US07955584B2
The invention provides a process for the production of charcoal, fuel gas, and potassium from a biomass gassifier.
US07955581B2
A method for producing a silicon oxide including the steps of supplying silicon atoms onto a substrate through an oxygen atmosphere to form a silicon oxide layer on the substrate, and separating the silicon oxide layer from the substrate and pulverizing the separated silicon oxide layer to obtain silicon oxide containing silicon and oxygen in predetermined proportions, and a negative electrode active material obtained by the production method.
US07955580B2
The invention provides new methods for synthesis of large boron hydride clusters e.g., boron hydride molecules of the formula BnHm where 5≦n≦96 and m≦n+8, wherein m and n satisfy the electron counting rules of macropolyhedral boranes. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of octadecaborane (B18H22). Preferred methods of the invention include iteratively generating a conjugate acid from a salt of the [BaHb]c− or [Bn+2Hm−4]2− anion followed by degradation under conditions conducive to concentrating and drying of the conjugate acid to provide a borane BnHm and residual salt of the [BaHb]c− or [Bn+2Hm−4]2− anion which is reused in the method of synthesis. The invention further provides isotopically enriched boranes, particularly isotopically enriched 10B18H22 and 11B18H22.
US07955574B2
A porous thin film and a method are disclosed. The film has a generally uniform thickness and includes fused silica particles that provide multiple types of pores in the film. Particles are generally uniformly distributed on a surface and have a generally open structure that provides the film with an open interface readily accessible to fluids. The film provides for preconcentration of, e.g., heavy metals in fluid and gas samples that provides for direct determination of the analytes.
US07955569B2
A reaction vessel (reactor) is shown that, filled with metal and placed either within a CVD type furnace or in a housing in fluid communication with the CVD type furnace can produce commercial quantities of a metal halide gas over extended time periods and multiple furnace runs. The control of temperature and the simplicity of this reaction vessel allows temperature differentials between the metal halide gas produced and the CVD type reactor target thus providing differing deposits. The reactor is noteworthy in that no valves, flow restrictors or other equipment which could create corrosion problems is used in the heated/reactive area of the vessel thus producing very high quality metal halide gas.
US07955566B2
In order to produce granules granulometrically polidispersed in a very little range, a fluid bed granulation process of the type comprising the steps of preparing a fluid bed of seeds (S1) of the substance to be granulated, having a free surface (P) substantially horizontal; and feeding a continuous flow (L) of a fluid comprising a growth liquid, provides in the fluid bed for a continuous vortex (V) with a substantially horizontal axis, in which an upper zone (Z1) of seeds wetting and evaporation of possible solvent contained in the flow (L) and a lower zone (Z2) of solidification/consolidation of the growth liquid are identified.
US07955565B2
The gas-phase fluidized-bed reactor conducting reaction by feeding a gas, through a gas-distribution plate located at the lower part of a reaction vessel, into a fluidized bed formed on the gas-distribution plate, wherein the reaction vessel is made up so as to have a narrowed part at a specified position of the gas flow passage above the gas-distribution plate, and the fluidized bed is formed in the area from below the narrowed part to above the narrowed part. The gas-phase fluidized bed rector of the present invention allows manufacturing polymers having excellent homogeneity of polymer structure in gas-phase polymerization.
US07955562B2
Provided is a chemical sensor that may include a first electrode on a substrate, a sensing member covering the first electrode on the substrate, and a plurality of second electrodes on a surface of the sensing member exposing the surface of the sensing member. The chemical sensor may be configured to measure the change in electrical characteristics when a compound to be sensed is adsorbed on the sensing member. Provided also is a chemical sensor array including an array of chemical sensors.
US07955559B2
Nanoelectronic devices for the detection and quantification of biomolecules are Provided. In certain embodiments, the devices are configured to detect and measure blood glucose levels. Also provided are methods of fabricating nanoelectronic devices for the detection of biomolecules.
US07955558B2
A device for testing a fluid including an elongated carrier; two foam members for absorbing the fluid, which are arranged at an end of the carrier; a positioning member having a sleeve which is slidably arranged on the carrier; and a diagnostic device, which is arranged in the positioning member having a sensor die adapted to detecting at least one property of the fluid and means for supplying the fluid to a sensor surface of the sensor die. After the fluid has been supplied to the foam members, the positioning member is moved towards the end of the carrier where the foam members are located. When the diagnostic device comes into contact with one of the foam members, the fluid is squeezed from the foam member and supplied to the sensor surface of the sensor die through the fluid supplying means of the diagnostic device.
US07955554B2
The present invention relates to an analytical tool (1) comprising a substrate (10), a capillary (13) which is formed on the substrate (10) and into which a sample liquid is to be loaded by movement of the sample liquid in the capillary. The substrate (10) is provided with a liquid movement preventer for preventing the sample liquid loaded into the capillary (13) from moving further. Preferably, the liquid movement preventer includes a stepped portion (18B) projecting from the substrate or a recess provided at the substrate.
US07955550B2
The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one tubular sheet retainer (35) having an exterior surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each tubular sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35). Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations (41) of the tubular sheet retainers (35) thereby retaining a portion of the heated thermoplastic sheet (95) thereon. The tubular sheet retainers (35) are rotated and/or moved along the x-, y- and/or z-axes with the sheet retained thereon, relative to the perimeter edge (17). Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations (26) of the interior mold surface (14), thereby drawing the heated thermoplastic sheet (95) into intimate contour matching contact there-with.
US07955547B2
The inventive method for forming articles from foaming polymers and compositions based thereon consists in forming articles using a heat energy released by water exposed to the action of microwave radiation al n temperature equal to or less than 170° C., wherein said temperature is attained, controlled and limited by adjusting a vapor pressure in a forming chamber. The inventive device for carrying out said method comprises a forming chamber, which is made of a microwave transparent material, filled with the mixture of prefoamed or granulated foaming polymer or a composition based thereon with water and is placed in a microwave radiation producing channel, and a unit for equalizing a pressure in said forming chamber. The forming chamber and the body thereof made of a microwave non-transparent material are provided with air holes, which are also used for connecting the forming chamber to the pressure equalizing unit.
US07955546B2
In the assembly-completed state, the Lower Mold, the Outer Mold, the Upper Mold, and the “inner mold (the integral body of the Pin-holder and the Pin)” are stacked and fixed in this order from the bottom, and the Pin is coaxially inserted into the First Hole of the Outer Mold and the Second Hole of the Upper Mold. In the assembly-completed state, the molding space for molding the ceramic molded body is formed between the surface of the Pin and the First Hole, and the annular minute gap is formed between the surface of the Pin and the Second Hole. The ceramic slurry poured into the Slurry Reservoir Pres formed on the upper surface of the Upper Mold falls and flows into the molding space through the annular minute gap by virtue of the action of gravity or the like.
US07955545B2
A nano-imprinting process is described, comprising: providing a substrate including an imprinting material layer covering a surface of the substrate; providing a mold including protruding features set on a surface of the mold covered with an anti-adhesion layer; forming a transferring material layer on a top surface of each protruding feature; embedding the transferring material layer into a first portion of the imprinting material layer; removing the mold and separating the mold and the transferring material layer simultaneously to transfer the transferring material layer into the first portion of the imprinting material layer and to expose a second portion of the imprinting material layer; using the transferring material layer as a mask to remove the second portion of the imprinting material layer and a portion of the substrate; and removing the first portion of the imprinting material layer and the transferring material layer.
US07955544B2
Apparatus and methods for cutting compressible cellular polymers such as polyurethane foam, are characterized by a first die roller and a pressure roller, wherein both rollers define raised portions separated by recesses or depressions, and the raised portions on the first die roller register with the recesses of the pressure roller at a nip formed between the rollers. Portions of the polymer material extruded into the spaces between the raised portions of the first die roller are cut away, such that the cut product conforms substantially to the surface geometry of the first die roller, and the depth of cut is greater than with prior rotary cutting methods.
US07955532B2
The present invention is directed to novel non-aqueous capsules suitable as display cells for an electrophoretic display and the encapsulation process for their manufacture. The present invention is also directed to an encapsulation process for the preparation of non-aqueous capsules suitable as display cells for an electrophoretic display. The process comprises emulsifying an internal phase comprising pigment particles or pigment-containing microparticles dispersed in a halogenated solvent and a halogenated shell-forming material into an external phase comprising a complementary chain extender or crosslinker in an organic solvent.
US07955531B1
A light extraction encapsulant sheet having a patterned encapsulant region is disclosed. A method of making that light extraction encapsulant sheet and of affixing that light extraction encapsulant sheet to a luminous stack surface of a multi-layer stack is also disclosed.
US07955528B2
The present invention relates to a variety of conductive ink compositions comprising a metal complex compound having a special structure and an additive and a method for preparing the same, more particularly to conductive ink compositions comprising a metal complex compound obtained by reacting a metal or metal compound with an ammonium carbamate- or ammonium carbonate-based compound and an additive and a method for preparing the same.
US07955523B2
The present invention provides a new ultra-long after-glow phosphorescent material and manufacturing method for the same. The materials include a phosphor including aMS.bM3(PO4)2.cMSiO3.dMO.fAl2O3.xRO.yTR2O3.zMnO, where the M is Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, Zn or combinations thereof; The R is Eu, Sm, Yb or combinations thereof; the TR is La, Pr, Y, Nd, Dy, Er, Tm, Ce, Ho or combinations thereof: and a, b, c, d, f, x, y, z is the number of mol. The phosphorescent material has superior water resistance and temperature resistance.
US07955519B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for planarizing or polishing a surface. One composition comprises about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % α-alumina particles, wherein the α-alumina particles have an average diameter of 200 nm or less, and 80% of the α-alumina particles have a diameter of about 500 nm or less, an organic acid, a corrosion inhibitor, and water. Another composition comprises α-alumina particles, an organic acid, dual corrosion inhibitors of triazole and benzotriazole, wherein the wt. % ratio of the triazole to benzotriazole is about 0.1 to about 4.8, and water.
US07955514B2
A plasma processing apparatus having a processing chamber and a sample base, and processing a sample by using plasma generated inside the processing chamber, the processing chamber being located inside a vacuum container, the sample base being located inside the processing chamber, the sample being mounted on the sample base, the plasma processing apparatus including a component member configuring inner-side wall surface of the processing chamber, and having a dielectric portion on the inner-side wall surface, an exhaustion unit for exhausting the inside of the processing chamber, and an electric-field supply unit for supplying an electric field to the component member in a state where the plasma will not be generated inside the processing chamber, wherein magnitude of the electric field supplied from the electric-field supply unit is changed rapidly while exhausting the inside of the processing chamber by the exhaustion unit.
US07955494B2
The gas sensor control apparatus is for controlling a gas sensor including a sensor element having a solid electrolyte layer, and first and second electrodes located on opposite sides of the solid electrolyte layer, the first electrode serving as a gas detecting electrode, the second electrode serving as a reference electrode, the sensor element generating, as a sensor output, a current flowing between the first and second electrodes having a value depending on concentration of a specific gas component contained in a gas under measurement. The gas sensor control apparatus includes a determination function of determining whether or not it is time for the gas sensor to start operation, and a control function of forcibly supplying oxygen from a side of the second electrode to a side of the first electrode on a temporary basis when a determination result of the first function becomes affirmative.
US07955491B2
Hydrogen pumps include a proton conducting medium, and a nonporous hydrogen permeable anode electrode and/or nonporous hydrogen permeable cathode electrode. For example, the electrodes may be a solid thin metallic film such as palladium or a palladium alloy such as a palladium-copper alloy that allow for hydrogen permeation but not impurities, and thus, purifying a supply containing hydrogen. The proton conducting medium may be a solid anhydrous proton conducting medium disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode and the cathode electrode may be directly sealed to at least one of the proton conducting medium, a first member for distributing the supply containing hydrogen to the anode electrode, a second member for collecting a supply of purified hydrogen, and a gasket disposed around the proton conducting medium.
US07955488B2
An electrodeposition process of platinum and platinum-based alloy nano-particles with addition of ethylene glycol is disclosed. An acidic solution which contains metal chloride includes at least one platinum-based chloride and the alloy thereof, and ethylene glycol are introduced into a reactor as an electrodeposition solution. By applying an external negative potential, platinum particles or platinum-based alloy particles are deposited on the substrate. The above acidic solution is able to provide ionic conductivity during electrodeposition. The added ethylene glycol effectively enhances the removal of chlorine from metal chlorides. Meanwhile, ethylene glycol is used as stabilizer to prevent the particles from aggregation onto the substrate, thereby increasing the dispersion of deposited particles.
US07955478B2
A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.
US07955473B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing paper which comprises: (vii) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibres, (viii) adding to the suspension after all points of high shear: a first polymer being a cationic polymer having a charge density above 2.5 meq/g; a second polymer; and a third polymer being an organic or inorganic anionic polymer; and (ix) dewatering the obtained suspension to form paper.
US07955466B2
When a polarization plate is manufactured by laminating and laminating at least two types of retarder films onto a polarizer film by a laminating apparatus, with the two films of at least the two types of retarder films and at least the polarizer films being laminated such that the difference in the angle between the feeding directions of the two films is within the range of 40° to 80°. With this arrangement, a good handling property can be obtained, improvement in yield ratio can be expected, and the installation area of the laminating apparatus can be reduced due to a reduction in size of the laminating apparatus.
US07955457B2
A method for forming an elastic laminate comprising: bonding a first nonwoven to an elastic film to form a laminate; activating the laminate to form an activated laminate; and bonding a consolidated nonwoven to the elastic film of the activated laminate to form the elastic laminate.
US07955453B1
A process for manufacturing gradient structures uses multiple jet-spraying mechanisms to form layers of distinct precursors into a gradient composition.
US07955443B2
A permanent magnet material is prepared by covering an anisotropic sintered magnet body of formula: R1x(Fe1-yCoy)100-x-z-aBzMa wherein R1 is a rare earth element, M is Al, Cu or the like, with a powder comprising an oxide of R2, a fluoride of R3 or an oxyfluoride of R4 wherein R2, R3, and R4 are rare earth elements, and having an average particle size up to 100 μm, heat treating the powder-covered magnet body in a hydrogen gas-containing atmosphere for inducing disproportionation reaction on R12Fe14B compound, and continuing heat treatment at a reduced hydrogen gas partial pressure for inducing recombination reaction to said compound, thereby finely dividing said compound phase to a crystal grain size up to 1 μm, and for effecting absorption treatment, thereby causing R2, R3 or R4 to be absorbed in the magnet body.
US07955433B2
Techniques for the formation of a silicon ingot using a low-grade silicon feedstock include forming within a crucible device a molten silicon from a low-grade silicon feedstock and performing a directional solidification of the molten silicon to form a silicon ingot within the crucible device. The directional solidification forms a generally solidified quantity of silicon and a generally molten quantity of silicon. The method and system include removing from the crucible device at least a portion of the generally molten quantity of silicon while retaining within the crucible device the generally solidified quantity of silicon. Controlling the directional solidification of the generally solidified quantity of silicon, while removing the more contaminated molten silicon, results in a silicon ingot possessing a generally higher grade of silicon than the low-grade silicon feedstock.
US07955429B2
The use of an effective amount of trans-4-tertbutyl-1-phenylcyclohexanol in waxes to increase the melting point, softening temperature, as well of other properties.
US07955427B2
An inkjet aqueous ink that prevents paper deformation and exhibits superior print quality and latency. The inkjet aqueous ink contains not less than 15% by mass and not more than 40% by mass of a polyglycerol having an average polymerization degree of 4 or greater, not less than 5% by mass and not more than 20% by mass of at least one of 1,3-propanediol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and not less than 40% by mass and not more than 60% by mass of water.
US07955411B2
A bonding material comprising metal particles coated with an organic substance having carbon atoms of 2 to 8, wherein the metal particles comprises first portion of 100 nm or less, and a second portion larger than 100 nm but not larger than 100 μm, each of the portions having at least peak of a particle distribution, based on a volumetric base. The disclosure is further concerned with a bonding method using the bonding material.
US07955409B2
A method of smelting copper includes: a generating step of generating blister and slag from copper matte by charging the copper matte into a smelting furnace and oxidizing the copper matte; a first refining step of refining another blister from the slag by reduction in an electrical furnace; and a charging step of charging the slag into one of the smelting furnace or another smelting furnace for treating copper concentrate and generating matte as repeating flux if copper grade of slag generated in the first refining step is higher than 0.8 weight %.
US07955404B2
A dust collector includes a shell, an exit tube, an inner tube, a suction device, a first dust container, a bypass tube and a first dust bag. The shell defines a first receiving room therein. The exit tube defines an exit passage therein. The inner tube defines a connection passage which has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening communicates the first receiving room, and the second opening communicates the exit passage. The suction device provides the exit passage with a negative pressure. The first dust container defines a second receiving room therein. A mesh is disposed on a bottom surface of the first dust container to divide the second receiving room into a first chamber and a second chamber. The bypass tube defines a bypass passage therein, and it communicates the connection passage with the second chamber. The first dust bag is disposed in the first chamber.
US07955400B2
A two-part hair dye composition, including a first part containing an alkali agent, a second part containing hydrogen peroxide, and a non-aerosol type foamer container for discharging a liquid mixture of the first part and the second part as a foam, wherein the liquid mixture contains the following components (A) to (D): (A) 0.1 to 5% by mass of an alkyl sulfate or polyoxyalkylene alkyl sulfate; (B) 0.1 to 10% by mass of an alkyl polyglucoside; (C) 0.01 to 3% by mass of a dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymer or a dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymer; and (D) 0.01 to 0.8% by mass of a higher alcohol.
US07955394B2
The artificial knee joint includes a femoral component, a tibial tray and an insert plate fixed onto the top surface of the tibial tray. The femoral component includes a femoral articular surface and a cam that is provided on the rear end of the femoral articular surface and protrudes from the femoral articular surface, the insert plate includes a tibial articular surface that makes contact with the femoral articular surface and a cam-receiving slide surface that makes contact with the cam. When the knee is extended, the joint takes a first sliding state in which the femoral articular surface slides against the tibial articular surface. When the knee is bent at an angle in a range from 90 to 160 degrees, the joint shifts from the first sliding state to a second sliding state in which the cam slides on the cam-receiving slide surface. When the knee is bent deeply with a bending angle of 180 degrees, the second sliding state is assumed in which a resection surface of the femoral component and the rear end of the insert plate are offset.
US07955386B2
A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.
US07955385B2
A device comprising a reference ring that may be temporarily disposed in abutment with the inferior perimeter surface of a heart valve to aid non-optical visualization of the valve annulus. The reference ring is elastically transformable between a straight delivery configuration and a generally circular or helical deployment configuration. The reference ring may include an inflatable portion that can be temporarily expanded on the inferior side of the valve annulus to deform the valve annulus into a temporary ledge or shelf for apposition with an annuloplasty ring. A system comprising a delivery catheter including a lumen with an exit port, the reference ring being slidably positionable within the lumen and being extendable from the exit port.
US07955371B2
The invention provides a system and method for deploying a stent and infusing a therapeutic agent into tissue adjacent to the ends of the stent. The system comprises a catheter, an inflatable balloon, a stent, and a plurality of infusion elements. The catheter has an inflation lumen and at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The balloon is disposed on the catheter and is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The stent is disposed on the balloon. The infusion elements are positioned adjacent to distal and proximal ends of the stent and are in fluid communication with at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The infusion elements are inserted into a wall of a target region of a vessel responsive to inflation of the balloon. Further inflation of the balloon deploys the stent within the target region.
US07955370B2
A medical device includes a catheter having a catheter shaft, a sheath and a rolling membrane. The sheath is being disposed about the catheter shaft and is longitudinally moveable relative thereto. A distal portion of the sheath defines a stent retaining region. The sheath is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein in the extended position the retaining region is disposed about a stent receiving region of the catheter shaft, and in the retracted position the sheath is removed from the stent receiving region. End regions of the rolling membrane are respectively engaged to a distal end of the sheath and a portion of the shaft proximal to the stent receiving region respectively.
US07955367B2
A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the nonlinear waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation.
US07955359B2
A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a head, a receiving portion having a first region adjacent to a second end for receiving the head and a recess which is open towards a first end to form two free legs for receiving a rod. The anchoring device further includes a pressure element configured to couple to the head, a first closure element and a second closure element. The first closure element cooperates with the legs to simultaneously fix the rod in the recess and fix the head in the receiving portion, and the second closure element cooperates with the legs, the second closure element acts on the pressure element and on the rod to independently fix the head in the receiving portion and fix the rod in the recess. The first closure element and the second closure element are interchangeable.
US07955356B2
A laterally insertable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy and other spinal ailments by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a deployable second arm that converts between a first position for insertion and a second position for retention of the implant between adjacent spinous processes.
US07955354B2
An occlusion device includes a braiding of thin wires or threads tapering to the diameter of a catheter used for an intravascular implantation/explantation procedure and having a proximal retention area, a distal retention area at which ends of the wires or threads converge into a holder, and a cylindrical crosspiece interposed between the proximal retention area and the distal retention area, whereby the two retention areas are positioned on two sides of a shunt to be occluded in a septum following implantation while the crosspiece transverses the shunt. The holder exhibits a head section at its free end having an eyelet as a cross-hole which can be gripped and held in form-fit fashion by an implantation/explantation instrument. A surgical instrument having such a holder includes gripper tongs with gripping jaws which open and close by a push/pull system, and which force-fit grips the head section of the holder.
US07955348B2
Lancing devices for use with removable lancets having sharp tips are provided. Embodiments include an interlock within the housing that blocks insertion of the lancet when the device is already cocked.
US07955340B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.
US07955338B2
An apparatus and method for reaming a bone, facilitating pre-implantation alignment of a prosthesis using trial components, and preparing a bone site for anti-rotational implantation of the prosthesis is provided. The apparatus includes a boring end, a mating end disposed opposite the boring end, and a keying aid disposed between the boring end and mating end. The method includes attaching a power tool to the mating end, reaming a bone canal with the boring end, detaching the power tool, attaching a trial component, conducting alignment trials, maintaining the apparatus in the desired position, detaching the trial component, cutting at least one keyway in the bone canal using a cutting device and the keying aid, removing the cutting device, removing the apparatus from the reamed bone canal, and inserting the prosthesis into anti-rotational engagement with reamed bone by aligning the key on the prosthesis with the keyway in the bone canal.
US07955335B2
A device for trimming an osteochondral plug graft to an implantable configuration includes a blade assembly terminating in a configured leading cutting blade and a plug grail housing comprising a substantially longitudinal holding sleeve having a bore and oriented complementarily to the longitudinal structure of the blade assembly to receive the longitudinal structure within the sleeve bore with the assembly cutting blade in close tolerance along an inner bore surface of the longitudinal housing structure.
US07955330B2
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports.
US07955325B2
A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.
US07955306B2
An infusion set with a guiding needle, more particularly a laterally displaceable guiding needle.
US07955305B2
An infusion media delivery device includes a housing having a base adapted to be secured to a user's skin. An infusion media reservoir is supported by the housing. A moveable hollow needle is selectively engageable with the reservoir to communicate infusion media from the reservoir. The needle is supported for movement relative to the housing base between a first position and a second position. The needle is spaced apart from a user's skin when in the first position and the base is secured to the user's skin, and the needle is arranged to pierce the user's skin when in the second position and the base is secured to the user's skin.
US07955304B2
The present invention relates to a method of operating an injection device, which device comprises a medicament cartridge and a needle attached to said cartridge, means for automatic penetration of needle, injection of medicament and withdrawal of needle, comprising the steps of initiating a penetration sequence, followed by an injection sequence and followed by a withdrawal sequence, wherein a previous sequence triggers a subsequent sequence, and wherein the subsequent sequence is triggered before the previous sequence has ended.
US07955303B2
An injection device including casing with a reservoir for an injectable product, an operating button which can be moved relative to the casing in a dosing direction which increases the dosage and in a correcting direction to set a product dosage, a conveying member for delivering the dosage set, a slip coupling comprising a latching element and a co-operating latching element which latch to each other in a latching engagement and couple the operating button to the casing in a positive and non-positive fit in discrete latching positions during a movement in the dosing direction or the correcting direction, and a spring member which opposes the movement of the operating button in at least one of the directions with a spring force, wherein the latching element or co-operating latching element are shaped such that in the latching engagement they offer a lower resistance to the movement in the at least one of the directions than to the movement in the other direction.
US07955300B2
A disposable safety syringe in one embodiment includes a stepped syringe barrel comprising two opposite mating members on an inner surface proximate a distal end; a plunger comprising a connection member and a breakable section behind the connection member; a first needle assembly comprising a needle and a needle hub secured to the distal end of the syringe barrel; and a hollow second needle assembly shaped to lockingly secure to the first needle assembly in the syringe barrel, the second needle assembly comprising two opposite corresponding mating members on an outer surface, the corresponding mating members being lockingly engaged with the mating members. After dispensing, the plunger may clockwise rotate about the syringe barrel until the mating members and the corresponding mating members are unlocked lengthwise each other. The plunger, the second needle assembly, and the first needle assembly may move rearward to retract the needle within the syringe barrel.
US07955292B2
The invention relates to an endosurgical extraction bag for collecting body tissue or body fluid, with a bag main part formed from a flexible envelope, and with a first admission opening for introducing tissue or fluid into the bag main part of the bag. Arranged in the bag main part, there is an inner envelope which is connected to the main part (bag) and opens toward the first admission opening, but adjoins the bag main part sealingly in respect of the first admission opening, and which has a second admission opening at its second end remote from the first admission opening and spaced apart from an end of the bag main part remote from the first admission opening, through which second admission opening the tissue or fluid can be introduced into the bag main part.
US07955291B2
A switch valve for use in an extracorporeal blood flow circuit comprises a valve housing having a chamber, four openings communicating with the chamber, and a valve member located in the valve chamber. A first opening is to be connected to a patient via an arterial cannula, a second opening is to be connected to a patient via an venous cannula, a third opening is to be connected to a first inlet/outlet of a blood treatment device, and a fourth opening is to be connected to a second inlet/outlet of a blood treatment device. The valve member is movable within the valve housing to fluidly connect the first opening to either the third or the fourth opening and to fluidly connect the second opening to either the third or the fourth opening. The width of the valve member is smaller than a peripheral dimension of the openings.
US07955289B2
A method and apparatus for controlling blood withdrawal and infusion flow rate with the use of a pressure controller. The pressure controller uses pressure targets based upon occlusion limits that are calculated as a function of flow. The controller has the ability to switch from controlling withdrawal pressure to controlling infusion pressure based upon the detection of an occlusion. The controller distinguishes between partial and total occlusions of the withdrawal vein providing blood access. Depending on the nature of occlusion, the controller limits or temporarily reverses blood flow and, thus, prevents withdrawal vessel collapse or reverses blood flow to quickly infuse blood into the vessel without participation from operator.
US07955285B2
A shoulder orthosis is utilized to effect relative movement between bones in a body of a patient. The orthosis includes a base section which is connected with a trunk of a patient's body, an upper arm section which is connected with an upper portion of an arm of the patient, and a lower arm section which is connected with a lower portion of the arm of a patient. An interconnection between the base section and upper arm section of the orthosis is disposed beneath an axilla between the trunk and arm of the patient. A main drive assembly is operable to rotate the lower arm section of the orthosis relative to the upper arm section of the orthosis to pivot a humerus bone in the upper arm of the patient relative to a scapula bone in a shoulder of the patient. A secondary drive assembly is operable to move the lower arm section and upper arm section relative to the base section of the orthosis to move the upper arm of the patient into alignment with the shoulder of the patient.
US07955283B2
Safety mechanisms for compression belt cartridges used in chest compression devices. The safety mechanisms include a breakable link, liner socks, belt guards and a rapid-release connector. The breakable link ensures that unsafe belt tension will not occur. The liner socks protect the patient from friction and contain the breakable link. The belt guards protect foreign objects from entering the belt drive platform. The rapid-release connector allows the belt to be removed safely even during compressions.
US07955282B2
A system and device to sculpt an individual's body. The system and device are capable of selectively burning adipose tissue located in a user's abdomen, waist, thigh, arms, etc., and of generating vibration to produce heat from friction such that blood circulation can be enhanced. The device to sculpt the body includes a body sculpture holder, attached to the user's body, to generate an ultrasonic frequency, an intermediate frequency, and a low frequency, a portable body electrically connected to the sculpture holder, and a fixed body on to which the portable body is fixed.
US07955280B2
A CAS system and method comprises a first reference in fixed relation with the pelvis and a registration tool. A sensor apparatus tracks the first reference and tool. A controller unit receives tracking data for the first reference and tool. A calculator tracks the pelvic frame of reference, and the tool to produce a femoral frame of reference at two sequential operative steps. A reference orientation adjustor receives tracking data for the pelvic frame of reference to orient the femoral frame of reference in a reference orientation with respect to the pelvic frame of reference, and to produce a reference adjustment value as a function of the reference orientation. A surgical parameter calculator receives tracking data from the tool to calculate surgical parameters as a function of the reference adjustment value.
US07955265B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring a thickness of a portion of a multi-layer vessel based on at least one medical diagnostic image frame using an integrated ultrasound device is provided. The method includes for each x-coordinate determining a y-coordinate along an interface between each layer of the vessel including determining a Y coordinate of a center of an intima-media center (IMC) determining the adventitia-media interface Y coordinate, determining the intima-lumen interface Y coordinate, determining for each X coordinate the lumen-intima interface Y coordinate, determining media-adventitia interface Y coordinate, determining a thickness of at least one vessel layer using X and Y coordinates of respective layer interfaces, and outputting the thickness to a display.
US07955261B2
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.
US07955260B2
Methods for rating the severity of psoriasis in a patient are provided. Such methods comprise assessing the percent of the patient's body surface exhibiting signs of psoriasis, assessing the overall elevation, erythema, and scale of the patient's psoriasis plaques, and classifying the severity of the patient's psoriasis into at least four classes based upon the percent of the patient's body surface exhibiting signs of psoriasis adjusted by the overall elevation, erythema and scale of the patient's psoriasis plaques. In the present methods the weight given to one or more of the overall qualities of elevation, erythema or scale of the patient's psoriasis plaques in classifying the severity of the patient's psoriasis into a higher class is greater than the weight given to other of the overall qualities. A computer readable medium and system for practicing the present methods are also provided.
US07955249B2
Apparatus for directly stimulating a tympanic membrane or other acoustic member comprising a support with a plurality of activatable elements. The support can be mounted on the tympanic membrane and the activatable elements are distributed on the support to provide a distributed vibration to the tympanic membrane.
