US08088837B2

The invention relates to medical technology and could be used in manufacturing artificial cardiac valves having one or more cusps made of a polymer composite. The method for manufacturing a cusp of an artificial cardiac valve, includes the steps of: manufacturing a casting mold, and molding a cusp from a polymer composite comprising 78 to 92% by weight of polyamide and 8 to 22% by weight of radiographic contrast medium dispersed therein. The polymer composite can comprise additionally fine acetylene black in amount of 1 to 2% by weight. The preferred radiographic contrast medium is barium sulphate. In one embodiment of the method, the casting mold is manufactured for the molding size 1 to 5% less than necessary, and the cusp is placed after molding into an anticoagulant solution and matured therein until expanding by 1 to 5%.
US08088835B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for easily and economically producing an expansion-molded polypropylene-based resin article stably with a high porosity, that has continuous voids and that can be used as materials such as a sound absorbing material and a draining material. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing an expansion-molded polypropylene-based resin article, in which a mold is filled with expanded polypropylene-based resin particles, and the expanded particles are heated and fused using water vapor, and then cooled, wherein expanded polypropylene-based resin particles are used in which a polypropylene-based resin having a melt index (MI) of not less than 0.1 g/10 minutes and not more than 9 g/10 minutes is used as a base resin, a cell size is not more than 150 μm, two melting peaks are present on a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, and β/(α+β) is not less than 0.35 and not more than 0.75 when taking a melting calorie at the lower temperature peak as α (J/g) and taking a melting calorie at the higher temperature peak as β (J/g), and a porosity of an obtained molded article is not less than 20% and not more than 50%.
US08088831B2

Disclosed is a cellulose ester film which is suppressed in volatilization of components during film formation, while having high surface flatness, high durability after saponification and good adhesion to a polarizer. Also disclosed is a method for producing such a cellulose ester film by melt forming. Further disclosed are a polarizing plate having high light resistance and high durability, and a liquid crystal display having high image quality. Specifically disclosed is a cellulose ester film characterized by containing a cellulose ester, a compound represented by the general formula (1) below, and a compound represented by the general formula (2) below.
US08088827B2

The present invention relates to the use of irbesartan for the preparation of medicinal products that are useful for preventing or treating pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary hypertension.
US08088823B2

A method of preventing or treating diseases caused by Mycobacterium, comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pleuromutilin.
US08088811B2

The present invention is directed to novel heterocycle derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor.
US08088809B2

The present invention provides novel pyrazoles that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders.
US08088797B2

The present invention relates to compounds corresponding to formula (I): Wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to preparation and therapeutic use of these compounds.
US08088788B2

[1,2]Imidazo[4,5-c] ring compounds (e.g., imidazo[4,5-c]quinolines, imidazo[4,5-c]naphthyridines, and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines) substituted with a fused ring containing an oxygen and/or nitrogen atom attached at the 1- and/or 2-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.
US08088779B2

The present invention generally relates to the polymorph Form 2 of [3-(4-methoxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-[(S)-1-(3-methyl-[1,2,4]oxa-diazol-5-yl)-propyl]amine. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and methods of using the same.
US08088775B2

Disclosed is the use of 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]-acetic acid or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt for the reduction of hair loss; for hair regrowth, hair toning and hair growth; and for the treatment of female hirsutism.
US08088773B2

The present invention relates in general to therapeutic compositions and methods of use. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the field of eye health. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration by administering compounds disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the invention relates to compositions and methods of improving vision.
US08088767B2

This invention relates to the field of protein tyrosine kinases and inhibitors thereof. In particular, the invention relates to inhibitors of JAK-2, pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds for inhibiting JAK-2, methods of inhibiting JAK-2 in a cell, comprising contacting a cell in which inhibition of JAK-2 is desired with a compound or pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to the invention. The also comprises methods of treating a disease or condition that involves JAK-2 comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to the invention.
US08088758B2

3,15-substituted estrone compounds which act as inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (17β-HSD1), salts thereof, pharmaceutical preparations containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds, and therapeutic uses of such compounds, particularly in the treatment or inhibition of steroid hormone dependent diseases or disorders, such as steroid hormone dependent diseases or disorders requiring the inhibition of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I enzymes and/or requiring the lowering of the endogenous 17β-estradiol concentration, as well as the general use of selective 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors which possess in addition no or only pure antagonistic binding affinities to the estrogen receptor for the treatment or inhibition of benign gynecological disorders, particularly endometriosis.
US08088753B2

Heparin conjugates and methods of making and use thereof are disclosed. An illustrative heparin conjugate includes a composition wherein a bile acid is bonded to heparin through the 3-carbon of the bile acid. A spacer may be interposed between the bile acid and the heparin. Another embodiment includes a targeting moiety bonded to the heparin-bile acid conjugate through a spacer. Another illustrative heparin conjugate includes heparin covalently bonded to a sulfonated moiety, such as a naphthalene trisulfonate residue. A method of treating cancer includes administering a heparin conjugate to an individual in need thereof.
US08088750B2

The present invention relates to Enigma (PDLIM7)-Mdm2 interaction and use thereof. More particularly, it may induce an effective apoptosis of cancer cells by inhibition of an Enigma expression or an Enigma activity which induces Mdm2 destabilization and p53 activity; it may assess the prognosis of anti-cancer therapy by determining that Enigma, which is induced by SRF, is overexpressed in cancer tissues with Mdm2; it may screen anti-cancer activity substances by to selecting a factor to inhibit specific binding between Enigma and Mdm2. Enigma-Mdm2 interaction and Enigma expression regulation may be utilized usefully for preventing cancers and developing therapeutic methods and anti-cancer agents.
US08088748B2

A method is provided for immunizing against pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness associated with infantile RSV infection. This method includes administering an antisense oligonucletide to a subject in need thereof.
US08088742B2

The disclosure discusses polyol-glycoside compositions for topical use. The invention provides compositions containing an efficient amount of polyol-glycoside obtained from the acetalization of a polyol with a reducing sugar. Applications for the composition include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and textile treatments.
US08088741B2

Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsinlike activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.
US08088739B2

An object is to move a rail molecule by means of a biomolecular motor deposited on a base and inactivate the biomolecular motor through irradiation with light having a predetermined wavelength, to thereby readily and reliably fix the rail molecule at a predetermined position, while orienting the rail molecule in a predetermined direction without employment of any reagent. A method for fixing a rail molecule which has polarity and on which a biomolecular motor moves in a direction corresponding to the polarity includes depositing a biomolecular motor on a base; moving a rail molecule by means of the biomolecular motor; and inactivating the biomolecular motor by irradiating the biomolecular motor with light having a predetermined wavelength when the rail molecule reaches a predetermined position, to thereby fix the rail molecule so that it is oriented in a predetermined direction.
US08088738B2

The present invention relates to a thermostable alpha-1-antitrypsin mutein with a disulfide bond and a preparation method of the same, more precisely an alpha-1-antitrypsin mutein with improved thermostability, compared with the conventional thermostable alpha-1-antitrypsin mutein (Korean Patent No. 133252), resulted from the process of substituting the 168th and 189th amino acids of the alpha-1-antitrypsin with cysteines which are then linked by a disulfide bond, with keeping its alpha-1-antitrypsin activity unchanged, and a preparing method of the same. The thermostable alpha-1-antitrypsin mutein with a disulfide bond of the invention can be effectively used for a protein based therapeutic agent which is very stable in vivo, and can be applied further in various fields including in the development of a diagnostic reagent and in the preparation of an affinity column.
US08088737B2

The present invention relates to compositions, methods and kits based on the ADAM-mediated cleavage of Her-2. The present invention also relates to treatments for cancer, and in particular, breast cancer, by modulating the ADAM-mediated cleavage of Her-2. Further, the invention relates to compositions, methods and kits based on the surprising synergistic effect between inhibition of Her-2 cleavage by an ADAM and certain cytostatic (e.g., Herceptin) and cytotoxic (e.g., Taxol) compounds in, among other things, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and inducing cell death. Additionally, the invention relates to novel variants of ADAM15, designated ADAM15 variant 1 and ADAM15 variant 2, now identified and isolated.
US08088730B2

The present invention concerns thirteen novel variants of alternative splicing of the obesity and/or diabetes related genes.
US08088729B2

A method of inhibiting a viral infection of a host comprising administering to the host an anti-viral griffithsin polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 or a fragment thereof comprising at least eight contiguous amino acids, a nucleic acid encoding the anti-viral polypeptide, or an antibody to the anti-viral polypeptide. A method of inhibiting a virus in a sample comprising contacting the sample with an anti-viral griffithsin polypeptide or antibody thereto also is provided.
US08088727B2

The invention provides methods of preventing or treating insulin resistance in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide having at least one net positive charge; a minimum of four amino acids; a maximum of about twenty amino acids; a relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (pm) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3pm is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1; and a relationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of net positive charges (pt) wherein 2a is the largest number that is less than or equal to pt+1, except that when a is 1, pt may also be 1.
US08088723B2

A cleaning composition with a limited number of ingredients contains a polyaluminum compound and surfactant. The cleaning composition optionally has an additional amount of fragrance. The cleaning composition optionally has a small amount of solvent. The cleaning composition optionally comprises a group selected from the group consisting of a dye, a builder, a fatty acid, a colorant, a preservative, a chelating agent, a colloidal silica and mixtures thereof.
US08088719B2

Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise crosslinkable polymers and certain biopolymers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a crosslinking agent; and a gelling agent comprising a polymer that is a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer that is a biopolymer wherein a molecule of the biopolymer (1) consists only of glucose, or (2) has a backbone comprising one or more units that comprise at least (a) one glucose unit and (b) one linear or cyclic pyranose-type monosaccharide unit, wherein (a) and (b) have different molecular structures.
US08088717B2

A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The interior region of the shell is at least partially filled with a foam. The internal pressure of the compressible object may be greater than about 200 psi (pounds per square inch) at atmospheric pressure, greater than 500 psi at atmospheric pressure, greater than 1500 psi at atmospheric pressure or more preferably greater than 2000 psi at atmospheric pressure.
US08088705B2

The invention relates to a process for incorporating sulfur in the porosity of the solid particles of a catalyst for the conversion of hydrocarbons or an adsorbent. This process is carried out off-site in the presence of hydrogen sulfide that is pure or diluted in hydrogen or nitrogen, a process in which said particles are made to rise or fall in a sulfur incorporation zone that comprises at least one vibratory helical coil that is essentially tubular in shape and that comprises at least two turns, whereby said particles are subjected to a temperature profile over the majority of their path in said coil and whereby said particles are brought into contact with at least one fluid on at least one portion of their path.
US08088703B2

Provided are a dielectric composition and a ceramic electronic component including the same. The dielectric composition includes (a) barium titanate having a specific surface area of 2.5 m2/g to 6.0 m2/g; (b) a mixture containing at least one or more materials selected from the group consisting of any one oxide of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Zr, and any one carbonate thereof; (c) oxide containing at least one or more materials selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ac, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; (d) oxide containing at least one or more material selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni; (e) oxide containing at least one or more material selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, and Ta; and (f) oxide containing at least one or more material selected from the group consisting of Si and Al. The dielectric composition can satisfy X8R characteristic, can be sintered at a low temperature, and can obtain high reliability.
US08088702B2

There is provided a bonding material composition capable of suppressing crack generation on an end face of a resultant honeycomb structure to a large extent by reducing anisotropy of Young's modulus after curing of the bonding material by the use of an isotropic filler without using inorganic fibers. The bonded body has two or more members unitarily bonded by means of a bonding material layer, and the relational expression of 0.5
US08088695B1

A laminated fabric material includes a fabric material and a substantially gas impermeable film laminated to the fabric material, the film having an inner, fabric-facing surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface includes a fluoropolymer treated surface.
US08088688B1

A method of forming a non-volatile memory device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region. A first wiring material comprising at least an aluminum material is formed overlying the first dielectric material. The method forms a silicon material overlying the aluminum material and forms an intermix region consuming a portion of the silicon material and a portion of the aluminum material. The method includes an annealing process to cause formation of a first alloy material from the intermix region and a polycrystalline silicon material having a p+ impurity characteristic overlying the first alloy material. A first wiring structure is formed from at least a portion of the first wiring material. A resistive switching element comprising an amorphous silicon material is formed overlying the polycrystalline silicon material having the p+ impurity characteristic. A second wiring structure comprising at least a metal material is formed overlying the resistive switching element.
US08088685B2

The described embodiments of methods of bottom-up metal deposition to fill interconnect and replacement gate structures enable gap-filling of fine features with high aspect ratios without voids and provide metal films with good film quality. In-situ pretreatment of metal film(s) deposited by gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) allows removal of surface impurities and surface oxide to improve adhesion between an underlying layer with the deposited metal film(s). Metal films deposited by photo-induced chemical vapor deposition (PI-CVD) using high energy of low-frequency light source(s) at relatively low temperature exhibit liquid-like nature, which allows the metal films to fill fine feature from bottom up. The post deposition annealing of metal film(s) deposited by PI-CVD densifies the metal film(s) and removes residual gaseous species from the metal film(s). For advanced manufacturing, such bottom-up metal deposition methods address the challenges of gap-filling of fine features with high aspect ratios.
US08088676B2

Crystallization-inducing metal elements are introduced onto an amorphous silicon thin film. A first, low-temperature, heat-treatment induces nucleation of metal-induced crystallization (MIC), resulting in the formation of small polycrystalline silicon “islands”. A metal-gettering layer is formed on the resulting partially crystallized thin film. A second, low-temperature, heat-treatment completes the MIC process, whilst gettering metal elements from the partially crystallized thin film. The process results in the desired polycrystalline silicon thin film.
US08088675B2

A method for obtaining a desired dopant profile of an emitter for a solar cell which includes depositing a first amorphous silicon layer having a first doping level over an upper surface of the crystalline silicon substrate, depositing a second amorphous silicon layer having a second doping level on the first amorphous silicon layer, and heating the crystalline silicon substrate and the first and second amorphous silicon layers to a temperature sufficient to cause solid phase epitaxial crystallization of the first and second amorphous silicon layers, such that the first and second amorphous silicon layers, after heating, have the same grain structure and crystal orientation as the underlying crystalline silicon substrate.
US08088673B2

The present invention has an object to provide a semiconductor chip of high reliability with less risk of breakage. Specifically, the present invention provides a semiconductor chip having a semiconductor silicon substrate including a semiconductor device layer and a porous silicon domain layer, the semiconductor device layer being provided in a main surface region on one surface of the semiconductor silicon substrate, the porous silicon domain layer being provided in a main surface region on a back surface which is the other surface of the semiconductor silicon substrate, and the porous silicon domain layer having porous silicon domains dispersed like islands in the back surface of the semiconductor silicon substrate.
US08088667B2

A fabrication method which forms vertical capacitors in a substrate. The method is preferably an all-dry process, comprising forming a through-substrate via hole in the substrate, depositing a first conductive material layer into the via hole using atomic layer deposition (ALD) such that it is electrically continuous across the length of the via hole, depositing an electrically insulating, continuous and substantially conformal isolation material layer over the first conductive layer using ALD, and depositing a second conductive material layer over the isolation material layer using ALD such that it is electrically continuous across the length of the via hole. The layers are arranged such that they form a vertical capacitor. The present method may be successfully practiced at temperatures of less than 200° C., thereby avoiding damage to circuitry residing on the substrate that might otherwise occur.
US08088660B1

A method for producing an electrode in a semiconductor layer includes providing a substrate with a first surface and a second surface, forming a first trench having sidewalls and extending into the substrate from the first surface and forming a plug in the first trench. The method further includes reducing a thickness of the semiconductor substrate by removing semiconductor material beginning at the first surface so as to at least partially uncover sidewalls of the plug and forming a semiconductor layer on the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer at least partially covering the uncovered sidewalls of the plug, and having an upper surface.
US08088646B1

Check valve package for pb-free, single piece electronic modules, the package having an exterior and an interior, and at least one electronic device mounted within the interior of the package electrically connected to a lead-free solder ball grid array on a surface of the package, the package having a check valve between the interior and exterior of the package configured to allow flow from the interior to the exterior and to prevent flow form the exterior to the interior. The package withstands the solder reflow temperatures for the reflow of the pb-free solder balls of a ball grid array packaging of an NVSRAM during mounting on a circuit board. The package is suitable for packaging circuits containing rechargeable batteries and for packaging other electronic devices.
US08088620B2

The invention relates to optimised micro-organism strains for the biotransformation production of molecules having NADPH-consuming biosynthetic pathways. The inventive strains can be used in NADPH-consuming biotransformation methods. Said strains are characterized in that one or more NADPH-oxidizing activities are limited.
US08088618B2

The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis.
US08088616B2

The present technology provides for a heater substrate that contains networks of heater elements configured to controllably and selectively deliver heat to one or more PCR reaction chambers in a microfluidic substrate with which the heater substrate makes contact. In exemplary embodiments, the heater substrate can deliver heat to 12, 24, 48, or 96 chambers independently of one another, or simultaneously. The heater substrate is located in a heater unit that may be introduced into a diagnostic apparatus that can receive and position a microfluidic substrate, such as in a cartridge, in contact with the heater unit, receive one or more polynucleotide containing samples into one or more lanes in the microfluidic substrate, and cause amplification of the polynucleotides to occur, and detect presence of absence of specified polynucleotides in the amplified samples.
US08088614B2

Methods and compositions are provided for producing purified oil from an organism, whether these organisms are wild type, selectively bred or genetically modified, and are suitable for the large scale production of an oil product. The organism may be an animal, a plant or a microorganism such as yeast, bacteria or algae. The organism is processed to create a biomass which can be extracted to remove the lipids contained within the biomass. The extraction produces a crude extract rich in lipids and containing residual contaminants. These contaminants are removed by contacting the crude extract with a composition that comprises a nanomaterial. Subsequently an oil product is recovered which is substantially free from residual contaminants, such as pigments.
US08088612B2

A Dictyoglomus turgidum thermostable cellulase enzyme with both endocellulase activity and exocellulase activity that is able to degrade cellulose in the absence of scaffoldins and other cellulosomic proteins is provided. The use of the enzyme to degrade cellulosic materials to soluble sugars is also provided. Also described are nucleic acid constructs that encode and express the cellulase, and hosts transformed to contain the nucleic acid constructs.
US08088609B2

The present invention relates to CAB molecules, ADEPT constructs directed against CEA, and their use in therapy.
US08088603B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods for diagnosing, preventing, and treating prostate cancer and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).
US08088600B2

The present invention relates to at least one novel cynomolgus IL-13 muteins (Mut-IL-13) proteins, antibodies, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one Mut-IL-13 protein or antibody, Mut-IL-13 vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.
US08088594B2

Novel conjugates and immunogens derived from risperidone and antibodies generated by these immunogens are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of risperidone and paliperidone in biological fluids.
US08088588B2

The invention relates to the identification of genetic products expressed in association with tumors and to coding nucleic acids for the expressed products. An embodiment of the invention also relates to the therapy and diagnosis of disease in which the genetic products are aberrantly expressed in association with tumors, proteins, polypeptides and peptides which are expressed in association with tumors, and to the nucleic acids coding for the polypeptides, peptides and proteins.
US08088586B2

The invention provides a method of depleting anti-MHC antibodies in a sample comprising contacting said sample with one or more recombinant MHC molecules or functionally equivalent variants, derivatives or fragments thereof and removing at least the recombinant MHC molecules to which antibodies to said recombinant MHC molecules contained within the sample have bound. This method allows the depletion of one or more specific MHC particularly HLA allele antibodies from a sample.
US08088583B2

Methods and compositions are provided for detecting a primer extension product in a reaction mixture. In the subject methods, a primer extension reaction is conducted in the presence of a polymerase having 3′→5′ exonuclease activity and at least one FET labeled oligonucleotide probe that includes a 3′→5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain. Also provided are systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in high fidelity PCR based reactions, including SNP detection applications, allelic variation detection applications, and the like.
US08088581B2

The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of methylation at a locus within a population of nucleic acids.
US08088572B2

Polynucleotide primers and probes for the specific detection of E. coli 0157:H7 and/or E. coli 0157:NM which produces verotoxin in samples are provided. The primers and probes can be used in real time diagnostic assays for rapid detection of E. coli 0157:H7 and/or E. coli 0157:NM which produces verotoxin. The primers and probes can be used in real-time diagnostic assays for rapid detection of E. coli 0157:H7 and/or E. coli 0157:NM which produces verotoxin in a variety of situations and are capable of distinguishing E. coli 0157:H7 and/or E. coli 0157:NM which produces verotoxin from other E. coli strains. Kits comprising the primers and probes are also provided.
US08088570B2

There is provided a screening method which can select a photoaging-preventing or improving agent or a wrinkle-preventing or improving agent with efficiency and reliability. The screening method for a photoaging- or wrinkle-preventing or improving agent selects, as a candidate, a substance inhibiting the expression of keratin 6 and/or keratin 16 genes or keratin 6 and/or keratin 16 proteins in a skin tissue or cell.
US08088567B2

The present invention relates to an immortalized human neural precursor cell line, NGC-407. The cell line has been established from human foetal tissue. The cell line has been immortalized using a retroviral vector containing the v-myc oncogene. The cell line is a neural progenitor cell line capable of differentiating into to astrocytes and neurons including dopaminergic neurons. NGC-407 cells are capable of migrating to glioblastoma tumours implanted into rat brains and form gap junctions with the tumour cells. NGC-407 cells expressing a suicide gene can be be used for delivering activated prodrugs in the form of activated nucleoside analogs to tumours.
US08088566B2

A surface-treating agent for forming a resist pattern, includes: a compound represented by formula (1) as defined in the specification, wherein the surface-treating agent is used in a step between a formation of a first resist pattern on a first resist film and a formation of a second resist film on the first resist pattern to form a second resist pattern, and a pattern-forming method uses the surface-treating agent.
US08088559B2

A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound and a polymerization initiator, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer further includes a polymer containing an acid group and a basic nitrogen-containing compound capable of neutralizing the acid group, or wherein the photopolymerizable layer further includes a polymer containing an acid group which is neutralized by a basic nitrogen-containing compound.
US08088557B2

A method of forming patterns includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition for negative development to form a resist film having a receding contact angle of 70 degrees or above with respect to water, wherein the resist composition for negative development contains a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid and becomes more soluble in a positive developer and less soluble in a negative developer upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (b) exposing the resist film via an immersion medium, and (c) performing development with a negative developer.
US08088552B2

A thermal negative type lithographic printing original plate has a photosensitive layer featuring high sensitivity, excellent reproducibility in FM screening, and excellent print durability and chemical resistance at a minute image portion. A photosensitive composition for the photosensitive layer contains an alkali soluble resin having a monomer unit represented by the formula (I), a silane coupling agent represented by the formula (II), an infrared absorber, a radical polymerization initiator, and a polymerizable compound having an ethylenic double bond and an amount of the silane coupling agent is from 15 to 40% of the photosensitive composition by mass.
US08088550B2

A positive resist composition, includes: (A) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation; (B) a resin of which solubility in an alkali developer increases under an action of an acid; (C) a compound capable of decomposing under an action of an acid to generate an acid; and (D) a compound which itself acts as a base for the acids generated from the component (A) and the component (C) but decomposes upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation to lose a basicity for the acids generated from the component (A) and the component (C).
US08088547B2

A resist composition comprising (A) a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin, (B) an acid dissociable group-containing compound, (C) a photo-acid generator, (D) an organic solvent and optionally (E) additives. The resist composition has improved lithographic properties (such as high etch-resistance, transparency, resolution, sensitivity, focus latitude, line edge roughness, and adhesion) suitable as a photoresist.
US08088542B2

A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, a charge transport layer, and an overcoat layer that contains a titanocene.
US08088531B2

The present application provides a technique prevents a regulator arranged on a gas supplying path that supplies gas to a fuel cell installed in a fuel cell system from functioning erroneously, by controlling the pressure increase within the upper stream side of the regulator. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, an oxide gas supplying path to supply oxide gas to the fuel cell, a fuel gas supplying path to supply fuel gas to the fuel cell, a secondary regulator arranged on the fuel supplying path, a bypass path communicating the upper stream side path of the secondary regulator with the lower stream side path of the secondary regulator, and a pressure controlling valve that is closed in a case where the pressure difference between the upper stream side path and the lower stream side path is less than a predetermined amount, and opened in a case where the pressure difference between the upper stream side path and the lower stream side path exceeds the predetermined amount.
US08088520B2

The power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit, a piezoelectric element for transferring heat of the power supply unit to a floor panel, and an element power supply control circuit for controlling application of a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is placed between the power supply unit and the floor panel and is switched between a contact state in which the piezoelectric element is in contact with the power supply unit and the floor panel and a non-contact state in which the piezoelectric element is not in contact with the power supply unit and/or the floor panel in accordance with the application of a voltage.
US08088509B2

Disclosed herein is a lithium ion battery comprising an electrode core, an electrolyte solution, a metal shell and an end cover assembly, said metal shell comprising an outer wall, an inner wall and a chamber, said electrode core and electrolyte solution being located in the chamber of the metal shell, and said electrode core being connected to the end cover assembly with a electrode terminal of the electrode core, wherein the number of said electrode core is more than one, and the multiple electrode cores are located in the chamber of the metal shell. The lithium ion battery according to the present invention possesses excellent disperse heat dispersion, high mechanical safety, and good high rate discharge performance. In addition, the battery according to the present invention solves the problems of the “wound battery” of the prior art that the electrode plate is long and difficult to wind, and the “stacked battery” of the prior art that the electrode plate is difficult to prepare and pile up by dividing the electrode core of high capacity into multiple electrode core of low capacity placed abreast in the metal shell, whereby simplifying the preparation thereof.
US08088506B2

The invention is an electrochemical battery cell with a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, and a fluid regulating system. The fluid regulating system includes a valve for adjusting the rate of passage of the fluid to the fluid consuming electrode. It is operated by an actuator that responds (e.g., by deforming) to changes in a potential applied across the actuator to open or close the valve. The applied potential can be the cell potential or an adjusted potential. The potential applied across the actuator can vary according to the need for more or less fluid in the fluid consuming electrode. The valve can be contained within the cell housing, for example between the fluid consuming electrode and one or more fluid entry ports in the cell housing, or it can be located outside the cell housing.
US08088502B2

A durable coating made up of superimposed microlayers of preselected materials, and a method of making and utilizing such a coating. In one embodiment of the invention, at least 200 microlayers of at least one transparent material, having a thickness of less than 50 nms are superimposed in a sequential manner so as to obtain a desired arrangement between the layers. This structure then forms a transparent coating that has strength characteristics that are substantially greater than the strength of a layer of the coating material alone.
US08088498B2

An article for protecting an airfoil component includes a sheath having an outer side and an inner side that forms a cavity for receiving a leading edge of the airfoil component. The sheath is made of cobalt and phosphorus to protect the leading edge of the airfoil component from erosion.
US08088496B2

A piston ring includes a piston ring body and a surface coating film formed on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the piston ring body. The surface coating film has a most outside surface layer including a heat-resistant resin and a metal powder contained in the heat-resistant resin and a base bottom layer formed nearest the piston ring body and including a heat-resistant resin. The base bottom layer may also include a metal powder.
US08088480B2

The adhesive tape of this application comprises a layer of polymeric material, particularly a polyvinyl chloride, having a Shore A Hardness of between 92 and 100 and a layer of adhesive material attached to a surface of the layer of polymeric material.
US08088473B2

The invention provides low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective of infrared radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each comprise silver.
US08088471B2

A ply of fibrous structure product comprises a background pattern and a repeating pattern disposed on a portion of the background pattern. The repeating pattern comprises a master pattern comprising a first individual embossment comprising a major axis and a minor axis, a first line segment axis parallel to the major axis of the first individual embossment, and at least one individual embossment adjacent to the first individual embossment The individual embossment adjacent to the first individual embossment comprises a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis of the individual embossment adjacent to the first individual embossment and the first line segment axis form an angle of from about 0.5° to about 20°.
US08088466B2

A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include copper and a rare earth metal. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.
US08088442B2

The invention relates to a method for pressure impregnating wood or wood products with a wood preservative containing vegetable oils, in which method wood is pressure impregnated with a wood preservative containing vegetable oil. It is characteristic of the method according to the invention that, before starting the pressure stage, wood is heated so that at least part of its inner parts heat to a temperature of at least 50° C. and that, after the pressure impregnation, vacuum is formed in a space surrounding wood and simultaneously the surface layers of wood are heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point of water for removing wood preservative from the surface layers of wood. The invention also relates to wood or a wood product pressure impregnated in accordance with the method according to the invention.
US08088435B2

