US08475005B2
A backlight unit of an embodiment includes: a light emitting module including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a module substrate on which the light emitting diodes are mounted; a bottom cover accommodating the light emitting module; a board on the bottom cover; a transformer mounted on a lower portion of the board, and including a core and a coil surrounding at least one portion of the core; a transformer cover covering the transformer; and a heat dissipating cover between the transformer cover and the bottom cover.
US08475003B2
Substantially cylindrical supporting units are formed at both sides of a lens. The supporting units are to adjust the separation distance between the lens and the surface of a substrate depending on the height dimension of a light emitting diode mounted on the substrate from the substrate face when the lens body is fixed to the substrate. A cylindrical convex part is formed at a part of the tip face of the supporting unit in a concentric fashion relative to the supporting unit, and a cylindrical positioning unit is formed at a part of the tip face of the convex part in a concentric fashion. The positioning unit functions as a member for positioning when the substrate and the lens body are fixed to each other.
US08474999B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a lamp holder, an optical module, a thermal pad, and a fixing ring. The lamp holder has a first recess in which the optical module is configured. The thermal pad is configured in the first recess and between the optical module and the lamp holder, so as to separate the optical module from the lamp holder. The fixing ring is locked to the lamp holder, so as to fix the optical module into the lamp holder. The optical module includes a first fixing element, an LED board, and a lens. The first fixing element has an accommodating opening in which the LED board is configured. The LED board includes a circuit board and LEDs, and the LEDs are configured on the circuit board. The lens is fixed to the first fixing element and covers the LEDs.
US08474995B2
A clip light includes a light head including a light housing having a light window, and a LED light source supported in the light housing to align with the light window; a power source supported in the light housing; and a mounting arrangement which includes a clipping unit pivotally coupling with the light housing, wherein the light housing is selectively moved to adjust a light projecting orientation of the light source via the clipping unit when the clipping unit is coupled at the desired object.
US08474989B1
A target system and method for photogrammetry using a target holder with an aperture at least partially therethrough to precisely position a target assembly therein for use in determining geometric properties of an object.
US08474988B2
A projector to which a ceiling suspension attachment is fixed. The projector accommodates an internal device. The projector is provided with an outer case including a bottom wall that defines an outer bottom surface and an inner bottom surface of the outer case. Insert nuts are arranged on the bottom wall. Each insert nut includes a threaded hole to which a first coupling screw is fastened and a second coupling screw can be fastened. The first coupling screw couples the attachment to the outer bottom surface of the bottom wall, and the second coupling screw is fastened to the threaded hole from a side opposite to the first coupling screw. The second coupling screw is fastened at least one of the insert nuts to couple the inner device to the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall.
US08474986B2
A drive, primarily for an optical light forming device, which light forming device can be used in a projector, which light forming device comprises an at least partly open area for light, where at least two light forming devices cooperate in a light path for forming the light, which light forming devices are rotated around a common axis in and out of the light path. To achieve opposite synchronous movement of light forming means, the light forming devices are rotated equal in opposite directions around the common axis by a common motor. Hereby, it can be achieved that the two light forming devices are rotated synchronously, but opposite in relation to each other. The opposite synchronous movement is very important if the light fainting devices are part of a modern computer controlled projector using step motors.
US08474983B2
A light-source cooling device is provided that, without adopting a complex configuration, is capable of reducing the temperature difference between the top portion and bottom portion of a light source despite change of the installation orientation. The light-source cooling device of the present invention for cooling a light source (11) is provided with: two ventilation ducts (4and 5) for guiding cooling airflows (13a and 13b) to strike against the light source (11) from opposite directions, and two fans (2and 3) for impelling the cooling airflows (13a and 13b) to two airflow guide units (4and 5).
US08474976B2
A pair of spectacles that can automatically change its power so that a fixation region of interest (ROI) of the user is always in focus. The automatic accommodative spectacle device includes focusing elements, sensors, line of sight detector, focus engine, focusing element controller, and power supply. The line of sight detector determines the line of sight for the left and right eyes of the user using data from the sensors. The focus engine uses the lines of sight for left and right eyes to determine the user's fixation ROI. The fixation ROI is used to determine powers for the focusing elements in order to bring the fixation ROI into focus. The focusing element controller carries out the needed optical power adjustment to apply to the focusing elements. Optional light sources may be provided.
US08474950B2
The recording apparatus includes a conveyor and a recording head which records an image to a recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor. The conveyor includes a circumferential wall, and conveys a recording medium placed on an outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall, by rotation of the circumferential wall. The recording head includes an ejection surface where a plurality of nozzles are open, which nozzles eject at least one liquid droplet. The circumferential wall includes a tube-shaped base, and one or more detachable plates detachably attached to an external surface of the base.
US08474945B2
A method of operating an inkjet printer including an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, the inkjet printhead mounted on a motor-driven carriage having an encoder sensor, the method including sending a signal from the encoder sensor to a controller to indicate a position of the motor-driven carriage; determining a velocity of the motor-driven carriage; implementing a first motion control mode during a period when the inkjet printhead is printing, wherein the first motion control mode includes a first signal for damping vibrations in order to provide a substantially constant velocity of the carriage; selectively implementing a second motion control mode when the inkjet printhead is not printing, wherein the second motion control mode includes a second signal for enhancing vibrations of the carriage in order to dislodge air bubbles in the printhead; and removing air corresponding to the air bubbles from the printhead.
US08474939B2
The information expressed by an original color image can be visually recognized even if the recording medium on which the color image has been recorded in dye ink is wetted with water. With a printing device equipped with pigment ink and dye ink, in the printing of a color image, the pigment ink corresponding to an image characteristic amount included in the color image is also injected along with the dye ink, so an image expressing the image characteristic amount included in the color image is recorded with the pigment ink, which has excellent water resistance, over the color image printed with the dye ink on the printing medium. Accordingly, in the event that the recording medium becomes wet and the dye ink bleed, the user can still make out the content of the information expressed by the original color image from the image printed in the pigment ink.
US08474932B2
An image forming apparatus includes a head tank and a main tank that sends liquid to the head tank. When the remaining ink amount in the main tank is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (near empty), the liquid sending amount to be sent from the main tank to the head tank required for detecting a full state of the head tank is set to be a second liquid sending amount which is greater than a usual first liquid sending amount. An ink supply operation is performed to send liquid corresponding to the second liquid sending amount, from the main tank to the head tank. Then, it is determined whether the head tank is in a full state. When the head tank is not in a full state, the main tank is determined to be in an ink empty state.
US08474931B2
This invention is directed to a system for stirring pigment ink whose pigment particles in a container subside without moving the container containing pigment ink, and detecting that pigment particles have been stirred satisfactorily. To achieve this, a pair of electrodes greatly different in surface area and at least one of which has an inconstant width are arranged outside a container containing pigment ink whose pigment particles subside. An AC power supply is connected to the electrodes and applies an AC voltage to them. Then, an electric field generated between the electrodes causes induced polarization in pigment particles which subside in the container. The pigment particles are attracted to a portion having high electric field intensity. Convection occurs in the container, stirring the subsiding pigment particles. Based on a voltage detected by an interelectrode voltage detector, it is detected that pigment particles are dispersed sufficiently.
US08474923B2
Gun safes according to various embodiments include a secure housing and a rotatable gun support assembly that is disposed at least partially within an interior portion of the secure housing, and that is adapted to support rifles in a substantially upright position adjacent a perimeter of a portion of the gun support assembly.
US08474921B2
A support apparatus includes a patient assist bar that is coupled to a wall or to some other structure in a room of a healthcare facility, such as a headwall that is configured to be coupled to the room wall. The patient assist bar is pivotable a first axis that is substantially vertical and parallel to the headwall and a second axis that is substantially horizontal. The patient assist bar provides the patient with a stable support and guidance in moving about the room.
US08474920B2
A protective cap is installed in a wheel hub to protect a wheel speed sensor and bearing assembly from intrusion of dirt. The hub has inner and outer end faces, and a central bore having splines for engagement by a splined driveshaft. The speed sensor system has a segmented disc rotating with the hub and a sensor mounted on a housing and extending into proximity with the segmented disc. The protective cap includes a stem for insertion through the central bore and a head having an under face for engaging with the inner end face of the hub. The head has a distal rim portion overlapping the housing to allow rotation of the protective cap relative the housing to prevent entry of dirt to the speed sensor system and bearing. The stem has yieldable retainers for engaging with the outer end face of the hub to retain the protective cap.
US08474917B2
A seat assembly having a seat and a seat back that is pivotally connected to the seat. A back cover is disposed on a rear portion of the seat back. The back cover includes an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side includes a plurality of laterally-extending ribs aligned with a plurality of engagement members. At least one vertically-extending channel is disposed on the exterior side of the back cover.
US08474912B2
Subject matter described herein includes a seat assembly (e.g., chair, bench, sofa, vehicle seat, etc.) having a seat and a back rest that adjust together to facilitate reclining. The seat assembly includes a base coupled to a back-rest frame. The base remains substantially fixed relative to synchronized adjustment of the seat and the back rest, and the back-rest frame includes a pivot on which the back rest rotates to adjust a back-rest recline position. The assembly also includes the seat hingedly coupled to the back rest and a fore-and-aft adjuster that couples the seat to the base. A movement restrictor attaches to the seat and the base and biases the seat in a rearward orientation. The assembly further includes a pivot receiver coupled to the back rest, the pivot receiver providing a path along which the pivot travels when the seat moves forward and rearward.
US08474909B2
A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position.
US08474908B2
Disclosed is a seat element (1) for a seat system, which extends substantially across an entire zone of a backrest and/or a seat area of a seat in a mounted state. Said seat element (1) comprises devices (12-21) for receiving functional elements in order to provide additional seat functions. Such a modular seat system makes it possible to create in a simple manner different fittings of a seat, especially a vehicle seat.
US08474907B2
A car seat has a base for placement on a vehicle seat and a seat shell attachable to and detachable from the base. A latch mechanism is biased to a latched arrangement attaching the shell to the base. A release actuator is connected to the latch mechanism and can move the latch mechanism to a released arrangement, detaching the shell from the base permitting its removal from the base. The shell can be optionally adjustable on the base between at least two different recline positions. The latch mechanism in the latched arrangement can then also retain the shell in one of the recline positions. A recline actuator can be connected to the latch mechanism and can move the latch mechanism allowing adjustment of the shell recline position but not permitting removal from the base.
US08474906B2
A roof apparatus includes a functional bracket supporting a movable panel, a guide rail, a drive shoe moving along the guide rail, a front link connected to the functional bracket to move in conjunction with the movement of the drive shoe, a rear link connected with the drive shoe to support the functional bracket, front and rear restriction portions arranged at the front link, front and rear restriction portions arranged at the rear link, a first distance defined between the front restriction portion of the front link and the rear restriction portion of the rear link, and a second distance defined between the rear restriction portion of the front link and the rear restriction portion of the rear link, wherein the front link and the rear link are arranged at different positions on a plain surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the guide rail extends.
US08474899B2
A retractable top is disclosed for off-road vehicle such as Jeep® Wrangler® and CJ® brand vehicles. The top includes a frame and a fabric cover designed to cover and move with the frame. The frame includes a base plate that is secured to the belt rail surrounding the rear compartment of the vehicle. The top is deployable between a stowed configuration folded upon itself over the rear compartment of a vehicle and a deployed configuration covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle. During deployment, the top unfolds in a substantially vertical direction over the rear compartment substantially to its full extent. This avoids collision with the rear doors and roll bars of the vehicle. Once so deployed, the entire top pivots downwardly into place covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle.
US08474894B2
A moveable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising of a number of panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113. The bulkhead 10 is “U”-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 1.
US08474887B2
A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a displacement body operating a latch and being displaced within a moving region including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region positioned between the closing region and the releasing region, the displacement body displacing by an actuator, a control unit controlling the actuator for selectively engaging and disengaging the latch and a striker, a first detection portion outputting a first detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a first border portion of the neutral region closer to the closing region, and a second detection portion outputting a second detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a second border portion of the neutral region closer to the releasing region. The control unit controls a moving position of the displacement body based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
US08474882B2
A sliding mechanism for portable electronic device includes a sliding housing, a main housing and a stopping module. The sliding housing includes two ledges. At least one of the ledges defines a first notch and a second notch. The main housing includes two rails and at least one elastic member. The sliding housing is slidingly attached to the main housing by engagement of the ledges and the rails. The at least one elastic member includes a positioning portion. The positioning portion flexibly resists the at least one of the ledges and is selectively engaged in the first notch and the second notch. The stopping module prevents the sliding housing from separating from the main housing.
US08474873B2
A seat belt system in motor vehicles includes a seat belt disposed at a front seat and a shoulder-belt portion and a lap-belt portion, which at its outer anchorage point, is retained in the area of a door sill of the motor vehicle on a belt tensioner that is connected to the lap-belt portion via a connecting device. The connecting device is disposed out of view below a door-sill molding.
US08474872B2
There is provided a passive safety device which can prevent an occupant from moving when an acceleration that causes the occupant to move in a vehicle is working on the occupant, and which can improve the ride comfort. A passive safety device of the present invention comprises an acceleration detecting unit that detects an acceleration of a vehicle, a seat adjusting unit that expands a seat side of a seat in order to prevent an occupant sitting down the seat from moving, a safety belt adjusting unit that controls tension of a safety belt worn by the occupant, and a control unit that controls an expansion of the seat side and/or the tension of the safety belt through the seat adjusting unit and the safety belt adjusting unit, based on the detected acceleration of the vehicle.
US08474871B1
A frame for recreational vehicles having a pair of oppositely spaced longitudinal frame members, having notches completely therethrough. The longitudinal frame members have a foam core in direct contact with a woven fiber fabric on an exterior of the longitudinal frame members with fabric flaps extending therefrom. The frame has a plurality of transverse stringers having a foam core in direct contact with a woven fiber fabric on an exterior of stringers that rest in notches of the longitudinal members. The stringers are complementary to the notches in the longitudinal members and the stringers have fabric flaps that extend along their length on opposite sides. The stringers extend completely through the longitudinal frame members. The flaps on the longitudinal frame members and the stringers are in overlapping contact. A deck having a layer of fabric covers the stringers, the flaps, and the longitudinal frame members and is impregnated with resin.
US08474863B2
A side airbag system is provided with a side airbag for protecting the upper thorax and head area of a vehicle passenger between a lateral vehicle structure and the vehicle passenger, and with a gas generator that is fluidically connected with the side airbag. The side airbag is planar in the deployed condition, and protectively covers a path of motion for the head, along with various seated positions for small and large vehicle passengers. In order to realize an expanded protective potential for the head in semi-convertibles and compact cars, the side airbag, viewed from the lateral vehicle structure, has an outer contour with an essentially continuous bead.
US08474857B2
An airbag device for a saddle-ride type vehicle can include an acceleration sensor for detecting impacts working on a body to actuate the airbag, a left-right pair of acceleration sensors in side frame members.
US08474854B2
A foldable stroller has a frame assembly with a frame fold joint and is reconfigurable between an in-use configuration and a folded configuration. A child support structure is repositionable between a usable state on the frame assembly in the in-use configuration and an unusable state not suitable to support a child on the frame assembly. An interlock mechanism cooperates with the child support structure and is movable between a locked state preventing the frame assembly from being folded from the in-use configuration to the folded configuration and an unlocked state permitting the frame assembly to be folded. With the frame assembly in the in-use configuration and the child support structure on the frame assembly in the usable state, the interlock mechanism is retained in the locked state. The interlock mechanism is unlocked when the child support structure is moved to the unusable state.
US08474851B2
A suspended rider bicycle has a suspension boom which extends from the frame above the rider's torso, and a suspension device such as a belt or sling for suspending the rider's torso from the suspension boom.
US08474849B2
A powered wheelchair includes a seat assembly configured to support an individual, a curved legrest assembly pivotally connected to the seat assembly, and an adjustment assembly including an actuator operatively connected to the central column through a piston slidably secured within a sleeve. The adjustment assembly is secured underneath the seat assembly. The powered wheelchair may also include an extension bracket that allows legrests and a central column of the curved legrest assembly to be separately and independently adjusted with respect to one another.
US08474844B2
A suspension structure is a double wishbone type suspension including a spring damper and is characterized in that, among a plurality of mounting points where an upper arm and a lower arm arranged vertically parallel to each other are connected to a vehicle body, the vertical positions of the mounting points, which are located on the left or right side with respect to a hub assembly, of the upper arm and the lower arm are different from each other.
US08474842B2
There are provided left and right arm mechanisms that connect an arm attachment portion as a part of a vehicle body to vehicle wheel attachment portions attached with front wheels via a front arm and a rear arm disposed in a front-rear direction of a vehicle and having plural links; and servo motors that independently drive the left and right arm mechanisms so that each link angle corresponding to a turning angle is determined. The setting position of the imaginary kingpin axis may be changed. Each link angle changes within a range of maintaining a correlation in which the turning angle increases in accordance with an increase in the steering operation amount when controlling the servo motors so as to obtain the turning angle corresponding to the steering operation amount of a steering wheel.
US08474834B2
A voter cart capable of supporting a voting terminal in a portable, fully usable, and secure configuration. The cart is generally formed with a pair of opposing side rails joined together in a spaced-apart configuration and mounted on casters, and a voting terminal housing interspaced between the side rails. The voting terminal is seated atop a bottom shelf of the voting terminal housing at waist-level for easy wheelchair voter access thereto. The voting terminal is restrained against lateral and vertical motion, and yet there is full access to the voting terminal's control panels, doors, etc. Moreover, the particular design maximizes strength and usability, and yet keeps weight to a minimum with a framework that is as light weight as possible.
US08474832B2
A mobile device holder includes a lower holding portion having a pair of opposed lower holding portion channels, a shelf at the base of the lower holding portion, an upper holding portion having a pair of opposed upper holding portion channels, the pair of opposed upper holding portion channels diverging in a direction away from the lower holding portion and aligned with the pair of opposed lower holding portion channels, the upper holding portion affixed to the lower holding portion, and a base connected to the shelf of the lower holding portion.
US08474829B2
To prevent breakage of a sealing device having a main sealing body installed within an annular installing groove (31) formed in one member (3) to slidably and concentrically contact with the other member (2) and a backup ring (12) arranged at a non-sealing space side of said main sealing body, a height (h1±Δh1) of said backup ring (12) in a facing direction of a bottom surface (31a) of said installing groove (31) to the other member (2) is greater than a facing distance (L±ΔL) between the bottom surface (31a) and the other member (2), and said backup ring (12) has a cross-sectional shape which is symmetrical in a thickness direction thereof, and has an easily compressible part (12a) which can be compressed to the extent of the difference (x) between said height (h1±Δh1) and said facing distance (L±ΔL).
US08474826B2
A hydrodynamic magnetic seal includes a magnetic mating ring and a sealing ring attracted to the magnetic mating ring. The magnetic mating ring and/or the sealing ring include hydrodynamic grooves configured to create a separation film between the magnetic mating ring and the sealing ring to reduce friction.
US08474819B2
A method of managing a blackjack game is provided. A blackjack game bet comprising a bet against a house entity on a blackjack hand is received from a player. A pair of cards is determined for a hand for the house entity, and another pair of cards is determined for a hand for the player. The odds of the occurrence of one or more subsequent events are determined based at least in part on one or more of the pair of cards selected for the house entity's hand and one or more of the pair of cards selected for the player's hand. The odds for an additional bet are determined based at least on the determined odds for the one or more subsequent events, and the additional bet is offered to the player at the determined odds for the additional bet.
US08474818B2
Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position.
US08474817B2
A paper sheet processing apparatus capable of preventing a paper sheet from being drawn out by an unauthorized action. The bill processing device includes: an insertion slot into which a bill is inserted; a bill conveyance mechanism capable of conveying the bill having been inserted from the insertion slot; a bill reader reading the bill conveyed by the bill conveyance mechanism; an authenticity judging mechanism judging an authenticity of the bill read by the bill reader; and a pulse output part driving a motor for controlling conveyance speed of the bill by a motor of the bill conveyance mechanism. The pulse output part controls the conveyance speed by the bill conveyance mechanism after the completion of reading by the bill reader.
US08474808B2
A sheet post-processing apparatus implements a tilted edge-binding process by a movable table rectilinearly driving portion that moves a stapling unit rectilinearly via a movable table, and rotating the stapling unit to drive a staple near a sheet corner when the staple is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to a sheet-conveying direction. The sheet post-processing apparatus includes the movable-table rotationally driving portion that rotates the movable table to cause the stapling unit to tilt at a position to drive the staple at the predetermined angle with respect to the sheet-conveying direction, and a tilt retention portion that mechanically holds the movable table to maintain the stapling unit tilted.
US08474796B2
An improved adjustable lift strut support adapted for permanent attachment to a shock tube of a vehicle's failed lift strut. It is capable of quick safe attachment to a plethora of different diameter struts. It wont damage the shock tube assembly if it is left connected to the shock tube, nor will it damage the vehicles hood or liftback when they are closed with the support connected to the shock tube.
US08474795B2
A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.
US08474789B2
A magnetic sensing surface of a stroke sensor is placed in an angular range between a first imaginary line and a second imaginary line. The first imaginary line is an imaginary line that coincides with a center line between first and second magnets of a magnetic movable body when a wastegate valve is placed to have a full close degree of the wastegate valve. The second imaginary line is an imaginary line that coincides with the center line between the first and second magnets when the wastegate valve is placed to have a half degree between the full close degree and a full open degree of the wastegate valve.
US08474778B2
The invention provides an apparatus for adjustably mounting a tablet PC, portable personal computer, or flat panel video display, which is particularly suited for use during travel and in rugged conditions. The apparatus enables stable and versatile emplacement of a tablet PC by incorporating multiple independent adjustment and attachment elements. A mounting means, such as a suction cup assembly, is attachable to various surfaces and is connected to a hanger from which cordage or straps descend to a suspended frame. The frame features clips, resilient spacers, and adjustable dimensions to securely hold any commercially available tablet PC therein. The frame may further comprise various swappable stabilizer elements to separately regulate the orientation and attachment of the tablet PC to a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is mounted to a windshield and the frame positions the tablet PC over the center console in an automobile.
US08474771B2
A tray assembly includes an articulatable arm assembly coupled with a tray and selectively held in place by a locking mechanism (e.g., a locking gas spring). A release mechanism coupled with the tray selectively activates and deactivates the gas shock mechanism and is coaxial with and free rotating with respect to an axis of rotation of the tray. The tray may rotate between a horizontal position and a stored position substantially orthogonal to the horizontal position. The arm assembly may include at least one frictional hinge comprising a tapered pin, a tapered bushing in rotational frictional contact with the tapered pin, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the tapered pin to provide adjustable contact force between the tapered pin and the tapered bushing.
US08474768B2
A device for supporting a part has a mounting element with a pocket-shaped receptacle and a suction element which supports the part and can be received in the pocket-shaped receptacle or removed from it and directly attached to the surface, so that in both cases the part is supported on the surface, either through the suction element and the mounting element or through the suction element only, and a width of at least a portion of the suction element is smaller than a width of the pocket-shaped receptacle of the mounting element, so that when the portion of the suction element is inserted into the pocket-shaped receptacle of the mounting element, it is compressed and thereby tightly retained in it.
US08474764B2
A lightweight three-dimensional wire structure which includes a plurality of wires that are connected to each other and intersect in the three-dimensional space to form a plurality of cells. In addition, a method for producing the three-dimensional wire structure.
US08474759B2
A method and apparatus for attaching parts. A composite male fastening component is placed through at least a first part and a second part. The composite male fastener component preferably has a threaded portion. A composite female fastener component is positioned adjacent to and surrounding the threaded portion of the male fastener component. A portion of the composite female fastener component is caused to flow around and form into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component. The portion of the composite female fastener component that flowed around and formed into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component is re-solidified and re-consolidated such that the composite female fastener component is securely attached to the composite male fastener component thereby joining the mating parts.
US08474757B2
Sleeper seats, wherein each comprises a head rest, a back rest, a seat pan or seat cushion, a leg rest, an ottomans and a dividers between the individual seats with the their column. The four seats are arranged in a staggered chevron formation and two columns. All the seats in each column are parallel with each other and set at a “herringbone” angle αto the column direction, in other words their central axes A make the angle αwith a longitudinal axis of the array. Each seat extends from its column side of the longitudinal axis across the axis to a small extent. Along the axis, first a seat from one column crosses the axis and then a seat from the other column crosses the axis and so on.
US08474747B2
An aircraft (1) horizontal stabilizer (2) which can vary its sweep angle (6) by rotating around an essentially vertical axis (4) with respect to the direction of flight of the aircraft (1) when the aircraft (1) is in flight at high speeds, close to the speed of sound, this axis (4) being contained in the plane of symmetry of the aforementioned aircraft (1), the aforementioned horizontal stabilizer (2) being is a single and structurally continuous component such that it does not transmit a bending moment to the fuselage (14) structure of the aircraft (1), which permits it to be of reduced weight, such that the horizontal stabilizer (2) rotates in a single way and a single direction around the axis (4) to achieve the sweep angle (6) required for high-speed flight.
US08474740B2
A bale processor apparatus has a bale chamber configured to hold a front bale in the chamber forward of a rear bale in the chamber. A disintegrator apparatus removes shredded material from the front bale and forms a front stream of shredded material moving laterally, and removes shredded material from the rear bale and forms a rear stream of shredded material. An exhaust opening in the bale chamber adjacent to the front bale is oriented such that the front stream passes laterally through the exhaust opening. A conveyor receives the rear stream and carries same forward and moves same into contact with the front stream such that the rear stream is carried out through the exhaust opening with the front stream.
US08474727B2
An air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an air-conditioning device having a variety of components that provide air-conditioning of an indoor space, an input device that receives signals to manipulate the air-conditioning device and signals to select a sleep mode, and a controller that, when the input device receives a signal to select the sleep mode, controls the air-conditioning device to perform a rapid eye movement sleep operation at least one time to air-condition the indoor space at a temperature higher than a temperature that is set in accordance with the sleep mode.
US08474711B2
An interactive shopping system, apparatus and methods are provided for use at a brick-and-mortar merchant location. The interactive shopping system includes a basket for holding items selected by a shopper, and a unique identifier for the basket. An input device is associated with said basket to obtain information regarding specific items as they are placed in the basket. A point of sale system is associated with the input device to collect information obtained from the input device, associate that information with the unique identifier for the basket, and complete a purchase transaction for all items located in the basket at checkout.
US08474709B2
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records to carry out financial transactions. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards that corresponds to financial accounts. The machine also includes a display, at least one manual input device, a cash dispenser, and a machine computer that operates to cause financial transactions to be carried out on financial accounts that correspond to data read from cards. The machine computer is also operative to cause digital information to be sent from the machine to a machine user's remote system address.
US08474705B2
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards, to cause machine user authorization and financial transfers. Account data read from a user card is associated in a data store with instructions for displaying a customer interface uniquely associated with the particular bank where the user holds the account. The customer interface includes user-selectable financial transaction options. The arrangement enables the customer interface of the user's home bank, with which the user is familiar, to also be automatically displayed when the user operates automated banking machines of other banks.
US08474703B1
An automated banking machine is part of a banking system that can operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, including user cards. The machine is in operative connection with a system operable to capture images related to activity that is conducted at or adjacent to the machine. The machine is positioned at a banking facility having a vault and an entrance. A plurality of cameras are positioned at the facility. Captured images can be analyzed at a remote monitoring center. The monitoring center can operate to assure that employees or customers of the banking facility can safely enter and/or exit the banking facility.
US08474700B1
A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The machine also includes a PIN keypad. The card reader can send encrypted card data to the keypad. The keypad can decipher the encrypted card data. The keypad can encrypt both deciphered card data and a received user PIN. The card data and the PIN are usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account.
US08474696B2
Systems and methods for performing test procedures for measuring and defining the sensitivity of payment terminals to ESD (electrostatic discharge) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of test equipment in a controlled environment are used to measure the peak discharge current (Ip) when a payment device is inserted into a payment terminal during several simulated conditions. Energy levels of the discharge currents are calculated using an energy calculation program. One or more reference current and energy levels are determined.
US08474691B2
An apparatus is provided that includes a processor configured to at least perform or cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of functions. The functions include storing an order log for a fill order specifying a medication in a receptacle including an affixed label having a printed pattern of machine-readable dots or markings. The functions also include receiving a digitized signature, initials or marking handwritten on the label and captured by a digital pen based on the pattern printed on the label. The digital pen is registered to a user, and the signature/initials/marking reflects verification by the user that the medication in the receptacle is correct. Recording the events or activities also includes authenticating the user as having authority to verify the fill order based on the registration of the digital pen to the user, and when authenticated, recording the digitized signature/initials/marking in the order log.
US08474676B2
A staple refill including a refill body accommodating sheet-type connected staples. The refill body includes a bottom wall, a right wall provided on a right side of the bottom wall and formed with a vertically extending right guide slot, and a left wall provided on a left side of the bottom wall and formed with a vertically extending left guide slot. A pressing member is provided in the refill body in a movable manner to press the sheet-type connected staples. The pressing member includes a guide shaft guided along the right and left guide slots. The guide shaft includes a right end portion protruding outside the right wall through the right guide slot, and a left end portion protruding outside the left wall through the left guide slot.
US08474674B2
The invention is directed to a pill cutter that has a protected cutting edge. The pill cutter includes a guard, a base, and a cover. The components are arranged such that the guard slides over the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in an open position and the guard exposes the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in a closed position. The invention is also directed at a method for assembling the pill cutter and a method of using the pill cutter to cut a pill or tablet.
