US08409391B2
Disclosed are building board manufacturing techniques that minimize the build-up of slurry on associated forming equipment and also produce panels with enhanced physical properties. The methods involve applying a dissolvable film laminate to one or more fiber mats at the outset of the forming process. In the un-dissolved state, the film acts as a containment envelope for the gypsum slurry and any free floating glass fibers. During subsequent curing, the film is dissolved by vaporized water. In its dissolved state, the film is liquefied and coats the fibers of the underlying mat. This results in a building board with improved physical properties.
US08409385B2
A transparent laminate is produced by preparing a pair of transparent substrates, forming a sealing portion along the periphery on one of the transparent substrates for sealing a curable resin composition, supplying the curable resin composition in a region on the transparent substrate surrounded by the sealing portion, overlaying the other transparent substrate on the supplied curable resin composition in a reduced pressure atmosphere so that the curable resin composition is sealed as it is sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, and subsequently curing the curable resin composition in an atmosphere having a higher pressure than the pressure of the atmosphere in which the composition is sandwiched, to produce the transparent laminate.
US08409384B2
A patch for reworking an inconsistent area of a composite structure comprises a composite laminate patch and a bond joint between the patch and the structure. The bond joint including at least first and second regions respectively having differing properties for releasing strain energy around the inconsistent area at different rates.
US08409382B2
A method for producing an analytical consumable is proposed. The analytical consumable comprises at least one carrier and at least one analytical aid connected to the carrier. At least one optically sensitive material is applied to the carrier, said material being designed to carry out at least one optically detectable alteration in the event of action of an electromagnetic radiation. In at least one coding step, at least one function information item about the analytical consumable is introduced into the optically sensitive material by means of electromagnetic radiation. The function information item is designed to enable at least one analytical instrument to use the analytical consumable correctly.
US08409372B1
Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.
US08409362B2
A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of spraying devices are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the spraying devices, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
US08409360B2
Problem: To provide a cleaning liquid and a cleaning method having excellent leaning capability. In a process of liquid immersion lithography, they can preventing the damage to be caused by the component released from the photoresist to photoexposure devices; the waste treatment is easy; the efficiency in substitution with the cleaning liquid for the medium for liquid immersion lithography is high, and the production cost is reduced not detracting from the throughput in semiconductor production.Means for Solution: A cleaning liquid to be used for cleaning a photoexposure device in a process of liquid immersion lithography, which comprises at least 5% by mass of a nonionic surfactant containing at least one group selected from an ethyleneoxy group, a propyleneoxy group and a polyglycerin group, and a balance of water; and a cleaning method using it.
US08409356B2
The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing the plant fiber material to produce and separate a saccharide including glucose. The method includes a hydrolysis process of hydrolyzing cellulose contained in the plant fiber material and producing glucose in a first organic solvent having a cluster acid catalyst dissolved therein.
US08409351B2
A method to grow a boule of silicon carbide is described. The method may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor and a carbon-containing precursor proximate to a heated filament array and forming the silicon carbide boule on a substrate from reactions of the heated silicon-containing and carbon-containing precursors. Also, an apparatus for growing a silicon carbide boule is described. The apparatus may include a deposition chamber to deposit silicon carbide on a substrate, and a precursor transport system for introducing silicon-containing and carbon-containing precursors into the deposition chamber. The apparatus may also include at least one filament or filament segment capable of being heated to a temperature that can activate the precursors, and a substrate pedestal to hold a deposition substrate upon which the silicon carbide boule is grown. The pedestal may be operable to change the distance between the substrate and the filament as the silicon carbide boule is grown.
US08409345B1
A mixture for making gaseous concrete includes Portland cement, slaked lime, ash, aluminum gas forming material, dispersed reinforcing fiber, water, and as the gas forming material and the dispersed reinforcing fiber, it contains aluminated glass fiber, with the following ratio of components in mass %: Portland cement 30-34, Slaked lime 3-4, Ash 18-22, Aluminated glass fiber 1-5, water 37-42, Hemihydrate gypsum 0.4-0.5.
US08409336B2
An air filter system (10) has a filter housing (11), an air filter media (12), and an electrical circuit (13) electrically coupled to the media. The filter media consists of a pleated air filter material (23) with front pleat apexes (25) and rear pleat apexes (26) which are coated with an electrically conductive material to form front vertical strips (27) and rear strips (28). The electrical circuit includes a positive front electrical contact (30) and a rear electrical contact (31). The front electrical contact has a rear surface (30′) in electrical contact with an elongated front electrical contact bar (33), oriented horizontally across and in electrical contact with the filter front strips of conductive ink. Similarly, the rear electrical contact has a front surface (31′) in electrical contact with an elongated rear electrical contact bar (34), oriented horizontally across and in electrical contact with the rear strips of conductive ink.
US08409331B2
The invention relates to auxiliary systems ensuring functioning of alkaline fuel cell (AFC), in particular to a method and device for sorptive purification of air used in an AFC of carbon dioxide. In accordance with the invention, in the method for purifying air for a fuel cell, the starting air is passed through an adsorber with an adsorbent of carbon dioxide, then the adsorbent is regenerated. After utilization the adsorbent comprising hydrated oxides of transition metals is regenerated at a temperature of 60-120° C. by the air spent in the fuel cell.
US08409329B2
A method for the purification of a feed gas stream containing CO2 and water and at least one impurity chosen from NOx and SOx, comprising the incorporation of a purification step for the preferential elimination of water is provided.
US08409326B2
SAPO-34 membranes and methods for their preparation and use are described. The SAPO-34 membranes are prepared by contacting at least one surface of a porous membrane support with a synthesis gel. The Si/Al ratio of the synthesis gel can be from 0.3 to 0.15. SAPO-34 crystals are optionally applied to the surface of the support prior to synthesis. A layer of SAPO-34 crystals is formed on at least one surface of the support. SAPO-34 crystals may also form in the pores of the support. SAPO-34 membranes of the invention can have improved selectivity for certain gas mixtures, including mixtures of carbon dioxide and methane.
US08409318B2
A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.
US08409313B2
A vent head for a steam system is provided. In one embodiment, the head comprises a body defining a vent head chamber and having a vent head outlet. The vent head comprises a steam inlet conduit having a steam outlet that opens into the vent head chamber and a baffle disposed within the vent head chamber above the steam outlet. A drainage passageway is provided for fluid communication between the vent head chamber and the steam inlet conduit. In use, the steam outlet may discharge steam into the vent head chamber which impinges on the baffle, thereby separating entrained liquid water from the steam. The separated water is collected in the vent head chamber returned to the steam inlet conduit via the drainage passageway.
US08409312B2
The invention relates to a filter unit for filtering gaseous fluids, comprising a filter insert part with a filter medium and a sealing element, said element being clamped between sealing struts on parts of the filter housing. The clamping force produced by the sealing struts that lie opposite one another runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the mounting direction of the housing parts.
US08409310B2
A dust extraction device for a machine hand tool is provided. The dust extraction device includes an outer tube arranged about an axis, the outer tube being closed on the first axial end thereof by a wall. An opening is provided for a pump connection, the opening being arranged in a position neighboring the wall in a shell wall of the outer tube. An attachment feature is provided having a sheath-like shape and arranged on the side of the wall which lies opposite the outer tube in an axial extension of the outer tube. An inner tube is arranged inside the outer tube about the axis, and penetrates the wall. A length of the inner tube inside the outer tube is at least half of the length of the outer tube.
US08409306B2
A fuel reformer including a reaction container including a first chamber, a first reactor in the first chamber, the first reactor, including a first catalyst, being configured to produce a first reformate by performing a steam reforming reaction on a first fuel, and having a first gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) at a set flow rate, a first heat source thermally connected to the first reactor, and a second reactor connected to the first reactor, the second reactor including a second catalyst, being configured to produce a second reformate having a lower carbon monoxide content than the first reformate, and having a second GHSV greater than the first GHSV at the set flow rate.
US08409303B2
In the processes for treating municipal sewage and storm water containing biosolids to discharge standards, biosolids, even after dewatering, contain typically about 80% water bound in the dead cells of the biosolids, which gives biosolids a negative heating value. It can be incinerated only at the expense of purchased fuel. Biosolids are heated to a temperature at which their cell structure is destroyed and, preferably, at which carbon dioxide is split off to lower the oxygen content of the biosolids. The resulting char is not hydrophilic, and it can be efficiently dewatered and/or dried and is a viable renewable fuel. This renewable fuel can be supplemented by also charging conventional biomass (yard and crop waste, etc.) in the same or in parallel facilities. Similarly, non-renewable hydrophilic fuels can be so processed in conjunction with the processing of biosolids to further augment the energy supply.
US08409285B2
A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. The bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.
US08409273B2
Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for endoscopically accessing a body cavity and providing a directed pathway toward a target tissue within the cavity. The directed pathway is provided by a multi-catheter guiding system which is positioned in a desired configuration, generally directed toward the target tissue. Interventional devices may then be passed through the guiding system to the target tissue. Depending on the location of the target tissue and the desired angle of approach, the guiding system may be required to maintain one or more curves in one or more planes to properly direct the interventional devices. The multi-catheter guiding system of the present invention comprises an outer guiding catheter and a coaxially positioned inner guiding catheter, each of which independently form curvatures so that together the curves properly direct the interventional device.
US08409271B2
A stent has a stent main wire. The strut is disposed adjacent to the stent main wire and a junction pipe disposed around the stent main wire and strut so as to affix the stent main wire to the strut. A locking part is formed at an end of the strut to prevent the strut from sliding out of the junction pipe. The locking part comprises a folded back portion, wherein a distal most end of the folded back portion abuts with a distal most end of the junction pipe, a swelling portion, wherein a distal most end of the swelling portion is abutting a distal most end of the junction pipe, or a bent portion, wherein a distal most end of the bent portion is abutting with a distal most end of the junction pipe.
US08409268B2
The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.
US08409254B2
Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra.
US08409253B2
A soft tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes a flexible member having first and second ends, and a strand passing through the flexible member. The strand has first and second strand ends extending through the flexible member, such that pulling at least one of the first and second strand ends changes the flexible member from a first shape suitable for insertion through soft tissue to a second shape suitable for securely lodging the soft tissue repair assembly relative to soft tissue.
US08409239B2
A method and an apparatus for anchoring a medical implant device within a blood vessel or other body passageway are described herein. An anchor delivery system houses one or more expandable anchors connected to the medical implant device. The anchors remain housed in a non-expanded configuration until the medical implant device has been placed in a desired position within the body, and then the anchors are propelled through a body wall where each anchor expands outwardly from an anchor shaft. In one configuration, each anchor is formed as a compressible closed loop which extends outwardly from an anchor shaft and loops back to cross over and extend beyond the anchor shaft. To propel the anchors, a drive shaft is connected to a triggering unit which, when activated, causes the drive shaft to drive the anchor shafts in a direction such that the anchors are propelled through the body wall.
US08409236B2
A system for providing transvascular retrograde access in a central blood vessel of a patient. In some embodiments, the system has a handle; a catheter extending from the handle; and a tissue piercing element extending from the handle through the catheter, the tissue piercing element having a sharp distal tip adapted to extend from a distal portion of the catheter, the catheter and handle being adapted to be separated from the tissue piercing element, a distal portion of the tissue piercing element being adapted to serve as a guide for introduction of a device into the central blood vessel. The invention also includes a method of providing transvascular retrograde access to a central blood vessel of a patient.
US08409229B2
A vascular clamp, has an operating mechanism, and an actuating tool. The vascular clamp is grasped using a detachable operating mechanism, wherein an actuating tool that can be slid in and out is able to open and close the jaws of the grasped vascular clamp. The vascular clamp includes a coupling arrangement and a continuously adjustable adjustment mechanism for this purpose. In order to grasp the vascular clamp, the operating mechanism includes a gripping mechanism and is equipped with a locking mechanism, which are used to create a detachable connection between the vascular clamp and the operating mechanism. For stepless opening and closing, the actuating tool engages in the adjustment mechanism of the vascular clamp and opens and closes the jaws of the vascular clamp by corresponding rotation of the actuating tool. The surgical instrument according to the invention is disassemblable and reassemblable, and can advantageously be disassembled into its three constituent parts during an operation, thus keeping the access opening in the chest free from obstructing instruments.
US08409227B2
The invention relates to a biocompatible neural implant for bridging interruptions or defects in nerves resulting from injuries sustained in an accident or following surgery. Inventive neural implants comprise fibers made from natural or synthetic spider silk and allow interrupted nerves to regenerate across defects such that functional nerve conduction is made possible within a short period of time.
US08409225B2
An assembly is described for repairing torn tendons by reattaching them to a bone, in particular although not exclusively for repairing a torn rotator cuff tendon, which allows for reduction of the gap between the tendon and the humerus by pushing the tendon onto its attachment site. Also described is a method of repairing a torn rotator cuff tendon by pushing it onto its attachment site and suturing through the humeral head.
US08409202B2
A fixation device may be used for supporting and/or stretching an injured body part. An exemplary fixation device uses a thumb wheel control element to provide controlled rotational micromovements of a joint. The control element and its associated drive system allow for movement along a particular axis, while the position remains fixed with relation to the other axis. In addition, the fixation device may incorporate a drive system that introduces a simultaneous longitudinal translation with rotation, in order to provide for a common point of origin of rotation between the fixation device and the affected body part supported by the fixation device.
US08409201B2
The present invention relates to a percutaneous patellar osteosynthesis system applicable to any type of fracture of the knee cap, formed by two arms that contain two multidirectional movable securing devices for fitting to any type of knee cap, in which the arms close in a parallel manner by means of a scissors closure mechanism in order to keep the fragments confined and secured by means of a “zipper” based on manual compression. The devices for securing the knee cap have antero-posterior, up/down and also lateral mobility in order to mobilize the fractured fragments and to achieve a reduction and a satisfactory knee cap joint congruence. The arms have slidable guides for placing the implant in any required direction in order to keep the fragments stable, the guides slide on the arms and the parallelism sought in this type of fixing is achieved without having to be based on manual calculation, the latter customarily being used in broad tissue dissection. The system achieves reduction and internal fixing by means of a minimally invasive technique and less tissue damage. The system also has guides for fitting cerclage wiring on an implant of any configuration, facilitating reduction and fixing of patellar fractures and the taking of X-rays with the system in place.
US08409200B2
A surgical device comprising a clevis defining a longitudinal axis and a jaw comprising a first member and a second member. A slider is slidably engaged to the clevis, the slider comprising a pin. The pin is receiveably engaged in the first slot and the jaw is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position through longitudinal movement of the slider. In various embodiments, the first and second members are movable between an angular open position, a parallel open position, and a parallel closed position.
US08409187B2
A microwave antenna probe incorporating a high-strength antenna coupler is described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a coaxial feedline to a source of therapeutic energy, e.g., a microwave generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a microwave antenna coupler. In embodiments, the described antenna coupler is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a central section having a diameter substantially equivalent to the radiating sections. The coupler includes end sections of a smaller diameter than the central section that are dimensioned to fit within the ends of the radiating section. The end portions include a groove that is adapted to receive a corresponding rib formed within the respective ends of the radiating section. The coupler includes an axial opening defined therein into which a tubular collar in fixed using an interference fit. The outward forces of the collar and the inward forces of the radiating section places the coupler under compression, which improves the strength of the coupler, and the strength of the overall probe assembly.
US08409186B2
The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical generator which includes a controller configured to generate a first pulse train having at least one first control pulse and at least one first reset pulse. The controller also includes a second pulse train having at least one second control pulse and at least one second reset pulse. The first control pulse(s) and the second control pulse(s) are asynchronous and the reset pulse(s) are synchronous. The electrosurgical generator also includes an RF output stage which includes a first switching element and a second switching element. The control pulses are configured to activate the first switching element and second switching elements, respectively, in an asynchronous fashion to generate a non-continuous RF waveform.
US08409181B2
Methods and systems for treating presbyopia are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, by way of example only, a method of treating presbyopia of an eye includes ablating the stroma to form a final ablated shape in the stroma, the final ablated shape including a central zone defined by a concavity having a central zone depth and a central zone diameter, the central zone depth and the central zone diameter each selected to provide the cornea with a near-vision add power after the epithelium is regenerated over the stroma.
US08409171B2
A fluid drainage catheter comprises a catheter tube having a proximal and a distal end and a cylindrical wall with a lumen extending generally from the proximal to the distal end to permit the passage of fluid therethrough. The catheter tube is formed such that the proximal end has a closed tip for insertion of the catheter tube into a body cavity and the distal end has an opening for the drainage of from the body cavity through the lumen of the catheter tube. The cylindrical wall has an outer surface with at least one defined external flow path extending generally in a longitudinal direction from a point in proximity to the closed tip to a point distally thereof. With this arrangement, at least one drainage eye is associated with the defined external flow path and extends completely through the catheter tube from the outer surface to the lumen to permit fluid in the flow path to pass through the drainage eye into the lumen.
US08409157B2
A wound dressing apparatus includes a wound dressing member dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed. The wound dressing member including an internal vacuum reservoir and has a port in communication with the vacuum reservoir for applying subatmospheric pressure to the vacuum reservoir to facilitate removal of fluid from the wound bed. The wound dressing member includes a visual pressure indicator associated therewith for indicating a level of pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The visual pressure indicator includes color indicia having a plurality of colors corresponding to a condition of the pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The wound dressing member includes a lower absorbent member positionable adjacent the wound bed and an upper member which at least partially defines the vacuum reservoir. At least one of the top member and the lower absorbent member has the visual pressure indicator mounted thereto.
US08409156B2
A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a tissue site of a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure, a fluid source for supplying a fluid, and a plurality of inflatable bladders for placing adjacent the tissue site. The inflatable bladders are operable to receive the fluid to expand from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The system also includes a plurality of chambers that are compressible. At least one of the plurality of chambers is disposed between a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders.
US08409153B2
The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.
US08409147B2
This is a Rapid Local Anesthesia Linear Injection Device. It is made of a very simple triangular shaped piece of clear plastic with encased conduits connecting a flange on the tip of the cone where a Luer lock syringe can attach, and the base where there are a multiple tiny hypodermic needles protruding from the base of the triangle. The number of needles would be directly proportional to the length of the base of the device. It would be available in many sizes identified by the shape and the length of the base.
US08409134B2
Control logic (110) for a power injector is disclosed, where this power injector control logic (110) includes a syringe fill protocol (114), a pressure calibration protocol (116), a pressure monitoring protocol (118), and an injection protocol (120). The power injector control logic (110) is configured to execute the pressure calibration protocol (116) on each execution of the syringe fill protocol (114). The pressure calibration protocol (116) updates the pressure monitoring protocol (118), which is executed during execution of the injection protocol (120).
US08409127B2
A method for emptying a blood tubing set of a blood treatment device that includes an extracorporeal blood circuit with a membrane filter includes supplying air or gas to the blood tubing set to displace liquid therein. The blood tubing set includes arterial and venous patient blood tubes in communication with a first chamber of the membrane filter. The device also includes a substituate line which opens into the arterial blood tube and/or into the venous blood tube, and a substituate pump. To empty the blood tubing set, the arterial blood tube and the venous blood tube are connected to one another to provide a circuit that includes the membrane filter, the arterial blood tube, and the venous blood tube. The substituate line is disconnected, and the air or gas is pumped into the blood tubing set so as to displace liquid into a second chamber of the membrane filter.
US08409126B2
The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.
US08409121B1
A therapy tool designed to assist therapist to manually control and facilitate patient elbow and knee flexion-extension during walking, sit to stand, control in standing, and other functions is provided. The therapy tool includes a first cushion adapted to receive at least a portion of a person's shin or forearm, a second cushion adapted to cushion a person's knee, a elongate handle attached the first and second cushions in a manner such that the second cushion is disposed above the first cushion, and a horizontal extension adapted to provide a support surface for the patient.
US08409120B2
The invention relates to a massaging device with an elongated massaging recess for receiving a male genital organ, in which for massaging a male genital organ received in the elongated massaging recess a drive mechanism is provided extending along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the massaging recess. It is especially advantageous that the drive mechanism has a plurality of bearing surfaces, which are arranged at a radial distance from the longitudinal axis (LA) and which at least sectionwise surround the elongated massaging recess. A further advantage is that the drive mechanism is designed for an oscillating deformation of the elongated massaging recess at least radially inward along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the elongated massaging recess.
US08409114B2
An intracorporeal device includes a shaft having a proximal section including a first elongate member and a distal section including a tubular member and a second elongate member. A proximal region of the tubular member is attached to the distal region of the first elongate member. The second elongate member is disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a proximal region of the second elongate member is attached to the proximal region of the elongate tubular member. As such, in some embodiments, the tubular member can function both as a member joining the first and second elongate members, and as a structural element in the distal section of the shaft providing for desired flexibility, torqueability, and/or pushability characteristics.
US08409112B2
A specimen collection bag includes a flexible bag with a bottom end and a mouth end. A sleeve extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the mouth end. The sleeve is adapted to receive the jaws of a grasping tool that are movable between a closed position and an open position. Opening the jaws causes the mouth end of the specimen collection bag to open and closing the jaws causes the mouth end of the specimen collection bag to close.
US08409107B2
Estimating a frequency of a sampled cardiac rhythm signal and classifying the rhythm. The received signal is sampled and transformed into a curvature series. A lobe in the curvature series corresponds to a characteristic point in the sampled series. Characteristic points are selected based on a time of a lobe in the curvature series and, in one embodiment, an amplitude of the signal at the time of the lobe. A frequency of the sampled series is estimated by autocorrelating a function of the series of the characteristic points. In one embodiment, the function is a time difference function. The rhythm is classified by plotting the timewise proximity of characteristic points derived from an atrial signal with characteristic points derived from a ventricular signal. Regions of the plot are associated with a particular rhythm and the grouping of the data corresponds to the classification.
US08409099B2
A focused ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer device forming an opening, and having a plurality of transducer elements positioned at least partially around the opening. A focused ultrasound system includes a structure having a first end for allowing an object to be inserted and a second end for allowing the object to exit, and a plurality of transducer elements coupled to the structure, the transducer elements located relative to each other in a formation that at least partially define an opening, wherein the transducer elements are configured to emit acoustic energy that converges at a focal zone.
US08409091B2
A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.).
US08409083B2
Surgical methods providing access to delicate tissue, such as brain tissue or breast tissue, through a transcutaneous incision. A method may include making an incision adjacent a region containing delicate tissue, and providing a surgical assembly having: a retractor having a hollow sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and an introducer having a proximal end installed within the hollow sleeve and a distal end extending beyond the distal retractor end. The surgical assembly is advanced into the region containing delicate tissue, and the distal introducer end gently displaces the delicate tissue as the surgical assembly is advanced to thereby avoid damage to the delicate tissue. The introducer is removed from the retractor to leave the distal retractor end at a surgical site located in the physical region containing delicate tissue. One or more surgical instruments are then used through the hollow sleeve.
US08409066B2
A web has a series of cut outs that define bridging portions therebetween. A method for folding the web includes providing the web to a first conveyor, folding the web about a folding wheel to define a folded edge that extends through the series of cut outs, transferring the web to a second conveyor having an included angle of 15 to 40 degrees in relation to the first conveyor, folding the web about a folding bar to maintain the folded edge, and spanning at least one cut out with the folding bar and contemporaneously contacting at least two bridge portions with the folding bar to maintain the folded edge of the web about the folding bar as the web passes the folding wheel edge.
US08409065B2
A bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus is adapted to form a strip film into a cylindrical film. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus includes a sealing unit with a pair of sealing members facing each other to seal an end portion of the cylindrical film therebetween to package an article. Each of the sealing members includes a sealing jaw, a heating unit, and a heat insulating member. The sealing jaw has a heat generating surface, and configured and arranged to seal the cylindrical film on the heat generating surface. The heating unit is configured and arranged to heat the heat generating surface of the sealing jaw. The heat insulating member insulates the heat conduction from the heating unit to a direction other than a direction toward the heat generating surface of the sealing jaw.
US08409060B2
An exercise bike for rehabilitation includes a frame, on which a first exercise module designed for training hands, a second exercise module designed for training feet, and a damping device to provide the first and second exercise modules loadings are provided. The first and second exercise modules each has two opposite one-way clutches that user may use to independently train his/her hand or feet without interference.
US08409043B2
The invention relates to a lubricating device for a variable speed transmission with an integrated interaxle differential for motor vehicles, on the shaft of the transmission there being at least one synchronizer clutch for shifting one or two lower (slower) gear ratios and the interaxle differential, and the synchronizer clutch and the interaxle differential being supplied with lubricating oil by way of a central longitudinal channel in the shaft and by way of radial channels and/or radial gaps branching off from it. For improved adaptation of the lubricating oil supply in defined driving states of the motor vehicle, there are means which are integrated into the longitudinal channel and which change the lubricating oil supply to the synchronizer clutch and the interaxle differential as a function of the driving speed.
US08409031B2
Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members removably and/or movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described.
US08409023B1
A golf ball dispensing and teeing device is provided which allows a single golf ball to be metered from a supply tube and travel therefrom to rest within an elevated ball tee.
US08409010B2
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a computing system for coordinating massively multiplayer games is provided. The computing system may include a data aggregation service to collect, aggregate and distribute game play data that is used by game code executed on each player's computing device to influence game flow of a shared game play experience for many thousands of remotely located players in real-time. Accordingly, game data from any player may impact and influence the game play experience of all other players. Further, each player's computing device may be event driven such that game data may be received from the game data aggregation service at a synchronized time to synchronize the shared game play experience for all players.
US08409004B2
An example system and method controls a rotatable object on a display using a handheld control device comprising an accelerometer. The example system and method involve determining an orientation of the handheld control device using an interpolation of an output for a first axis of the accelerometer and an output for a second axis of the accelerometer. The rotation of the rotatable object is controlled based on the determined orientation.
US08408999B2
A game apparatus displaying on a screen moves to be made by the player in time with reproduction of a piece of music is provided. In the game apparatus, a reproduction part reproduces music stored in a storage. The music to be reproduced is divided into multiple segments of the same length of time and an image is associated with each of the multiple segments, presenting moves to be made by the player while that segment is reproduced. Multiple regions are provided on the screen. The display part displays an image stored in the storage and associated with a segment i+j−1 among the multiple segments in a region j among the multiple regions on the screen while a segment i among the multiple segments is reproduced by the reproduction part.
US08408991B2
A gaming system and a method provide primary and secondary games to players using a plurality of linked gaming machines. Each gaming machine includes a display. For each gaming machine, an associated player is allowed to make a wager on a primary game, an outcome of the primary game is randomly selected, and if the outcome of the primary game is a winning outcome, awarding the associated player a primary award as a function of the outcome, the wager made by the player, and a predetermined paytable. If a triggering conditioning occurred in one of the primary games and a secondary game is initiated. The secondary game is a video slot game including a plurality of video reels. Each video reel is displayed on a respective display of one of the gaming machines.
US08408985B2
A system for providing game play. The system includes processors and memory configured to include users as players at a table in an online game and provide cards to the players for playing a first hand of the game. When a jump point is reached in the first hand, the following are provided to at least the players no longer playing the first hand: cards for playing a second hand at the table, and continued online access to play of the first hand. Strategic aspects of face-to-face poker play are retained while action-seeking players can see more hands per hour.
US08408975B2
A belt sander is disclosed that may include a sanding assembly having a first roller and a second roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller to define a sanding surface therebetweeen. The belt sander may include a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly and opposite the sanding surface, the motor being configured to rotate at least the first roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller, as well as a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor.
US08408973B2
The disclosure relates to a finishing apparatus for finish machining of rotationally symmetric workpiece surfaces having a finish belt guide which has a guiding body for guiding the finish belt, wherein the guiding body comprises a shell-like guiding surface along which the finish belt can be guided or is guided between an insertion end of the finish belt and a withdrawal end of the finish belt, wherein the guiding surface is mounted in a resiliently elastic manner in the radial direction, wherein, when seen in the circumferential direction, the guiding surface extends in a continuous manner between the insertion end of the finish belt and the withdrawal end of the finish belt over at least a part of the width of said guiding surface and is mounted in a resiliently elastic manner.
US08408971B2
The corners of a sheet of glass travelling in a longitudinal direction are ground by a grinding assembly having a fixed frame; a movable frame; a grinding wheel; a supporting arm supporting the grinding wheel and fitted to the movable frame; and an actuating device interposed between the fixed frame and the movable frame, and having a first powered guide-slide assembly for moving the movable frame in a direction parallel to a longitudinal travelling direction of the sheet, and a second powered guide-slide assembly for moving the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; the grinding assembly also having a locator fixed to the supporting arm and defining a stop to keep the sheet at a distance from the grinding wheel; and a compensating device interposed between the supporting arm and the movable frame, and having a third guide-slide assembly and a flexible controlled-damping device.
US08408968B2
Devices, systems and methods for the recycling and recovery of carpet are disclosed herein. Devices, systems and methods for disassembling carpet into the various components used for carpet construction by abrasive removal and separation of components are also disclosed herein.
US08408967B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine tool with a rest apparatus having high supporting stiffness of a workpiece by the rest apparatus and having flexibility to machine a plurality of kinds of the workpieces selectively and to provide a machining method of the machine tool with the rest apparatus.The machine tool with the rest apparatus comprising a base 10, a spindle head 20 mounted on the base 10 to hold rotatably one end of a workpiece W, a tail stock 30 mounted on the base 10 to be faced to the spindle head 20 and to hold rotatably the other end of the workpiece W, first rest apparatus 52 mounted between the spindle head 20 and the tail stock 30 and fixed to the base 10 un-movably to support the workpiece W, and second rest apparatus 53 mounted between the spindle head 20 and the tail stock 30 and movably mounted on the base 10 to support said workpiece W.
US08408966B2
A glass manufacturing device includes a work container, a loading device, a sandblaster, a shield device, and a lift device. The loading device is received in the work container and loads a glass substrate in place. The sandblaster is arranged opposite to the loading device and sandblasts the glass substrate. The lift device is connected to the shield device and used for pressing the shield device onto the glass substrate during the process of sandblasting. The shield device includes a shield cover having a number of shield units. The surfaces of the shield units facing the bottom of the work container are engaged with elastic washers. The shield units are configured to shield portions of the glass substrate and prevent the portions of the glass substrate from being cut during sandblasting.
US08408940B2
The integrated connector includes an insulative body, a circuit board, eSATA interface bonding fingers, USB interface bonding fingers and USB pins. The insulative body has a trough towards a front side thereof and a plate under the trough. The plate is towards the front side of the insulative body and is formed with first openings and second openings behind the first openings. The circuit board is disposed in the trough and has a first conductive side and a second conductive side. The eSATA interface bonding fingers are disposed on the first conductive side. The USB interface bonding fingers are disposed on the second conductive side and exposed by the first openings. The USB pins are disposed in the trough and under the circuit. Each of the USB pins has a contact portion and a solder portion. The contact portions protrude from the insulative body through the second openings.
