US08343671B2
A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell assembly, a carbon-dioxide-removal unit, an anode exhaust conduit connecting the fuel cell assembly and the carbon-dioxide-removal unit, a fuel source, an oxygen source, a fuel conduit connecting, at least in part, the fuel source with the fuel cell assembly, and a recycle conduit connecting the carbon-dioxide-removal unit with at least one of the fuel cell assembly, the fuel conduit and the fuel source. The fuel cell assembly includes at least one fuel cell, each fuel cell including an anode and a cathode. The carbon-dioxide-removal unit removes carbon dioxide that is in a gas phase. The carbon-dioxide-removal unit includes a carbon-dioxide-removing material. The fuel source and the oxygen source are each independently in fluid communication with the fuel cell assembly. The fuel conduit and the recycle conduit are optionally merged into a single recycle-fuel conduit that extends to the fuel cell assembly. The recycle conduit and/or the recycle-fuel conduit directs essentially all gaseous fluid from the carbon-dioxide-removal unit to the fuel cell assembly.
US08343663B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. The positive active material includes a lithium/nickel-based compound wherein primary particles having an average particle diameter ranging from 1 μm to 4 μm are agglomerated to form secondary particles. The positive active material of the present invention has excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding inhibition to swelling at high temperatures.
US08343659B2
The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Gd2Co7 type crystal structure, wherein the phase exists at a ratio of 10 weight % or higher in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy and yttrium is contained at a ratio of 2 mol % or more and 10 mol % or less in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy.
US08343657B2
In a lithium secondary battery using a negative electrode having a negative electrode mixture layer formed on a surface of a negative electrode current collector, the mixture layer made of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy, charge-discharge cycle performance is improved without degrading the capacity per unit volume, by making the negative electrode mixture layer sufficiently adhere to the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode has a negative electrode mixture layer composed of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy. The negative electrode mixture layer is formed on a surface of the negative electrode current collector by sintering. Negative electrode active material particles are partially embedded in the negative electrode current collector.
US08343656B2
According to the present invention, formation of a compound material layer is carried out by a method that includes a step of forming a binder solution layer 56 by applying a binder solution 50 containing a binder 54 to a current collector 10, a step of depositing the binder solution layer 56 and a compound material paste layer 46 on the current collector 10 by applying a compound material paste 40 over the binder solution layer 56, and a step of obtaining an electrode in which the compound material layer is formed on the current collector 10 by drying both the binder solution layer 56 and the compound material paste layer 46. Here, the binder solution 56 has a binder solution non-coated region 58 where a surface 12 of the current collector 10 is exposed, and the drying is carried out in a state in which a portion of the compound material paste layer 46 is deposited on the current collector 10 in the binder solution non-coated region 58.
US08343649B2
An electricity storage device has: an enclosed container; an electricity storage unit contained in the enclosed container; a coolant, contained in the enclosed container, for cooling the electricity storage unit; and protrusions that extend into the coolant and conduct the heat of the coolant to a top lid of the enclosed container. The protrusions are formed on the top lid.
US08343643B2
A battery pack including a support frame. The support frame includes a plurality of recesses for receiving a plurality of battery cells, a first vent, a second vent, a first peripheral support section, a second peripheral support section, and an air passage. The first vent is located on a first distal end of the support frame, the second vent is located on a second distal end of the support frame, and the air passage is located between the first vent and the second vent. The first and second peripheral support sections space apart and securely hold the plurality of battery cells within the battery pack.
US08343637B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1) and to the use thereof in organic electroluminescent devices, in particular as matrix material in phosphorescent devices.
US08343634B2
Composite panels may be prepared using a moisture resistance additive having a formulation that includes a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35. The additive may be used in the form of a water emulsion. The water emulsion may be prepared by dispersing the components of the additive formulation under conditions sufficient to at least partially saponify the triglyceride. The moisture resistance additive can impart resistance to moisture absorption and thickness swelling to composite panels prepared therewith.
US08343630B2
There is provided a transparent composite conductor. The composite conductor has a first layer that includes a transparent conductive material and a second layer that includes a fluorinated acid polymer.
US08343624B2
Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable fluoropolymer and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one embodiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.
US08343622B2
Antireflective films comprising a flexible high refractive index layer that comprises at least 60 wt-% of inorganic nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a refractive index of at least 1.60, dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. Also described are surface treated nanoparticles.
US08343617B2
A Ceramic substrate is provided. The ceramic substrate includes a ceramic main body and a planar buffer layer on the ceramic main body. Further, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic main body CTEm and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the planar buffer layer CTEp satisfy the following mathematical relationship: |CTEm−CTEp|≦3×10−6/° C.
US08343616B2
The coating agent of the invention is a coating agent to be used between conductor members, comprising a thermosetting resin, a white pigment, a curing agent and a curing catalyst, the coating agent to be used between conductor members having a white pigment content of 10-85 vol % based on the total solid volume of the coating agent, and a whiteness of at least 75 when the cured product of the coating agent has been allowed to stand at 200° C. for 24 hours.
US08343602B2
Use of propylene copolymers with up to 50 wt % of units derived from at least one linear or branched alpha-olefin having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms other than propylene for producing injection-molded coating on a metallic pipe.
US08343589B2
Methods of making components having calcium magnesium aluminosilicate (CMAS) mitigation capability including providing a component; applying an environmental barrier coating to the component, the environmental barrier coating having a separate CMAS mitigation layer including a CMAS mitigation composition selected from the group consisting of zinc aluminate spinel, alkaline earth zirconates, alkaline earth hafnates, rare earth gallates, beryl, and combinations thereof.
US08343580B2
Methods of vapor depositing metal-containing films using certain organometallic compounds containing a carbonyl-containing ligand are disclosed.
US08343578B2
A method and associated structure. A substrate is provided. The substrate has an energetically neutral corrugated surface layer. A film is formed on the corrugated surface layer. The film includes a combination of a di-block copolymer and a stiffening compound. The di-block copolymer includes lamellar microdomains of a first polymer block and lamellar microdomains of a second polymer block. The stiffening compound is dissolved within the first polymer block. At least one lamellar microdomain is removed from the film such that an oriented structure remains on the surface layer.
US08343573B2
A method for repairing a component such as a turbine blade is provided. At the end of its operating time, the component has, for example, a depletion of aluminium in a region near the surface. The application of a repair layer is provided including particles with an increased proportion of aluminium. A subsequent heat treatment may achieve the effect of equalizing the concentration of aluminium between the repair layer and the region near the surface, and so the aluminium content required for new components is achieved again.
US08343572B2
The present invention is in relation to a composition of electrode material in the form of a coating, said composition represented by formula Mn1-xO/C, wherein Mn1-xO is the monoxide of manganese with x is ≧0 and ≦0.1 and C is carbon. In addition, the invention also provides a process for deposition of aforementioned composition in the form of a nanocomposite coat on the electrode of an electrochemical capacitor in the fields of automobile, aerospace engineering and applications, very large scale integrated circuits (VLSI) technology, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and combinations thereof.
US08343568B2
A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided.
US08343566B2
The supernatant from the deposition of canola protein micellar mass is processed to provide a canola protein isolate which is soluble in an aqueous acidic environment.
US08343557B2
The present invention relates to synergic compositions incorporating agents for reducing cellulite and unaesthetic appearance associated therewith which comprise a base matrix constituted by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), grape seed extract, beta-glucan, organic calcium and dry extract of pine bark together with complementary synergic agents of the matrix. The invention also relates to the use of such compositions and formulations containing said compositions.
US08343556B2
A method for treating periodontal disease, which comprises administering an effective amount of a composition to one in need of treatment of periodontal disease, the composition comprising a Sasa extract and an organic acid.
US08343554B2
The present invention relates to formulations comprising combinations of analgesic/anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and cartilage-reconstructing agents in particular comprising saligenig, boswellic acid, procyanidins, N-acety-glucosamine and either glucoronic acid or glucoronolactone, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and, more generally, of arthritis conditions.
US08343550B2
Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
US08343549B2
A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.
US08343545B2
A method of producing microparticles having a median diameter up to 100 μm and the microparticles so produced are described. The method includes the steps of providing a solvent having a bioactive dispersed or dissolved therein and a vehicle dissolved therein, carrying out an emulsification in a non-solvent phase to produce an emulsion containing the bioactive and the vehicle in a solvent phase, and evaporating the solvent to leave the microparticles, wherein a mixture of at least two surfactants is employed to stabilize the emulsion and wherein the mixture has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of up to 8.
US08343542B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an oral form of administration which decomposes immediately and releases active ingredients in the mouth. According to said method, (a) an anionic pharmaceutical active ingredient is intensively mixed with (b) a copolymer consisting of radically polymerized C1-C4 esters of the acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and other (meth)acrylate monomers containing functional tertiary amino groups, and (c) between 5 and 50 wt. %, in relation to (b), of a C12-C22 carboxylic acid in the melted mass; the mixture is solidified and ground to form a powder containing active ingredients having an average particle size of 200 μm or less; and the powder is encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix consisting of pharmaceutically standard adjuvants, on the condition that no more than 3 wt. %, in relation to the copolymer, of emulsifiers with an HLB value of at least 14 must be contained therein. The invention also relates to the powder containing active ingredients and the uses of the same.
US08343535B2
Disclosed are a hydrogel dressing for covering or treating a wound and a method for preparing the same. The hydrogel dressing includes a matrix structure of a cross-linked mixture, and an elastic sheet coated with an elementary metal or ionic metal embodied in the matrix structure. The mixture comprises a hydrophilic polymer, about 0.5 to about 5 wt % of a photocatalyst agent and at least 80 wt % of water based on the total weight of the mixture.
US08343523B2
An alcohol- or glycol-soluble, water-insoluble, disinfectant composition and a method of using the same for disinfecting and for providing a prolonged antimicrobial property to a variety of surfaces, including skin. The composition comprises at least one alcohol or glycol and an antimicrobial polymer that is capable of imparting an antimicrobial property to a surface without the use of a metal or a metal-containing compound. The composition is applied to a surface and allowed to evaporate leaving a coating of antimicrobial polymer. Alternatively, the composition is incorporated into or within the substrate.
US08343522B2
Antimicrobial film based on biopolymers, in particular cellulose and/or protein, or uncoated or coated textile material, and also an antimicrobial sponge or an antimicrobial sponge cloth based on regenerated or precipitated cellulose are provided. The film, the sponge or the sponge cloth is impregnated or coated with at least one α-amino acid ester, the α-amino group of which is acylated with a fatty acid, or the corresponding hydrochloride, and the α-amino acid ester is bound covalently, optionally also ionically, to the film, the sponge or the sponge cloth. The acylated α-amino acid ester is preferably N-lauroyl-L-arginine ethyl ester monohydrochloride (LAECl), N-lauroyl-L-arginine methyl ester monohydrochloride (LAMCl) or N-lauroyl-L-lysine ethyl ester hydrochloride (LLECl). The film is preferably in the form of a flexible tube and is provided as casing for foods, especially sausage products.
US08343521B2
The present invention relates to an ethanol-free, non-fatty, non-sticky perfumed aqueous cosmetic microemulsion composition, including one or more fragrance materials, a solvent, an aqueous medium, and optionally, one or more surfactants; wherein the solvent in the microemulsion is a vicinal diol such as 1,2-hexanediol.
US08343520B2
The present invention relates to novel cosmetic compositions, more particularly for treating the skin or the hair, comprising an ampholytic artificial copolymer. The invention also relates to the use of the polymer in cosmetic compositions. The polymer comprises units derived from a polycationic monomer and units derived from a monomer of acidic nature.
US08343519B2
The present invention relates to compositions containing at least one salicylic acid derivative and at least one cosmetic, dermatologic, pharmaceutical, etc. active agent, where the salicylic acid derivative increases, enhances, etc., the efficacy of the active agent, as well as to methods of making and using such compositions. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing the efficacy of active agents with these salicylic acid derivatives.
US08343508B2
This invention provides botulinum antitoxin compositions and methods of production, and methods of treating animals and humans prophylactically and also those suspected of having contacted botulism toxin. The botulinum antitoxin is prepared by inoculating an animal with a monovalent botulinum toxoid and toxin. The animal's plasma is collected and purified at a high pH by affinity chromatography. The resulting monovalent immunoglobulins are de-speciated by digestion with pepsin. Monovalent antitoxins for all seven botulinum serotypes are then combined to produce a high titered heptavalent botulinum antitoxin composition.
US08343506B2
The present invention discloses a chimeric Chikungunya virus comprising a heterologous alphavirus cDNA fragment and a Chikungunya virus cDNA fragment. The heterologous alphavirus may include but is not limited to Sindbis virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The present invention also discloses the use of this chimeric Chikungunya virus as vaccines and in serological and diagnostic assays.
US08343498B2
The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is an adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08343496B2
Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The compositions may be part of a kit for administering the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate compositions in therapeutic and/or diagnostic methods.
US08343488B2
New methods for diagnosis and treatment of human dormancy syndrome-related sequellae are provided. Human dormancy syndrome (HDS) is characterized by elevated serum ratio of rT3/fT3 compared to a population of normal subjects. HDS includes fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cancer, autoimmune disease, obesity and related dormancy conditions. Dormancy and HDS-related sequellae are imposed on humans by infection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; or endotoxin)-producing organisms, especially those that are intracellular and those that create antigens that stimulate the TLR pathways. In such instances, the elimination or neutralization of the LPS signal along with the infectious source is required to impact the sequellae of HDS. Treatment includes use of novel and non-obvious doses of antibiotics, optionally including agents that decrease the adverse effects of endotoxin.
US08343484B2
The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
US08343478B2
The present invention relates to the use of Parapoxviruses in combination with other agents for the treatment of viral diseases, and in particular HIV infections and AIDS. The invention also relates to methods for producing medicaments based on combinations of Parapoxviruses and other antiviral agents, and to such medicaments. In particular, the invention relates to the use of Parapoxviruses in combination with agents of the kind used for antiretroviral therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
US08343471B2
The present technology provides a nanoparticulate in-situ gelling vitreous substitute, which is a liquid at room temperature to aid easy administration, such as e.g. through a small needle incision, and forms a gel within the eye, which is hydrophilic in nature, similar to the natural vitreous. The vitreous substitute formulation may include a water-soluble natural or synthetic polymer and a gelling-agent which are blended together in the presence of a cross linker, to form a gel having the properties of the vitreous humor. The process of cross linking and gelation may occur in-situ. This can be achieved by dispensing to the eye, different components of the vitreous substitute in liquid state, along with the cross linking agent.
US08343469B2
The present invention is related to surfactant-based formulations comprising the polyelectrolytes and blends of such polyelectrolytes with non-cellulosic cationic polysaccharide polymers. The surfactant-based formulations exhibit improved clarity of the resulting formulations, their improved conditioning of keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved deposition of dispersed phase materials onto keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved lather performance, and their improved rheology in applications such as personal care and household care products and textile applications.
US08343452B2
A gas diffusion media for a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, is provided. The gas diffusion media includes carbonizable acrylic pulp fibers instead of conventional phenolic resin as a binder material. The acrylic fibers are mixed with the carbon fiber dispersion during the papermaking step, thus eliminating the phenolic resin impregnation step typically associated with conventional gas diffusion media manufacturing processes. The mat is then cured and carbonized to produce gas diffusion media.
US08343443B2
A micro-fluidic device comprises a body. The body defines pneumatic ports, chambers for receiving liquids, and a connecting conduit. Each port is sealed with a seal and is shaped to couple to a pneumatic conduit through the seal. At least some of the chambers each have a top opening and a bottom opening. The top openings are in fluid communication with corresponding ports. The bottom openings are in fluid communication with one another through the connecting conduit, which is above the bottom openings. Selective application of pneumatic pressures to the chambers through the pneumatic conduits can transfer a liquid from one chamber to another through the connecting conduit, for example, for processing bio-samples within the device.
US08343441B2
Aspects of the invention include methods and devices for manufacturing and testing microfluidic chips having at least one capillary for through-flow of a fluid.
US08343440B2
A cancer cell separating apparatus includes: a flow channel including an antibody fixation area having antibodies which bind specifically to cancer cells fixed thereon, wherein the cancer cells and non-cancer cells are separated using a difference in velocity of movement between the cancer cells and the non-cancer cells in cell slurry introduced into the flow channel.
US08343435B2
A method which enhances a disinfection process by obtaining an additive effect from energy and byproducts of the decomposition process. Also disclosed are contact lens disinfecting systems, wherein the systems are configured to create the desirable elevated pressure, oxygen saturation and sustained peroxide concentration conditions within a contact lens holding and reaction chamber, in order to enhance disinfection by additive effect. The systems are configured to provide that an elevated pressure is maintained in the reaction chamber before venting occurs.
US08343416B2
A regulating device regulates the flow rate of non-ferromagnetic, electrically conducting liquids and melt streams through magnetic fields inducing eddy currents in the melt stream. In a preferred embodiment, the regulating device controls the melt stream using at least one stationary magnetic field with a constant polarity, at least one stationary magnetic alternating field or using a multi-poled magnetic travelling field, in such a way that the magnetic field lines transversally penetrate the melt flow across the entire cross section thereof and such that a voltage is induced in the melt stream by the magnetic fields.
US08343412B2
The present invention relates to the sealing of inscriptions on plastics which have been produced by means of lasers on the plastic surface.
US08343407B1
The present invention pertains to an overmolding process and apparatus for overmolding nonlinear profiles from rigid or semi-rigid polymeric material. Rigid polymeric materials are melted and overmolded onto an extruded profile, which is received by a mold having a mold cavity and core pin. The mold cavity and core pin have a radial angle of curvature (Rc). In the overmolding process, rigid polymeric material is injected around the core pin and cavity, and the overmolded article is removed from the mold. The core pin is removed from the overmolded article to form a non-linear overmolded article according to the present process and arrangement of parts.
US08343405B2
The invention relates to a production method for incorporating an object into a multi-part, transparent casing. According to the method, an object is aligned on a first joint surface of a first casing part and is pressed into said part using a second casing part with a second joint surface. The first joint surface of the first casing part and the second joint surface of the second casing part are then fused by pressure and temperature, forming a region between the casing parts that is devoid of a visible seam.
US08343403B2
A method for making a microporous membrane comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes having a hollow interior diameter of 20 Angstroms or less; sonicating the plurality of carbon nanotubes utilizing a solution comprising deionized, distilled water and a surfactant that coats at least one of the plurality of carbon nanotubes; collecting the coated carbon nanotubes; forming a matrix that supports the plurality of carbon nanotubes; embedding the coated carbon nanotubes into the matrix; rinsing the coated nanotubes to remove at least a portion of the surfactant; curing the nanotube-matrix assembly; and cutting the nanotube-matrix assembly to a particular thickness so as to open the ends of the embedded nanotubes. The hollow interiors of the plurality of embedded carbon nanotubes comprise the pores of the microporous membrane.
US08343397B2
A method for forming a device (10) that fits into a person's ear canal, that carries sound from a pipe (B) of a speaker assembly (A) into the person's ear canal, and that blocks environmental noise. A first elastomeric material (14) is molded around an elongated core (16) to form a device body (12) with an outer surface that can seal to a person's ear canal. In one method, the first elastomeric material of the body is a soft foamable material and the core is a previously-formed tube (16) of a stiffer second elastomeric material, with the body bonded to the tube by being molded around it, either in a mold cavity or by extrusion through an extrusion head. In another method, the elastomeric material of the body is a non-foam, and the core (96) is a rigid pin that is removed from the earplug body after the earplug body has at least partially solidified.
US08343394B2
Crystalline alumina particles are intimately mixed with a gaseous fuel, air and oxygen. The mixture is then ignited in a torch. Such blending of the powder with the combustible gas allows the alumina particles to be immediately heated to above their melting temperature and allows the particles to form into spheres. The spheres are then rapidly cooled to ambient temperature, providing high purity micron-sized polymorphic alumina spheres without the use of additives or special treatment.
US08343392B2
A composite material is constituted by fine nano-oxide particles, a dispersant, and a transparent resin material. The dispersant includes a polymer of vinyl monomer having a binding acidic group. When φ is a dimensionless number defined by an average particle size (nm) of the fine nano-oxide particles divided by nm, the polymer has a degree of polymerization of an integer of 3 or more and 8×φ or less with the proviso that the integer is a numerical value obtained by dropping a decimal fraction. The composite material is produced through a step of obtaining a dispersant comprising a polymer by polymerizing a vinyl monomer having a binding acidic group in the presence of polyamine or in an aqueous dilute dispersion, and a step of mixing the dispersant, fine nano-oxide particles, and a transparent resin material.
US08343390B2
A powderous lithium transition metal oxide having a layered crystal structure Li1+aM1−aO2±bM′kSm with −0.03
US08343388B2
Disclosed are an electrode having a porous active coating layer, a manufacturing method thereof and an electrochemical device containing the same. The electrode having a porous active coating layer according to the present invention may be useful to enhance peeling and scratch resistances of the porous active layer and improve a lamination characteristic toward the porous active layer by introducing a porous active layer onto a porous substrate having pores, the porous active layer having heterogeneity of morphology toward a thickness direction in which a content ratio of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present in a surface layer is higher than that of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present inside the surface layer. Accordingly, the stability and performances of the battery can be improved at the same time since the detachment of the inorganic particles from the porous active layer may be reduced during the assembly process of the electrochemical device.
US08343373B2
A method of forming an aligned connection between a nanotube layer and an etched feature is disclosed. An etched feature is formed having a top and a side and optionally a notched feature at the top. A patterned nanotube layer is formed such that the nanotube layer contacts portions of the side and overlaps a portion of the top of the etched feature. The nanotube layer is then covered with an insulating layer. Then a top portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose a top portion of the etched feature.
US08343371B2
The invention can provide apparatus and methods of processing a substrate in real-time using a Quasi-Neutral Beam (Q-NB) curing system to improve the etch resistance of photoresist layer. In addition, the improved photoresist layer can be used to more accurately control gate and/or spacer critical dimensions (CDs), to control gate and/or spacer CD uniformity, and to eliminate line edge roughness (LER) and line width roughness (LWR).
US08343370B2
A method of fabricating a PTFE seal element and rotary shaft seal assembly therewith. The method includes providing a PTFE seal element and a vacuum chamber having electrodes therein. Next, placing the PTFE seal element on one electrode and drawing a vacuum pressure in the chamber and introducing a first process gas into the chamber. Further, applying a high frequency signal to the electrodes and producing a discharge plasma and etching and chemically modifying a surface of the PTFE seal element with the discharge plasma. Then, purging the vacuum chamber with a second process gas and restoring the vacuum chamber to an atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, rinsing the seal element and applying an adhesion promoter to the etched and chemically modified surface. Lastly, attaching the etched and chemically modified surface of the PTFE seal element to the carrier by molding an elastomeric material between the seal element and the carrier.
US08343367B2
Disclosed is a method of forming a continuous channel for gas discharge in the surface of a casting roll for twin roll strip casting, and particularly, a method of forming a continuous channel for gas discharge on the surface of a casting roll for twin roll strip casting, suitable for the formation of dimples on the surface of a casting roll for a twin roll strip caster, which includes applying a photoresist on the entire surface of a casting roll, conducting patterning on the applied photoresist, developing the surface of the casting roll, subjected to the patterning, and etching the metal surface of the casting roll, exposed in the developing, and which prevents the generation of dents, enables the manufacture of a cast product having no defects, and realizes wide applicability not only to high Mn steel but also to types of casting steel capable of generating dents or similar defects due to a large amount of volatile gas.
US08343364B1
A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT) for energy assisted magnetic recording is disclosed. A structure comprising an NFT metal layer and a first hardmask layer over the NFT metal layer is provided A first patterned hardmask is formed from the first hardmask layer, the first patterned hardmask disposed over a disk section and a pin section of the NFT to be formed. An etch process is performed on the NFT metal layer via the first patterned hardmask, the etch process forming the NFT having the disk section and the pin section.
US08343354B2
A process for desulfurizing a process fluid includes contacting a sulphur compound containing feed stream with an absorbent including an iron, copper or nickel compound capable of forming a metal sulphide, a support material, a first binder and a second binder where the first binder is a cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binder having an aspect ratio >2 and a ratio of the first binder to the second binder is in the range 2:1 to 3:1.
US08343334B2
A method and apparatus for hydrocracking an oil feedstock to produce a light oil stream without build-up of heavy polynuclear aromatic (HPNA) hydrocarbons in the recycle stream is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) hydrocracking the oil feedstock with a hydrotreating catalyst in a first reactor to produce an effluent stream; (2) fractionating the effluent stream into first, second and third product streams, wherein the first product stream includes C1-C4, naphtha and diesel boiling in the range of 36-370° C., the second product stream includes hydrocarbon components with an initial nominal boiling point of 370° C. and a final boiling point ranging from 420-480° C., and the third product stream that includes HPNA hydrocarbons and other hydrocarbons boiling above about 420° C. to about 480° C., depending upon the final boiling point of the second product stream; (3) cracking the second product stream in a second reactor; and (4) cracking the third product stream in a third reactor at a higher operational pressure than the second reactor.
US08343329B2
The present invention provides an electrode for hydrogen generation of which the hydrogen overvoltage is sufficiently low and which is not affected by poisoning due to iron ions, and furthermore, of which the durability is superior because during operations and stop-and-start control, the hydrogen overvoltage does not rise and exfoliation of the supported material does not occur. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the aforementioned hydrogen generation electrode and an electrolysis method using the electrode for hydrogen generation as a cathode. An electrode for hydrogen generation is used in which a platinum alloy including platinum and one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, and iron, or an amorphous material of a transition metal element and platinum is supported on a conductive base material. This electrode is obtained by coating a metal compound solution including one selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, and iron, and a platinum compound solution which forms an ammine complex; drying; thermally decomposing at a temperature in a range from more than 200° C. to 700° C. or less; and then subjecting to a reduction processing.
US08343327B2
The invention relates generally to electrodeposition apparatus and methods. When depositing films via electrodeposition, where the substrate has an inherent resistivity, for example, sheet resistance in a thin film, methods and apparatus of the invention are used to electrodeposit materials onto the substrate by forming a plurality of ohmic contacts to the substrate surface and thereby overcome the inherent resistance and electrodeposit uniform films. Methods and apparatus of the invention find particular use in solar cell fabrication.
US08343323B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for determining particle properties. Such properties may for example be charge, size, drift, etc. The method comprises determining (110) an electric mobility distribution based on detection of individual particles. The latter may be performed for a single particle over time, for a plurality of particles at the same time or in a combination thereof. The method also comprises deriving a particle property based on a periodicity in the electric mobility distribution.
US08343317B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatuses for forming films using CVD. One or more method and apparatus embodiments include preventing the formation of bonds and/or breaking bonds that permit polymers to form in an exhaust line of a CVD apparatus.
US08343308B2
A ceiling plate provided at a ceiling portion of a process chamber that may be evacuated to a vacuum is disclosed. The ceiling plate allows microwaves emitted from a slot of a planar antenna member provided along with the ceiling plate to pass through the ceiling plate into the process chamber, and includes plural concave portions provided along a circle on a surface of the ceiling plate, the surface facing toward an inside of the process chamber.
US08343303B2
In one embodiment, the invention is an composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional polyether polyurethane prepolymers; and b) one or more prepolymers of one or more polyisocyanates and one or more polyesters wherein the terminal groups on the polyester polyol polyurethane prepolymer are the residue of a monofunctional polyalkylene glycol (hereinafter capped polyester polyurethane prepolymer) or one or more polyester polyols which are capped with the residue of one or more monofunctional isocyanates (hereinafter isocyanate capped polyesters); wherein the composition is a low viscous paste at temperature of from about 40 to about 80° C. and is high viscous paste at a temperature of from about 40° C. or less. In a preferred embodiment the composition further comprises c) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with hydroxyl groups. In another embodiment the invention is a method of bonding two or more substrates together which comprise contacting the two or more substrates together with a composition according to this invention disposed along at least a portion of the area wherein the substrates are in contact wherein the composition is a low viscous paste. In a preferred embodiment the composition is heated to about 40° C. to about 80° C. and converted to a low viscous paste prior to contacting it with the one or more substrates.