US07955241B2
A perineometer exercise probe for home or clinical use assesses the strength of pelvic floor muscles and provides audible, visual and tactile biofeedback signals as training aids during pelvic exercises. The exercise probe is selectively operable in a passive reaction mode, in which audible, visual and tactile biofeedback signals proportional to pelvic muscle contractions are generated, and in an active vibrating mode in which therapeutic vibrations are applied directly to internal pelvic musculature with or without co-generation of biofeedback signals proportional to the strength of pelvic muscle contractions; and in a combination of both modes simultaneously. The probe reacts the pelvic contraction forces and thus provides passive tactile feedback signals that are experienced simultaneously with audible, visual and vibration-induced tactile biofeedback signals for improving the endurance and strength of pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback signaling is facilitated by wireless two-way communication between the probe and a portable monitor.
US07955239B2
An apparatus for treating or training individuals while doing exercises permits a large range of motion while at the same time providing resistance. A hollow spherical housing having a spool and a cord inside is mounted within a support frame which permits the housing to rotate 360 degrees about a central z-axis and further about 120 degrees about the x-axis and the y-axis when the cord contacts the frame. A tension dial permits adjusting the tension applied to the spool to provide resistance as a user pulls the cord from the housing. When the user releases the force on the cord the cord is retracted onto the spool. The base of the support frame has opposing locking lugs which engage keyways in a co-operating socket which can be mounted on a variety of surfaces such as walls, doors and straps for attachment to a wrist or ankle or other body part.
US07955233B1
An abdomen exercising device includes a soft cushion, a base combined with the cushion, a sliding unit slidably mounted on the base, an elastic cord biased between the base and the sliding unit to provide a damping force to the sliding unit and a top cover mounted on the base to cover the elastic cord and to partially cover the sliding unit. Thus, the parts of the abdomen exercising device are almost hidden between and covered by the base and the top cover to prevent the user from being clamped or scratched by the elastic cord or the sliding unit during the exercising process so as to protect the user's safety.
US07955231B1
A physical exercising machine includes a carrier having a platform to support a user, a lever attached to the carrier and inclined relative to the carrier and the base, a pivotal coupling mechanism pivotally coupled between the base and the carrier for horizontally moving the carrier and the user up and down relative to the base, a follower slidably engaged with the base and the lever for moving the platform and the user up and down relative to the base when the follower is moved along the inclined lever, and a cable coupled to the follower and having two end portions engaged through two openings of the platform for being pulled by the user and for actuating the follower to move the platform and the user up and down relative to the base.
US07955228B2
A bicycle trainer provides variable resistance to pedaling and allows for a rider to simulate a real-world bicycle course. The trainer engages both the front tire and the back tire of the bicycle and adjusts each according to the rider's preferences during a training session. The front tire lifts up and down as the bicycle moves forward and backward on the trainer. The back tire is adjusted by incorporating magnets thereon in the form of magnetic elements on a sleeve or a clip that engages the back tire and/or the back tire rim. The magnets on the back tire may also be attached to the spokes. The trainer includes magnets as well, usually of opposite polarity, and adds resistance to pedaling when the magnetic fields of the magnets interact to resist back tire revolution.
US07955221B2
A facial exercise device includes a handle, ring, tongue arm and flexible cheek arms. The device is inserted into a person's mouth and the person's cheeks are tightened against the resistance provided by the flexible cheek arms. An optional eyepiece includes connected flexible right and left eye portions and two or more protrusions extending outwardly.
US07955215B2
A vehicular drive system is disclosed as including an electrically operated differential portion (16) disposed in a power transmitting path between an engine (8) and drive wheels (38) for controlling an operating state of an electric motor (M), connected to a rotary element of a differential portion (11), for controlling a differential state between an input-shaft rotation speed and an output-shaft rotation speed, and a shifting portion (20) forming a part of the power transmitting path and functioning as a step-variable automatic shifting portion. A control device (40) performs a control of output torque of the electric motor during a downshift of the step-variable shifting portion so as to suppress a variation in the engine rotation speed. The control of output torque is performed so as to increase the output torque by inertia torque of the electric motor, thereby achieving a reduction in shifting shock.
US07955214B2
An automatic transmission is provided having appropriately spaced gear ratios for eight forward speeds to be capable of obtaining a shift feeling in all of the eight speeds, and is reduced in size and weight. Rotation of an input shaft is transmitted to an output shaft at a speed selected from a plurality of shift speeds by first and second clutches selectively transmitting the rotation of the input shaft to first and second compound planetary gears, and by first to fourth brakes selectively fixing each element of the first and second compound planetary gears, the first compound planetary gear includes first and second sun gears, a common carrier rotatably supporting a long pinion and a pinion, and a common ring gear that meshes with the first sun gear through the long pinion or the pinion and also meshes with the second sun gear through the long pinion and the pinion.
US07955201B2
An arrow element, such as an insert and/or sleeve, mounted with respect to a shaft with at least one airflow resistor projecting outward from the insert to impart rotational spin about a longitudinal axis or spin axis arrow during flight, to increase aerodynamic performance and stability of the arrow shaft, and to improve arrow flight accuracy.
US07955199B2
The present invention provides a lacrosse stick head having at least one of a grooved frame member and an independent stop. The lacrosse stick head has grooved construction in the entirety or portions of its frame to provide lightness while retaining the strength and durability of the prior art lacrosse stick heads. The lacrosse stick head may include a double wall scoop (e.g., upper and lower rails) to provide lightness while retaining strength and durability without altering the effectiveness of picking up a ground ball. The independent ball stop is separated from the sidewalls in order to reduce weight.
US07955192B2
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber inner core, a thermoset rubber first intermediate core layer, a thermoplastic second intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. The inner core is preferably formed from a harder rubber than the first intermediate core layer.
US07955183B2
A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.
US07955172B2
Disclosed herein are apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance.
US07955171B2
An electronic gaming device, such as a slot machine, is provided which initiates a game without input from a player. After initiating the game, the device may present one or more active game elements, such as rotating slot reels, to the player. The device determines an outcome of the game corresponding to a final position of the active game elements. The device further provides an interval to the player to make payment before the final outcome of the game is displayed. Payouts to the player are based on the final outcome and whether the player has made payment. Payouts may be increased based on a measurement of the player's participation rate in a series of games and the frequency of the games played, as measured by the device.
US07955166B2
A method and apparatus for treating processed food casing in preparation for stuffing. The method includes extending the casing, applying (e.g., spraying) an organic acid (e.g., a citric acid solution) to the exterior surface of the casing to produce a treated casing, and mounting the treated casing onto a stuffer. In one embodiment, extending includes removing the casing from a brine solution and laying the casing onto a support surface (e.g., attaching to a movable conveyor). The casing in the brine solution is commonly attached to a ring, and preferably attaching includes hooking the ring onto an engagement member on the conveyor. If desired, the method can also include rinsing the casing (e.g., spraying a water solution onto an exterior surface of the casing) after extending the casing and before and/or after applying the organic acid.
US07955162B2
The invention relates to a protective hood anti-rotation lock for a portable power tool (12a-k), especially for an angle grinder, for providing anti-rotational locking between the portable power tool (12a-k) and a protective hood unit (14a-k). According to the invention, the protective hood anti-rotation lock has a form-fit unit (16a-k) which is provided for anti-rotational locking of the protective hood unit (14a-k) in relation to the portable power tool (12a-k) in the event of a tool (18a-k) breakage.
US07955153B2
A compound body has a first body part (15) made of glass and a mechanical connection (20, 60) which is melted on the first body part (15) and contains aluminum.
US07955145B2
Connectors are provided herein for connecting two elongated members that are positioned in-line to one another. Advantageously, the connectors not only allow for connection of the two members to permit for mechanical, electrical, EMI, and/or grounding applications, the connectors have provisions for accommodating thermal expansion and offset, which may include angular and/or axial offset. In certain embodiments, one or more collapsible housing pins or collars are provided to permit assembly and disassembly by either extending the housing pin or collapsing the housing pin.
US07955137B2
A cable assembly includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a metal shell covering the housing to form a receiving space with the tongue portion for receiving an electrical plug. The housing has a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion. The contacts consist of two pairs of differential signal contacts and a pair of grounding contacts between the two pairs of differential signal contacts. Each contact has a contact portion. All contact portions are arranged in a row on one side of the tongue portion.
US07955136B1
An electrical connector includes a shell, an insulating housing, a plurality of contacts and a pair of strengthening plates. The insulating housing is formed with a contact tongue plate. If the electrical connector is assembled, the contacts are inserted into the insulating housing. The strengthening plates are inserted in the contact tongue plate. The contact tongue plate with the contacts and the strengthening plates are received in the shell. The strengthening plates will improve the structure of the contact tongue plate of the electrical connector to resist an external force such as a pressing force of a mating connector. The strengthening plates can prevent the contact tongue plate of the electrical connector from deformation and damage.
US07955129B2
A camera socket (100) includes a metallic housing (40) defining a receiving space (101), a contact terminal insert disposed within the metallic housing (40) and including a plurality of contact terminals (30) integrally formed with an insulative housing (20) and arranged in an array. Each contact terminal (30) includes a fold-back contact engaging arm (34) extending backwardly and offset from a main portion (33) of the contact terminal (30) in a way such that a free end (341) of each of the contact engaging arm is located adjacent to a sidewall (41) of the metallic housing (40) for engaging with a camera module (100a).
US07955119B2
A lamp assembly (100) includes a lamp base (3) defining a socket, with a mounting portion (33) arranged therein; a pair of cables (4) inserted into the socket via a cable passage defined in a rear portion of the lamp base, with conductors of the cables extending through passageways in the mounting portion and configured to hook thereon; a lamp holder (2) having a body portion inserted into the socket of the lamp base together with the mounting portion to sandwich the conductors; and a lamp bulb (1) held by the lamp holder, with a pair of legs thereof inserted into the socket and contacting conductors of the cables.
US07955118B2
A terminal plate circuit including a terminal plate, a rectangular wire, and a pressing member, characterized in that a hole through which the rectangular wire penetrates is provided in the terminal plate; the rectangular wire is inserted into this hole so as to establish an electrical contact between the terminal plate and the rectangular wire; and the contact state is maintained by a pressing force of the pressing member to the part of the surface of the rectangular wire on the side opposite to the part of the surface of the rectangular wire that is in contact with the terminal plate, and that the pressing member has a sandwiching part that can sandwich the end of the terminal plate, and the pressing force of the pressing member to the rectangular wire is generated by sandwiching the end of the terminal plate with this sandwiching part.
US07955110B1
A connector has a first terminal housing with first connecting terminals and a second terminal housing with second connecting terminals. When the first terminal housing and the second terminal housing are mated, one side of the first connecting terminals and one side of the second connecting terminals form pairs and provide contacts, respectively. Each of the contacts is sandwiched by an insulator. The insulator has a first isolating member configured to be fixed to other side of an adjacent first connecting terminal and to cover one surface of the adjacent first connecting terminal, and a second isolating member configured to be fixed to the other side of an adjacent second connecting terminal and to cover one surface of the adjacent second connecting terminal. The insulator is formed by overlapping the first insolating member and the second isolating member when the first terminal housing and the second terminal housing are mated.
US07955109B2
A number of improved interlock structures on a quick disconnect hermaphroditic electrical connector that specifically improve the keyed alignment of the two connector ends when joined together as well as the security of the connection. The combination of a “top closed” interlock insert depression and a pair of interlock disc projections provides for better keyed alignment and a more secure connection. The use of sharp angle interlock side hooks further provides for a more secure connection.
US07955105B2
A connector arrangement in a submersible electrical assembly including an electric equipment or electrical power consumer housed in an enclosure filled with conductive fluid. Power is supplied to the power consumer in a connecting area defined through a dielectric containment located inside the enclosure, and to a penetrator comprising power cable termination components enclosed in a penetrator housing extending from a rear end to a forward end of the penetrator. The rear end is arranged to seal about a power cable receivable in the housing from the rear end. The forward end exposes a connector arranged for electrically connecting the power consumer to the penetrator. The penetrator housing in the forward end is extended beyond the connector through a housing section projecting into the power consumer enclosure and terminated in a forward end by an end wall. The end wall has a passage sealable about a power consumer conductor mateable with the connector of the penetrator in a connecting mode.
US07955104B1
A shorting clip terminal connector assembly electrically shorts together terminals in a first connector body dependent on connection status of a first and a second connector body. A shorting clip terminal disposed in a shorting clip terminal cavity in the first connector body receives a protrusion disposed on the second connector body. When the second connector body is mated with the first connector body, the protrusion engages a lift element of the shorting clip terminal in the shorting clip terminal cavity thereon and urges the lift element to lift contact elements of the shorting clip terminal away from the terminals in the shorting clip terminal cavity enabling insertion of protrusion side walls intermediate the contact elements and the terminals in the shorting clip terminal cavity. The contact elements of the shorting clip terminal do not make electrical contact with the terminals and the protrusion side walls further shield the contact elements from making electrical contact with the terminals.
US07955103B2
A connector adequately detects a state of an electronic component such as a memory card which is fitted in the connector by way of insertion, even when scrapes of a housing of the electronic component are produced due to insertion and removal of the electronic component which is fitted. In this connector (100), detecting parts (160A and 160B), which detect that a memory card (20) is fitted completely in an accommodating part (102) or detect whether or not data can be written in the memory card (20), have fixed terminals (162) and movable terminals (161). In the movable terminal (161), a card contacting part (163a) placed in the accommodating part (102) is pressed by the memory card (20), so that a movable contact part (164a) contacts and conducts with the fixed terminal (162). An isolating wall part (190) is provided between the contacting part (163a) and the movable contact part (164a) to isolate a contact area between the movable contact part (164a) and the fixed terminal (162), from the contacting area between the contacting part (163a) and the memory card (20).
US07955097B2
A plug-in outlet for a busway system has a base mounted to a busway housing, wherein the base has an opening into which an electrical stab extends from a busbar of the busway system. A fingerguard is mounted to the base into the opening and has self-aligning features achieved by built-in tolerances. The fingerguard includes a central barrier for shielding a leading end of the electrical stab, the central barrier extending from side walls of the fingerguard and being separated by respective gaps from a top wall and a bottom wall of the fingerguard. The fingerguard further includes a top back latch and a bottom back latch for attaching the fingerguard to the stab, the top back latch and the bottom back latch extending from respective ones of the top wall and the bottom wall toward the stab and retaining the stab toward the fingerguard.
US07955090B2
One ends of a plurality of interface pins are attached to a substrate in a line. Optical semiconductor device and an electric circuit are mounted on this substrate. The other ends of the interface pins are fit into holes in an another substrate. Signals are exchanged between the two substrates via the interface pins. The interface pins are embedded in a dielectric material. A plurality of ground pins and/or ground through holes may be provided in the dielectric material around the interface pins. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material is less than the dielectric constants of the two substrates.
US07955088B2
One embodiment is an axially compliant electrical contactor for interconnecting microelectronic devices, the contactor including: an insulative sleeve having a hole therethrough; and a metal tube having a cylindrical wall being slidably disposed in the hole; wherein: (a) two or more elongated slots through the cylindrical wall extend from a first circumferential collar of the tube to a second circumferential collar of the tube; (b) the two or more slots form two or more elongated resilient legs connecting the first collar and the second collar; and (c) a portion of each elongated leg is disposed in the hole.
US07955084B2
A battery-powered wireless transmitter for connecting to a musical instrument comprising an antenna; a cover comprising a well at one end and a first gear on one side of the well; a T-shaped plug having a horizontal section pivotably disposed in the well and a vertical section projecting out of the well, the plug comprising a spring member at one end of the horizontal section, a second gear on the other end of the horizontal section being urged by the spring member to mesh with the first gear, and an electrically conductive rod projecting out of the vertical section; and an adapter comprising an end socket. Pivoting the rod about the horizontal section by rotating the second gear about the fixed first gear will adjust an angle of the plug with respect to the cover and fix the angle after stopping the pivoting.
US07955083B2
A system and method of an atomic tile including an elemental symbol for a corresponding element and a dot representation of at least one valance electron of the corresponding element. The dot representation are proximate to corresponding edges of the octagonal shape.
US07955074B2
A thermal treatment apparatus and method for processing a wafer are provided. The thermal treatment apparatus includes a process chamber for thermally treating the wafer, a heating unit for heating the wafer in the process chamber, and a gas supply unit for supplying a gas and controlling a gas pressure differently by sections of the wafer. The heating unit is provided in at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the process chamber. The heating unit includes a plurality of heater blocks capable of controlling a temperature for sections of the wafer.
US07955071B1
A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.
US07955061B2
Priming pump for a circuit subjecting said pump to an outlet pressure greater than an inlet pressure
The invention provides a priming pump comprising a deformable envelope associated with an inlet endpiece and an outlet endpiece each fitted with a moving valve member, the endpieces being arranged in such a manner that when the valve members are in the closed position, the outlet endpiece presents a leakage rate that is greater than the leakage rate of the inlet endpiece.
US07955060B2
A pumping apparatus has a peristaltic drive device for pumping a medium through a line that has a compressible portion. The pump contains a one-piece shaft with offset cam segments and lamellae. The shaft may or may not include a core shaft or a continuous core region for an increase in stability. The continuous core region has cam segments offset with respect to one another and contiguous to one another. The ratio between the height and stroke of the lamellae is about 4:1 or less.
US07955058B1
This invention is a reciprocating piston to piston device that can function 1) to increase or decrease pressure in a hydraulic or pneumatic system with minimal energy loss or 2) as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump or motor. The input and output fluids may be the same or different. The energy transferred or pumped depends on the size of the input piston, the pressure of the input fluid, and rate of reciprocation.
US07955047B2
Variable geometry turbine, in particular a gas turbine, comprising a housing (2, 22), a turbine rotor (4), a fluid inlet scroll (1) that surrounds the turbine rotor, a vaned nozzle interposed between the inlet scroll and the turbine rotor conceived to accelerate the flow of fluid, the nozzle comprising an axially adjustable ring (5, 25) conceived to vary the nozzle gap (3, 23) and having a wall (19) delimiting the nozzle gap, the wall having balance holes (6, 26, 26′) connecting the nozzle gap with a chamber (12) delimited by the housing and the ring, characterised in that the edges (16), formed by the holes with the surface (18) of the wall facing the nozzle gap, are rounded in the portion (17, 17′) located downstream the holes with respect to the fluid flow. Turbocharger and supercharged engine comprising the engine.
US07955032B2
An assembly of components for forming upon consolidation of the components a cutting insert for use in chipforming and material removal from a workpiece wherein the cutting insert receives coolant from a coolant source. The assembly comprises a cavity member that presents opposite first and second rake surfaces and a flank surface. The cavity member further presents a first cutting edge at the juncture of the first rake surface and the flank surface. The cavity member further has a first depression in the first rake surface that is generally adjacent to the first cutting edge. The cavity member has a first cavity channel in communication with the first depression.
US07955030B2
Sediment control devices (SCDs) include an apertured threshold member and an apertured outflow member, and optionally a filter member between the threshold and outflow members. In some SCDs1 the outflow member has a smaller aperture size than the threshold member, or vice versa. In some SCDs, a filter is placed in front of the threshold member. In some SCDs, there is a substantially hollow sediment control chamber (SCC) between the threshold and outflow members; in others, there is little or no hollow space between the threshold and outflow members. The SCDs can be constructed so that they are resistant to damage by wheeled traffic. The SCDs can be used to control sediment in run-off from a construction site, as drain covers, or as retaining members for lawns or planting areas. A number of SCDs can be joined together to form assemblies which are useful for stabilizing a land mass, for example a gully or river bank.
US07955029B2
A connection element (10), having a constant cross-section for sheet pile wall components such as sheet piles, features a claw profile (12) for engaging a head strip (44) of a sheet pile wall component (42). The claw profile (12) exhibits a claw-shaped lock (22) formed by two hook strips (18, 20) as well as an attachment profile (14) for engaging in a claw-shaped lock (46) of a sheet pile wall component (42). The attachment profile (14) exhibits a straight neck strip (32) and a head strip (34) of a greater cross-section at its free end. An additional head strip (38) for securing a claw-shaped lock (46) of a sheet pile wall component (42) is formed at the free end section (28) of at least one of the hook strips (20) of the claw profile (12).
US07955026B2
To line an inner circumferential surface of side walls of a manhole, a rehabilitating sheet made of a sheet material resistant to water and corrosion is provided in the form of a bag having a shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface to be lined. The rehabilitating sheet is inserted into the manhole to be lined. Block and plate frames are coupled inside the bag of the rehabilitating sheet to support it so as to have the shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface to be lined. A gap between the rehabilitating sheet and the inner circumferential surface of the side walls of the manhole is filled with a filler, which is then hardened to line the side walls of the manhole. Pairs of plate frames having different diameters are coupled to each other to provide ring plates having different diameters. The ring plates are stacked one by one from the maximum one to support the rehabilitating sheet so as to have a shape of the inner circumferential surface of the inclined side wall portion of the manhole.
US07955021B2
Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example shaft coupling assembly includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, in which the first end includes a coupling portion having a first opening configured to receive a rectangular shaft. The coupling portion includes at least one flexible member having an arcuate outer surface and a first inner surface adjacent a second inner surface that at least partially define the first opening. At least a portion of the first inner surface is to engage a first side of the rectangular shaft and at least a portion of the second inner surface is to engage a second side of the rectangular shaft. The shaft coupling assembly further includes a sleeve having a second opening to receive the elongated member and a tapered third opening configured to receive the coupling portion.
US07955020B2
A grooved profile for a form fitting hub-shaft connection in which a groove profile for a hub and a shaft include flanks which are structured and arranged as opposing flanks. The groove profile includes a groove profile height in at least one of the hub and the shaft, a wall thickness in at least one of the hub and the shaft smaller than the groove profile height, and at least one of the opposing flanks is one of curved and arc-shaped in cross section.
US07955012B2
A printer has a carriage being movable between a first end and a second end of a reciprocating path; and a driving force transmitting path selecting mechanism provided at the second end of the reciprocating path. The selecting mechanism has: a common driving force outputting member; a plurality of force receiving members; a selecting member; and a position retainer for keeping the position of the selecting member. The selecting member connects the force outputting member to one of the plurality of force receiving members, and moves in association with the carriage when the carriage moves in a vicinity of the second end in a first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The position retainer keeps the position of the selecting member when the carriage moves in a second direction extending from the second end to the first end. The force receiving member connected to the force outputting member via the selecting member is selected in accordance with a movement of the carriage along the reciprocating path.
US07955009B2
A sector blade driving apparatus includes: a board having an opening; a blade supported for linear movement, adjusting an opening amount of the opening, and having first and second engagement holes; a drive member rotating to drive the blade; and an arm transmitting an drive force of the drive member to the blade, and provided in the drive member. The arm is provided with first and second drive pins respectively engaging the first and second engagement holes.
US07955003B2
In one example, a bail release mechanism includes a bail and a de-latching member. The bail is configured to be attached to the shell of a module that includes a latch pin configured to engage a structure of a host device receptacle to secure the module within the receptacle. The bail is further configured to rotate about a first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The first axis is in a fixed position relative to the shell. The de-latching member is attached to the bail at a second axis that is offset from the first axis and is configured to rotate about the second axis. The second axis is movable relative to the shell. The de-latching member includes a first end configured to displace the structure of the receptacle during rotation of the de-latching member to disengage the latch pin from the structure.
US07955001B2
A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner race fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. A backing ring is centered to the shaft fillet. Tapered roller elements are located between and contact the inner and outer raceways. A cage is comprised of an inner ring, and outer ring, and a plurality of pocket bars and support pocket bars extending between the inner and outer rings. The support pocket bars have an overall greater thickness than the pocket bars. The cage is a generally unitary structure comprised of a nylon resin material with a fiber fill.
US07954995B2
A sensor arrangement includes, in some embodiments, a magnetostrictive element configured to output magnetic signals in response to a magnetic field. A sensor is configured to sense a value of a property of a selected object, and to provide an electrical resistance that varies in response to variations in the sensed value. The sensor cooperates with the magnetostrictive element to vary the frequency of the signals output by the magnetostrictive element based on variations of the electrical resistance provided by the sensor. A transmitter provides an alternating magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element, and a receiver picks up the magnetic signals generated by the magnetostrictive element. The frequency of the signals received is correlated with the sensor resistance, and the resistance is correlated to a value of the property sensed.
US07954989B2
A backlight module includes a frame, a diffuser, a first light source, and a light guiding plate. The diffuser is disposed in the frame. A plurality of diffusing particles is doped into the diffuser. The refractive index of the plurality of diffusing particles is less than that of the diffuser. Furthermore, the diffuser has a first light entrance surface and a light exit surface. The first light source is disposed in a long-axial direction of the diffuser and is located at a side of the first light entrance surface. The light guide plate is disposed at a side of the light exit surface.
US07954985B2
A rearview mirror assembly for use on a vehicle, comprises a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a mirror coupled within the housing, and a first optical fiber coupled to the housing and visible from the exterior thereof for providing a warning that indicates that the vehicle is turning, braking, and the like.
US07954981B2
A method for generating an air stream for cooling a light source, and a light source module for a light fixture with a blower for cooling the light source and the light source base. To achieve highly effective cooling of a lamp in a light fixture or a projector at least one forced air stream is generated by a blower system which blower system can be placed at a distance from the light source module and can be connected from the blower through a tube to a duct which directs an air stream towards the light source. By using a tube for the connection between the blowing unit and the actual place where air stream is to be used for cooling, it is possible to operate the blower in a place where the suction inlet for air into the blowing unit is a relatively cool place.
US07954974B2
A casing for a downlight having a tubular body from which the light of a lamp when installed in the body is emitted from the front of the body and having a rear end wall closing the body from the rear, wherein intumescent material is placed within the tubular body lining the tubular wall of the tubular body.
US07954964B2
A projector includes: a projection position adjusting device that adjusts a projection position of a projection optical device. The projection position adjusting device includes: adjusting and driving units that move a first moving plate and a second moving plate. The adjusting and driving unit include: a pair of worms that have a columnar shape and have threads on outer circumferences thereof; and a pair of sliders that are screwed in the pair of worms, respectively. The pair of worms are disposed to extend along the first direction or the second direction. One of the sliders engages with one of moving plates. Engaging structures including inclining engaging holes that extend in a direction crossing the direction in the plane orthogonal to the projecting direction and engaging projections inserted through the inclining engaging holes are provided in the other slider and the other moving plate.
US07954954B2
A device and method is provided for projecting an image within a defined content area using a plurality of projectors configured to each project a portion of an image. The device comprises a defined content area into which the image is projected by the plurality of projectors. A first group of projectors can be selected from the plurality of projectors and set at a first zoom level, then aligned and superpositioned with respect to one another to increase the pixel resolution and brightness of the projected image. The projectors can project a majority of projector light within the content area. A second group of projectors can be selected from the plurality of projectors, set at a second zoom level, aligned and superpositioned adjacent each other to project a majority of projector light within the content area. The first group of projectors can be superimposed with the second group of projectors to fill the content area and increase the pixel resolution and brightness of the projected image.
US07954952B2
A secure display system comprises one or more closure devices having non-transparent polycarbonate projection panels, one or more projectors, and a PC for providing both security and advertising capabilities. The secure display system can display publicly viewable information by projecting images containing, for example, text, graphics, and video from the inside through the projection panels, thus creating an externally viewable display while securing the premises. In some embodiments, the closure device can include a plurality of projection panels in the form of a security roll down shutter. Transparent viewing panels can also be included adjacent the projection panels to provide both viewing and projecting capabilities.
US07954938B2
A process carried out by an ink-jet printing apparatus (1) comprises the steps of placing articles (3a) to be printed on a support (12) of an apparatus (1) further provided with a carriage (6) carrying at least one main print head (8) and at least one auxiliary head (11), and moving the support (12) and the carriage (6) relative to each other in at least one first ink-laying direction (X). The process is put into practice by carrying out the following steps in succession: laying the ink emitted from the auxiliary print head (11) to carry out printing of the articles (3a, 3b) with a background layer, drying the ink just laid by the auxiliary head (11) through a first drying device (14) disposed alongside the main head (8) and laying the ink emitted from the main head (8) to carry out decorations on the background layer.
US07954930B2
A liquid droplet ejecting head according to an aspect of the present invention includes a liquid droplet ejecting element for ejecting liquid droplets a liquid supply path having two or more flow ports, through which a liquid can flow, and supplying the liquid flowing in from the flow ports to the liquid droplet ejecting element, and a flow path cross-sectional area variable unit for changing the flow path cross-sectional area of the liquid supply path.
US07954929B2
A micro-fluid ejecting head for use in a micro-fluid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of micro-fluid ejection devices, a plurality of driver devices for driving the plurality of micro-fluid ejection devices, and a nonvolatile programmable memory matrix. The memory matrix contains embedded programmable memory devices for storing information related to operation of the micro-fluid ejecting head. The memory matrix is configured to communicate with a controller which is external of the micro-fluid ejecting head. The information stored in the memory matrix may include identification information for the micro-fluid ejecting head, alignment characteristics of the micro-fluid ejecting head, information regarding properties of fluid used by the micro-fluid ejecting head, fluid level information, and fluid use information. The external controller accesses the information stored in the memory matrix and controls the plurality of driver devices based on the information accessed from the memory matrix.
US07954928B2
A printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution assembly defining elongate ink ducts from which ink transfer ports extend. The ink distribution assembly further defines a recess in which a laminated stack structure is received in fluid communication with the ink transfer ports. The laminated stack structure has layers between which ink channels in fluid communication with the ports are interleaved. The laminated stack defines at least one cavity in which respective ink ejection print head integrated circuits (ICs) can be received in fluid communication with the ink channels. The cavity is formed in the laminated stack structure so that the ICs can be disposed at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the ink distribution assembly.
US07954919B2
A printer including a print media transport path, a plurality of printhead modules located across the print media transport path, each printhead module having an elongate printhead, said printheads being slanted and nozzles of respective printheads overlap with nozzles of printheads of neighboring printhead modules, and a dot data generator for providing print data to nozzles such that print data is stochastically ramped from one neighbouring printhead module to a next neighbouring printhead module.
US07954914B2
A household consumer product comprises a cabinet having a peripheral wall that partially defines an interior space for the cabinet and includes an opening that provides access to the interior space. A hanging element having a proximal end is mounted to the cabinet for movement through the opening between an extended position, where the proximal end extends beyond the peripheral wall, and a retracted position, where the proximal end does not extend beyond the peripheral wall. The hanging element can include a biasing device that biases the hanging element from the retracted position toward the extended position.