US08474671B2
A golf cart bag strap sleeve that is capable of protecting a golf bag from damage due to friction between the golf cart bag strap and the golf bag comprising a first layer of durable non-abrasive material, a second layer of foam, neoprene, cloth, or gel padding, and a third layer of durable non-abrasive material suitable for customized advertising. In the first embodiment, the three layers are folded over to form the sleeve with two open ends that engage the strap. In a second embodiment, the sleeve is comprised of two panels, both made of the first layer, second layer, and a third layer. An end cover encloses the three layers to prevent fraying and stitching secures the three layers and the end cover.
US08474659B2
Described is a multi-chamber fluid dispensing container with multiple dip tubes, and a package including the container and trigger sprayer having multiple supply lines for fluid connection to the multiple dip tubes. The container includes a body having a first wall defining a first interior volume and a second wall defining a second interior volume, a first dip tube fluidly connected to the first interior volume, and a second dip tube fluidly connected to the second interior volume. The package may include the container and a trigger sprayer coupled to the container, and fluidly connected to the first dip tube and to the second dip tube. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.
US08474651B2
A towelette dispenser is provided with an integrally molded lid. The lid has a central aperture for allowing access to a roll of towelettes maintained within a tub receiving the lid therein. The separation bar bridges the aperture, and provides a rip fence in the form of a fingered thimble that is angled with respect to the lid as a whole. The thimble is offset near one edge of the annular opening so that a user may access the back side thereof to thread an edge of the leading towelette through the thimble without having to remove the lid from the tub. A well is provided in the smaller portion of the aperture and a cap for the lid is provided with a stuffer tab to urge the leading edge of the next towelette into the well when the cap is closed. Barrier caps are also provided to seal the interior of the tub during shipment and storage before the first use of the towelette dispenser. The barrier caps have removable portions that permit access to the interior of the lid and are removable without having to remove the lid from the tub.
US08474646B2
A dispensing closure system is provided for a container that has an opening to the container interior. The preferred embodiment of the system includes a closure having a closure body for extending from the container at the container opening and a lid hingedly attached to the closure body. The closure body has a dispensing spout, and the lid includes a hollow spud for entering the spout. A spud rim can be provided on the spud, extending inwardly towards the hollow interior of the spud. A lid rim can additionally or alternatively be provided on the inside surface of the lid, positioned within the hollow interior of the spud.
US08474645B2
There is provided a waterproof case which prevents ingress of water into the waterproof case through a protection piece, including a case body formed into a rectangular tube-like shape with a peripheral wall thereof and a lower cover having a bottom wall covering a lower opening of the case body and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall of the body case is placed so as to cover the peripheral wall of the lower cover. The protection piece is provided at the peripheral wall of the lower cover so as to sandwich the peripheral wall of the case body with the peripheral wall of the lower cover to prevent the deformation of the peripheral wall of the lower cover. There is also provided a protrusion protruding from a surface of the peripheral wall of the case body on which the protection piece is placed.
US08474641B2
A stackable, self-standing, liquid-tight, disposable drinking cup to keep ice separated from a beverage in the cup to permit cooling without resultant dilution. A collapsible plastic film liner is secured to certain inner cup surfaces to provide a flexible wall for dividing the interior into two separate areas. The liner forms a pocket with an expandable top edge which may be pulled away from the cup body to hold ice. The pocket may be made of one film layer with the edges of the pocket attached to the cup body. Alternatively, the pocket may be made of two layers joined by a heat sealed seam with the film layer next to the cup body attached to the cup wall at least along a portion of the top edge. The container body may be manufactured from conventional materials. Conventional cup dispensers, beverage dispensers, cup lids, and straws may be utilized without modification of design.
US08474638B2
The plastic container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the lower base and an upper neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall with an opening therein. The sidewall includes at least one panel having a central region and an outer boundary, with the outer boundary being depressed with respect to the central region.
US08474635B2
An ultrasonic liquefaction endodontic system having a graspable hand piece includes a contra-angle tip assembly that has an insert and an internal fluid flow passageway. A portion of the fluid flow passageway passes through a C-shaped receiver located at the end of the receiver so that an ultrasonic frequency may pass directly to the fluid flowing through the passageway. The fluid flow passageway may be an injection tube and the tubular body portion of the tip assembly may be injection molded around the injection tube and the insert. A supply tube, which is held in position by tube guides connected to the hand piece, provides a source of flushing fluid with and without pulsed pressure. The fluid pressure pulses may have an ultrasonic energy superimposed thereon as the fluid is forced into a root canal.
US08474632B2
A caddy for use in bathrooms is disclosed. The caddy can include removable shelf assemblies and/or accessory units for holding common household items. The removable shelf accessories can include knobs which can be turned to secure and free the shelf assemblies from a support member of the caddy. The accessory units can snap into place on the support member. The support member can include a telescoping section and biasing element which permits the caddy to adjust to different sized bathrooms. A sliding member can be incorporated to provide additional areas for attachment of shelf assemblies or accessory units.
US08474620B2
A cover display for a container in some implementations having a dome shaped cover base with a flat bottom and a top with a radius of curvature with one or more frame catches positioned near the periphery of the cover base. An adorned Tiara shaped cover with an annular wall supporting frame latches positioned to correspond to said frame catches is affixed over said dome shaped cover base.
US08474612B2
A rigid package having a group of articles; an inner package enclosing the group of articles and having an extraction opening; a reclosable sealing panel, which closes the extraction opening of the inner package, and has an inner surface gummed with non-dry, re-stick adhesive, and a grip tab with no re-stick adhesive; and a rigid outer container, which houses the inner package, and has an open end, and a lid hinged to rotate between an open position and a closed position opening and closing the open end respectively; the grip tab being designed to project from the lid when the lid is in the closed position closing the open end.
US08474607B2
A multi-link conveyor chain is provided that includes a first plurality of links and a second plurality of links positioned along the length of the conveyor chain and collectively defining the conveyor chain. The first plurality of links has a wear surface that has enhanced wear resistance in relation to a conventional wear surface of the second plurality of links. The first plurality of links may be spaced in a pattern or randomly in the chain, in various percentages in relation to the second plurality of links.
US08474602B2
Multi-piece rollers for a conveyor belt. First and second roller sections fit together to form a complete roller. The two roller sections together define a bore for receiving an axle. The bore and the periphery of the roller are formed in part by each of the first and second roller sections. The roller is assembled by sliding the two sections together in a direction perpendicular to the axle with the bore closing around the axle. The roller sections have fingers that interdigitate with each other to prevent axial separation of the first and second roller sections. The interdigitated fingers surround a majority of the bore.
US08474595B2
A system for screening carry-on baggage and other items carried by individuals is provided that includes a screening device, especially an X-ray screening device, a conveyor for conveying the items to be screened through the screening device, a support surface arranged upstream of the conveyor, a removal position for the items, arranged downstream of the conveyor, transport trays that are to be placed on the conveyor and in which small objects and items of clothing can be placed and conveyed through the screening device for screening, and a return conveyor for the empty transport trays. The return conveyor leads to a tray lift, the exit of which leads to a tray transfer path extending in parallel to the support surface, the transfer path tapering towards the support surface.
US08474593B2
A coin processing machine for processing coins of various diameters includes an elongate guide surface that guides coins moving along a coin path extending beside and along the guide surface, and sets of first and second coin sensors spaced along the path. Each first and second coin sensor is associated with a respective coin diameter. The coin sensor signals are transmitted to a controller that recognizes the value of a coin associated with a pair of first and second sensors only when both sensors signal the presence of a coin. If only the first sensor signals the presence of a coin, the controller may generate an output signal indicating the presence of a misaligned coin moving along the coin path.
US08474585B2
The invention relates to a clutch device, for example, a booster clutch device, including a first clutch element and a second clutch element, where a torsion spring device is provided coupling the first clutch element to the second clutch element, the torsion spring device having a multi-stage spring characteristic.
US08474584B2
A tamper evidencing band for encircling an article includes an elongate strip. The band is provided with a loop. The loop is such that attempted opening or removal of the loop will be evidenced by the band. The strip has a portion distal from the loop, which is insertable through the loop. Attachment means is provided to selectively attach the distal portion onto another portion of the strip to encircle the article whereby attempted removal of the attachment will be evidenced by the band. The tamper evidencing band may be provided as a flat strip with the loop unformed. Alternatively, the tamper evidencing band may be provided in kit form with a separate buckle to define the loop.
US08474578B2
A brake beam wear liner for receiving a brake beam assembly of a railway car truck includes a base wall having an inner surface and an outer surface extending between opposite side edges, and having a base wall thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface thereof. The brake beam wear liner also includes sidewalls extending from the opposite side edges. The sidewalls have inner surfaces and outer surfaces, and have a sidewall thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface thereof. The inner surfaces of the sidewalls and the inner surface of the base wall define an open ended trough configured to receive an end of the brake beam assembly. The brake beam wear liner also includes flanges extending outward from the sidewalls. The flanges have inner surfaces and outer surfaces, and have a flange thickness between the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces thereof. The base wall thickness is greater than the sidewall thickness.
US08474573B2
The invention relates to a composite sandwich panel (1) comprising at least a web (2) provided between an inner skin (3) and an outer skin (4), each skin being made of a composite material from a plurality of fibrous plies (5, 6, 7, 8), characterized in that a portion of the plies of the inner skin and/or of the outer skin each extends at least partially through the web at an uninterrupted area thereof in order to form together a through-reinforcement (9) extending from the inner skin to the outer skin of the composite sandwich panel. The invention further relates to an aircraft element including such a composite sandwich panel.
US08474561B2
A quad-bike vehicle (10) having a chassis (12), four wheels (14) rotatably mounted on the chassis (12), an engine (16) for driving at least two of the wheels (14), a seat (18) for a user, a handlebar (20) for steering at least two of the wheels (14), a tow-hitch (22), and a carrier device (24) for mounting on the tow-hitch (22). The carrier device (24) has a foldable platform (26), a back (28), and a tow-hitch attachment element (32) for releasable attachment to the tow-hitch (22). The platform (26) is foldable towards the back (28) to adopt a storage condition, and is foldable down to adopt an in use condition. Preferably, the platform (26) and the back (28) are both planar or substantially planar so that, when folded together, the platform (26) and the back (28) lie in parallel or substantially parallel with each other. With the platform folded down, the carrier device is spaced from the ground. A carrier device (24) which is specifically adapted for a quad-bike vehicle (10) is also provided.
US08474558B2
There is provided a duct, an inlet portion of which is disposed so as to be exposed to an upper-side portion of an air intake opening and an outlet portion of which connects to an inlet of an intake passage of an engine. There can be provided an engine intake passage structure of a front vehicle body which can properly reduce a risk of the water coming into the inlet of the intake passage of the engine even when the vehicle travels on the flooded road.
US08474541B2
A drill pipe and a method of applying hardbanding thereto. A hardbanding alloy comprising iron and manganese present in the range of 67 to 87 weight percent (wt. %), niobium and chromium present in the range of 9 to 29 wt. %, and boron, carbon and silicon present in the range of 3 to 6.5 wt. % may be welded around at least a portion of a tool joint circumference. The hardbanding alloy may exhibit a hardness of 45 Rc to 70 Rc and a wear rate in the range of 0.08 grams to 1.60 grams of mass loss after 6,000 cycles as measured using ASTM G65-04, Procedure A.
US08474540B2
The connector comprises a male flange 15 and a female flange 14 allowing to assemble a main tube and auxiliary line tubes 11. A locking collar 17 and a locking ring 40 assemble the male flange and the female flange. Locking collar 17 is mounted mobile in rotation on the outer surface of the male flange while cooperating with the outer surfaces of the male and female flanges. Locking ring 40 is mounted mobile in rotation on the male element of the connector while cooperating with the inner surface of the female connector.
US08474539B2
The present disclosure provides an improved design for a pull tube sleeved stress joint and associated pull tube for managing stresses on a catenary riser for a floating offshore structure. The pull tube sleeve stress joint includes at least one sleeve surrounding a length of the pull tube with an annular gap between the sleeve and pull tube and a link ring therebetween. For embodiments having a plurality of sleeves, a first sleeve can be spaced by an annular first gap from the pull tube and coupled thereto with a first ring between the pull tube and the first sleeve, and a second sleeve can be spaced by an annular second gap from the first sleeve and coupled thereto with a second ring between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. Both pull tube and sleeves can be made with regular pipe segments welded together with regular girth welds.
US08474530B2
An apparatus for indicating the orientation of a structure which includes an orienting sub releasably connected at an outer case. The orienting sub is at a preselected orientation relative to the structure. A change in fluid pressure of a predetermined magnitude of flow rate through the orienting sub will indicate that the structure is at a desired orientation in the well.
US08474528B2
Apparatus and methods for gravel packing. The method is particularly useful for deploying a sand screen assembly having shunt tubes. The apparatus can include two or more tubulars disposed about at least one expandable member. The tubulars are longitudinally aligned with one another and bundled together in a run-in position, and the bundled tubulars radially expand when the expandable member is activated.
US08474523B2
A method of and apparatus for treating a zone in a well is disclosed. A tube that is permeable to a material is inserted into a wellbore, creating an annulus inside the wellbore. Two zones—the annular region and the formation surrounding the wellbore—may be treated. The method comprises the following steps. (1) A setting section surrounded by a sleeve is placed inside the tube near the zone to treat, the sleeve being expandable and impermeable to the material. (2) The sleeve is inflated inside the tube near the zone to treat, ensuring that a first zone of the tube is impermeable to the material, but leaving a second zone permeable to the material. (3) A treatment fluid is pumped to the zone to treat, the treatment fluid passing into the annulus via the second zone. (4) The zone to treat is treated with the treatment fluid.
US08474520B2
A string for drilling a well for installation and retrieval of ESP equipment without a rig. A well is drilled past the end of casing which has been cemented in place and extends to a wellhead at the surface. A receptacle is attached between production casing joints and run into the well 10. The receptacle is a tubular member with an inclined pocket formed on a side. At least one passage or port in the pocket intersects with a passage in receptacle with one or more lengths of tubing attached to the pocket. A wet connector within the production casing is landed in the receptacle and self aligns to the tubing. Electrical wires run within the tubing mate and lock with the wet connector. This allows an ESP to be run into the well via winch such that it stabs into the wet connector to receive power.
US08474511B2
A process for producing a twist-beam axle is provided. Related thereto, the twist-beam axle has a light metal longitudinal link and an iron metal transverse arm. The process contains the following steps: producing a casting mold for the respective longitudinal link; inserting one end of the transverse arm into a corresponding recess in the casting mold; then pouring the liquid light metal into the casting mold for the longitudinal link; cooling the poured light metal; and removing the transverse arm joined to the cooled light metal from the casting mold.
US08474506B2
An apparatus for bonding substrates includes a base member having a top surface and a recessed region which is configured for receiving at least a first substrate. The apparatus also has a plurality of support members disposed over the top surface for supporting a second substrate peripherally over the first substrate. Each support member is configured to vary a separation between the first substrate and the second substrate. Moreover, a pressure bar is configured to cause a center portion of the second substrate to contact the first substrate while the support members maintain peripheral separation between the first substrate and the second substrate. In operation, a bonded region between the first and the second substrates is expanded radially from the center portion when the support members are positioned to reduce the separation between the first and the second substrates.
US08474495B2
An open ended cylindrical connector device includes a) an internally smooth-bored first docking port at one end; b) an internally screw threaded second docking port at the other end; and c) a unidirectional hole-cutter/membrane-piercing arrangement deployed across the diameter of the cylindrical device with its cutting/piercing edges occupying the first docking port. The product is transferred from a sealed donating container to a receiving container by screwing the receiving container into the second docking port and subsequently pressing a sealed donating container into the first docking port. The seal on the donating container is punctured by the hole-cutter and releases the product for transfer through the cylindrical connector to the receiving container. The donating container docking port may be closed with a removable cap and the cylindrical connector used as a donating container screw cap.
US08474494B2
A sealing tube is wrapped around the rim and inflated such as to seal the gap between tire and rim if the seal between the tire bead and rim has lost its integrity. After this, the tire can be inflated to specified pressure at a slow rate using a portable compressor. The repair can be done at roadside on any vehicle using inflatable tires usually without demounting the wheel or even jacking up the defective wheel.
US08474493B2
A liquid apportionment device having a distribution chamber located within a dispensing chamber, the distribution chamber being mounted onto a pedestal member such that a dispensing channel is defined between the sloping wall of the pedestal and the wall of the dispensing chamber. Dispensing spouts are evenly positioned around the dispensing channel for dispersal of the liquid into individual containers. Three rows of evenly spaced distribution apertures are provided in the distribution chamber, with the top row of distribution apertures oriented horizontally, the middle row of distribution apertures being oriented at 45 degrees, and the bottom row of distribution apertures being oriented vertically.
US08474484B2
A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets (208, 209) and at least one impingement zone (210) having two zone inlets (211, 212) and two zone outlets (213, 214). The zone inlets (211, 212) communicate with the inlets (208, 209) and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets (213, 214) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets (211, 212) such that flow entering the two zone inlets (211, 212) mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets (213, 214).
US08474475B2
A valve arrangement (1) comprising a valve body (2) for inflating and deflating a vehicle tire and comprising a measuring device (8) for measuring the tire pressure, in which the measuring device (8) is secured on the valve body (2) against axial movement in a pulling direction (Z) away from the valve body (2) by a securing element. The securing element has a profiled element (15) with a fixing element (20) acting on the valve body (2). Furthermore, a construction kit for such a valve arrangement is provided. The profiled element can connect the valve body (2) in a signal-conducting manner to an electronic transmitting unit.
US08474467B2
Teeth cleaning apparatus comprises a cylindrical cleaning implement. The cleaning implement includes a resilient support shaft and an engagement thread and is drivingly rotatable. The implement is so configured that, when presented between a pair of adjacent teeth, a rotating implement threads itself into the interproximal space and extracts interproximal debris.
US08474452B2
An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency, direction and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.
US08474445B2
A concentrating solar energy device for use in buildings is configured to share structural elements with a building for cost savings. The device incorporates a shallow cylindrical trough mirror comprising mirrored sheets that are conformed to curved rafters, a receiver that is moveable within the cumulative area of focus of the cylindrical trough mirror, a secondary mirror integrated with the receiver that augments solar energy collection, and parallel linear tracking assemblies that move the receiver and that mount to a building's side walls.
US08474438B2
A stem is installed to an injector body and is resiliently deformable upon receiving a pressure of high pressure fuel conducted through a high pressure passage of the injector body. A strain gauge is installed to the stem to sense a strain generated in the stem. A molded IC device executes an amplifying operation, which amplifies a signal received from the strain gauge. The stem, the strain gauge and the molded IC device are integrally assembled together to form a fuel pressure sensing unit, which is installed to the injector body by threadably fastening a threaded portion, which is formed at the stem, to the injector body.
US08474432B2
A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection into a cylinder, comprising of only for a first combustion event under selected conditions during an engine start, directly injecting fuel to the cylinder at least twice, where each of said two injections at least partially occur during a compression stroke.
US08474429B2
A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A motor is mechanically coupled to the engine, the engine having at least one moveable element mounted in a chamber, the moveable element being operable to cause a changing compression condition within the chamber and being mechanically coupled to a shaft for generating mechanical power. The method involves causing the motor to supply a positioning torque to the engine to move the at least one moveable element into a starting position, The method also involves causing the motor to supply a starting torque to the engine when the at least one moveable element is in the starting position to cause the moveable element to accelerate from the starting position under low compression conditions to generate sufficient momentum to overcome a peak compression condition in the chamber, thereby reducing the starting torque required to start the engine.
US08474416B2
A hydraulically controlled fan drive system is provided including a housing containing a hydraulic fluid, a pulley connected to the housing a fan shaft rotatably mounted to the housing by a hydraulically actuated clutch, a piston mounted within a piston housing for actuating the clutch, a pitot tube for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid from the housing to the piston housing, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure within the piston housing, a shaft rotationally supporting the housing having passages extending through the pulley, a base connected with the shaft connecting the shaft with a structure, the base having coolant inlet and outlet, and an oil cooler connected with the base on a side of said base generally axially opposite of the pulley.
US08474410B2
An animal throw-toy of resilient construction is provided, comprising a buoyant interior member configured in the form of a distinct object shape, a fabric component that covers the buoyant interior member, and a molded component that also covers the buoyant interior member. The molded component is configurationally arranged relative to the buoyant interior member so as to gyroscopically stabilize the distinct object shape of the buoyant interior member when the throw-toy is thrown. In one embodiment, the fabric component of the throw-toy is a non-woven or woven material which is tear-resistant and the molded component is an elastomeric material which is abrasion-resistant.
US08474404B2
A pet toy with an adjustable treat dispensing lid has a lid or top that is connected to a body of the pet toy, and a treat holding enclosure receives treats. The enclosure has an open area which communicates with a treat dispensing opening of the lid enabling treats to be selectively dispensed. The lid may be placed at selected positions with respect to the body thereby changing the size of the exposed treat dispensing opening to thereby selectively change the rate at which treats are dispensed.
US08474395B2
A device for repairing or relining an offset chimney includes a spreader assembly for spreading a repair material on the interior walls of a chimney as the device is pulled up the chimney, a pull assembly for pulling the device through the chimney, and an optionally reticulated centering device for keeping the portion of the pull assembly directly above the spreader assembly away from the chimney walls when the spreader blade assembly is moved through a chimney offset.
US08474387B2
A method and apparatus for incinerating different types of combustible waste in a cement manufacturing process. Two combustion chambers for incinerating waste are arranged in series, with first combustion chamber being a down draft chamber in which there is a downward flow of combustion gas and waste fuel to a waste and gas outlet. The second chamber is adaptable to support waste on a supporting surface incorporated in the compartment, wherein the waste is transported through the compartment from a waste inlet to a waste outlet along a circular path.
US08474382B2
A system for guiding a mobile carriage in a frame. The frame has three parallel linear-guiding tracks including a first track extending centrally on the frame and second and third tracks arranged laterally of the first track. The carriage has at least two axes of rotation. A first axis drives at least a first wheel in the first guiding track and a second axis drives at least a second wheel and at least a third wheel, respectively, in the second and third guiding tracks. The two axes of rotation are perpendicular. The description also relates to an associated method. A primary object is to enable the end of a mobile beam, such as a beam carrying a device for wiping a galvanizing product off a steel strip, to perform a guided movement with a high degree of freedom while minimizing mechanical stresses.
US08474378B1
A chamber blade/sealing assembly for use with a fluid chamber which supplies fluid to a roll, includes a containment blade including an elongated thin plate having opposite ends; and a wear element which increases at least one of stiffness and wear of the thin plate, mounted to a surface of the thin plate at the opposite ends thereof. First and second end seals for sealing first and second ends of the fluid chamber, each include a supporting wall, an upper concave surface on the supporting wall and adapted to engage an outer surface of the roll, and a first upper supporting surface extending from one end of the upper concave surface, the first upper supporting surface adapted to receive the wear element such that the wear element does not substantially increase pressure from the roll on the containment blade at the first upper supporting surface.
US08474375B2
A juicer arrangement comprises a motor-driven appliance (1), capable of extracting juice from fruit, and a vessel (10) for receiving the juice. The appliance has a tubular outlet duct (9) through which juice can flow; the duct consisting of an inner portion (12) that is fixed to the appliance (1) and an outer portion (13) which can be rotated, relative to the inner portion (12), about the longitudinal axis (12a) of the tubular outlet duct (9). Near the outlet end of the outer portion (13) of the outlet duct there is provided a chordally-extending internal wall (15), configured such that, in one rotational position of the outer portion (13) of the duct relative to the inner portion (12), the wall (15) is positioned to act as an anti-dripping dam member to resist liquid flow through the outlet duct (9). In another rotational position of the outer portion (13) of the duct relative to the inner portion (12), the wall (15) is inverted, leaving a gap through which juice can be dispensed. Preferably, the vessel (10) has a lid (27) pre-formed with an aperture (28) into which the outer portion (13) of the duct (9) can be inserted, and the outer portion (13) can be rotated relative to the inner portion (12) of the duct (9) whilst remaining inserted in the aperture (28).
US08474370B2
A method for controlling a clam grill that has first and second platens. The second platen is moved toward the first platen. A signal is provided in response to a detection of an impediment to the motion of the second platen. The motion of the second platen is stopped in response to the signal.
US08474364B2
An exemplary hydraulic system includes a plurality of digital valves, each valve fluidly connectable to a corresponding hydraulic load. The digitals valves are operable to fluidly connect the corresponding hydraulic load to a pressure source. The hydraulic system further includes a digital controller operably connected to the plurality of digital valves. The digital controller is configured to assign a priority level so that it is associated with each of a plurality of hydraulic loads, and to formulate a pulse width modulated control signal based on the assigned priority levels. The digital controller transmits the control signal to the plurality of digital valves for controlling the operation of the valves.
US08474363B2
Systems and methods for implementing a uniflow fluid engine having at least one cylinder having at least one high-pressure input and at least one low-pressure output. In some embodiments, the engine includes piston-operated valves that are related to the piston shaft and pistons that may also act as exhaust valves. In some embodiments, a valve is slidably positioned within the cylinder on the piston shaft, the valve being movable between a first position allowing input fluid to be conveyed through a first passage and blocking input fluid from a second passage, and a second position allowing input fluid to be conveyed through the second passage and blocking input fluid from the first passage.
US08474352B2
An open end wrench head including first and second jaws that are adapted to engage a workpiece located in a hard-to-reach area. The jaws can include a chamfered portion on the end of the jaws that allows the wrench to be presented at an angle to the workpiece and still maximize the engagement area between the wrench and the workpiece.
US08474348B2
An electrical-mechanical brake apparatus includes a bracket (20) and a pedal arm (40) supported by the bracket (20). One of the bracket (20) and the pedal arm (40) presents a cam body (72). The other of the other of the pedal arm (40) and the bracket (20) presents a cam follower (64). One of the cam body (72) and the cam follower (64) is rotatable. A cam bias (86) interconnects the rotatable one of the cam body (72) and the cam follower (64) to one of the bracket (20) and the pedal arm (40). As the pedal arm (40) moves toward the bracket (20), the cam follower (64) moves along the cam body (72), compressing the cam bias (86) for simulating the feel of a purely mechanical brake system. In certain embodiments, the bracket (20) presents the cam body (72) while in other embodiments the pedal arm (40) presents the cam body. In certain embodiments, the cam body (72) rotates while in others the cam follower (64) rotates.
US08474343B2
A vehicle transmission includes a pinion secured to an input shaft, a gear meshing with the pinion, an idler secured to the gear, a reverse gear meshing with the idler and secured to a second idler, a low gear supported on a layshaft and meshing with the second idler, and a coupler connecting the low gear to the layshaft.
US08474340B2
A double clutch transmission with first and second clutches (K1, K2) with input sides connected with an input shaft (w_an) and output sides respectively connected with one of two coaxially arranged transmission output shafts (w_k1, w_k2). At least first and second countershafts (w_v1, w_v2) are provided on which are mounted idler gearwheels (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), while on the two first and the second transmission input shafts (w_k1, w_k2) are mounted fixed gearwheels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) whereby at least several power shiftable forward gears (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and at least one reverse gear (R1, R2, R3, R4) is shiftable. A maximum of six gear planes (8-12, 9-13, 10-14, 11-4, 5-15) are provided so that at least one winding path gear is shifted upon disengagement of a coupling device (S_ab2) allocated to an output gear (18).
US08474338B2
A system comprising a viscoelastic interface sheet to engage a sound vibrations sensors array to a sound generating objects. The structure of the interface sheet includes elements for easy handling, positioning and mounting. A device for storage and mounting support of such interface sheets is disclosed.
US08474337B2
A method is provided which is capable of efficiently taking most of a precious sample into an extraction vessel without wasting when the sample is extracted from a collection section of a sampling rod. The method includes the steps of collecting a sample using a sampling rod formed of a rod body and a collection section attached to the rod body, inserting the sampling rod into the extraction vessel, placing the rod body in a gap formed in a grappling hook section which is disposed in an insertion path of the sampling rod, the gap having a width smaller than a diameter of the collection section and being capable of receiving the rod body, withdrawing the rod body with the rod body being placed in the gap and detaching the collection section from the rod body by hooking the collection section to the grappling hook section.
US08474336B2
The invention relates to a method for depositing samples in modules, in particular, in kits, in addition to an adapter. The inventive adapter (1) is embodied in such a manner that an injection needle can be received in a liquid-tight manner. It is connected in a liquid-tight manner to the low-lying module or kit (20) and enables a continuous flow of samples.
US08474327B2
The present invention provides an acoustic flow meter assembly (2) for pipes or open channels, said assembly including a frame (24) with a predetermined geometry. The frame has at least one user accessible port (36-42) with the at least one user accessible port (36-42) adapted to receive an interchangeable cartridge (44) which contains at least one acoustic transducer (46) to measure fluid velocity through said frame (24).
US08474322B1
A differential pressure sensor positioned adjacent a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber separated by a nozzle. Flow in a conduit is determined by detecting the pressure on either side of a nozzle. Changes in pressure are proportional to a change in flow. An integrated differential pressure sensor having different pressure detecting portions with strain gauges thereon detects differences in deflection of each pressure sensor portion resulting from change in fluid flow. A bridge circuit detects changes in the signals from the two different pressure sensor portions creating a differential which is proportional to a change in liquid flow. The present invention reduces the need for calibration of pressure sensors and improves the detection of fluid flow. The present invention has many applications and can detect small changes in fluid flow and is particularly applicable to the medical field where in many procedures, small fluid flows must be measured or determined accurately.
