US07947449B2
Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating pre-eclampsia and eclampsia using compounds that increase VEGF or PlGF levels or compounds that decrease sFlt-1 levels. Compounds that inhibit the binding of VEGF or PlGF to sFlt1- are also disclosed herein for the treatment of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.
US07947441B2
A primer pair and probe for the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene of enterococci for use in a real-time nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) assay.
US07947427B2
A relief image printing element with an integral imageable printing surface and a method of preparing the relief image printing element are described. The relief image printing element comprises a dimensionally stable base layer; a floor layer comprised of a cured polymer selected from the group consisting of photopolymers, and polymers with a resilience of at least 40% when cured; and at least one layer of an imageable material. Most preferably, the floor layer created by curing the layer through the top of the printing element by face exposure. The printing element may also contain a compressible layer between the base layer and the floor layer.
US07947408B2
The collecting plate of the present invention is used in a stacked fuel cell, and comprises a collecting section and an output terminal that is electrically connected to the collecting section and has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the collecting section. For example, the output terminal is formed by bending at least part of an output terminal forming portion that is extended from the collecting section, at least one time.
US07947394B2
In order to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode material that has an excellent discharging capacity, the charge/discharge efficiency and the charge load characteristics, a manufacturing method thereof, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode with the negative electrode material and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode material including graphite particles that have a block-like structure where a plurality of flat graphite fine particles assembles or bonds non-parallel with each other, the aspect ratio of 5 or less and a volume of fine pores in the range of 10 to 105 nm in a volume of 400 to 2000 cm3/kg; and a layer of carbon formed on a surface of the graphite particle, wherein a ratio (by weight ratio) of the layer of carbon to the graphite particle is in the range of 0.001 to 0.01, a manufacturing method thereof, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode with the negative electrode material and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
US07947362B2
A carbon fiber composite sheet obtained by combining a carbon fiber aggregate with a thermosetting resin component selected from the group consisting of thermosetting silicone-based gel components, thermosetting epoxy resin components and thermosetting silicone resin components, and then curing the thermosetting resin component, the carbon fiber composite sheet having crystallite sizes of at least 5 nm in the direction of growth of the hexagonal mesh surface of the carbon fibers composing the carbon fiber aggregate, and the carbon fiber composite sheet having a thermal conductivity of at least 2 W/(m·K).
US07947353B2
In each of at least two information layers (1, 2) which constitute a information recording medium having a plurality of information layers on its one side, the compositions of the recording layer (7) and the dielectric layers (6, 8) adjacent to the recording layer (7) in one information layer (1) are common to the compositions of the corresponding layers (12, 11, 13) in the other information layer, so that the recording layers (7, 12) and the dielectric layers (6, 11) and (8, 13) in the two information layers (1, 2) can be formed in common sputtering film-forming chambers without the replacement of targets, which makes it possible to produce a multi-layer single-sided recording medium with a decreased time loss in the production process.
US07947342B2
Polarizer protective film, manufacturing method thereof, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display
A polarizer protective film comprising: a cellulose ester; a saccharide ester having an ester of compound (A), the compound (A) having one furanose structure or one pyranose structure in the molecule, wherein all or a part of OH groups in the compound (A) are esterified, or an ester of compound (B), the compound (B) having two to twelve of at least one of a furanose structure and a pyranose structure bonded in the molecule, wherein all or a part of OH groups in the compound (B) are esterified; and a compound represented by Formula (R) or (Ra):
US07947339B2
A process for producing an electrophotographic roller member comprising a roller base member having a conductive mandrel and an elastic layer, and a film on the elastic layer. The process comprises the step of forming the film by plasma CVD. The step comprises the steps of: placing the roller base member in a chamber in such a way that the distance between the surface of the elastic layer and flat-plate electrodes is 20 mm or more to 100 mm or less; feeding a source gas into the chamber so as to have a pressure of from 13.3 Pa or more to 666.6 Pa or less; and applying to an electrode an electric power of from 0.3 W/cm2 or more to 2.0 W/cm2 or less while rotating the roller base member so that the peripheral speed of from 6 mm/s or more to 170 mm/s or less.
US07947313B2
Gurmarin containing compositions are useful for modulation of glucose metabolism and the treatment of diabetes. Glucose metabolism in a human patient is regulated by isolated gurmarin-containing dosage forms that optionally contain a non-metabolizable polysaccharide such as the exudate of Sterculia urens.
US07947299B2
A therapeutic medical article is provided which comprises a medical article, a precursor compound and an activator compound. The medical article is adapted, upon administration to a patient, to release the precursor compound and the activator compound such that the activator compound interacts with the precursor compound and converts the precursor compound into activated form for local delivery. Specific examples of precursor and activator compound pairs include: (a) a nitrosothiol precursor and a nitric oxide donor, (b) plasminogen and plasminogen activator, and (c) fibrinogen and thrombin.
US07947291B2
Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.
US07947290B2
A modified Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) having resistance to a protease and a reduced toxicity and a vaccine comprising said modified SEB are provided. A modified SEB which has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein each of the lysine at 97-position and the lysine at 98-position are substituted with any other amino acid, or a derivative thereof and a vaccine comprising said modified SEB or a derivative thereof.
US07947285B2
The invention relates generally to methods for preventing post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (ERCP). The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising secretin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07947283B2
A method for treating psoriasis by providing a pharmaceutical composition containing at least Ganoderma lucidum extract and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a patient in need thereof. Also disclosed is a method for treating psoriasis by first purifying Ganoderma lucidum extract into at least one fraction, then providing a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the Ganoderma lucidum fractions, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a patient in need thereof. A method for alleviating symptoms of psoriasis is disclosed. The symptoms of psoriasis are alleviated by providing a pharmaceutical composition containing at least Ganoderma lucidum extract and administering an amount of the composition effective to increase at least one of an IL-10 and IL-1Ra expression, whereby the symptoms of psoriasis are ameliorated.
US07947282B2
The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for treating a disease or condition by administering a first therapeutic protocol comprising targeting and delivering solid-phase platelet-dependent vascular occlusion agents, and administering at least one second therapeutic composition or method.
US07947280B2
The invention provides a method of treating or preventing heart failure or a disease or condition associated with heart failure comprising administering an effective dose of an apelin peptide or APJ receptor ligand to the subject. According to certain embodiments of the invention the apelin peptide is administered chronically. In certain embodiments of the invention the apelin peptide is administered in an amount effective to improve at least one hemodynamic parameter or prognostic variable for heart failure. Clinical conditions associated with heart failure include, but are not limited to, atherosclerosis, restenosis, ischemic cardiovascular diseases, idiopathic or viral cardiomyopathy, and the like.
US07947225B2
A automated test tube cap removal apparatus includes, a cap remover, a test tube rack which holds a plurality of capped test tubes upright in a row, a clamping mechanism which is disposed in the cap removing position and clamps the plurality of test tubes, and a cap removal unit disposed in the cap removing position and configured to move upward to remove caps from some of a plurality of test tubes and move upward to remove caps from the remaining test tubes. The cap removal unit includes engaging members which are capable of advance and retreat with respect to the caps and clamp each cap, a lift mechanism which raises the engaging members while alternately moving the engaging members upward, thereby removing the cap from each test tube, a cap guide member which separates the cap and guides the cap for dropping.
US07947222B2
Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal equipped with temperature compensation function for use in bio-information measurement, including a biosensor insertion in which a biosensor directly detecting bio-information of a subject is inserted, a temperature measurement unit measuring temperatures, and a controller analyzing the bio-information inputted from the biosensor based on stored analysis data and correcting the bio-information using the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit, in which the temperature measurement unit measures temperature of a target object without contacting the target object directly.
US07947221B2
Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.
US07947206B2
A golf club grip includes a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member has a dark color and a first material density. The second grip member which has a light color and a second material density which is greater than the first material density, wherein the first grip member is integrated with the second grip member in an edge-to-edge manner to form an elongated tubular structure. When the first grip member and the second grip member is heated to integrate with each other, particles of the second grip member crosses over the first grip member to form a predetermined amount of light color at the first grip member, while the light color formed at the first grip member is adapted to be overlaid by the dark color so as to render the light color and the dark color sharply distinguishable on the gold club grip.
US07947199B2
The present invention relates to a conductive polymer or organic metal which is characterized in that nanoscopic particles formed from same with a particle size of less than 100 nm have an anisotropic morphology which is not spherical and has a length-to-diameter (“L/D”) ratio greater than 1.2. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of such polymers and their use in the preparation of shaped parts, self-supporting foils or coatings with electrical conductivity, in particular on anisotropic substrates or in anisotropic media and fields.
US07947197B2
A deoxidant composition comprising 100 parts by weight of iron powder, 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of metal halide and 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of water repellent agent. The deoxidant composition even when used in a high-humidity atmosphere can maintain oxygen absorption potency. A deoxidant pack for high humidity obtained by wrapping the deoxidant composition without mixing of any inorganic filler by means of an air-permeable packaging material can reduce the apparent volume of deoxidant composition, so that the amount of packaging material used in the production of the deoxidant pack can be reduced.
US07947190B2
An apparatus for applying different amounts of pressure to different locations of a backside of a semiconductor device structure during polishing thereof. The apparatus is configured to be associated with a wafer carrier of a polishing apparatus and includes pressurization structures configured to be biased against the backside of the semiconductor device structure during polishing thereof. The pressurization structures are independently movable with respect to one another. The amount of force or pressure applied by each pressurization structure to the backside of the semiconductor device structure is controlled by at least one corresponding actuator. The actuator may magnetically facilitate movement of the corresponding pressurization structure toward or away from the backside of the semiconductor device structure. The actuator may alternatively comprise a positive or negative pressure source. Systems including the pressure application apparatus, as well as differential pressure application methods and polishing methods are also disclosed.
US07947186B2
A rotor is provided for the centrifugal separation of a composite fluid, such as animal or human blood, into components. An inner surface of the rotor includes at least one hydrophobic area having a first surface energy sufficiently low to provide a flow path for a lower density fluid component to flow to the bottom of a central collection chamber after centrifugal separation. A method of separating a composite fluid into components using such a rotor is also provided. Additionally, a method of manufacturing such a rotor is provided.
US07947184B2
Processes of using treatment chambers for separating compounds in an aqueous effluent are disclosed. More particularly, the treatment chambers use ultrasonic energy and an electrode potential to provide efficient and effective removal of compounds from aqueous effluents, such as textile effluents.
US07947179B2
A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.
US07947176B1
A filtration and remediation system is disclosed herein including a quiet tank component, a circulation component, and a storage and filtration component, each with frames. The system can include a scalping shaker which can receive a slurry and separate a particulate from the slurry, forming an effluent. A tank can receive the effluent and a weir can remove oil from the effluent, forming a cleaned effluent. A second weir can discharge the cleaned effluent. The circulation component can include a tank and an absorbent material. The absorbent material can receive the cleaned effluent and remove oil from the cleaned effluent, forming a circulation effluent. A sludge can settle within the circulation tank from the circulation effluent, forming a cleaned circulation stream. The storage and filtration component can include a filtration membrane which can receive and separate the cleaned circulation stream into a clean permeate and a dirty concentrate.
US07947169B2
A gas generated from a first crude oil and containing volatile organic compounds and a second crude oil are supplied to an absorber 16, thereby absorbing the volatile organic compounds in the gas into the second crude oil.
US07947162B2
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining monocrystalline or single crystal nanowires. Said nanowires are grown in a pattern making use of electro-chemical deposition techniques. Most preferred, the electrolytic bath is based on chlorides and has an acidic pH. Single element as well as combinations of two elements nanowires can be grown. Depending on the element properties the obtained nanowire can have metallic (conductive) or semi-metallic (semi-conductive) properties. The observed nanowire growth presents an unusual behavior compared to the classical nanowire template-assisted growth where a cap is formed as soon as the metal grows out of the pattern. Under given conditions of bath composition and potential (current) settings the nanowires grow out of the pattern up to a few microns without any significant lateral overgrowth.
US07947158B2
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for removing bubbles from a process liquid. The process liquid can comprise a plating solution used in a plating tool. The process liquid is supplied to a tank. A plurality of streams of the process liquid are directed towards a surface of the process liquid from below. This can be done by feeding the process liquid to a flow distributor comprising a plurality of openings providing flow communication between an inner volume of the flow distributor and a main volume of the tank. Before leaving the tank through an outlet, the process liquid flows through a flow barrier.
US07947157B2
An electroplating apparatus for depositing a metallic layer on a surface of a wafer is provided. In one example, a proximity head capable of being electrically charged as an anode is placed in close proximity to the surface of the wafer. A plating fluid is provided between the wafer and the proximity head to create localized metallic plating.
US07947155B1
This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char. A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat. The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels. Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher. The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
US07947148B2
Methods for bonding include deposition an adhesion layer on at least one substrate using chemical vapor deposition. The two adhesion layers each have a reactive group that is complementary to the other, thus enabling strong adhesion between the bonded substrates. Devices include two substrates that can be adhered together by chemically depositing an adhesion layer on at least one substrate using chemical vapor deposition. The substrates each have a reactive group that is complementary to the other, thus enabling strong adhesion between the bonded substrates.
US07947146B2
A carpule and its method of manufacture, the carpule tubular body composed of a polypropylene or similar polymer, the tubular body being sealed at one end by a seal of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or similar polymer, the seal having been injection molded in contact with the tubular body prior to full curing of the material composing the tubular body, such that a chemical fusion bond is created between the seal and the tubular body.
US07947140B2
A strip member application system for feeding a ribbon-like rubber strip (4) through a clearance between application rollers forming a pair (11), and applying the rubber strip (4) onto a rotational member (2). A guide roller (7) to be wound by the rubber strip (4) is provided on the upstream side of the application roller pair (11), and defines a substantially U-shaped detour path extending downwards. A first and a second auxiliary rollers (6, 8) are arranged on the downstream side and the upstream side of the guide roller (7), respectively. The application roller pair (11) can be swung integrally with the guide roller (7) and the second auxiliary roller (8), within a horizontal plane and about a pivot that is spaced from the guide roller (7) toward the first auxiliary roller (6).
US07947138B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for creating textured laminate press plates that account for growth of the press plate and growth of the laminate's decorative layer. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention involve printing a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional surface of the proposed press plate, assuming a certain amount of expansion, onto a transparent overlay, such as a cellulose acetate sheet or a plate of glass. Embodiments of the present invention further involve positioning the overlay over an un-textured sample decorative laminate to examine the alignment of the press plate's proposed texture design with the sample laminate's decorative design.
US07947133B2
A copper alloy strip material for electrical/electronic equipment includes a copper alloy containing 2.0 to 5.0 mass % Ni, 0.43 to 1.5 mass % Si, and a remaining component formed of Cu and an unavoidable impurity. Three types of intermetallic compounds A, B, and C comprising Ni and Si in a total amount of 50 mass % or more are contained. The intermetallic compound A has a compound diameter of 0.3 μm to 2 μm, the intermetallic compound B has a compound diameter of 0.05 μm to less than 0.3 μm, and the intermetallic compound C has a compound diameter of more than 0.001 μm to less than 0.05 μm.
US07947128B2
In one embodiment the present invention provides for a method for depositing a thin film layer onto a composite tape 16, that comprises depositing at least one thin film layer of physically enhancing material 30 onto at least one portion of the composite tape. The depositing is accomplished by atomic layer epitaxy and the thin film layer is approximately 1-10 molecules thick.
US07947123B2
An impact filter suitable for a kitchen exhaust hood is provided with a grease trap to capture grease particles and channel the particles away. The trap can be of different configurations. The filter can be used in various system layouts.
US07947122B2
The present invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency of gas removal wherein gas-enriched process liquid (2) is introduced tangentially into a vertical essentially cylindrical vessel (1) and thereafter removed at the bottom of the vessel. By means of centrifugal force gas (2d) is brought to enrich in a part (2a, 2b) of the liquid (2). This part (2a) of liquid (2) having an enriched gas content (2c) is redirected to at least one vertical means (7) arranged centrally in the vessel (1), and separately removed therefrom. The present invention also relates to a de-gassing arrangement in an arrangement including at least one vertical essentially cylindrical vessel (1). Said vessel (1) includes at least one tangentially arranged inlet (4) for gas-enriched liquid and at least one discharge (6) for de-gassed liquid, which discharge is arranged at the lower portion of the vessel (1). The vessel (1) includes centrally arranged vertical means (7) having one or several inlets (8) for gas-enriched liquid (2a). Said vertical means (7) include one or several separate discharges for this portion of the liquid (2a), portions thereof (2b) and/or gas (2c, 2d).
US07947099B2
Described is a dust suction device, preferably for surface working tools, including a turbine, two filters, an inlet chamber containing the two filters provided with an air inlet and in communication with a depression chamber which is in turn in communication with the inlet to the turbine, and an outlet chamber in communication with the outlet from the turbine and with the inlet chamber and provided with an air outlet towards the outside environment. A first valve for each filter is interposed between the inlet chamber and the depression chamber, and a second valve for each filter is interposed between the outlet chamber and the inlet chamber and are operable so that an air flow from the inlet chamber may pass through each of the filters during a suction step and an air flow from the outlet chamber may pass through each of the filters during a filter cleaning step.
US07947098B2
A method for manufacturing chemical mechanical polishing pad polishing layers that minimizes entrained gas inclusion defects is provided. Also provided is a mix head assembly for use in the manufacture of chemical mechanical polishing pad polishing layers, wherein inclusions of entrained gas inclusion defects are minimized.
US07947097B2
An abrasive article includes a binder and abrasive grains. The binder is formed from a formulation including a polymer component, a curing agent, and an acid bonding agent.
US07947095B2
A method of and an apparatus for gasifying carbonaceous material, the apparatus including a gasification reactor, to which oxygen-containing primary gas and secondary gasification gas are introduced, whereby a portion of the material to be gasified is gasified to product gas, residual carbon contained in the fly ash extracted from the product gas is combusted in a cyclone combustor, and the exhaust gas from the cyclone combustor is guided to above the bottom level of the gasification reactor to act as secondary gasification gas.
US07947093B2
A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a fuel composition to reduce intake valve deposits.
US07947090B2
An air-oxidation haircolor composition is based: a) water; b) water soluble metal salt as a catalyst; c) etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphoric acid) as a chelating agent and color deposition enhancer; d) oxidation primary dye intermediates; e) an aromatic triol such as 1,2,4-Benzenetriol; f) auxiliary oxidation dye couplers; g) dye antioxidants and stabilizers; h) optionally, a water soluble surfactant; i) optionally, a water soluble anionic polymer; j) a water soluble solvent system; and k) an alkalizer.
US07947071B2
An expandable slide and lock stent is provided that comprises a plurality of radial elements interconnected to form a tubular member. Each radial element can comprise a helical backbone and at least one elongate member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. Each backbone can have at least one slot that can be configured to receive an elongate member of an adjacent radial element.
US07947070B2
The invention relates to a system for dilatation of a body passage and delivery of a stent into the body passage of a patient, and related methods of using such a system. The dilatation and stent delivery system may comprise a dilatation catheter having an expandable member on a distal end, and a stent delivery catheter configured to retain a stent and deliver the stent to a body passage. The stent delivery catheter defines a lumen sized to receive the dilatation catheter and permit movement of the dilatation catheter relative to the stent delivery catheter.
US07947068B2
Methods, computer programming and devices for transferring heat to and/or from a body portion of a mammal are provided. One approach includes directly determining a state of vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a portion of a body, and supplying heat to the portion of the body when vasoconstriction is determined, and removing heat from the portion of the body when vasodilation is determined. The body portion preferably includes specific heat exchange vasculature. In another approach, a transition of the body portion from a state of vasodilation to vasoconstriction is determined and the body portion is then actively kept in a state of vasodilation while removing heat therefrom.
US07947065B2
A polyaxial ball and socket joint that can be locked into a fixed position. The fastening system consists of the polyaxial ball and socket joint used in conjunction with a bone screw having threads on one end for use in anchoring to the spine and a spherical connector on the other end operating as a pivot point about which a connecting assembly moves in a polyaxial fashion. A substantially U-shaped connecting assembly has a lower receptacle that operates as a socket for housing an upper retainer ring and a lower split retaining ring. The socket is receptive to the spherical connector which is inserted through the lower split retainer ring causing a momentary displacement thereof which allows for the positioning of the spherical connector between the upper and lower retainer rings.
US07947051B2
A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion.
US07947045B2
In one embodiment, a spinal stabilization apparatus includes a vertebral anchor having a head portion and a bone attachment portion. An elongate, flexible guide is removably coupled to the head portion of the vertebral anchor and has a channel extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a slot in the head portion of the anchor. An elongate cord may be received within the channel to facilitate inserting and securing a spacer between pairs of anchors installed into adjacent vertebrae of a person's spine.
US07947043B2
An intramedullary nail for use with a first fastener and a second fastener for use in orthopaedic surgery is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body. The body defines an aperture through the body. The aperture has a first portion for cooperation with the first fastener to provide dynamic fixation and a second portion for cooperation with the fastener nail to provide static fixation.
US07947037B1
An electrode and procedure for removing skin lesions or blemishes comprising an electrode with a flat blunt active end which is applied to the skin lesion or blemish, while RF electrosurgical currents are applied to the electrode, in an up and down tapping motion in such manner that contact between the skin and the active electrode end is intermittent. Preferably, after a small number of skin taps with the electrode end, the tapped area is wiped with a wet gauze or cloth, and the procedure of intermittent tapping with the RF electrode interrupted with wet wipes is continued until the blemish disappears.
US07947035B2
An instrument for an endoscope includes a first insertion portion having an base end to which an operation section is connected; a first offset portion extending outward from an axis of the first insertion portion; a second insertion portion having a base end joined to the first offset portion and an element extending parallel to the axis of the first insertion portion; a second offset portion which is joined to a head of the second insertion portion and reaches an extension of the axis of the first insertion portion; a third insertion portion which is joined to the second offset portion and has a portion arranged on an axis which is substantially the same as at least a part of the axis of the first insertion portion; and an inner hole formed through the first insertion portion, the first offset portion, the second insertion portion, the second offset portion, and the third insertion portion.
US07947033B2
Wound fluid blood detection systems and methods are described that are operable in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) systems, as well as ancillary therapy and monitoring systems applied concurrently with RPWT systems. The blood detection monitor operates by optically characterizing the content of wound fluids to the extent of identifying percentage blood content. This identification relies upon the transmission of select wavelengths of light across a volume of wound fluid to a photo detector (connected to signal processing instrumentation) capable of quantifying the absorption characteristics of the fluid. The detection components may be implemented in conjunction with either a fluid flow conduit (i.e. the reduced pressure tubing directing fluid away from the wound dressing) or more directly in association with the materials that comprise the wound dressing positioned within the wound bed itself. In addition, the present invention is configured to operate in conjunction with blood gas monitoring systems operating with the RPWT. Finally, the components of the systems that serve to illuminate the wound bed, lend themselves to use in conjunction with illumination in discreet electromagnetic wave wavelengths suitable for the application of phototherapy.
US07947028B2
A diaper has an unfastened condition and a fastened condition. The diaper has a front portion, a back portion and a fastener system. The fastener system is adapted to join the back portion to the front portion thereby transitioning the diaper from the unfastened condition to the fastened condition. The diaper is adapted to provide an umbilical relief area when in the fastened condition without tearing or folding the front waist edge. The diaper does not have an umbilical notch when in the unfastened condition.
US07947020B2
A retractable safety syringe may have a ferrule and needle which are selectively removeable from a distal end of a syringe body. In particular, the ferrule may have an annular flange. A wedge element may be frictionally engaged to the ferrule and a distal end of the syringe body. To retract the needle into the syringe body, a punch of a piston displaces the wedge element off of an annular flange of the ferrule. At about the same time, longitudinally offset tabs engage an annular flange and retract the needle into the syringe body via a retraction force created by a variable vacuum compartment or tension member.Alternatively, the ferrule and needle may be temporarily fixed to the distal end of the syringe body via a detent and/or o-ring which engages a lower undercut groove and an upper undercut groove of the ferrule. An annular ring of the piston may have longitudinal offset tabs which engage an annular ring of the ferrule. Upon engagement, the retraction force of the variable vacuum compartment is sufficient to overcome any retaining forces created by the detent and/or the o-ring. Thereby, the needle and ferrule may be retracted into the syringe body.The longitudinal offset tabs may cant the needle when the needle is retracted into the syringe body.
US07947009B2
A surgical system controls a fluid and includes an irrigation line and a first fluid vessel for holding the irrigation fluid. The irrigation line connects the first fluid vessel to a handpiece. An aspiration input line connects a suction pump to the surgical handpiece and permits the suction pump to draw fluid through the surgical handpiece. A pressure sensor detects the pressure of the fluid in the aspiration input line. An aspiration output line connects the suction pump to a collection vessel to permit fluid from the suction pump to be conducted into the collection vessel. A second fluid vessel accommodates irrigation fluid therein and an aspiration ventilation line connects the second fluid vessel to the aspiration input line. A venting valve in the aspiration ventilation line is switchable in dependence upon the fluid pressure in the aspiration input line.
US07947003B2
A pressurized medical device comprising an inflatable element arranged to contact a part of a patient; a fluid connector attached to the element and arranged to deliver fluid to the element; a control system arranged to control flow of fluid in the device; a first element pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure exerted by the element on the part of the patient; and detection means arranged to detect malfunctioning of the first element pressure sensor.
US07947002B2
A pressure-sensing massage machine that resolves the problems of difficult assembly and adjustment and the occurrence of operational errors common to a sensing mechanism that uses many components and devices. The massage machine of the present invention is able to monitor the pressure applied to the massage recipient by a motor-driven movably extending massaging member. A flexible member is provided in the transmission located between the massage member and the motor that drives the massage member, and a pressure sensing mechanism monitors the pressure applied to the massage recipient through the flexible displacement of the flexible member.
US07946994B2
Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises spatially compact “bracelet” embodiment adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an optional alignment apparatus which moveably captures the sensor to, inter alia, facilitate coupling thereof to an actuator used to position the sensor during measurements. The alignment apparatus also advantageously allows the sensor position to be maintained when the fixture is removed from the subject, such as during patient transport. A completely autonomous variant of the bracelet apparatus having internal power supply and wireless interfaces is also disclosed. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor and providing treatment to the subject are also described.
US07946988B2
Contrast agent destruction transmissions have reduced biological effect in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Ramping-up amplitude and/or ramping-down frequency reduce biological effect. The amplitude ramps up linearly or non-linearly. The change in amplitude or frequency occurs over a single waveform or over a sequence of separate transmissions. An envelope of the single waveform or the sequence of separate transmissions has a non-uniform, asymmetrical, symmetrical, rectangular or other shape. For example, the frequency ramp-down is provided with a non-Gaussian envelope. The amplitude ramp-up or frequency ramp-down is a progressively increasing destructive characteristic or ability, destroying contrast agent at different regions relative to focal regions with a minimum of acoustic energy.
US07946986B2
A medical ultrasound system. A base unit is included having system electronics, a user interface and ultrasound control electronics. An ultrasound therapy head is in electronic communication with the base unit. The therapy head includes a replaceable, sealed transducer cartridge with a coupling fluid therein. A cooling system is provided for cooling the coupling fluid. A plurality of guide indicators are positioned around the therapy head to align with crossed lines on a patient so as to properly align the therapy head prior to use. The therapy head can provide variable treatments to an area while the therapy head is in contact with a patient.
US07946984B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US07946981B1
A two-piece video laryngoscope includes a disposable handle/blade unit having a handgrip portion with a cavity at the proximal end, a curved distal end portion extending from the handgrip portion terminating in a terminal face containing a LED and a lens and digital image sensor connected with a first connector in the cavity, and a tube receptacle channel extending distally along the dorsal surface of and a vacuum/oxygen passageway extending through the curved distal end portion; and a power/video module releasably engaged in the cavity having a flat panel display pivotally mounted at the proximal end thereof and containing a rechargeable battery and electrical and video circuitry connected with a second connector. An endotracheal tube is received and releasably retained in the tube receptacle channel in a preloaded condition. When assembled, the connectors are engaged to complete the electrical and video circuits and allow viewing of insertion and intubation.
US07946975B2
The invention is directed to a medical device, particularly a penile prosthesis, that includes an implantable element and a reservoir. The implantable element is configured to be implanted within the pelvic region of a patient and is designed to be capable of inflation and deflation via fluid transfer to and from the element. The reservoir is coupled to the implantable element. The fluid is drawn from the reservoir for inflation of the implantable element and returned to the reservoir for the deflation. The reservoir is approximately one inch or less in depth. The minimal depth enables the fluid reservoir to be placed in front of the puborectalis muscle and behind the abdominal fascia without being seen on an external view of the patient.
US07946967B2
An articulating exercise harness system includes a harness to secure a user's wrist and a handle that is selectively gripped by the user. A bracket is pivotally connected to the handle at a proximal end of the bracket. The harness is adjustably along the user's forearm relative to the position of bracket. A weight engagement member is rotatably connected to the bracket. The bracket is rotatable relative to the handle and the weight engagement member is rotatable relative to the bracket. Because the weight engagement member can rotate forward and backward on the bracket, relative to the handle, the invention can be used to both push and pull exercise weights or other loads.
