US07989315B2
When printing is performed on a base substrate with a laser after a single crystal silicon layer is transferred to the base substrate, there are problems such as ablation of the single crystal silicon layer in the peripheral portion of a printed dot or attachment of glass chips or the like to the surface of the single crystal silicon layer. After printing is performed on the bonding surface of a silicon wafer with a laser, the surface of the silicon wafer is polished by CMP (chemical mechanical polishing), so that the projection in the peripheral portion of the printed dot is removed. After that, the silicon wafer is bonded to the base substrate. Since the depression of the printed dot remains to some extent by a chemical etching effect even after the polishing by CMP, the single crystal silicon layer is not transferred only at the depression portion at the time of the transfer; accordingly, the information is left on the base substrate.
US07989312B2
A semiconductor structure and method of fabricating the structure. The method includes removing the backside silicon from two silicon-on-insulator wafers having devices fabricated therein and bonding them back to back utilizing the buried oxide layers. Contacts are then formed in the upper wafer to devices in the lower wafer and wiring levels are formed on the upper wafer. The lower wafer may include wiring levels. The lower wafer may include landing pads for the contacts. Contacts to the silicon layer of the lower wafer may be silicided.
US07989307B2
Methods of pitch doubling of asymmetric features and semiconductor structures including the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single photolithography mask may be used to pitch double three features, for example, of a DRAM array. In one embodiment, two wordlines and a grounded gate over field may be pitch doubled. Semiconductor structures including such features are also disclosed.
US07989306B2
Method of forming alternating regions of Si and SiGe or SiGeC on a buried oxide layer on a substrate
Semiconductor structures and methods of forming semiconductor structures, and more particularly to structures and methods of forming SiGe and/or SiGeC buried layers for SOI/SiGe devices. An integrated structure includes discontinuous, buried layers having alternating Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions. The structure further includes isolation structures at an interface between the Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions to reduce defects between the alternating regions. Devices are associated with the Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions.
US07989303B2
In an embodiment, a method of creating an alignment mark on a substrate includes forming a plurality of lines segmented into electrically conducting line segments and space segments, thereby forming spaces between the lines to form a macroscopic structure in a first layer of the substrate, creating a plurality of electrically conducting trenches in a second layer of the substrate, and arranging the plurality of trenches to be in electrical contact with the line segments and overlapping the space segments at least partially.
US07989289B2
Floating gate structures are generally described. In one example, an electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel dielectric coupled with the semiconductor substrate, and a floating gate structure comprising at least a first region having a first electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency coupled with the tunnel dielectric and a second region having a second electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency coupled with the first region wherein the first electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency is less than the second electron energy level or electron workfunction or carrier capture efficiency. Such electronic device may reduce the thickness of the floating gate structure or reduce leakage current through an inter-gate dielectric, or combinations thereof, compared with a floating gate structure that comprises only polysilicon.
US07989280B2
A Group III-V Semiconductor device and method of fabrication is described. A high-k dielectric is interfaced to a confinement region by a chalcogenide region.
US07989272B2
A conventional composition of carbon nitride has a deposition method and properties limited. In the case of using the composition of carbon nitride as a protective film, for example, a material of an object to be coated (goods) is required to satisfy with a condition in disagreement with a temperature during forming the composition of carbon nitride. Besides, in the case of using the composition of carbon nitride as an insulating film in a semiconductor device, low stress relaxation and low coverage for a step are produced since the insulating film has a low hydrogen concentration. Consequently, a composition including carbon nitride according to the present invention is formed at a deposition temperature that enables to include hydrogen in the composition at 30 to 45 atomic %, for example, at temperatures of 100° C. or less, preferably 50° C. or less, more preferably from 20° C. to 30° C., with stability and adhesiveness kept.
US07989270B2
A semiconductor device is made by forming a plurality of conductive pillars vertically over a temporary carrier. A conformal insulating layer is formed over the conductive pillars. A conformal conductive layer is formed over the conformal insulating layer. A first conductive pillar, conformal insulating layer, and conformal conductive layer constitute a vertically oriented integrated capacitor. A semiconductor die or component is mounted over the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die or component and around the conformal conductive layer. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first side of the encapsulant. The first interconnect structure includes an integrated passive device. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to the semiconductor die or component and vertically oriented integrated capacitor. The carrier is removed. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second side of the encapsulant opposite the first side of the encapsulant.
US07989269B2
A semiconductor device is made by mounting a first semiconductor die to a first substrate, forming a first encapsulant over the first semiconductor die, and forming a second encapsulant over the first encapsulant. The second encapsulant is penetrable, thermally conductive material. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the second substrate. A bond wire electrically connects the second semiconductor die to the second substrate. A passive circuit element is mounted to the second substrate. Leading with the second encapsulant, the first substrate is pressed onto the second substrate so that the second encapsulant completely covers the second semiconductor die, bond wire, and passive circuit element. The second encapsulant is then cured. A third encapsulant is formed over the first and second substrates. A shield can be disposed over the second semiconductor die with openings for the second encapsulant to flow through when pressed onto the second substrate.
US07989262B2
Embodiments disclosed herein generally include methods of sealing a cavity in a device structure. The cavity may be opened by etching away sacrificial material that may define the cavity volume. Material from below the cavity may be sputter etched and redeposited over and in passageways leading to the cavity to thereby seal the cavity. Material may be sputter etched from above the cavity and redeposited in the passageways leading to the cavity as well. The sputter etching may occur in a substantially inert atmosphere. As the sputter etching is a physical process, little or no sputter etched material will redeposit within the cavity itself. The inert gases may sweep out any residual gases that may be present in the cavity after the cavity has been opened. Thus, after the sputter etching, the cavity may be substantially filled with inert gases that do not negatively impact the cavity.
US07989251B2
A variable resistance memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a substrate supporting a bottom electrode having a small bottom contact area. A variable resistance material is formed over the bottom electrodes such that the variable resistance material has a surface that is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode and a top electrode is formed over the variable resistance material. The small bottom electrode contact area reduces the reset current requirement which in turn reduces the write transistor size for each bit.
US07989245B2
An image sensor includes a first conductivity type substrate with a trench formed in a predetermined portion thereof, a second conductivity type impurity region formed in the first conductivity type substrate below the trench and being a part of a photodiode, a second conductivity type first epitaxial layer filling the trench and being a part of the photodiode, and a first conductivity type second epitaxial layer formed over the second conductivity type first epitaxial layer.
US07989240B2
A method of manufacturing an active matrix substrate that enables increased productivity due to a reduction in the number of patterning processes and low generation of particles during the patterning processes. The method includes forming a patterned electrode on a substrate, and covering the first electrode with an insulating film. A mono-crystalline semiconductor layer is then formed on the insulating film by attaching a first layer formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer to the first insulating film, and peeling off a portion of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor layer is then patterned and doped, in part, by utilizing the patterned electrode as a photo mask for light illuminated from a lower side of the substrate. This results in part in mono-crystalline active layers for thin film transistors, which are then configured to form a pixel for an active matrix substrate.
US07989233B2
A semiconductor nanowire having two semiconductor pads on both ends is suspended over a substrate. Stress-generating liner portions are formed over the two semiconductor pads, while a middle portion of the semiconductor nanowire is exposed. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the middle portion of the semiconductor nanowire while the semiconductor nanowire is under longitudinal stress due to the stress-generating liner portions. The middle portion of the semiconductor nanowire is under a built-in inherent longitudinal stress after removal of the stress-generating liners because the formation of the gate dielectric and the gate electrode locks in the strained state of the semiconductor nanowire. Source and drain regions are formed in the semiconductor pads to provide a semiconductor nanowire transistor. A middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer may be formed directly on the source and drain pads.
US07989232B2
Embodiments provide a method and device for electrically monitoring trench depths in semiconductor devices. To electrically measure a trench depth, a pinch resistor can be formed in a deep well region on a semiconductor substrate. A trench can then be formed in the pinch resistor. The trench depth can be determined by an electrical test of the pinch resistor. The disclosed method and device can provide statistical data analysis across a wafer and can be implemented in production scribe lanes as a process monitor. The disclosed method can also be useful for determining device performance of LDMOS transistors. The on-state resistance (Rdson) of the LDMOS transistors can be correlated to the electrical measurement of the trench depth.
US07989227B2
An FOM (figure of merit) enabling evaluation from a cost aspect, as well as evaluation of electrical performance, is newly proposed to provide a method of manufacturing based on the FOM a semiconductor chip intended for a lower cost production in addition to satisfying electrical performance. An FOMC of a semiconductor chip is defined as the product of a term represented by electrical performance of a substrate S and a term represented by a semiconductor chip cost CC; the FOMC of each of the semiconductor chips on substrates SS, SC of different type is determined by calculation of the product thereof. Based on the magnitudes of the calculation results, a desired substrate is selected from the substrates SS, SC and then a semiconductor chip is fabricated by forming a semiconductor element on the desired substrate selected.
US07989226B2
A method and apparatus for distributing clock signals throughout an integrated circuit is provided. An embodiment comprises a distribution die which contains either the clock signal distribution network by itself, or the clock signal distribution network in tandem with a clock signal generator. The distribution die is electrically connected through an interface technology, such as microbumps, to route the clock signals to the functional circuits on a separate functional die. Alternatively, the distribution die could be electrically connected to more than one die at a time, using vias through the distribution die to route the clock signals to the different die. This separate distribution die reduces the coupling between lines and also helps to prevent signal skew as the signal moves through the distribution network.
US07989219B2
A capturing molecule having an association containing a plurality of polypeptide chains that specifically bind to different sites of a target substance, characterized in that each of the polypeptide chains has a domain having a hypervariable loop structure at a binding site binding to the target substance and an association portion for forming the association, and the polypeptide chains are associated via the association portions present in the polypeptide chains.
US07989213B2
Disclosed are Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy (SERRS) probes and their use in detection methods for bioassays. Further disclosed is signal optimization of surface enhanced resonance Raman probes achieved by chemical modification of the probes. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the Raman cross-section by varying the chemical composition of a linker group linking a signal molecule to a nanoparticle surface. The signal molecules, such as dyes, may be modified with a linker group designed to both enhance the SERRS signal and to couple the signal molecule to the nanoparticle surface.
US07989203B2
This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for delivering antigens to dendritic cells which are then useful for inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T helper cells. This invention also provides assays for evaluating the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. According to the invention, antigens are targeted to dendritic cells by apoptotic cells which may also be modified to express non-native antigens for presentation to the dendritic cells. The dendritic cells which are primed by the apoptotic cells are capable of processing and presenting the processed antigen and inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity or may also be used in vaccine therapies.
US07989199B2
Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition. The utility tower can include a computer with a human-machine interface that communicates with the controller over a third communication network.
US07989194B2
A recombinant bacterium capable to completely degrade or mineralize pollutants such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), which corresponds to Cupriavidus necator strain JMS34, deposited under the access number NRRL B-30817 a product for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with PCBs, where the product includes a bacterial inoculum of this recombinant strain and a method for the bioremediation of environments contaminated with PCBs, which uses this product for the bioremediation.
US07989181B2
The invention relates to host cells with improved protein expressed properties. The host cells comprise rare tRNA genes within the one or more rRNA operons.
US07989164B2
Method and apparatus which uses harmonic cantilevers, such as used in atomic force microscopy, to detect variations in the attractive and repulsive forces on a solid surface as a result of macromolecular binding, for example, hybridization of a single stranded DNA molecule attached to the surface with another DNA molecule. The complexed macromolecule is less flexible than an uncomplexed molecule. It will typically have more negative charge due to amino acids or DNA monomers. Both stiffness of the surface and the attractive capillary forces will change after binding and may be detected. By scanning the harmonic cantilever across a surface with macromolecules attached in tapping-mode and by recording the signals at the high frequency vibrations provided by harmonic cantilever, complexed molecules on a surface may be identified and quantified.
US07989161B2
A method for determining sensitivity or resistance of isolates of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) retroviruses to chemical molecules having an inhibiting activity on a viral protease or to therapeutic treatments based on inhibitors of the viral protease, including causing cell lysis of at least one yeast by expression of the retrovirus protease.
US07989154B2
A method of fabricating a polymer or resist pattern over a substrate includes coating a photosensitive polymer or resist over the substrate to form a polymer or resist layer, determining a portion of the polymer or resist layer to be exposed to light, placing a light adjusting layer in an optical path of light shone on the polymer or resist layer, and adjusting the light adjusting layer to adjust a direction or intensity of the light shone on the polymer or resist layer. Based on the method, it is easy to fabricate a polymer or resist pattern, a metal film pattern, metal pattern structure, and a polymer mold, each having three-dimensional structures with various slopes or shapes by adjusting a direction or intensity of incident light when performing a lithography process.
US07989151B2
A method to enhance resolution in optical lithography via absorbance-modulation involves exposing an opaque absorbance modulation layer (AML) to a first waveform having wavelength, 81, with the first exposure forming a first set of transparent regions in the opaque AML and forming a first pattern made of a set of exposed regions in a photoresist layer. Next, the AML is restored to its original opaque state. Next, the restored AML is re-exposed to the first waveform having wavelength, 81, with the exposure forming a second set of transparent regions in the opaque AML and forming a second pattern having a set of exposed regions in a photoresist layer. The first and second patterns in the photoresist layer form a final pattern with enhanced resolution and decreased spatial period than the first pattern. In another scenario, instead of exposing the AML to a first waveform, two waveforms are used (the second being complimentary to the first) to ensure that the transmitted image has sharper edges compared to the original image.
US07989146B2
A method for producing a patterned material for electronic or photonic circuits, comprising the steps of: p) providing a substrate; q) coating the substrate with a polymer layer; r) coating a thermal resist solution over the polymer layer to form a thermal resist layer, wherein the polymer layer is substantially immiscible in the thermal resist solution; s) exposing predetermined areas of the thermal resist layer, corresponding to a desired image pattern, using infrared light; t) removing portions of the thermal resist layer corresponding to a desired image pattern, using a developer; u) removing the polymer layer where the thermal resist layer has been previously removed and undercutting a portion of the remaining thermal resist layer by an etching process; v) depositing a material using a substantially anisotropic process; and removing the remaining thermal resist layer and any overlying material with a solvent for the polymer or thermal resist layers leaving the material in a desired pattern.
US07989145B2
A method for forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device comprises forming a spin-on-carbon layer over an underlying layer, forming an anti-reflection pattern including a silicon containing polymer with a first etching mask pattern, forming a photoresist pattern including a silicon containing polymer with a second etching mask pattern between elements of the first etching mask pattern, and etching the spin-on-carbon layer with the etching mask patterns to reduce the process steps and the manufacturing cost, thereby obtaining a uniform pattern profile.
US07989142B2
An exemplary method for fabricating a TFT array substrate includes providing an insulating substrate (201); coating a gate metal layer (202) on the substrate; forming a plurality of gate electrodes (212) using a first photo-mask process; forming a gate insulating layer (203), a semiconducting layer (205), and a source/drain metal layer (206) on the substrate having the gate electrodes; forming a plurality of source electrodes (217) and a plurality of drain electrodes (218) using a second photo-mask process; forming a passivation material layer (209) and a photo resist layer on the gate insulating layer, the source electrodes and the drain electrodes; forming a passivation layer (219) and the photo resist pattern (234) using a third photo-mask process; forming a transparent conductive metal layer (204) on the photo resist pattern, the drain electrode and the gate insulating layer; and forming a pixel electrode (214) through removing the photo resist pattern.
US07989139B2
The azo-metal chelate dye to which the present invention is applied is a compound formed as follows: for example, 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring is selected as the diazo component; the diazo component is combined with a coupler component having condensed rings including a fluorine-substituted alkylsulfonylamino group and an amino group, to form an azo dye compound; and the azo dye compound forms chelate bonds with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Cu and Pd. Here, two absorption bands (OD1 and OD2) are seen in the absorption spectrum, which is measured in a range of 400 to 800 nm wavelengths. The azo-metal chelate dye is characterized in that the optical density ratio (OD2/OD1) of the two absorption bands is greater than 1.25. By using this azo-metal chelate dye, an optical recording medium capable of high-speed recording is provided.
US07989132B2
An image sheet forming method includes supplying a first sheet including a non-transparent layer, and transferring a toner image onto a toner image carrying surface of the first sheet. The method further includes integrating a second sheet, which includes a base layer and a transparent layer, with the first sheet in a manner that the toner image is sandwiched between the toner image carrying surface of the first sheet and the transparent layer of the second sheet. The method further includes separating the base layer from the second sheet while fixing the toner image.
US07989129B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer that contains at least one charge transport component, and where the photogenerating layer contains a hydroxyquinoline.
US07989118B2
A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.
US07989112B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a membrane, which is adapted to perform power generation by a chemical reaction of two reaction gases each supplied to one side of the membrane, reaction gas paths through which the two reaction gases flow, a purge device for purging at least one of the two reaction gases from the reaction gas paths, a monitoring device for monitoring a state of the fuel cell after stopping of the power generation in the fuel cell, and a control unit for controlling the purge device so as to carry out a purge operation when it is determined by the monitoring device that the state of the fuel cell is a predetermined state.
US07989108B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a molded body made by compression molding a granulated material containing a negative electrode active material, a conductive agent, and a binder. The negative electrode active material includes a Si-containing material. Volume-based 90% particle size R (D90) of the negative electrode active material, volume-based 10% particle size Rz (D10) and 90% particle size Rz (D90) of the granulated material, and thickness T of the molded body satisfy the following relation formulae: (i) R (D90)
US07989103B2
A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.
US07989094B2
A sheet-like pane bearing a low-maintenance coating on one surface and a low-emissivity coating on the opposite surface, wherein one of the low-maintenance coating and the low-emissivity coating has a single surface reflectivity of less than 3 times, and more than one-third, that of the other coating.
US07989091B2
Silanes comprising phenothiazine S-oxide or phenothiazine S,S-dioxide groups, organic light-emitting diodes comprising the inventive silanes, a light-emitting layer comprising at least one inventive silane and at least one triplet emitter, a process for preparing the inventive silanes and the use of the inventive silanes in organic light-emitting diodes, preferably as matrix materials and/or blocker materials for triplet emitters.
US07989086B2
A multi-layer seal arrangement includes a dissolution barrier between a braze alloy and a ceramic component. The inventive seal is useful for joining a ceramic component to another ceramic component or a metal component, for example. In one example, the braze comprises a gold alloy and the dissolution barrier comprises a layer of alumina on the order of 2-3 microns thick. A titanium wetting layer is provided between the alumina layer and the alloy. A metallization layer provided between the dissolution barrier and the ceramic component in one example comprises a layer of gold between two thin layers of titanium. In one particular example, a platinum mesh is included with the gold of the braze alloy to control braze flow during the brazing operation.
US07989080B2
A method and apparatus suitable for forming hermetic electrical feedthroughs in a ceramic sheet having a thickness of ≦40 mils. More particularly, the method yields an apparatus including a hermetic electrical feedthrough which is both biocompatible and electrochemically stable and suitable for implantation in a patient's body. The method involves: (a) providing an unfired, ceramic sheet having a thickness of ≦40 mils and preferably comprising ≧99% aluminum oxide; (b) forming multiple blind holes in said sheet; (c) inserting solid wires, preferably of platinum, in said holes; (d) firing the assembly of sheet and wires to a temperature sufficient to sinter the sheet material but insufficient to melt the wires; and (e) removing sufficient material from the sheet lower surface so that the lower ends of said wires are flush with the finished sheet lower surface.
US07989077B2
A coated steel product comprises a metallic strip material which has a coating comprising an electrically insulating layer doped with sodium. The thermal expansion coefficient of said metallic strip material is less than 12×10−6 K−1 in the temperature range 0-600° C. Said product may be coated with an electrically conducting layer of molybdenum. The coated steel product is useful as a substrate for flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells.
US07989072B2
A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) based film is formed on a substrate. The film may be formed by sputter-depositing, so as to include both a primary dopant (e.g., Al) and a co-dopant (e.g., Ag). The benefit of using the co-dopant in depositing the TCO inclusive film may be two-fold: (a) it may prevent or reduce self-compensation of the primary dopant by a more proper positioning of the Fermi level, and/or (b) it may promote declustering of the primary dopant, thereby freeing up space in the metal sublattice and permitting more primary dopant to create electrically active centers so as to improve conductivity of the film. Accordingly, the use of the co-dopant permits the primary dopant to be more effective in enhancing conductivity of the TCO inclusive film, without significantly sacrificing visible transmission characteristics. An example TCO in certain embodiments is ZnAlOx:Ag.
US07989071B2
The invention relates to the improvement of organic electronic devices, especially organic electroluminescence devices, to which end inclusion compounds are used, especially as charge injection materials and/or charge transporting materials.
US07989061B2
A polylactic acid monofilament includes a linear polylactic acid with a relative viscosity ηrel of in the range of 2.7 to 4.5, prepared from lactic acid monomers wherein at least 95 mol % of the lactic acid is an L-isomer, and wherein the resin contains 0 to 30 ppm of Sn and 0 to 0.5% by weight of residual monomer.
US07989059B2
A cutting tool insert, particularly useful for machining of cast iron, comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride based material or high speed steel a hard and wear resistant coating; and at least (Al,Cr)2O3 layer applied to said body is disclosed. Methods of making a cutting tool insert are also disclosed. In addition, methods for machining of cast iron using the cutting tool inserts are disclosed.
US07989054B2
The invention relates to a method for digitally printing a polymer-coated paper or board (1), to a paper or board suitable for the method and to the production of a product package equipped with digital prints. During digital printing, printing ink particles are applied in an electric field to the printing surface formed of a polymer coating at locations corresponding to the print, and the printing ink is adhered to the printing surface by fusion with the aid of infrared radiation. In accordance with the invention, the paper or board (2) to be printed is equipped with an inner coating layer (3) containing electrically chargeable ethene acrylate copolymer, such as ethene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), and with a polyolefin-based outer shield layer (4) on top of this, which contains e.g. low-density polyethene (LDPE) and provides mechanical strength, forming the printing surface receiving the printing ink.
US07989049B2
The present invention relates generally to a composite plate produced by an alternating stack of (n+1) flexible graphite foils and (n) perforated metal reinforcing foils with spurs (where n≧2). The thicknesses of the flexible graphite foils used are preferably such that any 2 mm slice of thickness of the composite plate comprises at least 3 layers of flexible graphite, and has a graphite density per unit area of at least 2.34 kg/m2. For each perforated metal reinforcing foil, the spurs present on the foil generally have a height in relation to the surface of that foil that does not exceed about 1.3 times the thickness of the thinnest of the flexible graphite layers to which it is attached. A composite plate of the present invention enables the manufacture of gaskets that resist temperatures up to 550° C. under continuous service.
US07989044B2
Means for installation of panels, the panels comprising a core, a decorative upper surface and edges provided with joining means for positioning the panels towards one another. Predetermined portions of the edges are provided with an encapsulated agent which is made present on the edges of the surface elements before assembly and which encapsulation is ruptured by means of assembly making the agent available to the core. The surface elements are hereby joined to one another by use of the joining means wherein a unit of a plurality of surface elements is formed.
US07989022B2
A method of processing a substrate includes physically contacting an exposed conductive electrode of an electrostatic carrier with a conductor to electrostatically bond a substrate to the electrostatic carrier. The conductor is removed from physically contacting the exposed conductive electrode. Dielectric material is applied over the conductive electrode. The substrate is treated while it is electrostatically bonded to the electrostatic carrier. In one embodiment, a conductor is forced through dielectric material that is received over a conductive electrode of an electrostatic carrier to physically contact the conductor with the conductive electrode to electrostatically bond a substrate to the electrostatic carrier. After removing the conductor from the dielectric material, the substrate is treated while it is electrostatically bonded to the electrostatic carrier. Electrostatic carriers for retaining substrates for processing, and such assemblies, are also disclosed.
US07989006B2
Annatto extract composition (AEC), including cis and trans geranyl geraniols (GG) and tocopherol-free C-5 unsubstituted tocotrienols (T3), increases the de novo synthesis of intermediate isoprenoid and distal protein products, including endogenous coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), dolichols (DL) and all subsequent GG-prenylated and DL-glycosylated proteins, including GG-porphyrinated hemes. This intermediate and distal product replenishment by AEC reverses maladies of myotoxicity (of both drug and non-drug origins), including maladies that affect the muscle, kidney, eye, GI tract and skin, nerve, blood, and CoQ10-related syndromes of energetics and LDL protection. AEC anabolically increases the endogenous de novo CoQ10 synthesis via GG elongation/prenylation of side-chain and conversely CoQ10 catabolically increases the endogenous de novo GG synthesis via beta-oxidation of CoQ10. Also, such AEC decreases de novo synthesis and increases disposal of triglycerides (TG) in humans via PPAR activation and SREBP deactivation. Such drop in TG by AEC reverses maladies of insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS), prediabetes, diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). GG activates PPAR and down regulates SREBP transcription factors. This AEC, containing GG, inhibits cancer growth whether or not GG involvement in protein prenylation is required.
US07989002B2
Gel-based lipstick compositions are disclosed comprising an ester terminated poly(ester-amide) (ETPEA) polymeric gellant, a first wax component having a melting point above the sol-gel transition temperature of the ETPEA gellant, a second wax compositions having a melting point equal to of below the sol-gel transition temperature of the ETPEA gellant, optionally a silicone T-resin co-gellant, and one or more oils capable of forming a gel with the ETPEA gellant. The gel compositions are solid or semi-solid at room temperature and are capable of being molded into self-supporting sticks. The disclosed gels provide high gloss films when applied to the lips and/or provide a rheology characterized by a high viscosity over repeated shear cycles.
US07988997B2
A dosage form which is, in particular, sheet-like and rapidly disintegrating or soluble in an aqueous environment for rapid release of active ingredients in the oral cavity, in body orifices or in body cavities, where the dosage form comprises a matrix which comprises one or more water-soluble polymers as base substances, and comprises at least one active ingredient, is characterized in that the dosage form is provided with spaces or cavities which are present in the polymeric matrix and whose contents differ in terms of the state of aggregation from the matrix.
US07988989B2
A novel nutritional product and methods for the manufacture and administration of the same are disclosed for the feeding of equine foals and other animals. The nutritional product of the present invention is effective in supporting the growth and health of equine foals, and in supporting and stimulating its immune system as well. The nutritional product of the present invention consists of safe and natural ingredients rather than drugs, and is orally administrable. The ingredients of the nutritional product of the present invention when combined provide a synergistic efficacy which greatly exceeds the sum of the efficacies of the individual ingredients, making the nutritional product highly effective in promoting and enhancing the growth, nutritional uptake, and immune system of equine foals.
US07988982B2
A cosmetic composition has an association of at least three of the following substances with anti-free radical activity, selected from: 1) ebselen; or idebenone; or an association of the two; and 2) at least one substance with anti-free radical activity, or at least two substances with anti-free radical activity for obtaining said association of at least three substances with anti-free radical activity, said substance(s) being selected from: a) a substance of chemical formula (I) below: in which: R=a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C16 hydrocarbon chain; and R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or a methyl or methoxy radical, and its esters; b) an extract of Edelweiss; c) an extract of Emblica; and d) N-acetylcysteine. The anti-free radical activity is greatly improved.
US07988976B1
A method for enhancing antioxidant components of Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract is proposed. The method involves providing an extraction environment of 40° C., and performing cyclic grinding to a Gracilaria tenuistipitata solution with an ultrasonic disrupter outputting a vibrating frequency between 20 KHz and 45 KHz for 60 to 120 minutes, so as to stabilize chemical properties of the Gracilaria tenuistipitata solution and obtain a Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract having more activated protein and phycoerythrin as compared with an extract obtained through the prior art, thereby improving the Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract in antioxidative ability.
US07988975B2
The invention involves a synthetic peptide derived from HIV-1 virus gp41 having sequence where X615 is F or G, a method of preparing the synthetic peptide, a composition and a kit containing the synthetic peptide, and use of the synthetic peptide in immunoassays for the detection of infections caused by HIV-1 viruses.
US07988971B2
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US07988959B2
The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin tissue, and in particular to cultured skin tissue comprising exogenous genes encoding angiogenic growth factors. In some embodiments, the keratinocytes express exogenous angiopoietin-1, HIF-1α, or a member of the VEGF family, preferably VEGF-A. In particularly preferred embodiments, the keratinocytes are incorporated into cultured skin tissue.
US07988956B2
Poly(ethylene glycol) carbamate derivatives useful as water-soluble pro-drugs are disclosed. These degradable poly(ethylene glycol) carbamate derivatives also have potential applications in controlled hydrolytic degradation of hydrogels. In such degradable hydrogels, drugs may be either trapped in the gel and released by diffusion as the gel degrades, or they may be covalently bound through hydrolyzable carbamate linkages. Hydrolysis of these carbamate linkages releases the amine drug at a controllable rate as the gel degrades.
US07988953B2
The invention provides a conjugate comprising a hyperbranched polymer covalently bonded to at least three UV absorbing chromophores having an UV absorption maximum λmax≧270 nm.The conjugate is an effective and safe sunscreen which can advantageously be used in cosmetic compositions.
