US07919031B2
A method and system for making plastic cellular parts and thermoplastic composite articles utilizing the cellular parts are provided. The method includes providing a mold having a mold cavity with an interior surface to define the shape of the cellular part and at least one resin flow path extending from an outer surface of the mold to the mold cavity. The method further includes providing first and second sets of projections or pins. The first set of projections extend into the mold cavity from a first direction and the second set of projections extend into the mold cavity from a second direction opposite the first direction. The projections define cells which open to opposing outer surfaces of the cellular part. The method still further includes filling the mold cavity, with the projections extending into the mold cavity, with molten plastic resin from the at least one resin flow path and removing the cellular part from the mold cavity of the mold after the cellular part hardens.
US07919029B2
A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for patterning a recording medium via thermally assisted nano-imprint lithography, comprising steps of: selecting a recording medium for patterning, comprising a substrate with a first coefficient of thermal expasnsion (CTE); providing a first stamper/imprinter comprising a topographically patterned surface having a correspondence to a selected pattern to be formed in a surface of the medium; providing a sheet of a material having a second CTE matching the first CTE; molding a layer of a polymeric material surrounding the sheet of material and having a surface in conformal contact with the topographically patterned surface of the first stamper/imprinter; and separating the layer of polymeric material from the patterned surface of the first stamper/imprinter to form a second stamper/imprinter comprising a topographically patterned stamping/imprinting surface having a correspondence to the selected pattern.
US07919026B2
The present invention is an apparatus for generating foam shapes that float in air having a container, a gas source, an aeration nozzle for aerating a gas from the gas source, an outlet, and a separator for separating extruded foam into individualized foam shapes.
US07919021B2
The present invention aims at providing a manufacturing method for an optical sheet capable of manufacturing a thin optical sheet of a uniform thickness distribution with a high thickness accuracy, and high shaping/transferring performances, and an optical sheet manufactured by using the manufacturing method. A manufacturing method for an optical sheet according to the present invention includes passing a resin discharged from a die between a touch roll and a shaping roll under pressure.
US07919013B2
Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 40 to 96.2% by weight of a semiaromatic polyamide, B) from 2 to 30% by weight of an impact-modifying polymer which comprises functional groups, C) from 1 to 50% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers or a mixture of these, D) from 0.2 to 5% by weight of a lubricant, E) from 0.5 to 15% by weight of an electrically conductive additive, F) from 0 to 30% by weight of other added materials, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%.
US07919010B2
The present invention relates to a doped organic semiconductor material comprising an organic matrix material which is doped with at least one heteromonocyclic and/or heteropolycyclic compound, the compound having at least one nitrogen atom with a free electron pair.
US07918999B2
This invention relates to filtration manifolds, filtration assemblies, methods of channeling permeate, and filtration units. Filtration assemblies may include filtration units and filtration manifolds having isolated permeate collection passages. Permeate may be channeled through the isolated permeate collection passages of the filtration manifold during filtration and then output from the manifold.
US07918997B2
A filter system for a fluid having a cup-shaped housing releasably connected to a connecting head and a filter element arranged in the housing, in which the releasable connection is formed by at least one connecting element formed on the connecting head which engages a connecting element formed by a part of the filter element in combination with a part of the cup-shaped housing such that the connection between the housing and the receiving head can only be produced if a proper filter element is installed in the housing.
US07918990B2
The invention relates to a fuel containing at least 5 vol. %, and preferably at least 10 vol. %, of a hydrocarbon base (B3) consisting essentially of cycloparaffins comprising between 6 and 8 carbon atoms. The ratio R of the quantities by volume (B1+B2)/B3 is higher than 2 and preferably between 2.3 and 19.
US07918983B2
A substrate plating method makes it possible to plate a metal, such as copper or a copper alloy, uniformly into fine recesses in a substrate without forming voids in the metal-filled recesses. The substrate plating method for filling a metal into fine recesses in a surface to be plated of a substrate includes carrying out first plating on the surface to be plated in a plating solution containing a plating accelerator as an additive, carrying out plating accelerator removal processing by bringing a remover, having the property of removing or decreasing the plating accelerator adsorbed on the plating surface, into contact with the plating surface, and then carrying out second plating on the plating surface at a constant electric potential.
US07918982B2
The object of the disclosure is to provide a nano-scale molecular assembly such as a conductive nano-wire. Specifically, there is provided an electrochemical apparatus for forming a molecular assembly, including two electrodes and an electrochemical cell holding an electrolytic solution and the two electrodes, wherein the gap between the two electrodes is from 1 nm to 100 μm, by allowing the electrochemical cell to hold an electrolytic solution containing molecules that is to constitute the molecular assembly, and applying a voltage across the two electrodes in the state wherein the electrolyte and the two electrodes are in contact.
US07918981B2
This invention relates generally to the field of cell separation or isolation. In particular, the invention provides a method for separating cells, which method comprises: a) selectively staining cells to be separated with a dye so that there is a sufficient difference in a separable property of differentially stained cells; and b) separating said differentially stained cells via said separable property. Preferably, the separable property is dielectrophoretic property of the differentially stained cells and the differentially stained cells are separated or isolated via dielectrophoresis. Methods for separating various types of cells in blood samples are also provided. Centrifuge tubes useful in density gradient centrifugation and dielectrophoresis isolation devices useful for separating or isolating various types of cells are further provided.
US07918975B2
The subject invention provides devices and methods for the analysis of a body fluid. Embodiments include sensors that are sample-fillable by contacting a corner of the sensor to a sample.
US07918973B2
A process for treating solid organic materials, especially for recycling treated wood, uses energy provided by hot gases at the bottom of a reactor column to perform a distillation operation which ensures splitting of organic bonds in the material and uses, as the distillation operation progresses, constant control between a first temperature of the hot gases before they are introduced into the lower part of the reactor column and a second temperature of a layer of the material located in an area immediately above the grid of the reactor column. When the first temperature and the second temperature are identical or virtually identical, corresponding to removal of all the organic bonds of the material by evaporation and transport by the hot gases from the bottom to the top of the column, the layer of material at the second temperature is removed in order to collect a material that largely consists of carbon and constitutes a secondary raw material.
US07918968B1
An apparatus is described for cleaning papermaking felt by applying a low concentration of a cleaning solution through the oscillating needle nozzles. The detergent is applied intermittently while paper is being manufactured. Each cleaning period lasts for at least the length of time required for the nozzles to cover the entire surface of the felt, and preferably twice that period of time. The application of cleaning solution is then discontinued for a period of time. This cycle is repeated continuously as the paper is being manufactured. The apparatus includes a first cleaning chemical reservoir, a second cleaning chemical reservoir, a high pressure pump coupled to the first and second reservoirs, and a control unit having programming for selectively injecting the chemicals.
US07918967B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for continuous digestion of wood chip comprising an upright generally cylindrical vessel having a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the cylindrical vessel is adapted to receive wood chips mixed with a cooking liquor to be treated therein. A first conduit is integrally attached at a first location positioned between the top and bottom ends of the vessel for selectively extracting a first quantity of cooking liquor from the vessel. The first location is positioned upstream of a second location within the vessel where the cooking liquor being at substantially full cooking temperature. A second conduit is integrally attached at a third location positioned downstream from the first and second locations of the vessel. The second conduit is in fluid communication with a fourth location positioned at, about below or upstream from the first location for selectively extracting a second quantity of cooking liquor from the vessel at the third location and transporting at least a portion of the extracted second quantity of cooking liquor to the fourth location.
US07918965B2
Process for the production of paper, board and cardboard by draining a paper stock with sheet formation in the presence of a retention aid system comprising (i) at least one polymer comprising vinylamine units, in the form of the free bases, of the salts and/or in quaternized form, as the sole cationic polymer, (ii) at least one linear, anionic polymer having a molar mass Mw of at least 1 million and/or at least one branched, anionic, water-soluble polymer and/or bentonite and/or silica gel and (iii) at least one particulate, anionic, crosslinked, organic polymer having a mean particle diameter of at least 1 μm and an intrinsic viscosity of less than 3 dl/g, and use of the retention aid system comprising the components (i), (ii) and (iii) as an additive in the production of paper, board and cardboard.
US07918964B2
A multi-ply absorbent sheet of cellulosic fiber with continuous outer surfaces is provided an absorbent core between the outer surfaces. The absorbent core includes a non-woven fiber network having: (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of relatively high local basis weight interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby, and (iii) a plurality of fiber-deprived cellules between the fiber enriched and linking regions, also being characterized by a local basis weight lower than the fiber enriched regions. The cellules provide a sponge-like internal structure of low fiber density regions.
US07918962B2
A rotation detector includes a semiconductor chip, a nonmagnetic case body, a biasing permanent magnet and a nonmagnetic cap fixed to the case body, wherein the case body has a joint surface, and the cap has an inside surface in contact with the joint surface. A method of manufacturing the rotation detector includes the following steps: assembling the semiconductor chip, the case body and the biasing permanent magnet into a unit; forming at least one groove adjacent to the joint surface so as to form a space between the joint surface and the inside surface when the cap is fixed to the case body; fixing the cap to the case body so that the inside surface of the cap can be in contact with the joint surface; irradiating a laser beam at portions behind the inside surface of the cap under a prescribed pressure to melt materials of the case body and the cap and to make melted materials flow to the space; and cooling the melted materials to re-crystallize.
US07918958B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a releasable seal with a sealing compound between two fairing parts, in particular between two fairing parts for the wing-fuselage fillet of aircraft, including the steps of applying adhesive strips to respectively opposite edges, of the fairing parts and outer surfaces adjacent to them of the fairing parts; filling a sealing joint extending between the opposite edges with the sealing compound; and removing the adhesive strips after the curing of the sealing compound. This makes it possible to provide a re-releasable seal with a sealing compound which is curable or cures on its own in air between two fairing parts without the use of release agents. Also disclosed is the use of adhesive strips for carrying out this method.
US07918951B2
A method for making a unitary fibrous structure including the steps of providing a first plurality of synthetic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels. The synthetic fibers are provided such that at least some of the synthetic fibers are disposed in the channels. A second plurality of cellulosic fibers are provided onto the synthetic fibers such that the cellulosic fibers are disposed adjacent to the synthetic fibers to form a unitary fibrous structure including the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers, wherein the resulting fibrous structure has micro-regions of differential basis weight.
US07918938B2
A system and method for distributing one or more gases to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor. An integrated inlet manifold block mounted over a showerhead assembly includes high temperature (up to 200° C.) rated valves mounted directly thereto, and short, easily purged reactant lines. Integral passageways and metal seals avoid o-rings and attendant dead zones along flow paths. The manifold includes an internal inert gas channel for purging reactant lines within the block inlet manifold
US07918935B2
Nanowires are disclosed which comprise transition metal oxides. The transition metal oxides may include oxides of group II, group III, group IV and lanthanide metals. Also disclosed are methods for making nanowires which comprise injecting decomposition agents into a solution comprising solvents and metallic alkoxide or metallic salt precursors.
US07918930B2
The invention concerns a method for preparing a bitumen base, including the following essential steps: a) introducing a bitumen in a container equipped with mixing means, and bringing the bitumen to a temperature of 120° C. to 300° C.; b) introducing at least one chemical blowing additive into the container, and mixing, said chemical blowing additive being of general formula Ar1-R—Ar2 (I) wherein Ar1 and Ar2 independently of each other represent a benzene ring or a system of condensed aromatic rings of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, substituted by at least one hydroxyl group, and R represents an optionally substituted divalent radical, whereof the main chain comprises 6 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one amide and/or ester group. The invention also concerns a bitumen base obtained by implementing said method, as well as the use of such bitumen bases in road surfacing and industrial applications.
US07918926B2
A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
US07918902B2
The present disclosure relates to a process for lightening or dyeing keratin fibers, for example, human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising applying to the keratin fibers: (a) an anhydrous cosmetic composition (A) comprising at least one fatty substance and at least one surfactant; (b) a cosmetic composition (B) comprising at least one ammonium salt; and (c) a composition (C) comprising at least one oxidizing agent; when the process is a process for dyeing keratin fibers, said cosmetic composition (B) further comprises at least one oxidation dye and/or at least one direct dye. The present disclosure also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising the disclosed compositions for lightening or dyeing keratin fibers.
US07918893B2
An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a tibial bearing, a femoral component, and a hinge post coupled to the tibial bearing and the femoral component. The hinge post includes a medial and lateral axle. A pair of bushings are coupled to the axles and received in an internal chamber of the femoral component. The prosthesis may also include a plug received in the internal chamber and positioned to secure the hinge post to the femoral component. The femoral component is configured to rotate about an axis defined by the axles. In some embodiments, the femoral component may include a housing and a patella bearing separate from the housing.
US07918886B2
An intraocular telescopic lens assembly including a negative lens having a negative lens optical axis, a positive lens having a positive lens optical axis and a spacer disposed intermediate the negative lens and the positive lens, the spacer being operative to maintain mutual orientation of the negative lens and the positive lens such that the negative lens optical axis is coaxial with the positive lens optical axis.
US07918878B2
A minimally invasive surgical system for implanting pedicle screw assemblies to be connected by a spinal rod is disclosed. In one form, the system includes a plurality of holding mechanisms for the pedicle screw assemblies, each holding mechanism for being inserted through an incision and configured to receive tools along an axis thereof for driving a screw anchor of the pedicle screw assembly into a vertebra and securing the spinal rod thereto and a rod inserter that is configured to adjustably hold the rod and insert the rod through a common incision with one of the holding mechanism for being fed into position in an initial direction that is transverse to the axes of the holding mechanisms.
US07918876B2
An adjustable spinal implant (10) is provided for use in connecting elongate members (12) as well as vertebral spacers such as corpectomy devices, intervertebral fusion devices, and other prostheses. The implant (10) may have fittings (80) on either end comprising fixed (100) or articulating (200) jaws, endplates, or other engagement structures. The implant (10) comprises a housing (40) with an internal rotor (60); an extending shaft (20); and a locking collar (70). The extending shaft (20) has an external helical groove (23) that meshes with an internal helical groove (63) on rotor (20). Length adjustment occurs by transforming axial movement of the extending shaft (20) into a rotary movement of the rotor (60) via helical engagement. The locking collar (70) comprises protrusion (73) engaging grooves (63) of rotor (60), thus providing a simple, positive locking mechanism without requiring the surgeon to apply excessive force to lock the length.
US07918874B2
A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.
US07918872B2
A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device having a headpiece coupled to the proximal end is releasably disposed within the distal end of the pusher member and retained in place by a retractable fiber, having a coiled distal portion. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment fiber is retracted from around the headpiece of the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device.
US07918870B2
Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a lumen extending therein; inserting the device into the vascular lumen; positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall; and directing the distal portion within the vascular wall.
US07918867B2
A suture trimmer having a shaft with a groove formed in the side thereof, a cutting member movably disposed within the shaft, and a suture retainer slidably disposed within the shaft. The suture trimmer may be used to position knots formed within a suture loop prior to trimming the free end(s) of the suture loop, and to deliver an agent near the location where the suture is severed.
US07918861B2
A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The medical instrument assembly comprises an outer probe having an elongated shaft, an inner probe having an elongated shaft, coaxially disposed within the outer probe shaft, and a driver interface module having a plurality of actuating elements configured to be driven by a drive unit to independently effect movement of each of the outer and inner probes within at least one degree-of-freedom. The robotic medical system may comprise the driver interface module, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the actuating elements, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to drive the actuating elements to independently effect movement of each of the outer and inner probes to the degree(s)-of-freedom.
US07918850B2
Monitoring intracardiac ablation progress in near real time is accomplished by evaluating capture of a pacing signal while ablation energy is concurrently directed to a target site. Sufficiency of ablation is indicated by failure of signal capture at a maximum predetermined pacing voltage. A common electrode in a cardiac catheter is simultaneously used to test pacing capture and to deliver ablation energy.
US07918849B2
Methods are provided for access to a compressed space in the spinal anatomy. These methods may be used for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided. A cannulated probe may be placed through the neural foramina of the spine and used to position a guidewire around the anterior border of a facet joint. Once properly positioned, a medical practitioner may use the guidewire with an abrasion device to enlarge the lateral recess and neural foramina. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion.
US07918844B2
An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.
US07918843B2
A controllable drug delivery device for delivering a liquid injectable drug, the device comprising a drug reservoir (22), a drug administration device (28), a displacement-generating battery (20), and a current-depletion circuit (85), wherein displacement generated by the battery as current is depleted from the battery by the current depletion circuit displaces a wall of the drug reservoir thereby causing the reservoir to expel liquid injectable drug contained therein via the drug administration device, and wherein the drug delivery device further includes a controller (78) that is responsive to a measured parameter indicative of displacement generated by the battery for applying a variable load (80) across the battery in order to provide a substantially constant-current depletion of the battery and thereby cause the drug delivery device to deliver a substantially constant drug delivery rate.
US07918842B2
Implantable medical devices are provided for controlled release of drugs. In one embodiment, the device comprises a support structure; two or more discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the support structure; and a release system loaded in each of the reservoirs, the release system including drug molecules dispersed in a degradable matrix material, wherein release of the drug molecules from the reservoir is controlled by in vivo disintegration of the matrix material. In another embodiment, the device comprises a support structure; two or more discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the support structure; and a release system loaded in each of the reservoirs, the release system including drug molecules dispersed in a non-degradable matrix material, wherein release of the drug molecules from the reservoir is controlled by in vivo diffusion of the drug molecules from the matrix material.
US07918841B2
This invention relates to the placement of nasogastric tubes. Specifically, the present invention relates to devices, methods, and kits for assisting intubation and insertion.
US07918839B2
An absorbent article includes a barrier cuff strip extending in a longitudinal direction from the front waist region to the back waist region along the topsheet. The barrier cuff strip has a distal edge attached to the topsheet at a cuff end bond region. The barrier cuff has an outer bond edge spaced longitudinally from an inner bond edge. The disposable absorbent article includes a side panel that extends laterally beyond a side of the chassis and is joined to the chassis at a panel joint region extending between an outer panel joint edge and an inner panel joint edge. The longitudinal distance from the lateral axis to the inner panel joint edge is at least about ¼ of a longitudinal distance from the lateral axis to the inner bond edge of the cuff end bond region.
US07918836B2
The ostomy bag comprises an outer chamber comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, and an inner chamber. The inner chamber may comprise a one-way valve that limits the back flow of the bodily wastes from the lower portion of the bag to the upper portion. The one-way valve may comprise a biasing member and the biasing member may have a length that is longer then the length of the bottom of the inner chamber walls. The bag may comprise an irrigation system that provides for the flushing of both the inner and the outer chambers simultaneously. The irrigation tube of the irrigation system may comprise slits along the portion of the irrigation tube that resides within the inner chamber and the lower portion of the outer chamber.
US07918833B2
The present invention relates to injectors, such as pen-type injectors, that provide for administration of medicinal products from a multidose-cartridge and permit a user to set the delivery dose. The injector may include a housing, a piston rod adapted to operate through the housing, a dose dial sleeve located between the housing and the piston rod, and a drive sleeve located between the dose dial sleeve and the piston rod. The dose dial sleeve may have a helical thread of first lead and the drive sleeve may have a helical groove of second lead. The first lead of the helical thread and the second lead of the helical groove may be the same.
US07918832B2
A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising an epicyclic gearbox. This drive mechanism includes a housing having a helical thread; a piston rod having a non-circular cross section and an external helical thread; a dose dial sleeve, which is threadedly engaged with the housing and being rotatable with respect to the housing; and a drive sleeve, located between the housing and the piston rod, which is threadedly engaged with the piston rod.
US07918829B2
A spring-loaded clip for removably attaching a catheter hub to the skin of a patient. The clip includes first and second needle members pivotably connected on a common axis and closable with their respective arcuate needle elements interlocked within the skin of a patient. A bias spring urges the first and second needle elements into a preferred position, preferably the closed position. Each needle member includes a lever for use in opening and closing the clip and also includes a grasping element for capturing a catheter hub as the clip closes. Preferably, the needle elements are curved through about 120°, are sharpened to a point at a first end, and are joined to a pivot element at the opposite end. No separate conventional suturing of a catheter hub to a patient is required.
US07918828B2
Device for securing a line such as a medical tube, a catheter, diagnostic wires etc., the device including a line retaining part and a base part, the line retaining part having at least one groove for accommodating a line, the groove being designed with flexible retaining means, the base part including fixing means, where the line retaining part and the base part are provided with complementary locking means.
US07918822B2
A single handed, safe and efficient system for aspirating a surgical site. The aspirating system of the present invention allows the surgeon to aspirate a surgical site by holding the aspiration cannula constantly in the same hand, such that the other hand of the surgeon is never needed for managing or manipulating the aspiration system in any manner. The invention allows a surgical site to be aspirated in an uninterrupted manner despite blood clots and tissue debris which constantly block the tip and the lumen of the aspiration cannula.
US07918820B2
A filtering device has a directional member and filtering member disposable in a vessel (e.g. blood artery) at a position past a lesion in the direction of fluid flow. The filtering member is made from a resilient material having properties of passing the fluid while blocking the passage of emboli in the fluid. This material may be selected from a group consisting of blood filter material and a braided/woven biocompatible material with the properties specified above. The inner end of the filtering member is attached to a shaft which provides for the disposition of the members in the vessel at the position past the lesion and the withdrawal of the members from the vessel. The directional member has a length extending at least to the vessel wall. The directional member is made from a pliable and elongatable material with properties of blocking fluid and emboli passage. The directional member is deployable within the vessel by the fluid flow in the vessel and directs the fluid in the vessel and any emboli in the fluid into the filtering member. The filtering and directional members are disposed at an acute angle relative to the shaft to create a trapping pocket. Restraining wires attached to the directional member are used to collapse the directional member and draw at least a part of the directional member into an outer sheath to prevent emboli from backflowing into the vessel.
US07918818B2
A micro-dialysis probe extending longitudinally between a proximal probe opening and a distal probe tip and having a supply line and a drainage line for a drip-feed solution. A tube may be provided for supporting the drainage line. A dialysis section, wherein the flow channel for the drip-feed solution experiences an inversion, is formed generally between the supply line and the drainage line, in the vicinity of the distal probe tip. The supply line and the drainage line are respectively arranged substantially side by side and together form the probe shaft of the micro-dialysis probe.
US07918816B2
A method and apparatus for treating gas for delivery into a body cavity, body space or body surface of an animal. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. One or more agents are released into the gas stream that flows through the chamber so that the gas stream carries the agent to the animal. Also shown, for use with, or without, the chamber, is an agent chamber adapted to be coupled to at least one structure defining at least one fluid flow path extending at least a portion of the distance between an insufflation device and the body cavity, body space or body surface.
US07918809B2
An orthopaedic brace includes a strut length adjustment assembly to change the operable length of the strut for sizing the brace on a patient without the need for special tools or cutting of the strut. The adjustment assembly includes a biased adjustment mechanism that coacts with a plurality of notches in the strut to variably set/position the strut relative to the adjustment assembly to set the struts length. Each upper and lower strut preferably includes a strut length adjustment assembly to independently set the length of each strut. The strut length adjustment assembly retains a strut and includes a strap retention mechanism that is configured to releasably engage the strap.
US07918808B2
An apparatus and process for empowering those in wheelchairs and others with loss of limb control to walk, climb stairs, sit in ordinary chairs, use normal bathroom facilities and stand at normal height with their peers. It also provides a means to speed rehabilitation of the injured and a means to deliver more comfortable and effective prostheses while providing superior physical therapy without draining professional resources which includes new simulation and training means. Most of the apparatus is worn under normal clothing allowing them to enjoy a normal appearance. Additional advancements include improved actuator design, user interface, visual means and advanced responsive virtual reality.
US07918798B2
The invention discloses a bone examination apparatus which includes a shaking module, a multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module, and a processing module. The shaking module is disposed close to a distal end of an examinee's femur, for inputting a shaking signal to the distal end. The multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module is disposed close to a near end of the examinee's femur, for detecting the shaking signal through the examinee's femur at the near end and generating a detecting signal. Additionally, the processing module is connected to the shaking module and the multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module respectively, for determining the examinee's bone density in accordance with the shaking signal, the detecting signal, and a first criterion.
US07918797B2
Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ultrasound imaging system and method for forming multiple receiving scan lines from one original receiving scan line. Ultrasound signals reflected from one original receiving scan line are converted into analog signals having a center frequency. The analog signals are converted into digital data. The digital data are coarsely delayed, wherein the coarsely delayed data are extracted at a rate of n-times of the center frequency. Data of the multiple receiving scan lines are formed by performing fine delay and interpolation. For the interpolation, parts of the extracted data are selected at a rate of n-times of the center frequency and the multiple receiving scan lines.
US07918794B2
A method of determining the total body fat of a person comprising measuring a subcutaneous fat thickness at four points on the person's body, located in the right anterior part of the left mid-thigh, in the left anterior part of the right mid-thigh, in the right dorsal part navel level and in the left dorsal part at navel level, respectively, and determining a first estimate of the person's total body fat as a function of these measurements.
US07918793B2
An image of an electro-anatomical map of a body structure having cyclical motion is overlaid on a 3D ultrasonic image of the structure. The electro-anatomical data and anatomic image data are synchronized by gating both electro-anatomical data acquisition and an anatomic image at a specific point in the motion cycle. Transfer of image data includes identification of a point in the motion cycle at which the 3-dimensional image was captured or is to be displayed.
US07918775B2
In a method for producing a hinge-like bend line (3a,b, 4a,b or 5a,b) in a sheet (1) of paper, paperboard, cardboard or foil, particularly a brochure cover, by rotatively driven tools (7.1, 7.2), the bending line (3a,b, 4a,b or 5a,b) is produced by roll bending without scoring the material in the form of a scoring bead. The roll bending is preferably realized by the cooperation of a tool edge (12a) of a first rotary tool member (8.1) with a conical outside surface (11a) of a second rotary tool member (9.1). The roll bending process lowers the bending resistance of the sheet (1) in the region of the bending point (3a,b, 4a,b or 5a,b), wherein the sheet (1) is simultaneously pre-bent in a certain direction along the bending point (3a,b, 4a,b), e.g., in order to take into account the position of the brochure cover on the book block at the spine edges (the sheet is pre-bent inward in a U-shaped fashion).
US07918774B2
A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device including a cylindrically shaped body having a plurality of shaped projections configured to enhance mobilization of soft tissue and optimize body core strength and balance training.
US07918772B2
A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.
US07918771B2
A weightlifting system includes a weight arm system which may include various arm systems such as an incline arm system or a decline arm system. The weight arm system includes a weight arm mounted to a bracket assembly through an omni directional pivot system to permit the weight arm to pivot about a first axis and a second axis. The first axis is defined along the length of the bracket assembly while the second axis is transverse thereto. The combination of the movement about the first and second axis relative the bracket assembly permits the novel omni directional movement.
US07918769B2
A method and device for use in plyometric muscular training is provided. In a first version, a rigid frame is provided having a trainee's position, a pair of cables and a weighted bar. The cables are positioned between the trainee's position and the bar. Each cable is attached at an upper location and a forward location of the frame. The cables partially constrain the movement of the bar and restrain the bar from striking sections of the trainee's body. The trainee may explosively push or throw the bar away from the trainee's position and towards the cable attachment locations, wherein the bar is released from the trainee's grasp. The return pathway of the bar is determined by the force of gravity, the force provided by the trainee and the constraints of the cables. The cables reduce the risk of injury to the trainee.
US07918761B2
A split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system, comprised of two or more than two separation drive systems allowing independent operation to respectively drive the load, or all loads driven individually are incorporated in a common frame to drive land, surface, underwater transportation means or aircraft, industrial machines and equipment or any other load drive by rotational kinetic energy.
US07918758B2
In a drive assembly for driving a pulley of a water pump of a combustion engine, a movable supporting arm is fitted idly with a drive wheel, and is loaded by a torsion spring to bring the drive wheel into angular engagement with the pulley fitted to the shaft of the pump, and with a drive belt of the engine; an actuating device (being activatable to exert a force in opposition to that exerted by the torsion spring, and detach the drive wheel from the pulley.
US07918757B2
A drive unit includes a gearset alternately producing forward and reverse drive, an inter-axle differential dividing torque at an output of the gearset between first and second wheel sets, and an inter-wheel differential dividing torque transmitted to the first wheel set differentially between wheels comprising the first wheel set.
US07918756B2
In a hybrid transmission for a hybrid motor vehicle, with split power driving ranges, discrete gear steps and two electric drive motors (33, 34), a transmission arrangement is provided which results in low rotational speeds of the transmission elements, in particular of the planets while at the same time, the electric drive motors (33, 34) are disposed adjacent to one another at the input end of the transmission next to an internal combustion engine to which the transmission is connected.
US07918755B2
An eccentric tensioning device for tensioning a traction means is provided. The eccentric tensioning device includes a track roller device having a running disk and a rolling bearing, a work eccentric for supporting the track roller device, the work eccentric being supported on an adjustment eccentric, a single torsion spring for pretensioning the work eccentric, and a fixing device for securing the work eccentric in a mounting position in which the torsion spring is located in a pretensioned state. The fixing device is positionable on a flange surface upon which the eccentric tensioning device is mountable during attachment, in which the running disk is forced radially relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing against the associated traction means under effect of the work eccentric, and a free switching path is traversed through an axial play being overcome against an axial force applied solely by the torsion spring.
US07918748B2
A golf ball having a very low compression and a high COR is disclosed herein. The core preferably comprises a single neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene, and has a diameter ranging from 1.575 inch to 1.62 inch with a PGA compression ranging from 20 to 45. The cover preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.038 inch to 0.045 inch, and a Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 58. The golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a PGA compression ranging from 35 to 50.
US07918745B2
A golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member includes a strike face and a top portion. The second body member is coupled to the first body member and extends away from the first body member in a direction opposite the strike face. At least a top portion of the second body member is camouflaged. A preferred method of camouflage is color differentiation, wherein the second body member is darker than the first body member. Specific color values and club head geometries are also disclosed and claimed. The club head may include a body member and a weight member such as a bar that extends rearward from the body member. A cover may be included to camouflage the weight member. A separate core member and high visibility sight lines may also be provided.