US07946964B2
One embodiment of a lateral roll simulating assembly is provided which is adapted to attach to existing rowing exercise machines. It permits the user to experience various levels of physiological disequilibrium when a lack of proper balance control induces a sideways tipping action during a rowing workout. This facilitates the desirable and advantageous development of correct proprioceptive balance response using appropriate core musculature while practicing the rowing motion on a suspended rowing exercise machine. The apparatus comprises two floor-mounted members secured to each end of a rowing exercise machine that support the rowing exercise machine in a suspended condition. This assembly simulates lateral instability around the metacenter of any of a variety of rowing shells on water by allowing the rowing exercise machine to roll freely around a variety of longitudinal axes. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US07946958B2
An exercise machine and control method thereof, the control method comprising following steps: setting personal physical parameters, receiving a mode selection command, determining to enter either an automatic operating mode or a manual operating mode, entering the automatic operating mode, receiving a program selection command and reading a corresponding training program, generating an automatic operating command by comparing the personal physical parameters with the training program and outputting the automatic operating command to the exercise machine and activating the exercise machine according to the automatic operating command. The exercise machine thus can adjust its training strength based on the input personal physical parameters. Therefore users of the exercise machine with different physical conditions will individually have the better sports effect.
US07946955B2
A vehicle control apparatus includes a controller. When predetermined conditions are satisfied, the controller executes a neutral control that forcibly places an automatic transmission in a substantially neutral state, the predetermined conditions including the shift position of the automatic transmission being in the drive position. When it is determined that the amount of exhaust matter accumulated in a catalyst provided in an exhaust system of a vehicle has exceeded a first reference value, the controller executes a catalyst heating control that increases the temperature of the catalyst so as to remove the exhaust matter accumulated in the catalyst. When it is determined during the catalyst heating control that the amount of the exhaust matter accumulated in the catalyst has exceeded a second reference value that is larger than the first reference value, the controller prohibits the execution of the neutral control.
US07946954B2
A method for activating a freewheel function of a vehicle, where the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary brake, an auxiliary braking control for controlling the braking power of the auxiliary brake between an auxiliary brake not-active position and at least one auxiliary brake active position, at least one engine, at least one wheel driven by the engine via an automated mechanical transmission, an accelerator pedal for controlling the driving torque of the engine. When deactivation of the auxiliary brake occurs due to manual positioning of the auxiliary braking control to the auxiliary brake not-active position, the freewheel function is automatically activated if a freewheeling condition is sensed.
US07946943B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission (100) comprising a single-stage planetary gear train (110) in combination with a two-stage planetary gear train (120), and provision being made for a brake band (B1) assigned to the large sun gear of the two-stage planetary gear train (110) and a brake coupling (B2) assigned to the planet carrier of the two-stage planetary gear train (120). In order to reduce idling vibrations, the brake band (B1) and the brake coupling (B2) are actuated simultaneously for at least some of the time during an operating state in which the internal combustion engine is idling.
US07946942B2
A pivot assembly may include first and second subassemblies. The first subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. The first subassembly may include a latch mechanism displaceable between locked and unlocked positions. The second subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to the frame member and may be rotatable relative thereto. The second subassembly may include a power pivot assembly and a cam member. The power pivot assembly may be drivingly engaged with the cam member and operable to rotate the cam member in a first rotational direction to a first position where the cam member urges the latch mechanism into the unlocked position.
US07946941B2
An outer chain plate is configured to aid in downshifting such that a chain moves more smoothly from an outer chain ring (sprocket) to an inner chain ring (sprocket) with either no downshifting recess being provided on the outer chain ring or at least a shallower than normal downshifting recess being provided on the outer chain ring. At least a bottom part of the outer chain plate that faces a center axis of a sprocket when in use has a portion removed to minimize contact with outer chain ring when downshifting. Preferably, the bottom part of the outer chain plate has a chamfered outer edge portion along a cutout portion that defines a reduced area portion.
US07946933B2
The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having a core molded under heat from a specific rubber composition and inner and outer cover layers encasing the core. By optimizing the core deflection under a specific load and the overall thickness of the cover layers, by forming the inner cover layer of a highly neutralized ionomer resin composition, and by optimizing within specific ranges the Shore D hardnesses of the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer, the spin rate of the ball on shots with a driver can be sufficiently reduced, enabling an increased distance to be achieved.
US07946930B1
A golf club head having a multiple material face is disclosed herein. The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution value greater than 0.83 and a characteristic time value of less than 257 milliseconds. The golf club head is preferably composed of a titanium alloy with a polymer layer disposed over a titanium alloy front wall. A preferred polymer is a polyurethane polymer.
US07946926B1
The present invention relates to shot tracking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for tracking shots of a golfer during a round of golf. One aspect of the present invention is a system for automatically tracking a golf club swung by a golfer. The system comprises a plurality of golf clubs. Each of the plurality of golf clubs comprises a device attached to a grip which is attached to a shaft which is attached to a golf club head. The device comprises a power source, a shock switch and a RFID component.
US07946899B2
A high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) comprising an envelope (2) of high temperature resistant material having a discharge vessel (3) and two electrodes (5, 6) extending from two seal portions (4) into the discharge vessel (3), the two electrodes having an electrode gap (de) smaller than or equal to 2.5 mm, preferably smaller than or equal to 1.5 mm, is described. The discharge vessel (3) contains a filling which essentially comprises the following substances: rare gas, oxygen, halogen consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine, or a mixture thereof, as well as mercury in a quantity greater than or equal to 0.15 mg/mm3′ The seal portions (4) have a cross-sectional area of between 6 mm2 and 20 mm2, preferably approximately 10 mm2. A method of manufacturing such a high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) and a projector system for such a high-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) are also described.
US07946892B2
Connection device for electrical or electronic connections. A socket connector with a plurality of contact sockets and a pin connector with a plurality of pin contacts is connected to an electric cable following insertion of the pin connector inside this socket connector. The pin connector has an internally hollow main body which houses a bush inside which these contacts are inserted. The socket connector has an internally hollow main body which houses a second bush and inside which these contact sockets are inserted. The main body of the pin connector is provided with a free section able to engage sealingly inside an annular cavity of this socket connector. A toroidal spring engages grooves in both the socket connector and pin connector to form a snap-type connection therebetween.
US07946891B2
The invention relates to an adapter for a micro USB socket or a mini USB socket in a mobile device, wherein the adapter includes a micro USB plug contact or a mini USB plug contact. The adapter also includes a contact body which is connected to the micro USB plug contact or to the mini USB plug contact, with the contact body having at least one abutment face for resting against a surface of the mobile device, and with the contact body having at least one contact face with flat contacts.
US07946888B2
An electrical connector mating with a counterpart connector includes: an insulating housing having sidewalls and endwalls to define a receiving room and a number of contacts retained in the insulating housing. The contact has a first mating portion retained on an outer surface of the sidewall and a second mating portion retained on an inner surface of the sidewall to face the receiving room. The first mating portion and the second mating portion define a U-shaped structure riding on the sidewall. A gap is defined between said first mating portion and the sidewall so that the first mating portion can flexible move in the gap to absorb a dimensional tolerance during the mating process and get a stable connection with the counterpart connector.
US07946885B2
A coaxial cable connector includes a step up pin that engages the center conductor of a coax cable to increase the diameter of the center conductor to thereby make it more manageable. The pin is stored with the connector until the pin and connector are affixed to a coax cable.
US07946881B2
A socket assembly has a socket and a heat sink module detachably mounted on the socket. The socket has a base, a sliding board mounted on the base, a lid disposed upon the base and an actuator disposed between the base and the cover. The heat sink module has a fastening frame surrounding the base, a cover pivotally assembled to an end of the fastening frame and a heat sink mounted on the cover. The cover has a latching portion which latches with a top wall of the lid when the cover rotates to a closed position. The heat sink is brought by the cover to pass an open defined on the lid and to abut against an IC package seating on the sliding board.
US07946879B2
A modified insulation displacement connector block (10) has an array (11) of insulation displacement connectors (12). Each insulation displacement connector (12) is adapted to receive an insulated wire conductor (16) constituting one part of a twisted pair cable (24). The insulation displacement connector block (10) is provided with guide means (17) spaced relative to the connector array (11) so as to define a gap (21) therebetween. The guide means (17) is adapted for aligning each insulated wire conductor (16) with a selected insulation displacement connector (12), and further adapted to receive a length of each insulated wire conductor (16) extending from its selected insulation displacement connector (12) to a corresponding location on the guide means (17). In use, the said length of insulated wire conductor (16) bridges the gap (21), thereby to be presented for subsequent removal by a wire manipulation tool (23).
US07946860B2
An electric junction box for a vehicle is assembled by fitting and locking a connector through an aperture provided in a main case; the aperture being used for fitting the connector that holds a retainer at a temporary latch location, the retainer providing a double latch for a terminal; inserting and latching the terminal of an electric wire into the connector; and pushing the retainer into a full latch position. A recess for retainer operation is provided at a location facing the retainer and on a surrounding wall of the main case that surrounds the aperture.
US07946857B2
A circuit interface device is presented. A circuit board is secured by a circuit board cover, a plurality of electrical contacts is disposed on the circuit board, and a connector cover is coupled to a front end of the circuit board, such that a socket disposed at one end of the connector cover is corresponding to an upper side of the electrical contacts of the circuit board, thereby forming a connector of the circuit interface device. As such, through a structural design of buckling the connector cover on the circuit board without completely covering the connector cover on outer edge of the circuit board, a thickness of the connector cover covering the circuit board cover is reduced.
US07946856B2
The invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting at least one terminal arranged on a surface of a surface-mount device to a corresponding substrate contact of a circuit substrate. The connector for electrically includes at least one resilient electrically conductive interconnection element being connectable to the at least one substrate contact and configured to establish a releasable electrical contact with the at least one terminal, and a connector housing for mounting the at least one interconnection element. The interconnection element is affixed to the housing by means of a foil-shaped carrier.
US07946845B2
The invention relates to a method of determining a tooth shade of at least a portion of a patient's tooth which is to be replaced or restored, by capturing an electronic image of the patient's tooth, the image including color information representative of the patient's tooth shade; storing color information representative of known tooth shades with each known tooth shade representing a different tooth color; calibrating the color information of the patient's tooth and the color information representative of known tooth shades; and comparing the color information of the patient's tooth with the stored color information to identify a single tooth shade or a combination of tooth shades with a color or combined color corresponding to the color of at least a portion of the patient's tooth, such that the patient's tooth may be comprised of a single tooth shade or a plurality of tooth shades.
US07946844B2
A heat accumulating-type burner that operates by alternately repeating heat accumulation and combustion where the heat accumulating element is heated by exhaust gas to accumulate heat therein, and combustion air is passed through the heat accumulating portion to preheat the combustion air by thermal exchange with the heat accumulating element that holds the heat accumulated therein, and the preheated combustion air is used to carry out combustion. The cross-sectional area of the heat accumulating portion at the furnace-inner side is made to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the heat accumulating portion at the air supply/discharge port side, and in addition, the thickness of the fireproof heat insulating member that covers the heat accumulating portion is made to be thick at the furnace-inner side of the heat accumulating portion, and is made to be thin at the air supply/discharge port side of the heat accumulating portion.
US07946843B2
A method of and a plant for combusting carbonaceous fuel, the method including the steps of introducing particulate oxygen selective sorbent, such as a perovskite type material, into an adsorption reactor of the combustion plant to form a first particle bed in the adsorption reactor, fluidizing the first particle bed by an oxygen-containing first fluidizing gas to adsorb oxygen from the fluidizing gas to the sorbent, conveying oxygen-rich sorbent from the adsorption reactor to a combustion reactor of the combustion plant to form a second particle bed in the combustion reactor, fluidizing the second particle bed by an oxygen-deficient second fluidizing gas to desorb oxygen from the sorbent, so as to produce free oxygen gas, and introducing carbonaceous fuel into the combustion reactor to oxidize the fuel with the free oxygen gas.
US07946835B2
In a feed block, a main conduit and sub conduits are formed. High-viscosity dope flows through the main conduit, and low-viscosity dope flows through the sub conduits. Distribution pins are disposed in a joint portion where the sub conduits intersect with the main conduit for controlling the flow volume of the low-viscosity dope. A tapered cutout is formed in the peripheral surface of the distribution pin. The distribution pin is attached in such an orientation that a wider side of the cutout coincides with the lower reaches of a dope flow. Since ledges are formed in both ends of the cutout, the amount of the low-viscosity dope flowing through the cutout is smaller in both widthwise ends than in the middle.
US07946828B2
Screw type liquid ring pump including a pump housing (9) with an inlet part (3) and an outlet part (11) and rotating helical screw rotor (8) inside the housing. The rotor is connected with a shaft (7) as well as a driving unit in the form of motor, preferably an electric motor (2), whereby the pump (20) with the pump housing (9) represents an elongation of the motor (2) with the motor housing thus representing an integrated or one piece unit. The shaft seal (22, 23) is provided wholly or partially in an annular space (24) provided within the rotor (8), whereby one end of the seal rests against an annular part (25) of the screw rotor provided in the annular space (24) between the rotor and the shaft, and its other end is tightly engaged against an inwardly protruding part (21) at the outlet end of the pump.
US07946827B2
A blade for a gas turbine engine includes a root portion, an aerofoil portion and a transition portion between the root portion and the aerofoil portion. The aerofoil portion and the transition portion are defined by first and second wall members, the first and second wall members being secured together in the transition portion and each having an outer surface. The outer surface of at least one of the first and second wall members is generally concave in the transition portion in a radial direction of the blade.
US07946820B2
A rotating blade for a steam turbine includes a root section and an airfoil section contiguous with the root section. The airfoil section is shaped to optimize aerodynamic performance while providing optimized flow distribution and minimal centrifugal and bending stresses. The blade also includes a tip section continuous with the airfoil section, and a cover formed as part of the tip section. The cover defines a radial seal that serves to minimize tip losses. The rotating blade is capable of running at operating speeds between 5626 and 11250 rotations per minute.
US07946806B2
Gas turbine engine systems and related methods involving heat exchange are provided. In this regard, a representative heat exchange system for a gas turbine engine includes: a heat exchanger; and a flow restrictor operative to selectively restrict a flow of gas flowing along an annular gas flow path; in an open position, the flow restrictor enabling gas to flow along the gas flow path and, in a closed position, the flow restrictor restricting the flow of gas such that at least a portion of the gas is provided to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being located radially outboard of the flow restrictor.
US07946801B2
A cooling arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) a turbine nozzle having: (i) spaced-apart arcuate inner and outer bands; and (ii) a hollow, airfoil-shaped turbine vane extending between the inner and outer bands, the vane disposed in a primary flowpath of the engine; (b) a supporting structure coupled to the outer band such that an outer band cavity is defined between the outer band and the stationary structure; (c) a first conduit passing through the outer band cavity and communicating with the interior of the vane, the first conduit coupled to a first source of cooling air within the engine; and (d) a second conduit communicating with the outer band cavity, the second conduit coupled to a second source of cooling air within the engine.
US07946790B2
A bottom-surface connection installation for at least two undersea pipes resting on the sea bottom, the installation comprising: a first hybrid tower having a vertical riser anchored to a first base and connected to an undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and having its top end connected to a first float below the surface, and a first connection pipe, preferably a flexible pipe, providing a connection between a floating support and the top end of said riser; and at least one second rigid pipe rising from the sea bottom where it rests or from a second undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and to which its bottom end that is not anchored to said first base is connected, up to below the surface, where its top end is connected to a second float situated at substantially the same depth as said first float, and fastened to said first float to at least one respective said connection pipe that is flexible and serves to connect it to the same said floating support.
US07946783B2
An adjustment mechanism is provided. The adjustment mechanism has a housing, a clearance portion, first and second pin members telescopically received within the housing, a telescopic engagement mechanism mounted in the clearance portion and adapted to telescopically move the pin members, and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the pin members in a rigid position. A locking adjustment assembly is also provided.
US07946780B2
A cosmetic dispenser comprises a brush, a cylinder, a ratchet wheel comprising internal ratchets and external ratchets, a rotating sleeve including a cosmetic reservoir and a piston. The brush is attached to the cylinder, which is rotatably attached to the revolving sleeve. The ratchet wheel is attached to the end of the cylinder disposed inside the revolving sleeve. The piston extends through the ratchet wheel and has a piston head disposed in the cosmetic reservoir of the revolving sleeve. An axial tunnel extends the entire length of the piston and communicates with a cosmetic reservoir. A needle extends from the brush into the piston axial tunnel. This cosmetic dispenser is constructed in such a way that, relative rotation of the cylinder and the rotating sleeve in a dispensing direction results in displacement of the piston head into the cosmetic reservoir and pressurized flow of a liquid cosmetic from the cosmetic reservoir to the brush. In addition, relative rotation of the cylinder and the rotating sleeve in a non-dispensing direction causes no displacement of the piston.
US07946779B2
The present invention relates to a hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid, a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, whereby the fluid is applied and spread on a surface. Preferably, the frangible applicator tip comprises a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element extending outwardly of the support element, and a frangible region therebetween. Preferably, the tongue element comprises ribs for reinforcing the tongue element to resist unintentional breaking of the frangible region. More preferably, the applicator tip comprises a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover disposed around the frangible region to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid in the absorbent member. Adaptive embodiments allow the generation of designs applicable to a particular medical purpose.
US07946773B2
An imaging device comprising a light transmissive member 18 having light transmissive character, a vibration member 20 causing bending vibration for the light transmissive member, a driving portion 56 for driving the vibration member 20, wherein the driving portion 56 causes bending vibration of the light transmissive member 18 at a first frequency along with a first direction and causes bending vibration of the light transmissive member 18 at a second frequency along with a second direction which is different from said first frequency.
US07946767B2
A hydrostatic bearing configured to slide along a sliding surface of a structural body in a non-contact manner, the hydrostatic bearing includes a jetting part having a jetting surface configured to jet air onto the sliding surface; and a suction part having a suction surface configured to suction the air jetted from the jetting surface onto the sliding surface. The suction surface is situated at one of an internal circumferential side and an external circumferential side of the jetting part and is positioned higher than a lower end of the jetting part.
US07946766B2
An offset resealable closure mechanism adapted to provide an airtight seal for a pouch includes a first elongate closure element and a second elongate closure element. The first elongate closure element includes a first elongate closure profile extending therefrom and a second elongate closure element includes first and second legs extending therefrom to define a channel. A sealing flange extends across the channel and includes a slit therethrough adapted to receive the first elongate closure profile. The sealing flange forms an airtight seal with the first elongate closure profile when the closure mechanism is occluded.
US07946761B2
This invention relates to a shrinkable dispensing container for probe covers of an ear thermometer. Therein, the ear thermometer probe cover refers to a product having a hollow body and a flange. The dispensing container for probe covers of an ear thermometer comprises a main body for accommodating a plurality of stacked probe covers and an access opening formed at one end of the main body for allowing an ear thermometer probe to insert into the probe cover in the main body. The present invention is characterized by a bottom portion formed at another end of the main body opposite to the access opening for supporting all the probe covers stacked within the main body. The main body is primarily composed of a plurality of member portions wherein each of the member portions comprises at last a bending portion so that when the member portion receives a compressing force acting along a lengthwise direction thereof, the bending portion is bent and contracted accordingly, and thereby causes the main body to be shrunk along a lengthwise direction thereof. An abutting component is disposed in the main body adjacent to the access opening to abut against the annular flange of the probe cover for preventing the probe cover from falling when there is no force acting on the probe covers of an ear thermometer.
US07946741B2
The flashing stern light for boats includes an elongated tubular base, a light source housing mounted on top of the base, a light source disposed inside the housing, an array of light emitting elements disposed along a length of the base, and wiring adapted to operative connect to a power source and/or control, wherein the array of light emitting elements flash sequentially in a pattern to thereby draw attention to the light source, warn and emphasize proximity and presence of the boat. The flashing lights enhances visibility of the boat at night and in reduced visibility conditions.
US07946738B2
A lighting assembly is provided having a main housing and retaining member hinged to the main housing. The housing has an open end with a channel for receiving and supporting a lens, diffuser and/or grate. The retaining member is hinged to close the open end of the housing and prevent removal of the lens, diffuser and grate. The retaining member is coupled to the housing by pivot pins that are received in elongated slots in the side of the housing. The retaining member is pulled away from the housing where the pivot pins slide to an outward end of the slot and then pivot in an upward or downward direction to allow removal of the lens, diffuser and grate.
US07946735B2
A LED light apparatus includes a conical reflection housing and a LED light source. The reflection housing has a vertex, a light opening aligning with the vertex, an inner flat reflection surface. The LED light source includes a light head alignedly pointing towards the vertex, wherein when the light head generates light a first portion of the light is accumulatively reflected by the reflection surface towards the light opening while a second portion of the light is projected towards the non-reflection arrangement to prevent the second portion of the light being reflected back to the light source for minimizing a black spot occurring at the light opening. Accordingly, the wide light pattern is refocused into a narrow beam pattern to improve the lighting efficiency. The distribution of the light output is regulated, and the heat generation is reduced.
US07946733B2
A discharge lamp (10) has a fixing base (20) on one end. In some embodiments, the fixing base comprises a cylindrical first body portion (21) having a pair of notches (21H), a cylindrical second body portion being larger than the diameter of the first body portion and having a joint (23H), and a groove portion (25) formed in between the first and second body portion and having an equal or less diameter of a space of the pair of notches. A first body portion and a stepped surface (21B) of the groove portion is contacted to a base surface of a lamp holder (50) when the fixing base is inserted to the lamp holder.
US07946728B2
A combination signal receiving device includes a printed circuit board, a light source, a light cover, a receiving cover, and at least one signal receiver. The light source is mounted on the printed circuit board. The light cover is lighttight except a light transmissive logo. The light cover covers the light source. The receiving cover surrounds the light cover. The signal receiver is mounted on the printed circuit board beneath the receiving cover, configured for receiving outside signal passing through the receiving cover. Light emitted by the light source is incapable of reaching the signal receiver. The combination signal receiving device does not negatively influence the appearance of an electronic apparatus.
US07946727B2
A modular structure of a light-emitting diode (LED) light source is provided. The modular structure of the LED light source includes a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are arranged on the circuit board as regular hexagons, with an equal distance between every two adjacent LEDs, so that the modular structure of the LED light source provides uniform illumination. Additionally, the modular structure of the LED light source takes on a modular design so as to form light sources of various sizes for different uses and thus have its application scope expanded.
US07946719B2
A photographic light diffusing device comprises a semi-transparent cowl which is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source, the cowl including an opening through which the photographic light source is visible when the cowl is mounted thereon, and a removable semi-transparent cover detachably mounted on the cowl. In another embodiment, a camera flash system comprises a camera flash unit, and a diffuser unit having an adaptor and a tapered cylindrical body. The adaptor is formed to match the shape of the housing of the camera flash unit so that it may be fitted thereto, and the adaptor extends between the camera flash unit and the tapered cylindrical body of the diffuser unit. The diffuser unit widens from the adaptor to meet the tapered cylindrical body.
US07946713B2
A display apparatus, comprises a filter unit 33 attached on an air inlet opening 28a, having such a filter 36 that a suction negative load generating at the air inlet opening 28a formed in an upper cabinet 3 comes to be smaller than the suction load generating at gaps 29a and 30a defined in the upper cabinet 3, when driving a cooling unit 18, for sucking an air from the upper cabinet 3 and discharging the air used for cooling into the upper cabinet 3, when cooling down optical parts, such as, display devices 15R, etc., and a polarizing plate 16R, etc., of an optic unit 9.
US07946709B2
A projector having a first lens array with a plurality of first lenses in a plane substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the light beam from a light source that divides the light beam into a plurality of partial light beams, a second lens array having a plurality of second lenses corresponding to the plurality of first lenses, and a polarization converter that is disposed on a light beam emitting-side of the first lens array. A focal position in a first direction of the first lens is set in the vicinity of the second lens array in the optical direction of the light beam irradiated from the first lens. A focal position in the second direction of the first lens is set in the vicinity of the polarization converter in the optical direction of the light beam irradiated from the first lens.
US07946707B1
There is disclosed apparatus and method for a test of eye dominance of human subjects for which on each 10-sec trial, one eye starts with a strong image that gets progressively weaker or does not get progressively stronger, while, at the same time, the other eye gets a weak image that gets progressively stronger. The initially strong image will always be seen at the beginning and eventually vision will flip to the other eye's view once that image has achieved sufficient strength to overcome the dominance of the initially strong stimulus (which itself is getting progressively weaker). The subject indicates recognition of the strengthening image and the time is recorded. Results show that the test provides a reliable measure of eye dominance which is seen to vary considerably among people within a sample of normal adults.
US07946701B2
A method of enabling entry of data into a computer system via a printed substrate. The substrate has a surface containing human-readable information and machine-readable coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the substrate and of a plurality of reference points on the surface. The method includes the steps of: operatively positioning a sensing device relative to the surface and sensing the coded data; generating indicating data using the sensed coded data; and sending the indicating data to a computer system. The coded data comprises an IR-absorbing dye having a nitrogen-substituted phthalocyanine.
US07946689B2
A printhead has an aperture plate on a front side of the printhead, a diaphragm plate on a back side of the printhead, a body intermediate the aperture plate and the diaphragm plate, a chamber disposed within the body, a port boundary defining a port area, the port boundary disposed on the diaphragm plate and adjacent the chamber, a peripheral partially-etched region coinciding with a first portion of the port boundary, and a peripheral non-etched region coinciding with a second portion of the port boundary, wherein the port boundary is fractured at the partially etched peripheral portion and bent at the non-etched peripheral portion, the non-etched peripheral portion structured to prevent separation of the diaphragm plate and a leaflet defined by the partial-etched portion.
US07946677B2
A reciprocating apparatus includes a pair of guide members which extend in parallel with each other and in a first direction; a carriage which is reciprocateable in the first direction, supported and guided by the pair of guide members; and a carriage movement detector including (a) a sensor which is fixed to the carriage and (b) an encoder strip which extends in the first direction and which has sensible portions arranged in a lengthwise direction thereof and sensible by the sensor, such that a reciprocating movement of the carriage is detected based on sensing of the sensible portions by the sensor. The encoder strip is located between the pair of guide members in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pair of the guide members are located on one of opposite sides of the carriage in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second directions. The encoder strip is located on the other of said opposite sides of the carriage in the third direction.
US07946676B2
A liquid droplet ejection device for ejecting a liquid from a nozzle of a head to a workpiece, the liquid droplet ejection device including: a table for loading the workpiece; a first shifting section capable of shifting the table in a first direction and in a second direction approximately intersecting the first direction at a right angle; a plurality of carriages having the head; and a second shifting section capable of positioning each of the carriages by mutually shifting each of the carriages along the second direction.
US07946674B2
A printhead IC comprising: an array of nozzles; an ejection actuator corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively, the ejection actuator having a resistive heater that is activated when the actuator ejects ink through the corresponding nozzle; drive circuitry for receiving print data and activating the actuators with drive signals in accordance with the print data; and, open actuator test circuitry for selectively disabling the actuators when they receive a drive signal while comparing the resistance of the resistive heater to a predetermined threshold to assess whether the actuator is defective.
US07946672B2
A printing apparatus including a plurality of ink cartridges each supplying ink; an image processor generates print data for each ink based on input print data; a buffer which stores the print data generated by the image processor for each ink; a print head for discharging the ink supplied from each ink cartridge from a nozzle group for each ink based on the print data for each ink stored in the buffer; and a supply line that supplies print data from the buffer to the print head.
US07946671B2
A photo printer that prints 6″×4″ photos that has a stationary printhead. The printhead has a plurality of color channels, each color channel comprising at least one nozzle row extending along the length of said printhead, each nozzle in a color channel ejecting the same colored ink. The photo printer also has means for continuously moving 6″×4″ paper sheets past the printhead and during use, all firing nozzles of each color channel selected for one line of printing are fired within about 200 microseconds.
US07946655B2
A seat cushion structure is formed by combining upper and lower substrates made of a soft elastic material. Recessed spaces are formed on the upper and lower substrates respectively. Protrusions are formed in the recessed spaces. A flow passage is formed between every two protrusions. An inwardly concave air chamber is evacuated from each protrusion within a contact range of supporting a sitter's buttock. A shallow cut groove is formed on a side of the inwardly concave air chamber. A concave arc form corresponding to the shape of the buttock is disposed on an external surface of the upper substrate in contact with the buttock, such that when the upper and lower substrates are combined integrally, the protrusion of the upper substrate is disposed precisely above an upper periphery of the inwardly concave air chamber of the protrusion of the lower substrate.
US07946652B2
In the case of a fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), and a rotatably mounted eccentric (27) driven by a driver (21) to cause relative rolling between the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12), a securing-ring (43) is clipped on a hub (22) of the driver (21) and surrounds a bead (22b) of the hub (22), wherein the bead (22b) has a non-constant radius.
US07946649B2
A vehicle seat assembly has a seat body adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. A seat component is provided adjacent to the seat body. A first attachment member is provided within one of the seat body and the seat component. A second attachment member is provided on the other of the seat body and the seat component. The second attachment member is engageable within the first attachment member such that the seat component is attached to the seat body through engagement between the first attachment member and the second attachment member.
