US07901720B2
A process for producing a tea extract containing non-polymer catechins, which includes immersing unfermented tea leaves in ethanol or an ethanol-water solution having an ethanol concentration of from 85 to 99.5 vol % to obtain unfermented tea leaves having a percentage catechin residue of at least 80 wt % based on a catechin content of the unfermented tea leaves before the immersion in the ethanol or ethanol-water solution, and then extracting the unfermented tea leaves with warm water or hot water. The highly-efficient extraction of non-polymer catechins makes it possible to obtain a tea extract, which has an improved taste and does not produce sediment when added to beverages.
US07901719B2
A package assembly encloses a plurality of individual elongate consumable products. The package assembly includes a plurality of products aligned in a side-by-side array. A package housing encloses the array of products. The package housing has front and back walls for supporting the products therebetween in a closable cover for closing a product dispensing opening. The front wall includes a wall flap extending inwardly towards the back wall in frictional engagement with the array of products for removable retention of the products therein.
US07901717B1
An alkalizing composition comprising calcium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium bicarbonate, and dicalcium phosphate. The alkalizing composition may further comprise any one or a combination of magnesium hydroxide, tricalcium phosphate, vitamin, a binder, sea minerals and water. The alkalizing compositions may be formulated as an antacid, a nutritional or dietary supplement, or a sports beverage. The alkalizing composition may be used in methods to buffer garlic. The buffered garlic compositions produced in accordance with the methods provides high allicin yield under acidic conditions. The alkalizing compositions may also be used in methods to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables.
US07901715B2
The present invention relates to the field of viral disorders, and in particular to viral obesity. Compositions comprising nutraceutical agents are provided for treating viral obesity. Additionally, compositions comprising nutraceutical agents targeting adenoviruses are provided.
US07901711B1
The invention discloses the biodegradable nanoparticle for use in nanoparticle projectile bombardment as a carrier for administering proteins, peptides or siRNAs transdermally to an animal subject. The nanoparticles are composed of positively charged chitosan substrate, negatively charged core substrate complexed with chitosan, and encapsulated bioactive agents.
US07901707B2
Formulations or delivery systems are provided for controlled release of therapeutically active agents. The delivery systems are composed of polymer and lipid materials and may be prepared as a gel, paste, solution, film, implant or barrier depending on the intended application. The polymer component of the matrix is the naturally occurring biomaterial, chitosan, or a mixture of chitin and chitosan. The lipid component may include phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidyl or a mixture thereof. The delivery system may be used for delivery of hydrophilic agents, hydrophobic agents or combinations thereof. The therapeutically active agents may be formulated within the matrix as free agents or incorporated into particles. In a preferred embodiment the agents are incorporated into polymeric particles that are dispersed throughout the matrix.
US07901697B2
Disclosed are inverse emulsions for the preparation of cosmetic formulations wherein the weight ratio between the aqueous phase and the organic phase is from 4:1 and 2:1 and containing Ron 20 to 70% buy weight of an acrylic polymer obtained by inverse emulsion polymerisation of from 55 to 75% by weight of an anionic acrylic monomer containing a strongly acidic functional group; Ron 0.1 to 5% by weight of a cationic acrylic monomer if the formula (I). Wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2, R3, R4 are, one independently of the others, hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; Y is NH or O; A is a C1-C6 alkylene; from 25 to 45% by weight of a C3-C5 anionic acrylic monomer containing a carboxylic group. Also disclosed is the procedure for their preparation.
US07901689B2
The invention provides a chimeric peptide or mixture of chimeric peptides that can be formulated as an immunizing composition and used in a method for immunization of a mammal against an internal peptide cleavage product derived from a precursor or mature protein, for which the peptide cleavage product and the precursor or mature protein are self molecules. The chimeric peptide or peptides have an end-specific B cell epitope from a naturally-occurring internal peptide cleavage product of a precursor or mature protein, as a free N- or C-terminus, fused with or without spacer residues to a T helper cell epitope derived from a living source different from that of the internal peptide cleavage product.
US07901681B2
An antibody was raised against a synthetic 27 per peptide (ProEP2-1) blocked T. brucei and ProEP2-1-induced apoptosis in human brain vascular endothelial cells (HBVEC). The use of this and similar blocking antibodies have use both as diagnostic agents and in treatment to prevent damage arising from infection.
US07901677B1
Described is the use of a recombinant antibody comprising a binding site specific for an epitope of the laminin receptor or laminin receptor precursor for the treatment or diagnosis of various cancers, particularly B-CLL. Preferably, this antibody additionally comprises a binding site for at least one particular cell surface antigen.
US07901658B2
The present invention concerns chemically stable solid lithium ion conductors, processes for their production and their use in batteries, accumulators, supercaps and electrochromic devices.
US07901637B2
An exhaust emission purification device including a catalyst body with a plurality of flow channels extending between an intake side and a discharge side of the catalyst body. Further, the catalyst body is formed using a sintered catalyst material.
US07901632B2
An array of sensor elements is formed by the incorporation of sensing materials into porous structures, creating sensing systems with extremely large surface areas with sensing molecules attached to mimic the large number of cilia of an olfactory system. In each sensor element, the sensing material or molecules are attached to spacer molecules or groups, which are attached to linker molecules or groups, which are attached to the porous substrate material. More specifically, a porphyrin doped aerogel material is used. The porphyrin sensing material is attached to the aerogel throughout its high surface area pore space. The porphyrin is covalently bonded to the silica network of the aerogel with a triethoxysilyl group linker that covalently attaches to the aerogel, and an alkyl group spacer.
US07901626B2
A fluid handling unit 16 has an outside large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a, an outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b and an inside cylindrical portion 16c, which are integral-molded so as to be integrated with each other. The inside cylindrical portion 16c has a plurality of slits 16d, which are extend from the lower end of the inside cylindrical portion 16c to the upper end thereof, for establishing a communication between an inside fluid housing chamber 30, which is formed in the inside cylindrical portion 16c, and an outside fluid housing chamber 28 which is formed between the inside cylindrical portion 16c and the outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b. The plurality of slits 16d are designed to cause the most part of a liquid in the inside fluid housing chamber 30 to enter the outside fluid housing chamber 28 due to capillarity when the quantity of the liquid fed into the fluid handling unit 16 is not larger than a predetermined quantity, and to allow the liquid in the outside fluid housing chamber 28 to enter the inside fluid housing chamber when the quantity of the liquid fed into the fluid handling unit 16 exceeds the predetermined quantity.
US07901623B2
A lateral flow strip assay apparatus comprising a housing; a lateral flow strip in the housing, the lateral flow strip having a receiving portion; a sample collection unit; and a reagent reservoir. Saliva and/or buccal cells are collected from an individual using the sample collection unit. The sample collection unit is immersed in the reagent reservoir. The tip of the lateral flow strip is immersed in the reservoir and the reagent/sample mixture wicks up into the lateral flow strip to perform the assay.
US07901614B2
Methods and apparatus for meltblowing utilize an auxiliary manifold to dispense a fluid between an orifice of a die that is expelling polymeric fibers and an exit of a duct that is dispensing a secondary flow of gas onto the fibers. The fluid dispensed from the auxiliary manifold reduces a recirculation zone of the secondary flow between the exit and the orifice that, absent the fluid from the manifold, results in errant fibers that are blown back into the face of the die by the recirculating secondary flow.
US07901613B2
A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode comprises a hollow body member and a first groove provided radially on an outer surface of the hollow body member. The first groove is adapted to receive an implantable electrode and retain the electrode in place with a vacuum pressure during an elastomeric encapsulation of the electrode. The vacuum mandrel further comprises a vacuum port provided in the first groove.
US07901598B2
A solid electrolyte and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The solid electrolyte contains x atomic % of lithium, y atomic % of phosphorus, z atomic % of sulfur, and w atomic % of oxygen, in whichthe x, the y, the z, and the w satisfy the following expressions (1)-(5): 20≦x≦45 (1) 10≦y≦20 (2) 35≦z≦60 (3) 1≦w≦10 (4) x+y+z+w=100 (5), and apexes of X-ray diffraction peaks in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by an X-ray diffraction method using a Kα-ray of Cu exist at diffraction angles 2θ of 16.7°±0.25°, 20.4°±0.25°, 23.8°±0.25°, 25.9°, 0.25°, 29.4°±0.25°, 30.4°±0.25°, 31.7°±0.25°, 33.5°±0.25°, 41.5°±0.25°, 43.7°±0.25°, and 51.2°±0.25°, respectively, in the X-ray diffraction pattern, and a half-width of each of the X-ray diffraction peaks is not larger than 0.5°.
US07901588B2
An etching process is employed to selectively pattern the top magnetic film layer, the tunnel barrier, and the pinned bottom magnetic layer of a magnetic thin film structure. The pinned bottom magnetic film layer has an antiferromagnetic layer or a Ru spacer formed thereunder. The etching process employs various etching steps that selectively remove various layers of the magnetic thin film structure stopping on the antiferromagnetic layer or the Ru spacer. The progress of this etching process can be monitored by measuring the electrochemical potential difference of a part or wafer containing a magnetic structure with respect to a reference electrode simultaneously with the selective etching process.
US07901585B1
There are provided methods and processes that employ a mercury-adsorbing granular material as a sorbent to remove mercury from fluids. The fluids can be waste fluids that result from manufacturing, processing, or other treatment processes or systems. The fluids can also be fluids that are treated in their natural state. The fluids to be treated may include water, air, sludge, slurries, gases from processing or furnaces flues, gaseous flows, liquid flows, and other gases and liquids. In one excellent form of the invention, the mercury-adsorbing material includes taconite tailings.
US07901584B2
A plasma concentrator having a concentrator chamber, concentrator gel beads, a filter, and an agitator. The agitator end is positioned in the concentrator chamber and supported for rotation about its central axis and for reciprocal movement along its central axis. A filter is selected to block effective flow of plasma therethrough under ambient gravity conditions and permit plasma and plasma concentrate flow therethrough under centrifugal forces of the separation gravity. A method concentrates plasma by removing water without significantly denaturing the fibrinogen in the plasma. Then centrifugal force can be applied to the concentrated plasma in an amount sufficient to separate a substantial portion of the plasma concentrate from the beads.
US07901582B2
A phosphorus recovery method and a phosphorus recovery system which can make equipment size small, and can be added easily also to an existing wastewater treatment facility, and can recover phosphorus by low cost, are provided. A phosphorus compound adsorption material includes a nitrogen containing compound which has an amino group at an end of molecular structure, a carrier supporting the nitrogen containing compound, and zinc ion or iron ion fixed to the nitrogen containing compound. After passing water to be treated containing phosphorus to an adsorption tower filled up with this phosphorus compound adsorption material to make phosphorus stick to the phosphorus compound adsorption material, a drug solution for desorption is supplied to the adsorption tower, and phosphorus is desorbed in liquid and is recovered.
US07901581B2
The present invention relates to a simulated moving bed process, wherein at least one adsorbent is washed after binding of target compound and wherein the outlet of wash liquid from the adsorbent is subsequently passed onto another adsorbent for binding of target compound removed by the washing. In one embodiment, the method comprises binding of at least one target compound using three or more adsorbents connected in series and elution of target compound from said three adsorbents. After the binding to an adsorbent, wash liquid is passed across the adsorbent to recover desorbed and/or unbound target compound, and the outlet of such wash liquid is directed to the adsorbent after the next in the series, to which no feed has yet been added. The target compound is recovered by eluting target compound from the washed adsorbents.
US07901576B2
The present invention provides: a distributor plate for a composite pressure vessel. The distributor plate includes a thermoplastic polymeric disk having a top side, a bottom side, a perimeter edge and a central opening. Radial slits are formed in the disk to define fluid flow passages through the disk between the central opening and the perimeter edge. The fluid flow passages through the disk are adapted to swirl fluid flowing through the disk from the bottom side to the top side around the central opening. The present invention also provides a water treatment vessel that includes one or more distributor plates, a method for manufacturing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plates and a method for preparing a composite pressure vessel that includes one or more of the distributor plate for use as a water treatment apparatus.
US07901574B2
A chromatography column comprising a chromatography tube, a piston tube with a porous obstruction that inhibits the movement of particle solids therethrough, and a quick connect/disconnect clamp for use in coupling the chromatography tube to the piston tube. This column is for use in a liquid chromatography process where fluid is pumped under pressure through the chromatography tube which contains a packed particulate solid. The clamp allows for the quick removal and replacement of chromatography tubes when the particulate needs replacement.
US07901573B2
Disclosed herein is a separation column comprising a porous block covered with a coating wherein space-free adhesion is attainable therebetween by low temperature process without releasing octadecylsilyl bases and others from the porous block. A monolith rod 1 is covered with a metal or resin coating 2. Then, the monolith rod 1 covered by the coating 2 is further covered with a rod retainer 3 made of a low melting point metal (melting point 100-200 degrees C.) to form a column body 19. Since the rod retainer 3 is formed by pressure molding at low temperature (100-200 degrees C.). It is therefore possible to absorb the surface irregularities of the monolith rod 1 by the coating 2 while octadecylsilyl bases and others from are released when the retainer 3 is formed. This allows the potential separation ability of the porous block to be brought out maximally.
US07901571B2
A flow-through mixing apparatus for incorporating a dry treatment product into a waste stream. The apparatus comprises a pump for directing a liquid waste from a storage pit/tank, a mixer that receives the liquid waste from the pump, and a valve downstream of the mixer for either recirculating the liquid waste back to the storage pit/tank via a recirculation conduit, or directing the liquid waste to a discharge conduit. The mixer comprising a jet nozzle, a venturi tube and a high-shear assembly. The recirculation conduit establishes a calibration loop for determining the appropriate treatment regimen based on the characteristics of the waste liquid. The recirculation conduit also permits the homogenization of the pit/tank contents prior to addition of the dry treatment product. The dry treatment product introduced in the region of the mixer is subjected high shear forces, thereby incorporating the dry treatment product into the waste stream with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration.
US07901565B2
A method of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involves contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing a sulfur tolerant precious metal and a non-sulfating carrier so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected, and contacting the sulfur tolerant catalyst with an oxygen containing gas to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst.
US07901561B2
The present invention relates to a method for electrolytic production and refining of metals having a melting point above about 1000° C., particularly silicon, where there is provided a first electrolytic cell having an upper molten electrolyte layer of a first electrolyte, a lower molten alloy layer of an alloy of the metal to be refined and at least one metal more noble than the metal to be refined. The lower alloy layer is the cathode in the first cell and an anode is positioned in the upper molten electrolyte layer. A second electrolytic cell is also provided with an upper molten metal layer of the same metal as the metal to be refined, said layer constituting a cathode, a lower molten alloy layer, said lower layer constituting an anode, said alloy having a higher density than the metal to be refined, and an intermediate molten electrolyte layer having a density between the density of the upper and lower molten layers. Both electrolytes are oxide based electrolytes containing oxide of the metal to be refined, and the electrolyte is in molten state and has a melting point below the operating temperature of the process. Raw material comprising an oxide of the metal to be refined is added to the first cell and direct electric current is passed through the anode to the cathode such that the metal to be refined is moved from the anode and deposited in molten state at the cathode. The two cells can be operated in two separate steps. One to produce an alloy and the other to refine metal from the alloy.
US07901553B2
A system for sensing a gas stream constituent comprises: (a) a thermally conductive, electrically insulative substrate, (b) a gas-sensing element mounted on the substrate and capable of sensing the constituent, (c) a reference element mounted on the substrate having electrical properties congruent with the gas-sensing element and being insensitive to the constituent, (d) an electronic circuit interconnecting the gas-sensing element and the reference element. The circuit is capable of actuating both of the elements and measuring the voltage difference between the elements. The voltage difference is proportional to the concentration of the constituent in the gas stream.
US07901547B2
The present invention relates to an electrical device for impeding corrosion of a metal body. The electrical device includes a driver circuit including at least one inductive component. The driver circuit is suitable for driving one or more pads coupled to the metal body so that corrosion of the metal body is impeded. A control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the driver circuit. A feedback circuit provides feedback from the driver circuit to the control circuit. The driver circuit can operate as a resonant circuit, owing to the at least one inductive component, and ballast energy applied to the pads.
US07901543B2
A composition for enhancing the dewatering of a paper sheet on a paper machine and a method for using the composition is disclosed. The composition comprising one or more aldehyde-functionalized polymers comprising amino or amido groups wherein at least about 15 mole percent of the amino or amido groups are functionalized by reacting with one or more aldehydes and wherein the aldehyde functionalized polymers have a molecular weight of at least about 100,000. The method comprising adding the composition to the paper machine at a dosage of about 0.05 lb/ton to about 15 lb/ton, based on dry fiber.
US07901542B2
The present invention aims to provide coated papers for newsprint inks having fast ink drying properties comparable to those of conventional newsprint papers, without stickiness, and having good reproduction and sharpness of printed images comparable to those of coated papers printed using penetration drying type inks; as well as processes for preparing them. The invention provides for a coated printing paper for newsprint inks comprising a coating layer containing a pigment and an adhesive on a base paper, characterized in that the coating layer on the base paper has a coat weight of 4.0 g/m2 or more per side and that the coated paper has an oil absorbency under pressure of 20 g/m2 or more and a Bekk smoothness of 75 seconds or less; as well as a process for preparing the paper.
US07901535B2
An apparatus and method for making expandable honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings is provided. Material is fed to a folder and past a cutter. Adhesive is applied to the material downstream of the cutter and the material is cut to desired lengths. The cut strips of material are stacked with similarly formed strips to form the honeycomb structure.
US07901531B2
An aircraft stringer lay-up assembly is provided comprising a contoured curing block and a first mandrel element positioned thereon. The first mandrel assembly includes a first bar assembly having a plurality of rigidity reducing first slots formed along a first mandrel length. The plurality of rigidity reducing first slots protruding partially through a first mandrel depth of the first mandrel element to allow the first bar assembly to conform to the contoured curing block. A composite ply assembly is laid up onto the first mandrel element and cured while conformed to said contoured curing block such that a contoured composite stringer element is generated.
US07901528B2
A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate having a sheet, including: (a) arranging a wiring substrate and a sheet between a board and a tool in a manner that a resin layer comes between the wiring substrate and the sheet, one surface of the wiring substrate being a concave/convex surface and the other surface being flat, and both surfaces of the sheet being flat; (b) pressing the wiring substrate, the resin layer, and the sheet using the board and the tool so as to adhere the resin layer to both the wiring substrate and the sheet, in that: the board having a flat surface is arranged in a manner that the flat surface faces the tool; the tool contains an elastic body having a projecting part projecting in a direction of the board; the resin layer is arranged so as to overlap with a concave part and a convex part of the concave/convex surface; and the pressing step (b) starts with a tip of the projecting part of the tool and the flat surface of the board and proceeds while expanding a pressing surface of the tool by widening a tip plane of the projecting part using deformation of the elastic body.
US07901515B1
Exemplary embodiments provide a cleaning composition that can include alkane components for cleaning printer members made of elastomeric materials.
US07901504B2
A concrete which includes in parts by weight: 100 Portland cement; 50 to 200 of a sand having a single grading with a D10 to D90 between 0.063 and 5 mm, or a mixture of sands, the finest sand having a D10 to D90 between 0.063 and 1 mm and the coarsest sand having a D10 to D90 between 1 and 4 mm; 10 to 50 of a particulate, substantially non-pozzolanic material having a mean particle size less than 15 μm; 0.1 to 10 of a water-reducing superplasticizer; and 10 to 30 of water; which concrete is substantially free of silica fume; the concrete having a compressive strength greater than 100 Mpa at 28 days.
US07901501B2
The invention provides an inkjet ink composition comprising: a white pigment; a polymerizable compound; and a polymerization initiator. The white pigment includes at least one of inorganic hollow particles or inorganic-organic hybrid hollow particles. A ratio of an average inside diameter of cavities in the at least one of inorganic hollow particles or inorganic-organic hybrid hollow particles to an average outside diameter of the at least one of inorganic hollow particles or inorganic-organic hybrid hollow particles is in a range of from 0.4 to 0.95. Further, a volume average particle diameter of the at least one of inorganic hollow particles or inorganic-organic hybrid hollow particles is in a range of from 0.01 to 1.0 μm.
US07901499B2
An ink composition at least comprising water and a colorant, and further comprising 0.01% by weight or more of lithium ions based on the total weight of the ink composition, wherein at least one type of glycol ether represented by the following formula 1 is contained: R1O—[—CH2—CH2—O]n—R2 Formula 1 (wherein, n represents a positive number of 4 to 8, R1 represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and R2 represents an alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms).
US07901493B2
An air filtering apparatus for electrolyzing water to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species and filtering air by using the electrolytic water, including an air filtering unit having a gas-liquid contact member to which the electrolytic water containing the active oxygen species is circulatively supplied so as to be brought into contact with air, an electrical conductivity detecting unit for detecting the electrical conductivity of water in the air filtering unit, and a water exchange judging unit for judging on the basis of the detected electrical conductivity whether water exchange is necessary or not.
US07901492B2
A device in connection with a pipe separator. The pipe separator comprising an extended tubular body (1) with a diameter that is principally the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet pipe (3) of the pipe separator. A gas manifold (2) is arranged in connection with the inlet pipe. The manifold (2) includes a number of vertical degassing pipes (7), which are connected to the supply pipe (3) immediately ahead of the inlet to the separator and which end in an overlying, preferably slightly inclined gas collection pipe (6). The manifold is designed so that the gas will be diverted up through the vertical degassing pipes and collected in the gas collection pipe (6) for return to the outlet pipe after the separator or transported onwards to a gas tank or gas processing plant or the like.
US07901491B2
Disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage material comprising a metal hydride and an organic hydrogen carrier. Also disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage/fuel cell system which employs the hydrogen storage material.
US07901490B2
A system and method of reducing the introduction of foreign material to wafers. A system includes an enclosure structured and arranged to carry wafers used in semiconductor device manufacturing, and an attractive material arranged as at least a portion of an interior surface of the enclosure.
US07901487B2
An acid gas such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture thereof is removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a multipressure stripper (51) that combines acid gas compression with stripping, less energy is consumed. The multipressure stripper is a multistage flash (52, 55, 59) in which the total vapor flow from each stage is compressed and fed to the bottom of the previous flash stage at a higher pressure. In this process, the heat in the water content of the vapor exiting each stage is utilized at a higher pressure in the previous stage. The described stripping process generates the acid gas at a higher pressure without operating the stripper at a higher temperature, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the system.
US07901485B2
Vortex gas separation is forced in radial counterflow between counter-rotating coaxial centrifugal impellers. Feed is at the axis of rotation. Axial extraction of nitrogen and water vapor is driven by an axial pump and by back pressure from the tank while radially outward flow of carbon dioxide and scrubbing targets is driven by the impellers. Scrubbing of the concentrated targets is in high turbulence during a long residence time.Tiny centrifugation effects of innumerable turbulent eddy vortices in a shear layer between the impellers and in the tank are integrated by the forcing regime of the impellers and the axial pump. Radial vortices caused by shear between the counter-rotating impellers provide coherent sink flow conduits for axial extraction of nitrogen ballast. Fine fly ash (PM-2.5) scrubbing is concurrent with NOx and SOx scrubbing and with carbon capture. Mechanically assisted and highly turbulent wet scrubbing shear thickens fine fly ash and precipitates into clumps of sludge, so the wastewater stream is easily treatable and requires no large storage tank.
US07901482B2
Molten steel is refined in an electric furnace by using iron scrap as a main iron source, and is tapped into a separate refining vessel. Thereafter, metallic-Al containing material and CaO are added onto a bath surface of the molten steel, and an oxygen containing gas is supplied to the molten steel. Thereby, a nitrogen-removal reaction utilizing an AlN formation reaction is caused to proceed. Consequently, even in the case of molten steel having a low carbon content, a low-nitrogen steel can be refined and produced at low costs.
US07901481B2
A vegetable based fluidic fertilizer derived from concentrated separator by-products (CSB.) The CSB is heat treated and optionally filtered to remove suspended particular matter. The heat treatment is performed in a range of about 150 to 200 degrees F. for about 24 to 96 hours. Filtration is provided using a standard wire mesh size in a range of about 50 to 200. The fertilizer may then be applied at about 25 to 200 gallons per acre. The fertilizer may be applied to agricultural vegetation either directly or by inclusion in an irrigation stream.
US07901476B2
A peaky filter comprises a covering and a corresponding base, a supporting frame connected between the covering and the base, and a multifold filter covering the exterior of the supporting frame. The supporting frame includes plural transversely spaced first supports and plural connectors. Each support has a supporting rod and a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting members connected to the supporting rod. Each supporting member has a first supporting leg and a second supporting leg extending radially and outwardly from the supporting rod. Each connector has a first connecting part and a second connecting part, which are used for respectively connecting one end of the first supporting leg of one support and one end of the second supporting leg of another adjacent support to connect elastically the plurality of transversely spaced supports, and consequently alter the size of the supporting frame and the filtering area of the filter.
US07901467B2
A process for treating the working surfaces of equipment used in the production and processing of polycarbonate is disclosed. The thermal treatment in an oxidative atmosphere results in resin and molded articles having improved optical quality.
US07901454B2
An apparatus for treating regurgitation of blood through a diseased heart valve having at least two leaflets includes an occluding member configured to be positioned within the diseased heart valve so that at least a portion of the occluding member is positioned adjacent to one of the at least two leaflets. The at least one portion of the occluding member contacts at least one surface of the at least one leaflet. The occluding member is dimensioned so that the at least one leaflet abuts the at least one surface of the occluding member. The apparatus further includes a suspending wire operatively attached to the occluding member and configured to facilitate positioning of the occluding member within the heart valve. The suspending wire includes an anchoring portion having a coiled shape. The anchoring portion is configured to secure the suspending wire to at least one of a blood vessel and a heart wall surrounding a heart chamber.
US07901434B2
A vertebral rod assembly with first and second members that may rotate about a first axis. Each of the first and second members includes a base and a vertebral support rod extending from the base. An extension extends from the base on the first member into an opening formed in the base of the second member. A ring is sized to extend around the extension. A fastener engages with the ring to lock the first and second members, and to prevent relative rotation between the first member and second member.
US07901427B2
A medical guidewire assembly comprises a guidewire having a flexible tip. A medical device such as a collaptible filter for use as an embolic protection device is mounted on the guidewire. The filter is advanced through a body lumen with the guidewire tip extending distally. At a first location the filter is advanced relative to the tip to a location which is distally advanced from the first location. Placement of the filter in an optimal distal location is thereby achieved.
US07901423B2
An end effector for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument. A body extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the body is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. A folded element includes a first end coupled to the distal end of the body at a predetermined region between a node and an antinode. The folded element extends along the longitudinal axis from the distal end to the proximal end of the body. The folded element comprises a second free acoustic end. A distal portion of the body and the folded element define a parallel acoustic path.
US07901393B2
A disposable pull-on garment is disclosed, The pull-on garment comprises a ring-like elastic belt. The ring-like elastic belt comprises a front belt portion and a back belt portion comprising a belt layer and a belt elastic material joined to the belt layer. Each ring-like elastic belt portion has a central panel, and left and right side panels contiguous with its central panel. The central panel of the front belt portion is joined to the front waist panel of the absorbent main body. The central panel of the back belt portion is joined to the back waist panel of the absorbent main body. The respective left and right side panels of the front belt portion and the back belt portion are joined together at or adjacent to the respective left and right side edges to form the waist opening and the two leg openings. The longitudinal lengths of the side panels of the back belt portion are greater than the longitudinal lengths of the respective side panels of the front belt portion.
US07901390B1
A disposable garment having a side elastomeric material and a waist elastomeric material is disclosed. The disposable garment has a front region, a back region, a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis, a waist elastomeric material, a side elastomeric material, and seams. The chassis has a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a central panel having a waist edge and side edges, an ear panel having a waist edge, and a waistband panel in the front region and the back region. The ear panel extends laterally outwardly from each side edge of the central panel. The waistband panel extends longitudinally outwardly from the waist edge of the central panel and the waist edge of the ear panel. The waist elastomeric material is joined to and extending continuously along the waistband panels in the front region and the back region so as to form a continuous extensible waistband in the front region and the back region. The side elastomeric material is joined to the ear panel so as to form extensible ears. The side elastomeric material and the waist elastomeric material are separate elements and are disposed so as not to overlap to each other. The seams join each ear panel to a corresponding portion in the ear panel so as to form two leg openings and a waist opening such that the extensible waistbands form a continuous extensible waist feature.
US07901387B2
A hollow out-of-wafer-plane micro-needle protruding from a support member, the micro-needle includes a body portion having a longitudinal central axis, an inner lumen within the body portion and extending through the support member and into the protruding micro-needle, a closed pointed tip portion closing off the inner lumen in the tip region, the central axis extending through the tip portion, and at least one side opening in the body portion having an axis that intersects the central axis, the at least one side opening communicating with the inner lumen.
US07901378B2
Systems and methods for treating a vessel include devices having a main elongated element with a balloon at its distal end, an auxiliary elongated element wherein a distal end of the auxiliary elongated element is proximal to the balloon, and a core wire having a internal core wire portion and an external core wire portion, wherein the external core wire portion is external to the balloon. In some embodiments, a distal connecting element is attached to the distal end of the balloon. In some embodiments, the distal connecting element is positioned at a rotational distance from the auxiliary elongated element. In some embodiments, the balloon is a fixed wire balloon. Inflation of the balloon causes guidewires positioned within the device and external core wires to be pushed up against the lesion, providing a focused force for cracking the lesion.
US07901372B2
A joint is created by stretching stretchable material and detachably/re-attachably attaching the stretched material to an attachment means such as a piece of hook-type fastener. The joint can be used in wraps for wounds, with or without supports.
US07901363B2
A device for sampling body fluid includes a housing having a sleeve at a forward end thereof which is displaceable in response to being pressed against a user's skin to trigger the firing of a lancet. After the lancet is removed from the incision, the sleeve is repeatedly pressed against the skin to depress a ring of body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to express body fluid outwardly through the incision. A pusher member is then actuated to push a capillary tube through a front end of the housing for drawing-in body fluid. The lancet is a disposable lancet which includes a body supporting a skin-lancing member and the capillary tube. The disposable lancet passes through an upper end of a lancet carrier when being installed or removed. The device cannot be armed until the disposable lancet is installed in the housing, because the capillary tube functions to push a safety device to a non-safety position.