US08343294B2
An apparatus and method adapted to enhance the structural performance of a desired connection and provide a readily perceivable indication of predetermined limitations having being reached prior to actual failure of a connection. A method for enhancing structural performance of a desired structure by preventing fracture propagation.
US08343284B2
A film removing device includes an approach stage having a flat approach part having a surface substantially flush with the surface of a substrate supported on a support member. The flat approach part faces a first side surface of the substrate at a corner of the substrate where the first side surface and a second side surface of the substrate join. A film removing nozzle spouts a solvent toward a peripheral part of the substrate and sucks a solution while being moved along the second side surface and the approach stage. A gas is spouted into a gap between the flat approach part and the corner of the substrate so that the gas flows through the gap toward the second side surface.
US08343283B2
The present invention discloses a method for cleaning a substrate comprising contacting the substrate in a cleaning cycle with an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an aqueous diluent and a detergent composition, the detergent composition comprising a glycolic and/or lactic acid oligomer with an average degree of polymerization between 1.8 and 6. Preferably, the substrate is contacted in a rinse cycle with an aqueous rinse which is substantially free of an intentionally added rinse agent or fabric softener.
US08343282B2
The present invention provides a process for photocatalytically treating stains of chilly and turmeric caused on kitchen tiles and platforms by coating a thin film of photocatalyst made of a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide uniformly dispersed in dilute silica sol thereon and using a light source such as a fluorescent lamp to irradiate and photoexcite the photo catalytic thin film by the small amount of UV radiation included in the fluorescent light, resulting in photo decomposition and auto-cleaning of the stains.
US08343274B2
A cement composition is made from a heat activated chemical salt selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide, and calcium oxide and mixtures thereof. This activated salt is the mixed with hydraulic cement in an amount of 2½ to 3½ parts activated salt to one part hydraulic cement and the resulting mixture of hydraulic cement and activated salt is mixed with water and aggregate. In addition, industrial waste may be added to the mix in minor amounts of 5 to 30 percent.
US08343268B2
Inkjet ink formulations and methods using the same, with improved performance, wherein the inks are formulated to work as an ink set with darker inks having a higher dynamic surface tension.
US08343267B2
A gallium formulated ink is provided. Also provided are methods of preparing the gallium formulated ink and for using the gallium formulated ink to deposit a Group 1b/gallium/(optional indium)/Group 6a material on a substrate for use in the manufacture of a variety of chalcogenide containing semiconductor materials, such as, thin film transistors (TFTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs); and photoresponsive devices (e.g., electrophotography (e.g., laser printers and copiers), rectifiers, photographic exposure meters and photovoltaic cells) and chalcogenide containing phase change memory materials.
US08343266B2
There is described a filtering device (1) for systems for supplying gas to internal combustion engines, comprising, integrated in the device, sensor means (10, 11, 12) for detecting the pressure and temperature of the gas being injected into the engine as well as the pressure at the inlet manifold of the engine.
US08343265B2
An air cleaner apparatus includes a lid that covers an opening formed in an air cleaner box is provided with an intake port communicating with the opening. In addition, a regulator is attached to an upper wall portion of the air cleaner box, the intake port is extended to the upper wall portion of the air cleaner box so as to cover the regulator, and the regulator is placed facing inside an intake passage connecting between the intake port and the opening. The air cleaner apparatus so configured provides a sufficient cooling effect, and is excellent in ease of maintenance.
US08343263B2
To a canister assembly to be installed in a vehicle body having a differential device mounted on a rear part thereof without reducing the space above a floor panel while ensuring an adequate adsorption chamber volume. The canister assembly (22) comprises a first adsorption chamber (31) for adsorbing fuel vapor introduced from a fuel tank (8); a second adsorption chamber (32) for adsorbing fuel vapor introduced from the first adsorption chamber; and a chamber communication pipe (46) for communicating the first adsorption chamber with the second adsorption chamber; wherein the first adsorption chamber and second adsorption chamber are provided separately from each other on either side of the differential device.
US08343256B2
An integrated contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within a separator scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminant stream, and ion exchange material (69) integrated within the accumulator removes contaminants from the stream. A water-control pump (84) directs flow of a de-contaminated water stream from the accumulator (68) through a water-control loop (78) having a heat exchanger (86) and back onto the scrubber (58) to flow over the packed bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (69) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.
US08343252B2
A honeycomb filter 20 includes a plurality of porous partition portions 22 forming a plurality of cells 23 serving as channels of fluid and trapping layers 24 that are formed on the partition portions and configured to trap a solid component contained in the fluid. In the honeycomb filter 20, a predetermined trapping region present on the partition portions 22 satisfies that, in an inscribed-circle-diameter distribution obtained by dividing an image of the partition portions captured with an electron microscope into a material region and a plurality of pore regions and by drawing maximum inscribed circles individually inscribed in the pore regions, a median pore diameter D50 is 1 μm or more and 6 μm or less and a median pore diameter D80 is 1 μm or more and 7 μm or less, and an inscribed-circle porosity determined from the inscribed-circle-diameter distribution is 35% or more and 60% or less.
US08343246B2
A separator is provided. The separator in which the flow is conducted using separation elements from an inflow to an outflow in such a manner that at reversal points media separators deposit a separation medium. Depending on the flow through them and the orientation with respect to the acceleration due to gravity, individually shaped separating elements are arranged in such a manner that at least two different paths of the flow along the separating elements in the separator form.
US08343241B2
The present disclosure relates to a process for the conversion of organic material to methane rich gas. In particular, the process comprises heating vaporized organic material in the presence of an excess amount of hydrogen gas and superheated steam to produce a methane rich fuel gas at pressures greater than 0 atmospheres gauge up to about 2 atmosphere gauge.
US08343234B2
A hand prosthesis includes a chassis and a finger prosthesis articulated to the chassis. A first drive is located in the chassis and is coupled via a force transmission unit to the finger prosthesis for moving the finger prosthesis about a first swiveling axis relative to the chassis. A second drive is located within the finger prosthesis and moves the finger prosthesis about a second swiveling axis relative to the chassis and relative to the first swiveling axis.
US08343232B2
A mesh to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure such as mesh portions of thicker weave than other portions, or strengthening members that can be engaged with the mesh and then removed from the mesh once the mesh is place over the hole. The same principles can be applied to a plug that is engaged with the mesh for filling the hole.
US08343229B2
Implantable pliable bone blocks comprising a solid block of cortical bone characterized by a length, width and thickness, having a first and a second face on opposite sides of the block. The first and second faces have a plurality slot features. The angle of incidence of the slot features of the first face and the x-axis and the angle of incidence of the slot features of the second face and the x-axis (a2) are such that the slots would intersect if they were in the same plane. Methods are provided for making implantable pliable bone blocks.
US08343222B2
Described is an articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis including a first member having a vertebra engaging portion and a bearing surface; a second member having a vertebra engaging portion and a bearing surface, which in use abuts the first member bearing surface to form a first bearing joint, —and motion restraint means adapted to provide ax-ticulation restraint of the bearing joints at predetermined limits of articulation similar to the natural motion restraint of a facet joint; wherein the prosthesis is longitudinally—split into two bodies so that the two bodies can be laterally separated, each body having an articulating bearing joint. Preferably, the second member bearing surface is shaped to include at least a portion of a first substantially circular curve when viewed in a first section, and at least a portion of a second substantially circular curve when viewed in a second section, said first and second curves being of respectively different sizes of circle. Further described is a chisel and a chisel guide for preparing the disc space for implantation.
US08343219B2
An intersomatic cage, an intervertebral prosthesis, an anchoring device and an instrument for implantation of the cage or the prosthesis and the anchoring device are provided. An intersomatic cage or an intervertebral prosthesis fit closely to the anchoring device, which includes a body of elongated shape on a longitudinal axis, of curved shape describing, along the longitudinal axis, an arc whose dimensions and radius of curvature are designed in such a manner that the anchoring device may be implanted in the vertebral plate of a vertebra by presenting its longitudinal axis substantially along the plane of the intervertebral space, where the anchoring device is inserted, by use of the instrument, through a slot located in at least one peripheral wall of the cage or on at least one plate of the intervertebral disc prosthesis to penetrate into at least one vertebral plate.
US08343218B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for producing articular repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. In particular, methods for providing articular repair systems. Also provided are articular surface repair systems designed to replace a selected area cartilage, for example, and surgical tools for repairing articular surfaces.
US08343215B2
A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.
US08343214B2
A method and related apparatus to treat a cataract where the cataractous lens is pierced and the resulting opening is mechanically maintained using a lens system device such as a pinhole device, expandable tubular lens, a stent or similar small diameter device, some of which are capable of supporting a secondary intraocular lens. The resulting passageway or lumen created in the cataractous lens allows visible light to better reach the retina, thus improving vision. This lens system device that can be placed into an in situ cataract provides for a much simpler surgical technique and reduces related pre and post operative procedures and potential complications. Intraocular lenses may also be used in concert with this invention. The apparatus and technique can be applied to humans as well as animals.
US08343207B2
An implantable composite medical device having a longitudinal length a woven textile portion having yarns interlaced in a woven pattern, a knitted textile portion having yarns interlooped in a knitted pattern. The woven and knitted portions are securably attached to one and the other to provide a composite woven and knitted textile surface along the longitudinal length of the device. The woven portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 500 ml/min/cm2, and the knitted portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 15,000 ml/min/cm2. Further, a crimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability from about 10 to about 100 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension or an uncrimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability of less than about 10 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension are useful. A knitted portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability from about 5 to about 200 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension is also useful.
US08343201B2
A pedicle screw assembly has a retractable screw tip that facilitates the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra in a minimally invasive fashion during an orthopedic surgical procedure. The pedicle screw assembly includes a body portion including a head and a shank. The shank includes an outer surface with a thread provided thereon, an end having a cutting tip provided thereon, and a bore extending inwardly from the end and having an internally threaded region provided therein. The pedicle screw assembly also includes a tip portion including a body having a cutting edge and a shank extending from the body. The shank has an externally threaded region provided thereon that cooperates with the internally threaded region of the bore to permit movement of the tip portion relative to the body portion between extended and retracted positions.
US08343199B2
An intramedullary screw and fixation system for intraosseous bone fusion of the subtalar joint includes a lag screw member, a reamer for reaming an internal surface of each of the calcaneus and talus medullary canals, and targeting guide assembly for alignment with the subtalar joint. The lag screw member includes an elongated body, a first threaded portion at a first end and a bulbous portion at a second end. The targeting guide assembly receives a cutting blade in an elongated rod for reaming the articulating surfaces of the calcaneus and talus intramedullary canals, where the cutting blade is inserted through a percutaneous incision into the elongated rod.
US08343193B2
An apparatus and method is provided for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
US08343183B2
Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator, and methods of use thereof, which can house multiple component formulations in separate material receptacles, which components can then be easily combined at the time of use without assembly by the user. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be used for, but is not limited to, applying hydrogel formulations to dura mater, abdominal tissue in hernia repair, tissues near the spine, lung tissue, intestinal tissue, or any of the internal tissues. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be configured to apply a spray or a stream of a liquid formulation to a surface. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be configured to deliver the formulation through an endoscope or laparoscope.
US08343175B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.
US08343169B2
A surgical instrument for performing circumcision includes a hollow body having each of an anterior open end and an axially opposed posterior open end. A dome shaped member is attached to or formed integral with the anterior end of the hollow body and has a generally semispherical shape. At least one aperture is formed through a wall of the dome shaped member and is sized to pass urine therethrough. An elongated handle is centered on the longitudinal axis and has a portion thereof positioned adjacent a juncture with one of the anterior end of the hollow body and the apex of the dome shaped member being weaker than any other portion of the body or the generally dome shaped member, whereby a reciprocation of the elongated handle causes the elongated handle to fracture at the juncture and become detached from the hollow body or the generally dome shaped member.
US08343167B2
Disclosed is a clot and foreign body removal system, including a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture wire that is connected to a hub at the proximal end. In one embodiment, the clot capture wire includes a coil made out of an elastic or superelastic material, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic, shape memory coil, which changes shape upon heating, energy application, or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot or blockage in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed completely or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ. Foreign bodies are similarly captured by deploying the coil distal to the foreign body and moving the clot capture coil proximally until the foreign body is trapped within the coil. By removing the device from the body, the foreign material is also removed.
US08343164B2
An apparatus for inserting a spinal implant includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member operatively connected to each other. The first elongate member includes a first jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The first jaw member defines a first longitudinal axis. The second elongate member includes a second jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The second jaw member defines a second longitudinal axis. The first and second elongate members are adapted to move the first and second jaw members between a first position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other and a second position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism adapted to fix a relative position of the first and second elongate members.
US08343163B1
An implant installation device is provided for delivering an implant to a target implantation site including a handle with a first and second arms extending distally therefrom. A translation member extends through the handle such that a distal portion lies between the first arm and second arm while a proximal portion extends beyond the proximal end of the handle. An inserter is coupled at the distal end of the translation member and also lies between the first arm and second arm. With an implant positioned proximate the distal end of the inserter, the distal ends of the arms may be inserted between the pair of vertebrae. The translation member may be operated to drive the inserter distally, which in turn pushes the implant toward the implantation site.
US08343160B2
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
US08343158B2
A tool (2) for forming a cavity within a bone (6) comprises a shaft (10) and a blade (12) which is pivotally mounted on the shaft towards one end thereof. A rod is fastened to the blade, and can slide within the shaft, to change the pivotal position of the blade relative to the shaft. The tool can include an incremental drive to cause the rod to translate along the shaft when the shaft and rod are rotated.
US08343156B2
A bone mill including a base and a mill head that is removably attached to the base. A cutting disc is rotatably disposed in the mill head. When the mill head is attached to base, the cutting disc is rotated by a motor internal to the base. A plunger mounted to the mill head urges the bone against the cutting disc. The cutting disc and an impingement plate internal to the mill head shear the bone into chips. The chips are discharged from an opening in the mill head into a catch tray removably attached to the mill head.
US08343155B2
The present disclosure includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including cable button threads, a plurality of cable button apertures, a hex socket, and a hex opening. The present disclosure also includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including a plurality of legs, where a leg includes a protrusion, where the protrusion engages the bone plate, and the cable button defines at least one cable button aperture.
US08343147B2
Disclosed are a method and a device useful for performing cosmetic or medical procedures of an in vivo portion of tissue. The method includes contacting an in vivo portion of tissue with a portion of a pad, substantially saturating the pad with a reactant, contacting the pad with a first electrode so that the first electrode is proximate to the portion of the pad proximate to the in vivo portion of tissue. The method further includes contacting the pad with a second electrode so as to provide an electrical path between the first electrode and the second electrode through the reactant, passing a DC voltage through a circuit including the first electrode, the reactant and the second electrode, thereby forming at least one of: an electrolytic effect, and an electrolytic product of the reactant, proximate to the first electrode.
US08343143B2
Medical systems and methods including balloons having nanotubes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical system includes an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the shaft and including nanotubes. The medical system is capable of cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical device having an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the elongated shaft and including nanotubes; and cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C.
US08343134B2
The invention provides a system and method for trans-fetal membranes transport. A source of ultrasound sonication is used to deliver ultrasound sonication to fetal membranes to enhance the permeability of the fetal membranes of a gestational sac. In one embodiment, a device is used to collect substances transported from the interior of the gestational sac to the exterior of the gestational sac, such as amniotic or coelomic fluid. In another embodiment a device is used to deliver one or more substances, such as a drug, to an external surface of the fetal membranes.
US08343132B2
A method includes inserting a distal end portion of a needle of a medical injector into a skin of a body. An energy source operatively coupled to the medical injector is actuated such that a dermal filler is conveyed from the medical injector into the skin through the distal end portion of the needle. The distal end portion of the needle is moved within the skin during the actuating.
US08343130B2
A needleless injector has a syringe body having an opening at one end, a piston housed within the syringe body for urging a liquid within the syringe body through the opening and a ram for driving the piston. A shock absorbing component is provided for reducing an initial transfer of force from the ram to the piston. The initial rate of pressure increase on the liquid is reduced, thereby controlling the rate of collapse of gas bubbles in the liquid.
US08343127B1
A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The refastenable seams formed by the fastening system components provide a garment-like appearance.
US08343118B2
An apparatus is provided that includes an enclosure with an aperture which is adapted for being placed in communication with an anus for the purpose of directing fecal matter into the enclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure may include a polyethylene material with a thickness of less than 50 microns. In another embodiment, the enclosure may include an air hole formed therein for remaining open to allow air to escape therefrom upon the receipt of the fecal matter into the enclosure. In still yet another embodiment, the aperture may be circular and the enclosure may include a flexibility sufficient to allow the enclosure to be placed on an intended wearer in any orientation about an axis defined by the aperture.
US08343117B1
A cigarette lighter device comprising a cigarette lighter component having a top end, a bottom end, and a butane reservoir disposed inside; an eye drop dispenser removably attached to the bottom end of the cigarette lighter component, wherein the eye drop dispenser has a reservoir for storing an eye drop fluid; a connecting tube fluidly connecting the reservoir to an aperture tip disposed at a first end of the eye drop dispenser; wherein the eye drop fluid can be squeezed from the reservoir out of the eye drop dispenser; a removable cap attached to the first end of the eye drop dispenser for temporarily preventing eye drop fluid from unintentionally exiting the eye drop dispenser.
US08343102B2
Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.
US08343101B2
Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.
US08343097B2
Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.
US08343090B2
A surgical instrument for providing an ionized gas to a surgical site includes a receptacle for at least one cylinder of pressurized surgical gas and a frame having a port near the distal end for emitting the surgical gas. A passageway extending between the receptacle and the port delivers the surgical gas to the port. A puncture assembly for rupturing a seal on at least one cylinder to release the surgical gas into the passageway includes at least one bank for storing mechanical energy which may include at least one spring. An actuator is operable to actuate the at least one bank release the mechanical energy. At least one puncture pin is operatively coupled to the at least one bank such that energy released by the at least one bank is effective to move the at least one puncture pin relative to at least one cylinder to rupture the seal.
US08343078B2
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate. If the flow rate drops to zero or close to zero, this indicates that the uterine cavity is intact and not perforated. If the flow rate does not drop to zero or close to zero, this indicates that a fluid flow is leaking through a perforation in the uterine cavity into the uterine cavity or escaping around an occlusion balloon that occludes the cervical canal.
US08343076B2
A flexible guidewire comprising a hollow tube, having a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having a distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal section gradually decreasing toward the distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal tip being larger than the smallest outer diameter of the distal section, the flexible guidewire further comprising a plug coupled with the distal tip of the hollow tube for creating a non-traumatic tip, and the flexible guidewire further comprising a tubular spring, being place around the distal section of the hollow tube for maintaining the outer diameter of the hollow tube over the length thereof and for supporting compressive loads.
US08343071B2
The invention is directed to a system and device for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient. The device includes a probe component which is releasably secured to the driver component. The probe component has an elongated tubular section, a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture in the distal end of the tubular section proximal to the distal tip, and a tissue cutting member which is slidably disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture by applying a vacuum to the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member. The driver has drive members for operating the elements of the probe component. The tissue penetrating distal tip preferably has a triple concave curvature shape with three curved cutting edges leading to a sharp distal point.
US08343070B2
A biopsy device is disclosed that includes a housing maintaining a stylet and a cannula. A control device is operably coupled to operate the stylet and the cannula. A handle operates to modify the device from a loading configuration with an expanded profile to a delivery configuration with a reduced profile.
US08343061B2
A method is provided for determining a central aortic pressure waveform. The method includes: measuring two or more peripheral artery pressure waveforms; analyzing the signals so as to extract common features in the measured waveforms; and determining an absolute central aortic pressure waveform based on the common features.
US08343060B2
In a process of varying pressure of a pressure container (24) accommodating a forearm (22) of a subject (20) in a pressure range including negative pressure, a diameter (cross-sectional shape value) (D) of an artery 44 in the forearm (22) accommodated in the pressure container (24) is measured non-invasively by a vascular diameter calculating unit (76). In addition, a display controller (display controlling means) (80) operates to display on a displaying device (16) a variation of an internal pressure (Pc) in the pressure container (24) and a variation of the diameter (D) of the artery (44) varying depending thereon. Based on the diameter (D) of the artery (44) obtained in the high pressure region, the variation of the internal pressure Pc in the pressure container 24 and the variation of the diameter (D) of the artery 44 varying depending thereon i.e. mechanical properties of the artery (44) are displayed on the displaying device (16). The artery (44) can be evaluated accurately based on the mechanical properties.
US08343059B1
A signal indicative of left atrial pressure in the heart of a patient is analyzed to identify a signal component that is related to the respiration of the patient. An indication relating to the left atrial pressure may be generated based on the presence, absence, or magnitude of the respiratory component. In some embodiments the indication may be used to indicate high left atrial pressure. In some embodiments the indication may be used to indicate heart failure. In some embodiments the indication may be used in conjunction with verifying the operation of a left atrial pressure sensor. In the event of high left atrial pressure or an incorrect pressure reading an appropriate warning may be generated. In the event of an incorrect pressure reading the left atrial pressure sensor may be recalibrated.
US08343055B2
An FSK modulator 20 applies FSK modulation processing to an RF wave supplied from an RF wave oscillator 22, by means of frequency shift keying (FSK) based on a periodical signal sequence supplied from a pattern generator 24, to thereby generate an FSK continuous wave. The continuous wave output from the FSK modulator 20 is delayed in delay circuits 26I and 26Q and is then supplied, as a reference signal, to each of mixers of a receiving mixer 30. Each of the delay circuits 26I and 26Q delays the continuous wave by a delay amount in accordance with a depth of a target position and outputs a delayed reference signal. Thus, demodulation processing is performed with a correlation between a reception signal from the target position and the reference signal being enhanced, and Doppler information from the target position is selectively extracted by a Doppler information analyzing unit 44.
US08343050B2
Feedback of position is provided for high intensity focused ultrasound. The location of a beam from a HIFU transducer is determined using ultrasound imaging. The ultrasound imaging detects tissue displacement caused by a beam transmitted from the HIFU transducer. The displacement or information derived from the displacement may be used to detect and image the location of the beam. Separate transducers may be used for HIFU and imaging. The user aims the HIFU transmissions with feedback from ultrasound imaging of displacement of tissue.
US08343049B2
In an embodiment, an implantable medical device includes a controller circuit, a posture sensing circuit, and a physiological sensing circuit. The controller circuit senses a change in a physiological signal as a result of a change in posture, and generates a response as a function of that change. In another embodiment, the controller circuit identifies a heart failure condition as a function of the change in the physiological signal.
US08343046B2
A method for accessing a spinal disc of a lumbar spine of a patient using a surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly. The method can include maintaining an operative corridor along a lateral, trans-psoas path using the retraction assembly.
US08343039B2
A capsule medical device includes a capsule casing that contains an illumination board, an imaging board, a transmission board, and a control board on which functional components are mounted, and a sheet-like battery that supplies power to the functional components. The sheet-like battery is rolled up to be a pole shape and located between cutout parts of the imaging board, the transmission board, and the control board and the inner wall of the capsule casing.
US08343032B2
The invention relates to an adjustable stomach band with a rigid back and a chamber, arranged on the stoma side of the back, for control of stoma constriction by means of introduction or removal of fluid from the chamber. According to the invention, such a stomach band with a preferably automatic setting of the stoma constriction, depending on the food intake, is possible, whereby a second chamber is provided to the stoma side of the back, directly connected to, or cooperating with the first chamber, such that the control of the stoma constriction is achieved by means of displacing the fluid between the chambers or between a reservoir and the stoma-constricting chamber. An auto-regulation can be achieved, whereby a second chamber is embodied as sensor for recording a pressure rise in the stomach and the control of the stoma constriction is achieved depending on the recorded pressure by means of displacement of the fluid from the chamber, or from the reservoir into the stoma-constricting chamber.
US08343027B1
Methods and devices for providing electromagnetic field treatment to a subject having a metal-containing implant or prosthesis at or near the treatment site. These treatment methods can include calibrating the treatment devices such that the treatment field provided is not distorted or affected by the presence of metal in the target location. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide for wearable and adjustable electromagnetic treatment devices with reinforcing support members to maintain the structure of flexible metal applicators, which generate the therapeutic electromagnetic field.
US08343018B2
A muscle tension strap including a pair of elongated flat bands each formed of substantially non-resilient material. The pair of flat bands are affixed together at a plurality of intermediate points therealong to form a plurality of tandem loops. The plurality of intermediate points at which the pair of elongated flat bands are affixed together are in a range of four to seven. Portions of each flat band adjacent each end are affixed together in overlying relationship to form a final loop with a handle therein and the pair of flat bands have a length in a range of five feet to seven feet.
US08343016B1
A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion. Since an essential feature of treadmill is the concave shape of the running surface of belt in its respective upper portion, curved and linear arrays of bearings are used to insure that this shape is maintained during actual use. These bearings prevent the lower portion of the treadmill belt from drooping down (i.e.—it must be held taut), to prevent the top portion to be pulled taut into a flat shape between the front and rear pulley rollers.
US08343013B1
An exercise system may include an exercise device, which may be configured to facilitate personal exercise and quantification thereof. The exercise device may include a housing body configured to receive compressive force during personal exercise. Personal exercise may include an exercise performed by a user involving one or more body parts of the user. The exercise device may include a force sensor carried by the housing body. The forces sensor may be configured to generate an output signal responsive to compressive force being exerted on the housing body. The exercise device may include one or more processors carried by the housing body. The one or more processors may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules to, among other things determine one or more exercise parameters based on the output signal of the force sensor.
US08343012B2
An exercise computer monitors the exercises of a user, especially a child, and provides rewards for exercises done well and regularly, thereby motivating the user. Rewards take the form of video games, cartoons, music, and merchant coupons. The exercise computer also provides encouragement and advice as the user progresses in skill level. Exercises may be prescribed. A record of exercise performance can be produced, to track the user's progress over time. The system and method can readily utilize the current install base of handheld computers and video games pre-existing in the marketplace.
US08343009B2
A power-distributed wind turbine transmission for transmitting a torque generated by a rotor hub to an output pinion rotating with increased speed compared to the former to drive an electric generator, wherein at least two parallel-connected planetary stages are provided for power-distributed speed increase internal to the transmission, wherein further coupling of the rotor hub is carried out by means of a connection ring element on the input side of the transmission, which is rotatably supported by a large roller bearing at a fixed transmission housing, and which transmits the force flow in a power-distributed manner to the hollow gears of the parallel-connected planetary stages by means of cardan-like decoupling means formed thereon.
US08343001B2
An electric drive comprises an electric motor (2) which drives a differential transmission (14) via a spur gear stage (4) and a parking lock gear (5) is arranged on the driveshaft (1) of the electric motor (2).
US08342996B2
Various embodiments of electrically-variable transmissions are provided that have two motor-generators, two planetary gear sets, and two torque-transmitting mechanisms, including a rotating-type clutch and a stationary-type clutch. An input member is connected for common rotation with a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. Carriers of both of the planetary gear sets are connected for common rotation with one another, and with an output member. The first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set. A drive transfer assembly transfers torque from components establishing the first axis of rotation through components establishing one or two additional axes of rotation to a differential establishing yet another axis of rotation.
US08342995B2
A drive arrangement suitable for driving a final drive comprises a first drive means and a power-splitting gear arrangement. A first hydraulic mechanism is operable either as a pump or a motor. The first hydraulic mechanism is capable of being driven from the first drive means or from the final drive or both concurrently, acting through the gear arrangement. The final drive is drivable through the gear arrangement from the first drive means or the first hydraulic mechanism or both concurrently.
US08342992B2
A drive transmission apparatus for transmitting a driving force to a rotatable member includes a driving source; a drive pulley for receiving a driving force from the driving source; a driven pulley; a belt, extending around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, for transmitting the driving force from the drive pulley to the driven pulley; and a driving gear for receiving a driving force from the driving source. The apparatus also includes a driven gear for receiving the driving force of the driving gear; a drive transmitting shaft, provided with the driven pulley and the driven gear, for transmitting the driving force to the rotatable member; and a drive transmission mechanism, provided between the driven gear and the drive transmitting shaft, for transmitting the driving force in a rotational direction from the driven gear to the drive transmitting shaft when an angular speed of the driven pulley is lower than an angular speed of the driven gear.