US08474318B2
An acceleration sensor having a support frame, a weight supported within the support frame via flexible beams, semiconductor piezoresistance elements provided on the beams, and wiring interconnecting the piezoresistance elements. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration from changes in resistance of the piezoresistance elements. Stress damping sections are provided on those portions of the beams which exclude the portions where the piezoresistance elements are provided. Each stress damping section is symmetrical with respect to the point of intersection between the length center line of the beam and the width center line of the beam.
US08474311B2
The present invention provides a tire testing system, including: a first rail and a second rail; a carriage assembly coupled to the first rail and the second rail such that five degrees of freedom of motion of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; a first bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the first rail such that at least lateral, pitch, and yaw motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; and a second bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the second rail such that at least vertical and roll motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; wherein the carriage assembly translates in a direction that is tangential to the first rail. The tire testing system also includes a tire articulation system coupled to the carriage assembly, wherein the tire articulation system includes a dedicated actuator for each degree of freedom of motion of a test tire coupled thereto.
US08474296B2
A formation tool is used for deforming sheet metal on punching machines. The formation tool has an upper or top die tool and a lower or bottom die tool. Toward the top die, there is an upper mold insert movable relative to a holding-down device, and toward the bottom die, a lower mold insert movable relative to a stripper plate. The deformation of the metal sheet is effected upward with respect to a punching stroke plane. The formation tool has a lifting device for aiding in lifting the lower mold insert from an initial position which is at or below the punch stroke plane before a deforming operation, to a level above the punching stroke plane.
US08474289B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of locking systems that include a barrel lock. The barrel lock is configured to damage, deface, and/or capture a key that is inserted into the barrel lock. Additionally, some embodiments include a locking mechanism adapter that can allow the locking mechanism to be operated by a key if the user has knowledge about the properties of the barrel lock.
US08474285B2
In the process a glass tube line is drawn from a glass tube production plant and the glass tube is severed from the glass tube line. At the same time the still heated glass tube is subjected to a selective local heat treatment of the at least one tube end section prior to cooling down completely in order to reduce the stresses in the respective tube end section. Not the entire glass tube but instead only the respective tube end section is subjected to the selective local heat treatment. The heat treatment is performed in particular in such a manner that the mechanical tensile stress in the region between 7 mm and 20 mm from the tube end or ends is reduced to below 6.0 MPa, more preferably to below 4.5 MPa.
US08474274B2
A cold tray for a container may have an interior. The cold tray may include a cold tray housing mountable within the container interior. A refrigerant may be mounted to the cold tray housing. An air flow source may be fluidly connectable to the cold tray housing and may draw air from the container interior into the cold tray housing such that the air passes over the refrigerant and is discharged back into the container interior.
US08474272B2
Various embodiments are directed to multistage pulse tube coolers. In some embodiments, one or more stages of the pulse tube cooler may comprise a control valve positioned between the hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. Also, in various embodiments, one or more inter-stage control valves may be positioned between the pulse tubes of consecutive stages.
US08474266B2
A gas turbine system comprising, a diffuser operative to diffuse an airstream output from a compressor, a fuel nozzle operative to receive fuel and emit the fuel in a combustor, and at least one bleed duct operative to direct bleed air from down stream of the combustor to the fuel nozzle.
US08474261B2
A steam generation system comprises a main steam generator and a back-up steam generator (20) which are both in fluid communication with a super heater (3) for superheating the generated steam. The superheater comprises a main heat source (6) for heating up a flow of heating gas. A back-up evaporator (2) is provided as a back-up steam generator for evaporating supplied water into steam. The back-up evaporator is connected in parallel to the main steam generator. An auxiliary heat source is provided for heating up the back-up evaporator. By controlling the auxiliary heat source (9), it is possible to supply more or less heat energy to the back-up evaporator to compensate for fluctuations in steam production of the main steam generator. The back-up evaporator is positioned away from the flow of heating gasses departing from the main heat source.
US08474259B2
An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase which accommodates cylinders, having at least one exhaust turbocharger and having an oil circuit containing at least one oil pump, in which engine oil is siphoned by at least one oil pump and delivered to the cylinders for lubrication, and in which the or each exhaust turbocharger is coupled to the oil circuit such that siphoned engine oil can be distributed to bearings of the respective turbocharger via an inlet line leading to the respective exhaust turbocharger and can then be expelled from the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger in the direction of an oil sump via an outlet line leading away from the respective exhaust turbocharger. The respective outlet line of the respective exhaust turbocharger is assigned a pressure limiting device, with the aid of which a vacuum prevailing at the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger can be limited.
US08474256B2
A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the piston and the distal end is connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. A crankshaft coupled to the rocking beam by way of a connecting rod is also included. The rotary motion of the rocking beam is transferred to the crankshaft. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. A seal is included for sealing the workspace from the crankcase.
US08474245B2
An exhaust control system comprises a nominal specific heat module, a correction module, a specific heat determination module, and a convective loss estimation module. The nominal specific heat module determines a nominal specific heat of exhaust input to a component of an exhaust system based on a temperature of the exhaust input to the component and based on a predetermined oxygen content. The correction module determines a specific heat correction based on an oxygen content measured by a sensor. The specific heat determination module determines a specific heat of the exhaust based on the nominal specific heat and the specific heat correction. The convection loss estimation module estimates a convective energy loss rate associated with the component based on the specific heat.
US08474244B2
Method for controlling an injector intended for injecting a pollution-control liquid additive into the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine at a flow rate governed by a given frequency and opening time of the injector, the injector having a calibration curve that establishes, at given frequency, pressure, temperature and nature of the liquid, the amount of liquid injected during an opening of the injector as a function of the duration of this opening, this curve comprising at least one linear zone (calibration line) and a non-linear zone, said method being characterized in that in the linear zone the parameters of the calibration line are used and in the non-linear zone use is made of a set opening time and a variable frequency according to at least one calibration point established for this purpose. SCR system to which this method can be applied.
US08474236B2
A new metal fiber yarn is provided. The metal fiber yarn (10) constitutes a construction comprising continuous metal fibers (13) forming a metal fiber yarn. The construction comprises at least 5 bundles (12) of continuous metal fibers twisted together to form a yarn. Each of the metal fiber bundles (12) comprises at least 30 metal fibers (13). The yarn comprises at least one partial yarn (11), said partial yarn comprising at least two metal fiber bundles (13) twisted around each other with a predetermined number of torsions per meter.
US08474234B2
A machine for manufacturing strands from wires is disclosed. The machine comprises a first support for supporting a bobbin, wherein a rotor can rotate around a main axis for stranding wires and winding or unwinding around the main axis a strand or the like comprising these wires, while the first support can move along the main axis, which rotor is provided with a second support which rotates with the rotor around the main axis and can move along the main axis for supporting the bobbin, wherein the first support and/or the second support rotate the bobbin around the main axis when the rotor rotates around the main axis.
US08474229B2
The present invention is a wrap designed to protect the saddle horn when a lariat rope is dallied around it and pressure applied, as when roping cattle in the sports of team and calf roping. The horn wrap consists of a strap having desired elasticity and durability, as well as a sufficient coefficient of friction. The horn wrap can have one or two apertures at the tips which can be pulled over the saddle horn and act to attach the horn wrap to the saddle horn. Generally anticipated to be in a generally bell shape, the attachment pieces act to protect the saddle pommel near the base of the saddle horn. The horn wrap may be beveled near its edges so as to allow for smooth layers on the saddle horn which can increase the contact of the rope to the saddle horn to increase the friction resisting the dally sliding when weight is applied to the rope.
US08474212B2
The invention relates to a tower for a wind power plant having a plurality of corner bars (1) for forming a mast construction, wherein the corner bars (1) are each made up of a plurality of partial profiles (2) connected to each other and having opposing connection areas (3a, 3b) at which the adjacent partial profiles (2) of a corner bar (1) can be connected to each other, and wherein the partial profiles (2) each have two kink points in cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the partial profiles (2) in a segment located between opposite connection areas (3a, 3b) of the partial profile. The corner bars (1) are each formed of at least three partial profiles (2), wherein the at least three partial profiles (2) of a corner bar (1) form a closed overall profile having an annular cross section, and that the joints at the connection of connection areas (3a, 3b) of adjacent partial profiles (2) of a corner bar (1) are each flush with an adjacent joint of an adjacent corner bar (1) extending the corner bar (1) in the longitudinal direction.
US08474211B1
Each of a plurality of sheets, including a lowermost sheet, have an upper edge, a lower edge, parallel side edges, an upper surface, and a lower surface. A support includes a lower board beneath the sheets adjacent to the lower edges. Parallel boards beneath the sheets are at locations adjacent to and at spaced parallel locations between the side edges. Long brackets couple the lower edge of the lowermost sheet to one of the parallel boards and the lower board. Straight brackets couple one of the side edges of one of the sheets to one of the parallel boards there beneath. Short brackets couple the upper and lower edges of two adjacent of the sheets to one of the parallel boards there beneath.
US08474210B2
A decorative panel is manufactured for installation on a surface of a room. The decorative panel is formed from a material that can be shaped having a decorative portion, two female mounting portions and two male portions. The female portions have punched holes for fastening the panels directly to a surface, and the male portions of an adjacent panel are positioned into the female portions to partially hold the adjacent panel and to obscure from view the punched holes and fastening hardware. The panel design and installation method allows the decorative panels to be attached directly to a building material such as sheet rock without any intervening supporting structure.
US08474208B2
A vinyl floor panel for a flooring system prepared from a blend of a polymer and cork granules. The floor panel includes top and bottom surfaces with a first layer between both surfaces. A printed pattern is located on the top surface. The first layer is prepared from a blend of a polymer polyvinyl chloride and cork granules, where the cork granules are evenly distributed with the polyvinyl chloride throughout the length, width, and thickness of the first layer.
US08474207B1
This invention provides for reinforced wood structures including framing members and a method to reinforce the connection between structural members to increase the load bearing capacity of framing member intersections by covering the intersecting wood framing members with a layer of a liquid elastomer including polyurea.
US08474201B2
A unitary, composite wall foundation and floor slab structure and system is provided by a pre-stressed cast concrete structure having a wall foundation region, a floor slab region and a transitional region therebetween and strands passing through all of those regions. One or more such structures are also post-tensioned using cables passing through tube embedded in the cast concrete structure and, when a plurality of such structures are employed in a modular manner, such post-tensioning draws all such modules into a larger unitary composite wall foundation and floor slab structure. The transition region may be further reinforced by angular reinforcing elements. Intermediate and end sections of varied shape may be used to complete the structure.
US08474200B2
A suspended ceiling system has a series of nodes interconnected by grid members to define a grid network. Each node includes a connection plate having a central port area that is adapted to form a recessed part of the finished surface of the ceiling system that is visible between adjacent suspended ceiling panels that conceal the grid members. The connection plate preferably includes grid member connecting arms extending outwardly from the connection plate. The central port area includes a cavity adapted for different purposes. This cavity can receive ceiling components, for example various light fixtures, securing devices or a removable access panel that covers the central port area.
US08474195B1
A storage reservoir wall system having one or more wall units, a wall unit having a wall first side, a wall second side, a wall first end having a first end mounting attachment, a wall second and having a second end mounting attachment, a wall top, a wall bottom, one or more hollow reservoir chambers constructed from a material that is non-permeable, and one or more liquid access apertures in one or more of the wall first side, wall second side, wall first end, wall second end, wall top, or wall bottom, said liquid access aperture fluidly connecting to the hollow reservoir chamber.
US08474193B2
A modular accessory system is supportable on a vertical surface such as a wall, an office divider, or the like and includes a support member or base that supports decorative panels and/or functional panels to provide a desired appearance and/or functions for use in an area. The panels are repositionable, and some may be oriented in two or more different orientations on the support base. Engaging members are provided at spaced intervals along each panel, with additional engaging members provided at spaced intervals along the support base. The engaging members along the support base releasably engage the engaging members on the panels to support them on the support base.
US08474190B1
A portable modular seating assembly (PMSA 10) that is designed to be temporarily or permanently located on a sport field such as a soccer field. The PMSA (10) is comprised of a left structure (12), a right structure (34), a front structure (60), an inner reinforced panel 80 and a central support structure (96). The front structure (60) is attached to the front edges of the left structure (12) and the right structure (34). Between the two structures (12,34) is attached a set of stairs (82). The stairs are bordered by a passage (87) that is attached between the two sets of stairs (82). The PMSA (10) can also be designed to incorporate an indicia viewing structure (110) that can include a removably attached tarp (134) that is attached during periods of inclement weather or bright sunlight.
US08474178B2
A plant support is assembled from a plurality of interchangeable parts that can be readily assembled together to form a complete plant assembly having a desired size, in either an open or closed configuration, and to readily permit disassembly for storage or reconfiguration of the support. The plant support may be made up of various horizontal and vertical members that are configured to readily attach and detach from one another in order to form supports in various shapes and sizes such as enclosures or trellis-type supports.
US08474171B1
The breach lock is for use in securing open the breach of an assault rifle during cleaning of the bolt action and the breach between uses of the assault rifle. The breach lock includes a notch along a top of the breach lock and a hole along the breach lock, which define a length. The breach lock is inserted between the upper receiver assembly and the lower receiver assembly so as to prevent any rotation there between. The notch bolts to the upper receiver assembly whereas the hole employs the pin of the assault rifle to engage the lower receiver assembly. The breach lock is simple in installation and removal with use of an assault rifle, and prevents unwanted collapse between the upper and lower receiver assemblies, which would otherwise pinch or injure the hand and fingers of an end user when cleaning.
US08474168B2
An adjustable sign frame and a method of using the same are provided. The adjustable sign frame has a main support rod and an adjustable hanging bar. During use, the main support rod and hanging bar are substantially parallel with respect to one another. Further, the main support rod and hanging bar are substantially identical in length. A plurality of wires may be used to hang the main support rod to the ceiling. A plurality of support clamps attached to the main support rod may temporarily hold the hanging bar which may have a retail sign attached thereto. Pegs on the hanging bar may allow a user to adjust the overall location of the retail sign hanging from the main support rod with respect to the ceiling.
US08474161B2
Multitask vehicles for military use, rescue, transport, and explosive detection and removal. In one embodiment, the multitask, motorized vehicle, includes: a vehicle body having a rigid frame with a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels mounted thereon; and a rotary mounting platform disposed on top of the vehicle body and which has a mounting portion being configured to interchangeably mount and remove various secondary systems or components, thereby permitting the multitask, motorized vehicle to change functions. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08474157B2
A snowboard boot having two handles which each handle controlling pressure within two tightening zones is disclosed. One handle may be pitched to adjust pressure within upper and lower shin portion tightening zones. A second handle may be pitched to adjust pressure within upper and lower foot portion tightening zones. Once the appropriate amount of pressure is applied to the various tightening zones, locks may be engaged to set the pressures. The pressures are isolated from each other such that the various different pressures within the various different tightening zones do not equalize but remain constant during the snowboarding session. Additionally, the handles may be stored on a tongue of the snowboard boot or a back portion of the snowboard boot.
US08474156B2
The present invention relates to a vibration generating shoe including: an upper part; an outsole part disposed on the underside of the upper part; and a vibration device having a vibration plate adapted to transmit vibrations to the shoe, a first magnet attached to the vibration plate, a second magnet disposed above the first magnet in such a manner as to have a repulsive force against the top surface of the first magnet, and a third magnet disposed below the first magnet in such a manner as to have a repulsive force against the underside surface of the first magnet, whereby a portion of the vibration plate to which the first magnet is fixed is vibrated between the second magnet and the third magnet.
US08474155B2
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.
US08474153B2
The present invention provides a shoe cover to adaptively fit over a shoe. The show cover has a sole, which includes at least two rigid bands of rigid material, disposed on the bottom of the sole and arranged in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the sole, thereby rigidifying the sole. The sole also has an elastic band of the flexible material, spanning longitudinally between the two rigid bands from the front to the rear of the sole, thereby enabling lateral flexibility to adapt to a shoe. The present invention also provides a rigid L-shaped element, each including a first portion on the ground side, a second portion on the side wall, and a fulcrum joining them, to clamp an inserted shoe. A double injection method for producing the above is also provided.
US08474151B2
Method and device for measuring the thickness of thin layers over large-area surfaces to be measured
The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring the thickness of thin layers over large-area surfaces to be measured (12), in which at least one measuring probe (28), which comprises at least one sensor element (29) and at least one contact spherical cap (31) associated with the sensor element (29), is applied to the surface to be measured (12) in order to obtain a measured value, wherein the large-area surface to be measured (12) is subdivided into individual partial areas (14), a matrix of measurement points (16) is determined for each partial area (14) to be inspected, measured values are ascertained at equidistant measurement points (16) along at least one row (17) of the matrix of the partial area (14) using a device (21) carrying the at least one measuring probe (28), and the measured values are ascertained successively for all rows (17) in the matrix in the partial area (14) and evaluated for this partial area (14).
US08474146B2
An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color is disclosed. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.
US08474143B2
A dispensing utensil includes a body extending between a front end and a back end, and having a handle and a substance-holding end portion having a width and a length. A substance pushing member is for removing substance from the substance-holding end portion of the body. An arm has a front end and a back end, and is connected adjacent the front end to the substance pushing member and is connected adjacent the back end to the handle. The substance pushing member is movable along the substance-holding end portion between a rest position and a dispensing position. The distance between the rest position and the flexed dispensing position includes a substantial portion of the substance-holding end portion.
US08474139B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head, the method including forming a piezoelectric element having a width in a reference direction longer than a width in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction on a first substrate, and adhering a second substrate to a surface of the first substrate opposed to the piezoelectric element at a temperature higher than a normal temperature, wherein, in the adhering of the second substrate, the second substrate is adhered such that the first direction of the second substrate is adjusted to the reference direction, using a first thermal expansion coefficient in a first direction on an adhesion surface with the first substrate greater than a second thermal expansion coefficient in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the first thermal expansion coefficient greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate.
US08474138B2
A method of manufacturing an ink-jet head includes preparing a sheet-like piezoelectric material comprising an internal electrode and forming a plurality of individual electrodes at equal intervals in a drive area and an area around the drive area on a surface of the sheet-like piezoelectric material. The method also includes forming a piezoelectric sheet which comprises the plurality of individual electrodes and the internal electrode opposite to the respective individual electrodes by firing the piezoelectric material in which the individual electrodes are formed and forming a plurality of individual electrodes for drive voltage application on a board which drives the piezoelectric sheet. The method further includes electrically connecting the respective individual electrodes in the drive area of the piezoelectric sheet to the respective individual electrodes formed on the board.
US08474134B2
A functional element-mounted module can be decreased in size and requires no costly and special members for a light transition member. A substrate is used, on which an optical functional element having an optical function part and bonding pads therearound is mounted by wire bonding, with an upper face of the element upward. A bank to dam a liquid sealing resin is provided around the optical functional element on the substrate, and the liquid sealing resin is dropped and filled between the optical functional element and the bank such that the bonding pads and partial gold wires for the wire bonding are exposed. A package-component member having a hole corresponding to the optical functional element is abutted to the bank such that the hole is opposed to the function part of the functional element. Thereby, the package-component member is contacted to the liquid sealing resin. The package-component member is fixed to the substrate by curing the liquid sealing resin, and the bank is cut away.
US08474128B2
A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized.
US08474127B2
A method for enhancing thermal stability, improving biasing and reducing damage from electrical surges in self-pinned abutted junction heads. The method includes forming a free layer, forming first hard bias layers abutting the free layer and forming second hard bias layers over the first hard bias layers discontiguous from the free layer, the second hard bias layers being anti-parallel to the first hard bias layers, the first and second hard bias layers providing a net longitudinal bias on the free layer.
US08474125B2
A method and apparatus for protecting a heat sensitive component from high temperature, mechanical shock and moisture are provided. An enclosure includes an outer housing surrounding an inner cavity configured to receive a heat sensitive component therein, a cover configured to matingly engage the outer housing such that the inner cavity is sealed from an environment external to the enclosure, wherein at least one of the outer housing and the cover are formed from a ceramic material.
US08474117B2
There is provided a machine tool capable of housing workpieces of different sizes in a same workpiece storage unit without requiring a new workpiece storage unit. In a machine tool including a workpiece storage unit having a plurality of housing spaces housing workpieces and a processing machine processing a workpiece supplied from one of the housing spaces, the workpiece storage unit is structured so that the size of each housing space is changeable.
US08474110B1
A clip apparatus including a housing with a base and a frame. A first retention arm and a second retention arm are rotatably coupled to the base and include a pivoting leg and a retention leg. Upon insertion of the frame into an opening of an outside surface, the opening directs the pivoting leg to rotate the respective retention arm, which, in turn, directs the retention legs into a position wherein the outside surface is sandwiched between the respective retention legs of the retention arms and an inner surface of the base.
US08474102B2
A hinge assembly includes a first pivot unit including a shaft, a bracket, an engaging member, a locking member, and an elastic member. The shaft has a non-circular sleeve portion. The bracket is rotatably sleeved on the shaft. The engaging member has a sleeving hole with a shape substantially corresponding to a cross-section of the sleeve portion of the shaft. The locking member has a sleeving hole with a shape substantially corresponding to a cross-section of the sleeve portion of the shaft. The locking member is non-rotatably latched to the engaging member. The elastic member is sleeved on the shaft to resist the components on the shaft.
US08474101B2
A hinge mechanism includes two pivot shafts substantially parallel to each other, two main gears non-rotatably respectively sleeved on the pivot shafts, a transmission assembly positioned between the two pivot shafts to transmit a torque of one of the two main gears to the other in a reverse direction, and a connecting member defining two shaft holes. The pivot shafts are respectively rotatably received in the shaft holes. Two contact assemblies are respectively mounted on the pivot shafts abutting the connecting member. One of the connecting member and each main gear forms at least one detent, and the other defines at least one recess correspondingly. The at least one detent is received in the at least one recess.
US08474100B2
Described is a combination of a hinge for doors or wings and a damping device in which the hinge (2) is composed of a first fastening arm (7), a second fastening arm (8) and a connecting system (9) interposed between the first and the second fastening arm (7, 8) in such manner as to make them reciprocally mobile; and in which the damping device (3) is associated with the hinge (2) at a mounting position where the damping device (3) and the hinge (2) are positioned close to each other; the damping device (3) comprises a mounting case (10), a cylinder and piston unit (11) hinged to the mounting case (10), an actuating rod (12) and a drive unit (13) interposed between the cylinder and piston unit (11) and the actuating rod (12) in order to impart to the piston (26) and cylinder (27) a relative sliding movement; the actuating rod (12) extends into the hinge (2) and is movable in a straight line between a first, extracted position, where it extends freely into the open hinge (2), and a second, retracted position, where it is in contact with a thrust surface (17) of the closed hinge (2).
US08474092B2
A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that is able to form dust and foreign substances collected in a dust collection device provided therein in a single mass shape to discharge it efficiently, not scattered in a dust collecting device. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a dust separation device mounted in the body, a dust collection device independently provided from the dust separation device, connected to the dust collection device, a compression device provided in the dust collection device, to collect dust and foreign substances collected in a predetermined portion of the dust collection device and to compress the collected dust and foreign substances, and a liquid supply device provided in the dust separation device to supply liquid material to the dust separation device.
US08474090B2
A floor cleaning robot comprises a housing, wheels, and a motor driving the wheels to move the robot across a floor, a control module disposed within the housing and directing movement of the robot across the floor, a sensor for detecting and communicating obstacle information to the control module so that the control module can cause the robot to react to the obstacle, a removable bin disposed at least partially within the housing and receiving particulates, a first rotating member directing particulates toward the bin, and a second rotating member cooperating with the first rotating member to direct particulates toward the bin. The removable bin receives particulates directed thereto by the first and second rotating members and the particulates pass from the first rotating member to the removable bin without passing through a filter.
US08474085B2
An electric toothbrush includes a handpiece and a mountable attachment. The attachment includes a working head and a coupling member which is joined to the working head and connectable to the toothbrush handpiece by positive and/or frictional engagement. The attachment can be an attachment brush for dental cleansing, or for interproximal cleaning devices, such as gum massage heads or other attachment tools for performing similar tasks in the oral cavity. The coupling member is braced against the toothbrush handpiece, to provide a low to zero-play connection which accommodates production tolerances. At least one pivot lever or toggle joint is provided for clamping the coupling member upon the toothbrush handpiece.
US08474080B2
A construction method of a steel composite girder bridge includes installing steel girders on piers and forming shearing connectors on the steel girders at intervals of a predetermined distance, installing stagings and a first form for casting deck concrete in the steel girders, installing non-composite members in an upper flange of the steel girders to form each non-composite section of supporting points, installing a second form around each of the shearing connectors to form a shearing pocket, arranging sheath pipes in the supporting points and forming supporting point decks by casting and curing concrete, applying pre-stress to each section of the supporting point decks through the sheath pipes and performing a grouting process, forming span decks adjacent to the supporting point decks by casting and curing concrete in each span between the piers, and filling the shearing pockets with non-shrinkage mortar.
US08474079B1
A body support pillow assembly is provided for holding a person in an upright position facilitating eating, performing certain tasks, or inhibiting acid reflux. The assembly includes a wedge having a top surface and a bottom surface. A pair of opposed side walls is coupled to the wedge and each of the side walls extends upwardly from a perimeter edge of the upper surface of the wedge. A pair of opposed arms grooves is provided. Each arm groove is positioned in a respective one of the side walls. A neck support is coupled to and extends between upper ends of the side walls.
US08474078B2
Spring cushions (10) having slow-acting pocketed spring cores (12) characterized by the individual springs of the cores (12) being pocketed within semi-impermeable fabric material and a method of making such pocketed spring cores (12). Cushioning material is located between adjacent rows of pocketed springs to reduce noise.
US08474076B2
A patient support apparatus including a bed frame, an adjustable foot section coupled to a foot end of the bed frame, and a deck moveably coupled to the adjustable foot section. The deck defines a foot support surface having a length dimension defined along a longitudinal axis of the bed frame and a width dimension defined transverse to the longitudinal axis. The length dimension is a first length and the width dimension is a first width when the adjustable foot section is in a first position, and the length dimension is a second length and the width dimension is a second width when the adjustable foot section is in a second position. The second length is less than the first length, and the second width is greater than the first width.
US08474070B2
The invention discloses a resin-based composite sanitary ware, which is characterized in that: the sanitary ware is made by mixing up and injecting the raw materials and then solidifying the mold; and the ingredients of the raw materials and their weight ratios are as follows: unsaturated polyester resin composition 14%-30%; unsaturated polyester anti-shrinking medium 6%-14%; reinforcing fiber 11%-37%; scale stone 10%-20%; calcium carbonate 25%-40%; initiator 0.8%-2.4%. And this invention also discloses the preparation method of the sanitary ware. Compared with the current technology, the invention has the advantages of strong strength, high tenacity, perfect self-cleaning capacity and low energy consumption.
US08474062B2
The present invention provides a device for securing to the calf, shin and foot of a motorcycle user, to afford protection against heated exhaust parts and emissions therefrom. The device comprises a bi-layered material, with an aesthetically pleasing outer layer and thermally resistant inner layer. The device secures to the shin using adjustable elastic straps and securing snaps. The device features an optional ankle protector of the same bi-layered material attached to the bottom of the main bi-layered pad. Further, the optional ankle protector rolls up and secures into a stowed position to maintain maximum flexibility when not in use.
US08479305B1
Method and system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage
A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining usages of the data object which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
US08479303B2
A first method and system includes receiving initial information related to a person; verifying the accuracy of the initial information; assigning a plurality of scores to the person, the plurality of scores having a plurality of score types, each of the plurality of scores having a score value and a score type; and setting the score value of at least one of the plurality of scores based on the verified initial information. A second method and system includes, for each person of a plurality of persons, assigning a plurality of scores, each of the plurality of scores having a score type and a score value, the score value of at least one of the plurality of scores being based on verified information; receiving a request for information related to a specific score type and a specific score value; and determining a portion of the plurality of persons which have scores related to the specific score type and specific score value.
US08479295B2
Generally, this disclosure describes systems and methods for transparently instrumenting a computer process. The systems and methods are configured to allow instrumenting executable code while permitting legacy memory scanning tools to monitor corresponding uninstrumented executable code stored in memory.
US08479294B1
A computer system for high-availability virtualization environment includes an originating host machine hosting several virtual machines. Anti-malware scanning on a virtual machine may be initiated in the originating host machine. Prior to completion of the anti-malware scanning, the virtual machine may be migrated to another, destination host machine. The anti-malware scanning on the virtual machine may be resumed in the destination host machine based on a scan state of the virtual machine. The anti-malware scanning of the virtual machine may be suspended and scheduled for execution in the destination host machine. A scan cache of the virtual machine may be preserved depending on information from the scan state. For example, the scan cache may be preserved and employed in the destination host machine when the originating and destination host machines use the same scan engine and pattern version.
US08479286B2
Methods and system for behavioral sandboxing are described. In one example embodiment, a system for behavioral sandboxing can include a network and a computer. The network communicatively coupled to a source of an executable application. The computer communicatively couple to the network and including a behavioral analysis module and a plurality of execution environments. The behavioral analysis module is configured to perform behavioral analysis on the executable application downloaded over the network. The plurality of execution environments including a standard execution environment and a protected execution environment. The behavioral analysis module is configured to evaluate a plurality of behavioral characteristics of the executable application to determine whether the executable application should be executed within the protected execution environment prior to execution of the executable application. The behavioral analysis module also monitors execution of the executable application to determine whether the execution environment can be changed.