US07946645B2
A vehicular body front portion structure includes a cowl panel and a dash panel that extends below the cowl panel. The cowl panel has a concave body with an opening formed on the upper side when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. The concave body is formed from a front plate portion, a bottom plate portion, and a rear plate portion. The cowl panel is spot-welded to the front plate portion. A drainage groove that extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body is provided in a front end portion of the bottom plate portion. An in-groove recessed portion, which is recessed from the drainage groove on the lower side of the concave body and which inhibits the dash panel from detaching from the cowl panel, is formed in the bottom of the drainage groove.
US07946644B1
A sting trailer has a front end-wall located at a first standard trailer length from a rear end of the sting trailer, a false end-wall located at a second standard trailer length from the rear end of the sting trailer, and a hidden compartment located between the front end-wall and the false end-wall.
US07946636B2
A front shock absorbing structure of a vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement member that is disposed in a vehicle width direction in a front portion of a vehicle body and is formed as a rigid elongated member, and a shock absorbing member that is positioned on a front surface of the bumper reinforcement member. The shock absorbing member is vertically divided into a first shock absorbing portion and a second shock absorbing portion. The first and second shock absorbing portions are integrally coupled to each other at a forward side, so as to define a space therebetween at a rearward side. The coupling can be broken when an impact is applied by an impactor from ahead. The second shock absorbing portion has a protruding portion that is projected toward the space.
US07946633B2
A roller pin of the type mounted on a tie bar that slides to drive the roller pin into engagement with a keeper of a casement window includes an inner pin and an outer roller. The outer roller includes an integral outer flange that is circular and spins with the outer roller to reduce friction during engagement with keeper. The inner pin includes an offset mounting pin at one end and is enlarged at the other end to hold the outer roller on the inner pin. The enlarged end of the inner pin is flush with the outer flange and is provided with a recessed opening that receives a tool, such as a screwdriver, to rotate the inner pin and adjust its position relative to the tie bar and a keeper. The invention is also directed to a tie bar and multiple roller pins in combination.
US07946622B2
An example tethered airbag arrangement includes an airbag movable to an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. An internal tether constrains expansion of the contact face. An external tether also constrains expansion of the contact face.
US07946619B2
An occupant protection apparatus for protecting a front seat passenger of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an airbag module configured to be mounted in a instrument panel of a vehicle in front of the front seat passenger. The module includes an airbag and a gas generator. The airbag includes left and right inflatable lobes separated by a central gap. Each of the inflatable lobes is bounded by an outer panel forming an outer surface of the lobe and an inner panel forming an inner surface of the lobe.
US07946617B2
An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes a gas sack that can be inflated with gas to protect an occupant, a gas generator for generating the gas provided for inflating the gas sack, and an additional cooling device comprising an openable reservoir for storing a coolant. The reservoir is opened when the gas sack is inflated, so that the coolant for cooling the gas used to inflate the gas sack can come into contact with the gas. The cooling device comprises a movement generating device that opens the reservoir to release the coolant.
US07946605B2
An aerodynamic racing bicycle is provided. The racing bicycle may have a rear rim brake positioned below a drive portion of a chain and above a chain stay for reducing the aerodynamic drag on the bicycle.
US07946595B2
A tool holder, in particular for a measuring sensor, with an interface to a spindle of a machine tool is proposed. The tool holder comprises, as seen from the interface for the spindle, a material portion which differs from the customary basic material of a tool holder in a lower coefficient of linear expansion α and/or in a lower heat conductivity λ. According to the invention, the material portion affords thermal decoupling between the tool-side portion of the tool holder and a tool received therein from the tool spindle for reducing a length change on account of an introduction of heat coming from a comparatively hot tool spindle.
US07946591B2
A bearing sealing arrangement for rotating machines uses a radially-acting labyrinth seal (2) to minimize bearing lubricant leakage and an axially-acting screw-type gasket (3) to return what fluid escapes through the labyrinth seal to the bearing (10). In embodiments, the labyrinth seal uses rings (4) with plastic wear surfaces formed about internal metal bands, the plastic forming corresponding profiles on the ends (27,28) of the bands so that the profiles interlock when overlapped to form the rings. The screw-type gasket preferably includes rotor-mounted helical fillets (22) formed in a section (21) that is retained in a seat (20) on the rotor. The section in embodiments is retained by inserting a ring-shaped key (23) into the section, thereby forcing the section into undercuts of the seat. The arrangement is particularly useful in wind machines, such as wind-turbines.
US07946589B2
The present invention is an adjustable projectile target that includes a support structure that can hold a body portion of the target at various angular positions with regard to the support structure. The support structure allows the body portion to be rotated along both a vertical and a horizontal axis to provide a variety of target profiles for the body portion to simulate for the individual shots taken from various elevations and distances from the target animal.
US07946588B1
A practice ground for a bow and arrow hunter which allows the hunter selectively to position the target at various locations from a shooting area, to shoot arrows thereat, to retrieve the targets to ascertain the results, and to retrieve the arrows in the target, all without leaving the shooting area. The practice ground has a stand built into a tree simulating a field-type shooting area, a target, a target supporting tow line, and a plurality of stanchions with pulleys supporting and guiding the tow line. The tree stand includes a manual drive mechanism for moving the target to and from the hunter.
US07946587B1
A base has upper and lower surfaces. Cylindrical recesses are arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of rods is received by the cylindrical recesses and held in a vertical orientation. A plurality of balls is adapted to be stacked upon the rods. The balls have an exterior surface with various optical characteristics. The number of different optical characteristics of the balls corresponds to the number of players of the game. The optical characteristics are chosen from the class of optical characteristics including colors and designs. The game is won when a player aligns a predetermined number of balls of a common optical characteristic in a line in response to players alternately placing balls on the base.
US07946581B2
A pinch roller assembly useable in a document processing system is disclosed. The pinch roller assembly includes a pinch roller housing movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a path of travel of documents. The pinch roller assembly also includes a pinch roller rotatably mounted to the pinch roller housing and located adjacent to the path of travel of documents, and a biasing member arranged to exert a biasing force on a deflection element. The deflection element directs the biasing force onto the pinch roller housing.
US07946579B2
An image forming apparatus that effectively reduces sheet collision and increases productivity includes a storage unit to store sheets of a recording medium, a feeder to feed the sheets one by one from the storage unit, a conveyance device to convey the sheets along a conveyance path, a plurality of sensors to detect the sheets, a registration device to perform registration to the sheets, and a controller to control the feeder, the conveyance device, and the registration device. When a first sheet is stopped at or before it reaches the registration device, the feeder feeds a second sheet to the conveyance path, while the controller checks an interval between the first and second sheets. The controller stops the second sheet when the interval is shorter than a given interval and conveys the second sheet to the registration device without stopping when the interval is not shorter than the given interval.
US07946550B2
A device for concealing a space between an object and a planar surface includes a first interlocking strip and a second interlocking strip engageable with the first interlocking strip. The first and second interlocking strips move relative to each other such that they span the space between the object and the planar-surface. The first and second interlocking strips are movable linearly, angularly, and vertically to achieve concealment of the space between the object and the planar surface.
US07946547B2
A universal clamp assembly for receiving an electrical conductor having a variety of diameters without exchanging parts. An insulator includes a support fitting thereon. The clamp assembly includes a keeper fixed to an end of the fitting with two guide arms disposed along two sides thereof. An internally threaded bore in the keeper has a longitudinal axis. An externally threaded bolt is threadedly received in the bore. The assembly also includes a clamp member relatively rotatably receiving and axially restraining the bolt and located adjacent to the keeper for translational movement of the clamp member relative to the keeper along the longitudinal axis of the bolt. The clamp member includes two axially extending sliding arms adjacent the two guide arms. Rotation of the bolt along the longitudinal axis moves the clamp member towards and away from the keeper.
US07946533B2
A constellation, including a plurality of spacecraft, including a first, second and third spacecraft, each of the plurality of spacecraft including a broadcast capability, and each of the plurality of spacecraft in its own approximately 24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has a substantially teardrop-shaped or oval-shaped ground track, is optimized based upon elevation angle or probability of signal availability, and has an apogee longitude of approximately 90° west to approximately 100° west. Each of the orbits has a semi-major axis of approximately 42,164 kilometers, an argument of perigee of approximately 270° , an inclination of approximately 40° to approximately 60° , and an eccentricity of approximately 0.16 to approximately 0.4. The orbits of each of the plurality of spacecraft are selected to bring each of the spacecraft to apogee at time increments of approximately eight hours.
US07946532B2
A furniture unit for a vehicle includes a seat having a side that is joined permanently to a couch. The general direction of the couch is angled, forwards of the seat, with respect to the direction in which the seat faces. A squab of the seat and a squab of the couch are located at the same level, in such a way as to form a surface suitable for use as a bed.
US07946530B1
A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy.
US07946528B2
Flight control systems have plural control subsystems with redundancies organized so as to provide continued but degraded control power over critical aircraft flight operating parameters even if any one complete control subsystem catastrophically fails. One example described in detail for a VTOL craft includes four groups of controls, each group comprising inputs relating to six degrees of freedom of the vehicle, at least one control computer and a plurality of actuators; each group utilizing 25% of required flight control power for the vehicle.
US07946525B2
The invention relates to a material for absorbing noise in aircraft, comprising at least one barrier layer and at least one absorptive layer. The barrier layer is provided with an elastomeric material having a minimum specific density of 1 and a mass per unit area of 1.3 kg/m2 or less while the absorptive layer is equipped with a porous and/or open-cell material having a weight per volume of 4 to 50 kg/m3, preferably 10 to 40 kg/m3, more preferably 15 to 35 kg/m3 even more preferably 20 to 30 kg/m3. The mass per unit area of the sound-absorbing material amounts to 2 kg/m2 or less.
US07946524B1
A device and method for preventing a wound item from inadvertently unwinding from a spool in a point-of-sale display. The point-of-sale display includes a shelf that holds the spool. The shelf has a forward edge that prevents the spool from rolling off the shelf. A device is provided that holds the wound item as it is drawn away from the spool. The device inhibits the movement of the wound item so that the wound item will not unwind from the spool when not manually drawn from the spool. The device includes a clip body that selectively engages the forward edge of the shelf proximate the spool. A retention mechanism is coupled to the clip body, wherein the retention mechanism receives and retains a section of the wound item, thereby preventing said wound item from inadvertently unwinding.
US07946518B2
The invention relates to a milling roller of a high-pressure material bed roller mill, having profile-members which are embedded with a portion of the length thereof in holes of the roller body and, with the remainder of the length thereof, protrude above the surface of the roller body, with, when the milling roller is new, the holes having different depths and the profile-members having different lengths in differently loaded part-regions of the width of the roller body. Such a construction brings about a long service-life for the roller and cost-effective reconditioning after operational wear with a production operation which reduces costs.
US07946515B2
The present invention relates to a shredder that includes a housing having a movable part that forms at least a part of an opening for the insertion of articles to be fed into the shredder. A detector detects motion of the movable part, and in response, a controller performs a predetermined operation, including, for example, stopping cutting elements of the shredder mechanism.
US07946505B2
An environmental control system for a vehicle, in particular for predicting internal misting of a vehicle windscreen, the system comprising a windscreen temperature sensor assembly 28, an ambient humidity sensor assembly 32 and a second temperature sensor assembly 30 for sensing the temperature of the humidity sensor assembly 32. The windscreen temperature sensor assembly 28 is mounted on an interior rearview mirror support bracket 10 for engagement with the interior surface 18 of the windscreen, and the second temperature and humidity sensor assemblies are mounted within a rearview mirror housing 12 mounted to the mirror support bracket 10.
US07946504B2
An electronic faucet for mixing hot and cold fluids and a manual override system therefor. The override system is adapted to override the electronics of the faucet in order to allow a user to gain full manual control, for example, if the user merely desires it or there is a malfunction in the faucet's electronics or an electric power outage. The faucet can be operated in an automatic mode, a manual mode and switch between those modes. According to one embodiment, the override system disables the faucet's electronics as a result of manual movement of the handles causing a motor of the electronic faucet to deviate from its normal resistance or current, signaling the electronics to become disabled. According to another embodiment, pulling or pushing of the handles mechanically disengage them from the electronic control.
US07946502B2
There is provided a card or token for use in financial transactions. The financial transaction token or card has an onboard energy storage device that enables onboard electronics to operate when the card is not in the proximity of a merchant Point-Of-Service (POS) terminal. In one implementation, the onboard energy storage device includes a capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power onboard electronics without the need for an onboard battery. The card may be incorporated within various conventional apparatus such as a see-through and/or protective substrate, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a credit card, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a personal organizer, a keychain payment tag, and like personality.
US07946501B2
Universal electronic card, of the smart card or intelligent card type, similar to a form of plastic card, with integrated circuital elements which are integrated in the thickness of the stratified card and within it at least one microchip, structured integrally with: i—a microprocessor associated to a memory; ii—an interchangeable flat battery within the card-thickness able to power-supply the microprocessor and the memory; iii—at least one data transmission device connected to the microprocessor and/or to the memory; iv—one fingerprint reader device integrated in it and to the processor system to read the imprint of the user, checking its authenticity before allowing the access at its various functions.
US07946500B2
An antenna connection function for a noncontact interface is provided by suppressing a modification in a pin arrangement and a pin shape of a memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Two antenna connecting pins having the memory card are divided into two areas in which a size of one potential supply pin is the largest and used as a split pin arranged at intervals. Because a size of the two antenna connecting pins is at maximum as large as the size of the potential supply pin, the two antenna connecting pins are provided and the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface is obtained by devoting a pin area having the size of the one potential supply pin to the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Accordingly, the pin area of the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface can be formed without departing from the pin area of the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface.
US07946499B2
A method for either or both initializing and personalizing a portable data carrier having an electronic circuit, a data transmission device and a switching device. The method is characterized in that either or both before the initialization and personalization is carried out a bridging of the switching device is formed and after either or both the initialization and personalization has been carried out the bridging is eliminated.
US07946497B2
A non-contact IC can exchange information with a reader/writer by wireless communication. When the non-contact IC receives from the reader/writer a command indicative of restricting use of the non-contact IC, the non-contact IC sets itself in a state of restricted use. When in the state of restricted use, the non-contact IC can not exchange information with a reader/writer.
US07946486B2
A aerospace machine element product (1) to be managed comprises a plurality of assembled components (2) ((1) to (3)). Each of the plurality of components (2) ((1) to (3)) is manufactured through a material purchase process (S1), a forging process (S2), a heat treatment process (S3), a grinding process (S4), surface treatment process (S5), and inspection process (S6). The information of the processes (S1) to (S2) is recorded on an IC tag (4) together with the lot numbers of the processes. After the components (2) have been assembled in the aerospace machine element product (1), the recorded information regarding the components (2) on the IC tag (4) is recorded in a management computer system (11) so as to be related to a manufacturing number or a manufacturing lot number. Another IC tag (10) is attached to the aerospace machine element product (1) and the manufacturing number or the lot number is recorded on the IC tag (10). In addition, processing condition information about the forging, heat treatment, grinding, surface treatment processes is recorded on this IC tag (10).
US07946483B2
An example apparatus for allowing operation of equipment by an authorized operator comprises a biometric scanner receiving a biometric input from an authorized operator, and transmitting an authorization signal. The apparatus may further includes a base station that allows the equipment to operate while the base station receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner, and which prevents the equipment from operating shoortly after the authorization signal is no longer received from the biometric scanner.
US07946474B1
A method of and apparatus for forecasting cash demand for an automated teller machine (ATM) or any other cash dispensing devices for individual days, weeks and multi-day load periods. In one embodiment, an expected value of withdrawal for any particular period, as well as an upper limit on expected withdrawals for a given confidence level, are computed. The invention facilitates the creation of a daily and multi-day withdrawal forecast for a given ATM. The forecasts are also used to compute an optimum load amount for a given load period (the period between loading operations) for a given ATM, subject to given parameters (such as courier cost, interest rate, transit time, desired confidence level, cost of run-out, and the like) and given constraints (bundle size, maximum capacity, possible delivery days, and the like). The forecasts are also used to determine an optimal load period length and schedule. After the ATM is loaded, the system monitors cash in the ATM during a load period to facilitate potential corrective action if actual withdrawals exceed forecasted withdrawals or, in the alternative, if the ATM will contain excessive funds on its upcoming regularly scheduled load date, e.g., due to much lower withdrawals than expected or due to the ATM becoming unavailable for a given portion of the load period.
US07946463B2
A combustion nailer (10) having a combustion power source (14) defining a fan motor chamber (50) having at least one chamber wall (52, 54) and a motor shaft hole (56). A fan motor (44) is disposed in the fan motor chamber (50) and has a motor shaft (42) projecting through the motor shaft hole (56). A one way valve (60) is associated with the chamber (18) and the motor and is configured for allowing unidirectional airflow through the hole (56) past the motor (44), and preventing airflow in the opposite direction.
US07946443B2
A vented closure is provided for a container having a raised lip proximal to an upper end thereof. The closure includes a top preferably having two locking levers connected to the top with an elastically deformable hinge. The locking levers operate to releasably secure the closure to the container. The top includes a first portion and a second portion. The closure also includes a skirt. The first portion is centrally positioned in the top and the second portion is connected to the skirt. One or more vent holes are provided in the first portion. The first portion defines a first plane and the second portion defines a second plane. The first plane is displaced from the second plane.
US07946442B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a clasp for securing a man-way cover in a vessel. The clasp can include a hinged member. Generally, the hinged member has a first position for securing the man-way cover and a second position for unsecuring the man-way cover.
US07946441B2
A molded plastic container assembly comprising an open top container and a closure which sealingly fits on the top of the container. A collar is integral with the container sidewall just below the top rim to provide a space into which the lower edge of the closure skirt extends to prevent removal closure until a tear strip formed in the collar is removed. The tear strip in the collar extends fully through one corner of the container assembly and at least half way toward both of the adjacent corners to provide substantial area of access to the closure lower edge as well make the tear strip to large to present a choking hazard to small children.
US07946433B2
Embodiments of interlocking uprights members for a telecommunications equipment cabinet are presented herein. The uprights include first and second areas that engage in an interlocking and alternating overlap so that the uprights interlock in a plurality of positions to vary a dimension of the cabinet.
US07946427B2
A screen assembly is disclosed for use with vibratory separators. The screen assembly includes a structural frame mounted to a vibratory separator into which a plurality of lightweight and flexible screen elements are inserted into multiple rows of perforated troughs which have geometric shapes. The perforated troughs are bonded to each other and to the structural frame. The perforated troughs are aligned parallel to the direction in which solids are conveyed by a vibratory motion.
US07946418B1
A case assembly for holding a selection of paintbrushes of the type having bristles bound to a handle with a metal band. The case assembly has ventilation openings that provide ventilation to the interior of the case. A support board is provided that is sized to fit within the interior of the case. At least one magnet is coupled to each support board. Each magnet attracts the metal bands of the paintbrushes, therein attaching the paintbrushes to each support board. By attaching the paintbrushes to the support boards with magnetism, the bristles of the paintbrushes remain unconfined. Furthermore, the paintbrushes can be attached in any orientation, such as a bristle-down orientation. This prevents water from gathering near the metal bands of the paintbrushes and causing rust.
US07946387B2
A self-retracting lifeline includes a common, central brake hub having teeth on opposing sides and a lifeline assembly on each side of the brake hub. The lifeline assemblies include centrifugal clutch assemblies with pawls. The pawls are configured and arranged to engage the teeth of the brake hub to stop the lifeline assemblies when there is a sudden acceleration or a high rate of speed at which the lifeline assemblies turn to pay-out lifeline which causes the pawls to pivot and engage the teeth. The self-retracting lifeline may be operatively connected to a safety harness with a connector interconnecting the bottom of the self-retracting lifeline and the straps of the safety harness proximate a dorsal pad assembly and straps interconnecting the housing of the self-retracting lifeline and the straps of the safety harness above the dorsal pad assembly. The lifelines of the self-retracting lifeline exit the housing proximate the top.
US07946383B2
A system for reducing an acoustic load of a fluid flow includes a first pipe. The first pipe includes a first end and a second end and a first aperture and a second aperture, the first and second apertures being intermediate the first and second ends. A second pipe includes a first end and a second end and a third aperture intermediate the first and second ends. The second pipe is connected at its first end to the first pipe at the first aperture. A bypass pipe includes a first end connected to the second aperture of the first pipe and a second end connected to the third aperture of the second pipe. A method of reducing an acoustic load of a flow in a standpipe connected to a first pipe configured to carry a main flow includes providing a bypass flow from the first pipe to the standpipe.
US07946382B2
A method and system for reducing pulsation in lateral piping associated with a gas compressor system. A tunable side branch absorber (TSBA) is installed on the lateral piping. A pulsation sensor is placed in the lateral piping, to measure pulsation within the piping. The sensor output signals are delivered to a controller, which controls actuators that change the acoustic dimensions of the SBA.
US07946375B2
The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise: an electric motor; a spool that is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint in association with the driving of the electric motor; and a controller for controlling the electric motor. A starting condition can be defined by the state of the seat belt relative to a vehicle occupant and the state of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt and, in cases where a starting condition is satisfied, the controller can be configured to control the electric motor to rotate in the belt winding direction such that the motor output of the electric motor is varied according to a satisfaction pattern of the starting condition.
US07946370B2
A work machine includes a frame supported for movement over the ground, a prime mover for driving movement of the frame, an operator compartment supported on the frame and a cradle coupling the operator compartment to the frame. The cradle is pivotable between an operating position and a service position and includes a biasing mechanism for biasing cradle toward the service position and an isolation mount coupling the operator compartment to the cradle. The isolation mount permits deflection of the operator compartment relative to the cradle along a selected axis. A latch mechanism releasably couples the cradle to the frame and a handle is provided for actuating the latch mechanism. The isolation mount includes a deformable member having a void defining the selected axis. The axis can be aligned with a force exerted on the cradle by the operator compartment to reduce stress on the biasing member.
US07946364B2
A legged robot is provided whose trunk link is not prone to wobble in the front-back direction during walking. The legged robot is equipped with a trunk link and a pair of legs. Each leg has a pitch joint capable of rotating the connected links in a plane that intersects with a line extending in a lateral direction of the robot. Rotation centers of the pitch joints are located above a center of gravity of the trunk link. The legged robot walks mainly by swinging the legs backward and forward around such rotation centers. Hence, the trunk link wobbles mainly in the front-back direction around the rotation centers as the robot walks. Because the center of gravity of the trunk link is located below the rotation centers, the gravitational force acting on the trunk link acts in a direction to suppress swinging of the trunk link during walking. Due to this, the trunk link of the legged robot is not prone to wobble in the front-back direction during walking.
US07946362B2
A matrix drill bit and method of manufacturing a matrix bit having back raked cutting elements is disclosed. In one aspect, a matrix drill bit for well drilling includes a matrix bit body that has a front area in a direction of drilling and two or more diamond impregnated cutting blades protruding from the front area of the matrix bit body. The cutting blades each have a front external surface protruding from the front area of the matrix bit body and present a plurality of back raked downhole interface surfaces in the direction of drilling. The downhole interface surfaces span a leading face and a trailing face where the leading face extends to a first height and the trailing face extends to a second height and the first height is greater than the second height.
US07946359B2
A method of constructing a borehole drilled with a drilling apparatus (16), the method comprises: connecting a flexible tubular liner sleeve (22) around the outside of the drilling apparatus and connecting the sleeve around an upper opening of the borehole so as to pass into the borehole; progressively extending the sleeve into the borehole as drilling progresses while maintaining connection to the drilling apparatus and borehole opening; at a predetermined point in the drilling, expanding the sleeve so as to contact the borehole wall; and setting the sleeve so as to be fixed to the borehole wall after expansion. Apparatus for use in such a method comprises: a flexible, expandable sleeve (22); a first connector for connecting the sleeve around the outside of a drilling assembly; and a second connector for connecting the sleeve around the opening of the borehole; wherein the sleeve is arranged to extend through the borehole between the connectors as drilling progresses.
US07946357B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a drill bit, a tip on a bit body configured to contact a formation when the drill bit is utilized to cut into the formation, and a spring coupled to the tip. The apparatus also includes a sensor coupled to the spring and configured to provide signals corresponding to the displacement of the tip when the tip is in contact with the formation.
US07946355B1
An auger assembly has a shaft supporting flight units having lug and recess connections allowing broken flight units to be removed from the shaft and replaced with another flight unit. The auger assembly is incorporated in an ice drill having a cordless electric motor and a cutting head. A coupling locks the auger assembly on the motor drive shaft.
US07946354B2
A pneumatic air tool includes a housing with a forward angle gearing arranged in a gearing chamber, a motor chamber, a rear air outlet section and a forward air outlet section. The motor chamber includes a pneumatic motor with air communication openings, which communicate with both the rear air outlet section, and the forward air outlet section. A part of the outlet air is ducted through the forward air outlet section including a circular groove in the housing which form part of a cooling chamber. The walls of the groove form together an enlarged heat transferring surface by which the heat generated in the angle gearing is efficiently transferred to the cold exhaust air from the motor passing through the cooling chamber. By communicating exhaust air through the cooling chamber there is obtained an efficient cooling of the angle gearing while maintaining favorable outer dimensions of the housing.
US07946335B2
A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.
US07946330B2
A machine for applying inland revenue stamps to packets of cigarettes, the machine having a conveying device for feeding the packets along a given path through an application station; and a feed device for feeding the stamps to the application station, and applying each stamp to a given portion of a respective packet; the feed device being movable crosswise to the travelling direction to adjust the given portion of the packet to which the stamp is applied.
US07946326B2
An automatic sheet laminating apparatus includes a first sheet input tray, a second sheet input tray, a plurality of transfer roller assemblies, a separating roller assembly, a braking sensor, a braking element, a laminating module, and a control unit. The first sheet input tray is used for placing a pouch including a first film and a second film. The second sheet input tray is used for placing a sheet article. The separating roller assembly includes a separating driving roller and a separating follower roller. When the pouch is detected by the braking sensor, the braking element stops rotation of the separating follower roller. After a first predetermined time period, the separating follower roller is rotated again. As such, the rear ends of the first film and the second film are separated from each other, so that the sheet article could be inserted between the first film and the second film.
US07946320B2
The folding work bench folds compactly for storage when not in use and occupies a minimal work space. The folding work bench has a durable work surface, a top storage shelf, a back board for hanging tools, a locking mechanism, and a work table that can be folded up against the back board and locked in a compactly folded configuration that also secures the tools on the back board in the work bench.
US07946319B2
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a router table may comprise a table top, a mounting can, a sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The table top may have an aperture and a plurality of support members; the support members may be configured to support the table top. The mounting can may be attachable to the table top in a vicinity of the aperture. The sleeve may be engaged to the mounting can, and may be configured to receive a router and to position a router bit of the router along an axis extending through the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to move the sleeve within the mounting can and relative to the table top to thereby move the router along the axis and position the router bit at one of a plurality of positions relative to the table top.
US07946316B2
Embodiments provide an inkjet cartridge refilling system. The system may include a drill station configured to drill at least one refilling hole in an inkjet printer cartridge. The system may include an evacuation station configured to remove excess ink from the inkjet printer cartridge. In some embodiments, the excess ink is removed via a vacuum source. The system may also include a filling station configured to provide any of a plurality of inks into the cartridge. Some embodiments provide the ink to the inkjet cartridge via a hole drilled in the cartridge. Other embodiments provide the ink via inkjet nozzles of the inkjet printer cartridge. The system may also include a test station configured to test the refilled cartridge to determine whether it is functioning properly after being filled with ink.
US07946309B2
A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.
US07946306B2
A portable shelter that attaches to the outsides of the tires of the vehicle, as opposed to the body or wheel hubs of the vehicle. The shelter includes a canopy attached to an upper end of at least one mast, and a mast base that is attached to a lower end of the mast. The mast base comprises a threaded bolt, a plate having a threaded opening for receiving the bolt therethrough, and a holder for receiving a lower end of the bolt. The base also includes a plurality of arms that each have a first end attached to the holder and a second end attached to a hook. Braces are mounted between the plate and the arms so that when the bolt moves relative to the plate, the arms move relative to the holder so that the hooks on the arms can receive the outsides of a tire.
US07946296B2
A consumable tobacco film strip adapted to dissolve in the oral cavity includes a tobacco component, a binder, a humectant, and optionally a flavorant. The tobacco component can include ground or powdered tobacco and/or a tobacco extract. Tobacco flavoring can be incorporated in the film strip by casting or extruding a mixture or the tobacco component may be added to a film strip after formation of the film. The film strips are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction.
US07946292B2
A device for retaining a tongue in a predetermined position, the device comprising, a flange having a first and second surface, the flange further including a protrusion extending from the first surface of the flange; and an aperture formed through the first and second surfaces of the flange, wherein the protrusion covers the aperture, whereby the protrusion form a hollow chamber, the hollow chamber is accessible through the aperture from the second side of the flange.
US07946285B2
A paintball gun preferably includes an electro-pneumatic flow distribution mechanism such as a solenoid valve having a port connected to a pneumatic mechanism. For instance, the solenoid valve may include an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas supply and an output port connected to the pneumatic mechanism. The solenoid valve can be enabled to direct compressed gas to and/or from the pneumatic mechanism to operate a bolt. The bolt may be coupled to the pneumatic mechanism.