US07988951B2
Transimmunization methods incorporating skin immunologic challenges are described for either selectively suppressing the immune response of recipients of transplanted tissue or cells or monitoring induced anti-cancer immunity. In one embodiment, skin from the transplant donor is allografted to the transplant recipient to induce an immunological response to the transplanted skin. A quantity of blood is taken from the recipient and treated to render the T cells in the blood apoptotic and to induce differentiation of blood monocytes into dendritic cells. The treated blood is incubated and administered to the recipient to induce formation of suppressor T cell clones which reduce the number of T cells attacking the transplanted tissue or organ. This tolerogenic approach can be complemented by also feeding the immature dendritic cells apoptotic or necrotic cells from the organ donor. In a second embodiment, dendritic cells loaded with tumor antigens are injected intradermally to monitor the anti-cancer immunity induced by Transimmunization.
US07988948B2
A method for generating hydrogen and/or syngas in a production facility where little or no export steam is produced. Most or all of the steam produced from the waste heat from the process is used in the steam-hydrocarbon reformer. Reformed gas is passed to a pressure swing adsorption system for H2 purification. In the method, CO2 is removed from the pressure swing adsorber residual gas prior to recycling the residual gas to the reformer for use as feed and as fuel. Plant efficiencies using the method and prior art-type methods are compared.
US07988943B2
For conversion of sulphur-containing compounds present in a gas comprising H2S and sulphur-containing compounds into additional H2S, a step A of contacting the gas with a reducing gas and a hydrogenation catalyst comprising cobalt, molybdenum and an alumina support, the sum of cobalt and molybdenum, in the oxide form, being 3% to 25% by weight, the surface area of alumina being more than 140 m2/g. In step B, effluent gas from step A is contacted with a catalyst comprising at least one alkaline-earth element, at least one dopant being iron, cobalt or molybdenum and at least one compound of titanium oxide and/or zirconium oxide, the catalyst for step B) being either in bulk or supported.
US07988938B2
A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore, said process including the steps of leaching and/or agglomerating the ore with a lixiviant that includes ferrous ions, wherein the lixiviant is able to liberate cobalt from the cobalt containing minerals within the ore in preference to nickel, to produce a cobalt rich pregnant leach solution relatively free of nickel.
US07988920B2
A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.
US07988915B2
Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a microfluidic structure formed in a platform in which various examinations, such as an immune serum examination, can be automatically performed using the biomolecule microarray chip. The biomolecule microarray chip-type microfluidic device using a biomolecule microarray chip comprises: a platform which is rotatable; a microfluidic structure disposed in the platform, comprising: a plurality of chambers; a plurality of channels connecting the chambers each other; and a plurality of valves controlling flow of fluids through the channels, wherein the microfluidic structure controls flow of a fluid sample using rotation of the platform and the valves; and a biomolecule microarray chip mounted in the platform such that biomolecule capture probes bound to the biomolecule microarray chip contact the fluid sample in the microfluidic structure.
US07988906B2
A process for the production of moldings via a layer-by-layer process by selectively melting regions of one or more powder layers that contain cyclic oligomers and have a median grain diameter determined by laser diffraction of between 25 and 150 μm via input of electromagnetic energy, and permitting the layers to solidify to provide a solid mass, where selectivity is achieved by applying one or more aids amongst the group of susceptors, inhibitors, absorbers, masks, and focusing of a laser beam.
US07988896B2
A method of preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material is provided. The method includes (a) providing a carbon nanotube-based film and a pre-polymer solution; (b) placing the carbon nanotube-based film at a bottom of a container, and pouring the pre-polymer solution in the container; and (c) polymerizing the pre-polymer solution and simultaneously integrating the pre-polymer solution with the carbon nanotube-based film. As such, a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material, including the polymer-impregnated nanotube layer and an upper polymer layer, is obtained. A multi-layer composite can be produced by essentially repeating this process, using the upper polymer layer as the base layer for the formation of the next layer set thereon.
US07988895B2
A microporous polyethylene membrane having well-balanced permeability, mechanical properties, heat shrinkage resistance, compression resistance, electrolytic solution absorbability, shutdown properties and meltdown properties, with an average pore diameter changing in a thickness direction is produced by melt-blending a polyethylene resin and a membrane-forming solvent to prepare a solution A having a resin concentration of 25 to 50% by mass and a solution B having a resin concentration of 10 to 30% by mass, the resin concentration in the solution A being higher than that in the solution B, (a) simultaneously extruding the resin solutions A and B through a die, cooling the resultant extrudate to provide a gel-like sheet in which the resin solutions A and B are laminated, and removing the membrane-forming solvent from the gel-like sheet, or (b) extruding the resin solutions A and B through separate dies, removing the membrane-forming solvent from the resultant gel-like sheets A and B to form microporous polyethylene membranes A and B, and alternately laminating the microporous polyethylene membranes A and B, while easily controlling the average pore diameter distribution in the microporous polyethylene membrane in a thickness direction.
US07988891B2
A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.
US07988885B2
The present invention is directed to electrochromic electrolyte polymer blends. These blends comprise an amorphous polymer and an electrochromophore component. The electrochromophore component comprises a polyalkylene polymer copolymerized with an electrochromic moiety. The blends can be used to make elastomeric films and coatings that can be used in laminates, which can be used to form manufactured articles such as architectural and vehicular glazing, eyewear, displays and signage.
US07988884B2
A novel manufacturing process is described for producing hindered phenolic alkyl esters, which may be useful as antioxidants. This process simplifies catalyst neutralization and removal during the preparation of hindered phenolic esters. Compositions that comprise the hindered phenolic esters produced according to these methods are also described.
US07988875B2
A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the etch profile of a multilayer layer stack by depositing a first and second material layer with differential etch rates in the same or different processing chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, a process for etching substrate material is provided including depositing a first silicon-containing material layer having a first etch rate on the substrate surface from a nitrogen-containing precursor at a first flow rate and a silicon-containing precursor, depositing a second silicon-containing material layer having a second etch rate different than the first etch rate on the first silicon-containing material layer from the nitrogen-containing precursor at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate and the silicon-containing precursor, etching the first silicon-containing material layer and the second silicon-containing material layer, and forming a taper etch profile in the first silicon-containing material layer and the second silicon-containing material layer.
US07988869B2
A reactor for treating with pressurized water a material in a fluid reaction medium. It comprises a body (2) delimiting a reaction area (10), an inlet (48) for the material to be treated in the reaction area (10), a point (46) for introducing an oxidant into the reaction area (10), at least one outlet for the treated material outside the reaction area (10), the material to be treated follows a path defined in the reaction area between its inlet and its outlet. The point (46) for introducing the oxidant in the reaction area (10) is located downstream from the inlet (48) for the material and is spaced apart from the latter by a certain distance so as to define an anoxic area (20) comprised between the inlet for the material to be treated and the point for introducing the oxidant, an area in which the fluid medium is in anoxia.
US07988858B2
The present invention relates to a method for generating at least one polydentate metal chelating affinity ligand, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing at least one scaffold defined by the general formula (I): H2N—(X1)n—S—S—(X2)m—CH2—NH2 wherein X1 and X2 irrespective of each other are carbon atoms or heteroatoms, and n and m irrespective of each other are integers of 1 to 5; (b) providing at least one polydentate metal chelating affinity ligand arm, optionally in a form wherein the metal chelating functionalities of at least one arm are protected, on each scaffold by derivatisation of the nucleophilic NH2 groups of the scaffold; (c) reducing the disulfide bond of the derivatised scaffold; and, if required (d) deprotecting the functionalities of the ligand arm(s) provided in step (b). In the most preferred embodiment, the reduction of the disulfide bond and the deprotection step is performed essentially simultaneously.
US07988857B2
A method for treating mixed wastewater from pharmaceutical chemical industry parks including introducing mixed wastewater into a regulation tank for regulation of water flow and water quality, and then into a hydrolysis tank having a hanged filler and employing upflow water distribution, into an anaerobic tank employing upflow water distribution, into a moving bed biofilm reactor having a suspended filler and an aeration device at the bottom thereof, into a biological aerated filter including a ceramic filler, and finally treating using coagulating precipitation process. The final effluent has less than 100 mg/L COD.
US07988855B2
A cartridge apparatus for water treatment includes a header having a permeate cavity, a plurality of support elements spaced apart from the header, and a plurality of subgroups of hollow fiber membranes, the membranes in each subgroup having first ends potted in the header, and second ends potted in a respective one of the plurality of support elements.
US07988848B2
This invention relates to a process for activating a hydroprocessing catalyst and the use of activated catalyst for hydroprocessing. More particularly, hydroprocessing catalysts are activated in the presence of carbon monoxide. The catalysts that have been activated by CO treatment have improved activity.
US07988846B1
A method for modifying asphalt comprises blowing an oxygen-containing gas through a base asphalt at a high gas flow rate while simultaneously agitating the base asphalt at a high shear rate and at an elevated temperature for a period of time that is effective to substantially improve at least two paving properties of the base asphalt. In preferred embodiments, modified asphalts are produced having both substantially improved rutting resistance and substantially improved fatigue resistance as compared to the base asphalt.
US07988835B2
There are provided a method and an apparatus which form silicon dots having substantially uniform particle diameters and exhibiting a substantially uniform density distribution directly on a substrate at a low temperature. A hydrogen gas (or a hydrogen gas and a silane-containing gas) is supplied into a vacuum chamber (1) provided with a silicon sputter target (e.g., target 30), or the hydrogen gas and the silane-containing gas are supplied into the chamber (1) without arranging the silicon sputter target therein, a high-frequency power is applied to the gas(es) so that plasma is generated such that a ratio (Si(288 nm)/Hβ) between an emission intensity Si(288 nm) of silicon atoms at a wavelength of 288 nm and an emission intensity Hβ of hydrogen atoms at a wavelength of 484 nm in plasma emission is 10.0 or lower, and preferably 3.0 or lower, or 0.5 or lower, and silicon dots (SiD) having particle diameters of 20 nm or lower, or 10 nm or lower are formed directly on the substrate (S) at a low temperature of 500 deg. C. or lower in the plasma (and with chemical sputtering if a silicon sputter target is present).
US07988829B2
A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.
US07988827B2
An aqueous emulsion, including (a) a dialkylamide; and (b) a non-ionic surfactant, is provided. An emulsion, including (a) about 30% b.w. to about 70% b.w. of a dialkylamide; (b) about 5% b.w. to about 25% b.w. of a non-ionic surfactant; and (c) 0% b.w. to about 15% b.w. of an anionic surfactant, where the amounts, with water added and optional auxiliary agents, add to 100% b.w., is also provided. A method for reducing pitch in the production of paper includes adding the emulsion to pulp.
US07988803B2
A device for joining substrates (11) is provided inside a clean booth (12). a single axis robot (46) and a five axis robot (47) convey a wafer (25) and a glass substrate (33). A transcribing station (91) obtains a transcribing film (112) on which adhesive is applied from a film supplying section (113), and presses the transcribing film (112) to the glass substrate (33) so as to transcribe the adhesive to the glass substrate (33). A peeling station (92) peels the transcribing film (112) from the glass substrate (33). A joining station (57) positions the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), adjusts parallelism of joining surfaces of the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), and joins these substrates together. Since the handling and the joining of the wafer (25), the glass substrate (33) and the transcribing film (112) are performed in the clean booth, it is prevented that a yield ratio of the product decreases because of the adhesion of foreign matters.
US07988796B2
A method of manufacturing a sheave member for a belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a forming step wherein an intermediate product having a sheave surface is formed by forging a steel material; a carburization step wherein the intermediate product is heated in a carburization gas; a gradual cooling step wherein the cooling speed is equal to or less than 20° C./sec, at least until the temperature of the intermediate product has passed through the transformation point; a high-frequency electrical heating step wherein a selected portion(s) of the intermediate product is heated; a water quenching step wherein the selected portion is quenched by contact with water; and a finishing step wherein a grinding process is applied to the intermediate product to attain the final shape. In the cooling step, preferably, the intermediate product is contacted with a cooling gas at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.
US07988789B2
A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of atomizers are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the atomizers, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans associated with the atomizers. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
US07988779B2
The present invention relates to soft surface coatings and absorbent articles comprising composite materials that are functionalized nanoparticles and in particular, metal-loaded nanoclays. In one embodiment, the metal is silver and the nanoparticle comprises a nanoclay. Silver ion is reduced to its neutral metal state (Ag0) and loaded onto the nanoclay.
US07988778B2
A method of making a composite coating includes the steps of: adding a proper quantity of inorganic metal salt into an organic dissolvent to form a first mixed solution and then stirring the first mixed solution for 30-60 minutes; adding a proper quantity of SiO2 precursor into the first mixed solution to form a second mixed solution and then stirring the second mixed solution for 30-60 minutes; adding a proper quantity of catalyzer and water into the second mixed solution for being reacted with each other so as to form a coating solution via being stirred for 4-8 hours; and putting the coating solution under the room temperature for 24 hours so as to obtain the composite coating. A product formed with the foregoing composite coating includes a base body and a layer of composite protective film formed by the composite coating on surfaces of the base body.
US07988774B2
Systems and methods for electroless deposition of a cobalt-alloy layer on a copper surface include a solution characterized by a low pH. This solution may include, for example, a cobalt(II) salt, a complexing agent including at least two amine groups, a pH adjuster configured to adjust the pH to below 7.0, and a reducing agent. In some embodiments, the cobalt-alloy is configured to facilitate bonding and copper diffusion characteristics between the copper surface and a dielectric in an integrated circuit.
US07988763B2
A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein the metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a binary mixture of NaCl and MgCl2. Preferably, more than 22% by weight of the binary mixture consists of NaCl.
US07988756B2
A gas-solid separator has: an inner cylinder 10 having a closed lower end 11 and an opened upper end 1, and extending in a vertical direction; and an outer cylinder 2 that coaxially covers the inner cylinder 10 from the outside and has a gas vent port 6 formed on the upper end side of the inner cylinder and communicating with an exterior, wherein a plurality of axially extending long holes 4 are formed on a side surface on the lower end 11 side of the inner cylinder 10 in a circumferential direction, one of long side edge parts of each of the long holes 4 is provided with a guide blade 5 that protrudes outward and is inclined circumferentially so as to cover the long hole 4, and a part between the long holes 4 of the inner cylinder 10 is concaved in a center direction of the inner cylinder 10.
US07988755B2
Provided is a byproduct collecting apparatus for efficiently collecting reaction-byproducts contained in an exhaust gas exhausted from a process chamber during a semiconductor manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a housing and a trap module. The housing has a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port. The trap module is installed inside the housing and has first plates curved or inclined to guide an exhaust gas flow in a curved fashion.
US07988754B1
The present invention is directed to a process for producing ultra clean liquid fuel from abandoned mine waste. A feedstock is prepared from water and coal mine waste having relatively high ash (non-carbonaceous matter) content. Foundry slag is added to the feedstock as a fluxant to adjust the melting behavior of the ash in the feedstock. Preferably, the fluxant is blast furnace slag provided in a particle size of less than about 150 μm and is provided in an amount sufficient to lower the melting point of the ash in the feedstock by at least about 200° F. The feedstock is admitted with a flow of oxygen into a pressurized chamber of an entrained flow gasifier in which the feedstock and oxygen are heated to produce a synthetic gas from a coal component of the feedstock and molten slag from the ash and fluxant components of the feedstock. The molten slag is of a viscosity to freely flow out of the gasifier through an exit port in the bottom of the gasifier. The synthetic gas can be used to produce paraffin from which ultra clean liquid fuel can be produced.
US07988751B2
A method for controlling the purity of hydrogen in a reforming apparatus is described where in the apparatus includes a fuel processor, a purification unit and a system controller. The controller determines a calculated flow of reformate from the fuel processor and operates the purification unit based on the calculated flow. The calculated flow is derived from a process model of the fuel processor and known feed(s) to the fuel processor. The calculated flow of reformate is used to control the flow of reformate to adsorbent beds within the purification unit and can be used to control other materials flows within the apparatus. Means for reducing fluctuations in the pressure and/or flow rate of reformate flowing from the fuel processor to the purification unit are also disclosed. The purity of the hydrogen produced can be maintained by adjusting the operation of the purification unit in response to changes in reformate composition, pressure and/or flow rate.
US07988744B1
A method of producing capacitor structure includes, in at least one aspect, arranging first layer, adjacent first and second polarity conducting strips, the first layer conducting strips arranged as respective piecewise “S” shaped paths; arranging second layer, adjacent first and second polarity conducting strips, the second layer conducting strips arranged as respective piecewise “S” shaped paths, the second layer second polarity conducting strip is arranged overlying and electrically separated from the first layer first polarity conducting strip, and the second layer first polarity conducting strip is arranged overlying and electrically separated from the first layer second polarity conducting strip; electrically connecting the first layer first polarity conducting strip with the second layer first polarity conducting strip; and electrically connecting the first layer second polarity conducting strip with the second layer second polarity conducting strip.
US07988733B2
A bioimplant is configured with at least two load-bearing surfaces each having a plurality of protrusions oriented at an angle with respect to one another to resist translation in all directions when opposing load bearing surfaces are under normally applied compressive loads.
US07988728B2
A demand responsive physiological control system for use with a rotary blood pump; said system including a pump controller which is capable of controlling pump speed of said pump; said system further including a physiological controller, and wherein said physiological controller is adapted to analyse input data relating to physiological condition of a user of said pump; and wherein said physiological controller determines appropriate pumping speed and sends a speed control signal to said pump controller to adjust pump speed; said system further including a physiological state detector which provides said input data indicative of at least one physiological state of said user, in use, to said physiological controller.
US07988725B2
Apparatus is provided for repairing a valve of a heart of a patient which includes an annulus and at least first and second leaflets. The apparatus includes an annuloplasty structure, a plurality of tissue anchors, and a plurality of flexible longitudinal guide members removably coupled to the structure. Each of the guide members is configured to facilitate anchoring of the annuloplasty structure to the annulus of the patient by a respective one of the anchors. The guide members are configured to be advanced toward the annulus simultaneously with the annuloplasty structure. Other embodiments are also described.
US07988722B2
This invention relates to medical devices comprising shape memory alloys which have been subjected to a thermal and mechanical treatment to increase the austenite start temperature As to As′ such that the shape memory alloy is martensitic at body temperature and when subsequently subjected to a controlled deformation, the shape memory alloy preferentially reverts to the parent phase. The shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and a ternary element, preferably 3 at. % to about 20 at. %. The ternary element is insoluble in a Ni—Ti matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the element is selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and zirconium.
US07988719B2
A stent is adapted to be implanted in a duct of a human body to maintain an open lumen at the implant site, and to allow viewing body tissue and fluids by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) energy applied external to the body. The stent constitutes a metal scaffold. An electrical circuit resonant at the resonance frequency of the MRI energy is fabricated integral with the scaffold structure of the stent to promote viewing body properties within the lumen of the stent.
US07988713B2
An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.
US07988710B2
A flexible connection unit for use in a spinal fixation device, including: a first end portion and a second end portion, at least one of the first end and second end configured to be engagable by a section of a first bone securing member; a flexible member located between the first and second ends, the flexible member permitting motion of the first end relative to the second end; and a transition area located between the first end and the flexible member, the transition area tapering in diameter from a first section of the transition area proximate to the first end toward a second section of the transition area proximate to the flexible member.
US07988708B2
An interspinous process distraction device includes a male distraction element and a female distraction element, which both have a clamping portion for fixedly pushing and rejecting the interspinous processes and also respectively have a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion connected at the other end of the clamping portion. Here, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are paired for blocking with each other so as to form the interspinous process distraction device capable of having an opposite rotation. Besides, through clamping two interspinous processes which stress the nerve by the male distraction element and the female distraction element and rotating them to oppositely rotate, the two interspinous processes can therefore be moved to be in alignment as the normal condition.
US07988707B2
A dynamic spine stabilizer moves under the control of spinal motion providing increased mechanical support within a central zone corresponding substantially to the neutral zone of the injured spine. The dynamic spine stabilizer includes a support assembly and a resistance assembly associated with the support assembly. The resistance assembly generates greater increase in mechanical force during movement within the central zone and lesser increase in mechanical force during movement beyond the central zone. A method for using the stabilizer is also disclosed.
US07988704B2
A method for puncturing a proximal membrane without puncturing a second, distal membrane is provided. The method comprises distally advancing an elongated body through an elongated tubular member to a first position where a distal end of the elongated body is in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the distal end of the elongated body is positioned outside the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The distal end of the elongated body has a distal tip, in this first configuration, that is sufficiently rigid and sharp to puncture the first, proximal membrane. From this first configuration, the distal tip of the elongated body is slightly advanced puncture the first, proximal membrane. After puncturing the first, proximal membrane, the elongated body is advanced through the punctured proximal membrane whereby the distal tip of the elongated body moves into a second configuration. In the second configuration, the distal tip of the elongated body curves into a j-shape, forming a blunt distal surface facing the second, distal membrane.
US07988698B2
Spinal implants, spinal rod approximators for seating a stabilizing rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a spinal rod approximator is provided including an elongate member having a grasping member formed on a distal end thereof, and a rod pusher member slidably mated to or mounted on the elongate member. The grasping member is effective to grasp a portion of a spinal implant, and the pusher member is effective to grasp and engage a stabilizing rod and push the rod into a rod-receiving portion of the spinal implant being grasped by the grasping member.
US07988695B2
An articulated delivery instrument for the proper positioning and placements of inserts, for example, an insert such as a lumbar interbody fusion device (“LIF”). The instrument may comprise a body and a first member slidingly coupled to the body. A rotating member for releasably retaining an insert may be pivotally coupled to a distal end of the body and the first member. A first actuator may function to translate the first member relative to the body. Translation of the first member relative to the body may rotate the rotating member relative to the instrument. A second actuator may function to transition the rotating member between release and retention of the insert.
US07988690B2
A welding element is provided for applying heat, chemicals, pressure, or any combination thereof to tissues inside a patient's body, e.g., a patent foramen ovale. In one aspect, the welding element is connected to a radio frequency energy source and includes an electrode and a locator. The locator facilitates positioning of the welding element and is capable of moving from an open position to a clamping position. In another aspect, a needle is provided for transseptal puncturing before the application of heat. In yet another aspect, the welding element is configured as a coil. The welding element can be made of Nitinol.
US07988671B2
A surgical access device or trocar defines an access channel for instruments extending from a proximal end to the distal end thereof. The trocar comprises a cannula and a seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The seal assembly comprises a first or zero seal, a second or instrument seal, and a trocar shield disposed proximally of the first seal and the second seal. The first seal seals the access channel in the absence of an instrument extending therethrough. The second seal seals the access channel in the presence of an instrument extending therethrough. The trocar shield protects the first seal and second seal from damage as an instrument is advanced through the access channel. The trocar shield comprises an open proximal end and a tapered distal end comprising a plurality of longitudinal pleats, converging in an opening.
US07988665B2
An infusion fluid heating apparatus applicable to various types of infusion tube with different length dimensions includes a front-side tube fitting groove or a rear-side tube fitting groove formed on one of surfaces of a heating plate that receives an infusion tube in a first length between an inlet opening and an outlet opening open at the end surfaces of the heating plate. The groove also receives the infusion tube in a second length shorter than the first length. Therefore, the groove uses the second length for a relatively short infusion tube, capable of heating the tube appropriately and achieving high versatility. In addition, the tube fitting groove uses the first length for an infusion bag with a relatively long infusion tube, capable of heating the tube appropriately and increasing the maximum infusion fluid flow.
US07988664B2
A safety shield incorporating a locking clip to prevent inadvertent sticks or punctures by a needle is provided. The needle can be a needle cannula or other piercing member, disposed in a sliding orientation in the safety shield, such that the needle slides within the locking clip between an aperture at a proximal end of the locking clip and a trigger hole at a distal end of the clip. Upon withdrawal of the needle after use, a binding orientation is triggered when the needle tip is withdrawn from the trigger hole. As further protection to the bi-directional lock afforded by the binding orientation, the needle is provided with a safety stop to prevent movement of the needle tip through the aperture. In other aspects, the safety shield includes a trigger bushing, in which the needle cannula is slidably received, that is sized larger than the aperture.
US07988663B2
A syringe including a barrel (14), a retractable needle (12) and a plunger rod assembly (22) including inner (30) and outer (24) members with a stopper (46) for expelling fluids from the syringe is disclosed. An activation member (40, 44) associated with the plunger rod permits relative movement of the inner and outer members when activated. The stopper is configured to compress a sufficient amount when advanced distally in the barrel to cause the activation element to engage and cause retraction of the needle within the syringe.
US07988657B2
A hand-held disposable body cavity irrigation device comprises a pump with an inlet and an outlet, a container for lavage fluid fastened removably to said pump, an applicator having an insertion tip, and divided longitudinally into an injection chamber with a first fitting and a drain chamber with a second fitting, and a first tube connecting said outlet to the first fitting wherein the first tube comprises at least one malleable element embedded longitudinally into an elastic wall, said inlet communicates with the lavage fluid within the container, and the drain chamber is disposed predominantly below the injection chamber and has at least one vent beyond the insertion tip.
US07988656B2
In order to control the pressure in an abdominal cavity of a patient and a pressure in a hollow organ, a medical system includes: a first pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a gas in the abdominal cavity; a first port for insufflating and evacuating the abdominal cavity; a second pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a gas in the hollow organ; a second port for insufflating and evacuating the hollow organ; an air supply apparatus connected to the second port for controlling the air supply and evacuation based on the output by the first and second pressure sensors; a third port connected to the second pressure sensor in the air supply apparatus; an endoscope connected to the air supply apparatus; a pneumoperitoneum needle connected to the first port; and a puncture needle connected to the second port.
US07988644B2
A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.
US07988640B2
A method and apparatus for treating sleep disordered breathing. An arousal index is determined for use in an outer loop of a control algorithm, the arousal index being a measure of the frequency of sleep arousals. The respiratory airflow signal in an inner loop of the control algorithm is monitored to detect an airway obstruction. If the arousal index is high, then the sensitivity of obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is increased, and if the arousal index is low, then the sensitivity of the obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is decreased.
US07988639B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for creating a complex model of the human anatomy. The anatomy may be modeled using multiple geometries. Generally, a plurality of line-of-sight models may be combined into a composite model. Multiple clouds of points may be used to create surface models which may then be merged into a common volume. The resulting composite model may include portions that are not within a line of sight of a mean center point of the composite model. The surface models may be modeled using polygons, including for example, triangles. Disclosed herein are also ways in which electrophysiology data and/or other information may be mapped from a measurement point to a point on the composite model.
US07988621B2
A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible, corrugated insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument and a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument. A vacuum-activated device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. A corrugated tube transmits torque from the proximal end toward the distal end. A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition.
US07988620B2
A signal processing circuit of an external device includes a CPU and a memory which are not shown. A program for estimating at least one of the position and orientation of a capsule endoscope on the basis of strength signals received through respective antennas is installed in the signal processing circuit. A single-core coil to generate a magnetic field is arranged in the capsule endoscope. The generated magnetic field is detected by a plurality of coils arranged outside a body, whereby a distance that the capsule endoscope has traveled can be obtained with accuracy. This arrangement controls image-capture timing to reliably capture images necessary for a diagnosis and prevent unnecessary image capture.
US07988618B2
The medical procedure via a natural opening according to the present invention includes: disposing a target on the body surface near a target site on the inner wall of a hollow organ; introducing a guide member into the hollow organ via a natural natural opening, guiding the guide member to the target site using the target, and confirming the target site by means of a observation device; and carrying out a procedure at the target site while observing the target site.
US07988617B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.
US07988616B2
An implantable pump for pumping fluid to or from a hydraulic surgical implant inside a human's or an animal's body comprises a wall forming a chamber for the fluid, the wall including a base plate and a membrane, which is displaceable relative to the base plate to change the volume of the chamber to pump the fluid between the chamber and the surgical implant. The membrane is penetrable by an injection needle to add hydraulic fluid to or withdraw hydraulic fluid from the chamber, in order to calibrate the amount of fluid, and the membrane is self-sealing to seal the hole which is formed in the membrane by the penetrating injection needle. The implant typically is a hydraulic constriction device, which can be designed for treating reflux disease, urinary incontinence, impotence, anal incontinence or obesity.
US07988615B2
A surgical instrument for treating incontinence includes a handle portion elongate along a handle axis and a needle portion connected to the handle portion. The needle portion has a spacer portion along the handle axis, and has a distal end. The needle portion includes a substantially helical portion that is a variable spiral portion, extending from the straight spacer portion. The variable spiral portion is sized and shaped to extend from an incision substantially adjacent the patient's obturator foramen through the obturator foramen along a path in a region between the superior pubic ramus and the inferior pubic ramus. The needle portion has a structure near the distal end that associates the instrument with an implantable material configured to treat incontinence.
US07988612B2
A brachytherapy seed comprising (a) carrier-free 103Pd isotope, (b) a substrate for the carrier-free 103Pd radioisotope, and (c) a casing for encapsulating the carrier-free 103Pd-laden substrate, is disclosed.
US07988599B2
An electronic method of obtaining a service alert pertaining to exercise equipment uses a control server associated with a fitness facility to gather service information from at least one fitness equipment unit. The method further includes determining whether the service information gathered is significant, automatically sending a service alert message to at least one predefined recipient regarding service information that is significant.
US07988597B2
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling actuation of a clutch device for a torque converter operative to transmit torque between an engine and a transmission. The method comprises controlling actuation of the clutch device effective to maintain an engine speed within a predetermined speed range when a transmission input speed is less than a threshold; and, controlling actuation of the clutch device effective to maintain slippage across the torque converter substantially at a predetermined slippage level when the transmission input speed is greater than the threshold.