A mask, through which a plurality of slender through-holes are formed, has a reinforcing section which is formed to span the through-holes, wherein recesses are provided at portions of the reinforcing section to cover the through-holes. Accordingly, a metal, which is subjected to the sputtering, easily makes the detour around the reinforcing section. Therefore, a metal film is easily formed even on portions shadowed by the reinforcing section. It is possible to accurately form a fine wiring pattern.
US08088434B2

A method is disclosed for producing graphenic materials by templated growth along a preformed graphenic material lattice edge, wherein at least one of the graphenic material or template is translated during growth of the graphenic material. A method for preparing CNTs from preformed CNT substrates in the presence of cylindrical templating structures and a reactive carbon source in a fluid phase is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the CNT substrate or the cylindrical templating structure is translated during addition of carbon atoms to the CNT substrate. A method is also disclosed for preparing CNTs from preformed CNT substrates in the presence of cylindrical templating structures and a carbon source in a fluid phase, wherein non-thermalized excited states are produced on the CNT substrate and at least one of the CNT substrate or the cylindrical templating structure is translated during addition of carbon atoms to the CNT substrate.
US08088431B2

The invention provides, in one aspect, a health bar or composition having high levels of a cacao-based product, and with correspondingly high levels of cocoa anti-oxidants, that are shelf stable, heat-resistant, and have good taste and mouthfeel properties. The energy bars and food compositions can deliver healthful cocoa ingredients to improve vigor, enhance physical energy, enhance mental energy, enhance cognitive focus abilities, and/or improve athletic performance. Methods of making such health bars, food ingredients, or heat-resistant compositions that comprise the same high levels of cacao product and other ingredients in effective amounts and that are shelf-stable are also disclosed.
US08088417B2

A method of making a composition having the property of being able to store chlorine dioxide includes mixing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution with a superabsorbent, water-soluble polymer that is substantially unreactive with chlorine dioxide and permitting a mixture formed thereby to form one of a gel and a solid composition. A method of delivering chlorine dioxide includes providing a gel or solid composition as described and degelling the gel or dissolving the solid composition to dispense the chlorine dioxide therefrom. A method of disinfecting a target such as water, wastewater, or a surface comprises delivering chlorine dioxide as above and permitting the polymer to precipitate out of the mixture. Aqueous chlorine dioxide is then recovered and applied to the target.
US08088416B2

A process for purifying and collecting albumin from plasma and plasma fractions involves diafiltration of an albumin-containing plasma fraction; stabilizing the resulting albumin fraction with sodium chloride and an amino acid in the absence of any added fatty acid; pasteurizing the stabilized albumin fraction; and diafiltering the pasteurized fraction to remove, along other things, stabilizers. In one embodiment, the amino acid stabilizing agent is acetyl tryptophan. The resulting albumin has at least about 80% albumin binding capacity relative to natural plasma albumin, and is storage stable for about 30 months at 30° C.
US08088413B2

The current invention relates to a process for increasing the efficacy of cancerous disease inhibiting therapeutic agents delivered to a treatment region of a tissue structure, such as a tumor. The multi-step procedure takes advantage of the resulting thermal stress response occurring as a result of exposure to the cold. Coordinating the thermal related stress response with the timing of cancerous disease inhibiting agent action provides a unique therapeutic regiment to treat tumors which provides a maximized effect on the tumor, protects normal cells, and activates local pro-inflammatory cells.
US08088411B2

The present invention relates to direct compressible crystalline or semi-crystalline trehalose solids having a crystal form selected from the group consisting of trehalose dihydrate and mixtures of trehalose dihydrate and anhydrous trehalose, and having a specific surface area of at least 0.25 m2/g and products or tablets containing these. A process for preparing said solids comprises heating a solution of trehalose and applying shear and cooling. The trehalose solids can be applied in food, pharma and cosmetics and tablets prepared from said trehalose solids have improved tensile strength.
US08088410B2

An oil composition containing 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and an oil is provided. In addition an emulsion, a microencapsulated oil composition, and a feed premix composition each containing 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 are provided. Methods of making an oil composition, a microencapsulated oil composition, and a feed premix containing 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 are also provided.
US08088409B2

Compositions and methods for improving animal skin health and/or pelage quality that utilize one or more omega-6 fatty acids and one or more omega-3 fatty acids at a total omega-6 to total omega-3 fatty acid ratio of from about 1 to less than 5.
US08088403B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing microcapsules by coacervation, and to the use of transglutaminase for cross-linking in complex coacervation. The present invention relates further to coacervation processes in general in which a material to be encapsulated is added to a solution comprising at least one colloid below the gelling temperature of the colloid. According to a method of the present invention, an emulsion or suspension of hydrophobic material is prepared after cooling a solution that includes hydrocolloids below the critical gelling temperature of a coacervate phase.
US08088398B2

The present application relates to a pharmaceutical granulate comprising Fesoterodine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizer, which can be selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, polydextrose, isomalt, dextrose, and combinations thereof, and is preferably a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of xylitol and sorbitol. The granulate is suitable for incorporation into pharmaceutical compositions comprising a gel matrix formed by at least one type of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose into which the Fesoterodine is embedded and, optionally, further excipients. In certain embodiments, the granulate is formed by a process of wet granulation.
US08088393B2

Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US08088389B1

Synthetic human target autoantigen genes comprising sequences coding for at least two immunogenic epitopic clusters (hereinafter IEC) of autoantigen(s) related to a specific autoimmune disease, wherein said at least two IECs may be derived from a sole autoantigen or from at least two different autoantigens related to said autoimmune disease, and polypeptides encoded thereby, can be used for the treatment and the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myasthenia gravis (MG) and uveitis.
US08088387B2

The present invention discloses a method for targeting maytansinoids to a selected cell population, the method comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing the selected cell population with a cell-binding agent maytansinoid conjugate, wherein one or more maytansinoids is covalently linked to the cell-binding agent via a non-cleavable linker and the cell-binding agent binds to cells of the selected cell population.
US08088384B2

The invention concerns anti-NGF antibodies (such as anti-NGF antagonist antibodies), and polynucleotides encoding the same. The invention further concerns use of such antibodies and/or polynucleotides in the treatment and/or prevention of pain, including post-surgical pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, and osteoarthritis pain.
US08088382B2

The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating transendothelial migration (TEM) of leukocytes. In particular, inhibition of TEM can provide a potent therapeutic approach to treating inflammatory conditions. The invention specifically relates to the discovery that the adhesion molecule CD99L2 mediates TEM of leukocytes. CD99L2 is present on endothelial cells and leukocytes and mediates leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Blockade of CD99L2 by use of a specific antibody blocks migration of leukocytes into a site of inflammation. CD99L2 shows functional analogy to the structurally-related molecule, CD99, inhibition of which, in conjunction with inhibition of PECAM, causes near total blockade of TEM. Thus, blocking CD99L2 on either endothelial cells or monocytes can block migration 80-90%. In conjunction with PECAM inhibitors, TEM blockade can approach 100%. Therapeutic treatments involving inhibition of CD99L2 show significant promise in remediation of inflammatory conditions.
US08088375B2

An antibody is provided. In certain cases, the antibody comprises: a) a heavy chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the heavy chain CDR regions of a selected antibody and b) a light chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the light chain CDR regions of the selected antibody, where the antibody binds a selected target.
US08088363B2

A carotenoid substance called zeaxanthin, when ingested orally at suitable dosages such as 30 to 100 mg/day for a span of 1 to 2 weeks, can provide effective protection against sunburns, and can give skin a darker tint that emulates a healthy suntan. In tests involving adults, it was found that zeaxanthin dosages of 30 to about 80 mg per day were sufficient to induce: (i) a mild but noticeable tinting, shading, or darkening of skin color, comparable to a mild suntan; (ii) a substantial increase in the person's ability to withstand elevated levels of sun or UV exposure without any subsequent pain or discomfort, and without the subsequent peeling and flaking that characterizes sunburns; and, (iii) an increased ability of reddened and sunburned skin to convert into intact skin that looks browned and healthily tanned. By reducing the amount of exposure to sunlight (or tanning lights) that are required to achieve a desired level of tanning, zeaxanthin can reduce the risks of skin cancer, premature aging or wrinkling, and similar skin problems. Since zeaxanthin also has retina-protecting properties and reduces the risk of a disease called macular degeneration, oral ingestion of these dosages of a zeaxanthin to enhance a tanned appearance and/or to protect against sun damage is believed to pose no health risks, and can offer several benefits due to the anti-oxidant and other activities of zeaxanthin.
US08088354B2

Process for the preparation of quasi-crystalline boehmite comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous precursor mixture comprising a water-insoluble aluminum source; (b) decreasing the pH of the precursor mixture of step (a) by at least 2 units; (c) increasing the pH of the mixture of step (b) by at least 2 units, and (d) aging the mixture of step (c) under hydrothermal conditions to form a quasi-crystalline boehmite. This process provides for the hydrothermal preparation of quasi-crystalline boehmites with high peptizability. The invention therefore further relates to quasi-crystalline boehmites with a high peptizability, measured as the Z-average submicron particle size. This Z-average submicron particle size preferably is less than 500 nm, more preferably less than 300 nm, even more preferably less than 200 nm, and most preferably less than 100 nm.
US08088352B2

A composition of matter including at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush. A method of making the graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush includes covalently bonding a polymer to a surface of a graphitic-carbon-nanofiber by atom-transfer-radical-polymerization. An apparatus includes an analyte sensor including at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush. A method includes detecting an analyte including exposing at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush to the analyte.
US08088350B2

This invention relates to an amorphous non-glassy ceramic composition that may be prepared by curing, calcining and/or pyrolyzing a precursor material comprising silicon, a Group III metal, a Group IVA metal, and/or a Group IVB metal.
US08088348B2

An air pollution control system for a coal combustion boiler includes: a NOx removing apparatus that reduces nitrogen oxide contained in flue gas emitted from this coal combustion boiler, an air pre-heater that recovers heat in the gas, a precipitator 15 that reduces particulates from the gas, a liquid-gas contact type desulfurizer that removes sulfur oxide by way of a limestone-gypsum method and reduces mercury oxide in the gas, a stack that releases the gas after SOx removal to the exterior, and a solid-liquid separator that extracts limestone-gypsum containing slurry from the desulfurizer to the exterior and performs a solid-liquid separation, where water separated in the solid-liquid separator is removed, and concentrated slurry is sent back to the bottom of the desulfurizer to make the gypsum concentration of slurry equal to or higher than 10 percent in the desulfurizer.
US08088334B1

There are disclosed polymerization processes and associated apparatuses. The polymerization processes involve both making a polymeric material in a fluidized bed reactor having a feed distributor and catching a spitwad with a spitwad catcher, and the apparatuses are those corresponding to such processes.
US08088333B2

An apparatus for sensing at least one analyte in a gas. The apparatus includes a thermoelectric sensor having a layer of at least one analyte interactant that increases or decreases in temperature and at least one thermopile having a first contact pad and a second contact pad, wherein the analyte contacts the interactant and produces or consumes heat, which is transmitted to the thermopile, produces a voltage difference and measures the analyte.
US08088329B2

A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well. The processing station includes an automated fluid delivery system operable to dispense a fluid into the collection well, and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid delivery system, wherein the controller causes the fluid delivery system to selectively dispense fluids into the collection well based at least in part on a flow rate across the filter determined at least in part based on changes in the monitored fluid level in the collection well.
US08088318B2

A method for processing an interior trim component includes the steps of injecting a substrate into a cavity that is defined by a cavity surface; injecting a coating onto the substrate within the cavity; flash-heating the cavity surface; and curing the coating on the substrate. A system is also disclosed.
US08088316B2

The present invention relates to the perforation of nonwovens with a perforating roll and an opposing roll. The perforating roll and opposing roll form a gap, through which a nonwoven being perforated, is guided and perforated. The perforation apparatus comprises a feed device and a withdrawal device. The feed device is arranged such that the nonwoven being perforated advances first onto the opposing roll, before it enters the gap. The withdrawal device is arranged such that after leaving the gap, the perforated nonwoven remains on the perforating roll. Furthermore, a perforation method and a corresponding nonwoven structure are provided.
US08088314B2

Provided are a process for producing an intraocular lens capable of inhibiting secondary cataract that may occur after the insertion of an intraocular lens and a secondary-cataract-inhibiting intraocular lens obtained by the above process, and the process is for producing a surface-treated intraocular lens, which comprises irradiating the surface of an intraocular lens with active light that works to decompose oxygen molecules to generate ozone and that also works to decompose the ozone to generate active oxygen, in the presence of oxygen, and the lens is a secondary-cataract-inhibiting intraocular lens obtained by the above process.
US08088312B2

Method for removing the epoxy and/or phenolic polymer encapsulating a nuclear fuel pellet comprising uranium dioxide UO2, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) the polymer is pyrolysed in a reducing atmosphere; and b) the carbon residues obtained after the pyrolysis step (a) are selectively oxidized, the oxidation being carried out at temperature above 1000° C. in an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide CO2. Such a method makes it possible to remove the epoxy and/or phenolic polymer encapsulating the pellet while avoiding or limiting the risk of radiological contamination by the formation of U3O8.
US08088311B2

The invention relates to a flame retarding composition that comprises a mixture of a metal hydroxide component and a clay component, the mixture being present in the form of dried particles with monomodal particle size distribution.
US08088306B2

Disclosed herein are an electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition and a plastic article including the same. The electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition comprises about 80 to about 99.9 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of carbon nanotubes, about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of an impact modifier, based on a total of about 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin and the carbon nanotubes, and about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of conductive metal oxide, based on a total of about 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin and the carbon nanotubes.
US08088304B2

The invention relates to phosphors having a garnet structure of the formula I (Ya,Gdb,Luc,Sed,Sme,Tbf,Prg,Thh,Iri,Sbj,Bik)3-x(All,Gam)5O12:Cex  (I) where a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j+k=1 l+m=1 and x=0.005 to 0.1, and to a process for the preparation of these phosphors, and to the use thereof as conversion phosphors for conversion of the blue or near-UV emission from an LED.
US08088298B2

Methods and apparatus for spectrum-based endpointing. An endpointing method includes selecting two or more reference spectra. Each reference spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a first substrate and has a thickness greater than a target thickness. The reference spectra is selected for particular spectra-based endpoint determination logic so that the target thickness is achieved when endpoint is called by applying the particular spectra-based endpoint logic. The method includes obtaining two or more current spectra. Each current spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a second substrate when the film of interest is being subjected to a polishing step and has a current thickness that is greater than the target thickness. The method includes determining, for the second substrate, when an endpoint of the polishing step has been achieved.
US08088292B2

The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets with reduced linear stability. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a stability unit used with nozzles of a gas liquid contactor and/or an enhancer for stable jet formation, and more particularly to reducing the stability of liquid jets formed from nozzles of the gas liquid contactor. Another aspect of the invention relates to operating the apparatus at a condition that reduces the stability of liquid jets, e.g., a droplet generator apparatus. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to operation of the apparatus with an aqueous slurry. Still another aspect of the invention is directed towards to an apparatus for substantially separating at least two fluids.
US08088279B2

A runoff water filter is defined by an elongate, tubular mesh container filled with a filter medium that is selected for the ability of the filter medium to remove target pollutants from the runoff water. In a first disclosed embodiment, vermiculite is used as the primary filter medium for its ability to bind cationic compounds, principally zinc, from water running off metal buildings. Other filter media may also be employed to remove other target pollutants.
US08088260B2

A puck for providing a coating material in a cathodic arc coating system has a generally uniform depression formed at the outer periphery. The depression ensures that an arc from the coating apparatus will move uniformly about the outer periphery of the puck, such that a coating cloud will also be uniformly applied to parts to be coated.
US08088232B2

Molybdenum, sputtering targets and sintering characterized as having no or minimal texture banding or through thickness gradient. The molybdenum sputtering targets having a fine, uniform grain size as well as uniform texture, are high purity and can be micro-alloyed to improved performance. The sputtering targets can be round discs, square, rectangular or tubular and can be sputtered to form thin films on substrates. By using a segment-forming method, the size of the sputtering target can be up to 6 m×5.5 m. The thin films can be used in electronic components such as Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Displays, Plasma Display Panels, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Inorganic Light Emitting Diode Displays, Field Emitting Displays, solar cells, sensors, semiconductor devices, and gate device for CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) with tunable work functions.
US08088226B2

A method and apparatus for transporting a product within a diffuser during a continuous lixiviation process. The apparatus comprises at least one screen deck for the continuous lixiviation process and at least one longitudinal transport zone, the longitudinal transport zone extending between an inlet and outlet of the diffuser. The transport zone may include a plurality of transport zones. A drive means is arranged to move the longitudinal transport zone at a first speed towards the outlet end of the diffuser and to retract the longitudinal transport zone at a second speed which is substantially faster than the first speed towards the inlet end of the diffuser, so that the transport zone drive the product towards the outlet of the diffuser.
US08088223B2

A substrate processing system has computer controlled injectors. The computer is configured to adjust a plurality of injectors, such as during deposition of a graded layer, between depositions of two different layers, or between deposition and chamber clean steps.
US08088221B2

A system and method for growing diamond crystals from diamond crystal seeds by epitaxial deposition at low temperatures and atmospheric and comparatively low pressures. A solvent is circulated (by thermal convection and/or pumping), wherein carbon is added in a hot leg, transfers to a cold leg having, in some embodiments, a range of progressively lowered temperatures and concentrations of carbon via the circulating solvent, and deposits layer-by-layer on diamond seeds located at the progressively lower temperatures since as diamond deposits the carbon concentration lowers and the temperature is lowered to keep the solvent supersaturated. The solvent includes metal(s) or compound(s) that have low melting temperatures and transfer carbon at comparatively low temperatures. A controller receives parameter signals from a variety of sensors located in the system, processes these signals, and optimizes diamond deposition by outputting the necessary control signals to a plurality of control devices (e.g., valves, heaters, coolers, pumps).
US08088218B2

A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.
US08088208B2

The present invention relates to wash compositions which comprise a solvent component and a solids component wherein the solvent component comprises as main component water or one or more alcohols, and the solids component comprises as main component a mixture of metakaolinite and pyrophyllite, which can be applied onto casting molds, casting molds comprising these wash compositions and the use thereof, in particular in centrifugal casting processes and large-scale casting processes.
US08088207B2

An eleven-color printing ink set and method of use including an eleven-color ink set including a cyan ink with coordinates of L*=55, a*=−28, and b*=−43; a magenta ink with coordinates of L*=48, a*=61, and b*=1; a yellow ink with coordinates of L*=88, a*=−5, and b*=91; a black ink with coordinates of L*=27, a*=0.3, b*=0.7; an XG Purple 1 ink with coordinates of L*=41, a*=10, and b*=−53; an XG Purple 2 ink with coordinates of L*=33, a*=34, and b*=−48; an XG Orange 1 ink with coordinates of L*=67, a*=53, and b*=57; an XG Orange 2 ink with coordinates of L*=56, a*=61, and b*=35; an XG Green 1 ink with coordinates of L*=64, a*=−57, and b*=37; an XG Green 2 ink with coordinates of L*=63, a*=−65, and b*=6; and an XG Quinacridone ink with coordinates of L*=62, a*=49, and b*=−19.
US08088202B2

A heat exchange tower has an external structure including opposed sidewalls, a front barrier wall, an inlet opening below the front wall, and a rear barrier wall having an outlet at a generally upper region. A fill material generally spans the inside within the four walls, and is generally disposed above the top of the inlet and below the bottom of the outlet. A baffle protrudes inwardly from the rear barrier wall inside the tower and is located at a height above the top of the fill and below the bottom of the air outlet. A primary drift eliminator structure spans generally across the tower, and is located at the height of the baffle, so they connect to each other. A supplemental drift eliminator is provided above the primary drift eliminator, adjacent an inward edge of the baffle. At least one air turning vane angled in a generally vertical direction is provided below the fill media. An air inlet guide projects outwardly from the front wall above the inlet.
US08088198B2

A wet electrostatic precipitator (1) includes an inlet (2) for receiving a gas (4) containing a pollutant, and an outlet (6) for discharging therefrom the gas (8) from which said pollutant has been at least partially removed. Nozzles (24) are operative for purposes of spraying liquid onto at least one first vertical collecting surface (30) of at least one collecting electrode (18). A liquid distributor (42) is provided for purposes of pouring liquid onto at least one second vertical collecting surface (44), said at least one second vertical collecting surface (44) being located on a further collecting electrode (36), with said further collecting electrode (36) being located downstream of said at least one collecting electrode (18). The nozzles (24) are located upstream of the liquid distributor (42), as viewed with reference to the direction of flow of the gas. In a method of cleaning the collecting electrodes (18, 36) an upstream electrode (18) is sprayed with liquid while liquid is poured onto a downstream collecting electrode (36).
US08088195B2

The present invention provides a method for efficiently manufacturing a titanium oxide-containing slag from a material including titanium oxide and iron oxide, wherein a reduction of titanium dioxide is suppressed and the electric power consumption is minimized. The method includes the steps of: heating a raw material mixture including titanium oxide, iron oxide, and a carbonaceous reductant, or the raw material mixture further including a calcium oxide source, in a reducing furnace; reducing the iron oxide in the mixture to form reduced iron; feeding the resultant mixture to a heating melting furnace; heating the resultant mixture in the heating melting furnace to melt the reduced iron and separate the reduced iron from a titanium oxide-containing slag; and discharging and recovering the titanium oxide-containing slag out of the furnace.
US08088194B2

Provided is a method for producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming high-temperature reduced iron reduced in a reducing furnace, involving cooling the high-temperature reduced iron and controlling the temperature of the reduced iron to an appropriate hot-forming temperature of over 600° C. and 750° C. or less, producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming the high-temperature reduced iron at an appropriate hot-forming temperature with a briquetting machine.
US08088190B2

Disclosed is an improved axial flow unitary filter element for filtering a fluid stream, examples including a gaseous or an air stream. The filter element includes a primary filter portion and a pre-separation filter portion. The portions of said filter element are permanently integrated such that the portions form said unitary or one-piece filter element. The pre-separation portion is permanently secured and fully peripherally sealed about its peripheral portions to the primary filter such that a gaseous stream entering said inlet face of the primary filter must first pass through the pre-separation filter portion of the filter element. The pre-separation portion protects the primary filter portion from becoming water logged due to the presence of water droplets or snow in the fluid stream.
US08088189B2

Disclosed is multi-flow filter cartridge assembly that includes an elongated housing that has axially opposed proximal and distal ends and defines an interior cavity and first, second and third flow paths which extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end. The cartridge assembly also includes first, second and third filter elements. The first filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the first flow path from a first inlet port to a first outlet port. The second filter element is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the second flow path from a second inlet port to a second outlet port. Lastly, the third filter element is also disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and conditions fluid that traverses the third flow path from a third inlet port to a third outlet port. The first flow path is isolated from the second and third flow paths and the second flow path is isolated from the third flow path.
US08088188B2

A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolyzed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.
US08088181B2

A dyeing method for raising a blue color is provided. The method includes dyeing fabric with raw dye, ferro-mordanting the fabric having undergone the dyeing of raw dye with ferro-mordant, producing potassium ferrocyanide solution by dissolving potassium ferrocyanide in water, and putting the fabric having undergone the ferro-mordanting into the solution obtained in the potassium ferrocyanide solution production and then ripening the fabric until a blue color of a desired tone is raised. Accordingly, a stabilized dyeing state of blue color group is easily got even using natural dyeing materials as material difficult to raise a blue color on fabric.
US08088180B2

A lens dyeing method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a print area to be formed on a dyeing base body based on information entered to dye a predetermined area of a surface of a lens to be dyed with desired hue and almost uniform color density so that the print area has a diameter larger than that of the lens surface area and the color density of the print area concentrically changes from a central portion to a peripheral portion in a stepwise or linear manner; (b) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto the base body to form the determined print area on one surface of the base body; and (c) placing the base body and the lens so that the print area formed surface and the lens surface area to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation under substantially a vacuum condition, and heating the base body to deposit the dye onto the lens.
US08088178B2

A hair cosmetic composition used for dyeing, bleaching, or destaining hair contains a fatty acid ester, a linear-chain higher fatty acid, polyethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 6,000 or more, an alkaline agent, and an oxidizing agent. The fatty acid ester is an ester of a fatty acid having a carbon number of 10 or less and an alcohol.
US08088176B2

Disclosed are methods, kits and compositions for coloring the hair involving a color base composition having: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least 5% by weight water based on the weight of the color base composition, wherein the color base composition has a pH ranging from 2 to 12; and a developer composition made from a combination of an anhydrous oxidizer composition containing at least one oxidizing agent chosen from persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, their salts, and mixtures thereof, and a shampoo composition containing a carrier vehicle and at least 4% of at least one surfactant.
US08088165B2

A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
US08088162B1

A synthetic muscle comprises an outer layer having an interior filled with a proton containing electrolyte. A first electrode extends into the interior, and a second electrode extends through the interior. The second electrode is attached to the outer layer at two locations. An ion selective microporous membrane extends through the interior along the length of the second electrode and is also attached to the out layer at the two locations. The ion selective membrane is also attached to the second electrode at a plurality of points along its length, defining a plurality of pockets of the ion selective membrane. The ion elective membrane is generally disposed between the two electrodes. The two electrodes are in communication through a power source. Using the power source, an electroosmotic flow is established across the ion exchange membrane from the first electrode to the second electrode, inflating the pockets and constricting the outer layer.
US08088154B2

Medical device delivery systems and associated methods are provided. Delivery systems according to the invention include an elongated tubular member and a body member, such as a dilator, disposed therein. An intraluminal medical device is disposed on the dilator and within the tubular member prior to deployment. The delivery system includes a means for separating two or more portions of the distal end of the tubular member that aids in deploying the intraluminal medical device from the delivery system by separating two or more portions of the tubular member from each other to facilitate release of the intraluminal medical device from the body member. Various structures can be used for means for separating, including a cutting ring, activateable material on the tubular member, or other suitable structure. The provided devices and methods reduce friction occuring from relative movement between the sheath and dilator during deployment.
US08088150B2

A Quincke tipped introducer needle contains two shafts with lumens, one recessed, both connected by a slit for housing a U- or V-shaped disc shunt. The recessed shaft minimizes the penetration size of the introducer needle for insertion into a narrow and nerve laden space adjacent to a degenerated intervertebral disc. The longitudinal slit connecting the two lumens allows passage of the distal portion of the U-shaped disc shunt through the introducer needle, to be delivered into the intervertebral disc.Pain emitting from the avascular disc is extremely difficult to treat due to lack of penetration or permeability of drug. The lumens of the introducer needle are also used to retain a peri-shunt injectable into the disc shunt for delivery into the painful disc. The peri-shunt injectable can be an analgesic, narcotic, anti-inflammatory drug, antibiotic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, buffer agent or alkaline agent to alleviate pain. The peri-shunt injectable can also be a nerve toxin retained within the lumens to be loaded within the shunt for terminating transmission of pain signal emitting from the disc.
US08088140B2

Methods for restoring blood flow in occluded blood vessels are disclosed. The methods can include accessing an artery with a catheter system and locating an occluded zone within the artery caused by an embolus. The catheter system can include a microcatheter and a blood flow restoration device or an embolus removal device having a self-expandable member configured to be delivered through the microcatheter in a compressed configuration and to be deployed to an expanded configuration upon retraction of the microcatheter. The methods can include deploying the self-expandable member at the location of the occluded zone such that the self-expandable member engages and captures the embolus upon deployment of the self-expandable member and removing the embolus by withdrawing the blood flow restoration device or the embolus removal device.
US08088132B2

A method is provided that involves endoscopically repairing or revising an anastomotic outlet previously formed in a portion of a patient's stomach as part of an earlier bariatric surgical procedure. The method may allow a surgeon to alter gastric functionality, such as gastric emptying or gastric dumping, by revising an existing anastomotic outlet. In this manner, the size of the outlet may be adjusted to change the rate at which contents pass from the stomach through the outlet. A surgical device may be inserted transorally through the patient's mouth, down through the esophagus and into the stomach or gastric pouch where it may be positioned in the vicinity of the anastomotic outlet. The surgical device may then be employed to revise the outlet to achieve a desired outlet configuration. The anastomotic outlet may be revised using an endoscopic fastening device that is configured to place a fastener in tissue. The fastening device may include an endoscopic suturing device to place one or more sutures in tissue in the region of the anastomotic outlet. One or more plications may be formed in the region of the outlet to narrow or reduce the opening of the anastomotic outlet.
US08088126B2

An apparatus and method for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter.
US08088117B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus for a fill port for a flexible container such as a flexible self supporting dewatering or marine structure. The container includes a flexible material having at least one opening and a fill port having an inner port body and an outer port body. At least one face of the inner and/or outer port body has a plurality of cellular surfaces with cavities that do not extend through the inner and/or outer port body on which they are positioned. The cavities receive a portion of the flexible material when the inner port body, the flexible material, and the outer port body are secured together and in use, thus minimizing stresses on the flexible material surrounding the fill port by equally distributing the forces acting on this material during the filling stage and thus reducing the risk of tears or failure to the flexible container.
US08088113B2