US08479267B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying unauthorized endpoints. The present invention includes computer implemented methods and systems for actively polling and monitoring network devices, such as network routers and switches, to obtain information on any or all of the endpoints on a network with which the router or switch may have communicated. Address information acquired through polling is compared with an authorized endpoint list, which is generated from information reported to the store by security agents on the authorized endpoints and which is stored in a security compliance store, in order to identify unauthorized endpoints. Methods and systems disclosed herein also include remediation measures to be taken on the unauthorized endpoints. Related user interfaces, applications, and computer program products are disclosed.
US08479260B2
A method and apparatus for processing information. First information is received from a first number of devices at a first number of interfaces configured to receive the first information in a first section of a programmable integrated circuit. The first information is sent to a second section in the programmable integrated circuit. Second information is received at a second number of interfaces in the second section from a second number of devices that generates the second information with a plurality of security levels. The first and second sections are partitioned from each other such that communication between the first and second sections is controlled by the second section. The first and second information are processed to form processed information that is sent to a number of network interfaces in which an identification of a security level within a plurality of security levels is associated with the processed information.
US08479255B2
A registry for a service oriented architecture (SOA) comprising a plurality of processing objects. The registry may include a plurality of non-formalized operation requirements for the plurality of SOA objects, a plurality of technical assertions for the plurality of SOA objects, and a plurality of links, linking each non-formalized operation requirement to at least one technical assertion of the registry.
US08479251B2
A client-server architecture synchronizes streaming content with enhancing content via pre-announced triggers. The architecture includes server-based components to generate announcements containing information specifying how and when to receive upcoming triggers that will be transmitted at a later time. The server transmits the announcements to a general broadcast or multicast IP address. Client-based components monitor the IP address to receive and filter the announcements. Selected announcements are stored in a guide database in correlation with the streaming content programs to indicate that the programs are interactive. When a user tunes to an interactive program, the client opens a container HTML page that contains controls to receive the streaming content program and to extract the announcements from the guide database. The latter control monitors the IP address at the times specified in the selected announcements to receive the triggers corresponding to the interactive program. The server delivers the triggers at times synchronized to the streaming content. When triggers arrive, the client control processes the triggers to coordinate presentation of the enhancing content with the streaming content program. The triggers may further be used to carry items that fill a ticker being displayed with the program.
US08479246B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for interacting with video by displaying one or more interface links associated with video content being displayed, pausing the video content when an interface link is interacted with, allowing the user to view ancillary content the interface link is linked to over a network, and un-pausing the video content after the user elects to continue viewing the video content. In one or more embodiments, the ancillary content may permit e-commerce, display additional video or other images, and/or include links to additional ancillary content. The present invention also includes a method for creating an interactive video.
US08479245B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of storing digital content in a digital electronic system. In one embodiment, datacast information decoded from a digital media signal is monitored to identify newly-received digital content. The monitoring includes configuring a decoder to receive and decode the datacast information, identifying newly-received digital content from the datacast information, and updating an intelligent filter based upon the newly-received digital content, wherein the intelligent filter records the newly-received digital content. Additionally, the monitoring may include repeating the configuring, identifying, and updating. Thereafter, any of the newly-received digital content that is recorded in the intelligent filter may be stored into a cache memory.
US08479236B2
The present, invention relates to a communication system, a transmitter, a receiver, a communication method, a program, and a communication cable for providing high-speed bidirectional communication while maintaining compatibility. When an HDMI (R) source 71 performs bidirectional IP communication with an HDMI (R) sink 72 using a CEC line 84 and a signal line 141, a switching control unit 121 controls a switch 133 so that, when data is transmitted, the switch 133 selects a constituent signal forming a differential signal output from a converting unit 131 and, when data is transmitted, the switch 133 selects a constituent signal forming a differential signal output from a receiver 82. When bidirectional communication is performed using only the CEC line 84, the switching control unit 121 controls the switch 133 so that the CEC signal output from the HDMI (R) source 71 or the receiver 82 is selected. The present invention is applicable to, for example, HDMI (R).
US08479230B2
A system and apparatus for managing media content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device can have a controller element that receives a media guide from a Set-Top Box (STB), and presents on a display unit of the terminal device the media guide without presentation of said media guide on a media device coupled to the STB. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08479227B2
A random number or HDCP key is sent from a TV to a set back box (SBB) over a HDMI channel, and unless the SBB returns the same random number/key to the TV over a USB link, the TV will not communicate further with the SBB.
US08479218B2
Various embodiments of a system and method for automatically arranging or positioning objects in a block diagram of a graphical program are described. A graphical programming development environment or other software application may be operable to automatically analyze a block diagram of a graphical program, e.g., in order to determine objects present in the block diagram, as well as their initial positions within the block diagram. The graphical programming development environment may then automatically re-position various ones of the objects in the block diagram. In various embodiments, the objects may be re-positioned so as to better organize the block diagram or enable a user to more easily view or understand the block diagram.
US08479210B2
A method for more effectively distributing the I/O workload in a data replication system is disclosed herein. In selected embodiments, such a method may include generating an I/O request and identifying a storage resource group associated with the I/O request. In the event the I/O request is associated with a first storage resource group, the I/O request may be directed to a first storage device and a copy of the I/O request may be mirrored from the first storage device to a second storage device. Alternatively, in the event the I/O request is associated with a second storage resource group, the I/O request may be directed to a second storage device and a copy of the I/O request may be mirrored from the second storage device to the first storage device. A corresponding system, apparatus, and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.
US08479205B2
A schedule control program that is capable of allocating threads to CPUs so as to effectively use caches. When a thread is executed, the execution start time and the CPU number of a CPU that executes the thread are stored. When an interrupted thread is re-allocated to a CPU to execute it next, an elapsed time t counted from the execution start time is calculated. Time parameters are set to caches that are used by the CPUs in such a way that the higher the level of a cache, the larger time parameter is set. If the elapsed time t is smaller than a time parameter set to an n-level (where n is a natural number of 2 or greater) cache and is equal to or larger than a time parameter set to an (n-1)-level cache, the thread is allocated to a CPU with the lowest load among the CPUs sharing the n-level cache with the last execution CPU.
US08479202B2
A method and system for self-managing an application program in a computing environment, is provided. One implementation involves spawning a primary application for execution in the computing environment; the primary application monitoring status of the primary application and the computing environment resources while executing; and upon detecting a first status threshold, the primary application spawning a secondary application in the computing environment, wherein the secondary application comprises a lower functionality version of the primary application, and the primary application terminating.
US08479201B2
A method for preventing priority inversion in a processor system having an operating system operable in a plurality of contexts is provided. The method comprises: providing a plurality of context control registers with each context control register being associated with a corresponding one context for controlling execution of the context; providing a plurality of sets of hardware registers, each set corresponding to one context of the plurality of contexts; and utilizing the plurality of context control registers and said plurality of sets of hardware registers to prevent priority inversion.
US08479199B2
A virtualization architecture for improving the performance of nested virtualization in a computer system. A virtualization instruction reads or writes data in a control structure used by a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to maintain state on a virtual machine (VM) to support transitions between a root mode of operation of a CPU in which the VMM executes and a non-root mode of operation of the CPU in which the VM executes. A privileged data access is made to a primary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the root mode. A non-privileged data access is made to a secondary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the non-root mode and a secondary control structure field in the primary control structure is enabled.
US08479197B2
A host controller sends a request for first status information to a host. The host controller receives first status information from the host along with a unique identifier that is associated with the first status information. After a time period, the host controller sends a new request for second status information to the host, the new request including the unique identifier. When second status information and the first status information are associated with the same unique identifier, the host controller receives a response from the host indicating that the second status information is the same as the first status information. When the second status information and first status information are not associated with the same unique identifier, the host controller receives the second status information and a new unique identifier from the host.
US08479194B2
Virtual machine migration is described. In embodiment(s), a virtual machine can be migrated from one host computer to another utilizing LUN (logic unit number) masking. A virtual drive of the virtual machine can be mapped to a LUN of a storage array. A LUN mask associates the LUN with a host computer. The LUN mask can be changed to unmask the LUN to a second computer to migrate the virtual machine from the host computer to the second computer.
US08479192B2
A system and method enhances a default workflow path of a workflow system. The system provides access to policy rules and associated triggering conditions not available to the default workflow path of the workflow system. The configured rules are stored in a repository, and may be dynamically reconfigurable. Selected ones of the rules and triggering conditions are bound to at least one resource, such as a printer. An orchestrator is installed as a default workflow path, e.g., as an XPS filter, and is thus executed during default workflow path processing for a job submitted to the default workflow path. The orchestrator may then perform additional processing functions including accessing the configured policy rules and associated triggering conditions. A processing unit may be executed if the associated triggering condition is satisfied.
US08479191B2
A software installing method for installing software to a computer is disclosed. The method includes reading a software program to the computer, the software program corresponding to an equipment connected to the computer. The method further includes acquiring equipment information of the equipment from the equipment connected to the computer. The method also includes displaying an image representing a combination of parts of the equipment based on the acquired equipment information of the equipment on a display section prior to installing the software program, and installing the software program to the computer.
US08479169B1
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for reducing errors in software code. For example, an embodiment of the method includes defining a range of values for one or more inputs to the software code and evaluating non-conditional and conditional statements in the software code with one or more values from the range of values until a program misbehavior occurs or substantially all statements in the software code have been evaluated. When evaluating the conditional statements, true and false conditions of the statement can be explored using the range of values. For instance, a sub-set of the range of values can be used to evaluate the conditional statement as true and another sub-set of the range of values can be used to evaluate the conditional statement as false. By exploring both true and false scenarios, wide code coverage is possible.
US08479167B1
A method for detecting program code errors including searching for lines of command codes in the program code. A line of command code includes command codes and indices. The lines of command codes are organized as paragraphs. At least one of the lines of commands codes in each paragraph is different from the other lines of commands codes in the paragraph. The method further including separating the command codes from the indices for the lines of command codes, wherein the indices are a matrix of indices, and each row of indices in the matrix of indices includes the sets of indices for each of the lines of command codes from one of the paragraphs; determining each set of vertical indices in the matrix of indices that does not match a known series; and reporting to a user computer each set of vertical indices that does not match the known series.
US08479164B2
A set of user-configured testing parameters for a software application under test can be received by a test execution plan generation tool. At least one testing objective for the software application can be defined by user-configurable testing parameters. A test execution plan can be automatically generated utilizing the user-configured testing parameters and a predefined test execution plan data model. The predefined test execution plan data model can include testing metadata representing software testing domain data for a software testing system being used to evaluate the software application under test. The testing metadata can specify details of finite shared resources of a test center shared by all projects under test. The generated test execution plan can detail specific allocation of the finite shared resources dedicated towards at least one phase of testing the software application to satisfy the at least one testing objective for the software application.
US08479161B2
A system and method is provided for performing software due diligence review, which may include reviewing software for compliance and compatibility with software licenses, export regulations, or other compliance issues. In one implementation, the system may include a binary scan engine configured to analyze binary objects and extract dependency information identifying source code that may be associated with the binary objects. Upon identifying relevant source code, the system may use parallel pattern matching techniques to identify certain keywords in the source code and/or to match the keywords to text patterns that contain excerpts of language relevant to software due diligence. The system may then check for permissions and obligations associated with any matching relevant language to draw inferences regarding potential compliance problems.
US08479160B2
A method for debugging client-side code includes a client receiving an application file set from a server in response to the client requesting an application. A singleton is generated on the client by executing a script in the application file set. The singleton monitors a data event generated by an application programming interface. The singleton writes a client data record to a cache memory in response to the application programming interface generating the data event. The client data record records an application event. The singleton flushes the contents of the cached memory in response to a flush event, and transfers the contents to the server for persistent storage.
US08479159B2
A method (which can be computer implemented) for inferring whether at least a first relationship exists between at least first and second entities includes the steps of applying a first assessor to obtain a first confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, applying a second assessor to obtain a second confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, and combining said first and second confidence levels to obtain an overall inference whether said at least first relationship exists between said at least first and second entities.
US08479157B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions. Further, for each of the updated values, changes associated with to updated variable are propagated to other rules, if any, in which the updated variable participates. The propagation of the change can be accomplished by modifying values of variables other than the updated variable so as to maintain relationships defined by these other rules. The integrated computational systems of the invention can find applications, for example, in workflow processing.
US08479153B2
An example embodiment of the present invention provides a process for abstracting an implementation-independent model to an implementation-specific model during transformation in a MDA system. In the example embodiment, the MDA system comprises a transformation engine whose components might include software tools such as AndroMDA and Muse. The transformation engine accepts as input an implementation-independent model written in a modeling language such as UML that provides graphical notation to describe inheritable classes and their attributes and relationships. The transformation engine also accepts a configuration file which allows the designation of a class in the model as a manageable resource. From these inputs, the transformation engine creates a manageable resource corresponding to the class, which resource includes any subclasses by inheritance from the designated class unless the subclass is specifically excluded in the configuration file. In one embodiment, the manageable resources created by the transformation engine are WSMD manageable resources.
US08479147B2
Server-page based software architecture enabling use-case oriented evolutionary software prototyping
A system for use-case software development includes an interface renderer for interpreting a user interface definition code and displaying a user interface, a request dispatcher for processing a request from the interface renderer, and a request handler for processing the request and checking a use-case name contained in the request. The system further includes a use-case handling program, invoked by the request handler, for performing logic defined by a use-case corresponding to the use-case name and according to a use-case state and returning an interface definition specifying an interface layout and controls that are interpretable by the interface renderer, and a server page container for receiving the interface definition and providing the user interface definition code to the interface renderer.
US08479145B2
The present invention provides a method, system and computer program product for determining a reuse factor associated with a set of resources available for a project. The method includes identifying the set of resources from a repository. The predetermined saved-effort associated with the set of resources is also determined from the repository. The method further includes identifying one or more resources from the set of resources. The one or more resources are identified by a project leader to be used in the project. Thereafter, the reuse factor is estimated on the basis of the predetermined saved-effort associated with the set of resources and the effort saved by the use of the one or more resources.
US08479141B1
A method and technique of routing interconnects of an integrated circuit providing improved routing quality. In an embodiment of the invention, the technique provides linear spine interconnect routing. In memory array blocks, such as in DRAM and SRAM memory designs, connected pins are generally separated by large distances in a first direction and small distances in a second direction, or a spine or channel region. A route area is defined within the spine region. In one embodiment, obstacles in the route area are identified and corresponding forbidden areas are demarcated. The linear spine interconnect is routed in the first direction within the route area while avoiding the forbidden areas. Pins are connected to the spine interconnect by stitching interconnects. Stitching interconnects are generally routed in the second direction.
US08479130B1
A method of designing an integrated circuit (IC) includes simulating aging evolution of the IC by providing a standard cells library, and a device activity file of device electrical activity in the standard cells as a function of electrical activity at the pins of the standard cells, taking into account Hot Carrier Injection, Negative Bias Temperature Instability, and gate oxide breakdown. A standard cell evolution file is provided that stores electrical characteristic aging data of standard cells. An instance activity file is provided of simulated electrical activity at the pins of individual instances of the cells in the IC. The instance activity file and the device activity file are used to analyze device activity and consequent aging evolution of the devices, and then generate data for consequent aging evolution of the IC. The IC design can then be modified to account for the aging evolution.
US08479128B2
An enhanced RTL simulation including information regarding multi-cycle paths is provided. The multi-cycle path information, which is available in the design constraint file, can be used for timing analysis during RTL simulation. This information can advantageously augment the RTL simulation engine to approximate the cycle delays at the destination registers, thereby providing a more realistic approximation of circuit behavior at the RTL level. Notably, RTL simulation is orders of magnitude faster than gate level simulation. Moreover, design bugs associated with multi-cycle paths are more easily corrected during RTL simulation compared to waiting until the gate level simulation.
US08479125B2
The manufacturing of integrated circuits relies on the use of lithography simulation to predict the image of the mask created on the wafer. Such predictions can be used for example to assess the quality of the images, verify the manufacturability of such images, perform using OPC necessary correction of the mask data to achieve images close to the targets, optimize the printing parameters such as the illumination source, or globally optimize the source and the mask to achieve better printability. This disclosure provides a technique based on the association of at least one kernel function per source region or source point. Each kernel function can be directly convoluted with a mask image to create a prediction of the wafer image. As the kernel functions are associated with the source, the source can be easily changed to create new models. The optical system can be fully described by computing the possible kernels for all possible source points and all possible numerical apertures. Therefore this technique is ideally suited for source-mask optimization as well as source-mask-numerical aperture optimization, and their associated applications.
US08479122B2
Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multipoint sensing device such as a multipoint touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multipoint sensing device, and identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on the data from the multipoint sensing device.
US08479117B2
A device displays a drop down detection area. When the computing device detects the presence of a cursor hovering over the drop down detection area, the computing device displays a tiling navigator on the display, which includes multiple window resizing options for a user to select in order to resize a window to particular display locations on the display.
US08479116B2
Systems, methods, and computer-storage media of the present invention facilitate the management of assets of an engineered system. These management activities enable a user to understand various conditions surrounding identified system assets and provide tools for guiding decision making in terms of how prioritize projects for such assets. A user interface is also provided to display geospatially associated information relating to a selected portion of a system asset.
US08479107B2
A method including causing, at least in part, display of selectable objects on a graphical user interface, where each of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application accessible via the graphical user interface. The method further includes causing, at least in part, display of the selectable objects in motion travelling across the graphical user interface based on a category of the selectable object or context dependent data, and allowing user selection and manipulation of the selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface.
US08479106B2
A method and device to simplify message reply composition on a communications device, using a partially transparent overlay to allow a user to freely scroll and move around to other sections of a message or message chain while still being able to see and edit the reply being composed. When the reply is scrolled such that the composition field is not visible on the display screen, the device displays the overlay when the user enters text or on user request. The user may then type text into the overlay while viewing the underlying portion of the reply message, such as previous messages in the string.
US08479104B2
Methods, systems, devices and computer program products obtain and share personal data of celebrities and others over a communications network. The methods include; (a) electronically capturing personal data associated with a plurality of celebrities; (b) electronically storing the captured data in a database of electronic personal data records, the records being correlated to a respective celebrity; (c) accepting user input to request data of interest for a particular celebrity; (d) electronically automatically extracting records in the historical data base related to the user input; and (e) electronically publishing celebrity personal data to the user based on the extracting step.
US08479099B2
A group management apparatus manages, as a plurality of groups, numerous installation devices installed in a plurality of buildings. The group management apparatus includes an acquiring component, a summarizing component and a screen generating component. The Acquiring component acquires operating data of the numerous installation devices via controllers. The controllers are placed in the buildings and control the numerous installation devices inside the buildings. The summarizing component summarizes, per group, operating data values that are values represented by the operating data. The screen generating component generates a screen in which results, with respect to the plurality of groups, of the operating data values having been summarized by the summarizing component are juxtaposed.
US08479097B2
A method for providing a user interface for an industrial control system including a computer and a plurality of process graphics including software objects for controlling and/or monitoring real world objects controlled by the control system. A display of selected process graphics, a designated view arranged with a tab or another selector, is automatically generated. The designated view may be generated dependent on selecting one or more logical groupings to which control system software objects representing the real world objects belong. At least one tab on a designated view, or an active link, is arranged to display a small visual representation of a second process graphic to which it is linked on detection of a computer input on or near the at least one tab, or link.
US08479095B2
A workflow executing device includes a workflow executing unit; a first extracting unit that extracts a first preview property including a first element constituting a first data item and first position information; a second extracting unit that extracts a second preview property including a second element constituting a second data item and a second position information item, the second data item being obtained as a result of processing the first data item; a preview property managing unit that saves preview properties; a preview property generating unit that inserts the second element that is the processing result into the first preview property in place of the first element that is the processing target, and generates a new second preview property by associating the first position information with the second element; and a preview creating unit that creates preview images based on preview properties.
US08479085B2
A memory system includes: a memory controller including an error correction decoder. The error correction decoder includes: a demultiplexer adapted to receive data and demultiplex the data into a first set of data and a second set of data; first and second buffer memories for storing the first and second sets of data, respectively; an error detector; an error corrector; and a multiplexer adapted to multiplex the first set of data and the second set of data and to provide the multiplexed data to the error corrector. While the error corrector corrects errors in the first set of data, the error detector detects errors in the second set of data stored in the second buffer memory.
US08479083B2
Integrated circuit memory devices include an array of nonvolatile N-bit memory cells, where N is an integer greater than one. Control circuitry is also provided to reliably read data from the N-bit memory cells. This control circuitry, which is electrically coupled to the array, is configured to determine, among other things, a value of at least one bit of data stored in a selected N-bit memory cell in the array. This is done by decoding at least one hard data value and a plurality of soft data values (e.g., 6 data values) read from the selected N-bit memory cell using a corresponding plurality of unequal read voltages applied to the selected N-bit memory cell during a read operation.
US08479068B2
A system, circuit, and device for asynchronously scan capturing multi-clock domains. A system includes a shift register configured to process select data for selecting a clock domain at a time in response to a scan capture pulse and a one-hot n-to-2n decoder connected to the shift register and configured to generate one-hot code based on the select data. The system also includes integrated clock gating cells connected to the one-hot n-to-2n decoder, where the scan capture pulse is applied to each one of the integrated clock gating cells, and where only one of the integrated clock gating cells associated with the clock domain is enabled when the one-hot code is processed by the integrated clock gating cells. Further, the system includes multiplexers connected to the integrated clock gating cells, where the multiplexers are configured to forward the scan capture pulse to the clock domain.
US08479067B2
A test architecture adds minimal area overhead and increases encoding bandwidth by using one or more cyclical cache chains for a set of the test patterns provided to the scan chains of the design. A multiplexer associated with a scan chain can be used to bypass a segment of the scan chain that includes unknown values. Blocking circuitry can be programmed to completely block one or more scan chains including unknown values. The test architecture can include control logic for selecting between a linear mode and a cyclical mode. In the linear mode, only top level scan inputs are mapped to the scan chains. In the cyclical mode, outputs of the plurality of cyclical cache chains and top level scan inputs are mapped to the scan chains.
US08479062B2
Program disturb error logging and correction for a flash memory including a computer implemented method for storing data. The method includes receiving a write request that includes data and a write address of a target page in a memory. A previously programmed page at a specified offset from the target page is read from the memory. Contents of the previously programmed page are compared to an expected value of the previously programmed page. Error data is stored in an error log in response to contents of the previously programmed page being different than the expected value of the previously programmed page, the error data describing an error in the previously programmed page and the error data used by a next read operation to the previously programmed page to correct the error in the previously programmed page. The received data is written to the target page in the memory.
US08479056B2
Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for facilitating upgrades in a computing storage environment are provided. In one such embodiment, one of an available plurality of rolling upgrade policies registering at least one selectable upgrade parameter for an upgrade window is selected. A node down tolerance factor is set for at least one node in the computing storage environment. The node down tolerance factor specifies a percentage of elements of the at least one node taken offline to apply the selected one of the available plurality of rolling upgrade policies during the upgrade window.
US08479055B2
Systems and methods for cache optimization are provided. The method comprises tracing objects instantiated during execution of a program code under test according to type of access by one or more threads running in parallel, wherein said tracing provides information about order in which different instances of one or more objects are accessed by said one or more threads and whether the type of access is a read operation or a write operation; and utilizing tracing information to build a temporal relationship graph (TRG) for the accessed objects, wherein the objects are represented by nodes in the TRG and at least two types of edges for connecting the nodes are defined.
US08479043B2
A power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device with power fallback states. A powered device can be powered using a primary local power source and a secondary PoE power source. To enable consistent behavior by the powered device, a controlled power fallback state can be defined that would ensure limited functionality in the powered device upon a failure of the primary local power source. For example, the limited functionality could include a communication channel to the switch, diagnostic circuitry, etc.
US08479040B2
Provided are a storage system and its control method having superb functionality of being able to notify an administrator of the extent of impact of a pool fault in an easy and prompt manner. The foregoing storage system and its control method manage a storage area provided by a storage medium by dividing it into multiple pools, provide a virtual logical device to a host system, dynamically allocate a storage area to the logical device according to a data write request from the host system for writing data into the logical device, move data that was written into the logical device to another pool according to the access status from host system to such data, identify, when a fault occurs in any one of the pools, an extent of impact of the fault based on the correspondence relationship of the logical device and the pool, and notify the identified extent of impact of the fault to an administrator.
US08479038B1
A method and apparatus for achieving high availability for applications and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter is provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing high availability and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter comprises upon execution of an application at a target node amongst a plurality of nodes in a datacenter, selecting a failover target node amongst the plurality of nodes for the application, and reserving a failover capacity of at least one resource of the selected failover target node.
US08479037B1
A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are described for providing distributed hot-spare storage in a redundant storage cluster. According to one method, a portion of the unutilized space on the storage cluster is utilized as a distributed hot-spare storage node. Through this mechanism, a redundant storage cluster with N storage nodes may be contracted to a redundant array with N−1 nodes. Thin provisioning and intelligent data placement may also be utilized to implement the distributed hot-spare storage node. Through repeated application of such methods and systems, the failure of any storage node or the sequential failure of multiple storage nodes within a redundant storage cluster results in the recreation of the cluster as a redundant storage array with one fewer node, but with the same redundancy.
US08479033B2
When switching a power supply rail for a processing circuit from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, power level detection circuitry detects when the supply voltage level reaches a predetermined voltage level. The power level detection circuitry comprises a first transistor and a second transistor which compete with one another such that the first transistor pulls a signal node voltage level at a signal node towards the supply voltage level while the second transistor pulls the signal node voltage level towards an external power supply voltage level. When the supply voltage level on the power supply rail reaches the predetermined voltage level, the first transistor overcomes the second transistor to trigger a ready signal indicating that the supply voltage level has reached the predetermined voltage level.
US08479029B2
Methods and apparatuses for reducing step loads of processors are disclosed. Method embodiments comprise examining a number of instructions to be processed by a processor to determine the types of instructions that it has, calculating power consumption by in an execution period based on the types of instructions, and limiting the execution to a subset of instructions of the number to control the quantity of power for the execution period. Some embodiments may also create artificial activity to provide a minimum power floor for the processor. Apparatus embodiments comprise instruction type determination logic to determine types of instructions in an incoming instruction stream, a power calculator to calculate power consumption associated with processing a number of instructions in an execution period, and instruction throttling logic to control the power consumption by limiting the number of instructions to be processed in the execution period.
US08479012B1
An image of an biometric part is used as encryption or decryption key. The biometric part image is obtained, and items within the biometric part are analyzed. Relationships between those parts are determined, e.g. ratios between different parameters of different parts. Those ratios are then used to form the key. A sequence of biometric information can used in which case both the information itself and the sequence are used to form to the key.
US08479008B2
Embodiments are directed to the providing a cloud keying and signing service and to securing software package distribution on the cloud. In an embodiment, a computer system instantiates a signing service configured to sign software packages. The computer system receives a signing request from a computer user requesting that a selected software package be signed. The signing request includes a computed hash of the selected software package. The computer system generates a private and public key pair on behalf of the computer user and stores the private key of the generated key pair in a secure data store.
US08479005B2
There is disclosed a Java applet that causes a computer to execute plural predetermined Java applet programs. The Java applet is attached with an electronic signature for certifying an origin. The Java applet causes the computer to execute: an alteration detection step that detects alteration to deployment information, based on the identification information for detecting alteration to the deployment information defining respective locations of the plural predetermined Java applet programs; a load program startup step that starts a load program for loading the plural predetermined Java applet programs; and a load step that makes the started load program load the plural predetermined Java applet programs on the basis of the deployment information unless alteration is detected by the alteration detection step.
US08479004B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed herein for paper-based document logging. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning bits of a document, generating a cryptographic hash, converting the cryptographic hash into a machine readable code, and rewriting the document with the code contained thereon.
US08478998B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media for authenticating one or more client devices (1) to a server (5). A shared unpredictable secret (50) is generated. The shared unpredictable secret (50) is stored in the client device (1) and in the server device (5). The client device (1) proves possession of the correct shared unpredictable secret (50) to the server (5). The shared unpredictable secret (50) is replaced by a new shared unpredictable secret (54) each time the client device (1) logs in to the server device (5).
US08478996B2
A file server receives a request from a client to mount an encrypted file system. The file server informs the client that the requested file system is encrypted and, in turn, receives a session ticket from the client that includes a security protocol mounting selection. The file server decrypts the client's user's encrypted private key, and then decrypts the requested encrypted file system using the private key. In turn, the file server sends the decrypted file system to the client over a secure channel, which is based upon the security protocol mounting selection. In one embodiment, a key distribution center server receives a request from the client for the client's user to access the encrypted file system at the file server. The key distribution center server retrieves an intermediate key; includes the intermediate key in a session ticket; and sends the session ticket to the client.
US08478993B2
A slide customization system, comprising an administrator, wherein at least one information presentation is received at the administrator, at least one database, wherein the at least one information presentation is stored, a validator, wherein validation of the at least one information presentation is performed by the validator by validating the at least one information presentation with at least one validation attribute selected by the administrator from a plurality of validation attributes, and wherein the validation of the selected ones of the validation attributes against the at least one information presentation is stored to said at least one database, and a compiler.
US08478992B2
A method and system for securely enrolling personal identity credentials into personal identification devices. The system of the invention comprises the manufacturer of the device and an enrollment authority. The manufacturer is responsible for recording serial numbers or another unique identifier for each device that it produces, along with a self-generated public key for each device. The enrollment authority is recognized by the manufacturer or another suitable institution as capable of validating an individual before enrolling him into the device. The enrollment authority maintains and operates the appropriate equipment for enrollment, and provides its approval of the enrollment. The methods described herein discuss post-manufacturing, enrollment, backup, and recovery processes for the device.