US07901361B2
A breathing apparatus is provided for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea that optimizes the positive pressure to the airway of a patient. The apparatus is configured to detect flow limitations in the patient airway from an analysis of inspiratory flow waveforms. The airway pressure setting is raised, lowered or maintained depending on whether a flow limitation has been detected and on the previous actions taken by the apparatus. The apparatus may include a blower, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a microprocessor, a pressure controller and a nasal fitting. The apparatus is configured to increase the airway pressure when a flow limitation is detected in the airway of the patient and to decrease the airway pressure when a flow limitation is not detected.
US07901357B2
A robotic 5D ultrasound system and method, for use in a computer integrated surgical system, wherein 3D ultrasonic image data is integrated over time with strain (i.e., elasticity) image data. By integrating the ultrasound image data and the strain image data, the present invention is capable of accurately identifying a target tissue in surrounding tissue; segmenting, monitoring and tracking the target tissue during the surgical procedure; and facilitating proper planning and execution of the surgical procedure, even where the surgical environment is noisy and the target tissue is isoechoic.
US07901355B2
The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus for analyzing the skin, the which includes an ultrasound probe arranged to analyze the skin along an axis and a vibrator arranged to emit at least one shear wave to a region of the skin extending about the axis. The ultrasound probe is arranged to detect displacements induced in the skin by the propagation of the shear wave.
US07901349B2
Apparatus and method for detecting connectivity in a channel in an endoscope undergoing reprocessing using an automatic reprocessor, the apparatus including a source of pressurized fluid which may be a gas alone or gas and liquid and a back pressure detector connected to the channel or channels of interest in the endoscope, the method including providing a source of pressurized fluid, directing the pressurized fluid to a channel in an endoscope, monitoring the time for the back pressure in the pressurized fluid to decay to a predetermined level; and determining whether the channel is connected and open or disconnected by comparing the decay time of the actual back pressure to one or more predetermined values corresponding to the specific channel or channels and model of endoscope undergoing reprocessing.
US07901346B2
Described are methods and devices useful for supporting posterior vaginal tissue for various purposes such as treating or preventing vaginal prolapse or enterocele, especially in a patient not having a uterus, the devices including implants designed to contact the vaginal cuff and connect to sacral anatomy such as the sacrum or the uterosacral ligaments.
US07901341B2
In a bending apparatus which moves one of upper and lower tables (9, 10), and performs bending on a workpiece (W) by tools (P, D) attached to the upper and lower tables (9, 10), a tool group including a plurality of split tools is transferred to the upper and lower table (9, 10), a plurality of process stations are formed by splitting the transferred tool into a plurality of tool groups based on automatically or manually determined tool-layout information, and then bending is carried out.
US07901338B2
An exerciser including a movable body support mounted on an exerciser frame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A movable foot support extends from the exerciser frame. The movable foot support is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction. The movable foot support may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers, and, in some embodiments, may comprise independently movable foot supports for each foot. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body support and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise.
US07901328B1
A tumbling and vaulting trainer assembly configurable for performing either tumbling or vaulting routines. The assembly includes a pivoting trainer for tumbling routines and a chock used in with the pivoting trainer portion for vaulting routines.
US07901325B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for accurate measurement, compilation, and presentation of sprinting and running technique data. In one embodiment, the apparatus, system and method includes a knee pad configured to contain a knee pad sensor, a foot pad configured to contain a foot pad sensor and a main trunk that connects the foot pad and the knee pad. The knee pad sensor and the foot pad sensor sense movement near the sensors and contact to the sensors. Data from the sensors is output to a CPU. In one embodiment, the apparatus, system and method include arm sensors. The arm sensors sense arm movement of a user and report arm movement data to the CPU. In a further embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to contain a harness positioned opposite the main trunk.
US07901319B2
A transmission mechanism including a switching clutch or brake is switchable between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, and provides improved fuel economy by a transmission with an electrically variable speed ratio and high power transmitting efficiency by a gear type power transmitting device constructed for mechanical transmission of power. During four-wheel drive vehicle running with second drive wheels driven by a third electric motor, a switching control switches a differential portion to a continuously-variable shifting state, so that an operating speed of a first electric motor operated by an output of an engine as an electric generator is controlled to assure a higher degree of electricity generating efficiency, owing to the differential function of the differential portion, than when the differential portion is placed in a non-continuously-variable shifting state in which first electric motor speed and engine speed are determined by vehicle running speed.
US07901309B2
A tensioner has a base plate and a pivot arm. A first end of the pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the base plate for rotation about a first axis. A spring biases the pivot arm to rotate in a tensioning direction. A push rod assembly is pivotally mounted to the second end of the pivot arm. The push rod assembly is rotatable about a second axis extending parallel to the first axis. The push rod assembly frictionally engages the pivot arm generating frictional forces counter acting and damping the spring bias. When the tensioning guide is forced to rotate in the tensioning direction, the acting moment arm of the push rod force causing the guide to rotate towards the endless drive, is considerable longer at the end of the tensioning stroke than in the beginning of the stroke.
US07901306B2
A marker stake for locating a boundary reference point on a sports field can be buried and out of sight when not in use, and then quickly located using an electronic receiver which detects a signal emitted by an electronic marker in the marker stake. Various field boundary indicators can be removably attached to the marker stake. The stake may be embodied in a cylindrical body constructed of a moldable polymer with a socket at one end for receiving a pin or post of the field boundary indicator, and the electronic marker embedded inside the body. The electronic marker may be a passive LC marker tuned to a frequency associated with a known field sport. Different sets of such marker stakes tuned to different frequencies may be used to mark and relocate reference points for multiple sports played on the same field.
US07901299B2
The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.
US07901293B2
In a game system of the illustrative embodiments, a slave machine a process of lengthening a frame cycle at times k1 and k2 by a time period of j1 and a time period of j2, respectively, thereby establishing synchronization with a master machine. Also, the master machine carries out a process of lengthening the frame cycle thereof by a time period of i at time h1 to deliberately cause the frame cycle to tend to be slower than the frame cycle of the slave machine, thereby causing the slave machine to adjust the frame cycle thereof so as to be lengthened by a time period of j3 at time k3. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a minimum length of the process cycle with consideration of an individual difference between game apparatuses
US07901282B2
A gaming device including a display device, a plurality of different symbols displayable by the display device, a processor, an input device operable with the processor to enable a player to pick a number of the different symbols for the play of the game, the processor configured for said play of the game to cause a number of different symbols to be picked by the game, cause at least one symbol from the plurality of different symbols to be drawn for matching, count a first amount of like player-picked symbols and processor drawn symbols, count a second amount of like game-picked symbols and processor drawn symbols, and provide an award if any to the player based on a difference between the first amount and the second amount.
US07901279B2
A method for playing a game of chance and system for facilitating the play of the game are disclosed. The method of playing the game of chance includes receiving a ticket containing a set of playing cards. The method of playing the game of chance further includes viewing a display screen that displays a second set of playing cards. The method of playing the game further includes receiving a prize if the combination of the playing cards on the ticket and the playing cards on the display matches a predetermined pattern.
US07901271B2
A dual arbor chopper that is configured such that the knife blades of the chopper do not require shims after being sharpened. The arbors utilize a blade attachment recess that is oriented in an opposite direction as existing arbors used in choppers, in combination with a clamping block to provide support against the cutting force against the blade. An attachment fastener is provided to attach the clamping block and the knife blade to the arbor through an aperture provided in the clamping block and the knife blade. The cutting edge is positioned in the same location in the new and sharpened condition, thus eliminating the need for shims.
US07901258B1
A marine outboard engine has upper and lower engine covers, a swivel bracket, a stern bracket, an engine, a driveshaft, a gear case, a propeller shaft, and a variable pitch propeller. A hydraulic system includes hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators, and at least one valve having at least one inlet, and first, second, and third outlets. The first, second, and third outlets fluidly communicate with the hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators respectively. A pump fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet of the at least one valve. A reservoir stores hydraulic fluid. A control unit controls the at least one valve to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through each of the first, second, and third outlets based at least in part on a signal received from a pressure sensor. Methods of controlling the hydraulic systems are also disclosed.
US07901257B2
A terminal fitting (10, 130, 510) has a connecting portion (11, 131, 511) to be connected with a mating connecting portion, and a crimping portion (12, 140) continuous with the rear end of the connecting portion (11, 131, 511) and including a bottom plate (21, 148, 515) and crimping pieces (22, 147, 516) standing up from the bottom plate (21, 148, 515). The crimping portion (12, 140) is crimped into connection with a wire (30, 120, 590) while surrounding an end portion of the wire (30, 120, 590) by the bottom plate (21, 148, 515) and the crimping pieces (22, 147, 516). The bottom plate (21, 148, 515) is formed with a reinforcing rib (24, 150, 250, 350, 450, 525) extending in forward and backward directions.
US07901253B2
A multiconductor plug (10) has exposed electrodes (11a through 11e) on a shaft portion (14) and an electrode (11f) located at an annular flat portion of a flange portion (15) perpendicular to an axial direction. A multiconductor jack (20) has a casing (21) forming a space capable of being occupied by the shaft portion (14) of the multiconductor plug (10), electrically conductive terminals (23a through 23e) that come into electrically conductive contact with the electrodes (11a through 11e) of the shaft portion (14) of the multiconductor plug (10), and an electrically conductive terminal (23f) having a contacting portion (23f1) for making electrically conductive contact with the flat electrode (11f) perpendicular to the axial direction and an elastic portion (23f3) that extends in the axial direction. The contacting portion (23f1) of the electrically conductive terminal (23f) presses against the electrode (11f) as a result of elastic forces parallel to the axial direction.
US07901235B2
A connector assembly couples signal lines for an optical catheter by providing a guided releasable latching mechanism that ensures optimal alignment with only a single vertical dimension under control. A receptacle carrying a first signal line defines a channel for receiving a plug carrying a second signal line. A spring-loaded pawl on the receptacle locks to a retaining bracket on the plug when the plug slides into the channel, imparting a retaining force on the plug, the force having a first component normal to channel and a second component parallel to the channel to maintain the first and second signal lines in optimal alignment. The retaining bracket may include a sloped edge to allow for easy release of the pawl in the presence of a release force. The release force may be set to allow disconnection of the assembly without affecting catheter installation or causing patient discomfort.
US07901232B2
An electrical connector is provided, capable of exerting a sufficient clamping force on a flat cable to reliably provide electrical conductivity while the connector is low-profile. The connector includes a contact having a base, a contact beam, and a pressing arm. The pressing force of a cam of an actuator is transmitted to a base through the pressing arm. Thereby, lift of the base is restrained, and a flat cable is reliably clamped, thereby providing electrical conductivity. Also, elastic deformation of the pressing arm reduces the range of variations in the contact pressure of a contact arm of the contact beam caused by the variations in thickness, gap, dimension, and the like.
US07901226B2
A transceiver connector adapted to be connected to a mating connector having a fitting hole and a latch. A metal hood serving as a housing is configured to be insertable into the fitting hole in an inserting direction. The transceiver connector includes a lever formed from a single metal plate and slidable with respect to the housing in the inserting direction and a detaching direction opposite to the inserting direction. The housing has a locking stepped portion adapted to engage the latch in the detaching direction. The lever has an inclined surface and a latch driving convex portion serving as an engagement releasing portion adapted to release engagement between the latch and the locking stepped portion by sliding of the lever, and a support piece continuous from the latch driving convex portion, folded back, and supported by the housing.
US07901216B2
An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
US07901213B1
A marker screen assembly includes a housing, a first screen stored within the housing and movable to an extended position, and a second marker screen stored within the housing and movable to an extended position. The second marker screen has a writing surface designed to be repeatably written upon and erased and is configured to overlay at least a portion of the first screen when both the first and second screens are in the extended position.
US07901209B2
The invention relates to a method for automatically creating a dental superstructure for joining to an implant based on a digital model description of the shape. To this end: the actual clinical situation or an arranged clinical situation of the implant (3; 13) is recorded in the form of digital data; this situation is analyzed; the implant axis (5; 16) is determined; the optimal shape of the superstructure (1, 2) is calculated while taking a set of structural rules into account, and; a production machine is used for producing the individual parts from at least one blank (11) based on the digital data.
US07901206B2
A heat-treating apparatus capable of realizing a highly precise processing maintaining a high degree of safety, and a method of producing substrates are provided. The heat-treating apparatus comprises a reaction tube for treating substrates; a manifold for supporting the reaction tube; and a heater provided surrounding the reaction tube to heat the interior of reaction tube; wherein the reaction tube and the manifold are in contact with each other as their continuous flat surfaces come in contact with each other; a cover member is provided to cover the contact portion between the reaction tube and the manifold from the outer side; and the cover member is provided with at least either a gas feed port or an exhaust port communicated with a space formed among the cover member, the reaction tube and the manifold.
US07901203B2
A combustion chamber (1), in particular in a gas turbine, has at least two burners (A-H) that are connected to a fuel supply (3) via controllable fuel valves (2′ and 2). Each burner (A to H) is assigned at least one optical measuring device (4) for detecting chemiluminescent radiation, and the combustion chamber (1) is assigned a pressure sensor (7) for detecting a combustion chamber pressure. The optical measuring device (4) and the pressure sensor (7) are connected to a computing and control device, which calculates a correlation value from the incoming measured values. A high correlation value signifies that the associated burner is prone to pulsation. The computing and control device (6) is designed in such a way that it determines the burner or a burner group with the highest correlation and controls the associated fuel valve(s) in such a way that more fuel is fed to the respective burner or the respective burner group, and the pulsation tendency thereof is thereby reduced.
US07901189B2
Low-noise wind turbine blades are provided wherein metallic and/or polymeric cellular materials that are capable of bearing directional loads are used in the construction of wind turbine blade parts or entire sections. The use of such materials influences the air flow over them in such a way that the resulting boundary-layer turbulence is damped in a controlled way, thus weakening the noise scattering mechanism at the trailing edge, and the scattered acoustic waves are absorbed and attenuated by the material acting as an acoustic liner.
US07901183B1
A turbine blade with a low flow cooling circuit for the airfoil main body and the blade tip section which includes two 3-pass aft flowing serpentine flow cooling circuits. A first 3-pass serpentine circuit is located in the forward section with a first leg connected to a showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes. The third leg is connected to an upstream end of a blade tip cooling channel that extends toward the trailing edge and includes pin fins and a row of pressure side peripheral cooling holes to discharge cooling air. The second 3-pass circuit is located aft of the first 3-pass circuit and includes a third leg adjacent to the trailing edge region with a row of exit cooling holes connected to discharge cooling air from the serpentine. No film cooling holes are connected to the second and third legs of the two serpentine circuits so that low flow capability is achieved. A tip turn channel in the first serpentine provides blade tip cooling at a location upstream of the blade tip cooling channel.
US07901181B1
A turbine blade with a cooling circuit that includes three separate 3-pass serpentine flow cooling circuits that each flow in the aft direction of the blade. Each of the three 3-pass serpentine circuits includes a first leg on the pressure side of the blade with a row of film cooling holes to discharge cooling air to the pressure side surface of the blade. The first and the second 3-pass serpentine circuits each include second and third legs located on the suction side of the blade, and the third legs include a row of film cooling holes to discharge cooling air onto the suction side wall surface. The third 3-pass serpentine circuit includes a second leg on the suction side and a third leg aft of the first and second legs and positioned between both the pressure side and suction side walls. Cooling air for a leading edge cavity and showerhead arrangement is supplied from the first leg of the first 3-pass serpentine circuit. The third leg of the third 3-pass serpentine circuit includes a row of exit holes to discharge cooling air out the trailing edge of the blade.
US07901173B2
Methods and devices for positioning a group, array, series or arrangement of plumb poles in a specific relationship relative to each other, whereby a first pole is inserted in a horizontal clamshell attached to a moveable platform, retained and raised to a vertical position and plumbed. The moveable platform is positioned over the pole insertion location and the pole is released. The process is repeated at as many holes as needed. Other embodiments are used to set the poles at specific heights, or angles.
US07901171B2
A blind fastener has a setting head portion and a shank portion having one end connected with the setting head portion and an opposite end with an internal thread or a threaded bolt receptacle. The shank has a sidewall with an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the setting head portion, and is configured for close reception in an aperture of the workpiece prior to being upset. The sidewall has a deformation area that is disposed between the setting head portion and the internal thread or the threaded bolt receptacle, and is upset radially outwardly to secure the fastener to the workpiece. The deformation area includes a central circumferential region which provides sole weakening for the sidewall.
US07901162B2
Pipe tapping apparatuses, devices, methods, and systems are provided for hot-tapping a pipe or fluid conduit containing a pressurized fluid. According to an embodiment, a pipe-tapping device can comprise a machine lower portion, a machine feed portion, and a machine drive portion. The machine lower portion can be disposed proximate to a pipe and can include a threaded insert situated distal to the pipe. The machine feed portion can include a first thread set and a second thread set. The first thread set can correspond to the threaded insert so that the machine feed portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine lower portion. The machine drive portion can include a threaded interior. The threaded interior can correspond to the second thread set so that the machine drive portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine feed portion. Other various embodiments are also claimed and described.
US07901159B2
An apparatus and method for forming a support pier having a single or multiple compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, wherein the apparatus includes a vertical, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end or head element that is forced into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted incrementally. The same hollow tube is then utilized to compact the released aggregate. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted lifts comprising a pier.
US07901158B2
An underwater oil storage method, which includes the steps of: a) excavating a cellar in the ground earth and constructing a wall structure in the cellar to form a water pool, b) setting an oil tank in the water pool, c) supplying a predetermined amount of water to the water pool, and d) filling the oil to be stored into the oil tank and regulating the amount of water in the water pool subject to the amount of storage oil stored in the oil tank for enabling water in the water pool to support the oil tank and storage oil in the oil tank and to keep the oil tank in balance by means of the physical characteristic that the specific gravity of the storage oil is lower than water.
US07901136B2
A method for calibrating a detection system including a multi-focus X-ray source includes performing a scan of a calibration material using the detection system to acquire scan data, determining a diffraction profile of the calibration material using the scan data, deriving an actual scatter angle using the determined diffraction profile, deriving an offset angle using the determined actual scatter angle, storing the derived offset angle, and generating a table including the stored offset angle.
US07901127B2
The drive device (1) is intended for a machine for the plasticization and injection of synthetic material. It comprises a main drive (2) drivable in a first and a second direction of rotation and having a hollow shaft (6) rotatable about an axis of rotation (4). An axially bipartite inner reception region (7) having a first part region (8) and a second part region (9) is formed by the hollow shaft (6). Rotation transmission means (10, 14), arranged at least partially in the first part region (8), are provided for the transmission of a rotational movement of the hollow shaft (6) solely in a first direction of rotation to an extruder worm (16) rotatable about the axis of rotation (4). Conversion means (12, 19, 20), arranged at least partially in the second part region (9), are provided for the transmission of a rotational movement of the hollow shaft (6) in the first and a second direction of rotation to a supporting shaft (11) rotatable about the axis of rotation (4) and displaceable axially in both directions and for the conversion of the transmitted rotational movement into an axial movement of the supporting shaft (11).
US07901121B2
The light distribution of a vehicle headlamp can be changed between various modes, including a basic mode and a motorway mode. In the basic mode, shaded region changeover means block a high light intensity region, and deflection control means controls a lamp optical axis Lx to a straight travel direction. In the motorway mode, the shaded region changeover means does not block the high light intensity region, and the deflection control means controls deflection of the lamp optical axis to a host vehicle lane side. A light distribution in which the high light intensity region faces a far distance ahead of the host vehicle lane can be obtained, and the host vehicle lane is brightly illuminated without dazzling a driver of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. Accordingly, illumination suited to the motorway mode during high speed and medium speed travel can be achieved.
US07901120B2
The invention relates to a decorative unit with illuminable decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular a sill strip for positioning on the body of a vehicle, preferably in the region of a door sill, comprising a light-conducting layer (5) into which light can be radiated by an illuminant (6), in particular at least one light emitting diode (LED), disposed to the side, a light-covering decorative element layer (7) disposed over the light-conducting layer (5) with opaque and translucent regions which are designed to correspond to the decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), and a reflection layer (8) disposed beneath the light-conducting layer (5), a translucent dispersal layer (10) being disposed between the light-conducting layer (5) and the light-covering decorative element layer (7) disposed over the latter, wherein the translucent dispersal layer (10) contains a coarse fraction of particles with an average grain size in the region of between 30 and 120 μm, and preferably between 60 and 90 μm.
US07901119B2
A vehicle has a lamp arranged outside a passenger compartment having a vehicle window through which light of the lamp penetrates into the vehicle. The lamp is arranged and constructed such that the light of the lamp is or will be polarized parallel to a plane of incidence of the light.
US07901115B2
A surface mounted device has a built-in or added-on LED light arranged to fit within the device and to include parts and accessories such as a power source, circuit means, conductive means, switch means, sensor means, t integrated circuit, LED elements in a variety of specifications, timer means, solar power, AC power and parts, or DC power and parts to get desired light, function, and performance effects such as pre-determined color, brightness, duration, function, and light show effects to provide attractive area illumination with low power consumption.
US07901103B2
A backlight unit includes a fluorescent lamp to illuminate a liquid crystal panel, a reflection unit for causing the light from the fluorescent lamp to exit toward a certain direction, and a diffusion unit for diffusing the light from the fluorescent lamp and reflection unit, and reflectance or transmittance in the horizontal and vertical directions is controlled by applying a dot pattern that gradually increases densities from the central portion toward the peripheral portion to the reflection unit or diffusion unit, or by applying a dot pattern that gradually increases densities from the central portion toward the both ends in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the fluorescent tube of the fluorescent lamp. By doing this, brightness gradient is formed in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the brightness in the central portion of the liquid crystal panel is relatively higher than the brightness of the peripheral portion thereof.
US07901101B2
Relay connectors are arranged to supply power from power boards arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to discharge tubes arranged on the front side of the chassis. Each relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power board. The relay terminal is immune to direct contact with the chassis. This enables the use of a metallic chassis.
US07901099B2
An object is to prevent fall of a lamp clip due to an external factor such as vibration or impact. It is structured that a reflective member 30 provided inside a backlight device has fitting holes 32 each including an insertion hole 32b and a holding hole 32a, a pair of fitting holes 32 are provided in a direction where the holding holes 32a with respect to the insertion holes 32b are mutually opposed, a pair of locking sections 16 on a substrate 12 of a lamp clip 10 are inserted into the insertion holes 32b in the fitting holes 32, and thereafter, the lamp clip 10 is rotated counter-clockwise or clockwise, so that the locking sections 16 are held in the holding hole 32a.
US07901097B2
A display apparatus comprises a lighting unit for emitting a light, and a first light modulation unit for forming an image through modulation of the light from a light source unit, wherein the lighting unit includes a light source for emitting the light, a second light modulation unit for modulating the light from the light source, being smaller than the first light modulation unit for modulating the light from the light source, and a projection unit for projecting the light modulated through the second light modulation unit, enlargely, upon the first light modulation unit for use of display.
US07901093B2
An image created by a first projector is recreated using a second projector by relating the two projectors to a common point of view, preferably as viewed from a camera. A first transport matrix T1 is captured to relate the first projector to the camera. A second transport matrix T2 is then capture to relate the second projector to the camera. To have a first image p1, as projected by the first projector, reproduced by the second projector, the second projector projects a distorted image defined as (T2−1)(T1)p1. The inverse of T2, as used in this equation is an estimation defined by first creating an intermediate matrix {hacek over (T)} of equal size as T2. If a column in T2 is denoted as Tr and a corresponding column in {hacek over (T)} is denoted as {hacek over (T)}r, then the construction and population of {hacek over (T)} is defined as {hacek over (T)}r=Tr/(∥Tr∥)2, and the inverse of T2 is estimated as the transpose of {hacek over (T)}.
US07901091B2
A projection apparatus including a projection body and at least one adjusting leg is provided. The projection body has a casing, and the bottom of the casing has at least one accommodating cave. The adjusting leg includes a supporter and a pivoting rod. The supporter has a supporting portion and a screw connected to the supporting portion, and the projection body is capable of being supported on a surface by the supporting portion. The pivoting rod is pivoted to the casing and has a threaded hole, and the screw is screwed into the threaded hole. The pivoting rod is capable of being rotated along an axis of the pivoting rod to drive the supporter to rotate, so as to accommodate the supporting portion in the accommodating cave.
US07901090B2
A reflective mirror module for being fixed on a housing having a plurality of through holes is provided. The reflective mirror module includes a fixing support, a reflective mirror, a leaf spring, and a plurality of adjusting screws. The fixing support has a plurality of threaded holes. The reflective mirror is disposed on the fixing support, and the leaf spring is disposed between the fixing support and the housing. Moreover, the leaf spring has a plurality of guiding openings, and the positions of the guiding openings and the threaded holes are corresponding to the positions of the through holes. The adjusting screws pass through the through holes and the guiding openings, and are secured in the threaded holes of the fixing support. Through the adjustment of the adjusting screws, the position of the reflective mirror is adjusted precisely. Additionally, a projection apparatus using the reflective mirror module is provided.
US07901088B2
A projection display apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image based on image information received from an external device, and a projection lens that projects the image formed by the image forming section. The projection display apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting elements, a first driver and a second driver. The light emitting elements are two-dimensionally arranged on the substrate. The light emitting elements include rows of light emitting elements and columns of light emitting elements such that the rows are substantially perpendicular to the columns. The first driver element selectively drives the rows. The second driver element selectively drives the columns. The plurality of light emitting elements include three groups of light emitting elements aligned either in the rows or in the columns, each group emitting light of a different wavelength from the remaining groups.
US07901087B2
Disclosed herein is a projector that can be loaded with lamps of a plurality of kinds, each of a plurality of the lamps loadable into the projector being given a lamp serial code formed by arranging lamp information including at least a minimum wattage and a maximum wattage of the lamp and a check sum in predetermined order, the projector including: a lamp power supply for driving the lamp loaded in the projector, the lamp power supply being provided in advance with a plurality of mode ranges each as a range from a minimum wattage to a maximum wattage of output of the lamp power supply, and one predetermined mode range of the plurality of mode ranges being freely set in the lamp power supply; and a control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply.
US07901084B2
A portable video projector includes facility to direct a projected image field along an axis in an alignment corresponding to the state of an optical element.
US07901083B2
A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.
US07901080B2
The invention is directed to an ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) for examining the eye of a patient. The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system includes a surgical microscope (101) as well as a carrier arrangement (102) wherein the surgical microscope (101) is accommodated so as to permit elevation adjustment in order to be able to adjust a work distance between the surgical microscope (101) and the eye of the patient. An ophthalmoscopic ancillary module (103) is connected to the surgical microscope and has an adjustable ophthalmoscopic magnifier system in order to adjust a distance between the ophthalmoscopic magnifier and the surgical microscope (101). The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) has a sensor system for measuring the distance of the surgical microscope (101) from the patient eye. The sensor system is configured as an OCT-measuring device.
US07901079B2
An ophthalmic examination system comprising a headrest with a detection element, and an ophthalmic instrument (OI) having a microprocessor and a sensor in communication with the microprocessor. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of the detection element, and the headrest is configured for coupling to the OI.
US07901077B2
Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
US07901071B1
An eyeglass for improved vision that includes a light source mounted on the eyeglass pointing to an eye and a controller on at least one arm of the eyeglass. An eyeglass wearer can turn on the light source and increase an intensity of light emerging from the light source by using a thumb wheel in the controller. The light source causes a contraction of an iris of the eye thereby requiring a less part exposure of a lens of the eye. The less part exposure of the lens improves vision of the eyeglass wearer. The light source can be arranged to point at least one or both the eyes of the eyeglass wearer. The eyeglass can include a plurality of light sources in different positions that can be selectively turned on by the thumb wheel and can accommodate any suitable controller.
US07901063B2
An ink circulation system for use in an inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead, an ink supply path for supplying an ink to the inkjet printhead and an ink return path for returning ink not used for printing from the inkjet printhead. The ink return path is coupled to the ink supply path for replenishing the ink supply path with the ink returned from the printhead. The coupling establishes an ink circulation circuit. The ink circulation circuit can be replenished with fresh ink from a main tank, as ink is withdrawn by the printhead for printing. In the circulation system an active through-flow ink degassing unit is provided to control the dissolved gas level of the ink in the ink circulation system.
US07901051B2
An inkjet nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle chamber having a floor and a roof, the roof having a nozzle opening defined therein. A moving portion defines part of the roof so that the moving portion is moveable towards the floor. A thermal actuator defines part of the moving portion. The thermal actuator comprises a first active beam for connection to drive circuitry and a second passive beam mechanically cooperating with the first beam, such that when a current is passed through the first beam, the first beam expands relative to the second beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The first active beam is disposed on an upper surface of the passive beam relative to the floor.
US07901047B2
Provided is a micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The arrangement includes a substrate having a layer of drive circuitry disposed thereon with a passivation layer on top of the drive circuitry layer, the substrate defining an ink inlet channel comprised of a number of discrete openings. The arrangement also includes a roof portion supported on the passivation layer by means of chamber walls to define an ink chamber operatively supplied with ink via the inlet channel, said roof portion defining an ink ejection port. The arrangement further includes an actuating mechanism located inside said chamber, the mechanism including a shutter member displaceable to obstruct fluid flow between the inlet channel and the ejection port or to allow fluid movement between the inlet channel and the ejection port, respectively.
US07901043B2
Provided is a printhead assembly which includes a printhead module having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for printing on a printing medium. The assembly also includes a number of printhead controller integrated circuits for controlling the printhead tiles, as well as a casing having an integral heatsink arrangement for the printhead controller integrated circuits. The casing further includes a ducting assembly for ducting ink to the printhead tiles and busbars for interfacing the printhead controller integrated circuits with a controller of a printer.
US07901038B2
A printhead assembly for a printer comprises a support member having a silicon core mounted within a metal channel; a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the support member, each printhead module including an integrated circuit manufactured using micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) techniques; and an elastomeric layer positioned between the core and the metal channel. The printhead modules and support members are configured to move into alignment with each other upon heating of the printhead assembly, and each printhead module is mounted to the silicon core with a neck portion.