US08342990B1
This invention relates generally to a nock assembly that is illuminated and more particularly to a nock assembly that has a power source that is removable from the nock assembly for use with an electrically conductive arrow shaft having a nock, illumination member, conductor, and a power source. The illumination member and conductor are in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is in removable engagement with the nock. The principle use is for archers however other applications will benefit from this invention. For example, emergency locators and outdoor lighting displays will benefit from this invention.
US08342989B2
A racket may include a frame including at least one prepreg layer. The at least one prepreg layer may include reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include a matrix at least partially surrounding the reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include graphene material.
US08342976B2
A rotating hub ride configured to position passenger vehicles at different vehicle radii relative to the hub's axis of rotation. The ride includes curved support arms extending outward from the hub, with a first end coupled to the hub at a lower height than a second end of the arm. A vehicle is attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, e.g., at two or more hub rotation rates. The arm or track defines a travel path for radial movement of the vehicle. When hub rotation is halted, the vehicle slides inward on the track to a load position corresponding to a minimum vehicle radius. At increasing hub speeds, the vehicle slides outward to position the vehicle in any of a number of vehicle radii.
US08342972B2
An outer joint member (10) and an inner joint member (40) each have a shaft portion (18 and 46) having a male spline formed thereon, and shaft clamps (60) are press-fitted onto the respective shaft portions (18 and 46). Each of the shaft clamps (60) includes: a connection hole (66) that has a female spline formed therein, extends from a first axial end partway toward a second axial end, and has no quench-hardened layer; and a cylindrical portion (64) that has no female spline formed therein and extends from the second axial end partway toward the first axial end. The shaft portions (18 and 46) each have a quench-hardened layer on the outer circumference thereof. The inner diameter of the connection hole (64) at a portion having no female spline formed therein is less than the outer diameters of the shaft portions (18 and 46).
US08342966B2
Methods and systems are provided herewith for managing a wagering system. In one exemplary embodiment, a stream of state information of a live sporting event is received in real time. A computer processor determines an initial state and a plurality of possible future states of a first performance parameter of the live sporting event based on the stream of state information. After a beginning of the game and before the start of the event, a probability of occurrence is calculated for at least one of the plurality of possible future states of the first performance parameter based on historical data related to the first performance parameter. The plurality of possible future states are mutually exclusive from one another. During an initial state of the first performance parameter, a signal operative to open a first market for betting on the at least one of the plurality of possible future states is transmitted. The first market comprises betting odds based on the calculated probability of occurrence. After transmitting the signal operative to open the first market, an end of the initial state is determined. Before the end of the initial state, a signal operative to close the first market is transmitted. After transmitting the signal operative to close the first market, an outcome of the first performance parameter is determined based on the received stream of state information. A signal operative to resolve one or more payouts of the first market is transmitted, in which the signal indicates the outcome of the first performance parameter.
US08342952B2
A method for playing a game with a gaming machine includes the steps of: (a) receiving a signal indicating an instruction of starting a game; (b) starting the game; (c) executing the game; (d) displaying a plurality of symbols on a display device; (e) each time a predetermined symbol or a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on the display device as a result of the game, adding a predetermined point; (f) if the point cumulatively added in step (e) has reached a threshold, performing a lottery to determine a specific combination of symbols; (g) setting an award for the specific combination of symbols that is larger than a normal award; and (h) if the specific combination of symbols is displayed on the display device, paying the larger award.
US08342947B2
In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. For the subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system further determines the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.
US08342941B2
A game system including a plurality of symbols, a rotor and an award amount. The plurality of symbols include at least one secondary award group of the symbols. A wager is placeable on the secondary award group. The rotor displays the symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A plurality of the symbols are indicatable after multiple spins of the rotor. The game system is operable to provide a secondary award based on the indication of one or more symbols within the secondary award group.
US08342937B2
Gaming methods, apparatus, and program products prompt players to move between different gaming machines or player stations included in a gaming system. One preferred method includes receiving a player input at a first player station in a network gaming system. Upon receiving the player input at the first player station, a station changing prompt is produced at the first player station. A multi-station game result for the player is then awarded to the player after the player makes some input at a second player station in the system.
US08342921B2
An aircraft air conditioning system includes a cyclone unit positioned proximate to at least one discharger, the unit having an inlet opening, which communicates with a fresh air supply line, an intake opening, through which air is sucked in from the aircraft cabin, and at least one outlet opening, which communicates with the at least one discharger. A first, cyclone flow of only fresh air is produced in the cyclone unit during operation of the aircraft air conditioning system, the first cyclone flow tending to draw cabin air into the cyclone unit via the intake opening for mixture with the fresh air, after which a second cyclone flow of the cabin air and fresh air are expelled through the outlet opening and the at least one discharger.
US08342919B1
A conveyor with juxtaposed blocks moves along a path of travel, certain of the blocks have recesses which receive second joints of the wings of poultry. The second joints are arranged sidewise to the path of travel of the conveyor, in the recesses and are successively passed beneath a support frame where a hold down plate and knife is reciprocated as the support frame is towed by the conveyor to cut the flesh and skin between the ulna and radius bones and one or both cartilages, which join the ends of the bones. When cutting a cartilage, the bones are urged apart as the cut is made.
US08342917B2
A fish scaling assembly includes at least one assembly blade adapted for engagement and reciprocation by the electric knife handle and a generally wedge-shaped scale removing member carried by the at least one assembly blade.
US08342915B1
A conditioning and cutting apparatus for a blade is provided. The apparatus may include a cutting board and a conditioning device. The cutting board may include a top cutting surface, a bottom surface disposed in opposition to the top cutting surface, and a peripheral wall extending between the top cutting surface and the bottom surface and defining the perimeter of the cutting board. The cutting board may define a channel therein. The channel may define a recess and an opening thereto. The peripheral wall may define the opening of the channel. The conditioning device may be disposed in the channel. The conditioning device may be configured to interact with the blade as the blade is drawn through the channel.
US08342909B2
A device (1) for machining an ophthalmic lens includes a support for the ophthalmic lens and for driving it in rotation about a blocking axis (A1), a machining module (35) that can be swiveled relative to the support and driving the lens in rotation and that is suitable for pivoting about a swivel axis that is not parallel to the blocking axis of the lens, and at least one drill tool mounted to rotate on the machining module about a first axis of rotation. The machining device includes at least one other machining tool mounted to rotate on the machining module about another axis of rotation that is distinct from the first axis of rotation and that is stationary relative to the first axis of rotation.
US08342897B2
A pedal propulsion system for a transportation conveyance comprises a pedal drive assembly having a teethed synchronous drive belt engaged between a drive sprocket and a transfer sprocket. The rotational axes of the transfer sprocket and the drive sprocket are oriented at an angle of up to 90 degrees from one another. The rotation of the transfer sprocket is conveyed to a propeller drive assembly mounted at the rear of a water craft by an elongated rotary shaft and a flexible transmission drive cable to facilitate removable of the propulsion system from the transportation conveyance.
US08342890B2
An electrical connector includes a plurality of contacts and an insulative housing. Each contact comprises a retaining portion, a contact portion contact portion and a tail portion, the contacts divided into a first group and a second group. The insulative housing defines a mating face and opposite first and second side faces. The insulative housing defines two rows of mating passageways extending in a first direction running through the mating face. The tail portions of the first group expose to the first side face and the contact portion contact portions of the first group project in one row of said two rows of the mating passageways. The tail portions of the second group expose to the second side face and the contact portion contact portions of the second group project in the other row of said two rows of the mating passageways.
US08342875B2
A board-to-board connector comprising a first connector and a second connector is disclosed. The first connector has a first housing. Each first fitting guide portion of the first housing is provided with a protrusive sidewall portion configured to define both sides of each concave guide portion of the first housing to be connected to each side wall portion of the first housing and protrude out from a fitting face of each side wall portion of the first housing. The protrusive sidewall portion is provided with a sloped guide surface formed at an entrance end of each concave guide portion of the first housing to be inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first housing.
US08342872B2
A socket for an electrical part to prevent a bad electrical connection with a circuit by preventing a deformation of a tip of a contact pin. The contact pin of the present invention comprises one terminal contacts to a terminal of the electrical part and the other terminal contacts to the circuit. When a tip of the other terminal is pressed to a substrate under a state that first and second holes of first and second holding plates are shifted each other, an upper terminal of the held portion of the other terminal contacts to a lower surface of the second holding plate, and makes the second holding plate to separate from the first holding plate against a spring force of a urging member. At this time, the portion projecting from the lower surface of the first holding plate toward the substrate moves into the first hole.
US08342871B2
A socket connector which includes a socket body having a plurality of contacts received therein, and a retention plate pivotally connected to a rear end of the socket body. The socket body has a substantially rectangular structure defining a rear wall, a front wall, and a pair of opposite sidewalls. Each sidewall is formed with a latching block and a pivot adjacent each other. The retention plate has a pair of latching arms in correspondence to the latching blocks and the pivots. The latching arm includes a latching section engageable with the lathing block, a lever section engageable with the pivot, and a handle at a free end thereof.
US08342869B2
A circuit board electrical connector to be disposed on a circuit board includes a housing and a plurality of terminals arranged in the housing. The housing includes a receiving space with an upper opening portion to receive a flat conductive member and a housing space with a lower opening portion that communicates with the receiving space. Each of the terminals has a connecting section and a contact section. The circuit board electrical connector has a portion to house a middle section of the terminal between the connecting section and the contact section. The portion is a region includes a range that overlaps at least with the upper opening portion and lower opening portion when viewed from an upper side, and is made wider at a gap between an inner surface of the housing space and the terminal than a gap other than the region.
US08342867B2
Embodiments of a free-floating connector engagement and retention system are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a slotted mounting surface, a connector carrier guide, and a connector carrier to receive a connector. The connector carrier may have two threaded holes therein. The connector carrier may be positioned between the connector carrier guide and the slotted mounting surface and may be retained by a set of threaded spring pins that pass through the threaded holes in the connector carrier. The ends of the threaded spring pins may be retained in the slots of the carrier guide and the necks of the threaded spring pins may be retained in slots of the slotted mounting surface. The connector and the connector carrier are free to move within the limits set by the slots of the slotted mounting surface and the slots of the carrier guide.
US08342863B2
A connector, and printed circuit board foot pattern for a connector which can efficiently transmit a high-speed differential signal are provided. In a connector 1, a contact group 30 includes at least paired adjacent signal contacts SC-SC, and non-paired contacts GC which are placed on both adjacent sides or one adjacent side of the paired signal contacts. The contacts are arranged so that the distance W1 between the paired signal contacts SC-SC is shorter than the distance W2 between adjacent signal and non-paired contacts SC-GC, thereby enhancing the differential coupling force between the paired signal contacts SC-SC.
US08342858B2
A patch panel that comprises a housing exhibiting a front face, in addition to first, second and third connectors. Each second connector corresponds to one of the first connectors, while each third connector also corresponds to one of the first connectors. Each first, second and third connector provides access, via the front face of the housing, to a respective set of terminals disposed at a set of positions relative to the respective connector. Each terminal in a first subset of the terminals to which one of the first connectors provides access is connected to a corresponding terminal to which the corresponding second connector provides access. Each terminal in a second, complementary subset of the terminals to which that same one of the first connectors provides access is connected to a corresponding terminal to which the corresponding third connector provides access.
US08342854B2
A learning system includes a plurality of teacher and student stations for holding one or more learning sessions between a teacher and one or more students. A server serves instructional material for creating a learning environment during the learning session, and a database stores at least one of teacher and student attributes that relate to language ability. In the present invention, the instructional material is a computer generated instructional material that is produced based on the language ability of the student or the teacher.
US08342851B1
A tissue model and test method are described. The tissue model can be used to simulate tissue during design and testing of biopsy needle tip configurations. For instance, the tissue model can be used to estimate the force required to penetrate natural breast tissue with a particular needle tip configuration.
US08342848B2
An apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills includes an apparatus base dimensioned for positioning relative to a support. The apparatus base defines longitudinal, vertical and orthogonal axes, and a reference plane inclusive of the longitudinal and orthogonal axes. The apparatus base includes a top support surface arranged at a predetermined angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The top support surface has an article retaining element associated therewith. At least one icon containing article having communication media adapted for conveying information is releasably mounted to the article retaining element of the top support surface. The top support surface may be arranged at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the reference plane. In one embodiment, the top support surface is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the reference plane.
US08342844B1
A visual aid and process for demonstrating color formation including a plurality of panels in the form of pages bound in the manner of a book and a plurality of scripts. At least one of the panels includes a transparent window tinted a first color. At least another of the panels includes an image colored with a second color. The panel including the image is adjacent and in overlaid relation to the page including the transparent window and the transparent window is juxtaposed with the image, so as to allow viewing of the image through the transparent window, in an apparent third color. Each of the scripts is associated with a one of the panels, in one-to-one correspondence, and printed in the book so that a script and the associated panel may be perceived contemporaneously for providing information related to the formation of colors.
US08342834B2
A method and an apparatus for spinning and crimping a synthetic multifilament yarn, wherein a filament bundle is spun from a polymer melt and compressed to a yarn plug. The yarn plug is advanced at a cooling speed and cooled within a cooling zone in a moving cooling groove. After cooling, the yarn plug is disentangled to form a crimped yarn, with the latter being wound to a package. To obtain an adequate cooling of the yarn plug and, with that, a stable and highest possible crimp in the yarn, the method of the invention provides for selecting the length of the cooling zone and the cooling speed of the yarn plug such that the yarn plug is cooled in the cooling groove over a period of at least 1 second. To this end, the apparatus of the invention includes a cooling groove, whose width is dimensioned such that the yarn plug can be advanced in meander form in a plurality of superposed layers.
US08342825B2
The present invention provides a 2 stage rotary compressor (100) including a hermetic container (101), a 2 stage compression assembly provided in the hermetic container, wherein a low pressure compression assembly (120), a middle plate (130) and a high pressure compression assembly (140) are successively stacked from any one of upper and lower portions, a first discharge port (124) for discharging middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly (120) a second discharge port (162p) for discharging high pressure refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly (130) and a third discharge port (172p) positioned at any one of the upper and lower portions of the 2 stage compression assembly to discharge high pressure refrigerant compressed in the 2 stage compression assembly to the hermetic container (101), wherein an area of the third discharge port (172p) is larger than 0.5 times of an area of the first discharge port and smaller than 1.0 times thereof. As a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly (120) determines a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the entire 2 stage compression assembly, a size of the third discharge port discharging refrigerant compressed in the 2 stage compression assembly is preferably optimized at a ratio with respect to a size of the first discharge port (127). Therefore, the size of the third discharge port (172p) can be optimized to suppress noise of the compressor.
US08342817B2
A variable displacement vane pump includes a first and a second fluid pressure chamber (31,32) where the cam ring (4) is made eccentric to the rotor (2) by a pressure difference between the first and the second fluid pressure chamber (31,32), a control valve (21) for controlling a pressure of the first and the second fluid pressure chamber (31,32) so that an eccentric amount of the cam ring (4) is reduced to be small with an increase in a rotation speed of the rotor (2), and a flow amount limiting member (22e) for limiting a discharge flow amount of the operating fluid in the second fluid pressure chamber (32) at the time the eccentric amount of the cam ring (4) to the rotor (2) becomes small by supplying the operating fluid to the first fluid pressure chamber (31) and by discharging the operating fluid from the second fluid pressure chamber (32).
US08342814B2
A pump apparatus includes a gear pump assembly interposed between top and bottom drive gear assemblies, and coupler assemblies interposed between a bottom of the top drive gear assembly and a top of the gear pump assembly, and between a top of the bottom drive gear assembly and a bottom of the gear pump assembly. The drive assemblies rotate a pre-feed auger. A cyclone screen located within a cyclone housing is positioned over a shaft of the pre-feed auger and interposed between a blade of the pre-feed auger and the bottom drive gear assembly. An intake housing is positioned over the blade of the pre-feed auger, and regulates fluid intake into the pump.
US08342813B2
A combined pumping system comprises a getter pump and an ion pump. The getter and ion pumps are mounted on a same flange and are arranged on the same side of the flange at two different points thereof. The flange can be mounted to a vacuum chamber, such that the combined pumping system evacuates the vacuum chamber.
US08342808B2
A cooling fan of the present invention includes: a bottomed cylindrical boss portion; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the boss portion, the blades radiating in a radial direction, in which a ring member for connecting the blades with each other is provided on a side radially inner from tips of the blades. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling fan capable of preventing the worsening of the noise characteristic and also of enhancing the versatility even if the blades are made thinner.
US08342804B2
A rotor disc, such as one made of a damage intolerant material or other material sensitive to stress concentrations, has at least one balancing assembly which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart sacrificial protrusions projecting between adjacent stress-relieving slots. Selective material removal is permitted from the rotor disc, while managing stress concentrations in the rotor disc created by such material removal, such that the rotor disc may be balanced without detrimentally affecting its service life.
US08342793B2
The present invention generally relates to a system for preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors. Furthermore, some embodiments comprise sensors for monitoring engine operating characteristics and detecting surge and pre-surge conditions. Some embodiments also include means for adjusting engine operation in response to sensor data. Still other embodiments relate to methods of preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors.
US08342788B2
A chiplessly thread-forming screw has a stem (11) at one end of which a tip (13) is provided and at another end of which a head (14) is provided, and which has a pointed conical section (21) extending from the tip (13) in a direction of the head (14), a cylindrical section (25) arranged between the first pointed section (21) and the head (14), a first cambered section (22) adjoining the pointed conical section (21) in the direction of the head, and a second cambered section (24) arranged between the first cambered section (22) and the cylindrical section (25) and an outer surface (16) of which has a second curvature radius (R2) unequal to the first curvature radius (R1) of the outer surface (12) of the first cambered section (21).
US08342782B2
According to the invention, a drilling tool includes: a driving source; a transmission drive unit for transmitting a rotation force of the driving source; and a dust collector for collecting dust produced from a workpiece drilled by the end tool and blowing air against the workpiece, wherein a filtering means for filtering the air mixed with the collected dust and a centrifugal fan for taking in the filtered air and sending out the filtered air in a circumferential direction are provided, the centrifugal fan is disposed in a housing formed with an airflow sending port for sending a part of the air taken in to the dust collector and a discharge port for discharging a rest of the air to an outside, and a distance from the airflow sending port to the discharge port in a forward direction in a direction of rotation of the centrifugal fan is longer than the distance from the airflow sending port to the discharge port.
US08342772B2
A civil engineering machine for spreading material for spreading on soils or base materials, and in particular a civil engineering machine for spreading binders for soil or base material stabilization, has a container for material for spreading to receive the material for spreading and a spreading arrangement having one or more outlet openings for the discharge of the material for spreading. An anti-dust arrangement is arranged below the outlet openings, and is characterized in that there is created below the outlet openings a spreading compartment which is bounded by one or more first anti-dust members and in that there is created an anti-dust space which is bounded by one or more second anti-dust members.
US08342770B2
Disclosed is a coupling device (1) intended to connect first and second elements which are articulated with respect to one another, wherein the device includes a compression element (2) designed to allow a compressive force to pass from one element to another in a first state, and a tension element (3) designed to allow a tensile force to pass from one element to another in a second state, the compression element additionally forming a substitution tension element designed to allow a tensile force to pass from one element to another in a third state corresponding to the fracturing of the tension element.
US08342769B2
A pivot socket includes a housing with an inner surface providing a cavity extending between a substantially closed end and an open end. A cartridge bearing is received in the cavity with a spring disposed between the closed end and the cartridge bearing. The cartridge bearing has an inner surface with a cylindrical portion and conical portion converging inwardly from the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion houses a tapered bearing for relative axial movement therewith. A stud having opposite first and second tapered surfaces diverging away from one another is received in the cartridge bearing, with the first tapered surface engaging the tapered bearing for relative sliding movement therewith and the second tapered surface engaging the conical portion of the cartridge bearing for relative sliding movement therewith, thereby causing the relative axial movement between the tapered bearing and the cartridge bearing.
US08342768B1
The sink sprayer attachment apparatus is for attachment to an existing hose such as that typically associated with a sink. The spray head fitting is installed on the spray head. Spray head fittings are provided with male and female threads and other forms of attachment to spray heads. The apparatus negates the need for total hose replacement, a feature that saves considerable expense and installation time and effort. The apparatus importantly provides for component disposability, and therefore ideally employs plasticized components and other inexpensive materials.
US08342758B2
The invention concerns a camera head mount comprising: a strap for encircling the head and means for securing the strap around the head to prevent or hinder slippage of the camera head mount once secured in its mounted position; a camera holding pocket provided on the strap and situated such that when the camera head mount is secured in its mounted position the camera holding pocket is adapted to hold a camera in a forward-facing position against the forehead of the user, the lens of a mounted camera pointing forwards and through a lens aperture provided in the camera holding pocket at the front thereof, the camera holding pocket otherwise being adapted substantially to enclose a camera therein in a mounted and supported position on the forehead of the user.
US08342754B2
A rolling bearing, which has a shoulder loose or separately mounted shoulder ring aiding assembly capacity in defined structural forms of rolling bearings or which adjusts axial play of rolling bodies in a targeted manner by adapting the separate shoulder rings. A rolling bearing, which has a first and second bearing ring and a plurality of rolling bodies. The bearing rings being are arranged in relation to each other by the rolling bodies such that they can rotate about a common axis. A shoulder body forms an edge for axial arrangement of the rolling body and lies on a front ring supporting surface of one of the bearing rings by a front shoulder supporting surface. The shoulder supporting surface and the ring supporting surface are designed such that the axial position of the edge is modified in the event of a mutual rotation of the shoulder body and bearing ring.
US08342742B2
The invention relates to a temperature calibrating system (1) comprising a thermo siphon, a heat pipe or an equivalent (2) connected between a cooling unit (4) and a temperature calibration unit (3), where the system (1) further comprises an external chamber (8) connected to the heat pipe/thermo siphon or equivalent (2) for controlling the thermal conductivity between the two units and where the temperature of the external chamber (8) is held at a certain temperature, for example ambient temperature or a temperature controlled by external means. The external chamber (8) can be connected to the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2) via a conduit (9) which connection point is placed above liquid level at a evaporating end of the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2) and in that the external chamber (8) is arranged below the connection between the conduit (9) and the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2).
US08342737B2
A vibrational mixer (1), in particular a single-path mixer for use in single-path bioreactors (4) with flexible walls, consisting of a mixer shaft (2) that can be set into longitudinal motions by a drive (8), with at least one mixing element (3), wherein at least one channel (13) is arranged in the mixer shaft with an opening to an interior reactor space (6).
US08342729B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting unit, two light emitting units, and two light absorbing units. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and two light incident surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface. The two light incident surfaces are respectively located at two adjacent corners of the light guide plate. The reflecting unit is disposed on the second surface. The two light emitting units are respectively disposed beside the two light incident surfaces. Light beams emitted by the two light emitting units are capable of entering the light guide plate respectively through the two light incident surfaces and being transmitted out of the light guide plate through the first surface. The light absorbing units are disposed between the second surface and the reflecting unit and are respectively adjacent to the two light incident surfaces.
US08342726B2
A vehicle headlamp includes a first light source, at least one second light source and an integrally designed, transparent shaped part. The shaped part includes a first optical structure for orienting light radiated by the first light source and at least one second optical structure for orienting light radiated by the second light source. The first optical structure and the second optical structure each have a continuously curved surface or a continuous, curved surface with an extent of at least in each case half a centimeter, in particular one centimeter, in two orthogonal directions.
US08342718B2
A lighting fixture includes a first support having at least a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first plurality of ornaments such as crystals attached to the first surface of the first support, and an opaque frame disposed around the first support. The opaque frame has a first opening through which the plurality of ornaments are observable. At least one light source is disposed in the frame for directing light onto at least some of the first plurality of ornaments which light is at least one of refracted and reflected from the first plurality of ornaments.
US08342713B2
A method of lighting for use in motion picture and video production including, in various embodiments, the steps: providing lighting modules, each having one or more manual controls for controlling light output characteristics such as the intensity and hue of light produced and each capable of wirelessly communicating with other lighting modules over a wireless data network; interconnecting the lighting modules on the wireless data network; and adjusting the light produced by all lighting modules through adjustments using any one of the networked lighting modules.
US08342710B2
A loupe and lighting assembly for enhancing detection of dust particles on the optical sensor of a digital camera. The assembly is made of a cylindroid hollow-centered main frame body, into which is fixed a loupe lens. A battery housing is joined to the body in order to supply electrical power to a LED array. The LED array is made from a plurality of LED diodes mounted peripherally and around the inside of the cylindroid body, being tilted at an acute angle from the axis orthogonal to the plane of the cylindroid body so that all diodes axially converge toward a single focal point, at a certain distance from the main frame body. The dust particles scattered upon the sensor become clearly visible to an observer looking through the assembly when the dust particles location coincide with the LED common focal point.
US08342701B2
A reflective optical element for use in an EUV system is disclosed. The reflective optical element includes a base body, which is produced at least partly from a substrate material. At least one cooling channel through which a cooling medium can flow is arranged in the base body. A material having a thermal conductivity of greater than 50 W/mK is provided as substrate material. The reflective optical element also includes a polishing layer, which is applied on the substrate material. The polishing layer includes an amorphous material which can be processed via polishing.
US08342694B2
A projection apparatus includes a plurality of light sources individually emitting light in a plurality of colors, a projection section using light from the light sources to generate images corresponding to respective plural color components of the light source light for each period, to sequentially project the images, a measurement section measuring a brightness of the light sources for each of the plurality of colors, an average brightness calculation section calculating, at each image projection term for the same color component, an average brightness of the brightness measured by the measurement section at the image projection term, and a light source control section adjusting the brightness of the light sources so that an average chromaticity based on the average brightness calculated by the average brightness calculation section and indicating the brightness is equal or approximate to a target chromaticity.
US08342692B2
A projector includes a light source unit, a light source side optical system which includes a color wheel and a light guiding unit, a display device, a projection side optical system, a cooling fan, and a projector control unit. An interior of a projector casing is divided into an outlet side spatial compartment which is positioned on an outlet side of the cooling fan and in which the light source unit is disposed and an inlet side spatial compartment which is positioned on an inlet side of the cooling fan. The outlet side spatial compartment is covered thereabove by an upper division board, above which a heat conductive sheet which is formed of an aluminum sheet is disposed. The heat conductive sheet is electrically connected to the projector casing, so that electricity charged in the heat conductive sheet can be discharged.
US08342690B2
A light modulation assembly for a digital projection apparatus comprising: a solid-state light source that provides an illumination beam; a spatial light modulator having a plurality of tiltable micro-mirrors, each micro-mirror being actuable to tilt with respect to a tilt axis between a first tilt position that provides on-state light and a second tilt position that provides off state light, and wherein the micro-mirrors deflect the illumination beam along an arced path defining a deflection plane as they are tilted between the first tilt position and the second tilt position; and a light baffle disposed alongside the optical axis and in the path of the off state light from the micro-mirrors, the light baffle having a light-trapping surface adapted to absorb the off-state light from the micro-mirrors on the spatial light modulator, the light-trapping surface having a plurality of protruding fins that extend outward from the light-trapping surface at an oblique angle.
US08342687B2
Provided is a method of determining a gaze point of an eye watching a visual display controllable by a display signal. The method comprises generating a display signal using a graphics card in order for the visual display to produce a screen pattern; receiving a signal encoding an image of the eye including a corneo-scleral reflection of the screen pattern; and determining, based on in part the geometry of said reflection, a gaze point of the eye, wherein said determining a gaze point includes utilizing the graphics card as a parallel processor.The image of the eye may be received directly at the graphics card. The graphics card may extract image features in the eye images. Reference illuminators may be used, and the screen pattern may be interlaced with a distinctive reference pattern.Further provided are a gaze-tracking system and a personal computer system adapted to determine a gaze point of a viewer.
US08342677B2
An image recording device includes a first detecting unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. The first detecting unit detects a position of a perforation pre-formed in a recording sheet. The recording unit records an image on the recording sheet based on printing data. The control unit is configured to imaginarily divide the recording sheet into a first region including a portion where the perforation is pre-formed, and a second region excluding the first region based on the position of the perforation detected by the first detecting unit. The control unit prohibits the recording unit from recording the image on the first region and controls the recording unit to record the image at least partially on the second region.