US07946279B2
A motorcycle (1) includes an OHC engine (13) and a fuel tank (22) closely above the engine (13). The engine (13) includes a crankcase (17), a cylinder block (18), a cylinder head (19), a cylinder head cover (20), and an oil catch tank (37) that is provided on the right side portion of the cylinder head (19) and cylinder head cover (20) and configured to separate oil from blow-by gas supplied from the crankcase (17) through the cylinder block (18). The oil catch tank (37) includes lower breather chambers (37a, 37c) formed in the cylinder head (19) and upper breather chambers (37b, 37d) formed in the cylinder head cover (20). The oil catch tank (37) is arranged as high as possible regardless of almost no space between the cylinder head (19) and the fuel tank (22).
US07946277B2
A fuel vapor storage and recovery system of an internal combustion engine includes a fuel tank and a filter device arranged in a tank venting line. A heat exchanger is disposed in the tank venting line. The heat exchanger cools the fuel vapors flowing from the fuel tank to the filter device and heats air that is aspirated for scavenging the filter device.
US07946274B2
An electromagnetic fuel injection valve comprising: a metallic cylindrical-shaped vessel provided at a tip end thereof with a fuel injection port, the other end thereof being closed by a stationary core provided centrally thereof with a through-hole; a movable member arranged between the stationary core and the fuel injection port and provided at a tip end thereof with a valve element, which opens and closes the fuel injection port, a maximum outside diameter of the movable member being smaller than a minimum inside diameter of the through-hole; and an electromagnetic drive mechanism that reciprocates the movable member.
US07946271B2
A system and method for providing a haptic device in a vehicle. The system comprises a foot operated pedal of a vehicle. A sensor is coupled to the pedal and is configured to sense a position of the pedal during use. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with the position of the pedal. A processor is coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive the sensor signal. The processor outputs a control signal upon the pedal moving past a threshold position. An actuator is coupled to the processor, wherein the actuator is configured to output a haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal from the processor.
US07946267B2
An intake passage is formed by connecting an upper case 10 and a lower case 20 of an intake manifold. The lower case 10 has a recessed portion 50 on part of an inner surface 17a of a side wall 17. The recessed portion 50 has a deep surface 53 to which a negative pressure outlet port 42 opens, and an opening 51 opened upwards is provided in an upper portion of the recessed portion 50 in a position which opposes to the upper case 20 in a vertical direction A0. The upper case 20 has a projecting portion 60 which extends further downwards towards the negative pressure outlet port 42 than mating surfaces 10a, 20a and projects into the recessed portion 50 through an opening 52. The projecting portion 60 is positioned between the negative pressure outlet port 42 and the inner surface 17a in a horizontal direction A1.
US07946264B2
In a V-type engine for a vehicle, in which a hydraulic valve rest mechanism which selectively holds at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve corresponding to a part of plural cylinders in a valve-closed rest state in correspondence with a vehicle running status is provided in a valve actuation unit, and a hydraulic controller which controls hydraulic pressure of the valve rest mechanism is provided in a main engine body, to reduce the distance of oil passage from the hydraulic controller to the hydraulic valve rest mechanism and simplify the structure of the oil passage. A hydraulic controller is provided on at least one side surface of a cylinder head, and may be generally oriented along a line which is substantially parallel to a central axis of a cylinder bore.
US07946256B2
A stable and secure protective cover for an animal, the head cover having an inner shell with a pair of ear slits there-through for allowing the animal's ears to extend through the inner shell and an outer shell for sandwiching the animal's ears between the inner and outer shells thereby providing for stable and secure protection of the animal's ear canals from entry by foreign matter such as cheat grass seed.
US07946254B2
A pair of closed endless elastic rings connected to each other by a length adjustable band lifts the bases of the ears of a floppy eared pet, away from the pet's head and away for the openings to the pet's ear canals to reduce problems of the ear canals such as bacterial and fungal growth.
US07946247B2
In a measurement mechanism for continuously measuring a thickness of a coating layer, provided in an apparatus for forming the coating layer on a conductive elongate base material in a coating treatment base station while the base material is fed, a sensing portion for measuring a capacitance value of the coating layer is arranged before and after the base station, and tension applied to the base material at the sensing portion is set to be greater than tension applied to the base material at the base station. Thus, in forming the coating layer on the elongate base material while the base material is continuously fed, variation in a feeding speed is suppressed, influence of sway of a measurement surface in a direction of thickness at the thickness sensing portion during feeding is minimized, and a thickness of the coating layer can be measured with higher accuracy.
US07946240B2
An assembly (1; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) for operating fender elements (P) suitable to protect a boat during the movement and/or mooring including articulation means (2; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) which are connected to the fender element (P) and moving means (3; 202; 302; 402; 502; 602), suitable to be coupled with the boat, operatively connected to the articulation means (2; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) for moving them between at least a working position in which they dispose the fender element (P) at least partly laterally protruding from the boat, and at least a rest position in which they dispose the fender element (P) receding with respect to the boat.
US07946230B2
A joint obstacle to ants is formed from two or more moats containing a liquid such as water, or a water dish soap mixture, spaced closely apart. The moats surround a table or serving plate for presenting dessert. The moats are separated by a short band about the same width as the moats. By spacing the moats closely apart, the ants rejects a path across the second moat, thereby preventing the ants from reaching the dessert.
US07946225B2
A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.
US07946224B2
A high-speed griddle for cooking food products has a griddle platen having a cook surface for receiving food products thereon, and heating means are provided for heating the platen. A clamshell cover is configured for sealing contact with the cook surface of the platen, the cook surface and cover cooperating to enclose a cook volume. An electromagnetic energy source is configured for emitting energy into the cook volume, the energy source emitting energy of a frequency selected to cause internal heating of food products within the cook volume. In addition, a convection air system is configured to provide a flow of heated air into the cook volume. The heated platen, electromagnetic energy source, and convection air system cooperate to rapidly cook food products within the cook volume.
US07946222B2
An apparatus is provided for pressing a food item into a plurality of sliced configurations. The apparatus may include a top handle device, a bottom handle device, a wheel or basket and a plunger. The top handle device may be connected to the wheel so that the top handle device rotates with respect to the wheel. The plunger may be fixed to the top handle device. The wheel may be fixed to the bottom handle device. The wheel may have a plurality of sections into which a portion of the plunger can be inserted in order to press a food item into a sliced configuration.
US07946218B2
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.
US07946214B2
A piston assembly is provided for a gas-operated firearm of the type having a chamber and a barrel. The piston assembly includes a gas expansion housing and a piston mounted within the gas expansion housing. An annular recess is formed in the outer wall of the piston to receive exhaust gases diverted from the barrel upon firing of the firearm. At least one longitudinally extending groove extends from the annual recess to the head of the piston and forms a pathway for diverting the exhaust gases to the head of the piston. During firing, pressurized gases are diverted into the annular recess and expand longitudinally from the annular recess to the piston head, whereupon the pressurized exhaust gas drives the gas piston rearwardly along the housing.
US07946205B2
The device comprises at least a continuous movable flexible member (23) carrying a series of contact members (29, 29A, 29B) for the products (R; R1; RN) aligned with one another. A section of the movable flexible member is devoid of said contact members to allow the trimmings (Rc, Rt) to fall. At least a longitudinal supporting element (21) of the products (R; R1, RN), is also provided, parallel to the movable flexible member, the reciprocal position of said flexible member and of said longitudinal element being such that the products advance in contact with the contact members (29, 29A, 29B) of the flexible member and with the longitudinal element. A pusher (11) inserts the series of products with the respective trimmings between the flexible member and the longitudinal supporting member. The flexible member (23) is controlled with a variable speed to carry the section thereof devoid of contact members time by time to the level of the head and tail trimmings (Rc; Rt) of two consecutive series of products.
US07946202B2
A grip for pliers has a body and a bow. The body has an inner side, an outer side, a handle hole, a curved cushioning hole and a curved cushioning arm. The handle hole is capable of being mounted around a handle of the pliers, is defined in the body and is adjacent to the inner side of the body. The cushioning hole is curved, is defined through the body, is adjacent to the outer side of the body and extends along the handle hole. The cushioning arm is curved and is formed on the outer side of the body. The flexible bow is securely mounted in the cushioning arm and extends along the cushioning arm.
US07946200B2
An adjustable clamping tool of the present invention includes a rotatable disc, two clamp portions, two slidable shanks, two rails and a housing member. When the rotatable disc is turned, the clamp portions are therefore driven to move toward or away from each other along the rails.
US07946193B2
An multi-piece foot peg for use with power sport vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs is provided that, in one embodiment, includes a base that attaches to the frame of the vehicle and a cleat member that attaches to the base wherein the cleat member may be replaced without replacing the entire foot peg thereby enabling economical replacement of worn cleats and enabling the adjustment of foot peg height and aggressiveness of the cleats. The base is configured to define an opening between two sub-components that extend away from the frame of the vehicle. The cleat member includes cleats and at least one opening between the cleats positioned to facilitate the passage of debris through the opening in the cleat member and through the opening in the base such that debris will not build up on the upper surface of the cleat member.
US07946186B2
The measuring system is inserted into the course of a process line and serves for registering at least one measured variable of a medium flowing in the process line. The measuring system includes for such purpose a measuring transducer having a measuring tube serving for conveying medium being measured and a sensor arrangement, which has at least one sensor element reacting primarily to the measured variable to be registered, and which delivers by means of at least one sensor element at least one measurement signal influenced by the measured variable. Further, the measuring system includes a measuring electronics communicating with the measuring transducer and using the at least one measurement signal for producing, at least at times, at least one measured value instantaneously representing the measured variable. The measuring tube has, in the case of the measuring system of the invention, a smaller flow cross section than a supply segment of the process line connected to the inlet end of the measuring system. To this end, the measuring system further includes a flow conditioner arranged at the inlet end of the measuring tube and mediating between the measuring tube and the supply segment of the process line. The flow conditioner has a lumen tapering in the direction of the measuring tube. During operation, medium flows through the lumen of the flow conditioner. The flow conditioner includes at least one inner edge arranged upstream of its outlet end and protruding into the lumen of the flow conditioner. During operation, medium conveyed in the flow conditioner flows against the inner edge.
US07946181B2
Disclosed herein is a system for measuring the deflection of a rotating shaft in a wireless manner. The system includes a non-contact-type angle division device, a plurality of wireless contact-type displacement sensors, a plurality of wireless transmitters, a relay, and a data reader. The non-contact-type angle division device is placed on a vertical rotating shaft and measures and transmits the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft. The wireless contact-type displacement sensors are installed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, and measure the strain of the rotating shaft. The wireless transmitters transmit data about the displacement of the rotating shaft measured by the wireless contact-type displacement sensor. The relay receives and relays transmission signals from the non-contact-type angle division device and the wireless transmitters. The data reader receives the transmission signals from the relay, and performs simulation reading.
US07946179B2
An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.
US07946174B2
Coulomb islands are charged to create Coulomb forces which are applied between a first and second substrate. The Coulomb islands are used to levitate the first substrate over the second substrate into an equilibrium position. A processing unit monitors the values of capacitors formed between the substrates to provide feedback information to maintain the first substrate in this equilibrium position. The first substrate can be an accelerometer that can be used to calculate the direction and magnitude of a deceleration. The processing unit sends the digital information to a bus coupled to a plurality of air bags. The digital information identifies the appropriate air bags that need to be enabled to minimize the impact of a crash. Vertical changes in acceleration can also be detected making this invention applicable for flight vehicles.
US07946172B2
A device for mounting rotors, in particular articulated shafts, in a balancing machine has a bearing frame and a frame upper part, which is mounted on the bearing frame so as to be able to oscillate via spring bars and includes a spindle for rotatable mounting of a rotor. The frame upper part is mounted on the bearing frame via groups of spring bars, the groups being arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation of the spindle and at a distance from one another, and the longitudinal axes of the spring bars forming the spring bar groups being oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindle. The spring bars forming the spring bar groups have an elongated, slender shape such that their rigidity in an axial direction is at least 100 times, in particular at least 300 times, greater than their radial flexural rigidity.
US07946167B2
A constant temperature hot-conductor anemometer includes a set of electrically conductive pins including a pair of inner pins and a pair of outer pins. A conductor is electrically and mechanically coupled to the pins. A current source is coupled to the inner pins. The current source is configured to provide a current through the conductor between the inner pins. A voltage sensor is coupled to the outer pins and configured to measure a voltage across the conductor between the outer pins. The current source and voltage sensor are configured to maintain a constant resistance of the conductor between the inner pins. In an example, a second set of pins, a second conductor and a second circuit are also used to measure dynamic temperature of a fluid and also to calibrate resistances at a known ambient temperature.
US07946163B2
An electronically adjustable shock absorber, and a system, method, and algorithm for developing a vehicle suspension. The shock absorber has damping characteristics that can be adjusted electronically to match a desired set of damping characteristics. The test method includes closed loop control of the electronically adjustable shock to achieve user-provided damping characteristics. The characteristics can be selected from a graphical user interface to simulate different internal flow passages of a shock absorber. Some embodiments make possible the simulated testing of different hardware embodiments, without the need to make the actual shock absorbers and without the need interrupt the vehicle suspension testing for multiple shock absorber installations.
US07946158B2
An air flow measuring device has a throttle portion provided in a first sub-passage, a second sub-passage branched from the first sub-passage at an upstream side of the throttle portion, and a flow amount sensor located in the second sub-passage. The second sub-passage is configured to introduce therein a part of air flowing in the first sub-passage, and an inlet of the second sub-passage is open into the first sub-passage at one side in a first radial direction perpendicular to a flow direction of air flowing in the first sub-passage. Furthermore, the throttle portion is provided to gradually reduce a passage dimension of the first sub-passage in a second radial direction, as toward an outlet of the first sub-passage. Here, the second radial direction is perpendicular to a surface defined by the first radial direction and the flow direction of air in the first sub-passage.
US07946153B2
A gas sensor based on a field effect transistor (“FET”) evaluates both a change in work function of a gas-sensitive layer of the FET and a change in the capacitance of the layer. Thus, two physically independent signals are read from the gas-sensitive layer, each signal representing a sensitivity to a different gas. This reduces the effect of cross-sensitivities; that is, of one gas on the target gas. The underlying physical mechanisms, the first causing a change in the work function in a reaction with gases and the second causing a change in the capacitance of the sensitive layer, are widely different. Because of this, the two parameters demonstrate different gas sensitivities. If the reactions to both gases are known, the effect of the interfering gas on the sensor signal can be compensated for, and with this the concentration of the target gas can be determined.
US07946149B1
A transducer is fixedly positioned within a supporting frame, covered by a shield in underlying relation to an enclosure within which explosion pulses are generated for testing purposes. The explosion pulses are profiled during emergence thereof through an aperture in the shield onto a specimen of cellular protective material to be tested by positioning thereof on the transducer. The enclosure is filled with a fluid media such as water to establish a water column corresponding for example to an underwater environment within which such explosion pulses would be generated. The energy of the profiled explosion pulses, not absorbed within the specimen, is measured through the transducer and recorded as a function of time for evaluation of the explosion protective capability of the specimen material being tested.
US07946143B2
A universal box lock for securing a meter box including a first clamping means, a second clamping means operatively connected to the first clamping means. The second clamping means being movable relative to the first clamping means. The box lock also includes a biasing means for urging the second clamping means toward the first clamping means to secure the box lock to a wall of a meter box placed between the first and second clamping means. Moreover, the box lock includes a body portion, which selectively engages and secures the first and second clamping means to a meter box wall. The first clamping means includes an aperture configured to allow a portion of the second clamping means to extend through the aperture facilitating the attachment of the inventive box lock to a side wall or a bottom wall of a meter box.
US07946128B2
Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glass compositions possess numerous properties that are compatible with the downdraw process, particularly fusion drawing.
US07946127B2
At least one model is associated with one or more manipulated variables and one or more controlled variables, which are associated with a cascade liquefied natural gas facility. Adjustments to the one or more manipulated variables are made using the at least one model to maintain the one or more controlled variables within defined limits. For example, a controlled variable may identify an overall load placed on multiple refrigeration systems in the facility. The one or more manipulated variables may be adjusted to increase the overall load placed on the refrigeration systems. The overall load can be determined by identifying a maximum of: a projected feed gas rate to operate a propane refrigeration system at maximum load, a projected feed gas rate to operate an ethylene or ethane refrigeration system at maximum load, and a projected feed gas rate to operate a methane refrigeration system at maximum load.
US07946125B2
A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
US07946123B2
A system is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint.
US07946120B2
A thermoelectric system includes a first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric system further includes a plurality of heat transfer devices. Each heat transfer device has a first side in thermal communication with two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second side in thermal communication with one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements, so as to form a stack of thermoelectric elements and heat transfer devices. The two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in parallel electrical communication with one another, and the two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in series electrical communication with the one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements.
US07946109B2
An exhaust after-treatment system for a vehicle including a dosing agent that is selectively injected into an exhaust from a dosing agent supply includes a first module that determines a level of a dosing agent source. A second module selectively impedes vehicle operation by adjusting an engine operating mode if the level of said dosing agent source is below a threshold level.
US07946107B2
There is provided a mixture ratio stabilizer for a liquid propellant rocket engine which comprises: a body internally having a chamber and a fuel supply hole communicating with an end of the chamber to receive fuel from a fuel supply pump, an oxidizer inlet, and a fuel outlet; a spool guide in the chamber and including a plurality of first orifices for the fuel outlet and the fuel supply hole to communicate with each other; a bellows in the chamber and having one end adjacent to the spool guide and the other end positioned adjacent to the oxidizer inlet, to expand and contract in accordance with the pressure of an oxidizer which flows into the oxidizer inlet; and a spool having a part placed in the spool guide.
US07946106B2
A device that is capable of actuating at least two cowls of a thrust reverser. The device includes for each cowl, (a) at least two actuators suitable for opening and closing the cowl, (b) at least one slave flexible transmission shaft establishing mechanical connection between the two actuators of the cowl and (c) at least one mechanical coupling device associated to the at least one slave flexible transmission shaft. The device is further comprised of one motor, and at least two master flexible transmission shafts, each master flexible transmission shaft establishing mechanical connection between the motor and one respective mechanical coupling device. Upon rotation of the electrical motor, the master flexible transmission shafts are actuated, which causes actuation of the mechanical coupling devices, which causes actuation of the slave flexible transmission shafts and thereby the extension or retraction of the actuators.
US07946101B1
A method of transferring a plurality of tablets of a product from a first blister card comprising a first plurality of blisters to a second blister card comprising a second plurality of blisters includes discharging the plurality of tablets from the first plurality of blisters of the first blister card. Then, each of the plurality of tablets are guided along one of a plurality of passageways defined by a transfer fixture positioned between the first blister card and the second blister card. Finally, the plurality of tablets are received in the second plurality of blisters of the second blister card. The method includes monitoring the deposit of product to the blister card and verifying the contents of the blister card.
US07946099B2
A method for producing a package with an inner volume of the package containing a headspace volume and a volume taken by the product, and a packaging machine. To allow the reduction of the size of such a package, the package is formed providing a product to be packaged inside the package; providing a tray with its height being smaller than the maximum height of the product; placing the product into the tray; replacing the atmosphere surrounding the product by a gas mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen; covering the tray containing the product by a formable sheet material; forming the formable sheet material and sealing tray together with the formable sheet material, so that the headspace volume containing the gas mixture makes at most half of the volume taken by the product inside the package.
US07946089B2
Manufacture of roll formed one piece sheet metal grid tees that affords different load ratings with the same gauge and quality of sheet stock and the same overall cross-section dimensions by varying the width of the strip used to make the tees and disposing material added for increased load rating at the area of the hollow reinforcing bulb of the tees.
US07946084B2
A stairway has a pair of stringers, mounted in inclined, spaced-apart, parallel relationship with at least one stair assembly, disposed in spanning relationship across the stringers. Each stringer has a top surface and a side surface. Each stair assembly has a pair of brackets and a tread with each end of the tread affixed to one of the brackets. Each bracket is mounted and affixed along a length of one of the stringers. Each of the brackets has a first and a second faces, which intersect in an angular manner. A flange is disposed perpendicularly from a side of the first face. When the bracket is mounted to the stringer, its first face and the flange are in abutting relationship with the respective top and side surface of the stringer. A further embodiment bracket has no flange extending from the first face.
US07946069B2
Apparatus and methods for easily, quickly and reliably longitudinally securing and rotationally locking a noise suppressor or other auxiliary device to the muzzle end of a firearm barrel, and to a fixture such as a flash suppressor affixed to the muzzle end of the firearm, and for easily, quickly and reliably removing the noise suppressor or other auxiliary device therefrom.
US07946060B2
The present invention relates to a shoe chassis. In one embodiment the present invention is a shoe chassis including a board with a first end and a second end, the board having a portion defining a first hole at the second end. The shoe chassis also includes a stabilizing unit beneath the board and a pod beneath the stabilizing unit. A flexible membrane is positioned within the first hole to allow the heel to flex past or through the first hole and compress a cushioning material located within the pod and positioned under the flexible membrane.
US07946057B2
A support structure for a clothes dryer comprising modular units for receiving functional parts and an air duct components. The modular units are incorporated into the support structure. The inventive support structure for stabilizing the clothes dryer comprises a front part in the form of a combined body provided with an end shield, a front wall, a base module on the bottom side comprising a base body and a process air lid, a rear module comprising the rear wall, a heating device and a cover. The joining surfaces between the modular units are located on a vertical plane. Connections are constructed in such a way that they are devoid of sealing elements which are currently used for joining surfaces. With respect to known embodiments, the inventive clothes dryer structural design is producible with a low material consumption and, in general, can be produced in a more rational manner.
US07946054B2
An assembly which is a composite including an end shield and a front wall. The size and shape of the end shield are adapted to the inner face of the front wall. Both parts are dimensioned and formed in such a way that they can be interconnected in a fixed manner to form a stable composite resembling a sandwich assembly. The joint surfaces between the front wall and the end shield lie on perpendicular planes and extend for some distance. The construction and connection of the individual parts and of the composite give the front region of the tumble dryer a high degree of rigidity, which obviates the need for additional reinforcement measures. The assembly thus saves material and mounting costs and resources.
US07946051B1
A wall marking device for use in marking where to install a support element such as a nail for hanging objects such as pictures and minors. The device is simple to use and manufacture, having very few components and can be used in one configuration with most common hanger hardware such as wire, saw tooth hangers, hole/slots, and D-rings.
US07946048B1
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related systems and devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges. The present invention also provides targets and methods of using the systems to achieve enhanced shooting accuracy.
US07946042B2
An apparatus for drafting a framework for a pattern and a method of using the apparatus is presented. The apparatus includes a generally rigid planer structure. A pivot point includes a pivot point aperture extending through the rigid planer structure for enabling scribing a center point of the framework and rotating the rigid planer structure about the center point. A plurality of lines pass through the pivot point. Each of the plurality of lines includes a plurality of apertures for enabling scribing marks for forming a basis for lines in the framework. At least one line of generally equally spaced longitudinal apertures, wherein each of the longitudinal apertures is at a first fixed radial distance from the pivot point, enables scribing a circle for the framework, where the circle is scribed by rotation of the rigid planer structure about the pivot point.
US07946028B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for the horizontal stacking of laminations 10 and donuts to form a stator core. A stator generator frame 2 has multiple keybars 6 that run the axial length of the frame. The laminations 10 have grooves 12 there-in that engage the keybars to provide a secure fit of the laminations to the generator frame. By extending two or more of the keybars 6, these extensions 7 may be used as rails on which the laminations may be horizontally inserted into the stator frame.
US07946025B2
A method for making a magnetic linear motor shaft including thermal treatment to temporarily change the dimensions of various shaft components to allow tight interference fit assembly. The magnetic motor includes a core piece, annular magnets and pole pieces.
US07946024B2
A method of manufacturing a can assembly of a coreless AC linear motor is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a workpiece and gouging out material from the workpiece to form a deep groove in the workpiece. The workpiece having the deep groove forms a can. The method also includes providing a plurality of coreless coils and arranging the plurality of coreless coils in a straight line. The method also includes forming the plurality of coreless coils into a flat plate-shaped block using resin or adhesive. The flat plate-shaped block forms a coil assembly. The method also includes inserting the coil assembly into the deep groove of the can. The can assembly comprises the can and the coil assembly.
US07946022B2
A copper alloy for electronic machinery and tools, having a surface layer of a work affected layer whose thickness is 0.2 μm or below; and a method of producing the same.
US07946020B2
Techniques for affixing a micro-object to a mounting structure at a desired relative orientation. A shaped portion of a work piece is caused to become embedded in two or more reference structures at stages during fabrication. The micro-object may have dimensions less than 200 microns, and possibly on the order of 15-25 microns. The mounting structure may be formed with a blind recess or a through aperture in which the micro-object is mounted.
US07946019B2
A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.
US07946011B2
A device and a method for the automatic fitting of an elastic element, which includes a closed loop around a rectilinear element in particular, such as an assembly including a vine shoot and a support wire. The device includes an upper arm, equipped at one of its ends with a hook for hooking an upper portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the upper arm being mounted by its other end to pivot around an axis. The device also includes two lower arms, equipped at one of their ends with a hook for hooking a lower portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the lower arms being mounted by their other end to pivot around the same axis. The device also rotates around the axis of the upper arm in a given direction and of the lower arms in the reverse direction.
US07946009B2
A method of manufacturing a vehicle suspension component, such as a helical coil spring, includes the step of rotating a first impeller to project ceramic peening media in a first direction toward the vehicle suspension component to peen a surface section of the vehicle suspension component. In one example, the vehicle suspension component is peened with metal peening media before peening with the ceramic peening media.
US07946006B2
Various embodiments for carabiners include two gates. The carabiners include a C-shaped body having a nose region and an end region. An inner gate is configured to pivot about the end region from a closed position in contact with the nose region, and an open position, wherein the inner gate pivots toward the spine of the C-shaped body. An outer gate is configured to pivot about the end region from a closed position in contact with the nose region, and an open position, extending away from the C-shaped body. The inner and the outer gate may each comprise wire gates, alternatively one gate may comprise a generally cylindrical gate and the other gate may comprise a wire gate. Methods include preventing a carabiner from opening.
US07946004B2
A fastener for a plastic bag includes first and second mutually engageable track portions and a slider for engaging and disengaging the track portions. In a preferred embodiment, the slider includes a core portion and an end portion. The core portion is made of a first material having a first preselected material property. The end portion is made of a second material having a second preselected material property and is arranged at opposing ends of the slider.
US07945997B2
A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotatable leaf rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft, a fixing leaf non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft, a first magnet fixed to the rotatable leaf, a second magnet fixed to the fixing leaf, and a fixing member. A polarity of the second magnet faces an opposite polarity of the first magnet in a predetermined position such that the first and second magnets experience attraction. The attraction is changeable when the rotatable leaf is rotated relative to the fixing leaf. The fixing member is fixed at an end of pivot shaft to prevent the rotatable leaf and the fixing leaf from detaching from the pivot shaft.
US07945996B2
A compact and aesthetically-pleasing self-closing door hinge comprises a gravity-assist feature and preferably a spring-assist feature, wherein the spring may be easily adjustable, replaceable, and even left out of the hinge. The preferred embodiment is reversible for easily changing from a right-opening to a left-opening door, and includes hinge lift-off capability, wherein the door and the blade connecting the door to the hinge body may be lifted up off the body of the hinge without any significant disassembly of the hinge. The spring is preferably placed around the gravity-assist cams of the hinge, rather than above or below the cams, which arrangement significantly reduces the overall height of the hinge with only slightly increased diameter of the hinge main body. The preferred hinge has no bolts or other fasteners visible or protruding out from the main housing of the hinge, and the preferred hinge has no exposed spring sleeve.
US07945995B1
A one-piece hinge mechanism includes a first member having a plurality of fingers, the fingers extending toward a second member, the second member having a plurality of fingers extending toward the first member, the fingers of the first member and the fingers of the second member engaging opposite sides of a web extending between the first member and the second member, the web being torsionally loaded when one of the first member is pivoted relative to the second member.
US07945985B2
Windshield wiper device (10), particularly for a motor vehicle, having at least an electric motor drive (24) is proposed. This comprises an electric motor drive, which can be driven with at least one first speed (V1) and one second speed (V2). According to the invention, a temperature detection means (40) for detecting the operating temperature of the drive (24) and at least one switching means (50) are provided, which, when operating the drive (24) at the second speed (V2), switches the drive (24) from the second speed (V2) to the first speed (V1) when a predetermined operating temperature (T1) is exceeded.
US07945977B1
A bedding accessory for storing a plurality of articles in the space fully beneath a bed frame includes a sheet portion, a side portion appended to an edge of the sheet portion, and storage compartments formed on the side portion. The sheet portion is placed in substantially covering relation to an upper surface of a mattress support structure. The side portion is arranged to hang downwardly from the sheet portion adjacent the space beneath the bed frame. Each storage compartment is configured to retain at last one article therein and is comprised of an outer panel facing outwardly away from the bed frame and an inner panel facing inwardly toward the space beneath the bed frame. The inner and outer panels of each storage compartment jointly define an opening for receipt of an article, and the compartment substantially retains the article in the space fully beneath the bed frame.
US07945976B2
A pad circulation system, comprising a pad, tubing that is operationally configured to affix to said pad, at least one container, wherein each container is operationally configured to hold water or other liquid, a pump, said pump capable of circulating said water or other liquid throughout said tubing.