US07901037B2
A print engine is provided which has a printhead capable of printing a maximum of n channels of print data and a controller. Each channel is associated with rows of printing nozzles of the printhead. The controller controls the printhead to print in: a first mode, in which the printhead receives from the controller, print data for a first number of the channels; and a second mode, in which the printhead receives from the controller, print data for a second number of the channels less than the first number and dummy data for a portion of each nozzle row associated with the remaining number of the channels. The first number is less than n.
US07901035B2
A drip bib for use with a printhead of an imaging device includes a plate having an upper surface having an upper edge, an intermediate surface angled with respect to the upper surface, and a lower edge. The intermediate surface includes a plurality of fastener openings. The lower edge includes a drip point projecting from the lower edge with remaining portions of the lower edge being upturned and angled downwardly from at least one end of the lower edge toward the drip point. A plurality of protrusions protrudes from a back side of the upper surface. The protrusions in the plurality of protrusions are spaced from each other and proximate the upper edge.
US07901032B2
An inkjet printer is provided which has at least one printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate first direction between first, second and third positions, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction to cap the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position and to permit purging of ink from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position.
US07901024B2
A method of inkjet printing includes using a grayscale inkjet print head. The inkjet print head is driven driving to eject a number of successive ink droplets from the ink chamber in accordance with print tone data provided to the grayscale print head, the number of successive ink droplets forming a multiple-droplet drop creating a printed dot of appropriate tone on the receiving medium. The method includes the step of excluding print tone data corresponding with the ejection of a single-droplet drop from being provided to the grayscale print head. A preferred embodiment includes the removal of this print tone data from the data provided to the grayscale print head. A more preferred embodiment includes applying a multilevel halftoning technique for avoiding the use of print tone data corresponding with a single-droplet drop during the generation of the print tone data for inkjet printing the image with the grayscale print head.
US07901022B2
A discharge failure nozzle, which cannot print, can be complemented by a printable discharge nozzle according to a simple, low-cost method capable of a high-speed process. A printing apparatus, which prints by using an inkjet head having nozzle arrays formed by arraying a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink while scanning the inkjet head on a printing medium, includes a storage unit which stores the position of an abnormal nozzle that abnormally discharges ink among the plurality of nozzles arrayed in the nozzle arrays, an assignment unit which assigns data subjected to discharge by the abnormal nozzle to a plurality of normal nozzles positioned near the abnormal nozzle in a nozzle array including the abnormal nozzle in accordance with predetermined priorities, and a control unit which controls to perform assignment of data subjected to discharge by the abnormal nozzle every time column data along the scanning direction are created by a predetermined number of columns.
US07901012B1
A wheel having a hub centered upon an axis of rotation is provided with a disc member extending outwardly from the hub and centered upon a plane that intersects the axis at an angle between 47 and 87 degrees and terminates in a rim member having a radially measured thickness which progressively varies between diametrically opposed thick and thin regions which are in reversed relationship on opposed surfaces of the wheel.
US07901011B2
In a milling drum (2) for a construction machine, in particular a road milling machine (1) or a recycler, with an interchangeable milling tube (4) arranged coaxially to the axis (20) of the milling drum, where the milling tube (4) is supported, by means of a support ring (8), on a support ring mount (12) of a rotating body coupled to a milling drum drive (16), it is provided that the support ring (8) and the support ring mount (12) of the rotating body display several complementary supporting surfaces (22, 24) arranged coaxially to the axis (20) of the milling drum, where the said supporting surfaces (22, 24) have different supporting circle diameters and are arranged behind one another axially with their diameters decreasing incrementally in the pulling direction.
US07901009B2
An open top body of an off-highway haulage vehicle is described for severe hauling applications such as hauling of high density, abrasive material. The body has a floor divided into at least two sections with first and second sections angled at different inclinations. The second section extends to the rear edge of the floor and is at an angle of inclination greater than the first section. The opposing sidewalls of the body extend vertically from the floor are flared or taper along their length such that the body floor is wider at the rear of the body than it is at the front. The body includes a tailgate pivotally attached to the sidewalls for rotation between closed and opened positions in response to the bumping of the load by the body.
US07901005B2
A seat is disclosed for use in a vehicle. The seat includes a pivotable seat cushion, a pivotable seatback, and a pivotable headrest. A rearward portion of the seat cushion is pivotably attached to the floor of the vehicle by an anchor member. A forward portion of the seat cushion is pivotably coupled to a forward support leg that contacts the floor of the vehicle when the seat cushion is retained in a generally horizontal position. The forward support leg automatically retracts to a position proximate the seat cushion when the seat cushion is released and pivoted upwardly to a generally vertical stowed position proximate the seatback. The seatback is pivotably attached to the anchor member and may be downwardly pivoted to a generally horizontal stowed position proximate the seat cushion. The headrest may be pivotally attached to the seatback, and may be movable to a stowed position.
US07901004B2
The invention relates to a movable installation comprising rows of seats. The inventive installation is formed by guides (1) which are housed in the ground and on which the rows of seats (2) are slidably mounted such that they can slide between a position in which they are grouped together and a position in which they are spaced apart. The aforementioned guides (1) define (i) upper extensions which provide a ground leveling reference during the assembly of the installation and (ii) a housing for the insertion of cover plates (10) which are level with the ground.
US07900999B2
A convertible seat that has both a seat and bed position. The convertible seat includes a stationary bed section and folding bed section that pivots relative to the stationary bed section. The folding bed section serves as the seating surface when the seat is in the seat position and the foot end of the bed when the seat is in the bed position. An air mattress is located between the stationary bed section and folding bed section when the seat is in the seat position. Inflation of the air mattress causes the folding bed section to pivot outward to create the bed position.
US07900992B2
A link assembly for opening and closing a trunk lid of a vehicle having a movable roof includes lifting and locking links. The lifting link connects the lid to the vehicle to move the lid between a closed position covering the trunk, an opened position in which the front lid edge is raised, and another opened position in which the rear lid edge is raised. The locking link is adjustable between a first position in which its front end is movable and its rear end is pivotably locked to a rear joint, and a second position in which its front end is pivotably connected to a front joint and its rear end is movable. In the first position, the locking link acts on the lifting link to raise the front lid edge. In the second position, the locking link acts on the lifting link to raise the rear lid edge.
US07900985B2
A tie down positioning, load securing extension arm (1.012) including an angle protector gripping head (1.016), a shaft (1.017) and a handle (1.014), wherein the head includes first and second sets of opposed jaws (1.022, 1.014) adapted to grip an angle protector (1.030), the first set of jaws having a first set of engagement elements (4.041, 4.043), the first set of engagement elements being spaced apart transversely to the arm or shaft, wherein the head further includes a tie down guide (4.020, 4.021), which, in use is adapted to facilitate placement of an angle protector and a tie down to secure, for example, a load on a vehicle.
US07900982B2
A bumper panel assembly for use in a vehicle including an upper bumper panel and a lower bumper panel attached to the upper bumper panel. The bumper panel assembly is formed without cut outs and walls so as to eliminate the need of using lifters to form the bumper panel assembly, and thus reducing manufacturing costs. The upper bumper panel includes a groove extending along the width of the panel, and the lower bumper has a first edge seated along the groove so as to define a styling line. The lower panel further includes a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. A seal is disposed on the second edge and interconnects the lower bumper panel to the vehicle body when the vehicle bumper is assembled onto the vehicle so as to enhance the aerodynamic characteristics of the bumper panel assembly.
US07900977B2
The invention relates to a device for the sealed coupling of two abutting cylindrical pipes. The device includes a truncated surrounding sleeve and clamping device to reduce the apparent diameter of the sleeve. The surrounding sleeve is cut longitudinally along the center to form a slit having two hollowed-out central wedges, which are joined to the surrounding sleeve by a neck piece. The base of the sleeve can be deformed in a controlled manner in order to connect pipes having different diameters. Two triangular housings on the opposite side, in which the triangular wedges are housed when the sleeve is clamped to the pipes.
US07900976B2
A coupling device includes a coupling body and a collar adapted to engage a tubular member in a permanent swaged connection. The coupling device includes axially spaced front and back ferrules which engage during swaging to provide a plurality of seals intermediate the ferrules and the tubular member as well as the coupling body. The back ferrule includes a central region having a generally cylindrical wall that is elastically/plastically deformed to a corrugated tube-like shape during swaging to enhance the maintenance of the seals. A portable installation tool for swaging the coupling body and collar to the tubular member is hydraulically actuated.
US07900975B2
A threaded joint for steel pipes constituted by a pin having male threads and a box having female threads is improved with respect to ease of insertion of the pin and galling resistance of the threaded portions. The stabbing flanks of the threads in a complete thread portion of one of the pin and a box has a two-step stabbing shape having a chamfer. The two-step stabbing shape has a stabbing flank angle α of 5-45° and a chamfer angle β of 20-60°. The ratio h/H of the chamfer height h to the thread height H of the pin is 0.25-0.50, or the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the chamfered portion to the overall cross-sectional area of the stabbing flank is made at least a value corresponding to a chamfer height ratio h/H of 0.25 and at most a value corresponding to a chamfer height ratio of 0.50.
US07900974B1
A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line is disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the coolant line. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadably engages the coupler body. A deformable annular retainer is disposed on the coolant line for engagement with the nut and the coupler body, wherein the threadable engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line. The method includes swaging a deformable annular retainer to a coolant line, providing a nut on the coolant line, providing a coupler body having a passageway and a flexible annular seal disposed within the passageway, engaging the coolant line with the flexible annular seal to create a first seal, engaging the coupler body with the deformable annular retainer to create a second seal, and tightening a threaded engagement of the nut and the coupler body.
US07900968B2
A gap sub assembly can be used to form an electrical isolation in a drill string, across which a voltage is applied to generate a carrier signal for an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry system. The assembly comprises two conductive generally cylindrical components fashioned with a matching set of male and female rounded coarse threads, held such that a relatively uniform interstitial space is formed in the overlap space between them. The third component is a substantially dielectric electrical isolator component placed into the gap between the threads that effectively electrically isolates the two conductive components. Injecting the dielectric material under high pressure forms a tight bond resistant to the ingress of conductive drilling fluids (liquids, gases or foam), thus forming a high pressure insulating seal.
US07900963B2
A motor vehicle front subframe includes a pair of main longitudinal beams each formed from an extrusion with a flange casting at the rear end and a suspension tower at the other end. Two lower longitudinal beams extend parallel to the main longitudinal beams and are connected by a cross member. Each lower longitudinal beam has a horizontal front flange where it is attached to a corresponding flange face at the lower end of the adjacent suspension tower. Two intermediate longitudinal beams are attached to the suspension towers and to a main cross-member and forward are two crush cans to which is attached a bumper armature. The vehicle has a body with a passenger compartment and vertical pillars just forward of the passenger compartment. Suitable bolts or set screws are then inserted to secure the front subframe to the body and the rear subframe is attached to the body.
US07900943B2
A rear suspension system for an all-terrain vehicle having a chassis and at least three wheels. Two trailing arms are pivotally connected to a chassis. Each of the trailing arms includes a drive shaft bearing. A CV joint pivot arm is pivotally connected to the chassis. A CV joint housing is connected to the CV joint pivot arm. The CV joint housing includes a CV joint bearing. A CV joint is housed inside the CV joint housing and is supported by the CV joint bearing. A drive shaft extends through the CV joint and is rigidly connected to the CV joint. The drive shaft is further supported by each of the drive shaft bearings attached to the trailing arms. A shock absorption system is connected between the drive shaft and the chassis. In a preferred embodiment, a cross bar is connected between the trailing arms for stability. Also, preferably, the rear suspension system includes a sway bar and linear shock absorbers acting in combination to provide optimum suspension.
US07900940B1
A pedestrian cycle, to which the invention provides substantial improvements. An illustrative embodiment of the pedestrian cycle is comprised of: a generally U-shaped, partible overhead cycle frame that provides an intrinsic suspension and spring-cushioned ride; front wheel and rear wheel assemblies with customary steerage and brakes; and an exemplary saddle assembly that completely averts pressure on the perinea of the rider while allowing unobstructed leg movement. The saddle assembly is suspended from the cycle frame by a plurality of flexible and adjustable straps which not only isolate the rider from vibration, but allow the rider to hold his or her body vertical while leaning the cycle into a turn as he or she walks or runs. Finally, the invention provides fun outdoor exercise, therapy, or training, with substantively enhanced ambulatory capacity and substantively reduced internal and external impact to the body in all human gaits and to all users able and, importantly, disabled.
US07900937B2
A chuck includes a generally cylindrical body constructed of aluminum and a plurality of jaws moveably disposed with respect to the body in communication with the body's axial bore. A generally cylindrical sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body in operative communication with the jaws so rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction moves the jaws towards the axis of the axial bore and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction moves the jaws away from the axis. A bearing has a first race adjacent the body, a second race adjacent the sleeve and at least one bearing element disposed between the first race and the second race. One of the first race and the second race defines a ratchet. The other of the first race and the second race defines a pawl biased toward the ratchet. The ratchet and the pawl are configured so that when the pawl engages the ratchet, the ratchet and pawl prevent the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race.
US07900927B1
A small arms training target system including a portable, battery powered, rail guided, motor driven carriage, with stationary and moving targets connected thereto. A target-rotate control device operatively connects an electric motor and rotational arm assembly to rotate and position the target into and out of a field of view. The position is selectable by a remote control, pre-selected program, or when a sensor attached to the target is struck by a sensor. Additionally an obscuring medium is attached to the rotational arm, with a target, having on it an image of a weapon mounted behind the obscuring medium. The position of the obscuring medium is selectable to be in front of the image of a weapon, making the target a no-threat, or not in front of the target, making it a threat.
US07900920B2
An image recording apparatus includes a plurality of linear motor mechanisms for transporting a plurality of tables in a first transport section including at least an area in which an image is recorded on recording media, and an endless transport mechanism for transporting the plurality of tables in at least a second transport section contiguous with the first transport section and capable of transporting the plurality of tables in the first transport section. The image recording apparatus further includes an unused linear motor mechanism determination part for determining an unused linear motor mechanism. When the unused linear motor mechanism is determined, the endless transport mechanism is used as an alternative to transport at least one of the tables which is to be transported in the first transport section but which is able to be transported by none of the plurality of linear motor mechanisms. If a malfunctioning linear motor mechanism is present because of a breakage, an operation anomaly and the like, the image recording apparatus achieves the image recording while maintaining the accuracy of the recorded image although the throughput thereof decreases.
US07900908B2
An automatic paper feed device is provided, including a cover member that has a paper insertion opening in a nearly rectangular shape, the paper insertion opening having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to both a transport direction of the paper and a thickness direction of the paper. The paper insertion opening includes a first end opening portion, a second end opening portion, and a center opening portion arranged in the longitudinal direction of the paper insertion opening. The paper insertion opening connects a placement unit, in which paper is placed, with a separation and transport mechanism, that separates paper placed in the placement unit and transports paper placed in the placement unit in the transport direction. The first and second end opening portions are each larger in size than the central opening portion.
US07900903B2
A hopper is provided including a hopper sidewall and a hopper shoe, the hopper shoe secured to the sidewall, the hopper being pivotable with respect to the hopper shoe when the hopper is secured to a hopper base. A hopper also is provided including a hopper sidewall, a hopper shoe and a spring-loaded clamp for securing the hopper shoe to the hopper sidewall, the spring-loaded clamp including a bolt for securing the spring-loaded clamp to a hopper base. A method is also provided.
US07900902B2
A new gathering and stitching machine (10) and a new method for operating a gathering and stitching machine (1) are proposed, which make it possible to drive in the staples (K) in a positionally correct manner and to close them satisfactorily even in the case of relatively short staple setting times. This is achieved by the novel control of the position of the staple heads (20) and the saddle-shaped supports (2, 30, 40, 50) in the region of the interaction during stapling. It is an essential feature of the present invention that the staple head (20) and the support (2, 30, 40, 50) are pivoted towards one another in such a way that they come to lie within a common stapling plane (H). This means that the saddle plane which is defined by the pivoting axis (S) of the saddle-shaped support (2, 30, 40, 50) and the support edge (13) and the staple-head plane which is defined by the pivoting axis of the staple head (20) and the ram tip are superimposed on one another in the region of the interaction and for the duration of the interaction and define what is known as the stapling plane (H). Here, the stapling plane (H) is pivoted continuously, with the result that it stands orthogonally on the main conveying plane (X) only in a central position.
US07900901B2
A system for gathering printed products includes a transport device and feed devices for the printed products, which form a gathering line, wherein the transport device has receiving points for the printed products located at regular intervals on a revolving traction apparatus. A sensor, which monitors the functionality of the receiving points along the transport line to detect defects, is connected to a control unit, which determines the feed of the printed products to the receiving points of the transport device.
US07900896B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a specimen stage which is simple in structure, and which suppresses a positional shift due to a friction heat caused by a brake or the like. One aspect to achieve the object provides a specimen stage including: a thrust portion thrust by a thrusting member; and a slide surface thrust by the thrust portion. When the specimen stage stops, the specimen stage performs a control in a way that a part of the slide surface in contact with the thrust portion, and/or a portion adjacent to the part or the thrust portion is heated. By heating the part of the slide surface or the like in this manner, a temperature gradient can be suppressed as described above (see FIG. 3).
US07900889B2
The invention relates to a connection plate between the body of a valve for hydraulic or pneumatic circuits and an actuator suitable to control the rotation of the valve stem, the valve body being provided with pawls for the stem rotations. This plate comprises a shaped body that can be inserted on the valve body and has an opening for the valve stem, said shaped body defining passageways for the pawls and adjacent seats where the pawls are housed and held following a rotation of the plate upon assembly. This allows connecting conventional types of valves and actuators to each other.
US07900884B1
A vibrator bracket for coupling a vibrator to a female receptacle attached to a railroad car. The vibrator is mounted to the vibrator mounting member. The vibrator mounting member includes a tongue and at least one keeper member. The tongue is wedge shaped and has an insertion end, a first side, and a second side. A flange member supports the vibrator bracket and allows it to project just beyond a bottom end of the female bracket. An urging member is mounted to an upper portion and its selective movement towards the railroad car provides for abutment of the first side of the tongue with a rear wall of the female receptacle while at least one keeper member simultaneously abuts the bottom end of the female bracket for retaining the vibrator mounting member therein while the railroad car is emptying.
US07900883B2
Units or hook assemblies arranged and configured to adequately capture and hold personal items which have some type of handle, rope, strap or the like. Preferred embodiments include a mounting plate for attachment to a restroom stall wall, door or the like. The mounting plate includes an upper end and a lower end. Preferred embodiments further include a first and second hook elements extending outwardly from the mounting plate. Preferred embodiments are arranged and configured to hinder theft or personal items stored on the hook from an over the stall door or wall attempt.
US07900882B2
A hook clamp has surfaces allowing the clamp to be placed on a support and clamped thereto. The surfaces are such that the clamp can be placed on the support and its weight held by the support prior to tightening. The clamp has a built-in connector for supplying power to the lamp. The clamp has one or more fail-safe holes for securing the clamp to the support with a safety cable. The clamp also has one or more flanges that can be received by a separate mounting bracket, for mounting the clamp and any attached element during storage, staging, or when otherwise not being used.
US07900880B2
A support stand for a lifting anchor to be incorporated into a concrete component during casting thereof is formed from two identical components of bent wire assembled together to form an upper support frame and legs projecting downwardly from the frame. The two components are connected by only two welds, each at one of two zones of intersection of the two components.
US07900878B2
A joint arrangement connects a longitudinal edge of a first component with an upper surface of a second component. At least two cooperating bands are secured with their first ends respectively on opposite sides of the first component, and are secured with their second ends respectively on clamping elements arranged on the second component, so that the bands intersect the major center plane of the first component in the joint area between the components. A pressure element is positioned on at least one clamping element for supporting the first component, and the bands extend laterally next to the pressure element and crosswise relative to one another.
US07900877B1
An active winglet includes a body portion substantially parallel to a wing of an aircraft, as if it were an extension of the wing, and an angled portion that projects at an upward angle from the body portion. The body portion is attachable to an aircraft wing and includes a controllable airflow modification device coupled thereto. By virtue of having a controllable airflow modification device, the winglet is capable of adjusting a control surface of the controllable airflow modification device in response to in-flight conditions, to reduce wing loads, increase range, and increase efficiency.
US07900875B2
A system and method of generating and distributing power includes one or more microwave power transmitters at locations on Earth adjacent natural fuel or power resources such as natural gas, oil, solid fuel, or geothermal energy. The fuel or energy source is converted into electricity on site, and the electricity is then converted into microwave power beams transmitted from the microwave power transmitter towards a redirector satellite in orbit about the Earth. The redirector satellite then sends one or more microwave beams to rectennas located in consumer nations at appropriate sites for feeding the power grid or to additional redirector satellites for directing to rectennas located on the far side of the Earth.
US07900870B2
An aircraft vent door system includes a vent door for a vent on an aircraft door. A cam, having a groove, is disposed on the vent door. The system also includes a movement assembly, which includes a roller disposed within the groove, and a lever coupled to the movement assembly. A portion of the lever extends beyond and proximate to the perimeter of the vent door. A second lever may also be attached to the aircraft door. The first lever pivots in response to the movement of the movement assembly, and urges the second lever to pivot. The second lever, in turn, urges the vent door open, thereby overcoming the sticking effect of, for example, built up ice or other obstructions.
US07900865B2
An aircraft configuration that may reduce the level of noise, infrared radiation, or combination thereof directed towards the ground from an aircraft in flight. An embodiment of an aircraft includes a fuselage, two forward swept wings, at least one engine mounted to the aircraft and higher than the wings, and vertical stabilizers mounted on each wing outboard of the outermost engine. The leading edge of the wing may extend forward of the leading end of the engine, and the trailing edge of the aft deck may extend aft of the trailing end of the engine. The aft deck may include an upwardly rotatable pitch control surface at the trailing edge of the deck. Engine types may vary, including but not limited to turbofans, prop-fans, and turbo-props. Main wings may be mounted above the longitudinal axis of the fuselage, and canards may likewise be mounted above or below the axis.
US07900864B2
An electronic dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of web material includes a passive, self-discharging static charge dissipating material configured with at least one component of the dispenser that stores static charge generated by operation of the dispenser.
US07900854B2
A filter for use with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems is disclosed. The filter includes a hollow cylindrical body, a removable screen, and a manually-actuated plunger adjacent the screen. The plunger is positioned for reciprocal movement through a debris outlet between an open, debris-discharging position, and a closed filtering position. The plunger defaults to the closed filtering position by pressurized water flowing through the body. The water is simultaneously filtered through the screen and passes out a clean water outlet while debris accumulates within the body. The plunger may be manually retracted to the open, debris-discharging position at any time, whereby accumulated debris is flushed out of the body through the debris outlet by residual water flowing therethrough.
US07900848B2
Provided is a process for tag imaging and decoding of machine readable coded data which comprises a plurality of layouts. Each layout has at least order n rotational symmetry, where n is at least two. The layout encodes a first codeword comprising a sequence of at least n first symbols, the first symbols being distributed at n locations about a center of rotational symmetry of the layout such that decoding the first symbols at each of the n orientations of the layout produces n representations of the first codeword. Each representation includes a different cyclic shift of the first codeword and being indicative of the degree of rotation of the layout. Each representation also includes a second codeword comprising a number of second symbols, the second codeword being indicative of information regarding the respective layout. The process includes the steps of acquiring an image which includes said coded data, and identifying at least one layout. The process also includes decoding the layout to determine at least a representation of the first codeword, and determining a degree of rotation of the layout from the decoded representation.
US07900843B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) module for an identification token includes a module body and an RFID integrated circuit (IC) mounted on or in the module body. The RFID module also includes a pressure-sensitive switching device mounted on or in the module body. An identification token may be manufactured using the RFID module as a component of the identification token, so that the proximity payment device includes a user-actuatable switch without requiring separate operations to incorporate the switch during assembly of the identification token.
US07900841B2
A shopping system comprises a product item having an interface surface and a reading device for reading coded data disposed on the interface surface. The reading device includes: (a) a radiation source for emitting radiation which exposes a coded data portion on the interface surface; (b) an image sensor for sensing the exposed coded data portion; (c) a force sensor coupled to a nib of the reading device; and (d) a processor for determining product identity data and/or position data. The reading device is adapted to sense the coded data in response to contact between the nib and the interface surface.
US07900840B2
Systems and techniques for improved imaging scanning. An imaging bar code scanner provides indicia to a user indicating areas for placement of a bar code so as to provide for efficient imaging scanning. The indicia may define the boundaries of the field of view of an imager, and may also indicate areas of an image that are more intensively processed. The indicia may be projected so as to illuminate an object with a projected pattern, or may alternatively be projected onto or otherwise placed on one or more scan windows of a scanner. At least some of the indicia may change appearance depending on whether an object to be scanned is within a prescribed distance from an imager.
US07900833B2
An object comprising first coded data disposed on or in a surface thereof and an RFID tag is provided. The first coded data identifies a plurality of locations on the surface and the RFID tag identifies a unique identity of the object.
US07900832B2
A system for authenticating an object is disclosed. The system has a sensing device for sensing coded tags printed on the object. Each coded tags encodes an identity of the object and a signature fragment. An entire signature is encoded in multiple coded tags. The system further has a processor for determining a signature fragment identifier associated with respective signature fragments. The processor also generates the entire signature from the signature fragments and associated signature fragment identifiers. The entire signature is then decrypted to obtain a generated identity. By comparing the identity encoded by the coded tags with the generated identity, the object is authenticated.
US07900830B2
A system of detecting biometric and non-biometric, standard smart card devices includes a smart card host and smart card device reader, which is operable for receiving an Answer to Reset signal and determining whether the smart card device comprises a biometric or non-biometric, standard smart card device. If a biometric smart card device is detected, the smart card reader is operable for applying power used for standard smart card device operation to a first contact and applying power used by a biometric circuit to a second contact, and if a non-biometric, standard smart card device is detected, applying power only to the first contact.
US07900826B2
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
US07900823B1
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards that include financial account data. The machine operates to carry out transactions involving the accounts and generates records thereof. A plurality of cameras captures images associated with users, documents and/or events. Image data is stored and may be searched based on selection parameters.
US07900817B2
Techniques for introducing devices to device families. Membership in a device family allows a device certain privileges such as the ability to engage in secure communications with another device in the same device family. A device is made a member of a device family by communicating to the device from a base station a ticket that is representative of the device family. The base station may also generate a paper receipt confirming the membership of the device in the device family.
US07900816B2
A collapsible cooler pack carton includes a barrier film on the cooler pack interior capable of retaining liquids in the cooler pack. The blank used to form the cooler pack can be provided with the barrier film and shipped or displayed as a flat partially assembled cooler pack article. A consumer or other user can assemble the cooler pack from the article. After use, the user can disassemble or collapse the cooler pack back into the partially assembled or collapsed cooler pack article.
US07900815B2
The present invention relates a carrier comprising: (a) a bottom wall; (b) two sidewalls; and (c) a top wall having a first edge that forms an edge of at least one collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed and a second edge that forms an edge of at least one other collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed, wherein the collapsible tabs are adapted to collapse downward and fold inward and out of the plane of the top wall.The carrier of the present invention provides a grasping and handling feature which eliminates the formation of concentrated stress areas while providing a comfortable grip for the consumer.
US07900810B2
This invention relates to a saturable absorber component comprising an absorbent material located between a front mirror and a rear mirror as well as a method for manufacturing a saturable absorber component. The metallic rear mirror is a metallic buried mirror fixed via a welding joint on a heat conductive substrate. The invention applies to the field of high-rate optical transmission.
US07900809B2
A method for assembling, and the resultant electronic module, includes attaching a chip to a substrate using a first solder interconnection array, and attaching a board to the substrate using a second solder interconnection array, which may be a single-melt or a dual-melt solder array. The second solder interconnection array resides entirely within a space defined between the board and substrate. A creep resistant structure is provided within this space for maintaining the defined space and optimizing integrity of the second solder interconnection array. The creep resistant structure may include an underfill material, balls, brackets, frames, collars or combinations thereof. Wherein the creep resistant structure is an underfill material, it is crucial that the substrate be attached to the board before either entirely encapsulating the second interconnection array with underfill material, or partially encapsulating the second solder interconnection array at discrete locations with underfill material.
US07900804B2
A forming plate and a driver plate are held at a front portion of a path of supplying connected staples in a laminated state. A staple in a C-shape formed at an inside of a strike out path formed between a front end face of a supply path and a back face of the face plate arranged on a front side of the supply path is pressed to supply to inside of the strike out path toward the face plate by a pusher urged by a spring. The staple is struck out by the driver plate. The pusher is made to constitute a first pusher, and a second pusher for pressing a leg portion of the staple to the face plate is aligned to be arranged to a side of a staple strike out port of the first pusher.
US07900801B2
A multi-function vehicle-carrying frame includes a chassis, a positioning frame, a connecting rod, two first clasping poles, two second clasping poles, two third clasping poles and a support. The chassis is U-shaped. The positioning frame is reverse U-shaped and inserted into the chassis. An adjustable clipping post is disposed on a top tube of the positioning frame, and both lateral pipes are locked with a movable buffer cushion. The connecting rod is fixed between the lateral pipes of the positioning frame. The first clasping poles are pivotally connected to the lateral pipes of the positioning frame, the second clasping poles are connected to the lateral pipes of the first clasping pole or the positioning frame, and the third clasping poles are connected to the ends of the connecting rod. The support is connected to the lateral pipes of the positioning frame. Thereby, the multi-function vehicle-carrying frame is stable and practical.