US07988586B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are clutches and brakes and are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
US07988581B2
A compact rotation output device is realized by disposing an output shaft of a reduction gear transmission coaxially with an axis line of a rotating disk while simultaneously ensuring a space in a rear face of the rotating disk through which a columnar bar or wiring etc. can pass.A reduction gear transmission is provided with an input shaft having an eccentric rotation member, an external gear that has a through hole at its center and revolves orbitally while engaging with the eccentric rotation member, and an internal gear that surrounds the external gear while meshing with the external gear and allows the orbital revolution of the external gear. The number of teeth of the external gear differs from the number of teeth of the internal gear. The rotating disk is fixed to one of the external gear and the internal gear of the reduction gear transmission. The columnar bar is formed on the rotating disk, this columnar bar rotating together with the rotating disk, passing through the external gear, and extending longer than the input shaft.
US07988580B2
A continuously variable transmission that is highly suitable for use in a large car or light truck vehicle is provided.
US07988574B2
A transmission for a bicycle includes a derailleur shaft supported by a case member. A derailleur arm is movably journaled by the derailleur shaft. A guide rotational body is rotatably supported by the derailleur arm and an endless power transmission belt is wound therearound. The endless power transmission belt is shifted among a plurality of rotational body elements which constitute a speed-change rotational body for changing the speed-change ratio. An operating pin is connected to a wire which moves in the fore-and-aft direction in accordance with the speed-change operation so that the derailleur arm is rotated with respect to the derailleur shaft and translated toward the center axis of the derailleur shaft by the operating pin being moved while being guided through the guide hole by the speed-change operation via the wire. A roller is rotatably journaled by the operating pin is rotatably fitted in the guide hole.
US07988565B2
A head 2 is hollow. The head 2 has a sole part 8. The sole part 8 has a groove forming part k1 having a recessed outer surface g1 and a protruding inner surface s1. The sole part 8 has a first groove forming part k1 and a second groove forming part k1. The first groove forming part k1 and the second groove forming part k1 have a front-back directional length. A distance between the first groove forming part k1 and the second groove forming part k1 in a toe-heel direction is wider toward a back of the head. Preferably, the first groove forming part k1 and the second groove forming part k1 exist on a back of a face surface 13. Preferably, the sole part 8 has a connecting groove part r1. The connecting groove part r1 is formed by connecting a front end of the first groove forming part k1 to a front end of the second groove forming part k1 with each other.
US07988552B2
A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes receiving a credit value from a player via an input device. At least a portion of the credit value is a wager input for playing a wagering game. The method further includes programming a controller to select a randomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager input. The credit value is represented on a display as a dynamic element having an original size, the dynamic element being able to change between the original size and another size. The original size of the dynamic element is modified in accordance with changes in the credit value received via the input device to visually represent the changes in the credit value as the changes are occurring.
US07988549B2
There is disclosed an electronic gaming system (100) comprising one or more player interfaces (6, 7, 17), and a main video display screen (1). The system enables players to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games and to place bets on lines of the games. The system displays a plurality of display windows on the main display screen, each window being associated with a respective one of the simultaneously played games and displaying the reels of that game, each reel displaying reel indicia. The system is configured for any one of the games to enter a feature phase when a feature-triggering event occurs. At the start of the feature phase, all the display windows on the main screen, except the particular display window associated with the feature phase, reduce in size or disappear, while the size of the feature game's display window increases, and the other games are also suspended, until the feature phase is completed.
US07988547B2
A jackpot wagering system includes a number of player terminals, a random event generator and an accumulation facility. Each player terminal is operable by a respective player to place a corresponding wager on one or more different turns of a game of chance, while the accumulation facility is responsive to placement of each wager to accumulate a portion thereof in an accumulation account; The random event generator is activatable by placement of each wager to generate a random event upon which an outcome of a turn of the game of chance is based, the outcome being one of a number of possible outcomes that includes a favorable outcome causing the player who placed that wager to win the contents of the accumulation account. The jackpot wagering system also includes an enrolling means capable of enrolling each player in a lottery during a predetermined time period as a function of that player's corresponding wagers on the one or more different turns of the game of chance, and a selection means activatable to randomly select one of the enrolled players as a winner of the lottery, the winner of the lottery being awarded the contents of the accumulation account.
US07988512B2
An inflatable device that floats on water has an inflatable body that has a hollow interior, a speaker unit removably secured to the body, a battery box removably secured to the body, and wiring that electrically connects the speaker unit with the battery box. The wiring is housed inside a tube that extends inside the hollow interior of the body and exits the body at least one exit location, the wiring including a first electrical connector that is removably coupled to the speaker unit, and a second electrical connector that is removably coupled to the battery box.
US07988511B2
An apparatus for use in the activity of freediving, providing the freediver with increased safety and protection in the event of Shallow Water Blackout, incapacitating hypoxia, or other emergency occurring in or under the water, while providing greater reliability of functioning, and comfort of wearing during the activity of freediving.
US07988505B2
The invention relates to a terminal for an electrical connector. The terminal includes, an outer body, a connector section, a crimping section, a contact retention section, a contact receiving area, and at least one main contact spring. The connector section is positioned to receive an pin that is insertable into the terminal. An electrical conductor is attachable in an electrically conductive manner to the crimping section. The outer body is retained in the contact retention section and fitted as a separate component. The at least one main contact spring includes a free end and at least one support area, and projects into the contact receiving area for the pin. Furthermore, the at least one main contact spring provides a contact force on the pin along a main spring path extending substantially transversely to the insertion direction of the connector section. The at least one main contact spring extends substantially in the insertion direction. The free end of the at least one main contact spring is directed substantially away from a contact opening of the connector section, while the at least one support area rests against the terminal in an inserted position.
US07988498B1
Disclosed is an earphone jack including a housing, a circuit connector mounted in the housing, and a plurality of first connecting terminals each including a first connecting section outwardly protruded from the housing, to be connected to a circuit of an audio appliance, and a second connecting section extending from the first connecting section while being bent to have a C shape such that the second connecting section elastically fits around an associated one of the connecting terminals of the earphone plug. It is possible to elastically support the earphone plug even after the earphone plug is repeatedly inserted into and separated from the housing, because the first connecting terminals have a structure bent to have a circular shape.
US07988494B2
An electrical, circuit breaker protected, extension cord in-line tap, securement device for securing tandemly connected electrical extension cords. The securement device includes opposing proximal and distal open-ended hook members each having a hinged locking flap for receiving therein a looped end of the associated extension cord thereby preventing unintended separation of the extension cords. The hook members may comprise a back wall having a plurality of vertical ribs along at least a portion of the back wall. The vertical ribs may be configured to grippingly secure the extension cords. Embodiments of the in-line tap may also include a plurality of circuit breaker protected auxiliary electrical outlets on opposing sides for powering additional extension cords or electrical devices.
US07988493B2
An electrical component holder contains an electrical component to be connected to an internal circuit of a vehicle-installed electrical junction box. The holder has a casing main body and a lid to be mounted on an upper surface of the casing main body. The casing main body has a box-like configuration that is open at a lower end so that the casing main body can be placed on an electrical component mounting section of the electrical junction box. The casing main body has an upper wall that defines a through-hole that receives and holds a support portion of a terminal member of the electrical component. The support portion of the terminal member is inserted into and secured to the through-hole so that the terminal member projects into a hollow interior of the casing main body. The terminal member is inserted into and secured to a terminal aperture in the electrical component mounting section, under the condition that the casing main body is attached to the electrical component mounting section.
US07988485B2
An electrical connector includes a base and a fixing assembly. The assembly includes a shaft, at least one positioning post, and at least one connecting bar. The shaft is slidably connected to the base and able to slide toward a first direction. The at least one positioning post is slidably connected to the base and able to slide toward a second direction. A threaded pole protrudes from each of the at least one positioning post. Ends of each of the at least one connecting bar is rotatably connected to the shaft and one of the at least one positioning post, respectively. The sliding of the shaft toward the first direction causes the at least one positioning post to slide toward the second direction, and when the shaft is caused to slide from a first position to a second position, the at least one threaded pole engages another electrical connector.
US07988482B2
The present invention provides a connector for use in a vehicle, the connector including a male connector, a female connector and a connector cover mounted on the circumferential surface of the female connector thereby providing secure connection and removing/reducing noise of the vehicle. More specifically, the female connector includes a housing, a projection formed to project on top of the housing, an operating lever horizontally disposed over the housing in the forward and backward direction to perform a seesaw motion, and a locking projection formed at the front bottom of the operating lever. On the other hand, the male connector is configured to be inserted into the female connector and connected to the female connector by the locking projection. Furthermore, the female connector is double locked and the connector cover is molded with ferrite powder to remove or reduce noise of the vehicle.
US07988480B2
A card edge connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a pair of opposed side walls (11), a end wall (12) connected to the side walls (11), a retainer (15) and a reinforcement wall (16) both of which protruding outwardly from the end wall (12) in a lengthwise direction of the housing (1); a plurality of terminals (2) received in the housing (1); and a metal hook (3) retained on the reinforcement wall (16) along an upper-to-lower direction of the housing (1), and having a soldering tail (32) extending beyond the housing (1) for being mounted to a mother board. The retainer (15) is connected to the reinforcement wall (16) and defines a latch projection (153) extending from an inner surface for latching a daughter board.
US07988479B2
An apparatus for detachably-attaching a first half of an electrical connector to a second half includes an exterior first half housing as part of the first half that rotates about a split ring with respect to a remaining interior portion of the first half. The interior portion does not rotate. The first half housing rotates during connection as the interior portion is urged longitudinally. Electrical sockets and electrical contact pins are provided in the first half and the second half. The first half housing includes inward-protruding pins that engage with outward facing slots of the second half and follow the contour of the slots as the first half housing is rotated causing a longitudinal displacement of the first half with respect to the second half. The slots and housing structure prevent flame propagation by providing complete electrical disconnection before a final mechanical release of the bayonet connection occurs.
US07988475B2
A connector assembly is provided with an electric wire-side housing (51) to be fit on a device-side connector (10) that has relay terminals (20). Guide projections (58) project out from an outer peripheral surface of a wire-deriving tube (52) of the wire-side housing (51). The guide projections (58) guide a shielding tube (71) of a shielding shell (70) in position with respect to the wire-deriving tube (52). Therefore in fixing the shielding shell (70) to a connector-mounting member (40), an inner peripheral surface of the shielding tube (71) contacts the guide projections (58) of the wire-side housing (51) to fit the shielding shell (70) on the wire-side housing (51) without dislocation.
US07988467B1
An exemplary receiving connector adapted for connecting to an insert connector to achieve electrical connection therebetween includes a main body, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an operating member. The first electrode and the second electrode are mounted to the main body. The operating member includes an operating pole mounted with the second electrode. The operating pole is capable of being manipulated by a user to drive the second electrode to move between a first position and a second position.
US07988464B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member.
US07988461B1
An electrical connector assembly includes a circuit board having vias each extending at least partially through the circuit board along parallel via axes and an electrical connector configured to be mounted on the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a plurality of variable depth signal terminals configured to extend different depths into respective vias of the circuit board. The signal terminals each have a terminal axis, and the signal terminals are arranged in pairs carrying differential pair signals. The signal terminals of each pair extend to the same depth in the respective vias of the circuit board. The terminal axes of the signal terminals of each pair are offset with respect to the corresponding via axes along a majority of the signal terminals within the vias.
US07988459B2
An apparatus for removably retaining an IC package in engagement with a socket such that the contacts of both the IC package and the socket are properly engaged is disclosed. Specifically, a universal retention mechanism (URM) which may be fabricated in a diecast material, may comprise a retention frame to engage a socket. A load plate hinged to the retention frame may be caused to press the socket and IC package together through force selectively applied through the use of a load lever. In addition, the frame may contain features to attach a thermal solution (e.g. a heat sink or other cooling device) directly to the frame thus eliminating the need to attach it directly to a motherboard or through a backplate.
US07988448B2
The present invention relates to an aesthetic dental restoration having a layered structure, which dental restoration has the appearance of a natural tooth. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preparing such dental restorations. Particularly, the invention is based on the control of interaction between opalescence and fluorescence.
US07988442B2
A vacuum mold includes a mold body with a molding surface. The mold body defines a plurality of extraction holes. Each extraction hole includes a first hole portion, a second hole portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first hole portion and second hole portion. The first hole portion is adjacent to the molding surface, and a diameter of the first hole portion is smaller than a diameter of the second hole portion.
US07988441B2
An optical element manufacturing apparatus is provided with a fixed side metal mold 5 attached to a fixed platen 1, and a movable side metal mold 6 attached to a movable platen 2. The fixed side metal mold 5 and the movable side metal mold 6 are clamped by bringing both platens 1 and 2 close to each other. In the clamped status, a molding material is injected into a molding cavity between the both metal molds and an optical element is produced. A taper recessed section 11a and a taper protruding section 21a, provided on the fixed side metal mold 5 and the movable side metal mold 6 respectively, fit each other. The movable side metal mold 6 provides a friction mechanism section 23 which permits the metal mold to shift within a plane perpendicular to the clamping direction with respect to the movable platen 2.
US07988433B2
A compressor may include a shell assembly defining suction and discharge pressure regions, first and second scroll members disposed within the shell assembly, and a capacity modulation assembly. The first scroll member may include a first end plate defining a discharge passage, a biasing passage, a modulation port, a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, and an annular hub extending from a second side of the first end plate. The second scroll member may include a second spiral wrap meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap forming a suction pocket in communication with the suction pressure region, intermediate compression pockets, and a discharge pocket in communication with the discharge passage. A first intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the biasing passage and a second intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the modulation port.
US07988430B2
A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor may include a cylinder in which refrigerant flows in an axial direction, a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder so as to compress the refrigerant, and a linear motor that drives the piston. At least one of the cylinder or the piston may be sintering molded.
US07988426B2
A compressor ported shroud takes compressed air from the shroud of the compressor before it is completely compressed and delivers it to foil bearings. The compressed air has a lower pressure and temperature than compressed outlet air. The lower temperature of the air means that less air needs to be bled off from the compressor to cool the foil bearings. This increases the overall system efficiency due to the reduced mass flow requirements of the lower temperature air. By taking the air at a lower pressure, less work is lost compressing the bearing cooling air.
US07988422B2
A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member has a configuration such that excess flowable bond paste is prevented from migrating past the seal member and into the internal cavity upon mating the upper and lower shell members in assembly of the blade.
US07988420B2
Third stage turbine buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z′ set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z′ values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z′ values by the height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of +/−.0.040 inches in directions normal to the surface of the airfoil.
US07988419B1
A large and highly twisted turbine blade for an IGT having a lower span serpentine flow cooling circuit and an upper span serpentine flow cooling circuit connected in series to provide low flow cooling for the blade. The lower span serpentine is a forward flowing 5-pass serpentine, while the upper span is an aft flowing 3-pass serpentine circuit. The last leg of the lower span serpentine and the first leg of the upper span serpentine are both aligned along the leading edge region to provide cooling there. The trailing edge includes lower span exit cooling holes and upper span exit cooling holes in which the lower span exit holes are connected to the first leg of the lower span serpentine and the upper span exit holes are connected to the last leg of the upper span serpentine. All of the cooling air from the lower span serpentine circuit that does not flow out the lower span exit holes flows into the upper span serpentine circuit to provide low flow cooling with the lower span cooled before the upper span.
US07988416B2
A blade for a wind turbine generally comprises a shell body defined by first and second shells extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, an inner spar supporting at least a portion of the shell body, and a damping element coupled to at least one of the shell body or inner spar. The damping element is configured to move relative to the shell body to dissipate vibrations of the blade, and has a greater degree of freedom in a flapwise direction between the first and second shells than in an edgewise direction between the leading and trailing edges.
US07988409B2
The present invention provides means to extend the flow rate range over which a downhole turbine 70 will return a power output sufficient to meet the minimum downhole power requirements. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an arrangement of axial vanes 77 that are situated such that the rotation of the rotor 76 generates an increasing drag force, thereby extending the upper limit of the flow rate range. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arrangement of restriction assemblies 75 that can be used to maximize the fluid velocity relative to the fluid flow rate past the stator 74 to achieve the necessary speed and power to rotate rotor 76, thereby extending the lower limit of the flow rate range. In another embodiment, the axial vanes 77 and restriction assemblies 75 are used in combination to further extend both the upper and lower limits of the flow rate range of the downhole turbine 70.
US07988404B2
An apparatus for transporting a workpiece within a three-dimensional volume includes: a first rail extending in a generally horizontal direction; a first carriage that is slidably connected to the first rail for movement in the horizontal direction; a second rail attached to the first carriage and extending in a generally vertical direction; a second carriage that is slidably connected to the second rail for movement in the vertical direction; a traveler unit mounted to and revolvable along a generally horizontal annular path about the second carriage; and a gripper unit mounted to the traveler unit configured to grip the workpiece.
US07988401B2
An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotational frame is disposed at least partially in the pit, is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion. A backside airflow diverter is disposed within the pit along with a backside hood for removing contaminated air. At least one baffle contacts the upper surface of the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of the rotational motion. The invention includes an end of hood close off panel extending substantially from a platen supporting wall to the backside air flow diverter or an end ring baffle that extends from a grizzly upwardly to approximately the perimeter of a supporting ring and from the backside airflow diverter toward a dump side of the pit whereby dust laden air is substantially prevented from escaping from the pit under the end ring baffle.
US07988383B2
A transport attachment of a vibration plate and a vibration plate having transport wheels is provided. The transport wheels are pivotable between a transport position and an operating position, and are located further outward in the viewpoint of the vibration plate in the width direction in the transport position than in the state of the operating position.
US07988382B2
An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of generally congruent irregularly-shaped first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle α of approximately 120°; a second pair of generally congruent irregularly shaped third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle β of approximately 120°; a third pair of generally congruent irregularly shaped fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle ω of approximately 120°; wherein the sides of each of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, whereby in use in combination with other flagstones, each one of the sides is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of sides of a neighboring flagstone.
US07988373B2
A tape printer for use with a tape cassette and an ink ribbon cassette, the printer comprising a housing and a printhead having a line of printing elements thereon, wherein said printer comprises at least one cassette receiving portion in said housing for receiving the tape cassette and the ink ribbon cassette, such that the cassettes are receivable in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the line of printing elements on the printhead when the printhead is in a printing position.
US07988372B2
A camera having a detachable lens is provided. More particularly, the camera includes a main body and a lens module configured so that it can be mounted to or detached from the main body according to a rotating state of the lens module with respect to the main body. The camera also includes a first coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with coupling when the lens module is set to a mounting position. The camera also includes a secondary coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with temporary coupling when the lens module is set to a detaching position. As a result of this structure, an unwanted dropping of the lens module due to an instant loss of supporting force when the lens module is detached from the main body may be prevented.
US07988371B2
A camera module includes a mount for holding a lens directly or indirectly, a cover plate glass with transparency fixed to the mount. A solid-state imaging device is mounted on the cover plate glass. The cover plate contacts a plurality of ribs formed in the mount, and the mount and the cover plate are positioned.
US07988367B2
A cap for a field-installable optical connector having a front and rear orientation, a housing, an axially-actuated clamping mechanism in the housing, and a ferrule assembly forward of the clamping mechanism and forwardly biased in the housing, the ferrule assembly comprising a holder and a ferrule extending from the holder, the cap comprising a front end defining a cavity for receiving the ferrule and having an outer surface defining at least part of a front-end geometry, a back end defining an opening through which the ferrule is received and a perimeter around the opening, the perimeter configured to contact the holder when the cap is pushed rearward in the housing, the front and back ends being unitary such that any rearward force on the front end is transferred to the back end and through the perimeter to the holder and a retention portion for contacting the housing to secure the cap to the housing.
US07988361B1
A hydrodynamic type oil-impregnated sintered bearing includes a porous bearing body of sintered metal having a bearing surface opposed to a sliding surface of a rotating shaft, hydrodynamic pressure generating grooves slanting against an axial direction provided in the bearing surface, and lubricating oil or lubricating grease impregnated in pores inside the bearing body, wherein a rate of area of surface holes on the bearing surface is set within a range of 3%-15%, the surface holes being distributed substantially uniformly over the whole area of the bearing surface including areas of the hydronamic pressure generating grooves, wherein the lubricating oil or a base oil of the lubricating grease forms a lubricating film in a bearing clearance, and wherein the lubricating oil or a base oil of the lubricating grease is a lubricating oil selected from among mixtures of poly-α-olefin or hydrogenated compound thereof and a defined phosphoric ester.
US07988360B2
Provided is a motion guide device having a scooping portion that is not damaged even when a moving member is moved at high speed.When seen in an axial direction of a track shaft 1, a direction change path 10 is inclined relative to a contact angle line L1 (line connecting a center C of a ball 3 and a bottom P1 of a ball rolling groove 1a). The direction change path 10 including a scooping portion 17 has a cross section of Gothic arch groove shape formed of two arcs R1 in such a manner that the ball 3 is in contact with the direction change path 10 at two points. The direction change path 10 is twisted in such a manner that a locus 18 of the top of the Gothic arch groove shape approaches the contact angle line L1 at the scooping portion 17.
US07988347B2
A fastening system for fastening a lamp has at least one electrical source of radiant light, in place in a light system. Part of the lamp projects into an opening in the light system and is releasably connected thereto. At least three lugs take the form of electrical contacts and reference points in this case, and the areas of contact of the lug and lug-receptacle system are so arranged that, in the end position, their mating areas can be caused to mate in positive inter-engagement by an axially applied force.
US07988345B2
The invention relates to a projection module of an automobile headlight. The module includes several semiconductor light sources to broadcast optical irradiation of a primary optics assembly to bundle the emitted irradiation, and a secondary optics assembly that projects the bundled irradiation to create the desired light distribution in front of the vehicle. In order to reduce the weight and dimensions of the projection module, it is proposed that the secondary optics assembly is formed as a multi-part complex lens that includes several lens segments. Each of these lens segments is assigned to at least one irradiation bundle of irradiation bundled from the primary optics assembly, and projects this assembly as partial distribution in front of the vehicle, whereby the overall distribution of the projection module results from overlapping the partial distributions.
US07988343B2
An easy-glide portable light tower system having a transport enclosure for fully recessing and confining the system therein. The system includes a telescopic mast that is constructed to be stowed in a vertically upright position. The telescoping sections of the mast include frictionless pads to create frictionless surfaces between two adjacent and concentric telescoping sections or the mast base. The transport enclosure also includes stabilizing channels to stabilize arms supporting the lights.
US07988336B1
A mounting collar on a light fixture provides a compressive force between the illumination module and a light fixture. For example, a mounting collar that is fixed to the light fixture may engage with an illumination module to deform elastic mounting members on the illumination module to generate the compressive force. The mounting collar may include tapered features on first and second members that are moveable with respect to each other and that when engaged generate the compressive force. The mounting collar may include elastic mounting members on first and second members that move with respect to each other, wherein the movement deforms the elastic mounting members to generate the compressive force. The mounting collar may include an elastic member, wherein movement movement of the mounting collar relative to a light fixture deforms the elastic member to generate the compressive force.
US07988318B1
An apparatus including a light-emitting device configured to illuminate blood is described. The light-emitting device may include a red light source configured to emit red light. The light-emitting device may also include a green light source configured to emit green light. The light-emitting device may additionally include a first refractive lens and a reflector having a concave surface to reflect a portion of red light emitted by the red light source and a portion of green light emitted by the green light source toward the first refractive lens. The first refractive lens may be configured to direct red light emitted by the red light source to form a red light beam and to direct green light emitted by the green light source to form a green light beam. Additionally, the light-emitting device may include an optical adjuster configured to adjust a separation distance between the first refractive lens and at least one of the green light source and the red light source. The optical adjuster may further be configured to move the first refractive lens with respect to at least one of the red light source and the green light source. A method for illuminating blood is additionally disclosed.
US07988303B2
The image projection apparatus includes a heat generating member disposed inside the apparatus, an exhaust fan exhausting an air that has cooled the heat generating member to the outside of the apparatus, and a duct guiding the air from the heat generating member to the exhaust fan. An outflow opening of the duct is oriented in a direction different from an inflow direction of the air into an inflow opening thereof. At least one air guiding wall is provided inside the duct, which forms plural airflow paths within a cross section extending along the inflow direction and an outflow direction of the air. The apparatus is capable of reducing unevenness in flow rate of the air when guiding the air toward the exhaust fan using a bent-type duct.
US07988300B2
An illumination device includes a light source for emitting a light flux having a solid angle; an optical element for converging the light from the light source in at least one direction to convert the light into parallel light; and a fly-eye lens for allowing incidence of the parallel light from the optical element to guide uniform light to an area for illumination. Assuming that a certain number of lens cells in the fly-eye lens in a column direction or a row direction are defined as a lens cell unit, one of the lens cell units is relatively displaced with respect to the other one of the lens cell units in the column direction or the row direction, and the number of steps for displacement among the lens cell units in the fly-eye lens is set to 2 or more.
US07988294B2
The invention comprises an apparatus for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye after distribution of the lipid layer subsequent to blinking is disclosed. An illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of a patient's eye. The illuminator is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. A collector collects and focuses the specularly reflected light such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis, such as projection on to a high resolution video monitor or analysis by or storage in a computer. In order to facilitate ease of measurement, the patient's head may be positioned on an observation platform when the illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of the patient's eye.
US07988292B2
A system for mapping a three-dimensional structure includes a projecting optical system adapted to project light onto an object, a correction system adapted to compensate the light for at least one aberration in the object, an imaging system adapted to collect light scattered by the object and a wavefront sensor adapted to receive the light collected by the imaging system and to sense a wavefront of the received light. For highly aberrated structures, a number of wavefront measurements are made which are valid over different portions of the structure, and the valid wavefront data is stitched together to yield a characterization of the total structure.
US07988291B2
Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.
US07988289B2
The invention provides methods for designing ophthalmic lenses, and lenses produced by this method, which lenses corrects both low order and high order wavefront aberrations of the lens wearer's eyes.
US07988285B2
The invention relates to novel intraocular lenses. The lenses are capable of post-operative adjustment of their optical properties, including conversion from single focal lenses to multifocal lenses.
US07988283B2
A detachable adjustable electronics module may be removably or permanently connected to eyewear. The module may include electronics for processing audio and/or video signals. The module may be provided with an adjustable arm, for adjustably carrying a speaker. The module and/or the speaker may be adjusted relative to the wearer in any of the anterior-posterior direction, the inferior-superior direction and laterally. Rotation adjustments may also be accomplished. Eyewear may be provided with only a single module, on a single side, or with two modules, one on each side, such as to provide stereo audio or dual mono sound.
US07988280B2
An ultraviolet irradiation device includes: a light source which irradiates ultraviolet curable ink with ultraviolet rays; and a jetting port which jets gas to form a gas film facing the light source in an irradiation direction.
US07988276B2
An ink jet printing apparatus is provided which can produce an image in good condition without contaminating the interior of the printing apparatus or the back of the print medium if the “marginless printing” using an ink that tends to coagulate is performed. To that end, a step is provided which applies to the ink absorber the coagulation inhibiting liquid that inhibits a colorant contained in the ink from coagulating. This suppresses the coagulation of the colorant on the surface of the absorber, allowing the colorant to quickly soak into the absorber. Therefore, the colorant is prevented from depositing on the absorber surface, alleviating the problems associated with the colorant deposit.
US07988271B2
An ink jet printer system includes an ink jet head, a plurality of ink supplying cartridges, an ink flow channel and a control device. The ink flow channel connects the ink jet head and the plurality of ink supplying cartridges to supply ink from the plurality of ink supplying cartridges to the ink jet head. The control device is configured to sequentially supply ink from each of the plurality of ink supplying cartridges to the ink jet head.
US07988265B2
An inkjet pen includes a standpipe plenum, a printhead in fluid communication with the standpipe plenum, and a detector for detecting the amount of air in the standpipe plenum. A printing system including such an inkjet pen further includes structure for removing air from the standpipe plenum. Air is removed from the standpipe plenum when the amount of air detected in the standpipe plenum reaches a predetermined level.
US07988261B2
A printhead is provided having nozzles and heaters having heater elements and electrodes connecting current from a power source to the heater elements to heat, and form gas bubbles in, liquid within the nozzles which causes ejection of the liquid from the nozzles. The heaters are formed of layers of a single material. A first layer of the single material has portions of different thickness respectively defining the heater elements and electrodes. A second layer of the single material overlaying and spaced from the first layer has a single thickness defining the electrodes.
US07988253B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which can inhibit degradation of image quality resulting from ink drying unevenness regardless of the type of ink and the amount of ejected ink. To accomplish the object, the present invention determines, based on print data, drying characteristics of ink applied by a print head to a predetermined time control area in an image forming area to be formed on a print medium. Based on the result of the determination, a wait time is controlled which is set between a preceding scan and a succeeding scan in a plurality of scans performed within the wait time control area.
US07988252B2
The invention relates to a method of estimating the alignment in the printing medium direction between a first and a second pen of a printing system having a scan axis, whereby: the first, respectively second pen prints a first, respectively second pattern element; the first and second pattern elements are substantially aligned and separated by a space along the scan axis; each of the first and second pattern elements comprises a first and an associated second mark separated by a blank along the scan axis, the first and the second marks being staggered in the printing medium direction; an optical sensor scans along the scan axis over the first and second pattern elements, an analysis of the sensor output leading to estimating the alignment.
