US08641262B2
The present invention relates to a building material mixer having a mixer drum which can be rotationally driven by a mixer drive, with the mixer drum being rotatably supported by the mixer drive at a mixer frame part, in particular a traveling gear frame part, at one of its end face ends and with the mixer drive having a drive part, in particular a hydraulic motor, and a drive transmission connected to the mixer drum. In accordance with the invention, the building material mixer is characterized in that the mixer drive is movably supported by movable bearing means at the mixer frame part allowing tilting movements; and in that the mixer drum is fastened to the transmission housing of the drive transmission.
US08641256B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a recess portion defined by a pair of opposing first side wall portions and a pair of opposing second side wall portions extending between the first side wall portions and shorter than the first side wall portions. Light emitting elements are arranged on the bottom surface of the recess portion in a direction of the first side wall portions. The light emitting elements include a first light emitting element for emitting light of a first color and a second light emitting element for emitting light of a second color different from the first color and placed closest to the second side wall portion among the light emitting elements. A resin portion containing a phosphor for wavelength-converting a part of the light of the second color into a complementary color of the light of the second color is filled into the recess portion.
US08641251B2
An automobile panel (10) includes at least one icon area (18), the area being illuminated by a light source (20) placed under the ornament panel, the panel including a flexible translucent skin (12), forming the outer surface (14) of the ornament panel, and a backing layer (16), placed against the translucent skin (12), the layer (16) having at least one translucent area aligned with the icon area (18). The ornament panel includes at least one polarizing filter (32) placed between the light source (20) and the icon area (18) so as to polarize the light illuminating the icon area (18) and to substantially prevent the subsequent reflection thereof.
US08641248B2
A holder of lighting device is provided for receiving a lighting unit of the lighting device to be inserted and retained therein. The lighting unit includes an insertion portion that is insertable into the holder. The holder includes a clamp section, which defines a receiving and retaining space, and a base, which extends outwards and downwards from the clamp section. The clamp section includes a plurality of pawls that circumferentially surrounds a center of the receiving and retaining space and is engageable with and thus resiliently clamps the insertion portion of the lighting unit. The base can be stably positioned on a flat surface and the pawls resiliently clamp the insertion portion of the lighting unit so that the stability of positioning the lighting unit can be improved.
US08641244B2
A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus is configured such that a light-emitting unit is cooled through movement of air ionized by corona discharge, rather than using a fan that generates noise, resulting in reduced operational noise.
US08641243B1
A retrofit light emitting diode (LED) lighting luminaire designed to have detachable and replaceable components for convenience and low cost in the luminaire maintenance including a heat dissipation member that includes detachable upper and lower sections with aligned radially extending fins, and a driver retained within the luminaire. The LED chip is retained against a surface of the lower heat dissipation member so that heat from the LED is transmitted to the radially extending fins to thereby effectively cool the LED lighting source and driver.
US08641233B2
A lighting device (1, 1′) having a tube (2), at least sections of which are transparent, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (4), the LEDs being arranged within the tube next to one another and parallel to the tube longitudinal axis (L), wherein at least one separate optical means (5, 6; 5′, 6′) is arranged within the tube (2).
US08641211B2
Disclosure relates to a road delineator installed at a road facility, such as a guardrail, to reflect light from car headlights, and more specifically, an angle adjustment part of the delineator having a cover hinged to a stationary body has a simple structure to facilitate angle adjustment of the hinged cover, the head of an anchor bolt is easily inserted into the stationary body that is installed at the road facility yet the anchor bolt is not easily separated from the stationary body once the head thereof sits in the stationary body, such that the delineator at the road facility can be installed conveniently, and a backing metal is embedded in the bottom plate of the stationary body to protect the bottom plate of the stationary body made of a synthetic resin material from damages caused by the head of the anchor bolt when the anchor bolt is forcedly fastened to the road facility.
US08641179B2
According to one embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet head, a first tank arranged above the ink jet head and configured to store ink to be supplied to the ink jet head, a first tank valve that opens and closes in order to switch the inside of the first tank to be opened to or shut off from the atmosphere, a second tank arranged below the ink jet head and configured to store the ink collected from the ink jet head, a second tank valve that opens and closes in order to switch the inside of the second tank to be opened to or shut off from the atmosphere, a pipe configured to connect the ink jet head, the first tank, and the second tank and form a part of a circulation shape, a pump provided in the pipe between the first tank and the second tank, a passive pressure adjusting device connected to the second tank, arranged below the first tank, and configured to generate negative pressure using the gravity, and a third tank valve provided between the second tank and the passive pressure adjusting device.