US07900799B2
A dispenser apparatus and a dispenser system for dispensing a liquid from a bottle having a neck portion consisting of a housing formed with a flow conduit therethrough in fluid communication with the liquid within the bottle, the flow conduit having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a substantially cylindrical cavity positioned between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, a flow wheel positioned in the cavity, the flow wheel having a central axis and a plurality of blade elements extending outwardly relative to the central axis, a flow sensor positioned adjacent to the flow wheel and the cavity for detecting movement of the plurality of blade elements of flow wheel, an electromagnetic valve positioned proximate to the outlet conduit, the electromagnetic valve having an actuation unit outside of the outlet conduit, a valve member inside the outlet conduit, and a spring member biased against the valve member within the outlet conduit, the valve member rotatable between a closed position and an open position upon the actuation of the actuation unit, and a microprocessor operatively connected to the flow sensor, the microprocessor programmed for actuating the actuation unit between the closed position and the open position and for measuring the volume of liquid flowing through the flow conduit via the flow wheel. The dispenser system further consisting of a remote computer unit for communicating a control signal to each of the plurality of dispenser apparatuses, the control signal controlling the volume of liquid to be dispensed from one or more of the plurality of bottles.
US07900792B2
Disclosed is a device comprising a base part (2) and a top part (7) that can be joined to the base part (2) via a releasable locking connection (16). The locking connection (16) is provided with at least one catch (18, 19) that is attached to a locking web (20) and engages with a thrust bearing section (21) in a closed position, and a releasing mechanism which acts upon the locking connection (16) and causes the engagement of the or each catch (18, 19) to be canceled when being actuated. The locking connection (16) is also provided with a flexible pressure latch (11) which is recessed in the top part (7). A latch rib (15), under the effect of which the engagement of the or each catch (18, 19) is canceled, is molded onto the side of the pressure latch (11) facing the or each catch (18, 19), whereby a very simple and safe mechanical structure is obtained, resulting in a relatively low production cost.
US07900790B2
A closure for a container is provided, including a first closure member with a male feature protruding from a first interface surface thereof. A retaining ring is configured to mate with and thereby attach the first closure member to the first flap. A second closure member has a female feature configured to receive the male feature defined through a second interface surface thereof. The second closure member also has retention tangs configured to mate with and thereby attach the second container flap to the second closure member. The male feature includes a stem with two flexible tabs extending acutely outward from the stem on opposing sides thereof. The flexible tabs are configured to snap fit into the female feature. The first and second closure members are respectively oriented such that the male feature mates with and releasably locks to the female feature when the first and second flaps are closed.
US07900785B2
Draft gear assembly includes an angled or tapered bottom surface on a tapered plate intermediate of the inner and outer friction surfaces thereof and further includes a complimentary mating angled or tapered surface provided on a built-up portion on a third horizontal rib of a housing and positioned in abutting engagement with the angled or tapered bottom surface on the tapered plate. Providing the mating angled or tapered surfaces increases the side force on movable plates during application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly, thus increasing the capacity and resistance of the draft gear assembly to closure.
US07900781B2
A storage system comprises a rail having a protrusion including a first flange and a second flange. An accessory mount for mounting to the rail includes a top hook for engaging the first flange and a resilient bottom hook for engaging the second flange. The rail comprises a back rail portion comprising a substantially planar member and a front rail portion substantially coextensive with the back rail portion and secured to the back rail portion. The protrusion may be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The first flange and the second flange define first and second recesses. A method of assembling a support is also provided where a first hook is inserted the first flange and a second hook deforms to engage the second flange.
US07900780B2
A ballast water intake and treatment system is disclosed, the system including a membrane treatment unit arranged in or on a ship hull for the separation of microorganisms of no smaller than a given size and organized to execute filtration during the intake of sea water or fresh water outside the hull into ballast tanks by the use of an intake pump installed consecutively with the membrane treatment unit. The system checks the invasion of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size during the intake of ballast water and allows ballast water free of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size to be fed into ballast tanks.
US07900772B2
A child-resistant and senior-friendly package comprising one or more blister cards housed within a hollow molded plastic sleeve is provided. The sleeve is assembled from a pair of identical molded plastic body sections. Each body section has a latch and an unlocking tab and the blister card has a latch-catcher for cooperating with the latch to automatically lock the blister card in a storage position within the sleeve. The sleeve has a pair of opposite spaced-apart tabs in the side edges thereof that must be simultaneously pressed to unlatch the latches from the latch-catchers to permit the blister card to be slid from the storage position to a dispensing position. When pressed, the tabs flex the blister card off adjacent latches. An embodiment including a pair of separate blister cards is provided in which the blister cards are dispensed through opposite dispensing ends of the sleeve.
US07900763B2
The invention concerns a device for coupling a rotor of a rotating electrical machine with the gearbox primary shaft of a motor vehicle heat engine. The device is characterized in that the hub (7) of the rotor (6) is coupled with the primary shaft (8) by a mating part (25) comprising an externally toothed crown (26) meshing in the hub (7) and a central sleeve (27) coupled with the primary shaft (8) through a splined connection (28) and in that ends (29) and (30) of the toothed crown (26) and of the central sleeve (27) of the part (25) are centered respectively in the hub (7) and on the primary shaft (8) in sliding arrangement. The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
US07900748B2
A lubrication system for a hydraulic or pneumatic tool is described. The lubrication system includes a valve, a lubricant pumping mechanism and a lubricant storage chamber, the valve being adapted to move between a tool-deactivated position and a tool-activated position to cause the lubricant pumping mechanism to displace lubricant from the lubricant storage chamber. A method of distributing lubricant to a hydraulic or pneumatic tool is also described.
US07900734B2
A rider lift truck with a drive portion, in which is arranged a travelling drive featuring at least one electric travelling motor for at least one steered driving wheel, with a steering device for the driving wheel, a load portion featuring a mast, an electric control unit for the travelling drive and operational controls for the travelling drive and the steering device and with a standing platform, wherein a horizontally arranged travelling motor is provided below the flatly built standing platform as a wheel hub drive for the driving wheel, and a steering motor is arranged below the standing platform alongside to the travelling motor, which is coupled with a fifth wheel for the driving wheel via a steering gear.
US07900733B2
A motorcycle with reduced fuel consumption. A centrifugal clutch intermittently transfers torque from an engine to a drive wheel in accordance with engine speed. A brake lock switch regulates the engine speed. When the brake lock switch is off, engine start inhibition control is executed. When the brake lock switch is on, engine speed regulation control is executed to prevent engagement of the centrifugal clutch.
US07900732B2
A fork lift truck (10) has a truck body (12), a lift mechanism (14) connected to the truck body (12) by way of a vertically extending pivot (52) and mechanism (24) for turning the lift mechanism (14) relative to the truck body (12) about the pivot (52) to steer the truck (10), the truck body (12) having a pair of rear ground engaging wheels (16) mounted on transverse axes, the lifting mechanism (14) having a single ground engaging front wheel (40) mounted centrally on a transverse axis, the front wheel (40) having independent drive mechanism (44, 46).
US07900724B2
A power supply for powering a hydraulic implement includes: an electric storage unit; an electric motor, an electric generator, a hydraulic pump and a control unit; the electric motor adapted for receiving electric power and driving the hydraulic pump to power the hydraulic implement; the electric generator adapted for translating mechanical energy into the electric power; the electric storage unit also being adapted for providing the electric power; and the control unit for selecting a source of the electric power from one of the generator and the electric storage unit. A method for operating the power supply and a vehicle are also provided.
US07900718B2
Earth-boring tools comprise a shank comprising a distal connector including a set of threads thereon and a bit body comprising a shank connector, also comprising at least one set of threads thereon. The set of threads on the distal connector and the at least one set of threads on the shank connector are at least substantially bound together. Methods of forming such earth-boring tools are also disclosed, as well as methods of securing a bit body of an earth-boring tool to a shank.
US07900700B2
The invention generally relates a method of determining completion criteria for a coal bed methane reservoir having a plurality of coal seams. The method involves obtaining an acoustic log and a resistivity image log for each of the plurality of coal seams, determining an acoustically determined cleat density for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding acoustic logs, determining maximum horizontal stress direction for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding acoustic logs; determining cleat orientation for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding resistivity image logs, selecting one of the plurality of coal seams upon which to perform a completion operation based on the acoustically determined cleat density, maximum horizontal stress direction, and cleat orientation, and determining the completion criteria for the coal bed methane reservoir using the acoustically determined cleat density, maximum horizontal stress direction, and cleat orientation, where the completion operation is performed using on the coal bed method reservoir using the completion criteria.
US07900673B2
A tissue manufacturing/handling device is provided. The device comprises a reel turn-up section including a tissue reeling station and an adhesive application system. The tissue reeling station is configured to provide a tissue spool in the path of an advancing tissue web. The adhesive application system is configured to apply a turn-up adhesive to the advancing tissue web or the tissue spool and comprises an adhesive spray rack. The spray rack comprises at least one adhesive applicator nozzle coupled to an adhesive manifold via an adhesive valve assembly. The spray rack comprises a rotation mechanism configured to permit reciprocal rotation of the spray rack about an axis substantially parallel to the spray rack axis between a spray position and at least one maintenance position. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US07900671B2
A runflat tire having an improved runflat durability and including sidewall-reinforcing rubber layer 10 having a crescent-shaped cross section disposed axially inward of carcass 6 in sidewall portion 3, wherein the carcass 6 comprises at least one carcass ply 6A in which carcass cords made of an aramid fiber or a polyethylene naphthalate fiber are arranged at an angle of 70 to 90° with respect to the circumferential direction and are covered with a topping rubber.
US07900665B2
In a pneumatic tire (20) on which a transponder (1) is mounted, a securing member (3) for securing the transponder (1) is fixed to an inner surface of the tire in an area (S) between a tire maximum-width position (A) and a bead toe (B). Thereby, a large centrifugal force and a large impact force do not act on the transponder (1) storing various pieces of information, and the transponder can be mounted quickly and securely. Also, the weight of the transponder is remarkably reduced, and thus uniformity of the tire (20) is enhanced. Additionally, dynamic balance correction is made easier. Even in a large tire, reduction in durability is minimized through suppressing heat generation and heat accumulation of the tire (20) due to the transponder (1) and the securing member (3).
US07900663B2
Methods are provided for determining a location of a pith along a length of a wood sample. The methods may comprise the steps of: determining pith direction; selecting two areas of the wood sample at which two or more chords of a ring can be defined; bisecting the chords to define a line perpendicular to the chords; and locating at least one intersection point for two or more of the bisecting perpendicular lines.
US07900661B2
A plunge router and kit are provided. In some aspects, a kit includes a first router base, a second router base, a motor assembly, and a depth adjustment mechanism at least partially supported by the motor assembly. The motor assembly is interchangeably supported by the first and second router bases. The depth adjustment mechanism adjusts a depth of cut of a tool element relative to the router base on which it is supported. The motor assembly may also be inserted into and supported by the first and second router bases along a substantially linear path. In other aspects, a depth of cut of a plunge router is finely adjustable. The depth of cut may also be coarsely adjustable.
US07900658B2
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
US07900646B2
A collapsible support structure comprises a plurality of interconnected substantially triangular frame sections connected by flexible joints at corners thereof. At least some of the interconnected frame sections share a collapsible tubular member as one side of the interconnected triangular frame sections and at least some of the ends of rigid tubular members of the interconnected frame sections are disposed between adjacent shared collapsible tubular members. An elongated flexible tensioning member extends through the shared collapsible tubular members and between the ends of the rigid tubular members disposed between adjacent shared collapsible tubular members. The rigid tubular members of some of the interconnected frame sections form a frame roof with ends thereof tied to form a flexible joint at the apex frame roof.
US07900638B2
A tobacco product is formed by perforated cigar or shell, the shell comprising a sheet of material with an intermediate sheet, the sheet comprising tobacco leaves and/or homogenized tobacco paper. The cigar or shell is packaged for shipment to an end user or consumer. The cigar or shell remains in the rolled, shaped tube form inside the package. After the cigar or shell is removed from the package, a consumer can fill the cigar or shell with crushed tobacco leaves or other tobacco filler material of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product. A liquid can be added to the cigar or shell to moisturize same. The liquid can include flavoring.
US07900633B2
A breathing circuit is described for the supplying of low pressure oxygen to a patient that is at risk of hypoxia. The breathing circuit includes a patent airway maintaining device, a first tube that includes a substantially rigid elbow and connectors and a flexible tubular extension. An inflatable bag is coupled to the first tube and has a pressure relief valve that exhausts into the atmosphere. A second tube has a first end that terminates in proximity to the patent airway maintaining device and a second opposed end that terminates external to the first tube. A third tube connects an external source of oxygen to the second tube. A method for an oxygen breathing circuit is also described that further includes the use of a carbon dioxide monitor and the inflatable bag for assisted breathing. The breathing circuit uses only non-metallic polymer or composite type materials.
US07900622B2
A paintball marker with a barrel that is coupled to a receiver. The marker may include a grip assembly in which an electronic circuit is disposed. The electronic circuit is configured to actuate launching of a projectile responsive to the trigger moving to the firing position.
US07900619B1
A projectile having light emitting structure and a rechargeable power source is launched by projectile launching apparatus such as a gun. The projectile launching apparatus charges the rechargeable power source and when the projectile is propelled a visual display is produced by the lighted propelled projectile.
US07900611B2
A total amount of engine oil carried from a crankcase into an intake passage by blow-by gas from the start of the use of the internal combustion engine or the engine oil is calculated. It is determined whether the total oil carried amount is greater or less than an optimum value every predetermined operation period of the internal combustion engine. Then, when it is determined that the total oil carried amount is greater than the optimum value, the gas flow rate of the blow-by gas controlled based on the engine operation state is reduced until next determination process is performed. When it is determined that the total oil carried amount is less than the optimum value, the gas flow rate is increased until next determination process is performed.
US07900602B2
An embodiment of a direct injection assembly of the common-rail type provided with a fuel tank, a manifold, a high-pressure pump for feeding the fuel to the manifold, a low-pressure pump provided with an intake pipe and connected to the high-pressure pump by means of the intake pipe to feed the fuel taken from the tank to the high-pressure pump; and a shut-off valve of the ON/OFF type which is arranged along the intake pipe to adjust the delivery of the fuel fed to the high-pressure pump; and a pressure regulator, which is arranged along the intake pipe immediately upstream of the shut-off valve to keep the pressure of the fuel inside the intake pipe under a predetermined value.
US07900585B2
Described is a two-probe bark control device for detecting an animal's bark by way of an electrode that is also used in delivering an electrical stimulus to the animal. The two-probe bark control device includes a housing, a first probe, and a second probe. The first and second probes include first and second electrodes, respectively. The first electrode is secured to the housing by way of a resilient overmolding such that the first electrode extends outwardly from the housing and has the potential to vibrate within the housing. The housing is carried by the animal such that the first probe detects the bark of the animal and the first and second probes deliver an electrical stimulus to the animal in response the first probe detecting the animal's bark such that the first probe both detects the animal's bark and delivers an electrical stimulus to the animal.
US07900570B2
The present disclosure relates to techniques for reducing roll motion experienced by a floating vessel. The disclosure reveals several different techniques for damping roll motion, which may be used alone or in conjunction to stabilize a floating vessel. A typical disclosed embodiment of a roll motion damping device would employ a sponson on each side of the vessel. Each sponson would typically encompass one or more baffles. And a wing keel could be located on the outside of each sponson. When all of these features are used in conjunction, they work synergistically to maximize the resistance to roll experienced by the floating vessel.
US07900563B2
A reinforcing assembly for a tubular cross member of a rail and tram car bogie has a liner elongated along an axis, deformable radially, and insertable axially inside one end of the tubular cross member to line an inner cylindrical surface of the end; a tubular body insertable coaxially inside the liner; and a number of radial forcing devices, which are activated to force the tubular body, and hence the liner, radially outwards to lock the liner frictionally against the inner cylindrical surface of the cross member.
US07900560B1
The present invention relates to a flare pellet assembly for generating visual and/or infrared energy output, and to methods of making and using the same. The flare pellet assembly generally includes a stack of flare pellets, the individual pellets of which may exhibit an at least generally tapering geometry. These flare pellets may be stacked in a manner that substantially prevents motion of one flare pellet relative to another flare pellet. This stacked arrangement of the flare pellets, along with one or more grooves that may be defined in and/or between adjacent flare pellets, may be said to at least generally enable the resultant flare pellet assembly to provide one or both infrared and visual energy output that reaches desired countermeasure energy output specifications without sacrificing structural integrity of the flare pellet assembly.
US07900559B2
A mandrel-locking unit for a rotary printing machine has a mandrel-mounting element that surrounds print roller mandrels in an inner bearing for mounting a mandrel-supporting surface and into which the mandrel-mounting element can be slid such that the mandrel-supporting surface is released by the sliding movement. The unit has a pressurizing medium cylinder that provides the force required for the sliding movement and a piston, which delimits a pressure chamber of the pressurizing medium cylinder at a boundary surface and which is in contact with the mandrel-mounting element at a connecting point and conveys to the mandrel mounting element the pressure required for the sliding movement. A feature of the unit is that the distance between the boundary surface and the connecting point is smaller than the maximum stroke of the piston in the pressurizing medium cylinder.
US07900553B1
An apparatus for cooking using wood pellets comprising: a direct cooking zone; an indirect cooking zone separated from the direct cooking zone by a divider; and a wood pellet burner positioned in the direct cooking zone such that food items in the direct cooking zone will be positioned above the burner. The cooking apparatus has a combustion flow path such that combustion gas from the burner will flow upwardly in the direct cooking zone, then over the divider, and then downwardly into the indirect cooking zone. The downward flow of combustion gas into the indirect cooking zone provides a top down cooking mode for food products placed therein.
US07900544B2
A combination slicing and dicing food processing device. The device generally includes a cutting box and gliding body which travels back and forth across the cutting box. The gliding body features a food cradle that is configured to hold a food product which is to be processed. The food cradle is attached on one end of a principal cutting arm and a handle is attached to the other end of the principal cutting arm. A secondary cutting arm is provided beneath and attaching to the principal cutting arm. A ram is provided on the end of the secondary cutting arm and positioned slightly behind the food cradle so that the rain trails the food cradle as the food gliding body travels back and forth across the cutting box. The cutting box includes a principal cutting blade near one end and a process slot for receiving slices of the food product which are sliced off by the principal cutting blade. The slices are received in a collapsing bin in front of the ram before they are finally processed by a dicing card or julienne cutting card and received in a receiving bin.
US07900541B2
A machine is disclosed having a detection subsystem adapted to detect contact between a person and a specified portion of the machine, and to distinguish that contact from contact with other materials. The detection subsystem imparts an electrical signal to a specified portion of the machine, and distinguishes that contact based on a predetermined frequency response of the electrical signal. A reaction subsystem then causes a predetermined action to take place. The machine may be a power saw designed to minimize injury in the event a person accidentally contacts the blade.
US07900532B2
An electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.
US07900531B2
In a drive device for opening and or closing the hatch of a motor vehicle, the drive including a spindle drive with a threaded spindle and a nut, with a clutch arranged between the rotary drive and the spindle drive, the clutch includes a shifting element, a clutch element, and a clutch disk non-rotatably connected to the threaded spindle. The shifting element is rotatably drivably connected to the rotary drive. The shifting element has an axially oriented helical first ramp and the clutch element has an axially oriented helical second ramp in opposed contact with said first ramp. Relative rotation of the shifting element and the clutch element causes relative axial displacement of the shifting element and the clutch element against a spring force. The clutch element has a clutch area movable into non-rotatable engagement with the clutch disk in response to the relative axial displacement of the shifting element and the clutch element such that the rotary drive for the spindle drive also operates the clutch.
US07900519B2
A tool to measure the depth of one or more through-silicon vias, the tool fabricated in silicon to include a microfluidic chamber that is positioned over the one or more through-silicon vias, further including a fluid actuation chamber to inject fluid into the microfluidic chamber and into the one or more through-silicon vias, and a pressure sensing chamber to sense the fluid pressure to indicate when the one or more through-silicon vias are filled with the fluid.
US07900507B2
A device and method for measuring the quality of a vehicle oil change and the condition of oil obtained during an oil change is provided which includes an oil measurement compartment and at least one coolant sensor. The oil measurement compartment includes a conductivity sensor including a pair of horizontal parallel wires and a pair of vertical parallel wires which are capable of measuring the quantity, temperature, and conductivity of the drained oil. The coolant sensor is comprised of a hydrophilic material in contact with a permanent surface comprised of two spaced apart metal wires or traces. The coolant sensor measures the viscosity, coolant concentration, and overall condition of the oil.
US07900499B2
An impact testing apparatus for includes a workbench, a bracket defining a vertical passage, a hammer slidably received in the passage of the bracket, a fastening mechanism slidably mounted to the bracket and an anvil for supporting a workpiece to be tested. The workbench includes a horizontal platform. The bracket is arranged over the platform. The fastening mechanism is configured to be selectively fixed to different heights of the bracket relative to the platform, and includes a retaining member capable of being biased between a fist position to hold the hammer and a second position to release the hammer. The anvil is disposed on the platform and aligns with the hammer.
US07900497B2
The true roughness of highly granular perpendicular media is measured by forming an inverse replica of the surface of the media. The invention enables AFM measurements of granular media valley depth to more consistently predict the corrosion performance of the media. A liquid resist is used to first replicate the media topography and form the inverse replica. The narrow valleys in the original media are precisely modeled as sharp peaks on the replica. The height of the peaks are readily measured with an AFM tip. The resulting image is a negative of the original surface.
US07900492B2
An addendum shape portion of a panel material is drawn by a drawing portion of a press forming die by an amount equal to or less than the limit to which the panel material can be drawn, whereby a to-be-product portion of the panel material is roughly conformed to a forming face of a punch. In this state, the to-be-product portion of the panel material is stretched or drawn. Accordingly, the cross section of the to-be-product portion is uniformly changed at the minimum level, which makes it possible to produce, by press forming, a fender panel made of aluminum base alloy, which has a great plane dimension L and high quality. As a result, flexibility in the design of panel parts, which are formed by pressing the panel material into shapes, is increased.
US07900485B2
A washing machine having height adjustable legs is provided. The washing machine may include a base provided at a bottom of the washing machine, a plurality of legs coupled to the base, and an over-unscrewed prevention member provided with each leg. Each leg may include a bolt that is height-adjustably assembled at the base. The over-unscrewed prevention member may be provided at the bolt of each leg and caught by the base when the legs are unscrewed so as to set a maximum unscrew height of the legs.
US07900481B2
According to one embodiment a method of making optical fibers comprises: (i) manufacturing a core cane; (ii) situating a plurality of microstructures selected from rods, air filled tubes and glass filed tubes and placing said microstructures adjacent to the core cane, said microstructures forming no more than 3 layers; (iii) placing the core cane with said adjacent microstructures inside a holding clad tube; and (iv) placing interstitial cladding rods inside the holding (clad) tube, thereby forming an assembly comprising a tube containing a core cane, a plurality of microstructures and interstitial cladding rods. The assembly is then drawn into a microstructured cane and an optical fiber is drawn from the microstructured cane. According to several embodiments, the method of making an optical fiber includes providing at least one air hole and at least one stress rod adjacent to the core.
US07900479B2
The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.
US07900473B2
The present invention provides a method for adiabatic cooling type crystallization of organic compound and an apparatus therefore, by which running cost and facility cost can be reduced.The method comprises carrying out adiabatic cooling and evaporation operation of a coolant in a crystallizer 20 for a mixture solution of a target organic compound containing the coolant; taking out crystal slurry produced by the operation from the crystallizer 20; pressurizing evaporated vapor to a pressure higher than the operation pressure in the crystallizer 20 by a compressor 30, introducing the vapor to an absorption condenser 10; cooling for condensation the mixture solution of organic compound and the evaporated vapor that has been pressurized while allowing them to contact each other in the absorption condenser 10; and introducing this absorption condensate to the crystallizer 20.
US07900472B2
A heat exchange and heat transfer device comprises an evaporating/absorbing arrangement connected to a binary mixture flow circuit containing a first refrigerant fluid and a second absorbing fluid. The refrigerant fluid is evaporated in the evaporator part of the arrangement and subsequently absorbed in the absorber part by an absorbing fluid-enriched mixture. The evaporating/absorbing arrangement comprises at least two oppositely disposed reference surfaces defining evaporation and absorption components, respectively, an evaporator mass for supplying the liquid refrigerant fluid to the reference surface of the evaporation component and an absorber mass for supplying the absorbing fluid-enriched mixture to the reference surface of the absorption component.
US07900469B2
An evaporative cooler and method of operating the evaporative cooler are described. The evaporative cooler comprises a reservoir configured to contain water, a frame, and panels. The panels together at least partially form a cooler housing and define an interior region of the cooler housing. The cooler housing has at least one inlet for the intake of ambient air and at least one outlet for the flow of cooled air out from the interior of the cooler housing. Media is positioned adjacent the at least one inlet such that the intake of ambient air passes through the media for heat exchange. A blower is positioned to receive air entering through the at least one inlet defined by the cooler housing and to exhaust cooled air toward the at least one outlet opening defined by the cooler housing.
US07900465B2
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
US07900461B2
The invention is a combination that includes a gas turbine engine extending along an axis. The gas turbine engine includes an annular combustor with a combustor liner. The combination of the invention also includes a plurality of projections extending from the combustor liner and spaced from one another circumferentially about the axis. The combination of the invention also includes a free-standing ring disposed about the combustor liner and positioned adjacent to the plurality of projections along the axis. The plurality of projections engage a corresponding circumferentially-facing portion of the free-standing ring and circumferentially support the combustor liner while allowing relative radial displacement between the combustor liner and the free-standing ring. The combination of the invention also includes a rolling assembly operably disposed between the free-standing ring and the plurality of projections to reduce binding during the relative radial displacement.
US07900459B2
An exhaust nozzle assembly includes an inner liner exposed to hot combustion gases and an outer liner spaced a radial distance from the inner liner to form an annular chamber. The inner liner includes a hot side that is directly exposed to the hot combustion gas flow and a cold side is exposed to cooling air within the chamber. The outer liner includes an outer surface exposed to cooling air flow up to a restriction preventing communication of cooling air flow. A plenum is attached to the outer liner to define a plenum chamber that extends into an end portion. The plenum chamber receives cooling air flow from a supply opening and communicates that air to an end portion through a plurality of impingement openings that provide impingement flow of cooling air outboard of the restriction.
US07900455B2
A recuperative air storage plant comprising a gas turbine set and a heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, exhaust gas heat from the gas turbine set can be transferred to a pressurized stored fluid which flows from a storage volume to a expansion machine. A flow junction with an exhaust gas damper which can be operated in a plurality of positions is arranged in the exhaust gas path of the gas turbine set, upstream of the heat exchanger. This exhaust gas damper makes it possible to divide the exhaust gas mass flow (m0) of the gas turbine set in a variable fashion between a stack and the heat exchanger. In this way it is possible to operate the gas turbine set quickly at high power in the electric power network independently of the heat exchanger and the expansion machine, while the thermal load of the air storage part is slowly increased by incrementally increasing the exhaust gas proportion (m1) which flows to the heat exchanger.
US07900454B2
In an engine having a crankshaft driven by reciprocating pistons in an arrangement of cylinders, a spider bearing is fixed to a crankshaft journal that is offset from the central axis of the crankshaft. Each piston is drivingly linked to the spider bearing by a connecting rod. Circular links at the opposite ends of each connecting rod are fitted with an inner bearing ring to provide low friction movement of the ends of each connecting rod relative to the piston and the spider bearing. Hubs equally spaced about the central axis of the spider bearing enable connection of the rod links to the spider bearing. In a preferred embodiment, the spider bearing is formed of a bearing material that surrounds the outer surface of the connecting rod links which, combined with the inner bearing rings, provides a double-backed bearing for carrying the piston load.
US07900452B2
A substance is added to cold ocean water in a cold water pipe of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system. The substance raises the freezing point of the ocean water in a cold water heat exchanger of the OTEC system, thereby forming an ice slurry. The substance is added at the depth of the apparatus. The ice slurry is transported from the point of addition in the cold water pipe to the cold water heat exchanger at the surface.
US07900433B2
The cross sectional flow area of a fan discharge nozzle on one side of a central plane of an associated gas turbine engine power plant is greater than the corresponding flow area of the fan discharge nozzle on an opposite side of the central plane to compensate for the blockage of fan airflow by a pylon.
US07900431B2
The present invention provides process and plant for power generation comprising: providing a steam generator; first, second and third steam turbines; a reheater; a gas turbine; and at least one heat exchanger; supplying a first stream comprising steam from the steam generator to the first steam turbine to generate power in the first steam turbine; recovering from the first steam turbine a recovered stream comprising steam and supplying at least a part of the recovered stream to the reheater; supplying a second stream comprising steam from the steam generator to a first zone of the heat exchanger and heating the second stream therein by supplying at least one hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine to the first zone of the heat exchanger; supplying the heated second stream to the second steam turbine to generate power therein; supplying a third stream comprising steam from the steam generator to the reheater to heat the recovered stream from the first steam turbine; recovering from the reheater a heated recovered stream from the first turbine; and supplying at least part of the heated recovered stream from the first turbine to the third steam turbine to generate power therein.
US07900417B1
A pergola system employs tap-lock pin (56) that readily attaches to a beam (82). The beam is encapsulated, preferably by vinyl extrusions, which allow horizontal strips to easily engage opposing end of the tap-lock pin (56). Clips (78) with protruding tap-locks (72) are secured to a substrate, allowing horizontal strips with ledges (96) to be engaged with the protruding tap-locks (72) to provide an easily installed pergola shade structure. A shroud (102) or coupler (62) allows expansion so that a plurality of pergola kits can be assembled together and so that a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer can install, alter, or retrofit the pergola(s) with minimal effort and direction.
US07900413B2
There is disclosed a method of adhering a flexible solar panel to a PVC-based roofing membrane that interposes a certain plasticizer-containing PVC membrane between the solar panel and the roofing membrane.
US07900412B2
A sealing material comprises a partially or fully cured polysulphide sealant and a reinforcing element, especially glass fibre. The sealing material is a flexible solid and is preferably in sheet form. The sealing material is cut to shape like a gasket and is assembled between components to be fastened, for example, in airframe manufacture.
US07900404B2
A combination through-wall masonry flashing/drainage device having a flashing membrane with at least one reinforcing cloth adhered to at least one side of the flashing membrane. A wicking cloth made of a synthetic wicking material is then adhered to the device. The wicking cloth material is selected for wicking ability, life expectancy, mildew resistance, and strength characteristics.