US08408938B2
An electric plug-in connector, comprising a plug head on which a union nut is rotatably disposed for screwing the plug-in connector together with a mating connector, can be screwed together with the mating connector under adherence to a prescribed tightening torque even without a torque wrench if the union nut consists of a threaded sleeve with a ring which comes into engagement with the threaded sleeve by way of driving parts at least during screwing on, of which the one driving part is dimensioned in such a way that it is shorn off by the other driving part when exceeding a tightening torque.
US08408927B2
There is provided a connector 1 connected to a mating connector, fixed in a case of a motor, comprising: an outer housing 5 attached to the case; a first inner housing 6 accommodating a first terminal 20 engaging to the mating connector, being accommodated in the outer housing 5 movably in the engaging direction Y of the first terminal 20 and in the intersectional direction of the engaging direction Y; a first inner connector 6 engaging to the mating connector; a second inner housing 10 accommodating a second terminal 11 electrically connected to a electric circuit in the case and being fixed in the outer housing 5 and a braided wire 90, and further including a connection portion 9 connecting the first terminal 20 and the second terminal 11 and a packing 7 attached to the first inner housing.
US08408924B1
An electrical adapter assembly includes a housing defining a cutout, the housing including first electrical contacts and second electrical contacts disposed within the cutout. The electrical adapter assembly includes (i) a plug including a body having a first portion extending from an edge of a second portion, the first portion extending generally orthogonal to the second portion, (ii) electrical prongs extending from the first portion, and (iii) electrical contacts coupled to the electrical prongs. The body of the plug is receivable in the cutout in at least two orientations, and in each of the at least two orientations, one or more of the electrical contacts of the plug engage at least one of the first electrical contacts or at least one of the second electrical contacts.
US08408923B2
A dielectric part is used with an electrical connector housing and a matable connector piece such as a printed circuit board. The electrical connector housing has a plurality of terminal pins secured therein with terminal pin portions extending from the electrical connector housing. The dielectric part includes a box-shaped dielectric part body that is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient dielectric material and has a plurality of dielectric part body holes sized and arranged to slidably receive the terminal pin portions. When the electrical connector housing and the matable connector piece are releasably connected together, the dielectric part body is disposed between the electrical connector housing and the matable connector piece and the terminal pin portions are slidably received in the plurality of dielectric part body holes thereby being enveloped by the dielectric part body to isolate the terminal pin portions from one another. An electrical assembly is also described.
US08408920B2
A training aid for practicing inserting a needle in a vein, the aid including: a base which is resistant to penetration by a needle; a tube located on one side of the base; a covering which extends over the base and the tube, the arrangement being such that the other side of the base can be placed on the skin of a person so that a needle can then be inserted through the covering to penetrate the tube so as to simulate insertion through the skin and penetration of the vein of the person.
US08408913B2
The invention is intended to facilitate language learning by improving sound identification and perception. It is well known that foreign language students in particular have great difficulty in mastering the sounds of the foreign language being learned. Among other possible causes, this is due to interferences that occur between the written form of the target language and the sounds that the students associates mentally with used in the written form. In the case of foreign language learning, the aforementioned association comes fundamentally from the native language of the learner. The invention relates to a training method for learning languages involving the use of graphic entities which enable the sounds of the target language to be manipulated without creating interferences between the writ en and spoken form.
US08408906B2
A dental implant having a surface made of a ceramic material. The dental implant is characterized in that the surface has a topography defined by a Core Roughness Depth Sk of less than 1 μm.
US08408900B2
The disclosed invention provides electrochemical dispensing apparatus. According to the principles of the invention, a microelectronic electrochemical dispenser is used to cause the release of one or more selected chemical substance from a stored chemical compound. The release is controlled using a timer or sensor apparatus in a controlling device, preferably an ASIC.
US08408894B2
An automated concrete block machine including a mold cavity, a feedbox driven between retracted and extended positions and depositing concrete in the mold cavity when at the extended position, a cutoff bar, and a drive system coupled to and driving the cutoff bar in a direction of movement of the feedbox such that a distance between at least a portion of the cutoff bar and a top of the mold varies so that the cutoff bar removes varying amounts of concrete deposited in the mold cavity so that a depth of concrete remaining in at least a portion of the mold cavity varies so as to be unevenly distributed in a desired fashion in the direction of movement of the feedbox.
US08408885B2
A washer fluid pump (2) for a window cleaning system includes two ventilation openings (13, 14) arranged in a housing (5) and linked with a single opening (15) arranged on the inside. A ventilation duct (18) has two sections (16, 17) arranged tangentially to the housing (5). The ventilation openings (13, 14) are separated from each other by a partition (19). This design makes it possible for the housing (5) to have a large ventilation cross section and avoids splashed water penetrating the housing (5).
US08408883B2
An inverter-integrated vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor capable of eliminating malfunctions or the like due to electromagnetic noise interference and improving the reliability is provided. In a vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor with which an inverter unit is integrated, lead-out positions of low-voltage cables and connectors for supplying a low voltage from a low-voltage power supply to a circuit on a low-voltage ground LV are provided either in a side surface opposite to a mounting position of high-voltage components and high-voltage cables for supplying a high voltage from a high-voltage power supply to a power system circuit on a high-voltage system ground HV; or at an end farthest away from the mounting position of the high-voltage cables and the high-voltage components in an adjacent side surface or the same side surface.
US08408882B2
A pressure washer system includes an internal combustion engine and a water pump. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block forming a chamber and a cover for the chamber. The cover has an area designed to hold a lubricant. Additionally, the engine includes a crankshaft within the chamber. The water pump includes a pumping mechanism, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage. The pumping mechanism is powered by the crankshaft. Water enters the pump through the inlet and exits the pump through the outlet. The fluid passage extends between the inlet and the outlet. A portion of the fluid passage is formed in the cover of the engine. Heat transfers from the lubricant of the engine to the water of the water pump during operation of the pressure washer system.
US08408874B2
A turbine blade rotor assembly is disclosed for a gas turbine engine. The assembly includes a rotor having nickel alloy turbine blades secured thereto. Each of the blades includes a root and an airfoil. The roots are supported by the rotor. A ceramic matrix composite platform separate from the turbine blades is supported between each pair of the turbine blades adjacent to the airfoils. In another example, the airfoil includes a perimeter. A shroud having an aperture receives the airfoil with a single shroud substantially surrounding the airfoil at the perimeter. In one example, the turbine blade includes high and low pressure sides opposite one another that extend from a tip to a root. The airfoil is free from any protrusions extending from the high and low pressure sides on a portion of the blade axially outward from the root.
US08408873B2
Blades are connected to the surface of a disk and slots are formed in the surface of a shroud, which is opposite from the other surface of the shroud where the blades are to be welded. The blades are arranged on the opposite surface from the slots and a laser beam is applied from the surface in which the slots are formed, to weld the shroud and the blades. Components are installed on the surfaces of the slots on the opposite side from the blades after the blades and the shroud in which the slots are formed are welded. Alternatively, the slots are filled with a material different from that of the shroud, such as a resin. With this configuration, distortion caused by welding heat can be reduced without degrading the fluid performance.
US08408869B2
A pedestal for a fan assembly includes a telescopic duct for conveying an air flow to an outlet of the fan assembly. The duct includes an outer tubular member having a first stop member, an inner tubular member located at least partially within and slidable relative to the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a second stop member for engaging the first stop member to inhibit withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the outer tubular member, and a mainspring rotatably mounted on the second stop member, the mainspring having a free end retained by the first stop member.
US08408868B2
An inducer that includes a profiled throat. In some embodiments, the inducer includes a conical shape upstream of the profiled throat with a relatively large circular inlet that narrows to the profiled throat and, downstream of the profiled throat, a downstream section that broadens from the profiled throat. The profiled throat may include an approximate convergent-divergent nozzle geometry.
US08408867B2
This invention relates to an augmenter system for the increase of power generation primarily used for utilizing wind energy. The augmenter system includes an augmenter having a plurality of walls, such as flexible walls, connected to each other with supporting horizontal elongated members. The augmenter is used in conjunction with a blade system and an air flow regulation or furling system to achieve optimal power output. The augmenter includes a relatively lightweight, low cost flexible wall structure to enhance an air flow into impact impellers associated with the blade system. In one arrangement, the blade system defines a swept area with a height to diameter ratio of greater than four. In one arrangement, the blade system defines a swept area with a height to diameter ratio of greater than ten.
US08408858B2
A substrate processing system includes a first load lock, a process chamber having a first opening to allow an exchange of a substrate between the first load lock and the first process chamber, first rollers in the process chamber; and second rollers in the first load lock, wherein the first rollers and the second rollers are configured to transport a substrate thereon through the first opening between the first load lock and the process chamber. At least some of the first rollers and the second rollers are idler rollers.
US08408856B2
A fastener mountable to a rigid substrate such as a fiber cement panel and also mountable to the panel and an underlying support, such as a metal or wooden stud. The fastener may include a drilling portion having a reaming portion for reaming out the material within the panel, a fastening portion for engaging the panel and, if encountered, the underlying support, and a tapered portion between the drilling and fastening portions. The drilling portion may have a length generally equal to, or slightly longer than, a length of the panel so that reaming out of the panel may be completed before engagement of the fastener threads with the interior of the panel begins.
US08408849B2
A pressure-activated ID grooving tool includes a tool body having a channel, a front cross slide slot, a rear cross slide slot projecting, and two legs extending from a piston bore. A piston is disposed within the piston bore. A slide arm has an extension face and a retraction face. A cross slide has a cross slide pocket with a slide engaging face immediately opposing the extension face of the slide arm and a slide retracting face immediately opposing the retraction face of the slide arm. When fluid within the channel and the piston bore is pressurized, the piston moves toward the plunger, which in turn causes the extension face of the slide arm into contact with slide engaging face of the cross slide to cause the cross slide to move in an outward radial direction, thereby pushing the insert into contact with a workpiece.
US08408846B2
A method for landscaping an area using an earth-reinforcing revetment includes the steps of providing a first structure of at least one landscaping apparatus having a measure of openings and a base region, providing a second structure of the at least one landscaping apparatus having a measure of openings greater than the measure of openings of the second structure, arranging the second structure at an angle relative to the first structure such that the angle defines a landscaping feature, arranging at least a portion of the first structure on a landscaping region of the area such that the landscaping region at least partially supports base region of the first structure, and disposing landscaping material on the first structure of the landscaping apparatus so as to define a feature for the area. Also, a landscaping apparatus of an earth-reinforcing revetment includes the above described structures.
US08408842B2
A connection arrangement for subsea connection of at least a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. A supporting unit displaceably supports the connection arrangement against a supporting surface. A coupling device couples and secures the fluid conduits to the connection arrangement thereby interconnecting the fluid conduits to each other. A frame carries the coupling device and is slideably and/or pivotably mounted to the supporting unit so as to allow the frame and the associated coupling device to slide and/or pivot in relation to the supporting unit.
US08408836B2
A clamp for joining two hull sections is disclosed. In some embodiments, the clamp is realized by a bulkhead and a wedge, wherein the wedge forces the two hull sections into a seated position on the bulkhead. In some embodiments, the clamp further comprises o-rings for providing a pressure seal.
US08408833B2
A brush, in particular a toothbrush, including a head part with a cleaning structure with bristles, a handle part and a neck part, a cavity with at least one outlet opening for an active substance being located in the head or neck part. In one embodiment, the cavity incorporates an active substance element, which contains the active substance in a carrier material and releases the substance in a controlled manner when it comes into contact with water. The cavity may be adapted to the shape of an active substance element by means of defined external contours. The volume of the cavity is preferably 1-2 times and no more than 4 times greater than the volume of the active substance element, ensuring that the latter is preferably surrounded by water during use. This allows the active substance to be effectively metered and ensures the brush is easy to use.
US08408831B2
Various systems and methods are provided for adorning various writing instruments. A casing removably receives the writing instrument such that at least the writing tip extends outwardly from a grip portion of the casing. A cap is provided for removably engaging the grip portion to fully enclose the writing instrument. An opening from which the writing tip is disposed is sized to accommodate various writing instruments. A biasing member within the barrel of the casing is provided to accommodate writing instruments of various lengths. An intercap seal within the cap of the casing enables an original cap to the writing instrument to not be used for protecting the writing tip and preventing the writing instrument from drying out.
US08408829B2
A recording apparatus includes a platen that guides a sheet, restraining members disposed on the platen at respective side edges of the sheet to restrain the side edges of the sheet from being raised, a sheet width detector that detects the width of the sheet, and a restraining member detector that detects the positions of the restraining members. At least one of the restraining members is moved in accordance with the information obtained by the sheet width detector regarding the positions of the side edges of the sheet and the information obtained by the restraining position detector regarding the positions of the restraining members.
US08408825B2
An image recording apparatus having a carrying unit carrying a continuous recording medium; a recording medium connecting unit for replacing and connecting the continuous recording medium; a cutting unit having cutting means cutting the continuous recording medium and detection means detecting a cutting position of the cutting means; and an introducing unit and having a pair of introducing rotating bodies nipping the continuous recording medium to hold and introduce the continuous recording medium into the cutting unit, and comprising a control unit determining whether a connecting position of the continuous recording medium connected in the recording medium connecting unit corresponds to the cutting position of the cutting unit, and when the connecting position and the cutting position are determined as corresponding, controlling a cutting length of the continuous recording medium having the connecting position, to avoid cutting being conducted at the connecting position.
US08408823B2
When photographing using an optical finer, a hold member rotates, and a pressing member pushes a pushed portion of an iron piece member to rotate an unlocking member for a first blade and an unlocking member for a second blade to bring the iron piece member into contact with an iron core member of an electromagnet. When photographing using an electronic finder, a permanent magnet rotor of an electromagnetic device is rotated in a state where the electromagnet is not magnetized, a deterring member is made to face the operation locus of a deterred portion of the unlocking member for a second blade, and then, the hold member is rotated. Thereby, the unlocking member for a second blade is deterred by the deterring member so as to allow observation using the electronic finder without pushing the locking member for a second blade.
US08408820B2
A levelling apparatus, and in one embodiment a portable levelling camera mount (10) having a platform (14) for mounting a camera, a sensor (16) for detecting an orientation of the platform; and an actuator (12) coupled to the platform, which moves the platform in response to the orientation detected via the sensor. Typically, the mount may have a selector to operate the mount to level solely a first axis of the platform to a reference plane while the second axis of the platform is tilted with respect to the reference plane, or to operate the mount to level the platform such that both the first and the second axes of the platform are leveled to the reference plane.
US08408819B2
The invention relates to a camera holding module for stereoscopic shooting, characterized in that it comprises: a carriage mobile in translation (2) along at least one guiding rail, driven by a driving device; a camera-holding rotary member (3) having a rotation axis and a guiding member (32) carried by the mobile carriage, as well as an actuator (27) interacting with the guiding member for initiating the movement thereof in order to rotate the camera holding member.
US08408817B2
A controlled radius splice protector includes a first fiber optic fiber, a second fiber optic fiber, a fiber splice connecting the first fiber optic fiber and the second fiber optic fiber, a hot melted splice tubing extending over the fiber splice and a jacket tubing receiving the hot melted splice tubing and pre-formed to a selected bend radius.
US08408813B2
A fiber optic connector for making a mechanical splice with an optical fiber secured in an optical fiber handler is disclosed. The fiber optic connector provides the craft with a simple, fast and reliable way for terminating the optical fiber.
US08408806B2
An auxiliary bearing system having a sleeve through which a shaft extends. A gap may be defined between the sleeve and the shaft when a primary bearing system supports the shaft, and the sleeve may engage and rotate with the shaft when the primary bearing system does not support the shaft. An oil ring may extend circumferentially around the sleeve and rotate in response to the rotating sleeve when the sleeve engages and rotates with the shaft. The rotating oil ring may distribute lubricant within the auxiliary bearing system.
US08408803B2
An ultrathin cross-roller bearing composed of outer and inner rings, more than one roller rolling through between the outer and inner rings, and a separator interposed between any two adjoining rollers. With the ultrathin cross-roller bearing constructed as stated earlier, the separator lying between the adjoining rollers is in the form of right cylinder better for keeping constantly the roller in proper posture, getting the bearing itself downsized and lightweight as small as possible, and further making sure of positive lubrication. The outer and inner rings are each made into one-piece construction. The inner ring has an inside diameter in a range of from 20 mm to 50 mm. The roller used in the ultrathin cross-roller bearing has a diameter of 2 mm to render a transverse section given by a product of a radial height and a bearing width in transverse section small or ultrathin in thickness.
US08408799B2
A connecting rod bearing is constituted of a pair of semi-cylindrical bearings I and II. In a state in which the semi-cylindrical bearings are assembled into a cylindrical shape, along two contact surfaces C of circumferential end surfaces, first axial oil grooves E are formed to be located at a central portion in a bearing width direction, and second axial oil grooves F are formed to be located at both sides in the bearing width direction of each of the first axial oil grooves E. One of the first axial oil grooves E and two of the second axial oil grooves F are in relation to communicate with each other. The first axial oil groove E is formed in the range of the wall thickness decreasing region surface A.
US08408794B2
A linear ball bearing for longitudinally movable mounting of a shaft-like guide rail in a part surrounding the guide rail, which has a sleeve-like cage with recesses arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction holding ball circuits which have at least one supporting section with supporting balls which are supported such that they can roll on the guide rail. The supporting balls are also supported such that they can roll on a raceway of a supporting race element inserted indirectly or directly into the cage. The supporting race element has at least one radial outer surface, arched outward at least in one direction, for contact against an inner surface of the part which surrounds the guide rail. The outer surface is formed by at least one web-like projection extending in the longitudinal direction of the supporting race element.
US08408784B2
Provided is the assembly of a watch winder with a moveable attention-attracting mechanism driven from the motor of the watch winder through a transmission mechanism. The attention-attracting mechanism comprises a multilink mechanism that includes a device in the form of a human being, wherein the first link is formed as hands, the second link as a body, and the base support as legs. Rotation of the crank may be further transmitted to another attention-attracting mechanism that is formed as a Ferris wheel. According to the second modification, the multilink mechanism is formed as an oil-extracting pump.
US08408783B2
The invention relates to a horizontal agitator for producing a flow in a clearing basin, wherein a propeller (2) comprising a plurality of blades (4) is connected to a submersible motor (1) disposed axially thereto. In order to increase the efficiency of the horizontal agitator, according to the invention plate-shaped flow conducting elements (8) extending in at least one axial plane are provided downstream of the propeller (2).
US08408773B2
An illuminated component for motor vehicles and the like includes a light source that may comprise one or more LEDs. A sheet of light-transmitting material has a first side surface that is coated with ink or other opaque material. Some of the opaque material is removed to form areas that may be illuminated by the light source. The opaque material may be removed utilizing a laser-engraving/etching process according to a specific pattern or design provided by a customer from a remote location.
US08408771B2
A lamp unit is constructed of light sources, a reflector, a lamp housing that receives the light sources and the reflector therein, and a lamp lens that closes an opening of the lamp housing. The reflector has a through hole that is formed in a portion positioned above a first light source as a heat source, so that air warmed by heat of the first light source can be introduced into a rear side of the reflector via the through hole. The air introduced into the rear side of the reflector via the through hole and ascending therein can be lead by a first guide means to an air stagnating portion positioned in an end periphery of a hermetically-closed space that is defined by the lamp housing and the lamp lens.
US08408766B2
The present invention relates to surfacing material which may emit radiation in response to exposure to a given light source. Such surfacing material may be polymeric based, and e.g., fiber based, and may be used in relatively low-light areas, including low-light areas as applied to vehicular applications. The fiber-based or molded materials may emit radiation in response to exposure to a selected light source and may be used in relatively dimly lit areas. The materials may also provide a visible contrast to other objects located adjacent their surface which do not emit radiation. Optical brighteners and luminous particles may be included in the materials to make them luminous.
US08408765B2
A system, controller, and method for controlling a light distribution pattern. A light source and an electrowetting lens cooperate to vary a light distribution pattern of light from the light source. An object detector is used by a controller determine the location of an object and operate the electrowetting lens in order to control the light distribution pattern based on the location of the object. The electrowetting lens provides for faster redirecting of light toward an object when compared to mechanical based system. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes to provide a reliable, energy efficient source of light.
US08408752B2
In a surface lighting unit comprising a footprint portion, a sidewall portion, and an optical reflector with an opening spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the footprint portion. The opening substantially satisfies a relation A=bx2+c, assuming A is the open area ratio, i.e. the ratio of the opening area in a preset predetermined region to the area of the preset predetermined region, b and c are constants, and x is the distance from the center of the optical reflector. The opening has a circular non-through hole concentric to the center of the optical reflector, a concentric arcuate hole on the outside thereof, and a plurality of round holes farther on the outside thereof.
US08408738B2
A light emitting device is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a reflective layer, a plurality of light emitting components disposed on the reflective layer, and a resin layer formed on the plurality of light emitting components and the reflective layer.
US08408735B2
An actuating device for operating lamps (1) includes an actuator provided for actuating a number of first light-emitting diodes (6) for generating white light, on the one hand, and a number of second light-emitting diodes (7) for generating single-color light, on the other hand. A control is provided such that only the first light-emitting diodes (6) are switched on in a first operating state of the operating lamp (1) and such that the first light-emitting diodes (6) and the second light-emitting diodes (7) are switched on in a second operating state. The second light-emitting diodes (7) are designed such that a preset color rendering index is greater in the second operating state than in the first operating state of the operating lamp (1).
US08408726B2
An illumination module includes a light mixing cavity with an interior surface area and window that are physically separated from an LED. A portion of the window is coated with a first wavelength converting material and a portion of the interior surface area is coated with a second wavelength converting material. The window may be coated with LuAG:Ce. The window may also be coated with a third wavelength converting material with a peak emission wavelength between 615-655 nm where the spectral response of light emitted from the window is within 20% of a blackbody radiator at the same CCT. The LED may emit a light that is converted by the light mixing cavity with a color conversion efficiency ratio greater than 130 lm/W where the light mixing cavity includes two photo-luminescent materials with a peak emission wavelengths between 508-528 nm and 615-655 nm.
US08408722B2
The display stage includes a top and bottom compartments. The top compartment is defined by a translucent horizontal wall having a front end, and top and bottom surfaces extending rearwardly from the front end to a translucent backwall having front and rear surfaces. The bottom compartment is defined by an angular wall extending downwardly from the horizontal-wall front end and has a reflective surface facing the bottom surface of the horizontal wall. A light source behind the compartments provides illumination of an article disposed on the horizontal wall, by directing light at both at the rear surface of the backwall and the reflective surface of the angular wall.
US08408718B2
A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.
US08408716B2
The image projection apparatus includes an exhaust air outlet through which an exhaust air flows out from an inside of the apparatus to an outside thereof, an air inlet through which an external air flows in from the outside of the apparatus to the inside thereof, a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the external air flowing into the inside of the apparatus through the air inlet, and a controller that performs a protection operation when one of a predetermined temperature corresponding to a temperature of the exhaust air and a predetermined temperature change caused by flowing in of the exhaust air through the air inlet is detected by the temperature detector. The apparatus enables quick detection of a state in which the exhaust air outlet is blocked to perform the protection operation.
US08408707B1
A method for generating a visual acuity metric, based on wavefront aberrations (WFAs), associated with a test subject and representing classes of imperfections, such as defocus, astigmatism, coma and spherical aberrations, of the subject's visual system. The metric allows choices of different image template, can predict acuity for different target probabilities, can incorporate different and possibly subject-specific neural transfer functions, can predict acuity for different subject templates, and incorporates a model of the optotype identification task.
US08408697B2
A new high refractive index, oxygen permeable contact lens material and method for making the same. The material comprises an alkyl acrylate, a fluoro acrylate, a silicone acrylate, a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a substituted aromatic ring and/or heterocyclic ring structure, a multifunctional acrylate, and a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a heterocyclic ring structure.
US08408693B2
A printing system has a print mechanism to dispense a curable ink onto print media, a texture roller having a textured surface arranged to transfer a texture through a film to the curable ink on the media resulting in textured ink, and a curing mechanism to cure the textured ink. A printing system has a print head to dispense a curable ink onto print media, a film arranged adjacent a side of the media upon which the ink is dispensed, a texture roller arranged on a side of the film opposite the media to transfer texture to the curable ink, resulting in textured ink, and a curing mechanism to cure the textured ink. A method of controlling gloss in a printed image includes forming a printed image on print media using curable ink, using a roller to transfer a texture pattern to the curable ink, and curing the ink such that the pattern cures into the ink.
US08408691B2
The invention provides an ink jet recording ink containing a self-dispersion pigment to a surface of which an anionic functional group represented by the following general formula (1) is bonded directly or through another atomic group, an ammonium salt of an organic carboxylic acid, water, and a water-soluble compound having a hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity coefficient of 0.26 or more as defined by the following equation (A), the ink having a surface tension of 34 mN/m or less, wherein M1 and M2 are, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom, alkali metal, ammonium or organic ammonium; Hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity coefficient=[(Water activity of a 20% aqueous solution)−(Molar fraction of water in the 20% aqueous solution)]/[1−(Molar fraction of water in the 20% aqueous solution)] (A).
US08408685B2
The invention relates to an ink supply system (2) for an inkjet printer (1) as well as a method of operating the ink supply system and an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer comprises a print head arrangement (6) incorporating several print heads (7) with one or more nozzles (8) for at least one color. The print heads (7) are connected via connecting lines (19) to a supply tank (187) connected via a filling line to an intermediate tank (12) with a conveyor means (16) and a filter arrangement (18) connected in between, and connected separately in each case via second connecting lines (21) to a common return tank (22). Means (32) are provided by means of which a pressure difference can be maintained in the supply tank (17) and/or in the return tank (22) as and when necessary to control a flow of ink from the supply tank (17) via the flow passages (20) of the print heads (7) connected in parallel to the return tank (22). The return tank (22) is directly connected to the supply tank (17) via a return line (24), optionally with a conveyor means (25) connected in between.
US08408681B2
A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays. A concave portion is formed on a back side of a head substrate, and all supply ports are formed in the bottom of the concave portion. The head substrate and a supporting member are bonded at the bottom of the concave portion so that the supply port and an introduction port communicate with each other. According to such a configuration, a ground contact area can be sufficiently secured, so that a liquid discharge head that is highly reliable and having high heat dissipation ability, and that can be manufactured with high productivity can be achieved.
US08408678B2
A liquid ejection head includes a substrate having an energy-generating device configured to generate energy used for ejecting a liquid from an orifice; a transparent channel wall member forming an inner wall of a channel leading to the orifice; and an intermediate layer disposed between and in contact with a surface of the substrate and the channel wall member and having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the channel wall member. The intermediate layer has a first outer end surface forming contours of a symbol as viewed in a direction from the orifice toward the substrate and making a first angle with the surface of the substrate and a second outer end surface facing the channel and making a second angle with the surface of the substrate. The first angle is an obtuse angle. The second angle is smaller than the first angle.
US08408677B2
Two arrays of ejection openings which eject relatively large amounts of ink are provided for each of different color inks and are disposed at symmetrical positions in the order of colors in a direction corresponding to a record scan. In addition, a single array of ejection openings which eject relatively small amounts of ink is disposed for at least one color ink. Since the symmetrical disposition in the color order of the ejection opening arrays which eject large amounts of ink prevents color unevenness from appearing even when the bidirectional recording is performed. Since the single array is formed of the ejection openings which eject small amount of ink, and which is used for highly precise recording, it is possible to avoid image deterioration due to the shift of dot formed positions, even when the recording head is mounted in an inclined manner attributable to the variation in manufacturing.
US08408676B2
An ink jet printer for printing on a substrate comprising a first print head outputting ink and defining an ink meniscus; a platen operable to carry the substrate; a support structure; and a print head mechanism coupled to the support structure and carrying the first print head. The print head mechanism moving the first print head relative to the platen. A controller controls the print head mechanism such that at least one of a predetermined acceleration and predetermined deceleration of the print head mechanism is achieved such that the ink meniscus is operably maintained.
US08408668B2
A record head has an actuator which is selectively switchable between a small-capacity state in which the capacity of a pressure chamber connected to an outlet is V1 and a large-capacity state in which the capacity of the pressure chamber is V2 which is larger than V1. A head driving unit selectively supplies, to the actuator, ejection drive signals which change the state of the actuator to eject liquid from the outlet and non-ejection drive signals by which the state of the actuator is changed from the small-capacity state to the large-capacity state and then returns to the small-capacity state, to the extent that no ejection of the liquid occurs from the outlet. The head driving unit successively supplies the non-ejection drive signals to the actuator while causing at least one of a first time and a second time to repeatedly increase and decrease in length, the first time being a time from an increase timing at which the state is changed from the small-capacity state to the large-capacity state to a decrease timing at which the state is changed from the large-capacity state to the small-capacity state, and the second time being a time ranging from an input of a non-ejection drive signal to an input of a directly-subsequent non-ejection drive signal.
US08408664B2
A refrigerator and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A refrigerator according to the present includes a refrigerator body (10); a refrigerator door (20) for opening/closing the body; an opening (30) formed in front of the refrigerator door; a home bar door (50) rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door (20) for opening/closing the opening; a securing unit (80) for selectively securing the home bar door for close up the home bar door tight; and a damping member (90) provided at the refrigerator door (20) or the home bar door (50) for dampening the rotation of home bar door (50). According to the present invention, convenience for a user as well as for smooth opening/closing of home bar door may be improved. Also, damage and noise due to the user opening/closing a home bar door (50) may be reduced.
US08408663B2
A consumer appliance, for example a refrigeration appliance, includes a compartment with a pull-out drawer. A slide member is configured on each opposite side of the compartment, with the drawer having a slide bracket mounted to each respective slide member for movement of pull-out drawer into and out of the compartment. A gear rail is configured on each opposite side of the compartment adjacent to the slide member. A gear assembly is mounted to each slide bracket and includes a first gear engaged with the gear rail and a pinion gear engaged with the first gear. The pinion gear has a rotational axis that is vertically displaced from the rotational axis of the first gear. A cross bar is connected between the pinion gears.
