US08545608B2
Embodiments of crystalline, titanium silicate molecular sieves are described having a formula representing mole ratios of oxides of nM1O:TiO2:ySiO2:zH2O:wX where M1 refers to a metal cation or mixture of metal cations; n is from about 1 to about 2; y is from about 1 to about 10; z is from 0 to about 100; X is a halide anion other than fluorine, or combination of halide anions that excludes fluorine; and w is greater than 0. The pore size of the sieves can be adjusted by ion exchanging M1 cations with a suitable amount of another species. Embodiments of the invention are useful for various adsorptive fluid separation processes, including pressure swing adsorption processes. For example, disclosed embodiments are useful for separating methane from air.
US08545605B2
A fabric filter bag (50) and cage (10) system for use in a bag house (66) for industrial process gas stream particulate removal. The bag house (66) includes an inlet (68) for process gas flow into an interior space (65) thereof, at least one fabric filter bag (50) and cage (10) system within the interior space (65) for filtering the process gas as it flows therethrough, and an outlet (70) for flow of cleaned process gas out of the interior space (65) of the system. The subject fabric filter bag (50) and cage (10) system provides about an additional 14% filter material per bag as compared to like sized round filter bags, thereby effectively reducing the size of bag house (66) required to achieve a particular air to cloth (A/C) ratio. Reducing the size of the bag house (66) required to achieve a particular A/C ratio significantly reduces capital costs typically associated therewith.
US08545604B2
A modular and compact adsorbent bed structure is disclosed for use in an adsorption-based gas separation plant. The conventional adsorbent bed in a gas separation plant is replaced with a plurality of modular adsorbent bed units connected to make the adsorbent bed structure. The modular design requires lower fabrication and maintenance costs; is easier to transport; and is easier to load with adsorbent material.
US08545596B2
The invention concerns alloyed zinc powders for alkaline batteries and a method to manufacture such powders. The powders are characterized by the presence of particles pierced with at least one hole. This appears to benefit the high drain discharge capacity while preserving the process ability of the powder, and the shelf life and the gassing behavior of the batteries. The invented powders can be manufactured using centrifugal atomization in a cooled, oxygen-depleted atmosphere.
US08545586B2
The present invention relates to an air cleaner element holding structure for an air cleaner device for use in filtering intake air for an engine. The air cleaner device includes an air cleaner element and an element holder, provided in an air cleaner case. The air cleaner element includes at least a pair of element support plates and the element holder includes at least a pair of circular plates. The air cleaner case includes an intake duct facing an inner circumferential side of the air cleaner element for conducting air thereto. Each of the support plates has an outer diameter that is larger than that of the air cleaner element. The element support plates support the air cleaner element in such a manner that both ends, in the axial direction, of the element holder contact an inside surface, in the axial direction, of the element support plates.
US08545576B2
A method for manufacturing a coloring agent for keratin fibers is provided. The method includes directing a composition A from a container A by a filler apparatus through an inlet opening into a container B containing a composition B. The coloring agent for keratin fibers exits from the container B as a mixture of the composition A and the composition B. The composition B contains a fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, and a fatty acid.
US08545575B2
A method for manufacturing a coloring agent for keratin fibers is provided. The method includes directing a composition A from a container A by a filler apparatus through an inlet opening into a second container B containing a second composition B. The composition A is flowable. The coloring agent for keratin fibers exits from the container B as a mixture of the composition A and the composition B. The composition B comprises an oil component having a melting point below about 25° C. and the composition A and/or the composition B comprises an emulsifier.
US08545574B2
Methods for treating a fibrous structure in need of treatment with a chemical additive, such as a chemical softener, and products produced therefrom, are provided.
US08545572B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a sinus tarsi implant with an inverted thread profile having a lip or lips at the thread crest. The lips may help hold tissue in-growth and give greater purchase to the implant. The implant may also include voids that traverse threads. The voids may create an open area for soft tissue to grow into. The voids may be relatively small and consequently promote faster tissue in-growth. Thus, the lips and/or voids limit migration. They do this without creating sharp edges or pressure points (or at least limiting such creation) that are typically associated with techniques (e.g., cutting deep negative thread spaces) used to prevent migration. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention limit migration while also limiting patient discomfort. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08545564B2
Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.
US08545559B2
The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates.
US08545554B2
An intraocular injector includes a syringe body having open-ended cone disposed in one end thereof along with a piston disposed in the body. A transparent implant holder having a lumen therein is aligned with an open-ended cone, a needle include a proximal end and a distal end with a bevel disposed on the distal end of the needle. A plunger affixed to the piston and slidable within a holder lumen and needle lumen is provided for injecting solid intraocular implants into an eye. A cylindrical syringe body shape facilitates control over the needle bevel orientation during injection of the implant into the eye.
US08545553B2
Apparatus is provided that includes an implant structure, which includes a contracting mechanism, which includes a rotatable structure, arranged such that rotation of the rotatable structure contracts the implant structure. A longitudinal member is coupled to the contracting mechanism. A tool for rotating the rotatable structure is configured to be guided along the longitudinal member, to engage the rotatable structure, and to rotate the rotatable structure in response to a rotational force applied to the tool. Other embodiments are also described.
US08545546B2
Bioabsorbable scaffolds made at least in part of a poly(L-lactide)-based composite are disclosed. The composite includes poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) or poly(L-lactide)-b-polycaprolactone block copolymer, which increases the fracture toughness or fracture resistance of the scaffold. The composite can further include bioceramic particles, L-lactide monomer, or both dispersed throughout the composite. The bioceramic particles improve the radial strength and stiffness of the scaffold. The L-lactide monomer is used to control the absorption rate of the scaffold.
US08545541B2
An improved system and method for positioning screws and rods to immobilize bones is provided. Specifically, the system and method is optimal for performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and other interbody fusions in the spine. The system involves pedicle screws detachably connected to wires that guide rods down to the screws. The wires are strong, narrow, flexible, adjustable in tension, and easily disconnected from the screws after rod placement via a process such as cutting, radiating, burning, dissolving, etc.. The use of wires to place the rods avoids the conventional bulky tower apparatuses of the prior art while at the same time enhancing the accuracy of placement. One of the preferred methods involves relying upon the natural lordotic curvature of the spine and the narrow diameter of the wires to insert many elements through a single minimally invasive incision.
US08545532B2
A device and method for treating bodily diseases and/or conditions, for example, varicose veins, tumors and aneutisms including for example insertion of a blocking device toward a target destination using a catheter and delivery of sclerosing or other agents to the vessel while maintaining minimal, for example zero pressure in the treatment area, The blocking device may prevent treatment materials, embolisms, debris etc., from entering the upstream section of vessel. The blocking device may include, for example, a cap or other concave shape and may be expandable or extendible towards the vessel walls.
US08545530B2
An implantable closure structure is delivered using minimally invasive techniques and inhibits the migration of liquid and particulate matter from inside a physiological cavity or opening, such as an aneurysm, as well as inhibiting the flow of liquid and particulate matter, such as from an associated blood vessel, into a physiological cavity or opening. The device has a flexible patch supported by a framework structure that covers the neck or opening of a cavity such as an aneurysm and may have anchoring structures for supporting the flexible patch in place across the opening.
US08545510B2
The present invention relates to a clamping sleeve for clamping a cannulated drill and a guide wire for medical purposes, wherein the clamping sleeve can be introduced into the chuck of a drilling machine, comprising: at least one drill contact area which protrudes into the interior of the clamping sleeve in order to clamp the cannulated drill, through which the guide wire runs, when a force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; at least one wire contact area in order to clamp an exposed part of the guide wire which is not enveloped by the cannulated drill when the force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; wherein the at least one wire contact area and the at least one drill contact area lie sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the clamping sleeve.
US08545506B2
A cutting guide for removal of bone during arthroplasty. The cutting guide includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an attachment mechanism adapted to couple the housing to the bone during arthroplasty and the second portion including a wall defining a continuous path. A blade for cutting the bone is also included, such that the blade slides along the arcuate recess, cutting the bone in a shape matching the continuous path.
US08545498B2
Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.
US08545497B2
Apparatus (20) for carrying out a prophylactic or treatment procedure on tissue comprises a device (21) having a chamber (22) and at least one active element such as an electrode (23) within the chamber (22). The chamber (22) has an opening (26) through which tissue is drawn into the chamber (22). Means for drawing the tissue into the chamber may comprise a vacuum lumen with vacuum orifices (25) in the chamber (22). Treatment such as electroporation may be applied to tissue in the chamber (22).
US08545493B2
A microwave ablation system includes a generator operable to output energy and an ablation probe coupled to the generator that delivers the energy to a tissue region. The ablation system also includes a controller operable to control the generator and at least one sensor coupled to the ablation probe and the controller that detects an operating parameter of the ablation probe. The controller performs a system check by ramping up an energy output of the generator from a low energy level to a high energy level and monitors an output from the sensor at predetermined intervals of time during the system check to determine an abnormal state. The controller controls the generator to cease the energy output when the controller determines an abnormal state.
US08545487B2
Heat is generated in corneal fibrils in a cornea of an eye according to a selected pattern. The heat causes the corneal fibrils corresponding to the selected pattern to transition from a first structure to a second structure. The second structure provides a desired reshaping of the cornea. A cross-linking agent is then activated in the region of corneal fibrils according to the selected pattern. The cross-linking agent prevents the corneal fibrils from changing from the second structure. Thus, embodiments stabilize corneal tissue and improve its biomechanical strength after desired structural changes have been achieved in the corneal tissue. Accordingly, the embodiments help to preserve the desired reshaping of the cornea.
US08545485B2
A nerve elevator tool is disclosed for the recovery of nerve tissue from living or cadaveric donors with minimal or no damage to internal tissues or the external integrity of the body. The elevator tool includes a dissecting head affixed to a shaft with a handle. Advancing the dissecting head through the body with the attached shaft and handle causes the elevator to “strip” tissues and structures from around the nerve and transect or rupture nerve branches with minimal avulsion, which then pass over and around the dissecting head. Once a sufficient section of nerve has been stripped, the second end of the nerve can be transected to completely free the nerve section, which can then be removed.
US08545475B2
A coupling component is disclosed for transmitting medical substances, comprising two channels for conveyance of medical substances in two substantially opposite directions and a means for releasable connection to a second coupling component having a further channel for creating a coupling. The connecting means is a thread. A method for conveying medical substances to and from a container is also disclosed.
US08545474B2
An absorbent article for personal wear includes inner and outer surfaces, an absorbent body disposed therebetween, and front waist, back waist, and crotch regions. The article also includes front and back side panels that are releasably attachable at a seam using an article fastening component and an article fastener landing zone to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article also includes a finger tab attached to one of the front and back side panels, wherein the tab includes a tab fastening component, wherein a front or back side panel includes a tab landing zone, wherein the tab fastening component is fastened to the tab landing zone to form a tab connection when the article is in a wear configuration, and wherein the tab connection has lower peel and shear strengths per unit area than the peel and shear strengths per unit area of the seam.
US08545473B2
A wearing article having a front waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with first fastening members, and a rear waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with second fastening members adapted to be engaged with the associated first fastening members. Each of the second fastening members is formed with an uneven structure having a plurality of crests extending in a transverse direction and spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction. A degree of engaging force between the uneven structure and the first fastening member is extremely weak and the uneven structure can be easily disengaged from the first fastening member. The uneven structure may be unfolded in the longitudinal direction and put in close contact with the first fastening member to achieve firm engagement over an area as large as possible between the flattened uneven structure and the first fastening member.
US08545468B2
A component is suitable for protecting skin around an opening in the skin or around a stoma. The component can be formed from a carrier (2; 2′) that is enclosed between layers of soft and skin-compatible adhesive (3; 3′), and the adhesive has a softness of 8-22 mm. The adherence of the adhesive to dry skin can be 0.2-3 N/25 mm.
US08545461B2
An embodiment of an apparatus for extracting excess liquid in a human body spray system includes a spray booth defining a booth volume. The spray booth includes a base configured to support the human body and a column having walls extending vertically from the base and at least one vent opening disposed on a bottom half portion of the column on at least one of the walls. The walls form a hollow interior of the column. The apparatus for extracting excess liquid in a human body spray system further includes an extraction fan disposed within the hollow interior adjacent to a top half portion of the column and configured to create a low pressure volume within the hollow interior and draw air flow and at least some of the excess mist from the booth volume through the at least one vent opening.
US08545456B2
An administering apparatus including a rotational block which, in the end position of the dosage setting member, permits the rotational dosing movement in a first rotational direction and blocks the rotational dosing movement in a second rotational direction, wherein the rotational block comprises at least one first rotational stopper and at least one second rotational stopper, the first rotational stopper and the second rotational stopper abutting against one another in the end position of the dosage setting member, wherein the at least one first rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the dosage setting member and the at least one second rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the casing.
US08545452B2
A suction device which can protected before and after use. The suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at one end. A retractable, protective sheath is connected to the tube and extends over the exposed length of the suction tube. A tip protector extends from the free end of the sheath, and includes an interference structure in the form of a plurality of spaced ribs protruding inwardly to engage and grip the suction tip. A hollow sheath housing is secured to the free end and a sheath inserter is secured to the suction tube proximate the connection end, with the sheath housing and the sheath inserter being shaped to insert the retractable sheath in the hollow sheath housing when the sheath is in a retracted position. The tip protector and the sheath housing can be portions of a unitary structure.
US08545448B2
A trocar sleeve includes a distal tubular section, a section which connects to the distal tubular section at a proximal side of the distal tubular section and which is widened proximally, and at least one spiral with a circular outer contour, arranged helically on a periphery of the distal tubular section. The distal tubular section includes a rounded polygonal cross section so that maximal degrees of freedom of the applied instruments result.
US08545430B2
Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for treating an ocular disorder in an eye. The ocular device includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal lumen forming a flow pathway extending from the proximal end to the distal end; at least one inflow region that communicates with the flow pathway; and an expandable portion having a plurality of interconnected struts forming multiple openings in the device communicating with the flow pathway. The expandable portion has a first cross-sectional shape suitable for insertion into the eye that is generally cylindrical and a second cross-sectional shape that is larger than the first cross-sectional shape. The system also includes a delivery device for inserting the ocular device into an eye including a sheath configured to surround at least a portion of the ocular device; an applier configured to insert into the internal lumen of the ocular device; and an actuator.
US08545428B2
Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.
US08545426B2
Systems and methods for controlling fluid flow during a fluid exchange procedure. In one aspect, a system is provided for controlling a net fluid volume difference of a patient during and/or after a fluid exchange procedure. The system comprises a first flow path for flowing at least a first fluid from the patient and a second flow path for flowing at least a second fluid to the patient. First and second reservoirs are respectively associated with the first and second flow paths. A controller is associated with the first and second flow paths for controlling first and second flow rates and operable to determine an actual flow rate for each first and second fluid and to change a first or second flow rate in response to a difference between at least one of such flow rates and its respective actual flow rate.
US08545425B2
A dialysis system includes a source of dialysis fluid; at least one pump for pumping dialysate to or from a patient or dialyzer; and a drain container configured to receive effluent dialysis fluid from the patient or dialyzer through a drain tube, the drain container including an at least semi-rigid body, the body including a handle, a drain tube receiving portion, a spout, and wherein at least a portion of the body is non-opaque such that effluent dialysis fluid inside the at least semi-rigid body can be viewed.
US08545423B2
An improved cervical collar suitable for use in emergency or non-emergency situations for adjustment on or off a patient including the elements of an ergonomic occipital support region 102, a bridge junction 119 and an ergonomic spinal support region 101, an adjustable height neck support region 103, the neck support region is vertically aligned but may be horizontally offset, the spinal support region is stoppably and stowably hinged with the occipital support region at the bridge junction, the occipital support region is independently circumferentially sized and positioned adjustably with the neck support region; the spinal support region is independently and adjustably secured to the neck support region distinctively from the occipital and neck support region connections.
US08545422B2
A moldable decorative splint material includes a heat-moldable sheet of splint material adapted to become sufficiently pliable when heated to a first temperature to allow the sheet to be molded into a splint configuration that conforms to an anatomical body part and to become hard when cooled to a second temperature to retain the splint configuration. The splint material includes a plurality of decorative elements integrated with the sheet of splint material. The decorative elements are to be retained by the sheet of splint material when the sheet is heated to the first temperature, molded into a splint configuration, and cooled to the second temperature.
US08545415B2
A portable alveolar gas measurement device and method of determining at least one alveolar gas level are disclosed. The device includes a structure that receives a sample portion of breath, and a gas sensor in communication with the structure that detects a gas level of a gas within the sample portion and provides a first signal indicative of the level. The device further includes circuitry coupled at least indirectly to the gas sensor, where the circuitry receives at least one of the first signal and a second signal related to the first signal, and where the circuitry provides at least some assistance in determining whether a portion of information provided by the at least one signal is used as an indication of an alveolar gas level. Additionally, the device includes an output device coupled to the circuitry that provides an output indicative of the first alveolar gas level.
US08545412B2
A catheter assembly includes a catheter and a delivery element. The catheter has a distal end with a distal tip, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The catheter includes a body that defines a central lumen extending along the catheter to the distal end. The catheter also includes a forward-facing transducer array disposed at the distal tip of the catheter. The transducer array is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. At least one catheter conductor is electrically coupled to the transducer array and extends along the catheter. The delivery element is disposed in the lumen of the catheter. The delivery element includes a distal tip that is configured and arranged for contacting patient tissue. The distal tip of the delivery element is configured and arranged to extend beyond the distal tip of the catheter.
US08545410B2
A method and system of strain gain compensation in elasticity imaging is provided. The system can include a probe (120) for transmitting ultrasonic energy into a physiology (150) of a patient (50) and receiving echoes, a display device (170), and a processor (100) operably coupled to the probe and the display device. The processor can process ultrasound imaging data associated with an applied stress of the physiology of the patient. The processor can generate a strain compensation function associated with the applied stress based on at least one of (i) user inputs based on expected results associated with a portion of the physiology, (ii) a strain compensation model generated prior to processing the ultrasound imaging data, and (iii) at least a portion of the imaging data. The processor can apply the strain compensation function to the imaging data to generate a compensated strain image. The processor can present on the display device at least one of the compensated strain image and an inverse of the compensated strain image. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08545409B2
A system for ablation with acoustic feedback comprises: a catheter which includes an elongated catheter body; at least one ablation element to ablate a targeted tissue region; and a pulse-echo ultrasonic transducer arranged to emit and receive an acoustic beam along a centroid in a beam direction, at a transducer beam angle of between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to a distal direction of the longitudinal axis at a location of intersection between the longitudinal axis and the beam direction of the centroid of the acoustic beam of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the transducer transmits and receives acoustic pulses to provide lesion information in the targeted tissue region; an ablation power subsystem; an ultrasonic transmit and receive subsystem to operate the ultrasonic transducer; a control subsystem to control operation of the ablation power subsystem and the ultrasonic transmit and receive subsystem; and a display.
US08545408B2
An ablation system comprises a catheter including a pulse-echo ultrasonic transducer disposed in a distal portion and arranged to emit and receive an acoustic beam. The transducer emits and receives acoustic pulses to provide transducer detected information regarding the targeted tissue region being ablated. A rotation mechanism rotates at least the distal portion around a longitudinal axis of the catheter. A control and interface system processes the transducer detected information and provides feedback to a user via a user interface and/or the control and interface system to be used to control ablation. The transducer detected information includes a detected lesion depth along a beam emanation direction. The control and interface system includes a lesion depth correction module which converts the detected lesion depth along the beam direction to a corrected lesion depth in a normal direction which is perpendicular to the tissue surface in contact with the ablation element.
US08545404B2
A non-contact tonometer of the present invention quantitatively measures characteristic vibration of the cornea of an eyeball and measures a true ocular pressure utilizing this vibration, and comprises: an air flow spray unit (200) spraying an air flow (F) to a cornea (C) of an eye (E) to be examined and deforming the cornea; a cornea deformation amount measurement unit (300) measuring deformation of the cornea caused by the air flow spray unit along with elapsed time from the start of the air flow spray; a Fourier analysis unit (401) performing Fourier analysis on a relationship between a deformation amount of the cornea obtained by a cornea deformation detection unit and the elapsed time; an eyeball tissue characteristic frequency operation unit (402) obtaining an characteristic frequency of each constituent tissue of the eyeball based on a Fourier analysis result obtained by the Fourier analysis unit; and an ocular pressure operation unit (403) calculating an ocular pressure based on the characteristic frequency of the cornea obtained by the eyeball tissue characteristic frequency operation unit.
US08545402B2
Ingestible event markers having high reliability are provided. Aspects of the ingestible event markers include a support, a control circuit, a first electrochemical material, a second electrochemical material and a membrane. In addition, the ingestible event markers may include one or more components that impart high reliability to the ingestible event marker. Further, the ingestible event markers may include an active agent. In some aspects, the active agent, such as a pharmaceutically active agent or a diagnostic agent may be associated with the membrane.
US08545399B2
A medical instrument is provided with: an illumination section radiating excitation light for exciting a fluorescent substance given to a subject, to the subject; an image pickup section photoelectrically converting reflected light from the subject to which the excitation light is radiated, to pick up an image of the subject; a reading section holding pixel signals obtained by the photoelectrical conversion and capable of reading the pixel signals non-destructively while changing amplification factors of the held pixel signals by a predetermined unit of pixels; and an image processing section determining an arithmetic mean of the pixel signals read with different amplification factors by the reading section to generate an image. The medical instrument improves visibility of each fluorescent area without occurrence of position displacement even in the case where multiple fluorescent areas with a relatively large brightness/darkness difference exist within one screen.
US08545392B2
A sexual stimulation device which provides simultaneous stimulation to male and female partners during intercourse includes a hollow elastomeric shaft portion dimensioned to receive a penis and for vaginal insertion. The shaft includes a longitudinal rib forming an interior channel, the rib functioning to stiffen the shaft and the channel providing sufficient resilience to allow insertion and removal of a penis. The shaft terminates at a closed end in a hemispherical tip and at an opposite open end in a pair of spaced annular retaining rings. A plurality of raised rings spaced axially along the shaft enhance the pleasure of the female partner. The retaining rings provide a resilient retaining force to maintain the device in position during intercourse. An electric motor with an eccentric weighted flywheel mounted in a chamber extending between the annular rings provides vibratory stimulation. An electrical wire for powering the vibratory motor extends through a conduit connecting the chamber to an attached housing enclosing rechargeable batteries. The housing also includes a second motor operably connected for rotating caged massage balls positioned to provide simultaneous stimulation to a female partner during intercourse. An elastomeric shell encloses and substantially seals the housing, while still allowing user actuation of two HIGH-LO-OFF switches providing independent control of the two motors and connection of an AC adapter for recharging the batteries. In an alternative embodiment, the hollow shaft may be omitted.
US08545390B2
A sexual stimulation device comprises a casing (2) in which is contained a vibrator unit and connection means in the form of gripping limbs (6, 7) for holding the device to the penis. The connection means extend about the penis in a connection place (P) and a longitudinal axis (c) of the casing (2) is inclined to the connection plane (P) whereby, in use, the casing (2) extends along and away from the penis.
US08545389B2
An operating field securing device is configured as follows. Namely, An operating field securing device which secures an operating field when an internal organ is subjected to a predetermined procedure, the operating field securing device including a contact portion which comes in contact with the internal organ, and a manipulator holding portion which fixes the relative positions of the internal organ and a manipulator portion to subject the internal organ to the predetermined procedure, thereby holding the manipulator portion.
US08545388B2
In one embodiment, an implant includes a first portion having a shape and configured to support a tissue within the body of a patient. Markings disposed on the first portion indicate a portion of the implant to be removed for resizing the first portion such that the first portion after the resizing has a shape substantially similar to the shape of the first portion before the resizing.
US08545387B2
A method and related apparatus for the minimally invasive implantation about a heart of at least a deployable device such as a heart assist device or cardiac compression device. The method comprises the steps of performing a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision; obtaining access to the pericardial sac; making a generally linear incision in the pericardial sac; positioning an assembly having an insertion aperture member with an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and insertion tube having therein a deployable device. The apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion aperture member having an upper ring and a lower ring or flange; and an insertion tube having therein a deployable device adapted to be deployed from the insertion tube inside the pericardial sac via a generally linear incision.
US08545382B2
A balloon pumping method of inflating and deflating a balloon includes the steps of setting a pressure in the balloon at a first pressure value, which is higher than a minimum pressure value and is substantially equal to or lower than a maximum pressure value, when the balloon is shifted from a deflated condition to an inflated condition, and setting the pressure in the balloon at a second pressure value, which is substantially equal to or higher than the minimum pressure value and lower than the first pressure value, when the balloon is estimated to have completely inflated at the first pressure value.
US08545375B2
A carrier and a method for making a carrier with handles between rows of containers in both two-wide and three-wide configurations, and with the handle portion and container holding portion formed from different sheets connected together.
US08545374B2
A system comprises a machining device which comprises at least one chuck and at least one jaw detachably connected to said chuck, as well as a jaw exchanging device cooperating with said machining device. The chuck is provided with at least one locking element which can be moved in a locking direction and in an opposite direction, from a jaw releasing position to a jaw locking position, and vice versa, by means of the jaw exchanging device. The jaw exchanging device is provided with moving means for moving the jaw with respect to the chuck in said releasing position. The chuck is provided with a rotatable operating pin extending transversely to the locking direction, by means of which the locking element can be moved from the releasing position to the locking position and vice versa. The jaw exchanging device is provided with a connecting element to be connected to the operating pin, by means of which connecting element the operating pin can be rotated.
US08545365B2
An apparatus comprises a changeover mechanism which is able to change a connection state of an electric motor output shaft to any one from alternatives consisting of “an IN-Connection State” in which a power transmission path is provided between a transmission input shaft and the electric motor output shaft, “an OUT-Connection State” in which a power transmission path is provided between the transmission output shaft and the electric motor output shaft, and “a neutral connection state” in which no transmission path therebetween is provided. The changeover is carried out based on a combination (area) of a vehicle speed V and a required driving torque T. As for the changeover, an (first, second) IN-connection area is more enlarged and the OUT-Connection area and the neutral connection area are more narrowed, as a temperature of a lubricating oil is lower.
US08545361B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary pear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set. A second interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the second planetary sear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set. The torque transmitting devices include three clutches and two brakes.
US08545356B2
A speed change gear device is provided with a housing, a first member supported rotatably about a predetermined rotational axis, a shaft member formed with an external gear, an annular member formed with an internal gear meshing with the external gear, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotational component only of the annular member to the shaft member or a disc member arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing. The external gear differs from the internal gear in the number of teeth. Further, the first member is formed with a receiving hole that receives the annular member at a position where the center of the annular member is at a predetermined distance from the rotational axis. Then, the annular member is received in the receiving hole rotatably relative to the first member.
US08545349B1
A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots traverses a portion of the body length and is disposed such that each of the plurality of slots is on an opposing side of the broadhead body. A blade system is also provided and includes minor blades and deployable blades, wherein the deployable blades are movable relative to the minor blades. The blade system is movably disposed within the body cavity such that the plurality of minor blades and plurality of deployable blades are protruding from the plurality of slots. A broadhead base having a base head securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity.
US08545330B2
A method of enabling in-game contextual chatting is disclosed. A request for information about an online game currently being played by a first player and a second player is received. A previous online game that was previously played by the first player and the second player is determined. A chat transcript is generated that pertains to the online game in response to the request for the information, the chat transcript spanning from the online game currently being played by the first player and the second player to the previous online game that was previously played by the first player and the second player.
US08545325B2
A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which can be communicated via a network and functions as a parent machine and as a child machine, for example. In the child machine, a moving track of an object to be operated is obtained in response to an input with a pointing device by a player, and transmitted to the parent machine. In the parent machine, a movement of the object is controlled by the moving track, and drawing information to draw a virtual game space including the moved object is transmitted to the child machine. In the child machine, a game screen including the object to be operated is generated and displayed on the basis of the received drawing information.
US08545323B2
A compact game controller incorporates an efficient and compact force feedback mechanism. Forces are generated at one of the controls of the controller in reaction to an action in a video game. The type of controller that can be held with two hands is limited in terms of size and internal space and in wireless versions is limited in terms of battery power. Efficient power consumption in the controller enables considerable usage time between battery replacement or recharging in wireless versions. The force feedback mechanism incorporates a double reduction gear system with a unique geometry which enables usage of a compact and energy efficient motor. The efficient force feedback mechanism and assembly can therefore be packaged within a compact ergonomic controller.
US08545321B2
A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the gaming system, the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The gaming system also enables use of a card that is encoded or encrypted with a tag (such as an radio frequency tag) that the cameras or readers of the game table can detect. The card interacts with the display/input device of the game table.
US08545319B2
A game machine includes a game result determining device for determining a game result when a predetermined condition is established, a device for generating video of reels where symbols are displayed in a changing condition and then displayed in a stopped condition, a display device having a video display screen, a game image generating device for displaying video of a plurality of reels, a losing reel ascertaining device for ascertaining a losing reel on the basis of the game result ascertained, a winning reel ascertaining device for ascertaining a winning reel, a losing reel stopping device for displaying the symbols of the losing reel, and a winning reel stopping device for displaying the symbols of the winning reel in a stopped condition after the symbols of all of the losing reels have been displayed by the losing reel stopping device.
US08545315B2
A player accesses a game terminal, which is networked to other game terminals configured to play standard games and game-in-games. The player initiates a standard game (e.g., lottery slot) on the game terminal. The game terminal receives a game initiation request for the standard game and starts a timer. Prior to expiration of the timer, the player may perform a predefined action (e.g., pressing a spin button) indicating that the player wishes to play a game-in-game (e.g., a “community prize” game). If the timer expires without the player performing the predefined action, (s)he is deemed ineligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game. However, in response to player performing the predefined action prior to the timer's expiration, the player is deemed eligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game, and the player participates in both the game and the game-in-game.