US07900400B2
The present invention corrects sash sag in casement windows by implementing an adjustable hinge. The adjustable hinge includes a sash arm, a support arm, a retaining clip and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism serves a twofold purpose. First, it allows one to adjust the hinge for sash sag, and it also secures the support arm to the track of the adjustment hinge. The adjustment mechanism includes a threaded support post and a threaded member. The threaded support post has a circumferential groove which is used to receive the arms of a retaining clip. The sash arm is mounted to the track of the adjustable hinge via a shoe block. The sash arm has a protrusion located on its bottom surface. The protrusion serves as a movement restrictor.
US07900399B2
A start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing on a ground surface is provided with a moveable start gate frame that is pivotally attached to a foundation platform and a moving mechanism for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position where the ready position is of sufficient height to obstruct forward movement of the racer. A control device is further provided that regulates the movement of the moveable start gate frame from the ready position to a go position and a start switch that activates the control device to initiate the moving mechanism.
US07900398B2
A revolving security door includes a drum defining a secure zone between door openings controlled by a revolving door disposed within the drum and wherein light curtain sensors and active infrared sensors may detect an intruder moving from a non-secure side of the doorway to the secure side and detect objects left behind in a secure zone. Methods of operation prevent persons or objects from passing from the non-secure side to the secure side of the doorway.
US07900395B2
The invention is for landscape edging with improved mulch containment and improved drainage. The landscape edging has a substantially vertical planar surface adjacent to a substantially horizontal surface. The vertical planar surface and the horizontal planar surface are adhered to a sidewalk or pavement that borders a flower bed or garden. A riser extends upward from a first end of the horizontal surface. A lip surface extends from the riser in a direction away from the horizontal planar surface. A curved canopy surface extends from the lip, back over the lip and the horizontal surface, until it intersects with a flower bed wall. The flower bed wall it is a curved surface that extends between a second end of the horizontal planar surface and the canopy surface. The flower bed wall has orifices disposed therein to allow water from the flower bed to enter the landscape edging.
US07900392B2
An improved stripping basket for fly fishing is disclosed. The stripping basket is easily compacted for stowing while on board a boat, or for packing the stripping basket in a suitcase for travel to a fishing destination. The basket comprises multiple removable line separators and drainage holes in a base plate. The base plate folds towards the front wall of the stripping basket. The front wall has multiple slits that correspond to the arrangement of the line separators. With the line separators still attached to the base plate, the stripping basket can be quickly unfolded for use. This is convenient when on board a boat, awaiting a turn to fish. For longer term storage, such when packing in a suitcase for travel, the line separators can be removed for maximum portability.
US07900390B2
Devices, and methods of attaching accessory mounts to vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles. The accessory mounts can be molded to extend off of the handles. The accessory mounts can attach to the handles by interlocking plugs and slots. The accessory mount can have rails so that an accessory can attach to the rails on the accessory mount. The accessory can include lights, lasers, bayonets, sights, scopes, and the like. The vertical fore grip can be an elongated handle fixed to the firearm. The vertical fore grip can be an elongated handle that is detachable from beneath rails on the firearm. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs.
US07900388B2
An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is used with a provided deployment unit that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus. The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus includes a terminal; a producing sub-system for producing an electric arc to warn the target without conducting a current through the target; a conducting sub-system for conducting the current in series through the terminal and through the target; an initiating sub-system for initiating deployment of the electrode; and an operator interface. The operator interface facilitates, prior to deployment of the electrode, repeated operation of any one or both of the producing sub-system and the conducting sub-system. The operator interface further facilitates, after deployment of the electrode, repeated operation of any one or both of the conducting sub-system and the initiating sub-system, each operation of the initiating sub-system being with a respective further electrode of the deployment unit.
US07900387B2
Provided is a price display apparatus including a plate-shaped label having a price displaying unit; and a holder coupled to one side of the label and having a fixing portion protruding outward from the label.
US07900382B2
A system and method to cut a path in the ground with a path cutter. The path cutter includes a cutting edge to cut a path and loosen earth and a moldboard angled such that any earth loosed by the moldboard and the cutting edge is pushed towards the center of the moldboard. The width of the cut path is adjusted by an adjustment member attached to the cutting edge and the moldboard. A first auger moves the earth, weeds, rocks and other material loosed by the cutting edge and the moldboard to a front conveyor belt. The material on the first conveyor belt is transferred to a second conveyor belt by a second auger. The material on the second conveyor belt is discharged from the path cutter away from the cut path.
US07900377B1
An energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion for containing a user's foot, an upper sole with an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area, the upper sole affixed to a bottom surface of the shoe portion and the upper sole capable of bending at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area; the lower sole is also capable of bending at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. The upper toe sole area is linked to the lower toe sole area by linkages that hold the upper toe sole area is held parallel to the lower toe sole area. The upper heel sole area is linked to the lower heel sole area by linkages that hold the upper heel sole area is held parallel to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole area is held in a same horizontal position with respect to the lower heel sole area. The upper heel sole area is urged away from the lower heel sole area by devices that exert force such as springs.
US07900376B2
Footwear with a powerful arch spring made with spring boards that can be utilized by the heel and ball of the foot areas during impact for efficient energy storage and return during walking, running and other forms of self propelled locomotion. The spring boards can extend into the toe area of the footwear to create a toe spring with efficient energy storage and return. Embodiments of the present invention combine the spring boards which are excellent for storing and returning energy with a shock absorbing material which can also function as a secondary spring in order to achieve high efficiency energy returns while maintaining comfort and stability with the footwear.
US07900362B2
A disposable safety scalpel comprises a handle and a blade carrier, which fit together such that the blade carrier can shift between a retracted position whereby a front portion of the handle covers or otherwise blocks contact with the sharp edge of the blade, and an extended position whereby the sharp edge of the blade protrudes beyond the handle. The handle has a substantially flat base portion that can be held by the forefinger of the surgeon for shifting of the carrier with the thumb between retracted and extended positions. When the carrier and blade are extended, the surgeon can hold only the base of the handle between the thumb and forefinger for cutting during surgery. The shifting between the retracted and deployed positions with only the fingers of one hand can be readily accomplished even in the presence of slippery fluids during surgery.
US07900360B2
A cutter assembly for a dry shaver, comprising an elongate carrier member (221); and a cutter element (1210) having a plurality of turns forming a helix, each having an arcuate cutting portion (1211) and an arcuate mounting portion following sequentially along the helix; said carrier member being disposed substantially parallel to the axis (D-D) of said cutter element; and said carrier member contacting and supporting the mounting portions of the turns and leaving the cutting portions as free-span arches.
US07900359B2
A hair trimming device is detachably mounted on a handle housing a battery for supplying electric current to a motor located in a drive unit of the trimming device. A trimmer unit includes a plurality of trimmer blade assemblies with different configurations and is rotatable on the drive unit for moving a selected one of the blade assemblies to the operative position in which it is coupled to be driven by the drive unit whilst the other blade assembly which is not in the operative position is uncoupled from the drive output of the drive unit.
US07900353B2
A method for combining axially heated heat pipes and a heat-conducting base includes the steps of preparing a heat-conducting base and a plurality of heat pipes, providing a plurality of penetrating holes on a surface of the heat-conducting base, inserting one end of each heat pipe into the individual penetrating hole of the heat-conducting base, performing a lateral pressing to the heat-conducting base so as to bring each heat pipe into a tight and planar contact with the wall of each corresponding penetrating hole in the direction of pressing, and grinding the bottom surface of the heat-conducting base to become a flat surface to make the end of each heat pipe flush with the bottom surface of the heat-conducting base.
US07900349B2
An electronic device with a reworkable electronic component, a method of manufacturing the electronic device, and a method of reworking the electronic component are disclosed. The electronic device includes a first cavity provided in a board body. A first metal pattern is provided on the board body and adjacent to the first cavity. A first electronic component is provided in the first cavity. A first connection pattern is provided adjacent to an upper edge portion of the first electronic component and extends to the first metal pattern so that the first metal pattern is electrically connected to the first electronic component.
US07900336B2
A hand assembled MEMS apparatus includes meso-scale microfabricated components adapted for being moved by hand relative to one another from a loose-fit preliminary alignment orientation to a relatively tight-fit assembled orientation. A microfabricated spring member is integrally disposed on one of the components to bias the other component towards the assembled orientation. A cam surface disposed on the other component is configured to slidably engage and move the spring member against its bias upon continued hand movement in the assembly direction. A microfabricated abutment is disposed to limit relative movement of the components in at least one direction other than the assembly direction. A microfabricated tactile feedback member is configured to disrupt the hand movement in the assembly direction once the components have substantially reached the assembled orientation.
US07900333B2
Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize the escape of fuel out of a fuel tank when a tank wall is penetrated by a bullet. In one embodiment, a pressure differential may be maintained between a pressure within a fuel tank cavity and another pressure outside the fuel tank cavity in order to minimize the loss of fuel upon penetration of the fuel tank. In another embodiment, a compressed rubber layer of fuel-reactive rubber may be provided which is adapted to be attached to a fuel tank wall and to swell upon contact with fuel in order to substantially seal a penetrated hole in the fuel tank wall.
US07900332B2
A tool for engaging a telecommunications connector within a slot so that a releasable latch of the connector is released by the tool. The tool may be used to remove a telecommunications connector from a mating opening of a receptacle or may be used to insert a connector within a receptacle.
US07900331B2
A work (W) with a part assembling surface on many faces is rotated by a work holding jig (10) so as to sequentially convert each of the part assembling surfaces to the upward horizontal attitude, a bolt is fastened from above vertically while gripping an assembly part (B) by a part gripping device (12), and this is repeated so that an assembling operation can be carried out smoothly and an assembly space can be saved.
US07900326B2
A coffin with a removable 2 piece cover that accommodates bodies of differing lengths having, within an enclosure, a 2 piece platform that adjusts so as to allow the body to form a v-shape by bending the body at the hip whereby the longitudinal length of the body can be adjusted.
US07900314B2
A device for drying and/or wetting a mop with a removable container for receiving a liquid. The device has a receiver for the container with a collecting base which is located underneath the container when the container is disposed in the receiver, and the device has liquid conveying devices for removing or feeding the liquid. The collecting base extends underneath the liquid conveying devices. The liquid conveying devices have a motor for driving a pump for wetting the mop with liquid from the container and for driving a drying device for removing liquid from the mop. The drying device and the motor are fixedly connected to the device and the pump is arranged in the container. The pump is operatively connected to the motor via a separable coupling in a driving manner.
US07900313B2
A coating combination suitable for use in coating architectural surfaces which comprises in combination a lidable container, a coating composition provided within the lidable container, and a buoyant coating contacting member (4) including at least one aperture disposed substantially horizontally within the lidable container. The buoyant coating contacting member has physical properties selected from at least one of shape, density, number of apertures, and total area of apertures such that the buoyant coating contacting member is buoyant on the coating composition and submersible within the coating composition to the extent that under a downwards force from a coating applicator, a portion of the coating composition is allowed to flow through the at least one aperture such that the coating applicator can pick up the coating composition. When the combination has a lid, the lid is removed for insertion of the applicator for the exertion of downward pressure.
US07900311B2
In a first aspect, an apparatus for cleaning a thin disk is provided. The apparatus includes a support roller for supporting a rotating wafer within a wafer cleaner. The support roller comprises a guide portion, for receiving an edge of a wafer, having an inclined surface comprising a low-friction material and adapted to allow the wafer edge to slide thereagainst; and an edge-trap portion for retaining the edge of the wafer and having a transverse surface comprising a high-friction material and adapted, when in communication with the edge of the wafer, to resist sliding thereagainst. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07900305B2
An automatic washing machine includes a wash basin having a plurality of apertures and an annular liquid reservoir formed at an upper portion of the basin. A plurality of flow channels are arranged around the exterior surface of the wash basin. The plurality of flow channels includes upward flow channels, configured for directing wash liquid extracted from the wash basin into the reservoir under centrifugal force generated in a spin cycle. The plurality of flow channels also includes downward flow channels configured for directing wash liquid from the reservoir to a central drain following the spin cycle. The arrangement avoids the need for an outer wash tub, and at the same time provides stabilization to the wash basin during high speed spins. In another aspect, the wash basin may include wash action ramps provided on a bottom surface of the wash basin and at an upper sidewall of the wash basin. The wash action ramps, in conjunction with a sequence of wash basin acceleration and deceleration cycles, induce an effective wash action, and circulation of the wash load, in lieu of a conventional central agitator.
US07900301B2
A woven fabric product 1 made of woven fabric pieces cut out of woven fabric into specified shapes and sewn together is provided, wherein the warp and weft directions of weave patterns 200 of the woven fabric are positioned obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the woven fabric piece.
US07900287B2
A toilet tool generally includes a handle assembly and one or more disposable toilet tool implements such as a cleaning pad and a plunger cup. The handle assembly receives either the cleaning pad or the plunger cup with sufficient engagement to prevent inadvertent release during use yet is easily released in a hands-free manner for disposal.
US07900285B2
A protective cup includes a cage member and a peripheral lip. The cage member includes upper, lower, and side portions. The upper portion may include a plurality of slots. At least one slot may be oriented so that a direction defined by a largest dimension of the at least one slot extends toward one or more of the lower portion and the side portions. The cup may also include linking portions. The lip is operatively connected to the upper and lower portions. The lip may be operatively connected to the side portions or it may be distanced from the cage member at openings between the lip and side portions. If the lip is distanced from the cage member, the linking portions operatively connect the lip to the side portions to fill the openings or one or more parts of the openings. A method of manufacturing the cup is also disclosed.
US07900284B2
Garment (10) for sporting activity, in particular a suit for motorcyclists, which is made of breathable fabric in selected regions and comprises a protective shield (40). At least the bottom portion (44) of the shield is removably inserted underneath a layer (58) of puckered elastic material fixed to the breathable fabric.
US07900282B2
A device for protecting against impact. The device includes an inflatable valve made of sheets of high-strength PVC (1) provided with an inflating end (3). Fitted within this valve using a method of thermal bonding (4) are walls (2) configured as a labyrinth in order to better regulate the air flow.
US07900280B2
Goggles are provided having a lens cup with a seal portion extending around its peripheral rear edge. The seal portion is adapted to seal against the face of a wearer of the goggles via a face contact surface. The face contact surface is preformed to follow substantially the contours of the wearer's face around the wearer's eye socket, so that little force between the seal portion and the wearer's face is required to achieve sealing. The face contact surface may be preformed in accordance with the average wearer from a demographic group or preformed bespoke for the wearer.
US07900273B2
A closure system comprises a hook and pile material having hooks on one side and pile on the other side. With regard to footwear, the present invention is a shoe comprising this material allowing a wearer to adjust the point of attachment of closure straps on the exterior of the outer member of the shoe, thereby allowing every shoe wearer to wear the strap across the throat of the shoe at a different location. With regard to apparel, the present invention is a closure system comprising a single-ply hook and pile material in which the overlapped piece, or the exterior piece attaches to the underlapped piece, or the interior piece that provides the wearer with the ability to customize the fitting of the apparel, including the tightness of the apparel around an individual.
US07900271B2
Elbow and knee guards for providing protection from fragments, bullets, projectiles, and blunt force trauma injuries. The guards contain ballistic material that is incorporated or inserted into the appropriate carriers. A rigid or semi-rigid ballistic or non-ballistic cap can also be attached to the outer portion of the guards to increase the overall protection provided. Non-ballistic energy absorption material can also be added to increase the overall protection against blunt force trauma injuries.
US07900267B2
Multiaxial fabrics contain at least one layer of nonwoven fabric, thermoplastic film or thermoset film, a first layer containing a plurality of first yarns being substantially parallel in a first direction, a second layer containing a plurality of second yarns being substantially parallel in a second direction and skew or off-set with respect to the first yarns, and transverse yarn interlaced transversely within the layers wherein each layer may be arranged in any sequential order and optionally coated with a high viscosity polymer that has a Tg in the range of about −40 to about 0° C., and a zero shear melt viscosity of about 2×106 to about 1013 poise at 20° C.
US07904954B2
The present invention provides a method, a device and a system for controlling VoIP border security. The system includes: a border security controller, which includes two dynamic information tables, an active session information table and a registered user information table, acting as the basis of security control; and a security policy server, in communication with the border security controller, adapted to provide a security policy to the border security controller and check the security of a signaling packet forwarded by the border security controller. The border security control system first checks the security and processes the packets of a user datagram received according to the active session information table and the registered user information table, and allows a packet which passed the security processing to pass, and then performs protocol processing on the media packet and signaling packet which are allowed to pass.
US07904947B2
User friendly gateway log-in system for validation of a user's identity for entry into a master security website that provides a gateway to a plurality of different subscriber websites includes: (a) a plurality of user computers; (b) an internet; (c) a host server connected to the internet for connection to user computers; and (d) a website program hosted on the host server for a website that requires individual user security, for connecting each of the plurality of computers to the website available to the user computers, that includes an open log in field. The program has software for secured activity for receiving and recognizing a unique user identification from a user of a user computer to create a personal combination lock rule for a unique easy-to-remember user initialization input that includes a preset selection and operation of the intersection of a first randomly arranged challenge presentation and a second randomly arranged challenge presentation to obtain a selection solution. Successful solution by a user provides access to the gateway for entry into any subscriber-website without website-specific log-in.
US07904943B2
A storage controller includes a command pointer register. The command pointer register points to a chain of commands in memory, and also includes a security status field to indicate a security status of the first command in the command chain. Each command in the command chain may also include a security status field that indicates the security status of the following command in the chain.
US07904938B2
A host includes at least one High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. A controller is configured to receive a request from a source external to the host. The controller is further configured to collect HDMI status information associated with the HDMI port in response to the request.
US07904935B2
A method for providing adaptive video compression includes encoding a video stream in a first compressed format, storing the video stream in a storage device, retrieving the video stream from the storage device, decoding the video stream, encoding the video stream in a second compressed format, and storing the video stream in the storage device. Systems and other methods for providing adaptive video compression are also disclosed.
US07904921B2
A broadcast signal associated with an emergency alert system in terrestrial broadcasting, a processing method thereof, and a broadcast receiver for the same are disclosed, by which information on a channel for carrying emergency alert news can be completely prevented from being overlapped with information on other general channels in a terrestrial broadcasting environment.
US07904920B2
A method for skipping advertisement broadcasting is provided. Whether or not it is advertisement broadcasting is determined using an program ID of received broadcasting contents. When it is advertisement broadcasting, the advertisement is skipped. During the advertisement broadcasting skipping, a multi tasking environment other than broadcasting viewing is provided. By skipping advertisement broadcasting during the broadcasting content recording, the recording results not including the advertisement is obtained.
US07904919B2
A disk apparatus comprising a chassis outer sheath having a base body 10 and a lid, in which a front surface of the chassis outer sheath is formed with a disk inserting opening 11 into which a disk is directly inserted, a lever which is operated when the disk is inserted or discharged is provided in the chassis outer sheath, the lever is provided at its movable side end with a guide 17, and the disk is guided by the guide 17, whereinthe guide 17 comprises a stationary portion 101B fixed to the lever, a movable portion 101C which is displaced with respect to the stationary portion 101B, and an elastic body which biases the movable portion 101C in a direction away from the stationary portion 101B.
US07904910B2
In one embodiment, a cluster system comprises a plurality of cluster nodes for executing a plurality of applications, and a management process for controlling the plurality of cluster nodes, wherein the management process is operable to identify a first application that is not meeting a service level objective (SLO), to select a cluster node that is not currently executing the first application, to progressively decrease routing of transactions to the selected cluster node for a second application, and to progressively increase routing of transactions to the selected cluster node for the first application.
US07904904B2
Techniques for processing native events associated with tasks that are concurrently supported in a virtual machine are disclosed. The techniques allow the user of a virtual machine to concurrently perform tasks even if these tasks require processing of platform-specific (or native) events (e.g., platform-specific input). A smart event-dispatcher is used to dispatch native events to multiple tasks that are concurrently supported by the virtual machine. The smart event-dispatcher can determine which one of a plurality of concurrent tasks should receive the native event for processing. The determination can be made based on a variety of different criteria. In mobile devices, the foreground task is typically the only task that is displayed for the user of mobile devices at any given time. Thus, dispatching events to the foreground task is especially useful for a virtual machine that support a mobile device.
US07904900B2
A method in a network of the delivery of files from a server computer (101) to a client computer (102) in which the client computer is polling the server computer looking to see in the server if at least one new file associated with this client computer is available. If yes, then the client computer is downloading the files associated with this client computer at specific intervals. The client computer is all by itself polling the server computer at specific intervals and it itself controls the downloading of the updates which occurs at times during which the downloading does not disturb the working of the client computer.
US07904897B2
A processor-based device (e.g., a wireless device) may include a processor and a semiconductor nonvolatile memory to directly execute an application (e.g., an execute-in-place application) using an associated database. Within a flash memory, in one embodiment, an executable program may be separately stored in a non-fragmented manner from a resident database that includes program management information for use in an execution that does not involve a random access memory, saving time and resources.
US07904894B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that automatically optimize package execution performance. A profiling phase executes each task in a control flow package and measures performance metrics, such as task execution length, task memory usage, task correlation to CPU versus input/output operations, network bandwidth, and running applications. An optimization phase optimizes subsequent executions of the package by using the performance metrics to make appropriate adjustments to the package. The profiling phase and optimizing phase are repeated over a period of time as appropriate to improve the package's performance without requiring a user to make adjustments to the tasks in the package.
US07904891B2
In one embodiment, after translating a plurality of target instructions from a target memory location into a plurality of host instructions, a write operation to a target memory portion which includes said target memory location is detected. In response to the detecting, a copy of the target instructions is stored in a host memory. In response to an attempt to execute the host instructions, the copy is compared with a plurality of current target instructions presently stored in the target memory location. Further, in response to a mismatch based on the comparison, the host instructions are disabled.
US07904890B1
A mechanism is disclosed for determining how thoroughly a set of code has been tested. The mechanism involves identifying which portions within the set of code are interface portions and which portions are internal portions. A test is executed to test the set of code. Based upon a set of testing information derived from the test, an interface test metric is derived that provides a measure of how thoroughly the interface portions were tested by the test. Based upon the set of testing information, an internal test metric is derived that provides a measure of how thoroughly the internal portions were tested by the test. In one embodiment, an overall measure of how thoroughly the set of code has been tested by the test is derived, based upon the interface test metric and the internal test metric.
US07904884B2
A method of data processing that converts a set of restricted terms, which is considered prohibited for use in source files, into an encrypted form, which prevents unauthorized users from reading the set of restricted terms. Further, the terms from a selected source file are encrypted with the same algorithm that was used on the set of prohibited terms. Then, a determination is made if the selected source file has one or more of the encrypted, restricted terms. In response to determining that the selected source file has one or more of the encrypted, restricted terms, an indication is given that the selected source file has one or more of the encrypted, restricted terms.
US07904883B2
A computer-implemented method of handling localizable objects is provided. The method includes the step of obtaining an initial class containing localizable properties and non-localizable properties. The initial class is then transformed into a base-part class and a translation-part class. A localization tool for performing the transformation is also provided.
US07904880B2
For each of a set of business application classes on an application server, a web service class consisting of a separate web service method for each of a set of actions is generated. Each web service method contains a call to an interface web service method stored on a web server. The interface web service method is capable of calling a method on the application server. Once generated, the web service classes are compiled into an assembly and are stored on the web server.
US07904874B2
We propose an opposite-phase scheme for peak current reduction. The basic idea is to divide the clock buffers at each level of the clock tree into two sets: one half of the clock buffers operate at the same phase as the clock source, and the other half of the clock buffers operate at the opposite phase to the clock source. Consequently, our approach can effectively reduce the peak current of the clock tree. The method enables the opposite-phase scheme to combine with the electronic design automation (EDA) tools that are commonly used in modern industries.
US07904873B2
Disclosed is a system-on-chip (SOC) structure that allows for automated integration of multiple intellectual cores. The SOC structure incorporates a plurality of cells connected to a common bus on a chip. Each cell incorporates a functional core and an automated integration unit (AIU) connected to the functional core. Each AIU communicates integration information for its functional core over the common bus to the AIUs in the other cells. The exchange of information between the AIUs is controlled either by the integration units themselves or by a controller. Based on received integration information, each AIU can automatically make any required configuration adjustments for integration. Furthermore, based on this exchange of information, the functional cores can interact, as necessary, during SOC operation. Also disclosed are an associated method of forming such a SOC structure and a design structure for such an SOC structure.
US07904867B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that routes a set of pairs of points during the design of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The system comprises a routing engine which is configured to search for a path to connect a current pair of points in the set of pairs of points, wherein the path comprises a set of rectangles and vertices. The routing engine uses a routing database, which keeps track of previously routed nets that can obstruct the routing of the current pair of points. The system further comprises a satisfiability (SAT) solver which is capable of solving a set of constraints, wherein the set of constraints are associated with the routability of the set of pairs of points. The SAT solver additionally comprises a SAT database which maintains the set of constraints and a current partial solution to the set of constraints. The SAT database is used to update the routing database if the current partial solution changes.
US07904866B2
An apex is extracted from a designed wiring layout. In start/end portion circular arc processing a circular arc is added to the apex-containing portion, and the layout data file is rewritten so that a portion, representing a region surrounded by circular arc and two lines, is added to the wiring line. In bend portion circular arc processing circular arcs are added to the respective apex-containing portions, and the layout data file is rewritten so that: a portion corresponding to a region surrounded by the circular arc and two lines is added to the apex-containing portion of the layout when the determined angle is less than 180 degrees; a portion corresponding to a region surrounded by the circular arc and two lines is removed from the apex-containing portion of the layout when the determined angle exceeds 180 degrees.
US07904862B2
A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying spacing and clearance based rule violations in an IC design. Shadows are employed to identify spacing and clearance based rule violations. The shadow approach of is particularly useful to identify width-dependent spacing and clearance violations, while avoiding false positives that exist with alternate approaches. The embodiments can be used with any type, configuration, or shape of layout objects.
US07904858B2
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for executing logic synthesis for a module having a plurality of clock domains, having: an input unit which inputs circuit description data about a circuit function and a constraint in logic synthesis; a path selection unit which selects a path included in the module using a result obtained by analyzing the circuit description data; a recognition unit which recognizes a start point and an end point of the selected path and recognizes clock domains to which the start point and the end point belong; and a technology library setting unit which sets a technology library for the selected path in accordance with the clock domains to which the start point and the end point belong.
US07904849B2
A mechanism for reducing the vertical cross-talk interference experienced in signal lines due to the inductive affects from signal lines in other signal planes of a multi-layer ceramic package is provided. With the apparatus and method, one or more vias in the multi-layer ceramic package may be removed from the structure to provide area through which an offset of the signal lines may pass. Because these offsets of the signal lines exist in parallel planes above or below each other, with no ground lines existing directly between these signal line offsets, a capacitive cross-talk is introduced into the signal lines. This capacitive cross-talk is opposite in polarity to the inductive cross-talk already experienced by the signal lines. As a result, the capacitive cross-talk tends to negate or reduce the inductive cross-talk thereby reducing the far end noise in the signal line.
US07904848B2
A system for mapping tasks of at least one application on processing units of a reconfigurable array, the system comprising a plurality of programmable processing units, each programmable processing unit having at least one connection node, the programmable processing units disposed on a layer permitting interconnection between connection nodes; and a mapping unit adapted to substantially simultaneously optimize placement of the tasks on the plurality of programmable processing units and routing of interconnections between the plurality of processing units, the mapping unit adapted to select one placement algorithm among a plurality of predetermined placement algorithms and to select one routing algorithm from a plurality of predetermined placement algorithms, the selection configured to prefer use of non-random algorithms.
US07904846B2
A computer is programmed to automatically generate in memory, goals for functional verification of a design of a circuit by use of constraints that are specified in the normal manner. Specifically, a predetermined set of rules are automatically applied to the constraints, on random values for signals to be input to the circuit during simulation of the design. Application of the rules identifies one or more templates of goal(s) to be met. The computer is programmed to automatically use constraint(s) and template(s) to instantiate goal(s) in memory. Each goal identifies a signal to be input to the circuit, and defines a counter for a value of the signal. The goals are used in the normal manner, i.e. used to measure coverage of functional verification during simulation of the design of the circuit.
US07904832B2
The present invention provides a method for resizing windows and an apparatus for resizing windows. The method, in one embodiment, involves selecting a seam bordering a window, building a list of windows, and resizing more than one window in response to a single seam movement by a user. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for resizing windows.
US07904828B2
A window management mechanism allows a user to open a window as a drawer or, perhaps more appropriately named, a pop-up window. The drawer is an opened window that a user has dragged down to a drawer region at the bottom of the screen such that only the title bar or some drawer handle illustration is left showing. When the user does this, the window remains open but is kept offscreen. The user may momentarily pop the window back onto the screen by clicking on the window title bar or drawer handle, or by dragging the cursor into the window icon during a drag. The window stays onscreen as long as no other windows are selected. As soon as a user selects another window, or opens a file with a double click within the drawer, the window slides back offscreen. This allows the user to set up easy access windows. Another feature of a drawer window allows the user to open them during a drag. To do so, the user drags an object or the cursor into the drawer window that is desired to be opened. When the cursor touches the bottom of the screen, or an area within a threshold of the bottom of the screen, the drawer window slides open a notch at a time. As long as the user pushes against the bottom or remains in this threshold region, the drawer slides open.
US07904821B1
An embodiment provides a method to change a graphical user interface in a way that supports runtime modification of an application's GUI without access to the application source code and/or needs no recompilation/restart of the application executable. This method allows the end-user to make runtime modifications of a widget's attributes and/or runtime conversion of widgets into different types of widgets.
US07904815B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for automatically generating video data based on still image data. Certain aspects of the video may also be configured to correspond to audio features identified within associated audio data.
US07904814B2
A system for presenting a summarization of audio and/or visual content having a plurality of segments to a user together with a graphical user interface that preferably indicates to the viewer the relative temporal position of video segments viewed in the summary within the content from which the summary was derived.
US07904807B2
A system and method for copying formatting information between group editable Web pages is provided. The system includes a web server and devices, such as computers, which can communicate via a network. Users at the computers can access one or more of the Web pages and request that the accessed page's formatting information be copied over to one or more specified target Web pages. The Web server is configured to extract a first set of formatting information, such as HTML formatting templates, from a source web page displayed on one or more computers in the network. Further, the Web server replaces a corresponding second set of formatting information in the target Web page(s) with the first set of extracted formatting information.