US08478986B2
A method is provided for establishing a split-terminated secure communication connection between a client and a server. A first network intermediary intercepts a secure communication connection request directed from the client to the server. A second intermediary having a digital certificate in the name of the server (and a corresponding private key) acts in place of the server to establish a first secure communication session with the client, during which it receives a secret from the client for generating the session key. The second intermediary supplies the secret and/or the session key to the first intermediary, which allows the first intermediary to establish follow-on secure communication sessions in which the secret is reused. The second intermediary may also supply the first intermediary with a copy of its certificate so that it can respond to new secure communication requests and, yet further, may also supply a copy of the private key.
US08478982B2
A media access control (MAC) security (MACsec) function block may implement MACsec protocols on a network. A physical layer device (PHY) may connect to the MACsec function block and an interface register configured to store command information for the MACsec function block. A central processing unit (CPU) may provide the command information for the MACsec function block to the PHY via a management data input/output (MDIO) bus. The PHY may execute either a read command or a write command against the MACsec function block based on the command information, receive, from the MACsec function block, a response corresponding to the execution of the read command or write command against the MACsec function block, and provide the response to the CPU via the MDIO bus.
US08478981B2
A system and method providing for appending of a note or instruction to the contents of an email such that the note or instructions is only appended to emails of selected recipients of a group of recipients, with only the email going to the other recipients of the group of recipients is provided.
US08478979B2
Managing a computing machine including detecting a signal to disable a feature of the computing machine through an interface of the computing machine, identifying at least one component of the computing machine utilized by the feature in response to receiving the signal, and accessing a hardware switch corresponding to at least one of the identified components to disable the feature.
US08478972B2
A system, apparatus and method for handling switching among threads within a multithread processor are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for multithread handling that includes fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to a first instruction execution thread, to an execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the first instruction execution thread and when the instruction execution thread is in an active mode. The method further includes switching a second instruction execution thread to the active mode when the cycle count corresponding to the first instruction execution thread is complete, and fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to the second instruction execution thread, to the execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the second instruction execution thread. The method additionally includes resetting the cycle counts when a master instruction execution thread is in the active mode.
US08478968B2
Provided are techniques for the managing of command queue dependencies and command queue synchronization. Incoming commands are actively tracked through their dependency relationships. Command dependencies may be tracked across multiple lists, including a submission list and a completion list. Each command on the submission list is prepared for processing and ultimately submitted to command processing logic. Command completion processing is performed on each command on the completion list, including by not limited to removing dependencies from pending commands and possibly queuing pending commands for submission to the command processing logic. Also provided as features of a command queue are a standby barrier, an active barrier and a marker. Standby and active barriers are employed to synchronize and track commands through the command queue. Markers are employed to track commands through the command queue.
US08478966B2
A measurement sampling facility takes snapshots of the central processing unit (CPU) on which it is executing at specified sampling intervals to collect data relating to tasks executing on the CPU. The collected data is stored in a buffer, and at selected times, an interrupt is provided to remove data from the buffer to enable reuse thereof. The interrupt is not taken after each sample, but in sufficient time to remove the data and minimize data loss.
US08478963B2
A method of dynamically switching partitions for a memory card having a plurality of physical blocks is provided. The method includes configuring logical blocks for mapping to at least a portion of the physical blocks and dividing the logical blocks into first and second partitions; coupling the memory card to a host system and setting CSD corresponding to the memory card as a first default value corresponding to the first partition, wherein the host system requests the CSD to obtain the first default value and accesses the first partition according to the first default value; and setting the CSD corresponding to the memory card as a second default value corresponding to the second partition in response to a switch command from the host system, wherein the host system re-requests the CSD to obtain the second default value and accesses the second partition according to the second default value.
US08478959B1
A method and system for protecting content in graphics memory are disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of storing a first privilege level in a privilege map with restricted access, wherein the first privilege level is associated with a memory page used to store the content; and determining whether to permit a request to access the memory page based on the first privilege level.
US08478958B2
De-duplication operations are applied to mirror volumes. Data stored to a first volume is mirrored to a second volume. The second volume is a virtual volume having a plurality of logical addresses, such that segments of physical storage capacity are allocated for a specified logical address as needed when data is stored to the specified logical address. A de-duplication operation is carried out on the second volume following a split from the first volume. A particular segment of the second volume is identified as having data that is the same as another segment in the second volume or in the same consistency group. A link is created from the particular segment to the other segment and the particular segment is released from the second volume.
US08478955B1
In one aspect, a method includes forming a virtualized grid consistency group to replicate logical units, running a first grid copy on a first data protection appliance (DPA), running a second grid copy on a second DPA, splitting to the first DPA IOs intended for a first subset of the logical units and splitting to the second DPA IOs intended for a second subset of the logical units different from the first subset of logical units.
US08478950B2
Requests from a plurality of different agents (10) are passed to a request handler via a request concentrator. In front of the request concentrator the requests are queued in a plurality of queues (12). A first one of the agents is configured to issue a priority changing command with a defined position relative to pending requests issued by the first one of the agents (10) to the first one of the queues (12). An arbiter (16), makes successive selections selecting queues (12) from which the request concentrator (14) will pass requests to the request handler (18), based on relative priorities assigned to the queues (12). The arbiter (16) responds to the priority changing command by changing the priority of the first one of the queues (12), selectively for a duration while the pending requests up to the defined position are in the first one of the queues (12). Different queues may be provided for read and write requests from the first one of the agents. In this case, the priority raising request from the agent may be used to raise the priority level of the write queue temporarily to the level of the read queue, until all write requests issued before the priority raising command from the agent have been passed to the request handler.
US08478948B2
A system and method for performing efficient program instrumentation for memory profiling. A computing system comprises a memory profiler comprising a static binary instrumentation (SBI) tool and a dynamic binary analysis (DBA) tool. The profiler is configured to selectively instrument memory access operations of a software application. Instrumentation may be bypassed completely for an instruction if the instruction satisfies some predetermined conditions. Some sample conditions include the instruction accesses an address within a predetermined read-only area, the instruction accesses an address within a user-specified address range, and/or the instruction is a load instruction accessing a memory location determined from a data flow graph to store an initialized value. An instrumented memory access instruction may have memory checking analysis performed only upon an initial execution of the instruction in response to determining during initial execution that a read data value of the instruction is initialized. Both unnecessary instrumentation and memory checking analysis may be reduced.
US08478940B2
Instruction fetch unit (IFU) verification is improved by dynamically monitoring the current state of the IFU model and detecting any predetermined states of interest. The instruction address sequence is automatically modified to force a selected address to be fetched next by the IFU model. The instruction address sequence may be modified by inserting one or more new instruction addresses, or by jumping to a non-sequential address in the instruction address sequence. In exemplary implementations, the selected address is a corresponding address for an existing instruction already loaded in the IFU cache, or differs only in a specific field from such an address. The instruction address control is preferably accomplished without violating any rules of the processor architecture by sending a flush signal to the IFU model and overwriting an address register corresponding to a next address to be fetched.
US08478935B2
A path controller controls a plurality of paths, including switching between those paths in response to an error notice. Upon detection of a path connection timeout at the path controller, a target driver submits an I/O abort request to a disk array device. The target driver also forwards an error notice to the path controller when it is received. A Fiber Channel driver controls a Fiber Channel adapter. In response to an I/O abort request submitted by the target driver, the Fiber Channel driver blocks every operation on the disk array device, as well as sending an error notice to the target driver.
US08478933B2
A method, computer management apparatus, and computer program product are provided for processing data stored on a sequential storage media within a computational computing environment. A block reference table and most often read blocks are loaded from a modified tape format of a sequential storage media into an internal memory of a sequential storage media device. During write command processing, a data deduplication procedure is performed using a modified block reference table. It is determined if entries from the block reference table must be deleted and responsive to this identifying and deleting host block and device block entries from the block reference table.
US08478931B1
A buffer pool for a database application is maintained in a volatile main memory component. A control portion that corresponds to a block of application data residing on a non-volatile, asymmetric memory component and that includes a reference to a location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is added to the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component. The control portion from the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component that corresponds to the block of application data is accessed and the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is identified. Based on identifying the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component, the database application is enabled to access the block of application data directly from the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component.
US08478919B2
It is an object of the invention to ensure the reliable and flawless operation of a storage means that is connected to a data reproduction system. This object will be met by a method for controlling the admission of a storage means to a peripheral bus of a data reproduction system, wherein a storage means is connected to the peripheral bus of a data reproduction system, the read latency of the storage means is determined, and it is decided based on the determined read latency whether the storage means is admitted to the peripheral bus or rejected. The latency for read requests from the storage means, for instance a USB mass storage device, will be analyzed on first insertion and the results of this analysis will be used to carry out a compatibility check of the storage means with the data reproduction system, for example a car audio system.
US08478917B2
An automatic addressing protocol for a shared bus is described. In an embodiment, devices connected in a chain by a shared bus are also connected by an independent electrical connection between each pair of neighboring devices. A protocol is used over the independent electrical connections which is independent of that used on the shared bus. Devices in the chain receive at least one device ID from an upstream neighbor via the independent electrical connection and either use this received ID as their ID or use the received ID to compute their ID. Where the device has a downstream neighbor, a device then transmits at least one device ID to the downstream neighbor via the independent electrical connection and this transmitted ID may be their ID or an ID generated based on their ID, for example, by incrementing the ID by one. The process is repeated by devices along the chain.
US08478915B2
A computer program product, apparatus, and method for determining extended capability of a channel path in an I/O processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request to provide a channel path description for a channel path, where the channel path includes a channel coupled to a control unit. The method further includes outputting the channel path description for the channel path in response to the request. The channel path description includes a descriptor indicating that the channel path supports a link protocol for commanding an I/O operation, and an extension support indicator specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the link protocol.
US08478904B2
A system for differentiating unique systems and/or users sharing a common address may include an interface, a device identifier, a communication interceptor and a communication processor. The interface may be operative to receive a designation of a plurality of devices and/or users and a specification of corresponding services to be provisioned. The device identifier may be operative to cause the devices to provide a unique identifier with each communication originated by the device and store the unique identifier and the associated specification in a memory. The communication interceptor may be operative to intercept a communication originated by one of the devices and determine the unique identifier associated with the communication. The communication processor may be operative to determine the associated device and/or user specific service to be provisioned based on the unique identifier and process the communication in accordance with the associated device and/or user specific service to be provisioned.
US08478901B1
A method includes receiving a first request for a first robot to perform a first task and processing the first request through first and second computing resources to identify instructions for the first robot to perform the first task. The method also includes providing the one or more instructions to the first robot and identifying information associated with the second computing resource, wherein such information includes environmental information related to a location where the first task is to be performed. The method further includes associating the identified information with the first computing resource, receiving a second request for a second robot to perform a second task, processing the second request through the first computing resource, accessing the information associated with the first computing resource, and, based upon the accessed information, providing instructions to the second robot to perform the second task.
US08478891B1
Computer systems, computer-readable media, and computerized methods for determining a media access (MAC) address that corresponds with a network identifier in a wireless or wired network are provided. A dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server is employed to allocate a set of socket IP addresses that include a common IPv4 address paired with a selected group of ports, where none of the ports in the selected groups overlap. When assigned to a client device, the socket IP address uniquely identifies the client device within the network. A host device within the network is configured to broadcast an address resolution protocol (ARP) request to other devices within the network, such as the DHCP server, where the ARP request includes a socket IP address associated with recipient(s) of communications from the host device. In response to the ARP request, the appropriate device or DHCP server returns a MAC address of the recipient.
US08478884B2
Disclosed is an end-to-end wireless solution for accessing, monitoring, and controlling remote devices, such as critical server systems, utilizing a mesh topology scheme via a short range, high throughput wireless connection. The present invention provides superior propagation in a multi-path environment as well as a low-power, non-intrusive solution to remotely access and control of a variety of devices. Further, the present invention enables portable management of the remote devices connected within the system.
US08478879B2
A computer implemented method optimizes a configuration of an information technology (IT) infrastructure. A processor establishes a technology rule set, which defines technology weights of an IT infrastructure by mapping capabilities of IT infrastructure components to IT infrastructure attributes needed to execute a specific workload. A candidate IT infrastructure for executing the specific workload is then configured. The processor then receives responses, provided by a customer, to an attribute questionnaire. Each question in the attribute questionnaire is mapped to an IT infrastructure attribute of the candidate IT infrastructure, and the responses define a customer's level of agreement/disagreement with the technology weights. In response to the processor determining that the candidate IT infrastructure fails to meet the customer's expectations, the candidate IT infrastructure is reconfigured until the customer's expectations are met.
US08478877B2
A computer readable medium comprising software instructions for: obtaining an allocation policy by a MAC layer executing on a host; receiving, a request for a transmit kernel buffer (TxKB) by a sending application executing on at least one processor of the host; obtaining a location of a plurality of available TxKBs on the host; obtaining a location of at least one available network interface on the host; obtaining a location of the sending application; allocating one of the plurality of available TxKBs to obtain an allocated TxKB, wherein the one of the plurality of available TxKBs is selected according to the allocation policy using the location of the plurality of available TxKB, the location of the at least one available network interface, and the location of the sending application, to obtain an allocated TxKB; and providing, to the sending application, the location of the allocated TxKB.
US08478875B2
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus adaptive in-operator load shedding includes receiving at least two data streams (each comprising a plurality of tuples, or data items) into respective sliding windows of memory. A throttling fraction is then calculated based on input rates associated with the data streams and on currently available processing resources. Tuples are then selected for processing from the data streams in accordance with the throttling fraction, where the selected tuples represent a subset of all tuples contained within the sliding window.
US08478874B2
A system and method for composing a stream servicing environment which considers all stakeholders includes identifying service component requirements needed for processing a data stream, and determining available service elements for processing the stream. Feasible service environments are constructed based upon the available service elements and the service component requirements. Efficiency measures are computed for each feasible service environment considering all stakeholders. A best service environment is determined based upon the efficiency measures.
US08478873B2
Use and generation of an identifier. An indication of a value to be used to generate system-unique identifiers is received. The indication and an associated count value are stored in a metadata server interconnected with one or more remote metadata servers. A modified value to be used to generate system-unique identifiers generated based, at least in part, on the indication and the associated count value is transmitted to a remote metadata server.
US08478864B1
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can provide visualization of the topology of a data protection system. Various devices making up the data protection system are displayed using graphical user interface elements such as icons. The display of the devices making up the data protection system illustrates the topology of the data protection system, connections among various system devices, device status information, device activity information, and/or device configuration information.
US08478862B2
Disclosed is an internet traffic monitoring method that includes a network service provider analyzing an HTTP transaction involving an internet user client. The network service provider responds to the HTTP transaction by forwarding, to the internet user client, an interstitial web page including a monitoring implement. After forwarding the interstitial web page to the internet user client, the network service provider forwards web content, originally associated with the HTTP transaction, to the internet user client.
US08478861B2
A method of managing devices may include downloading information to a courier device from an enterprise. The information may be information for performing a device management operation. The method also includes communicating the information from the courier device to a monitored agent coupled to at least one of a disconnected device and an intermittently connected device.
US08478860B2
A device detection system for detecting use of removable media such as flash drives, portable storage, disks, and digital cameras in computers. From each monitored client, messages are sent by a client device detection application to a server application running on a central or administrator computer or node. The messages include relevant information for the client computer such as IP address, computer name, and user name along with the device. Generally, a message will be sent when the device is first detected such as when it is attached to the client computer or connected to a port and when the device is later changed such as when the device is removed, and detection is achieved by a function intercepting event messages in the operating system environment combined with a drive detector. The messages are stored in system memory so as to log the attachment or use of removable media.
US08478857B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for content categorization, where the method comprises transmitting, by a content categorization request entity, a categorization ability negotiation request to a content categorization providing entity to request the categorization ability of the content categorization providing entity; receiving the categorization capability of the content categorization providing entity returned by the content categorization providing entity. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention disclose a system for content categorization, content categorization request entity and content categorization providing entity. Categorization ability negotiation or subscription helps to learn the content categorization ability so that the content categorization request entity or content categorization providing entity may mutually and accurately acquire content categorization capability information without delay.
US08478856B2
A networked system is provided for transporting digital media packets, such as audio and video. The network includes network devices interconnected to send and receive packets. Each network device can receive and transmit media signals from media devices. A master clock generates a system time signal that the network devices use, together with a network time protocol to generate a local clock signal synchronised to the system time signal for both rate and offset. The local clock signal governs both the rate and offset of the received or transmitted media signals. The system, which can be implemented using conventional network equipment enables media signals to be transported to meet quality and timing requirements for high quality audio and video reproduction.
US08478855B1
Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate translation of application controls. An application is executed in a hosted environment that virtualizes a first input device for the application. A video signal generated by the application is encoded into a media stream, which is sent to another computing device. Input data that is generated in a second input device of the other computing device is obtained from the other computing device. A translated form of the input data is provided to the application through the first input device.
US08478849B2
A tool for managing a network of interconnected devices. The tool may provide a user with an interface that allows the user to view the type and status of each network device (that is, each device connected to the network), and even the status of the network itself. The tool may alternately or additionally provide a user with services related to the network, such as allowing a user to perform one or more tasks associated with devices in the network.
US08478835B2
The data path in a network storage system is streamlined by sharing a memory among multiple functional modules (e.g., N-module and D-module) of a storage server that facilitates symmetric access to data from multiple clients. The shared memory stores data from clients or storage devices to facilitate communication of data between clients and storage devices and/or between functional modules, and reduces redundant copies necessary for data transport. It reduces latency and improves throughput efficiencies by minimizing data copies and using hardware assisted mechanisms such as DMA directly from host bus adapters over an interconnection, e.g. switched PCI-e “network”. This scheme is well suited for a “SAN array” architecture, but also can be applied to NAS protocols or in a unified protocol-agnostic storage system. The storage system can provide a range of configurations ranging from dual module to many modules with redundant switched fabrics for I/O, CPU, memory, and disk connectivity.
US08478834B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for data transfers between nodes in a parallel computer that include: receiving, by an origin DMA on an origin node, a buffer identifier for a buffer containing data for transfer to a target node; sending, by the origin DMA to the target node, a RTS message; transferring, by the origin DMA, a data portion to the target node using a memory FIFO operation that specifies one end of the buffer from which to begin transferring the data; receiving, by the origin DMA, an acknowledgement of the RTS message from the target node; and transferring, by the origin DMA in response to receiving the acknowledgement, any remaining data portion to the target node using a direct put operation that specifies the other end of the buffer from which to begin transferring the data, including initiating the direct put operation without invoking an origin processing core.
US08478824B2
A method for classification and enforcement of security requirements in an information dissemination system, said information dissemination system not being designed for said security requirements and enforcement. The method comprising the steps of: accepting a user specification of said security requirements for dissemination of respective information, said specifying is done using a user interface; Associating with said dissemination system an enforcement module, said module being operable to receive said security requirements and apply them to control dissemination via said dissemination system, and then enforcing said dissemination via said module.
US08478820B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and an apparatus for managing and optimizing service discovery in a peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless network. Nodes of the P2P network advertise their capabilities to their peers in the form of services. Efficient propagation and management of node's services to other nodes is proposed in the present disclosure.
US08478818B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for selectively accessing one or more web services from a client machine, the one or more web services and the client machine being accessible over a network. A request for information is received from a client machine with a conversion engine. The request is received over a synchronous interface. The request is processed in the conversion engine. The processed request is transmitted over an asynchronous interface from the conversion engine to at least one web service. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for converting a web service description language file for a synchronous web service into a web service description language file for an asynchronous client machine are also described.
US08478811B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for optimal packet flow in a multi-processor system on a chip. In operation, a credit is allocated for each of a plurality of agents coupled to a messaging network, the allocating including reserving one or more entries in a receive queue of at least one of the plurality of agents. Additionally, a first credit is decremented in response to a first agent sending a message to a second agent, the plurality of agents including the first and second agents. Furthermore, one of the first credit or a second credit is incremented in response to a signal from the second agent.
US08478809B2
An efficient method and apparatus to compute a product of polynomials of degree n−1 where n is an arbitrary prime is provided. The total number of multiply operations and Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) operations to compute the product is minimized through the judicious use of polynomial evaluations at few points to decrease the number of multiplications while using only simple ALU operations.
US08478808B1
Minimizing memory access by converting a given matrix computation into a set of low-order polynomials. The low-order polynomials can be used by dividing the domain of the polynomials into smaller subregions. If the domain is divided into equal intervals, the low-order polynomial can be used to approximate results from the matrix computation. The set of polynomials is processed using parallel computational hardware such as graphical processing units.
US08478807B2
Digital signal-processing structure and methodology which feature a time-slice-based digital fabricating engine, and software operating structure operatively associated with that engine structured to operate the engine in a time-slice-based fabrication mode wherein the engine, in a time-differentiated and instantiating manner, functions to fabricate a time-succession of individual, composite wave digital filters. Each of these filters takes the form of (1) a concatenated assembly including one to a plurality of upstream, early-stage, decimate-by-two, signal-processing agencies connected in a cascade series arrangement, with each such agency possessing a first transfer function having a first transition bandwidth, and (2) a single, downstream, later-stage, decimate-by-two, signal-processing agency which possesses a second transfer function having a transition bandwidth which is less than the mentioned first transition bandwidth.
US08478806B2
A method and a device for determining sampling rate are provided. The device receives an input signal of SPDIF. The method includes following steps. A plurality of multiple values between a plurality of bi-phase clock frequencies of the input signal and a system frequency are obtained, and a first weighted average and a second weighted average are calculated according to a first filter range, a second filter range and the multiple values. When a first difference is greater than a second difference, the sampling rate is set to a first sampling rate. Otherwise, the sampling rate is set to a second sampling rate. The first difference and the second difference are obtained according to the first weighted average, the second weighted average and a frequency threshold. The method determines the sampling rate rapidly according to weighted averages adjusted by filter ranges, reduces a probability of erroneous judgment and saves memory.
US08478805B1
A method is provided for synthesizing signal frequencies using low resolution rational division decomposition in a frequency synthesis device. An integer numerator (n) and an integer denominator (d) ratio is reduced; n/d=IO(NO/DO)=IO+NO/DO=(IO+1)−(DO−NO)/DO, and where NO/DO<1 and NO and DO are integers. NO is reduced; NO=In(Nn/Dn)=In+Nn/Dn=(In+1)−(Dn−Nn)/Dn, where In, Nn, and Dn are integers, and Nn/Dn<1. In, Nn, and Dn are used to create a final numerator divisor. DO is reduced; DO=Id(Nd/Dd)=Id+Nd/Dd=(Id+1)−(Dd−Nd)/Dd, where Id, Nd, and Dd are integers, and Nd/Dd<1. Id, Nd, and Dd are used to create a final denominator divisor. Finally, IO, the final numerator divisor, and the final denominator divisor are used to create a final divisor.
US08478798B2
One embodiment provides a system that facilitates the execution of a web application. During operation, the system allocates a storage space on one or more storage devices for use by the web application. Next, the system creates, for the web application, a private filesystem comprising a private root directory within the storage space. Finally, the system enables access to the private filesystem for the web application through the private root directory in a manner that does not allow access to a host filesystem associated with the one or more storage devices from the web application.
US08478797B2
A device maintains, in a database, a plurality of data items, each data item of the plurality of data items being associated with a respective category. The device associates, in the database, a first counter value with each data item, the first counter value indicating a number of times the respective category has been deleted from the database at a time when the data item was stored in the database. The device associates, in the database or another database, a second counter value with the respective category, the second counter value indicating a current value for a number of times the respective category has been deleted from the database. The device selectively deletes, from the database, one or more data items of the plurality of data items from the database based on the first counter values and the second counter value.
US08478794B2
A method of segmenting relative user preferences into fine-grain and coarse-grain collections is provided. The method includes providing a set of content items having associated descriptive terms. The method also includes receiving user search input and, in response thereto, presenting a subset of content items. The method includes receiving user selection actions and analyzing the selections to learn the user's preferred descriptive terms. The method includes expressing the learned preferred descriptive terms as a segmented probability distribution function having at least one fine grain segment and at least one coarse grain segment. In response to subsequent search input, the method calls for selecting and ordering a collection of content items by promoting the ranking of content items associated with the learned preferred descriptive terms of the user according to the differentiation provided by the segmented probability distribution function.
US08478786B2
Embodiments are directed to determining a data insertion point in a data layout based on relative cardinalities between data objects and to determining a data insertion point in a data layout based on defined hierarchies between data objects. In an embodiment, a computer system receives a user input indicating that an additional portion of information is to be added to an existing data layout which includes multiple different data objects. The computer system accesses the data objects to determine relative cardinalities between the data objects in the data layout. The computer system determines an optimal data insertion point for inserting the additional portion of information based on the determined relative cardinalities between the data objects. The computer system also inserts the additional portion of information in the existing data layout at the determined optimal data insertion point.
US08478781B2
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and an information processing program that are capable of assigning an optimum keyword to a content. The information processing apparatus includes a content characteristic quantity extraction unit 52, a label information extraction unit 54, a associating information computation unit 56, a content characteristic quantity—latent space associating information storage unit 57 and a label information—latent space associating information storage unit 58. The content characteristic quantity extraction unit 52 extracts characteristic quantities related to a content whereas the label information extraction unit 54 extracts label information showing attributes of a content. The associating information computation unit 56 computes parameters representing the property of a probability distribution for a latent variable Zk common to the characteristic quantities and the label information, the property of a probability distribution for the characteristic quantities and the property of a probability distribution for label information. By storing computed values for the latent variable zk in the content characteristic quantity—latent space associating information storage unit 57 and the label information—latent space associating information storage unit 58, the information processing apparatus is capable of assigning an optimum keyword to a content. The present invention can be applied to the information processing apparatus.
US08478779B2
A query may be ambiguous when the domain-confidence factors indicate a high likelihood that the search query may belong to two or more domains. A domain is a subject matter category such as shopping, sports, entertainment, music, or politics. A domain-confidence factor indicates the likelihood that a search query is related to a particular domain. Upon determining that a search query is ambiguous, embodiments of the present invention may present an interface that allows the user to place the search query into one or more domains. Updated search results, or other objects, may be returned based on the selection of a domain by the user.
US08478776B2
A collection of nodes in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network can have a larger aggregate coverage footprint than any given single node. This inherent multi-site property of P2P wireless networks can provide each node with benefits of multi-user diversity. This can improve the effective coverage of nodes within a P2P wireless network and improve discovery of devices in the P2P network.
US08478774B2
An information processing apparatus which includes a first reception module configured to acquire first information of a character string selected through an input module from character strings displayed on a display module, a candidate creation module configured to create a plurality of character strings relevant to the selected character string as candidates based on the first information and to display the candidates on the display module, a second reception module configured to acquire second information of a character string determined through the input module from the candidates, and a retrieval module. The retrieval module is configured to receive the second information from the second reception module, perform information retrieval based on the second information, and display a result of the information retrieval on the display module.
US08478770B2
A method for searching related terms first calculates a direct relationship between every two of a plurality of query terms to obtain a direct related matrix, and calculates a related score between every two of the query terms to obtain a related score matrix. The method further calculates an indirect relationship between every two of the query terms according to the direct relationship and the related score, and determines indirect terms of each query term according to the indirect relationship between every two of the query terms.
US08478769B2
A conversational question generation system dynamically generates conversational questions for insurance claim processing. The conversational question generation system includes various modules and graphical user interfaces that provide a streamlined mechanism for creating new conversational questions for insurance claim processing. The conversational question generation system may include various levels of usability that distinguish between a question programmer of the conversational question generation system and an insurance claim agent that uses the created conversational questions. In generating conversational questions, the conversational question generation system may include graphical user interfaces directed to the question details, the answer details, the question text, or other aspects of the conversational questions.
US08478768B1
A recommender system can generate a predicted item rating for one user by performing collaborative filtering on item ratings from other users. The recommender system can include a client device that interfaces with a server to obtain a predicted item rating for a local user. The client device can generate a standardized ratings vector for the user, and computes a group identifier for the user based on the standardized ratings vector. The system also generates a noisy ratings vector for the local user, and sends a user-ratings snapshot to a recommendation server that includes the group identifier and the noisy ratings vector. The recommender system can also include the recommendation server that generates a predicted item rating for the user by performing collaborative filtering on ratings vectors from a plurality of other users that belong to the same ratings group.
US08478766B1
A computer-implemented method of processing business data, the method including storing data in SPO (subject-predicate-object) format in multiple databases; using a storage layer to connect to the multiple databases and maintaining a record of which data is stored in which database, the data comprising rules and axioms, the axioms representing user data; the rules and the axioms stored in the SPO format; at least one ontology representing a union of at least some rules and axioms that represent a particular data interpretation; a storage layer that permits working with data stored in different databases simultaneously and permits a user to use data from several storages simultaneously; transforming the user data based on context provided by a business application that works with specific objects and ontologies, the context being defined by a particular ontology; performing operations on the data based on triggers specified by the rules; generating new data in the same context; processing requests from a business layer to transform the data; and presenting the data to the user based on the context.
US08478765B2
A system and method are disclosed for compiling a database of investor-related data by gathering and linking customer-specific data records from multiple unaffiliated financial institutions, where such data records are coded in such a manner that the database compiler is enabled to link, across data providers and/or time periods, data records that pertain to the same investor without being provided any information that reveals the identity of any investor.
