US07862751B2
The invention provides a method for manipulating or formulating a solid substance which melts under pressure of a gas without degrading at a temperature lower than the melting point of the substance at atmospheric pressure including: applying to the substance a liquefied gas or dense gas to melt the substance without degrading the substance; then contacting the molten substance with a carrier fluid, which is at substantially the same pressure as the liquefied gas or dense gas, to form a solution or mixture of at least a part of the molten substance and the carrier fluid; and passing the solution or mixture into a vessel of lower pressure than the pressure of the liquefied gas or dense gas and carrier fluid to form particles of the substance; and particles formed by the method.
US07862747B2
An excellent EL device having low driving voltage, high luminous efficiency and long life can be obtained by using a charge-transporting thin film composed of a charge-transporting varnish which contains an arylsulfonic acid compound represented by the formula (1) or (2) below as an electron-acceptor material especially in an OLED device or a PLED device. [In the formulae, X represents O, S or NH; A represents a naphthalene ring or anthracene ring having a substituent other than X and n SO3H groups; B represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, 1,3,5-triazine group or a substituted of unsubstituted group represented by the following formula (3) or (4): (wherein W1 and W2 each independently represents O, S, an S(O) group, an S(O2) group, or a substituted or unsubstituted N, Si, P or P(O) group); n indicates the number of sulfonic acid groups bonded to A which is an integer satisfying 1≦n≦4; q indicates the number of B—X bonds which is an integer satisfying 1≦q; and r indicates the number of recurring units which is an integer satisfying 1≦r.].
US07862735B2
A method of forming a relatively fine contact hole using two masks. The two masks may have only their edge portions open, which may overlap each other.
US07862730B2
A system for separating hydrocarbons from water, the system including an inlet for receiving a fluid, the fluid including a water phase and a hydrocarbon phase, and a separation tank having a first partition and a second partition, wherein the first partition is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet. Furthermore, the system includes a first outlet configured to receive the water phase from the first partition, a second outlet configured to receive the hydrocarbon phase from the second partition, and a support structure configured to receive the water phase from the first outlet and the hydrocarbon phase from the second outlet. Also, a method of separating a fluid into a water phase and a hydrocarbon phase, the method including injecting the fluid containing the water phase and the hydrocarbon phase into a separation tank. The method further includes separating the water phase from the hydrocarbon phase, wherein the separating includes transmitting the fluid through a plurality of baffles, collecting the water phase, and collecting the hydrocarbon phase.
US07862729B2
There is provided a drain cover for a drain disposed within a fabricated layer having an exposed surface. The drain includes a frame member having a top surface. The frame member extends through the fabricated layer. The drain cover includes a collar having a lower surface that is placed adjacent to the top surface of the frame member. The drain cover also includes a cup member having a cavity operative to receive a filling material. The collar defines an area within the exposed surface that is larger than the area of the cup member. There is at least one fin connected to the collar and the cup member.
US07862719B2
A membrane module (3) comprising a plurality of porous hollow membranes (8). The membranes (8) extend between and are fixed at each end in a header (5, 6). One header (6) has one or more of openings (12) formed therein. The openings (12) are in fluid communication with a source of gas and/or liquid (13, 14, 15). The other of the headers (5) is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with a head-piece (9). The head-piece (9) is adapted to couple to an associated head-piece of a further module to form a rack of modules (17). A potting head (6) for use in mounting porous hollow membranes (8) is also disclosed comprising a preformed potting element (29). The potting element (29) includes one or more cavities (30) for receiving curate potting material which, in use, supports said membranes (8).
US07862716B2
The disclosed HPLC flow schematic back-flushes the guard column with mobile phase once every operating cycle, the regular cleaning maintaining its effectiveness and useful life. This mobile phase flow reversal is accomplished by imposing a two position multiple port switching valve between the guard and separation columns. In one valve position, the mobile phase is pumped in one flow direction through both the separation and guard columns, but the switched valve maintains the same flow direction only through the separation column and reverses the mobile phase flow direction through the guard column, for effectively cleaning the guard column. Moreover, the mobile phase back flow is directed over the emptied sample drawing needle for cleaning it to reduce possible sample cross contamination. The improved flow circuits use basically only the typical HPLC system components, except for some insignificant modifications from existing injector designs.
US07862714B2
The present invention is a reclamation unit (1) for a liquid comprising a housing (4) with a detachable upper (2) and lower (3) part in which the lower part (3) is connected with a base part (13). The lower part (3) comprises at least one heating unit (17) and inlets (14) and outlets (15,34). The upper part (2) encloses at least one filter unit (8). The lower part (3) and the base part (13) form an evaporation chamber (27), wherein the connection between the lower part (3) and the base part (13) includes a separator plate (19) which guides the liquid from the filter unit (8) onto side walls (37) of the evaporator chamber (27). The heating unit (17) protrudes into the evaporator chamber (27) with no conductive contact to the side walls (37). The present invention also is a filter unit (8), preferable for use in a reclamation unit (1), wherein the filter unit (8) comprises a filter canister (9), wherein membranes (24,28), a first filter medium (25), and a second filter material (26) are arranged, to enclose an inlet tube (10), and where the first filter material (25) is formed of hydrophobic fibers, and the second filter (26) material is formed of fine-mesh fibers.
US07862711B2
Wastewater treatment facilities having biofilm contact and solid-liquid separation functions are disclosed, wherein a biofilter unit having biofilm contact, inclination plate precipitation and de-filming functions comprises an inclination plate settler formed with a plurality of inclination plates (2), each plate spaced in parallel relative to water surface at a predetermined downward angle and a predetermined distance apart, and spacings formed by the plates (2) are filled by biofilm media (3,3a) formed with specific surface-increased and bio-affinity materials so that micro-organisms can attach and grow in the shapes of biofilms therein, and de-filming means for separating biofilms attached to and grown on the biofilm media (3, 3a) and solids deposited on the surfaces of the inclination plates (2) by applying shearing force to biofilm media (3, 3a) and inclination plates (2).
US07862708B2
The present invention relates to a process for desulfurizing bitumen and other heavy oils such as low API gravity, high viscosity crudes, tar sands bitumen, or shale oils with alkali metal compounds under conditions to promote in-situ regeneration of the alkali metal compounds. The present invention employs the use of superheated water and hydrogen under conditions to improve the desulfurization and alkali metal hydroxide regeneration kinetics at sub-critical temperatures.
US07862705B2
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.
US07862703B2
A method for pumping a sealed internal reference chamber of a solid electrolyte oxygen sensor, having an internal electrode and an external electrode, during a dynamically controlled, null balancing, calibration process, the method including: initializing a set of pumping current pulse parameters controlling pulse ON time, post pulse relaxation time and pulse magnitude; applying a pulsed pumping current based on the set of pulse parameters to the internal and external electrodes, wherein the application of current transitions the chamber from a substantially evacuated state to a substantially null or balanced oxygen partial pressure state with respect to an applied external calibration gaseous environment; periodically comparing the Nernst voltage of the sensor to a predetermined limit to determine whether the chamber is at a null or balanced state; comparing an elapsed time from the application of the pulsed pumping current to a third predetermined time limit to determine if the sensor has failed, and progressively reducing at least one of the magnitude, ON time and relaxation time of the pumping current pulses to slow the transition as the chamber approaches the null or balanced oxygen partial pressure state.
US07862698B2
A device and method for preparing an electrochemical sensor may enable the sensor head thereof to be provided with an electrolyte and a membrane. The device may include a retaining means for the sensor in addition to means for depositing the electrolyte and means for depositing the membrane.
US07862694B2
A composite coating device includes first to third processing chambers. The first processing chamber performs an ion beam etching as a pretreatment process in which an ion beam is irradiated on a surface of a magnetic head at a predetermined angle and the surface is removed for a predetermined depth. The second processing chamber performs a magnetron sputter deposition as a shock absorbing coating formation process in which a shock absorbing coating is formed on the pretreated surface. The third processing chamber performs an electron cyclotron resonance plasma chemical vapor epitaxy or a cathode arc discharge deposition as an overcoat formation process in which an overcoat is formed on the shock absorbing coating. A preparation chamber communicates with the first to third processing chambers through opening and closing devices for transferring the magnetic head.
US07862684B2
The invention relates to the use of a particulate material derived from mammalian hair in the preparation of a paper or paperboard product, which particulate material has been prepared by means of a process, which comprises the following steps: (a) subjecting mammalian hair to an oxidation treatment in which the hair is contacted with a solution, which comprises a bleaching agent; (b) separating the oxidised hair from the solution; (c) drying the separated hair; and (d) subjecting the dried hair to a treatment in which the hair is formed into a particulate material having an average particle size in the range of from 0.5 to 4 mm. The invention further relates to a paper or paperboard product, or paper pulp comprising said particulate material.
US07862680B2
A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of fluid suppliers 61, 61, 63 for supplying different processing fluids. In processing a wafer W, the substrate processing apparatus moves the fluid suppliers 61, 62, 63 along the peripheral part of the wafer W relatively. The fluid suppliers 61, 62, 63 are arranged in a direction extending from the circumference of the wafer W to its inside. With the arrangement, the apparatus is capable of stable processing of the wafer W in spite of rotating the wafer W at a low speed. Further, it is possible to improve a throughput of the apparatus in resist processing.
US07862677B2
To provide a technique for manufacturing a high-performance display device by employing a plastic substrate. A peeling layer is formed on an element-forming substrate, and a semiconductor element and a luminous element are further formed thereon. Then, a fixed substrate (130) is bonded on the luminous element by using a first adhesive (129). The entire substrate in this state is exposed in a gas containing halogen fluoride to thereby remove the peeling layer and separate the element-forming substrate. Thereafter, a bonding substrate (132) that comprises a plastic substrate is bonded in place of the separated element-forming substrate.
US07862672B2
A method is provided that includes extrusion-molding a raw material composition containing ceramic powder and a binder to manufacture a coupled honeycomb molded body having a shape in which a plurality of pillar-shaped honeycomb molded bodies, each having a number of cells disposed in parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween, are integrated with one another by interposing a coupling portion. The method includes firing the coupled honeycomb molded body to manufacture a coupled honeycomb fired body, cutting the coupling portion to manufacture coupling-portion-cut honeycomb fired bodies, and binding a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies by interposing an adhesive layer, where at least one of the bound honeycomb fired bodies is a coupling-portion-cut honeycomb fired body.
US07862671B2
The present invention is directed to welding of a polymeric material and structures formed by such welding. The material is preferably a thermoplastic material that is a blend of one or more thermoplastic polyolefins and one or more elastomers. One preferred welding technique is vibration welding.
US07862657B2
A crystal growth method for forming a semiconductor film, the method includes: while revolving one or more substrates about a rotation axis, passing raw material gas and carrier gas from the rotation axis side in a direction substantially parallel to a major surface of the substrate. The center of the substrate is located on a side nearer to the rotation axis than a position at which growth rate of the semiconductor film formed by thermal decomposition of the raw material gas is maximized.
US07862656B2
Apparatus and method for growing a crystal and heating an annular channel circumscribing the crystal
An apparatus and method is provided for pulling a crystal seed from melt for growing a single crystal. The method includes the steps of providing a crucible and providing within the crucible an outer container, and providing coaxially within the outer container an inner container. A protruding portion of the inner container protrudes downward relative to the outer container for containing melt, the inner and outer containers defining an annular channel therebetween which has a bottom wall and contains introduced charge feed. The method further includes the steps of providing for allowing fluid communication between the annular channel and the inner container, delivering charge feed into the annular channel, and generating heat from within the annular channel for preventing the formation of a condensate of the charge feed within the annular channel.
US07862636B2
Enclosed is an air conditioner including a foreign matter collecting unit to secondarily collect foreign matter in a brush assembly when the brush assembly for firstly collecting and accumulating the foreign matter filtered by a filter automatically moves. Therefore, the foreign matter separated from the filter is firstly collected in the brush assembly, and the foreign matter can be secondly collected in the foreign matter collecting unit by moving the brush assembly. Therefore, the foreign matter filtered by the filter is automatically removed so that the inconvenient of exchanging and cleaning the filter can be settled and pollution of the filter can be prevented. Since the foreign matter is discharged to outdoor side by simply detaching the foreign matter collecting unit so that convenience of use can be enhanced.
US07862630B2
The present invention relates to an improved chemical change reagent which is used as an additive to coal to enhance the complete combustion of the coal after turning it into a synthetic fuel. The composition is a chemical change agent in that it converts the coal/composition mix into a different material which, when burned, results in lower NOx emissions. The composition includes a wax, a base for ph adjustment and water and is mixed with the coal prior to combustion.
US07862626B2
A fatty phase for the preparation of hair dyes, consisting of a semi-finished product containing the proportions of stearyl and cetyl alcohols suitable for the preparation of the dye. In relation to the prior art, the invention allows a semi-finished product for preparation of hair dyes to be obtained, consisting of a fatty phase with the ingredients already measured out and mixed, so as to be ready to be integrated, inside the mixer, with the remaining components (colorants, etc.) that make up the final formulation of the dye.
US07862614B2
An intervertebral prosthesis system, in particular for the cervical spine, includes at least two types of prostheses. The type of prosthesis includes a first cover plate that is configured to be connected to a first vertebral body, a second cover plate that is configured to be connected to a second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which is held by a seat on the first cover plate and forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The core of the first type of prosthesis is movable in the anterior-posterior direction relative to the first cover plate. Mobility can also be provided in the lateral direction and rotational direction. The second type of prosthesis of the system may be the same as the first type of prosthesis or may be different, but in all examples of the second type of prosthesis the core is not movable relative to either cover plate.
US07862611B2
An intraocular lens for inhibiting posterior capsular opacification, or secondary cataract, includes an optic having a periphery provided with at least two sharp edges which lie radially spaced from each other with respect to the optical axis of the lens optic.
US07862600B2
Methods and devices for preventing a change in the core body temperature of a mammal under cold conditions are provided. In the subject methods, a requirement for thermal energy input in said mammal is first detected. In response to the detection of this requirement for thermal energy input, a surface of a portion of the mammal is contacted with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to introduce thermal energy into the core body of the mammal. The subject devices include at least a means for detecting a requirement for thermal energy input and a means for contacting a surface of the mammal with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in maintaining the core body temperature of a mammal substantially constant under cold conditions for an extended period of time.
US07862594B2
A pedicle fixation assembly and method for assembly comprises a screw head comprising a male bulbous end; a bone fixator component comprising a female concave semi-spherical socket for receiving the screw head; a locking saddle pin for engaging the screw head and the bone fixator component; and a blocker for engaging the screw head and for securing the longitudinal member.
US07862591B2
An intervertebral prosthetic device and method for spinal stabilization, according to which a prosthetic device is implanted relative to two vertebrae and is positioned so that it makes a rigid connection with one of the vertebra and a non-rigid connection with the other vertebra.
US07862590B2
Embodiments of an interspinous spacer that maintains spacing between a superior vertebra and inferior vertebra following a laminectomy. The interspinous spacer may include a superior arch engaging the spinous process of a superior vertebra and an inferior arch engaging the spinous process of an inferior vertebra. The superior arch and inferior arch may define a central opening in the interspinous spacer.
US07862586B2
Spinal stabilizing elements and spinal stabilization systems composed of spinal stabilizing elements in combination with disc prostheses or disc nucleus replacements are provided. The stabilizing elements and stabilization systems are designed to preserve the natural mobility of vertebral discs and facet joints in patients with facet joint disease or patients who has undergone a prior destabilizing procedure, such as a facetectomy. The stabilizing elements may be pivoting elements or dynamic elements.
US07862575B2
An apparatus for the treatment of venous stasis includes an elongated intraluminal member shaped and dimensioned for passage through vessels of a subject. The intraluminal member includes a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit extends from proximate the proximal end of the intraluminal member to proximate the distal end of the intraluminal member. The conduit is shaped and dimensioned for fluid communication between the proximal end of the intraluminal member and the distal end of the intraluminal member. The distal end of the intraluminal member includes disruption means proximate thereto for ablating a predetermined vessel wall. A method is also provided for the treatment of venous stasis. The method is achieved by advancing an elongated intraluminal member through a vein to a treatment site, activating the intraluminal member for ablation of the treatment site and injecting sclerosant into the vein at the treatment site.
US07862572B2
An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongated barrel; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongated barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
US07862567B2
Osteochondral sockets are formed using a retrograde drill assembly. The retrograde drill assembly includes a guide pin having a fluted tip and an externally threaded portion. A removable cutter head has internal threads that engage the threads of the guide pin. The guide pin is drilled through bone, exposing the external threads in a joint space requiring repair. The cutter is threaded onto the guide pin, and the assembly is retrograded with rotation to form a socket in the bone. The cutter is disengaged from the guide pin for disassembly and removal from the bone, making way for an implant to be installed in the pocket. The implant can be drawn into the socket using an attached strand threaded through the bone socket and out of the bone.
US07862566B2
A method and apparatus for midfacial and maxillofacial external distraction includes attaching one end of each curved temporal bar to a skull and the other end to a surgically isolated (osteotomized) portion of the patient's midface (maxilla, orbit(s) or zygoma(s)).
US07862546B2
A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.
US07862545B2
An infusion system for delivery of therapeutic fluids from a remote source into a patient's body. The system has an infusion assembly, a rotating pivot joint member, a fluid connector assembly, and a sealing assembly retained within the infusion assembly between the housing of the infusion assembly and the rotating pivot joint member. The seal reduces leakage of fluids. The rotating joint may be pivoted to three distinct positions to allow for emplacement on the patient, delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the patient, and protected, sealed closure of the fluid channels to avoid patient fluid backflow.
US07862521B1
The present invention provides a system for enabling the sensing of changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and for enabling the evaluation of contractions based thereon. The system enables a portion thereof to effectively and efficiently project at least partially below the non-compressed abdominal surface, and provides electrical isolation of the system elements. It enables ease of use and enhanced patient comfort. It also enables maximized sensitivity and minimized system loading retention pressure.
US07862496B2
Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways.
US07862491B1
A resistance arrangement of a waist-twisting machine, wherein the waist-twisting machine having a bottom base, a foot-rotating disc, and a handrail frame. The operation of the foot-rotating disc imparts a motion to a lateral post coupled with the handrail frame such that the hands and the feet rotate in opposite direction. Two driven arms are pivotally attached to the bottom base, and a plurality of elastic elements are interposed between the driven arms. Moreover, a bumping post is positioned between the driven arms for limiting the driven arms to a proper return position. One of the driven arms corresponding to the exercise direction will be extended outwards by a contact roller at the bottom of the lateral post when the lateral post is moved by an external force. At that time, another driven arm that is not moved will stay there to act as a fixing end. Accordingly, the elastic elements may be pulled to produce an expected exercise resistance.
US07862489B2
An exercise system is provided in which multiple exercise routines may be conducted with a single system. The exercise system may be used for skiing exercises, rowing exercises, and for weight training/resistance exercises. The system includes a housing that encloses a resistance assembly. A movable grip device and/or carriage interfaces with the resistance assembly so that movement of the grip device or carriage is resisted. The exercise system may include a concealment housing so that it may be stored in a compact and concealed position. The concealment housing may be an article of furniture or a portion of a structure to provide space saving benefits.
US07862488B2
A weightable hoop system comprising: a single bodied molded hoop with a top and a bottom comprising: a first annular volume located at the top; a second annular volume located at the bottom; a pinch seal located between the first annular volume and the second annular volume, and preventing fluid communication between the first annular volume and the second annular volume; a first threaded input member in fluid communication with the first annular volume; and a second threaded input member in fluid communication with the first annular volume.
US07862484B1
A folding exercise rowing or sculling machine has left and right fold-down oar assemblies, each formed of an arm hinged to the side of the frame, and a pivot at the end of the arm on which the oar and oarlock are mounted. A cam plate at a lower end of the pivot pulls a cable that drives the sprocket wheel of a flywheel mounted to the rear or proximal of the frame. The oar assemblies fold to rearward, with the cam wheels fitting in a space between the flywheel and the frame. Multiplier pulley assemblies couple the power cable and elastic cords to a drive chain that is wound around the sprocket.
US07862474B2
A speed change control device for an automatic transmission according to this invention determines whether or not a request to downshift a gear position of the transmission exists during traveling in a manual speed change mode (S1, S2), and calculates an input shaft rotation speed of the transmission following a downshift based on the downshift request (S4). When it is determined that the calculated rotation speed is higher than a rotation speed limit value (S5), the speed change control device performs a downshift to a gear position at which the input shaft rotation speed of the transmission is lower than the calculated rotation speed (S6, S8).
US07862470B2
A speed change control device carries out speed change control of a stepless speed change mechanism in accordance with the vehicle speed. The speed change control device includes: first vehicle speed selection means for comparing a first vehicle speed obtained from the rotation speed of an output member 26 of the stepless speed change mechanism and a second vehicle speed obtained from the rotation speed of the wheels and for selecting the lower of the first and second vehicle speeds as the substitute vehicle speed; and second vehicle speed selection means for comparing the third vehicle speed obtained from the output side rotation speed of a clutch mechanism and the substitute vehicle speed, and for selecting the higher of the third vehicle speed and the substitute vehicle speed as the control vehicle speed. The control vehicle speed is used as the vehicle speed V for carrying out speed change control.
US07862464B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
US07862463B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
US07862457B1
An illuminated arrow is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the arrow includes an elongated arrow shaft, an arrow cavity provided in the arrow shaft, a plurality of fletchings each having a plurality of strands of fiber optic cable communicating with the arrow cavity and a light source communicating with the arrow cavity.
US07862452B2
A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
US07862450B2
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio. Preferred values for these dimension are provided.
US07862438B2
A unitized disc pack for use in a disc pack coupling includes at least two coaxial discs forming a disc pack. The disc pack defines a first axially outwardly facing face and a second axially outwardly facing face facing away from the first outwardly facing face, and includes a plurality of axially aligned holes formed through said disc pack. A first flanged bushing including a flange extends into one of the holes formed through the disc pack. The first flanged bushing is inserted into the one of the holes from the first outwardly facing face of the disc pack. The first flanged bushing flange engages the first outwardly facing face of the disc pack. A second flanged bushing including a flange extends into one of the holes formed through the disc pack. The second flanged bushing is inserted into the one of the holes from the second outwardly facing face of the disc pack. The second flanged bushing flange engages the second outwardly facing face of the disc pack, such that the discs are sandwiched between the flanges of the first and second flanged bushings.
US07862431B2
A video game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU allows a game to proceed according to input data transmitted from a controller performed a swing operation by a player. When a ball hit by a player character according to a swing operation performed by the player collides with a target object, a collision location thereof is detected. For example, a normal target image and several different types of broken target images are prepared and one of the broken target images is selected according to the collision location. In addition, a determinant is calculated for placing the broken target image in a virtual three-dimensional space such that a direction oriented toward the collision location from a center of a target object matches a reference direction of the broken target image. Then, the broken target image is placed and thereafter display is provided in such a manner that the target object is breaking.
US07862429B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.
US07862427B2
A progressive jackpot system for allowing access to multiple wide area progressive jackpots at a gaming machine is described. The gaming machine connected to the progressive systems can be switched between two or more different progressive games where each progressive game provides the chance to win a different wide area progressive jackpot. The gaming machine may be operable to dynamically connect to and communicate with one or more different progressive systems. Switches can be triggered based upon a player input at the gaming machine or based upon a command received from a remote gaming device.
US07862425B2
A system for allocating loyalty reward points to a player at a gaming area, where the player has a loyalty reward card. The player further being associated with identifiable casino chips each having a radio frequency identification tag. The system has a recording device located in the vicinity of the gaming area for reading and recording the player details on the loyalty reward card, and RFID readers for detecting player casino chips located in play in the gaming area. The RFID reader is operatively connected to the recording device such that at the completion of bet placement the value of player casino chips in play in the gaming area detected by the RFID reader is communicated to the recording device thus enabling the value of bets placed by individual players to be calculated and thereby determining the allocation of loyalty reward points to individual players for the particular bet placement.
US07862421B2
A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to enhance payline awards by increasing one or more payline wager amounts. In one embodiment, a predetermined symbol appearing on a payline increases the wager amount of that payline by a random amount.
US07862417B2
A card game and method of playing the card game is disclosed. The card game involves placing cards into pre-defined card positions in the form of grids or matrices. For example, a 3×3 grid is filled with nine cards. Game outcome combinations are defined by three horizontal, three vertical and two diagonal pay lines. Another grid arrangement includes a 3×3 grid with each row and column having an extra card position at each end thereof. Accordingly, after the 3×3 grid is filled with random cards, a player may select one or more pay lines after which the two extra card positions are filled. The player is paid for any winning hands formed of the five card defined by the selected pay lines. Countless grid arrangements and pay lines are conceivable. In other versions, the player may replace one or more initially dealt, displayed or otherwise provided cards. The card game and method disclosed herein may be played through an electronic gaming device, over the Internet or at a live gaming table with a dealer.
US07862414B2
A golf course (10) having a plurality of wireless access points (18) disposed within or near the outer periphery (11) of that golf course can offer communications regarding golf course infrastructure information as well as supporting subscriber communications of various kinds. Such communications can comprise, for example, data packet communications. Pursuant to one embodiment the subscriber communications can include Internet access.
US07862412B2
The invention provides for a seal assembly for a grain separator. The grain separator may include a housing, a rotatable grain separation cylinder within the housing, the cylinder having an end surface, a grain inlet having an inlet spout extending through the end surface for conveying grain into the cylinder in a feed zone, an auxiliary end piece or seal cone functionally connected to the end surface of the cylinder. The auxiliary end piece may have an annular external surface spaced laterally from the feed zone, and a seal interfacing with the annular external surface, thereby defining a seal zone spaced laterally from the feed zone. Such grain separators have increased capacity compared to separators with traditional seal assemblies.
US07862409B1
A motorized height-adjustable table apparatus including a table having a meat-cheese slicer mounted on a work surface thereof and having telescopic legs connected by a pair of perpendicular crossbars which are raised and lowered by a motor having a threaded shaft extending downwardly from a motor center axis, the shaft rotationally engaging an aperture in the center of the crossbars. The motor may be controlled by a hand-operated or a foot-operated control device.
US07862405B2
A fluid jet system includes an upstream high-pressure body having a high-pressure bore axially positioned, a retaining nut configured to couple to the upstream high-pressure body, and an orifice mount assembly. The retaining nut includes a mounting chamber configured to laterally receive the orifice mount assembly without application of a torque while the retaining nut is coupled to the upstream high-pressure body and the system is at ambient pressure. A face seal may be mounted in either a downstream portion of the high-pressure bore or the orifice mount assembly to provide a high-pressure seal while the system is pressurized.
US07862393B2
The present invention relates to a propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel, which propulsion arrangement comprises an internal combustion engine, a shaft arrangement and a steerable thruster unit. The marine vessel further comprises an electric generator or a combined electric generator and motor in connection with the propulsion arrangement. In order to reduce space requirements and required equipment as well as to raise efficiency, the shaft arrangement comprises a main shaft extending from the internal combustion engine to a first angle gear and a drive shaft extending from the first angle gear to a second angle gear in the steerable thruster unit. The electric generator or the combined electric generator and motor is connected to the drive shaft of the shaft arrangement after the main shaft and the first angle gear are connected thereto.
US07862391B2
A spring contact assembly having a first plunger with a tail portion having a flat contact surface and a second plunger having a tail portion with a flat contact surface wherein the flat contact surfaces are overlapping and are surrounded by an external compression spring such that the sliding engagement of the flat surfaces increases during compression of the spring.
US07862387B2
The invention relates to a board connector module including a frame accommodating an array of substantially-parallel signal leads (S) and ground leads (G) extending in a longitudinal direction (L). The said frame includes edges extending substantially parallel to said leads and one or more transverse bars extending between said edges. The transverse bars of the frame may resist deflection or buckling of these leads and consequently allow for higher stack heights in mezzanine circuit board assemblies.
US07862371B1
A system to facilitate installation of a small fan into a ceiling light fixture. A male electrical plug with electrical wire is installed upon the top of a rigid structure. An electrical adapter is inserted into the light fixture's socket in lieu of a light bulb. The conductive prongs of the plug are inserted into a receptacle of the adapter. A leverage arm is created at the bottom of the rigid structure and extends opposite and beyond the vertical centerline of the apparatus to a position where a higher percentage of the weight of the combined appliance and fan is distributed to the side of the centerline opposite the plug putting downward pressure on the outer end of the leverage arm configuration which, in turn, causes the top portion of the apparatus to rotate toward the centerline and to push the prongs inward.
US07862367B2
A releasably engaging high definition multimedia plug comprises a plug body and an actuator operable with the plug body to move a locking tab of the plug and facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug into standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided.
US07862363B2
An IC socket comprises an insulative housing adapted to accommodate an IC package and a pressing device pivotably attached to the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines some first pivoting holes at two opposite ends thereof and some second pivoting holes distant with the first pivoting holes. A pair of first shafts are assembled in the first pivoting hole of the insulative housing to pivotally latch the pressing device on the insulative housing and are movable in a vertical direction, so that the pressing device is floatable and can engage with different packages of different thickness. Two second shafts are assembled in the second pivoting holes. The IC socket further includes a plurality of spring members linking the first shafts and the second shafts to make the pressing device downwardly in a vertical direction.
US07862358B2
An electrical connector for a flat conductive member includes a housing having a bottom wall, a top wall, a first receiving groove, and a second receiving groove. The first receiving groove and the second receiving groove extend from a first side toward a second side. The connector includes a first terminal disposed in the first receiving groove; a second terminal disposed in the second receiving groove; and a pressing member disposed to be movable between an open position and a closed position for pressing the first terminal and the second terminal. The first terminal includes a first fixing arm portion contacting with the bottom wall, a first movable arm portion contacting with the top wall, and a first connecting portion. The second terminal includes a second fixing arm portion contacting with the bottom wall, a second movable arm portion contacting with the top wall, and a second connecting portion.