US08545314B2
In use, the player would insert his or her player card at the EGM 10. The system checks to see if any multiplier currently applies to the machine and player. The multiplier is available as a token and can communicate to the guest via display on the EGM. The multiplier would be displayed using a conditional message feature of the display. Session points would accumulate at the “multiplied” rate and are displayed as such on the EGM display. Alternately, an assurance message is available to be displayed frequently that shows the current multiplier. When the player removes his or her card, the session is posted to the patron management system. Casino personal can then review the session detail by accession the history of the player at a workstation capable of querying the player tracking system. The session multiplier and points earned by the multiplier are listed within the record.
US08545310B2
A gaming system comprising: a display comprising a plurality of display portions associated with respective ones of a plurality of gaming devices; and a group game controller arranged to: control the display to display an object as moving between the display portions by displaying the object in individual ones of the display portions; determine display portions at which to display the object in each of a plurality of stopped display states, at least some of which correspond to respective ones a plurality of prizes; control the display to display the object in each stopped display state in the respective determined display portion; and award any prize associated with each stopped display state to a player of the respective gaming device upon at least one eligibility criteria being met in respect of the gaming device.
US08545309B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and system is provided for determining whether a player requires attention as a problem gambler. The apparatus and system are further operable to dispatch an event, the event for interacting with the problem gambler. The interaction may be targeted, for example, at curbing a player's inappropriate or potentially problematic gambling behavior.
US08545306B2
A slot machine 10 executes the processes of: (a1) executing a base game in which the symbols 501 are rearranged on the reel device M1 and a base payout is awarded in accordance with the rearrange symbols 501; (a2) when the symbols 501 are rearranged in the base game so that a predetermined condition is satisfied, displaying, on the upper image display panel 131, the roulette which selects one classification symbol 602 out of the classification symbols 602; and (a3) when one classification symbol 602 is selected out of the classification symbols 602, executing a bonus game which corresponds to the selected classification symbol 602 and is any one of first to fifth bonus games.
US08545302B2
Electronic paper (E-paper) game systems are provided. The E-paper game system at least includes a chessboard and a plurality of chessmen. The chessboard at least includes a first E-paper display unit for displaying a graphical data of a first chessboard for a first game interface. Each of the chessmen includes a second E-paper display unit for displaying a graphical data of a first chessman which corresponds to the graphical data of the first chessboard. The chessboard and the chessmen respectively update the graphical data of the first chessboard displayed by the first E-paper display unit and the graphical data of the first chessman displayed by the second E-paper display unit to a graphical data of a second chessboard corresponding to a second game interface and a graphical data of a second chessman which corresponds to the graphical data of the second chessboard.
US08545301B2
Duplicate hands are dealt in a remote game of poker or other card game of chance. Simulated cards or game pieces are dealt to players with the order of suits changed for each player. A map is maintained in a computer memory between a reference set of indices corresponding to card suits, and differently-ordered sets of playing suits for dealing in the game. A reference game is maintained at a server computer to track game status according to the reference set of indices. Game play is translated between the reference game and individual playing suits so that players are unaware of the order of suits used for other players.
US08545294B1
A field dressing apparatus and system preferably includes a plurality of ground stabilizing components, a plurality of a tethering members and a plurality of engaging components. Each ground stabilizing component includes a shaft element that extends from a handle element. A proximal end of the tethering member is secured to the ground stabilizing component and a distal end is secured to the engaging component. The engaging component preferably includes a hook section, a gripping section and a ring section. The hook section extends from one end of the gripping section and the ring section is disposed on the other end of the gripping section. The distal end of the tethering member is secured to the ring section of the engaging component. A second embodiment of the dressing apparatus and system includes the plurality of a tethering members, a plurality of engaging components and a compacting securing panel.
US08545285B2
“TOY WITH BUILT-IN SCHOOL PENCIL CASE” refers to the technical field of toys and school supplies, more specifically to a toy with built-in school pencil case (1). It is a toy with two utilities, with the characteristics and shape of a miniature vehicle (car or another), equipped with a practical case, that fits to a compartment located in its own interior. The car or another toy could be used for playing, as well as it could be brought to school, where the school pencil case (pencils, erasers, scissors, etc . . . ) will be drawn from its interior.
US08545284B2
An inductively powered toy vehicle and an associated track with inductive charging segment. The vehicle may include a secondary coil, a drive motor, an electrical power storage device connected between said secondary coil and said drive motor, and a wireless communications unit. The charging segment may include a primary coil, a sense circuit operable to detect the presence of the vehicle based on a change in the detected impedance of the primary coil, and a power control unit operable to provide a time-varying current to the primary coil when the vehicle traverses the charging segment. The primary coil is positioned within the race track adjacent the track upper surface. The vehicle drive motor may be operable at first and second speed settings, and a remote control device can provide operating instructions to the vehicle wireless communications unit.
US08545282B1
An air bubble operated underwater ornament kit including components for installing an air bubble operated underwater ornament for an aquarium. The kit provides a base, an air supply tube to form air bubbles in the water, and various ornament bodies having respective movement bodies that move upon release of the air bubbles toward each movement body, which include a skeleton riding a motorcycle having a motorcycle underside for a movement body whereby a front wheel of the motorcycle rises; a pair of opposing skeletons with one skeleton having a hand attached to a barrel disposed therebetween for a movement body whereby one skeleton rises and moves toward the other skeleton; and a motorcycle having a rear wheel with blades radially disposed on a tire thereof for a movement body whereby the tire spins.
US08545269B2
A USB wireless connection port for a keyboard, a mouse and a presenter is provided. The USB wireless connection port includes a metal frame; a circuit board disposed inside the metal frame and having an upper face and a lower face, wherein the upper face has a plurality of terminals disposed thereon and the lower face has an electronic element disposed thereon; and a wireless module electrically connected to the terminals, wherein the metal frame has a first hollow area above the upper surface of the circuit board, and the electronic element is selected from a group consisting of a microcomputer chip, a microprocessor and the wireless module.
US08545261B2
An electrical connection system to electrically connect an internal electrical device (2) positioned inside an animal's body with an external electrical device (3) positioned outside the animal's body. The system includes a cable (4) positioned at least partially inside the animal's body and enclosing at least one electrical wire. The cable (4) has at one end a first connector (5) to connect the at least one electrical wire with an external electrical device (3). The cable (4) has at its other end a second connector (1) placed inside the animal's body. The second connector (1) has connectors to allow an electrical connection between the at least one cable (4) and the internal electrical device (2). The second connector (1) includes additional connectors to allow a removable electrical connection between at least one electrical wire external to the cable (4) and the internal electrical device (2).
US08545257B2
Integrated electrical connectors (14) and electrical cable assemblies (10) constructed therewith are provided. Connectors (14) permit termination of braided electrical cables (12) without the use of backshell adapters and without requiring undue stretching of the braided sheath (84) over a relatively large cable sheath termination nipple (46) which could lead to undesirable EMI. Connectors (14) comprise a plurality of hinged petals (40) that are shiftable between an open position, which permits access to the connector insert (18) carried by the connector (14) and a closed position in which the petals (40) cooperate to define an appropriately-sized cable sheath termination nipple (46).
US08545254B2
A releasably engaging high definition multimedia plug comprises a plug body and an actuator operable with the plug body to move a locking tab of the plug and facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug into standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided.
US08545246B2
An apparatus, in accordance with particular embodiments, includes a shell comprising two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connector housings mounted between the two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus also includes a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of connector housings. Each connector is configured to move along at least one axis within its respective connector housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables. Each cable is configured to couple together at least two connectors. The plurality of cables are arranged between the two substantially parallel surfaces.
US08545244B2
A technique facilitates the reliable connection of cables in subsea environments. A cablehead system is designed to reliably connect cables to subsea components while providing long term protection of the connection in potentially harsh, subsea environments. The cablehead system comprises a cable clamp housing which may be coupled to a bulkhead assembly by a cavity housing which provides space for routing of internal communication lines. One or more additional protective components are incorporated into the cablehead system to ensure a reliable connection and to further protect the internal communication lines from exposure to the surrounding environment.
US08545241B2
A USB flash drive includes a USB connector, a latch, and a socket. The USB connector is rotatably connected to the socket and includes a first spring to drive the USB connector to rotate from a folded state in which the USB connector is received in the socket, to an unfolded state in which the USB connector is out of the socket. The latch is positioned in the socket and includes a sliding cap and a second spring. The second spring is configured for driving the sliding cap to slide towards the USB connector when in the folded state, to latch the USB connector. The latch also includes a restraining rod and a third spring. The restraining rod is configured for restraining the sliding cap in the unfolded state under the control of the third spring but when in the folded state releases the sliding cap when pressed by the USB connector.
US08545240B2
A connector assembly is provided that is suitable for controlling the resonance frequency of ground terminals used to shield high-speed differential pairs. Ground terminals may be commonized so as to provide ground terminals with a predetermined maximum electrical length. Reducing the electrical length of the ground terminal can move a resonance frequency of the ground terminals of the connector outside the range of frequencies at which signals will transmitted.
US08545238B2
An electronic device having a connector includes a case including an open end and a closed end, a circuit board housed in the case, an inner connector including a conduction terminal which is connected to the circuit board via a connecting portion, an outer connector including a contact face coming in contact with the circuit board, the outer connector being engaged with the open end, and a play preventing portion fixed in the case, and engaged with the circuit board by causing the circuit board to move from the open end to the closed end, wherein a position of the contact face is determined so that the circuit board is pressed by the contact face so as to cause the circuit board to be engaged with the play preventing portion, and the outer connector does not press the inner connector toward the closed end.
US08545233B2
A machine tool control simulator for a machine tool control having a plurality of first user-actuatable devices and a first display screen is disclosed. The machine tool control simulator may include a console and a laptop computer. The console may include a plurality of second user-actuatable devices each corresponding to a respective one of the first user-actuatable devices, and having a layout substantially similar to a layout of the first user-actuatable devices. The laptop computer includes a keyboard and an attached second display screen. The keyboard may be placed between a tabletop and the second user-actuatable devices. The computer receives user inputs from the second user actuatable devices and displays images on the second display screen to simulate images that would be displayed on the first display screen of the machine tool control in response to the user inputs.
US08545232B1
The system automatically personalizes the assignment of problems to students in learning situations to enable every student to learn as efficiently and effectively as possible. Students are continuously tracked on their individual learning curve so that both they and their teachers can immediately see their progress and growth, and assess their need for additional support or instruction. Further, the system can immediately grade each exercise and provide instant feedback to both students and teachers without burdening the teacher with the grading of homework. Still further, the system incorporates a teacher settable mastery level control and a student learning efficiency meter that returns the “locus of control” over learning back to the student to enhance their concentration and motivate effective, efficient learning by enabling them to do just the number of problems that it takes to reach mastery of the topic or lesson. The system does this with problems from any source and for any discipline at every age level. It further links student assignments to other content either provided by the system or linked to the system to support instruction in the classroom, in labs, or on-line.
US08545228B2
Objects that interact with a user at a visceral level when the object comes within the user's personal environment. The objects detect a user's visceral behavior, for example breathing pattern or perspiration. In response to the visceral behavior the object simulates a behavior of a living entity such as breathing, or produces an output to which the user responds viscerally, such as an electric field. The form of the output or simulated behavior is determined by the visceral behavior. The output or simulated behavior may be modified to guide the user's visceral behavior, for example by first synchronizing simulated breathing to the user's breathing and then slowing down while the user's breathing is entrained to the simulated breathing. One such object has a skin that is warm to the touch, and simulates breathing with a breathing sound. Another such object produces electric fields like electric fields of the heart. A further such object simulates a purring sound in response to the user's breathing: the form of the purring also depends on sounds in the environment.
US08545218B2
A label manufacturing apparatus includes a thermal head and a device for transporting a heat sensitive adhesive sheet. The control device operates the head in synchronization with timing of transporting of the sheet to activate the adhesive, determines if heating based on a last row of a heating pattern is completed before a trailing end of the sheet reaches a set position contacting the head, controls driving of the transporting device so that when it is determined that the heating based on the heating pattern last row is completed, the sheet is transported until the trailing end passes through the set position, and controls driving of the head so that when it is determined that the heating based on the last row of the heating pattern is completed, the heating based on the last row of the heating pattern is repeated until the trailing end passes through the set position.
US08545215B2
A fuel injector is provided and includes an outer body, a converging tubular body including a converging section, defining a converging annular passage therein and being disposed within the outer body to define an outer annular passage between an interior surface of the outer body and an exterior surface of the converging tubular body, the annular passages each being receptive of a fluid at respective inlets thereof such that the fluid is directed to flow toward respective outlets thereof and a fuel line to deliver fuel through at least the converging tubular body at the converging section to the converging annular passage in a substantially tangential direction relative to a circumferential curvature of the converging tubular body.
US08545214B2
A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
US08545210B2
The invention relates to a method and device with which it is possible to arrange complicated shapes with considerable differences in height in wood fiber board, and in particular but not exclusively so called MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). The deformation of the wood fiber board which can be achieved is known in the art as extrusion, wherein a considerable plastic deformation takes place accompanied by flow and stretch of the material.
US08545196B2
A hose pump for delivering fluids includes a housing having a base body and a cover. A pump body for delivering a fluid is rotatably disposed in the interior of the base body about an axis. A locking device is disposed on the housing in order to release and lock the cover. The pump body comprises a plurality of rollers disposed at the circumference of the pump body and delivering a fluid present in a hose by rotating the pump body. The rollers clamp the hose against an inner surface of the cover, and the locking device is attached captively to the base body and displaceably relative to the base body, and can be actuated single-handedly. The cover is attached captively to the base body and displaceably relative to the base body of the housing, and can be actuated single-handedly.
US08545193B2
Fan apparatus for an air conditioner including a fan (50), a shaft (68) coupled to the fan (50), a rotor (60) for transmission of driving force to the shaft (68) for rotating the fan (50), a stator (65) on an inside of the rotor (60) to form a BLDC motor together with the rotor (60), and a fan housing (40) for enclosing the fan (50), thereby reducing noise and enhancing fan (50) efficiency.
US08545187B2
Systems for protecting a wind turbine in high wind conditions are disclosed. A shrouded turbine may have an ejector shroud disposed adjacent and downstream of a turbine shroud. In one version, the ejector shroud can move to surround the turbine shroud. In another version, the turbine can be pivoted on a support tower to cover the intake end of the turbine and rotate the turbine about an axis at a right angle to the tower axis. In another version, the turbine is supported by a telescoping tower which may be retracted to lower the turbine in high winds. In another version, the tower sections may be connected by a pivotable connection and supported by guy wire(s) which may be lengthened to lower the upper tower section pivotally.
US08545182B2
This invention relates to a wind turbine blade with at least two connection members such as bushings and/or threaded bars in the root of the blade for attaching the blade to a hub. The connection members are placed along the blade surface and at least some of the connection members are non-parallel and hence oriented in different directions. Hereby is obtained that the root section of the blade can be shortened and the maximum chord of the wind turbine blade can be moved closer to the hub, whereby the part of the blade exploiting the wind is increased and the power output similarly increased.The present invention further relates to a pitch bearing and a hub comprising a bearing ring with two or more holes for positioning fastening members for attaching a wind turbine blade to the bearing. Here, correspondingly, at least two of the holes are oriented in different angles so that the fastening members positioned in the holes are non-parallel and extend in different directions.
US08545181B2
A turbine blade assembly, which can be used for a gas turbine is provided. The turbine blade assembly includes turbine blades with platforms, gaps between the platforms of adjacent turbine blades and seals. Each seal covers the gap between the platforms of two adjacent turbine blades wherein the platforms are provided with slots extending in the downstream flow direction. The turbine blades have root cavities, wherein the seal covers at least the whole length of the root cavities of two adjacent turbine blades. The seal is formed from a strip and the seal is placed in two opposed slots formed in each of the platforms of two adjacent turbine blades and open towards the respective downstream ends.
US08545180B1
A turbine rotor blade with a showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes arranged in three zones with a lower span zone and a middle spa zone and an upper span zone. The film cooling holes in the lower zone have a greater ejection angle than the film holes in the middle span zone, and the middle span zone film holes have a greater ejection angle than the film holes in the upper span zone.
US08545170B2
A system for a turbo machine is provided, including one or more channels that redirect steam that leaks through the root and/or the tip regions of a stage of the turbine to mix with the high efficiency main steam flow at the pitch region of the turbine where efficiency is the highest. This redirection of the steam results in a significant performance improvement that evens out the efficiency profile resulting in higher average efficiencies.
US08545168B2
Arrangements of turbines are described. The turbines are staggered or aligned in the downwind direction.
US08545163B2
Positional relationship among the first link support shaft (85), the second link support shaft (86), the first arm support shaft (88) and the second arm support shaft (89) is set such that an upper portion of the first lift link (81) comes into substantial agreement with a rear end of the machine body (1), when the upper free end of the first lift link (81) is pivoted maximally rearward in the course of transition of the arm (77) from a lowermost state realized lifting down the arm (77) to an uppermost state realized by lifting up the arm (77).
US08545162B2
A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.
US08545160B2
A substrate transfer apparatus that transfers a substrate with respect to a processing apparatus includes a substrate accommodation unit for accommodating a plurality of substrates to be loaded into the processing apparatus in a vertical direction in a multi-stage; a substrate accommodation unit for accommodating a plurality of substrates unloaded from the processing apparatus in a vertical direction in a multi-stage; a substrate holder for transferring the substrates from the substrate accommodation unit to the processing apparatus; a substrate holder for transferring the substrates from the processing apparatus to the substrate accommodation unit. The substrate accommodation unit has an elevating mechanism for moving at least one of the substrate and the substrate holder in a vertical direction relative to each other and the substrate accommodation unit has an elevating mechanism for moving at least one of the substrate and the substrate holder in a vertical direction relative to each other.
US08545153B2
A fastener and a fastener system using the fastener are disclosed. The fastener has an elongated shank having a thread formed at one end and a annular recess formed adjacent the threaded portion to define a leading and trailing abutment surface. The thread guides the fastener into engagement with one or more components having thread engagement features and the annular recess permits the free spinning of the fastener without further tightening after the thread engagement features have advanced past the thread. The fastening system includes the fastener and a component to be fastened having a passageway for accepting the fastener formed by at least two flanges engageable in the thread and engageable in the annular recess of the fastener.
US08545150B2
A device for engaging an elongated support for restraining cargo in a container having a pair of opposed walls and configured to transfer to shear stress at least some of the tensile force applied by the elongated support. The device comprises a strip having a bottom strip surface with an adhesive for securing the device to one of the walls, and a top strip surface. The sleeve includes four walls extending from the top strip surface defining a cavity. The sleeve having a platform within the cavity surrounded by the four walls. The platform defines within the cavity another cavity for receiving the elongated support. The platform spaces an end of the elongated support from said one of the walls of the container. An insert may be inserted into the cavity. A method of restraining cargo with the cargo restraint device.
US08545144B2
An apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens which is capable of forming a hole or various shapes on an eyeglass lens is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of lens fixing shafts for clamping a lens; a carriage which supports and moves the lens fixing shafts; a lens rotation motor for rotating the lens fixing shafts; and a drilling part for forming a hole on the lens, wherein the drilling part includes: a drill head having a drill to which a drill bit is fixed; a drill head mover which is connected with the drill head and moves the drill head straightly; and a fixing block which supports and fixes the drill head mover on the apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens.
US08545136B2
A cutting insert enables a reduction in cutting resistance and stable cutting process. The insert includes a chip breaker groove formed inside corner cutting edges and a raised portion. The raised portion includes a top surface, a front raised surface, and side raised surfaces. The top surface intersects the front raised surface and each of the side raised surfaces. A first intersecting portion at which the front raised surface and the top surface intersect with each other extends linearly. A second intersecting portion at which each of the side raised surfaces and the top surface intersect with each other extends from a corresponding one of opposite sides of the first intersecting portion so that a distance from the corresponding side cutting edge increases gradually with a distance from the corner cutting edge. The front raised surface and the side raised surfaces are curved convexly outward.
US08545133B2
A production apparatus and a production method of toner particles are provided which efficiently and stably reduce the water content of the wet toner particle cake obtained by separating and washing toner particles from toner particle dispersion in a production apparatus of toner particles granulated in a wet process. A wet toner particle cake 1 formed on a belt filter is aerated and dehydrated with air, and at the same time, sealing units 6 provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the aeration unit 3 can be operated to efficiently seal aeration air.
US08545130B2
A wick assembly for installation under a roadway according to the invention includes a perforated drain pipe, an inner sheet of a wicking fabric disposed on the perforated drain pipe in a manner effective to cover the perforations therein, an outer sheet of a wicking fabric, and a layer of filter aggregates confined between the inner and outer wicking fabric sheets to form a wick drain in combination with the perforated drain pipe. Water passes through the sheets and filter aggregates in order to enter the perforated drain pipe through the perforations therein. The wick drain may be disposed inside an outer pipe with the outer fabric sheet in slidable contact with the inner periphery of the pipe casing. The outer pipe casing serves to protect the wick drain during installation and is later removed once the wick drain is in position.
US08545124B2
A coupling apparatus (10) includes a first coupling element (12) and a second coupling element (14). The first coupling element (12) has a mating surface (16) and a wedging surface (22) at the first end (18) of the first coupling element (12). An engagement surface (30) is located at the second end (20) of the first coupling element (12) and an alignment orifice (32) extends through the first coupling element (12). A second coupling element (14) also includes a mating surface (46) and a wedge member (48) at the first end (42) of the second coupling element (14). This wedge member (48) engages the wedging surface (22). An alignment member (60) at least partially extends through the alignment orifice (32), and a locking tab (62) extends from the second coupling element mating surface (46) and engages the engagement surface (30).
US08545121B2
A dispensing apparatus is provided, which, when filled with product and assembled, substantially reduces product leakage from an orifice of an applicator thereof during extended periods of non-use. The dispensing apparatus includes a barrel defining an interior chamber for holding a product, the barrel having an open bottom at one end thereof and an applicator tip having one or more orifices therethrough at the other end. The barrel also includes two or more passages located along the length of the barrel between the bottom of the barrel and a predetermined fill-level.
US08545098B2
An X-ray cover for enveloping an X-ray cassette. The cover comprises a first sheet, a second sheet and band. The first sheet and second sheet are sized and shaped to accept the X-ray cassette and the band is sized and shaped to isolate the X-ray cassette during a radiographic procedure.
US08545097B2
A housing between mineral-insulated cable and connecting wire in a turbocharger overheating protection device may include the following characteristics: coiled regions of springs (10) arranged point-symmetrically to each other; or the springs (10) are not placed on axes; or the coil regions of the coil springs (10) for cushioning the film resistor are shorter than its substrate length and longer than its substrate width; or the connecting wires of the film resistor are shorter than its substrate length and longer than its substrate width; or the springs are arranged staggered in their longitudinal direction adjacent to each other; or coil springs (10) are used, in which the coils are located only in one half of the spring (10) and the coils of one spring are arranged staggered in the longitudinal direction to the coils of the other spring (10).
US08545093B2
A switch structure has an elastic switch lever portion and a rigid support lever. The elastic switch lever portion has an elastic contact portion and an arm portion provided with a pressing force receiving portion from which the elastic contact portion extends. The rigid support lever is mounted for undergoing movement relative to the pressing force receiving portion. The rigid support lever has a rigid substrate portion and a rigid support wall portion that is connected to the rigid substrate portion and that supports the pressing force receiving portion so as to receive a pressing force from the pressing force receiving portion and to guide displacement of the pressing force receiving portion when a pressing force is applied to the pressing force receiving portion.
US08545083B2
A light-emitting device includes a light source including an element mounting substrate, an LED element mounted thereon by flip-chip connection and a sealing portion for sealing the LED element on the element mounting substrate, and a light guide plate including a housing hole for housing the light source. The housing hole extends from one surface side to another surface side of the light guide plate and an area of an inner surface thereof on which light is incident from the light source is parallel to a thickness direction of the light guide plate. The light source is housed in the housing hole so that the element mounting substrate is located on the other surface side of the light guide plate, emits light toward the one surface side of the light guide plate in the housing hole and the inner surface side of the housing hole, and has an optical axis parallel to the thickness direction of the light guide plate. A solid angle of the inner surface of the housing hole with respect to the center of an upper surface of the light source is not less than 4.44 steradians.
US08545076B2
An illumination system generating light having at least one wavelength within 200 nm a plurality of nano-sized structures (e.g., voids). The optical fiber coupled to the light source. The light diffusing optical fiber has a core and a cladding. The plurality of nano-sized structures is situated either within said core or at a core-cladding boundary. The optical fiber also includes an outer surface. The optical fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km for the wavelength(s) within 200 nm to 2000 nm range.
US08545065B2
A lighting apparatus may include a body having a light emitting module with a light emitting diode (LED), a support member to support the body at a plurality of different tilt positions relative to the support member, and a connection member provided to the body to connect the body to the support member. The connection member may include a first projection that extends to a first height and a second projection that extends to a second height. The body may be provided in a first tilt position relative to the support member when the first projection contacts the end portion of the support member without the second projection contacting the support member, and the body is provided in a second tilt position relative to the support member when the second projection contacts the end portion of the support member.
US08545057B2
An LED lighting device includes a plurality of LED chips and a pair of side mounting faces. The distance between the side mounting faces becomes smaller from the base side toward the extremity side in the x direction. The side mounting faces face mutually opposite sides in the y direction. Also, the distance between the side mounting faces becomes shorter from the back side toward the front side in the z direction that is perpendicular to both the x direction and the y direction. The plurality of LED chips include LED chips mounted on the pair of side mounting faces. The LED lighting device illuminates an illumination target with a uniform illuminance distribution.
US08545044B2
The present invention relates to a flashlight with a flashlight casing and a push switch, latching switch or rotary switch contained in an end cap having a switch housing in which a first and a second contact engage. According to the invention, the first contact is a leaf spring engaging in direct electrical connection directly against the electrically conductive flashlight casing or directly against the electrically conductive end cap that is also detachably connected to the flashlight casing, the second contact being a bent leaf spring outside the switch housing directly connected to a power supply.
US08545035B1
The color patterned front light (CPFL) may be implemented by shining light through a side of a CPFL panel that is situated adjacent to and in front of a monochromic reflective display (MRD). The CPFL may direct one of red, green, blue, or white light through a rear surface of the panel and onto each of the pixels in the MRD. The pixels may be grouped in blocks, such as n-by-m or n-by-n blocks of pixels. The pixels in the block may be selectively activated by the MRD to either absorb the light or reflect the light shone on the respective pixel. By adjusting the representation of the pixels in the MRD, the block may appear to change color based on the colored light from the CPFL that is reflected outward from the display.
US08545031B2
Mirror consisting of a glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface carrying, in order, a silver coating layer and at least one base paint layer. The glass substrate, the silver coating layer, and the at least one base paint layer each have an edge portion having a rear facing surface arranged at an acute angle to the front surface of the mirror. An additional paint layer covers the entire surface of the base paint layer and the rear facing surfaces of the glass substrate and the silver coating layer.
US08545030B2
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
US08545015B2
Provided are photochromic articles including a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than or equal to the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer, the topcoat layer including a second photochromic compound that has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound.
US08545011B2
An eyeglass component mounting system is provided that comprises an eyeglass and a decorative component that can be removably attached to the eyeglass, such as onto an earstem of the eyeglass. For example, the earstem can comprise a retention zone whereat the decorative component can be secured. In some embodiments, the retention zone comprises a recess and a magnetic retention element that can magnetically attract and secure the decorative component in an engaged position after being fitted into the recess. The engagement or attraction between the retention zone of the earstem and the decorative component can be maximized when the decorative component is in the engaged position in order to prevent accident or unintentional dislodgement of the decorative component.
US08545005B2
A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.
US08544997B2
Provided is a liquid ejection head, including: an ejection orifice forming member having an ejection orifice for ejecting liquid; a substrate having a supply port for supplying the liquid to the ejection orifice; and a filter disposed at a position upstream of the ejection orifice when the liquid is supplied to the ejection orifice, in which the filter includes an opening having a diameter smaller than or equal to a diameter of the ejection orifice, and a tapered shape structure disposed at a position upstream of the opening when the liquid is supplied to the ejection orifice, the tapered shape structure having a distal end directed toward an upstream side.
US08544995B2
An ink cartridge includes an ink bag that is configured to store ink inside, a spout that is provided on the ink bag and that includes a hollow portion that leads from a first opening to a second opening, and a case that houses the ink bag, an end portion of the case on a side of the second opening including at least a first corner portion and a second corner portion, a width in a first direction being smaller than a width in a second direction in the case, an axial line of the spout being, in the second direction, located closer to one end portion of the case on a side having the first corner portion, and the leading end portion of the spout being located inside of the case with respect to the line connecting the first corner portion and the second corner portion.
US08544983B2
An image forming apparatus including: a recording head having a nozzle surface in which nozzles to eject liquid droplets in a horizontal direction or a direction slanted from the horizontal direction are formed, the nozzle surface being disposed in a vertical direction or a direction slanted from the vertical direction; a head tank to supply liquid to the recording head; a suction cap to cap the nozzle surface of the recording head; a suction member connected to the suction cap to suck out liquid from the nozzles by the suction cap; a valve member to open or close a sealed space formed by capping the nozzle surface with the suction cap to atmosphere; a liquid supplier to supply the liquid to the head tank and return the liquid from the head tank; and a control unit to control servicing of the recording head.