US08478761B2
The present invention relies on the two-dimensional information in documents and encodes two-dimensional structures into a one-dimensional synthetic language such that two-dimensional documents can be searched at text search speed. The system comprises: an indexing module, a retrieval module, an encoder, a quantization module, a retrieval engine and a control module coupled by a bus. Electronic documents are first indexed by the indexing module and stored as a synthetic text library. The retrieval module then converts an input image to synthetic text and searches for matches to the synthetic text in the synthetic text library. The matches can be in turn used to retrieve the corresponding electronic documents. In one or more embodiments, the present invention includes a method for comparing the synthetic text to documents that have been converted to synthetic text for a match.
US08478749B2
A method and apparatus are provided for ranking documents according to relevancy scoring. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for receiving search results identifying a plurality of documents resulting from a search, the plurality of documents containing one or more words. The method generates a first matrix containing a term column and a document column, wherein at least one row of the first matrix correlates one of the plurality of documents with one of the terms. The method selects a sort preference, and sorts the two-column matrix according to the sort preference. The method further generates a second matrix containing values representing a measure of overlap between the plurality of documents and the terms. The method further calculates cumulative confidence scores according to the values of the second matrix and ranks the search results according to the cumulative confidence scores.
US08478747B2
Data relating to usage patterns of the user is stored, wherein the data includes an application portion having information as to items which were used and a context portion having information as to the context in which the items were used. The data is clustered into clusters of data points and centroid are computed, wherein the centroid includes an application portion and a context portion. Clusters similar to a current context of the user are selected by comparing a data point representing the current context of the user to the context portions of one or more of the centroids. For each of one or more items, a expectation value that the user wishes to use the corresponding item is computed, based on the application portions of the selected similar clusters, wherein the expectation values are used to recommend one or more of the items.
US08478734B2
Systems and methods are provided to allow parental control via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a phone number with information indicative of an age of a user of the phone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to use one converter of the converters to communicate with a telephonic apparatus at the phone number to obtain parental consent, in response to a request from a third party website, such as a social networking website.
US08478727B2
When updating the data in each generation's logical units, the snapshot processing unit writes the update data in accordance with the update as forward differential data 221 to the base volume, and saves the old data that existed in the base volume before that update data was written as backward differential data in the backward differential data pool, and, when each generation's logical unit backward differential data is updated, deletes the forward differential data belonging the production LUs and the snapshots that together with those production LUs form the forward differential group. As a result of this, the amount of metadata necessary for executing a host command is able to be reduced in production LUs utilizing snapshots using the forward differential method.
US08478715B2
Analytic workflows for performing data analysis and other related operations are stored in an analytic workflow library and provided to a user upon selection of data from a data store. A workflow manager may rank the workflows based on a number of ranking algorithms prior to presentation. User selected workflows are executed in conjunction with relevant external applications and the analysis result provided to the user through the user's client application used to select the data. Workflows and associated interfaces may be received from a variety of sources and integrated into the workflow framework for enhancing data analysis.
US08478711B2
There are disclosed techniques for performing data fusion. In one embodiment, the technique comprises: (a) receiving an input; (b) processing the input in accordance with parameters of a stochastic model to derive a state of a stochastic process of the stochastic model, the parameters of the stochastic model previously established during a training period; (c) obtaining a predicted next state of the stochastic process; (d) receiving a next input and processing the next input in accordance with the parameters of the stochastic model to derive a next state of the stochastic process; (e) comparing either (i) the next state and the predicted next state, or (ii) the next input and a predicted next input corresponding to the predicted next state; and (f) if there is a discrepancy between that compared in (e), then using the next input to modify the parameters of the stochastic model.
US08478706B2
Disclosed is a method including receiving a rule having at least one rule case for producing an output value based on one or more input values, generating a transform for receiving data from an input dataset and transforming the data based on the rule including producing a first series of values for at least one output variable in an output dataset, at least one value in the first series of values including a second series of values, and providing an output field corresponding to the at least one output variable in the output dataset for storing the second series of values.
US08478697B2
Techniques are described herein for determining whether to provide an advertisement to a user of a social network. The determination is based on a click probability and a social network value for the user. The click probability indicates a likelihood of the user to select the advertisement if provided to the user via the social network. The social network value is based on a subscription probability of the user and further based on subscription probabilities of other users in the social network that are included in an affinity set of the user. Each subscription probability indicates a likelihood of a respective user to subscribe to a paid service with respect to the social network.
US08478680B2
A high speed apparatus and method for processing financial instrument order books are disclosed. With respect to an exemplary embodiment, a reconfigurable logic device is employed to (1) process streaming financial market data, the streaming financial market data comprising a plurality of messages representative of a plurality of offers to buy and sell a plurality of financial instruments, and (2) maintain in real-time a plurality of financial instrument order books based on the messages.
US08478677B2
A commercial search agent (CSA) is used to access data in a distributed communications system. An initial search request constitutes a buyer's first search query at sellers' commercial database network. Analytical agents and seller promotions are used to inform the CSA, while negotiation commences after the initial RFQ. CSA's may be informed by analytical agents.
US08478672B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method of operating an insurance claim management system provides for receiving, in a claim reporting system, information related to a report of a injury claim, the information being provided by an insurance medical liaison located at a location at which the injured worker's injury has been evaluated. The information may also be indicative of an evaluation, by the insurance medical liaison, of at least one of a work-related injury and an injured worker. The method further provides for establishing a record in the claim reporting system for the claim based at least in part on the information received from the insurance medical liaison.
US08478670B2
A method and system for selecting a preferred debt instrument (e.g., mortgage) for an individual consumer, where the option adjusted spreads (OAS) and risk measures of a plurality of debt instruments are determined and ranked using standard bond valuation methodology. A typical scenario involves a consumer inputting a plurality of mortgages and associated features (e.g., term of loan or type of interest rate) and receiving the option adjusted spread and risk measure for each mortgage, from which the consumer may select the appropriate mortgage having the lowest option adjusted spread within his or her risk tolerance. These steps can be implemented by a computer which includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a computer code operatively associated with the CPU. The relative option adjusted spreads and risk measures of various debt instruments can be displayed on a visual display or used to automatically commence the financing of a mortgage.
US08478657B2
Provided are an auction method and server that enable a seller and bidders to determine the price of a product at their own discretion by enabling the bidders to participate in a bid between the lowest price offered by the seller and the highest price of the product, and give benefit to both the seller and successful bidders by applying the successful bid price of a lowest successful bidder to all the successful bidders as a sale price. The auction method includes maintaining, at an auction server, a database of the highest price of a specific product, the lowest price offered by a seller, and the limited number of successful bidders, receiving, at the auction server, bidding information including bid prices for the specific product between the lowest price and the highest price from bidders, selecting, at the auction server, a lowest successful bidder from among the bidders in consideration of the limited number of successful bidders and the bidding information when a predetermined bidding time elapses, and requesting, at the auction server, payment from all successful bidders using a successful bid price of the lowest successful bidder as a sale price on the basis of bidding information about the lowest successful bidder.
US08478652B2
A service center receives a request for posting a message from a mobile device over a network, the request identifying a first discussion forum and a second discussion forum, the message pertaining to a product previously registered with the service center by a user. The message is transmitted to a first server hosting the first discussion forum over the network, together with first credentials retrieved from a database associated with the service center. The first credentials are to allow the first discussion forum to authenticate the user in order to post the message on the first discussion forum. The message is also transmitted to a second server hosting the second discussion forum over the network, together with second credentials retrieved from the database. The second credentials are to allow the second discussion forum to authenticate the user in order to post the message on the second discussion forum.
US08478647B2
A transaction product includes a substantially planar panel defining an aperture, a lens extending across the aperture, one or more auxiliary items, a foldable sheet, and an account identifier. The foldable sheet supports each of the one or more auxiliary items and is folded and positioned relative to the substantially planar panel such that at least one of the one or more auxiliary items is readily viewable through the lens. The account identifier is coupled with the substantially planar panel and links the transaction product to an account or record configured to track a financial value available for use toward a purchase price of one or more of goods and services. Other products, combinations, and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08478646B2
Methods for targeting content based on user interests. A graphical user interface may be provided to a first user. A plurality of interest categories may be displayed to the first user through the graphical user interface. An indication of a first category selected from the plurality of interest categories may be received from the first user. Upon receiving the indication of the first category, a plurality of sub-categories of the first interest category may be displayed to the first user through the graphical user interface. Additionally, an indication of at least one selected sub-category chosen from the plurality of sub-categories may be received from the first user. A first plurality of content items based on the at least one selected sub-category may be selected. The first plurality of content items may be provided to the first user through the user interface.
US08478644B1
The efficient allocation of advertisements, also known as creatives, on one or more web sites is provided for while ensuring that guarantees to advertisers are honored. In one embodiment, a linear program solver allocates creatives to advertising slots according to an optimizing function designed to maximize revenue for the site. The linear program solver takes as input a set of creatives, creative performance data, constraints, and slot identifiers. The output of the linear program solver is an optimized schedule not violative of any of the input constraints.
US08478633B2
An architecture, system, and method are provided for a commitment loop solution for on demand business activity management. A Business Performance Management (BPM) loop is defined as a set of nodes each relating to different tasks for processing performance management trigger data generated by a business entity in real time, where the beginning or sensing element of the loop is triggered by a token (representing a business event from a business process) and the ending or executing element provides a business action to be implemented by the business entity. The token is passed from node to node sequentially in a particular order around the loop. Processing of the data represented by the token is governed by policies, which can be changed dynamically and follow a life cycle. On demand business activity management of larger aggregates of business entities (i.e. enterprises and value chains) is achieved by extending this architecture by building upon the BPM loops of the component entities to form a BPM net, adding nodes as necessary. This architecture, system and method can be implemented at multiple levels of granularity from operational or tactical business activities to enterprise wide strategic activities.
US08478632B2
A method of defining a sales promotion for a plurality of products includes determining a group of sales promotion sites to be included in the sales promotion from a plurality of sites using a computerized system, wherein the plurality of sites have been previously organized according to a predetermined grouping structure, and wherein the group of sales promotion sites is independent of the predetermined grouping structure. The method also includes determining a list of products associated with the group of sales promotion sites, and determining the products to be included in the sales promotion from the list of products associated with the group of sales promotion sites.
US08478628B1
System and method for risk assessment of compliance are disclosed. A database is provided, which contains mapped compliance data components related to regulations, requirements, policies and standards, controls, and assets. Users can specify the weighting of the data components based on the user's business requirements. Manual and automated assessments are used to measure and determine the state of compliance of assets, such as people, processes, and technology. In particular, assessments may be performed on the standards and controls related to people, processes, and technology. Various compliance and risk indices are computed based on the compliance status of the standards and controls. Reports and analysis using the compliance data components and the compliance and risk indices are provided to quantify compliance risks and to assess overall compliance.
US08478624B1
An embodiment of the invention, directed to assessing quality of recorded service data, comprises the step of receiving a record containing service data at a service record evaluator. The method further comprises selecting at least one information field of a plurality of information fields contained in the received record, and determining a numerical quality score for each selected information field. Each of the quality scores is used to compute a cumulative quality score for the record, and it is determined whether the cumulative quality score is no less than a minimum quality threshold.
US08478621B1
An instrument for measuring and presenting customer impressions of a company uses weighted response values of survey questions to develop a customer experience score and a customer interaction score. The two scores are added to produce a composite score. The three scores for a company may be presented with other score sets for other companies to provide a simple and consistent comparison of companies. When different businesses or even different industries have different customer experiences and interactions, weighting of response values can be adjusted to more accurately reflect the importance of that factor on the overall customer experience, which models customer satisfaction.
US08478617B2
A locate device for a locate operation to detect a presence or an absence of one or more underground facilities is configured to access and display facilities map information, and/or other image information, as a visual aid to facilitate the locate operation. In various aspects, methods and apparatus relate to: selection of an appropriate “base” facilities map, or information from a database of facilities map data, relating to a given work site/dig area; selection of an appropriate pan and/or zoom (resolution) for displaying facilities map information; appropriately updating displayed facilities map information while a locate device is used during a locate operation (e.g. changing pan, zoom and/or orientation); overlaying on the displayed facilities map information locate information and/or landmark information relating to the locate operation; and storing locally on the locate device, and/or transmitting from the locate device, facilities map information and/or overlaid locate/landmark information (e.g., for further processing, analysis and/or subsequent display). In one aspect, a location at which an indication of detection of a facility is generated is compared to a location of a facility line as indicated by the facilities map information/image information, and an alert is generated based on the comparison.
US08478610B2
A method in a computer system is provided for managing medical imaging devices quality control information. In particular, a method and corresponding computer devices are described for evaluating stored quality control test plan data for each of the one or more medical imaging devices being managed on an evaluation date.
US08478608B2
An innovative tracking software system provides independent proof of primary-care physician (PCP) efforts to improve urgent access to care and coordination of care. PCPs are provided with tools and financial incentives to better manage urgent care requests and thereby provide better service while reducing avoidable hospital utilization (ER and re-admissions) and costs. In particular, independent and accurate measurements of provider performance enable the payment of financial incentives to PCPs.
US08478601B2
A voice recognition apparatus includes: a voice input element for inputting voice of an user; a voice pattern memory for storing multiple voice patterns respectively corresponding to multiple phrases; a voice recognition element for calculating a similarity degree between the voice and each voice pattern and determining the highest similarity degree so that one voice pattern corresponding to the highest similarity degree is recognized as the voice; a display for displaying a recognition result corresponding to the one voice pattern; an execution determination element for executing a process according to the one voice pattern when a predetermined operation is input by the user; a load estimation element for estimating a load of the user; and a display controller for controlling the display based on a positive correlation between the load and display repetition of the recognition result on the display.
US08478600B2
Provided is an input/output apparatus based on voice recognition, and a method thereof. An object of the apparatus is to improve a user interface by making pointing input and command execution such as application program control possible according to a voice command of a user possible based on a voice recognition technology without individual pointing input device such as a mouse and a touch pad, and a method thereof. The apparatus includes: a voice recognizer for recognizing a voice command inputted from outside; a pointing controller for calculating a pointing location on a screen which corresponds to a voice recognition result transmitted from the voice recognizer; a displayer for displaying a screen; and a command controller for processing diverse commands related to a current pointing location.
US08478598B2
An apparatus, system, and method to transcribe a voice chat session initiated from a text chat session. The system includes a chat server, a voice server, and a transcription engine. The chat server is configured to facilitate a text chat session between multiple instant messaging clients. The voice server is coupled to the chat server and configured to facilitate a transition from the text chat session to a voice chat session between the multiple instant messaging clients. The transcription engine is coupled to the voice server and configured to generate a voice transcription of the voice chat session. The voice transcription may be aggregated into a text chat history.
US08478594B2
Systems and methods are provided to automatically determine culture-based behavioral tendencies and preferences of individuals in the context of customer service interactions. For example, systems and methods are provided to process natural language dialog input of an individual to detect linguistic features indicative of individualistic and collectivistic behavioral tendencies and predict whether such individual will be cooperative or uncooperative with automated customer service.
US08478593B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar. The database may comprise a directory of names.
US08478591B2
A phonetic variation model building apparatus, having a phoneme database for recording at least a standard phonetic model of a language and a plurality of non-standardized phonemes of the language is provided. A phonetic variation identifier identifies a plurality of phonetic variations between the non-standardized phonemes and the standard phonetic model. A phonetic transformation calculator calculates a plurality of coefficients of a phonetic transformation function based on the phonetic variations and the phonetic transformation function. A phonetic variation model generator generates at least a phonetic variation model based on the standard phonetic model, the phonetic transformation function and the coefficients thereof.
US08478588B2
A method and system for testing voice applications, such as VoiceXML applications, is provided. The system provides a run-time simulation environment for voice applications that simulates and automates user interaction. A user simulation script is provided in a customized mark-up language. The voice application is processed to derive a nominal output of the voice application. The user simulation script is processed to generate a simulated output for the voice application corresponding to the nominal output. The user simulation script is also processed to generate a simulated input for the voice application corresponding to a pre-determined user input to the voice application. The simulated inputs and outputs are executed in conjunction with the voice application in real-time to test the application.
US08478582B2
A server is disclosed for computing a score of an opinion that a message in a text file is expected to convey regarding a subject to be evaluated, wherein the message is written using literal strings and pictorial symbols. In this server, by the use of a pictorial-symbol dictionary memory storing a correspondence between designated pictorial-symbols to be rated and scores of opinions expressed by the respective pictorial-symbols, at least one of the used pictorial-symbols in the message which is coincident with at least one of the designated pictorial-symbols stored in the pictorial-symbol dictionary memory, is extracted from the message, at least one of the opinion scores which corresponds to the at least one extracted pictorial-symbol is retrieved within the pictorial-symbol dictionary memory, and an aggregate net opinion score for the message is calculated, based on an aggregate opinion score for the at least one extracted pictorial-symbol.
US08478573B2
A model for a circuit cell used in timing and signal integrity analysis in an integrated circuit design is automatically generated. A behavioral model, such as a gate current model is used in which the current in the circuit cell is determined as a function of the input voltage and the output voltage of the circuit cell as well as the history of at least one of the current, voltage, and charge values of the circuit cell. For example, the current in the circuit cell may be a function of the history of the current, which may be calculated incrementally using recursive convolution at each time step when using the model.
US08478572B2
In a method for the numerical simulation of sheet-metal-forming processes, forming simulation parameters are visually displayed by: maintaining active values of the simulation-program-control parameters and standard values of the parameters that can be, used as a reference; determining a status of each parameter as being “noncompliant” if and only if the active value of the parameter is not equal to the standard value of the parameter; grouping parameters into display groups, and determining the status of a display group as being “noncompliant” if and only if the status of at least one of the parameters or other display groups assigned to the display group is “noncompliant”; displaying GUI elements showing the active values of the parameters, and GUI elements associated with a display group; and displaying, for each of the GUI elements, a visual indication of the status of the corresponding parameter or display group.
US08478564B2
A 3D measuring apparatus includes a probe that has a spherical gauge head for measuring a measured object; a motion mechanism that holds and moves the probe; and a motion controller that controls the motion mechanism. The controller includes a contact point obtainer that obtains a contact point location of a surface of the measured object and the gauge head based on a central location of the gauge head; a radius of the gauge head; and a swing amount of the gauge head. The controller also includes a motion commander that calculates a location command value causing the motion mechanism to move the probe, based on the contact point location obtained by the contact point obtainer.
US08478560B2
A three-wire transformer position sensor is provided that includes an excitation coil and an output coil. The excitation coil is adapted to be electrically excited with an excitation signal, and has a first end and a second end. The output coil includes a first coil and a second coil and is inductively coupled to the excitation coil upon electrical excitation thereof the excitation coil. The first end of the first coil is electrically connected to the second end of the second coil and to the second end of the excitation coil, and the second end of the first coil is electrically connected to the first end of the second coil. The output coil is configured, when it is balanced and the excitation coil is being electrically excited, to supply a null output signal.
US08478551B2
Systems and methods for profiling power cycle characteristics in a device powered at least by a battery are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: detecting a series of power cycle events, examining the series of power cycle events for at least one indication of reduced life of the battery; storing the indication; and notifying a user of the device about the indication. Each power cycle event indicates a transition between line power and battery power.
US08478541B2
Disclosed are methods and custom computing apparatuses for identifying gene-gene interactions from gene expression data, based on which a gene regulatory sub-network can be built. In particular, relationships in which multiple genes co-regulate one target gene can also be identified.
US08478536B2
The present invention provides a method for determining concentration of blood glucose by using the change in the rising time. The chemical reaction between the blood glucose and enzyme within the test strip to generate the analog source that used to determine the concentration of the blood glucose in the measuring meter. Thus, the rising curve can be obtained after the analog source is treated, such that the concentration of the blood glucose can be determined.
US08478524B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating a marking operation to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. Marking information relating to the marking operations, including one or both of environmental information representative of at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking operation is performed, and operating information representative of at least one operating condition of a marking device used to perform the marking operation, is electronically acquired. A marking material is dispensed to mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility is dispensed, and the dispensing is controlled based at least in part on the acquired marking information.
US08478516B2
Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information.
US08478515B1
Methods and systems for generating directions are disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a system that includes a human-provided directions module for receiving and processing human-provided directions, a database for storing human-provided directions processed by the human-provided directions module, and a directions generator for receiving a directions query from a client. In response to the query, the directions generator accesses the database, retrieves at least one human-provided direction, generates a set of directions based thereupon, and provides the set of generated directions to the client.
US08478513B1
A system and method for displaying degraded traffic data from an intruder aircraft on an ITP display is provided. The method includes determining if the degraded traffic data exhibits navigational accuracy sufficient for display on the ITP display, and analyzing the degraded traffic data to determine the ITP parameters for similar track traffic and to determine if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic data is within predefined bounds if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic is not sufficient for display on the ITP display.
US08478511B2
A knock detection system for an engine includes an intensity module, a knock threshold module, and a detection module. The intensity module determines an engine vibration intensity during a first period of engine operation. The knock threshold module determines a knock threshold based on an ethanol concentration in a fuel supplied to the engine. The detection module determines whether engine knock has occurred during the first period by comparing the knock threshold and the engine vibration intensity.
US08478508B2
An ON-ignition signal is outputted from an ignition control portion in a period from a posterior time point of the power stroke to an valve opening timing of an exhaust valve so that a capacitor is charged. Then, when it is determined that the maximum value of an ion-output value detected during a negative valve overlap period becomes greater than or equal to a threshold, it is determined that the applied voltage between an center electrode and a ground electrode of a spark plug is dropped. The ON-ignition signal is outputted again to charge the capacitor before the intake valve is opened.
US08478506B2
A method is provided for a virtual sensor system. The method may include obtaining data records associated with a plurality of input parameters and at least one output parameter and adjusting values of the input parameters based on autocorrelation of respective input parameters. The method may also include reconfiguring the input parameters based on cross-correlation of respective input parameters relative to the output parameter and establishing a first virtual sensor process model indicative of interrelationships between the adjusted and reconfigured input parameters and the output parameter.
US08478500B1
A system and method for utilizing traffic signal information to reduce wait time at traffic signals and to reduce fuel use is disclosed. Traffic signal timing data can be received from traffic signals or from a central server to determine a reference velocity for a vehicle to travel through a plurality of traffic signals. The reference velocity can then be provided to the driver so that the driver can manually control the vehicle at a velocity close to the reference velocity. The techniques of the present disclosure also can be used in connection with a cruise control system to control the velocity of a vehicle to be close to the reference velocity.
US08478491B2
Devices, methods, and programs control a seat drive mechanism that drives side support parts of a seat. The devices, methods, and programs detect a first curve ahead of a vehicle and a second curve located ahead of the first curve with respect to a travel direction. The devices, methods, and programs predict a between-curves time required to travel between the first curve and the second curve and determine whether the between-curves time is less than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being no less than a time necessary for the side support parts to operate. The devices, methods, and programs control the seat drive mechanism to arrange the side support parts at an action position to support a body of an occupant for the first curve. If the between-curves time is less than the predetermined time, the devices, methods, and programs maintain the side support parts at the action position while traveling the second curve.
US08478485B2
An electric power steering apparatus is configured in such a way as to include a first filtering unit that applies filtering processing to the detected steering torque signal and outputs the processed torque signal; a control unit that generates and outputs a motor drive signal, based on a steering torque signal outputted from a first filtering unit; a second filtering unit that applies filtering processing to the detected steering torque signal and outputs the processed torque signal; and an interlock unit that generates and outputs a motor drive inhibition signal, based on the steering torque signal outputted from the second filtering unit. The second filtering unit performs filtering processing in such a way as to output a steering torque signal the same as or similar to the steering torque signal that is outputted from the first filtering unit at least when a vehicle is in a predetermined driving condition.
US08478484B2
A motor vehicle includes a body characterized by a center of gravity, a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact with a road surface, and a roll-reduction apparatus. The apparatus is configured to resist an impending rollover of the vehicle via at least one of i) applying a force between the body and at least one of the plurality of wheels and ii) lowering of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a sensing device configured to detect a roll moment acting on the vehicle and having a threshold magnitude. The vehicle additionally includes a controller configured to trigger the roll-reduction apparatus to generate a moment on the body opposite to the detected threshold moment such that an angle of the vehicle relative to the road surface during rollover is reduced. A method of reducing the angle of the body during rollover is also disclosed.
US08478480B2
A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.
US08478464B2
Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel enhance available thrust in a station keeping mode. A control device having a memory and a programmable circuit is programmed to control operation of a plurality of marine propulsion devices to maintain orientation of a marine vessel in a selected global position. The control device is programmed to calculate a direction of a resultant thrust vector associated with the plurality of marine propulsion devices that is necessary to maintain the vessel in the selected global position. The control device is programmed to control operation of the plurality of marine propulsion devices to change the actual heading of the marine vessel to align the actual heading with the thrust vector.
US08478461B2
A system and a method alerts the occupant of a vehicle that the vehicle is in, or approaching, a zone of awareness associated with a closed surface at the airport.
US08478459B2
System for detecting wake turbulence (SDWT) of a first aircraft, which can be embedded onboard a second aircraft, comprising: first means (DET1) for determining the roll (Roll2) of the second aircraft; second determination means (DET2) of an envelope (CRollRef) of reference roll curves which is representative of a wake turbulence created by the first aircraft; means (COMP) for comparing, over a sliding window, the roll (Roll2) of the second aircraft and the envelope (CRollRef) of reference roll curves; and alarm means (AL) for forewarning the pilot of the second aircraft of the detection of wake turbulence of the first aircraft when the said comparison is below a resemblance threshold (SS).
US08478451B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of power management of computer systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating power to servers in a server rack. The method comprises: measuring power consumption of a computer system having one or more servers; estimating probability distribution of power demand for each of the one or more servers, the estimation based on the measured power consumption; estimating performance loss via the estimated probability distribution; computing power capping limits for each of the one or more servers, the computation based on the estimated probability distribution and the performance loss; and dynamically allocating the power capping limits to each of the one or more servers by modifying previous power capping limits of each of the one or more servers.
US08478436B2
A truss assembly station may include a truss assembler. The truss assembler may be configured to enable assembly of a truss from truss members by providing an automatic sequential placement of the truss members based at least in part upon a planned location of pre-plated truss members within an assembled truss. The pre-plated truss members may be truss members including at least one connector plate installed thereon prior to placement at the truss assembly station.
US08478428B2
A helical electrode for nerve stimulation includes an insulative helical substrate, having an inner surface, configured to wrap around a nerve. An electrical conductor is disposed upon the inner surface of the substrate. The conductor defines a helix of about one revolution and produces an electric field in which an injected current in similar axons varies by no more than about 25%. The conductor may include tapered end sections, which may be counter-tapered.
US08478425B2
Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.
US08478422B2
The present invention is generally directed to a method for regulating cellular and tissue physiology, a device for practicing the method, and a process for fabricating the device. In general the process comprises the steps of providing at least one patterned electrode, providing a least one cell, placing the at least one electrode in electrical communication with the at least one cell, and applying a voltage to the electrode thereby delivering an effective amount of a patterned electric field or current thus regulating the physiology and/or growth of the at least one cell.
US08478412B2
A diaphragm pacing stimulatory method and a system to implement the method are provided to improve respiratory function and the quality of sleep in patients whose sleep is compromised by poor respiration. The diaphragm pacing method includes adaptations that make it particularly compatible with the onset of sleep and sustaining sleep. Embodiments of the method are operated independently of breathing effort the patient may make during sleep. Patients for whom the invention is appropriate include those with a neuromuscular disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). System elements include an external electrical stimulator coupled to one or more implanted electrodes that stimulate diaphragm contraction. The system and method provide for a pacing of the diaphragm, improved breathing, and improved sleep. Features of improved sleep include longer sleep time, an increased amount of REM sleep, and fewer episodes of wakefulness and restlessness.
US08478410B2
A procedure electrically stimulates a nerve or group of nerves. Unlike conventional systems this procedure is tuned to target a large or small group of neurons using noninvasive electromagnetic induction. This system is capable of doing this by using the principles of the alternating current in a capacitance inductance series resonance circuit. In this system the nerve resonator treats the neuron like a thin conductor placed between the plates of a capacitor in series with an inductor and then tuned to resonate with the appropriate frequency of alternating current. The system could also be inductance tuned for a given frequency. Once the system is tuned, the current amplitude in the entire circuit including the thin conductor or nerve fiber can be externally controlled.
US08478409B2
A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly for an implantable active medical device is disclosed. The filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly includes a capacitor having an aperture defined by an inner capacitor surface. The capacitor is electrically grounded to an electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housing of the implantable active medical device. A terminal pin extends into the aperture. An electrically conductive split ring sleeve is disposed within the aperture and between the terminal pin and the capacitor. The split ring sleeve includes a first end, a second end, a sleeve length therebetween. A longitudinal slit through the sleeve extends from the first end to the second end. The electrically conductive split ring sleeve mechanically securing and electrically coupling the terminal pin to the capacitor.
US08478406B2
Refractory period stimulation (RPS) disclosed herein includes apparatus and methods to enhance cardiac performance by delivering monophasic stimulation pulses during the refractory period. The disclosure describes several system level improvements to RPS that include one or more of the following: (i) Delivery of RPS therapy pulses at multiple sites in an automatically alternating way to avoid increasing demand at any one location for prolonged periods of time. (ii) Delivery of RPS therapy pulses at multiple sites to determine one or more optimal electrode configurations for chronic RPS therapy delivery. (iii) Use of separate electrode(s) for sensing ventricular activity to properly time and adjust the application of RPS thereby avoiding limitations associated with electrode polarization that occurs due to the amount of energy delivered during the RPS. (iv) Use of a relatively long active recharge pulse at the RPS stimulation electrodes to remove the undesirable effects of polarization.
