US08460263B2
A stretch laminate includes a first layer including an elastomer film, the first layer having a surface, and a second layer including a nonwoven material, the second layer having a surface that is attached to the surface of the first layer. The tensile behavior in the transverse direction of the stretch laminate is within about 2.5 N/cm of the tensile behavior in the transverse direction of the film at an engineering strain of about 1.5, and exists independent of mechanical activation. A method of making the stretch laminate and an absorbent article having at least one region defined by the stretch laminate are also provided.
US08460251B2
An animal remedy dispensing means is described which has an elongate handle having a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving a remedy and an outlet aperture. The outlet has a central axis which forms an angle of between 0° and 45° with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The dispensing means includes a dosage control part which is moveable between a first position wherein the dose dispensed can be adjusted and a second position wherein the dose dispensed cannot be adjusted. A novel one way valve is also described.
US08460250B2
A medical container including a gasket. Before liquid is injected and discharged (first state), sufficient air-tightness and liquid-tightness are maintained by strong force of fitting of an elastic ring member, fitted on a large diameter part of a gasket body member, relative to a circular tube body. When liquid is injected and discharged (second state), which is a state in which the elastic ring member has been slid from the large diameter part of the gasket body member to a position where the elastic ring member is fitted on the small diameter part of the gasket body member, the fitting force of the elastic ring member, fitted on the small diameter part of the gasket body member, relative to the circular tube body is smaller than the fitting force before liquid is injected and discharged (first state). The construction reduces sliding resistance of the gasket against the circular tube body.
US08460242B2
The application relates to an apparatus for intraocular injection comprising a plate adapted for being brought into contact with an eye and guiding means for guiding a needle into the interior of an eye, characterized in that the plate comprises a cut-out having an edge adapted to be positioned along the limbus delimiting the cornea and the sclera of the eye, so as to adjust the position of the guiding means with respect to the limbus.
US08460240B2
An inflatable toroidal-shaped balloon for medical use is provided with a central opening traversing the balloon in an inflated state. The balloon is useful to achieve larger outer diameters than conventional balloons.
US08460234B1
A water bottle and dispenser system that allows a measured quantity of water to be supplied to the patient's mouth automatically. The delivery of the water can be timed for any convenient interval. There is no need for specialized needles and other paraphernalia related to an IV, and no specialized training is needed to install and operate the device. This means that a homeowner can use this device for a patient at home, which will reduce the cost of treatment.
US08460231B2
Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and/or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction.
US08460220B2
A system is provided for monitoring gait characteristics of a group of enrollees in a monitoring region of a public area. The system includes an identifying device to enroll the group of enrollees into the system by measuring identifying information. The system further includes a gait monitoring device to measure a sample gait characteristic during an enrollment phase, and to measure a gait characteristic of each enrollee subsequent to the enrollment phase. The system further includes an alerting device to receive an alert signal from the gait monitoring device, when the measured gait characteristic of a respective enrollee exceeds a safety threshold. The system further includes a display device to issue a trend report of the measured gait characteristic of a selectable enrollee for a selectable time period.
US08460218B2
A weight sensor includes a pad of electrically insulative material having a through aperture and electrode plates secured to its top and bottom surfaces at least partially covering the aperture. An electrical contactor in the aperture responds to a compressive force applied across the pad thickness to electrically interconnect the electrodes and close a circuit that permits an alarm to be actuated. The sensor is disposed in footwear worn by a patient being rehabilitated from a lower limb surgery or injury. The stiffness/compressibility of the pad determines the applied patient weight or compressive force required to permit the contactor to close the circuit between the electrodes.
US08460215B2
Systems and methods for predicting potential difficult intubation of a subject acquire, using a facial structure analysis system, facial structure data of the subject. The systems and methods also extract, using facial structure analysis software of the facial structure analysis system, at least one facial structure variable value from the facial structure data and obtain a predicted potential difficult intubation value using an airway classification model and the at least one facial structure variable value. The systems and methods generate a report based on the predicted potential difficult intubation value.
US08460210B2
A lancing system can include a first device body having a lancing end and a free end, the lancing end including a sealing device, a lancing assembly having a lance coupler slideably coupled with the lancing end, a main shaft slideably coupled with the body, a first piston disposed within the body, wherein the lancing assembly is adapted to create a vacuum prior to lancing and dissipate the vacuum at a controlled rate. The system can include a second device body fluidicly coupled to the first device body and having a second shaft and a second piston. A method of extracting blood can include coupling the sealing device to a surface, creating a vacuum, lancing the surface, and dissipating the vacuum at a controlled rate.
US08460205B2
The invention includes a forceps and collection assembly for acquiring and storing a plurality of tissue samples in a single pass, and accompanying mechanisms for use with the forceps and collection assembly. The accompanying mechanisms include an endoscope working channel cap assembly configured to minimize compression of a pouch of the forceps and collection assembly as it traverses a seal of the cap assembly, and a flush adapter configured to be coupled to the pouch so as to assist in removing tissue samples in the pouch by flowing fluid through the pouch.
US08460200B2
A physiologic parameter monitor includes a parameter value determiner that determines a parameter value indicative of a response of a human or animal subject to fluid intake during fluid therapy. The parameter value determiner determines the parameter value based on a signal indicative of a non-invasively obtained state of the subject. The physiologic parameter monitor also includes a display that displays the parameter value in a human readable format.
US08460196B2
Method for monitoring brain activity. Left and right cardiac pulse signals are detected at bilateral locations on a body for a selected number of cardiac cycles. Computing apparatus computes the standard deviation of the left and right pulse signals for the selected number of cardiac cycles. The standard deviations are normalized on the computing apparatus by dividing the left and right standard deviations by the mean of the left and right pulse signals computed over the selected number of cardiac cycles to produce a left and a right Coefficient of Variation of the pulse signals. A Bilateral Pulse Index is generated from the left and right Coefficients of Variation. The Bilateral Pulse Index relates to brain activity. Cardiac pulse signals from a single location on the body may be utilized in some embodiments.
US08460182B2
Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries.
US08460181B2
Epicardial access and treatment systems are described herein where such devices may utilize multiple expanding frame members coupled to a flexible or rigid deployment catheter shaft. The multiple frame members may extend distally to collapse into a low-profile configuration and may further expand or open radially to create a working or surgical field under direct visualization and defined by the frame members and surrounding membrane while retracting any surrounding tissue. Moreover, the distal ends of each frame member may be tapered such that the frame members may close tightly relative to one another forming an atraumatic end. Any number of therapeutic tools can be passed through the catheter for performing any number of procedures on the tissue.
US08460174B2
A capsule medical apparatus includes a plurality of rigid boards on which functional members are mounted; and a plurality of board-separation keeping units that sandwich the rigid boards to keep the rigid boards separated.
US08460172B2
A tissue stabilizer including an elongated arm, a collet, and a head-link assembly. The collet is disposed at a distal end of the arm. The head-link assembly includes a tube and a spreading mechanism. The tube forms an intermediate section and opposing arms each terminating at a tip. The spreading mechanism can adjust a lateral distance between the tips, and includes first and second articulating members each having a leg and a collet interface body. The first member further includes a female hinge feature, whereas the second member includes a male hinge feature differing from the female hinge feature. The legs of are mounted to discrete regions of the tube, and the male hinge feature is pivotably coupled to the female hinge feature. Automatic spreading of a lateral distance between the tips occurs in response to a compressive force applied to the collet interface bodies.
US08460171B2
A mesh delivery system (2) for sacral colpopexy procedures is disclosed. The system (2) uses a mesh stabilizer (30), an endoscopic introducer (2) that carries the mesh stabilizer (30) into the abdomen, and a vaginal probe (10) (inserted through the vagina) with a head that interfaces with the mesh stabilizer (30) in lock-and-key fashion. The mesh stabilizer (30) delivers mesh straps for sacral colpopexy into the abdomen. After delivery, the stabilizer (30) interfaces with the probe (10) head and locks the mesh stabilizer (30) with mesh straps in place. The endoscopic introducer (20) can then be temporarily detached and removed to facilitate suturing of the mesh to the anterior and posterior vaginal walls. After permanent suturing, the introducer (20) can be reinserted and used to retrieve the mesh stabilizer (30) component.
US08460169B2
Systems for providing support to body tissue to alleviate incontinence are disclosed that comprise an elongated incontinence sling having a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support any one of the urethra or anus and first and second sling end portions extending from the central support portion through body tissue and a tension adjustment mechanism acting on or within one or both of the sling end portions. The sling tension adjustment mechanism is attached to and extends through an adjustment spacing between sling intermediate ends within at least one sling end portion. The adjustment spacing is lengthened to decrease sling tension and shortened to increase sling tension.
US08460160B2
An attractive wrist saver device with an elastomeric body and an adjustable strap is provided for decreasing stress and strain of a user's wrist joint by elevating a heel of a user's hand and lessening the amount and degree of an extension of a user's wrist so as to comfort and cushion the user's wrist and substantially prevent the user's wrist from being positioned at a 90 degree right angle and perpendicular to the user's forearm and hand when the user is performing yoga, pushups, hand stands, dips or other upper body weight bearing exercises.
US08460159B2
A device for abatement to snoring and snoring disorders which tones and strengthens soft palate muscles. The device comprises inserting a tube into one's mouth; pressing the tube up to the hard palate; holding the tube in the mouth at the hard palate using the tongue; and initiating a sucking process over the tube. The sucking process requires the person to maintain constant suction on the tube member for between about 5 to 15 seconds followed by a relaxation for between about 5 to 20 seconds and repeating this process of suction, hold, and relaxation for between about 10 to 20 times. The device automates the process and records and stores data personal to the person.
US08460155B2
When reception of engine rotating speed information from an engine control unit is failed, the control unit puts gear positions belonging to a second gear position group in a non-operable and connected state, and then puts a second clutch into a engaged state to convert a rotating speed of a second input shaft detected by a second rotational sensor into a rotating speed of an engine output shaft. The control unit controls so as to fasten a first clutch based on the converted rotating speed of the engine output shaft, thereby enabling a star of a vehicle.
US08460148B2
A differential includes a side gear comprising a helical face gear; a helical pinion configured for meshing engagement with the side gear; a pinion housing configured to house the helical pinion; and a first support member configured to support the helical pinion. The side gear rotates around a differential axis. The helical pinion has a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The pinion housing comprises a generally annular ring and includes an outer radial surface; an inner radial surface; and an aperture extending radially inwardly from the outer radial surface. The first support member is disposed radially inwardly relative to the inner radial surface of the pinion housing. In some embodiments, the differential further includes a second support member configured to support the helical pinion. The second support member is disposed radially outwardly relative to the outer radial surface of the pinion housing.
US08460133B2
A tennis net center strap created for the professional level that quickly measures and secures the center of any tennis net to the regulation (currently 36 inches) height above the court surface. The strap is made of non-stretch material woven with specific material to insure strength and durability. There is a discrete measuring system built into the strap that sets any net, on any court to the correct regulation height in seconds without the use of external measuring devices. It incorporates a simple internal multi-fastening system that meets the needs of the professional tour level, while locking in the correct height, and guaranteeing no deviation or slippage. One end of the strap has a non-rust alloy, nickel plated tab (with an extra protective coating) to insure a finite measuring point that will not fray or deteriorate in weather. The strap is held onto the net via a non-rust nickel plated swivel snap clip with a two inch loop eye on one end. The snap clip fastens to any court surface anchor system (above or below ground), while allowing the strap to navigate easily through the loop eye opening. Once installed, this tennis net strap is visually clean, guards against false “let” calls monitored by electronic or other devices, and meets the needs of the professional tennis tour.
US08460129B2
A back stop device suitable for coupling to a backboard assembly in a sporting activity is disclosed. The device includes a central member. The central member couples to one or more clamps which couple to the backboard assembly. The central member may be coupled to a portion of one or more pivot members. One or more arm members may be coupled to a portion of each of the pivot members. The arm members may be selectively repositionable when used in conjunction with the pivot members. One or more netting members may be coupled to a portion of at least one of the central member and one or more of the arm members or a portion of the backboard assembly. The netting members may be configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the members with weights coupled to a bottom portion of the netting members.
US08460127B2
An apparatus for characterizing a golf swing includes a shank, an articulated joint, and a base. The apparatus may also include a motion control device. An implement is responsive to a co-action with another object. The apparatus may bend or deform in a way that provides information as to the dynamics of a co-action between a golf club and a golf ball.
US08460117B2
A power transmission device that includes an electromagnetic wave-shielding wall partitioning a space and a space, a rotating shaft penetrating through the electromagnetic wave-shielding wall to transmit rotating drive force, and a bearing supporting the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft includes a first shaft member supported by the bearing, a shaft joint part provided on an end of the first shaft member, and a second shaft member rotating together with the first shaft member. The first shaft member and the second shaft member are formed of a conductive material, and the shaft joint part has an insulating part formed of an insulating material. An outer race component part of the bearing has an annular close-contact surface formed of a conductive material.
US08460113B2
A shaft arrangement for the articulated connection of two shaft sections is provided, having a plurality of bushings which are arranged in the circumferential direction in predetermined angular distances with respect to a centre axis M of the joint body, a plurality of loop bundles, with each loop bundle looping around two neighbouring bushings and each bushing being looped around by at least two loop bundles, one of which may be subjected to a tensile load in the case of a torque transmission via the shaft sections, and the other one may be subjected to a thrust load, a support device which is arranged on at least one bushing for axially guiding the plurality of the loop bundles, and a rubber-elastic casing into which the loop bundles, the support devices and the bushings are at least partially embedded.
US08460112B2
A game apparatus constantly broadcasts beacons at predetermined intervals by means of a local communication module during game processing being executed. The beacons include various pieces of information such as information relating to the player, information indicating a game status, and messages. The game apparatus receives beacons from one or more other game apparatuses present in an area near the game apparatus, and displays profiles of the players of the other game apparatuses, the game statuses of the other game apparatuses, or the like, based on the various pieces of information included in the beacons.
US08460108B2
Methods and systems for generating a gaming experience, e.g., an immersive gaming experience, in a networked environment are provided. Gaming experiences generated according to the methods provided herein transform a localized, networked environment into a “virtual game space”, thereby encouraging group and/or team play. Comprehensive assessments about nearby and/or common household devices, systems (e.g., lighting or sound systems), and/or other networked objects (e.g., clothing, furniture, fabric, etc.) are made and dynamically and intelligently woven into the fabric of the game itself. In this way, any networked device within the environment may be called upon to act as a game controller or input/output device, allowing game challenges to be expanded across a room, a home, and even a neighborhood. Methods for scaling a gaming experience uniquely to each environment, depending on the availability and capabilities of networked devices, are also provided.
US08460105B2
An electronic game controller includes a front body, a rear body, a plurality of function keys and a rotating mechanism. The front body includes a second end surface non-orthogonal to its longitudinal axis. The rear body includes a third end surface parallel to the second end surface and non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rear body. The function keys are disposed on the front and the rear bodies. The rotating mechanism is connected with the second and the third end surfaces, that is, the front and the rear bodies are pivotally connected with each other via the rotating mechanism. Accordingly, since the rear body can rotate relative to the front body and be positioned via the rotating mechanism, the present invention can provide more than two ways of being held to enhance users' enjoyment of playing electronic games.
US08460104B1
A yoga ball controller communicates motion signals to a game console and a video game executing on the game console to progress play of a game in response to the motion signals. An individual positions himself on the yoga ball and begins to move his body. The controller detects the motion of the individual and communicates signals to the console. The game console recognizes the motion and advances the game play. Motion may be detected using various devices such as a stress ball, a motion sensing mat, and a controller attached to the yoga ball using a harness. The video game may be a well-known, entertaining video game such as one involving car racing, combat, exploration, or puzzle solving. By using a subject other than exercise, game play may be seen as more fun by participants thereby encouraging physical activity.
US08460101B2
A game program is provided which provides a video game with reality and improves a sense of realism of in the video game in a game program. In Step S21, it is determined whether a given game condition is satisfied. In Step S22, in the case where a stadium type is determined as a dome stadium and the stadium arrangement is determined that the right stand is the home team side, the song playing location is determined as the “Right-Field Side”. In Step S23, a song playing volume is determined. In Step S24, a song playing tempo is determined. In Steps S25 and S26, a basic song and a basic voice are respectively read. In Steps S27 and S28, the data of the basic song and the basic voice are respectively altered to achieve the song playing location on “Right-Field Side”, the song playing volume, the song playing tempo that are determined in Steps S22, S23, and S24.
US08460093B2
A method of playing a wagering game that comprises the player making multiple wagers to play a single-outcome game, the multiple wagers being made on multiple predetermined paytables for said game. One single-outcome game and at least two differing paytables for said game are offered to the player. The paytables may be for different game versions or for a single game version with differing risk levels. The payback percentage of each of the said differing paytables may vary according to the amount of the wager. The player makes one wager for each predetermined paytable to be utilized in the resolve of the wagers. Multiple same paytables, multiple differing paytables or combinations thereof may be wagered for the play of a single game having a single outcome. The said single outcome is then compared to each wagered predetermined paytable, and each wager is resolved according to that same wagered predetermined paytable.
US08460091B2
A gaming device for a gaming machine is described. The gaming device can be configured to implement commands related to performing maintenance operations on the gaming machine. The commands can be initiated from a remote device, such as mobile device, separate from the gaming machine and the gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming peripheral can be coupled to a power switching device on the gaming machine. A number of devices on the gaming machine, such as game controller, can be configured to receive power that is routed through the power switching device. The gaming device can be configured to receive a command from a remote device to cycle power on the gaming machine using the power switching device. In one example, the power can be cycled on the gaming machine to clear an error condition.
US08460086B2
A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines and a controller coupled to the gaming machines. The gaming machines are used for playing one or more wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. Each gaming machine includes at least one wager-input device for receiving a first type of wager, which allows the player to play the wagering game, and the second type of wager, which allows the player to be eligible for a progressive jackpot. The controller determines a first cumulative value of the first type of wagers, a second cumulative value of the second type of wagers, and a distributable wager pool that is derived from a portion of the first cumulative value and a portion of the second cumulative value. The distributable wager pool can fund the progressive jackpot.
US08460082B2
Gaming machines and games are configured with one or more wheel events or features. The wheel events or features may comprise main games or bonus games, or may comprise entertaining representations of outcomes of other games or events. The wheel events comprise the selection of one or more segments of a wheel having associated awards. Wheel events may have various entertaining configurations, such as morphing wheels, symbols that reveal awards and the like.
US08460080B2
A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. In addition, the process randomly generates an assortment of the set of instant online game numbers in an instant online matrix of numbers. The process also determines a linear subset of the set of instant online game numbers such that each number in the linear subset is matched with corresponding numbers in the instant online matrix of numbers.
US08460061B2
A large-size synthetic quartz glass substrate is produced by measuring a flatness and parallelism of front and back surfaces of a synthetic quartz glass substrate stock having a diagonal length of at least 1,000 mm, and partially removing raised portions and thick portions of the substrate stock on the basis of the measured data of flatness and parallelism. The removing step includes abrasive working by a first working tool having a diameter of 15-50% of the diagonal length, and abrasive working by a second working tool having a smaller diameter.
US08460060B2
A method for creating a concave section of glass from a glass substrate having flat surfaces includes the use of a grinding wheel and a turntable. The method includes the steps of securing the glass substrates to the turntable. The turntable is then spun to create a turntable axis of rotation. The grinding wheel is rotated about a wheel axis of rotation such that the wheel axis of rotation is perpendicular to the turntable axis of rotation. The grinding wheel and the turntable move relative to each other along the turntable axis of rotation. The glass substrate is ground by the grinding wheel contacting the glass substrate to create the concave section of glass while the glass substrate is rotating about the wheel axis of rotation and moving relative to the turntable.
US08460058B2
A compound chamfering device that manufactures prism-shaped ingot blocks of excellent surface smoothness is disclosed. The four-corner round surfaces and the four sides of a prism-shaped ingot obtained by using a pair of rotary blades of a slicer to perform four-side peeloff of a cylindrical ingot block are chamfered by rough grinding with a pair of cup wheel type rough grinding grindstones. A pair of cup wheel type finishing grinding grindstones are used to chamfering by finishing grinding the four-corner round surfaces and the four sides of the block.
US08460055B2
A three-dimensional support frame for the linkage section (also known as “heart”) of bra cups for low-heart underwear is disclosed. The support frame comprises a body having a U-shaped support frame. The body of the support frame is made of a wide flat wire; wire surfaces of two vertical portions of the body of the support frame being correspondingly twisted outwardly at an angle with respect to a vertical axis, forming an anticlockwise angle of 15°-85° with respect to a vertical plane, and the twists starts at a position of the maximum radius of semicircular lower portion of the U shape. The twisted wire surfaces of the two vertical portions are of an arc-shaped structure which is curved outwardly, an outwardly curved portion with a maximum curvature being offset in a distance of 5 mm-50 mm with respect to midpoint of a bottom portion of the U-shaped support frame.
US08460049B2
Method of fabricating super nano ion-electron source including: placing an assembly of precursor tip and metal ring around the precursor tip below the apex in a FIM chamber; applying dc current from grounded source to the metal ring to heat the ring; gradually applying high voltage to the precursor tip; wherein the metal ring is exposed to a high electric field from the tip, generating Schottky field emission of electrons from the metal ring, the applied electrical field sufficient to cause electrons to be extracted from the metal ring and accelerated to the shank with energy sufficient to dislodge atoms from the shank; and monitoring the evolution of the tip apex due to movement of dislodged atoms from the shank to the apex while adjusting the electrical field, the current or temperature of the metal ring until the apex forms a sharp nanotip with an atomic scale apex.
US08460039B2
A terminal block has nuts (10), each with a step (12) slightly recessed and formed at an outer peripheral part of an upper fastening surface (10A) on which conductors are to be placed. A heat sink (40) is arranged below the nuts (10) and an insulating plate (20) is sandwiched between the nuts (10) and the heat sink (40). Resin (60) is molded around these three kinds of members (10, 20, 40). The steps (12) are pressed by resin cut-off parts (73) provided in a first mold (71) for the resin (60). Restricted surfaces (12A) at outer peripheral sides of press surfaces (12B) to be pressed by the resin cut-off parts (73) on the steps (12) are covered by the molded resin (60).
US08460028B2
A self powered electric vehicle charging connector locking system for locking and unlocking a charging connector of an electric vehicle charging cord includes an electric vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle charging connector locking holster. The charging station includes an electricity control device to energize and de-energize the charging cord to control a supply of electricity available to flow through the charging cord. Current does not flow through the charging cord when it is de-energized and some amount of current is capable of flowing through the charging cord when it is energized. The locking holster includes a charging connector locking holster inlet to receive the charging connector of the charging cord and a locking unit to lock the charging connector in the locking holster when it is inserted into the locking holster inlet and unlock the charging connector from the locking holster responsive to the charging cord becoming energized.
US08460025B2
A flexing strip (41) is formed on a housing (20). An interference part (63) is formed on a fit-on detector (50). A distinguishing part (46) having a color different from the fit-on detector (50) is formed on the flexing strip (41). The flexing strip (41) interferes with the interference part (63) and deforms while moving the fit-on detector (50) from a wait position to a detection position. The flexing strip (41) is released from an interference state with the interference part (63) and elastically restores to its original state when the fit-on detector (50) has reached the detection position. A position of the distinguishing part (46) relative to the interference part (63) changes before and after a flexing of the flexing strip (41) so that the distinguishing part (46) is exposed and can be seen from a distinguishing position.
US08460020B2
A thin card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) with a hollow (15) accommodating a thin card, a bottom wall of the insulative housing defining a card supporting surface (111) disposed under the hollow; a group of first terminals (21) having contacting portions (213) extending into the hollow, a group of second terminals (22) having contacting portions (223) extending into the hollow, the contacting portions of the first contacts located in front of contacting portions of the second terminals; and at least one guiding groove (113) defined in a front segment of the card supporting surface and disposed under the hollow, the guiding groove passing through a front end of the bottom wall to ventilate an exterior.
US08460016B2
A power adapter includes a body, and a socket received in the body. The socket defines a first hole, a second hole and a third hole, and includes a live pin, a neutral pin and a ground pin respectively secured in the first hole, the second hole and the third hole. The live pin, the neutral pin and the ground pin are located along a straight line, and the neutral pin is located between the live pin and the ground pin.
US08460002B2
A surgical training device for the practice of surgical techniques comprises a base and a face wall extending from a side of said base such to block direct visualization of the operation area from the normal external position of the eyes of the trainee using the device. The face wall comprises a front wall and an upper wall. The front wall is extended upwardly from the base; the upper wall is then extended upwardly and inwardly from the front wall. A flexible membrane is stretched on upper wall and has at least two portals such that adaptors can be inserted on flexible membrane. The adaptors are further fitted with stoppers to prevent adaptors been pulled out from the membrane during training. The surgical instruments can pass through the openings of adaptors to manipulate simulated tissue or another operable structure on the base. A plain spherical bearing set, including a bearing seat and a plain spherical bearing, is also installed on said upper wall. The bearing seat has a bearing hole to interference fit with plain spherical hearing and two bolt holes to hold bearing seat on upper wall such that a camera handle can pass through plain spherical bearing to catch the image on base.
US08460001B1
Methods and apparatuses for athletic performance monitoring are disclosed. In one example, a system includes an inertial sensor configured to measure an acceleration in a moving direction of a user foot of a user during locomotion and output an acceleration signal, a memory storing a stride acceleration motion profile, and a processing system configured to process the acceleration signal and the stride acceleration motion profile to identify a reduced user overstride.
US08460000B2
In a computer implemented method for facilitating proscribed business operations, software operable with a computer having a display associated therewith includes a training module and an instruction module, each accessible by a user. The training module includes at least one training session selectable by the user, and the instruction module includes at least one instruction set selectable by the user. Upon selection of one of the training sessions step-by-step training instructions are displayed for performing one or more tasks. The software is operable to record and store information relevant to the selected training sessions in a database. Upon selection of one of the instruction sets, the software is operable to display step-by-step instructions for performing one or more tasks. The software is remotely changeable and remotely updatable.
US08459995B1
A pinless dental articulator includes a work tray, a retention pocket, and a monorail formed by a plurality of upwardly tapering cylinders which allow jelly or stone to slide out of the retention pocket when the work tray is turned upside down. The work tray has a ledge which stabilizes a rotatable arm that retains the jelly or stone in the retention pocket. A method of using the articulator includes the steps of installing the locking arm onto the stabilizing ledge of the work tray, rotating the locking arm into a closed position on the stabilizing ledge, pouring jelly into the retention pocket, installing a height-adjusting post in the work tray, tightening a fastener against the post in order to keep the post in an upright position, and placing a small tray with at least one negative tooth impression on top of the jelly.
US08459991B2
An oral implant system and method. The system includes a positioning tool, a transfer band, a transfer screw, and a transfer drill to provide for accurate placement of a dental implant parallel to other implants and or existing teeth and at predetermined depths. A model is made of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The model is marked for implant position, depth and size. Holes are drilled in the model for implant analogs using the positioning tool. The analogs are installed into the model using the positioning tool and a surveyor. Transfer bands are coupled to the analogs and a surgical stent portion is fabricated. The surgical stent is fitted to the patient's occlusion, secured, and then utilized to accurately drill apertures into the patient's maxilla or mandible. The implants are installed into the apertures and the surgical stent is removed. A final restoration is secured to the implants.
US08459987B2
An orthodontic appliance 1 for promoting development of a dental arch form in a patient. The appliance 1 includes an arch-shaped base member 2 that is made of a resiliently flexible material, and a teeth engaging member 5 that encloses at least part of the base member 2. The teeth engaging member 5 defines upper and/or lower dental arch receiving channels 46, 47 and is made of a resiliently flexible material that is deformable. The appliance 1 has a resting form in which the resilient materials of the base member 2 and the teeth engaging member 5 are in their resting condition. The appliance 1 can be flexed or deformed out of the resting form to fit the underdeveloped dental arch form into the dental arch receiving channel 46, 47. When deformed the appliance 1 exerts a return force that urges the underdeveloped dental arch to expand.
US08459979B2
An apparatus is provided for molding an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a main body and a lens portion. The apparatus includes a molding cavity, an insert and a block in the molding cavity. The insert forms a blind hole of the main body. The block forms a recess of the main body. The molding cavity includes a central portion for forming the main body, a lens-forming portion for forming the lens portion, and two lateral portions for forming corresponding lateral surfaces of the main body. The molding cavity includes a gate for introducing molding material into the molding cavity therethrough. The gate is connected to an end of one of the lateral portions distal from the lens-forming portion. The block is positioned in the other end of said one of the lateral portions distal from the gate.
US08459973B2
A vane pump 1 has a pump chamber 2A through an axial direction oil supply hole 11a, a diameter direction oil supply hole 11b, and an axial direction oil supply groove 11c of an oil supply passage 11. A gas passage 13 contains a gas groove 13a whose one end is made to communicate with an outer space, the gas groove 13a being formed on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft part 3B of a rotor 3, and the other end of this gas groove is made to intermittently overlappingly communicate with the axial direction oil supply groove 11c by a rotation of the rotor.
US08459971B2
A scroll compressor including a stationary scroll formed with a scroll wrap, an orbiting scroll formed with a scroll wrap, a rotating shaft for putting the orbiting scroll into an orbiting motion, a rotating bearing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft on the stationary scroll, an orbiting scroll bearing provided at an eccentric shaft portion of the rotating shaft and operative to orbitably support a central portion of the orbiting scroll. A coupling transmits a torque of a driving shaft to the rotating shaft. The scroll compressor is compact based on the layout of a balancer. The orbiting scroll bearing is disposed at a central portion of the rotating shaft, and the coupling is provided with the balancer. The stationary scroll may be provided with ribs being formed therein with an oil passage for connection between a central oil passage formed in the rotating shaft and the exterior.
US08459968B2
A peristaltic pump assembly comprises a pump and a removable cassette. The pump includes a pumping mechanism portion having opposed inner and outer walls defining a slot opening therebetween, and further having a cassette mounting pin extending at least partially across the slot opening. The removable cassette includes a cylindrical hinge journal and a mounting channel merging in a radial direction with the hinge journal, whereby the cassette is mounted on the mounting pin by inserting the removable cassette into the slot opening between the inner and outer walls of the pumping mechanism portion in a radial direction of the mounting pin such that the mounting pin is passed through the mounting channel and received by the hinge journal. The mounting pin and hinge journal are configured to allow the removable cassette to rotate about the mounting pin into and out of an installed position.