US08408657B2
A bed leveling system for a dump truck to prevent an imbalance of the truck bed during unloading of material. The system controls the side to side tilt of the truck bed and returns that bed to a generally level orientation when the bed tilt exceeds a predetermined angle. The truck bed is pivotally affixed to the truck chassis through a hinge pin. Thus, the tilting of the dump bed is carried out by a hydraulic system that changes the tilt of the hinge pin. The leveling system includes a cylindrical tube that supports the hinge pin and which is rotatable with respect to the chassis. A roll cylinder rotates the cylindrical tube to change the tilt angle of the hinge pin. A tilt sensor senses the out of level orientation of the truck bed and activates the leveling system to bring the bed back to a generally level orientation.
US08408654B2
A vehicle seat frame provides a tilting feature for tilting the seat cushion. The frame includes side brackets (20) with a torsion tube (60) laterally—extending through an aperture (100) of the side brackets. The torsion tube is fitted against the side bracket through an internal swaging procedure to allow smooth rotation of the torsion tube within the side brackets. The torsion tube includes an annular protrusion (200) which provides an axial locking feature that tightly secures the subcomponents placed onto the torsion tube during vehicle operation.
US08408653B2
A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
US08408651B2
A motor vehicle seat is provided with an adjusting device that includes, but is not limited to a longitudinal sliding device for sliding the motor vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction and a transverse sliding device for sliding the motor vehicle seat in transverse direction. The transverse sliding device includes, but is not limited to at least one swiveling lever which on the one hand is arranged on the longitudinal sliding device and on the other hand indirectly or directly on the motor vehicle seat. The swiveling lever can be swiveled from a first swiveling position, in which the motor vehicle seat is arranged in a transverse position, into a second swiveling position in which the motor vehicle seat relative to the first transverse position is arranged in transverse direction offset in a second transverse position.
US08408646B2
A seat assembly having a seat base. A seat pan is operably connected to the seat base. A rod extends across the seat base into elongated slots in the seat pan. An engagement member is operable between a first position out of contact with the rod and a second position in contact with the rod. A motor includes a drive shaft operably connected with the rod and adapted to rotate the rod. Rotation of the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the first position causes longitudinal displacement of the seat pan. Rotation of the drive shaft when the engagement member is in the second position causes rotation of the rod and the seat pan.
US08408639B2
A vehicle seat and head restraint assembly is disclosed in which the configuration of the seat back is automatically adjusted as the position of the head rest is changed. Upon lowering the head restraint, a forwardly directed face of the seat back is urged outward to thereby decrease a torso angle associate with the seat assembly. Additional versions are described in which the torso angle is decreased by raising the head rest. And, versions are described in which horizontal or pivotal movement of the head restraint causes movement of a forward face of the seat back.
US08408636B1
A motor vehicle includes a first side member having first lower and upper darts. The motor vehicle also includes a second side member parallel with and spaced apart from the first side member, the second side member having second lower and upper darts. The upper darts are positioned between the lower darts and end portions of the respective first or second side members. The motor vehicle further includes first and second bumper brackets coupled to the end portion of the respective first or second side members, a bumper reinforcement member coupled to the first and second bumper brackets, and a counter rotation bracket coupled to the bumper reinforcement member and extending upwards from the bumper reinforcement member. The lower darts and the upper darts form a preferential buckling zone of the first and the second side members.
US08408635B2
An energy-saving vehicle including a housing, a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a steering wheel. The housing includes an outer portion, an inner portion, an air-flow channel, at least a first air inlet, and at least an air outlet. The air-flow channel is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion of the housing. The first air inlet is disposed in the front of the vehicle. The air outlet is disposed at the back of the vehicle. The first air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air-flow channel. The front wheels and the rear wheels are driven by a power unit. The length of the air-flow channel is no less than that of the upper portion of the housing. The vehicle consumes less energy and travels more stably compared to conventional vehicles.
US08408630B2
A slide member is slidable along a slide rail provided at a vehicle-body side portion. When lock pawls provided at the slide member are engaged with the slide rail, the slide member is locked. The slide member is unlocked by operating an operation cable connected to the lock pawls. The operation cable is fitted to a fitting portion of an attachment bracket connected to the slide rail. A portion from a fixed portion fixed to the fitting portion to a movable portion (one end portion) extends through a region where a non-contact portion is disposed, and does not contact the non-contact portion. The movable portion is connected to the slide member and moved integrally with the slide member.
US08408618B2
Gripping pliers (1) are provided for grasping and holding an object. The gripping pliers include at least two gripping jaws (2), movable in reference to each other, along with a drive for an opening and closing motion of the gripping jaws (2). At least one of the gripping jaws (2) includes several fingers (3), arranged side-by-side in reference to each other with each being individually adjustable against a restoring force, approximately in an opening and closing direction. The gripping jaws (2) are each embodied in one piece with their respective fingers.
US08408617B2
A gripping device, for gripping underwater pipelines at the laying stage, has jaws that are pressed onto a pipeline extending along an axis-substantially parallel to a laying direction, and have respective friction pads that are brought cyclically into contact with the outer face of the pipeline; and auxiliary gripping tools, which have panels for covering respective friction pads, and are selectively connectable to the jaws to increase grip between the jaws and the pipeline.
US08408610B2
A door handle apparatus includes first and second handle cases constituting a door handle, a rotational-portion extending portion, an operational-portion extending portion, and a lock detection electrode of an electrostatic capacity sensor detecting that a door lock command is inputted, on the basis of a fluctuation of electrostatic capacity. The lock detection electrode includes an upper lock detection electrode and a lower lock detection electrode arranged to face an inner surface of an upper wall and an inner surface of a lower wall, respectively. A first electrode end surface of the upper lock detection electrode and a second electrode end surface of the lower lock detection electrode are formed into different shapes, so that a level of capacitive coupling between the lower lock detection electrode and the outer panel is set to be smaller than a level of capacitive coupling between the upper lock detection electrode and the outer panel.
US08408606B2
A pipe clamp assembly including a band having an inner annular seal element wrappable around a pipe, opposing clamp members extending from the band, tightening elements for clamping together the clamp members, the tightening elements passing through holders located at ends of the clamp members, and a keeper fastened to one of the holders at a first end of at least one of the tightening elements, the keeper having a cover portion that lies over the first end.
US08408596B2
An airbag device that may ensure an increased restraining force and a reduction of damage with respect to an occupant that is out of position or of small stature is provided. The airbag device for a passenger seat of the present invention may be disposed inside an instrument panel of a vehicle and protects an occupant inside the vehicle by inflation and deployment of an airbag when an emergency situation occurs. The airbag device includes: an airbag that is compressed into a plurality of layers in a vertical direction when not used, and inflated and deployed when an emergency situation occurs; and a restriction member that restricts the deployment of the airbag so that a deployment direction of an upper layer portion is directed toward an occupant side, wherein the upper layer portion is deployed first from among the plurality of layers of the airbag.
US08408588B2
A fixture for a motor vehicle includes an airbag outlet flap in an airbag outlet region. In the region of the airbag outlet flap, at least one breaking point region is provided, along with at least one joint region. An airbag module is included that itself includes an airbag. A guide element is included such that, when the airbag is deployed, force is applied by the airbag on the guide element, force is applied to the airbag outlet flap.
US08408586B2
A curtain airbag device for a vehicle has a curtain airbag main body 17 that is disposed along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body while covered with an A pillar trim 41 and roof trim 42, and folded in an A pillar 7 and a roof side rail part 30 of the vehicle body so as to be able to deploy downward within a cabin. The curtain airbag main body 17 is provided with a twisted part 17b that is twisted such that an initial deployment force, generated upon inflation and deployment of the curtain airbag main body 17 located in a vicinity of the A pillar trim 41, is acted in a separation direction in which the A pillar trim 41 is parted away from the A pillar part 7, to push open the A pillar trim 41 toward an inside of the cabin. At least an upper surface of the twisted part 17b is regulated by a supporting bracket 21 and disposed in the vehicle body.
US08408583B2
Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.
US08408581B1
The collapsible shopping cart device provides a shopping cart with pivoting telescopic legs. Two spaced apart front legs mount to a pair of spaced apart leg pivots proximal to the basket bottom front. The pivoted legs provide for total collapse to the basket bottom or extension to positions that allow the basket to be selectively varied in height above a given surface such as a store floor. The basket may be provided with hinges between the basket sides and front and back and the basket bottom such that sides, front, and back may collapse for even greater collapsibility for either transport or storage. The sides, front and back are selectively locked in place when expanded. The seat bottom and back may be removable. The handle may be removable. The entire basket and its upwardly disposed components may therefore provide extreme compactability.
US08408580B2
The present invention provides a baby stroller folding device comprising an upper stroller frame, having a bendable handle installed at an upper end of the upper stroller frame; a lower stroller frame, with an upper end coupled to the upper stroller frame, and having a front wheel leg of a front wheel and a bendable step pipe disposed at the bottom of the lower stroller frame; a rear wheel leg, disposed separately on both sides of the upper and lower stroller frames, and having the rear wheel installed at the bottom of the rear wheel leg, a first slide member installed at the middle of the rear wheel leg, a pull rod installed between the first slide member and the upper and lower stroller frames, and a latch rod disposed at an upper end of the rear wheel leg; a folding joint, installed separately between the upper and lower stroller frames and the rear wheel leg, for coupling and positioning the upper and lower stroller frames, and the rear wheel leg having internal and external gear discs with a notch each and selectively latched and detached with respect to the latch rod; and a link mechanism, installed between the two rear wheel legs, and having a plurality of pipe frames, slide members, link rods and a start element, and the start element being coupled to the latch rod by a steel rope, such that the baby stroller folding device can fold the baby stroller in longitudinal and transversal directions at the same time smoothly by a simple operation.
US08408578B2
A boat coupling including a jaw for receiving an eye which is attached to the hull of a boat. A pin is movable to bridge across the jaw to capture the eye between extended and retracted positions. A retaining arrangement for retaining the pin in the retracted position will release the pin upon the pin being shifted to a release position, where after the pin is moveable under a biasing influence to shift to the extended position.
US08408575B2
A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle comprises a front frame portion extending rearward from a head pipe, and a rear frame portion extending downward or rearward from a rear end of the front frame portion. The front frame portion includes at least a pair of right and left frame members. A front end of the rear frame portion is welded to a center cross member coupling rear ends of the frame members. The center cross member has a closed cross-section structure in which plate members are joined together in a forward and rearward direction. Thus, a fuel tank and devices can be laid out more flexibly from a location above the center cross member to a location behind the center cross member more flexibly and mounted more easily.
US08408566B2
A subframe for a front axle of a motor vehicle is arranged on the floor side of the vehicle structure and is connected to a front axle transverse beam and to the vehicle body. The subframe substantially contains two longitudinal beams which are arranged in a divergent fashion in relation to one another and which are connected at the rear end—as viewed in relation to the direction of travel—to a plate-shaped stiffening element. The latter is held together with the longitudinal beams on a central tunnel of the vehicle structure by fastening devices, with it being possible for the free front ends of the longitudinal beams to be fastened to the front axle transverse beam by further fastening devices.
US08408565B2
The present invention relates to a hinge structure of a skateboard, and more specifically, to a hinge structure of a skateboard wherein an intermediate part of the skateboard divided into two parts that are a front board and a rear board is connected by a hinge unit. Accordingly, the skateboard is twisted and the skateboard's alignment is elastically returned by a cam and spring of the hinge unit, thereby increasing propelling force and durability. Also, since assembly and disassembly of the hinge unit is easy when the skateboard is broken, convenient maintenance and repair are enabled.
US08408564B2
A refuse and recycling cart assembly includes a U-shaped lower frame to hold a plurality of refuse or yard waste containers with easy turn lockable wheels to provide for maneuvering the cart in tight places, stopping or storing the cart on inclined and slippery surfaces or immobilizing the cart during loading or unloading. A U-shaped upper frame with a low to the ground wide rear opening provides for easy loading of containers into the cart with little lifting required. A U-shaped rear vertical support frame has a removable upper frame to give even more clearance for loading containers into the cart with little lifting. The top of the upper rear vertical support frame is bent to provide a handle with a user gripping strip placed on the handle. Upper and lower U-shaped horizontal supports are cantilevered from the upper vertical support frame to support a pair of recycling bins.
US08408557B2
The seal arrangement (154) is arranged between the casing portions (50,52) and a fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the casing portions (50,52). A first protecting member (156) is positioned between the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) and the casing portion (50) and the first protecting member (156) consists of a polymer and hydroxyapatite. The first protecting member (156) consists of 50 to 80 wt % polymer and 20 to 50 wt % hydroxyapatite and incidental impurities. The first protecting member (156) is located in an annular groove (70) and is thus arranged between the casing portion (50) and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72). The first protecting member (156) is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72) is positioned between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section first protecting member (156). The first protecting member (156) prevents corrosion of the casing portion (50) by the fluoropolymer O-ring seal (72).
US08408556B2
The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. Additional grooves are contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. The additional grooves direct and create pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. The additional grooves are comprised of a first and a second axial bore groove extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the seal ring segment in fluid communication with the dead end circumferential groove so as to direct fluid flow generated from a rotating shaft into the dead end circumferential groove wherein the first axial bore groove is spaced at one end of the seal segment and the second axial bore groove is approximately centered on the seal segment. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.
US08408555B2
An intershaft seal system capable of communicating a balanced pressure profile onto forward and aft faces along a piston ring is presented. Seal system includes forward and aft mating rings and a piston ring. Mating rings include a plurality of divergent flow grooves adjacent to the piston ring. Each divergent flow groove includes a pair of grooves which intersect at and are substantially symmetric about an apex. The piston ring includes channels which direct a fluid from a high pressure region upward, downward, or directly through the piston ring and onto the divergent flow grooves. The divergent flow grooves separate the fluid in a symmetrically divergent fashion prior to communication onto the piston ring. The divergent flow grooves communicate a substantially symmetric pressure force along the radial width of the piston ring so as to minimize twisting thereof, thus reducing wear along the piston ring and increasing seal life.
US08408552B2
A poker or game chip has an outer ring and an inner disk. The inner disk is typically engaged with the outer ring, but may be disengaged by pushing on the inner disk. When the chips are in a stack, pushing on an inner disk causes it to disengage with the outer ring, and engage in the outer ring of an adjacent chip. In a stack of chips, all of the chips may have a moveable inner disk and, upon application of pressure, may be shifted to engage with the outer rim of an adjacent chip, thereby causing the stack of chips to lock. A stack of chips is thereby secured together, so that the chips will not easily disengage and spread along the top of the table.
US08408550B2
Embodiments include electronic and mechanical improvements to a card shoe adapted to prevent a cheating player from gaining knowledge of the cards within the shoe. In some embodiments, a variety of electronic security solutions are contemplated. In one example, cards may be shuffled at a remote location where the sequence of the cards may be hashed or encrypted and deleted from an external electronic memory. These cards may be sealed with various physical and electronic seals, associated with the hashed value of the card sequence and are shipped to a casino table where they may be inserted into an intelligent card shoe.
US08408544B2
A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that after scanning sorting such documents is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. The method further includes providing at least two movable members including two rotatable exit rollers, movable belts, or a movable belt and a rotatable exit roller along the path to provide a nip for the documents; and selectively driving the movable members to provide selectable exit velocities so that such documents are sorted in accordance with their selected exit velocity.
US08408542B2
A media processing device enables opening an openable unit so that the media transportation path is open with a minimal operation and little operating force. The media processing device has an openable unit that can rotate on a first pivot axis CL1 from a closed position to an open position; a lock member that can move to a locked position where it locks the openable unit in the closed position and an unlocked position where the lock is released; and an operating lever that can rotate on a second pivot axis CL2 through a range from a first pivot position passed a second pivot position to a third pivot position. A first cam mechanism converts rotation of the operating lever from the second pivot position to the third pivot position to rotation of the openable unit from the closed position to the open position.
US08408535B2
An attachment assist device includes an engaging member, an engaged member, a drawing-force generator, biasing members, and rotational members. The engaging member is provided at one of a main unit and a sub unit detachably attached to the main unit. The engaged member is engaged by the engaging member and provided at the other of the main unit and the sub unit. The drawing-force generator generates a drawing force to draw the sub unit into an interior of the main unit. The biasing members are provided at the drawing-force generator to generate biasing forces in different directions. The rotational members are provided rotatably around support points at the drawing-force generator and engaged with the biasing members. The biasing members are serially connected with the rotational members to convert the biasing forces of the biasing members to the drawing force.
US08408534B2
A medium feeding device includes a first feeding unit feeds the medium to be fed to a downstream side of a feeding direction. A second feeding unit then feeds the medium to a upstream side and a downstream side on the basis of a feeding direction of the first feeding unit. A friction member is positioned opposite to the first feeding unit. A displacement member converts between a first state in which the displacement member protrudes upwardly in a stacked direction with respect to the friction member and a second state in which the displacement member retracts downwardly. The displacement member is set as the second state when one remaining sheet of the medium is fed to the downstream side by the first feeding unit, and the displacement member is set as the first state when a trailing end of the one remaining sheet passes through the friction member.
US08408527B2
A two jaw vise having a base extending in a longitudinal direction between two ends, a central fixed block and opposing jaws on either side of the central block. The opposing jaws being movable longitudinally and joined to the base for controlled movement longitudinally. The base including a base block extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and including first and second longitudinally extending rails. The first and second rails extending parallel to the base block and being spaced from the base block. The first and second rails at least partially forming the controlled movement of the jaws. The base further including first and second pluralities of vertically extending columns extending between the base block and the first and second rails, respectively. The base including at least one gap between adjacent columns.
US08408520B2
An apparatus and methods for pushing conductors into conduit and other structures are disclosed. The apparatus (“pusher”) can include rollers to apply a pushing force to one or more conductors or bundles of conductors. One or more rollers can be coupled to a drive mechanism. The pusher is configured to pull conductors or bundles of conductors off of one or more spools, and push the conductors or bundles of conductors without de-bundling or sorting the conductors. The conductors can be fed through the pusher in any format including side-by-side, vertical on top of one another, twisted together, or other formats. The pusher can include a guiding device that is configured to route the conductors from the pusher to a conduit through which the conductors are being pushed or pulled.
US08408508B2
A support structure for supporting a display panel includes a support and a clamp. The support is rotatably coupled to the display panel. The clamp includes two clamping arms rotatably coupled to the support, a bolt and an adjusting nut. A slot is defined in each clamping arm. The bolt is extended through each slot and engaged with the adjusting nut. Therefore a distance between two distal ends of two clamping arms can be adjusted by screwing and unscrewing the adjusting nut along the bolt. A display device using the support structure is also provided.
US08408504B1
A television support assembly includes a vertical support that has a top end and a bottom end. The vertical support is engageable with a bed frame. A monitor support is attached to the upper end. A panel is attached to the monitor support. The panel is configured to receive fasteners to hold a monitor on the panel. The panel has a bottom side facing downward and is angled between 10° and 50° with respect to a horizontal plane such that the bottom side is angled toward the vertical support.
US08408502B2
In order to provide a display monitor, such as a thin design television or the like, in which its display unit is easily attachable and detachable from the stand structure and can be easily carried about, and where the place of installation of the display unit is not limited, a stand type thin design television includes a display unit (1), a joint body (15), a pillar (25) and a stand base (29). The joint body (15) is attached to the display unit (1) while the joint body (15) is free to be attached to and removed from the pillar (25) that is fixed to the stand base (29). In the first usage mode in which the pillar (25) and the stand base (29) are used, the joint (15) is inserted into the pillar (25). In the second usage mode in which the pillar (25) and the stand base (29) are not used, the joint body (15) itself is used as a stand.
US08408494B2
The invention relates to an airbag system for aircraft, intended to protect crew and passengers. The system comprises: inflatable cushions; a supply of air from individual tanks, communal tanks and the aircraft APU; a connection to the landing gear and the altimeter; a manual switch; an approach and contact sensor enabling automatic activation; electric lines, electrovalves and air ducts. The system also includes a second version which is activated using electrochemical batteries which operate on the basis of sharp deceleration.
US08408490B2
An oblique wing aircraft (1) designed for reduced surface area to volume ratio. The aircraft has an oblique wing comprising a forward swept wing segment (27) on one side of the wing and an aft swept wing segment (29) on the opposite side of the wing. A center oblique airfoil section (25) connects the forward and aft swept wing segments. The center oblique airfoil section has a larger chord near its centerline than the chords of either of the forward or aft swept wing segments. The chord of the center oblique airfoil section tapers down more rapidly than the forward or aft wing segments as the center oblique airfoil section extends outboard toward the forward and aft swept wings. The center oblique airfoil section is not shaped solely to function as a circular fairing to fill the gap between an oblique wing and a fuselage at different oblique wing angles, nor is it a second wing in an X wing configuration. Preferably, the aircraft is an all-wing aircraft.
US08408486B2
A length adjustable fitting for blind systems, including a housing and a drive member fitted to said housing; a core component including a core member shaped for engaging a drive portion of said drive member, the core component including a support portion shaped for engaging a support member for supporting said fitting; wherein, the selective adjustment of the drive member relative to the housing moves the core member along an axis to a different position relative to the housing, wherein at each said position, the drive member engages the core member to resist movement of the core member along the axis from said position relative to said housing.
US08408484B2
True zero-clearance cutting on a commercial scale is provided via a cutting area including a sacrifice material that is relatively softer than the cutter. One example is a cutting system which is capable of cutting a material such as, for example, tape or paper, into a fiber or powder. The cutting system includes a cutting blade, typically a rotary cutter, and a sacrificial plate or round bar contacting the cutting blade. The contacting portion has a zero clearance during the cutting operation. A metering mechanism is also provided which is capable of metering the material at a predetermined rate to the cutting blade. A mechanism is also provided for incrementally moving the sacrificial blade towards the cutting blade to ensure that the zero clearance is maintained between the cutting blade and the sacrificial plate, even when the sacrificial plate begins to wear down due to usage. Also, destruction of the material is further enhanced by advantageous strategic patterning of cutting edges on a rotary cutter, and further by secondary shredding features. Systems are provided for reducing to-be-destroyed paper and other relatively-thin planar materials to a dust or powder-size.
US08408481B1
A mobile fragrance-dispensing device resembling a pet. The device features a base with an inner cavity for storing a fragrance canister, a microprocessor, wheels disposed on the ends of the legs on the base, and a motor with steering mechanism operatively connected to each wheel. A dispenser system is fluidly connectable to the fragrance canister. The dispenser system functions to spray fragrance from said fragrance canister when activated. A motion sensor is disposed on the head of the base, wherein when the motion sensor is activated the microprocessor activates the dispensing system for a certain length of time.
US08408472B2
An electronic surveillance article (EAS) tag has an articulated body, or housing, having an articulating joint joining two portions, or pods. In one embodiment a first portion, or sensor pod, encloses EAS elements and a second portion, or retention pod, contains a retention mechanism. In one embodiment, the retention pod and sensor pod are connected by a swivel joint. In one embodiment the retention pod encloses a ball clutch. An aperture in the retention pod gives access to an aperture in the ball clutch. A shaft on an attaching element inserts into the clutch to attach the tag to an object. In one embodiment, the attaching element is a lanyard having one end terminating in a shaft and the other end terminating in a connector for forming a loop in the lanyard. Other attaching elements may be used.
US08408466B2
An electronic device identifies that it will transmit a matrix code to a display. Then, the device may transmit a signal to a matrix code reader. The signal instructs the reader to perform a matrix code capture action such as playing an alert, powering an optical reader, launching a capture application, and so on. The device may evaluate one or more conditions before transmitting and the reader may evaluate one or more conditions before performing the action. The device may transmit the signal to any reader within a communication range, only to readers on a matrix code reader list, and so on. Additionally, a reader may transmit a confirmation message to the device when the reader captures a matrix code after receiving a related signal confirming that the matrix code was captured successfully.
US08408462B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes in an active display for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, a barcode image sequence is displayed on the display screen of a first electronic device. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence. The second electronic device displays an acknowledgement on the display screen of the second electronic device. The acknowledgement is read by the first electronic device.
US08408459B1
System and method for returns management using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201. The system comprises a set of methods for optimizing a reverse logistics system using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage the entire returns supply chain for various organizations, e.g. 211, 221, and 231. By operating a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage multiple third-party logistics providers, a significant cost savings and efficiency can be created by tracking repair costs individually for serialized products.
US08408454B2
A card can be used to make a payment or to gain access to a secure facility. The card embeds a chip, a passive circuit, and an antennae that receives frequencies upon which the chip executes corresponding payment and access applications. The passive circuit powers the chip upon being energized by an external circuit that emits the frequencies. The card docks into a card dock having a user interface. The user interface has buttons which, when particularly engaged, permits reception of one of the frequencies that energizes the passive circuit to power the chip for the execution of the corresponding application.
US08408451B2
A reclosable folding box of cardboard with at least one tamper-evident closure is provided, which comprises a lid flap with an insertion tab, a cover tab, and a cutout. The tamper-evident closure of the reclosable folding box can be closed by machine without the need for gluing, and the tamper-evident closure can be opened only by destroying the tamper-evident closure. The insertion tab comprises at least one tear-off tab, to which it is connected along one side by at least one first predetermined break line. The tamper-evident closure is set up in such a way that, when the reclosable folding box is opened for the first time, the insertion tab cooperates in the cutout with the cover tab, so that, when the insertion tab moves beyond a breaking point, the at least one tear-off tab tears at least partially along the at least one first predetermined break line. Alternatively, the cover tab comprises at least one second predetermined break line, and the tamper-evident closure is set up in such a way that, when the reclosable folding box is opened for the first time, the insertion tab cooperates in the cutout with the cover tab, so that, when the insertion tab moves beyond a breaking point, the cover tab is torn at least partially along the at least one second predetermined break line.
US08408448B1
A process and tools for forming spherical metal balls is described incorporating molds, injection molded solder, a liquid or gaseous environment to reduce or remove metal oxides and an unconstrained reflow of metal in a heated liquid or gas and solidification of molten metal in a cooler liquid or gas.
US08408440B2
A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.
US08408434B2
The invention discloses five embodiments of hangers for clothes having a first crossbar forming together with means for arranging the hanger on a support a main frame, which comprises an additional second crossbar having a free end for hanging trousers and capable of moving it in space into various positions relative to the main frame and its subsequent pressing to the first crossbar.
US08408432B2
The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for a container, said dispensing closure comprising: a base (200) and mounting means (200) on said base for mounting said base to a container at an opening of the container, said base also constituting an outer side-wall (240) of said closure; a dispensing element (100) having a dispensing channel (160) and a discharge opening (164) said dispensing element being movable between a closed position and an open position; said dispensing element comprising at least one operational control element (142), at least partially extending into at least one opening (242) in said outer side wall of said base to be accessible by a user in order to move said dispensing element between said closed and said open position; said dispensing closure being arranged such that said discharge opening is closed by said outer sidewall of said base, when said dispensing element is in its closed position, and/or such that said dispensing channel is closed by a shut-off element (260) of said base, when said dispensing element is in its closed position.
US08408430B2
Described is a fluid dispensing container having a bottle and fluid withdrawing assembly for liquids, such as liquid cleaners and the like. The bottle has an integral dip tube formed therein connecting at a landing below the top of the bottle neck, fluidly connecting the inside of the bottle with the top opening of the bottle. A fluid dispensing mechanism, such as a remote trigger sprayer, is attached to the top of the bottle to take fluid up through the integral dip tube and dispense the fluid accordingly. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be aligned to allow a direct connection between integral dip tube and the fluid dispensing mechanism at a landing below the bottle opening. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be attached to the bottle with a snap-fit connection.
US08408420B2
A water dispensing apparatus includes a lifting system and a water reservoir. The apparatus automatically installs a water bottle by lowering and inverting the water reservoir atop a water bottle, coupling the water reservoir to the water bottle, and raising and inverting the water reservoir with the water bottle coupled therewith. One or more compartments are filled with water from the inverted water bottle, and water is dispensed from each compartment through a dispenser. Multiple compartments may be included in the water reservoir, with the water in one compartment being electrically cooled and water in another compartment being electrically heated.
US08408416B2
A crate is provided with a base, sides, front, and back that form an enclosure. The front includes and opening and a door positioned within the opening in the closed position. The door is hung by hinges, which are associated with uninterrupted rails on the top of the crate. To open the crate, the bottom of the door is swung outward and upward to pivot the door toward the horizontal position on the hinges. Then, the door can be slid into the enclosure along the uninterrupted guides. The door may also include locks that can secure the door in the closed position. Both of the sides or both the front and back can be releasably connected with the top and pivotable into the base. After both sides or both the front and back are pivoted into the base, the remaining walls and top can be pivoted to fold into the base as a unit.
US08408410B2
A straw holder 200 retains a drinking straw within a bottle such that the straw holder may be reused within other bottles. A plug section comprises a hollow funnel section 211 with an outer side and an inner area 212, with the outer side attaching to a top gasket member 204, a middle inner sealing member 205 and a lower guiding member 206, with the lower guiding member having means of centering the straw holder within the middle of a bottle, with the middle inner sealing member 205 having mean of contacting the inner wall area 402 of a neck section 401 of a bottle, and the top gasket member being configured to sit on top of a top lip 403 of a bottle.
US08408409B1
A bottle closure includes the unitarily-molded combination of: an internally-threaded sidewall; a tamper indicator ring; and a hinge connecting the ring to the sidewall. The hinge permits the ring to be shifted from an initial position to an installation position. The installation position is essentially coaxially aligned with the sidewall.
US08408403B2
A dish support rack for a dishwasher is formed from composite, preferably ceramic/plastic composite. The dish rack includes front, rear and opposing side walls interconnected with a bottom portion. The dish support rack includes a plurality of tine members. The tine members include a base member from which extend a plurality of tines. Each base member includes a socket and a pin element used to join individual tine members to form tine rows. The tine rows are then fastened to the bottom portion to establish dish support zones in the dish rack. The tines can include one or more elastomeric bumpers positioned at various locations where dishware is likely to contact.
US08408401B2
An internal oil strainer housed in an outboard motor unit. A lower end of an oil tube is supported by a first seal member constructed of an O-ring fitted into an oil outlet of a strainer case. An upper end of the oil tube is supported by a second seal member constructed of an O-ring fitted into an inlet of an oil channel.
US08408399B2
A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.
US08408391B2
A detachable multiple drive bit holder for cordless and powered drill drivers, impact drivers, and drills, all referred from here on as drill drivers. This bit holder will hold multiple accessories and connect to drill drivers. Most drill drivers, particularly cordless drill drivers, have a slot in the body of the driver to hold spare drive bits. Drill drivers typically have only one of these slots, allowing only one spare driver bit. The driver multiple drive bit holder utilizes this single slot manufactured into the body of a drill driver to hold a container that stores multiple drive bits of various sizes.