US07954912B1
A cabinet comprises a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, a pair of doors coupled to the frame on the first side, wherein one of the pair of doors includes a locking rod positioned along a portion of the length of the door, a latch coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned to receive the locking rod, an actuator positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame and coupled to the latch, and an access door, positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame, the access door restricting access to the actuator. Opening the access door allows activation of the actuator to release the locking rod.
US07954911B2
A housing with a housing opening at a front, which is closed off by a frame put together from frame legs, wherein the frame opening is and/or can be closed off by a front and/or a cover plate. Accessories, such as handles, storage elements, support arms, pedestals, keyboards and the like are and/or can be connected with the frame legs of the frame. Continuous receiving grooves, open toward the outside, are formed on the outsides of the frame legs. Fastening opportunities are created at all frame locations by fastening devices which can be introduced into the receiving grooves, and thus it is possible to attach any desired accessories at any desired locations of the frame legs of the housing.
US07954907B1
A supplemental brake system of a zero turn vehicle has a prime mover, a brake pedal, a pair of axles, and a pair of transaxles driven by the prime mover so as to drive the respective axles. The transaxles include respective brakes for braking the respective axles according to depression of the brake pedal. Also included are supplemental braking means for stopping transmission of power from the prime mover to the pair of transaxles according to depression of the brake pedal.
US07954899B2
A seat back assembly including a frame molded from material having low density such as expanded polypropylene. The seat back assembly further includes an adjustable head rest assembly including a guide bracket encapsulated in a frame. Encapsulating the guide bracket within the frame provides the headrest assembly with a rigid support, while simultaneously reducing the mass of the seat back assembly with respect to seat back assemblies having a metal seat frame. The headrest assembly includes a headrest body and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the headrests. The guide bracket is fully encapsulated within the frame during the molding process, and is configured so as to slidingly receive each of the legs and secure the headrest assembly to the seat back assembly.
US07954896B2
The present invention concerns a chair seat (11) with mutually moveable seat parts (1, 5, 6). The seat parts (1, 5, 6) are mutually shiftable in substantially one and the same first plane. The chair seat is particularly adapted to be used as a chair for surgeons.
US07954895B2
The present invention provides a child seat (1) comprising a seat back (3), a headrest (4) which is moveable relative to the seat back (3), and a removable harness which may be installed for use in securing an occupant to the seat (1), wherein the headrest (4) is coupled to the seat back (3) such that the headrest (4) may undergo a first extent of movement relative to the seat back (3) when the harness is installed and may only undergo a second further extent of movement relative to the seat back (3) when the harness is removed. In this regard, only when the harness is removed from an operative position, namely one where it is installed such that it can be used to restrain a child, can the headrest (4) undergo its second further extent of movement relative to the seat back (3). This ensures that the headrest (4) is not inappropriately positioned for the group of child being restrained thereby.
US07954893B2
A headrest for vehicle seat includes: a generally inverted-U-shaped frame having a pair of headrest stays defined therein; and an impact absorption bar fixedly connected between those two headrest stays. The impact absorption bar is located in a predetermined spaced relation with an upper horizontal frame portion of the generally inverted-U-shaped frame. When a rear-end collision or the like occurs, a head of seat occupant is stably received by those impact absorption bar and upper horizontal frame portion, while the impact absorption bar being readily deformed by backward excessive great load applied thereto from the seat occupant's head to thereby absorb and reduce a corresponding impact energy to be imparted to the head.
US07954892B2
An adjustable workstation with a hideaway seat and method are disclosed. The table may be adjustable in height so that the workstation may be used as a sitting desk or a standing workstation. The chair is pivotably coupled to the table so that it may be extended and used for sitting or stowed away under the desk while the user stands. The workstation may also have wheels for mobility.
US07954891B2
A foldable chair has an armrest retracting structure that includes two plate elements placed below each armrest, each plate element having a guide slot with a linear section and a reverse turn section. A first pivotal axle passes through the plate elements and connects with the front leg frame. A support beam has an end through which a second pivotal axle is mounted, the second pivotal axle being connected with the front leg frame. An opposite end of the support beam is secured in the slots through a bolt. By moving the support beam, the armrest can be deployed or retracted. When the bolt is lodged in the reverse turn section, the armrest can be locked in the deployed position.
US07954887B2
A rear structure (10) of a vehicle is provided in which a lower back reinforcement (16) is provided longitudinally forward of a lower back panel (12). A gusset (34) connects the lower back reinforcement (16) and a rear floor side member (20) in a longitudinally and laterally oblique direction. Accordingly, when a collision load is applied to the vehicle from an oblique rear direction of the vehicle, the change in the angle formed by the lower back reinforcement (16) and the rear floor side member (20) is suppressed and the rigidity against such a collision load is thus improved.
US07954886B2
A vehicular front structure is configured so that stresses do not concentrate in the upper joint part and the lower joint part of a front pillar, and even if the front pillar is made thin, the joint strength of the upper and lower parts of the front pillar is improved.The upper part of a front pillar (17) is joined to the side end part of a roof header member (41) and the front end part of a roof side member (42) via an upper joint panel (43). The front pillar is provided between the side edge of a windshield glass and the front edge of a side door and is formed in a tubular shape by the joint of a pillar inner panel (31) and a pillar outer panel (32), and the roof header member is provided along the upper edge of the windshield glass and is formed into a substantially tubular shape by the joint of a header inner panel (44) and a roof panel (45). Also, the roof side member is provided along the upper edge of the side door and is formed into a tubular shape by the joint of a side inner panel (46) and a roof-forming member (45). Further, the upper joint panel is provided on the cab inside of the pillar inner panel.
US07954884B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle end structure capable of more reliably receiving a load upon a collision in a vehicle body of the frame construction. The vehicle end structure of the present invention is one constructed near a front end (or rear end) of a framework of a vehicle and is characterized by comprising a pair of body frame members 1 extending in an anteroposterior direction of the vehicle body; a bumper reinforce 3 hung at ends of the pair of frame members 1; a pair of brackets 4 located on the center side of the vehicle with respect to the ends of the pair of frame members 1 and projecting outwardly and laterally from the respective frame members; a pair of outer pillar members 5 extending downward from the respective brackets 4; a cross member 6 hung between the pair of outer pillar members 5; and a pair of inner pillar members 7 joining an upper surface of the cross member 6 to the respective frame members 1.
US07954879B2
There is provided a vehicle door system for a door of a road vehicle, for example an open-top or convertible vehicle. The door includes a first hinged region thereof and a second openable region thereof. Moreover, the assembly comprises a reinforcement member for inclusion within the door substantially from the hinged region thereof to the second openable region thereof. Furthermore, the assembly further includes a first retention mechanism at the first region and a second retention mechanism at the second region, the mechanisms being resilient in operation to impact or crash forces applied to the door to resist lateral movement of the door when the door is in a closed state.
US07954878B1
The invention is an arch-based structural element designed to offer the resistance of the apex curvature of the arch to present to and intercept a force (an automobile collision). The resistance of the arch and its construction using strong lightweight materials give auto passengers the maximum degree of safety as well as lower consumption of fuel associated with weigh reduction.
US07954875B2
The present invention relates to a sun visor for a motor vehicle, with a planar, elongate main visor body which is mounted rotatably on a rotary spindle running approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the main visor body, the rotary spindle being coupled to a main swivel spindle for swiveling the main visor body from a not-in-use position into a use position and vice versa, the main swivel spindle, in the not-in-use position, being integrated in the roof (6) of the motor vehicle parallel to the longitudinal extent of the main visor body and at a distance from the same.
US07954870B2
A tweezers includes two joined metal legs comprising a forward gripping end and a force exertion portion extending from a rear end of the leg to the gripping end wherein a projection is formed on an inner surface of a head part joining the legs; a battery powered light source having a forward portion pivotably secured to the legs and comprising an on/off switch; a magnet disposed in a rear end of the light source and adapted to attach to the projection; and a plastic member covered the head part and the force exertion portions of the legs. An angle of light emitted from the light source can be adjusted to illuminate an area being worked therewith.
US07954868B1
A portable animal excrement collecting apparatus for effectively discarding animal excrement in a sanitary manner includes an elongated shaft. A handle is fixedly attached to a proximal end of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a trigger and a trigger actuating mechanism that is operably coupled to the shaft and the handle respectively for resiliently biasing the trigger along an arcuate path defined proximate to the handle. A collection bag is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The collection bag has an open top end for allowing a user to scoop up and collect the animal excrement. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for automatically detaching the collection bag from the distal end of the shaft by selectively adapting the trigger to a tensed position via the trigger actuating mechanism.
US07954867B1
A pick up device comprises a container defining an interior space, the container having a front wall movable between an open position and a closed position and a rear wall movable between an open position and a closed position. A reciprocating arm is associated with the container and attached to the front wall for moving the front wall between the open position and the closed position. An activator is provided for activating movement of the front wall from the open position to the closed position. Further, a connector means is formed between the rear wall and the container allowing the rear wall to move between the open position and the closed position, the connector means permitting movement from the closed to the open position when the container is oriented at a suitable angle.
US07954866B2
A bumper beam with gussets is disclosed. The gussets increase engagement with a barrier and prevent underride during a collision. The gussets can be attached to a front and top surface of the bumper beam. The gussets may be offset from the center of the bumper beam and overhang the edge of the beam.
US07954856B2
A guide tapered surface 17 of a pipe coupling port 16 has a small diameter portion 17a guiding to a distal end portion 3a of a bite type sleeve 3 to bite into a coupling pipe 5 and a large diameter portion 17b sealing a tapered outer circumferential surface 33 of the bite type sleeve 3 by making close contact with the tapered outer circumferential surface 33 of the bite type sleeve 3. A tilt angle α1 of the small diameter portion 17a relative to a central axis of the guide tapered surface 17 is greater than a tilt angle α2 of the large diameter portion 17b relative to the central axis. Therefore, even when a distal end portion of the coupling pipe 5 is not inserted up to an innermost portion of the pipe coupling port 16, excellent sealing performance is obtained in a portion coupled to the coupling pipe.
US07954851B2
An instrument panel is provided with: a steering column having a column cover; and an instrument panel body having an opening into which the steering column is inserted and a shield part which is disposed on an edge of the opening so as to shield a gap between the opening and the column cover, wherein the shield part protrudes from an upper edge of the opening so as to enter the column cover at a position lower than an upper portion of the column cover, and a gap between the column cover and the opening is shielded in such a manner that lower portions of side surfaces of the column cover are inserted into the opening and are disposed on the front side of the shield part in a vehicle longitudinal direction rather than a rear end thereof.
US07954840B2
A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball has a housing with an interior that defines a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball. A ball clamp is disposed within the interior of the coupler housing and is movable toward and away from the coupler socket. The ball clamp has a clamping portion that retains the hitch ball within the coupler socket with the ball clamp positioned toward the coupler socket in a hitch ball retention position. A guide ramp is disposed within the coupler housing rearward of the coupler socket. The guide ramp projects toward the ball clamp and slopes upward and forward toward the coupler socket. A lateral guide member is disposed on the ball clamp rearward of the guide ramp. The lateral guide member cooperates with the guide ramp surface to limit forward movement of the ball clamp into the coupler socket.
US07954839B2
An attachment having an interchangeable means for converting a traditionally manufactured tow behind, A frame or straight tongue trailer into a functioning single arm goose neck style trailer. This hitch systems forward end can be temporarily attached to, and towed by a variety of independent self propelled utility vehicles, that are equipped with a 5th wheel coupling device. The rearward end of this hitch system temporarily attaches to the most forward end of a trailer frame hitch tongue, with the use of a quick change coupler device, and is secured within the coupler by using a temporary fastener.
US07954838B1
A user propelled golf cart includes a frame having front and rear ends. A seat, pedal, and front wheel are operatively coupled to the frame. A plurality of rear wheels are rotatably coupled to the frame rear end to rotate about a common imaginary axis. The pedals operatively rotate at least one wheel about an imaginary axis. A tub is configured to receive a golf bag. A storage rack includes a first section configured to be removably coupled to the frame rear end, a second section configured to be removably coupled to the frame between the front and rear ends, and a support leg. The front wheel is raised above the rear wheels when the first section is coupled to the frame rear end, the second section is coupled to the frame, and the support leg contacts a ground surface or a receiving member.
US07954828B2
A transport cart for attaching to a patient care apparatus having a locking system that converts the forward caster of the transport cart from an omni-directional pivotable caster to a fixed directional device by restraining its pivoting about a vertical axis. The forward caster is located at about the center of the footprint of the combined transport cart/patient care apparatus and the fixed directional movement of the forward caster provides stability in moving the combined apparatus. The locking mechanism may be internal to the caster or may have a pair of pivotable lock arms that contact the patient care apparatus as the two are brought together and the pivotable lock arms pivot to a locked position where they sandwich the caster therebetween to restrain its ability to pivot. The locking mechanism automatically or manually releases the forward caster to again freely pivot when the transport cart/patient care apparatus are separated.
US07954827B2
A steering controller for an electric power steering device 110 includes a base signal computing part 51 for computing a base signal DT in accordance with at least the steering torque; a damper compensation signal computing part 52 for computing a damper compensation signal in accordance with an angular velocity of an electric motor 4 or a speed of steering wheel turn; and an inertia compensation signal computing part 53 for compensating inertia and viscosity in the steering unit. The electric motor is driven by a target signal IM1 obtained by compensating the base signal with a damper compensation signal and an inertia compensation signal, to provide a steering auxiliary force. The target signal of the auxiliary torque is compensated so that a difference between a reference self-aligning torque of front wheel in a front wheel steering vehicle and a self-aligning torque of front wheel in an all-wheel steering vehicle is provided to a driver as a responsive feeling from the steering torque.
US07954826B2
A roll control system is provided that includes first and second dampers each having fluid. A pump fluidly interconnects the first and second dampers. A motor is connected to the pump. A controller is in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to command the motor to drive the pump and transfer fluid between the first and second actuators in a desired direction in response to a roll signal. The pump provides fluid from one of the first and second dampers to the other of the first and second dampers in response to being driven by the motor. The roll control system can be used on front and rear axles to provide improved overall stability for the vehicle. In one example, a common motor is used to drive first and second pumps, which are respectively associated with the front and rear axles.
US07954825B2
A workholding chuck can use actuating members that pivot within a non-split unitary front bearing. The non-split unitary front bearing can include pockets in its central bore that can allow a spherical section of an actuator arm to be inserted into the bearing. The spherical section can include radially recessed areas to facilitate the insertion into the bearing. The jaws can be retained to the actuator arms through the use of a quick-release assembly. The quick-release assembly allows the jaws to easily and quickly be changed to allow the chuck to grasp different workpieces.
US07954821B2
A method of playing a casino table wagering game of blackjack has the steps of: at least one player and preferably at least two players placing individual wagers on an underlying blackjack game; an initial 2-card common player hand is dealt; an initial 2-card dealer hand is dealt, with rank of one card of the initial 2-card dealer hand exposed to view; each player making independent decisions on the play of the player's hand to complete of the common hand for each individual player's hand using only community cards; completing the dealer's hand; and resolving all wagers. A series of player count identifying areas may be provided and individual player identifiers are placed in the areas. The player count areas comprise six areas separately representing player counts of a) 16 or less, b) 17; c) 18; d) 19; e) 20; and f) 21. The method may include at least two separate common player hands being dealt and individual players may elect to place a separate wager on either of the at least two hands or both of the at least two hands. The method may be used in a blackjack tournament and the tournament includes multiple tables and multiple rounds of play.
US07954807B2
A sheet-feeding device includes a sheet-feeding cassette with a sheet holding surface for holding a sheet. A side wall extends up from the sheet holding surface. A sheet-restricting plate is in the cassette on a downstream side in the sheet-feeding direction for setting a position of the sheet in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet-feeding direction. A cassette accommodating section accommodates the sheet-feeding cassette drawably in a direction parallel to the sheet-feeding direction. A projection is on an upstream side in the sheet-feeding direction from the position of the sheet-restricting plate. The projection is formed by partially projecting the side wall of the cassette upward. A height of the projection exceeds a maximum height of a sheet stack that can be accommodated in the cassette, and a height of parts of the side wall other than the projection is lower than the maximum height of the sheet stack.
US07954804B2
A recording apparatus includes moving rollers and a feeding roller. The moving rollers move a set first sheet in a direction intersecting a conveying direction. The feeding roller conveys sheets at a sheet stacking portion. After the first sheet is shifted to a parallel position by the moving roller, a second sheet at a setting position and the first sheet at the parallel position are conveyed by the feeding roller.
US07954803B2
An image reading apparatus includes pairs of rollers, each including a driving roller and a driven roller. The pairs of rollers are arranged along the rotation axis direction of the driving roller and constitute a first roller group and a second roller group for conveying a first medium and a second medium thicker than the first medium, respectively. The center of the first roller group is identical in the rotation axis direction to that of a first conveying area where the first medium is conveyed. The center of the second roller group is identical in the rotation axis direction to that of a second conveying area where the second medium is conveyed. At least one pair of rollers in the second roller group is arranged outside the first roller group within the first conveying area.
US07954802B2
A sheet post-processing apparatus discharges and conveys a sheet from a process tray to a storage tray, and decelerates a bundle hook and a paper discharge roller when the bundle hook reaches a discharge start position of a bundle of sheets. At this time, a tangential speed of the paper discharge roller is faster than a movement speed of the bundle hook. Subsequently, the sheet post-processing apparatus stops the paper discharge roller in accordance with a rotation position of the bundle hook, and then decelerates the movement speed of the bundle hook. After the sheets are stacked on the storage tray, the bundle hook accelerates to return to a home position. Additionally, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a spool 17 having a sheet pressing guide member 16 with a bent portion 16A. When the sheets are conveyed to a process tray 13, the spool 17 is rotated forward to longitudinally align the sheets and then is backwardly rotated to press the sheets using elastic force of the sheet pressing guide member 16, thereby preventing a gap from occurring between the sheets or preventing the sheets from being misaligned.
US07954788B2
Methods and apparatus to align a seat ring in a valve are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a curved internal surface to receive a seat ring and a seat ring having a sealing surface to receive a movable control member and a curved surface opposite the sealing surface to engage the curved internal surface of the valve body.
US07954784B2
A shock absorber (20) includes a fastener (10) and a resilient gasket (30) for receiving the fastener. The fastener includes a shaft (15). The gasket includes an axial portion (31) surrounding the shaft of the fastener and a plurality of resilient tabs (35) extending from the axial portion. Each resilient tab includes an extending portion (351) extending from the axial portion, a bent portion (353) extending outward from the extending portion, and a resilient contacting portion (355) further extending backward from the bent portion and keeping a distance from the extending portion in a direction vertical to the axial direction of the fastener.
US07954767B2
Laminar flow surfaces with selected roughness distributions, and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method for designing an airfoil includes selecting a parameter that includes a flow behavior distribution and/or a surface shape for an airflow surface. Based at least in part on the selected parameter, the method can include (a) selecting a target roughness value and determining a chordwise location forward of which surface roughness is at or below the target roughness value and/or (b) selecting a target chordwise location and determining a roughness value for a region forward of the chordwise location, with the surface roughness at or below the roughness value. In particular embodiments, a percentage of a local chord length of the airfoil over which the roughness is below a target value decreases in a spanwise direction. In another embodiment, the roughness at a particular spanwise location can increase over at least three values, continuously, in a step manner, or otherwise.
US07954757B2
A landing gear noise attenuator mitigates noise generated by airframe deployable landing gear. The noise attenuator can have a first position when the landing gear is in its deployed or down position, and a second position when the landing gear is in its up or stowed position. The noise attenuator may be an inflatable fairing that does not compromise limited space constraints associated with landing gear retraction and stowage. A truck fairing mounted under a truck beam can have a compliant edge to allow for non-destructive impingement of a deflected fire during certain conditions.
US07954754B2
A noise generator system is provided with each noise generator being pivotally mounted to a mounting surface associated with the air intake of a turbineless jet engine. Each noise generator is positioned so as to convert a laminar or transitional air stream into a turbulent air stream such that a turbulent air-fuel mixture is realized in the combustion section of the engine to achieve more efficient operation.
US07954744B2
A rolling food processor includes a body forming a chamber, a blade assembly, and a roller assembly. The blade assembly may include a hub and a plurality of blades mounted about the hub and positioned within the chamber, the blade assembly being rotatably coupled to the roller assembly. The roller assembly includes at least one rolling member such that when a user rolls or reciprocates the rolling member on a surface, the hub and the blades rotate to process a food item selectively positioned in the chamber.
US07954729B2
A metering servovalve for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine has an electro-actuator and a fixed valve body, which defines a control chamber communicating with an inlet and with an outlet channel. The outlet channel has at least one calibrated restriction and exits through the lateral surface of an axial stem, on which a sleeve slides, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, to open/close the outlet channel and so vary the pressure in the control chamber. The outlet channel is closed by an end portion of the sleeve that is elastically deformable in a radially outward direction, under the thrust of the fuel pressure, to increase the diameter at which the seal against the valve body is formed, with respect to a non-deformed state, and to generate an axial unbalancing force on the sleeve upon opening when the outlet channel is closed.
US07954725B2
In a first aspect of the subject invention, a secure payment card is provided, including: a flat body, the flat body having a patterned channel in proximity to a first face of the flat body; an elongated magnetic stripe disposed on the first face of the flat body, the magnetic stripe extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the channel being located under the longitudinal axis; and a magnetic fluid disposed in the channel, the magnetic fluid configured to define a readable magnetic pattern.
US07954722B2
An IC tag mounting at least two IC chips operating in different frequency bands. The IC tag having a first inlet including a first antenna having a relatively long operation wavelength and a first IC chip mounted on the first antenna, and a second inlet including a second antenna having an operation wavelength shorter than the first antenna and disposed crossing at a predetermined angle over a line of the first antenna without positioning both opposite ends of the second antenna upon the first antenna and a second IC chip mounted on the second antenna. The second antenna has a matching circuit for impedance matching between the second antenna and the second IC chip. The matching circuit is a slit formed in the second antenna and positioned upon terminals of the second IC chip. Thus, the second antenna is made compact using the first antenna as an auxiliary antenna.
US07954721B2
A promotional sheet assembly assembleable from components of a single material web processed in a multi-station press is provided. The assembly includes opposing surfaces bearing printed information and/or indicia thereon, and a consumer premium delimited by one or more of visible, revealable, and/or machine readable information.
US07954717B2
An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof.
US07954714B2
A process of MICR and non-MICR electrostatic magnetic imaging of two independent electrostatic latent images including (a) forming a first electrostatic latent image in a MICR printing apparatus; (b) developing the first electrostatic latent image by contacting the first electrostatic latent image with a MICR toner to produce a developed MICR toner image; (c) transferring the developed MICR toner image onto a check; (d) forming a second electrostatic latent image in a non-MICR printing apparatus; (e) developing the second electrostatic latent image by contacting the second electrostatic latent image with a non-MICR toner to produce a developed non-MICR image; (f) transferring the developed non-MICR toner image to the check; (g) fusing the MICR toner image and the non-MICR toner image to the check, wherein a fuser oil is supplied to the check during fusing; (h) coating the check having fused developed MICR toner image and non-MICR toner image with an aqueous coating comprising a polymer and a surfactant.
US07954708B2
A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card and selection means for allowing a user to select a feature in a few simple steps, preferably in a single step. In one embodiment the card includes a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using conventional reading devices. Each magnetic strip activates a different feature of the card. In another embodiment the card includes a programmable magnetic strip, a plurality of features stored in memory means mounted on the card, a plurality of buttons or contacts, and means for programming the magnetic strip with a different card feature. The card may also include a thin, flexible display.
US07954694B2
File folders are provided having bent hangers from which a receptacle is suspended so that the top of the receptacle is beneath a rail-engaging portion of the hangers and/or beneath a top of the rail or other supporting structure of office storage equipment. The hangers of the file folder may also be collapsible for use outside the office storage equipment. The hangers may also have a grip, or handle, for removal of the file folder from the office storage equipment.
US07954689B2
A wire tensioner is provided for a wire bonder, the wire tensioner comprising a tubular body having a bore through which bonding wire is receivable and a bore outlet at an end of the tubular body from which the bonding wire is extendable towards a bonding tool. A chamber is formed next to the bore outlet that substantially encloses the bore outlet, the chamber including an air inlet connected to it that is operative to introduce clean air into the chamber. A vacuum outlet is connected to a side of the tubular body and is in fluid communication with the chamber via the bore, the vacuum outlet being operative to draw air from the bore outlet through the bore whereby to pull the wire.
US07954688B2
An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.
US07954686B2
A surgical stapling instrument including a staple sled which can be advanced and/or retracted relative to first and second jaw members, wherein the staple sled can be configured to deploy staples from a staple cartridge in one of the first and second jaw members. In at least one embodiment, the other of the first and second jaw members can include an anvil having at least one forming surface which can be configured to deform the staples as they are deployed from the staple cartridge. In at least one form of the invention, the anvil can be movably adjustable relative to the staple cartridge in order to adjust the distance in which the staples are deformed. In various embodiments, the anvil can be adjusted by a slidable adjusting plate and/or a rotatable cam.
US07954679B2
A retention system for a vehicular spare tire includes a chamber having a bottom portion. A tray is configured for movement in a first direction relative to the bottom portion between an extended position and a stored position. At least one removable interconnecting member is configured to selectively interface with both the tray and the chamber for substantially preventing movement of the tray relative in the first direction. At least one guide member is configured to selectively interface with a back portion of the tray for substantially preventing movement of the back portion of the tray in a second direction relative to the bottom portion while the tray is in the stored position. The second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction.
US07954677B2
Pump for dispensing a dose of a fluid product, comprising a tubular body including an intake orifice; an end member associated with the body and including a rest abutment and an end-of-stroke abutment; a compression member mounted so as to move inside the body between a rest position in which said compression member is in abutment against the rest abutment, and an end-of-stroke position in which said compression member is in abutment against the end-of-stroke abutment, said compression member being elastically returned toward the rest position and including an exhaust orifice; a metering chamber; and an intake valve and an exhaust valve adapted to selectively close off the intake orifice and the exhaust orifice, respectively.
US07954674B2
A pump comprising a tubular body delimiting internally a metering chamber and comprising an inlet orifice, an inlet valve, a stem mounted so as to be able to move inside the body and comprising an actuation tube delimiting an outlet duct, an insert assembled to the actuation tube and comprising a base placed inside the metering chamber and facing the inlet orifice, and a discharge orifice, an annular piston mounted so as to slide inside the body and on the stem, the piston and the base comprising annular surfaces suitable for forming a discharge valve, a ball-and-socket joint being arranged between the insert and the actuation tube.
US07954673B2
A dispensing system for a plural component mixture including a first operator held container and separate flexible containers placed within the first container. Conduits coupled between the second containers and a dispensing device. The dispensing device includes a passageway and a valve for each respective component. An actuator controls the valves. A second valve is coupled in the conduits between the components' sources and the dispensing device. The second valve includes an inlet port for each component, an equal number of outlet ports, and an inlet port for flushing the plural components from at least portions of their respective conduits. The second valve has a first state where each inlet port is coupled to an outlet port and a second state where the inlet port for flushing material from the conduits and the mixed plural components is coupled to the outlet ports.
US07954667B2
A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of providing a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having an aerosol container disposed therein and an actuator arm. Other steps include activating the dispensing unit in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor and selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations. Yet another step includes moving the actuator arm after completion of a startup delay period from a pre-actuation position to a discharge position along a path substantially parallel to an axial length of the container to actuate a nozzle of the container to discharge a fluid from the container. The method also includes the step of alternating automatically between the sleep period having a duration commensurate with the selected sleep period interval and a discharge period during which the fluid is dispensed from the container.
US07954665B2
A wipe includes a generally flat piece of material (10) made of paper, cloth or the like. The generally flat piece of material (10) is formed into a non-planar form having a three-dimensional shape, for example conical, for storage and dispensing.
US07954658B2
The present invention refers to a process to permit descent to sea bottom, with the use of two conventional tug boats, of equipment used in submarine field oil field exploration, especially descent of equipment of large size and mass in deep water fields.Equipment is being suspended by a sling, attached to an auxiliary component. This, on its turn, is attached to two cables, each one activated by one of the two tug boats. Connection of the auxiliary component to cables is being made by means of connectors, which are trespassed thru cable openings and attached to auxiliary component by screws, forming a connection, in which connectors may carry out a pivotal movement around holes of auxiliary component. This movement of said connectors almost entirely absorbs oscillations of tug boats caused by waves, without transmitting same to equipment. In this way, both tug boats may lower equipment and cross the so-called resonance area without risk of its occurrence.
US07954657B2
The boom includes at least a first and second boom segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment, and at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment respectively mating with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment. The first connector includes a first alignment surface and the second connector includes a second alignment surface that engages with the first alignment surface such that when the first and second alignment surfaces are fully engaged, the apertures through the extensions in the connectors are aligned such that a main pin can be inserted through the apertures of all extensions in the first and second mating connectors even if the boom segments are not axially aligned. In another aspect of the invention, the connectors include stop surfaces, and the placement of the stop surfaces on the connectors is such that, when identical boom segments are positioned such that a main pin can be inserted through the apertures in the extensions of the connectors on some chords of the boom segments, the stop surfaces cooperate to align the apertures in the extensions of the connectors on other chords when the stop surfaces contact one another.
US07954652B2
A tool rack has a slide rack and multiple hangers. The slide rack has a baseboard and an elongated rail protruding from the baseboard. The multiple hangers are slidably mounted on the rail of the slide rack, and each has a hanging body and a hanging shaft. The hanging body is made by injection molding and slidably connected to the rail of the slide rack and has a protruding side and a connecting mount. The connecting mount protrudes from the protruding side of the hanging body and has an inserting hole formed in the connecting mount. The hanging shaft is metal and has an inserting end and a bent end. The inserting end has an engaging head mounted in the inserting hole and surrounded by the connecting mount. The bent end is opposite to the inserting end and bent upward for hanging a hand tool.
US07954651B2
A tool rack has a slide rack and multiple hangers. The slide rack has a baseboard and an elongated rail protruding from the baseboard. The multiple hangers are slidably mounted on the rail of the slide rack, and each has a hanging body and a hanging shaft. The hanging body is made by injection molding and slidably connected to the rail of the slide rack and has a protruding side and a connecting mount. The connecting mount protrudes from the protruding side of the hanging body and has an inserting hole formed in the connecting mount. The hanging shaft is metal and has an inserting end and a bent end. The inserting end is mounted in the inserting hole and surrounded by the connecting mount. The bent end is opposite to the inserting end and is bent upward for hanging a hand tool.