US08459963B2
A slide valve for use in a screw compressor comprises a main body portion configured for sliding in a pressure pocket of a screw compressor to regulate output of a working matter through screw rotors of the compressor. The main body of the slide valve includes a plurality of walls that define an enclosed interior cavity. The slide valve also includes a bore extending into a wall of the main body such that working matter discharged from the screw rotors has access to the enclosed interior cavity. The bore is sized to dampen pressure pulsations in the discharged working matter as the discharged working matter flows through the bore.
US08459959B2
Disclosed is a control device of a hydraulically driven fan. The control device of a hydraulically driven fan is characterized by comprising first command value calculation means for calculating a fan speed command by a proportional term only while a difference between a target valve controlled variable and an actual valve controlled variable is not smaller than a predetermined threshold, second command value calculation means for calculating a fan speed command by the proportional term and an integral term while a difference between a target valve controlled variable and an actual valve controlled variable is smaller than a predetermined threshold, target valve controlled variable calculation means for calculating a target valve controlled variable of a control valve based on the calculated fan speed command, and control means for outputting a valve controlled variable to a control valve such that the control valve reaches the target valve controlled variable.
US08459953B2
A disk for a machine rotor includes a disk body having an outer periphery formed with a plurality of axially-oriented slots; a plurality of buckets, each bucket having an airfoil portion and an attachment portion, the attachment portion loaded axially into a respective one of the plurality of axially-oriented slots. A plurality of arcuate seal plate segments arranged about the outer periphery of the disk body, each covering at least two of the plurality of axially-oriented slots and respective attachment portions of the plurality of buckets. A retention pin extends axially through each of the plurality of arcuate seal plate segments and into an axially oriented bore in the disk body. The retention pin has an inner end engageable with a locking key and adapted to move the locking key into a locking position which prevents axial movement of a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of buckets.
US08459947B2
A winglet for a blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The winglet contains a core with a predetermined water absorption-rate to reduce or even avoid the absorption of water in the core. This may be achieved via different variations on the core material and/or core cover material including composition, density and thickness.
US08459946B2
The object of the invention is to construct a horizontal-axis wind turbine comprising a dual-system pitch drive unit for one blade that is independent up to the transmission mechanism or a dual-system yaw drive unit for one wind turbine nacelle that is independent up to the transmission mechanism, and to provide the dual system with new applicability. The horizontal-axis wind turbine of the present invention has a hub 1 and a blade 2 that are connected by way of an interposed section 5b, 6b, 7 which can freely rotate around the pitch axis of the blade with respect to both the hub and the blade; and further comprises: a hub-side interposed section drive unit 10 that relatively rotates the interposed section with respect to the hub, and a blade-side interposed section drive unit 11 that relatively rotates the blade with respect to the interposed section. The horizontal-axis wind turbine further comprises a hub-side interposed section angle sensor, a blade-side interposed section angle sensor and hub-side blade angle sensor, and is configured to control the pitch angle of the blade with respect to the hub whether controlling both drive units or controlling only one drive unit. Similar connection mechanism and drive and control mechanism is applied to between a tower and a nacelle.
US08459944B2
A stator blade ring is provided with which the possibilities of thermal deformation and a decrease in strength can be reduced, the shape flexibility can be ensured, and the compression performance can be improved. It includes stator blade segments (21) in each of which an inner shroud portion (31) and an outer shroud portion (29) divided corresponding to one stator blade (27) are provided at both ends of the stator blade (27) so as to be formed as a single part, and connecting members (23) that are formed of arch-shaped plates and are disposed on at least one of the inner shroud portions (31) and the outer shroud portions (29) of the stator blade segments (21) adjoining in a circumferential direction, on a side opposite to the stator blades (27). The stator blade segments (21) are welded to the connecting members (23) at a portion of the length thereof in the circumferential direction.
US08459939B2
A compressor stator blade 10 includes a seal mechanism 12 configured to hermetically seal a part between a radial inner end on the upstream side and an outer surface of a rotary body, and a remainder part on the downstream side of the seal mechanism includes a hub clearance 14 between the outer surface of the rotary body and itself. Additionally, a compressor rotor blade 20 includes a seal mechanism 22 configured to hermetically seal a part between a radial outer end on the upstream side and an inner surface of a stationary body, and a remainder part on the downstream side of the seal mechanism includes a tip clearance 24 between the inner surface of the stationary body and itself.
US08459931B2
A turbo-molecular pump, includes a blade pumping section having a plurality of rotor blades and a plurality of stator blades which are alternately arranged in plural stages along an axial direction of the pump, and a thread groove pumping section having a cylindrical-shaped screw stator, and a rotor cylinder adapted to be rotated inside the screw stator. The rotor cylinder has a lower edge surface located on an upstream side relative to a downstream edge of the screw stator with respect to the axial direction. The turbo-molecular pump of the present invention can minimize flying-out of broken pieces of the rotor cylinder from a discharge port.
US08459923B2
Disclosed are a substrate alignment apparatus precisely and automatically aligning a mask on a substrate by sequentially moving the substrate and the mask horizontally on a susceptor being driven up and down, a substrate processing apparatus including the same, and a substrate alignment method. The substrate alignment apparatus includes a position fixing unit protruding from an upper surface of the susceptor driven up and down in a chamber so as to form a reference line for alignment of the substrate and the mask, a horizontal transfer unit connected at outer surfaces of two sidewalls of the chamber and extended into the chamber to align the substrate and the mask according to the up and down movement of the susceptor until the substrate and the mask are stopped by the position fixing unit from horizontally moving, and a control unit adapted to control the susceptor and the horizontal transfer unit.
US08459922B2
A substrate processing system including a housing for housing at least part of a processing device, at least one target affixed to the processing device, the processing device having a first processing device reference point in a known relationship with the at least one target, at least one transmitter located within the housing and configured to transmit an identification signal identifying the at least one transmitter to the at least one target and a controller operably connected to the at least one target and the at least one transmitter, the controller being configured to receive data signals, based on the identification signal, from one of the at least one target and the at least one transmitter and control an operational characteristic of the processing device, based on the data signals.
US08459919B2
A fastening device comprising at least one nut, at least one support unit, and at least one spring element, with the nut, the support unit, and the spring element being constructed and matched to each other in such a way that the spring element exerts a force between the nut and the support unit.
US08459909B2
A restraint system that supports a motorcycle during transportation comprises a base (20), a rear frame (202) positioned on the base and operable to receive a rear wheel of the motorcycle, and a front frame (102) positioned on said base and operable to receive a front wheel of the motorcycle. The front frame has a linear range of movement relative to the base (20) to accommodate movement due to the suspension of the motorcycle. A first restraint assembly (150), in use, passes over the rear wheel and cooperates with said rear frame (202) to restrain the rear wheel in a vertical orientation relative to the base; and a second restraint assembly, in use, passes over the front wheel and restrains the front wheel relative to the front frame (102).
US08459908B2
A tool holder for use in a rotating spindle of a milling machine. The tool holder comprises a conically tapered shank portion for insertion into the spindle and a cutting tool mounting portion. Disposed between the shank and mounting portions is a flange portion. The flange portion includes a continuous channel formed therein which circumvents the shank portion and is adapted to accommodate a dampening member. The dampening member is compressible between the flange portion and the spindle when the tool holder is inserted into the spindle, and is adapted to eliminate harmonic resonance attributable to the use of the tool holder with a cutting tool.
US08459903B2
A connection device for fastening two expanded cellular confinement structures includes an insertion member having insertion ends, an insertion member extension, an integral shank, and a handle member. A cellular confinement system includes first and second webs of cells made from strips bonded together in spaced apart areas. The strips form walls of the cells and at least some of the cells define open slots. At least one connection device fastens the first web and the second web together through the open slots. A method of fastening two expanded cellular confinement structures includes aligning two expanded cellular confinement structures; inserting an insertion member of a connection device through open slots; and turning the connection device.
US08459902B2
A dock catway is comprised of a catway frame adapted at a near end to be secured to a dock. The dock catway has a nose piece structure at a far end of the catway frame. At least one dock bumper is secured to a side wall of the catway structure. A platform is provided on a top end of the catway frame. The nose piece is molded with two layers of polyethylene. An inner one of the layers is of a lighter contrasting color than an outer one of the layers, wherein the outer one of the two layers is at least partly machined to form delineations having increased translucency to conduct light from one or more internal light sources secured inside the nose piece.
US08459900B2
A vortex flow type water surface control device for a draining device is provided. The vortex flow type water surface control device may include an inflow pipe, an outflow pipe, an intercepting pipe, and a separating weir that is disposed to block the intercepting pipe and the inflow pipe from the outflow pipe. The vortex flow type water surface control device may also include a control plate that is disposed between an opening of the inflow pipe and an opening of the intercepting pipe. A height of the control plate may be higher than at least a height of the separating weir. The control plate may be apart from the separating weir, and may approximately extend to a center axis of the intercepting pipe.
US08459893B2
A binder assembly for receiving and retaining articles and that includes a cover having a spine portion and at least one cover leaf portion and a first binder element and a second binder element having a plurality of first and second retaining fingers, respectively. The first and second binding elements are moveable between 1) an open position wherein articles are permitted to be removed from or mounted to the binder assembly, and 2) a closed position wherein articles mounted to the binder assembly are prevented from being removed. The binder assembly further includes an elongated retainer/lock constructed to releasably attach to the first and second binding elements in the closed position thereof with the spine portion of the cover therebetween for locking the first and second binding elements in the closed position and securing the first and second binding elements to the spine portion of the cover.
US08459887B2
A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
US08459875B2
A bearing apparatus to be supported by an axle box which includes a key groove, the bearing apparatus includes an outer ring which includes a first key groove extending from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of an axial end surface of the outer ring, an inner ring, rolling elements rollably interposed between the outer and inner rings, and a key member which includes an annular body, a first inwardly projecting part which is provided on the annular body and adapted to be inserted into the first key groove of the outer ring, and an outwardly projecting part which is provided on an outer periphery of the annular body and adapted to be inserted into the key groove of the axle box.
US08459872B2
A bearing is provided having a first race, a second race and one or more rolling elements. The bearing includes an alternate load path for extreme loads, and the alternate load path is formed between the first race and the second race. At least a portion of the extreme loads is diverted away from the rolling elements.
US08459869B2
In a cassette-type X-ray detection device, an X-ray detector and a self diagnostic circuit are contained in a cassette casing. When the cassette-type X-ray detection device gets a shock, the self diagnostic circuit is actuated. The self diagnostic circuit reads out from the X-ray detector an offset image being a dark current image, and analyzes the offset image. The self diagnostic circuit finds out an abnormal portion from the offset image, and diagnoses whether the X-ray detector is available, unavailable, or partly available based on the size and position of the abnormal portion. Shock detection and a diagnostic result are displayed on a touch panel provided in the cassette casing, and sent to a console device via a communication unit.
US08459866B2
A method for measuring a thermal conductivity of a one-dimensional material is provided. The method includes the following steps: providing the one-dimensional material whose characteristic band frequency value of Raman-spectra varies linearly with its temperature and a thermal conductivity measurement apparatus; obtaining a length ΔL of the suspended part of the one-dimensional material and a cross sectional area S of the one-dimensional material; connecting the four electrodes with the one-dimensional material; heating the one-dimensional material with a current and the one-dimensional material reaches heat balance; acquiring a power P flowing through the suspended part of the one-dimensional material along an axial direction of the one dimensional material; obtaining a temperature difference ΔT between a middle point and one of the two end points of the suspended part of the one-dimensional material; and calculating the thermal conductivity ω of the one-dimensional material in accordance with: ω = P Δ L S Δ T .
US08459864B2
The present invention relates to a mixer for concrete and similar mixtures, of the type composed of a parallelepiped tank (2) internally provided with one or more mixing shafts (3), each of them driven into rotation by a corresponding motor unit (UM) in external position with respect to the tank (2), which comprises, with the necessary connections, an electric motor (4), a gear motor (6) and an intermediate gear (7) interfaced with the end of the corresponding mixing shaft (3), characterised by the fact that the electrical motor (4) and the corresponding gear motor (6) of each motor unit (UM) are fixed to a single bearing frame (8) that is hung to the border of the tank (2) by means of one or more hinges (9).
US08459858B2
An optical assembly comprises light sources and a light emitting panel member having an input edge to which each of the light sources is optically coupled at a different location along the input edge. Different sets of individual optical deformities on or in at least one of the sides of the panel member each have at least one surface that is shaped or oriented to extract light propagating in the same direction through the panel member in different directions for viewing from different angles through one of the sides of the panel member.
US08459852B2
Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
US08459851B2
A multi-mode lighting system includes a collector unit having a base including a cavity and a transparent or translucent cover mounted on the base. The system further includes a lighting module having a base, a transparent or translucent cover and a photovoltaic element mounted therein. A plurality of fiber optic filaments extend from the collector to the lighting module to transmit radiation from first ends of the fiber optic filaments to second ends of the fiber optic elements. The first ends of the fiber optic filaments are disposed in an array in the collector unit to receive radiation and second ends are disposed in an array in the lighting module to emit radiation received by the first ends of the fiber optic filaments. Radiation transmitted by the fiber optic filaments illuminates an area external to the lighting module and impinges the photovoltaic element to generate electricity.
US08459845B2
A light guide lens includes a front light-exit surface, a rear end surface formed with a recess, and an outer surrounding surface. The front light-exit surface is a convex surface disposed at an optical axis (Z). The rear end surface includes a curved surface portion that defines an innermost end of the recess, and that is a convex surface. The rear end surface further includes an inner surrounding surface portion that extends rearward from a periphery of the curved surface portion. The outer surrounding surface diverges forwardly along the optical axis (Z), and includes a first curved surface part and a second curved surface part. The first and second curved surface parts are disposed on opposite sides of an imaginary plane on which the optical axis (Z) is disposed, and are asymmetrical relative to each other with respect to the imaginary plane.
US08459837B2
An illuminating device including a plurality of reels each having retractable cords on opposed ends thereof, the plurality of reels located between a plurality of light emitting sources for allowing the light emitting sources to expand and retract with respect to each other, where the plurality of light emitting sources are connected to each other in a series configuration and a retraction mechanism for depressing the plurality of light emitting sources, substantially simultaneously, into a retracted configuration.
US08459826B2
A lighting apparatus includes a housing, a light source, and sign mounting hardware. The housing includes a top surface which is also a top surface of the entire lighting apparatus. The top surface of the lighting apparatus includes attachment means for coupling the lighting apparatus to light mounting hardware to suspend the lighting apparatus from a bottom surface of a crossarm of a sign post in a mounted position, so that the entire lighting apparatus suspends below a bottom surface of the crossarm of the sign post in the mounted position. The light source is within an internal compartment of the housing. The sign mounting hardware is coupled to the housing. The sign mounting hardware is configured to suspend a sign from the lighting apparatus, so that the entire sign suspends below the lighting apparatus in the mounted position.
US08459818B2
A refrigeration appliance includes a body having walls to define an interior with an open front side. One of the walls extends from the front side of the body in a depth direction and is formed with at least one recess. A translucent pane seals the at least one recess and is at least locally clear. At least one light-emitting diode module is accommodated in the at least one recess and produces a light cone which lies completely within the interior.
US08459812B2
In one embodiment, a system may include an electrical device having an indicator light source, an actuator having a window, a viewing piece arranged to be visible through the window, and a light guide arranged to guide light from the light source to the viewing piece. The viewing piece may have a receiving portion arranged to receive light from the light guide, and the width of the receiving portion may be substantially larger than the width of the light guide. In another embodiment, a system may include an electrical device having a first support member, and an actuator having a second support member. The actuator may be adapted to move along a path of motion from a retracted position to an extended position, and the first and second support members may be adapted to support the actuator in the extended position with forces that are substantially balanced along the path of motion.
US08459808B2
An exemplary light blocking plate includes a flat plate-like light pervious member, and a blocking and shielding layer formed on the light pervious member. The blocking and shielding layer includes a top surface facing away from the light pervious member, a bottom surface facing the light pervious member, and a through hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The blocking and shielding layer includes an electromagnetic shielding layer having a first part of the top surface, and a light blocking layer. The light blocking layer includes a first portion having the bottom surface, and a second portion having a second part of the top surface, and extending from the first portion to the second part of the top surface. The electromagnetic shielding layer surrounds the second portion of the light blocking layer. The second portion of the light blocking layer surrounds the through hole.
US08459806B2
The present invention relates to a triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article and a producing method thereof. In the triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article, a triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective element pair group is disposed in a closest-packed fashion on a common plane defined by three base lines, and the each of retroreflective elements in a pair having one base line (A-B) shared by the retroreflective elements in the pair. The triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article includes a first element pair group, in which two interior angles (α=∠BAC and β=∠ABC) formed by the shared base line of the element pair and two other base lines are different from each other and the element pair is line-symmetrically disposed in relation to the shared base line (A-B); and a second element pair group, in which the element pair is congruent to a line-symmetrical shape to the first element pair in relation to a line segment connecting vertexes of the base planes.
US08459802B2
Constant current control is performed after the completion of starting operation of a high-pressure mercury-vapor lamp 4 and then lighting is shifted to constant power lighting. Except during a modulation forbidden period as a certain period from the completion of the starting operation, the frequency of an alternating current is subjected to frequency modulation control for being modulated to at least a first frequency and a second frequency having higher audibility than the first frequency. During the modulation forbidden period defined as a period from the completion of the starting operation until a predetermined time before lighting is shifted to constant power lighting, from the completion of the starting operation until lighting is shifted to constant power lighting, or from the completion of the starting operation until a predetermined time after lighting has been shifted to constant power lighting, the frequency modulation control is not performed and an alternating current with a third frequency lower than the second frequency is supplied. The quietness can be increased without adversely affecting the frequency modulation control on an alternating current for properly growing and maintaining protrusions of electrodes.
US08459801B2
An object of the present invention is to display a highly reproducible three-dimensional image in response to changes in the viewer's position and to easily realize the miniaturization of the system. The three-dimensional image projector includes a projection image forming disc in which a hologram recording medium is formed along a disc-shaped glass substrate, and which projects image light having directivity by causing the image light to fall incident on the hologram recording medium, and a rotational drive unit for rotationally driving the projection image forming disc along a surface of the glass substrate with the center point on the surface as a rotation center. The projection image forming disc is preliminarily recorded with a hologram by causing two laser beams as reference light and object light to simultaneously fall incident on the hologram recording medium.
US08459797B2
This disclosure is directed to rear projection and front projection image viewing systems. In one aspect, an image viewing system includes a screen composed of a lens and a reflective diffuser with a microstructured surface. The system also includes an array of projectors. Each projector is to project an image onto the screen with a particular angle of incidence such that each image is to pass through the lens and is to be reflected back though the lens by the reflective diffuser with a horizontal scattering angle determined by the microstructured surface. The lens is to direct each reflected image to a particular viewing area so that a viewer located in at least one viewing area receives a reflected image that enters one or both of the viewer's eyes when the viewer looks at the screen.
US08459795B2
The invention relates to an optical measuring system comprising a wave front sensor for characterizing a shape of a wave front of measuring light and an imaging lens, wherein the imaging lens comprises a first optical assembly and a second optical assembly for imaging an object region in an entrance region of the wave front sensor. A distance between the object region and the first optical assembly is larger than a focal length of the first optical assembly. Furthermore, the optical measuring system can comprise an optical microscopy system and optionally an OCT system for carrying out different optical examination methods at the same time.
US08459793B2
A conformable covering comprises an outer portion with rigidity to resist movement on the cornea and an inner portion to contact the cornea and provide an environment for epithelial regeneration. The inner portion of the covering can be configured in many ways so as to conform at least partially to an ablated stromal surface so as to correct vision. The conformable inner portion may have at least some rigidity so as to smooth the epithelium such that the epithelium regenerates rapidly and is guided with the covering so as to form a smooth layer for vision. The inner portion may comprise an amount of rigidity within a range from about 1×10-4 Pa*m3 to about 5×10-4 Pa*m3 so as to deflect and conform at least partially to the ablated cornea and smooth an inner portion of the ablation with an amount of pressure when deflected.
US08459786B2
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used for ejecting a liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that ejects the liquid, a liquid supply path that is used for directing the liquid to the head unit, a decompression defoaming unit that eliminates air bubbles from the liquid by decompressing at least a part of the liquid supply path, and a pressurizing unit that pressurizes at least a part of the liquid supply path.
US08459785B2
An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an array of ink ejection nozzles, an upstream ink line for connecting the printhead to an ink supply, a downstream ink line for connecting the printhead to a sump, a pump in the downstream ink line for drawing fluid out of the printhead, a gas inlet in communication with the printhead, the gas inlet being configured to open to atmosphere during a printhead de-priming operation, and close to atmosphere during a printhead priming operation and, an accumulator positioned in the upstream ink line for generating a positive pressure pulse for priming the printhead.
US08459784B2
A discharge liquid agitating mechanism, and an inkjet recording apparatus having the discharge liquid agitating mechanism, are provided which are simple in construction, and are yet capable of preventing sedimentation of particles and the like contained in a discharge liquid.A discharge liquid agitating mechanism in an inkjet recording apparatus which discharges a discharge liquid to a recording medium while moving the recording medium and inkjet heads 100 relative to each other, includes a main tank 80 formed of a flexible material, a support table 81 for supporting the main tank 80, a nozzle 83 for introducing a compressed gas between the main tank 80 and support table 81, a plurality of subtanks 90 formed of the flexible material, a plurality of plate-like objects 91 for supporting the subtanks 90, nozzles 93 for introducing the compressed gas between the subtanks 90 and plate-like objects 91, a pipeline 86 for connecting the main tank 80 and subtanks 90, and pipelines 96 for connecting the subtanks 90 and inkjet heads 100.
US08459770B2
In general, according to one embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus includes an inkjet head, a conveyance motor, a discharge motor, a printing medium surface sensor and a controller. The inkjet head ejects ink on a printing medium. The discharge motor causes discharge of the printing medium. The printing medium surface sensor, locates at the upper-stream side of the inkjet head apart from the inkjet head in a printing medium conveyance direction, senses a foreign substance representing an image printed on the printing medium beforehand. The controller drives the discharge motor to discharge a printing medium without ejecting ink from the inkjet head if an after-printing mode in which printing is made on the printing medium on which the image is printed beforehand is not set if the foreign substance is detected on the printing medium through the printing medium surface sensor.
US08459767B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow path forming substrate in which pressure generation chambers are formed. The pressure generation chambers communicate with nozzles that eject liquid droplets. Piezoelectric elements are positioned on the flow path forming substrate to generate pressure changes in the pressure generation chambers. Each piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body layer, a first electrode on one side of the piezoelectric body layer, and a second electrode on the opposite side of the piezoelectric body layer. The piezoelectric element is driven in a condition that the relationship between minimum voltage Vmin, and maximum voltage Vmax, which are applied to the piezoelectric element, and peak voltage Vo satisfies the expression, Vmin
US08459763B2
An image recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium; a conveying speed detection unit that detects a conveying speed of the recording medium; a conveying control unit that controls the conveying unit so as to accelerate or decelerate the conveying speed of the recording medium detected by the conveying speed detection unit between a stationary state and a constant speed state; a recording unit that faces the recording medium and records an image; a recording control unit that varies a recording frequency of the recording unit according to the conveying speed of the recording medium; and a throw distance control unit that controls a throw distance between the recording unit and a recording face of the recording medium according to the conveying speed of the recording medium.
US08459759B2
A refrigerator and a drawer opening/closing apparatus for a refrigerator wherein a main drawer and an auxiliary drawer are drawn at the same time or independently, the convenience of use is advantageously improved because it is possible for an user to automatically open the auxiliary drawer without directly opening the auxiliary drawer.
US08459743B2
A disc recliner mechanism includes a guide plate having a pair of guides and a tooth plate having an inner radial edge with a plurality of teeth. A pawl mounted between the guide and tooth plates includes a radially inner cam surface and a toothed outer edge. The pawl is guided by the guides between a retracted position disengaged with the tooth plate to allow rotational movement of the tooth plate and an extended position engaged with the tooth plate to prevent rotational movement of the tooth plate. A cam rotatably mounted between the guide and tooth plates includes a radially outer cam profile selectively engaging and cooperating with the cam surface. Rotating the cam in a first direction moves the pawl radially outward with respect to the guide plate to the extended position and applies a rotational moment to the pawl thereby wedging the pawl between the guides.
US08459735B2
A seat back assembly includes a back frame and an adjustable support mounted to the back frame. The adjustable support moves between a first position and a second position with respect to the back frame. A stationary back cushion is mounted to the back frame and defines an opening sized to receive the adjustable support. When the adjustable support is in the opening, both the adjustable support and the stationary back cushion provide support surfaces for the back of an occupant of the seat. When the adjustable support is moved toward the second position to at least partially remove the adjustable support from the opening, the opening accommodates equipment of an occupant of the seat.
US08459727B2
A tractor cab has a floor (12) at least part of which is of a double layer construction having an upper layer (12a) and a lower layer (12b) spaced vertically below the upper layer to define a cavity (29,30) between the layers. The cavity being used for a) the passage of air associated with heating, ventilating, demisting or air conditioning the cab and/or b) the passage of electrical wiring or hydraulic pipes and hoses and/or c) the storage of fluids or other materials or equipment. Part of the floor supports an HVAC unit (11) whose output is directed between the upper and lower layers. The upper layer (12a) includes output apertures (27a, 28a) through which air from the HVAC unit can be discharged or recirculated.
US08459721B2
A top for a convertible motor vehicle includes a top linkage operable to move the top between a closed position and an open position. The top linkage includes at least one functional component having a first position and a second position. The functional component is generally in the first position at a start of the opening movement and at the start of the closing movement, and also at an end of an opening movement and at the end of the closing movement. The functional component is moved from the first position to the second position for at least a portion of the opening movement and of the closing movement when the top linkage is between the open and closed positions. The movement of the functional component from the first position to the second position provides clearance for at least one element that moves during movement of the top linkage.
US08459712B2
An apparatus for coupling and decoupling clips is described. Specifically, the apparatus allows for installation of clips to building structures of varying elevations. The apparatus may comprise a telescoping pole, a lower pivot joint, an upper pivot joint, and at least one reversible clip. The reversible clip may be removed from the upper pivot joint by applying a substantially vertical force in a downward direction to the telescoping pole. Lights may be attached to the reversible clip. The lower pivot joint and upper pivot joint allow for the reversible clip to be coupled to building structures at various angles.
US08459687B2
An airbag module including an inflator, an air bag, and an air bag case. The air bag case houses the air bag and is attached to the inflator. The inflator supplies a gas to the air bag housed in the air bag case. The air bag case further includes an engagement member having an opening in a rectangular shape and hooks disposed on two opposing sides of thereof, and a lower surface plate member that is attached to the engagement member by a bridge member. The hooks are shaped to engage an instrument panel, thereby attaching the air bag case to the instrument panel. The air bag module may also include a fabric housing disposed around the air bag. The fabric housing has a box-like shape with a bottom portion, an open ceiling portion, and a connecting hole disposed in the bottom portion to receive the inflator.
US08459684B1
Two fifth wheels of different throat diameters are mounted facing each other 180 degrees apart on a turntable member that can be rotated on an underlying support member. The underlying support member may be a permanent part on a towing or tractor vehicle, or a detachable part such as a fifth wheel support body. This enables a single towing vehicle to tow semitrailers having kingpins of different sizes without changing the kingpins.
US08459677B2
A wheelchair includes a seat, one or more wheels and a seat weight sensing mechanism. The wheel includes a brake for stopping the wheel. The seat weight sensing mechanism is placed below the seat and is connected to the brake. When the seat is loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the seat weight sensing mechanism releases the brake to free the wheel. When the seat is not loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the brake stops the wheel.
US08459676B2
A bearing mechanism (4) for a transverse leaf spring (1) for mounting in the region of a vehicle axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism (4) has two outer bearing shells (6, 7) that can be connected together and insertion devices (9, 10) with at least some regions of which are encompassed by the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and which each comprise at least two layer elements (9A, 9B, 9C and 10A, 10B, 10C) with different stiffnesses. In the assembled state, the insertion devices (9, 10) are each disposed between the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1). The insertion devices (9, 10) can be connected to the outer bearing shells (6, 7) and the transverse leaf spring (1), via a bolt device (8) which connects the outer bearing shells (6, 7) together and to a vehicle chassis at least in a force locking manner.
US08459671B2
A tie rod supporting part is provided in an area θ2 between a lateral line passing an inner side of a wheel and a king pin axis in a front view of the vehicle in a non-steering state. More specifically, the tie rod supporting part is arranged on the central side of the vehicle off the side of the wheel. The tie rod supporting part never interferes with the wheel and can be arranged near the central center of the wheel. As a result, a dimension in the height of the tie rod supporting part extending from the knuckle can be reduced and the knuckle can be miniaturized and lightened.
US08459663B2
The snowmobile ski edge includes a main body having a plurality of mounting holes formed on a mounting face of the main body and a plurality of raised, breaker rails formed on the opposite face of the main body. The breaker rails are spaced across the width of the main body and break up ice and snow in front of the snowmobile skis to easily form new paths, which substantially reduces darting. Each breaker rail is angled to form a leading breaking face and a trailing face extending towards the back of the main body. Carbide inserts are disposed in grooves on both the breaking and trailing faces to strengthen and increase wear characteristics of the breaker rails. The main body includes sloping sides, which together with the breaker rails form channels to funnel broken ice and snow towards the back and reduce drag.
US08459659B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a cutting tool, a drive, and a chuck rotatable by the drive. The chuck includes a body having a core disposed in a shell, wherein the shell is made of a metal and the core is made of a composite material. The chuck also includes a set of jaws coupled to the body, wherein the jaws are configured to hold a work piece adjacent the cutting tool.
US08459651B1
A shooting range including at least one shooting station and a projectile trap. The projectile trap includes at least two projectile trap subassemblies each having at least one end plate and joined together along adjacent end plates and a trap chamber in each of the projectile trap subassemblies, wherein a portion of the front edge of the joint between the projectile trap subassemblies is transposed into the trap chambers substantially out of view from the shooting station. In a preferred embodiment, the shooting range further includes at least one range auxiliary system.
US08459649B2
Disclosed is a combination sleeping bag and means for storing a game board device within the sleeping bag structure, along with an associated method of storing flexible game boards and game pieces within a sleeping bag for travel and storage use. The sleeping bag comprises a folded and zipperable blanket having familiar design aspects, wherein within the interior of the bag is a removable blanket liner. The blanket comprises a board game design on its surface such that it can be removed from the bag and utilized as a game board, wherein the blanket otherwise attaches along the interior surface of the bag. A securable pouch within the sleeping bag is provided for containing compressible or flexible game pieces associated with the given game board, while the exterior of the bag may be adorned in a logo illustrating the exact game or games stored within the bag.