US07862357B2
A fluorescent lampholder with a top portion for supporting a fluorescent lamp and a base portion with a wire opening located on the bottom surface of the base that receives wires without exposing the wires to the exterior surface of a fixture. The lampholder is capable of supporting various types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps such as “tall”, “medium” and “small” T-8 fluorescent lamps as well as other types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps.
US07862350B2
There is disclosed a combination electrical device comprising a housing wherein there can be at least one light and at least one sensor disposed in the housing. The light serves as a guide light wherein the sensor is for determining the presence or absence of light. Inside the housing can be face terminals which extend up to a user accessible interface in the form of apertures for receiving prongs of a plug. The housing can include an additional housing for receiving a circuit board coupled to the light and the sensor. In addition, there can be a translucent cover for covering the light and the sensor. In at least one embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one fourth of a length of a front face of the housing. In another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one third of a length of a front face of the housing. In still another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along one half of a length of the housing.
US07862349B1
A connector has a conductive elastic member, an inner frame configured to hold the conductive elastic member so that the conductive elastic member is connectable with connection targets in a vertical direction, and an outer frame configured to hold the inner frame so that the inner frame is movable along a movable direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. An inner frame engagement portion is provided on an outside surface of the inner frame. An outer frame engagement portion is provided on an inside surface of the outer frame. The inner frame engagement portion and the outer frame engagement portion are engaged with each other so as to regulate a relative movement of the inner frame in the vertical direction and to permit a relative movement of the inner frame in the movable direction.
US07862346B1
A socket connector has an insulative housing, multiple first terminals, multiple second terminals, a positioning bracket and a shell. The first and second terminals are mounted through the insulative housing, and each of the first and second terminals has a mounting section, a soldering section and a contacting section. The soldering sections of all terminals are arranged in a transverse row relative to the insulative housing. The positioning bracket is mounted under the insulative housing and holds the soldering sections. The shell covers the insulative housing, first and second terminals and positioning bracket. The soldering sections arranged in one row makes the socket connector compact.
US07862345B2
An electrical connector consists of a plug connector and a receptacle connector to be fitted. An insulator is supported only by plug contacts each provided between second and third fixed portions with an elastic portion having at least one snaked portion so as to be floating in a housing. The shape of the second contact portion of each of the plug contacts is substantially in the form of a plate-shaped piece so that the second contact portion of the plug contact and the first contact portion of a receptacle contact are caused to contact each other in line contact at one location, and the elastic portion is arranged within a range from a position below the second contact portion to a position below the insulator. The electrical connector thus constructed is superior in resistance to vibration, and achieves space-saving and floating of the insulator.
US07862338B2
This invention provides a crayon of special external configuration arranged to facilitate the training and development of a tripod grip in the use of pencils, pens and the like. The crayon has a body which has convexly curved end portions and at least first, second and third surfaces which are defined intermediate the body end portions in such manner as to impart to the body a generally triangular transverse cross-sectional shape of a location substantially centrally between the body and portions. Those surfaces converge toward one of the body end portions. The intersections of at least two of the surfaces with each and with the body end portions are smoothly convexly curved. The body is sized in proportion to the size of a hand of an intended user so that it is best grasped between the thumb and adjacent forefinger, preferably also with the cooperation of the adjacent middle finger, for manipulation to make a mark, thereby training the user in the development and use of a tripod grip to grasp and manipulate a pencil, pen, or other more conventionally shaped writing implement.
US07862330B2
A food patty molding machine has a reciprocating mold plate. A moldable food product is pumped through a fill passage into cavities of the mold plate when the mold plate is in its fill position. A fill plate, interposed in the fill passage immediately adjacent the mold plate, has a multiplicity of fill orifices distributed in a predetermined pattern throughout an area aligned with the mold cavity when the mold plate is in its fill position. The fill orifices define paths through the fill plate, wherein the paths each have an inlet portion that is perpendicular to a fill side face of the mold plate that is connected to an outlet portion that is obliquely angled to a fill side face of the mold plate. A seal-off stripper plate is interposed in the fill passage immediately adjacent the face of the fill plate opposite the mold plate. The stripper plate is movable along a path transverse to the mold plate path between a fill location and a discharge location. The stripper plate has a multiplicity of fill openings aligned one-for-one with the fill orifices as extensions thereof when the stripper plate is in its fill location.
US07862329B2
The invention provides a replaceable bushing in the base of a nozzle of a hot runner assembly and provides access through a manifold and a rear plate for removal and replacement of the bushing without having to disassemble the hot runner assembly. According to one embodiment of the invention, an actuator access port is provided for removing the valve pin actuator and a bushing access port is provided for accessing the bushing upon removal of the valve pin actuator, both of which may be removed from a second or rear plate of the injection molding assembly.
US07862325B2
A die for forming a lost wax ceramic core allows the formation of non-parallel separating spaces between adjacent portions of the core. The core will eventually form cooling channels in an airfoil. The die for forming the core includes a plurality of moving parts having rib extensions. At least some rib extensions are non-parallel to form the non-parallel spaces. The die includes two main die halves that come together to form several of the spaces. Inserts move with those die components and come together to form other spaces. At least one of the inserts contacts surfaces on one of the die halves, such that the non-parallel spaces are formed.
US07862322B2
A resin infusion system uses a housing that has an upper flexible diaphragm and a lower flexible diaphragm such that the two diaphragms form a cavity. A fiber reinforcement mat is positioned within the cavity. A mold is positioned below the lower diaphragm. A flow plate has a series of V-shaped grooves and is positioned either underneath the lower diaphragm or overtop the upper diaphragm so that the grooves press into the respective diaphragm. A vacuum is created within the housing causing resin to be drawn into the cavity with the resin interacting with the grooves increasing the turbulence of the resin flow. Once the reinforcement mat is properly wetted, the mold is pressed into the lower diaphragm.
US07862308B1
A rotary reciprocating pump comprises: i) a pump housing having intake and discharge ports; a shaft driven rotary piston carder, rotatably carrying pistons circularly arranged therearound; ii) a driven rotary cylinder block having a plurality of cylinder bores therein, circularly arranged therearound for reception of the pistons, and having a flat outer side portion having an intake/discharge port therethrough communicating with the cylinder bores; iii) a stationary sloping inner control surface portion in sliding proximity with the outer side portion of the rotating cylinder block, the control surface portion configured so that the cylinder block moves outwardly for intake and inwardly for discharge, the control surface portion also having grooved openings therethrough to appropriately communicate with the ports to the bore through the cylinder block and with the intake and discharge ports in the pump housing; and, iv) a spring biasing the cylinder blocks towards the control surface portion.
US07862304B2
A single stage high pressure turbine blade includes an airfoil having a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US07862300B2
A turbomachinery blade having a relief hole in its platform and a method of limiting the formation and/or propagation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade are provided. The relief hole may be formed in the concave side of the platform proximate the trailing edge along its mean camber line. The relief hole may be circular in cross-section and is blind, i.e., does not exit on any other face of the platform. The relief hole prevents the formation of cracks in the trailing edge of the blade and also slows the propagation of any cracks which may have formed in this region of the blade.
US07862298B2
A housing for a radial flow compressor, particularly for a turbocharger, comprises a first housing part and a second housing part joined together to form at least part of the housing, each of the housing parts comprising at least one cavity, said cavities in fluid communication, when the housing parts are juxtaposed, forming a cavity system into which a fluid joining compound, such as an adhesive, thermoplastic material, etc., is introduced to form a solid joint of said both housing parts, wherein the housing parts are dimensioned such that a gap for introducing the fluid joining compound extends from a free housing surface of the housing parts when juxtaposed, along facing joining surface sections of the housing parts, and ports into the cavity system.
US07862297B2
A holding device for holding a cooling fan comprising: a duct having a hollow in which a cooling fan is to be fitted; a stopper portion which keeps one operative end of the cooling fan from further moving to hold the cooling fan at a fitting position; and a plurality of elastic wall segments formed in a cooling fan insertion end of a wall of the duct; wherein each of some of the plurality of elastic wall segments is formed with a locking claw for keeping the other operative end of the cooling fan from moving. With this construction, the cooling fan 31 can be more surely mounted in a duct. Consequently, vibration reduction effect and sound reduction effect with respect to the cooling fan is improved.
US07862295B2
A device for guiding a stream of air entering a combustion chamber of a turbomachine is disclosed. The device includes a flow straightener followed by a diffuser. One of the flow straightener shrouds is formed as one with one wall of revolution of the diffuser. The other flow straightener shroud is added and attached to the other wall of revolution of the diffuser. The vanes of the flow straightener are secured by one end to one shroud of the flow straightener and separated by a small clearance from the other shroud at their other end.
US07862292B2
A paddle wheel-driven horizontal wave generator system which is situated on the ocean shore for converting shore waves to unidirectional rotational force for generating power. By the use of a pair of one-way clutches on a single power shaft the incoming and outgoing motion of ocean waves is converted into continuous unidirectional rotational force to drive an electric generator. The generator system is attached to a base having troughs. The lower portions of the paddle wheels are positioned in the troughs, and engage incoming and outgoing shore waves which rotate the axle of the paddle wheels in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The one-way clutches convert the bi-directional rotation of the paddle wheel axle to unidirectional rotation of the power shaft.
US07862288B2
A bale accumulator and method in which a plurality of hay bales can be accumulated and arranged into a cluster of ten bales (a “ten stack”). The accumulator first collects a bale in each of two angled bale receivers at the rear of the accumulator. These remain in position as four columns having two bales each are collected in a more forward collection. The result is two angled bales being dragged to the rear of a conventional “eight stack.” As the device releases all ten bales, gate mechanisms rotate the two rear bales 90 degrees so that they lie transverse to the eight bales comprising the “eight stack.” The two rear bales are pressed against the rear of the eight stack in order to form a ten stack.
US07862286B2
An unloading system for an agricultural harvester, includes a grain tank (16); a door (56) at the outlet of the grain tank (16) that is disposed to control the flow of grain out of the grain tank (16); a door actuator (84) coupled to the door (56) that is disposed to open and close the door; a first conveyor (30) disposed to receive grain passing through the door (56); a first conveyor drive motor (80) coupled to the first conveyor (30) to drive the first conveyor (30); a control circuit (72) coupled to both the door actuator (84) and the first conveyor drive motor (80), the control circuit (72) being configured to close the door (56) prior to shutting off the first conveyor (30) in response to an operator command to shut down the unloading system.
US07862279B2
A screw, in particular a self-tapping screw, has a screw thread which covers up to the front end of the screw formed as a drilling tip or cutting tip. In the front area, starting with a distance from the front end of the screw, there is an opposite thread showing the same pitch as the screw thread, however, its thread height is lower than the thread height of the screw thread. This second, opposite single-thread, double-thread or triple-thread/multi-thread forms a cutting edge with its thread edge which is used to cut fibers in order to reduce wedge effect during screwing in the screw. The screw is particularly suitable for wood or wood-like materials in the edge areas of structural elements.
US07862278B2
An apparatus for preventing removal of, or tampering with, a construction fitting includes two construction element engaging components and a fastener for connecting the two construction element engaging components to one another. The fastener includes a bolt extending between the two construction element engaging components and a nut for tightening on the bolt rigidly connecting the two engaging components with a gap therebetween. A body portion, for at least partially covering a nut, prevents access thereto by an unfastening tool with the body portion extending from the nut to a position alongside the bolt within the gap. A locking device is able to be moved relative to the body portion between a first position, in which the apparatus is removable from the construction fitting, and a second position in which the apparatus is prevented from being removed from the construction fitting with the locking device extending, in the second position, from the body portion in a direction toward the bolt with the gap.
US07862276B2
An anti-unscrewing device for coupling the tubular ends of two components in fluid conveying or delivery systems by means of a threaded ring nut that can be screwed to one of said tubular ends to connect said ends, wherein said anti-unscrewing device comprises a connecting portion to connect the device to one of the components and at least one counter element provided with an engaging portion suitable to engage a corresponding engaging surface formed at said ring nut, such that the engaging portion can be displaced by means of a movement of the ring nut. There are further provided guide means dictating a movement path for the counter element, such that an unscrewing movement of the ring nut will cause the engaging portion to move to a locking position relative to the ring nut thereby preventing the ring nut from unscrewing.
US07862257B2
A cable guide device for a manhole includes a wall supporting plate supported against a wall surface of an entrance part of the manhole, a cable guide body positioned at the bottom part of the wall supporting plate, a rotation shaft mounted vertically to the cable guide body and the wall supporting plate so that the cable guide body can be rotated from side to side with regard to the wall supporting plate, and at least one guide roller which rotates integrally with a roller shaft combined with the cable guide body so as to guide the cable into at least one underground pipe.
US07862250B2
Dust boot assemblies for providing grease relief while preventing or minimizing infiltration of contaminants into a cavity in the dust boot and between the surfaces of a greased joint coupled to the dust boot. Some such dust boot assemblies include two-piece grease relief inserts having a body and a shield, wherein the body includes grease relief route(s) and the shield prevents or minimizes infiltration of contaminants into the grease relief route(s). Other dust boot assemblies include one-piece grease relief inserts with integral body and shield components. Some grease relief routes include axial and radial channels. Grease relief inserts are inserted under an edge of a dust boot. A dust boot skirt covers grease relief ports through which excess grease is relieved to the external environment. The grease relief insert is located to in a portion of the dust boot experiencing limited or zero movement.
US07862249B2
There is provided a ballpoint pen tip in which a shoulder of a bent portion does not touch a paper surface during writing and bleeding caused by deformation of an inner periphery of the bent portion can be prevented, and an ink refill using thereof. The ballpoint pen tip 20 comprises a first tapered surface 22 formed by tapering an outer periphery at a front end of a holder 21, a connecting surface 23 that is formed at a front end side of the first tapered surface 22 and has an outside angle larger than 180° with respect to the first tapered surface 22, a second tapered surface 24 that is formed at a front end side of the connecting surface 23 and has an outside angle smaller than 180° with respect to the connecting surface 23, and a bent portion 25 in which a front end portion of the second tapered surface 24 is bent inwardly so as to hold a writing ball 35 inserted into a ball house 29. A boundary between the first tapered surface 22 and the connecting surface 23 is referred to as a first shoulder portion 26, and a boundary between the second tapered surface 24 and the bent portion 25 a second shoulder portion 27. The second shoulder portion 27 is located inside a virtual tangent line 41 between the first shoulder portion 26 and the writing ball 35.
US07862244B2
An optical module with a sleeve assembly is disclosed. The sleeve assembly, which receives a ferrule secured in an end of the optical connector and is primarily made of resin material, provides a buried member made of a material, typically meal, having a polygonal cross section, a linear thermal expansion coefficient less than that of the resin material and a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resin material. The bore of the sleeve assembly has a deformed circular shape with a first diameter less than the outer diameter of the ferrule.
US07862234B2
Lubrication points of lubricant around a rolling element are made in a turnaround passage to ensure proper and steady lubrication by the lubrication system simple in construction, with accompanying sustainable maintenance-free condition for lubrication. The end cap has a recess as large as permitted and a hole to communicate the recess with the turnaround passage. A porous compact is composed a thick block to fit into a deep cavity in the recess, a nose leading lubricant in the turnaround passage, and a conjunctive part between the thick block and the nose. The porous compact fits snugly into the recess in a fashion that the nose comes into rolling-touch at its tip with the rollers as they roll through the turnaround passage.
US07862230B2
On the fulfillment of a specified condition, a temperature signal outside an actuating device is detected to which a piezoelectric actuator is assigned. A piezoelectric temperature value is determined by the temperature signal. A temperature-capacitance characteristic value of the piezoelectric actuator is determined by the piezoelectric temperature value through specified mapping. A measured capacitance characteristic value is determined by a detected piezoelectric actuator charge and voltage corresponding to the temperature signal. A first correction capacitance characteristic value is determined by the measured capacitance characteristic value and the temperature-capacitance characteristic value. Independently, the charge and the voltage of the piezoelectric actuator is detected and the measured capacitance characteristic value is determined on the basis of these. The piezoelectric temperature value is determined by the measured capacitance characteristic value and the first correction capacitance characteristic value through inverse mapping with respect to the temperature and the capacitance characteristic value.
US07862222B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate and two light emitting elements for emitting light beams. The light guide plate includes first and second light guide portions and a connecting portion interconnecting the first and second light guide portions. The first light guide portion has two opposite first light incident surfaces at opposite sides thereof, and a first light output surface. The second light guide portion has a second light incident surface facing first light output surface of the first light guide portion. Each of the light emitting elements faces one of the first light incident surfaces of the first guide portion. The first guide portion receives the light beams via the first light incident surfaces and output them via the first light output surface. The second light guide portion receives the light beams from the first light output surface via the second light incident surface.
US07862217B2
A vehicle lamp unit includes a reflective surface based on an ellipse; a semiconductor light source of which a light emitting portion is provided at a first focal point of the reflective surface or a vicinity of the first focal point; and a projection lens that projects a reflected light that is a light emitted from the semiconductor light source and reflected by the reflective surface to outside. An emission direction of a maximum light emission intensity from among light intensities of the semiconductor light source is inclined in a direction opposite to the projection lens with respect to an optical axis of the projection lens.
US07862216B2
A lighting device is disclosed, which is provided for the front region of a motor vehicle, for example in a motor vehicle headlight, and which emits electromagnetic radiation during operation. The lighting device comprises at least one first primary radiation source which emits infrared radiation, and at least one second primary radiation source which emits visible light, wherein the first primary radiation source and the second primary radiation source are arranged in such a way that the second primary radiation source outshines the first primary radiation source and thus generates a color impression of the lighting device which deviates from the color impression stemming from the infrared radiation source alone.
US07862206B2
An adjustable LED display module is provided, including a plurality of light-emitting units, and at least a set of spacing adjusting mechanism. The spacing adjusting mechanism is of a retractable grid-like structure or a retractable mesh-structure. The plural light-emitting units are distributed on different locations of the components of the spacing adjusting mechanism. When the spacing adjusting mechanism operates to adjust the spacing, at least spacing between some neighboring light-emitting units will change so that the location after adjustment will vary. Hence, the display module will have different form factor and light dots arrangement to provide higher flexibility for various application environments and conditions as well as convenience for storage and transportation when contracted.
US07862202B2
A method and apparatus for motion sensor installation includes an apparatus for installing a lighting accessory to a first luminaire having a luminaire housing. The bracket includes a coupling member operative to couple the bracket to one of the luminaire housings. A support member extends from the coupling member, and is operative to support the lighting accessory a first distance from the luminaire housing. An attachment member that is operative to attach the lighting accessory to the lighting accessory extends from the support member. The bracket couples the lighting accessory to the luminaire housing without extending the length of the luminaire or creating a substantial gap between two luminaires in a linear configuration. In one aspect, the lighting accessory can be a motion sensor that is operative to control the power to one or more of the luminaires.
US07862198B2
The present invention provides a lighting device having an energy conversion module, comprising a lamp and at least one energy conversion module. The lamp includes a shade and a lamp tube. The lamp tube is disposed beneath the shade, and the inner wall surface of the shade can reflect light from the lamp tube. The energy conversion module is configured inside the shade or disposed on a lamp grid to receive light energy and convert it into electrical energy. As such, the lighting device can give light to photovoltaic cells in the environment so that electrical energy is generated. The object of converting part of the light energy into electrical energy for further utilization can thus be achieved.
US07862194B2
An embodiment of a baseball style cap and stereo combination having a crown, a brim/bill, a sweatband, and two amplified stereo speakers concealed within the brim/bill is disclosed. The baseball-style cap combination further includes a battery holder/forehead cushion housing a battery holder concealed within an inner surface of the baseball-style cap combination by a flap. Also included are wires connecting the battery holder to an amplifier concealed within the sweatband and wires connecting the amplifier to the speakers. A stereophonic music generator sends a music signal which is provided to the amplifier by any suitable means of communication, like an audio cord or wireless by means of infrared or Bluetooth wireless technology.
US07862190B2
A surface light source device includes a light-emitting element which generates light, and a light guide plate which causes light emitted from the light-emitting element to be incident from an end face, causes the light to be reflected between opposite plate surfaces to guide the light along the plate surfaces and make the light emerge from the plate surfaces, and transmits light incident from one plate surface toward the other plate surface. A first optical element is placed on one plate surface side of the light guide plate, transmits part of light emerging from one plate surface of the light guide plate toward a front side, and returns the remaining light to a rear side. A second optical element is placed on the other plate surface side and transmits at least part of light emerging from the other plate surface side.
US07862183B2
A representative embodiment of the invention provides a projection system having a laser source that incorporates a tunable liquid lens and a spatial light modulator adapted to modulate light generated by the laser source to project an image on a viewing screen. The tunable liquid lens is adapted to vary focal length, alignment or position with respect to an optical element that is external to the lens, ability to diffuse light, and/or polarization rotation angle.
US07862177B2
When it is determined that the host vehicle is stopped at the intersection in the right turn waiting state, the navigation ECU forms a right turn waiting mark representing the right turn waiting state on the road surface of the opposing lane at the intersection where the host vehicle is stopped with a visually identifiable laser beam with a predetermined color. When it is determined that the host vehicle is brought into the right turn start state from the right turn waiting state where the host vehicle is stopped at the intersection, the navigation ECU forms the right turn start mark representing the right turn start state instead of the right turn waiting mark on the road surface of the opposing lane at the intersection where the host vehicle enters with the visually identifiable laser beam with the color (for example, red) different from that of the right turn waiting mark, at substantially the same position thereof in accordance with the traveling state of the host vehicle.
US07862171B2
An ophthalmic lens element (100) for correcting myopia in a wearer's eye is disclosed. The lens element (100) includes a central zone (102) and a peripheral zone (104). The central zone (102) provides a first optical correction for substantially correcting myopia associated with the foveal region of the wearer's eye. The peripheral zone (104) surrounds the central zone (102) and provides a second optical correction for substantially correcting myopia or hyperopia associated with a peripheral region of the retina of the wearer's eye. A system and method for dispensing or designing an ophthalmic lens element for correcting myopia in a wearer's eye is also disclosed.
US07862168B1
Left and right curved discs may be attached to distal end portions of the left and right temple frames of an eyeglass. The left and right curved discs are positionable at a slight depression covered by skin above a mastoid process of the wearer's head and behind the wearer's ears for securing the eyeglass to the wearer. When not in use, the left and right curved discs may be hooked onto the wearer's ears for temporarily storing the eyeglass.
US07862165B2
A sideshade for reducing peripheral glare that is removably attachable to a temple of spectacles such that the wearer of the spectacles is not required to remove the spectacles in order to attach the sideshade to or detach the sideshade from the temple of the spectacles. The detachable sideshade is optical or near-optical quality so as not to degrade the wearer's peripheral vision. The sideshade may be light in weight and easy to attach and remove.
US07862164B2
An ink jet recording apparatus, which records a image on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ink discharge ports, comprises a rotative platen having a plurality of supporting pieces arranged at predetermined intervals; rotation means for rotating the platen; conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; control means for controlling the rotation means to rotate the platen in the conveying direction of the recording medium in synchronism with the conveyance of the recording medium when recording is performed near the edge of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. With the structure thus arrange, this ink jet recording apparatus is capable of performing the entire area recording (no margin recording) on a recording medium without staining the platen that supports the recording medium at the time of recording.
US07862157B2
An ink jet recording head includes ejection resistors for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink; warming resistors for generating thermal energy for heating the ink; ejection outlets, provided correspondingly to the ejection resistors, for ejecting the ink; and a recording element substrate provided with ink flow paths provided correspondingly to and for supplying the ink to the ejection outlets, the ejection resistors, the warming resistors, a first ejection outlet array portion including the ejection outlets, and a second ejection outlet array portion including the ejection outlets. An amount of one ink droplet to be ejected from an ejection outlet of the first ejection outlet array portion is different from that from an ejection outlet of the second ejection outlet array portion. The warming resistors are formed above the recording element substrate through the ejection resistors and an insulating layer with respect to a lamination direction of the recording element substrate and are disposed between the ejection resistors and the ink flow paths. The warming resistors include a first warming resistor disposed at the first ejection outlet array portion with a larger ejection amount and a second warming heat generating resistor disposed at the second ejection outlet array portion with a smaller ejection amount.
US07862154B2
The liquid ejection method of ejecting liquid from a nozzle, includes the steps of: growing a column of the liquid from the nozzle; and injecting a bubble into a base of the column of the liquid during growth thereof from the nozzle, by using a bubble supply device which supplies a bubble.
US07862149B2
By suppressing deviation of dot-formation positions stemming from insufficient accuracy in conveying a printing medium due to eccentricity of a conveying roller, a printed image in which unevenness is less visible is obtained. An accumulated amount of conveyance errors is decreased by narrowing a nozzle-use range and reducing a conveyance amount over an entire printing region according to a mode used for printing an image in which the coverage of a printing medium is low due to a small number of ink colors to be used, for example, a mode used for printing a monochrome image by using a black ink dominantly in all of the density regions.
US07862148B2
A method of priming an inkjet printhead having ink ejection nozzles. The method includes: providing an ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles; applying inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path; and arranging a biasing member in the ink bag so that the biasing member applies outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag only once the available fluid volume has been reduced to a predetermined volume. Each nozzle is configured to eject an ink drop having a volume of about 1.2 picolitres.
US07862140B2
A method including performing correction of an ink ejection amount for a certain area based on a correction value for a first type row region, and performing correction of an ink ejection amount for another area. The certain area includes a plurality of the first type row regions adjacent to each other in a transport direction. The other area is located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the certain area, and includes a plurality of second type row regions and a plurality of the first type row regions in the transport direction. The second type row region is a region in which a dot row is formed in the movement direction by performing the movement-and-ejection operation another predetermined number of times that is more than the predetermined number of times. A ratio of the second type row regions increases as the distance from the certain area increases.
US07862138B2
In one embodiment a pressure regulator for an ink pen includes: a diaphragm between a lower pressure region and a higher pressure region, the diaphragm movable toward the lower pressure region in response to an increase in a pressure difference across the diaphragm; a valve operative between an open position in which ink may flow into the lower pressure region and a closed position in which ink may not flow into the lower pressure region; a first lever rotatable on a first fulcrum in response to movement of the diaphragm toward the lower pressure region; and a second lever connected to the valve, the second lever rotatable on a second fulcrum in response to rotation of the first lever to move the valve from the closed position to an open position.
US07862131B2
A vehicle with a frame connecting a driver wheel, an idler wheel and mid-roller wheels, an endless track belt being tensioned around the driver wheel and the idler wheel and being in contact with the mid-roller wheels on a lower run thereof, the mid-roller wheels being arranged in bogies, including a front bogie having a first pivot axis, a middle bogie and a rear bogie arranged in tandem having a second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis and said second pivot axis act as load transfer pivots.
US07862127B2
A hubcap configured for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle via a plurality of nutcaps that are removably attachable to a plurality of lugnuts of the vehicle includes a chrome-plated body and a standoff. The chrome-plated body defines an inner surface having a sidewall. The standoff is configured to distribute a force, arising during attachment of the plurality of nutcaps to the plurality of lugnuts, through the hubcap to the wheel of the vehicle. The standoff includes a proximal portion spaced apart from the sidewall and a distal portion including a hollow tubular member defining a bore. A wheel assembly configured for attachment to an axle of the vehicle includes the plurality of nutcaps, the wheel, the hubcap, and an insulator configured to protect the hubcap from heat and disposed within the hollow tubular member of the standoff.
US07862124B2
A web adjuster device for securing and varying a length of a web. The web adjuster device comprising a connector portion and an adjuster portion. The adjuster portion comprising a gripping bar having a pair of ears mounted near each of its ends, a housing including a web stop, and one or more springs to normally urge the bar toward the web stop and against the web. The connector portion comprises a hook portion integrally attached to the web adjuster portion, the hook portion rising generally upwardly and away from the bottom surface of the web adjuster portion.
US07862123B2
A universal reclining armrest system for use with an articulated examination chair. The system includes an armrest adapter having a universal aperture for receiving a post portion of an armrest assembly. The armrest adapter further includes a splined peg for coupling to a pivoting mechanism of an articulated chair. The pivoting mechanism enables the chair to move throughout an operable range of motion while maintaining a fixed rotational position of an attached armrest adapter. The armrest assembly further includes an adjustable joint to provide 360° of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the armrest adapter.
US07862121B2
A seat may be obtained with improved operability of plural adjustable units.A vehicle seat 10 is provided with: a seat lifter 22 provided to a seat body that is for sitting on, and is adjusted by operation force transmitted from a first operating system; a reclining mechanism 20 provided to the seat body, that is adjusted by operation force transmitted from a second operating system; and an operation lever 30, imparting operation force for independently adjusting the reclining mechanism 20 and the seat lifter 22. The operation lever 30 imparts operation force to the seat lifter 22 when operated by rotation along the seat up-down direction in the direction of arrow D and arrow E, and imparts operation force to the reclining mechanism 20 when operated by rotation along the seat width direction in the direction of arrow F.
US07862118B2
An infant seat rocker includes a base member having a pair of rails that protrude generally vertically from the base member and extend a length of the base member, a front wall that protrudes at an angle from the front of the base member, at least one rear wall that protrudes at an angle from the rear of the base member, a motor that is positioned on the base member and a spring that attaches the motor to the infant seat. The infant seat is positioned on the base member and the rails, the front wall and at least one rear wall are capable of locating the infant seat on the base member while the motor is energized to produce and maintain a rocking motion in the infant seat.