US08544978B2
A print control device includes: a drawing control unit that allows a plurality of print elements arrayed in a print head to draw a test image used for checking operation statuses of the print elements on a recording medium, classifies at least a part of the plurality of print elements into a plurality of partial arrays in each of which a constant number of print elements are successively arrayed, classifies the plurality of partial arrays into a plurality of patterns so that the numbers of print elements belonging to the partial arrays are combinations of numbers not having a common divisor other than 1, and allows the print elements disposed at corresponding positions in each of the plurality of patterns of partial arrays to sequentially draw lines on the recording medium in a predetermined direction of the recording medium so as to draw the test image.
US08544972B2
A door handle for a refrigerator is provided. The door handle includes a graspable handle main body, a receiving member coupled to the handle main body and provided with a receiving portion, one or more decorations received in the receiving portion, and a handle cover coupled to the handle main body and supporting at least a portion of the decoration. As the decorations are stably installed on the door handle, the exterior beauty of the refrigerator can be improved. This satisfies the user.
US08544971B2
A refrigerating and/or freezing device, with at least one door, through which the interior of the device can be closed, and with a door closure system that comprises includes at least one closure that moves the door into its closed position, a damping device that opposes a counterforce to the door movement, a movable carriage connected with the closure system to move the closure into a pre-tensioned state when the door is opened, as well as an interlocking component connected with the damping device and with the closure such that the closure can be fixed by the interlocking component in its pre-tensioned state, whereby the carriage and the interlocking component are coupled together by a first movement section of the door and are decoupled from each other by a second movement section of the door.
US08544962B2
An electronically controlled boosted brake system including an isolation valve between a source of pressurized fluid and a boost valve for selectively restricting the flow of fluid from the source to the boost valve. Another feature of the brake system relates to an accumulator valve connected between the boost valve and the accumulator for controlling when the operating pressure of the accumulator is supplied to the boost valve. Yet another feature is a unique master cylinder design including at least one primary piston positioned within a housing in an overlapping relationship with portions of a pair of secondary pistons.
US08544957B2
A chair includes a supporting structure, a seat moveably mounted on the supporting structure and moveable with respect to the supporting structure in a vertical direction, and a backrest including a first frame pivotally connected to the seat and a second frame separate from and pivotally mounted on the first frame to connect to the seat. Further, a first control device is mounted and concealed between the first and second frames in order to prevent the user from inadvertently colliding with it. The first control device is adjusted for various relative pivotal positions of the first and second frames.
US08544942B2
A heated seat (302) comprising: a cushion with one or more trench (30) areas; a heater (300) comprising: a carrier (2) with a periphery, the carrier (2) further including: a first electrically functional layer (4) that is made of a conductive material that substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the carrier (2); and a second electrically functional layer (8) that is made of a resistive material; one or more electrical conductors {12} attached to the first electrically functional layer; a trim layer (40) that covers the cushion when the heater is placed over the cushion, and wherein the periphery includes a first side edge (18) and a second side edge (20), and each side edge includes a cutout (26), and the cutouts are located adjacent to each other—forming a neck portion (28); wherein the heater is attached to the cushion by placing an attachment device (32) over the neck portion (28) of the heater and securing one or both ends of the attachment, device (32) to the cushion so that the neck portion (28) is pulled Into the trench (30); wherein the neck portion (28) is free of the second electrically functional layer (6); and wherein the first electrically functional layer (4) and the second electrically functional layer (8} form a checkered pattern.
US08544938B2
A vehicle door safety device for a vehicle, especially for an armored vehicle, includes at least one door casing which runs peripherally essentially in the side edges of the vehicle door and which is located on the inside of a vehicle door leaf, and of at least one body casing which is arranged running peripherally on the door frame of the vehicle body. The casings of the inside of the door leaf and of the door frame mutually supplement one another in a complementary manner, each being made with at least one component such that they overlap one another in the closed position of the vehicle door, as a result of which a gap between the casings is covered.
US08544935B2
A door impact beam for a motor vehicle includes a pot-shaped member made from a metal sheet and extending over a major part of a length of the beam to define two legs and a bridge interconnecting the legs. The bridge has a central length portion which is formed with an embossment defined by a depth, with a ratio of the depth of the embossment to a height of the pot-shaped member in midsection ranging between 1:3 and 1:6. The pot-shaped member has side flanges extending transversely from lower longitudinal edges of the legs in the central length portion.
US08544932B2
An automobile fuel-tank tube comprising a tube body made of a first plastic and fitted at one end with means for its affixation to an automobile body opening, further comprising a base integrally shaped with said tube body and made of a second plastic softer than the first and including an aperture to receive in sealing manner a comparatively hard filling pipe, a reinforcing section being integrated into the base and also consists of the first plastic and counteracts radial and/or circumferential deformation of said base.
US08544927B2
Assembly including a vehicle equipment designed to detachably hold an electrically powered electronic appliance (3) provided with a display screen (5) and manually activatable function keys (7), is characterized in that the equipment has a cavity (11) in which the appliance (3) is held and which for that purpose is open at the front where the cavity (11) is bordered by a part (13a) made of soft material connected to a plate (15) mounted so that it can rotate about an axis (15a) that is transverse to the back of the cavity (11), the appliance (3) being pressed up behind and/or against this part made of soft material (13a) under the effect of first and second thrusting elements.
US08544926B2
The shaft removal devices described herein include an elongated gripping portion that allows a shaft, e.g., the shaft of an arrow, to be securely gripped and a force applied in a direction parallel to the long axis of the shaft to be distributed over at least part of the length of the shaft.
US08544924B2
A lifting bracket for a lifting assembly to lift a cylindrical object having an annular flange with a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therein using a lifting device is provided. The bracket includes a flange attachment piece having at least one adjustable hole assembly for aligning with at least one hole of said plurality of spaced-apart holes on the flange such that the bracket may be used to lift objects having spaced-apart holes of varying distances. The bracket also includes a hoist ring for receiving a wire rope and a swivel device having a hoist ring connection loop. The swivel device freely rotates about a pin and the hoist ring freely pivots when the object is being lifted from a horizontal position to a vertical position.
US08544922B1
A tarpaulin is configured to include handles, cinch ropes and fasteners to facilitate its use in hauling landscaping plants and materials. The tarp itself is formed of any suitable material as in conventional use today, with the sheet further configured to include a pair of cinch ropes included along a first pair of opposing edges, and a plurality of fasteners disposed along the remaining, opposing pair of edges. A set of four handles are formed at the four corners. The cinch ropes allow for the first pair of edges to be gathered, while the fasteners mate the remaining pair of edges to form an enclosure.
US08544918B1
A magnetic retrieval assembly includes a handle. A tube has a first end and a second end and the first end of the tube is attached to the handle. A retrieving member has a retrieving end and a receiving end. The retrieving member has a cylindrical shape. The retrieving member is magnetized when subjected to an electric current. The receiving end is attached to the second end. An electro-magnetic field inducing circuit is mounted on the retrieving member and extends to the handle. The electro-magnetic field inducing circuit is actuated to magnetize the retrieving member. The retrieving member may be positioned near a metallic object and actuated to magnetically retrieve the metallic object and de-actuated to release the metallic object.
US08544908B1
An electromagnetic pick-and-place device for use with a processing apparatus is provided. The electromagnetic pick-and-place device essentially includes a fixing base, a fixing axle penetratingly disposed at the fixing base, and an electric magnet disposed at the fixing axle, which move together in operation so as to be positioned right above a workpiece. Then, the workpiece is gripped by suction with electromagnetic pick-and-place device under a magnetic force generated from the electric magnet. Afterward, the electromagnetic pick-and-place device and the workpiece move together to a processing position. Eventually, the magnetic force of the electric magnet is disabled in order to free the workpiece; at this point in time, the processing apparatus can start processing the workpiece.
US08544900B2
A latch mechanism for releasably latching or holding a first member with respect to a second member in a structure. The latch mechanism includes a bolt assembly, mounting brackets, and a locking trigger. The latch mechanism also includes a rotatable locking cam for providing retention of the bolt assembly in a latched or locked condition.
US08544899B2
A latch assembly (12) for use with a cabinet (10) that includes a cabinet body (14) and a moving component (16, 30C), comprises a transverse member (346) and a pivoting member (348). The transverse member (346) is selectively coupled to the cabinet body (14). The pivoting member (348) is pivotally secured to the transverse member (346). The pivoting member (348) pivots relative to the transverse member (346) between a first position in which the pivoting member (348) inhibits large scale movement of the moving component (16, 30C) relative to the cabinet body (14), and a second position in which the pivoting member (348) allows for large scale movement of the moving component (16, 30C) relative to the cabinet body (14). Additionally, a portion of the pivoting member (348) can selectively engage a portion of the transverse member (346) to selectively inhibit the pivoting member (348) from pivoting relative to the transverse member (346) and to selectively inhibit large scale movement of the moving component (16, 30C) relative to the cabinet body (14).
US08544897B2
A stop device (400) for a door lock includes an anchor (430) pivotable relative to a connecting seat (402). When the anchor (430) is in an alignment position, a through-hole (446) of the anchor (430) is aligned with a positioning groove (420) of the connecting seat (402), and a notch (441) of the anchor (430) is aligned with a slot (414) in the connecting seat (402). When the anchor (430) is in an anchoring position, the through-hole (446) is misaligned from the positioning groove (420), the notch (441) is misaligned from the slot (414), and a stop portion (440) of the anchor (430) is received in and blocks the slot (414). A positioning member (452) is received in the through-hole (446) and the positioning groove (420) to retain the anchor (430) in the alignment position. When the positioning member (452) melts due to heat of a fire, the anchor (430) pivots to the anchoring position under action of gravity, preventing movement of a latch (38) from moving to an unlatching position.
US08544896B2
A stop device (60) includes a stop (61) mounted to an inner face (11A) of a door frame (11). The stop (61) includes a wing (78) having a catch (86) with a stop face (88). A limiting member (92) is mounted to the wing (78) and releasably engaged with a latch (38) of a panic exit door lock (2) mounted to a door (1) that is pivotably mounted to the door frame (11). An engaging member (108) is fixed to the door (1) and includes a tongue (116). The tongue (116) is located between the inner face (11A) of the door frame (11) and the catch (86) when the door (1) is in a closed position. When the door (1) deforms and moves away from the inner face (11A) of the door frame (11), the tongue (116) abuts the stop face (88) of the catch (86), preventing the latch (38) from disengaging from the limiting member (92) to prevent opening of the deformed door (1).
US08544888B2
A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.
US08544886B2
The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle with electrical power assistance comprising: a steering-spindle bearing unit, in which the steering shaft is mounted rotatably and is guided in a slide, which can be connected to the vehicle body, wherein the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable at least in its inclination, an electric motor, which is coupled rotatably via reduction gearing to a steering spindle, wherein the reduction gearing is enclosed and mounted in a housing, wherein the housing has means for forming a swivelling axis, about which the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable in its inclination, wherein the steering system further comprises a retaining clamp for fastening the steering system to the motor vehicle, wherein the retaining clamp has a guideway that interacts with a counterstay arranged on the slide, wherein the slide is movable along the guideway after it overcomes a presettable releasing force, and in the case of displacement of the slide along the guideway, the swivelling axis is moved upwards relative to the retaining clamp.
US08544885B2
A parking stand arrangement for a tractor-mounted front loader includes a parking stand mounted to each of a pair of arm sections which are inclined downwardly and forwardly to a carried implement resting on the ground. Each parking stand includes a support leg and a brace, the latter being about half the length of the former and having a rear end pivotally mounted to a location approximately halfway between opposite ends of the support leg and an forward end pivotally mounted to a lower region of an associated loader arm section. The support leg and brace may be stored on the loader arm section by folding them together with a catch carried by the brace becoming releasably engaged with the support leg. The folded support leg and brace are then pivoted against the loader arm section and secured to it by a releasable latch which secures the top of the support leg to the arm section to establish a stored position. Movement of the parking stand from the stored position to a parked position includes the steps of releasing the latch and then the catch from the support leg and then unfolding the support leg and brace so that a hook at the top of the support leg is engaged with a mounting pin fixed to the loader arm section and a foot carried by the leg is engaged with the ground at a location rearward of the loader center of gravity.
US08544881B2
A vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an airbag module (16) disposed in an instrument panel (14) the airbag (18) of which extends when inflated from a receipt in the instrument panel (14) into the interior of the vehicle (10). A supporting structure (20) for the airbag (18) on a side of the airbag (18) facing a windscreen (12) is configured so that it supports the airbag (18) against the forces occurring when a vehicle occupant immerses in the airbag (18).
US08544865B1
A wheelchair propulsion and contamination reduction arrangement permits the user to drive the chair on the main ground-engaging rear wheels with a compressible wheel cover that is grasped and squeezed against the wheel to provide propulsion and mounted with elastic tension devices on opposite ends that return the drive grip to a neutral position when the user relaxes the compression. The compressible device is a polymeric foam which can also be adapted to carry one or more of a lubricant, cleaner and biostatic treatment.
US08544860B2
A rack includes a lower frame and a stand member. A wheel is mounted on the lower frame. The stand member includes a base and a connecting plate. The connecting plate is secured to the lower frame. The base is higher than a bottom of the wheel to stabilize the rack during transport.
US08544857B2
A foldable wheeled container having a frame; at least two wheels connected to the frame; a tensioning cable housed within the frame; a plurality of hinge points, wherein when the frame rotates around the hinge point the tensioning cable is aligned; and a locking mechanism which tighten and locks the tensioning cable in its tightened position to form a rigid structure. A stroller having a similar structure including a frame; at least four wheels connected to the frame; a tensioning cable integrally connected to the frame; a plurality of hinge points, wherein when the frame rotates around the hinge point the tensioning cable is aligned; and a locking mechanism which tightens and locks the tensioning cable in its tightened position.
US08544852B2
A torsion seal is provided and includes a first section, a second section and a torsion section connected at opposite end portions thereof to the first and second sections and having a central portion extending between the opposite end portions to absorb differential thermal growth of vessels to which the first and second sections are coupled.
US08544842B2
The invention relates to a sheet transport device (1) comprising a first and a second opposing transport units (3, 5), each comprising at least one circulating conveyor belt (15) and one vacuum suction device (9, 11) that is in relation with the conveyor belt, said vacuum suction devices being individually actuatable so as to attract a sheet (19), located between the transport units, to the one or the other conveyor belt. Such a sheet transport device is used, for example, in a printing machine. The invention also relates to a method for transporting a sheet to this sheet transport device.
US08544841B2
Sheet discharge roller with axially spaced plate members and image forming apparatus having the same
In a sheet discharge roller, a transportation roller includes a roller portion formed integrally on a rotation shaft, and an annular elastic member attached to a surface of the roller portion, each of rigidity increasing portions includes a plurality of plate members axially spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and the plurality of plate members have forms each obtained by circumferentially dividing a circular plate, respectively, are arranged in positions circumferentially shifted from each other, respectively, and thereby exhibit an outer periphery of a substantially circular form when viewed in the axial direction.
US08544837B2
A vacuum roller assembly adapted to singulate a sheet from a stack of sheets. The vacuum roller assembly comprising a stationary inner plenum having a substantially linear plenum slot disposed in fluid communication with the vacuum source and a rotating vacuum roller disposed over the stationary inner plenum and rotating about a rotational axis. The vacuum roller includes a plurality of apertures disposed in fluid communication with the substantially linear plenum slot and about the periphery in at least one region of the roller. Furthermore, each of the apertures is substantially slot-shaped and defines a major axis. The major axis is off-axis with respect to the substantially liner plenum slot of the inner plenum to reduce audible noise levels produced by the rotating vacuum roller as air flows through each rotating aperture into the stationary linear plenum slot.
US08544836B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch motor, an actuator which rotates by driving of the punch motor, a punching blade which punches a sheet by driving of the actuator, and a controller which controls the driving of the punch motor so that approach run is gained, if a thickness of the sheet exceeds a threshold, in a rotating direction of the actuator in which the punching blade does not move at the beginning of the driving of the punch motor.
US08544832B2
A newspaper is provided. The newspaper includes printed materials. The printed materials have an off-center cross-fold which defines a longer part and a shorter part and an outermost page and an innermost page of the newspaper. The newspaper also includes an adhesive closure for securing the off-center cross-fold. The adhesive closure contacts a short part of the outermost page of the newspaper and a long part of the innermost page of the newspaper. A method for producing a newspaper is also provided.
US08544824B2
A lift-assist apparatus, including an arm having a medial portion, a distal end, and a proximal end. One or more pulleys are attached to a surface of the medial portion. An upright support includes an upper horizontal bar and a lower horizontal bar, and a hinge point is formed medially on the upper horizontal bar. A turnbuckle has a fixed end and a connecting end, the fixed end attached to the lower horizontal bar, the connecting end adapted to attach to the medial portion. The hinge point is configured as a pair of opposing tabs defining a space in which the medial portion resides, wherein a pin can be inserted through each tab and through the medial portion to pivotally fix the arm on the upright support such that the arm can pivot in an upward and downward direction and be locked into a fixed position using the turnbuckle.
US08544817B2
A manual valve operator with override clutch apparatus for selectively actuating a valve. The manual valve operator includes an operator housing defining an enclosure. An input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and a worm wheel has a first and a second side, the second side of the worm wheel defining a clutch drive. The worm wheel intermeshes with the input shaft such that when the input shaft is driven, the input shaft drives the worm wheel and the clutch drive about a rotational axis. A sleeve has an outer surface which defines an annular groove. The sleeve has a driven end and an output end. The driven end of the sleeve cooperates with the clutch drive of the worm wheel for selective engagement of the clutch drive and the driven end of the sleeve.
US08544813B2
A vehicle seat, particularly a commercial-vehicle seat is provided with a scissor-type stand (3) which is able to vibrate and which is provided with a top frame (7), two first rocker arms (8a) and two second rocker arms (8b), which intersect in pairs at a scissor axis (10) extending in a transverse seat direction (y). The first two rocker arms (8a) are connected with one another at one end via a transverse tube (18) which extends in the transverse seat direction (y) and are pivotably mounted on the top frame (7) and able to vibrate in the longitudinal seat direction (x) via a bearing mechanism (20). The transverse tube (18) can be locked with the top frame (7) via at least one locking device (31).
US08544807B2
An apparatus for mounting a recessed electric fixture in a hole in a support surface having a housing and flexible member with attached spring clips to secure the housing against the support surface is disclosed. The flexible member and spring clips are attached to the recessed electric fixture by tightening members, and inward pressure applied to the tightening members causes the flexible member to bend so that the spring clips are moved inwardly towards the housing, allowing the spring clips and the flexible member to pass through the hole in the support surface. The flexible member unbends when the pressure on the tightening members is removed, allowing the spring cops to move outwardly from the housing so that a surface-bearing section of the spring clips bears against the back side of the support surface and retains the electric fixture in the support surface hole.
US08544805B2
A mounting system is disclosed for removably securing an object to a support surface. The mounting system includes a retaining clip having a rear wall to be secured to the support surface, and a front wall spaced from the rear wall to form a pocket therebetween with an open upper side, an aperture in the front wall opening into the pocket and extending to an upper side of the front wall, and a sliding clip having a sliding portion sized to be vertically slid into and out of the pocket, and an attachment portion forwardly extending form the sliding portion to be secured to the tablet computer. The attachment portion is closely received in the aperture when the sliding portion is in the pocket and has a thickness substantially equal to or less than a thickness of the front wall.
US08544803B2
A method and system to stabilize an appliance against sudden or continuous movement embodiments including one or more straps coupled to an appliance of interest and a target mounting surface. At least one spacer is located between the appliance and mounting surface. In one embodiment a plurality of straps with grommets located at the relative terminus of one end is affixed by a fastener passing through the grommet to a target mounting surface, and at least one spacer is affixed preferably to a wall stud within the target wall. A second strap end is affixed to a target appliance and tightened to provide snug contact between the appliance and wall.
US08544798B2
A window replacement for filling a window frame in an aircraft is provided, in particular a passenger aircraft, the window replacement being fixable by a retainer in the window frame in place of the window assembly when the window assembly is removed. The window replacement comprises a panel-shaped element with at least a single curvature, the panel-shaped element being made of a synthetic material. The window replacement is formed by a monolithic panel-shaped element. The panel-shaped element of the window replacement may also be formed by a sandwich panel. This allows a weight reduction in comparison with a window replacement of a metallic material.
US08544797B2
A system for controlling the lift of an airship for carrying a cargo and a supply of fuel has a self supporting hull made of a flexible gas impermeable material. Air which is located in the hull is at an internal pressure which is greater than the atmospheric pressure of the air on the outside of the hull, and a bag filled with helium is located within the hull and is surrounded by the air in the hull. A heating means is provided to heat both the air and the helium. The bag located within the hull and surrounded by the air in the hull has enough helium in it at ambient temperature to lift all but the cargo and fuel in the airship, and the air and helium, when heated, provides increased buoyancy due to the increase of expansion of both heated gases to lift the airship with its fuel and cargo.
US08544776B2
A device and method for dissociating feed material occurring as mixed materials is provided. The device includes a rotor/stator system arranged within a housing, a rotor of the rotor/stator system being equipped around its circumference with processing tools which are radially opposed by stator tools that are arranged stationary relative to the housing while maintaining a working gap; a first circumferential section for supply of the feed material and wherein the processing of the feed material takes place along a second circumferential section, the second circumferential section being divided in a direction of rotation of the rotor into a first subsection and at least one additional second subsection; and a stator tool followed by a processing path being provided at a start of each subsection with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor.
US08544775B2
A putrescible organic waste treatment system comprising a comminution unit configured to substantially comminute putrescible organic waste into a pulp slurry. The comminution unit is adapted for connection to a supply of water. A controller can control the flow rate and/or volume of water supplied to the comminution unit and control the comminution unit. The controller is responsive to one or more operating parameters of the comminution unit in order to control the quantity of water supplied to the comminution unit to produce a waste pulp having a predetermined physical characteristic.
US08544772B2
A method of recovering a mineral product from carpet by preparing a feed of carpet pieces; thermally separating organic components from mineral components in the carpet by heating the carpet pieces to a particle bed temperature in the range of 600° C. to 1000° C., wherein the mineral component is oxidized to form a mineral oxide; slurrying the mineral oxide with water to produce 15 to 35% solids slurry within a period of approximately 30 minutes to 24 hours, whereby the mineral oxide forms a mineral hydroxide; stabilizing the pH of the slurry in the range between 6 and 10 by carbonation, resulting in a slurry containing mineral carbonates.
US08544767B2
A fuel injection device has therein a recovery channel provided in a first valve body, and a fuel channel provided in the first valve body and a second valve body. The fuel channel is opened by openings at a first end surface of the first valve body and a second end surface of the second valve body. One of the first end surface and the second end surface is provided with an end surface groove connected to the recovery channel. In the fuel injection device, the end surface groove is provided to enclose at least a part of the opening and is separated from the opening by a clearance, and one of the first valve body and the second valve body has a side surface groove extending in a circumferential direction at an outer periphery of the one of the first valve body and the second valve body.
US08544766B2
An ambient environment modification mechanism such as a scent dispenser (which could also act as a filter) which may comprise a piston and a piston cylinder, receiving the piston, and forming a piston cylinder chamber volume when the piston is moved from an inserted position in the piston cylinder to a withdrawn position in the piston cylinder. The piston may have a hollow interior receiving an ambient air modification material holder, such as a cartridge, containing ambient air modification material. The hollow interior may be in fluid communication with the piston cylinder chamber volume at a first end of the hollow interior. A ventilation opening may be in fluid communication with the hollow interior at a second end of the hollow interior. A piston cylinder chamber volume forming mechanism, such as spring may move the piston relative to the piston cylinder from the inserted position to the withdrawn position.
US08544765B1
A solid stream nozzle providing an extend throw-distance achieved by reducing boundary layer effects within the nozzle bore and/or by accelerating peripheral regions of the ejected stream in order to help maintain cohesion of a free liquid stream without appreciable dispersion. The method includes generating a high-pressure fluid source, supplying the nozzle with high pressure; reducing boundary layer effect within the nozzle bore, and optionally, accelerating and/or inwardly re-directing the peripheral boundary of the ejected stream with a secondary higher pressure, higher speed fluid source. The apparatus includes a high pressure fluid source, a nozzle bore, a bleed ring within the nozzle bore to strip off a boundary layer, and optionally, a secondary higher pressure fluid source at the nozzle tip to accelerate and/or inwardly re-direct the ejected fluid stream. The invention has application in large scale fire-fighting, irrigation, decontamination, weaponization, entertainment/amusement, and other fields requiring a long throw distance.
US08544753B2
A smart card comprising: a memory for storing information; at least one transmitting or receiving antenna; and a low frequency circuit, for handling information associated with said antenna and said memory, which information is modulated at a modulation frequency of between 5 kHz and 100 kHz. Preferably the antenna is an acoustic antenna.
US08544748B2
A document authenticating method is disclosed by which a plurality of two-dimensional barcode stamps are generated and printed on a back side of the document forming a color mosaic pattern. Each barcode stamp by itself is a binary barcode, but the plurality of barcode stamps as a whole are printed with different colors and/or color intensities. The barcode stamps collectively encode the content of the document to be used for document authentication.
US08544747B2
A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
US08544738B2
The present invention relates to an onboard ticketing terminal notably aboard a public transport vehicle. The ticketing terminal (30) comprises a body (39) equipped with at least a card reader, a swiveling customer interface (36, 37), a printer, incorporated into said body (39), paper output (40) from the printer being performed through a swiveling slot made in the body (39), and a swiveling driver interface. The ticketing terminal (30) makes it possible notably to implement transport ticket sales applications by virtue of an interface with an onboard central unit (21).
US08544736B2
The present invention provides an item scanning system in which an appearance of an item is received (e.g., at checkout). The appearance is captured with an image capture device (e.g., still frame camera, video camera, etc.) that can be collocated with a barcode scanner. In being collocated, the image capture device can be positioned proximate (e.g., near, attached to, etc.) the bar code scanner, integrated within a common housing/unit with the barcode scanner, etc. In any event, a search engine will then search a database of items based on the appearance to identify a set of items that potentially match the item. When one of the set of items is selected (e.g., by the checkout clerk), the selection will be received and stored for future investigation/auditing.
US08544733B2
A method is suggested for the simultaneous personalization of several portable data carriers (2) respectively having at least one integrated circuit (6) for storing and/or processing information. According to the invention a unidirectional protocol serves for transmitting an identical personalization signal to several portable data carriers (2). These detect personalization data on this basis and store them in the integrated circuits (6). Preferably adapter elements (100; 101; 102) are used, which can accommodate at least one data carrier (50) and which are equipped with first interfaces (140; 150) for communicating with a reading device (20; 21; 22) and with second interfaces (120) for communicating with the accommodated data carrier (2). In a variant the portable data carriers (1) are transported in a transport device (600) which, at least temporarily, electrically contacts the contact area (9) of the portable data carriers (2) by means of a contacting unit (604).
US08544727B1
A method for anti-money laundering surveillance may include analyzing transaction data based on a group that may include at least one of peer comparison, expected level of activity and debit/credit flow through. The method may also include generating an alert in response to one or more predetermined results from the analyzing.
US08544717B2
An ultrasonic bonding machine is provided. The ultrasonic bonding machine includes a support structure configured to support a workpiece during a bonding operation. The ultrasonic bonding machine further includes an upper bonding tool positioned above the support structure and configured for bonding an upper bonding material to an upper side of the workpiece, and a lower bonding tool positioned below the support structure and configured for bonding a lower bonding material to a lower side of the workpiece. The ultrasonic bonding machine may also be an ultrasonic ribbon bonding machine configured to bond an upper and lower conductive ribbon to a solar substrate.
US08544716B2
A method for repairing a component of a gas turbine and a solder alloy are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes applying the solder alloy to the component in an area of the component having a punctiform damage or a linear imperfection, where the solder alloy is a mixture of a NiCoCrAlY alloy and a Ni-based solder. A molded repair part made of the solder alloy is applied to the component in an area of the component having a planar defect. The component is heat treated to solder the molded repair part on the component and to solder the solder alloy applied to the component in the area of the component having the punctiform damage or the linear imperfection. The component is cooled after the heat treating and, following the cooling, the component is further heat treated.
US08544682B2
A device for the serial ejection of at least two fluid components comprises a spacer (19) providing at least two states, i) a first state allowing a front piston (7) to be displaced forwards by action on a rear piston (17) while a fluid volume is retained in a rear chamber (5) and ii) a second state allowing the rear chamber to volumetrically shrink while fluid is transferred past (or through) the front piston thereby enabling the use of a liquid, initially provided in only the rear chamber, for the dual purposes of mixing and rinsing.
US08544668B2
This bottle with a handle in which the body portion is formed with a concave portion, the bottle includes a support projection portion projected outward in the radial direction on a bottom surface of the concave portion, and protrusion portions which are provided at both side portions of the support projection portion with a gap between the bottom surface and the protrusion portions laterally projecting, the handle includes a pair of mounting beams, a handle plate, and an engagement projection piece, and the pair of mounting beams are integrally provided in a bridged beam configured to connect each of the mounting beams in a state of being separated inward from the handle plate in the radial direction.
US08544667B2
A round bottle that gives an overall impression of a slim body, while maintaining a basic shape of the round bottle and a vacuum absorbing function. An object is to provide a round synthetic resin bottle having a differentiated shape not found in conventional art. This involves narrowing down a diameter of the body in a tapered manner toward a middle height position of the body to form a tapered portion at either one of an upper end or a lower end of the basically cylindrical body and thus to form a waist portion in a narrowest part of this tapered portion, and forming a plurality of dented vacuum absorbing panels in a height range lying next to the waist portion of the body and in a configuration that each of the panels is disposed in parallel in a circumferential direction and dented by a stepped portion surrounding each panel.