US08459644B1
A dual path, single reversing roll inverter driven by a single actuator includes a single reversing roller with two, diametrically opposed idler rollers. The configuration of the reversing roller and idler rollers forms a first nip and a second nip that are alternately used to accept sequential sheets from a paper path. The first and second nips discharge the sheets into respective first and second inverting paths. A method for inverting sheets using the dual path, single reversing roll inverter includes rotating the roller in a first direction to direct a first sheet through the first nip. The roller is then rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction to direct the first sheet from the first nip and into the first inverting path and to simultaneously direct a second sheet into the second nip. A gate alternately directs the sequential sheets into the first and second nips.
US08459641B2
In a sheet processing apparatus that is required for high productivity, it is needed to execute skew correction of a sheet in a short time. Thus, when the sheet is struck against a roller or a skew correction member at a high speed to execute skew correction, it may cause a scratch or a noise caused by an impact. Accordingly, the sheet is struck against a skew correction stopper that is moving at a speed slower than a sheet conveyance speed to execute skew correction.
US08459640B2
A transporting device includes steering rollers, a center roller which is disposed between the steering rollers and deflection-detecting sensors that are positioned downstream from the steering rollers. When a sheet of paper has a width which is narrower than a width of a reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by transporting the sheet of paper to a shift roller with the sheet of paper being nipped by the center roller and thrusting a forward end of the sheet of paper against a shift roller. When a sheet of paper has a width which exceeds the width of the reference sheet of paper, the positional deflection of the sheet of paper is corrected by rotating the steering rollers separately based on a detected result of the sensors with the sheet of paper being nipped by the steering rollers.
US08459639B2
A conveyor device includes conveyor unit to convey a sheet along a path, a holder disposed at a downstream end of the path and holding sheets discharged from the conveyor unit in a stack, and a pressing unit. The pressing unit moves between a first position and a third position via a second position, contacts an uppermost sheet in the stack, and rises in an upward direction that approaches the third position as the sheets in the stack increase. The conveyor device also includes an urging member that does not apply an urging force to the pressing unit when the pressing unit is positioned between the first position and the second position; and applies an urging force to the pressing unit to urge the pressing unit toward the first position when the pressing unit is positioned between the second position and the third position.
US08459633B2
Provided is a medium processing apparatus, which comprises a transfer roller unit and a guide roller unit. The transfer roller unit comprises a first rotation shaft and one or more transfer rollers coupled to the first rotation shaft. The guide roller unit receives power from the transfer roller unit, and comprises a second rotation shaft, a one-way clutch connected to the second rotation shaft, and a guide roller connected to the one-way clutch.
US08459627B2
A strip-shaped protrusion and a corresponding strip-shaped groove are respectively configured at a first holder and a second holder of an APR plate device, such that as an APR plate is clamped by the first holder and the second holder via their clamping surfaces, the strip-shaped protrusion and the strip-shaped groove further push and slightly deform the APR plate for enhancement of the clamping toward the APR plate, thereby preventing problems of buckling or tearing of the APR plate due to insufficient clamping force of the holders.
US08459612B2
A wire pulling grip easy and reliably grips wire for pulling the same through a conduit or the like. The grip has cams which maintain contact with the wire even when tension is not applied and regardless of the orientation of the grip, significantly reducing the likelihood that the connection with the wire is lost. The cams are selectively releasable to allow the wire to be easily removed from the grip.
US08459610B2
An assistance mechanism includes a base, a rotatable link, a lifting unit and a power unit which provides power to the lifting unit so that the lifting unit drives the rotatable link. A seat is connected to the rotatable link so that when the rotatable link is activated, the user sitting on the seat is transformed from a sit status into a stand status. This effectively assists the user who does not have sufficient muscle forces to stand up by the assistance mechanism.
US08459607B2
A control device includes an opening detector that detects the opening of a control valve driven by an electric actuator. A control element sets the target opening of the control valve, thereby to control the electric actuator in accordance with a deviation between the target opening and the detected opening. In the case where a predetermined necessary condition containing at least a condition for the absolute value of the deviation to be smaller than a predetermined value is satisfied, power to the electric actuator is interrupted to prevent the electric actuator from generating a driving force. This reduces situations where the driving force to be applied from the electric actuator to the control valve fluctuates finely to suppress the progress of the wear or deterioration of the components of the electric actuator.
US08459601B2
A trophy mount for displaying the skull and horn or antler of game animals comprising; a base with one or more holes in the base for attaching the base to a vertical surface, a wing that attaches to the base by means of an upper and lower hinge socket on the base that are able to receive an upper and lower wing joint from the wing with the sockets and joints sized to allow the wing to pivot with respect to the base which is secured to the vertical surface, a bracket that has one or more adjustment holes and a pivot hole, means for securing the bracket to the wing such that the bracket can be positioned at various angles with respect to the base, a center prong on the bracket that is sized to fit within a Foramen magnum of a vertebrate game animal, and a right and left side arm that are spaced, sized and positioned below and slightly in front of the center prong such that the right and left side arms fit into the condyloid fossa of a game animal's skull.
US08459596B2
A sky/space elevator vehicle for going from the surface of a planet or moon up into space and back again. The vehicle has a single fuselage comprising multiple floor sections including a top and bottom cone. The movement of the vehicle is controlled by helium filled envelops as well as a combined jet and rocket propulsion system.
US08459594B2
A device for selective emergency evacuation of persons from a first level to a second level situated above the first level, or to a third level situated below the first level. For evacuation to the second level a stair arrangement is provided. One end of the device is connected to the first level while the other end is displaceable between the second level and the third level or vice versa. For evacuation to the third level, the device is changeable to a slide. The device may provide for emergency evacuation of persons from a first level deck, or passenger deck of a blended wing-body aircraft, selectively to the top, second level of the aircraft, or to the bottom third level of the aircraft.
US08459588B2
A pylon for attaching a turbo-shaft aircraft engine designed to be laterally offset on a rear part of the aircraft structure, where the pylon possesses an aerodynamic profile which includes a leading edge, as well as a first hot air distribution channel passing along the leading edge in order to provide anti-icing, where this engine attachment pylon includes moreover a second hot air channel belonging to a system for supplying pressurized air to the aircraft. The second channel is housed inside the first channel.
US08459577B2
A valve assembly including an armature and a valve member that are coupled when the solenoid coil is de-energized but are decoupled after the solenoid coil is energized. A first spring biases the armature and the valve member to a closed valve seat position while a second spring having a smaller preload than the first spring biases the valve member to an open valve seat position. When the solenoid coil is energized, the magnetic force of the coil overcomes the force exerted by the first spring pulling the armature away from the valve member. The valve member moves to the open valve seat position by the force exerted by the second spring. When the coil is de-energized, the magnetic force decays, thereby allowing the armature and the valve member to re-couple.
US08459576B2
A dual fuel common rail fuel injector includes a first and second control valve assembly and a first and second check needle. The dual fuel injector is capable of selectively injecting two different fuels such as diesel and liquid natural gas. The first and second control valve assemblies operate using a single fuel, such as diesel, as the control medium. The dual fuel common rail injector further includes a hydraulic lock assembly.
US08459575B2
A fuel injector has an injector body and a control rod, which is movable in the injector body along an axis to control the opening/closing of a nozzle that injects fuel into a cylinder of the engine; the injector body houses a metering servovalve having a control chamber, which is axially delimited by the control rod and communicates with an inlet and with a discharge channel; the metering servovalve is provided with a shutter, which slides axially on an axial guide, from which the discharge channel exits, to open and close the discharge channel and, in consequence, vary the pressure in the control chamber; the discharge channel has at least two restrictions having calibrated passage sections and arranged in series with each other to divide the pressure drop along the discharge channel.
US08459565B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a two-dimensional code generating apparatus includes a two-dimensional code generating unit. The two-dimensional code generating unit that generates a two-dimensional code including a plurality of region symbols, a plurality of first pattern symbols, a plurality of second pattern symbols, and an information pattern. The region symbols represent a rectangular region in which one unit of the two-dimensional code is disposed, the rectangular region having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side.
US08459557B2
Method of and system for reading code symbols a dual-laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having the capacity to automatically select in a user-transparent manner, and activate either a near-field source of laser illumination, or a far-field source of laser illumination, using an automatic object presence detection subsystem in the near-field portion of the laser scanning field.
US08459554B2
A monitoring device may include a core cell including a detection circuit, and a radio frequency (RF) tag antenna configured to exchange data with a data acquisition reader device, and a single-tier corolla having sensor cells around the core cell and covering a monitoring area. The sensor cells may be configured to convert a change of a parameter at the cell location. The detection circuit may be configured to detect a change in the parameter and location based upon excitation by the reader device.
US08459543B2
The invention relates to a method for setting up a fluid treatment apparatus using a single, and always accessible, reader of information relating to replaceable components which are to be mounted on the apparatus to perform the fluid treatment. It is also disclosed a fluid treatment apparatus having the always accessible reader. The reader can also be relied on to enter information other that those relating to the replaceable components, such as commands for the apparatus, patients' related information, etcetera.
US08459542B2
When a customer places a special order that changes the content of a product or processing thereof (non-standard order information), a receipt printing processing method and system also produces a special order seal in connection with printing the sales receipt. The receipt printing processing system has a receipt printer and a label printer that is in communication with the receipt printer. When the system receives transaction processing data generated by a POS register used to take orders, a control unit determines if non-standard order information is contained in the transaction processing data. If so, the control unit controls the generation of seal printing data for printing a special order seal, along with controlling the processing of receipt data and the printing of the receipt.
US08459540B2
A method of processing a plurality of articles of value within a cash processing center comprising sorting a plurality of articles of value according to one or more predetermined criteria, recording data corresponding to the sorted articles of value, physically associating the sorted articles of value with a radio frequency identification device, and electronically associating the data corresponding to the sorted articles of value with data corresponding to the radio frequency identification device.
US08459537B2
Easy reclosing system for a container (1) of dry foodstuffs comprising a first flap (2) and a second flap (3) designed to overlap at least partially to obtain the closure of the container (1), where the first flap (2) has a first hooking edge (2a) extending longitudinally and having a substantially rectilinear external profile, while the second flap (3) has a second hooking edge (3a) whereon a tongue (4) is formed along the external profile by means of two lateral notches (5) at the sides of the tongue, defining a respective lateral portion (6); the profile of the tongue (4), of the notches (5) and of the lateral portions (6) lying along the external perimeter profile of the hooking edge (3a) of the same second flap (3), said tongue (4) being configured in such a way as to overlay a corresponding portion of the first hooking edge (2a) of the first flap (2) with said lateral portions (6) arranged below said first edge (2a), when the two flaps (2,3) lie substantially on the same plane, so as to obtain a reusable closure of the container.
US08459534B2
A carton for containing a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel. The reinforcement panel is in face-to-face contact with the top panel.
US08459529B2
A production method of composite silver nanoparticle including the steps of: arranging at least an alcohol solvent selected from alcohols with a carbon number of 1 to 12 composed of methanol, ethanol, propanol, buthanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octhanol, nonanol, decanol, undecanol and dodecanol; preparing an alcohol solution by mixing a silver salt into the alcohol solvent added more excessively than the mol number of the silver salt so as to become an excess alcohol solution; heating the excess alcohol solution in a reaction chamber at a generation temperature PT generating an aldehyde for a generation time; forming a silver core through reducing of the silver salt by the alcohol solvent and/or the aldehyde; and forming a composite silver nanoparticle having an organic coating layer originated from the alcohol solvent around the silver core.
US08459522B2
A medical instrument having a tool assembly attachable to a distal end of the medical instrument is disclosed. The tool assembly includes a pair of opposing tissue engaging surfaces for clamping tissue therebetween. The medical instrument also includes a housing having a fixed handle and a movable handle mounted to the housing and selectively movable relative to the fixed handle from a first position in spaced relation relative to the fixed handle to a second position closer to the fixed handle to actuate the clamping of tissue. The instrument further includes a selectively activatable drive assembly including a power source and a motor which is operatively coupled to the movable handle, wherein upon actuation the motor actuates the pair of opposing tissue engaging surfaces.
US08459516B2
An attachment mechanism is described for attaching accessories to a stake hole in the sidewall of a cargo area of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The mechanism comprises of a base plate with a grove formed in the top of the base plate having the shape of an inverted T. An attachment plate having a connector, also having the shape of an inverted T, is attached to the bottom surface of the attachment plate. An attachment such as a tie down ring, a tie down anchor, a flag pole or tent pole holder or the like is attached to the top surface of the attachment plate. The attachment plate can then be attached to the base plate by sliding the inverted T shaped connector into the inverted T shaped groove in the base plate. Another attachment mechanism is described which can be used to attach accessories to vehicles without stake holes or to other regions of a vehicle.
US08459515B1
A kit for use with a dolly cart comprising a worktable; a garbage receptacle holder comprising a ring component; a wagon; and a V-shaped support bar for rigidly attaching the worktable, the wagon, or the garbage receptacle holder to a frame of the dolly cart, the V-shaped support bar comprises a generally V-shaped bar having a first half, a second half, and a vertex, wherein mounting holes are disposed in the first half and the second half, the holes accommodate a bolt and a wing nut for tightening.
US08459514B2
An adjustable, collapsible garment hanging device, consisting of a body, a crossbar and two hanging arms. The arms may be telescopically extended to allow for hanging larger or multiple garments. The crossbar has a plurality of hooks for additional garment hanging. Further, the center body of the hanging device is equipped with a cedar ball for garment freshness and an upper and lower hook for hanging the assembly.
US08459508B2
A shroud includes a body portion having an opening adapted to receive one of at least two different containers. An upper portion of the body portion is adapted to interact with one of the at least two different containers.
US08459505B2
A locking access plug for a valve return spring for a beverage dispensing gun handle is disclosed. The locking access plug enables the compression and retention of the valve return spring and enables the retention of the locking access plug in the body of the handle until it is acted upon for the purpose of its removal; for example, for the servicing of the handle. A beverage dispensing gun having such a locking access plug can both keep a valve return spring in compression as well as interface with a sealing o-ring that seals between the locking access plug and the beverage dispensing gun handle.
US08459496B2
A machine particularly adapted for dispensing light items (19) packaged in symmetrical, frustum-shaped containers. The items are propelled through a tubular cartridge (3) by compressed air, and in the absence of any solid pushing, pulling or carrying device, then individually dispensed. A flow of compressed air generated by a blower (28) is s fed to the back of the cartridge. The items are dispensed under control of a toggling dual-gate mechanism (26, 27) at the front end of the cartridge. The dual-gate mechanism of a removable magazine (2) grouping a number of cartridges can be selectively addressed and activated by means of a solenoid-driven cross-bar assembly (38).
US08459495B2
A portable container (1) is proposed, with a container body (2) which has a top (4), facing upwards in a first container alignment. A movable carrying handle (5) provided on the container body (2) may be moved from a not-in-use position close to the container body (2) into a position of use, so that it may be used to carry the container in the first container alignment. Also formed on the top (4) is an immovable additional carrying handle (6) formed by a side wall of a recess (38) which has an engaging recess (54) in which the fingers of one hand may engage in order to carry the container (1) in a second container alignment with its top (4) oriented to the side.
US08459487B2
A securing assembly for fastening a container lid to an open topped container, the container having a pair of container fixture elements at opposed positions at the top of the container. The securing assembly is a strap having a pair of strap spans. One strap span extends between one of a pair of lid fixture elements and one buckle member. The other strap span extends between the other lid fixture element and another buckle member, the buckle members engageable to buckle the strap spans together. The container fixture elements engage with respective lid fixture elements for fixing the buckled strap spans so that the lid is held against the container top. A loop is attached to and extends from one anchor location on the first strap span to another anchor location on the second strap span, the loop position at the one anchor location being adjustable, so as to alter the length of the loop and to correspondingly alter the length of the first strap span.
US08459468B2
A separable cap (10) for a vacuum mug is taught which consists of a removable lid (20) having a graspable shaped outwardly extending lip (22) and a stopper body (34), having a bottom portion (36) which includes a central orifice (38). The removable lid is attached to the stopper body and a resilient diaphragm plug (56) is compressed between the lid and the stopper body. A stopper mug seal (68) is attached to the stopper body providing a liquid tight seal between the cap and the vacuum mug. A beverage filter (72) is removeably attached to the stopper body bottom portion permitting a beverage a media to be placed into the vacuum mug and hot water poured over the media, after steeping, a brewed beverage is formed. When the lid is removed the compressed diaphragm plug is released and returns to its original dished shape permitting the beverage to be sipped from the stopper body and the media residue strained with the filter.
US08459464B2
Apparatuses and methods are described for the discrimination of particles using sedimentation field-flow fractionation operating without the use of rotating seals. Multiple lines of fluid and electrical communication are provided through a centrifugation unit comprising a fishhook-shaped umbilical conduit traveling from a stationary frame through a rotating guide frame to the separation channel. Twisting and tangling of the umbilical conduit enclosed communication lines are prevented by rotating the guide frame and separation channel in the same direction about an axis at an angular velocity ratio of 1:2. The design eliminates maintenance problems associated with rotating seals, simplifies channel installation and adjustment, and enables the use of multiple channels and the simultaneous application of multiple modes of field-flow fractionation either in concert or in a two-dimensional format. The design also enables the injector and/or detector to be mounted contiguously with the separation channel on the centrifugal rotor.
US08459463B2
The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.
US08459462B2
Methods and apparatuses for efficient sorting of specimen include specimen containers, such as vials, positioned in container carriers, such as pucks. The specimen containers contain a specimen that is to be processed through, for example, one or more tests. The specimen containers contain an identifier for the specimen and the container carriers include an identifier, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The identifier of the specimen is associated with the identifier of the container carrier. The container carriers with the specimen containers are then sorted based on the identifier of the container carrier according to the desired processing of the specimen containers.
US08459450B1
A formula bottle includes two separate sealed chambers, a liquid chamber and a formula chamber. A first seal seals the two chambers from one another and a second seal seals the formula chamber from the nipple on the formula bottle. Rotation of the liquid chamber counterclockwise opens the seal between it and the formula chamber, allowing the formula powder and the liquid to mix. Shaking of the bottle causes the two components to mix completely. In order for the mixed formula to be dispensed to a feeding infant, a bottle collar, which secures the nipple to the formula bottle, is rotated counterclockwise to open the second seal to allow an infant to feed.
US08459445B2
A contact lens package includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a color component configured to provide a contamination detecting contrast to the substrate. Additionally, the color component provides a psychological message of cleanliness so as to reinforce compliance with good hygiene practices, or to provide a unique selling point for the finished product.
US08459435B2
An operation platform disposed on a substrate includes two guiding rail, two first driving devices, a carrying board and a second driving device. Each of the guiding rails includes a fixed bracket, a movable bracket and a plurality of rollers. The movable bracket received in the fixed bracket includes a pair of second sidewalls. Each second sidewall includes a plurality of bevels having a top portion and a bottom portion. The rollers positioned to the fixed bracket engage with the bevels to move perpendicularly to the substrate. The carrying board disposed on the guiding rails to support workpieces includes a plurality of supporting blocks. The first and second driving devices are used to drive the movable brackets and the carrying board respectively.
US08459425B2
A torque transmission unit which has a first centrifugal mass that can be non-rotatably associated with an internal combustion engine and a second centrifugal mass that is connected downstream of the first mass and can be associated with a transmission. The second centrifugal mass has a rotor of an electric machine for transmitting a torque that can be electrically generated to the second centrifugal mass and a centrifugal force pendulum for reducing torsional vibrations.
US08459409B2
Personal fall arrest systems, such as horizontal lifeline systems, are described in the present disclosure. Typically, posts are inserted in a structure to support a cable used in the horizontal lifeline systems. According to the implementations of post anchor extension described herein, the present disclosure describes a post anchor extension having a base component configured to be inserted within a foundation element of a structure in a fall hazard area of the structure. The post anchor extension also includes a post sleeve configured to be fixedly connected relative to the base component. The post sleeve is further configured to support a post of a horizontal lifeline system.
US08459408B2
A radiated sound reducing structure that reduces radiated sound generated in a pipe through which gas passes includes a first pipe and a second pipe that is arranged inside the first pipe and has, on an outer peripheral surface, a linear contact portion that is in linear contact with a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the first pipe. Also, a radiated sound reducing structure in a pipe through which gas passes includes a first pipe and a second pipe formed in a pseudo-cylindrical concave polyhedral shell that is arranged inside the first pipe and has, on an outer peripheral surface, a point contact portion, that is in point contact with a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first pipe.
US08459403B2
A front resonator for a speaker of a wireless device, comprising: an enclosure mounted over the speaker and forming with an upper surface of the speaker a front volume for the front resonator; and, a horizontal or approximately horizontal tube formed or mounted on a surface of the enclosure, the tube coupled to the front volume, and the tube having at least one end to emit sound generated by the speaker and passing through the front volume and tube from the wireless device.
US08459400B2
A force steer axle assembly is disclosed for providing redundant fail-safe steering control to an axle. The assembly includes a centering cylinder for maintaining the axle in a centered position and for steering the axle as directed. The assembly further includes a hydraulic control system for providing centering and steering actuation to the cylinder, and an electrical control system for receiving user input and controlling the hydraulic system.
US08459398B2
A wheel motor device applicable to a working vehicle including a driving power source, a hydraulic pump main body operatively driven by the driving source and a driving wheel, the wheel motor device comprising a hydraulic motor main body forming an HST in cooperation with the hydraulic pump main body, a motor shaft supporting the hydraulic motor main body in a relatively non-rotatable manner with respect thereto, an output member outputting toward the driving wheel the rotational power that has been operatively transmitted from the motor shaft, and a casing accommodating the hydraulic motor main body and supporting the motor shaft and the output member.
US08459395B2
A switching device of a driving power transmission system equipped in an off-road vehicle, including a switching lever configured to switch driving power transmission of the driving power transmission system, and a negative-pressure actuator module that is coupled to the switching lever and is configured to operate the switching lever.
US08459394B2
A rear wheel drive assist for an articulated machine such as a wheel tractor scraper, the machine including a first frame section having a first longitudinal axis, a second frame section with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second frame sections being pivotally connected to an articulation hitch, and an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation angle signal indicative of an articulation angle formed between the first and second longitudinal axes. The rear wheel drive assist includes a drive motor operatively connected to the rear wheel of the machine, and a controller configured to control operation of the rear wheel drive assist based upon the articulation angle signal.
US08459393B2
A rear rear-fender bracket integrally coupled to an upper portion and a lower portion of a rear rear-fender that is mounted to a rear portion of a vehicle body of a motorcycle, extending rearward and downward, and covering a rear wheel from upward and rearward, is provided to the rear rear-fender, and forms, with an internal surface of the rear rear-fender, a closed space having an inverted triangular shape when viewed from a vehicle side in which a space is gradually narrowed from an upper portion to a lower portion. Further, at the time of mounting, the rear rear-fender and the rear rear-fender bracket are coupled by being screwed together by rear winkers on sides of the vehicle (long holes). Further, a lower portion of the rear rear-fender and a lower portion of the rear rear-fender bracket are coupled by being screwed together by a license plate mounting bracket.
US08459389B2
A coolant flow control management system includes an integrated pump coolant flow control and heat exchange device for delivering engine coolant to and from the engine. According to the system, coolant flows from the engine and is delivered back to the engine after passing through various coolant branches while flow is regulated by a control valve part of said device, then passes through a heat exchanger part before being returned to the engine by a pump part. Systems of the invention are particularly useful with all-electric and hybrid vehicles.
US08459382B2
A bearing block is provided that may be used with a drag bit body or frame to limit depth of cut of cutters on a bit. The bearing block is designed so that it may be interchangeably replaced or repaired without necessitating alteration to a standardized bit frame. The interchangeable bearing block may be used to provide a target depth of cut (TDOC) and/or a selected contact or rubbing area to support weight on bit and limit depth of cut (DOC) for improving drilling performance of a bit. The interchangeable bearing block brings manufacturing selectability by providing a customizable product in terms of depth of cut selection and cutter penetration control for different formations, which is suitable for use with a common bit frame. A rotary drill bit assembly, a unitary cone insert bearing block for a drill bit, and a bit frame are also provided.
US08459381B2
Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.
US08459380B2
An article of manufacture includes a cemented carbide piece, and a joining phase that binds the cemented carbide piece into the article. The joining phase comprises a eutectic alloy material. The article of manufacture further includes a non-cemented carbide piece bound into the article of manufacture by the joining phase. An article of manufacture includes a fixed-cutter earth-boring bit body, a roller cone, and a part for an earth-boring bit.
US08459379B2
A method of reducing contact pressure between bearing surfaces of a well tool can include constructing a structure which supports one bearing surface in contact with the other bearing surface, and reducing contact pressure between the bearing surfaces by relieving strain energy in the structure. A well tool can include one bearing surface which contacts another bearing surface. There is a transition between contact and lack of contact between the bearing surfaces. A structure supporting one of the bearing surfaces can have a reduced stiffness, whereby a contact pressure between the bearing surfaces is reduced at the transition. The bearing surfaces can be formed on a thrust bearing, plain bearing, or other type of bearing between components of the well tool.
US08459373B2
A modified power tool which includes a housing, a motive source disposed at least partially within the housing, a rigid and curved extension extending from the housing, a flexible shaft extending through the extension, and a connector assembly which includes a shaft and a connector extending from the shaft.
US08459370B2
A sprinkler assembly can utilize an adapter having straight threads and an internal sealing member therein to attach the sprinkler to a piping system. The sprinkler may include tapering threads that engage with the straight threads of the adapter and compress the sealing member therein to form a fluid-tight seal. A sprinkler assembly can utilize a fitting that is attached to an extension member containing the sprinkler. The fitting allows the sprinkler and extension member to be coupled to the piping system with a solvent weld. A sprinkler assembly can utilize an attachment system to couple a sprinkler attached to an extension member to a piping system. The attachment system can include a first fitting attached to the connection member, a second fitting attached to the piping system, and a clamping member to clamp the two fittings together.
US08459368B2
A system comprising a carbon disulfide formulation storage; a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation; and a mechanism for creating a pulse in the carbon disulfide formulation in the formation.
US08459367B2
An apparatus and assembly create a seal in a wellbore around a cable or line. The assembly includes a longitudinal body and a swellable portion which comprises a material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The swellable portion has a formation open to the longitudinal surface of the body which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. The insert may partly or fully enclose or encapsulate the cable or line. a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.
US08459366B2
A swellable packer can include a material which swells when contacted with a swelling fluid, and a barrier comprising a highly crystalline polymer which is substantially impermeable to the swelling fluid. A method of controlling swelling of a material can include positioning the material and a barrier in a well, the barrier preventing contact between the material and a swelling fluid, the barrier comprising a polymer, and increasing a permeability of the barrier to the swelling fluid in response to the barrier polymer being heated to its crystallization temperature. A well system can include a material which swells in response to contact with a hydrocarbon gas, and a barrier which comprises a crystalline polymer, the polymer being substantially impermeable to the hydrocarbon gas, whereby the polymer initially prevents swelling of the material, but the polymer becomes increasingly permeable to the hydrocarbon gas when heated to its crystallization temperature.
US08459363B2
A control mechanism for use with a safety valve adapted to seal a wellbore is described. The control mechanism comprises at least one valve actuator for engaging with the safety valve, the at least one actuator being moveable, in use, between a valve open position in which the safety valve is open and a valve closed position, in which the safety valve is closed. The control mechanism further comprises biasing apparatus adapted to bias the at least one valve actuator to the valve closed position, wherein, in use, the at least one valve actuator extends from the safety valve up to a wellbore wellhead. In one described embodiment, the safety valve is moved between the open and closed positions by movement of the at least one valve actuator with respect to the wellbore.
US08459358B2
The present disclosure is directed to a cutting dart. The cutting dart comprises a dart body including a first pathway. The first pathway is configured to redirect cutting fluid flowing through a coiled tubing so that the cutting fluid flows radially to impinge against an inner surface of the coiled tubing. A seal is positioned around an outer circumference of the dart body. The present disclosure is also directed to an anchor dart. The anchor dart comprises a dart body and a swellable elastomer positioned around an outer circumference of the dart body. Methods of employing the cutting dart and anchor dart are also disclosed.
US08459352B1
Selective placement of conformance treatments in multi-zone well completions. A method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into a zone and optimizing a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid produced from the zone, including adjusting at least one flow control device between fully open and fully closed configurations. Another method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into multiple zones, one at a time, via respective flow control devices, and then producing fluid from each of the zones. Another method includes identifying which of the zones to treat by, for each of the zones: a) closing flow control devices corresponding to the other zones, and b) evaluating fluid produced from the zone; and injecting a conformance treatment into the zones identified as the zones to treat.
US08459351B2
The method and apparatus for producing shock waves in a well wherein a device connected to the bottom of the tubing string in the borehole of the well filled by liquid and containing the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within corresponding cylinders for compressing a liquid inside the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into the borehole on upstroke thereby generating a shock wave. In addition, providing an exit of the lower plunger out of the lower cylinder at the top of upstroke of pumping unit on the distance λ determined by the following formulae: λ ≥ ( D 1 2 - D 2 2 ) A sw H Ed r 2 , where D1 and D2 are the outside diameters of the lower and upper plungers, Asw is the amplitude of generated shock wave, H is a depth of the lower plunger at the top of upstroke, E is modulus of elasticity of the sucker rod's material, dr is the diameter of sucker rods.
US08459349B2
The invention relates to treating of subterranean formations to increase the susceptibility (by way of chemical break down or solubilization, but not necessarily limited by these or any other theories) of large carbonaceous molecules therein, such as comprise coal, to bioconversion into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products by indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia, by introducing into the subterranean formations: (a) a solution containing at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a thioacid ester of phosphorus; and (b) one or more other chemical compounds/chemical entities selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, carboxylic acids, esters of carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, oxoacids of phosphorus, salts of oxoacids of phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, mineral salts, metals, and yeast extracts. In an additional embodiment the treating of the subterranean formation further comprises introducing into the subterranean formation a microbial consortia (preferably comprised of methanogens).
US08459347B2
A subterranean well tool seals along a section of a wall of the well and is carried on a conduit into the well. A plurality of anchoring elements and seals are provided for respective anchoring and sealing engagement along the wall of the well in concert and substantially concurrently with one another when the tool is shifted to the set position. When the well tool moves to the set position, a portion of the mandrel separates and is retrieved from the well bore, allowing the well tool to be reduced in overall length. The anchoring elements are sandwiched in between first and second, or upper and lower, sets of seals.