US08408388B1
A locking structure for the box body is provided with a box body, a handle, and a cover. The handle is a rotatable structure which can support the box body to make the box body stand in an inclined manner, so as to allow the user to have a full clear view of the hand tools inside the tool box. On top of that, the tool box offers an antitheft feature, when the tool box is closed, the cover cannot be opened and removed from the box body unless the locking ends of the retainers are destroyed. Therefore, the hand tools cannot be taken out of the tool box without permission.
US08408387B2
A holder for removably storing therein circular disc-like objects. The holder comprises a body having a front opening surrounded by a first annular ledge facing a rear portion of the body. The front opening is smaller than the circular objects and the first annular ledge is of a size to support the circular objects thereon such that the circular object in engagement with the first annular ledge is viewed through the front opening. The rear portion of the body has a circular rear opening that is larger than the first annular ledge. A second annular ledge is disposed inwardly of the rear opening and supports a metal ring that is engageable by a circular magnet to releasably close the rear opening and rear portion of the body. The body may be opened by applying rearward pressure through the front opening.
US08408359B2
The present invention provides an acoustic attenuation based on sound ray deflection theory and a muffler. The method of the present invention provides a temperature gradient between the interior and the exterior of the chamber of the muffler through the low temperature refrigeration system, in which the temperature inside the pipe wall is higher than that outside the pipe wall. The said temperature gradient may deflect the acoustic ray towards the low temperature direction, so as to capture and reduce the noise. The muffler of the present invention comprises a muffler housing laid with a sound absorbing structure (4) on its internal surface, is characterized by the low temperature refrigerating system (2) which is fixed in the position corresponding to the sound absorbing structure (4) on the external surface of the muffler housing (1), covers at least 5% of the area of the external surface of muffler housing (1), and is used to realize quantitative control of the temperature gradient together with a temperature control system (3). The muffler of the present invention effectively improves the noise-absorbing effect of the prior muffler.
US08408358B1
Tunable perforate acoustic liners are disclosed using shape memory materials, which allow the acoustic liners to tune for multiple frequencies across a wide range, unlike current designs which are limited to specific frequencies or small ranges. The liner will be initiated through a sensor and feedback loop to monitor the current acoustic environment and initiate geometry change needed to more effectively attenuate engine noise.
US08408351B2
A vehicle includes a suspension system operatively connecting a vehicle body to a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact between the wheels and a road surface, and for maintaining handling of the vehicle. A system for steering the vehicle and a braking system for decelerating the vehicle are also included. The vehicle additionally includes a plurality of thrusters, wherein at least one of the thrusters is arranged relative to each wheel and each of the plurality of thrusters is configured to generate a force. Furthermore, the vehicle additionally includes a controller configured for regulating the force generated by each of the thrusters to assist the suspension system with maintaining contact between the wheels and the road surface and maintaining handling, assist the steering system with steering, and assist the braking system with decelerating the vehicle. A method of assisting the vehicle suspension, steering, and braking systems is also disclosed.
US08408345B2
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a radiator, a radiator fan, and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has an opposed member located on an axially extension of a rotating shaft of the radiator fan. When a compression load acting on the rotating shaft reaches a preset load, the rotating shaft of the radiator fan is compressed in an axial center direction along an axial center.
US08408342B2
The present invention discloses a hybrid power driving system, comprising: an engine, a clutch, a first shaft, a second shaft disposed parallel to the first shaft, a motor, an energy storage device, and an output gear. The engine may be connected with the first shaft via the clutch. The motor is connected with the second shaft directly or indirectly, and is electrically connected with the energy storage device. The first shaft has a first gear, a second gear and a first synchronizer, in which the first gear and the second gear are mounted on the first shaft via bearings respectively, and the first synchronizer is selectively engaged with the first gear or the second gear. The second shaft may have a third gear, a fourth gear and a second synchronizer, in which the third gear may be mounted on the second shaft via a bearing. The fourth gear may be fixed to the second shaft. And the second synchronizer may be selectively engaged with the third gear or the fourth gear. The first gear may be engaged with the third gear, the second gear may be engaged with the fourth gear. And the third gear may be engaged with an output gear. The present invention also discloses a driving method of a hybrid power driving system. Through the first synchronizer and the second synchronizer selectively engaging with corresponding gears, a plurality of operating modes can be realized. And the structure is simple and compact.
US08408337B2
The downhole flow control means or downhole blowout preventor (downhole BOP) of the present invention is adapted for use during reverse circulation drilling with both concentric drill pipe and concentric coiled tubing. The downhole BOP comprises an inner tube member having an inner passage therethrough and an outer casing forming an annular passage between the inner tube member and the outer casing. The inner passage and the annular passage of the downhole BOP is in fluid communication with the inner passage and annular passage, respectively, of the concentric drill pipe or concentric coiled tubing. The downhole BOP further comprises two valve means, preferably a check valve and a ball valve, for closing off the annular passage and the inner passage of the downhole BOP, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the downhole BOP further comprises an electric actuator for opening and closing the ball valve.
US08408308B2
A method for use in a wellbore includes the steps of providing an elongated, closed tubular body defining an internal chamber wherein the tubular body has an external surface formed with treated areas and an elongated recess extending longitudinally of the tubular body and running through the treated areas; retaining a detonating device in the recess adjacent the external surface of the tubular body; positioning the tubular body with the detonating device in a wellbore adjacent perforation tunnels previously formed in a surrounding well formation and filled with debris; and activating the detonating device to rupture the tubular body inwardly along the external surface forming the recess at the treated areas to expose the chamber within the tubular body to a dynamic underbalanced pressure condition such that fluid from the wellbore and debris from the perforation tunnels is drawn through the wellbore and into the chamber.
US08408307B2
This invention relates to well cleaning methods and apparatus. In particular, this invention relates to a method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore.In one embodiment of the invention, a method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore (12) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a drill string (10) having a drill bit (28) and a cleaning tool (24) with selectively activatable cleaning members (34); drilling a wellbore using the drill bit while maintaining the cleaning members in a deactivated position; and pulling the drill string from the wellbore with the cleaning members in an activated position, to thereby clean the wellbore. A corresponding cleaning tool is also disclosed.
US08408301B2
A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a gelling agent, an aqueous base fluid, a buffer composition comprising a plurality of salts, and a crosslinking agent; and contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The aqueous base fluid is preferably seawater and the buffer composition includes one or more salts present in the treatment fluid from about 1 to about 1000 pounds per gallon of treatment fluid.
US08408298B2
An apparatus for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus has a tool with a sample flow line an inlet disposed with the tool and configured to establish fluid communication between the formation and the sample flow line to draw a fluid sample into the sample flow line. An active filter is positionable in the sample flow line and provides a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line.
US08408296B2
There is provided a method of testing a subterranean formation for fracture condition, including the steps of creating a side bore into the wall of a well traversing the formation, sealing the wall around the side bore to provide a pressure seal between the side bore and the well, pressurizing the side bore beyond a pressure inducing formation fracture while maintaining the seal and monitoring the pressure to identify the fracture condition.
US08408286B2
A shock de-coupler for use with a perforating string can include perforating string connectors at opposite ends of the de-coupler, a longitudinal axis extending between the connectors, and a biasing device which resists displacement of one connector relative to the other connector in both opposite directions along the longitudinal axis, whereby the first connector is biased toward a predetermined position relative to the second connector. A perforating string can include a shock de-coupler interconnected longitudinally between components of the perforating string, with the shock de-coupler variably resisting displacement of one component away from a predetermined position relative to the other component in each longitudinal direction, and in which a compliance of the shock de-coupler substantially decreases in response to displacement of the first component a predetermined distance away from the predetermined position relative to the second component.
US08408285B2
A heat dissipation apparatus includes fins each including a body and blades extending radially outwardly from the body. The blades define cutouts therebetween. The fins are stacked together in such a manner that the cutouts of the fins cooperatively form airflow guiding channels each extending spirally from top to bottom.
US08408282B2
A heat exchange device comprising a fluid flow passage having a plurality of successive segments in fluid flow communication with one another, the segments being adapted to maintain a developing flow therein and thereby improve heat transfer.
US08408280B1
A continuous casting mold with a bleedout detection system is disclosed, which may include a casting mold framework, a molten metal casting mold with a mold inlet and a mold outlet, the mold outlet having a mold cavity perimeter; and a bleedout detection system which may include: a signal generator that provides a balanced current to a sensor/conductor at or near the mold outlet perimeter; a current detector electrically connected to the sensor/conductor; and a programmable controller configured to receive an electrical signal from the bleedout detection system regarding the status of the sensor/conductor.
US08408278B2
An automatic pouring method whereby a tilting automatic pouring device can pour at high speed, accommodating high-speed molding on a high-speed molding line. The method includes: a step wherein a pouring hopper, which can hold an amount of molten metal sufficient for multiple pours, is tilted forward, thereby pouring the molten metal from the hopper into a casting mold; a step wherein the pouring hopper is tilted backward, thereby stopping the aforementioned pouring into the casting mold; and a step wherein a set of casting molds, including the casting mold for which the aforementioned pouring has been completed, are moved at intervals. During the period from the beginning of the step in which molten metal is poured into the casting mold to the end of the step in which the set of casting molds is moved at intervals, whenever the weight of molten metal in the pouring hopper is less than a prescribed weight, molten metal is continually supplied to the pouring hopper by tilting a holding furnace forward.
US08408274B2
According to one aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly including a curtain and a plurality of rails. The curtain can be used to cover a variety of openings. The plurality of rails can be attached to and disposed horizontally on the curtain to provide rigidity to the curtain when in an open position (covering the opening). The plurality of rails can be made of two main sections, a first and a second coupled to opposite sides of the curtain. The second section can be configured to provide the lateral stability to the curtain, permitting the first section to be made of almost any material. Typically both sections are metal. The first section can also include folded over portions which wrap around the edges of the curtain. The folded over portions provide for attachment and also insure no sharp edges exist on the exterior sides of the curtain. The plurality of rails can be bonded to the curtain using an adhesive. The curtain can include prepared bonding surface to receive the rails. Both can be spaced to minimize overlap between the plurality of rails when the curtain is in a recessed position (wound around a roller).
US08408269B2
An applicator suitable for converting a white-light endoscope into an endoscope for combined white-light/fluorescence imaging is disclosed. The applicator facilitates attachment of an optical element, for example an optical filter, to a distal optical port of an endoscope. The applicator engages with alignment feature on the endoscope's distal end and releasably supports the optical element in an opening that is aligned with the optical port. The optical element is released in a proximal direction by pressing down on an actuator.
US08408266B2
Head for the automatic positioning of fiber blankets, which determines a path for the fiber blanket (2) to be positioned, as far as a positioning zone (5), passing via a resin-impregnation zone (4) and via a cutting zone (3), including, in front of and behind said zones (3 and 4) individual sets of rollers (6-7) that convey the fiber blanket (2) and control the tension thereof.
US08408263B2
A vacuum lamination device for laminating a lamination member includes a base plate having an uneven surface contacting the lamination member for placing the lamination member, a frame member fixed to the base plate and having a discharge port for evacuating a processing space, and a cover member for hermetically sealing the processing space in the lamination process. The lamination member is placed on the uneven surface, and the cover member is placed so as to cover the lamination member. Then, a gaseous material in the processing space is evacuated through the discharge port while heating the processing space.
US08408252B2
A nozzle for use in a non-overflow liquid delivery system comprises a nozzle body, a liquid delivery conduit having a liquid-receiving inlet and a liquid-dispensing outlet, and a non-bifurcated liquid recovery conduit having a liquid-receiving inlet and a liquid-conveying outlet. The minimum effective internal cross-sectional area of the liquid recovery throughpassage is greater than half the minimum effective internal cross-sectional area of the liquid delivery throughpassage. A valve has a first movable valve portion and a second movable valve portion that are interconnected one to the other for co-operative movement one with the other. A manually operable trigger is connected to the first movable valve portion for corresponding positive uninterruptable movement of the first movable valve portion between a valve-closed configuration and the valve-open configuration.
US08408244B2
A sanitary installation part (1) which has an installation housing (2) which can be inserted into a housing mount of a gas line or a liquid line is provided and has at least one latching element which projects into a latching position on the outer circumference of the housing and can be moved in a resiliently elastic manner from this latching position to a zero position. The installation part according to the invention provides that the at least one latching element is designed as a latching protuberance (5) which is beveled or rounded along its transverse edges oriented transversely to the insertion direction on both sides, and the at least one latching protuberance (5), in its zero position, can be can be resiliently fitted into the latching element mount, in which the latching protuberance (5) is incorporated in the outer circumference of the installation housing (2).
US08408241B2
A faucet includes a faucet body, a connecting member mounted in the faucet body, a plurality of elastic plates each connected between the faucet body and the connecting member, a first connector selectively connected with the connecting member, and a second connector selectively connected with the connecting member. Thus, the connecting member is connected with a water supply line by the first connector or the second connector so that the faucet is available for water supply lines of different types and sizes.
US08408240B2
A faucet includes a faucet body, a connecting member mounted in the faucet body, a plurality of elastic plates each connected between the faucet body and the connecting member, a first connector selectively connected with the connecting member, and a second connector selectively connected with the connecting member. Thus, the connecting member is connected with a water supply line by the first connector or the second connector so that the faucet is available for water supply lines of different types and sizes.
US08408230B2
An I/P converter is disclosed. The I/P converter comprises a nozzle (7) coupled to a magnetic circuit. A temperature compensation ring (3) is coupled to the top side of the magnetic circuit. A flexure (1) is coupled to the temperature compensation ring. The temperature compensation ring is configured to position the flexure relative to a first end of the nozzle and the temperature compensation ring is configured to maintain the relative position between the nozzle and the flexure over a range of temperatures.
US08408228B1
A flow control device is comprised of a body/connector, a simplified sliding cord, a sealing device, and a stopper. The body/connector connects an overhead sprinkler to a supply line by means of male threaded ends. The body/connector is comprised of a wrench connector, which is located between the two male threaded ends, a guiding tube that sits on the top side of the body/connector with the assistance of the supporting ribs. The guiding tube guides the sliding cord up and down inside the flow control device and sprinkler. The sliding cord is made from a material that is flexible enough to bend inside the supply line and strong enough to return to its original straight shape. The stopper and the sealing device are connected to each other with the sliding cord. The sealing device sits against the sealing surface of the body/connector if the sprinkler head is missing. The stopper prevents the sealing device from making contact with the body/connector during normal operational conditions.
US08408225B2
A collapsible shelter is described herein. One embodiment includes at least three leg members, at least three base members, wherein the each base member includes an opening to receive one of the at least three leg members at an angle less than 90° relative to the bottom surface of the base member, at least two accordion-type collapsible truss assemblies connected to each leg via an upper corner connection mechanism and a lower corner connection mechanism, each accordion-type truss including at least four truss members interconnected by at least two pivotal v-joints and at least two pivotal x-joints, wherein the at least two pivotal v-joints each include two truss members coupled together with a coupling mechanism through openings in the two truss members, wherein the openings in the two truss members are configured to reduce shearing forces in the truss members by the coupling mechanism.
US08408215B2
The invention concerns a filter making apparatus comprising: a filter material converging device, a flavor element positioning device comprising a passage element, the passage element comprising a passageway, a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, the first inlet and second inlet being in fluid communication with the passageway, wherein the first inlet is adapted to pass a continuous strand of material into the passage element, wherein the second inlet is adapted to pass fluid into the passage element, and wherein the outlet is positioned at a point downstream from at least a portion of the filter material converging device, wherein the passage element is adapted to pass through the second inlet and into the filter material either the continuous strand of material from the first inlet, or fluid from the second inlet, or the continuous strand of material from the first inlet together with fluid from the second inlet.
US08408209B2
A pressure controller for an artificial respirator according to this invention includes a control valve facing a gas passage between an inspiratory gas inlet and an inspiratory gas outlet, and an elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the control valve against a valve seat. When an adjustment manipulating member moves backward, even the pivotal motion of the adjustment manipulating member does not operate an adjustment operating member. When the adjustment manipulating member is pulled out, the pivotal motion of the adjustment manipulating member operates the adjustment operating member, thereby adjusting the elastic biasing force of the elastic biasing means. This invention provides a pressure controller for an artificial respirator capable of reliably preventing unnecessary operating of the adjustment operating member although the pivoting operation of the adjustment manipulating member is simple as a whole, and there is no possibility that the adjustment manipulating member and the like are broken.
US08408207B2
A method and device for providing ventilation gas to a patient during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The device comprises: a gas source for supplying oxygen to the bronchi of the patient and a switch valve for initiating and terminating the gas supply. The switch valve is operated synchronous with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation cycle so that the switch valve operates with the same cycle as the cardiopulmonary resuscitation cycle but off-set in relation to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation cycle. The gas supply is initiated between 25% and 2% of the cycle time before the start of a compression stroke and is terminated between 2% and 30% of the cycle time after the start of a compression stroke. Alternatively, the gas supply is initiated between 25% and 48% of the cycle time after the termination of a compression stroke and is and terminated between 52% and 80% after the termination of a compression stroke.
US08408204B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a medical method for treating a person and comprises repeatedly compressing the person's chest. While repeatedly compressing the person's chest, the method further includes repeatedly delivering a positive pressure breath to the person and extracting respiratory gases from the person's airway using a vacuum following the positive pressure breath to create an intrathoracic vacuum to lower pressures in the thorax and to enhance blood flow back to the heart.
US08408201B2
A fluid dispenser device including a body (10) with a dispenser orifice (1), a plurality of reservoirs (21) on a strip (20) that includes a leading end (25) and a trailing end (28), a reservoir-opening mechanism (30) adapted to open a respective reservoir upon actuation, and a drive mechanism (40) for the strip (20) and bring a reservoir into register with the opening mechanism. A movable wall (500; 600, 601) separates a storage housing (11) for the elongate strip (20) from a reception housing (15), the elongate strip (20) disposed mainly in the storage housing (11) before the device is used and displaced progressively in the reception housing (15) during use. The movable wall (500) causes the volume of the storage housing (11) to decrease progressively, and the volume of the reception housing (15) to increase progressively.
US08408200B2
The present invention is directed to methods and devices for delivering an active agent formulation to the lung of a human patient. The active agent formulation may be in dry powder form, it may be nebulized, or it may be in admixture with a propellant. The active agent formulation is delivered to a patient at a low inspiratory flow rate for an initial period of time to increase bioavailability of the active agent.
US08408187B2
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a supercharging device, which includes: a valve-drive mechanism that variably controls the valve timings for at least intake valves; a target valve timing setting mechanism setting a target valve timing for at least the intake valves in accordance with an operation condition of the engine in a low engine speed range; and a valve-drive mechanism controller controlling the valve-drive mechanism based on the target valve timing. Each of the target valve timings is differently set such that (a) a valve-overlap duration is provided in a negative pressure region; (b) the valve-overlap duration in the negative pressure region is made shorter in a first supercharging region; and (c) the valve-overlap duration in the first supercharging region is made longer in a second supercharging region where the higher load of the engine is required.
US08408170B2
A cooling fan (10) for a vehicle engine (50), having a fan casing (60) and a fan rotor (12) which is movable axially relative to the fan casing during operation. There is an actuator (20) for moving the fan rotor (12) to positions which represent various degrees of protrusion (a) from an end of the fan casing (60) in order to optimise the fan's suction capacity and efficiency on the basis of current operating parameters such as fan speed and vehicle velocity.
US08408151B2
A watercraft hull includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a strake positioned between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lower portion may include a bow portion having a v-shape defined by a keel and sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom to the strake and an aft portion having a tunnel formed therein. The aft portion may be defined by a pair of opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the strake to a bottom portion. The tunnel may be defined by a pair of opposing tunnel sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom portion to a tunnel top having a center rib. The lower portion may also include a medial portion that transitions the bow portion to the aft portion. The medial portion may have a vacuum chamber extending between and transitioning the keel of the bow portion to the tunnel formed in the aft portion.
US08408145B2
A linked structure for foldable table comprises a main frame, legs, props, connecting plate 1 and connecting plate 2. The main frame includes a plate body which connects multiple table plates with flexible wire on each side of the plate body. Each concave body and supporting leg is set under each end of the plate body. A connecting unit with a receiving concave is set in the concave body. The legs are set in the receiving concave of the connecting unit. Connecting plate 1 is set on the props on the connecting unit. Connecting plate 2 which set on the legs connects with connecting plate 1. The table plates are connected on each side of the plate body on main frame with flexible wire. When folding the present invention, the legs, props, connecting plate 1 and 2 are folded under the plate body through rotating the connecting unit.
US08408140B2
A device for entering an object into a cell comprises mainly a track for guiding the object and a lifting pod extending the track. It is then possible to use robots and lower them on the floor of the cell to carry out inspection work.
US08408123B2
A device to provide a moment loading to one roller of a pair of nip rollers to counteract the bending moment created by a nip force between the rollers, the one roller being rotatably supported by a journal bearing at each end thereof, the device comprising a lever mechanism for imparting translational and torsional movement to the journal bearing with respect to a frame.
US08408121B2
A rotary printing machine for printing on containers, comprising a chuck-bearing carousel exhibiting an intermittent circular motion, being rotatably supported by a base element or casing, and being powered by an electric motor and integrated encoder, in which the electric motor comprises a stator coil supported by the casing and a rotor supported directly by the carousel.
US08408120B2
A generally vertically disposed rotisserie broiler. The broiler includes a metal housing with side walls, a floor, and an open end. One or more burners are disposed on opposite side walls of the housing. A generally vertically disposed spit is normally contained within the confines of the metal housing, but is movable towards the open end of the housing. The spit is rotated by a motor. The rotisserie broiler also includes an upper generally horizontal arm, and a lower generally horizontal arm, positioned adjacent an upper end and a lower end of the spit, respectively, for moving the spit transversely within the housing.
US08408110B2
A flatbed punching module for punching a printing material includes an upper platen and a lower platen which can be moved by a drive relative to the upper platen that is fixed to a frame, in order to perform a punching stroke for punching the printing material passing between the upper platen and the lower platen, resulting in the lower platen engaging with or being thrown onto the upper platen. As a result, the printing material can be processed through the use of at least one punching die. At least one printing material transport device for guiding the printing material, is held fixedly on the movable lower platen. The flatbed punching module can advantageously be used in a flatbed punch for processing a printing material web.
US08408106B2
Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
US08408100B2
An open end wrench includes first and second jaws formed on a jaw portion. The first jaw includes an arcuate sliding groove having an arcuate sliding wall. A slide is received in the sliding groove and includes an arcuate sliding face slideable along the sliding wall. An arcuate guiding slot is formed in the slide. The sliding face, sliding wall and guiding slot are free of holes, grooves, and recesses. A guide is fixed in the sliding groove and received in the guiding slot. The guiding slot includes an abutting end and a pressing end. The abutting end is in contact with the guide when the slide is in an initial position not engaged with a workpiece. An elastic device has two ends respectively abutting the guide and the pressing end of the guiding slot for biasing the slide to the initial position.
US08408092B2
Disclosed is a safety device on a steering handle, capable of controlling a direction-control wheel of a wheeled vehicle. The handlebar is engaged with the head part by its mortise with a tenon of the head part. When an outer bar end of the handlebar is hit, an inner tube of the handlebar will be pushed to disengage the mortise and the tenon to rotate the handlebar along. Alternatively, paired washers with wedge-shaped teeth can be utilized to engage the handlebar with the head part. When the outer bar end is hit, the washers are disengaged to allow the handlebar to rotate. Moreover, a hydraulic system or an inserting rod with a chassis groove system can be employed to maintain the original direction of the direction-control wheel when the handlebar is hit. Therefore, a sudden turn of the direction-control wheel and an fall-over of the rider and the vehicle can be prevented.
US08408091B2
A rotary operator assembly (1A) includes a grip member (4), a spindle member (6A), and an operator body member (8). The spindle member (6A) is attached to the operator body member (8), being rotatable with respect to the operator body member (8) about an operative axis of rotation (A). The grip member (4) is movably coupled to the spindle member (6A) and the operator body member (8) and is translatable between a first translational position and a second translational position with respect to the operator body member (8). The grip member (4) and the operator body member (8) include cooperating means for blocking rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the first position and for allowing rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the second position from a first angular position to a second angular position. The grip member (4) is configured to operably couple with the spindle member (6A) in at least the second translational position, and the grip member (4) comprises at least one portion cooperating with at least one portion of the spindle member (6A) for preventing translation of the grip member (4) between the first translational position and the second translational position in the first angular position.
US08408083B2
A linear actuator, in particular telescopic legs for height-adjustable tables, and comprising an outer profile (18), a spindle (7) mounted at an upper end of the outer profile, a transmission (8) connecting the spindle (7) with a reversible electric motor, a spindle nut (11) secured against rotation on the spindle (7), an intermediate profile (10) mounted with its one end on the spindle nut (11), a guide at a lower end of the outer profile (18) for the intermediate profile (10), a cord element (12, 20; 26) secured at the lower end of the outer profile (18) and connected via a guide with an inner profile (14), such that this together with the intermediate profile (10) is telescopically pushed out of and into the outer profile (18) by the rotation of the spindle. When the inner profile (14) is secured against rotation on the intermediate profile (10), and the rotational securing of the spindle nut (11) is constituted by longitudinal guides in the outer profile (18), then an actuator is achieved which per se is secured against rotation, i.e., when applied in telescopic legs, there is no need to have a rotational protection via the leg. In general, the structure is slender and may thereby be used in thin telescopic table legs.
US08408080B2
An automated inspection system for inspecting, sorting and re-coining each of the locking bar, the rack, and the pin of a rekeyable lock cylinder, as well as other small close-tolerance components in an average cycle time of 1.5 seconds. The inspection system includes a high-speed pneumatic sorting matrix which selectively transfers the components into various length measuring stations, camera inspection stations, mechanical gauge stations, and/or coining stations, and then positions the parts at those stations for combined gauge and visual tolerance checking and sorting. Defects are identified by a combination of visual and machine-gauge inspection, and the sorted components are sorted into three bins: rejects; good parts; and parts for coining. The inspection/sorting system is capable of tolerance-checking down to 0.00011811″, with a repeatability of 0.00005906.
US08408077B2
An apparatus for sensing a force. The apparatus includes a nanostructure being suitable for emitting electrons and a collector. The collector is proximately positioned with respect to the nanostructure so as to receive the emitted electrons and define a gap therebetween. The gap is partially dependent upon the applied force and the emission and reception of the electrons are indicative of the applied force.
US08408073B2
A microfluidic device and sensing method that utilize a resonating tube configured to have sufficient sensitivity to be capable of sensing the volume of a gas present as bubbles in a liquid or the flow rate and/or density of a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The tube has a freestanding tube portion supported above a surface of a substrate so as to be capable of vibrating in a plane normal to the surface of the substrate. As a gas-containing fluid flows through an internal passage of the tube, a drive signal vibrates the freestanding tube portion at a resonant frequency thereof. Coriolis-induced deflections of the freestanding tube portion are sensed relative to the substrate to produce an output corresponding to the sensed deflections, and the drive signal and/or the output are assessed to determine the volume, density and/or flow rate of the gas of the gas-containing fluid.
US08408071B1
A vortex-shedding flowmeter uses two flow obstacles to provide stable generation of vortices that are detected as they pass through an ultrasonic beam between two transducers. The deleterious effects of acoustic signals reflected from the obstacles are minimized both structurally and electronically. The shapes of the obstacles are selected to reflect incident acoustic signals away from the beam between the transducers. Ultrasonic signals are generated simultaneously by two phase-opposed transducers and are detected in a time-windowed fashion in which the time window excludes extraneous reflected signals that have a longer path length.
US08408069B2
A torsion spring test jig adapted to assist a torsion spring to show different elastic statuses includes a bottom holder, a sliding element slidably mounted on the bottom holder and a plurality of hinge pin assemblies. The bottom holder includes a first modulating fastener having a first groove and a second modulating fastener having a second groove perpendicularly positioned under the first modulating fastener. An intersection of the first and second groove forms a first locating perforation. The sliding element includes a third modulating fastener having a third groove and a fourth modulating fastener having a fourth groove perpendicularly positioned under the third modulating fastener. An intersection of the third and fourth grooves forms a second locating perforation. The torsion spring are fastened between the first and second perforations through the hinge pin assemblies.
US08408068B2
A device for testing a coating for a turbomachine rotor disk blade root, including two test piece halves, each including a bearing surface coated with the coating, one counter test piece including two bearing surfaces, and a machine including a first holding system for the counter test piece and a second holding system for holding the test piece halves around the counter test piece. With a tensile mechanism, the holding systems are subjected to predetermined tensile cycles along the tensile axis, during which the tensile force is transmitted from one holding system to the other via the respective bearing surfaces contacting the counter test piece and the test piece halves. The second holding system includes a resilient return mechanism allowing for the two test piece halves to open up in a direction perpendicular to the tensile direction.
US08408056B2
An EGR ratio measuring device comprises a pair of nondispersive infrared gas analyzers that correct a water influence and measure a concentration of CO2 in a gas containing water, an intake air introduction line that is connected to an intake air pipe of an internal combustion engine and introduces a part of the intake air into one nondispersive infrared gas analyzer without removing the water, an exhaust gas introduction line that is connected to an exhaust gas pipe of the internal combustion engine and introduces a part of the exhaust gas into the other nondispersive infrared gas analyzer without removing the water, and a temperature adjusting mechanism that keeps a temperature of whole of the introduction lines and a temperature of the nondispersive infrared gas analyzers so as not to condense dew.
US08408054B2
A method and system for adapting the operation of emission-relevant control devices of a vehicle in a predetermined driving mode having a shorter expected duration that a duration of a preferred test cycle may include several steps. A first step may include determining whether the vehicle has reached the predetermined driving mode. A second step may include diagnosing at least one parameter associated with operation of at least one of the emission-relevant control devices. A third step may include comparing the at least one parameter with a setpoint range or a setpoint value. A fourth step may include carrying out at least a first section of an adaptation for the operation of the at least one emission-relevant control devices. The first section of the adaptation may include optimizing at least one of a plurality of operating points of the at least one emission-relevant control devices.
US08408047B2
A universal adapter to be detachably connected to the round fuel cap retaining lip of most any fuel tank filler neck so that smoke (i.e., a vapor) under pressure can be delivered to the fuel tank of a motor vehicle to test the fuel system for leaks. When connected, the universal adapter lies entirely outside the fuel tank filler neck. The universal adapter includes a circular ring-shaped rim that is manufactured from a flexible material having a spring memory. The flexible rim of the universal adapter is stretched and attached in surrounding sealing engagement against the fuel cap retaining lip of the filler neck. The universal adapter also includes a vapor inlet tube to which the nozzle of a vapor supply hose is attached. According to one embodiment, smoke produced by a smoke-generating machine pressurizes the fuel tank by way of a vapor delivery path which includes the vapor inlet tube of the universal adapter and the fuel tank filler neck of the motor vehicle.