US08544664B2
A child resistant container with inverting cap bottom lift features has a container main body adapted to receive a sprayer container with a top-positioned spray activator, and has at least one lift rod slot on its bottom; an inner cap for permanent connection to the open top of the container after a spray container is placed therein; and an outer cap with at least one downwardly projecting lift rod. The inner cap has a spray activator orifice large enough to permit a spray activator of a spray container to pass therethrough and small enough to prevent a spray container connected to the spray activator from passing therethrough. A user removes the outer cap, inverts it and pushes up through the bottom to raise up the spray container enough to expose the spray activator and its nozzle for spray use.
US08544654B2
A magnetic separator comprising a vibratory conveyor for vibratorily flowing non-ferrous articles and articles containing ferrous material within the magnetic field of a transverse extending magnet to magnetically capture the articles containing the ferrous material while allowing the non-ferrous articles to flow therepast. The magnet is periodically retractable to remove ferrous articles magnetically adhered thereto. The use of a set of transverse extending magnets enables a continuous on-the-go separation of articles containing ferrous material from non-ferrous articles without having to shut down the vibratory conveyor.
US08544644B2
A cradle device adapted to receive personal electronic devices or hand held electronic devices. The cradle is formed of a silica gel compound and configured and sized to receive a hand held personal electronic device. In one aspect the cradle has a four sided frame which stretches and slips over and clips on electronic device allowing for the encasement of the electronic device on all four sides. Openings are strategically positioned in the frame to allow for access to functional buttons and ports on the electronic device. The cradle includes gripping structures extending between the frame for grasping or holding the cradle and electronic device.
US08544628B2
An assembly includes a support including a first passage having a opening along a length of the passage and facing outward from the passage, a clutch support including a second passage having a second opening along a length of the second passage and facing toward the opening, and a sleeve fitted over the first passage, enclosing said open length, and formed with a third passage that hydraulically connects the first passage and the second passage.
US08544620B2
It is an object of the invention to improve utility in a suspension apparatus for a vehicle having an electromagnetic actuator and a hydraulic damper. In the suspension apparatus, a hydraulic damper is disposed between an electromagnetic actuator and a wheel-holding portion, and a cover tube is provided for accommodating a seal provided between a piston rod and a housing of the hydraulic damper. In the suspension apparatus according to the present invention wherein the hydraulic damper is disposed between the wheel-holding portion and the electromagnetic actuator, it is possible to effectively mitigate not only transmission of vibrations to the vehicle body from the wheel via the electromagnetic actuator but also transmission of vibrations to the electromagnetic actuator. Further, owing to the presence of the cover tube, entry of dust and the like into the hydraulic damper through the seal can be effectively prevented.
US08544615B2
A method and device for capturing particulates produced by a brake shoe of a motorized vehicle are provided. A strip of material is attached to an inner planar race of a wheel rim and is positioned to capture particulates (“brake dust”) caused by the friction braking process. Particulates may be driven toward the strip by centrifugal force, chemical attraction, electrostatic force and/or magnetic force. The strip may be shaped with a plurality of faces to provide a greater surface area than a flat planar strip of material provides. The strip may include cilia, a nappy material, and/or a loop material to attract and retain the brake dust. The strip may be magnetic or include a magnetic substance. An adhesive material is placed upon a second strip surface, whereby the strip is removably coupled to the inner race by the adhesive material.
US08544611B2
A safety system for an elevator has a bar mounted on a landing door, the bar being adapted to extend into a passageway of the landing door, and a holding member adapted to prevent the bar from extending into the passageway of the landing door when a car door is positioned correctly behind the landing door. The bar is adapted to extend into the passageway when the landing door is opened and when the holding member does not prevent the bar from extending into the passageway of the landing door.
US08544610B2
The invention relates to a lubricant dispenser having a storage container, an outlet channel, and a pump element disposed between the storage container and outlet channel for conveying lubricant. A piston is sealed in a cylinder and is movable between two positions, of which, in a suction position, the cylinder is in a flow connection with the storage container. The cross-section area of the piston is smaller than the cross-section area of the storage container. The piston and the cylinder are adapted to one another such that, upon a movement of the piston into the suction position thereof, a negative pressure may be generated in the cylinder as compared to the pressure in the storage container for taking in or letting in lubricant from the storage container into the cylinder, and such that, upon a movement of the piston in the opposite direction out of the suction position in the cylinder, a positive pressure may be generated for conveying the lubricant out of the cylinder into the outlet channel.
US08544594B2
A coupling structure for a resonant microgyroscope produced on a substrate, wherein the coupling structure enables a vibratory movement provided by an excitation mechanism to be detected along a first axis, and enables it to be transmitted to seismic masses lying in a plane containing the first axis. The coupling structure includes a closed assembly of beams connected to the seismic masses so as to be anchored only to the seismic masses, wherein the assembly is positioned to detect the vibratory movement provided by the excitation mechanism, and to transmit it to the seismic masses along at least a second axis contained in the plane, wherein the coupling structure has no point of anchorage to the substrate.
US08544593B2
When an inverter or a coil set of one system in a motor drive apparatus having two systems fails, a power supply relay of a failing system interrupts power supply and a control circuit gradually reduces a current supply limitation value of a normal system to zero. Then when a steering torque becomes greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit increases the current supply limitation value by a predetermined amount. By reducing the current supply limitation value to zero once and then gradually increasing the current supply limitation value to generate steering assist torque, a driver will be caused to sense changes in the steering torque and surely notice occurrence of failure.
US08544588B2
A system for transmitting rotary power to the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an input, a planetary final drive connected driveably to the input and including a first output that is driven at a speed that is slower than a speed of the input, and a inter-wheel planetary differential driveably connected to the first output for splitting torque carried by the first output between a second output connected driveably to a first wheel of a first wheel set and a third output connected driveably to a second wheel of the first wheel set.
US08544586B2
The multifunction utility cart is a compact versatile self-propelled vehicle adapted particularly for use by security and/or emergency medical personnel. The cart includes an extendable wheelbase and rear body portion for the carriage of additional personnel and/or one or more injured persons on board, yet forms a very compact vehicle when the wheelbase and bodywork are retracted. A stretcher may be deployed from one side of the cart when extended, the extended rearward portion providing for the carriage of additional personnel or a wheelchair due to a drop-down floor at the rear of the cart. Additional storage space is provided in a forward trunk and one rear fender opposite the stretcher storage area for the carriage of a fire extinguisher, medical supplies, and/or other equipment. The standing operator station may be selectively elevated to provide the operator with a better view in crowded environments.
US08544583B2
A cooling airflow intake structure that can efficiently channel an airflow for cooling from outside a vehicle to a body to be cooled is obtained. The cooling airflow intake structure includes: a power unit that generates a driving force for an automobile to travel; an undercover that covers, from a vehicle underside, a power unit chamber in which the power unit is placed; a cooling unit that is placed on a vehicle rear side of the power unit; a first duct that channels air to the cooling unit from a first inlet port that is formed opening toward a road surface in the undercover; and a second duct that channels air to the cooling unit from a second inlet port that is formed opening toward a vehicle front side in a bumper cover. The second duct is disposed between the power unit and the undercover in a vehicle vertical direction.
US08544578B2
Engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen may be stored in a hydrogen tank, and may be used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge a vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system.
US08544558B1
A tongue pulled spreader and grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each blade positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in position at a predetermined angle; a tongue for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader and grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader and grader can undertake the grading process. The spreader and grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and fork trucks.
US08544556B2
A sprinkler which comprises a sprinkler frame (2), in which there is at least one nozzle (3), a heat-activated triggering element (5), and a protective element (8) which is in front of the nozzle (3) in the protective position and mechanically protects the triggering element (5) when the sprinkler is in a non-active mode, and which protective element (8) is movable to a second position in which the nozzles (3) and the triggering element (5) are not protected by the protective element (8). The sprinkler frame (2) is movable in relation to a fastening frame (1) between two positions, a first position in which the sprinkler is in a non-active mode, and a second position in which the sprinkler frame is protruding, and which sprinkler frame (2) is arranged movable from the effect of the pressure of medium in relation to the fastening frame (1) from the first position to the second position and at the same time to direct a force to the protective element (8) for moving it from the protective position to the second position, whereby the sprinkler is in the second position of the sprinkler frame set to a standby mode.
US08544554B2
A method of producing liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a bubble point curve from a liquid phase side thereof. A method of producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the gaseous hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a hydrocarbon gas condensate saturation curve from a gaseous phase side thereof.
US08544550B2
A subsea wellhead a generally cylindrical body including a lower extension for forming an annular space for a cement column between the lower extension and an outer conductor. The extension carries a multiplicity of interfitting rings forming a sleeve which facilitates flexure of the extension in the presence of the cement column. Each ring may comprise an inner flange for disposition adjacent the outside of the extension and an outer flange for fitment over the inner flange of an adjacent ring. The outer flange may have a radial through-bore.
US08544547B2
A wellhead system, in an embodiment, includes a first wellhead component with an internal bore, and a second wellhead component with a lower end disposed within the first wellhead component internal bore and an upper end disposed outside of the first wellhead component internal bore. The upper end of the second wellhead component has a groove disposed on an outer surface thereof. The wellhead system also includes a retaining member with a plurality of sections, wherein a portion of the retaining member is at least partially disposed in the groove on the second wellhead component, the retaining member is coupled to the first wellhead component, and an anti-rotation mechanism engages both the retaining member and the second wellhead component.
US08544546B2
A method including the steps of: (a) providing a dispersion comprising: a water-soluble polysaccharide and a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid comprises: (i) glycerol, and (ii) a mono-hydroxylic alcohol having 1-3 carbons, wherein the mono-hydroxylic alcohol is present in at least 0.1% by weight of the glycerol, wherein the polysaccharide is insoluble in the carrier fluid; (b) mixing the dispersion with at least water to form an aqueous well treatment fluid, wherein the polysaccharide is soluble in the aqueous phase of the aqueous wellbore treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
US08544543B2
Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.
US08544542B2
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a well which is not flowing or in which fluid is pumped or injected into the well utilising a downhole located pressure monitoring device which is operative to monitor a characteristic pressure profile of the well, and to respond and generate a triggering output when a significant deviation to the pressure profile is introduced into the well as a control signal to the monitoring device by comparing two separate pressure profiles within a certain time span, the device only generating a triggering output when the same pressure profile is monitored twice within the time span; and an actuator which is initiated into operation to control any required operation of the well when the monitoring device responds to the control signal and generates the triggering output.
US08544540B2
Well pump units for studying, repairing and developing of wells. The proposed well jet system comprises a logging instrument, a movable sealing unit, and a jet pump arranged in a flow string. The latter enables to create a series of different drawdown values in a well under-packer area, and thus to register parameters of the well and a medium pumped out of the well and to easily register a formation pressure restoration curve for the well under-packer area. When testing the formation, a pumping mode may be adjusted by changing pressure of an active working medium supplied to a jet pump nozzle. The provision of a channel for supplying the pumped out medium with a check valve helps avoiding a spontaneous flow of the working medium into the under-packer area. The system reveals increased operational reliability and productivity during the treatment of a productive formation and well testing.
US08544539B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a casing head and a tubing hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a first retaining feature of the casing head. The tubing hanger is configured to support a tubing string. The system also includes a guide string hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a second retaining feature of the casing head independent of the first retaining feature. The guide string hanger is configured to support a guide string.
US08544532B2
A reinforcing element for a heat exchanger of the type having nested dish plates with inclined, peripheral, overlapping walls, where at least one of the nested dish plates is attached to a mounting plate, the mounting plate extending beyond the outer periphery of the walls of the nested dish plates. The reinforcing element has a base flange attached to the mounting plate extending beyond the outer periphery of the walls of the nested dish plates. The reinforcing element also has a peripheral flange located in parallel, overlapping engagement with the inclined peripheral wall of the at least one dish plate attached to the mounting plate.
US08544524B2
Leading end assemblies for movable partitions may include at least one sensor assembly configured to detect a force applied to a leading surface of a leading structure of the leading end assembly. Movable partition systems may include a plurality of hingedly coupled panels and a leading end assembly. The leading end assembly may include a trolley movably coupled to a track and at least one sensor assembly configured to detect movement of the leading structure relative to the trolley when the movable partition is moved from a retracted position to an extended position. Methods of operating a movable partition may include monitoring a displacement of a leading structure of a leading end assembly of the movable partition relative to another portion of the leading end assembly with a sensor assembly and ceasing movement of the movable partition in response to a signal from the sensor assembly.
US08544522B2
A window covering includes window covering material that extends from a first rail. A first lift cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent the bottom of the window covering material. A first spacer cord extends from the first rail to a position adjacent to a bottom of the window covering material. First hitches extend from the first spacer cord to encircle the first lift cord. The window covering may have additional lift cords and may utilize other similar spacer cords having hitches that extend to those lift cords as well.
US08544516B2
An agricultural implement includes a tool bar and at least one row unit carried by the tool bar. Each row unit includes a furrow opener arrangement with a gauge wheel. The gauge wheel includes a rim with an outer periphery and a tire mounted to the outer periphery. The tire includes an outer shell formed from a first resilient material and an inner core formed from a softer second resilient material. The outer shell is positioned radially outward from the inner core and axial outward from axial ends of the inner core. The inner core is mounted directly on the outer periphery of the rim and defines an annular hollow core therein. The tire is structured and arranged such that the softer inner core, the annular hollow core and the harder outer shell coact to provide good wear, good shock absorbance, and good mud shedding capabilities.
US08544509B2
An adzer skid assembly having a frame and a base plate attached to the frame. The base plate has an adzer unit attached thereto. The frame has a receptacle for slidably attaching the frame to a railroad track maintenance machine so that up and down motion of the railroad track maintenance machine does not produce up and down motion of the adzer skid assembly. Hydraulic cylinders are attached to the baseplate and are attached to skids, wherein the hydraulic cylinders raise and lower the skids relative to the frame and baseplate and determine the cutting depth of the adzer unit. During the adze cutting process the adzer unit is supported entirely by the skids as the skids move across railroad crossties.
US08544506B2
The invention relates to a method for making a rivet (R), of the type comprising, by deformation of the material of a substantially cylindrical metal segment, the operations of preforming a milled head (100) at the end of a rod (200), characterised in that it comprises, by deformation of the material (cold stamping) the following operations: creating a portion with a lower diameter (210) from the free end; creating a substantially cylindrical hollow core (220) for forming a tubular portion; preforming the hollow core (220) as a truncated cone; performing the lower diameter outer surface as a truncated cone. The invention also relates to the rivet obtained by said method.
US08544503B2
A fluid conduit having a self-healing sleeve in a spaced relationship from the conduit to provide protection against leaks due to ballistic projectiles, such as small arms fire.
US08544502B2
An anchor system is shown for use with a pre-insulated piping system having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by a layer of insulation and then by an outer protective jacket. The anchor system includes an inner carrier pipe for insertion within the length of the piping system at a selected point. A steel anchor sleeve surrounds a portion of the length of carrier pipe and insulation. It terminates at one end at an outwardly flaring anchor plate which is subsequently embedded within a concrete anchor block. A steel end cap is welded to a second, opposite end of the sleeve and to the inner carrier pipe at a point along the length of piping which is outside the concrete anchor block and which is spaced apart from the location of the anchor plate, whereby heat from the high temperature fluids in the piping is transferred to the end cap at a location along the length of piping which is distant from the location of the anchor plate.
US08544498B2
A manifold and distribution manifold assembly is described for use in dividing the flow of an air-entrained material from a primary distribution line into a plurality of secondary distribution lines. The manifold is formed of a single molded piece thereby reducing the overall tooling cost. One application of such a distribution manifold assembly is in an air seeder.
US08544494B2
A control system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank selection module, a fuel depletion determination module, and a fuel pressure balancing module. The fuel tank selection module closes (N−M) of N shutoff valves of N compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tanks, respectively, when an enable condition is met and the N shutoff valves have been open for a first predetermined period, wherein N is an integer greater than one and M is an integer less than N. The fuel depletion determination module determines whether the M CNG fuel tanks have provided a predetermined amount of fuel based a fuel parameter. The fuel pressure balancing module opens the N shutoff valves for the first predetermined period when the M CNG fuel tanks have provided the predetermined amount of fuel.
US08544486B1
An adapter for use with a walker is disclosed. The adapter has a mesh that includes a running surface for engaging soft surfaces such as sand, dirt, and the like, into which conventional walker legs generally sink. A post on the adapter is configured to lockingly engage an end portion of one of the walker legs. Optionally, each adapter has two posts that are separated from each other by a distance that is substantially equal to a distance between end portions of two legs of a walker. In use, the adapter is positioned lateral to a user's feet, substantially outside of the space defined by a walker handrail, to avoid the user stepping on or tripping over the adapter.
US08544485B2
A self-closing collapsible umbrella is disclosed and an example of a three-fold umbrella is described. The umbrella includes a central shaft including a first section that includes a handle carrying an actuation button. A positioning seat that receives a retention block arranged therein is provided between the first section and a second section of the shaft and between the second section and a third section of the shaft. As such, the umbrella is opened manually to have the second section extending and positioned by the retention block engaging an upper end of the first section, and the third section is positioned by being retained at the upper end of the second section. To close the umbrella, a collapsing ring is depressed to drive a rotation block of a control seat to release the engagement of the retention block. Collapsing springs arranged on umbrella ribs apply a force to retract the sections of the central shaft to thereby complete the collapse of the umbrella.
US08544483B2
Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular barrier structure that can overlie and cover a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular movable member that can be positioned over and moved relative to a workpiece. Apparatuses, and related methods, for processing a workpiece that include a particular ceiling structure that can overlie a processing chamber. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular annular body. Nozzle devices, and related methods, that include a particular first, second, and third nozzle structure.
US08544477B1
The quickness, relative effortlessness, and convenience associate with an improved attachment for a hair styling iron or an improved hair styling iron, either one featuring interchangeable comb bristles assemblies located adjacent to and extended outwardly and perpendicular to a hair styling iron heating element for the purpose of contacting and positioning the hair strands in parallel arrangement before, during, and/or after application of heat from a hair styling iron heating element. The interchangeable comb bristle arrangements may be composed of different bristle densities, thicknesses, and/or material to accommodate different types and thicknesses of hair. The improved attachment may be slid over a hair styling iron arm element and be secured to the hair styling iron using a retaining lip which hooks to engage an inner surface of the heating element arm and a security clip that attaches onto one end of the interchangeable comb bristle assembly.
US08544465B2
A CPAP device includes a flow generator including an outlet, a humidifier including an inlet, and an adaptor connector between the outlet of the flow generator and the inlet of the humidifier. The connector includes a flexible and conformable sealing portion that is movable to accommodate misalignment.
US08544449B2
A device for feeding fuel from a fuel tank (33) to a multi-fuel engine (12) that uses fuel in which alcohol and gasoline are mixed in an arbitrary ratio. The internal volume of a connecting line (84) provided between a fuel pressure governor (85) and a fuel injection device (50) is a volume equal to or greater than the amount of fuel consumed from startup of the engine until an oxygen sensor (88) reaches a measurement-enabling temperature.
US08544445B2
A system and method are disclosed for fabricating and running an engine in two modes. The first mode is an efficiency mode having a high compression ratio and efficiency for low to medium loads. The second mode is a power mode having high power density for higher loads. The system may use a lean mixture in the efficiency mode, which mixture is made richer for more power in the power mode. The system may also use ignition timing to allow the efficiency mode and the high power mode to be at the same mixture.
US08544444B2
Various systems and methods are disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine system having an internal combustion engine, and a fuel injector which directly injects fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. One example method comprises, when a desired torque for the internal combustion engine system is in a first range, injecting a first stage fuel into the combustion chamber so that it ends during a middle stage of a compression stroke at the latest in a cylinder cycle; determining combustion of the first stage fuel initiated by its compression self-ignition; and injecting a second stage fuel into the combustion chamber in a period when the determined combustion of the first stage fuel continues at a timing determined so as to cause combustion of the second stage fuel with its compression self-ignition.
US08544443B2
A pre-chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the pre-chamber is part of a two-stroke combustion engine having a cylinder head with a sparkplug receptacle that has a generally frustoconical shape, and the pre-chamber is coupled to the sparkplug receptacle. The pre-chamber may include a cooling jacket with a generally frustoconical shape and a combustion chamber having an upper zone and a lower zone, which may be narrower than the upper zone.
US08544438B2
An intake system of an engine is provided. The intake system including an intake manifold, a vacuum port located in said intake manifold and in an air-flow path downstream of a throttle body and upstream of a plurality of intake runners, the vacuum port including a molded flow disruptor including a cross-beam traversing an outlet of the vacuum port, the cross-beam oriented at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to an axis of a throat in the intake manifold, and a vacuum passage coupling the vacuum port to a vehicle subsystem.
US08544434B2
The variable valve timing mechanism includes a housing, a rotor rotatably supported within the housing, and a lock pin. The housing includes a plurality of fluid chambers one of which includes a lock bore. The rotor includes a central portion and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the central portion. Each of the vanes extends into the fluid chambers of the housing to define an advanced fluid chamber and a retarded fluid chamber. One of the plurality of vanes includes a pin bore. The lock pin includes a shank section and an insertion section. The insertion section includes a nonlinear outer side profile. The lock pin is slidably received within the pin bore between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the insertion section of the lock pin is received within the lock bore of the housing thereby prohibiting relative rotation between the housing and the rotor.
US08544430B2
A valve drive of an internal combustion engine with variable-lift gas exchange valve actuation. The valve drive has a camshaft with a support shaft and a cam piece arranged on the support shaft for conjoint rotation therewith and to be movable between axial positions. The cam piece has two cam groups of directly adjacent cams with different elevations and, on the end side, the cam piece has an axial slotted guide into which can be coupled an actuating element. The cam piece has a bearing journal which runs between the cam groups and rotatably mounted in a camshaft bearing point arranged in a positionally fixed manner in the engine. Here, the diameter of the bearing journal is larger than the envelope circle diameter of a cam closest to the bearing journal with the cam and camshaft bearing point overlapping axially in an axial position of the cam piece.
US08544426B2
A coolant passage apparatus 10 is formed by joining a plurality of resin moldings 31 and 32 which are each individually molded. A pair of coolant receiving pipes 11 and 12 for respectively receiving a coolant from a pair of engine heads and riser pipes 17 and 18 adjoining the coolant receiving pipes are provided, a central passage 19 is formed between the riser pipes, and a communicating tube 21 which is towards a radiator is formed to communicate with the central passage. Assuming that a line passing through the center of the central passage 19 is (indicated by) A and lines passing through the centers of the above-mentioned riser pipes are (indicated by) B respectively, each of the lines B is outwardly and obtusely angled with respect to the line A, and the riser pipes are respectively molded on both sides of the central passage to incline outwardly.
US08544418B2
An intelligent doghouse full-automatic processor includes a cage bracket module, and an automatic excrement treating device, a feeding module, a water feeding module, a snack feeding module, a disinfection and heat preservation device and a video/audio module which are arranged on the cage bracket module as well as an automatic door control module, a host computer control module, a network communication module, a background control service module, a terminal use program and the like. With the modules, an owner can remotely monitor an intelligent doghouse, perform video/audio conversation with a pet dog and control and manage the eating and drinking, defecation and entering and exiting cage of the pet dog, disinfection of the cage and temperature regulation of air inside the cage by a computer or a mobile phone through a network browser. Moreover, parameters of the intelligent doghouse can be set through network.
US08544410B2
The invention is an immobilization apparatus comprising: a container (1) having a nozzle (4) formed for exhausting a solution; a charging means (PS, 5, 4) for charging the sample solution within the container; and an airflow generating means for generating airflow (Af) crashing into the sample solution. The immobilization apparatus is configured to operate the charging means and the airflow generating means simultaneously, atomize the solution into microparticulate substances charged while maintaining its activity and functionality by the electrostatic force due to the charge of the sample solution charged by the charging means and the crash energy due to the crash of the airflow generated by the airflow generating means into the sample solution, and exhaust it from the exhaust outlet (4), and the charged microparticulate substances are deposited on a substrate (7) by the electrostatic force.
US08544403B2
The present invention relates to a unit adapted to float in a body of water with a sea bed. The unit comprises a station-keeping system comprising a mooring line, the mooring line comprising a connection portion and a tail portion and when the unit is floating. The body of water reaches a still water line of the unit and the connection portion extends from the sea bed to a mooring line handling arrangement of the unit. The arrangement is adapted to actively alter the length of the connection portion. When the mooring line is in a permanent mooring position, at least a portion of the tail portion is located in the body of water.
US08544391B2
A variable height support with a platform and a base supporting the platform and reconfigurable to selectively change a height of a support surface on the platform relative to a subjacent surface. A control assembly is operable to selectively: a) maintain the support surface at a selected height; and b) release the platform to allow the base to be reconfigured to change the height of the support surface. The control assembly has a ratchet subassembly that, with the control assembly in a first state, allows the base to be reconfigured by exerting a continuous upward force upon the platform that causes the platform to elevate and be blocked within a range at a plurality of different vertical locations against downward movement. The control assembly further has an actuator that is repositionable to change the control assembly into a second state wherein the platform can be lowered over the range.
US08544390B1
A lazy susan type device for holding food items has a top and a base that are snap fit to one another when the device is in use. The top and base can therefore be easily separated from one another to facilitate independent washing of those two parts. The snap fit device is a toroidal ring having multiple flexible “L”-shaped arms secured about the outer periphery of the ring. Each arm is momentarily displaced in a radially inwardly direction when the top and base are in the process of being interconnected to one another. The inherent bias of each arm causes each arm to abruptly return to a position of repose when the top and base are fully interconnected to one another. The displacement of each arm when returning to its position of repose is a radially outward displacement.
US08544387B2
A method for producing propellant charges with progressive combustion characteristic and a higher charge density than previously considered possible to achieve, intended in the first instance for direct-firing barrel weapons such as tank cannons. Combined in the charge are at least two radially perforated propellant tubes, which are arranged in their entirety inside or after one another, and which have at an e-dimension selected in relation to the actual type of propellant and its desired combustion characteristic, combustion or ignition channels, and which have circular outer and inner boundary surfaces, in conjunction with which, before initiation of the charge, at least one of the total number of outer surfaces of these propellant tubes that are available for initiation has been treated with an inhibition, surface treatment or surface intended to delay the propagation of ignition to that surface so that the combustion of the propellant tubes is partially mutually overlapping.
US08544381B2
Appliances for cooking food under pressure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an appliance comprises a vessel and a lid fitted and locked on the vessel in order to form a leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further comprises at least one jaw for locking the lid relative to the vessel and a device for driving the at least one jaw between a locking position and an unlocking position. The appliance also includes a module for fitting on and releasably securing to the lid. The module includes at least a device for controlling locking and unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel. Also disclosed are other alternatives applicable to domestic appliances for cooking food under pressure.
US08544370B2
A tool incorporating a multi-function tool tip on an elongated shaft is disclosed for adjusting and maintaining different irrigation-related products of one or more manufacturers, having a handle configured at one shaft-end, and formed at an opposite shaft-end a multi-function tool-tip with a screw adjustment member located between two outwardly-extended generally planar members. In one tool function mode leading-edge portions of the planar members are sized and shaped to align and rotate within a conical recess of a first irrigation-related product and facilitate engagement of the screw adjustment member with an upper end of an adjustment screw centered within the conical recess. In other functional modes, the planar members are sized and shaped for insertion through an adjustment port of a spring-loaded slidably-positionable member of a second irrigation-related product to pull the member outward to a desired degree and/or make water emitting adjustments interiorly within the product.
US08544359B2
A robot arm assembly includes a first shaft base, a second shaft base rotatably connected to the first shaft base, a wire harness, and a clamping mechanism for clamping the wire harness. The first shaft base defines a first through hole along a longitudinal axis, and the second shaft base defines a second through hole. The clamping mechanism includes a main body connected to the second shaft base, and a locking member engaged with the main body. The second shaft base rotates relative to the first shaft base around the longitudinal axis. The main body further comprise a clamping portion on an end thereof, and the clamping portion is capability of radial deformation. The locking member resists the clamping portion to clamp the wire harness. The wire harness extends through the first through hole, the second through hole, and then the clamping mechanism.
US08544357B2
A differential roller screw comprises an outer nut, and rolling elements comprising a first set of rollers equipped with first grooves, the first set being arranged in a first cylindrical ring around the screw. The screw comprises a second set of rollers equipped with second grooves. The second set is arranged in a second cylindrical ring. The two cylindrical rings are coaxial. An intermediate cylindrical element is arranged between the two sets of rollers, the intermediate element comprising a first internal thread formed with a first pitch and having a first direction and a second external thread formed with a second pitch and having a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08544356B2
A fitting recess portion that connects fitting holes to each other is formed in a peripheral face of a ball screw nut. A circulation member includes a pair of fitted portions that are fitted in the fitting holes, and a connecting portion that provides communication between the fitted portions. A communication groove that has an opening on the fitted end side of the connecting portion and that extends in the axial direction is formed in the connecting portion. When the connecting portion is fitted in the fitting recess portion and the opening of the communication groove formed in the connecting portion is blocked by a bottom portion of the fitting recess portion, a second path that forms a return path together with first paths formed in the fitted portions is formed.
US08544350B2
This invention provides a sample injector for injecting a fixed amount of a sample into a mobile phase medium and discharging the mobile phase medium with the sample. The sample injector includes a first member having a medium passage for supplying the mobile phase medium and a sample passage for supplying the sample and a second member having a discharge passage for discharging the mobile phase medium with the sample to an outside of the injector. The second member is provided in contact with the first member. The first member and the second member are configured to move to a sample charging position and a sample injection position. The sample charging position is for the sample chamber to connect with the sample passage. The sample injection position is for the sample chamber to connect with the medium passage and the discharge passage.