US08342664B2
Any of an improved conventional, a refillable, or a continuous ink supply system (CISS) ink delivery apparatus, including a housing comprising one or more walls defining a chamber therein, a structural feature configured during use to detachably engage with a reciprocal receiving portion of a printer device, a fluid dispensing port extending through a first wall of the housing, and a siphon structure comprising a curved fluid-conducting conduit originating at the chamber and extending to the fluid dispensing port. Additionally and/or alternatively with respect to the siphon structure, an improved ink delivery apparatus includes any one or more of an automatically resettable chipset, a detachable cover plate and/or a fluid (gaseous and/or liquid) input port.
US08342661B2
An inkjet printing apparatus which can perform cost-down and an improvement on a print quality by simplification of an apparatus construction is realized. For realizing such an apparatus, a gas-liquid separation is achieved by the construction where air bubbles generated in an ejection portion or a reservoir can rise to a liquid surface, and a negative pressure control and at the same time, discharge of the air bubbles are performed by a fan.
US08342650B2
A printhead having an ink ejection face coated with a hydrophobic polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polysilsesquioxane, such as poly(methylsilsesquioxane) or poly(phenylsilsesquioxane). The printhead is compatible with various printhead maintenance operations requiring contact with the ink ejection face.
US08342646B2
The present invention relates to measures for preventing end deviation that may occur during high-duty printing such as one-pass printing, and in particular, to measures for preventing density unevenness (white stripes) in the case of ink with a low lightness such as black ink. According to the present invention, the amount of black ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports is set to be larger than that of color ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports. Two black ink ejection chips each having at least one black ink ejection port row are arranged on the respective sides of a color ink ejection chip.
US08342625B2
A printer ink identification system including a detector, an excitation source and a controller. The detector is adapted to detect an excitable feature of an ink forming an indicium on an article. The excitation source is adapted to cause excitation of the excitable feature of the ink. The controller is coupled to the detector. The controller is adapted to initiate a predetermined task based, at least partially, upon input from the detector.
US08342621B2
An image forming apparatus includes a base member where a plurality of recording heads is provided, the recording heads being configured to jet liquid drops onto a recording medium; a carriage configured to elevatably support the base member; and an elevating part configured to elevate the base member relative to the carriage, wherein the elevating part is a plurality of slide cam members provided movably in a horizontal direction.
US08342620B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, a high-resolution, small-size, low-cost driving device includes a clock signal generating unit configured to receive a first clock signal of a differential signaling system and generate a second clock signal, an input unit configured to input a data signal which includes first information and second information, a first timing generating unit configured to select an edge of the second clock signal based on the first information and to generate a first signal by counting occurrences of the selected edge a second timing generating unit configured to select edge of the second clock signal based on the second information and to generate a second signal by counting occurrences of the selected edge, a logical circuit configured to generate a pulse signal based on the first and second signals, and a driving element configured to drive a driven element using the pulse signal.
US08342617B2
An automotive hydraulic brake system is provided which exhibits an excellent pressure reduction performance to a low μ road while restraining an intake resistance of a fluid pump. For providing the hydraulic brake system, a gate-in valve is connected to an intake passage that connects a master cylinder to an intake side of the fluid pump. The gate-in valve selectively opens and closes the intake passage in accordance with a mutual relation between a master cylinder pressure and a pressure produced at an intake side of the fluid pump.
US08342615B2
A braking system having a master cylinder to which wheel brake circuits (I, II) can be connected, a first piston coupled to a brake pedal, a second piston by means of which the master cylinder is actuated, a third piston actuated by the first piston and connected in a force transmitting fashion to the second piston, a simulation device which gives the driver of the vehicle a pedal sensation, an intermediate space between the second piston and third piston, a pressure generating device which controls the pressure in the intermediate space, a pressure medium reservoir vessel which is under atmospheric pressure and which can be connected hydraulically to the intermediate space, and means for electrically controlling the pressure in the intermediate space.
US08342614B2
A composite rim for a bicycle wheel generally includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a radially inner spoke-engaging portion and first and second sidewalls. The second sidewall is spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls extend between the tire engaging and spoke-engaging portions. The rim includes at least one through-hole and a pattern of through-thickness stitching reinforcement at the through-hole. The tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions and first and second sidewalls form a toroid.
US08342606B2
A seat for a vehicle, that includes a headrest with a headstall for supporting the head of a passenger in the seat, wherein the occupant may or may not wear a protection helmet depending on the circumstances. The headstall can assume at least three stable positions: a first position for the cervical support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides a cervical support function with or without wearing a helmet; a second position for the occipital support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides an occipital support function without wearing a helmet; a third position for the occipital support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides an occipital support function while wearing a helmet.
US08342602B2
The present invention relates to a car seat. The car seat is a bucket seat having a bottom support section for supporting the bottom of a user, a back support section for supporting the back of the user, a shoulder support section for supporting the shoulders of the user, a head support section for supporting the head of the user, and a left flank support section and a right flank support section for protecting the left and right flank of the user. A substantial part of the bucket seat is constructed from aluminium sheet. The car seat further includes at least one composite reinforcement member which extends along a part of the bucket seat and is mounted to the bucket seat. The at least one composite reinforcement member is manufactured from a composite material. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the car seat.
US08342601B2
A roof for a recreational vehicle may include a roof frame made by bending circular tubes and a roof plate. The roof plate is connected to the roof frame via a roof plate sealing rubber strip and a frame sealing rubber strip. The roof plate sealing rubber strip covers the peripheral edge of the roof plate through a groove formed at one side of the roof plate sealing rubber strip, and the other side of the roof plate sealing rubber strip is inserted into a slot of the top of the frame sealing rubber strip and is clamped by lips on both sides of the slot, and the frame sealing rubber strip is adhered onto the roof frame.
US08342598B2
A panel formed by resin infusion from two fiber reinforced resin layers and a separating core is connected to a member such as a metal rail or another panel by an adhesive joint. The panel edge is shaped to define a male portion with a web and two side portions and the rail is channel shaped to match. A layer of adhesive of a thickness not less than 0.03″ or more than 0.10″ covers the base and sides. The tapered shape allows the adhesive located between the web of the panel and the web of the member, between the flange of the panel and the surface of the member and between the flange of the member and the second surface of the panel to be simultaneously compressed without the necessity for any shearing in the adhesive layer.
US08342597B2
A work vehicle includes a cab, an air conditioner casing, an air conditioner unit and a rear monitoring camera. The air conditioner casing is attached to a rear upper part of the cab and includes a downwardly opened recess on a bottom face thereof. The air conditioner unit is accommodated in the air conditioner casing. The rear monitoring camera includes a main body accommodated in the recess of the air conditioner casing.
US08342595B2
An apparatus for reducing the drag of a trailer is provided. The apparatus can further include a pair of fairings configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a trailer in front of wheels on the bottom of a trailer, a pair of fairings configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a trailer behind the wheels on the bottom of a trailer, with both pairs of fairings placed and shaped to direct the air smoothly around the wheels and tires and through the center of the trailer. The apparatus can also include a ramp in front of the suspension components, aerodynamically shaped wings on the axles, and a rear diffuser, such components configured to direct air smoothly between the trailer suspension and the ground. The directed high energy air from the apparatus results in a reduced trailer base drag.
US08342593B2
An anti-extremity pinch garnish for preventing pinching of extremities between a hinged edge portion of a vehicle closure and an adjacent portion of a vehicle body to which the vehicle closure is pivotally mounted includes a first portion secured to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined therein and a second portion integral with said first portion and configured to obstruct entry of an extremity between the hinged edge portion of the closure and the adjacent portion of the vehicle body.
US08342592B2
A seal module for sealing between a first door and a second door of opposing-hinged doors is moveable between an sealing position for sealing between the first door and the second door, and a withdrawn position longitudinally spaced from one of the first door and the second door to allow for independent pivotable movement of either the first door or the second door. A linkage system including a first swing arm and a second swing arm rotatably interconnects the seal module to the second door, and moves the seal module between the sealing position and the withdrawn position along an arcuate path that is disposed along a plane substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the opposing-hinged doors.
US08342585B1
A drum lifter for lifting and moving empty and full chimed and unchimed drums. The lifter includes a cross member with grippers at each end. The grippers include a cam block with a cam rotatably mounted in the cam block.
US08342580B2
A locking system includes a carrier member at least one locking member extending from the rod. The carrier member is movable between a first locked position in which the locking member engages a locking receptacle to maintain a container cover in a closed position and a second unlocked position in which the locking member disengages from the locking receptacle and the cover is movable between the closed and open position. The locking system includes a blocking member at a second end of the carrier member. The blocking member is movable between a first engaged position in which the rod abuts a portion of the blocking member and maintains the elongate rod in the first locked position and a second disengaged position in which the rod disengages from the blocking member and a biasing unit urges the rod in the second unlocked position.
US08342578B2
An application for a clamp guide for joining a flexible hose to a rigid, hollow shaft having at least two beads, the clamp guide has an arced surface for interfacing with a head bead of the at least two beads and two clamp guide arms. Each of the clamp guide arms has at least two bumps and each bump is aligned with one of the beads thereby forming registration areas between each pair of bumps. The arced surface has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the rigid, hollow shaft and the arced surface has an inner circumferential length greater than one half of the circumference of the rigid, hollow shaft.
US08342574B2
A device for the assisted locking and unlocking of an adjustable steering column has a fixed cam element secured to a column body, a moving cam element extended by an operating lever, and an articulation system coupled to a central spindle mounted between the elements and passing through the body. The articulation system includes an elastic return member intended to collaborate with two sets of complementary bosses borne respectively by each cam element and delimiting with one another, two end-of-travel stops so that by pivoting the lever, the moving cam element can be made to move between a locked position and an unlocked position via an intermediate position of unstable equilibrium.
US08342573B2
The present invention provides a passenger airbag system that can prevent the airbag cushion from pressing the head of an occupant in a child restraint system mounted on the passenger seat.A passenger airbag system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag cushion inflated by gas flowing inside and including a head contact portion that contacts the head of an occupant in a child restraint system mounted on the passenger seat; a strap connected to the head contact portion; and a tether connected to the airbag cushion and pulling the strap such that the head contact portion is depressed, when the airbag cushion inflates.
US08342568B2
The covering element has a visible face and an invisible face opposite the visible face. It includes a weakening line which is formed on the invisible face and defines a gate zone which is to open under the pressure of the deployment of the airbag when the motor vehicle is subjected to an impact. The weakening line includes a groove which has a given total length and is delimited by a bottom and at least one transverse rib which projects relative to the bottom and closes the groove at least partially. The covering element has a thickness of material between the visible face and the bottom which is between predetermined minimum and maximum limits over most of the total length of the groove. The groove includes at least one zone of lesser strength in which the thickness of material between the visible face and the bottom is less than the minimum limit.
US08342566B1
A shear spring comprising a base and a V-shaped surface opposite the base adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, and an elastomeric material positioned between the base and the V-shaped surface, wherein the base includes a first flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a first edge of a side wall of a spring module, and wherein the base includes a second flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a second edge of the side wall of the spring module, where the first flange and the second flange are positioned in parallel planes.
US08342561B2
A binding with a medial and/or lateral side portion attached to a binding base and that can pivot or otherwise move about an axis that is generally along a heel-to-toe direction of the binding base. The medial and/or lateral side portions can form part of the binding sidewall and permit a rider to more freely move her feet in medial and/or lateral directions. One or more foot straps may engage with the medial and/or lateral side portions to secure a foot to the binding.
US08342560B2
A coupling lock for a trailer coupling. The coupling lock comprises a receptacle (9) in which a coupling element (6) is inserted, an angle measuring device (13, 19) is connected to the receptacle (9), and the angle measuring device (13, 19) is provided for detecting rotation of the receptacle (9), about a rotational axis (18), relative to the coupling element (6). A magnetically adhering body (24) is elastically connected to the receptacle (9) and magnetically connectable to the coupling element (6) for actuating the angle measuring device (13, 19).
US08342557B2
A fifth wheel slider assembly includes a hitch plate with a throat for receiving a king pin of a trailer, and a slider assembly that includes at least one rack member having a first side and a second side and supportable above a vehicle frame. The slider assembly further includes a first portion including a guide plate slidably abutting the second side of the at least one rack member, and an engagement assembly releasably engaging the at least one rack member at incremental points along a length of the at least one rack member, thereby selectively positioning the hitch plate with respect to the at least one rack member, and a second portion including at least one support bracket pivotably supporting the hitch plate, slidably abutting the first side of the at least one rack member, and readily releasably coupled to the first portion of the slider assembly.
US08342554B2
Disclosed is a suspension fork for a two-wheeler with a fork leg comprising a stanchion tube fixed to the frame which immerses in a slide tube in sections, wherein the guiding between the slide tube and the stanchion tube is performed via a bearing arrangement. In accordance with the invention, an additional lubricant volume is provided by means of which a sufficient lubrication of the bearing arrangement is ensured.
US08342546B2
An in-line, two-wheeled vehicle, with a torque generator operably secured thereto is disclosed. The torque generator generates a defined auxiliary torque about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, and it is sized to balance the naturally occurring torques arising at slow speeds about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, thereby improving the stability and control of the vehicle. In one disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a stand-up riding board. In another disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a cycle, such as a bicycle or the like. Torque generator structures such as using an elastic member, mechanical linkage, and dampening systems are also disclosed.
US08342540B1
A motorized vehicle includes left and right suspensions connected to a frame. The left and right suspensions are moving in predetermined directions. A vehicle implement is pivotally connected to one of a front portion and a rear portion of the frame by at least one arm. The vehicle implement is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The second position is vertically higher than the first position. At least one suspension limiter is operatively connected to the at least one arm. When the vehicle implement is in the first and second positions, the left and right suspensions are free to move in the predetermined directions. When the vehicle implement is in a position intermediate the first and second positions, the at least one suspension limiter restricts movement of the left and right suspensions in at least one of the predetermined directions. A suspension limiter is also provided.
US08342538B2
A t-joint assembly includes a gasket having first and second ends, and a substantially elongated body having a profile. The first end includes an enlarged tapered section having a distal tip and a force-transfer surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the body. The assembly also includes a first component having a channel with a profile and a reaction surface configured to respectively complement the profile and accept the force-transfer surface of the gasket. The first component also has a first sealing surface arranged substantially parallel to the reaction surface, and a second sealing surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the reaction surface. The t-joint assembly additionally includes second and third components, each having a sealing surface. Inserting the gasket into the channel and assembling the three components compresses the gasket against the channel, and the tip of the gasket against the reaction surface, to thereby seal the t-joint.
US08342527B2
A five-by-five cube puzzle has a central shaft assembly mounted around by center blocks in predetermined numbers, first intermediate blocks, second intermediate blocks, first edge blocks, second edge blocks and corner blocks. Each center shaft of a multi-axis shaft unit of the central shaft assembly is combined with a movable inner shield. An outer shield is mounted on an outside of a corresponding inner shield with a spring and a screw. The inner shields and the outer shields are combined with the first intermediate blocks, second intermediate blocks, first edge blocks, second edge blocks and corner blocks to form the cube puzzle. Based on rotation of those blocks with respect to the relative movement between inner shields and outer shields and sufficient gap among each block and a corresponding inner shield and outer shield, smooth rotation of each block can be achieved without being affected by slightly skew block alignment.
US08342520B2
A medium registration apparatus for an image forming apparatus. The registration apparatus includes: a subassembly including a first guide plate that guides a medium along a medium transferring direction, and a side guide disposed adjacent to one side of the first guide plate, in parallel with the medium transferring direction and is a side registration reference; a subassembly moving guide that supports the subassembly, so that the subassembly can move in a direction crossing the medium transferring direction; and a subassembly driver that drives the subassembly. The image forming apparatus includes: the registration apparatus; an image forming part; a reverse roller that reverses a transferring direction of a medium printed on by the image forming part.
US08342516B2
An image reading apparatus includes an image reader, a document feeder, and a document retainer. A document feeder feeds the document to the image reader, and the image reader reads an image of a document. The document feeder discharges the document onto a stacker after the image of the document has been read. The document feeder is pivotal relative to the image reader. When the document feeder opens relative to the reader at an angle, the document retainer presses the document against the stacker.
US08342515B2
To achieve high conveying accuracy by reducing back tension on a recording medium being conveyed. A feeding device includes a pressure plate on which recording media are loaded; feeding means for feeding the recording media; a regulating member configured to regulate a position of a side edge of the recording media; supporting means for supporting the regulating member, the supporting means having a bottom portion on which the recording media are partially loaded; and moving means for separating the regulating member from the side edge of the recording media. The feeding means starts to feed the recording medium while the position of the side edge of the recording media is being regulated by the regulating member, and the moving means separates the regulating member from the side edge of the recording media after a conveying means starts to convey the recording medium fed by the feeding means.
US08342512B2
According to one embodiment, a pick up device for paper sheets includes an input unit configured to support a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked manner, a supply mechanism configured to move the placed paper sheets in a stacking direction and supply each paper sheet to an pick up position, a pick up mechanism configured to pick up the paper sheet at the pick up position from the input unit one by one, and a control unit configured to determine a supply speed or a feed amount of the paper sheets by the supply mechanism in accordance with thickness information per unit time of the picked up paper sheets obtained from a thickness detector, and configured to determine whether the supply mechanism is to be operated or stopped based on density information of the paper sheets obtained from a paper sheet sensor.
US08342507B2
A sheet conveying device includes an attraction belt, multiple rollers, a charging device, and a contacting and separating device. The attraction belt is arranged to face the upper surface of a stacked sheet stack. The multiple rollers stretch the attraction belt with tension. The charging device charges a surface of the attraction belt. The contacting and separating device causes the attraction belt to come into contact with and separate from the sheet stack, with different tensions set for the attraction belt at a contact position in contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack and the attraction belt at a separation position separate from the sheet stack.
US08342506B2
In a sheet conveyance apparatus, a sponge roller is provided at a joining portion in which a first sheet conveyance path joins a second sheet conveyance path. A leading edge of a sheet or tailing edge of a sheet abuts at the sponge roller when the sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. In a projection surface in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction in the second sheet conveyance path, an outer periphery of the sponge roller and an outer periphery of a conveyance roller, which is positioned in a downstream side, are partially overlapped in the second conveyance path. Further the sponge roller is rotatably arranged. With such a configuration, the noise generated in the joining portion can be reduced, and effect to reduce the noise can be continued.
US08342501B2
There are provided a plurality of sheet feed trays in which sheets are stored, a sheet feeding section which enables a continuous sheet feeding of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, and a control section which controls the above sheet feeding section and has an auto tray switch function, and the aforesaid control section obtains information on an amount of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, during a continuous sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray, and judges whether or not the amount of the remaining sheets in the above sheet feed tray satisfies the prescribed condition. In the case where the above prescribed condition is satisfied, the control section stops motion of sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray while leaving sheets in the above sheet feed tray.
US08342500B2
An elastic sponge roller is provided at a confluence portion where a first sheet conveyance path joins in a second sheet conveyance path and a leading edge and a rear edge of a sheet are brought into contact with the sponge roller when the sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. Further, the sponge roller is connected to drive via a one-way clutch. Such a configuration reduces a sound produced at the confluence portion and prevents the leading edge of the sheet from being bent in colliding with the sponge roller to stabilize the conveyance of the sheet.
US08342495B2
A portable holder for supporting a ski, snowboard, bicycle and firearm during cleaning, maintenance, adjustment, sighting and repair operations at a work station, the holder being adapted to support a portion of the ski, snowboard, bicycle and firearm, the portable holder comprising: a base section adapted to be fixed to the work station in a substantially upright position; a threaded rod mounted to the base section in a substantially vertical orientation; and, one of a support bead and a vise assembly affixed to the upper portion of the threaded rod; wherein the base section contains a substantially vertically orientated threaded aperture allowing the threaded rod to be rotated about its longitudinal axis into the threaded aperture of the base section to permit both mounting of the threaded rod to the base section and height adjustment of the threaded rod relative to the base section; the support head having a base and at least one flange extending upwardly from the base to receive a support tongue of one of a ski and snowboard support, a bicycle bottom bracket shell support, and a gun barrel cradle and means for pivotally connecting and locking at least one flange and the support tongue; at least one flange of the support head having a substantially horizontal aperture formed therein for receiving a bicycle axle in a substantially transverse orientation to the support head.
US08342493B2
A turning roll system for rotating a cylindrical workpiece about a workpiece axis comprises a pair of idler rollers cooperating with a pair of drive rollers to support the workpiece. To oppose axial drift of the workpiece, each idler roller is rotatably journalled on a respective idler axle such that the axis of rotation of the idler roller is oriented obliquely relative to a pivot axis of the idler axle. The idler axles may be pivoted about their respective pivot axes to adjust the orientation of the idler roller axes relative to the workpiece to introduce an axially directed force component acting on the workpiece to counter axial drift. Pivoting of the idler axles may be automatically controlled based on a signal generated by a drift sensor arranged to detect axial drift of the workpiece.
US08342492B2
The present disclosure provides a novel suspension device used in producing a composition, such as, but not limited to, a polyimide composition. The suspension device in its most general form comprises a support element and an attachment element. The attachment element is in communication at one of its ends with the support element and at the other with a workpiece, such as a poly(amic acid) or polyimide workpiece. The suspension device may further comprise additional elements. The suspension device maintains the workpiece in a suspended state during processing so as to reduce or eliminate processing-related defects.
US08342489B1
A handlebar vibration damping assembly (HVDA) (10) that is used in combination with a conventional two-wheeled vehicle's handlebar (80) assembly having a right grip (82), a left grip (84) and a center section (86). The HVDA (10) is comprised of a weight (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), an outer surface (18) and a cavity (20) that extends into the second end (16). A spring (22) has a first end (24) and a second end (26), with the first end (24) inserted into the cavity (20) on the weight's second end (16). In order to maintain the HVDA (10) within the handlebar, a bolt (32) having a head (34) and a tip (36) along with an insert (38) having a bore (40), an insert nut (44) and a second nut (48) are utilized. The second end (26) of the spring (22) extends into the insert bore (40). Once the HVDA (10) is securely placed within the handlebar (80) the weight (12) can vibrate in any excitable direction 90-degrees of the centerline of the handlebar and can oscillate at different frequencies.
US08342487B2
Vehicle suspension comprising a pair of leaf springs (1) located or locatable on respective opposed side of a vehicle chassis (3) and extending longitudinally thereof, and an anti-roll device (12) which is arranged to extend transversely of the vehicle chassis (3), and means (41, 42, 46) mounting opposed ends (22, 23) of the anti roll device (12) rigidly to respective ones of the pair of opposed leaf springs (1).
US08342486B2
A device for the injection and mixing of steam into a fluid stream. The device is intended to be used in a substantially cylindrically-shaped primary conduit having a longitudinal axis and circular cross-section for carrying the fluid stream. The primary conduit is provided with an inlet for accepting the fluid stream and an outlet for discharging the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A secondary conduit is joined to the primary conduit for discharging steam within the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A biscuit element is provided of sintered tungsten having upstream and downstream circular faces sized to fit within the primary conduit along its interior wall having a geometric center coincident with the longitudinal axis and having a plurality of openings, each having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the primary conduit. Each opening is provided with a mixing element that induces a rotational angular velocity to the fluid stream passing therethrough. Conically-shaped features extend from the circular faces and are centered along the longitudinal axis at the geometric centers thereof.
US08342484B2
A windlass for a boat pulls in an anchor rode. A chainwheel mounted on a shaft has an annular groove to engage the anchor rode. A flexible retainer with a leaf spring is disposed across the chainwheel annular groove to press the rode into the chainwheel annular groove. The retainer has trunnions that pivot and slide transversely in upper and lower arcuate grooves, toward the slack portion of the rode. A housing is attached to a base and covers the rode for safety. The housing has the upper arcuate groove and an arcuate member has the lower arcuate groove. The base, housing, and arcuate member are aligned with three key members that engage one another. The rode slides on a low friction wear plate attached to the base. A funnel with a mouth facing forward is mounted on the base for directing the rode downward through a nozzle into the boat. A motor drive has an electric motor and a worm gear transmission attached to the shaft lower end for rotating the shaft.
US08342475B2
A mounting bracket and dampening assembly for mounting a heavy bag, a first portion of the mounting bracket mounted horizontally in relation to mounting surface, a second portion of the mounting bracket depending downwardly forming a support surface for a securing means for supporting the heavy bag in combination with a dampening means in the form of upper and lower bushings in combination with a rod and spring assembly to lessen the transmission of stress, shock and vibration and to reduce the motion, both lateral and vertical, of the heavy bag.
US08342465B2
A height adjustable column, comprising an inner column, an intermediate column having a lower side, an outer column having a lower side, a lifting mechanism having at least a twofold transmission, and a linear actuator. The height adjustable column effects height adjustment by sliding the columns into each other and apart from each other. The linear actuator is dimensioned and arranged such that it protrudes beyond the lower side of the outer column in a state in which the columns are slid into each other.
US08342464B2
A stand having a stand head for holding an object, having a stand column which supports the stand head and stands with its lower end on the ground, having at least one support leg which stands with its free end on the ground and supports the stand column, having a first joint which connects the support legs to the stand column in a movable fashion, such that the inclination of the stand column can be set by means of an adjustment of the first joint, and having a detachable leg locking arrangement which locks the support leg in a defined position relative to the stand column, wherein a counterweight is attached to the lower end of the stand column.
US08342459B2
A wire organizer is disclosed for organizing and restraining individual wires. The wire organizer includes a wire comb capable of transitioning individual wires from a radial arrangement to a side-by-side arrangement for connection to a series of electrical contacts arranged in a closely spaced relation. A cable cuff is also included and is capable of restraining individual wires against a jacket of the cable. The wire comb and cable cuff may each be loaded axially or longitudinally and may be coupled to one another by a bridge.
US08342453B2
A system for airborne transport of flammable liquids with an aircraft. A fuel tank and a reservoir, each for storing flammable liquids, are joined to the aircraft. A fuel jettison subsystem is coupled between an interior portion and an exterior of the reservoir to selectably expel fuel from the reservoir to an exterior portion of the aircraft. The fuel jettison subsystem includes a jettison valve opening formed in the reservoir. A lid selectably closes off the opening. A biasing member urges the lid away from the jettison valve opening. A solenoid retains the lid in the jettison valve opening when unactuated and releases the lid when actuated. A jettison linkage is coupled to the solenoid, the jettison linkage being operable to actuate the solenoid. The t lid is urged away from the jettison valve opening by the biasing member when the t solenoid is actuated by the jettison linkage.
US08342438B2
A retainer member has a retainer portion, a through hole, and non-circular cross section. A bearing section is disposed on an outer periphery of the retainer portion. The through hole has a circular axial cross section and an inner periphery, which is axially penetrated by a non-circular portion of a spool shaft from back to front. The non-circular cross-sectional portion is formed by cutting out a front end of the retainer portion by machining. The non-circular cross-sectional portion has a non-circular axial cross section that engages the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
US08342435B2
A method of avoiding hammer rod-hole deformation in a hammer mill. Conventional hammers are fitted with a bearing structure that reduces wear while permitting the hammer to pivot about multiple axes. An optional, integral spacer provides spacing between adjacent hammers.
US08342432B2
An electrostatic atomizer 30 has a removably attachable canister 24. Once a paint bag 2 housed in the canister 24 exhausts, it is replaced by a new canister 24. Paint in a paint bag 2 is driven out by a mono pump 35 located in a pump segment 23 of the electrostatic atomizer 20. The mono pump 35 has a helical shaft 36 inside a paint feed tube 31. The mono pump 35 is driven by a servomotor via an insulating drive shaft 38. Paint in the paint bag 2 is drawn up when the helical shaft 36 rotates, and it is delivered to a bell cup 21 through the feed tube 31. Quantity of paint atomized by the bell cup 21 and interruption of the atomization are controlled by controlling the rotation of the mono pump 35.