US08459344B1
An internal bidirectional tubing plug is adapted for insertion into a tubing string for sealing the tubing string internally while running the tubing into a fluid filled well. The tubing plug is comprised of a body having an inner surface with a recess; the recess holds petals and a keystone petal that are held by a cork that is held by a nut. At depth the tubing is filled with well fluid and the tubing plug is released at a predetermined hydraulic pressure, and the pieces are pumped to bottom or the pieces are circulated out of the well.
US08459342B2
A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples of a pair are staggered or offset, longitudinally with respect to each other such that a restrictive passage is defined between each pair of offset dimples. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the depth to which the dimples project into the tube and the longitudinal spacing between the dimples that comprise the pair. Adjacent pairs of dimples may be rotated 90° with respect to each other or alternately can be arranged in a helix pattern.
US08459341B2
An exemplary heat pipe includes an elongated casing, a wick, an artery mesh, and working medium filled in the casing. The casing includes an evaporating section and a condensing section. The wick is disposed within an inner wall of the evaporating section of the casing. The artery mesh includes a large portion, and a small portion with an outer diameter smaller than that of the large portion. The small portion is located within and in direct physical contact with an inner surface of the wick. The large portion is in direct physical contact with an inner wall of the condensing section of the casing. The working medium saturates the wick and the artery mesh.
US08459339B2
A heat pipe includes a tube body and a sealing member. The tube body is made of titanium and has a sealed end and an open end at two opposite ends of the tube body. The sealing member is attached to the open end and seals the open end of the tube body. The sealing member is made of a material selected from one of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, low-carbon steel, iron, nickel, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, rhenium and columbium. The sealing member seals the open end.
US08459332B1
An outer panel mold and method of constructing a piston and forming an undercut cooling gallery of a piston therewith is provided. The outer panel mold is operably attachable to a conventional piston mold machine. The outer panel mold has a pair of gudgeon core members and a pair of gudgeon guide blocks. The gudgeon core members are moveable toward and away from one another along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of a piston. Each of the gudgeon guide blocks have an opening receiving a separate one of the gudgeon core members. A pair of outer panels are moveable into a closed position between the pair of gudgeon guide blocks to form an undercut cooling gallery of the piston and an open position to allow extraction of the piston vertically along the longitudinal central axis in response to movement of the gudgeon guide blocks.
US08459329B2
A system positioning a flexible partition at a desired vertical position includes an elongated cylinder extending across the entire partition, connected to the partition to divide the partition into upper and lower portions. An outer bearing is fixed to an outside surface of a first end of the elongated cylinder. A proximal end of an arm is coupled to the outer bearing outer surface, the outer bearing permitting rotation of the elongated cylinder with respect to the arm. A counterweight is fixed to a distal end of the arm, to inhibit movement of the arm during any rotation of the elongated cylinder. A rotor portion of a motor is coupled to the elongated cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and a bracket is fixed to stator portion of the motor and to the arm proximal end to inhibit rotation of the stator during any rotation of the elongated cylinder.
US08459326B2
An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. Each closed cell structure includes a front face and a separate back face. The front face and the back face are offset from one another in relation to a vertical axis. In one embodiment, for instance, the front face of a higher cell is connected to both the front face and back face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is only connected to the back face of the lower cell. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of a higher cell is only connected to the front face of a lower cell, while the back face of the higher cell is connected to both the front face and the back face of the lower cell. The above configuration can increase strength and dimensional stability of the interconnected cells.
US08459323B2
The flat bed embossing machine with a foil web guiding device (2) for a plurality of foil webs (6), which are conducted over a tool plate (3), for every foil web ahead of the tool plate comprises an individual, adjustable web guide (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) as foil tensioning devices. The web guides comprise suction openings (14), connected with controllable negative pressure sources (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) for the independent setting of negative pressure (pi) on each individual web guide. To every foil web (6i) a print mark sensor (15i) and settable lateral guiding elements (30) on low-friction deflecting elements (31, 32) are assigned. So that every foil web (6i) can be optimally set for the print marks in drawing direction X and in transverse direction Y.
US08459319B2
This invention relates to a pneumatic tire with an outer, running surface containing, circumferential tread comprised of a styrene/butadiene (SBR) rich rubber composition containing two SBR's with spaced apart glass transition temperatures (Tg's), one of which is a functionalized SBR with a functional group reactive with hydroxyl groups on a precipitated silica, together with a combination of at least three resins with spaced apart softening points. The filler reinforcement is a combination of precipitated silica and specialized rubber reinforcing carbon black.
US08459318B2
An apparatus for cutting dado cuts in a board includes a first base member that includes an adjustment for surrounding a fence. A pair of rods extend away from the first base member and are attached to a first rail. A second base member includes a pair of spaced apart holes through which each of the pair of rods passes. A locking lever is used to secure the second base member in position relative to the pair of rods. The second base member is mounted over the rods in either of two ways. Each side of the second base member provides an indication as to where and edge of the dado cut will occur in a board. The width of the dado cut is readily adjustable by urging the second member into the desired position and by actuating the locking lever.
US08459312B2
An adapter to be pressed into the neck of a bottle to receive a syringe for accessing the bottle contents by a syringe. The adapter has a distal end that extends into the bottle and a normally closed valve located at that distal end to prevent the contents from leaking out of the bottle if the bottle is inverted. An upper flange of the adapter seats against the top of the bottle and is recessed into the top of the bottle to prevent easy access to pry the adapter out of the bottle. A cap is also disclosed that is adapted to be pressed into the neck of a bottle. The cap has an upper lid that is hinged to a lower body to allow the upper hinge to move between a closed position sealing the bottle and an open position where the bottle is accessible by a syringe.
US08459311B2
A storage and dispensing system for viscous fluids using a single aerosol container having a multi-valve body wherein the valves are activated by a single actuator and viscous materials are kept separate until used. The system may use multiple collapsible bags, a barrier liner, a dip tube, and an omnidirectional valve. Novel mounting cups lacking conventional central pedestal portions are disclosed. New domes for containers are disclosed which eliminate the need for mounting cups. New static mixing devices are disclosed. The devices are made up of static mixing components and static dispensing components. New filling machines for aerosol containers are disclosed. The filling machines contain a plurality of conduits for the separate viscous materials. Filling heads having nozzles depress the actuators of the containers and fill the containers.
US08459309B2
There is provided herein a woven sailcloth having a weight of at least about 6 and comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having a 1% warp of at least about 80 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 13, wherein the fill yarns are pre-crimped, and wherein the warp yarns and the fill yarns are weaved in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1. There is also provided herein sails made from the sailcloth and a method for making the sail.
US08459302B2
A multiport rotary valve apparatus for directing fluid streams which has two circular stationary heads and two circular rotating heads. The first stationary head has at least two and preferably more primary ports for connection with fluid streams and a corresponding number of secondary ports for connection to fluid-solid contacting chambers. The second stationary head has the same number of primary ports as the first stationary head (at least two and preferably more) for connection with the fluid streams and the same number of secondary ports for a second connection to the fluid-solid contacting chambers. Each stationary head includes internal conduits for the connection of the primary and secondary ports to a rotating head.
US08459299B2
A fluid control apparatus includes a fluid system, a pump and valve array, which selectively provides a pressure or a vacuum of various degrees, and an intermediate bin, which is connected between the pump and valve array and the fluid system, the intermediate bin including a reservoir unit, which stores a fluid discharged from the fluid system.
US08459293B2
Semiconductor manufacturing tools with chemical delivery systems, such as precursor distribution system, use reservoir assemblies as part of a distribution system. One reservoir assembly includes: a canister comprising at least one sidewall, a top, and a bottom encompassing an interior volume therein; an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior volume; an inlet valve for controlling fluid communication between the inlet port and the interior volume; and an outlet valve for controlling fluid communication between the outlet port and the interior volume, wherein at least one of the inlet valve or the outlet valve comprises a dual-function hybrid valve.
US08459291B2
To prevent loss of control of a pressure of a source gas within a movable range of a control valve, a source gas concentration control system is provided. The system may include a first valve that is provided on an outlet line, a concentration measurement part that measures a concentration of the source gas in mixed gas, and a concentration control part that controls a stroke of the first valve such that the measured concentration of the source gas becomes equal to a predetermined concentration setting. The measured concentration may be measured in the concentration measurement part. The system may further include a temperature controller that controls a temperature inside the tank to meet a temperature setting, and a temperature setting part that sets the temperature setting of the temperature controller.
US08459287B1
Trim tube sleeved joining component for use in enclosing a service pipe and establishing sealable fluid communication therewith a supply line. A joining component such as a compression fitting allows sealable junction of the service pipe with the supply line when fitted thereon, and a trim tube is mechanically affixed to the joining component and formed to allow placement radially outside of the service pipe as a sleeve. A high speed fitting of a trim tube results without need for soldering the trim tube to the service pipe.
US08459283B2
This invention is related to the preparation of polyethylene pipe resins suitable for transporting hot and cold water containing chlorine dioxide.
US08459279B1
A spray nozzle tip adapter for cleaning a paint spray nozzle includes a rigid body member having an inlet port having annular sealing surfaces on one side, an exit port having annular sealing surfaces on another side and a passage connecting the inlet port and the exit port. The inlet port is shaped and sized to frictionally engage in a sealed relationship differently sized dispensing tubes of pressurized liquid solvent cans, and the exit port is shaped and sized to frictionally engage and retain a tubular inlet of a spray paint nozzle in a sealed relationship. The passage is shaped and sized to control a sealed flow of liquid to the nozzle and has a tapered region connected to the exit port to frictionally engage and retain a tubular inlet of a spray paint nozzle in a sealed relationship.
US08459278B2
A dishwashing machine is provided. The dishwashing machine includes a washing container, at least one device for washing crockery using a washing solution, a heating device, and a sorption drying device communicated with the washing container for the passage of air between the sorption drying device and the washing container. The sorption drying device contains reversibly dehydratable material that operates to withdraw moisture from air during the passage of the air through the sorption drying device. The sorption drying device is housed in a housing and has air passing from the washing container into the sorption drying device via an air inlet and thereafter flowing along a flow path through the sorption drying device and eventually exiting the sorption drying device via an air outlet. The heating device is located upstream of the air inlet relative to the flow of air through the sorption drying device.
US08459277B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.
US08459275B2
The in situ cleaning system provides an inlet capable of providing feed water to an in situ cleaning component, one or more in situ cleaning components, including water treatment components, an oxidizing agent generating component and/or alkalinity generating component, and an outlet in fluid communication with a washing system, providing a cleaning use solution to the washing system.
US08459271B2
A non-combustion type flavor suction article includes a capsule enclosing a liquid flavor in a shell, leak-protection members sandwiching the capsule, a wrapping material made of a flavor-impermeable and heat-conducting material and wrapped around the capsule and the leak-protection members, and a mouthpiece connected to an end of the wrapping material.
US08459269B2
A side heat bowl for use with a hookah comprising a first receptacle having an interior portion capable of holding a first material to be smoked and a second receptacle having an interior portion capable of holding a second material for providing a heat source for heating the first predetermined material. At least a portion of the sidewall portion of the second receptacle surrounds at least a portion of the sidewall portion of the first receptacle. A plurality of apertures extending through the sidewall of the first receptacle is provided for transferring heat from the heat source to the material to be smoked. At least one aperture is disposed on the bottom portion of the first receptacle for providing fluid communication between the first predetermined material and the hookah.
US08459267B2
An improved mouthguard provides shock absorption for the jaw, teeth, and head to reduce the risk of injury when a user encounters a blow to the jaw. The improved mouthguard may comprise a generally U-shaped body having upwardly extending flanges which surround the arch of a user's teeth. An anterior section of the U-shaped body may have padding integrated therein to protect the front teeth. Posterior sections of the U-shaped body may have a thickened portion having one or more adjacent perforations or openings to increase shock absorption. The improved mouthguard may also have an inner layer of material configured to form impressions of the user's teeth to provide a custom fitting mouthguard. The inner layer and U-shaped body may be formed with a similar or the same curing process such that the inner layer and U-shaped body are permanently bonded together as the inner layer sets.
US08459254B1
A nasal dilator holds air passages within the nose of a person wearing the dilator by pulling outward on a pair of adhesive attachment pads attached to the person's cheeks at each side of his nose. In one version of the dilator, the pads are attached to opposite ends of a strap extending around the back of the person's head. In another version of the dilator, the pads are attached by straps to clamps, which are in turn attached to the sidepieces of eyeglasses also worn by the person.
US08459243B2
Methods systems and device for detecting humidity in air through use of an ammonia sensor included in the exhaust of an engine, such as a diesel engine are provided. In one example, a method for an engine having an exhaust with an ammonia sensor includes adjusting an operating parameter in response to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on a first ammonia sensor reading at a first exhaust air-fuel-ratio and a second ammonia sensor reading at a second exhaust air-fuel-ratio.
US08459240B2
A canister for vehicles provided with an activated carbon to absorb an evaporation gas evaporated from a fuel tank, and releasing the absorbed evaporation gas to an engine, may include a housing to receive the activated carbon; an evaporation gas supply passage formed to the housing and fluid-connected to the fuel tank; an air passage formed to the housing and selectively receiving an air from the exterior of the housing; and a purge passage formed to the housing and fluid-connected to a purge line to supply the evaporation gas to the engine according to a flow of the received air, wherein the purge passage is provided with a first purge passage formed to the housing and directly fluid-connecting the housing to the purge line and a second purge passage formed to the housing and having an end portion positioned inside the first purge passage or the purge line.
US08459239B2
A compact intake device for a multicylinder engine includes fuel injection valves, vacuum conduits, and purge conduits compactly disposed on throttle bodies. First and second connecting tubes are disposed on a plurality of throttle bodies of a multicylinder engine and are open into intake passages in the throttle bodies substantially perpendicularly to the axes of the intake passages. The first and second connecting tubes are disposed in sandwiching relation to fuel injection valves. Purge conduits are connected to the first connecting tubes, and vacuum conduits are connected to the second connecting tubes.
US08459238B2
A fuel delivery system for a fuel burning engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is provided. As one example, the method includes separating a first fuel and a second fuel from a fuel vapor on-board the vehicle, said fuel vapor including at least an alcohol component and a hydrocarbon component and said first fuel including a higher concentration of the alcohol component than the fuel vapor and the second fuel; condensing the separated first fuel from a vapor phase to a liquid phase; delivering the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel to the engine; and combusting at least the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel at the engine.
US08459235B2
A marine fuel delivery system and method of construction thereof provides at least one of a fuel filter housing and a fuel vapor separator housing with a lower support cap extending laterally therefrom, with the lower support cap being formed as a single piece of plastic material with the fuel filter housing and/or fuel vapor separator housing. In addition, the system includes a heat shield extending upwardly from the lower support cap. The fuel filter housing and/or fuel vapor separator housing; the lower support cap and the heat shield are constructed as a monolithic piece of thermoset plastic that does not melt when directly exposed to a 650° C. flame for 2½ minutes.
US08459233B2
A method for operating at least one injector of an internal combustion engine, in which a voltage applied to the injector is varied, and a rotational speed pattern of the internal combustion engine is ascertained as a function of the voltage, a setpoint voltage, suitable for operating the at least one injector, corresponding to that varied applied voltage for which a peak arises in a spectrum of the rotational speed pattern.
US08459215B2
A regulatable coolant pump for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine having a pump housing with a hollow pump shaft with an impeller. Rotation of the impeller moves coolant. An axially displaceable guide disk on the impeller controls a pump displacement volume and works via an actuating mechanism. The guide disk is rigidly connected to a connecting rod guided in the pump shaft. The actuating mechanism includes a displacement pump integrated in the coolant pump, and an actuator formed as a piston-cylinder unit with a pressure chamber in the pump housing that has a circular annular shape positioned to coincide with an outer region of the guide disk. A piston that works together with the guide disk is guided in linearly displaceable fashion in the pressure chamber. A coolant flow of the displacement pump controlled by a control valve charges the pressure chamber to displace the piston.
US08459211B2
A garment to reduce an animal's anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof. The garment may include a central portion, flaps extending from opposite sides of the central portion, and, in some cases, a cinching member that extends from a central area of the central portion. The flaps may be fastened together around the chest and stomach of the animal, and the cinching member may be fastened to the central portion or one or more flaps to tighten the garment further, applying pressure to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, or over-excitement. Straps may be provided to secure the garment to the animal's neck. One material that may be used in making the garment is a fabric made of 55% cotton, 35% polyester, and 10% spandex. The animal may generally be any animal with four legs, for example, a dog or cat, or two arms and two legs, for example, a monkey.
US08459209B1
A pet drying towel includes: a first, ring-shaped, absorbent surface including an inner circumference and a concentric outer circumference, wherein the first absorbent surface faces a first direction and the length of the first absorbent surface between the inner circumference and the outer circumference is generally sized to span the length of the pet from the pet's front shoulders through the pet's hindquarters; and a second, ring-shaped, absorbent surface including an inner circumference and a concentric outer circumference, wherein the second absorbent surface faces a second direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the inner circumference of the first absorbent surface and the inner circumference of the second absorbent surface form an inner circumference of the towel; further wherein the inner circumference of the towel forms a central circular opening sized to allow the pet's head to pass through, but not to allow the pet's front shoulders to pass though.
US08459207B2
An animal feeding apparatus that comprises an outside body that is made of a durable material and an inside unit attached to the outside body but located inside of it. The inside unit is made of disposable material. The outside body has grooves at the bottom. The inside unit has notches at the bottom wherein those notches fit into grooves to prevent inside unit from moving while animal is eating from the feeding apparatus. The apparatus of this invention solves the hygiene issue and does not require continuous cleaning.
US08459203B2
A coating powder feed method, coating powder feeding device, electrostatic powder spraycoating apparatus containing such a coating powder feeding device. The invention includes a dense phase powder pump fitted with at least one feed chamber. A control signal to create a partial vacuum in the feed chamber is generated no earlier than simultaneously with, preferably by a predetermined delay time after, a control signal opening a powder intake valve of the feed chamber, as a result of which the beginning of partial vacuum buildup in the feed chamber shall take place no earlier than simultaneously with the initial opening of the powder intake valve or by a defined time delay after the opening of the powder intake valve.
US08459193B2
The device comprises: an inner chamber (56) which has an upper aperture or mouth (36) and is delimited by a lateral wall (20) and by a base wall (19), and which is intended to contain a primary fuel to be subjected to gasification and/or pyrolysis or vaporization to generate combustible gases; an outer chamber (58) delimited by an outer lateral wall (22) positioned coaxially with the outside of the lateral wall (20) of the inner chamber (56), by a base wall (14) which is located under the base wall (19) of the combustion chamber (56) and which has at least one aperture (28) communicating with the external environment, and by a top wall which unites the outer (22) and inner (20) lateral walls, in such a way that the outer chamber (58) comprises a lower portion positioned under the inner chamber (56) and an upper annular portion (59) which surrounds the inner chamber (56); a plurality of circumferentially staggered lower passages (50) through which the base of the inner chamber (56) communicates with the surrounding annular portion (59) of the outer chamber (58); and a plurality of circumferentially staggered upper passages (39) through which the top of the annular portion (59) of the outer chamber (58) communicates with the top of the inner chamber (56).
US08459188B2
A magnetic levitation railway is described which comprises a guideway, at least one magnetic levitation vehicle and a device for contactless, inductive transmission of electrical energy from said guideway to said vehicle. According to the invention the device comprises at least two receiver coils (27a, 27b) being formed by conductor windings and mounted on the vehicle and at least one primary conductor extending in the longitudinal direction of the guideway and being connected to a high-frequency alternating voltage source. The two receiver coils (27a, 27b) are assigned either jointly to the same primary conductor or individually to one of two primary conductors each (FIG. 4).
US08459187B2
A gas generator includes a housing having a gas discharge port, a combustion chamber cup member disposed, in the housing, such that an opening portion thereof covers a bottom surface of the housing, the combustion chamber cup member having a communication hole at least a portion of its peripheral wall surface thereof, a metallic cover member covering the peripheral wall surface provided with the communication hole, and a combustion chamber being formed inside the combustion chamber cup member and accommodating a gas generating agent and an igniter therein, at the time of activation, the cover member expanding and deforming mainly in the radial direction to form a gap between the peripheral wall surface of the combustion cup member and the metallic cover member, which serves as a gas channel leading to the combustion chamber and the outside of the combustion chamber.
US08459184B2
A micro-machined or micro-engraved safety and arming device for a pyrotechnic train of a projectile to which an axial spin motion is imparted during firing, the device includes a shutter to interrupt the pyrotechnic and being held immobile by at least two locks, a first lock or axial acceleration lock that is released further to the application of the acceleration during firing and a second lock that is a centrifugal lock released further to the spinning of the projectile.
US08459176B2
An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode.
US08459174B2
The disclosure provides a rod-less cylinder, device adapted to longitudinally displace loads, said device comprising a shaft, a nut confined to move longitudinally within the shaft, a slider circumscribing said shaft and coupled to said nut, a drive adapted to displace said nut within said shaft, and a sensing means adapted to affect a signal sent via wireless means towards said drive.
US08459170B2
A vehicle provided with a revolving turret includes an armor-plated cockpit (2), a system for the motion of the central revolving turret (4) upon which a main armament (5) can be mounted. The turret is connected to the armor-plated cockpit of the vehicle of a circumferential fifth-wheel (8) which allows the revolving of the turret around a substantially vertical axis which passes through the center of the fifth-wheel. The base (9) of the turret presents a hatch (10) for communication between the interior of the turret and the interior of the cockpit (2) of the vehicle.
US08459168B2
Provided is a semi-fabricated armor layer for use in the production of an armor panel configured to protect a body from an incoming projectile, including a carrier and a plurality of armor elements. Each armor element has front and rear end surfaces and a side surface extending therebetween along a height axis of the element. The carrier is flexible and each of a majority of the armor elements is bonded to the carrier at one of its end surfaces and is free of bonding to adjacent armor elements at its side surface. When the carrier has a planar orientation, at least a majority of the armor elements has their height axes essentially parallel to each other and, when the carrier is at least slightly bent, the height axis of at least one of the elements is inclined relative to the height axis of another of the armor elements adjacent thereto.
US08459165B2
Breech guides for use with breech assemblies and firearms including such breech guides are disclosed. An example breech guide for use with a breech assembly of a firearm includes a support element positioned within the breech assembly and a control element on the support element, the control element is adapted to control a cartridge-feeder mechanism of the firearm. The example breech guide includes a guide element on the support element. The guide element is adapted to guide the breech assembly relative to guide rails of the firearm. The support element extends along an axis of symmetry substantially perpendicular to a bore axis. The control element and the guide element being substantially coaxially positioned relative to the axis of symmetry.
US08459158B2
A miter saw with a cutting alignment device includes a base with a work surface provided thereon. A bevel support is pivotable with respect to the base and a cutting blade is supported by the bevel support. A dust chute is adjustably secured to the bevel support and pivots with respect to the base when the bevel support pivots. The dust chute includes mounts that allow lateral adjustment of the dust chute with respect to the bevel support. A laser alignment device is positioned on the dust chute and configured to emit a beam of light toward the work surface. The dust chute includes a receptacle designed and dimensioned to releasably hold the laser alignment device. Because the laser alignment device is retained on the dust chute, adjustment of the dust chute also results in adjustment of a beam of light emitted from the laser alignment device.
US08459132B2
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface during a casting process. The systems and methods enable determination of the location of a solid-liquid interface during the casting process.
US08459128B2
The present invention relates to high sensitivity elastic deflection sensors, more particularly related to capacitively coupled FET based elastic deflection sensors. A sub-threshold elastic deflection FET sensor for sensing pressure/force comprises an elastic member forming a moving gate of the sensor, fixed dielectric on substrate of the FET, and a fluid dielectric between the elastic member and the fixed dielectric, wherein alteration in the height of the fluid dielectric (TSENS) due to pressure/force on the elastic member varies the sensor gate capacitance.
US08459124B2
A general pressure sensor for an automobile comprising a sensor shell, a silicon piezoresistive sensitive core, a sensor core seat, a signal conditioning circuit, and an automobile electric device interface is disclosed. The silicon piezoresistive sensitive core, the sensor core seat and the signal conditioning circuit are disposed in the inner cavity of the sensor housing. The sensor housing is installed to the automobile electric device interface, and the silicon piezoresistive sensitive core comprises a silicon piezoresistive sensitive element and a glass ring sheet. The silicon piezoresistive sensitive element is welded and fixed to a surface of the glass ring sheet. An insulation oxidation layer is formed on one surface of the glass ring sheet and the silicon piezoresistive sensitive element. The other surface of the glass ring sheet is hermetically fixed to the ring-shape recession surface provided on the sensor core seat. The sensor core seat is hermetically and rotationally fixed to a pressure inlet on the sensor housing, after the inner lead wire on the silicon piezoresistive sensitive core is led to an interposing board provided on one end of the central hole through the other end of the central hole on the ring-shape recession surface of the sensor core seat, and then is led out by the automobile electric device interface via the signal conditioning circuit.
US08459122B2
Ultrasonic waveguides having improved velocity gain are disclosed for use in ultrasonic medical devices. Specifically, the ultrasonic waveguides comprises a first material having a higher acoustic impedance and a second material having a lower acoustic impedance.
US08459120B2
A method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of one or more parts, in which one or more parts to be inspected are transferred from a parts carrier to a scan nest that is located in the scanning station. The parts are restrained in the scan nest and then scanned. A pick and place mechanism is used to transfer the parts to be inspected between the parts carrier the scan nest. The inspection path may be altered if a missing part is detected. In one embodiment, a first gas flow port located on the pick and place mechanism or on the transducer holder is used to blow ultrasonic coupling fluid from the front surface of the parts in the scan nest after they have been scanned. In a further embodiment, two or more scan nests are used for parallel operation.
US08459117B2
A method and an encoder are adapted to determine one or more parameters, each parameter being related to a type of vibration for the encoder. The encoder is mounted on an axis and arranged to detect rotary movement of the axis.
US08459116B2
A physical quantity sensor includes an anchor portion, a movable portion displaceable in a height direction, a supporting portion rotatably connected to the anchor portion and the movable portion, and a detection portion. The supporting portion includes a first connection arm connecting the anchor portion and the movable portion to each other and a leg portion extending from the anchor portion in a direction opposite to the first connection arm, the leg portion being displaced in a direction opposite to a displacement direction of the movable portion when the supporting portion rotates. A stopper surface is disposed at a position to which a distal end portion of the leg portion is contactable when the leg portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the displacement direction of the movable portion. Displacement of the movable portion is restricted when the distal end portion of the leg portion contacts the stopper surface.
US08459113B2
Canister-shaped magnetic reinforcing elements 31, 32 made of a ferromagnetic material having a Curie temperature higher than magnetic yokes 11, 12 are provided inside the magnetic yokes 11, 12. The inner periphery 31a, 32a of an opening in each of the magnetic reinforcing elements 31, 32 is opposed to the outer periphery 51a, 52a of each of pole piece tops 51, 52. A torquer coil 61, 62 is located between the inner periphery 31a, 32a of the opening in each of the magnetic reinforcing elements 31, 32 and the outer periphery 51a, 52a of each pole piece top 51, 52. The magnetic reinforcing elements 31, 32 provided inside the magnetic yokes 11, 12 form independent magnetic circuits. Since the magnetic reinforcing elements 31, 32 have a Curie temperature higher than the magnetic yokes 11, 12, a high accuracy of acceleration measurement in a high-temperature range can be achieved.
US08459111B1
An angular rate sensor having two generally planar proof masses, a sense axis in the plane of the masses, and an input axis perpendicular to the sense axis. The masses are suspended from a driving frame, which is mounted for torsional movement about the input axis in drive-mode. And the masses are constrained for anti-phase movement along the sense axis in sense-mode in response to Coriolis forces produced by rotation of the masses about the input axis, with sensors responsive to the anti-phase movement of the masses along the sense axis for monitoring rate of rotation.
US08459095B2
A phantom for a quantitative ultrasound device is provided. The phantom includes a hollow casing, a first acoustic element disposed within the hollow casing, the first acoustic element simulating a broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) of an exemplary bone; and a second acoustic element disposed within the hollow casing, the second acoustic element altering a speed of an ultrasonic signal transmitted through the phantom, the second acoustic element being disposed in-line with the first acoustic element. The phantom also includes a third acoustic element disposed within the hollow casing, the third acoustic element forming an acoustic coupling agent between the first acoustic element and the second acoustic element. A method of fabricating a phantom is also described herein.
US08459086B2
A method of making an impression die comprises the steps of providing a substantially planar bendable bimetal plate 10 consisting of copper and steel bonded together, forming a relief pattern 14 in the surface of the copper for example by an etching process, forming the plate into a non-planar sleeve with the copper on the outside and joining the free edges of the sleeve together. Preferably the free edges of the sleeve 10 are joined together while the sleeve is mounted on a metal mandrel 15.
US08459084B2
An elevated temperature forming system in which a sheet metal workpiece is provided in a first stage position of a multi-stage pre-heater, is heated to a first stage temperature lower than a desired pre-heat temperature, is moved to a final stage position where it is heated to a desired final stage temperature, is transferred to a forming press, and is formed by the forming press. The preheater includes upper and lower platens that transfer heat into workpieces disposed between the platens. A shim spaces the upper platen from the lower platen by a distance greater than a thickness of the workpieces to be heated by the platens and less than a distance at which the upper platen would require an undesirably high input of energy to effectively heat the workpiece without being pressed into contact with the workpiece.
US08459073B2
A method for measuring flatness of a sheet material in which a light and dark pattern composed by a light portion and a dark portion is projected onto a surface of the sheet material running in a longitudinal direction, a pattern image is acquired by photographing the light and dark pattern by an image pickup device having an image pickup visual field larger than a width of the sheet material, and the flatness of the sheet material is measured by analyzing the acquired pattern image. A staggered pattern is used for the projecting step and for light to be specularly reflected for receipt by the image pickup device. Calculating the flatness also includes steps of setting a shape measurement line, averaging picture element concentrations, calculating a distribution of the concentrations, and calculating the flatness based on surface shape using the distribution.
US08459066B2
An input device of a washing machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. An input device of a washing machine includes an operation part generating a plurality of identical signals for washing course designation, a control part controlling one of a plurality of preset washing courses to be designated sequentially according to a predetermined order if the signal is generated by the operation part and a display part displaying the washing course designated by the control part. A control method of an input device of a washing machine for washing course selection includes generating a plurality of identical signals by a user's operation, designating one of a plurality of preset washing courses separately according to a predetermined order whenever the signal is generate, and displaying the designated washing course.