US08408044B2
Automated systems and methods for processing liquid test samples are generally provided. Automated systems generally include a gas and liquid separator configured for removing at least one volatile component from the test sample, a first trapping vessel in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator, wherein the first trapping vessel contains a trapping material capable of adsorbing at least one of the at least one volatile component to provide at least one adsorbed component, and a heat source configured to heat the trapping material to a temperature sufficient to release at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.
US08408038B2
A crimping device is provided for crimping an outer work piece onto an inner work piece. The crimping device includes at least two jaws forming a throat surface about the outer work piece and movable between a partially closed position wherein the outer work piece is not crimped and a closed position wherein the jaws crimp the outer work piece onto the inner work piece. The jaws are configured as a shutter mechanism so that the throat surface remains substantially continuous about the first work piece as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least one of the jaws moves in straight line motion as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least two of the jaws radially and slide against each other as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position.
US08408033B2
In the autofrettage process, a thick-walled workpiece (2) to undergo autofrettage is positioned in an autofrettage apparatus (1). The interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) is filled with a fluid and closed so as to be pressure-tight. The volume available to the fluid in the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) is reduced by a displacement piston (19) which is moved into the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) through a displacement piston opening (6) of the workpiece (2). The pressure is therefore generated in the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2).
US08408025B2
A raw material recovery method for recovering a raw material of an organic metallic compound, which has the property of being stable toward a specific refrigerant without being decomposed thereby, from exhaust gas discharged from a treatment container in which a metallic thin film is formed on the surface of an object to be treated by using source gas obtained by vaporizing the raw material is characterized by being provided with a solidification step for solidifying the unreacted source gas by cooling the exhaust gas by bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the refrigerant and reprecipitating the raw material, and a recovery step for separating and recovering the raw material reprecipitated in the solidification step from the refrigerant. To provide a method for controlling an exhaust gas flow rate so that flow of gas in a processing chamber becomes uniform.
US08408021B2
The present invention relates to a picture frame type indoor unit of an air conditioner for mounting a photograph or a picture on a wall. The indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a cabinet (10), a picture frame panel (30) mounted in front of the cabinet (10), and a link mechanism (200) hinged both on the cabinet (10) and the picture frame panel (30), thereby permitting convenient working in inside inspection or repair of the indoor unit even if the picture frame panel (30) is not dismounted from the cabinet (10) completely.
US08408018B2
A refrigeration device includes a switching valve control section for outputting a switching signal for controlling a four-way switching valve to a predetermined switching state when starting a compression mechanism; and a switching determination section which, when starting only a first compressor as a start-up of the compression mechanism, outputs a low differential pressure signal if a differential pressure between a high-pressure port and a low-pressure port in the four-way switching valve falls below a determination value in a determination operation after the switching signal being outputted by the switching valve control section. After the switching determination section outputs the low differential pressure signal, a capacity control section starts a second compressor.
US08408017B2
A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.
US08408013B2
A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the second port.
US08408010B2
A lower cost combustor is formed from a series of sheets of metal that are secured by mechanical fasteners. An increase in diameter of the combustor is achieved through the provision of securing rings to which the sheets of metal are secured.
US08407994B2
A rotation control system of a hoist pump includes: the hoist pump (3); an engine (2) for driving the hoist pump (3); a working equipment driven by a hydraulic cylinder that is extendable by hydraulic oil delivered through the hoist pump (3); a hydraulic oil tank that stores the hydraulic oil supplied to the hoist pump (3) and receives the hydraulic oil returned from the hydraulic cylinder; and a controller (9) that controls a rotation speed of the hoist pump (3) to be an allowable rotation speed that is set in advance for preventing cavitation while the hydraulic cylinder is operated.
US08407986B2
In a method for operating a lambda sensor disposed in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine,—the heating element is subjected to a predefined heating power substantially with the start of the engine;—during the heating process, the sensor signal is detected and compared to a threshold value specified for a lean and/or rich fuel/air mixture ratio, wherein the threshold value correlates with a sensor temperature, which is below the water ingestion critical temperature, and to a valid lambda signal,—when one of the specified threshold values is reached for the first time, a measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is determined and the lambda signal is set as valid and forwarded, and—the determined measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is transferred to a closed heating element control loop as a target value that corresponds to a target temperature.
US08407983B2
A deviation amount of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensed with a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, which senses an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas downstream of a catalyst, from a target air-fuel ratio is integrated during a period in which the downstream air-fuel ratio continuously shows deviations from the target air-fuel ratio while main feedback control and sub feedback control are performed based on outputs of an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor respectively. The thus-calculated continuous deviation amount of the downstream air-fuel ratio (deterioration degree of exhaust gas purification rate) is compared with an abnormality determination value to determine existence/nonexistence of an abnormal state where the exhaust gas purification rate is deteriorated by an air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders (i.e., state where control center of main feedback control has shifted).
US08407981B1
An expander cycle rocket engine includes secondary turbopump to further pressurize a gaseous fuel discharged from a primary turbine prior to entering the combustion chamber. The secondary turbopump is driven by fuel bled off from the primary fuel pump. A gaseous fuel that is heated from passing around the nozzle that is passed through the primary turbine to drive the primary fuel and oxidizer pumps is then passed through the secondary turbine to drive the secondary fuel compressor. With the secondary turbopump used in the Johnson-Sexton cycle engine, a thrust produced by the expander cycle rocket engine is greater than those obtained by prior art expander cycle rocket engines due to the square-cube rule.
US08407978B2
A method for producing pins for a control chain, which has link plates that are connected to each other by the pins. The pin ends are arranged in receiving bores arranged inside the link plates. The pin is made of steel of the type 100Cr6 or 32MnCrMo6-4-3, subjected to a carbonitriding method and has a wear zone between the 1/30 and the 1/60 part of the diameter thereof after abrasive removal on the carbonitrited pin surface.
US08407977B2
A steel cord used for reinforcing rubber product with an oval cross-section has a structure of m+n, while m is the number of core wires (26) and n is the number of the outer layer wires (22). The core wire (26) is untwisted while m is 1 or the core wires (26) are untwisted and aligned in parallel while m is between 2 and 4, and the outer layer wires (22) are twisted around said core wires (26). The core wires (26) are oval wires and the outer layer wires (22) are round wires. The wires (22, 26) in the steel cord have a carbon content not less than 0.60%.
US08407973B2
A method and system for packaging products provides for initially, vertically stacking a plurality of products during production in a transfer canister, simultaneously removing a stack of the products from the transfer canister, reorienting the stack and horizontally loading the stack into a final product package cavity. The invention has applicability to a wide range of products, particularly food products, such as refrigerated dough products. In one embodiment of the invention, the product package cavity is thermoformed as part as an overall horizontal form, fill and seal system.
US08407969B2
A dust extraction system and method are provided to collect some of the dust generated during handling of tablets during a tablet packaging process. For example, a tablet packaging system may be provided that includes a vibrating tray configured to feed a plurality of tablets to respective packages. The tablet packaging system may also include a first gas nozzle configured to direct a first flow of gas across the vibrating tray with the first flow of gas having a spaced relationship from the vibrating tray. The tablet packaging system may also include a second gas nozzle configured to direct a second flow of gas toward the vibrating tray. Further, the tablet packaging system may include a receiving hood configured to collect at least a portion of the gas provided by the first and second gas nozzles and to collect dust from the plurality of tablets.
US08407967B2
An adjustable lally column apparatus is described which includes a column, a cap plate and an adjustment mechanism. The cap plate is connected to the column and fasteners are connected to an external beam. The integrated cap plate and column assembly are connected to the fasteners in the beam and the column is suspended from the fasteners. The adjustment mechanism is connected to the column and adjusted to provide a load bearing interface between a floor and the column. A method of adjusting a column includes employing a single person to connect the cap plate and adjustment mechanism, elevating the column to the vertical and using a lever to lift the integrated column and cap plate and connecting the assembled column and cap plate to the beam. The adjustable column is secured to the beam using the fasteners. The adjustment mechanism is connected to a floor and adjusted to place the adjustable column in a load bearing position between the beam and the floor.
US08407957B2
Wall systems and methods for making such wall systems are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a wall system comprises a plurality of vertically displaced horizontal support members, and a wall panel having at least one inwardly-extending ridge. The wall system also includes at least two foam insulation blocks. Each block has a surface that is adapted to conform to the shape of the inwardly-extending ridge of the wall panel. The blocks are spaced apart along each of the horizontal support members and are fastened between the panel and the support member. The spacing created by the blocks allows for a blanket of insulation between the blocks and the support members to expand, improving the system's insulative properties.
US08407938B2
The invention relates to an inspection port, and a housing with an inspection port, for use in inspecting an interior volume. The housing has a housing enclosure with an inspection opening at or over which the inspection port is mounted, either directly to the housing enclosure or to a base which in turn is mounted to the housing enclosure. The inspection port has a rotatable assembly, rotatably secured to the housing enclosure or base for rotation about an axis of rotation at the inspection opening. The rotatable assembly has a plate defining an access opening and an inspection enclosure attached to the plate around the access opening and adaptable to extend into the interior volume. The inspection enclosure has a region with a window opening which has a window axis and is adaptable to provide lines of sight into the interior volume.
US08407931B1
Snake trap primarily designed to capture relatively long and heavy snakes such as the Burmese Python. The trap is specifically configured to avoid inadvertently capturing non-targeted animals by using at least two weight/pressure-sensing plates. Each pressure plate has an independent release mechanism so that both pressure plates must be in a depressed position to spring the trap.
US08407930B2
An animal trap includes a frame with a support mechanism for the trigger. The support mechanism has an elongate slot on each side that supports a pivot component that is attached to the frame. One or more rods are activated from the support mechanism to release a latch or door of the trap. A rod pushes or pulls from their attachment to the support mechanism when a trigger attached to the pivot component moves causing a cam on the pivot component to release the dog from engagement with the support mechanism.
US08407928B2
A fishing hook retaining apparatus is provided. In a first aspect, a first member and a second member of the fishing hook retaining apparatus oppose one another and pivotally rotate about a shaft from a closed position to an open position when compressive force is applied to lower portions of the first and second members. While open, an operator may insert a fishing hook into the fishing hook retaining device and subsequently release the applied force to permit the first and second members to close and thus secure the fishing hook within the fishing hook retaining device. In a second aspect, when in the closed position, the first and second members not only secure the fishing hook therewithin, but compressively grip a cylindrical rod placed therebetween, which secures the fishing hook retaining apparatus to the cylindrical rod, wherein the cylindrical rod is a fishing pole.
US08407926B2
The present invention relates to an optical device for both a dot sight mode and a scope mode, the optical device including: a dot-sight main body which is formed with a dot sight region where a light source and a reflective mirror are installed to display light emitted from the light source as a dot on an external target, and operates in the dot sight mode; and a scope structure which includes an objective lens and an eyepiece lens to magnify and see the external target, and is rotatable inside the dot-sight main body, the scope mode being selected when the scope structure is rotated and inserted in the dot sight region. With this, there is provided an optical device for both a dot sight mode and a scope mode, in which a scope structure is installed to be retractable inside a dot sight device and thus both the dot sight mode and the scope mode are supported, thereby aiming at an external target through quick mode switching, and there is no need for an additional scope device.
US08407925B2
An adjustable receiver cover for a firearm having an integral accessory mounting structure and pivotally attached to the firearm. A front mounting tab adjustably attached to the cover body accommodates physical variances between examples of said firearm. The front of adjustable cover is pivotally attached to the firearm by a pin. The adjustable cover is firmly affixed at its rear by a cam locking release button. The adjustable cover is self centering by means of an integral spring apparatus.
US08407907B2
An articulated arm CMM system comprises an articulated arm comprising a plurality of articulated arm members, a measuring probe at a distal end, and a base at a proximal end, the base comprising a docking portion. The articulated arm CMM system also includes a plurality of feature packs configured to electronically connect to the articulated arm via the docking portions and provide additional electronic functionality.
US08407904B2
A rotary laser beam emitter includes a base unit including a reference reflector with a reference reflective face parallel to a reference plane, a rotary element rotatably supported on the base unit around a rotary axis, and a beam emitting unit contained in the rotary element and including a light source and an optical emission system emitting the laser beam from the light source in a direction parallel to the reference plane on the optical axis. When the rotary element is inclined relative to the rotary axis and the emitted laser beam is inclined to the reference plane, the optical emission system emits the laser beam from the light source to the reference reflective face and emit the laser beam reflected by the reference reflective face in a direction inclined to the optical axis of the laser beam so as to neutralize the inclined laser beam.
US08407900B2
Shaving cartridges intended for mounting on razor handles such that a shaving razors are formed. These cartridges include a frame on which a wing is disposed wherein a majority of the wing comprises elastomeric material.
US08407899B2
A fluid dynamic bearing includes a shaft to which a resin flange is fixed by insert molding. The process where the flange is fixed to the shaft by insert molding includes a flange forming process in which the flange, fixed to the shaft, is formed by injecting the resin into a filled portion in the lower mold through an upper mold, while cooling at least part of the shaft, arranged in a shaft arrangement portion in a lower mold, with cooling water circulating through a cooling pipe.
US08407894B2
A method of fabrication of panels having built-in heat pipe(s) and/or insert(s) (P), includes providing a bottom plate having tabs, partially straightening the tabs toward the accommodation zones, positioning the heat pipes and/or the inserts in each accommodation zone between the tabs and in contact with the upper face of the bottom plate, terminating the straightening of the tabs, depositing a selected thickness of a first adhesive against side faces of the heat pipes and/or the inserts, positioning separating structures, substantially having a same height as that of the heat pipes and/or the inserts on either side of the side faces of each heat pipe and/or insert and in contact with the upper face of the bottom plate, and placing an upper plate above the heat pipes and/or inserts and the separating structures and in contact therewith.
US08407890B2
An electronic device module as described herein includes an electronic device package having device contacts. The electronic device module can be manufactured by providing an electrically conductive ground plane having a device opening for an electronic device package, and having an antenna ground section. The manufacturing method continues by embedding the ground plane and the electronic device package in encapsulating material such that device contacts of the electronic device package and a first side of the ground plane reside at a device mounting surface. Thereafter, an antenna circuit structure is formed overlying the device mounting surface. The antenna circuit structure includes an antenna signal element that cooperates with the antenna ground section to form an integrated antenna for the electronic device module.
US08407880B2
A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising the steps of forming a generally planar shim having a predetermined shape; creating a plurality of holes or slots in the plane of the shim; temporarily shielding said holes or slots. from a plastic molding process; overmolding said shim with a plastic substrate using said plastic molding process; and creating a cutting surface at each of said holes or slots.
US08407874B2
Pulling pliers are provided. The pulling pliers include a pair of pliers having a set of jaws; and an attaching point connected to a jaw of the pliers for attaching a slide hammer mechanism. A method for pulling using pulling pliers is provided. The method includes gripping an object with the pliers; locking the pliers in a gripping position; and actuating a slide hammer attached to the pliers.
US08407873B2
The system includes a collar feed assembly which includes a channel within a step assembly at the end thereof, which defines a receiving cavity for the collar. The receiving cavity is configured so that the collar can move slightly therein, permitting a die portion of a die tool to engage a center opening of the collar, so that the collar can come into accurate alignment with the center axis of the die tool. The die tool is mounted to be movable slightly transversely to permit a reliable transfer of the collar onto the bolt. The collar is more compliant than the die tool during loading of the collar onto the die pin and the die tool is more compliant than the collar during transfer of the collar from the die pin onto the bolt.
US08407858B2
The present invention relates to a swing hinge module. The swing hinge module is configured by comprising: a first member in which through-holes are respectively formed at a space unit and a place distanced from the space unit; a fixing ring which is coupled to the space unit; a second member that is placed at the space unit of the first member and is coupled to the first member in order to rotate with respect to the first member; an elastic member of which one end and the other end are respectively connected to the first and second members and elastically supported by each other; and a cam which is prepared between the first and second members to support one end of the elastic member and forces the elastic member to have an eccentric motion.
US08407843B2
A clean device for cleaning a goldfinger includes a positioning mechanism for transmitting a circuit board and fixing the circuit board on a predetermined position, a delivering mechanism for delivering a cleaning medium to the predetermined position, and a wiping mechanism for utilizing the cleaning medium to wipe a goldfinger of the circuit board after the positioning mechanism fixes the circuit board on the predetermined position.
US08407842B2
Dock levelers, such as mechanical dock levelers, are described herein. In one embodiment, a mechanical dock leveler includes a ramp having a lip pivotally attached to a forward edge. A ramp lifting system is configured to assist upward rotation of the ramp as it is manually raised. In this embodiment, a lip lifting system is operably coupled to the ramp lifting system so that the ramp is initially “downward biased” prior to being raised, and then becomes at least partially supported in a raised position by the lip lifting mechanism, once the lip lifting mechanism is engaged.
US08407830B1
A back plate has upper, lower and side edges. A central section and two laterally spaced side sections with spaces separating the sections. Shelves are coupled to the back plate in the sections. A cabinet has upper, lower, left side, right side, left, right, left intermediate, and right intermediate plates, a central opening between the left intermediate plate and the right intermediate plate, a left side opening between the left side plate and the left intermediate plate, and a right side opening between the right side plate and the right intermediate plate. A plurality of support panels are coupled to the cabinet and are re-positionable for spanning the openings when the cabinet is in a horizontal orientation whereby the panels will totally cover the openings and provide full support for an inflated mattress.
US08407827B1
A touchless water control system having at least one sensor capable of determining hand movement from point A to point B in a first direction, from point C to point D in a second direction and from point E to point F in a third direction thereby establishing a spatial field spaced away from a faucet through which a user's hand can be moved to initiate or terminate water flow, water temperature and water pressure.
US08407825B2
A shower nozzle having a brush includes a driving unit and a brush body. The driving unit is used to get power for driving the brush body. The driving unit includes a motor, bevel gears and a gear disc. The shower nozzle is compact in size and provides a brushing function when taking a bath.
US08407815B2
An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters.
US08413261B2
Sharing a secret that can later be revoked. A client sends data to a server that makes the data available to other clients. The data is shared generically without specifically identifying the client. The data can be considered quasi-secret data or data that is secret except for the anonymous sharing of the data. The client can later make the shared data private again by changing or deleting the sharing of the data.
US08413252B2
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, every time a user submits a form the client software tries to match the submitted information with the stored profile of that user. If a match is discovered, the program tags the field of the recognized data with a corresponding type. The resulting profile can be used after that to help all subsequent users to fill the same form.
US08413244B1
Techniques for classifying unknown files taking into account temporal proximity between unknown files and files with known classifications are disclosed. In response to a classification request for a target file, client systems hosting (or hosted) instances of the target file are identified. For each system, files created around the time the target file was created on the system are identified. Within the identified files, files with known classifications are identified, and a score is determined for each such file to measure temporal proximity between the creation of the file and the creation of the target file. Local temporal proximity scores aggregate the scores for the client system. Global temporal proximity scores measures an aspect of the local temporal proximity scores for all identified client systems. The global temporal proximity scores are fed into a classifier to determine a classification, which is returned in response to the classification request.
US08413241B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for integrated deflection, detection and intrusion. Within a single computer system configured for operating system virtualization (e.g., Solaris™, OpenSolaris™), multiple security functions execute in logically independent zones or containers, under the control and administration of a global zone. Such functions may illustratively include a demilitarized zone (DMZ) and a honeypot. Management is facilitated because all functions work within a single operating system, which promotes the ability to configure, monitor and control each function. Any given zone can be configured with limited resources, a virtual network interface circuit and/or other features.
US08413237B2
Methods of simulating vulnerability are provided. In an example, multi-stage vulnerability across multiple systems may be simulated by first simulating a probing of at least one intermediate entity, the at least one intermediate entity connected to a target system, second simulating a probing of the target system if the first simulated probing is successful and generating an attack graph based on the results of the first and second simulating steps. In another example, multi-system vulnerability may be simulated by receiving a plurality of attributes associated with vulnerabilities of a plurality of systems within a network, the plurality of systems including at least one target system and generating an attack graph including one or more attack chains based at least in part on the received plurality of attributes. In another example, system (e.g., single-system) vulnerability may be simulated by first simulating whether vulnerabilities exploited from a first system state cause a transition to a second system state, the second system state having a higher-privilege level than the first system state within a target system and generating an attack graph based at least in part on the results of the simulation.
US08413234B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for detecting fraud, the method comprising: initializing a fraud hypothesis variable associated with a communications device, receiving data that describes a plurality of outgoing communication records that are associated with said communications device, wherein the data is related to activity that took place over a given period of time, extracting a plurality of destination identifiers from said plurality of communication records, for each of at least a portion of said plurality of destination identifiers, modifying said fraud hypothesis variable based on a fraud metric associated with said destination identifier, comparing said fraud hypothesis variable to a first predetermined threshold, and when said fraud hypothesis variable exceeds said first predetermined threshold, generating a fraud indication that is related to said communications device.
US08413229B2
In a method and appliance for authenticating, by an appliance, a client to access a virtual network connection, based on an attribute of a client-side certificate, a client authentication certificate is requested from a client. A value of at least one field in the client authentication certificate received from the client is identified. One of a plurality of types of access is assigned responsive to an application of a policy to the identified value of the at least one field, each of the plurality of access types associated with at least one connection characteristic.
US08413210B2
Disclosed are techniques for sharing user credentials between multiple client applications when connecting to a set of remote resources. The mechanism enables a single sign-on between a terminal server web access service and the remote applications, remote desktops and corresponding terminal servers accessible through the service. User credentials may be received by one of the client applications and passed to a credential store running as a local software object in association with the user's logon session. Further requests to launch a new remote connection may then pass through the credential store. Upon successful validation of the request, the credential store may attach user credential information to the request and pass the request to the requested client. The requested client may also execute as a software object associated with the current logon session. The client may then use the supplied credential for authentication to the requested resource or application.
US08413199B2
A media device comprising: a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and a remote control unit comprising wireless communication means arranged to transmit data to the processor, a control means coupled to the wireless communication means and configured to control the wireless communication means, user input means coupled to the control means and arranged to receive input commands from the user and provide the input commands to the control means, and a microphone coupled to the control means and arranged to receive audio signals from a user, wherein, responsive to the control means receiving a command to establish a call from the user input means, the control means is arranged to activate the wireless communication means from a deactivated state, establish a wireless connection with the processor, and transmit data comprising audio signals from the microphone using the wireless communication means to the processor for transmission in a call over the packet-based communication network.
US08413198B2
A method and system for providing controlled on-demand distribution of content via a centralized server and a peer-to-peer network have been described. The method may include receiving, at a server, a request from a client for content where the requesting client and the server are part of a peer-to-peer network. The server may then determine whether the requesting client has access rights to the content. If the requesting client has access rights to the content, then the server may determine one or more other clients on the peer-to-peer network that have the content available for download. The server may then select one or more clients from the one or more other clients and allow the requesting client to download the content from the selected one or more clients. Other embodiments have also been described and claimed.
US08413196B2
Aspects of an audio/visual architecture are disclosed. In one aspect, a system is disclosed where the system has a media manager object, an audio/visual program, and a player/recorder object so that when the program is selected, the media manager dynamically loads the player/recorder object for either playing or recording the program. For example, with respect to the media manager object, it can manage a collection of related program entities and any corresponding player/recorder components. Also, the media manager can allocate share source ports and shared sink ports in order to dynamically create virtual circuit paths for selected program entries.
US08413181B2
A cross-platform advertising system utilizes viewing data, browsing data, and telephone call data to establish subscriber account profile and, optionally, user profiles for users at the subscriber account. An ad selection processor selects ads based on subscriber account profile and, optionally, the user profile. An ad delivery processor delivers the selected ads to a device associated with the subscriber account.
US08413179B2
A disk holding device for a disk having a center hole is provided. A disk holding mechanism is movable between a holding position and a release position, for engagement with an edge of the center hole when in the holding position, and for coming away from the edge when in the release position. A solenoid as actuator shifts the disk holding mechanism, to hold the disk by setting the disk holding mechanism in the holding position, and to release the disk by setting the disk holding mechanism in the release position. A regulating portion contacts a peripheral portion of an upper surface of the disk, to keep the disk retained on the disk holding mechanism by preventing skew relative to the disk holding mechanism. Preferably, the disk holding mechanism enters the center hole downwards and holds the disk on a lower side.
US08413148B2
A method and system for protecting against failure of hardware elements (HEs) in a virtual machine system using an information model with virtualization support. Based on the information model, the method boots virtual machine monitors (VMMs), virtual machines (VMs) and operating systems (OSes). The information model includes a graph of objects representing configured relationships between the hardware elements (HEs), VMMs, VMs, and OSes through parent child relationships between the graph's objects. The graph of objects includes: a domain object, HE objects, VMM objects, VM objects, and OS objects. The VM objects of a migration-enabled type represent those of the VMs that may migrate between the VMMs. Based on the runtime associations between the VMM objects and the VM objects of the migration-enabled type, the method identifies which of the migration-enabled VMs are hosted by a same HE and are therefore vulnerable to hardware failure of the same HE.
US08413136B2
A virtual application packaged for a specific executing environment may be executed on a processing device having an executing environment different from the specific executing environment. A reference, included in extracted installer metadata, to one or more key paths of a hierarchically-structured data store may be modified according to a set of rules related to the executing environment detected in the processing device. The modified extracted installer metadata may be provided to an installer for installing the virtual application. During execution of the virtual application, a request to read, write, or modify the hierarchically-structured data store may be intercepted and changed, such that a first key path included in the request may be mapped to a second key path, based on the detected executing environment. Similarly, a response to the request, which may include the second key path, may be intercepted and modified, to the first key path.
US08413132B2
Techniques directed to an update package including a set of instructions used for, in a remote client device, creating a new data image from a base data image are provided. A method for generating an update package includes determining differences between a base data image and a new data image, generating COPY instructions corresponding to respective sections of code in the base data image, organizing the COPY instructions into a directed acyclic graph, performing cycle detection on the COPY instructions in the directed acyclic graph to detect any cycles, when a cycle is detected, identifying a COPY instruction in the detected cycle with a smallest overlapping part, removing the overlapping part from the identified COPY instruction, and generating a COPYBACK instruction including the overlapping part removed from the identified COPY instruction, and after all cycles have been detected, generating the update package based on the COPY and COPYBACK instructions.
US08413131B2
A system for computer-based testing for producing a test and delivering the test to an examinee includes a storage device that has a first storage location, which stores a first segment of a test definition language, and a second storage location, which stores a second segment of the test definition language, a validation expansion module that validates the first segment and the second segment of the test definition language, a test packager that amalgamates the first storage location and the second storage location and transmits the amalgamated segment to the validation expansion module such that the validation expansion module can determine whether the amalgamated segment forms a complete and valid set, and a test driver that has an executable code that controls functionality that enables the test driver to deliver the test to an examinee.
US08413128B2
Asynchronous loading of source dependencies is disclosed. An indication is received in the course of executing a script that a source file on which a current class or function depends is not available, wherein the current class or function is called or executed during the execution of the script. Execution of remaining portions of the script, if any, that do not depend on the source file, continues, or other processing tasks are performed if no such portions remain, while the source file is loaded asynchronously.
US08413125B2
A computer is programmed to automatically have multiple sessions update a common counter which is shared therebetween, when interpreting a given method so that system-wide statistics are collected for each method. The single counter is commonly accessed for updating by the respective interpreters in the multiple sessions which are executing the method. The computer is further programmed to asynchronously compile the method (regardless of the state of the multiple sessions), to obtain compiled software in the form of executable machine instructions. Specifically, asynchronous compilation starts dynamically, whenever a method's common multi-session counter satisfies a predetermined condition. Finally, each session is informed when compilation is completed so that the next time the method needs to be run, it is not interpreted and instead the compiled software is executed. The compiled software is kept in a shared memory which is accessible to each session.
US08413123B2
According to an embodiment, a compiling device compiling a source program written so as to use a frame memory includes a processing delay amount calculator configured to calculate respective processing delay amounts between a plurality of process tasks in the source program on the basis of processing states of pieces of data processed by the process tasks. The compiling device also includes a line memory amount calculator configured to calculate respective line memory sizes required for each of the process tasks on the basis of an access range of a frame memory from which the process task reads data and an instruction code converter configured to convert the plurality of process tasks to instruction codes executable in a pipeline on the basis of the processing delay amounts and the line memory sizes.
US08413122B2
Since multi-core processors have become the standard architecture for general purpose machines, programmers are required to write software optimized for parallelism. Verification of correctness is an important issue for parallel code because of its complexity. There are still tools missing that provide verification for complex code, such as testing the execution of code provides. Consequently, described herein are systems and methods to evaluate the correctness of program traces. Furthermore, the systems and methods described herein do not demand excessive computational requirements and the size of the program trace being evaluated increases.
US08413120B2
An apparatus and methods for hardware-based performance monitoring of a computer system are presented. The apparatus includes: processing units; a memory; a connector device connecting the processing units and the memory; probes inserted the processing units, and the probes generating probe signals when selected processing events are detected; and a thread trace device connected to the connector device. The thread trace device includes an event interface to receive probe signals, and an event memory controller to send probe event messages to the memory, where probe event messages are based on probe signals. The probe event messages transferred to memory can be subsequently analyzed using a software program to determine, for example, thread-to-thread interactions.
US08413117B1
A computer-implemented method for focusing product testing based on areas of change within the product is described. A link between resource files of a product and test cases associated with the product is created. The resource files of a first build of the product are compared with the resource files of a second build of the product. A report that comprises which resource files changed between the first build of the product and the second build of the product is generated. The resource files that have changed and the test cases linked to the changed resource files are displayed. The test cases linked to the changed resource files are executed.
US08413112B2
The present invention relates to the visualization of complex information using a set of navigable landmasses. A method for generating a visualization of a programming code base using a set of navigable landmasses in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: representing each of a plurality of different code components using a respective landmass; adjusting a size of each landmass based on a number of lines of code in the code component corresponding to the landmass; and displaying the landmasses.
US08413107B2
Systems and methods are defined of operating a service orientated architecture software factory system. In some embodiments these systems and methods include storing a plurality of definitions in a common definitions repository, transferring the plurality of definitions into a software factory definition layer, integrating the service orientated architecture with a software orientated architecture development environment and a registry, and creating runtime environment. In these embodiment, the runtime environment is created based upon the plurality of definitions, the software orientated architecture development environment, and the registry.