US07918744B1
A removable golf-ball aligning device (RGAD) (10) that is designed to allow a golfer, especially when putting, to align a golf ball to travel in a straight trajectory. The RGAD (10) is designed to be attached to the bill (186) of a golf cap (182) or a golf visor (184) and is comprised of three major elements: a bill attachment member (12), a panel (30) and a means (46) for attaching the panel (30) to the bill attachment member (12). The panel (30) is made of a transparent material (56) and includes a lower section (36) that terminates with a lower straight edge (32). The lower section is coated with a non-glare coating (60) that can consist of a non-glare paint (62) or a black non-glare tape (64).
US07918740B2
A circular track may be flat or hilly. Riding on the track is a big wheel sized larger than a rider compartment. The rider compartment is supported out bound from the big wheel's axle. The big wheel's inbound axle is attached to a radius arm which is powered by a conventional rotating hub. The radius arms are pivotally connected to the hub to allow an up and down movement on a hilly track. The rider compartment has a magnetic coupler assembly to the axle to enable an automatic and/or a rider controlled head over heels spinning of the rider compartment while the big wheel is traveling in its circular path around the hub.
US07918739B2
A transmission joint for angularly connecting a first and a second member, and having a coupling member interposed functionally between the first and second member and extending about an axis; the coupling member has: a first portion connectable angularly to the first member, a second portion connectable angularly to the second member and located radially outwards of the first portion, and an intermediate portion interposed radially between the first and second portion and elongated in a direction crosswise to the axis; the intermediate portion of the coupling member has, from the first portion to the second portion, a first portion decreasing in thickness crosswise to the direction, and a second portion of constant thickness.
US07918737B2
A competitive game management system is disclosed which manages a competitive game played by a plurality of players. Take, for example, a league competition played by players A, B, C, and D. Between the player A and the player B, for instance, a home game operated by the player A and an away game in which a CPU acts as the simulated player A are arranged. Similarly, between the player A and each of the other players C and D, two games are arranged respectively. These arrangements are made for all combinations of players, and a league ranking is determined based on all the results of the games. Therefore, a player can play the game against other real players, and the result of the competitive game will be evaluated equally for each player.
US07918732B2
A manifold compatibility omni axis, electronic human interface device comprises a controller operatively coupled to an omni axis steering device having one or more attachments for motion detection, and a stationary fitness device operatively coupled to the controller. The controller comprises a re-centerer for re-centering one or more axis of movement, and a ratio processor for interpreting, transmitting, and adjusting one or more ratios for speed and other axis of movement. The controller is operatively coupled to a computer via a standard interface. The computer is configured to play a virtual reality program based at least in part on input from the controller. The controller is configured to mimic natural steering movements, making a user's physical movements with respect to the omni axis steering device and the stationary fitness device closely resemble movements in the virtual reality program.
US07918730B2
Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring.
US07918727B2
The disclosure describes a computer-implemented method of providing an event related game. The method includes receiving event data associated with a media broadcast at a computer, generating a printable game set, and providing the printable game set in an electronic format configured for printing by a user. The printable game set includes at least one game card and a set of trade tickets. The at least one game card includes a list of game events associated with the media broadcast. Each trade ticket of the set of trade tickets identifies a game event.
US07918721B2
A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include an air plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams that are formed by the harvesting device and that travel, at least in part, along the air plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly that is located in partially occluding relation relative to the air plenum and that substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.
US07918717B2
A machine for cleaning fowl by removal of residual viscera and bacteria the machine comprising a wand with brushing tendrils attached to a tip, wherein the tip has exits for spraying cleaning fluid there from. The tip is attached to a rotating hollow shaft into which the cleaning fluid is introduced. Fowl are secured to hangers and the hangers are transported on a track to and around the machine. While passing around the machine, the wand is inserted into the fowl for cleaning thereof. The wand rides on a fixed cam comprising timed upward and downward guide tracks which transmit upward and downward movement to the wand, thereby inserting it into, and removing it from, the carcass of a fowl.
US07918708B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a toy construction kit comprising a light element and a construction element. The light element comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a compartment, a magnet disposed in the compartment at the first end, and a printed circuit board disposed at the second end of the housing, the printed circuit board having an illumination device mounted on its side opposite to the compartment. The construction element is held to the light element by a magnetic attractive force between the magnet at the first end of the light element and the construction element.
US07918706B2
A two chamber system with fill gas in one chamber and vacuum in the other provides a means of burning in one or more vacuum tubes while avoiding contamination from environmental gases. Vacuum tubes are often burned in after being sealed. Some processes burn-in the tubes before sealing them. The burn in process can take days and provide ample opportunity for environmental gases to contaminate the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube's fill tube passes through the vacuum chamber and into the fill gas chamber. Environmental gases leaking past the fill tube are evacuated by the vacuum. Similarly, fill gas leaking past the fill tube is also evacuated to vacuum. As such, the environmental gases are drawn away before contaminating the vacuum tube.
US07918697B2
A watercraft (1) includes at least two oar handles (3a, 3b) which are designated to be actuated by a passenger of the watercraft in order to propel the same. A considerably expanded functionality is achieved in such a way that the oar handles (3a, 3b) are connected to a control unit which controls at least one power-actuated driving motor (6a, 6b; 7; 16a, 16b; 26a, 26b) of the watercraft depending on the actuation of the oar handles (3a, 3b).
US07918680B2
A lamp holder device for holding a light, the device comprising a body and a plurality of contacts disposed in the body. There is at least one rotatable top rotatably coupled to the body. In addition, there is at least one spring clip disposed in and secured to the body. The spring clip is for selectively securing a light to the spring clip when the light is inserted into the body and further secures the light to the body when the at least one rotatable top is rotated.
US07918673B1
Each of a pair of signal terminals (TC+ and TC−) includes a signal terminal link portion (uCON) that links a first signal terminal end portion (u1) and a second signal terminal end portion (u2). A ground terminal (TGC) includes a ground terminal link portion (tCON) that links a first ground terminal end portion (t1) and a second ground terminal end portion (t2). The ground terminal link portion (tCON) is wired between the signal terminal link portion (uCON) and a mounting surface (11A) from the opposite side of the mounting surface (11A) relative to the signal terminal link portion (uCON).
US07918666B1
An interactive study aid provides student- or other source-selected (208) questions for studying. Preferably in conjunction with machine-implemented or other information processing, the interactive study aid of the present invention provides a student with the ability to acquire, present/study, and collaborate upon study material (202) information. Acquisition of study material (202) information may be made through soft-text resources such as digital books or online resources. A pen scanner may be used to access hard copy information making pertinent portions available to the interactive study aid. Study material information may also be entered by hand. Upon entering the study material, the student can indicate the likelihood of its appearing on a test or the importance of the information to the student. Study sessions orchestrated by an Intelligent Learning Agent guide the student towards that material he or she is the most interested in either for tested/evaluated course work for a grade or for self study and interest.
US07918658B2
A scroll compressor includes a movable scroll compressor body and a fixed scroll compressor body that are arranged for relative orbital movement relative to one another to facilitate compression of refrigerant. To guide the orbital movement, a Oldham key coupling is provided that may include four keys spaced in separate quadrants for guiding movement of the scroll compressor body along a linear translational path along a lateral axis. Additionally, running clearances may be unequally and non-symmetrically arranged so as to prevent unwanted rotation of one of the scroll compressor bodies and thereby prevent unwanted edge loading.
US07918641B2
In the present invention, through the provision of a tray placing rack for storing trays in multi steps, the trays accommodating electronic parts after inspection are received in the racks and through the provision of a tray stacking rack above the tray placing rack, an empty tray emptied by having been inspected of the electronic parts before inspection at an inspection stage is stacked on the tray stacking rack. When a certain tray is filled with electronic parts after inspection and is discharged, an empty ray is taken out from the tray stacking rack and the empty tray is fed to the rack position of the discharged tray to permit re-use of empty trays.
US07918629B2
A locating system and method for accurately positioning key blanks with respect to a key cutter where the key head is clamped between opposing jaws with the key blade working edges projecting therefrom, the key head is provided with shaped recesses having at least a partially specifically shaped edge wall and wherein at least one jaw member is provided with a projection having a correspondingly shaped sidewall, the pin being positioned with respect to the clamp such that when the key blank head is abutted against the pin with the key blank edge configuration mating to the pin sidewall configuration, the key blade will project from the jaw in a proper position for engagement by either the bitting follower or bitting cutter respectively.
US07918627B2
A method for treating soils, in particular water-sensitive dry soils, comprising burying a treatment liquid, optionally loaded with a suspended material into trenches and a device for implementing the method. The device comprises a transportable chassis (2), a reservoir and hollow dispensing tines (1). The dispensing tines comprise a vertical supporting portion (3) which connects the dispensing tines (1) to the chassis and a horizontal share portion (4), including a spike (5) prior to penetrating into the soil, and a rear dispenser (6).
US07918620B2
An embodiment of a cosmetic applicator set comprises a holder for cosmetic applicators, which holder has within it a first magnetizable element, and at least one cosmetic applicator comprising a second magnetizable element. At least one of the first magnetizable element and the second magnetizable element is a permanent magnet.
US07918619B2
A packaging and an applicator device may include: a receptacle containing a composition for application; and an applicator for applying the composition contained in the receptacle. The applicator may include: a stem; and an applicator element at one end thereof. The applicator element may project laterally from the stem, and may include at least two branches of plastics material, with at least one of the branches being flocked at least in part. The branches may meet at ends thereof and define between the ends a cavity that is open to the outside via a face of the applicator element that is configured to apply the composition. The cavity may be elongate in shape and may extend along the branches. The branches may be sufficiently rigid to prevent the cavity from deforming substantially between a moment when the applicator element leaves the composition and a moment when the composition is applied.
US07918615B2
An aperture-ring-and-shutter device includes a base unit, a shutter unit, and a diaphragm unit. The base unit includes a base having an optical opening along an optical axis. The shutter unit includes a shutter sheet, a shutter-driving element disposed on the base, and a toggling element actuated by the shutter-driving element. The toggling element has a guide bar utilized to rotate the shutter sheet. The shutter-driving element switches the toggling element between an opening location and a covering location. The guide bar of the toggling element forces the shutter sheet to expose or cover the optical opening of the base unit. The diaphragm unit includes an aperture plate, a diaphragm-driving element, and a toggled element pushed by the diaphragm-driving element. The aperture plate has an aperture less than the optical opening of the base unit. The toggled element has a guide pin utilized to rotate the aperture plate.
US07918610B2
An optical connector fitted upon a tip end portion of an optical fiber ribbon and disposed to face an optical input and output terminators which are installed upon a substrate, and which optically connects between optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon and each of the optical input and output terminators. The optical connector includes a block shaped connector main body which is disposed to face the optical input and output terminators. The connector main body includes a hollow optical fiber holding portion for holding mainly a coating portion of an optical fiber which is led generally in parallel with the surface of the substrate, a plurality of optical fiber apertures into which the tip end vicinity of the optical fibers are inserted and fixed and a concave spot for changing the optical axis comprising a reflective surface for changing the optical axis and formed in front of an exit of the optical fiber apertures, which causes the optical axis direction of the optical fiber to face the optical input and output terminators.
US07918602B2
The invention relates to a chronographic timepiece and a chronograph mechanism (7) thereof including an elapsed time indicator member (17), a reset control member (21), and a reset device (25) for the indicator member, which includes a hammer (61), mounted in translation between an inactive position, where the hammer (61) is moved away from heart-pieces (55, 57, 59) that are connected to the indicator member (17), and an active position where stop members (54, 56, 58) of the hammer exert a reset force against the heart-pieces. The hammer (61) includes two studs (64, 66) mounted so as to slide in holes (100, 102) such that the movement vectors (L, K) of the studs (64, 66) between the positions are collinear and not aligned.
US07918598B2
An LED light fixture system includes an LED module having a plurality of LEDs attached thereto and directed inwardly toward a secondary optic. The LED module is releasably attached to an interior surface of a peripheral frame. The frame includes an openable portion positioned to allow the LED module to be inserted or removed through an opening created when the openable portion is in an open position. The openable portion is movable from the open position to a closed position and provides an electrical connection between the LEDs attached to the LED module and a source of electrical current when the openable portion is in the closed position.
US07918593B2
A front panel display assembly may have an integrated decorative film having first and second sides. The first side may have a half-mirroredrface that allows the passage of light in only a single direction and the second side may have a non-uniform diffusion pattern that extends across it. The non-uniform diffusion pattern may regulate and diffuse light irradiated onto the second side to pass through the integrated decorative film and to be regulated and emitted uniformly across the front panel display assembly.
US07918589B2
A light fixture or troffer for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned and a lens assembly detachably secured to a portion of the reflector assembly such that a lens of the lens assembly overlies the light source and such that substantially all of the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens assembly. In one example, the lens includes a curved prismatic surface that can be oriented toward or away from the underlying light source.
US07918587B2
An LED fixture include a mask structure and an LED module. The mask structure includes a cooling fin set of buckling type, an upper socket and a lower socket. The cooling fin set is constituted by a plurality of cooling fins that are encircled and inter-buckled to each other. An interior enclosed by the cooling fin set is formed into an accommodating space and a fitting hole connecting the accommodating space. The upper socket is assembled to one side of the fitting hole, while the lower socket is assembled to another side of the fitting hole. Meanwhile, the upper socket and the lower socket are respectively fastened by the cooling fin set through a clipping-and-abutting manner. The LED module is arranged by accommodating in the accommodating space and is connected to the cooling fin set as well. Accordingly, the entirely cooling effectiveness is promoted and the using lifetime is prolonged.
US07918583B2
Lighting devices are provided for efficiently distributing light over an area to provided uniform illumination over a wide angle or other tailored illumination patterns. Each light device has at least one light source, at least one collimator for partially collimating light from the light source, and at least one diffuser for diffusing light from the collimator. The diffuser provides diffused light over an area from the diffuser having an intensity that is angularly dependent in accordance with the angular distribution intensity of light outputted from the collimator, so as to provide a predetermined illumination pattern from the device. The light sources and collimators may be provided in one or two-dimensional arrays, and a single diffuser may be formed on each collimator or the diffuser may be along a plate spaced from the collimators.
US07918580B2
An LED illumination device includes a light source and a heat sink. The heat sink includes an elongated base and a plurality of fins extending from the base. The base has a heat-absorbing surface and an opposite heat-spreading surface. The fins extend upwardly from the heat-spreading surface. The light source is attached to the heat-absorbing surface, whereby heat generated by the light source is removed by the heat sink. The heat-absorbing surface is one of a convex surface and a concave surface, whereby light emitted from the light source is diverged or converged towards objects.
US07918579B2
A floor assembly including a top having at least one transparent or translucent light emitting portion for emitting light is provided. At least one light source is provided for supplying light. The light source is optically connected to the light emitting portion. The assembly may include a light guide for guiding light therethrough. Also, a light refracting portion may be included for directing light emanating from the light source.
US07918574B2
A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of light modules is specified, wherein each light module includes a plurality of groups of light sources mounted on a circuit board of said light module, and said light modules are arranged in rows on a carrier of said lighting apparatus. A display device comprising such a lighting apparatus is also specified.
US07918556B2
Improved eyewear is disclosed. The eyewear comprises a frame member and a lens. The eyewear also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the eyewear. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the eyewear for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the eyewear to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
US07918555B2
The subject invention provides lenses, and methods for designing and manufacturing these lenses, with reduced chromatic aberration. Advantageously, these lenses are specifically designed to correct chromatic aberration that results as multichromatic light passes through the lenses.
US07918554B2
A pair of spectacles is provided which includes a writing instrument, a spectacle frame front, a first spectacle temple having an end coupled to the spectacle frame front and a second spectacle temple having an end coupled to the spectacle frame front. The first spectacle temple includes a hollow recess formed in an outer surface thereof, the writing instrument removably received and retained therein.
US07918551B2
The present invention is drawn to ink sets, methods of electronically sensing printed images, and ink-jet printing systems. In one embodiment, an ink set for ink-jet printing can include a cyan ink including cyan colorant, a magenta ink including magenta colorant, and a yellow ink including yellow colorant. All three inks of the ink set can include an infrared absorbing dye and have an overlapping infrared absorbance range with respect to one another.
US07918550B2
Embodiment of the invention provide an ink jet cartridge for an ink jet printing device. In one embodiment, an ink jet cartridge can include a cartridge body operable to store ink jet printer ink for dispensing from the cartridge. The cartridge can further include at least one dispensing outlet operable to permit ink to be dispensed from the cartridge body. In addition, the cartridge can include a first foam portion positioned adjacent to the at least one dispensing outlet and operable to retain ink within the cartridge body until dispensed from the cartridge body. The cartridge can also include a second foam portion. Furthermore, the cartridge can include at least one membrane disposed between the first foam portion and the second foam portion, wherein the at least one membrane is operable to inhibit ink flow between the first foam portion and the second foam portion.
US07918545B2
An ink-jet head is disclosed. The ink-jet head can include: a channel for holding ink, a nozzle connected with the channel, a pressurizing unit configured to apply pressure to the ink so as to eject the ink, a partition coupled to one side of the channel so as to block the channel, and an actuator configured to deform one side of the channel so as to open the channel. While pressure is applied to the ink, this pressure can be turned on and off, to provide pressure pulses for ejecting the ink. As such, with this arrangement, the ejection properties of the ink-jet head can be adjusted to various settings.
US07918537B2
An inkjet printhead integrated circuit including a multilayered substrate having drive circuitry and a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes: a floor having an ink inlet defined therein; a roof spaced apart from the floor; sidewalls extending between the roof and the floor so as to define a nozzle chamber; and a heater element suspended in the chamber and connected to the drive circuitry. When actuation energy is supplied to the heater element from the drive circuitry, a vapor bubble is formed in ink contained in the nozzle chamber resulting in ejection of ink via the ink ejection port.
US07918532B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting fluid includes a head capable of performing effective discharge during which the fluid is discharged to an object to be processed disposed at a predetermined position and capable of preliminary discharge during which the fluid is discharged separately from the effective discharge, a first head capping unit for preliminary discharge covering the head and receiving the fluid discharged from the head while the head performs the preliminary discharge, and a second head capping unit for moisturizing covering the head and moisturizing the head. The first head capping unit and the second head capping unit are stacked in such a manner that the second head capping unit covers both the head and an opening of the first head capping unit for receiving the fluid while the head does not perform either the effective discharge or the preliminary discharge.
US07918523B2
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a rotating body that holds recording medias on a circumferential surface; an image forming section that forms an image; a generating section that generates a pulse and a reference pulse; a measuring section that measures the number of pulses; a computing section that each time when predetermined number of pulses from generation of the reference pulse has been measured, divides a pulse width of a pulse before predetermined number of pulses by a first value to compute a pulse division time; and a controlling section that each time when predetermined number of pulses are measured from generation of the reference pulse, multiplies the pulse division time by a second predetermined value, thereby obtaining a forming start time, and that controls to start image formation when the forming start time has elapsed from the measurement of predetermined number of pulses.
US07918519B2
Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated by an operator to print an image on a media. A controller correlates a location of a printhead to the image and causes printing or not. A position sensor provides input to the controller. Its signal typifies pixels in a matrix frame indicating a current position frame and, over time, a previous position frame. The controller compares the two frames to find a presence of the previous in the current. To improve computational efficiency, the controller reduces a relative size of both frames before comparing. Specific reduction techniques contemplate converting a matrix frame of pixels indicative of previous and current locations into smaller matrices, including one-dimensional forms. Possible search areas within the current frame to look for the previous frame utilize knowledge about the movement history of the printer. Position sensor signal validity and controller architectures are other noteworthy features.
US07918506B2
A padding structure for a chair includes a back support, a seat plate, a foam disposed on the back support, two guiding lines mounted on the back support, and two guiding lines mounted on the seat plate. Each guiding line of the back support and the seat plate is connected with a resilient member to control flexibility of the resilient member. An adjustable member is used to control the expansion and retraction of the guiding lines to drive the resilient members to change their radii of curvature, correcting the user's improper posture.
US07918504B2
A seating arrangement for a passenger-carrying vehicle, especially aircraft. The arrangement provides a plurality of seating positions (P1, P2, P3), a seating position comprising a seat (20) and a footwell (22). The footwell (22) of a first seating position (P2, P3) is located beside the seat of a second seating position, the second seating position being located generally forward of the first seating position (P2, P3). Each seat is operable into a reclined state in which a leg-supporting component (30) of the seat projects into the associated footwell (22). The first seating position (P2, P3) and the second seating position (P1) overlap in a transverse direction.
US07918503B2
An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.
US07918494B2
An assembly type cowl top cover for covering a cowl groove defined between a hood and windshield glass. The assembly type cowl top cover includes a cover body having one end which is coupled to a vehicle body adjacent to the hood; and a plurality of fastening hooks detachably coupled to the other end of the cover body at regular intervals to support the windshield glass from beneath.
US07918491B2
An adaptable visor assembly includes a generally planar body portion having a lateral end. An ear segment is removably attachable to the body portion at the lateral end via an interface. The interface includes a projection configured to engage a receptacle when the ear segment is attached to the body portion.
US07918484B2
A seal system (9) for sealing an opening (4) which leads into an interior space of a motor vehicle that receives a steering housing (8). The seal system (9) has at least one guide channel (14) that opens into a receiving region (17) for receiving at least one lug (10) which is arranged on the steering housing (8), with the result that the seal system (9) can be connected in a frictionally locking manner to the steering housing (8) through a locking element (24) in the receiving region (17).
US07918481B2
An airbag device in which a lid part over an opening formed in a base member opens in a suitable opening direction when the airbag is deployed. A tear seam is formed so as to extend along the axis line of a hinge shaft of the lid part in a region further to the outside than the opening. Detaching parts where a skin member on the base member detaches from the base member are provided to the outside region.
US07918478B2
An equalizer for a suspension system for a trailer is configured to absorb or dampen the harsh shocks or vibrations coming off of the leaf springs proximate to a center frame hangar, thus allowing for a “softer” ride. The equalizer utilizes one or two independent equalizer arm assemblies or castings which are each rotatably secured within the equalizer. Each equalizer arm assembly or casting is operatively associated with one of the leaf springs such that upon upward movement of the leaf spring, the associated equalizer arm assembly or casting is forced to rotate within the equalizer and to deform a shock absorber provided within the equalizer. The shock absorber, upon the deformation thereof, absorbs the harsh shocks or vibrations which would otherwise normally be transferred from the leaf springs, to the equalizer, and thus to the frame of the trailer.
US07918476B1
A hitch assembly comprises housing that includes a generally cylindrical socket with an inner diameter and a slot along an outer periphery of the socket. A hitch ball includes a base that is selectively received within the socket. The base includes a radial groove that generally aligns with the slot. A sliding member selectively engages the slot and the radial groove to retain the hitch ball within the socket.
US07918474B2
A bicycle wheel dropout assembly that includes a split component axle mount assembly. An inboard and an outboard component of the axle mount assembly cooperate with overlapping portions of a respective seat stay and chain stay and are rotatably engaged therewith. An axle passes between adjacent mount assemblies and is offset with respect to an axis of rotation of the respective mount assemblies. The axle mount assemblies secure the overlapping portions of the seat stay and the chain stay relative to one another and support the axle in a manner that is convenient for drive train maintenance and/or servicing.
US07918473B2
A wheelchair is constructed to be convertible into a push-cot. The wheelchair includes a main chassis and front and rear chassis that are removably received in the main chassis and are extendable in frontward and rearward directions. A reclining back frame is rotatably mounted to the rear side of the main chassis and is in driving coupling with the rear chassis so that when the rear chassis is extended, the reclining back frame is moved from a substantially upright position to a horizontal position to convert the wheelchair to a push-cot.
US07918464B2
A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting to an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A mounting element is of one piece with one of the mounting end, the pipe engaging end and the intermediate section. A clamping member is used with the gasket. The clamping member is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member extends through an aperture located in the mounting element and through the clamping member for retaining the clamping member to the gasket in a transport position of the gasket assembly.
US07918461B1
a system for facilitating turbine labyrinth packing comprises: a packing holder 30, packing 20, packing teeth 21, pressurized air supply 50, hose 40, hose stabilizer 41, hose sleeve 42, pneumatic regulator 51, pressure gage 52, male quick disconnect 43, and female quick disconnect 44.
US07918455B2
The chip, in the general shape of a disk, of the type with a body obtained by multiple injection molding of plastics material, includes a core 14 obtained by a first plastics material injection molding operation having a central portion 24 defining the central portion of the body of said chip and a peripheral portion 31 defining, by means of radial projections 18, at least a portion of the edge of the body of the chip. The core 14 incorporates an insert 26 including a contactless electronic microchip identification device 27 that during the first injection molding operation is buried in the central portion 24 and retained at its periphery by projections or fingers attached to the injection-molding mold and defining apertures 36 in the core. The chip body includes a covering layer around the peripheral portion 31 of the core 14 obtained by a second plastics material injection molding operation to produce, with the core, the whole of the edge and the peripheral annular portion of the body of the chip. A decorated label is fixed to each face of the chip.The chip may be used as a gaming chip or a casino chip.
US07918454B2
An entertaining and romantic game comprises actions and adventures of different categories that are placed in a bottle and spun. Some actions or adventures are pre-printed whereas others are created by the players, thereby personalizing the game.
US07918449B2
A double-sided image forming device includes: a paper feeding section (3); a printing section (4); a first conveyance route (6) for conveying a fed paper sheet (2) to a paper discharge section (8) via the printing section (4); and a second conveyance route (7) for receiving, on its conveyance surface, the paper sheet (2), a first side (21) of which has been printed, from the first conveyance route (6), and for conveying the paper sheet (2) while reversing it, thereby conveying the paper sheet (2) to the upstream side of the printing section (4) in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance route (6), wherein the second conveyance route (7) has a reverse conveyance route (9) for receiving, on its conveyance surface, a second side (22) of the paper sheet (2), and for conveying the paper sheet (2) while reversing it, and wherein the reverse conveyance route (9) is formed by a combination of a plurality of reverse mechanisms each including: a first conveyance section (91) for linearly conveying the paper sheet (2); a reverse section (92) for reversing the conveyed paper sheet (2) while bending it along a curved inner peripheral surface; and a second conveyance section (93) for linearly conveying the reversed paper sheet (2).
US07918446B2
There is provided a feeding device including a pickup roller for picking up a placed medium to be transported and transporting the medium at a downstream side in a transport direction, a guide pathway for guiding the medium transported by the pickup roller, a transport driving roller that is driven by a power of a driving source and that transports the transported medium at the further downstream side in the transport direction, a retard roller that is moved to be brought into contact with and separated from the transport driving roller and that is rotated with a predetermined load.
US07918434B2
The invention provides a solenoid actuated valve with a plunger which moves in a sleeve under influence of a magnetic field from the solenoid and further comprising a damping device for reducing noise and wear caused by the plunger when it bounces against a top part located in the sleeve. The damping device comprises a first part which forms the limit of the travel of the plunger and another part which is allowed to move relative to the first part in a dampened movement. To enable application in a vacuum system, the damping device comprises a conduit which allows evacuation of a chamber confined between one end of the sleeve and the damping device. The invention further provides a damper for a solenoid actuated valve.
US07918431B2
A levitation type supporting unit interposed between an object and an installing surface for supporting the object respective to the installing surface. The supporting unit includes lower and upper magnet parts having a lower magnet; the upper magnet part arranged at an upper part of the lower magnet part while having an interval spaced from the lower magnet part, the upper magnet part having a surface facing a surface of the lower magnet, the surfaces having equal polarities; an upper fixing cap being assembled with the upper magnet part to allow elevation; a lower fixing cap connected with the upper fixing cap and is assembled with the lower magnet part; and a fixing part including a connecting part formed on one side, connecting the upper and lower fixing caps while having an interval forming an exposed space between the upper and lower fixing caps, the fixing part preventing the upper magnet part from escaping from an upper position of the lower magnet part.
US07918429B1
A horizontal fuel tank support system for efficiently supporting a propane tank above the ground. The horizontal fuel tank support system generally includes a support pad including an internal cavity, wherein the internal cavity extends throughout the support pad and wherein the support pad is comprised of an elongated configuration, a platform defining at least a portion of an upper surface of the elongated support pad, wherein the platform extends along a longitudinal axis of the elongated support pad, and an internal ribbing structure extending within the internal cavity and beneath the platform. The internal ribbing structure includes a plurality of outer ribbing portions and an inner ribbing portion, wherein the inner ribbing portion is connected between the plurality of outer ribbing portions. The inner ribbing portion is comprised of a less dense structure than the plurality of outer ribbing portions to distribute the weight of the propane tank directly below the legs of the propane tank.
US07918425B2
A universal antenna mount featuring a first bracket with a concave face between right and left tangs, a reversible second bracket with a concave face and a generally convex opposite face between right and left tangs, and at least one fastener extending through the right tangs of the first and second brackets and at least one fastener extending through the left tangs of the first and second brackets.
US07918420B2
The present system and methods enable simultaneous momentum dumping and orbit control of a spacecraft, such as a geostationary satellite. Control equations according to the present system and methods generate accurate station-keeping commands quickly and efficiently, reducing the number of maneuvers needed to maintain station and allowing station -keeping maneuvers to be performed with a single burn. Additional benefits include increased efficiency in propellant usage, and extension of the satellite's lifespan. The present system and methods also enable tighter orbit control, reduction in transients and number of station-keeping thrusters aboard the satellite. The present methods also eliminate the need for the thrusters to point through the center of mass of the satellite, which in turn reduces the need for dedicated station-keeping thrusters. The present methods also facilitate completely autonomous orbit control and control using Attitude Control Systems (ACS).
US07918413B2
A string of holiday lights and storage device and method that includes a spool made of two coaxially aligned, circular plates spaced apart by at least a transversely aligned first axle. The axle is attached to a handle located outside the circular plate which allows the axle to be manually rotated. Located parallel to the first axle is a second axle located between the circular plates or two lateral extending arms. Disposed between the two axles is a wide, flexible support strap designed to be wound in opposite directions onto each axle. During use, the end of a string of holiday lights is inserted against the inside surface of the support strap. As the strap is wound onto the first axle, the string of lights is also automatically wound into the first axle so that it is held in position against the outer surface of the axle.