A portable, self-contained device is described for the topical application of oxygen and the removal of wound exudates to promote the healing of skin wounds. The device includes a wound dressing that incorporates at least one electrochemical cell for generating oxygen. The device can regulate the supply of oxygen to the wound at various concentrations, pressures and dosages and is used to produce a high concentration of oxygen at the wound site. By reversing the polarity of the power source a reduced pressure can be created in a reservoir attached to our device. The reduced pressure in the reservoir draws naturally flowing exudates away from the wound. Alternately, two reverse polarity cells are used to alternately supply oxygen and draw away exudates.
US08088111B2

A needle shroud assembly (10) comprises a barrel (16), a needle shroud (18) captively telescoped relative to the forward end of the barrel for movement between retracted and extended positions and is biased towards said extended position by a spring (25). A separate locking element (42) is mounted within the barrel moveable between a safe position (as seen in FIG. 5) in which it prevents or limits retraction movement of said needle shroud (18), and a live position in which it is clear of the rearward path of the needle shroud (18). The locking member is moved from its safe position to its live position by means of an externally operable actuating member (54), having a cam (52) which cooperates with a cam surface (46) on the locking element (42). The cam (52) is driven back to its original position by the rearward end of the shroud (18) as it moves to the fully retracted position.
US08088110B2

A safety injector comprises a needle hub attached by a needle, a hollow barrel for engaging with the needle hub and guiding the needle hub to retract into the hollow barrel, and a plunger combination settled in the hollow barrel. The plunger combination comprises a retractable plunger and a hollow plunger partially telescoped with the retractable plunger, wherein at least one raised portion is formed on an outer wall of the retractable plunger and at a telescoping portion for engaging at least one depression formed on an inner wall of the hollow plunger so that when the plunger combination continuously receives a pushing force after the safety injector is used to perform the injection operation, the retractable plunger can smoothly retract into the hollow plunger. Consequently, a space in the hollow barrel can be spared for accommodating the retracted needle hub.
US08088109B2

The system and method creates immediate supplemental blood flow into an organ by punching a cannula into the organ to remove a core of the organ. The process of punching creates essentially no heat and therefore does not cauterize the wound. In the case of the heart this results in immediate supplemental blood flow into the heart muscle. Animal tests have shown this immediate blood flow is sufficient to sustain the heart even when a major coronary artery is completely blocked. The procedure may be performed in an open surgical field procedure by punching cores from the outside of the heart in or it may be a percutaneous catheter procedure punching cores from the inside-out of an organ.
US08088105B2

A syringe pump including a syringe including a plunger that slides in a body which has a discharge port, a driving mechanism coupled to the syringe, including a cylinder in which a piston slides, and a plurality of biasing devices arranged about the piston operative to apply urging forces on the piston to drive the piston distally in the cylinder and thereby cause the plunger to slide in the body and discharge a substance found in the body through the discharge port, wherein if one of the biasing devices fails another of the biasing devices continues to apply a force on the piston to drive the piston distally in the cylinder, and a safety catch that initially prevents the biasing device from moving the piston, the safety catch being removable to permit the biasing device to move the piston.
US08088098B2

Disclosed is a system to deliver insulin to a user's body. The system includes a dispensing unit to deliver the insulin to the body, and a control mechanism to control delivery of basal insulin according to a predetermined basal infusion pattern, the basal infusion pattern selected from a plurality of predetermined basal infusion patterns. In some embodiments, selection of the basal infusion pattern may be based on one or more personal characteristics of the user.
US08088095B2

The invention provides a polymeric film-forming medical sealant. The medical sealant is useful for application to the tonsils and adenoids, wherein the sealant performs at least one of the following functions, a) inhibit the colonization of bacteria, b) inhibit the binding of bacteria to tissue, c) reduction of tissue morbidity, d) hemostasis, e) coating and protection of tissue during healing. e) promotion of healing, and f) reduction of pain.
US08088089B2

The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations in a patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a humeral cuff, an inflatable bladder, a source of pressurized gas in select fluid communication with the inflatable bladder, and at least one elongated belt attached to the humeral cuff. In another embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises the apparatus of the present invention and at least one weight configured to selectively couple to at least a portion of the at least one elongated belt. In a further embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise positioning the patient in a substantially prone position, providing the system of the present invention, selectively positioning the humeral cuff in an operative position, and attaching at least one weight to at least one elongated belt such that downward graviational force is applied to the patient's arm to effect the desired reduction.
US08088087B1

An apparatus for hydro-therapy massage characterized by a low profile enclosure structure surrounding a user support surface at a nominal elevation thereabove. The apparatus comprises a housing structure having an outwardly facing opening, a user support surface covering the opening, and a fluid spray arrangement within the housing structure for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to a user thereon. The housing structure has a horizontal perimeter flange extending about the opening and a clamp plate affixed in substantially parallel superposed facing relation to the perimeter flange for clamping a continuous edge margin of the user support surface. An enclosure panel has an essentially planar mounting flange affixed in substantially parallel superposed facing relation to the clamp plate and has a skirt portion extending from the mounting flange for enclosing the housing structure.
US08088086B1

The invention as presently conceived discloses a motion-activated, mechanical apparatus that can be mounted onto a wall to provide the automatic scratching of a house pet, specifically a cat. The new and novel apparatus is configured with four independent mechanisms resembling human fingers, less the thumb, in both appearance and in movement. The fingers would be covered with a latex material to closely approximate the feel of real fingers. The mechanical apparatus would be mounted on a wall structure at an appropriate height to best facilitate the petting and scratching of the owner's particular pet. In operation, the artificial finger-like appendages would have a drive mechanism, electrical motor and be powered by a battery. A motion sensor, such as a close range infrared detector or similar device, would activate the fingers as the pet came into close proximity.
US08088085B2

An appliance or device for massaging and/or dispensing a product. A preferred example includes a container holding the product, preferably a cosmetic product, a housing to which the container is mounted, and a massage element mounted on this housing. A rotary driving arrangement drives the massage element about an axis of rotation of the massaging element relative to the housing. A conduit is in fluid communication between an outlet from the container and the massage element. The container is configured for the packaging and dispensing of the product under pressure, with the conduit being connected to an outlet of a dispensing valve on the container.
US08088080B2

A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions.
US08088074B2

A monitoring device may include logic to receive arterial blood pressure data associated with a patient and receive tissue hemoglobin data associated with the patient. The logic may also calculate a linear correlation between the arterial blood pressure data and the tissue hemoglobin data. The correlation may be used to assess vascular reactivity.
US08088071B2

A modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is provided comprising a core unit, system electronics and an I/O port. The core unit comprises a housing and a system electronics package within the housing. The system electronics has one or more concatenated filters, including a front end transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuit for scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable system memory device. There is at least one I/O port connected to the front end and the back end of the system electronics package and extending through the core unit housing wherein all system data processing information is transmitted or received through the I/O port.
US08088042B2

A method, system, measurement device and receiving device for providing feedback relating to an activity to at least one individual. In the method, activity information relating to an activity is measured with a measurement device. Activity information is transmitted to a receiving device via a communication link. The receiving device selects from the received activity information a predefined set of pieces of activity information and provides the at least one individual with feedback based on the selected activity information.
US08088038B2

An ECU executes a program including a step of determining whether a manual shift mode is active or not, a step of calculating a lower limit revolution speed based on a vehicle speed and a gear selected by a driver when the manual shift mode is active, a step of changing a target idle revolution speed from a predetermined revolution speed to the lower limit revolution speed when a required engine torque is substantially zero and the engine is not in a fuel cut state, and a step of transmitting a control signal corresponding to the target idle revolution speed to the engine.
US08088035B2

The intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr is set to the smallest of the standard intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr1 set according to the input limit Win of the battery, the sequential intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr2 set for the sequential gearshift position, and the power mode intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr3 set for the power mode (S400 to S480). When the vehicle speed V is less than the intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr, the hybrid vehicle is driven with output of the torque demand Tr* to the driveshaft within the range of the input limit Win or the output limit Wout of the battery with intermittent operation of the engine. When the vehicle speed V is more than or equal to the intermittence prohibition vehicle speed Vpr, the hybrid vehicle is driven with output of the torque demand Tr* to the driveshaft within the range of the input limit Win or the output limit Wout of the battery in prohibition of the intermittent operation of the engine.
US08088034B2

This invention relates to a control device for a hybrid vehicle power transmitting apparatus. A heat generation control is executed to increase a heat generation amount of an electric motor M1 when a differential portion 11 is placed in a non-differential state and a temperature of a shifting mechanism 10 is less than a given transmitting apparatus temperature determining value TEMP11. This allows the first electric motor M1 to develop a heat with which the temperature of a shifting mechanism 10 is promptly raised, thereby promptly completing a warm-up of the shifting mechanism 10 to achieve improved fuel consumption.
US08088025B2

An iron-type golf club head is disclosed having a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. A back wall is also disclosed in the rear portion enclosing a portion of the rear portion to create an enclosed cavity. The cavity is defined by at least a rear surface of the striking face, an inner back wall surface, and the sole portion. A plug and a filler material is located within the enclosed cavity. The filler material surrounds the plug and is configured to hold the plug in place. The plug is lighter than the filler material.
US08088010B1

A method, system, and apparatus provide online games integrating sensory data and/or gameplay data from a live game that was played with physical game elements. Sensory data and/or gameplay data from the original live game are recorded for delayed playback or live streaming. Data from the live game is incorporated into an online game. A remote player is able to participate in the online game as if the remote player had been present at the live game. The remote player may play the position/seat occupied by one or more of the original real-world players in the live game. In card games with individual hands of cards, the remote player receives cards as they were dealt to the same position/seat in the live game. The remote player can make strategic decisions that differ from those of the real-world player may affect the outcome of the game for the remote player.
US08088009B2

A method for managing a casino gaming system is disclosed. One embodiment provides a web server embedded in at least one gaming component of a gaming machine, wherein the web server is configured to deliver a management user interface to a web browser. A management user interface is delivered to a web browser from the embedded web server, and input is received via the management user interface. The received input includes instructions for managing the gaming component in which the web server is embedded.
US08088002B2

A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites.
US08087999B2

A gaming system and method provides wagering control features for application in multi-stakes, multi-player wagering games. Players have the option to choose one of a plurality of different modes at the beginning of a gaming session. Depending on which mode is selected, the wagering control feature or features available to players during game play will be different.
US08087985B2

Among other things, enabling late bets in a game of Baccarat includes accepting a first bet from one or more participants. Two cards are dealt to each of a player position and a bank position. A player position score and a bank position score are determined based on the two cards dealt to each of the player position and the two cards dealt to the bank position. Based on the determined scores for the player position and the bank position, a determination is made on whether to deal a third card to at least one of the player position and the bank position.
US08087984B2

It is an object of the present invention is to provide an epoch-making baccarat game system, a method of using such a baccarat game system, a baccarat game program and a recording medium, in which a great number of players can simultaneously participate in the game at the same table, in which any player can concentrate on the game in its personal space, in which, from the viewpoint of game operation side, the number of standing-by dealers can be decreased while at the same time the number of cards to be discarded is reduced, thereby reducing the cost, and in which any doubt of injustice can completely wiped away while maintaining the sense of reality and the feeling of tension. The baccarat game system of the present invention comprises card image capture means 21 for taking images of cards in a baccarat game; card image delivery means 110 for delivering the card images taken by said card image capture means 21; and card image display means 30 for displaying said delivered card images 110.
US08087979B2

An enclosure is provided for housing electronic equipment that accommodates the different cooling and ventilating requirements of different types of equipment. The enclosure is constructed and arranged to support cooling airflow in a front-to-back configuration through the enclosure and in a side-to-side configuration from one side to an opposite side of the enclosure. The enclosure can thereby provide within a single enclosure means cooling air for components using front-to-back airflow for cooling, such as information technology (IT) equipment, and for components using side-to-side airflow, such as certain types of telecommunications equipment. The enclosure can thereby support a mix of IT and telecommunications equipment, providing flexibility and adaptability in network room and data center configuration. The enclosure is further configured to separate intake air used by equipment for cooling from exhaust air vented by equipment into its interior during operation. As a result, the enclosure promotes sufficient equipment cooling and prevents/minimizes equipment overheating.
US08087970B2

A toy construction system is provided that includes, in a toy construction system having a multiplicity of interconnecting members adapted for constructing a variety of projects, a rotator head device including a device housing having a conical-shaped cavity formed therein. The housing includes a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed on the outer surface thereof, and the female connectors are adapted for attaching a first member of the toy construction system to the rotator head device housing. A rotating member, which is conical in shape and slightly smaller in size than the cavity formed in the device housing is included. The rotating member is rotatably disposed within the cavity and has a male twist-lock connector stem extending from an end thereof for connecting a second member of the toy construction system to the rotating member, whereby the first member is rotatable with respect to the second member.
US08087958B2

A boat propulsion system includes a drive bevel gear fixed on a lower end of a drive shaft, a forwarding bevel gear and a reversing bevel gear rotatably fitted on a propeller shaft and meshing together with the drive bevel gear, and a dog clutch mounted on the propeller shaft and rotatable with the propeller shaft, moves in an axial direction of the propeller shaft, and meshes together with the forwarding bevel gear or the reversing bevel gear to rotate the propeller shaft, in which the propeller shaft comes in contact with the forwarding bevel gear via a forwarding side buffer member having a disc spring as a component member. The boat propulsion system prevents and minimizes sound and impact even when variations in thrust force occur.
US08087952B2

The invention relates to an electrical connection device for making a connection between a first seat and a second seat disposed in front of or behind the first seat, in particular in aircraft, wherein the device comprises: a casing secured to the first seat and receiving an inlet cable bundle and an outlet cable bundle; a cable inlet connector connected to the inlet cable bundle and secured to the casing; and a retractable strip received at least in part inside the casing, the outlet cable bundle, extending in said strip, which strip is capable of sliding outwards from the casing in such a manner as to connect said casing to the cable inlet connector of the second seat.
US08087939B2

An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
US08087932B2

A method of correcting a dental arch model so that it accurately reflects the current arrangement of a subject's teeth includes positioning a plurality of tooth models in a corrected arrangement using a representation of at least a portion of a subject's current dental arch (wherein the tooth models comprise models of the subject's teeth having fiduciary markers), and producing a base plate configured to hold the plurality of tooth models in the corrected arrangement. The representation of the current arrangement may be, for example, a physical impression of the subject's teeth, a 3D scan or one or more 2D scans of the subject's teeth.
US08087929B2

The invention relates to equipment for heating gas in connection with continuous sintering in gas channels placed above a strand, the gas channels comprising at least a wall and at least two gas units, the gas coming from the gas units being in contact with the material on the strand, whereby at least one burner unit is arranged in at least one of the gas channels, being arranged as part of the gas channel, the burner unit comprising at least one separate combustion space arranged on the wall of the gas channel. The invention also relates to a method for heating the gas.
US08087926B2

An oxygen fueled integrated pollutant removal and combustion system includes a combustion system and an integrated pollutant removal system. The combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner that is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. An oxygen supply supplies oxygen at a predetermine purity greater than 21 percent and a carbon based fuel supply supplies a carbon based fuel. Oxygen and fuel are fed into the furnace in controlled proportion to each other and combustion is controlled to produce a flame temperature in excess of 3000 degrees F. and a flue gas stream containing CO2 and other gases. The flue gas stream is substantially void of non-fuel borne nitrogen containing combustion produced gaseous compounds. The integrated pollutant removal system includes at least one direct contact heat exchanger for bringing the flue gas into intimated contact with a cooling liquid to produce a pollutant-laden liquid stream and a stripped flue gas stream and at least one compressor for receiving and compressing the stripped flue gas stream.
US08087921B2

In one embodiment of the invention a mold system and method of use are provided such that aqueous starch-based compositions and baked goods articles that use the conversion of water to steam may be produced using an extruder that allows the venting of such gases and/or steam. The extruder is vented in such a way as to allow steam to escape, but retain the composition until the exit end.
US08087918B2

A pressing mold for use in press working of a material includes a mold body, a coating film formed on the portion of the pressing mold that comes into contact with the material in the press working, the coating film being formed by PVD method. The coating film includes a TiN layer formed on a surface of the mold body, a Ti(CxNy) layer (wherein, x+y=1, x<1, and x gradually increases to 1 as it becomes more distant from the surface of the TiN layer) formed on the TiN layer, and a TiC layer formed on the Ti(CxNy) layer.
US08087917B2

A plant for manufacturing a continuous latex foam layer (2) to form mattresses (6) provided with cells (5). The plant comprises a plurality of laying planes (7) provided with a plurality of separate tables (13) separately arranged side by side to form a surface for the foam deposit.Each table comprises protuberances (14) and the arrangement of the protuberances on a table can differ from that of the juxtaposed tables in order to create supporting areas for the different body parts of the user.Preferably the tables (13) with their protuberances (14) are slidably fitted onto the laying planes (7) and can be easily and quickly replaced with separately provided tables having protuberances (14) differently arranged in order to meet the support capacity values required by different users.
US08087910B2

A chemical liquid supplying apparatus 10 has a bellows 11, which includes a small-size bellows portion 13, a large-size bellows portion 14 with a larger volume change per axial-directional unit displacement amount than that of the small-size bellows portion 13, and a drive portion 12 therebetween. An apparatus main body 10a to which the bellows 11 is attached includes a supporting member 21 to which a fixed end portion 15 of the bellows 11 is attached and a supporting member 22 to which a fixed end portion 16 of the bellows 11 is attached. A drive sleeve 27 surrounds the bellows 11 and is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body 10a. A driven cylinder body 32 attached to the drive portion 12 converts rotation of the drive sleeve 27 to axial-directional movement of the drive portion 12.
US08087906B2

A pump having a disposable fluid contacting portion which defines a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid path there between. The pump includes a drive portion configured to engage the disposable portion to cause fluid to be moved from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The disposable portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the drive portion. The disposable portion includes a driven membrane which forms a portion of the fluid path, and the drive portion includes a drive membrane. The two membranes are vacuum coupled to each other, whereby movement of the drive membrane causes the driven membrane to move, causing fluid to be pumped through the disposable portion. The pump has particular utility in the medical field for moving fluid from a source to a patient. The pump may include features such as an air-trap, bubble detection, fluid flow controls, and pressure detection.
US08087903B2

In a hydraulic rotary machine having rotational shaft provided within a casing a rotational shaft, a cylinder block rotationally interlocked with the rotational shaft and formed with a plural number of cylinder bores, and pistons slidably received in the cylinder bores and adapted to slide back and forth within the cylinder bores while the rotational shaft and the cylinder block are put in rotation in synchronism with each other, a multitude of minute pits are formed at least either on sliding surfaces on the side of the cylinder bores, each one of the minute pits are in an elliptical shape defining a moderately sloped surface in one side and an acutely sloped surface in the other side, and the moderately sloped surfaces of the minute pits are oriented to face a direction in which said pistons are put in sliding movement in said cylinder bores under a greater load than in the other direction.
US08087898B2

A wind turbine including an article, article, and method of forming an article for distributing stress are disclosed. The article includes a flange for securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine and includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm, the relief region maintaining or improving the distribution of stress on wind turbine components selected from the group consisting of the first arm of the flange, the second arm of the flange, a fastener of the flange, and combinations thereof.
US08087895B2

A handling system for a wind turbine nacelle in connection with self-loading or self-unloading of the nacelle to or from a vehicle. Two or more lifting apparatus are provided for displacing the nacelle substantially vertically during the self-loading or self-unloading of the nacelle. The lifting apparatus has displacing apparatus for displacing the lifting apparatus or a part of the lifting apparatus. A method for transport of a wind turbine nacelle, a method for vertical displacement of a wind turbine nacelle, and use of a handling system, are also disclosed.
US08087889B2

A wind turbine having at least a blade comprising a first component having an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge, a trailing edge, and suction and pressure sides between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a second component, attached to the trailing edge and/or to the leading edge of the first component in at least a part of the blade. An upwards and/or downwards deflectable flap allows changing the flow over the blade, in which the unit for deflecting the flap is a fluid inflatable unit placed in a flap inner chamber close to the first component and in which the wind turbine comprises a unit for controlling the inflatable unit depending on the wind situation and/or the blade loads.
US08087878B2

A powerless diversion plate of a ceiling air-conditioning circulation machine includes a bearing block and a bearing within a circular inflow/outflow hole for installing a diversion disc having a plurality of radial separation pieces. A plurality of conic and ring-shaped diversion pieces are positioned around the connection shaft. The diversion disc is separated by the ring-shaped diversion pieces and the radial separation pieces to create air inflow/outflow zones. The diversion disc has a downward protruding middle part and a staged structure at the rim thereof to form a predetermined shape. This obviates a powered motor, as the radial separation pieces of the diversion disc serve as a working surface, and respond to forced air for causing the diversion disc to be driven in 360° rotation to diffuse air downward or suck air upward in a flowing way, thereby enhancing air-outflowing and convection efficiency and reducing energy consumption and carbon release.
US08087875B2

A multidirectional hydrokinetic power generating turbine has an impeller housing with one or more impellers disposed within the impeller housing, one or more adjustable ducts pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and a plurality of duct leafs disposed about the one or more ducts. The plurality of duct leafs articulate and cause the one or more adjustable ducts to converge and diverge to selectively disposing a fluid about the one or more impellers.
US08087871B2

A turbomachine includes a rotor assembly including a wheel member. The wheel member includes a first portion that extends to a second portion through an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion partially defines a first wheel space and a second wheel space. The wheel member further includes a rotor inertia belt member arranged at the second portion. The rotor inertia belt member includes an extraction air cavity. The extraction air cavity includes an inlet, a first plurality of extraction air passages each including an inlet section and an outlet section, the outlet section leading into the first wheel space, and a second plurality of extraction air passages each including an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the outlet portion leading into the second wheel space.
US08087867B2

Embodiments of the present invention include quayside cranes and yard cranes related by a low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system. The low elevated transfer system includes low elevated transfer subsystems having low elevated rails, the low elevates rails include low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carrier rails, low elevated cranes are disposed on the low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carriers are disposed on the low elevated flat carrier rail. The ground transportation carrier system includes ground transportation carrier rails and transportation carriers moving along the ground transportation carrier rails. Embodiments of the present invention transport the containers by rails and use municipal electric as the power supply. A three-dimensional low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system are provided to implement three-dimensional transportation of containers. Embodiments of the present invention provide a container transportation schema that is efficient, power saving, environmental and automatic, ground resources are utilized with high efficiency. The present invention is an expansion and development of the invention provided in CN 200510111464.0.
US08087864B2

A connecting pin includes a head and a body having a first end connected to the head. The body includes an underside having at least one surface arranged on a first plane parallel to a longitudinal direction. The body also includes a nose at a second end, the nose having an lower surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the body underside. The body further includes an inclined surface extending to from an upper surface of the nose in the direction of the head.
US08087861B2

A method for making a barrel for plate member fastener and installing the barrel in a first metal plate member for enabling the plate member fastener to affix the first metal plate member to a second metal plate member is disclosed to include the step of machining a metal base material into a barrel having a bottom bonding flange and a bottom extension tube around a bottom opening thereof and then affixing a solder mask to the bottom extension tube around the bottom opening and the step of fitting the bottom extension tube of the barrel into a mounting through hole of the first metal plate and abutting the bottom bonding flange of the barrel against a solder paste at the top wall of the first metal plate member and then applying a reflow soldering process to bond the bottom bonding flange of the barrel to the top wall of the first metal plate member.
US08087857B2

A method and apparatus are provided to machine a curved surface such as an inner or outer peripheral surface of a pipe. The pipe is held stationary during machining and a rotatable spindle of a machine head moves along multiple orthogonal axes to align the rotational axis of the spindle with the longitudinal pipe axis. Preferably, the pipe axis is located by using a touch probe to engage the curved surface at multiple spots and the calculating the location of the pipe axis. The cutting tool, which is preferably a cutting tool insert, is rotated by the spindle to machine the curved surface.
US08087850B2

The present invention relates to rock bolts which may be used in mining applications. The rock bolt of this invention includes a mechanical anchoring arrangement to facilitate retaining the rock bolt in a borehole, and also a drill bit to enable self drilling of the rock bolt. Rotation of the rock bolt about an axis of the rock bolt in a first direction causes the drill bit to drill into rock and to create a borehole to receive the rock bolt. Subsequently, rotation in the opposite direction actuates a mechanical anchoring arrangement to anchor rock bolt.
US08087849B2

A tension leg platform includes a deck supported on the upper ends of three or more columns interconnected at the lower ends thereof by horizontally disposed connecting members. The columns are battered inwardly and upwardly from the platform base to the deck. Tendons connected at the columns anchor the platform to the seabed. The footprints of the base of the battered columns and the tendons are larger than the footprint of the deck supported on the upper ends of the columns.
US08087830B2

Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat.
US08087827B2

A packaging device allowing for the distribution, storage and cooking of various food products, such as perishable or frozen food product(s). The packaging device includes a plurality of micro-perforations that may promote the extended shelf-life of the perishable food product and the maintenance of the quality of the perishable food product or be configured to maintain the integrity of a frozen food product. The packaging device also includes a venting system that allows the cooking of the perishable or frozen food products within the packaging device.
US08087823B2

A structure has a heat dissipating feature, an internal temperature measurement device, and a memory. The structure generates heat as power is supplied to the structure, and a threshold voltage of the internal temperature measurement device changes as the temperature of the temperature measurement device changes. The embodiments herein establish a linear relationship between temperature and threshold voltage by heating the structure to a first temperature and recording a first threshold voltage, and then heating the structure to a second temperature and recording a second threshold voltage. From this, the embodiments herein calculate a linear relationship between temperature and threshold voltage. Further, the embodiments herein can calculate the temperatures of the structure based only upon the linear relationship and threshold voltages measured from internal temperature measurement device.
US08087820B2

Structures are disclosed that can improve the visibility of instrument displays. With some implementations, an instrument is provided with a bezel surrounding a crystal, wherein the upper surface of the bezel extends above the upper surface of the crystal. Also, a guard system may be embedded into and/or otherwise provided at portions of the crystal, wherein an upper surface of the guard also extends above the upper surface of the crystal.
US08087811B2

A display including a light source for generating light, an optical waveguide for receiving and evenly distributing light in a light propagation direction by total internal reflections and a matrix of picture elements constructed on the upper surface of the waveguide, the picture elements including electrically activated micro-mechanical actuators having optical properties for modulating light to produce an image.
US08087808B2

A flashlight has a handle assembly and a lens cover. The handle assembly has a housing, a heat sink and en electrical unit. The housing has a front end. The heat sink is mounted in the housing and has a front end and a rear end. The electrical unit is mounted in the housing and detachably mounted on the rear end of the heat sink. The lens cover is securely mounted on the front end of the housing and has an LED element mounted securely on the heat sink. The lens cover has an LED electrically connected with the electrical unit with wires. Because the LED element and the electrical unit are separated by the heat sink, heat generated from the LED can be dissipated though the heat sink, instead of being directly conducted to the electrical unit and damaging the electrical unit.
US08087806B2

An electronic device includes a main body, an illuminator received within the main body, a transparent rear cover attaches to the main body, a color tape, a key and a reflective film. The main body and the rear cover cooperatively define a compartment for receiving a battery therein. The color tape attaches to the inner surface of the rear cover. The illuminator is configured for illuminating the color tape on the inner surface of the rear cover. The key is arranged on the main body and connected to the illuminator for switching on/off the illuminator. The reflective film is adhered to the rear cover. The rear cover includes a covered portion with the reflective film attached thereon and an exposed portion free of the reflective film attached thereon.
US08087800B2

This invention relates to optical devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a collimated optical light source assembly that produces a uniform white light. Specifically, light from a multi-cavity RGB LED array is dispersed in a reflecting cavity having a Lambertian texture on the interior surface. The light is then emitted though a lenslet array and a cone lens which together further disperses the light emitted by the individual LEDs. The dispersed light is then collimated by a reflector.
US08087798B2

An optimized light source and a method of manufacturing the same. The light source is made up of an array of individual lighting elements and is optimized for electrical, optical and economic performance, as well as a method for configuring such an array. The a process for selecting individual lighting elements is based on characterizing and sorting individual lighting elements based on performance so that the performance of the overall array is improved by combing individual lighting elements whose individual performance might not otherwise meet the performance of the overall array.
US08087792B2

An optical beam homogenizer having an adjustable homogenizer chamber for selectively producing different sized homogenized output beams and related methods in accordance with one or more embodiments is described herein.
US08087791B2