US07904805B2
A system and method for navigating Internet content with a limited or non-existent return channel, limited bandwidth and/or a set-top box with limited processing power.
US07904800B2
A method and computer system for transforming a portion (e.g., a view) of a database into a custom spreadsheet. The transforming includes determining whether to omit in the custom spreadsheet a column that is in the view, determining whether to add to the custom spreadsheet a column that is not in the view, or both. The transforming may also include implementation of rules that control how various portions of the custom spreadsheet are configured.
US07904795B2
A decoder for error correction an encoded message, such as one encoded by a turbo encoder, with reduced iterations due to an improved stopping criterion. The decoder includes an error correction loop that iteratively processes a message that is encoded prior to transmittal over a communication channel. The error correction loop generates, such as with a Reed-Solomon decoder, an error location polynomial in each iterative process. A stopping mechanism in the decoder allows an additional iteration of the message decoding based on the error location polynomial, such as by obtaining the degree of the error location polynomial and comparing it to a threshold. In one example, the threshold is the maximum number of symbol errors correctable by the Reed-Solomon code embodied in the decoder. The stopping mechanism allows additional iterations when the stopping criterion (or polynomial degree) is greater than the maximum number of symbol errors correctable by the Reed-Solomon code.
US07904791B2
An information recording medium to which data extra ECC is applied, and a method and apparatus for managing the information storage medium is provided. The method includes: determining whether extra ECC is applied with respect to data that is to be recorded on the information recording medium, and deciding an extra ECC application rate; assigning an area for recording a data block including an extra parity generated by applying the extra ECC to the data that is to be recorded on the information recording medium, to the information recording medium; assigning an extra ECC management information area for recording extra ECC management information for managing the extra ECC, to the information recording medium; and recording or updating the extra ECC management information in the extra ECC management information area. Therefore, it is possible to improve reproduction reliability while maintaining reproduction compatibility with conventional apparatuses.
US07904786B2
A memory system comprises a plurality of memory storage elements, an address sparing module coupled to the plurality of memory storage elements and operable to map first addresses of first predetermined memory locations to second addresses of second predetermined memory locations, and an ECC (error correcting cod) combinatorial logic circuit coupled to the plurality of memory storage elements and operable to detect and correct errors in data read from the plurality of memory storage elements in less than three clock cycles.
US07904779B2
A method and apparatus are provided for error correction of a communication signal. Joint operation of forward error correction (FEC) techniques and automatic repeat request (ARQ) techniques are conducted above a physical layer of a communication network. Forward error correction is applied if the number of errors is equal to or less than an error threshold. Automatic repeat request techniques are applied if errors remain in the data decoding using the forward error correction or if an error correcting module reports a failure in the data. In an embodiment, the error threshold is two errors or less. In an embodiment, information is encoded in a data link layer using a forward error correction module providing a code rate of 0.98 or greater.
US07904775B2
A method for monitoring the execution of a sequence of instruction codes in an integrated circuit comprising a central processing unit provided for executing such instruction codes. Current cumulative signatures are produced using deterministic address, control or data logic signals involved in the execution of the sequence and taken off at various points of the integrated circuit. A final cumulative signature is compared with an expected signature and an error signal is produced if the two signatures are not identical. Particularly useful to secure integrated circuits for smart cards.
US07904772B2
The invention concerns a circuit protected against transitory perturbations, comprising a combinatorial logic circuit (10), having at least an output (A); a circuit (20) generating an error control code for said output, and a storage element (24) provided at said output, controlled by the circuit generating a control code to be transparent when the control code is correct, and to maintain its status when the control code is incorrect.
US07904768B2
A probing system for an integrated circuit device, which transmits a testing data/signal between an automatic test equipment (ATE) and an integrated circuit device, is disclosed. The probing system includes a test head having a first transceiving module. There is a test station having a test unit coupled to the test head to perform a test operation. A communication module has a second transceiving module configured to exchange data with the first transceiving module in a wireless manner. There is an integrated circuit device having a core circuit being tested, and a test module having a self-test circuit coupled to the core circuit and the communication module for performing the core circuit self-testing.
US07904763B2
A reception device configured to receive a signal of a transmitted bit string transmitted from a transmission device which transmits a bit string includes: a receiving unit arranged to receive a signal from the transmission device and output a received bit string corresponding to the transmitted bit string; a storing unit arranged to store an error rate table wherein said received bit string is correlated with an error rate of post-data which is data of one bit or greater received following the received bit string being in error; and an error correcting unit arranged to perform error correcting of the post-data of the received bit string.
US07904762B2
In a transmission error logging device, method and computer-readable medium for logging transmission errors that occur on a high speed transmission route of a medical technology diagnostic apparatus, the in-feed port for a signal is provided on the high speed transmission route and an error signal is generated upon detection of an error. The transmission volume is detected by a transmission volume counter and the number of errors is detected by a transmission error counter. The transmission volume counter makes a transmission volume count, representing the transmission volume, available as an output from the transmission volume counter, and the transmission error counter makes a count of the number of errors detected by the error detection device available at an output of the transmission error counter.
US07904759B2
A service framework uses importance ranking information in making call decisions and/or wait-time decisions in connection with service requests. Each of the service requests has an importance ranking which reflects the importance of the information provided by the service to a task being performed. The health of a service may be controlled by permitting fewer (or more) service requests to be made to the service when the service is less (or more) healthy. The likelihood of a service request being made to the service may depend on the importance ranking of the service request. When waiting for a response, a determination whether to continue waiting may be made based on the likelihood that the service has failed and based on the importance of the information to the task being performed.
US07904753B2
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to receive disruption data for an enterprise and determine optimal selected disruption data from the received disruption data. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to correlate triggering events of the optimal selected disruption data to one or more systemic root cause categories and identify a systemic root cause based on the triggering events of the optimal selected disruption data. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to determine an optimal enterprise solution set based on the identified systemic root cause and determine an optimal enterprise transformation set based on the optimal enterprise solution set. Moreover, the programming instructions are operable to output the optimal enterprise transformation set for implementing the optimal enterprise transformation set in the enterprise.
US07904752B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for synchronizing device error information among nodes. A first node performs an action with respect to a first node error counter for a device in communication with the first node and a second node. The first node transmits a message to the second node indicating the device and the action performed with respect to the first node error counter for the device. The second node performs the action indicated in the message with respect to a second node error counter for the device indicated in the message, wherein the second node error counter corresponds to the first node error counter for the device.
US07904746B2
When data of HDD of computer is backed up to a a data center and a failure occurs in the HDD, the computer notifies failure information to the data center, and the data center stores the backed up data in a storage medium substituting HDD for subsequent delivery. Further, the computer executes processing, using a VNC server, from failure occurrence until recovery.
US07904745B2
A recording medium for storing start position information for each zone, a method of managing data using the information, and an apparatus for recording the information and controlling recording and reproduction of data based on the recorded information. In a disc having a plurality of zones which form a group, and a spare area which is allocated at the start portion or the end portion of the group for replacing defects, when start logical sector numbers of each zone are changed by slipping replacement during initialization or reinitialization, the information is stored in the defect management area to thereby increase the compatibility of the medium. In particular, by the method and apparatus of managing data using information stored in a defect management area, generation of errors is prevented in reading or writing due to the change of a physical position of a real-recorded file which are caused by wrong calculation of the start logical sector numbers for each zone.
US07904742B2
A local skew detecting circuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a reference delay block that receives a test signal and generates a reference delay signal by delaying the test signal by a predetermined delay time, and a first timing detecting block coupled with the reference delay block, the first timing detecting block configured to receive the test signal, generate a first delay signal by delaying the test signal by the same predetermined delay time, and detect an enable timing order of the reference delay signal and the first delay signal to generate a first detection signal.
US07904741B2
A design structure is described for dynamically aligning clocks in independent clock domains with minimal latency. In the preferred embodiments, a reference clock in the destination clock domain that is some multiple times the data clock of the destination clock domain is used to sample a data sample signal from the source domain. The sampled data is used to determine at what time slice of the reference clock the data sample signal is changing and therefore at what phase of time slice or phase of the data clock the clocks can be aligned to ensure valid data will be transferred between clock domains.
US07904739B2
A method for managing a power state for a peripheral includes listening for activity packets communicated from one or more of a plurality of clients configured to utilize the peripheral. Activity packets received during a selected period are examined. Each activity packet, if any, includes activity data representative of a likelihood that one of the plurality of clients will utilize the peripheral. A power state is selected according to the examination of the activity packets received during the selected period and the peripheral is caused to enter the selected power state.
US07904734B1
A redundant power supply may obtain a rule for increasing mean time between failures (MTBF) for a first internal power supply and a second internal power supply connected to an electronic device, apply the rule to the first and second power supplies, activate the second internal power supply based on the rule to permit the second internal power supply to provide power to the electronic device, and deactivate the first internal power supply based on the rule.
US07904733B2
A computer system including a system unit that performs a predetermined operation; a remote control signal receiving unit that receives a user setting from a remote controller, the user setting including at least one of a lock setting and a unlock setting of the system unit for security; and a controller that controls the system unit to perform a locking function of the system unit according to the user setting that is received by the remote control signal receiving unit.
US07904726B2
A collecting module, within an event management system, detects and reports security events to a collecting database. The collecting database consolidates the events, and a DSA manager signs and verifies the events by appending a digital signature to designated fields. From the events, the collecting database can automatically generate ABI events, which are digitally signed by the DSA manager. For a new event, the digital signature is appended to the Server Name, the Server Serial, the First Occurrence timestamp, and the NsRaw fields. For an updated event, the digital signature is appended to the Server Name, the Server Serial, the Last Occurrence, and the Tally fields. For ABI events, the digital signature is appended to the Source IP, the Other End, the Count, the Total Score, the Last Occurrence, and the Max Severity fields. The collecting database forwards the signed events to an archival database that provides a historical archive of digitally signed events for forensic purposes.
US07904719B2
An extension of the serial/parallel Montgomery modular multiplication method with simultaneous reduction as previously implemented by the applicants, adapted innovatively to perform both in the prime number and in the GF(2q) polynomial based number field, in such a way as to simplify the flow of operands, by performing a multiple anticipatory function to enhance the previous modular multiplication procedures.
US07904716B2
A digital MFP carries out an authentication of an operator by a user ID and a password prior to usage of the digital MFP. The digital MFP requests from the operator an instruction as to whether or not to store the successfully authenticated user ID and password in a flash memory along with a generated abbreviated code. When the operator instructs to store, the successfully authenticated user ID and the password are stored in the flash memory along with the generated abbreviated code. The digital MFP retrieves from the flash memory the user ID and the password that form a pair with the abbreviated code entered by the operator using the operation unit, and acquires authentication success or failure information with respect to the retrieved user ID and the password from an authentication server.
US07904711B2
A scalable internet protocol (IP) encryption system includes a cryptographic unit that processes sensitive data for packet encryption/decryption and data authentication. A first processing unit with an optional IP Layer hardware accelerator includes a data processing subsystem that processes sensitive data and forwards the data to the cryptographic unit for encryption and data authentication. A management subsystem is operative with the cryptographic unit for configuring IP networking functions and distributing network configuration information to the data processing subsystem through the cryptographic unit. Data processing is separated from management and control functions at the data processing and management subsystems. A second processing unit with an optional IP Layer hardware accelerator receives the encrypted data from the cryptographic unit and processes the encrypted data for IP packet routing, fragmentation and reassembly and receives network configuration information from the management subsystem via the cryptographic unit.
US07904704B2
A system, apparatus and method for instruction dispatch on a multi-thread processing device are described herein. The instruction dispatching method includes, in an instruction execution period having a plurality of execution cycles, successively fetching and issuing an instruction for each of a plurality of instruction execution threads according to an allocation of execution cycles of the instruction execution period among the plurality of instruction execution threads. Remaining execution cycles are subsequently used to successively fetch and issue another instruction for each of the plurality of instruction execution threads having at least one remaining allocated execution cycle of the instruction execution period. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07904699B2
Persistent vector multiplexer control is used in a vector-based execution unit to control the shuffling of words in operand vectors processed by the execution unit. In addition, a persistent swizzle instruction is defined in an instruction set for the vector-based execution unit and is used to cause state information to be persisted such that the operand vectors processed by subsequent vector instructions executed by the vector-based execution unit will be selectively shuffled using the persisted state information. As a result, when multiple vector instructions require a common custom word ordering for one or more operand vectors, a single persistent swizzle instruction may be used to select the desired custom word ordering for all of the vector instructions.
US07904698B2
The electronic circuit contains a plurality of processing elements (10), which are supplied with instructions under control of a common program flow, typically for SIMD operation wherein the same instructions are applied to all processing elements and different operand data of the instructions to respective ones of the processing elements (10). Under control of the instructions each processing element (10) determines, whether an operand data dependent condition has occurred. The processing element outputs a condition signal dependent on said determination. The condition signals are summed to form a sum signal. Program flow is controlled by a conditional jump dependent on a value represented by the sum signal.
US07904696B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for communicating an assertion signal from a first instruction sequencer to a plurality of accelerators coupled to the first instruction sequencer via a dedicated interconnect, detecting the assertion signal in the accelerators and communicating a request for a lock on a second interconnect coupled to the first instruction sequencer and the accelerators, and registering an accelerator that achieves the lock by communication of a registration message for the accelerator to the first instruction sequencer via the second interconnect. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07904683B2
Provided is a storage system enabling the addition of a storage apparatus without going offline. When a first storage apparatus receives from a host system a command for writing first data in any one of the primary volumes in a primary volume group, it writes the first data in the relevant primary volume and sends to a second storage apparatus a first command for writing the first data in a secondary volume specified using first mapping information. When the second storage apparatus receives from the host system a command for writing second data in any one of the secondary volume groups in a secondary volume group, it writes the second data in the relevant secondary volume and sends to the first storage apparatus a second command for writing the second data in a primary volume specified using second mapping information.
US07904677B2
A memory control device that can improve the speed of a memory interface. A packet disassembly section disassembles packet data into segments and detects packet quality information. A memory management section has an address management table and manages a state in which the packet data is stored according to the packet quality information. A segment/request information disassembler disassembles the segments into data by an access unit by which memories can be written/read, and generates write requests and read requests according to the access unit. A memory access controller avoids a bank access to which is prohibited because of a bank constraint, extracts a write request or a read request corresponding to an accessible bank from the write requests or the read requests generated, and gains write/read access to the memories.
US07904674B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of independently accessible memory cores. Each memory core includes at least one flag cell storing a flag value and a plurality of data cells storing data. An access control circuit included in the semiconductor memory device selects an access-control subject memory core from the memory cores based on the flag value of the at least one flag cell of each memory core.
US07904672B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing data redundancy in a plurality of storage devices. In operation, a number of writes to a plurality of storage devices is reduced. Additionally, after the reducing, data redundancy is provided utilizing a data redundancy scheme.
US07904669B2
An information processing device for executing a data recording process for a flash memory having a primary data storage region and a data storage region includes a control unit operable to detect a data recording state of the primary data storage region of the flash memory, and when the data recording state is a predefined state, to execute a data connecting process of connecting data recorded in the primary data storage region and a data writing process of writing the connected data in the data storage region.
US07904663B2
Employing a coherency controller having a primary path and at least one secondary path to at least one interconnection network is disclosed. A method of an embodiment of the invention is performed by the coherency controller of a node. The coherency controller determines whether transactions are being properly sent to other nodes of a plurality of nodes of which the node is a part via a primary path. In response to determining that the transactions are not being properly sent to the at least one interconnection network via the primary path, the coherency controller instead sends the transactions to the other nodes via a secondary path.
US07904661B2
A method of prefetching data in a microprocessor includes identifying a data stream associated with a process and determining a depth associated with the data stream based upon prefetch factors including the number of currently concurrent data streams and data consumption rates associated with the concurrent data streams. Data prefetch requests are allocated with the data stream to reflect the determined depth of the data stream. Allocating data prefetch requests may include allocating prefetch requests for a number of cache lines away from the cache line currently being referenced, wherein the number of cache lines is equal to the determined depth. The method may include, responsive to determining the depth associated with a data stream, configuring prefetch hardware to reflect the determined depth for the identified data stream. Prefetch control bits in an instruction executed by the processor control the prefetch hardware configuration.
US07904650B2
A data storage apparatus using a plurality of hard disk drives for storing stream data includes a command receiving portion for receiving a stream data read command from the outside; and a data processing portion reading the stream data stored in the hard disk drives upon receiving the read command, assembling the data, and transferring the assembled stream data to the outside. The apparatus further includes a control portion performing control of determining maximum time from receiving the read command to completing the assembly of the stream data, terminating the data read from the hard disk drives in the case where the maxim time has elapsed, and preparing the stream data transferred to the outside in the data processing portion only using data having been read; and a managing portion variably setting the maximum time according to a bit rate of the stream data read on the read command.
US07904647B2
A method for offloading a cache memory is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) reading all of a plurality of cache lines from the cache memory in response to an assertion of a signal to offload of the cache memory, (B) generating a plurality of blocks by dividing the cache lines in accordance with a RAID configuration and (C) writing the blocks among a plurality of nonvolatile memories in the RAID configuration, wherein each of the nonvolatile memories has a write bandwidth less than a read bandwidth of the cache memory.
US07904644B1
A disk channel includes disk channel modules that process data for a read/write operation on a rotating medium. A memory is accessible to the disk channel modules and comprises a sector request queue that has status information that is associated with each of the disk channel modules. A control module is in communication with and manages data transfer through the disk channel modules based on the sector request queue.
US07904642B1
A method of minimizing an amount of memory area required to store a plurality of rules associated with one or more access control lists (ACLs) includes selectively combining the plurality of rules into one or more groups depending upon similarities between the entries within each field and storing the groups in a database including a content addressable memory (CAM) device and a random access memory (RAM) device.
US07904636B2
A memory and storage device includes a data management system for transferring data units referenced by logical addresses. The data management system maps the logical addresses to sequential virtual addresses according to the order the data units are received. The data management system also maps the sequential virtual addresses to sequential physical addresses in a memory block of a memory device. Additionally, the data management system can modify a data unit in the memory block by copying any other valid data units in the memory block to another memory block and writing the modified data unit into this other memory block. The data management system writes the valid data units and the modified data unit into sequential physical addresses of this other memory block.
US07904630B2
A bus-connected device includes a data storage element, a physical layer and a controller. The data storage element stores user data and multiple adaptations for multiple platform protocols. The physical layer uses at least a portion of a selected one of the multiple platform protocols to access the user data. The controller controls and communicates with the data storage element using a controller communication protocol that is neutral relative to the multiple platform protocols.
US07904626B2
There is provided a technique which reduces an average processing time of low-priority accesses with suppressing an average delay increase of a high-priority access processing even in a case where high-priority access request and a low-request access request are simultaneously generated to a shared access processing unit and high-priority accesses are continuously generated. And, there is provided an access arbitration equipment comprising: an issued access request retention unit; a first interval determination circuit; and a second interval determination circuit. In a case where the first interval determination circuit determines that an interval is generated between an issued access processing and a most prior access processing and a second interval determination circuit determines that no interval is generated between the issued access processing and a second-prior access request, the priority order of the most prior access request and the second-prior access request is changed.
US07904621B2
A data reproducing apparatus comprises: a reproducing unit adapted to read out data from a plurality of recording media; a list generating unit adapted to generate a content list which describes storage location information in association with contents stored in the plurality of recording media; and a communication unit adapted to communicate with an external device and sending the content list to the external device, wherein the list generating unit checks if the contents stored in the plurality of recording media include identical contents, and if the identical contents are detected, the list generating unit generates the content list including information indicating that the storage location information of the identical contents are integrated.
US07904616B2
A storage method including: controlling transfer of data between a host system and a storage device using a plurality of controllers connected to the host system and the storage device, where the controllers are interconnected via a data transfer path; and controlling the controllers using a plurality of processors connected to the controllers, wherein each of the plurality of controllers is connected to the same or a different processor; and wherein a first processor connected to a controller that received a transfer command from the host system creates, as header information of a packet of a first controller to become a transfer source: identifying information of the first controller and a second controller to become a transfer destination, identifying information of the transfer path between the first controller and the second controller, and identifying information of a controller which is between first and second controller to be routed upon transferring the data.
US07904614B1
A direct memory access controller is set forth. The direct memory access controller includes first and second registers storing various values that are used to set the parameters of DMA transfers that take place during a single data transaction. The first register stores a start address location value used to define a start address at which direct memory access transfers for the transaction are to begin. The second register stores a value used to end data transfers of the data transaction. The DMA controller also includes transfer control circuitry for executing the data transaction. The transfer control circuitry is adapted to automatically execute multiple, consecutive data transactions using the values stored in the first and second registers.
US07904610B2
An apparatus includes a memory unit, a microcontroller, a first communication port providing a first communication path between the apparatus and a computer system, and a second communication port providing a second communication path between the apparatus and a peripheral device. The peripheral device is also communicatively linked with the computer system via a third communication path that bypasses the apparatus. Control of the peripheral device is subject to the apparatus.
US07904609B2
A device is connectable to a computer and recognized by the computer as a USB multi function device capable of functioning as a USB storage device and an additional device. The device includes a mode switching section configured to switch the device to one of a first mode and a second mode in which an access from the computer to a USB storage device is permitted and prohibited, respectively. When the device is in the first mode, the device accesses the physical storage area of the data storage section. When the device is in the second mode, the device transmits a pseudo response to the computer. The pseudo response indicates that no storage medium is mounted to the data storage section. When a particular data string different from the standard data string is received, the device accesses a file through a file system provided in the device.
US07904596B1
Techniques to facilitate a system to capture, process, and archive a series of user interactive events and subsequently retrieve the stored user interactive events are disclosed. The captured information is indexed and stored for future access either on a terminal device or an accessible remote server device.
US07904589B2
A route control architecture allows a network operator to flexibly control routing between the traffic ingresses and egresses in a computer network, without modifying existing routers. An intelligent route service control point (IRSCP) replaces distributed BGP decision processes of conventional network routers with a route computation that is flexible and logically centralized but physically distributed. One embodiment supplements the traditional BGP decision process with a ranking decision process that allows route-control applications to explicitly rank traffic egresses on a per-destination, per-router basis. A straightforward set of correctness requirements prevents routing anomalies in implementations that are scalable and fault-tolerant.
US07904585B1
The present invention provides transparent proxies for random access channels. Client proxies and server proxies are provided at opposite ends of random access channels. The Predictive Browser (PB) of the present invention replicates many of the client browser functions at the Server Proxy in order to predict and encode the client traffic flowing in an ALOHA channel to the server. The replication moves the browser function away from the user into the Server Proxy on the other side of the random access channel. Several methods have been developed to reduce ALOHA channel HTTP traffic. These methods are Proxy Recursion and Page Caching, Request Tokenizing, Predictive Tokenizing and Request Compression. These methods, collectively integrated into the invention, reduce the amount of data required to be sent across the ALOHA channel.
US07904580B2
A software based digital media player that provides component interfaces allowing inspection, testing and manipulation of operational state data between the digital media player and a device or devices attached thereto. Providing an opportunity for detailed analysis of such data allows, for example, testing operation of a prototype next-generation device when the corresponding next generation digital media player hardware is non-existent or otherwise hard to acquire for testing purposes. In addition, even were the corresponding next generation digital media player available, it would not provide the same opportunity for detailed analysis as discussed and described herein.
US07904575B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for matching protocols of embedded audio/video (AV) contents. The apparatus includes a remote user interface (RUI) server which receives uniform resource identifier (URI) information of AV contents embedded in user interface (UI) data and protocol information of the AV contents; an RUI client which receives the UI data, which was created using the URI information and the protocol information, from the RUI server; and an AV control point (CP) which receives the protocol information and a control request command for the AV contents from the RUI client, matches protocol information obtained from a media renderer with the protocol information received from the RUI client, and performs a control operation on the AV contents.
US07904573B1
An access control system (200) enables a computer network (1) to prevent execution of computer code that may contain computer viruses. An access control console (201) generates an access control message (260) including control parameters such as a time limit (255). Said time limit (255) is disseminated to computers (2, 3) on the network (1). Said computers (2, 3) use the time limit (255) to determine the executability of computer code. Access control system (200) also enables blocking data communications with suspicious or susceptible programs in network (1) during virus outbreaks.
US07904572B2
An image processing apparatus which can be readily used by an authenticated user without laborsome setting even if the user uses the image processing apparatus for the first time through an authentication server. A user is authenticated with an authentication server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network. User unique setting information for the authenticated user is set, and the user unique setting information for each user is stored in user information storing areas. Initial setting information of initial setting of the image processing apparatus is stored in an initial setting information storing area. When the authenticated user uses the image processing apparatus for the first time, duplicate copy of the initial setting information stored in the initial setting information storing area is stored as the user unique setting information in the user information storing areas.
US07904570B1
In publishing to a Web server, a set of placement rules are entered by a user. These placement rules set a location on the Web server for storing the various files supporting a request to publish to the Web server. Type identifiers, such as file extensions, Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) types, and the like, are used in the rules to assign certain types of files to the desired locations. When a developer or designer requests to publish to the Web server, all of the files supporting this publication request are read to determine their file type identifiers. Using the type identifiers, a location is assigned to each of the files that corresponds to the location assigned in the placement rules.
US07904565B2
A system for providing communications security and authentication to a plurality of computerized devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system is useful with an untrusted network, and comprises security apparatus adapted to create associations with a plurality of security devices on the network. Traffic between the associated devices may be encrypted and residue-protected for e.g., data confidentiality and integrity protection. In one variant, the security apparatus of the system comprises a software entity disposed at least partly within the software stack of a host. A security card may also be used as part of the security apparatus system. The computerized devices of the system may be untrusted (e.g., have an untrusted operating system) and also be physically unsecure.
US07904555B2
An embodiment of a method for use in performing interoperability testing between two network architectures includes forming multiple transaction signatures that each characterizes a communication transaction conducted over the two networks and analyzing each of the transaction signatures to determine if the transaction signature matches a previously classified pattern. The method may further include generating a report identifying each of the communication transactions and indicating that each of the communication transactions is classified with a classification associated with a previously classified pattern or are of unknown classification. Another method includes receiving a transaction signature composed of multiple transaction elements, and determining whether the received transaction signature corresponds to a previously identified transaction signature pattern. If the transaction signature does not correspond to a previously identified transaction signature pattern, a new transaction signature pattern is created, and classified as one of a plurality of classifications indicative of completion or failure of the communication transaction.
US07904548B2
An RFID administration server can provide administration and monitoring for the multiple RFID edge servers. An RFID Management console can allow a user to administer the multiple RFID edge servers.
US07904538B2
A performance manager and method for managing the performance of a computer system based on a system model that includes measured entities representing the operational characteristics of the system components and relationships among the measured entities. The performance manager includes data producers for interacting with the interface agents of the components, an engine for exchanging information with the data producers and the system model, and an interaction model for determining relevant measured entities in the system model. The system model and interaction model are maintained in a repository where data might be accessed via an access interface. Incoming performance data is analyzed by an analyzer in the background to detect trends and relationships among the entities. An operator might review the relevant entities and apply controls to selected entities to manage the overall system performance as well as to resolve problems affecting the performance of the components in the system.
US07904537B2
Various aspects are disclosed herein for an architecture for online communal and connected experiences. This architecture can be embodied in an application running a host computing device, where the application provides functionalities such as finding modules on local devices or hosted on online services, launching such modules, switching between a plurality of such concurrently running modules, and providing many-to-many text, voice, and video functionality. This application can also interface with managed runtime code on the host computing device, thereby providing inputting, outputting, and network communication means among a plurality of computing devices having different platforms.
US07904530B2
A system facilitates automatically determining the hypothetical context information or the distribution of hypothetical contexts. During operation, the system receives a request from a user for one or more recommendations. The system also receives a current context substantially associated with the request. The system then determines a hypothetical context for the request, wherein the hypothetical context may be determined by considering several sources of information, including but not limited to the current context, past contexts, and relationships between the current context and past contexts. Next, the system determines one or more recommendations for the user based on the hypothetical context. Finally, the system returns the one or more recommendations to the user.
US07904528B2
Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires.
US07904527B2
A service system permits remote personnel to service a local embedded device. In an exemplary application, the device being diagnosed communicates with a local computer system that interfaces to a remote computer system via, for example, the Internet. A service program may be downloaded to the local computer system that enables diagnostic interaction with the device by the remote computer system. In some instances, the device is automatically queried for model number and/or other identifying information such that the service program is matched to the particular device being diagnosed. In other embodiments, a local user might, for example, visit a designated Web page, enter identifying information, and the appropriate diagnostic program, such as a JAVA applet, downloads to the local system. The downloaded applet may be used by the remote computer system to, for example, query the device, control its operation, re-program it, receive real-time operational data, etc.
US07904519B2
The invention includes a method for processing messages at a component. One method includes receiving a message formed according to an embedded protocol or an external protocol, processing a portion of the received message for identifying the protocol used to form the message, and processing the received message using the identified protocol. The portion of the received message is formed using a comparison between at least one characteristic associated with the embedded protocol and at least one characteristic associated with the external protocol. Another method includes receiving, at a first type-one component, a message from one of a second type-one component or a type-two component, processing a portion of the message for identifying a protocol adapted for processing the received message, and processing the received message using the identified protocol.
US07904518B2
The inventive methodology provides an integrated plug and play solution designed to protect home networks against spam, phishing emails, viruses, spyware as well as other similar threats. The described content filtering appliance can be used for processing of web and email traffic implemented and can be deployed as a stand-alone appliance. In one implementation, the content processing appliance utilizes backend content filtering provided by a remote scanning service accessed via a network. The system employs network level analysis and translation of content and executes various procedures to handle the network traffic. In an embodiment of the invention, the appliance is provided with an automatic remote updating capability, wherein the software and data used by the appliance can be updated remotely via a network. Finally, the appliance may also implement parental controls.