US07918402B2
An item contents verification system, and associated method, for use in an assembly line of carrier-totes (if used) each containing at least one of a plurality of items having a labeling. Also, a labeling for use with a computerized inspection apparatus for verification of items, and associated method. The system includes: (a) the labeling comprising a luminescent marking and a human-visible indicia; (b) the luminescent marking comprises a coded-indicia generally invisible to a human eye without an irradiation, each of these coded-indicia contains item-information about the item to which the labeling is applied, multiple such coded-indicia will be substantively identical; (c) an inspection apparatus adapted for automatically collecting item-information from luminescent coded-indicia oriented outwardly from items passing in proximity to the inspection apparatus; (d) in communication with the inspection apparatus is a processor unit used for comparing an order of selected items against the item-information collected about all items; if the item-information collected matches the order of selected items, that carrier-tote contents is deemed verified. A reject spur is included to which any respective carrier-tote, or any respective item not matched to an order, is routed if the contents of the carrier-tote is not deemed verified.
US07918398B2
An indicia reading terminal can include a multiple setting imaging lens assembly and an image sensor having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, an indicia reading terminal in an active reading state can cycle through a set of different lens settings, expose pixels of an image sensor array during an exposure period when each new lens setting is achieved, and attempt to decode decodable indicia represented in frames of image data captured corresponding to each exposure period. In one embodiment, movement of an imaging lens assembly lens element can be provided with use of a hollow stepper motor.
US07918397B2
A method of reading indicia comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of information data bearing indicia seriatim on a display; reading and decoding the displayed plurality of information data bearing indicia utilizing an indicia reader; and establishing a relationship of data provided in the plurality of information data bearing indicia utilizing a portion of the data provided in each of the plurality of information data bearing indicia.
US07918381B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting electrical components to electric circuit boards. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for mounting electrical components having near-zero standoff height to electrical printed circuit boards.
US07918380B1
A tapered tube manufacturing apparatus and method of operation comprises an entry station adapted to receive a tapered tube having an open, longitudinal seam with spaced longitudinal edges extending the length of the tapered tube. A feed line section moves the tapered tube from the entry section into a welding station while maintaining the longitudinal seam coincident with a pass center line which defines a direction of movement of the tapered tube through the entry station, the feed line section and the welding station. A pair of squeeze rolls in the welding station move the tapered tube through the welding station where the edges of the seam are heated, squeezing the open seam closed for welding the edges of the seam together, and then move the welded tapered tube into a cooling and transition station while maintaining the welded seam coincident with the pass center line. A pair of sizing rolls move the welded tapered tube from the cooling and transition station and through the sizing station so that a centerline extending longitudinally through the center of the welded tapered tube is coincident with the direction of movement of the welded tapered tube through the sizing station and the welded tapered tube is squeezed so that all cross sections of the welded tapered tube that are perpendicular to the centerline at any point along the length of tube, have the same shape.
US07918373B2
A combustion type power tool capable of avoiding wasteful injection of combustible gas from a gas canister even if an unintentional operation of the push lever takes place, and capable of avoiding wasteful electric power consumption even if a battery used as power supply remains set in the tool. While the tool is not being used, a stop unit is set at a stop position, preventing a gas canister from injecting gas, and while the tool is being used, the stop unit is set at a release position, allowing the gas canister to inject gas as a result of movement of a combustion chamber frame.
US07918371B2
The dual magazine pouches allows one of the two magazines to be partially ejected from the pouch automatically when the pouch is opened so that a shooter has quick and easy access to the magazine yet the remaining magazine is retained securely within the pouch. The pouches include a main body formed by a cargo pocket sewn to a back/flap, which extends above the cargo pocket and folds over to enclose the open mouth of the pouch, and an “elevator” mechanism, which automatically raises one of the magazine when the pouch is opened. The “elevator” mechanism is provided by two elastic members: an elastic retention band and an elastic “elevator” band or cord. The retention band snugly holds a first ammunition magazine against the back/flap when fully inserted into the pouch. The elevator band forms a “saddle” within which a second ammunition magazine sits. Fully inserting the second magazine stretches the elevator band. When both ammunition magazines are fully inserted into the pouch, the back/flap is folded over the tops of the magazines and secured by hook and loop patches. When the back/flap is lifted, the tension from the elevator band automatically lifts the second magazine partially ejecting it from the pouch above the exposed top of the first magazine.
US07918370B2
A portable fluid delivering system is provided. The system comprises a container, a heat source, a flow rate regulating device and a delivery tube. The container has a containing space for a fluid to be delivered, in a liquid state at room temperature. The heat source provides an elevated vapor pressure in the containing space over the fluid to be delivered, whereby the fluid to be delivered is driven at a desirable rate along the delivery tube.
US07918366B2
A printhead includes a chamber layer and at least two orifice layers. A first orifice layer is disposed on the chamber layer, and a second orifice layer is disposed on the first orifice layer. The second orifice layer has at least one counterbore formed therein. A first nozzle is formed through both orifice layers and produces droplets of a first drop weight. A second nozzle is formed through the first orifice layer, coincident with the counterbore, and produces droplets of a second drop weight that is different than the first drop weight. In one embodiment, the printhead is used in a stand-alone fluid-dispensing device.
US07918365B2
A dispenser for storing and dispensing containers has a housing with an inlet opening for loading containers into the dispenser, and an outlet opening for dispensing containers. The dispenser has a passageway connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening that includes at least one inclined ramp that the containers roll along. The dispenser has a loading mechanism positioned adjacent the inlet opening that is aligned relative to the passageway. The loading mechanism has a contact surface for receiving a container to be loaded into the passageway and maintains the container in a predetermined alignment with the passageway. Movement of the loading mechanism causes the contact surface to urge the container towards the passageway while substantially maintaining alignment of the container with the passageway.
US07918364B2
A paper cup holder having a disposable teacup shape for a cup is provided. The paper cup holder includes inner and outer lining portions, finger portions, intermediate supporting portions, first and second half crossing cuts, and fastening portions. The inner lining portion wraps around the cup. The outer lining portion is provided around the inner lining portion, and the outer lining portion is configured to wrap around the inner lining portion so as to shield heat from the cup, and wherein the out lining portion comprises first and second edges. The finger hole portions accept one or two fingers. The intermediate supporting surface is provided between the finger hole portions.
US07918360B2
A closure for a microwavable container has a top wall and a skirt with at least one tab formed of a pair of straps and a thumb grip. The tab has an internal bead extending about its inner periphery which provides a shoulder which abuts a shoulder on the bead of the container to retain the closure on the container. The tab can be gripped by the user's thumb to apply force outwardly and upwardly to disengage the internal bead.
US07918353B1
An apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase is selectively adjustable to accommodate packages of different dimensions. A pusher track assembly and dividers, each having a near end and a far end, readily are placed at selected relative locations along a display shelf and are secured in place adjacent the near ends to guide and move the packages along the path of travel to the dispensing location. Stabilizing arrangements located adjacent the near ends stabilize and maintain the pusher track assembly and the dividers in alignment with the path of travel without the necessity for securing the far ends independent of the near end securement in order to maintain the desired alignment of the pusher track assembly and the dividers.
US07918342B2
The invention relates to a protective and packaging wrapper for a container, the wrapper being constituted by a sleeve of heat-shrink plastics material for shrinking onto the container, said sleeve being obtained from a film that is folded in half and looped by bonding together two corresponding end zones. In accordance with the invention, the film constituting the sleeve is opaque to light over its entire area with the exception of a window zone, and the above-mentioned window zone is covered on the outside face of the sleeve by a detachable adhesive strip that is opaque to light, removal of said adhesive strip giving access to the window zone and making it possible to observe the substance present inside the container directly by eye.
US07918340B2
A display package includes a front cover having a first bulbous portion defining a flashlight retaining cavity. A display portion is adjacent the first bulbous portion. A container includes a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall of the container is connected to the display package by a living hinge. At least one battery is disposed inside the container and at least one flashlight is disposed inside the first bulbous portion.
US07918338B2
A convertible hangtag display comprising a unitary piece of material foldable into a hanging portion for hanging and displaying a retail item and a boxing portion for packaging the retail item is provided. The hanging portion is separable from the boxing portion along a perforation. The boxing portion has oppositely facing front and rear sheets connected by a crease and a seam. Upper and lower flaps are provided at opposite ends of each of the sheets. Upper and lower creases corresponding to the upper and lower flaps are provided such that the upper and lower creases are foldable about the corresponding creases. At least one crease is provided to the hanging portion opposite the perforation for bending the hanging portion. The hanging portion defines a slot for guiding a hook or other standard display means from which the unitary piece may be suspended. In a display configuration, the upper and lower flaps extend coplanar with the respective sheets from which they extend. After the item is purchased and the hanging portion is removed from the unitary piece, the boxing portion may be folded into a box configuration for packaging the purchased item.
US07918330B2
This report for Utility Model refers to an improvement introduced in the configuration of drag plates sets installed in a conveyor of the redler type, in a closed circuit circular duct, used for transportation of bulk products, more specifically, for handling vegetable grains and agriculture seeds, such as soy, corn, wheat, rice, oats, barley, coffee and other products. Its major application is for drying and warehousing facilities for grains, which use vertical circular silos, bulk warehouses and also other handling processes employed by agricultural properties, cooperatives, agro-industries and similar industrial facilities. It comprises an innovative replacement of plates of the “U” type currently used, which do not allow the reversing of the change of direction. This improvement to the conveyor corresponds to a new characteristic drawing of the drag plate (8) and respective attachment (9) to the chain, which allows reverting the change of direction of the conveyor chain (1) enabling the sprocket wheel (4) to be used on both sides of said chain along the extension of the circuit. This characteristic allows performance of the conveyor with more flexible configurations as its major benefit, and further reduces the quantity of material used to manufacture the drag plates.
US07918325B2
A moving staircase (escalator) with two flights of steps (1, 1′), a first flight for resetting one foot and a second flight for resting the other foot, equipped with synchronized reciprocating motion so that when the first flight goes up the second one goes down by the pace corresponding to a step, the user, by alternating the resting foot onto the steps of the two flights, will make no effort in waiting along it and he/she will not have to bend the limbs. The elevator finds its elective application as emergency escalator, also as fire-fighting staircase and as moving staircase for users prevented from an ease moving of limbs. The escalator can also-conveniently be rested onto pre-exiting flights.
US07918320B2
An emergency stop system for an elevator includes a state sensor for detecting an operation of a car, a brake device for braking the car, a brake controller for outputting a signal for operating the brake device based on a signal detected by the state sensor, and an uninterruptible power supply device for supplying electric power to the sensor, the brake device, and the controller. The controller has a signal processing/calculating unit for calculating the deceleration of the car based on the signal detected by the sensor, a command value calculating unit for calculating a command value for operating the brake device based on the deceleration of the car calculated by the processing/calculating unit, and a power monitoring device for monitoring state of the uninterruptible power supply device. At least one of the sensor, the processing/calculating unit, and the calculating unit includes independent systems.
US07918317B2
In a lubricant dosing arrangement for the lubrication of valve shafts on the cylinder heads of piston engine wherein the valve shafts are axially movably supported in housing bores formed in the cylinder heads and the housing bores include spaced lubricant seals so as to form between the seals around the valve shaft lubricant reservoirs, means are provided for supplying lubricant to the lubricant reservoirs and the valves shafts include means for permitting passage of lubricant out of the reservoir at a rate depending on the lift movement of the valve shafts so as to dose the lubricant volume permitted to flow out of the lubricant reservoir for the lubrication of the valve shaft.
US07918301B2
A motorcycle includes a head pipe that is disposed at a front portion of a vehicle body and makes front forks pivot, and a pair of left and right down tubes that extend downward from the head pipe and extend to the rear side of an engine under the engine, wherein connecting members for connecting brake hoses that are formed of elastic members to respective brake pipes that are formed of metal pipes are disposed behind the head pipe, and the brake hoses that extend from the connecting members to a brake for a front wheel extend frontward after passing between the pair of the left and right down tubes.
US07918296B2
A cooling system (500) for an electric drive system includes a cooling duct (502) extending between a first component and a second component. A motor (336) driven fan (510) creates an airflow within the duct. A first temperature sensor measures a first temperature of the first component and a second temperature sensor measures a second temperature of the second component. An electronic controller (540) receives the first temperature and calculates a first temperature difference between the first temperature and the first temperature limit (802) to generate a first command (836) for the motor (336). A second temperature difference between the second temperature and the second temperature limit (802) generates a second command (836) for the motor (336). The controller (540) then selects the greater of the first command (836) and the second command (836) to yield the maximum command (836), and controls the motor (336) based on the maximum command (836).
US07918294B2
A powered load-moving tractor unit for moving a wheeled load comprises a tractor body with two powered ground-engaging tractor wheels steerable by a tiller and a draw bar for connecting the tractor body to the load through a releasable load hitch. To steer the load, the tractor body can be moved pivotally about a vertical axis relative to the draw bar. That vertical axis is defined by the two halves of a turntable mounted on the tractor body directly over the axis of rotation of the steerable ground-engaging wheels. The draw bar is rigidly connected over the top half of the turntable and extends down the front of the tractor body to the load hitch. The load hitch comprises telescopically inter-engageable elements on the draw bar and the load, and a latch mechanism that is remotely releasable from the end of the draw bar remote from the load hitch.
US07918290B2
A drilling assembly in an elongated hole including a housing defining an interior with a plurality of motor stages in the interior. Each motor stage has at least one blade with supporting platform surfaces. A casing within the interior surrounds the plurality of motor stages and defines an annular flowpath with the housing. The casing also defines at least one offtake passage adjacent each motor stage. A shielding fluid passes through the annular flowpath and, in turn, the at least one offtake of each motor stage to coat and protect the at least one blade and supporting platform surfaces. A driving fluid passes through the casing for propelling the at least one blade of each motor stage. Preferably, the shielding fluid is at a relatively higher pressure than the driving fluid with a substantially constant ratio maintained between the between the shielding fluid and the driving fluid.
US07918288B2
Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
US07918274B2
There is disclosed an improved tool, e.g. adapted to comprise at least part of a well completion assembly or well drilling assembly. The invention provides an improved downhole tool (or device) having a friction factor of the order of ten times less than those known from the prior art, e.g. of the order of 0.100 or less. Accordingly the invention provides a downhole tool (10; 10a; 10b; 10c; 10d), at least part of the downhole tool or device being made from Tungsten Disulphide (Tungsten Disulfide). In a disclosed embodiment the at least part comprises at least one surface of the downhole tool, the at least one surface comprising a bearing surface, e.g. a journal bearing surface and/or a thrust bearing surface.
US07918271B2
Method and apparatus to provide electrical connection in a wellhead for a downhole electrical device
Wellhead assembly and method for providing a power connection to a downhole electrical device, such as a heater. Pressure-containing wellhead body members enclose a vertical wellbore and support therein an isolated tubing hanger and a grounding tubing hanger. The isolated tubing hanger suspends a conducting tubing string, while the grounding tubing hanger suspends a grounding tubing string concentrically spaced from the conducting tubing string. The isolated tubing hanger has an outer housing, an inner electrically conducting portion supported by the outer housing operative to provide electrical connection with, and suspend, the conducting tubing string, and insulation between the housing and conducting portion to electrically isolate the housing portion. Hot electrical connection is made for electrical connection to the conducting portion of the isolated tubing hanger or the conducting tubing string. Electrical isolation seals and electrically isolates the hot electrical connection from the wellhead body members. Grounding connection is provided to a wellhead body member. A source of current provides a first connection to the hot electrical connection and a second connection to the grounding connection.
US07918259B2
This invention provides a pneumatic tire having a highly improved steering stability, wherein a reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a strip-shaped triaxial fabric or triaxial fabric-rubber composite having a width W satisfying a relation of the following formula (I): W≧2/3×31/2×(2b/a+d) (I) [wherein d=4×(D/(πρ))1/2×10−2, D is a thickness (total dtex) of cord constituting the triaxial fabric, ρ is a density (g/cm3) of the cord constituting the triaxial fabric, and a is weaving density (cords/b mm) in one axis constituting the three axes] in a circumferential direction of the tire is disposed in one or more of a bead portion 1, a sidewall portion 2 and a belt portion 5.
US07918252B2
Tree stump grinding teeth for use in tree stump grinding wheel assemblies and tree stump grinding wheel assemblies that include one or more such grinding teeth. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the grinding tooth includes a mounting base having a substantially flat surface from which a plurality of cleats project. The cleats are adapted to be received in corresponding bores formed in the wheel. A resilient impact pad is positioned between the mounting base of the grinding tooth and the wheel. The resilient impact pad protects the surface of the wheel from impact forces applied to the grinding tooth.
US07918243B2
A sterile connector assembly for mounting on a fluid system includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a stem defining a fluid passage therethrough, a first housing surrounding the stem and defining a first aperture, and a first valve disposed over the first aperture. The second connector includes a second housing configured to matingly engage the first housing. The second housing defines a second aperture and defines a seal structure. The seal structure is configured to engage the stem. The second connector also includes a second valve disposed over the second aperture. The second valve is configured to engage the first valve when the first housing engages the second housing.
US07918239B1
A horizontal and vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly which are capable of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The assemblies are comprised of a respective horizontal and vertical shock and vibration force triggering mechanism working in a similar fashion. The mechanism has a respective cradle comprising a generally concave transverse surface that holds a movable ball and when it is energized by the forces can rotate 360 degrees in any direction and rolls out of the surface such that the ball ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and activates the mechanism only when the external forces reach a predetermined magnitude.
US07918238B2
A mass flow controller arranged to perform mass flow test operation in the controller itself by incorporating a test tank. The mass flow controller is provided, in a channel (6) for feeding fluid, with a means (8) for detecting the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the channel and outputting a flow rate signal, and a mechanism (10) for controlling the mass flow rate by varying the valve opening by a valve drive signal.
US07918233B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to a tool with multiple functions for use in cleaning fingers and fingernails.
US07918231B2
Some embodiments of a tobacco article may include tobacco disposed in a porous matrix. The tobacco article may provide tobacco, tobacco constituents, or both tobacco and tobacco constituents to the consumer's mouth in the form of particles, liquid, or vapor so as to provide tobacco satisfaction to the consumer. In some circumstances, the tobacco may be integrally molded with a plastic material so that at least a portion of the tobacco is disposed in pores of the matrix.
US07918230B2
A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may include one or both a cutting element or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.
US07918228B2
Musculoskeletal repositioning devices are described. The devices are worn in the mouth and cause the lower jaw of the wearer to move into an active optimal position that relieves stress on the temporomandibular joint, causing increased muscular strength and decreased muscular tension. The devices have ramps on their upper surfaces which contact the upper posterior teeth and lingual anatomy and cause the jaw to reposition from a passive bite position to an active optimal bite position. A casting device for forming a musculoskeletal repositioning device and a method for using the casting device are also described.
US07918226B2
A method for identifying an occlusion in a breathing tube of a ventilator system is disclosed herein. The method includes obtaining data related to a respiratory signal, transferring the data to a processor, and implementing the processor to evaluate the data in a manner adapted to automatically identify the presence of an occlusion in the breathing tube. A corresponding ventilator system is also disclosed.
US07918225B2
A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of either planar or concave-convex filters, a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases or sleeves for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases or sleeves to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship. The support structure is insertable into the nasal cavities to position the filters within corresponding nasal cavities. Flexible rims maintain the support structure and the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. The rims conform to surrounding nasal tissue to form seals. The rims can be selectively inclined to facilitate insertion and resist accidental removal. In certain embodiments the device is combined with a filter that covers the mouth to provide an air filtration system.
US07918219B2
A simulated gun launches a retrievable projectile in the form of a cylinder containing a compressible spring. The spring is compressed by inserting the barrel of the gun into the bore of the cylinder. A tab on the end of the cylinder rides in a helical groove on the surface of the barrel to cause the projectile to rotate about the axis of the barrel as the projectile is launched.
US07918216B2
The invention relates to an exhaust gas recirculation device (5) for an internal combustion engine (1), especially in a motor vehicle, said device comprising an exhaust gas recirculation line (6) and an exhaust gas cooler (7) which is built into the exhaust gas recirculation line (6) and connected to a cooling circuit (8) operating by means of a liquid coolant. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler (7) comprises a cooler housing (9) which comprises at least one exhaust gas inlet (10), an exhaust gas outlet (11), a coolant inlet (12) and a coolant outlet (13), and through which a coolant flows. In order to be able to improve the adjustment of the cooling power, the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (7) contains, in the cooler housing (9) thereof, a first cooling tube arrangement (14) and a second cooling tube arrangement (15) which enables a larger heating flow between the exhaust gas and the coolant than the first cooling tube arrangement (14).
US07918215B2
The present invention relates to a turbocharger assembly lock comprising a retaining ring partially disposed in a circumferential groove of a first turbocharger stage component and partially in a circumferential groove of a second turbocharger stage component so that the turbocharger stages are securely attached to each other.
US07918210B2
A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation.
US07918209B2
A coupling arrangement for coupling an injection valve to a cylinder head of a combustion engine has a housing with a central longitudinal axis coupled to a fuel rail at a first axial end area and to a valve body at a second axial end area of the housing, and the valve body being arranged at the central longitudinal axis having at least one first protrusion arranged facing a second axial end area of a first ring element. Furthermore, the first ring element is arranged at least partly circumferentially the valve body at the first protrusion, wherein at a first axial end area of the first ring element the first ring element is in contact with the housing at the second axial end area and at the second axial end area the first ring element rests on the cylinder head. The first ring element has a plastic.
US07918205B2
A method for transitioning operation of a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine having a two-step, variable phase valvetrain between HCCI and SI modes includes providing a low-lift intake valve, un-throttled stoichiometric SI operation intermediate a low-lift exhaust and intake valve HCCI mode and a high-lift exhaust and intake valve, un-throttled SI mode.
US07918198B2
A valve timing control device includes a phase displacement restricting mechanism for creating a restricting state where relative rotational phase displacement of a driven side rotational member relative to a driving side rotational member is restricted within a permissible range and an unrestricting state where the restriction is released, a communication passageway for establishing communication between the phase displacement restricting mechanism and one of an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a valving element chamber provided midway the communication passageway, a valving element provided in the valving element chamber; the valving element selectively positioned to a closing state for closing the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the restricting state and an opening state for opening up the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the unrestricting state, and a leak passageway formed in the valving element and configured to allow leakage of fluid from an intermediate passage to the outside when the valving element is under the closing state.
US07918196B2
A vertical type engine includes: an engine body having a crank chamber and a cylinder bore; and a timing transmission chamber provided above the engine body and housing a timing transmission device that connects between a crankshaft and a cam shaft which are vertically placed, respectively, wherein a generator driven by the crankshaft is placed above the timing transmission device, and a breather chamber communicating with the crank chamber and an intake silencer box is provided between the generator and the crank chamber placed below the generator on the side opposite from the cam shaft with respect to the crankshaft. Hence, a vertical type engine that includes a breather chamber dedicated for gas-liquid separation and is compact can be achieved.
US07918190B2
An electronic animal containment system with direction-of-approach determination, or direction-sensitive animal containment system. The direction-sensitive animal containment system generally contains a transmitter unit connected to a wire loop bounding a containment area and a receiver unit carried by the animal. The direction-sensitive animal containment system of the present invention generates a containment field having polarity and retains the polarity information when the containment field is sensed using a sensing coil optimized along the azimuth. The receiver unit also generates a gravity vector to determine the orientation of the receiver unit. The gravity vector is combined with the containment field vector to produce a function that automatically yields a sensing coil output that is independent of the orientation of the receiver unit. The polarity of the sensing coil output allows determination of the direction from which the receiver unit is approaching the wire loop.
US07918180B2
A film forming apparatus to form a coating film by applying a coating material to an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical object to be coated, includes a material applying device having a nozzle unit to apply the coating material to the outer circumferential surface of the object and a material supplying unit to supply the coating material to the nozzle unit and a moving device configured to move the nozzle unit relatively to the object such that the coating material is applied uniformly to the outer circumferential surface of the object. The moving device includes an object holding unit configured to hold the object, a nozzle moving unit configured to move relatively the nozzle unit with respect to the object holding unit along a longitudinal axis of the object holding unit, and a guide unit configured to guide the nozzle unit along the object holding unit as the nozzle unit moves along the object holding unit such that an interval between the nozzle unit and the object is maintained constant.
US07918176B2
A watercraft bumper has an elongate body. The elongate body has a generally C-shaped cross-section. A protrusion extends from one of the end portions of the cross-section and extends towards the other end portion. A watercraft having the bumper is also disclosed. The watercraft has a lip over which the bumper is disposed. The lip has a depression formed in an upper side thereof. The protrusion of the bumper is disposed in the depression and is biased against the upper side.
US07918169B2
A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members as well as providing proper alignment of the hooping members. A ridge may be formed in at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines.
US07918160B2
The cane juice extractor includes a wagon that may be hitched to or towed alongside a harvesting machine or combine for application in-field. The wagon includes a frame having an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck includes an inlet side where harvested cane may be fed for juice extraction and an outlet side for disposing the pulp. Rotating feeders feed the cane to a cutting station on the upper deck. The cutting station comminutes the cane into billets that are carried by an endless belt through a series of compression roller sets. Each set of rollers compress the cut cane down to smaller dimensions to extract the juice. A chute disposed between the upper and lower decks collects the juices and funnels them into a juice storage tank on the lower deck. The pulp is expelled from the outlet side to the field.
US07918157B2
The invention provides in an improved pressure-baking apparatus for producing puffed crackers from a starch-containing. cereal or other food material, thereby allowing better control of expansion resp. product consistency for an enlarged range of crackers types, materials and shapes. Accordingly the apparatus has a baking mold comprises the combination of a fixed upper die plate (1,2), a lower punch plate (3,4) directly driven and supported by a cylinder/pistion unit (10), and therebetween a peripheral mold plate (6) comprising die holes (7) in registry with said upper dies (2) and lower punches (4), said peripheral plate being selectively movable in the vertical direction between said fixed upper die plate and driven lower punch plate. An hydraulic power system (11,17) integral with the apparatus is linked with drive unit (10).
US07918155B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston crown includes an interior surface that defines at least in part a cooling gallery and a cooling gallery surface within the piston. An annular surface may defines at least in part an annular passageway that allows fluid communication between an outer surface of the piston and the cooling gallery. Opposing annular surfaces may be abutted with a predetermined force, thereby limiting fluid flow from the cooling gallery to an outer surface of the piston. Further, an annular surface may extend into the cooling gallery to form a deflector along the cooling gallery surface, thereby limiting fluid flow from the cooling gallery to an outer surface of the piston.
US07918152B2
An electric cling film cutter includes a base provided with a positioning frame, an auxiliary rotating rod and a driving device including a motor and a driving wheel unit. The base is assembled with a delivery wheel having its surface disposed with elongate flutes and plural guide grooves and one side provided with a driven rotating wheel engaged with the driving wheel unit. A cutter positioned before the delivery wheel contains a frame plate, a motor, a belt and a cutter base. The frame plate is provided with idle wheels parallel to and leaning on the delivery wheel. A stripping guide plate is positioned under the delivery wheel, having its upper end formed with plural protruding parting members respectively aligned to the guide grooves on the delivery wheel for pushing the cling film delivered to separate from the surface of the delivery wheel, convenient and safe in use.
US07918148B2
A wire stripping knife comprises a handle having one end provided with a hanging portion to be hung to a desired position, and the other end fixed with a blade. The end of the handle, which is fixed with the blade, is pivoted with a clamping member. One end of the clamping member, which is adjacent to the blade, is provided with different-sized stripping notches. The handle and the clamping member each are provided with engaging portions for mutual engagement. The distal end of the blade is formed with a cutting surface vertical to the cutting edge for cooperating with a guiding plate at one end of the clamping member to strip off the insulation more quickly with high safety.
US07918146B2
A multi-path split torque gearbox system provides a multiple of three stage torque split power gear trains modules that each transmits torque from a high-speed engine to a main rotor shaft (36). The first stage bevel gear arrangement (30,32) provides a compact packaging arrangement that facilitates various engine mounting locations in all axes. At the second stage, quill shaft assemblies (40) provide equal load balance. At the third stage, each quill shaft assembly includes a multiple of pinion gears (48) in meshing engagement with the final output gear (28). Each torque split modules transfer the power from the high speed input shaft into a multiple of meshing engagements with the final output gear to provide significant torque transfer desired in a single rotor heavy lift rotary wing aircraft embodiment within a compact housing package.
US07918143B2
The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.
US07918137B2
There is described a temperature compensation scheme for a pressure sensitive metal diaphragm transducer. The transducer employs a Wheatstone bridge fabricated from p-type piezoresistors. The Wheatstone bridge is glassed directly onto the metal diaphragm. As the temperature of operation increases, the diaphragm exhibits a temperature variation of the Modulus of Elasticity. The Modulus of the metal diaphragm decreases with increasing temperature. Because of this, the same pressure applied to the metal diaphragm causes it to deflect further, which in turns causes increased strain applied to the bridge. Because of this effect, the sensitivity of the transducer increases with increasing temperature. A resistor is now placed in series with the Wheatstone bridge. The resistor is in series with the biasing voltage and because the TCS of the diaphragm is of an opposite sign, the series resistor has an even higher TCR in series with the bridge. In this manner, the bridge voltage is made to decrease with increasing temperature. Due to the fact that the bridge voltage decreases with increasing temperature the change in voltage compensates for the change in the Modulus of the metal diaphragm and therefore provides an accurate output at all temperatures.
US07918132B2
A fuel package includes a vessel wherein the interior space is separated, and has a flow-out opening and a flow-in opening that lead to the interior space, a liquid fuel filled in the region at the side of the flow-out opening in the vessel, and a follower that separates the liquid fuel and the region at the side of the flow-in opening.
US07918127B2
The invention relates to a test method and a test device for the determination of an oil separation tendency of lubricating greases under pressure load. In the method, a predetermined test pressure is applied to a test volume (2) filled with lubricating grease (27) over a predetermined test period (32), the lubricating grease (27) of the test volume (2) is contacted with an oil absorption or oil separation element (11), and the change of the test volume (2) is detected on the basis of an absorption or separation of oil (29) separated from the lubricating grease (27) by the oil absorption or oil separation element (11) at the end of the test period (32). To be able to estimate the oil separation tendency of lubricating grease more exactly, in the method according to the invention, the time history of the change of the test volume (2) representative of the oil separation is detected over the test period (32).