US08459063B2
A multi-nozzle type burner is used for producing a porous glass preform, the burner having small variations in deposition efficiency with the burner tip being not burned even when axial shift occurs at the concentric multi-tube part of the burner. The present invention provides a burner for producing a porous glass preform with a concentric multi-tube structure, comprising a glass material gas jet port in a center, a plurality of gas jet ports concentrically disposed outside the glass material gas jet port, and small-diameter gas jet ports which are disposed in a line or a plurality of lines concentrically to the glass material gas jet port so as to be enclosed in one of the gas jet ports other than the gas jet ports in the center and at an outermost side, the small-diameter gas jet ports in the same line having an identical focal length. In the present invention, the gas jet ports disposed outside the gas jet port enclosing the small-diameter gas jet ports are each reduced in diameter in a direction toward a burner tip, and satisfy a relationship of L1>L2>L3> . . . >Ln, where L1, L2, L3, . . . Ln represent lengths from the burner tip to diameter-reduction start positions of the outside-disposed gas jet ports in this order from the inside, respectively, so that the more outward the gas jet port is located, the closer to the burner tip the diameter-reduction start position of the gas jet port is.
US08459061B2
A gravity bending mold includes an intermediate mold and a final mold. The final mold comprises a final movable mold section mounted at an end of the mold and the intermediate mold comprises an intermediate movable mold section mounted at the end of the mold adjacent to the final movable section. The final movable mold section is connected via a mechanical linkage to the intermediate mold such that upon moving one of the intermediate mold and the final mold vertically with respect to the other, and at the same time at least one of the intermediate mold and the final mold moves with respect to the mechanical linkage, the gravity bending mold is caused to move between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. There is also provided a method of bending glass sheets using such a mold.
US08459058B2
A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.
US08459043B2
An apparatus for producing beverages. The apparatus comprises a dispensing system, a mixing unit, and a control unit comprising a user interface, which interact to prepare a particular beverage when requested by a user. When the control unit receives user input requesting the particular beverage via the user interface, it causes the dispensing system to dispense various ingredients (e.g., fragmented ice, water, flavoring ingredients, milk product) that are mixed by the mixing unit in order to prepare the particular beverage, which is served in a cup. In various embodiments, the apparatus may produce frozen beverages that include fragmented ice (e.g., shaved or crushed ice) as one of their ingredients, such as slush beverages and smoothie beverages, and/or hot beverages that include heated water as one of their ingredients, such as coffee and flavored coffee beverages (e.g., French Vanilla, Mocha, etc.).
US08459042B2
In a gas turbine engine combustor and method for delivering purge gas thereto, a ferrule is generally coupled to the housing and moveable relative thereto. The ferrule has a primary opening through which a combustor component extends into a combustion chamber of the combustor. The ferrule further has a plurality of purge gas openings separate from and in transversely spaced relationship with the primary opening to allow purge gas to flow through the ferrule. In a first position of the ferrule at least one purge gas opening is blocked against the flow of purge gas therethrough and at least one other purge gas opening is unblocked against purge gas flow. In a second position of the ferrule at least one of the blocked purge gas openings of the first ferrule position is unblocked to permit the flow of purge gas therethrough.
US08459038B1
A load applied to a low pressure spool of a two-spool turboshaft engine is controlled responsive to inlet pressure and temperature so as to regulate a relationship between the rotational speeds of the low and high pressure spools of the two-spool turboshaft engine so as to provide for operating the low pressure compressor attached to the low pressure spool with sufficient surge margin.
US08459032B2
The present invention relates to hydrogen production for the generation of energy. The invention describes methods, devices and assemblies involving hydrogen production including reacting hydrogen producing compounds, such as organothiol compounds, with a reactive metal substrate to produce hydrogen gas and utilizing the hydrogen gas to generate energy. The present invention further describes regenerating spent compound to a form suitable for hydrogen production by reacting the spent compound with hydrogen. Hydrogen storage and production, as described herein, is useful for producing hydrogen for energy production in hydrogen consuming devices, such as combustible engines and fuel cells, for example, as located on a hydrogen powered vehicle.
US08459028B2
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
US08459025B2
A device for controlling the exhaust-gas turbocharging of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust-gas turbocharging device, has an estimated value unit for determining a mass flow through a turbine system, a regulating unit for determining a regulating exhaust-gas back pressure as a function of a nominal charge pressure and an actual charge pressure, and also a unit for generating at least one actuating signal for at least one actuator of the turbine system as a function of the regulating exhaust-gas back pressure and of the mass flow through the turbine system, wherein the estimated value unit has a turbine system model for determining an estimated overall efficiency of the turbine system and a model for determining an estimated overall efficiency of a compressor system having at least two compressors, and wherein the regulating unit is set up to determine the regulating exhaust-gas back pressure using the estimated overall efficiencies
US08459024B2
A turbocharger, especially a turbocharger for a motor vehicle, has a turbine housing and a bearing housing. The turbine housing and the bearing housing are fitted with a common cooling device. The turbine housing includes a flange for attaching to an exhaust gas manifold. The flange is formed with a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an oil supply pipe.
US08459023B2
A detection circuit for providing indications of a rotational speed and a temperature of a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which detection circuit includes: a rotational speed sensor for providing a periodic detection signal having a frequency dependent on a rotational speed in the supercharging system; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the supercharging system; and a modification unit for providing a periodic output signal having a periodicity dependent on the periodic detection signal, and for setting a time length of a signal pulse of the periodic output signal as a function of the detected temperature, so that the periodic output signal provides the rotational speed indication by its periodicity and the temperature indication by the time length of the signal pulse.
US08459019B2
A system and method for operating a two-stage, high-pressure pumping system includes a low-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver a hydraulic fluid under a low-pressure at a high-volume to drive a tool associated with the two-stage, high-pressure, pumping system under low load conditions. The system also includes a high-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver the hydraulic fluid under a high-pressure at a low-volume to drive the tool under high load conditions. A pilot-operated device is included that is configured to selectively drive the tool with pressure from at least one of the output of the low-pressure pump and the output of the high-pressure pump. The pilot-operated device receives pilot pressure from the output of the low-pressure pump to control selectively driving the tool with the output of the two stage pump.
US08459011B2
A selective reduction catalyst is disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine for reducing NOx in exhaust gases from the engine under existence of a reducing agent. The reducing agent or a reactant for generating the reducing agent is supplied to the upstream side of the selective reduction catalyst. Occurrence of a reducing-agent slip in which the reducing agent is discharged to the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst is determined. A storage amount indicative of an amount of the reducing agent stored in the selective reduction catalyst is temporarily reduced from the state where the storage amount is at the maximum, and thereafter the storage amount is increased until the occurrence of the reducing-agent slip is detected. A supply correction amount for correcting an amount of the reducing agent is calculated according to an occurrence state of the reducing agent slip when the storage amount is changed.
US08459010B2
A catalyst composition is provided that includes a catalytic metal secured to a substrate, and the substrate is mesoporous and has pores that are templated. A catalyst composition includes a catalytic metal secured to a mesoporous substrate. The mesoporous substrate is a reaction product of a reactive solution, a solvent, a modifier, and a templating agent. A method for controlling nitrous oxide emissions including the catalyst composition comprising introducing a regeneration fuel into an exhaust stream upstream relative to the catalyst composition and heating the exhaust stream upstream relative to the catalyst composition. When the regeneration fuel is introduced the air/fuel ratio λ of an air/fuel mixture of a lean burn exhaust is greater than 1.
US08459002B2
An electronic propulsion engine that creates a propulsive force or thrust using electromagnetic forces or electrostatic forces, with an effect that is similar to the thrust of a jet or rocket engine. Forces are generated using electromagnets or capacitor plates that are separated by dielectric spacer cores and are operated with two modulated currents. The two modulated currents are synchronized, but with a relative phase such that the forces on the two magnets or capacitor plates are not balanced. Included are techniques to reduce circuit impedance and control electric-magnetic field dispersion, such as tuned LCR circuits, dielectric core materials between the magnets or capacitor plates, and RF superconductors result in high propulsion efficiencies. The system operates at RF frequencies and can also be used as a communication device.
US08458990B1
A device to assist in sorting and organizing any small items and, in particular, vitamins, supplements and prescription medications consisting of a series of folding, hinged panels that fold out to form troughs and transverse dividers that fit into the troughs to form bins. Once the bins are filled, the dividers are sequentially removed to allow the bin contents to be shoved along the trough into a small, resealable plastic bag for convenient storage and transportation. This saves time for people taking several different kinds of pills every day. Each pill bottle is located, opened, closed and stored away only once versus hundreds of times without using this device.
US08458986B2
A reinforcing system for a guy anchor used in a guyed or additionally guyed tower includes a concrete structure formed around the guy anchor. The concrete structure has a top surface slightly above grade level. The reinforcing system further includes a supplemental anchor shaft. The supplemental anchor shaft is attached to the existing anchor head and extends down into the concrete structure, where it is retained and encased therein. The concrete structure preferably has a base and at least one wall that extends down from the base and has a surface that faces the tower to resist horizontal forces. The reinforcing system is sufficiently strong to keep the guy anchor in place even if the original anchor shaft completely corrodes. The supplemental anchor shaft does not generally come into contact with soil. It therefore resists corrosion and is expected to provide a long service life.
US08458983B2
A building panel structure is disclosed, in which building panels are used to form a structure. A building panel is disclosed which includes a core and a coating applied over the core. In some embodiments the core consists of a frame and one or more than one insulating structural block. The insulating structural blocks can be encapsulated polystyrene (EPS) foam blocks. In some embodiments the coating includes an inner scratch layer and an outer main brown layer. The inner scratch layer can be formed of at least two layers. The outer main brown layer can include a fiberglass mesh embedded into the outer main brown layer. A method of forming a building panel is disclosed which includes forming a core using a frame and one or more blocks, applying an inner scratch layer to the core, and applying an outer main brown layer over the inner scratch layer.
US08458980B2
The invention relates to the field of construction and in particular to a modular construction system used for building of construction modules. The construction system comprises plurality of flat elements (1) with identical thickness C and having slots (3) on at least one of its long sides (4), as the slots (3) are located at a distance from each other so that the flat elements (1) can intersect each other through their slots (3) in order to form a grid. The elements (1) of the system have slots (3) located at equal distances n or b from each other where the ratio n:b is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10. The building construction module is made as three-dimensional frame structure shaped like polyhedron including a floor (20), a ceiling (21) and at least two walls (22) grids connected together. The grids are made by intersecting through slots (3) flat elements (1).
US08458976B2
A blanket assembly includes a shear fabric and an attachment frame wrapped in the shear fabric. A thermal protection blanket is carried by the shear fabric.
US08458964B2
An apparatus and system to removably install, or replace, an awning panel. The awning panel is mounted on a wall or structure or similar vertical surface by insertion into a pair of mounting brackets that have been affixed to the wall. The mounting brackets may be mounted at any distance apart, and thus may accommodate awnings of different sizes. The mounting brackets comprise a right and left bracket, each comprising an angled support art, a holding member, a vertical support member, and a top support member. Supporting members along the sides of the awning panel slide into the space or slot formed by the angled support arm and the holding piece, and is further supported by the angled support arm extending along the underside of the supporting members. The angled support arm may be fixed at a set angle, or may be adjusted to different angles. A cover panel may be used to shield the awning panel, with the cover panel mounted on separate brackets or on the same brackets with the awning panel.
US08458961B2
A modular work station including a plurality of modular walls, each of which include a plurality of modular wall sections having a first and second lower frame member forming a lower frame section width and a lower frame section height. At least one lower panel element is included having a lower panel width configured to conform to the lower frame section width and is mounted to the frame members. An air collection unit is included which has an air intake width approximately equal to the lower panel width such that it may be mounted to any of the plurality of modular wall sections in place of the lower panel element.
US08458959B2
A vehicle door frame structure has an upper sash member located along a roof panel of a vehicle body and also has a vertical pillar sash member located along a center pillar of the vehicle body. The upper sash member has, at its linear end joined to the vertical pillar sash member side, an aesthetically designed section and an inner frame portion. The aesthetically designed section is located on the outer side of the door, and the inner frame portion is located closer to the vehicle interior than the aesthetically designed section and is shorter in length than the aesthetically designed section. The vertical pillar sash member has at its upper end a superposed contact section that is superposed, in the direction of the thickness of the door, on an end of the inner frame portion of the upper sash member, and the superposed contact section and the inner frame portion are joined together while being superposed on each other.
US08458954B2
A lighting apparatus for controlling a plant disease is provided to reliably inhibit a spore formation and a hyphal growth of a filamentous fungi, reliably induce a disease resistance, prevent a leaf scorch, and promote a growth of a plant. A UV light source repeats a light irradiation which has an irradiation pattern of combining a light irradiation, in which UV-C and UV-B and a visible light are superimposed, with a visible light irradiation alone at least twice a day. The emission of UV-B and UV-C enables the reliable inhibition of the spore formation of the filamentous fungi, for example. Its intermittent emission prevents a plant from getting too used to ultraviolet rays, promotes a generation of an antibacterial substance, for example, and prevents a leaf scorch. The continuous emission of the visible light enables a promotion of a growth of the plant.
US08458951B2
A card-like device for storing and retrieving multiple sizes of leader materials in a shirt pocket size configuration in which all the housed leader material sizes are clearly and always visible and which permits quick and easy finding of the stored leader material ends, and firm retention and easy grasping of same.
US08458930B2
A footwear outsole includes an arch member shiftably assembled on a central part of an upper surface of a outsole body in a longitudinal direction and a rear heel shiftably assembled on a rear part of a lower surface of the outsole body in a longitudinal direction. The footwear outsole has an advantage in that the footwear outsole can not only prevent the foot from becoming flat, but can also minimize shock on the sole of the foot, and reduce foot fatigue Therefore, the comfortable sensation can be maintained, and an effect of stretching are maximized so as to make the blood smoothly circulate and acupressure the acupunctural K1 region.
US08458924B2
The invention relates to a dryer with a housing and a drying chamber for objects to be dried, a process air duct, in which are located a heater for warming the process air and a first fan, a motor for driving the drying chamber, a heat exchanger and a cold air section in the process air duct or in a cooling air duct, with a motor cooling duct which branches off from the cold air section being able to apply cold air to the motor.
US08458920B2
A device locates an apparatus to the center of a hole in a structure. The device includes a hub adapted to have the apparatus mounted thereon and a plurality of locator elements spaced around the hub which extend at least partially into the hole. Means coupled with the locator elements and the hub are used to displace the locator elements outwardly into engagement with the edges of the structure and to move the hub into axial alignment with the center of the hole.
US08458907B1
A method for providing a natural stucco appearance for a steel structural panel comprises providing a steel sheet and coating the exterior surface with a low gloss protective coating, and then embossing the exterior surface with a low relief pattern. The steel sheet is then embossed with a second, higher relief pattern under high pressure. The double embossment together with the low gloss coating achieves a natural stucco appearance.
US08458906B2
A method of making a sunshade device includes the steps of: attaching two tension cords to left and right sides of a sunshade cloth, and allowing the tension cords to extend beyond front and rear ends thereof to form front and rear cord extension sections; fixing the rear cord extension sections to a latch unit and a spring unit, respectively, and inserting the latch and spring units respectively into opposite ends of a tubular winding shaft; clamping the rear end of the sunshade cloth; drawing the front cord extension sections to move the winding shaft close to the rear end of the sunshade cloth; using two cord-pulling tools to pull the respective front cord extension sections; fixing the front cord extension sections to the respective end pieces; and fixing the winding shaft to the sunshade cloth.
US08458904B2
The present invention is directed to a fluid conduit assembly. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the inventive fluid conduit assembly includes a fluid conduit having an inlet, at least one outlet and a fluid flow passageway therebetween configured to allow for fluid to be communicated between said inlet and said at least one outlet. The inventive fluid conduit assembly further includes at least one damper disposed within the passageway of the fluid conduit. The damper includes a sealed vent configured to vent gases captured by the damper during a brazing process performed on the fluid conduit when unsealed.
US08458885B2
Process for assembling a first part made of metal material and a second part made of composite material, by an attachment element, which includes: —pre-piercing the parts to form a recess with a diameter D1 in the first and the second parts; —installing an insert having a variable diameter in the direction of the thickness of the parts in the recess, the insert including a main hollow body and at least one flange designed to rest at least partially against the outside surface of a part, the insert being designed to accommodate the attachment element; generating residual compression constraints by radial expansion on the inner wall of the insert by an expansion tool having an outside diameter that works with the inside diameter of the insert in at least one zone of the two parts along the circumference of the insert; —boring the recess of the main body wider so that the insert has a final inside diameter that is significantly greater than the outside diameter of the attachment element to allow play between the inner wall of the insert and the outside surface of the attachment element; and —positioning the attachment element in the insert to keep the parts together.
US08458880B2
A system and method are provided for detachably mounting different types of infant carriers on a support structure. The system includes a mounting platform provided on a frame of the support structure. The mounting platform includes a first and second coupling structure. The first coupling structure is adapted to engage with a first fastener structure of a first infant carrier, whereas the second coupling structure is adapted to engage with a second fastener structure of a second infant carrier. The mounting platform also includes a rotary support base that can be rotated relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the support base enables engagement of the first coupling structure with the first fastener structure. In the second position, the support structure enables engagement of the second coupling structure with the second fastener structure.
US08458878B1
A system and method for mounting a coil spring to a brake shoe in a guide track of a window frame. A brake shoe and coil spring are provided. A housing is provided to hold the coil spring. A stop mount is also provided for limiting the movement of the housing in the guide track. The housing and the stop mount are temporarily joined into a common assembly. The coil spring is placed in the housing. The stop mount is mounted in the guide track at a fixed position, wherein the housing is positioned above the stop mount. The free end of the coil spring is connected to the brake shoe below the stop mount The stop mount is then detached from the housing. This enables the housing to move freely within the guide track independently of the stop mount.
US08458873B2
There is provided a seat cover for accommodating a child safety chair upon a seat. The seat cover comprises a lower protective member which is disposable upon a seating portion of the seat. This lower member can accommodate the child safety chair when positioned in a rearward-facing direction to prevent it from permanently compressing the seating portion. The seat cover further comprises an upper protective member that is disposable against a seat-back portion of the seat. This upper member is selectively attachable with and detachable from the lower member. By doing so, the upper member can further prevent the chair from permanently compressing the seat-back portion when it is repositioned in a forward-facing direction and placed in contact therewith.
US08458869B2
An adjustable connector is formed by, an comprises an outer housing, and an inner housing, with the inner housing being positioned inside of the outer housing. This inner housing forms a first connector wherein the inner housing is movable inside of the outer housing. There is also a complementary connector configured to connect to the first connector.
US08458866B2
A bag spreader for spreading a bag in a container lying on its side includes a connection portion arranged to interface with the upwardly facing outer surface of the container when the container is oriented on its side and includes a bag supporting portion arranged for insertion into the bag and the container. The bag supporting portion may be disposed adjacent the upper sidewall of the container in a manner that supports the bag in an open condition when the container is oriented on its side. A head portion connects the connection portion and the bag spreading portion with the connection portion and the bag supporting portion being spaced apart on the head portion a distance sufficient to receive an edge of the container.
US08458863B2
A magnetic connector apparatus may comprise one or more magnet housings, each of which may comprise one or more magnets positioned therein to rotate within the magnet housing(s). The apparatus may be configured using one or more safety features in order to prevent access and/or removal of the magnet(s). In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise an inner retainer piece coupled with the one or more magnet housings, a first outer housing piece coupled with the inner retainer piece, and a second outer housing piece coupled with the inner retainer piece. The first outer housing piece may be positioned on an opposite side of the connector apparatus from the second outer housing piece such that the inner retainer piece is positioned in between the first outer housing piece and the second outer housing piece. Novel methods for manufacturing a magnetic connector apparatus are also disclosed.
US08458854B2
A device (1) comprises at least a body (2) and a bumper (6) which is movably attached to the body so as to protect the body from shock caused by collision with an obstacle during movement of the device across a surface. The bumper is attached to the body by means of at least one spring (9) extending in a direction which is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction into which the bumper is movable with respect to the body. Furthermore, a robot cleaner comprising such a device is provided.
US08458850B2
An upright bare floor cleaner with a handle assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly. The base assembly has a sweeper that includes a rotatably driven brush adapted to sweep dust and dirt particles into a removable dirt receptacle. The handle includes a water tank to store a quantity of water and a fluid distribution system that includes a heater and a spray nozzle. Steam is generated by the heater and is distributed to a removable mop cloth that applies the steam to the surface to be cleaned.
US08458837B2
A self-forming mattress cover including a mattress gusset with a drawstring is provided. The gusset includes a sleeve attached to the gusset along a fold location. A drawstring is disposed within the sleeve. Ends of the drawstring are pulled into tension, thereby reducing the perimeter of the gusset at the fold location and drawing the gusset inward toward the center of the mattress. The gusset is formed to corner positions of the mattress by stretching and/or bunching of gusset material as tension is applied. The ends of the drawstring are secured to retain the tension state. A cushioned quilt top is attached to a free edge of the gusset. The self-forming mattress cover conforms to corner positions of a mattress without the need for mitering, ruffling, pleating, or sewing seams at the corner positions. The self-forming mattress cover also ensures proper alignment of the cushioned quilt with the mattress body.
US08458835B2
A breast support pillow includes a wedge-shaped rectangular even flat surface pad thicker at a top end with an inclined upper surface and being of sufficient length to support a torso and a head of an individual/woman. The pad has a double cup recess within the upper surface at about mid-point of the length of the pad to receive the different sizes of inserts in order to different breasts' sized of the woman in a comfortable manner therein.
US08458834B1
A travel pillow includes a base panel having a plurality of segregated, independently-inflatable bladders therein for supporting a user's head and neck. Extending from each of two opposing side edges of the base panel is a fastening strap having a hook-and-loop fastener thereon. Accordingly, the fastening straps are secured about a passenger seat headrest or other support surface to provide a pillow for supporting a passenger's head that can be inflated to a desired firmness.
US08458828B2
A foldable crib movable between a folded position and an open position is disclosed. The foldable crib comprises a first crib end; a second crib end; a first connecting member joining the first end to the second end, wherein the first connecting member is configured to be foldable; and a second connecting member joining the first end to the second end, wherein the second connecting member is configured to be foldable. When the crib is in an open position, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are generally unfolded. When the crib is in a folded position, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are folded.
US08458825B2
A jet assembly has internals rotatably and releaseably fit to a jet body, such as that for a spa. The internals have a barrel housing, a rotor and a barrel inlet. The internals as screwed into the jet body. A first threaded portion outside the barrel threadably engages second threaded portion inside the jet body wherein the internals have delimited rotation therein to align and misalign the barrel inlet from a body inlet on the jet body to control flow on and off respectively. The threaded portion within the jet body can be a locking ring affixed therein by fasteners or integral with the jet body. Rotation can be delimited by a projection on the barrel and a cooperating annular delimiting surface on the locking ring, such as circumferentially-spaced detents.
US08458819B1
An undergarment with powder dispenser and method of use. A powder dispenser is attached to an undergarment torso rear. Powder is placed within the powder dispenser and diffuses through a powder-permeable powder dispenser front wall onto the skin of a user wearing the undergarment with powder dispenser. The powder dispenser extends downwards from an undergarment torso waist substantially 80% of the way to an undergarment crotch. A powder dispenser rear wall top edge elastic keeps powder within the powder dispenser from escaping. Downwardly-sloping powder dispenser baffles extend alternatingly from powder dispenser rear wall side edges, creating a serpentine powder path to improve powder distribution. Method of use steps include inserting anti-chaffing powder through a powder dispenser mouth and into a powder dispenser reservoir, and then allowing it to diffuse through the powder dispenser front wall onto the wearer, thus helping avoid skin irritation in the buttock, crotch, and thigh areas.
US08458817B1
The glove includes a base portion having a palm side and a back side adapted to cover a hand, the base portion having integral finger segments and also including detachable finger segments to extend from the base portion. The base portion includes base mounts encircling finger openings on an interior side and the detachable finger segments include finger mounts encircling the detachable finger segments on an exterior side. The detachable finger segments extend through finger openings of the base portion and the finger mounts interlock with the base mounts to secure the detachable finger segments to the base portion. The mounts, when in the connected state, are located on an interior side of the base portion to restrict visibility of the mounts and also restrict accidental engagement with foreign objects. The mounts each comprise a halved ring-structure having elastic elements connecting opposing halves for diametric adjustment of the mounts.
US08458816B2
The present invention concerns a glove 10, including fingers 12, a thumb 14, and a back surface 24 having a lateral portion 28 and a medial portion 30, a tightening system 18, and a closure assembly 40. Closure assembly 40 opens to allow the wearer's hand ingress and egress. Glove 10 is tightened around the wearer's hand using tightening system 18, which includes a lace 32, a lace guide 34, and a tightening mechanism 36. Lace 32 is threaded through lace guide 34 positioned opposite tightening mechanism 36 on back surface 24 and attached at opposite ends to tightening mechanism 36. In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, lace 32 is tensioned to draw lace guide 34 toward tightening mechanism 36, which tightens glove 10 around the wearer's hand.
US08458812B2
A protective face mask includes an eye-protecting shield made essentially from a plastics material. The eye-protecting shield is dimensioned to cover at least the eye portions of a human wearer. The eye-protecting shield has a perimeter defining a first surface facing the wearer's face, and a second surface facing away from the wearer's face. An adhesive forms an adhesive strip attached to the first surface of the eye-protecting shield for providing a substantially watertight and releasable sealing engagement between at least a portion of the perimeter forming an upper edge of the face mask and at least a portion of the skin of the wearer's face.
US08464356B2
A personal library on a network enables content to be distributed in a manner that is able to be regulated to prevent users from violating copyright law yet allows user to use the content on more than one device. The personal library receives content from a store and/or contains content and then provides the content including a content management implementation to user devices.
US08464352B2
Protection is provided to prevent a computer user from unintentionally giving away sensitive data (e.g., security credentials, credit card number, PINs, personal data, or bank account number) to an illegitimate or unintended entity by means of a client application capable of communicating the sensitive data across a network to other computer users. To provide the protection, user input is monitored to detect a user entry of the sensitive data into the client application for communication to other users. When such an entry occurs, action is taken to reduce the likelihood of an unintentional giveaway of the sensitive data or to reduce the effects of an unintentional giveaway.
US08464345B2
A behavioral signature for detecting malware is generated. A computer is used to collect behavior traces of malware in a malware dataset. The behavior traces describe sequential behaviors performed by the malware. The behavior traces are normalized to produce malware behavior sequences. Similar malware behavior sequences are clustered together. The malware behavior sequences in a cluster describe behaviors of a malware family. The cluster is analyzed to identify a behavior subsequence common to the cluster's malware family. A behavior signature for the malware family is generated using the behavior subsequence. A trace of new malware is normalized and aligned with an existing cluster, if possible. The behavioral signature for that cluster is generated based on the behavior sequence of the new malware and the other sequences in the cluster.
US08464338B2
An information processing device includes an authenticating part that authenticates user, an authentication canceling part that cancels authentication of the user when the authenticating part authenticated, and removes setting information and screen information input by the user; an operation condition storing part that stores the setting information and the screen information input by the user in an external memory medium when canceling authentication of the user, and a reproducing part that reads the setting information and the screen information stored in the external memory medium from the external memory medium when the authenticating part authenticates the user, and reproduces an operation condition based on the setting information and the screen information that were read.
US08464332B2
An access gateway establishes a link with at least one terminal device via a user interface module, and obtains a cloud storage service list from a backend server. The access gateway selects one cloud storage service from the cloud storage service list, and authenticates one cloud storage service provider server corresponding to the selected cloud storage service to obtain a backend uniform resource locator (URL). The access gateway downloads backend software from the one cloud storage service provider server according to the backend URL, and installs the backend software. The access gateway provides cloud storage service from the one cloud storage service provider server to the at least one terminal device according to the installed backend software.
US08464331B2
A data transmission management server for managing a terminal device to access a network resource providing server by a source gateway in a virtual private network (VPN) obtains current resource information of a plurality of gateways in the VPN periodically. The data transmission management server selects one from the gateways as a destination gateway according to the resource information, transmits an internet protocol address of the destination gateway to the source gateway to make the source gateway establish a secure communication tunnel to the selected destination gateway and access the network resource providing server over the secure communication tunnel.
US08464328B2
The invention concerns a method enabling a server manager to prove subsequently that the server was authorized to read a user's personal data in a terminal station (ST), comprising: transmitting server policy data (PS) to the station; comparing the server policy data with private policy data (PP) pre-stored in the station; determining a signature (SGST) of server policy data received in the station; and transmitting the signature with the personal data (DP) read in the station to the server when the compared policy data (PS, PP) are compatible.
US08464326B2
A computer implemented method for accessing materials for a meeting may include receiving a call from a meeting participant by a system, wherein the meeting participant calls a prearranged teleconference number to participate in the meeting. The method may also include validating participation of the meeting participant in the meeting by the system. The method may further include providing access to an appropriate set of materials to the meeting participant based on a predetermined attribute associated with the meeting participant.
US08464305B2
According to one embodiment, a content reproduction apparatus includes a first communication module, acquisition module, reproduction module, second communication module, and control module. The acquisition module acquires content from a server through the first communication module. The reproduction module reproduces the content. The control module outputs command and data to a content reproduction device through the second communication module to thereby control the content reproduction device in a reproduction preparatory state, and outputs a synchronization clock, and reproduction request to the content reproduction device to thereby control the content reproduction device in a reproduction state.
US08464303B2
In an IPTV network, one or more caches may be provided at the network nodes for storing video content in order to reduce bandwidth requirements. Video content titles may be stored in the cache in accordance with a calculated cache arrangement that minimizes the total incremental transport cost of the content traffic.
US08464302B1
A user can create a video segment or employ an existing video segment, upload the segment to a server, indicate an advertisement to be associated with the video, and then send it to a recipient over a computer network. The user provides an indication that one or more particular video segments and advertisements are to be shared over the network. The video segment(s) is/are then automatically assessed and determined to be compatible with streaming video, or not. If the video segment(s) is/are not compatible with streaming video, it/they are converted to a compatible format automatically. An identifier for the video segment is automatically created and the segment and the identifier are automatically uploaded to a host computer over the network such as the Internet. The video segment, the identifier (optionally with other identifying material such as an identity of the sender, and an advertisement selected by the sender can be stored at the direction of the host computer. A viewer can be sent an identifier of the video, and can request that the video be served as a streaming video to the viewer's computer. Alternatively, the viewer can be sent a location of the video such as a URL, can be served the video as an embedded portion of a Web page, or can be served the video as a consequence of being sent a link in an e-mail or as an e-mail greeting card.
