetermined period; a change unit that determines whether the content corresponding to each of the second timer record settings satisfies a predetermined condition, and changes a predetermined setting of the second timer record setting to record the corresponding content which has been determined to satisfy the predetermined condition using a change process preliminarily correlated with the predetermined condition; and an input unit that inputs the second timer record settings to record the corresponding contents, respectively, including the second timer record setting having the changed predetermined setting.
US07756387B2
An information storage medium having preload information and an apparatus and a method of reproducing the same, and more particularly, an information storage medium storing contents and preloading information in a binary format and an apparatus and method of reproducing the same. The information storage medium includes: navigation data for AV data; at least AV data which is decoded to an AV data stream with reference to the navigation data and is recorded with a format of a clip as a recording and reproducing unit; and preloading information which reads data to be preloaded corresponding to the AV data and commands the data to be stored in a buffer.
US07756382B2
An optical fiber splitter has a higher density fiber optic array that allows for smaller packaging. The optical fibers that extend from the optical fiber splitter have one end connectorized and their spacing at the other end reduced, thereby eliminating components that were heretofore required. A method of making the fiber optic array includes interleaving the optical fibers to reduce the overall dimensions of the fiber optic array and the fiber optic splitter. A tool is used to reduce the spacing of the optical fibers in the fiber optic array.
US07756381B2
A connector holder (22) suitable for use in a communications signal distribution system, comprising first and second parts between which an optical connector element may be secured, and which have means for locating the holder (22) in one of a number of different positions and/or orientations on a base or other support of an optical fiber termination unit, whereby to permit a selected one of a number of different connector elements to be held between the two parts of the connector holder, and means for holding the two parts together with a connector element between them.
US07756378B2
A splice revolver is provided for securing a plurality of splices in a splice module. The revolver has a revolver body with a plurality of channels there through for receiving splice sleeves. The revolver body is configured to be rotated by a user so that splice sleeves may be loaded into empty channels of the splice revolver to provide compact storage of, and easy access to, splice sleeves.
US07756375B2
A core region is doped with an impurity. A first cladding region is formed in a layered structure around the core region, including a microstructure. A second cladding region is formed in a layered structure around the first cladding region, including a homogeneous material. A relative refractive-index difference Δ1 between the core region and the second cladding region is equal to or more than 0.4% and equal to or less than 1.0%.
US07756374B2
A cable assembly comprising a fiber optic cable having an optical ribbon stack therein, at least one network access location for accessing the ribbon stack, and at least one ERL insert assembly, which can include for example at least one resilient plug for holding one or more optical ribbons of the fiber optic cable at, or near, the network access location to inhibit optical ribbon stack movement and torque, for example, translation and/or rotation at the network access point. Also disclosed is a method for inhibiting optical fiber movement or torque, translation and/or rotation at a predetermined position within a fiber optic cable.
US07756369B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed for measurement and monitoring of in-band optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR). A two channel optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) is advantageously applied in acquiring wavelength division multiplex (WDM) signal data after it has been split according to polarization, then deriving the in-band OSNR from acquired data due to its narrow bandwidth, selective spectral shape, and capability to analyze two components of a polarized signal simultaneously. The in-band OSNR can be measured without interrupting optical transmission traffic in the network.
US07756363B2
In image processing, parallel and synchronous pixel processing elements have a pixel value register, a neighbor value register, and a processor receiving adjacent pixel and neighbor values for four adjacent pixels. In a series of iterations, the neighbor value register is updated with—in one mode—the maximum and—in another mode—the minimum of: the current value; the pixel value from any adjacent pixel whose pixel value is different from the current pixel value and the neighbor value from an adjacent pixel whose pixel value is the same as the current pixel value. The pixel value is then replaced by the minimum or maximum (depending on the mode) of the current pixel and neighbor values. The modes may alternate with the number of iterations in each series remaining constant or growing.