US08478405B2
An implantable system terminates atrial fibrillation by applying optimized anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). In one implementation, the system senses and paces at multiple sites on the left atrium. At each site, the system senses reentrant circuits causing the atrial fibrillation. In one implementation, the system applies ATP tuned to the frequency of the reentrant circuit at the electrode that senses the most regular reentrant circuit. In another implementation, the system applies ATP at multiple electrodes, delivering each pulse at each site when the excitable gap is near the site. In other variations, the ATP is optimized for different patterns of sequential, simultaneous, or syncopated delivery to terminate the atrial fibrillation. The system can also monitor multiple heart chambers for cardiac events that favor terminating atrial fibrillation via ATP. The system then times delivery of the ATP according to these cardiac events.
US08478398B2
Method and systems modulating eating behavior comprising (i) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of taste in the body, (ii) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of smell in the body, and (ii) transmitting at least one of the confounding neuro-electrical signals to a subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste or smell. In a preferred embodiment, both confounding neuro-electrical signals are transmitted to the subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste and smell.
US08478388B2
An exemplary method includes accessing cardiac information acquired via a catheter located at various positions in a venous network of a heart of a patient wherein the cardiac information comprises position information with respect to time for one or more electrodes of the catheter; performing a principal component analysis on at least some of the position information; and selecting at least one component of the principal component analysis to represent an axis of a cardiac coordinate system. Various other methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08478387B2
In one embodiment, the invention relates to a processor based method for generating positional and other information relating to a stent in the lumen of a vessel using a computer. The method includes the steps of generating an optical coherence image data set in response to an OCT scan of a sample containing at least one stent; and identifying at least one one-dimensional local cue in the image data set relating to the position of the stent.
US08478386B2
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
US08478385B2
A rotary medical manifold, for delivering various fluids through a patient delivery mechanism is described. The rotary manifold can include a manifold body and a valve stem. The manifold body can include a central cavity, an output port, a first fluid port, and a second fluid port. The valve stem can include an injector port, and a single central fluid passage. The valve stem can be adapted to slidably engage the central cavity of the manifold body and provide selective fluidic connectivity between the injector port and the output port, the first fluid port and the second fluid port.
US08478381B2
A guidewire (100) for use with interventional magnetic resonance imaging has a guidewire body (102) having a distal end and a proximal end and reserving a space therein, a dipole antenna (108) disposed in the space reserved within the guidewire body, the dipole antenna being adapted to be electrically connected to a signal processing system through a first signal channel (110) through the proximal end of the guidewire body, and a loop antenna (112) disposed in the space reserved within the guidewire body toward the distal end of the guidewire body, the loop antenna (112) being adapted to be electrically connected to the signal processing system through a second signal channel (114) through the proximal end of the guidewire body. The dipole antenna and the loop antenna are each constructed to receive magnetic resonance imaging signals independently of each other and to transmit received signals through the first and second signal channels, respectively, to be received by the signal processing system. An interventional magnetic resonance imaging system includes an active guidewire.
US08478376B2
According to embodiments, a pulse band region is identified in a wavelet scalogram of a physiological signal (e.g., a plethysmograph or photoplethysmograph signal). Components of the scalogram at scales larger than the identified pulse band region are then used to determine a baseline signal in wavelet space. The baseline signal may then be used to normalize the physiological signal. Physiological information may be determined from the normalized signal. For example, oxygen saturation may be determined using a ratio of ratios or any other suitable technique.
US08478375B2
A sensor for sensing analyte concentration comprises at least two different variants of an appropriate competitive binding assay, the sensor being capable of sensing accurately a required range of analyte concentrations by means of the variants of the assay each being capable of sensing accurately a part only of the required range of analyte concentrations and the variants of the assay being chosen to sense overlapping or adjoining ranges of concentration covering the whole of the required range.
US08478373B2
An optical element is disclosed which includes transparent superconductor material.
US08478372B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing and wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the portable housing. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an antenna carried by the portable housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry, and a light source carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a keyboard assembly carried by the portable housing including a light guide coupled to the light source and having input key receiving openings therein, and a mask carried by the light guide and having input key receiving openings. The mask may include spaced apart electrically conductive elongate members positioned relative to the antenna to reduce a Specific Absorption Rate value for the mobile wireless communications device.
US08478364B1
A host assembly is communicatively coupled to a wireless device assembly via a first interface and via a second interface. A first signal is received at the wireless device assembly from the host assembly. The first signal indicates a request for the wireless device assembly to enter a host sleep mode of operation. In response to receiving the first signal, the wireless device assembly transmits a third signal to the host assembly, wherein the third signal indicates entry into the host sleep mode of operation. Subsequent to transmitting the third signal to the host assembly via the first interface, the wireless device assembly enters into the host sleep mode of operation. While in the host sleep mode of operation, the wireless device assembly transmits, via the second interface, the second signal, and, after transmitting the second signal to the host assembly, exits the host sleep mode of operation.
US08478363B2
A second communication device is detected in proximity to a first communication device engaged in a call. A substantially uninterrupted transfer of the call is provided from the first communication device to the second communication device. At least a part of the first communication device is placed into a sleep mode in response to transfer of the call to the second communication device.
US08478361B2
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to an electronic device having a human stimulus receptor which, when activated, suspends activation of a screensaver. The screensaver is activated to conserve the power and life of the electronic device. When latently viewing the electronic device, however, the human stimulus receptor is activated. A countdown starts counting down a pre-determined amount of time once the human stimulus receptor is inactive. At the expiration of the countdown, the screensaver is activated. The human stimulus receptor responds to skin conductivity, natural muscular twitch, pulse, skin temperature, and/or eye movement. Only when the electronic device no longer detects any of these human stimuli will the countdown begin. A user may set the predetermined amount of time.
US08478360B2
A novel power conservation scheme is provided for conserving power in client terminals by using a proxy server. The client terminal, having a low-power communication interface and a high-power communication interface, may power down its high-power communication interface, to conserve power. Prior to shutting off its high-power communication interface, the client terminal may assign a host terminal to act as a proxy for the client terminal. The host terminal monitors the paging channels for the client terminal via a high-power communication interface. If the host terminal detects a paging message for the client terminal, it forwards at least a portion of the paging message to the client terminal via a low-power communication interface. Upon receipt of the paging message from the host terminal via its low-power communication interface, the client terminal may power up its high-power communication interface and directly respond to an access terminal that initiated the paging message.
US08478353B2
The display of a mobile device is managed during a voice communication session using a proximity sensor and an accelerometer. In one example, the display of a mobile device is turned off during a phone call on the mobile device when a proximity sensor detects an object is proximate the device and an accelerometer determines the device is in a first orientation.
US08478352B2
Methods and apparatus for use in providing presentations for the composition of messages having size limitations are described. A communication device receives, via its user interface, one or more character inputs in a message composition field for a new message being composed. While a character count of the message is less than a warning count value, the device refrains from presenting the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message. On the other hand, while the character count is greater than or equal to the warning count value, the device causes the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message to be presented. The message may be transmitted via a wireless network via a short message service (SMS). In one example, the number of remaining characters is provided in an alert bar, which is presented by being set in motion from an initial hidden position behind the message composition field to a final revealed position, with intermediate positions therebetween.
US08478351B2
A mobile terminal having an input device that performs an input operation in a touch manner is provided. The mobile terminal includes a first display module, a second display module located adjacent to the first display module, an integrated window located an outer portion of the first and second display modules, and a touch sensing unit located between the window and the second display module for sensing a touch applied to the window and applying an input signal. Marks for guiding input content can be varied and high capacity and high-density multimedia or communication information can be easily and quickly accessed or executed.
US08478348B2
It is presented a method including presenting an alert on a display; detecting a user input associated with said alert, said user input having a momentum; and deferring said alert to be presented again at a new alert time, said new alert time being calculated as a time in the future using said user input momentum. A corresponding device, computer program product and user interface are also presented.
US08478347B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes displaying, via a display on the mobile terminal, a captured or a preview image in a first display portion, displaying, via the display, the same captured or a preview image in a second display portion, zooming, via a controller on the mobile terminal, the captured or preview image displayed in the first display portion, and displaying, via the display, a zoom guide on the image displayed in the second display portion that identifies a zoomed portion of the image displayed in the first display portion.
US08478338B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and system for remotely and automatically erasing information stored in SIM card memory and mobile phone memory including memory card of a mobile phone 101. The method includes sending a voice message comprising predetermined authentication parameters to a server 102 by an owner when the mobile phone 101 of the owner is lost. The method further includes authenticating the owner by the server 102 upon comparing the predetermined authentication parameters with the stored authentication parameters and sending activation signal by the server 102 to an erase application if the owner is authenticated. This signal will activate the erase application stored in the mobile phone 101 SIM card. The erase application generates destroy signal upon activation of the erase application to erase the information stored in the SIM card of the mobile phone 101.
US08478330B2
A transmission power control technique allowing stable and reliable signal transmission in soft handover is disclosed. Each of the base stations involved in soft handover measures an amount of loss of the base station selection signal. When the amount of loss of the base station selection signal exceeds a threshold, the transmission power of the downlink signal is not set to the minimum level but to the normally controlled level. Further, a transmission power update timing of each base station is determined so that the downlink signal received at the mobile station changes in transmission power at a predetermined timing synchronized with that of other base stations.
US08478320B2
Collecting state information about the resources of radio access networks (RANs) and the Access Point Names (APNs) enables this information to be provided to mobile stations which employ this information to determine which radio access technology (RAT) to employ for connecting to the wireless access network, and to determine which APN to use. This decision is made relative to each application that the mobile station is executing, and these decisions are, optionally, revisited periodically, or as significant changes in the state information are recognized.
US08478319B2
A distributed sensor network has a base station and clusters of sensor nodes. In a method of locating and classifying signal sources, at each node divides a received signal into blocks, performs Fourier-based transform on the blocks, selects peaks from the transformed blocks, selects subbands with features of interest based on the frequency of occurrence of the peaks across the blocks, collaborates with other nodes in the cluster to make a final selection of the subbands, encodes the subband features of the signal, and transmits the subband features to the base station. The base station processes the received subband features to locate and classify the signal sources.
US08478318B2
A control method for a heterogeneous wireless sensor network (WSN) bridging device includes initializing Zigbee sensor nodes, switching a Zigbee transceiver module to a sleep mode, switching a wireless network transceiver module to an active mode, receiving an task list from a remote main control device, switching the wireless network transceiver module to the sleep mode, switching the Zigbee transceiver module to the active mode, transmitting an operating instruction to the Zigbee sensor nodes, receiving at least one sensing signal from the Zigbee sensor nodes, and determining whether the sensing signals have been received. If yes, a back transmission procedure is executed. The control method solves an interference problem among heterogeneous wireless networks and overcomes a bottleneck in data transmission.
US08478315B2
A system and method for determining an SMS retransmission schedule is provided. When a special error code is received by an SMSC, the SMSC can calculate the response time. The response time is the time that lapsed between forwarding the SMS message for delivery and receiving an error code. If the response time exceeds a response time threshold, the error code can be considered as falsely generated. A special retransmission schedule can be assigned to the SMS message. If the response time does not exceed a response time threshold, a different retransmission schedule can be assigned to the SMS message.
US08478314B2
A communication method for a mobile sensor node in a wireless sensor network includes: in a state that the mobile sensor node performs synchronization by a message reception interrupt from a parent sensor node and determines an uplink active duration and a downlink active duration, transmitting a message to the parent sensor node in the transmitting duration of the uplink active duration, receiving and processing messages from the parent sensor node and sensor nodes linearly connected around the parent sensor node in the receiving duration of the uplink active duration, and resetting a new parent sensor node using the received signal strength indications RSSIs of the received messages; and transmitting a message to the parent sensor node in the transmitting duration of the downlink active duration, checking whether or not a message is received from the parent sensor node in the receiving duration of the downlink active duration, if the message is not received from the parent sensor node, determining that time synchronization fails and resetting a new parent sensor node, and if the message is received from the parent sensor node, performing time synchronization according to a message reception interrupt from the parent sensor node.
US08478312B2
Embodiments of the invention are concerned with modification of messages en route to a destination.In one aspect embodiments of the invention provide a method of modifying a message transmitted from a sending party to a receiving party through a communications network, the method comprising: intercepting the message in the communications network; selecting a plurality of channels of data on the basis of the sending party or the receiving party, each channel comprising a plurality of data items and being accessible by parties in addition to the sending party or the receiving party; applying one or more predetermined rules to at least some of the selected data items so as to identify a data item therefrom; and appending data derived from the identified data item to said intercepted message.
US08478306B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a mobile computing device, a current context associated with the mobile computing device, the current context being external to the mobile computing device and indicating a current state of the mobile computing device in its surrounding environment. The method can also include identifying, based on at least a first portion of the current context, a location description for the mobile computing device, wherein the location description includes a textual description of the location; and determining, based on the identified location description and at least a second portion of the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from operating using a current profile to operating using a second profile, wherein the current profile and the second profile each define one or more settings of the mobile computing device.
US08478302B2
A method, an Advanced Base Station (ABS) and an Advanced Mobile Station (AMS) for transmitting Location Based Service (LBS) resource allocation information by an ABS in a mobile communication system are provided. The ABS transmits LBS resource allocation information including LBS zone configuration information representing an LBS zone transmission period. The LBS zone configuration information includes at least one of first information indicating that LBS zone transmission is switched off, second information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a first number of super frames, third information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a second number of super frames, and fourth information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a third number of super frames.
US08478299B2
Various embodiments are described for obtaining coarse location for a mobile device. In one embodiment, a mobile device may comprise one or more interfaces for detecting location reference nodes in view of the mobile device and a client module to send a location query to a location database. The location query may comprise node data identifying the reference nodes in view of the mobile device. The location database may be configured to respond to the location query with positioning information for providing an estimated position of the mobile device. The positioning information may be based on correlated position data and node data received from one or more client devices having Global Positioning System (GPS) position determination capability and configured to report position data and node data for location reference nodes in view. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08478295B1
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for associating communication information with a geographic location-aware contact entry. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include identifying a geographic location. The method may also include receiving a communication including identification information and originating from the geographic location. Further, the method may include associating the identification information with a contact entry.
US08478280B1
Systems and methods for estimating the minimum geographic coverage of a wireless base station. In an embodiment, the present invention estimates coverage by (1) receiving real-time wireless base station information from the mobile device; (2) extracting a set of location points and system specific information based on the real-time wireless base station information; (3) determining a coverage area based on the set of location points and the system specific information; (4) adjusting for errors based on various factors (5) storing the determined coverage area.
US08478271B1
A communications apparatus includes a cellular communication unit performing pre-set cellular communication, a Wi-Fi communication unit performing pre-set Wi-Fi communication, and a controller checking an available data rate of an available cellular network and that of a Wi-Fi network to determine a data division ratio by using the cellular communication unit and the Wi-Fi communication unit, obtaining an IP address pair, and transferring data including connection request information, the data division ratio for traffic dispersion, and the IP address pair to the server, according to a connection request from the server.
US08478265B2
Described is a method including collecting roaming data for a network. The method further includes creating a scan list based on the roaming data, wherein the scan list including a prioritization of a plurality of access points for roaming. The method further includes transmitting the scan list to a mobile unit. Further described in a system including a collection module collecting roaming data for a network. The system further includes a creation module creating a scan list based on the roaming data, the scan list including a prioritization of a plurality of access points for roaming. The system further includes a transmitter transmitting the scan list to a mobile unit.
US08478250B2
An interactive media management server that facilitates management of interactive media and delivery of such interactive media. It comprises a first interface to an interactive media distribution server communicatively coupled to a plurality of mobile devices, and a second interface to a service provider system or a content provider system. It comprises a manager module for managing creation, distribution and tracking of a plurality of interactive media. The manager module, via the second interface, manages the delivery of the plurality of interactive media from the service provider system or the content provider system, and the communication of user responses to the plurality of interactive media to the corresponding service provider system or content provider system.
US08478246B2
The invention discloses a method for providing a real time ringback tone in a communication network and the method includes: establishing a call connection between a calling party and a called party according to a received calling request; receiving a ringback tone indication value from the called party; obtaining a corresponding ringback tone according to the ringback tone indication value; and playing the corresponding ringback tone to the calling party. The invention further provides a system for providing a real time ringback tone in a communication network and a terminal therefor. By using the technology of the invention, a different ringback tone can be played to the calling user in real time according to the current situation. Therefore, individualized requirements of the user may be met and the quality of communication service may be further improved.
US08478245B2
A method of rendering content on a wireless device. The wireless device sends a message to a server requesting an application and identifies itself with its rendering capabilities. The wireless receives an identification of a custom configuration of a plurality of rendering blocks of the wireless device associated with the application. The custom configuration configures the plurality of rendering blocks of the device. The wireless device receives compiled content from the application executing on the server that includes render commands expressed in a syntax that is device generic but has parameters specific to the rendering capabilities of the wireless device. A reader of the wireless device processes the compiled content and issues commands to individual rendering blocks of a graphical user interface based on the rendering commands of the compiled content and based on the custom configuration.
US08478244B2
A mobile device and an apparatus and method for the mobile device, in which intercept information about contents intercepted by a user is stored in the mobile device and is transmitted together with a request for contents from the user, so that the user can use only the selected contents. The mobile device includes a content analysis unit analyzing predetermined contents and extracting selection information by which a user can determine whether to intercept the predetermined contents; an intercept information storage unit storing intercept information about intercepted contents intercepted by the user based on the extracted selection information; and a control unit transmitting the stored intercept information to a content-providing device.
US08478242B2
Systems and methods for an emergency ringing facility able to remotely override a silent mode of a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems comprise profile-management applications residing on wireless devices and allowing one user of a wireless device to override a silent mode of a remote wireless device. The profile management application executed on the wireless device queries whether the silent mode of the remote wireless device can be overridden, and if so, communicates with a profile-management application executed on the remote device and overrides the silent mode of that device. In an alternative embodiment, a silent mode of a wireless device can be overridden by a profile management server. A profile-management application is executed on a profile-management server communicating with a profile-management application executed on a wireless device and requests the overriding of the silent mode of a remote wireless device.
US08478241B2
A method for gathering information relating to unsolicited messages. The method comprises deleting in a handheld communication device (1, 100, 200) message information associated with an unsolicited message. In response to deleting the message, information data, which is associated with the deleted message information or the unsolicited message, is forwarded to a message information unit (104, 224). Data information in a memory of said message information unit is updated based on the forwarded data associated with the unsolicited message. A method for blocking messages pertaining to data information stored in the message information unit is also disclosed.
US08478233B2
A mobile computing device comprising an application network use metric monitoring agent providing a network use metric usage for one or more mobile computing device applications and a network plan interface, wherein, a monetary cost is associated with the network use metric usage for the one or more mobile computing device applications.
US08478218B2
A scan system receives signals within a band from an antenna and divides the band into sub-bands and scans the channels of each sub-band to determine a candidate channel based on the lowest figure of merit (FOM) and includes an on-channel selection block responsive to a received digital signal and operative to select only the on-channel frequencies and to substantially disregard the out-of-channel frequencies from the digital signal. The scan system generates a FOM on-channel signal representing a measurement of the signal quality of the on-channel signal and includes an out-of-channel selection block responsive to the digital signal and operative to select only the out-of-channel frequencies and to substantially disregard the on-channel frequencies from the digital signal and operative to generate a FOM out-of-channel signal representing a measurement of the signal quality of the out-of-channel signal.
US08478216B2
A host system for searching for or tuning to one or more radio stations includes a host processor and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive a command from the host processor. The data processor is further configured, based on the command, to perform multiple search operations for radio stations without interrupting the host processor, to search for a radio station based on radio data system (RDS) data without interrupting the host processor, or to tune to a radio station based on RDS data without interrupting the host processor. A method is also provided for searching for or tuning to one or more radio stations.
US08478212B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for wirelessly transmitting and receiving energy and data including: a signal generator generating a first frequency signal for power transmission; a first matching circuit matching input/output impedance upon receiving the first frequency signal generated by the signal generator; an oscillator outputting a second frequency signal, a carrier frequency, by using the first frequency signal, generated by the signal generator, as a reference frequency; a mixer modulating a data signal output from a communication module by using the second frequency signal; a second matching circuit matching input/output impedance upon receiving a modulated signal by using the second frequency signal; a resonator resonating an output signal from the first matching circuit to a reception side apparatus; and a radiator radiating an output signal from the second matching circuit to the reception side apparatus.
US08478207B2
A method of data transfer between wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) is described. The WTRUs may be within a given geographic area of each other or in communication with the same network. Location information relating to the WTRUs may be determined. The location information may be presented to a user of the WTRU. Data may be transferred from one WTRU to a target WTRU based on user input. The WTRU may determine the target WTRU based on user input and/or location information. The user input may be a gestural input. The gestural input may be received via a display or touchscreen. The user input may identify a given action or identify a particular file for transfer. The WTRU may receive data from the target WTRU.
US08478205B2
A system and method are presented for transceiving Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) telephone communications through a common filter. The system includes a tunable ferro-electric bandpass filter (FE BPF), a controller, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and a power amplifier (PA). The FE BPF has a control input to accept tuning voltage signals from the controller and two signal ports. In response to the tuning voltage signals, the FE BPF selects a transmit or receive frequency passband between the signal ports. The FE BPF first signal port is connected to the LNA and the PA and the FE BPF second signal port is connected to an antenna in a wireless device. The LNA and PA are activated and deactivated in response to control signals from the controller.
US08478194B2
A relay station has a reception unit receiving a signal sequence indicating a connection request, from among a predetermined signal sequence group; a control unit generating a ranging request message indicating that a radio terminal newly requesting connection exists; and a transmission unit transmitting the ranging request message to a radio base station.
US08478169B2
Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A drive transmission has a first output mechanically linked for movement with a first end of the auger and a second output mechanically linked for movement with a second end of the auger and distributes a force at an input end between a first force provided at the first output and at a second force provided at the second output to rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are each less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger.
US08478161B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge with an image bearing drum and charger for charging a surface of the drum. The apparatus further includes a rotary supporting a plurality of developing devices each having a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum, with the rotary being swingably mounted to the main assembly through a supporting member and being rotatable, relative to the supporting member, to bring the developing device to a developing position for developing the latent image. A locking member is provided for spacing between the developing device positioned in the developing position and the image bearing member, the locking member being demountably mounted between the drum cartridge and the rotary, and the locking member being effective to prevent an urging member from moving from a position urging the drum cartridge to the main assembly.
US08478159B2
A developing unit is pivotally supported by a pivot pin so as to be swingable, and a forcing lever forces a developing roller towards a photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of a DS roller makes contact with an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. This maintains, at a specified value, a developing gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. A sympathetic vibration prevention member in which an elastic member is provided on an upper surface of the base member is inserted between a lower portion of a housing of the developing unit and a guide rail provided under the lower portion. This prevents the developing unit from vibrating in sympathetic with vibration during the transportation of the image forming apparatus, which prevents the toner from spilling out.
US08478155B2
An information processing apparatus to output, to an image forming apparatus, a print job using paper stored in paper feed units includes an acquisition unit, a generation unit, an addition unit, and a transmission unit. The acquisition unit acquires configuration information for each paper feed unit including type and number of sheets of paper capable of storage in each paper feed unit. The generation unit generates, based on type and number of sheets of paper required to be used for an externally acquired print job and the acquired configuration information, paper allocation information for associating a paper feed unit with type and number of sheets of paper in such away as to reduce replacement of paper. The addition unit adds the generated paper allocation information to the print job. The transmission unit transmits the print job with the added paper allocation information to the image forming apparatus.
US08478150B2
An image forming apparatus has: a photoconductive drum that rotates; a developing roller that carries toner to be charged and to which a first voltage application portion outputting an AC voltage is connected; a contact member that makes contact with the photoconductive drum to remove residual toner; a detection portion for detecting occurrence of electric discharge between the developing roller and the photoconductive drum; and a developing unit that feeds toner to the developing roller, that supports the developing roller opposite the photoconductive drum with a gap secured in between, and that feeds toner to the developing roller with prescribed timing and for a prescribed time during electric discharge detection.
US08478147B2
A toner image on a photosensitive drum exposed with an LED light beam radiated from an LED section and developed by an image-forming unit is transferred by an image-forming apparatus to a printing paper when the printing paper, which is fed from a paper feed tray or a manual feed tray and which is transported by a transport mechanism by a feeder section, passes through a process section. A control unit of the image-forming apparatus determines an exposure timing at which the LED section starts the exposure, depending on a supply source of the printing paper sheet to be subjected to the transfer by the process section. Therefore, the error of the photosensitive member arrival time, which is caused by the change of the transport route, is absorbed, and the deviation of the transfer start position, which results from the error, is suppressed.
US08478146B2
A developing apparatus includes a developer container, a developer carrying member for feeding developer to a position opposing an image bearing member to develop a latent image formed on the image bearing member; a first chamber, provided in the container, for supplying developer to the carrying member; a second chamber, provided adjacent to the first chamber; a first feeding member, provided in the first chamber, for feeding developer; a second feeding member, provided in the second chamber, for feeding developer in a direction opposite to a feeding direction of the first feeding member; a partition member provided between the first and second chambers; an opening provided in each of opposite ends of the partition member; and a sensor, provided between the first and second feeding members at a position facing one of the partition openings, for detecting information relating to temperature or moisture of developer in the container.
US08478133B2
The present invention refers to a method for robust multi-level encoding of optical signals. The method uses a transmitter that transforms electric signals into optical signals and a receiver capable to transform optical signals into electric signals. The transmitter is capable to generate optical pulses having at least two different durations. The amplitudes of the pulses are preferably close to each other. The transmitter is fast, and the receiver is slow such that the response time of the receiver exceeds at least the shortest of the durations of the optical pulses. Then the receiver effectively integrates the optical signal and generates the electric signal having a larger amplitude when the optical signal has a larger duration. Thus, the method converts the modulation in pulse duration into the modulation in signal amplitude. In different embodiments of the present invention, the transmitter can be realized by a light-emitting diode, superluminescent light-emitting diode, or a diode laser. The receiver can be realized by a p-i-n diode, by a resonant cavity photodetector, or by an avalanche photodiode.
US08478130B2
An optical communication device includes a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module includes a two laser sources, two optical modulators optically coupled to the two light sources, respectively, and an optical coupler, a semiconductor optical amplifier, an optical coupler, four optical band-pass filters or a demultiplexer, and an optical multiplexer optically coupled in series. The laser beams emitted from the two laser sources are converted into four laser beams having different frequencies due to a four-wave mixing effect occurring in the semiconductor optical amplifier. The receiver module includes a demultiplexer and four photoelectric conversion elements to receive the four laser beams respectively and convert them to electrical signals.
US08478127B2
A media converter for interfacing an optical fiber bus to an electrical interface of an electronic device is described. The media converter includes an interface circuit configured to convert electrical signals received from a transmitting channel of the electrical device in a voltage doublet format to positive logic electrical pulses and convert received electrical signals for application to a receiving channel of the electrical device from positive logic electrical pulses to a voltage doublet format, a DC coupled receiver comprising an optical interface operable for receiving optical signals from the optical fiber data bus, the receiver operable for converting the optical signals to positive logic electrical pulses for application to the interface circuit, a laser diode operable to transmit optical signals onto the optical bus, and a laser diode driver operable for receiving the positive logic electrical pulses from the interface circuit and converting the electrical signals to signals compatible for operating the laser diode.
US08478118B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a deicer system for heating water within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming including a main body configured to be positioned within the fluid receptacle, a heating element adapted to heat the water, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature, and a control unit in communication with the heating element and the temperature sensor. The heating element is supported by the main body. The temperature sensor is thermally connected to the heating element. The control unit is adapted to determine a temperature of the water based at least in part on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The control unit is adapted to control the heating element based at least in part on the determined temperature of the water.
US08478112B2
A digital broadcast recording device includes a receiving component, a program information memory component, a first setting component, a second setting component, an extraction component and a recording execution component. The first setting component sets a recording condition based on a first operation input. The recording condition indicates whether to record program information corresponding to one physical channel, or to record program information corresponding to a subset of a specific number of sub-channels included in the one physical channel. The second setting component sets a channel number corresponding to the subset of the specific number of the sub-channels based on a second operation input. The extraction component extracts the program information corresponding to the subset of the specific number of the sub-channels set by the second setting component. The recording execution component records the program information to the program information memory component.
US08478105B2
A media player according to an embodiment includes: a data retriever configured to retrieve, from data recorded on a medium from which a content is run, data including an address that indicates a recording position on the medium of the content provided by the medium; and an ID determination unit configured to determine an ID for identifying the provided content in accordance with the retrieved data in order to acquire, from an external device that stores information related to the content, the information associated with the ID and related to the provided content, by communicating the ID to the external device.
US08478083B2
Consistent with the present disclosure, a rotator is provided that includes multiple stages, each of which including waveplate and delay sections. The waveplate and delay sections each exhibit birefringence and have polarization eigen states that are tilted with respect to each other. The lengths of the delay and waveplate sections are selected such that, for example, a relatively high extinction ratio can be achieved over a relatively wide range of fabrication perturbations to the waveplates or delay sections and over a relatively wide range of wavelengths. Accordingly, the rotator consistent with the present disclosure is more tolerant of deviations in the optical signal polarization.
US08478078B2
Provided is a method for determining the magnification of a pattern searching template of a scanning electron microscope. The determining method comprises: acquiring a first image initially at a first magnification; then acquiring a second image which contains a pattern image displayed on the first image at a second magnification lower than the first magnification; making the size of the first image coincident with the size of a third image which cut out a portion of the second image; thereafter determining the correlation value between the first image and the third image; and setting the second magnification as the magnification of a pattern searching template, in the case where the correlation value is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. As a result, a condition for acquiring a search area can be properly set, when pattern recognition is performed by means of the template.