US07945973B2
A fluid control system, device and method are disclosed. The fluid control device is preferably configured to connect to an outlet of a fluid source. The fluid control device includes a valve, a sensor, a battery and a micro-generator. The sensor is used to measure or detect a condition and provide output signals that open and close the valve in response to a measured or detected condition. The micro-generator is positioned in a flow path of fluid and generates power from a flow of the fluid. The power generated from the micro-generator is stored in the battery and used to power later operations of the device. The device can be used for automating faucets, sprinklers and fire extinguishing equipment.
US07945972B2
A support platform for wall mounted toilets is described. The platform attaches easily under the toilet and contains bolts and feet for adjustment. The platform provides support to wall mounted toilets so that persons of weight greater than the rated load of the wall mounted toilet can use the toilet in comfort and safety. It is removable for use in different bathrooms, easily transported and can be sterilized where bacterial or viral contamination is a concern.
US07950066B1
Techniques and mechanisms for controlling copying of content from a secured file or secured document are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques or mechanisms operate to control clipboard usage such that content from a secured document of one application is not able to be copied to another application or a different document of another application by way of a clipboard. According to another embodiment, alternate content is copied to another application or a different document of another application instead of the content from the secured document.
US07950056B1
Behavior based processing of a new version or variant of a previously characterized program is disclosed. An indication is received that a process with respect to which a trust decision was made previously has undergone a change. The process is allowed to continue to engage, after the change, in a network behavior associated with the process prior to the change, without first prompting a user, subsequent to the change, to provide an input indicating whether the changed process is to be allowed to engage in the network behavior subsequent to the change.
US07950050B2
An authentication system includes: a first information processor; a second information processor; an authentication-service-providing device; and an authentication device, wherein the authentication-service-providing device has: an unit that receives second authentication information for authenticating a user from the second information processor and executes a second authentication based on the second authentication information; and an unit that issues third authentication information to the second information processor when the second authentication is successful; and the authentication device has: an unit that receives first authentication information for authenticating the user from the first information processor and executes a first authentication based on the first authentication information; and an unit that receives, from the first information processor, third authentication information obtained by the second information processor and input to the first information processor and cooperates with the authentication-service-providing device to obtain a result of a third authentication based on the third authentication information.
US07950044B2
A system that facilitates enhanced security with respect to an industrial automation environment comprises a legacy device that is existent within an industrial automation system and a central access authority that provides access rules to a proxy. The proxy receives an access request directed to the legacy device and determines whether the access request is permitted based at least in part upon characteristics of the access request and the access rules provided by the central access authority.
US07950041B2
A broadcast system includes a transmitting unit configured for: receiving a web page as input; converting the web page into video image data; and providing a link to the video image data on a basis of a link provided to the web page; an encoder for compressing the video image data; and a receiving unit for receiving the compressed video data; decoding the compressed video data; and directly transmitting the decoded video data to a video display device, without requiring a browser application.
US07950040B2
A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.
US07950033B2
A method and mechanism for delivering and processing relational metadata in a television system. A client is configured to receive a broadcast signal and relational metadata which corresponds to received programming. The received relational metadata includes information which identifies two sets of data and a relationship between them. Upon identifying the data indicated by the relational metadata and determining the indicated relationship, the client is configured to perform a predetermined action which corresponds to the received relational metadata and the identified data sets. The receiver includes, or is coupled to, a mass storage device configured to store received relational metadata and programming. Among the actions which may be automatically performed include replacing the first identified data with the second data on the storage device, deleting the first or second data from the storage device, requesting the second data from a remote location, or copying a previously captured portion of a broadcast signal from a temporary buffer to a mass storage device. Further, utilizing the relational metadata, personalized viewing content and experiences may be created by a viewer.
US07950032B1
A system and related apparatus for comprising a video processing system having a ratings control system which blocks or permits viewing of programs which are broadcast with ratings or spending information according to a profile set by a supervisor who has entered a password accepted by the control system, in which supervisor can temporarily modify the profile. After completion of the time period(s) or supervisor-designated television broadcast(s) or programs, the system automatically returns to the normal profile.
US07950029B2
A method of interactive television providing for generating, transforming or displaying video information taking into account individual peculiarities of the user's eye and individual peculiarities of a group of viewer's eyes. The method provides simultaneously all or, at least, two operations from the above operations of formation, conversion and transmission of video signal and display of video information perceptible on the screen of information display facilities for one and/or a group of users or an unrestricted group of users. This is accomplished by one or a combination of various video editing and transmission adjustment techniques.
US07950023B2
The present invention extends utilizing abstract descriptions to generate, exchange, and configure service and client runtimes. A computer system parses compiled code and potentially optional configuration information for implementing a service and converts the compiled code and any configuration information into an abstract service description. The abstract service description can then be converted into code document object model and service configuration information or exported as metadata. A corresponding service runtime can be initiated by calling a service initializer included in the abstract service description. The code document object model and configuration information and/or metadata can be transferred to another computer system. The other computer system can utilize the code document object model and configuration information and/or import the metadata to facilitate initialization of a compatible channel for communicating with the service runtime.
US07950016B2
A method of assigning task management blocks for first type tasks to time slot information on a one-by-one basis, assigning a plurality of task management blocks for second type tasks to time slot information, selecting a task management block according to a priority classification when switching to the time slot of the time slot information, and switching to the time slot except the time slot information. Additionally a task switching apparatus selects the task management block assigned to the time slot and executes the task.
US07950011B2
A job scheduling technique that allows jobs to be launched as a result of messages which are not targeted specifically at the job, and for jobs to be interrelated in complex ways.
US07950010B2
The present invention provides a system and method for deploying software onto multiple heterogeneous systems at the same time. A generic software deployment manager may deploy software by communicating with client software deployment services residing on the systems that are receiving the software deployment. The software deployment manager can operate independent of the software and the operating system on which software is being deployed by communicating with the client software deployment service. To execute a software deployment, the software deployment manager may send software deployment messages containing generic commands that signify operations to be performed to deploy software. The client software deployment service provides an interface between the software deployment manager and the recipient system by translating these generic commands to commands that are compatible with the local operating system. The software deployment manager may transmit software deployment messages simultaneously to each of the systems within a system group or an environment so that software can be efficiently deployed without incompatibilities in the network. The software deployment manager may deploy software in Linux, Windows, Unix, Macatosh, Java, or any other operating system and may deploy any software.
US07950009B2
A method of displaying contents on a mobile terminal. The method includes displaying a plurality of contents on a display of the mobile terminal, selecting a content from the plurality of displayed contents, and displaying the selected content and similar contents having a similar type as the selected content to be discriminated from other displayed contents that do not have the similar type as the selected content.
US07950003B1
A method and apparatus for software development and a method and system for analysis of graphics software are disclosed.
US07950002B2
A method for testing a software product comprises initiating a breakpoint in the software product, and executing a probe routine. The executing of the probe routine comprises creating a single step state stack, and repetitively; identifying data to be protected, disabling interrupts, writing the data to the single step state stack, enabling interrupts, restoring a state according to the single step state stack, and single-stepping a probe instruction, until the instructions in the probe are completed.
US07950001B2
A method of instrumentation, preferably a computer implemented method for instrumentation, in a program which contains an original program. The original instruction is copied into a user address space which has an unused stack space. When a breakpoint is encountered the original instruction is executed out-of-line in the unused stack space by single stepping. Using this debugging in a multithreaded environment is advantageous as all threads will switch into the unused stack space and execute the breakpoint.
US07950000B2
Architecture that facilitates management of a build process according to a level of trust of a build entity. The build process processes one or more build entities, each of which is associated with a level of trust. These associations are stored in a policy file that is run against the one or more entities at the start of the build process. The build process runs at a permission level that is representative of the lowest level of trust of the build entities. The levels of trust include at least trusted, semi-trusted, and untrusted levels. If the lowest level is untrusted, the build process fails, and the user is notified.
US07949997B2
A method and apparatus for integrating a software application into an information technology (IT) infrastructure. An inventory is created using a Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) approach from the Object Management Group (OMG). The inventory includes information about: each component of the IT infrastructure, the software application, how each component communicates with each other component, and how the software application communicates with each component. Each element of information in the inventory has a single source and owner. The inventory is used to analyze the IT infrastructure and the software application during integrating the software application. From contents of the inventory, using the MDA approach from the OMG, artifacts that execute the integration are generated, and test programs are generated to verify that the integration is complete and correct. The inventory is progressively updated during and after the integration as more information about the IT infrastructure or the software application is developed.
US07949995B2
The invention is a computer programming method that includes inputting a drawing shape or drawing figure into a computer via a user interface of the computer. In response to a prompt that is generated related to the input drawing shape or drawing figure, data is input into the computer via the user interface. Computer program code is then synthesized that is related to the input drawing shape or drawing figure and the input data. The foregoing steps can be repeated for at least one other drawing shape or drawing figure that has an entry point connected to a previously entered drawing shape or drawing figure.
US07949992B2
A method performed in an Information Technology (IT) development environment and an associated computer system. Business requirements are translated into functional requirements. An abstract IT structure is generated by translating the functional requirements into the abstract IT structure.
US07949991B1
Systems and methods which implement declarative language for specifying states within imperative code are shown. According to embodiments an application program developer declaratively identifies one or more states within the imperative code of the application program. Declarative language identifying a particular state of an application program may both operate to identify the state and to describe the state so that the state may be selected or “jumped to” without a user having to navigate the application program flow to arrive at the state. Particular states may be described using a difference or “delta” between the particular state and another state, such as a base state. Transitions may be implemented between states, such as to provide animation, fading, color change, et cetera.
US07949989B2
Systems and computer program products for layout device matching driven by a schematic editor. Exemplary embodiments include identifying a master device in a circuit layout having at least transistors, the master device having property values including at least one of topology, name and device-type, identifying a cloned device linked to the master device, automatically propagating the property values to the cloned device, making changes to a design layout of the master device, including a change to the properties, and automatically propagating the changes to the design layout and the change to the properties of the master device to the cloned device.
US07949987B1
An improved method and system are disclosed for utilizing abstracted versions of layout portions in conjunction with parameterized cells (pcells). One significant advantage is that abstracted versions of pcells can be generated from normal pcells and stored in a pcell cache, which avoids the need to abstract layout pcells on the fly.
US07949985B2
An automated method for compensating for process-induced variations in threshold voltage and drive current in a MOSFET integrated circuit. The method's first step is selecting a transistor for analysis from the array. The method loops among the transistors of the array as desired. Next the design of the selected transistor is analyzed, including the steps of determining threshold voltage variations induced by layout neighborhood; determining drive current variations induced by layout neighborhood. The method then proceeds by attempting to compensate for any determined variations by varying the length of the transistor gate. The method can further include the step of identifying any shortcoming in compensation by varying contact spacing.
US07949984B2
A method of designing a three-dimensional integrated circuit includes dividing two-dimensional layout data of a circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate into a plurality of layout block data in order to re-arrange in different layers, generating layout block data reversing one of the layout block data of two folded layers arranged vertically adjacent to each other, alternately arranging the reversed layout block data and non-reverse block layout data to form a plurality of layers vertically overlapped, selecting at least one from interconnects included in a plurality of layout block data of the circuit and ranging over plural layers so as to be mutually and functionally collected together with respect to at least one of time delay, interconnect length and block configuration, and re-arranging the selected interconnect using a via connecting an upper layer and an under layer of the folded interconnect.
US07949980B1
Computer-aided-design tools are provided that support real-time phase-locked loop reconfiguration with a single design compilation. Each design compilation may involve operations such as logic synthesis and place and route operations. A circuit designer who is designing an integrated circuit may supply circuit design data. The circuit design data may include design data for multiple configurations of a phase-locked loop. By using a phase-locked loop scan chain initialization file generator engine located in a CAD tool design input wizard, the computer-aided-design tools may produce multiple phase-locked loop initialization files without performing a design compilation. The CAD tools may process one or more initialization files and the circuit design data to produce output data. The output data may include configuration data to implement the circuit design. The output data may also include warning messages that indicate when phase-locked loop settings in an initialization file do not match settings in the circuit design.
US07949978B2
A design structure integrated circuit (IC) system architectures that allow for the reduction of on-chip or across-chip transient noise budgets by providing a means to avoid simultaneous high current demand events from at least two functional logic blocks, i.e., noise contributors, are disclosed. Embodiments of the IC system architectures include at least one noise event arbiter and at least two noise contributor blocks. A method of scheduling on-chip noise events to avoid simultaneous active transient noise events may include, but is not limited to: the noise event arbiter receiving simultaneously multiple requests-to-operate from multiple noise contributors; the noise event arbiter determining when each noise contributor may execute operations based on a pre-established dI/dt budget; and the noise event arbiter notifying each noise contributor as to when permission is granted to execute its operations.
US07949975B2
A method of extracting an equivalent circuit of a T-type transmission circuit measures signals of the first and second terminals to obtain S parameters, converts the S parameters into Z parameters to generate a T-type circuit by using the Z parameters, obtains first to third lead line resistors and first to third lead line inductors in the T-type circuit based on the Z parameters corresponding to constants of the T-type circuit, subtracts the Z parameters corresponding to the T-type circuit from the Z parameters corresponding to all of the equivalent circuit to calculate the Z parameters of a π-type circuit, converts the Z parameters of the π-type circuit into the Y parameters, and calculates first to third coupling capacitances based on the Y parameters.
US07949974B1
A computer-implemented method of verifying isolation between a plurality of modules of a circuit design to be implemented within an integrated circuit can include identifying a first module and at least a second module of the circuit design for the integrated circuit. One or more circuit attributes indicative of isolation between the first module and the second module can be identified and compared with at least one isolation criterion. An indication of whether the first module is isolated from the second module can be output according to results of the comparison.
US07949973B1
Methods of implementing circuits while automatically taking multi-cycle paths into account. A processor-implemented method can include inputting a behavioral description of the circuit, a simulation test bench for the circuit, and a library that includes at least one synchronous element. The synchronous element includes code that, when simulated, outputs tracking information including a minimum number of clock cycles between state changes for terminals of the synchronous element. The behavioral description is synthesized to generate a netlist description of the circuit. The netlist description includes at least one instance of the synchronous element. The netlist description is simulated using the simulation test bench and the library. The simulation outputs a description of all multi-cycle paths in the netlist description based on the tracking information output by all instances of the synchronous element in the netlist description. This description can provide constraints for use when placing and routing the design.
US07949961B2
A user interface for performing load analysis on various geometries is provided. The user interface is especially useful for performing load analysis operations on mobile platforms, for example an aircraft. The user interface includes an object display that lists a plurality of load objects that include object data. A plurality of menu displays list a plurality of load operations. A data display displays the object data associated with the plurality of load objects.
US07949959B2
A target estimation device that appropriately estimates a function targeted by a user from among functions of an operated apparatus includes: an item inputting unit (102) that obtains an item; a function representation storing unit (107) that stores function names of the operated apparatus; an identical word detecting unit (116) that detects a category of a word identical between each of the function names and the item; an operation intention calculating unit (117) that changes a method for calculating similarities between the item and the respective function names, for each of the function names, depending on the detected category, and that calculates the similarities as degrees of intentions of the user who has selected the item, using the changed calculation method; and a target estimation unit (112) that estimates a function so that the function having a higher degree of an intention is the function targeted by the user.
US07949955B2
A display screen magnifier is controllable by a user to magnify selected portions of a desktop including windows open on the screen. A magnified image is presented within a moveable magnifier frame. The magnified image corresponds to screen content located within a magnification region underlying the magnifier frame, magnified to a set level of magnification. The magnifier is configured to remain on top of the display screen desktop, including open windows, while it is activated. It also passes events of a user input device to windows located beneath the magnifier, and dynamically updates the magnified image to reflect changes in underlying screen content. The display screen magnifier is configured to operate this way through a leveraging of resources made available by application programming interfaces (APIs) of an operating system, namely a windows style, and a second stage screen content compositing engine associated with the windows style.
US07949950B2
Systems and methods for enhanced document composition features which can be utilized by a user are described. One method imports user-selected pages into a digital document platform. The method protects content of individual pages while allowing pages to be moved relative to one another and allows new content to be added between the user-selected pages.
US07949949B2
A method and system for transforming documents from different domains into a common representation for viewing and editing is provided. The system prepares the domain-specific document for visual representation by performing a series of transformations in a pipeline that convert the document from its domain-specific input state to a series of intermediate languages. The intermediate languages share the same syntax regardless of the domain of the document being transformed.
US07949945B2
A software system is useful for generating page files from a template file and database entries. The database entries are representative of variable information and the template file includes data designating a first variable text area and a second variable text area. The software system includes a computer-readable medium storing a software program having first, second, and third routines. The first routine selects a record from the database, while the second routine associates the first variable text area with the contents of an entry in the selected record and associates the second variable text area with one of a plurality of text files. The third routine generates the page files from the template file, the text files, and the database.
US07949944B2
A method, apparatus, and software are disclosed for delivering customized content to clients with diverse content needs, such as clients from diverse geographical areas an language backgrounds. Customizable content is separated from the underlying code, which is used as a template for inserting localized content into a basic document framework as represented by the template. Both electronic mail and Web community customization techniques are disclosed.
US07949942B2
Method, system, and computer code for preparing markup language documents containing multi-line text elements for WYSIWYG printing. The document is rendered in a prepress server system by a duplicate of the browser that was used to prepare the document in the client system. User-imposed line breaks are identified by reviewing text elements for break characters. Browser-imposed line breaks are identified by comparing spatial location information from the browser for each sequential pair of characters in a text element. The collective line break information is used to ensure that the line breaks viewed by the user are maintained when the document is converted to a prepress system.
US07949941B2
Transformation of a set of XML documents via an XSLT stylesheet is made more efficient by rewriting the stylesheet at compile-time, based on the structural description of the set of XML documents, into an optimized stylesheet containing fewer dynamic template-matching calls than the original stylesheet. This rewritten stylesheet can be further rewritten into a set of XQuery expressions. At compile-time, the particular transformation templates that are appropriate for transforming the particular nodes contained in the set of XML documents are determined, and XSLT calls to the templates are converted to calls to corresponding XQuery user-defined functions. Determination of the appropriate transformation templates may be based on the structural description of the input set of XML documents, such as an XML Schema or Document Type Definition. The data from each template is translated into corresponding XQuery constructors, instructions from the template are translated into XQuery expressions, and the XQuery functions are inlined if possible.
US07949934B2
Various embodiments enable particular CSS pseudo-classes to be employed, but limit particular functionality aspects of those pseudo-classes that can lead to divulging personally identifiable information. Thus, various embodiments can change how a CSS pseudo-class is allowed to function. For example, in at least some embodiments, CSS pseudo-classes are permitted to be used to make the visual formatting changes to a web page, but not structural formatting changes. That is, changes that do not affect the structure of content within a web document are allowed, while changes that affect the structure of the content are not allowed.
US07949930B2
A stream including plural access units is recorded on an information recording medium. Each access unit has a first packet that includes basic data as well as a second packet which includes extension data related to the basic data. The basic data is data that is decodable in a completed state without using extension data, and the extension data is data for improving the quality of data generated from the basic data. The header of the first packet holds first information, which indicates that the first packet includes the basic data, and the header of the second packet holds second information which indicates that the second packet includes the extension data. This arrangement allows a decoder that decodes only basic data to process the access unit, which includes the basic data and the extension data.
US07949917B2
A system comprises storage that includes first and second data. The system also comprises circuit logic coupled to the storage. The circuit logic receives a plurality of clock signals. As a result of receiving a signal, the circuit logic uses the plurality of clock signals to obtain the first and second data and to provide the first and second data to target logic coupled to the circuit logic. The system resets the circuit logic between providing the first data and providing the second data.
US07949912B1
A system and method of securing data stored in a memory are disclosed. The method comprises storing a payload data in a memory in one of first and second states related by a transform, reading the payload data from the memory, attempting to use the payload data for an application, verifying the payload data as being in the first state, transforming the payload data as a function of the transform in response to verifying that the payload data is in the second state, and repeating performing the verifying and transforming steps until the payload data is verified as being in the first state.
US07949911B2
A method for testing a storage apparatus, which includes: (a) writing a specific pattern to a storage unit of a storage apparatus; (b) reading the specific pattern written to the storage apparatus; (c) determining an error bit number of the specific pattern read in the step (b); and (d) determining that the storage unit has defect when the error bit number is larger than a error bit threshold value, wherein the error bit threshold value is smaller than a correctable bit number for a error correction code corresponding to the specific pattern.
US07949898B2
A multi-microprocessor system and a control method for the same are provided. The multi-microprocessor system includes a first microprocessor and a second microprocessor. The second microprocessor is coupled to the first microprocessor. The second microprocessor transmits a detecting signal to the first microprocessor and determines a state of the first microprocessor by monitoring the first microprocessor for a predetermined time period. In the event that the first microprocessor crashes, the first microprocessor is immediately rest or restarted by the second microprocessor in order to maximize stability of the multi-microprocessor system.
US07949893B1
A virtual user interface allows a collection or cluster of data storage devices (nodes of the cluster) to be managed remotely by providing access to cluster management software running on one or more nodes of the cluster. Moreover, the virtual user interface fails-over, such that, if a node hosting an instance of the virtual user interface is unable to continue hosting (e.g., communication becomes unreliable, hardware failure, etc.), the hosting duties are substantially automatically migrated to another node in the cluster. Further, failover rules are substantially automatically organized at an initiation of the cluster, and adjusted in accordance with ongoing events occurring in the cluster to provide an administrator with substantially seamless cluster management capabilities.
US07949889B2
Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a data processing system are described. One or more constraint parameters of a system are monitored. The data processing system is forced into an idle state for a first portion of a time while allowed to operate for a second portion of the time based on the one or more constraint parameters, wherein the system is forced into the idle state in response to comparing a target idle time to an actual idle time. The target idle time of the system is determined, in one embodiment, based on the one or more constraint parameters. The actual idle time of the system may be monitored to take into account interrupts which disrupt an idle time and idle times resulting from no software instructions to execute. The system may be allowed to operate based on comparisons of the target idle time and the actual idle time.
US07949887B2
Independent power control of two or more processing cores. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a technique to place at least one processing core in a power state without coordinating with the power state of one or more other processing cores.
US07949884B2
An apparatus and method for managing a power-saving mode of a portable terminal are provided. The method includes when a application program is running, assigning a network traffic type of the application program with one of a class type selected from a plurality of predefined class types of a sleep mode, instructing a modem to operate in the sleep mode of the assigned class type, and operating the modem in the sleep mode of the assigned class type.
US07949883B2
Cryptographic CPU architecture with random instruction masking to thwart differential power analysis
An apparatus and method for preventing information leakage attacks that utilize timeline alignment. The apparatus and method inserts a random number of instructions into an encryption algorithm such that the leaked information can not be aligned in time to allow an attacker to break the encryption.
US07949882B2
In a storage session management system in a storage area network, the session information blocks periodically collected from the storage devices in the network are grouped based on the information indicating the relation between sessions. That is, since a storage session management server in the management system integrally manages constitution information and operation information, when there is a possibility that circumstances such as a failure and the deterioration of performance occur in information devices, a failure notification module displays such circumstances and makes notification of them to a minimum necessary range that is consolidated by a session consolidation module, thereby a storage session can be managed without applying loads on the respective information devices and the network.
US07949863B2
A method and system for inter-port communication utilizing a multi-port memory device. The memory device contains an interrupt register, an interrupt signal interface (e.g., a dedicated pin), an interrupt mask, and one or more message buffers associated with each port. When a first component coupled to a first port of the memory device wants to communicate with a second component coupled to a second port of the memory device, the first component writes a message to a message buffer associated with the second port. An interrupt in the input register of the second port is set to notify the second component coupled to the second port that a new message is available. Upon receiving the interrupt, the second component reads the interrupt register to determine the nature of the interrupt. The second component then reads the message from the message buffer.
US07949859B2
A method and processor for avoiding check stops in speculative accesses. An execution unit, e.g., load/store unit, may be coupled to a queue configured to store instructions. A register, coupled to the execution unit, may be configured to store a value corresponding to an address in physical memory. When the processor is operating in real mode, the execution unit may retrieve the value stored in the register. Upon the execution unit receiving a speculative instruction, e.g., speculative load instruction, from the queue, a determination may be made as to whether the address of the speculative instruction is at or below the retrieved value. If the address of the speculative instruction is at or below this value, then the execution unit may safely speculatively execute this instruction while avoiding a check stop since all the addresses at or below this value are known to exist in physical memory.
US07949855B1
A processor buffers asynchronous threads. Instructions requiring operations provided by a plurality of execution units are divided into phases, each phase having at least one computation operation and at least one memory access operation. Instructions within each phase are qualified and prioritized. The instructions may be qualified based on the status of the execution unit needed to execute one or more of the current instructions. The instructions may also be qualified based on an age of each instruction, status of the execution units, a divergence potential, locality, thread diversity, and resource requirements. Qualified instructions may be prioritized based on execution units needed to execute instructions and the execution units in use. One or more of the prioritized instructions is issued per cycle to the plurality of execution units.
US07949844B2
A memory device for multichannel continuous or fixed burst mode operation includes multiple burst address counter circuits and associated control logic to minimize latency which would otherwise occur in multichannel operation.
US07949843B1
A method for operating a computer data storage system is disclosed. The system operates an active file system on a first volume of a plurality of volumes of storage devices connected to one or more servers, each volume being a plurality of storage devices. Snapshots of the active file system are stored on one or more destination volumes. A mirroring operation is initiated on a selected server of the one or more servers. A scanner executes on the selected server, the scanner identifying a latest snapshot on each of the one or more destination volumes, the scanner. Data blocks which are newer than a latest snapshot stored at each destination volume are sent to each destination volume.
US07949841B2
Typical computer programs may incur costly memory errors that result in corrupted data. A new memory model is presented wherein it may be determined that certain data is critical and critical data may be stored and protected during computer application execution. Critical Memory allows that data determined to be critical may be stored and retrieved using functions enabled to increase the reliability of the data. Functions are presented enabling allocation of redundant computer memory; functions are presented enabling consistently writing critical data to redundant locations; and functions are presented enabling reading critical data while ensuring that the data read is consistent with the most recent write of critical data and enabled to repair inconsistent data. The memory model and functions presented are designed to be compatible with existing third-party libraries.
US07949833B1
A digital system that connects to a bus that employs physical addresses comprises a processing core. A level one (L1) cache communicates with the processing core. A level two (L2) cache communicates with the L1 cache. Both the L1 cache and the L2 cache are indexed by virtual addresses and tagged with virtual addresses. A bus unit communicates with the L2 cache and with the bus.
US07949830B2
A system and method for handling speculative read requests for a memory controller in a computer system are provided. In one example, a method includes the steps of providing a speculative read threshold corresponding to a selected percentage of the total number of reads that can be speculatively issued, and intermixing demand reads and speculative reads in accordance with the speculative read threshold. In another example, a computer system includes a CPU, a memory controller, memory, a bus connecting the CPU, memory controller and memory, circuitry for providing a speculative read threshold corresponding to a selected percentage of the total number of reads that can be speculatively issued, and circuitry for intermixing demand reads and speculative reads in accordance with the speculative read threshold. In another example, a method includes the steps of providing a speculative dispatch time threshold corresponding to a selected percentage of a period of time required to search a cache of the computer system, and intermixing demand reads and speculative reads in accordance with the speculative dispatch time threshold.
US07949828B2
An object of the present invention is to improve the usage efficiency of a storage extent in a storage system using the Allocation on Use (AOU) technique. A controller in the storage system allocates a storage extent in an actual volume to an extent in a virtual volume accessed by a host computer, detects any decrease in necessity for maintaining that allocation, and cancels the allocation of the storage extent in the actual volume to the extent in the virtual volume based on the detection result.
US07949811B2
A method for creating a time schedule for transmitting messages on a bus system (bus schedule), the time schedule being created by using a genetic algorithm.
US07949809B2
The present invention discloses a PCI Express interface and a method of signal processing, and particularly relates to the physical coding sub-layer that transmits data between physical media access layer and media access control layer of the PCI Express. The PCI express interface of present invention enables physical coding sub-layer to be able to receive or output 8-bit data as well as to receive or output 16-bit data by adding an input interface unit and an output interface unit in physical coding sub-layer, thereby the data formats of physical coding sub-layer and media access control layer are compatible; enables the physical coding sub-layer to be able to handle data with sampling errors during transmission from physical media access layer to physical coding sub-layer by adding data adjustment unit in the physical coding sub-layer and applying corresponding signal processing method, thereby it ensures the integrity of the data transmitted over physical coding sub-layer.
US07949807B2
It is aimed, for example, to reduce an amount of power consumption of an operation concerning data encryption or decryption and to make it difficult to perform a power analysis. In the case an exclusive OR operation between 32-bit input data and a 32-bit key is performed to obtain output data of 32 bits, the input data is kept in an input shift register 105 of 32 bits and the key is kept in a key shift register 106 of 32 bits. Then, 1 bit of the input data and 1 bit of the key are input into a serial operator 107, and an exclusive OR of 1 bit is obtained and shifted to the left end of the input shift register 105. The key shift register 106 performs a cyclic right shift. By performing the above thirty-two times, the operation of 32 bits is completed and the last result is kept in the input shift register 105.