US07756361B2
An image interpolation apparatus to interpolate an input image signal having a first resolution into an output image signal having a second resolution according to a predetermined resolution conversion ratio includes a frequency determiner to detect a variation in a frequency of the input image signal to determine a frequency domain that corresponds to the input image signal, a controller to calculate interpolation positions of the input image signal according to the predetermined resolution conversion ratio, a coefficient storage to store interpolation coefficients that correspond to the interpolation positions, an interpolation filter to receive the interpolation coefficients from the coefficient storage and to interpolate the input image signal accordingly, and an interpolation value corrector to correct the output image signal interpolated from the input image signal output from the interpolation filter based on information as to the frequency domain of the input image signal determined by the frequency determiner.
US07756360B2
Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus includes a signal processor which generates moving image data by performing data conversion on still image data, and a controller which determines an aspect ratio of the moving image data generated in the data conversion performed by the signal processor. The controller determines the aspect ratio of the moving image data generated in the data conversion by the signal processor on the basis of aspect ratio information of image data files recorded on a recording medium onto which the moving image data generated by the signal processor is recorded.
US07756353B2
A method for enhancing the edge of a halftone image includes steps of: forming an analysis window with a central pixel and neighboring pixels; quantifying the pixels to get a halftone table; assigning a designated value to each pixel for generating a halftone result; and comparing the halftone result with an edge enhancement table. The edge enhancement table includes a plurality of dotting commands and a plurality of dot tables. The dot tables correspond to the dotting commands so that when a dot table is conformed to the halftone result, a correspondent adjustment of halftone table is taken.
US07756352B2
A data processing method is provided in which a plurality of data processing apparatuses share their attribute information such that an optimum data processing apparatus or an optimum combination of data processing apparatuses can optimally process input data. The method includes receiving attribute information of at least one of the data processing apparatuses, determining a data processing condition for processing input data based on the information, and transmitting the data processing condition to the at least one of the data processing apparatuses. Therefore, when the method is used, redundant processing of input data by data processing apparatuses having the same function can be prevented. At the same time, data processing can be carried out in an optimum condition.
US07756350B2
The disclosure relates to encoding and decoding of digital data, and in particular to lossless arithmetic encoding and decoding of digital data representing audio, image or video data. A probability density function used for lossless arithmetic encoding of digital data is controlled by employing one or more parameters that changes over the set of data to be encoded. A parametric model in the form of an envelope function describes the spread of quantization indices derived from the data in a transform domain. By transmitting the one or more parameters together with the arithmetically encoded data, a receiving decoder may decode the data by exploiting the same parametric model as used by the encoder.
US07756346B2
Color conversion apparatus and methods are provided for converting a first color value, such as an RGB, L*a*b* or XYZ color value, to a second color value, such as an RGB, CMY, CMKY, L*a*b*, L,C1C2, or XYZ color value, without saturation error.
US07756344B2
Disclosed are an image processing system for displaying character information and a method for the same. According to the image processing system, character information is input by a user, and the input character information is combined with received image and audio signals to generate Transport Streams (TSs), which are transmitted to an image display. The image display decodes and outputs the received TSs. Accordingly, when it is necessary to inform urgent public notices within a predetermined region such as a public place, these notices may be rapidly transmitted to be displayed as character information.
US07756339B2
A method representing an object appearing in still or video image for use in searching, wherein the object appears in the image with a first two-dimensional outline, by processing signals corresponding to the image, comprises deriving a view descriptor of the first outline of the object and deriving at least one additional view descriptor of the outline of the object in a different view, and associating the two or more view descriptors to form an object descriptor.
US07756335B2
A method for determining at least one recognition candidate for a handwritten pattern comprises selecting possible segmentation points in the handwritten pattern for use in segmenting and recognizing the handwritten pattern. The method further may comprise comparing segments of the handwritten pattern to templates. The comparison may return segment candidates forming possible recognition results of the segments of the handwritten pattern. The method further comprises forming a representation of sequences of segment candidates, said representation comprising data blocks corresponding to segmentation points, wherein a data block comprises references to data blocks corresponding to subsequent segmentation points. The reference may comprise information of segment candidates. The method further may comprise comparing the representation of the sequences of segment candidates to a dictionary, finding sequences of segment candidates that correspond to allowed sequences of symbols in the dictionary, and returning at least one of these allowed sequences of symbols as a recognition candidate for the handwritten pattern.