US07862114B2
The embodiments described herein provide a vehicle seat assembly that is coupled to a floor of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, at least one leg and at least one blocking member. The seat cushion frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. The leg is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion frame and pivotally coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The blocking member is coupled to the seat cushion frame and capable of moving into engagement with the leg as the assembly moves from the folded position to the upright seating position. The blocking member is adapted to block movement of the leg and to stabilize the seat assembly in the event of a vehicle collision.
US07862113B2
A ventilation diffuser bag for disposition on a vehicle occupant support includes a perforated, occupant facing side and an opposite non-perforated, support surface facing side. The non-perforated side includes an opening to allow air flow into the diffuser bag. An air mover support integral with the non-perforated side includes an endless sidewall extending from the opening for providing support for an air mover. The endless sidewall includes a retaining edge spaced from the non-perforated side for suspendably retaining the air mover within the air mover support. The non-perforated side of the diffuser bag is supportable on an occupant facing surface of a vehicle occupant support, and the air mover support extends into the occupant support.
US07862107B2
An intake system cover for a vehicle is mounted in an engine compartment to cover a reservoir tank that stores coolant for an engine. The intake system cover for the vehicle is formed with a light introduction opening for introducing light to be directed toward a liquid level gauge at a side of the reservoir tank. The visibility of the liquid level of the reservoir tank at the liquid level gauge is improved.
US07862103B2
A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. The interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.
US07862101B2
A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. The separate sections are connected to a front end cap and a rear end cap. Mountings for the seats are defined as well as conduits through the floor and roof for electrical and fluid connections. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels.
US07862099B2
A roof opening/closing apparatus for operating a roof of a vehicle to move between first and second positions includes a panel member for covering an upper portion of an accommodating space and a panel moving mechanism. The panel member includes a first panel and a second panel which are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The panel moving mechanism is provided under the panel member to movably support the first and second panels. The panel moving mechanism includes a sliding mechanism slidably moving the second panel relative to the first panel so that the first and second panels are overlapped when the roof is located in the first position and a length of the panel member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is reduced to be smaller than the length of the panel member when the roof is located in the second position.
US07862092B2
A door lock for locking a door to an underlying structure. A machine element disposed in connection to a through opening in the underlying structure is arranged so as to engage a bolt that is insertable into a through opening in the door. The machine element is inserted through the opening in the underlying structure to a position at which the openings in the door and the underlying structure form, together with the part of the machine element that extends outside of the underlying structure, a length that is longer than the bolt length, while at the same time an internal thread on the machine element extends sufficiently far through the underlying structure that, with the joint mounted, it engages the bolt to create the joint. Also, a method for manufacturing the door lock.
US07862089B2
A pipe fitting assembly package and fastening ring removal tool allow re-use and repair of push-fit piping fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe. The quick connection pipe fitting assembly package of the present invention employs a threaded retaining cap that when removed, exposes the clamping, sealing and fastening mechanism of the fitting or valve. In one embodiment, the present invention further includes a removable packing gland mounted on a body about an axis of an orifice. The fastening ring removal device provided as part of the present invention is manually pushed onto the cylindrical object and is capable of expanding to traverse over the installed fastening ring. The fastening ring removal device includes a parallel angular surface to lift the fastening ring off of the pipe member. In one embodiment of the present invention, the removal device has a plurality of cut areas or slits extending axially along its surface to allow for the expansion of the upper rim portion of the fastener removal tool as it slides over a remaining fastening ring. The present invention facilitates re-use of existing fittings and valves by allowing the internal components to be removed, repaired and/or replaced.
US07862072B2
The present invention is directed to a seamless airbag door assembly for a motor vehicle. A panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the panel has predetermined breaking lines that are not visible when the panel is viewed from the outside surface. A scrim is connected to the inner surface of the panel and has a cut-line operable aligned with the predetermined breaking lines of the inner surface of the panel. An airbag chute is connected to the scrim and inner surface of the panel in order to connected the airbag chute to the panel.
US07862059B2
A torsion beam axle includes a torsion beam, a plurality of trailing arms made of a material different from that of the torsion beam, and connecting tubes made of a material better than that of the trailing arms with respect to weldability with the torsion beam, and integrally coupled to the trailing arms at one end part thereof, and welded to the torsion beam at the other end part thereof. Thereby, the coupling force between the trailing arms and the torsion beam made of different materials can be improved.
US07862058B2
A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a single piece main body having an inverted U-shaped configuration. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. A first king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to one of the gooseneck portions, while a second king pin fixture having a king pin bore is secured to the other gooseneck portion. A bottom plate is secured to the main body and has ends extending beyond the gooseneck portions to provide seats for the king pin fixtures.
US07862053B2
A golf bag cart foldable device includes a bottom cart stand having a link segment at its top, where both sides of the link segment each is in pinned connection with a rear wheel frame, which has its bottom end join the rear wheel, and the bottom cart stand is provided with a slider at the bottom of the link segment. An upper cart stand is in pinned connection with the link segment at its bottom, and has a bracket at its top, where the bracket couples to a mount at its one end. A handle bar is joined the mount at its bottom at which an angle adjustable joint is located, and has a score board at its top. A linkage set comprises a first linkage being set up between the upper cart stand and the slider, a second linkage being set up between the slider and the rear wheel frame, and a third linkage being set up between the mount and the first linkage. Through the linking of the linkage set, the angles between the upper cart stand and the handle bar and between the bottom cart stand and the rear wheel frame will change for the folding or fixing of the device.
US07862052B2
A roll control system comprising a front torsion bar; a front first hydraulic actuator attached to the front torsion bar; a rear torsion bar; a rear first hydraulic actuator attached to the rear torsion bar; and control means connected to the hydraulic actuators and controlling the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition; wherein each hydraulic actuator comprises a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber; wherein the control means comprises a source of fluid pressure, a fluid reservoir, a pressure control valve fluidly connected between the pressure source and the reservoir, two pressure relief valves each having two positions to selectively fluidly connect the fluid chambers of the hydraulic actuators either to the pressure source or to the fluid reservoir, and a directional valve fluidly connected between the pressure relief valves and the fluid chambers of the hydraulic actuators; wherein the pressure relief valves and the directional valve are positioned on detection of the predetermined vehicle condition to apply a fluid pressure to the first fluid chamber of the first front and rear hydraulic actuators, and/or to apply a fluid pressure to the second fluid chamber of the first front and rear hydraulic actuators.
US07862051B2
A diaphragm chuck assembly having clamping jaws disposed in a chuck body and in driven connection with a diaphragm deformable by an axially adjustable actuator, the clamping jaws having contact pieces, in which counterweights are disposed in recesses of the chuck body and the clamping jaws are clamped against the diaphragm by means of quick-clamping devices engaging in the contact pieces, the contact pieces being arranged in the diaphragm and in the counterweights with radial play. The clamping jaws are supported against a first surface extending axially in parallel to the chuck body in the clamping position and against a second reference surface extending at right angles to the first reference surface and into the diaphragm. The clamping jaws can be changed in a short time and the clamping jaws can be replaced without having to be reground.
US07862041B2
A sheet transport path switching mechanism includes a movable guide to be moved rotatably about a support shaft parallel to the width direction of a transport path so as to selectively take either a main posture where the movable guide directs a sheet to the downstream side of a main transport path relative to a branch point, and a branch posture where the movable guide directs a sheet to a branch transport path. An engagement hook is provided in an apparatus body and supports a central region in the longitudinal direction of the movable guide to prevent the movable guide from being deformed due to interference with a sheet fed toward the branch transport path. The mechanism prevents deformation of the movable guide while facilitating reduction in material and production costs and adequately meeting requirements of waste treatment.
US07862040B2
An item feeder includes a deck for supporting items, a transport element for transporting the items along the deck on a transport path from an upstream loading area through a downstream receiving passage, a drive element for driving the transport element, and a cover element comprising a leading edge. The cover element may be movable between a closed position in which the leading edge is disposed at a first distance from the deck, and an open position in which the leading edge is disposed at a second greater distance from the deck. The leading edge may engage transported items having a thickness greater than the first distance to move the cover element out of the closed position. The item feeder further includes a controller for controlling the drive element, wherein the controller is configured to stop the drive element when the cover element is moved out of the closed position.
US07862035B2
The invention describes a sheet feed device having a sheet tray having a bottom plate defining a first portion of a storing portion that receives sheets therein, a feed roller, a separation plate, and a recessed portion formed in the separation surface. The feed roller moves to contact a sheet of the sheets, and to feed the sheet. The separation plate is disposed at a downstream end of the sheet tray and extends in a width direction. The separation plate has a separation surface which is inclined with respect to the bottom plate of the sheet tray, and defines at least a second portion of the storing portion. The recessed portion is formed in the separation surface and extends toward a downstream end of the separation surface. The separation plate is configured to separate the sheet from the sheets as the feed roller feeds the sheet.
US07862032B2
A feeding device includes a feeding unit configured to be driven while being in contact with a recording sheet to feed the recording sheet, and a stacking unit configured to stack a plurality of the recording sheets and to press or release the stacked recording sheets to or from the feeding unit. Also, the feeding device includes a separating unit configured to separate the plurality of recording sheets fed by the feeding unit, one by one, a detecting unit configured to detect the recording sheet in an area downstream of the separating unit, and a control unit configured to control each of the units. The control unit switches a feeding operation between at least two feeding operations in accordance with a drive time of the feeding unit from when the feeding unit is started to be driven to when the detecting unit detects the recording sheet.
US07862031B2
A media feeder is provided, which includes: a raisable and lowerable hopper on which multiple media are stacked; an elevator moving the hopper to a raised or lowered position; a pick-up roller picking up an upper media stacked on the hopper by rotating while contacting the uppermost media when the hopper is at the raised position; a friction member disposed on the upper surface of the hopper, at a position facing the pick-up roller; and a projecting member disposed below the hopper. The hopper includes a window hole formed in the vicinity of the friction member. When the hopper is at the lowered position, the projecting member projects from the upper surface of the hoper through the window hole. Thus, when media are placed in the feeder, even the lowermost medium does not come into contact with the friction member, thereby facilitating the placement and positional adjustment of the media.
US07862027B2
A sheet loader for loading a folded sheet bundle provided from a sheet bundle provider with a folded edge of the folded sheet bundle in the lead, including: a folded edge support configured to support the folded edge of the folded sheet bundle provided from the sheet bundle provider, the folded edge support movable back and forth in a direction declined from a side near the sheet bundle provider, and an undersurface support configured to support an undersurface of the folded sheet bundle so that the folded edge is lower than a trailing edge of the folded sheet bundle.
US07862024B2
According to the invention, a sheet finisher has a folding mechanism, a discharging mechanism, a stacking mechanism, and a slip amount calculator. The folding mechanism forms a folding line by folding a sheet which an image forming unit discharges. The discharging mechanism discharges the sheet including the folding line which the folding mechanism forms. The stacking mechanism stacks the sheet which the discharging mechanism discharges. The slip amount calculator outputs a fullness state of the stacking mechanism to the image forming unit, if a slip amount of the discharging mechanism exceeds a threshold.
US07862020B2
Signatures are successively conveyed one after another by a conveying system from a printing press to a stack-forming device, in which the signatures are separated into stacks by a separating device. A remaining number of non-stacked signatures of a current production is counted with a counting device. The separating device separates the remaining number of signatures of the current production into standard stacks of a varying length between a minimum length and a maximum length based on the number of the counted remaining signatures.
US07862018B2
In an apparatus for cutting to length sections of a spine insert (1) that is unwound from a supply reel and for bringing together the spine inserts with infed cover boards (8) in a roller applicator (5, 6) for the mechanized production of book cases, the invention proposes that the pair of cut length transport rollers (3.1) for drawing forward a defined drawing-off length (L) of the spine insert (1) and for positioning the spine insert in the cutting device (9) and the pairs of feed rollers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for transporting the cut-to-length spine inserts (1) into the roller applicator (5, 6) through a transport channel (2) can be driven independently of one another, wherein the pairs of feed rollers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) can be intermittently driven in a cyclic fashion with a constant stroke (HZ) while the pair of cut length transport rollers (3.1) carry out the transport stroke (HS), that is variable due to the drawing-off length (L) and features a first motion segment (20a) for synchronizing with the transport movement of the pairs of feed rollers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) and a second motion segment (20c, b) in which the pair of cut length transport rollers is synchronized with the pairs of the feed rollers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) and transports the spine insert (1) together with the pairs of feed rollers.
US07862009B2
A winch includes an electric motor having a fixed stator, and a cylindrical rotor which rotates about the stator. A drum is affixed to the rotor and carries the cable which is wound or unwound by the winch. The winch may be a drawworks for an oil and gas rig.
US07862008B2
A winch has a color area or other indicium that indicates whether an elongate member extending from winch spool is or is not tensioned. The winch includes a biasing member between a winch drive system and the spool that allows only limited rotation of the spool relative to the drive system. Movement of the drive system relative to the winch spool causes the indicium to signal that the elongate member is under tension.
US07862004B2
A gas eliminating control valve assembly, system and method is disclosed. The valve system includes a valve casing coupled to a solenoid actuator assembly. The valve casing includes an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a fluid chamber communicating at least with one inlet conduit and one outlet conduit. The outlet conduit communicates with the fluid chamber at a position at least adjacent a portion of the fluid chamber to conduct gases, bubbles or separated gas out of the fluid chamber during operation of the valve open fluid flow, such that gas entrapment and bubble formation within the fluid chamber is reduced, avoided or eliminated.
US07862003B2
Both improved protection against explosions and the possibility of performing diagnoses even when the I/P converter has been disconnected are to be provided by a position controller (5) for a pressure medium-operated actuating system, the controller being designed to be connected by a pneumatic line to a pneumatic drive (4)-equipped actuator (1) of an actuating element, especially an actuating element of a safety valve (2), where the actuator (1) has an electric power line (6) for controlling an I/P converter (7) according to the live-zero principle, and where the I/P converter (7) can be driven by an electrically controlled switch (10). The goal is achieved in that the switch (10) is designed to be driven by an additional circuit (11), which is connected to the power line (6) and installed in the position controller and which monitors the current in the power line (6).
US07861998B2
An adjustable supporting device for a display panel includes: a coupling seat connected pivotally to a supporting seat mounted on a supporting surface; a mounting frame coupled to the display panel and connected pivotally to the coupling seat; a torsion spring having a first end engaging the mounting frame, and a second end opposite to the first end and engaging movably the coupling seat, and operable to provide a torsional force for supporting an assembly of the mounting frame and the display panel at a desired orientation relative to the coupling seat; and an adjusting member disposed movably in the coupling seat, abutting against the second end of the torsion spring, and operable so as to adjust the torsional force provided by the torsion spring.
US07861992B2
A wall-mount support includes: a wall bracket adapted to be mounted on a wall and having a vertical track; a carrier mounted slidably on the vertical track; a pair of supporting arms, each of which extends from the carrier in a transverse direction relative to the vertical track and each of which is pivoted to the carrier so as to permit angle adjustment therebetween; and a brake mechanism including a friction-providing member connected to the carrier and operable to abut against the vertical track so as to prevent sliding movement of the carrier on the vertical track.
US07861991B1
An attachment apparatus for securing a portable multimedia device to an infant stroller or perambulator that is fully adjustable. The apparatus is connected to the stroller's side support arms by frame clamp mechanisms. An adjustable support arm structure, comprised of a telescopic second arm assembly pivotally attached thereto a telescopic first arm assembly, is attached to the frame clamp mechanisms. A tray assembly removably affixed to a latitudinal adjustment plate is releasably attached to an upper portion of said adjustable support arm structure supports and secures the portable multimedia device. A tilting mechanism at the releasable attachment point adjusts the viewing angle, and latitudinal adjustment is accomplished by manually adjusting the tray assembly in an axial direction with respect to the latitudinal adjustment plate via an adjustment knob and guide. When not in use, the entire apparatus can be detached and stowed to the tray assembly via stowing clips.
US07861978B2
A drive and guidance apparatus for a trailing-edge/landing flap,-arranged on an aircraft mainplane, the apparatus comprising a six-element guide chain having seven rotating joints and one or more shafts; a first coupling element mounted via a crank connected to the mainplane wherein the crank can rotate, the coupling is connected to the flap and to a second coupling element wherein the first coupling can rotate, the second coupling mounted on the mainplane wherein the second coupling can rotate. The second coupling element is connected to the flap via an oscillating support. The crank is arranged wherein the rotation direction of the crank for extension of the flap corresponds to the rotation direction of the crank for the trailing-edge flap of the starboard wing of the mainplane, with the rotation direction of the crank for the trailing-edge flap of the starboard wing being counterclockwise when viewed from the aircraft fuselage.
US07861976B2
Latching elements on a first structure are configured to securely engage corresponding bearings on a second structure, via a lateral member that drives all of the latching elements simultaneously. When engaged, or when disengaged, the system is in a stable state, requiring no active force by the controlling system to maintain the system in each state. Preferably, each latching element is coupled to the lateral member via a pinion that provides a mechanical advantage that substantially reduces the force required on the lateral member to effect the coupling or decoupling. Also preferably, the elements are formed from extruded aluminum forms, thereby providing for a relatively inexpensive and lightweight configuration that is particularly well suited for spacecraft applications.
US07861973B1
A system and method for generating electricity using kites and controlling the kites in flight. A plurality of kites is provided that include a first kite and at least one subsequent kite. The kites form a string of kites that are connected by at least one tether to a reel or similar structure. Each tether has a first end that is coupled to the first kite and a second end that is coupled to the reel. Each tether passes through openings in each subsequent kite. An actuator is carried by the subsequent kite proximate each tether opening. The actuator operates between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. Each actuator engages a tether when in its engaged condition, therein selectively holding the subsequent kite at a fixed point along each tether. The movability of the subsequent kite enables the string of kites to be deployed and retrieved in a simplified manner.
US07861970B2
A fuselage structure for an aircraft or similar vehicle may include an upper fuselage portion and a lower fuselage portion. A floor may be disposed between the upper fuselage portion and the lower fuselage portion. At least one unitized stanchion may be disposed between the floor and the lower fuselage portion. The at least one unitized stanchion may form the only structural support between the floor and the lower fuselage portion without any vertical beams.
US07861968B2
An inlet apparatus and method for use with a cabin air compressor on a high speed, airborne mobile platform, such as a commercial or military aircraft. The apparatus includes a Pitot inlet of a desired shape that is supported outside an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft by a diverter structure. The diverter structure diverts a low energy portion of a boundary layer so that the low energy portion does not enter the Pitot inlet. The Pitot inlet receives the higher energy portion of the boundary layer and channels a ram airflow to an inlet of a cabin air compressor. The apparatus provides a recovery factor (RF) of at least about 0.8 at a cabin air compressor (CAC) inlet face, which keeps the electric power required to drive the CAC within available power limits, while minimizing the drag of the inlet apparatus.
US07861964B2
A spindle sleeve for a sheet product dispenser is disclosed having a body with a first end, a second end, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a central longitudinal axis. The body includes a first portion disposed proximate the first end, a second portion disposed proximate the second end, and a third portion disposed between the first and second portions. The third portion has a U-shaped cutout defining a cantilevered flexible finger oriented to align with the central longitudinal axis, and the first and second portions have unbroken surfaces of the body around the perimeter of the body at the first and second ends, respectively. The finger has a dorsal-type fin extending perpendicular to the outer surface of the finger.
US07861954B2
An electrostatic atomizer including a discharge electrode, a counter electrode, a cooling source, a high voltage power supply and a voltage detector. The cooling source cools the discharge electrode to form thereon dew as water. The power supply applies high voltage for discharge across the electrodes. The detector detects voltage between the electrodes. The power supply includes a control device and a voltage stabilizing device that are opposite to each other in temperature characteristic. The control device operates to pick up the voltage detected with the detector via the voltage stabilizing device, and to adjust the high voltage applied across the electrodes through feedback control so that the voltage corresponds to specified discharge voltage.
US07861937B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a security thread (1) having a microchip (2), comprising the steps of providing a support material on a substrate; softening said support material, preferably by heating said support material; depositing a microchip (2) on or at least partly in the softened support material; and curing said support material, preferably by cooling said support material. The invention also relates to the security thread (1) manufactured by the method, and to a document, preferably a paper document, comprising that security thread.
US07861932B2
A system for printing and interacting with documents comprising: (a) a computer system configured for: receiving a print request; allocating a unique document identifier to the document in response to receiving the print request; and associating the document identifier with a description of the document; (b) a printer for printing the document containing human-readable content together with a coding pattern on a surface; and (c) an optically imaging pen for sensing a portion of the coding pattern during handwritten input on the document and for generating a signal indicative of the unique document identifier and a position of the pen relative to the document. The computer system is further configured for: receiving the signal from the pen; determining the document identifier and the position of the pen; retrieving the description associated with the document identifier; interpreting the positions as a path of handwritten input; and updating the description with information corresponding to the handwritten input.
US07861930B2
A system that enables a wireless point-of-sale transaction. In one embodiment the system comprises an account module, an account selection module, a display, an input interface, and a wireless transmitter. The account module stores account information corresponding to a plurality of payment accounts. The account selection module selects a payment account from the plurality of payment accounts as a default payment account for a wireless point-of-sale transaction based on one or more predetermined criteria. The display displays the default payment account to a user. The input interface enables the user to accept the default payment account by the account selection module. The wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits payment information to a point-of-sale device, wherein the payment information comprises account information associated with the default account when the default payment account is accepted via the input interface.
US07861929B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a provision of access to services. A time delimited, multiple use ticket/admissions card is provided that controls admission to services offered by participating service providers. The ticket/admissions card is issued to a ticket holder, and the card is valid for a certain amount of uses, where each use should be completed during a certain period of time. The first use of the card, for example, should be completed within a first time period, and if the first use is not completed during this first time period, then the first use expires; the second use of the card should be completed within a second time period, and if the second use is not completed during this second time period, then the second use expires. In this way, the ticket/admissions card provides a time delimited, multiple use scheme to control allowed admittance to authorized services.
US07861923B2
There is provided a check with additional data capture capability that in conjunction with a linked transaction card provides substantially complete coverage for card holders to conduct transactions with merchants for the payment of goods and services. The additional data capture capability enabling generation of a card statement with detailed information regarding purchases and expenditures of both check transactions and card transactions to thereby permit a card holder to accurately track, monitor, describe, and reconcile all transactions in a statement period. The check comprises first and second data entry location for identification and descriptive information about a financial transaction, account holder name adjacent to a drawer signature field and check limit adjacent to a written check amount field, as well as other check information and entry fields, including routing, account and check reference number, date, payee designation, numeric check amount and account holder and financial institution information.
US07861909B2
Lead-free solder is replenished to a solder bath to receive a work having copper, the work to be processed subsequent to a soldering process using an air knife or a die. The replenished lead-free solder includes Sn as a major composition and at least 0.01 to 0.5 mass percent Ni. By replenishing the lead-free solder having the above composition, the density of the solder bath, being sharply changed for using one of a HASL device and a die, is quickly restored back to within an appropriate range.
US07861908B2
A component mounting apparatus includes a component feeder that feeds a component with its bump electrodes facing down, a mounting head that mounts the component onto a substrate, a supporting base that secures the substrate, and a positioning device that aligns the component with the substrate. The mounting head includes an ultrasonic vibration generator, an ultrasonic vibration propagation member that conveys the ultrasonic vibration provided by the ultrasonic vibration generator to a working face holding the component as vibration parallel thereto, a pressure loader that applies a pressure load to the working face from a position immediately thereabove in the direction perpendicular thereto, and a heater that heats the vicinity of the working face. Thereby, ultrasonic bonding is carried out with high reliability even if the component has a number of bump electrodes on its face.
US07861906B2
A surgical stapling apparatus for use with a disposable loading unit. Various embodiments include an elongated body assembly that comprises a distal body segment and a proximal body segment that are operably coupled together by an intermediate articulation joint such that the proximal body segment and the distal body segment define a longitudinal axis. The intermediate articulation joint may be configured to facilitate articulation of the distal body segment about an intermediate articulation axis that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. The elongated body assembly may be configured to transfer actuation motions from an actuation shaft housed in a handle assembly to the disposable loading unit. In various embodiments, the intermediate articulation joint may be adjacent to the handle assembly.
US07861899B2
A single-use dispenser using air pressure and includes an outer vessel in which air and content material are charged, a fixed body coupled to an open upper end of the outer vessel, a valve installed in the fixed body for selectively dispensing the content material using pressurized air, and a push button coupled to a top of the valve for pushing the valve, thereby spraying out the content material and air, wherein the valve includes a hollow body, a hollow valve body elastically supported to a top of the body and moving into and out of a hollow of the body, a packing member installed on the valve body for blocking an orifice pipe, and an air suction hole formed to penetrate the body for supplementing air pressure of the outer vessel.
US07861898B2
A piston pump is provided in which the piston-chamber forming member has a chamber within which a piston of a piston forming element is coaxially slidable. A locating member is provided on the piston forming element for engagement of the piston-chamber forming member externally of the chamber to assist the piston-chamber forming member and the piston forming element while sliding axially maintaining the piston centered and coaxial relative to the chamber.
US07861893B2
A number of surgical devices for the mixing and dispensement of a dual component surgical adhesive onto tissue are described. The surgical devices can provide adhesive storage chambers for the adhesive components within the surgical device and can have removable cartridges that draw and mix and apply the adhesive onto tissue. The removable cartridges can be easily replaced when clogged with set adhesive. Alternately, an adhesive dispensing device can comprise an adhesive dispensing gun containing the dual components of the adhesive and a plurality of rotatable orifices that can dispense the adhesive. One orifice can be selected and aligned with the adhesive dispensing gun to mix and apply the adhesive onto tissue. A fresh orifice can be rotated into alignment with the gun should a prior orifice become blocked.
US07861883B2
Article baskets are adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine. The article baskets can include an article support wall with a plurality of openings defined by an edge extending along a path circumscribing substantially the entire opening. If provided, the edge of each of the openings can be concave in a direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. In addition, or alternatively, the article basket can further include a divider. The divider can include a portion configured to be selectively inserted into a elongated slot of a sidewall to divide the interior area into a first interior area portion and a second interior area portion. In addition, or alternatively, the divider can include a plurality of article receiving openings with at least one protrusion extending partially across the article receiving opening to divide a plurality of articles.
US07861877B2
A foldable container comprises a box including a floor and sidewalls attached to one another to present a chamber. The box further includes foldable panels that shift from a retracted position within the chamber to an upright extended position. The extended panels serve to expand the chamber for containing a liquid or solid bulk material. The extended panels are interconnected by joints that resist tampering and that are tamper-evident. The container further includes a retaining assembly for securely holding the material in the chamber and a lid for covering the chamber. The lid cooperates with the panels to resist tampering and to be tamper-evident. The container also includes stanchions for selectively stacking at least two containers when the containers are storing the bulk material.
US07861870B2
A shoe rack includes subassemblies comprising a lower support including an upward extending sleeve passing through a rear end and having a ridged section on its inner wall, an annular top projection extending inward, and an annular intermediate projection extending inward from the ridged section; and an upper support including a hollow cylinder passing through a rear end and having a ridged structure on its outer surface, an annular top groove on the ridged structure, and an annular intermediate groove on the ridged structure wherein the cylinder is dimensioned to insert into the sleeve to be pivotably frictionally secured thereto by engaging the top groove with the top projection and the intermediate groove with the intermediate projection or engaging the intermediate groove with the top projection; and a pole passing through the sleeve and the cylinder of each subassembly. Each subassembly is adapted to pivot about the pole.
US07861868B2
Chip sorting devices include a rotatable disc having a plurality of wells for receiving chips therein, a plurality of channels for holding stacks of chips, at least one ejector for ejecting chips from the wells of the disc into the channels, and at least one removal lever associated with at least one of the channels. The removal lever has an arm configured to extend adjacent at least a portion of a stack of chips when the stack of chips is in a channel. Other chip sorting devices include a plurality of wells for receiving chips therein, a plurality of channels for holding stacks of chips, at least one ejector for ejecting chips from the wells of the disc into the channels, and at least one spring member configured to bias the ejector to a position.
US07861860B2
A container system for organizing, protecting, sterilizing, storing and delivery of surgical instruments, implants and related devices. An optional cover is removably mounted to a tray and is held thereto by a pair of pivotally mounted handles. Post and button fasteners are removably mounted to the tray and hold rigid and flexible bracketry for securing devices within the assembly.
US07861859B2
A plunger storage and transportation device that is adapted to store, hold, and secure, and is capable of storing, holding, and securing, many different sizes, shapes, and styles of plungers. The plunger storage and transportation device includes structure that secures at least the plunger head within a housing. The device can be easily transported from one location to another while securing a plunger in a contained, clean, and easy manner. Accordingly, the plunger storage and transportation device may be used with, and can transport, a multitude of different plungers produced by a wide variety of plunger manufacturers, and therefore not be limited to one type or size of plunger.
US07861855B2
A container system for separately storing and mixing two or more substances. The container system is comprised of a main container for holding at least one first substance and a cup for holding at least one second substance, the cup being removably mounted on the neck of the main container such that at least a portion of the cup is suspended within the main container. The cup has an upper portion, a lower portion and one or more arms for connecting the upper and lower portions. Apertures are formed between the upper and lower portions of the cup such that the contents of the cup may mix with the contents of the main container following removal of an inner cap attached to the cup, and agitation of the main container. The cup and neck are sized to provide a void therebetween, thereby also permitting the substances to mix.