US07918124B2
A non-contact shape sensor and shape sensing device employing a plurality of such sensors. A non-contact shape sensor of the present invention may include a fluid-emitting sensor head that is biased toward a surface of a moving strip of material by a linear actuator. Pressurized fluid emitted from said fluid-emitting sensor head forms a cushion that causes said strip of material to remain separated from and glide over said fluid-emitting sensor head without actual contact therewith. A linear displacement sensor is associated with each non-contact shape sensor to measure the linear displacement of its fluid-emitting sensor head by said linear actuator in response to a loose section of said strip of material passing by said fluid-emitting sensor head.
US07918120B2
A die cushion controller controls an ascending/descending speed of a die cushion pad based on a preset pressure pattern and positional pattern. A position/pressure control switching unit constantly monitors and compares a first speed command signal υpc corresponding to a pressure deviation signal ep and a second speed command signal υhc corresponding to a position deviation signal eh, and selects a smaller one of the speed command signals to be sent to a speed control unit.
US07918116B2
A deadbolt knob restrictor used to prevent the rotation of the inside knob on the deadbolt lock. The restrictor includes a ring member designed to fit between the cover plate located on the inside surface of the door. Attached to the ring member are two perpendicularly aligned support arms with a pin-style hinge formed on their distal ends. Attached to the hinge is an L-shaped latch. Formed on the latch is a cam surface which presses against a spring loaded piston disposed between the cam surface and the support arm. The latch includes a long leg that may be disposed transversely over the ring member, and a short leg that may be placed adjacent to the wide surface of the deadbolt lock's turn knob to prevent its rotation. During assembly, the ring member is placed under the locks inside cover plate. During use the piston forcibly holds the latch in a locked or unlocked position against the turn knob. The latch may be rotated in the opposite direction so that the turn knob is free to rotate to the unlock position.
US07918115B2
A removable core lock and key device comprises a cylinder housing (10) and a cylinder core (20), which is accommodated in a circular opening in the cylinder housing. A plurality of pin tumblers (22) are movable under influence from code surfaces of a key, wherein at least part of the pin tumblers are provided in a recess (20b) in the mantle surface of the cylinder core. A cam adapter (40) is rotatably provided in the opening in the cylinder housing. The cam adapter comprises an engagement portion (40c) which engages the recess (20b) in the mantle surface of the cylinder core when the cylinder core is in an operative position, wherein at least one of the pin tumblers is movable between a blocking position, in which the engagement portion of the cam adapter cooperates with the at least one pin tumbler to prevent mutual axial movement of the cam adapter and the cylinder core, and a release position, in which mutual axial movement between the cam adapter and the cylinder core is allowed.
US07918107B2
An internal heat exchanger including an integrated accumulator is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is used in refrigerant circuits, particularly in motor vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
US07918105B2
An ice making device that is capable of more easily and conveniently separating ice from ice trays through a simple manipulation and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The ice making device includes a support frame for rotatably supporting at least one ice tray, at least one manipulation button mounted to the support frame such that the manipulation button can be moved forward and backward, and an interlocking unit for rotating the ice tray with respect to the support frame according to the movement of the manipulation button.
US07918100B2
Method for controlling a HVAC system in a vehicular compartment includes monitoring temperature of an occupant in the compartment from a location apart from the occupant, and controlling the HVAC system based on the monitored temperature. Occupant temperature may be monitored by infrared sensors, each arranged in an orientation to receive electromagnetic radiation from one or more seating locations in which occupants are likely to be situated. The temperature in each seating location is independently monitored. The HVAC system is controllable for each seating location based on the monitored temperature in that area. When monitoring of temperature in an area in which a driver of the vehicle is likely to be situated indicates presence of the driver, and no other areas indicate presence of a human occupant, the HVAC system is controllable such that all heat or air-conditioning provided by the HVAC system is directed to the driver.
US07918095B2
The system uses a batch method process absorption cooling through a number of separate sealed two compartment containers which are moved physically between a heating area, a cooling area, a storage area and a refrigeration area. Pressure differentials alone between the two sections of a vessel power refrigerant movement and evaporation of refrigerant. A valve separates a refrigerant collector and evaporator section from an absorber/desorber section allowing the absorbent and refrigerant to be kept separate until needed. This system can be used with either ammonia water mixtures or with lithium bromide water mixtures.
US07918092B2
This is an enhanced thermoelectric cooler with superconductive heat-dissipative coolers for use in air-conditioner. This invention is comprised of a thermoelectric cooling chip sandwiched between two superconductive unidirectional heat-dissipative cooling devices. Each device consists of special superconductive pipes, heat-dissipative plates, and a fan. The cooling devices are to dissipate heat quickly from the thermoelectric cooling chip and to maintain constant hot to cold air flow.
US07918085B2
A fuel injection control device performs fuel injection only once corresponding to an over-rich air/fuel ratio immediately after the end of F/C as rich air/fuel ratio control after F/C. Such fuel injection is performed with a fuel amount which is the sum of a fuel amount corresponding to a shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich and a predetermined increment. Immediately after this operation, fuel injection is performed with a fuel amount corresponding to the shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich. This adjusts the air/fuel ratio of the engine to the over-rich air/fuel ratio for an extremely short period of time immediately after the end of F/C, following which the air/fuel ratio is immediately switched to the shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich.
US07918077B2
A grass treatment device comprises: a first grass treatment element disposed towards a front portion of the device; a second grass treatment element disposed towards a rear portion of the device; a third grass treatment element disposed substantially between the first and second grass treatment elements, the third element being in the form of a grass cutting tool; and a fourth grass treatment element connectable at a position substantially between the first grass treatment element and the grass cutting tool, the grass treatment elements being elongate and having their longitudinal axes disposed substantially parallel to each other, the grass treatment device characterized in that the fourth grass treatment element is configured to be displaced from the position located between the first grass treatment element and the grass cutting tool in order to enable the first grass treatment element to substantially occupy the position.
US07918075B2
A horse saddle has a saddletree to which is mounted a rotatable stirrup bar secured to a pivot which is transverse to the length of the saddletree. The rotatable stirrup bar allows the stirrup leathers to rotate both forwardly and rearwardly of the pivot, relative to the saddle, with reduced wear and tear to the stirrup leather. The stirrup bar comprises a closed loop for retaining the stirrup loop on the stirrup bar during rotation.
US07918074B2
A treeless exercise saddle for training racehorses is provided. The saddle comprises a top surface having a substantially contiguous seat portion adjacent to opposing side panels, and a substantially flat pommel area; a bottom surface opposed to the top surface of the saddle and having a pair of opposing conformable panels affixed to the bottom surface of the saddle. The conformable panels have substantially rectangular cross sections. Optionally, leg flaps may be affixed to the seat portion and the pommel area. The facing surfaces of the conformable panels, together with the bottom or other surface of the saddle, form a gullet area. The gullet area has a cross section wherein the facing surfaces are substantially straight, and wherein the bottom or other surface of the gullet area is substantially straight and substantially perpendicular to the straight facing surfaces, such that the racehorse's spine may protrude into the gullet area when the saddle is mounted on the racehorse.
US07918063B2
A garage door window has an outside frame member which has an inside frame member connection. The inside frame member has a protrusion connecting with the inside frame member connection. There is also an outside retainer channel, an inside retainer channel and an outside retainer fitting within the outside retainer channel, with an inside retainer fitting with the inside retainer channel. The inside retainer is nondestructively removable relative the inside retainer channel by a snap fit. An outside track is formed on the outside frame member, between a central inside face of the outside frame member and the outside retainer. An inside track is formed on the outside frame member, between the outside retainer and the inside retainer. A screen is mounted on the outside track, a fixed window mounted on the outside track; and an active window is mounted on the inside track.
US07918047B1
A corner pocket mount for positioning cards, pictures, menus and the like on a frame comprising a pentagonal foldable slip including a rectangular component and a triangular component in which the triangular component reinforces the insert edge to reduce wear on the edges because of repeated changing cards, pictures, menus and the like.
US07918044B2
A portable display apparatus is disclosed, which includes a flexible frame and a tensioned fabric having a perimeter hem, such that the tensioned fabric is maintained by the flexible frame and integrated with the perimeter hem in order for the tensioned fabric to expand with the flexible frame to produce a display area and reduce with the flexible frame for ease of transport.
US07918042B2
A snowplow wing attached to the end of a snowplow blade may be manually adjusted into position to increase the operative width of the snowplowing surface, and otherwise capture or direct the flow of snow being plowed.
US07918039B2
A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.
US07918036B2
In a surface shape measurement device that measures the surface shape of a sample (W1, W2) by moving a probe (16, 26) in a sliding fashion along the surface of the sample (W1, W2) and thereby detecting the amount of displacement of the probe (16, 26) caused by irregularities on the surface, an initial amount of displacement is detected which is the amount of displacement of the probe (16, 26) when the probe is first placed in contact with a measurement start point on the surface of the sample (W1, W2), and the amount of displacement of the probe (16, 26), detected as it is moved in a sliding fashion along the surface, is compared with the initial amount of displacement to determine whether the probe (16, 26) has reached a measurement end point.
US07918035B1
A gauge is disclosed for measuring squareness of a skate blade that has a pair of parallel side walls and a pair of bottom blade edges. The gauge includes a squaring frame that has a vertical blade contact surface fixed to a gauge plate. The gauge plate has a horizontal top surface. The vertical blade contact surface is selectively fixed to one of the side walls of the blade with a magnet having at least two parallel faces. Such a magnet is fixable between the skate blade and the blade contact surface. The gauge further includes a blade angle indicator having a flat lower surface and a parallel flat upper surface. Preferably the squaring frame of the gauge further includes an oblong vertical pivot aperture therein and the blade angle indicator includes an aperture therein, such that the squaring frame and the blade angle indicator may be pivotally fixed to each other with a pivot means.
US07918030B2
Cutting tools (1) may include a lighting device (5). The lighting device may be mounted on a tool unit (3) adjacent to a grip portion (26). Preferably, the grip portion serves to protect the lighting device from being damaged by an external force. The tool unit may include a motor case (21) for accommodating a motor. The grip portion may extend from the motor case and the lighting device may be mounted on or within the motor case. The tool unit may further include a blade case (20) that at least partly covers a cutting blade (22). The blade case may be joined to the motor case via a joining portion J defined on the motor case. In this case, the lighting device is preferably disposed proximal to the joining portion. The lighting device may include at least a first light (5a) and a second light (5b) that are arranged and constructed to illuminate different areas.
US07918027B2
The present invention relates to razor heads and further to razors which include razor heads as defined. In one aspect of the invention the razor heads comprise at least one blade defining a plurality of cutting edges. The cutting edges are arranged to intercept at at least one point at which at least one angle of less than ninety degrees (90°) is formed between the cutting edges. This arrangement enables the cutting edges to impart cutting, sliding and rotary action onto hair being shaved.
US07918026B2
A method for production of masts with extruded bodies includes joining at least three mast elements at corners of the mast by cooperating rail sections and channel sections. The channel sections are provided with tapered inner wall sections. The mast elements are joined by inserting the rail section of one mast element into a channel section of an adjacent mast element and clamping the rail section in the channel section. The clamping is accomplished moving a roller in a longitudinal direction on the external sides of the channel section and causing permanent deformation of the walls of the channel section around the rail section to establish a permanently joined corner.
US07918017B2
A plurality of reference electronic components (M1, M2) marked in advance are identified and recognized, and the positions of the plurality of the reference electronic components (M1, M2) positioned in the vicinity of an electronic component to be taken out (2a) and component arrangement information in a wafer mapping file (MF) stored in a storage device (11f) are used to calculate the position of the electronic component to be taken out (2a).
US07918007B2
The present invention provides a caulked assembly to be manufactured at low cost, and maintain sufficient caulking strength, and the manufacturing method and apparatus thereof. The manufacturing method comprises steps of forming a mounting hole for inserting and assembling a columnar body in a metal plate body, and forming a thick part along an inner circumferential edge of a mounting hole; forming a circumferential groove with a predetermined depth at an assembled position of a outer circumferential surface of the columnar body inserted into the mounting hole; inserting the columnar body into the mounting hole to set to the assembled position where the thick part is opposed to the circumferential groove; and caulking for compressively pressing the thick part from an axial direction of the columnar body to plastically deform the thick part in a center direction of the mounting hole to bite the thick part into the circumferential groove.
US07918006B2
A method for making pipe joints on successive pipe sections introduced into an oil well as assembled into a pipeline in which the joints are substantially of the same dimensions as the pipe sections to allow for subsequent plastic expansion of the sections. In each joint, a female pipe end is tapered on the inside and an adjacent male end is tapered on the outside preferably with a complementary self locking taper which also has an interference fit. The female pipe end is heated to be expanded sufficiently to be assembled onto the male end and thereafter cooled to grip the male end in a leakproof manner. For larger pipe sizes, the tapered shapes have features which interlock in a leakproof manner when engaged after assembly of the pipe ends. The tapered shapes preferably are formed by a reversibly positioned forming tool which is alternately engaged with male and female pipe ends to ensure perfectly matching shapes.
US07918001B2
Multi pivot latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchors and other attach points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an actuator, each of which is movably coupled to a frame. In operation, movement of the actuator from a locked position toward an unlocked position causes the latch to rotate from a first position to a second position about a first pivot point, and from the second position toward the third position about a second pivot point to open the latch assembly and release the anchor.
US07917996B2
The present invention provides an opening-and-closing mechanism capable of reducing a falling momentum due to gravitational force of a lid that is opened and closed past the top in the perpendicular direction and easily raising the lid against the gravitational force. The opening-and-closing mechanism includes two supporting members (7, 9) and an intermediate member (15) disposed so as to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis; a first damper (11R), disposed between a first one of the supporting members (9) and the intermediate member (15), for generating resistance against rotation during relative rotation of the two supporting members (7, 9) in one direction; a second damper (11L), disposed between a second one of the supporting members (7) and the intermediate member (15), for generating resistance against rotation during relative rotation of the two supporting members (7, 9) in another direction; and rotation-restricting portions (29R, 29L) for restricting relative rotation ranges of the two supporting members (7, 9) and the intermediate member (15).
US07917989B2
The invention relates to a mop (1) comprising a mop-head plate (2) for a mop cover (3). The mop-head plate (2) comprises a first connector (4), which can be connected to at least one second connector (5) of a wringer device (6) in order to wring out the mop cover (3). The invention also relates to a wringer device (6) for a mop (1) comprising a mop-head plate (2) for a mop cover (3), said plate having two folding mop-head plate parts (7, 8). Said wringer device (6) comprises a funnel-shaped wringer compartment (22). The mop cover (3) can be introduced into said compartment from above and compressed by actuating the wringer device, when the mop-head plate parts (7, 8) are in an essentially vertical position and said cover is partially detached and suspended from said parts. The opposing transversal surfaces (10, 11) of the mop-head plate parts (7, 8) form compression surfaces. The wringer device (6) comprises a lever unit (23) with the second connector (5), said lever unit consisting of an actuating lever (24) and a pressure lever (25) that is connected to the actuating lever (24). The pressure lever (25) forms the second connector (5) and can be connected to the first connector (4).
US07917984B2
An electric toothbrush comprises a handle having an electric motor, a head, a rotating shaft, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has a first and second bristle holders, each having a plurality of bristles, wherein the second bristle holder is located between the handle and the first bristle holder. The second bristle holder is movably mounted on the head with a laterally extending pivot member. The rotating shaft is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders to cause a first movement of the first bristle holder and to move the second bristle holder in a rocking motion about the pivot member.
US07917979B2
An apparatus for lifting a mattress to an optimal work level so as to facilitate the bed making process. A generally rectangular size specific inflatable member is disposed between a mattress and box springs in an unsecured manner so as to create a functional space between the mattress and inflatable member into which the bed linen can be secured during the bed making process. A fluid communication means is engageable with the inflatable member and an air pump is engageable with the fluid communication means for providing air for inflating the inflatable member. A power means provides power to operate the air pump and a switch activates and deactivates the air pump. A valve controls inflation and deflation of the inflatable member.
US07917975B2
Our invention is related to a pop-up bed frame. Aspects of our invention include a bed-frame positioning assembly for raising and lowering an upper frame in a controlled manner. A bed-frame positioning assembly generally includes a set of scissor arms that is operatively coupled to a biasing member. Force exerted on the set of scissor arms by the biasing member either opens or closes the set of scissor arms, thereby either raising or lowering an upper frame coupled thereto.
US07917969B2
A fire-resistant pouch to accommodate a child comprising a head end, two leg ends, a back end with solid support adapted to upstand the child, an interior harness in the interior portion and a lock harness clip of the back end, and two elongate sides, wherein the elongate sides and the head end can be folded over the child and secured to form a front end, thereby enclosing the child in the fire-resistant pouch.
US07921462B2
The invention provides methods, apparatus and systems for detecting distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks within the Internet by sampling packets at a point or points in Internet backbone connections to determine a packet metric parameter. The packet metric parameter which might comprise the volume of packets received is analyzed over selected time intervals with respect to specified geographical locations in which the hosts transmitting the packets are located. The expected behavior can be employed to identify traffic distortions revealing a DDoS attack. In a complementary aspect, the invention provides a method of authenticating packets at routers in order to elevate the QoS of authenticated packets. This method can be used to block or filter packets and can be used in conjunction with the DDoS attack detection system to defend against DDoS attacks within the Internet in a distributed manner.
US07921455B2
A token device that generates and displays one-time passwords and couples to a computer for inputting or receiving data for generating and outputting one-time passwords and performing other functions is provided. The token includes an interface for coupling to a computer. The token may also be coupled to any network that the computer may be connected to, when coupled to the computer. Data and information may be transmitted between the computer and token, and between the network and token, via the computer and interface. The data and information may include one-time password seeding, file transfer, authentication, configuration and programming of the token. The token must be seeded to generate and display one-time passwords. An original, or seed, value is loaded into the token. One-time passwords are subsequently generated or calculated, or both, from the seed value. Seeding of the token involving a counter, time, or time-related functions, may allow synchronization of the token with such functions. The token may support different authentication methods.
US07921454B2
A system and method are disclosed for protecting a password assigned to a user, the method comprising: providing a password entry screen having a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including a plurality of character keys arranged in a non-QWERTY format; authenticating the user if a password submitted by the user accessing the password entry screen matches a user password retrieved from a password database; and denying access to the user if the submitted password does not match the retrieved user password. The system comprises a storage module and a computer program for performing the method.
US07921453B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems for authenticated distributed detection and inference. In various embodiments, an apparatus comprises an interface configured to communicatively couple a node hosting the apparatus to a network, and a distributed detection and inference (DDI) agent coupled to the interface and configured to receive, via the interface, DDI collaboration parameters from an authentication node is disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07921446B2
A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience.
US07921441B2
The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.
US07921437B2
An optical pickup apparatus including a first objective lens that focuses first laser light on an information recording layer of a first optical disc in a first mounting state where the first optical disc is mounted on a turntable; a second objective lens that focuses second laser light on an information recording layer of a second optical disc in a second mounting state where the second optical disc is mounted on the turntable, the second optical disc having an information recording format different from that of the first optical disc; and a lens holder that integrally holds the first objective lens and the second objective lens in an adjacent manner on the outside and inside, respectively, along a radial direction of the first optical disc in the first mounting state and of the second optical disc in the second mounting state.
US07921435B2
An optical disk drive according to the present invention includes: an optical pickup 6 including a light source 23 that radiates a light beam 21 to irradiate an optical disk 100, at least one objective lens 22 for converging the beam 21, and an actuator that can move the lens 22 perpendicularly to the disk 100; a transport stage 11 for displacing the pickup 6 in a disk radial direction; a rim detecting section 30 for sensing if the irradiated position of the beam 21 has passed an outer edge of the disk 100 while the pickup 6 is being displaced from an inner area of the disk toward the outer edge thereof to conduct a seek operation; and a control section 40 for getting the lens 22 retracted away from the disk 100 by the actuator and getting the pickup 6 displaced toward the inner area of the disk by the transport stage 11 if the irradiated position of the light beam 21 has been sensed to have passed the outer edge of the disk 100.
US07921433B2
A technique for determining whether a server host supports the functions in a command sent by a client host. The client host formulates a command including a command object that contains parameter objects. The parameter objects, which represent the functions, are serialized, e.g., using the Java serialization command, and communicated to the server host. The server host attempts to deserialize the parameter objects. If it is successful, it is concluded that the server host supports the functions represented by the parameter objects. Or, it is concluded that the server host is incompatible with the functions represented by one or more parameter objects that cannot be deserialized. The server host may be a storage server, and the functions may be storage-related, such as a copy type to be performed.
US07921430B2
A system and method for generically intercepting any type of application programming interface (API) events. The API event interception system includes an intercept library and an API. The application program calls the API to process the client event generated. The API receives the request for service from the application program and determines if intercepting of events is enabled. If intercepting is enabled, the API sends the event to the intercept library. The intercept library determines that the intercept library is enabled to support the event. If the intercept library is enabled to support the event, the intercept library invokes the required event program. If the intercept library is not enabled to support the event, the intercept library returns a message instructing the API to process the event.
US07921423B2
A system and method for scheduling and coordinating tasks between a master application and a slave application includes: receiving a request from an application program; determining whether the request includes an embedded subtask; extracting the subtask and sending the subtask to a shared memory space for retrieval by the slave application, if the request includes an embedded subtask; and waiting for a response from the slave application.
US07921421B2
A method of managing program versions by acquiring information about a program supplied via a network, comparing the program of a latest version with the program of a currently used version, and deciding whether or not to perform or prompt an update of the program includes determining whether or not to perform or prompt the update of the program in response to importance of modifications to be made from the program of the currently used version to the program of the latest version.
US07921418B2
A method and system for evaluating a call to a library function at compile time. A first call included in a program being compiled by a compiler is identified. The first call is a call to a library function included in a pre-defined list of library functions external to the program. The first call includes one or more arguments associated with one or more formal arguments of a library function in the pre-defined list. The identification of the first call includes searching the pre-defined list of library functions for the library function. The arguments are determined to be constants. A second call to the library function is constructed in an optimizer of the compiler. A result of the second call is statically computed in the optimizer by issuing the second call with the constants as arguments. During compile time, the first call is replaced with the result.
US07921411B2
A method for verifying software program code includes specifying a property that the software program code is expected to satisfy. The software program code and the property are transformed into an initial logical formula in a static single assignment (SSA) form, the formula including variables. A loop in the software program code is identified. Successive over-approximations are applied to a portion of the initial logical formula corresponding to the loop in order to produce a modified logical formula in the SSA form that represents a finite over-approximation of a set of states that are reachable by the loop. It is verified that the software program code satisfies the specified property by determining whether there is an assignment of the variables that satisfies the modified logical formula.
US07921410B1
A method for analyzing a latency of a transaction performance is provided. The method includes receiving first transaction latency data which includes a transaction latency of a transaction and a first plurality of latency components that contribute to the transaction latency, receiving a definition of normality for the transaction latency, determining whether the transaction latency is normal or abnormal based at least on the definition of normality, upon the determining that the transaction latency is abnormal, determining whether there is a sufficient amount of the first transaction latency data based on a predefined criterion, upon the determining that the amount of the first transaction latency data is sufficient, computing a normal latency for each of the first plurality of latency components; and ranking the first plurality of latency components based on a degree of abnormality of each of the first plurality of latency components, which is based on the computed normal latency for the each latency component.
US07921406B1
The present invention enables customized technical computing within a database. The present invention provides a method and system to insert a software function implemented in a technical computing environment into a database to manipulate data and use the software function as a database procedure. Once the software function is generated, in response to a single action being performed, two components are generated and stored in the database. The two components working together allow the software function to be invoked as a database procedure. The present invention offloads a user's burden to learn the often complicated database query language and decreases the amount of network traffic between a client computer and a database.
US07921396B2
A data aligner in a reconfigurable computing environment is disclosed. Embodiments employ hardware macros in field configurable gate arrays (FPGAs) to minimize the number of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) needed to shift bytes of data. The alignment mechanism allows flexibility, scalability, configurability, and reduced costs as compared to application specific integrated circuits.
US07921395B2
A method for laying out decoupling cells in a semiconductor integrated circuit including a plurality of paths. The method includes extracting from a timing analysis result a timing slack amount as a timing margin for power supply noise in one of the paths serving as a target path, converting the extracted timing margin to a noise tolerance amount, comparing the noise tolerance amount and a power supply noise amount of the target path, and determining whether or not a decoupling cell must be additionally laid out in the target path based on the comparison result.
US07921387B2
Photolithographic process simulation is described in which fast computation of resultant intensity for a large number of process variations and/or target depths (var,zt) is achieved by computation of a set of partial intensity functions independent of (var,zt) using a mask transmittance function, a plurality of illumination system modes, and a plurality of preselected basis spatial functions independent of (var,zt). Subsequently, for each of many different (var,zt) combinations, expansion coefficients are computed for which the preselected basis spatial functions, when weighted by those expansion coefficients, characterize a point response of a projection-processing system determined for that (var, zt) combination. The resultant intensity for that (var,zt) combination is then computed as a sum of the partial intensity functions weighted according to corresponding products of those expansion coefficients. Prediction of a mask transmittance function as a function of illumination incidence angle for a regional cluster of source emitters is also described.
US07921382B2
A method for smooth rotation of an object viewed from a finite number of angles encompasses resetting the drag origin in response to the pointer exiting a region centered on the drag origin. Upon exiting the region, a new view of the object displays thereby providing the appearance of rotation.
US07921381B2
In one embodiment, a plurality of test data entries are successively displayed via a graphical user interface (GUI), with each of the test data entries including at least a test result identifier and a corresponding test result. For at least one of the test data entries, a user-selectable mechanism is provided via the GUI. When the user-selectable mechanism is selected, statistical data based on multiple executions of a test identified by a particular one of the test data entries is caused to be displayed via the GUI. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07921378B2
An information processing device is provided with a display unit, a selecting unit which allows a user to select one of the icons displayed on a display unit. A relevance acquisition unit is provide to acquire the degree of relevance between a selected setting item corresponding to the selected icon and each of the other setting items by referring to a relevance table when one of the icons displayed by the display unit is selected. The information processing device also includes a display control unit which rearranges the icons displayed on the display unit such that the icon corresponding to the selected setting item and the icons respectively corresponding to the other setting items are arranged in accordance with the degrees of relevance to indicate the relevance thereamong.
US07921369B2
A mood state may be modeled using mood information for a content selection (e.g., a digitally-encoded song) and/or by using mood information determined by how a user is interacting with a media player. For example, a playlist engine on a host may determine that a particular song is associated with an uplifting mood, thus determining that a user who has selected that particular song currently is in an uplifting mood, and correspondingly may select additional songs and advertisements consistent with, or responsive to, the uplifting mood. Mood information also may be used to present a mood state of users (e.g., co-users) in a network for display in a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, a user's screen name appearing in an America Online (AOL) Instant Messenger's Buddy List may indicate a determined user's mood, such as “happy”, “sad”, “silly”, or “angry.”
US07921368B2
A method and system for providing a local user of an instant messaging system with updated status information regarding one or more remote users that provides indication to a local user of whether an instant messaging status message has been recently updated. The disclosed system provides a “new status message” visual indication when a status message for a remote user has recently changed. A timer may be employed to determine how long a new status message visual indication is provided after the status message has changed. The status message itself may be obtained by various specific techniques, such as hovering the cursor over a graphical object for a remote user associated with the new status indication, hovering over the new status indication itself, or clicking through the new status indication or associated graphical object, or through some other appropriate technique.
US07921367B2
A utility is provided for generating applications for a variety of data conversion or handling application environments. A user can use a graphical user interface to purpose application adaptable modules to define a desired application. In one implementation, the user interface (1500) includes a node tree panel (1502) and a process assembly panel (1504). The node tree panel (1502) lists tool sets (1508) including transformations, maps and input-output tools. These tools can then be assembled together with identified data sources and then elements using the assembly panel (1504) to define an application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application. In this manner, an application is generated from a number of generic modules simply by linking the modules to perform a purpose of the desired application.
US07921359B2
A computer-implemented system and method for tagged data and rectangular data conversions. The system and method receive tagged input data that is in a non-rectangular format and uses a hierarchical arrangement of tags to indicate data relationships. Data directives are used to parse the tagged input data. The data directives indicate which tags in the hierarchical arrangement of tags are to form which columns in the rectangular formatted data output. The rectangular formatted data output is generated based upon the parsed tagged input data. The data directives may also be used to convert rectangular data into a tagged data format.
US07921355B2
A system and method for presenting document records to a user through a display interface, comprising means for processing data of the first type through a first applet and data of the second type through a second applet and separately extracting data of the two different types using the separate applets. The user interface provides means for selecting a data file from a plurality of data files, displaying the merged and formatted processed first and second data, and managing a plurality of data files with the host application. Each record on the list may be individually selected, comprising providing at least two distinct categorization inputs from the user, providing an indicia in the record list to indicate a respective record classification, and providing means for selectively processing the records according to a respective classification thereof. The data file employs a standard image format file with an embedded index pointer to segregate two data types. A first data type, preferably an image, is referenced by the index pointer and is located near the terminus of the file. A second data type, for example text, appears immediately after the file header which includes the index pointer, and preferably terminates with an end of file marker. Thus, the single file may be read by both a standard image file reader, and a standard text reader, without parsing or segregation. The two data types are preferably text and image data, and the data file is preferably a tagged image format file (TIFF) file with Group-4 image compression.
US07921353B1
A method and system for dynamically loading content to a portion of a native global page on a client at runtime includes receiving a request at the client for the content for the portion of the native global page. The request identifies the portion of the native global page requesting the content and a type of resource required from a server. The request, identifying a server side resource to service the request, is forwarded from the client to the server. In response to the request, the client receives the identified server side resource that includes a plurality of components. The plurality of components is parsed at the client to verify the components are received in a required sequence. When it is determined that the plurality of components are received in the required sequence, a first set of components are selected from the received plurality of components and injected into a region for the portion of the native global page. A second set of components are selected from the received plurality of components and integrated into the native global page, such that the integrated components when executed are executed in the global scope of the native global page.