US08544345B2
There is a positive displacement flowmeter, which includes at least two primary measuring elements rotatable on respective spaced apart axes within a housing between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The elements are linked to rotate in accordance with volumetric flow through the flowmeter from said inlet to said outlet. There are at least two opposed pole magnets disposed at separated positions on one of the elements and a pole sensitive sensor located in a rotational path of said magnets whereby said sensor is adapted to emit an output signal upon activation by said at least two of said opposed pole magnets.
US08544343B2
A flowmeter for detecting gas flow rates in a pipe includes a container configured to be attached to the pipe having a channel through which the gas flows, and a plurality of recesses. Each recess has a window made of metal. The flowmeter includes a plurality of transducers, with one transducer of the plurality of transducers disposed in each recess. The flowmeter includes a controller which determines the gas flow rate through the channel.
US08544335B1
The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.
US08544333B2
An air pressure sensor (100) for impact recognition is provided, having a chamber (R), and a sensor element (S) for generating a signal as a function of the air pressure being situated in the chamber (R). The chamber (R) is sealed off by a pressure compensation element (M, MV). The pressure compensation element (M, MV) is designed in such a way that penetration of interfering substances into the chamber (R) is prevented. However, transmission of pressure into the chamber (R) from the outside is possible.
US08544332B2
An exemplary vibration testing device includes two mounting bases, a vibration generator located between the mounting bases, two pivot shafts, a supporting platform, two supporting elements and a control system. Each supporting element is telescopically extendable and retractable. The control system includes a lift control unit for controlling telescopic movement of the supporting elements, a first rotary control unit for controlling a rotationally movement of the vibration generator about the pivot shafts, and a second rotary control unit for controlling rotatable movement of the supporting elements about the pivot shafts. The control system is configured for controlling the vibration testing device to move between a first testing status in which vertical vibration forces are generated by the vibration generator and applied to the supporting platform and a second testing status in which horizontal vibration forces are generated by the vibration generator and applied to the supporting platform.
US08544329B2
An ultrasonic testing equipment includes an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of transducers arranged along a predetermined annular curved surface, a transmission/reception control unit that causes at least two transducers of the plurality of transducers to transmit the ultrasonic waves to and receive the same from a tubular test object and a ultrasonic testing waveform display unit which displays ultrasonic testing waveforms received by the selected transducers radially corresponding to the propagation directions of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from and received by the selected transducers. The waveform display unit displays the waveforms radially with a point of time corresponding to an echo on an incident point of the ultrasonic wave to the test object contained in the waveform as a beginning point and displays circles indicating points of time corresponding to the echo on the internal surface and/or the external surface of the test object around the beginning point.
US08544326B2
Provided is a vertical accelerometer for measuring acceleration applied perpendicular to a substrate to increase sensitivity thereof. The vertical accelerometer includes a substrate, and a plurality of unit vertical accelerometers, each having a detection mass disposed on the substrate to be rotated by acceleration applied perpendicular to the substrate, and a detection electrode formed at the detection mass. Here, the unit vertical accelerometers are provided to be in contact with the detection electrodes to detect the acceleration through variation in capacitance due to variation in area in which the contacted detection electrodes overlaps each other.
US08544316B2
Disclosed is a micro viscometer comprising a first chamber and a second chamber positioned with an interval; a micro channel that connects the first chamber and the second chamber; and a first thin film and a second thin film arranged on top of the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, wherein a height of the first chamber and second chamber are substantially identical to a half wavelength corresponding a first resonant frequency of the first thin film and the second thin film, respectively, and a width of the first chamber and the second chamber are narrower than the height of the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08544314B2
A carbon dioxide sensor comprising a first beam that includes a functionalized surface and a second beam that includes a functionalized surface such that reduced-drift differential sensing of carbon dioxide may be performed by monitoring changes in the resonant frequency of the first beam relative to the resonant frequency of second beam.
US08544313B2
A rotary-angle and rotary-torque sensing device includes a first rotator rotating together with a steering shaft, a second rotator rigidly mounted to the first rotator, a rotary torque sensor for sensing rotary torque generated between the first rotator and the second rotator, a first sensor rotating together with the first rotator, a second sensor rotating together with the second rotator, a rotary angle sensor for sensing rotary angles of the first sensor and the second sensor, and a controller for detecting rotary torque by using the rotary torque sensor and the rotary angle sensor.
US08544305B2
Provided are a conveying jig, a method of manufacturing the conveying jig, and a method of heat-treating metal rings using the conveying jig. The conveying jig is provided with a base and ten holding shafts raised from the base. Ridges and grooves are alternatively provided in the side wall of each holding shaft. The metal rings are held in position by being engaged in the grooves in the holding shafts. The space enclosed within the holding shafts is communicated with the atmosphere, and this allows, when the metal rings held by the conveying jig are subjected to heat treatment in a heat treatment furnace, an atmospheric gas to circulate in the space enclosed within the holding shafts.
US08544304B2
A make-up method for a threaded joint with a pin and a box to increase the fatigue life of the joint is provided. The method includes the step of applying a torque for making up the pin in the box until first and second abutment shoulders of the pin and the box abut. The method can also include the step of applying an additional torque to the threaded joint until a magnitude of between 50% and 90% of the yield strength of the joint material in the most stressed part of the joint is reached.
US08544302B2
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards an anti-vandalism electronic cylinder lock (10). The lock comprising a cylinder housing (30), an electronic cylinder lock mechanism, an inside knob (26), and an outside knob (100), the outside knob (100) being configured for assuming a first non-accessible, non-operable, retracted position, and a second, accessible operative position, in which the outside knob (100) projects from the cylinder housing (30).
US08544289B2
An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements. The fan unit is constructed for portability and for easy attachment to and removal from a rack or enclosure, providing flexibility in handling equipment exhaust needs.
US08544287B1
A system and method for recycling non-reusable refrigerant transport containers. At least one intact refrigerant transport container is received into a sealed chamber. The refrigerant transport container is punctured to release residual refrigerant, which is removed and compressed. The container is shredded and/or compacted. A refrigerant transport container deposit program is provided, comprising: encoding a deposit container prior to use; receiving the encoded spent container and releasing the imposed deposit; automatically removing residual refrigerant from the spent container; and recycling materials from the refrigerant transport container. A database storing a record relating to the encoded refrigerant transport containers may be employed for tracking.
US08544285B2
A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable based on a user response to an inquiry presented on the user interface, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration.
US08544279B2
A method for measuring combustion parameters within a combustion zone of a gas turbine engine, the combustion zone being defined between an inner and outer casing. The method includes transmitting a beam from a transmit optic optically coupled to a bore in the outer casing off a portion of the inner casing and receiving a portion of the beam reflected off the inner casing with a receiving optic optically coupled to a bore in the outer casing. An apparatus for practicing the method includes a laser generating a beam and a transmitting/receiving optics pair, the transmitting/receiving optics pair being configured for operative association with a port in an outer casing of a gas turbine engine, whereby the transmitting/receiving optics are in optical communication by reflecting the beam off a portion of an inner casing.
US08544270B2
A waste heat recovery system of an internal combustion engine, in which regenerative energy transmitted to the internal combustion engine is increased with a simple mechanism. A controller of the waste heat recovery system of an internal combustion engine makes a determination as to whether it is necessary to increase the pressure of heat-transfer media in a heat exchanger, on the basis of the pressure detected by the high-pressure sensor. When it is necessary to increase the pressure in the heat exchanger, the controller causes a flow-rate regulating valve to start regulating the flow rate of the heat-transfer media while leaving the pump working. The controller causes the flow-rate regulating valve to continue the regulation at least until it is not necessary to increase the pressure in the heat exchanger, and then terminates the regulation.
US08544267B2
An engine assembly comprising a cylinder head, turbocharger in fluid communication with the cylinder head and exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the turbocharger and method of making the assembly using a single human assembler includes: mounting the turbine to the cylinder head; using a first assembly aid to form a slidable joint between the exhaust conduit and head; using a second assembly aid to form a movable joint between the turbine and exhaust conduit and align the turbine outlet flange and exhaust conduit inlet flange; using a third assembly aid to pilotingly engage the flanges; disposing a clamp about the turbine outlet flange and the exhaust conduit inlet flange; tightening the second assembly aid sufficiently to form an immovable joint; tightening the clamp to form a sealed joint between the flanges; and tightening the first assembly aid to form a fixed joint.
US08544264B2
A hydraulic circuit comprises a hydraulic cylinder, an accumulator, and a bi-directional variable displacement hydraulic pump for managing flow between a head side of the hydraulic cylinder and both of a rod side of the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator.
US08544263B2
Construction equipment having an electric control lever is provided, which can intercept a control signal applied to a flow control valve when trouble occurs in the electric control lever or a control unit. The construction equipment includes an electric control lever outputting a manipulation signal in proportion to a manipulation amount, a manipulation locking lever outputting a manipulation signal for control in preference to the manipulation signal when an error occurs in the manipulation signal, an electronic flow control valve installed in a flow path between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic actuator and shifted, by signal pressure input in proportion to the manipulation signal, to control a start, a stop, and a direction change of the hydraulic actuator, a control unit having an operation unit operating a control signal that corresponds to the manipulation signal, and a current driving unit controlling current so that a current value corresponding to the control signal can be applied to the electronic flow control valve, and a power control unit intercepting current applied from the current driving unit to the electronic flow control valve when the manipulation locking lever is manipulated in a state where trouble has occurred in the electric control lever or the control unit.
US08544261B2
This invention provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst, which can burn PM (particulate matter) at a temperature below the temperature required in the prior art technique and can realize a high PM combustion rate at elevated temperatures, and an exhaust gas purification apparatus using the exhaust gas purification catalyst. The exhaust gas purification catalyst comprises a composite oxide having oxygen release properties and Ag and a noble metal co-supported on the composite oxide. The exhaust gas purification catalyst and an exhaust gas purification apparatus (1) using the exhaust gas purification catalyst can increase the PM combustion rate at elevated temperatures and, at the same time, can burn PM at a temperature below the temperature required in the prior art technique. Further, fuel consumption loss caused by forced regeneration, EM deterioration, and catalyst deterioration can be suppressed, and, thus, the load on automobiles can be reduced.
US08544260B2
Emissions treatment systems and methods for treating an engine exhaust gas stream containing NOx and particulate matter are disclosed including a particulate filter comprising a first SCR catalyst for NOx conversion a second SCR catalyst for NOx conversion on a substrate disposed downstream of the particulate filter. The system NOx conversion and the system back pressure increase lie within a targeted operational window.
US08544256B2
One embodiment of a heat exchange system is disclosed having a heat exchange compressor and multiple evaporators capable of operating at different heat transfer requirements. The heat exchange compressor may be a single-stage or multi-stage compressor. In one form the evaporators return working fluid in separate streams to the heat exchange compressor. The heat exchange compressor may be integrated with a gas turbine engine and includes a number of inlets that correspond to a number of separate evaporators. Each inlet can be configured to receive working fluid at different locations within a pressure and velocity flow field created in the compressor. The heat exchange compressor may be driven by a shaft of the gas turbine engine and may be positioned at a variety of locations.
US08544254B2
A turbine generator system includes a turbine power generation unit including a generator and a turbine for driving the generator. The turbine generator system also includes an evaporator, a condenser, a medium feeding pump, a circulating pump, and a feeding passage. The evaporator receives heat from a heat source and supplies a working medium in a vapor phase containing a lubricant to the turbine power generation unit. The condenser condenses the working medium which has flowed through the turbine. The medium feeding pump raises a pressure of the condensed working medium and feeds the working medium to the evaporator, and the working medium extracted from the evaporator is supplied through the feeding passage to bearings in the turbine power generation unit.
US08544253B2
A device (10) for the on-site fitting and extraction of pivot pins of large chain links, which include an alternating sequence of external links and internal links, each internal link including two parallel side pieces pierced at their ends, joined together at the ends by a tubular spacer, and articulated at the ends of the side pieces of the internal links on the pierced ends of the parallel side pieces of two consecutive external links via pivot pins, of the type which includes at least one cylinder (44) which is intended to selectively stress a pivot pin or a side piece of an external link in order to insert the pin or extract the pin, characterized in that it includes a pair of portable cylinder supports (46), supporting two pivoting cylinders (44), synchronized in displacement, and a control device (48) common to both cylinders (44).
US08544251B2
A reel mower has a plurality of reel cutting units. Each reel cutting unit is connected to a frame of the reel mower by its own double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position.
US08544249B2
A mower deck level gauge and procedure are provided to level and align a mower deck suspended from a vehicle and covering at least one rotary cutting blade. The mower deck has a deck height adjustment control indicating the cutting height, and the rim of the mower deck has deck level measuring points marked thereon, and a bracket at the front of the mower deck having a deck level measuring point marked thereon. A one-piece gauge is dimensioned to fit under each deck level measuring point at a specified cutting height.
US08544248B2
A lawn mower with an integral chipper including a deck that has a volute shape with a rearwards-facing funnel along one side, expanding towards and exiting at the rear of the deck, a skirt is arranged around the perimeter of the deck to enclose a cutting space, a handle, front and rear wheel sets, and a motor having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck. The mower also having grass cutting blades and shredder blades connected to the drive shaft, and the chipper blades located above the grass cutting blades. The mower also having a chipper tube running through the deck and opening above the chipper blades. The mower also having a power take-off mechanism connecting to the rear wheels and the motor, and adapted to drive the rear wheels in use.
US08544239B2
Devices, methods, and systems are provided herein for spacing an outer skin of a roof from the supporting structure of the roof such that the roof shields against weather elements, admits light, and allows advantageous air circulation. In one embodiment, a wedge-shaped device for spacing panels on a roof includes a bottom surface, a top surface inclined at an angle relative to the bottom surface, and an integral support structure connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, the support structure including a plurality of ribs and a plurality of nail boxes.
US08544237B2
A lifting assembly for a solar power tower includes a track, a cable, and a winch. The track extends longitudinally from the tower top to the tower base. The winch is located at the tower top and anchors the cable that extends toward the tower bottom adjacent the track. A component attached to the track and to the cable is guided along the track by the winch spooling or unspooling the cable.
US08544232B2
A covering panel has a support plate, made from synthetic plastic material, with a flat and even top surface, a bottom face and pairs of opposite sides provided with complementary profile edges in the form of a male profile edge on one side and a female profile edge on the other, where said male profiled edge can be connected to a female edge of an equal adjacent covering panel, preferably according to a direction that runs perpendicular to said top surface. In their bottom face there are strip-shaped recesses that run according to the direction of extrusion and alternate with a number of support strips, of which at least a part has a width S along that bottom face that complies with 1.5T
US08544227B2
A structural support system includes one or more generally vertically extending columns of curable material wherein each column defines an outer column periphery. A base of curable material is preferably monolithically formed with the column on its lower portion. In one embodiment, the base may have an outer periphery that increases or varies along the base and wherein a foundation of curable material is formed over at least a portion of the base whereby the column, the base, and the foundation are mechanically locked together to resist lateral, torsional, and/or upwardly directed vertical forces.
US08544226B2
An interior partition system for a structural frame building is disclosed. The structural frame building has a ceiling line that defines a ceiling height of occupiable space within the structural frame building. The interior partition system includes a first, or upper, modular partition assembly and a second, or lower, modular partition assembly. A receptor structure is configured to connect the first modular partition assembly to the second modular partition assembly. The first modular partition assembly has a vertical dimension that exceeds the ceiling height.
US08544222B2
An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a pedestrian walkway. The tile includes a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern, and the projections have reinforcing ridges to protect the projections from lateral forces such as those applied by snow plows.
US08544216B1
A portable shelter made from two corrugated plastic sheets. Each sheet has score lines that define a floor panel, two wall panels, and two roof panels. The two sheets are overlapped, and the panels are bent along the score lines to form the walls and roof. Each panel is secured to the adjacent panel with tabs and seam members to form standing seams that are secured by fasteners. An opening in the roof provides ventilation, while a cap over the opening blocks precipitation from entering. The entire structure is secured in place with stakes that are inserted through the floor into the ground. Solar panels can be affixed to the shelter to provide electrical power.
US08544215B2
The present invention relates to sliding door systems, apparatus and methods of using and making the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to systems for opening horizontally sliding doors on a structure, such as, for example, a barn, warehouse, hangar, or other building or structure. Moreover, the present invention relates to apparatuses for providing the automatic opening of sliding doors. In addition, methods of making and using the same are provided.
US08544213B2
A transportable, transformable structure utilizing a tower shuttle apparatus for converting the structure from a closed, transportable unit to an open, stationary unit. The tower shuttle includes a connection post, including a socket joint, connected to a shuttle cart on casters. The socket joint is capable of receiving a ball connection at the base of a structural tower affixed to the transformable structure. This connection allows a single operator to fully assemble a mobile performance stage or other transportable, transformable structure with ease and with no damage to the stage deck. The tower shuttle allows the towers to be moved into position no matter the required direction.
US08544210B2
A mounting structure for mounting a frame garnish on a door window frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The door window frame includes a vertical portion extending in a generally vertical direction so as to overlap a center pillar of the vehicle. The door window frame is formed to surround a door window glass of the vehicle. The vertical portion includes a hooking hole formed in an upper part of the vertical portion and an insertion hole formed in a lower part of the vertical portion. The frame garnish includes a main portion, a hooking portion, and an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the insertion hole in the vertically downward direction, and the hooking portion is inserted into and hooked to the hooking hole.
US08544209B2
A window lifter assembly is provided including a flexible pulling means for transmitting a driving force produced by a window lifter drive to a window pane to be adjusted, having a carrier, which is to be coupled to flexible pulling means and to which the window pane is to be fixed so that the window pane is connected to the flexible pulling means via the carrier. Additionally, the window lifter assembly includes guiding means being spaced from the carrier for guiding the window pane along an adjustment path defined by the guiding means. The window pane is moved together with the carrier in said adjustment path if a drive force is applied to the window pane without the carrier engaging in a guiding device that extends along the adjustment path in addition to the connection of the carrier to the flexible pulling means.
US08544208B2
A plant culture apparatus includes: a culture container including a transparent surrounding wall, a top opening, and a cover to close the top opening; a liquid culture medium disposed inside the culture container and having a liquid surface distal from the cover; a plant support fixed inside the culture container; a plant supported by the plant support; and a solid culture medium disposed within the culture container above the liquid surface. The solid culture medium is dissolvable in the liquid culture medium when the liquid culture medium is caused to contact the solid culture medium.
US08544207B2
A method and apparatus for growing plants (P) hydroponically includes a plant substrate material (52, 54, 56) comprising activated carbon and/or carbonized fibers with or without additional, non-carbonated, non-activated cellulosic fibers. The activated carbon and/or carbonized fibers with or without the additional, non-carbonated, non-activated cellulosic fibers are usable in bulk or manufactured into slabs (56) or other configurations by any of a variety of non-woven, woven, molding, or other techniques. The activated carbon and/or carbonized fibers are made from cellulosic or synthetic carbon fibers, for example, bamboo fibers.
US08544204B2
The present invention is directed to an improved, modifiable wacky worm fishing lure.
US08544194B2
A length-adjustable snowshoe includes a frame and a carrier fixed to the frame. A connecting member mounted to the frame includes two receiving holes. A pivotal portion is formed on a top side of the connecting member. A compartment extends from the pivotal portion through one of the receiving holes. An extension member includes legs slideably received in the receiving holes and is slideable between first and second positions. A sliding member is mounted on the extension member to move therewith. A positioning member is received in the compartment and pivotable between a stop position and a releasing position. The positioning member in the stop position retains the extension member in any location including and intermediate the first and second positions. The extension member can slide between the first and second positions when the positioning member is in the releasing position.
US08544193B2
A snowshoe with binding suspended by tension straps secured to a frame is assembled from a generally U-shaped nose, and an aft section which can be a midsection and a tail. In one embodiment the nose has sufficient strength to resist inward pulling under tension to suspend the binding resiliently, without significant strength contribution from aft portions of the frame. The aft portion of the snowshoe includes traction elements, i.e. rows of teeth, positioned to engage into snow and ice. An important aspect of the invention is that the nose and aft sections are non-integral and very dissimilar in cross section, in a suspended-binding snowshoe.
US08544192B2
An article of footwear comprising a plurality of strips is disclosed. The connections between continuous portions of the article can be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures disposed in one or more continuous portions. One continuous portion may include a tongue portion of an article. The attachment of the tongue portion to a front of an article may be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures.
US08544187B2
Disclosed herein are a clothes dryer and a control method thereof in which a drying time is adjusted according to wool content during a drying cycle of a wool course. Wool content of woolen textiles is judged by sensing a dryness of the woolen textiles during a drying cycle of a wool course, and a drying time is adjusted according to the wool content, thereby minimizing contraction or deformation of the woolen textiles while satisfying the range of a target dryness set by wool mark standards. Further, only a high-capacity heater is driven during the drying cycle of the wool course, thereby allowing an internal temperature of a rotary drum to keep the optimum temperature without contraction or deformation of the woolen textiles.
US08544184B2
A machine for the production of a fibrous web. The fibrous web being a paper web, a cardboard web or a tissue web. The machine including a hot air hood, an upstream drying zone, a downstream dryer cylinder and a dryer hood. The upstream drying zone has an area in which the moving fibrous web is treated with hot air from the hot air hood, the hot air hood being allocated to the upstream drying zone. The downstream dryer cylinder is a Yankee-Cylinder. The dryer hood is associated with the downstream dryer cylinder for further drying of the fibrous web. The hot air for the hot air hood is at least partially recovered from the dryer hood which is associated to the downstream drying cylinder.
US08544183B2
A device for supporting at least one vessel containing a target material to be lyophilized generally includes a support panel, a central region, a perimeter region, a thermal shield, and at least one shielding cavity. The support panel has a support surface. The central region is defined by the support panel for supporting the at least one vessel. The perimeter region is also defined by the support panel and surrounding the central region. The thermal shield is positioned about the perimeter region and extends transverse to the support surface of the support panel such that the thermal shield and the support panel define a storage space for accommodating the at least one vessel. The at least one shielding cavity is defined by the thermal shield and contains a shielding material during a lyophilization process. The shielding material is distinct from the target material.
US08544182B2
The assembly for leveling new concrete includes a driver that has a guide that is placed in a mounting structure so that the driver may be used to drive the mounting structure into the ground. The driver has both a removable rebar marker and conduit marker so that depending on whether an individual wants to use a screed pipe conduit or rebar as a support structure in their concrete the support structures are properly aligned.
US08544181B2
A method of predicting a well trajectory wherein the method utilises a series of parameters to calculate the trajectory. The method is characterised in that the parameters include the angle of a drill bit (23) relative to a well bore (27), and the variation of said angle during drilling wherein the variation of said angle is related to the moment on the bit (23).
US08544167B2
There is disclosed a collective mounting method of electronic components in which a plurality of electronic components can uniformly be pressed to an insulating layer in a short time in a case where the electronic components and a resin layer are fixed. To manufacture a semiconductor-embedded substrate 200 in which a plurality of semiconductor devices 220 are embedded, after disposing the plurality of semiconductor devices 220 on an unhardened resin layer 212, this is stored in a container 31 of a pressurizing and heating unit 3, the plurality of semiconductor devices 220 are simultaneously, collectively and isotropically pressurized by use of an internal gas in the container 31 as a pressure medium to simultaneously press the plurality of semiconductor devices 220 to the unhardened resin layer 212, and the resin layer 212 is heated and hardened. In consequence, the plurality of semiconductor devices 220 are collectively and uniformly fixed and mounted onto the resin layer 212 without being influenced by a state change of the resin layer 212.
US08544164B1
According to one embodiment, a head stack assembly cartridge is provided. The head stack assembly cartridge includes a base plate having a pivot shaft for pivotally mounting a head stack assembly and a base voice coil motor magnet attached to an inner surface of the base plate. The base voice coil motor magnet is arranged on the inner surface of the base plate to be adjacent to a coil of the head stack assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft. The head stack assembly cartridge further includes a cover removably attached to the base plate and a pivot clamp removably attached to the cover and configured to secure the head stack assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft.
US08544161B2
A method of mounting a hand-held portable telephone or other normally hand-held portable device, wherein the method includes: mounting a body of a portable device holder on a mounting surface external of the portable device holder with a base surface thereof facing substantially away from the mounting surface; rotating opposing arms apart around a central post interior of the body, whereby substantially upright opposing fingers adjacent to ends of the arms are rotated apart; inserting a portable device between the rotated apart opposing fingers; and resiliently urging together the rotated apart opposing arms, whereby opposing fingers are urged into compressive contact with the portable device.
US08544155B2
A safety hook includes a main body defining an inner space and an opening, a latch unit pivoted to the main body, an operable unit pivoted to the main body, and a safety lock unit. The latch unit is normally at a closed position for blocking the opening. When the operable unit is pressed, the safety lock unit is co-rotatable with the operable unit with respect to the main body from a locked position, where the safety lock unit abuts against the latch unit to retain the latch unit at the closed position, to an unlocked position, where the safety lock unit is removed from the latch unit to allow the latch unit to rotate from the closed position to an opened position allowing access into the inner space through the opening.
US08544150B2
An improved top pin assembly is provided for a traffic door which is side-mountable to the door without the necessity of integrated the top pin assembly within the interior of the door panel.
US08544149B1
A gate stabilizer for reducing sag-inducing stress on a gate comprising a support member and a stabilizer assembly, said stabilizer assembly including a rotating member having a first end portion adapted to engage said support member and a fixed member. The present invention further relates to a fence system incorporating said gate stabilizer.
US08544144B2
Provided is a dust separation apparatus of a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus includes a dust-collecting body defining a dust-storing part, a compressing member configured to compress dust stored in the dust-collecting body, and a lower cover on a lower side of the dust-collecting body, the lower cover opening and closing the dust-storing part.
US08544136B2
An automobile windshield wiper blade has an elongated belt-shaped, flexible resilient support element, on the lower belt surface which faces the windshield and has an elastic rubber wiper strip extending along the windshield parallel to the longitudinal axis. A wind deflection strip on the upper belt surface has an incident surface facing the direction of driving wind. The deflection strip extends longitudinally, and has two sides that diverge from a common base point as seen in cross section, such that the incident surface is located at one exterior side and the wind deflection strip has a constant cross section along its entire length. The support element has outer edges, and the sides of the wind deflection strip have respective free ends that have respective claw-like extensions that grip the outer edges of the support element, wherein the wind deflection strip can be snapped or slid longitudinally onto the outer edges.
US08544133B2
A mopping device includes a mopping head having at least one of a mopping cloth, a mopping cover, a mopping bundle, and a mopping pad. The mopping device further includes a handle and a multi-turn actuator.
US08544129B2
The present invention pertains to a composite girder for bridge construction. More preferably, a girder is formed in a rectangular shape that is horizontally long and opened at the top portion thereof, wherein the girder is convexly curved in the center so as to be formed in the shape of an arch. The girder has a compression section, a web and a tension section, which are integrally composed together, and is filled with concrete inside the girder so as to increase the sectional strength of the girder. Simultaneously, a stopper is formed on the inside surface of the compression section to prevent the separation of the steel materials and the concrete.
US08544126B2
A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a patient support surface supported in the frame, and a plurality of functional components associated with the patient support surface or the frame. The apparatus further includes a control system, with a controller, incorporated into the patient support surface or the frame and in operative communication with at least one of the functional components for controlling the component. The control system further includes a touch-screen in communication with the controller for controlling the functional component, which is positioned in the barrier around the patient support surface, and accessible at the exterior or interior surface of the barrier for access by a user. The touch-screen is configured to allow the user to select one or more of the functional components and control a parameter associated with the selected functional component. In addition, an icon is generated at the touch-screen representative of the parameter associated with the selected functional component, and with icon changing in response to the user adjusting the parameter associated with the selected functional component wherein the change in the icon gives the user feedback on the degree of change made by the user to the parameter associated with the selected functional component.
US08544121B1
A carrier or support system for a wall mounted toilet for adequately supporting the weight of a user. A first support assembly has a faceplate, spaced-apart pedestals, two washer plates, a fitting member, a coupling, a first fastener for allowing vertical movement between the pedestals and the faceplate, a second fastener for allowing vertical movement between the fitting member and the faceplate, and a first threaded stud arrangement for mounting the toilet to the wall. A second support assembly has a support member, a second threaded stud arrangement, and an anchor foot for supporting the fitting member on the floor. A third support assembly has a frame and a third threaded stud arrangement mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the floor. The second and/or third support assemblies may be used with the first support assembly for providing adequate support for bariatric or obese users.
US08544119B2
A cloth assembly for making a protective pad for sports includes a plurality of supporting fibers extending between and supporting first and second knitted cloths, providing an elastic air-permeable cloth. A knitted cloth includes a first side having a plurality of loops and a second side bonded to an outer face of the first knitted cloth. A hook tape includes a plurality of hooks on a face thereof. The hook tape is fixed to the first side of the knitted cloth or an outer surface of the second knitted cloth according to the type of the protective pad to be made. When the hook tape is fixed to the knitted cloth, the face of the hook tape having the hooks faces the first side of the knitted cloth having loops. Only a portion of the hook tape overlaps and is fixed to an end of the knitted cloth.