US07988249B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a head having a nozzle; a pressure-changing unit for changing pressure of liquid in the nozzle in such a manner that the liquid is ejected from the nozzle; a first level-data setting unit for setting a selected first level data from a plurality of first level data, based on an ejecting data for a first kind of liquid; a second level-data setting unit for setting a selected second level data from a plurality of second level data, based on an ejecting data for a second kind of liquid; a driving-signal generator for generating a driving signal; and a driving-pulse generator for generating a driving pulse based on the selected first or second level data and the driving signal. The plurality of first level data and the plurality of second level data are different from each other.
US07988248B2
A print engine is provided having printhead modules and a controller. Each printhead module has a plurality of ejection nozzles. The nozzles of at least one of the printhead modules is rotationally displaced relative to the other printhead modules. The controller communicates ejection data to the ejection nozzles in accordance with a cumulative correction factor for each printhead module, including printhead modules having non-rotationally displaced nozzles, to at least partially compensate for the rotational displacement.
US07988247B2
A method for causing ink to be ejected from an ink chamber of an ink jet printer includes causing a first bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber; and following lapse of a selected interval, causing a second bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber. The interval is selected to be greater than the reciprocal of the fundamental resonant frequency of the chamber, and such that the first bolus remains in contact with ink in the ink chamber at the time that the second bolus is extruded.
US07988243B2
A brake controller is provided that includes a braking force application mechanism that presses a friction member against a braked member so as to apply a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle; and a control unit. The control unit calculates an index, which indicates a difference between an expected braking effectiveness and an actual braking effectiveness, corrects a target value, which is set to control a pressing force of the friction member, in accordance with the index to reduce a variation in a braking effectiveness of the vehicle. The control unit further sets a variation range in accordance with a factor that causes the difference. The variation range limits a variation in a correction amount to correct the target value.
US07988238B2
The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element, which consists of a hard material, and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
US07988237B2
A protective chair having a base with a support platform having supporting legs extending therefrom to hold the platform and an engaged seat cushion elevated from a support surface. A seatback, and seat cushion and secondary cushions extending away from the seat cushion are engaged to the base. Each of the seatback, seat cushion and extending cushions have one or a plurality of bullet resistant layers which provide a ballistic shield for a user who picks up the chair and holds it in an as-used position, in-between the user and an assailant. A viewing slit positioned between the extending cushions and the seat cushion allows the user to view a potential assailant on the other side. Elongated members extending away from the seat cushion, on the side of the chair opposite the user, may be employed to attack the assailant.
US07988236B2
A sofa includes a furniture base assembly that is easily assembled without the need of a jig or fixture, provides for a reduced number of component parts, and provides for aesthetically pleasing base assembly joints. In one embodiment, the front rail member and the back rail member are integrally formed with the corner block members, side rails are connected thus forming an integrated rail member and thereby dispensing with a base joint exposed on the front of the furniture product. The base is affixed to the sofa frame and upholstery is attached to the frame for providing a finished sofa with a showood base.
US07988234B2
The present invention discloses a headrest for a vehicle which is constructed in such a way that a headrest body 100 of the headrest 1 can be folded by releasing the locking state with a fixed member 70 fixed on the horizontal frame portion 12 of the mounting frame 10 using a catch 60 that is rotated in an interlocking state with rotation of a lever 50.
US07988230B2
A seat support for a juvenile restraint adapted to receive a juvenile seat. The seat support includes an anchor belt retainer for anchoring a seat-base anchor belt to the seat support and for anchoring a vehicle anchor belt to the seat support.
US07988224B2
A cowl cover assembly for a vehicle includes a first fender and a cowl cover having a first lateral end and a second lateral end. A first coupling structure disposed on the first lateral end of the cowl cover. The first coupling structure has a groove that is engageable with the first fender for rigidly connecting the cowl cover to the first fender.
US07988218B1
A camper shell kit including a plurality of removable panels that are individually mountable onto a frame is herein disclosed. The frame serves as the skeleton for the shell and also provides a base for an optional top-mounted rack. Each panel may be mounted individually to the frame to create customized camper shell configurations. Panel insertion may not require the use of tools. Panels can be interchanged with others made of different materials for specific tasks. The frame may be integrated to match the shape of the truck and provide flush mounting for shell panels offering a smooth, integrated appearance with the vehicle. The frame mounts directly onto standard truck bed mount points which may provide maximum strength and load-bearing capacity. The frame permits the panels to be locked into place providing security for the payload against theft.
US07988216B2
A holding apparatus for holding a semiconductor wafer comprises a pneumatic cylinder, a plunger movably connected to the pneumatic cylinder, an inlet pipe connected to the pneumatic cylinder, and a relief valve connected to the inlet pipe. Clean dry air is pumped into the pneumatic cylinder through the inlet pipe to impel the plunger in a first direction to contact the wafer. A part of the air in the inlet pipe is discharged through the relief valve to regulate air pressure to the pneumatic cylinder.
US07988208B2
System for locking doors on goods boxes, involving a mechanism that consists of an operating lever (4), to which attachment is made of a set of knuckle-jointed connecting rods (7 and 8) pivoting like a compass, forming a four-sided articulated arrangement that is operated by use of the lever (4) in order to lock and release the respective head arrangements (10 and 12) with regard their corresponding lock attachment housings (11 and 13).
US07988203B2
A pipe connection assembly is disclosed including a cylindrical hub having an interior diameter and a leading end having an exterior beveled surface that defines a leading edge of the hub; and a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve having an inner end that includes a radially inwardly projecting lip having a seat surface inclined to correspond to the beveled surface of the hub so the seat surface engages the beveled surface of the hub. The lip includes an annular stop projecting inwardly and having an interior diameter that is less than the interior diameter of the hub, thereby to define a stop surface that contacts the leading edge of the hub when the hub is inserted into the sleeve. The assembly restricts to a minimal amount the penetration of a hub component of the assembly into the cored hole of the mainline pipe to which the assembly is connected.
US07988202B2
A branch connection stub for connection to a main pipe. The branch connection stub presents an outside surface of revolution and has at least one axial internal passage, a rear segment with a fastener flange, an intermediate segment, and a front segment having a free end presenting a circular outline suitable for being mounting by plane welding around a circular opening in the wall of the main pipe. The intermediate segment includes a first wall and a second wall forming between them an acute angle towards the internal passage. The branch connection stub is applicable to a hot heat exchanger for rocket engines.
US07988195B2
A steering column assembly includes a column jacket having a jacket portion and a compression bracket attached thereto. The compression bracket includes a planar wall spaced from the column portion and a sidewall extending between the planar wall and the jacket portion. The sidewall defines a telescope slot extending along a longitudinal axis. A shaft extends through the telescope slot of the sidewall. A roller is supported on and rotatable about the shaft, and in rolling engagement with the planar wall. The roller positions the shaft within the telescope slot to prevent sliding frictional engagement between the shaft and the sidewall. The rolling coefficient of friction between the roller and the planar wall is less than the sliding coefficient of friction between the shaft and the sidewall to reduce a frictional load produced during longitudinal collapse of the steering column assembly.
US07988194B2
An airbag apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprises an inflatable chamber formed by at least one fabric panel and configured to be filled with an inflation gas and deploy into position to protect the occupant; and a tether connected to the panel to restrain deployment of the airbag. During the initial deployment sequence of the airbag, the tether fully extends to a first length. The tether unfolds in order to fully extend to a second length when a sufficient force is applied to the tether by the deploying airbag.
US07988192B2
A gas generator includes, a cylindrical housing having a port and closed at both ends, an ignition device attached to one end of the housing, a first chamber provided in the housing at a position close to the ignition device and filled with a first agent, a cylindrical filter provided in a space adjacent to the first chamber, a second chamber provided inside the filter and filled with a second agent, and a retainer disposed between the first and second chambers, the retainer having an annular flat surface and an annular circumferential wall surface that protrudes from an inner circumferential edge of the annular flat surface, the annular flat surface abutting one end of the filter and the annular circumferential wall surface abutting a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the filter, an inner diameter of the second chamber being smaller than that of the first chamber.
US07988187B2
A head-protecting airbag apparatus includes an airbag having such a vertical dimension that the lower end region thereof is located on the beltline of a door of a vehicle upon deployment. The airbag includes a plurality of vertical cells disposed side by side along an anteroposterior direction and each inflatable into a rod-like shape extending generally vertically and a reinforcing portion located either on the inboard side or on the outboard side of at least two adjoining vertical cells out of the vertical cells at the lower end region of the airbag. The reinforcing portion is in gas communication with the vertical cells and inflatable into a horizontal rod-like shape (extending across the adjoining vertical cells).
US07988184B2
A front passenger airbag device includes an airbag that deploys toward a front seat passenger, and an airbag door provided in a dashboard. The airbag door includes a central door that opens in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and lateral end doors that are provided on the lateral sides of the central door to open in the vehicle width direction due to the inflation pressure of the airbag. The inflation pressure of the airbag acts on the respective lateral end doors almost exclusively during the initial stage of the airbag deployment.
US07988182B2
A roof-side structure includes a roof center rail which is engaged with the bottom surface of a roof panel and one end of which extends to a position of a curtain airbag, a roof rail gusset engaged between a roof side outer reinforcing panel and the one end of the roof center rail, and a side inner panel which is engaged with the roof rail gusset in a state that a curtain airbag is engaged with a front side of the one end of the roof center rail. Accordingly, since the roof rail gusset is arranged inside of the side inner panel so that it does not interfere with the curtain airbag, a layout of the curtain airbag is advantageous. Also, since it is not required to bend the roof rail gusset to connect the roof center rail and the side inner panel, in the event a broadside collision is applied to a vehicle, the roof rail gusset remains unbroken, and thus the rigidity of the roof center rail can be sufficiently reinforced.
US07988161B2
A dolly on which a grand piano can be mounted to facilitate movement thereof over a surface from one location to another, which includes a central hub shaped in the form of a miniature grand piano, two fixed length arms of equal length pivotally connected to the front of the hub at opposite corners thereof, and a fixed length rear arm having a longitudinal slot which is pivotally connected to the rear of the hub at selectively adjustable positions along the length of the slot to accommodate grand pianos having a range of different lengths.
US07988149B2
A second support member supports a first support member so that the first support member is movable between a predetermined first position and a second position at an upstream side of the first position in a conveying direction of a recording medium. The first support member is moved to the first position during conveyance of the recording medium by a first conveying section. The first support-member is moved to the second position during non-conveyance of the recording medium by the first conveying section.
US07988146B2
A media fixing device includes a stationary plate, a bar linking member, a main pressure plate, an elastic member, an auxiliary plate and a pivot rod. The bar linking member is configured for movably connecting the main pressure plate. The elastic member is configured for movably connecting the main pressure plate to the stationary plate. The pivot rod is configured for pivoting the auxiliary plate on the main pressure plate.
US07988132B2
A block with a rotating sheave mounted between a pair of side plates. Between the side plates may be a post about which a mounting loop may be mounted. The post is configured to permit the loop to be attached or detached from the block.
US07988130B2
The invention provides a valve and a method of operating the valve that makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the vacuum exhaustion pipings to make the facility for the vacuum exhaustion system small, which results in lower costs and shortens vacuum exhaustion time, and also which can prevent corrosion, cloggings, and seal leakages inside the piping system caused by the accumulation of substances produced by the decomposition of gas flowing through the pipings. In particular, in accordance with the present invention, an aluminum passivation is applied on the piping parts, i.e. the valve and others, that are used in the vacuum exhaustion system so as to inhibit gas decomposition caused by temperature rise at the time of baking so that components for reduction in the diameter size in the vacuum exhaustion system are provided. Thus, corrosion, cloggings and seat leakages caused by gas decomposition are prevented.
US07988102B2
An aircraft with a fluid-duct system for extraction of the laminar layer and/or blowing out of fluid at vulnerable places of the outer skin, wherein the fluid-duct system (26, 19, 18) by means of switchable valves (6, 4) is connectable to a pump facility (3), which is driven by the exhaust air from the cabin for generating a reduced pressure for the extraction of the laminar layer.
US07988098B2
Actuator for a device for the rotary positioning of a movable element for space equipment comprising a part attached to the fixed portion of said equipment, a bearing, a sleeve designed to actuate the movable portion of said equipment and mounted on an output shaft supported by a first race of said bearing, said actuator comprising a mechanically movable input means and being capable of converting a movement of the input means into a rotary movement of the output shaft about the axis of said bearing, characterized in that said second race of said bearing is connected in rotation to the part of said equipment, in that an adjustable stop so as to angularly limit the relative rotation of the two races of the bearing, and in that the rate of rotation of the output shaft in response to a movement of the input means is different depending on whether or not the sleeve is resting on the adjustable stop.
US07988095B2
An device, method, and aircraft are provided for illuminating an in-flight operation, the device, method, and aircraft generating an electromagnetic radiation within the far-violet and ultraviolet spectrum, and thus being imperceptible to the naked eye, compatible with night vision equipment, and undetectable by night vision equipment.
US07988089B2
A system and method of controlling a rotary-wing aircraft includes transforming a non-rate limited servo position command into a rate limited servo position command.
US07988087B1
A nozzle arrangement for a VTOL or STOVL aircraft having an airframe mounted lift system comprises a hinged deflector door pivotally mounted on the underside of the airframe for exhaust efflux deflection. The door is movable about its axis to vector impinging exhaust gases rearwards during the transition between vertical and horizontal flight, and in addition comprises a pair of lateral sidewalls which are movable in the plane of the door to direct the exhaust efflux sideways for improved aircraft yaw control.
US07988078B1
The glass-breaker mechanism includes a sensor component and a glass-breaker component. The sensor component is installed at a low point within the driver door of a vehicle. The sensor component contains a water-soluble material that retains a spring in its compressed state so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. The spring drives a pin into the end of a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the glass-breaker component installed upon the glass just below the top of the door to drive a spiked piston into the glass and shatter the tempered safety glass of the window.
US07988076B2
A non-clogging non-pressure compensated drip emitter that utilizes one or more filters or one or more inwardly offset filters that have an inlet that projects inwardly toward a centerline of the hollow cylindrical emitter body and a labyrinth having only turbulent transfer zones after water enters the labyrinth, wherein the labyrinth couples the filter(s) or inwardly offset filter(s) to the pool. Prevents clogging by eliminating dead transfer zones where sediment can accumulate where no turbulence exists. Also prevents clogging when the filter is positioned downward as the inwardly offset filter rises above any sediment when the emitter is positioned in the field in this downward orientation. Also prevents clogging flat filter configurations that have filters offset radially, i.e., redundant filters per emitter.
US07988070B1
A shower head includes a case having a chamber with an opening, and a cover is slidably engaged with the opening and has multiple holes. The cover has an inner space defined therein, and a brush unit is rotatably located in the inner space and the chamber. The brush unit includes multiple blades, and each blade has brushes connected thereto. The brush unit rotates by the water flow so as to brush the inner surface of the chamber.
US07988068B2
The liquid ejection head comprises: a pressure chamber which is connected to a nozzle; a diaphragm which constitutes one face of the pressure chamber; and a piezoelectric element which deforms the diaphragm for ejecting liquid inside the pressure chamber through the nozzle, wherein the liquid is ejected by driving the piezoelectric element in a temperature region in which a tendency of increase or decrease in viscosity of the liquid with respect to temperature of the liquid and a tendency of increase or decrease in a piezoelectric d constant of the piezoelectric element with respect to temperature of the piezoelectric element have a prescribed relationship.
US07988054B2
A secure card reader includes several security measures. Access to the reader's main circuitry is prevented by an enclosed whose walls contain embedded conductive paths. Breaking or grounding of one of these paths can be detected electronically. A similar arrangement of conductive paths prevent enlarging of a card received slot (9c). If tampering is detected using the embedded conductive paths, the reader's memory is wiped. The enclosure has apertures in its walls and is held in place by a potting material that extends into the apertures. A method is also provided to detect attempts to probe behind a keypad membrane. The contacts for the chip of a chip card are arranged so that their leads all extend away from the card insertion slot.
US07988052B2
There is described a device having a two dimensional imager. The device having a two dimensional image sensor can be a hand held device. Imaging optics can be provided for focusing light reflected from a target onto the two dimensional imager. An image including imaging data can be obtained utilizing the hand held device. The image can include a representation of a signature.
US07988049B2
A system and method for calibrating a vending apparatus is provided. A vertical base reference position of a selector arm is stored, wherein the vertical base reference position corresponds to one of a plurality of rows in a cylindrical storage device. A horizontal base reference position is stored, wherein the horizontal base reference position corresponds to a compartment identifier identifying a compartment within each of the plurality of rows. A position of the selector arm corresponding to a media storage compartment is also stored, wherein the position comprises a vertical position and a horizontal position. A motor is initiated to move the selector arm along a vertical axis, wherein a movement of the selector arm results in one of an increment and/or a decrement to the vertical position of the selector arm. A stepper motor is initiated to rotate the cylindrical storage device, wherein a rotation of the device results in one of an increment and/or a decrement to the horizontal position of the selector arm.
US07988045B2
The present invention provides portable-device based store checkout. Specifically, a portable device is configured for store checkout. When the shopper obtains an item, he/she scans its barcode and captures its image using the portable device. The identity of the item as determined based on the barcode is compared with its appearance as determined based on the image. If the two are consistent with one another, the item is added to an inventory of items. The shopper can checkout by linking (e.g., porting) the portable device to a checkout station. The linking will cause the inventory of items to be made known to the checkout station, which will arrange payment using the portable device. Optionally, as an additional validation, the shopping receptacle can be weighed at the checkout station to make sure it reasonably meets an expected weight determined based on the inventory.
US07988041B1
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read form data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine is operative to acquire data usable to configure a computer in the machine produce an audio signal including verbal information through the headphone port. The verbal information conveys the location of a user accessible portion of the at least one transaction function device.
US07988031B2
A reflow furnace using a conventional heater for blowing hot air has difficulty in reducing Δt and in stabilizing the oxygen concentration at a low level. In addition, it is difficult to uniformly discharge hot air from the discharge holes in a perforated plate of a conventional heater for blowing hot air. In a reflow furnace according to the present invention, the total area per unit area of discharge holes formed in a perforated plate in a heater for blowing hot air installed in a main heating zone is 1.5-5 times the total area per unit area of the discharge holes formed in a perforated plate of a heater for blowing hot air installed in a preheating zone. A heater for blowing hot air has a body divided into three chambers by partitions.
US07988023B1
A gun sling for carrying a rifle or shotgun is adjustable to serve either as a bungee sling or a fixed-length, non-stretch sling. In a preferred embodiment this is realized with a flexible sheath forming a portion of the sling, with a bungee cord or stretchable strap inside the sheath. With the bungee relaxed the sheath forms a non-stretchable but flexible portion of the sling. When the bungee cord is stretched and tensioned, the sheath gathers and shortens so that the bungee provides for a desired length of stretch.
US07988021B2
A pump for a liquid cosmetic product dispenser including a body defining a metering chamber provided with an admission orifice at the bottom and having an opening at the top into which is inserted a sleeve carried by an axially movable operating head which is provided with a delivery duct and an open/close element and is acted upon by a return spring mounted on the outside of the body. The body encloses a jacket that moves axially inside the chamber and at least partly inside the sleeve and supports a lower valve for closing the admission orifice.
US07988014B2
An exemplary lid lock mechanism (20) includes a main body (22) and a lid (24). Two resilient hooks (222) and two resisting portions (224) are formed on an inner surface of the main body. The lid includes a lid cap (242). Two hooking portions (246) and two extending pieces (248) are formed on a surface (244) of the lid cap. The hooking portions are engaged with the resilient hooks of the main body when the lid is connected to the main body. To detach the lid from the main body, the hooks of the hooking portions are disengaged from the resilient hooks of the main body.
US07988011B1
A gardener's waste can includes a frusto-conical container having a flexible sidewall, a closed bottom end and an open top end defining a circular rim. An arcuate hinge is formed in the sidewall of the container. The hinge has opposite ends respectively intersecting the rim of the container and is arranged such that, when the sidewall of the container is laid against the ground, a hinged portion of the sidewall connected to the hinge and disposed between the two ends thereof swings inwardly into the container and lies generally flat against the ground so that leaves, cuttings on the ground are easily swept over the flat portion of the container sidewall and into the container.
US07988006B2
A soft-sided insulated container assembly with a removable thermal storage member mounted therein. The container has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion forms a body and the second portion forms a lid movable between a first position obstructing access to a chamber defined in the first portion and a second position permitting access. The lid has a structural frame having members defining a seat for the thermal storage member when the lid is in the first position. The storage member has portions operable matingly to engage the frame members.
US07988003B1
A child resistant closure having a ratchet push and turn mechanism. The ratchet push and turn mechanism includes an over cap disposed over an under cap, each with ratchet teeth in operable engagement. The ratchet teeth of the closure may have a groove. Another groove may extend between adjacent ratchet teeth allowing air to escape from between the under cap and the over cap during the assembly process of the closure.
US07987997B2
A mattress display is provided. The mattress display includes a base frame built of angle bars for supporting a mattress. A handle mounted to the base frame facilitates manipulation via wheels mounted to the frame. Signage can be mounted to the handle.
US07987995B2
The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP.
US07987992B2
The invention describes a process and apparatus producing a dense coke fraction from a first particulate coke fraction having a first average density and a first average particle size distribution, stratifying the coke fraction in a density separator into at least two fractions, the at least two fractions comprising a light coke fraction and the dense coke fraction. The dense fraction having an average density greater than the first average density and a particle size distribution substantially equivalent to the first average particle size distribution. The apparatus includes an inclined oscillating table comprising a gas-pervious deck, and a gas mover.
US07987991B2
A screening machine for a fiber suspension includes a vessel; a rotor disposed within the vessel; and a screen plate positioned in stationary opposition to the rotor. The screen plate includes a plurality of substantially parallel first grooves extending in a first direction and a plurality of substantially parallel second grooves extending in a second direction. The first grooves intersect with the second grooves. The first grooves and the second grooves conjunctively define a plurality of lands and depressions. A plurality of the lands and a plurality of the depressions include a through-hole extending through the screen plate.
US07987985B2
A pack containing medicament, the pack including a base having first and second opposing faces, at least one recess being formed in the first face, a foil secured to the first face so as to form with the at least one recess a sealed compartment for housing medicament and a substantially rigid member housed in the compartment extending generally from the second face to the first face such that the member can be pushed from the second face so as to rupture the foil outwardly of the compartment at the first face without compressing the medicament and a dispensing device for use with or including such a pack having an actuator for pushing the member from the second face so as to rupture the foil outwardly of the compartment at the first face.
US07987984B2
A method of communicating benefits to a consumer of an absorbent paper product, the method having the steps of: producing an absorbent paper product wherein the absorbent paper product includes a primary benefit and packaging the absorbent paper product for retail sale. The packaging includes a primary brand logo that is associated with an absorbent paper product and a secondary brand logo that is associated with a fabric softener.
US07987976B2
A container package that includes a structural component for holding a plurality of containers, and an opener affixed to the structural component and configured to allow a user to open one of the plurality of containers without removing the opener from the structural component.
US07987972B2
A conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced rods transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and a plurality of plate elements overlying at least some of the rods so as to provide a support surface which imparts a predetermined marking or lack of marking to the product being conveyed.
US07987970B2
A roll drive for driving a drive roller of a conveyor system has a stator which is arranged on a shaft and has a plurality of windings for generating a magnetic field, and a rotor which is arranged around the stator and is connected to a roller tub of the drive roller. A thermally conducting element is provided on the end side of the stator for dissipation of the heat which is produced during operation of the roll drive.
US07987956B2
A transmission ECU calculates a differential rotation, which is the rotational speed difference between a friction plate and a separator plate, when it is determined that a second brake is not engaged. If it is determined that the differential rotation is equal to or above a predetermined value, the transmission ECU narrows the pack clearance of the second brake. If it is determined that the differential rotation is less than the predetermined value, the transmission ECU widens the pack clearance of the second brake.
US07987948B2
Disclosed herein is a distance adjustable passenger handle assembly for an elevator. The handle assembly comprises plural fixing members (120), and plural handle supports (140). Each fixing member (120) includes a horizontal wall (122) having an opening (124) formed at an intermediate portion thereof along the entire length thereof. The opening (124) has a width which prevents the head of the fastener (30) from passing therethrough. Each handle support (140) includes a vertical partition (144), and a horizontal wall (146). The vertical partition (144) defines a space (143) inside the handle support (140), and has a through hole (145). The horizontal wall (146) has an opening (147) corresponding to the opening (124). With the handle securely fixed the handle support, the handle support (140) is inserted to the fixing member (120), adjusted to a desired distance to the inner wall, and securely coupled to the fixing member (120).
US07987943B2
A seismic source signal generator includes a mass, a primary accumulator and a secondary accumulator, the secondary accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the primary accumulator. A method for generating a signal using a seismic vibrator includes operating the seismic vibrator using hydraulic fluid, damping hydraulic pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a first accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, and damping pressure deviations in the hydraulic fluid using a second accumulator in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic fluid, the second accumulator having an internal volume smaller than an internal volume of the first accumulator.
US07987942B2
An upper frame for an excavator is provided to smoothly transmit the load and shock which is transmitted through a mounting portion of a working device during operation (e.g., a lifting operation mode), to an upper frame by integrally installing a bracket for mounting a fuel tank or the like on an upper plate of the upper frame. The upper frame includes a center frame having a bottom plate and a pair of side plates and vertically welded to the bottom plate, a left side frame welded to the side plate of the center frame, a right side frame welded to the side plate of the center frame, an upper plate placed in the front of the center frame for supporting a bracket for a working device, to which a boom is pivotally secured, and an extended member integrally extended from one end of the upper plate for supporting desired parts.
US07987936B2
To prevent an engine from being thermally affected by the air that has passed a radiator. A engine and a radiator for cooling the engine are attached to the body frame. An air guide plate permits lead air striking the radiator to a desired position to be disposed between the radiator and the engine. The air guide plate is formed with an upper wall at its upper portion, with lateral walls at its respective left and right lateral portion, and with an opening portion at its lower portion for discharging the discharge air of the radiator.
US07987928B2
An excavation system for forming a wellbore through a subterranean formation, the system employing pressurized drilling fluid with impactors mixed therein. The pressurized fluid with impactors is directed to a drill string having a drill bit with nozzles on its lower end. The fluid impactor mixture is discharged from the nozzles and against the formation, wherein the impactors contact, compress, and fracture the formation to excavate through the formation. The system includes an impactor injection system that injects impactors into a stream of pressurized drilling fluid to form the mixture. The injection system operates at substantially the same pressure as the pressurized drilling fluid.
US07987916B2
A fire suppression system having a plumbing assembly, an engine, a hose, an air-bleed valve, and a controller is provided. The controller includes a one-touch activation control. The controller is also configured to automatically activate the air-bleed valve to remove air within the hose to prevent user injury and damage to the fire suppression system. A fire suppression system that automatically configures the fire suppression system to output a predetermined fire suppression fluid composition upon actuation of a one-touch activation control is also provided. In addition, an integrated control system is provided to automatically configure a fire truck's interlock and shift pump operation.
US07987910B2
A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore to mitigate the production of unwanted fluids from the wellbore is carried out by forming a treatment fluid containing at least one of an oil-wetting or water-repelling surfactant and a carrier fluid. The treatment fluid is then introduced into the wellbore. The treatment or treatments may be performed remedially or prophylacticaly. The treatment may include the completion and production of zones containing the undesirable fluid(s) and the deliberate formation of cones therein.
US07987909B2
Apparatus for allowing fluid flow inside at least one screen and outside a span of pipe disposed in a well bore includes at least one flow path for fluid entering at least one screen. The flow path extends from the screens) along the outside of the pipe to at least one desired entry inlet into the pipe.
US07987907B2
Method for increasing the recovery of crude oil from a reservoir containing at least one porous and permeable subterranean formation wherein the formation includes sandstone rock and at least one mineral that has a negative zeta potential under the reservoir conditions and wherein crude oil and connate water are present within the pores of the formation. The method is carried out by (A) injecting into the formation a slug of an aqueous displacement fluid that displaces crude oil from the surface of the pores of the formation wherein the pore volume (PV) of the slug of the aqueous displacement fluid is at least 0.2 and less than 1 and the aqueous displacement fluid has a total dissolved solids (TDS) content in the range of 200 to 10,000 ppm and the fraction of the total multivalent cation content of the aqueous displacement fluid to the total multivalent cation content of the connate water is less than 1, and (B) subsequently injecting into the formation a drive water of higher multivalent cation content and/or higher total dissolved solids content than the aqueous displacement fluid.
US07987906B1
A gas insertion tool for cleaning a well bore is connected to the down hole end of a fluid supply tubing inserted through a positioning string within a well bore. Fluid pressure within the string pushes the well tool therethrough pulling the fluid supply line and then exiting the well string within the well bore adjacent its termination. The positioning string is retrieved leaving the tool wedgeably secured within the well bore for dispensing pressurized fluid within the well bore dislodging fluid and trapped foreign material within the horizontal leg of the well bore.
US07987904B1
A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base plate, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The planar base plate is an integral structural member which, in conjunction with the seal between the base plate and the wall and the riser and the conductor, are sufficiently robust to support the weight of the conductor pipe and its auxiliary equipment. The sealed well cellar is afforded with a laterally extending flange which serves as an anti-buoyancy anchor. A anti-buoyancy port allows the upward floatation pressure to be balanced out by water pressure within the cellar during placement to avoid floatation. A sacrificial anode housing is provided with a removable lid and holes for allowing passage of electrolyte. Although the preferred embodiments of sealed well cellars are metal and plastic, a cementaceous embodiment is also envisioned.