US07904517B2
Disclosed are systems and methods that facilitate securing communication channels used in a challenge-response system to mitigate spammer intrusion or deception. The systems and methods make use of unique IDs that can be added to outbound messages originating from a sender, a recipient, and a third-party server. The IDs can be correlated according to the relevant parties. Thus, for example, a sender can add a signed ID to an outgoing message. A challenge sent back to the sender for that particular message can echo the same ID or a new ID derived from the original ID to allow a sender to verify that the challenge corresponds to an actual message. The IDs can include cookies as well to facilitate correlation of messages and to facilitate the retrieval of messages once a sender is determined to be legitimate.
US07904512B2
An exemplary method for computer based collaboration between a plurality of participants communicating over a data network comprises steps of receiving communications data with the computer, using a text analysis tool to identify at least a plurality of k-words from the communications data and a plurality of relations linking at least a portion of the plurality of k-words, and displaying the k-words and relations to the plurality of participants over the computer network.
US07904506B2
The context information management system enables the management of context information while maintaining the security of user information. It includes a user domain management server that manages a list of domains in which users have an account, and a one-time account management server that manages temporarily issued one-time accounts for a user's account. For an account information notifying request from a client, it notifies an account group ID corresponding to the user ID, and a one-time account issued for the account group ID to the client, thereby enabling the management of the user's account and context information while hiding the user ID.
US07904504B2
Apparatus for controlling cross-organizational access by end users associated with a plurality of organizations to one or more distributed object services available via a resource server across an information technology communications network. The apparatus comprises at least one Requesting Organization (RO) having access to services via the resource server, the Requesting Organization being adapted to issue enrollments to one or more end users upon request and electronically transmitting the enrollments to the respective end users. The apparatus further comprises at least one Servicing Organization (SO) communicating with the Requesting Organization and defining the credentials required for access to a service via the resource server by end users associated with each of the organizations. A Clearance Service (CS) is provided in which is stored one or more mappings of enrollments to credentials, the end user being adapted to transmit to the resource server a request for access to a resource together with data relating to their respective enrollment, in response to receipt of which request, the Requesting Organization is adapted to transmit the data relating to the enrollment to the Clearance Service which is adapted to map the enrollment to one or more respective credentials and return data representative of the credentials to the resource server which in turn is adapted to compare the data representative of the credentials to the original resource request and to comply (or otherwise) with the request. The Requesting Organization the resource server and the Clearance Service are all implemented as web or e-services.
US07904499B2
Methods and apparatus provide for a carry generation tree for a carry look-ahead binary adder, which includes N stages of operators, reducers, and/or repeaters, wherein: a first of the stages receives binary outputs from a series of binary adders; a last of the stages produces a carry out signal representing the carry state of the series of binary adders; and any operator in a given stage does not receive signals from more than one operator in a preceding stage.
US07904473B2
According to a general aspect, a method includes maintaining rating groups, each rating group providing a rating for content compiled based on information received from a user evaluating the content. The method also includes receiving, from a first user, a selection of a first rating group, from among the rating groups, to be applied to a set of users associated with the first user. The method also includes receiving, from a user, a request for a piece of content from the content. The method also includes determining that the user from which the request was received belongs to the set of users associated with the first user. The method also includes, based upon the determination that the user belonged to the set of users associated with the first user, accessing information associated with the first rating group and determining whether the first rating group includes a rating for the requested piece of content. The method also includes determining whether or not to provide information to the requesting user conditioned on the indication or absence of a rating for the requested piece of content within the first rating group.
US07904469B2
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for creating and sharing an annotation associated with a data object other than the particular data object described by the annotation are provided. The annotation may be associated with an entity, even though the annotation may describe only a particular data object encompassed by the entity. By associating the annotation with the entity, the annotation may be made available to other users viewing information related to the entity, even if the particular data object described by the annotation is not displayed in the information being viewed.
US07904463B2
An information display apparatus which reproduces images stored in a detachable recording medium acquires file identifying information which identifies a file stored in the recording medium. Also, it determines whether or not specific attribute information about the file identified by the file identifying information exists and acquires attribute information existence information which indicates the presence or absence of the attribute information. Then, the information display apparatus generates an image file list which associates the file identifying information with the attribute information existence information. The information display apparatus acquires, from the recording medium, specific attribute information about files determined to have attribute information by the attribute information existence information among files recorded in the image file list and determines a reproducing method of files stored in the recording medium based on the file identifying information and the attribute information.
US07904456B2
A security monitoring tool and method for a computer network receives data and determines whether the data is associated with a host already stored in a database. Based on the determination, the tool stores the data as a new host or associates it with an existing host. The tool also uses the received data to improve how previously stored data is associated with hosts. In one aspect, the tool determines whether the received data indicates that data currently associated with a stored host represents data for at least two hosts. If so, the tool splits the data into two hosts and associates the received data to the appropriate host. In another aspect, the tool determines whether the received data indicates that data currently associated with two or more hosts represent data for only one host. If so, the tool merges the data into one host and associates the received data with that host.
US07904454B2
Apparatus for protection of database objects from unwanted access, particularly from external connections via a firewall (20). The apparatus comprises a data packet parsing unit (54) for parsing a data packet to find database operation commands in the packet, and an enforcement unit (56) for applying enforcement rules to the data packet, thereby to protect respective database objects. The apparatus may form an additional layer (50, 52) of protection in conjunction with a firewall (20) to protect internal data.
US07904449B2
A content searching apparatus facilitating a search of a content, which a user desires, even where relativity between a content and a keyword change, wherein the content searching apparatus includes: a content table storing unit storing content tables; an input unit obtaining a keyword, which has been selected as a selected keyword; a relevant keyword creating unit (i) calculating a relevance degree, for each of keywords, to the selected keyword, based on a target content table, (ii) selecting a keyword having a predetermined relevance degree out of each of the keywords, and (iii) creating a relevant keyword out of the corresponding keywords; and a variance calculating unit calculating a variance value of selected keywords including the keyword, when the user is confused. Further, the content searching apparatus includes a content table selecting unit changing the above mentioned target content table to another content table, when the variance value is larger than a threshold value.
US07904448B2
A behavioral targeting system determines user profiles from online activity. The system includes a plurality of models that define parameters for determining a user profile score. Event information, which comprises on-line activity of the user, is received at an entity. To generate a user profile score, a model is selected. The model comprises recency, intensity and frequency dimension parameters. The behavioral targeting system generates a user profile score for a target objective, such as brand advertising or direct response advertising. The parameters from the model are applied to generate the user profile score in a category. The behavioral targeting system has application for use in ad serving to on-line users.
US07904447B1
The invention relates to a method for directing data access in a local system. The method includes steps of obtaining sharing metadata from the local system by a remote application, wherein the sharing metadata comprises local access path information for accessing a shared data resource associated with the local system, generating, by the remote application, a local access path for the shared data resource from the local access path information, requesting, by the remote application, that a data access application on the local system perform a data operation on the shared data resource, wherein the remote application provides the local access path to the data access application, and receiving the result of the data operation from the data access application, wherein the data access application performs the data operation on the shared data resource using the local access path.
US07904444B1
A method and system for performing a data stream query. A data stream query requiring a join operation on multiple data streams is approximated without performing the join operation. It is determined whether conditions of the query are proper to accurately approximate the join operation, and if the conditions are proper the join operation is approximated. The join operation is approximated by independently aggregating values of the data streams and comparing the independently aggregated values.
US07904441B2
An apparatus and method of recovering a final display are provided. The apparatus includes a query-string-creating module creating query strings in response to a cursor-request message, a query-string-controlling module creating a first cursor as a result of processing the query strings, and returning the created first cursor to the query-string-creating module, and a cursor-recovery module storing information about the first cursor and recovering information about a second cursor in response to the cursor-request message.
US07904437B2
A determination is made that an archive that includes at least one file is present in association with an operating system file system. An additional file system is generated for accessing the archives. The generated additional file system is included in the operating system file system. An application is allowed to access the at least one file via the generated additional file system.
US07904436B2
A technique for realtime-safe detection of a grace period for deferring the destruction of a shared data element until pre-existing references to the data element have been removed. A pair of counters is established for each of one or more processors. A global counter selector determines which counter of each per-processor counter pair is a current counter. When reading a shared data element at a processor, the processor's current counter is incremented. Following counter incrementation, the processor's counter pair is tested for reversal to ensure that the incremented counter is still the current counter. If a counter reversal has occurred, such that the incremented counter is no longer current, the processor's other counter is incremented. Following referencing of the shared data element, any counter that remains incremented is decremented. Following an update to the shared data element wherein a pre-update version of the element is maintained, the global counter selector is switched to establish a new current counter of each per-processor counter pair. The non-current counter of each per-processor counter pair is tested for zero. The shared data element's pre-update version is destroyed upon the non-current counter of each per-processor counter pair being zero.
US07904411B2
A system for managing a knowledge model defining a plurality of entities is provided. The system includes an extraction tool for extracting data items from disparate data sources that determines if the data item has been previously integrated into the knowledge model. The system also includes an integration tool for integrating the data item into the knowledge model that integrates the data item into the knowledge model only if the data item has not been previously integrated into the knowledge model. Additionally, a relationship tool for identifying, automatically, a plurality of relationships between the plurality of entities may also be provided. The system may also include a data visualization tool for presenting the plurality of entities and the plurality of relationships.
US07904410B1
A method for processing data in two data sets may include executing a constrained time domain warping (CDTW) algorithm to compare the data in the two data sets. The CDTW algorithm may use a band constraint that defines a function used to identify potential matches between observations in the two data sets. The CDTW algorithm may also use a width constraint that defines a number of matched observations that are to be scored.
US07904404B2
Various embodiments enable an agent that utilizes a first, as-needed canonical rule set in a first execution environment to be moved to a second execution environment where the agent utilizes a second, as-needed canonical rule set.
US07904400B2
A help system, an automation device with such a help system and a method for providing help data are disclosed. The help system includes a first offline help facility which is installed as part of an application on a data processing device, the first help facility providing a user with help data based upon context data defined by the user, the help data being stored in the first help facility and thus on the data processing device. A second online help facility is provided which is accessed by the data processing device via the internet such that the context data defined by the user in relation to the first help facility is automatically adopted in the second help facility as context data, the second help facility providing the user with additional help data based on this context data, the help data being stored in the second help facility.
US07904394B2
Exemplary systems and methods for documenting mail work flows are provided. A mailing label is read and the label information stored in a database. Additional information about the mailing service may be added to the database. Billing and/or delivery information is added to the database. A mailing label is read at a postage machine and postage information including a rate is associated to the mailing label. The label information from the mailing label and the associated postage information are compared so that records having matching information can be reported together for billing of the mailing services. The records are updatable as well to provide for article tracking.
US07904390B2
A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people. In the management system, the management apparatus includes a storage section into which reservation information including information regarding a use time of a charging object apparatus and information regarding a user is stored, an updating section for updating the reservation information stored in the storage section based on information that the user requests for reservation of use of the charging object apparatus, and a permission information signaling section for signaling, when the reservation information updated by the updating section is different from reservation information of any other user stored in the storage section, permission information for permitting use of the charging object apparatus to the outside based on the use reservation information stored in the storage section.
US07904389B2
A method is used in a system that includes a financial service provider coordinating accounts issued by an issuer to cardholders requesting credit from merchants. Each merchant has an acquirer with whom the financial service provider also coordinates the accounts. The method can be performed by a merchant sending a transmission to its acquirer including a request for a transaction against one account to which the merchant receives a denial or prior to receiving such a denial. The merchant then requests information from the financial service provider who responds by sending the requested information, upon which the merchant determines whether to extend the credit. When the method is performed by a financial service provider, in response to the denial received by one merchant or prior to such denial, the financial service provider receives a transmission from the merchant including a request for information about the account. In response, the financial service provider sends the merchant the requested information.
US07904384B2
A system and method for upgrading existing credit cards with additional lines of credit is disclosed. Credit information associated with customers holding credit cards issued by a credit card issuer are analyzed to determine a level of risk associated with each customer. One or more extra line of credit may be established for selected customers based on the determined level of risk associated with each customer. Each extra credit line may be exclusively associated with a selected set of vendors that have a partnership agreement with the credit card issuer. The credit card issuer may allow customers to select vendors to be associated with the extra credit line or may automatically choose vendors for selected customers. Customers with established extra credit lines may purchase goods and/or service directly from vendor sites or at the credit card issuer's web sites. Purchases at selected vendor sites may be automatically applied to a customer's newly established extra credit line. Additionally, a customer may choose to apply purchases to their extra credit lines or their primary line of credit.
US07904381B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for increasing the return from a pool of loans for a company involved in the guarantee and securitization of such loans. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises creating a plurality of sub-pools in which to place loans from the pool of loans; determining, using one or more processors, an external value assessment for one or more loans from the pool and an internal value assessment for the one or more loans; identifying a difference between the external and internal value assessments; and selecting a sub-pool from the plurality of sub-pools to place the one or more loans based upon the identified difference.
US07904380B2
A system and method are provided for trading a trading strategy defined for at least one tradeable object in an electronic trading environment. More specifically, one example method includes using a first pay-up tick value to determine a first acceptable price level for an order associated with the trading strategy, automatically modifying the first pay-up tick to a second pay-up tick value in response to detecting a predefined condition, and using the second pay-up tick value to determine a second acceptable price level for the order associated with the trading strategy.
US07904377B2
A system for automatically determining a trade settlement pathway comprising: receiving trade pathway preferences from a first and second party with respect to each other; wherein the trade is settled through clearing if both parties have available accounts with a clearing firm and the trade satisfies each party's clearing account credit limitations; and wherein the trade is settled bilaterally if at least one party does not have an available clearing account or both parties prefer to settle the trade bilaterally, and the trade satisfies each party's bilateral credit limitations.
US07904373B2
A method of facilitating the contracting of agricultural products using the Internet is used for providing buyers and sellers with real time information relating to the type and amount of agricultural products available for contract. The invention includes a relational database for the storage and retrieval of information. One or more end use buyers can store information in the database relating to a desired type and quantity of agricultural products. Agricultural producers, such as farmers, can view listings of agricultural products desired and the system can facilitate the contracting between the buyers and producers for the agricultural products. The system can display in real time the quantity and types of agricultural products under contract and available for contract. The system can manage delivery preferences, quality data and determine contract pricing based on these criteria.
US07904354B2
Method for automatically analyzing customer's bill, such as cell phone bill, received in electronic format for errors and utilization against company's published plan by third-party on third-party's website for customer. The company's published plan is previously stored on third-party's website. Third-party advises customer of results, in real-time, and provides blind feedback to billing company by type error and utilization. Results and feedback are specific to each customer and billing company, and also provides security for both. Promotional materials are provided to customer for revenue to third-party.
US07904350B2
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response; and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast.The method also comprises monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment; refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center; and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal.
US07904349B1
A method and apparatus for obtaining inventory item descriptions includes a process for obtaining inventory item descriptions whereby a product description database is provided and manufacturer's descriptions of products are obtained and stored in the product description database using the manufacturer's identification data as an identifier. Data from a computing system implemented financial management system used by a seller of the product is then accessed to perform a mapping between the seller's identification data for a selected product and the manufacturer's identification data for the product. The product description database is then searched using the mapped seller's identification data for the product and, when the manufacturer's description of the product is found, the manufacturer's description of the product is transferred to the seller for use, in whole or in part, as the seller's description of the product on a seller's website and/or in the seller's computing system implemented financial management system.
US07904348B2
A Supplier Portal is provided to allow a Supplier to self-author the business process elements (BPEs) of a business process (BP) to create, manage and publish rich-content for use in eCatalogs, Data Pools, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and other knowledge management situations. The resulting business process (BP) for content management incorporates the Supplier's business process (BP) model. At the business process (BP) level, self-authoring allows users to adapt business process elements (BPEs) such as workflows, approval rules and approver roles and permissions, event notification and metrics. At the activity level, self-authoring allows users to adapt business process elements (BPEs) such as user interaction templates, business process (BP) rules and user roles and permissions that relate to the input, configuration, rationalization, classification, value extraction, quality control, publication, and ongoing management of rich-content. The resulting published rich-content incorporates a supplier's unique way of doing business while adhering to the quality, integrity and consistency imposed by the Supplier Portal to achieve a seamless published rich-content such as an ecatalog. The Supplier Portal can be any and all of a hosted behind a firewall solution, accessible via a browser on at least one of a Personal Computer, hand held, or wireless/wired networked communication or standalone device.
US07904346B2
An auction method includes an auction price-setting process and a fixed price process for purchasing a seller's offering to a buyer. The seller may adjust a seller fixed-price offer during the auction price-setting process.
US07904340B2
Stored product management information in a first format for use by a first computerized system is transformed to readily make the stored product management information available for use in a second computerized system that utilizes a second format in a cost-efficient and time-efficient manner.
US07904339B2
A method and system for providing an extensible framework for a POS application is provided. A POS application may be extended using a payment format add-in, a workflow add-in, a financial services provider add-in, or a combination of add-ins. A payment format add-in provides support for a payment format not included in the payment formats built into the POS application. A workflow add-in provides a configurable workflow that can be used to extend a built-in payment format or a payment format add-in. A financial services provider add-in provides support for interacting with a financial services provider for which the POS application does not provide built-in support. Each add-in can implement, for example, logic for processing a payment transaction, a portion of a payment transaction, and configuring steps for processing a payment transaction.
US07904334B2
A system and method for reducing excess capacity for restaurants and other industries during off-peak hours is provided. Customers or potential customers may bid on gift certificates redeemable at restaurants during a predetermined time. Users may register with the system and provide identification and demographic information which may be used by restaurants for targeted marketing strategies, promotions, and special offers. The system may include a registration module, an auction module, a restaurant guide module, a restaurant manager module, rewards and referral center module, restaurant reservation module, and advertisement displays.
US07904328B2
Automated shopping system and method for the selection of human entities including iterative scoring
An automated shopping system and method in which a user places an order for at least one provider, a degree of matching between each order-provider pairing is computed as a score by an iterative scoring system, scoring correction takes place when the score is determined to be incomplete, and the score, and optionally a ranking of providers is reported to the user. The iterative scoring system includes a scoring correction system that determines whether a score is based on complete information or whether additional information and determination of a revised score is required. Additional information from outside the system may be requested including requesting information determined to be incomplete from the user or the provider and/or requesting verification of provider information from a third party, and the score may be updated to obtain a revised score based on the additional information received.
US07904315B2
An Internet-based system and method facilitates interactive placing and acceptance of patient referrals within a health care community. A referring health care provider accesses the proposed specialty clinic or other provider through the system, identifies the patient and pertinent medical conditions, and responds to interactive queries put by the system to qualify the patient and his or her medical condition for the referral. The system automatically accepts or rejects the referral, proposes prior tests or treatments for the patient before another referral attempt is made, or accepts the referral subject to tests being completed. Accepted referrals are then scheduled by staff depending on their urgency as indicated in the interactive querying system. Rules governing the interactive querying are set by physicians and managers of the community and can be changed as conditions warrant. Security of patient information in the system in accordance with federal HIPPA requirements is readily provided via passwords and user log-ins.
US07904312B2
A healthcare communication system can include a patient terminal having a keyboard unit with message keys for transmitting different ones of one or more programmed messages, and alphanumeric keys for composing messages. The patient terminal can be communicatively linked to a patient terminal display for presenting the programmed messages and composed messages. Each of the message keys can include identifying indicia associated with a programmed message transmitted upon selection of the message key. The patient terminal keyboard also can include one or more destination keys for specifying one of multiple destination addresses within the healthcare communication system for delivering individual ones of the messages.
US07904305B2
In a system and method for verifying the accurate processing of medical insurance claim data by one or more health insurance companies, a healthcare provider enters claim data into a provider terminal. The provider terminal transmits the claim data to an insurance claim processor that processes claims for payment on behalf of one or more health insurance companies. Upon receipt of the processed claim data from the insurance claim processor, the provider terminal compares the processed claim data with the claim data originally submitted to the insurance claim processor and generates comparison data indicating whether the original claim data has been processed in accordance with predetermined claim processing rules. The health care provider terminal may also generate and retransmit revised claim data when the processed claim data has not been processed in accordance with the predetermined processing rules or within a defined period of time.
US07904303B2
A method selects a predictor item that has a relevance to a user. The method receives a set of affinity items having affinity scores that relate the predictor item to the affinity items. The method filters the list of affinity items based on the affinity scores, and selects a first set of affinity items from the filtered items. For each selected affinity item, the method calculates a difference score from the predictor item, and selects a first affinity item based on the difference score for the first affinity item. Preferably, content is presented to the user based on the selected first affinity item. Additional embodiments include a system and/or computer readable medium having instructions for execution of the foregoing.
US07904294B1
An automatic speech recognition (ASR) system and method is provided for controlling the recognition of speech utterances generated by an end user operating a communications device. The ASR system and method can be used with a mobile device that is used in a communications network. The ASR system can be used for ASR of speech utterances input into a mobile device, to perform compensating techniques using at least one characteristic and for updating an ASR speech recognizer associated with the ASR system by determined and using a background noise value and a distortion value that is based on the features of the mobile device. The ASR system can be used to augment a limited data input capability of a mobile device, for example, caused by limited input devices physically located on the mobile device.
US07904287B2
A method and system for real-time prediction of power usage for a change to another performance state provides input data for power management decision-making processes or for display to system operators. The unit(s) for which power usage is predicted may be a single processor in a uni-processor system or may extend up to the level of facilities within a complex of processing facilities. The method and system gather real-time data on the power consumption of the unit(s) and create a model, such as a regression model, of power versus performance. A resulting power usage change required by a prospective nominal performance state change is shown as display data, or is transmitted to a power budgeting controller to inform the controller as to potential changes that can enhance system operation, such as managing tradeoffs of power allocated to various sub-units of a processing system.
US07904280B2
A modular representation of a physical system is generated using modules and variables, each module representing a portion of the physical system, each variable representing a parameter of the physical system. Code is generated according to the modular representation such that the code is suitable to be compiled into a machine code that can be executed on hardware to simulate the physical system. The code contains instructions to cause the hardware to solve a system of differential algebraic equations that represent relationships among the variables.
US07904274B2
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile apparatus including: a vibration sensor; an acquisition module configured to periodically acquire the number of vibration in a time period as a detected step count value; a first determination module configured to determine whether there is a possibility that the detected step count value is due to walking or running based on the detected step count value; and a calculation module configured to count the detected step count value as an interim step count. The first determination module determines the detected step count value is due to continuous walking or running of a user when the detected step count value satisfies a certain condition. The calculation module calculates total of the interim step count when the first determination module determines the detected step count value is due to the continuous walking or running.
US07904273B2
A system, method and device for measuring a depth of a Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) in a semiconductor device region on a wafer during in-line semiconductor fabrication, includes a resistance measurement trench structure having length and width dimensions in a substrate, ohmic contacts on a surface of the substrate disposed on opposite sides of the resistance measurement trench structure, and an unfilled TSV structure in semiconductor device region having an unknown depth. A testing circuit makes contact with the ohmic contacts and measures a resistance therebetween, and a processor connected to the testing circuit calculates a depth of the trench structure and the unfilled TSV structure based on the resistance measurement. The resistance measurement trench structure and the unfilled TSV are created simultaneously during fabrication.
US07904267B2
An adaptive method and device for identification and compensation of errors in resolver output signals which can increase the accuracy of position estimates of the resolver angle is disclosed. The method utilizes the ideal orthogonal relationship of two resolver output devices to determine an error factor. The error factor is then used to correct the resolver position estimate.
US07904259B2
A waterproof testing device tests waterproof performance of a waterproof component. The testing device includes an input unit, a storing unit and a determining unit. The input unit inputs permeability of one or more test objects with waterproof components disposed thereon and an air flow rate that is a volume of gas passing through the test object per unit time for each test object. The storing unit stores, in a data pair, the permeability and the air flow rate of each test object input by the input unit. The determining unit determines a range of permeability in which no water leakage occurs in the waterproof component based on a range of air flow rate in which no water leakage occurs and the stored permeability and air flow rate.
US07904256B2
Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal. In either the positive feedback mode or the digital synthesis mode, the digital flowmeter may revert to a previous mode to regain stable and desired oscillation of the flowtube, such as might be required during a recovery operation associated with a disturbance to an operation of the digital flowmeter.
US07904252B2
A method of easily and speedily determining what structural change is experienced by a target protein upon contact and binding of any arbitrary compound to the target protein; a method of selecting and screening a compound for use in the method; and a computer program for carrying out these methods. In one embodiment, a Saupe order matrix element of domain is obtained from atomic coordinates of domain and an axial-direction variation of NMR signal dependent upon the orientation angle of molecule in magnetic field, and the matrix is diagonalized to thereby obtain the orientation information on the domain. Using of any change of the orientation information as an indicator for structural change enables realization of the intended easy and speedy measurement of structural change of the target protein.
US07904249B2
In silico nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators are used to identify sets of oligonucleotides for in vitro recombination. In certain embodiments, the methods involve inputting amino acid sequence character strings into a digital system and back-translating the amino acid character strings into a plurality of nucleic acid character strings. The nucleic acid character strings are then processed to define and select at least one recombinant nucleic acid for use in identifying one or more oligonucleotides for in vitro recombination.
US07904246B2
A vehicle driving assist system is configured to provide a driver with advanced notification regarding changes in the operating states of the controls when several controls are being executed. The vehicle driving assist system has a controller configured to execute an accelerator pedal actuation reaction force control based on a risk potential that indicates a degree of convergence between the host vehicle and a preceding obstacle and an automatic braking control based on the possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the preceding obstacle. When the automatic braking control will change from a low operating state to a high operating state while an actuation reaction force is being generated in the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, a pulsed supplemental reaction force is generated in the accelerator pedal and an alarm sound is generated.
US07904242B2
A grid-based transmission system for determining relative positions of vehicles in a grid quadrangle of a reference grid, each vehicle having a transmitter and a receiver, comprising determining an absolute position of a vehicle. A reference grid is obtained. A reference point for the reference grid is assigned; and a relative position of the vehicle relative to the reference point is generated. The reference grid is a stored and previously generated reference grid, or is generated based on the absolute position and a transmission range of a transmitter. The vehicle sends a position message containing the relative position; the transmission range; an identity of the vehicle; an identity for all other vehicles that have previously sent a position message received by the vehicle; and the relative position of the all other vehicles.
US07904240B2
Location technologies are combined with other information systems to provide augmented information for individuals such as a traveler in an automobile.
US07904218B2
A system and method of identifying a position of a crop row in a field, where an image of two or more crop rows is transmitted to a vision data processor. The vision data processor defines a candidate scan line profile for a corresponding heading and pitch of associated with a directional movement of a vehicle, for example, traversing the two or more crop rows. The candidate scan line profile comprises an array of vector quantities, where each vector quantity comprises an intensity value and a corresponding position datum. A preferential scan line profile in a search space about the candidate scan line profile is determined, and the candidate scan line profile is identified as a preferential scan line profile for estimating a position (e.g., peak variation) of one or more crop rows if a variation in the intensity level of the candidate scan line profile exceeds a threshold variation value.
US07904209B2
The present invention relates generally to a building automation system, and, more particularly, to an Internet-centric, open, extensible software and hardware framework supporting all aspects of control and monitoring of a smart building ecosphere. The present invention further relates to an “intelligent,” real-time control system capable of both autonomous process control and interaction with system users and system administrators, which is configured to accommodate functional extensions and a broad array of sensors and control devices. The system allows individuals to communicate, monitor and adjust their personal environmental preferences (temperature, light, humidity, white noise, etc.) much like they would in an automobile, via the Internet. The system is equipped with an occupancy sensor that recognizes the presence and identity of the individual. A built-in expert system can make decisions based on data from multiple sources so that the system can alter its activity to conserve energy while maintaining users' comfort.
US07904198B2
Tooling is described for securing to the movable end of a computer-controlled robotic arm, by which articles can be picked up, optionally rotated and lowered into a new position. The tooling comprises two blades each having a leading edge and trailing edge, movable between a first position in which their leading edges are separated by a large gap and a second position in which the leading edges overlap, or are in contact or are separated by a smaller gap. A movement restraining mechanism is included which comprises at least one resiliency deformable member located above the plane containing the two blades and spaced therefrom by a distance which is less than the thickness of each article to be picked up by the tooling. In use, as the tooling is lowered onto an article. the underside of the deformable member engages the upper surface of the article and becomes deformed in order to accommodate the thickness of the article before the blades make contact with a surface on which the article rests.
US07904197B2
One code address correction service. A carrier of items provides a sender of an item an address change service for an undeliverable address. The item includes a human readable address and a machine readable code. The machine readable code identifies at least the sender. The carrier scans the machine readable code to identify the sender and creates an address change record for the sender. The address change record includes the undeliverable address. The carrier then sends the address change record to the sender.
US07904191B2
The invention relates to a method for dynamic automation, in which collaborative elements, such as humans and mobile robots, but also machines, co-operate, in order to carry out tasks as efficiently as possible. Each of said collaborative elements carries out a part of a working process which exploits the concept of collaboration the most in terms of efficiency, flexibility, quality and performance. The invention also relates to a control system for carrying out said method. The inventive method can be applied in logistics, especially storage logistics, such as commissioning.
US07904188B2
An output method is changed optimally in response to a difference of a device connected to an output device and a combination of output media streams, and user's convenience is improved. Each of media state sensing unit 15, 25, 35, 45 for sensing a state of a media stream sends out a media state sensing signal to a control portion 90, and each of connection state sensing unit 62, 72, 82 for sensing a connection state between an outputting unit 51 and a providing device, which presents the media stream visually or audibly, sends out a connection state sensing signal to the control portion 90. The control portion 90 decides an output state based on priority output information 931, which specifies a preferential output state of the media stream, the media state sensing signal, and the connection state sensing signal, and then the outputting unit 51 outputs the media stream to the providing device.
US07904185B2
A MEMs-based system (and method), includes a sensor array including at least two sensors providing a basis for ensemble averaging.
US07904183B2
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for enabling manual control over selection of a value for at least one operating parameter of a computer system resource. Manual control is enabled by de-coupling a pointer of a graphical indicator and control from an automated system advisor. During automated operation, the automated system advisor selects the value for the parameter of the computer system resource as indicated on a scale of the graphical indicator and control by the pointer. When the pointer of the graphical indicator is under manual control, a user can select the value of the at least one operating parameter of the computer system resource using the pointer of the graphical indicator and control. The present invention also concerns methods and apparatus for disabling manual control over selection of a value for at least one operating parameter of a computer system resource by re-coupling the pointer to an automated system advisor. The present invention further concerns hybrid control modes that permit users to exercise a degree of control over operations of an automated selection process in a graphical indicator and control.