US08413103B2
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, a graphical user interface and a computer-program product (i.e., software) for use with the computer system are described. A chip designer may use these devices and techniques to configure and monitor the execution of tasks in a user-configurable electronic-design-automation (EDA) flow associated with a circuit or chip design. In particular, using an intuitive and interactive graphical user interface in EDA software, the chip designer can configure and initiate execution of the EDA flow. Then, during execution of EDA tasks in the EDA flow, an execution monitor in the graphical user interface may provide a graphical representation of real-time execution status information for the EDA tasks. Moreover, using the EDA software, the chip designer can debug the circuit or chip design if any errors or problems occur.
US08413099B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide techniques and systems for reducing the number of scenarios over which a circuit design is optimized. Each scenario in the set of scenarios can be associated with a process corner, an operating condition, and/or an operating mode. During operation, the system can receive a set of scenarios over which the circuit design is to be optimized. Next, the system can compute values of constrained objects in the circuit design over the set of scenarios. The system can then determine a subset of scenarios based at least on the values of the constrained objects, so that if the circuit design meets design constraints in each scenario in the subset of scenarios, the circuit design is expected to meet the design constraints in each scenario in the set of scenarios.
US08413086B2
Processor pipeline controlling techniques are described which take advantage of the variation in critical path lengths of different instructions to achieve increased performance. By examining a processor's instruction set and execution unit implementation's critical timing paths, instructions are classified into speed classes. Based on these speed classes, one pipeline is presented where hold signals are used to dynamically control the pipeline based on the instruction class in execution. An alternative pipeline supporting multiple classes of instructions is presented where the pipeline clocking is dynamically changed as a result of decoded instruction class signals. A single pass synthesis methodology for multi-class execution stage logic is also described. For dynamic class variable pipeline processors, the mix of instructions can have a great effect on processor performance and power utilization since both can vary by the program mix of instruction classes. Application code can be given new degrees of optimization freedom where instruction class and the mix of instructions can be chosen based on performance and power requirements.
US08413080B1
A method for creating an apodization mask is disclosed. According to the method, a grid is created for the pattern. The grid includes a number of elements. Each element is processed to determine whether the element is to be made transmissive based on a predetermined local optical density and a random value. The predetermined local optical density and the random value are associated with the element. The random value is generated on a random basis. Each element is further processed to determine whether the position of the element is to be shifted. The positional shift is determined on a random basis. The grid with the processed elements is then used to make an apodization mask. The apodization mask may be used in an optical instrument, such as, an interferometer.
US08413077B2
An input apparatus includes: a motion signal output section to detect a movement of an object for controlling a movement of an image displayed on a screen and output a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the object; a control command generation section to generate a control command corresponding to the motion signal for controlling the movement of the image; an operation signal output section to detect a user operation unintended for the control of the movement of the image and output an operation signal based on the operation; an operation command generation section to generate an operation command based on the operation signal; and a control section to control the control command generation section to generate, in temporal relation with a generation timing of the operation command, the control command with a sensitivity of the movement of the image with respect to the movement of the object changed.
US08413075B2
The display of gesture movies is disclosed to assist users in performing gestures. Gesture movies can be short, unintrusive, and available on demand. A list box can appear in a pop-up window or preference panel, containing a list of gestures that can be displayed. If a user clicks on a gesture in the list, a video, movie or animation of the gesture being performed appears in one box, and a video, movie or animation of the action being performed on a particular object is displayed in another box. Thus, a hand can be shown performing the selected gesture over a touch sensor panel, while at the same time, and synchronized with the gesture being displayed, an object being manipulated by the gesture is displayed.
US08413072B2
An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08413066B2
A method of presenting keys of a touchscreen device, to facilitate correct actuation. Following depression of a key, the device determines likelihood of selection of a subsequent key. Keys determined to be more likely to be subsequently selected are visually enhanced. Enhancement may be by presenting the keys as relatively large relative to keys not so determined, by adjusting coloring, and introducing dynamic effects, among others. Also, keys surrounding keys determined to be likely to be subsequently selected may be visually enhanced. Visually enhanced surrounding keys may have enhanced brightness relative to keys not surrounding keys so determined. Keys may be further categorized in an intermediate category as being of equal likelihood rather than of relatively great or relatively unlikely subsequent selection. Visual presentation may intuitively reflect the three categories.
US08413056B2
A method and system is provided for detecting, commanding and controlling diverse home devices currently connected to a home network. An interface is provided for accessing the home devices that are currently connected to a home network. According to the method, a device link file is generated, wherein the device link file identifies home devices that are currently connected to the home network. A device link page is created, wherein the device link page contains a device button that is associated with each home device that is identified in the device link file. A hyper-text link is associated with each device button, wherein the hyper-text link provides a link to an HTML page that is contained on the home device that is associated with the device button, and the device link page is displayed on a browser based home device.
US08413051B2
Text may be contextually previewed in various fonts using preview panes with a level of transparency. Fonts or font groups may then be applied to a document using the preview panes. In one example, text to be inserted may be previewed in different fonts against the document in which the text is to be added. Once a user has selected a desirable font, the user may choose to insert the text into the document using the preview pane. Alternatively, a user may apply a font to existing text from the preview pane. Text in fonts of different types and/or sizes may be previewed in a variety of formats in a single preview area and/or with individual font preview panes.
US08413050B2
Presentation of results of a predictive analysis of text is delayed until entry of the text by a user is paused by a particular amount of time. The results are available for selection by the user for another particular amount of time. After the other particular amount of time is expired, the results are no longer available to for selection. If a particular result is selected, the selected result either replaces or supplements the entered text.
US08413045B2
A computer-implemented method for presenting a document for interaction with a user in a web browser includes accessing an electronic model of the document; determining, with a computing device, positions for items in a visual rendering of the electronic model based on relative sizes and positions of other items in the electronic model; and generating, with the computing device, a document object model (DOM) that defines an editing surface, wherein the DOM (a) places placing the items at the determined positions on the editing surface, (b) places a graphic element that represents a cursor at a determined location on the editing surface, and (c) is arranged to receive user input on the editing surface and to correlate a location of the received user input to a location in the electronic model.
US08413034B2
In a magnetic data processing device, an input part sequentially receives magnetic data output from a magnetic sensor. A storage part stores a plurality of the magnetic data as a data set of statistical population. An index derivation part derives a distribution index of the data set of the statistical population. A reliability determination part determines whether or not reliability of the data set of the statistical population is acceptable based on the distribution index and a decision criterion. A decision criterion setting part increases strictness of the decision criterion when the reliability determination part determines that the reliability of the data set of the statistical population is acceptable, and decreases the strictness of the decision criterion when the reliability determination part determines that the reliability of the data set of the statistical population is unacceptable.
US08413033B2
A method for calculating backward state metrics of a trellis, the method includes: performing a radix-K calculation of backward state matrices of multiple states of at least one time instance of a trellis; and performing a radix-J calculation of backward state matrices of multiple states of at least one other time instance of the trellis; wherein K differs from J.
US08413032B1
A channel decoder including an amplifier configured to amplify a signal; a first summer configured to generate an output signal based on the signal amplified by the amplifier; and a Viterbi detector module configured to, based on the output signal, generate a first estimate signal and a second estimate signal, wherein the first estimate signal and the second estimate signal respectively indicate an estimate of data in the signal. The channel decoder further includes a second summer configured to generate a first error signal indicating a first gradient based on the first estimate signal; and a third summer configured to generate a second error signal indicating a second error gradient based on the second estimate signal. The first summer is configured to generate the output signal based on (i) the first error signal and (ii) the second error signal.
US08413027B2
A method of decoding a coding pattern disposed on or in a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) operatively positioning an optical reader relative to a surface of the substrate; (b) capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern, the coding pattern comprising a plurality of square tags of length/identifying two-dimensional location coordinates; and (c) sampling and decoding x-coordinate data symbols within the imaged portion and y-coordinate data symbols within the imaged portion. The imaged portion has a predetermined diameter and is guaranteed to contain sufficient data symbols from each of the Reed-Solomon codes so that symbol errors are correctable in each of the codes during the decoding.
US08413014B2
A method of writing data to and reading data from a storage medium includes cycle slip detection and correction. An LDPC matrix includes a first area for cycle slip detection and correction. The first area satisfies a set of conditions such that a cycle slip at a particular position creates a pattern of parity check errors indicative of the position and polarity of the cycle slip. Writing user data to the storage medium includes encoding the user data with parity data according to the LDPC matrix. Reading the user data and the parity data from the storage medium includes decoding the user data and the parity data according to the LDPC matrix. Decoding includes, upon detecting a pattern of parity check errors indicative of the position and polarity of a detected cycle slip, correcting the detected cycle slip.
US08413012B2
Frames of data that have transverse Reed-Solomon (TRS) coding and subsequent cyclical-redundancy-check (CRC) coding are subjected to de-interleaving before concatenated convolutional coding (CCC). The de-interleaving is related to the symbol interleaving of the outer convolutional coding prior to the inner convolutional coding so as to result in implied interleaving of data bits in the CCC on which wireless digital transmissions are based. The CCC is turbo decoded in a receiver for the wireless digital transmissions and re-interleaved to reproduce soft data, hard data bits of which data are TRS coded. CRC coding is decoded during the turbo decoding procedures and used to influence the confidence levels of the soft data. The confidence levels of the soft data are used for locating byte errors when the TRS coded hard data bits of the soft data are decoded.
US08413008B2
A method for recovery of lost and/or corrupted data transmitted from a transmitter device to a receiver device. The data is coded by an encoder connected to the transmitter device. The data is transmitted from the transmitter device to the receiver device via a transmission system and is decoded by means of a decoder connected to the receiver device. This is performed through application of a low density parity check method, wherein lost and/or corrupted data is restored during decoding. The decoding is performed by solving the equation system of the parity check matrix H. The parity check matrix H is brought into a triangular form by column and/or row permutations. Columns of a sub-matrix B of the matrix H which impede the triangulation process are shifted into a sub-matrix P of the matrix H so that the triangulation process can be continued until the matrix H except for the sub-matrix P has been completely brought into a triangular form. The Gaussian elimination method is applied to a part of the sub-matrix P. The selection of the column or columns of the sub-matrix B which are to be shifted into the sub-matrix P is performed on the basis of the weight of the column which corresponds to the number of non-zero-entries in the column, and/or on the basis of the weight of the rows of the sub-matrix B connected to the column.
US08413007B2
A DRAM device includes an ECC generator/checker that generates ECC syndromes corresponding to items of data stored in the DRAM device. The DRAM device also includes an ECC controller that causes the ECC syndromes to be stored in the DRAM device. The ECC controller also causes a flag bit having a first value to be stored in the DRAM device when a corresponding ECC syndrome is stored. The ECC controller changes the flag bit to a second value whenever the corresponding data bits are modified, this indicating that the stored syndrome no longer corresponds to the stored data. In such case, the ECC controller causes a new ECC syndrome to be generated and stored, and the corresponding flag bit is reset to the first value. The flag bits may be checked in this manner during a reduced power refresh to ensure that the stored syndromes correspond to the stored data.
US08413004B2
A phase-change memory (PCM) includes a matrix of storage cells, including at least a first group with at least one cell. Each cell includes a phase change material having at least a first resistance value and a second resistance value, such that the first group can have an identical message encoded therein in at least a first way and a second way. The memory also includes a controller configured to encode the identical message in the at least first group the first or second way, based on which way causes the least amount of writing cost, given current levels of the group. Another embodiment of memory includes a matrix of storage cells. Each of the storage cells has at least two levels, such that each of the storage cells can have an identical message encoded therein in at least a first way and a second way.
US08413002B2
A data transmission method using automatic repeat request (ARQ) in a radio interface protocol system consisting of a plurality of layers is provided. The method includes delivering, from an upper layer to a lower layer, a data block stored in an ARQ buffer, the ARQ buffer storing a plurality of data blocks to be transmitted in response the lower layer, the data block; delivering, from the upper layer to the lower layer, a new data block stored in the ARQ buffer if a delivery success message is received from the lower layer, the delivery success message indicating successful transmission of the data block; and shifting a window of the ARQ buffer. The present invention can effectively use radio resources since an ARQ procedure does not require a polling process and a process of receiving a status PDU, and is suitable for high rate data transmission.
US08413001B2
A communication apparatus (CA) such as a mobile node/station (MN), a base station (BS), or a radio station (RS) may support determination of HARQ timing. The CA may generate at least in part one or more generalized frames such as a frequency division duplex (FDD) frame or a time division duplex (TDD) frame. The generalized FDD and TDD frames may include support to determine the HARQ timing considering various factors, which may affect the HARQ timing. The FDD and TDD frames may include information corresponding to various factors to determine the HARQ timing considering factors such as DL/UL ratio, number of sub-frames per frame, variable transmission time interval (TTI), relay zones, legacy IEEE® 802.16e zones, and availability of ACKCH.
US08413000B2
Embodiments disclosed herein are configured for retransmission above the gamma (γ) interface. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving data from an Ethernet layer, the data being identified as eligible for retransmission or not eligible for retransmission; in response to a determination that the data is eligible for retransmission, storing a copy of at least a portion of the data in a retransmission queue; and transmitting the data across a gamma (γ) interface to a packet transfer mode transmission convergence layer.
US08412999B2
A method for specifying a transport block-to-codeword mapping relationship and a method for transmitting a downlink signal using the same are described. If a swap flag has a first logic value, a first transport block is mapped to a first codeword and a second transport block is mapped to a second codeword. If the swap flag has a second logic value, the first transport block is mapped to the second codeword and the second transport block is mapped to the first codeword. If the size of any one of two transport blocks is 0, the swap flag is not used.
US08412996B2
A device and a method detect an acceleration of a logic signal expressed by a closeness, beyond a closeness threshold, of at least two variation edges of the logic signal. A first control bit and a second control bit are provided. At each edge of the logic signal, the value of the first control bit is inverted after a first delay and the value of the second control bit is inverted after a second delay. An acceleration is detected when the two control bits have at the same time their respective initial values or their respective inverted initial values. Application is in particular but not exclusively to the detection of error injections in a secured integrated circuit.
US08412985B1
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to on-the-fly remapping a memory device by hardware-switching data paths to locations of the memory device.
US08412982B2
Methods and systems for facilitating fault tolerance in a non-hot-standby configuration of a network routing system are provided. According to one embodiment, a failover method is provided. One or more processing engines of a network routing system are configured to function as active processing engines, each of which having one or more software contexts. A control blade is configured to monitor the active processing engines. One or more of the processing engines are identified to function as non-hot-standby processing engines, each of which having no pre-created software contexts corresponding to the software contexts of the active processing engines. The control blade monitors the active processing engines. Responsive to detecting a fault associated with an active processing engine the active processing engine is dynamically replaced with a non-hot-standby processing engine by creating one or more replacement software contexts within the non-hot-standby processing engine corresponding to those of the active processing engine.
US08412977B2
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system are presented for establishing redundant computer resources. According to one embodiment, in a system including a plurality of processor devices and a plurality of storage devices, the processor devices, the storage devices and the management server being connected via a network, the method comprises storing device information relating to the processor devices and the storage devices and topology information relating to topology of the network, identifying at least one primary computer resource, selecting at least one secondary computer resource suitable to serve as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource based on the device information and the topology information, and assigning the at least one secondary computer resource as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource.
US08412976B2
According to some embodiments, a method and system are provided to initiate communication at an integrated circuit that is electrically coupled to a plurality of voltage regulators, determine a slowest one of the plurality of voltage regulators that is electrically coupled to the processor, transmit address information to the plurality of voltage regulators that are electrically coupled to the processor at a first speed associated with the slowest one of the plurality of voltage regulators, determine a second speed associated with a voltage regulator to which the address information is associated, and transmit a second portion of the packet at the second speed associated with the voltage regulator to which the address information is associated.
US08412972B2
Described herein are a method and an apparatus for reducing power consumption of memories by monitoring the power states of the memories via an operating system. The method comprises reading counter values corresponding to power states of each memory of a plurality memories; computing a power state usage corresponding to the power states of each memory of the plurality, the computing based on the counter values; determining whether the power state usage exceeds a predetermined threshold usage; and adjusting current and future usage of each memory of the plurality in response to determining that the power state usage exceeds the predetermined threshold usage.
US08412971B2
A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling a cache size is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes changing an operating point of a processor from a first operating point to a second operating point, and selectively removing power from one or more ways of a cache memory responsive to changing the operating point. The method further includes processing one or more instructions in the processor subsequent to removing power from the one or more ways of the cache memory, wherein said processing includes accessing one or more ways of the cache memory from which power was not removed.
US08412969B2
A computer system and overclock controlling method and program thereof, which includes steps of providing an overclock work voltage to a CPU when overclock is requested, then the CPU adjusts its clock domain according to the overclock work voltage. The overclock work voltage is a sum of a normal work voltage and an additional external voltage, by which the CPU may enter an overclock mode (a frequency of a clock domain signal is higher than a standard frequency value). Eventually, when the frequency of the clock domain signal of the CPU is in a stable status during the overclock mode, the work voltage for the CPU is reduced and the CPU keeps working in the overclock mode.
US08412965B2
A forward converter circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. A first transistor is coupled in series with the primary winding and a second transistor is coupled in series with the secondary winding. A control circuit generating control signals for controlling operation of the first and second transistors. The control signals are generated responsive to the values in certain triggered counting circuits satisfying programmable thresholds.
US08412959B2
Disclosed herein is a terminal apparatus designed as a self-powered device according to the Universal Serial Bus standard, the terminal apparatus including: a battery; a USB port; and a control section configured to allow relevant components of the terminal apparatus to operate on power from the battery upon power-up, the control section further notifying a host device upon connection thereto through the USB port that the terminal apparatus is a bus-powered device, in order to request a current necessary for the relevant components to operate only on the power supplied from the host device to the bus-powered device.
US08412948B2
An apparatus and method are provided for reducing time taken for generating a digital signature and generating the digital signature using a minimum number of operations using at least two secret keys. One secret key among at least two secret keys may be set from a value resulting from hashing a message to be transmitted. A number of times for hashing the secret key is determined, and a value resulting from hashing the determined secret key by the determined hashing number of times is set as the digital signature.
US08412944B1
A professional subscriber station, a document authority station and a client station are provided. The professional subscriber station has a first electronic device for creating a document for being certified. The document authority station has a second electronic device adapted to receive the document and to certify the document and to transmit a document of certification and a cover sheet with codes to the professional subscriber station. The client station is adapted to receive the document and cover sheet with codes from the professional subscriber station. The client station has a third electronic device for viewing the certificate of authenticity at the client station and the document.
US08412939B2
Disclosed a system and method for mutual authentication between a node and a sink in a sensor network. At least one sink periodically creates a neighboring sink list including information on at least one adjacent sink, and the sink requests node authentication to a base station when receiving an authentication request from the node and transmits its own neighboring sink list to the node when the node authentication has been completed. When the node moves and requests authentication to another sink, the another sink stores a neighboring sink list received from the node, determines if a node-authenticable sink exists in its own neighboring sink list according to the authentication request, and requests re-authentication of the node to the node-authenticable sink when the node-authenticable sink exists, so that re-authentication between the node and the sink is easily performed.
US08412938B2
In the fields of data security and system reliability and qualification, this disclosure is of a method, system and apparatus for verifying or authenticating a device to a host using a zero-knowledge based authentication technique which includes a keyed message authentication code such as an HMAC or keyed cipher function and which operates on secret information shared between the host and the device. This is useful both for security purposes and also to make sure that a device such as a computer peripheral or accessory or component is qualified to be interoperable with the host.
US08412935B2
A storage system that administrates data to be mounted on a client terminal, the data being categorized into a plurality of generations, and that controls data in response to a request to mount data received from the client terminal. The storage system including a storage unit that stores a first generation that is currently under operation as operational data, a second generation that had functioned as the operational data as backup data, and a third generation that is to be in operation as standby data, and a switching unit that switches the first and the third generations such that the third generation is stored as the operational data, and the first generation is stored as the backup data, and that switches the first and the second generations such that the second generation is stored as the operational data, and the first generation is stored as the backup data.
US08412932B2
A method and system for collecting account access statistics from information provided by client certificates. In one embodiment, the method comprises requesting client certificates from remote terminals that request to access a computing resource. The method further comprises updating the account access statistics based on information provided by presence or absence of the client certificates and contents of the client certificates for the client certificates that are present.
US08412920B2
A boot sequence method comprises a determination step 110 and 200, a first starting step 120, 210 or 240 for starting a first interface, a first negotiation step 140 or 220 wherein a power negotiation is performed, a second negotiation step 140 or 230 for determining the interfaces to activate simultaneously, and a second starting step 150 or 230 wherein the interfaces that can be activated simultaneously are started one after each other.
US08412911B2
A system and method for invalidating obsolete virtual/real address to physical address translations may employ translation lookaside buffers to cache translations. TLB entries may be invalidated in response to changes in the virtual memory space, and thus may need to be demapped. A non-cacheable unit (NCU) residing on a processor may be configured to receive and manage a global TLB demap request from a thread executing on a core residing on the processor. The NCU may send the request to local cores and/or to NCUs of external processors in a multiprocessor system using a hardware instruction to broadcast to all cores and/or processors or to multicast to designated cores and/or processors. The NCU may track completion of the demap operation across the cores and/or processors using one or more counters, and may send an acknowledgement to the initiator of the demap request when the global demap request has been satisfied.
US08412894B2
Solutions to a value recycling problem facilitate implementations of computer programs that may execute as multithreaded computations in multiprocessor computers, as well as implementations of related shared data structures. Some exploitations allow non-blocking, shared data structures to be implemented using standard dynamic allocation mechanisms (such as malloc and free). Some exploitations allow non-blocking, indeed even lock-free or wait-free, implementations of dynamic storage allocation for shared data structures. In some exploitations, our techniques provide a way to manage dynamically allocated memory in a non-blocking manner without depending on garbage collection. While exploitations of solutions to the value recycling problem that we propose include management of dynamic storage allocation wherein values managed and recycled tend to include values that encode pointers, they are not limited thereto. Indeed, the techniques are more generally applicable to management of values in a multithreaded computation. For example, value recycling techniques may be exploited, in some cases, apart from dynamic storage allocation, to allow a multithreaded computation to avoid the classic ABA hazard.
US08412882B2
Embodiments are described that leverage variability of a chip. Different areas of a chip vary in terms of reliability under a same operating condition. The variability may be captured by measuring errors over different areas of the chip. A physical factor that affects or controls the likelihood of an error on the chip can be varied. For example, the voltage supplied to a chip may be provided at different levels. At each level of the physical factor, the chip is tested for errors within the regions. Some indication of the error statistics for the regions is stored and then used to adjust power used by the chip, to adjust reliability behavior of the chip, to allow applications to control how the chip is used, to compute a signature uniquely identifying the chip, etc.
US08412880B2
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for a memory system controller. In one or more embodiments, a memory system controller includes a host interface communicatively coupled to a system controller. The system controller has a number of memory interfaces, and is configured for controlling a plurality of intelligent storage nodes communicatively coupled to the number of memory interfaces. The system controller includes logic configured to map between physical and logical memory addresses, and logic configured to manage wear level across the plurality of intelligent storage nodes.
US08412875B2
A network system that is part of a main system includes: a first PCI express-network bridge with a first control unit and a first PCI express adapter terminating a first PCI express bus; and a second PCI express-network bridge connected to the first PCI express-network bridge through a network. The second PCI express-network bridge includes a second control unit and a second PCI express adapter terminating a second PCI express bus, wherein the first control unit detects a destination of a packet sent from the first PCI express adapter, searches a physical address of the destination from a packet encapsulating table, and encapsulates the packet in a frame so that the frame includes the physical address, and wherein the second control unit removes the encapsulation tagged to the packet, and transfers the packet to the destination through the second PCI express bus by referring to a PCI express configuration register.
US08412868B2
Methods and systems for creating, reading, and writing compressed files in a computer system comprising a file system coupled with storage medium and at least one application program interface (API) configured to communicate with the file system by means of file access-related requests are provided. The file access-related requests are intercepted in order to provide at least one of the following: a) to derive and compress data corresponding to the intercepted file access request and to facilitate storing the compressed data at the storage medium as a compressed file; b) to facilitate restoring at least part of compressed data corresponding to the intercepted file request and communicating the resulting data through the API. The compressed files comprise plurality of compressed units. One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire file whilst maintaining de-fragmented structure of the compressed file.
US08412865B2
A method for authentication of an external storage device (16) operatively connected to a port of a host computer (10) where the host computer (10) conducts a handshake with the external storage device (16) seeking an authentication key from the external storage device. The host computer (10) electrically disconnects the external storage device (16) from the host computer (10) if the authentication key is incorrect or not provided within a predetermined period. The host computer (10) allows access to the host computer (10) by the external storage device (16) if the authentication key is correct and provided within the predetermined period. Corresponding apparatus and systems are also disclosed.
US08412862B2
A mechanism is provided for improving the efficiency of multiple smaller direct memory access transfers. The mechanism uses one input buffer and a small result buffer, or some temporary variables, to temporarily store computation results. The mechanism performs a computation on a segment of data in the input buffer and stores the result in the temporary result buffer. The mechanism then copies the result back into the input buffer. As such, the mechanism uses the input buffer as both an input buffer and a results buffer. The mechanism then performs a direct memory access transfer on the segment of the input buffer that contains the computation result and then performs a computation on the next segment of the input buffer. The mechanism then repeats this process until the entire input buffer has been processed.
US08412855B2
Systems and methods of processing write transactions provide for combining write transactions on an input/output (I/O) hub according to a protocol between the I/O hub and a processor. Data associated with the write transactions can be flushed to an I/O device without the need for proprietary software and specialized registers within the I/O device.
US08412854B2
A method and system that allows a host system application to securely communicate with a legacy device is provided. A redirector software module receives data that is destined for a host system serial COM port. Data is secured and re-directed to a legacy device via a network port instead of the serial COM port. Conversely, data destined for the host system is provided to a device server via a server COM port by the legacy serial device. The data can be encrypted and sent to the host system via the network. The redirector software module decrypts the encrypted data and presents it to the consumer application as if the data had arrived via the local COM port.
US08412852B2
A computer implemented method, computer program product, and a data processing system access a version of shared assembly in a componentized environment, wherein multiple versions of the shared assembly exist concurrently in a single process, and wherein each version of the shared assembly comprises an assembly stub and an assembly implementation. A call to an assembly stub of the shared assembly is received. The call is then forwarded from the assembly stub to an identified assembly implementation using a proxy pointer. A function table structure is then retuned from the identified assembly implementation, wherein the function table structure contains implementation symbols from the identified assembly implementation.
US08412849B2
The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for lossless compression of data and high speed manipulation thereof. The method may comprise associating one or more of a plurality of unique entities with one or more of a plurality of unique binary numbers; associating a collection with the plurality of unique entities; and determining that the collection includes one of the plurality of unique entities based upon the unique binary number associated with the unique entity. The associating the collection with the plurality of unique entities may further comprise summing the unique binary numbers associated with the plurality of unique entities, and/or associating the collection with a binary number that is a logical result of a bitwise operation between unique binary numbers associated with the plurality of unique entities.
US08412846B2
The present invention provides a wireless network system that enables direct wireless delivery of a multimedia message from a first MMS user agent to a second MMS user agent. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the wireless network system includes a MMS server that receives, from the first MMS user agent, a request to send a multimedia message to the second MMS user agent. The request includes an identification (ID) number of the second MMS user agent. From a core network, for example, the MMS server obtains an Internet address of the second MMS user agent based on the ID number of the second MMS user agent, if the ID number is not an Internet address of the second MMS user agent. Then the MMS server forwards the Internet address to the first MMS user agent to enable the first MMS user agent to wirelessly deliver the multimedia message directly to the second MMS user agent using the Internet address. Therefore, by not involving a MMS server in delivering multimedia messages, a substantial amount of network resources is saved, and delivery speed of multimedia messages is significantly increased. As a result, the performance of the overall network system is greatly improved.
US08412829B2
System and method for controlling and managing sessions between endpoints in a communications system
In a communications system having at least one service entity and a plurality of endpoints each including a logical entity and a terminal, a method facilitates a session between at least two of the endpoints in the system. The method includes: receiving a first message having information that includes a request for a session between a first endpoint that includes a non-dispatch terminal and at least one other endpoint; detecting that the first endpoint includes a non-dispatch terminal as a function of the first endpoint being unable to perform at least one function; and causing the at least one function to be performed on behalf of the first endpoint by the at least one service entity to facilitate the session between the first endpoint and the at least one other endpoint.
US08412827B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a request from a client server for computing resources associated with a processor, determine an estimated completion time associated with previous requests associated with the processor, calculate a priority value for the request based on the estimated completion time, establish a processing schedule for the request and other requests associated with the processor based on the priority value, and provide the request to the processor according to the processing schedule. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08412825B2
A method of facilitating access to services of an IP Multimedia Subsystem network by services located behind an access point to said network. The access point is associated with a subscription to the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The method comprises including within an Implicit Registration Set defined for said subscription, a wildcarded Public Service Identity or Public Service Identity sub-domain representative of a range of Public Service Identities. At IP Multimedia Subsystem registration of said access point with the IP Multimedia Subsystem network, the Public Service Identities contained in the Implicit Registration Set are distributed to a Serving Call Session Control Function allocated to said access point and to a Proxy Call Session Control Function to which said access point is attached.
US08412820B2
Methods and a system for exploiting the secondary traffic generated by social networking sites are disclosed. Traffic on a commercial website is constantly monitored by a web analytics tool, which collects traffic measurements of hits, button presses, enquiries, purchases etc., as well as the referrer URL of a site such as a social networking site through which the commercial website is accessed. The collected measurements are forwarded to a Referred Traffic Analysis System. Concurrently, the Referred Traffic Analysis System crawls the Internet and collects a large number of social networking sites, analyses their content by extracting insight terms and phrases from them. In a third step, the collected traffic measurements are correlated with the collected insights from the social networking sites, and the top insights that reoccur frequently enough to appear to be a driver for the measurements observed, are presented to the client. A corresponding system is also provided.
US08412817B1
A load balancing server system balances the load imposed by requestor requests for services across a set of service-providing servers. A network interface receives the requestor requests from a network communication system and sends server requests for services to the service-providing servers. A data processing system creates and maintains server status information indicative of whether each service-providing server is operational, and server pointer information identifying the service-providing server to which the next server request should be sent. In response to each requestor request, the data processing system causes the network interface to send one or more server requests for one or more services related to the requestor request to the service-providing server identified by the server pointer information and increments in a round-robin manner the server pointer information to the next operational service-providing server.