A method for adjusting an outside mirror of a vehicle includes providing at least one seat position sensor, a driver position detector and a mirror actuator. The position of the driver's seat is determined with the at least one seat position sensor. An angular orientation of the outside mirror is adjusted with the mirror actuator based on the determined position of the driver's seat such that a rear of the vehicle is visible in the outside mirror. Thereafter, a location of a driver's head may be determined with the driver position detector when the driver is seated in the driver's seat. The angular orientation of the outside mirror is readjusted with the mirror actuator based on the detected position of the driver's head such that a rear of the vehicle is visible in the outside mirror when the driver is seated in the driver's seat.
US08087786B2

The projector with at least two light sources for emission of light beams and a projection unit for controllable deflection of the light beams onto a projection surface has a control device to control light output of the light sources and a deflection of the projection unit, and also at least one digital delay element and at least one analog delay element for combined time delay of at least one of the light beams and/or deflection of the projection unit.
US08087785B2

A projection display apparatus includes a polarization beam splitter, a light source, a polarization changing device, an optical uniformizing element, a light valve module and a projection lens. The light source emits an illumination beam. The polarization beam splitter, the polarization changing device, the optical uniformizing element, and the light valve module are disposed in the optical path of the illumination beam. The polarization beam splitter transmits the illumination beam. The polarization changing device changes the polarization direction of the illumination beam and reflects the illumination beam back to the polarization beam splitter. The optical uniformizing element is between the polarization beam splitter and the polarization changing device for uniformizing the illumination beam. The light valve module converts the illumination beam reflected by the polarization changing device via the polarization beam splitter into an image beam. The projection lens is disposed in the optical path of the image beam.
US08087783B2

A method and device to assess centration of a visual axis, evaluate retinal function, foveal function, and/or visual field.
US08087778B2

A mechanism allows for changing the optical strength of a liquid-filled lens having a cavity filled with fluid. A reservoir contains additional fluid and is in fluid communication with the cavity, and the mechanism draws fluid from the reservoir into the cavity or pulls fluid from the cavity back into the reservoir, whereby a change in the amount of fluid within the lens cavity changes the lens's optical strength. A membrane seals the reservoir, and a plunger impinges upon the membrane. A movement device, such as a barrel screw or lever, moves the plunger in a controlled manner toward the membrane to increase pressure within the reservoir and thereby force fluid out of the reservoir into the lens cavity, and away from the membrane to decrease pressure within the reservoir and thereby withdraw fluid from the lens cavity and into the reservoir.
US08087771B2

A application apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The application apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism with first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common working position at a first location and respective suspended positions. The application apparatus can include a doctor blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a doctor blade orientation in the working position. The application apparatus can include a wiper blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a wiper blade orientation in the working position. The first and second blades form similar blade holder angles, blade deflection angles and Working Angles when occupying the working position.
US08087769B2

An image forming apparatus includes a carriage mounted with a recording head of an ink-jet system, a carriage driving mechanism, and a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet in a predetermined direction. The carriage is moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet by the carriage driving mechanism. A sheet guide member is arranged in a position below the recording head and opposed to the recording head. A sheet passes over a guide section of this sheet guide member. A heater is provided in the sheet guide member. This heater heats the guide section.
US08087767B2

An ink set is provided which produces a printed article having excellent physical durability. The ink set contains a first liquid composition containing a reactive carbonyl group and a second liquid composition containing a co-reactive amine group, at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition further containing a coloring material. When the two inks are printed on a substrate in at least a partially overlapping arrangement, the reactive amine and reactive carbonyl species can crosslink to form a more durable image.
US08087757B2

A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of a control pulse. Each energy pulse has energy of less than 200 nanojoule.
US08087755B2

A system for printing three-dimensional semiconductor products. The system includes printheads for printing various so as to create a three-dimensional structure including cavities, and a robot for incorporating semiconductor objects into the cavities created during the printing process. The robot incorporates the semiconductor objects into the cavities during printing of the three-dimensional structure.
US08087736B2

A stopping structure and a server having the same are provided. The server includes a rack, at least one chassis, and a stopping structure. The chassis disposed in the rack moves relative to the rack. The stopping structure is disposed between the rack and the chassis. The stopping structure includes an actuator, a guiding element, and a damper. The actuator is disposed on the chassis. The guiding element is disposed on the chassis, and the actuator moves parallelly between a first position and a second position along the guiding element relative to the chassis. The damper is disposed in the rack. When the chassis is moved out from the rack and the actuator is at the first position, the damper is interfered with the actuator. When the chassis is moved out from the rack and the actuator is at the second position, the damper is not interfered with the actuator.
US08087727B2

A chair 2010 has a supporting frame 2011, a seat portion 2013, a back portion 2015, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion 2013 upon a reclining action of the back portion 2015. The mechanism has a rear deformable member 2351 and a front deformable member 2353 operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member 2361 above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion 2015 is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member 2361 applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion 2013 to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
US08087726B2

A back cushion includes an enclosure portion, a buffer portion, a filler portion and a fixing portion. The enclosure portion has a first surface/layer and a second surface/layer. The buffer portion and the filler portion are placed in the internal space of the enclosure portion. The buffer portion is in contact with the first layer and the rear surface of the filler portion is in contact with the second layer. The fixing portion is connected with the second layer of the enclosure portion. The fixing portion enables the back cushion to be attached to a suitable place of a chair or a supporting member. The buffer portion allows the back of a user can be comfortably cushioned and supported and hence injuries to his back may be avoided.
US08087724B2

The present ergonomic computer chair relates to chairs for special purposes, and more particularly, to computer operator's chair which is ergonomically designed to prevention of orthopedic and cardiovascular diseases and creation of psychophysical comfort, especially as regards reduction of fatigability during long-lasting work with computer. The ergonomic computer chair includes a seat with a backrest and a pedestal with a support frame made in the circular arc form, a support ring installed on the support frame wherein said support ring can rotate around its axis. The backrest is made of a rigid part and an elastic part separated from one other by at least three elastic bladders connected to a compressor by air tubes having electric valves. The rigid part of the backrest is hinged to the seat, and the seat is hinged to a seat inclination drive and to a footrest. A mounting of the computer monitor and keyboard is made by means of a movable sector which is made as a arched pipe with centering bearings. The chair has electric drives to move the support ring along the support frame of the pedestal, to move the movable sector along the support ring, to move the monitor longitudinally and to control monitor's inclination. This makes it possible to change the user's body position within the space against the Earth's gravitational field vector during the entire time of the work with computer. The use of the proposed device reduces the probability of orthopedic diseases occurrence, creates comfort and increases efficiency of the computer user.
US08087720B2

A closure panel assembly includes an inner and an outer panel, the inner panel having a crimped edge surface feature and a textured surface feature such as a set of radial projections or asperities. Adhesive material is applied between the panels, and the outer panel is hemmed and adhesively bonded to the inner panel. The surface features affix the panels together without induction or intermediate heat curing of the adhesive material. The outer panel has a hemmed edge enclosing the crimped surface feature, with the adhesive material positioned therebetween to form a seal of a relatively low shrinkage rate. A method of forming the closure panel assembly includes forming a first and second surface feature on the inner panel, such as by using swaging and coining, respectively, applying adhesive material therebetween, and hemming the panels to form a hem seam.
US08087711B1

A golf cart windshield assembly is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the assembly includes a longitudinal U-shaped channel, where a first longitudinal slot is disposed adjacent to the U-shaped channel and the first slot is adapted to receive an edge of a lower windshield pane. A second longitudinal slot is disposed adjacent to the first slot, where the second slot is adapted to slidingly engage an edge of an upper windshield pane. A flange is joined along a longitudinal edge of the second slot and extends generally at a right angle to the second longitudinal slot and includes at least one aperture. The assembly also includes a spring loaded pin secured to the upper windshield pane, where the pin is adapted to engage the aperture of the flange to restrain the upper windshield pane in a desired vertical position.
US08087710B2

A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising first and second sides, a tailgate, and at least one tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The at least one tailgate support may have a base and an array pivotably connected to the base. The base may engage the tailgate. The array may engage the first side and comprise first and second engagement mechanisms. The method may further include disengaging the first engagement mechanism from the first side, pivoting the array with respect to the base, and effecting an engagement between the second engagement mechanism and the first side. By switching from the first engagement mechanism to the second engagement mechanism, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.
US08087709B2

A truck bed extender is described for use with a pickup truck having a bed with a bed floor, opposed side walls along each side of the bed floor and a tailgate hinged at the rear of the bed floor. Spaced, parallel, telescoping arms are pivotally attached at their inner ends to hinge assemblies secured to the floor of the bed adjacent the rear of the bed. A horizontal crossbar providing support for elongated articles is attached to the outer ends of the arms with crossbar connectors. Each hinge assembly includes an eyebolt with a shank inserted into a bore in the bed floor and a yoke attached to the inner end of an arm, with the ears of the yoke attached by a coupling bolt or pin that extends through bores in the yoke ears and the eye of the eyebolt.
US08087706B2

A bow-formed bumper beam for a vehicle has a hat profile with a central flange (11), two webs (12, 13), and side flanges (14, 15). The beam has fastening portions (20, 21) at its sides where the side flanges form fastening areas (30-33) for fastening the beam to the vehicle with the central flange facing outwards. In the area between the fastening areas, the side flanges have bent edges (26, 27) and in association with the beginning of the bent edges, they have transverse dents (29). These dents will easily be flattened out when the beam is bent in a collision so that the local tension in these sensitive areas is reduced. Thereby, the risk of cracking is reduced.
US08087705B2

A sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a body with a threaded bore includes a shaft, a head connected to a first shaft end, and a threaded second shaft end engaged with the bore to lock the lid between the head and the body. The bolt includes a security element with a breakable integrity element. The security element comprises a first part arranged at the second shaft end, connected to the shaft with a breakable integrity element therebetween. The first part has a first thread cooperating with the bore, and a second part between the first part and second shaft end includes, a second thread cooperating therewith. An entrainment device disposed between first and second parts such that when the shaft and first part rotate in a tightening direction, second part is entrained. When the shaft and first part rotate in a loosening direction, second part remains stationary.
US08087701B2

A hydraulic coupling device, comprising a coupling unit, a holder block, and a lock nut. The coupling unit is mounted to the holder block by means of the lock nut, which is tightened in a thread at the nose end of the coupling unit. The lock nut has a rotationally symmetrical outer contour. A plurality of grooves distributed around the circumference are recessed in the outer contour. The grooves extend axially inward from the end of the lock nut facing away from the holder block. The invention also relates to a lock nut for a hydraulic coupling device.
US08087698B2

A security feature for an identification document comprising a document substrate, a first security feature applied to the document substrate, and an image of a bearer of the identification document transferred over the first security feature. The image includes a knockout portion in which selected areas of the image are not transferred to the substrate. The selected areas expose the first security feature and selected areas are in the form of personal information of the bearer of the document.
US08087694B2

An ATV safety roll bar system including a safety belt, a seat back, and a collapsible emergency shelter adapted to secure to the roll bar and ATV. The roll bar may prevent injury or death in cases of ATV rollover accidents or crashes by absorbing the brunt of the force from the rolling or falling ATV. The seat back may include a rope or strap laced between metal bars having a series of holes, the metal bars being integrated onto the roll bar. The safety belt may be attached to the roll bar at various points and may be configurable to meet the preference of the ATV operator. The system may include a seat belt retractor to secure the operator on the ATV. The system may include rollover stop bars that extend in response to near rollover conditions. The system may include a tilt sensor and alarm warning system.
US08087692B2

An airbag for a motor vehicle is provided The airbag comprising an airbag covering, two covering sections of the airbag covering facing each other, a discharge opening formed in one of the two covering sections for discharging gas out of the airbag, a connecting means for forming a releasable connection between the two covering sections, wherein upon inflation of the airbag the connection counters an escape of gas through the connecting means, and wherein upon inflation of the airbag the connecting means interacts with the airbag covering in such a manner that the connection is released and can escape out of the discharge opening. The two covering sections each form an airbag layer which are connected to each other for forming the airbag covering and which upon inflation of the airbag move away from each other. The airbag layers moving away from each other introduce a force into the connecting means such that the connections between the two covering sections is released.
US08087690B2

An airbag system for a vehicle may include an inflator for supplying gas pressure, an airbag housing installed in a vehicle roof above a seat, and an airbag cushion installed in the airbag housing, wherein the airbag is deployed by tearing a roof headliner using the gas pressure provided from the inflator in such a way as to enclose upper portion of an occupant sitting on the seat.
US08087683B2

A mobile transport has a frame on which two wheels are mounted. A basket type container is permanently affixed to a portion of the frame, which also includes a foot rest section for child passengers. A receptacle post is provided which can support either a bicycle type seat for transporting a child or a container which doubles the carrying capacity of the transport. The frame of the transport also includes a frame extension, removeably attached to the frame, with a towing hitch for connection to a bicycle. Upon removal of the frame extension, the transport can be used as a manual cart, with the upper end of the frame providing the handle for pushing or pulling the cart.
US08087682B2

A suspension device includes a first and a second link that link a vehicle-body side member and a wheel supporting member to each other. The two links are linked to each other through an elastic linking portion. The rigidity of an elastic bush thereof is less than the rigidity of an elastic member of a linking portion of at least one of the two links with the wheel supporting member and the vehicle-body side member.
US08087680B2

A stroller is configured to transport interchangeable child seats. The stroller includes a stroller frame having a first set of connection locations removably attach to a first child seat. The frame also includes a removable child seat adapter that can be connected to the stroller frame such that the stroller frame presents a second set of connection locations that removably attach to a second child seat.
US08087679B1

The handcart has various embodiments, each embodiment having a pair of larger wheels at the back of the load-carrying platform and a rear axle located above the plane of at least the forward portion of the platform. Smaller caster wheels are mounted on arms extending forward and outward from the forward corners of the platform. The outward ends of the arms are displaced upwardly to place the platform bottom only very slightly higher than the bottoms of the forward casters, thus increasing stability by lowering the center of gravity of the cart and contents, and facilitating loading and unloading of the cart due to the very low platform. The cart need not be tilted rearward to lift the platform from the floor, but may be pushed over the underlying surface with the load-carrying platform remaining level and with all four wheels rolling over the underlying surface.
US08087678B2

Combination cart and stand device comprised of a main frame assembly, a wheel assembly operatively coupled proximate to one end of the main frame assembly, and inner and outer support members pivotally coupled to the main frame assembly at a location distal from said wheel assembly wherein the main frame assembly, the inner support member, and the outer support member nest together to form a folded cart configuration while the main frame supports a liquid dispensing container which is transported by wheels of the wheel assembly rolling along an underlying surface of the device and wherein the inner and outer support members pivot apart and the main frame assembly pivots to an inverted elevated position for forming a stand configuration for supporting the liquid dispensing container in an elevated liquid dispensing position. Other types of containers can also be employed with the combination cart and stand device.
US08087666B2

A sheet discharge device discharges a sheet to a sheet discharge tray. The sheet discharge device includes a rotary shaft, two inside drive rollers, two outside drive rollers, two inside driven rollers, two outside driven rollers, two end retainers, and two inside retainers. The drive rollers are rotatably attached to the rotary shaft. Each of the driven rollers opposes a corresponding one of the drive rollers to be driven by the drive roller. The end retainers and the inside retainers rotatably extend from the rotary shaft across a common tangent of the driven rollers and the drive rollers. The end retainers are longer than the inside rollers and constructed so as to rest on the stacked sheets.
US08087657B2

A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport roller for transporting a sheet to the processing section, a driving motor for driving the transport roller, and a driving transmission mechanism. The driving transmission mechanism includes a rotary shaft, a transmission rotary member having a circular fit hole, a holder member with a press-fit hole having a curved part and a flat part, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the holder member and the transmission rotary member. The rotary shaft includes a fitting part having a circular cross section at one end side to be fitted into the circular fit hole, and a press-fit part having a curved part and a flat part press-fitted with the press-fit hole. The coupling mechanism includes a convex portion formed on a side of the transmission rotary member, and a concave portion formed on a side of the holder member press-fitted with the convex portion.
US08087647B2

A fluid filled type cylindrical vibration damping device, wherein a circumferential end of a stopper member is formed as a mating element smaller in diameter than a circumferentially center section of the stopper member, and is juxtaposed against and supported on a bottom face of a mating groove in a communication passage, to form the communication passage along an entire area between diametrically opposed faces of the mating element and an outer tubular member. A cutout portion is formed extending in a circumferential direction from a circumferential end in a widthwise medial section of the mating element, with the communication passage opening into and communicating with a first fluid chamber at a distal end section of the cutout portion, and at two widthwise side sections of the mating element, respectively, thereby defining an orifice passage connecting the first fluid chamber with a second fluid chamber.
US08087646B2

A piston-cylinder unit for installing between a vehicle body and an axle includes a cylinder filled with damping medium, a piston dividing the cylinder into working spaces, and a piston rod. A first damping valve assembly in the piston damps movement of the piston in tension and in compression. A load dependent valve includes a valve body which can be moved axially by pressure in the damping medium, the valve body having axially opposed first and second actuation surfaces. The first actuation surface is exposed to pressure of a first accumulator, which is connected to one of the working spaces, and the second actuation surface is exposed to pressure of a second accumulator.
US08087643B2

A line retrieval system comprises a retrieval device having a radially magnetized magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to an object disposed on an opposite side of a structure for drawing the object in a desired direction relative to the structure.
US08087639B1

An oxygen tank key includes an elongated substantially thin flat handle portion defining a first plane and having first and second ends that define the length thereof and first and second side edges that define the width. A socket, integrally formed with the handle portion between the two ends, has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the handle portion. The socket includes an aperture that opens adjacent one of the side edges and has a depth extending substantially the width of the handle portion. The aperture has a substantially rectangular cross-section and is adapted to fit onto the rectangularly shaped end of an oxygen tank valve control stem. A slot passes through the handle and is elongated in the direction of the length of the handle. The slot includes champhered ends and is adapted to fit over the lever of a regulator for the oxygen tank to help release the regulator from the tank.
US08087636B2

An automate fluid flow control system includes a valve member for being sealedly disposed within a fluid chamber to seal a flow of fluid flowing from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, a relief valve having a fluid passage extended along the valve member for communicating the fluid chamber with the fluid outlet and including a valve stopper sitting on a top opening of the fluid passage to sealedly close the fluid passage, and a powering assembly including an actuator to move the relief valve between a closed position that the valve stopper is sealedly retained to close the fluid passage and an opened position that the actuator drives the valve stopper to unseal the fluid passage for releasing a pressure within the water chamber to allow the fluid passing to the fluid outlet.
US08087632B2

A stand for a portable device includes two supporting members with two supporting surfaces for loading the portable device, and a heat dissipation device detachably attached between the two supporting members. The heat dissipation device comprises at least one fan and defines a plurality of holes.
US08087629B2

The present invention is a stand apparatus for a display screen (such as a computer monitor or a TV) having an arcuate arm member, a base adapted to accept the arm member and allow for tilting movement of the arm member in relation to the base, and a contoured clamp member operable to engage and grip the arm member. The curvature of the clamp member matches the curvature of the arm member and prevents damage to the finish of the arm member. The clamp member is coupled with an arm screw member that is readily accessible to a user. The cross-section of the arm member prevents lateral movement of the arm member in relation to the base. The base is operable to freely swivel 360 degrees and can be readily fixed in relation to a base ring once it is in a desired position. Cabling channels are also provided within the arm member to house cables from the display screen.
US08087626B1

A camera mounting apparatus includes a bracket having an opening extending therethrough to receive a T-post. At least one fastener is extended through the bracket and frictionally engaged with the T-post. A shaft has a pair of threaded shaft ends one of which is attached to the bracket. A mounting panel has a peripheral edge having a threaded aperture therein. One of the shaft ends is extended into the threaded aperture and threadably coupled to the mounting panel. The mounting panel has at least one hole extending therethrough. A camera is mountable on the mounting panel after the drill head is extended into a tree to couple the camera to the tree.
US08087624B2

A television lock for coupling a television to an anchor surface. The television lock includes a bracket for coupling to the rear panel of the television, a tether anchor for coupling to the anchor surface, and a bracket tether for coupling the bracket to the tether anchor.
US08087621B2

Disclosed is a holder for fixing all types of component, in particular lines, without using holes and largely without using tools inside a conventional fuselage structure of an aircraft with stringers and annular formers, the formers each being provided with an angle bracket at crossing points between a stringer and an annular former. The holder is configured so as to be split in two with a lower part and an upper part which can be connected thereto, the lower part being slidable onto an angle bracket. By attaching the upper part to the lower part, the holder is positionally fixed at the crossing point in the top region of an annular former. It is fixed in its final position by connecting the holder to a transverse line holder as a function element by means of an expansion pin or other connection elements. Other alternative function elements for fixing the components, such as a longitudinal line holder, a transverse batten or a longitudinal batten for specific installation requirements, may, if necessary, be combined with at least one holder so as to form holder arrangement with any desired degree of complexity.
US08087620B2

A retaining device includes a fireproof core enclosed by a non-fireproof case, wherein a pre-tensioned fireproof device is integrated in the case and attached to the core. The fireproof device relaxes in such a way, when the case melts, that a construction element is reliably held between the carrier and the device.
US08087615B2

A particular method includes installing a window assembly in a structure by coupling a window frame body of the window assembly to a first surface of an interior side of an outer skin of the structure. The method also includes coupling the window frame body to a second surface of an interior side of an inner skin of the structure. The method also includes coupling the window frame body to a portion of the structure between the outer skin and the inner skin.
US08087613B2

An aircraft passenger seat assembly as described herein is formed from two primary and modular components: a structural frame that provides passenger support and dynamic load paths for the seat assembly; and a comfort frame that provides the passenger seating surface and the external upholstery layer for the seat assembly. If the seat assembly is designed for multiple passengers, then a separate comfort frame is used for each passenger seat location. The structural frame can be formed as a molded composite construction, and the comfort frame can also utilize a molded composite support frame. The support frame is used as a mounting shell for a fabric carrier that includes the external upholstery layer. The modular design and use of composite materials results in a significant weight and parts count savings relative to conventional seat designs.
US08087609B2

A completely dynamic human powered flying suit comprising of a pair of bat wings and an interconnecting flexible main sheet with the body of the pilot-operator lying on top of and in the center of the non-rigid section of the apparatus when in flight. Each wing has a front section or a wing paddle with supporting spar network and a similar but smaller rear section with the pilot-operator's arms and legs respectively operating the front and rear sections in a swimming motion in order to make lift and thrust. A rear air dam extends along the trailing underside edge of the central part of the apparatus to slow passing air. Large straps extend from wing tip to wing tip at radial intervals down the underside of the aircraft to prevent hyper-extension of the large wing paddle outer ends from bypassing behind the pilot-operator to ensure capturing lift and for the making of thrust. A body harness is provided with quick disconnect clips to hold the pilot-operator onto the suit. A pilot-operator manipulates the rigid and non-rigid sections in concert to radically change the shape of the body wing chord or angle of attack on the wind by bending at the waist and legs to maneuver from high lift shapes to lower lift shapes for takeoff, flight, stunts and landing. A pilot-operator can sweep the wings down and forward or down and backward in a delta shape to bypass wind to safely walk on the ground when wearing the suit into or away from the wind.
US08087605B2

A damping unit for a film packing device a first roller, a damping roller and a second roller connected to the base of the film packing device respectively. The first roller includes a frame connected to the base and a first tube and a second tube are connected to the frame. The damping roller is located between the first and second rollers and has a spring biased on a top thereof so as to control its speed of rotation. The film goes partially around the first tube, the second tube, at least half of an outer periphery of the damping roller and then partially around the second roller before being wrapped around the object.
US08087601B2

A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement.
US08087579B2

Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
US08087576B2

A data storage device comprises a memory in which a collection of prostate cancer screening data is stored. The screening data is obtained from a selection of the general male population without medical pre-selection. A device for indicating a risk for a disease of an individual, comprises an indicator for indicating a determined value for said risk. The indicator comprises a risk scale representing a range of values of said risk, and at least one dialler for entering a value of a diagnostic parameter of an individual. The dialler comprises a parameter scale representing a range of values of said diagnostic parameter. The dialler is movable with respect to said indicator such that when a parameter value on said parameter scale is selected, an associated risk value is indicated on said risk scale according to a predetermined mathematical relationship.
US08087574B1

A mailbox kit is provided for retrofitting a standard mailbox. The kit includes a rear signal flap and hinge to allow the signal flap to pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position to come into contact with the rear panel of the mailbox during mail insertion into the mailbox. The large, rear signal flap contains indicia for a homeowner to easily view from a remote location. The rear signal flap is joined to a wheeled control bar connected by a front linkage to the front door of the mailbox. Thus as the front door is opened the rear signal flap raises 90° alerting the homeowner that mail has been delivered.
US08087573B2

A support for a newspaper box includes a support attaching to a post, a slide for sliding the newspaper box within the support, and a tab for locking the newspaper box within the support.
US08087570B2

A carton has a multi-ply configuration formed by overlying a primary blank with one or more reinforcing blanks. A separable section can formed in one or more side panels of the carton to allow for removal of articles from the carton.
US08087565B2

A process for filling openings, including blind holes, through-holes, and cavities, in high temperature components. The process entails forming a powder mixture by mixing particles of at least a base alloy and a second alloy that contains a sufficient amount of a melting point depressant to have a lower melting temperature than the base alloy. The powder mixture is combined with a binder and compacted to form a compacted preform, which is then heated to remove the binder and form a rigid sintered preform. The sintered preform is produced, or optionally is further shaped, to have a cross-sectional shape and dimensions to achieve a clearance of up to 200 micrometers with the opening, after which the preform is placed in the opening and diffusion bonded within the opening to form a brazement comprising the particles of the base alloy dispersed in a matrix formed by the second alloy.
US08087559B2

A loading apparatus for allowing wheelchair access to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus attaches to the hitch receiver of the vehicle, such as a van, truck or similar vehicle. The apparatus includes three ramp section pivotably connected such that the apparatus does not obstruct vision through the rear of the vehicle but also provides sufficient ground clearance for operation of the vehicle.
US08087554B2

An inventive pouring spout that is selectively attachable to a container and fitted to the opening of the container with which it is used. In a preferred embodiment, the pouring spout is fitted to the dimensions of a one-quart container and includes a wall, a sealing member, a mouth and a handle. The handle is connected to the wall with a hinge that enables the handle to pivot away from the container to allow the sealing member to be appropriately positioned while the container rests flat on a surface. After the sealing member is in place, the handle is then pivoted back in position to securely hold the container. The handle includes a plurality of upwardly extending projections adapted to securely engage the bottom rim of the container. Furthermore, thermoplastic material is applied at the handle area forming a handle cover that is comfortable and easy to grip. Thermoplastic material is also preferably utilized in the construction of the sealing member for forming a seal between the spout and opening of the container.
US08087549B2

In a liquid supply apparatus, a liquid held in a liquid holding portion is pushed out to the exterior by pressurized gas. The apparatus includes a liquid pouring section for pouring a predetermined amount of liquid into an intermediate portion of the liquid holding portion, a liquid discharge portion which comprises a thin pipe smaller in flow passage cross-sectional area than the liquid holing portion, and is connected to one end of the liquid holding portion, a liquid storing portion which is larger in flow passage cross-sectional area than the liquid holding portion, and is connected to the other end of the liquid holding portion, and a gas feed section for feeding the pressurized gas into the liquid storing portion. The apparatus further includes at least one of first fault detection section for detecting a fault of the liquid pouring section and second fault detection section for detecting a fault of the gas feed section.
US08087547B1

The squeeze container is made of a flexible material and is configured to store and dispense viscous fluid. The squeeze container is fitted with an automatic dispensing nozzle which allows flow when the container is squeezed and cuts off flow when the squeezing forces are removed. A stand is associated with the squeeze container, designed to hold the container in the nozzle down position. The stand may serve as a cover to protect the material before dispensing. The container may have a refill aperture and cap as well as a suspension device incorporated therein.
US08087542B2

An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry mix with water to produce a whipped fluid slurry for a beverage. The mixing apparatus includes an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry. A whipping chamber is connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry and further includes an impeller that induces fluid turbulence to produce the whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber.
US08087538B2

An apparatus in an example implementation includes a vessel that includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall includes a first set of grooves configured on an interior portion of a bottom of the outer wall. The inner wall includes a second set of grooves configured on an exterior of the inner wall. The first set of grooves are configured to interface with the second set of grooves to secure the inner wall and the outer wall together. In more specific embodiments, the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves are provided as ascending steps such that a rotational force applied to one of the walls operates to engage subsequent steps in each of the first and second sets of grooves. The walls are configured such that a rotational force creates a force being applied to the lip to secure the walls together.
US08087537B2