US07954650B1
A wrench and socket organizing apparatus includes a base that has a top side and a bottom side. A post has a bottom end coupled to the top side. A plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The plate is mounted on the post and the upper surface has a plurality of apertures therein positioned adjacent to a perimeter edge of the plate. A plurality of hook members is provided and each has a hook portion and a threaded portion. The threaded portion is removably extendable upwardly through one of the apertures to position a corresponding one of the hook portions between the plate and the base. A plurality of fasteners is provided. Each of the threaded portions receives one of the fasteners to releasably secure the threaded portions to the plate. Tools may be removably hung from the hook portions.
US07954649B1
A drill bit holding device for holding drill bits and attaching to a column of a drill press comprising a base attachable to the drill press column, a rotating plate rotatably attached to the base via a bolt assembly, and a removable drill bit holder having a plurality of drill bit holes for holding drill bits disposed atop the rotating plate.
US07954644B2
A separator system may include a first trough having an inlet end, a downstream, outlet end and a trough floor, a first screen section supported in the trough spaced from the trough floor, the first screen section having a first end and a second downstream end, a material-retaining surface disposed at the downstream end of the first screen section, the material-retaining surface disposed at an angle relative to the first screen section to limit the movement of material across the first screen section, and a vibratory generator coupled to the trough. The separator system may alternatively or in addition include a gate disposed at the end of the screen section, the gate having a first position and a second position.
US07954640B2
A biodegradable jar has an enclosure wall with a cap that form ajar that holds a semi-solid material. In order to prevent the biodegradable wall from being weakened by the semi-solid material in the jar, both an exterior surface and an interior surface of the wall and the cap include a permeation barrier material that substantially prevents the semi-solid material from seeping through the walls of the jar. The enclosure wall could have an inner wall that is shorter than the outer wall which forms a ledge that a separate cover for the semi-solid material could rest upon.
US07954636B2
An assembly comprising a packaging device (20) and an intraocular lens injector (10) comprising a body (11) that contains an intraocular lens, said packaging device (20) being for receiving and storing said injector (10) prior to use, said packaging device (20) being made of a material that is waterproof, and being filled with a storage solution for maintaining at least the body (11) of said injector (10) and the intraocular lens in total immersion throughout the duration of storage, said packaging device (20) comprising a substantially rigid container (21, 22) and an opening (25) for enabling said injector (10) to be installed and removed, said container (21, 22) including at least one internal shoulder (26, 27) co-operating with a portion of the injector (10) to center and maintain its lens ejector end (14) away from the walls of said container (21, 22).
US07954635B2
A package of cigarettes having a group (4) of cigarettes; an inner package (3) which encloses the group (4) of cigarettes, is defined by a sheet (22) of transparent, heat-seal plastic packing material folded directly about the group (4) of cigarettes and in direct contact with the cigarettes, and is stabilized by heat sealing; and a U-shaped stiffener (23) of rigid material located inside the inner package (3) and contacting the group (4) of cigarettes.
US07954627B2
A bin transporter system is used for moving bins or trays from the exit end of a security checkpoint conveyor to the entrance end of the conveyor. The system includes one or more support stands and a roller assembly attached to the stands. The roller assembly includes an elongate bin guide and roller conveyors attached to the inside of the bin guide. The roller assembly is held in a longitudinally inclined orientation, for gravity-actuated movement of the bin along the bin guide, as facilitated by the roller conveyors. Additionally, when bins are placed in the bin guide against the roller conveyors for movement along the bin guide, the bins lie at a laterally tilted orientation, either generally horizontally or generally vertically. This prevents the bins from falling out the front of the roller assembly, in cases where the bin guide has an open front portion.
US07954625B2
An apparatus for transporting containers may include a transport body having at least two segments. The transport body is arranged such that it can rotate about a predefined geometric axis of rotation. The transport body has a plurality of openings and, on its outer circumference, a plurality of recesses for receiving at least one region of the containers to be transported. The apparatus comprises a plurality of holding bodies for holding the transport body. An extension direction of the holding bodies extends at an angle other than 0° relative to a plane of the transport body. At least one engagement region of each of the holding bodies is arranged in each case in one of the openings. According to the disclosure, the cross section of at least some of these openings is larger than the cross section of the engagement region of the holding bodies which is arranged in these openings, so that the segments are movable at least at times relative to the holding bodies in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
US07954623B2
The invention relates to a method for the monitored conveying of sheet metal plates, particularly into a working or forming plant, in which a plate is taken up by a feeder from a first position and the plate and feeder are moved to a second position. According to the invention, during feeder movement to the second position a first sensor element located at the feeder, as well as a second sensor element located in the second position, are brought into a signal-based arrangement, and that on the basis of a measurement signal transmitted between the sensor elements the number of plates at the feeder and/or the second position is determined. The invention also relates to a device for the monitored conveying of plates, particularly into a forming plant.
US07954616B2
A fluid friction clutch with improved fluid pumping system. A scraping member is provided adjacent the clutch plate and has a duct which communicates with the reservoir chamber.
US07954607B2
The invention relates to a method and an appliance for monitoring the safety of a transport system. The transport system includes a transport appliance and also a synchronous motor for moving the transport appliance. In the method, the motion information of the transport appliance is determined with two channels, and if the determined motion informations deviate from each other by more than the set limit value, an emergency stop is executed.
US07954606B2
An elevator system (20) includes a sensor (30, 36) for detecting the presence of an individual within a hoistway (24). A controller (32) prevents movement of an elevator car (22) whenever an individual is in the hoistway (24). A pit override device (34) provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the elevator car (22) if someone is in a pit (26). A car top override device (38) selectively provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the car. A disclosed example includes controlling at least one light (40) within the hoistway (24) in conjunction with movement or attempted movement of the elevator car (22).
US07954604B2
An elevator speed governor for an elevator in which an elevator car (1) is attached to one end of a rope (2) having a counterweight (3) on the other end and driven by a motor (5) via the rope (2) comprises a motor current detector (15) that detects a motor current of the motor (5), a target speed determining section (11) that determines a target speed in accordance with the motor current detected by the motor current detector (15), and a motor control section (13) that controls the motor (5) so that the elevator car (1) moves at the target speed determined by the target speed determining section (11).
US07954600B2
A crankshaft of an internal combustion engine has journals provided with shaft oil passages for carrying the oil to crankpins, and guide grooves having parts in which the shaft oil passages open, respectively, and opening in the cylindrical surfaces of the journals, respectively. The guide grooves has downstream end parts into which the shaft oil passages open, respectively, and extend in a circumferential direction in which the crankshaft rotates from the downstream end parts, respectively. First half bearing members of bearings are provided in their bearing surfaces with oil grooves through which the oil is supplied to the guide grooves, respectively. Each of the oil grooves are diametrically opposite to each of the guide grooves. The oil grooves have an axial width (W5) smaller than the axial width (W3) of the guide grooves. Thus oil leakage from gaps between each of the bearings and each of the journals of the crankshaft is reduced and hence an oil pump having a small capacity can be used.
US07954599B2
A gear mechanism comprising at least two toothed parts accommodated in a casing, a storage tank that stores oil to be injected into each meshing zone of the at least two tooth parts, a first receptacle built into the casing for receiving oil, a second receptacle that communicates with the first receptacle into which the oil can flow from the first receptacle, the second receptacle in turn communicating with the storage tank. Oil is conveyed from the storage tank to each meshing zone at a pressure greater than the pressure prevailing in the casing, internal pressure in the casing is reduced, and oil is drained to the storage tank. The first and second receptacles have a substantially identical pressure, while the storage tank is generally maintained at atmospheric pressure. The gear mechanism operates at atmospheric pressure if the gear mechanism fails to reduce internal pressure in the casing.
US07954594B2
A vehicle steering apparatus, which includes: a steering system connection member connecting a steering wheel and a tire; an electric generator installed in the steering system connection member so as to adjusting a steering force of the steering wheel; and a control unit for controlling a connection/disconnection of both terminals of an armature coil in the electric generator based on a vehicle speed.
US07954576B2
A vehicle includes a front axle and rear axle, where at least one of said axles is driven, an engine arranged in the vicinity of the rear or front end of said vehicle, the engine including an output shaft connected to the driven axle via a transmission system for transmitting driving power from the engine to the driven axle. The transmission system includes at least a multiple-speed gearbox for causing variable gear ratio between the engine and driven axle. The engine and at least a part of the gearbox are arranged on each side of the driven axle, and are connected only via a power transmitting device so that an engine block of the engine is separated from a gearbox housing of the gearbox.
US07954574B2
A wheel driven utility vehicle includes a frame and two small volume high speed alternating current electric motors arranged side by side for driving the vehicle. Alternatively high speed direct current, hydraulic or pneumatic direct current motors may be used with suitable controls. Each motor has an output shaft which drives an offset planetary gear reducer. Each offset planetary gear reducer is affixed to the electric motor and includes an output carrier interconnected with an output shaft. Each output shaft includes first and second chain drive sprockets which drive chains interconnected with shafts driving the front and rear wheels respectively. Each offset planetary gear reducer enables use of space saving high speed relatively low-torque alternating current electric motors with attendant large speed reductions. Gear reduction enables the production of sufficient torque at the wheels of the vehicle. Applications in addition to utility vehicles are also specifically contemplated.
US07954573B2
A drive-steering control system suitable for off-road land and amphibious vehicles. The system includes first and second steering input levers, each operable to rotate in forward and rearward pivotal directions. A coupling mechanism converts and transmits rotation of the first steering input lever in the forward pivotal direction into rotation of the second steering input lever in the rearward pivotal direction, and vice-versa. A reducing mechanism operates to selectively reduce the propulsion outputs of first and second propulsion devices, and a converting mechanism operates to convert the rotations of the steering input levers into inputs to the reducing mechanism. Depending on the directions the steering input levers are rotated, the reducing mechanism reduces the propulsion output of either the first or second propulsion device, which causes either the lefthand or righthand side of the vehicle to travel at a lower speed and thereby turn the vehicle either left or right.
US07954571B2
A drill bit includes a bit body having a face on which two different types of cutters are disposed, the first type being cutting elements suitable for drilling at least one subterranean formation and the second type being at least one of an abrasive cutting structure and an abrasive cutting element suitable for drilling through a casing shoe, reamer shoe, casing bit, casing or liner string and cementing equipment or other components, as well as cement. Methods of forming earth-boring tools are also disclosed.
US07954566B2
Apparatus and methods for using the drilling apparatus to increase the linear direction of the drilling action are described. The drilling apparatus contains a drill rod that is fitted with a reinforcing sleeve that is located on the drill rod as close as possible to the drill bit. The outer diameter of the sleeve is configured to be substantially the same as the bit diameter and, if necessary, just slightly smaller than the bit diameter. The sleeve reinforces the drill rod next to the drill bit and reduces and substantially eliminates the gap between the drill rod and the borehole in the vicinity of the drill bit. The sleeve, therefore, reduces the wobble of the drill bit in the borehole and reduces the drill bit from wavering from a straight linear drilling direction. The reinforcing sleeve can contain helical channels for moving material displaced by the drilling process away from the drill bit.
US07954561B2
A direction adjustment tool for a downhole drilling apparatus is disclosed. The tool has a tubular housing adapted to be incorporated into a downhole drilling apparatus, and steering blades mounted to the housing. A drive shaft transmits drive to a drill bit of a drilling apparatus, wherein the shaft defines a passage for transmitting drilling fluid to the drill bit. A first pressure chamber is defined between the housing and the shaft and communicates with the passage, wherein the steering blades are moved from retracted positions to extended positions thereof as a result of increase of fluid pressure the first pressure chamber. A pendulum member is pivotably mounted to extend in a vertical orientation when the shaft is not rotating relative to the housing, and pistons prevent movement of at least one steering blade to the extended position thereof as a result of the angle between a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the longitudinal axis of the pendulum member exceeding a predetermined amount. This causes at least one steering blade to adjust the direction of drilling of the drilling apparatus towards a vertical direction and/or to resist movement of the direction of drilling away from a vertical direction.
US07954556B2
A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor having electronic engine and draft load controllers interconnected by a digital communications bus over which parameters for engine load are made readily available to the draft load controller. The draft load control system is suitable for front-mounted, rear-mounted, or towed implements without requiring additional sensing equipment.
US07954554B2
A method of lifting a coiled tubing reel is provided that includes providing a coiled tubing reel including a pair of flanges connected by a core around which a string of coiled tubing is wrapped, and a pair of hubs with each hub connected to a corresponding one of the flanges by a plurality of spokes. The method also includes providing a spreader beam including a pair of support members, and connecting each support member to a corresponding one of the reel hubs. The method further includes lifting the coiled tubing reel by applying a lift force to the spreader beam, such that the load of the lift force is carried by the spreader beam, the reel hubs and at least one of the plurality of spokes.
US07954553B2
Systems and methods for increasing fluid flow characteristics within a hydrocarbon production tubing string within a wellbore. An expansion member is passed through the interior flowbore of one or more production tubing string members. The expansion member smoothes the interior surface of the flowbore and may radially expand the interior surface of the flowbore.
US07954545B2
A plunger lift system has a bumper and a landing positioned in tubing below a safety valve of a well. A plunger moving between the bumper and landing lifts columns of liquid above the plunger when pushed by downhole pressure. A valve on the plunger's housing is movable between open and closed positions to either permit or prevent flow through the plunger. When the plunger engages the landing, a striker rod on the landing opens the valve permitting fluid communication through the plunger to a sales line at the surface. The valve is biased to the closed position to prevent fluid communication through the plunger. When the plunger is disengaged from the striker rod, the valve closes so that application of downhole pressure can again move the plunger uphole. A controller cycles the plunger between the bumper and the landing by controlling fluid flow in the well.
US07954543B2
The present invention has its object to provide a heat exchanger with plastic tanks type, wherein a seal member is regularly compressed and hooks or tabs of header core crimped in a uniform fashion.Deformations predominantly located in the large sides or sides adjacent to the tank foot of the header, are formed and distributed in the inner or outer wall. The deformations in the periphery, or more particular, on the outside of the header wall, are formed after the brazing process.
US07954540B2
A HVAC assembly includes a temperature mixing valve that comprises a shaft, an upper paddle, a lower paddle, and a yielding means. The upper paddle and the lower paddle attach to the shaft. The yielding means applies a force to keep the upper paddle sealed to prevent cold air in a cold air inlet from entering a mixing zone and the lower paddle moves away from a shared sealing boundary over a predetermined angle of rotation before the upper paddle initially moves to allow cold air to enter the mixing zone. Movement of the lower paddle away from the shared sealing boundary allows cold air to enter a hot air inlet and admix with hot air to mix in the mixing zone to produce non-stratified air.
US07954537B2
The invention relates to a folding door and a shutter guide device. The inventive door comprises two vertical slides (2) and at least one flexible shutter (4) which can be folded in the upper part of the slides and which comprises at least one transverse stiffening bar (12). According to the invention, a guide device (14) is inserted into the extension of at least one stiffening bar (12), thereby forming a guide for the shutter (4) in at least one of the slides (2) in a plane that is offset in relation to the plane of the shutter (4), said shutter (4) being applied against a surface of the slide (2).
US07954520B2
A highly portable sand bag hopper has the shape of a cabinet with the front open. The flat, solid top of the cabinet has a loading opening for loading sand into a lower cone. A horizontal sliding door located near the lower, smaller tapered end of the cone opens and closes the lower discharge opening by pulling a spring-loaded lever arm. The upper part of the cone is loaded with sand at a predetermined level to discharge discreet amounts of sand. A seal may be located around the lower opening to sweep sand or debris from the top of the discharge door.
US07954519B2
Safe storage of volatile compounds or elements is provided by utilizing storage configurations that take advantage of the diffusibility and release characteristics of cell-based materials, such as foam materials. Such configurations may provide storage of hazardous, liquefied gases in closed-cell foam material. Release of gas/liquid from the foam is restricted by the need for the gas to diffuse through the closed cells. Because rapid release is prevented, storage safety is greatly improved.
US07954513B2
A regulator valve includes an inlet coupled for receiving a spray solution delivered by a fixed displacement pump coupled to a solution tank. Located in the valve body so as to divide the solution received at the inlet between a bypass or tank port of the regulator valve, and a boom port is a ball valve in the form of a hollow sphere having a first circular opening in register with said inlet, a second circular opening in register with said boom port and an elongate, wedge-shaped opening in register with said bypass port. The ball valve is mounted for rotation about an axis which is coaxial with the first circular opening and includes a stem coupled to an electric motor for actuating the valve, the motor being coupled for receiving a control signal for causing the motor to position the ball for dividing the flow so as to achieve a desired solution application rate.
US07954508B2
An electronically controlled actuator in a plumbed water line within a water conditioning management system, having an at least one valve with a valve stem in a plumbed water line within the water conditioning management system, an at least one actuator, an at least one actuator housing, an at least one electronic controller in communication with the actuator, an at least one shaft coupled to the actuator and said valve; an at least one shaft encoding device; and an at least one user interface with multiple indicator elements indicating the position of valve.
US07954507B2
An eductor for mixing two liquids wherein the eductor includes a closed or non-air gap back flow prevention member. The vacuum profile of the eductor is altered by changing an opening in a passage portion to controllably divert water flow around the venturi tube or diverting the water without the opening. This affords the changing of the vacuum profile without redesigning the entire eductor.
US07954506B2
A plumbing system operable to automatically introduce antifreeze into the hot and cold water systems responsive to a signal from a controller. The controller activates the system automatically at a predetermined ambient temperature. The system can also be reconfigured manually.
US07954505B2
A mobile, emergency apparatus that can be used to minimize the flood damage to the property in rooms that experience ceiling or roof water leaks includes: (a) a container that has exterior and interior surfaces that include a bottom and sidewalls with free edges that form the rim of an opening to the container's interior surface which also includes an aperture, (b) a plurality of hinges that are attached proximate the container's rim, (c) a plurality of extendible leashes that are attached to the hinges and with each of these leashes having a free end to which is attached an anchor, and (d) a liquid impermeable membrane that has an outer edge and an opening, with this opening having an edge that is attached around the perimeter of the container's aperture, and wherein the container, membrane and hose are sized so that the membrane and hose are storable in the container when the apparatus is not in use.
US07954504B2
In its preferred embodiment, the fast-erecting portable structure principally comprises two or more flexible framing rods and a flexible skin. The flexible framing rods essentially form inverted u-shapes and the flexible skin hangs from the flexible framing rods in substantially a dome shape. More specifically, the flexible skin can be supported from the flexible framing rods by sleeves sewn into the flexible skin. The sleeves allow the flexible skin to slide along the length of the flexible framing rods. The flexible skin is also fixed (or non-removably) connected to the ends of the flexible framing rods. The fast-erecting portable structure can be stored by coiling the flexible framing rods into a storage bag. The fast-erecting portable structure allows the structure to be immediately erected from the coiled position in the storage bag into the structure without any intermediate steps or the addition or removal of any parts.
US07954503B2
A dual purpose portable apparatus is provided for carrying a harvested game animal or for providing a protective shelter for a person. The apparatus includes a housing formed of a flexible, foldable material defining a chamber therein, the chamber adapted to receive a body and head portion of the harvested game animal or the person seeking shelter therein. Openings are provided for receiving the hind and fore legs of the harvested game animal and a gap formed in a forward end of the housing allows for passage of the antlers. Edges of the housing are disposed above the openings when the housing is in a closed configuration so as to substantially retard leakage of fluid through the openings and between the edges of the housing.
US07954499B2
A hair extension removal tool is generally shaped like a pair of pliers with two jaws formed of two elongated members pivotally joined together. A body is attached to the first elongated member and houses a solvent container therein. A tubing extends from the container to an opening on an inside surface of one of the jaws. The container has a pump for ejecting an amount of the solvent through the tubing. A lever attached to the body is provided for activating the pump. In use, a strand of extension hair is placed within the jaws of the removal tool, the lever is pressed to eject an appropriate amount of the solvent through the tubing, and pressure is applied to the hair extension with the jaws of the tool to weaken the attachment, until the bonding material is sufficiently dissolved and the extension hair is detached and removed.
US07954487B2
A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer, in one embodiment, includes a fluid channel air inlet and fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to either a manual force external of the nebulizer, or a patient's breathing, to begin the nebulization process. The nebulizer also includes a fluid return channel to a fluid source, such as a removable vial, containing fluid to be aerosolized.
US07954485B2
A cooling apparatus is provided for cooling a cabinet of a cooking appliance that includes an oven within exterior side panels. The cooling apparatus includes a side rail and a bottom panel coupled to the side rail. The bottom panel includes a slot therein. A cover is disposed over the bottom panel to form a channel. The slot opens into the channel. The cover is configured to direct cooling air from the slot into a space between the oven and the side panels.
US07954476B2
A fuel supply device comprises a fuel pump, a set plate, a control circuit, and an electrical wiring member. The fuel pump is disposed within a fuel tank. The set plate closes an opening of the fuel tank. The set plate comprises a controller chamber isolated from the fuel tank. The control circuit is disposed within the controller chamber. The control circuit controls the fuel pump. The electrical wiring member connects the control circuit and the fuel pump. The electrical wiring member is arranged from an interior of the controller chamber to an interior of the fuel pump and is passed through the set plate. A part of the electrical wiring member is exposed to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the exposed part is disposed within a range from the interior of the fuel tank to the interior of the controller chamber.
US07954473B2
A vehicle speed sensor detects a rotational speed of a rear wheel. A throttle valve is positioned downstream of an intake pipe. An idle speed control device controls the amount of air flowing through the intake pipe to perform an idle speed control. An electronic control unit (ECU) detects an abnormality of the idle speed control (ISC) device based on an intake pipe pressure. The ECU inhibits a rotational speed of the engine from increasing when an abnormality of the ISC device is determined. Precise detection of vehicle speed and suppression of increase of engine rotational speed resulting from an ISC abnormality is thereby achieved.
US07954466B2
In a method for setting the rotary angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, the crankshaft is connected to the camshaft by means of a triple-shaft gear mechanism. This triple-shaft gear mechanism has a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft which is driven by an electric motor.
US07954462B2
A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.
US07954460B2
A boiler apparatus for leading fluid from a plurality of upper walls (2) to (4) to a ceiling wall (7) through a ceiling wall inlet header (11), characterized in that a ceiling wall inlet mixing header (8) is installed between the plurality of upper walls (2) to (4) and the ceiling wall inlet header (11).
US07954450B2
Disclosed is an optical fiber coating apparatus for preventing generation of bubble in a coating layer of an optical fiber when the optical fiber is coated, which includes a coating unit for allowing an optical fiber to pass through and forming a coating layer on the optical fiber; a base coupled with a lower portion of the coating unit to draw the optical fiber; a cover installed to an upper portion of the coating unit to isolate the coating unit from an external air and having an optical fiber introduction hole; a gas supply line for supplying gas, having smaller kinetic viscosity than the air, into an inner space formed by the cover; and a coating agent discharge line for discharging a coating agent remained in the inner space of the cover. The inner space forms positive pressure circumstance by using the gas having smaller kinetic viscosity than the air.
US07954447B2
A method of creating an air barrier on both sides of an innerliner splice on the inside surface of a green tire when a bladder release lubricant is being applied thereto to prevent contamination of the splice. High pressure air is directed through air nozzles on both sides of the innerliner splice just prior to and during the application of the lubricant. A pressure sensor detects high or low air pressure during the creation of the air barriers to stop the spray of lubricant should either situation be detected.
US07954442B2
A towed array deployment system is provided that uses the flow of fluid through the interior of a tube to deploy a towed line array. The system includes a small surface water craft such as an unmanned surface vehicle having a length between seven and eleven meters and a U-shaped tube mounted to the outside of the hull of the watercraft below the waterline. A towed array is fed from a winch aboard the surface craft, through one end of the tube, and the fluid is introduced through into the interior of the tube to force the towed array for deployment through the tube and out a second end of the tube near the stern of the watercraft.
US07954433B1
The shaped charge device consists of an outer casing that has a removable cap on one end and a sealing plate on the other as well as an interior liner; the liner defining a plurality of forwardly opening conical cavities. The shaped charge device uses a two-part binary explosive that consists of an inert fuel material and an inert powder material and thereby enjoys the legal freedoms of a binary explosive. The powder material is disposed in the space existing between the liner and the outer casing of the shaped charge device. The conical cavities serve to form and focus the resulting plasma jet when the shaped charge device is detonated. Without the fuel material added, the device can be stored for long periods of time. The cap removed and the fuel material added activates the device and an opening in the cap allows the device to be detonated.
US07954430B2
An ink printing device is disclosed that incorporates a curing lamp located on the opposite side of a printed face of a printed substrate and partially cures a radiation curable ink by irradiating through the substrate. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method for partially curing radiation curable inks by exposing a radiation curable ink on a substrate to a curing lamp located opposite the printed face of the substrate.
US07954417B2
A ceramic armoring is provided, comprising a first ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent cracks propagating from one segment to another segment, at least one second ceramic layer which has a plurality of segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, and at least one bonding layer by means of which the first ceramic layer and the second ceramic layer are joined together, wherein the segments of the first ceramic layer are offset with respect to the segments of the second ceramic layer.
US07954415B2
Methods and apparatus for providing ballistic protection and stopping high-velocity rounds or explosives and a secure trash can. These and other advantages may be provided by a secure trash can for containing explosions resulting from explosive devices deposited in the secure trash can. The secure trash can includes a curved wall, including an inner liner, a curved ballistic panel, including a three-dimensional core that defines spaces and acts as a truss for ballistic panel and a filler, the filler fills in spaces defined by the three-dimensional core, an outer layer, surrounding the curved ballistic panel, and a base, connected to the curved wall. The secure trash can may also include a lid, placed on the curved wall.
US07954411B2
A projector of multiple skewed light planes or sheets is located adjacent a vehicle to be protected and detectors are arranged to detect the penetration of the light sheets by an incoming object, with the time intervals between the piercing of the planes defining the path of the incoming object and its expected impact time. An array of bullet-firing barrels is arranged to project bullets in an iron curtain under control of a fire control module that fires a round in a barrel above the projected flight path such that the round impacts the nose of the object and disables it. It is thus the piercing of the skewed light sheets that provides information as to the impact point of the object as well as its time of arrival so that a round can be fired to intercept the object as it arrives at the iron curtain.
US07954399B2
A steering control for vehicles, such as for automobiles or motorcycles in the form of a steering wheel or of a handlebar, with a gripping zone presenting an elastically variable geometry deformable under the action of the hand or the hands of the driver gripping the steering control fast and forcefully in case of danger. Thus, in the event of panic, an hydraulic or pneumatic sensor located inside the gripping zone is activated. The sensor extends over essentially the whole gripping zone of the steering control that can be gripped by at least one hand of the driver, and includes a tube of elastic material, filled with a liquid, and embedded entirely in a foamed plastic material. The steering control exhibits then high effectiveness and reliability of a safety device, in the elimination of potential danger caused by mistaken reactions of the driver, and in the economic feasibility of the inventive device.
US07954396B2
A rack and pinion steering gear comprising a thrust element disposed in a housing for pressing a rack and pinion against one another. One side of the thrust element is supported against the rack, and another side is supported against a wedge-like part formed of two semi-circular annular elements, each of which is provided with at least one wedge surface that is disposed at an angle to a central plane of the wedge-like part. A side of the wedge-like part remote from the thrust element is supported against a set screw. The thrust element and/or the set screw is provided with an inclined surface that cooperates with the at least one wedge surface of the annular elements of the wedge-like part.
US07954395B2
In the event that a moment in a bending direction is generated in a pinion shaft, for example, when a vehicle is involved in a collision or the like, since a bending facilitating portion which is a circumferential groove 111e bends, stress is concentrated hereon, and no large bending stress is generated in any case between a rolling bearing 102 and a support member 104. Consequently, an excessively large bending force is transmitted in no case to a four point contact type ball bearing 103.
US07954392B2
Article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises at least one coating material, and is stably affixed to the substrate to form a stable, coated surface. The coated surface has a texture that mimics the topography of mammalian keratinous tissue and demonstrates at least one physical property representative of mammalian keratinous tissue, selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a dispersive component of the surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 1 mJ/m2 to about 14 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about −40 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof.
US07954388B2
An inline measuring device, includes a measuring transducer having: at least one measuring tube vibrating, during operation, and serving for conveying, at least at times, a two- or multiphase, flowable medium; an exciter mechanism for producing vibrations of the measuring tube; and a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the measuring tube and for delivering oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube. Measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer. The measuring device electronics delivers, at least one exciter signal driving the exciter mechanism, and, ascertains a damping value of a first type, which represents, instantaneously, a damping of vibrations of the at least one measuring tube induced by medium conveyed in the at least one measuring tube and antisymmetric with reference to an imaginary central plane of the at least one measuring tube coplanar with a cross section of the measuring tube, and/or which represents, instantaneously, a damping of vibrations of the at least one measuring tube induced by medium conveyed in the at least one measuring tube.
US07954386B2
A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.
US07954385B2
A sensor element material web for selectively cutting an operable sensor from the web includes a sensor film. A first electrode film is disposed on a first side and includes metallic electrodes in a first repeating pattern. A second electrode film is disposed on a second side and includes a plurality of second metallic electrodes in a second repeating pattern. A dielectric film is disposed on the first or the second electrode films. The first and the second repeating patterns permit the sensor to be cut.
US07954380B2
A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.
US07954375B2
Systems for and methods of detecting gravitational acceleration and gravity gradients are disclosed. The systems and methods include gravity gradiometers whose axes are substantially horizontal. In comparison with prior art systems, the systems presently disclosed provide one or both of more accurate measurements for the same amount of space, and smaller space requirements with the same or better accuracy.
US07954367B2
Fastened to a tire is a detecting device consisting of a detecting unit including a sensor associated with an annular antenna having an inner perimetral edge, and an anchoring body having a base portion with a fastening surface secured to the radially internal surface of the tire. The detecting unit is removably brought into engagement with the anchoring body by insertion of the inner perimetral edge of the antenna into a perimetral groove formed between the base portion and a retaining portion. The anchoring body has an overall height of about 0.2 to about 1.5 times a maximum distance measure between two mutually spaced apart points along the inner perimetral edge.
US07954365B2
An oxygen sensor circuit comprises an oxygen sensor, a bias voltage module, and a switch module. The bias voltage module communicates with the oxygen sensor and generates a bias voltage. The switch module selectively connects the bias voltage module to the oxygen sensor.
US07954355B2
In a device for automatically adjusting the control cams of a forging machine, with a releasing means for releasing the operating position of a cam, the cam supporting shaft swingably supports, with a controlled movement with respect to the shaft longitudinal axis, radially extending brackets, in turn supporting a bar extending through the overall length of the control cam supporting shaft, the brackets being moreover provided, at each control cam, with cylinder-piston units including movable pins which can be engaged with recesses formed in the cams.