US08412800B2
One or more universal serial bus (USB) devices are connected at a client computer. The USB devices are recognized by the client computer and a determination is made as to whether an application server computer provides functionality for one or more of the USB devices. A specific communication path is provided from the USB device to the server computer if functionality is provided by the application server computer.
US08412799B2
A method for communication between a DICOM QR-enabled device, such as a medical imaging device, and a DICOM QR-enabled computer. The method includes transferring, using the DICOM QR protocol, an explicit command from the DICOM QR-enabled device to the DICOM QR-enabled computer. The DICOM QR-enabled device may include a user interface, and the explicit command may have been received in advance from a user through the user interface. The explicit command may be a question or a command to perform a task that is otherwise unavailable for medical imaging devices. The command may include at least one parameter.
US08412794B2
A system for integrating user-specific institutional content for mobile delivery is disclosed. The system includes a communications module configured to receive, from a mobile device, a request for target institutional content based on source institutional content and an identification of a user. The system also includes a processor configured to obtain, from a memory, the target institutional content based on the source institutional content and the identification of the user, and further configured to provide, to the mobile device in response to the request, the generalized institutional content in a format configured for display on the mobile device. Methods and machine-readable mediums are also disclosed.
US08412791B2
An apparatus and method for off-loading application components to edge servers are provided. An application is made edge-aware by defining which components of the application may be run from an edge server, and which components cannot be run from an edge server. When a request is received that is to be processed by an application on an origin server, a determination is made as to whether the application contains edgable components. If so, an edgified version of the application is created. When a request is received that is handled by a component that may be run on the edge server, the request is handled by that component on the edge server. When a request is received that is handled by a component that is not edgable, the request is passed to a proxy agent which then provides the request to a broker agent on the origin server.
US08412790B2
The present invention relates to a method, system and computer readable recording medium for determining a major group in a network split-brain situation that occurs in a network-based distributed computing environment. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining a major group among at least two groups created by splitting an initial group consisting of a plurality of nodes in a network-based distributed environment, the method comprising the steps of comparing the number of nodes included in a first group with the number of nodes included in a second group; acquiring history information of the nodes included in the first and second groups; and determining whether the first group or the second group is the major group using at least one of a result of comparing the number of nodes and the history information.
US08412771B2
A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for matching items of user-generated content to entities is provided. Items of user-generated content, such as status updates, are gathered. For each of the items, a machine determines a degree to which the item is associated with an entity. In one aspect, items are matched to an entity by matching the content of the items to attributes of the entity. In another aspect, items are matched to an entity by predicting attributes of an author of the items and determining a distance between the predicted attributes of the author and the attributes of the entity. The distance may be a physical distance between locations of the entity and user or a contextual distance between categories for the entity and posts by the author. Items matched to the entity may be displayed on an interface concurrently with information about the entity.
US08412770B2
A question is received on a first social network site from a first user. The question is sent to a second user of a second social network site who receives the question from the second social network site. The first social network site receives an answer to the question from the second user via the second social network site and provides the answer to the first user.
US08412768B2
A message oriented middleware server application executable by at least one processor implements a message oriented middleware message provider that mediates messaging operations with a plurality of heterogeneous applications including a number of casino gaming applications, where instances of the heterogeneous applications which execute on the plurality of networked processor-based client devices including the networked processor-based casino gaming devices.
US08412763B2
Improved techniques that facilitate the use of podcasts are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, organizing, searching, browsing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, tags are embedded into syndication feeds (e.g., RSS feeds) that may be made available for distribution by an online media store to facilitate the management of podcasts. In accordance with one embodiment, an explicit tag may be embedded at the feed and/or episode level to indicate that the feed and/or episode includes explicit content. In accordance with another embodiment, a duration tag may be embedded at the episode level to indicate an estimated duration associated with the episode. Upon downloading the episode, the duration may be replaced by the actual duration of the episode. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a new feed-URL tag may be embedded in a syndication feed to identify a new URL at which the feed is to be accessed.
US08412756B1
A programmable logic device is programmed to add a plurality N of unnormalized numbers at once. Because the inputs are not normalized, they could all have different exponents. The largest exponent of the N exponents is found, and for each of the inputs, its mantissa is right-shifted at by the difference between the largest exponent and the exponent of that particular input. The N shifted mantissas are combined, optionally with sign data, in an (N+1):2 compressor to provide carry and save vectors which may be combined in a carry-propagate adder. Numbers may converted back to normalized form at the end of the operation. If necessary to avoid data loss, a number may be normalized after an intermediate step.
US08412754B2
A virtual system environment in a computing system allows non-root users to perform administrative operations normally requiring root privileges. A virtual control module has a virtual file system with virtual directories corresponding to one or more of the system directories of a root file system. Each virtual directory contains one or more symbolic links symbolically linking to one or more system files as link targets. The symbolic links have non-root permissions that allow the non-root users to perform administrative operations in the virtual control module that delete, change or replace the symbolic links. A capability is provided to resolve the symbolic links within the virtual control module to allow the non-root users to execute the link targets via the symbolic links. One or more non-root users may be placed in the virtual control module by setting their apparent root directory to a root directory of the virtual file system.
US08412753B2
An application program interface (API) provides means for dynamic filesystem creation, that allows complex filesystem hierarchies to be created and written on-the-fly without having to generate a complete on-disk representation. The filesystem is laid out in a one-parent many-children hierarchy of file and folder objects. The API recursively traverses the filesystem hierarchy beginning at the root node to determine the filesystem's structure. Callback functions for retrieval of file data are determined for each filesystem object and stored in memory. Output blocks are allocated for file data as needed. During the writing phase, the callback functions are executed to retrieve file data which is then written to the desired computer readable media.
US08412752B2
An electronic data system comprises memory storage having stored data, file system software, and a transaction file. The transaction file is maintained by the file system software, and includes a plurality of transaction records corresponding to transactions that have been or are to be executed on one or more files and/or the or more directories of the file system. The file system software operates to organize and maintain the stored data in the files and directories and also to coalesce multiple transaction records meeting one or more criteria into fewer coalesced transaction records. The physical memory space required by the transaction file is reduced by the transaction record coalescing. The coalesced transaction records may be constructed so that they represent a logical result of applying each transaction record of a transaction record set in chronological order. Once the coalesced transaction records have been committed in the file system, the physical memory used by the original transaction records in the set may be reclaimed for further use (e.g., to store further transaction records) or may be otherwise removed from further use (e.g., when the physical memory is located in a block of memory in a flash-like memory device that has reached its maximum number of write and/or erase cycles).
US08412747B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that learns a generative model for textual documents. During operation, the system receives a current model, which contains terminal nodes representing random variables for words and cluster nodes representing clusters of conceptually related words. Within the current model, nodes are coupled together by weighted links, so that if a cluster node in the probabilistic model fires, a weighted link from the cluster node to another node causes the other node to fire with a probability proportionate to the link weight. The system also receives a set of training documents, wherein each training document contains a set of words. Next, the system applies the set of training documents to the current model to produce a new model.
US08412742B2
A storage system comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk containing a plurality of storage segments, and each segment providing a specific class of service (CoS). Each vdisk stores files with data and meta data distributed among its storage segments. A storage system comprises a memory having multiple classes of service. The system comprises an interface for storing a file as blocks of data associated with a class of service in the memory. The interface chooses the class of service for a block on a block by block basis. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk having a plurality of inodes. Each inode of each vdisk stores data on one or more segments, with each segment having a different class of service. The system comprises a controller which stores data of a file in an inode of a vdisk, in one or more segments of that vdisk. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, and each vdisk having a plurality of inodes. The system comprises a controller including a plurality of processors, with each processor serving one or more of the vdisks. A file system for storing comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk having a plurality of inodes, a plurality of inodes of at least one vdisk storing data on a plurality of segments, each segment having a different class of service. The system comprises a controller which stores data of the file in one or more segments of one vdisk. A method for storing a file.
US08412738B2
A method for capturing an image of a machine having one or more disks is presented. The method comprises creating a snapshot of the machine, the snapshot including full machine encapsulation, querying the one or more disks on the machine to obtain information stored thereon, creating metadata able to access one or more files, one or more folders, and the application on the machine, and capturing the snapshot, the obtained information and the metadata in the image. The method may also comprise migrating the captured image and/or extracting one or more files and/or folders from the captured image on another machine. The migration can be between physical and physical, physical and virtual, physical and cloud, etc. The method may comprise capturing another image comprising the snapshot, the metadata and changed information different from the obtained information.
US08412735B2
A method, in one embodiment, can include encoding knowledge about a topic domain into a data modeling technique. Additionally, a set of candidate conditional functional dependencies can be generated based on a data set of the topic domain. Moreover, the set of candidate conditional functional dependencies and the data modeling technique encoded with the topic domain knowledge can be applied to the data set to obtain a plurality of data quality rules for the data set.
US08412733B1
Methods for processing streaming data records are provided that include facilities for defining and naming multiple input and output data streams using relational processing definitions and abstractions similar to those found in relational database management systems (RDBMS) and embodied as a set of communicating stream processing nodes. The result is a Distributed Data Stream Management System (DDSMS) which is also a kind of Relational Data Stream Management System (RDSMS). The former comprises a set of Relational Data Stream Management System (RDSMS) nodes, whereas the latter might contain only a single RDSMS node.
US08412731B2
The invention provides a file management method and system for managing file retrieval and access. The method operates at the operating system level within a file system of a computer device and allows creating file move links upon detection of a file move request. The file move link associates the file source location with the file target location and is stored within a file move link table of the file system for subsequent file access request. File path to target location is automatically retrieved and file reached transparently for the user.
US08412728B1
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing search engine user input selection are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a partial query from a user, identifying two or more query suggestions based on the partial query, and determining a probability that each respective complete query suggestion is a query that the user intended to input. The method may also include ranking the two or more query suggestions based on the probability of each respective query suggestion, and determining that a top ranking query suggestion is associated with a probability above a threshold. The method may further include providing for display the two or more query suggestions relative to the partial query, and providing for display, an indication of the top ranking query suggestion among the two or more query suggestions.
US08412725B2
A method for processing, in a platform having one or more processors and memories, an object including elementary information of same type. The method decomposes the object to be processed into at least two sub-objects of N elementary information each, all the sub-objects having the same quantity N of elementary information, the processing performing at least one sequence of specific operations on the elementary information of each sub-object performing, for each sub-object, at least N times each specific operation, such that each elementary information for each sub-object is applied at least one time, and N results are produced for each specific operation, the sequence of specific operations being such that at least one specific operation of the sequence produces, at least once during its N applications, a result used for the processing of another sub-object.
US08412720B2
The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of searching an RDF triples data store of the type in which the triples are maintained in accord with a first storage schema. The method includes inputting a first query specifying RDF triples that are to be identified in the data store. That first query assumes either (i) that the triples are stored in a schema-less manner (i.e., with no storage schema) or (ii) that the triples are maintained in accord with a second storage schema that differs from the first. The method further includes generating, from the first query, a second query that specifies those same RDF triples, yet, that reflects the first storage schema. That second query can be applied to the RDF triples data store in order to identify and/or retrieve the desired data.
US08412717B2
Search term ranking algorithms can be generated and updated based on customer settings, such as where a ranking algorithm is modeled as a combination function of different ranking factors. An end user of a search system provides personalized preferences for weighted attributes, generally or for a single instance of the query. The user also can indicate the relative importance of one or more ranking factors by specifying different weights to the factors. Ranking factors can specify document attributes, such as document title, document body, document page rank, etc. Based on the attribute weights and the received user query, a ranking algorithm function will produce the relevant value for each document corresponding to the user preferences and personalization configurations.
US08412716B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer implemented method of presenting relevant application components to a user of a computer system. The method includes capturing text displayed in open applications, determining key terms in the captured text based on a key terms catalog, and determining potentially relevant components by using the key terms to search a user interface dictionary. The user interface dictionary corresponds to a map between user interface strings and user interface components. The method further includes computing relevance scores for potentially relevant components, and presenting to the user the relevant components that correspond to relevant ones of the potentially relevant components, according to the relevance scores.
US08412712B2
A method is provided of grouping similar values of an attribute type and determining the best value of an attribute type for an entity in an entity resolution system. By applying attribute grouping rules to organize similar values into groups, an accurate number of “distinct” values for an entity is ascertained by counting the number of resulting groups. A preferred group is selected from the resulting groups and a “best value” is selected from the preferred group by applying best value rules.
US08412707B1
Some embodiments provide a system that provides a user interface (UI) for categorizing content. The UI includes (i) a first UI tool for receiving identification of a set of tags and associating the set of tags to the content and (ii) a second UI tool for receiving identifications of relationships between the tags within the set of tags in order to describe the content. In some embodiments, the set of tags includes one or more tag chains that are based on a hierarchy of the tags within the set of tags. In some embodiments, the set of tags includes one or more tag chains that are based on a set of operators. Each operator in the set identifies a relationship between two or more tags within the set of tags. In some embodiments, the UI also includes a UI tool for receiving content or presenting the list of content items through a communications network. In various embodiments, the communications network may be a network of networks (e.g., the Internet), a private network, a public network, a wireless cellular network, etc.
US08412691B2
A method includes atomically reading a next field of a current element of the linked list to determine a first value that encodes a first pointer to the first element and a first indication of an owner of the first element. The first indication of the owner is stored in a first of a plurality of multi-field reservation data structures. The operation includes determining whether the next field of the current element still indicates the first value. The operation includes reading the first element of the linked list via the first pointer if the next field of the current element still indicates the first value. If the next field of the current element indicates a current value different than the first value, the first indication of the owner is removed from the first multi-field reservation data structure, and storing and determining with the second value is repeated.
US08412685B2
A system and method for managing data is provided. The system includes a network for interconnecting a plurality of computers. A data storage means is connected to the network to receive, store and transmit a plurality of files to and from the network. A plurality of computers is also connected to the network. Each computer is configured for originating and for receiving files. Each of the files has a unique identifier associated therewith. Each computer may retrieve a file from the data storage means using the unique identifier.
US08412684B2
An information creating apparatus creates a leaf page information including one or more records with a key information to be compared with a retrieval key information inputted for retrieval of a record. The apparatus creates, based on the key information of the record included in the leaf page information, a judgment information used to judge a possibility that the leaf page information located in a position of child of the node page information located between the root and leaf page informations, and in lower positions than it, includes the record to be retrieved with the retrieval key information, and creates the node page information including the judgment information. The apparatus creates the root page information including the judgment information included in the node page information located in the positions of the child of the root page information, and stores the root, node and leaf page informations in a tree structure.
US08412681B2
Content archival and retrieval, in which connections with multiple, different enterprise applications operated by an organization are established. In addition, a connection with a central archival system is established and content to archive is received from the multiple, different enterprise applications. The central archival system is controlled to archive, in a central location, the content received from the multiple, different enterprise applications such that content from a first type of enterprise application is archived in the central location together with content from a second type of enterprise application.
US08412677B2
Described in detail herein are systems and methods for deduplicating data using byte-level or quasi byte-level techniques. In some embodiments, a file is divided into multiple blocks. A block includes multiple bytes. Multiple rolling hashes of the file are generated. For each byte in the file, a searchable data structure is accessed to determine if the data structure already includes an entry matching a hash of a minimum sequence length. If so, this indicates that the corresponding bytes are already stored. If one or more bytes in the file are already stored, then the one or more bytes in the file are replaced with a reference to the already stored bytes. The systems and methods described herein may be used for file systems, databases, storing backup data, or any other use case where it may be useful to reduce the amount of data being stored.
US08412675B2
A context aware data application presents information about a first user's contact means and methodologies. The application organizes, filters and present the information taking into account multiple inputs regarding the specific context and the relationship and preferred communication means between the first user and other users seeking to contact the first user. The information allows the users seeking to make contact to quickly take an action that is expected given the context of the first user as presenting the most relevant data allows the contacting users to take actions quickly and effectively.
US08412667B2
The location of a user over time is monitored by a mobile device. The monitored locations are organized into tracks that describe a path or route that the user took over a period of time. Segments that correspond to each of the tracks are determined. The segments may correspond to road on a map, or some other standardization. The segments are associated with their corresponding tracks, and used to identify similar tracks or to generate similarity scores for pairs of tracks.
US08412654B2
Fully automated demand response may be implemented at end users, in accordance with terms agreed to by end users to reduce energy demand during demand response events. Demand reduction actions to implement the objectives of a demand response event at the end users may be determined, desirably using artificial intelligence and neural networks, based on energy demand curtailment objectives of the demand response event, hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions for respective demand response events ordered to minimize undesired impact at the end users, and monitoring data received from, or relating to implementing energy demand curtailment at, the end users. In addition, demand reduction actions may be automatically implemented at end users in the absence of a demand response event, to implement energy demand curtailment according to criteria of end users, where the demand reduction actions are determined based on monitoring data and a hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions and using artificial intelligence and neural networks.
US08412646B2
An agent-based system may be automatically generated from a specification provided by a user or third-party process. An agent generator may map the specification to a canonical model identifying one or more tasks to be performed by the agent-based system as ontological concepts. The agent generator may generate one or more candidate agents using the canonical model. The candidate agents may comprise one or more interconnected data transforms, which may comprise data access transforms, preprocessing transforms, machine learning transforms, and/or structural transforms. The agent generator iteratively modifies the agent-based system until a termination criteria is satisfied. The termination criteria may provide a selection mechanism whereby a performance of the plurality of candidate agents may be evaluated. An optimal agent may be selected using, inter alia, the performance of the agent-based system.
US08412634B2
The present invention proposes a safe and quick individual certification method using a portable terminal. When a portable terminal 30 sends a request for certification to a certification server 10, the certification server 10 transmits query code for certification to the portable terminal 30. The portable terminal 30 transmits said query code to the certification server 10 via a reader 21 or the like and also via a sales management server 23 to be certified. The certification server 10 verifies the query code to that generated in the past, and returns a result of verification and personal data required by the sales management server 23 to the sales management server 23.
US08412633B2
Systems and methods for evaluating electronic value transfers. Various of the methods include receiving money transfer requests, electronically storing records of the money transfer requests, and performing an analysis of the records. The analysis of the records can indicate that two or more of the records are related. The related records are associated with a reference designator that is used to search money transfer records and identify suspect activity. The systems can include a fraud processing system associated with a money transfer system.
US08412629B2
An electronic fund transfer system is disclosed wherein commissions for point-of-sale purchase transactions are determined and distributed to members of an organizational network for promoting use of a non-cash payment device that is tangible for effecting purchase transactions. Purchase data is electronically transmitted from the point-of-sale to an automated clearing house for effecting fund transfers to prepare the purchase, and also to a commission management system. The commission management system maintains an electronic database reflecting the structure of the organizational network, and further determines the distribution of purchase commissions according to a predetermined schedule of proportions relating to the position and business volume of each member of the network. The commission management system further comprises a payment processor for effecting commission payments to the members or to a designated sponsor on a scheduled basis.
US08412624B2
A computer-implemented method of point of sale transaction processing can include determining an identity of a user at a transaction site, identifying a plurality of financial accounts associated with the user, and for each financial account, accessing account information associated with the account. The method can include identifying a vendor type for the transaction site, selecting a financial account with which to process a transaction according to the vendor type and the account information for each of the plurality of accounts, and outputting the selected financial account. A list of financial accounts and incentives may be presented from which a user may select a particular financial account for processing the transaction.
US08412620B1
At least one exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising: (a) receiving electronic data describing a trading order; (b) receiving data describing a selection of one or more first trading algorithms from available stored algorithms for execution of the trading order; (c) commencing execution of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (d) evaluating quality of execution, during the execution, of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (e) comparing the evaluated quality of execution to a prediction of future performance of execution of the trading order by the one or more first trading algorithms; and (f) if the evaluated quality of execution compares unfavorably to the prediction of future performance, switching the execution of the trading order to one or more second trading algorithms. Other exemplary aspects comprise related computer systems and software.
US08412617B1
One exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising: (a) receiving data describing an executed trading order in a market traded security and related trade execution data; (b) calculating components of execution costs associated with execution of the order; and (c) transmitting data sufficient to describe the components of execution costs. Other aspects comprise calculations of (1) cost effect of trade decision factors associated with execution of an order; (2) a decomposition of execution of an executed limit order into components related to algorithm performance and components related to trader-input parameters of the order; (3) components of implementation shortfall associated with execution of an order; (4) components of profit/loss associated with execution of an order; and (5) components of execution outcome associated with execution of an order. Other aspects and embodiments comprise related computer systems and software, as will be understood by those skilled in the art after reviewing the present description.
US08412613B2
A method of executing a transaction related to the purchase of fuel. A contract is entered into by a purchaser with a card service provider or financial institution for a certain amount of fuel at a fixed or capped price offered over a predetermined duration. The fuel is purchased from a retail merchant. A payment is made or received by the purchaser depending on the difference between a prevailing retail index price and the fixed or capped price. A premium may be paid for entering into a capped price arrangement. The fixed and capped prices may be related to a retail index price at or before the time the contract is entered into. In another embodiment, the method includes receiving retail price index data for fuel sales and determining fuel sale contract criteria, with a fuel sale contract proposed for a purchaser.
US08412610B2
A system for preparing an employee benefits form for, e.g., ERISA includes a server in support of a website, and a processor in communication with the server and a memory. The memory includes a program for automatically preparing a benefits form and/or plan via the internet. The program includes instructions to the processor for retrieving previously filed data from a public database, converting and storing into a database, searching the database for a desired portion of the data, and populating the entries of the form. The website connection also allows a remote user to periodically update the benefit data.
US08412609B2
A method for identifying a regime-based asset allocation via an adaptive risk premium (ARP) involves receiving a financial data; receiving financial parameters; generating an ARP; determining risk regimes; calculating an expected return and a covariance matrix of assets; calculating a number of calculated weights for each risk regime; determining a current risk regime; determining a number of asset weights of a current portfolio; adjusting the asset weights of the current portfolio to match the calculated weights for the current risk regime; calculating a momentum, volatility, and a correlation (MVC) for each of the asset classes of the current portfolio; ranking each asset class of the current portfolio; adjusting the first adjusted asset weights of the current portfolio; determining one of the second adjusted asset weights for the current portfolio; and generating an investment portfolio based on one of the second adjusted asset weights for the current portfolio.
US08412607B2
A system for and method of using a financial instrument to take a view on a price-to-earnings ratio for a set of one or more equities. The system and method may be used to commodify the price-to-earnings ratio for one or more equities, such a as a stock or an index. The system and method may include a financial instrument that allows a user to take a view on an earnings, or ratio comprising price and earnings, for underlying equities.
US08412598B2
A causality analyzer that provides attribution of causality effects for changes in revenue, margin and margin percentage is provided. The causality analyzer selects a reference time period and a comparison time period, and receives transaction data. Data cleansing and correction may be performed on the transaction data. The analyzer may then calculate change in total margin, percent margin and total revenue between the reference time period and the comparison time period using the transaction data. Each of the total margin, the percent margin and the total revenue may be disaggregated into one or more of a price effect, cost effect, quantity effect, product mix effect, customer mix effect, exchange rate effect, new and lost business, and an adjustment change. In this way the total margin, the percent margin and the total revenue are each defined as a summation of the individual causality effects. Causality effects may be disaggregated in such a way that the shared effects are allocated according to the proportion of percent change for each element, thereby unbiasing the effects to more accurately reflect actual causality.
US08412589B2
A computer system for creating a design for an image product includes servers that can identify a blog page that includes an image, text, or designs, automatically incorporate at least one of the image, text, or the design object in the blog page into the design of an image product, and allow a user to review the design of the image product. The servers communicate with a printing finishing facility that makes a physical image product according to the design of the image product.
US08412587B2
Multiple simultaneous auctions can be monitored and participated in using a single bidding device operated by a single remote bidder. A multi-windowed environment allows for the display of active bidding windows and docked bidding windows. The active bidding windows are fully functional bidding windows and include auction status, product information and the like. The docked bidding windows provide a subset of the information but, nonetheless provide real-time auction status information and allows for bidders to enter bids into the auctioning process without having to move the bidding window into an active status. A customer-identifier selector of identifier allows the remote bidder to associate a customer with a particular bidding window. The customer-identifier advantageously helps the remote bidder to track who purchased items are associated with, as well as providing control structure over the bidding process.
US08412580B2
A program by which retailers offer customers an exchange of older technology for newer technology. The older technology and newer technology have a common characteristic that facilitates the retailer to give the customer the newer technology for a reduced cost.
US08412579B2
The present invention is generally related to a system for managing recipes using a web server and an off-line software application. A user using the software application will be able to create, display, print, modify, and search recipes and menus. The web server will be a recipe store where a user can buy and download individual recipes and electronic cookbooks into the software application secure database storage. The software application has a web interface to communicate with the recipe store, allowing the user to have an extended set of facilities like posting his/her own recipes for sale, requesting restaurant and food store services for a given recipe or menu, requesting the restoration of their recipe database, and receiving suggested drinking dates for their current wine inventory. The software application comes in two versions: the read-only and the all-inclusive version. With the read-only version a user will not be able to create or modify a recipe or use any of the extended facilities. The read-only version will be free to download from the recipe store.
US08412576B2
A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.
US08412574B2
A content owner partner (e.g., a Website/Web page publisher) can easily block entire broad or narrow categories of ads, and can specify objectionable ad content or targeting. Concepts may be associated with a property and ads related to those concepts may be blocked for the given property. Further, terms may be associated with a property and ads including any of the terms may be blocked for the given property.
US08412572B2
A method for representing and managing an inventory of overlapping multi-dimensional items such as advertising or ad impressions. The method uses an inventory management module to generate unique segment identifiers for sets of inventory items by processing descriptions of the sets of impressions including defining criteria. The method includes processing the unique segment identifiers to create a representation of the inventory as a plurality of inventory regions, which may include non-overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in a single set of the inventory and also include overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in two or more of the sets (e.g., items that match two or more sets of defining criteria or attributes). Availability and selection of inventory is determined using the information on inventory regions to control effects of cannibalization, such as by implementing logically necessary allocation to only cannibalize a region on a limited or forced basis.
US08412568B2
A crowd-sourcing system performs a method that includes generating a request that a user provide candidate media data to the crowd-sourcing system. The candidate media is descriptive of a product, and the request includes information about the product. The crowd-sourcing system transmits the request to a user system and receives the candidate media data from the user system. The crowd-sourcing system selects the candidate media data as stock media data for the product. The selection of the candidate media data may be based on a selection criterion, such as a grade of the candidate media data determined by the crowd-sourcing system. The crowd-sourcing system provides a reward to the user based on the selecting of the candidate media data as the stock media data for the product.
US08412564B1
The present invention provides for a system and method of identifying excellence within a profession. In one embodiment, excellent performing candidates within a profession group are identified by creating a candidate pool from independent research and a peer nomination process. Identified candidates then obtain a score according to an independent research and objective evaluation process. Peer evaluators contribute to this score by evaluating top-scoring candidates, and a total score is compiled for each identified candidate. Candidates with scores in a top percentage of the candidates are then recognized as demonstrating excellent performance in the profession group.
US08412554B2
A method of representing user tasks to be performed by one or more of a plurality of electronic devices in a task orchestration system. Each device includes therein a function description specifying a function that the device can perform. The function descriptions are obtained from one or more of the devices, task descriptions that describe device functionalities required for certain tasks are obtained, and task suggestion are generated based on the obtained device function descriptions and task descriptions. Each task suggestion represents a user task as an abstraction of on or more of the obtained device descriptions and task descriptions. The tasks suggestion are displayed on a display for the user to select from, wherein the user selected task suggestion is to be performed by orchestration (automation) of one or more of the devices based on task descriptions that use device functionalities described in the device function descriptions.
US08412550B2
Projects of any type require sophisticated management software programs. In reality, these management software programs are provided by various vendors and for different professional fields. For example, scheduling programs for construction professionals, blue print programs for drafting professionals, accounting programs for cost-control professionals. In addition, there are numerous other unofficial and official documents generated by managers of different levels for reporting or track-record-keeping purposes using popular word processing programs and spread-sheet programs. Documents generated by different software programs can only be viewed under the programs they are generated under or compatible programs. This poses a problem in that there is a lack of organized control resulting in difficulty in locating and viewing documents in a timely manner. The present invention provides an one view software program that would be able to provide an organized control and viewing of all documents regardless which software programs they are generated under.
US08412534B2
Methods and apparatus for manifesting mailpieces. processing mailpieces from a mail system, and certifying a mail system are provided. A mailpiece is received at a manifest mailing system and mailing information from the mailpiece is obtained. A manifest of the mailpiece is created and the mailpiece is then delivered using the manifest. Based on a certification of the mail system. an accuracy of a portion of the manifest may be selectively determined. Based on the accuracy of the portion of the manifest. the mailpieces are then conditionally delivered using the manifest. To determine a certification. test information may be provided to a mail system. A manifest generated by the mail system is then received. The accuracy of the manifest based on the test information is determine and a certification level is then assigned to the mail system.
US08412531B2
The present invention provides a user interface for providing press-to-talk-interaction via utilization of a touch-anywhere-to-speak module on a mobile computing device. Upon receiving an indication of a touch anywhere on the screen of a touch screen interface, the touch-anywhere-to-speak module activates the listening mechanism of a speech recognition module to accept audible user input and displays dynamic visual feedback of a measured sound level of the received audible input. The touch-anywhere-to-speak module may also provide a user a convenient and more accurate speech recognition experience by utilizing and applying the data relative to a context of the touch (e.g., relative location on the visual interface) in correlation with the spoken audible input.
US08412519B2
In a method for embedding steganographic information into the signal information of a signal encoder, a solution is to be created, which enables steganographic information being embedded into the signal information of a signal encoder such that a reduction of the voice quality is largely avoided. This is achieved by means of providing data information, particularly voice information, selecting steganographic information from a quantity of steganographic information, generating a code word from a code book provided by means of the signal encoder on the basis of the code elements forming the code book such that with the use of the code word generated within the scope of a transmission standard associated with the code book the data information is encoded into signal information containing the code word and/or making reference to the code word; and by the code word generated having an additional feature that can be calculated on the basis of the code elements forming the code word, wherein the additional feature represents the steganographic information.
US08412517B2
Context signals in documents are identified, characters bounded by the context signals are identified, one or more candidate words defined by the characters bounded by the context signals are identified, and one or more of the candidate words are added to an input method editor dictionary.
US08412513B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for machine translation of a source document in an input language to a target document in an output language, comprising generating translation options corresponding to at least portions of each sentence in the input language; and selecting a translation option for the sentence based on statistics associated with the translation options.