A pressure container includes a metal socket and a CFRP layer that contacts the metal socket. A metal oxide layer is formed on a first contact area where the socket contacts the CFRP layer. The socket may be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and the oxide layer may be formed by anodizing the socket.
US08087526B2

A knockdown storage vessel has an internal bladder and external barrel sections. The ends of two barrel sections include a centrally-located bush that can be engaged by a handle so as to secure the barrel sections and allow for rolling transport of the vessel. The vessel barrel sections are dimensioned so as to nest within one another for compact storage.
US08087520B2

A locking automobile mat hanger and display device consists of two hanger housings that cooperate with an interchangeable adapter insert to secure a plurality of automobile floor mats. The device includes housings having a retaining portion and an adapter insert, whereby the adapter insert and the retaining portion of the housing create channels in which automobile floor mats may be inserted and retained. The device also has a cutout section in the housings whereby a user may easily grasp and carry the entire mat hanger assembly. The device further contains a hook section disposed on the housings, which allows for the entire mat hanger assembly to be hung from retail displays, and also allows for efficient storage. The label application section of the hanger aids inventory organization.
US08087516B2

A new device, method, and system are disclosed that provide for removal of undesired materials from a contaminated fluid. Materials present in the fluids are kept in motion in one or more filter cassettes that include disc aerators that improve contact times with the sorbents and that rotate the filter media to pump contaminated water through the filter media for treatment of the contaminated fluids. The device and system provide containment of sorbent fines that keeps the filter media free from clogging.
US08087512B2

A carrier comprises a first side panel, a second panel, and at least one handle panel. A central flap is foldably connected to the at least one handle panel, and the central flap divides the interior of the carrier into at least a first container-receiving space and a second container-receiving space. A divider comprises at least one divider panel, wherein the at least one divider panel extends generally parallel to the central flap, and at least one divider flap foldably connected to the at least one divider panel to divide a respective one of the first container-receiving space or the second container-receiving space into at least two container compartments.
US08087510B2

A conveyor system for sorting items that are supplied in a random sequence via a conveyor including a plurality of conveyor sections 4, and including individual sorting means arranged in a row for directing the items to specific receiving positions at least one side of the sorting means. The sorting means are constituted by relatively short individually driven belt conveyor sections which are pivotably suspended on mainly vertical turning shafts (8), and which at a foremost end part (5) project in over a next belt conveyor section (4) in the row. By means of simple technical measures it is possible to counteract the drawbacks of corresponding prior art conveyor systems and to achieve further advantages that are very essential and new.
US08087509B2

An apparatus and a method for feeding articles to a packing machine are disclosed. A conveyor belt is arranged prior to the belt feeder of the packing machine. The conveyor belt has at least two single lanes which are spatially separated from each other. A first sole driving motor allocated to the conveyor belt. A triggering mechanism connects the first driving motor with the single lanes of the conveyor belt so that the single lanes are driveable with different speeds.
US08087498B2

The braking device is provided a set of shape memory alloy activators positioned, in an agonistic-antagonistic configuration on each side of a brake lever. Braking and releasing phases are dictated by the austenitic transformation of the shape memory alloy activators. During brake activation, shrinking of the braking activator brings the friction pad in contact with a rotating drum creating a braking friction torque. Once the brake has been activated, deformation of a flexible fiberglass component prevents brake releasing by applying sufficient normal force between the drum and the friction pad. Conversely, upon heating of the releasing activator, the pad looses its grip and the drum is free to rotate.
US08087497B2

An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (28). A first compensation member (40) is associated with a first counterweight (24). A second compensation member (50) is associated with a second one of the elevator cars (32). Each compensation member has one end that moves with the associated elevator system component and an opposite end (44, 54) secured in a fixed position within the hoistway. In one example, a compensation member has a linear density that is approximately four times a linear density of a corresponding load bearing member.
US08087492B2

A filter bank is provided. The filter bank includes a housing having a front face and a back face. Air flows along an air flow path from the front face to the back face. A filter layer is held in the housing. The filter layer is oriented between the front and back faces such that air flows through the filter layer before discharging from the back face. An attenuation layer is positioned within the housing to attenuate sound as the sound propagates between the front and back faces. The attenuation layer is oriented to extend along the air flow direction.
US08087487B2

A hybrid turbo transmission for reduced energy consumption is disclosed. A hybrid turbo transmission configured as a multi-purpose unit (MPU). The MPU recovers energy from the cooling system, exhaust system, ram pressure and the breaking system. The MPU unit is an automatic transmission, supercharger, air compressor for other uses, and starter for the engine using a multi-purpose unit that will eliminate the need for a torque converter or clutch, flywheel, catalytic converter, starter and supercharger. The MPU reduces pollution to near zero and reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the vehicle. The MPU uses two or more in-line compressors to transfer power from the power source, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE) to a turbine or multi-stage turbine that acts as an automatic transmission. The hybrid turbo transmission system uses plug-in power as a second source of power.
US08087484B2

A method for controlling a motor vehicle drive, in particular a hybrid drive, is provided, the motor vehicle drive having at least two individual motors. In a first method step, at least one total setpoint torque is calculated. In a second step, the at least one total setpoint torque is split into at least two individual setpoint torques of the at least two individual motors. Subsequently, in a first individual torque comparison step, the sum of the at least two individual setpoint torques is compared with the total setpoint torque. In the event of a difference by more than a predefined tolerance value, a limitation step is initiated. In this limitation step, the at least two individual setpoint torques are each multiplied by a limiting factor to generate at least two limited individual setpoint torques.
US08087479B2

A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a force application member pivotally coupled to the drill bit and configured to extend from the drill bit body to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore, and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.
US08087460B2

A method for heating a subsurface formation using electrical resistance heating is provided. In one aspect, the method includes creating a passage in the subsurface formation between a first wellbore located at least partially within the subsurface formation, and a second wellbore also located at least partially within the subsurface formation. An electrically conductive granular material is placed into the passage so as to provide electrical communication between the first wellbore and the second wellbore. Electrically conductive members are provided in the first wellbore and second wellbore so as to form an electrically conductive flow path comprised of the electrically conductive members, the granular material, and a power source. An electrical current is established through the electrically conductive flow path, thereby resistively heating at least a portion of the conductive members which in turn heats the subsurface formation.
US08087455B2

A rib plate type heat exchanger comprises a heat exchange core consisting of rib plate type heat exchange plates. A surrounding edge of the rib plate type heat exchange plate is formed as a sealing bevel. The rib plate type heat exchange plate comprises the first end zone, the second end zone and a central heat exchange zone. The first and second distribution zones are provided in the first and the second end zones respectively. The central heat exchange zone and first and second distribution zones are arranged on a same plane and are extended in the height of a lower plate plane. Heat exchange ribs and flow guide ribs are provided in the central heat exchange zone and the distribution zones respectively. Corner holes which are surrounded by adjacent edge zones at the upper plate plane height and lower plate plane height are provided in the first end zone and the second end zone. There are incline intermediate zones extending between the adjacent edge zones, between the adjacent edge zone at the upper plate plane height and the central heat exchange zone, and between the adjacent edge zone at the upper plate plane height and the first and second distribution zones.
US08087452B2

A high performance cold plate cooling device including multiple, relatively thin plates, each having patterns formed thereon that, as arranged within the device, cause turbulence in a fluid passing within the cooling device. Adjacent plates within the cooling device are arranged such that fluid channels within their patterns are arranged crosswise. One or more barriers extending at least a portion of the length of the device separate the crosswise channels into two or more flow sections and increase uniformity of thermal performance over the active plate area. Manufacturing of the device includes stacking the plates in an alternating fashion such that the channels within the pattern of each plate are crosswise with respect to the channels in the pattern of an adjacent plate and adjacent barrier walls abut.
US08087448B2

A roll polishing apparatus that can suppress cracks on a strip. The roll polishing apparatus includes brush rolls which face outer periphery of chilled rolls over an axial length of the chilled rolls, respectively, cylinders which urge the brush rolls wholly to the chilled rolls, respectively, and cylinders which deform the brush rolls in conformity to crowns of the chilled rolls, respectively. By these elements, wires of the brush rolls are uniformly contacted on outer peripheries of the chilled rolls to wipe off oxides adhering to the outer peripheries of the chilled rolls.
US08087443B2

A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.
US08087425B2

A hose assembly includes a length of hose and a bracket. The bracket includes a rigid insert and a resilient overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the insert and mechanically bonding with at least a portion of an exterior of the hose. A method to produce this assembly may employ thermoplastic injection molding and include the steps of associating the rigid insert with the length of hose and overmolding the rigid insert and a section of the length of hose associated with the rigid insert with the resilient material, thereby encapsulating a portion of the insert and mechanically bonding the resilient material with the section of the length of the hose. A portion of the rigid insert may extend from the bracket and provide amounting holes and a bearing surface for mounting fasteners.
US08087423B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for providing protection against the sun, said apparatus including a rod assembly (2) and a fabric (3) or the like that is stretchable over said rod assembly, wherein the rod assembly (2) includes two rods (4), which intersect, are each resiliently bendable and can be braced in an arched manner by inserting the rod ends (5) into eyelets (7) at the ends (8) of two intersecting webbing straps (9) extending over a floor (27), over which the rods (4) can arch, with the rod ends (5) being subjected to tensile stressing, and which are pretensionable by inserting the rod ends (5) into straps (24) on a bottom longitudinal edge (23) of the fabric (3) for stretching the fabric (3) over the rod assembly (2), wherein a cross-strut (19) is supported in the intersection region (10) of the rods (4) to support the fabric (3).
US08087415B2

An applicator assembly and in particular, relates to an adjustable applicator capable of being adjusted to retain variable quantities of a product is provided. Also disclosed is a container comprising an applicator assembly for storing and application of consumer products such as cosmetic, hair care or dental products. The applicator assembly is configured to comprise at least two applicator heads, wherein the applicator heads are arranged to be movable relative to each other thereby resulting in change in density of the bristles of the applicator assembly.
US08087413B2

The attenuation or isolation of environmental parameters on a gastric lumen is described herein. Once tissue plications are formed into a gastric lumen or sleeve within a stomach, the newly formed lumen is subjected to a multitude of fluctuating stresses or pressure from food or fluids passing therethrough, from naturally-occurring contractions, and/or from changes in pH levels from caustic stomach acids and hormones. The tissue interface between these plications can be isolated from such environmental fluctuations, or the fluctuations can be attenuated, by a number of methods. One example is to place a gastric stent or sleeve within the newly formed lumen. Another example is to utilize multiple rows of anchors, clips, or sutures along the interface. Alternatively, bio-adhesives can be dispensed to buttress the tissue interface. In another variation, the tissue can be approximated in different configurations which effectively reduce or isolate the adhered tissue region.
US08087408B2

A system for improving the safety of a stove by preventing unwanted movement of cooking vessels in use on the stove. The system includes independently extendable posts that are adjacent to the cooking areas of the stove. The extendable posts may be retracted to a position wherein the top surface of the post is at or below the surface of the stove so as to enable easy cleaning and provide an attractive appearance. The posts are easily moved between their extended and retracted positions and are biased upwardly.
US08087406B2

The present invention relates to a gun for using compressed gas to propel an arrow. The gun comprises a hollow barrel adapted to accommodate the arrow. The barrel has an open rear end and an open front end. The gun also includes a cylindrical chamber having a front end through which the barrel extends, a closed rear end, and a gas inlet for connecting the cylindrical chamber to a source of compressed gas. The cylindrical chamber is adapted to hermetically enclose the open rear end of the barrel and is axially movable between a non-firing position where the closed rear end of the cylindrical chamber sealingly engages the open rear end of the barrel, and a firing position where the closed rear end of the cylindrical chamber is displaced from the open rear end of the barrel to allow compressed gas to pass into the barrel via the open rear end of the barrel so as to propel the arrow out the open front end of the barrel. The gun has a simple and robust construction, and has a well-balanced behavior during use.
US08087404B2

A slingshot pouch is disclosed. The pouch is configured to minimize contact with a projectile when it is being shot, thereby eliminating spin imparted on the projectile. This is accomplished using a pouch design configured to spring open immediately after release of the projectile. Several embodiments of such a pouch are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments comprise hinged members having various shapes, sizes and combinations of slits, opening and pockets configured to avoid imparting spin on the projectile. Also disclosed is a locking clip configured to secure such pouches to a slingshot band.
US08087402B2

In order to operate an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger, a boost pressure prevailing downstream of a compressor (42) of the exhaust gas turbocharger and upstream of a cylinder intake port of the internal combustion engine is regulated to a predefined desired boost pressure value (PUT_SP). An actuation signal portion (DELTA_PWM_WG) of a controller for regulating the boost pressure to a desired boost pressure value (PUT_SP) is determined. A change in the turbocharger speed (DELTA_N_TCHA) associated with the actuation signal portion (DELTA_PWM_WG) of the controller is determined in accordance with the actuation signal portion (DELTA_PWM_WG) of the controller and an operating point of the internal combustion engine. A turbocharger speed limit (N_TCHA_MAX) is determined in accordance with the determined change in the turbocharger speed (DELTA_PWM_WG).
US08087398B2

A fuel system for a direct injection engine having a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injector assemblies mounted to the fuel rail. Each fuel injector assembly includes a mounting surface and a dampener made of a resilient material is disposed around this mounting surface. A bracket is secured to the engine and has a recess for each fuel injector assembly. Each fuel injector assembly is positioned in its associated recess so that at least a portion of the dampener is sandwiched between the fuel injector assembly mounting surface and a complementary mounting surface formed on the recess. A holder secures the injector assembly in its associated recess.
US08087397B2

An engine with a two vacuum sources is disclosed. In one example, a valve position is adjusted in when engine load is low and intake manifold pressure is low to arbitrate vacuum between the two vacuum sources. The approach may increase engine operating efficiency during at least some conditions.
US08087388B2

The object is to provide a water heater capable of efficiently transmitting radiation heat of a burner to hot water in a hot water storage chamber with improved thermal efficiency. In the water heater, a second restriction part having a shallower depth than a first restriction part is arranged along a peripheral edge of a lower mirror plate of a hot water storage chamber with a protrusion part protruding in a ring shape toward the center side of the lower mirror plate. The protrusion part is further arranged between the first restriction part and the second restriction part, and a burner is positioned so that the burner combustion surface faces the protrusion part.
US08087384B2

A boat holding tank for anesthetizing fish is described having a pulsator, with the pulsator having an anode output and a cathode output; a holding tank capable of receiving an aquatic animal, the holding tank further comprising an anode probe and a cathode probe, with the anode cathode probe of the holding tank switchably connected to the anode and cathode output of the pulsator, such that when the pulsator is activated the aquatic animal in the holding tank is anesthetized.
US08087380B2

A plurality of chamber are arranged about a transport chamber. The linear transport chamber may include a linear track supporting robot arms. The robot arms transport substrates to and from the chambers. Each chamber includes a plurality of evaporators, each controlled independently. Each substrate positioned in the chamber is coated from a plurality of the evaporators, such that by controlling the operation of each evaporator independently the formation of the layers and the concentration gradient of each layer can be precisely controlled.
US08087375B2

A method of measuring a fluid level comprises providing a measuring device comprising a first material that changes appearance upon exposure to a first fluid, introducing the measuring device into a location comprising the first fluid and at least one other fluid, waiting for the first material to change appearance upon exposure to the first fluid, and withdrawing the measuring device from the location to determine the depth of the first fluid and the at least one other fluid. A measuring device for performing the method of measuring is also disclosed.
US08087371B1

A deployable and inflatable/deflatable fendering apparatus capable of providing protection for watercrafts and docks. The apparatus has an inflatable cylindrical body, an outer collar body, and a water reservoir with an inflating and deflating means. The collar body circumferentially surrounds the cylindrical body, and is made of abrasion resistant materials and protects the cylindrical body from punctures, tearing and abuse. The collar body may be inflatable or filled with foam-like material. The reservoir comprises a one-way valve, a series of ballasts and is attached to the cylindrical body and is expandable to provide stabilization of the fendering apparatus. The fendering apparatus can be deflated for storage.
US08087363B2

A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.
US08087353B2

The machine (4) having an improved drainage grid (1) for compacting humid waste (2) comprises at least an Archimedes screw (7) which rotates internally of a containing structure (11) in which a support structure (13) is afforded for the grid (1). The drainage grid (1) comprises a perforated structure (16) shaped and connected to the fixed structure (13) in such a way as to maintain the perforated structure (16) continuously in contact with the helix (10) of the Archimedes screw (7).
US08087352B2

A rotisserie spit including a spit rod for supporting food, a carrier bracket for mounting the spit rod in cantilever fashion by bearings to permit rotation of the spit rod, the bracket being mounted to an upright support post such that the bracket and spit rod carried thereby can swing about the axis of the post, and a motor coupled to the spit rod for driving the spit rod in rotation about its axis.
US08087345B2

A reciprocating drive mechanism having a housing with upper and lower internal chambers with a spool slidably positioned inside the upper internal chamber. There is at least one fluid inlet and fluid exhaust communicating with the upper internal chamber and at least one slide valve positioned within the upper internal chamber and traveling with the spool. A piston positioned in the lower internal chamber divides the lower internal chamber into an upper and lower cylinder space. There is at least one fluid conduit communicating between the upper internal chamber and the upper cylinder space and at least one fluid conduit communicating between the upper internal chamber and the lower cylinder space. A valve stem is connected to the piston and includes a bore communicating with the upper internal chamber and an exhaust passage is positioned between the upper and lower internal chambers. A first side passage is formed on the valve stem and connects to the bore in the valve stem and a second side passage formed in the valve stem below the first passage and shaped to bridge a seal positioned between the exhaust passage and the upper internal chamber.
US08087343B2

A trigger assembly for a trigger housing for an M240 Assault Rifle is provided having a switch accessible at the outside of the trigger housing for changing the firing of the rifle between semi-automatic and fully-automatic fire.
US08087324B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles.
US08087320B2

A special path generating device includes a base, a first axis slide assembly, a second axis slide assembly, a working portion, a driving portion, a first cam and a second cam. This first axis slide assembly includes a first bar and a first slide. The second axis slide assembly includes a second bar and a second slide. This working portion is mounted on the second slide that has two contacting portions. The driving portion is mounted on the base. When the driving portion drives the driving shaft rotating, the first cam and the second cam rotate accordingly and makes the working portion generating a special path. It can generate a constant-speed circular movement. It is easy to control. In addition, its volume is small.
US08087312B2

A measurement device includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis, an input connector configured for attachment to a shifter assembly of a vehicle and a clamp configured for attachment to a linkage support bracket of the vehicle. The measurement device measures the linear displacement of a linkage interconnecting the shifter assembly and a transmission of the vehicle in response to movement of the shifter assembly between a first position and a second position. A scale is attached to the input connector and slideably supported by the clamp. A scale reader is attached to the base for measuring linear movement of the scale in response to movement of the shifter assembly between the first and second positions. Preferably, the scale and the scale reader comprise a digital measuring unit having a digital display for displaying the measured linear movement.
US08087310B2

Provided is a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) device for use with an elongate structure. The MEMS device includes a generally planar substrate, a device wall layer formed upon the substrate, a septum cavity formed in the device wall layer, a channel formed in the device wall layer in fluid communication with the septum cavity, and a septum element disposed in the septum cavity. The septum element is formed of a viscoelastic material. The septum element defines a septum entry surface and a septum exit surface with the septum exit surface being exposed to the channel and disposed between the septum entry surface and the channel. The septum element is without any openings formed through the septum element extending between the septum entry and exit surfaces. Methods of manufacturing and interacting with the MEMS device are also provided.
US08087308B2

A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter. The sample probe also includes a shield disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, the shield being operable to deflect particles in a gas sampling stream away from the sample probe tip filter. The shield has at least one opening that allows the gas within the gas sampling stream and certain ones of the particles in the gas sampling stream both traveling in a substantially flow reversal direction to a primary direction of the gas sampling stream to enter the shield and contact the sample probe tip filter.
US08087306B2

A sensor arrangement for measuring a torque acting on a shaft, wherein the shaft has a first shaft section and a second shaft section and these two shaft sections can be rotated relative to one another, including at least one magnetic encoder arranged on the first shaft section, and a stator arranged on the second shaft section, wherein the stator has two stator elements, each with protruding fingers, and the stator elements are assigned respectively or jointly a flux concentrator which leads the magnetic field to be detected, generated by the magnetic encoder, directly or indirectly to at least one magnetic field sensor element, wherein the at least one flux concentrator is fixed to a carrier element embodied in elastic fashion at least in part.
US08087290B2

A method of performing a diagnosis of an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust gas region of an internal combustion engine testing the sensor to determine whether a change of at least one exhaust gas component, which is detectable by the exhaust gas sensor, results in an expected change of the sensor signal, and implementing the diagnosis if a specified change in at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and/or at least one parameter of the exhaust gas in the running operation of the internal combustion engine are detected.
US08087285B2

A test apparatus for testing fluid seals within an aerated fluid includes a container and a fluid located within the container. A plurality of seal coupons are submerged within the fluid in the container. An air supply is connected to the container to aerate the fluid within the container. Testing the seal coupons includes flowing air from the air supply through the fluid to contact the seal coupons. After the air has contacted the seal coupons then the plurality of seal coupons are removed from the fluid. A value for at least one characteristic of the seal coupons is then compared with a standard value.
US08087284B2

Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
US08087276B1

A pin tumbler lock releasing method involves cooperatively using keyway insertible and universally configured lift, key and shim devices to raise the pin stacks within a pin tumbler lock to just above the lock's shear line and then rotating the lock's plug element within its outer easing in order to disengage its locking mechanism.
US08087271B1

A lid has a planar front face corresponding to the upper extent of the front surface. The front face terminates in a front free edge. The lid has a rear face corresponding to an upper portion of the upper extent of the rear surface. The rear face terminates in a back free edge. The lid also has a periphery. The periphery includes a top with sides. The periphery terminates at an angled edge. A hinge couples the back free edge of the rear face of the lid and the back surface of the device in proximity to the forward edge. In this manner the lid is adapted to pivot to a closed lower orientation to cover the buttons and an open raised orientation to expose the buttons.
US08087262B2

A process and device for abating air-borne particles during glass melt handling processes by using electrostatic precipitation. The invention is effective in abating both precious metal inclusions and non-metallic inclusions in the produced glass.
US08087257B2

Disclosed are an air conditioner integrated management system and an operational method of the same according to the present invention. The present invention can promptly detect and repair the device, where an error really occurred, by determining the error as an upper unit's in the case that the error occurred at the whole devices belonging to a lower unit managed by the upper unit.
US08087252B2

An annular combustion chamber for a turbomachine is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes radially internal and radially external cylindrical walls which are fixed by bolting at their upstream ends to an internal and an external annular flange of an annular chamber end wall, and an annular fairing extending in the upstream direction from the chamber end wall. The internal and external annular ends are fixed by bolting to the flanges of the chamber end wall in axial alignment with the annular ends of the walls of the chamber.
US08087250B2

An exhaust nozzle includes a conical duct terminating in an annular outlet. A row of vortex generating duplex tabs are mounted in the outlet. The tabs have compound radial and circumferential aft inclination inside the outlet for generating streamwise vortices for attenuating exhaust noise while reducing performance loss.
US08087242B2

An epitrochoidal Stirling type engine operating on a Carnot cycle. The engine has a hot end and a cool end. Each end has a three-lobed rotary piston or rotor eccentrically mounted. Each rotor is in a four-lobed housing. There are connections for fluid flow between pairs of lobes with regenerators in the connections. The thermodynamic cycle corresponds to that of the Stirling engine. Heat is applied to one end of the engine and heat is discharged at the other end. As each rotor moves in and out of the housing lobes, a hydrodynamic fluid film of gas is produced between the rotor and the housing which keeps the rotor from contacting the housing.
US08087233B2

A diesel engine includes: a PM filter provided in its exhaust passage; a fuel injection valve for performing post fuel injection in a cylinder of an engine body in addition to primary fuel injection, in order to supply fuel to the PM filter, to maintain its purification performance; an oil level sensor for detecting a degree of dilution of engine oil; and a first indicator lamp that is turned on to indicate that the engine oil needs to be changed when the degree of dilution of engine oil detected by the oil level sensor is equal to or greater than an allowable level. The vehicle diesel engine overrides the prohibition of the post fuel injection until a distance traveled by the vehicle after the indicator lamp is turned on reaches a predetermined distance.
US08087232B2

In an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, a control valve is disposed downstream of a junction point of one of two exhaust passages of the engine, and a control valve and a catalytic converter are disposed downstream of a junction point of the other of the exhaust passages. The control valves of the two exhaust passages are controlled so that exhaust gas of all of the cylinders mainly passages the catalytic converter of the other exhaust passage during startup of the engine.
US08087231B2

A main feedback control based on an output of an upstream sensor, and a sub-feedback control based on an output of a downstream sensor are executed. A specified fuel disturbance is inputted and an output of the downstream sensor is measured to derive a characteristic value. Based on the characteristic value, it is determined whether a purifying capacity of the exhaust gas purifying system including the catalyst, the upstream sensor, and the downstream sensor is deteriorated.
US08087217B2

The method consists in: a) screwing a spherical impact part (16) onto the body of the cork so as to extend it axially; b) orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position such that the bottle extends below a reference level (18), the impact part (16) emerging above said level; and c) striking the impact part with a striker surface (22) situated at the end of the arm of a striker accessory (24), e.g. a golf club. This produces a sudden force on the cork of amplitude that is sufficient to forcibly expel the cork solely by the fact of striking against the impact part. The device further comprises a podium (10) defining the reference level (18) and means (30) for orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position which may be vertical or inclined.
US08087214B1

Improved matchbooks having separable message sheets are provided for. The novel matchbooks each comprise a comb of matches having a plurality of matches and a cover. The cover is attached to and folded over the comb such that the cover substantially encloses the comb when the cover is in a first closed position and permits a consumer to access the matches in the comb when the cover is in a second open position. The cover has igniting material on the cover on which the matches may be struck and ignited. The matchbooks also have a message sheet providing a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The message sheet is separably connected to the cover such that the message sheet is separable from the cover. Thus, the message sheet may be removed from a novel matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the matchbook.
US08087212B2

The present invention concerns a method of forming a multi-ply core component. A mold press is provided having an upper die and a lower die defining a mold cavity. At least one of the upper die and the lower die has a plurality of protrusions. A first wood composite board and a second wood composite board are disposed within the mold cavity. The first and second boards are fused proximate the plurality of protrusions by compressing the boards in the mold cavity through application of heat and pressure.
US08087211B2

A post-construction composite anchor bolt is provided having great resistance to a bending moment, even when the reinforcement covering margin is small, and reduces the transformation force caused by the bending moment acting on the joining point between the connecting part and the second anchor bolt, even if the size of the anchor bolt is increased. A post construction anchor bolt in the concrete frame comprising: a first anchor bolt installed projecting outside of a concrete frame; and a second anchor bolt which is eccentrically positioned to the axis of said first anchor bolt and is installed embedded in the concrete frame, and a connecting part which links said first anchor bolt and said second anchor bolt, and is installed embedded in the concrete frame together with said second anchor bolt. Said connecting part is formed to have a portion projecting in the opposite direction to the first anchor bolt, and thus reduces the bending moment which is exerted locally on the connecting part due to the load on said first anchor bolt.
US08087204B1

A sealing cap for an anchor of a post-tension anchorage system has a tubular body, a flange formed on an end of the tubular body, and a seal positioned adjacent an interior wall of the tubular body. The flange has a connector formed on a circumferential surface thereof for detachably engaging the flange with a tubular section of the anchor. The seal is positioned against the interior wall of the tubular body. The seal has a tubular shape so as to extend entirely around the interior wall. The seal is positioned in liquid-tight relation between the interior wall of the tubular body and a sheathed portion of a tendon extending from the anchor. The seal is inserted between the sheathed portion and the interior wall of the tubular body.
US08087197B2

An optical system has an optical component with a curved surface and zero optical power. The optical system is configured so that the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. According to a different aspect, a method is provided for making an optical system that has an optical component with a surface, where the optical component is the first optical structure encountered by radiation entering the optical system from externally thereof. The method includes configuring the surface to be curved, and configuring the optical component to have zero optical power.
US08087196B2

Provided is a dot sighting device with large caliber for binocular vision in which sighting can be performed rapidly and accurately by minimizing parallax. The dot sighting device is attached to and detached from a mount for a heavy machine gun. In addition, by using the dot sighting device with large caliber, a user can rapidly and accurately sight and fire a target by taking into consideration types and characteristics of the target and a distance to the target.
US08087192B2

Flat panel display mounts configured to rotate about a vertical axis and at least substantially maintain rigidity about a horizontal axis comprise a mounting member configured to receive a flat panel display thereon, and an arm member attached to the mounting member. The arm member includes at least one hinge on at least one of a first and second coupling members. Methods of forming a flat panel display mount are disclosed. A modular sign including a housing, at least one sign panel, and a flat panel display mount is also disclosed.
US08087190B1