US07921352B2
A DTV transmitter includes a pre-processor pre-processing enhanced data, a data formatter generating enhanced data packets including the pre-processed data and inserting known data place holders to the data packets, and a multiplexer multiplexing the enhanced data packets with main data packets. It further includes an RS encoder which RS-codes the multiplexed data packets, and a data interleaves which interleaves the RS-coded data packets. The RS encoder adds systematic RS parity data to each main data packet and adds non-systematic RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet. The RS encoder adds the RS parity place holders such that the RS parity place holders are placed after the enhanced data within each interleaved enhanced data packet.
US07921339B2
A flash controller performs a data correction function while executing a copy back procedure for a flash memory, and the flash memory includes at least one memory unit and a page buffer. The flash controller contains: a transmission buffer, an error correction unit, a correction information register, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor reads out a data from, the page buffer and stores the data into the transmission buffer after producing a read instruction of page copy to the flash memory. The microprocessor controls the error correction unit to check and correct the data in the transmission buffer and calculate a check result. The microprocessor produces a different program command to record the corrected data into the memory unit according to the data error quantity of the check result. Thereby, the present invention can achieve the purpose of improving the flash controller in reliability and access efficiency.
US07921337B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods for identifying a fault in an electronic system are provided. One apparatus includes memory storing a model of the electronic system, a processor, and a fault module. The processor is configured to pass system inputs through the model to generate corresponding simulated outputs, and the fault module is configured to determine the fault based on a comparison of the system outputs and the simulated outputs. A system includes an electronic system including multiple components generating system outputs based on system inputs and the apparatus for identifying a fault in the electronic system discussed above. One method includes generating a model of the electronic system, passing one or more inputs to the electronic system through the model to generate corresponding simulated outputs, and determining the fault based on a comparison of the one or more simulated outputs and one or more electronic system outputs.
US07921332B2
A system and method, which correctly and easily diagnose all types of failures generated in a disc drive, the system includes an interface, a system controller, a failure type diagnosis unit, and an output unit. The interface transmits an operation state information request signal to the disc drive and receives operation state information from the disc drive. The system controller transmits the operation state information request signal to the interface and generates a failure information file using the operation state information when the operation state information is received from the interface. The failure type diagnosis unit analyzes the failure information file generated by the system controller to diagnose the type of failure of the disc drive. The output unit outputs the result of the diagnosis of the type of failure under the control of the system controller.
US07921319B2
A method and system for providing a virtual clock on a computer by multiplying the number of instructions executed by the average instruction execution time. It is however not reliable to use this generic computation for virtualization of application in a fault tolerant system because the virtual clock computed like this quickly deviates from the system clock. A virtual clock computation is provided which includes periodic readjustment of the virtual to the system clock. Also, the errors coming from rounding of the number of executing instruction are suppressed.Taking the assumption that the user instruction counters are maintained synchronized in the operational and the replication computers, replacing the system clock access by a virtual clock when virtualizing applications thus turning the system clock acquisition into a deterministic event. Replicating the system clock access can be thus done by re-executing the application code in the replication machine avoiding transfer of information at each system clock access of the virtualized application programs.
US07921317B2
Updating timers of central processing units (CPUs) in a multiprocessor apparatus involves the repeated performance of update operations by a device that is coupled to the CPUs via a memory interface. The operations include selecting one of the plurality of CPUs and determining an offset value that estimates a delay time to process a timer update at the selected CPU. A corrected timer value of the selected CPU is determined based on the offset value and a reference time. The corrected timer value is written to a cache line of the selected CPU to cause the selected CPU to update the timer of the selected CPU.
US07921316B2
Mechanisms for providing a cluster-wide system clock in a multi-tiered full graph (MTFG) interconnect architecture are provided. Heartbeat signals transmitted by each of the processor chips in the computing cluster are synchronized. Internal system clock signals are generated in each of the processor chips based on the synchronized heartbeat signals. As a result, the internal system clock signals of each of the processor chips are synchronized since the heartbeat signals, that are the basis for the internal system clock signals, are synchronized. Mechanisms are provided for performing such synchronization using direct couplings of processor chips within the same processor book, different processor books in the same supernode, and different processor books in different supernodes of the MTFG interconnect architecture.
US07921308B2
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a network interface device including a first powered device controller coupled to first and second power supply lines. A second powered device controller coupled to third and fourth input power supply lines. A dc-dc converter coupled to receive a single signal representing a sum of power signals output by the first and second powered device controllers.
US07921305B2
Even if a portable information terminal is lost or stolen, a third party is prevented from illegally browsing data stored in the portable information terminal. When a control signal is received through wireless communication part and when the received control signal is an instruction signal to execute an encryption process on plaintext data stored in data memory, the plaintext data is encrypted and encrypted data is stored in the data memory. Thereafter, erasing part erases the plaintext data stored in the data memory.
US07921301B2
A method and apparatus for obscuring data held on a storage device associated with a storage system controller are provided. Data is obscured by swapping bit values according to a scrambling key, before the unit of data is stored on the storage device. Furthermore, multiple swaps or translations of bit values can be performed in sequence on a single unit of data. In order to descramble a unit of data, the translations of bit values applied during scrambling are performed in reverse order. Alternatively or in addition, data can be obscured by scrambling the bit values of an address associated with a unit of data.
US07921297B2
A user can be challenged to provide at least one randomly selected biometric attribute. The randomly selected biometric attribute input by the user is automatically compared to a plurality of biometric attributes of the user contained in a user profile. The user can then be authenticated if the randomly selected biometric attribute input by the user matches at least one of the plurality of biometric attributes of the user contained in the user profile. Biometric attributes analyzed according to the methods and systems of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, for example, fingerprints, iris, retina, and/or tissue characteristics, such as skin morphology, skin layer thickness, collage density and orientation, tissue hydration, optical patent length differences, etc.
US07921268B2
The system and method of the invention provides for function-specific replication of digital data, such as files or objects, with a configurable time delay for each function to be replicated. The system includes a source storage system from which digital data is to be replicated, a destination storage system(s) to which the digital data is being replicated, a replication management module for managing the function specific replication delay and the data replication between the source storage systems and the destination storage system(s).
US07921266B2
A system and method of accessing memory within an information handling system are disclosed. In one form, a method of accessing memory can include detecting a first operating value of a first memory access node accessible to a first processor, and initiating operation of the first memory access node to a first data rate value. The method can also include initiating operation of a second memory access node to a second data rate value. In one form, the second data rate value can be different from the first data rate value. The method can also include enabling a first application access to either the first memory access node or the second memory access node via an operating system enabled by the processor.
US07921265B2
In an LSI implemented by a DMA chip, a BCC check block performs BCC check of cache data each time the cache data is read. In response to a check result indicating whether or not the check is completed, a CM read block turns on a BCC check bit and a BCC error bit of a data-transfer-end notification. Further, an FCC check block performs FCC check of the cache data. In response to a check result indicating whether or not the check is completed, the CM read block turns on an FCC check bit and an FCC error bit of the data-transfer-end notification. When data transfer is finished, the CM read block sends the data-transfer-end notification to a CPU via a descriptor block.
US07921262B1
It has been discovered that systems, methods, apparatus and software can accommodate the addition or removal of available physical storage (storage “expansion”) in a storage virtualization environment while virtual storage devices remain online and generally available to users. When a change to the available storage has occurred, new storage device geometry and configuration information reflecting the change is obtained and/or calculated. This new information is used to update mapping information used by virtualization software and/or to update information used by an operating system to manage storage devices. Such updating occurs while some or all of the virtual storage devices associated with the physical storage devices remain available to users. In some cases, I/O operations targeting a physical device are held, in a manner transparent to a user, while updating occurs.
US07921261B2
A method of operating a data processing system includes each of multiple tasks within a parallel job executing on multiple nodes of the data processing system issuing a respective system call to request reservation, without allocation of backing storage in physical memory, of a global address space defined by a range of effective addresses as global shared memory accessible to all of the multiple tasks within the parallel job. At least two of the tasks within the parallel job allocate global address spaces including a same effective address.
US07921260B2
A computer-implemented method of cache replacement includes steps of: determining whether each cache block in a cache memory is a read or a write block; augmenting metadata associated with each cache block with an indicator of the type of access; receiving an access request resulting in a cache miss, the cache miss indicating that a cache block will need to be replaced; examining the indicator in the metadata of each cache block for determining a probability that said cache block will be replaced; and selecting for replacement the cache block with the highest probability of replacement.
US07921256B2
A memory module and a memory module system are provided. The memory module system includes a plurality of memory modules each module comprising a plurality of memory blocks and a plurality of corresponding routers each storing a channel identification (ID) and a module ID corresponding to one or more memory blocks; and a controller configured to access the memory modules. During initialization, the controller reads and stores the channel ID and the module ID from each of the routers. The controller outputs a channel ID and a module ID that correspond to one or more memory blocks to be accessed.
US07921254B2
Disclosed is a wireless universal serial bus system that includes a device; a first host communicating with the device according to a wireless universal serial bus protocol; and a second host communicating with the device according to a wireless universal serial bus protocol, wherein when the first host receives a beacon from the second host, the first host provides new host information read out from the beacon to the device.
US07921252B1
An interface between USB devices employs isolation techniques to provide electrical isolation of a USB signal for transmission of the USB signal between the devices. Unidirectional isolator channels are utilized to transmit the USB signals, and a selection of an isolator channel operating in an intended direction is performed by either direction control logic or a USB hub function. Logic may be employed to detect a device attempting to initiate a USB signal. The logic operates to enable a transmitter on a receiving side and isolate the USB signal through an isolator channel operating in a transmission direction.
US07921250B2
A method, system, and computer instructions for changing the lock-bits combination used to lock a resource upon receiving a system reset exception. The present invention forces the software to use different lock-bits combinations based on the number of occurrences of system reset exceptions. When a system reset exception is received, a system reset exception bit value in a special purpose register is updated based on the history of system reset exception occurrences. Based on the updated value in the system reset exception bit, the lock-bits combination for locking a resource is changed to allow the data processing system to reuse the resource with bad lock-bits. In this manner, the deadlocked resource is resolved, and a processor is not able to obtain an indefinitely held lock on system resources caused by system reset exceptions.
US07921249B2
The disclosure is directed to a weakly-ordered processing system and method of executing memory barriers in weakly-ordered processing system. The processing system includes memory and a master device configured to issue memory access requests, including memory barriers, to the memory. The processing system also includes a slave device configured to provide the master device access to the memory, the slave device being further configured to produce a signal indicating that an ordering constraint imposed by a memory barrier issued by the master device will be enforced, the signal being produced before the execution of all memory access requests issued by the master device to the memory before the memory barrier.
US07921247B1
A block of memory is allocated from a volatile memory device, such as a main system random access memory. The memory block is allocated dynamically and has a dynamically assigned memory address. The memory address of the memory block is shared between a master component executing within an EFI environment and one or more slave components executing within the same and/or different processing modes, such as a system management mode. The memory address is used by the master component to access the memory block and also used by the slave components to access the memory block.
US07921245B2
A memory system with serialized data transfer. The memory system includes within a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. The memory controller receives a plurality of write data values from a host and outputs the write data values as respective serial streams of bits. Each of the memory devices receives at least one of the serial streams of bits from the memory controller and converts the serial stream of bits to a set of parallel bits for storage.
US07921243B1
A buffer control system for a data storage device controller comprises a command module and a burst module. The command module receives first channel data from a first channel having a first data format and second channel data from a second channel having a second data format and converts the first channel data and the second channel data to respective data packets each having a third data format that is different than the first data format and the second data format. The burst module that selectively transmits the data packets having the third data format to a memory in a single write burst.
US07921239B2
A multi-mode processing module and method of use are disclosed. In a particular form, a multi-mode processing module can include a peripheral interface configured to be enabled in response to a peripheral application access request. The multi-mode processing module can further include a plurality of independent peripheral resources individually accessible to a host processor via the peripheral interface. The multi-mode processing module can also include a local processor configurable to enable the plurality of independent peripheral resources in response to a request by the host processor.
US07921235B2
The illustrative embodiments provide a cable management system, a computer program product, a cable, a method for manufacturing a cable, and a method for guiding a user in identifying a connection location for a cable of interest. A processor, in a data processing system, receives a cable identification from the cable of interest. The processor then matches at least one connection location with the cable of interest based on the cable identification. Responsive to matching the at least one connection location with the cable of interest, the processor activates an indicator that identifies the at least one connection location for connecting the cable of interest.
US07921232B2
A method and system for monitoring, controlling and diagnosing operation of a machine such as a business office machine including a facsimile machine, a copier, and a printer. When the speed of communication between the remote device and machine is not urgent, a connectionless mode of communication may be used. The form of connectionless communication is an electronic mail message transmitted over the Internet. However, when a condition needs urgent action, a direct connection is used for communication such as communication via a telephone or ISDN line. The information obtained from the machine is stored in one or more data bases within a company and information of the machine is shared between a service department, engineering and design department, manufacturing department, and marketing department. As communication over the Internet via electronic mail is not secure, the connectionless-mode messages transmitted using Internet electronic mail are encrypted.
US07921229B2
A host device (1) adds host function information indicating a function of the host device (1) to a command and transmits it to a storage device (2). The storage device (2) receives the command transmitted from the host device (1) and determines whether the function indicated by the host function information can be processed. When the function can be processed, the function is processed based on the command. When the function cannot be processed, no response is returned or error information is returned. Thus, under simple control, it is possible to prevent data destruction by a host device of an old version.
US07921223B2
A system for and method of per access-point streaming media customization and privacy protected feedback in a wireless network. The system is operative to: encrypt real time streamed media content from a streaming media source; multicast the streamed encrypted media content for availability to a user device for playback, the user device sending out unicast responses at the time of joining or dropping the multicast; aggregate the unicast responses in the form of a connect multicast state or a disconnect multicast state of the user device based on the joining or dropping of the multicast; and provide information back to the streaming media source based on the aggregated unicast responses.
US07921220B2
Techniques are disclosed for reducing the number of two-phase commits required to perform atomic transactions in a multi-node system. By monitoring atomic operations that require two-phase commit protocols, a system may identify when it would be beneficial to consolidate data onto single (or at least fewer) compute node(s). In doing so, a less compute intensive commit protocol, such as a one-phase commit protocol may be used. Moreover, in situations where data consolidation is not available, the data may be migrated to compute nodes having a closer proximity. Thus, in such cases, network response times for two-phase commits required for an atomic operation may be reduced, thereby increasing the performance of a multi-node system.
US07921213B1
A method of handing off connection requests from a file server to other receivers on a network includes receiving a connection request from a receiver, checking to see if the requested content is currently being provided by the file server to another receiver, and, if so, handing off the request to the another receiver.
US07921212B2
Example methods and apparatus to allocate bandwidth between video and non-video services in access networks are disclosed. An example system comprises a customer-premises device, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) to transmit to the customer-premises device a signal having a non-video portion and a video portion, a usage monitor at the customer-premises device to monitor a usage of the video portion and to send a parameter representative of the usage of the video portion to the DSLAM, and a policy manager at the DSLAM to adjust at the DSLAM a bandwidth allocation between the video portion and the non-video portion based on the parameter.
US07921204B2
A system and method are disclosed for routing a message through a plurality of test methods. The method includes: receiving a message; applying a first test method to the message; updating a state of the message based on the first test method; and determining a second test method to be applied to the message based on the state.
US07921202B2
A system and method for monitoring network communications between a consumer making a request for information on a network, and a provider that is providing the requested information. The system detects when the provider has not responded to an information request and provides stored information from a database that either matches, or nearly matches, the information being requested by the consumer. A network agent is used to continuously monitor and to supply the monitoring system with captured information requests and captured information sent by the provider in response to information requests from the consumer. The monitoring system uses metadata or other suitable parameters to categorize the information request and to associate it with the specific information that was captured, before storing both the information and the metadata and/or parameters in the database. Thus, the database is continuously populated as routine, successful communications occur over the database.
US07921196B2
An adaptive file delivery system and method transmits a data file, such as an audio-video file, over a network or collection of networks in segments, each segment transmitted during a different time period. Each time period has a transmission portion to transmit its associated file segment and a wait portion in which no further interaction with the network occurs regarding the transmitted segment. In some implementations, the duration of the transmission portion of each time period is sufficient to reach a steady-state throughput condition, which allows the traffic load status of the network or networks to be determined from rate measurements of file segment transmissions. The duration of the wait portion of each time period is at least long enough to limit the average rate of file segment transmission to adapt to network traffic load variations while causing the entire file to be delivered in a predetermined delivery deadline.
US07921192B2
In an in-flight entertainment system implementing a wireless link between a network server S and wireless processing units SDBi,j which each serve the individual devices of a plurality of seats GSi,j of one and the same row, an identification i of the column in which a wireless processing unit SDBi,j is positioned is carried out by providing for a sequential powering-up (PWi-on) of the columns, the powering-up of a column coli triggering at this instant known to the server the boot process BP for the devices SDBi,j of this column, enabling the column to be identified i by a local duration measurement bi,j supplied by an internal clock DTi,j of these devices previously initialized at a known instant of the boot process BP.
US07921190B2
A method and system for interactively configuring a network device is disclosed. A computer based method interactively configures a network device such as a router. A document is displayed to a user of a client computer, which is coupled to the network device via a network. The document contains a configuration for the network device in a text format. The user edits the document to make a change in the configuration of the network device. The change in the configuration is sent to the network device. The change can be sent without sending the entire configuration.
US07921186B2
A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual's response to the questions.
US07921182B2
Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory sections. Each of the plurality of memory sections may be managed by a remote management server and an associated service and may participate in a mobile services network. The non-volatile memory may include manufacturer related content and data, such as firmware and an operating system. The non-volatile memory may also include operator related data and content, such as communication stacks for bearer communications. The non-volatile memory may also include corporation related data and content, such as confidential corporate information and software. The non-volatile memory may also include end user related data and content, such as gaming software and address book information. Each of the memory sections in the non-volatile memory may be managed by a different remote management server.
US07921179B1
Described are methods and apparatus for reducing latency of read and write requests for a set of storage system sites having a shared data set. An owner site may directly write to the shared data set and contains current data regarding the shared data set. The remote sites may experience substantial latency when accessing the shared data set stored at the owner site. Synchronizing and caching methods may reduce overall read latency experienced at remote sites by periodically transmitting images of the shared data set to the remote sites. Also, a migration method may be used to change ownership of the shared data set from a current owner site (that may be receiving a relatively low number of read/write requests) to a new owner site (that may be receiving a relatively high number of read/write requests) to reduce the overall read and write latency experienced in the sites.
US07921175B2
A client terminal acquires information associated with expendables of a device, and accesses a service providing server on the basis of a URL generated by a agent server. The client terminal receives page information that provides a service according to the information associated with the expendables of the device from the service providing server, and requests a service on the basis of the page information that provides a service.
US07921174B1
Techniques are described for providing reminders for electronic communications. For instance, response patterns of a user are determined by communication type based on monitoring past response behavior of the user and the response pattern data is stored for the user by communication type. After storing the response pattern data for the user by communication type, a particular communication that is for the user and that is initiated by a first sender is received. A type of the particular communication is determined and response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication is accessed. A response reminder time for the particular communication is set based on the accessed response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication.
US07921171B2
A system that enables a communications system user to conveniently define entities to be excluded from receiving an electronic communication, such as an electronic mail (“email”) message. An “Exclude” user entry field is provided in a user interface to a communication system. The Exclude field accepts entry of an “exclude set” of entities to be excluded from an email message being processed or defined in a currently accessible graphical user interface window. The disclosed Exclude field is provided in a user interface window together with one or more other user entry fields available for definition and/or review of an “include set” of entities initially designated for receipt of the message. Lists and/or groups may be resolved by determining the destinations they contain either within the client computer system, within a source server computer system, and/or within a destination server computer system.
US07921162B2
A system and method of the present invention allow communication via electronic messages between a Customer and a domain name Registrar, avoiding traditional electronic mail (email) communication. Email messages may not be delivered to the Customer for various reasons including the situations where the Customer employs anti-SPAM protective technologies. The system and method of the present invention establish a Communication Link between a Customer's Computer and Registrar's Server, which avoids anti-SPAM protective technologies and email messaging altogether. The implementation of this invention would result in a higher rate of delivered messages to the Customer.
US07921155B2
A method and apparatus for peer-to-peer services have been described.
US07921150B1
A method for viewing digital video assets using a distributed network comprising a user on a first node requesting to view a digital video asset stored on a second node; relaying the request from the first node to the second node; establishing a peer-to-peer link between the first and second nodes; creating a video stream from the requested digital video asset on the second node using a standard video stream server; receiving the video stream using a stream relay client on the second node and converting it into a form that is compatible with the peer-to-peer link; sending the converted video stream to the first node over the peer-to-peer link; receiving the converted video stream using a stream relay server and converting it into a standard video stream form; and viewing the video stream on the first node of the distributed network using a standard video stream client.
US07921147B2
A filtering integrated circuit comprises: a storing circuit; a filter coefficient calculating unit configured to receive frequency information that identifies a characteristic frequency of an output signal in a filtering process, and to set filter coefficients calculated based on the frequency information in the storing circuit; and a filtering unit configured to output the output signal after applying a filtering process to an inputted signal based on the filter coefficients set in the storing circuit.
US07921144B2
A system and method for converting bases of floating point numbers using fixed-point computation includes tables having different related spacings of exponent indices. The tables are adapted to cross-reference conversion ratios between exponent bases. The tables are characterized by bi-uniform spacings of source and target exponents and including near-unity table entries representing the conversion ratios. A source number is converted into a target number in a different radix by a sequence of reduction operations using a sequence of the tables. The reduction operations include reducing a source number exponent magnitude and accumulating a target exponent and multiplying a source number mantissa by a selected conversion ratio including a near-unity ratio of powers. A final mantissa is normalized and rounded to produce the target number in a new radix.
US07921142B2
A computer implemented method, computer program product and data processing system, for optimizing a layout of a relational database on a solid state disk. The optimized layout forms multiple column to disk block assignments. Each disk block is assigned substantially the same amount of column data. A column having a size less than a greatest size of any disk block is assigned to one of multiple disk blocks. A column having a size greater than or equal to the greatest size of any disk block is allowed a multiple disk block assignment.
US07921139B2
A system for sequentially opening and displaying files in a directory, including a processor, at least one directory including a plurality of electronic files, software executing on the processor for receiving a request to open and display a first one of the plurality of electronic files, software executing on the processor for receiving a next file request, and software executing on the processor for opening a next file in the at least one directory upon receiving the next file request.
US07921130B2
A system and method from processing database queries allows for cost and locale based distribution for execution of database queries. The database queries are executed on execution engines that provide flexible configuration and overlapping functionality. The system reduces various costs, including elapsed time, required to perform database queries. The method provides processing of a database query using a database catalog comprising database table locality information, record locality information and execution engine information. A query optimizer receives the query and accesses the catalog to create a query execution plan comprising locality-based database operations. A central database operation processor providing a first execution engine executes the query execution plan by performing at least a portion of the locality-based database operations and distributing at least a portion of the locality-based database operations as a subplan. A second database operation processor providing a second execution engine executes the subplan received from the central processor.
US07921123B2
A method and system for gathering, collating and sorting information items distributed among a plurality of databases containing information items regarding physician treatment/billing claims, insurance payments, and provider/patient relations over at least one communication networks is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of creating an intermediate data base containing information items related to physician treatment/billing claim data, insurance payment data, and insurance provider. The information items are further cross-referenced with regard to at least one common information item. The information items in the intermediate data base are then filtered using at least one selected information item contained in the intermediate data base to create at least one file containing cross-referenced data items relating to the filtering criteria, and reporting a selected one of the file. In another aspect of the invention, the created files may be selectively filtered using additional filter criteria.
US07921122B2
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for providing web-based electronic research and presentation functions via a document creation application. The method comprises scanning an active document on a computer device for identifying relevant keywords, and searching at least one database for reference materials relating to the relevant keywords. The active document includes data currently being entered or edited by a user on the computer device. Results relevant to the active document are automatically shown on the computer screen. The method also includes converting the reference materials if they are in a format different from the format used in creating the active document, and displaying the converted reference materials on the computer device. Embodiments of the invention also include a system and a storage medium.
US07921111B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for accessing and organizing data items, including items of digital media, such as digital images, video stream, audio stream, text documents and the like. An object model defines a plurality of data object classes, including a media object class for representing items of digital media and a tag object class for representing categories of digital media. A request for one or more data items specifies a search condition. A collection of one or more data objects instantiated from the data object classes is generated, whereby the data objects in the collection represent data items satisfying the search condition. An iterator configured to sequentially access the data items represented by the data objects in the collection of data objects is generated and used to sequentially access the data items.
US07921099B2
A navigation system is used in combination with a data retrieval system to more effectively locate the correct answers or information in search content. The navigation system provides taxonomies that identify different information categories and sub-categories (facets). Classifiers automatically classify the search content by identifying the content corresponding with associated facets. The facets, in conjunction with the associated classifiers, provide robust classification and correlation between both structured and unstructured content. Rules can be used in conjunction with the facets and classifiers to automatically control different navigation operations. The navigation system can also leverage ontologies to dynamically create taxonomies and provides unique facet expansion and intra-document classification operations.
US07921098B2
A data query system including a first storage medium including a data schema having a data schema query language associated therewith, a second storage medium including an ontology model including classes and properties, the ontology model having an ontology query language associated therewith, wherein constructs of the database schema are mapped to corresponding classes, properties or compositions of properties of the ontology model, and an ontology query processor generating a query expressed in the data schema query language corresponding to a specified query expressed in the ontology query language. A method is also described and claimed.
US07921094B2
A network system includes a first communication device, a second communication device and a keyword database. The first communication device includes a first input device and a first search device. The first input device allows a user to input a keyword. The first search device is capable of carrying out a first search process that includes sending the keyword input to the first input device to a search engine and receiving a search result. The keyword database stores the keyword used for the first search process. The second communication device is composed separately from the first communication device. The second communication device includes a keyword acquisition device and a second search device. The keyword acquisition device is capable of acquiring the keyword from the keyword database. The second search device is capable of carrying out a second search process that includes sending the keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition device to a search engine and receiving a search result.
US07921090B2
Methods and apparatuses for providing access to data in a cluster database are described. Embodiments of the invention include identifying situations in which many nodes require relatively equal access to a data block, and taking appropriate measures to improve the performance of the system in these situations. For example, a node may automatically downgrade its lock from an X lock to an S lock as soon as it has finished a modification of the data. S locks are sent to other nodes in the system as soon as a modification is complete. Modifications to the data are also sent to other nodes in the system as soon as a modification is complete. Depending on the size of the data modification, the entire data block may be sent, or only the modifications to the data may be sent.
US07921089B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for data structure locking. In one aspect, a proper subset of variables of a set of variables in a data structure are received. An access privilege to modify variables in the data structure to administrator accounts is assigned. A first administrator access request to modify a variable in the proper subset of variables is received, and the access privilege to modify the variable in the proper subset of variables for the first administrator account. A second administrator access request to modify the variable in the proper subset of variables is received, and an access timer that expires after a time period is initiated; the access privilege is disabled for the first administrator account in response to expiration of the access timer; and the access privilege for the second administrator account is enabled in response to expiration of the access timer.
US07921084B2
Upon an event, diagnostic information about the state of server software can be compiled. The diagnostic information can include information concerning the JDBC subsystem. A timer can be used to inhibit a compilation of a new diagnostic image if the old diagnostic image was recently compiled.
US07921077B2
A system and method for managing data deduplication of a storage system utilizing persistent consistency point images (PCPIs). Once a target PCPI of a data transfer is generated, a backup management module of the storage system alerts a data deduplication module to begin deduplication of the data contained within the target PCPI. Once the deduplication procedure has been completed, the active file system of the storage system has been deduplicated, however, the target PCPI remains un-deduplicated. In response, the backup management module generates and exports a revised target PCPI. The previous target PCPI may then be deleted, thereby transitioning the exported PCPI's image of the state of the file system to a deduplicated state.
US07921076B2
A method and apparatus for performing an action in response to a file system event is provided. According to one aspect, sets of “event listeners” are associated with a file hierarchy and/or the nodes thereof. Each event listener contains a set of “event handlers.” Each event handler corresponds to a separate type of event that may occur relative to the file hierarchy's nodes. When an event is going to occur relative to the hierarchy or a node thereof, all event listeners that are associated with that hierarchy/node are inspected to determine whether those event listeners contain any event handlers that correspond to the event's type. Those event handlers that correspond to the event's type are placed in an ordered list of event handlers to be invoked. As the event handlers in the list are invoked, programmatic mechanisms that correspond to those event handlers are executed to perform customized user-specified actions.
US07921072B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for mapping XML source documents to target documents using schema embeddings. According to one aspect of the invention, one or more edges in the one or more source schemas are mapped to one or more paths in at least one target schema. The disclosed mapping techniques ensure that (i) one or more source documents that conform to one or more of the source schemas can be recovered from one or more target documents that conform to the at least one target schema, if a mapping exists between the one or more of the source schemas and the at least one target schema; (ii) queries on one or more source documents that conform to one or more of the source schemas in a given query language can be answered on one or more target documents that conform to the at least one target schema; and (iii) the one or more target documents conform to a target schema.
US07921070B2
The invention includes a method and apparatus for identifying a field name. The method includes a receiving a message comprising a plurality of fields, each field having a field name, and processing each of a plurality of characters of the received message for identifying the field names, where each character is processed using a plurality of associated arrays. A current character extracted from the received message id processed using a current array selected from the plurality of arrays. The current array used for processing the current character is adapted for identifying one of: (1) one of the plurality of field names or (2) an identifier for identifying a next array for processing the next character extracted from the received message.
US07921067B2
A method for mood detection, comprising receiving audio data, determining a mood for the audio data based on at least one mood model, receiving user feedback of a user for the determined mood, the user feedback being on a gradual scale and indicative as to whether the determined mood corresponds to a perceived mood of the user for the audio data, and adapting the mood model based on the user feedback.
US07921065B2
Provided are an ontology system, a method for managing the ontology system, and a recording medium storing the same. The ontology system includes: a context broker unit for receiving context information from a sensing device and verifying a validity of the received context information; a context managing unit for controlling to generate an ontology structure by transforming the verified context information from the context broker unit to ontology web language (OWL) data and processing the OWL data; a rule-based inference engine unit for transforming the processed context information from the context managing unit to semantic web rule language (SWRL) data and processing the SWRL data through an inference process; a learning managing unit for processing the processed context information from the context managing unit through learning; and a database for storing the context information processed at the context managing unit, the rule-based engine unit, and the learning managing unit.