US08464298B1
A method and system to control at least one video resource daisy-chain access system. A first embodiment is a method to operate a video resource daisy-chain access system. The method includes requesting from a coordinator access instructions to receive a broadcast stream from a broadcast source; connecting to the broadcast source, or one of the re-broadcasting clients already receiving the broadcast stream, as instructed by the coordinator; optionally registering with the coordinator as a potential re-broadcasting source for new clients; optionally accepting connection requests from new clients for re-broadcasting of the received broadcast stream; and playing back on the client the received broadcast stream. A second embodiment is a video resource daisy-chain access system. The system includes a coordinator; a broadcasting source having a communication link with the coordinator; a first client having a communication link with the coordinator and a communication link with the broadcasting source; and a second client having a communication link with the coordinator and a communication link with the first client. These embodiments can be applied in several wired and wireless communication applications, even combinations of wired and wireless technologies including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.16 wireless applications, and equivalent technologies.
US08464295B2
In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to display an interactive search graphical user interface having at least a first viewing pane and a second viewing pane. A user may input a sequence of at least one character into the first viewing pane. A search results list including at least one entry based the character sequence and corresponding to at least one media content instance may then be displayed within the second viewing pane. When an entry within the search results list is selected by the user, the media content processing subsystem is configured to transfer the display of the search results list to the first viewing pane and display information corresponding to the selected entry within the second viewing pane.
US08464294B2
A method, terminal, and system for playing programs are disclosed. The method includes: creating virtual channels corresponding to keywords in a keyword list according to the keywords, and using the virtual channels to form a virtual channel list; identifying programs inclusive of the keywords among received programs; using the programs inclusive of the keywords to generate a playlist of the virtual channels corresponding to the keywords according to a preset playlist generation rule; and playing the programs in the playlist. Through the present disclosure, the same type of BTV programs that match a keyword on different channels are scheduled together, the required operations of pressing keys are reduced, and the user experience is improved.
US08464290B2
An audience matching network includes local domains that collect information about audience members, including behavioral and characteristics information. A network profile corresponding to information collected in the local domains is provided, and supports the definition of network audience segments. Membership in the network segments is used to accommodate the delivery of content such as advertising to particular audience members.
US08464289B2
A system and method of delivering personalized media items to users of an interactive television is disclosed. The system comprises a television terminal, a computing device and a remote control device. The system stores a personal profile for each of its users. Personal mobile devices associated with the users are connected wirelessly to the computing device. Identities of the users may be transmitted from the personal mobile devices to the computing device. Media items are selected based upon the personal profiles according to a predetermined algorithm. Media items may be displayed using scrolling tickers on the television terminal. In one embodiment, a detailed content of a selected media item may be delivered either on the television terminal or on a display of one of the personal mobile device. In another embodiment, scrolling tickers may also be displayed on displays of the personal mobile devices.
US08464288B2
A system provides personalized media in video for presentation using a video decoder in a device such as a video recorder, hardware or software player, computer system, or television. The personalized media may be embedded or hidden in a video stream or provided separately. A video decoder determines profile and preference information associated with a viewer, group, or demographic and personalizes commercial content using the profile and preference information. The system includes personalized media by introducing, embedding, overlaying, etc., media on video during commercial breaks. Personalized media may be provided during normal viewing or may be provided when a skip forward or fast forward request is received. The system may also evaluate personalization mechanisms using neuro-response measurements.
US08464282B2
An optical disc apparatus, presenting recording quality without degradation by an extreme temperature rise in an objective-lens drive mechanism in an optical pickup, includes a mechanical chassis on which a disc rotation mechanism, an optical pickup, and a transfer mechanism are mounted, a decorative plate that is a plate-shaped member located between the disc and the optical pickup and fixed on the mechanical chassis, a disc tray for loading and removing the disc, a circuit board for operation control, and an apparatus housing containing the components. A recess is formed in an indented shape in a portion of the mechanical chassis facing an outer peripheral region of the disc recording surface. An incline is formed in a position close to an opening of the disc tray for mounting the mechanical chassis and opposite the outer peripheral region of the disc recording surface, and slopes gently down to the recess.
US08464268B2
The present application a new and improved system and method of enhanced Lean Document Production (LDP), which applies cellular manufacturing to document printing operations. The LDP process incorporates process friendly cells and, a push model to order to improve efficiency, reduce work in progress and smooth out the “frictions” in production environments. The current application presents an earliest-completion-time strategy for assigning jobs to cells and a dynamic-priority-based-batch-scheduling algorithm.
US08464267B2
A method for packing virtual machines onto host devices may calculate scarcity values for several different parameters. A host's scarcity for a parameter may be determined by multiplying the host's capacity for a parameter with the overall scarcity of that parameter. The sum of a host's scarcity for all the parameters determines the host's overall scarcity. Hosts having the highest scarcity are attempted to be populated with a group of virtual machines selected for compatibility with the host. In many cases, several different scenarios may be evaluated and an optimal scenario implemented. The method gives a high priority to those virtual machines that consume scarce resources, with the scarcity being a function of the available hardware and the virtual machines that may be placed on them.
US08464263B2
Techniques for allocating work requests to performing centers include generating options for assigning the work requests to the performing centers. The options are based upon predetermined historical factors capturing work request characteristics and performing center characteristics. For each of the options, the work requests are scheduled to determine a corresponding duration of the work requests, and an overall cost is computed. One of the options is selected based on the overall cost and the corresponding duration.
US08464258B2
When the number of logical CPUs increases as the number of LPARs increases, a physical CPU amount which a hypervisor uses will increase and thus the physical CPU resource cannot be effectively utilized. Grouping of LPARs and physical CPUs is performed and a logical CPU to which a physical CPU is allocated is selected from logical CPUs of an LPAR within a group.
US08464256B1
A system, method, computer program, and/or computer readable medium for providing hierarchical interception for applications within isolated environments The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. The computer-executable instructions may be for installing interceptors, configuring interceptors, preloading shared libraries, using trampoline functions, removal of interceptors, mapping between resources inside and outside the isolated environment, providing an interception database, loading the interception database, redirection of resources, and providing the hierarchy of interceptors.
US08464255B2
A method described herein includes an act of receiving indications of threshold levels of quality of service to maintain for each of a plurality of virtual machines sharing computing resources on a server, wherein quality of service is affected by interference caused by the plurality of virtual machines sharing the computing resources on the server. The method also includes an act of dynamically allocating computing resources amongst the plurality of virtual machines to maintain levels of quality of service for each of the plurality of virtual machines at or above the threshold levels of quality of service.
US08464249B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, create and use software installation packages including digital signatures. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a first installation package including program content and package information, which includes information stored in a platform independent format and useable in an installation sequence; converting the first installation package into a second installation package stored in a format native to a target platform, the second installation package including at least a portion of the program content and the information useable in the installation sequence, and the converting includes identifying a digital signature native to the target platform and combining the digital signature native to the target platform with a document native to the target platform, the document including at least a portion of the program content; and initiating installation on the target platform with the second, native installation package.
US08464246B2
Methods and systems to automate the deployment from one SMP/E installed run-time mainframe system logical partition (LPAR) to one or more different and distinct LPARs within a mainframe environment are described. Deployment may consist of distributing one or more installation items (e.g., complete products, product upgrades, patches and/or temporary fixes) from one installation environment to another target system. Also, the installed items may have optionally undergone further configuration after the initial installation and prior to actual automated deployment. Each of the target systems are communicatively coupled to the first (i.e., source) LPAR.
US08464245B2
A method and system for providing a virtual system environment directly from an installation package is disclosed. An installation package containing one or more installer applications is received and an installer application providing an instance of an operating system is copied from the installation package to a virtual container created in a test machine. A virtualization package is created for the selected installed application, and the virtual system environment is provided in the test machine.
US08464240B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling asynchronous distribution and installation of software updates affecting applications installed on terminal devices of a wireless network. A versioning schema enforced by the application development environment enables the runtime environment of a terminal device to evaluate a software update to identify potential compatibility issues and control installation of the update.
US08464239B2
A system and method of assisting a user include displaying a status of at least one of an installation and configuration within a first of a plurality of windows. A point of progress of at least one of the installation and configuration is monitored. Knowledgebase information is retrieved related to the point of progress. The knowledgebase information is displayed within a second of the plurality of windows to assist the user with the at least one of the installation and configuration. An instant messaging chat session can be displayed within a third of the plurality of windows to assist a user with the at least one of the installation and configuration.
US08464230B2
Methods and systems to compile a code module to permit a caller routine to pass a parameter to a callee routine of a separately compiled code module, and to permit a callee routine to receive a parameter from a caller routine of the separately compiled code module, through multiple interfaces. Interfaces may include an interface by convention and an alternate interface. A caller routine may be configured to pass a parameter through an alternate interface and call to an alternate entry point of a callee routine. An associated stub routine may be configured to pass the parameter through an interface by convention and to call to a conventional entry point of the callee routine. If the callee routine includes a corresponding alternate entry point, the caller routine may be linked to the alternate entry point. Otherwise, the callee routine may be linked to the callee routine through the stub routine.
US08464228B2
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a process that includes receiving, during a computer programming process for a software program, a specification of a software module having a defined functionality for use by the software program. The software module is stored in a central repository having different versions of the software module. The process also includes compiling the software program. The compilation initiates steps including filtering versions of the software module that do not meet the specification. The specification corresponds to more than one version of the software module. The steps also include selecting, from versions that have not been filtered out, a version of the software module. The selection is based on one or more predetermined rules. The process also includes returning the selected version of the software module for local storage with the software program.
US08464191B2
A system and method for identifying circuit components of an integrated circuit includes a processor identifying geometric characteristics of an integrated circuit and sorting the geometric characteristics by order of occurrence of each geometric characteristic. Co-occurring arrangements of the geometric characteristics are then identified and used to identify a standard cell. The geometric characteristics of the standard cell may then be compared to the geometric characteristics of a known cell. Each electrically significant geometric characteristic of the standard cell can be compared to the electrically significant geometric characteristics of the known cell. If the standard cell matches the known cell an instance of the standard cell can be placed in a layout. Once placing the standard cell in the layout a netlist can be extracted.
US08464190B2
There is provided embodiment of methods of and apparatus for generating a hardware design for a pipelined parallel stream processor.
US08464188B1
Systems and methods are provided for a scheme and mechanism for performing static analysis of a sample time aware state diagram model to compute and propagate multiple samples rates associated with the state diagram model. A graphical intermediate representation of the state diagram model, such as a directed graph or control flow graph, is used to determine how the multiple sample rates are propagated via elements of the state diagram model. The graph provides a static representation of the control of flow, including alternative and/or conditional flow paths, of the state diagram model. The present invention determines the propagation of sample rates via analysis and traversal of the intermediate representation. By using the techniques of the present invention, a state diagram model may provide multiple sample rate outputs, such as by function calls and output signals to a graphical model, such as a model representing a dynamic system.
US08464186B2
A method for writing a design to a material using an electron beam includes assigning a first dosage to a first polygonal shape. The first polygonal shape occupies a first virtual layer and includes a first set of pixels. The method also includes simulating a first write operation using the first polygonal shape to create the design, discerning an error in the simulated first write operation, and assigning a second dosage to a second polygonal shape to reduce the error. The second polygonal shape occupies a second virtual layer. The method further includes creating a data structure that includes the first and second polygonal shapes and saving the data structure to a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
US08464185B2
Methods for approximating simulated contours are provided herein. With some implementations, a function that incorporates a Gaussian proximity kernel to approximate the electron beam exposure effects is used to simulate a printed image. Subsequently, one or more corners of the simulated printed image may be approximated by two or more straight edges. In various implementations, the number of straight edges used to approximate the corner as well as the orientation of the one or more straight edges is determined based upon the characteristics of the corner, such as, the corner having an obtuse angle larger than 135 degrees for example. With various implementations, two straight edges are used to approximate the corner, the orientation of the two straight edges being determined by a first point, a second point, and a shared corner point.
US08464174B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for user interface operation. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a user interface including one or more graphical elements, wherein display of the user interface is associated with a display configuration, and detecting a user command associated with navigating to one or more previously displayed user interface display configurations. The method may further include storing a user interface configuration for the display configuration, and adjusting display of the user interface based on the user command.
US08464167B2
A system and method for communication in an online electronic chat environment having multiple communication devices connected to each other in a communication network is provided. Displayed on a display screen of an electronic communication device of the multiple communication devices, is a chat region configured to hold text, and a graphics region to hold graphic objects. The chat region and the graphics region are positioned on a common electronic canvas of the display screen. Text from the chat region can be moved to the graphics region, and graphic objects in the graphics region may be moved to the chat region. The design allows for the mixing of chat and graphics in a common window when material is moved between the two modalities. In additional embodiments, the text in the chat region and the graphics in the graphics region are synchronized whereby movement of one causes action in the other.
US08464164B2
The present invention relates a method and system for collaborating in a shared network space comprising logging in from the one or more user machines to the shared space in a network from a user application to a host, wherein the shared space is created by interaction of executable codes in the host and the user application and the shared space is described by a session attribute list; loading a media application with tools into a one or more user machines; inputting graphical content; and displaying the content by other user machines in the shared space synchronously or asynchronously including anchoring a sidebar panel to a region of a browser; creating one or more user messages in the sidebar panel; displaying graphical content on a whiteboard; highlighting points of interest within the graphical content; and associating said user messages to the points of interest by one or more lines.
US08464162B2
A method for searching and ranking professional profiles includes a profile ranking tool that assigns a numeric value to a professional's prestige and competence, called an overall quality score. Different weights are assigned to several different factors that rank a professional based on attributes such as one's peer rating, quality of education, breadth and depth of experience and the quality of work product.
US08464158B2
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for bookmarking information search results on page level and sharing these results between other users. The method includes at least: entering a search query; sending the query to a search engine; and receiving a search result having a list of data files matching to the search query. The method comprises at least: paginating the content of the data files retrieved; rendering page previews of the data files; selecting the pages to be previewed; and previewing the matching pages associated with the data files retrieved; then bookmarking selected preview pages and selecting one or multiple of these pages to be shared; and finally sharing selected preview pages.
US08464157B2
A web browser program is for execution by a client computer connectable to a plurality of server computers via a computer network. The web browser program automatically reconfigures chrome of a user interface to the web browser program to provide a user access to any one of a plurality of groups of related information. A content display program module is configured to receive content data from a current server computer that is one of the plurality of server computers. The content display program module causes a display, on a content portion of the a display of the client computer, that corresponds to the content data. A chrome display program module is configured to cause a display of chrome on a chrome portion of the client computer display that corresponds to chrome specifiers in a chrome configuration database.
US08464156B2
An interactive product configurator includes a constraint network having a plurality of nodes. The configurator receives a new user choice after previously asserting one or more default decisions. The configurator then retracts the previously asserted default decisions before asserting the new user choice. The default decisions are then reasserted.
US08464155B2
There is provided a method for use by a server for facilitating delivery of content to a number of display devices. Each of the display devices can include, for example, an output display and a personal computer. In one embodiment, content is received from a computer coupled to the server. The content can be, for example, an image, video, or audio data. The content is stored in a source storage file, which is associated with a number of display devices coupled to the server. A group synchronization command is then received from the computer. Thereafter, the content is provided to a group of synchronization files associated with the source storage file. The content is then transmitted from the group of synchronization storage files to the number of display devices.
US08464148B1
Computer-implemented methods for intelligently refreshing a web page edited within another web page in a web browser are provided. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a request to edit a web page within a web browser, and providing, for simultaneous display within an editing web page in the web browser, a rendering of the web page to be edited and editable source code of the web page to be edited. The method also includes receiving an edit to the source code of the web page to be edited within the editing web page, determining when to refresh the rendering of the web page being edited based on the edit to the source code of the web page being edited, and controlling the refresh of the rendering of the web page being edited based on the determination. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US08464147B2
A method and apparatus for validation of structured documents are provided. The method includes searching a fast parser for an instance of a structured document. Further, the method includes parsing the instance by using the fast parser, if the fast parser is available. If no fast parser is available, the method includes parsing the instance by using a generic parser, and generating the fast parser for the structured document, in parallel. The generation of the fast parsers is based on the structure of the structured documents.
US08464126B2
Two hybrid message decoders for low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are proposed. One decoder uses a posteriori probability ratio (APPR) and a posteriori probability difference (APPD), and the other decoder uses a logarithm a posteriori probability ratio (LAPPR) and a logarithm a posteriori probability difference (LAPPD) as hybrid message. Since the variable node and check node processing can be readily done using APPR and APPD, respectively, the proposed decoders have lower complexity than the conventional decoder that uses LAPPR only as a message.
US08464114B2
A TAP linking module (21, 51) permits plural TAPs (TAPs 1-4) to be controlled and accessed from a test bus (13) via a single TAP interface (20).
US08464107B2
A semiconductor die includes interface logic for performing a function on an external device, and a surrogate circuit in communication with the interface logic. The interface logic facilitates testing of the interface logic by attempting to perform the function on the surrogate circuit. The interface logic may be a memory interface, and the surrogate circuit may be a memory circuit that is a smaller and simpler replica of an external memory die. The surrogate circuit allows the interface logic to be tested before the semiconductor die is physically coupled to the external device, for exampled in a three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC).
US08464102B2
A transportation vehicle including a high-resolution clock, an electronic network including two or more tasks, including first and second tasks, and a memory including instructions causing a processor to classify faults in the electronic network using the clock. The steps include receiving a first fault code generated at the first task, receiving a second fault trouble code generated at the second task of the electronic system in response to a second fault, and identifying an execution cycle offset associated with the first and second tasks using an execution schedule, and considering whether the first cycle is separated from the second cycle by the execution cycle offset identified by the schedule. The instructions also cause the processor to identify causal relationships for a plurality of faults via a pair-wise repetition of the above-described analysis for at least one combination of tasks other than the first and second tasks.
US08464101B1
In an embodiment, a method and program product is presented for executing a command in a replicated environment comprising a replication appliance and a production site, the replicated environment running in target side processing mode, the method comprising intercepting the command at a splitter reading from the volume, sending the data read from the volume to the replication appliance; and sending the command to volume.
US08464100B2
A system for checking a program memory) of a processing unit includes a check module, and the processing unit is made up of an instruction counter connected to the check module. The check module has a register connected to a first changeover switch that sets the register content. In a system that allows for the instruction addresses of the entire program memory to be checked, the instruction counter contains an ancillary counter, which runs through the instruction address space of the program memory independently of the program code during normal operation and which is connected to the register.
US08464098B2
A microcontroller device comprising a receiver component configured to receive a one or more reset signals for the microcontroller device; an identification component configured to identify a source of the or each reset signals received by the receiver component; a time interval determining component configured to determine a length of a time interval in accordance with the identified source of the or each reset signals received by the receiver component; a voltage setting component configured to set a voltage of an output of the microcontroller device to a first value on receipt of a reset signal by the receiver component; and a control component configured to maintain the voltage of the output at the first value for the duration of the determined length of the time interval; and set the voltage of the output to a second value on substantial completion of the determined length of the time interval.
US08464096B2
A method begins by identifying a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment. The method continues by retrieving at least m number of data slices, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice. The method continues by reconstructing the identified data slice from the at least m number of data slices to produce a rebuilt data slice. The method continues by writing the rebuilt data slice to one of a plurality of data slice servers.
US08464092B1
Various systems and methods for monitoring an application or service group within one cluster as a resource of another cluster are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method involves detecting an error indication generated by a first cluster (e.g., the error indication can be generated by a cluster controller or service group within the first cluster). The first cluster is implemented on a cluster resource (e.g., a virtual machine) of a second cluster. In response to detecting the error indication, restart of the cluster resource is initiated.
US08464087B2
A flash memory device includes a memory cell array, a clock signal input, an input for receiving a signal designating a writing operating mode, a plurality of data input/output pads, and a data input/output buffer circuit that is electrically connected to the clock signal input and to the plurality of data input/output pads. The data input/output buffer circuit is configured to receive data that is to be written to the memory cell array through the data input/output pads in synchronization with a clock signal that is applied to the clock signal input in response to activation of the signal designating the writing operating mode.
US08464084B2
A host device and a storage device with a Serial ATA (SATA) architecture to independently transition to a deeper low power state after first entering an initial low power state without first transitioning to the Active state. The transition from the Partial state to the Slumber state is direct and the transition may be enabled, but not negotiated through a handshaking process.
US08464083B1
According to an example embodiment, a method may include, in response to an idle time of a computing device meeting or exceeding a power-save time threshold value, placing the computing device into a low-power state; in response to receiving an input to the computing device after the computing device has been placed into the low-power state, exiting the low-power state; determining whether the idle time meets or exceeds a lockout threshold value that is greater than the power-save time threshold value; after having exited from the low-power state, if the idle time meets or exceeds the lockout threshold value, requiring a user to perform a successful predetermined authentication to the computing device before allowing the user to access applications in the computing device; and if the idle time does not meet or exceed the lockout threshold value, allowing the user to access applications in the computing device without requiring the user to perform the successful predetermined authentication to the computing device.
US08464079B2
A power supply system includes a battery and a power management system. The power management system is coupled to the battery and to an external power source that is operable to charge the battery using a first charge level. The power management system is operable to determine that a battery power level of the battery is greater than a first predetermined level that depends on a battery storage option and, in response, disable power from being supplied from the external power source such that power is supplied from the battery until the battery power level is below the first predetermined level. The power management system is also operable to determine that the battery power level of the battery is less than the first predetermined level and, in response, charge the battery with a second charge level that is less than the first charge level until the battery power level is above a second predetermined level that depends on the battery storage option.
US08464075B2
A file storage system includes one or more document input devices and a processor communicating with both a memory and the one or more document input devices. The processor executes a software application stored on the memory to separate a sensitive portion of a document from an insensitive portion of a document. A first type of cloud storage includes one or more storage devices in operable communication with the one or more document input devices. The first type of cloud storage is configured to store one or both of the separated portions with a level of encryption agreed upon by a user. A second type of cloud storage includes one or more storage devices in operable communication with the one or more document input devices. The second type of cloud storage is configured to store the insensitive portion of a document based on a consent of the user.
US08464074B1
Methods and apparatus for performing Storage Media Encryption (SME) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory and a plurality of processors. The apparatus receives a write command from a network device. The apparatus sends a transfer ready to the network device in response to the write command. The apparatus receives data from the network device. The apparatus composes a status and sends the status the network device. The status is sent to the network device after the data has been received from the network device and prior to both compressing and encrypting the data. The apparatus compresses the data to generate compressed data. One of the plurality of processors encrypts the compressed data to generate modified data. The apparatus then sends the modified data to a target indicated by the write command.
US08464073B2
A secure storage device includes a storage medium configured to securely store data received from a host. The storage device further includes a host interface configured to transfer data between the host and the storage device and an encryption engine. The encryption engine is configured to encrypt data received from a host using a key and provide the encrypted data to the storage medium for storage. The encryption engine is further configured to decrypt encrypted data received from the storage medium and provide the data to the host via the host interface. In response to a predetermined condition, the storage device is configured to disable the encryption engine thereby preventing the encrypted data stored thereon from being decrypted.
US08464065B2
The object of the present invention is to safeguard the authenticity and integrity of real-time data in a distributed real-time computer system. The present invention considers other requirements of real-time data processing, such as the timeliness of real-time data transmission and limited resource availability. Frequent modification of an asymmetric key pair hinders intruders from cracking a key before its validity has expired. The present method can also be extended to safeguard the confidentiality of real-time data. It can be implemented efficiently on a multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC).
US08464063B2
A system creates a trusted group of devices for single sign on. The trusted group is a set of two or more devices which can communicate securely to exchange information about the states of the devices. The two or more devices can arrange or establish the trusted group through the exchange of credentials or authentication information. After the establishment of the trusted group, the two or more devices may communicate through a secure connection established between the members of the trusted group. Each device may then execute normally and may encounter events that change the status of the device. Information about the locking or unlocking of the computer can be exchanged with the other members of the trusted group and the other members may also lock or unlock in concert.
US08464057B2
A method, apparatus and system for secure forensic investigation of a target machine by a client machine over a communications network. In one aspect the method comprises establishing secure communication with a server over a communications network, establishing secure communication with the target machine over the communications network, wherein establishing secure communication with the target machine includes establishing secure communication between the server and the target machine, installing a servelet on the target machine, transmitting a secure command to the servelet over the communications network, executing the secure command in the servelet, transmitting data, by the target machine, in response to a servelet instruction, and receiving the data from the target machine over the communication network. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08464051B2
The disclosure discloses a method, an apparatus, a terminal and a system for channel encryption. The method includes that: a relay server receives a channel encryption request from a client, and acquires encrypted information, client information and a locally stored channel Extensible Markup Language (XML) file of the client from the channel encryption request (S101); and according to the encrypted information, the client information and the locally stored channel XML file of the client, the relay server acquires an encrypted channel XML file and stores the encrypted channel XML file, and sends the encrypted channel XML file to the client to enable the client to update the locally stored channel XML file according to the encrypted channel XML file (S102). By means of the technical solution of the disclosure, the privacy of a user is protected, and the security of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) channel management is enhanced.
US08464050B2
Systems and methods for selective authorization of dependent code modules are provided. According to one embodiment, a kernel mode driver of a computer system intercepts file system or operating system activity, by a running process, relating to a dependent code module. Loading of the dependent code module is selectively authorized by authenticating a cryptographic hash value of the dependent code module with reference to a multi-level whitelist. The multi-level whitelist includes a global whitelist database remote from the computer system, maintained by a trusted service provider and which contains cryptographic hash values of approved code modules known not to contain viruses or malicious code; and a local whitelist database that includes cryptographic hash values of a subset of the approved code modules. The running process is allowed to load the dependent code module when the cryptographic hash value matches one of the cryptographic hash values of the approved code modules.
US08464049B2
A system of accessing a copy-prevented encrypted data file transmitted over a network includes a server apparatus having data files; and a client apparatus comprising a read apparatus and a temporary storage. A data file in a server apparatus is accessed through the network from the client apparatus and cached in the temporary storage, and the data file cached in the temporary storage is obtainable by the read apparatus for human recognition of the content of the data file. The read apparatus is not capable of at least one of printing and saving as. The present invention also provides a method of accessing a copy-prevented encrypted data file from a server apparatus. The system and method improve data file transmission security and decrease the possibility of copying and decrypting the data file.
US08464048B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes verifying a master processor of a system; validating a trusted agent with the master processor if the master processor is verified; and launching the trusted agent on a plurality of processors of the system if the trusted agent is validated. After execution of such a trusted agent, a secure kernel may then be launched, in certain embodiments. The system may be a multiprocessor server system having a partially or fully connected topology with arbitrary point-to-point interconnects, for example.
US08464047B2
A method and apparatus for authorizing a host to access a portable storage device and a method and apparatus of providing information for authorizing a host to access a portable storage device. The method includes: verifying integrity of host software requesting to transmit data; determining whether the host is authorized to access the portable storage device; and determining whether the host software is authorized to access the portable storage device. Accordingly, user information may be stored on the portable storage device and moved with security.
US08464044B2
A wireless network probe method intercepts a data packet sent from a certain station, which has established communication with an access point (AP) connected to a wireless network before a service set identifier (SSID) of the wireless network has been closed. The method further amends data in the data packet to generate two attacked data packets, transmits the two attacked data packets using a media control access (MAC) address of the certain station, to interrupt the communication between the AP and the certain station. Furthermore, the method intercepts a re-association data packet sent to the AP from the certain station, retrieves the SSID from the re-association data packet, and stores the SSID into a second station, so as to connect the second station to the wireless network.
US08464040B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing the BIOS of a hardware peripheral device to manage multiple peripheral devices simultaneously without modifying the application software of the peripheral device. The apparatus comprises a logic control unit and a memory in communication with the logic control unit. The memory is partitioned into a plurality of ranges, each range comprising one or more blocks of memory, one range being associated with each instance of the peripheral application and one range being reserved for storage of a data pointer related to each peripheral application of the plurality. The logic control unit is configured to operate multiple instances of the control application by duplicating one instance of the peripheral application for each peripheral device of the plurality and partitioning a memory device into partitions comprising one or more blocks of memory, one partition being associated with each instance of the peripheral application. The method then reserves a range of memory addresses for storage of a data pointer related to each peripheral device of the plurality, and initializes each of the plurality of peripheral devices.
US08464039B2
Hardware reset circuitry including user interface circuitry having at least a first state and a second state and configured, when in the first state, to prevent generation of a hardware reset output signal.
US08464031B2
During operation, a processor generates a result vector. In particular, the processor records a value from an element at a key element position in an input vector into a base value. Next, for each active element in the result vector to the right of the key element position, the processor generates a result vector by setting the element in the result vector equal to a result of performing a unary operation on the base value a number of times equal to a number of relevant elements. The number of relevant elements is determined from the key element position to and including a predetermined element in the result vector, where the predetermined element in the result vector may be one of: a first element to the left of the element in the result vector; or the element in the result vector.
US08464026B2
A CPU may select a variable from a variable set as a dependent variable. The variable set may be part of the data structure that includes a plurality of vector values, a vector value associated with a variable set of n number of variables, and each variable of the variable set having a variable value. The number of dependent variable steps for the dependent variable may be determined. The number of the vector values in a dependent variable step is determined as being number of independent variables. A function is mapped to a plurality of thread processors, and each thread processor is assigned for the function to be performed on each one of the independent variables for each of the dependent variable steps.
US08464025B2
A signal processing apparatus able to raise a processing capability in processing accompanying access to a storing means is provided. Stream control units (SCU) 203—0 to 203—3 access data at an external memory system or local memories 204—0 to 204—3 according to a thread under control from a host processor. Processor units (PU) arrays 202—0 to 202—3 perform image processing by a different thread from the thread of the SCUs 203—0 to 203—3.
US08464010B2
A targeting storage component selects a target virtual disk for one of a full copy or an incremental copy of first data. A periodic backup component triggers a periodic point-in-time copy of the first data to a virtual disk in the cascade. A testing component tests a status of the full copy, the incremental copy and the periodic point-in-time copy. Responsive to the status, a cascade splitting component splits the cascade to remove a dependency relationship of at least one of the fully copy, the incremental copy and the periodic point-in-time copy on the first data.
US08464000B2
A system for determining a cache line to replace is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a cache comprising a plurality of cache lines. The system further includes an identifier configured to identify a cache line for replacement. The system also includes a control logic configured to determine a value of the identifier selected from an incrementer, a cache maintenance instruction, or remains the same.