US07987901B2
A method for controlling the electrical power delivered to a downhole system. The downhole system may include a power supply, a downhole tool, and a wire or cable connecting the downhole tool to the power supply. A resistive load, such as a motor, is included with the downhole tool. The power supplied to the downhole tool is dynamically adjustable to match the resistive load voltage and power rating. Dynamically adjusting power is accomplished by varying voltage from the power supply, varying the resistive load requirements, or a combination of both.
US07987896B2
In a method for guiding a cast material out of a casting chamber of a casting system, the cast material is discharged from a casting chamber by means of a succession of guiding rollers and rolling rollers. A rolling roller exerts a rolling force on the cast material to reduce the thickness of the cast material, whereas a guiding roller, which simply guides, exerts no rolling force on the cast material. At least the rolling rollers are driven by a drive, each drive applied under load. Because the rolling force of at least one rolling roller is detected, and the load of the drive of this rolling roller is controlled according to the detected rolling force, a method can be provided by which the stability of the casting speed is increased, and a significant reduction of the thickness of a cast material is achieved.
US07987889B1
A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to the support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm includes a jointed auxiliary arm extending therefrom. A wheel clamp includes a plurality of arms, wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm. A method of securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine is also provided.
US07987885B2
A system and method are disclosed for producing a continuous filament reinforced thermoplastic profile having consistent cross section. A continuous reinforcing filament is pre-wetted with a first thermoplastic resin and introduced into a die, where it is contacted with a second thermoplastic resin extruded from an extruder at melt state. The temperature of the die is carefully controlled so that the pre-wetted filament and first resin do not cure or solidify until after they have contacted and mixed with the second thermoplastic resin. The mixture temperature is then controlled to make a substantially solidified profile pre-shape. A capping layer comprising a third thermoplastic resin is then coextruded onto the outer surface of the pre-shape. A multistage die for bringing together the filament and thermoplastic resins and for maintaining appropriate temperatures at each stage of the profile-forming process is also disclosed.
US07987881B2
A tire tread comprising a plurality of elements in relief (1) comprising a contact face (2) intended to come into contact with the roadway during travel and lateral faces (13, 14, 15, 16), the intersection of each lateral face with the contact face forming a ridge (23, 24, 25, 26). The tire tread also comprises a plurality of cutouts (3, 4) in the form of grooves and/or incisions, said cutouts being defined by facing main faces. Each tread pattern element (1) is formed with at least one rubber mix (referred to as “base mix”). This tread, viewed in section in a plane containing the thickness of this tread, has at least one face defining at least one cutout covered at least in part with a second rubber mix, referred to as “covering mix”, this part having covering mix extending when new over a height Hr at least equal to 30% of the height H of the face, and wherein at least one first base mix opens on to the contact face when new or at the latest after wear at most equal to 10% of the height Hr. The covering mix comprises a butyl rubber and the covering mix comprises a plasticiser of the type unsaturated C12-C22 fatty acid ester.
US07987876B2
A reinforcing bar binder capable of certainly identifying the type of a wire reel and automatically adjusting the amount of feeding of the wire wound around the wire reel or the twisting torque on the wire is provided. The reinforcing bar binder feeds a wire while rotating a wire reel mounted in a storing chamber and binds a reinforcing bar. The storing chamber is provided with a first detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the wire reel and a second detecting means for detecting the number of second to-be detecting portions on the wire reel during the amount of rotation detected by the first detecting means. The binder main body is provided with controlling means for controlling the amount of feeding of the wire or the twisting torque on the wire based on the number of the second to-be-detected portions detected by the second detecting means.
US07987870B2
The invention relates to a protection device which defines a through hole (21) for the passage of a fluid which may be under overpressure conditions. In addition, the inventive device comprises: a stop plug (26) which can move between an open position and a position in which a first section of the hole (21) is sealed; a stop valve (28) which can move between an open position and a position in which a second section of the hole (21) is sealed; and means (22, 23, 27) for triggering both the movement of the stop plug (26) and the movement of the valve (28) from the open position to the sealing position in response to an overpressure (P2) in the hole (21). The invention is particularly suitable for self-contained equipment used to supply electrical power by means of a fuel cell.
US07987869B2
The present invention relates to a device for holding a faucet handle to a valve stem. The device tightens onto the valve stem when drawn upwardly into the faucet handle.
US07987860B2
A method for making a composite item which has a cosmetic product, or layer thereof, and a decorative element. The decorative element is inserted within a seat formed in the cosmetic product and the composite item is inserted within a container for cosmetics. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one through hole within the cosmetic product, or layer thereof, such that the through hole has a size which allows the decorative element to be at least partially inserted therein; fastening or resting the decorative element onto a support which has a base portion that geometrically interferes with at least one inlet opening of the through hole, preventing the base portion from entering the through hole; and arranging, at least partially, the decorative element within the through hole, through the inlet opening with the base portion being engaged with the inlet opening of the through hole.
US07987852B2
Described herein are adhesive nasal devices. In particular, the adhesive nasal respiratory devices described herein are configured to be worn in communication with a subject's nasal cavity and may include a rim body having a passageway therethrough, an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway of the rim body, and a flexible, adhesive holdfast layer extending outward from the periphery of the rim body. The rim body region may be formed from multiple parts (e.g., a first and a second rim body region), and the airflow resistor may be secured between the parts forming the rim body. Methods of manufacturing and assembling these adhesive nasal devices are also described.
US07987851B2
A tracheotomy tube apparatus includes an outer cannula having first and second ends, a fenestration along the length of the outer cannula between the first and second ends, and a first inner cannula sized for insertion into the outer cannula. The first inner cannula includes a resilient region which lies adjacent the fenestration when the first inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula, and a valve operatively associated with the first inner cannula. A region between the resilient region and the valve provides a passageway between the first inner cannula and the outer cannula when the first inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula.
US07987850B2
An infant nasal interface prong device for use with an nCPAP system. The device includes first and second nasal prongs and a base. Each prong includes a bellows segment, a tip, and a lumen. The tip extends from the bellows segment to a tip end and is adapted for insertion with an infant's naris. The lumen extends through the tip and the bellows segment. In an undeflected state, a central axis of the lumen along the bellows segment is transversely offset from the lumen axis at the tip end. The base is connected to each of the nasal prongs and is adapted for coupling to a CPAP generator. The bellows segment renders the corresponding prong highly flexible relative to the base. The offset positioning of the tip end promotes desired positioning of the base/CPAP generator, relative to the patient and more closely conforms to the expected nasal anatomy.
US07987848B2
The present invention is a system and method for integrating anesthesia agent monitoring in a respiratory carestation, wherein the respiratory carestation is configured to be compatible with a variety of monitoring modules. Any one of the monitoring modules is inserted into a module bay, and a sampling line couples the monitoring module to the patient circuit, such that the patient monitoring parameters are displayed on a user interface of the respiratory carestation.
US07987846B2
Disclosed is a method and device for rapid heating of a substance. One embodiment includes a substance including a drug to be vaporized for inhalation therapy. A sealed fuel cell containing a combustible filament is placed in a heat exchange relationship with the substance. An igniter is operatively associated with the combustible element. The substance may be vaporized inside of a housing to allow the vaporized drug to aerosolize and be inhaled by a user.
US07987840B2
A fuel control approach that compensates for time delays to increase exhaust gas sensor feedback response speed.
US07987837B2
Systems and methods are provided for operating an engine exhaust system. In one example, a system comprises a first valve, and a second valve coupled to the first valve via a shaft. A first position of the shaft situates the first valve closed and the second valve open, a second position situates the second valve closed and the first valve open by a first amount, and a third position situates the second valve closed and the first valve open by a second, larger amount.
US07987825B2
A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an outer body connected with a valve for opening and closing the valve, an inner body that is reciprocally disposed within the outer body and contacts a first input cam configured to an input shaft, a lost motion spring disposed between the outer body and the inner body, a connecting portion selectively connecting the outer body and the inner body, a hydraulic pressure supplying portion supplying hydraulic pressure to the connecting portion, and a lubrication circuit supplying lubricant to a contacting portion of the first input cam and the inner body.
US07987823B2
A Hybrid Piston/Rotary engine has a stationary elliptical housing with a circumscribed inner cam surface to provide thrust, and sides with bearing supports for rotation of a rotor, at least one cylinder, a shaft with apertures therein to provide rotary valves combined with intake and exhaust ports within the bearing supports. Each cylinder has two opposed pistons connecting cam followers pivoted to the rotor which reciprocate upon rotation. During the intake stroke, the pistons separate as an intake valve opens; and fuel mixture fills the cylinder and closes as pistons compress the mixture. The rotor ports become aligned with the spark plugs within the bearing supports, and ignited gasses force the pistons apart causing the cam followers to provide thrust to the rotor. The exhaust valve is opened as the pistons contract. Four strokes are completed each rotation. The valves can also be arranged to operate as a pump.
US07987821B2
A detonation combustor cleaning device includes at least one combustion chamber having combustion flow path and including a deflection member. An ignition device is operatively connected to the at least one combustion chamber is selectively activated to ignite a combustible fuel within the at least one combustion chamber to produce a shockwave that moves in a first direction along the combustion flow path, impacts the deflection member, reverses direction and passes into a vessel to dislodge particles clinging to inner surfaces thereof.
US07987815B2
A method of feeding an animal in a feeding box including in no particular order, at least the actions of: a) registering the presence of the animal in the feeding box, b) closing the feeding box and locking the feeding box in such a way that access to the feeding box is impeded for an animal outside the feeding box, c) supplying feed to the animal in the feeding box in a chosen eating period of time. For an animal that does not leave the feeding box after an initially chosen eating period of time has elapsed, the initially chosen eating period of time beginning immediately after the performance of step b), within a first waiting time span chosen contiguously to said period of time, in which the animal is given the possibility of leaving the feeding box, step c) is repeated at least once.
US07987807B2
The present invention provides a device for suspending a boat cover from a vertical projection attached to a boat, such that the boat cover is maintained under tension to prevent the formation of pools of water on the cover.
US07987799B2
A shelf includes a first shelf section and a second shelf section that slidingly fits with the first shelf section such that the first shelf section and second shelf section are configured to form a shelf surface having a usable shelf surface area that is variable.
US07987786B2
Permeability transitions rather than ablation mechanisms facilitate selective removal of the imaging layer of a lithographic plate, which allows for imaging with low-power lasers that need not impart ablation-inducing energy levels.
US07987776B1
A woody biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive woody biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and each of the sidewalls can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the selected wall of between (0.11×Pp psi×Aw) pounds and (0.5×Pp psi×Aw×SF) pounds, wherein Pp is the maximum pressure that the compression system can apply to the material, Aw is the area of the selected wall expressed in square inches, and SF is a safety factor calculated by dividing the design failure load of the compression platen by Pp.
US07987772B2
A passive heater including a carriage actuatable to move along a cooking surface and a cover. In one exemplary embodiment, the carriage may be positioned on a guide bar to direct movement of the carriage along the cooking surface. The cover may be connected to the carriage and positionable near the cooking surface. Advantageously, positioning the cover near the cooking surface provides for the retention of nearby heat. Thus, the top surface of a food item cooking on the cooking surface may be heated by placing the cover over the food item. In another exemplary embodiment, the cover has a lifted position and a lowered position. By moving the cover from the lifted position to the lowered position, the cover may contact the cooking surface to surround food cooking thereon. In another exemplary embodiment, the lowered positioned may be spaced upwardly from the cooking surface, allowing the cover to cap food thereon.
US07987763B1
A firing pin system for a firearm, including a breech block, a firing pin slidably disposed in the breech block and a single firing pin coil spring adapted to both urge the firing pin toward a cartridge in a barrel of the firearm when the firearm is fired and, subsequent to firing, to urge the firing pin back away from the cartridge such that the firing pin does not protrude through a breach face of a breach block of the firearm subsequent to firing.
US07987759B2
A method is provided for an electric activation of a plasma jet igniter for firing Electro-Thermal-Chemical (ETC) guns, machine guns and other equivalent ETC barreled weapons, without complete consumption of any of the components necessary for its activation upon activating the igniter. Each activation of the igniter by means of one or several voltage pulses, which from an electric pulse generator (10) are conducted between an anode (4) and a cathode (5), is preceded by heating of the anode (4) to such high temperature that at least parts of the dielectric material (2) arranged in proximity to the anode (4) have begun to vaporize. The method may be implemented using an adapted plasma let igniter which has an anode that can be heated to a high temperature so that the igniter can be used for firing whole series of rounds or a full magazine of successively fired rounds in rapid order.
US07987751B2
A sheet trimming apparatus including: a trimming section provided with a trimming cutter blade for trimming a sheet bundle; a paper scrap container for storing paper scraps separated from the sheet bundle by the trimming cutter blade; and a paper scrap guide member, which is provided to create a falling space where the paper scraps are made to fall from the trimming section to the paper scrap container, wherein the paper scrap guide member assumes a first state for expanding a gap in the falling space, and a second state for creating an inclined surface for guiding the paper scraps to fall.
US07987746B2
A tool includes a shank. A driving device is mounted on the first end of the shank and has a first ratcheting mechanism including a compartment and a plurality of first teeth in the compartment and a second ratcheting mechanism rotatably received in the compartment and including a plurality of second teeth engaged with the plurality of first teeth. The first ratcheting mechanism is rotatable relative to the second ratcheting mechanism in a single direction. The second ratcheting mechanism also includes a channel extending therein. A driving head is moveably received in the channel between two releasably fixed positions. In one position, the driving head is adapted to turn an element in a first direction. In another position, the driving head is adapted to turn the element in the second position opposite to the first position.
US07987732B2
An ultrasonic measuring unit and a method for detecting ultrasonic signal run-times, in which the ultrasonic measuring unit has two ultrasonic transducers for coupling ultrasonic signals into a flowing medium. Analysis electronics are provided to be accommodated on or in a flow tube, in which a gaseous medium such as circulating air flows. A probe unit is accommodated in the flow tube, the probe unit being assigned a temperature probe having a flow around it, whose measured value is used for correcting a temperature signal detected by ultrasound.
US07987730B2
An edge-strength measuring device for measuring the compressive strength of a foam matrix along the edges thereof, the device comprising at least one measuring implement having one or more contacting elements for engaging with the edges of the foam matrix, and at least one measuring device in communication with said contacting elements for measuring the resistance imparted by the foam matrix when said contacting element is engaged with the edge.
US07987729B2
An ink cartridge, which is releasably installed to a cartridge-installing section, includes a contact section which is brought into contact with the cartridge-installing section when the ink cartridge is installed to the cartridge-installing section, a stress light-emitting section which is provided with the contact section and which emits light by receiving a force when the contact section is brought into contact with the cartridge-installing section, and a light-receiving sensor which receives the light emitted by the stress light-emitting section and which generates a detection signal to indicate detection that the ink cartridge is installed. Accordingly, an attaching mechanism is provided, which is capable of detecting whether or not the ink cartridge is installed appropriately.
US07987728B2
A system for monitoring the health of a structure, e.g., a concrete wall, bridge, pillars, using a smart aggregate is disclosed. The smart aggregate includes a piezoceramic transducer(s) and associated communication links. The transducer is embedded into the structure prior to the manufacture of the structure. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures' life. The system is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur.
US07987725B2
A method of matching sensors in a multi-probe blade vibration monitor for a turbine. The method includes providing at least two probes mounted in a casing of the turbine adjacent to a rotating blade structure of the turbine. Targets are provided on radially outer portions of the blade structure. Each of the probes includes a sensor generating signals corresponding to target passing events, and a set of synchronous harmonics of the rotational speed of the rotor are produced for each sensor. The position of the sensors is adjusted such that the sets of harmonics of the sensors are substantially matched, indicating that the positions of the sensors are matched.
US07987722B2
An ultrasonic sensor for detecting the presence of air or liquid uses flex circuits for connecting the ceramic element to the driver circuitry. The sensor provides improved transmission of ultrasonic signals between the ceramic element and the adjacent material, providing greater flexibility in using the sensor.
US07987720B2
A system and method for detecting leaks in substantially closed objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles, using an ultrasonic transmitter and one or more ultrasonic sensors or receivers supported on a frame. Ultrasonic amplitude readings obtained from the sensor or sensors are processed to determine if they are representative of a defective or leaking object. The position of the leak may be determined by examining the readings from individual sensors. The system is particularly well-adapted for use in detecting defects and leaks in automobiles on an assembly line without interrupting the assembly process or damaging the automobile.
US07987716B2
A pivoted acceleration sensor has a substrate that is substantially parallel to first and second surfaces. A reference frame is provided. A first unbalanced seismic mass is suspended within the reference frame and is coupled with the reference frame through first and second strain gauges. The first and second strain gauges are located along a pivot axis of the first unbalanced seismic mass. The first and second strain gauges are first and second piezoresistors on the first surface of the substrate, A second unbalanced seismic mass is flexibly coupled with the first unbalanced seismic mass. The second unbalanced seismic mass is suspended within the reference frame and is coupled with the reference frame through third and fourth strain gauges. The third and fourth strain gauges are located along a pivot axis of the second unbalanced seismic mass. The third and fourth strain gauges are third and fourth piezoresistors on the first surface of the substrate. Metallization on the first surface of the substrate is configured to connect the first, second, third and fourth piezoresistors in a bridge configuration without crossovers.
US07987713B2
An angular velocity sensor includes: a package housing a vibrator to sense an angular velocity; a mounting portion mounting the package, the mounting portion having a first terminal for making a connection with the package; a second terminal for making an external connection, and a resin portion covering the first and second terminals so that a part of the first terminal and a part of the second terminal are exposed; and a cover having a joint portion made of a metal and covering the package, the cover being fixed to the mounting portion by joining the joint portion to a joint terminal made of a metal and provided to the mounting portion.
US07987712B2
A seal assembly for an optical sensor employed in a high temperature environment is disclosed which includes an elongated metal guide tube having a distal end portion defining an open distal end and an inner rear wall, a sapphire window disposed within the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, the sapphire window having a rear end surface abutting the inner rear wall of the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, and a platinum mounting sleeve for securing the sapphire window to the metal guide tube, the platinum mounting sleeve having one portion joined to the metal guide tube and another portion joined to the sapphire window.
US07987699B2
A pneumatic assembly for a pressure decay tester of printhead integrated circuits includes a pressurized air supply. A pneumatic clamping arrangement is in fluid communication with the pressurized air supply for clamping a carrier for the printhead integrated circuits such that the carrier is in fluid communication with the printhead integrated circuits. A valve arrangement applies a predetermined pressure to the carrier. A sensing arrangement senses a static pressure in the carrier. A control system is in communication with the clamping, valve and sensing arrangements to control operation thereof and to generate a discernible signal representing said static pressure such that a decay in said static pressure can be determined.
US07987691B2
Various embodiments include a method for the manufacturing of washers for locking, each washer having a central hole, a first side comprising a pattern of radially extending teeth and a second side comprising a pattern of radially extending cams, the method comprising forming each washer in successive operations from a washer blank strip, a washer being punched out in a final punching operation. Various embodiments include forming and providing one side of the washer with a flat surface edge zone extending radially outside the pattern of this washer side and punching out the washer with a punch acting against at least a part of said flat surface. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a device for the manufacturing of washers and a washer.
US07987690B2
Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A method of forming a fluid conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes providing a copper tube having a first inner diameter and a first wall thickness, and heat treating an end portion of the copper tube to a predetermined hardness. The method can further include increasing the wall thickness of the end portion from the first wall thickness to a second wall thickness, and increasing the inner diameter of the end portion from the first inner diameter to a second inner diameter. The method further includes forming a circular groove in an interior surface of the end portion and positioning a seal in the circular groove.
US07987683B2
A cooling system with a compression cooling cycle for a working fluid that passes an expendable fluid through a warm side heat exchanger for the cooling system to cause the expendable fluid to vaporise and thus absorb heat from the working fluid by way of latent heat or enthalpy of vaporisation and then running the vaporised expendable through a turbine that drives a compressor for the cooling system.
US07987682B2
An evaporative heat exchanger is provided with a working channel that has primary and secondary surfaces and a plurality of product channels. The product channels have primary and secondary surfaces. A liquid supply provides an evaporative liquid to the secondary surfaces. A product fluid may circulate through the product channels in heat exchanging contact with the primary surfaces thereof. The primary surface of the working channel is in flow communication with the secondary surfaces of both the working channel and the product channels such that a working fluid may flow first over a primary surface of the working channel and subsequently over the secondary surfaces where it absorbs liquid by evaporation.
US07987681B2
A subcool flow control valve useful in a refrigerant system includes an enclosure having a fluid flow pathway for a controlled fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A thermally conductive flexible wall forms a sealed cavity within the enclosure for carrying a controlling fluid. A metering orifice operable between the pathway and the outlet port controls an amount of metered fluid passing through the outlet port in response to movement of the flexible wall toward and away from the metering orifice in response to temperature changes of the controlled fluid transmitting temperature and thus pressure changes to the controlling fluid in the sealed cavity. Inverse thermal feedback means is formed as part of the valve for stabilizing valve operation thus providing means for transmitting a thermal signal from the metered controlled fluid back to the controlling fluid.
US07987669B2
A fluid passage member includes a pump mounting surface onto which a hydraulic pump having a rotary axis is mounted; first and second kidney ports opened at the pump mounting surface; a first fluid extraction port outwardly opened and connected to the first kidney port; a motor mounting surface onto which a hydraulic motor having a rotary axis is mounted so that the rotary axis of the hydraulic motor is parallel to the rotary axis of the hydraulic pump; third and fourth kidney ports opened at the motor mounting surface; and a second fluid extraction port outwardly opened and connected to the third kidney port.
US07987664B2
A secondary air supply system includes a CPU, a ROM, an air supply pipe, and an air amount adjusting valve. One end of the air supply pipe is connected to an air cleaner box and the other end is connected to an exhaust port. Secondary air in the air cleaner box is supplied to the exhaust port through the air supply pipe. An amount of the secondary air to be supplied from the air supply pipe to the exhaust port is adjusted by the air amount adjusting valve. A target air-fuel ratio depending on a state of the engine is stored in the ROM. The CPU controls the air amount adjusting valve based on the state of the engine so that an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust port is the target air-fuel ratio.
US07987663B2
A method is provided for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions. The method comprises combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. The diesel exhaust gases are admixed with a second biodiesel blend fuel, and the second biodiesel blend fuel is hydrolyzed to form reducing agents. The diesel exhaust gases containing NOx are passed through an NOx-reducing catalyst to reduce the NOx through a selective catalytic reduction reaction with the reducing agents. The invention further provides a method for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions, comprising combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. A second biodiesel blend fuel is converted in a fuel processor thereby forming reducing agents, and the diesel exhaust gases are admixed with the reducing agents. The diesel exhaust gases containing NOx are passed through an NOx-reducing catalyst to reduce the NOx through a selective catalytic reduction reaction with the reducing agents.
US07987658B1
A multi-purpose tool includes, in one embodiment, an elongated pole and a head that are pivotally joined by a coupling mechanism. The head is a unitary member that includes a semi-circular edger plate and a comb-like rake. The coupling mechanism includes a pivot screw pivotally connecting the pole to the gardening head, a lock rod extending longitudinally through the elongated pole, and a pull cam mounted within one end of the hollow pole, the pull cam being threadingly coupled to one end of the lock rod. By disposing the gardening head in a variety of fixed positions relative to the pole, a plurality of distinct gardening instruments can be created. Locking the position of the gardening head relative to the elongated pole is achieved through rotation of a handle that is mounted onto the free end of the pole, the handle being connected to the free end the lock rod.
US07987642B2
Window assembly comprises a wedge packing assembly and/or a deformable packing assembly for fitting between a glazing unit and a frame of a window assembly to support the glazing unit within the Frame. The deformable packing assembly comprises a base, and a plurality of elongate deformable fingers which project from the base and upon which the glazing unit is supported. The fingers are arranged in an array on the base and are adapted to, in use, bend. The wedge packing assembly comprises a first wedge element having a base surface and an inclined surface at an angle to the base surface. The first wedge element is adapted to be fitted between the glazing unit and frame along an edge of the glazing unit with the inclined surface inclined at an angle to the normal of the plane of the glazing unit and window assembly. The wedge packing assembly may then further comprise a second wedge element.
US07987641B2
An integrated module frame and racking system for a solar panel is disclosed. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of splices for coupling the plurality of solar modules together. The plurality of splices provide a way to make the connected modules mechanically rigid both during transport to the roof and after mounting for the lifetime of the system, provide wiring connections between modules, provide an electrical grounding path for the modules, provide a way to add modules to the panel, and provide a way to remove or change a defective module. Connector sockets are provided on the sides of the modules to simplify the electrical assembly of modules when the modules are connected together with splices.
US07987638B1
A retrofit assembly for reinforcing a structural member including a plurality of retrofit segments including a first retrofit segment and a last retrofit segment, wherein the first retrofit segment connects to the last segment, and wherein each of the retrofit segments comprises a connecting rod, a brace, and a threaded nut, wherein the connecting rods each include a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are each fixedly secured to one of the braces, and the second ends are each operatively threaded to engage with one of the nuts, and wherein the braces each include a hole operatively sized to receive the second end of one of the connecting rods.
US07987628B2
An animal trap for catching mice has a box-shaped housing with foundation housing and attached to it is the cover housing, capable of swiveling. Arranged in the interior of the housing, there is a triggering system designed like a seesaw with a stepping platform. The cover housing is locked in the open position with the help of mechanical restraint devices. A locking mechanism resting in the cover housing has an unlocking button for restoring the open position, as well as an operating button for the user to transfer the cover housing into closed position.
US07987627B2
A method for securing an accessory to a firearm. The method includes providing a body with an undercarriage portion which is shaped to matingly receive at least a portion of the undercarriage of the firearm, a trigger guard portion shaped to engage at least a portion of the trigger guard firearm, and a firearm connector portion which is constructed of a resilient deformable material which forms a snap-fit with a portion of the firearm in order to secure the body to the firearm. The body also has an accessory connector portion shaped to secure an accessory to the body.
US07987626B2
A firearm cleaning kit includes a case having first and second compartments joined along a fold line, and a fastener for joining together the first and second compartments. A tool compartment having at least one tool-holding cavity is secured to an interior region of the case, and a firearm cleaning tool is secured within the cavity. The kit further includes a length of material formed into a closed loop and attached to the case at a single point along the length of the loop. The kit further includes a divider piece having a single slot formed therethrough. Storage compartments are formed by the insertion of the loop of material through the slot in the divider piece. The divider piece is slideable along the length of the loop to make the storage compartments adjustable.
US07987624B1
A substantially noiseless firearm and ammunition therefor, in which the projectile of the ammunition is attached to the front end of a sabot which fills the cross-sectional area of the barrel and is fired with the projectile. The barrel is provided with lands designed to catch the sabot at the front end of the barrel in such manner that the barrel is sealed off in a gas-proof fashion by the sabot.
US07987619B2
A shoe is provided with a writing surface so that temporary expressive indicia can be applied to the shoe. The writing surface is preferably in the form of a side surface of the shoe extending between a tread and a foot contacting surface of the shoe. The side surface is preferably formed of patent leather compatible with a dry erase marker provided as a writing implement. In a most preferred form of the invention, the shoe includes a bore which acts as a housing for the marker or other writing implement to conveniently store the writing implement when not in use. The bore or other housing also keeps the writing implement fresh by sealing the writing implement within the bore when not in use, especially when the writing implement is a dry erase marker.
US07987615B2
The present invention relates to an exhaust structure for a clothes dryer in an apartment building. The exhaust structure includes at least one riser pipe mounted in a vertical direction crossing every floor of a building, a plurality of branch pipes branched from the riser pipe to a household in the every floor to guide exhaust gas from the household to the riser pipe, a lint filter provided in each of the plurality of branch pipes to filter lint included in the exhaust gas, a first pressure sensor provided in front of the lint filter to sense a pressure in each of the plurality of branch pipes, and a filter controller to determine whether the lint filter is blocked, by receiving a value of the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor.
US07987613B2
A control system for controlling the utilization of heated waste streams for fluidizing particulate matter such as coal in a fluidizing bed dryer. The control system includes a number of graphic user interfaces that allow an operator to more easily monitor and/or control the various regulator devices. The control system controls coal handling or transportation, fluid handling or flow, and the discharge of discarded or separated coal from the dryer.
US07987608B2
Method of and apparatus for indexing a workpiece to a tool at a predetermined angle of orientation, using a bubble level to establish a horizontal reference plane. The bubble level may be pivotally fixed to a housing of a jig which may incorporate a magnet for adhering the housing to a magnetically responsive workpiece. The bubble level may be secured at a particular pivotal orientation such that when the workpiece is held against the cutting or abrading surface of a tool, the workpiece may be manually maintained at the predetermined angle of orientation such that a ground surface disposed at a predetermined angle on the workpiece may be formed while holding the workpiece manually. The jig may incorporate an adjustable leg to assist in tightening the bubble level at the particular pivotal orientation.
US07987588B2
The invention discloses an interposer used for connecting a plurality of chips. The interposer includes a connective substrate and at least a through via disposed in the connective substrate. The connective substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The through via acts as a connector, and is electrically connected to the first surface and the second surface. The first surface and the second surface are electrically connected to at least a first chip and a second chip respectively. In addition, the first chip and the second chip are electrically connected by the through via.