US07921064B2
A window processing system is disclosed for fabricating window frames. A welding station has welding heads to weld or fuse vinyl frame parts together. The frames are taken to a cleaning station having a number of cleaning heads that are independently actuated to move into a position relative selected portions of the window frame to clean off burrs, weld beads etc from the welded window frame. The cleaning process involves both training of a controller to recognize certain frame profiles and a compensation process for adjusting the cleaning process for individual variations in the frame that occur during fabrication. Real-time cleaning involves coupling a visual sensor to a moving support that also supports a cleaning tool.
US07921058B1
A method of creating, selling, converting, and redeeming exchangeable instruments that may result in favorable tax and/or accounting treatment for a company that is a parent to an issuing subsidiary. The parent company transfers a conversion option to a wholly owned subsidiary. The subsidiary attaches the parent's conversion option to its own nonconvertible debt instrument, creating an exchangeable instrument to be issued to investors. Payment for the exchangeable instrument is remitted to the parent for the value of the conversion option and to the subsidiary with respect to the nonconvertible debt instrument. The split obligations of parent and subsidiary may result in a relatively high tax interest expense and relatively low accounting interest expense. Use of a net share settlement feature may result in reduced dilution of the parent's equity.
US07921045B1
A system and method are provided that identify and assess potential areas of exposure for insurance underwriting purposes and allows for the reduction or potential elimination of extensive analysis of such areas of exposure by insurance companies, and also allows for immediate underwriting of risk in reliance of the system's results. The system employs methodologies for use to determine compliance with laws, such as tax laws and retirement and welfare laws in international Class 35, and printed insurance application forms, investigative questionnaires and instructions manuals in international Class 16. In another aspect, the present invention is a system and method for measuring the adequacy of the security required under the fiduciary prudence and prohibited transaction provisions of The Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, (ERISA), for loans made to a plan participant from the plan, which are secured by the participant's remaining account balance in the plan.
US07921039B2
A system, method, apparatus, and means for adjusting network preference information which includes detecting network activity. A characteristic of the network activity is measured. Network preference information is adjusted based on the characteristic. In some embodiments, network activity is network activity by a client device such as a computer accessing a network site.
US07921036B1
The present invention is a method and system for selectively executing content on a display based on the automatic recognition of predefined characteristics, including visually perceptible attributes, such as the demographic profile of people identified automatically using a sequence of image frames from a video stream. The present invention detects the images of the individual or the people from captured images. The present invention automatically extracts visually perceptible attributes, including demographic information, local behavior analysis, and emotional status, of the individual or the people from the images in real time. The visually perceptible attributes further comprise height, skin color, hair color, the number of people in the scene, time spent by the people, and whether a person looked at the display. A targeted media is selected from a set of media pools, according to the automatically-extracted, visually perceptible attributes and the feedback from the people.
US07921034B2
The present invention discloses an Advertisement Platform (ADP), including an ADP Switch Point (ADP-SP), a voice playing unit and a service logic supporting unit; wherein the ADP-SP connects a call from a calling LS or an MS and initiates an advertisement service call to the service logic supporting unit; upon receiving the advertisement service call from the ADP-SP, the service logic supporting unit returns advertisement service instruction to the ADP-SP after parsing the advertisement service call; upon receiving the advertisement service instruction returned by the service logic supporting unit, the ADP-SP instructs the voice playing unit to play a ring back tone which includes advertisement according to the advertisement service instruction and connects a voice channel used for the voice playing unit playing advertisement with the calling voice channel or the MS voice channel. The present invention also discloses a system and method for playing advertisement.
US07921028B2
Systems and methods of partnering content creators with content partners online are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation a method may include receiving registration information from a content partner and building a profile describing desired creative content for the content partner and receiving creative content. Based on at least the profile, the method may include determining whether a match exists between a content partner and the creative content. If a match is found, the method may include providing the content partner access to the creative content, and extending an invitation for the content partner to acquire rights in the creative content.
US07921027B2
The present invention is a constraint-based planning tool that specifically addresses the needs of complex discrete and process industries by providing a computationally efficient method and system for fulfillment of customer orders in a supply chain. By comprehensively synchronizing and optimizing the flow of materials through the enterprise, the present invention creates a feasible plan for manufacturing operations that simultaneously optimizes both material and capacity constraints by planning and scheduling multiple customer orders, planning for use the various resources located in remote locations needed to fulfill such orders, and scheduling the used resources for replenishment at appropriate times so that the resources meet the needs of the orders.
US07921026B2
A timeline is generated from and fully integrated with a project schedule. The project schedule may be any graphical representation for displaying detailed information associated with a project. The timeline visually represents certain tasks, dates and other information associated with the project schedule such that an overview of the project schedule may be determined.
US07921024B2
Disclosed are a method and system for transforming organizations from a supply driven to service oriented, demand driven IT organization. The IT Service Management Technology Enablement Model provides a method for supply-oriented customers to move to an advanced, demand driven service utility. The method outlines the key technical enablers that need to be put in place to achieve specific milestones as they move from a supply driven to demand driven model. Key milestones include: aligning IT to the Business (communicate); productizing IT (Structure); IT as a Factory (Standardize); and IT as a Utility (Commoditize).
US07921021B1
A process, system, and manufacture are provided for decreasing the amount of treatment a patient requires from a first care-giver. In at least one example, the system comprises a means for receiving a set of records, and the set of records includes at least one representing a treatment prescribed by the first care-giver, and at least one representing at least one patient characteristic. There is also a means for determining, from the set of records, independently of records relating to effectiveness of the treatment prescribed for the patient, and based on a predetermined set of screening criteria, whether a different treatment is appropriate. Further, a means is provided for generating, based on the screening, an eligibility tag associated with the patient for providing notice to the patient associated with the eligibility tag of the different treatment availability at no cost to the patient and of a financial consequence of receipt of the treatment.
US07921014B2
A system for generating high-quality synthesized text-to-speech includes a learning data generating unit, a frequency data generating unit, and a setting unit. The learning data generating unit recognizes inputted speech, and then generates first learning data in which wordings of phrases are associated with readings thereof. The frequency data generating unit generates, based on the first learning data, frequency data indicating appearance frequencies of both wordings and readings of phrases. The setting unit sets the thus generated frequency data for a language processing unit in order to approximate outputted speech of text-to-speech to the inputted speech. Furthermore, the language processing unit generates, from a wording of text, a reading corresponding to the wording, on the basis of the appearance frequencies.
US07921012B2
A speech recognition apparatus includes a first storing unit configured to store a first acoustic model invariable regardless of speaker and environment, a second storing unit configured to store a classification model that has shared parameters and non-shared parameters with the first acoustic model to classify second acoustic models, a recognizing unit configured to calculate a first likelihood with regard to the input speech by applying the first acoustic model to the input speech and obtain calculation result on the shared parameter and a plurality of candidate words that have relatively large values as the first likelihood, and a calculating unit configured to calculate a second likelihood for each of the groups with regard to the input speech by use of the calculation result on the shared parameters and the non-shared parameters of the classification model.
US07921011B2
Methods for optimizing grammar structure for a set of phrases to be used in speech recognition during a computing event are provided. One method includes receiving a set of phrases, the set of phrases being relevant for the computing event and the set of phrases having a node and link structure. Also included is identifying redundant nodes by examining the node and link structures of each of the set of phrases so as to generate a single node for the redundant nodes. The method further includes examining the node and link structures to identify nodes that are capable of being vertically grouped and grouping the identified nodes to define vertical word groups. The method continues with fusing nodes of the set of phrases that are not vertically grouped into fused word groups. Wherein the vertical word groups and the fused word groups are linked to define an optimized grammar structure. In another aspect, a layered grammar and dictionary library that can be defined for efficient use in speech recognition systems, is provided.
US07921007B2
The invention relates to an audio encoder and decoder and methods for audio encoding and decoding. In a preferred encoder embodiment an audio signal is encoded by deterministic encoder means to form a first encoded signal part. A spectrum of the audio signal is determined and represented by an excitation pattern, i.e. spectral values corresponding to human auditory filters, as a second encoded signal part. A masking curve is also extracted based on the excitation pattern, thus improving encoding efficiency in terms of bit rate. In a preferred decoder the first encoded signal part is decoded by deterministic decoder means. A noise generator uses the decoded first signal part together with the second signal part, i.e. the excitation pattern for the original audio signal, to generate a noise signal. The noise signal is then added to the first decoded signal part to form an output audio signal. At the decoder side the masking curve is also extracted based on the second encoded signal part, i.e. the excitation pattern. The noise signal is generated so that the output audio signal exhibits an excitation pattern nearly identical to the original audio signal. Thus, a perceived high quality audio is obtained while the encoded signal is scalable since a possible deviation between encoding and decoding of the first signal part is compensated by the noise generator at the decoder side. In preferred embodiments the coding means comprises a sinusoidal coder.
US07921005B2
Methods for selecting a conductor configuration of an overhead power transmission line tension section between two dead-end towers when the conductor configuration includes at least two different types of conductors. Geographical profile information and overhead power transmission line preferences are used along with predetermined selection rules when selecting the appropriate conductor configuration. Some examples of overhead power transmission line preferences include electrical characteristics and conductor sag between towers, while examples of selection rules include conductor costs and conductor tension.
US07920999B2
Internal gettering behavior in a silicon substrate is predicted by using an arithmetic expression established among an initial iron contamination concentration Cini in the silicon substrate, a density N of oxygen precipitates, a radius R of the oxygen precipitates, internal gettering heat treatment temperature T, internal gettering heat treatment time t, and a concentration C(t) of iron (Fe) remaining in the silicon substrate after a heat treatment. In the prediction of internal gettering behavior in the silicon substrate, an arithmetic expression is added considering a process in which nuclei of a contaminant heavy metal silicide are generated on the surface of the oxygen precipitates, and a process in which the contaminant heavy metal is gettered by the oxygen precipitates having the contaminant heavy metal silicide nuclei generated on the surface thereof. This invention is also applicable for internal gettering of a contaminant heavy metal other than iron (Fe), such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) or the like.
US07920998B2
A medical device for diabetes management, comprising (a) a memory comprising one or more optimal blood glucose values, one or more insulin dose values of a patient, one or more measured blood glucose values, and one or more scaling factors for weighting the impact on a future blood glucose value and that are customizable to an individual patient to predict the effect on the blood glucose of insulin dose actions performed by the individual patient, (b) a microprocessor, in communication with the memory, programmed to calculate a further value, the further value being based on the insulin dose values, the optimal blood glucose values, and the scaling factors, and (c) a display configured to display information according to the further value.
US07920992B2
A method and system for modeling uncertainties in integrated circuits, systems and fabrication processes may include defining interval values for each uncertain component or parameter in a circuit or system. The method may also include replacing scalar operations with interval operations in an algorithm and discontinuing interval operations in the algorithm in response to a predetermined condition. The method may also include generating a plurality of scalar samples from a plurality of intervals and determine a distribution of each uncertain component or parameter from the scalar samples of the intervals.
US07920991B2
A method of characterizing a capacity region in a multi-channel, multi-radio mesh network of nodes interconnected by links. The method includes: (a) modeling the network by determining one or more link-flow feasibility constraints; (b) obtaining a feasible upper-capacity bound by solving an optimization problem using the one or more link-flow feasibility constraints as necessary conditions; and (c) using an algorithm adapted to provide a feasible lower-capacity bound by (i) receiving the solution to the optimization problem as input, (ii) allocating channels to links to meet a demand vector that satisfies the one or more link-flow feasibility constraints, and (iii) scheduling flows along the allocated channels. The upper- and lower-capacity bounds define the capacity region.
US07920970B2
An improved method and system for characterizing the compositional components of a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and analyzing fluid properties of the reservoir of interest based upon its compositional components.
US07920956B2
A method of controlling the combustion of a compression ignition engine is disclosed having applications for diesel engine combustion control for CAI.The method comprises determining setpoint values for physical parameters linked with the intake of gaseous oxidizer in the combustion chamber, and a setpoint value (θinj)ref for the crank angle at which a fuel has to be injected into the combustion chamber. While the engine control system controls actuators so that the values of the physical parameters are equal to the setpoint values, setpoint value (θinj)ref is corrected before the physical parameters reach their setpoint values. Angle CAy is controlled to be equal to a reference value for an optimized combustion while accounting for differences between the real values of the physical parameters and the setpoint values of these parameters and keeps the optimum combustion by fuel injection with the corrected setpoint value.
US07920952B2
A turning control apparatus for a vehicle to improve turning ability and to avoid degradation of acceleration ability is provided. The turning control apparatus comprises a first yaw controller for adjusting at least one of driving torque of a left wheel and a right wheel; a second yaw controller for adjusting a speeds difference between a front wheel and a rear wheel; and an integrated yaw controller for controlling yaw momentum of the vehicle by managing the first and second yaw controller, wherein when the yaw of the vehicle should be reduced, the integrated yaw controller controls the first yaw controller so as to decrease the driving torque of a inside wheel, which is one of the right and left wheel and is near to a center axis of turning, and the second yaw controller so as to decrease the speeds difference between the front and rear wheel.
US07920951B2
Disclosed are a method and a control system for applying defined clamping forces in a brake that is electrically operable by an actuator and includes a first friction surface (friction lining) and a second friction surface (brake disc). In the method, a correlation exists between the actuator position and the clamping force, and values of the clamping force as well as of the actuator position are determined. In order to improve the control quality when implementing the method, the nominal value (Fnominal) and the actual value (Fmeas) of the clamping force are filtered in each one low-pass filter (9, 10) of nth order, whose limit frequency is determined from a correlation between the actual value (nactual) of the actuator speed and the filtered value (FnominalFilt) of the clamping force, and that the filtered values (FnominalFilt, FmeasFilt) of the clamping force are transformed by means of a predefined characteristic curve into a nominal value (φnominal) and an actual value (φactual) of the actuator position.
US07920943B2
A precision approach guidance system that provides flying craft guidance information during a precision approach to a landing site and methods associated therewith are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes: an inertial navigation system, an onboard ranging sensor, a terrain database storing previously identified position-referenced terrain information associated with the landing site, and a position determining process. The position determining process repetitively determines a corrected position of the flying craft during the precision approach based at least in part on attitude and velocity information from an inertial navigation system, current position-referenced terrain information based on measurements from an onboard ranging sensor, and previously identified position-referenced terrain information from the terrain database.
US07920940B2
A portable data storage cartridge comprising a housing, a first information storage medium removeably disposed within the housing, a holographic data storage medium disposed within the housing, wherein the housing is formed to include an aperture, and wherein the holographic data storage medium is disposed adjacent the aperture.
US07920938B2
The manufacture of an object consisting of multiple material layers successively built up one upon the other can be monitored in an advantageous manner in that after the application of a material layer, a height profile of a circumference of the object is established, such that after the application of each material layer, a comparison with a reference information can be used for evaluating whether the preceding production step delivered a result which enables to draw the conclusion of a faultless application of the material layer.
US07920933B2
A digital mixing system has a console having a display and an operator for transmitting and receiving a control signal, an engine having input channels and output channels for mixing a plurality of audio signals fed from the input channels while exchanging the control signal with the console and feeding the mixed audio signals to the output channels, and peripheral input and output units connected to the input and output channels of the engine, respectively. The console and the engine are located remotely from each other, and a cable connecting therebetween is duplicated for the purpose of fail safe. The engine may be installed in pair. If a main engine fails, a sub engine backs up instantly to continue the mixing operation. The console may be also prepared in pair for the purpose of fail safe.
US07920926B2
Implant apparatus and method for effecting a controlled heating of tissue within the region of dermis of skin. The heater implants are configured with a thermally insulative generally flat support functioning as a thermal barrier. One surface of this thermal barrier carries one or more polymerically encapsulated heater resistor segments with a lead assemblage exhibiting a 4-point topology. Each of the encapsulated heater segments may be thermally associated with a metal thermal spreader dimensioned in correspondence with and aligned with the heater segments. The implants are located within heating channels at the interface between skin dermis and the next adjacent subcutaneous tissue layer such that the heat spreaders are contactable with the lower region of dermis. During therapy a conformal heat sink is positioned against the skin above the implants and a slight tamponade is applied through the heat sink to assure a proper form of conduction heat transfer. An adjuvant may be employed to infiltrate dermis to significantly lower the thermal threshold transition temperature for dermis or dermis component shrinkage. The method and apparatus also may be employed in the treatment of capillary malformation (port wine stain).
US07920921B2
A system and method are disclosed for an implantable gastric stimulation system within the stomach. The stimulation system includes an electronics anchor, electrode lead anchor, implantable pulse generator and external programmer. The electronics anchor is configured to attach to the stomach wall at a first location and the electrode lead anchor configured to attach to the stomach wall at a second location. The electrode lead anchor includes one or more electrodes configured to contact the stomach wall and a flexible lead portion coupled to the one or more electrodes at one end with an the electrical connector portion at the other end. The implantable pulse generator has electronic circuitry and is attached to the electronics anchor; the electronic circuitry is connected to the electrical connector of the electrode lead anchor and can communicate with the one or more electrodes. The external programmer is used to communicate with the electronic circuitry of the pulse generator via a telemetry device to provide stimulation instructions to the pulse generator.
US07920917B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for minimizing the inherent time delays within external defibrillators. The methods and apparatuses utilize timing schemes for initiation and completion of charging of an energy storage device of an external defibrillator, measuring one or physical parameters of the patient and conducting a physiology analysis of the patient. The initiation and completion of one or more of these activities are arranged so that the energy storage device is charged to a desired level and available for a defibrillation shock to the patient with minimal delay after activation of the external defibrillator.
US07920914B2
A method for monitoring the depth of anesthesia is provided for detecting the conscious state of one being anesthetized in the recovery phase or induction phase of anesthesia course in order to facilitate an anesthesiologist to predict exactly the dosage of an anesthetic required. At first, an original electroencephalogram (EEG) is taken from one being tested. Then, the original electroencephalogram is analyzed by approximate entropy to obtain its approximate entropy value. Next, the approximate entropy value is multiplied by 1000/17, and the corrected value is assumed as the predicted value of depth of anesthesia. The predicted value of depth of anesthesia represents degree of the conscious state or the depth of anesthesia for the one being tested. The higher the predicted depth of anesthesia value, the more conscious the one being tested is, i.e., in a shallower depth of anesthesia. On the other hand, the lower the predicted depth of anesthesia value, the less conscious the one being tested is, i.e., in a deeper depth of anesthesia.
US07920912B2
A system and method for triggering an external device in response to an electrocardiogram signal. In one embodiment the method includes determining a peak in the electrocardiogram signal, determining if the electrocardiogram signal is rising or falling at the peak in the signal and triggering a device in response to the rising or falling peak. In one embodiment of the invention an external trigger signal is produced only a rising peak is detected. In one embodiment, the system includes a microprocessor, a peak detector and a trigger circuit. The trigger circuit outputs a trigger signal to an external device when signaled by the peak detector and not inhibited by a signal from the microprocessor.
US07920909B2
A method includes receiving during a first time interval associated with a path of motion of a dynamic body, image data associated with a plurality of images of the dynamic body. The plurality of images include an indication of a position of a first marker coupled to a garment at a first location, and a position of a second marker coupled to the garment at a second location. The garment is coupled to the dynamic body. During a second time interval, an image from the plurality of images is automatically identified that includes a position of the first marker that is substantially the same as a position of a first localization element relative to the dynamic body and a position of the second marker that is substantially the same as a position of the second localization element relative to the dynamic body.
US07920904B2
A mobile terminal including a terminal case, a microphone located within the terminal case, and a sound guide unit, is provided. The terminal case includes a first case member, a second case member, and a frame member located between the first case member and the second case member. The frame member includes a microphone hole formed on an outer surface thereof for guiding a sound into the terminal case in a first direction. The microphone includes a sound receiving portion disposed in a second direction different from the first direction, for receiving the sound. And the sound guide unit is located between the microphone hole and the sound receiving portion of the microphone, the sound guide unit guiding the sound, which has passed through the microphone hole, along the first direction and the second direction, toward the sound receiving portion of the microphone.
US07920899B2
A wireless network communications system comprises an electronic device having a generic wireless card disposed therein, the electronic device configured to receive at least one of a plurality of different types of identity modules therein, the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of a plurality of network service providers based on a particular identity module loaded into the electronic device.
US07920898B2
A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a display screen for displaying a user readable representation of the commands and/or stored information for a selected item, and a telecommunication interface for the telephonic transmission of information relating to a selected item or items from the storage to a remote processing center and for the telephonic information relating to selectable items from the remote processing center to the storage. Preferably a telecommunications interface is provided in the hand held unit for cellular or other wireless telephony systems. The hand held unit can be configured to combine the data entry functions with those of audio telephony.
US07920896B2
A mobile telephone that has a printer module to print the almanac on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.
US07920895B2
A system for controlling signal processing in a multi-network device is disclosed and may include one or more circuits that enable receiving of a digital video broadcast signal. The one or more circuits may enable processing a channel of the digital video broadcast signal according to a first selection. At least one channel of the digital video broadcast signal may include broadcast multimedia content. The one or more circuits may enable receiving a cellular communication signal and processing the cellular communication signal according to a second selection. The broadcast multimedia content may include Internet content. The one or more circuits may enable storing at least a portion of the received digital video broadcast signal and at least a portion of the received cellular communication signal in a commonly accessible memory.
US07920893B2
Aspects of a method and system for transmission or reception of FM signals utilizing a DDFS clocked by an RFID PLL are provided. In this regard, one or more signals utilized to transmit or receive FM communication may be generated by clocking a DDFS via a signal generated to enable RFID communication. The DDFS may be controlled via a control word from a processor. In this regard, the control word may determine a frequency and/or phase of the signals output by the DDFS. The control word may be switched between two or more values to generate different frequencies and/or phases in different time intervals. Additionally, the control word may be adjusted to maintain a constant phase and/or frequency in spite of changes to the signal clocking the DDFS.
US07920891B2
The emergency signal device includes an emergency key on the phone, an independent IC chip set controlling the emergency functions, a dedicated memory chip for emergency information and a by-passing outlet to the cell phone's transmitting parts. It is further provided that the device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, so that the person in danger may always be located. This device utilizes rechargeable solar cells to provide energy. All of its components are powered by a solar cell or solar cell charged battery.
US07920889B2
A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and a transmission power control method wherein even in a case of performing a transmission power control of multi-valued modulated symbols, the degradation of reception characteristic and that of network usage efficiency can be avoided. A power control instructing part (204) adjusts, based on an encoding rate and a modulation scheme in a case of applying a power control value, which maximizes the MIMO channel capacity, to each stream, the power control value of a stream, which is the most likely to be affected by a power estimation error, into a reference value, and then applies the adjustment value used for that adjustment to the other streams, that is, the streams that are not likely to be affected by the power estimation error. A power control part (205) performs a transmission power control in accordance with the power control value as adjusted by the power control instructing part (204).
US07920873B2
A mobile communications terminal (T) for a cellular communications network comprises an assisted satellite positioning device (D) connected to a satellite positioning installation connected to an assistance data server, a USSD management module (MGT) for setting up USSD transport channels, and a processor (MT) for coupling the management module (MGT) to the device (D) on request in order for a USSD transport channel to be set up between the device (D) and a location management equipment of the cellular network connected to the assistance data server. The USSD channel is then used to send the device (D) assistance data representative of identifiers of at least three satellites visible in the cell in which the terminal (T) is situated so that it can lock onto said satellites to estimate at least the distances between the satellites and its terminal (T).
US07920871B2
A telephone device which enables a user to consciously send a determined present position to a device in the surrounding area is provided. A portable telephone device 10 sends position determination information acquired by a GPS unit including a GPS antenna 31 and/or a portable telephone signal position determination processing unit including a portable telephone communication antenna 21, to another portable telephone device 50 as a desired communicating party via a base station by using a data communication function in accordance with a decision operation of a POS button 17a. Another portable telephone device 50 displays a map image of the vicinity of the received position determination information on an LCD display unit 52 by using an embedded digital map display application or the like, and also displays a present position point 53 of the portable telephone device 10 on the map image.
US07920863B2
Method a system for managing network resources. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for managing resource in a wireless network. As an example, the wireless network includes an access network and a home network. The access network provides at least radio connectivity and the home network provides at least internet protocol connectivity. The method includes a step for providing a network access to a mobile station by the access network. For example, the network access includes a network connection between the mobile station and the home network. The method also includes a step for receiving information associated with a lifetime for the network access from the mobile station by the access network and by the home network. The method additionally includes a step for storing the information associated with the lifetime by the access network and by the home network.
US07920859B2
A method of controlling receipt of signals at a terminal (1) of communications system involves receiving data (D1,D2) on at least one control channel from a first base station (2). The terminal is adapted to periodically perform measurements on signals transmitted by at least one second base station (3,4). The terminal determines whether a period in which data signals (D2) are on the at least on control channel at least partially overlaps with a period for performing measurements (M2) and disables performance of measurements in favor of receipt of data on the at least one control channel.
US07920845B2
Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a method and a system for distributing mobile applications, in particular to aspects of receiving, processing and displaying advertisements on mobile terminals. In one aspect, embodiments provide a software component for controlling movement for an advertisement image on a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal comprising a display area and a processor, the software component comprising processable instructions defining movement of the advertisement image relative to the display area, wherein the instructions are wirelessly transmissible to the mobile terminal and the processor is arranged to process said instructions in order to move the advertisement image.
US07920844B2
A method of providing context information regarding a mobile station includes using cell transitions as an input to a context determining algorithm. A disclosed example includes Bloom filter theory that utilizes a key based upon an indication of the cells involved in the transition and a selected number of hash functions. The bit strings resulting from operation of the hash functions are compared to information stored in a database that relates hash function results to context information. In a disclosed example, the entire process for determining the context information is carried out on the mobile station itself.
US07920841B2
Techniques are described for establishing a two-way voice communication session with an alarm system. The alarm system may establish a two-way voice communication session with an operator associated with a monitoring service that provides monitoring services for alarm events detected by the alarm system. The alarm system also may establish a two-way voice communication session with a notification recipient that is interested in receiving notifications associated with events detected by the alarm system.
US07920840B2
In a wireless receiver apparatus including a gain control amplifier for controlling a gain of a reception signal, a maintaining device compulsorily maintains the gain of the gain control amplifier at a predetermined fixed value only in a predetermined specified interval. The maintaining device includes a latch circuit for maintaining a gain set value immediately prior to the specified interval. A start timing of the specified interval is determined by an edge of a predetermined timer start signal, and a duration of the specified interval is determined on the basis of a count of a predetermined timer clock signal and a count of a predetermined timer count set bus signal.
US07920839B2
A system for detecting a broadcast channel in a radio receiver includes a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) element configured to develop an RSSI signal that is representative of a power in a desired channel, a switchable bandwidth channel select filter having a power detector configured to compare a power output of the desired channel and at least one channel adjacent to the desired channel to develop a signal to adjacent channel power ratio (SACPR) signal that is representative of the noise in the desired channel, and a seek element configured to determine whether the RSSI signal is greater than a predetermined RSSI threshold and configured to determine whether the SACPR signal is greater than a predetermined SACPR threshold.
US07920836B2
A system for saturation detection, correction and recovery in a power amplifier includes a power amplifier, a closed power control loop configured to develop a power control signal (VPC), and power control circuitry configured to reduce the power control signal if the power amplifier is operating in a saturation mode.
US07920835B2
An FM transmitter with improved degree of freedom in parts selection comprises: an oscillator connected with a crystal oscillator; a clock generating circuit uses a signal formed by frequency-dividing an oscillator output as a reference frequency, and which generates a clock having a frequency of an integer multiple of the frequency of the reference frequency; a DSP operates synchronously with the clock performing stereo modulation processing, FM modulation processing, and IQ modulation processing to inputted stereo data by digital processing; a frequency synthesizer generates a reference having a frequency an integer multiple of the frequency of the reference; mixers which mix signals outputted from the DSP with signals generated by the frequency synthesizer, respectively; an adder which adds outputs of the mixers; and an amplifier which amplifies an output signal of the adder and transmits the amplified signal from an antenna.
US07920834B2
An apparatus and method for selecting antennas and nodes in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a reception unit which detects a communication initiation signal from among a plurality of received signals, a first combination unit which calculates communication capacity based on the communication initiation signal, searches for a combination of transmission antennas that can maximize the communication capacity, and performs communication using the identified combination of transmission antennas, a second combination unit which calculates an average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of each node based on the communication initiation signal and selects a node with a highest average SNR and performs communication using the selected node, and a selection unit which activates one of the first combination unit and the second combination unit and inactivates the other combination unit. When the quality of signals transmitted between wireless nodes deteriorates due to a poor channel environment, a node that can minimize the shadowing effect caused by an obstacle that blocks the path of transmission of signals is selected using space diversity. Therefore, it is possible to minimize link communication failures. In addition, it is possible to maximize communication capacity by achieving spatial multiplexing gain using an array antenna that is mounted on a node.
US07920826B2
A method of forming a frame in a Mobile Multi-hop Relay (MMR) system, and a system for implementing the method are provided. In a multi-hop relay system, when a relay station of a specific layer receives data, the relay station receives data from both a higher layer and a lower layer. When the relay station transmits data, the relay station transmits data to both the higher layer and the lower layer. By doing so, data reception and data transmission are exclusively performed without interfering with each other, and the method and the system are easily applied to the multi-hop MMR system.
US07920825B2
A method and apparatus for joint unicast using multi-user superposition coding in a wireless relay system are provided. A BS superposition-encodes first and second data messages directed to first and second MSs, respectively, scheduled at a current scheduling instant. The first and second data messages carry first and second information bit streams for the first and second MSs, respectively. The first MS has a relatively good direct link to the BS, and the second MS has a relatively bad direct link to the BS. The superposition-coded data is transmitted to the first MS and an RS connected between the BS and the first and second MSs. The RS receives the superposition-coded data from the BS, extracts the second information bit stream by decoding the superposition-coded data, and transmits a third data message carrying the second information bit stream to the first and second MSs.