US08544117B2
A helmet has a ventilated shell, ventilated padding and a ventilated liner of plural cells mounted to the padding for engaging a wearer's head. The liner has top and bottom flexible sheets fused around their perimeter, the bottom sheet having plural round or oval toroidal cells and plural round or oval closed cells, the openings in the toroidal cells extending through the top sheet. Foam at least partly fills each cell. Cells under a crown of the shell are connected in a first circuit with a valve for inflating these cells and a other cells under temporal and occipital portions of the shell are connected in a second inflation circuit with a valve for inflating the second plurality of the cells. Cells under the frontal portion not being inflatable and being substantially filled with foam padding.
US08544114B2
An exercise suit which includes a resilient band extending through a guide pocket in a first direction along a pant leg or sleeve of the suit. The band engages a direction changing means near the end of the leg or sleeve and at least a portion of the band extends there beyond in a second direction. A free end of the band is releasably engaged with a tension adjustment mechanism provided on the exterior of the leg or sleeve a distance away from the direction changing means. The wearer adjusts the tension in the band by moving a length of the band through the direction changing means and repositioning the free end on the tension adjustment mechanism. A cover is removably disposed over the tension adjustment mechanism to prevent accidental dislodgement of the free end of the band.
US08549660B2
An apparatus may comprise an optical detector configured to detect an optical beam reflected from a cantilever. The apparatus may further comprise an optical fiber probe suspended from the cantilever and a piezotube configured to move a sample substance in proximity to the optical fiber probe. The cantilever may be configured to deflect in response to an interfacial force between the sample substance and the optical fiber probe. The apparatus may further comprise a feedback controller communicatively coupled to the optical detector and a semiconductive circuit element abutting the cantilever. In response to detecting movement of the optical beam reflected from the cantilever, the feedback controller may apply a voltage to the semiconductive circuit element, which may reduce deflection of the cantilever. The voltage applied by the feedback controller may indicate a strength of the interfacial force between the sample substance and the optical fiber probe.
US08549654B2
A system and method for providing policy-based data management and control on a NAS device deployed on a network and having event enabling framework software. When a user makes a request to store, read, or manipulate data on the NAS device, the NAS device provides an indication of this request to a management tool running on a remote system through the event enabling framework software. The management tool reviews the request in light of its previously established policy-based data storage management configuration and subsequently informs the NAS device, via the event enabling framework software, to either accept or not accept the user's request to store, read or modify data on the NAS device.
US08549647B1
An improved approach for classifying portable executable files as malicious (malware) or benign (whiteware) is disclosed. The invention classifies portable executable files as malware or whiteware after using Bayes Theorem to evaluate each observable feature of each file with respect to other observable features of the same portable executable file with reference to statistical information gathered from repositories of known whiteware and malware files.
US08549646B2
Methods, media and systems for responding to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes detecting a DoS attack, migrating one or more processes that provide a service to an unaffected system; authenticating users that are authorized to use the service; and routing traffic generated by authenticated users to the unaffected system.
US08549640B2
A system and method are disclosed for providing security for a computer network. Content is generated for a computer associated with the network. It is determined whether a user should be routed to the generated content. If it is determined that the user should be routed to the generated content, the user is so routed.
US08549639B2
A controller (104) for managing operations of a communication network has a communication element (202) for monitoring data traffic of an IP address in the communication network and for controlling operations of the communication network, a memory for storage (204), and a processor (206) for controlling operations of the communication element, and the memory. The processor is programmed to select (302) an IP (Internet Protocol) address to analyze, monitor (304) for the effects of malicious software originating from the IP address utilized by one or more customers, detect (306) a suspected malicious event, and restrict (312) Internet access to one or more customers suspected of interrupting service of the communication network.
US08549630B2
A method of securing bus architecture from a Trojan attack. A restricted address access detector generates an unauthorized access detection signal when a master ID signal is within a restricted range. The unauthorized access detection signal disables the requested slave select signal, and the address decoder instead outputs a default slave select signal. A counter determines the duration of a lock signal from a master, and a comparator activates a malicious bus lock signal if the lock signal duration exceeds a threshold. The master mask register forcibly gates the lock signal upon receipt of the malicious bus lock signal. If the duration of a wait request from a slave exceeds a maximum duration register value, a comparator activates a malicious wait detection signal to disable the wait request signal. The method might include storing identifying information about the malicious master and storing a slave ID corresponding to the malicious slave.
US08549624B2
Various embodiments include a method of detecting shell code in an arbitrary file comprising determining where one or more candidate areas exist within an arbitrary file, searching at least one nearby area surrounding each of the one or more candidate areas within the arbitrary file for an instruction candidate, and calculating for any such instruction candidate a statistical probability based on a disassembly of instructions starting at a found offset for the instruction candidate that the disassembled instructions are shellcode.
US08549623B1
Outbound communication from a computer is monitored, and requests to access remote links are identified. This process identifies attempts by users to access links provided by third parties in emails and such, as well other attempts by users to access remote domains. Domains in the identified requests are profiled, by testing them for properties associated with known legitimate domains, and for properties associated with known fraudulent domains. A trustworthiness score for a domain is calculated based on the results of the profiling. The trustworthiness score is compared to a predetermined threshold, and from the results it is determined whether or not the domain is legitimate. If the domain is fraudulent, appropriate action is taken, such as blocking the attempt to access the domain.
US08549618B2
A client computer that is connectable to a host computer by a network, includes a communication part to communicate with the host computer; a user input part; a system part to perform a function depending on an application; and a controller to control the system part to be put into a locking state to stop performing operations input by a user from the user input part if a locking signal is received from the host computer through the communication part, and to control the communication part to unlock the locking state if an unlocking signal is received from the host computer through the communication part.
US08549614B2
Techniques are provided for sending from a client in a first network device a session initiate message over a first secure network connection that is configured to initiate a communications session with a client in a second network device. The session initiate message is configured to supply connection information for the second network device to establish a second secure network connection with the first network device. A session accept message is received from the client in the second network device over the first secure network connection that is configured to accept the communications session with the client in the first network device. The session accept message is configured to supply connection information for the first network device to establish the second secure network connection with the second network device. The second secure network connection is established between the first network device and the second network device using the connection information.
US08549613B2
A system and method for enabling access to a computer server operating within a private network, in which the computer server is isolated by access restrictions that prevent incoming connections from a public network. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a remote client operating in a public network outside the private network, initiating a secure communication channel with the remote client, and instructing the remote client to initiate a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) session with the computer server via the secure communication channel.
US08549608B2
An implement method and device of a terminal call firewall is disclosed. According to the method, a call number is added into a blacklist list when it is determined that the call number is not in the blacklist list stored and an address list and it is determined that a call duration is less than a set call duration threshold. A device is disclosed for automatically blocking incoming calls to the terminal according to the method.
US08549597B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating temporary virtual identities in a social networking system. An identity associated with a user is authenticated. A time period, location or other parameter associated with the user is authenticated. The temporary virtual identity is registered in the social networking system. Content generated by the user is published in the social networking system under the temporary virtual identity.
US08549596B2
A method for authenticating, by a trusted component, a user of a desktop appliance to a remote machine includes executing, by a desktop appliance, a user interaction component, responsive to receiving a secure attention sequence from a user. The user interaction component receives authentication credentials associated with the user. The desktop appliance transmits, to a broker service, the received authentication credentials. The broker service authenticates the user, responsive to the received authentication credentials. The broker service transmits, to a remote machine, authentication data associated with the received authentication credentials. The remote machine authenticates the user, responsive to the received authentication data. The remote machine provides, to the desktop appliance, access to a resource requested by the user. In another aspect, a trusted component provides, to a user of a desktop appliance, access to secure desktop functionality provided by a remote machine.
US08549591B2
Device, system, and method of accessing electronic mail. For example, a computerized method includes: receiving an identifier of an email account, and a password; if the password matches a first reference password previously stored in association with said email account, then authorizing a substantially full access to said email account; if the password matches a second reference password previously stored in association with said email account, then authorizing a restricted access to said email account.
US08549583B2
A media content delivery system and method is operable to communicate an authorized single media content stream generated by a local programming provider (LPP) in a domestic market area (DMA) to a client facility, wherein the authorized single media content stream is multiplexed into a multi-media content stream with a plurality of other single media content streams generated by a plurality of other LPPS in the DMA. An exemplary embodiment identifies an authorized single media content stream of interest to a client; accesses the multi-media content stream communicated from a communication network at the client facility, unbundles the authorized single media content stream from the received multi-media content stream, and communicates the authorized single media content stream to a program content generation system operated by the client.
US08549579B2
A request to process a request message using a request queue within a request-reply messaging environment is detected at a dynamic data protection module. At least one authorized sender module and a sole authorized recipient module of a response message to the request message is identified using a request queue policy of the request queue. A reply queue policy is dynamically created to process the response message using the identified at least one authorized sender module and the sole authorized recipient module of the response message. The dynamically-created reply queue policy is associated with a reply queue. The response message is processed responsive to a request to process the response message using the dynamically-created reply queue policy and the associated reply queue.
US08549572B2
A portable network test meter device for a CATV network is disclosed which permits simultaneous operation of a measurement system including a first tuner and a communication system including a cable modem including a second tuner. Only a single RF input/output port is necessary for connection to the CATV network.
US08549567B2
A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.
US08549562B2
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
US08549556B2
A contextual advertising system and method receives video data and multiple advertisements associated with the video data. The system and method identify object content in the received video data and generates a video signal representing the video data. The video signal is communicated to a display device which displays a video image. User interaction with the displayed video image is monitored by the system and method. An advertisement is selected from the multiple received advertisements for display to the user. The advertisement is selected based on the user interaction with the displayed video image and the identified object content in the video data.
US08549554B2
Stage props, such as consumer products, in legacy program content are replaced with dynamically replaceable assets. Such assets can be used for advertising purposes in that images of different products and services can be inserted therein and are changeable via a network. Such assets may be created by identifying props in the content for replacement, determining location and visual effects information for each identified prop, and creating a reference file that includes the content and the location and the visual effects information associated with each identified prop. A value may be determined for each asset or advertisers may bid on the assets to yield additional advertising revenue channel for the content. The content may be played back by broadcasting the content and reference information designating parameters for inserting the assets into the content. Replacement images, such as images of products, may be obtained via a network. The visual appearance of each replacement image may be modified using visual effects information so the inserted objects appear natural as if they were part of the original scene.
US08549549B2
Provided is an optical disk device, including a top case and a bottom case which constitute a housing having a substantially box shape in which: the top case includes, on one side thereof, a hook which engages with the bottom case; the bottom case includes an engaging portion which is provided with a cutout which engages with the hook; and a shielding portion for preventing an air flow passing through the cutout is provided in an inside of the cutout.
US08549543B2
A WPAR is migrated. Responsive to starting a checkpoint process, data and control information is collected and stored for IPC objects in the WPAR. Responsive to receiving a request to restart the WPAR, a type of IPC object is determined. Responsive to a determination that the IPC object is not an IPC shared memory object, a kernel handle that a process wants to be used for a new IPC object is registered. A request to create a new IPC object comprising a name uniquely associated with the IPC object and a WPAR identifier is issued. An entry that matches the name and WPAR identifier is identified and a virtual kernel handle is retrieved. The new IPC object is created. The virtual kernel handle is mapped to a real kernel handle and returned to the process. Data and control information is retrieved and overlaid onto the new IPC object.
US08549540B1
An approach is provided that detects inbound messages being put to message queues managed by a middleware message queuing platform. The approach retrieves activity trace data corresponding to each of the inbound messages, with the activity trace data maintained by the middleware message queuing platform. The approach generates inbound event records corresponding the inbound messages based on the activity trace data. The approach then detects outbound messages retrieved from the message queues. Activity trace data corresponding to the outbound messages is retrieved and the approach generates an outbound event record for each outbound message. The approach receives a transaction request from a requestor that corresponds to a message. The approach retrieves and returns the inbound event records and outbound event records that correspond to the requested message. The retrieved event records are used for transaction tracking: to build transaction flow topologies and to report transaction performance metrics.
US08549526B2
The disclosed access control apparatus and method controls an I/O device to perform processing of access requests in a predetermined order including inputting access requests from multiple tasks to cause the I/O device to perform file processing, storing and managing information about file priorities, obtaining a file priority corresponding to an access request, managing a queue having multiple queues for which the processing priorities corresponding to the file priorities are set and causing the access request to be stored in any of the queues corresponding to the file priority, and obtaining the access requests stored in the queues in an order based on the processing priorities set for the queues and sends the access requests to the I/O device.
US08549524B2
In a computer system with a multi-core processor, the execution of tasks is scheduled in that a first queue for new tasks and a second queue for suspended tasks are related to a first core, and a third queue for new tasks and a fourth queue for suspended tasks are related to a second core. The tasks have instructions, the new tasks are tasks where none of the instructions have been executed by any of the cores, and the suspended tasks are tasks where at least one of the instructions has been executed by any of the cores. New tasks are popped from the first queue to the first core; and in case the first queue being empty, tasks are popped to the first queue in the following preferential order: suspended tasks from the second queue, new task from the third queue, and new tasks from the fourth queue.
US08549522B1
Technologies for an automated testing environment (ATE) framework can support the creation and execution of various automated tests on data storage systems. The ATE framework can support various configurations of multiple client systems exercising multiple storage target systems. A connectionless communication model can be supported among elements within the ATE. Complex tests can be subdivided into smaller jobs that can be executed sequentially, in parallel, or any combination thereof. Sophisticated scheduling mechanisms can include dependency relationships that can require one job to finish before another job begins. Multiple storage targets and multiple initiators can be involved in various configurations and combinations for specific testing tasks. The ATE framework can support extensibility, test tracking, reporting of test results, and fault injection.
US08549519B2
A method of managing use of resources in data center comprises: determining whether first storage subsystem includes a virtual volume or a storage pool that uses a physical volume of second storage subsystem and, if yes, migrating the physical volume to first storage subsystem; determining whether any storage subsystem includes a virtual volume created directly from a physical volume and, if yes, migrating the virtual volume to another virtual volume provisioned from the storage pool of the storage subsystem; and determining whether all virtual volumes satisfy a preset service level objective and, if no, then selecting a virtual machine which has a smallest virtual machine disk file and selecting a storage pool having a largest free space, and then selecting a virtual volume of the storage subsystem which has the selected storage pool and migrating the virtual machine disk file of the selected virtual machine to the selected virtual volume.
US08549507B2
A loop coalescing method and a loop coalescing device are disclosed. The loop coalescing method comprises removing an inner-most loop from among nested loops, so that an outer operation provided outside of the inner-most loop is performed when a condition of a conditional statement is satisfied, generating a guard code by applying an if-conversion method to the conditional statement, and converting a guard by using an instruction calculating the guard of the guard code, the instruction calculating the guard using a register where information related to a period of time corresponding to the number of iterations of the inner-most loop is stored.
US08549505B2
A profiling method executed by a computer and system including generating a source code by adding a call instruction for a profile acquisition function to a source program of an application, generating an execution form of a profiling target program by linking a library of profile acquisition functions to the source code, executing the profiling target program in an operating system of a target system, calling a profile acquisition driver by executing the call instruction of the profile acquisition function via the library of the profile acquisition functions, and acquiring sampling information on an execution status of the profiling target program based on an interrupt occurrence by the profile acquisition driver.
US08549501B2
Generating mixed-mode operations in the compilation of program code for processors having vector or SIMD processing units is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, program instructions making up the body of a loop are abstracted into virtual vector instructions. These virtual vector instructions are treated, for initial code optimization purposes, as vector instructions (i.e., instructions written for the vector unit). The virtual vector instructions are eventually expanded into native code for the target processor, at which time a determination is made for each virtual vector instruction as to whether to expand the virtual vector instruction into native vector instructions, into native scalar instructions, into calls to pre-defined library functions, or into a combination of these. A cost model is used to determine the optimal choice of expansion based on hardware/software constraints, performance costs/benefits, and other criteria.
US08549497B2
A process for dynamically generating browser-ready code from a high-level code description of a web page written in a first predefined language having one or more adaptive features and from one or more constraints associated with a request for such browser-ready code.
US08549496B2
A code generator and multi-core framework are executable in a computer system to implement methods as disclosed herein, including a method for the code generator to automatically generate multi-threaded source code from functional specifications, and for the multi-core framework, which is a run time component, to generate multi-threaded task object code from the multi-threaded source code and to execute the multi-threaded task object code on respective processor cores. The methods provide transparency to the programmer, and during execution, provide automatic identification of processing parallelisms. The methods implement Consume-Simplify-Produce and Normalize-Transpose-Distribute operations to reduce complex expression sets in a functional specification to simplified expression sets operable in parallel processing environments through the generated multi-threaded task object code. The result is a code generator which compiles transparent declarative code into multi-threaded code and that in the process identifies and assigns parallel processing paths to improve overall processing performance.
US08549493B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to MIDlet execution in a desktop environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for clip region definition for a MIDlet region space. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for clip region definition for a MIDlet region space can be provided. The method can include extracting a raster image from a MIDlet, computing a clip region from the extracted raster image for the MIDlet, deploying the MIDlet to a desktop environment through an emulator, and applying the clip region to the MIDlet through the emulator to deploy the MIDlet as a widgetized application in the desktop environment.
US08549492B2
A machine declarative language for formatted data processing is provided. The machine declarative language may be used to generate constraints which can be projected onto a string according to one or more anchor points. The constraints can correspond to evaluation criteria. At least a portion of a string can be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria.
US08549488B2
An apparatus for validating a value of a variable data item in a software routine in execution includes a profile set generator that generates a profile set of typical values of the variable data item, a profile rule generator that generates a profile rule representing the profile set, and a profile checker that determines if a value of the variable data item satisfies the profile rule.
US08549486B2
An exemplary method includes providing software for testing; during execution of the software, performing a symbolic execution of the software to produce path constraints; injecting issue constraints into the software where each issue constraint comprises a coded formula; solving the constraints using a constraint solver; based at least in part on the solving, generating input for testing the software; and testing the software using the generated input to check for violations of the injected issue constraints. Such a method can actively check properties of the software. Checking can be performed on a path for a given input using a constraint solver where, if the check fails for the given input, the constraint solver can also generate an alternative input for further testing of the software. Various exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are disclosed.
US08549485B2
A method and apparatus for the concise expression of optional code snippets in interpreted object-oriented programming language software applications is described. In one embodiment, the method includes defining a first class where the first class is a concise expression class that includes one or more objects. The method may also include including the concise expression class in a second class that includes one or more objects of the second class. The method may also include executing an expression in a software application to evaluate an object of the second class and returning an instance of an object of the concise expression class when data associated with the object of the second class does not exist within the software application.
US08549482B2
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to display subtitles are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes selecting a test script that corresponds to an application, and superimposing a subtitle bar including a test instruction from the test script over a portion of a display of the application within a user interface so that the subtitle bar reduces interference with viewing a region of interest of the display, wherein the test instruction provides an action a user is to perform to test the application.
US08549470B2
Exemplary embodiments support multi-threaded subgraph execution control within a graphical modeling or graphical programming environment. In an embodiment, a subgraph may be identified as a subset of blocks within a graphical model, or graphical program, or both. A subgraph initiator may explicitly execute the subgraph while maintaining data dependencies within the subgraph. Explicit signatures may be defined for the subgraph initiator and the subgraph either graphically or textually. Execution control may be branched wherein the data dependencies within the subgraph are maintained. Execution control may be joined together wherein the data dependencies within the subgraph are maintained. Exemplary embodiments may allow subgraphs to execute on different threads within a graphical modeling or programming environment.
US08549469B2
A system and method for requirement specification for entire MVC (Model-View-Controller) based web applications, by providing processes and artifacts that are suitable for each of the areas of concerns, and cohesively combining them with standard object modeling. Some of the areas provided for include general static as well as the dynamic aspects presentation, web navigation and actions, and view to model data mapping; also provides the system and method to create application for target platforms using the resulting design specification and platform mapping information.
US08549457B1
Disclosed is an improved method, system, and computer program product for performing core placement when presented with an I/O ring design. A multi-pass approach is taken to place and shape core objects into the available core area formed by the inner surface of the I/O ring. The multi-pass approach permits very fast placement of the core objects, which still provides for an accurate estimation of the die size and configuration requirements for the electronic design. Moreover, the present approach allows core objects to be placed in a way that retains any preferred affinities for the objects to be located near other objects, e.g., near specific I/Os on the I/O ring.
US08549449B2
Various methods for analyzing mutual inductance in an integrated circuit layout are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, for instance, a circuit description indicative of the layout of signal wires and ground wires in the circuit is received. The signal wires and the ground wires are grouped into at least a first bundle and a second bundle, wherein the first bundle and the second bundle each comprise a respective signal-wire segment and one or more corresponding ground-wire segments. A representative dipole moment is calculated for the first bundle. Using the representative dipole moment, the mutual inductance between the first bundle and the second bundle is calculated. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods or storing design databases created or modified using any of the disclosed techniques are also disclosed.
US08549447B2
Methods and/or associated devices and/or systems for creating integrated circuits (IC's) that have multiple connected I/O regions that can be designed and implemented using commonly available standard I/O libraries in conjunction with standard IC design flows and tools and in combination with one or more novel standardized I/O region interconnect cells for interconnecting between or through otherwise separated I/O regions. Specific embodiments support a wide variety of IC's that can be developed using standard libraries and design flows including: application specific integrated circuits (ASIC's), programmable logic devices (PLDs), custom IC's, analog IC's, CPU's, GPU's, and other IC's that require large numbers of input/ouput (IO) circuits while having relatively small core circuitry areas. Specific embodiments may involve innovative I/O cell functions, innovative IC topologies, and innovative IC packaging solutions for single die packages and multiple die packages.
US08549443B2
A GUI interface, a method of programming a GUI interface, and an apparatus which enables functions of controls in the GUI to be activated by a movement to a control and then another subsequent movement related to that control. It may be defined more precisely below. A GUI in which, when a pointer 0 is immediately adjacent or passes over a control area 1, a procedure is initiated whereby subsequent movement of the pointer over a predetermined path area 3 generates a ‘click’ event which simulates direct clicking of the control 1 and moving outside the predetermined path area 3 prior to completion of the path 3 resets the control to as if the pointer has never started along the predetermined path area 3.
US08549439B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to display (using a 3D graphics application) an overlayed window containing an alternate data representation in a three-dimensional system. A first 3D view of a real world scene (that includes a first set of data layers) is displayed on a display device. The user selects a set of entities that together define an alternate representation of the first 3D view. The alternate representation is a second set of data layers that is different than the first set of data layers. An overlayed window is displayed on top of the first 3D view and displays the alternate representation.
US08549435B1
A piece of data is selected from a collection of one or more pieces of data to be inserted. A thumbnail is generated that includes at least some content associated with the selected piece of data. The thumbnail is displayed in place of or with a cursor, where the cursor is associated with specifying an insertion location in a document.
US08549434B2
A method use on a computer having a graphical operating environment is provided for displaying the content items of a container. The method includes enumerating the items that exist within the container or folder and determining whether a graphical preview can be generated for the item. If so, the item is added to a list of candidates as preview items for the container or folder. The items are then evaluated, and a desired number are chosen for display based upon a sort criteria. Prior to being displayed, the graphical preview for each item is sized and is located on the background image. The above method results in a container having graphical or pictorial indicia of the container contents on the outside thereof. These indicia allow a computer user to more readily determine the contents of the container or folder without having to open the container or folder.
US08549433B2
A method for providing a user interface in connection with a recommendation service may include causing communication of a request for content where the request includes context information and preference information associated with a user of a device causing communication of the request, receiving a response to the request in response to the request being serviceable where the response includes a series of recommendations serialized in protocol-specific data structure, and causing rendering of content associated with the recommendations as graphical tiles according to the protocol-specific data structure such that a plurality of recommendations associated with a same primary context are associated with each other in a common channel. An apparatus and computer program product corresponding to the method are also provided.
US08549429B2
A multi-window management apparatus includes: an activating icon display unit for displaying activating icons 60, 62, 64 and 66 on a display screen 56; a window display unit opening, when activating icon 64 is designated, a window 72 corresponding to activating icon 64 next to activating icon 64; and a window arranging unit for rearranging and displaying, when activating icon 64 is designated, a window 68 that has been open, and activating icons 60, 62 and 66 other than the designated activating icon 64, such that these are arranged along the longer side direction of display screen 56 not to be overlapping on an area where the new window 72 is to be opened.
US08549428B2
A portable noncontact thermometer comprising a hand-held housing defining an aperture for ingress of incident thermal energy from a target location. A thermometer module includes a noncontact thermal energy detector impinged by the incident thermal energy. The thermometer module further includes a microcontroller operative to interpret electrical signals derived from an output of the noncontact thermal energy detector so as to determine temperature at the target location. A graphical display device, such as an LCD dot matrix display device, is fixed with respect to the housing. The display device is capable of providing a graphical user interface having multiple screens variously showing numbers, text and functional icons. Preferably, the screens will display function tabs located adjacent to corresponding buttons on the housing. The tabs will change depending on the varying function that may be implemented by pressing a respective button. The thermometer also includes circuitry, which include the microcontroller, in electrical communication with the graphical display device so as to produce the graphical user interface.
US08549427B2
An article producing terminal apparatus communicatable with an external apparatus holding article-producing job data including image data, production information for producing an article using the image data and terminal designation information is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a communication unit communicating with the external apparatus; an article producing unit producing an article using the image data; a job acquiring unit acquiring that article-producing job data in the article-producing job data held in the external apparatus which designates the local article producing terminal apparatus with the terminal designation information by causing the communication unit to communicate with the external apparatus; and a job execution control unit causing the article producing unit to execute article production based on the image data and the production information in the article-producing job data acquired by the job acquiring unit.
US08549426B2
Apparatus and a method for configuring an on-screen image in a mobile telecommunications handset making it possible for a multimedia menu to be displayed when a connected earphone is recognized, thereby allowing a user to conveniently select a multimedia application without having to use a keypad for initiating an instruction to perform the multimedia application.
US08549425B2
In a method, system, and computer-readable medium having instructions for a visual treatment for a user interface in a content integration framework, information is received on a tile size for a matrix of tiles and the matrix has one or more tiles with the tile size displayed on a user interface, one or more content images is received for display on the user interface, a position is determined within a first tile of the matrix for rendering a first content image from the one or more content images, a first area of excess space is determined within the tile after positioning the first content image within the first tile and the first area of excess space is dependent on at least one of an aspect ratio of the first content image and a size of the first content image, a reflection of the first content image is rendered within at least a portion of the first area of excess space within the first tile, the first content image is rendered within the first tile of the matrix, and descriptive text associated with the first content image is displayed so that the descriptive text overlays the reflection and not the first content image.
US08549423B2
A method for creating a second mathematical object based on a first mathematical object in a computing apparatus having a graphical user interface includes selecting a first mathematical object in response to an instruction received from a user; creating a second mathematical object using data of said first mathematical object; linking said first mathematical object to said second mathematical object; and creating a visual link between said first mathematical object and said second mathematical object.
US08549422B2
A graphical approach to setup data sharing between two controllers. Symbols that represent controllers may be placed on a wiresheet. A link may be constructed between the controllers by connecting the symbols with a line drawn between them. The resulting link information may lead to a compile and download of binding tables to the pertinent controller. The designer or user need not setup several levels of mapping by populating multiple tables to effect the binding for a link between the controllers. This binding may be done automatically under a hood without the designer or user needing to be aware of the binding activity. This approach for graphically constructing a link may be particularly applicable to BACnet controllers.
US08549414B2
An active meeting can be identified that occurs in a collaborative environment that is an electronic meeting system. The meeting can be associated with a meeting identifier, a ranking value, and/or a plurality of participants. Relationship information of the participants with regard to a specified entity can be determined. Relationship information can include a social network relationship, presence information, and/or collaboration metadata. A ranking value, which is a numerical or alphanumeric value, for the meeting can be programmatically established based on the relationship information.
US08549410B2
In one inventive aspect, a method of reactive targeted advertising provides for display of advertising, via the internet, to computers of users. In a particular example, a plurality of keywords are stored in a memory. The method comprises determining whether one or more of those keywords are used in a web page, and for any keywords determined to be used, an advertisement is selected using those keywords. The advertisement is for display on the computer of the user who is accessing the web page. A request is received for the selected advertisement, and the advertisement is provided, from an advertising server and over the internet, for display on the computer of the user.
US08549409B2
A method for customizing display preferences for a web application. Ease of interaction with web content may be improved by customizing display preferences that affect the way content is rendered by a server and provided to a user. Elements of menus for navigation among web pages for various functions, for example, may be added, removed, reordered, renamed, rearranged in a hierarchy, hidden, or shown to help users tailor the functions to their needs and thus better aid them in using the web pages.
US08549405B2
A GUI, system, and method for displaying operating performance of a packet network may include displaying first graphical representations illustrative of network communications devices operating on a packet network, where the first graphical representations may be displayed in a first mode if respective network communications devices are operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content and in a second mode if respective network communications devices are not operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Second graphical representations illustrative of node segments connecting respective network communications devices may be displayed, where the second graphical representations may be displayed in a third mode if respective node segments are operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content and a fourth mode if respective node segments are not operating normally to communicate data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content.
US08549398B2
The invention relates to detecting non-presence of nodes in a document of semi-structured data and to creating a values index which properly reflects this non-presence. The document of semi-structured data, comprising multiple hierarchically organized nodes, is scanned for values (step 110). Subsequently, these values are indexed (step 120). As non-presence of at least one node is detected (step 140), this non-presence is documented by enhancing the values index (12) by a pseudo key (20) (step 150).
US08549382B2
For storage drives with LDPC encoded data, read techniques are provided whereby an errantly read memory unit (e.g., faulty LDPC codeword) may be recovered.