US07987573B2
A method of covering and protecting a universal joint of a drive train including providing a flexible, removable universal joint cover including a removable, reusable outer flexible shell and a removable, flexible liner; applying the flexible, removable universal joint cover over the universal joint for rotation with the universal joint; collecting oil and grease distributed from the universal joint with the removable, flexible liner of the flexible, removable universal joint cover rotating with the universal joint; and protecting the universal joint from external elements with the removable, flexible liner of the flexible, universal joint cover. The flexible, removable universal joint cover catches the grease/oil that normally flies off of the universal joint and protects the universal joint from the external environment.
US07987566B2
The capacitor forming method utilizes a plurality of metal sheet manipulating rollers and a glass supply, which, in combination, make a metal-glass laminate and glass or devitrifying glass dielectric to form a capacitor. Several embodiments of the method manufacture ferroelectric crystal dielectrics by utilizing heat-treatment and annealing to form and devitrify glass while the glass is in a metal-glass spool or flat form.
US07987559B2
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a mounting bracket, a rotatable bracket, a swivel mechanism, and two pivot mechanisms. The rotatable bracket defines a sliding groove. The swivel mechanism connects the mounting bracket to the rotatable bracket. The rotating subassembly has a rotating shaft, a first restricting member, and a second restricting member. The first restricting member is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft, and the second restricting member is non-rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. The first restricting member has a restricting portion and a first resisting portion. The restricting portion is movably received in the sliding groove. The second restricting member includes a restricting protrusion. The restricting protrusion is capable of driving the first resisting portion together with the first restricting member to rotate in the sliding groove until the restricting portion reaches an end of the sliding groove.
US07987541B2
The present invention relates to a method of a washing machine having a tub (21) for holding washing water, a drum (31) rotatably mounted in the tub (21), and a stem generator (51) for generating and supplying steam to the tub (21), for washing laundry with steam, and a washing machine thereof. The method includes a washing water supply step (S 10) for supplying washing water to the tub (21), a steam supply step (S80) for supplying the steam to the tub (21), and a main washing step (S110) for washing the laundry.
US07987535B1
A shower corner seat assembly is made up of a seat plate and supporting bracket frame. To fit in the corner, the seat is generally triangular like most others, but with the corner tip of the triangle cut away leaving a four-sided shape. Other minor modifications to true triangularity may also be present. The frame follows the contour of the seat and it, too, is formed to match the corner opening of the seat plate, leaving the framework to be more or less “U”-shaped with the arms of the “U” bent inward tending to somewhat follow the sides of the seat plate. Their ends are, in fact, bent even farther inward so they have to be forced or sprung outward to attach the frame to the shower wall. The openness of the frame near the shower corner makes this possible. The seat plate is then attached to it.
US07987534B2
A shower curtain rod is a multiple-sectional rod composed of two supporting rods and at least one extension rod pivotally connected between the two supporting rods to allow shower curtain sleeving and suspending thereon. Distal ends of the two supporting rods rotatably combine with pivotal hinge assemblies to mount on the walls respectively. Thus, the extension rod is driven to different orientations by pushing and rotating one of the two supporting rods to selectively bend the shower curtain rod inward or outward to make the shower space variable with maximum benefit.
US07987532B2
A shower curtain support system consists of a support guide member having a center portion, two opposing ends, two holders, and an attached shower curtain. The two holders are fixedly attached to the two opposing end walls of a shower stall or tub enclosure, and are usably adjoined, one on each end, to the support guide member. Each holder consists of a roller bracket having rollers and spacers attached to the roller bracket. The rollers communicate with the longitudinal slots on each of the two opposing ends of the support guide member. The support guide member is movable between a first extended position wherein the support guide member, with an attached shower curtain, is extended out at the top creating a maximum amount of space inside the shower stall or tub enclosure. In the second position the support guide member is retracted within the space defining the shower stall or tub enclosure.
US07987522B2
Systems and methods for retaining camouflage material from the natural surrounding of a user. A device includes a retaining mechanism and at least two coupling mechanisms for attaching the device to the clothing, or person, of the user. Alternatively, the device includes elastomeric banding to attach a device to the user. The device includes a backing plate to provide tension across the retaining mechanism. The user immobilizes the camouflage material by inserting the camouflage material between the retaining mechanism and the clothing, apparel or person of the user.
US07987518B2
The preferred embodiment of the inventive subject matter is a knee pad for assisting an infant in crawling. The knee pad comprises of a central portion having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, a means for holding the central portion on at least one knee of the infant, a character face incorporated into the convex outer surface of the central portion, and a sensor attached to at least one side of the means for holding the central portion. The sensor gets activated by a movement which simulates a sound that corresponds with the character face to assist in early recognition of particular sounds of animals. The means for holding the central portion in the knee of the infant can be a plurality of straps. At least one fastening means on the strap secures the means for holding the central portion at backside of the knee of the infant.
US07987517B2
Protective eyewear for protecting a wearer's eyes during a sporting event. The protective eyewear comprises a frame and a metal protective section. The frame includes a top support, a pair of armatures, and a grooved opening traversing the top support and each armature. The metal protective section includes a perimeter and an extension attached to the perimeter and shape to be removably engaged to the grooved opening in the frame. Additionally, the metal protective section includes a plurality of substantially aligned elongated bars horizontally segmenting the metal protective section. A plurality of cross members is vertically positioned to connect the elongated bars of the metal protective section and protect the eyes of the wearer.
US07992216B2
Systems and methods for displaying messages to a user, the messages having different levels of security, are provided herein. One method of displaying to a user messages having different levels of security includes receiving a message over a network includes examining an attribute of the message to determine a security-related level associated with the message. A visual indication for display to a device user is generated by the device. Such visual indication is indicative of the determined security-related level, and is configured to be visible during scrolling through a majority of the message text.
US07992213B2
A method of gaining access to a resource using an access token printed on a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining, using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the access token and a print media identifier printed on the print medium; and, causing the access token to undergo authentication, at least partially based on the print media identifier, and if the authentication succeeds, gaining access to the resource.
US07992195B2
The invention allows a reliable and efficient identity management that can, with full interoperability, accommodate to various requirements of participants. For that a method and system are presented for providing an identity-related information about a user to a requesting entity. The method comprises a location-request step initiated by the requesting entity for requesting from a client application a location information that corresponds to a location entity possessing the identity-related information, a redirecting step for connecting the client application to the location entity in order to instruct the location entity to transfer the identity-related information to the requesting entity, and an acquiring step for obtaining the identity-related information. The acquiring step comprises a contact step wherein the location entity contacts the requesting entity, a request step wherein the requesting entity requests the identity-related information, and a response step wherein the requesting entity receives the identity-related information from the location entity.
US07992192B2
A method and a system, wherein the system comprises a first server operatively coupled to a router, to receive a copy of network traffic processed by the router, a database operatively coupled to the first server, wherein the server records parsed network traffic information onto the database, and a device operatively coupled to the first server to receive alerts regarding possible denial-of-service attacks, the alerts based upon network traffic falling outside a standard deviation range. A method that comprises receiving a data packet from a network, parsing the data packet, storing data in the fields of the data packet into a database, comparing observed data set values with a historical data set values, sending an alert to a device based upon network traffic falling outside a standard deviation range, and updating the historical data set values by averaging the observed data set values with an old historical data set values.
US07992187B2
Disclosed is a system and method of dual-screen interactive digital television (IDTV), which is implemented by applying modality-independent remote console technology. The system has two ends, referred to as host IDTV and handheld device. The host IDTV includes a host IDTV content, an IDTV middleware, a host graphic user interface (host GUI), and a server-side remote console control protocol. The handheld device includes a handheld IDTV content, an interface generator, a handheld GUI, and a client-side remote console control protocol. In the invention, the DTV content may only have a dual-screen execution mode. The DTV content may also switch between single-screen and dual-screen modes.
US07992182B2
Information provisioning includes acquiring a data stream of content that is composed of a plurality of segments, and actual data of metadata that includes information related to the content and information related to the plurality of segments. The metadata is divided into metadata processing units (MPU) corresponding to segments subjected to processing in the plurality of segments. A capsulized stream is generated that includes packetized elementary stream (PES) packets acquired by packetizing the segments subjected to processing of the data stream and metadata PES packets acquired by packetizing at least one MPU, the metadata PES packets including control information of the metadata. The control information includes an overwrite_flag which indicates whether previous metadata is to be overwritten.
US07992180B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for displaying images, which enables a selected image to be displayed in full screen mode or slide show mode on the TV receiver, while images stored in the recording medium are being displayed on the remote controller. The apparatus and method can also display the thumbnail in an image display area by putting time periods on the vertical axis and photography locations on the horizontal axis.
US07992166B2
The present invention provides a system for providing alternative services in a television system. In one implementation, a subscriber is provided an alternative service upon attempting to access an unauthorized service, thereby providing a framework for efficient control of conditional access and enhanced services. In addition, in one implementation, user device limitations or variations are handled conveniently through the same multi-purpose system for providing alternative services.
US07992163B1
A method for providing a video-on-demand (VOD) presentation includes determining whether an active video-on-demand (VOD) session for the VOD presentation exists, providing a selectable option to view the VOD presentation responsive to determining that the active VOD session exists, and providing a list of selectable VOD titles responsive to determining that the active VOD session does not exist.
US07992157B2
A disk transport apparatus is disclosed which can transport a disk appropriately. First and second arms are mounted for pivotal motion in first and second directions in which they are spaced from each other around second ends thereof to transport the disk. A link pivots the first or second arm in response to pivotal motion of the second or first arm. The first arm and the link have teeth and meshing portions which mesh with each other. The first arm has a blocking portion which blocks, when the second arm is pivoted in the second direction with the disk contacting only with the second arm, meshing engagement between the meshing portions to block pivotal motion of the arms in the first and second directions.
US07992154B1
A communication device comprises a processor, a server proxy object accessible to the processor, and an object-oriented application that runs on the processor. The application requests a service from the server proxy object. The server proxy object generates a packet that contains an identity of the requested service. The service identity is converted into a corresponding method by a remote computer such that the server proxy object need not change if the corresponding method changes on the remote computer.
US07992146B2
A method for detecting race conditions involving heap memory access including a plurality of threads being tracked. At runtime a plurality of APIs utilized to create and destroy thread synchronization objects are intercepted, and each synchronization object created via the APIs is tracked. A bit field is created that contains a unique bit for each synchronization object. Heap memory allocations and deallocations are intercepted and tracked. The heap memory access is intercepted, and at that time, the ID of the accessing thread is compared with the last thread ID associated with that memory block when it was last accessed. If the thread IDs do not match, then the current thread synchronization object bit field is compared with the last synchronization object bit field associated with thread memory block. Provided the bit fields are different, a race condition warning is reported that is displayable to the user having the call chains.
US07992121B2
A method for connecting a programmable device (PD) and an electronic component (EC) based on a protocol, including: obtaining a signal group of the protocol having a group constraint, a first pin definition including an electrical constraint and a logical constraint, and a second pin definition; mapping the first pin definition to a first pin of the PD based on the electrical constraint, the logical constraint, and the group constraint; identifying a first pin of the EC to connect with the first pin of the PD based on the electrical constraint, the logical constraint, the group constraint, and a connection preference; generating a first connection between the first pin of the EC and a second pin of the PD based on the electrical constraint, the logical constraint, the group constraint, and the connection preference; and storing the first connection in an edge list.
US07992119B1
Pin placement legality is verified in real-time in a background to reduce a number of input/output assignment analysis runs during a physical design of a programmable logic device. Edited pin properties are checked quickly in the background against certain rules, and results displayed to a user usually before a new pin is edited. Available and legal positions are found and displayed for a selected pin to reduce errors.
US07992116B2
A single verification tool provides both static timing analysis and timing simulation capabilities targeted at both full-custom and ASIC designs in a unified environment. In various embodiments the verification tool includes the following features: (a) Integrating both static timing analysis and dynamic simulation tools into a single tool, (b) Efficient path search for multi-phase, multi-frequency and multi-cycle circuit in the presence of level sensitive latch, (c) Automatically identifying circuit structure, e.g. complex gate, for timing characterization, (d) Circuit structures at transistor level solved by incorporating function check, (e) Carrying out functional check to filter out false path and identifying gate with simultaneously changing inputs, (f) Finding maximum operating frequency in the presence of level sensitive latches after filtering out false paths, (g) Crosstalk solver by utilizing the admittance matrix and voltage transfer of RLC part in frequency domain coupled with the non-linear driver in time domain implemented in spice-like simulator, (h) Making use of the correlation between inputs of aggressors and victim to determine switching time at victim's output iteratively.
US07992115B2
A method of measuring overlay between a first structure and a second structure on a substrate is provided. The structures include equidistant elements, such as parallel lines, wherein the equidistant elements of the first and second structure alternate. A design width CD1 of the elements of the first structure is different from a design width CD2 of the elements of the second structure. The difference in design width can be used to identify measurement points having incorrectly measured overlay errors.
US07992114B1
A statistical on-chip variation approach to timing analysis permits the automated or semi-automated selection of design-specific margins without requiring complex statistical libraries. By separately addressing the impact of random and systematic variations on timing, a design-specific margin can be obtained and used in downstream OCV analysis. In addition, where statistical libraries are available for some portions of a design, these can be incrementally included in the timing analysis to obtain more accurate results.
US07992111B1
Approaches for processing an electronic circuit design. In one embodiment, the graphical model of an outer subsystem block and an inner subsystem block are translated into a high-level language (HLL) program. The HLL program includes a specification of a first function corresponding to the outer subsystem block and within the specification of the first function a specification of a second function corresponding to the inner subsystem block. The specification of the first function references a parameter of the outer subsystem block and specifies invocation of the second function. The specification of the second function specifies invocation of a third function corresponding to a leaf block in the inner subsystem block. The specification of the first function references a variable corresponding to the parameter, and that variable is referenced by the second or third functions. Execution of the HLL program instantiates a model of the design.
US07992110B1
Structured ASIC circuitry that is intended to be functionally equivalent to a programmed block of FPGA circuitry (e.g., a programmed FPGA LUT) is verified for such functional equivalence by using the specification (logical or physical) for the structured ASIC circuitry as a starting point for an FPGA design project. If the design project results in the same FPGA circuitry as it was intended that the structured ASIC circuitry would be functionally equivalent to, the structured ASIC circuitry has been verified and can be added to one or more libraries of structured ASIC modules that are available for use in providing structured ASIC products that are functionally equivalent to programmed FPGA products.
US07992109B2
Photomask patterns are represented using contours defined by level-set functions. Given target pattern, contours are optimized such that defined photomask, when used in photolithographic process, prints wafer pattern faithful to target pattern. Optimization utilizes “merit function” for encoding aspects of photolithographic process, preferences relating to resulting pattern (e.g. restriction to rectilinear patterns), robustness against process variations, as well as restrictions imposed relating to practical and economic manufacturability of photomasks.
US07992106B2
A software and/or hardware facility for generating menu trails for a portable media player. A menu trail is a visual cue to a user, repeated on each menu item in the media player navigation interface, that highlights a path for the user to follow to a content item stored on or accessible by the media player, or to a capability of the media player. Menu trails may highlight new content and capabilities, or may highlight existing content or capabilities. A user using the media player may easily follow the visual cues through the player's menus in order to navigate to the content item or capability.
US07992102B1
A method and system for processing user information are described. A graphical user interface is provided to include a display region, a first bounded region circumferentially surrounding the display region, and a second bounded region circumferentially surrounding the first bounded region. The first bounded region may include one or more first-type graphical user interface elements with each of the first-type graphical user interface elements selectively mapped to one or more first-type display data. The second bounded region may include one or more second-type graphical user interface elements with each of the second-type graphical user interface elements selectively mapped to one or more second-type display data. A user input is received using the graphical user interface, and a result is generated based at least on a user activation of at least one of the first-type and second-type graphical user interface elements.
US07992098B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) that may include a first openable window of image features constituting, for example, a pseudo-image of a scanned probe array. The image features each have one or more characteristics representing one or more hybridization reactions associated with a probe of the probe array. The GUI also has a second openable window including data features, each relating to one or more quantifications of one or more hybridization reactions associated with a probe of the probe array. This second window may be, for example, a scatter plot of hybridization intensities of probes to two or more labeled samples. The GUI further includes a third openable window including descriptive features such as rows of a spreadsheet. Each row may include descriptive elements associated with a probe. When a user selects a feature from any of the two or more windows, a corresponding feature in at least one other of the two or more windows is highlighted.
US07992097B2
A computer-implemented method includes displaying, within a user interface in a digital media system, a media pane, and a project pane, displaying, within the media pane, a thumbnail group representing a media item, the thumbnail group comprising one or more thumbnails, enabling a user to select, from the thumbnail group, a segment of the media item, and enabling a user to transfer the selected segment to the project pane.
US07992095B2
Since a editing character string is managed by an input server, an application device cannot know whether scrolling is necessary. Accordingly, there has been a problem that it is impossible to properly realize a scroll function. Accordingly, a receiving unit receives an instruction from a user operation or an application device, and a character string editing unit edits a character string according to the instruction received. Further, an output management unit manages output, and a state notifying unit notifies a change of the internal state to the application device. When a output area does not have enough empty space to display an editing character, the state notifying unit instructs the application device to shift the confirmed character string. The application device, upon receiving the instruction, scrolls the confirmed character string upward.
US07992083B2
An information processing apparatus fully utilizing contents available on a network by processing content that cannot be displayed on a built-in browser. A web browser displays in a pop-up fashion a dialog window that queries a user about the process to be performed on undisplayable data if the received data is undisplayable. The user can select between “print” and “send” as an alternative process for the undisplayable data.
US07992081B2
A method and apparatus for streaming validation of XML documents is provided. A particular event of a series of events is received. The series of events is generated as an XML document is parsed by a parser, and the received particular event indicates that the parser has encountered a particular part of the XML document. The particular part of the XML document indicated by the particular event is then received. A current validation state for the XML document is determined. The current validation state, which is one of a plurality of validation states for the XML document, indicates a validation type associated with the particular part of the XML document. Based on at least the current validation state, the particular part of the XML document is validated against an XML schema that defines the structure of the XML document.
US07992074B2
Even when erroneous encoded data is inputted to a decoding device, the decoding device is recovered during one video frame period including a video frame time of the inputted data to enable decoding processing on a next video frame. The decoding device includes: a receiving section (1) for receiving encoded data (11) to output the encoded data corresponding to a video frame, outputting encoded data of a next frame in response to a decoding completion signal (14) to be received, and for transmitting an error signal (15) when the decoding completion signal is not received during a predetermined time; an image decoder (2) for decoding the encoded data (12) from the receiving section (1), transmitting the decoding completion signal (14) to the receiving section (1) when decoding is completed, and for stopping decoding processing in response to a reset signal (16) to be received; and an error recovery section (3) for outputting the reset signal (16) to the image decoder (2) when the error signal (15) is received.
US07992071B2
A method in a data storage device for storing a plurality of data bits into a non-volatile memory includes transforming a plurality of data bits to be stored in a non-volatile memory device to generate a plurality of transformed data bits. The method further includes generating a parity bit corresponding to the plurality of transformed data bits, transforming the parity bit, and storing the plurality of data bits and the transformed parity bit in the non-volatile memory device. Each of the plurality of data bits and the parity bit form an all-one codeword.
US07992070B2
A transmitter includes a plurality of encoders configured to receive source bit streams from m information sources, each of the plurality encoders including identical (n,k) low-density parity check (LDPC) codes of code rate r=k/n, where k is a number of information bits and n is codeword length. An interleaver is configured to collect m row-wise codewords from the plurality of encoders, and a mapper is configured to receive m bits at a time column-wise from the interleaver and to determine an M-ary signal constellation point. A modulator is configured to modulate a light source in accordance with the output of the mapper at a transmission rate Rs/r (Rs—the symbol rate, r—-the code rate). A receiver and transmission and receiving methods are also disclosed.
US07992068B2
In a transmitter, a standard stream of encoded multi-media data and uniform error correction data is transmitted through a first channel. The uniform error correction data provides substantially the same error correction for all portions of the encoded multimedia data. Simultaneously, additional unequal error correction data is generated for critical portions of the standard stream and not for other portions of the standard stream, and the additional error correct data is transmitted through a second channel. In a receiver, the additional error correct data is used to error correct just the critical portions of the standard stream, and then the uniform error correction data is used to error correct all the portions of the encoded multimedia data of the standard stream.
US07992059B2
A system and method for replicating a memory block throughout a main memory and modifying real addresses within an address translation buffer to reference the replicated memory blocks during test case set re-executions in order to fully test the main memory is presented. A test case generator generates a test case set (multiple test cases) along with an initial address translation buffer that includes real addresses that reference an initial memory block. A test case executor modifies the real addresses after each test case set re-execution in order for a processor to test each replicated memory block included in the main memory.
US07992047B2
Methods for context sensitive detection of failing I/O devices sample and record a response time of an I/O device for each of a first plurality of time intervals to generate a first plurality of sampled and recorded response times, and to determine whether or not at least one I/O error has occurred in each of the first plurality of time intervals. A mathematical model is applied which characterizes the first plurality of sampled and recorded response times. The mathematical model is applied in accordance with an I/O device category corresponding to the I/O device. The mathematical model provides a frame of reference for defining an I/O failure.
US07992045B2
Monitoring asynchronous transactions in a computing environment is disclosed. A first unique identifier is determined when a first method executes. The identifier is associated with an asynchronous transaction. A second unique identifier is determined when a second method executes. If it is determined that the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier match, then is it determined that the asynchronous transaction started with the first method and completed with the second method. In one embodiment, code that identifies a routine that has instructions for determining the first unique identifier at runtime is added to the first method, and code that identifies a routine that has instructions for determining the second unique identifier at runtime is added to the second method.
US07992037B2
Exemplary systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may provide a plurality of data services by employing splittable, mergable and transferable redundant chains of data containers. The chains and containers may be automatically split and/or merged in response to changes in storage node network configurations and may be stored in erasure coded fragments distributed across different storage nodes. Data services provided in a distributed secondary storage system utilizing redundant chains of containers may include global deduplication, dynamic scalability, support for multiple redundancy classes, data location, fast reading and writing of data and rebuilding of data due to node or disk failures.
US07992032B2
Even when a large number of guest OSs exist, a failover method meeting high availability needed by the guest OSs is provided for the each guest OS. In the event of a physical or logical change of a system, or change of operation states, a smooth failover method can be realized by preventing the consumption of resource amounts due to excessive failover methods, and the occurrence of systemdown due to an inadequate failover method. In a server virtualization environment, in a cluster configuration having a failover method due to hot standby and cold standby, by selecting a failover method meeting high availability requirements specifying performance during failover of applications on the guest OSs, a suitable cluster configuration is realized. Failure monitoring is realized by quantitative heartbeat.
US07992025B2
A power control circuit for supplying power for a computer component of a computer includes first to sixth switches. In response to the computer changing to a normal work state, a power state signal changes from low level to high level and a motherboard state signal is at high level, the fourth switch is turned on, the fifth switch is turned off, and the sixth switch is turned on, and power of the computer component is stably supplied by a system power supply. The motherboard state signal and the power state signal are at low level in response to the computer changing to a sleep state, the second switch is turned off, the first and third switches are turned on, and power of the computer component is stably supplied by a standby power supply.
US07992022B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting computer-working-hours-based shutdown options. A method for setting computer-working-hours-based shutdown options in accordance with an embodiment includes: when receiving a shutdown command from a user, determining, based on a setting of computer working hours by the user, whether a current time of the system is within the working hours of the computer; and performing at least one of setting a shutdown option according to the determination result and presenting a shutdown option according to the determination result.
US07992008B2
Disclosed is a method of authorizing access to an item that maintains a lockout count and blocks access to the item if the lockout count exceeds a predetermined value. One feature is that the invention “variably” increments the lockout count if the presented password fails to exactly match the stored password. In this process the invention increments the lockout count different amounts depending upon how closely the presented password matches the stored password. The invention also provides a methodology that allocates a plurality of the same passwords to a plurality of users who share the same userid. The invention allows continuous operation of the item being accessed by providing that each of the passwords has a different expiration date. Also, when dealing with situations where a plurality of users who share the same userid also share the same password, the invention maps information associated with the users to the password in a data file and periodically updates the data file.
US07991999B2
A technique for security and authentication on block-based media includes involves the use of protected keys, providing authentication and encryption primitives. A system according to the technique may include a secure device having a security kernel with protected keys. A disk drive security mechanism may support authentication of data, secrecy, and ticket validation using the security kernel and, for example, a ticket services module (e.g., a shared service that may or may not be used by other storage devices like flash).
US07991998B2
A system and method determines the proximity of the target node to the source node from the time required to communicate messages within the node-verification protocol. The node-verification protocol includes a query-response sequence, wherein the source node communicates a query to the target node, and the target node communicates a corresponding response to the source node. The target node is configured to communicate two responses to the query: a first response that is transmitted immediately upon receipt of the query, and a second response based on the contents of the query. The communication time is determined based on the time duration between the transmission of the query and receipt of the first response at the source node and the second response is compared for correspondence to the query, to verify the authenticity of the target node.
US07991993B2
The invention relates to a telecommunication system including a plurality of terminals divided into groups such that within each group each terminal can send multidestination messages to the other members of the group. Each terminal of a group is associated with encryption and decryption means so that each terminal can send multidestination messages that can be decrypted only by the other terminals of the group. The system includes a central server for distributing to each encryption and decryption means keys for secure transmission of communications within each group.
US07991991B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an apparatus operable under an operating system having an input device for inputting information, the apparatus being activated by booting a BIOS and the operating system successively comprises, a storage for storing information; and a processor receiving specific information inputted by the input device before completion of booting the operating system, storing the specific information into the storage, determining whether or not the specific information is stored in the storage after completion of booting the operating system, rebooting the BIOS when the specific information is stored in the storage and displaying information related to the BIOS.
US07991981B2
A method within a data processing system by which a processor executes an asynchronous memory move (AMM) store (ST) instruction to complete a corresponding AMM operation in parallel with an ongoing (not yet completed), previously issued barrier operation. The processor receives the AMM ST instruction after executing the barrier operation (or SYNC instruction) and before the completion of the barrier operation or SYNC on the system fabric. The processor continues executing the AMM ST instruction, which performs a move in virtual address space and then triggers the generation of the AMM operation. The AMM operation proceeds while the barrier operation continues, independent of the processor. The processor stops further execution of all other memory access requests, excluding AMM ST instructions that are received after the barrier operation, but before completion of the barrier operation.
US07991980B2
A scalable processing system includes a memory device having a plurality of executable program instructions, wherein each of the executable program instructions includes a timetag data field indicative of the nominal sequential order of the associated executable program instructions. The system also includes a plurality of processing elements, which are configured and arranged to receive executable program instructions from the memory device, wherein each of the processing elements executes executable instructions having the highest priority as indicated by the state of the timetag data field.
US07991977B2
An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US07991974B2
Access to a plurality of logical devices is enabled regardless of the number of ports provided in a storage system and the number of logical devices that can be allocated to a single port, thereby improving the usability of the logical devices. A storage system comprises a plurality of logical devices, a target device which is the object of access from a computer, and a juke box system for allocating one of the plurality of logical devices to the target device. The juke box system changes the logical device that is allocated to the target device in accordance with a request from the computer.
US07991966B2
This disclosure presents an architectural mechanism which allows a caching bridge to efficiently store data either inclusively or exclusively based upon information configured by an application. An INC bit is set for each access to a page table that indicates whether the data is shared or not shared by a LLC. This allows a multicore multiprocessor system to have a caching policy which enables use of the last level cache efficiently and results in improved performance of the multicore multiprocessor system.
US07991963B2
In an embodiment, the method provides receiving a memory access request for a demanded cache line from a processor of a plurality of processors; accessing coherency information associated with the demanded cache line from a memory unit by bringing in from a memory page in which the demanded cache line is stored, the memory page also including a directory line having coherency information corresponding to the demanded cache line; reading data associated with the demanded cache line in accordance with the coherency information; and returning the data to the processor.
US07991961B1
Leaked memory in a computer system is detected and recovered by first detecting memory leakage within the computer system based on nonlinear and non-parametric time-series regression analysis of software telemetry data generated by one or more software process running on the computer system. If existence of memory leakage is detected, then memory that has leaked is specifically identified and recovered. This is done by halting one or more of the software processes, generating a core image file or files of the halted software process(es), and re-starting the halted process or processes without waiting for analysis of the core image file(s). Then, the core image file is evaluated to specifically identify leaked memory in the computer system based on the core image file. Finally, the identified leaked memory is recovered.
US07991944B2
A system and method for searching a mapping table of a flash memory is provided. The system includes at least one random access memory for storing the mapping table retrieved from the flash memory and at least one search engine for searching for data from the mapping table stored in the at least one random access memory using dedicated hardware. Thus, the search efficiency for the mapping table and system performance may be increased.
US07991941B2
A method and apparatus are provided for facilitating access from a control system to the memory of a processor across two buses, one of which acts as a bottleneck to communication between the control system and the processor. A bridge between the two buses acts as an intermediary. The control system issues simple diagnosis and data loading verification commands across a slow bus to the bridge. The bridge then performs the data intensive tasks by communicating with the processor through a faster bus. The bridge writes and reads data to the processor, and generates checksums of the written and read data. The bridge then returns status information to the control system indicative of the comparison of the checksums. In the case of memory diagnosis, the control system need only issue a simple command to the bridge through the slower, which then diagnoses the memory through the fast bus by writing and reading data, and returns a status to the control system through the slow bus. In the case of verification of loading of data, the bridge generates a checksum of the written data and then generates of a checksum of the data it reads back from the processor through the fast bus, and returns a status to the control system through the slow bus.