US07920822B2
Provided is a device for preventing eavesdropping through a speaker. More particularly, a device for preventing eavesdropping by transmitting a jamming signal through a speaker common signal line is provided, the device including: a jamming signal generator for generating a jamming signal comprising a noise signal; an amplifier for amplifying the jamming signal; and a transformer for receiving the amplified jamming signal from the amplifier and outputting the amplified jamming signal to a speaker common signal line. The device may transmit a jamming signal in an audible frequency band to the speaker common signal line, thereby rendering conversations unrecognizable to eavesdroppers when an electrical signal induced from a speaker is detected through the speaker common signal line.
US07920821B2
The present invention is a system that mathematically simulates acoustic waves that are reflected off an ocean floor from a SONAR transducer mounted on a ship, submarine, or other water navigable craft. By varying the number of mathematical equations, the form of the equations, and the parameters of the equations, many different conditions may be simulated in the laboratory before testing and implementing a SONAR system at sea. The system can simulate either a spatial hydrophone SONAR system or a temporal hydrophone SONAR system for all ship speeds (i.e. all velocity components). The novel equations used in the system are based on the physics of correlation SONAR, and are applied in real time simulation environments to provide for accurate SONAR simulation of a ship's velocity.
US07920818B2
An image forming apparatus which can expand the space of a discharging unit includes a scanner rotating unit provided below a scanner unit to rotate the scanner unit, to open the top of a discharging unit, and to expand a space of the discharging unit if the collective height of sheets accumulated in the discharging unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, and a control unit arranged to detect whether the collective height of the sheets accumulated in the discharging unit reaches or exceeds the predetermined value to operate the scanner rotating unit in accordance with the detection result.
US07920812B2
A development device provided with a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, which are laminated so as to overlap one another in a normal direction with respect to the surface of the roller part of the toner bearing roller. A plurality of openings are provided in the second electrode layer, over the entire latent image bearable area of a photosensitive body in the orthogonal-to-movement direction. The toner on the surface of the roller part is caused to hop between a plurality of spots directly beneath the openings that respectively exist directly beneath the plurality of openings in the second electrode layer, and a plurality of spots between the openings that respectively exist between the plurality of openings in the second electrode layer, within the entire area of the first electrode layer which is uniformly formed in the roller circumferential direction.
US07920809B2
A sheet feeding device includes an inner guide member and an outer guide member that define a sheet feeding path therebetween. The sheet feeding device also includes an engaging member positioned adjacent to one of the inner guide member and the outer guide member, and a receiving portion positioned at the other one of the inner guide member and the outer guide member. The engaging member moves between an engaged position to engage the receiving portion and a disengaged position to disengage from the receiving portion. The inner guide member is selectively connected to the outer guide member via the engaging member and the receiving portion. When the engaging member contacts the sheet in the sheet feeding path, the engaging member is in the disengaged position, and when the engaging member is separated from the sheet in the sheet feeding path, the engaging member is in the engaged position.
US07920805B2
The present disclosure relates to incorporation of boron nitride in the charge transport layer of a photoconductor. The boron nitride may have an aspect ratio of greater than 1.0, a D50 mean particle size of less than about 10.0 μm and be present at about 5.0% (wt) or less in the charge transport layer. The cartridge may also include toner particles wherein the toner particles have a size range of about 1-25 μm and an average degree of circularity of about 0.90-1.0. The photoconductor containing boron nitride when used in an electrophotographic printer may then provide acceptable dark decay and/or photoinduced decay (PID) curves relative to photoconductors that do not contain boron nitride along with improved resistance to toner filming.
US07920799B2
An image forming apparatus is provided with a photoconductor to have an electrostatic latent image formed thereon, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner, a toner replenishing device for replenishing the toner into the developing device, and a controller for controlling an image developing operation by the developing device and a toner replenishing operation by the toner replenishing device. The controller executes a non-replenishment mode for causing the developing device to perform image development without being replenished with the toner from the toner replenishing device, a discharge mode, following the non-replenishment mode, for discharging the toner remaining in the developing device and a refill mode, following the discharge mode, for refilling the toner into the developing device by the toner replenishing device.
US07920794B1
Free space optical communication systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A system embodiment includes a photodetector for receiving a beacon signal transmitted from a ground communication apparatus, a light source for emitting a light beam toward a source of the beacon signal, where the light beam includes a signal to be transmitted, and a high speed tracking actuator coupled to the light source for moving the light source to maintain the light beam in a direction toward the source of the beacon signal transmitted from the ground communication apparatus.
US07920779B2
A heat exchanger comprises a substantially pillar sheathed heater, a substantially cylindrical case, and a spiral spring. The sheathed heater is accommodated in the case. The spring is provided so as to be wound around an outer peripheral surface of the sheathed heater. Thus, a spiral flow path is formed among an outer peripheral surface of the sheathed heater, an inner peripheral surface of the case, and the spring. The spring functions as a flow velocity conversion mechanism, a turbulent flow generation mechanism, a flow direction conversion mechanism, and an impurity removal mechanism. A water inlet and a water outlet are respectively arranged at positions eccentric from a central axis of the case on a side surface of the case.
US07920775B2
A recording apparatus has: a stream generating unit for generating a first stream constituted of a first moving image signal at a first frame rate and an input audio signal and a second stream constituted of a second moving image signal at a second frame rate faster than the first frame rate and a predetermined audio signal; a recording unit for recording the first and second streams; and an instructing unit for instructing a change-over of a frame rate, wherein in accordance with an instruction output from the instructing unit during recording the first stream, the stream generating unit outputs the second stream instead of the first stream, and the recording unit records the second stream output in response to the instruction by the instructing unit, instead of the first stream.
US07920771B2
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.
US07920769B2
In a compact formed by subjecting an ultrafine particle brittle material supplied on a substrate to mechanical impact force as a load, whereby the ultrafine particle brittle material is crushed and joined to each other, manganese is added into the ultrafine particle brittle material to form the compact.
US07920766B2
An optical frequency converter that uses a nonlinear optical process to transfer energy between a surface-plasmon (SP) wave that is guided along an electrically conducting strip and a light beam that is guided along an optical waveguide whose core is adjacent to the electrically conducting strip. The optical frequency converter has a periodic structure that spatially modulates the nonlinear susceptibility of the waveguide core with a spatial period that is related to a momentum mismatch in the nonlinear optical process. The spatial modulation provides quasi-phase matching for the SP wave and the light beam and enables efficient energy transfer between them.
US07920756B2
A printer fetches a horizontal direction DCT coefficient group and a vertical direction DCT coefficient group for each block from the JPEG data. The printer selects edge patterns similar to the brightness changes expressed by these coefficient groups from a specified table, and records those pattern numbers in a RAM. The printer judges whether or not the brightness changes of the blocks with each other adjacent are continuous based on the pattern number of each block recorded in the RAM. And by connecting the edge patterns when those brightness changes are continuous, the printer accumulates the blur widths that exist extending over the blocks. Then, based on this cumulative value, the printer determines the presence or absence of image blur. It is possible thereby to detect with good precision the blur of images even for high resolution images while reducing the used memory capacity.
US07920743B2
A method of displaying a time sequence of 2-dimensional data represents each data set in the time sequence as a normalized figure based upon a reference set of data. The perimeter of the normalized figure is color coded to represent deviations from a data standard that corresponds to the 2-dimensional data. For subsequent data sets in the time sequence each normalized figure is sized to form a series of concentric figures for display representing all the data sets in the time sequence so that patterns of both rotational and magnitude changes are visually apparent.
US07920737B2
The present invention relates to methods of automatically determining and recognizing a code included in image data, and, more particularly, to a method capable of determining not only a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code but also a steganographic code with certainty.A code image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a block extracting step of extracting a rectangular block unit area from image data; a block feature value calculating step of calculating the feature value of a code included in the rectangular block unit area; a block determining step of determining the type of the code included in the rectangular block unit area on the basis of the feature value of the code; and a code processing selecting step of selecting processing to be performed on the basis of the determined code type. According to the image processing method, it can be accurately determined whether a rectangular block unit area includes a steganographic code by using a steganographic feature value to determine the type of a code included in the rectangular block unit area.
US07920731B2
A method for differentiating between a blood vessel bifurcation and a bleeding blood vessel in an ultrasound volume includes performing vessel segmentation on the ultrasound volume, calculating vessel centerlines for the segmented vessels, automatically detecting a bifurcation candidate using the calculated vessel centerlines, placing a first marker at a predetermined distance before the detected bifurcation candidate, placing a second marker at a predetermined distance after the bifurcation candidate, placing a third marker at a predetermined distance alone a potential vessel branch of the bifurcation candidate, acquiring spectral Doppler waveform data at each of the three markers, and comparing the acquired spectral Doppler waveform data for each of the three markers to determine whether the bifurcation candidate is a point of internal bleeding.
US07920726B2
An image processing method and apparatus for reproducing moving image data, the method and apparatus comprising detecting defects in receiving moving image data, determining the priority of each defect if there are a plurality of defects in at least one frame of the received moving image data, and performing interpolation for each defect based on the determined priority.
US07920722B2
An occupant detection apparatus can include a photographing device disposed to face to a vehicle rear seat for taking three-dimensional images; an information extracting section which extracts image information corresponding to an upper area of a seat of the rear seat from three-dimensional images taken by the photographing device; a division processing section which divides information extracted by the information extracting section into areas relating to respective sitting areas for occupants sitting in the rear seat; and a derivation processing section which derives, with regard to histogram showing frequency distribution of picture elements relative to distances from the photographing device, a first histogram corresponding to image information divided by the division processing section and also derives a difference histogram by deriving a second histogram from the derived first histogram, and thus derives information about each rear-seat occupant in each sitting area of said vehicle rear seat based on the difference histogram.
US07920719B2
A collision avoidance system for a mobile unit includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an environment surrounding a mobile unit. Motion vector is calculated based on the captured image. Collision probability is calculated based on the motion vectors of the image. The system includes a plurality of receptive field units that are modeled on the optic lobe cells of the flies. Each of the receptive field units includes a filter producing an excitatory response to the motion vector diverging from the center of the receptive field in the central area of the receptive field and producing an inhibitory response to the motion vector converging toward the center of the receptive field in the areas around the central area. The outputs of the receptive field units are compared to determine a direction in which the obstacle approaches the mobile unit. The mobile unit moves in a direction to avoid collision.
US07920718B2
A method, computer program product, and machine vision system for monitoring an activity area proximate an actuated passageway for the occurrence of an object-related event. The activity area includes a first activity zone and at least a second activity zone. The first and the at least a second activity zones are essentially parallel to the activity area. The actuated passageway is actuatable with a control signal. The occurrence of an object-related event is detected within the activity area. If the object-related event occurs within the first activity zone, a first algorithm is executed to generate the control signal. If the object-related event occurs within the at least a second activity zone, a second algorithm is executed to generate the control signal.
US07920706B2
A key management of cryptographic keys has a data package including one or more cryptographic keys that are transferred to a personal device 100 from a secure processing point 150 of a device assembly line in order to store device specific cryptographic keys in the personal device 100. In response to the transferred data package, a backup data package is received by the secure processing point 150 from the personal device 100, which backup data package is the data package encrypted with a unique secret chip key stored in a tamper-resistant secret storage 125 of a chip 110 included in the personal device 100. The secure processing point 150 is arranged to store the backup data package, together with an associated unique chip identifier read from the personal device 100, in a permanent, public database 170.
US07920703B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, the descrambler IC comprises a local memory to store a unique key and a plurality of process blocks. A first process block performs cryptographic operations on a first mating key generator using the unique key in order to produce a first key. A second process block uses the first key to perform cryptographic operations on a second mating key generator in order to produce a second key. Using the first key and the second key, a third process block decrypts a first encrypted descrambling key in order to recover a first descrambling key and a fourth process block decrypts a second encrypted descrambling key to recover a second descrambling key. The descrambler IC includes a descrambler to descramble the scrambled digital content using both the first descrambling key and the second descrambling key in order to produce digital content in a clear format.
US07920698B1
A microphone system that may be used in a mobile telephone is disclosed. In one embodiment, a microphone is housed within a first housing portion and is extended therefrom when a second portion of the housing is pivoted to an open position relative to the first housing portion. The microphone is retracted back into the first housing portion when the second housing portion is slidably affixed to the first housing portion and the microphone is extended from the first housing portion when the second housing portion is moved relative to an open position relative to the first housing portion and the microphone is retracted into the first housing portion when the second housing portion is moved into a closed position relative to the first housing portion. In another embodiment, a manually actuated scroll gear is used to extend and retract the microphone. In yet another embodiment, a motor is used to extend and retract the microphone.
US07920681B2
A system, apparatus, and method for creating alternate-mode interactive applications is provided. A system for creating an alternate-mode interactive application includes a selection module for selecting a voice-mode element from a set of voice-mode elements defining a voice-mode interactive application for accomplishing a predetermined user-directed task The system also includes a generation module for generating an alternate-mode element corresponding to the selected voice-mode element, the alternate-mode element having a modality different than the voice-mode element. The system further includes a construction module for constructing an alternate-mode interactive application based upon the generated alternate-mode element.
US07920680B2
There are provided methods and systems for authenticating a user. A method includes receiving a voice signature certificate corresponding to a setup portion of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. The VoIP call further has a voice conversation portion. The voice signature certificate includes a voice signature segment. The method further includes reproducing the voice signature segment to enable verification of voice continuity from the setup portion to the voice conversation portion. The verification is performing by comparing the voice signature segment to a user's voice during the voice conversation portion.
US07920678B2
A computer-based virtual assistant includes a virtual assistant application running on a computer capable of receiving human voice communications from a user of a remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization to the remote user interface, the virtual assistant application enabling the user to access email and voicemail messages of the user, the virtual assistant application selecting a responsive action to a verbal query or instruction received from the remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization characterizing the selected responsive action to the remote user interface, and the virtual assistant waiting a predetermined period of time, and if no canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, proceeding to perform the selected responsive action, and if a canceling indication is received from the remote user interface halting the selected responsive action and transmitting a new vocalization to the remote user interface. Also a method of using the virtual assistant.
US07920671B2
An X-ray CT apparatus has a setting unit, a generating unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. The setting unit sets a required width of a group of X-ray detection elements in a row direction, which is relatively insusceptible to an influence of a cone angle of a cone-beam X-ray. The generating unit generates accumulation data by accumulating first projection data, based on first X-ray detection elements within the required width included in the group, with same channel in the row direction in preference to second projection data based on second X-ray detection elements outside the required width included in the group. The calculation unit obtains a motion amount for each heartbeat phase based on the accumulation data. The determination unit determines a specific heartbeat phase based on the motion amount for the each heartbeat phase.
US07920667B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an accumulator including a flow damper which is capable of performing a control so that a vortex may not be formed in a vortex chamber at the time of a large flow injection without requiring huge labors and fabrication costs. The flow damper is configured of a colliding jet controller (a bevel or a projection) for controlling a colliding jet composed of a jet from a large flow pipe and a jet from a small flow pipe flowing into a vortex chamber at the time of a large flow injection so that the colliding jet may proceed directly to an outlet without forming a vortex in the vortex chamber. The colliding jet controller is provided at a junction of an inner surface of the small flow pipe and an inner surface of the vortex chamber.
US07920663B1
Adjusting a local frequency source is disclosed. A local frequency comparison data is compared with a received frequency comparison data, wherein the local frequency comparison data reflects a difference, if any, between a locally measured AC frequency and a frequency generated using the local frequency source. The local frequency source is adjusted based at least in part on a result of the comparison.
US07920659B2
A wireless communication apparatus capable of enhancing the transmission efficiency, while maintaining a good BER characteristic. In this apparatus, a setting part (13) sets, based on the maximum delay amount of a delayed wave and also based on the expansion of impulse response of FDE, an FFT part (14) to establish an FFT section of Nc symbol, and also sets a selecting part (17) to establish a selection section of Nc−2M−Δ symbol that is shorter than the FFT section. The setting part (13) also sets the start points of FFT and selection sections established at this time for such timings that they are shifted by Nc−2M−Δ symbol from the start points of the FFT and selection sections previously established. It should be noted that the maximum delay amount of the delayed wave is Δ symbol, the expansion of impulse response of FDE is plus/minus M symbols, and the symbol block length is Nc.
US07920658B2
Systems and methods are provided for efficiently determining frequency estimates in a forward link only wireless receiver. In one embodiment, a method is provided to compute a one shot frequency estimate. The method includes representing an arc tangent function in a table that describes elements of the function and employing the arc tangent function to compute phase information for a wireless device.
US07920654B2
In a UMTS/GSM receiver with EDGE services capability, a data sequence incorporating PSK symbols is separated into bits which are assigned confidence values and input to convoluntional decoder (33) to provide improved decoding.
US07920651B2
The system in one embodiment relates to tightly integrating parameter estimation, symbol hypothesis testing, decoding, and rate identification. The present invention provides Turbo-decoding for joint signal demodulation based on an iterative decoding solution that exploits error correction codes. The system iteratively couples an initial amplitude estimator, a symbol estimator, a bank of decoders, and a joint amplitude estimator to produce the symbol estimates.
US07920640B2
A transmission bit and transmission power distributing method that can reduce the arithmetic amount in a multiantenna-input/multiantenna-output (MIMO) wireless communication system. This method comprises steps of calculating a signal-to-interference-noise ratio (SINR) gain after MIMO detection of each of transport substreams (S601, S602); optimizing, based on the acquired SINR gain, a transmission bit and transmission power distribution in the space domain for all transport substreams on a particular subcarrier in the frequency domain, thereby deciding a transmission bit and transmission power distribution parameters (S603, S604); and optimizing a transmission bit and transmission power distribution for adjacent subcarriers, by sequentially using the transmission bit and transmission power distribution parameters distributed on the subcarrier for which the transmission bit and transmission power distribution parameters have been decided (S605 to S610).
US07920620B1
The present invention determines those mathematical processes that are repeated in the standard search schema, and uses this information to simplify the process by eliminating repetition of processes that have already been performed. The present information can be implemented in standard circuitry and with fewer instructions than the standard approach. As such, the present invention allows for receiver implementations that are of lower cost and lower power consumption, while achieving the same functionality as the standard receiver topology. The present invention achieves these goals by forming a lookup table of partial accumulations, and presents a method to efficiently address these partial accumulations for use during the accumulation and correlation processes performed by the receiver. These partial accumulations are in turn added together, or accumulated, to form the total accumulation over the desired time period. This eliminates the need of a specific operation of multiplication, or equivalent, on the incoming data. The present invention details a method for grouping similar operations, and presents a series of operations to utilize these groups for replacing a portion of the correlations and additions that would be carried out in the classical approach.
US07920617B1
A method and device for coherent addition of semiconductor laser emission, in particular for use in telecommunications. Individual emitters are coupled, each emitter to some extent experiencing some of the emission of all the others. Rather than all emitting independently of one another, the emitters are arranged in a common resonator. Using an optimization method, e.g., the simulated annealing method, the shape of the resonator mirror may be optimized until it optimally fulfils a preassigned set of mathematical requirements which constitute a set criterion. The individual emitters in the form of individual diodes, a diode matrix or a diode bar are arranged between two or more mirrors. At least one of these mirrors has a special, non-spherical surface that forms an internal correction element. Alternatively, the mirrors may be spherical-shaped with at least one non-spherical phase plate arranged in the resonator beam path. Outside the resonator a further system that includes a generator and a secondary beam shaper transforms the emitted beam so that it has the desired amplitude distribution and phase distribution and the desired irradiance.
US07920615B2
A surface-emitting laser diode capable of being manufactured easily at low cost, and capable of stabilizing the polarization direction of laser light in one direction and achieving higher output is provided. A light emission section 20 in which a lower first DBR mirror layer 12, a lower second DBR mirror layer 13, a lower spacer layer 14, an active layer 15 including a light emission region 15A, an upper spacer layer 16, a current confinement layer 17, an upper DBR mirror layer 18 and a contact layer 19 are laminated in this order is included on a substrate 10. The lower first DBR mirror layer 12 includes an oxidation section 30 nonuniformly distributed in a direction rotating around the light emission region 15A in a periphery of a region corresponding to the light emission region 15A. The oxidation section 30 includes a pair of multilayer films 31 and 32, and is formed by oxidizing a low refractive index layer 12A. Thereby, an anisotropic stress according to nonuniform distributions of the multilayer films 31 and 32 is generated in the active layer 15.
US07920614B2
A semiconductor laser having a high electrostatic withstand voltage, resistant to a power supply surge, and having improved long-term reliability is obtained by reducing current leakage through a threading dislocation portion. The semiconductor laser includes a substrate having a high dislocation region having a dislocation density of 1×105 cm−2 or more, a crystalline semiconductor structure located on the substrate and having an active layer, an insulating film located on the semiconductors structure, a surface electrode located on the insulating film and electrically continuous with the semiconductor structure for injection of a current into the active layer, and a back electrode located on a rear surface of the substrate. The semiconductor laser has a laser resonator with a length L, and the area of the surface electrode is 120×L μm2 or less.
US07920612B2
Light emitting semiconductor devices such as VCSELs, SELs, and LEDs are manufactured to have a thin electrical confinement barrier in a confining layer near the active region of the device. The thin confinement barrier comprises a III-V semiconductor material having a high aluminum content (e.g. 80%-100% of the type III material). The aluminum content of the adjacent spacer layer is lower than that of the confinement barrier. In one embodiment the spacer layer has an aluminum content of less than 40% and a direct bandgap. The aluminum profile reduces series resistance and improves the efficiency of the semiconductor device.
US07920606B2
Fundamental-wavelength pulses from a fiber a laser are divided into two portions and the two portions are separately amplified. One of the amplified fundamental-wavelength pulse-portions is frequency-doubled. The frequency doubled portion is sum-frequency mixed with the other amplified fundamental wavelength pulse-portions to provide third-harmonic radiation pulses.
US07920596B2
A device having framing capabilities, the device includes at least one memory unit adapted to store data and metadata required for framing the stored data; the device is characterized by including a framer that is connected to a framed data unit and to a data fetch unit; wherein the device is adapted to select between a first operation sequence and a second operation sequence; wherein the first operation sequence comprises a data chunk and metadata fetch operation followed by a data chunk frame operation and wherein the second operation sequence comprises a multiple data chunk fetch operation followed by multiple data chunk frame operations; wherein the data fetch unit and the framer are adapted to execute the selected operation sequence. A method for framing data, the method includes storing data and metadata required for framing the stored data at one or more memory devices. The method is characterized by executing an operation sequence out of a first operation sequence and a second operation sequence; wherein the first operation sequence comprises a data chunk and metadata fetch operation followed by a data chunk frame operation and wherein the second operation sequence comprises a multiple data chunk fetch operation followed by multiple data chunk frame operations.
US07920595B2
Radio protocol for a next generation mobile communication system is disclosed including a radio link control layer for connecting to an upper layer through a service access point provided in advance and for connecting to a lower layer through a plurality of logic channels provided in advance. The radio link control layer includes at least one radio link control entity for transmission/reception of data to/from up-link or down-link according to a form of a data transmission mode.
US07920588B2
A 1553 data communication system having a primary data bus, a redundant data bus and a non-1553 data communication overlay system is provided. The non-1553 data communication overlay system comprises a non-1553 bus controller terminal and a non-1553 remote terminal. Each non-1553 terminal includes a non-1553 transmitter block connected to the primary bus and the redundant bus for sending non-1553 signals, a non-1553 receiver block for receiving non-1553 signals and a non-1553 receive path selection block. The non-1553 receive path selection block selectively establishes a receive path between the primary data bus or the redundant data bus and the non-1553 receiver block according to predefined receive path selection criteria. A 1553 data communication method is also provided.
US07920577B2
A method of handling broadcast packets, which are for a single network unit. The method includes receiving, by a network device, a packet, having a broadcast address, but directed to a single network unit and forwarding the packet through a plurality of ports of the network device, but not through at least one port of the device through which the packet was not received.
US07920570B2
A communication control apparatus for controlling communication by repeatedly sending a control signal to other apparatuses at a given time interval, the communication using a protocol that regulates transmissions of an acknowledgement as a receipt for one or more communication packets, and the control signal allocating, within the given time interval, two types of communication periods which are (i) a one-way communication period in which a one-way communication is performed and (ii) a two-way communication period in which a two-way communication is performed. The communication control apparatus determines, based on an occurrence ratio of the transmissions of the acknowledgement, a length of the one-way communication period, and sends the control signal that allocates a plurality of the one-way communication periods each of which has the determined length.
US07920567B2
A switching hub is provided with a control unit for setting, for a port, a VLAN-ID comprising a subgroup ID of a subgroup constituting a VLAN, and a sub-ID of a group contained in the subgroup ID, and a switching processing unit for relaying a frame, which contains the VLAN-ID, via the port, which matches the VLAN-ID.
US07920561B2
An Ethernet MAC sublayer is provided for supporting Ethernet MAC circuits in an Ethernet Network. In accordance with one embodiment, an Ethernet MAC sublayer is provided for processing and setting up circuits. The MAC sublayer provides support for higher level signaling and routing applications to implement Ethernet MAC circuit functionality. The MAC sublayer provides interrupts for WAN learning and circuit setup. The MAC sublayer also provides address table entry extension to allow for usage of multiple links between nodes. The routing application is used to manage routing information, maintain a MAC to port mapping database, and manage port resources. The signaling application is used to set up and manage circuits. In accordance to various embodiments, circuits of various types and properties can be managed in the Ethernet Network.
US07920557B2
A routing switcher performs various soft signaling processing within the router using one or more internal soft media processors (central processing units) to enable flexible solutions. The routing switcher includes a plurality of inputs and outputs operably connected by a cross-point matrix where the inputs are dynamically coupled to one or more of the outputs. The routing switcher also includes a soft media processor connected to the cross-point matrix as well as being dynamically coupled between some inputs and outputs. The soft media processor receives a signal from an input via the cross-point matrix and performs one of at least two signaling processing functions resident on the soft media processor and outputs a processed signal from one or more of the routing switcher's outputs.
US07920555B2
An Internet router treats plural output ports with a common destination as a composite port. A routing table uses the IP address to determine a composite trunk to which the packet is to be forwarded. A forwarding table identifies a route along a routing fabric within the router to a specific output port of the composite port. Output ports and fabric routes are selected to maintain order within a flow by routing the flow along a single fabric route to a single output trunk. The forwarding table may favor output ports which are nearest to a packet input port, and the forwarding table may be modified to dynamically balance load across the trunks of a composite trunk.
US07920551B2
A mobile terminal is anchored in a control subsystem, which will function as the mobile terminal's home service subsystem. Call signaling for an incoming call is routed to the control subsystem, which will provide call processing. The call processing may include determining how to route the call to the mobile terminal. Call signaling may be provided to the mobile terminal via the packet subsystem while the bearer path for the incoming call may be established to the mobile terminal though either the circuit-switched subsystem or the packet subsystem. When the mobile terminal is capable of supporting local wireless communications, the bearer paths for incoming calls may be provided via a local wireless subsystem. The subsystem chosen for the bearer path may be based on whether there is sufficient bandwidth to support the bearer path over an available packet-based connection.
US07920547B2
A VoIP-UMS accessed via a private branch exchange or an IP-phone using a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). More particularly, the method has access the VoIP-UMS in which an initial call setup message is sent which includes call information upon accessing the VoIP-UMS for the purpose of using functions, such as voice mail or the like. When a user accesses a voice service system over a network directly from a terminal, the user accesses via an SIP server, or the user accesses via a switching system, the VoIP-UMS can discriminate connected calls easily, and determinate and respond to the calls rapidly because an INVITE message, which is a Session Initiation Protocol message attempting to access the VoIP-UMS, includes an INFO message that is a message on call information.
US07920537B2
A method (400) and arrangement (200) for mitigation of intercell and intracell interference in a 3GPP cellular communication system (100) by, in a receiver in a cell of the system, deriving for a first channel in the cell a signal, representative of first channel transfer function (A(1)); deriving for at least a second channel originating in a different cell a signal (A(2 . . . M)), representative of second channel transfer function, based on: deriving a cell specific scrambling code (s), deriving a channel impulse response (h), and deriving a channelisation code (c); and performing multi-user detection using the first and second signals. Where the channelisation code is unknown, a substitute channelisation code is preferably substituted. It will be appreciated that the technique can be applied to both downlink and uplink. This provides the advantage that both intra-cell interference and intercell interference are mitigated.
US07920519B2
Facilitating node mobility includes facilitating a communication session for a mobile node communicated along a first communication path. A first anchor point manages context information for the communication session, where the context information comprises information for supporting the communication session. A command to transfer the context information to a second anchor point is received from a home agent. The second anchor point is operable to facilitate communication of the communication session along a second communication path. The context information is transferred in response to the command.
US07920518B2
System and method for providing access to multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) on a shared network infrastructure. The system includes a plurality of access points (APs) coupled to a network which may be distributed in airports, mass-transit stations, businesses, etc. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. Each AP may include a plurality of virtual APs (VAPs), each corresponding to a WSP. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user stores identification information indicating a WSP of a plurality of possible WSPs, and which may include an access level of the user. Each AP “listens for” or detects identification information associated with numerous WSPs. When the AP receives the identification information from the PCD, it determines the VAP/WSP for the PCD using the identification information. Network access is then provided to the PCD through the determined WSP at the determined access level.
US07920514B2
In a radio system which allocates resources using as units resource blocks which are formed by frequency components and time components, control information for mobile station devices, and identification information which is used to identify a format for a control information transmission channel which transmits the control information is transmitted from the base station device to the mobile station devices by means of the control information transmission channel.
US07920512B2
A wireless sensor network includes a network sink node and a plurality of cluster nodes. The cluster nodes are configured to pass communications upstream and downstream. Each cluster node has a communication range, or coverage area. A cluster node is configured to communicate with sensor nodes within the coverage area of cluster node. The sensor nodes are configured to register with at least one cluster node. The cluster nodes are configured to register with the network sink. Identifiers for the sensor nodes may be dynamically generated. Identifiers for the cluster nodes may be dynamically generated.
US07920509B2
A system and method that provides remote access to nodes in a wireless telecommunication system comprises sending a first message from an operations node in the wireless telecommunication system to a packet interface. The first message may be dynamically directed to a first of the nodes in the wireless telecommunication system. This may be accomplished by dynamically directing the first message using an unallocated channel, using an allocated but inactive channel, using an active channel, or prioritizing the first message in the active channel.