A clothing coordination system comprising first placards labeled with a color and number; second placards labeled with a color; third placards labeled with a number; label apparatuses for attaching to a closet rod to group together pants, shirts, or sweaters of a color, the apparatuses each comprises an elongated base with a rail adapted to display a first placard or a second placard and at least one third placard, wherein the placards corresponds to the color of the pants, shirts or sweaters; and a plurality of clothing boxes for grouping shirts or sweaters of a certain color, the clothing boxes each have at least one rail for displaying a second placard and at least one third placard; wherein a coordinated outfit can be chosen by selecting a pair of pants and then selecting a shirt that has a third placard that matches the assigned number of the pants.
US08087189B2

An out-sole assembly for a golf shoe. The outsole assembly includes an internal base member composed of EVA, an inner frame member composed thermoplastic polyurethane subjected to an isocyanate solution, an external base member composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane, a dual looping frame composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and a plurality of spike members.
US08087180B1

The present invention is an adjustable picture frame wall hanging template system and device with adjustable elements to easily determine and visualize the placement and positioning of an object to be hung on a wall. It can be adjusted by size and shape to determine a desired size and shape of an object to be placed on a wall prior to acquisition of the object. It is light weight and can be easily handled for a single person operation and temporarily attached to the wall for hands free viewing.
US08087170B2

A method for manufacturing a developing agent carrier of a hollow or solid cylindrical shape having an outer peripheral surface and an irregularity section formed on the outer peripheral surface to carry a developing agent is provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a base material of a hollow or solid cylindrical shape which is to become the developing agent carrier, the base material having an outer peripheral surface; and a step of forming the irregularity section by pressing dice for formation of the irregularity section against the outer peripheral surface of the base material. The irregularity section forming step comprises a first step of forming a plurality of first depression portions on the outer peripheral surface of the base material by use of a die and a second step of forming a plurality of second depression portions on the outer peripheral surface of the base material by use of a die identical with or different from the die used in forming the first depression portions, in such a manner that the second depression portions are dislocated from the first depression portions.
US08087154B2

A motor includes a core having a plurality of laminations, which are stacked together and an end-plate provided at an end surface of the core and supporting the core, wherein the end-plate is formed by pressing a hollow material in one direction thereof in order to plastically deform the hollow material in a plate-shape.
US08087151B2

A gas sensor includes zinc oxide nano-structures formed on a substrate, a plurality of metal islands coated on a surface of each zinc oxide nano-structure and separated from one another, a first electrode electrically connected to one end of each zinc oxide nano-structure through the substrate, a second electrode electrically connected to the other end of each zinc oxide nano-structure, and a current variation-measuring unit electrically connected to each of the first electrode and the second electrode so as to measure a variation in the amount of current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. In order to form the plurality of metal islands on the zinc oxide nano-structures, a solution of metal components of a metal material is coated on the surface of each zinc oxide nano-structure.
US08087147B2

A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US08087141B2

The sheet metal or substrate material 22 is constructed by a photo-chemical machining or milling method. In this exemplary process, an etching mask 24 is applied to both sides of the substrate 22 and covers the structure of the flat-shaped member 12, which is to be uncovered in a subsequent etching step. The mask 24 is formed by coating the substrate 22 with a photoresist and is exposed through a photomask having the desired pattern that is arranged in front of the mask, whereby the photoresist is polymerized or hardened in the covered areas while the other areas are rinsed away after development.
US08087132B2

A cremated remains containment vessel may include an outer shell including a base and sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. The sidewalls may be defined by a lower portion positioned adjacent the base and an upper portion positioned opposite the base. The outer shell may also include a plurality of interior walls extending upwardly from the base, interior the sidewalls, to define a plurality of compartments. The vessel may also include a top that is removeably connected to the upper portion of the sidewalls, and a pair of handles connected to the sidewalls of the outer shell to oppose one another. The vessel may further include a pair of grooves formed in a bottom portion of the base and aligned substantially parallel with one another. The vessel may still further include a liner carried by the outer shell adjacent an inner portion of the sidewalls and the base, and a data plate carried by a bottom portion of the top. The vessel may also include a frame member carried by an outer portion of the sidewalls. Contact between the top and the outer shell may form an airtight or watertight seal.
US08087129B2

A parallel opening hinge (1) comprises a first track (3), a second track (5) and at least two pairs of pivotally connected crossing links (7, 9), wherein each pair of crossing links (7, 9) is mounted to the tracks (3, 5) via a fixed pivot (13, 17) and a movable pivot (15, 19) in each track (3, 5), wherein a connector (23) joins two movable pivots (15) in a track (5) such that the movable pivots (15) move together. Improved opening of a parallel opening vent can thereby result. Other improved features of a parallel opening hinge are also described.
US08087127B2

A plurality of castors for a piece of furniture, each castor including a casing, two wheels, and fastener elements for fastening to the piece of furniture. The casing is made up of two units, each made as a single piece, the first unit including a portion constituted by a portion of the wheel casing and a portion constituted by a portion of the swivel casing, the second unit including a portion constituted by another portion of the wheel casing and a portion constituted by another portion of the swivel casing. The two units are adapted to be associated with each other to form the casing in such a manner that the portions of the first unit and the portions of the second unit engage respectively one in the other, and elements are provided for securing the two units together.
US08087125B2

A suction head structure (10) and a vacuum cleaner (20) using the same for adsorbing grains is provided. The suction head structure includes an accommodating room (14), a plurality of suction tubes (11), an eject tube (12), and an air inlet (13). The accommodating room is configured for accommodating grains therein. The suction tubes connect with the accommodating room. Each of the plurality of suction tubes is configured for adsorbing grain into the accommodating room. The eject tube connects with the accommodating room. The eject tube is configured for ejecting grains accommodated in the accommodating room. The air inlet connects with the eject tube. The air inlet is configured for injecting cool air into the eject tube.
US08087114B2

A spring mattress includes a plurality of strings interconnected side by side, each string including a continuous casing material with a plurality of pockets, said pockets being defined by at least one longitudinal connecting line extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the string and a plurality of transverse connecting lines extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the string, and coil springs arranged in the pockets of the string. For at least one of the springs, casing material portions arranged at the ends of the spring are moved towards each other, through the spring, and connected to each other. The connecting lines are arranged at the side of the springs and, thus, between neighboring springs. The interconnected casing material portions are thus at the ends of the springs essentially free of other connections.
US08087110B1

A bed covering apparatus that prevents bed bugs from intrusion to an enclosed sleeping area, wherein the bed covering apparatus has a net for exclusion of insects, and also contains at least one slippery section to which bed bugs cannot adhere, thereby causing the bed bugs to fall from the netted sleeping area before they have an opportunity to enter the sleeping enclosure.
US08087107B2

A dual flush valve is provided for refilling fluid in a toilet bowl. The dual flush valve includes a refill mechanism configured to refill the toilet bowl with a substantially same volume of refill fluid for both a full flush and a half flush, a first valve connected to the refill mechanism, the first valve operates to control flow of fluid into a bowl, a fluid input is connected to a first port of the first valve, and a fluid output is connected to a second port of the first valve. The level of fluid in the bowl is refilled to a same level for both a full flush and a half flush.
US08087104B2

A manual toilet seat lifter apparatus is provided for lifting and lowering a toilet seat and includes strap hinge members connected to the toilet seat. A hinge pin is received in the strap hinge members. A riser rod is connected to the hinge pin. A handle is connected to a top end of the riser rod, and a counterweight is connected to a bottom end of the riser rod. Preferably, a horizontal transition portion is connected between the hinge pin and the riser rod. Preferably, a horizontal extension portion is connected to the riser rod at a location on the riser rod which is opposite to the horizontal transition portion. With a second embodiment of the invention, which is a combined toilet seat lifter and toilet seat cover lifter apparatus, toilet seat cover lifting means are provided for lifting and lowering a toilet seat cover.
US08091139B2

A method is disclosed for protecting secret data, which is intended to be processed by an original function, from being deduced by a side-channel attack upon execution of the original function by an electronic computing device. The method includes creating hardware circuitry which replaces the original function with one or more pairs of replacement functions, by applying a predetermined masking algorithm which performs a recursive protection process. Further disclosed is an apparatus for protecting secret data, which is intended to be processed by an original function, from being deduced by a side-channel attack upon execution of the original function by an electronic computing device.
US08091135B2

A computer system uses a virus-scan method capable of full-scanning the logical volume of a SUTOSEN PC with high frequency while limiting the number of virus-scan devices. The computer system includes a primary volume storing data from a personal computer, a snapshot volume storing the status of the primary volume at a given point in time, and a save destination volume storing an updated memory area within the primary volume as information on an updated block address reflected in a bitmap. The updated block address corresponds to a memory area within the primary volume. The computer system detects only an updated file in the primary volume from the snapshot volume and the save destination volume, creates an updated volume for storing a relevant updated file, and thereby executes a virus-scan on the updated volume.
US08091130B1

Systems and methods for geographically mapping an intrusion into a network having one or more network points include receiving intrusion information identifying a intrusion into a point of the network, correlating the intrusion information with location information for the identified network point, and network identification information for the identified network point, and generating a map displaying a geographical location of the intrusion.
US08091126B2

A system and method for failure recognition is disclosed. The technology initially establishes a security association (SA) between a client and a first server on a network. In addition, an active reference count of a number of connections in the SA between the client and the first server is maintained. The SA is evaluated when the active reference count returns less than two connections within the SA between the client and the first server.
US08091107B2

Methods for producing a digital video work to be presented in potentially viewable scenes with the ability to customize the scene sequences presented to individual viewers based upon expressed or imputed viewer preferences, and to the articles on which such work is stored and played. The content of the scene sequences may vary to match viewer preferences while maintaining the overall message of the digital video work.
US08091100B2

An audience measurement system determines the likelihood that an audience member is in the audience of a receiver during a particular day part. If the audience member is not likely to be in the audience of the receiver during that day part, the audience member is prompted to enter an audience member identification. On the other hand, if the audience member is likely to be in the audience of the receiver during that day part, prompting of the audience member to enter an audience member identification is suppressed.
US08091093B2

Systems and methods for network security are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include a scalable, real-time solution to complement existing security systems and detect unusual activity. Embodiments of the present invention leverage the scale and complexity of networks and use the principles of statistical physics and thermodynamics to define thermal properties like entropy, temperature and energy for network states and changes in the properties as packets move through the network.
US08091088B2

The present invention manages resources in a computing device to facilitate the allocation of resources amongst competing clients operating on the device. A hierarchy of budgets is constructed to encode restrictions on the aggregated use of a resource allocated by a resource provider to one or more clients. A resource manager validates and arbitrates requests to allocate resources to the one or more clients by resource providers in accordance with the budgets comprising the hierarchy. The resource manager notifies clients of availability and shortages of resources to promote compliance with the restrictions encoded in the budgets of the hierarchy.
US08091080B2

A computer implemented method of computer implemented method for installing a code object in a user process virtual memory space, while the user process is running is provided. The user process is run in a virtual memory space. A controller process is run in a different virtual memory space than the user process. The control process requests to a kernel module to install the code object into the virtual memory space of the user process. The kernel module installs the code object into the virtual memory space of the user process, while the user process is running.
US08091075B2

A conditional breakpoint for debugging computer programming code includes a condition identifying of one or more expected code paths used to reach the breakpoint. The breakpoint is triggered if it is reached during execution using an unexpected code path. Preferably, an expected code path is identified by specifying the expected preceding breakpoint, by specifying basic code blocks which should or should not be encountered before the breakpoint, or some combination thereof. The expected code path condition may be used alone or in conjunction with any conventional breakpoint condition.
US08091072B2

A test executor for testing an application programming interface of a software application includes a plurality of invokers, a mapper/converter, and a comparer. The plurality of invokers includes a software application invoker and a database application invoker. The software application invoker is adapted to communicate with a software application through an application programming interface of the software application while the database application invoker is adapted to communicate with a database application through an application programming interface of the database application. The mapper/converter is in communication with the plurality of invokers. The mapper/converter converts results from at least one of the software application invoker and the database application invoker into a common data format. The comparer is in communication with the mapper/converter and compares the results in the common data format to assess the functionality of the application programming interface of the software application.
US08091064B2

An optimum target system is designed by implementing software modules and hardware modules, without discriminating between the software modules and the hardware modules. An external storage stores the software modules including namespace identifiers for identifying the software modules, and the hardware modules including namespace identifiers for identifying the hardware modules. A module selector specifies a process of a target system to be built, and selects the software modules and the hardware modules that execute the specified process. A namespace manager acquires the namespace identifiers for identifying the software modules, and the namespace identifiers for identifying the hardware modules. A module mapping processor implements either one of the software modules and the hardware modules in the target system, based on the namespace identifiers.
US08091047B1

Systems and methods for creating and implementing two-dimensional (2D), image-based design rules (IBDRs) are disclosed. Techniques for creating 2D IBDR can include identifying a search pattern that is representative of a 2D pattern of interest of a design, creating a pattern representation based on the search pattern, defining an anchor point for the pattern representation, and assigning weights to elements of the pattern representation. The 2D MDR can be used in systems and method for searching a design by comparing the 2D IBDR to the design. A number of 2D IBDRs can be merged into a subset of similar 2D IBDRs by characterizing desired rule geometries, sorting the 2D IBDRs into groups according to the desired rule geometries, merging the groups of 2D IBDRs into a single representative search pattern. Additionally, standard design rules can be created from the disclosed 2D IBDRs. The standard design rule can be created from a 2D pattern of interest by defining an origin of a shape within the 2D pattern of interest, identifying features within the 2D pattern of interest, deriving parameters relative to the origin for each of the identified features, and writing the standard design rule script using the derived parameters.
US08091043B2

A first element in a graphical modeling environment is selected by a user which results in a plurality of speed buttons adjacent to the first element being displayed. Such speed buttons define operations to be conducted on the first element in connection with a second element. After one of the displayed speed buttons is selected, it can be dragged to a display point. A second element is generated at the display point based on the selected displayed speed button which is linked to the first element. The link can be characterized by the operations defined by the selected displayed speed button. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and products are also described.
US08091038B1

An adaptive graphical interface may include determining a first visual characteristic of a background portion, selecting a second visual characteristic contrasting with the first visual characteristic, and presenting a graphical feature portion, the graphical feature portion being presented over the background portion, and the graphical feature portion having the second visual characteristic.
US08091015B2

A digital document management system is capable of guaranteeing that a partial correction has been made according to a proper procedure and achieving a third-party certification of the validity of the guarantee. The digital document management system manages document information created in a digital form, and includes partial identification information generation section that generates partial identification information that represents, in an identifiable manner, respective parts of the document information. A partial correction information generation section generates partial correction information which is information related to a correction history of a corrected part in the case where any correction has been required for the document information; and an original document information management section manages the document information, partial identification information, partial correction information, and prescribed policy information in an associated manner.
US08091010B2

An error correction circuit and method for reducing a miscorrection probability and a semiconductor memory device including the circuit are provided. The error correction circuit includes an error check and correction (ECC) encoder and an ECC decoder. The ECC encoder generates syndrome data enabling h-bit error correction based on information data and a generator polynomial, where “h” is 2 or an integer greater than 2. The ECC decoder may operate in a single mode for detecting an error position with respect to a maximum of (h−j) bits in the information data based on encoded data including the information and the syndrome data, where “j” is 1 or an integer greater than 1. Alternatively, the ECC decoder may operate in a first operation mode for detecting an error position with respect to a maximum of “h” bits in the information data or in a second operation mode for detecting an error position with respect to a maximum of (h−j) bits in the information data based on encoded data including the information and the syndrome data. Accordingly, the miscorrection probability is reduced, and therefore, data reliability is increased.
US08091005B2

In a keyboard-video-mouse (“KVM”) system in which a target computer may be wirelessly accessed by a plurality of remote stations, a method includes, by the target computer: obtaining a frame of video data; transmitting packets for the frame; transmitting a query packet; obtaining a list of requests from at least one of the remote stations, each request from a particular remote station identifying packets missed by that particular remote station; and resending at least some of the requested packets.
US08090991B2

A logical central processing unit (logical CPU) selects a target device. When the target device is shared by another logical CPU, the logical CPU determines whether the logical CPU is in charge of exclusively making diagnosis of the target device. When the target device is not shared by another logical central processing unit or when the logical CPU is exclusively in charge of making diagnosis of the target device, the logical CPU makes diagnosis of the target device and stores a result of diagnosis in a storage unit.
US08090990B2

Disclosed is an abnormal pattern detection program for a function call in a source program that makes a computer, which is connected to a main memory and an output device, execute the following processes. (1) A reading process for reading the source program onto the main memory. (2) A sentence extracting process for extracting previous and next sentences of every function call of each function from the source program read onto the main memory. (3) A setting process for setting common appearance patterns, which are included in the previous and next sentences of every function call extracted through the sentence extracting process and appear in a high frequency, on the main memory. (4) An output process for outputting a warning message from the output device when a function call whose previous and next sentences do not include any of the common appearance patterns is found in the source program.
US08090982B2

A multiprocessor system is disclosed. The multiprocessor system includes plural processor cores to which control to be performed is allocated. The multiprocessor system includes a monitoring processor which detects an abnormal operation that has occurred in a specific processor core to which control having a higher priority order than control to be allocated to processor cores other than the specific processor core is allocated. When the monitoring processor detects the abnormal operation in the specific processor core, the monitoring processor allocates the control having the higher priority order to one of the processor cores other than the specific processor core.
US08090981B1

A computer-implemented method of automatically configuring a platform of storage devices includes querying components of the platform to gather information about the capability of the platform, locating one or more storage devices within the platform, automatically determining one or more RAID levels that are supported by the platform, and automatically configuring one or more storage devices within the platform as a RAID system having a particular RAID level, where the particular RAID level is selected based on the capability of the platform.
US08090967B2

A proposal for power management control of an interconnect structure based on power state transition control. The power state transition is based on generating early warning signals and an idle timeout value setting based on response time and detection of subsequent requests.
US08090962B2

A system, method, and program product is provided that detects whether a network adapter has been removed from a computer system. If the network adapter, such as a wireless network adapter, has been removed from the computer system, then a tamper evident indicator (e.g., bit) is set in a nonvolatile memory area of the computer system. In addition, a hard drive password is set to a different password according to a hard drive password policy. The hard drive password controls access to files stored on the hard drive. In one embodiment, the power-on password is also changed to a new password so that the user has to enter the new power-on password when initializing the computer system in order to access the files stored on the computer system.
US08090960B2

At a seller, an encryption device encrypts content data stored in a content server using an encryption key generated by an encryption key generation device, and records the encrypted content data and a communication program on a recording medium. A paper indicating an identification code unique to each recording medium is attached to the recording medium. A decryption key corresponding to the encryption key and the identification code are registered in a managing database. A user terminal sends the identification code to a decryption key managing server apparatus via Internet in accordance with the communication program, in a case where the user terminal is to copy or install or reproduce the content data stored on the recording medium. The decryption key managing server apparatus sends a decryption key corresponding to this identification code to the user terminal. The user terminal decrypts the content data using the decryption key sent thereto.
US08090950B2

A data processing system for distributing and authenticating documents from a plurality of parties to a recipient data processing apparatus is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of document distribution devices each configured to generate an original hash value from the content of a file containing a document to be distributed. A recipient data processing apparatus is configured to generate an original super hash value from the plurality of the original hash values, and to distribute the original super hash value to each of the document distribution devices. The system provides assurance that distributed documents have not been tampered with during communication, by an unscrupulous distributing party, or by an unscrupulous recipient by only submitting a hash value of the document to be distributed. The hash value provides for assurance at the eventual recipient of the document that no changes to the document have been made.
US08090941B2

A secure Voice-Over-IP (VOIP), video and data network functionality in a single, small size deployable case, for a remote user. While capable of secure communications, the disclosed system also provides communication capability (VOIP, video and/or data) in a non-secure manner if desired. Most importantly, bulk encrypted (i.e., secure) data may be routed over a public network, e.g., the Internet.
US08090938B2

Methods and systems for running multiple operating systems in a single embedded or mobile device (include PDA, cellular phone and other devices) are disclosed. The invention allows a mobile device that normally can only run a single operating system to run another operating system while preserving the state and data of the original operating system. Guest OS is packaged into special format recognizable by the host OS that still can be executed in place by the system. The Methods include: Change the memory protection bits for the original OS; Fake a reduced physical memory space for guest OS; Use special memory device driver to claim memories of host OS; Backup whole image of the current OS and data to external memory card.
US08090936B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing accelerated loading of operating system and application programs. In one aspect, a method for providing accelerated loading of an operating system comprises the steps of: maintaining a list of boot data; preloading the boot data upon initialization of the computer system; and servicing requests for boot data from the computer system using the preloaded boot data. In a preferred embodiment, the boot data is retrieved from a boot device and stored in a cache memory device. In another aspect, a method for accelerated loading of an operating system comprises updating the list of boot data during the boot process, wherein updating comprises adding to the list any boot data requested by the computer system not previously stored in the list and/or removing from the list any boot data previously stored in the list and not requested by the computer system.
US08090932B1

A system-on-chip including a processor, a control module, a first plurality of data registers, a second plurality of data registers, a plurality of address registers, and a first control module. The first plurality of data registers are configured to store data. The processor is configured to respectively write addresses corresponding to selected ones of the first plurality of data registers in the plurality of address registers. The second plurality of data registers are configured to receive data from the selected ones of the first plurality of data registers. In response to a request from the processor for a first address, the first control module is configured to provide data to the processor from the second plurality of data registers in response to the first address matching an address stored in the plurality of address registers, and otherwise provide data to the processor from the first plurality of data registers.
US08090931B2

A microprocessor includes an instruction translator that translates PUSHF, POP, and MOVSB x86 macroinstructions into multiple microinstructions that include a fused store microinstruction. For PUSHF, first and second microinstructions moves the x86 EFLAGS register into and mask off bits in a temporary register, and the fused store microinstruction stores it to a memory location. For POP, a first microinstruction loads a first memory location value into a temporary register and the fused store microinstruction stores it to the second memory location. For MOVSB, the first microinstruction loads a first memory location operand into a temporary register and the fused store microinstruction stores it to a second memory location. A reorder buffer receives the fused store microinstruction into exactly one entry. In response to the fused store microinstruction, an instruction dispatcher dispatches store address and store data microinstructions, neither of which occupies a reorder buffer entry, to different respective execution units.
US08090927B2

An application executing method for automatically executing an application stored in a storage unit of an external storage device in an operating system (OS) of a computer host is provided. The method includes dividing the storage unit into a first partition and a second partition; emulating the first partition as compact disc-read only memory (CR-ROM); storing a switch program in the first partition; and storing the application in the second partition. The method also includes providing only the first partition to be accessed by the OS and automatically executing the switch program by the OS to decouple and re-couple the external storage device to the computer host. Additionally, the method further includes providing only the second partition to be accessed by the OS and executing the application when the external storage device is re-coupled to the computer host.
US08090920B2

A recording medium stores contents and contents keys to be used for encrypting the contents, in a plurality of storage formats. The storage formats include a storage format (a first format) for delivered contents acquired through a network, and a storage format (a second format) for local contents acquired by a method other than the delivery. The intrinsic storage formats of the contents to be stored in the recording medium are determined according to the kinds of the contents. The recording medium stores not only the contents and the contents keys but also original storage format information (an import flag) (851) which is information indicating the intrinsic storage formats of the contents. With reference to the original storage format information, a reproduction device selects a reproduction method in accordance with the intrinsic storage formats of the contents.
US08090918B2

An electronic storage device includes a first memory segment having at least one source block to store information, a second memory segment having at least one backup block corresponding to the source block to make a backup of the information in a LSB memory page of the source block and a control unit connecting with said first memory segment and second memory segment. The control unit reads/writes the first memory segment and second memory segment through two different signal channels respectively. The information can be simultaneously written into the first and second memory segment to get a backup of the information so that the information can be stored safely. The control unit recycles the backup block of the second memory segment not only after the source block of the first memory segment entirely finishes writing the information but also after the source block is erased up in order to release the storage space of the backup block.
US08090914B2

A system comprises a first node operative to provide a source broadcast requesting data. The first node associates an F-state with a copy of the data in response to receiving the copy of the data from memory and receiving non-data responses from other nodes in the system. The non-data responses include an indication that at least a second node includes a shared copy of the data. The F-state enabling the first node to serve as an ordering point in the system capable of responding to requests from other nodes in the system with a shared copy of the data.
US08090895B2

An information processing system including plural information processing devices multi-dimensionally connected with one another, where each of the information processing devices includes first and second receiving storage devices to store data allocated to first and second virtual channels in respective data transmitting and receiving directions, a virtual channel control unit to compare a position in a dimension of a destination information processing device with a position in the same dimension of an own information processing device, and if the comparison result indicates that the position of the own information processing device matches a position one information processing device before the position of the destination information processing device, change one of the first and the second virtual channels to the other one, and a data storage unit to store the allocated data in a corresponding one of the first and second storage devices.
US08090894B1

A controller circuit can provide communication paths between multiple host devices and at least one function interface (I/F), where a function I/F can allow access to a predetermined circuit function. The controller circuit can include an endpoint buffer circuit having a plurality of storage locations configurable as endpoints according to a predetermined data transmission protocol and a data switching circuit coupled to the endpoint point buffer circuit. The data switching circuit is configurable to provide communication paths that enable a first host I/F and a second host I/F to access at least a same function I/F, and enable the first and second host I/Fs to communicate with one another.
US08090888B2

A wireless USB hub for connecting a plurality of remote peripheral devices to a computer for communication therewith without the need to physically connect the peripheral devices to the hub via a cable connection. The wireless USB hub includes a receiver for receiving wireless data transmissions from one or more remote peripheral devices. The wireless USB hub further includes a hub controller for passing appropriate peripheral device information to a USB upstream port and then to a computer.
US08090885B2

Localization and/or customization of computing devices are accomplished automatically through an add-on input device. Operating system or a separate application in the computing device is arranged to communicate with or recognize the input device such as a keypad and configure parameter of the computing device such as language, user interface arrangement, communication setup, and the like accordingly without user interaction.
US08090882B2

In order to provide a system in which a single driver can totally control each periphery, there is provided a peripheral determination program executable on a main device installing the driver thereon. The peripheral determination program has a set of instructions including: acquiring device information assigned to each of a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the computer, the driver controlling operations of the plurality of peripheral devices, the device information indicating a model of each of the plurality of peripheral devices; extracting peripheral devices applicable to the driver out of the plurality of peripheral devices, the applicable peripheral devices being capable of executing all settings designated by the driver; selecting one peripheral device from the applicable peripheral devices; and determining the selected applicable peripheral device to be a terminal peripheral device.
US08090880B2

In some embodiments, it is determined that a primary node has been elected from among a plurality of nodes in a replica set of nodes. The primary node accepts and processes client data access requests. The replica set includes the primary node and other secondary nodes. The primary node receives client data access requests. The primary node assigns a data sequence number to each client data access request that mutates state in the order the client data access requests are received. The data sequence numbers include a linearized processing order that is to be followed by each of the nodes in the replica set. The primary node sends the mutating client data access requests including any corresponding data sequence numbers to the secondary nodes. The primary node receives, from a threshold number of secondary nodes, an acknowledgement indicating reception of the client data access request. The primary node commits the data mutating access request.
US08090876B2

A wrapper operates to store data relating to messages received from a kernel such that kernel-specific data or information is not passed to a module core. The wrapper on receiving data from the module core uses the data stored in the relevant part of the memory to provide the data or information required by the kernel to handle the message. On receiving a message, the kernel begins to process it. At a certain point the wrapper intercepts the message and creates a SCSI data message and a PLUT element comprising a kernel pointer, a core pointer, and a reference counter. The kernel pointer is provided by the kernel and identifies a memory location where implementation-specific information pertaining to the message, pointers to raw data and a SCSI-formatted command descriptor block resides. The reference counter defines the number of times a message will be processed within the core before the related memory can be reused. The wrapper re-formats data and references the result by the core pointer.
US08090874B2

The invention relates to methods and systems for reconnecting a client and providing user authentication across a reliable and persistent communication session. A first protocol that encapsulates a plurality of secondary protocols is used to communicate over a network. A first protocol service, using the first protocol, provides session persistence and a reliable connection between a client and a host service. When there is a disruption in the network connection between a client and a host service when a client roams between networks, the connection is reestablished and the client's network connection is maintained thru a change in a network identifier assigned to the client.
US08090872B2