US07861848B2
A supply station of articles to a plurality of channels opening above a continuous blister strip, of a type comprising supply organs for containing the articles and for dispensing the articles towards conveying means located downstream, which conveying means select and direct the articles in an ordered fashion in an advancement direction towards mouths afforded in the plurality of channels; collection and transfer means, functionally associated to the mouths and receiving and collecting excess articles which accumulate at the mouths, and transferring the excess articles upstream of the mouths, in proximity of a predetermined first zone of the conveying means. In particular the station comprises: directing organs interposed between the supply organs and the conveying organs to release the articles on the conveying organs, in proximity of the first zone; detecting and control organs for detecting a presence or absence of articles and/or excess articles on at least a second zone of the conveying means adjacent to the first zone and for at least temporarily inhibiting the directing organs with a consequent at least temporary interruption of release of the articles by the directing organs in relation to a quantity of articles and/or excess articles present in the second zone, in order to prevent an excess of the articles on the conveying means.
US07861843B2
Travelator, the conveyor of which comprises a frame, which comprises a stationary first frame part and a second frame part that moves in relation to it. The drive wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing rotation onto the first frame part. The power unit rotates the drive wheel. The diverting wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing free rotation onto the second frame part. The transport surfaces are connected to a traction element which is formed as an endless loop, and which is led to pass over the drive wheel and the diverting wheel. The tightening device is arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part to move the diverting wheel linearly away from the drive wheel in order to exert tightening force on the traction element. The travelator comprises identification means for identifying the drive status of the conveyor, and adjustment means for adjusting the tightening force of the tightening device to different force levels based on the drive status identified. In the method the drive status of the conveyor is identified, and the tightening force of the endless traction element of the conveyor of the travelator is adjusted on the basis of the drive status identified.
US07861841B2
A coin depositing and dispensing machine automatically returning coins remaining on a passage in case an error-stop during depositing operation. The coins on the passage are transported by the transporting unit for depositing in a reverse transporting direction reverse to the depositing and transporting direction, one coin in a sorting passage is transported to the upstream side from a rejecting portion. Then, the coins on the passage are transported by the transporting unit for depositing in the depositing and transporting direction, and eliminated by the rejecting portion. While the coins on the passage are transported by the transporting unit for depositing alternately in the depositing and transporting direction and the reverse transporting direction, the coins in the sorting passage are eliminated by the rejecting portion one by one.
US07861826B2
The present disclosure relates to platforms for ladders. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a platform configured to be coupled to rungs of the ladder.
US07861821B2
A blanket system, which can include a blanket, quilt, or similar bed-covering can include one or more localized sound-emitting areas, one or more separately-located sound-processing devices, and one or more acoustically transmissive communication channels coupled between the sound-processing devices and the sound-emitting areas. A control can be provided to adjust the sound characteristics provided at the sound-emitting areas. The system can be used to mask unwanted sounds.
US07861813B2
A ground contact system for a vehicle. The ground contact system comprises a wheel, a hub carrier, means for driving the wheel using at least one rotary motor secured to the hub carrier, reduction means comprising at least one gearwheel connected to the wheel and at least one pinion connected to the rotary motor, a sliding-bar suspension suspending the wheel from a support connected to the vehicle, and braking means. The braking means comprises a brake disc connected by its periphery to the wheel, and a brake calliper positioned inside the brake disc.
US07861806B2
A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to a bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.
US07861801B2
Methods are described using resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well using a drilling mud. Resistivity data ahead of the bit is gathered during drilling and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a target subterranean formation using the drill bit and the drilling mud. The drill string progresses at target dip and azimuth angles toward the region on interest. The resistivity data is used to determine the top of the region of interest while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. A core bit is then installed and a whole core of the region of interest obtained. Resistivity ahead of a drill bit measurements obtained while drilling a subterranean well may also be compared with conventional resistivity measurements obtained from one or more offset wells.
US07861798B2
A hammer device in the form of a needle gun. The gun includes a cylinder housing containing a cylinder, in which a flying piston is displaced and an anvil, against which the piston strikes. A needle carrier is located on the anvil, and the needles of the gun are held in the carrier so that the needles can be longitudinally displaced. To reduce the wear on the needle carrier and to preserve the needle heads of the needles, the needle carrier is configured from several layers, at least in the vicinity of the guide plate. The layers are of alternating hard and soft material.
US07861797B2
An at least partially rotating and axially percussive hand-held machine tool (4) has an impact mechanism (5) with a guide tube (6) in which a percussion piston (7) is driven in an axially percussive manner by a pneumatic spring (8) and with a slip clutch (10) which is driven in rotation, encloses the guide tube (6), is provided axially with cams (9), and has a driving sleeve (11) and driven sleeve (12) which are biased axially relative to one another under pressure by a spring (13). The driving sleeve (11) is connected by positive engagement to a control sleeve (14) coaxial to the driving sleeve by balls (18) which partially engage, respectively, in two control contours (19a, 19b) of the driving sleeve (11) and of the control sleeve (14), which control contours (19a, 19b) are arranged partially opposite one another, and the driving sleeve (11) is positively guided in such a way that the driving sleeve (11), which is axially biased under pressure by the spring (13), is displaced axially and rotated relative to the control sleeve (14) when a limiting torque is exceeded.
US07861794B2
A three-point implement mounting for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle includes an upper member and two lower members. A working implement is coupled to the three-point implement mounting in order to couple the working implement to the utility vehicle. In order to provide an interface between the utility vehicle and the working implement which is versatile and can adapted to the physical application, the three-point implement mounting is of modular design and has a coupling interface for coupling the three-point implement mounting to the utility vehicle.
US07861793B2
A stabilising and release system, for an agricultural apparatus having a mounting portion for mounting the apparatus to a tractor, a pendulum mounted on the mounting portion, and a boom for spraying or cutting, which is pivotally mounted to the pendulum at a pivot point so as to allow pivoting of the boom relative to the pendulum. The system stabilises the boom against movement imparted to it by disruptive forces which disturb the natural position of the boom by proving a rigid damper arranged between the support frame and the boom and arranged to damp relative movement of the boom and the mounting frame caused by disruptive forces, the damper has an articulated coupling which allows the damper to articulate so that the damper can follow the motion of the boom thus damping any undesired swaying action caused by bumps and ruts over which the tractor passes.
US07861792B2
A system for discharging inert gas for extinguishing or suppressing a fire is disclosed. A fluid discharge control arrangement is positioned in a fluid flow path between a pressurised gas supply 10A,10B,10C and the target fire suppression zone 20. The fluid discharge control arrangement reduces the pressure in the fluid flow path downstream thereof. This may allow the downstream pipework to be selected to withstand a lower pressure than in a conventional system in which the fluid discharge control device was not provided, thereby reducing costs. The fluid discharge control device may comprise a first valve 30 and first restrictor 26 in the first flow path 22 and a second valve 32 and a second restrictor 28 provided in the second flow path 24. Fluid from the containers 10A,10B,10C flows initially through flow path 24 and restrictor 26. Subsequently flow path 22 may be closed by optional valve 30, and flow path 24 is opened by valve 32. Fluid flow then passes through restrictor 28. This reduces the peak pressure in the downstream pipework 34. In another embodiment the discharge of inert gas from the containers 10A,10B and 10C is staggered to reduce the peak pressure in pipeline 34. A further embodiment provides a restrictor in the inlet 14A,14B,14C from each of the containers 10A,10B,10C to the manifold 16, thereby also reducing the peak pressure in the pipeline 34.
US07861784B2
A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.
US07861781B2
A wall casing cement plug assembly includes a receptacle with an axial passage. The receptacle is pumped to a lower end of the casing string and locked in place. The receptacle has a casing seal that engages the string of casing and a retainer mechanism on its exterior that engages a profile in the string of casing. Cement is pumped through the receptacle by rupturing a blocking device in the axial passage of the receptacle. A wiper plug is pumped down the string casing. The wiper plug has a prong on its lower end that stabs into the axial passage of the receptacle. A latch located in the lower portion of the receptacle locks the wiper plug to the body.
US07861780B2
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.
US07861777B2
A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump, an inlet section for receiving fluid, a pump motor, and a viscometer. Pumping system operating parameters are adjusted based on wellbore fluid viscosity measured by the viscometer. The viscometer can be disposed deep in the wellbore, adjacent the pump, seal, motor, at the pump intake or anywhere on the pumping system. The viscometer may be connected to a control system for controlling the pumping system in response to viscosity measurement and may include a sonic viscometer. A method of operating a downhole submersible pumping system is included that measures fluid viscosity in the wellbore during production operations. Pumping parameters can be adjusted based on the measured viscosity.
US07861764B1
A sleeve is provided which is attachable to a back of a quilt or other object to be suspended from a rod or other elongate object. The sleeve is of generally tubular form including a front panel extending from a bottom up to a top pleat. The forward panel is coupled to the back of the quilt through top stitching adjacent the top pleat and bottom stitching adjacent the bottom. Preferably, a rear panel similar in form to the forward panel extends up from the bottom to an upper pleat. A gusset is also preferably provided between the forward panel and the rear panel with the gusset itself formed of a first panel and second panel spaced from each other by a center pleat. The forward panel has a length between the top pleat and the bottom which is less than half of an entire circumferential length of the sleeve.
US07861755B2
A pneumatic tire includes a tread surface having a middle rib defined by a first circumferential groove and a second circumferential groove in its center region. Middle lateral grooves, that obliquely extend in the widthwise direction of the tire, are disposed at predetermined intervals in the tire circumferential direction in the middle rib; only one terminal end of each middle lateral groove communicates with one circumferential groove of the first and second circumferential grooves. An assistant groove is provided between each of adjacent middle lateral grooves; the assistant groove extends in such an inclined manner that the inclination direction thereof with respect to the tire circumferential direction is opposite to that of the middle lateral grooves; a block is defined by the assistant groove, middle lateral grooves and one circumferential groove. The middle lateral grooves each include a first inclined groove portion having an inclination angle a ranging from 35 degrees to 60 degrees and a second inclined groove portion having an inclination angle β ranging from 0 degree to 30 degrees.
US07861748B2
A refueling facility (200) according to the present invention comprises a refueling source (210) for refueling a fuel cell vehicle with fuel, a power supply source (220) for supplying power to the fuel cell vehicle, and a controller (230) for controlling refueling and power supply from the refueling facility (200) to the fuel cell vehicle. The forward end of a refueling path (211) and that of a power supply path (221) are integrated into a supply connector (240). The refueling and the power supply are achieved by connecting the supply connector (240) to a fuel receptacle (110) of the fuel cell vehicle.
US07861743B1
A sacrificial lining system for a conduit is disclosed and comprises a liner portion having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end defining a proximal opening and the distal end defining a distal opening. The lining system further comprises a flange portion positioned at and being united to the proximal end of the liner portion. The flange portion surrounds the proximal opening. The distal end of the liner portion is free of any flange structure to permit the distal end to be freely insertable into and through the lumen of the conduit.
US07861740B2
A digital flow control assembly for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes a fluid flow conduit, a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and a device for generating a signal. The device for generating a signal is used to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit. A method for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes providing a fluid flow conduit, providing a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and providing a feedback signal to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit.
US07861737B2
Heavy crude transportation optimization method wherein at least one solvent is added to said crude. According to the method, a predetermined amount of dimethyl ether (DME) is added under pressure so as to adjust the viscosity of the crude.
US07861731B2
A cleaning/drying apparatus including a vapor area where vapor of an organic solvent inside the cleaning/drying apparatus is generated, an ejecting part configured to eject the organic solvent onto a cleaning/drying target, a first detecting part configured to determine whether the temperature of the cleaning/drying target is a first temperature equivalent to a temperature of the vapor in the vapor area, a second detecting part configured to determine whether the temperature of the cleaning/drying target is a second temperature enabling the organic solvent to condense on a surface of the cleaning/drying target, and a cleaning/drying control part configured to drive the ejecting part to eject the organic solvent when the first detecting part detects that the temperature of the cleaning/drying target is the first temperature and stop the ejection when the second detecting part detects that the temperature of the cleaning/drying target is the second temperature.
US07861719B1
Airflow is improved for multi-agent chemical biological air-purifying apparatus by providing a filter module that has multiple filter elements contained within a substantially sealed housing. The housing secures the filter elements in a spaced relation such that the top and bottom faces of each filter element are exposed to the flow of air and provides an air path within the housing adapted to channel air through the multiple filter elements in a parallel flow. The filter module may be made from a flexible and resilient plastic material and may be contoured to conform to the shape of a helmet liner or similar headgear.
US07861715B2
A mask system for treating sleep disordered breathing, comprising headgear, a shell/cushion including a channel adjacent a front aperture, a frame, an elbow including at least one undercut on a proximal end, a retaining ring including a rear flange adapted to be retainably insertable in the channel of the shell/cushion, and a front flange adapted to retainably engage with the at least one undercut of the elbow.
US07861707B2
A pellet stove utilizing gravity feed and natural draft more effectively and efficiently burns pellet fuel while producing less air pollution and ash. In one embodiment, the pellet stove has a primary combustion area comprising a burn unit removably disposed in the vent tube, a feed tube defining a fuel chamber above the burn unit and a secondary combustion area, comprising a burn box defining a secondary burn chamber, below the burn unit. The burn unit has a removable receptacle which defines a primary burn chamber that receives pellet fuel from the fuel chamber and discharges substantially burned fuel to the secondary burn chamber for additional burning. Openings in the burn box, pellet receptacle and vent tube draw air into the burn chambers. A control mechanism controls the air flow to regulate the heat generated by the pellet stove. The pellet stove can be manufactured in various aesthetically pleasing designs.
US07861692B2
A coupling arrangement has a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis coupled to a fuel rail at a first axial end area and to a ring element at a second axial end area by a circlip. The cup has at least two slots arranged at the second end area and at least two grooves arranged at least partly circumferentially the cup and axially overlapping with the slots. The ring element is arranged at the central longitudinal axis facing the second end area and coupled to a housing. The ring element has at least two protrusions facing the cup having at least two grooves arranged at least partly circumferentially the ring element in a common plane with the grooves. The circlip is arranged at least partly circumferentially the cup at least partly in the grooves and arranged at least partly circumferentially the ring element at least partly in the grooves.
US07861690B2
The internal combustion engine has a valve driving mechanism (VM) capable of changing the valve-opening characteristic of at least one of an intake valve (Vi) and an exhaust valve (Ve), an in-cylinder pressure sensor for detecting the in-cylinder pressure in a combustion chamber and ECU. ECU calculates the variation amount of the in-cylinder pressure caused by the valve-overlap of the intake valve (Vi) and the exhaust valve (Ve), and based on this variation amount of the in-cylinder pressure and the in-cylinder pressure detected at a predetermined timing in the compression stroke, calculates an amount of air sucked in the combustion chamber, as well as, based on this calculated intake air amount, determines the ignition timing. The amount of air sucked in the combustion chamber is accurately and costlessly calculated, and the ignition timing is optimally determined by using the calculated air amount.
US07861684B2
An engine having improved combustion characteristics is provided. The engine includes a fuel injection system that is variable between two operational states. In the first operating state, the fuel injectors provide a fuel spray having first spray pattern characteristics. When the system detects that an operation characteristic exceeds a threshold, the fuel injectors are displaced into a second operating state. In the second operating state, the fuel injectors provide a spray pattern having first spray pattern characteristics. The combustion cycle may be characterized by timing the fuel injection so that the fuel is sprayed into the cylinder early in the compression stroke. Further still, the combustion cycle may be characterized by controlling the fuel pressure so that the fuel pressure is inversely related to the load on the engine.
US07861675B2
Gestating sows are housed in a series of gestation stalls arranged in a row and backing onto an open alley along a rear of the row of stalls into which the sow can enter by backing out of the stall. A common trough extends along the front of the stalls and is fastened to the floor by fasteners which connect trough sections end to end. The common trough provides a support for the front end of the side walls defining the stalls. A rear gate closes the rear of each stall and connects to a front gate of the stall operable to close the rear gate by the sow as it moves in the stall toward the front. The rear gate latches closed to prevent entry of another sow but is releasable by rear pressure on the rear gate from the sow backing out.
US07861670B2
A bird feeder including an enclosure, heat shield and clinging element especially suited for clinging birds. A suspension element allows the bird feeder to hang from an overhead structure and supports a basket within the enclosure. The basket contains bird feed suspended under the protection of the enclosure and heat shield.
US07861666B2
Apparatus for applying fluids such as adhesive, in particular hot-melt glue, onto a substrate that is movable relative to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a basic body (12) and an applicator valve (22) for selective interruption or release of the stream of fluid. The basic body (12) is connectable to a fluid source and includes a slit-shaped nozzle opening (54) that communicates with a distribution channel (14), and a piston (16) that is movably situated in the distribution channel (14), by means of which the length of the distribution channel (14) which may be supplied with fluid is variable. The nozzle opening (54) communicates with the distribution channel (14) by means of a plurality of output channels (18) spaced at a distance from each other.
US07861663B2
A portable boarding ladder is attached to a rubberized portion of an inflatable boat without the use of piercing fasteners and does not require a hard point mounting structure. A base ladder section and a climbing ladder section are pivotally coupled together and supported in an operative, stand-off boarding position along a curved hull surface of a pontoon boat by a pair of hook support brackets and a pair of latch retainer brackets. The support brackets are bonded to the pontoon by adhesive deposits. A lateral cross bar tubing segment of the base ladder section is supported by hanging engagement on the hook brackets. A pair of side rail tubing segments of the climbing ladder section are retained and secured against lateral shifting displacement and rotation relative to the pontoon by snap-fit engagement against resilient arm portions of the latch retainer brackets.
US07861660B2
An adjustable row cleaner includes a row cleaner assembly that functions to clear material from the ground surface. The adjustable row cleaner includes, in one embodiment, a connector that is in mechanical communication with both a row cleaner frame, to which row cleaner wheels may be pivotally mounted, and a first end of a translator member. The translator member may pivot with respect to the row unit frame and/or row unit sub-frame about a translator member pivot. The position of a translator member second end may be manipulated, thereby adjusting the maximum depth to which the row cleaner wheels penetrate the ground surface. The adjustable row cleaner may be powered or manually adjusted, and the position of the row cleaner wheels may be monitored and automatically adjusted via a control system.
US07861653B2
A cylinder for an offset printing press comprising a steel core and a heat-conducting layer arranged on the steel core in order to uniformly distribute localized steel core heating. The heat can consist of copper and can be arranged in or underneath a functional layer on the cylinder.
US07861652B2
A packing sleeve including an outer lateral surface for a printing unit cylinder of an offset printing press is disclosed, wherein the outer lateral surface has at least one region with an area containing a number of incisions, which increase the elasticity of the packing sleeve in the peripheral direction. The packing sleeve according to the invention can advantageously be used to enlarge the effective outer diameter of a printing unit cylinder in an offset printing press by drawing the packing sleeve over the printing unit cylinder in the offset printing press.
US07861639B1
A hand operated projectile extractor to remove unspent projectiles from 155 mm howitzers, which extractor is generally cylindrical, about 18 inches in length, with a handle extending from the rear thereof and with an overall weight of at least about 30 pounds, to provide enough momentum to eject the projectile. When rammed into the muzzle of a howitzer and down the barrel thereof, the ogive of the projectile enters the open front of the extractor's cylindrical body and will be impacted by a compression ring along the extractor's front edge, which compression ring has a minimum internal diameter of 4.75 inches and is formed of particular flat and curved surfaces which will not bind to either the projectile or the barrel.
US07861637B2
This invention concerns the use of water gels, i.e. mixtures of gels and water in pressure impulse mitigation, e.g. blast mitigation or to prevent damage caused by projectiles. Such water gels have been found to resist over pressures and being aqueous also have applications in the prevention of fire.
US07861623B2
It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for preventing loss of a screw fastening depth regulating member removed from a machine body in a screw fastening machine. A representative screw fastening machine includes a machine body, a motor, an input shaft, an output shaft, a first clutch element, a second clutch element, a biasing member for first and second clutch elements, a screw fastening depth regulating member. The machine body has a holding part formed in an area other than the tip end region of the machine body to removably hold the screw fastening depth regulating member. The holding part is provided such that the screw fastening depth regulating member can be attached to and removed from the holding part by utilizing elastic deformation of the holding part.
US07861620B2
A ratchet wrench has a through cavity in which a reversing lever is disposed. The reversing lever has a pair of protruding lips formed thereon opposite from one another. A cooperating ledge is formed on the head in the cavity and on the pawl which is adjacent to the reversing lever. A spring-loaded pusher is disposed longitudinally in a blind bore in the reversing lever and the pusher engages a pocket in the pawl. A cover plate is disposed on a shelf recessed on the bottom of the wrench and spaced apart from the reversing lever.
US07861618B2
A method of coupling a tool to a length of tubular comprises securing the tool in a basket; lowering a tong arrangement having a rotary part and a stationary part, relative to the basket to engage respective locking members of the tong arrangement and the basket, thereby fixing the basket and the tool relative to the stationary part of the tong arrangement; and rotating the length of tubular using the rotary part of the tong arrangement so as to couple the tool to the length of tubular. A torque measuring flange may be associated with the tong arrangement. The torque measuring flange comprises a top plate and a bottom plate and one or more cylinders disposed between one or more wedges, whereby rotating the top plate causes the wedges to compress a piston in the cylinder.
US07861615B2
A steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A first bracket defines a telescoping slot having a first tooth rack extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second bracket defines a tilting slot having a second tooth rack extending transverse to the telescoping slot. A first locking member and a second locking member are moveable along a pivot axis transverse the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking members have a first locking surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second locking surface transverse to the longitudinal and pivot axes. The locking surfaces are disposed in the telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in the locked position such that the locking surfaces engage the first and second tooth racks, respectively for preventing movement of the column jacket.
US07861614B2
A driving apparatus for a blast furnace charging distribution chute includes: a driving unit comprising a crankshaft connected to a motor to rotate with a variable rotational radius; a power transmission unit comprising a plurality of connection rods connected to the driving unit to linearly transmit power; and a working unit connected to the power transmission unit and fixed to circumference of a distribution chute to rotate or tilt the distribution chute.
US07861613B2
An embodiment provides a method shifting a multispeed transmission. The multispeed transmission includes multiple gear paths having alternating speed ratios and a plurality of shift members. Each shift member is selectively moveable to engage a speed ratio of the transmission. The method includes directing a shift finger to contact a first shift member, moving the first shift member generally in a first generally orthogonal direction to engage a first gear, and moving the shift finger in a second generally orthogonal direction to an intermediate configuration. The shift finger will not contact a selector rail when moved in the first direction when the shift finger is in the intermediate configuration. The method also includes moving the shift finger generally in the second generally orthogonal direction to a second engaged configuration. The shift finger will contact a second shift member when moved in the first direction when the shift finger is in the second engaged configuration.
US07861597B2
There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI technology. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI technology and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed.
US07861591B2
The present invention pertains to a device for ultrasonic inspection of a weld seam of a longitudinally welded pipe for longitudinal defects with an inspection unit, which is relatively displaceable on a pipe surface on at least one side of the weld seam. The device also has two inspection heads in a tandem and spatially-variable arrangement, such that they can be positioned relative to the pipe surface to correspond to an intended acoustic irradiation angle independent of the diameter of the pipe. According to the invention, one inspection head acts as a transmitter and the other inspection head acts as a receiver. The device also has a pick-up connected to each of the two inspection heads, a coupling means connection connected to each pick-up, and a replaceable connecting element connected each pick-up via the coupling means connection.
US07861590B2
A method for measuring an amount of a sublimate in real time with respect to a lapse of heating time, comprising: adhering the sublimate from a thermoset film during heating to a surface of a crystal oscillator using a nozzle inserted into a detection part; and measuring the amount of the sublimate from a change in a resonance frequency corresponding to the amount of the sublimate adhered to the crystal oscillator. In the method, the thermoset film may be formed on a silicon wafer and the measurement is performed while the thermoset film is heated by a heat source disposed under the silicon wafer; or the sublimate may be set so as to flow together with an airstream ascending toward an upper part of an enclosure covering the thermoset film, and the airstream directly contacts the crystal oscillator through the nozzle inserted into the detection part disposed in the path of the airstream.
US07861588B2
The present invention relates to a force rebalance control system and method using an automatic gain control loop, which are configured to perform the force rebalance feedback control of a vibratory gyroscope using the automatic gain control loop for controlling the velocity signal of a mass body. Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in that a conventional digital circuit, which is complicated and sensitive to noise, can be implemented using a simple analog circuit, and the present invention can be extended and applied to general- purpose vibratory gyroscopes or various sensor fields, such as those of an inertial sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor, as well as micro-gyroscopes. Further, a force rebalance control system using an automatic gain control loop according to the present invention is applied to various sensors, thus improving performance, such as the dynamic range, bandwidth, and linearity of the sensors.
US07861575B2
A micro gas sensor is disclosed including a substrate; an open cavity formed in the substrate; an electrode pad separation groove formed on the substrate; a first and a second electrode pads formed over the substrate and electrically insulated from each other by the electrode pad separation groove; a micro heater connected to the first electrode pad and configured of a bridge structure suspended over the open cavity; a first sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; a second sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; and a gas sensing film electrically coupled to the micro heater and filling a gap between the first and the second sensing electrodes.
US07861572B2
A method and device are disclosed for producing tubes that are at least partially profiled on their interior and preferably on their exterior from a hollow cylindrical blank (3), using a mechanical cold forming method, wherein the end of the blank (3) that is not to be machined (3′) is fed to a clamping device (10). The blank (3) is then secured in the clamping device (10) and a mandrel (2) is subsequently inserted into the end of region (3) of the blank (3) that is to be machined. A lance (8) is guided in the mandrel so that it can be coaxially displaced in a longitudinal direction and the free end of the lance (8′) can be introduced into the clamping device (10). The tip (8′) of the lance (8) is then brought into a positive fit with the clamping device (10) in the axial direction of the blank (3) and the mandrel (2), together with the clamping device (10) and the blank (3) is guided axially through a fixed machining point (6). Radial exterior machining of the surface of the blank (3) along the section that is to be machined (3′) takes place at the machining point (6), to create the interior and exterior profiling of the blank (3). During the process, the mandrel (2) is preferably rotated about its axis in an intermittent manner.
US07861570B2
The present invention provides a method of forming a drug eluting stent, the method comprising coupling a stent framework to a mandrel, inserting the mandrel with stent framework into an open die, the die including a forming surface including a plurality of raised indentation forming portions; closing the die against the stent framework; pressing the raised indentation portions into the stent framework to form indentation in the stent framework; and inserting at least one drug polymer into the indentation formed in the stent framework.
US07861559B2
A device for feeding yarns for knitting machines comprising a supporting element arranged on the inner side of the machine bed which supports a set of yarn guides arranged side-by-side. Each of the yarn guides has a passage for at least one yarn to be fed to the needles of the machine arranged in the bed and the supporting element, for each of the yarn guides, supports an element for clamping and cutting the yarn dispensed by the corresponding yarn guide. A first actuator for the yarn guides is provided for the passage of the yarn guides from an inactive position to an active position, and a second actuator is provided for actuating the clamping and cutting elements. The first actuator comprises individual actuators actuated to produce passage of each of the yarn guides from the inactive position to the active position or vice versa.
US07861552B1
An insulated carrier having an interior lip for supporting a planar organizer having a plurality of spaced apart apertures for receiving user provided containers and organizer aperture covers for covering said containers. The carrier having a lid for covering said carrier and having segregated storage compartments for utilitarian use, such as cutlery storage. The storage compartments having a latch door providing access therein.
US07861548B2
A compact heat pump system and a heat pump operation method, which can avoid the occurrence of surging in a compressor at startup of a heat pump and can directly supply vapor of a working medium produced by the compressor to an external heat-utilizing facility. The heat pump system includes an evaporator for recovering heat of an external heat source to a working medium supplied as liquid water from the exterior via a water feed channel, thereby evaporating the working medium, a compressor for compressing the working medium evaporated in the evaporator and increasing temperature of the evaporated working medium, and a driving unit for giving motive power to drive the compressor. The heat pump system further includes a supply channel for supplying, as a heat source, vapor of the working medium having temperature increased by the compressor to an external heat-utilizing facility, and a return channel branched from the supply channel and introducing the working medium discharged from the compressor to the evaporator.
US07861544B2
What is disclosed is a system designed to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide optional carbonation of the extracted water for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water, while also providing a means to combine the purified water with CO2 gas to facilitate dispensing carbonated water and/or carbonated drinks.
US07861539B2
A cooling fan with thermostatic air output has a water cistern and a water reservoir respectively disposed on the top portion and the bottom portion of the fan body, wherein an electric fan and two pipes of recycling pipe and water outlet pipe for water circulation are disposed therein; Wherein a Thermoelectric Cooling Modules (TECM) is secured in said water cistern, and a water absorbing curtain is hung downwards between the wind inlet of said fan body and said electric fan such that the top end of said water absorbing curtain being immersed in the water cistern; Then, by means of the sucking function of said electric fan in front of said water absorbing curtain, the air of normal temperature from wind inlet is sucked and blown out of the wind outlet via said water absorbing curtain, where the inlet air mixing with moisture of lower temperature; Thus, the cooling effect in breeze of lower temperature by blowing action is achieved so as to let us enjoy such cooling breeze.
US07861534B2
A method of starting a turbine engine at a first engine speed value which is lower than a second engine speed value designed for a normal engine starting operation, comprises varying a fuel flow into a combustor of the engine to start the engine in repeatedly alternating speed acceleration and deceleration cycles in order to create an engine speed augmentation in each of the speed acceleration and deceleration cycles, thereby achieving the second engine speed value while preventing the engine from being overheated, and then beginning the normal engine starting operation.