US07756333B2
A test document is parsed into components which may include bounding boxes, segments, and points. Test code makes calls to properties and methods of components in order to verify document layout. Rather than take absolute measurements of component placement, components are evaluated relative to each other. Layout verification logic may be part of a larger software test system.
US07756326B2
A method of providing dental-related imaging data of a patient to a dental practitioner is provided, the dental-related imaging data being obtained by a third party imaging provider at a third-party imaging provider site using a three-dimensional digital imaging device. Three-dimensional image data of the maxillofacial complex of the patient is obtained with the imaging device and analyzed to form a diagnosis. A two-dimensional image associated with the diagnosis is formed from the three-dimensional image data, and the two-dimensional image and diagnosis are combined into a composite file as part of the dental-related imaging data. The dental-related imaging data is stored in encrypted read-only format executable by a standard multi-media player and made available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement. The composite file is thereby selectively viewable by the dental provider for determining an appropriate treatment for the patient. Associated methods and apparatuses are also provided.
US07756319B2
An optical system for determining the angular position of a radiating point source is disclosed, wherein radiation from a point source travels through a mask and onto the surface of a sensor. A preferred embodiment employs a plurality of mask transmission frequencies and a detector designed to be sensitive to the phases of the frequencies. A computer measures the phases of a plurality of detected image frequencies. Measurement of the particular phases of the frequency components allows determination of the image shift on the detector axis. The image shift is then used to compute angle of incidence of the light source upon the detector. The preferred embodiment employs a refractive window, hence the angle of incidence between point radiating source and mask are determined using the window index of refraction and refraction equations. Applications include within the cockpit of a jet aircraft.
US07756318B2
A mask/reticle pattern inspection apparatus capable of readily detecting local critical dimension (CD) errors of a circuit pattern of a testing workpiece is disclosed. This apparatus includes a search unit for finding a plurality of resembling or “look-alike” adjacent patterns around a specific pattern on the workpiece, which have similarity to the specific pattern. The inspection apparatus also includes a calculation unit for obtaining dissimilarity between the specific pattern and look-alike adjacent pattern, a variation evaluation unit which excludes an allowable error from the dissimilarity to thereby obtain a local CD error criterion value, and a CD error decision unit for determining the presence of a local CD error when the criterion value exceeds a threshold value in case the distance between the specific and look-alike patterns increases. A pattern inspection method is also disclosed.
US07756314B2
A method for acquiring an image on an imaging system includes accessing at least first image data from a first imaging system, processing the first image data in accordance with a CAD algorithm, acquiring at least second image data based upon results of the CAD algorithm and processing the second image data in accordance with the CAD algorithm to confirm the results of the CAD algorithm regarding the first image data.
US07756313B2
A method for computer aided detection of anatomical abnormalities in medical images includes providing a plurality of abnormality candidates and features of said abnormality candidates, and classifying said abnormality candidates as true positives or false positives using a hierarchical cascade of linear classifiers of the form sign(wTx+b), wherein x is a feature vector, w is a weighting vector and b is a model parameter, wherein different weights are used to penalize false negatives and false positives, and wherein more complex features are used for each successive stage of said cascade of classifiers.
US07756312B2
The method includes estimating a noise level in a reconstructed image using a total attenuation of the reconstructed image.