US07954346B2
A cutting machine, particularly for leather and similar materials, comprising a cutting area provided with one or more cutting heads and with an area for unloading the cut parts, the areas being arranged along a conveyor belt, material detection means being provided in order to detect the position of the material before cutting it, the machine further comprising a detection area, arranged upstream of the cutting area, the material detection means being arranged in the detection area in order to detect the position of references provided on the material to be cut.
US07954345B2
A washing machine to guarantee easy mounting or separation of an ornamental panel and prevent the coming off or distortion of door trims. The washing machine includes a body having a laundry opening, a door mounted to the body to open or close the laundry opening and having a rim, an ornamental panel mounted to an outer surface of the door, a plurality of door trims coupled to the rim of the door supporting the ornamental panel, and a coupling device coupling of the door trims. The coupling device includes a plurality of holding recesses formed in the rim of the door and spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of holding hooks protruding from an inner surface of the respective door trims to be introduced into and caught by the holding recesses.
US07954337B2
The object is to provide an integrated compressor that enables a control board to be miniaturized while ensuring a layout in which the heat radiation of parts is considered. Diodes 43 and IGBTs 42 that correspond to each of the U-phase, V-phase and W-phase are arrayed in series for each phase. Rectangular chips are used for the diodes 43 and IGBTs 42. As a result of this, a power board 16 is substantially miniaturized, and the diode 43, the IGBT 42, a P-terminal electrode pattern 40, an N-terminal electrode pattern 41, a shunt resistor 44, output terminal patterns 48U, 48V, 48W, and a feed pattern 50 are disposed so as to lie in a region in contact with an outer surface of a housing.
US07954335B2
An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. Preferred embodiments are reconfigurable between at least two operational configurations such that to varying degrees the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.
US07954331B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for the cooling of a system on an aircraft or other platform. According to embodiments described herein, a first coolant is routed through a heat-producing system to absorb heat and maintain the system at a desired temperature. The first coolant is routed through a thermoelectric chiller for cooling before returning to absorb further heat from the system. Thermoelectric cooler modules within the chiller transfer heat from cold plates containing the first coolant to hot plates containing a second coolant. The second coolant absorbs the transferred heat and is routed to a radiator, where the heat is discharged into an ambient air stream. The second coolant is routed back to the hot plates to absorb further heat.
US07954329B2
The present invention provides a statically starting and operating ramjet engine system. The system includes a pumping ejector coupled to a ramjet engine upstream of the ramjet inlet. A subsonic converging nozzle is placed in fluid communication between the pumping ejector and ramjet inlet. The pumping ejector ejects a primary fluid into the ramjet inlet to entrain a secondary fluid and create a mixed flow with sufficient momentum and internal energy to achieve characteristic speed. The converging nozzle provides a characteristic cross section necessary for the mixed flow to achieve characteristic speed as it moves through the nozzle, thereby producing a standing shock wave at the point of maximum convergence of the nozzle and creating sonic conditions at the inlet of the ramjet engine.
US07954326B2
A gas turbine engine assembly includes a combustor configured to combust an air-fuel mixture to produce combustion gases in a first direction; a transition liner coupled to the combustor and adapted to receive the combustion gases from the combustor and to redirect the combustion gases in a second direction; and a turbine coupled to the transition liner and adapted to receive the combustion gases from the transition liner. The transition liner has a plurality of effusion holes that include a first group that extend at least partially in a tangential direction.
US07954319B2
A turbine flow cross-section of a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine, is set such that a lower limit (TSQ_dyn_min) of a range of settable values of the turbine flow cross-section is determined as a function of an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine in non-stationary operating states. A speed of the internal combustion engine can be used as the operating parameter.
US07954316B2
A hydrostatic stepless transmission comprises: a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic motor, wherein at least one of the hydraulic pump and motor is variable in displacement, and is provided with a movable swash plate; a closed circuit connecting the hydraulic pump and motor to each other through a pair of main fluid passages, wherein one main fluid passage is higher-pressurized during forward traveling, and wherein the other main fluid passage is higher-pressurized during backward traveling; a hydraulic servomechanism for controlling a tilt angle of the movable swash plate of the at least one of the hydraulic pump and motor; a speed-controlling motive member attached to the hydraulic servomechanism, wherein the speed-controlling motive member interlocks with the movable swash plate and is moved by operating a speed control operation lever; and a load controlling system attached to the hydraulic servomechanism. The load controlling system includes an actuator for moving the speed-controlling motive member in a direction for deceleration, and a pair of check valves connected to the respective main fluid passages. Fluid is led from either of the main fluid passages to the actuator through the corresponding check valve so as to serve as an element for detecting load and as hydraulic pressure fluid for actuating the actuator.
US07954315B2
A hydraulic circuit structure of a work vehicle capable of solving a problem in a conventional structure wherein, in a machine attitude control in back hoe operation, pressure oil is preferentially fed to light-loaded machines and some work machines are slowly moved or stopped and, accordingly, the attitudes of the machines cannot be rapidly controlled and work performance is affected. To solve this problem, the hydraulic circuit of the work vehicle comprises two valve groups for a loader and a back hoe having circuits to supply the pressure oil from one hydraulic pump to a valve group for back hoe control through a valve group for loader control and the pressure oil from the other hydraulic pump directly to the valve group for back hoe control. The pressure oil is independently supplied from the hydraulic pumps to valve sections for controlling right and left stabilizer cylinders installed in the valve group for back hoe control.
US07954309B2
An improved modular disc cutterhead connecting drive shaft configuration having a means for laterally centering the shaft between adjacent cutterhead modules thereby equalizing engagement on each end of the shaft with the module connectors. Further durability improvement is realized by a structure to radially center the shaft in the shaft receptacles of each module to maintain uniform loading on the shaft/receptacle interface which improves the durability of the connecting drive shaft end connections. Additional connecting shaft durability is provided by a means to lubricate the drive shaft connector connecting interfaces using lubricant reservoirs disposed within the modules.
US07954308B2
A system and method for adjusting the frequency of clip for a reel mower cutting unit includes an operator interface outputting a voltage corresponding to a frequency of clip setting, and a reel motor controller calculating a travel speed of the reel mower cutting unit based on a voltage reading from a voltage bus and a scale factor applied to the voltage reading, and calculating a required reel speed based on the travel speed, the voltage corresponding to the frequency of clip setting, and the number of cutting blades of the reel mower cutting unit.
US07954304B2
The invention relates to a blank (1), a method and a machine (11) for realising the blank (1). The blank (1) is constituted by four lengths (5) which are consecutively joined to form a structure (2) or frame (6) which can be folded around one or more flat articles (4) or tiles to be packed. The machine (11) and the method for realising the blanks (1) include supplying identical panels of cardboard which are joined to constitute a continuous strip (10) and which are subsequently cut to correspond to lengths of sides of the tiles. Each length (5) is joined to a consecutive length (5) by deposits (7a) of glue.
US07954301B2
A multilayer insulation with an array of rigid posts is provided. In particular, the posts are comprised of multiple post elements that are interconnected to radiation shields or sheets comprising the layers of the integrated multi-layer insulation structure. The post elements maintain spacing between adjacent sheets, thus maintaining a volume between the sheets. The post elements within a post can be attached to one another to form an integrated post structure. Moreover, neighboring posts can be interconnected to one another by beams. The post elements can also be configured so that, when the IMLI structure is not subjected to atmospheric pressure, the elements within a post are separated from one another to form gaps, thereby reducing heat transfer between layers.
US07954300B1
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.
US07954297B1
A spherical hub consisting of four interlocking and concentric rings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 and as many collar assembly pieces 12, 13, 14 as desired that can be used to receive tubular rod struts from a multiplicity of angles. The four rings are each uniquely grooved so that they fit and lock together in a specific order to hold a spherical form. The hubs can be used to assemble space frame and other structures in a wide variety of shapes and sizes 15.
US07954291B2
A composite for constructing concrete floors is completely factory assembled and comprises a body of expanded plastic having at least two parallel channels, open on the upper surface of the panel, extending the length of the article, adapted to be filled with concrete. A steel reinforcement bar fabric is installed into each channel, which may comprise at least two parallel steel bars connected by cross bars. At least some cross bars extend beyond a lowest reinforcement fabric bar to provide spikes long enough to pass through the plastic bottom and protrude therefrom. One or more sheet metal shrouds with at least one row of aligned holes matching those of the protruding spike ends are applied to the underside surface of the plastic body hung from the protruding ends of the spike by fasteners
US07954287B2
A cable management system for managing electrical cables in a raised floor grid system is provided. The cable management system includes a cable enclosure including side walls and a base together defining an enclosure cavity. Each of the side walls defines a cable opening and a plurality of bracket openings in communication with the enclosure cavity. The cable management system also includes a sealing assembly installed in each of the cable openings, and a plurality of equipment brackets mountable to the sidewalls via the bracket openings, which are configured to enable mounting of the equipment brackets in vertical and angled orientations. The cable management system further includes a plurality of support brackets connectable to support structure of the raised floor grid system for supporting the cable enclosure on the support structure. The cable enclosure can be installed in the raised floor grid system by removing only a single floor tile.
US07954286B2
A target piece for sealing mechanical penetrations in single ply roofing membranes is provided. The target piece comprises a left piece and a right piece, or a single unified piece. The left piece can be applied on one side of the one or more mechanical penetrations, and the right piece can be applied on an opposite side of the one or more mechanical penetrations. Alternatively, the unified piece can be applied on the one or more mechanical penetrations. Left and right curb elements are attached to a top of the left piece and right piece, respectively. Faces of the left and right pieces are sealed to each other and faces of the left and right curb elements are sealed to each other using an adhesive/heat seal, thus forming a pocket around the mechanical penetrations, and then sealant is poured into the pocket to seal the mechanical penetrations. Extensions are provided on ends of either the right or left pieces of the target piece to provide extra insurance against water leakage.
US07954283B1
An insulating spacer for creating a thermally insulating bridge between spaced apart panes of a multiple pane window unit comprises in one embodiment, a solid profile of fiber-stabilized aerogel insulation material, treated to be non-porous along its exposed surface. The spacer defines a thermally insulated space between the panes. The result is higher thermal performance for insulated glass units and windows employing these insulated glass units.
US07954275B2
A rodent trap includes a pivotally mounted jaw which snaps to a closed position to enclose a rodent when activated by a rodent attempting to free itself from an adhesive coated removable trigger member. The trigger member and the rodent can be easily removed from the trap. The trigger member can be replaced with a new trigger member and the trap can be reset and reused.
US07954266B2
A card holder (100) includes a base (1) and a clamping means (20) to attach the card holder to garment. A card is grasped on the base. The base has a first face (13) and an opposite second face (15). The clamping means includes a clamp (2) and a slot (12) for locking the clamp. The slot is defined in the base. The clamp is rotatably mounted to the base with an end retractably moving outwards. The retractably moving end can be locked in or released from the slot, so that the card holder can be attached to or removed from the bearer's garment in an easy way.
US07954249B1
A template guide which performs and simplifies the task of layout for stair stringers. This accomplishment has previously been made by the use of multiple tools including the framing square, multipurpose square, and speed square as well as others. The said template of the present invention features an adjustable riser that can be secured for the exact dimension of any rise calculated to be between 6″ and 7¾″. The said template of the present invention also features an adjustable tread that can be secured for the exact dimension of any tread length, calculated to be between 9¼″ and 11⅛″. The said template is configured as such to accommodate the unskilled craftsman as well as the experienced tradesman.
US07954248B2
An arrangement for depicting a linear optical marking on a surface, including a radiation source emitting light, such as laser radiation, as well as a first lens arranged in the beam path having a first and a second surface penetrated by the radiation, of which one surface features a parabolic or elliptical trace at least partially in cross section, formed of curved sections of different radii, the trace extending symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry of the lens, along which runs the beam directed in parallel, preferably by means of a second lens. In order to achieve a uniform power distribution along the line, it is proposed that the first surface formed of sections with different radii faces the radiation.
US07954247B1
A self-orienting platform device is provided having a platform that is rotatably adjustably attached to a body. The device is provided with adjustable weights to ensure even rotation. The attachment between the platform and the body is such that when the body rotates, the platform rotates with it, but the attachment can be adjusted such that the user can rotate the platform relative to the body when desired. The device comprises a magnet with an attached magnetic north indicator, and can be set by rotating the platform relative to the body so that when the magnet points to magnetic north, the magnetic north indicator points to a selected marking or other feature on the platform. The platform can be rotated with respect to the body to account for the difference between magnetic and true north, so that the selected marker is aligned with true north. The device can be used as a self-orienting sundial to tell the time of day by the sun, and because it is portable and does not have to be reset for different locations (within the same general latitude and longitude and time period), the sundial can be moved from place to place and used as a teaching aid in classrooms, and an interactive decorative object in homes and gardens.
US07954246B2
The transmitter has a generally flat, circuit board stator, a rotor including a plurality of magnets mounted in a ring around a central opening, and a bearing, supporting the rotor for rotation about an axis that extends through the central opening, A pentaprism assembly including an optics holder is mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith. The pentaprism assembly receives a beam of laser light through the central opening and redirects at least a portion of the laser light outward in a direction normal to the rotation axis. A laser source, mounted on the stator, provides a beam of laser light through the central opening to the pentaprism assembly. The beam of laser light is aligned with the rotation axis. The laser source includes a collimating lens positioned within the rotor. A shield plate of magnetic material beneath the stator exerts a force on the rotor in conjunction with the magnets, taking play out of the bearing. The transmitter uses Hall effect sensors on the stator to control switching current to coils on the stator. The transmitter also uses the outputs of the Hall effect sensors and a timer output to control dithering of the laser beam.
US07954245B2
A hair thinning scissors is provided. The hair thinning scissors includes a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge. The first cutting edge is configured with a plurality of arc shaped cutting teeth. A notch is configured between each two neighboring cutting teeth. Each of the arcuate cutting teeth has a radian by the pivotal axis of the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge as an arc center, and a distance from the pivotal axis to the tooth as an arc radius, so that when the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are actuated to rotate one toward another, each of the cutting teeth moves along a tangent of the arc form of the cutting tooth, thus achieving a more smoothly shearing operation.
US07954236B2
A sealed thermal interface component minimizes or eliminates the exudation of fluids, such as silicone oils, while preserving the excellent thermal conductivity of silicon-based thermal pad materials and enhancing the conformability of the component. In preferred embodiments, a foam frame surrounds a plurality of thermal pad portions formed of conformable thermal management material that may exude fluid under elevated temperatures or over time. Film encapsulates the foam-framed thermal pad portions, forming a sealed and partially evacuated thermal interface component. In one embodiment of the invention, the thermal pads are formed of an elastomeric matrix material containing silicone, the foam frame is made of urethane, and the film is made of polyurethane.
US07954235B2
A method of forming a seal about an electrically conductive core of a cable having an insulative outer cover and a terminal includes the steps of providing a lead of the core extending beyond an axial edge of the insulative outer cover; applying a conformal coating onto the lead; crimping the terminal onto the cable while the conformal coating is still wet to displace the conformal coating from between the lead and the abutting contact surfaces of the terminal and to cover and seal remaining portions of the lead not in direct contact with the terminal with the conformal coating and curing the conformal coating over the remaining portions of the lead.
US07954234B2
In a method of manufacturing a wiring board, the method includes: (i) forming a plurality of conductive patterns to come into contact with a support plate; (ii) forming a resin layer to cover the plurality of conductive patterns and to come into contact with the support plate; (iii) forming another conductive pattern connected to at least one of the plurality of conductive patterns; and (iv) removing the support plate. A first area of the support plate coming into contact with at least one of the plurality of conductive patterns in step (i) is different in surface roughness from a second area of the support plate coming into contact with the resin layer in step (ii).
US07954229B1
A method of making a titanium heating element for electric water heaters includes heating commercially pure titanium tubing to a specified temperature for a predetermined period of time. A resistance wire and magnesium dioxide powder may be positioned in the tubing prior to the annealing process. The outer surfaces of the titanium tube are exposed to the air during at least a portion of the annealing process, such that a layer of titanium dioxide develops on the outer surface of the titanium. The heating element is then formed into a loop or other suitable shape, and it is positioned inside a housing. The housing may include fittings to connect the water heater to the tubing of a pool, jetted tub, spa, hot tub or the like.
US07954226B2
In the present invention, driving torque outputted from a motor portion is transmitted to a worm from a motor shaft, further to a helical gear from the worm, and is taken out to the outside from an output shaft which rotates together with the helical gear with a fixed shaft fixed to a gear box as a center. This fixed shaft is constructed in a hollow and cylindrical shape having an opening in which one end portion thereof has been opened, and a ceiling surface in which the other end portion thereof has been closed, and one end portion of this fixed shaft is subjected to dislocation preventive work, and is fixed to a gear box made of resin by pressing-in or insert molding. The other end portion of the fixed shaft is formed with the dislocation preventive structure of the output shaft and the helical gear installed to the fixed shaft.
US07954222B2
A X-structure of a key and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The X-structure comprises a first frame and a second frame. The first frame comprises a bar. The first frame is connected and pivoted to the second frame via a fold located on the bar. The key comprises a keycap, a base and the X-structure installed between the keycap and the base. The manufacturing method of the X-structure comprises: providing the X-structure and pressing the bar to generate a fold until the first engaging portions are connected and pivoted to the second engaging portions.
US07954215B2
A method for manufacturing an acceleration sensing unit includes: providing an element support substrate in which a plurality of element supporting members is arranged so as to form a plane, each of the element supporting members being coupled to the other element supporting member through a supporting part and having a fixed part and a movable part that is supported by the fixed part through a beam, the beam having a flexibility with which the movable part is displaced along an acceleration detection axis direction when an acceleration is applied to the movable part; providing an stress sensing element substrate in which a plurality of stress sensing elements is arranged so as to form a plane, each of the stress sensing elements being coupled to the other stress sensing element through an element supporting part and having a stress sensing part and fixed ends that are formed so as to have a single body with the stress sensing part at both ends of the stress sensing part; disposing the stress sensing element substrate on the element support substrate such that the fixed ends of each stress sensing element are situated on the fixed part and the movable part; fixing the fixed ends onto the fixed part and the movable part, and dividing the element supporting part and the supporting part.
US07954213B2
The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric of which at least one of fiber orientation, fiber density, and basis weight is adjusted, and in which at least one of a predetermined groove portion, an opening, and a protrusion is formed, a manufacturing method for the nonwoven fabric, and a nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus. The nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus of the present invention manufactures a nonwoven fabric of which at least one of fiber orientation, fiber density, and basis weight is adjusted, or in which at least one of a predetermined groove portion, an opening, and a protrusion is formed by blowing fluid mainly containing gas onto a fiber web which is formed in a sheet shape, and which is in a state where at least a portion of the fibers constituting the fiber aggregate has a degree of freedom.
US07954211B2
A quick connect coupling assembly has a first and second component, and a locking assembly structured to retain the components in an attached orientation with one another. The locking assembly includes a plurality of locking elements each having a locking arm with a locking member mounted to a distal end, wherein the locking members are maintained in an outwardly extending orientation by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism comprises a spring mounted between oppositely disposed locking elements, wherein the spring is structured to maintain the locking members in an outwardly extending orientation. The quick connect coupling assembly also includes a release mechanism to permit the locking members to be temporarily disposed into a retracted orientation, thereby permitting the first and second components to be detached from one another.
US07954206B2
A fastener assembly configured to secure a first panel to a second panel includes a pin and a grommet. The pin includes a shaft connected to a tip. The grommet is configured to snapably secure into a hole of a panel. The grommet includes a central passage. The shaft is adjustably secured within the central passage, such that the shaft is allowed to shift a fixed distance within the central passage in a first direction, but is locked in place in the central passage with respect to a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
US07954198B2
A windshield wiper assembly is provided having a unitary wiper arm and post, and a mechanical linkage for receiving the post and moving the arm. The post has a breakaway feature for breaking the post in response to impact. The wiper includes a head partially containing a center post and a button biased with a spring and connected to the center post for releasing the post from the linkage. The post and linkage include a captive ball and mating groove that are mutually engageable for securing the post to the linkage. Alternately, the post has a quick-connect end having a groove and the linkage has a receiving portion with a retractable collar and captive ball bearings. A vehicle is also provided including a windshield, a windshield wiper having a post, a wiper motor, and a mechanical linkage having an opening for receiving the post and powering the wiper.
US07954194B2
A portable device for extracting a pig from a pipeline which uses a lifting means to raise or lower the device and wheels or other suitable means to allow for the device to be easily and quickly moved into position with minimal man power improving the efficiency and safety of the pig extraction process.
US07954188B2
A furniture attachment system is described. Embodiments of the furniture attachment system comprise a highly adjustable interface that is readily adapted to hold, store, or secure items of highly varied size and shape at a convenient location proximate a bed or other piece of furniture. In use, the present invention holds, stores, or secures items at beside, or beside other furniture, by securing the items to a bed or other furniture.
US07954185B2
An expandable sleeping bag or bunting bag includes features in which the size of the bag is adjustable to accommodate the growth of the child. To expand or contract the sleeping bag in width, one or more additional tapes of zipper teeth are sewn to the front of the garment adjacent to, and parallel to, the regular zipper. To expand or contract the sleeping bag in length, a pair of parallel zippers permits the removal or insertion of a length expansion strip extending around the circumference of the sleeping bag.
US07954172B2
The present invention discloses a garment that is designed to prevent a child in a car-seat from removing his or her arms from the shoulder straps that are part of the modern 5-point harness system found in most car-seats. The garment is configured like a jacket, through the front of which the shoulder straps are threaded, allowing for access to the front closure hasp of the harness and ensuring the closure hasp is across the upper chest, while comfortably restricting the child's movement out of the straps by virtue of the sleeves of the garment which are now made part of the harness system itself.
US07954170B2
An anti-transpiration insert is disclosed. The anti-transpiration insert includes a target bending line extending from a first side to a second side of the anti-transpiration insert, wherein that the target bending line is configured in an arched manner.
US07958563B2
The present invention relates to a method of using an atomic force microscope comprising exciting natural lower and higher vibration modes of a microlever (M) placed on a sample, and analyzing the variation of one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(ωit−φi)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(ωjt−φj)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, and/or analyzing the variation of one variable of a second output signal (Aj cos(ωjt−φj)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the higher mode, with respect to the variation of a parameter influenced by one variable of a first output signal (Ai cos(ωit−φi)) representative of the response of M to the excitation of the lower mode.
US07958556B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed for increasing the security of computer networks through the use of an Intrusion and Misuse Deterrence System (IMDS) operating on the network. The IMDS is a system that creates a synthetic network complete with synthetic hosts and routers. It is comprised of a network server with associated application software that appears to be a legitimate portion of a real network to a network intruder. The IMDS consequently invites inquiry and entices the intruder away from the real network. Simulated services are configured to appear to be running on virtual clients with globally unique, class “C” IP addresses. Since there are no legitimate users of the virtual network simulated by the IMDS, all such activity must be inappropriate and can be treated as such. Consequently, the entire set of transactions by an intruder can be collected and identified rather than just those transactions that meet a predefined attack profile. Also, new exploits and attacks are handled just as effectively as known attacks, resulting in better identification of attack methodologies as well as the identification and analysis of new attack types. Since the IMDS only has to be concerned with the traffic going to its simulated hosts it additionally eliminates the bandwidth limitation that plagues a traditional intrusion detection system (IDS).
US07958552B2
A system and method are provided to establish trust between a user and a policy system that generates recommended actions in accordance with specified policies. Trust is introduced into the policy-based system by assigning a value to each execution of each policy with respect to the policy-based system, called the instantaneous trust index. The instantaneous trust indices for each one of the policies, for the each execution of a given policy or for both are combined into the overall trust index for a given policy or for a given policy-based system. The recommended actions are processed in accordance with the level or trust associated with a given policy as expressed by the trust indices. Manual user input is provided to monitor or change the recommended actions. In addition, reinforcement learning algorithms are used to further enhance the level of trust between the user and the policy-based system.
US07958547B2
A method for single-sign on of a user on a client machine to one or more target applications on target application servers in a computer information-processing network, including: accessing an access server from the client machine; entering user-specific access server logon credentials for logon and access to the access server; selecting a target application; presenting to the target application by the access server, previously stored user-specific target application logon credentials for logon and access to the target application in a form and according to a protocol recognizable by the target application thereby logging into the target application on behalf of the user and establishing a target application session; sending from the access server to the client machine, information for establishing a connection from the client machine to the target application; and establishing a target application session, bypassing the access server, between the client machine and the target application.
US07958545B2
Aspects of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for managing multiple user identities for a user of an electronic commerce (e-commerce) site. The method comprises defining the e-commerce site as one or more security domains; and in response to a user's request to invoke an operation of the e-commerce site: determining a one of the one or more security domains to which the operation relates; performing one of a) creating a session and b) reusing a session for the user automatically in accordance with the determined security domain, said session associated with a user identity and a role indicating privileges for invoking operations of the e-commerce site in at least the determined security domain; and persisting said session for reuse. The user's request may be received in association with one or more sessions persisted for the user and a one of the sessions selected in accordance with the determined security domain. In response, either a session may be created or reused. Persisting may comprise providing one or more cookies defining the session to the user for associating with a subsequent request.
US07958543B2
A platform supports an unmanaged secured workgroup, without a server, for common user access and secure resource sharing among the computers in the group. User accounts are synchronized by replicating and modifying the accounts at each computer of the unmanaged secured workgroup. A computer advertises a change in account information to other computers in an unmanaged secured workgroup. If one of computers in the unmanaged secured workgroup determines that the change is not reflected in the current account information, the computer requests the updated account information from the advertising computer. Any conflicts between user accounts at different computers are resolved before synchronizing the user account in the unmanaged secured workgroup. Also, an application program interface (API) enables an application to query properties of a networked computer system and an unmanaged secured workgroup and to join the unmanaged secured workgroup.
US07958542B2
For the transmission of an MBMS content to a plurality of user equipment units, the use of a p2m channel may only be beneficial if the number of joined user equipment units exceeds a threshold. However, counting is made difficult due to the fact that idle mode UE, also a non joined UE, may reply to the notification, and hence pretend a higher number of UEs which are ready and able to receive the MBMS content. According to the present invention, when joining the MBMS service, a number which is only known to the user equipment unit, as well as to those RNCs which will deliver the MBMS service for which the UE has joined, is provided to the UE. Whenever the UE replies to a service notification, it uses this number. The RNC determines a corresponding number and in case the number received from the UE matches the number determined by the RNC, the UE is counted. Advantageously, an integrity protection may be provided for the notification reply for joined UEs which are still in the idle mode.
US07958539B2
A method of a wireless communication device for accessing secure resources of a resource provider. For one embodiment, a password associated with the wireless communication device is partitioned into a plurality of portions, such as individual alphanumeric characters. A multiple choice question is queried for each portion of the password. Access is granted in response to determining that all portions of the password have been answered correctly by the user. For another embodiment, the password is presented as one of choices for a multiple choice question for a session where the user attempts to access the secure resources. The choices for the query remain the same for each session, but the order in which these choices are presented changes from session-to-session.
US07958536B2
A video transmission system includes a network module that receives network global positioning system (GPS) signals and that transmits a video signal to a remote device that includes time stamps that are based on the network GPS data. A remote device receives the video signal and that plays the video signal based on local timing generated from local GPS signals.
US07958528B2
A user interface allows for blending of television program choices from which a viewer may select, the blending representing options for linear and non-linear programming presented together within a single hierarchy of a designated category. The blending may further include managed content relevant to the designated category, where desired. Such designated categories may include television programming categories and/or content categories. The options for linear and non-linear programming may be presented together within a single screen of the user interface.
US07958523B2
A television program ratings method and system includes transferring information associated with households from a cable provider to a ratings provider such that the ratings provider has access to information associated with sampled households and lacks access to information associated with non-sampled households. To this end, identity information and usage information associated with the households are respectively anonymized and encrypted. Knowledge of the identities of the sampled households enables the anonymized identity information and the encrypted usage information for the sampled households to be respectively de-anonymized and decrypted. The ratings provider knows which households are sampled households. As such, the ratings provider de-anonymizes and decrypts the information associated with the sampled households and then uses the de-anonymized and decrypted information to determine television program ratings. The cable provider anonymizes and encrypts the information for all households as the cable provider does not know which households are sampled households.
US07958520B2
A disk drive device includes: a rotary arm rotatable according to loading of a disk between a draw-in position and an eject position for ejecting the disk from a housing; a drive mechanism providing driving force for the rotary arm; a link arm mechanism interconnecting the rotary arm and the drive mechanism and rotating the rotary arm from an insertion position to the eject position when ejecting the disk; and a guide cam having a guide edge on which a guide projection of the link arm mechanism slides when ejecting the disk to rotate the rotary arm in an ejecting direction via the link arm mechanism, the guide projection moving around the guide cam from insertion to ejection of the disk. Engagement between the guide projection and the guide edge is released when a force opposite to a rotation direction is applied to the rotary arm when ejecting the disk.
US07958518B1
Techniques are described for providing enhanced interactions with software services, such as when executing software programs use remote software services. For example, if a software program is executing on a first computing system and using remote services provided by one or more other computing systems, one or more local software proxies may be executed on the first computing system to represent the remote services. The software program may interact in a common manner with the local software proxies, while each local software proxy may interact with its corresponding remote service in a manner specific to that remote service and transparent to the software program. Furthermore, a local software proxy may facilitate software program testing, such as by interacting with a local copy of a remote service rather than the actual remote service during testing and/or by emulating asynchronous message interactions with a remote service during testing.
US07958516B2
A system allows modules associated with different domains to communicate, such as within a container document. To transfer payload data from the first module associated with a first domain to a second module associated with a different domain, the first module adds the payload data as a text string to the URL of a transport module associated with the second domain. This way, the second module may directly access the modified transport module to obtain the payload data from its URL. The second module may likewise add other payload data as a text string to the URL of another transport module associated with the first domain, thereby enabling communication from the second domain to the first.
US07958485B2
A method for managing electronic content includes obtaining the content and associating top level contents of the obtained content with a deployment set. The top level content includes content that is specified by a user for deployment. The method also includes determining all dependencies of dependent content for each of the associated top level contents in the deployment set, incorporating the determined dependencies into discharge instructions for the deployment set, and generating a content deployment block including the associated top level contents, the dependent content, and the discharge instructions for the deployment set. The discharge instructions include dependency ordered deployment commands.