US07991935B2
A remote control system for portable devices comprises a separate programmable remote controller, a base station communicatively interconnected with a portable device, and a detachable video capture unit communicatively interconnected with the base station. In operation, a user can instantly review, browse and manage an originally optimized user interface of the portable device with the video capture unit, thereby dispensing with the need of learning and accommodating a new user interface.
US07991925B2
A memory controller is unaware of device types (DTs) of a plurality (N) of series-connected memory devices in an interconnection configuration. Possible DTs include, e.g., random access memories and Flash memories. First, the memory controller sends a specific DT (“don't care”) and an initial number of binary code to the first device of the interconnection configuration and the binary code is propagated through the devices. Each device performs a “+1” calculation regardless of the DT. The last device provides the memory controller with Nד+1” from which the memory controller can obtain the number N of devices in the interconnection configuration. Thereafter, the memory controller sends a search number (SN) of binary code and a search DT for DT matching that propagate through the devices. Each device performs DT match determination of “previous match”, “present match” and “don't care match”. Based on the match determination, the SN and search DT are or not modified. The modified or non-modified SN and DT are propagated through the devices. Such processes are repeated. From the propagated SN and DT and the previously recognized number of the devices, the memory controller can identify the DT of each device in the interconnection configuration.
US07991916B2
Architecture that allows users in an application sharing environment to separately view portions of data that are not part of the current shared view. An enhanced application sharing component is provided that facilitates rendering the application data multiple times for a correspondingly similar number of simultaneous users, and sending the additional renderings to the other users for interaction. Each user client includes an application sharing viewer that composites the per-user renderings onto the base shared image of the user client to create a per-user view of the shared document. The enhanced sharing component renders the portion of the data that is requested by the remote user as a bitmap and passes the bitmap along with coordinate information to the client rendering program presentation with the shared data view. The coordinate information indicates where on the shared screen of the remote client the bitmap is overlayed to produce a seamless experience.
US07991906B2
Systems and methods are provided for scheduling data requests for streaming media data in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network. A method is provided to increase a peer's contribution to the whole P2P network by partitioning the data chunks to request into several regions according to their relative time urgency, and data requests are scheduled in an effort to maintain availability of data in each region to a corresponding predefined target amount.
US07991897B2
In an effort to transmit/receive MDI data in a session among a plurality of terminals, when any of the terminals designates a communication partner and transmits a request to join a session to a management server 100, the management server allows the terminal to join a session joined by the designated communication partner, allocates a channel different from those allocated to the other terminals in the session, and notifies the allocated channel together with information on the terminals joining the session. Further, the terminal sets communication destinations based on the notification.
US07991891B2
Content returned by a search query is specific to a version of a product installed on or associated with the computer system requesting the search. Upon receipt of the search query, a search system accesses a persistent descriptor corresponding to a detected version of the product. The persistent descriptor may be a cookie file stored on the requesting computer system. A product detection module interrogates the computer system to identify the associated products, including the particular versions of those products. The search of a repository of general content related to the product is scoped using the persistent descriptor as a search filter in order to provide version-specific content.
US07991889B2
A deferred maintenance mode for network elements is described, wherein upon failure of one or more resources in a network element, redundant resources are used to preserve functionality. Upon subsequent failure of the redundant resources, function can revert to the first set of resources if those resources have a higher level of functionality. This deferred mode is valuable in situations where it may not be possible to repair failed elements in a timely manner, or if there is a limit upon the amount of backup power available.
US07991874B2
The disclosure is directed to an enterprise system including a message topic, a monitor definition, a monitoring manager, and an alert topic. The message topic includes a message associated with performance of a distributed computing application. The monitor definition includes performance rules for evaluating data associated with the message associated with the distributed computing application. The monitor definition is associated with a role. The monitoring manager is configured to access the message topic. The alert topic is configured to receive an alert message from the monitoring manager. The monitoring manager provides the alert message in accordance with the monitor definition. The alert message is accessible to a user associated with the role.
US07991873B2
An UI display apparatus capable of searching for and identifying a communication device connected to a network, in accordance with a user's preference. A television being the UI display apparatus includes a communication unit communicating with a DVD recorder, which is a communication device connected via the network, receiving data sent from the DVD recorder via the network, and sending the received data to the processing unit, and a processing unit instructing the display unit to perform UI rendering based on information stored in a recording unit, the recording unit storing the type name of a device the television wishes to display on the display unit among the devices on the network, the type name of a service provided by the device, a function name, etc. The television also includes a display unit displaying a UI such as an icon according to an instruction from the processing unit.
US07991868B2
A system and method for transporting data units for a communication network. In a communication between two peers a proxy and a network entity for controlling a partial communication are provided. One or both of the proxy and the network entity is arranged to modify one or more of the data units, in order to provide communication control related information that is different from communication control related information exchanged between the two peers The respective other or both of the proxy and the network entity is arranged to perform data unit transmission control based on the different communication control related information.
US07991867B2
A load balancer sends a probe packet to a first server in a list of servers. Each server in the list sends the probe successively down the list of servers and acknowledges the probe if the server is healthy. The final server in the list sends a signal to the load balancer to indicate that the chain of server probing has completed successfully. In this manner, the load balancer (or other device performing the checking) only needs to send a single probe rather than probe each server in the list separately. Embodiments include serial and recursive acknowledgments from the servers, sending a beacon message upon failure, and other features.
US07991855B2
Networks may be implemented using peer-to-peer technology. A plurality of peers may form a peer-group, having a unique group label. To relieve the user from administrative tasks, some configuration routines for such networks may be automated. A peer-group may select one of its peers as negotiation peer, having the task to communicate with other peers, e.g. negotiation peers from other peer-groups. When merging or splitting peer-groups, the group label is usually modified. But it may be advantageous to keep the group label. If a new peer-group in a peer-to-peer network is created by merging or splitting of peer-groups, a method for selecting a group label for the new peer-group comprises determining a negotiation peer, exchanging information between the negotiation peers in the case of merging, comparing features of the two peer-groups and assigning the label of one of the peer-groups to the new peer-group.
US07991853B2
An information processing system configured to include at least an open server apparatus and a terminal apparatus communicable with each other through a network is disclosed. The system includes: an opening mode setting means for setting an opening mode; a transmitted content information creating means for creating content information including at least body information and predetermined additional information; a content information storing means for storing content information; a content information upload control means for transmitting content information; and an opening mode determining means for determining an opening mode of the content information stored in the content information storing means.
US07991849B1
A system for managing and updating a configuration database for a network element is described. The network element includes several managed objects. The managed objects represent logical representations that can be configured and modified through transactions executed by the network management software. The configuration management system includes a database manager that maintains a database file and a transaction log file. Each managed object includes an object reference key and a storage location pointer. Logical dependencies among objects are maintained through the linking of storage location pointers in the objects. Actions that modify an object are stored in the database file and the transaction log file. The present state of an object is stored by the database management system. In the event of an abort condition, the most recent configuration state of the network element is restored by re-applying the transactions stored in the transaction log file, and resolving the pointer links contained in the affected managed objects.
US07991835B2
A network provides distributed client services based on participation in respective resource groups by computing nodes, each resource group including a corresponding resource requirement for any computing node that joins the corresponding resource group for execution of the corresponding distributed client service. Each computing node, in response to determining its corresponding available node capacity, is configured for selectively creating and joining at least one new resource group for execution of a corresponding distributed client service having a corresponding resource requirement, and/or selectively joining at least one of the available resource groups, based on the corresponding available node capacity satisfying the corresponding resource requirement. Each distributed client service also includes service attributes that define parameters for execution of the distributed client service, and data attributes that define the attributes required for data to be used in the distributed client service.
US07991820B1
The ONE STEP BINARY SUMMARIZER is a digital logic circuit. It is used for summarizing two binary numbers. It contains one Function Generator Module and one or more SUMMARIZER Units. For subtraction it is subtracting Register “A” from Register “B” and Register “B” from Register “A”. The two subtraction and one addition operations are executed simultaneously. The Function Generator Module determines the actual correct operation, (addition or subtraction) and selects the correct results for the resultant operand. The circuit utilizes the subtraction-by-carry method; therefore the subtraction operation does not require any presorting, complementary operations, iterative additions, temporary storage, and multiple instruction sets, etc. The logic-flow is similar, the operational speed is identical for the addition and subtraction operations; and therefore, it is a true Time Symmetrical circuit. It is independent from the initial operation selection, the signs and magnitudes of the input operands.
US07991817B2
An apparatus and method that use an associative calculator for calculating a sequence of non-associative operations on a set of input data, comprising: using the associative calculator to calculate from the set of input data an evaluated value of each operation of said sequence as if the non-associative operations were associative operations; detecting if some of the evaluated values are erroneous; if there are erroneous evaluated values, correcting the erroneous evaluated values; and if there are no erroneous evaluated value, outputting as the result of the sequence of non-associative operations the evaluated value of the last operation of the sequence.
US07991806B2
A system and method to facilitate importation of data taxonomies within a network are described. Advertiser entities access a data storage module within a network-based entity to retrieve content information from one or more content taxonomies stored within the data storage module. Subsequently, the advertiser entities select advertisements targeted to specific users based on the retrieved content information and further transmit the advertisements to the network-based entity. Furthermore, publisher entities and/or advertiser entities transmit data, such as, for example, associated taxonomy information, to the network-based entity. The entity receives the respective taxonomy information and parses the taxonomy information to extract node information and associated categories related to the received information. Finally, the entity integrates the node information and associated categories into one or more taxonomies stored within the data storage module. Alternatively, the entity maps the node information and associated categories into corresponding nodes within one or more taxonomies stored within the data storage module, and further stores the mapping information into a mapping database within the data storage module.
US07991799B2
A computer-implemented method of creating a schema specific parser for processing Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents can include identifying a plurality of XML processing templates, wherein each of the plurality of XML processing templates performs a specific task of processing an XML document against an XML schema component. An XML schema including a plurality of components can be received. A hierarchy of the plurality of components of the XML schema can be determined. An execution plan specifying a hierarchy of XML processing instructions can be created, wherein each XML processing instruction is associated with an XML processing template from the plurality of XML processing templates. The hierarchy of the XML processing templates can be determined according to the hierarchy of components of the XML schema. The execution plan can be compiled to generate the schema specific parser. The schema specific parser can be output.
US07991779B1
A disclosed embodiment relates to a system for populating an index table. The system comprises a component that decomposes a spatial object into a set of object pairs, a component that employs a value associated with the object pairs to sort the set of object pairs into a sequence of object pairs, a component that uses a sliding border analysis to create a subset of the sequence of object pairs depending upon a position of the object pair in the sequence of object pairs, and a component that populates the index table with the subset of object pairs.
US07991778B2
A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques provide mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system includes an action processor and methods, and an MMR document with having an associated action. The MMR document specifies different actions for different MMR documents, and creates any number of MMR documents for a particular location on any media, thereby allowing the MMR architecture to serve as a universal trigger or initiator for additional processing. The action processor receives the output of the MMR recognition process which yields an MMR document including at least one action. The action processor executes that action which includes various commands to the MMR system or other systems coupled to the MMR system. The MMR system architecture can perform action such as retrieving the electronic form of the document to the capture device, retrieving the specification for the action, inserting data to a MMR document, transferring data between documents, purchasing items, authoring actions or reviewing historical information about actions.
US07991753B2
The acquisition of a lock among nodes of a divided cluster is disclosed. A method is performable by each of at least one node of the cluster. A node waits for a delay corresponding to its identifier. The node asserts intent to acquire the lock by writing its identifier to X and Y variables where another node has failed to acquire the lock. The node waits for another node to acquire the lock where the other node has written to X, and proceeds where Y remains equal to its own identifier. The node waits for another node to acquire the lock where the other node has written to a Z variable, and writes its own identifier to Z and proceeds where the other node has failed. The node writes a value to Y indicating that it is acquiring the lock, and maintains acquisition by periodically writing to Z.
US07991751B2
A method for detecting an information item within an information sequence obtained from a digital medium, the information item comprising any one of a specified set of prestored information items, comprises: transforming each of the set of prestored information items into a respective representation, in accordance with a predetermined transformation format; transforming the information sequence obtained from the digital medium, in accordance with the transformation format; and determining the presence of one or more of the prestored information items within the transformed information sequence, utilizing the respective representation.
US07991742B2
Provided is a database schema migration difference detecting technique for detecting differences of a customized database schema before and after database migration by using XML technology, including: extracting a first database schema from a fresh database of a release and saving the first database schema in a first XML file; extracting a customized database schema from a customized database of the release and saving the customized database schema in a second XML file; comparing the first and second XML files, filtering the identical content in the first and second XML files and saving differences in a delta XML file; and comparing the delta XML file with a new database to detect a state of the customized database schema after migration. The detecting state indicates whether there is any loss or change in the customized database schema after migration, as well as, conflicts with the database schema in a database of a new release.
US07991738B2
Connection architectures, methods, systems and computer readable media are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer readable medium comprises a first software component which is configured to interface, through first software based messages, with synchronization software components during a structured data synchronization process between a host and a device and which is configured to interface, through second software based messages, with a plurality of different stream handlers for a corresponding plurality of physical interfaces. Systems, methods, architectures and other computer readable media are also described.
US07991732B2
A system displays and filters reports including website visitation data in response to receiving user input. The system includes a client for processing the input as a query to a network, which returns the requested data. The system and accompanying method provide a user interface for incrementally adjusting report data and tailoring reports to user specifications. In addition, adjusted reports can be further adjusted per additional data input. The results are returned virtually instantaneously, enabling users to analyze the effects of combinations of factors.
US07991724B2
A method for providing a response to a statement of a user, the method includes: receiving user input that comprises a portion of a user statement; selecting, before receiving a whole user statement, an answerable statement response between an answerable statement, multiple answerable statements and a response to an answerable statement; wherein the selecting is responsive to user input and to structured representations of answerable statements answerable by an answering entity; and sending to the user information representative of response to the user statement.
US07991718B2
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate generating an inference about events that may not have yet been observed. Open-world modeling can be used to take a history of observation so as to understand trends over time in the revelation of previously unseen events, and to make inferences with subsets of data that new unseen events will be seen. Thus, inaccuracies associated with predictions generated from incomplete data sets can be mitigated. To yield such predictions, open-world submodels and closed-world submodels that do not allow for previously unseen events can be combined via a model mixture methodology, which fuses inferences from the open- and close-world models.
US07991711B2
A method, system, and computer program product are described for delivering smart services. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for delivering smart services includes receiving a request to determine an availability of a service subscriber for responding to an event associated with a service. The service is defined in terms of the event and a situation of the service subscriber. A current situation of the service subscriber is determined using subscriber context information based on private information of the subscriber. Attributes of the event and the current subscriber situation are used to provide to the service at least one of the subscriber context information and a probability related to an availability of the subscriber for responding to the event, allowing the service to generate a response to the event on behalf of the subscriber without the service having direct access to the private subscriber information.
US07991709B2
A method is provided for operating a computing device to create a document structure model of a computer parsable text document utilizing recognition of at least one ordered sequence of identifiers in the document. The method includes converting a computer parsable text document of any format to an alternative structured language format to form a converted document. The text of the converted document is fragmented into an ordered sequence of text fragments within a text format. The text fragments are enumerated to obtain a sequence of terms. At least one optimal sub-sequence of terms is identified from among the sequence of terms, with an optimal sub-sequence being one or more longest increasing sub-sequence(s). The computer parsable text document is annotated with tags, with the tags including information derived from identification of the optimal sub-sequence(s). The annotated document is displayed on the graphical user interface.
US07991703B1
An environment provided by a financial entity in which buyers and sellers may be brought together to initiate and complete a transaction for the purchase of a property for sale or rental. The environment enables sellers to list items together with relevant information that buyers may need to understand the item. Buyers may apply for financing, insurance or other related services to receive approval to purchase properties. A mechanism by which the seller and buyer may communicate enables a negotiation process, scheduling and other processes associated with the sale or rental. After an agreement is reached between the buyer and seller, components associated with the environment, such property and casualty and banking may complete the necessary paperwork, etc. to close the deal.
US07991702B2
A system and method for management of real estate open house data includes a database and a website configured to provide access to information from the database. The website is configured to communicate with a user identification device, in the form of a user's cell phone or other mobile device, upon a user's entry into the open house, to transfer user identification data to the database.
US07991686B1
Various embodiments show a system for conducting an auction for a plurality of financially settled contracts: The system may comprise at least one computer. The at least one computer may be programmed to receive a plurality of first participant bids from a first participant and a plurality of second participant bids from a second participant. The at least one computer may also be programmed to match a batch of bids, where the matched bids may be modified to reduce the trade risk of a portfolio of the first participant, or to liquidate a defaulted portfolio subject to a Maximum Portfolio Liquidation Cost Constraint. The contracts may include, for example, an oil contract, a coal contract, a natural gas contract, an electricity contract, a weather contract, a weather-related events contract, a commodities contract, a location specific service contract (e.g., a passenger contract and/or freight contract), a financial derivative contract, or a credit default contract on any of an entity's issued securities.
US07991681B2
In one mode the present invention allows for transactions of various types to take place “anonymously” and securely over public (WAN), semi-public (e.g. AOL) and private or subscription networks and without regard or dependency to currency valuations or per se financial institutional policy. The present invention in another mode allows individuals or groups to “attract” investors anonymously over the network in their own asset holdings or even their asset building or acquisition plans, making each individual or pooled group capable of becoming their own “IPO.”
US07991676B1
A fluctuating annuity payment is determined and generated, and that annuity payment is subsequently fixable. The fluctuating annuity payment may be based on an interest rate, such as the market yield of a 1-year U.S. Treasury adjusted to constant maturity, for example. The fluctuating annuity payment may be determined on a certain date, or periodically, for example. The annuity payment, while fluctuating, may have a predetermined floor or minimum threshold amount that is does not pay less than. At some point, a request may be received to fix the payment, and the fluctuating annuity payment is converted to a fixed annuity payment. The fixed annuity payment may be based on a long term interest rate, for example. After receiving a request to fix the annuity payment, a payment schedule may be determined based on the value of the remaining payments that are to be made.
US07991670B1
A system comprises a memory operable to store a first closing value of an index for a first day, wherein the index is based at least in part on a cash account and a variance future. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to determine a first settlement value of a variance future for the first day and to determine a second settlement value of the variance future for a second day. The processor is further operable to determine an increase of cash in the cash account from the first day to the second day, wherein the determination is based at least in part on an interest rate. The processor is further operable to determine a second closing value of the index for the second day, wherein the determination is based at least in part on the determined increase of cash in the cash account, the first settlement value, and the second settlement value. The processor is further operable to store the second closing value in the memory.
US07991662B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing e-commerce and accounting services to organizations and service providers for offerings ordered by the organization via an on-line interactive communication network. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system whereby a third party intermediary can absorb certain payment, collection and billing functions on behalf of an organization and service providers which provide services to the organization. The term service provider as used herein refers to any entity or individual that provides a service, including the service of providing goods.
US07991660B2
A multi-user information processing method for managing and determining tax provision information that includes a source database storing data for determining tax provision information; a calculation engine for performing information processing operations on the data stored in the source database for determining tax provision information; a transformed database for storing tax provision information determined by the calculation engine; and a reporting engine for producing reports using information from the transformed database.
US07991657B2
A method and apparatus for a pull back optimizer in conjunction with an inventory management system allows for efficient retrieval of return assemblies for optimized parts fulfillment. The inventory management system includes a return assembly inventory and a list of parts needed for order fulfillment. The return assembly inventory lists the part numbers and quantities of parts in each return assembly. The pull back optimizer allows a user of the inventory management system to efficiently determine the optimal return systems to pull back to production for parts fulfillment to minimize the impact on those using the return assemblies.
US07991647B2
Systems and methods for providing traders with an opportunity to trade on the VWAP price are provided. After a trader enters a VWAP auction session, the trader has a predetermined about of time (i.e., the length of the VWAP auction period) to place bids and/or offers on an item. When the VWAP auction period ends, the electronic trading application matches the VWAP orders. The VWAP orders that are not matched are cancelled. The electronic trading application collects trading information (e.g., price, size, etc.) corresponding to the received orders. The collected information is processed to determine the VWAP price. The VWAP price is presented to the trader and the matched VWAP orders are filled based on the determined VWAP price.
US07991637B1
A method of sharing a calendar between a plurality of users is described where the calendar is capable of holding one or more events. The method includes providing the calendar to each of said plurality of users. The method further includes allowing any of the plurality of users to add to the calendar a new event, a change to an event and a message relating to an event. The method further includes providing a new event, change to an event and/or message added by a user to the other users including automatically displaying at least one updated calendar to its respective other user without said other user having to cause said updated calendar to be fetched through a network.
US07991619B2
A system, method and computer program product for performing blind change detection audio segmentation that combines hypothesized boundaries from several segmentation algorithms to achieve the final segmentation of the audio stream. Automatic segmentation of the audio streams according to the system and method of the invention may be used for many applications like speech recognition, speaker recognition, audio data mining, online audio indexing, and information retrieval systems, where the actual boundaries of the audio segments are required.
US07991614B2
A speech recognition system includes the following: a feature calculating unit; a sound level calculating unit that calculates an input sound level in each frame; a decoding unit that matches the feature of each frame with an acoustic model and a linguistic model, and outputs a recognized word sequence; a start-point detector that determines a start frame of a speech section based on a reference value; an end-point detector that determines an end frame of the speech section based on a reference value; and a reference value updating unit that updates the reference value in accordance with variations in the input sound level. The start-point detector updates the start frame every time the reference value is updated. The decoding unit starts matching before being notified of the end frame and corrects the matching results every time it is notified of the start frame. The speech recognition system can suppress a delay in response time while performing speech recognition based on a proper speech section.
US07991610B2
The present invention is based on the finding that parameters including a first set of parameters of a representation of a first portion of an original signal and including a second set of parameters of a representation of a second portion of the original signal can be efficiently encoded, when the parameters are arranged in a first sequence of tuples and in a second sequence of tuples, wherein the first sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having two parameters from a single portion of the original signal and wherein the second sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having one parameter from the first portion and one parameter from the second portion of the original signal. An efficient encoding can be achieved using a bit estimator to estimate the number of necessary bits to encode the first and the second sequence of tuples, wherein only the sequence of tuples is encoded, that results in the lower number of bits.
US07991606B1
An electronic design automation system merges embedded logic analyzer technology with system level design and analysis technology. Embedded logic analyzers provide hardware to allow board-level signal capture and subsequent analysis of test devices programmed with a hardware design generated using electronic design automation. System level environments provide interactive tools for entering, modeling, simulating and analyzing multi-domain systems such as DSP designs. Typically, a user enters a system level design as a block diagram, including embedded logic analyzer blocks. The user inserts such blocks at nodes in the design where he or she wishes to capture signals to verify the design.
US07991600B2
Irregular volumes within one or more three-dimensional volume datasets are identified and extracted in response to criteria. The processing involves automatically finding a seed voxel or seed cell that meets the criteria and thus belongs to an irregular volume of interest, and then identifying cells related to the seed cell by one or more predetermined relationships that are therefore also to be grouped into that irregular volume. Information, which can be of any suitable type, identifying each such cell as being related to other cells and belonging to an irregular volume is stored in a suitable data structure. The location or similar neighborhood information and other data describing properties or attributes of the identified cell are also stored. Because the irregular volumes are extracted and pre-processed in this manner, operations including rendering them on a display and performing Boolean and arithmetic operations on them can readily be performed.
US07991587B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for testing a material. A signal is sent into the material using the transmitter. The signal has a frequency range that falls within a selected frequency range to form a transmitted signal. An actual response to the transmitted signal is received at a sensor. A simulated response of the material to the transmitted signal is generated using a functional model capable of modeling responses of the material to different frequency ranges falling within the selected frequency range. The simulated response is compared to the actual response to determine if a change has occurred in the material.
US07991581B2
A method and system for analyzing interlinked production processes for manufacturing a product are provided. Static and dynamic input data for at least one product parameter or process parameter are acquired. At least one degree of freedom of the at least one product parameter or process parameter is determined. At least one target parameter is acquired. The acquired static and dynamic input data are processed on the basis of at least one degree of freedom and, the at least one product parameter or process parameter is automatically adjusted. At least some of the data determined and acquired are stored or output.
US07991578B2
A method of finding a cluster in a data stream includes updating statistical distribution information of a grid-cell corresponding to a currently generated data element, statistical distribution information on previously generated data elements being managed using grid-cells, which are partitioned within the range of a data space and have statistical distribution information of data elements within the range; comparing the occurrence frequency of the data element in the grid-cell according to the update result with a predefined partitioning threshold, partitioning the grid-cell into a plurality of grid-cells according to the comparison result, and estimating statistical distribution information of the partitioned grid-cells; recursively performing the updating or comparing step until the grid-cell becomes a unit grid-cell; and comparing the occurrence frequency of a data element in the unit grid-cell with a predefined minimum support and defining a set of unit grid-cells as a cluster according to the comparison result.
US07991574B2
A method, system and computer program product for filtering systematic differences from wafer evaluation parameters provides an efficient visual display and numerical map technique for observing wafer-level process variation. Measurement data is gathered from electronic circuits at multiple positions within multiple regions on one or more wafers and parameters are computed from the measurement data, which may be the measurement data values themselves. The set of parameters is filtered for expected systematic variation by computing a set of normalization values from the set of parameters and normalizing the data according to the normalization values. The normalized parameter set is then either presented in a visual display, e.g., by color mapping, or arranged in a numerical map of parameter value by location.
US07991566B2
An apparatus is presented for monitoring the relative positions and/or for measuring and evaluating relative position in a system which contains at least two sub-systems. The apparatus has several devices, of which at least one device has a vibration-isolation device. Furthermore, at least one device is provided for determining the relative positions of the devices and one evaluation device is provided for testing whether the measured relative positions of the devices lie within a tolerance interval.
US07991561B2
Systems and methods for determining the cycle threshold (Ct) value in a kinetic PCR amplification curve. The PCR data set may be visualized in a two-dimensional plot of fluorescence intensity (y-axis) vs. cycle number (x-axis). The data set is transformed to produce a partition table of data points with one column including the fluorescence at cycle (n) and a second column including the fluorescence at cycle (n+i), where i is typically 1 or greater. A cluster analysis process is applied to the partition table data set to determine a plurality of clusters in the partition table data set. In one aspect, the clustering process used includes a k-means clustering algorithm, where the number of identified clusters, k, is greater than or equal to three. In another aspect, a Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) algorithm is used to identify three or more clusters. Using the identified clusters, a linear slope of each of the clusters is determined based on y(n+1) vs. n, and for each cluster, a ratio of the slope of that cluster with the slope of an adjacent cluster is determined. The ratios are then compared. An end point of a cluster having the largest or smallest ratio represents a specific point of interest in the data curve. The data point representing the elbow or Ct value of the PCR curve is identified as an end point of one of the identified clusters, and the cycle number corresponding to this data point is returned or displayed.
US07991558B2
Systems and methods for determining the elbow or Ct value in a real-time, or kinetic, PCR amplification curve data set. The PCR data set may be visualized in a two-dimensional plot of fluorescence intensity (y-axis) vs. cycle number (x-axis). The data set is transformed to produce a partition table of data points with one column including the fluorescence at cycle (n) and a second column including the fluorescence at cycle (n+i), where i is typically 1 or greater. A cluster analysis process is applied to the partition table data set to determine a plurality of clusters in the partition table data set. In one aspect, the clustering process used includes a k-means clustering algorithm, where k≧3. The data point representing the elbow or Ct value of the PCR curve is identified as an end point of one of the identified clusters, and the cycle number corresponding to this data point is returned or displayed.
US07991556B2
A method for analyzing formation data includes decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. A system for analyzing formation data that includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data.
US07991554B2
A method for predicting the rate of penetration (ROP) of a drill bit drilling a well bore through intervals of rock of a subterranean formation is provided based on determined relationships between a bit-specific coefficient of sliding friction μ and mechanical efficiency EFFM and confined compressive strength CCS over a range of confined compressive strengths CCS. Confined compressive strength CCS is estimated for intervals of rock through which the drill bit is to be used to drill a well bore. The rate of penetration ROP is then calculated utilizing the estimates of confined compressive strength CCS and those determined relationships.
US07991551B2
A system and method are provided to determine the collision status of a nearby vehicle or vehicles. If a nearby vehicle has been in a collision, responsive systems may be triggered automatically. Responses may include warning the driver of the host vehicle and/or warning drivers of other vehicles or centralized networks by, among other methods, V2V or V2I communications. Responses may also include automatically triggering countermeasures in the host vehicle.
US07991547B2
From among high upland area determination data stored in a hard disk drive, only a portion corresponding to a required segmental region is read into an external memory along with traveling of a vehicle. Determining of a high upland area is then executed based on the portion of the high upland determination in the external storage device. When a high-upland division is present in a vicinity of a present position, a portion of the high upland area determination data is read into the external memory. The read portion of the high upland area determination data corresponds to a high upland area, which covers all the high-upland divisions adjacently existing starting from the high-upland division in the vicinity of the present position. When a high-upland division is not present in the vicinity of the present position, a portion of the high upland area determination data corresponding to a segmental region having a predetermined minimum range centering on the present position is read into the external memory.