US07756307B2
A method of conducting motion correction for a tomographic scanner including a detector array for detecting radiation to generate detector data. The method comprises storing detector data collected during a data acquisition period, the detector data being indicative of directions along which radiation is detected and quantities of radiation detected in different of said directions. The method involves storing movement data representing movement of the subject during the data acquisition period and motion correcting the detector data using the movement data and a motion correction algorithm to calculate motion corrected detector data. The motion correcting step comprises realigning directions of at least some of said detector data on the basis of said movement data and altering quantities of at least some of said detector data on the basis of said movement data, such that at least some of said detector data are both realigned and altered in quantity due to movement of the subject, some detector data are very small and subject to large noise levels. In these cases, the detector data quantities are altered using calculation of estimates from other, more reliable, detector data.
US07756290B2
A method of detecting an embedded signal in a media signal. The method comprises receiving blocks of the media signal and computing a detection metric for the blocks. The detection metric comprises a measure of coincidence of detection parameters of different blocks. The method performs subsequent detection operations based on the measure of coincidence of the detection parameters.
US07756284B2
A hearing aid includes a circuit board having a battery affixed thereon and a switch that utilizes a portion of the circuit board as a portion of the switch. The battery is permanently affixed to the circuit board in at least one location and at least a portion of the battery is spaced away from the circuit board. The circuit board further includes at least one pair of printed switch traces. The switch is integrated into the circuit board in a way that utilizes the circuit board to form a rotary switch.
US07756282B2
In a hearing device with multiple microphones, and a signal generation method, the dynamic range of hearing devices is improved by using a combination including a silicon microphone and an electret microphone for the hearing device input. Low frequencies thus can be acquired by the silicon microphone and high frequencies can be acquired by the electret microphone, in order to generate a wide-band hearing device input signal. The fact that a silicon microphone possesses a lower internal noise than a conventional electret microphone at low frequencies is utilized.
US07756281B2
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating a Personalized Audio Content (PAC) comprising: selecting Audio Content (AC) to personalize; selecting an Earprint; and generating a PAC using the Earprint to modify the AC.
US07756279B2
A microphone preamplifier, comprising a differential input (102) stage with a first and a second input terminal and an output stage with an output terminal; where the microphone preamplifier is integrated on a semiconductor substrate. A feedback circuit, with a low-pass frequency transfer function (103), is coupled between the output terminal and the first input terminal and integrated on the semiconductor substrate. The second input terminal provides an input for a microphone signal (105). Thereby a very compact (with respect to consumed area of the semiconductor substrate), low noise preamplifier is provided.
US07756276B2
A method of adjusting frequency-dependent amplification in an audio amplification apparatus. The audio amplification apparatus includes a forward transfer path (2) connectable to an output transducer, the forward transfer path including a frequency transposing element. The method includes the steps of: presenting stimuli to the output transducer at a plurality of frequencies; adjusting the stimulus level (C) at each frequency to meet a predefined loudness perception level or detection threshold of the listener; deriving an equal loudness contour of output transducer levels from the adjusted stimuli levels; and deriving the frequency-dependent amplification of levels of input signals (I) at each frequency.
US07756270B2
An apparatus for enciphering data by which enciphered digital information data with improved cipher strength are obtained by subjecting digital information data to enciphered process responding to random number data or pseudo-random number data produced in accordance with key data, and which comprises an enciphering portion for subjecting an HD signal to enciphering process to produce an enciphered HD signal, a cipher producing portion for producing, in response to key data, a cipher data from which random number data or pseudo-random number data are obtained to be supplied to the enciphering portion, a register for supplying the cipher producing portion with input data, and a line number data extracting portion for extracting line number data from the HD signal to be supplied to the register as initial data.
US07756262B2
Some embodiments provide a telephone and a computing device coupled to the telephone, the computing device to selectively route telephone call signals to the telephone based on user-specified rules.
US07756261B2
A system for providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.
US07756259B2
Described are a method and system for providing enhanced caller information to a communications recipient. Enhanced caller information is determined from a caller information storage device associated with a caller attempting to establish a communications session with the communications recipient. The enhanced caller information is transmitted to the communications recipient and presented prior to the establishment of the communications session. The presentation can include the display of text, graphical information and audible information to the communications recipient. Optionally, the enhanced caller information includes data used to establish a communications link between the caller and the communications recipient.