US07958484B2
A method for partitioning the columns of a matrix A. The method includes providing the matrix A in a memory device of a computer system. The matrix A has n columns and m rows, wherein n is an integer of at least 3, and wherein m is an integer of at least 1. The method further includes executing an algorithm by a processor of the computer system. Executing the algorithm includes partitioning the n columns of the matrix A into a closed group of p clusters, wherein p is a positive integer of at least 2 and less than n, wherein the partitioning includes an affinity-based merging of clusters of the matrix A, and wherein each cluster is a collection of one or more columns of A.
US07958483B1
An embodiment of the invention includes receiving an indicator of an activity-level of a functional block within an electronic chip. The functional block is configured to receive a clock signal from a clock signal generator. The clock signal to at least a portion of a functional block is disabled for a number of inactive clock cycles during a clock segment of the clock signal. The clock segment has a specified number of clock cycles and the number of inactive clock cycles is defined based on the activity-level and the specified number of clock cycles of the clock segment.
US07958481B2
An exemplary semiconductor integrated circuit is formed on a surface of a semiconductor chip includes a circuit region and a dummy region on the surface of the semiconductor chip. The circuit region includes a plurality of circuit patterns, which form circuit elements of the semiconductor integrated circuit, in a plurality of pattern layers. The dummy region includes a plurality of character dummies, which do not contribute to an operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit. The character dummies have a fixed shape and dimension, and arranged in a character pattern layer selected from the plurality of pattern layers with a fixed pitch. The dummy region further includes an identification sign formed by connecting selected ones of the character dummies chosen from the plurality of the character dummies.
US07958478B2
A production method for a semiconductor integrated circuit includes: creating a model parameter of an element constituting a cell, wherein the model parameter is defined by a design value and a distribution function of variability from the design value; performing a circuit simulation using the model parameter to create a response function that expresses response of cell characteristic to the model parameter; and creating a statistical cell library by using the response function. The statistical cell library used for circuit design and verification gives an expected value and statistical variation of the cell characteristic. The statistical variation is expressed by a product of the distribution function and sensitivity. The sensitivity is calculated based on the response function. When the model parameter is updated, the statistical cell library is updated by using the post-update model parameter and the response function without performing a circuit simulation.
US07958477B2
A failure analysis tool, a method of using the tool and a design structure for designing a mask for protecting a critical area of wiring failure in a semiconductor chip during packaging is provided. The failure analysis tool includes a computer infrastructure operable to determine a risk area for wiring layer failure during solder bump formation by determining a distance from a center of a chip to a location for a solder bump processing and identifying an area at an edge of the location for the solder bump processes at a predetermined distance and greater from the center of the chip.
US07958471B2
A design structure for a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an integrated circuit design (having nets comprising wires) determines critical parameters for coupling noise between the wires of the nets and acceptable limits for the critical parameters. Further, methods herein include designing a ring oscillator to have stages, each of the stages measuring only one of the critical parameters. This ring oscillator is then included within an integrated circuit design and associated design structure. The embodiments herein produce an integrated circuit according to this integrated circuit design and operate the ring oscillator within the integrated circuit to measure the critical parameters of the integrated circuit and produce test results. These test results are output to determine whether the test results are within the acceptable limits.
US07958465B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure on a chip includes extracting an active pattern including a diffusion region; enlarging the active pattern to form a dummy-forbidden region having a first edge and a second edge perpendicular to each other; and adding stress-blocking dummy diffusion regions throughout the chip, which includes adding a first stress-blocking dummy diffusion region adjacent and substantially parallel to the first edge of the dummy-forbidden region; and adding a second stress-blocking dummy diffusion region adjacent and substantially parallel to the second edge of the dummy-forbidden region. The method further includes, after the step of adding the stress-blocking dummy diffusion regions throughout the chip, adding general dummy diffusion regions into remaining spacings of the chip.
US07958454B2
Systems and methods are provided for the design, development and execution of a graphical user interface using a state machine based programming paradigm integrated with a componentized graphical user interface. The present invention generates a graphical state machine representation of the graphical user interface including states for elements of the graphical user interface and any events associated with these elements. The state diagram model provides a graphical structure for handling events associated with the graphical user interface, such as events generated by inputs provided by a user via a graphical user interface element. Furthermore, functionality for the graphical user interface, such as underlying control structure, state management, and event processing can be implemented with a high level textual programming language integrated with the graphical state machine.
US07958453B1
A method and system for real-time multi-user interactions and collaborations over the web. A method of balancing the needs of the group and the needs of the individual is shown through implementation of relaxed WYSIWIS design principles, where each web page served by the server system is comprised of two graphical layers: a web content layer and an interaction space. The web content layer contains the textual or graphical content or the web page that may be edited by a group of users in real-time. The interaction space is where users are given virtual embodiment through graphical representations known as avatars. It is a space where users can see other users and perform actions that will be seen by others in real-time. The interaction space is overlaid on top of the web content layer thereby creating one integrated space for multi-user interaction and collaboration.
US07958451B2
A graphical user interface for an information mediation system is provided for assisting the user to discover an information source that matches a sense of value of the user which normally can not be explicitly expressed in language, from a plurality of information sources such as bulletin board sites. The information mediation apparatus collects information from the plurality of information sources, analyzes the information, and generates one or more guideposts corresponding to information values thereof and data indicating a correlation between the plurality of information sources relative to the guideposts. A client apparatus receives one or more guideposts and a set of data containing information indicating the correlation of the information sources relative to the guidepost from the information mediation apparatus, and displays the correlation between these information sources in such a mode that the user can easily understand.
US07958446B2
A browsing application for accessing resources over a network includes code for receiving a command from a user to translate textual material appearing on an arbitrary page displayed in the content display area, and code for causing the textual material to be passed to a translation resource on the network, whereby the display area of the browsing application is caused to display a page which includes a translation of the textual material. The application may display a menu accessible from an arbitrary page whereby the user may select among translation options such as a translate to language and a translate from language. The application may be configured to cause text selected by a user to be translated, and/or may cause an entire page to be translated. Translated text may be displayed along with graphics in a layout similar to that of the original page.
US07958443B2
A system for creating a structured report using a template having at least one predetermined heading and formatting data associated with each heading. The steps include recording a voice file, creating a speech recognized text file corresponding to the voice file, identifying the location of each heading in the text file, and the text corresponding thereto, populating the template with the identified text corresponding to each heading, and formatting the populated template to create the structured report.
US07958439B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a block remapping system that offsets an input block address by the addresses of non-functional blocks to provide an output block address that is used to address the memory device. The system generates the output block addresses by, in effect, adding to the input block address the addresses of all non-functional blocks of memory that are between an initial address and the output block address. The system performs this function be comparing the input block address to the address of any defective block. If the address of the defective block is less than or equal to the input block address, the addresses of all defective blocks starting at the block address are added to the input block address. The system then iteratively performs this process using each output block address generated by the system in place of the input block address.
US07958436B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving incoming data in a processor and performing a checksum operation on the incoming data in the processor pursuant to a user-level instruction for the checksum operation. For example, a cyclic redundancy checksum may be computed in the processor itself responsive to the user-level instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07958432B2
Non volatile storage may be employed to temporarily store data which is destaged to data storage drives. The non volatile storage is configured to preserve the data through a power outage. Some data may be preserved, but is not needed, such as the result of a failover to another non volatile storage. This unneeded data is tested to verify the non volatile storage by indicating whether the data survived the power cycle from full power to self refresh mode battery power to full power, without risking the loss of data that is needed.
US07958430B1
An improved flash memory device and method for improving the performance and reliability of a flash memory device is provided. According to one embodiment, a method for writing data to a memory device may include writing the data to a temporary storage location within the memory device before the data is copied to another location within the memory device, incrementing a count value to indicate that the data has been copied, and repeating the step of writing, if the count value is less than a threshold value. If the count value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the method may write the data to an external memory controller, where the data is checked for errors and corrected if an error is found, before the data is copied to the other location within the memory device.
US07958419B2
A method implemented to test a plurality of components coupled in a star configuration, each component having a test access port (TAP) controller. The method comprises performing a capture phase of a scan operation on all of the TAP controllers in the star configuration and sequentially selecting one of the TAP controllers at a time to perform a shift state. When all of the TAP controllers have been sequentially selected to perform the shift phase, the method further comprises selecting all of the TAP controllers to perform an update phase.
US07958415B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit that allows a fail path to be detected. A semiconductor integrated circuit as described herein can be configured to include a data register that can receive input data to generate and store a write expectation value and a read expectation value, during a period in which a test mode is activated, a first comparing unit that compares write data written in a memory cell with the write expectation value, and a second comparing unit that compares read data read from the memory cell with the read expectation value.
US07958414B1
An embodiment of a method of enhancing security of internal memory is disclosed. For this embodiment of the method, the application specific block is operated in a functional mode, and a reset of the application specific block is initiated. From a built-in self-test engine, at least one write to the internal memory is initiated in response to the reset initiated, where the at least one write overwrites data stored in the internal memory during a reset mode.
US07958413B1
The present invention provides a method and system for improving memory testing efficiency, raising the speed of memory testing, detecting memory failures occurring at the memory operating frequency, and reducing data reported for redundancy repair analysis. The memory testing system includes a first memory tester extracting failed memory location information from the memory at a higher memory operating frequency, an external memory tester receiving failed memory location information at a lower memory tester frequency, and an interface between the first memory tester and the external memory tester. The memory testing method uses data strobes at the memory tester frequency to clock out failed memory location information obtained at the higher memory operating frequency. In addition, the inventive method reports only enough information to the external memory tester for it to determine row, column and single bit failures repairable with the available redundant resources. The present invention further provides a redundant resource allocation system, which uses a bad location list and an associated bad location list to classify failed memory locations according to a predetermined priority sequence, and allocates redundant resources to repair the failed memory locations according to the priority sequence.
US07958412B2
A memory module includes several memory devices coupled to a memory hub. The memory hub includes several link interfaces coupled to respective processors, several memory controller coupled to respective memory devices, a cross-bar switch coupling any of the link interfaces to any of the memory controllers, a write buffer and read cache for each memory device and a self-test module. The self-test module includes a pattern generator producing write data having a predetermined pattern, and a flip-flop having a data input receiving the write data. A clock input of the flip-flop receives an internal clock signal from a delay line that receives a variable frequency clock generator. Read data are coupled from the memory devices and their pattern compared to the write data pattern. The delay of the delay line and frequency of the clock signal can be varied to test the speed margins of the memory devices.
US07958409B2
The invention relates to a method for recording a memory parameter and a method for optimizing a memory. In the invention, adjusted enhancement parameter data can be stored in a non-volatile memory of a memory module. Then, the setting value of a parameter of a memory module is portable, and users can write the needed setting value of the memory parameter into the non-volatile memory of the memory module. In other words, in the invention, no matter whether the memory module is applied to the same computer or not, the enhancement parameter data can be applied to prevent the users from repeatedly setting the memory parameter of the memory module in different computers.
US07958398B2
A method for generating reference state information, the method includes: comparing between at least one sequence of block identifiers that are accessed during a test period and at least one corresponding reference sequence of block identifiers to provide a comparison result; determining whether to generate reference state information in response to the comparison result; and generating reference state information if determining to generate the reference state information.
US07958390B2
A memory device for repairing a neighborhood of rows in a memory array using a patch table is disclosed. In one embodiment, circuitry in the memory device is operative to store, in a temporary storage area of the memory device, (i) first data to be stored in row N in the memory array, (ii) second data, if any, stored in row N−1 in the memory array, and (iii) third data, if any, stored in row N+1 in the memory array. The circuitry is operative to write the first data in row N in the memory array, and, in response to an error in writing the first data, to write the first data, the second data, if any, and the third data, if any, in respective rows in a repair area in the memory device. The circuitry is further operative to add the addresses of rows N−1, N, and N+1 to a table stored in the memory device.
US07958387B2
The technology disclosed relates to real-time collection and flexible reporting of test data. In particular, it is useful when collecting packet counts during tests of network devices that simulate thousands or even millions of data sessions conducted through a device under test (“DUT”).
US07958375B2
A recording medium, apparatus for decrypting data and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes downloading encrypted data associated with a recording medium to a local storage, decrypting data recorded in the recording medium using a first type key within a key file stored in the recording medium and decrypting the downloaded data using a second type key within one of the key file stored in the recording medium or a key file stored in the local storage. And, the present invention includes downloading the data encrypted with a key associated with a recording medium to a local storage, reading out a decryption key using link information between the data and the key, and decrypting the data using the decryption key. Accordingly, by the present invention, unauthorized copy, redistribution and the like of contents can be prevented. Hence contents can be safely provided and data can be efficiently reproduced, whereby more convenient functions can be provided to a user.
US07958374B2
A method for protecting digital information includes: converting a protected address range into a plurality of address blocks based on a preset conversion unit, and generating an address block rearranging rule using the address blocks as a parameter; when it is desired to load data into an address batch of the protected address range, converting the address batch into a plurality address blocks based on the conversion unit; and locating rearranged addresses of the address blocks in the protected address range according to the address block rearranging rule, and loading the data into the rearranged addresses. Thus, the data can be stored in the address batch scatteredly, and the protected data cannot be recomposed into the original correct data when stolen.
US07958368B2
A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for authorizing a computing node to participate in a group of computing nodes utilizing a shared group password. According to one method described herein, an invitation to join a group is transmitted to a tentative group member node. The invitation is used to establish a connection with a group member node of the group. The tentative group member node generates a hash of a group password and transmits the hash to the group member node. When the group member node receives the hash, the group member node compares the received value to a previously stored hash of the group password. If the previously stored value is identical to the value received from the tentative group member node, then the tentative group member node is authorized as a new member of the group. Otherwise the tentative group member node is not permitted to become a member of the group.
US07958366B2
A system is provided for preventing recorded data from being illicitly read out and analyzed. An Internet connection interface transmits a program executed by an adapter to an authentication station, while receiving the program in an encrypted form from the authentication station. A hard disc records the encrypted program, received from the authentication station. An interface transmits the program recorded on the horizontal direction on the adapter.
US07958365B2
A classification scheme assigns samples of the watermarked media to classes based on classification criteria indicating a likely presence of a watermarked signal. Once classified, the scheme determines statistical characteristics of the media signal for the classes, and assigns a figure of merit to the samples in each class. A watermark decoder (e.g., reader and/or detector) use the figure of merit to adapt a watermark decoding function to the statistical features of the classes, such as weighting to samples to improve watermark decoding.
US07958364B2
A system for digitally signing electronic documents is disclosed. The system includes a mobile device, an application server and a database, the mobile device includes a requesting module and a digest encrypting module, the application server includes an obtaining module, a digest generating module and a merging module. The requesting module is configured for sending a request for a digital signature of an electronic document to the application server; the obtaining module is configured for obtaining the electronic document from the database; the digest generating module is configured for generating a digest of the electronic document, and sending the digest to the mobile device; the digest encrypting module is configured for encrypting the digest, generating an encrypted value, and sending the encrypted value to the application server; the merging module is configured for merging the encrypted value and the electronic document. A related computer-based method is also disclosed.
US07958351B2
A method of operating a multi-level security system including the steps of providing a plurality of processors. At least some of said processors are equipped with a data card which permits simultaneous processing of different classification levels of information and the dynamic reallocation of processors to different classification levels.
US07958348B2
A method is for securing and verifying an electronic certificate issued by an authority to an owner. The certificate is stored in the memory of a user unit operated by the owner. The user unit transmits all or part of the data of the certificate to the authority. Further, during an initialization phase, the method includes determining, by the authority, a network identifier pertaining to the user unit, and storing, by the authority, the identifier in connection with the data of the certificate. As such, the use of an electronic certificate by individuals other than the owner may be prevented. Further, damages to the owner, in the case of the theft or copying of a certificate, may be avoided.
US07958347B1
A proxy (e.g., a switch) resides in a respective network environment between one or more clients and multiple servers. One purpose of the proxy is to provide the clients a unified view of a distributed file system having respective data stored amongst multiple remote and disparate storage locations over a network. Another purpose of the proxy is to enable the clients retrieve data stored at the multiple servers. To establish a first connection between the proxy and a respective client, the proxy communicates with an authentication agent (residing at a location other than at the client) to verify a challenge response received from the client. When establishing a set of second connections with the multiple servers, the proxy communicates with the authentication agent to generate challenge responses on behalf of the client. The proxy facilitates a flow of data on the first connection and the set of second connections.
US07958336B2
A device and method may fetch an instruction or micro-operation for execution. An indication may be made as to whether the instruction is dependent upon any source values corresponding to a set of previously fetched instructions. A value may be stored corresponding to each source value from which the first instruction depends. An indication may be made for each of the set of sources of the instruction, whether the source depends on a previously loaded value or source, where indicating may include storing a value corresponding to the indication. The instruction may be executed after the stored values associated with the instruction indicate the dependencies are satisfied.
US07958330B2
A compiler program creates a program, which is executed on a platform where use of a pointer is limited and that can perform a pointer operation without specifying addresses allocated to a memory. When a source code, which is related with the pointer operation to be executed for data having references for simultaneously identifying respective data and offset information for simultaneously specifying positions in the data identified by the references, is read, a code for performing the pointer operation using a pseudo-pointer having a predetermined data length is created by the compiler program based on information simultaneously specified by the references for identifying the data and the offset information.
US07958326B2
The correspondence between a plurality of virtual storage positions in a virtual volume for logically holding a snapshot image of a main volume in which data elements transmitted from a higher-level device are written and a plurality of address information elements indicating a plurality of actual storage positions of a plurality of data elements constituting the snapshot image is managed. In the initial backup, all the data elements stored in all the actual storage positions indicated by a plurality of address information elements are backed up, then storage positions where a difference has occurred between the virtual volume and the backup destination storage device is managed, and in the next and subsequent backups, data elements on the storage positions specified from the address information elements corresponding to the differentially managed storage positions are backed up.
US07958322B2
A multiple computer environment is disclosed in which an application program executes simultaneously on a plurality of computers (M1, M2, . . . , Mn) interconnected by a communications network (53) and in which the local memory of each computer is not maintained substantially the same by updating in due course. An address table mechanism to permit access to an asset, object, or structure (such as a memory location) for the purpose of updating, for example. Not all computers have the same memory, and it is not necessary for all computers to be updated.
US07958318B2
A second-level cache device stores part of registration information of data for a first-level cache device in a second-level cache-tag unit in association with registration information in a second-level-cache data unit, and stores the registration information of data for the first-level cache device in a first-level cache-tag copying unit. A coherency maintaining processor maintains coherency between the first-level cache device and the second-level cache device based on the information stored in the second-level cache-tag unit and the first-level cache-tag copying unit.
US07958308B2
Upon retrieving, after occurrence of replacement of a first cache, move out (MO) data that is a write back target, a second cache determines, based on data that is set in a control flag of a register, whether a new registration process of move in (MI) data with respect to a recording position of the MO data is completed. Upon determining that the new registration process is not completed, the second cache cancels the new registration process to ensure that a request of the new registration process is not output to a pipeline.
US07958300B2
Systems and methods for operating upon a mobile communications device. A system and method can be used with data operations with respect to the mobile communications device's memory, wherein the memory has sectors. Data structures are used with the data operations to determine whether a sector contains valid data or to locate a record's pointer in the memory. The data structures can be used for such operations as record creation, record movement, recovery, etc.
US07958295B1
A method and apparatus are provided for finding the maxima and minima from a set of inputs data. Given a master set K[0 . . . N−1] of N keys, the current invention can pre-compute a comparison matrix, find the maximum key KMAX or minimum key KMIN from the master set K[0 . . . N−1] and indicate the key position index PMAX of the maximum key or PMIN of the minimum key. Given a subset S[0 . . . M−1] of M keys where the subset S[0 . . . M−1] belongs to the master set K[0 . . . N−1], the current invention can also find the maximum key SMAX or minimum key SMIN from the subset S[0 . . . M−1] and indicate the reference key position index PMAX of the maxima SMAX or PMIN of the minima SMIN in the master set K[0 . . . N−1]. The current invention can also find a specific rank of key (example 5th largest key or 6th smallest key) and return the reference key index position in the master set K[0 . . . N−1].
US07958291B2
An apparatus includes a first interface having a communication channel through which data is transmitted to or received from a target device and a first control register that is configured to control, based at least in part on its contents, transmission or reception of data through the communication channel. The apparatus also includes a second interface having a second control register that is configured to control, based at least in part on its contents, transmission or reception of data through the communication channel. A circuit in the apparatus harmonizes the contents of the first control register and the second control register, such that an external controller can control transmission or reception of data through the communication channel by providing control data in a first format to the first control register or by providing alternate control data in a second different format to the second control register.
US07958290B2
The quantity of input and output signal lines that must be directly supported by a bus logic to transmit signals to and receive signals from bus devices is minimized by serializing the states to be driven onto the output signal lines and serially transmitting those states to one or more external shift registers having parallel outputs to drive output signal lines, by receiving states of input signal lines at parallel inputs to one or more other external shift registers to be serialized and serially transmitted to the bus logic, wherein the order in which the states to be driven onto the output signal lines is such that those states corresponding to actual output signal lines are the last states to be serially transmitted, and wherein the order in which the states received from the input signal lines are transmitted to the bus logic is such that those states corresponding to actual input signal lines are transmitted first to the bus logic, thereby also minimizing the quantity of shift registers required externally of the bus logic.
US07958286B2
Programmable on-chip identification circuitry and associated method are disclosed that provide integrated circuits with the ability to select and report from multiple different vendor and system identification configurations. The integrated circuit device includes programmable circuitry that utilizes vendor identification, system identification, configuration or other device information provided or selected at least in part based upon selection information from a source external to the integrated circuit. The selection information may be provided through one or more externally generated digital and/or analog control signals that are then processed within the integrated circuit device to select, access and utilize desired identification information stored in an on-chip database. For example, one or more analog control signals can be generated using resistor circuits for which specific selectable resistor configurations map to particular information stored in a look-up table or other database structure within the integrated circuit. The analog control signals are converted to digital values within the integrated circuit, and these digital values are used to select device information from the on-chip database. Furthermore, the selected device information can be stored in on-chip device information registers. And the digital values themselves can be stored and used as identification, configuration or other device information.
US07958283B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for selecting first data received in a first die of a multi-chip package (MCP) from a second die of the MCP via an intra-package link for output from a selector during a first clock period of a first clock signal, selecting second data transmitted from the second die to the first die for output from the selector during a second clock period, and transmitting the first and second data from the MCP via an external link. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07958275B2
This invention makes it possible to automatically install the device driver of only an intended network device on a network. Pieces of identification information for temporarily recognizing partners are input in both a client terminal and a network compliant device corresponding to a driver to be installed. When the identification information is input, the network compliant device multicasts a Hello message which describes the identification information and is necessary to enter the network. The client terminal receives the Hello message, and when information which matches the input identification information is described in the Hello message, shifts to a process based on UPnP. When the client terminal receives a Hello message not containing any description which matches the identification information, it does not notify the OS of the message.
US07958264B2
A URI pointer system and method are provided for the referencing of MPEG-4 data resources carried in an American ATSC MPEG-2 TSFS. The method comprises: receiving an MPEG-2 TS, with a packetized ATSC TSFS; locating a URI in the TS; in response to the URI, accessing an address such as a lid or an http address; retrieving MPEG-4 resources from the ATSC TSFS; and, decoding the MPEG-4 resources. Accessed lid URIs provide a binding name and access scheme to the objects in the ATSC TSFS, as a lid URI embedded in an Initial Object Descriptor (IOD) is used to locate resources in the TSFS such as a BIFS scene description stream and/or an object descriptor stream. Receiving an MPEG-2 TS, with a packetized ATSC TSFS, means that MPEG-4 resources are formed in a hierarchical directory structure of BIOP objects including a DSM::ServiceGateway, a DSM::Directory, and a DSM::File.
US07958263B2
A data storage enclosure management system of a plurality of service processors is configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops. Lead and subsidiary service processors are defined and lead service processors connect to ones of the FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and the lead and subsidiary service processors are connected by a secondary communication link. The lead service processor(s) employ an identifier unassociated with the FC-AL address to differentiate communications of the lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, the lead service processor serving as a proxy for the associated subsidiary service processor with respect to the FC-AL address and communicating with the associated subsidiary service processor via the secondary communication link.
US07958252B2
System for scalable transmission of content in a data network. A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of content clips. The method includes determining QoS factors for the content clips, and grouping the content clips into groups based on the determined QoS factors. The method also includes coding the content clips in the groups to form coded content clips, interleaving the coded content clips to create a clip stream, and transmitting the clip stream.
US07958249B2
A file transport mechanism according to the invention is responsible for accepting, storing and distributing files, such as configuration or control files, to a large number of field machines. The mechanism is comprised of a set of servers that accept, store and maintain submitted files. The file transport mechanism implements a distributed agreement protocol based on “vector exchange.” A vector exchange is a knowledge-based algorithm that works by passing around to potential participants a commitment bit vector. A participant that observes a quorum of commit bits in a vector assumes agreement. Servers use vector exchange to achieve consensus on file submissions. Once a server learns of an agreement, it persistently marks (in a local data store) the request as “agreed.” Once the submission is agreed, the server can stage the new file for download.
US07958248B2
The present invention relates to an information providing system, information processing apparatus and method, and information providing apparatus and method, adapted to suppress broadcast contents from being utilized unduly. A digital broadcast receiver receives network contents from a contents server. The network contents may make reference to broadcast contents sent on the air by one or more broadcast stations. The broadcast contents broadcast by the broadcast stations includes a broadcast wave BIT (Broadcaster Information Table) containing the address information of an authentication information server. The digital broadcast receiver accesses the authentication information server based on the address information, and requests for an authentication of whether a reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents is allowed. According to the authentication result, the digital broadcast receiver controls a reference to broadcast contents based on the network contents. The present invention is applicable to a television receiver connectable to the Internet.
US07958236B2
A method, system, and program product for communicating with machines and end users connected to a network. Information sent to or from the machines is transmitted using electronic mail or a via a direct connection. The electronic mail may be transmitted over the Internet to a service center or from a service center to a resource administrator, but also may remain within a local or wide area network for transmission between a machine and an end user or a resource administrator. E-mail messages may be transmitted from a computer which is attached to a device which is being monitored or controlled and include information regarding the status, usage or capabilities of the attached device. The device may send status messages and usage information of the device by an end user to either a resource administrator or to a service center on the Internet through a firewall. The message may be sent directly to the resource administrator station if an urgent need of the end user is indicated, so that a communication may be sent either directly to the end user or to a device driver so that the device driver may communicate the message to the end user. For example, an end user may have exceeded a predetermined limit of resource usage, and needs to be informed. For routine information, the service center may manage all the resources on an intranet and may send predetermined types of information such as summary information regarding usage of network resources to the end user using e-mail.
US07958235B2
A computer terminal connected to a manufacturing apparatus as an object of the maintenance management is connected to a server machine providing a maintenance management service by a network, enabling bi-directional communication. The computer terminal monitors whether or not the object apparatus is restarted and transmits restart information indicating restart completion due to maintenance performed on the object apparatus by the customer to the server machine upon determining that the object apparatus is restarted. The server machine generates a random number within the specific range when receiving the restart information from the computer terminal, retrieves points corresponding to the random number from the lottery point setting storage unit, and stores the retrieved points in the lottery point storage unit. This can encourage the customer to perform maintenance on the object apparatus in order to indicate said restart completion to obtain more points.
US07958234B2
Systems and methods for monitoring usage of an electronic device are disclosed herein. A client component in stalled in a client device is operative to monitor usage of the client device in accordance with a monitoring profile, and to generate corresponding usage data. The monitoring profile typically includes information specifying which features of which application programs are to be disabled on the client device. A server component, installed on a server device in communication with the client device, provides the monitoring profile to the client device and receives the usage data from the client device.
US07958231B2
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method for selecting a server to provide content to a client is presented. A media controller receives a request from a client for content. The media controller instructs a plurality of servers each storing the content required by the client to perform a bandwidth measurement referred to in the disclosure as a bandwidth probe. The result of the bandwidth probe is communicated to the media controller. The media controller selects a server (i.e., an identified server) for communication with the client based on the result and communicates the selection in the form of a redirect command to the client. The client then communicates directly with the identified server.
US07958229B2
A method and system of an embodiment may include identifying a power source used by a network element, determining a carbon footprint of a unit of power usage from the power source, identifying one or more components associated with the network element used for a network operation performed by the network element, determining the power usage of the one or more identified components during the process, and calculating the carbon footprint of the process performed by the network element.
US07958227B2
A system and method for capturing objects and balancing systems resources in a capture system are described. An object is captured, metadata associated with the objected generated, and the object and metadata stored.
US07958226B2
A computer architecture for enterprise device applications that provides a real-time, bi-directional communication layer for device communication. An identity-based communications layer provides for secure, end-to-end telemetry and control communications by enabling mutual authentication and encryption between the devices and the enterprise. A unique identity is assigned to each device, user and application to provide security services. The unique identity is independent of a network-address. Security information and a network address may be associated with the unique identity.
US07958223B2
The content management application is an intranet application which provides a process for implementing changes to an internet website of a company by providing the company the ability to define and enforce a common style of page layout. The application can be accessed via a desktop browser and multiple users may access the application for multiple reasons at the same time. The application also dynamically generates new page designs and new component design with various people assigned to groups or teams enabling the continuous creation and processing of content. Once the content is created and reviewed, it is then launched onto the company's internet site for viewing by the internet users accessing the company's web page.
US07958221B2
A service processing apparatus that is realized by a computer is provided. The apparatus forms a service processing system, and transmits and receives information, with at least one other service processing apparatus. The apparatus performs processing to execute at least a service other than services for which processing is complete and that are not idempotent among at least one service corresponding to the services for which re-execution is requested, when re-execution is requested for a service for which execution has been previously requested by receipt of a service request to which the same service ID is added as to a previously received service request, and transmits a response to a transmission origin of the service request, when the processing to execute is completed.
US07958216B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for managing system actions on a network. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for managing system actions on a computer network, comprising the steps of initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command, transmitting information about the system action sequence to one or more user computers or administrator computers, receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from one or more user computers or administrator computers, and selectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.
US07958214B1
A secure transaction method involves establishing an electronically accessible verification site authorized by the holder of a credit or debit card, and accessing the verification site by a merchant to determine whether a request for goods or services is authorized. The request for goods or services is based upon the use of the credit or debit card, but the card is not physically presented. The verification site is an electronic mail account which may be established by the merchant, card holder or other authorized person or entity. An authorization message is preferably sent from the site to the merchant in response to the step of accessing the verification site by the merchant. The verification site may also be wirelessly accessible, enabling an authorization message to be delivered through a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or other mobile device.