US07920506B2
A transmission schedule constructing apparatus constructing a transmission schedule for use in time division multiple access of stations on a power line communication network. The apparatus constructs the transmission schedule based on a cyclic change in a transmission quality of communication medium depending on an alternating current power source cycle on the power line and based on a parameter relating to transmission quality designated in the schedule allocation request.
US07920502B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to packetization techniques for satellite transmission of data, such as telephony data. Some embodiments use the MPEG2 standard in connection with the ETSI DVB data piping profile for arranging the data. Embodiments also relate to method for receiving, demultiplexing and managing incoming telephony data to support a variety of telephony applications including voice, facsimile, Internet and other data.
US07920500B2
A controller apparatus of this invention controls transmission of a packet from a source mobile terminal to a destination mobile terminal through one or more relay mobile terminals in an ad hoc network formed by a plurality of mobile terminals. The controller apparatus includes a packet location information managing unit configured to manage packet location information which shows to which mobile terminal the packet has been transmitted in the ad hoc network.
US07920497B2
A system comprises a communication engine for transmitting at least one groupcast packet to wireless stations on a wireless network; an ACK leader selection engine for identifying at least one of the wireless stations as a current ACK leader responsible for generating any ACK in response to the at least one groupcast packet, and for shifting the current ACK leader among a group of the wireless stations; and an ACK management engine for managing any ACK received from the current ACK leader.
US07920492B1
Devices, softwares and methods are provided for redundantly encoding a data stream into frames for network transmission as packets. A main encoder encodes a data stream into main frames, while a redundant encoder encodes it into redundant frames. The redundant frames have a redundant-coding delay from the main frames that is adjustable to accommodate many different sets of network conditions.
US07920490B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless transmission and reception of data including processing and buffering features. According to one or more exemplary aspects, there is provided a wireless audio receiver for receiving a plurality of packets of encoded audio data. Moreover, the receiver includes at least one receiving component that receives the plurality of packets to generate a plurality of decoded signals, a decoding component that decodes the first packet of encoded data transmitted to produce decoded data, and a selecting component that identifies the mechanisms for receiving additional encoded data. Other exemplary embodiments may include one or more receiving components that processing data regarding antenna, frequencies and channels selected for transmission, as well as an audio component that receives the decoded signals and produces decoded audio signals.
US07920489B1
Embodiments herein provide full duplex operation (i.e., simultaneous receiving and transmitting of data over a network) of a network device of a computer system. Receiving and transmitting threads are used for receiving and transmitting data using the network device, the threads requiring access to an associated data structure to use the network device. Conventionally, the data structure is locked to allow access to only one thread at a time to protect against information inconsistencies in the data structure. Some embodiments remove the locking feature of the data structure to provide simultaneous access to the data structure by the receiving and transmitting threads, and thus allow full duplex operation of the network device. Protections against information inconsistencies in the data structure may be provided, including providing separate receiving and transmitting information sections in the data structure and assurances that only one transmitting thread accesses the data structure at any time.
US07920487B2
A method and apparatus route data packets in communication network. A current routing topology of the network is analyzed and a digest value representing the current routing topology is determined. The digest value is encapsulated within the data packet. The data packet is forwarded according to the current routing topology.
US07920486B2
A processor of a mobile device operates to establish communications for a communications application by performing the following acts upon invocation of the application when the mobile device is connected in a communication network outside of a private network. Initially, the processor causes a request for a VPN connection with the private network to be communicated, and awaits the establishment of the VPN connection. If the VPN connection is established within a predetermined period of time, the processor operates to receive a private IP address of the private network and cause a request for registration using the private IP address to be communicated to a registration server for the private network. If the VPN connection is not established within the predetermined period of time, the processor causes a request for registration using a public IP address to be communicated to a registration server for the communication network.
US07920484B1
A method for lightpath provisioning in a reconfigurable optical network that comprises the steps of naming each network addressable element in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current resources therein, determining current topology therein, requesting establishment of a lightpath, and allocating the lightpath. A system for lightpath provisioning in a reconfigurable optical network is also provided, which includes naming each network addressable element in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current topology in the reconfigurable optical network, determining current resources in the reconfigurable optical network, requesting establishment of a lightpath, allocating the lightpath and removing the lightpath upon completion.
US07920472B2
A configurable edge device for use in a network, the edge device being adapted and configured to be coupled to at least one other edge device in a network, and including an admission controller for controlling admission of data traffic onto a pre-defined flow over a physical link, and a router for routing the data traffic through the edge device onto the pre-defined flow in accordance with a pre-defined routing scheme, wherein operation of the admission controller and the router is controlled in accordance with data defining all physical and logical links in the network; a telecommunications carrier network for data traffic, the network including at least two such configurable edge devices, and a method for transmitting data traffic through such an edge device.
US07920466B2
In one embodiment, a point of local repair (PLR) for a child tunnel establishes a backup tunnel to a hierarchical tunnel head-end node's (grooming node's) downstream hierarchical tunnel neighbor (merge point) and learns a corresponding backup tunnel label. The PLR then stores a label stack having at least i) the backup tunnel label, ii) a hierarchical tunnel label for the merge point, and iii) a child tunnel label as advertised by an hierarchical tunnel tail-end node. Upon failure of the grooming node, the PLR pushes the stored label stack onto traffic for the child tunnel, and reroutes the traffic with the pushed label stack onto the backup tunnel toward the merge point (e.g., so the merge point may receive the traffic with a proper/expected label stack).
US07920449B2
A focusing control method of an optical information storage media recording and/or reproduction apparatus controlling a focusing operation by moving an objective lens upwards or downwards in a direction towards or away from an optical information storage medium having a plurality of data layers includes receiving a focusing lead-in command signal to focus an optical beam on a target data layer, compensating for spherical aberration with respect to the target data layer, detecting a focus error signal based on an intensity of the optical beam reflected from the optical information storage medium and condensed by an optical detector, identifying the target data layer using an amplitude or a frequency of the focus error signal, and focusing the optical beam on the target data layer by moving the objective lens in an opposite direction from a direction in which the objective lens is initially moved.
US07920434B2
Techniques for sensing data states of respective memory cells in a memory array are provided, the memory array including at least a first bit line coupled to at least a subset of the memory cells. In one aspect, a circuit for sensing data states of respective memory cells in the memory array includes at least one sense amplifier coupled to the first bit line. The sense amplifier includes a first transistor operative to selectively inhibit charging of the first bit line in a manner which is independent of a voltage level on a second bit line coupled to the sense amplifier.
US07920428B2
Methods and apparatuses for automatically measuring memory cell threshold voltages are disclosed. Measurement circuitry includes an internal reference current generator, a plurality of memory cells and a bit line pre-charge reference circuit. If the reference current is greater than the memory cell current, the bit line voltage will increase. Conversely, if the reference current is less than the memory cell current, the bit line voltage will decrease. The reference current is generated in large steps until a comparator, that compares the bit line voltage and a bit line pre-charge reference voltage, is switched. The reference current then generates a current in small steps until the comparator is again switched. The reference current converges on the memory cell current within an accuracy of 10 nA. The memory cell threshold voltage is then determined from the memory cell current. Systems including memory according to an embodiment of the invention are also disclosed.
US07920426B2
A programmable non-volatile device is made which uses a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a portion of a source/drain region. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications.
US07920418B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a plurality of word lines on the semiconductor substrate, each the plurality of word lines including a floating gate of a second conductivity type. A ground select line and a string select line are disposed on respective sides of word lines. An impurity region of the second conductivity type underlies a first word line adjacent the ground select line. The device may further include a second impurity region of the second conductivity type underlying a second word line adjacent the string select line. In still further embodiments, the device may further include third impurity regions of the second conductivity type underlying respective third word lines between the first word line and the second word line. Methods of forming such devices are also provided.
US07920411B2
A method of converting a static random access memory cell to a read only memory cell and the cell thus converted is disclosed. The cell to be converted comprises a data retention portion powered by a higher and lower voltage supply line and four transistors arranged as two cross coupled inverters. It is converted to a read only memory cell by severing a connection between at least one of said transistors within a first of said two inverters and one of said voltage supply lines such that when powered said first inverter outputs a predetermined value.
US07920401B2
Disclosed are apparatus, system and methods of programming and readout of a one-time programmable memory device having an array of memory cells, where the cells include an anti-fuse element and an in-cell amplifier transistor. Circuitry configured for programming and correlated double sampling readout of the cells is also disclosed.
US07920388B2
A fastening structure for an expansion card has a pair of blocks disposed in a case. Each block has a slit, and each slit is facing and parallel to the slit on the other block. When fastening the expansion card, two opposite sides of the expansion card may be engaged into the opening of the pair of slits. At least a locking tab having a dent is disposed on one block and may rotate around the block. When the locking tab rotates, the dent and the slit may be selectively aligned or misaligned. When the dent and the slit are aligned, they may form a continuous passage for a side of the expansion card slitting into. Or when they are misaligned, the sidewall of the dent may block up the slit.
US07920378B2
An electronic device includes a first unit and a second unit connected via a hinge member. The second unit has, at a lower end, a rod section having a cylindrical shape and extending laterally. The rod section has a notch portion formed by making a cut in the cylindrical shape at a position corresponding to a fixed section of the hinge member. The first unit includes: a first cover that includes a plate portion forming a part of a top surface of the first unit, and a rising portion having an arc shape fitted to a cylindrical contour of the rod section and covering a first space of the notch portion; and a second cover that has an arc shape fitted to the cylindrical contour of the rod section and covers a second space of the notch portion while covering the notch portion in combination with the rising portion.
US07920375B2
A support module for supporting a display module and a display device using a support module and the display module is disclosed in the present invention. The display device includes display module housing, a display module, and a support module. The support module includes a linking unit and a supporting unit. The linking unit and the supporting unit are partially linked and their corresponding positions are changeable. The linking unit extends out a first length or a second length from the receiving portion. The display device further includes a base. When the linking unit extends out the first length from the receiving portion, the display module housing separates from the base. When the linking unit extends out the second length from the receiving portion, the display module housing can be connected to the base by the linking unit.
US07920370B2
A multilayer chip capacitor includes: a capacitor body having first and second side surfaces and a bottom surface; a plurality of first and second internal electrodes in the capacitor body; first and second external electrodes having a first polarity and formed on the first and second side surfaces, respectively, to cover a respective lower edge of the side surfaces and to partially extend to the bottom surface; and a third external electrode having a second polarity and formed on the bottom surface. The internal electrodes are disposed in perpendicular to the bottom surface. Each of the first internal electrodes has a first lead drawn to the first side and bottom surfaces and a second lead drawn to the second side and bottom surfaces. Each of the second internal electrodes has a third lead drawn to the bottom surface.
US07920366B2
An integrated circuit can include an I/O pad, an internal circuit, an inductor, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and an ESD clamp. The internal circuit can be biased with a first voltage supply and a second voltage supply, where the internal circuit is connected to the I/O pad at a first node. The ESD protection circuit can be connected between the first node and a second node. The inductor can be connected between the second node and a third voltage supply. Further, the ESD clamp can be connected between the second node and the second voltage supply.
US07920350B2
Data recovery information characterizes data recovery procedure (DRP) steps to be performed within a hard disk drive (HDD) in response to a miss. Particular data recovery information corresponds to a radial position of the actuator and, therefore, the position of the magnetic recording read/write head relative to the associated storage media at the location at which the miss occurred. The data recovery information is based on the physical shape of a write pole and on how the physical shape of the pole inherently affects operational data error associated with the head. Because of the foregoing characteristics of such data recovery information, a more efficient and performant data recovery procedure is performed based thereon.
US07920345B2
Lens barrel 3 includes a stationary frame 20, a drive frame 30, a rotation cam frame 70, and a first lens frame 60. The drive frame 30 is supported by the stationary frame 20 to be movable in a Y axis direction along an optical axis of an imaging optical system O and rotatable around the optical axis in response to a drive force. The rotation cam frame 70 is supported by the drive frame 30 to be movable in the Y axis direction relative to the drive frame 30 in response to the drive force. The first lens frame 60 supports a first lens group G1 included in the imaging optical system O, and is supported by the rotation cam frame 70 to be movable in the Y axis direction relative to the rotation cam frame 70 in response to the drive force.
US07920341B2
Providing an optical system having excellent optical performance, an imaging apparatus, and a method for forming an image by the optical system. The optical system includes, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power. At least one of the first lens group G1, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, and the fourth lens group G4 has at least one A lens satisfying given conditional expressions.
US07920340B2
An optical lens system for taking image comprises: in order from the object side to the image side: an aperture stop; a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a plastic fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, the object-side and the image-side surfaces of the fourth lens element being aspheric. A focal length of the optical lens system for taking image is f, a focal length of the first lens element and the second lens element combined is f12, and they satisfy the relation: 0.98
US07920337B2
An axicon is disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface 31, preferably a cylindrical surface. A first outwardly reflective lens surface 32 and a second inwardly reflective lens surface 35 are formed at opposite ends of the body. A light input beam from a suitable source is directed into one of those surfaces and through the axicon to the other of those surfaces, and the beam is transformed by the axicon into a beam(s) exiting such other surface. The shape and angular extent of the exit beam will depend, in part, on the selected position of the first surface with respect to the optical axis of the axicon and/or the second surface. The axicon is an optical grade unit, preferably unitary, which can receive light of a specified pattern through a first surface, redirect and modify the light, and output light of a different pattern though a second surface. In one configuration a concentrated light beam can be input to the axicon and output as a differently shaped beam, such as defining a predetermined plane or geometric surface. In another configuration, light surrounding the axicon can be input to the first surface 32, concentrated and then output through the second surface 35 as a beam of predetermined size and shape, such as may be be sensed by a photodiode supported at or near the focal point of the lens.
US07920331B2
An anamorphic converter includes, from a projected-surface side, a first group and a second group. The first group includes one or more lens elements and has a negative power at least in a main magnification direction. The second group includes one or more lens elements and has a positive power at least in the main magnification direction. Of optical surfaces, a last surface of the first group and a first surface of the second group: [1] have a power in both main magnification and sub-magnification directions; [2] are convex toward the projected-surface side in both main magnification and sub-magnification directions in a region having an area that is ¼ or more of an optical effective region area including a center portion of each of the last and first optical surfaces; and [3] at least one of the last and first optical surfaces is a free curved surface.
US07920326B2
An inflatable moving screen system includes an inflatable support structure. The inflatable support structure has at least two horizontal tubes and at least two vertical tubes that collectively form a rectangular frame. A skirt is coupled to one of the horizontal tubes and to both vertical tubes. An air inlet is also provided in the support structure, so that as air is received, it can fill the support structure tubes. A projection surface is disposed within the rectangular frame and is permanently coupled directly to one of the horizontal tubes, to both vertical tubes, and to the skirt. An internal tension mechanism is also included. The skirt may be part of the internal tension mechanism, which is configured to create fully internal tension to stretch the projection screen automatically, by inflation of the four inflatable tubes, and without using external or removable tension mechanisms.
US07920325B2
System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.
US07920321B2
An electro-optical device, e.g., a suspended particle device (SPD) adapted for controlling the transmission of radiation wherein the device is provided with at least one layer of an overcoating adapted to enhance adhesion on at least a portion of a surface between a film serving as a light modulating element and electrode means for applying an electrical field to said film, wherein the overcoating is formed from a material comprising a member selected from the group consisting of (a) titanium dioxide (TiO2) alone and (b) a combination of SiOx and an inorganic material having an index of refraction at 589 nm greater than 1.54. A method of producing the device with the application of such overcoating is additionally described.
US07920315B2
A method of piloting an optical polarization controller including a cascade of variable polarization transformers that can be driven individually to realize overall a polarization transformation between an input optical signal and an output optical signal with each transformer having predetermined maximum and minimum end driving limits. For each transformer the method includes cyclically the steps of finding an error signal output to the controller and driving a first transformer polarization variation by a predetermined amount CS in one of the two directions to check whether with this variation the error signal is reduced and, if not, driving in the opposite direction. The decision of which of the two directions to drive first is made each time and is not fixed. Equipment in accordance with the method is also described.
US07920307B2
A scanning device includes a transparent platen, a scanning module, a sheet-feeding mechanism, a section and a pressing unit. The scanning module is disposed at a scan position and acquires an image of a document through the transparent platen. The sheet-feeding mechanism transports the document in a transporting direction across the scan position. The section is located downstream of the scan position, and has a low point at a level lower than that of an upper surface of the transparent platen. The pressing unit is disposed opposite the section and limits a distance between the document and the transparent platen. A contact portion between the pressing unit and the document is lower than the upper surface of the transparent platen.
US07920304B2
An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light sources to illuminate a document; an illumination optical system to guide light to a reading target area having a length and a width; a document illuminating device to illuminate the entire document; an image forming optical system to form an image from light reflected from the document; and a sensor provided in an image forming section of the image forming optical system to read the image of the document. The illumination optical system includes a concentration section to control light diffusion, and a reflection section. The reflection section includes at least two integrally configured reflection surfaces, in which a sine value of an angle of reflected light from at least one reflection surface is positive, while a sine value of an angle of reflected light from the rest of at least one reflection surface is negative.
US07920300B2
A device includes: a first lighting unit that illuminates an object at a first incident angle; a second lighting unit that illuminates an object at a second incident angle, the second incident angle being larger than the first incident angle; an image-input unit that receives light and generates image signals in accordance with the received light; and a guiding unit that guides light diffusely reflected from the object illuminated by either the first lighting unit or the second lighting unit to the image-input unit.
US07920284B2
A procedure that confirms the presence or absence of support for standardized capabilities is present in transmissions to an image-providing apparatus having a photo-direct print capability and an image-printing apparatus, for example. The procedure is used to exchange information relating to the presence or absence of support for a service that provides a cooperative capability separate from the standardized capabilities, making it possible to use non-standard capabilities while maintaining compatibility with devices that do not support the service that provides the cooperative capability separate from the standardized capabilities.
US07920283B2
When print data described in structured language is received from a transmitter, the print data is analyzed by an analysis unit and a determination is made as to whether or not there is unprintable data in the print data. A condition table stores print conditions for determining printability by a print unit, these print conditions being associated with print settings information that has been set with respect to the print data, and a condition determination unit controls printing by the print unit by referencing the condition table based on an analysis result of the analysis unit and the print settings information.
US07920281B2
A reduced content image generator generates a reduced content image representing an imaging job. The reduced content image is generated from imaging data that is part of the imaging job. The reduced content image may be generated from the original imaging data or from the imaging data as processed at any step in the process of completing the imaging job. The reduced content image or a pointer to the reduced content image may be stored with other information regarding the imaging job and displayed with the other information to help identify the imaging job.
US07920280B2
An apparatus includes a first graphics processing unit and a second graphics processing unit for converting graphics data from applications to print data capable of being processed by printer drivers. The apparatus determines whether a first printer driver is suitable for an application, and enables selection of a second printer driver, if it is determined that the first printer driver is not suitable for the application.
US07920278B2
A non-contact method and system for inspecting parts using two different types of machine vision methodologies are provided. The system has enhanced versatility and includes a triangulation-based subsystem to obtain triangulation-based sensor data, a radiation plane-based profile inspection subsystem to obtain shadowed radiation plane-based sensor data and a data processor for processing or fusing the triangulation-based sensor data and the shadowed radiation plane-based sensor data to obtain dimensional information related to the part.
US07920271B2
Apparatus and method can be provided, whereas a particular radiation which includes at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be directed to at least one sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be directed to a reference. The first electro-magnetic radiation having a particular cross-sectional width may be applied to at least one portion of the sample to generate at least one third electro-magnetic radiation. The first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided in the portion along a particular axis for a distance between a multiplier of 0.5 and 100 of the particular cross-sectional width. An interference can be detected between the third electro-magnetic radiation associated with the first electro-magnetic radiation and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation associated with the second electro-magnetic radiation. Further, an asymmetrical cross-sectional area of the first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided.
US07920262B2
A system for measuring backscattered light from a sample is given. Light is output from a light source towards a rotating mirror, and then reflected by the rotating mirror towards the sample. The sample reflects backscattered light back towards the rotating mirror, which, having moved during the time it took for the light to propagate from the mirror to the sample and back, reflects the backscattered light to a detector located at a physical separation from the light source. The detected backscattered light may be analyzed to determine various properties of the sample.
US07920261B2
A particle detection system that images and detects particles in a fluid flow stream through use of detector array(s) is described. The detection system may include light source arrays that may selectively illuminate a particle in a fluid stream. The detection system may also include a detector array employing smart binning to read the measured signals. The smart binning of the detector array may be achieved through knowledge of an exact particle location provided by a position sensitive detector. The detector array(s) may be low cost based on intelligence built into the system. This particle detection system may be particularly useful for detection and discrimination of different particle types since the read-out of the particle signals can be accomplished with low noise and can be flexible enough to optimize the read out measurements for each particle. The particle detection system may be used, for example, in early warning contamination detection systems and manufacturing processes.
US07920255B2
According to some embodiments of the invention a laser directed infrared countermeasures system (hereinafter: “LDIRCM system”) is mountable on a platform. According to some embodiments of the invention, a LDIRCM system may include a plurality of sector units. Each sector unit may include at least one laser unit and a laser guidance module. The laser unit may be adapted to generate a laser beam or laser energy that is intended for jamming a guidance system of a threat. The laser unit may be coupled to the laser guidance module. The laser guidance module may be adapted to steer at least a laser beam generated by the laser unit towards a threat.
US07920252B2
Method and apparatus for spectrophotometric characterization of turbid materials are provided. An incident light beam is used to illuminate a turbid material sample and optical signals of coherent reflectance, diffuse reflectance, collimated transmittance and diffuse transmittance are measured from the sample as functions of wavelength. The following optical parameters are determined as functions of wavelength for spectrophotometric characterization of the turbid material sample in the spectrum of interest: absorption coefficients μa, scattering coefficient μs, anisotropy factor g and real refractive index n.
US07920244B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate including: gate and data lines crossing each other to define a pixel region on a first substrate; a thin film transistor connected to the gate and data lines; and first and second height adjusters; an opposing substrate facing the array substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the opposing substrate; a gap spacer corresponding to the first height adjuster and contacting the array substrate and the opposing substrate; a first press-buffer spacer corresponding to the second height adjuster, contacting the opposing substrate and spaced apart from the array substrate; and a second press-buffer spacer contacting the opposing substrate and spaced apart form the array substrate, wherein a distance between the first press-buffer spacer and the array substrate is substantially less than a distance between the second press-buffer spacer and the array substrate.
US07920242B2
An array substrate (100a) includes a transparent substrate (304), a first insulation layer (306) and a pixel electrode (103). The transparent substrate (304) includes a display region (DR) that displays an image, a peripheral region (PR) having a driving circuit (101) for displaying an image through the display region, and a sealine region (SLR) that surrounds the display region (DR) to define the display region and the peripheral region (PR). The first insulation layer (306) is formed over the transparent substrate (304), and the first insulation layer (306) has an opening window (301) in the sealine region (SLR). The pixel electrode (103) is formed on the first insulation layer (306) of the display region (DR). The bonding between a color filter substrate (401) and an array substrate (100a) is improved. Furthermore, liquid crystal material is completely filled into between the color filter substrate and the array substrate.
US07920241B2
There is provided a liquid crystal display device that includes a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has on a first substrate side a common electrode and a pixel electrode for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal display device including: a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of signal lines; a drive element; a first insulating film; a common electrode; a second insulating film; and a pixel electrode, wherein the common electrode covers the pixel area except a formation area of the contact hole on the first insulating film and at least one of the scan line and the signal line.
US07920233B2
Transflective vertically aligned liquid crystal display with in-cell patterned quarter-wave retarder
The invention relates to a transflective vertically aligned (VA) liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising a patterned quarter wave foil (QWF). The display (10) comprises, in a particular, front and back electrodes (14a, 14b, 14c) provided on transparent substrates (11a, 11b) and sandwiching a LC medium (12), so as to define reflective (10a) and transmissive sub-pixels (10b). The patterned QWF (16), which is preferably provided inside the LC cell (in-cell application), has regions (16a) which provide a defined retardation and cover the reflective sub-pixels (10a), and regions (16b) having no on-axis retardation and covering the transmissive sub-pixels (10a).
US07920231B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a light-shielding film, a plurality of subpixels on the first substrate, a first electrode for each of the subpixels, a second electrode for each of the subpixels, and a color filter formed on the second substrate for each of the subpixels. The second electrodes each include a plurality of linear portions, wherein the subpixels include first and second subpixels that are adjacent to each other. A signal line forms between the first subpixel and second subpixel, and the color filter is formed across the signal line in the same color, and the second electrodes of the first and second subpixels are formed separately, and the second electrode of the first subpixel is disposed to an area of the second subpixel beyond the signal line.
US07920228B2
A dual liquid crystal display device includes a transmissive liquid crystal display panel; a reflective liquid crystal display panel formed on the same substrate as the transmissive liquid crystal display panel; a first light guide block disposed under the transmissive liquid crystal display panel and having dot patterns formed on a first surface thereof; a second light guide block disposed under the reflective liquid crystal display panel and having V-grooves formed on a first surface thereof and dot pattern formed on a second surface thereof; a light source disposed adjacent to the first light guide block; and a housing in which the transmissive and reflective liquid crystal display panels, the light source and the light guide blocks are seated, the housing having an opening to correspond to an image display surface of the reflective liquid crystal display panel.
US07920227B2
A liquid crystal display device (1) of the present invention includes a display panel (3) and a backlight (2) (an illumination device). The backlight (2) includes a light-emitting layer (20) in which a plurality of light sources (5) are scattered and a diffuser (7) (a diffusion layer) that is formed on the light-emitting layer and diffuses light from the light-emitting layer. The light sources (5) that are present within the light-emitting layer (20) emit light in a direction (a direction of an arrow) substantially parallel to a boundary surface between the light-emitting layer (20) and the diffuser (7). In the diffuser (7), a transmittance of light in an area (7c) close to each of the light sources is smaller than a transmittance of light in an area that is far from each of the light sources.
US07920224B2
A display device includes a display panel having a display plane, a frame having an opening formed at an area corresponding to the display plane, for holding the periphery of the display panel, a protecting cover for protecting the display plane, and two transparent adhesive sheets arranged in the gap between the display plane and the protecting cover.
US07920219B2
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device includes a first thin film transistor (“TFT”) applying a high gray-scale data signal supplied from a first data line to a first pixel electrode, an upper electrode connected to the first pixel electrode through a first contact hole, and directly connected to the first TFT, a first storage capacitor storing the high gray-scale data signal, a second TFT applying a low gray-scale data signal supplied from a second data line to a second pixel electrode through a second contact hole, an upper electrode connected to the second pixel electrode through a third contact hole, and a second storage capacitor storing the low gray-scale data signal.
US07920216B2
A stereo image display, switching between a first display direction and a second display direction, includes a polarized light module for providing a polarized light. A first light grating unit is implemented on the light path of the polarized light. When the first light grating unit is activated, the polarized light is modulated to output light in every two column; and when it is turned off, all the polarized light substantially passes. A second grating unit is implemented on the light path of the polarized light. When the second light grating unit is activated, the polarized light is modulated to output light in every two row; and when it is turned off, all the polarized light substantially passes. By the light passing the light grating units, an image displaying unit displays a first image at odd columns or rows and a second image at even columns or rows.
US07920214B2
A method for formation of projection systems color video-images comprises: preliminary programmed processing of video-signals, dividing them into three primary colors components, and generating frame- and line-synchronizing pulses for CRT raster, provided by processing means; formation of three primary color images adjacently positioned on a screen of a single projection type one-beam CRT, the screen of which is divided into three rectangular areas for red, green and blue images wherein each area is coated by a red, green, or blue color phosphor layer respectively, and each image of a primary color is located on the corresponding phosphor layer of its color; superimposing the images to form a combined color image by optical means; displaying the combined color image on a common projection screen.
US07920208B2
A communication method, system, and apparatus are provided that transmits supplementary communications combined with standard television or other visual media (e.g., cable, satellite, video, pre-recorded video, IPTV, Internet, print media) to a viewer/reader. The invention permits a standard television system or other visual media system to transmit supplementary digital data to the viewers along with the normal visual image to provide interactivity. The invention includes an electronic device that optically receives the transmitted supplementary digital data sent along with the visual image. Using the method described, a transmitting facility is able to transmit supplementary data to the device without interfering with its regular programming. The supplementary data can provide a means for added interactivity (e.g., by providing supplemental data for marketing, promotions games, entertainment, education, coupons, and the like).
US07920204B2
The image capture apparatus changes a time from the commencement of the operation of the accumulation of the electrical charge to the shuttering, by the shutter blade unit, of the pixel within the image capture element by way of the reset operation in a state of retracting the shutter blade unit from the light path of the image capture element.
US07920201B2
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a mechanical lock mechanism capable of holding a first curtain and a second curtain in an open state mechanically and a controller that controls the mechanical lock mechanism so as to hold the second curtain in the open state and controls a display so as to display image data generated based on a subject image incident upon an image pickup element as a moving image while the first curtain is in the open state.
US07920199B2
An information processing apparatus provides improved expressive capability during presentations. Image, sound, memo information and other related input data that are recorded in an electronic camera are set to be reproduced in a predetermined order. When reproducing information that is set, images are displayed on a liquid crystal display that is part of an electronic camera and, in addition, similar images can be displayed on a separate monitor connected to the electronic camera. If it is desired to provide supplementary information during a presentation with the electronic camera, such supplementary information may be overlaid on any arbitrary section of the image being displayed using a pen type pointing device, for example. Furthermore, the supplementary overlaid information may be erased independently from other recorded information as needed because the supplementary information is stored in a different area of memory from the image and memo information.
US07920194B2
Techniques for use with image sensors include transferring a signal level from an active sensor pixel to a readout circuit, performing a flushed reset of the pixel, and isolating the pixel from the readout circuit during resetting of the pixel.
US07920192B2
A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion region having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a first MOS transistor configured to read a signal in response to an electric charge of each photoelectric conversion element; and a peripheral circuit region having a second MOS transistor configured to drive the first MOS transistor and/or amplify the signal read from the photoelectric conversion region, the photoelectric conversion region and the peripheral circuit region being located on the same semiconductor substrate, wherein an impurity concentration in a drain of the first MOS transistor is lower than an impurity concentration in a drain of the second MOS transistor.