US07949795B2
A storage device for storing data includes: an interface controller connectable to a host via a interface, the interface controller having an active state capable of transmitting data to the host and an inactive state having a lower power consumption than the active state; a medium for storing data; a head for read out data stored in the medium; and a processor for executing a process including receiving a command for reading out data stored in the medium from the host, determining timing when the data read out from the medium reaches the interface controller, and starting transition of the interface controller from the inactive state into the active state before the determined timing.
US07949792B2
The present invention defines a new protocol for communicating with an offload engine that provides Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”) termination over a Fibre Channel (“FC”) fabric. The offload engine terminates all protocols up to and including TCP and performs the processing associated with those layers. The offload protocol guarantees delivery and is encapsulated within FCP-formatted frames. Thus, the TCP streams are reliably passed to the host. Additionally, using this scheme, the offload engine can provide parsing of the TCP stream to further assist the host. The present invention also provides network devices (and components thereof) that are configured to perform the foregoing methods. The invention further defines how network attached storage (“NAS”) protocol data units (“PDUs”) are parsed and delivered.
US07949786B2
The present invention discloses a home network system using a living network control protocol. The home network system includes: at least one new device including a node address having an initial logical address through a network based on a predetermined protocol, transmitting a configuration request message having the node address to a master device, receiving a temporary address setting request message, changing the initial logical address by selecting one temporary logical address, generating a temporary address setting response message, transmitting the temporary address setting response message to the master device, receiving an address change request message having a predetermined logical address from the master device, changing the temporary logical address into the received logical address, and having a unique node address; and at least one master device for receiving the plurality of configuration request messages from the new device, setting the temporary logical address range for the new device, transmitting the temporary address setting request message having the set temporary logical address range to the new device, receiving the temporary address setting response message from the new device, setting the predetermined logical address of the new device, and transmitting the address change request message having the set logical address to the new device of the selected temporary address.
US07949784B2
Methods and apparatus for relaying data in a peer-to-peer network. In one implementation, a wireless device includes: an antenna; a wireless communication interface connected to said antenna and supporting wireless communication across a wireless connection provided by said antenna; storage supporting storing data; and a controller connected to said wireless interface and to said storage, supporting an application service, a message service, and a relay service for relay messages; wherein said application service provides execution and management of one or more application programs accessible by said controller using application data stored in said storage, said message service provides building messages and processing received messages, and said relay service provides building a new relay message indicating a selected recipient to which the wireless device does not have a direct wireless connection, sending a built new relay message, and sending a received relay message that indicates a recipient other than the wireless device.
US07949781B1
For reducing Internet congestion caused by multiple flows of the same popular content transmitted to different destinations, a single flow of content is transmitted from the content hosting server to an Internet regional domain using a conventional exterior routing and in the regional domain, using an interior flow routing. Inside of regional domain, packet destination address is replaced by a flow number, which is used as a local and temporary alias of content. This enables recipient devices that have requested the same content and have been provided with the flow number to receive the same flow of packets and thus to prevent congestion and delays in content delivery that may be caused by multiple separate flows of the same content transmitted from the content hosting server to recipients at different recipients' addresses. The technology implementation is local to a singly administered regional system and does not require any change to the global Internet infrastructure.
US07949777B2
A communication protocol over the serial bus allows a peripheral device to control the flow of data between a host computer and the peripheral device so as to maintain synchronization to a periodic reference signal. The protocol involves transferring flow control messages between the peripheral device and the host computer, allowing the peripheral device to control how and when the host computer sends the uncompressed audio and video data.
US07949771B1
Authentication of an unknown party in a secure computer communication may be performed even without consulting a public whitelist of trusted parties. A digital certificate from an unknown party not authenticated by a trusted certificate authority may be locally processed to determine if the digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate. For example, a model may be created by training a support vector machine to classify a digital certificate. The model may be provided to a computer involved in secure computer communication. The computer may receive an incoming digital certificate, extract fields from the incoming digital certificate, and take a hash of the extracted fields perform input data that may be employed by the model to determine if the incoming digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate.
US07949769B2
The present invention relates to a system nodes and a method for enhancing security of end user station access to Internet and intranet(s), e.g. of corporate access, over access network access points, with gateway packet data nodes and packet data support nodes. It further includes security indication providing means for providing an (corporate) access point with a security criterium indication (defining security) and for distributing said security indication to a packet data support node. A security enforcement mechanism is provided in the packet data support node, the security enforcement mechanism at least providing for preventing all other traffic not fulfilling the security criterium conflicting the security indicated access point when there is a connection requiring security over the security indicated access point, at least until the last packet of the security indicated access point connection has been sent.
US07949766B2
An apparatus for offloading network, block and file functions from an operating system comprises a network interface coupled to a network for receiving packet flows; one or more processors each having one or more processor cores; a computer-readable medium carrying one or more operating systems and an input/output networking stack which are hosted in one or more of the processor cores. The networking stack is shared among the operating systems. The networking stack comprises instructions which when executed cause receiving a request for data transfer from one of the operating systems at internal network, block and file system interfaces, and permitting data to be transferred between the internal interfaces and a plurality of external interfaces by preventing the operating systems from performing the data transfer and performing the data transfer on behalf of the operating systems.
US07949758B2
An initiating application layer and at an initiating message processor identifies offer information for negotiating an application layer agreement such as, for example, the communication properties of a communication channel, with one or more other message processors. The initiating message processor sends a schema-based offer including the offer information to the one or more other message processors. A receiving application layer at a receiving message processor receives the schema-based offer. In response, a receiving application layer at the receiving message processor identifies response information, such as, for example, indicating an acceptance, a rejection or a counter offer to the schema-based offer, for negotiating the application layer agreement. The receiving message processor sends a schema-based response including the response information to the initiating message processor. Negotiations continue until an application layer agreement is reached or until one of the application layers rejects further negotiations.
US07949755B2
A network/service control method comprises a step of acquiring, when providing a communication service to a user, a user context defined as knowledge information about the user associated with an environment surrounding the user and a past behavior pattern of the user, a step of acquiring a user profile defined as information about a user's favorite registered previously by the user at arbitrary timing, and a service control step of determining network requirements for providing the communication service on the basis of the user context and the user profile.
US07949748B2
A method and system for retrieving web-site based information by a spider engine at a target bandwidth is described. A target bandwidth is received from the spider engine. A wait time is calculated by a timing module. Data retrieval from a web site is delayed by the calculated wait time so that data is retrieved at the desired target bandwidth.
US07949740B2
Methods and systems are presented for prioritizing service or maintenance of networked printers based on affinities between printers and users determined from job tracking data so that printers shared by large numbers of users or high volume printers used by only one or a few users can be serviced or maintained before other printers to provide overall printer support while mitigating user disruption due to unavailable printers.
US07949737B2
Techniques for correlating different results of role grouping includes receiving two sets of grouping of nodes on a network, grouping of the nodes according to connection characteristics of the nodes in the groups, each of the sets having associated identifications and correlating associated identifications of one set with those of the other set so that the two groups have the same identifications, if the member hosts of each set of groups have nearly identical connection habits.
US07949733B2
Driver management method, driver management apparatus and driver management program which manages drivers corresponding to devices connected to a network, in which devices connected to a subnet of the network are detected, and drivers corresponding to the devices connected to the subnet, of drivers installed in a user terminal are presented to a user.
US07949731B2
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, communication control method and program adapted for carrying out wireless LAN communications without imposing a troublesome feeling upon the user. A television receiver carries out communications with another apparatus through a predetermined network. Meanwhile, the television receiver, when inserted by a memory card 13 in its card slot 10, reads wireless LAN information out of the memory card 13 and sets the wireless LAN information to the television receiver. The present invention is applicable to a television receiver or the like having a wireless LAN function, for example.
US07949730B2
Methods and systems for remote data collection and distribution include components and operations for receiving, at a server, data transmitted by a first client device via a communication network. The method may also include selecting, by one or more client devices associated with the communication network, a second device to receive the data. The method may further include establishing a connection between the server and the selected second device via the communication network. The method may also include automatically transmitting the received data to the second device using the connection via the communication network. The method may further include causing, by the one or more client devices, the second device to execute a predefined operation.
US07949729B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for displaying dynamic page content in a page-caching browser. The system and method prevent the loading of unintended page content from a local cache into a browser by ensuring the uniqueness of the content request. Such embodiments include (i) specifying an address to stored content; (ii) appending a unique identifier to the address; (iii) requesting the content with the address and appended identifier; and (iv) transmitting the content request to the server regardless of whether there is cached content associated with the address. By appending a unique identifier to the requested address, each content request is unique, thus, preventing the browser from locating and loading corresponding content from the cache.
US07949713B2
In order to achieve secure provision of appropriate information according to the status of a plurality of terminal apparatuses, a status detecting section detects the status of a cellular mobile phone, and the like, and a communication destination apparatus determining section selects a terminal apparatus with which communication can be established and at which received information can be presented according to the priority for transmission of the provided information. A content DB retrieves information to be provided. A server communication section transmits retrieved provided information to the selected terminal apparatus. With such a structure, the provided information is presented at another terminal apparatus when a terminal apparatus having a high priority is impossible to establish communication or is unsuitable for presentation of the provided information. Thus, provision of information is securely achieved.
US07949712B2
Systems for a high availability presence engine for instant messaging service comprise a plurality of presence engines for receiving presence information on users and a global table engine accessible to the plurality of presence engines. The global table engine includes user presence information and receives presence changes from the plurality of presence engines. A plurality of local tables are accessible to the plurality of presence engines and the global table engine. The plurality of local tables are configured such that each of the plurality of local tables is associated with at least one of the plurality of presence engines, and is configured to receive presence change information from the global table engine. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07949710B2
A method by which a service system including an instant messenger server provides users with a service for raising a cyber pet and making friends through the cyber pet, includes the service system's providing and installing an instant messenger program to a user; receiving, storing and managing the user's friend list; displaying a cyber pet on the user's client terminal when an instant messenger active window is opened; and in the case that the user does not raise the cyber pet for a predetermined time, receiving the user's friend list and friend lists of another users hierarchically linked thereto, forming a potential friend list from the collected friend lists of another users, moving the cyber pet to the friend list and the potential friend list of the user, and displaying the cyber pet to another user executing the instant messenger.
US07949709B2
Communications traffic in a network is addressed. An original signal comprising an embedded destination service address is receiving at an ingress capable network device of the network. A database server is queried to obtain an internal routing address corresponding to the embedded destination service address. A transit signal corresponding to the original signal and including at least the embedded destination service address is routed through the network to an egress capable network device of the network according to the internal routing address. The transit signal enables the egress capable network device to restore the embedded destination service address and to forward the transit signal from the network.
US07949707B2
A system for supplying streaming media or other media sources to clients, said system providing for selection of internet based audio content providers based on arbitrarily assigned numbers that function as proxies for the URL or IP address of the audio content providers.
US07949701B2
A method and system to perform shifting and rounding operations within a microprocessor, such as, for example, a digital signal processor, during execution of a single instruction are described. An instruction to shift and round data within a source register unit of a register file structure is received within a processing unit. The instruction includes a shifting bit value indicating the bit amount for a right shift operation and is subsequently executed to shift data within the source register unit to the right by an encoded bit value, calculated by subtracting a single bit from the shifting bit value contained within the instruction. A predetermined bit extension is further inserted within the vacated bit positions adjacent to the shifted data. Subsequently, an addition operation is performed on the shifted data and a unitary integer value is added to the shifted data to obtain resulting data. Finally, the resulting data is further shifted to the right by a single bit value and a predetermined bit extension is inserted within the vacated bit position to obtain the final rounded data results to be stored within a destination register unit.
US07949697B2
A bit field operation circuit has a first shift unit, a mask shift amount control circuit, a second shift unit, a logic operation unit, and a selection unit. The first shift unit outputs a first intermediate data based on a first control signal. The mask shift amount control circuit outputs a mask shift control signal in accordance with a mask shift amount. The second shift unit outputs a second intermediate data based on a mask shift control signal. The third shift unit outputs a third intermediate data based on the first control signal. The logic operation unit performs logical operation of the second intermediate data and the third intermediate data, and outputs a mask selection data. The selection unit selects either one of the first intermediate data or the second input data based on the mask selection data to output as output data.
US07949693B1
Methods of communicating data between a host and a client. The methods may comprise the step of receiving a write request from a client. The write request may comprise first data and first metadata describing a logical position of the first data within a file. The first data may be encrypted to the host. The methods may also comprise the step of writing the first data to a data storage. The first data may be written as a data sub-file of the file. In addition, the methods may comprise the step of writing the first metadata to the data storage. The first metadata may be written as a metadata sub-file of the file.
US07949669B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for self-targeted content delivery are provided. Content objects can be delivered to a user and indications from the user to mark any content object can be received thereby generating standard data structures to be placed into a central data store. At a later time, on various other systems, a content guide may be provided to the user showing the content related to the standard data structures placed in the central store. The user may mark digital content as it is encountered via television, internet, mobile devices, automobile terminals, public terminals, kiosks, or otherwise. Standardized data structures can allow the marking to operate across platforms, operating systems, hardware, and delivery modes. Content guides created from data structures associated with marked content can allow the marked content to be recalled and accessed from any of various other systems at a later time.
US07949661B2
An improved system and method is provided for identifying web communities from seed sets of web pages. A seed set of web pages may be represented as a set of seed vertices of a graph representing a collection of web pages. An initial probability distribution may be constructed on vertices of the graph by assigning a nonzero value to the vertices belonging to the seed set. Then a sequence of probability distributions may be produced on the vertices of the graph by modifying the probability distribution over a series of one-step walks of the probability distribution over the vertices of the graph. For each probability distribution produced in the sequence, level sets of vertices may be generated, and a level set with minimal conductance may be selected for each probability distribution. The level set with the least conductance may then be output representing a community of web pages.
US07949660B2
A method for searching and resource discovery in a distributed enterprise (DE), the method including: generating a first classifier for a first repository in the DE; generating a second classifier for a second repository in the DE, where the second classifier has a vector element identifying a location of the second repository; submitting a copy of the second classifier to a web server of the first repository; obtaining a resource at the first repository after submitting the copy of the second classifier; matching the resource to the copy of a second classifier; sending a copy of the resource to the second repository using the vector element; and storing the copy of the resource in the second repository.
US07949657B2
A processing device and method may be provided for determining whether a zero search result may be produced with respect to a search for a document including all words of a word group. An index, with respect to words included in a group of documents, may be searched for documents including all words of the word group when a zero search result is determined not likely to occur with respect to the search for the document including all of the words of the word group. A method for creating multiple types of data structures corresponding to word grouping collections may further be provided to store occurrence information indicating a likelihood of a presence of a document including all words of a word group.
US07949645B2
A control method for modifying information concerning a remote work site includes: (i) setting up a database that comprises information concerning a remote work site; (ii) using an electronic device that has an image-capturing unit, in order to capture images of equipment or construction sites at the remote work site; (iii) communicating with an access platform and an option menu arranged on the access platform via an Internet connected module, creating an issue in a network database via the electronic device with an Internet browser and accessing information about the issue via the option menu that allows access to the database according to an authority level of a user; or creating an issue directly on a network database via an network connected module; and (iv) modifying the information in accordance with the issue of the images from the remote work site.
US07949636B2
In general, embodiments of the invention relate to reading data from and writing data to a storage system. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a read only mode for a portion of a storage system. In one embodiment, a selective read-only mode for a portion of a storage system is implemented by monitoring a condition that may affect a subset of persistent storage in a storage system, by detecting the condition, by entering a read-only mode for the subset, and by enforcing a policy of processing write requests and read requests to the storage system, which includes processing the write requests without modifying user data stored on the subset and processing the read requests, including requests for user data stored on the subset.
US07949635B1
A method for managing archived data includes creating a plurality of images of storage devices of computing systems and for, different users, each image being associated with a restore point of a particular storage device; storing the images for the different users in different storage locations, the storage locations being controlled by a single backup server and belonging to storage pools. Multiple locations of one user are stored in different pools on different storage devices. The method also involves moving contents of locations of one user from one pool to another in predefined direction, simultaneously with reorganizing images within the locations. Each image is a backup of one user's data. At least some of one location's content is frozen so that it is never moved from one pool to another. The storage devices of locations of different pools differ from each other by type, such that storage devices in a first pool are hard disk drives, storage devices in the next pool are SAN, or an NAS, and a storage device in the next pool is a network disk drive accessible through a network and a storage device in the next pool is a magnetic tape drive.
US07949632B2
A database-rearranging program which is capable of rearranging a database while maintaining high reliability, without stopping services provided by the database. When a request for rearranging the copy source database is input, a record copying module sequentially selects pages in the copy source database, and the records in the selected page are copied to the copy destination database. Further, the record copying module sets a progress of copying of each page of the copy source database to a page status management table. Thereafter, when a request for writing updated records is input, a record writing module refers to the page status management table, and when a page of the copy source database in which the updated records should be written is in an uncopied status, the updated records are written in the page of the copy source database, and when the same is in a copied status, the updated records are written in the copy source database and the copy destination database.
US07949625B2
Automated assistance is provided for managing rules and/or guidelines regarding the usage of branded content for a project, e.g., an advertising campaign, event, signage, decoration, and the like. One or more queries regarding the project are presented to the user. Based on the user's responses to the queries, branded content that is approved for the project's intended use(s) is automatically identified and made available to the user. The determination of which digitized content (media objects) to provide to the user is based at least in part on brand rules and/or guidelines that can be relatively static or dynamically updated by the current user.
US07949622B2
Generally, the present invention provides a method and computerized system for generating a classifier model, wherein the classifier model is operative to classify web content. The method and computerized system includes a first step of defining a plurality of predictive performance measures based on a leave one out (LOO) cross validation in terms of selectable model parameters. Exemplary predictive performance measures includes smoothened predictive measures such as F-measure, weighted error rate measure, area under curve measure, by way of example. The method and computerized system further includes deriving efficient analytical expressions for predictive performance measures to compute the LOO predictive performance and their derivatives. The next step is thereupon selecting a classifier model based on the LOO predictive performance.
US07949617B1
Embodiments of the invention provide system and methods for new approaches for facilitating the development of and transferring of user thinking and understanding about an arbitrary problem, in some embodiments through automatically creating new interactive forms of thinking and knowledge constructs as enhanced interactive and/or visually appealing presentational and working forms. Some embodiments involve the development of an interactive construct by one or more users for use by one or more other users (as in educational or professional development situations, for example).
US07949612B2
A method of optimizing log truck productivity utilizing technology allowing the entry of log truck orders from the field. The present invention generally seeks to improve productivity by (1) minimizing the distances log trucks drive with empty loads and (2) improving coordination between groups of log truck drivers and groups of log loaders to allow for more efficient cross-servicing between the parties. Using the load input device, a loader operator in the field enters a “load ticket” that specifies a mill destination, a desired pickup time for the truck to arrive at the logging site and a desired trailer configuration type. This order is transmitted to a server where it is a received into a centralized application or server. A computer running optimization software can match the load with available trucks or trucks about to become available.
US07949611B1
Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.
US07949609B2
A method and system for biometric-secure online selling, buying and bill paying in electronic commerce and retail point-of-sale settings that also simplifies the checkout process and eliminates fraudulent transactions. The system relies on an exchange service provider (ESP) that hosts multiple servers: one implementing a web portal for secure online banking, auctions and other exchange opportunities, another being a biometric fingerprint device authenticating database, and yet another being a transaction traffic manager. Participating banks and supporting institutions distribute and activate Secure Individual Identity Devices (SIIDs) to registered users, each SIID being a portable biometric activated identification device that locally stores a fraction of the enrolled users fingerprint (minutia) along with an encrypted code that is used to verify and authenticate the user, eliminating the use of personal or financial information for this purpose. The SiiD becomes the user's own personal key for completing secure online transactions. The user simply plugs their SiiD into any USB-equipped device and scans their own fingerprint for each transaction. The encrypted codes are authenticated in the ESP database and the transaction is processed to the appropriate financial institutions.
US07949597B2
An internet-based system for organization and collection of specialized debt that is delinquent; an example of specialized debt being healthcare debt.
US07949595B2
Systems and methods are described for processing queue data and for providing queue messaging over a network. An illustrative queuing system includes a first queue configured to hold resource requests from a plurality of users, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to determine or estimate whether a resource requested by a first resource request submitted by a first requester will be available when the first resource request will be serviced, and to transmit a message over a network to the first requester indicating that the requested resource will not be available when the queued request is serviced if it is estimated or determined that the requested resource will not be available when the first request is serviced.
US07949589B2
System and method for evaluating and managing participatory real estate investments and transactions
An automated System and method for evaluating real estate Candidate Transactions for participatory funding by Investment Criteria based Managed Investment Funds; and, then managing the funded Candidate Transactions from purchase and/or construction to completion and/or sale. Complex, secured, real estate based participatory funding transactions, are evaluated, funded and transacted from initiation to completion, by utilization of a method employing an automated system to effectively evaluate the advisability of investing in evaluated and ranked Candidate Transactions which meet Investor Criteria. A system administrator sets system policy for a system transaction manager to move content and protocol to/from indexed users over a communication link to evaluate candidate transactions from real estate investors, fund accepted candidate transactions, oversee improvements, and execute exit strategies. Accepted Candidate transactions are funded and moved in a seamless interface by an automated systems manager that employs vendors, interfaces with consultants and directs all aspects of a real estate based transaction from funding through completion.
US07949586B2
Collateralized option index derivative investment instruments and methods for creating a collateralized option index are disclosed herein based on changes in a performance of collateralized option strategies. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for calculating a collateralized option index is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for calculating a collateralized option index includes calculating a value of a portfolio invested in a collateralized short strategy according to the relation: Vt=Mt−NlastPt where Mt is a value of a LIBOR component of the portfolio at the close of date t, Nlast is a number of put options sold at a last roll date, and Pt is a price of the underlying option portfolio based on arithmetic averages of the last bid and ask prices of all options in the underlying option portfolio reported before a time on date t.
US07949581B2
Methods for constructing an estimated depreciated schedule for a patent are disclosed. The steps for constructing this schedule may include: (1) determining a first function which approximately describes the rate of initial increase in expected forward patent citations over time; (2) determining a second function which approximately describes the rate of eventual decay in expected forward patent citations over time; and (3) constructing an estimated depreciation schedule using a calculated decay coefficient derived from said second function.
US07949578B2
A salesforce automation system which integrates computerized, intelligent automated salesperson support for multiple phases of the sales process. Various subsystems may be provided to facilitate the sales process which may include pre-sales lead generation, maximize time spent with the customer, effectively manage an order, ensure customer satisfaction and retain the customer for future sales. Also provided to support the phases of the sales process are additional tools, integrated in the system. The additional tools may include self management subsystems, sales management subsystems and training subsystems.
US07949561B2
A method for determining advertising effectiveness of cross-media campaigns provided. The effectiveness of the combined campaign is plotted, and the effects of different media are isolated. Examining complementary effects and synergies are examined, and a dollar-for-dollar comparison for each of the media is performed. This dollar-for-dollar comparison may include a return on marketing objective calculation. If applicable, budget re-allocations are recommended. Optionally, post effectiveness, efficiency, and allocation analysis are performed. Such analysis may include providing descriptive advertising and media suggestions on each media independently.
US07949557B2
Methods and systems are provided for improving recycling and participation rates by providing financial incentives to households engaged in recycling. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to reduction of costs associated with waste collection and the enhancement of collection efficiency. Other embodiments of the invention relate to opening a marketing channel for participating retailers to build value from responsible corporate citizenship.
US07949544B2
A system for populating patient records by use of evidence-based relational database, which compares the medical practitioners diagnoses to predetermined responses, to produce accurate patient chart notes and the integration of stored and generated data into clinical and administrative medical record keeping and billing. Episodic encounters are developed into cases for a specific patient under the care of a practitioner. The subjective symptoms from the patient and the objective observations of the care provider concurrent with the episode are used to form a diagnosis which presents a treatment regimen from an evidence-based relational database and populates medical and administrative templates. Patient history and updated information are retained in the database. “Best practice” treatment plans are continually placed in the relational database from practice guides and experts in the field.
US07949525B2
A spoken language understanding method and system are provided. The method includes classifying a set of labeled candidate utterances based on a previously trained classifier, generating classification types for each candidate utterance, receiving confidence scores for the classification types from the trained classifier, sorting the classified utterances based on an analysis of the confidence score of each candidate utterance compared to a respective label of the candidate utterance, and rechecking candidate utterances according to the analysis. The system includes modules configured to control a processor in the system to perform the steps of the method.
US07949524B2
At least one recognized keyword is presented to a user, and the keyword is corrected appropriately upon receipt of a correction for the presented result. A standby-word dictionary used for recognition of uttered speech is generated according to a result of the correction to recognize the uttered speech. Therefore, even if recognized keywords contain an error, the error can be corrected and uttered speech can be accurately recognized.
US07949518B2
A hierarchy encoding apparatus capable of calculating appropriate delay amounts and also capable of suppressing increase in the bit rate. In this apparatus, a first layer encoding part (101) encodes the input signal of the n-th frame to produce a first layer encoded code. A first layer decoding part (102) generates a first layer decoded signal from the first layer encoded code and applies it to a delay amount calculating part (103) and a second layer encoding part (105). The delay amount calculating part (103) uses the first layer decoded signal and input signal to calculate the delay amount to be added to the input signal, and applies the calculated delay amount to a delay part (104). The delay part (104) delays the input signal by the delay amount applied from the delay amount calculating part (103) and then applied it to a second layer encoding part (105). The second layer encoding part (105) uses the first layer decoded signal and the input signal from the delay part (104) for encoding.
US07949511B2
A system and method for bounded model checking of computer programs includes providing a program having at least one reachable property node. The program is decomposed for bounded model checking (BMC) into subproblems by creating a tunnel based on disjunctive control paths through the program. A reduced BMC sub-problem obtained using BMC unrolling, while using path constraints imposed by the at least one tunnel. For the reachable property node, determining a quantifier-free formula (QFP) in a decidable subset of first order logic. Satisfiability of the QFP is checked, independently and individually, to determine whether the QFP is satisfiable for the subproblem. The decomposing is continued until the a BMC bound is reached.
US07949501B1
A simulation device for simulating and exploring the effects of different policies used on a machine in a manufacturing system. The simulation device representing the machine includes controls to allow the participation of an operator in simulation modeling. The operator initiates the simulation process by, for example, loading a block into the simulator according to a hypothesis policy. During the simulation, a computer records all the changes in the system and those changes are transmitted to the computer. When the simulation stops, the total number of items completed by the system represents the throughput of the system during the simulation time. The operator can view the results of the simulation and change the policies and repeat the simulation using the same system structure or parameters.
US07949484B2
There is provided a probability density function separating apparatus that separates a predetermined component in a given probability density function, including: a domain transforming section that is supplied with the probability density function and transforms the probability density function into a spectrum in a frequency domain; and a standard deviation computing section that computes standard deviation of a random component included in the probability density function based on the spectrum.
US07949482B2
A method, test circuit and test system provide measurements to accurately characterize threshold voltage changes due to negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and positive bias temperature instability (PBTI). Both the bias temperature instability recovery profile and/or the bias temperature shifts due to rapid repetitions of stress application can be studied. In order to provide accurate measurements when stresses are applied at intervals on the order of tens of nanoseconds while avoiding unwanted recovery, and/or to achieve recovery profile sampling resolutions in the nanosecond range, multiple delay or ring oscillator frequency measurements are made using a delay line that is formed from delay elements that have delay variation substantially caused only by NBTI or PBTI effects. Devices in the delay elements are stressed, and then the delay line/ring oscillator is operated to measure a threshold voltage change for one or more measurement periods on the order of nanoseconds.
US07949481B2
A fluid flux measurement system that includes a heated element fluid flow sensor that is capable of being repositioned relative to a mean fluid flux direction is disclosed. The repositioning may be performed by a motor interconnected to the heated element fluid flow sensor. The heated element fluid flow sensor may be positioned proximate to the measurement region of a sonic anemometer and may be operable to be repositioned relative to the sonic anemometer. The heated element fluid flow sensor may be a three-dimensional hot-film constant temperature anemometer. The fluid flux system may be operable to measure small-scale turbulent fluxes in uncontrolled environments such as remotely located atmospheric monitoring stations. The heated element fluid flow sensor may be calibrated in-situ with data collected by the sonic anemometer.
US07949474B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for the knowledge-based discovery and optimization of differences between cell types. In particular, the present invention provides visual servoing optical microscopy, as well as analysis methods. The present invention provides means for the close monitoring of hundreds of individual, living cells over time; quantification of dynamic physiological responses in multiple channels; real-time digital image segmentation and analysis; intelligent, repetitive computer-applied cell stress and cell stimulation; and the ability to return to the same field of cells for long-term studies and observation. The present invention further provides means to optimize culture conditions for specific subpopulations of cells.
US07949472B1
Method and system for rapid and accurate determination of each of a sequence of unknown polymer components, such as nucleic acid components. A self-assembling monolayer of a selected substance is optionally provided on an interior surface of a pipette tip, and the interior surface is immersed in a selected liquid. A selected electrical field is impressed in a longitudinal or transverse direction at the tip, a polymer sequence is passed through the tip, and a change in an electrical current signal is measured as each polymer component passes through the tip. Each measured change in electrical current signals is compared with a database of reference signals, with each reference signal identified with a polymer component, to identify the unknown polymer component. The tip preferably has a pore inner diameter of no more than about 40 nm and is prepared by heating and pulling a very small section of a glass tubing.