US08478077B2
A method for image alignment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring a facial image of a person and using a discriminative face alignment model to fit a generic facial mesh to the facial image to facilitate locating of facial features. The discriminative face alignment model may include a generative shape model component and a discriminative appearance model component. Further, the discriminative appearance model component may have been trained to estimate a score function that minimizes the angle between a gradient direction and a vector pointing toward a ground-truth shape parameter. Additional methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
US08478073B2
A method for determining a position of an area of an object within the complete object, wherein the image of the area of the object is contained within a field of view of a microscope. The method comprises acquiring high magnification image data representing an image of the field of view of the microscope, typically from a digital camera attached to the microscope; processing the high magnification image data to reduce the resolution thereof; comparing the processed high magnification image data with portions of the low magnification image data, and determining said position based on the results of said comparison.
US08478064B2
An edge-preserving diffusion filter maintains the sharp edges in images while smoothing out image noise. An edge-preserving diffusion filter applies an edge-preserving smoothing filter to an image to form a filtered image. The modified image is then blurred by a blurring filter to form a blurred image. The modified image and the blurred image are blended together to form an output image based on an error metric associated with each pixel. The edge-preserving diffusion filter may be utilized to perform a multilevel decomposition of the image. The edge-preserving diffusion filter may be applied to an unfiltered image to produce a base image. The difference between the unfiltered image and the base image defines a detail image. The detail image may be used as the input for recursively generating additional levels of detail. The multilevel decomposition may utilize filter kernels associated with different contrast levels for each iteration.
US08478055B2
An object recognition system in which fall of the recognition rate is suppressed when an object is recognized based on an image even if there is a partial concealment and the object can be recognized even if the region of concealment is large with large calculation amount. With regard to each of a plurality of partial regions of an object image, partial recognition score of recognition object category is determined by judging whether it is a recognition object category or not. Under a condition that it is a recognition object category, total score is calculated using the total product of nonoccurrence probability of the partial recognition score, and a judgment is made that the object is not a recognition object category by that total score.
US08478048B2
In an embodiment, automated analysis of video data for determination of human behavior includes providing a programmable device that segments a video stream into a plurality of discrete individual frame image primitives which are combined into a visual event that may encompass an activity of concern as a function of a hypothesis. The visual event is optimized by setting a binary variable to true or false as a function of one or more constraints. The optimized visual event is processed in view of associated non-video transaction data and the binary variable by associating the optimized visual event with a logged transaction if associable, issuing an alert if the binary variable is true and the optimized visual event is not associable with the logged transaction, and dropping the optimized visual event if the binary variable is false and the optimized visual event is not associable.
US08478045B2
Method and apparatus for processing an image including a character are disclosed. The method may include: searching in a set of characters one or more characters having highest similarities of shape to a character in the set of characters, hereinafter the character being referred to as a first character, the one or more searched characters forming a similar character list of the first character; searching in the set of characters one or more characters having highest similarities of shape to each character in the similar character list of the first character, to form a similar character list of each character in the similar character list of the first character; and selecting in the similar character lists one or more characters having a high mutual similarity between each other, as a character cluster.
US08478042B2
A method and apparatus for enhancing at least one of video and image quality using an exposure aware scene adaptive global brightness contrast. The method includes determining if gain control is needed utilizing Gamma corrected histogram and ancillary data, if gain control is not required, computing a set of scene adaptive tone points and blending with information from histogram equalization if needed, if gain control is required, estimating gain value and utilizing the gain value in computing the gain table, and accordingly, generating a look-up table for enhancing global brightness contrast utilizing the gain table, the tone table and the information from histogram equalization.
US08478024B2
The present invention discloses a depth map generation module for a foreground object and the method thereof. The depth map generation method for a foreground object comprises the following steps: receiving an image sequence data, wherein the image sequence data includes a plurality of image frames; selecting at least one key image frame from the image sequence data; providing at least one depth indicative information and a contour of a first segment in the at least one key image frame; and performing a signal processing steps by a microprocessor.
US08478015B2
An apparatus and method for expanding the FOV of a truncated computed tomography (CT) scan. An iterative calculation is performed on the original CT image to produce an estimate of the image. The calculated estimate of the reconstructed image includes the original image center and a estimate of the truncated portion outside the image center. The calculation uses an image mask with the image center as one boundary.
US08478012B2
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes adapting a state of a state-space model based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart, computing an information-theoretic metric from the state of the state-space model, and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal.
US08478011B2
An image segmentation method. An image is defined by voxels representing at least two different structure types A and B, by having corresponding different intensities that may be subject to intensity inhomogeneities. A basic method comprises (a) selecting a first voxel to be classified; (b) defining criteria by which a comparison of the intensity associated with the first voxel with an intensity associated with a second voxel is to be considered to indicate that the first voxel represents structure type B assuming the second voxel represents structure type A; (c) determining a path of voxels passing through the first voxel; (d) defining a maximum distance along the path; and (e) determining whether there is a second voxel on the path, within the maximum distance of the first voxel, such that the intensities associated with the first and second voxels together satisfy the criteria, for potentially classifying the first voxel as representing structure type B.
US08478002B2
A method for analyzing object motion in multi frames adapted to an image capturing device is provided. Firstly, a plurality set of first sum of absolute difference (SAD) are obtained according to noise of the image capturing device under a plurality of light settings. Next, two frames are captured under a picturing light setting of the light settings. Then, a plurality of second SAD between the two frames are calculated. Afterwards, a plurality of object block within vein tracking of the object are found. Next, a local motion vector of each object block is respectively calculated according to the second SAD. Then, a first reliability of each object block is respectively calculated according to the second SAD and the set of the first SAD corresponding to the picturing light setting. Afterwards, the local motion vectors are estimated according to the first reliability to obtain a global motion vector.
US08478000B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to obtaining information based on directional orientation of a mobile imaging device, such as a camera phone. Visual information is gathered by the camera and used to determine a directional orientation of the camera, to search for content based on the direction, to manipulate 3D virtual images of a surrounding area, and to otherwise use the directional information. Direction and motion can be determined by analyzing a sequence of images. Distance from a current location, inputted search parameters, and other criteria can be used to expand or filter content that is tagged with such criteria. Search results with distance indicators can be overlaid on a map or a camera feed. Various content can be displayed for a current direction, or desired content, such as a business location, can be displayed only when the camera is oriented toward the desired content.
US08477982B2
The present invention discloses a noise-vibration (NV) microphone stand for holding an NV microphone a predetermined distance from a surface that the NV microphone stand is attached to. The NV microphone stand can include a rod having an attachment end that is operable to attach to the surface to be tested and with the rod extending away from the surface. In addition, an arm can be attached to and extend from the rod, the arm having an NV microphone bracket spaced apart from the rod. The NV microphone bracket can have an opening that is dimensioned for the NV microphone to slide therewithin, the opening having a plurality of friction wiper blades that come into contact with the NV microphone when it slides within the bracket.
US08477980B2
A vehicle trim and microphone assembly includes a headliner having a substrate, a foam layer, and a surface cover covering the substrate and foam layer. The substrate has a hole that is covered by the surface cover. A bracket is secured to the substrate and a microphone installed in the bracket so that acoustic sound waves pass through the surface cover within the hole to be detected by the microphone.
US08477976B2
A method for detecting whistling in an audio system includes determining an average frequency of an input signal of the audio system, sampling the input signal in consecutive blocks of at least one sample, wherein the average frequency is determined blockwise, and determining whether feedback related whistling is present in the input signal of the audio system by evaluating a stability of the average frequency, wherein the evaluation of the stability of the average frequency comprises: determining a difference of two values of the determined average frequency for two blocks, and comparing the determined difference to a first threshold value.
US08477975B2
The hearing system (1) comprises a first processing unit (2A); a second processing unit (2B); and a scheduling unit (3) for jointly scheduling tasks to be executed in said first processing unit (2A) and tasks to be executed in said second processing unit (2B). Preferably, the hearing system (1) comprises a first device (1A) comprising said first processing unit (2A); and a second device (1B) comprising said second processing unit (2B).The method for operating a hearing system (1) comprising a first (2A) and a second (2B) processing unit, comprises the step of jointly scheduling at least one task to be executed in said first processing unit (2A) and at least one task to be executed in said second processing unit (2B). If, during scheduling of a task to be executed in said first processing unit, tasks to be executed in said second processing unit can be considered, an improved performance of the hearing system (1) can be achieved, e.g, an improved time synchronization or an improved handling of obsolete tasks.
US08477973B2
An example of an apparatus configured to be worn by a person who has an ear and an ear canal includes a first microphone adapted to be worn about the ear of the person, and a second microphone adapted to be worn at a different location than the first microphone. The apparatus includes a sound processor adapted to process signals from the first microphone to produce a processed sound signal, a receiver adapted to convert the processed sound signal into an audible signal to the wearer of the hearing assistance device, and a voice detector to detect the voice of the wearer. The voice detector includes an adaptive filter to receive signals from the first microphone and the second microphone.
US08477972B2
A method for operating a hearing device comprising an input transducer (1), an output transducer (3) and a signal processing unit (2) for processing an output signal of the input transducer (1) to obtain an input signal for the output transducer (3) by applying a transfer function to the output signal of the input transducer (1) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: extracting features (fv) of the output signal of the input transducer (1), classifying the extracted features (fv) by at least two classifying experts (E1, . . . , Ek), weighting the outputs of the at least two classifying experts (E1, . . . , Ek) by a weight vector (w) in order to obtain a classifier output (co), adjusting at least some parameters of the transfer function in accordance with the classifier output (co), monitoring a user feedback (uf) that is received by the hearing device, and updating the weight vector (w) and/or one of the at least two classifying experts (E1, . . . , Ek) in accordance with the user feedback (uf).
US08477966B2
An in-wall speaker system having at least one pair of active transducers mounted in a wall section. The active transducers may be mounted in at least one enclosure. Each active transducer has a sound radiating surface. Each active transducer is also mounted substantially perpendicular to a surface of the wall section with the sound radiating surfaces substantially parallel to each other. The sound radiating surfaces may be facing each other or away from each other. The in-wall speaker system may also include one or more pairs of passive radiators to generate sound from sound pressure generated by the active transducers. The pairs of speakers in the wall section may be mounted vertically or horizontally within the wall, with a slot or a vent at the opening at the space between the speaker pairs.
US08477965B2
Methods and systems for assigning functionality to a plurality of physical input controls of an audio mixing system involve: providing an interface for enabling an operator to select one of a plurality of audio channels and one of a plurality of mixing functional areas, wherein each of the plurality of mixing functional areas includes a plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the functional area; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of channels by an operator using the interface; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of audio mixing functional areas by an operator using the interface; and for each of the plurality of physical controls: assigning the physical control to control, for the selected channel, one of the plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the selected audio mixing functional area; and displaying a visual indication of the assigned function.
US08477960B2
Provided is an audio transmission system for use in environments having multiple televisions. An audio transmitter couples to a television via the television's audio output jack and frequency modulates the audio signal for transmission on a user selected channel. An audio receiver receives the frequency modulated audio signal and extracts the audio signal. The audio receiver may be charged in a charging station.
US08477956B2
A howling suppression device that can reduce quality deterioration of processed sound includes: a delay unit delaying the input signal to output the delayed input signal as a reference signal; a signal separation unit including an adaptive filter extracting a periodic signal component from the reference signal by adaptively updating a filter coefficient; a howling detection unit detecting an occurrence of howling using at least a signal of the periodic signal component output from the adaptive filter; and a howling suppression unit. The howling suppression unit includes: a suppression filter obtaining the updated filter coefficient from the adaptive filter with timing when the howling detection unit detects the occurrence of the howling, to extract the periodic signal component from the reference signal based on the filter coefficient; and a subtractor subtracting the periodic signal component from the input signal so as to output a signal obtained by the subtraction.
US08477949B2
Challenges to the implementation of equalization in the 2.1 environment arise from the constraints imposed by HD audio requirements and Windows® Vista™. A hybrid software hardware solution overcomes many of the challenges by exploiting the software capability for equalization and using a hardware codec to perform the separation into high frequency and low frequency audio streams needed to drive stereo speakers and a subwoofer.
US08477948B2
A channel connection of a device that performs short range wireless communication is provided. If a public key that is broadcast by a specified device is received, the device encrypts its own UID (Unique Identifier) using the public key to transmit the encrypted UID to the specified device, transmits a pairing request to the specified device, and safely receives a key seed from the specified device using a security address included in a pairing device and the UID to form a security channel with the specified device.
US08477947B2
Provided is an optical phase modulating method and apparatus for a quantum key distribution. When an optical phase modulator is arranged outside an optical interferometer, a configuration of the optical interferometer may be simplified, and an extension of an optical path caused by the optical phase modulator, instability and an insertion loss increased in the optical interferometer, and the like, may be overcome. An output feature may be improved by adjusting an applied voltage of the optical phase modulator arranged outside the optical interferometer.
US08477945B2
After a radio link is established between a mobile subscriber terminal and an access network, the subscriber is authenticated by a proxy server of an intermediate network forwarding, from the access network to a home network of the subscriber, authentication message(s) containing a subscriber identification. If the subscriber is authenticated and the subscriber identification is already stored in the proxy server, the proxy server assigns a group-specific mobile key to the subscriber identification. When the home agent receives a registration request message originating from a subscriber terminal and containing a subscriber identification and transmits a key request message, containing the subscriber identification, for a mobile key to the proxy server, if the subscriber identification in the key request message matches a subscriber identification stored by the proxy server, a mobile key for cryptographic protection of mobile signalling messages is provided to the home agent by the proxy server.
US08477941B1
A method and medium are provided for maintaining a secure communication of a media stream as a mobile device transitions from a first network a second network. A request is received from the mobile device to initiate a secure communication with an end point. The endpoint stores a unique identifier of the mobile device and a unique key that is usable to decrypt any securely communicated data received from the mobile device. Data is securely communicated from the mobile device to the end point. The mobile device communicates a second request to securely communicate as it transitions from the first network to the second network. A source identifier is determined from the second request to identify the mobile device as the source. The unique key, previously associated with the mobile device, is utilized to decrypt any data received from the mobile device.
US08477930B2
A case assembly for electronic appliance includes a first case having a plurality of engaging members and each engaging member includes two clamping protrusions. Each clamping protrusion includes a supporting portion and a protruding portion. A space is defined between the two clamping protrusions. A second case includes multiple ports and each port has a shoulder defined in an inside thereof and the shoulder is located corresponding to the protruding portions of the clamping protrusions. Multiple positioning members each have an insertion portion and a head. A transverse width of the opening of the space is smaller than a width of the insertion portion. When the insertion portion of each of the positioning members is inserted into the space corresponding thereto, the clamping protrusions are expanded outward by the positioning member, and the protruding portions are engaged on the shoulder of the second case.
US08477928B2
There is disclosed conductor and connector configurations for use in communications systems which take advantage of the orientation and positioning of adjacent balanced pairs of conductors to reduce cross talk. These conductor and connector configurations may be used to reduce cross talk between adjacent balanced pairs of a single transmission path, or to reduce alien cross talk between adjacent balanced pairs located in different transmission paths.
US08477927B2
Efficient telephone number mapping (ENUM) based call routing during area code splits is described. An ENUM domain management component can associate an ENUM domain name with multiple records when a numbering plan area code split links an old area code of a telephone number corresponding to the ENUM domain name with a new area code. An ENUM provisioning component can perform permissive dialing of the old and new area code during ENUM based call routing by utilizing the multiple records.
US08477923B2
A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40) such that a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party are participating in the call; making a decision to invoke the mid-call hand-off feature (22); placing a second call from the first switching facility (20) to a designated telephone number; and, connecting the second party to the second call.
US08477919B2
In a click-to-call (C2C) communication environment, a web client of a computing terminal is configured to initiate a C2C call when a user selects a call tag provided in a web page being presented to the user. The call is intended to be established between a remote endpoint associated with the call tag and one of either the computing terminal or another terminal associated with the user. If the C2C call is directed to an automated system and placed in a queue or on hold, the present invention allows supplemental content intended for the user to be delivered to the web client from which the C2C call was initiated. The web client may present the supplemental content to the user.
US08477914B1
Allowing an initiating party to invoke automated communication attempts that continue and escalate and limit a targeted party's wireless device capabilities until satisfactory communication is established with the targeted party is provided. After a number of unsuccessful attempts at communicating with the targeted party, the initiating party may activate an automated escalating communication system that encourages the targeted party to eventually respond due to escalating communications automatically sent to the targeted party or his/her affiliates or due to limiting controls placed on the targeted party's communication device.
US08477908B2
An indirectly heated cathode assembly is presented. The indirectly heated cathode assembly includes at least one electron source for generating a first electron beam, an emitter for producing a second electron beam when heated by the first electron beam and a focusing electrode for controlling, and directing the first electron beam towards the emitter.
US08477902B2
The present invention relates to a radiation inspection apparatus for object security inspection, comprising: a ray generator configured to emit a ray, a collimator configured to collimate the ray emitted from the ray generator, and a detector configured to receive the collimated ray collimated by the collimator, wherein the collimated ray forms an irradiated area on the detector included by an effective detect area of the detector. The present invention also relates to a method of performing a security inspection to a body using a radiation inspection apparatus. With the above technical solutions, the present invention can achieve a low single inspection absorptive dose and a micro dose inspection while meeting inspection requirements to improve public radiation security.
US08477898B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a phase-locked loop (PLL) for synthesizing a fractional frequency. The PLL can include a 1/N frequency divider, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a programmable phase mixer, and a phase detector. The programmable phase mixer can be coupled between an output of the VCO and an input of the frequency divider, wherein the programmable phase mixer is configured to receive the output clock signal from the VCO and generate a first clock signal of frequency f1 by varying a phase of the output clock signal. The frequency divider is configured to receive the first clock signal from the programmable phase mixer and generate a second clock signal of frequency f2=f1/N. The phase detector can receive a reference clock signal and the second clock signal as inputs, and the phase detector's output can be used to generate the control voltage for the VCO.
US08477894B2
In accordance with the present invention, a method of processing a signal is described that includes receiving a signal having an encoded digital packet, wherein the digital packet includes packet data and a packet frame, wherein the packet frame includes a common digital signal that is common to each one of a plurality of digital packets. The method further includes sampling a signal associated with the received signal to provide a sampled signal. The method further includes performing a channel characterization by contrasting a signal representative of the sampled signal with a signal representative of the common digital signal. A corresponding system is also described.
US08477877B2
The carrier phase of a carrier wave modulated with information symbols is recovered with a multi-stage, feed-forward carrier phase recovery method. A series of digital signals corresponding to the information signals is received. For each digital signal, a coarse phase recovery is performed to determine a first phase angle which provides a first best estimate of the information symbol corresponding to the digital signal. Using the first best estimate as input, a second stage of estimation is then performed to determine a second phase angle which provides an improved (second) best estimate of the information symbol. Additional stages of estimation can be performed. The multi-stage, feed-forward carrier phase recovery method retains the same linewidth tolerance as a single-stage full blind phase search method; however, the required computational power is substantially reduced. The multi-stage, feed-forward carrier phase recovery method is highly efficient for M-QAM optical signals.
US08477876B2
A method for searching a digital transmission having unknown carrier and symbol frequencies in a modulated reception signal, includes performing successive trials of several carrier and symbol frequencies, using decreasing values of the symbol frequency, demodulating the reception signal with the tried carrier frequency, filtering the demodulated signal in a band having a width corresponding to the currently tried symbol frequency, and producing samples of the filtered signal. For each currently tried symbol frequency, forming a complex indicator having a real component and an imaginary component established from the successive samples of the filtered signal such that they have cyclostationary properties and that one of the components tends to cancel when the other component tends towards a relative maximum, building the spectrum of the variation of the complex indicator, searching for a singular spike in the spectrum, and determining the real symbol frequency from the frequency of the spike.
US08477872B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting information in a multi-antenna system. The method may include: a transmitting end receives information transmitted by a receiving end, wherein the information includes information of index of a precoder; the transmitting end selects a precoder from a two-layered codebook based on the information of the index of the precoder; the transmitting end precodes to-be-transmitted data by using the precoder; the transmitting end transmits the precoded data to the receiving end. The technical scheme of the present invention obtains codebooks most matching with channel distribution characteristics of dual-polarized antennas and minimizes performance loss brought by codebook quantization to remarkably improve the performances of precoding systems.
US08477871B2
The present disclosure relates to a radio station providing a digital predistortion to be imposed on a payload signal. The digital predistortion is usable as a general predistortion for several transmit paths of the radio station. The radio station provides coupled transmit signals to be combined within a combiner forming a common feedback signal. The common feedback signal is relayed along a common feedback path. A digital predistortion update unit to updates the digital predistortion in order to linearize a transfer characteristics of the transmit paths. The disclosure relates to a method of digitally predistorting a payload signal in order to linearize a transmit characteristics of the transmit paths. The disclosure further relates to computer program products for the manufacture of the radio station and/or a computer product for the execution of the method digitally predistorting. The disclosure further relates to an antenna array comprising the radio station.
US08477867B2
A method and apparatus of configuring a multi-cell precoding matrix for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation in a wireless communication system in which a plurality of base stations participate in cooperative communication is provided. A multi-cell precoding matrix is configured using one or more single-cell precoding matrices, and wherein coefficients to be multiplied by the single-cell precoding matrices satisfy a condition in which the product between the multi-cell precoding matrix and a Hermitian matrix of the multi-cell precoding matrix is a unitary matrix. According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary for all base stations to perfectly know channel information. In addition, a feedback overhead is not high, and complexity is low.
US08477864B2
A MIMO transmission scheme is provided which provides some advantages of the Alamouti code but which can be adapted so as to provide enhanced performance for a given amount of antenna correlation. A block of complex scalar input symbols is mapped to a block-code matrix which is transmitted as a spacetime signal matrix from an array of two or more antennas. The block-code matrix is assembled by combining input data with specified dispersion matrices. Each of the dispersion matrices is determined, in part, by an adjustable parameter which relates to a degree of beam-forming behavior by the transmission antenna array.
US08477860B2
Decoding a received Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) signal that occupies a first set of subcarriers in a radio frequency spectrum includes ascertaining an interference model that represents interference occurring in the first set of subcarriers caused by a transmitted OFDM signal that occupies a second set of subcarriers in the radio frequency spectrum. A set of scaled soft values is produced that represents information conveyed by the received OFDM signal over the first set of subcarriers, wherein each scaled soft value in the set of scaled soft values corresponds to a respective one of the subcarriers in the first set of subcarriers, and wherein a scaling amount applied to each of the scaled soft values is based on a corresponding level of interference in said respective one of the subcarriers as indicated by the interference model. A decoding process is performed that generates detected data from the scaled soft values.
US08477855B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a transmitting circuit and a receiving coil inductively coupled to a transmitting coil. The transmitting circuit transmits data by supplying a current through the transmitting coil not at the time of transition of data but at every rising edge or falling edge of a clock used in transmission of data. At every rising edge or falling edge of the clock, a receiving circuit captures a voltage induced in the receiving coil due to the current flowing through the transmitting coil, reproduces the transmitted data and outputs the reproduced data.
US08477854B2
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information.
US08477844B2
A method of transmitting a coded media frame comprises determining a plurality of media frame sizes including a media frame size, transmitting an element comprising the plurality of media frame sizes, and thereafter receiving an input media frame. The method also includes processing the input media frame according to the media frame size to provide a coded media frame, and transmitting the coded media frame.
US08477835B2
A transceiver architecture supports high-speed communication over a signal lane that extends between a high-performance integrated circuit (IC) and one or more relatively low-performance ICs employing less sophisticated transmitters and receivers. The architecture compensates for performance asymmetry between ICs communicating over a bidirectional lane by instantiating relatively complex transmit and receive equalization circuitry on the higher-performance side of the lane. Both the transmit and receive equalization filter coefficients in the higher-performance IC may be adaptively updated based upon the signal response at the receiver of the higher-performance IC.
US08477821B2
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser that includes: a substrate; a first reflector of a first conductive type formed on the substrate; an active region formed on the first reflector; a second reflector of a second conductive type formed on the active region; and a current confining layer formed between the first reflector and the second reflector; and a metallic electrode that is formed on the second reflector, and is electrically connected to the second reflector. A conductive region with an anisotropy where a length in a longitudinal direction is different from a length in a short direction is formed in the current confining layer, and an opening defining a beam aperture is formed in the metallic electrode, and a diameter of the opening in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the length of the conductive region in the longitudinal direction.
US08477818B2
A gallium nitride-based semiconductor laser device with reduced threshold current. The gallium nitride-based semiconductor laser device is provided with an n-type cladding layer, an n-side light guide layer, an active layer, a p-side light guide layer, and a p-type cladding layer. The n-side light guide layer and the p-side light guide layer both contain indium. Each of indium compositions of the n-side light guide layer and the p-side light guide layer is not less than 2% and not more than 6%. A film thickness of the n-type cladding layer is in the range of not less than 65% and not more than 85% of a total of the film thickness of the n-type cladding layer and a film thickness of the p-type cladding layer.
US08477812B2
The present invention relates to a digital multimedia network 1 with latency control comprising apparatuses for processing of data streams, wherein a borderline input apparatus providing a data stream generates a latency time stamp (LTS) which contains an absolute time indicating a creation time of said data stream and an accumulated delay time which is updated by each apparatus processing said data stream, wherein said latency time stamp (LTS) of said data stream is evaluated by a borderline output apparatus of said network which synchronizes said data stream.
US08477811B2
In a wireless communication system, a mobile station performs “keep-alive” signaling with a serving radio access network (RAN), transmitting its identity without necessarily an accompanying data portion. The serving RAN does not necessarily acknowledge. Thereby, the mobile station maintains state synchronization with the serving RAN, which also benefits in being able to timely release a context when the “keep-alive” transmission is not continued. In one aspect, the mobile station utilizes random access procedures (RACH) for uplink data arrival with a 0-byte MAC buffer status report whose identifying Cell Radio Network Temporary Identity (C-RNTI) can be used by the serving RAN for keep alive purposes. In another aspect, the mobile station can perform non-access stratum (NAS) signaling containing identification for the mobile station that is supported by underlying access stratum (AS) signaling via the serving RAN. This identifying NAS signaling is detected or a downstream recipient alerts the serving RAN.
US08477804B2
When an IPv4/v6 dual stack terminal communicating via TCP on IPv6 fails to promptly switch over to IPv4 after the ICMPv6 fails due to a soft error, the problem should be resolved at the prior stage server rather than on the complicated terminal. The server at a stage prior to the terminal receives TCP packets from the terminal to find the TCP connection status on the terminal. When the terminal connection status is SYN-SENT or SYN-RECEIVED, and the server receives an unaddressed soft error such as ICMPv6 “Destination Unreachable: no route to destination (ICMP type=1: code 0)” for that terminal, the server rewrites the ICMPv6 contents as a hard error such as “Destination Unreachable: communication with destination administratively prohibited (ICMP type=1: code 1)” and sends it the terminal.
US08477788B2
There is provided a method for allocating a mobile station to an available resource slot of a plurality of resource slots within a stream of data frames, the stream of data frames broadcasted to the mobile station by a base station. The method includes scanning resource slots to identify an available resource slot, the available resource slot available for assignment to a resource, wherein the resource slots are included in all of the data frames in the stream of data frames, the scanning further including retrieving a data structure of the available resource slot, the data structure having nodes, the nodes associated with different periodicities and different offsets of the periodicities. The method also includes assigning the mobile station to one of the nodes of the available resource slot with an associated periodicity and an associated offset of the periodicity.
US08477786B2
A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and including a first store-and-forward network node. The first store-and-forward network node is arranged to store data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith. The method further includes receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward node is different from the first store-and-forward network node, arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and forward node, and transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient.
US08477781B2
Systems and methods are presented to collect raw data from a plurality of servers and nodes on a network. A Distributed Enterprise Collection Bus (DECB) architecture is employed at various points on a network. The DECB comprises a collector unit that is protocol agnostic, an orchestration unit, a rule database, a filtering unit, and a distribution unit. Packets of raw data such as Call Detail Records (CDRs) generated by switching centers are received, and distributed to relevant destinations. Relevant destinations include data warehouses, mediation, analytics, etc. The goal is to alleviate collection and filtration duties of the source and destination.
US08477777B2
A bridge apparatus including a first line card and a second line card is provided. The first line card includes a first memory storing an association between a line card and a destination address, a first receiver receiving a frame from the second line card including a flag indicating whether a memory of the second line card stores the destination address of the frame, a determination circuit determining whether the first memory stores the destination address of the received frame, when the first flag added to the received frame indicates that the second memory does not store the destination address of the frame, and a first transmitter transmitting, when the determination circuit determines the first memory stores the destination address of the frame, address information associated with at least the destination address of the frame to the second line card, the destination address being stored by the first memory.
US08477775B2
In a mobility domain providing wired and wireless network transport to an enterprise or campus environment, a mobility switch maps a logical network identifier, such as a VLAN ID, to a “home” or wired network VLAN ID so that a mobile device is mapped to the wired VLAN for user identification, IP address consistency, and network policy enforcement. Propagation of the mapping to mobility switches ensures that a roaming user is mapped to the wired network VLAN from a remote L2 switch, and mobility tunnels across L3 boundaries allow roaming into a different broadcast domain or L3 switch connectivity in the mobility domain. Users are assigned to mobility VLAN(s) which are mapped to a VLAN in the wired domain at a mobility switch. The wireless users can roam within the wireless enterprise, or mobility domain, and the network maintains access to the user assigned mobility VLAN(s).