US07958210B2
A management node for managing a program update time refers to an update management table in which a plurality of managed nodes are classified into a plurality of groups and the sequence of program updating of the groups is defined. The management node sequentially selects the groups in accordance with the sequence of program updating in such a manner that after program updating processing has been completed in all managed nodes included in the selected group, the next group is selected. The management node refers to the update management table, transmits a program update request to each of the managed nodes included in the selected group, receives an update completion notification from the managed node, and notifies update management information storing means that the update processing has been completed in the managed node.
US07958209B2
A method to reconfigure a connection-oriented network from an existing configuration to a desired configuration includes generating a sequence of configuration specifications for the connection-oriented network. The sequence specifies a plurality of intermediate configurations between the existing and the desired configurations. The sequence of configuration specifications is implemented within the connection-oriented network by, for each configuration specification, issuing at least one instruction to an element of the connection-oriented network to modify configuration information maintained at the element to thereby instantiate respective configurations. The implementing includes issuing a specific instruction to instantiate a subsequent configuration specification only if an acknowledgment is received that a preceding configuration has been successfully instantiated.
US07958206B2
Mechanisms for securing access to network resources are described. The mechanisms may perform operations for securing access to a network element and which can include associating a network element with a set of data, and configuring a portion of the data to be responsive to a first subset of access rights. The mechanisms may further perform operations for selection an appropriate security to govern access by a user to network resources.
US07958200B2
Remote clients may access remotely exported file systems using a remote token manager that provides communication among a plurality of caching file servers. In response to a client request for file system access, a program is invoked to determine whether the request relates to a locally exported file system exported by a local caching file server or a remotely exported file system exported by a remote caching file server. If the request relates to a locally exported file system, a local token manager is invoked to obtain a token granting access permission to the locally exported file system. If the request relates to a remotely exported file system, a remote token manager is invoked to communicate with a local access routine in the remote caching file server to obtain a token granting access permission for the remotely exported file system.
US07958184B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for network virtualization in a multi-network system. The virtual network may abstract multiple, underlying physical networks connecting compute nodes on a multi-node system. A network driver and control system may route traffic on the underlying physical networks according to system and/or application requirements, and a virtual-to-physical network mapping may be controlled by the driver and control system.
US07958183B2
A mechanism for performing collective operations. In software executing on a parent processor in a first processor book, a number of other processors are determined in a same or different processor book of the data processing system that is needed to execute the collective operation, thereby establishing a plurality of processors comprising the parent processor and the other processors. In software executing on the parent processor, the plurality of processors are logically arranged as a plurality of nodes in a hierarchical structure. The collective operation is transmitted to the plurality of processors based on the hierarchical structure. In hardware of the parent processor, results are received from the execution of the collective operation from the other processors, a final result is generated of the collective operation based on the received results, and the final result is output.
US07958181B2
A method and apparatus for including in a processor instructions for performing logical-comparison and branch support operations on packed or unpacked data. In one embodiment, a processor is coupled to a memory. The memory has stored therein a first data and a second data. The processor performs logical comparisons on the first and second data. The logical comparisons may be performed on each bit of the first and second data, or may be performed only on certain bits. For at least one embodiment, at least the first data includes packed data elements, and the logical comparisons are performed on the most significant bits of the packed data elements. The logical comparisons may include comparison of the same respective bits of the first and second data, and also includes logical comparisons of bits of the first data with the complement of the corresponding bits of the second data. Based on these comparisons, branch support actions are taken. Such branch support actions may include setting one or more flags, which in turn may be utilized by a branching unit. Alternatively, the branch support actions may include branching to an indicated target code location.
US07958179B2
Provided are an arithmetic method and device of a reconfigurable processor. The arithmetic device includes: an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) for performing an addition and subtraction operation and a logic operation of a binary signal; a multiplier for performing a multiplication operation of the binary signal; a shifter for changing an arrangement of the binary signal; a first operand selector and a second operand selector each for selecting one of values output from the ALU, the multiplier, and the shifter; and an adder for adding the values selected by the first operand selector and the second operand selector.
US07958175B2
A method for generating a random number, comprising steps of receiving a data transmission binary signal subjected to phase jitter, generating several oscillator signals substantially of a same average frequency and having distinct respective phases, sampling a status of each of the oscillator signals upon the appearance of edges of the binary signal, and of generating a random number using the statuses of each of the oscillator signals. The method may be applied to an integrated circuit usable in a smart card.
US07958168B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for restoring a virtual disk (vdisk) in a data storage system as the vdisk was at an earlier time. Pointers are maintained to point to data represented by the vdisk. The pointers are saved to persistent storage at the earlier time. The data at the earlier time is maintained on the data storage device. A pointer pointing to data represented by the vdisk at a later time is compared with the pointers saved at the earlier time. If the pointer from the later time matches the pointer saved at the earlier time, keeping the pointer from the later time in the active file system. If the pointer from the later time does not match the pointers saved at the earlier time, copying a set of pointers associated with the pointer saved at the earlier time to the active file system.
US07958165B1
A method and a system for converting logical aspects of a common warehouse model (CWM) to corresponding design items for a relational database by processing in a hierarchical manner the logical aspects and creating the corresponding design items. The logical aspects comprise entity-relationship (ER) libraries. The ER libraries comprise ER models. The corresponding design items comprise design libraries. The design libraries comprise design models.
US07958164B2
A system that provides a visual mechanism (e.g., user interface (UI)) by which a user can design a regular expression is provided. The graphical interactive mechanism enables a user to develop regular expressions without an understanding of the intricacies of the regular expression syntax. The UI can provide an interactive mechanism by which a user can graphically annotate (e.g., color, highlight) a regular expression thus, mapping the expression to a particular tabulated output. The novel UI can provide a particular kind of dialog layout with several controls and dynamically linked views, e.g., a data view, a regular expression view and a column view which can facilitate definition of the regular expression as well as creation of mappings to output columns (e.g., annotations).
US07958161B2
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for providing hosted highly tailored vertical applications. In accordance with one embodiment, a set of universal configuration options for a customer relationship management application is created and presented to a user. The user selects one or more options from the set of options provided and the selected options are used to automatically configure a tailored customer relationship management application. For one embodiment of the invention multiple incompatible business entities and processes from existing verticals are decomposed to provide a set of configurations options to a customer company. The customer company selects from the provided configuration options and a highly tailored vertical is automatically configured based upon the selected configuration options.
US07958154B2
An apparatus, system, and method for providing command manager support for pluggable data formats. The present invention accepts arbitrary hierarchical input data structures even when the hierarchical input data structure represents hierarchical data in a structure independent of a specific type of data repository. A data mediator receives a hierarchical input data structure and determines whether if it is a snapshot structure or a delta structure. If it is a snapshot update, the command manager creates an in-memory map object structure populated with values from a data repository and compares it with the snapshot. Based on the comparison, it generates a DESPI hierarchical command structure in a format-specific mediation module, and the commands are executed in the data repository. If the hierarchical input data structure is a delta structure, the command manager generates a hierarchical command structure and then translates it to a DESPI-compliant command structure. The commands are then executed in the data repository.
US07958147B1
A software engine runs in a compatible mode with off-the-shelf word processors, e-mail programs and presentation development software and other document development software. The software engine is used for the security classification of sensitive or national security classified information in electronic and resultant hard copy document formats. The software engine ensures that the individual considers all informational portions of a document, that appropriate document marks are employed, that document marks in their electronic format are persistent and that all necessary information, such as classification guides, standards and security regulations, provided by the organization to classify information is at hand and immediately available. In addition to the document sensitivity or classification determination and marking support, the software engine tracks and controls documents and the electronic media storing documents. It also provides warnings and alarms, ad hoc document security analysis and reporting capability to system security administrators with respect to document or network events or captured information that may be indicative of risk to the information requiring protection. The software also provides the ability for an organization to centrally establish and control a security classification or sensitivity marking hierarchy for automated security classification support.
US07958141B2
Methods and system for query utilization are described. A rate of a plurality of queries to a data source may be determined for a plurality of time periods. The plurality of queries may be associated with a term. A cost may be associated with a normal-to-deviated query state transition and a deviated-to-normal query state transition. A normal query state or a deviated query state may be assigned to a particular query on a particular time period of the plurality of time periods based on the rate of queries for the particular time period and the cost of the normal-to-deviated query state transition and the deviated-to-normal query state transition. A query burst may be identified during the plurality of time periods based on assignment of the normal query state or the deviated query state to the plurality of queries. The query burst may have the normal query state, the normal-to-deviated query state transition, and the deviated query state during a time period.
US07958136B1
The present invention provides systems and methods for identifying similar documents. In an embodiment, the present invention identifies similar documents by (1) receiving document text for a current document that includes at least one word; (2) calculating a prominence score and a descriptiveness score for each word and each pair of consecutive words; (3) calculating a comparison metric for the current document; (4) finding at least one potential document, where document text for each potential document includes at least one of the words; and (5) analyzing each potential document to identify at least one similar document.
US07958133B2
A method leverages the file format information used by a target application to convert a source dataset into an encoding usable by the target application without converting the source dataset before migration and without modifying the target application. The source data when on the source system has random portions of various data types that are encoded in a source encoding based on data type. The target application, which typically processes data encoded in a target encoding that is based on data type, is able to process the source data despite the source encoding using file format information and a modified compiler library.
US07958127B2
A tag-mediated review system for electronic content that ranks content based upon several ascertainable factors, including the implicit engagement with the content by users (typically online viewers); the expertise and success in the topical domain by reviewers; and the review activity of users or viewers. The system extends implicit metrics to tracking of user interaction including the receipt of video and audio content over the web. Document ranking is mediated by tags that identify the subject matter addressed by an associated document as the ranking mediators for computing content quality scores values for user and reviewer activity. The tag-mediated content quality scores, which are content quality scores for the subject matter area identified by the associated tags, can be exposed to end-users and used directly or indirectly to complement search engine retrieval algorithms.
US07958126B2
Techniques are provided for including collection items in the ranked set of search results that are returned to a user in response to a search query. Collection scoring techniques are also provided for generating relevance scores for collection items in a different manner than relevance scores are generated for base items that are not collections. The collection scoring techniques may be applied to non-base collection items, base collection items, or both. Items that match the search query, including base items and collection items, are ranked in a unified ranking based on their respective relevance scores, thereby allowing searches to readily determine the relevance ranking of matching collection items relative to matching base items.
US07958124B2
A bundle database management system comprises a search server including a bundle definition unit for defining a core word and a relevant word connected to the core word, and connection relation between the core and relevant words to generate and store bundle data; a description definition unit for defining description data corresponding to the core and relevant words; a search request receiving unit for receiving a search request including a specific search word input by a user; a search result page generating unit for generating a search result page including the bundle data retrieved by the search word as a core word and the description data retrieved by the core word; and a search result page transmitting unit for transmitting the search result page to the user; and a user terminal connected to the search server for transmitting the search request and receiving the search result page.
US07958117B2
A system and method are directed towards managing a display of initial impression attributes to bring the most relevant information into quick view. The view can be customized by the user. Within a search context, a search may be performed based on a set of search criteria. The user may establish a set of initial impression attributes to be displayed, or employ a default set of initial impression attributes. The default set may be determined based on statistical analysis. When a result of the search is displayed, the initial impression attributes may also be displayed such that the user may review the initial impression attributes and make a decision based, in part, on the initial impression attributes. Initial impression attributes may also be employed within threaded online conversations or browsing through inventory. The search or browse contexts may include online dating searches, merchandises searches, groups, real estate, even employment searches.
US07958111B2
A plurality of documents are ranked. The documents are returned as the result of a query computed for each search engine of a plurality of search engines. Each document of the plurality of documents is associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The plurality of documents includes at least one document returned as a result of the query from each of the search engines. For each URL associated with a document from the plurality of documents, a frequency of the URLs is determined. Ranking the plurality of documents includes ranking them based on one or more factors, which are based on the frequency determined for each URL associated with the plurality of documents.
US07958107B2
A fuzzy, or ambiguous, keyword searching process and systems for implementing the fuzzy keyword searching process are provided. In general, one or more keyword search terms are first identified for a search. Next, a user is enabled to adjust a logical fuzziness, or logical ambiguity, for each of the one or more keyword search terms. As used herein, logical fuzziness of a keyword search term refers to the extent to which associated keywords are considered for the search. In one embodiment, the user may also be enabled to view and adjust keyword associations for each of the keyword search terms. A search is then performed based on the one or more keyword search terms and the logical fuzziness of the one or more keyword search terms, and results of the search are presented to the user.
US07958098B2
An apparatus and method for updating security association database entries in a system having multiple security channels by selectively granting access to the entries by a plurality of the multiple security channels that may need to update the same entry using a first-come, first-served scheme. The apparatus includes a controller circuit that functions to carry out the method which, for each of the multiple security channels, includes determining whether another of the security channels has a higher priority to access a particular security association database entry. If no other channel has a higher priority, then the channel requesting access to the entry retrieves it from its address location, modifies it, and writes the modified entry back to its address location. The controller prevents other channels from simultaneously, or substantially simultaneously, retrieving and modifying the same entry.
US07958096B2
Systems and methods for performing data mining in a set of binary data arranged as a plurality of data items in which each data item has a plurality of bits, each bit in a corresponding one of a plurality of bit positions. The set of binary data is arranged in the data storage such that the binary data is in bit position groups. Each bit position group corresponds to a different one of the plurality of bit positions and includes bits of the binary data having that bit position. The binary data of each bit position group is compressed to produce data structures representing the set of binary data. A data mining technique is performed using the plurality of compressed data structures.
US07958092B2
The present disclosure facilitates the interoperability between different local applications. Related local data objects are referenced via global objects or reference containers within a global data model or a global address space of an integration solution. The present disclosure assumes that the integration solution is per default in a consistent state, e.g., an engineered or initially configured global address space is regarded as consistent, and all software components that operate within this space assume that the information they access is valid and likewise consistent. The local applications are the only components that can interact with the global address space and introduce invalidations, they are continuously monitored for changes. Invalidation and subsequent synchronization or restoration of consistency is performed upon a particular triggering event related to a change in a local application object (such as an insertion or removal of an object or a modification of an attribute thereof) or related to a changing application or adapter status (component shutdown/startup).
US07958090B2
A method, system, and computer program product for implementing backup history cleanup operations for a database management system are provided. The method includes identifying a version control base (VCB) value for a most recently stored record in a history table, the record representing a back up copy of a data set. The method includes scanning the table starting from most recently stored records to identify records that represent previous backup copies of the data set, the records assigned VCB values. Using a retention limit value assigned to each of the VCBs, the method includes selecting at least one record to determine the deletion date for use in implementing the cleanup operations. The selection includes counting the number of records, representing back up copies of the data set, for each VCB value; identifying last records for respective VCBs that do not exceed the retention limit value; selecting the oldest storage date among the last records; and deleting records that have storage dates older than the oldest storage date.
US07958088B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for dynamically reorganizing the data within a replicated database system. One method, for example, includes performing a split operation across a plurality of replicated databases with regard to an existing partition therein, wherein the existing partition comprises a plurality of data records and the two new partitions each include at least a portion of the plurality of data records, and allowing at least one type of access to the plurality of data records during the split operation.
US07958079B2
One aspect of the invention is a method for identifying at least one property of data. An example of the method includes receiving data, and making assessments regarding the data. The method also includes applying at least one behavioral operator, and outputting results. The method further comprises receiving feedback concerning system performance. Additionally, the method includes adjusting at least one parameter based on the feedback received concerning system performance, wherein the at least one parameter is a parameter of a machine learning method.
US07958076B2
A method of automatically determining firing priority in a plurality of rules. The method includes the steps of determining a level of dependency of each rule; and generating a hierarchy of rules in response to the level of dependency of each rule, wherein the firing priority corresponds to the hierarchy of rules. In another embodiment, the method further includes the step of determining if the hierarchy results in an inconsistency. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determining if the hierarchy results in a loop. In yet another embodiment, the step of determining a level of dependency of each rule is performed in response to an initial event. In one embodiment the method includes the step of determining if there are reciprocal dependencies between any two rules in the set of rules.
US07958064B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that performs active feature probing using data augmentation. Active feature probing is a means of actively gathering information when the existing information is inadequate for decision making. The data augmentation technique generates factitious data which complete the existing information. Using the factitious data, the system is able to estimate the reliability of classification, and determine the most informative feature to probe, then gathers the additional information. The features are sequentially probed until the system has adequate information to make the decision.
US07958059B2
A system and method for facilitating the accurate entry of information into a highly structured database by initially extracting information from a plurality of nonuniformly formatted source data streams, e.g., documents/files, and subsequent interactions with users before storing the accepted and/or modified information into the database. Embodiments of the present invention provide an interactive path for each user (e.g., the author of the source document/file) to interactively modify the extracted data, e.g., according to the source document/file. Preferably, this interactive path is provided via the Internet and the extracted information can be modified by editing and/or selectively copying portions of the source documents/files to supplement and/or modify the extracted information.
US07958058B2
An item migration system generates a workflow process comprising logical nodes and physical nodes. Candidate physical nodes are associated with the logical nodes. An item generated at an initial logical node within the workflow process is inserted into the workflow and logically migrated to a subsequent logical node. The system determines whether the item requires physical migration based on properties of the item, characteristics of the subsequent logical node, characteristics of candidate physical nodes, and weighting factors applied to the properties and characteristics. If the item requires physical migration, the system selects an optimum target physical node from the candidate physical nodes. The present system migrates the item to the physical location corresponding to the selected physical node. Otherwise, the present system performs logical migration to the logical node without physical migration.
US07958057B2
Virtual account based digital cash protocols use a combination of blind digital signatures and pseudonym authentication with at least two pairs of public and private keys. A user is provided with one master pair of private and public keys and as many pseudonym pairs of private and public keys as desired. The resulting virtual account based hybrid protocols combine the advantages of blind digital signature and pseudonym authentication. Blind digital signatures based on the master pair of keys are used to withdraw digital cash from the user's bank account under the user's real identity. A pseudonym pair of keys is used for converting digital cash into virtual account based digital cash by a digital cash issuer. All pseudonyms can be used for spending the virtual account based digital cash. These protocols ensure anonymity when withdrawing digital cash from the user's account under the user's real identity in addition to providing pseudonym authentication when spending virtual cash based digital cash under a pseudonym.
US07958029B1
A method and system for managing financial risk through the use of postpaid processing during use of wireless services is presented within the scope of the following invention. The present invention uses credit card authorization to pre-reserve credit card funds for wireless services in excess of planned usage. Authorizations eliminate the credit risk associated with overages and payment timing, and also maintain a customer experience identical to postpaid processing. The authorizations are invisible to the customer and no charge is brought to a customer's credit card until the monthly bill is settled. Separating the authorization and settlement stages of retail wireless payment processing allows the branded wireless provider to avoid inherent areas of credit risk during the tenure of a customer's wireless service, while maintaining a familiar customer experience.
US07958028B2
A budgetary control system limits revenue generating transactions that may be entered in an enterprise management system. When a new revenue posting is proposed to the system, various AVC rules are evaluated. The evaluation compares the revenue posting against predetermined budgetary limits. The AVC rules may address various nodes within a revenue postings data structure and within a revenue budget data structure and they may define a test relationship that must be maintained between them. If proposed revenue posting would violate the test relationship of an AVC rule, then the revenue posting may be rejected from the system depending upon the contents of a response field in the AVC rule. Some AVC rules mandate that a violation cause the proposed transaction to be blocked while others may generate a warning notification within the system but admit the new transaction despite the violation.
US07958021B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a slot machine data collection and reporting system capable of operating with multi-denomination, multi-game machines. These machines allow the patron to select the denomination of the wager unit, the game type, and the exact game pay schedule to be played. Each possible combination of denomination, game type, and game pay schedule may result in a unique theoretical hold percentage. Each combination may also have differing levels of player acceptance. The described system allows for the computation and tracking of handle, game hold percentage, theoretical hold percentage, and net win for each of the possible combinations within a single slot machine cabinet, and for all the games coupled to a gaming network.
US07957990B2
Efficient and effective centralized management of automated field force installation and evaluation of assets. Service representatives can each perform an asset installation and/or an asset evaluation with the aid of a handheld device. The handheld device can display worksheets comprising a sequence of instructions and prompts related to the installation/evaluation. In performing the asset installation/evaluation, the service representative can follow the instructions and enter responses to the prompts into the handheld device. The handheld device can communicate with a server to download the worksheets onto the handheld device and to upload from the handheld device data related to the installation/evaluation. Authorized users' network devices can interact with a reporting module of the server to generate reports based on the uploaded data. The reports can provide the authorized users with real-time or near real-time information about the service representatives' performance and about particular assets, including, e.g., information about particular asset installations/evaluations.
US07957988B2
The present invention provides methods for efficiently handling product availability queries. The present invention provides a local availability cache that is prepopulated with product availability listings from various product sources. Customer product availability queries are processed using the prepopulated availability cache, as opposed to independently querying each product source. The present invention also uses methods to manage the cache, such as by limiting the length of use data records stored for each start of use day to a maximum length of use and updating of data in the query using a function that updates data for start dates of use that occur sooner in time than for start dates of use that occur later in time. The present invention also uses functions to determine availability for length of use requests that exceed the maximum length of use stored in the cache by piecing together availability information for smaller lengths of use.
US07957983B2
A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits.
US07957982B2
Mask information for instructing the prohibition of information which cannot be serviced to the outside, is set and inputted by a manager so that the information, the permission of service of which is indicated by the mask information is exclusively sucked up from an in-hospital server by an external server outside the hospital. A service application created for each service reads out and exploits the information needed by itself, from the in-hospital information sucked up by the external server.
US07957980B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for identifying utility theft include a property management system operable to receive tenant data associated with a property. A service provider in communication with the property management system receives the tenant data from the property management system via a network such as the Internet, where the tenant data identifies a tenant responsible for payment of a utility service associated with a utility service account. The service provider, which may be a utility, compares the tenant data to utility data to determine if the tenant corresponds to a utility service account. A notification module provides one or more alerts identifying when the tenant fails to correspond to the utility service account.
US07957977B2
The invention provides a method for obtaining related information about a media program containing an audio signal, comprising: embedding an audio watermark containing identification information of the media program into the audio signal; transmitting the media program; recording a portion of the audio signal ; extracting the audio watermark from the recorded portion to obtain the identification information and providing the identification information to a server; and providing the user with the related information according to the identification information from the server, wherein the embedding comprises: performing pre-processing on the identification information to obtain pre-processed identification information; determining an echo delay array; modulating amplitudes of the plurality of pairs of antipodal echoes with the pre-processed identification information; repeating the amplitude-modulated plurality of pairs of antipodal echoes; and embedding the repeated and amplitude-modulated plurality of pairs of antipodal echoes into the audio signal along the echo delay array.
US07957964B2
A noise suppression apparatus calculates a sound spectrum and a noise spectrum from an input sound, further calculates gain based on the sound spectrum and noise spectrum, and suppresses noise in the input sound. The noise suppression apparatus includes a first frame-dividing unit that divides the input sound into frames having a predetermined frame length, a second frame-dividing unit that divides the input sound into frames having a longer frame length than the frame length of the first frame-dividing unit, a second converting unit that converts, into a spectrum, the input sound divided into frames by the second frame-dividing unit, a smoothing unit that smoothes the converted spectrum in a frequency direction, and a gain calculating unit that calculates gain based on the smoothed spectrum and the noise spectrum.
US07957959B2
A method for processing speech data includes obtaining a pitch and at least one formant frequency for each of a plurality of first speech data; constructing a first feature space with the obtained fundamental frequencies and formant frequencies as features; and classifying the plurality pieces of first speech data using the first feature space, and thus a plurality of speech data classes and the corresponding description are obtained.
US07957958B2
To provide a speech coding technology that realizes a low bit rate and can suppress distortion of reproduction speech as compared with a conventional technology.There are provided pitch detecting means 5 that detects a pitch frequency of an input speech signal, residual calculating means 6 that calculates the difference (residual frequency) between the pitch frequency and a reference frequency, a frequency shifter 4 that shifts a frequency of the input speech signal in proportional to the residual frequency in a direction for being close to the reference frequency and equalizes a pitch period, and orthogonal transforming means that orthogonally transforms the speech signal (pitch-equalizing speech signal) output by the frequency shifter 4 by a constant number of the pitch intervals and generates transforming coefficient data, and waveform coding means that encodes the transforming coefficient data.
US07957955B2
Word recommendations are provided in response to text input. For a particular text input, possible word recommendations are identified based on the characters of the input and corresponding neighbor characters on a keyboard layout. The possible word recommendations are scored based on how closely they match the input word on a character-by-character basis, and a subset of the possible word recommendations are selected for presentation to the user.
US07957950B2
A hard/soft cooperative verifying simulator is based on a SystemC simulator, and provides the capability of reducing overhead of context switching control thereby to shorten processing time. Time keepers for controlling simulation times of a plurality of threads are provided corresponding to the threads generated as simulation models for hardware and software. Each of the time keepers has a variable which holds a simulation time for each thread, a variable which holds a summation time, and a break request queue which stores a break time and its corresponding break method therein. The time keeper manages both variables and the queue in response to six types of method invocations from the thread, and invokes a wait function of the SystemC simulator when necessary. It is thus possible to reduce the number of times that a wait function invocation is performed, and shorten the entire processing time.
US07957942B2
A position detection and simulation platform includes software configurable logic and programmable inputs and outputs to support software configuration only changes for use with a variety of position feedback devices including synchros, resolvers, linear variable differential transformers, and rotary variable differential transformers. The platform provides support for all of these devices without making hardware changes to the platform; all changes are accomplished through software programming of configurable registers and logic devices. In this way the platform can universally be applied to applications that require interfacing to any of the supported devices. Additionally, the platform can be reconfigured through software to provide complete simulation of any of the supported devices.
US07957939B2
Methods of detecting radioactivity in dynamic situations in which radiation is detected from large and small radioactive objects with at least one radiation detector as the objects pass through the field of view and combinations are made from those measurements which are either adjacent in time, from multiple detectors, or at different energies. An elevated signal is reported when an analysis of the various combinations shows an elevated signal in anyone combination. Small amounts of radioactivity can be detected even in the presence of large amounts.
US07957937B2
A system and method are provided for scheduling the emptying or replacement of a waste container based on the fullness of the container or the usage of the container. These factors may be considered to determine when the waste container will become completely full. Additionally, the system and method may consider the customer preferences or the limitations of the waste hauler. All of these factors may be considered to determine an optimal time for the waste container to be emptied or replaced. These factors are also considered to determine when to accomplish the scheduling (i.e. when to notify the waste hauler that the waste container should be emptied or replaced at a given time).
US07957930B2
An angle sensing system for sensing a rotating angle of a steering wheel includes a sensing unit, a processing unit, and a storage unit. The sensing unit detects the rotating angle of a steering column connected to the steering wheel and outputting a sensing signal based on the rotating angle. When the steering column rotates for a circle, the sensing signal presents a non-continuous status. The processing unit calculates the relative angle in a single loop of the steering column based on the sensing signal and the number of loops according to the number of the non-continuous status. The storage unit stores the information of the relative angle and the number of loops. Based on the number of loops and the relative angle, the rotating angle of the steering wheel is detected.
US07957929B2
A drug dispensing apparatus including a cassette for containing drugs in an aligned state, a rotor disposed at one open end of the cassette, a pushing unit for pushing the drugs toward the rotor, a drive mechanism for pivoting the rotor alternately between a dispensing position and a receiving position by operating a drive switch to dispense the drugs one-by-one, and a measuring unit for measuring the present quantity of the drugs in the cassette. The apparatus also includes a memory unit for storing a stock quantity N0 of the drugs in the cassette. When the rotor is returned to the receiving position from the dispensing position, the present quantity N measured by the measuring unit is compared with the stock quantity N0 stored in the memory unit. If the present quantity N is less than the stock quantity N0, the present quantity N is stored in the memory unit as a stock quantity N0, while if the present quantity N is same as the stock quantity N0, it is informed that the drug has not been taken out.
US07957919B2
A method for evaluation of the true fuel flow rate supplied to a test vehicle engine under various operation conditions is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining the load applied to the tested engine by way of a deceleration test and determining the true fuel flow rate through the use of a reference engine of the same type as the tested engine, subjected to the load applied to the tested engine.
US07957915B2
Process of statistic validation of corneal endothelial cells analysed samples”, refers to a process complementary to the conventional process known as cornea specular microscopy, by incorporating information obtained by currently available apparatuses, inferring their statistical, and eventually medical, validity, in order to obtain more accurate diagnosis, and better clinical and/or surgical conducts, in so increasing the quality of this procedure to a new level of medical reliability, with the advantages of avoiding that inadequate exams could be considered as valid ones, contribute to diagnosis accuracy, check validity or infirmity of exams already accomplished, guide the eyes bank in the selection and classification of reliability of donated cornea, make use of equipment currently available in the world to improve their own results, identify exams made with not significant sampling, and demonstrate, in a graphic and in numeric form (statistical-analytical rulers).
US07957914B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for determining whether an ordered genetic test will duplicate at least one existing genetic test result. The method includes receiving an ordered genetic test that is for a particular genetic sequence or variant thereof for an individual. The method further includes determining whether the individual has at least one existing genetic test result for the particular genetic sequence or variant thereof. Upon determining that the individual has at least one existing genetic test result for the particular genetic sequence or variant thereof, a notification of the existence of the at least one existing genetic test result is provided.
US07957913B2
The present invention relates to genetic analysis and evaluation utilizing copy-number variants or polymorphisms. The methods utilize array comparative genomic hybridization and PCR assays to identify the significance of copy number variations in a subject or subject group.
US07957910B2
A method for predicting an effectiveness of chemotherapy is described. The method comprises a comparing step and a predicting step. The comparing step is a step of comparing a threshold value with a parameter of a cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) included in a sample containing a tumor cell obtained from a human patient. The predicting step is a step of predicting the effectiveness based on a comparison result of the comparing step. Above stated parameter is selected from the group consisting of an activity, an expression level, and a ratio of activity to expression level.
US07957909B2
Gene expression data, in particular gene expression profiles, are created and used in the identification, monitoring and treatment of disease and characterization of biological conditions. Profile data sets are derived from subject samples and include quantitative substantially repeatable measures of a distinct amount of RNA or protein constituent in a panel selected to enable evaluation of a biological condition. Such profile data sets may be used to provide an index indicative of the biological state of a subject, which may be compared to a normative value of the index determined with respect to a relevant population of subjects.
US07957898B2
A computational scheme for an INS which utilizes micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors resolves issues of unnecessarily large computational burden and numerical instability which happen in using conventional methods using high-end inertial sensors. The first aspect is to omit computing Earth radii of curvatures that were used in a high-frequency application. The second aspect is to ignore the Earth rotation and the rotation of the local tangent plane with respect to Earth which are much smaller than noise and bias in the MEMS sensor output. The last aspect is to assume that the absolute amount of the platform pitch and roll angles is less than 90 degrees. According to the aspects noted above, the computational load will be one-fourth of the conventional method without degradation of accuracy.