US08641178B1
An ink recirculation system has been developed to enable controlled release of ink collected in an ink receptacle into a printhead. The ink receptacle includes an indentation in a substantially planar surface and is configured to receive ink in the indentation from a printhead. The indentation has a shape that enables the ink receptacle to release ink at varying rates as a pivot angle of the ink receptacle is varied by a positioning system. The shape of the indentation enables the receptacle to dose ink into an ink reservoir in the printhead at known rates to control the amount of ink recycled to the printhead.
US08641169B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head unit having a plurality of liquid ejecting heads that ejects liquid from nozzles. The liquid ejecting head unit has a head fixing member that fixes a plurality of the liquid ejecting heads in a row with gaps between the heads. The head fixing member has an opening at a frame section, and fixes a plurality of the liquid ejecting heads that are inserted into the opening in a state where at least one portion of each of the nozzle plates protrudes through the opening. Partition plates are arranged between the liquid ejecting heads in the frame section in a row with the liquid ejecting heads across the opening. A portion of each of the partition plates protrudes from the bottom of the frame section.
US08641168B2
A printing system that has a drive roller for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, an inkjet printhead assembly for printing the media and an ink aerosol collection system for removing ink aerosol from areas adjacent the media path. The ink aerosol collection system is configured to remove aerosol at a greater rate in response to an increase in the media size.
US08641157B2
A slide hinge is mounted between a body and a cover of a remote control and has a base and a slide pin assembly. The base has two opposite rails and each rail has a rail slot being curved and defined through the rail. The slide pin has a slide pin, a spring and a guide. The slide pin is mounted slidably through the rail slots and capable of moving along a curved path. The spring is mounted around the slide pin. The guide is slidably mounted around the slide pin and selectively compresses the spring. The slide hinge allows the cover to move along a curved path relative to the body.
US08641156B2
A compound motion shelf organizer may include a front module and a rear module. A compound linear motion system may be coupled between the front module and a base. The compound linear motion system may be configured to allow the front module to move horizontally with respect to the base from a retracted position to a forward position, and to allow the front module to move vertically with respect to the base from the forward position to a downward position.
US08641155B2
A modular furniture system is provided. The system includes surface members, junctions, and connectors. Each connector has two engagement portions. The surface members and junctions each include one or more channels for receiving a connector, the channels are shaped to slidingly attach with an engagement portion of a connector. The channels are positioned so that the connectors being used to interconnect a surface member to a junction or a surface member to another surface member to assemble the modular furniture system.
US08641154B2
A system and procedures for adjusting brake mechanisms for an aircraft having an electric brake system are disclosed. The brake actuator mechanisms are controlled to achieve different parking brake actuation states as a function of the current engine run status (e.g., engine off, engine idle, or engine above idle). Procedures for adjusting an aircraft parking brake as disclosed herein include setting the brake actuator mechanisms to achieve a relatively low clamping force when the aircraft engines are off or idling, and setting the brake mechanisms to achieve a relatively high clamping force when the aircraft engines are running above idle, and to maintain commanded brake force without active or battery power by engaging a mechanical clutch or latch to the brake actuator.
US08641150B2
A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
US08641148B2
A vehicle head restraint assembly has a guide member mounted to a vehicle seat back. A head restraint is mounted to another guide member that has notches and is mounted to the first guide member for movement in a fore and aft direction. A biasing member biases a locking mechanism that is mounted to the first guide member into engagement with the notches. A first actuator is mounted to the first guide member for actuation in a lateral direction from one lateral side such that linear actuation of a first actuator compresses the biasing member to disengage the locking mechanism from the notches to permit adjustment of the fore and aft position of the head restraint. A second actuator is mounted to the first guide member for actuation in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction and cooperates with the first actuator for actuating the first actuator.
US08641147B2
A patient procedures chair is provided with a system that permits ready interchangeability of patient headrests with ease of positioning and locking in position while at the same time guarding against inadvertent axial removal.
US08641140B2
A vehicle safety seat (104, 202, 302, 502, 802) includes a seat bottom (120, 210, 310, 504, 810) that is movable substantially instantly from a substantially horizontal normal orientation for normal traveling to a deployed angled orientation contemporaneously with a vehicle crash. The deployed safety seat shifts a seat occupant (102) into a protective posture to reduce accelerations, loads and moments of force on various parts of the occupant's body. In preferred embodiments, the seat bottom is deployed into its angled orientation by lowering the rear (124, 312, 507, 812) of the seat bottom, causing the seat bottom to pivot about a front pivot (174, 220, 320, 518, 820) at the front of the seat bottom. Typically, a vehicle safety seat includes a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550, 840). In some embodiments, a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550) is movable downwards and/or rearwards simultaneously with movement of the seat bottom.