US07904177B2
Methods and devices for interconnecting a medical lead conductor member and an electrode are provided. One device includes a medical lead having a shaft. The shaft has a conductor member extending therethrough and a ring electrode disposed along the shaft. The ring electrode has a fixation device disposed within the ring electrode, and the fixation device forms an interference fit with the conductor member, forming an electrical contact therebetween. Also provided are methods for forming an electrical interconnect between a ring electrode and a conductor member.
US07904175B2
Devices and methods of non-surgically providing vagus nerve therapy trans-esophageally to treat a variety of medical conditions are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises a support member having an outer surface. The support member is adapted to engage the inner wall of an esophagus. The IMD also comprises at least one electrode disposed on the outer surface of the support member. The at least one electrode is capable of applying a trans-esophageal electrical signal to the vagus nerve through the wall of the esophagus from the inner lumen thereof. The implantable medical device further comprises a signal generator coupled to the support member and to the at least one electrode. The signal generator causes the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to the vagus nerve to treat a medical condition.
US07904169B2
A far-field radio-frequency (RF) telemetry system for data transmission between an implantable medical device and an external system includes a plurality of channels each representing a frequency band within a predetermined frequency range. The data transmission is performed using at least one active channel at any instant. Channel hopping is performed on a periodic basis throughout a telemetry session such that the active channel keeps scanning through an array of channels selected from the plurality of channels. If a data frame is not successfully transmitted, it is repeatedly re-transmitted using the current and/or the next active channels until its transmission becomes successful.
US07904165B2
Methods and systems of presenting an audio signal to a cochlear implant patient include dividing the audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, detecting an energy level within each of the analysis channels, selecting one or more of the analysis channels for presentation to the patient, synthesizing the selected analysis channels, and mapping the synthesized analysis channels to one or more stimulation channels.
US07904161B2
An implantable lead adaptor is disclosed that includes an encapsulated thermoplastic housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion has a first receptacle configured to receive a first type of connector assembly associated with a first implantable cardiac lead, and a second receptacle configured to receive a second type of connector assembly associated with a second implantable cardiac lead. An elongated flexible lead portion extends from the distal end portion of the adaptor housing. A connector assembly is operatively associated with a distal end section of the flexible lead portion of the adaptor for connection to an implantable pulse-generating device, such as, for example, an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator. Low resistance conductor wires electrically connect the connector assembly associated with the distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing.
US07904159B2
Methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock and anaphylactic shock, wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from hypotension to block and/or modulate nerve signals that regulate blood pressure.
US07904153B2
An implantable medical device system and associated method select subcutaneous sensing electrodes for use in monitoring the heart rhythm. A subset of multiple sensing vectors is selected from a number of electrodes positioned at a first subcutaneous location and one electrode positioned at a second subcutaneous location. The subset of sensing vectors includes one vector that includes the electrode positioned at the second location. A signal quality parameter corresponding to each of the sensing vectors of the subset is determined.
US07904151B2
Apparatus is provided including an implantable sensor, adapted to sense an electrical parameter of a heart of a subject, and a first control unit, adapted to apply pulses to the heart responsively to the sensed parameter, the pulses selected from the list consisting of: pacing pulses and anti-arrhythmic energy. The apparatus further includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a carotid sinus of the subject, a coronary sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, a right ventricle of the subject, and a jugular vein of the subject; and a second control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the site a current that increases parasympathetic tone of the subject and affects a heart rate of the subject. The first and second control units are not under common control. At least one of the control units is adapted to coordinate an aspect of its operation with an aspect of operation of the other control unit. Other embodiments are also described.
US07904148B2
The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package, that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.
US07904146B2
A transdermal system for the delivery of an anesthetic or other active therapeutic agent directly to a selected site of injured skin tissue by iontophoresis is disclosed, which utilizes a transdermal skin-worn patch including a donor electrode chamber containing a donor electrode and an amount of an active agent in a form suitable for transdermal delivery in electrical communication with the donor electrode and a return electrode. The patch also contains a source of electric current connected in a circuit with the donor and return electrode, a current regulating device is optionally provided in the circuit for controlling the electrical output of the patch and at least the donor electrode chamber includes a provision for absorbing a quantity of fluid associated with weepage from adjacent injured skin tissue.
US07904144B2
A method and apparatus for performing rapid brain assessment may provide emergency triage to head trauma patients by analyzing a combination of spontaneous and evoked brain potentials. The spontaneous and evoked potentials are analyzed, and the results classified, to present a real-time assessment of a patient's brain, diagnosing any potential abnormalities therein.
US07904142B2
An apparatus comprising an implantable cardiac signal sensing circuit configured for sensing an intrinsic cardiac signal, a memory to store a template of a morphology of normal atrial-ventricular conduction, and a controller that includes a tachyarrhythmia detection circuit and a correlation circuit. The tachyarrhythmia detection circuit is configured for detecting a rhythm with elevated ventricular rate using the sensed intrinsic cardiac signal. The correlation circuit is configured for iteratively calculating a correlation between the sensed intrinsic cardiac signal and the template, and comparing the calculated correlation to a variable correlation threshold to determine whether the detected rhythm correlates to the template. The apparatus also includes a therapy circuit configured for inhibiting a ventricular tachycardia therapy when the detected rhythm correlates to the template. Other apparatuses and methods are described.
US07904133B2
A wearable compact, lightweight, noninvasive, wearable “unified” device or system (10), that does not compromise a user's motion and flexibility, detects, processes, analyzes and reports predetermined physical states of a human body. The system includes at least one pair of sense electrodes (14) and one reference electrode (16), each configured to be adhesively attached to a surface of the body (30). An electronics module (12) is in electrical communication with each of the electrodes, includes a power source, and processes and analyzes signals provided by the electrodes. The plurality of electrodes and the electronics module are covered by a single adhesive membrane (20) that enables the wearable device to adhere to the surface of the body.
US07904130B2
A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
US07904126B2
An antenna applied to a slide type mobile communication terminal includes a first board mounted in a first body; a second board mounted in a second body; a radiating element mounted to the second body; and a first contact formed to connect to the second board at one end and contact with the first board at the other end when the first body slides. Accordingly, an antenna with directionality can be realized for applications to short range communication systems.
US07904123B2
To provide a shield case and an MEMS microphone having the shield case which can secure on a top plate the minimum distance for adhering with a gasket in a view point of airtightness.The shield case according to the invention is a shield case for shielding an MEMS chip mounted on a board from the outside, which includes a top plate and a plurality of side plates and the thickness of each of the plurality of side plates is larger than that of the top plate. According to this configuration, the area of the top plate can be made larger as compared with a conventional shield case having a uniform thickness. Thus, the area for adhering the gasket to the top plate can be secured without changing the position, size and range etc. of the chucking area from those of the conventional shield case.
US07904119B2
A method and device for detecting alert events and responsively playing out audio-clips. The audio-clips may comprise data representing a sound recording. Playing out the audio-clips occurs in an order defined by a sequence. The audio-clips and the sequence are maintained in data storage. A processor executes program logic to detect a first alert event and responsively play out at least a first audio-clip of the sequence, and to detect a next alert event and responsively play out at least a next alert event of the sequence. After playing out all audio-clips in the sequence, play out of the audio-clips may then continue with the first audio-clip of the sequence.
US07904112B2
A method for communication includes establishing a first connection between a wireless terminal and a base station of a long-range wireless data network, which operates in accordance with a first protocol that defines a sequence of time frames for transmission of data between the wireless terminal and the base station. A signal is sent from the wireless terminal to the base station identifying an interval including one or more of the time frames during which the wireless terminal will not receive data from the base station. During the interval, a second connection is established between the wireless terminal and an access point of a wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with a second protocol, different from the first protocol.
US07904101B2
A method for IP [=Internet Protocol] communication to/from a mobile terminal via a network element in a mobile network. The mobile terminal uses an in-band trigger for establishing an IP connection. The network element uses an out-band trigger (3-8) for initiating IP connection establishment. The mobile terminal responding to the out-band trigger by using an in-band trigger for establishing the IP connection (3-10). After the data transfer (3-12), the mobile terminal and the network element maintain the IP connection for a predetermined time after the latest transaction (3-14).
US07904099B2
An outgoing message composed on a mobile wireless communication device may be recognized as including a Short Messaging Service (SMS) destination address in an addressing field. The outgoing message may then be processed to create a SMS message payload. The SMS message payload may then be passed to a SMS client application executed on the wireless communication device with an indication of the SMS destination address so that the SMS client application may form an SMS message based on the SMS message payload and the indication of the SMS destination address.
US07904096B2
A Global Positioning System (GPS) system includes multiple GPS application servers. The multiple GPS application servers provide GPS assistant information for locating a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives GPS information from multiple GPS satellites. The GPS assistant information is determined based on a GPS position and a geographic position of a GPS application server of the multiple GPS application servers. The GPS application server is nearest of the multiple GPS application servers to the mobile terminal, and the geographic position of the GPS application server is known.
US07904093B2
A set of different pilot structures are designed for use in different environments and/or different user behaviours that are expected to occur in a cell. The radio conditions for a user are estimated. Each user is then assigned an area (108A-E) in resource space for its communication, which has a suitable pilot configuration. In one embodiment, the entire resource space is provided with different pilot structures in different parts (110A-D) In advance and allocation of resources to the users are then performed in order to match estimated radio conditions to the provided pilot structure. In another embodiment, allocation is performed first, and then the actual pilot structure is adapted within the allocated resource space area to suit the environmental conditions.
US07904092B2
In one embodiment, a method for adjusting a radio-frequency coverage map. The method includes receiving calibration data comprising observed received signal strength values at one or more calibration points corresponding to a radio frequency transmitter, and identifying an applicable coverage map, where the coverage map provides, for the radio frequency transmitter, estimated received signal strength values at one or more locations. The method also includes determining one or more offset values at the one or more calibration points, where an offset value is based on a difference between an observed received signal strength value and an estimated received signal strength value at a given calibration point. The method also includes adjusting one or more estimated received signal strength values at one or more location bins of the coverage map based on a distance from the one or more calibration points and the one or more offset values.
US07904089B2
Data packets are transmitted from a first access network to a first interface of a multiple interface device (MID), and identical data packets are transmitted concurrently from a second access network to a second interface of the MID. Some of the data packets that are transmitted to the MID from the first access network are not received by the first interface. The MID inspects identifiers of data packets from the first and second interfaces in order to send to the application a stream including all of the data packets. For example, the MID sends to the application the data packets from the first interface, buffers the data packets from the second interface, and sends data packets from the buffer to the application upon detecting that data packets in the buffer were transmitted to the first interface but not received by the first interface.
US07904077B2
A method of controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation.
US07904073B2
Systems and methods for processing documents are disclosed. Documents received at a data server are transcoded using locally stored or generated code books. Code books for transcoded documents received at a wireless mobile communication device are either retrieved from a memory on the device or requested from a data server. In response to a code book request, a data server retrieves a requested code book from a local memory or generates the requested code book and returns the requested code book to a requester. A wireless mobile communication device may also generate and transcode XML documents using a locally stored code book, a locally generated code book, or a code book received in response to a code book request.
US07904071B2
A RF data communication device operates in at least two states. In a first state, the device transmits a response to an RF transmission if specific data therein represents an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and if specific data therein corresponds to a class maintained by the device. The device does not transmit a response if specific data in the RF transmission is not representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices, or if specific data therein does not correspond to at least one maintained class. In a second state, the device does not transmit a response when specific data is included therein that is representative of an inquiry as to the presence of one or more RF data communication devices and specific data therein corresponds to at least one maintained class.
US07904067B1
A method and apparatus for providing a call originator to select a notification a recipient sees or hears accompanying an incoming call.
US07904066B2
This invention is directed to the method and system of providing a call number owner's information to a communication terminal through an information communication network, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a call number owner's information that includes at least a call number and a call number owner's name or its business name, from a plurality of call number owner's terminals and storing it; (b) receiving a call number taken from any one of a list of absent calls, received calls or sent calls held in a memory of the communication terminal, for which call number the owner's information is required by a call number management program run on the communication terminal; (c) reading the call number owner's information corresponding to the received call number in said (b) step from the stored call number owner's information in said (a) step and transmitting the information to the call number management program.
US07904063B1
Method and apparatus for providing authenticated, secure, communication between a gaming host communicating via radio frequency (RF) subcarriers to a remote user device in another location. Location of the remote user device and the host server are determined by accessing signals generated by either Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, or by terrestrial radio broadcast stations, through a process known as radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking (RF-3T). Player authentication (identity verification) is determined by use of a personal identification number (PIN). A remote user device may be implemented as a stand alone or self-contained single unit that is portable and can receive communications via radio frequency, or may be implemented as one or more discreet components adapted to be used with a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or desktop personal computer (PC).
US07904062B2
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards displaying an advertisement within a navigable view on a mobile device. In one embodiment, the navigable view employs a scrollable list. In one embodiment, a capability of the mobile device is employed to determine the mechanism for displaying of the advertisement within the navigable view. In one embodiment, the display mechanism may enable the advertisement to disappear from the mobile device's display after scrolling past the advertisement. In another embodiment, the advertisement is treated as a fixed entry within the scrollable view. As a fixed entry, scrolling past the advertisement results in the advertisement disappearing from the display of the mobile device. In still another embodiment, the advertisement is treated as a continually viewable entry within the navigable view, and in another embodiment, the advertisement may bounce to a top or a bottom of the navigable view as it is scrolled.
US07904047B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for filtering received radio frequency signals are provided. A first RF communication signal is received that includes a desired information signal portion and an undesired blocker signal portion that is offset in frequency from the desired portion. The first RF communication signal is amplified in a first signal path and is filtered in a second signal path. The filtering of the first RF communication signal in the second signal path includes: down-converting the first RF communication signal to a down-converted signal, high pass filtering the down-converted signal, and up-converting the high pass filtered down-converted signal to a second RF communication signal. The filtering of the first RF communication signal filters out the desired information signal portion from the second signal path. A signal phase is adjusted in the second signal path to match phase shifts between the first and second signal paths. The second RF communication signal is subtracted from the amplified first RF communication signal to generate a third RF communication signal. Third RF communication signal includes the desired information signal portion but does not include the blocker signal, which is canceled during the subtraction.
US07904042B2
Fast image rejection. Dual down conversion processing of a received signal by performing both low side injection and high side injection thereby generating a first down converted signal and a second down converted signal. Analysis of one or both of the first and second down converted signals, including the signal and image components thereof, is performed to determine which of the first down converted signal and the second down converted signal is appropriate to be selected for subsequent baseband processing. For example, if a signal strength of an image within the first down converted signal is less than a signal strength of a signal component within the first down converted signal, then the first down converted signal is most likely the appropriate signal to undergo baseband processing. Alternatively, if the converse is true, then the second down converted signal may be the appropriate signal to undergo baseband processing.
US07904040B2
Receiver architectures and associated methods are disclosed that provide initial analog coarse tuning of desired channels within a received signal spectrum, such as a set-top box signal spectrum for satellite communications. These architectures provide significant advantages over prior direct down-conversion (DDC) architectures and low intermediate-frequency (IF) architectures, particularly where two tuners are desired on the same integrated circuit. Rather than using a low-IF frequency or directly converting the desired channel frequency to DC, initial coarse tuning provided by analog coarse tuning circuitry allows for a conversion to a frequency range around DC. This coarse tuning circuitry can be implemented, for example, using a large-step local oscillator (LO) that provides a coarse tune analog mixing signal. Once mixed down, the desired channel may then be fine-tuned through digital processing, such as through the use of a wide-band analog-to-digital converter (ADC) or a narrow-band tunable bandpass ADC.
US07904038B2
An output monitor circuit of a radio-frequency circuit outputs a radio-frequency signal of wavelength λ. The circuit includes a directional coupler, a detection circuit, and a back flow blocking circuit. The directional coupler has a coupling line of a length less than λ/4 coupled with an output line of the radio-frequency circuit and a terminating resistor connected to one end on the radio-frequency circuit side of the coupling line. A radio-frequency signal is derived from the other end of the coupling line by means of coupling between the coupling line and the output line. The detection circuit detects a radio-frequency signal derived from the directional coupler to produce a monitor signal. The back flow blocking circuit blocks signal components back flowing from the output side toward the output line in a portion where there is no coupling between the output line and the coupling line.
US07904037B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US07904036B2
A modulation circuit for use in a radiofrequency transmitter includes a local oscillator circuit configured to generate one or more local oscillator signals at a desired frequency and with a duty cycle at or about twenty-five percent, and a modulator configured to generate one or more modulated signals responsive to the one or more local oscillator signals and one or more baseband information signals. In at least one embodiment, the modulation circuit includes a modulator comprising a combined mixing and transconductance circuit that includes a transistor circuit for each baseband information signal serving as a modulation input to the modulator. Each transistor circuit comprises a first transistor driven by the baseband information signal and coupling a modulator output node to a corresponding transconductance element, and a second transistor driven by one of the one or more local oscillator signals and coupling the corresponding transconductance element to a signal ground node.
US07904032B2
Systems and techniques for RFID communication using a frequency shift between uplink and downlink carrier frequencies achieved by digital processing of a baseband signal before radio frequency modulation of a carrier signal occurs. Generation of the carrier signal, and modulation of the carrier signal, is accomplished using digital techniques. A digital representation of a baseband signal is modulated to create a complex baseband signal multiplied by a negative frequency shift equal to a difference between downlink and uplink carrier frequencies. This signal undergoes analog to digital conversion and modulation by a carrier signal at an uplink frequency. The complex baseband signal includes in-phase and quadrature components. During uplink communication, the in-phase component of the complex baseband signal is replaced by a constant value. The quadrature component is replaced by a zero signal. During uplink communication, therefore, an umodulated carrier signal at an uplink frequency is generated.
US07904030B2
For example, in a conventional high frequency switch used for a mobile phone and so on, high frequency distortion is caused by a diode which is turned off upon transmission. A high frequency switch includes a switch circuit for switching transmission and reception performed via a transmitting terminal and receiving terminals, said switch circuit having a diode turned off upon transmission, and a low-pass filter for suppressing high frequency distortion caused by the diode upon transmission.
US07904024B2
Systems and methods of eliminating or reducing interference resulting from harmonics of local oscillator frequencies of mixers are shown. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to a zone or zones within an intermediate frequency band associated with undesired spurs. Inter-tuner spurs and intra-tuner spurs may be identified such that frequency information of the identified spurs may be utilized to define a plurality of exclusion zones. Local oscillator frequencies may subsequently be efficiently selected in view of the exclusion zone information. Embodiments may also determine a score for identified spurs which may be used to optimally select from within a set of spur-generating local oscillator frequencies.
US07904019B2
A tuner included in a digital broadcast receiver tunes a broadcast signal from a transmitter via a re-transmitter. A demodulator demodulates the broadcast signal, and an identification information detector detects identification information of a re-transmission service provided by the re-transmitter from the demodulated broadcast signal. A decoder arranged to decode the modulated broadcast signal, and a controller controls operation of the decoder based upon the identification information detected by the identification information detector. The identification information of the re-transmitter may directly include information identifying a type of the re-transmission service (e.g., a free or charged service) or may include a unique ID number of the re-transmission service, which could be used by the broadcast receiver to determine service type.
US07904006B2
A toner replenishing device that provides a container and a device having a high toner volumetric efficiency and a low cost, suppresses vibration during replenishment to a minimum, and stores recovered toner without impairing the volumetric efficiency of unused toner is constituted by a developer replenishing device which is provided with a developer container storing a developer used in an image forming apparatus and replenishes a developing device of the image forming apparatus with the developer in the developer container. The developer container is rectangular in a horizontal direction, and comprises an outside container storing unused developer and a deformable inside container enveloped by the outside container. The developer replenishing device comprises a developer discharging mouthpiece portion for discharging the developer from the interior of the container, which is provided in a lengthwise direction end portion of the outside container, an air supply nozzle, provided in an opposite side end portion to the developer discharging mouthpiece portion in the lengthwise direction, for introducing air into the inside container, and an air pump for supplying air to the supply nozzle.
US07904005B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus body that includes a container attaching portion to which a developer container is removably attached; a container put-on member on which the developer container is put; and a support member to which the container put-on member is attached, the support member supporting the container put-on member to perform a movement between a first position in which the container put-on member is at the container attaching portion and a second position in which the container put-on member is pulled out from the container attaching portion, wherein at the second position, at least a part of the container put-on member is displaced downward through a rotating shaft provided on the support member to a lower position than a height of the container put-on member at the second position in the direction of gravity.
US07904002B2
A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearer with a dual-component developer, includes: a developing hopper for storing the developer; an agitation and conveying member for conveying the developer while agitating; a developer support which supports the developer that has been mixed and agitated inside the developing hopper and supplies the developer to a developing area located opposing the image bearer; a layer thickness-regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer being conveyed by the developer support; a flow-guide plate member for flowing down the surplus developer that was rejected and conveyed away from the layer thickness-regulating member; a multiple number of diffusing elements arranged upright on the flow-guided plate member for flowing down the surplus developer in a predetermined direction whilst diffusing the developer with respect to the longitudinal direction of the developer support; and a downflow direction turning mechanism for periodically turning the downflow direction of the surplus developer regulated by the diffusing elements.
US07904000B2
An image forming apparatus including: a first and a second photoconductor groups constituted of one or more photoconductors respectively; a first and a second drive control sections for controlling the drive of the first and second photoconductor groups respectively to rotate the photoconductors thereof, and a deceleration measuring section for measuring respective degrees of deceleration when the first and second photoconductor groups rotate under their own inertias with a drive thereof being stopped, wherein the rotational phases of the first photoconductor group and the second photoconductor group are adjusted to be matched therebetween; and the first and second drive control sections determine a control pattern for decelerating so that a degree of deceleration to be applied at the stage of stopping drive of the first and second photoconductor groups become equal to or slower than the slowest one among the degrees of deceleration being measured.
US07903995B2
A cleaning device including a conductive member configured to charge powder remaining on a member to be cleaned so as to have a single polarity and configured to scrape off at least part of the powder, and disposed to contact with the member to be cleaned; a cleaning member configured to electrically adsorb the powder present on the member to be cleaned, disposed to contact with the member to be cleaned and located downstream of the conductive member in a direction in which the powder is conveyed thereon; a first recovering member configured to electrically adsorb the powder present on the cleaning member and disposed to contact with the cleaning member; and a second recovering member configured to scrape off the powder from the first recovering member and disposed to contact with the first recovering member, wherein the conductive member is constant-current controlled.
US07903992B2
An image forming apparatus for judging, on the basis of image information, whether an image to be printed is a monochromatic image or a full color image, deciding, at the beginning of a job, a separation mode for the monochromatic image and a contact mode for the full color image, deciding, after a predetermined condition is satisfied on the basis of previous result information of the concerned job, the contact mode for both monochromatic images and full color images, and printing the images in the decided mode.
US07903984B2
An optical receiver comprising: a photoelectric converting unit converting an input optical signal into an converted electrical signal; a splitting unit splitting the converted electrical signal into a plurality of split electrical signals; an amplifier amplifying one of the plurality of the split electrical signals with a first input time constant and thereby outputting an output signal; a detection circuit detecting an interruption of the input optical signal with a second input time constant on the basis of one of the plurality of the split electrical signals other than the one of the plurality of the split electrical signals input to the amplifier and thereby outputting a detection signal; and a delay circuit configured to delay the detection signal; wherein, the second input time constant of the detection circuit is smaller than the first input time constant of the amplifier.
US07903978B2
Optical systems of the present invention generally include an optical signal controller disposed along an optical link between two optical nodes. The optical signal controller is configured to provide a monitoring signal from an optical signal passing between the nodes as a plurality of wavelength sub-bands at least one of which includes a plurality of signal channels. The controller generates a compensating channel having an optical power that is a function of the monitoring signal power in the plurality of wavelength sub-bands or total power. The compensating channel is combined with the optical signal to compensate for power variations in the optical signal passing between the nodes. In addition, the compensating channels can be used to transmit communication or system supervisory information between monitoring points and/or nodes in the system.
US07903976B2
In an optical element integrated module, first through n-th optical data signals are externally input to first ports of first through n-th optical circulators and are input to first through n-th optical/optical converters via second ports. The first through n-th optical/optical converters modulate first through n-th optical short pulse trains in accordance with the first through n-th optical data signals. First through n-th modulated optical data signals are input to the second ports of the first through n-th optical circulators and are input to an optical time division multiplexing section. The optical time division multiplexing section generates optical time division multiplexed signals by time division multiplexing the first through n-th modulated optical data signals.
US07903962B2
An image capturing apparatus (10) for capturing an image (214) of a scene (12) includes an apparatus frame (222), a capturing system (226), and an illumination system (230). The capturing system (226) captures the image (214). The illumination system (230) can alternatively generate a first generated light beam (348A) having a first color composition (368A) and a second generated light beam (348B) having a second color composition (368B) that is different than the first color composition (368A). The scene (12) can have a first lighting condition (366A) or a second lighting condition (366B) that is different than the first lighting condition (366A). Further, the illumination system (230) generates the first generated light beam (348A) when the scene (12) has the first lighting condition (366A) and the illumination system (230) generates the second generated light beam (348B) when the scene (12) has the second lighting condition (366B). With this design, the color composition of the generated light beam (348A) (348B) can be tailored to suit the actual lighting condition (366A) (366B) of the scene (12).
US07903956B2
A device for heating a liquid includes a tank, electrodes, and a conductive liquid. The tank holds the conductive liquid and the electrodes. The electrodes are connected to provide current flowing in the conductive liquid. The device also includes an electrolytic material supply vessel for holding the electrolytic material. The electrolytic material supply vessel is switchably connected for providing the electrolytic material to the tank. The device also includes an electrical parameter sensor for detecting a parameter of electrical energy dissipated in the conductive liquid. The device also includes a controller connected to automatically add the electrolytic material to the conductive liquid if the electrical parameter sensor detects the electrical parameter differing from a set point.
US07903942B2
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
US07903936B2
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
US07903935B2
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
US07903934B2
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
US07903930B2
According to the invention, techniques for recording data onto recording media at relatively high transfer rates for relatively long periods of time. Embodiments according to the present invention include systems and apparatus capable of an improved sustained rate of data recording onto disk type-recording media, for example. Many embodiments can remove the upper limits of both recording capacity and the number of media that can be used. Select embodiments can be used with different kinds of recording media as well. In a specific embodiment, the area on a hard disk is divided into three areas. A first area can be suitable for sequential recording of continuous data. A second area can be suitable for random recording of discontinuous data. A third area can be used for recording logical sector numbers, coupling logical sector numbers, and file information that are used for marking each of the first and second areas, so that continuous data can be recorded on the hard disk at a high data rate.
US07903914B2
A method and apparatus to produce a non-helically wound subsea umbilical is disclosed. The apparatus to produce a non-helically wound umbilical may be portable to facilitate manufacturing of subsea umbilicals in remote locations. This apparatus is smaller and more economical to build and operate than conventional cabling machines that currently are used by many manufactures to produce helically wound subsea umbilicals.
US07903902B2
A method includes analyzing an input image at least to determine locations of human skin in the input image and processing the input image at least to improve, on a per pixel basis, the areas of human skin of the input image. Another method included in the present invention includes measuring blurriness levels in an input image; and processing the input image with the blurriness levels at least to sharpen the input image. A third method includes identifying areas of at least bright light in an input image and changing the sharpness of the input image as a function of exposure level of different areas of the input image.
US07903892B2
The present invention provides an analysis method that uses error metrics to determine whether an image is suitable for compression. One embodiment of the present invention can make the determination in real-time. In one embodiment, analysis methods based on four error metrics are used to determine whether a compressed image should be used. The first metric is a signal-to-noise (SNR) error metric that prevents compressed images with low SNR from being used to represent original images. Another metric is detecting the geometric correlation of pixels within individual blocks of the compressed images. The third metric is used to determine whether color mapping in the compressed images are well-mapped. A final metric is a size metric that filters images smaller than a certain size and prevents them from being compressed. As most analysis methods are integral parts of the compression process, the present invention incurs little cost collecting error metric data.
US07903873B2
Textual image coding involves coding textual portions of an image. In an example embodiment, a textual block of an image is decomposed into multiple base colors and an index map, with the index map having index values that each reference a base color so as to represent the textual block. A set of neighbor index values are ascertained for a particular index of the index map. A context that matches the neighbor index values is generated from among multiple contexts. The matching context includes a set of symbols. At least one symbol-to-value mapping is determined based on the matching context and a symbol to which the particular index corresponds. The particular index is remapped to a particular value in accordance with the symbol-to-value mapping and the symbol to which the particular index corresponds.
US07903864B1
A method for the detection of an irregularity in an object based on an image of the object that includes the steps of binarizing the image at a plurality of binarization thresholds to obtain a plurality of binarized images, extracting information from each of the binarized images, estimating the regular object resulting from the binarization at the respective binarization threshold of an image of a version of the object in which the irregularity is absent, combining the information extracted from each of the binarized images, and detecting the irregularity based on the combined information. A method for the detection of a defect in a solder element based on an X-ray image of the solder element. This aspect includes the steps of binarizing the image at a plurality of binarization thresholds to obtain a plurality of binarized images, extracting information from each of the binarized images, combining the information extracted from each of the binarized images, and detecting the defect based on the combined information.
US07903857B2
Disclosed is robust click-point linking, defined as estimating a single point-wise correspondence between data domains given a user-specified point in one domain or as an interactive localized registration of a monomodal data pair. To link visually dissimilar local regions, Geometric Configuration Context (GCC) is introduced. GCC represents the spatial likelihood of the point corresponding to the click-point in the other domain. A set of scale-invariant saliency features are pre-computed for both data. GCC is modeled by a Gaussian mixture whose component mean and width are determined as a function of the neighboring saliency features and their correspondences. This allows correspondence of dissimilar parts using only geometrical relations without comparing the local appearances. GCC models are derived for three transformation classes: pure translation, scaling and translation, and similarity transformation. For solving the linking problem, a variable-bandwidth mean shift method is adapted for estimating the maximum likelihood solution of the GCC.