US08549381B2
The storage system includes a plurality of flash memory devices, each of the flash memory devices including a flash memory controller and flash memory chips, which are configured as a RAID group and a storage controller, coupled to the plurality of flash memory devices, configured to receive data from a computer and send the data to a first flash memory device of the plurality of flash memory devices. The flash memory controller of the flash memory device is configured to receive the data from the storage controller and execute a parity operation using the data.
US08549369B2
A semiconductor-based test device includes a plurality of testing clusters and a pseudorandom global stimulus source coupled to the testing clusters. Each testing cluster includes a plurality of data registers and logic elements configured to perform random logic functions for generating test data for the plurality of data registers. The pseudorandom global stimulus source generates a pseudorandom binary stimulus for the logic elements. At least some of the plurality of testing clusters are coupled together to support inter-cluster fan-out and fan-in of data register output.
US08549362B2
A first module calculates a failure occurrence risk index of each data storage area address. A second module calculates a power saving index of each data storage area address. A third module calculates an access speed index per unit data volume necessary to access each data storage area address. A fourth module generates a distribution table that represents the failure occurrence risk index, the power saving index, and the access speed index for each candidate address, with respect to data to be distributed. A fifth module selects a candidate address in the distribution table such that the power saving index and the access speed index meet restricting conditions and the failure occurrence risk index is minimized, and distributes the data to the candidate address.
US08549361B2
System and method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a storage area network (SAN) is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method for construction, fault isolation, and recovery of cabling topology in a SAN, subsystem information associated with each subsystem in the SAN is obtained. Then, an IP port and zoning information associated with connections of each subsystem is obtained. Component information associated with each component is also obtained. Any other relevant information associated with each subsystem and each component is obtained from users. The obtained subsystem information, IP port and zoning information, component information, and any other relevant information are compiled. Test packets are then sent from end-to-end in SAN using compiled information. The sent test packets are tracked via each component in each subsystem in the SAN. The cabling topology of the SAN is then outputted based on the outcome of the tracking.
US08549359B2
A method for identifying errors in code is provided. The method may include rebuilding object dependencies from a heap dump, calculating memory usage of each object, identifying top consumers of memory by object class, analyzing how much memory each class consumes with respect to how much other classes consume, building a corpus of data that may be used in a progressive machine learning algorithm, and identifying suspect classes. Additionally, the suspect classes and the memory usage statistics of the suspect classes may then be used as an identifying signature of the associated out of memory error. The identifying signature of the associated out of memory error may then be used to compare with the signatures of other out of memory occurrences for identifying duplicate error occurrences.
US08549357B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for scanning web sites and/or parsing web content, including for testing online opt-out systems and/or cookies used by online systems. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for testing an opt-out system associated with at least one advertising system that uses cookies. The method includes transmitting a first request to an opt-out system, wherein the first request corresponds to a first test for testing at least one of the opt-out system and an advertising system; receiving a first stream sent in response to the first request; determining a first outcome of the first test based on the first stream; and generating a report based on the first outcome.
US08549354B2
A system and technique for managing rollback in a transactional memory environment is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a transactional memory, and a transactional memory manager (TMM) configured to perform a rollback on the transactional memory. The TMM is configured to, responsive to detecting a begin transaction directive by the processor, detect an access of a first memory location of the transactional memory not needing rollback and indicate that the first memory location does not need to be rolled back while detecting an access to a second memory location of the transactional memory and indicating that a rollback will be required. The TMM is also configured to, responsive to detecting an end transaction directive after the begin transaction directive and a conflict requiring a rollback, omit a rollback of the first memory location while performing rollback on the second memory location.
US08549349B2
This storage controller includes a port unit and multiple processing units for inputting and outputting data to and from a storage apparatus. The port unit sorts the data I/O requests given from a host system to the corresponding processing units according to a table pre-defining the storage apparatus or a storage area in the storage apparatus to perform data I/O processing allocated to each of the processing units. The processing unit inputs data in the corresponding storage apparatus or the corresponding storage area according to the data I/O request sorted to itself from the port unit and, upon detecting a blockage of the other processing unit due to a failure, updates the table retained in each of the port units so as to sort the storage apparatuses or the storage areas allocated to the other processing unit to the remaining unblocked processing units.
US08549348B2
For coordinated disaster recovery, a reconciliation process is performed for resolving intersecting and non-intersecting data amongst disaster recovery systems for takeover operations. An ownership synchronization process is coordinated for replica cartridges via the reconciliation process at the disaster recovery systems. The disaster recovery systems continue as a replication target for source systems and as a backup target for local backup applications.
US08549344B2
A method for reducing electromagnetic emissions in an electronic device having a multiple micro-controllers includes identifying the number of micro-controllers installed in the electronic device. An operating frequency range of the electronic device is determined based on the operating frequency range of each micro-controller. A frequency spacing for each micro-controller within the operating frequency range of the electronic device is then calculated, and an operating frequency is assigned to each micro-controller. The operating frequency of each micro-controller is separated from the operating frequency of each other micro-controller by at least the frequency spacing. Then, the operating frequency of each micro-controller is set at the assigned operating frequency.
US08549342B1
A device for adjusting the timing of at least one edge of an output pulse created in response to a reference pulse is disclosed. Such a device may include a first memory circuit having two or more first memory cells and a second memory circuit also having two or more second memory cells. The first memory circuit may be configured to periodically sample the reference pulse at the rising edges of a first sample clock while the second memory circuit may be configured to periodically sample the reference pulse at the falling edges of the first sample clock. A combinatorial logic circuit may also be included to produce the output pulse having at least one adjusted edge based on a set of timing instructions and timing information provided by the first and/or second memory circuits.
US08549338B2
A system and method are disclosed for capturing pre- and post-event data for random events using minimum power. Real-time data is captured and stored in a continuous loop in a segment of a first memory. Upon detection of a designated event, a second memory is powered-on and post-event data is stored to a segment of the second memory. After a designated data capture window, the second memory is powered-off and real-time data is captured in an unused segment of the first memory. The post-event data may be captured in the unused segment of the first memory and later transferred to the second memory. Auto-address logic monitors and controls the storage and retrieval of pre- and post-event in the first and second memory. An energy management system determines and controls which segments of the first and second memory should be powered-on or kept in the stasis mode to store event data.
US08549334B2
An electric power control support device (101) includes: an electricity consumption receiving unit (102) that receives, from each of devices, operation data indicating a time period during which the device is operating; an electricity consumption history storage unit (103) storing the received operation data; a subordinate-superior relationship determination unit (105) that determines, from the devices, a superior device operating independently and a sub device operating in conjunction with the superior device, based on a temporal position relationship between operating sections temporally overlapping each other; a power-off forgetting determination unit (107) that specifies the sub device operating while the superior device is not operating; and the energy saving support execution unit (108) that supports energy saving for the sub device specified by the power-off forgetting determination unit (107).
US08549333B2
A system and method for reducing power consumption in clusters, grids, on-demand centers, etc. These principles can reduce both direct and indirect power consumption while maintaining either full cluster performance or adequate SLA based cluster performance. The method includes receiving at least one state data point regarding power consumption or temperature of at least one resource within the compute environment. Using intelligent policies to control power consumption, the method implements and interfaces with power managements facilities within the cluster, grid or on-demand center to implement policies, make dynamic changes, make predictions or actions, etc., to reduce the direct or indirect power consumption associated with a compute environment. Methods can include analysis of current workload and/or future workload in taking energy saving actions, and also involve reporting state information and updating algorithms based on historical experience or outside sources of information.
US08549318B2
A method and system for preventing use of a vehicle by an operator of the vehicle. The system includes a system controller; a biometric authenticator coupled to the system controller; and a substance detecting device adapted to provide a substance level in the operator to the system controller. Here, the system controller is adapted to communicate a driving restriction to the vehicle if the substance level in the operator is above a tolerance level or if the operator is not authenticated by the authenticator, the substance level is determined at an extremity of the operator, the operator is also authenticated at the extremity, and the extremity is selected from the group consisting of finger, thumb, toe, ear, palm, sole, foot, hand, and head.
US08549312B2
A mobile terminal and a method for protecting system data of the mobile terminal, wherein the critical system data of the mobile terminal is stored into the singlechip with 128-bits ID code, and the method of the public password encryption of the mobile terminal is applied such that the user has to pass the password authentication when the user accesses the data stored in the singlechip, thus protecting important system data of the mobile terminal, thereby protecting the legal right of the mobile terminal manufacturer, avoiding the counterfeit mobile terminal stealing the related technique of the mobile terminal, and prompting the normal development of the mobile terminal market at the same time.
US08549311B2
An electronic device that can automatically unlock an external storage device with a password without adding a function to the external storage device is provided. An electronic device 100B has memory card connection means 108 for connecting a memory card 200 that can be locked with a password, password holding means 101 for holding card unique ID and a password, card unique ID acquisition means 104 for acquiring connection identification information indicating the card unique ID of the memory card 20 connected to the memory card connection means 108, and password deletion means 109 for deleting connection identification information and the password corresponding to the connection identification information stored in the password holding means 101 if the connection identification information is contained in the password holding means 101.
US08549309B1
Processes for fingerprinting a document file and for preventing information leakage are disclosed. Computer apparatus for implementing said processes are also disclosed. For fingerprinting a document, the document is provided and may be normalized. A sequence of hash values are generated for the document. A window size is adaptively determined depending upon the document. Fingerprints for the document are selected from amongst the hash values using the adaptively-sized window. The fingerprints for the document are added to a fingerprint set for content being protected by the information leakage prevention system. For information leakage prevention, suspect documents are processed at the deployment points by extracting fingerprints from the suspect documents and matching the extracted fingerprints against the fingerprints in the fingerprint set. Different fingerprint extraction methods are used at the server and the deployment points. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US08549287B2
The invention proposes a method for transmitting a message to a plurality of user entities in a network by using a multicast service, comprising the steps of encrypting a multicast message by using ciphering, and sending the encrypted multicast message to the plurality of user entities simultaneously. The invention also proposes a corresponding multicast service control device and a corresponding user entity.
US08549286B2
In the field of communications technology, a method and a system for forwarding data between private networks are provided, which can enable terminals in different private networks to securely communicate with each other by using private network addresses. The method includes the following steps. A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) tunnel to an SSL Virtual Private Network (VPN) device in another private network is established. Address allocation information of the another private network is received through the SSL tunnel. The address allocation information and a mapping relation between the address allocation information and a public network IP address of the SSL VPN device transmitting the address allocation information and a session ID of the SSL tunnel transmitting the address allocation information are saved. A data packet whose destination address belongs to the another private network is forwarded to the SSL VPN device of the private network to which the destination address belongs, according to the address allocation information and the mapping relation. Through the method, the SSL VPN device can resolve private network addresses of other private networks.
US08549269B2
A method, apparatus and software is disclosed in which original exceptions issued by an application program are encoded as substitute exceptions with associated metadata identifying the original exception so as to enable to enable a first application program receiving the exception but not arranged to process the original exception to process the substitute exception and to enable a second application program receiving the exception and arranged to process the original exception to extract and process that original exception.
US08549261B2
Computational unit area selecting units, each of which is provided in individual multiple cores, sequentially select uncomputed computational unit areas in a computational area. Computing units, each of which is provided in the individual multiple cores, perform computation for the selected computational unit areas. In addition, the computing units write computational results in a memory device which is accessible from each of the multiple cores. Computational result transmitting unit of the core performs computational result acquisition and transmission processing in a different time period with respect to each of multiple computational result transmission areas. The computational result acquisition processing is for acquiring, from the memory device, computational results related to the computational result transmission areas.
US08549258B2
A configurable processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing units, at least an instruction synchronization control circuit, and at least a configuration memory. Each processing apparatus has a stall-output signal generating circuit to output a stall-output signal, wherein the stall-output signal indicates that an unexpected stall is occurred in the processing unit. The processing unit has a stall-in signal, and an external circuit of the processing unit can control whether the processing unit is stalled according to the stall-in signal. The instruction synchronization control circuit generates the stall-in signals to the processing units in response to a content stored in the configuration memory and the stall-output signals of the processing units, so as to determine operation modes and instruction synchronization of the processing units.
US08549256B2
Methods and apparatus relating to a tightly coupled scalar and Boolean processor are described. In an embodiment, a Boolean unit may include a result vector subunit. The result vector subunit may be controlled by an instruction flow that is managed by a scalar unit. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08549249B1
Performing atomic operations in a computing system includes: acquiring a lock by performing a primary atomic operation that is directly supported in circuitry of the computing system on a first memory address in a memory of the computing system; accessing a second memory address in the memory of the computing system after the lock has been acquired; completing a secondary atomic operation based on accessing the second memory address; and releasing the acquired lock after the secondary atomic operation has been completed.
US08549245B2
A data de-duplication application de-duplicates redundant data in the pooled storage capacity of a virtualized storage environment. The virtualized storage environment includes a plurality of storage devices and a virtualization or abstraction layer that aggregates all or a portion of the storage capacity of each storage device into a single pool of storage capacity, all or portions of which can be allocated to one or more host systems. For each host system, the virtualization layer presents a representation of at least a portion of the pooled storage capacity wherein the corresponding host system can read and write data. The data de-duplication application identifies redundant data in the pooled storage capacity and replaces it with one or more pointers pointing to a single instance of the data. The de-duplication application can operate on fixed or variable size blocks of data and can de-duplicate data either post-process or in-line.
US08549214B2
Apparatus having corresponding methods and non-transitory computer-readable media comprise a flash controller configured to control a multi-level memory cell (MLC) flash memory, wherein the MLC flash memory includes a plurality of memory blocks, wherein each memory block includes a plurality of memory cells defining a plurality of pages, wherein each memory cell spans a group of the pages in one of the memory blocks, and wherein the flash controller comprises circuitry configured to receive data to be written to the MLC flash memory, select only one page, from each group of the pages, in one or to more of the memory blocks, and write the data only to the selected pages.
US08549212B2
The invention provides a flash storage device. In one embodiment, the flash storage device comprises a flash memory and a controller. The flash memory comprises a plurality of blocks, wherein each of the plurality of blocks comprises a plurality of pages for storing data, and each of the plurality of pages has a physical address. The controller divides a plurality of logical addresses into a plurality of logical address ranges, records a plurality of partial link tables respectively storing a mapping relationship between logical addresses of a corresponding logical address range and corresponding physical addresses, stores the partial link tables in the flash memory, combines the partial link tables to obtain a link table, and converts logical addresses sent by a host to physical addresses according to the link table.
US08549203B2
A bus interface device is configured to receive data from one or more devices via a bus. The bus interface device is also configured to process first data received via the bus according to a transport protocol of the bus. The bus interface device is further configured to process second data received via the bus according to a native coding/decoding (CODEC) protocol that is distinct from the transport protocol.
US08549194B2
There is provided a data transmission apparatus, an image processing apparatus and a program, capable of preventing data from being transmitted to a destination to which the data should not be transmitted, in the case where there is a possibility that the data is forwarded to a destination other than the destination designated at the time of the transmission. When an address designated as a transmission destination has a possibility that data is forwarded to another address, such as an address of a mailing list, a forward destination information determining/acquiring unit acquires the information of the forward destination. When the forward destination includes the address that does not correspond to the transmission-permitted address held in a transmission-permitted address holder unit, an e-mail transmission canceling unit cancels the transmission to the address to which the transmission is not permitted.
US08549189B1
The present invention is a flexible input/output translation system and method that facilitates conservation of chip pin resources while permitting flexible and dynamic changes to processor support operations on the fly. A present invention input/output translator includes a consolidated indication port, translation logic, a plurality of translated indication ports and an initialization port. The consolidated indication port receives a consolidated indication signal (e.g., indicating a desired voltage level) from a general purpose input/output port of a processor. The translation logic translates the consolidated indication signal into a plurality of translated indication signals. The plurality of translated indication ports communicate the plurality of translated indication signals. The initialization port receives an initialization signal. In one exemplary implementation, an synchronization port receives a synchronization signal that controls the operations of the translation logic and determines the timing of an output on the plurality of translated indication ports.
US08549186B2
A system for sharing a device across a plurality of operating systems is provided. The system includes a sharable bit in the namespace for identifying whether the device is sharable. The system further includes one or more operating systems that are adapted to recognize the sharable bit.
US08549175B2
Methods and apparatus for adaptively scheduling a finger stabilization algorithm. A method is provided that includes comparing first and second finger determinations associated with a node, increasing a time interval between executions of a finger stabilization algorithm if differences between the finger determinations satisfy a first criteria, and decreasing the time interval between executions of the finger stabilization algorithm if differences between the finger determinations satisfy a second criteria. An apparatus is provided that includes a processor configured to compare first and second finger determinations associated with a node, and a timer coupled to the processor and configured to increase a time interval between executions of a finger stabilization algorithm if differences between the finger determinations satisfy a first criteria, and decrease the time interval between executions of the finger stabilization algorithm if the differences between the finger determinations satisfy a second criteria.
US08549174B2
A routing method for a network is provided. The routing method includes the steps of a) selecting one of a plurality of basic nodes as a cluster head; b) broadcasting a first message by the cluster head; c) continuing to broadcast the first message by any of the plurality of basic nodes which receives the first message, until all the plurality of basic nodes receive the first message; and d) selecting a corresponding father node by each of the plurality of basic nodes based on an information associated with the first message.
US08549173B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for user-space resource management are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving in a user memory space kernel resource information from a kernel executing in a kernel memory space, the kernel resource information identifying one or more kernel items in the kernel memory space that depend on kernel resources. The method further includes evaluating one or more resource management policies for one or more of the kernel items. The resource management polices are stored in the user memory space. The method further includes selecting a kernel item to be modified based on the evaluation in order to release some or all of the kernel resources, and communicating a request for modification of the selected kernel item to the kernel.
US08549168B2
A method includes receiving active application messages that are part of an active message stream in a subscribing client device from an active feed adapter. Each active application message is characterized by an active source stream identifier, an active source stream sequence number, and an active message sequence number. The method includes receiving, in response to a failover from the active feed adapter to a backup feed adapter, backup application messages in the subscribing client device from the backup feed adapter. Each backup application message is characterized by a backup source stream identifier, a backup source stream sequence number, and a backup message sequence number. The method includes administering, by the subscribing client device, the backup application messages in dependence upon the active stream source identifier, the active stream source sequence number, the backup stream source identifier, and the backup stream source sequence number.
US08549154B2
A process, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for rebuilding a database session when a previous database session becomes unavailable and the commands previously sent for execution on the previous database session satisfy certain criteria. The process includes determining whether or not a set of commands sent by a client for execution on the previous database session is acceptable to replay based at least in part on whether or not the set of commands satisfies one or more criteria. The process further includes determining that the previous database session is unavailable. In response to determining that the previous database session is unavailable, if the set of commands is acceptable for replay, the set of commands is sent for execution on a new database session to rebuild the state on the new database session. The process masks the outage from the application.
US08549147B2
A computer network connects to a first computer, a second computer, other multiple computers, and a job category database A service to be executed by any of the other multiple computers is divided into multiple jobs; the job category is associated with each of the divided jobs; a region code and an instruction to execute the service are received from the first computer; and for each of the multiple jobs, the job category database is searched with the received region code and the associated job category as keys to acquire the operation identifier list corresponding to the job; the operation identifier list is transmitted to at least one of the other multiple computers; and a combination of the job, the identifier of that other computer and the identifier list are transmitted to the first computer.
US08549145B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for updating resource access permissions in a virtual computing environment. In these methods, systems, and devices, a host computer system determines that a user associated with an existing session has moved from a first location to a second location, identifies at least one pre-access rule based on the second location, applies the at least one pre-access rule to the existing session before authenticating the user for access to the existing session in response to the determination that the user has moved to the second location, and authenticates the user at the second location for access to the existing session after the at least one pre-access rule has been applied to the existing session.
US08549119B1
An example network management device includes a network management module, and a reconstruction module. The network management module is configured to generate a data retrieval command to direct a managed device to retrieve a set of management variables stored within a database within the managed network device and send the data retrieval command to the managed device. The reconstruction module is configured to receive a plurality of partial responses generated by a deconstruction module of the managed device in response to receiving the data retrieval command and determining that the set of management variables does not fit in a single response, and combine the received plurality of partial responses into the requested set of management variables, wherein each of the plurality of partial responses is received as a separate message from the managed network device and includes a different portion of the requested set of management variables.
US08549118B2
A computer implemented method includes receiving a broadband connection request from a remote computing device at a broadband service provider access device. The broadband connection request includes a broadband subscriber identifier. The computer implemented method includes dynamically assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the remote computing device in response to receiving the broadband connection request. The computer implemented method also includes sending a message to a domain name server to update a record that includes a domain name associated with the broadband subscriber identifier to include the IP address assigned to the remote computing device.
US08549113B2
A computer program product, including a computer readable storage medium to store a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program, when executed by a processor within a computer, causes the computer to perform operations for moving data stored on a transactional semantic independent persister in a distributed environment. The operations include: receiving an indicator to move data stored by the persister at a first node of the distributed environment to a second node of the distributed environment, wherein the data corresponds to a source; and cloning the persister at the first node to a cloned persister at the second node in response to receiving the indicator, wherein the cloning includes: moving data stored by the persister at the first node to the cloned persister; and moving remaining data in a data stream between the source and the persister at the first node to the cloned persister.
US08549107B2
A distributed communication center configured to handle a plurality of communications includes a user zone, a web zone, and a network zone. The user zone includes a plurality of remote terminals that enable communication center personnel and end users to remotely interface with the distributed communication center through the web zone. The web zone includes one or more web servers configured and one or more mail servers to interface the remote terminals in the user zone with the network zone. The network zone includes one or more telephony servers and one or more application servers.
US08549099B2
The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of parsing a script within an HTML page. The method includes receiving a script object, where the script object includes text. The method further includes parsing the text of the script object for tokens and comparing the parsed tokens with a valid tokens list to determine locations within the text of the script object that include potential universal resource locators (URLs). The method includes parsing before and after the determined locations until complete URLs are constructed, and forwarding the complete URLs to a detector. The detector then determines whether the complete URLs are valid. The method then sends object retrieval requests to websites associated with the valid complete URLs.
US08549093B2
Methods, apparatus, systems and computer program product for updating a user session in a terminal server environment. Transfer of display data corresponding to an updated user interface can occur via a memory shared between an agent server and an agent client in a terminal server environment. Access to the shared memory can be synchronized via token passing or other operation to prevent simultaneous access to the shared memory. Token sharing and synchronized input/output can be performed using FIFOs, sockets, files, semaphores and the like, allowing communications between the agent server and agent client communications to adapt to different operating system architecture.
US08549087B2
Embodiments of the present invention enable allocating and indicating the trustworthiness of a message, especially messages that comprise content that has been digitally signed. In some embodiments, a provider of assurance services and assurance software provides trust attestations related to messages and may manipulate the user interface used to view these messages. The trust attestations may be computed by various methods. The trust attestations may then be presented when the message is displayed to the user using the assurance software. For example, the trust attestations may be displayed as user interface elements in a designated portion of the chrome of a messaging service, such as a webmail service. In one embodiment, the assurance software can run on the webmail service and the trust attestations in the chrome are served up via techniques for delivery of client-server presentation data. In another embodiment, the assurance software is implemented as software that runs on the client and may perform some computations on the client in order to manipulate the messaging service's chrome. In yet another embodiment, the assurance software may run as an extension to an e-mail client that runs on a user's machine. The assurance software is configured to work with the presenter of the message, but independently of the presenter.
US08549086B2
A method and apparatus of a device that creates message affinity groups uses the affinity groups to relate messages and threads is described. In an exemplary method, the device receives messages, where the messages include message addresses. The device determines multiple affinity groups of message addresses based on a probability that a message including one of the message addresses also includes one or more of the other message addresses in the affinity group. In addition, the device presents one or more of the affinity groups.
US08549085B2
Conditional communication settings may be defined by a user of a communications device to be transmitted with a communication to a receiving device, where the receiving device may be restricted from performing a user-specified type of communication operations with a user-specified contact until the conditional communication settings are satisfied. The conditional communication settings may include a condition value setting, which may be a task to be performed by a recipient, a date and/or time, a location, an operation to be performed by a third party contact, or other suitable criterion. The receiving device may detect whether such condition value setting has been satisfied. Unless the condition value setting has been satisfied, the receiving device may be prevented from performing the user-specified type of communication operation with the user-specified contact.
US08549084B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of the status of the operation. In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation. In another aspect, a computer-generated GUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of “virtual white line” images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same. In yet another aspect, a requesting party may provide an acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., a “return receipt”) for one or more received notifications.
US08549082B2
Electronic mail server with function for preventing reception of spams by improved white list system
The invention provides an e-mail server, with which e-mails are communicated between a member belonging to the server and a communication mate of the member under the protection of function or performance for preventing SPAMs from being received by an improved white list system and e-mail addresses can be surely prevented from undesirably leaking out. The server comprises received e-mail filtering means for forming destruction judgment and delivery judgment on a received e-mail for causing the received e-mail to be delivered in accordance with a delivery permitting decision and transmission e-mail filtering means for conducting processing on a transmission e-mail by which a group of letters representing an e-mail address discordant with an addressee's e-mail address contained in the transmission e-mail is replaced with another group of letters representing an open e-mail address or eliminated.
US08549075B2
Systems and methods for automatically locating web-based social network members are provided. According to one embodiment, contact content including an associated GPS identifier and status for web-based social network members located at or near the same location automatically appears on a GPS-enabled device. A further exemplary system includes a GPS-enabled device configured to receive a GPS identifier and a status representing a location and a current state for a web-based social network member, a processing module that associates the received GPS-identifier and the received status, and a communications module that sends the associated GPS-identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based social network database. Contact content in a web-based social network database record in the web-based social network database is updated to include the associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based social network member.
US08549074B2
A method and article of manufacture are provided for communicating confidential information during an electronic chat session. The chat session has a plurality of participants, including human users and associated software controlled agents. The software controlled agents have artificial intelligence. A first human user requests a first software controlled agent associated with the first human user to request information from a second software controlled agent associated with a second human user. The second agent receives authorization to release the requested information. The second agent transmits the requested information, wherein the transmitted information is not revealed to the human users.
US08549060B2
An apparatus for simulating a signal composed of a plurality of individual signals from respective signal locations at a simulation location, having a provider for providing the plurality of individual signals in the time domain, a transformer for transforming the individual signals to the frequency domain, a processor for processing the individual signals transformed to the frequency domain each depending on a signal channel existing between the simulation location and the respective signal location, a combiner for combining the processed individual signals transformed to the frequency domain to a combined signal, and a transformer for transforming the combined signal to the time domain for generating the simulated combined signal at the simulation location.
US08549058B2
An information processing system for performing a transform of a multidimensional matrix in a distributed memory network. The method includes storing a multidimensional matrix of side N in a distributed memory network with a plurality of nodes and distributing work associated with a calculation of a transform of the matrix among N2 of the plurality of nodes. The system further includes a receiver for receiving results of the calculation of the transform of the matrix by the nodes.
US08549051B2
The invention relates to a system that includes a file system configured to create a snapshot of a hierarchical block tree (HBT) and a storage pool. After the snapshot has been created, the storage pool includes a snapshot, where the snapshot includes a copy of a first version of a root block and the HBT, where the HBT includes a second version of the root block. Further, the copy of the first version of the root block is created prior to overwriting the first version of the root block with the second version of the root block, the second version of the root block comprises references to a first block and a second block, and the copy of the first version of the root block comprises a reference to the first block and no reference to the second block.
US08549046B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing is provided. The method includes loading a table for population with test data in a test data generation tool executing in memory of a computer. A column set of multiple columns in the table associated with a key to the table is selected for processing and different cardinality sequence values are assigned to the columns in the set such that the cardinality sequence values do not share a common factor except for unity as in the case of prime numbers.
US08549042B1
A system plots results of a data search. The system executes one or more search queries to search stored data. The system receives results of the executed one or more search queries, where the results are orderable by at least one search characteristic. The system designates a visual representation for each of the results. The system plots each of the visual representations on a multi-dimensional graphical display, where at least one dimension of the multi-dimensional graphical display corresponds to the at least one search characteristic.
US08549040B2
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an XML Document Management Server in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. The method comprises receiving a message from a user terminal requesting an XML document, the XML document conforming to a given structure and containing one or more service rules relating to a service, retrieving an XML document containing said service rules from a data storage entity. If the structure of the retrieved XML document differs from said given structure, adapting a rule or rules of the retrieved XML document such that the XML document conforms to said given structure, and sending the adapted XML document to the user terminal.
US08549035B2
In a computer program product, system and method for retrieving operational data, a front-end unit generates a query for operational data. In an embodiment, in response to the generation of the query, an operational information provider is sent to a back-end unit to retrieve real-time operational data from the back-end unit using a retrieval method specified in the operational information provider. The retrieved operational data, including the real-time operational data is received by the front-end unit from the back-end unit.
US08549032B1
Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for determining a relevance of search keywords to an advertisement. The method includes accessing ad keyword data specifying an ad keyword associated with an advertisement; identifying a keyword cluster specifying terms related to a topic of the advertisement; determining whether the ad keyword occurs in the at least one keyword cluster; identifying one or more search keywords to which the advertisement is responsive; determining whether the one or more search keywords occur in the at least one keyword cluster; and determining, by one or more data processors, a relevance of the one or more search keywords to the advertisement based on the determination of whether the ad keyword occurs in the at least one keyword cluster and the determination of whether the one or more search keywords occur in the at least one keyword cluster.
US08549026B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a technique for accessing data from a database. The technique may include providing a group of hyper objects each containing a different rule. When a hyper object query language (HOQL) query is received using an HOQL engine, at least one hyper object is selected using the HOQL engine in response to the HOQL query, A data request is sent via the selected hyper object to retrieve data from the database, to be received from the database to be used by the selected hyper object. The requested data is used according to the rule associated with the selected hyper object to provide a desired standardized output.