US07949469B2
An obstacle avoidance control device has a detector for detecting the distance between a vehicle and an obstacle and the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the obstacle, a memory for storing a map for calculating vehicle generation force to avoid the obstacle based on a parameter set by a physical quantity determined by a component Vx in the vehicle front-rear direction as of the relative speed, a component Vy in the vehicle lateral direction of the relative speed, and a distance Ye′ in the vehicle lateral direction, for avoiding the obstacle, and a computing unit for computing the parameter based on the distance and the relative speed that are detected by the detector and computing vehicle generation force by using the calculated parameter and the map.
US07949465B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a route for a vessel to travel from a start point to an end point. A start point and an end point for the vessel are identified. A forecast of wave conditions during a period of time is obtained. A model of the vessel is obtained, wherein the model includes parameters used to calculate a response of the vessel to the wave conditions. A route is generated from the start point to the end point for the vessel to travel on using the model of the vessel and the forecast of the wave conditions, wherein the route avoids conditions that may cause a treacherous environment and meets a set of goals.
US07949459B2
A target throttle opening degree computing device of a control apparatus computes a target throttle opening degree of a throttle valve and includes a phase lead compensator. A filter filters the target throttle opening degree to provide an ultimate target throttle opening degree, which is used to drive a drive motor to adjust an opening degree of the throttle valve.
US07949458B2
A control apparatus capable of ensuring high control accuracy even if a controlled object is in a transient state, when a control input is calculated based on a value obtained by correcting a value calculated by a feedforward control method using a value calculated by a feedback control method. The control apparatus calculates a fuel correction coefficient such that an output from an oxygen concentration sensor converges to a target output, and multiplies a basic injection amount by the coefficient to calculate a fuel injection amount. The basic injection amount is selected from three values according to the cause of a mapping error. Two of them are calculated by searching respective maps according to corrected throttle valve opening values and engine speed. The other is calculated by multiplying a value obtained by searching a map according to the opening and the speed by a correction coefficient.
US07949455B2
A brake control apparatus which is used in a vehicle having wheels on left and right sides, and controls a braking force provided to each wheel is disclosed. The brake control apparatus is provided with a vehicle body speed calculating section, a steering angle calculating section, and an ECU. A braking force is provided to a wheel on the inner side with respect to the vehicle turning direction in the case where the absolute value of the steering angle is equal to or greater than the preset threshold value of the steering angle. In the case where the vehicle body speed is less than the preset speed threshold value, the braking force becomes smaller than the braking force in the case where the vehicle body speed is equal to or greater than the speed threshold value.
US07949452B2
A motor vehicle includes a clutch and an automated transmission between the engine and the drive wheels of the vehicle. A method for shift control in the motor vehicle when starting off or under way includes continuously performing computer simulations of the future driving of the vehicle, at least in response to information on road incline and throttle opening position, for a set of different shift schedules with combinations of engine speeds when shifting and shift steps, and selecting a shift schedule from the set of shift schedules which is optimal with regard to a selected criterion.
US07949450B2
A control system for controlling a torque transmitting device in a transmission includes a controller, a plurality of solenoids, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly has a plurality of signal control areas in communication with the solenoids that are used to control the torque transmitting device to provide multiple gains of torque transmission.
US07949449B2
A method of controlling a work tool with respect to a design surface gradient identifies surface gradient and determines a desired angle for the work tool. Movement of the machine is monitored and the distance between the design surface gradient and the work tool is determined. The angle of the work tool is varied based on one or more of these parameters.
US07949445B2
A device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle performs calculation of a relative modal body shell speed in relation to the mid-plane of the wheels, and calculation of the set modal stress of the damper as a function of the relative modal body shell speed in relation to the mid-plane of the wheels. The control value includes a determined shock absorption principle from among a plurality of different shock absorption principles that impose the force of the damper as a function of its travel speed.
US07949439B2
A method of diagnosing an aircraft by analyzing at least one spectrum obtained from measurements taken on the aircraft, in particular from vibration measurements, in which the spectrum (spectra) to be analyzed is/are input to a calculation module (23) together with at least one first reference spectrum, the calculation module determining a diagnosis value (Diag) as a function of the spectrum (spectra) to be analyzed, of the reference spectrum (spectra), and of parameters determined from at least two reference spectra including the first reference spectrum.
US07949433B2
Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation.
US07949431B2
A fitting device for fitting a fitting workpiece, which is held by a robot, to a workpiece to be fitted by force control, comprises: a force detecting portion for detecting a force and moment acting on a control point of the fitting workpiece; a judging portion for judging whether or not clogging is caused between the fitting workpiece and the workpiece to be fitted at the time of fitting; and a changing portion for changing a position of the control point according to a distance by which the fitting workpiece enters the workpiece to be fitted and for pressing the fitting workpiece against the workpiece to be fitted in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction so as to adjust a posture of the fitting workpiece on the basis of the control point that has been changed, in the case where it is judged by the judging portion that clogging is caused. Due to the foregoing, posture of the fitting workpiece can be appropriately adjusted in a short period of time so that the fitting workpiece can be fitted into the workpiece to be fitted.
US07949422B1
A machine tool control system. A machine tool controller is provided to receive commands from an input source and provide control instructions to a machine tool based at least in part on the commands. An operator interface is provided for inputting commands to the controller. The interface includes a display screen having images of individual command functions, the images being selectable on the screen to place into a sequence of command functions selected by an operator. A sequence generator indicates sequential ordering of the command functions represented by the sequence of images on the screen, such that a sequence of images on the screen selected by the operator is translated by the operator controller sequence generator into a sequence of commands to be inputted into the controller. The operator interface may include one or more images each representing a plurality of individual command functions in a defined sequence.
US07949419B2
Methods and systems for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. Aspects of the method may comprise controlling gain during multipath, multi-rate audio processing by generating via a digital gain circuit, a digital signal that is a product of an input digital signal and a gain coefficient derived from a lookup table, and bit-shifted to generate a digital output signal. The gain coefficient may be partitioned into a number of gain blocks. The gain values in each of the gain blocks may be twice a corresponding value in each preceding gain block. The gain blocks may be partitioned into steps that represent particular gain values within a range associated with the gain block. The digital output signal may be ramped utilizing a linear interpolation of the gain coefficients one step apart over a number of samples of the digital input signal, where the number of samples is given as a power of two.
US07949418B2
A safety PLC includes an I/O module to which a safety device for detecting a predetermined condition at any time is connected, a CPU module that executes a safety program for managing the I/O module, and a communication unit that interconnects the I/O module and the CPU module with each other. The CPU module includes: a PIN code memory that stores a PIN code for authenticating that the safety program satisfies a predetermined standard; a PIN code input unit that allows a user to designate the PIN code; a program auto-creating unit that automatically creates the safety program; and a program authentication unit that puts the safety program into an executable condition when the PIN code designated by the user coincides with the PIN code stored in the PIN code memory.
US07949413B2
An operator interface terminal receives individual data points from a machine at individual time points. The operator interface terminal correlates the individual data points to the individual time points as the data points are received. The operator interface terminal transfers the data points correlated to the time points to a central information system. The operator interface terminal receives a control instruction from an operator. The operator interface terminal processes the control instruction to transfer a control signal to the machine, wherein the control signal drives the machine to operate based on the control instruction.
US07949396B2
An implantable medical device comprising a housing and an ultrasonic transducer having a communication frequency coupled to a portion of the housing. The housing resonates at the communication frequency, and a casing is coupled to the housing and disposed over the ultrasonic transducer. The casing is adapted to amplify the deformation of the ultrasonic transducer in a bending mode and transfer the bending moment to the housing. An implantable medical device comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. A first ultrasonic transducer is coupled to a first connection rod and is coaxial with the first connection rod. The first ultrasonic transducer and first connection rod are interposed between the upper and lower portions such that the first ultrasonic transducer is adapted to vibrate the upper and lower portions simultaneously. A method of optimizing an ultrasonic transducer and a housing of an implantable medical device.
US07949391B2
A medical device system includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element, therapy module and a processor. The processor is configured to activate the therapy module upon detection of a cardiac event in the cardiac signal. The processor is further configured to monitor the brain signal and communicate to the therapy module to change the cardiac triggered therapeutic output to the brain based upon the brain monitoring. A method of treating a person with a neurological disorder is also provided.
US07949388B1
A system and method are provided for characterizing ST segment (STS) variations of a patient. The method includes collecting STS variations for multiple data collection periods, calculating multiple statistical parameters based on the collected STS variations, and constructing a STS variation trend. The statistical parameters are associated with a corresponding data collection period. The STS variation trend is based on the multiple statistical parameters over multiple data collection periods.
US07949385B2
A method for reconstructing an ear canal from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data of an ear comprises extracting frame numbers and line numbers of interference intensities corresponding to one or more markers on an OCT scan guide, receiving reference frame numbers and lines numbers for one or more markers, determining a starting position and direction for the OCT ear scan from the ear scan marker frame and line numbers and the reference marker frame and line numbers, for each scan line, finding a pixel number of a maximum interference intensity value, and determining an offset distance of said pixel from said scan guide, and reconstructing a surface of the ear canal from the distance offset data.
US07949373B2
A credit transaction enabled cell phone has its back removably attached to a plate by a double-sided tape or clamps. The plate is attached to a hinge, which carries a U shaped credit card retainer second element. A credit card is carried by the credit card retainer second element in between the two arms of the U shape. The interior surfaces of the arms of the U shape are rubberized, and apply compressive forces to the credit card, securing the card by friction. The hinge may be opened from the closed transpiration position to extend the credit card from the cell phone, and swiped in a swiping credit card reader, using the cell phone as a handle. The credit card may be extracted from the U shaped credit card retainer and used for manual imprint or with an automatic credit card reader, and replaced after use.
US07949370B1
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a scanning device for use with a mobile device are described herein. The scanning device may include an image capture module to capture surface images of a medium to be scanned and a positioning module to determine positioning information based at least in part on navigational images and the captured surface images. A mobile device may include one or more features of the scanning device including the image capture module and the positioning module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07949367B2
A current steering mechanism is provided in a radio transmitter (e.g., a multiband radio transmitter) to provide compatibility with a variety of baseband parts. Different proportions of an input signal current (“in”) are steered to a dummy load, a mixer for a first band, and at least one other mixer for a second band. The mechanism is structured to selectively apportion a current input signal between multiple paths of the same polarity having respective load circuits and concurrently steer different proportions of the current input signal to a dummy load path and at least one mixer path.
US07949363B2
Systems and methods are presented for efficiently conveying bandclass information between switching modules in a wireless communications system to facilitate call delivery or call origination. A compact bandclass information field is provided in inter-system paging and other non-handoff messages, in which each of a plurality of field bits indicates whether a particular bandclass is supported by a given mobile communications unit, thereby providing bandclass support information in an efficient manner to a recipient switching module.
US07949359B2
A system and method for wireless communications unit users within proximity to make social connections. Users can dynamically discover potential matches in the proximity and interactively find out mutual intentions to socially connect in an anonymous and discreet manner.
US07949338B2
A system for managing a communication system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system having a network configuration element that identifies for each of a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) a resultant communication path to a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) according to a plurality of performance characteristics and a delay injected into at least one of a plurality of alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US07949337B2
A system and method for cell reselection in a radio communication network is provided. The system comprises a mobile terminal transmitting a receive signal strength list after measuring signal strengths of at least a neighbor cell; and a host system selecting a cell suitable for the mobile terminal based on a suitable cell list and the receive signal strength list and transmitting the cell reselection information to the mobile terminal. The suitable cell list comprises information representing whether or not the neighbor cell is suitable for selection by the mobile terminal.
US07949329B2
Embodiments of the method and system provide network support for automatic anti-virus protection by a telecommunication network for mobile terminals. The method may have the steps of: storing in the telecommunication network at least one anti-virus protection level for at least one mobile terminal; initiating, by the telecommunication network, a call setup for a call associated with the mobile terminal, the call having a data stream; using, by the communication network, the at least one anti-virus protection level to recognize a virus in the data stream intended for the mobile handset; and filtering, by the network, the recognized virus from the data stream before the data stream arrives at the mobile terminal. The system implements the method.
US07949322B2
This disclosure is directed to a frequency-selective low noise amplifier (LNA) with wide-band impedance and noise matching. The LNAS may include a closed loop circuit that supports wideband input matching. For example, the closed loop circuit may be configure to impedance match an input signal and provide a low noise figure. In addition, the LNA may include an open loop circuit that amplifies the input signal and provides a high output impedance. The open loop circuit may further include a selectivity filter that filters out frequencies outside a desired frequency band. The LNA may drive a tunable band-pass filter via the open loop circuit.
US07949305B2
A method of modifying a configuration setting of a portable communication device based on an estimated change in transmission traffic. The method includes monitoring radio frequency (RF) signals at a first portable communication device. The RF signals include signals communicated by one or more other communication devices. The method further includes measuring a first number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a first time window and measuring a second number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a second time window. The first number of transmissions is compared to the second number of transmissions to estimate a change in transmission traffic. A configuration setting of the first portable communication device is modified from a first setting to a second setting based on the estimated change in transmission traffic.
US07949297B2
A method for an antenna architecture for handling various Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) channels may be provided. The method may comprise receiving, at a first circuit, a first signal within a 850 MHz band, a 1900 MHz band and/or a 2100 MHz band, wherein the first circuit is integrated within the mobile terminal and is operably coupled to a first antenna and/or a second antenna. Second signals within the 850 MHz band, the 1900 MHz band and/or the 2100 MHz band may be received at a second circuit, wherein the second circuit is integrated within the mobile terminal and is operably coupled to the first antenna. A video broadcast signal may be received at a third circuit, wherein the third circuit is integrated within the mobile terminal and is operably coupled to a third antenna.
US07949292B2
A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.
US07949284B2
The present invention is intended to provide an image forming apparatus capable of producing high-quality images for a long period of time wherein the consumption of the opposite polarity particles is reduced, and a reduction in the amount of toner charge resulting from carrier deterioration is minimized, even if a great number of images having a low image area ratio were printed. This image forming apparatus is characterized in that the surface of an image carrying member, which is placed face to face with a toner carrying member, and on which an electrostatic latent image to be developed with the toner supported on the toner carrying member is formed, has an contact angle of 95 degrees or more with respect to pure water.
US07949279B2
An image forming apparatus includes an input unit configured to input image data, an image processing unit configured to process the image data, a transfer unit configured to form a developer image corresponding to the processed image data and transfer the developer image onto a sheet, a fixing unit configured to fix the developer image, a conveyance unit configured to convey a plurality of sheets at predetermined conveying intervals to the transfer unit and the fixing unit, and a control unit configured to control the transfer unit and fixing unit such that a developer image corresponding to image data of a page is not transferred onto a sheet and the sheet is conveyed to the fixing unit if an image processing with respect to the image data of the page has not been completed.
US07949275B2
A cleaning device capable of inhibiting noise from being caused by stick-slip vibration between a blade member of the cleaning device and an image carrier, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A vibration detecting device for detecting a vibration state is attached to a central part of a holder holding a blade member, and an excitation member for vibrating the blade member is attached to the blade member over the entire length thereof in a direction along a sliding contact surface contacting a photoreceptor.
US07949273B2
A fixing device has a heating roller and a pressurizing belt which convey the a recording material in mutual contact while fixing a toner on the recording material, a heater which heats the heating roller, a noncontact first thermister which detects a surface temperature of the heating roller in a position located apart from a surface of the heating roller, a pressurizing unit which is placed inside the pressurizing belt, a second thermister which detects a temperature of the pressurizing unit; and a control section which adjusts the surface temperature of the heating roller by controlling the heater on the basis of a detection temperature of the first thermister and a detection temperature of the second thermister. Thus, fixing device is capable of suppressing a temperature difference generated in noncontact temperature detecting sections and obtaining a stable fixed image performance.
US07949272B2
A transfer unit transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a recording medium. A fixing unit includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller for fixing the toner image onto the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium. At least one driving unit drives the fixing roller and the pressure roller. When stopping the fixing roller, a control unit controls the driving unit to stop the fixing roller such that the fixing roller and the pressure roller make a contact with each other at a contact position different from a previous contact position.
US07949269B2
An image forming apparatus includes a black image forming unit that can be used in a black monochrome mode to form supply toner images corresponding to color patches and cause the supply toner images to be carried by an intermediate transfer belt. During the black monochrome mode, a fur brush comes into contact with the supply toner images, so that discharge products are removed from the fur brush. Thus, when the black monochrome mode ends and a full-color mode is returned, the color patches transferred to a secondary transfer roller can be sufficiently removed by single passage and no backside contamination of a recording material occurs.
US07949267B2
An image forming apparatus is provided that has a developing agent holder arranged as opposed to an image holder having an electrostatic latent image formed thereon, the developing agent holder attaching the developing agent to the image holder, a developing agent supplying unit rotatably arranged in contact with the developing agent holder, the developing agent supplying unit supplying a developing agent to the developing agent holder, an adjustment unit capable of adjusting a contacting state between the developing agent holder and the developing agent supplying unit.
US07949262B2
An optical beam combiner is provided, which allows efficient collection of light for various applications: non-line of sight and free-space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging and others. A multitude of transverse scattered optical beam portions is captured by the multi-aperture array positioned perpendicular to the beam projection direction. These beam portions are combined first into a single optical waveguide with modulating the beam portions phase and coupling ratio of directional couplers in the optical beam combiner tuned to maximize the final output power. A portion of the output beam is used for the power detection and forming a feedback signal for the phases and coupling ratios adjustment. The data is recovered from the received optical beam using coherent detection.
US07949255B2
A system for transporting signals through PON, including a device for transporting optical network signals and a device for transporting optical line signals, wherein: the device for transporting optical network signals is adapted to map upstream optical signals with a PON frame format to upstream optical channel data unit signals, to convert into upstream signals with an optical channel transport unit format, and to transport to the device for transporting optical line signals through OTN; and to perform corresponding downstream processing; the device for transporting optical line signals is adapted to convert the upstream signals into upstream optical channel data unit signals, to de-map to upstream optical signals with a PON frame format, and to transport to an optical line terminal; and to perform corresponding downstream processing. The invention further discloses relevant devices and methods.
US07949249B2
Methods of using software to synchronize the control of a camera on portable media device with the photoflash on an external lighting apparatus.The Camera-Equipped Portable Media Device (CEPMD) utilizes an External Lighting Apparatus (ELA) as a light source to improve the lighting conditions for portable media device photography. Both ELA and CEPMD are controlled by software, which synchronize the photoflash image capture as well as post process the image to further enhance the image quality. Furthermore, in a preferred ELA embodiment, it acts as a protective case for the CEPMD.
US07949244B2
An exemplary method for measuring a distance from a subject to a camera includes the following operations: focusing on the subject using the imaging system; illuminating an area on the subject using auxiliary light; capturing an image of the subject, the image having an illumination portion corresponding to the illuminated area; measuring the area of the illumination portion of the image; and calculating the subject distance based on the measured area.
US07949241B2
An imaging system includes an offset focal array including a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed at different focal lengths from at least one lens to output an image simulating an orthogonal view of an oblique coverage area. In further embodiments, the photosensitive elements are arranged in layers positioned substantially equal to the focal lengths of one or more focusing lenses.
US07949237B2
An apparatus for heat treating semiconductor wafers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heating device which contains an assembly linear lamps for emitting light energy onto a wafer. The linear lamps can be placed in various configurations. In accordance with the present invention, tuning devices which are used to adjust the overall irradiance distribution of the light energy sources are included in the heating device. The tuning devices can be, for instance, are lamps or lasers.
US07949229B2
Synchronizing media data used in authoring a Blu-ray disc (BD) comprising: receiving a discontinuous input timecode associated with at least one stream of the media data, said discontinuous input timecode having at least one discontinuity, said at least one discontinuity having a start point and an end point; generating an output timecode that matches said discontinuous input timecode until the start point of said at least one discontinuity, and continue generating said output timecode sequentially from a timecode subsequent to the end point of said at least one discontinuity, if a user specifies a continuous output timecode; and generating an output timecode that matches said discontinuous input timecode until the start point of said at least one discontinuity, and continue generating said output timecode that matches input timecode from a timecode subsequent to the end point of said at least one discontinuity, if a user specifies a discontinuous output timecode.
US07949228B2
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.
US07949226B2
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.
US07949220B2
The present invention provides a hybrid optical/electrical circuit board in which an optical waveguide prepared by an exposing and developing step is combined with an electric circuit, wherein a printed wiring board containing an inorganic filler and a light absorber is used, and it has an optical waveguide core pattern having a high resolution and makes it possible to raise a density of optical wiring.
US07949216B2
Three-dimensional holographic elements are disclosed. Three-dimensional Bragg gratings recorded on bulks of optical material are included in the disclosure. Such elements may be manufactured by placing a three-dimensional bulk of optical material directly behind a recorded master hologram, directing a reference beam onto a master hologram such that a replica of the master hologram is recorded in the optical material. The replica may form the three-dimensional holographic element. The master hologram may be Bragg grating formed on a surface of a transparent substrate.
US07949215B2
A fiber laser having at least one pair of reflectors coupled to an optical fiber, the at least one pair of reflectors defining an optical cavity between the at least one pair of reflectors and being configured to reflect light within the optical cavity. At least one light pump is coupled to the optical fiber and configured to provide pump light into the optical cavity, and at least one medium is positioned within the optical cavity and configured to generate signal light from the pump light in the optical cavity. Further, at least one grating positioned within the optical cavity and configured to couple the signal light out of the optical cavity.
US07949208B2
A search method is provided so that video data transmitted from an image-pickup unit of a monitor terminal is accumulated, meta data transmitted from a meta-data-generation unit of the monitor terminal is accumulated, search criteria are stored in advance, where the search criteria are used for extracting desired data from the video data and/or the meta data, the search criteria stored in advance are displayed, and meta data and/or video data satisfying a predetermined search criterion is extracted when the predetermined search criterion is selected from among the displayed search criteria, and the extracted meta data and/or the extracted video data is displayed.
US07949205B2
An image processing unit for computing a sequence of output images on basis of a sequence of input images, comprises: a motion estimation unit for computing a motion vector field on basis of the input images; a quality measurement unit for computing a value of a quality measure for the motion vector field; an interpolation unit for computing the output images by means of interpolation of pixel values of the input images, on basis of the motion vector field; and control means to control the interpolation unit on basis of the quality measure. The quality measurement unit is arranged to compute the value of the quality measure on basis of a maximum difference between neighboring motion vectors. If the value of the quality measure is lower than a predetermined threshold, then a motion compensated interpolation is performed, else a non-motion compensated interpolation is performed.
US07949203B2
A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model data storage device and a processor. The processor may cooperate with the geospatial model data storage device for selecting and transforming a reference sample of a geospatial model frequency domain data set into a corresponding reference sample geospatial model spatial domain data set, and inpainting data into at least one void of the geospatial model frequency domain data set based upon an initial selected inpainting function from among a plurality of different inpainting functions. The processor may further select and transform a test sample of the inpainted geospatial model frequency domain data set into a corresponding test sample geospatial model spatial domain data set, and compare the reference sample geospatial model spatial domain data set and the test sample geospatial model spatial domain data set to determine whether to repeat the inpainting using a different inpainting function from among the plurality thereof.
US07949200B2
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an obtaining module, a coefficient filter, a large area filter, and a determination module. The obtaining module obtains a feature value indicating an image structure of a pixel block comprising a target pixel to be processed and a surrounding pixel neighboring the target pixel in an input image. The coefficient filter performs filtering on the pixel block using a filter coefficient corresponding to the feature value. The large area filter performs smoothing on a pixel block that are larger than blocks used with coefficient filter. The determination module determines to cause the large area filter to perform the smoothing when the image structure indicated by the feature value is smooth.
US07949195B2
A method, and apparatus, and logic encoded in one or more computer-readable tangible medium to carry out a method. The method is to code an ordered sequence of quantized transform coefficients of a block of image data using a hybrid coding method that includes determining a breakpoint location in the sequence between a low frequency region and a high frequency region; coding the low-frequency region using a selected low-frequency variable length coding method; coding the high-frequency region using a selected high-frequency variable length coding method; and coding the location of the breakpoint. The breakpoint location is determined as a function of the sequence such that different sequences can have different breakpoints.
US07949185B2
Disclosed herein is a method of performing robust white balance. The method includes a first process of dividing an input image into blocks, a second process of selecting blocks having higher color errors, and calculating average RGB values of the selected blocks, a third process of selecting a specific top percentage of bright blocks, and calculating the average RGB values of these selected blocks, a fourth process of calculating average RGB values through color clustering, a fifth process of converting the average RGB values into CIE xyY color space, a sixth process of calculating the Euclidean distances between the x and y values of standard light sources in a color space and the x and y values of the average RGB values in CIE xyY color space, and selecting an average RGB value having the shortest Euclidean distance (Ed), and a seventh process of calculating white balance gain values using the selected average RGB value, and correcting the input image using the balance gain values.
US07949184B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a unit producing a histogram in a color space from an input image; a unit extracting a plurality of peak colors having a local maximum frequency of appearance of a color value in the histogram; a unit determining whether to unify the extracted plurality of peak colors, based on a feature amount of the extracted plurality of peak colors, and selecting a peak color as a representative color when the extracted plurality of peak colors are unified, the feature amount being a lightness difference among the extracted plurality of peak colors and directions of vectors in the color space, the vectors each showing a shortest distance from one of the extracted plurality of peak colors to a line segment connecting between a reference color and a dark color; and a unit replacing a color of each pixel in the input image by the representative color.
US07949183B2
In one embodiment, an image processor may be used to manipulate a hue value to obtain an updated hue value, manipulate a saturation value to obtain an updated saturation value based on the updated hue value and the saturation value, and if updated pixel data including the updated hue value and the updated saturation value is an illegal value, adjust a luma value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07949165B2
The invention relates to a method for determining a probability distribution with local three-dimensional resolution for a substance in a vascular system. An acquisition time is assigned to a group of x-ray images showing a presence distribution with local 2D resolution for a substance in the vascular system at the acquisition time. A first preliminary presence probability distribution is determined using the x-ray images assigned to the acquisition time and a volume data set of the vascular system. A second preliminary presence probability distribution is determined using the presence probability distribution for the preceding acquisition time and a migration probability distribution with the substance migrating from first vascular locations to second vascular locations. A high individual probability to vascular locations is assigned if both preliminary presence probability distributions have a high probability value for the respective vascular location. Otherwise a lower and greater than zero individual probability is assigned.
US07949161B2
An obtainment unit obtains microscopic images in a time series obtained by picking up images of a specimen as a motion image and also obtains microscope information that is information correlated with each of the microscopic images and the information that indicates an observation state of the microscope when the microscopic image has been picked up. An image synthesis unit synthesizes individual microscopic images constituting the motion image based on position information which is included in the microscope information and which indicate positions of the specimen when the microscopic image has been picked up, thereby synthesizing a wider view image than the microscopic image.
US07949160B2
In executing projection processing for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of diagnosis, if a threshold is reached again after a specific value of a pixel reaches the threshold in the x direction in which tomographic planes are arrayed, the execution of the projection processing is ended, and a projected image is generated. Then, in generating that projected image by executing projection processing, tomograms are so synthesized with the projected image that the positions of the pixels projected in the x direction and the pixels of the tomograms generated in the x direction match each other in the scanned three-dimensional area of the subject, and the synthesized images are thereby generated.
US07949159B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate, a light receiving portion, and a spacer. The solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converts light incident from an object to be imaged upon a light incidence surface in the light receiving portion provided in the semiconductor substrate, thereby acquiring an image of the object to be imaged based on a magnitude of an electric charge generated through the photoelectric conversion. On a part of the light incidence surface, the spacer is provided. The spacer prevents the object to be imaged from contacting the light incidence surface.
US07949155B2
An image processing apparatus includes image memory that stores an image; character recognition rate acquisition unit that segments the image stored in the image memory into a plurality of partial images and acquiring a character recognition rate for each partial image; image quality assessment unit that calculates a parameter showing the image quality of the image based on the character recognition rates of the plural partial images acquired by the character recognition rate acquisition unit; and output unit that outputs assessment results obtained by the image quality assessment unit.
US07949154B2
The invention provides a method and system having a computer system and imaging sensors that capture image data of an object, such as a carcass, as it moves through a processing facility and is converted into individual food products. The computer system analyzes the image data to produce a blob for the object being monitored. Source information that is referenced with the object being monitored can be associated with the object's blob. The blob can be used to track and identify the object, and to determine when one or more additional objects have been converted from the object being monitored. The computer system can create blobs for the additional objects and associate the referenced information with the new blobs. In one embodiment, the computer system is capable of continuously associating the source information for a particular source unit of food with converted food products that are converted from the source unit.
US07949153B2
An image processing is performed based on a distance computed for each partial area within an image capturing range. An image processing system according to the present invention includes a captured image acquiring section that acquires a captured image taken by an image capturing apparatus, a distance information acquiring section that acquires subject distance information that is information indicative of a distance between the image capturing apparatus and a subject for each of a plurality of partial areas in the captured image acquired by the captured image acquiring section, and an image processing section that performs an image processing different from one another on each of the plurality of partial areas in the captured image acquired by the captured image acquiring section according to the subject distance information acquired by the distance information acquiring section.