A visual media viewing system comprises a server (102) and a viewing unit (106), connected via a network (104). The server (102) includes an image processor (108) and a data storage device (110) for storing visual media data. The viewing unit (106) includes a screen (112) for viewing at least a portion of a piece of visual media and a data storage device (120) for storing visual media data. Both of the respective data storage devices (110,120) are arranged to store data (124) corresponding to the same piece of visual media, locally. The image processor (108) is arranged to select a portion of the piece of visual media automatically and to generate a control data set (126) corresponding to the location of the portion of the visual media within the visual media data (124) and any operations performed thereupon. The server (102) is arranged to transmit the control data set (126) to the viewing unit (106) such that the screen (112) is arranged to display the portion of the piece of visual media that is stored locally. A method of viewing visual media over the network (104) is also disclosed.
US08090869B2

Priority-biased compound arbitration at a switching fabric ingress. The ingress includes a plurality of ingress queues and a priority-biased arbitration engine configured to arbitrate between the ingress queues. The ingress further includes exit first-in-first-out queues (FIFOs) configured to forward cells from the ingress queues to a switching fabric and a throughput-biased arbitration engine configured to arbitrate between the exit FIFOs.
US08090868B2

A load balancer includes a configuration information receiving unit that receives configuration information having address information of all the servers to which a request is directed and the type of service provided by each server, a load balance setting unit that configures so that a request transmitted from a client is transmitted to one of the servers corresponding to a service type specified in a message in accordance with the configuration information, and a band setting unit that calculates the number of the servers for each service type in accordance with the configuration information and assigns a band of a line to each service in accordance with the calculated number.
US08090867B2

An improved communication method for sending media between a sending node and receiving node during a conversation. When network bandwidth is insufficient to transmit a full bit rate representation of time-sensitive media, then a reduced bit rate representation of the media is transmitted for the purpose of increasing the ability of the recipient to review the media upon receipt and continue the conversation in the real-time mode when the bandwidth on the network is insufficient to support the transmission of the full bit rate representation. Media that is ascertained as not time-sensitive on the other hand is transmitted when bandwidth in excess of what is needed for time-sensitive media becomes available. When the media ascertained as not time-sensitive is transmitted, the rate of transmission is adjusted at the sending node based on network conditions, the adjusted rate of transmission being set for network efficiency and reliable delivery of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive relative to the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time-sensitive.
US08090865B2

The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.
US08090864B2

Systems having a user interface comprising a filtered view of media available for consumption are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a first user with a view that enables consumption of only the available media that matches characteristics of a media filter. The characteristics of the media filter may be specified by a second user, and the second user may define the characteristics of the media filter remotely, via a communication network. The user interface may support separate media filters for each of a number of different users. Filter characteristics such as type of media channel, the language of any dialogue, an industry rating, an overall viewer rating, and the media format may be supported. The media filter characteristics may be applied not only to what is displayed on the user interface, but also the media available for selection via a remote control.
US08090863B2

Techniques for the distribution of content objects in a content delivery network (CDN) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CDN distribution server detects the availability of a content object and determines whether the content object is a candidate for distribution. The distribution server may detect the availability of the content object in response to a provider making new or updated content available at a content site or a location within the CDN. The distribution server obtains identifying information for a candidate content object and determines a select portion of the content object to be distributed within the CDN. The select portion can be a predetermined number of bytes located at a predetermined position in the content object, the size and location of which may be determined according to content-specific mapping data. The distribution server may push the select portion of the content object to one or more groups of CDN edge servers absent an end-user request.
US08090853B2

A data access control method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor from a requestor, a request for access to data. The computer processor extracts from the request, a requestor identification string associated with the requestor. The computer processor verifies a match for the requestor identification string, a service requestor identification string, a requestor software component operating process identification string, a requestor server identification string, a requestor hardware device network address and a requestor MAC address, and a requestor hardware device identification string against a plurality of registries. The computer processor generates an access point door associated with a specified logical storage room representation comprising the data. The computer processor enables access to the data via the access point door and the specified logical storage room representation based on enabling a logical lock with a logical key and a valid timestamp.
US08090852B2

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for the detection of uncategorized web-based proxy sites, where an action may be provided in association with access to restricted network locations. In a step A, a network location access request may be received from a computing facility. In a step B, a URL database may be assessed that contains categorized URLs and it may be determined that a URL associated with the network location access request is previously uncategorized URL. In a step C, it may be determined that the URL associated with the network location access request includes a secondary URL. In a step D, the URL database may be accessed that contains categorized URLs and it may be determined that the client is restricted from accessing the secondary URL. In a step E, the action may be provided in association with the network location access request as a previously uncategorized proxy website when steps B, C, and D are all met.
US08090847B2

Described are techniques for providing an application program interface that leverages the terminal services session broker infrastructure to support third party plug-in applications. In a typical scenario, when a user requests for a connection to access third party plug-in applications, the application program interface may override the session broker logic and interacts with the session broker process to identify sessions or suitable servers to which the user can be connected. The user may access the third party plug-in applications through the identified sessions or suitable servers.
US08090840B2

Methods and apparatus to provide a call-associated content service to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) devices are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a message comprising a uniform resource identifier (URI) and a call dialog parameter at a content mediator, the call dialog parameter associated with a first communication session between a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) endpoint and a destination, establishing a second communication session from the mediator to the destination based on the URI and the call dialog parameter, receiving content associated with the first communication session via the second communication session, and providing the content to the VoIP endpoint.
US08090823B2

Illustrative embodiments disclose a data processing system providing low-level hardware access to in-band and out-of-band firmware. The data processing system includes a plurality of chips that includes at least one processor chip and a plurality of support chips. At least one processor chip includes a field replaceable unit support interface master that uses a field replaceable unit support interface serial transmission protocol to communicate with the plurality of support chips. Each one of the plurality of support chips includes a field replaceable unit support interface slave in, with ones of the plurality of chips that include a processor also include the field replaceable unit support interface master, and ones of the plurality of chips that do not include the processor include only the field replaceable unit support interface slave. Only the field replaceable unit support interface master possesses conversion logic.
US08090819B1

A remote management controller is provided for use in conjunction with a managed host computer. The remote management controller exposes a virtual network interface controller, such as a driverless virtual USB network interface controller, to the managed host computer. Through the in-band connection provided by the virtual network interface controller, the remote management controller can communicate with in-band management applications executing on the managed host computer. The managed host computer can also access services executing on the remote management controller through the in-band communications interface. The remote management controller can also enable communication between the management client computer and in-band management applications executing on the managed host computer. The managed host computer can also access an out-of-band communications network between the remote management device and a management client computer.
US08090815B2

Methods and systems have been provided for pushing critical configuration to a set of network devices. According to various embodiments of the invention, a Network Management Station (NMS) creates a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) context and an SNMP view. Additionally, the NMS specifies a network configuration and a set time period. The NMS pushes the network configuration to the set of network devices. The set of devices apply the network configuration after the set time period.
US08090810B1

A remote management module (RMM) can be configured, in one embodiment, via the processing system that the RMM is monitoring. In one embodiment, the present invention includes allowing a user access to a processing system being monitored by a RMM, and configuring the RMM without the user accessing the RMM.
US08090808B2

A system for and method of network booting of an operating system (O/S) on one or more client devices, such as personal computers (PC's), employing a hibernation image. Remote booting of sets of client devices is facilitated by employing virtual disk emulation and, in certain preferred embodiments, broadcasting or multicasting of data residing on a network server which is necessary to appropriately boot and configure the one or more client devices, the data including hibernation, O/S and application files.
US08090804B2

An automatic transaction system communicates with a Web server and performs automatic transaction according to the operation of a user. In order to decrease the download time with the Web server which is generated for each operation of the user, a screen frame of a browser of an automatic service device is divided into a transaction screen frame and an applet resident frame. And all applets are embedded in a screen content of the Web server, and are downloaded into the applet resident frame of the browser in advance when the device is started up. And in the subsequent Web communication, a method callup script is embedded in the image content, and a method of an applet of the resident frame is called up and the operation of I/O units are controlled.
US08090802B1

Disclosed is a system and method for super-distribution of rights-protected digital content. A first terminal offers digital content to a second terminal, using a unique content identifier to identify the content in the request. The second terminal requests information regarding the content from a service provider platform. The content information request includes a terminal type identifier for the second terminal. The service provider platform obtains format capabilities information for the second terminal from a terminal capabilities database, and selects a format type for the content using the format capabilities information. The service provider platform obtains a content object in the selected format type from a content storage database. The service provider platform then delivers the content object in the selected format to the second terminal.
US08090797B2

Methods and systems that can launch applications into existing isolation environments do so by executing a run module on a computing machine to intercept requests to execute an application. A client communicating with the computing machine generates requests to execute an application on the computing machine. A run module identifies a profile associated with the requested application and queries an application delivery service to identify at least one isolation environment that corresponds to the profile. The run module receives from the application delivery service a response that identifies a first isolation environment associated with the application, and issues a command to a launch module to launch the application into the first isolation environment.
US08090770B2

A method for identifying non-terrorists among a plurality of participants and/or potential participants using a communication system includes electronically communicating a verification request from a first participant to a second participant, wherein the second participant is a member of a personal network of the first participant, and electronically communicating a verification request from the second participant to a third participant, wherein the third participant is a member of a personal network of the second participant. The method also includes receiving replies to the verification requests sent by the first and second participants, and determining a likelihood that the first participant is a non-terrorist threat based on the replies received from the second and third participants.
US08090769B2

Dynamically generating web contents includes an application execution unit for dynamically generating an HTML file, and an HTTP server for receiving an HTTP request and returning an HTTP response including an HTML file generated by the application execution unit. The application execution unit executes a script of the HTML file, and describes information specifying the file in the object without reading the actual file, if an instruction code of the script is a script to display contents of a specific file held in a storage device. The HTTP server identifies a file held in the storage device on the basis of the information, and transmits the file together with the HTML file.
US08090765B2

A method of reproducing information stored on a data recording medium accessible via a communication network comprises loading first information stored on the data recording medium for reproduction, determining if second information associated with the first information is available through the communication network; and synchronizing the reproduction of the first information and the second information with respect to a timing information embedded in the second information. The timing information is relative to a play start time associated with the first information.
US08090760B2

Provided are a computer readable medium and a system for communicating in a computing system. An example of the method includes establishing a local communications interface at a local site. This example also includes writing local site communication information to the local communications interface, which comprises storing the local site communication information on a first site storage device at the local site, and sending the local site communication information from the first site storage device, to a third site storage device at a remote site, wherein the local site communication information is sent using a remote data replication protocol. The remote site communications interface may read the local site communication information from a third site storage device, and may send the local site communication information to a remote application at the remote site. Similarly, the remote application may send information to a local application at the local site.
US08090755B1

A method for accumulation of information is described. The information is separated into first portions of MSBs and second portions of LSBs. The first and second portions are respectively input to a first adder and a second adder to provide first and second sums. The first and second sums are output from a first and a second storage device for feedback input respectively to the first and second adder to provide the first and second sums. A carry bit output from the second storage device is generated responsive to each wrap condition associated with the storing of the second sums in the second storage device. The carry bit is fed back to the first adder and fed forward for subsequent consolidation with the first sums respectively output from the first storage device. The first sums and the second sums are respectively accumulated as numbers represented in a redundant number system.
US08090752B2

Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to monitor the occurrence of memory garbage collection events and node content service requests, to determine a correlation between the node content service requests and the memory garbage collection events, and to report information associated with suspicious ones of the node content service requests. Suspicious requests may be identified as those that satisfy a preselected criteria associated with the correlation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08090751B2

An operational data store consists of an insert table for storing new data and a history table, partitioned by range and further sub-partitioned, for storing historical data. Transfer logic periodically transfers new data from the insert table to the history table. The transfer logic includes a secondary table and fill logic for filling the secondary table with selected data from the insert table. Secondary transfer logic transfers the secondary table into the history table, such that the selected data is transferred into the history table. Indexing logic applies the history table indexing scheme to the secondary table. Table logic creates a new partition the history table, for swapping with the secondary table, by exchanging respective pointers. A query engine may apply a database query to both the history table and the insert table, so that all data is available. An aggregator accumulates new data into an aggregation buffer. The accumulated data are batched and transferred into the insert table with a single database access. A throttler throttles transactions of different classes and types independently to achieve a desired level of service. The system can be configured to execute in a plurality of processor nodes configured as a processor cluster, wherein distinct database server instances are associated with distinct processor nodes of the processor cluster.
US08090750B2

A method and an associated computer program product, computing system, and process for supporting computer infrastructure for prompting an end user with a preferred sequence of commands which performs an activity in a least number of inputs. The method begins by monitoring a computer system for both input received from the end user and state transitions as a result of the computer receiving the end user input. The input received facilitates an activity the end user whishes to execute; the state transitions being the result of executing the activity. Next, defining the input received from the end user in a meaningful way. Then comparing the input received with at least one other command sequences that accomplish the same activity as the end user's input. Finally, prompting the end user with a preferred sequence of commands which performs the activity with the least number of inputs possible.
US08090747B2

Exemplary embodiments of system, computer-accessible medium and method can be provided for organizing or analyzing at least two sets of data. The sets of data can be organized and/or analyzed by generating a data structure for the sets of data and comparing the data structure for the at least two sets of data. The data structure can be in the form of a phylogenetic-type tree, and at least one of the sets of the data can include time series data.
US08090745B2

Provided is a k-nearest neighbor search method of searching for a query number k of nearest points to an arbitrary point in a DBMS for creating a spatial index from multidimensional points, comprising setting a search conditions, judging which of a lowest branch and an intermediate branch of the spatial index a nearest region to the query point is, calculating, when the nearest region is judged to be the lowest branch, a distance between the query point and a child region of the nearest region, storing information of a divided region which has become a calculation target, calculating, when the nearest region is judged to be the intermediate region, a distance between the query point and a point included in the nearest region, storing information of the point which has become a calculation target, finishing search processing when the search conditions are satisfied, and obtaining a search result from the DBMS.
US08090743B2

Provided are a document management system and method. The document management system including a database storing documents and a document classification unit for automatically classifying the documents stored in the database, wherein the document classification unit comprises a feature extraction module extracting features based on a keyword included in the documents and vectorizing the extracted features, a similarity judgment module judging similarity among the documents using vectors formed by the feature extraction module, and a classification system module classifying the documents stored in the database according to a preset classification system, the document classification unit performing document classification according to the classification system with respect to documents provided to the database.
US08090723B2

An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are extracted from the document collection. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases, using phrase posting lists. The phrase posting lists are stored in an cluster of index servers. The phrase posting lists can be tiered into groups, and sharded into partitions. Phrases in a query are identified based on possible phrasifications. A query schedule based on the phrases is created from the phrases, and then optimized to reduce query processing and communication costs. The execution of the query schedule is managed to further reduce or eliminate query processing operations at various ones of the index servers.
US08090721B2

One aspect of the invention is a method for assigning categorical data to a plurality of clusters. The method may include identifying a plurality of categories associated with the data. The method also may include, for each category in the plurality of categories, identifying at least one element associated with the category. The method also may include specifying a number of clusters to which the data may be assigned. The method additionally may include assigning at least some of the data, wherein each assigned datum is assigned to a respective one of the clusters. The method further may include, for at least one of the clusters, determining, for at least one category, the frequency in data assigned to the cluster of at least one element associated with the category. Further, the invention may provide for detecting outliers, anomalies, and exemplars in the categorical data.
US08090714B2

A user interface including a first view transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system, the first view including a search identifier and a location identifier. Selection of the search identifier causing transmission of a search request from the client computer system to the server computer system and interaction with the location identifier causing transmission of a selected location from the client computer system to the server computer system.
US08090712B2

A method of displaying items from a collection of items including a first item is provided. The method determines a first sort order of the collection, and at least one alternate sort order of the collection. At least items adjacent to the first item in the first sort order, and in the alternate sort order, are then compared. The method then displays a portion of the items associated with the first item in each of the first sort order and in the alternate sort order based on the comparison.
US08090681B2

A conflict resolution system is described for reducing false conflicts among entities synchronized within a content management system. A typical content management system maintains a version for an entity that is incremented each time an endpoint modifies the entity, including changes that affect the metadata rather than the content of the entity. The conflict resolution system adds a new content version that is updated when the content of the entity changes. By comparing content version information, endpoints can automatically resolve false conflicts that occur when an endpoint has modified the metadata of the entity.
US08090680B2

A system is provided for locating data in a distributed data environment, in which at least two users share a common data requirement. The environment comprises a plurality of network-connected data terminals. The system comprises at least one of the network-connected data terminals, which includes means for each of the at least two users to submit a data locating query, means for each of the at least two users to receive a query result, means for each of the at least two users to input respective relevance feedback data in response to the received query result, means for combining the respective relevance feedback data in real time, and means for processing data locating queries with the combined respective relevance feedback data. A method is also provided for locating data in the distributed data environment.
US08090673B2

A recommendation network is described. In some embodiments, the recommendation network includes recommenders that explicitly or implicitly recommend, rate or refer items and recommendation receivers that receive the recommendations. In some embodiments, the recommenders can be recommendation receivers, and vice versa. In some embodiments, recommendation receivers assign rust ratings to recommenders. The recommendation receiver can assign separate trust ratings to individual topics for which the recommendation receiver trusts the recommender. The separate trust ratings represent the recommendation receiver's amount of trust in the recommender to makes valuable recommendations for the specific topic. The recommendation network can use the separate trust ratings, along with ratings provided by the recommender, to rank recommendations per the separate topics. The recommendation receiver can assign the recommender to different bundles, topics, channels, etc. to which other recommendation receivers can subscribe.
US08090655B2

Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.
US08090653B2

A multiple agency transaction accounting system includes a plurality of point of service stations that conduct, for multiple agencies, respective agency transactions that are associated with various reporting requirements, fees and commissions. A universal transaction encoding subsystem encodes the agency transaction data received from the plurality of stations into universal transaction data and supplies the encoded data to a universal transaction settlement subsystem that parses and aggregates the universal transaction data into encoded agency-specific transaction data and provides the encoded agency-specific transaction data to the respective agencies to complete the transaction accounting. The accounting system may also include a money management subsystem that processes fees and commissions associated with the agency transactions in bulk for the respective agencies. The money management subsystem may process the agency transactions as either credit card transactions or bank account transactions.
US08090647B2

A new class of instruments extends the use or operation of futures contracts to encompass specific deliverable products on a daily settlement basis. These new instruments can be created to cover a wide range of market sectors and financial classes. The new instruments are exchange traded instruments that define exactly and exclusively the instrument to be exchanged at the end of the trading period.
US08090646B2

An automated method is provided for administering a single investment company that issues one or more classes of shares that are bought from and redeemed with the single investment company at a net asset value and issues one or more classes of shares that are listed for trading on a securities exchange and that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices. One or more computers maintain account data of the outstanding shares. An owner of any share of any share class has an undivided interest in the single investment company.
US08090642B1

A system for computing option prices for tangible depreciating items is described. Describing information of the tangible depreciating item is determined. Historical sales data of sold tangible depreciating items from marketplaces are collected. A present resale value of the tangible depreciating item is computed based on the historical sales data. A depreciation rate of sold tangible depreciating items having similar attributes as the tangible depreciating item is extrapolated from the historical sales data. A predicted resale value of the tangible depreciating item is computed based on the computed present resale value and on the extrapolated depreciation rate.
US08090637B2

A network device coalesces data received from an exchange, and provides a user with the opportunity to receive fewer, but up-to-date, data updates from an exchange when duplicate prices become available or a large volume of prices becomes available suddenly. Accordingly, the trader can be assured of receiving non-duplicated prices that are fed at a rate that is cohesive with that trader's connection speed. The present invention is designed to conserve on bandwidth thereby increasing the likelihood that bandwidth will be available to receive desirable market information.
US08090635B1

A mortgage loan is provided with mortgage payment insurance that provides payments to a lender upon borrower default. The mortgage loan is underwritten based on the mortgage payment insurance. The mortgage payment insurance policy providing that if a borrower defaults, without any further conditions, in its payment obligation under the mortgage, the insurer will make one or more insurance payments to borrower's payee, such payments to be made during the period the mortgage loan is in default.
US08090631B2

Inventory may be managed by affixing to material batches respective documentary batch numbers that are associated with the material batches in a computer system. The material batches may be placed as inventory in a warehouse. The documentary batch number of any of the material batches that is removed from the warehouse may be registered, wherein the documentary batch numbers are not used in managing the inventory. A material batch may be managed by affixing to the material batch a documentary batch number that is associated with the material batch in a computer system. Upon a predetermined action being taken with regard to the material batch, the documentary batch number may be received in the computer system. The documentary batch number may be read from the material batch, wherein any action taken with regard to the material batch before receiving the documentary batch number upon the predetermined action is not tracked.
US08090625B2

Behavior-based associations, such as item-to-item or query-to-item associations, are extrapolated to other items to create new associations. The items to which the associations are extrapolated may be “behavior deficient” items, or items for which the quantity of collected user activity data is insufficient to create meaningful or reliable behavior-based associations. The behavior-based associations are extrapolated based on content-based associations, or another type of “substitutability” association, between items. The items can be any type of item (e.g., products, web sites, documents, etc.) for which user behaviors (e.g., purchases, accesses, downloads, etc.) can be monitored and analyzed to detect behavior-based associations, and for which item content or other available information can be used to assess item substitutability.
US08090624B2

New functions for a contact center system include: testing user's comprehension of informational messages with a quiz; capturing insight of superior users having a KPI score above a threshold by having those users submit information on why they perform so well; dynamically ordering solutions to issues by re-ranking the solutions periodically based on recency and frequency; integrating information for use by a contact center representative while online with a customer and information for use when not online; storing content items in a telecommunications industry taxonomy; directing user feedback on a content item to the proper owner/manager of that content; communicating solution information using a solutions taxonomy; displaying a dual information system having a CRM application as well as reference material that is context-appropriate; enforcing completion of a group of templates when creating a content item to be published; ensuring a group of templates for a content item are complete before publishing them; and searching within a contact center system portal using a continuum of search functions.
US08090615B1

A controlled offer redemption system used to create dynamic cooperative offers and charitable offers, and to validate, verify, and redeem manufacturers' offers, retailers' offers, cooperative offers, dynamic cooperative offers and charitable offers, to restrict the redemption of cooperative, dynamic cooperative and retailers' offers to particular retailers and to authenticate the offer redemption transactions. The system includes a master registry, an offer redemption terminal in communication with a retailer's point-of-sale (“POS”) system, a store portal and an offer clearinghouse. The offer system includes a means to generate an encrypted identifier (“token”) which is unique to each offer redemption transaction. The clearinghouse independently recreates the token based on the offer redemption record and the purchase event transaction log and authenticates the transaction as having originated under the controlled conditions imposed by the system.
US08090612B2

Methods, machines, systems and machine-readable instructions for producing marketing items are described. In one aspect, a user is prompted to specify campaign parameters, including one or more campaign topics, defining a scope of the campaign. The user is prompted to specify for each of the one or more campaign topics a corresponding set of one or more attributes of intended recipients of the marketing campaign. The one or more specified campaign topics are associated to respective sets of targeted recipients selected from a database of records of potential recipients based on mappings of the respective sets of recipient attributes to the campaign topics and the specified campaign parameters defining the scope of the marketing campaign. For each of the targeted recipients, a respective marketing item containing a respective set of one or more contents matched to the campaign topic associated to the targeted recipient is composed.
US08090607B2

An explanation device operates to generate explanatory information for a user regarding the cause of any demands that could not be satisfied by an automated supply chain optimizer. The explanation device identifies the cause for any unsatisfied demands by successfully relaxing various supply chain constraints while controlling the supply chain optimizer to re-optimize the supply chain subject to the relaxed constraints. If a previously unsatisfied demand is satisfied during re-optimization by relaxing a given constraint, then that constraint is deemed to have been a factor in the original, unsatisfied demand. If so, explanatory information is output to the user regarding the constraint. The amount by which the constraint was originally violated during the initial optimization may also be determined and provided to the user as further explanatory information.
US08090604B2

A system and method for planning trips and for processing trip requests that utilizes a centralized network for facilitating travel reservations and/or services. The system includes multi-purpose point of service terminals that provide a plurality of modules for various travel related applications such as an integrated e-mail booking module, a computer telephony integration module, a super passenger name record database, a customer database, a trip planning module, a customer relationship management module, a workflow module, and a low fare search module.
US08090598B2

Means are provided for recording, storing, calculating, communicating and reviewing one or more operational aspects of a machine. Insurance costs are based, in part, on activities of the machine operator. A discount may be provided in exchange for recording the operational aspects and providing the recorded information to the insurer. The party may review information and decide whether to provide it to the insurer. The means for reviewing may present comparative information. Information that causes insurance costs to vary may be highlighted. Provided data may be used to verify insurance application information, generate actuarial information or determine insurance rates. Operating data may be reviewed on a computer, a Web site or other display medium so a party can observe how his operating behavior compares to that of other operators of similar machines and may be manipulated so a party can understand how changes in operating behavior can affect his insurance rates.
US08090591B2

A health care finance system according to the invention features an expanded health care savings and asset account that may be funded in a variety of ways. An insurance carrier is paid a premium out of the account. When a patient sees a health care provider, the health care provider generates an electronic medical work-up. The work-up is analyzed by software, which determines an appropriate protocol and complexity level associated with the patient's condition. The protocol and complexity level are then transmitted to the insurance carrier, and the insurance carrier makes a global payment directly into the patient's health care asset account based on the determined protocol and complexity level. The patient accesses those funds directly, e.g., using an electronic debit card, to pay the health care provider.
US08090575B2

A radio-to-SIP adapter is shown to include a voice detection algorithm processor as well as other circuitry to provide an interface between a radio and SIP adapter to accommodate a transition from half duplex to full duplex and to cause a radio to transmit when human speech is present in an audio signal from a telephony network.
US08090574B2

An encoder performs context-adaptive arithmetic encoding of transform coefficient data. For example, an encoder switches between coding of direct levels of quantized transform coefficient data and run-level coding of run lengths and levels of quantized transform coefficient data. The encoder can determine when to switch between coding modes based on a pre-determined switch point or by counting consecutive coefficients having a predominant value (e.g., zero). A decoder performs corresponding context-adaptive arithmetic decoding.
US08090571B2

A method for building and contracting a linguistic dictionary, the linguistic dictionary comprising a list of surface forms and a list of normalized forms, each normalized form being associated with a surface form, the method comprising the steps of: comparing each character of a surface form with each character of the surface form's normalized form; in response to the comparing step, determining an edit operation for each character compared; and generating a transform code from the set of the edit operations in order to transform the surface form to its normalized form.
US08090565B2

In one embodiment, a system model models characteristics of a real-world system. The system model includes a plurality of sub-portions that each correspond to a component of the real-world system. A plurality of test vectors are applied to the system model and coverage achieved by the test vectors on the sub-portions of the system model is measured. In response to a failure of the real world system, a suspected failed component of the real-world system is matched to a particular sub-portion of the system model. A test vector to be applied to the real-world system to test the suspected failed component is selected in response to coverage achieved on the particular sub-portion of the system model.
US08090556B2

A visualization system for monitoring performance data of an electrical power distribution network is provided. In one embodiment, a user may select a network circuit and view a network circuit diagram that includes indicia representing transformers and other electrical power distribution network elements positioned on a map. The relative positions of the indicia on the network circuit diagram may correspond to the relative physical locations of the transformers in the geographical area represented by the map. The indicia may be color coded to convey performance data to the user.
US08090550B2

An efficiency monitor for monitoring the efficiency of power transmission by an inductive power outlet. The efficiency monitor includes an input power monitor, for measuring the input power delivered to the primary coil, and an output power monitor, for measuring the output power received by the secondary coil. The input and output powers are used by a processor to determine an index of power-loss. A circuit breaker may be used to disconnect the inductive power outlet in case of excessive power loss.
US08090546B2

An elastic sheet is defined in accordance with a user input operation to have a shape with which the elastic sheet does not cross another member (building component) (step S1). Then, the elastic sheet is divided into rigid elements (step S2). Angles formed by each rigid element with adjacent rigid elements on two sides are calculated, and the calculation results and the like are stored in a RAM (step S3). A flexible medium which moves through a conveyance path is defined (step S4). Conveyance conditions when the flexible medium moves through the conveyance path are set (step S5). After that, the motion is calculated (step S6). The result of the motion calculation, that is, the behavior of the flexible medium, is displayed on a display device (step S7).
US08090545B2

A method for prior determination of a life consumption of individual components in a fossil-fuelled power generating installation, with respect to a load cycling process to be carried out is provided. An apparatus is also provided for prior determination of a life consumption of individual components in a fossil-fuelled power generating installation, with respect to a load cycling process to be carried out. Actual variables which characterize the state of the power generating installation before a load cycling process are determined. A driving gear of the power generating installation which creates the load cycling process is set in advance. The load cycle time is calculated based upon the driving gear and the characterizing variables. A predicted life consumption for at least one of the individual components for the selected driving gear is also calculated.
US08090538B2