US08342429B2
A sanitary outlet fitting with a liquid guide which opens into an outlet fitting, in the region of which an insertable cartridge is provided. The liquid guide is matched in at least the mouth region of the outlet fitting to the insertable cartridge. The insertable cartridge is held in the outlet fitting by a sleeve-shaped intermediate holder, which is held in the outlet fitting in a radially sealed manner. A peripheral edge region on the admission side of the insertable cartridge is held in an axially sealed manner in the outlet fitting. The insertable cartridge is inserted with the aid of the intermediate holder supporting it into the outlet fitting to a depth such that the insertable cartridge is held securely. Accordingly, the insertable cartridge is scaled axially in its peripheral region on the admission side. The intermediate holder can also be held in a radially sealed manner in the outlet fitting to prevent undesired creepage.
US08342422B2
A drink straw container includes a hollow, elongated body that has a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The body has a frangible seal at the first end and a one-way valve located adjacent the second end that permits passage of fluids only from the second end toward the first end. The elongated body securely encloses a predetermined quantity of a consumable liquid. The inner and outer walls extend below the one-way valve to protect the valve from contacting a container surface. The lower end of the body may have a sealing membrane and a sliding puncture device to pierce the membrane. The straw may have an inner tube with a series of penetrating apertures for combining the consumable liquid with a mixing beverage. The straw may have a manually operated valve and a diameter reducing choke at the lower end of the straw.
US08342419B2
A stand assembly for hydronic circulation systems includes a fixed back portion. A selectively movable platform portion is connected to the back portion. The stand assembly is selectively movable between a folded shipping position and an unfolded installation position by selectively moving the platform portion.
US08342418B2
The present invention is to provide a thermo-valve which can be operated with no unnecessary work to fill fluid easily and without fail into a circuit having the fluid flow therethrough at the time of a high temperature range. The thermo-valve comprises a valve housing 21, and a center guide shaft 27 movable to assume a valve movement limitation position GP1 in which a valve member 31 is retained to a second operation position BP2 to open a specific port, and a valve movement allowance position in which the valve member 31 is allowed to displace, the center guide shaft 27 and the valve housing 21 allowing a bimetal ring 51 to be disposed therebetween, and the bimetal ring being deformed to retain the center guide shaft 27 to the valve movement limitation position GP1 at the initial stage until the temperature of oil in the valve housing 21 firstly reaches the high temperature range, and to release the center guide shaft 27 from the valve movement limitation position GP1 when the temperature of the oil in the valve housing 21 reaches the high temperature range.
US08342408B2
A device for processing image data relating to bar codes is described. In one embodiment a bar code verification device is provided having an ergonomic form factor characterized by a domed hand held trigger and a viewing window. The verification device may be disposed in a network that includes a host processor system and other bar code reading devices which may include other bar code verification devices. Processing circuitry for processing image signals corresponding to printed bar codes may be partially disposed within the hand held verification device and partially disposed within a host processor system spaced apart from and associated with the hand held verification device. The hand held verification device may be in wireless communication with the host processor system to which it is associated. The bar code verification system may include signal enhancement modules which interpolate constructed pixel values from actual pixel values and which correct for signal degradation resulting from high frequency spatial sampling.
US08342401B2
According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image capturing section configured to capture an image picked up by an image pickup section; a code reading section configured to detect a code symbol included in the captured image and read code information corresponding to the code symbol; an image comparing section configured to compare, if the code information read this time and code information read before this time and most recently are the same, images related to the reading of the pieces of code information; and an output section configured to output the read code information and, if the images are similar as a result of the comparison of the images, regard the code information read this time as code information read twice and suppress output of the code information.
US08342397B1
A system operates to carry out financial transfers in response to data read from data bearing records. A cell phone having a camera stores in memory indicia corresponding to account data from a plurality of magnetic stripe cards. A user can operate the phone to select one of the accounts stored in the memory. The memory further includes a scanned user-identifying written signature. The user can use the phone during an item purchase to wirelessly transmit each of an item's identifier captured by the camera, selected account data, and the user signature.
US08342395B1
An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine may include a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine is operative to authenticate firmware in at least one hardware component of the machine prior to causing the at least one hardware component to carry out a transaction function.
US08342380B2
A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an anvil section and a cartridge section, where the cartridge section and the anvil section are movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position. The cartridge section has a plurality of retention slots, a plurality of first surgical fasteners and a plurality of second surgical fasteners. The plurality of first surgical fasteners has a first backspan with a first configuration and the plurality of second surgical fasteners has a second backspan with a second different configuration. In addition, when the first configuration applies a first compressive force to tissue and the second configuration applies a second different compressive force to tissue.
US08342377B2
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US08342370B2
A one dose at a time, non-pressurized fluid dispensing canister from which the or each dose is dispensed as a result of two surfaces (21, 22) of the canister moving towards one another under the control of the user, wherein the canister incorporates a mechanism which, once a first dose has been dispensed, automatically prevents any further dispensing movement of the surfaces (21, 22) (in the case where the canister is a one-dosage only canister) or (where the canister is a multiple-dosage-dispensing canister) allows such movement only after the two surfaces (21, 22) have first been moved in a direction or directions other than that which alone caused the first dose to be dispensed.
US08342369B2
The present invention provides a pressing structure of a soap dispenser for adjusting an output amount of the soap by adjusting the distance of a pressing stroke thereof. The pressing structure includes a rejecting member, a driving device, and a moving member, wherein the driving device is connected to the moving member through a transmission mechanism, and the rejecting member includes a connecting portion linked with the moving member, and a pressing plate against a pressing head of a liquid container, characterized in that the rejecting member further includes a retractable portion used for adjusting the vertical distance between the connecting portion and the pressing plate. Accordingly, through adjusting the vertical distance by the retractable portion, the vertical moving distance of a pressing head of a liquid container achieved by the pressing plate can therefore be decided, so as to output a suitable amount of soap.
US08342366B2
A low-profile particulate handling assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a downstream treating device, such as a seed treater unit. The assembly includes a plurality of juxtaposed particulate bins and a surmounting turret assembly designed to successively deliver particulates to the bins. The particulates within the bins are delivered to the downstream treating device through respective lower outlets each equipped with an adjustable slide gate assembly and a lower, multiple-chute assembly. Preferably, each bin has a top wall which in plan configuration approximates a sector of a circle, planar sidewalls, and downwardly tapered, arcuate sidewall structure leading to the lower outlet; in this fashion, the bins can be grouped with the sidewalls in close adjacency, and with the outlets located to feed into a single inlet of the downstream treating device.
US08342350B2
Embodiments of containers such as bowls can include in outer shell, and an inner shell positioned at least in part within the outer shell. The inner shell can be formed from a material such as stainless steel. The outer shell can be formed from a material such as plastic. An anti-slip provision, such as a strip of elastomeric or other material, can be mounted on the outer shell.
US08342344B2
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accommodating the pressure decrease of the fluid in a hot-filled plastic container.
US08342323B2
A waterproof housing structure for portable optical analyzer mainly comprises a hard upper casing, a lower casing and a fastening element. The hard upper casing contains an outer rim and an inner rim. The lower casing contains a hard inner shell and a pliable cap. The hard inner shell has a trapezoidal rim which has a first trapezoidal surface and a second trapezoidal surface lower than the first trapezoidal surface. The pliable cap wraps a portion of outer surface of the hard inner shell, and has an outer edge and an inner edge mating the upper casing. The fastening element fastens the hard upper casing to the lower casing. Thus the two irregular rims and edges can be coupled to prevent liquid permeation. Fabrication and assembly during production or repair and maintenance are simpler. It also improves grasp feeling and anti-slipping effect on the handgrip of the portable optical analyzer.
US08342322B2
A razor case, also referred to as a razor saver, may keep a razor blade dry and free or any moisture. The razor saver may include an absorbent liner and one or more absorbent desiccant gel packs for removing moisture from the razor blade. The razor saver may extend the life of the razor blade, typically offering the user up to four times the use from a single blade cartridge. The razor saver may save money while also reducing landfill wastes.
US08342321B2
The present invention relates to a toilet brush (1) and holder (10). The toilet brush (1) comprises a handle (2) and a brush head. The holder (10) comprises a container (11C) configured to hold disinfectant liquid. The holder (10) is configured: to support the toilet brush and bear the weight of the toilet brush in a first position, in which the brush head is spaced apart from liquid in the container; and to support the toilet brush in a second position, in which the brush head is at least partially immersed in liquid in the container. The holder (10) is configured for movement of the toilet brush (1) between the first and second positions by a user.
US08342314B2
Object transfer device comprising a frame (3,20,63,58), at least one gripper (6,22,22a,62,57a,57b) having a gripper body (7,25,45) and means of guiding the gripper body with respect to the frame; the gripper being equipped with one or more jaws (8,28a,28b,46) mobile with respect to the gripper body (7,25,45). The gripper comprises a magnetic element (12,32,44,52,56) capable, when it is subjected to a magnetic field greater than an efficiency threshold, of exerting a force on at least one mobile jaw. The frame comprises a control device (24,49,50) of the gripper capable of creating a magnetic field greater than the efficiency threshold in at least one zone (14,15) of the frame dedicated to the operation of the gripper. Said gripper body guide means is designed so that the magnetic element of the gripper is driven in translation along a movement path (13,33) passing through the operation zone (14,15) of the gripper defined by the control device (24,49,50).
US08342312B2
An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
US08342303B2
A check valve, a retainer and a washer are secured to a valve body by inserting a pin therethrough and staking a distal end portion of the pin to form a staked portion. A restraining member is interposed between the washer and the staked portion. The fit clearance between the restraining member and the shank of the pin is set smaller than the fit clearance between the check valve, the retainer and the washer on the one hand and the shank of the pin on the other. Thus, when the distal end portion of the pin is staked, the deformation of the shank of the pin is restrained by the restraining member that defines a small clearance between the same and the pin. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the enlargement in diameter of a portion of the pin where the check valve is fitted and hence possible to prevent deformation of the check valve. Thus, stable valve characteristics can be obtained.
US08342302B2
A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
US08342297B2
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal, having: a brake pad operative to apply a braking force to a brake rotor or drum, the brake pad being subject to vibration during braking; and a damper attached to the pad, configured to force a squeal reducing vibration in the brake pad, the damper including: (i) a first mass; (ii) a second mass connected to the first mass by a first shaft; and (iii) a third mass connected to the first mass by a second shaft.
US08342295B2
A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a pair of brake arms and a biasing member having a first portion and a second portion. Each brake arm includes a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the brake arm to a bicycle frame member to pivot around a pivot axis of a corresponding pivot axle, a brake pad mounting portion, and a control interface portion. The first portion of the biasing member is operatively coupled to one of the brake arms so that the brake pad mounting portion of that brake arm is biased in a selected direction, and the second portion of the biasing member is coupled to the pivot axle of the other brake arm.
US08342292B2
The invention relates to a method for setting up a number of operating units in a lift system having a number of floors. The operating units are connected in series. A first operating unit is connected to a central controller, and at least one operating unit is provided on each floor. Configuration data with an address data packet is sent from the controller to the operating units. The address data packet has a number of addresses, which permits the fixing of an address for each operating unit. The invention further relates to a lift system for carrying out the method.
US08342290B2
A lubrication system for a spline interface (20) includes at least one debris chamber (46) located radially outboard of the spline interface (20) of a first rotating component (16) and a second rotating component (18). Wear debris (44) is urged from the spline interface (20) toward the at least one debris chamber (46) by rotation of the first and second rotating components (16, 18) about a central axis (14). At least one lubricant reservoir (36) contains a volume of lubricant (40), wherein at least a portion of the volume of lubricant (40) flows toward the spline interface (20) in response to the wear debris (44) being urged from the spline interface (20) toward the at least one debris chamber (46).
US08342285B2
A hydraulic device disposed in a torque strut so as to provide a fully decoupled hydraulic torque strut. A main rubber element vibrates in response to powertrain pitch torque. At high vibration amplitude, high hydraulic damping is provided via a pumping chamber, an inertia track and a bellowed compensation chamber, wherein a decoupler system hydraulically connected to the pumping chamber is passively disabled. At low vibration amplitude, minimal hydraulic damping is provided via the decoupler system which is connected by a decoupler track to the compensation chamber.
US08342282B2
Disclosed is a motorcycle fitted with a canister. A canister (55) is disposed along the body frame (20) at a position outside the body frame and closer to the body frame than the tip end of a tandem step (54R).
US08342280B2
An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
US08342277B2
A mounting arrangement for mounting a cooler unit to a work machine has a traveling device, a machine body frame, an engine and the cooler unit disposed adjacent the engine. The arrangement includes a support deck provided in the machine body frame for supporting the cooler unit, an attachment unit for releasably fixing the cooler unit to the machine body frame and a movement mechanism provided between the cooler unit and the support deck, the movement mechanism allowing the cooler unit to effect a translational movement to change a distance relative to the engine.
US08342272B2
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manages engine operation in the event of an engine cooling system malfunction by operating the engine with fewer than the total number of engine cylinders, while extracting power, particularly during transient operation, from not only the engine, but also the vehicle's traction motor and battery.
US08342270B2
The omni-directional drive device comprises a main wheel (2) comprising an endless annular member rotatable around a center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line, electric motors (5R and 5L) for producing rotative forces around the rotation axis of the main wheel (2) and around the center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2) and an arrangement (rotary members (4R and 4L) fitted with free rollers (3R and 3L)) for converting the rotational forces of the electric motors (5R and 5L) to the rotational forces around the rotation center of the main wheel (2) and around the center (C) of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2).
US08342265B2
A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are passed between a drill string to a body member for discharge from the body member to remove at least a portion of the formation. The flow of the suspension between the drill string and the body member is controlled by an ultra shearing drilling mud in order to prevent the impactors from settling near the bottom of the formation.
US08342260B2
A portable hand-held power tool (2), especially in the form of a drilling or chisel hammer, includes a drive assembly (8) located in the tool housing (10) for driving a tool spindle (4) along an operational axis (A), a first handle (16) which is rotatable around a first pivotal axis (S1) by a first handle suspension (22), a second handle (20) located on the opposite sides (14.1, 14.2) of the housing which is rotatable around a second pivotal axis (S2) by a second handle suspension (24), and spring elements for retaining the handles (16, 20) in their initial position, with the first and second handle suspensions (22, 24) extending partially circumferentially about the drive assembly (8).
US08342256B2
A foldable implement frame is foldable about multiple axes to provide a compactly folded implement. The implement is foldable from a wide, field working position to a relatively narrow position for transport between fields, along roadways, and through field gates or storage doors. The frame is generally comprised of a center frame section that may be hitched to a prime mover, a pair of inner frame sections, and a pair of outer frame sections. The outer frame sections may be folded about their connections to the inner frame sections, and the inner frame sections are foldable about their connections to the central frame section. The central frame section may be rotated to rotate the inner and outer frame sections forward to an upright position, and the inner and outer frame sections may then be folded forward to fold the frame into a narrow position for transport and/or storage.
US08342253B2
A method of soil preparation simultaneously ploughs soil and tills soil ploughed in a previous pass. An apparatus for tilling soil provides tilling members mounted for deployment on either side of a tractor. The tilling members on one side of the tractor may be brought into engagement with the soil while tilling members on the other side of the tractor are lifted away from the soil. The tilling members are located to coincide with an adjacent strip of land ploughed in a previous pass of the tractor.
US08342248B2
An apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser used for conveying hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising a permeate recovery device for recovering permeate passing through the liner into the annular space. The permeate recovery device includes a first vent port in a wall of the pipeline at or adjacent a lower region of the pipeline and communicating with a permeate recovery line defining a flow path between the annular space and a permeate collection vessel. A one-way valve is associated with the permeate recovery line for preventing flow from the permeate recovery line into the annular space. A gaseous permeate recovery line connected to a second vent port at an upper region of the pipeline defining a flow of gaseous permeate from the annular space.
US08342246B2
Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
US08342240B2
A flow conduit may have at least one orifice, which conduit is in the vicinity of a flow source. The source is at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) an optional temporary coating or barrier (e.g. filter cake). The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material. A delayed degradation material layer is present over or covering the degradable material. The delayed degradation material layer degrades at a rate slower than the degradable barrier. The degradable material and delayed degradation material layer disintegrate (e.g. via time, temperature, a solvent). The degradable material optionally produces a product that removes the temporary coating. The method is useful in one context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is the casing or liner of the well and the flow source is a subterranean reservoir where the coating is filter cake.
US08342234B2
A plasma-driven cooling device generates and drives a plasma-driven gas flow to cool down electronic devices. The plasma-driven cooling device comprises electrodes, dielectric pieces, and heat sink fins. The voltages applied on the electrodes coupled with dielectric pieces and heat sink fins induce the gas flow, which is used to cool down heat sources. A magnetic circuit may be coupled with plasma-drive gas flow to enhance the cooling.
US08342233B2
A device for an air handling system in which the cooling beam has a pressure chamber (2), from which the volume flow of the supply air (L1) out to the room is regulated with a regulating strip (6) that is mounted on the surfaces (9) in the pressure chamber and where the flow of the supply air (L1), in the mixing chamber (4), provides an optimal flow pattern of the recirculating air (L2) from the room and where the combined flow of supply air (L1) and recirculating air (L2) acquire well defined flow profiles independent from the volume flow (L1).
US08342230B2
A molten metal is fed from a distributor provided in a molten metal introduction portion of a casting die to a cavity of the casting die so as to perform a casting operation. A portion of the distributor to be in contact with the molten metal is made of a copper or a copper alloy. The casting is performed while setting a cavity temperature of the casting die in an initial stage of casting to a predetermined temperature and setting a temperature of the distributor in the initial stage of casting to 65° C. or lower.
US08342226B2
A collapsible sunshade according to the present invention has a panel comprising a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the panel with an interior space inside of the periphery, a meshed material covering the interior space defined by the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and a shade fabric having at least a portion thereof removably attached to the panel so that the shade fabric can assume a first position in which the shade fabric completely overlies, in a planar manner, the meshed material, and a second position where the portion of the shade fabric that is removably attached to the panel is disengaged from the panel to expose a portion of the meshed material.
US08342223B2
A method of and an apparatus for fitting or removing a tire 4 of a vehicle wheel 1, in which at least one fitting or removal tool 5 is guided parallel to the axis 11 of the vehicle wheel 1 and the vehicle wheel 1 is moved controllably perpendicularly to its wheel axis 11 in dependence on a rim contour along which the fitting or removal tool 5 is to be guided at a small spacing.
US08342221B2
An apparatus for jointing of cord fabric performed when cord fabric for topping is alternately drawn from two supply positions for continuous supply. When drawing to supply of the cord fabric on one side, a start end portion of the cord fabric on other side is locked to hold by a locking pin of a jointing holder, and is set to a jointing mounting portion in a state where an unvulcanized jointing rubber member is pasted thereto. When a final end of the cord fabric on the one side comes closer, a finish end portion thereof is pasted to the start end portion of the cord fabric held by the holder by interposing the rubber member therebetween. The finish end portion and the start end portion are squeezed for joint from upper and lower sides by press members. Thereafter, the holder is removed, and the cord fabric on the other side is drawn to supply continuously to the cord fabric on the one side.
US08342217B2
Lubricant compositions as well as methods and articles utilizing the lubricant compositions that comprise a polyoxyalkene as a lubricating agent, between 4 wt. % and 7.5 wt. % of silica as a thickening agent and an inorganic thixotropic-enhancing metal compound added in an amount of, for example, at least 20 ppm, by weight or alternatively, between 1 ppm and 2 wt. %. The silica may be fumed silica. Examples of the metal compound include KOH, NaOH, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, CaO, MgO, Mg(OH)2 or combinations thereof. A tire is also included, comprising a radially inner face designed to be opposite a wheel rim on which it is designed to be mounted, wherein the radially inner face is provided with the lubricant composition described above.
US08342211B2
A protective pipe cover and support apparatus is disclosed that provides for secure attachment to an underlying surface, such as a concrete, tarmac or stone surface, for example, and which provides for secure retention and support of multiple pipes or other conduits within the pipe cover and protection of the pipes against loads, impacts and/or other forces applied to the pipe cover. The protective pipe cover includes a load bearing cover element with lateral load bearing supports which bear against an underlying surface, a curved outer web extending between the lateral supports, and a central load bearing support extending between the outer web and an underlying surface, and including an anchor for attachment to the surface. The pipe cover also includes a pipe support with multiple pipe retainer clips for resiliently retaining multiple pipes situated between the outer web of the load bearing cover element, and the underlying surface.
US08342209B2
In a fluid-transfer coupling device (5) that connects a plug (70) and a socket (10) to each other to communicate respective flow paths in the socket and the plug with each other, the plug includes, at least, an inner spacer (74) having an inner passage (78) formed to allow a passage of fluid, a plug collar (73) covering the outer circumferential surface of the inner spacer and a flange (75) formed on a proximal end of the plug to connect the plug to a conduit. The plug collar and the flange are made of metal. Consequently, even if the flow rate of the fluid is large, the plug can be firmly supported in the device. The inner spacer is made of a resinous material. In this connection, at least one portion of an outer circumferential portion of the plug may be formed of metal.
US08342207B2
The invention relates to a microfluidic device for making a liquid/liquid or gas biphasic system using a first liquid or a gas and a second liquid, non-miscible with each other, the device having a first hydrophobic surface for the second liquid, the first liquid forming a layer (6) on said first hydrophobic surface. The device comprises means for introducing a drop (7) of the second liquid into the layer of first liquid or gas and in contact with said first hydrophobic surface, and means for displacing the drop on said first hydrophobic surface along a determined path, the device having on the path of the drop, at least one wetting defect causing, upon passing of the drop over this defect, failure of the triple line of contact of the drop on the first hydrophobic surface and inclusion of first liquid (8) or gas into the drop.The invention also relates to the associated method.
US08342200B1
The present invention comprises a yoke vise that can be secured to the inflow/outflow plumbing to a water meter, facilitating the removal or replacement of the meter and shutoff valve without damage to the plumbing.
US08342192B2
A cosmetic compact (1) comprises a container (9) to hold liquid cosmetics, and a stopper (5) for to the compact (1). The stopper comprises a protrusion (7) that cooperates with a dispensing orifice (8) of the container. The stopper is connected by a hinge (6) to a lid (2) or base (3) of the compact, preferably to the lid. The stopper may thus serve as a latch for the lid of the compact. The hinged connection (6) may be a web integrally formed with the stopper and the adjacent part of the compact, or it may comprise a pin or protrusion.
US08342188B2
A comb (100) includes a spine (4) and, extending from the spine in adjacent, substantially parallel planes, a first outer row of teeth (31), a central row of teeth (33) and a second outer row of teeth (32) opposed to the first outer row of teeth. The teeth (10) of the first and second outer rows of teeth and of the central row of teeth are substantially a same length. Spacing of the teeth of the central row (33) is different from spacing of the teeth of the first and second outer rows (31, 32) with the spacing of the teeth being arranged for the removal of head lice and/or nits and/or head lice eggs and/or fleas from combed hair or fur.
US08342183B2
Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a portion of the expandable member is anchored relative to at least one structure in the abdominal cavity, without piercing the stomach. The expandable member is expanded to an expanded configuration in a space in the abdominal cavity to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the stomach of the patient into the space; and compression of a portion of the stomach.
US08342181B2
An elbow assembly for a mask system includes an elbow including a slot and a port, an anti-asphyxia valve adapted to be received within the slot and including a flap portion adapted to selectively close the port depending on the presence of pressurized gas, and a clip member to secure the anti-asphyxia valve to the elbow. The clip member includes a slot that is adapted to interlock with a protrusion provided to the anti-asphyxia valve.
US08342180B2
A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.
US08342174B2
An inhaler for powdery, in particular medical, substances is formed with a suction air channel, which leads to a mouthpiece. The inhaler also has a storage chamber for storing the substance and a linearly moving dosing chamber for apportioning a specified amount of substance from the storage chamber to a transfer point to the suction air flow. The aim of the invention is to obtain a structurally simple solution that makes it possible to eliminate adding an external air flow. To this end, a component of the suction air flow, which is located in the direction of extension of the dosing chamber, empties said dosing chamber.
US08342169B2
A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which to reciprocally rotate the platform; b) a first container located on the platform on one side and a second container located on the other side of the platform; c) a solar reflector located adjacent each container; d) a connecting tube connecting the first and second containers; e) an evaporative fluid contained within at least one of the containers; f) a roof above the platform with a window located above each of the containers; g) shutter devices at each of the windows; and b) shutter device controls to activate the shutter devices to present alternating exposure of sunlight and shading at each of the containers to effect reciprocal movement.
US08342164B2
A method of producing gemstones includes obtaining a plate of chemical vapor deposition formed diamond. The plate is cut into a plurality of geometrically optimized preforms. The preforms may be finished and cut into diamond gemstones.
US08342157B2
A vehicle fuel emissions system includes a fuel tank, a tank pressure sensor indicating a pressure differential between the tank and a port communicating with the atmosphere, a pump for selectively producing vacuum in the tank, and a passage connecting the pump and a pressure sensor air reference port external to the system.
US08342149B2
An air intake device for an engine is provided that includes a throttle body (1), a throttle valve (5) that has a valve shaft (5a) rotatably supported on the throttle body (1), a throttle drum (8) connected to one end of the throttle valve (5), a throttle sensor (51) connected to the other end of the valve shaft (5a), a bypass (20) bypassing the throttle valve (5), and a bypass valve (25) that opens and closes the bypass (20), a bearing boss (3) supporting one end part, on the throttle drum (8) side, of the valve shaft (5a) being integrally and projecting provided on one side face of the throttle body (1), wherein the bypass (20) is formed so as to surround the bearing boss (3). This enables the air intake device for an engine to be made compact in spite of the bypass being present.
US08342134B2
A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.
US08342132B2
A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.
US08342124B2
A system and method of cleaning a plurality of teat cups (8a-d) includes using a robotic manipulation device (2) to move the plurality of teat cups (8a-d) from a first position to a second position, and cleaning the teat cups (8a-d) at a second position, wherein the robotic manipulation device (2) deposits the teat cups (8a-d) individually, in turn, at the second position.
US08342119B2
The invention provides a removable first edge ring configured for pin and recess/slot coupling with a second edge ring disposed on the substrate support. In one embodiment, a first edge ring includes a plurality of pins, and a second edge ring includes one or more alignment recesses and one or more alignment slots for mating engagement with the pins. Each of the alignment recesses and alignment slots are at least as wide as the corresponding pins, and each of the alignment slots extends in the radial direction a length that is sufficient to compensate for the difference in thermal expansion between the first edge ring and the second edge ring.
US08342115B2
The invention relates to a device (10) at a cleat (1) for a sailing boat in order to provide detachable locking of the line (3) to a sail, a rig or the like, where the line (3) runs over a sheave (2) on an elevated level and having cleat (1) for locking the line (3) situated at a distance from the deck of the boat. According to the invention, the line (3) is arranged to run over a sheave (2), which is provided with ratchet back stop (5). The line (3) is in that connection arranged to directly co-operate with a movably actuatable mechanism (14), which is arranged to activate the ratchet back stop (5). The mechanism (14) is formed of at least one pivotably mounted main arm (4), and said mechanism (14) is arranged to activate the ratchet back stop (5), the mechanism (14) being arranged to, upon fixed load of the line (3, 3A), which goes down to deck and by means of which the sail (9) is hoisted, actuate the main arm (4) to connect ratchet back stop function (5) on the sheave (2) and in that connection prevent the pulling backwards (7) of the line toward the sail (9).
US08342113B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for thread handling (e.g., separating) and/or cutting. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for thread handling (e.g., separating) and/or cutting. In one example, the present invention may be used in connection with sewing machines, embroidery machines, quilting machines and the like.
US08342110B2
A rotary hook of a lockstitch sewing machine includes at least one hook body including a cylindrical cavity and a basket freely rotatable in the cylindrical cavity, to which it is constrained by a rib, provided on the outer surface of the basket, which engages in a C-shaped race, provided in the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity of the hook body and delimited by two plane surfaces parallel to each other and by a cylindrical surface perpendicular to the plane ones, suitable to prevent axial and radial translation of the basket in the cylindrical cavity—further includes elements applying to the basket an axial pressure causing the rib of the basket to lean against one of the plane surfaces delimiting the race present in the cylindrical cavity of the hook body. Some of these elements are carried by the lockstitch sewing machine to which the rotary hook belongs.