US08549022B1
Surrogate heuristic identification is described, including a memory configured to store data associated with content, and a processor configured to select a portion of the content and the portion is standardized, to identify a characteristic associated with the portion, to use the characteristic to generate a data representation, the data representation being used to provide heuristic data, and to process the heuristic data to generate a fingerprint configured to compare against one or more stored fingerprints.
US08548993B2
A system provides a connection between education administration, particularly as such administration assigns or selects books, and the marketing and use of those books. Such marketing and use of those books and information related to those books can include, without limitation, consumer product information, the publishing industry and specifically book publishing, and market analysis, analysis of data, markets, demand and supply chain and inventory management.
US08548990B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for presenting interactive images associated with a search engine in association with a search engine results page (SERP) are provided. Upon receiving a search query at a search engine, it is determined that the search query content has a related interactive image associated with the search engine. An interactive image may be associated with the search engine, for instance, by having been previously presented as a background image for a search engine home page. A link to the interactive image may be presented as a search result on the SERP, the interactive image may be automatically presented as a background image of the SERP, or the interactive image may be determined to be related to an algorithmically-derived search result and a visual indicator thereof may be presented in association with the search result.
US08548978B2
A system and method that provides a hosted network video guide application. The guide application is provided as a service to web portals and other websites that wish to expose access to the video content available on a public network such as the Internet. The operation of the guide includes mechanisms for search application hosting and processes for content gathering. Video index information can be derived from random content owners, guide affiliates, proactively gathered public domain content, and proactively harvested video content from the network via a video spidering mechanism. The video index information can be collected and maintained in a hosted, centralized repository and made available via an application interface, which can be customized, to users of the network. The video spidering mechanism generates an index of each accessed video, and the index is committed to the guide repository along with the URL information of the video being indexed.
US08548977B2
A computer-related and/or business type method is presented for embedding one or more media hotspots within a digital media file and, in response to interaction from a separate target entity, such as via an associating request, associating one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s). In exchange for associating the one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s), an interactive media service entity being affiliated with a web site displaying the digital media file and/or a user being affiliated with the digital media file itself is compensated based upon at least one compensation plan.
US08548976B2
A method for connecting to a web service includes selecting a web service, selecting a server among one or more servers capable of running the selected web service, determining a real address for the selected web service running on the selected server and connecting to the selected web service running on the selected server using the determined real address.
US08548973B1
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for filtering search results is disclosed herein. A method for filtering search results may extract metadata attributes and associated attribute values from web search results. The method includes presenting the extracted metadata attributes to a user for selection by the user and receiving input from the user indicating a selected metadata attribute. The method includes presenting attribute values associated with the selected metadata attribute to the user for selection by the user and receiving input from the user indicating a selected attribute value. The method includes filtering the web search results based on the selected attribute value. Each entry in the filtered web search results includes the selected attribute value. The method includes displaying a filtered results list to the user where the filtered results list includes the filtered web search results.
US08548969B2
Systems and methods for clustering content according to similarity are provided that identify and group similar content using a set of tags associated with the content. A topic model of a group of content is built, producing a probability distribution of topic membership for the content. Individual items of content are then clustered using a clustering algorithm, and a distance matrix from the probability distribution is built. Based on the distance matrix, individual items of content are labeled as “must-link” or “cannot-link” pairs with the group of content. The topic model is then embedded into successively smaller dimensions using a kernel method, until the clustering is stable with respect to both the behavioral and content domains.
US08548967B1
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and processes for enabling querying of one or more data stores of CM applications using a graphical user interface (GUI) by which a user (e.g., a developer, supervisor, or project team leader) may select search terms. The GUI may offer one or more types of categories of search terms illustrated at a high level, such that a user may select search terms without knowledge of the underlying data structure of the data store(s). In some embodiments of the invention, when search results are presented to the user issuing a query, the search results are presented in a GUI that permits the users to make edits to the data without opening other windows to make the changes. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the user may be permitted to select one or more results and “drag” the results, using the GUI, to another element of the GUI to make a change to the data, or may perform any other graphical operation with the results.
US08548964B1
An information management system delegates information classification to an external computing resource, or classifier. The intelligence required to perform classification, including a series of logic and/or rules, is provided to the classifier. The logic and/or rules are translated from a first format to a second format understandable to the classifier. The information management system discovers objects of an entity and identifies them for the classifier. The classifier collects information about the objects, applies the logic and rules to the objects, and assigns one or more categories to each object. This classification information is translated from the second format to the first format and reported back to the information management system, which may use the assigned categories to identify and map service level objectives to available service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity receive the selected services.
US08548959B2
A computer-based system includes a backup server, a production server, a recovery agent that executes on the production server, a database on the production server, a backup database on the backup server, and a meta data file on the backup server. The meta data file includes file names, a file directory, and file attributes. The system is configured to copy the metadata file from the backup server to a production server. When the copying of the metadata file from the backup server to the production server is complete, and before or during a time period in which backup data is copied from the backup server to the production server, the system is configured to receive a request from the production server to restore a file from the backup server with a higher priority than other files on the backup server.
US08548958B2
In one embodiment, a service mediator provides a service that is a composite of atomic services and executes a recovery pattern in the event that a service is not available. More particularly, in an initial phase of operation, the service mediator determines one or more recovery patterns for each atomic service offered in the composite service and stores in a database an identity of each such recovery pattern for each atomic service. In subsequent operation, the service mediator monitors the availability of each atomic service. When a user inquires of a composite service, the service mediator determines if any of its atomic services is unavailable. If an atomic service is unavailable, the service mediator selects a recovery pattern and executes it.
US08548951B2
Method, system, and programs for information search and retrieval. A query is received and is processed to generate a feature-based vector that characterizes the query. A unified representation is then created based on the feature-based vector, that integrates semantic and feature based characterizations of the query. Information relevant to the query is then retrieved from an information archive based on the unified representation of the query. A query response is generated based on the retrieved information relevant to the query and is then transmitted to respond to the query.
US08548944B2
File system backups are performed by copying information describing changes in the file system since a previous point in time. To restore data, a virtual restored file system (VRFS) structure is created corresponding to a snapshot of data copied from the file system that is stored in the backup file system. A client can read the data stored in the backup file system pointed at by the VRFS structure as well as write to the backup file system. Multiple clients can share blocks of data stored on the backup file system via the same VRFS structure or via multiple VRFS structures. If a client writes to a data block pointed at by a VRFS, a copy of the data block is made to which the client makes changes so that the data in the original data blocks is saved for other clients.
US08548942B2
Methods and systems include embodiments that recursively save parent, grandparent, and other records in a database that depend from a record. User-provided code within a save event or trigger can thus call further save methods without corrupting the database. Junction objects, objects that reflect records with two or more parents, can also be recursively saved.
US08548939B2
Methods, systems and computer programs are provided for processing data in a web service environment. In accordance with one embodiment, a data processing method is provided that comprises: entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer; entering an identifier of a web service into the first computer; initiating a data processing stage to be performed by a second computer on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form by the first computer; sending signalling data for signalling initiation of the data processing stage to a web service; and sending a result of the data processing stage to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the web service.
US08548937B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will assist patients with their investigation of, and decision making about, the treatments that are available to them using conjoint analysis methods that measure individual preferences for risk-associated treatment options, while maintaining an acceptable interview length. In exemplary embodiments, such individual preferences, known as “utilities” in economics literature, will be combined with evidence-based outcomes data regarding the probabilities of treatment outcomes; exemplary embodiments will use “decision analysis” and modified “conjoint analysis” methods, to dynamically generate for patients real-time individualized, evidence-based feedback, rankings and recommendations regarding medical treatment alternatives that are available to the patient based on the patient's medical condition and prognostic indicators.
US08548933B2
A method and system for implementing a weighted belief network that assists collaborative users in making decisions. A belief network structure is employed that further includes user controlled weighting and biasing factors to adjust the probabilities for the various nodes. The various participants have the opportunity to make adjustments to the weighting and credibility of the evidence and participants in the decision making process in order to arrive at what may be perceived as a more objective outcome. As the collaborative environment is established and the belief network is built, each user can apply various weighting and bias scenarios from their own perspective thereby allowing each discrete user to work out their various suspicions regarding the bias of other participants or the actual weight of a discrete piece of supporting evidence in the context of the entire belief network.
US08548932B2
Data processing services are offered on a per-unit basis, where a unit is, for example, an application program running on a server. Environmental complexity, level of change, and type of environment are determined for each unit of the services and points are assigned. The points are summed to give a count of points for each unit, and the counts of points are summed to provide a total number of points. A baseline price for the services is divided by the total number of points to provide a per-point price. The price of any unit may then be determined by multiplying its count of points by the per-point price. When a new unit is added in, its count of points is determined. The baseline price is then adjusted by multiplying the count of points for the new unit by the per-point price, and adding the result to the previous baseline.
US08548930B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for an institution provided data share platform. The institution provided data share platform allows customers and commercial partners to access data the institution may have. Specific platform data access may be limited and/or monitored by the institution to ensure customer safety and privacy compliance. Allowing access to the institution data provides a customer the means to create customized applications utilizing the data in combination with data provided by the customer. In return for access to the platform, the institution may recover assessments based on the application the customer creates.
US08548924B2
Self-authorizing tokens are disclosed. Typical embodiments employ a secure element and a secure element interrogator. Such tokens may be used for authorization of financial payments and other secure transactions. In some embodiments the secure element is provisioned with information about a particular payment card holder account. A secure element reader interrogates the smart element and derives information needed to authorize a transaction. In some embodiments the secure element and the secure element interrogator communicate using communications formatted according to ISO 7816-4.
US08548915B2
A method for providing a response to a statement of a user, the method includes: receiving user input that comprises a portion of a user statement; selecting, before receiving a whole user statement, an answerable statement response between an answerable statement, multiple answerable statements and a response to an answerable statement; wherein the selecting is responsive to user input and to structured representations of answerable statements answerable by an answering entity; and sending to the user information representative of response to the user statement.
US08548914B2
A method and system for a photo ID payment card transaction verification system for use with a payment card interchange network is provided. The system is programmed to receive a photo of a cardholder, the photo verified to be of the cardholder, assign a unique photo identifier to the photo, the unique photo identifier associated with the cardholder's payment card account, receive payment card transaction information for a payment cardholder from the interchange network, the interchange network configured to process payment card transactions between a merchant through a merchant bank and a cardholder through an issuer bank, the payment card transaction information including data relating to a purchase of goods or services made by the cardholder at a merchant, and transmit at least one of the photo and an access to the photo to the merchant with an authorization request response during a payment card transaction.
US08548913B2
A method begins by a processing module receiving data content. The method continues with the processing module embedding the data content into a data stream to produce a stream of data. The method continues with the processing module sequentially encoding data segments of the stream of data in accordance with an error coding dispersed storage function to produce pluralities of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module outputting the pluralities of encoded data slices to a plurality of dispersed storage units for storage therein.
US08548909B1
A method and system for building an Internet portal provides a portal toolkit platform consisting at least in part of a portal application server and a web server associated with the portal toolkit platform that is accessible by at least one end user. A business is allowed to access the portal application server and fill one or more content management templates from a selection of content management templates governing content elements to be presented to end users via the website server. When an end user accesses the website server, content governed by the template is presented for the end user by the portal application server via the web server. The business can populate a database with content and populate the web server, for example, with a set of images, HTML files, and other assets such as PDF files and build an Internet portal on top of the toolkit as an approach to integrating transaction systems. The portal toolkit platform provides internationalization, content management, scalability and performance, personalization, navigation, and allows legacy systems to be quickly leveraged.
US08548905B1
Systems and methods are provided for determining an indication that an application for a mortgage loan to secure a property may result in closing of the loan transaction. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving application information, such that the application information includes at least borrower information, property information, and a first interest rate; receiving home value information, such that the home value information represents an estimated value of the property; receiving a second interest rate; and determining the indication based on the received application information, received home value information, and received second interest rate, such that the indication represents a likelihood that the mortgage loan may result in closing.
US08548898B2
An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.
US08548897B2
An electronic trading system and method is disclosed for matching orders for various asset classes including futures contracts and the subsequent settlement and clearance of such contracts. The electronic trading system is configured to be connected to one or more electronic exchanges and is also configured to interface with the existing infrastructure of the front office software of a trading firm, broker or dealer to provide the best fill for traders by enabling electronic trades to be executed both on the exchange and over the counter. In one embodiment of the invention, a local order book is established thereby establishing an independent pool of liquidity of the asset class of interest.
US08548889B1
A system for graphically differentiating user preferred securities from one another is disclosed. The system comprises a server system (12) and a client system (14). The server system (12) is in communication with a security data source (26) that provides security data on a plurality of securities. The client system (14) is in communication with the server system (12) and provides M user specific criteria to the server system (12). The server system (12) then analyzes the security data based upon the M user specific criteria and identifies user preferred securities from the plurality of securities. The server system (12) provides the client system (14) with data relating to the user preferred securities. The client system (14) uses N user specific parameters received from an input device (16, 18) to generate an N dimensional graph that is populated with icons representing the user preferred securities, thereby graphically differentiating the user preferred securities from one another on a display device (20).
US08548884B2
In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (i) electronically receiving data describing one or more risk factors driving volatility of each of a plurality of securities comprised in a specified portfolio; (ii) for each of the plurality of securities, categorizing each of the risk factors as a random variable and identifying a distribution that best fits each risk factor's historical behavior; and generating a return distribution for the security, based on the best fit distributions; and (iii) aggregating the security return distributions to generate a return distribution for the specified portfolio. Other aspects and embodiments comprise analogous software and computer systems.
US08548881B1
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for reducing latency during invoice generation involving credit distribution. In some implementations, references to invoice line items are sorted by supplemental charge rate and credits are applied to the invoice line items in decreasing supplemental charge rate order. An invoice is generated that includes the invoice line items and associated credits. The process of generating applying the credits is optimized to minimize latency and to provide the greatest financial benefit to the user.
US08548879B2
A material management system includes integrated modules that cooperate to electronically manage a pooled inventory of material held at differing locations and used in the maintenance of multiple fleets of aircraft. The system includes a material request module for processing requests for material and for determining whether the requested material is present at one of the locations. A material transfer module responds to material requests by transferring parts between the differing locations. A material receiving and inspection module controls receiving and inspection of the material. A material shipment module manages the shipment of the material from a supplier in response to a material request.
US08548876B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting a subset of categories of product items to be used in merchandising. The subset of categories may be selected on a basis of a measured level of interest in the product items. Based on the subset of subcategories that have been selected, merchandising presentations may be automatically formulated and presented to a customer.
US08548875B2
The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assisting consumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a future absorbent product. Also described are transition aids for assisting in this transition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumer with a means for comparing different characteristics of their current absorbent product with characteristics of a future absorbent product.
US08548872B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating product feeds associated with a product catalog for a third party site. Entries in a product feed that are associated with products that are in turn associated with a price that is below a threshold specified by a minimum advertised pricing restriction can be flagged. A hyperlink can be provided through which a user can add the product to a shopping cart in an electronic commerce system, which can allow the third party site to display pricing information for the product.
US08548859B2
Systems and methods are provided for routing data. A device is provided that includes a first data port configured to be coupled to a printer port of a point of sale system, a second data port configured to be coupled to a remote system, an optional third data port configured to be coupled to a printer, and a computing device configured to receive, via the first data port, printer control codes and receipt data from the point of sale system printer port, transmit at least a portion of the receipt data to the remote system, and optionally transmit at least a portion of the printer control codes and receipt data to the printer.
US08548854B2
Systems and methods for providing content to a user at an account accessing device is described A first user input may be received at a first account processing device. A type of channel between the user and the account accessing device, a temporal parameter associated with the first access, user used financial entity services associated with at least one account of the user and current allowable actions on the first account by the user may be determined. A second user input may be received indicating an action, of the current allowable actions, of the user at the first account accessing device. Content for output to the user upon another occurrence of the user accessing the first account accessing device may be determined. The content may be based upon at least one behavioral characteristic of the user and may be an offer for at least one user unused financial entity service.
US08548847B2
A method and system for generating customized incentives involving electronic distribution of coupons to remote personal computers based on proximity of the computer to a retail center are disclosed. A repository, such as an online service provider or a web site on the Internet, stores packages of incentive data for downloading automatically or on demand to a user's computer. A plurality of data fields is used to associate a user's location with a specific incentive. The incentive data corresponds to remote user computers in a predetermined geographic area. Means for identifying remote user computers in a predetermined geographic area and means for providing direction data, such as maps, etc. to the remote user computer are disclosed.
US08548842B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for a quantifiable assessment of the delivery effectiveness of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) planning designs. In this regard, present embodiments provide quantifiable metrics that help a key stakeholder, such as a product or service provider, determine the level of success for each design requirement or Critical-To-Quality (CTQ) attribute defined in the QFD design process. Thus, based on presently described embodiments, the stakeholder can assess how well the deployment of their product or service met the original defined CTQs and/or design requirements and which CTQs and which design requirements related to those CTQs should garner further attention to ensure that the CTQ meets its objective, which in turn allows for the opportunity for the highest possible customer satisfaction with the new or re-designed product, process or service.
US08548840B2
A method and system for managing a strategic plan via developing and aligning strategy elements that include required business outcomes (RBOs), strategic business objectives (SBOs), and desired business outcomes (DBOs). RBOs are developed and assigned to key result areas (KRAs). RBOs are operational goals required by a higher-level organization, and deliverable via an execution of operational activities of a subordinate organization. KRAs are performance measurement categories included on the subordinate organization's scorecard and the higher-level organization's scorecard. SBOs are developed and assigned to KRAs, resulting in a first alignment of RBOs with SBOs. SBOs are strategic objectives of the subordinate organization. DBOs are developed and assigned to KRAs, resulting in a second alignment of DBOs with SBOs. DBOs are desired results of the subordinate organization. Strategic goals of the higher-level organization are monitored using RBO and DBO statuses and the first and second alignments.
US08548838B1
A method for optimizing a workforce. The method includes the steps of: (A) querying a pool of workers to determine a first set of workers qualified to perform a particular task at a particular time, (B) querying the pool of workers to determine a second set of workers that are present to work at the particular time, (C) querying the pool of workers to determine a third set of workers that have not already been assigned a task at the particular time and (D) determining a fourth set of workers to perform the task at the particular time by selecting workers belonging to each of the first set, the second set, and the third set.
US08548834B2
An information capture, processing and retrieval (“ICPR”) system shared by multiple buyers, suppliers and workers concurrently and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the ICPR system includes an order documentation subsystem configured to document orders for the suppliers and the buyers with respect to the workers. Each of the orders specifies a different method of time capture for the workers assigned thereto. The ICPR system also includes a time capture subsystem configured to receive the different methods of time capture from the workers positioned in one of anchored and untethered locations assigned to the orders. In a related embodiment, the ICPR system further includes a time approval and buyer tagging subsystem configured to allow the buyers to label time worked by the workers corresponding to the buyers with one or more tags, thereby translating approved time of the workers into custom, internal terminology of the buyers.
US08548832B2
The computer implemented method and system disclosed herein automates business processes of a health plan organization using a plurality of portals. The portals comprise a sales portal, a member portal, an employer portal, an administration portal, and a provider portal. Health plans are listed using the sales portal. A sales agent proposes at least one of the health plans to a consumer using the sales portal. The administration portal generates insurance quotes for the proposed health plans. The consumer enrolls for the proposed health plans using one of the member portal and the employer portal. The consumer is billed for the enrolled health plans based on the insurance quotes using the administration portal. The consumer pays a premium amount online for the enrolled health plans using the member portal or the employer portal. The administration portal then generates commissions for the sales agent for the enrolled health plans.
US08548830B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a prospective insured to make an informed decision on healthcare insurance or a specific health care management decision by using a current medical profile to assist in their selection. Based on past medical care, as obtained from payor data, a number of different plans, each having different providers, different deductibles, different maximums, different reimbursement policies, etc., a person can make an informed decision. When a family has different payors for different family members, a proper blend of payors can be more easily selected since the payors (or a single payor) has a medical profile of each family member and also has information on providers in the network, prescription policies, deductibles, maximums, etc.
US08548828B1
There is a dire need to reduce healthcare costs and appointment times with specialists. The instant mobile device method, process and the system addresses this need. The system and mobile application allows the user/patient to interact with health care providers who are certified to work in a particular geographical region without hesitation. In the instant application a novel mobile technology powered by unique image analysis software based on machine learning process to evaluate the submitted images for diagnostic purposes. The ease of approaching a health care provider by using the mobile device and getting matched to the right healthcare provider is another feature of this mobile application. The ease of providing case history and images for diagnosis and treatment is also novel.
US08548825B2
A system for providing medical providers with medical records accessible from a mobile terminal in one embodiment comprises reformatting the information in a medical record database to be used with large, ergonomic icons allowing easy transitions between pages of information in the medical record. Docking stations or wireless networks may enable the mobile terminal to access the medical records. Thus, the medical provider may have bedside access to the information in the medical records to make informed decisions about treatment regimens.
US08548819B2
A method for continuing the purchase experience of a personalized semi-custom toy in a follow-up on-line interface experience or in a physical retail experience. The method includes the steps of a consumer assembling a semi-custom toy configuration by selecting from among multiple major component styles and assembling the major component styles selected and selecting additional optional accessories to add to the major components resulting in a semi-custom toy configuration; the consumer inputting identifiers for the selected major component styles and accessories so that an over all toy identifier can be assigned, which is associated with and correlates to the resulting configuration; memorializing the information electronically into a consumer/toy-configuration profile stored in a database having electronic memory for future retrieval and manipulation.
US08548818B2
This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for authenticating the identities of customers. For example, a method comprising receiving a service request from a customer and retrieving customer profile information related to the customer is described. The method further comprises generating questions based on the customer profile information and receiving answers to the questions from the customer. Furthermore, the method comprises analyzing the answers by comparing the answers with the customer profile information and calculating an authentication score based on the analysis of the answers. The method further authenticates the customer based on the authentication score being greater than a threshold score level.
US08548813B2
A method and system for providing text-to-audio conversion of an electronic book displayed on a viewer. A user selects a portion of displayed text and converts it into audio. The text-to-audio conversion may be performed via a header file and pre-recorded audio for each electronic book, via text-to-speech conversion, or other available means. The user may select manual or automatic text-to audio conversion. The automatic text-to-audio conversion may be performed by automatically turning the pages of the electronic book or by the user manually turning the pages. The user may also select to convert the entire electronic book, or portions of it, into audio. The user may also select an option to receive an audio definition of a particular word in the electronic book. The present invention allows a user to control the system by selecting options from a screen or by entering voice commands.
US08548810B2
Orchestrated encoding schemes facilitate encoding and decoding of data in content signals at several points in the distribution path of content items. Orchestrated encoding adheres to a set of encoding rules that enables multiple watermarks and corresponding applications to co-exist, avoids collisions among watermarks, and simplifies metadata and routing database infrastructure.
US08548805B2
A system and method are disclosed for providing semi-supervised learning for a spoken language understanding module using semantic role labeling. The method embodiment relates to a method of generating a spoken language understanding module. Steps in the method comprise selecting at least one predicate/argument pair as an intent from a set of the most frequent predicate/argument pairs for a domain, labeling training data using mapping rules associated with the selected at least one predicate/argument pair, training a call-type classification model using the labeled training data, re-labeling the training data using the call-type classification model and iteratively several of the above steps until training set labels converge.
US08548798B2
A natural language-independent computer program is constructed. A data element is defined by a graphical representation in a user interface. A data element has a data type and a value. An operator is defined on multiple data elements by association of the graphical representations in the user interface. A natural language-independent graph data structure is defined by the association of data elements representing the logic of a computer program. The data types and operators have referenced descriptions in one or more natural languages, enabling a logical expression such as a computer program to be defined and understood in one or more natural languages.
US08548796B2
A translation system and method for translating source text from a first language to target text in a second language are disclosed. A library of bi-phrases is accessed to retrieve bi-phrases which each match a part of the source text. Each of the bi-phrases includes respective text fragments from the first and second language. Words of some (or all) of the bi-phrases are tagged with restricted part of speech (RPOS) tags. At least one of the RPOS tags is configured for identifying a word from the second language as being one which also forms a part of a closed compound word in the library. At least one target hypothesis is generated from the bi-phrases, which includes text fragments in the second language. The target hypothesis or hypotheses are evaluated, based at least in part on combinations of the restricted part of speech tags. Based on the evaluation, one of the at least one target hypothesis is output as the optimal hypothesis for forming the translation.
US08548787B2
A calculating unit calculates either one of a reaction probability between a chemical species used in a semiconductor process and a semiconductor device and a deactivation probability of the chemical species, according to either one of a structure of the semiconductor device and a plurality of materials. A simulation unit performs a simulation of a physical phenomenon occurring in a reaction chamber based on either one of the reaction probability and the deactivation probability.
US08548786B2
Method and system for determining a cognitive enhancement and/or anti-epileptic effect comprising: detecting synchronized neuronal activity in neuronal tissue (601), monitoring spreading of the synchronized neuronal activity (602), determining a parameter (604, 605) indicative of the closeness of the synchronized neuronal activity to the critical state and comparing (613) the parameter to a predetermined value.
US08548778B1
Embodiments include a system for providing blood flow information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.
US08548777B2
An industrial controller simulation system is provided. The system includes a simulation component that enables modeling of an industrial controller system. A suggestion component offers automated recommendations in accordance with the modeling of the industrial controller system.
US08548774B2
A simulation environment for simulating a physical system or sub-system. The environment includes a plurality of elements that can be arranged to form any of a number of component objects or sub-component objects. The component or sub-component objects are assembled to form at least one assembly object that forms at least part of the system or sub-system. Each element is provided with mesh data, and rules of connectivity. The rules of connectivity govern the interconnection of the elements to form the component or sub-component objects. The mesh data for a particular element is automatically incorporated into each completed component or sub-component object that includes that particular element.
US08548759B2
Techniques (e.g., system, apparatus, method, machine-readable medium) can be configured for characterizing a rheological or other structural physical property of a sample of a substance. In an example, this can include acoustically bidirectionally deforming the portion of the sample over a deformation range about a neutral-deformation locus within the deformation range, measuring a deformation response of at least a portion of the sample to the insonification, and characterizing the physical property of the sample using the measured response of at least a portion of the sample to the insonification, even in the presence of a flowing substance.
US08548758B1
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a plurality of computer instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the processor to perform operations for providing MAOP information for gas pipelines and MOP information for hazardous liquid pipelines, that is accessible continuously via a network. The processor performs operations including obtaining an identifier for a specific pipeline segment; collecting authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; collecting non-authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; performing dynamic segmentation, calculating smart segmentation for the specific pipeline segment; identifying gaps in MAOP or MOP data; filling the gaps in MAOP or MOP data; calculating MAOP or MOP value for the specific pipeline; and showing valid and invalid MAOP or MOP value to at least one user using an executive dashboard.
US08548757B1
A method for providing MAOP information for gas pipelines and MOP for hazardous liquid pipelines that is accessible continuously via a network. The method comprises obtaining a route identifier for a specific pipeline segment; collecting authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; collecting non-authenticated pipeline segment information related to the specific pipeline segment; calculating smart segmentation for the specific pipeline segment; identifying gaps in MAOP or MOP data based on the smart segmentation; filling the gaps in MAOP or MOP data; calculating MAOP or MOP for the specific pipeline; and showing valid and invalid MAOP to a user using an executive dashboard.
US08548754B2
Detecting a leak, or the like, with high accuracy on the basis of pressure and a flow volume acquired during use of fluid is made possible. A volume of gas flowing through a flow path 102 is measured by a flow volume measurement unit 106, and pressure is measured by a pressure measurement unit 108. Measured flow data and measured pressure data are input to an analysis unit 112, to thus analyze following of a pressure change by a flow volume change. A determination showing that a following flow volume change is present, that a following flow volume change is not present, or that a following flow volume change is uncertain is made according to a magnitude correlation between an amount of pressure change of a predetermined level or more and an amount of flow volume change.
US08548752B2
A device for investigating a collision between a test body and a physical structure, wherein the device comprises a mounting unit for mounting the test body, an electric drive unit adapted for mechanically driving the mounting unit and the test body mounted thereon, and a control unit adapted for controlling the electric drive unit to accelerate the test body mounted on the mounting unit and for controlling release of the test body from the mounting unit to direct the accelerated test body towards the physical structure for collision, wherein the device is adapted so that the mounting unit and the test body mounted thereon are mechanically driven exclusively by the electric drive unit.
US08548742B2
A system for measuring at least one parameter of moving cable, the system including a system power source, a digital camera adjacent a moving cable for taking digital images of the cable as the cable moves past the digital camera, the digital camera producing signals corresponding to the digital images, a signal processor for receiving the signals from the digital camera and for processing the images to produce processed image data, the signal processor for calculating measurements of the at least one parameter of the cable based on the processed image data, the system power source for powering systems devices, e.g., the digital camera and/or the signal processor. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US08548738B1
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to indoor localization, for example, where GPS or other localization signals are unavailable. More specifically, aspects relate to using a particle filter in conjunction with one or more orientation devices to identify a location of a client device with respect to a map of an indoor space. This location may then be used to identify the path of the client device through the indoor space.
US08548718B2
In an abnormality detection apparatus and an abnormality detection method for a construction in which each of cylinders is provided with a plurality of fuel injection valves, if it is discerned that a cause of the inter-cylinder variation abnormality exists in one of the fuel injection valves, an air/fuel ratio fluctuation parameter as an index value that represents the degree of the abnormality is calculated by normalizing the air/fuel ratio fluctuation parameter regarding that fuel injection valve on the basis of the injection proportion used when the parameter is measured.