Well log data is assigned depositional labels by a soft computing method. A model is trained on an expert-interpreted well log by segmenting, assigning fuzzy symbols to the segments, and calculating attribute values for units labeled by the expert. From these values, classifiers are trained for each of a number of depositional types. Finally, a model is developed for translating fuzzy symbols into depositional labels. Once trained, the model is applied to well log data.
US08090537B2

An obstacle avoidance path computing apparatus is provided with a preceding object detecting section, a host vehicle information detecting section, a preceding object arrival region estimating section and a preceding object avoidance path setting section. The preceding object detecting section detects a preceding object. The host vehicle information detecting section detects host vehicle information. The preceding object arrival region estimating section calculates an estimated arrival region within which the preceding object could arrive after a prescribed amount of time has elapsed since the preceding object was detected, based on an estimated attribute of the preceding object from the preceding object information. The preceding object avoidance path setting section calculates an avoidance path that will not encroach on the estimated arrival region based the preceding object information and the host vehicle information.
US08090530B2

A route planning system comprises a receiver component that receives a request for directions between a beginning point and a destination point. An analysis component analyzes a traffic system representation that varies as context varies and outputs expected amounts of travel time between the beginning point and the destination point for multiple contexts based at least in part upon the analysis. A method is described herein that includes techniques for searching over routes and trip start times simultaneously so as to identity start times and routes associated with maximal expected value, or equivalently minimum expected cost, given preferences encoded about one or more of the leaving time, the travel time, and the arrival time.
US08090528B2

When a map image in the periphery of a vehicle position is displayed on a liquid crystal display in 3D, POIs existing in a first searching region within a first searching distance from a current position of the vehicle are searched in an area in the vicinity of the vehicle position by setting all types of points as search targets, POIs existing in a second searching region within a second searching distance from a second searching point are searched in an area distant from the vehicle position by setting only specific types of points as search targets, and icon symbols indicating types and positions of the points are displayed on the map image while being overlapped therewith based on the searched POIs.
US08090525B2

A method and a system for assisting air traffic controllers that automatically detects conflicts between aircraft trajectories and selects the conflicts that can be solved by minor modification(s) of aircraft speed, climbing rates or descending rates and lateral shifts of route. Minor modifications are selected so as to not interfere with current controllers' decision making process thereby circumventing the basic rule of uniqueness of control in a given piece of airspace. The minor modifications are automatically transmitted to aircraft for execution without requiring controllers' prior agreement. Thus, the method solves most conflicts, such that the air traffic delivered to the controllers is free of most of the pre-existing conflicts.
US08090517B2

An inter-vehicle distance maintenance supporting system may include an operational reactive force generating device that generates an operational reactive force on a driving operational equipment based on a first inter-vehicle distance threshold. A driving operational equipment state detector detects an operational state of the driving operational equipment and acceleration intent of the driver. An engine controller controls an engine torque corresponding to the operational state of the driving operational equipment. An engine torque correcting device decreases the engine torque before the operational reactive force is generated. The decrease correction is suppressed when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than a second inter-vehicle distance threshold that is larger than the first inter-vehicle distance, and the driving operational equipment state detector detects the acceleration intent of the driver.
US08090512B2

A method optimizes a fill event of an apply chamber of a fluid-actuated clutch, and includes determining input values describing the fill event, and then estimating a fill time using the input values. The method includes filling the apply chamber using the estimated fill time (EFT) or within an allowable range of the EFT. The input values can include a command line pressure, command fill stroke pressure, and an estimated viscosity of the fluid, although other values can be used. The input values are processed through a neural network having an input layer, an optional hidden layer, and an output layer. An assembly includes a fluid-actuated clutch having an apply chamber and a controller operable for estimating the fill time required for filling the apply chamber, and for controlling the fill of the apply chamber within the EFT.
US08090510B2

In a motor vehicle having a clutch and a transmission, an additional shift command is accepted during an already ongoing shift operation, thereby providing control that makes possible a responsive shift operation. When a shift command is issued during an ongoing shift operation and engagement operation of the clutch, the disengagement operation of the clutch and the dog insert operation of the transmission are conducted according a second schedule so that the dog insert operation of the transmission is conducted during the disengagement operation of the clutch, and a second shift operation including the re-engagement of the clutch is conducted.
US08090502B2

A device and a method for reducing unwanted or undesireable excitations at a steering wheel include a sensor system with which unwanted excitation at a steering wheel and/or steering gear can be sensed. A closed-loop control unit is configured to generate an additional steering torque on the basis of the sensed unwanted excitation. A servomotor applies the additional steering torque to the steering gear.
US08090499B2

A vehicle control system reduces vehicle rollback upon brake release. The control system includes a brake system, a vehicle grade measurement device and a controller that modulates applied brake pressure of the brake system based on a grade measurement of the grade measurement device. The controller actuates brake-hold device communicating with the brake system based on the grade measurement through pulse width modulation. The control system communicates with a motor generator and an engine to provide a start power to the engine upon brake release based on the grade measurement. Fuel injectors of the engine are enabled upon brake release based on the grade measurement. The control system further communicates with a transmission forward clutch to provide selective rotational communication between the transmission and the engine based on the grade measurement.
US08090494B2

An electronic control unit executes a program to perform a failure diagnosis as well as a vehicle control. On boot-up, diagnosis associated data is read from a backup memory and written in a RAM. The diagnosis associated data represents a failure diagnosis result previously backed up in the backup memory. When performing a failure diagnosis, the diagnosis associated data in the RAM is updated if needed, and an update flag is turned ON at updating. The presence of the update is checked using the update flag. Each time the update flag turns ON, the update flag is turned OFF and a timer is set to zero. The timer starts to measure an elapsed time. When the timer value exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that a predetermined time elapsed since the diagnosis associated data was previously updated. The diagnosis associated data in the RAM is then backed up.
US08090480B2

A mechanism for managing energy consumption of electrical devices within a home or building. Energy usage data is collected for a first electrical outlet connected to an unidentified electrical device in a facility. A pattern of energy usage is determined from the energy usage data collected at the first electrical outlet. The pattern of energy usage of the first electrical outlet is then compared against known patterns of energy usage for one or more other electrical outlets. Responsive to identifying a match between the pattern of energy usage of the energy usage data collected at the first electrical outlet and a known pattern of energy usage of a second electrical outlet in the one or more other electrical outlets, the electrical device connected to the first electrical outlet is identified as the same electrical device that is associated with the known pattern of energy usage of the second electrical outlet.
US08090474B2

An apparatus and a method for controlling at least one machine, such as an industrial robot, having drives, safety peripheral components and a controller for a machine, and also having a safety controller. In this arrangement, the safety controller has superordinate access over the respective machine controller both to the machine drives and to the safety peripherals. This achieves the most easily configurable integration of the safety control loop into the operating control loops.
US08090469B2

A printing medium conveying technique is disclosed for moving a printing medium in a sub scanning direction. The technique involves controlling the moving of the printing medium through feedback control using a speed profile. The speed profile includes an accelerating region, a constant speed region, a decelerating region, a constant low speed region, and a stopping operations region. The technique also involves switching the speed profile from the accelerating region to the constant speed region according to speed information; and switching the speed profile between the constant speed region, the decelerating region, the constant low speed region, and the stopping operations region according to the current distance from a target position.
US08090450B2

Lead devices and methods for neurostimulation are described. Some of the neurostimulation leads provided have multiple, distal region electrode contacts arranged in an array capable of providing steerable spinal cord stimulation. In one use, a collapsed introducer sheath is disposed over a dilator and advanced to a spinal cord target site through a 14-gauge needle into the epidural space. The dilator is removed and the introducer is expanded to its full width. A neurological lead according to the present invention advanced through the introducer to near the target site and the introducer removed. The lead is wider than it is high and has a row of lower electrodes flanked by right and left side electrodes in groups of three. The lower electrodes serve as cathodes and the right and left electrodes are return anodes.
US08090448B2

The present invention is a low profile hermetic package for an implantable medical device. The package includes a non-conductive substrate including a plurality of straight conductive vias through the non-conductive substrate. A conductive cover hermetically enclosing an electronics circuit is bonded to the non-conductive substrate. The device is low profile. The width of the non-conductive substrate is grater than the height of the cover.
US08090443B2

An exemplary method includes delivering a cardiac resynchronization therapy using an atrio-ventricular delay parameter and an interventricular delay parameter, measuring an atrio-ventricular conduction delay, measuring an interventricular conduction delay, assessing heart failure and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy performance based at least in part on the measured atrio-ventricular conduction delay and the measured interventricular conduction delay and determining at least one of an atrio-ventricular delay parameter value and an interventricular delay parameter value based at least in part on the measured atrio-ventricular conduction delay and the measured interventricular conduction delay. Other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
US08090437B2

A device tests a circuit that is a source of alternating current by measuring at least one electrical parameter of the circuit to determine whether the circuit is able to provide adequate energy for defibrillation by an external defibrillator. The device may test the circuit by applying a load to the circuit, and measuring one or more electrical parameters when the load is applied to the circuit. The device may be the external defibrillator itself, or a separate testing device. In some embodiments in which an external defibrillator tests a circuit, the defibrillator modifies a value of at least one therapy delivery parameter for a subsequent delivery of one or more defibrillation pulses based on the measured electrical parameter value measured. By modifying a therapy delivery parameter, the defibrillator may deliver defibrillation pulses at an energy level that is supportable by the circuit.
US08090431B2

An image of an object is synergistically reconstructed using two or multiple imaging modalities. A first reconstructed image, showing structural information of the object is produced using a first imaging modality. The first reconstructed image is segmented, and known optical properties of the object are then mapped to the first reconstructed image. Optical signal emissions from the object are detected and registered with the first reconstructed image. A second reconstructed image volume is then produced using a second imaging modality, based on the mapped optical properties after registration between the first image and the data from the second modality. The second reconstructed image depicts some optical property, such as a bioluminescent source distribution, or optical properties, such as, attenuation and scattering properties, of the object.
US08090429B2

Systems and methods are described for co-registering, displaying and quantifying images from numerous different medical modalities, such as CT, MRI and SPECT. In this novel approach co-registration and image fusion is based on multiple user-defined Regions-of-Interest (ROI), which may be subsets of entire image volumes, from multiple modalities, where the each ROI may depict data from different image modalities. The user-selected ROI of a first image modality may be superposed over or blended with the corresponding ROI of a second image modality, and the entire second image may be displayed with either the superposed or blended ROI.
US08090426B2

A plug capable of providing information relating to a physical or chemical property of a body fluid, or the presence or amount of a molecular component therein in a living organism is disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment plug is capable of being inserted into a portion of a human eyelid in order to provide information relating to tear fluid is disclosed. This embodiment plug includes a body having a passage which allows for the natural flow of tear fluid therethrough. In addition, a sensing mechanism is provided which is capable of measuring, for example, glucose levels in the body of a patient through the analysis of the tear fluid. Such plug may further be designed so as to double as a punctual plug useful in preventing dry eye. Methods of utilizing and implanting such plugs are also disclosed.
US08090423B2

A mobile terminal comprises a front case and a rear case which are fastened with a printed circuit board (PCB) and an antenna connected with the PCB interposed therebetween; a battery protection cover opening and closing a battery receiving space provided on the rear case; and a conductive coupling element formed on one of the rear case and the battery protection cover such that the conductive coupling element is overlapped with at least one of one edge and the other edge of the antenna.
US08090419B2

An object of the invention is to provide a folding-type portable wireless equipment which can obtain good antenna characteristics in each of opened and closed states with a simple configuration without spoiling miniaturization.A folding-type portable wireless equipment (100) having a first case (11) and a second case (12) includes a first circuit board (101) disposed at the first case (11), a second circuit board (102) disposed at the second case (12), a bendable coupling portion (13) which mechanically couples the first case (11) and the second case (12), a flexible coupling element (103) which electrically couples the first circuit board (101) and the second circuit board (102), a radio circuit portion (106) provided at the second circuit board (102), an antenna element (104) coupled to the radio circuit portion (106) via a feeder line (105), and a switching portion (109) which selectively connects and disconnects between the first circuit board (101) and the antenna element (104) in accordance with an opened/closed state of the folding-type portable wireless equipment (100), wherein the antenna element (104) and the feeder line 105 are dispose at positions almost along the coupling portion (103).
US08090415B2

A method and system of providing a low battery charge warning in an electronic device that employs a rechargeable power source such as a rechargeable battery. The method and system determine whether a charge state of a battery is sufficient to provide the device with power for a predicted usage. The predicted usage and predicted power requirement may be determined from a usage profile of the device. The predicted usage and power requirement may also be determined from data associated with an event record as may be stored in a calendar application on the device. The method and system may provide an advance notice to the user of the device of a potential low battery situation.
US08090407B2

A mobile communicator including a housing including a main portion and a removable portion, cellular telephone circuitry located within the main portion of the housing, a SIM card mounted in the main portion of the housing, a battery mounted between the removable portion of the housing and the SIM card and a contactless functionality antenna mounted intermediate the removable portion and the battery and communicating with the SIM card.
US08090406B2

A method is provided to enable the person to switch use of computing devices when working with records and/or documents. A method such as described may be implemented for an individual operating two (or more) computing devices that share and synchronize sets of records. One or more operations may be performed to update and maintain correspondence between the two sets of records. A switchover event may be detected, where the event corresponds to the individual using a second computing device while already using a first computing device. Once the switchover event is detected, state of use information may be received on the second computing device. This information indicates the state of use of one or more records on the first computing device. This information may be used to affect the state of use of corresponding records on the second computing device. In particular, the corresponding records on the second computing device may be placed in a state of use, or in a selected state for subsequent use.
US08090391B2

A wireless communication base station device includes a measuring section and a communication period determining section. The device is configured to use a first wireless communication scheme and a second wireless communication scheme which use overlapping bands. The measuring section measures a first transmission and reception time spent on actual data transmission and reception during a first communication-enabled period in which data communication based on the first wireless communication scheme is permitted, and measures a second transmission and reception time spent on actual data transmission and reception during a second communication-enabled period in which data communication based on the second wireless communication scheme is permitted. The communication period determining section determines lengths of the first and second communication-enabled periods in accordance with the first and second transmission and reception times measured by the measuring section.
US08090383B1

In some embodiments, techniques for location-based services may comprise receiving a first report associated with a mobile phone and with entering a facility, receiving a second report associated with the mobile phone and with exiting the facility, and determining an amount of time during which the mobile phone was associated with the facility based at least in part on data including information relating to a first time associated with the first report and a second time associated with the second report, wherein the amount of time is to be used in calculating a charge on an invoice to a client associated with the facility for a service performed by personnel associated with the mobile phone.
US08090364B2

A wireless security or managing system based on Bluetooth technology suited for a person on the move prohibits the use, without proper authentication, of electronic devices having special software installed. A watch, key holder or mobile telephone or other mobile electronic device equipped with a Bluetooth unit serves as a master in the everyday environment of a user, enabling access to slave devices such as laptop and desk computers, palm computers and PDAs and mobile telephones. Unless the ˜presence of the master device in the vicinity of a slave device is verified, the slave device automatically locks itself, switches itself or some import function off or enters a login state.
US08090361B2

Methods and systems for providing information regarding monitored computer systems to wireless devices are provided. Information may be requested by a wireless device and displayed on the wireless device in a browser. The web server application may detect the wireless device, and may also then specially format the response, including the requested information formatted for optimized delivery and/or display on a wireless device. The web server application may also send a message to a wireless device about events associated with the monitored computer systems.
US08090356B2

A wireless communication and control system including a wireless device. There is a central server for storing communication protocols and control protocols and communicating the communication protocols and selectively communicating the control protocols between the wireless device and the central server. A communication protocol configures the system for communication and control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of intelligent appliance controllers. Alternately the control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of Internet terminals. The wireless device is any hand-held communication device, such as a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone.
US08090354B2

There is disclosed a system and method for managing service for carrier subscribers and migrating them to service bundles. In an embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a list of existing services to which a subscriber is subscribed; comparing the list of services to available service bundles; determining if there is an exact match of services between the list of existing services and services included in one or more available service bundles, and if so, migrating the subscriber to the one or more available service bundles with the exact match. The method may further comprise identifying a main service in the list of existing services and determining if there is a partial match of services between the main service and a service included in one or more available service bundles, and if so, migrating the subscriber to the one or more available service bundles with the partial match. A subscriber may be manually migrated if migration is not possible with an exact match or partial match.
US08090352B2

The present invention relates to a method for a short message receiving terminal to send individuation receipt information. It executes the following steps: A subscriber applies to open the individuation receipt service after a short message is received and customizes individuation receipt information. After a short message sending terminal sends a short message to the subscriber's mobile terminal via a short message center, the short message sending terminal inquires service information. After receiving a receipt status signaling returned back from the short message receiving terminal, the short message sending terminal sends out a request to the service platform for sending individuation receipt information. The service platform sends the receipt information to the short message sending terminal. The present invention presents an application to the communication network for opening individuation receipt service and customizing the individuation receipt information via the subscriber so as to enable the communication network to send out a short message receipt information which can highlight the subscriber's own individuality to the short message sending terminal according to the subscriber's requirement after the subscriber's mobile terminal receives the short message.
US08090349B2

A method for provisioning a mobile communications device comprises sending a registration request for registration with a registration server, the registration request including a request for a personal information number; receiving a response from the registration server, the response including the personal information number; sending a provisioning request to a network node, the request including the personal information number and at least one device identifier associated with the mobile communications device; receiving a response from the network node, the response including a URL and a session ID based upon the personal information number and the at least one device identifier associated with the mobile communications device; and launching an application on the mobile communication device to establish a communication session between the mobile communication device and a provisioning system.
US08090331B2

It has now been found that in some transmitter implementations which transmit multiple code channels, for example CDMA transmitters, the observed power for each code channel at the output relative to the other code channels is dependent upon the total transmit power due to non-linearities in the transmitter. Methods and apparatus are provided which use pre-set digital gains or digital gain adjustments to compensate for the non-linearities as a function of total transmit power such that at the output, the desired relative powers are observed.
US08090324B2

A radio communication terminal apparatus has a measuring part configured to measure radio field intensities of radio communication with other plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses of a plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses; a storing part configured to store measurement values of radio field intensities of radio communication with the other plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses, obtained from the measurement of the measuring part; and a display screen for displaying the other plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses to a user, wherein, on the display screen, identification information of the other plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses is arranged in an increasing order or a decreasing order with the use of the measurement values of the radio field intensities of radio communication with the other plurality of radio communication terminal apparatuses stored by the storing part as a key for the arrangement.
US08090320B2

Circuits and methods are disclosed for compensating for received signal distortion caused by non-linearities in wideband receivers. An exemplary receiver includes a distortion waveform generator configured to approximate non-linear response characteristics of a downconverter circuit used to downconvert the received radio frequency signal. The resulting estimated distortion waveform is filtered, using filter(s) substantially similar to those used for filtering an intermediate frequency signal that includes the desired signal and non-linear distortion products caused by strong interfering signals. The filtered estimated distortion waveform and intermediate frequency signal are sampled, to obtain a sampled distortion signal and a sampled signal of interest. The sampled distortion signal and the sampled signal of interest are divided into a plurality of frequency channels. For a selected number of frequency channels, the sampled distortion signal for a frequency channel is scaled, and subtracted from the corresponding sampled signal of interest for the same frequency channel to obtain reduced-interference signal samples for the frequency channel.
US08090314B2

Aspects of a method and system for communicating via a frequency shifting repeater are provided. In this regard, a signal having a first frequency may be received, the received signal may be quadrature down-converted by mixing it with a pair of phase-quadrature local oscillator (LO) signals, the down-converted signals may be up-converted by mixing them with the LO signals, and the up-converted signals may be added or subtracted to generate a signal, having a second frequency, for transmission. In this manner, a wireless communication range may be extended by repeating the received signal on a different frequency than at which it was received. The frequency of the LO signals may be based on a desired difference between the first and second frequencies, a frequency at which a target device receives signals, and/or noise present.
US08090311B2

The transmission speed of downlink communication information to be received by communication terminals has been improved. A mobile communication system comprises a plurality of communication terminals that wirelessly communicate with each other; and a base station that is requested, based on the transmission speeds of the communication terminals, by the communication terminals to transmit downlink communication information. Each local communication terminal has a relay requesting device that receives information on the transmission speed of another communication terminal and that, when the transmission speed of the other communication terminal is greater than that of the local communication terminal, transmits, to the other communication terminal, identification information to be used for the base station to identify the local communication terminal or the other communication terminal, thereby requesting the other communication terminal to relay communication information addressed to the local communication terminal. The base station has a terminal identifying/transmitting device that transmits, based on the identification information of the local communication terminal, the communication information addressed to the local communication terminal to the local communication terminal via the other communication terminal.
US08090300B2

A powder conveying apparatus, comprising a powder container for storing powder and a powder agitating/conveying member provided in the powder container, wherein the powder agitating/conveying member includes: a shaft revolving around the axis; a primary conveying blade provided on the external surface of the shaft in such a manner that the powder is conveyed in the first direction toward one side of the axial direction, by revolution in one rotational direction around the axis of the shaft; and a secondary conveying element provided on the external surface of the shaft and located radially inner than a radially outer end of the primary conveying blade in the diameter direction in such a manner that conveying force is applied to part of the powder, which is conveyed in the first direction by the primary conveying blade, in the second direction toward the other side of the axial direction.
US08090299B2

A developer supply device, includes: a developer holder; and a developer reservoir which is disposed inside of the developer holder, holds a liquid developer, and has at least one supply section that supplies the liquid developer from the developer reservoir to the developer holder, the liquid developer including a toner and an aqueous medium, and the developer supply device supplying the liquid developer that has been supplied to the developer holder to a medium which is a supply target for the liquid developer.
US08090298B2

An electrostatic charging member includes a base material; and an outermost layer that contains a porous filler and a resin and has a gel fraction of at least about 50% and a surface roughness Rz in a range of about 2 μm to about 20 μm.
US08090288B2

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member configured to form a toner image thereon, a corona charger located opposite the photosensitive member and including a discharging wire and a grid electrode, a bias applying unit configured to apply a bias to the corona charger, a cleaning unit configured to perform cleaning processing by sliding in a longitudinal direction of the grid electrode to rub an inner surface of the grid electrode, and an execution unit configured to execute a cleaning mode for performing the cleaning processing by the cleaning unit while applying a bias of a polarity equal to a normal charging polarity of toner to the grid electrode by the bias applying unit.
US08090286B2

In a toner supply container, an air blowing mechanism includes an air blowing fan, an air blowing tube, and an air inlet coupling member. The air inlet coupling member is in close contact with a side wall of the toner container around an air inlet, and includes a skirt made of elastic silicone rubber that covers a joint part of the air blowing tube and the air inlet. An exhaust mechanism includes an exhaust outlet coupling member, an exhaust tube, and an air cleaning filter. The exhaust outlet coupling member is in close contact with an upper wall of the toner container around an exhaust outlet, and includes a skirt made of elastic silicone rubber that covers a joint part of the exhaust tube and the air outlet.
US08090284B2

Provided is an image forming apparatus comprising: mixed printing control unit that performs, in a situation where the job instruction to perform single-sided printing and the job instruction to perform double-sided printing coexist in a plurality of jobs continuously, double-sided printing process with a blank page set to be printed on one of the one side and the another side of the sheet of paper when performing printing corresponding to the job instruction to perform single-sided printing.
US08090282B2

A fusing apparatus includes a fuser roll and a pressure roll which define a nip therebetween. An internal heat source is disposed within a interior of the fuser roll. An external heat source is disposed adjacent the fuser roll for heating an outer surface of the fuser roll. One or both of the internal heat source and the external heat source is controlled during a print job such that the thermal gradient across the fuser roll is adjusted. As a result, a temperature overshoot which generally occurs after the print job is finished can be reduced. The influence of subsequent jobs on the fuser roll surface temperature can also be accommodated.
US08090274B2

A consumable unit and an image forming apparatus for controlling a consumable include a first memory that stores consumable item information regarding the consumable and provides the consumable item information through password authentication, and a second memory that rewrites recycling prevention information, which indicates that recycling is impossible, a limited number of times.
US08090268B2

A process for transmitting data on an optical fiber including multiplexing in wavelength signals coming from a plurality of monochrome transmitters, each of which has its own wavelength, and modulating information to be transmitted by a carrier realized per channel, wherein timing (clocking) of each transmitter is controlled by a common clock.
US08090267B2

A complementary optical wiring apparatus includes an optical transmitter, first and second optical transmission lines, and an optical receiver, the optical transmitter has a first operation mode of transmitting an optical signal synchronized with the rising of one electrical input signal via the first optical transmission line and transmitting an optical signal synchronized with the falling thereof via the second optical transmission line, and a second operation mode of transmitting an optical signal synchronized with the rising and falling of one of two electrical input signals via the first optical transmission line and transmitting an optical signal synchronized with the rising and falling of the other electrical input signal via the second optical transmission line, and is operated after one of the two operation modes is selected.
US08090262B2

An optical network system disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention contains a PE and a handover equipment located between the PE and a CE. The PE is adapted to provide optical network access for the CE. The handover equipment is adapted to disconnect a CE that finishes working at a handover time, and/or connect a PE with a CE that will work in a next time segment. The present invention also discloses a service handover method of optical networks. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a handover equipment and a PE in an optical network. The present invention can reduce the ports occupied by the PE.
US08090258B2

Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON. Through use of the embodiment, network faults can be identified and optionally automatically corrected, saving a network service provider from expending technician time and maintaining an operating state of the network.
US08090251B2

A method of operating a 3D camera and a frame-linked 2D/3D camera system. The 3D camera may receive data conveying operating parameters of at least one 2D camera. Operating parameters of the 3D camera including a pan angle Φ3D, a tilt angle T3D, a lens focal length FL3D, and a lens focus distance FD3D may be set based on, at least in part, the received data. An interocular distance IOD of the 3D camera may be set and a stereo convergence angle Θ of the 3D camera may be set based on IOD and FD3D.
US08090249B2

A position controller for an optical element includes a movable member and is supported by a support member to be movable from an anti-shake driving range to a removed position, an image-shake correction driver, and an insertion/removal operational member. The insertion/removal operational member includes a first press portion which presses the movable member from the anti-shake driving range to the removed position by the insertion/removal operational member moving from an insertion position to the removed holding position, a second press portion which presses the movable member to the anti-shake driving range by the insertion/removal operational member moving from the removed holding position to the insertion position, and a displacement prevention portion which allows the movable member to move within the anti-shake driving range and prevents the movable member from moving beyond the anti-shake driving range when the insertion/removal operational member is in the insertion position.
US08090243B2

An information storage medium for storing multi angle data, and a recording method and a reproducing apparatus thereof. The information storage medium stores data for a plurality of angles of a scene in interleaved blocks. Sizes of the interleaved blocks are integral multiples of sizes of integral numbered aligned units that include packets. Angle change points are included in each of the interleaved blocks which allows a reproducing apparatus to seamlessly jump from one angle to another angle during reproduction of the multi angle data. A number of the angle points recorded on the information storage medium is computed so that a jumping distance required by the data during reproduction does not exceed a maximum jumping distance of a reproducing apparatus.
US08090241B2

A method of playing back a television program on a playback device connected to a local area network while simultaneously storing a television program on a storage device connected to the network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a television broadcast that includes at least one program at a first settop box. A first program is stored on a permanent storage device of a network storage server connected through a network to the first settop box. While receiving the television broadcast and while storing the first program, a program is rendered on a digital media rendering device connected through the network to the first settop box.
US08090239B2

A management server has: an identification-information reproducing unit which reproduces identification information from an optical disk; an invalid-unit intrinsic-information registration section which registers the reproduced identification information; and a restriction-lifting decision section which decides, on the basis of the registered identification information and unit intrinsic information given intrinsically to every recording unit, whether the identification information can be recorded on a master optical disk. A recording unit has: a communication section which notifies the management server of the unit intrinsic information on this recording unit; an identification-information generation section which generates the identification information recorded on the master optical disk; an identification-information recording section which records the identification information on the master optical disk; and a restriction lifting section which controls the operation of the identification-information generation section and the identification-information recording section on the basis of the decision result of the restriction-lifting decision section.
US08090231B1

An optical system includes optical devices that each have a top side and a bottom side between lateral sides. A first one of the devices has one or more first waveguides immobilized on a first base. The first device having a first via that defines an optical path that extends from the top side of the first device to the bottom side of the first device. A second one of the devices has a second waveguide immobilized on a second base. An optical fiber has a fiber facet immobilized relative to the first device and aligned with the first via. The first device is between the fiber facet and the second device. The first device, the second device and the optical fiber are arranged such that a light signal exchanged between the optical fiber and the second waveguide travels through the first via.
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