US07861528B2
A fuel nozzle having a dedicated circuit to cool the diffusion tip with lower part count and reduced complexity. More specifically, the proposed design uses an independent circuit to cool the tip with diffusion fuel or purge air. An impingement plate may be provided to augment the cooling effect.
US07861527B2
A thermal power generation apparatus comprises a boiler (15) and multiple turbine sets for high, intermediate and lower steam pressure operation. Steam exhausted from the high pressure turbine (HP), and reduced in both pressure and temperature, is returned to a reheater (19) for reheating. The reheated steam is then passed to a intermediate pressure turbine (IP). It is desirable to control the temperature of steam entering the intermediate pressure turbine (IP). The invention provides a system for effecting temperature control of the reheater stream in a thermal power plant. The system includes a reheater conduit (10, 21) adapted to define at least a part of a reheat flow path for steam between an exhaust of a high pressure turbine system (HP) and an inlet of a reheater system (19). The system further includes an indirect water/steam heat exchanger (B) having a heat exchange portion within the reheat flow path and defining a water flow path means adapted to receive and circulate feed water. The feed water may be taken from take off points (A, D) in the primary feed water stream.
US07861523B2
In a vehicular brake system, an input piston and a pressure piston are coaxially and axially movably supported in a cylinder, and a brake pedal is coupled to the input piston. Pressure chambers formed on the axially opposite sides of the input piston communicate with each other via a communication passage. A control oil pressure can be supplied to a first supply port of the communication passage, and a reaction-force oil pressure can be supplied to a second supply port of a reaction-force chamber of the input piston, while braking oil pressures can be delivered from delivery ports of the respective pressure chambers.
US07861517B2
A method for controlling temperature of a catalyst. The method includes monitoring temperature of the catalyst and determining that the catalyst is outside of a catalyst operating temperature window. If the catalyst temperature is high enough for exothermic reaction to occur, reformate is injected into the catalyst. If the catalyst not high enough for exothermic reaction to occur, reformate is injected upstream of the catalyst and ignited.
US07861515B2
A method of monitoring a performance of an oxygen sensor is disclosed. One embodiment comprises determining a first air/fuel ratio from a signal from an exhaust oxygen sensor; determining a second air/fuel ratio from a temperature upstream of the particulate filter, a pressure differential across the particulate filter and one or more of an airflow into the engine and a fuel flow into the engine; comparing the first air/fuel ratio and the second air/fuel ratio; and diagnosing an error condition of the oxygen sensor if the first air/fuel ratio does not meet a predetermined condition relative to the second air/fuel ratio.
US07861510B1
A high temperature heat exchanger for use with a small gas turbine engine to produce a combined cycle power plant, where the heat exchanger includes ceramic heat exchange tubes of SiC that are tightly fitted to the heat exchanger so that no welds or brazing is used and prevent any thermal stresses between the tubes and the heat exchanger end plates or baffle plates. The heat exchanger includes an inner casing and an outer casing with the heat exchange tubes extending through the heat exchanger between the two casings, and the gas turbine engine operating in the space within the inner casing. The tubes are tightly fitted in holes within the end plates and baffle plates, and a molybdenum disulfide coating is used to form a seal.
US07861508B2
A device for supporting a cable between a vehicle body and a movable member movably connected to the vehicle body is provided with a guide member including a first opening communicating with a hollow portion of a frame body and used for the insertion of the cable, a second opening spaced apart by a specified angle from the first opening, communicating with the hollow portion and used for the insertion of the cable, and a three-dimensional arcuate surface on the outer surface of the frame body; and a supporting member for rotatably holding the arcuate surface of the guide member. The supporting member is fixed to the vehicle body and/or movable member. The cable is inserted from the first opening of the guide member to the second opening through the hollow portion, so that the guide member can follow angular changes of the cable in vertical, transverse and oblique directions.
US07861507B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a high-strength prestressing strand having a seven-wire structure in which one core wire and six outer wires are stranded. An external diameter of the strand is from 15.0 mm to 16.1 mm, a total cross-sectional area of the strand is 135 mm2 or more, and a load at 0.2% permanent elongation is 266 kN or more. A relaxation value measured after a 1000-hour relaxation test is 2.5% or lower and a diameter of the core wire is 5.35±0.3 mm and a diameter of the outer wires is 5.15±0.25 mm. The core wire and the outer wires each have a composition of at least 0.90% carbon. The prestressing strand is manufactured by stranding the core wire and outer wires, giving a stretching treatment, and giving a bluing treatment at a temperature of 380° C. or more and 430° C. or less after or at the same time with the stretching treatment.
US07861506B2
An arrangement is provided for the adjustment of the position of a take-up drum and a hold-down of an agricultural harvesting machine. A first actuator is arranged for the movement of the take-up drum relative to the harvesting machine between an operating position and a non-operating position, a second actuator arranged for the adjustment in height of the hold-down relative to the take-up drum and a control arrangement connected with the actuators. The control arrangement is designed to control the second actuator in the sense of a downward movement of the hold-down when it controls the first actuator to bring the take-up drum into the non-operating position.
US07861499B2
A filling machine for open, sealable sacks includes a fill pipe for filling the attached sacks with contents having a tendency to develop dust, and a cleaning device which includes a blow rail for cleaning the inner faces of the sack mouth rim and side folds of a sack by an air flow which emerges from the blow rail. The blow rail is fastened to two-armed levers which can be pivoted about a stationary axis by means of a drive. As a result, the air jets are directed onto the surfaces to be cleaned from different directions during the cleaning process and the layers of the side folds are also separated from one another and cleaned. The filling machine is suitable, in particular, for filling powdery contents.
US07861497B2
A box wrapping assembly and method incorporates a framework having a special top hold-down platen that functions with a cooperating fixture that is affixed to a rotatable turntable. Using this assembly and method, the operator can place four sidewall panels in a self-positioning fixture and panel-capturing platen prior to wrapping. Stretch film is connected to the fixture by a hook device and the stretch film is automatically pre-stretched to a rope of stretched film for particular application where the box contents are intended to be contained within the box under pressure.
US07861492B2
Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.
US07861491B2
A powder medicine dispensing/packaging apparatus includes: a divisional container composed of a first divisional container and a second divisional container connectable to each other and each including a plurality of powder medicine accommodation parts accommodating powder medicine in equal amounts corresponding to one package, each powder medicine accommodation part being equipped with a bottom plate that can be opened and closed; a carrying device for horizontally carrying the divisional container between an initial position and a first movement terminal position; a dispensing/packaging device for recovering powder medicine dropped from the divisional container carried by the carrying device by successively opening the bottom plates and dispensing/packaging the powder medicine package by package; and a swinging device for canceling the connection between the first divisional container and the second divisional container at the first movement terminal position to enable the first divisional container to move to a second movement terminal position and swinging the second divisional container to a retracted position.
US07861489B2
A preform having edges overlapped and jointed, two outer members for forming outer surfaces of a hydroformed product, and reinforcement members for forming reinforcement ribs that divide a hollow cross section of the hydroformed product, including a joint formed by, when more than three sheet materials for forming the outer members and the reinforcement members are overlapped together, welding a first sheet material on a surface of the overlapped sheet materials to a second sheet material positioned inside the first sheet material, and a space disposed and aligned with a joint plane between the second sheet material and a third sheet material located inside the second sheet material during the welding process.
US07861478B2
A roof membrane is disclosed, for use in simulating a standing seam metal roof when applied to a roof surface and a roof system is also provided, that employs the roof membrane, disposed between longitudinal, but spaced-apart, generally parallel roof battens. Underlayments of various constructions are also provided, beneath the membrane, as an option. Caps are provided for upstanding legs of the roof battens.
US07861454B2
The invention is a fishing system comprising a fishing pole with a force measuring device coupled to a transmitter. The transmitter broadcasts a signal including a representation of the force measured by the force measuring device. The fishing system includes a receiver configured to receive the transmitted force data generated by the fishing pole or poles. The receiver may be configured to display, store, or process force data received from said fishing pole or multiple fishing poles.
US07861452B2
Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs.
US07861446B2
The present invention comprises a simple, inventive sign bracket for use in the creation of signs of surprising structural integrity in a range of dimensions, said bracket characterized by a profile comprising a sign body, a C-bracket, and optionally an interlocking sign hanger and/or an angle retainer.
US07861427B2
The application relates to indicating a grade for example in constructions applications using a laser beam. A laser beam is emitted from a laser unit to a desired direction having a grade angle with regard to a level angle. The level sensor is provided for adjusting the level angle and a grade sensor is provided for indicating a grade angle on the basis of the level angle from the level sensor.
US07861418B2
A reciprocatory saw, in particular, a jigsaw, is made up of a pitman with a chuck arranged for the releasable clamping of a saw blade. The chuck contains a movably mounted chuck jaw arrangement able to be clamped laterally against the saw blade shank, a wedge element arrangement adjacent to and for cooperation with the chuck means, a first spring acting downwardly on the inserted saw blade and a second spring acting on the wedge element arrangement downwardly. The wedge element arrangement is connected with the chuck jaw arrangement in a manner for the transmission of rotary movement and from the outside and is able to be shifted between a bottom clamping position clamping the chuck jaw arrangement against the saw blade shank and a top release position freeing the chuck jaw arrangement. The wedge element arrangement assumes an angular position turned in relation to the clamping position and is seated on a stationary holding face.
US07861417B2
A portable electric cutting apparatus includes a housing for housing an electric motor rotating a saw blade, a saw cover attached to the housing, the saw cover having a shape to cover an upper half of an outer periphery, the saw cover including a saw blade housing portion at least partially housing the saw blade and a cylindrical portion having a substantially cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion connecting to the housing at an end face of the cylindrical portion a base being joined to at least one of the saw cover and the housing, the base having an opening to allow the saw blade to project downwardly from a bottom face which is slidable on a cut material and a fan being driven by the electric motor, wherein a discharge passage forming member is provided with the saw cover so as to form a discharge passage by cooperating with a wall face of the saw cover.
US07861413B2
A moving tracks dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly including a concentric outer member operable for securely engaging a equalizer link bore structure associated with a first end portion of an equalizer link structural member, wherein the concentric outer member is disposed substantially within the equalizer link bore structure. The dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly also including a concentric inner member operable for securely engaging a pin structure associated with a second moving track roller frame assembly structural member, wherein the concentric inner member is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member. The dozer equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly further including an elastomeric section disposed between the concentric inner member and the concentric outer member, wherein the elastomeric section is bonded to an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member, and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the second moving track roller frame assembly structural member pin structure relative to the first equalizer link structural member.
US07861411B2
A composite gear and method of making same. In one embodiment the gear includes a body portion having a plurality of teeth. The gear is formed by placing it in a suitable tool such that a compressive stress is exerted on the teeth adjacent the root portion of each tooth. A portion of the gear adjacent the teeth is wrapped with a resin fibrous material that is allowed to cure while the compressive stress is maintained on the gear. When the resin fibrous material has at least substantially cured and the gear is removed from the tool, a permanent compressive stress is formed at the root portion adjacent each tooth. The compressive stress counteracts the tension stress that is experienced at the root portions of the teeth when the gear is in use, thus significantly strengthening (i.e., toughening) the gear and increasing its fatigue life.
US07861409B2
A method of preparing a surface of a counterbore surrounding an orifice in an orifice layer includes determining a property of a fluid to be ejected through the orifice, and controlling a surface characteristic of the counterbore surface based on the property of the fluid.
US07861408B2
A cooling surface for cooling an electronic component, the surface having two sets of fins, each set of fins defining a set of channels, and a number of passageways connecting the sets of channels. The cooling surface can be attached to an electronic component, such as a chip, and refrigerant supplied to at least one of the sets of channels. When the temperature of the electronic component rises, the heat is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling surface, at least some of which vaporizes to carry heat away from, and facilitate cooling of, the component.
US07861405B2
A xerographic micro-assembler system, method and apparatus that includes a sorting unit that is adapted to receive a plurality of micro-objects. The micro-objects can also be sorted and oriented on the sorting unit and then transferred to a substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include a device for detecting errors in at least one of the micro-objects on the sorting unit and a protection means for preventing an improper micro-object from being transferred to the substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include an organized micro-object feeder assembly that can transfer at least one of a plurality of micro-objects to the sorting unit or directly to the substrate.
US07861401B2
A high performance TMR element is fabricated by inserting an oxygen surfactant layer (OSL) between a pinned layer and AlOx tunnel barrier layer in a bottom spin valve configuration. The pinned layer preferably has a SyAP configuration with an outer pinned layer, a Ru coupling layer, and an inner pinned layer comprised of CoFeXBY/CoFeZ wherein x=0 to 70 atomic %, y=0 to 30 atomic %, and z=0 to 100 atomic %. The OSL is formed by treating the CoFeZ layer with oxygen plasma. The AlOx tunnel barrier has improved uniformity of about 2% across a 6 inch wafer and can be formed from an Al layer as thin as 5 Angstroms. As a result, the Hin value can be decreased by ⅓ to about 32 Oe. A dR/R of 25% and a RA of 3 ohm-cm2 have been achieved for TMR read head applications.
US07861394B2
A method for making a composite tubular structure, such as the inner skin of an acoustic liner, includes providing a tool that is adjustable between a molding position and a non-molding position. The tool has a base on which are mounted a plurality of sectors, each sector having an outer panel provided with a predetermined shaped surface. The predetermined shaped surface corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. At least one of the sectors is fixed relative to the base while the remaining sectors are movable in a radial direction and separable from all the other sectors. The method includes adjusting the movable sectors until the tool is in the molding position, applying composite material on an outer surface of each sector, curing the composite material to form an inner skin, and removing the inner skin from the outer surface. The thus-formed composite tubular structure may be remounted on the tool for bonding to additional exterior layers.
US07861391B2
A method of and a device for mounting and functional verification of roll fittings (4) in rolling mill stands (1), wherein at least a partial number of the roll fittings (4) forms a respective module (5), with savings of mounting and verification time, and wherein the modules (5) are arranged, for pre-assembly with functional verification, on a mounting plate outside of the roll stand (1), is adjusted and/or verified, and at least one adjusted and/or verified module (5) is operatively arranged between two rolling mill stands (1), primarily, in the stand gap (9) and is arranged on a base frame (8) at constructively fixable support points (10).
US07861390B2
European-style long rail pulls are installed on cabinet doors to replace previously installed knobs or short handles on such cabinet doors. Standoff devices are used to rigidly secure the European-style rail pulls while covering unsightly holes left exposed after removal of the knobs from the cabinet doors. The standoff device is a generally cylindrical body have a flat bottom surface and a bore aligned with the exposed holes on the cabinet doors, and an upper surface shaped and sized to securely grip the long rail about its circumference.
US07861386B2
In the annealing step of the method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, the annealing in conducted in two steps: a first annealing step; and a second annealing step conducted at a temperature lower and for a time longer than those of the first annealing step. With such treatment, first, grain growth inside the piezoelectric film can be sufficiently induced, while minimizing the diffusion layer growth, by the first annealing step conducted at a high temperature within a short interval, and then lattice defects in the particles can be sufficiently corrected, while preventing the diffusion layer growth, by the second annealing step conducted at a temperature lower and for a time longer than those of the first annealing step. Accordingly, the piezoelectric characteristic can be improved by sufficiently conducting annealing, while restricting the thickness of the diffusion layer to a range where the piezoelectric characteristic is not affected.
US07861384B2
A fixing element fixes a part to a support wall. When the fixing element is inserted into an opening in the support wall and reaches a predetermined end position, the fixing element locks to the support wall. The fixing element includes a stop element, a snap-on element, and an unlocking element. The stop element bears against a side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The snap-on element is positioned on an inner side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The unlocking element is connected to the snap-on element. The unlocking element is configured to permit the snap-on element to be unlocked and the fixing element to be removed from the opening. An installation tool and a testing tool may be used in conjunction with the fixing element.
US07861377B2
An abrasion-enhanced hinge has a pintle, a washer assembly and a stationary leaf. The pintle is connected securely to a cover of an electronic device. The washer assembly has multiple stationary washers and multiple rotating washers. The stationary and rotating washers are mounted interlacedly around the pintle. The stationary washers are connected securely to each other. The rotating washers are connected securely to the pintle. The stationary leaf is connected securely to a base of the electronic device and is connected securely to the nearest stationary washer. When the cover is pivoted to the base, the pintle is rotated relative to the stationary leaf. Thus, the rotating washers are rotated relative to the stationary washers. Because the stationary and rotating washers are mounted interlacedly, the rotations between the stationary and rotating washers provide a lot of abrasions. Therefore, the hinge provides enhanced abrasion.
US07861371B2
Disclosed is a door damper, in which a safety check valve is installed in consideration of the case in which an impact exceeding a design pressure will be applied, thereby absorbing the impact to enable a door to be closed safely and smoothly. In the door damper, a safety check valve is installed in a piston, and thus is opened in cooperation with another check valve installed between a spring holder and the piston when the pressure exceeding a design pressure is applied. Thereby, when the impact exceeding the design pressure occurs, the safety check valve can absorb the impact to prevent damage. A channel can be adjusted by only ridges formed on an outer circumference of the check valve, so that productivity can be improved thanks to easy tolerance management. Further, an oil seal is not contracted or deformed in spite of long-term use.
US07861368B2
A vacuum cleaning head includes a rotatable brush bar and an air turbine driving the brush bar. An air inlet admits air to drive the turbine. A button is movable between an open position, in which it admits air to the turbine, and a closed position in which it closes the inlet and prevents air from reaching the turbine. The button is movable in response to the speed of rotation of the turbine or to the flow of air to or through the turbine exceeding a predetermined limit.
US07861366B2
A robot cleaner system having an improved docking structure between a robot cleaner and a docking station, which is capable of an easy docking operation of the robot cleaner and preventing loss of a suction force generated in the docking station. The robot cleaner includes a docking portion to be inserted into a dust suction hole of the docking station upon a docking operation. The docking portion may be a protrusion, which protrudes out of a robot body to be inserted into a dust suction path defined in the docking station, the protrusion communicates a dust discharge hole of the robot cleaner with the dust suction path of the docking station. The robot cleaner system includes a coupling device to keep the robot cleaner and the docking station in their docked state. The coupling device is configured to have a variety of shapes.
US07861358B2
The disclosure provides a cleaning device and a method of manufacturing the same. The cleaning device is configured to be effectively used for cleaning, polishing, drying, scrubbing, and scouring. The cleaning device is constructed of a combination of materials wherein the different component materials are inherently better suited for different functions. The component materials are sized, arranged, and combined to provide a highly effective and versatile cleaning tool.
US07861356B2
A brush head of compact design, which includes a bristle carrier having secured to it bristles, and an elastic element for holding an oral, dental and/or gingival cleaning and/or care substance. The elastic element is joined to the bristle carrier by means of a support element. The bristle carrier is made of a first plastic, the support element of a second plastic, and the elastic element of a third plastic.
US07861351B2
An electric cleaning sweeper comprises a housing, including a detachable dirt tray placed inside the housing; and at least one openable wall located on the dirt tray wherein the openable wall is responsive to movement of a device located on the handle which can pick up the dirt tray and remove it off the housing to discharge the dust and debris while direct contact of the dirt tray by a human hand is avoided.
US07861349B2
The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
US07861344B2
A washing machine which prevents wrinkling of laundry in washing, rinsing, and dehydrating operations, and a method for controlling the same. The method includes determining whether a wrinkle preventing course is selected, performing a washing operation by supplying washing water to a water level designated according to an amount of the laundry disposed in the washing machine, when it is determined that the wrinkle preventing course is selected, and measuring a time of the washing operation, and additionally supplying the washing water at a designated time before the washing of the laundry is completed.
US07861340B2
A treatment bed has two lifting motors connected in parallel mechanically in the height-adjustable lifter. In order to load the lifting motors evenly and avoid torsions in the lifter, a balancing circuit that measures the supply currents of the lifting motors is provided. If a difference is determined, then the respective current is briefly interrupted several times until the magnitudes of the currents approach one another.
US07861338B2
A portable and foldable bed is disclosed, in which a support strength of a rotation support leg is enhanced by installing a triangle support plate at an engaged portion between a rotation pole of a rotation support leg and a connection bar, and a fixing plate with a width twice the width of a bed frame is provided in a bed frame engagement unit of a fixing support leg, and a closer contact unit is provided between the fixing plate and the fixing support leg for thereby obtaining a stable engagement of the same, and a foldable spring is disposed between a lower horizontal bar of a center support par and an outer frame of a bed frame, so a folding operation can be easily performed during a folding operation of a bed.
US07861336B2
A table assembly for a patient transfer device has upper and lower tables surrounded by belts which counter-rotate as the table assembly moves between a patient and a supporting surface such as a bed. The table assembly includes integrated means for laterally retracting side plates of the upper table while adjusting incident angles of the side plates and vertically separating the upper table from the lower table. Guide slots in end plates fixed to a slide assembly retain positioning posts attached to ends of the side plates. The slots are inclined upwardly toward a centerline of the table assembly at different angles. A crank moves the side plates using a rotating disk attached to a central frame of the upper table and linkage arms with one end pivotally attached to a peripheral region of the disk and another end pivotally attached to one of the positioning posts.
US07861328B1
A toilet seat tilting device includes a base, a seat tilting device that lifts or lowers a seat and a seat cover tilting device that lifts or lowers the seat cover. First and second pedals are used to operate link mechanisms. When the first pedal is pressed, the parts of the seat tilting device are rotated clockwise so that the seat is lifted. When the second pedal is pressed, the parts are rotated counterclockwise so that the seat is lowered. The seat cover is lowered when the second pedal is further pressed. The height of the tilting devices is adjustable and they are provided in left-handed and right-handed structures to be adapted various toilets.
US07861327B2
A water conservation system is provided public and domestic lavatories. The system includes a distinctive flush mechanism of two features. One of these features entails a “treatment button” which, upon depression, will cause to emit a fluid compound into urinated wastewater decolorizing and sanitizing it and bringing it back to its original, colorless, odorless condition. Accordingly, potable water is not used for flushing. The urinated wastewater is “treated” and, so, remains through subsequent “treatments” until such time when solid waste is deposited necessitating a conventional flush utilizing the flush lever and usual water use. The savings in volume of water is realized upon considering the number of times the “treatment button” is executed and potable water is “not withdrawn.” The system is revolutionary in that it dispenses with a “necessary flush” each time the toilet is used. Moreover, this novel system addresses the recurring local, and national, drought emergency situations.
US07861324B2
A pre-assembled anti-creep waist-clothing stay device including a patch having front and back surfaces and sized for application to a crotch-adjacent inner-seam area of the waist-clothing and a stay strip affixed to the back surface of the patch, the stay strip being positioned and sized such that the patch extends beyond edges of the stay strip. In important embodiments, the patch includes a heat-activated adhesive such that, when the patch is applied to the waist-clothing with iron-on heat and pressure, the patch adheres at its back surface to the waist-clothing, thereby securing the stay strip in position to prevent the waist-clothing from riding up and bunching in the crotch area. In certain key embodiments, the anti-creep waist-clothing stay device is a stay strip having first and second sides each of which is coated with an adhesive. Such stay device is affixed within a seam-allowance in the crotch-adjacent area.
US07861320B1
A tie form system includes a necktie that is elongated and has a first end and a second end. A housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The front wall is angled toward the rear wall from the top wall to the bottom wall and the top wall has a greater width than the bottom wall. The first and second lateral walls taper toward each other from the top wall to the bottom wall and the top wall has a greater length than the bottom wall. A loop is coupled to the rear wall of the housing. The first end of the necktie is extended through loop and the necktie tied around the housing so that the necktie conforms to a shape of the housing.
US07865965B2
Techniques for optimizing distributed anti-virus (AV) scanning are described. In one implementation, a message is received into a multi-node network that includes a plurality of distributed scanning tools. An acceptable scanning policy threshold is determined that is representative of a plurality of individual scanning policy configurations of the plurality of scanning tools. A determination is made whether the message has previously been scanned to the acceptable scanning policy threshold based on a single valued element. If the message has been previously scanned, the message is allowed to be communicated. Otherwise, the message is scanned at the acceptable scanning policy threshold. If the scanning is successful, then the message is marked as having been scanned, and is allowed to be communicated. If the scanning is unsuccessful, the message is prevented from being communicated.
US07865961B2
In a program execution method in which a program to be executed is stored in a central unit and a terminal unit acquires the program from the central unit and executes the program, when the central unit receives an acquisition request from the terminal unit, it creates a load module different from the program, which produces the same computation results and differs in the location where essential information is to be embedded, and transmits the load module to the terminal unit together with the essential information necessary for executing the program. The terminal unit receives the program, stores the program on a memory, and executes the program based on the embedded essential information. This method makes it difficult for malicious third parties to illegally execute the program by reverse analysis, and enhances the security of the load module to be executed.
US07865955B2
An apparatus and method for extracting signature candidates and optimizing a corresponding signature are provided. The apparatus includes a packet separator, a header parser, a traffic information generator, a substring extractor, and a signature candidate extractor. The packet separator separates a packet into a header and a payload. The header information parser parses the header information, and the traffic information generator generates traffic information. The substring extractor measures a frequency of appearing of a substring with a predetermined length in the separated payload for a constant observation period, and extracts a substring having a frequency higher than a predetermined setup value by updating the measured frequency information to a substring frequency table. The signature candidate extractor generates a signature by collecting the extracted substring information and the generated traffic information, updates a signature frequency table, and extracts a signature candidate with reference to information of the signature frequency table.
US07865953B1
An arrangement for performing active malicious web page discovery is provided. The arrangement includes a web monitor module, which is configured to monitor a plurality of potential suspicious unified resource locators (URLs). The arrangement also includes a crawler module, which is configured to download the plurality of potential suspicious URLs. The arrangement further includes a malicious page identifier (MPI), which is configured to verify a set of risk statuses for the plurality of potential suspicious URLs.
US07865952B1
Systems and methods are provided for pre-emptively isolating vulnerabilities, or potential vulnerabilities in a network. In one embodiment, application data corresponding to a plurality of software applications hosted by respective network devices is stored in a network database. Based on the application data, a set of applications is determined that correspond to a software update. The set of applications are then blocked such that they cannot be executed until the software update is applied or until it is determined that they do not include a vulnerability targeted by the software update. In some embodiments, applications are blocked when a vulnerability becomes known, even if a fix for the vulnerability is not yet known. In one embodiment, new devices attempting to connect to the network are restricted until known vulnerabilities are resolved.
US07865948B1
A method and apparatus for restricting the execution of security sensitive instructions. A first security identification (ID) is associated with each of a plurality of instructions or a set of instructions that are to be executed by a processor. Software code running on the processor requests to execute at least one of the plurality of instructions or set of instructions. The processor obtains a second security ID associated with the software code running thereon and compares the second security ID with the first security ID. The processor executes the requested instruction or set of instructions providing that the second security ID matches the first security ID.
US07865941B2
A system for controlling an authorization procedure of a task according to a preferred embodiment is provided. The system includes: a database server for storing data about a task to be authorized; and an application server for obtaining basic information of the task to be authorized, configuring an authorization procedure for the task, designating an authorizer for each step of the authorization procedure, and controlling the whole authorization procedure.
US07865939B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for secure data exchange between an external network and an internal network (1 and 2) via a transaction interface (3), in which an external user can undertake predetermined data transactions within the internal network (2). An interface server (7) and interface memory (11) may be coupled between an external network and an internal network. The present invention discloses security techniquest that may be used, including encryption, request processing, and checking. In one embodiment, a first firewall is coupled between the external network and the interface server and a second firewall is coupled between the interface server and the internal network.
US07865935B2
When an electronic apparatus is forcibly put into an inoperable state by theft, the inoperable state is canceled using a code from a dealer, without carrying the electronic apparatus into the dealer. After electric power is supplied again, a CD reproduction apparatus is used to playback a CD, and TOC information is used as a code C1. When code C1 is identical to an authorized code A21, the electronic apparatus is made operable. To cancel the inoperable state after the number of inconsistencies becomes 10 or more, a code A22 is notified to the dealer. The dealer carries out a calculation using the code A22, and a result B2 of the calculation is notified to the user. An individual code calculating means carries out the same calculation as the above-mentioned calculation and obtains calculation result B3. When calculation result B2 coincides with calculation result B3, the inoperable state is canceled.
US07865933B2
An authentication agent apparatus that authenticates a user who uses an image processing apparatus has an agent portion. The agent portion intermediates an authentication process between an image processing apparatus and a corresponding authentication portion among multiple authentication portions having different protocols, when a request for the authentication process is received.
US07865932B2
A network system of a projector is provided in which a network connection is established between a plurality of information terminal apparatus and the projector, and an image data file owned by an information terminal apparatus can be commonly used. A network system of a projector is arranged by an information terminal apparatus and a projector connectable to the information terminal apparatus via a network. The information terminal apparatus is arranged by a personal computer which supplies image data to the projector, and personal computers which are connected to this personal computer by a wireless manner. When the network connection is established between the personal computer and the projector, and when the network connection between the personal computer and the personal computers is established, the image data is commonly used among these personal computers.
US07865924B2
Providing input and output for a mobile device may be provided. At a mobile device, input may be received from at least one of a plurality of remote input devices. The plurality of remote input devices may be remote from the mobile device. The mobile device may have at least one local input device. The at least one of the plurality of remote input devices may have a greater form factor than the local input device. Next, the received input may be processed. The mobile device may transmit the output to at least one of the plurality of remote output devices. The plurality of remote output devices may be remote from the mobile device. The mobile device may have at least one local output device. The at least one of the plurality of remote output devices may have a greater form factor than the local output device.