US08463998B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a high performance content delivery system in which versions of content are cached for servicing web site requests containing the same uniform resource locator (URL). When a page is cached, certain metadata is also stored along with the page. That metadata includes a description of what extra attributes, if any, must be consulted to determine what version of content to serve in response to a request. When a request is fielded, a cache reader consults this metadata at a primary cache address, then extracts the values of attributes, if any are specified, and uses them in conjunction with the URL to search for an appropriate response at a secondary cache address. These attributes may include HTTP request headers, cookies, query string, and session variables. If no entry exists at the secondary address, the request is forwarded to a page generator at the back-end.
US08463997B2
An apparatus and method of caching a frame is provided. The method of caching a frame includes receiving information on a frame to be cached from a main storage unit, setting an initial value of a specified mode using the received information, and caching the frame from the main storage unit using the specified mode.
US08463986B2
A plurality of free-block management lists for respectively managing a logical block with a same bank number, a same chip number, and a same plane number as a free block, and a free block selecting unit that selects a required number of free-block management lists from the free-block management lists to obtain a free block from the selected free-block management lists are provided.
US08463982B2
A method of storing and accessing an error correcting code in NAND Flash, includes utilizing n pages of a block of the NAND Flash as an extended space of a spare area, n≦1, wherein when writing data, the data is stored in a data area of a sector, and when the error correcting code needs a space which has correcting capability larger than 16 bytes, first 16 bytes of the error correcting code is stored in the 16 bytes spare area, and the remaining of the error correcting code is stored in the extended space of the spare area corresponding to the sector. Therefore, the method develops new storing space for the error correcting code, arranges the error correcting code in sequence of data blocks in sub-space, and loads the error correcting code into system memory for the decoder before reading original data.
US08463976B2
A dual modem device includes a first processor to communicate with a first network and a second processor to communicate with a second network. The first processor includes a USB module to transceive a signal with a computer side using a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a first packet control block to determine a type of the signal transceived via the USB module and to decide a communication path, and a first function block to process a signal associated with the first network. The second processor includes a first control block to process a control signal for the first processor, a second control block to process a control signal for the second processor, and a second function block to process a signal associated with the second network.
US08463975B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having an adapter to communicate according to a personal computer (PC) protocol and a second protocol. A first interface coupled to the adapter is to perform address translation and ordering of transactions received from upstream of the adapter. The first interface is coupled in turn to heterogeneous resources, each of which includes an intellectual property (IP) core and a shim, where the shim is to implement a header of the PC protocol for the IP core to enable its incorporation into the apparatus without modification. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08463971B2
A method and apparatus for distributing multiple interrupts among multiple processors is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an interrupt daemon monitors the interrupt load among the processors that results from an initial mapping of the interrupts to the processors. The interrupt daemon determines whether there is a sufficient imbalance of the interrupts among the processors. If so, the interrupt daemon triggers a reassignment routine that generates a new mapping of the interrupts among the processors, and if not, the interrupt daemon goes to sleep for a specified time period. If the new mapping produces a sufficient improvement in the distribution of interrupts among the processors, based on the same criteria used to detect the imbalance, the new mapping is used by the central hub for subsequent distribution of interrupts to the processors. However, if the new mapping does not provide a sufficient improvement, the original mapping continues to be used.
US08463966B2
The initiator device receives requests from and issues transaction requests to a recipient device via an interconnect. A barrier generator generates barrier transaction requests indicating to the interconnect that an ordering of some transaction requests within a stream of transaction requests passing through the interconnect should be maintained by not allowing reordering of some of the transaction requests that occur before the barrier transaction request in the stream of transaction requests with respect to the barrier transaction request. In response to a synchronize request querying progress of a subset of transaction requests, the initiator device actions any pending transaction requests within the subset of transaction request and the barrier generator generates and issues a barrier transaction request to the interconnect. In response to receiving a response to the barrier transaction request, the initiator device issues an acknowledge signal as a response to the synchronize request.
US08463963B2
Channels, which are assigned to each individual lower-level device that are the input/output destinations for HART communications signals that are produced through superimposing, onto a 4 to 20 mA DC signal, digital signals that have been converted into 1200 Hz and 2200 Hz frequency signals; a first controlling portion for controlling communications with a higher-level device; and HART communications portions, provided for each individual channel, for extracting frequency signals from the HART communications signals received through the channels, and for sending to the controlling portion digital signals corresponding to the frequency signals, are provided; where the first controlling portion sends, to the higher-level device, the digital signals received from the individual HART communications portions.
US08463958B2
Initiator devices for generating transaction requests and recipient devices for receiving them are disclosed. The recipient devices accept transaction requests where there is available buffer storage for the transaction request. If there is no storage space available an acknowledgement signal generator generates and outputs a reject acknowledgement signal indicating a request has been received but has not been accepted by the recipient device. A credit generator can reserve at least one available storage location in the buffer and generate a credit grant for an initiator device that sent one of the transaction requests that was not accepted by the recipient device. The credit grant indicates to the initiator device that there is at least one reserved storage location, such that a subsequent transaction request from the initiator device will be accepted by the recipient device. Thus, the initiator device may not transmit the transaction request again until it has received the credit grant, whereupon it may transmit it along with a credit grant indicator such that it is sure that it will be accepted.
US08463955B2
Included are embodiments for retransmission in a digital subscriber line environment. At least one embodiment of a method includes framing data into transport frames, each transport frame carrying payload data that is viewed differently according to the computing layer in which it is transported; transporting the transport frames over a first computing layer, the payload data of each transport frame corresponding to an integer number Q of elementary cells of the first computing layer, an integer number of header bytes containing information specific to the transport frame, and an integer number of padding bytes; and transporting the transport frames over a second computing layer, the payload data content of each transport frame corresponding to payload data of an integer number M of elementary cells of the second computing layer.
US08463954B2
Data is processed in an embedded system by writing data read from a peripheral device in response to an event to memory external to the embedded system. The data or a portion of the data is copied to memory internal to the embedded system. Which portion of the data is stored in both the external memory and the internal memory is tracked. The copied data is retrieved from the internal memory by a processor included in the embedded system. The processor has one or more caches logically and physically separated from the internal memory. The processor uses the copied data it retrieved to begin servicing the event.
US08463947B2
A method for planning a network having a plurality of nodes. The method may include determining all possible rings in the network satisfying a predetermined condition and calculating a utilization score for each possible ring based on a combination of predetermined selection criteria. The method may include selecting the possible ring with the highest utilization score and determining whether there are remaining nodes among the plurality of nodes that are not included in the selected possible ring. The method may further include selecting another possible ring if it is determined there are remaining nodes.
US08463945B2
A method for synchronizing local clocks in a distributed computer network, wherein end systems and switches of the network executes the method as a synchronization state machine, which uses three different frame types. The states in the state machine belong to an unsynchronized or to a synchronized set of states. All end systems being configured as Synchronization Master periodically send coldstart frames in one of the unsynchronized states, all end systems being configured as Synchronization Master react to the reception of a coldstart frame by sending a coldstart acknowledgment frame a first timeout after the reception of the coldstart frame on all replicated communication channels. First timeout is reset when a consecutive coldstart frame is received before the coldstart acknowledge is sent, and all Synchronization Masters react to the reception of a coldstart acknowledgment frame by starting a second timeout and enter a synchronized state when the second timeout expires.
US08463940B2
A background process is executed which dynamically determines nodes in a path from a start node to an end node. The background process examines a routing table of routing nodes in the path to determine changes in the path. Information regarding multiple paths between a first node and a second node of the network can be stored so that a point of primary failure can be more accurately determined.
US08463938B2
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed that provide an approved address couplet listing for communication handling. An inbound communication including sender and recipient field entries may be compared as a pair or couplet against the listing to determine whether the inbound communication should be discarded, subjected to additional (spam related) processing, or forwarded for storage or delivery purposes. The comparison may take place in conjunction with one or more hashing functions.
US08463937B2
A system, method and data structures for transmitting batched data over a network in asynchronous, non-blocking operations, with acknowledgements returned to the senders. Each machine includes a sender subsystem and a receiver subsystem. Transmission items corresponding to data to be sent are buffered until a send is triggered, at which time the transmission items are sorted according to their destinations and sent as a GUID-identified batch to each destination by a send thread. At each receiver, a receiving thread adds descriptions of the data to a receive list, which a transfer thread processes when triggered. The transfer thread sends the corresponding data to a recipient program, and sends GUID-identified acknowledgements corresponding to each GUID back to the originating senders. An acknowledge thread at each originating sender buffers the acknowledgements, and when triggered, a cleanup thread uses the GUID to identify which batched transmissions were received.
US08463936B2
A method of distributing digital data implemented in a telecommunications system that has at least one holding server device able to hold digital data and to receive at least one request for supplying said digital data, at least one client device able to request the digital data of the holding server device, and at least one replication server device able to store a replica of the digital data of the holding server device and to supply the replica digital data to the client device. The method, which is executed after the reception by the holding server device of a request to obtain digital data coming from the client device, selects, on the basis of predetermined information relating to the server devices and/or client devices, from among the holding server device and the at least one replication server device, a server device for supplying the digital data to the client device, and in a case where a replication server device is selected, creating a replica of the requested digital data in the selected replication server device, and redirecting the client device to the selected replication server device for obtaining the digital data.
US08463935B2
A system and method of prioritizing data for use with a shared bandwidth communication network provides the benefit of prioritizing some data traffic over other data traffic. The prioritization may occur at least at a gateway to the shared bandwidth communication network. The prioritization may be implemented by selectively supplying data to clients such that some data traffic is prioritized over other data traffic. An interface may be provided to communicate data between one or more clients and the shared bandwidth communication network.
US08463932B2
An apparatus and a method for requesting data from a server over an HTTP connection. In one embodiment, a client reads a portion of a random access file from the server via the HTTP connection. The client requests for a limited amount of data at another location in the file on the same HTTP connection. The client receives the limited amount of data from the server on the same HTTP connection and reads the limited amount of data. The client requests for an additional limited amount of data at another location in the file on the same HTTP connection. The size of the additional limited amount of data is exponentially greater than the size of the limited amount of data. In another embodiment, the client requests for an additional limited amount of data at another location in the file on the same HTTP connection prior to finishing reading the limited amount of data.
US08463927B2
Illustrated is a system and method to record video mail using a peer to peer network. In some embodiments, a first computer system is operatively coupled to a second computer system, wherein the first and second computer systems are in a peer-to-peer configuration, a receiver resides on the second computer system to receive a video mail message, and a storage device resides on the second computer system to store the video mail message. In some embodiments, also illustrated is a method including configuring a first computer system and a second computer system into a peer-to-peer configuration, receiving a video mail message at the second computer system, and storing the video mail message on the second computer system. The method may further include receiving an audio signal on the first computer system, receiving a video signal on the first computer system, and transmitting the video signal using the first computer system.
US08463925B1
Methods and apparatus provide for a finite state machine environment to receive at least one event. The finite state machine environment converts the event to a finite state machine event. The finite state machine environment selects a first event processing table from a plurality of interoperable event processing tables. The finite state machine environment processes the finite state machine event in the first event processing table to determine an action to perform based on a state of the finite state machine embodied by the first event processing table and a type of the event.
US08463910B2
Proposed are a computer system and a performance assurance method capable of stabilizing the I/O performance of a plurality of logical partitions sharing a network path.One or more sets of an application logical partition for executing processing according to a user's application and an I/O logical partition for controlling execution or wait of I/O processing of the application logical partition are built in a physical server, a network path that is shared by a plurality of application logical partitions and its maximum performance are detected, a share value of each application logical partition sharing the relevant network path is calculated based on the detected maximum performance of the network path and a pre-designated required performance of each application logical partition, a period of time for the corresponding application logical partition to execute or cause the I/O processing to wait, in a unit time, to each I/O logical partition is set based on the calculation result, and I/O logical partition controls the execution or wait of the I/O processing by the relevant logical partition so that the corresponding application logical partition executes or causes the I/O processing to wait in the set period of time.
US08463908B2
A capability is provided for managing resources of a system. The system resources are managed using a hierarchical organization of the system resources. The resources of the system are managed using at least one hierarchical resource pool, where a hierarchical resource pool includes a master resource pool and a plurality of virtual resource pools. The master resource pool includes a logical representation of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. The virtual resource pools include logical representations of respective subsets of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. A method for managing resources of a management system includes receiving, from a borrower, a resource request for one of a plurality of resources of the management system where the resources are managed using a hierarchal resource pool, identifying a virtual resource pool associated with the resource request, and determining whether to serve the resource request from the identified virtual resource pool.
US08463907B2
Provided are a system and method for a performance test in an outside channel combination environment. In an outside channel combination environment including first and second outside-affairs servers in an active-active form, first and second outside channel combination servers, and first and second network devices, a system for a performance test includes: a plurality of test lines connected to one another so that a closed circuit is formed at outputs of the first and second network devices; and at least one load generator for generating loads corresponding to outbound messages to be sent to a plurality of outside authorities, and measuring system performance, wherein: the loads generated by the load generator are sent to the second outside channel combination server via the first outside-affairs server, the first outside channel combination server, the first network device, the test lines, and the second network device, and the second outside channel combination server generates a response message corresponding to the received load, and then sends the response message to the load generator via the second network device, the test lines, the first network device, the first outside channel combination server, and the first outside-affairs server, so that system performance is measured. Thus, a performance test for transmit/receive message can be effectively performed in advance in a newly built outside channel combination environment.
US08463901B2
A packet processing system comprises two packet inspection systems for tracking packet flows between a first network and a second network. A memory is accessible by each of the packet inspection systems for storing flow entries. Each of the flow entries includes a flow key characterizing a packet flow associated with flow entry, a flow identifier. State information is further maintained indicating ownership of the flow identifiers among the two packet inspection systems. Using stateful identifiers ensures that two packet processing systems do not become incoherent and properly indicate the status of free flow identifiers.
US08463876B2
Techniques for the distribution of content objects in a content delivery network (CDN) are disclosed. A CDN distribution server detects a content object's availability and determines whether the content object is a candidate for distribution. The distribution server detects the availability of the content object in response to a provider making new or updated content available at a content site or a location within the CDN. The distribution server obtains identifying information for a candidate content object and determines a select portion of the content object to be distributed within the CDN. The select portion can be a predetermined number of bytes located at a predetermined position in the content object, the size and location of which may be determined according to content-specific mapping data. The distribution server pushes the select portion of the content object to one or more groups of CDN edge servers absent an end-user request.
US08463869B2
A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.
US08463864B2
A communications system may include data storage devices each using at least one of a plurality of different operating protocols. Further, at least one of the data storage devices may operate using multiple operating protocols. The system may also include mobile wireless communications devices for accessing the at least one data storage device, and each may use at least one of the plurality of operating protocols. Moreover, the system may further include a protocol interface device. The protocol interface device may include a front-end proxy module for communicating with the plurality of mobile wireless communications devices using respective operating protocols. The protocol interface may also include a protocol engine module for communicating with the data storage devices using respective operating protocols. The protocol engine module may also select a desired operating protocol for communicating with the at least one data storage device from the multiple operating protocols.
US08463861B2
A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying all items of a certain type in the message, determining whether each of the items meets a criterion, and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determining a classification of the message. The system includes an interface configured to receive the message, a processor coupled to the interface, configured to identify all items of a certain type in the message; determine whether each of the items meets a criterion; and in the event that all the items are determined to meet the criterion, determine a classification of the message.
US08463858B2
A system and method for assigning notification type values. For dynamic notification types, a two-level mapping between the application and the notification type is performed. As a middle level or intermediary, a Multimedia Internet Message Extension (MIME) type for the notification messages is provided. The MIME type corresponds to the MIME type of the application-specific message part of the notification message. A pointer to a recommended notification application that can consume the messages of that specific type is also provided.
US08463856B2
An email system may include at least one subscribed mailbox server having a plurality of subscribed mailboxes and sending a new mail indication upon receiving a new email message, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices. The system may further include at least one email aggregation server for polling each subscribed mailbox for email messages based upon receiving a respective new email indication therefrom, and forwarding the email messages to respective mobile wireless communications devices. The at least one email aggregation server may perform a fallback polling of each subscribed mailbox based upon not having polled the subscribed mailbox for a threshold fallback time, and stagger respective initial fallback polling times of the subscribed mailboxes upon startup.
US08463852B2
A set of groupware portlets can be deployed on an enterprise portal in order to add groupware functionality thereon. The groupware portlets can provide an abstract user interface to groupware functionality provided by several collaboration servers and can also allow users to navigate to specific groupware functionality provided by a collaboration server. The portlets can connect to the various collaboration servers by implementing a personal messaging application programming interface. The interface can include a schema for defining groupware functionality and a set of providers for instantiating the connections to the various collaboration servers. The providers can be implementations of the schema that allow the groupware portlets to interact with the collaboration server. New schemas can be defined to extend existing schemas to enable more specific functionality provided by each collaboration server. The new schemas can be supported by the providers due to Java class inheritance.
US08463850B1
A system, medium and method for generating a server side transaction ID (XID′) is disclosed. A request is received from a client device to access a server. The request includes a source port, source IP address, protocol information and a client generated transaction ID (XID). An endian'ness of the client of determined and classified. A Client ID unique to the client request is then generated using the source port, source IP address, protocol information, and a Masked XID generated from the endian'ness determination and the XID. A server side transaction ID (XID′) is then synthesized by combining the Client ID and an XID halfword containing least significant bits (LSB) identified from the endian'ness determination. The XID′ is then transmitted to the file server, wherein the XID′ is associated with the XID for the corresponding client request.
US08463845B2
A distributed system and methods for web-based multimedia content including a global media hub (GMH) server computer (500) and a multiplicity of remote media asset node (MAN) server computers (510, 520, 530, 540, 550) and client computer terminals (515, 525, 535, 536, 537, 545, 555), with the client or customer computers being constructed and configured for network-based coupling to at least one of the MAN server computers for editing a browse copy of the MMC stored at the MAN. The GMH server computer includes processing component, memory for storage of all the metadata, and includes software operable thereon for orchestrating the processes that act on the MMC and metadata, including the operations and actions that are initiated by the client computer terminals for acting on the MAN-based MMC.
US08463841B2
A legacy cooperation device and processing method for a mobile communication system to be cooperated in an open mobile business supporting system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) setting up a plurality of biz objects that perform a determination process based on a service process and a result thereof of a legacy system of a mobile communication system, ii) providing an API (application program interface) for each of the setup biz objects, iii) receiving a result of performing a predetermined biz object from a legacy system through the provided API and iv) requesting a service process to a corresponding legacy system according to the requested biz object, receiving a result of performing the service process, and returning the received result to the legacy system that requests the service process.
US08463830B2
A system and related methods suggest content based on user input and another metric. In one implementation, web-sites are suggested to advertisers in response to keyword input and by factoring in how often such web-sites were selected or “clicked on” as a result of corresponding search queries. Search logs are processed to determine how often certain query terms led to web-sites being selected. Web-sites are ranked accordingly. Keywords from advertisers are matched to the web-site rankings to present the top web-sites.
US08463821B2
Systems and methods are provided that build and publish online documents. Source files of the online documents are automatically built into a book and published on a web site for review. A report regarding the build is provided to the author of the documents. The author can use the report to determine whether the build was successful, and whether manual intervention is necessary. The books are also archived.
US08463820B2
In some embodiments, the invention involves utilizing a tree merge sort in a platform to minimize cache reads/writes when sorting large amounts of data. An embodiment uses blocks of pre-sorted data residing in “leaf nodes” residing in memory storage. A pre-sorted block of data from each leaf node is read from memory and stored in faster cache memory. A tree merge sort is performed on the nodes that are cache resident until a block of data migrates to a root node. Sorted blocks reaching the root node are written to memory storage in an output list until all pre-sorted data blocks have been moved to cache and merged upward to the root. The completed output list in memory storage is a list of the fully sorted data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08463813B2
Granting permissions for attributes in a distributed data store involves implementing a federated control system. The system can include dynamic permissions granted to content blobs. Acknowledgment of dynamic permissions facilitates identification of users that receive content to enable restoring data on a machine following data loss. Acceptance of dynamic permissions can further facilitate automatic updates to data, or providing content blobs in response to changes in user attributes.
US08463807B2
A system includes reception of a partial query from a user, querying of a data source with the partial query to identify terms within the data source including the partial query, storage of the identified terms in a cache associated with the user, presentation of the identified terms to the user, reception of a new partial query including the partial query and a letter appended to the partial query, and determination of whether one or more of the stored identified terms includes the new partial query.If one or more of the stored identified terms includes the new partial query, the one or more of the stored identified terms are presented to the user, and, if none of the stored identified terms includes the new partial query, then the data source is queried with the new partial query to identify second terms within the data source including the new partial query, the identified second terms are stored in the cache associated with the user, and the identified second terms are presented to the user.
US08463806B2
Methods and systems are provided for creating an adaptive thesaurus. A term pair including an index term and an expansion term is received. A recall gain, an expansion independence, and a semantic similarity of the term pair are calculated using a processor. Whether to store the term pair is determined based on the recall gain, the expansion independence, and the semantic similarity. The term pair is stored based on the determination. Methods and systems are provided for searching using an adaptive thesaurus. A search query including a query term is received. An expansion term stored in association with an index term matching the query term in the adaptive thesaurus is retrieved. Using a processor, the search query is expanded using the expansion term based on a recall gain, an expansion independence, and a semantic similarity.
US08463801B2
Techniques for effectively and efficiently supporting XML sequence type and XQuery sequence natively in a SQL system are described. According to one aspect, SQL functions that correctly handle XML sequences are provided. Thus, XML sequences are handled effectively. According to another aspect, rules for simplifying an abstract syntax tree (AST) that represents one or more such SQL functions are provided. For each such SQL function that is represented in an AST that represents a SQL query, one or more rules that are relevant to that SQL function are determined. Relevant rules are applied to the representation of the SQL function within the AST. Through the application of the rules to the representations of the SQL functions within the AST, the AST is modified in a manner that simplifies the AST prior to the evaluation of the AST at query execution time. Thus, XML sequences are handled efficiently.
US08463794B2
A computer system, method, and article of manufacture for extracting a term from electronic document data that includes a text segment. The system includes: a first extraction unit that uses a first text processing information to extract a noun word from the document data; a second extraction unit that uses a second text processing information to extract a term candidate in relation to the noun word or a corpus that includes text data described in the same language used in the document data; a weight assignment unit that uses a third text processing information to select which type to assign a weight from the plurality of types and assigns the weight to the selected type for each noun word and term candidate; a determination unit that determines the type to which the noun word and term candidate belong; and an output unit to output the noun word and term candidate.
US08463793B2
A method executed by a management server controlling a plurality of index servers for searching a database storing an object identifier and an attribute value, each of the plurality of index servers handling a part of the database, storing index information including the attribute value within a range predefined for the each of the plurality of index servers and the associated object identifier stored in the database, the method has deleting one of index information stored in one of the index servers in reference to the range of each of the index servers when an updated attribute value coming to be out of the range of the one of the index servers, obtaining a frequency of the deleting and the storing the one of the index information, and enabling the index server to obtain an attribute value from the database when the obtained frequency being more than a predetermined value.
US08463784B1
Improving data clustering stability. A computer accesses a first plurality of cluster groups comprising data. The computer then applies a clustering method to the first plurality of cluster groups while adjusting said first plurality of cluster groups to be in higher agreement between themselves, thereby generating a second plurality of cluster groups that is in higher agreement between themselves than the first plurality of cluster groups. The second plurality of cluster groups corresponds to the first plurality of cluster groups.
US08463783B1
An ad-selection analysis subsystem (“analysis subsystem”) analyzes advertisement selection data to identify relevant queries for advertisements. Advertisement selection data for each advertisement in a set of advertisements are represented as a vector of terms corresponding to search queries for which the corresponding advertisement was provided with search results and, in turn, selected by a user. A clustering algorithm is applied to the advertisement selection data for the set of advertisements to identify clusters of search queries and corresponding clusters of advertisements. Identified clusters can be used, for example, to facilitate query expansion, advertisement selection, and keyword generation.
US08463776B2
An image container file has at least first and second multimedia streams (MSs). The first MS includes first image data representing an image. The second MS includes arbitrary data, which can for example, correspond to: a different representation of the same image; annotations to the first image data; second image data that together with the first image data form a new image with greater dynamic range, resolution, field of view or other attributes that can be derived from processing two or more independent images; or an executable file related to the first MS. The image container file can also include an extensible metadata to hold information describing one or more multimedia streams of the image container file. Further, the image container file may include DRM information to provide information related to obtaining a license to access encrypted data or verifying the authenticity of encrypted or unencrypted data.
US08463771B2
A method and an apparatus for selecting at least one steel grade from a stock of data, stored in a memory, for a population of a plurality of steel grades using a data processing device, wherein the method has the following steps: (a) a selection device (11) which can be operated by a user is displayed on a display means (12) which can be used to set values for at least two steel grade features which respectively denote the steel grades; (b) the stock of data is queried for a steel grade for which the stock of data stores values for steel grade features which correspond to the set values of the steel grade features or which fulfill conditions which are dependent on the set values, and (c) if said query is satisfied by a steel grade and possibly in so far as said steel grade fulfills one or more further conditions, said steel grade or information representing it is displayed on the display means (12).
US08463769B1
In various embodiments, approaches for identifying missing search phrases are described. Search terms are behaviorally associated with an item in the electronic repository. If a search of the electronic repository fails to surface the item, the at least one search term can be identified as a missing search phrase for the item.
US08463768B2
A method and apparatus for using tag topology for enhancing search capabilities, e.g., searching over the web, are disclosed. For example, the present method receives a user query contain a search term from a user. The method then generates a search result containing at least one entity, wherein the at least one entity is found based on a plurality of user provided tags that is associated with the at least one entity.
US08463764B2
A social based search apparatus, system and method. The apparatus, system and method may include receiving, from a user, at least one search keyword, comparing the search keyword to a plurality of keywords having one or more experts associated therewith, and producing a first search result including at least one expert and information associated with the at least one expert, wherein the at least one expert and the information are at least substantially related to the at least one search keyword. The present invention may additionally include applying at least one filter to the first search result, wherein the at least one filter includes a broadening of the at least one search keyword.
US08463763B2
A method of searching for information contents in a plurality of data sources each including metadata structured according to a structure, the information contents being intended for at least one community of users. The method includes a step of first defining at least one reading screen specific to the community of users, the at least one reading screen including at least one category of results ordered as a function of the structure of at least one metadata, the step of defining the at least one reading screen including a step of second defining a correspondence rule between the at least one category and the at least one metadata for associating information contents to the at least one category, and a step of using the defined at least one reading screen as a search filter and/or display format in a search conducted in the plurality of data sources for the community of users.
US08463761B2
In a light-weight transactional system architecture, each component providing a service performs its own scheduling and transaction management. An invocation of one of these services (through remote method invocation) results in the creation of a local transaction (child of the invoking transaction and parent of any transaction that might be triggered by invoking the services of other servers). The information that is required to build a global composite transaction is implicitly added by the system to each call. Each transaction is, however, independently handled at each server. That is, the servers neither communicate among themselves nor rely on a centralized component to make scheduling or recovery decisions. In this way, components can be dynamically added or removed from the system without compromising correctness. Regardless of the configuration, the system according to the invention guarantees that transactions executed over these servers are correct and recoverable at a global and local level.
US08463757B2
Example methods, and apparatus concern file repair. One example method includes storing a file in a file store and also parsing the file into a set of constituent data blocks. The method includes selectively storing, in a data store, unique data blocks from the set of constituent data blocks. The method includes maintaining, in a combination of the file store and the data store, a threshold number of copies of data blocks. The method also includes maintaining a data structure that stores data for locating the file in the file store and that stores data for recreating the file from data blocks. The method also includes maintaining a data structure that stores data for locating multiple copies of data found in members of the set of constituent data blocks. Files can be repaired using data blocks parsed from stored files or using data blocks stored as data blocks.
US08463756B2
“A Universal Learner (UL)” provides a unified framework to understand multimedia signals. The UL utilizes the loosely annotated multimedia data on the Web, analyses it in various signal domains, such as text, image, audio and combinations thereof, and builds an association graph called the “Multimedia Brain,” which basically comprises visual signals, audio signals, text phrases and the like that capture a multitude of objects, experiences and their attributes and the links among them that capture similar intent or functional and contextual relationships.
US08463754B2
There is provided electrical equipment which includes a macro file storage portion to store a macro file for acquiring log information under control of an operation system and log information outside control of the operation system at a time and a macro file executing portion to execute the macro file stored in the macro file storage portion and record log information obtained as a result of executing the macro file into a removable external recording medium.
US08463752B2
A method of anonymize business data. The method includes responsive to a request from an application for data objects stored in a database system, retrieving the data objects from a non-transitory storage of the database system, prior to transmitting the data object to the application, retrieving pre-determined rules from a rule engine, wherein the rules include conditions for retaining data, comparing the request against the rules to determine portions of the data objects that are to be anonymized, anonymizing the portions of the data objects, and transmitting the data object to the application.
US08463741B2
A digital pathology system has a central workflow server hosting digital pathology application services and supporting one or more pathology workstations. The digital pathology system may include one or more image servers, providing digital images of sample specimen slides that are associated with medical cases. Residing at and executing on each pathology workstation is a digital pathology application client, which is the counterpart of digital pathology application services at the central workflow server. The combination of digital pathology application services at the central workflow server and digital pathology application client at each pathology workstation support a pathology workflow software module and a slide viewer software module. The present disclosure also describes a method of operation and/or use of the digital pathology system.
US08463737B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for converting and monitoring management information data in an integrated manner and in real time. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for converting and monitoring management information data in an integrated manner and in real time which are capable of reducing the number of processes and stably operating an IT infrastructure through integrated management by flexibly collecting and converting management information data having a variety of formats and transmitting it to a destination integrated management solution when existing point-specific management solutions are managed in an integrated manner using an integrated management solution.
US08463732B2
A stochastic information system stores a coherent stochastic model corresponding to an uncertain variable in a data store. The coherent stochastic model is stored in a compressed format. The stochastic information system includes a calculation engine operable to calculate a result by performing a simulation using the coherent stochastic model. In some implementations, the stochastic data is encoded and stored as a single element, such as, for example, a string. The stochastic data may be encoded using a quantizer, which may be configured to exploit gaps in the stochastic data. A method includes receiving stochastic information including values for a plurality of trials for use in a stochastic information system, encoding the stochastic information as a string representing the values for the plurality of trials, and storing the encoded stochastic information for use by the stochastic information system.