US07756253B2
Systems and methods provide foreign call back number compatibility. The systems and methods receive a local telephone number assigned to a subscriber, the subscriber having a non-local telephone number as the normal calling number of the subscriber. Furthermore, the systems and methods query a database with the local telephone number to obtain the non-local telephone number and to provide the non-local telephone number. In addition, systems and methods provide a foreign call back number compatibility database. The systems and methods receive a local telephone number assigned to a subscriber and a non-local telephone number comprising the normal calling number of the subscriber and saving the local number and the non-local number to a database.
US07756243B2
With the objective of evaluating whether a dose is excessive for a subject, such a dose that image noise reaches less than or equal to a predetermined value is estimated upon an axial scan on the basis of projection data acquired by a scout scan. The dose is set as a maximum dose. An area other than air, of an image obtained by the axial scan is partitioned into a plurality of small areas i. Image noises N(i) at the respective small areas i are calculated. A warning image G1 in which all of pixel values of pixels in small areas in which the image noises N(i) are less than or equal to a predetermined value, are substituted with pixel values expressed in black level, is created and displayed.
US07756235B2
Methods and apparatus for digital compensation of clock errors for a clock and data recovery circuit
Methods and apparatus are provided for digital compensation of clock timing errors in a VCDL. Clock timing errors in a clock and data recovery system having a voltage controlled delay loop comprised of a plurality of delay elements are compensated for by evaluating a phase of data recovered from an input signal; generating one or more uncompensated clock phase adjustment values based on the phase evaluation; generating one or more compensation terms that compensate for a non-ideal delay for one or more of the delay elements; and determining an adjustment to one or more clock phases produced by the voltage controlled delay loop based on the uncompensated clock phase adjustment values and the one or more compensation terms. The one or more compensation terms can be subtracted from the uncompensated clock phase adjustment values to generate the adjustment to the one or more clock phases.
US07756228B1
Analog echo-cancelling circuitry (611 and 627) operates on an input analog signal that includes an echo of an output signal, or on an analog signal generated from the input signal, to produce an analog signal with reduced echo. An analog-to-digital converter (210) converts the echo-reduced analog signal, or an analog signal generated therefrom, into a digital signal. Digital echo-cancelling circuitry (615 and 621) operates on the digital signal, or on a digital signal generated therefrom, to produce a digital signal with further reduced echo. An output decoder (605) decodes the echo-reduced digital signal, or a digital signal generated therefrom, into a stream of symbols. The echo-filtering characteristics of both echo-cancelling circuitries are typically adaptively adjusted during generation of the symbol stream. The analog echo-filtering characteristics may be adapted in response to information provided by operating on the echo-reduced digital signal or on a digital signal generated therefrom.
US07756225B2
A device (10) for preamble detection and frame synchronization, wherein data packets are transmitted by radio between transmitter and receiver and the data packets are in each case preceded by a known preamble with a sequence of preamble sections (B), with a correlator unit (20) for correlating samples (rn) with a preamble section (B), an accumulator unit (23) for accumulating correlation results, and a detector unit (24) for detecting a received preamble by a comparison of the accumulation result with a threshold value.
US07756209B2
An orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal and a digital modulation signal or an analog modulation signal can be identified by blind processing. The modulation mode identifying apparatus comprises: a correlation signal generating circuit which generates a duplicate signal for correlation processing based on an unknown communication signal; an autocorrelation circuit which performs autocorrelation processing through carrying out sliding processing on the duplicate signal with respect to the unknown communication signal; a detection unit which detects information regarding a pilot symbol and a guide interval symbol of the communication signal based on a correlation value output obtained by the autocorrelation processing; and an identifying circuit which identifies a modulation mode of the unknown communication signal based on the information regarding the pilot symbol and the guide interval symbol of the communication signal.