US07865921B2
An apparatus for recording/reproducing a digital broadcast and method thereof are disclosed, by which a user is provided with record information for the corresponding program and by which a data structure enabling an implicative representation of a recorded broadcast stream is proposed. The present invention includes a storage unit having at least one storage medium storing a broadcast program, the storage unit generating a record information file including at least one sub-record information having a display level assigned thereto by a broadcast program unit, the storage unit storing the generated record information file in the corresponding storage medium and a control unit reading the sub-record information to which the display level meeting an inputted display mode is assigned from the corresponding record information file if a display mode condition is inputted together with a record information browsing command, the control unit displaying the read sub-record information.
US07865918B2
There is provided a content distribution system configured by a distribution apparatus for storing content data, a display apparatus for displaying content data distributed from the distribution apparatus in accordance with a predetermined display schedule, and a user terminal for acquiring the content data displayed on the display apparatus from the distribution apparatus. The user terminal receives data of a display schedule from the display apparatus, and requests the distribution apparatus to send data of content identified from the display schedule.
US07865893B1
A computer system includes a Hypervisor having the highest privilege level; a Primary Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) running with the same or fewer privileges than the Hypervisor; and a Primary Virtual Machine (PVM) without system level privileges and having a Primary operating system (POS) running within it. The POS can be the same operating system that ran on the computer system prior to activation of the Hypervisor. The POS can have hardware drivers used by other components for accessing hardware through the POS. The Hypervisor can have hardware drivers used by other components for accessing hardware through the Hypervisor. Alternatively, the POS can have some hardware drivers used by other components for accessing hardware, and the Hypervisor can have other hardware drivers used by the other components for accessing other hardware through the Hypervisor. The POS can have direct access to at least some real hardware devices.
US07865887B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved event handling between systems. In one embodiment, the present invention includes software event handling method comprising receiving a first event from a first source system in a plurality of source systems, the first event including event information, accessing context information corresponding to the first event, generating a second event based on at least a portion of the event information and context information using one or more rules, assigning a priority to the second event, and sending the second event to a first target system in a plurality of target systems.
US07865884B1
A method, computer program and device for the translation of typed data objects in a heterogeneous computational environment is described. The operating system (or installed shared code libraries) translates typed data objects from a first format (e.g., big-endian) to a second format (e.g., little-endian) if the application sending the object and the application receiving the object utilize different formats. By placing data object format translation capabilities into the operating system, the software development effort required to permit an application (e.g., a user-level application) to execute in a heterogeneous environment is significantly reduced.
US07865883B1
A debugger for aiding in the debugging of multi-threaded program, in response to an event such as, for example, a breakpoint in a thread which has caused an operating system to stop execution of all threads, identifies the thread which contained the breakpoint. After identifying the thread which contained the breakpoint, the debugger enables the operating system to resume execution of the other threads, that is, the threads which did not contain the breakpoint. By allowing the other threads, that is, the threads which did not contain the breakpoint, to continue execution, the debugger's impact on program execution is substantially reduced, particularly for programs which contain a large number of threads.
US07865880B2
A method for testing a provider in a common information model. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a test case class of the common information model, the test case class residing in a class hierarchy of an object-oriented model, (B) generating a client test case class of the common information model below the test case class in the class hierarchy, the client test case class defining control of at least one logical configuration for the provider and (C) generating an instance tester class of the common information model below the client test case class in the class hierarchy, the instance tester class defining at least one verification module for testing the provider.
US07865878B2
A method and apparatus for enabling an application to run from a detachable device attached to a host computer, the method comprising eliminating the usage of the registry of the computer, and using relative file paths. These modifications enable organization applications, and particularly database applications to be installed and run from a smart drive.
US07865877B2
A software configuration management method and apparatus provide a respective workspace for each developer. Each workspace (i) defines a subject software configuration as being developed by the respective developer, and (ii) has a respective file area holding shared files and private files corresponding to the subject software configuration. A team repository holds immutable versions of shared files resulting from developers' respective workspaces and checked into the team repository. The team repository also provides state of checked-in files of developer workspaces. Files are referenced with respect to both namespace of file areas of developer workspaces and namespace of the team repository. Employed in each file area are universally unique identifiers of at least each file of the file area which has been checked in to the team repository.
US07865870B2
The invention is directed to a method which derives from metadata definitions the allowable values for a method argument, where the allowable values are a subset or a restricted set of values from a defined range of values for that type of method argument. The subset of allowable values is then converted into a fragment of source code that can be used to initialize the argument variable with one of the allowable values when the method is invoked. The fragment of source code is inserted into the source code for that method argument using an editor tool. A system for implementing the method may comprise an integrated development environment (IDE) program.
US07865868B2
An object model is provided that allows .NET developers to customize the Office Ribbon user interface according to a .NET Ribbon model rather than the Ribbon XML/callback model of Office applications. The .NET Ribbon model implements the IRibbonExtensibility interface and provides properties and events for Ribbon components. At runtime, the .NET Ribbon model generates and provides an Office application or document with the XML needed to render the custom Ribbon user interface. A visual designer tool uses the .NET Ribbon model to provide .NET developers with a component view architecture that allows developers to set component properties and generate events.
US07865867B2
A criteria-based system and method is provided for performing workload management. Unlike conventional systems, the invention provides a system and method that includes a core workload management entity for performing workload management for multiple process lines. Each process line is defined based on the criteria for a workload, such as a product line or service based task. The method may include providing initial information related to components supply, then developing workflow processes and workflow exit criteria algorithms for individual workflow steps. The exit criteria may produce a common thread among multiple product lines, allowing the process to extend to create a diverse master workflow system to manage and monitor the workflow of an organization. The system and method are adaptable to product supply chain workflow management, project management, service provision management, and any other scenario where some level of concurrent management of multiple workflows is desired.
US07865862B2
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes an apparatus for dynamically selecting compiled instructions for execution, the apparatus including an input for receiving static instructions for execution on a first execution unit and receiving dynamic instructions for execution on a second execution unit; and an instruction selection element adapted to evaluate throughput performance of the static instructions and dynamic instructions based on current states of the execution units and select the static instructions or the dynamic instructions for execution at runtime on the first execution unit or the second execution unit, respectively, based on the throughput performance of the instructions.
US07865860B2
A layout design device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention is a layout design device for designing layout of an integrated circuit, including a routing section for adjacently wiring a signal line having a high activity rate and a signal line having a low activity rate based on an activity rate of the signal line of each circuit element.
US07865847B2
A system and corresponding method for creating an adaptive computing engine (ACE) includes algorithmic elements, ACE building blocks, and creates a design for heterogeneous nodes to provide appropriate hardware circuit functions that implement the algorithmic elements. Creating the design includes selecting an initial set of the ACE building blocks. The system and corresponding method also optimizes the design by selecting a different set of the ACE building blocks that meets predetermined performance standards for the efficiency of the ACE when performance of the ACE is simulated. The ACE building block preferably belong to one of a plurality of building block types. Preferably, the system and method includes a profiler for providing code to simulate a hardware design that implements the algorithmic elements, for identifying hotspots in the code, and for creating the design based thereon.
US07865842B2
The invention disclosed is a computer program for displaying one or more entries from a buddy list. The computer program receives a partial input in a text entry field and displays a result set in a result field, wherein the result set comprises entries from the buddy list having data that matches the partial input.
US07865837B1
A software application displays user interfaces for functionality of the software application. A user interface element is displayed on a user interface for the software application. A configuration screen for user configuration of the software application is displayed in response to a user command indicating selection of said user interface element. The configuration screen includes content corresponding to a state of the software application when the user command is received. The configuration screen may include content based on entered data in the user interface or on a data entry point of the user at the time of selecting the user interface element. The user interface element is displayed in a location on a plurality of user interface screens that is substantially identical for each screen. The configuration screen may include user preferences.
US07865835B2
A computer-based graphical user interface for graphically controlling processing of hydrological data, comprising a display menu interface listing executable tools from the group comprising one or more of: hydrological data input, hydrological data validity checking and correction, and hydrological modeling, a GUI for selecting and arranging tools from the display menu in a graphical display area to construct a hydrological process, the selected tools each being represented by icons on the graphical display, and for establishing a connection between at least one output of a first tool and an input of a second tool said tools by graphically displaying the connection between said tools representative icon and input means for receiving user input to arrange and execute said constructed hydrological data processing process.
US07865834B1
A videoconferencing application includes a user interface that provides multiple participant panels, each of which is displayed with perspective with the panels appearing to be angled with respect to the user interface window. The participant panels display live video streams from remote participants. A two-way layout provides two participant panels for two remote participants, each of which is angled inwardly towards a center position. A three-way layout provides three participant panels for three remote participants, with a left, center and right panel, with the left and right panels angled inwardly towards a center position.
US07865831B2
A self-powered video display device provides an automated point of purchase advertising display that includes a readily programmable and re-programmable operating system. The display device is updated through the connection of a memory card or handheld computer and the transfer of video and other files over the connection.
US07865828B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for updating help content. Initially, information relating to issues associated with software is gathered from a plurality of users. Such software includes a first set of help content. Next, an additional set of help content is gathered based on the information. Further, the additional set of help content is distributed to the users based on an update schedule, utilizing a network. Thus, the additional set of help content is capable of being integrated with the first set of help content and presented to the user via a single interface, utilizing the software.
US07865824B1
A system receives a term from a device, where the term is input into the device via an input device. The system changes a spelling of the term based on a geometry of the input device.
US07865823B2
In one embodiment, the invention may include receiving an XML schema and document with first, second, third, and fourth nodes. The second and third nodes may descend from the first node. The fourth node may descend from the second node. The third and fourth nodes may be simultaneously validated.
US07865805B1
A method for detecting and correcting bit errors. The method includes the steps of receiving original data, partitioning the memory storage into a first portion and a second portion, storing the original data in the first portion of the memory buffer, modifying the original data into modified data, storing the modified data in the second portion of the memory buffer, comparing the original data with the modified data, combining the original data and the modified data to create a final data stream, and outputting the final data stream. The method may further include the step of calculating and storing parity data.
US07865803B2
A method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface. In the method, when a receiver does not receive a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive) but does receive an EOF primitive (end of frame primitive) or WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive), the receiver outputs a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and sets a error flag to report to the application layer of the receiver to eliminate the interference.
US07865782B2
An input/output (I/O) device fault processing method for executing, without contradiction, fault recovery processing of a physical I/O device which is commonly used or shared by a plurality of virtual computers in such a way that no influence is exerted on a virtual computer which does not presently use the shared I/O device is disclosed. A hypervisor performs fault monitoring of the physical I/O device. Upon occurrence of an operation failure, this failure is detected and notified to a virtual management computer. In responding to receipt of the notice, the virtual management computer performs the fault recovery processing of the physical I/O device.
US07865769B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for error detection and recovery from errors during pipelined execution of data. A cascaded, delayed execution pipeline may be implemented to maintain a precise machine state. In some embodiments, a delay of one or more clock cycles may be inserted prior to a write back stage of each pipeline to facilitate error detection and recovery. Because a precise machine state is maintained error detection and recovery mechanisms may be built directly into register files of the system. If an error is detected execution of the instruction associated with the error and all subsequent instructions may be restarted.
US07865762B2
A virtual machine monitor (VMM) in a data processing system handles errors involving virtual machines (VMs) in the processing system. For instance, an error manager in the VMM may detect an uncorrectable error in involving a component associated with a first VM in the processing system. In response to detection of that error, the error manager may terminate the first VM, while allowing a second VM in the processing system to continue operating. In one embodiment, the error manager automatically determines which VM is affected by the uncorrectable error, in response to detecting the uncorrectable error. The error manager may also automatically spawn a new VM to replace the first VM, if the processing system has sufficient resources to support the new VM. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07865753B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for a resource power controller. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a resource power controller to control whether a resource is in an up state or a down state. In some embodiments, the resource power controller heuristically estimates when to return the resource to an up state based, at least in part, on an estimate of a gap size.
US07865752B2
A method, apparatus, and program product for reducing unwanted host wake-up messages. A host computer finds a port in use by a host application, selects program information based on the port in use by the application, and sends the program information to a port filter. The port filter receives a packet that contains a port identifier. The port-filter uses the program information to decide whether there is a host application associated with the port identifier and sends a wake-up message to the host computer only when there is an associated host application.
US07865741B1
A system and method securely replicates a configuration database of a security appliance. Keys stored on an original configuration database of an original security appliance are organized as a novel key hierarchy. A replica or clone of the original security appliance may be constructed in accordance with a cloning technique of the invention. Construction of the cloned security appliance illustratively involves sharing of data between the appliances, as well as substantially replicating the key hierarchy on a cloned configuration database of the cloned appliance.
US07865734B2
A system and method to control the writing on electronic paper (e-paper). An e-paper device may incorporate authentication indicia as part of informational data written on e-paper material. The informational data is protected by a security methodology that is accessible to authorized entities. A reader device may be used to help make a verification determination of whether encrypted or encoded data has been altered. In some instances an output alert operably coupled to the reader device serves as a verification status indicator.
US07865733B2
The instruction code including an instruction code stored in the area where the encrypted instruction code is stored in a non-rewritable format is authenticated using a specific key which is specific to the core where the instruction code is executed or an authenticated key by a specific key to perform an encryption processing for the input and output data between the core and the outside.
US07865728B2
Cryptographic methods and systems are disclosed. The cryptographic methods provide transparent encryption and decryption of documents in an electronic document management system. The cryptographic system adds a software module to an electronic document management system which traps file I/O events and performs cryptographic functions on the relevant documents before passing control back to the electronic document management system.
US07865727B2
An extensible authentication framework is used in cable networks such as Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable networks. The authentication scheme allows for centralized authentication of cable modems, as well as authentication of the cable network by cable modems. Additionally, the authentication scheme allows a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to authenticate devices downstream from cable modems, such as Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) devices.
US07865723B2
Method and apparatus providing program information to client devices for at least one multicast stream of digital content is described. In one embodiment, session description messages for the at least one multicast stream of digital content are generated. Each of the session description messages includes at least one content access parameter. The at least one content access parameter may include digital rights management (DRM) data, channel key identification data associated with the at least one channel of the at least one multicast stream of digital content, and/or data indicative of whether each session description message is associated with a channel, a program, or a program segment. Each of the session description messages is signed using a cryptographic key. The session description messages are then multicasted to the client devices using a predefined multicast address.
US07865703B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for executing instructions. A determination is made as to whether a processor executing a plurality of instructions is in an instrumentation mode. The processor has a normal set of resources and an alternate set of resources in which the alternate set of resources is associated with the instrumentation mode. When a determination is made that the processor is in the instrumentation mode, the processor executes instrumentation instructions in the plurality of instructions using the alternate set of resources and executes all other instructions in the plurality of instructions using the normal set of resources.
US07865682B2
Even when a host does not give a write time to write data, consistency can be kept among data stored in secondary storage systems. The present system has plural primary storage systems each having a source volume and plural secondary storage systems each having a target volume. Once data is received from a host, each of the plural storage systems creates write-data management information having sequential numbers and reference information and sends, to one of the primary storage systems, the data, sequential number and reference information. Each of the secondary storage systems records reference information corresponding to the largest sequential number among serial sequential numbers and stores, in a target volume in an order of sequential numbers, data corresponding to reference information having a value smaller than the reference information based on the smallest value reference information among reference information recorded in each of the plural secondary storage systems.
US07865672B2
An electronic system has a first electronic unit for carrying out a first predetermined operation and a second electronic unit for carrying out a second predetermined operation. The first and second electronic units are electrically communicable with each other. In the system, the first electronic unit stores control data. The second control unit requires the control data for carrying out the second predetermined operation. The second electronic unit sends to the first electronic unit a request to send the control data when the second electronic unit is reset.
US07865671B2
The design of nonblocking linked data structures using single-location synchronization primitives such as compare-and-swap (CAS) is a complex affair that often requires severe restrictions on the way pointers are used. One way to address this problem is to provide stronger synchronization operations, for example, ones that atomically modify one memory location while simultaneously verifying the contents of others. We provide a simple and highly efficient nonblocking implementation of such an operation: an atomic k-word-compare single-swap operation (KCSS). Our implementation is obstruction-free. As a result, it is highly efficient in the uncontended case and relies on contention management mechanisms in the contended cases. It allows linked data structure manipulation without the complexity and restrictions of other solutions. Additionally, as a building block of some implementations of our techniques, we have developed the first nonblocking software implementation of load-linked/store-conditional that does not severely restrict word size.
US07865658B2
A method and system for balancing host write operations and cache flushing is disclosed. The method may include steps of determining an available capacity in a cache storage portion of a self-caching storage device, determining a ratio of cache flushing steps to host write commands if the available capacity is below a desired threshold and interleaving cache flushing steps with host write commands to achieve the ratio. The cache flushing steps may be executed by maintaining a storage device busy status after executing a host write command and utilizing this additional time to copy a portion of the data from the cache storage into the main storage. The system may include a cache storage, a main storage and a controller configured to determine and execute a ratio of cache flushing steps to host write commands by executing cache flushing steps while maintaining a busy status after a host write command.
US07865656B2
A storage controller that can control memory addresses even when a memory module having a different device configuration than an already mounted memory module is added as an expansion module. More specifically, a storage controller for controlling a storage unit that can be constructed using a plurality of memory modules is configured so as to include: a register which stores memory module configuration information for a basic memory module and an expansion memory module independently of each other; and an address conversion unit which, based on the memory module configuration information stored in the register, generates an address that can access the storage unit even when the memory address space of the expansion memory module is different from the memory address space of the basic memory module.
US07865654B2
A computer system includes compute nodes coupled through a switch to shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch includes a pool of bridge headers and virtual bridges coupling a root port of a compute node to each of one or more shared or non-shared I/O devices. The switch is configured to associate each of the virtual bridges with a respective one of the fixed pool of bridge headers, receive a packet including data identifying the root port and a shared or non-shared I/O device, and route the packet in response to comparing data in the packet to data in the bridge headers associated with the virtual bridges. The virtual bridges comprise a hierarchy of virtual bridges in which one virtual bridge connects the root port to the remaining virtual bridges of the hierarchy. The switch may change the associations between virtual bridges and bridge headers.
US07865652B2
An embodiment of the present invention includes a communication system configured to conform to SATA and/or SAS standards and causing communication between one or more hosts and a SATA device. A multi-port bridge device is in communication with the one or more hosts through at least one link, the bridge device includes a power control block operative to control power to a SATA device through a power connection, wherein the power control block causes power to be provided to the SATA device even when the at least one link is operational.
US07865651B2
A multi-protocol serial interface system comprises a multi-protocol port pin array, a transport protocol change FPGA, a pull-up change FPGA and a memory. The multi-protocol port pin array comprises a plurality of port pins which interface with an external system for exchanging data with the external system. The transport protocol change FPGA determines roles of port pins of the multi-protocol port pin array depending on a variably changed protocol by selecting one of the plurality of programmed transport protocol circuits in response to code data. The pull-up change FPGA regulates pull-up load of the port pins corresponding to the roles of the port pins determined in the transport protocol change FPGA. The memory stores data processed in the transport protocol change FPGA unit and exchanged with the external system.
US07865649B2
The invention relates to a module for reproducing a transmitter signal (xactE). A control device (1) is coupled to a driving device (4a) for controlling a machine while being coupled to the module (5, 5′) via a data bus (7) for exchanging data. A reproduced transmitter signal (xactEn) is determined from a reference value (xdes) that is predefined by the control device with the aid of the module (5, 5′). The module (5, 5′) is logically coupled to the control device (1) via the data bus (7) in such a way that the module (5, 5′) is projected in the same way as the driving device (4a) from the perspective of the control device (1). The inventive module (5, 5′) for reproducing a transmitter signal (xactE) thus makes it possible to project, start, and adjust the dynamics of the machine in a simple manner.
US07865645B2
A bus arbiter includes an arbitration stop determining unit and a transaction arbitrating unit. The arbitration stop determining unit generates an arbitration stop signal based upon transaction grouping request signals which indicate whether successive transactions are requested. The transaction arbitrating unit selectively performs an arbitration operation based upon the arbitration stop signal.
US07865635B2
A buffer device that transfers data and is shared by a plurality of CPU cores arranged in a symmetrically inverted manner about a predetermined reference line, each CPU core breaking up a data block into a plurality of data lines and outputting the data lines via a plurality of ports, includes a plurality of line buffers that correspond to the data lines and are connected to the ports in the CPU cores, wherein the line buffers are paired into line buffer groups, and the line buffers in each buffer group are arranged symmetrically about the reference line.
US07865632B2
A memory allocation method for a direct memory access controller (DMAC) in a limited-memory-size computer system includes the steps of allocating a memory space having continuous memory addresses to form a buffer of the DMAC; dividing the memory space successively into a plurality of first memory blocks and a second memory block, wherein the size of the second memory block is equal to a maximum frame size possibly accessed by the DMAC; and assigning the plurality of first memory blocks and the second memory block to a plurality of descriptors in order, wherein each of the plurality of descriptors is utilized for recording a memory address of a corresponding memory block as a pointers for the corresponding memory block.
US07865625B2
An apparatus for a node of a peer-to-peer network having a plurality of nodes comprises one or more I/O adapters; a cache component; one or more inter-node routing components; a memory mapping component for presenting to the I/O adapters a single address space mapped across a plurality of memory elements each associated with the cache component; and a direct memory access component for performing a memory operation on the memory elements via the memory mapping component on behalf of the I/O adapters.
US07865613B2
Method and apparatus for integrating distributed shared services system which integrates web based applications with each other and with other centralized application to provide a single sign-on approach for authentication and authorization services for distributed web sites requiring no access time back to the authentication/authorization server is provided.
US07865611B2
A content delivery method and apparatus that can achieve stable streaming in a system that performs data exchange efficiently by dividing content into blocks and distributing them among a plurality of nodes. A receiving node transmits the playback start time of each block as delivery reservation request information to a corresponding one of delivery nodes. The corresponding delivery node receives the delivery reservation request information from the receiving node, determines delivery start time and delivery end time based at least on the delivery reservation request information and on reservation status and network bandwidth information, and transmits the delivery start time and delivery end time as delivery reservation result information to the receiving node. The receiving node receives the delivery reservation result information from the corresponding delivery node, and receives the block by requesting, in accordance with the delivery reservation result information, delivery of the block from the corresponding delivery node.
US07865602B2
The invention provides a system, method, and network elements for providing a service, preferably an advice of charge, AoC, service requested by a user equipment at a session set-up or during a session. An application server provides information for the requested service to the user equipment. In an embodiment, authorization information and the information for the requested service may be sent to the user equipment. Depending on an input by the user or other type of confirmation such as expiration of a timer, the user equipment may initiate continuation of the session, for example by generating an authorization response based on the received authorization information, and sending the generated authorization response to the application server for verification.
US07865598B2
Methods and systems for allocating resources, such as computer controlled resources, in a networked system are described. In an example embodiment, a plurality of requests to select one or more resources are received from distributed computer systems over a network at a receiving computer system. The receiving computer system allocates resource selection time windows to at least a portion of the requests based on one or more allocation criteria, and transmits information regarding the allocated resource selection time windows to corresponding requesting computer systems. A load balancer balances request loads among a plurality of servers. A web proxy processor is configured to selectively block or route an inbound user browser request. A cache cluster system is configured to cache data and states for access by other system components.
US07865597B2
The present invention discloses a novel method to implement a Smart Device Network Application Infrastructure (SDNA) that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of device networks and device network applications. The Smart Device Network Application infrastructure (SDNA) refers to an integrated processing platform that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of distributed applications based on device networks. It involves the concurrent execution of several processes that interact to provide support and resources for said applications.
US07865595B2
Provided are a method, system, and program for processing call requests with respect to objects. A call request is received with respect to an object. Access authority for the object is require. An access authority set is read for execution of the call request with respect to the object. A determination is made as to whether the access authority is contained in the access authority set. A storage section storing execution results for a previous execution of the object is searched prior to executing the call request and in response to determining that the access authority is contained in the access authority set.
US07865585B2
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.
US07865577B1
An enhanced network element and method for configuring and deploying computer network elements is disclosed. A customer orders a network element from an equipment provider. Upon receipt of the unconfigured network element, a Trusted Configuration Device (TCD) is shipped from a network provider to the customer. The TCD transmits information to the NE that enables it to download a configuration file from a Provisioning Server (PS) via a secure channel.
US07865574B1
A system for processing data retrieved from an information service layer is provided. The system includes a requestor component to provide a request for data to the information service layer. A receiver component is operable to communicate with a client service of the information service layer to receive a response string from the information service layer. The response string includes data based on the request. An analysis component analyzes at least a portion of the response string. A writer component is operable to format the at least portion of the response string based upon a desired format. A method for processing data retrieved from the information service layer is also provided.
US07865570B2
A memory server provides data access as a service to clients and has a memory service architecture and components for removing data management burdens from the client processor and providing increased speed and utility for the client through aggressive prediction of client memory requirements and fast provision of data.
US07865569B1
Techniques for modifying a script portion of markup language documents are described. By modifying the script portion of markup language documents, access to resources residing on remote servers through an intermediate server is facilitated. The script portions can be modified at the intermediate server, client devices, or both.
US07865567B1
An electronic book selection and delivery system distributes text to subscribers. The system provides for on-demand and virtual on-demand delivery of electronic books. Specified electronic books may be broadcast to a set of subscribers. Alternatively, a first section of the specified electronic books may be broadcast. A second section of each of the electronic books is then available for later delivery, upon order by a subscriber. The second sections, as well as first sections, and true on-demand electronic books may be loaded into one or more queues. The queues may then be emptied based on a priority model. Electronic books in an on-demand queue may be given priority for delivery over electronic books in other queues.
US07865566B2
A real time notification for updating online identities, known as avatars, is disclosed. For example, when a user updates his or her avatar(s), the changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like.
US07865565B2
A method of inputting an electronic address into an address field on a communications device, the electronic address including a plurality of text characters and non-text symbol characters. The method includes: receiving a plurality of inputs for the address field through a user input interface of the device; adding text characters to the address field corresponding to the inputs; and detecting among the inputs repetitive successive inputs of a predetermined delimiter, selecting a non-text symbol character from a set of non-text symbol characters in dependence on a number of times the delimiter has been repetitively input without any intervening inputs, and adding the selected non-text symbol character to the address field.
US07865562B2
In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a request to append a signature to an outgoing email, wherein the outgoing email is addressed from a sender to a recipient. A plurality of email signature rules for the sender is accessed. At least one of a condition and a property associated with the outgoing email are evaluated against the plurality of email signature rules. It is determined that at least two of the plurality of email signature rules are satisfied based on evaluating at least one of the condition and the property associated with the outgoing mail against the plurality of email signature rules. A plurality of email signatures is identified from a list of email signatures based, at least in part, on the at least two email signature rules that are satisfied. A composite signature is generated with the plurality of email signatures.
US07865560B2
The present invention discloses a pre-processing summarization technique that makes use of knowledge specific to the electronic mail domain to pre-process an electronic mail message so that commercially-available document summarization software can subsequently generate a more useful summary from the message. The summarization technique removes extraneous headers, quoted text, forward information, and electronic signatures, leaving more useful text to be summarized. If an enclosing electronic mail thread exists, the summarization technique uses the electronic mail message's ancestors to provide additional context for summarizing the electronic mail message. The disclosed system can be used with IBM Lotus Notes and Domino infrastructure, along with existing single-document summarizer software, to generate a summary of the discourse activity in an electronic mail thread dynamically. The summary may be further augmented to list any names, dates, and names of companies that are present in the electronic mail message being summarized.
US07865556B2
A solution to failover processing for automatic responder in a mixed server environment. The instant response system is part of mail delivery system without requiring every server in the cluster to be upgraded to the latest version. The auto-responder is installed in the router, as part of the mail delivery. In order to process messages delivered to the older version of servers seamlessly, the invention comprises an agent trigger which runs only on server start, an agent with a new type in the user mail file, which performs Out of Office functionality (similar to the current mail template functionality) or “failover” agent. The router processing for auto responder will enable the agent in the user mail file when it becomes activated (based on user specified configuration). The agent does not require any special security configuration because it is signed by the server. The email comes from the mail owner (intended recipient) setting the “Principal” field. The router auto responder processing marks each email it auto-responds (this happens before the email is written down to the user mail box, so this special marking does not require any additional I/O). It also stamps out of office profile document with date it performed the processing.
US07865552B2
In one embodiment, a method for sending a video message and a text message in a communication session is provided. The method includes determining when a contextual trigger is detected in the communication session between a first user and a second user. For example, the contextual trigger may be when a first user focuses on a window being used for the communication session. The first user may then input a text message. A video message of the first user in the communication session is also determined. The video message is determined based on when the contextual trigger is determined. For example, the video message may include video from a time before when the contextual trigger is determined, such as 10 or 20 seconds before, until a time when the first user is finished inputting the text message. The text message and video message are then sent to a second user.
US07865551B2
Determining influential and/or popular participants in a network using messages exchanged among a group of participants. One method includes: representing the group of participants and the messages exchanged among the group of participants as nodes and links, respectively; analyzing the messages to produce message relevant data for each node; and propagating the message relevant data of the each node out to other nodes in the network to produce a corresponding influence value for each node, wherein the corresponding influence value indicates relative size and strength of social activity or connections of a participant corresponding to each node.
US07865545B1
Collaboration space object model provides for a Place consisting of rooms. A room is made up of pages. Folders are used to organize pages. Members belong to rooms, and are those users authorized to access them. Place type controls the creation of a place, including how many rooms it has, for example. Room type controls the appearance and content of rooms. A form manages the display of data notes. A form can contain fields for containing data and employ scripts to process and compute data. A page is the basic vehicle for content. Content is created using an or importing content from an external source. A member is also a data note, and each place contains its own member directory. A place is created and managed from a client browser in on-line mode and in offline mode with respect to a replicated copy of the space. Room security is independently managed, and security and aesthetics characteristics of subrooms selectively inherited. Room navigation and workflow processing is provided, as are forms creation and uploading from browser to server.