US07991546B2
A display method and apparatus for a navigation system promotes to quickly search a desired on a map image with respect to an order of distance from a current vehicle position or other reference position. On the screen of the navigation system, it displays a specially designed screen to implement the city search operation which includes a state selection box and a city selection box. The navigation system detects the search direction specified by the user and moves the cursor to the location of the candidate city in response to every operation of the input device in the order of distance in the specified direction. Thus, the user is able to find the city by its relative location to the current vehicle position or other reference location, thereby enabling to quickly and intuitively search the target city.
US07991544B2
A method and system are provided for selecting and presenting a route to a user. An exemplary embodiment includes storing a plurality of associations, each association between a route taken by a user and user characteristics. Received from a particular user is a request for at least one recommended route to a destination point. A query is formulated based on user specified parameters, including an origination point, the destination point, and characteristics of other users, to obtain routes taken by other users. A plurality of routes taken by other users having at least some of the characteristics of other users and related to at least one of the origination point and the destination point is retrieved from the stored plurality of associations. At least one recommended route is recommended to the particular user based on at least one of the retrieved routes that most closely matches the user specified parameters.
US07991543B2
When a character string for a street search is input in a vehicle navigation apparatus, street data are searched, and all streets which include the character string for the street search in the formal street name character string are extracted. The extracted street is displayed, in a list format on a display screen, by using a portion of the formal street name string that is registered as a proper noun part of the formal street name character string. The extracted streets are sorted in the list format so that a street with the proper noun part including the character string for searches comes to the top of listing of the extracted streets, thereby making it easy to find out a desired street in the listing of the extracted streets.
US07991536B2
A control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a supercharger calculates a target intake mass airflow (mt′) in accordance with an accelerator pedal travel (θA), using a virtual internal combustion engine model having a virtual upstream intake air pressure (PA). The control system then calculates a target throttle opening (θ) in accordance with a measured upstream intake pressure (PIN) so as to provide the target intake mass airflow (mt′), and controls a throttle valve based on the target throttle opening (θ).
US07991526B2
A method and a device for controlling at least one object detection sensor for a motor vehicle, the at least one sensor being switchable between a plurality of operating modes; a plurality of functions for evaluating the objects detected, using the object detection sensor, being able to access randomly the at least one sensor and a switchover between the operating modes being selected as a function of the instantaneously accessing assistance functions, and a coordinator is provided between the function evaluation devices and the at least one sensor; each function accessing the at least one sensor transmits to the coordinator a biasing probability distribution function, respectively, and the at least one sensor transmits to the coordinator a detection probability density function for each operating mode that is able to be activated, and the coordinator selects the most suitable operating mode for each function accessing the at least one sensor.
US07991518B2
Provided is a satellite control system based on integrated satellite operation data and a method thereof. The satellite control system includes: a satellite operation data schema editing means for creating a document type definition file and defining a schema; a mission planning means for creating a mission timeline and recording the mission timeline; a command planning means for converting a task into telecommands and recording the telecommand; a command preparing means for creating a telecommand procedure and recording the telecommand procedure; a command transmitting means for creating a telecommand code, transmitting the telecommand code to a satellite and recording the telecommand code; a command verifying means for receiving telemetry data and recording a telecommand verification result; and a performance result reporting means for creating a mission performance result and recording the mission performance result.
US07991509B2
The present invention is a system comprising surgical units and operator interface units configured to provide multiple capabilities within a surgical environment, or within a surgical training environment. The system may provide such capabilities in a modular fashion, such that various functions may be accomplished through the addition or deletion of modules to the system to allow core components to be used to accomplish more than one function.
US07991505B2
Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining packages in an outbound container by employing autonomous transfer and transport vehicles which move on a network of roadways to carry a plurality of individual cases each containing the same kind of product from a loading station and to a destination station where individual packages are combined in the outbound container. The travel of each vehicle through the roadway network is computer controlled, and each vehicle includes means for automatically loading and unloading packages from predetermined locations on the network.
US07991500B2
A sewing order is determined in embroidering at least one embroidery element on a sewing material in a sewing machine, which has access to a memory for stitch data for the embroidery element and a processor for reading the stitch data and for maneuvering the sewing machine to execute stitches according to the stitch data. An embroidery element is composed of basic elements, through a formation of clusters of basic elements having the same characteristics. A level for each cluster is determined. The clusters are sorted with regards to their respective characteristics and sorting of the clusters into a sewing order based on characteristics and levels of the clusters.
US07991496B2
A method for manufacturing an object having a potential {x} which is generated in response to a field {f} applied thereto is provided. The method includes the step of designing a geometric model of the object. A computerized mathematical model of the object is generated by discretizing the geometric model of the object into a plurality of finite elements and defining nodes at boundaries of the elements, wherein values of the field {f} and potential {x} are specified at the nodes. A material property matrix [k] is then calculated based on the relationship {f}=[k]{x}. Material property coefficients are then extracted from the material property matrix [k] for each finite element in the computerized mathematical model and the extracted material property coefficients are compared to material property coefficients for known materials to match the extracted material property coefficients to the material property coefficients for known materials. Manufacturing parameters corresponding to the matched material property coefficients are then determined. The object is then manufactured in accordance with the determined manufacturing parameters.
US07991495B2
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising the steps of extracting an ancillary signal for generating the audio signal and an extension signal included in the ancillary signal from a received bit stream, reading length information of the extension signal from an extension area of the ancillary signal, and generating the audio signal using the ancillary signal. Accordingly, in case of processing the audio signal by the present invention, it is able to reduce a corresponding load of operation to enable efficient processing and enhance a sound quality.
US07991492B1
A method of conducting a competition with remote controlled vehicles involving young, or young-at-heart people from a plurality of local institutions or establishments, and involving a hierarchy of competitions.
US07991489B2
A method for creating a generated data set(s) for use in process capability calculations that mimics the statistics of a raw data set is presented. The method includes the steps of inputting desirable statistics and generating numbers from theoretical statistical distributions. This generated data can be combined with other generated data and used to calculate global process capabilities. In addition, the global process capabilities can be used to accept or reject supplier(s) from a list of suppliers. An apparatus for implementing the method outlined above comprising raw data statistics, number generating algorithm(s) and storage medium(s) is also presented.
US07991481B2
A lead for deep electrical neurostimulation comprising a rod of biocompatible material and a blade, also of biocompatible material, secured to one end of the rod and in alignment therewith. The blade presents two main faces and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least one of the two main faces in a two-dimensional configuration. The electrodes are connected to conductor elements disposed inside or on a surface of said rod. A deep electrical neurostimulation system comprising an electrical pulse generator connected to at least one lead of the above-described type is also disclosed.
US07991477B2
Methods for the treatment of CNS damage are described, and include inducing in a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of functional electronic stimulation (FES) sufficient to evoke patterned movement in the subject's muscles, the control of which has been affected by the CNS damage. The induction of FES-evoked patterned movement at least partially restores lost motor and sensory function, and stimulates regeneration of neural progenitor cells in the subject patient.
US07991470B2
A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to discriminate between ventricular and supraventricular tachycardias (referred to as SVT/VT discrimination) by utilizing a morphology criterion in which the morphology of electrogram waveforms during ventricular beats are analyzed to determine if the beats are normally conducted. After the delivery of a cardioversion/defibrillation shock, however, the intraventricular conduction system is left in a modified state which alters the subsequently generated electrogram signal. Use of the morphology criterion for SVT/VT discrimination is discontinued after delivery of such a shock and resumed after a predetermined minimum number of normally conducted ventricular beats has been detected.
US07991461B2
Various embodiments of a biological interface system and related methods are disclosed. The system may comprise a sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals emanating from one or more living cells of a patient and a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor and process the multicellular signals to produce a processed signal. The processing unit may be configured to transmit the processed signal to a controlled device that is configured to receive the processed signal. The system is configured to perform an integrated patient training routine to generate one or more system configuration parameters that are used by the processing unit to produce the processed signal.
US07991459B2
Template formation methods for use in implantable cardiac rhythm management devices. In an illustrative method, a signal is captured in an implanted cardiac rhythm management device, and parameters for analysis of the captured signal are then defined. Then, in the example, additional signals can be captured and used to either verify or discard the captured signal defined parameters. The template formation methods provide for creating a robust template to compare with sensed cardiac complexes. Devices and systems configured to perform template formation and verification methods are also shown.
US07991455B2
A medical system includes a catheter having an elongated tubular member and an inner core slideably received within the elongated member. The inner core includes an imager on a distal end and is coupled with a control system and an imaging system. The inner core is configured to scan the interior of a lumen by radially rotating around a center axis and axially translating along the center axis while within the elongated member. The medical system is configured to dynamically image a body lumen at a high speed in order to allow for optical imaging in a safe manner without long durations of blood sequestration and displacement. The medical system is configured to obtain three dimensional images of the body lumen with as little as one dimensional scanning of the lumen. Images of the lumen can be stored and viewed at a desired rate after scanning.
US07991446B2
The present disclosure includes a pulse oximeter attachment having an accessible memory. In one embodiment, the pulse oximeter attachment stores calibration data, such as, for example, calibration data associated with a type of a sensor, a calibration curve, or the like. The calibration data is used to calculate physiological parameters of pulsing blood.
US07991444B2
A slide mechanism (20) includes a rear cover (22), a front cover (24) slidably connected to the rear cover, and at least two magnetic members positioned on the rear cover and the front cover respectively. The front cover can be opened/closed relative to the rear cover semi-automatically via a magnetic force created by the at least two magnetic members. One of the front cover and the rear cover forms at least one protruding portion, and the other one of the front cover and the rear cover defines at least one recessed portion for engaging with the protruding portion. When the front cover is slid to an opened or closed position, the at least one protruding portion engages in the at least one recessed portion correspondingly.
US07991439B2
A signal shielding box with a plurality of shielding covers is provided. The shielding covers are pivotally connected with a shielding case and cover one another so as to respectively conceal or expose the opening. A connector is positioned at the shielding case and is electrically connected with the wireless communication device within the shielding case. The connector is electrically connected with a measurement and analysis device out of the shielding case. The shielding covers are respectively opened and closed so as to expose and conceal the opening. Thus, a plurality of shielding effects are formed so as to shield and measure signals of the wireless communication device.
US07991431B2
When a user gets interested in some music he/she listens to somewhere, for example, in a coffee shop, the user records that music in a memory provided in a portable terminal. A processor reads the information stored in the memory and performs a predetermined process on it. The resultant information is stored on a storage device. The information stored on the storage device is then transferred to a server via a communication device. The server searches the database for the title of the music corresponding to the received information, and returns the result to the terminal. Thus, the user can easily get information about the title of the music.
US07991427B2
The present invention relates to a system and method of remote application management on wireless data terminals using a device management agent and dynamic link libraries provided by the application. Third party applications on a wireless device can communicate and be controlled by a remote management server via a management client plug-in interface.
US07991418B2
A system, method, and apparatus that retrieve data from one or more wireless communication devices that are at least members of a communication group without user intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a request for data is sent to an intermediate device, which forwards the request to a target wireless device. The target wireless device determines if the request is allowed and preferably responds with the requested data or a failure notice. The location of the requested data may be known to the requesting device and included in the request, or it may be known to the target wireless device, which locates the data upon receiving the request. In another embodiment the requesting device and the target wireless device directly communicate without the intervention of an intermediate device. The data requested can help the requesting device or its user determine if and when to initiate group communications.
US07991414B2
In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for computing a positioning solution for a mobile unit based on signals received from the satellite navigation system and the wireless communication system. The techniques allow for, and resolve, a synchronization bias that constrains a system time for the satellite navigation system and a system time for the wireless communication system relative to each other. The mobile unit may utilize the defined constraint to compute a position solution in environments where additional independent measurements would otherwise be required. The mobile unit may incorporate Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) functionality to validate the position and time solutions derived from each of received signals. According to the techniques described herein, the mobile unit may be able to utilize the defined synchronization bias to apply RAIM or similar techniques in environments where such techniques would otherwise be indeterminate.
US07991413B2
A method for controlling a number of simultaneous radio connections in a communication device is presented. The control of a number of simultaneous radio connections is carried out in the communication device. Parameters of the radio connections are controlled such that interference between the radio connections is minimized.
US07991411B2
A multimedia messaging service (MMS) intelligent content evaluator gateway is provided to allow use of a single address mailbox and Internet domain for receipt of either an MMS or an SMS message. The MMS intelligent content evaluator gateway evaluates the content of a received message, and then forwards the same to the appropriate system for delivery. The MMS intelligent content evaluator gateway makes use of database tables containing subscriber information and message routing tables necessary to derive the MMS and SMS destination addresses for each subscriber or range of subscriber addresses. Tables may also be implemented indicating the capabilities of each subscriber's handset, such as whether or not the handset can support MMS messages.
US07991410B2
A communication system, having a base unit, which is communicably connected to an external communication device, and at least one extension unit, which is communicable with the base unit and with the other extension unit and the external communication device via the base unit, is provided. The base unit includes an information collecting system to collect information of the at least one extension unit in the communication system. The at least one extension unit includes an information obtaining system to obtain the information from the base unit and an indicating system to indicate presence and communication status of each of the at least one extension unit in the communication system based on the obtained information individually on an extension unit basis.
US07991409B2
Stationary wireless network stations are woken up using Wake-on-WLAN functionality. Wake-on-WLAN is provided by paging stations in a wireless network. Paging may support mobile stations across multiple access points. Paging may also support stationary nodes with reduced overhead. Wake-on-WLAN is also provided to stationary stations in idle mode by signifying a wake-on event in a traffic indication map (TIM). Wake-on events may occur when a station is associated or disassociated with an access point. Upon receiving a wake-on event, a station associates or reassociates with an AP if necessary.
US07991408B2
A mobile computing device has a transceiver circuit, a location determination circuit, and a processing circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to receive a remote position fix from a remote computer via a wireless network. The location determination circuit is configured to receive satellite data and to calculate a local position fix. The processing circuit is configured to operate an application, to receive a request for a position fix from the application, to determine whether the remote position fix is available, and to provide the local position fix to the application based on whether the remote position fix is available.
US07991403B2
A method for providing load balance to a wireless network system is disclosed, wherein a network management server (NMS) is used to group a plurality of access points into a plurality of groups. Each of the access points is pre-set with a plurality of water level values corresponding to an acceptable load thereof, and each of the water level values is pre-set with a corresponding trap up value. Only when the real-time load of one of the access points is up to the trap up value thereof, the access point actively sends a signal of a corresponding load status thereof to the NMS. Meanwhile, the NMS checks the water level values of the other access points belonged to the same group of the access point. If all of the water level values of the other access points belonged to the same group of the access point are not less than the water level value of the access point, the water level value of the access point which has the real-time load up to the trap up value thereof is upgraded once so as to allow the access point to keep a higher acceptable load. Thus, it is unnecessary for each of the access points to continuously broadcast its corresponding load status so as to prevent from occupying the bandwidth thereof and thus to improve the overall efficiency of the wireless network system.
US07991385B1
A method for optimizing service-based billing in a network environment is provided that includes interfacing, by a home policy server residing in a home network of an end user, with a visited policy server in a visited network and with an application server, the application server contacting the home policy server when the end user elects to invoke an application in the home network, the application server contacting the home policy server and passing a set of application descriptors to the policy server, the application descriptors being tokens that describe one or more characteristics of the application for charging.
US07991378B2
Methods and apparatus for automatic frequency control in wireless receivers configured to simultaneously receive multiple carrier signals at distinct radio frequencies are disclosed. An exemplary wireless device comprises at least first and second radio front-end circuits configured to receive first and second wireless communication signals transmitted via first and second radio-frequency carriers at distinct first and second radio frequencies, respectively, a control processor configured to designate a master carrier signal and a slave carrier signal from among the received wireless communication signals, and a frequency error estimation circuit configured to estimate a first receiver frequency error using the received master carrier signal. The control processor is further configured to calculate a second receiver frequency error from the first receiver frequency error, for use in compensating one or more receiver processes performed on the slave carrier signal.
US07991375B2
A radio frequency (RF) front-end includes a plurality of power amplifier modules and a plurality of impedance matching circuits. Each of the plurality of impedance matching circuits includes an input connection and an output connection, wherein outputs of the plurality of power amplifier modules are coupled to corresponding input connections of the plurality of impedance matching circuits to provide a desired loading of the plurality of power amplifier modules and wherein the output connections of the plurality of impedance matching circuits are coupled together to add power of the plurality of power amplifiers.
US07991372B2
A radio receiver for diversity has a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit for diversity-receiving a signal of a radio frequency. The first receiving unit has a first mixer for converting the received signal of the radio frequency into an IF signal of a first intermediate frequency by an upper local method, and a first filter coupled to the output side of the first mixer. The second receiving unit has a second mixer for converting the received signal of the radio frequency into an IF signal of a second intermediate frequency by a lower local method, and a second filter coupled to the output side of the second mixer. The radio receiver can improve receiving sensitivity.
US07991371B2
An arbitrary threshold value (Ei0) is established which defines a boundary as to activating an RF-AGC circuit (21) if the value of the field intensity (Ei) of a received signal is greater than what value while the value of the field intensity of a signal at a desired frequency being a predetermined value (Ei0) in a weak field area. The established value (Ei0) is used to provide a threshold value establishing/controlling part (22) that controls the ON/OFF of the operation of the RF-AGC circuit (21). In this way, a set maker or the like of an IC including an automatic gain control part (11) can perform a field test or the like such that a preferable value obtained by a result of the field test or the like can be used as an AGC start level (Ei0), whereby an optimum AGC control can be performed based on the preferable AGC start level (Ei0).
US07991370B2
Disclosed herein is an amplifier circuit formed by multiple transistor stages and having an input terminal for a signal and an inverted output terminal configured to output an inverted signal after amplification, wherein a feedback resistance and a feedback capacitor for input impedance matching are connected in series with each other between the inverted output terminal and the input terminal.
US07991367B2
A wireless communication unit comprises a transmitter having an analogue feedback power control loop having a power control function arranged to set an output power level of the transmitter. The power control function comprises a predictor sub-system arranged to reduce sensitivity to loop latency of the analogue feedback power control loop. The use of a predictor sub-system provides reduced sensitivity to loop latency, gain variations and delay.
US07991366B2
Methods and apparatus for reconstructing discrete-time amplitude modulation signals in polar modulation transmitters. An exemplary polar modulation transmitter includes a symbol generator, a rectangular-to-polar converter, a peak phase detector, and an amplitude modulation reconstruction circuit. The symbol generator generates rectangular-coordinate modulation symbols from which the rectangular-to-polar converter generates an amplitude modulation signal containing discrete-time amplitude samples and an angle modulation signal containing discrete-time angle samples. The peak phase detector circuit detects phase reversals or near phase reversals represented in samples of the angle modulation signal. The amplitude modulation reconstruction circuit responds by reconstructing samples in the amplitude modulation signal that correspond to detected phase reversals or a near phase reversals represented in samples of the angle modulation signal.
US07991364B2
A radio use case is determined for concurrently operating radios of a multi-radio device and/or transmitter and receiver of a FDD radio. A local memory is accessed with the determined use case to find a high and/or a low frequency cutoff for the concurrent operation radio or transmitter/receiver. Control signals are applied to impose the high and/or the low frequency cutoff to a pair of frequency adjustable diplexers that are in series with one another in one of a transmit branch or a receive branch of a duplexer circuit that is disposed between the radio and an antenna. Then, a receive signal is passed through the antenna and the receive branch of the duplexer circuit to the radio or receiver of the FDD radio, or a transmit signal is passed from the respective radio or transmitter of the FDD radio through the transmit branch of the duplexer circuit to the antenna.
US07991361B2
Methods and systems for processing signals in a receiver are disclosed herein and may comprise receiving WCDMA signals via M receive antennas, tracking a plurality of received clusters within the received WCDMA signals, and estimating a complex phase and amplitude of a portion of each of the received clusters. A single cluster may comprise an aggregate of received WCDMA signal paths and (M-1) phase shifters may be utilized for the estimating of the complex phase. Complex waveforms, comprising in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components for the received clusters within the received WCDMA signals, may be processed. The processed complex waveforms comprising the in-phase and quadrature components may be filtered to a WCDMA baseband bandwidth. A phase and/or amplitude for at least one of the received WCDMA signals may be adjusted utilizing the estimated complex phase and amplitude. The phase and/or amplitude may be adjusted continuously and/or at discrete intervals.
US07991354B2
There are provided a method of communication which can reliably transmit information from a base station to a wireless terminal in a system which can reduce power consumption by intermittent operation in which the wireless terminal repeats operating state and suspended state by power on and off and the base station used for the method. The method includes the steps of storing base station information such as a command or data supplied to the wireless terminal in the base station, transferring the wireless terminal from the suspended state to the operating state to transmit information from the sensor to the base station, coupling the base station information stored in the base station to a response signal to transmit it to the wireless terminal in the operating state for transmitting the sensor information, and returning the wireless terminal to the suspended state after completing the transmission of the base station information and sensor information.
US07991353B2
A communications system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for inter-satellite and inter-spacecraft crosslinks (ISL) with non-ISL optimized antennas on spacecraft. The system includes a mobile communications platform that includes an ISL antenna configured to transmit information to a target satellite through a non-ISL antenna of the target satellite. The mobile communications platform is configured to relay transmissions through the non-ISL antenna of the target satellite to another communications platform. The mobile communications platform includes a controller configured to determine a location of the mobile platform; determine whether the target satellite is within communications range; and prepare a signal for relayed transmissions through a non-ISL antenna of the target satellite to another communications platform in a signal format that is decipherable by this other communications platform.
US07991332B2
A developing apparatus includes a developer container that contains a developer and a supply device that supplies a supply developer to the developer container. A feeding member that feeds the developer is disposed close to a discharge opening in the developer container, which allows the discharge of the developer contained in the developer container. The feeding member has a developer feeding power in an opposing area, in which the developer feeding member is opposed to the discharge opening, larger than a developer feeding power in an upstream-side area, which is upstream of the opposing area with respect to a developer feeding direction. Further, the feeding member has a developer feeding power in a downstream-side area, which is downstream of the opposing area with respect to the developer feeding direction, equal to or larger than the developer feeding power in the opposing area.
US07991331B2
A developing unit includes a developer consumption calculator calculating consumptions of developer in zones and storing the consumption in each zone into a corresponding storage region; a consumption shift unit shifting the consumption stored in the storage region corresponding to each zone to a storage region corresponding to a zone located on a downstream side in a developer conveyance direction in response to the conveying of the developer by the circulation conveyance member; a supply amount setting unit setting a supply amount from a developer supply portion based on the consumption stored in the storage region corresponding to the zone corresponding to the developer supply position; and a developer supply controller controlling supply of the developer from the developer supply portion based on the set supply amount.
US07991329B2
A developer apparatus, includes: a container which houses toner; a toner carrier roller which is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner supplied from the container on the surface thereof; and a restriction member which abuts on the toner layer on the surface of the toner carrier roller to restrict a thickness of the toner layer, and restricts the toner layer carried by the convex sections within the surface of the toner carrier roller to one layer or less.
US07991325B2
An image forming device includes a first device body, a second device body having a first side end and a second side end opposite to the first side end, the first side end being rotatably joined with the first device body, the second side end turning around the first side end between an opened state and a closed state, a photoconductive body provided in the first device body, an exposure unit provided to the second device body, the exposure unit having an exposure surface exposing the photoconductive body and form a latent image on the photoconductive body, and an exposure unit turning mechanism that turns the exposure unit between an exposure position where the exposure surface is directed to the photoconductive body in the closed state and an evacuation position where the exposure surface is directed to the first side end in the opened state.
US07991310B2
A record medium determining device 1, which determines a kind of a record medium 16 by irradiating a laser light 17 to a surface of the record medium 16, detecting a received light position and a received light intensity of a reflected light 18 by a line sensor 14, and comparing a distribution state of the received light position and the received light intensity with a previously determined distribution state, is disposed on the upstream side of a record medium conveyance path 653 with respect to a fixing unit.
US07991303B2
An image forming apparatus includes; a main body; a detachable member; a cover; a displacement member movable between a preventing position and a permitting position; a one-way link mechanism provided for displacing the displacement member from the preventing position to the permitting position when the cover is opened from a state in which the cover is closed and the displacement member is disposed in the preventing position, and for keeping the displacement member in the permitting position when the cover is closed from a state in which the cover is opened; a position detection unit for detecting a position of the displacement member right after a power supply unit has been switched on; and a history determination unit for determining an existence of a history showing an opening and closure of the cover while the power supply unit is left off based on the position of the displacement member.
US07991300B2
Apparatus and techniques for receiving and processing an optical signal. In one implementation, an optical receiver is provided to include a delay line interferometer, an etalon, and a data estimator for estimating the data carried on a differentially modulated optical input signal. The delay line interferometer receives the input signal and issues differentially decoded constructive and destructive signals. The etalon filters the constructive signal with a transmission stopband imposed over the passband of the constructive signal. The bandwidth of the etalon stopband is selected based on the bandwidth of the modulation of the input signal in order to maximize received signal quality. The data estimator uses a difference between signals derived from the filtered constructive signal and the destructive signal for estimating data.
US07991293B2
A system, device, and method are disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes an optical link and a peripheral device optically coupled to the optical link. The system also includes a host controller, such as a graphics, network, or I/O controller. The system also includes a unified optical connector port, which is optically coupled to the optical link and electrically coupled to the first host controller. The port has a wavelength allocation unit that can allocate an optical wavelength for an optical signal that is utilized to communicate with the peripheral device. The port also includes an electrical-to-optical transmission unit capable of converting an electrical signal, received from the host controller, to the optical signal that was allocated at the first optical wavelength. The electrical-to-optical transmission unit is also capable of transmitting one or more data packets within the first optical signal to the peripheral device across the optical link.
US07991292B2
A terminal and an information relay apparatus allowing automatic setup for wireless connection without requiring setup operation by the user and capable of preventing information leakage when used at home are provided. A wireless LAN terminal communicates with a wireless access point relaying information to and from a communication apparatus constituting a communication network. Wireless LAN terminal includes an ROM, an optical communication block, a communication unit, and a CPU. The optical communication block is for optical communication. Communication unit is for communication by radio signal. CPU causes the optical communication unit to transmit a start request signal. After transmission of the start request signal, when the optical communication block receives an information request signal, CPU causes the optical communication block to transmit identification information stored in ROM. After the optical communication block transmits the identification information, CPU causes the communication unit to transmit log-in request and the like.
US07991291B2
Low-cost FP lasers can be implemented in the upstream links of a WDM PON system by configuring them for single-mode operation. In a typical embodiment, an FP laser at a subscriber unit is injection seeded with CW seed light from a DFB laser or an ASE source at a central office to enable single-mode operation of the FP laser. The FP laser is directly modulated and the resulting optical data signal is transmitted upstream to the central office. At the central office, an optical spectrum reshaper/bandpass optical filter is positioned in front of an optical receiver to enhance the extinction ratio of the optical data signal and generate a vestigial sideband. A wavelength locker can also be implemented at the central office to stabilize the wavelength of the master DFB laser and the injection-seeded FP laser.
US07991290B2
To provide an optical transceiver module comprising an optical prism for optical communications which has mounting portions, a light emitting portion, light receiving portions, a substrate and a sub-mount that are used as the basis of the optical transceiver module, whose configuration is compact with reduced components which are accurately mounted.A sub-mount is provided on the substrate. The composite optical prism is formed with an optical lens provided with mounting supports and a wavelength division film in an integrated fashion. By using marks on the sub-mount for alignment, the composite optical prism can be mounted accurately on the sub-mount. In addition, the light receiving portions and the light emitting portion can be mounted accurately by using marks for alignment provided on the substrate and the sub-mount.
US07991285B2
A device may receive a background image, capture the background image, receive a subject image, modify the background image, superimpose the modified background image on the subject image to obtain a composite image, display the composite image, and capture the subject image.
US07991283B2
Labels of elements in images may be compared to known elements to determine a region from which an image was created. Using this information, the approximate image position can be found, additional elements may be recognized, labels may be checked for accuracy and additional labels may be added.
US07991281B1
An illumination source senses a level of ambient light and determines an illumination waveform to be used to illuminate at least a portion of a document. The rise and the fall time of the illumination waveform are independently controlled.
US07991278B2
A camera module includes a voice coil motor comprising a fixing assembly, a movable assembly, an elastic member connecting the movable assembly to the fixing assembly, and a pivoting member located between the fixing assembly and the movable assembly; a lens assembly and an image sensor received in the movable assembly; a plurality of Hall sensors capable of detecting movement distances of the movable assembly; and a control module comprising a current distributor, and a processor electrically connected to the Hall sensors. Wherein when shaking occurs, the housing is driven to move along the central axis and at the same time is rotated a desired angles pivoting on the pivoting member, the processor configured for calculating rotated angles of the movable assembly base on movement distances of the movable assembly relative to the respective Hall sensors.
US07991277B2
A camera module includes a circuit board, an image sensor mounted on the circuit board, a lens module including a lens, a position sensor, a plurality of electrical wire groups mounted on the lens, and a plurality of magnetic field generators. The lens held a distance from the circuit board by holding wires fixed on the circuit board. The position sensor is mounted on the circuit board and configured for detecting displacements of the lens module and the image sensor relative to the object. The magnetic field generators are arranged adjacent to the respective electrical wire groups, and each configured for generating a magnetic field for allowing the electrical wire groups together with the lens to move to give a correction of the displacements of the lens, such that an image of an object is projected at a predetermined region of the image sensor.
US07991269B1
A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer.