US07949147B2
A method of embedding auxiliary data in coefficients generated for a compressed data stream applies embedding rules to selected coefficients in different blocks to embed the data. The method receives coefficients in a data stream in which the coefficients are divided into blocks. It changes the value of selected coefficients to embed multi-bit message data in the coefficients. The process of changing the coefficients includes controlling changes to the selected coefficients from different blocks so that the relationship of the selected coefficients from the different blocks satisfy an embedding rule. One embedding rule causes the embedded data to form a pattern across the blocks. Another rule causes coefficients of blocks to have a desired phase relationship. Another rule enforces entropy and/or bit rate constraints onto the data stream. These embedding rules facilitate data hiding within bit rate and perceptibility constraints, while increasing robustness.
US07949141B2
A method, an apparatus, and a software product to process a plurality of input audio signals. The apparatus accepts a plurality of input signals and includes a multi-input, multi-output reverberator arranged to generate a set of output signals including delayed reverberation components simulating the reverberations a listener is likely to hear in a listening environment. The apparatus further includes a multi-input, two-output filter accepting the outputs of the reverberator and the plurality of input terminals, providing outputs for the left and right ears, and configured to implement a set of head related transfer functions corresponding to a listening environment and a set of directions of a listener in the listening environment. The apparatus is such that a listener listening to the outputs through headphones has the sensation of listening to the plurality of input audio signals as if they are emanating from a plurality of loudspeakers spatially located in the listening environment at a corresponding plurality of directions.
US07949139B2
The present invention automatically corrects for subwoofer or other speaker crossover settings or other parameters by providing an adjustable factor passed upon not only pulse location, but on pulse width. In FIG. 2, as the low-pass frequency of the subwoofer is decreased, either by the crossover setting or the physical design of the subwoofer, the impulse response is shifted to the right and the width of the impulse increases. By relating the adjustment factor to the width of the impulse, the accuracy of the computed distance is greatly increased. The relation may be found doing a simple polynomial curve fitting to empirical data from several subwoofers at various crossover settings and distances, storing that data, and then measuring pulse location and width of the actual subwoofer during the setup routine, and adjusting the distance (delay) calculations accordingly.
US07949138B2
Secure instant messaging is described. In an embodiment, a messaging device encrypts a challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge message, and communicates the encrypted challenge message via a peer-to-peer communication link to a recipient messaging device. The recipient messaging device decrypts the encrypted challenge message and encrypts the challenge identifier as a return challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge return. The messaging device receives the encrypted challenge return from the recipient messaging device, decrypts the encrypted challenge return, and verifies that the return challenge identifier matches the challenge identifier to establish that communications are secure when communicated via the peer-to-peer communication link and, optionally, to establish control policies pertaining to a communication received at the recipient messaging device.
US07949128B2
Method for the encryption of data as well as a corresponding decryption method are set forth. In order to guarantee a secure transmission of data with relatively little effort, an encryption method is provided in which a key vector with a second length is generated from a secret key information vector with a short length and a public matrix with a size corresponding to the first length times a second length, which is greater than the first size, and in which an encryption vector is formed by means of a first encryption method from a data vector with a third length, which is less than or equal to the second length, and the key vector.
US07949127B2
A headset (1. 10. 30) e.g. for use in connection with wireless communication. The housing may be constructed as two shells (2, 3) which may be opened and closed so that all mechanical parts may be concealed on the housing when the headset (1, 10, 30) is not in use. The shells (2, 3) may be interconnected by means of a hinge (7, 8) which has an axis disposed in the same plane as the surface of the shells. Alternatively, the shells may be arranged such that the axis is disposed in a perpendicular plane. The headset (1, 10, 30) has all mechanical and electrical parts are well protected when the headset is not used.
US07949126B2
A bipolar pulse forming transmission line module and system for linear induction accelerators having first, second, third, and fourth planar conductors which form a sequentially arranged interleaved stack having opposing first and second ends, with dielectric layers between the conductors. The first and second planar conductors are connected to each other at the first end, and the first and fourth planar conductors are connected to each other at the second end via a shorting plate. The third planar conductor is electrically connectable to a high voltage source, and an internal switch functions to short at the first end a high voltage from the third planar conductor to the fourth planar conductor to produce a bipolar pulse at the acceleration axis with a zero net time integral. Improved access to the switch is enabled by an aperture through the shorting plate and the proximity of the aperture to the switch.
US07949124B2
An information processing apparatus that generates private information used as one of an encryption key for encrypting data or a generation key for generating falsification detection information used in detecting falsification of data, comprises a storage unit adapted to prestore key information, an input unit adapted to input calculation target information, a calculating unit adapted to perform a calculation on targeted information based on the key information held in the storage unit, a detecting unit adapted to detect a predetermined event, and a control unit adapted, when triggered by detection of the event by the detecting unit, to perform controls to generate the private information by making the calculating unit perform the calculation with the input calculation target information as the targeted information, and to place the key information stored in the storage unit in an unusable state.
US07949108B2
A modem (10) includes a signal tuner module (101), a signal processing module (103), and a mode switching module (105). The signal tuner module receives a radio frequency (RF) signal in a first operation mode, and converts the RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal according to the first operation mode. The signal processing module processes the IF signal to generate an error rate according to the first operation mode. The mode switching module determines whether the first operation mode is right according to the error rate, and switches from the first operation mode to a second operation mode when the first operation mode is not right. A method for switching operation modes thereof is also provided.
US07949107B2
The present invention provides privacy measures in instant messaging systems. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: setting a time-out value for a message; sending the message to a receiving user; and displaying the message to the receiving user only for a time period equal to the time-out value. In another embodiment, a stealth delivery mode is provided in which an IM message is displayed to the receiving user only if the receiving user has approved the display of the IM message. In a further embodiment, a predetermined number of elements received prior to a current IM message are displayed in the conversation pane of an IM client, based on a threshold value.
US07949105B2
Methods and systems for operating a communication module is disclosed. Generally, a fingerprint authentication device coupled with a communication module biometrically authenticates a user. The communication module sends an indication that the communication module is active for the user to receive a message based on the biometric authentication of the user. The communication module receives a message for the user that has been routed to the communication module based on the indication that the communication module is active for the user to receive a message.
US07949096B2
Path planning and collision avoidance for movement of instruments in a radiation therapy environment
A patient positioning system for use with a radiation therapy system that monitors the location of fixed and movable components and pre-plans movement of the movable components so as to inhibit movement if a collision would be indicated. The positioning system can also coordinate movement of multiple movable components for reduced overall latency in registering a patient. The positioning system includes external measurement devices which measure the location and orientation of objects, including components of the radiation therapy system, in space and can also monitor for intrusion into the active area of the therapy system by personnel or foreign objects to improve operational safety of the radiation therapy system.
US07949093B2
An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for measuring the concentration of sulfur contained in a sample (S), by irradiating the sample (S) with primary X-rays from an X-ray tube (11), monochromating fluorescent X-rays emitted from the sample (S) with a spectroscopic device, and detecting monochromated fluorescent X-rays with an X-ray detector. The spectrometer includes the X-ray tube (11) having a target with an element including chromium, an X-ray filter (13) disposed on a path of travel of X-rays between the X-ray tube (11) and the sample (S) and having a predetermined transmittance for Cr—Kα line from the X-ray tube (11) and made of a material which is an element of which absorption edges do not exist between energies of S—Kα line and Cr—Kα line, and a proportional counter (18) having a detector gas containing a neon gas or a helium gas.
US07949092B2
The invention relates to a device for performing X-ray analysis. Device 1 comprises an X-ray tube 2 and at least one capillary lens 4 for focusing the X-rays in a micro-region at a location 5 for a sample for analysis. Device 1 further comprises a detector 6 for detecting X-ray fluorescence from the sample. Device 1 further comprises at least one energy-dependent filter 3 placed between the X-ray tube 2 and the capillary lens 4. The filter 3 is adapted to substantially block X-rays with an energy which is lower than a predetermined threshold value.
US07949089B2
A CT scanner for scanning a subject is provided, the scanner comprising: a gantry capable of rotating about a scanned subject; at least two cone beam X-Ray sources displaced from each other mounted on said gantry; at least one 2D detector array mounted on said gantry, said detector is capable of receiving radiation emitted by said at least two X-Ray sources and attenuated by the subject to be scanned; a first image processor capable of generating and displaying CT images of a volume within the subject; a second image processor capable of generating projection X-Ray images of said volume, wherein the images are responsive to X-Ray separately emitted by each of said at least two cone beam X-Ray sources; and a third image processor capable of generating and displaying fluoroscopic images composed of said projection X-Ray images, wherein said fluoroscopic images are spatially registered to said CT images.
US07949085B2
A shift register unit includes a plurality of register units electrically coupled in cascade. Each register unit outputs an output pulse according to a first clock signal, a second clock signal and an output pulse of a previous register unit. Each register unit includes a first switch unit, a second switch unit, a third switch unit, a fourth switch unit, and a driving unit. The first switch unit is used for conducting the input pulse to a first node when the first switch is turned on. The second switch unit is used for conducting the output pulse of the register unit according to the first clock signal to an output end when the second switch unit is turned on in response to the input pulse. The third switch unit electrically coupled to a supply end is used for conducting a supply voltage to the output end when the second switch unit is turned off. The fourth switch unit electrically coupled to the supply end is used for conducting the supply voltage to the first node when the fourth switch unit is turned on in response to a driving pulse. The driving unit is used for providing the driving pulse according to the first clock signal, the second clock signal, and the input pulse.
US07949083B2
A clock synchronizer for generating a local clock signal synchronized to a received clock signal. The clock synchronizer incorporates a reference oscillator providing a reference signal, and a synthesizer circuit arranged to synthesize a local clock signal from the reference signal. The synthesizer circuit comprises a phase-locked-loop circuit, including a phase detector receiving the reference signal, and a controllable divider arranged in a feedback path from a controlled oscillator to the phase detector, the divider being controllable to set a frequency division value N along the path to determine a ratio of the local clock frequency to the reference frequency. The clock synchronizer also incorporates a clock comparison circuit adapted to generate a digital signal indicative of an asynchronism between the local and received clock signals. A control link is arranged to link the clock comparison circuit to the divider. This link receives the digital signal and provides a control signal to the divider to adjust the frequency division value N according to the digital signal, to alter the local clock frequency and reduce the asynchronism.
US07949077B2
There is provided a response probability calculating method for use in a communication system in which a response probability is sent from a communication network to a plurality of terminals, and the terminals report terminal information to the communication network according to the response probability, including a step of selecting a first calculation formula for monotonously increasing the response probability or a second calculation formula for calculating the response probability using the response probability sent at the previous time and the previous number of responses in accordance with the number of responses from the terminals, and a step of calculating the response probability in accordance with the selected calculation formula.
US07949075B2
The invention relates to a data slicer circuit for processing a voltage signal input having two voltage values, each value representative of a value assigned to one characteristic of a modulated baseband carrier signal corresponding to a binary one or zero bit of information, the data slicer comprising first means for detecting a rising transition segment of the voltage signal, first means for detecting a falling transition segment of the voltage signal, means for providing a first serial digital signal output with a binary zero value if a rising transition segment of the voltage signal is detected or a binary one value if a falling transition segment of the voltage signal is detected or vice versa.
US07949074B2
A satellite receiver receives a hierarchical modulation based received signal, which has at least an upper layer (UL) and a lower layer (LL), and simultaneously recovers therefrom data conveyed in the UL signal and data conveyed in the LL signal.
US07949072B2
A single sideband mixer circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator operable a tunable frequency f1. The mixer circuit outputs a frequency signal at a frequency f1±f2. A tracking filter operates to filter the frequency signal and generate a first output signal at the frequency f1±f2. A resonance frequency fr of the tracking filter is tunable to substantially match the frequency f1±f2 of the frequency signal. The output signal of the tracking filter may be processed by a phase lock loop circuit to generate a control signal for controlling the setting of the tunable frequency f1 and resonance frequency fr. Alternatively, the output signal of the tracking filter may be divided and the divided signal processed by a phase lock loop circuit to generate the control signal for controlling setting of the tunable frequency f1 and resonance frequency fr.
US07949065B2
Information, in particular OFDM-symbols, is transmitted via radio from an emitting unit to a receiving unit. At least one first symbol has a first total length, which includes a first time section during which first user data is transmitted and a second time section during which cyclic repetitions of the first user data are transmitted. Also, at least one second symbol has the first total length which includes a third time section, having a length different than the first time section, during which second user data is transmitted, and a fourth time section, having a length different than the second time section, during which cyclic repetitions of the second user data is transmitted.
US07949063B2
The teachings herein disclose methods and apparatus that simplify impairment correlation estimation for received signal processing, based on determining, for any given processing interval, which impairment contributors should be considered in the estimation of overall received signal impairment correlations. These simplifications reduce computational processing requirements, allowing reduced circuit complexity and/or reduced operating power, and improve receiver performance. A corresponding transmitter and transmission method include transmitting multiple information streams to targeted receivers according to ongoing scheduling, and controlling the ongoing scheduling to reduce the number of impairment contributors considered in impairment correlation estimation at the targeted receivers. In one embodiment, a receiver identifies which impairment contributors to consider based on receiving control information. In another embodiment, the receiver identifies the impairment contributors to consider based on background processing, e.g., background determination of parametric model fitting parameters for a plurality of impairment contributors, and observing those model fitting parameters over time.
US07949042B2
An encoded code stream is searched for a frame generally coincident with a specific frame without having to decoding the frame to its original image. The present invention provides an image search device that searches an object encoded code stream formed by compression coding of a plurality of frames for a frame generally coincident with a specific one, which includes a decoder for making entropy decoding of the object encoded code stream to generate quantization coefficients of each frame, a matching unit for making matching between the quantization coefficients of the specific frame and those of each frame which are generated by the decoder and correspond in sample position to those of the specific frame, and a judging unit for judging, based on the result of matching, whether the frame is generally coincident with the specific one.
US07949040B2
A reception quality measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises a first sub-carrier averaging unit for averaging and outputting a channel gain after equalization estimated on the basis of the pilot signal over a sub-carrier, a first power calculation unit for calculating the power of a signal output from the first sub-carrier averaging unit and outputting the same as signal power, a pilot replica generator for generating and outputting a pilot signal replica with respect to a zero-timing signal component based on the zero-timing signal component when a signal x(n) in the time domain after equalization corresponding to the equalized signal is n=0, and also based on a previously set pilot code characteristic, a subtractor for subtracting the pilot signal replica output from the pilot replica generator from the equalized signal and outputting the result as an interference signal, a second power calculation unit for calculating and outputting the power of the interference signal output from the subtractor, a second sub-carrier averaging unit for averaging the power output from the second power calculation unit over the sub-carrier and outputting the result as interference power, and a divider for dividing the signal power output from the first power calculation unit by the interference power output from the second sub-carrier averaging unit to calculate a reception quality after equalization.
US07949037B2
A base station for carrier offset recovery. An adaptive matched filter produces a filtered signal. A rake receiver provides relative path values of multipath components. A mixer generates channel impulse response estimates. A channel despreader despreads the filtered signal using the pseudo-noise signal generated to produce a despread channel signal of the selected channel. A pilot channel despreader despreads the filtered signal using a pseudo-noise signal generator to produce a despread pilot signal of the pilot channel. A hard decision processor determines a symbol value of the despread channel signal. A complex conjugate processor generates a complex conjugate of the symbol value as a correction signal. A phase-locked loop produces a phase correction signal to recover carrier offset.
US07949032B1
A secure information transmission system includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. The transmission waveform employed includes highly randomized, independent stochastic processes, and is secured as a separate entity from the information it carries. The signal, using novel modulation methodology reducing impulse responses, has a paucity of spectral information and may be detected, acquired and demodulated only by communicants generating the necessary receiving algorithm coefficients. The physical area of signal reception is restricted to that of each intended communicant, reception areas following movements of mobile communicants. A unique instant in time is used as basis for communications keys to the securing algorithms dynamically generated on a one-time basis and never exchanged or stored by communicants. Technology is applicable to both fixed and mobile communications and may be applied to communications systems using wireless, fiber-optic, copper, acoustic and any other man-made or naturally occurring transmission media.
US07949024B2
A VCSEL array device formed of a monolithic array of VCSELs and short circuited mesas is disclosed. The VCSELs can be spaced symmetrically or asymmetrical, in a manner to improve power or speed, or in phase and in parallel. The VCSELs are connected to a first metal contact pad formed on a heat-spreading substrate. The short-circuited mesas are formed alongside the VCSELs and are bonded to and form a short circuit to a second metal contact pad on the grounding substrate. Each VCSEL is encompassed by a thick metal heat sink to increase the height of VCSEL mesas. The structure of the heat sink, the VCSELs and the shorting mesas reduce parasitic impedance thereby increasing output power and high frequency response. The VCSELs and shorting mesas can be packaged as a coplanar waveguide in a ground-signal-ground configuration that improves signal modulation characteristics.
US07949015B2
A method and arrangement in a receiving communication device for compensating for the difference between the clock-frequency controlled sample rate of the receiving device and the sample rate of a sending communication device. The sending device transmits packets comprising M audio samples to be stored in a buffer in the receiving device accommodating at least 2·M samples before play-out. An estimation of the clock skew is continuously updated from a calculated accumulated difference between an expected and an actual point of time of reception of the M audio samples. Before play-out, an adjusted number N of audio samples to be read from the buffer before play-out is calculated using the estimated clock skew. Thereafter, the N audio samples are resampled by interpolation to M audio samples to play-out.
US07948994B2
A method and apparatus for routing and forwarding between virtual routers is described. A method in a single network element comprises peering a first virtual router to a second virtual router, wherein the first and second virtual routers have separate address spaces and separate routing tables, distributing a set of one or more routes from the first virtual router to the second virtual router, wherein a first of the set of routes identifies the first virtual router as a next hop of the first route, said first route including a destination, and downloading to a set of one or more forwarding tables, the destination and the next hop.
US07948990B2
A method, system, network and gateway of deciding a policy for controlling communications in a communication system are disclosed. The method comprises determining the type of an access network associated with communications via a gateway. In a further step, a policy to apply to communications via the gateway is decided based on information regarding the type of the access network.
US07948989B2
Methods and systems to enhance local repair in robust header compression (RoHC) decompressors (110, 114), which may improve network transmission efficiency and quality. One method uses lower layer information to enhance local repair at the decompressor (110, 114). Another method uses a user datagram protocol (UDP) checksum to enhance local repair at the decompressor (110, 114).
US07948968B2
A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network, wherein the authorization and account control object maintains a substantially real time record of user accounts and usage, and the information and retrieval object provides substantially real time retrieval of selected information from the authorization and account control object. The retrieval object provides on demand to terminals which provide authentication for access to an identified account information regarding that account. The information regarding the account is substantially real time information including information with respect to communications in progress, which are chargeable to the account which has been authenticated. The authorization and account control object is preferably a unitary logical object having distributed instances thereof handling multitudinous accounts of widely separated terminals. The retrieval object provides isolation of the authorization and account control object permitting simultaneous multitasking by the authorization and account control object and the retrieval object respectively.
US07948955B2
A subscription method and device based upon the session initiation protocol are disclosed, such that a function of permanent subscription and temporary subscription is achieved, and a time at which a notification is sent can be customized. In the present invention, a mechanism of permanent subscription and temporary subscription is introduced. Upon reception of a SUBSCRIBE message, a notifier sets a temporary subscription flag or a permanent subscription flag for a subscriber according to an identifier carried in the message or service characteristic corresponding to a subscribed event. In the case of the permanent subscription flag, a NOTIFY message from the notifier is continuously sent until the subscriber or the system revokes subscription, and in the case of the temporary subscription flag, the notifier no longer sends a NOTIFY message upon finishing of a subscribed service. The subscriber may also carry a parameter indicative of a start time at which subscription gets validated and/or a parameter indicative of a time at which a notification is sent in the SUBSCRIBE message sent to the notifier. The notifier parses the message and sends the NOTIFY message to the subscriber when the start time at which subscription gets validated is reached and/or according to the time at which a notification is sent.
US07948952B2
A method and system controls services in a packet data based communication network comprising terminal devices and service entities. In response to a change detected in the state of a connection between a terminal device and a gateway node, a service policy request for the terminal device is sent from the gateway node to a session control means. Service policies including service information indicating which service entities and in which order are to be utilized for providing services to the terminal device, are generated. Service policies are sent to the gateway node. At the service entities, services are provided.
US07948948B2
The present invention discloses a base band processing module N+M backup method based on switch, is characterized in that: a switch unit is added between RF transceiver unit and base band processing unit, and IQ signal forwarding between base band processing modules of the base band processing unit and RF transceiver modules of the RF transceiver unit is performed by the switch unit; handing over the functions of the base band processing module in trouble to a backup base band processing module by resetting the switch unit and modifying the path of receiving and transmitting IQ signal, therefore realizing the N+M backup for base band processing module. The present invention can effectively realize the N+M backup for the base band processing module by adding a switch unit, therefore solving the technical problem of complexity and high cost for wiring and interfacing when having a large number of BBP and TRX modules.
US07948947B2
A handoff apparatus and method in FMIPv6 for seamless TCP packet transmissions. The handoff method includes steps of intercepting by a previous access router certain TCP packets sent from a correspondent node to a previous temporary address of a mobile node; and creating a TCP ACK by the previous access router in response to the certain TCP packets and sending by the previous access router the created TCP ACK to the correspondent node every time the certain TCP packets are forwarded to a new access router through a bi-directional tunnel. The handoff method has an advantage in that the packet transmission rate can be secured at the same level as the mobile node stays still during the performance of the handoff of the mobile node since the previous access router instead of the mobile node creates and sends the TCP ACK to the correspondent node during the performance of the handoff of the mobile node.
US07948939B2
A wireless communication system in which each of communication stations performs networking operation in an autonomous, distributed manner, wherein each of the communication stations gathers information indicative of a band use situation in peripheral stations, grasps bands usable and unusable by the own station from the gathered information to set a band to be actually used by the own station, and mutually recognize bands to be used and unusable by the own station by informing to the peripheral stations.
US07948902B1
In the present method for use in verification of a device, a plurality of injection flags are provided, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of packet classes. Each injection flag may be of a first or a second state. Next, a packet is generated. If the injection flag of the packet class of the generated packet is in the second state, it is indicated that a packet of that packet class has already been generated, and the device is not tested. If the injection flag of the packet class of the generated packet is in the first state, the device is tested and the injection flag of the packet class of the generated packet is set to the second state. The process is repeated, the running of subsequent tests being determined by the state of the injection flag of the packet class of the generated packet.
US07948896B2
A network device for scheduling packets in a plurality of queues. The network device includes a plurality of configurable mechanisms, each of which is configured to process information in one of a plurality of queues based on a predefined bandwidth. A scheduler services an associated one of the plurality of queues based on the predefined bandwidth. The network device also includes means for tracking whether or not the plurality of queues has exceeded a predefined threshold. If the plurality of queues has exceeded the predefined threshold, a new bandwidth allocation is calculated for each of the plurality of queues. The new bandwidth allocation replaces the predefined bandwidth and is proportional to the predefined bandwidth for each of the plurality of queues.
US07948873B2
A method and apparatus for recovering from a controlled failover of a BGP speaker is provided. A user sends, to a network element, a request to switch a designation of an active Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) speaker of the network element from a first BGP speaker to a second BGP speaker. After receiving the request, the network element pauses operation of a transport for BGP. Routing data, which describes a state of a first routing information base (RIB) maintained by the active BGP speaker, is transferred from the first BGP speaker to the second BGP speaker. Thereafter, the first BGP speaker may instruct the second BGP speaker to become the active BGP speaker. After the second BGP speaker becomes the active BGP speaker, the second BGP speaker resumes operation of the BGP transport.
US07948867B2
When a program transmission apparatus divides a program into a plurality of partial programs before transmission, a program reception execution apparatus executes a partial program when the partial program has already been received, and, when the execution needs to proceed to from a present partial program to a next partial program, executes the other partial program when the next partial program has been received.
US07948862B2
A crosstalk cancellation system and method is disclosed for use in a multi-channel communication system. Crosstalk which couples between channels is cancelled through use of an in-line FFE filter and in-line delay. A cross-connect system associated with each channel includes a cross-connect delay and cross-connect filter. The cross-connect system generates a cancellation signal for each of the channels, which is routed into a junction. The junction subtracts the cancellation signal from the received signal, which has also been delayed and filtered, to remove unwanted cross-talk. During training, cancellation magnitude is monitored at various delay offsets to determine which offset and corresponding filter coefficients, for each delay, maximizes cancellation. The filters are set with filter coefficients that maximize cancellation. The cross-connect delay with the maximum offset is set to zero and its calculated offset amount is established as the in-line delay offset. The other cross-connect delay offsets are adjusted accordingly.
US07948861B2
Multicolor characters or pictures are written in an optical disk in a visible manner. The optical disk comprises a figure writing layer for writing a visible figure in addition to a data recording layer for recording data. Recording of user data in the data recording layer and the writing of a visible figure in the figure writing layer are performed using the same optical disk drive. In one example, the figure writing layer comprises phase change layers that are formed via protection layers in a region sandwiched between a pair of reflective layers. By writing figure data separated into individual basic colors in the phase change layers individually, a multicolor figure can be made visible.
US07948860B2
An optical recording medium includes a main-information area in which a metal reflection film is formed on a substrate where a row of pits is formed as main data, and a sub-information area in which is recorded medium identification information, which is used to identify the optical recording medium individually, by removing the metal reflection film partially and forming a plurality of reflection-film removed areas. Information is reproduced by irradiating the metal reflection film with a beam of light. In the sub-information area, a row of pits or a guide groove is formed on the substrate, and a track pitch of the row of pits or the guide groove is at least 0.24 μm wide and at most 0.45 μm wide.
US07948856B2
A method of manufacturing an optical pickup apparatus, comprising steps of selecting one type objective lens from plural types of objective lenses different in specification of respective optical path difference providing structures in accordance with an oscillation wavelength of a laser light source; and assembling the selected type objective lens and the laser light source into the apparatus.
US07948848B2
A reproduction data recording method for an optical storage medium. The method comprises storing additional data to a first temporary region of a memory device; reading the first recorded data from the optical storage medium and storing the first recorded data to the first temporary region; reading a data segment of the second recorded data from the optical storage medium and storing the data segment to a second temporary region of the memory device; reading the first recorded data from the first temporary region and the data segment from the second temporary region, and decoding the first recorded data and the data segment to confirm accuracy of the first recorded data; reading the first recorded data and the additional data from the first temporary region, and encoding the first recorded data and the additional data to generate encoded data; and writing the encoded data to the optical storage medium.
US07948843B2
Disclosed is an information recording medium (100) comprising a first recording layer (L0 layer) which is provided with a first recording track for recording record information, and a second recording layer (L1 layer) which is provided with a second recording track for recording record information. Each recording zone (zone #n) including one recording area in the first recording layer and another recording area in the second recording layer which is opposite to the recording area in the first recording layer has a management information recording area (RMA) for recording management information (RMD) for recording the record information.
US07948836B2
The present invention is directed to an optical disk drive in which laser beams are emitted to an optical disk in a state of not rotated, and simultaneously an objective lens which collects the laser beams is moved to a direction approaching the optical disk at a constant speed, a time length required for moving a focused position of the laser beams from a surface of the optical disk to a recording layer is measured by observing a reflected light from the optical disk, and a type of the optical disk is determined based on the time Tdet thus measured, includes a control means which executes, a calculating process which calculates an additional travel time Tadd, based on the Tdet and an in-periphery maximum surface wobbling amount Vd of the optical disk, a moving process which further moves the objective lens for the additional travel time Tadd at the constant speed after the laser beams are focused on the recording layer, a rotating process which rotates the optical disk, a move-away process which moves the objective lens in a direction to be away from the optical disk, and a detecting process which detects that the laser beams are focused on the recording layer of the optical disk after the move-away process is started.
US07948832B1
A computer-implemented method of determining a time zone for a computing device is disclosed. The method includes identifying a first time offset for the device at a first instant in time, identifying a second time offset for the device at a second instant in time, and determining a time zone for the device using the first and second offsets.
US07948831B2
A sound device with a motion detector. The device is used to provide a diversion while user occupies the shower, at the same time keeping track of time and alarming the occupant when time has elapsed. For example: A minute after entering the shower, the timer automatically starts and a trivia question is posed to the occupant. The occupant then has a predefined amount of time to come up with the answer. Upon time lapse, the answer is provided with a gentle reminder that your time is over. Any other variations on this principle are possible.
US07948830B2
In an electronic device that includes a first display unit (28) and a second display unit (29) that differs from the first display unit (28) in at least a type, a driving method to perform a display control, and a mode of driving to perform the display control, and that displays a plurality of functions using the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29), a change request to change from a display in a normal mode (11) to a function mode (13) is acquired, and only a display mode of the second display unit (29) is changed, when the change request is made, to a preparation mode (12) without changing a display mode of the first display unit (28) that is in the normal mode (11) when the display modes of the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29) are to be changed based on the acquired change request.