US07865544B2
A system for providing XML-based asynchronous and interactive feeds for Web applications that provides a highly efficient and extensible XML Javascript framework allowing easy insertion of a comment/news feed control into any Web page. The framework allows for reading of any XML format and provides a new and easy way for modifying the look-and-feel of the control via HTML templates with familiar XPath bindings. The rendering performed through the system supports both flat and indented (“threaded”) views for a comment thread. The system improves the parsing speed of incoming XML, and supports a flexible event model for others to develop plug-ins and mashups in the spirit of Web 2.0.
US07865543B2
An averaging circuit includes an averaging unit and an offset compensation unit. The averaging unit generates an average signal from first and second input signals. The offset compensating unit is coupled to the averaging unit for conducting away bias currents from the averaging unit for preventing an offset in the average signal when any of the first and second input signals is too low or too high.
US07865542B2
A digital signal processing block having: 1) a first digital signal processing element including: a first multiplexer of a first plurality of multiplexers, the first multiplexer selecting between a first data input and a first zero constant input; and a first arithmetic unit coupled to the first plurality of multiplexers, the first arithmetic logic unit configured for addition; and 2) a second digital signal processing element including: a second multiplexer of a second plurality of multiplexers, the second multiplexer selecting between a second data input and a second zero constant input; and a second arithmetic unit coupled to the second plurality of multiplexers and to a third multiplexer of the first plurality of multiplexers, the second arithmetic unit configured for addition.
US07865532B2
Techniques for customizing draw styles of widgets to better accommodate a user's direct manipulation needs. A user can customize various attributes of a widget and its manipulators to suit the user's needs. The customizations are stored as a style. The stored style can subsequently be applied to the widget to control the appearance and behavior of the widget. Stored styles may be applied to other widgets and can also be shared between users.
US07865530B2
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus: for constructing a personalized category tree; for maintaining a personalized category tree; for displaying documents by category by utilizing a personalized category tree; and a personalized categorization system. A personalized category tree is a category tree that includes at least one category node. A method for constructing a personalized category tree includes: the independent creation of each of said at least one category node comprises the steps of: defining a label for the category node; and specifying at least one keyword for the category node.
US07865520B2
In a system having plural storage devices, high-speed file access is obtained by arranging files optimally without the trouble of setting for each file to which storage device the file is allocated. A storage system comprising: nodes coupled to one another via a network; storage devices connected to the nodes; a file attribute detecting module that detects one or more file attributes; a file access rule information storing unit that stores information about one or more file access rules that are associated with the file attribute; and a file access control module that controls access to a file in the storage devices in conformity with the one or more file access rules that are associated with the one or more detected file attributes.
US07865518B2
In a system for searching identity data, a first database includes a plurality of identity records. A computing device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. An identity database is stored in the memory and is separate from the first database. The identity database includes the plurality of identity records. Each identity record includes at least two or more data elements. The identity database includes a plurality of past identity records. The past identity records are previous versions of the plurality of identity records. The identity database is searchable by applications in electronic communication with the computing device. The applications in electronic communication with the computing device cannot directly update the identity database.
US07865514B2
A pre-fetch server, which is connected to a DB server running a DBMS and to a storage apparatus storing DB data, stores information required for judging whether or not a pre-fetch is effective. Judgment on whether or not the pre-fetch will be effective is performed when a pre-fetch I/O is issued. If the pre-fetch server judges that the pre-fetch will be effective, it issues the pre-fetch I/O to the storage apparatus.
US07865513B2
In one embodiment, a knowledge base is automatically built for enriching feeds coming from different sources and that have tags of different conventions, by deducting which tags go into various categories of knowledge. In one embodiment, method for a relationship between objects is determined based on the relationships between their tags.
US07865510B2
A script management and asset development system is disclosed. The system includes user activated menus for facilitating the distribution, viewing, listening, analyzing, storage, archiving, retrieving, searching, sorting, annotating, prioritizing, quantifying, tracking, printing and managing of assets. Each asset can include one or more of a document, image, literary piece, script, manuscript, treatment, book, synopsis, logline, song. Assignable Asset Restriction Levels within the system facilitate the imposition of restrictions, limitations, and permissions to both users and assets. A Rubric is assignable to each asset. The Rubric includes elements to which a user can respond for each asset thereby producing a numeric value. Also, a numeric value grading system, which implements a running calculation of an RPA (Rubric Point Average) to provide a grade or rank to each asset, is provided based upon scoring of the elements on the Rubric.
US07865505B2
A machine implemented system and method that efficiently facilitates and effectuates exact similarity joins between collections of sets. The system and method obtains a collection of sets and a threshold value from an interface, and based at least in part on an identifiable similarity, such as an overlap or intersection, between the collection of sets the analysis component generates and outputs a candidate pair that at least equals or exceeds the threshold value.
US07865497B1
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating a sitemap where a last modified time of website content is not available to a network crawler. A current version number of a content item is compared to the version number of that content at the time sitemap for the website was generated. If the version number has changed the last modified time in a generated sitemap is set to the current time to cause the item to be revisited by a search engine.
US07865473B2
Provided are a method, system, and program for generating and indicating incremental backup copies from virtual copies of a data set. A virtual copy operation is initiated to create a virtual copy of a data set, wherein the virtual copy represents the data set at a point-in-time copy, and wherein the virtual copy is completed without transferring the data set to a backup location. An incremental backup operation is initiated with respect to an identified virtual copy, wherein the incremental backup operation copies changes to the data set that occur since a most recent creation of an incremental backup set.
US07865471B1
A method of recovering a target data object. In one embodiment, the method includes restoring the target data object to a data state that existed at a point of time prior. Once the target data object is restored, a first object is retrieved from backup memory, wherein the first object comprises a plurality of transactions for modifying the target data object. After the target data object is restored, the target data object is modified in accordance with the transactions of the first object. A second object is retrieved from backup memory, wherein the second object comprises a plurality of transactions for modifying the target data object. The second object is retrieved from backup memory before the target data object is modified in accordance with all of the transactions of the first object.
US07865469B2
Systems and methods for synchronizing multiple copies of data in a network environment that includes servers and clients so that incremental changes made to one copy of the data can be identified, transferred, and incorporated into all other copies of the data. The synchronization can be accomplished regardless of whether modifications to the data have been made by a client while the client is in an on-line or off-line mode of operation. The clients cache data locally as data are modified and downloaded. The caching enables the clients to access the data and allows the synchronization to be performed without transmitting a particular version more than once between a client and a server. Such elimination of redundant data transmission results in an efficient use of time and network bandwidth.
US07865468B2
A technique for enhancing the transfer of files from a source network host to a destination network host includes accessing a file stored on the source host from the destination host, caching a local copy of the file on the destination host, and prefetching all remaining files in a file system group of which the file is a member by caching local copies thereof on the destination host.
US07865467B2
A method of accessing program meta-data is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of program meta-data virtual containers, at least one of the virtual containers comprising normalized program meta-data of programs having instances in a plurality of time windows, receiving an input indicating a selected time window, the input at least one of comprises and refers to a time-window identifier identifying the selected time window, and using the time-window identifier to filter the plurality of virtual containers, so as to obtain a subset of the program meta-data which corresponds to the selected time window. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
US07865460B2
A method and system for migrating source data from one or more databases to a destination database, wherein the destination database is selected based on power consumption of the destination database. A data migration server determines which destination database should be selected by selecting a number of candidates and comparing the power consumed, the available space and the maximum monthly power consumption limit. A user intervention policy is created to evaluate which data should be moved to a destination database. A “payback period” is calculated to determine the amount of time that will elapse before savings are realized.
US07865458B2
A method and system for enforcing rule selection on user email inboxes include an inbox monitor and administrative rules at an email server. The inbox monitor includes a first agent for identifying inactive user inboxes from email messages stored at the email database, and a second agent for identifying, from the inactive user inboxes identified by the first agent, user inboxes without appropriate user rules activated. For each user inbox identified by the second agent, administrative rules are applied to the user inbox if the user inbox has been inactive for at least a predetermined period of time. If the user inbox has not been inactive for at least the predetermined period of time, a notification message is sent to a user associated with the user inbox. The notification message informs the user that administrative rules will be applied to the user inbox if appropriate user rules are not activated.
US07865453B1
An embodiment of a computer implemented method for determining the disposition of a hyperdocument includes retrieving a hyperdocument from an information source, providing information about content of the hyperdocument to a trained artificial neural network (ANN), the ANN being capable of evaluating the information and providing results reflecting the evaluation and determining the disposition of the hyperdocument based upon results of the ANN.
US07865435B1
A person stores funds in a lower interest checking account and a higher interest savings account of a banking institution. For each of a plurality of cycles, funds are received at the beginning of the cycle from an amount of income (‘INC’) of the person. An amount at least equal to a total amount of regularly recurring bills of the person that have a generally fixed amount (‘FIX’) is deposited into a bills account of the person, and at least a portion of a remainder of INC is deposited into the checking account. During the cycle, the person pays the regularly recurring bills from the bills account and other bills from the checking account. At the end of the cycle, a final amount left in the checking account above a floor value (‘FLO’) is transferred to the savings account. Thus, excess funds are not allowed to accumulate in the checking account.
US07865432B2
Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.
US07865427B2
According to one aspect, transaction information is received and applied to multiple fraud risk mathematical models that each produce a respective raw score, which are transformed with respective sigmoidal transform functions to produce optimized likelihood of fraud risk estimates to provide to a merchant. In one embodiment, the respective fraud risk estimates are combined using fusion proportions that are associated with the respective risk estimates, producing a single point risk estimate, which is transformed with a sigmoidal function to produce an optimized single point risk estimate for the transaction. The sigmoidal functions are derived to approximate a relationship between risk estimates produced by fraud risk detection models and a percentage of transactions associated with respective risk estimates, where the relationship is represented in terms of real-world distributions of fraudulent transaction and non-fraudulent transaction. One embodiment is directed to computing respective risk test penalties for multiple risk tests in one or more of the multiple fraud risk mathematical models used to estimate the likelihood of fraud, given a certain pattern of events represented by the transaction information, wherein the respective risk test penalties are computed as the inverse of the sum of one and a false positive ratio for the respective risk test.
US07865426B2
A computer-implemented apparatus is provided for administering an actively managed investment company that invests assets in fixed income securities. The apparatus includes an investment company processor, an investment company portfolio trading and managing computer, and a computer database. The investment company processor issues one or more classes of shares that are listed for trading on a securities exchange and that are bought and sold in a secondary market at negotiated market prices. The investment company portfolio trading and managing computer receives instructions to select and hold a portfolio of fixed income securities that relate to a benchmark index. The selection is made in an actively managed manner such that the duration range of the securities holdings is either longer than the duration of the benchmark index, close to the duration of the benchmark index, or shorter than the duration of the benchmark index. The investment company portfolio trading and managing computer also defines a creation unit basket having a duration that is equal to a midpoint of the duration range of the securities holdings of the investment company that are held in the investment company portfolio trading and managing computer. The computer database stores the creation unit basket.
US07865423B2
The invention relates to methods and systems for providing investment competitions. In one aspect, trading algorithms that automatically generate trading instructions in response to market data are developed by and received from a distributed plurality of independent trading algorithm developers. The algorithms are periodically executed against market data and generate trading instructions, which, based on an association of investment accounts with the trading algorithms, initiate correlative trades in the investments accounts.
US07865420B1
An auction system and method, which identifies at least one lot to be auctioned, having a plurality of units within the lot and associated auction parameters; transmits a remaining quantity of units within the lot from a central server to a plurality of remote locations; receives bid identifications for remaining units within the lot at the contemporaneous offering price from the plurality of remote locations; and decrements the offering price over time. The decrement may be adaptive to a bid activity pattern, and the bid activity pattern may be stored in a database. A local server may be provided to communicate between the central server and remote locations while changing the format of the information communicated. The packets preferably include compressed information, and preferably include quantity remaining information for a plurality of auction lots.
US07865418B2
A system for correctly evaluating a price distribution and a risk distribution for a financial product or its derivatives introduces a probability density function generated with a Boltzmann model at a higher accuracy than the Gaussian distribution for a probability density. The system has an initial value setup unit and an evaluation condition setup unit. Initial values include at least one of price, price change rate, and the price change direction of a financial product. The evaluation conditions include at least time steps and the number of trials. The Boltzmann model analysis unit receives the initial values and the evaluation conditions, and repeats simulations of price fluctuation, based on the Boltzmann model using a Monte Carlo method. A velocity/direction distribution setup unit supplies the probability distributions of the price, price change rate, and the price change direction for the financial product to the Boltzmann model analysis unit. A random number generator for a Monte Carlo method employed in the analysis by the Boltzmann model, and an output unit displays the analysis result. A dealing system applies the financial Boltzmann model to option pricing, and reproduces the characteristics of Leptokurcity and Fat-tail by linear Boltzmann equation in order to define risk-neutral and unique probability measures. Consequently, option prices can be evaluated in a risk-neutral and unique manner, taking into account Leptokurcity and Fat-tail of a price change distribution.
US07865414B2
A method, system, and computer readable medium for managing a financial transaction of a user at a merchant, including authenticating the user via a device of the user while the user is at the merchant; transmitting activation information for activating a reusable, pre-existing, unaltered and permanent credit or debit card account number of the user from the user device to a financial institution for processing financial transactions, while the user is authenticated; submitting a payment request including the account number to the financial institution from the merchant, while the account number is activated; and de-activating the account number after the payment request is processed by the financial institution. The financial institution only accepts and processes payment requests received from merchants while the account number is activated, and the financial institution declines payment requests while the account number is de-activated.
US07865413B2
The present invention discloses a system and method for processing business transactions between trading partners using a central interactive platform. The processing may include comparing purchase order data and invoice data to identify matching information and non-matching information. If the information matches, the invoices are processed for payment. If the information does not match, the discrepancies are identified to the buying company or the selling company for resolution.
US07865408B2
The present invention provides systems and methods that allow a user to track packages throughout the course of delivery without requiring the user to completely reenter tracking information such as an 18 character tracking number and also allow the user to use a wide variety of communication devices to track and retrack a package without requiring the user to reenter the entire tracking number.
US07865379B2
Systems and methods are described for processing queue data and for providing queue messaging over a network. An illustrative queuing system includes a first queue configured to hold resource requests from a plurality of users, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to determine or estimate whether a resource requested by a first resource request submitted by a first requester will be available when the first resource request will be serviced, and to transmit a message over a network to the first requester indicating that the requested resource will not be available when the queued request is serviced if it is estimated or determined that the requested resource will not be available when the first request is serviced.
US07865374B2
Computerized methods for verifying authority to modify clinical orders are provided. The methods may include receiving a clinical order having components associated with a plurality of phases; associating a plurality of the components to form a cross-phase group, the components including components associated with a first phase and a second phase, each of the components including a common attribute; receiving an indication to modify the common attribute of the component associated with the first phase; and determining whether a user from whom the indication is received has the authority to modify the common attribute. If it is determined that the user has the authority, the method may further include modifying all components that are associated in the group. If it is determined that the user does not have the authority, the method may further include not modifying the common attribute. Computerized systems for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.
US07865371B2
Managing information flow and workflow in medical imaging services includes mapping activities in medical imaging services to a set of discrete steps in a model medical imaging process. Data concerning the medical imaging services is collected and tracked using an electronic data store and a communications network. Collected data is correlated to at least one of the discrete steps in the model medical imaging process and process metrics for performance are calculated based upon the correlated data.
US07865356B2
A method of proper name recognition includes classifying each word of a word string with a tag indicating a proper name entity category or a non-named entity category, and correcting the tag of a boundary word of the word string.
US07865355B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying a language corresponding to a string of data include receiving a data string and dividing the data string into coded character sequences for each of a plurality of languages. A length of one or more coded character sequences varies among different languages for coded character sequences having a particular number of characters. The coded character sequences are analyzed to calculate, for each of the plurality of languages, a probability that the data string corresponds to language. The calculated probabilities are compared among the languages, and a language is identified as corresponding to the data string based on the comparison.
US07865352B2
Grammatical element prediction is used to predict grammatical elements in text fragments (such as phrases or sentences). In one embodiment, a statistical model, using syntax features, is used to predict grammatical elements.
US07865347B1
A method, apparatus and a filter compiler system for building a filter is disclosed. The filter compiler system includes a filter resource estimator. The filter resource estimator is configured to estimate an implementation cost of the filter. The filter compiler system determines whether the implementation cost is acceptable and updates a design of the filter upon determining that the implementation cost is unacceptable.
US07865346B2
A hardware simulation accelerator to simulate logic designs, a method to encode instructions for use in the hardware simulation accelerator, and a computer program product having code of the method by which the hardware simulation accelerator can read encoded instructions to simulate the logic design, and computer program product of the encoded instructions to simulate a logic design in a hardware accelerator. Each instruction has one of a plurality of opcodes, the opcodes select which of the hardware resources of the hardware simulation accelerator will implement and use the values set forth in other programmable bits of the encoded instruction. The encoded instruction may be a routing and/or a gate evaluation instruction.
US07865344B2
A method for creating a global simulation model of an architecture for models of integrated circuits under development, including reading an architecture description file of the global model and storing information related to all of the possible configurations instantiating the components and storing the corresponding information, topologically connecting the interface signals, physically connecting the interface signals, at the level of each instance of the components using a component and connection rule table, and storing the corresponding information, and automatically generating the HDL-type and HLL-type source files of the global simulation model.
US07865321B2
Methods for detecting electrical arcing on an electrical power system are provided, as well as systems and computer program products for carrying out the method. The method includes the steps of: a) obtaining data indicative of the temporal behavior of a signal which is indicative of a first periodic property of the electrical power system; and b) determining whether an arcing event is present on the electrical power system based on the shape observed in the first data.
US07865313B2
Methods and systems of extracting extensible motifs from a sequence include assigning a significance to extensible motifs within the sequence based upon a syntactic and statistical analysis, and identifying extensible motifs having a significance that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US07865297B2
A first device is operated to obtain a navigation track between a first location and a second location by establishing a peer-to-peer communication connection with a second device and receiving a message that contains information associated with the first location and/or the second location from the second device. The information is associated with a navigation module on the first device. The information associated with the at least one of the first location and the second location is processed using the navigation module to obtain the navigation track between the first location and the second location.
US07865295B2
A fuel injection controller includes a correcting section that performs a concentration learning procedure in which a concentration of the alcohol of the fuel in a fuel tank is learned as a learned concentration value based on a detection value of the oxygen concentration sensor, and also corrects a fuel injection amount of an injector connected to a delivery pipe in correspondence with the learned concentration value in such a manner that an air-fuel ratio corresponding to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is obtained. A refueling detecting section detects that refueling has been carried out to the fuel tank, and a restricting section performs a restricting procedure in which returning of the fuel from the delivery pipe to the fuel tank through a return passage is restricted on condition that the refueling detecting section has detected that the refueling has been performed.
US07865294B2
The invention relates to a method for regulating the lambda value of an internal combustion engine with a catalytic converter for subsequently treating the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine, with a binary lambda probe, which is mounted upstream from the catalytic converter and which senses the composition of the exhaust gases. According to the invention, the lambda set value is superimposed with a lean/rich amplitude. This lean/rich amplitude has an integral component and a discontinuous component leading back to the lambda set value. When a change that differs from the change in the exhaust gas composition caused by the lean/rich amplitude is detected, the coefficient of the integral component is modified and/or a discontinuous component is added to the integral component or subtracted therefrom.
US07865293B2
A fuel injection control device (ECU) for controlling injection supply of fuel to a target engine includes a program for sequentially sensing fuel pressure fluctuating with injection of a predetermined injector of each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine based on an output of a fuel pressure sensor, a program for detecting a diagram as a profile of a transition of a fuel quantity injected from the injector per unit time (i.e., an injection rate) at a present time based on the sequentially sensed fuel pressure transition, and a program for varying an injection command to the injector based on the diagram that is the profile of the injection rate transition and that is detected by the latter program and a predetermined basic diagram such that the diagram as the actual profile of the injection rate transition belongs to the basic diagram.
US07865292B2
An apparatus for controlling a throttle opening degree of a diesel engine with a supercharger is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit having functions of detecting section, a computing section, a correcting section, and a correction limiting/inhibiting section. The detecting section detects the atmospheric pressure, and the computing section computes an atmospheric pressure correction value with respect to the throttle opening degree based on the detected atmospheric pressure. The correcting section corrects the throttle opening degree in accordance with the atmospheric pressure correction value. When the degree of separation of an actual charging pressure from a target charging pressure in the supercharger is les than a predetermined value, the correction limiting/inhibiting section limits or inhibits correction of the throttle opening degree in accordance with the atmospheric pressure correction value.
US07865289B2
A method of distribution braking between the brakes of an aircraft. The method includes a first step of estimating a braking force objective and a steering torque objective to be achieved by the brakes of the aircraft. It also includes the steps of defining at least two groups of brakes (12, 13) and determining, for each group, a braking level that is to be achieved by the group. The braking levels being calculated in such a manner that braking performed in application of the braking levels is, at least under normal operating conditions of the brakes, in compliance with a braking force objective and with a steering torque objective.
US07865285B2
A machine control system may include a machine mounted stereo imaging apparatus configured to provide a 3-D model indicative of a terrain feature. The machine control system may also include a control module configured to process the 3-D model, and automatically perform an operation with a work tool based on the characteristics of the 3-D model.
US07865284B2
Each output from an angular-velocity detecting element (2) and first and second signal processing sections (21, 22) is supplied to each input terminal of a switch circuit (7) having input terminals of a number corresponding to the number of the outputs, and an output terminal of the switch circuit (7) is connected to an output terminal (4). The connection state of the switch circuit (7) is switched, corresponding to a mode signal outputted from a mode-signal generation circuit (8), one output is selected out of the outputs from the angular-velocity detecting element 2 and the first and the second signal processing sections (21, 22), and the selected output is supplied to the output terminal (4).
US07865280B2
An imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle and imaging a vicinity of the vehicle, includes a photographic lens, an image pickup device, an accident detection sensor, an image processing section, and a recording section. The image pickup device generates an image signal by performing photoelectric conversion of an object image based on a light flux from the photographic lens. The accident detection sensor detects an accident occurrence based on a shock to the vehicle. The image processing section generates first accident image data and second accident image data which photograph the same accident situation at an accident occurrence, based on the image signal. The recording section records the first accident image data and the second accident image data in different states of security levels regarding data credibility, respectively.
US07865270B2
Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website.
US07865268B2
Compliant mechanisms whose dominant modes of vibration match the desired kinematics for locomotion in a given environment are used to mimic motions of a living animal. Mechanisms are simple and mechanically robust. They may have as few as one actuator, which excites the compliant portion to vibrate in a natural mode that results in motion that mimics a living animal. Additional actuators may drive directional elements such as flippers. Models for compliant mechanism bodies were derived and used to identify actuator, material, and geometrical properties of the required mechanisms. The design and fabrication techniques of mechanisms implementing these ideas is also presented. Experiments found that important features of fish-swimming kinematics can be captured qualitatively by compliant mechanisms. The resulting mechanism swimming performance was ⅓ of the real fish performance, comparable to current robotic fish. A compliant mechanism approach to biomimetic locomotion has significant advantages since mechanisms are simpler and more robust than traditional mechanisms used for biomimetic robots and performance achieved is comparable. Radio control is straightforward. The flexible material may be uniform, but need not be. Active materials, such as piezoelectric materials may be used to change the stiffness or other mechanical properties of the flexible portion. The material may be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly. The tail portion may be tapered or uniform or variable cross-section.
US07865259B2
A digital data set representing a pre-scanned tooth geometry, including generic crown data, is merged with data representing a scanned patient tooth crown image, which lacks sufficient data to completely represent a complete tooth crown.
US07865255B2
An audio buffering system in a multimedia receiver includes an audio interface coupled to an incoming audio signal for generating a digital audio signal having transmitted therein a plurality of data words; a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer being coupled to the digital audio signal and comprising a plurality of cells being organized sequentially for holding data words of the digital audio signal, wherein a first cell of the FIFO buffer has an input being coupled to the digital audio signal; and a first shift register having a plurality of bits being organized serially, wherein a first bit of the first shift register receives an output from a last bit of the first shift register, and each bit of the first shift register is coupled to a corresponding bit in an outputted data word of the FIFO buffer. The first shift register is loaded with data words outputted from the FIFO buffer.
US07865250B2
Systems provide a stimulation electrode assembly sized and configured for placement in an adipose tissue region to stimulate a nerve in the adipose tissue region comprising an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted within the adipose tissue region, the lead including at least two electrically conductive portions to apply electrical stimulation to nerve tissue in the adipose tissue region, and at least two expandable anchoring structures deployable from the lead to engage adipose tissue and resist dislodgment and/or migration of the at least two electrically conductive portions within the adipose tissue region.
US07865246B2
A neurostimulation lead includes fiber optic cable. A human-implantable neurostimulator and neurostimulation lead each include an opto-electric transducer. The opto-electric transducers can be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an optical transducer, that converts: electrical energy to optical energy; optical energy to electrical energy; or both electrical energy to optical energy and optical energy to electrical energy. Neurostimulation-lead electrodes can be activated, and/or lead-status information can be transmitted, over the fiber optic cable, between the neurostimulator and the neurostimulation lead. A neurostimulation-lead power converter may be coupled to a pulse generator of the neurostimulator such that the power converter derives and stores power for the lead from stimulation pulses received from the stimulation-pulse generator.
US07865235B2
A method of detecting and classifying mental states, comprising the steps of: detecting bio-signals from one or more than one bio-signal detector; transforming the bio-signals into one or more than one different representations; detecting values of one or more than one property of the transformed bio-signal representations; and applying one or more than one mental state detection algorithm to the detected properties in order to classify whether the bio-signals indicate the presence of a predetermined response by a subject.
US07865230B1
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting lymph nodes in a human includes introducing a fluorescent contrast agent into a lymph node system of a body, directing near-infrared time-varying excitation light into the tissue of the body, causing the near-infrared time-varying excitation light to contact a lymph node of the lymphatic system, whereby a redshifted and time-varying emission light is generated, detecting the time-varying emission light at a surface of the body, filtering the time-varying emission light to reject excitation light re-emitted from the lymph node, and imaging the lymph node of the lymphatic system.
US07865228B2
This invention is a method for multi-slice CBF imaging using continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) with an amplitude modulated control which is both highly effective at controlling for off resonance effects, and efficient at doubly inverting inflow spins, thus retaining the signal advantages of CASL versus pulsed ASL techniques.
US07865218B2
A receiving device performs reception in a service period of a broadcast signal and switches to a power saving mode in a non-service period. The service period is composed of a first period during which an application data table of an MPE-FEC frame is transmitted and a second period, following the first period, during which an RS data table of the MPE-FEC frame is transmitted. An error correction unit 12 performs one of error correction that uses the whole RS data table according to MPE-FEC, and erasure correction that uses a same number of parity bytes as bytes having bit errors. When the bit errors are corrected by the error correction unit 12 performing erasure correction, a power control unit 30 switches a receiving circuit to a power saving mode before the second period ends.
US07865212B2
A mobile device is configured to maintain data synchronization with a host server over a wireless network for user data of a host application program associated with a user account. The user account is associated with user account data which includes an encryption/decryption key, and the user data is communicated over the wireless network in an encrypted format in accordance with the encryption/decryption key. For the data synchronization, the mobile device regularly causes the user data associated with the user account to be stored in memory in a decrypted format for use with the client application program of the mobile device. The mobile device further causes a copy of the user data to be stored in the removable memory card in the encrypted format, for use in securely transferring the user data to an alternate mobile device for use with a client application program of the alternate mobile device.
US07865208B2
First of all, data (D) of the link is transmitted via a first channel (CH1), while the quality of the data transmission is adjusted by correspondingly varying output power (P). Data (D) of the link is then transmitted via a second channel (CH2), wherein the output power (P) is initially set to a value (P2) which is dependent upon the value (P1) of the output power at the end of transmission via the first channel (CH1) and upon a modification of the reception conditions of the link during the changeover from the first channel (CH1) to the second channel (CH2).
US07865199B2
A telecommunication system for transferring SMS messages between a first terminal and at least one second terminal or intelligent network service. The system comprises a mobile telecommunication system (5) and one or more mobile network switching nodes (2) acting as gateway between the mobile telecommunication system (5) and the remainder of the telecommunication system for sending and receiving SMS messages to and from mobile terminals (6a-6z), coupled to an Intelligent Network control node (1) and one or more message servers (3). The Intelligent Network control node (1), is coupled to the mobile network switching nodes (2) and the message servers (3) for providing Intelligent Network services in the telecommunication system. One or more message servers (3), routing messages in the telecommunication system are coupled to the Intelligent Network control node (1) and the mobile network switching nodes (2). The Intelligent Network control node (1) and the mobile network switching nodes (2) are adapted to exchange the SMS messages directly (101b). Further there is provided a method for transferring SMS messages in such a telecommunication system, between the Intelligent Network control node (1) and the mobile network switching nodes (2) among others for interactive message sequences.
US07865198B2
The disclosure relates to a method for a message exchange service, especially to a service method for transmitting/receiving an SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Message Service) information from a mobile terminal to a residential device, or from a residential device to a mobile terminal, characterized by including a mobile terminal; Internet; a home network serving node (HNSN) system; an SMS server; and an indoor residential gateway (RG) having a plurality of residential devices.