US08342098B2
A projectile launched from a conventional weapon; upon impact with a human target the projectile attaches to the target and stuns and disables the target by applying a pulsed electrical charge. The electric round is defined as non lethal ammunition directed to incapacitate a human, to prevent him from moving for a short time, to prevent him from committing a crime and to allow authorized personnel to arrest the target. A novel thin film technology transformer and thin film technology battery produce an electrical shock capable of stunning a human being in a device the size of a conventional bullet. The transformer and battery are smaller and lighter than conventional transformers and batteries with similar power output.
US08342096B2
The invention relates to an avalanche triggering system comprising a frame (4) fitted with means of attachment (5) for transporting the system, especially by helicopter with the aid of a cable (3), the frame (4) comprising, at the top, a storage area (6) for at least one gas container (7) designed to form an explosive mixture and, at the bottom, a holding system (8) for holding a plurality of balloons (9), each having an inflation sleeve and each being separated from the others, means (7, 13, 14) for conveying the explosive mixture to the inflation sleeve of a balloon (9), an injection nozzle (12), and means for igniting the explosive mixture, the balloon holding system (8) being mounted movably on the frame (4) to bring the inflation sleeve of each balloon (9) in succession up to the injection nozzle (12) and to the ignition means.
US08342093B2
A fuze for a projectile having a firing chain has an interrupter for interruption of the firing chain. The interrupter is configured to snap from a safe position to an armed position when unlocked. A locking device is disposed to lock the interrupter in the safe position and to unlock the interrupter by way of an unlocking movement. The fuze is rendered compact and reliable in that the unlocking movement of the locking device is an axial movement.
US08342088B2
A method for pad printing a pattern on a textile substrate with a pad printing machine, and fabric and apparel so formed from the textile substrate. The method includes the steps of positioning the textile substrate on the printing area of the pad printing machine, transferring a pattern having at least one color from the cliché of the pad printing machine to a printing pad, and transferring the pattern from the printing pad to the textile substrate.
US08342081B2
A system and method for barrier submersion cooking comprising a thin walled plastic cooking pouch for receiving a food item effectively dimensioned such that when placed into a hot liquid cooking medium a vent remains above a top surface of the liquid cooking medium and a rack for lowering the vessel into the liquid cooking medium to an effective depth such that the food item received by the pouch is below the top surface of the liquid cooking medium and the vent is above the top surface of the liquid cooking medium. The pouch is formed of food grade pliable polymer film having a melt temperature above that of a temperature used in conventional hot oil flying processes, a heat transfer rate of an effective value to substantially instantaneously transfer heat from the liquid cooking medium to create an effective frying temperature upon the food item, and a pliability such that the pouch will collapse on itself when exposed to hydrostatic pressures when submerged within the liquid cooking medium, thereby effectively transferring heat to all food item surfaces.
US08342079B2
A multifunctional soybean milk maker is provided. The soybean milk maker comprises: a head, a motor, a cup body, a cutter shaft, a cutting tool and a control circuit board. The head caps on the cup body. The motor is fastened and arranged in the head. The head includes an upper cover of the head and a lower cover of the head. The cutter shaft extends downwards to the cup body. The cutting tool is fastened at the front end of the cutter shaft. A connector is set on the lower part of the lower cover of the head. The connector extends into the cup body. A flow-disturbing curved body is set at the lower part of the connector. The flow-disturbing curved body is positioned above the cutting tool.
US08342078B2
A reciprocating-piston pump having an electromagnetically driveable reciprocating piston, which is mounted with a restoring spring, for feeding a liquid, an impact damper composed of an elastomer for damping an impact of the reciprocating piston at the end of a feed phase, a core flange which is situated opposite the reciprocating piston, with a gap which is dependent on the position of the reciprocating piston being provided between the reciprocating piston and the core flange. The kinetic energy of the reciprocating piston during an early feed interval of a feed phase is absorbed primarily by the restoring spring and the feed of the liquid, and in that the kinetic energy of the reciprocating piston during a late feed interval of a feed phase is absorbed primarily by the hydraulic damping of the liquid present in the gap.
US08342072B2
A linking system for rimmed ammunition is disclosed. The linking system features individual links that each encompass one ammunition cartridge while having an arcuate lateral arm which encompasses a neighboring link and associated cartridge. A plurality of collet arms secure the cartridge and separate as the cartridge is forced forward in the delinking process. Angular momenta from the feeding motion and the rotational motion of the de-linking assembly combine to rotate a first link away and apart from the next associated link.
US08342071B2
There is provided a flash suppressor for use with a firearm to attenuate muzzle flash. The flash suppressor can be used in conjunction with attachments, and provides mounting and alignment means therefore. In an embodiment, the flash suppressor comprises: a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an exit end; a passage extending through the body and along the longitudinal axis; and a set of apertures. The passage includes: a mount portion for mounting the flash suppressor to the firearm muzzle; a transition portion; an intermediate portion; and a truncated conical portion having a diameter that increases toward the exit end. The transition portion joins the mount portion and the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion joins the transition portion and the truncated conical portion. The apertures extend through the body of the flash suppressor and into the truncated conical portion, and channel propellant gases.
US08342068B2
The device comprises a path for the web material (N) and, along said path, at least one cutting unit (7A). The cutting unit comprises: a plurality of intermediate disk-shaped blades (9A) disposed on one side of the feed path of the material, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed and cooperating with a fixed counter-blade (33A) disposed on the opposite side of said path. Also provided are two lateral disk-shaped blades (10A) to cut the trimmings; and a member for transverse positioning of the blades. The two lateral blades each cooperate with a respective movable counter-blade (71A), separate from the fixed counter-blade, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed of the web material.
US08342064B2
The present invention discloses a ratchetable open-ended wrench comprising wrench body and retractable jaw member. The wrench body comprises head with two opposite jaws and a receiving hole. The inner surface of the receiving hole has a sunken slot with an inner circular arc surface. The retractable jaw member is slidably mounted in the sunken slot and has two opposite sides, and one side is directing to the receiving hole and has a second engaging portion. The retractable jaw member and the head are against with an elastic member. The retractable jaw member is able to move from a first position to a second position in the sunken slot, and is able to limit a workpiece to rotate in the receiving hole when at the first position and to allow the workpiece to rotate in the receiving hole when at the second position.
US08342061B2
A wrench adapter is provided that includes a body that has a base member with a bottom surface and a top surface. The body has a square shaped male drive with a side wall surface. The body has a concave transition surface with an upper end that is flush with the side wall surface so that a smooth transition is present from the side wall surface of the male drive to the concave transition surface across the upper end of the concave transition surface.
US08342057B2
A steering column for a vehicle can increase the entire strength of the steering column while maintaining a supporting force between an outer tube and an inner tube at the time of tightening or releasing an adjusting lever for a tilting or telescopic operation, thereby preventing deformation and breakage of the steering column when a driver operates a steering wheel.
US08342053B2
An operating device for a manual transmission apparatus includes: a plurality of operation shafts, supported at a housing to move in an axial direction thereof and selectively engaging one of a plurality of shift gear sets by one of the plurality of the operation shafts being moved in the axial direction thereof; a shift-and-select shaft, supported at the housing, selecting one of the plurality of the operation shafts by rotating in a circumferential direction of the shift-and-select shaft and moving the selected operation shaft in the axial direction of the selected operation shaft by moving in the axial direction of the shift-and-select shaft; an operating portion for manually operating the shift-and-select shaft; and an inertia unit, including an engagement portion, which is engageable with the shift-and-select shaft, pivotably supported at the housing, and pivoting in response to a movement of the shift-and-select shaft in the axial direction thereof.
US08342052B2
A shifter apparatus is associated with a neutral lock lever and includes a detent ball bearing, a shaft seal, a detent spring, and a retention pin. A shaft associated with the neutral lock lever can be inserted into a matching hole configured within or integrated with a shifter housing. The shaft can be rotated if a cammed lobe portion associated with the shaft moves into an inner wall of the shifter housing. The retention pin can be pressed via an end of the neutral lock lever into a groove located on an outside wail of the shifter housing after the neutral lock lever is rotated into position. The retention pin rides inside the groove thereby limiting the rotation of the neutral lock lever. The neutral lock lever locks the shift lever in a neutral position preventing accidental movement of the vehicle in a forward and a reverse direction.
US08342047B1
An anti-backup device for a power conveyor system is provided and includes a mounting plate, a mounting shaft, a spline cut cog, a multi-position cam, and a bias spring. Both the spline cut cog and the multi-position cam have multiple teeth that engage each other to permit rotation of the multi-position cam in a forward direction and prevent rotation of the multi-position cam in a backward direction.
US08342042B2
A device for sampling chemical compounds from fixed surfaces and related methods are disclosed. The device may include a vacuum source, a chamber and a sorbent material. The device may utilize vacuum extraction to volatilize the chemical compounds from the fixed surfaces so that they may be sorbed by the sorbent material. The sorbent material may then be analyzed using conventional thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) instrumentation to determine presence of the chemical compounds. The methods may include detecting release and presence of one or more chemical compounds and determining the efficacy of decontamination. The device may be useful in collection and analysis of a variety of chemical compounds, such as residual chemical warfare agents, chemical attribution signatures and toxic industrial chemicals.
US08342041B2
A method and tube for separating a sample. The tube is configured to separate agglomerated or clumped material or other sample components having over a particular size from other smaller size portions of the sample. For example, blood clots may be separated from serum of a blood sample. The tube includes a chamber with a closed bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a sample inlet branch coupled to the chamber. A slit is positioned between the chamber and the sample inlet branch so that after a sample is placed into the sample inlet branch, a portion of the sample having a size smaller than the slit (e.g., liquid material) passes through the slit and into the chamber, and material in the sample having a size larger than the slit remains in the sample inlet branch.
US08342038B2
The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat includes a pair of fixed lower rails fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails that are engaged with the fixed lower rails so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails, a sub frame which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails, load sensors and that lie between the sub frame and the movable upper rails, brackets and which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets. The submarine pipe is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket.
US08342017B1
Methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced plastic test specimen assemblies having weak adhesive bonds
A method for repeatably fabricating a test specimen assembly comprising a pair of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) test specimens adhesively bonded together, the bonded joint having respective areas of substantially different, but consistent variable adhesive bond strengths suitable as a calibration standard. The method comprises fabricating a first FRP test specimen having a bonding surface with first and second areas that have substantially different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics and then using adhesive to bond the bonding surface of the first FRP test specimen to the bonding surface of a second FRP test specimen. The different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics are achieved by treating first and second areas of the surface of the first FRP test specimen using different respective surface preparation techniques.
US08342011B2
A method for determining a value representative of the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: i. measuring the vibration level (2) of the internal combustion engine with an accelerometer placed on the engine block of the internal combustion engine, ii. integrating a value from the signal (2) provided by the accelerometer in a window (t1, t2) delimited as a function of the position of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, iii. supplying the result of the integration (A1) as a value representative of the pressure, characterized in that the signal (2) provided by the accelerometer in step “i” is integrated while being raised to a power greater than 1 by a predetermined exponent.
US08342009B2
A method of more accurately measuring steam turbine efficiency is disclosed in which the sealing steam in the steam turbine is re-routed so that a more accurate measure of steam turbine efficiency can be made. Some of the steam entering a turbine goes into the turbine's end pack and then mixes with the steam that goes through the turbine. Piping is added from one of the end pack line's to the condenser. This added line has a valve, pressure, temperature and flow measuring devices. As the valve is opened, the amount of flow going to the end pack line allowing the end pack steam mix with the steam that goes through the turbine is reduced. As the flow in this line is reduced the measured temperature at the turbine exhaust will also decrease. The amount that the valve is opened is increased until either the exhaust temperature has reached a minimum, or the enthalpy in the pipe changes from the initial enthalpy.
US08342004B2
An improved gas analyzer for analyzing the concentrations and amounts of one or more different gases in drilling mud returning from a borehole is disclosed. An oil well drilling rig re-circulates the drilling mud by continuously pumping it through a gas separation means. The gas separation means generally includes a fluid stop, a bubble jar and a dririte chamber in order to separate the gases from the drilling mud. A gas sample from these separated gases can be mixed with a carrier gas and are conveyed to gas analyzing means where the concentration of the different hydrocarbon components of the gases in the mud can be continuously measured.
US08342001B2
A power operated crimping/cutting tool driven by any type of impact wrench, with a crimping or cutting working head, includes a transmission unit, a connection unit, a process indication device and an adjustment device, wherein the transmission unit includes a jaw device and a transmission device, the jaw device is detachable, both the process indication device and the adjustment device are mounted on the transmission unit, the connection unit is sleevedly mounted at the impact wrench. The present invention can replace the jaw device according to different requirements.
US08341996B2
A method and a deep-drawing apparatus for the deep drawing of a metal sheet by means of a press, a table, a drawing punch, and also a drawing die and a counterpressure plate interacting with the drawing die, which together form a flow path for the metal sheet, wherein at least one drawing strip movable relative to the counterpressure plate is pushed transversely through the flow path of the metal sheet in order to deflect the metal sheet during a drawing phase (first deflection phase) and the drawing strip, for a stop phase, is pushed by a further short distance transversely through the flow path (F) (second deflection stage), wherein a deflection increased once again inhibits the flow of the metal sheet during the second deflection stage, and wherein the metal sheet is essentially plastically formed at the end of the deep-drawing operation, wherein the degree of deflection required during the first deflection stage is set by means of an interchangeable distance piece which is arranged between the counterpressure plate and the drawing strip and serves as a limit stop. Independently thereof, the degree of deflection required during the second deflection stage can be set by further distance elements which are arranged between the table and the drawing strips.
US08341993B2
A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.
US08341983B2
A drum type washing machine is provided. The drum type washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, and a driving motor positioned at a rear side of the drum for generating a driving force that rotates the drum. The washing machine may also include a supporting plate to rotatably support a rotational shaft extending between the motor and the drum, and a plurality of supporters connected between the supporting plate and the cabinet. Such an arrangement may increase washing capacity by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing an external size of the cabinet.
US08341977B2
A rough mold of a machine for forming glass items is provided with a multifunctional group, which has a common support head; a handling device for moving the common head along a first handling axis; and a further handling device for rotating the common head about a second handling axis. The common head being fitted with a mold closing member for sealing the top opening of the rough mold, and at least one further operating member selectable from a funnel-shaped member for guiding at least one glass gob into the rough mold, a blowing member for blowing pressurized air into the rough mold, and one or more members for treating the inner surface of the rough mold.
US08341971B2
An air conditioning control device for a vehicle has an air conditioner for conditioning air in a vehicle interior, an input receiving unit for receiving inputs of both planned departure time of the vehicle and a target temperature in the vehicle interior, a pre-air-conditioning control unit for starting operation of the air conditioner at an air conditioning start time before the planned departure time so that the temperature in the vehicle interior at the planned departure time becomes the target temperature, and an outdoor air temperature acquisition unit for acquiring outdoor air temperature. The pre-air-conditioning control unit changes the air conditioning operation start time based on the outdoor air temperature acquired by the outdoor air temperature acquisition unit.
US08341964B2
A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.
US08341961B2
A solar desalination system for creation of desalinated water from seawater that produces electricity includes: a) a solar furnace unit including a vessel for receiving and evaporating seawater to create desalinated steam and a solar energy concentrator positioned adjacent the vessel to concentrate solar energy to the vessel; b) input for feeding seawater to the vessel; c) brine output for removal of brine water bottoms from the vessel; d) a riser pipe connected at its bottom to the vessel and extending upwardly from for transporting steam from the vessel to a higher elevation electric power-producing steam turbine generator; f) a drop pipe having a top and a bottom, and being connected at its tops to the steam turbine generator for removal of desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; g) a hydroturbine generator connected to the bottom of the drop pipe for production of electric power with desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; and, h) egress for removal of desalinated water from the hydroturbine generator for subsequent use.
US08341958B2
A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated device capable of stress inducing the SMA to its martensite state to reset the device. The device having at least one SMA wire utilized to move a movable member from a first position to a second position. The device further configured to utilize force from a first source to reset the device when the SMA is at or below the first temperature, and utilize force from at least a second source to reset the device when the SMA is above the first temperature.
US08341954B2
A hydrodynamic coupling has an impeller and a turbine wheel that together form a toroidal working chamber. Viewed as an axial section through the hydrodynamic coupling the working chamber has a circular or essentially circular cross-section with a convexity in the axial direction on the circumference in the radially outer area of said turbine wheel and/or in the radially inner area of said impeller.
US08341923B2
A method of packing shutter panels including applying foam clips to sides of a shutter panel. The ends of the foam clips extend beyond ends of the shutter panel so that the ends of the foam clips overhang the panel. A plastic covering wrapped around the foam clips and the shutter panel is wrapped tight enough to compress and bend the ends of the foam clips inward toward the panel to form protective corners.
US08341910B2
A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot.
US08341909B2
The Profiled rail system (1) serves for bridging expansion joints, cavities and as an edging of floor coverings (3). System (1) has at least one web (9) aligned substantially parallel to the floor covering (3), which web (9) engages displaceably in a pocket (10). Pocket (10) is formed by a cover plate (13) overlapping the web (9) and a base plate (14) under the web (9). Pocket (10) is configured in at least two parts (11, 12). The first part (11) forms cover plate (13). The second part (12) forms base plate (14). The first part (11) and the second part (12) are held together. In a first embodiment, a undercut web (20) holds the parts together by a click connection. In a second embodiment, the parts are held together by at least one screw (18).
US08341900B2
Structure (1) for mounting, on a building wall, at least one frame (50) consisting of a rectangular framework (51), comprising a carcass (2) made of at least two uprights (3) and at least two crossbars (4) assembled so as to form at least one rectangular underframe (15) adapted for receiving a frame (50), and means for fixing at least one frame on the carcass, each upright (3) having a central core (31) bordered by two side wings (32, 33) comprising recesses (38, 39) for receiving the crossbars (4). Each crossbar (4) has a central core (40) and side wings (41, 42) comprising recesses in line with the uprights (3) at the intersections between the crossbars (4) and the uprights (3) in such a way that the wings of the uprights (3) and the crossbars (4), extending on the inner periphery of the rectangular underframe (15), form a projecting border on which a frame (5) may be fitted. Wall provided with a structure of this type on which panel-holding frames are mounted.
US08341896B2
Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed.
US08341892B2
A structure for awnings and arbours, comprising a supporting frame, provided with respective front columns, which are designed to support guide beams for a covering canopy and for at least one movable crosspiece, which is in turn associated with an end flap of the covering canopy.At least one collection duct for rainwater being provided with at least one sealing element, in order to prevent the penetration of water, and is also provided with at least one outlet for draining the water, which extends externally from the duct and is substantially faced towards at least one respective hole, which is defined in at least one respective tubular body, which is substantially vertical and is associated with a corresponding front column. The outlet is substantially accommodated within the hole when the crosspiece is in the configuration of maximum advancement towards the front columns and the covering canopy is completely extended.
US08341885B2
System for controlling a door enabling driving from an initial position of its travel in a first direction at a speed v1 as far as a final position, said control system comprising a safety function comprising means for keeping a door in operation despite its having suffered an impact against an obstacle situated on its travel and enabling it to continue its initial movement automatically as soon as said obstacle is removed, through a design reconciling a sufficiently high normal speed of movement v1 of the door with the intention to prevent damage both to the obstacle and to the door by reducing the speed to v3
US08341883B2
A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a lower portion and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot. The floral sleeve has a lower end having an angular arcuate portion for improving the conformation of the sleeve to the shape of a pot.
US08341875B2
A device for trapping and collecting snails in an aquatic environment. The device includes a basin with a lid having a top opening through which snails may enter, a floating screen to keep snails retained, and a standpipe to anchor the device to the bottom of a water body and to serve as a location for the deposit of snail eggs.
US08341874B2
A pest control device uses a replaceable glueboard to immobilize pests attracted to the pest control device. A unique guide is provided to help prevent the adhesive surface of the glueboards from coming into contact with other surfaces of the pest control device during installation and removal of such glueboards.
US08341866B1
Foldable and flippable adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching accessories to firearm rails. Accessories can include fore grips, and lights. Adapters can include a slidable thumb switch for locking a swinging plate with side rails to a main plate, and spring loaded detents for locking the swinging plate in substantially vertical orientations. A folding rail adapter can be substituted for the existing rail system on firearms to allow the rail to be directly attached to the firearm. A flipping rail adapter can have a pivotal lever which supports a folding rail in an open position. Springably biased detent pins allow the lever to lock open. Pushing the lever back will overcome the springs so that the pins can pass out of the detents allowing the folding rail to move to a folded position.
US08341861B2
Disclosed is a display structure in which an insertion opening, slide grooves, a first fitting portion and a ridged portion along which the display plate bends when the display plate is bent arranged in the loading sections of a support body in a suitable manner to ensure that when the display plate is inserted into or removed from the loading unit, a force is exerted on both sides of the display plate in either the direction from the display surface side to the rear surface side thereof or the direction from the rear surface side to the display surface side thereof, and a force is exerted in another direction at the center region of the display plate. As a result of configuring in this manner, the display plate deforms so that the entire display surface side comes to have a convex or concave shape, thereby allowing the display plate to be attached to or detached from the support body without forcible localized deformation of the display plate.
US08341858B2
An article of print media that includes an electronic module that has at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module and first means for closing the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown.
US08341856B2
Footwear is provided having a midsole platform, a full length insole and a orthotic midsole in the form of an orthotic shell received between the midsole platform and the insole. The orthotic shell has a heel portion to support a heel of a foot of a wearer and a forefoot portion to support a forefoot of the wearer at least in a region behind and near metatarsal heads of the foot. The orthotic shell is shaped to partially cup the heel and support the forefoot in one of a plurality of determined orientations. The footwear may further include a plurality of support plugs to support the orthotic shell in one of the determined orientations and a shank coupled to the midsole platform to increase torsional rigidity of the footwear with respect to a longitudinal length thereof. Methods of making footwear are also provided.
US08341854B2
A vacuum freeze-drying apparatus capable of rapid drying is provided. A cold trap for drying, which is arranged inside a drying chamber, is set to a low temperature of −70 degrees Celsius or below, and heat is supplied to frozen particles on a conveyor belt to a degree such that the frozen particles do not melt. The amount of the liquid component evaporating from the frozen particles increases, and the amount of the liquid component entering the frozen particles decreases so that the time for drying the frozen particles is shortened.
US08341851B1
An apparatus for indicating the position of a point detector bar having an outer surface and linked to a moveable point associated with a fixed rail utilizing a probe. The probe is moveable to contact and ride on the outer surface of the point detector bar. A housing is connected to the probe and is moveable toward point detector bar also. A leg is positioned relative to the housing to form a unit. The leg is moveable within and relative to the housing when the probe contacts a certain portion of the outer surface of the point detector bar. A driver is linked to the leg and the housing unit and moves the housing and connected probe toward the point detector bar. A signal generator alerts the relative movement between the housing and leg within the housing and the probe contacts a certain portion of the outer surface of the point detector bar which may take the form of an enlarged diameter area.
US08341847B2
A rotary cutter for a mower for mowing grass and the like with a cord of a desired length extending in a radial direction of a cutting head from the cutting head driven for rotation through a drive shaft is described. The rotary cutter includes at least one fastening element for fixing one end of the cord to a cutting head main body. An inner end portion of the cord inserted from a sidewall of the head main body is fastened by the fastening element. The cord is removed and replaced with a new cord when the cord is worn out. The cord fastening element is disposed near a drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion in the cutting head main body. A cord outlet for removing the cord is provided to the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion side. The inner end portion of the cord extends outside from the cord outlet and along a sidewall of the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion of the cutting head main body.
US08341842B2
A method of manufacturing a heat sink includes, firstly, providing a plurality of fins each having a head and a body extending from the head, providing a base having a plurality of studs protruding from a top surface thereof, and providing a cover defining a plurality of recesses in a bottom thereof for receiving the heads of the fins and a plurality of orfices for receiving the studs. Next, the cover and the base are pressed to sandwich the heads of the fins therebetween. Then the studs of the base are punched to expand the studs and cause the studs to intimately engage with the cover.
US08341840B2
A method of repairing a bearing of a wind turbine generator is provided which is able to more permanently repair a gap which occurred between a constituent member of the wind turbine generator and a bearing ring of the bearing. For example, in the case of repairing the gap 13 between the main shaft outer cylinder 10 of the wind turbine generator 1 and the outer ring 12A of the main bearing 12, the plate 40 is inserted between the main shaft outer cylinder 10 and the outer ring 12A, and also the plate 40 is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the main shaft outer cylinder 10 by the adhesive agent 41. On the other hand, slip is permitted between the plate 40 and the outer ring 12A of the main bearing 12.
US08341837B2
The invention describes apparatus for designing and installing power distribution systems for: residential, commercial and industrial applications, as well as for power distribution within electro-mechanical devices. The invention transforms existing labor-intense installations into practically plug-and-power type modular systems. For a specific project, pre-designed, fabricated and tested kit, including factory assembled and tested: power and control enclosures, power outlets and junction boxes, interface cables, as specified by the invention, will be delivered directly to the installation site. No labor intense operations: wire crimping, outlet/switch wiring, junction box wiring, load wiring. No exposed hot wires or leads at any point outside enclosure. The invention will: significantly lower labor costs, reduce installation time, improve safety, reliability and quality. Utilization of shielded cables and shielding of other components within a system, will significantly lower electrical power emissions, benefiting the environment for all—the end users and other technologies.
US08341823B1
The present invention provides a fixture and method for mounting a head window to a frame for use in a submarine periscope system. The fixture supports the head window during the potting of the head window to the frame. A spring-loaded clamping plate is mountable to a baseplate for relative movement therebetween. The clamping assembly has an oval recessed portion. A plurality of spaced apart feet are formed within the oval. The feet support and are bonded to the head window. Shim stock are placed between the feet to define a critical gap.
US08341819B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a thermal processing system and methods for uniformly heating and/or cooling a semiconductor wafer. Embodiments of the invention may be applied to provide a more uniform temperature profile when processing 300 mm and larger wafers having different curvature profiles that occur at the same and/or different points in a manufacturing cycle. Wafer curvature can be dependent on the number and thickness of the metal layers.
US08341817B2
An disassembling tool having at least two cams has a bolt having a connecting knob at one end and a threaded section formed at another end, the connecting knob having a first through aperture, a nut screwed onto the threaded section; a tightening cap covering the connecting knob and comprising two second through apertures corresponding to the first through aperture; an axel having a head portion and another end disposed through the first through aperture and the second through apertures, a round shaft formed at a middle section of the axel axel and coaxially pivoted with the first through aperture, a first control section and a second control section having an eccentric shape formed on two ends of the round shaft, and the first and second control sections respectively and synchronously driving the second through apertures; and a control handle used to control rotational movement of the axel.
US08341816B1
A tool for use in disconnecting a quick-connect air-hose coupler has a pair of arms, each arm having a tool end and a handle, the arms being hinged to each other for relative rotation in generally parallel planes, such that selected relative movement of the handles causes opposite relative movement of the tool ends. An incomplete ring is formed on each tool end, the rings being generally coaxial when the rings are adjacent to each other. An insert is configured for insertion into one of the rings, the insert comprising an opening of a selected width. The handles are able to be moved toward each other for causing the rings to move away from each other while the rings engage an air-hose coupler and a hose, so as to cause the insert in one of the rings to abut a movable sleeve of an air-hose coupler while other of the rings abuts an apparatus fixedly engaging the hose, so that when sufficient force is applied to the handles the sleeve is moved relative to a body of the coupler and to the hose for disconnecting the coupler from the hose. The width of the opening of the insert is selected according to the diameter of the hose.
US08341815B2
A laminate is prepared in which adjacent internal electrodes are electrically insulated from each other at an end surface at which the internal electrodes are exposed, a space between the adjacent internal electrodes, which is measured in the thickness direction of insulating layers, is about 10 μm or less when a withdrawn distance of the adjacent internal electrodes from the end surface is about 1 μm or less, and is about 20 μm or less when a protruding length of the adjacent internal electrodes from the end surface is at least about 0.1 μm. In an electroplating step, electroplating deposits deposited on the ends of the adjacent internal electrodes are grown so as to be connected to each other.