US07957886B2
A compressor flow rate is calculated using a compressor model, which is the physical model of a compressor. A plurality of the compressor models are provided, and the compressor model used for calculating the compressor flow rate is changed in accordance with an operational condition of an internal combustion engine.
US07957883B2
A handheld information device, including: a display part to display one or more control menus; and a controller to calculate a velocity of a vehicle, and to control the display part to display an enlarged control menu relatively increased in size than a predetermined control menu on the display part if the calculated velocity is faster than a predetermined reference velocity.
US07957881B2
The occurrence or non-occurrence of a certain slip of a drive wheel is detected based on only a motor torque used for driving a vehicle, a brake torque, and a rotation speed of a motor computed from an output of a rotational position detection sensor. In response to detection of the occurrence of the certain slip, drive restriction of the motor is activated for slip control. The slip control is attainable by a brake system and the drive restriction of the motor. Even in the event of any failure or abnormality arising in the brake system or in the event of prohibiting traction control of the brake system in response to the driver's operation of a TRC off switch, the drive restriction of the motor accomplishes the slip control. This arrangement desirably prevents slip-induced unstable driving of the vehicle and damages of devices involved in slip control for the vehicle.
US07957877B2
A curving tendency detection device is provided to detecting a curving tendency (curving frequency and amount of curvature) in a vehicle roadway or a vehicle running state (behavior). Basically, the curving tendency detection device has a lateral acceleration differential value calculation section and a curving tendency estimation section. The lateral acceleration differential value calculation section calculates vehicle lateral acceleration differential values of a vehicle lateral acceleration acting on a vehicle as the vehicle lateral acceleration varies over time. The curving tendency estimation section estimates the curving tendency based on the vehicle lateral acceleration differential value calculated by the lateral acceleration differential value calculation section. Thus, the curving can be reliably detected by effectively avoiding a false curving tendency in cases in which the left and right wheels have different effective diameters, or the vehicle is driving straight along a laterally tilted road.
US07957876B2
A deceleration control apparatus and method for a vehicle applies a deceleration, which is equal to or smaller than a guard value, to the vehicle based on a vehicle running environment parameter. The deceleration control apparatus determines the manner in which a driver performs an operation for decelerating the vehicle, and changes the guard value based on the manner in which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle. The manner in which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle may be determined based on at least one of the time at which the driver performs the operation for decelerating the vehicle, the time period during which the driver operates the brake, and the deceleration achieved by the brake operation.
US07957872B2
The invention provides a shift control apparatus of a continuously variable transmission, which includes a feedback control portion which executes feedback control that brings an actual speed ratio close or equal to a target speed ratio, and a normal operation determining portion which determines whether the shift control apparatus is operating normally based on a difference between the actual speed ratio and the target speed ratio, and an amount of change in the actual speed ratio and an amount of change in the target speed ratio during a predetermined interval.
US07957854B2
An active vibration damping (AVD) control system for spacecraft provides a simple-to-implement and robust formulation that provides a novel damping control method for reducing spacecraft structural vibrations and improving antenna and instrument pointing. The AVD control system comprises an excitation signal generator configured to generate excitation input signals, and a damping model identification unit configured to receive system identification data and configured to produce control model parameters, the system identification data comprising the excitation input signals and information associated with motion of the spacecraft. The AVD control system further comprises an AVD control unit configured to receive the control model parameters, the AVD control unit configured to produce AVD control signals to control one or more actuators of the spacecraft.
US07957853B2
A method, system and computer program product to detect and indicating TFR zone violations, potential TFR zone violations or TFR zones in vicinity of an aircraft and indicating measures to avoid or exit a TFR zone are provided. TFR zone information and an aircraft's position information are received. The aircraft's position information is processed to determine the aircraft's current heading. A TFR zone violation is determined based on the aircraft's current position. A potential TFR violation is determined based on whether the aircraft's current heading intersects a TFR zone. The presence of a TFR zone in the vicinity of the aircraft is determined based on the aircraft's current position and heading. Indicators of a TFR violation, potential TFR violation, no TFR violation or TFR zones in the vicinity are provided. If a TFR violation, or possible TFR violation or TFR zone in the vicinity are found, measures are indicated to exit the TFR zone or change the aircraft's current heading to avoid the TFR zone.
US07957851B2
A system and method is provided for monitoring, collecting, storing, transmitting, calculating and uploading to a secure web server real-time balancing solutions for at least the N1 Low Pressure Compressor portion of a jet engine. The method comprises collecting a series of engine vibration data strings and transmitting a data string set to a ground stations for conditioning, formatting and forwarding to a source for calculating and providing fan balance solutions to a secure server wherein the data strings comprise at least phase angle of imbalance data, N1 RPM and the magnitude of the N1 vibration. The balance solution determined comprises the required weight (mass) and location of weight (mass) installation necessary to correct a fan imbalance in a turbine engine.
US07957845B2
A method for controlling a power system control area according to a first and a second control performance standard, wherein operation of the control area determines area control parameter values. The method comprises (a) determining a first compliance target for the first performance standard and a second compliance target for the second performance standard (100/200); (b) determining a first performance standard statistical measure responsive to the control area parameter values from a beginning of a first compliance period to a time at which the first average is determined (108); (c) determining a second performance standard statistical measure responsive to the control area parameter values from a beginning of a second compliance period to a time at which the second average is determined; (d) determining a first area control parameter target responsive to the first performance standard statistical measure (116); (e) determining a second area control parameter target responsive to the second performance standard statistical measure (204); (f) determining a first area control parameter correction responsive to the first area control parameter target and the area control parameter values (150); (g) determining a second area control parameter correction responsive to the second area control parameter target and the area control parameter values (228) and (h) controlling the power system according to one or both of the first and the second area control parameter corrections (154/232).
US07957843B2
A method of controlling the duration of irrigation is described, comprising compiling a database that includes information relating to historical evapo-transpiration rates for a plurality of sectors (preferably identified by zip code) located within a geographical area. Period Reduction Factors for each sector are derived. Parameters are entered into the controller including a Maximum Irrigation Duration, a sector identifier; and the current date. The Maximum Irrigation Duration is adjusted by multiplying the Maximum Irrigation Duration by a Period Reduction Factor for the current period associated with the sector that has been identified by the user, to obtain an Actual Irrigation Duration. The irrigation system is caused to irrigate for the Actual Irrigation Duration during the current period.
US07957842B2
A method includes determining how to adjust one or more manipulated variables using at least one model. The one or more manipulated variables are associated with a supply of conditioned air for drying one or more objects. The method also includes generating one or more control signals to control one or more controlled variables associated with the supply of conditioned air. The one or more controlled variables include temperature, dewpoint, and/or humidity of the conditioned air. The one or more manipulated variables include a flow of heated material (like steam) used to condition the conditioned air. The one or more manipulated variables could also include a number of active units in a humidifier. Generating the one or more control signals could include accumulating adjustments associated with the humidifier and generating a control signal to alter the number of active units in the humidifier when the accumulated adjustments exceed a threshold.
US07957841B2
A method of determining a flow rate of a pump involves determining a volume capacity for a flow line carrying produced fluids from the pump, determining a starting pressure for the flow line and setting an arbitrary target pressure for the purpose of testing. The test is initiated by preventing flow in the flow line while continuing to operate the pump and monitoring pressure in the flow line to determine a time interval required to reach the target pressure. The method then involves performing calculations to determine flow rate using the volume capacity, the starting pressure, the change in pressure over the time interval required to reach the target pressure. The flow rate is equivalent to ΔV divided by a change in time ΔT. The method is preferably used as part of a manual or automated pump control strategy to keep the pump operating within flow rate ranges that provide optimum pump efficiency.
US07957838B2
A control system for a plurality of mechanical units, namely robots and/or external axes. A manually-operated control, such as a joy-stick or key panel, is adapted to move at least one of the mechanical units or part thereof. The control system includes an indicator adapted to indicate whether the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof that is to be moved is associated with any other mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof and consequently indicate that movement of the at least one mechanical unit or part thereof will also result in the movement of the indicated associated mechanical unit(s) or part(s) thereof.
US07957834B2
Calculating a rotation center point on a plane of rotation of a positioning device by using a manipulator. The positioning device positions a workpiece by rotating the plane of rotation. The calculating includes a first step of obtaining location information of a predetermined position on the plane of rotation, a second step of rotating the plane of rotation of the positioning device 180 degrees, a third step of obtaining location information of the predetermined position on the 180-degree rotated plane of rotation, and a fourth step of calculating a point bisecting a straight line as the rotation center point of the plane of rotation of the positioning device from the location information obtained in the first step and the location information obtained in the third step, the straight line connecting the predetermined position of the first step and the predetermined position of the third step.
US07957833B2
A system and method for identification and location of an asset by tracking the mover of the asset using a locating device associated with the mover and identifying the asset using an identification reader associated with the mover and a passive identification tag associated with the asset. A single mover may move many assets. An asset is identified; the mover then moves the asset to a destination location, whereupon the mover and asset position are determined. The asset location may then be recorded in memory. The measurement of the destination location may be extended from the location measured by the active location device by using additional measurement devices, for example a forklift height sensor. A further embodiment utilizes RFID or barcode technology for the passive tag and may utilize near field positioning technology for the active location device.
US07957831B2
A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment means engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment means. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of the surgery.
US07957830B2
A customer transmits their 3D CAD file for a part to be total profile machined. Computer analysis of the transmitted CAD file produces CNC machining instructions, which are transmitted back to an address defined by the customer. The customer can then use the transmitted CNC machining instructions to total profile machine their own part using their own CNC mill at the location where the part is likely needed. The transmitted instructions include not only the tool paths for CNC machining of the total profile of the part, but also for additional features formed into the encircling portion of a material block from which the part is to be total profile machined. For instance, the CNC machining instructions transmitted back to the customer can define a registration recess and/or channels or undercuts for fluid support material on an A-side of a material block. After the A-side of the block is machined, the customer adds and solidifies fluid support material into the machined recess. The CNC mill is then used to machine a support surface into a portion of the solidified support material surface. A registration fixture is applied into contact with the support surface CNC machining on the B-side of the material block is then performed while the part is supported by the solidified support material, substantially separating the part from the encircling block of material. The support material is then removed, such as by dissolving, freeing the part from the encircling block of material.
US07957829B2
A method for positioning or guiding at least one arbitrary print head or a printing unit having at least one pressure nozzle for the imprinting of thin substrates such as wafers at a defined distance above the surface of the substrate, which is to be provided on a support like a paddle or printing table. Distance sensors continuously acquired distance measurements to the surface of the substrate which is to be imprinted. An adjustment of the print head up to 6 degrees of freedom is ensured by actuators in such a manner that the section of the opening of the pressure nozzle of the print head can be adjusted so as to be coplanar to the section of the surface of the substrate which is to be imprinted. The print head is thus maintained or readjusted so as to adjust the section of the opening of the pressure nozzle of the print head to the surface of the substrate which is to be positioned on the support table so as to be coplanar and so as to maintain the coplanar position during the printing process.
US07957827B2
A method of controlling statuses of a plurality of wafers is described. A status of a wafer among the wafers is determined. An action related to the status is taken, according to the status determined, to the wafer and/or other wafers to improve a yield or yields thereof.
US07957826B2
A method for fabricating parts using a photolithography system, includes: performing a search of normalization data for an estimated dose operating point; and using the estimated dose operating point for fabrication of new parts.
US07957802B2
Optimizing cardiac preload based on measured pulmonary artery pressure involves varying, for each repetition of an acute burst protocol, a parameter of pacing applied to a patient's heart during the acute burst protocol. Pulmonary artery pressure is measured during the repetitions of the acute burst protocol. The length of the repetitions is chosen so that the patient's baroreflex system does not adjust to the varied parameter of pacing during the repetitions of the acute burst protocol. An optimum ventricular preload is determined based on the measured pulmonary artery pressure. Pacing therapy is provided using a value of the parameter that is selected based on the determination of optimum ventricular preload.
US07957793B2
A method for identifying neuronal spikes (extracellular action potentials) is described wherein measured microelectrode readings from tissue are reviewed to identify spikes (successive readings having prolonged rises and/or falls). The frequency of such spikes as a function of their amplitude assumes a bimodal distribution wherein higher amplitude spikes represent neuronal spikes (signal) and lower amplitude spikes represent noise, and thus the higher amplitude spikes can be assumed to be neuronal spikes. Neuronal spikes from the same neuron can then be assumed to have substantially the same waveform shape and period, with the only significant difference between them being the scaling of their amplitudes (i.e., the amplitudes of spikes from the same neuron tend to be proportionate at any given time along their period). Thus, by testing identified neuronal spikes for matching timing and for proportional amplitudes, the neuronal spikes may further be identified as coming from the same or different neurons.
US07957790B2
Catheter for inserting into a hollow organ, in particular a blood vessel, wherein at least one tube- or balloon-like flexural element (12, 12a, . . . , 12l) which can be filled with a filling medium is provided inside the catheter, which flexural element is flexible in the non-pressurized state and stiffens as a result of pressure buildup internally and assumes a predetermined curved shape.
US07957772B2
A wireless hands-free device is operable to communicate with a mobile communication device over a short-range wireless link. The hands-free device includes a transceiver, a memory, a delayed answering mode actuator (DAMA), and a processing device. The transceiver is operable to receive incoming call information from the mobile device over the short-range link. The incoming call information corresponds to an incoming call received by the mobile device over a wireless wide area network. The memory is operable to store one or more pre-recorded audio messages. The DAMA is activatable by a user of the hands-free device. The processing device is operable to: detect activation of the DAMA after receipt of the incoming call information, retrieve at least one pre-recorded audio message responsive to detecting activation of the DAMA, and provide the retrieved, pre-recorded audio message(s) to the transceiver for subsequent transmission to the mobile device over the short-range link.
US07957770B2
A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication and method therein is provided. The mobile terminal includes a terminal body configured to house a mobile communication module to engage in the wireless communication, a touch input device disposed in the terminal body, the touch input device including a touch detection area configured to recognize an external contact, a vibrator coupled to the terminal body and is configured to allow tactile detection by a user, and a controller to control the touch input device and the vibrator, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area and other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert.
US07957768B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a wireless communication device including a housing assembly formed from a first section that is rotatably coupled about an axis to a second section such that the first and second sections are movable between a closed position in which a first side of the first section is aligned with and in close proximity to a first side of the second section. The wireless communication device can also include a first display screen positioned in the first section and a second display screen positioned in the second section. The first and second display screens can be configured to display images. The wireless communication device can also include a keypad including keys on the first and second sections, thereby creating a foldable keypad rotatable about the axis between the first and second sections. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US07957761B2
A method uses inter-base station control messages to provide neighbor base station information to mobile subscriber stations in a mobile communication system. The method includes obtaining, at a serving base station, physical channel information of neighbor base stations over a backbone network via, either directly or via a server; periodically transmitting the obtained physical channel information from the serving base station to a mobile subscriber station connected to the serving base station; and measuring, based on the updated physical channel information, signal quality of the at least one neighbor base station at the mobile subscriber station. Thus, the serving base station receives from the neighbor base stations the inter-base station control messages containing the neighbor base station information, updates the information, and provides the updated information to the corresponding mobile subscriber station(s), to be used for a specific purpose such as handover or network entry.
US07957745B2
A method and apparatus for providing adaptive bearer configuration for MBMS delivery is disclosed. A first aspect of the present disclosure is a method of operating a wireless infrastructure entity (103) wherein a common radio resource (303) is allocated for receiving a response from at least one mobile station (109). A request message, similar to a request for counting, is broadcast to all mobile stations (109) within a coverage area (105. If at least one mobile station (109) responds to the request, PTM transmission mode will be used for MBMS delivery within the given coverage area (105). If more than one mobile station (109) within the coverage area (105) responds to the request, then all the responses will be over the common radio resource (303). The total number of responses to the request message may be limited by providing a probability factor within the request message.
US07957737B2
A mesh network has a plurality of mesh nodes, including a moving mesh node. A serving mesh node initially associates with the moving mesh node at the request of the moving mesh node, transmits context information due to the initial association to at least one neighbor mesh node, and transmits information on the at least one neighbor mesh node to the moving mesh node. The at least one neighbor mesh node stores the context information received from the serving mesh node, and re-associates with the moving mesh node using the context information at the request of the moving mesh node.
US07957727B2
The present invention provides a method for implementing interactive radio features within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle. The method includes receiving radio station information, detecting an initiation command received from a user interlace, and providing the radio station information to the telematics unit responsive to the detected initiation command. The radio station information may include a radio station message having a telephone number associated with a radio station advertiser. The method may further include receiving a communication command, and initiating a wireless communication via the telematics unit responsive to the received communication command.
US07957719B2
Disclosed is a method for reducing the load of Traffic Plane Function (TPF). According to the obtained indication on whether to perform charging, the TPF determines whether to perform charging operation for the service data flow using appropriate charging rules, if yes, the TPF performs the charging operation for the counting result of the service data flow and submits the charging information to the charging associated entities; otherwise, the TPF does not perform the charging operation for the counting result of the service data flow. Operation in the TPF is optimized such that the TPF only needs to perform necessary charging instead of performing charging operation for the service data flow not needing to be charged. As a result, the load of the TPF and network devices are reduced, system efficiency is improved, and waste of network resources from various operator charging policies, e.g., free of charge policy, is avoided.
US07957716B2
An embodiment of a baseband filter in a transmitter subsystem of a wireless device comprises an operational amplifier (op-amp), a pole circuit, a feedback capacitor, and an active device. The op-amp is adapted to produce an amplified signal that includes noise gain produced by the op-amp. The pole circuit is electrically coupled with an output terminal of the op-amp, and is adapted to receive the amplified signal and to attenuate the noise gain to produce a filtered, amplified signal. The feedback capacitor is electrically coupled between the first pole circuit and an input terminal of the op-amp, and is adapted to compensate for a phase shift produced by the pole circuit. The active device is electrically coupled with the pole circuit, and is adapted to amplify the filtered, amplified signal and to produce a baseband filtered output signal.
US07957709B1
Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for a radio frequency (RF) amplifier with a beta correction block are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the beta correction block may be configured relative to an output stage so that a variation in a beta of the output stage is tracked by a corresponding variation of a reference provided by the beta correction block. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07957695B2
The present invention provides a communication system for integrating audio and visual messaging. The communication system includes a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.
US07957691B1
Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for distributing content. Information is collected on usage of a mobile device. The information is analyzed to identify a content type preference of the mobile device. A portion of a unit of content is pushed to the mobile device, wherein the unit of content is associated with the content type preference. The remainder of the unit of content is provided to the mobile device in response to a selection of the unit of content.
US07957682B2
An image forming unit includes an image bearing body, a rotating body disposed in contact with or disposed facing the image bearing body, a supporting member that supports a rotation shaft of the rotating body, an insertion hole provided on the supporting member, a bearing inserted into the insertion hole and supporting the rotation shaft of the rotating body, and three or more contact portions provided on the bearing or the insertion hole. The contact portions contact the insertion hole or the bearing.
US07957680B2
A toner cartridge inserted in an image forming apparatus and supplying toner to the image forming apparatus comprises a container which contains the toner and provided with a discharging opening for discharging the contained toner, the container having a shape with a predetermined curvature at a bottom part, a conveying member which conveys the toner in the container to the discharging opening, an agitating member which rotates centering on a rotational axis in the container, and agitates the toner contained in the container and a sheet member provided in the agitating member such that a front edge part abuts the bottom part of the container, the sheet member having the front edge part which is formed with a part having substantially the same curvature as the bottom part of the container.
US07957677B2
A developing device that forms a toner image on an image carrier, including: a cleaning device that recovers a toner that remains on the image carrier; a recovered toner supply port to which a recovered toner is returned; a toner transporting section that transports the toner supplied from the recovered toner supply port within the developing device; a capturing section including a plurality of capturing members formed on a path along which the toner is transported by the toner transporting section, and capturing a foreign material; and a foreign-material removal member that moves along an elongating direction of the plurality of capturing members, and removes the foreign material captured by the plurality of capturing members.
US07957671B2
A developing unit is to be attachable to and detachable from an image forming device main body. The developing unit is provided with a developer case, a developing roller coupled with the developer case, and a movement member coupled with the developer case. The movement member is capable of moving between a housing position where the movement member is substantially housed inside the developer case and a protruding position where the movement member protrudes beyond the developer case. The movement member is positioned at the protruding position and pushed by the image forming device main body in a predetermined direction while the developing unit is being attached to the image forming device main body.
US07957670B2
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process units, a plurality of latent image carriers, an optical writing unit, an upper cover, and a pitch positioning member. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of abutting portions so as to regulate movements of the plurality of process units in the horizontal direction by abutting each of the plurality of process units. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of notches extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of each of the respective plurality of abutting portions with a predetermined pitch.
US07957667B2
Provided are intermediate coupling unit that can maintain universal applicability of image forming apparatus so it can singly form images/be installed in small offices, but can also couple two apparatuses if necessary, and image forming apparatus adaptable to this unit. Intermediate coupling unit includes carry-in port at lower surface right side, plural conveying roller pairs sandwiching and conveying internally-carried-in recording medium, discharge ports formed near upper surface right/left ends for externally discharging recording medium, first/second flaps switching among conveying paths, A, B, C, paper discharge tray fixed at upper internal position, and internal paper feed cassette detachable downward. Two identical-shape printers are linked through conveying path A and enable double-speed-printing when coupled to top/bottom of intermediate coupling unit to face same direction, and linked through conveying path B and enable fast-double-side-printing when coupled to face opposite directions.
US07957632B2
A mobile device includes a camera module and a magnetism generating part that is different from the camera module. The camera module includes: a movable portion that corrects camera shake; a magnetism detecting element that detects a position of the movable portion. when the camera module is in a photographing state, the magnetism generating part is arranged at a position distant from the magnetism detecting element by at least the distance of D mm or more, where D = magnetic force of the magnetism generating part [ gauss ] .
US07957623B2
A system for fiber optic packaging includes a first substrate and a first deformable pad coupled to the first substrate. The first deformable pad is characterized by a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W/mK. The system also includes a fiber coil having at least a portion embedded in the first deformable pad to provide physical contact between the at least a portion of the fiber coil and the first deformable pad. The system further includes a second substrate coupled to the fiber coil and at least a portion of the first deformable pad.
US07957618B2
An integrated photonic circuit includes waveguides (12-19) and other photonic components. The photonic circuit has a first part (1) and a second part (2), the first part and the second part being connected to a mirror in the form of a half 2×2 multimode interferometer (MMI) (32), which comprises solely one half MMI (31) in a longitudinal direction, the half MMI (32) having two ports (33, 34) and being arranged to reflect half of the light that is incident on one of the ports to one port and transmit half of the incident light to the second port, and the free surface (35) of the half MMI (32) having been treated with a highly reflective material.
US07957616B2
A method of producing an optical connecting component in which three-dimensional electric wiring can be easily and accurately performed, and the optical connecting component are provided.A positioning projection 58 disposed on a second slide core 56 for positioning a core pin 54 disposed on a first slide core 55 is fitted in a positioning hole 34 disposed in a lead frame 30. The lead frame 30 is disposed in the vicinity of a lead pattern 31, so that the lead pattern 31 can be insert-molded while being positioned in an accurate position with respect to the second slide core 56. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform three-dimensional electric wiring in an accurate position.
US07957615B2
An optical waveguide for a touch panel which eliminates the need for alignment between the optical waveguide and a lens and which achieves the appropriate emission and reception of light beams, to provide a touch panel using the optical waveguide, and to provide a manufacturing method of the optical waveguide for a touch panel. A total distance (L) which is the sum of a distance from the center of curvature of the first lens portion 30 to the light reflecting surface 60 and a distance from the light reflecting surface 60 to the tip of the second lens portion 50, and the radius (R) of curvature of the second lens portion 50 satisfy the following condition (A): (L/3)−0.5
US07957611B2
A method and system for scaling an original image into a scaled image is disclosed. Rather than using the corresponding position in the original image to generate the pixels values of a current pixel in the scaled image, image scalers in accordance with the present invention, calculate a high frequency adjusted position based on the high frequency components of pixels near the corresponding position. Pixel values based on the high frequency adjusted position provide better picture quality for the scaled image than pixel values based on the corresponding position. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention also use sharpness compensation to further improve the picture quality of the scaled image.
US07957609B2
The present invention provides a method and a system for producing an image using an imaging system by weighting: i) the signals transmitted from at least one element of a transducer array to form limited diffraction transmitted beams or the transmitted beams are steered with linear time delay over transducer aperture; and, ii) weighting the echo signals received at the separate elements to form limited diffraction receive beams or doing Fourier transformations of the echo signals over the transducer aperture. Fourier transformations of the weighted or Fourier transformed signals form multi-dimensional k-space data sets which are used to interpolate into a rectilinear k-space of the object to be imaged. Inverse Fourier transformation along each dimension of the rectilinear k-space to produce an image.
US07957601B2
A system and method for rendering images, and performing operations such as windowing and leveling, when the parameters of a client appliance are known and rendering images when the parameters of a client appliance are unknown. The invention also considers the rendering from the client appliance perspective and the server appliance perspective.
US07957599B2
A method and apparatus for enhancing compressed images is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises characterizing quantization noise in reconstructed low pass coefficients generated in response to application of an inverse wavelet transform and removing the quantization noise from the reconstructed low pass coefficients constructed during decoding.
US07957593B2
An image processing apparatus for processing an image composed of an effective area as a meaningful area and an ineffective area as a remaining area, includes a left coordinate position detecting unit for detecting a coordinate position of a left-end pixel of pixels that are determined to be out of the ineffective area from among pixels arranged in a vertical line in the image by comparing a pixel value of each pixel with a first threshold value, a right coordinate position detecting unit for detecting a coordinate position of a right-end pixel of the pixels, an upper coordinate position detecting unit for detecting a coordinate position of an upper-end pixel of the pixels, and a lower coordinate position detecting unit for detecting a coordinate position of a lower-end pixel of the pixels.
US07957577B2
A method is provided of a financial institution presenting an image of a bank document in a check truncation environment. The method comprises determining security permission level associated with a person to be presented with the image of the bank document, determining type of the bank document, locating a first sensitive area associated with the bank document, and presenting on a screen of a monitor the image of the bank document with the first sensitive area in the image being selectively blanked out based upon the security permission level associated with the person to be presented with the image of the bank document.
US07957575B2
The invention is directed to counting techniques for counting biological agents on a biological growth plate or similar medium. In order to automate the counting of biological agents, a biological growth plate is inserted into a biological scanning unit. Upon insertion of the biological growth plate, the biological scanning unit generates an image of the plate. Then, the amount of biological agents that appear in the image, such as a number of bacteria colonies, can be counted or otherwise determined using image processing and analysis routines performed either by the scanning unit or an external computing device, such as a desktop computer, workstation or the like. A variety of counting rules are described herein that can be used to improve the accuracy of automated counts of biological agents on a biological growth plate.
US07957567B2
A partial image is cut out from an input image. A first classifier judges whether the partial image includes a face facing a direction within a first angular range. Another classifier judges whether the partial image includes a face facing a direction within another angular range that partially overlaps with the first angular range. The partial image is judged to include a face facing a direction within a specific angular range, which is the first angular range from which the portion that overlaps with the other angular range has been removed, if the first classifier judges that the image includes a face facing a direction within the first angular range, and the other classifier judges that the image does not include a face facing the second angular range. Each classifier is generated by machine learning, and judges whether images include faces facing directions corresponding to predetermined angular ranges.
US07957563B2
A perfect non-contact type vein authentication apparatus is provided with a light source for emitting infrared light; an input interface equipped with an imaging unit for photographing a vein image of a living body by the infrared light emitted from said light source; a unit for controlling intensity of light to be illuminated; an image calculating unit for performing a feature extracting operation and a feature authenticating operation with respect to an image; and a positioning unit for presenting the living body. More specifically, the light source is provided in front of the living body. Both the light source and the imaging unit are installed in such a positional relationship that the light of the light source gives no adverse influence to the imaging unit. Also, the light source is installed in such a direction that the light of the light source gives no adverse influence to the imaging unit.
US07957556B2
An object such as a person is extracted from images captured by cameras (2R, 2L) to determine the degree of vertical symmetry of the object (step 33). In the case where the degree of vertical symmetry is determined to be high, the object is determined to be other than a living body (step 33a). In the case where the degree of vertical symmetry is determined to be low, the object is determined likely to be a living body (step 33b). In the case where determined likely to be a living body, the object is further determined to be a predetermined kind of living body (for example, a person) or not based on the image of the object (steps 34 and 35). This allows an extremely reliable and simple determination of whether the type of the object extracted from the image captured by the camera is a living body such as a person.
US07957550B2
A flexible electronic device with flexible speaker is disclosed, comprising: a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), having a circuit layout arranged thereon; an input unit, electrically connected to the FPC for setting an information; a flexible speaker, electrically connected to the FPC for outputting the information; a display unit, electrically connected to the FPC for displaying the information; a power supply, electrically connected to the FPC for outputting the information for providing electricity to the FPC, the input device, the display device and the flexible speaker; a thin-film substrate; a film made of poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), referring as PET film hereinafter; wherein, the thin-film substrate completely cover the FPC, the power supply, and all the FPC, the input unit, the display unit, the power supply, the thin-film substrate and the flexible speaker are flexible.
US07957548B2
A hearing device has an adjustable transfer function comprising M≧1 sub-functions (M is an integer). A method for operating the hearing device includes deriving input audio signals from a current acoustic environment. For each of the M sub-functions, derive, based on the input audio signals and for each class of N≧2 classes that describe a predetermined acoustic environment, a class similarity factor indicative of the similarity of the current acoustic environment with the predetermined acoustic environment described by the respective class (N is an integer). Derive from N predetermined base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function and in dependence of the class similarity factors, an activity parameter set for the respective sub-function. Each of the N base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function is assigned to a different class of the N classes. Adjust the respective sub-function by means of the activity parameter set.
US07957532B2
A network-based data protection scheme for a mobile device utilizes encryption techniques and a remote key server that stores encryption keys on behalf of the mobile device. The mobile device stores encrypted data, preferably having no unencrypted counterpart stored therewith. On an as-needed basis, the mobile device requests a decryption key (or an encrypted version of a decryption key) from the key server, where the decryption key can be used by the mobile device to decrypt the encrypted information. The key server transmits the decryption key to the mobile device after authenticating the user of the mobile device.