US08463726B2
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DIGITAL CONVERSATION MANAGEMENT PLATFORM (“DCM-Platform”) transforms digital dialogue from consumers, client demands and, Internet search inputs via DCM-Platform components into tradable digital assets, and client needs based artificial intelligence campaign plan outputs. In one implementation, The DCM-Platform may capture and examine conversations between individuals and artificial intelligence conversation agents. These agents may be viewed as assets. One can measure the value and performance of these agents by assessing their performance and ability to generate revenue from prolonging conversations and/or ability to effect sales through conversations with individuals.
US08463713B2
A system and method facilitating purchase transactions over a computer network, including the purchase of electronically storable items. The embodiments herein encrypt “customer identifier string” in an encryption stream and cause the encryption stream to be transferred from the customer to a merchant in the purchase transaction. A verification entity receives the encryption stream which is sent by the merchant for identity verification and payment authorization. Then, the verification entity verifies the identifiers contained in the encryption stream and transfers an identity verification and payment authorization from the verification entity to the merchant.
US08463688B2
A metric, such as price, is estimated for an exchange-listed product based on public sentiment regarding the exchange-listed product. A system for estimating a metric for an exchange-listed product receives data from an external server. The data may be received from a social media website, and may represent user-generated data in natural language form. The system identifies a portion of the data and determines whether the portion represents a positive sentiment or a negative sentiment. The system estimates a metric for the exchange-listed product based on the sentiment represented by the data. The system may combine the metric based on sentiment with other metrics to create an averaged metric. The other metrics may be obtained using analyst consensus estimates as well as technical analyses of market information for the exchange-listed product.
US08463681B2
The invention comprises a method for distributing dead bank cards to customers who have not solicited a bank card or submitted an application. The dead bank card is a bank card (e.g., ATM card, debit card, check card, and the like) which contains all necessary information to be used, including a pre-assigned bank account number, and which only requires activation/approval by the prospective new bank account customer. In one embodiment, the dead bank card is distributed in connection with live credit cards issued to applicants for credit card accounts. Once operative, the bank card and the credit card may be linked together through a rebate/rewards program.
US08463679B2
A system, method, apparatus, and technique for gathering and providing information forecasts is disclosed. An example of a system according to the technique includes a graph module having at least and interactive portion and an optional static portion. The interactive portion of the graph can be capable of plotting future data points provided by a user. The static portion of the graph can contain a plot of past data points. The graphical forecasting interface provides a simple mechanism for a user to make one or a plurality of future predictions as to an information item using a graphical input.
US08463678B2
The invention is to provide a generating method for transaction models with indicators for option. The method comprises: (S1) collecting a variety of indicators from the financial market; (S2) establishing an indicator pool saved with the indicators; (S3) distinguishing and classifying the indicators by Neural Network; (S4) determining a plurality of transaction models, the indicator of each transaction model in an independent classification; (S5) determining a date parameter for each indicator; (S6) deleting a part of the transaction models; (S7) determining a plurality of final transaction models from another transaction models; and (S8) determining a weight of each final transaction model.
US08463676B1
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method, system, and computer readable medium for interpreting discrepancy codes. The invention comprises obtaining, by an intermediary system, tax information associated with a taxpayer, wherein the tax information comprises an expected refund amount; obtaining an issued refund amount associated with the taxpayer; comparing the expected refund amount and the issued refund amount; determining, based on the comparing, a discrepancy amount; obtaining, in response to determining the discrepancy amount, a discrepancy code associated with the issued refund amount; retrieving, from a discrepancy code database, a discrepancy information record using the discrepancy code, wherein the discrepancy information record indicates a source of the discrepancy amount; generating a discrepancy explanation using the discrepancy information record, the discrepancy amount, and the tax information; and sending the generated discrepancy explanation to a client system.
US08463667B2
A method and system for configuring an instance of a business information application program based on data exported from an instance of the application program is provided. Each instance of the application program has a database storing an organizations' business data. Template providers desiring to provide a template containing configuration and instance data to organizations using the application program may use the application program to set up configuration and instance data for a particular type of organization. Once the database is populated with configuration and instance data, the template provider can use an export function to export the configuration and instance data to a template file. The template file is then provided to an organization that wants to initialize its database based on the template. The organization uses an import function to import configuration and instance data from the template into the organization's database.
US08463657B1
A system and method of selling and distributing custom-fit shoes by a footwear manufacturer or seller. Each footwear includes a shoe shell with a foot bed cover, an arch support member, and an upper foot bed cover. Pad pockets are formed on the inside surfaces of the shoe's medial and lateral sides and on the tongue. Distributed with each shoe shell is a fit adjustment kit with a plurality of arch support pads, medial pads, lateral pads, forefoot pads, and tongue pads. The kit includes several sizes of arch support pads, medial pads, lateral pads, and tongue pads thereby enabling the user to interchange them and adjust the fit for optimal comfort. The fit of each shoe shell in a pair of footwear can be adjusted independently. The method of selling shoes includes a creation of a website where a plurality of different styles and sizes of shoes with fit adjustment kits are offered for sale.
US08463648B1
Embodiments of the present invention further provide systems and methods for automatically identifying and extracting topics from questions posted by users to a consultation system, for creating a new consultation category or creating new keywords for of promotion of a new category serving an underserved or unserved topic.
US08463643B2
A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity.
US08463639B2
Disclosed is a market-based software system that will help user-retailers manage price and inventories more effectively. The system will take advantage of available price and sales data to provide pricing recommendations that will achieve a retail user's objectives. The system will offer a solution that will allow for pricing improvement shortly after installation by utilizing data that is readily available. The system will recommend price changes that help a user achieve specified objectives such as contribution, sales volume, desired margins, and the like.The system can also collect and process price and sales data on an ongoing basis, which can enable improved estimates of customer price sensitivity and performance on a category-by-category basis. This data can be used to improve further pricing decisions.
US08463634B2
The present invention provides a system and method for developing a set of business process definitions sharing the common business intent as a business process family using model-driven techniques. The present invention minimizes on development time and resources thus leading to a cost effective system and method for developing business process families. The invention enables to create a business process family which can be easily configured to behave as a specific business process thus meeting the needs of a set of apriori known situations. The invention supports configuration process at different stages (i.e. design time, and run time) of the business process application and also support extension of the configuration structure at different stages (i.e. design time, and run time). The invention enables to create a business process family which can be easily extended to meet the needs of an as yet unseen situation.
US08463631B2
A system and a method implements a business model for determining a reliable eco-balance of a specific product. An eco-balance typically has consumption of resources, e.g. water consumption, energy consumption and waste products, e.g. CO2 production. Incoming products and outgoing products having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for storing their own ecological balance. A calculation unit for each link of a whole product chain of the specific product, is calculating an aggregated ecological balance from parameters of the process of the actual link and from ecologic balances of incoming products, if there are any, and storing it to the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag of the outgoing product of the actual link.
US08463627B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus and methods for queuing access by large numbers of Internet or other network-based users to networked systems and resources with limited capacity. In one example embodiment, a queuing system provides user access to network resources, such as that of a ticketing system. A computer system receives a first request for a first resource The first request is queued in computer readable memory. A determination is made that the first request for the first resource has been abandoned. A queued second request is identified, wherein the second request is similar to the first request. The second request is associated with the abandoned first resource.
US08463626B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media to automate reconsideration of a cardiac risk category associated with issuance of a life insurance policy may provide an indication of a best potential risk category or rate class that would be available if at least one action is completed by a life insurance applicant.
US08463621B2
A breakaway interface between radiological information systems, imaging equipment and picture archive and communications systems has automated filtering and handling of multiple study work orders or affiliated work orders, while passing single study work orders through unaltered. The work orders are processed by the breakaway interface to consolidate multiple procedure or multiple study work orders into a single super order, which is then communicated, preferably using DICOM standard protocol, to an imaging machine. The imaging machine returns a single image sequence, and the breakaway interface will then break images away from the single image sequence into a plurality of grouped image sequences. The preferred grouping is based upon anatomical regions, and separate but adjacent anatomical regions will preferably share one or more images at the boundary between the adjacent regions. The exact number of shared images may preferably be preset at the system level. A number of different techniques for analyzing the single image sequence are proposed individually or in combination, including histogram analysis, peak finding techniques, moments of order analysis, evaluating information from one or more previous analyses, and evaluating image sequence series information to distinguish discrete imaging procedures.
US08463616B2
Disclosed are methods for scheduling when to run a process to take advantage of time-varying input prices by predicting the “rank” of the current actual input price among future input prices. The rank is that portion of a future time period during which the input price will be less than the current actual input price. An “operational cutoff” is set based on the portion of time during which a process should run in order to produce a target output amount. Periodically, the actual input price is determined, and its rank is predicted. The predicted rank is then compared with the operational cutoff. If the predicted rank is below the cutoff, then it makes economic sense to run the process. Otherwise, it would be cheaper not to run the process at present but to wait a while in expectation that the input price will drop.
US08463613B2
A system for controlling a diagnosis and/or therapy system is provided. The system may include a portable unit that includes at least one voice signal detection device and a transmission device for wireless transmission of data to a receiver unit of the diagnosis and/or therapy system. The portable unit includes a voice recognition unit that generates control signals depending on the voice signals arriving via the voice signal detection device. The control signals may be transmitted by the transmission device as commands.
US08463607B2
A noise detection apparatus includes a time-frequency transform unit configured to transform an input signal from a time domain to a frequency domain to produce a spectrum, a power spectrum calculating unit configured to obtain powers of frequencies from the spectrum, a peak stationarity detecting unit configured to use peaks of the powers of frequencies in each frame to detect frequencies at which a stationary peak of the powers exists, a power stationarity detecting unit configured to use magnitudes of the powers of frequencies in each frame to detect frequencies at which the magnitudes of the powers are stationary, and a check unit configured to use the frequencies detected by the peak stationarity detecting unit and the frequencies detected by the power stationarity detecting unit to check whether there is a noise that has at least one of peak stationarity and power stationarity in the frequency domain.
US08463595B1
Performing detailed sentiment analysis includes generating a first sentiment score for a first entity based on a content source. The first sentiment score is generated with respect to a first dimension. A second sentiment score for the first entity is generated based on the content source. The second sentiment score is generated with respect to a second dimension.
US08463593B2
Technologies are described herein for probabilistically assigning weights to word senses and hypernyms of a word. The weights can be used in natural language processing applications such as information indexing and querying. A word hypernym weight (WHW) score can be determined by summing word sense probabilities of word senses from which the hypernym is inherited. WHW scores can be used to prune away hypernyms prior to indexing, to rank query results, and for other functions related to information indexing and querying. A semantic search technique can use WHW scores to retrieve an entry related to a word from an index in response to matching an indexed hypernym of the word with a query term applied to the index. More refined and accurate query results may be provided based on reduced user inputs.
US08463588B2
A computer implemented method for modelizing a nuclear reactor core, includes the steps of: partitioning the core in cubes to constitute nodes of a grid for computer implemented calculation, calculating neutron flux by using an iterative solving procedure of at least one eigensystem, the components of an iterant of the eigensystem corresponding either to a neutron flux, to a neutron outcurrent or to a neutron incurrent, for a respective cube to be calculated.The eigensystem iterative solving procedure includes a substep of conditioning the eigensystem into a spare eigensystem wherein the components of an iterant of the spare eigensystem correspond only either to neutron incurrents coming into the cubes or to neutron outcurrents coming from the cubes.
US08463587B2
A method of simulating an integrated circuit design is provided. In this method, a node order ranking of nodes in a netlist can be determined. Circuits of the netlist can then be partitioned based on the node order ranking with both static current driving and dynamic current driving schemes. A hierarchical data structure can be built based on the node order partitioning. In one embodiment, intermediate node orders can be dynamically merged for simulation optimization. Then, the circuits can be re-partitioned based on one or more merged intermediate node orders. Solving and integration can be performed using the hierarchical data structure to generate an order-ranked hierarchy engine. Analysis on the order-ranked hierarchy engine can be performed. At this point, simulation data of the IC design can be exported based on the analysis. By using this method, linear network reduction with its attendant accuracy loss is unnecessary.
US08463582B2
Systems and techniques, including machine-readable instructions, for modeling of nonlinear systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a collection of two or more inputs configured and arranged to receive input signals, a collection of two or more outputs configured and arranged to output output signals, a processing unit configured to transform the input signals into the output signals, wherein the transformation is non-linear and treats the non-linear system as a collection of multiple input, single output non-linear systems, and a data storage that stores characteristics of the transformation.
US08463565B1
A flashlight includes a light powered by a battery, and a circuit having: a memory for storing a battery life information and voltage output information versus time for the battery to power the light, a controller operating a count down timer to accumulate an amount of time that the battery powers the light, a voltage measure circuit for monitoring the voltage output by the battery while the battery powers the light and supply the voltage output to the controller. The controller determines: a first remaining battery life by comparing the accumulated time to the battery life, a second remaining battery life by comparing the voltage output to the voltage output information, and the lesser of the first and second remaining battery lives. The flashlight includes a display for receiving a command from the controller to display the lesser of the first remaining battery life and the second remaining battery life.
US08463556B2
A system and method are providing for analyzing radiation signature data (i.e., spectral data) produced by a detector device against stored data representing the computed interaction of known radioisotopic spectra with a representative cross section for each of a small number of material groups. Each material group comprises materials expected to be in a detection path of the detector and which exhibit similar cross sections. Comparative analysis is made of the spectral data received from the detector for threat materials to determine whether the spectral data indicates presence of a threat material in the interrogated space. The system and method is not limited to any particular detector type, and may be used with any detector that produces spectral data.
US08463543B2
Systems and methods for preparing and presenting schematic maps, which are maps that present information in a format that presents only information that is most relevant to a given situation in order to provide a simple and clear representation sufficient to aid a user in guidance or orientation. The schematic maps as described herein can be formatted based on the attributes of a display on which they are presented so that the map layout and presentation can be optimized for the particular display. The schematic maps can be “distorted” to better illustrate important maps areas in greater detail and using a relatively larger display area while deemphasizing less important map areas by illustrating them in less detail and using a relatively smaller display area, and thus the schematic maps can be devoid of adherence to a particular scale.
US08463534B2
An aircraft position synchronization system and methods for coordinating positioning of vehicles in motion are presented. A rabbit calculation module calculates a planned position on an orbit pattern of an aircraft in flight, and a planned position-time projection vector comprising a planned velocity vector of the planned position. A display module graphically displays the orbit pattern, the planned position and the planned velocity vector of the planned position moving in real-time along the orbit pattern. The display module further displays the planned position-time projection vector, an actual position of the aircraft, and an actual position-time projection vector of the aircraft based on a bank angle of the aircraft such that a user determines the planned position on the planned position-time projection vector of the aircraft in order to arrive at a predetermined position at a correct time. A rendezvous module coordinates the aircraft with a second aircraft in flight.
US08463530B2
A low computation method for operating auto ignition combustion engines, in which outputs, in particular a requested torque set point TQI_SP is directly linked to an injected fuel mass flow distribution, to the EGR rate and the air control by taking into account engine out emissions & drivability constrains by using a multi-objective optimization method. A method to monitor in the embedded controller the indicated torque, TQI is also proposed.
US08463528B2
The present application provides a system and method for determining a secondary fuel amount for an engine. The method comprises measuring an injector signal from an engine's Engine Control Unit (ECU) for a primary injector. A delay time of the primary injector can be determined using a lookup table. An open time can be calculated based on the delay time and the primary timing value. An amount of fuel to be injected into the engine can be calculated based on the primary injector open time. An amount of secondary fuel equivalent to the amount of primary fuel can be determined. A timing value for a secondary injector signal for the secondary injector can be calculated to deliver the amount of secondary fuel to the engine.
US08463522B2
A vehicle running control device including: a vehicle speed sensor which detects an actual vehicle speed; a target vehicle speed setting unit; a target drive force calculation unit; a drive force control unit; a vehicle speed lowering allowance value setting unit; and a target drive force upper limit calculation unit. If the actual vehicle speed lowering amount with respect to the target vehicle speed is within the lowering allowance value, the target drive force calculation unit limits the target drive force to be not greater than the target drive force upper limit and the drive force control unit executes drive force control in accordance with the limited target drive force.
US08463521B2
A driver coaching system for providing a recommended driver action during driving of a vehicle includes a distance measuring device of an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for measuring a distance between a subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and a speed measuring device for measuring a speed of the subject vehicle. The driver coaching system further includes a coaching controller communicating with each of the distance measuring device and the speed measuring device. The coaching controller determines a recommended driver input based on the distance and speed as measured, respectively, by the distance measuring device and the speed measuring device. An output device is mounted in the subject vehicle and communicates the recommended driver input.
US08463520B2
Following an automobile start command, at least one condition is examined before a hill start assist is executed and if the condition is fulfilled, the execution of the hill start assist is prevented.
US08463507B2
A method for controlling power to at least one power consuming device includes detecting at least one first operational parameter and at least one second operational parameter, establishing a power value based on the detected values of the first and second operational parameters, and controlling the power consuming device in response to the established power value.
US08463502B2
A motor vehicle includes a crash detection device for detecting an imminent collision between the vehicle and an obstacle and a vehicle lifting device that cooperates with the crash detection device to suddenly compensate for a brake diving movement of the vehicle before the vehicle collides with the obstacle.
US08463501B2
A device for controlling passenger protection devices in which two hardware paths independent from one another are provided for activation. One interface IC is provided for each hardware path which has at least one circuit breaker and one power supply.
US08463498B2
A method for controlling the side slip angle of a rear-wheel drive vehicle when turning; the control method provides for the steps of: detecting the position of an accelerator control which is displaced along a predetermined stroke; using a first initial part of the stroke of the accelerator control for directly controlling the generation of the drive torque so that the generated drive torque depends on the position of the accelerator control; and using a second final part of the stroke of the accelerator control to directly control a side slip angle of the vehicle when turning so that the side slip angle depends on the position of the accelerator control.
US08463487B2
A system comprising a plurality of complex event processing engines including a first complex event processing engine set at a first tier and a second complex event processing engine set at a second tier. Each of the plurality of complex event processing engines executes on at least one hardware computer processor. The plurality of complex event processing engines are configured such that at least one complex event processing engine in the second set communicates with only some of the other complex event processing engines in the second set. The plurality of complex event processing engines further are configured such that at least one complex event processing engine in the first set communicates with each complex event processing engine in the second set.
US08463482B2
An improved method for predicting the health of a power transmission and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: monitoring a total number of converged shifts after a first shift has converged; determining if the total number of converged shifts is greater then a calibrated number of completed converged shifts; if yes, determining an initial clutch volume, an initial free running clearance, a free running clearance, and a free running clearance per face and monitoring a change in free running clearance per face; determining if either the free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated free running clearance per friction surface for failure or if the change in free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated change in free running clearance per friction surface for failure; if yes, activating a service indicator configured to warn vehicle occupants that transmission service is required.
US08463461B2
According to an embodiment herein, a method of predicting a trajectory of an aerospace vehicle comprises accessing an observation of a state of the vehicle from sensor data; and using a computing system to predict different possible future positions and attitudes of the vehicle, including using the sensor data and associated latencies to determine a set of vehicle state transitions. Each state transition in the set is computed as a function of estimated latency. The method further comprises using the computing system to update a prior distribution of the vehicle state with the state transitions. Consequently, the predicted trajectory is compensated for latency.
US08463441B2
A control system for controlling a refrigeration system having an operating point, comprising: a memory configured to store a relationship of at least an evaporator efficiency, an evaporator heat load, a refrigerant amount in the evaporator, and a variable dependent on a non-volatile liquid mixed with refrigerant in the evaporator an input port configured to receive a signal corresponding to at least a measured evaporator heat load during operation; an output port configured to present an output to selectively alter an operating point of the evaporator, by altering the refrigerant amount in the evaporator and thereby changing the variable; and a processor, configured to receive the signal, access the memory; and generate the output to selectively move toward an optimum operating point. A corresponding method and refrigeration system are provided.
US08463439B2
In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument. A method of passing data between an instrument and a manipulator via optical connectors is also provided.
US08463438B2
A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.
US08463433B2
There is provided a control system which controls a link structure constructed by connecting a plurality of rigid body links and driven by making a joint actuator generate an actuator force. The control system includes a mechanical model including geometric parameters and dynamical parameters of the link structure, a virtual external force calculating means for calculating a virtual force acting on the mechanical model of the link structure, a contact part detecting means for detecting contact parts between the link structure and the outside, and an actual force converting means for converting the virtual force calculated by the virtual external force calculating means into an external force capable of existing actually and the actuator force of the joint actuator, using contact information detected by the contact part detecting means. The joint actuator is made to generate the actuator force output by the actual force converting means.
US08463432B2
A self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprises a first customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent a media item on which entertainment data is stored from the terminal, a second customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to return a media item on which entertainment data is stored to the terminal, a media storage bin for (i) storing media items to be dispensed when a customer rents a media item, and (ii) storing media items which have been returned from a customer, a media transport mechanism arranged to (i) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the first customer interface, and (ii) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the second customer interface, and a controller arranged to (i) receive customer input data through the first customer interface, (ii) receive customer input data through the second customer interface while customer input data is being received through the first customer interface, and (iii) control operation of the media transport mechanism based upon the customer input data received through the first customer interface and customer input data received through the second customer interface.
US08463431B2
A vending system comprising numerous remote vending machines, retail displays, and automated retail stores connected to a communication network access a central database so that each remote machine provides and responds to personalized customer information. Each machine comprises a display containing products to be vended and a plurality of touchable product viewing areas for initiating a vend. A computer recognizes customer data derived from peripheral inputs. Software communicates with the database for establishing customer profiles and either recognizing customers or registering customers by generating a global unique identifier. Subroutines initiate the dispensing of items in response to preselected conditions associated with each GUID.
US08463423B2
Systems and methods for monitoring various process parameters, primarily in connection with processes for the sterilization of particulate foods in a continuous thermal process, make use of application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) that provide process-related data for batch or continuous thermal treatment when the circuit is embedded in a particle subjected to such treatment. The preferred methods are described in connection with process design, and with at least near real-time process control using process data provided by such circuits.
US08463407B2
An electrical lead for implantation into an animal includes a cable to which a stimulation electrode is connected. The cable has a helical electrical conductor enclosed within an insulating sheath. The stimulation electrode has a tubular first contact band with a threaded lumen into which a portion of the helical electrical conductor is screwed. A second contact band has a threaded aperture and a helical electrode coil is screwed into both the threaded lumen and the threaded aperture. The two contact bands are separated so as to expose a portion of the electrode coil to enable electrical stimulation of tissue of the animal. Particular configurations of the helical electrode coil and the helical electrical conductor render the electrical lead compatible with MRI scanning.
US08463405B2
Handling or removal of a pair of defibrillator electrode pads from their package is detected in order to effectively time the issuance of prompts to guide the user. One plate of a capacitor is embedded in the package, the electrode pads and lead wires serving as the other plate. Impedance across the capacitor in an alternating current circuit is monitored to detect an increase in the distance between the pads and the package. The impedance level is determined, in a low-cost hardware solution, by rectifying and then integrating an output voltage of the capacitor to produce a voltage signal whose magnitude attenuates as the pads are handled or removed. In one embodiment, the above methodology is time-division multiplexed with an alternative process that identifies handling or removal based on pad-to-pad impedance. In a further embodiment, the capacitive configuration is replaced with an inductive one.
US08463403B2
In one embodiment, a method of fabricating an implantable stimulation paddle comprises: providing a sheet of conductive material coupled to a first insulative layer; laser removing portions of the conductive material to form a pattern of conductive material, the pattern of conductive material including a plurality of isolated metal traces; providing a second insulative layer over the pattern of conductive material so that the pattern of conductive material is interposed between the first and second insulative layers; and exposing portions of the metal traces to form electrodes on the paddle for delivering electrical stimulation.
US08463396B2
Disclosed is a microwave antenna assembly that includes proximal and distal radiating sections and a junction member. The proximal radiating section includes inner and outer conductors and DC power and neutral conductors. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor and the DC power and neutral conductors are disposed radially outward therefrom. The junction member mates the distal and proximal radiating sections such that the distal and proximal radiating sections are positioned relative to one another. The junction member further includes a microwave signal amplifier (MSA) that receives a signal at a first energy level from the inner and outer conductors and a DC power signal from the DC power and neutral conductors. The MSA amplifies the signal from the first energy level to an additional, greater energy level. The junction member provides the microwave signal at the additional energy level to the proximal and distal radiating sections.
US08463391B2
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to deliver energy out of a living subject to power at least one external device, and related apparatuses, and methods of use.
US08463383B2
Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles and/or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators and/or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin or carried outside the body. Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a carrier and an electronics pod, the electronics pod including stimulation generation circuitry and user interface components. A power source and/or flash memory may be incorporated in neurostimulation assembly and/or the return electrode. The assemblies, systems, and methods are adapted to provide coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.
US08463381B2
While a cardiac device is in AAI(R) mode, a ventricular channel is monitored for a premature ventricular contraction (PVC). In response to detecting a PVC while the device is in AAI(R) mode, a refractory period is started in an atrial channel to prevent a retrograde atrial event that may occur due to the PVC from resetting an atrial escape interval (AEI). Additionally, during such a relative refractory period in the atrial channel, the atrial channel is monitored for a retrograde atrial event that may occur due to the PVC. If a retrograde atrial event is detected, then the refractory period in the atrial channel is terminated, and an antegrade conduction restoration interval (ACRI) is started. The ACRI is a programmed period that specifies how long to wait after a retrograde atrial event is detected before pacing the atrium.
US08463378B2
A device having a first stimulation unit that generates electrical first stimuli suppressing a pathological synchronous activity of neurons in the brain and/or spinal cord of a patient upon administering the same to the brain and/or spinal cord of the patient, a second stimulation unit that generates optical and/or acoustic and/or tactile and/or vibratory second stimuli, and a controller that controls the first and the second stimulation units. The generation of the first and second stimuli optionally occurs in a first or in a second operating mode, and the controller actuates the first and the second stimulation units such that in the first operating mode the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli is chronologically coupled to the generation of the first stimuli, and in the second operating mode the generation of at least 60% of the second stimuli is carried out without generating the first stimuli.
US08463377B2
Various embodiments of an implantable system for delivering therapy comprise at least one of a heat sink or source to either reduce or increase temperature of excitable tissue, a pulse generator and at least one stimulation electrode to deliver electrical stimulation to excitable tissue, a memory and a controller. The memory has instructions for performing at least one stimulation routine and at least one thermal routine, and further has integration instructions for integrating the thermal routine(s) with the stimulation routine(s). The controller is configured to operate on the instructions to perform the stimulation routine(s) using the pulse generator and the at least one stimulation electrode, to perform the thermal routine(s) using the heat sink or the heat source, and to operate on the integration instructions to integrate thermal routine(s) with the stimulation routine(s).
US08463376B2
A system and method for electrically stimulating the heart muscle to improve heart function requires identifying a site in the venous system adjacent a sympathetic nerve. An electrode is then positioned at the site to electrically stimulate the nerve. In turn, this stimulation releases norepinephrine from the nerve to improve heart muscle contraction.
US08463371B2
A system and method for processing brain signals in a BCI system. The method of processing brain signals in a BCI system includes the steps of processing the brain signals for control state detection to determine if a subject intends to use the BCI system; and processing the brain signals for command recognition if the control state detection method determines that the subject intends to use the BCI system.
US08463368B2
In general, in one aspect, a method is disclosed for determining information about a position of an object. The method includes: (i) causing current to flow between each of three or more sets of current-injecting electrodes on a first catheter inserted into an organ in a patient's body, the organ having a periphery (ii) in response to current flow caused by each set of current injecting electrodes, measuring an electrical signal at each of one or more measuring electrodes located on one or more additional catheters inserted into the organ in the patient's body and (iii) determining the position of each of one or more of the measuring electrodes on the additional catheters relative to the first catheter based on the measured signals from the one or more measuring electrodes.
US08463365B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and treating malignant tissue, organs or cells in a mammal. The method includes parenterally injecting a mammalian subject, at a locus or by a route providing access to the tissue or organ, with a composition including an antibody/fragment that is tagged with a fluorophore and a therapeutic isotope molecule, which specifically binds to the targeted organ, tissue or cell.
US08463363B2
Image reconstruction techniques for a medical imaging system are provided that include receiving pixel data from a gamma camera of an imaging system, and calculating a subsequent voxel value from the pixel data by subtracting an expected pixel value from a measured pixel value of the pixel data to produce a difference and correcting a previous voxel value by adding a weighted value of the difference to the previous voxel value. An imaging system is also provided.
US08463362B2
A multi-dose injection system (108) is disclosed that allows for safe and easy use of bulk containers, a multi-use tubing set (110), and syringes (86a, 86b) across multiple patients. The bulk containers may include a saline bottle (118) and a contrast bottle (120) for administration to a series of patients undergoing imaging procedures. The bottles (118, 120) may be fluidly connected to a cassette (114) that includes a saline valve (176) and a contrast valve (178) operable to control flow from the saline bottle (118) and the contrast bottle (120), respectively. The cassette (114) may be fluidly interconnected to the multi-use tubing set (110) that is, in turn, fluidly connected to syringes (86a, 86b) on a powerhead (50) and a patient-specific tubing set (112). The patient-specific tubing set (112) may be replaced between patients and may also serve to isolate the remainder of the multi-dose injection system (108) from contamination from bodily fluids.
US08463359B2
An expandable member for characterizing a three-dimensional space within a mammalian body is described. The expandable member is delivered to a target region in a deflated state where it is expanded by inflation of the member. Sensory transducers that contact the member relay sensory information generated when the member is in an expanded state to a microprocessor located outside the body. Using the sensory information, a data-driven picture that characterizes the three-dimensional space within the body is created with a microprocessor. The apparatus is useful in preparation for minimally invasive surgical therapy.
US08463354B2
An electrode system comprises a flexible circuit substrate and a plurality of electrode modules. The flexible circuit substrate comprises a flexible material and traces supported by the flexible material. The flexible circuit substrate extends through at least two of the electrode modules such that the electrode modules encompass portions of the flexible circuit substrate. Each electrode module comprises at least one rigid circuit member configured to process ERPs of a test subject. The rigid circuit members are layered against the flexible circuit substrate such that the rigid circuit members and the flexible circuit substrate together form a rigid-flex circuit. A sensor may be removably disposed through a substantially central opening defined by each electrode module.
US08463352B2
A steering wheel with a biometric sensor apparatus may include a plurality of sensing prominences having electric conductivity and protruding from an outer surface of the steering wheel.