US08341812B2
A cremated remains memorial container including a box defining an upper box opening, a picture frame panel attached to the box such that a picture slot is defined between the picture frame panel, and a cover panel that is disposed in the picture slot and has an indented portion extending into the upper box opening. The cover panel is formed from an opaque material, and is slid into the picture slot after the cremated remains are inserted into the box, thereby obscuring the remains. A picture is then inserted in the remaining (residual) space between the cover panel and the picture frame through the picture slot opening. The indented portion of the cover panel engages with the inner edge of the upper box opening, whereby subsequent removal of the cover panel from the picture slot is resisted during removal/replacement of the picture.
US08341810B2
A fastening or mounting apparatus for releasably joining two objects is disclosed. The apparatus has a first component and a second component. The first component may include a plate, two side walls and two flanges extending from the side walls. The second component may include a plate, a first lip and a second lip. The first lip has a cavity holding a resilient element. The second lip may have a convex portion and at least partially define a detent. One of the flanges engages with the resilient element in the cavity while the two components are non-parallel. The first flange compresses the resilient element while the second flange contacts the convex portion. The resilient element biases the second flange against the detent once the two components are parallel.
US08341804B2
A grommet is provided which can reduce an insertion load without decreasing a disengagement load of an inserting member. The inserting member, having a leg portion and a head portion formed by increasing the diameter of a tip end of the leg portion, is inserted from one end side of a body portion of the grommet into an insertion hole and attached to an inserted member with the grommet interposed. On the one end side from a groove portion formed in an outer circumferential surface of the body portion, a diameter of the insertion hole is equal to or larger than a diameter of the head portion. On the other end side from the groove portion, the grommet has a small diameter portion in which a diameter of the insertion hole is smaller than the diameter of the head portion and is equal to or larger than a diameter of the leg portion.
US08341799B2
A universal connector (100) is adapted to connect a wiper blade assembly (20, 102) with a variety of wiper arm ends (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316). In order to connect side pin type wiper arm ends (302, 304, 306), the connector includes a pin hole (216) having a figure “8” shape defined by larger and smaller overlapping lobes (218, 220). A flexible tongue (222) carried by the connector (100) includes a pair of scalloped pawls (224, 226) aligned with the respective larger and smaller lobes (218, 220) so as to engage either a ¼″ or 3/16″ wiper arm side pin (302-306). In order to connect wiper arm ends having hook slots (310, 312, 314 316), the connector (100) includes a generally planar upper landing (204), a generally planar lower return (206), and a forward nose profile (208). Sides (210) include cantilevered extensions (212) projecting beyond the nose profile (208) and which carry a pair of 9×4 stops (214) set below the plane of the lower return (206) by a clearance gap. When assembling a 9×3 hook end (316), the 9×4 stop (214) is bypassed entirely due to the clearance gap. However, when a 9×4 hook arm (310, 312, 314) is used, the 9×4 stops (214) retain the hook arm (310, 312, 314) in position.
US08341795B2
A disposable liquid absorbing cleaning pad for a mop includes a layer of sponge material, a layer of flexible open cell foam material made from melamine resin fixedly attached to the layer of sponge material and attachment structure secured to the layer of sponge material for removably attaching the cleaning pad to the mop. In using the cleaning pad, the layer of flexible open cell foam material made from melamine resin is the layer that contacts the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning pad may be provided with a suitable attachment structure for mounting the pad onto a butterfly mop, a squeeze mop or a roller mop.
US08341779B2
A bed has a head section and a foot section. The bed can assume a horizontal position and at least one position in which the foot section is at an angle relative to horizontal. For instance, the bed may assume a chair position, in which the head section is pivoted upwardly and the foot section is pivoted downwardly, to a substantially vertical position.Casters allow the bed to move relative to the floor. The casters can retract toward the head section of the bed as the foot section pivots downwardly toward the floor.
US08347411B2
The scanning probe microscope has a primary control loop (7, 11, 12) for keeping the phase and/or amplitude of deflection at constant values as well as a secondary control loop (9) that e.g. keeps the frequency of the cantilever oscillation constant by applying a suitable DC voltage to the probe while, at the same time, a conservative AC excitation is applied thereto. By actively controlling the frequency with the first control loop (7, 11, 12) and subsequently controlling the DC voltage in order to keep the frequency constant, a fast system is created that allows to determine the contact potential difference or a related property of the sample (3) quickly.
US08347406B2
An image processing apparatus includes a generation unit configured to scan a document and generate an original image, a decoding unit configured to decode a two-dimensional code on the original image generated in the generation unit to obtain original information, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the original information obtained in the decoding unit contains a password. The image processing apparatus also includes a conversion unit configured to convert the original image generated by the generation unit into an electronic file attaching the password if the determination unit determines that the original information contains the password, and convert the original image generated by the generation unit into an electronic file without attaching the password if the determination unit determines that the original information does not contain the password, and a sending unit configured to send the electronic file obtained by the conversion in the conversion unit.
US08347400B2
This disclosure provides a document access method and system. The document access method and system are based on a social network model which interconnects members of the social network as a function of trust. This framework provides a basis for documents to be accessed by members which are not directly specified by a document's owner, while providing a certain degree of document security.
US08347398B1
A keyboarded a mix of private and public text composing a source-text document is submitted through an encryption adapter intersituated in a data signal link between the keyboard and a computer system. A user selects and obfuscates the private text character portions with surrogate cloak characters in concurrent alternation with direct entry of the public text characters. A resultant protected document's data signal is safeguarded for editing and data storage without revelation of the private text content. The protected document is sufficiently secure for submission into a cloud computing environment and is immune to key-entry tracking malware. Clandestine hacking of residual data remaining in the computer firmware is negated in interpretative value by enabling the user's selective obfuscation of the source-text document's private text character content with surrogate cloak characters prior to entry into the computer system's keyboard input port.
US08347393B2
A method and system for generating a signature for determining whether a web page is in a first state or a second state, comprising the steps of selecting a plurality of web pages for processing, requesting the web pages in the first state, dividing the first state pages into a first set of text blocks, requesting the web pages in the second state, dividing the second state pages into a second set of text blocks, eliminating from the first and second sets the text blocks that are common between the first and second set, generating a signature comprising the text blocks of the first set as a component indicative of the first state and the text blocks of the second set as a component indicative of the second state.
US08347390B2
A messaging server forwards emails to mobile communication devices of users to whom the emails were respectively addressed. An antivirus server determines whether an email addressed to a user of a mobile communication device, to be forwarded by the messaging server to the mobile communication device, is infected with a virus. In response to determining the email is infected with a virus, a bulletin generator transmits, to the mobile communication devices besides the mobile communication device of the addressee of the email determined to be infected, an all points bulletin message disclosing the existence of the virus. The bulletin message is transmitted directly to, instead of via email to, the wireless mobile communication devices.
US08347387B1
A computer includes a processor. When an instruction to be executed by the processor involves writing to memory, the write can be redirected to a temporary area of memory. The correct amount of data can then be copied from the temporary area to the original target memory address. The advantages of the invention can be achieved, among other possibilities, via re-compiling the program or modifying instructions before execution.
US08347381B1
Access of a social networking profile on a social networking website is detected. Characteristics of the social networking profile are analyzed to determine whether the social networking profile is malicious. Responsive to determining that the social networking profile is malicious, the social networking profile is reported as being malicious.
US08347380B1
A method and system for protecting users from accidentally disclosing personal information in an insecure environment. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring I/O device input data associated with a guest operating system on a virtualization platform. The guest operating system has less privilege than a privileged operating system on the virtualization platform. The method further includes determining whether the I/O device input data corresponds to personal information of a user, and delaying or blocking the transfer of the I/O device input data to the guest operating system if the I/O device input data corresponds to the personal information of the user.
US08347379B2
A printing system includes a host terminal apparatus (e.g., personal computer) and an image forming apparatus (e.g., printer). The personal computer transmits print data to the printer. The printer is connected to the host terminal apparatus over a network, the printer being capable of embedding a watermark pattern into the print data received from the host terminal apparatus. The watermark pattern contains an item of information that identifies a user who actually picks up a printed output of said image forming apparatus. The watermark pattern contains information that identifies a user who activates printing of the print data. The printer includes a user identifying section that identifies a user who actually picks up the printed output.
US08347370B2
Systems and methods for authenticating electronic transactions are provided. The authentication methods employ a combination of security features and communication channels. These security features can be based, for example, on unique knowledge of the person being authenticated, a unique thing that the person has, unique personal features and attributes of the person, the ability of the person to respond, and to do so in a fashion that a machine cannot, and so forth. Methods for enrolling the person prior to authentication are also provided, as well as systems for enrollment and authentication.
US08347369B2
A system and method for communication security receives a request from a first communication device for communication with a second communication device, and determines if the communication is to be secure. The system and method further requests identity verification from the second communication device if the communication is to be secure. In addition, the system and method establishes a secure communication between the first communication device and the second communication device when a valid password is received from the second communication device.
US08347368B2
Accuracy of user validation is improved without reducing user's convenience. When a authentication request packet is received from a terminal, when the authentication is successful based on a user ID and a password (affirmative in 34), an HTTP header and user-agent (UA) information are extracted from the packet and an access source IP address is also extracted (36), and user authentication is performed by verifying the access source IP address and the UA information against usage history information (38, 44, and 46) where at most two sets of the IP address and the UA information extracted from the authentication request packet which is received from the same user previously are registered. When the set of the IP address and the UA information corresponding to the new extracted IP address and the new extracted UA information is registered in the usage history information, it is determined that the authentication is successful, and the usage history information is overwritten with the new IP address and the new UA information (52, 54, 60, and 62).
US08347367B1
A technique of allowing entry of the password which is not 100% correct. This password would be used to verify identity and/or login information in low security techniques. The password is scored relative to the correct password. The scoring can take into effect least mean squares differences, and other information such as letter groups, thereby detecting missed characters or extra characters, as well as shift on the keyboard.
US08347366B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for searching neighboring Bluetooth® devices through an external terminal having programming capability. The inventive method provides for a slave Bluetooth® device to receive, from the external terminal, the MAC address and optional device name from a target Bluetooth® device.
US08347363B2
In a contents retrieval system, when a publisher terminal uploads shared contents to a shared server, the shared server stores the shared contents in a contents area of a contents database, a partial data formation section forms partial data specifying the shared contents and stores the formed partial data in a partial data area, and a URL generation section forms a URL linked to the shared contents and stores the URL in a URL area. When the contents retrieval section receives partial data from the retriever terminal, it collates the received partial data with the partial data in partial data area of the contents database. When the partial data is found, the contents retrieval section replies a URL of the corresponding shared contents to the retriever terminal.
US08347361B2
The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data via one or more stations to the station on the first level to authenticate the station on the first level. The authentication station maintains a record of each authenticated station on the first level. A location management station monitors the location of each authenticated station on the first level with respect to its connectivity, whether directly or indirectly, with one or more stations on the second level. Where a station on the first level attempts to communicate with another station on any level and is assisted by a station on another level, the assisting station transmits connectivity data directly, or indirectly via other stations, to the station on the first level and/or to an intermediate station.
US08347360B2
A device receives an identity claim associated with a user of a shared device, and determines whether the identity claim is valid. The device also determines one of an individual identification or a group identification to affiliate with the shared device when the identity claim is determined to be valid. The device further provides one or more preferences and privileges to the shared device based on the one of an individual identification or a group identification affiliated with the shared device.
US08347358B2
Techniques to protect from open enhanced federation user enumeration are described. An apparatus may include a network interface operative to establish connections. The access edge server may further include an open enhanced federation (OEF) module communicatively coupled to the network interface. The OEF module may be operative to manage connections between multiple federated networks. In one embodiment, for example, the OEF module may comprise a peer authentication module operative to determine whether a peer making the request is an untrusted peer domain. The OEF module may further comprise a peer tracking module operative to retrieve a total request number and a total limit number associated with the untrusted peer, and compare the total request number with the total limit number to form a threat status indicator value. The OEF module may also comprise a peer authorization module operative to authorize the request based on the threat status indicator value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08347350B2
A new approach to network security includes manipulating an access point such that an initial communication from an external device is passed to a restricted subset of a computing network including a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is configured to enforce a security policy against the external device before granting access to a less-restricted subset of the computing network. If requirements of the security policy are satisfied, then the gatekeeper reconfigures the access point such that further communication from the external device may be received by elements of the less-restricted subset. Enforcement of the security policy optionally includes performing a security audit of the external device.
US08347348B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for pre-boot policy modification. A key module exchanges a key with a server in a secure environment. A communication module receives a policy encoded with the key. A decode module decodes the encoded policy using the key and saves the policy setting prior to booting an operating system on the computer. An update module boots the computer using the policy.
US08347344B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs for measuring performance of remote video delivery are presented. The method embeds at a server computer a marker in selected frames of a video stream. The marker includes a preconfigured sequence of pixels and is followed by a frame number encoded in the pixel data. The method then finds a first marker at a client computer to determine the location of the markers in a display. Once the location of the markers is determined, markers in following frames are detected with their corresponding frame numbers. The method stores the arrival times and frame numbers for each detected marker. The stored arrival times and frame numbers can be used for statistical performance analysis of remote video delivery.
US08347332B2
There is provided a TV set including a content-related information control section which transmits the one or plurality of pieces of viewed content identification information to an ECG server and receives, from the ECG server, content-related information related to content having a relationship with respect to viewed content identified by each of the transmitted one or plurality of pieces of viewed content identification information, and a display control section which causes the display section to display an image based on image data included in each of one or a plurality of pieces of content-related information corresponding to content tuning information the input of which is accepted by an input section from among respective pieces of content-related information that the content-related information control section have received.
US08347320B2
In one embodiment, a method includes specifying an application-specific navigation model of an event-driven application; analyzing the navigation model with respect to one or more navigation requirements of the event-driven application to determine whether the event-driven application satisfies the navigation requirements; generating one or more drivers for the event-driven application based on the navigation model; and traversing the navigation model with the application-independent event drivers to analyze the event-driven application with respect to one or more business-logic requirements of the event-driven application to determine whether the event-driven application satisfies the business-logic requirements.
US08347306B2
A computer implemented method and system for determining resource usage of a tenant in a multi-tenant architecture. The method includes the steps of: recording, within predetermined time intervals, total consumption of each resource in each predetermined time interval; obtaining total times of calling each operation by each tenant in each predetermined time interval; calculating consumption of each resource during each operation based on the total times and the total consumption obtained within the period of time; and calculating usage of each resource by each tenant within the period of time based on the calculated consumption of each resource during each operation and the total times of calling each operation of each tenant in each predetermined time interval. The system includes apparatus for performing the above method.
US08347290B2
Methods and apparatus involve monitoring spin locks for guest devices. Fully virtualized guests have multiple virtual processors configured under the scheduling control of a hypervisor on a physical hardware platform. The hypervisor posts On CPU and CR3 load information to shared communications pages for each of the processors. A monitoring module in the guest device monitors the pages to ascertain forward progress of the processors. If forward progress is being made, the virtual processors continue to spin. If not, the CPU's control is variously relinquished. The monitoring module typifies a kernel driver so that the guest can maintain an unmodified operating system. Ticket spin locks, and their ordering, are also considered as are computations for lock owners. Other features contemplate computing systems and computer program products, to name a few.
US08347289B2
In one embodiment, functional system elements are added to an autonomic manager to enable automatic online sample interval selection. In another embodiment, a method for determining the sample interval by continually characterizing the system workload behavior includes monitoring the system data and analyzing the degree to which the workload is stationary. This makes the online optimization method less sensitive to system noise and capable of being adapted to handle different workloads. The effectiveness of the autonomic optimizer is thereby improved, making it easier to manage a wide range of systems.
US08347288B1
A physical computer system includes a processor and a memory configured to store instructions executable by the processor to implement a virtualization module, which in turn implements virtual machine(s) as a service on behalf of clients. Each virtual machine executes an operating system that is distinct from any underlying operating system executed by the physical computer system. The virtualization module instructs that the virtual machine(s) perform a computation that has been identified as a repeatable computation, to generate an original terminal state of the repeatable computation. In response to a request to repeat the repeatable computation, the virtualization module instructs that the virtual machine(s) perform the repeatable computation to generate a new terminal state of the repeatable computation, and, dependent upon a comparison of the original and new terminal states, to determine whether the repeatable computation has been successfully repeated according to a success criterion.
US08347287B2
A method is provided for localizing a server application using a client-side translator. A client device selects a locale specific resource file using client locale information stored in a client operating system or provided by a user. The client locale information may be sent to a server. The client may download a locale specific resource file associated with the server application or install a locale specific resource file from a computer readable medium. The server application sends a displayable string to the client device. The displayable string may be a lookup key to mapping a locale specific string in the locale specific resource file to the displayable string. The displayable string may be replaced by the locale specific string corresponding to a translation of the displayable string. The locale specific string displays on the client device.
US08347283B2
A system and a method are disclosed for automatic installation and maintenance of hardware and/or software in the system nodes of a distributed computer system, in particular in a distributed automation system, comprising a system installation and/or system maintenance tool that can be activated from every system node of the distributed system. The system installation and/or system maintenance tool (WZ) selects a software package and/or a functional component, and automatically executes the maintenance steps of the selected software package and/or of the selected functional component as regards the distribution, installation and/or configuration of the software package and/or of the selected functional component in a defined sequence on the system nodes (SK) of the distributed system.
US08347280B2
A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify different game devices and other related activities. The slot management system includes a validator that validates assignments to modify game devices.
US08347279B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to dependency maintenance when updating a base application and provide a method, system and computer program product for base and stack application dependency synchronization when updating the base application. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for base and stack application dependency synchronization can be provided for when updating the base application in a multi-application software system. The method can include separating an update to the multi-application software system into a core update for a base application in the multi-application software system and multiple different anchors, each anchor corresponding to at least one stack application. The method further can include installing the core update to the base application and only those of the anchors corresponding to those of the stack applications installed for the base application.
US08347273B2
A specification of a routine name of a root of a call tree and a specification of a desired depth of call tree tracing are obtained. Upon entering a given routine in a program, a determination is made whether the given routine is the root. Responsive to determining that the given one of the routines is the root, trace information for the routine forming the root is output. Furthermore, upon entering a given one of the routines called, directly or indirectly, by the routine forming the root, a determination is made whether the given one of the routines called, directly or indirectly, by the routine forming the root of the call tree is within the desired depth from the routine forming the root of the call tree; and if this is the case, trace information is output for given one of the routines called, directly or indirectly, by the routine forming the root of the call tree.
US08347264B2
An automation collaborative framework (ACF) is provided. The ACF includes an abstract automated model (AAM) that defines a generic data management scheme. The AAM is extended so as to define an extended data management scheme according to control solutions received from a user. A concrete automation model (CAM) then implements a concrete data management scheme, in which the concrete data management scheme is derived as a function of the generic data management scheme and the extended data management scheme.
US08347258B2
A package includes a die and at least one further die. The die has an interface configured to receive a transaction request from the further die via an interconnect and to transmit a response to the transaction request to said further die via the interconnect. The die also has mapping circuitry which is configured to allocate to the received transaction a local source identity information as source identity information, the local source identity information comprising one of a set of reusable local source identity information. This ensures the order of transactions tagged with a same original source identity and target and allows transactions tagged with different source identifiers to be processed out of order.
US08347256B2
A circuit design assist system that receives a user instruction for registering an interface section of at least two circuits as a template, and generates a plurality of circuit patterns of the interface section, each pattern having a different combination of electrical properties of at least one device included in the interface section for evaluation. When an evaluation result indicates that the interface section operates normally for each of the circuit patterns, the circuit design assist system registers the interface section as the template.
US08347245B2
A method generates hardware description language (HDL) code from a model having a plurality of components, including at least one component that processes frame-based input data. A selected preference is received for implementing the frame-based component. The generated HDL code includes a hardware implementation of the frame-based component that satisfies the selected preference.
US08347240B2
A mechanism is provided for converting a set of single-layer design rules into a set of split-layer design rules for double patterning lithography (DPL). The set of single-layer design rules and minimum lithographic resolution pitch constraints for single exposure are identified. The set of single-layer design rules comprise a first plurality of minimum distances that are required by a set of first shapes in a single-layer design. Each of the first plurality of minimum distances in the set of single-layer design rules are modified with regard to the minimum lithographic resolution pitch constraints for single exposure, thereby forming the set of split-layer design rules. The set of split-layer design rules comprise a second plurality of minimum distances that are required by a set of second shapes and a set of third shapes in a split-layer design. The set of split-layer design rules are then coded into a design rule checker.
US08347239B2
A computer is programmed to use at least one rule to identify from within a layout of an IC design, a set of regions likely to fail if fabricated unchanged. An example of such a rule of detection is to check for presence of two neighbors neither of which fully overlaps a short wire or an end of a long wire. The computer uses at least another rule to change at least one region in the set of regions, to obtain a second layout which is less likely to fail in the identified regions. An example of such a rule of correction is to elongate at least one of the two neighbors. The computer may perform optical rule checking (ORC) in any order relative to application of the rules, e.g. ORC can be performed between detection rules and correction rules i.e. performed individually on each identified region prior to correction.
US08347225B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively displaying content corresponding to web page elements. A web page element can comprise one or more DIV tags that may be used to encapsulate and identify other elements and information. The first name and the first address of the element are stored. In a receiving operation, a display request to visibly display the element, is received. A received display request identifies the first name or the first address, or both, of the element. In response to receiving the display request, content associated with the first address, and at least a portion of the content comprising the identified element are retrieved. The content to obtain the identified element is parsed, and the identified element is subsequently displayed.
US08347224B2
In a content viewing apparatus, an acquisition unit acquires a content set including one or more contents, and a conversion unit converts each content in the content set acquired by the acquisition unit into a predetermined format. An arrangement unit arranges indication information of each content subjected to the conversion performed by the conversion unit such that the indication information of each content is displayed on a display device in such a manner that indication information of each content is arranged along a time axis according to date/time information associated with each content thereby making it possible to use each content via the corresponding indication information. In accordance with an operation command input by a user, a display control unit controls displaying of the indication information of all contents as a whole, displayed on the display device by the arrangement unit, along the time axis.
US08347216B2
A mobile terminal for providing a video sharing function in a multi-party call state and its video sharing method are disclosed. When a video sharing menu is selected while a user is performing individual call communication or multi-party call communication, one or a plurality of video share keys in relation to a user selected for video sharing are displayed, so that the user can select a desired one of the displayed video share keys to share video with the selected user. In addition, a video share authority change key is disposed on the screen of a terminal set as a video share authority (chief authority) change target, so that a corresponding terminal can select the video share authority change key during individual or multi-party video sharing to acquire the authority of video sharing (chief authority) from a terminal currently having the authority of video sharing, thus perform bi-directional video sharing in real time.
US08347209B2
According to the present invention, when a style relating to a dimension of all elements included in a subtree of a structured document is set in a relative unit, all these elements can be displayed in the same style. The user terminal 100 allocates a drawing area to each key when drawing each key configuring a key string of a tree structure, determines a root of a subtree to which a specific key belongs when a style whose format relating to dimension is expressed in the relative unit is set to the key, and converts the style expressed in the relative unit into an absolute unit with the drawing area allocated to the root of the subtree as reference and draws the key according to style expressed in the absolute unit.
US08347206B2
Techniques are described for performing automatic generation of one or more tags associated with an image file. One or more ink annotations for a displayed image are received. Handwriting recognition processing of the one or more ink annotations is performed. A string is generated and the string includes one or more recognized words used to form the one or more tags associated with the image file. The handwriting recognition processing and generating the string are performed in response to receiving the ink annotations.
US08347205B2
In one embodiment, a method for generating a publication is provided. The method includes determining a template for one or more pages of the publication. A structured document for the publication is generated where the structured document includes entry fields corresponding to the one or more addressable blocks. The structured document is then sent to one or more entities to allow users to input information for different versions of the publication. After the entities enter in information, a structured document is received from each of the plurality of entities. Information in the structured document refers to version information. A design application version of the structured document is then generated from the different structured documents received from the plurality of entities. The plurality of versions of the publication is then automatically generated.
US08347202B1
A system and method for tagging place names with geographic location coordinates, the place names associated with a collection of objects in a memory of a computer system. The system and method process a text string within an object stored in memory to identify a first potential place name. The system and method determine whether geographic location coordinates are known for the first potential place name. The system and method identify the first potential place name associated with an object in the memory as a place name. The system and method tag the first identified place name associated with an object in the memory with its geographic location coordinates, when the geographic location coordinates for the first identified place name are known. The system and method disambiguate place names when multiple place names are found.
US08347195B1
Systems and methods are provided for enhancing the performance and throughput of a low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder. In some embodiments, the enhanced performance and throughput may be achieved by detecting and correcting near-codewords before the decoder iterates up to a predetermined number of iterations. In some embodiments, a corrector runs concurrently with the decoder to correct a near-codeword when the near-codeword is detected. In alternate embodiments, the corrector is active while the decoder is not active. Both embodiments allow for on-the-fly codeword error corrections that improve the performance (e.g., reducing the number of errors) without decreasing the throughput of the decoder.
US08347192B1
Parallel Reed Solomon error correction can be performed using dot products in finite fields while factoring out multiplier reduction. A finite field accumulator with left and right shifts of the polynomial dot products is used to generate the final result using a fixed dot product core and a small number of post processing Galois Field multiplies. An efficient Reed Solomon decoder for transmission, storage, and processing operations can be implemented in a small area while being easily scalable.
US08347191B1
A receiver, including a memory unit and a processor, wherein the memory unit stores a sorted parity check matrix that is sorted according to reliabilities of columns; wherein reliabilities of columns are responsive to values of information elements of a soft demodulated received information block, wherein the processor is adapted to: (a) iterate over columns of the sorted parity check matrix to find independent columns and dependent columns; (b) find non-redundant dependent columns out of the dependent columns; wherein the finding is responsive to a relationship between a reliability of a dependent column and a reliabilities of multiple independent columns on which the dependent column depends; (c) select, out of a group of combinations of columns, a selected combination; wherein each combination of the group equals a syndrome; wherein the group of combinations includes independent columns and the non-redundant dependent columns; and (d) correct errors in response to the selected combination.
US08347190B2
An encoder structure for an error correcting code with arbitrary parity positions is presented. The invention is effective for all error correcting codes whose parity check matrix is of the Vandermonde type. In contrast to conventional encoder circuits, the parity symbols produced by this encoder are not restricted to form a block of consecutive parity symbols at the beginning or at the end of a codeword, but may be spread arbitrarily within the codeword. A general structure of the parity check matrix for such a code is found by exploiting the special Vandermonde structure of matrices. From this general parity check matrix, an expression for the evaluation of the parity symbols in terms of a polynomial with limited degree is derived. An efficient hardware implementation of the proposed encoder is suggested.
US08347188B2
An apparatus and method of an outer Forward Error Correcting (FEC) code for a mobile broadcast service based on TD-SCDMA network is disclosed.
US08347186B1
A systematic encoder such as a systematic polar encoder for channel encoding to ameliorate the effects of noise in a transmission channel. The codeword carries a data word to be transmitted transparently, and also carries a parity part derived from the data word and a fixed word. Implementations advantageously reduce coding complexity to the order of N log(N), wherein N is the dimension of a matrix of the nth Kronecker power associated with a matrix effectively employed by the encoder.
US08347178B2
A method, a device, and an apparatus for correcting bursts are disclosed. The method includes: calculating a correction vector according to a received codeword and a check matrix, wherein the check matrix is an Overlapped Quasi Dual Diagonal Matrix; determining a length and position of a burst according to a longest zero element vector between two nonzero elements in the correction vector when the correction vector is nonzero; and calculating out an error mode according to the correction vector and the length of the burst, obtaining an error mode polynomial according to the error mode, correcting the received codeword according to the error mode polynomial, and obtaining a corrected codeword polynomial. The PBC-based implementation method for cyclic codes herein can correct more burst errors than the conventional cyclic code decoding method.
US08347171B2
A semiconductor memory device capable of reducing current consumption in a partial-array self-refresh (PASR) mode includes a plurality of banks and at least one parity bank. A specific area to be self-refreshed is individually selected from each of some banks selected out of the plurality of banks to perform a self-refresh operation. Data of the specific area to be self-refreshed is verified using an error correction code (ECC) stored in the parity bank.