US08412512B1
A system and method for translating a social feed is disclosed. The system comprises a communication module, a decoding engine and a re-encoding engine. The communication module receives social feed data and a request from a social network application. The social feed data is configured to cause a client to display a social feed in a first language. The request includes data indicating that the social feed should be displayed in a second language. The decoding engine decodes the social feed data to generate decoded social feed data. The re-encoding engine re-encodes the decoded social feed data to cause the client to display the social feed in the second language based at least in part on the request. The communication module sends the translated social feed data to the client.
US08412508B2
A node on a serial bus, preferably a device such as a personal computer (PC), can emulate other devices using virtual device drivers. A PC connected to a 1394 bus exposes its CROM on the bus which presents an image to other nodes on the 1394 bus and describes the functional units supported by the node. The CROM can be changed dynamically by adding unit directories to the CROM detailing peripherals connected to the PC. The PC can then be enumerated as the connected device by other PCs on the bus. The PC can emulate or morph itself into any desired device or even multiple devices at the same time. The invention also allows a PC to create devices that don't yet exist on the bus. The invention allows a user to create virtual device objects with device properties to have just in case a user plugs the particular device in to the PC.
US08412492B2
A system and method for fitting feature elements is provided. The method first receives a point-cloud of an object from a point-cloud obtaining device and constructs a triangular mesh surface of the point-cloud. The method then determines a plurality of uppermost boundary points of the triangular mesh surface, and fits a feature element according to the uppermost boundary points. The method further creates the feature element, and outputs the feature element to a display.
US08412489B2
A system including an environmental sensor that can travel with a product within a carrier's logistics network. The environmental sensor being configured to sense an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data. The system includes a scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor. The system also includes a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner and receive the product environment data from the scanner and determines whether the product environment data transcends a limit of exposure of the product to an environmental condition. The hub control unit is also configured to generate a transporting instruction to redirect transport of the product to an alternate destination different from its original destination if the hub control unit determines that the product environment data indicates the environmental condition of the product has transcended the limit of exposure.
US08412484B2
A non-contact scanning system for three dimensional non-contact scanning of a work piece is disclosed for use in various applications including reverse engineering, metrology, dimensional verification and inspection The scanning system includes a scanner carried by an arcuately configured gantry assembly and a fixture for carrying a work piece. The gantry assembly includes a fixed arcuately shaped gantry member and a telescopic arm that is movable in an arcuate direction relative to a rotary table that carries the object to be scanned. A scanner is mounted on the end of the telescopic member and is movable in a radial direction. Objects to be scanned are mounted on a rotary table that is also movable in an X-Y direction or alternatively in the X, Y and Z directions under the control of a motion control subsystem, a machine control user interface subsystem and an image capture.
US08412483B2
An improved method for verifying a position of a sensor with respect to an object under test includes detecting a signal from the sensor that is positioned at a given location on an object under test and comparing the signal from the sensor with a historical signal that is associated with a Uniquely Identified Location (UIL) on the object under test. If the two signals are consistent, and if the position of the sensor at the given location on the object under test is the same as the UIL, it is concluded that the position of the sensor is correct.
US08412480B2
The invention provides a method for determining the angular magnitude of an imaging acquiring apparatus, which is capable of obtaining an arranging angular magnitude with respect to the imaging acquiring apparatus in various environments by an iteration algorithm having parameters of position of a calibrating tool with respect to an image coordinate system and characteristic value corresponding to a spatial coordinate system respectively. Meanwhile, the present further provides a vehicle collision warning system which functions to obtain the relative distance between the carrier and objects around according to the image acquired by the imaging acquiring apparatus and the angular magnitude and height of the imaging acquiring apparatus. By means of the method disclosed in the present invention, the procedure to detect the angular magnitude of the image acquiring apparatus is more convenient and accurate such that the convenience for using the vehicle collision warning system is capable of being improved.
US08412479B2
Memory power estimation by means of calibrated weights and activity counters are generally presented. In this regard, in one embodiment, a memory power is introduced to read a value from a memory activity counter, to determine a memory power estimation based at least in part on the value and a calibration, and to store the memory power estimation to a register. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08412478B2
Device for determining an error induced by a high-pass filter and associated error correction method
Device for determining an error induced by a high-pass filter in a signal, including a unit (3) for calculating the error according to the formula: E(t)=Ve(t)−Vs(t)=2·Π·Fc·∫α=t0t(Vs(α)− Vs(α))·dα+E(t0) with: E(t) the value of the error induced by the high-pass filter, as a function of the time variable t, Πthe trigonometric constant, Fc the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter, t0 the initial instant, αintegration variable, Ve the signal input to the high-pass filter, Vs the signal output by the high-pass filter, Vs the mean value of the signal Vs. A method of correcting the error induced is also presented and applicable to the error correction of a piezoelectric pressure sensor.
US08412466B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the analysis of the dissociation behavior of nucleic acids and the identification of determining whether a genotype is present in a biological sample. This includes methods and systems for determining whether a genotype is present in a biological sample, through generating a dynamic profile an unknown genotype, correlating the dynamic profile to an average profile for a known genotype to generate a correlation value, and determining whether the correlation value falls within an acceptable threshold to determine if the unknown genotype is the known genotype. The present invention also relates to methods and systems for generating a training set to allow a machine to recognize a known genotype from within a class of known genotypes. The training set generated by these methods and systems may be used to assist in identification of unknown genotypes.
US08412459B2
The present invention is related to a method for determining the sensitizing potential of a chemical (test) compound, comprising the steps of: (a) Providing a suitable cell culture of a specific cell type and providing a test sample and a control sample thereof, said test sample and said control sample being identical, (b) Exposing said test sample to a chemical compound in a solvent and exposing said control sample to said solvent for a predetermined period of time, (c) Determining for the test sample and the control sample gene expressions xi for a subset of i=1 to n genes selected from the group of genes corresponding to SEQ ID NOs 1 to 153, (d) For this subset of n genes looking up in a database the gene expressions xi for a set of control and test samples, the test samples being exposed for said predetermined period of time to a set of chemical sensitizing model compounds comprising both sensitizers and non-sensitizers, (e) Using the gene expressions of the said test sample and the said control sample of step (c) as input to a statistical classification model that is based on said database and that is trained and optimized to classify chemical compounds as either sensitizers or non-sensitizers using gene expressions xi for said subset of n genes, and (f) Predicting through said model whether the chemical compound tested belongs to the class of sensitizers or to the class of non-sensitizers.
US08412445B2
A user of a telematics-navigation device in a vehicle requests a recommendation as to a route to take to reach a destination. Multiple routes are identified from a current location of the vehicle to the destination. For each route, traffic conditions of the route are predicted. Based on the traffic conditions predicted for each route, one route is chosen to recommend to the user for traveling to the destination. The recommended route is presented to the user along with the other identified routes. When the user selects to travel along one of the presented routes, directions to the destination are provided to a driver of the vehicle along the selected route.
US08412432B2
A protective circuit arranged on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has two conductor loops. At least one supply voltage track, at least one semiconductor switch and at least one control component are arranged on the PCB. A first terminal of the control component and a first terminal of the semiconductor switch are connected electrically. A first conductor loop of the protective circuit is arranged on the PCB so that it surrounds an electrically conducting connection between the supply voltage track and the semiconductor switch and/or the control component. A second conductor loop is arranged on the PCB so that it surrounds the electrically conducting connection between the first terminal of the control component and the first terminal of the semiconductor switch, and thereby screens the same from the semiconductor switch and at least from those regions of the control component that are also connected to the supply voltage track.
US08412408B2
A system including a calculator and a control housing including switches having a single stable position in an opened position and with a manual control member for the switches. The control member is of monostable type with automatic return into a rest position in which all switches are open. The housing includes: a single first switch controlling actuation of brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a first direction; a single second switch controlling release of the brakes and adapted to be closed upon an action on the control member in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a diagnosis circuit providing, according to the position of the control member, an analog information distinguishing between a system activated state in which one of the first and second switches is closed, a system deactivated state in which the first and second switches are open, and malfunction states.
US08412407B2
A base determination module determines a base value based on a base value input. A compensation determination module determines a base compensation value based on a base value input. A compensation coefficient determination module determines a compensation coefficient based on a compensation coefficient input. A multiplier module determines a compensation value based on a product of the base compensation value and the compensation coefficient. A target module determines a target value based on the base value and the compensation value and controls an actuator based on the target value. A calibration module selectively displays predetermined options for calibrating one of the base compensation value input and the compensation coefficient input and sets the one of the base compensation value input and the compensation coefficient input to a selected one of the predetermined options.
US08412406B2
A method and system for performing diagnostics or software maintenance on a vehicle comprises a data processor for performing a particular task. A resource monitor is arranged for determining if resource consumption of the data processor for the respective particular task exceeds a threshold amount of resource consumption. A loop counter is arranged to increment a loop counter in a data storage device associated with the data processor if the resource consumption for the respective particular task exceeds the threshold amount. A poison task module is capable of designating the particular task as a poison message if the data processor has been rebooted a maximum number of times as indicated by the loop counter.
US08412404B2
A crash sensor system and method used for determining when a vehicle is involved in a frontal impact crash. The crash sensor system including at least one pressure sensor coupled to a vehicle frame member. The vehicle frame member having a cavity and the at least one pressure sensor being configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure change within the cavity. The crash sensor system further including a controller configured to compare the received pressure signal against a predetermined pressure threshold. The controller also being configured to determine that a frontal impact crash has occurred when the pressure signal exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold.
US08412399B2
An electricity generation control device calculates a virtual electricity generation efficiency where a transmission gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission is changed with a minute amount when an electricity generation condition by an engine drive is realized, changes the transmission gear ratio with a minute amount in a case where the virtual electricity generation efficiency is superior to a present electricity generation efficiency, calculates a virtual electricity generation efficiency where an engine drive torque and an electricity generation drive torque are changed with a minute amount, and changes the engine drive torque and the electricity generation drive torque in a case where the virtual electricity generation efficiency is superior to a present electricity generation efficiency, in which the minute amount change of the transmission gear ratio and the minute amount change of the engine drive torque and the electricity generation drive torque are alternatively performed.
US08412398B2
An example vehicle includes a motor and a gearbox. A controller is configured to identify oscillation peaks of a performance signal representing the rotational speed of the motor, the input speed of the gearbox, or the amount of torque generated by the motor or provided to the gearbox. The controller is configured to simultaneously detect unstable regular and irregular oscillations of the performance signal given the oscillation peaks identified and substantially dampen the unstable oscillations detected. An example method may include determining a mean of the performance signal and defining peak values, including peak moving average values or filtered peak values, representing a magnitude of at least two oscillation peaks. The method further includes simultaneously detecting the unstable regular and irregular oscillations of the performance signal using the defined values and substantially dampening the unstable oscillations.
US08412395B2
A controller for detecting abnormality of a motor control ECU of an electric vehicle 50 has a travel control unit 1 for calculating a target driving torque for an electric motor 3, and a motor control unit 2 for calculating a final indication torque obtained by correcting the target driving torque from the travel control unit 1, and supplying electric power according to the final indication torque to the motor 3. The travel control unit 1 includes a target driving torque calculating unit 21 for calculating the target driving torque, a final indication torque confirmation value calculating unit 23 for calculating a final indication torque confirmation value based on the calculated target driving torque, and an abnormality determining unit 24 for determining the abnormality of the motor control unit 2 based on a result of comparison between the final indication torque and the final indication torque confirmation value.
US08412393B2
A system and method for vehicle-centric infrastructure monitoring system includes an inspection system mountable on a vehicle configured to travel over an expanse of rail track having a plurality of track blocks. The inspection system acquires track data for at least some track blocks along the expanse of rail track. The monitoring system also includes a positioning system to determine a location of the vehicle and generate location data indicative of an associated track block location, a communications device to transmit the track/location data to a remote location, and a centralized computing system positioned at the remote location to receive the transmitted track/location data. The centralized computing system is programmed to determine a current probability of a track condition for a track block and combine the current track condition probability with a previously determined cumulative track condition probability to provide an updated track condition probability for the track block.
US08412389B2
Systems, methods, and machine-executable programming products adapted for the control of aircraft or other vehicles by receiving from at least one Inertial Reference System (IRS), including a plurality of Inertial Reference Units (IRUs), signals representing vehicle state data; receiving from at least one Augmented Direct Mode Sensor (ADMS) signals representing independently-acquired vehicle state data corresponding to at least a subset of the signals received from the IRS; performing signal selection and fault detection processes on the signals received from the at least one IRS and on the corresponding signals received from the ADMS; based at least partly on the signal and fault detection processes, determining whether at least one component of at least one of the IRS and ADMS is in a fault condition; and based on the fault condition, providing to at least one vehicle control system device one or more vehicle control command signals.
US08412384B2
Quick recovery or recovery support of a faulty power generating facility by real time diagnoses such as facility failure diagnosis, supervision for failure symptoms, facility diagnosis by evaluation of performance using databases between the power generating facilities and an operation control system. The operation control system transfers information on operating status and secular characteristic changes of apparatus from power generating facilities or information from operators of selected power generating facilities. The level of a failure of a power generating facility which has a failure is evaluated and repairing information (e.g. recovery procedures, processes, required parts, inventory of the parts, possible failure causes, etc.) is automatically created from repairing information prepared in advance for each evaluation condition. The repairing information is then sent to the operation supporting section of the power generating facility.
US08412380B2
A method for curing a rubber article including maintaining a measured curing temperature between a high temperature limit (TH) and a low temperature limit (TL). The TH TL are derived from high and low temperature curing curves respectively. Other steps may include obtaining a curing target A1 or A2, wherein A1 and A2 are areas between the high temperature curing curve and a base temperature (TB) and the low temperature curing curve respectively wherein TB is selected to make A1 and A2 within at least 10% of each other and determining an area under a measured curing curve, the area under the measured curing curve being between the measured curing curve and the TB, wherein the measured curing curve is defined as a plot of the measured curing temperature over time.
US08412371B2
A laser welding system includes a robot control unit that acquires movement amount measurement values from encoders provided on axes of the robot and calculates the current position of a laser processing head based on the measurement values. Based on the calculated current position of the laser processing head, the robot control unit calculates a laser beam emission direction specifying the direction in which the laser beam should be aimed in order to strike a predetermined laser irradiation position. The robot control unit sends a command indicative of the laser beam emission direction to a processing head control unit which changes the direction of a reflecting mirror provided inside the laser processing head such that the laser beam is emitted in the specified direction.
US08412369B2
Multiple product, multiple step optimization methods useful for manufacturing products. The optimization methods comprise defining a first group and a second group. The first and second groups each comprise at least two subgroups. One or more of the subgroups for each group comprises one or more variables and one or more constraints. The variables are optimized to obtain final values for the variables based on a defined objective subject to the constraints.
US08412368B2
A method includes generating a reticle transport job using a computing device. The reticle job identifies a selected reticle. A reticle pod available for transporting the reticle is autonomously identified using the computing device. The reticle transport job is updated suing the computing device with an identifier of the reticle pod.
US08412367B2
A computer-implemented method for rapidly forming a vehicle body model includes identifying a vehicle design using a computer. Sectioning data is determined by sectioning the vehicle design into multiple virtual sections using a design program implemented on the computer. The sectioning data is used by a machine to form multiple modeling sections that correspond to the multiple virtual sections. The multiple modeling sections are nested together to form the vehicle body model. The multiple modeling sections are fixed together once the vehicle body model is formed.
US08412358B2
A method and an electronic device are disclosed for testing drive parameters of an electropneumatic valve which is inserted into a closed control loop for position regulation of a switching element of a pneumatic actuating drive for a fitting which can be operated thereby. The electropneumatic valve can be driven by an alternating signal of a specific amplitude, such that the control loop will oscillate about a nominal position value to be regulated by alternate ventilation and venting of the valve, such that hysteresis present in the pneumatic actuating drive can be overcome. The trajectory of the position oscillation that is produced can, at the same time, be detected at the switching element using sensors, from which a characteristic of the control loop for the selected amplitude can be determined to confirm whether an opening point which is suitable for the control loop has been found.
US08412357B2
A system for operating a process includes a processing circuit that uses a self-optimizing control strategy to learn a steady-state relationship between an input and an output. The processing circuit is configured to switch from using the self-optimizing control strategy to using a different control strategy that operates based on the learned steady-state relationship.
US08412355B2
Systems and method for controlling a device are provided, including at least one controlling device and at least one controlled device. The controlling system includes a first controlling device which has controlling authority over the controlled device and a second controlling device which requests and receives the controlling authority over the controlled device from the first controlling device. Therefore, a controlling device may more easily and intuitively receive controlling authority from other devices.
US08412352B2
This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a housing that encloses at least a communication module. The implantable medical device also includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the communication module within the housing. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. A portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is not covered by the dielectric material such that the portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is exposed to form a second electrode that is electrically coupled to the communication module. The communication module is configured to communicate using the first electrode and second electrode.
US08412349B2
A lead anchor comprises a housing, and a plunger. The housing comprises a rigid body and a flexible covering disposed over at least a portion of the rigid body. The housing defines a first opening and a second opening configured and arranged to receive a lead. The housing further defines a transverse lumen. The rigid body comprises one or more projecting locking ridges extending into the transverse lumen. A plunger comprising one or more locking detents disposed thereon is configured and arranged for insertion into the transverse lumen and engaging a lead and locking with the housing by engagement of at least one of the one or more locking ridges of the housing with at least one of the one or more locking detents of the plunger. At least one suture element is formed by the flexible covering for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.
US08412344B2
Provided is a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device having power wirelessly fed by magnetic induction. A rotating magnetic field is formed using a rotating magnetic field disk installed inside a hat of a patient. The rotating magnetic field generates induced power using an induction coil plate fixed underneath a scalp of the patient to drive electrodes implanted into a brain of the patient so as to correct abnormal motor and sensory functions of the patient using power wirelessly fed from an external device into the electrodes. The DBS device includes: a hat module installed inside a hat of the patient to generate a rotating magnetic field; and an implantation module implanted through a skull under a scalp to contact a nervous system of the patient and combined with the rotating magnetic field of the hat module to stimulate the cerebral nerve using induced power generated by the magnetic induction.
US08412333B2
This is a neurostimulator that is configured to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders using certain stimulation strategies, particularly changing various pulse parameters, during the imposition of a burst of those pulses. The invention includes the processes embodying those stimulation strategies.
US08412322B2
Embodiments of the present concept are directed to external defibrillators that include an electrode connection port having multiple connection options, and include a detection device to determine an electrode connection configuration so as to provide an appropriate electrical shock to a patient. The detection device detects the electrode connection configuration of a plug connector for connected electrodes to determine if the plug connector is in an adult orientation or a pediatric orientation. The external defibrillator is configured to a deliver an electrical shock with less energy when the pediatric orientation is detected rather than the adult orientation.
US08412313B2
An apparatus for generating ECG recordings and a method for using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a handheld device and a controller. The handheld device has first, second, third, and fourth electrodes on an outer surface of the handheld device. The controller records signals from the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes and generates an ECG recording from the signals. The controller also provides placement information regarding locations on a user's body that are to be brought into contact with the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes while the controller records the signals. The handheld device can include a cellular telephone or a PDA. The controller stores an exemplary normal ECG recording, and compares a newly generated ECG recording with the stored ECG recording and generates an indication that indicates whether the newly generated ECG recording is consistent with the stored ECG recording.
US08412307B2
The present invention is a device localization system that uses one or more ultrasound reference catheters to establish a fixed three-dimensional coordinate system within a patient's heart using principles of triangulation. The coordinate system is represented graphically in three-dimensions on a video monitor and aids the clinician in guiding other medical devices, which are provided with ultrasound transducers, through the body to locations at which they are needed to perform clinical procedures. In one embodiment of a system according to the present invention, the system is used in the heart to help the physician guide mapping catheters for measuring electrical activity, and ablation catheters for ablating selected regions of cardiac tissue, to desired locations within the heart.
US08412293B2
Systems and methods for determining a physiological parameter in a patient are provided. In certain embodiments, a system can include an analyte detection system configured to measure first analyte data in a fluid sample received from a patient, a medical sensor configured to measure second analyte data in the patient, and a processor configured to receive the first analyte data and the second analyte data and to determine a physiological parameter based at least in part on the first analyte data and the second analyte data. In certain such embodiments, the medical sensor may be a pulse oximeter, and the physiological parameter may include a cardiovascular parameter including, for example, cardiac output.
US08412290B2
A miniaturized, low power RF transmitter with a dual mode active on-chip antenna/inductor is disclosed in which antenna also serves as the oscillator inductor. Also disclosed is a miniaturized low power RF receiver with an on-chip antenna; and a RF transmitter system wherein an on-chip antenna is wirelessly coupled to an off chip patch antenna are disclosed. Advantageously, the TX chip is housed in a low loss, e.g. Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) package with a patch antenna to provide a System-on-Package implementation comprising electromagnetic coupling between a RF TX chip comprising an integrated on-chip antenna and a package antenna. The on-chip antenna feeds the LTCC patch antenna through aperture coupling, thus negating the need for RF buffer amplifiers, matching elements, baluns, bond wires and package transmission lines, and significantly increases the gain and range of the module with respect to the on-chip antenna alone, without deterioration of the circuit performance and power consumption. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed which may be fabricated using standard CMOS technology, for operation in the 5 GHz U-NII band for applications such as miniaturized, low cost, low power wireless devices and sensor systems.
US08412287B2
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a technique may include transmitting a scheduling information to a mobile station in a wireless network during a listening window, determining whether an acknowledgement has been received within the listening window from the mobile station that acknowledges receipt of the scheduling information, resetting a size of a next sleep window for the mobile station to an initial sleep window size if the acknowledgement has been received from the mobile station, and increasing a size of the next sleep window for the mobile station if the acknowledgement has not been received from the mobile station within the listening window. In another example embodiment, techniques are disclosed for determining a starting location of a next listening window for a mobile station in a wireless network.
US08412273B2
The present invention provides a method and device for data transmission. The method for data transmission includes: when a base station supports multiple radio access technologies, determines radio access technologies respectively supported by RE's two ports, and transmits data corresponding to the radio access technologies respectively through the two ports. With the technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present invention, the base station can support multiple radio access technologies and transmit service data and control data corresponding to multiple radio access technologies.
US08412271B2
A base station includes a reference signal generator, a boost selector, and a transmitter. The reference signal generator provides a dedicated reference signal to be transmitted over a plurality of antennas to a dedicated user device. The boost selector selects a dedicated boost level that is specific for the dedicated reference signal. The boost selector applies the dedicated boost level to the dedicated reference signal and not to a data signal to be transmitted to the dedicated user device. The boost selector generates a boosted dedicated reference signal. The transmitter transmits the boosted dedicated reference signal and the data signal to the dedicated user device after beamforming weights are applied to the boosted dedicated reference signal and to the data signal.
US08412270B2
A method, telecommunication apparatus, and electronic device for securely using a subscriber identity module are disclosed. A secure memory 308 may store a secure international mobile subscriber identity. A subscriber identity module interface 312 may receive an unlocking international mobile subscriber identity. A processor 304 may erase a cache temporary mobile subscriber identity if the unlocking international mobile subscriber identity does not match the secure international mobile subscriber identity.
US08412259B2
Outer-loop power control methods and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a short-term block error rate is measured for a received signal, and a coarse adjustment to a target signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) is calculated as a function of the short-term block error rate, a target block error rate, and a first loop tuning parameter. In some embodiments, a fine adjustment to the target SIR is also calculated, as a function of a smoothed block error rate, the target block error rate, and a second loop tuning parameter. The coarse adjustment provides quick responsiveness to received block errors, while the fine adjustment moderates the coarse adjustments by accounting for a longer-term view of the received block error rate. The target SIR adjustments disclosed herein may be computed in each of several iterations of an outer-loop power control loop.
US08412253B2
The present invention related to a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) Server for providing PoC communication services in communications system, the PoC Server being arranged to simultaneously perform a first PoC Session between a first PoC Client and at least a second PoC Client, and at least one second PoC Session between the first PoC Client and at least a third PoC Client in accordance with a priority setting. The Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) Server is characterized in that it is further arranged to: receive, from said at least second PoC Client, a first information indicating that a user of said at least second PoC Client wants to alert the user of said first PoC Client about relevant Media being shared in said first PoC Session; or receive, from said at least third PoC Client, a second information indicating that a user of said at least third PoC Client wants to alert the user of said first PoC Client about relevant Media being shared in said at least second PoC Session; and if the received information is a notification, forward said received information to said first PoC Client; or if the received information is an override message, change said priority setting for said first and/or said at least second PoC Sessions associated with said first PoC Client in accordance with said override message. The present invention also relates to a method for providing PoC communication services, a mobile terminal comprising a PoC Client and methods thereof, a communications system and a computer program product.
US08412251B2
An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating home, or other public network access by a wireless device. The access is made in order to access public-network services by the wireless device when connecting to the public network by way of another network. Access availability by way of 802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any, is determined A listing is made of networks through which connections are able to be made. And, if operator policy permits, a public-network access attempter attempts to make communication connections by way of non-802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any. Identification is made of network access availability, and such identified network access is displayed to provide a user of the wireless device with an opportunity to select in what manner to connect to the public network.
US08412239B1
Apparatus, systems and methods for estimating a position of a mobile terminal (MT) using joint probability distribution values are disclosed. In an example, the MT is capable of receiving signals from a plurality of access points. The MT receives a map of expected measurements for a parameter observable by the MT, from any of a plurality of hypothesis locations. The expected measurements are predictive of a value of the parameter observed by the MT, when the MT is proximal that hypothesis location. The MT captures measurements of the parameter for the plurality of access points, computes interim vectors for the hypothesis locations using the captured and expected measurements, computes joint probability distributions for the interim vectors using a covariance matrix, and filters the joint probability distributions to produce an estimated position of the MT.
US08412236B2
A system and associated method receives a command from a user's mobile device to locate points of interest near the mobile device's location. The points of interest are associated with different, user-identified, point of interest categories. Based at least in part on the mobile device's location, the system substantially simultaneously provides a list of points of interest for at least some of the point of interest categories.
US08412235B1
A method and apparatus of processing a call are disclosed. One example method may include receiving a request at a server for dealer information. The request may be initiated by a user via his or her mobile station. The example method may also include determining whether there is user preference information and user location information included in the request. The information may be used to limit the amount of search results to increase relevancy. The method may also include searching a database for at least one dealer based on the user preference information and the user location information, and transferring the at least one dealer information to the user.
US08412231B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a mobile device based on an event comprising detecting an occurrence of the event, determining if the event is a specific event and if the event occurred at or near a geographical location and sending an alert of the event to at least one mobile device if the event is the specific event, if the event occurs at or near the geographical location, and if the at least one mobile device is located at or near the geographical location.
US08412228B2
A mobile terminal and photographing method for the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes an optical section receiving optical signals, an image sensor comprising color sensor elements detecting sensing-image information from a transmitted optical signal, and infrared sensor elements detecting infrared-image information from the transmitted optical signal and an image processing unit producing infrared-image information of the color sensor elements, using the detected infrared-image information.
US08412226B2
A method for locating a misplaced mobile phone, including receiving, by a mobile phone, a transmitted message, identifying, by the mobile phone, the transmitted message as being an alert request, and in response to the identifying, generating, by the mobile phone, an alert. A mobile phone is also described and claimed.
US08412219B2
A base station includes a scheduling unit and a call reception control unit. The call reception control unit includes a managing unit that updates total resource usage amount based on total resource allocation amount and manages the total resource usage amount, and a decision unit that adds an initial radio resource to be allocated to a new call to the total resource usage amount and decides whether the new call can be accepted. The managing unit updates the total resource usage amount by subtracting a radio resource in response to the release of an existing call that radio resource allocation being not controlled at each transmission time interval. The managing unit manages the total resource usage amount without subtracting a radio resource in response to the release of an existing call that radio resource allocation being controlled at each transmission time interval.
US08412210B2
The present invention concerns a method, a device, a mobile terminal and a base station for transferring data from a mobile terminal to a base station after a wireless resource enabling the transfer of the data from the mobile terminal to the base station has been allocated. The method comprises the steps, executed by the mobile terminal, of transferring, information indicating whether or not an allocated wireless resource is needed for the transfer of the data from the mobile terminal to the base station, the information indicating that no allocated wireless resource is needed for the transfer of the data from the mobile terminal to the base station being transferred by setting the power of pilot symbols to a null value, receiving, from the base station, allocation information indicating that the wireless resource is allocated to the mobile terminal when the information indicates that the allocated wireless resource is needed, and transferring the data to the base station in the wireless resource indicated as allocated to the mobile terminal.
US08412207B2
A method comprising running an application on user equipment; providing a mobility service; using a packet switched connection when said mobility service is unavailable; and using said mobility service when said mobility service becomes available.
US08412205B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a mobile communications network having two or more supply levels (1, 2, 3), wherein the supply levels (1, 2, 3) overlap and are each formed by a plurality of transmission stations, wherein a first supply level (1) is defined as the standard level (1), which guarantees the availability of the mobile communications network, and a second supply level (2, 3) is at least partially and/or temporarily deactivated.
US08412199B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for decreasing a handover latency time using a context exchange between a mobile terminal (MT) and a Media Independent Handover Server (MIHS). The method used by the MT for decreasing handover latency between a first network and a second network includes when a handover is performed from the first network to the second network, transmitting to the MIHS information required for first network communication as context; and when a handover is performed from the second network to the first network, receiving from the MIHS first network access information comprising the context through the currently used second network. Accordingly, the MT can reduce a Vertical Handover (VHO) latency time and simultaneously consume almost the same power as a single mode terminal.
US08412197B2
A method, terminal, and system for cell reselection are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal obtains a dedicated priority list from a first system; and performs cell reselection according to the dedicated priority list when the terminal camps on a cell of a second system. The corresponding terminal and system are also provided in other embodiments of the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, the terminal performs cell reselection by using the dedicated priority list obtained from the first system so as to free the second system from establishing the dedicated priority list. Problems in the prior arts that establishment of the dedicated priority list causes too much increased signaling and too high costs for network upgrade are solved.
US08412194B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless terminal device and a method of controlling the same, which can receive a broadcast message transmitted from a base station, without increasing the load on a base station that refuses location registration and on the communication line thereof. The cellular telephone device includes: a search unit that searches for a base station, from which a signal can be received; and a reception control unit in which, in a case in which location registration was not permitted in all of the base stations found, the reception control unit performs synchronous processing for a reception signal from one of the base stations in which location registration was not permitted, without performing location registration, and enters a reception stand-by state for a broadcast message from the one of the base stations.