US07865196B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for wireless stations periodically operating over a channel pre-designated for wireless stations to communicate and establish IBSS connections. Embodiments of the invention may provide a high probability that the stations may efficiently communicate. Additional features are described and claimed.
US07865189B2
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message.
US07865187B2
Improved search capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications devices such as cell phones, as well as improved techniques for delivering sponsored content in a mobile communication environment.
US07865183B2
A method of coordinating devices in a wireless network is provided. First capability data associated with a first type of power source and a first state of the power source of a first device is received at a second device. Second capability data is transmitted to the first device from the second device. The second capability data is associated with a second type of power source and a second state of the power source of the second device. The first capability data is compared with the second capability data at the second device. If the comparison indicates the first capability data is less desirable than the second capability data, the second capability data is transmitted again to the first device from the second device. If the comparison indicates the first capability data is more desirable than the second capability data, the first capability data is received again from the first device at the second device.
US07865181B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for searching for mobile content. A method includes receiving, via a user interface, at a computer system independent of the mobile device, information identifying the mobile device to receive computer data; receiving, at the computer system, information identifying the computer data to be downloaded to the mobile device; using the computer system to search computer data offerings from mobile device content providers for the computer data; and wirelessly transmitting to the mobile device data corresponding to a search result. Another method includes an application, on a mobile device, querying a computer system independent of the mobile device for a result of a search for the computer data, and causing the downloading of the computer data.
US07865177B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
US07865176B2
A method and system for processing a fixed format short message service (SMS) text message for alerting a user of a mobile phone to significant information in the message received by the mobile phone. Program code stored in memory on the mobile phone executes the method on a processor. A value of each preset variable of at least two preset variables is retrieved from the memory on the mobile phone. The mobile phone receives the message from a sender. The message is ascertained to be significant by ascertaining that the received message passes at least one test. Each test utilizes at least one aspect of the received message and the retrieved value of at least one preset variable. Responsive to the ascertaining, default handset settings of the mobile phone are overridden and the user is alerted by an audio tone or vibration that the received message is significant.
US07865174B2
A method of establishing a collaborative domain among a plurality of communication terminals can include having a communication terminal authenticate one or more other communication terminals based on personal information, which can be stored on a removable memory card in the other terminals, and/or based on the geographic location of the other terminals. A first communication terminal can determine the geographic location of a second communication terminal and can authenticate the second communication terminal in response to both the determined geographic location and personal information defined in the second communication terminal. In response to the authentication by the first communication terminal, communication of user and/or program information, which is unrelated to authentication, is allowed between at least the first and second communication terminals.
US07865164B2
A noise isolation passive mixing apparatus is designed to mitigate noise contribution from intermediate frequency (IF) filters and amplifiers in a radio frequency translation stage. Common-gate configuration devices are inserted between passive mixer output and input of a transimpedance amplifier. In this way, circulation of the input-referred noise of the transimpedance amplifier is decreased, because of the relatively high output impedance of the common-gate devices, and the noise figure of the mixing apparatus can be improved. Since the radio frequency signal still sees low impedance, a radio frequency transconductance (RF gm) stage can be removed from the mixing apparatus, reducing current consumption. A double-balanced mixing apparatus with this general architecture may be implemented in a 0.18 micrometer CMOS technology and used in a low-IF global positioning system operating at 1.575 GHz, in an access terminal of a cellular communication system, and in other systems.
US07865162B2
In a RF communications system, aspects for single weight antenna system for HSDPA may comprise receiving HSDPA signals via a plurality of receive antennas and individually adjusting a phase of a portion of the received HSDPA signals via a single weight. The phase adjusted portion of the received HSDPA signals may be combined with at least one of the received HSDPA signals to generate combined HSDPA signals. At least one control signal may control the adjusting of the phase of the received HSDPA signals. Discrete phases may be communicated to adjust the phase of the portion of the received HSDPA signals, where the plurality of the discrete phases may range from zero radians to substantially 2π radians. Phase shift channel estimates may be generated during the identified time to determine the discrete phase. A desired phase may be generated from the phase shift channel estimates, and the single weight may be generated from the desired phase.
US07865159B2
An RF switch is used in the signal path to an amplifier, for example between a receiving antenna and an amplifier. The switch is used to alternately connect the amplifier between a normal signal source for the amplifier and a fixed load for calibration. The power difference between the two switch states at the output of the amplifier would then yield a calibrated measurement of a signal value, such as rise over thermal (RoT). The amount of time spent in the calibration position is maintained at a minimized level so as to reduce impact on the normal operation of the amplifier. The invention provides an ability to estimate traffic load in a repeater system based on RoT measurements of repeater reverse-link output power by determining a reverse link gain.
US07865151B2
Disclosed is a swing hinge device for semi-automatically rotating a pair of facing housings of a mobile terminal on a step-by-step basis, for use in a mobile terminal having a first housing and a second housing with a display unit rotatable around a hinge axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the first housing, the swing hinge device includes a rotation member rotatable around the hinge axis; a plate-type swing hinge member rotatably connected to the rotation member to semi-automatically rotate the rotation member on a step-by-step basis; a power supply means mounted in the swing hinge member to supply power for semi-automatically rotating the rotation member; and at least one swing locking means formed along the perimeter of the swing hinge member to lock or release the rotation member for the step-by-step interrupted rotation of the rotation member.
US07865145B2
A voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) measurement device for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, in particular code division multiple access (CDMA) signals, comprising a radio frequency switch, a unit for converting the signal from the radio frequency (RF) switch into the digital base band, means for extracting a pilot signal out of a multitude of OFDM/CDMA signals, a timing unit and a code generator associated with said extraction means and a controller.
US07865140B2
A first device may include and/or involve at least one contact sensor, and logic to facilitate pairing between a second device and a third device as a result of contact between the contact sensor and at least one of the second and third devices.
US07865126B2
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a drive roller; an image forming unit; a fixing unit; a sub drive roller provided at the downstream side of the fixing unit, nipping and conveying a continuous-form-paper, on which the toner image is fixed, to the downstream side, a rotational speed of the sub drive roller being changable; a buffer unit provided between the fixing unit and the sub drive roller, being able to increase or decrease a buffer amount of the continuous-form-paper according to expansion or contraction of the continuous-form-paper in the fixing unit; a detection section that detects the buffer amount of the buffer unit; and a control section that controls the rotational speed of the sub drive roller based on the detection result of the detection section such that the buffer amount of the buffer unit is kept substantially constant.
US07865125B2
A continuous feed (CF) printing module, printing system, and method is provided. The CF printing module comprising an image transfer system configured to selectively mark a media web, and a media web transport system configured to selectively advance a media web without image marking by the image transfer system at a first speed and selectively route a media web for image marking by the image transfer system at a second speed. The first speed greater than the second speed.
US07865123B2
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive medium on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, an exposure unit to irradiate light onto the photosensitive medium, a developing device to apply toner to the photosensitive medium having the electrostatic latent image formed thereon, a cleaning device to remove waste toner remaining in the photosensitive medium, and a waste toner collecting device to store the waste toner removed from the photosensitive medium. The waste toner collecting device is provided with a supporting rail to support the developing device. The waste toner collecting device includes the supporting rail that supports the developing device, so that additional components to support the developing device are not needed, and the whole size of the image forming apparatus is reduced.
US07865121B2
An image forming apparatus that includes an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, a charging device to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an irradiating device to irradiate the surface of the image bearing member to form the latent electrostatic image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent electrostatic image, an optional cleaning unit to clean the surface of the image bearing member, a transfer device to transfer the developed image to an opaque medium, an optional cleaning device to clean a surface of the transfer device, a fixing device to fix the transferred image on the opaque medium, and an attachment device to attach the fixed image to a transparent medium after the opaque medium is overlaid with the transparent medium, and recording media for use in the image forming apparatus.
US07865116B2
A color printer 1 has a rotary type developing device 30 which rotated by an input gear 46 that receives power from a motor, and a plurality of developing units 13 supported on a frame 28. The plurality of developing units 13 accommodates toner of different colors therein. The frame 28 a first annular gear 29 being configured to be rotated by the input gear 46 and a second ring-shaped annular member 32 having a larger external diameter than the first annular gear 29. The second ring-shaped annular member 32 is disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of the first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.
US07865102B2
A fixing apparatus includes a control circuit which controls the electrifying to a first heater so that a temperature detected by a first temperature detection portion reaches a first target temperature and controls the electrifying to a second heater so that a temperature detected by a second temperature detection portion reaches a second target temperature, when warm-up is initiated, and, when the warm-up initiated, if an initial temperature of a rotary member is below a predetermined temperature, the control circuit sets the first target temperature to a temperature value greater than the first target temperature set when the initial temperature of the rotary member is greater than the predetermined temperature and sets the second target temperature to a temperature value greater than the second target temperature set when the initial temperature of the rotary member is greater than the predetermined temperature. In this way, hot offset and poor fixing can be prevented and a pre-heating operation time can be prevented from extending excessively.
US07865099B2
There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to suppress quality degradation of an image on the basis of a developing electric current profile without optically detecting density of a patch image. The image forming apparatus includes: a developing current detecting sensor to detect a developing current; and a control section that conducts consecutive operations of: creating a detecting-use image pattern for detecting a developing characteristic, by aligning a plurality of image patterns, which are different from each other in density; forming a latent image of the detecting-use image pattern onto the photoreceptor element; finding a developing electric current profile, which represents a transition of the developing electric current flowing during an operation of developing the detecting-use image pattern, from an outputted signal of the developing current; and changing an image forming condition, based on the developing electric current profile found by the finding operation.
US07865098B2
This invention provides supplying a model that will together with software and a controller, separately selectively cycle up (activate) or cycle down (inactivate) color stations in accordance with their need for a particular imaging run. The cycled down stations are not activated for the imaging run thereby preserving the quality of the developer and toner in that inactivated color station or housing. The model will vary, depending on the machine or desired images. Each model can later be used for machines of the same family.
US07865084B2
Embodiments of a system that includes an array of single-chip modules (CMs) are described. This array includes a first CM, a second CM coupled to the first CM, and a third CM coupled to the second CM. A given CM, which can be the first CM, the second CM or the third CM, includes a semiconductor die that is configured to communicate data signals with other CMs through electromagnetically coupled proximity communication. These proximity connectors are proximate to a surface of the semiconductor die. Moreover, the first CM and the third CM are configured to optically communicate optical signals with each other via the second CM through an optical signal path.
US07865079B2
The invention relates to a compensator of attenuation drift in an optical multi-wavelength switch (MWS) which uses input signal amplitude dither and external VOA dither cancellation to determine relative position of MEMS micro mirror hence indirectly determining attenuation level.
US07865075B2
An electronic camera detects a person's face image from an object image obtained by photographing an object, executes an enlarging process on the detected face image so as to obtain a face image whose face size is suitable, and displays the face image which is enlarged into the suitable size on a display device. When a plurality of people are present on the object image, the enlarged face images are switched by an image operating switch. As a result, the switched face image is displayed on the display device.
US07865073B2
A heating module is provided for integrating into an electrical appliance, for example in a household appliance such as a coffee machine, or in a laboratory apparatus. Said module includes at least one heating surface formed from a body, at least one heating element that comprises at least one PTC element and is fixed in the body, and a flow heater that is integrated into the heating module. The heating module is configured to be easy to mount and have a wide range of applications. In one embodiment, the body is embodied as an extruded shape having at least one tube receiving element and a tube through which a fluid flows arranged on or in the tube receiving element.
US07865070B2
To prevent both slips caused by damage from projections, and slips caused by adhesive force occurring due to excessive smoothing.The heat treating apparatus includes a processing chamber for heat treating wafers and a boat for supporting the wafers in the processing chamber. The boat further includes a wafer holder in contact with the wafer and a main body for supporting the wafer holder. The wafer holder diameter is 63 to 73 percent of the wafer diameter, and the surface roughness Ra of the portion of the wafer holder in contact with the wafer is set from 1 μm to 1,000 μm. The wafer can be supported so that the amount of wafer displacement is minimal and both slips due to damage from projections on the wafer holder surface, and slips due to the adhesive force occurring because of excessive smoothing can be prevented in that state.
US07865063B2
For accurate scene-change detection, the amplitudes of sub-band signals subjected to the spectral decomposition are detected, and the detected amplitudes are smoothed and sampled during smoothing. Then, the amount of spectral change is determined based on the smoothed sub-band amplitude and the smoothed sub-band amplitude which is one sampled amplitude before that smoothed sub-band amplitude. It is then determined whether or not the determined amount of spectral change is greater than a predetermined threshold, and processing is performed based on the determination result.
US07865061B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record moving image data including a plurality of frames on a recording medium. The recording medium includes a plurality of clusters. The apparatus also includes an editing unit of the moving image data, a setting unit configured to optionally set the editing unit, a management information processing unit configured to generate management information including link information indicating a cluster number of the moving image data to be reproduced next with respect to a plurality of clusters having the moving image data recorded thereon, and a control unit configured to control the recording unit to record a front frame of each editing unit in the moving image data on an area beginning with a cluster of the recording medium based on the editing unit set by the setting unit.
US07865058B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a first and second video signal. The first video signal represents a sequence of images having a first size, and the second video signal representing a sequence of images having a second size, the second size being smaller then the first size of the images. The apparatus combines said first and second video signal so as to obtain a composite video signal suitable for displaying on a display unit. The signal combination means being adapted to combine the first and second video signal while the size of the images corresponding to the second video signal remains unchanged.
US07865052B2
An optical waveguide includes: a first clad layer; a core layer formed on the first clad layer; a second clad layer formed on the core layer; and an optical transmission direction changing part. The optical transmission direction changing part is configured and arranged to change a transmission direction of a light transmitting through the core layer. The optical transmission direction changing part penetrates through the core layer. An optical transmission direction changing surface of the optical transmission direction changing part inclines relative to a predetermined reference plane by a predetermined angle.
US07865037B1
An inspection system for detecting anomalies on a substrate. A first network is coupled to a sensor array and communicates data. Process nodes are coupled to the first network, and process the data to produce reports. Each process node includes memory sufficient to buffer the data until it can process the data. Each process node has an interface card that formats the data for a high speed interface bus that is coupled to the interface card. A computer receives and processes the data to produce the report. A second network receives the reports. A job manager is coupled to the second network, receives the reports, and sends information to the process nodes to coordinate processing of the data.
US07865036B2
A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels.
US07865032B2
The present invention provides methods, systems and a machine readable medium including machine readable code for identifying an ill-exposed image. An image including a first image block is received. The luminance data and the texture energy data associated with the first image block are assessed. A determination is made regarding whether the received image is an ill-exposed image based on the assessment of the luminance data and the assessment of the texture energy data associated with the first image block.
US07865025B2
A data processing method for a context formation module and an arithmetic encoder in an embedded block coding with optimized truncation (EBCOT) module includes inputting column-based data into the context formation module, controlling the context formation module with a finite state so that the context formation module has a constant valid output in each clock cycle, separating the calculation and the normalization operation of registers into different pipeline stages of the arithmetic encoder, and interleaving inputs so that two different data are inputted into the arithmetic encoder in one clock cycle difference.
US07865015B2
Disclosed is a method for video object segmentation, which includes the following steps:(a) detecting a changing state between a current frame and a previous frame; (b) categorizing the current frame as a moving region, a still region, a background region and an uncovered background region according to the detecting result from the step (a); (c) determining a moving object in the current frame according to the sorting result from the step (b); and (d) updating a background component.
US07865014B2
A method for enhancing a video includes applying a linear histogram stretch, a gamma correction, and sigma row, column, and temporal filters to the video.
US07865011B2
A outer surface-inspecting method for judging whether a defect of a defective portion (27) extracted from an inspection area in an image (21A) of an object through comparison with a template is acceptable or not, comprising: dividing the inspection area into a plurality of sections (22, 23, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels (CONDITION 1-5); preliminarily judging, when at least one extracted defective portion (27) spreads out over some of the sections (28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels (CONDITION 3-5), whether defects of parts (27a, 27b, 27c) of the defective portion (27), each part (27a, 27b, 27c) being located on a different section (28a, 28b, 28c), are acceptable or not on a part to part basis according to the acceptable levels (CONDITION 3-5) of the sections (28a, 28b, 28c) on which the parts (27a, 27b, 27c) of the defective portion (27) are respectively located; and judging whether the defect of the defective portion (27) is acceptable or not based on the result of the preliminary judgment.
US07865009B2
In the magnetic ink character reading apparatus, a first determination section reads signal data sequentially from a signal data string corresponding to the output signals of a magnetic head and determines whether the signal data corresponds to a predetermined signal. A second determination section determines whether the determination results by the first determination section is obtained successively for at least a predetermined number of signal data. A determination counter section counts the number of times (count) the successive acquisition of the determination results each telling the disagreement of the signal data with the predetermined signal over at least the predetermined number of signal data has been confirmed by the second determination section. A character recognition processing execution limit section limits the execution of the character recognition processing according to the count result provided by the determination counter section.
US07865006B2
A method for facilitating a reduction in image artifacts is provided. The method includes receiving data regarding a scan of an object, reconstructing a plurality of images using the received data to form a three-dimensional image space, determining an orientation for a maximum intensity pixel operation, locating the maximum intensity pixels within a plurality of ray paths in accordance with the determined orientation, and filtering around each maximum intensity pixel along each ray path.
US07864995B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, a structure manager explicitly creates a container of graphical objects of anatomical regions by adding a structure, or the structure manager implicitly creates graphical objects of a group of anatomical regions through an organ segmentation process.
US07864988B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for providing security for an image signal in a base station or a terminal by detecting face information from the image signal. The apparatus includes a signal receiving unit receiving an image signal transmitted from a terminal, a location discriminating unit detecting a calling location of the terminal and checking if the calling location falls within a security region, and a controller transmitting the image signal when the calling location does not fall within the security region, or when the calling location falls within the security region and the image signal contains face information. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unauthorized transmission of images without additional big burden of security equipment or an invasion of individual rights of using image communication.
US07864982B2
A displacement detection method for a portable autonomous device having an integrated image sensor. The method comprises several steps. In the first step a current digital image is received from the image sensor; the current digital image depicting a background scene. Then, the position of a first area within the current digital image is chosen. Afterwards, a later digital image is received from the image sensor depicting an overlapping portion of the background scene. Then, the position of a second area matching to the first area within the later digital image is identified. After a match has been identified, the first and second areas depict approximately the same portion of the background scene. Then, a current motion vector of the portable autonomous device is calculated, according to a displacement between the first area and the second area.
US07864977B2
According to the invention, a whole-surface driven, flat thin loudspeaker that brings about smooth frequency characteristics with split vibration hardly caused is realized, and a voice coil assembly that has high reproduction efficiency and fewer operation failures, and brings about favorable work efficiency in manufacturing and further reduced manufacturing cost, and a loudspeaker using the same are manufactured. The voice coil assembly includes a rectangular voice coil including a rectangular bobbin formed with a rectangular cross section and a rectangular coil bonded to the rectangular bobbin, and a rectangular reinforcing member coupling the plurality of rectangular voice coils to one another in a grid pattern, wherein a portion of inner wall surfaces of the rectangular reinforcing member is bonded to any of outer wall surfaces of the rectangular bobbins of the plurality of rectangular voice coils, and the outer wall surfaces of the rectangular bobbins, to which the inner wall surfaces of the rectangular reinforcing member are not bonded, and portions of the inner wall surfaces of the rectangular reinforcing member, which are not bonded to the outer wall surfaces of the rectangular bobbins define a rectangular space between a pair of the adjacent rectangular voice coils.
US07864974B2
An earphone device integrated with a microphone has a main body, a microphone unit and a speaker unit. The microphone unit has a sound-absorbing film and a circuit unit, the sound-absorbing film being a hollow column and being connected to the main body through a rear end thereof, and the circuit unit being fixed on the main body and electrically connected to the sound-absorbing film. The speaker unit is mounted inside the sound-absorbing film of the microphone unit such that the microphone unit is located peripheral to the speaker unit. A microphone and an earphone can thus be integrated together as a whole so as to form an earphone device that can be used conveniently.
US07864965B2
A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
US07864957B2
Methods and apparatus in accordance with the present invention are operable to carry out certain functions including: receiving an encrypted program at a processing apparatus; transmitting a machine ID over a network to an administrator; receiving registration data over the network from the administrator in response to the machine ID; transmitting the registration data over the network to a distributor; receiving an encrypted decryption key and an encrypted virtual ID at the processing apparatus over the network from the distributor in response to the registration data; decrypting the encrypted decryption key using the virtual ID, and decrypting the encrypted program using the decryption key; re-encrypting the program using the virtual ID; and storing the encrypted virtual ID and the re-encrypted program in a first storage device.
US07864956B1
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US07864954B2
A method and a system for encrypted transmission or authentication between at least two units via an insecure communication channel, comprising the steps of: (a) in an initiation procedure, producing a common original value to be used in the respective units; (b) synchronising a counting value in each unit; (c) generating a key on the basis of the original value and the counting value in each unit, independently of other units; and (d) using the thus generated key in a subsequent encrypted transmission or authentication operation.
US07864950B2
It is desired to share one circuit by an encryption unit 200 and a decryption unit 500. A normal data transformation unit (FL) 251 and an inverse data transformation unit (FL−1) 273 are located at point symmetry on a non-linear data transformation unit 220, and a normal data transformation unit (FL) 253 and an inverse data transformation unit (FL−1) 271 are located at point symmetry on the non-linear data transformation unit 220. Therefore, the encryption unit 200 and the decryption unit 500 can be configured using the same circuits.
US07864938B2
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
US07864932B2
A digital telephone switch allows transparent switching from a convention telephone service to a cable digital telephone service. The switch is connected to the customer premises equipment and to the old and new telephone services. In its initial state, the switch connects the customer premises equipment to the old telephone service, leaving the new telephone service disconnected. Once a ring is detected on the new telephone service, or another appropriate control signal is received, the switch disconnects the customer premises equipment from the old telephone service and connects the customer premises equipment to the new telephone service. One embodiment can switch back and forth between the old and new telephone services to accommodate intercoms and the like.
US07864930B2
Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for registering and retrieving contact information associated with a potential calling party. The registration method comprises receiving an originating address associated with the potential calling party, receiving contact information associated with the potential calling party and storing the originating address associated with the potential calling party in an originating address field of a record associated with the potential calling party and storing the contact information associated with the potential calling party in a contact information field of the record associated with the potential calling party. This increases the variety of contact information that can be left by the potential calling party, contributes to a greater efficiency with which the eventual called party may retrieve contact information associated with a voice mail message and also accelerates the process by which an actual calling party can leave contact information for the called party.
US07864928B2
In order to adjust and decrease an acoustic pressure of a speaker driven based on an audio signal, an infrared communication receiver includes: a receiving section for receiving via infrared communication an audio signal representing audio data; and a speaker driving section for driving a speaker based on the audio signal received by the receiving section. The receiving section includes: a receiving block for receiving the audio signal; and a pulse width expanding and compressing section for expanding or compressing a pulse width of the audio signal received by the receiving block.
US07864927B2
A method and continually wearable device for one-button emergency calling, direct to the local emergency responder, from anywhere worldwide where the user is within cordless phone range of their extensive, personally-tailored network of secure, pre-authorizing landline base units. In the U.S., the local emergency responder instantly receives the users' callback number and instant street address with on-site directions through Enhanced 911. The wearable device provides 2-way audio communication with the local emergency responder in either speakerphone, phone or monitor-only modes. The method of adding an emergency calling authorization to a users' network is for the user to place their call pod on the base unit to grant authorization, the base owner then enters his password and the call pod owners name and presses the ‘authorize’ button. An adjustable strap holds the device to the users' body, or the device may be incorporated into other items which are worn or carried.
US07864922B2
An X-ray spectrometer which uses at least one curved analyzing crystal and which provides improved wavelength resolution of characteristic X-rays used for analysis and improved ratio of characteristic X-rays to background intensity by using only effective diffractive regions of the analyzing crystal. X-ray blocking plates upstand from an end of a crystal support member supporting the analyzing crystal in the direction of angular dispersion of the crystal toward the inside of a Rowland circle. Incident X-rays going from the point X-ray source toward the crystal and X-rays diffracted by the crystal toward an X-ray detector are partially blocked by the X-ray blocking plates. The shielded regions vary according to the incident angle θ of the incident X-rays. Optimum or nearly optimum effective regions of the surface of the crystal can be used at all times.
US07864919B1
A method for determining a position of a region within an ultra-hard polycrystalline body comprises directing x-rays onto the body, wherein the body includes one region that includes a target atom and another region that does not. The ultra-hard polycrystalline body can be in the form of a cutting element used with a subterranean drill bit. The x-rays penetrate the body and cause the target atom within the region including the same to emit x-ray fluorescence. The emitted x-ray fluorescence is received and the position of the second region within the body is determined therefrom. In one embodiment, the one region extends a depth from the surface, and the other region extends from one region into the body. The x-rays can be directed onto a number of different body surface portions to determine the placement position of the region comprising the target atom within the polycrystalline body.
US07864910B2
A PLL is provided with an optimum operating point in order to have appropriately a frequency margin and a locking time. There is provided a phase looked loop which includes: a frequency divider for dividing an output signal by a dividing integer corresponding to an input code; an encoding unit for encoding the input code to generate an encoded code; and a loop filtering unit configured to adjust elements in response to the encoded code.
US07864907B2
A data receiver has a sampling unit connected to a data signal input and configured to sample a data signal amplitude and amplify the sampled data signal amplitude to a predetermined value, a sampling clock generator unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to predetermine a sampling clock for the sampling unit, an evaluation unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to determine the time duration required by the sampling unit for amplifying the sampled data signal amplitude to the predetermined value and evaluate the time duration determined, and a control unit connected to the evaluation unit and the sampling clock generator and configured to define the sampling clock on the basis of the evaluation of the time duration determined by the evaluation unit.
US07864905B2
An apparatus and a method for equalizing a received signal to generate an equalized signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes a channel estimator for generating a channel estimation value according to a preamble symbol in the received signal and for generating a channel response value according to the channel estimation value, an interference power estimation circuit for generating an interference power estimate according to a hard decision value, the channel response value, and the received signal, and an equalization circuit for equalizing the received signal according to the channel response value and the adjusted interference power estimate to generate the equalized signal. The hard decision value corresponds to the equalized signal.
US07864902B1
Input signals of each frame are encoded by mapping the signals onto a coordinate system dictated by the symbols of the previous frame, and symbols from a constellation are selected based on the results of such mapping. Received signals are detected by preprocessing the signals detected at each antenna with signals detected by the antenna at the immediately previous frame, and then applied to a maximum likelihood detector circuit, followed by an inverse mapping circuit.
US07864896B2
An apparatus and method for generating LLRs in an MIMO communication system. In a receiver for a spatial multiplexing communication system, a determiner performs an MML decoding operation in an ascending or descending order of TX antennas to estimate a plurality of candidate TX vectors. A distance calculator calculates a Euclidean distance for each of the candidate TX vectors from the determiner. An LLR calculator calculates LLRs using the Euclidean distances from the distance calculator. Accordingly, it is possible to generate an LLR with high reliability at low complexity in an MIMO communication system.
US07864889B2
A method and system of establishing an offset for a receiver. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an input signal and generating a first signal. The method can further include integrating the input signal and the first signal at a reference node. In addition, the method can include comparing the input signal to a signal at the reference node and generating an output signal, analyzing the output signal to determine whether the output signal contains noise, and modifying the first signal based on the analysis of the output signal.
US07864888B2
A transmission mode/guard length detection circuit that uses the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing method, in which: a difference between a reference wave having a constant period generated on the basis of a transmission mode length that is a time period length of the predetermined symbol and a guard length that is a time period length of the guard interval and the peak value interval is calculated as a shift amount, and the shift amount is integrated for a symbol and is output, and the result of the integration for a predetermined symbol is changed on the basis of the shift amount.
US07864884B2
A solution for signal detection in a radio receiver receiving multicarrier signals is disclosed. According to the provided solution, the radio receiver receives a radio signal and converts the received radio signal into digital samples. Since a desired signal being detected occupies only a portion of subcarriers of a signal the radio receiver is configured to receive, the received signal is heavily oversampled. A detection procedure may be simplified by utilizing this oversampling. A relation between the known total bandwidth of the desired signal and the total bandwidth of the received radio signal may be calculated, and utilized in the actual signal detection. The signal detection is based on sliding correlation in which the samples of the received signal are correlated with a reference signal with different phase shifts between the two signals. As the result of the correlation, the received signal is determined to be either the desired signal or noise.
US07864878B2
The method is for receiving an OFDM signal according to which, during a frequency translation phase, there is introduced a phase and gain imbalance between the phase and quadrature components thereof, and a frequency offset relative to a main carrier of the OFDM signal. The method involves a compensation of the effects of the imbalance even in the presence of the frequency offset and provides a reference signal indicative of the effect of the imbalance and according to which a process is carried out to reduce the effect of the imbalance itself.
US07864862B2
A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.
US07864860B2
According to the apparatus and method of the present invention, the motion vector Vij is weighted by the weighting coefficient αij of the motion vector Vij decided based on the AF evaluation value Iij indicating the degree of sharpness of the subject image so as to decide the entire motion vector V. For this reason, it is possible to reduce an influence on the decision of the motion vector V of the entire image exerted by the motion vector of the object of a low degree of sharpness, that is, the object not focused on.
US07864853B2
A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US07864849B2
In one embodiment, decoding of a video signal includes predicting at least a portion of a current image in a current layer based on at least a residual coded portion of a base image in a base layer and shift information for samples in the predicted current image.
US07864848B2
A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