US08347169B1
A system and method are provided for creating codewords using common partial parity products. The method initially accepts an algorithm for creating p indexed parity bit positions, where the parity bit for each position is calculated from mathematical operations performed on bits from n indexed user word positions. A first group of parity bit positions is found, where the parity bit for each position in the first group is calculated using at least a first number of common mathematical operations. A second group of parity bit positions is found, where the parity bit for each position in the second group is calculated using at least a second number of common mathematical operations. The common mathematical operations are subtracted from the first and second group of parity bit position calculations, so that unique mathematical operations can be found, associated with each parity bit position calculation in the first and second group.
US08347166B2
A device and a method for optimally adjusting transmitter parameters are provided to optimize transmission performance of a digital signal system. The device comprises an error signal analyzing unit and a step length adjustment unit which are connected in signal with each other; the error signal analyzing unit analyzes an error signal and makes a determination to carry out a transmitter parameter adjustment operation; the step length adjustment unit calculates and determines an adjustment direction and an adjustment step length of the transmitter parameter; and a transmitter parameter adjusting unit carries out operations of direction adjustment and step length adjustment of the transmitter parameter according to the result of the determination.
US08347164B2
A method for transmitting data by using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) is provided. A base station allocates a radio resource for a non-acknowledgement (NACK) channel which is used to transmit a NACK signal for multi-user data of a plurality of UEs, transmits the multi-user data, and retransmits the multi-user data when receiving the NACK signal on the NACK channel from at least one UE which receives the multi-user data.
US08347156B2
A test system for performing tests on devices under test (DUTs) includes a storage device storing test data for performing the tests on the DUTs, a shared processor for generating the test data, storing the test data in the storage device and generating a test control signal including one or more test instructions for executing the tests, and, for each DUT, a dedicated processor configured to receive a test control signal from the shared processor, and in response to the test control signal, transfer the test data for one of the test instructions to the DUT to execute that test instruction and verify the completion of that test instruction.
US08347152B2
A PHY abstraction mapping between the link level and system level performance is presented based on mapping between the mean RBIR (Received Bit Information Rate) of the transmitted symbols and their received LLR values after symbol-level ML detection in SISO/MIMO wireless systems, such as WiMAX. In MIMO antenna configuration, the mapping is presented for both vertical and horizontal encoding. An embodiment of this invention provides the PER/BLER prediction in the actual system, enabling the system to use more aggressive methods to improve the system performance.
US08347145B2
An embodiment of the present invention may provide a method and system for event notification, performance and/or risk assessment based on mission impact that may be due to actual and/or potential info-structure disruptions. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more network event messages may be received from a source or multiple sources. An operational mission impacted by a network event may be identified based on a received network event message and mapping with an operational architecture task identifier associated with the impacted operational mission and an element identifier associated with a source element.
US08347144B2
A method for reducing false alarms in a monitoring system comprising the steps of: providing an initial fault set (or a preliminary fault set) and using a decision process to successively reduce this initial fault set to a fault ensemble, said decision process using increasing probability or confidence in the initial fault set to generate the fault ensemble, which is considered to reflect a true abnormal condition; the decision process comprising at least two steps: the first step is generating a preliminary fault set by using a standard anomaly detection method with the additional variable (or adaptive) thresholds or temporal filters; the second step is using the preliminary fault set to generate at least one fault ensemble, each of which comprises a reduced number of refined faults that represent a more confident explanation of the cause(s) of an abnormal condition.
US08347142B2
A primary I/O adapter and a redundant I/O adapter of a data processing system are assigned to support access to a system resource. While the primary I/O adapter is in service and the redundant I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, a fail over command is issued to remove the primary I/O adapter from service and place the redundant I/O adapter in service in supporting access to the system resource. While the redundant I/O adapter is in service and the primary I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, diagnostic testing on the primary I/O adapter is performed. In response to the diagnostic testing revealing no fault in the primary I/O adapter, a fail back command is issued to restore the primary I/O adapter to service and to remove the redundant I/O adapter from service.
US08347138B2
A flash storage device comprises a plurality of channels of flash storage, a system memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to cache, in the system memory, data to be written, to partition the data into a plurality of data portions, to generate error correction information based on the plurality of data portions, to write the error correction information to a first one or more of the plurality of channels of flash storage, and to write each of the plurality of data portions to a different one of the plurality of channels of flash storage other than the first one or more thereof.
US08347136B2
An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof includes an image forming unit to form images, a main control unit to control operations of the image forming unit; a switching unit to selectively supply an operating voltage to the main control unit according to a level of the voltage control, a power mode selecting unit to convert an on state or an off state according to a user's operation, a first voltage determining unit to determine a level of the control voltage according to the state of the power mode selecting unit, and a second voltage determining unit to determine the level of the control voltage in parallel with the first voltage determining unit, according to the control signal output from the main control unit.
US08347128B2
A data processing device connects to a first display and operates in a power state including a power-off state, a recording standby state, and a power-on state. A second display displays an operation state of the data processing device. A power controller supplies electric power to a driver in the power-on state and the recording standby state, and stops supplying the electric power in the power-off state. The second display indicates that power is ON in the power-on state, and indicates that the power is OFF in the recording standby state and the power-off state. The power controller switches the power state from the recording standby state to the power-on state when a signal instructing start of a recording operation is received from the first display and the power state is the recording standby state.
US08347126B2
A current limiting and averaging circuit for driving a peripheral core circuit with a lower limit current value in response to a supply signal, includes a current limiting module, an energy storage module, and a converter module. The current limiting module provides a limited supply signal whose current value is smaller than or equal to an upper limit value according to the supply signal. The energy storage module stores a storage signal according to the limited supply signal when the upper limit value is higher than the lower limit current value and provides a discharge signal according to the storage signal when the upper limit value is lower than the lower limit current value. The converter module provides a driving signal for driving the peripheral core circuit in response to the limited supply signal or the limited supply signal and the discharge signal.
US08347123B2
Exemplary techniques for turning off the clock signal to flip flops are described, which may reduce power consumption by electronic devices. In an implementation, a clock-gating logic turns off the clock signal to a flip flop when a data input of the flip flop remains untoggled. The reduction in power consumption is envisioned to also reduce heat generation.
US08347118B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for managing a power state of an audio device resident in a graphics processing unit. The method includes the steps of directing audio data originated from a client application via an audio path in an audio driver stack to the audio device, determining whether an active stream of audio data along the audio path is present in response to a notification of an attempt to shut down the graphics processing unit, and requesting a plug and play manager to disable the audio device, if no active stream of audio data is present along the audio path.
US08347117B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises: an electronic apparatus powered by one of a plurality of electric power sources, comprising: a power supply unit for providing the interior of the electronic apparatus with the electric power from one of the electric power sources alternatively; and a controller for requesting user authentication when supply of the electric power to the interior of the electric apparatus is switched from one of the power sources to another.
US08347115B2
A data storage system providing transparent encryption. The data storage system has a hardware encryption/decryption engine and a register coupled to the hardware encryption/decryption engine. The register is for securely storing a key for encrypting and decrypting data. The key may not be read from outside the data storage system. More specifically, the key may not be read by the operating system. The user does not have access to the encryption key, but may have a password that is passed to a controller coupled to the encryption/decryption engine. The controller verifies the password and causes data received from main memory to be encrypted by the hardware encryption/decryption engine using the key. The controller also transfers the encrypted data to the data storage device.
US08347109B2
An apparatus and a method for generating serial numbers is described. In one embodiment, a block cipher encrypter encrypts an application identifier and a sequence of random numbers to generate a signature. The block cipher encrypter is associated with a serial number key. The application identifier, the sequence of random numbers, and the signature are concatenated to generate a serial number. An encoder encodes the serial number into a string.
US08347108B2
The proposed system defines an automated safe reprogramming of software radios. The essence of software radios is to enhance or alter the functionality of a mobile terminal by using software. This means that the required software is downloaded onto a mobile terminal on the fly to meet the critical and necessary needs of the user. Lot of caution needs to be exercised while downloading the necessary software components on the fly. The proposed invention automates the validation and verification of the downloaded component by suggesting (a) a variety of signatures; (b) a means for defining multiple zones and verification of zone-specific signatures; (c) a means for computing the signatures of the downloaded component in the multiple zones; and (d) a means for verification of the downloaded component based on the signatures. The objective is to define the safeness of the downloaded component based on multiple signatures to be validated in different zones. In this way, the multiple validity requirements are tested in a systematic way and failure to meet any one of the requirements leads to the rejection of the downloaded component.
US08347104B2
A method and device are described which provide a security interface, preferably for a mobile device. The security interface provides user-selectable non-secure data that is displayed without the need for a password. The non-secure data is preferably updated on a regular basis, and can be obtained from different sources, as selected by a user. The secure data can be accessed after successful authentication, such as a positive password verification. Additional non-secure data, related to the displayed non-secure data, can preferably be accessed, with or without a need for a password. An indication can be provided to inform a user that secure data has been updated, without the need to access such secure data. The security interface is preferably enabled after a predetermined timeout period. The interface allows the device to operate in three data access states: a controlled access state; a verification state; and a full access state.
US08347103B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for authenticating a user of a device or computer system using a graphical password. In an exemplary embodiment, a user is presented with a plurality of graphical images on a display screen of an access device, such as a handheld smart phone. Each graphical image includes one or more associated attributes. The user sequential selects graphical images and a password is generated based on the combination of attributes of the selected images. The generated password is compared with a stored password to authenticate the user and grant access to the device. In another aspect, the graphical password includes time, motion, and/or keyboard input attributes such that the password is multidimensional.
US08347095B2
A sending device prepares a key for each electronic message sent by the device by applying an algorithm to specified data in the message and then incorporates the key in the message. A receiving device, upon receipt of an electronic message, locates the incorporated key and the data from which a sending device practicing the invention would have prepared it. The receiving device communicates a confirmation request to the purported sending device which contains the key and the data for its preparation. The sending device receives the confirmation messages and prepares a comparison key by applying the algorithm to the data in the confirmation request. The sending device replies to the confirmation request confirming that the sending device sent the message if the comparison key matches the key in the confirmation request and otherwise responds with a denial.
US08347093B1
Aspects of the invention pertain to preserving the privacy of users in on-line systems while also enabling verification that the users are who they purport to be. Confidential personal information may be communicated from a user to a trusted third party via a web-based application or other service. However, the personal information is encrypted so that the application or service is unable to access it. The trusted third party accesses the personal information and uses it to verify that a user ID such as an email address is associated with a particular user. This information is provided to the web-based application or service to certify the identity of the user. As a result, the application or server verifies to other users that the certified user is who he/she purports to be.
US08347079B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for managing authentication information in a home network, the method includes the operation of receiving Product Identification Number (PIN) information that is externally input and is an identifier allocated to a control device or a controlled device at the time of manufacture; and transmitting authentication information to the control device or the controlled device via a Secure Authenticated Channel (SAC) generated by using a Transport Layer Security Pre-Shared Key ciphersuites (TLS-PSK) protocol implemented by using the PIN information, wherein the authentication information is necessary for a user to control the controlled device via the control device.
US08347074B2
A method for translating network data transmissions begins with a data transmission received at a router. An interface identifier is prepended before a first field of the data transmission, forming a prepended field. The data transmission is transmitted to a translation device. The data transmission is translated without altering the prepended field. The translated data transmission is transferred back to the router. The interface identifier is removed. The translated data is transmitted while maintaining adjacency with an adjacent peer using the interface identifier.
US08347063B2
A method of improving USB device virtualization is proposed that allows giving virtual machines (VMs) direct access to USB devices with a combination hardware and software solutions. The USB host controller replaces device identifiers assigned by the VM with real device identifiers that are unique in the system. The real device identifiers are assigned by the virtual machine monitor (VMM) or the host controller.
US08347058B1
A method for automatically (i.e., programmatically) determining a storage configuration for a storage system for a given application. The method may receive information on existing storage capabilities in the storage system and information regarding the software application that will use the storage system. The method may then automatically determine a storage configuration for the storage system based on the existing storage capabilities in the storage system, the information regarding the application, and application specific rules about storage configuration principles of the application. The rule may comprise priority information that specifies a priority in application of the rules, e.g., a structure or list of storage types in order of priority for different application data types.
US08347056B2
A storage apparatus is disclosed which includes: a memory configured to have a plurality of pages to which data can be written in units of a page, the memory being further configured to have a plurality of pages of write data stored into each page in multi-valued form; and a control section configured to select pages to which to write the data from among the plurality of pages of the memory, the control section being further configured to write to the selected pages of the memory the data of at least two bits in multi-valued form for a plurality of pages including the selected pages; wherein, when writing the plurality of pages of the write data, the control section puts the write data into multi-valued form per page before writing the data to a plurality of different unused pages of the memory on a page-by-page basis.
US08347049B2
In the storage system, a storage apparatus includes a disk device for storing write data from a host computer as a primary volume and copied data of write data as a secondary volume, and a disk controller for collecting and managing status information of a plurality of copy pairs from the disk device with a primary volume and a secondary volume as a single copy pair. The disk controller monitors the status information of the plurality of copy pairs according to the status of failure, and, upon receiving a status notification command, transfers the detailed information concerning a copy pair as the status information of the copy pair subject to a failure, and flag information showing the overall status of all other copy pairs as status information of such other copy pairs.
US08347046B2
Data can be retained upon a storage medium that has characteristics suitable for the data. However, as the storage mediums are used, time passes, etc., characteristics of memory can change and therefore data can reside upon an improper medium. Data can be dynamically moved from one storage location to another automatically and intelligently based upon a change in characteristics. In addition, new data can be placed on a storage medium based upon characteristics of the medium in a current state.
US08347045B2
A method, system, and computer usable program product for using a dual mode reader writer lock. A contention condition is detected in the use of a lock in a data processing system, the lock being used for managing read and write access to a resource in the data processing system. A determination of the data structure used for implementing the lock is made. If the data structure is a data structure of a reader writer lock (RWL), the data structure is transitioned to a second data structure suitable for implementing the DML. A determination is made whether the DML has been expanded. If the DML is not expanded, the DML is expanded such that the data structure includes an original lock and a set of expanded locks. The original lock and each expanded lock in the set of expanded locks forms an element of the DML.
US08347044B2
A programmable logic processor (PLC) with multiple PLC functions is disclosed. The PLC includes at least one memory storing at least one of a plurality of programs or data, and one or more processor assigned to each of the PLC function and couple to the memory. The PLC functions are run in parallel. A method of operating the PLC and a PLC system with multiple processors are also disclosed.
US08347042B2
A multi-plane type flash memory device comprises a plurality of planes each including a plurality of memory cell blocks, page buffers each latching an input data bit to be output to its corresponding plane or latching an output data bit to be received from the corresponding plane, cache buffers each storing an input or output data bits in response to one of cache input control signals and each transferring the stored data bit to the page buffer or an external device in response to one of cache output control signals, and a control logic circuit generating the cache input and output control signals in response to command and chip enable signals containing plural bits. The program and read operations for the plural planes are conducted simultaneously in response to the chip enable signal containing the plural bits, which increases an operation speed and data throughput processed therein.
US08347039B2
A stream prefetch engine performs data retrieval in a parallel computing system. The engine receives a load request from at least one processor. The engine evaluates whether a first memory address requested in the load request is present and valid in a table. The engine checks whether there exists valid data corresponding to the first memory address in an array if the first memory address is present and valid in the table. The engine increments a prefetching depth of a first stream that the first memory address belongs to and fetching a cache line associated with the first memory address from the at least one cache memory device if there is not yet valid data corresponding to the first memory address in the array. The engine determines whether prefetching of additional data is needed for the first stream within its prefetching depth. The engine prefetches the additional data if the prefetching is needed.
US08347034B1
A computer cache for a memory comprises a data random-access memory (RAM) containing a plurality of cache lines. Each of the cache lines stores a segment of the memory. A tag RAM contains a plurality of address tags that correspond to the cache lines. A valid RAM contains a plurality of validity values that correspond to the cache lines. The valid RAM is stored separately from the tag RAM and the data RAM. The valid RAM is selectively independently clearable. A hit module determines whether data is stored in the computer cache based upon the valid RAM and the tag RAM.
US08347031B2
In a storage system in which computers are connected via a network, in order to avoid a state where communication quality is degraded due to poor performance of an apparatus constituting the network, for a transfer data amount, an amount of data sent out from a storage apparatus is suppressed. Moreover, the storage apparatus inhibits a read-ahead process, in accordance with the suppression of the sending out of the data. Furthermore, proper load allocation is realized by migrating a logical storage unit provided by the storage, to another network interface or a second storage apparatus, without changing a configuration of the network.
US08347027B2
A method for refreshing memory is provided. The method comprises determining when a first memory of a plurality of memories is not being accessed and sending a refresh opportunity command from a master refresh controller to one of a plurality of local refresh controllers when the first memory is not being accessed, wherein the one of a plurality of local refresh controllers controls only the first memory. The method further comprises determining when the first memory needs refreshing and refreshing the first memory.
US08347025B2
A memory controller interface, mobile device and method are provided. The memory controller interface can allow a processor designed and configured to operate with NOR flash and static random access memory SRAM devices to instead operate using NAND flash and synchronous dynamic random access memory SDRAM. The system accomplishes this by caching sectors out of NAND flash into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor as though it were accessing data from NOR flash/SRAM. Sectors containing data required by the processor are read out of NAND flash and written into SDRAM, where the data can be randomly accessed by the processor. Boot code is stored in memory accessible to the processor and is read out of the memory for execution. The boot code is scanned for a predetermined signature, and if the predetermined signature is found, a portion of the memory is write-protected.
US08347010B1
An apparatus and method implemented in hardware and embedded software that improves performance, scalability, reliability, and affordability of Storage Area Network (SAN) systems or subsystems. The apparatus contains host computers (application servers, file servers, computer cluster systems, or desktop workstations), SAN controllers connected via a bus or network interconnect, disk drive enclosures with controllers connected via network interconnect, and physical drive pool or cluster of other data storage devices that share I/O traffic, providing distributed high performance centrally managed storage solution. This approach eliminates I/O bottlenecks and improves scalability and performance over the existing SAN architectures. Although this architecture is network interconnect (transport) neutral, additional improvements and cost savings could be made by utilizing existing, of the shelf, low latency and high speed hardware such as Advanced Switching (AS) or Myrinet networks as a transport for data, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and other commands and messages. Using AS or Myrinet network as a replacement for Fiber Channel (FC) would significantly reduce the cost of such SAN systems and at the same time boost performance (higher data transfer rates and lower latencies). This invention is about defining hardware and software architectural solution that is specifically designed to eliminate I/O traffic bottlenecks, improve scalability, and reduce the overall cost of today's SAN systems or subsystems. This innovative solution, in addition to it's performance superiority compared to the existing solutions, should also provide 100% compatibility with the all existing Operating Systems (OS), File Systems (FS), and existing applications.
US08347004B2
Systems and methods for creating, reading, and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit while maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU.
US08347003B2
Systems and methods for creating, reading, and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit while maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU.
US08347001B2
Performance counters may be operable to collect one or more counts of one or more selected activities, and registers may be operable to store a set of performance counter configurations. A state machine may be operable to automatically select a register from the registers for reconfiguring the one or more performance counters in response to receiving a first signal. The state machine may be further operable to reconfigure the one or more performance counters based on a configuration specified in the selected register. The state machine yet further may be operable to copy data in selected one or more of the performance counters to a memory location, or to copy data from the memory location to the counters, in response to receiving a second signal. The state machine may be operable to store or restore the counter values and state machine configuration in response to a context switch event.
US08346998B2
A system and method for transmitting data packets from a memory hub to a memory controller is disclosed. The system includes an upstream reception port coupled to an upstream link. The upstream reception port receives the data packets from downstream memory hubs. The system further includes a bypass bus coupled to the upstream reception port. The bypass bus transports the data packets from the upstream reception port. The system further includes a temporary storage coupled to the upstream reception port and configured to receive the data packets from the upstream reception port. The system further includes a bypass multiplexer for selectively coupling an upstream transmission port to either one of a core logic circuit, the temporary storage, or the bypass bus. The system further includes a breakpoint logic circuit coupled to the bypass multiplexer and configured to switch the bypass multiplexer to selectively connect the upstream transmission port to either one of the core logic circuit, the bypass bus, or the temporary storage. The system further includes a local memory coupled to the core logic circuit and operable to receive and send the data packets to the core logic circuit.
US08346997B2
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for creating redundant system configurations is presented. The computer-implemented method creates a set of virtual function path authorization tables, and receives a request from a requester to provide requested data from a virtual function wherein the virtual function is performed by a single root or a multi-root peripheral component interconnect device. Further a receive buffer is created in a selected address range in a set of addresses ranges as well as a virtual function work queue entry for the virtual function containing an address of the receive buffer in the selected address range. Responsive to a determination that the virtual function is authorized, writing the requested data into the receive buffer of the selected address range in the one or more systems, and responsive to writing the requested data, issuing a notice of completion to the requester.
US08346996B2
An information processing system includes a plurality of processors for executing processing according to a predetermined processing request sent from a different device; a switching device for performing data transfer between the individual processors and the different device; and a storage device which is connected to the switching device and enables data transfer to and from the individual processors. At least one of the processors includes a processing request storing unit for storing processing request data sent from the different device to the processor, into the storage device by data transfer. At least another one of the processors includes a processing request reading unit for reading the processing request data stored in the storage device from the storage device by data transfer.
US08346992B2
According to some embodiments, a message generated by a downstream device is received at upstream device. The message may, for example, be received via a peripheral interface and may not require a response. It may then be determined that an error is associated with the message, and an alert message may be sent from the upstream device to the downstream device via the peripheral interface.
US08346988B2
A technique for sharing a fabric to facilitate off-chip communication for on-chip units includes dynamically assigning a first unit that implements a first communication protocol to a first portion of the fabric when private fabrics are indicated for the on-chip units. The technique also includes dynamically assigning a second unit that implements a second communication protocol to a second portion of the fabric when the private fabrics are indicated for the on-chip units. In this case, the first and second units are integrated in a same chip and the first and second protocols are different. The technique further includes dynamically assigning, based on off-chip traffic requirements of the first and second units, the first unit or the second unit to the first and second portions of the fabric when the private fabrics are not indicated for the on-chip units.
US08346983B2
There is disclosed a method, system and apparatus for enabling the sharing of computer system resources by multiple input devices. The multiple input devices utilize a device driver for all of the multiple input devices, with the method comprising: the device driver allocating a device identifier to each of the multiple input devices; the device driver receiving data from each of the multiple input devices by reference to the device identifier; and the device driver passing the received data to an application for processing.
US08346978B1
A computer program product is configured for performing a method including: receiving at least one command message specifying an I/O operation at a control unit from a channel subsystem, the at least one command message including one or more device command words (DCWs) having a data count and a suppress-length indication (SLI), the SLI configured to instruct the control unit whether to continue to perform the I/O operation in response to the control unit detecting an incorrect length condition; processing at least one of the one or more DCWs; and returning a transport response message including an incorrect length (IL) value, the IL value being a first IL value in response to the SLI being a first SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required, the IL value being a second IL value in response to the SLI being a second SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required.
US08346976B2
A home router configured to receive a network registration request from a device that is locally connected to the home router and to provide the request to a service provider network through a network tunnel is disclosed herein. A device configured to provide a network registration request for the device to the service provider network is also disclosed herein. The device sends the request directly to the service provider network via a network tunnel if the device is not connected to the home router or sends the request to the home router for subsequent transmission if the device is connected to the home router.
US08346974B2
A standardized 802.11 hardware control interface may be provided such that a driver may communicate with any one or more of a variety of network adapters.
US08346972B2
Synchronization of data accessible by an application program is performed transparent to the application program. After a data item is instantiated by the application program, the synchronization engine performs data synchronization without or with minimal intervention of the application program. The synchronization engine may be part of an operating system. The synchronization engine is preinstalled on a computing device; therefore, application program developers can simply define whether the data items associated with the application programs should be syncable, and if so, to what extent the data items should be syncable. The application program developer is relieved of the task of developing the synchronization engine or other software components associated with data synchronization.
US08346966B1
The present invention, in particular embodiments, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to providing a mechanism by which clients can transparently access remote file server appliances. Due to this, clients do not need to modify the pathnames in order to access the file servers.
US08346964B2
A flexible multi-processor communications system supports variable message lengths and variable groups and application designations at respective processors. The receiving processors determine what action, if any, needs to be taken in response to the combination of group and application information in the messages. The receiving processors can include pluralities of pre-stored groups and applications along with associated priorities and the functions to perform.
US08346959B2
A client determines the transmission of a data stream from a server and transmits to the server a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) header having either RTSP Speed or both RTSP Scale and RTSP Speed values where the values are formed based at least on the determined transmission rate of the data stream received by the client and a reference data stream rate. An RTSP server responsive to the Speed value or the Speed and Scale value may adjust properties of the data stream being transmitted in response to the RTSP header values sent by the client.
US08346955B2
A wireless communication device comprises a wireless communication interface, a user interface, and a processing system. The wireless communication interface is configured to receive streaming content from a communication system. The user interface is configured to display the streaming content in a plurality of windows. The processing system is configured to monitor a screen arrangement of the wireless communication device and determine an amount that each of the windows is covered, and if the amount exceeds a threshold value, to initiate a packet indicating a source packet address of the streaming content being displayed in the covered window. The wireless communication interface is further configured to transfer the packet to the communication system, wherein the communication system receives the packet, and in response, ceases transmission of the streaming content being displayed in the covered window to the wireless communication device.
US08346950B1
A hosted application server system and method are disclosed. The hosted application server system includes an interface for receiving a request from one of a plurality of users, a runtime environment for running a plurality of independent applications, a core configured to receive and respond to a request from one of the applications, and an interface for sending a response to the user. The core can have access to a shared data model.
US08346949B2
The method and system enable secure forwarding of a message from a first computer to a second computer via an intermediate computer in a telecommunication network. A message is formed in the first computer or in a computer that is served by the first computer, and in the latter case, sending the message to the first computer. In the first computer, a secure message is then formed by giving the message a unique identity and a destination address. The message is sent from the first computer to the intermediate computer after which the destination address and the unique identity are used to find an address to the second computer. The current destination address is substituted with the found address to the second computer, and the unique identity is substituted with another unique identity. Then the message is forwarded to the second computer.
US08346946B2
Manufacturer registration of consumer electronic devices includes a registration server receiving purchaser-specific information from a user computer over a network, such as the Internet. This received purchaser-specific information may then be associated with a temporary short code, which is in turn provided back to the user computer over the network. The purchaser is then free to input the provided temporary short code into the consumer electronic device to be registered, after which both the short code and certain additional device-specific identification information may be provided directly by the consumer electronic device to the registration server over a network connection. The provided short code may then be matched to the previously-provided purchaser-specific information, and the manufacturer registration process completed using both the purchaser-specific information and the device-specific identification information.
US08346935B2
Systems and methods to manage workloads and hardware resources in a data center or cloud. In one embodiment, a method includes a data center having a plurality of servers in a network. The data center provides a virtual machine for each of a plurality of users, each virtual machine to use a portion of hardware resources of the data center. The hardware resources include storage and processing resources distributed onto each of the plurality of servers. The method further includes sending messages amongst the servers, some of the messages being sent from a server including status information regarding a hardware resource utilization status of that server. The method further includes detecting a request from the virtual machine to handle a workload requiring increased use of the hardware resources, and provisioning the servers to temporarily allocate additional resources to the virtual machine, wherein the provisioning is based on status information provided by one or more of the messages.
US08346934B2
For each of multiple migration policies, a server system 2 that accesses a storage apparatus 10 obtains a resource use amount needed to execute the migration. Each of the migration policies includes information for specifying a resource use amount of the server system 2 needed to execute the migration according to the policy. Then, the server system 2 allocates an amount of usable resources to each of the policies in accordance with the resource use amount obtained for the policy; in the migration according to each of the policies, allocates a certain amount of resources usable for executing the migration, to the virtual server which serves as either of a migration destination and a migration source, while determining the certain amount of resources within the amount of resources allocated to the policy; and executes the migration according to each of the policies in accordance with the resource use amount allocated to the policy.