US08641129B2
A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle has a twelve-cornered cross section comprising sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. The strengthening member also comprises one or more of trigger holes, convolutions, and flanges to stabilize the folding mode and prevent bending in response to an axially-applied crash force.
US08641125B2
An obstruction detection system using a safety switch with a plurality of sensors is provided. The sensors include a sensing element molded in a casing and separated from an adjacent sensor by one of a plurality of connectors. A clip has a strip portion and a first attachment arm extending at an angle from the strip portion. A second attachment arm extends from the strip portion. A barb leg is disposed at an angle relative to the strip portion. The barb leg has a first leg end and a second leg end opposite the first leg end with the barb leg connected at the first leg end to the second attachment arm and the second leg end is disposed toward and spaced apart from the strip portion.
US08641116B2
The article comprises a part comprising two lugs for snap-fastening said part on a support and two abutment means for bearing against that support. The part also comprises a body, provided with an aperture, to which are attached the lugs as well as a fixing foot adapted to be disposed through the aperture. The article has a locked configuration in which the fixing foot blocks said lugs in said snap-fastening position and an unlocked configuration in which said foot is adapted to be inserted and extracted from said part and in that said article further comprises quarter turn fixing means to make the article pass between said locked configuration and unlocked configuration.
US08641110B1
A tool with two interconnected appendages extending in two different directions from an end of an interchangeable extension pole. The first appendage may be oriented along a plane substantially parallel to the pole axis. The second appendage may be oriented along a plane substantially normal to the axis. An open-ended slot may be provided in each appendage for grabbing cords and other items. At least one of the open-ended slots may graduate from a larger width at an open end of the slot to a reduced width toward a closed end of the slot. Pull-chains to be operated can be inserted and locked into the smaller portion of the slot. Stop surfaces may be provided that limit insertion of an appendage to a specific distance, for example to operate a louver of a window shutter. Internal Acme threads may be provided in the tool to attach it to existing poles.
US08641106B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a device for securing the external control surfaces of an aircraft. A gust lock is described for securing the control surfaces of an aircraft that includes an elongated top plate having a rotably associated strap lock, an elongated bottom plate having a rotably mounted capture piece, and a strap running from the capture piece through the strap lock to a tail section.
US08641105B2
Partition systems comprise a first post member attached to a foldable partition, a securing mechanism attached to the first post member and comprising at least one permanent magnet switch configured to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force, and at least another post member comprising a material responsive to the applied significant attractive magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet switch. Methods of securing a partition system comprise bringing a first post member of a foldable partition proximate at least another post member; and manipulating the at least one permanent magnet switch attached to the first post member to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force to the at least another post member.
US08641102B2
A multistage lock has a stationary frame, an inner frame, an outer frame mounted between the stationary and inner frames, multiple stops mounted on the stationary and inner frames, two sliding panels mounted on the outer frame and a handle assembly connected to the sliding panels. Stopping protrusions of the stops selectively engage limiting protrusions on the sliding panels when the at least one handle is turned. Consequently, the inner and outer frames are selectively opened. The multistage lock has a simplified structure and allows people to decide whether a door panel (window) is open according to situations and weather outdoors.
US08641096B1
A load limiting anchor for seatbelt systems is provided. The anchor includes a pair of plates sandwiched together and connected by a rivet or other fastener. One of the plates features a key-hole shaped slot through which the rivet can move upon relative sliding motion between the plates causing material deformation as the anchor absorbs tensile exerted by the associated seatbelt system.
US08641092B2
Valve device and airbag comprising such a valve device, and method for operating such a valve device
A valve mechanism for a gaseous medium of an airbag is provided. The valve mechanism includes a first and second layer, which respectively include a passage opening that is substantially closed in a closed position of the valve mechanism by a corresponding cover region of the other respective layer. An adjusting element in the form of a tube with an adjustable volume provides a temporary passage position of the valve mechanism by lifting one of the cover regions of the corresponding layer from the corresponding passage opening.
US08641083B2
A grab rail is attached via a bracket to an upper portion of a side panel inside a vehicle, and a curtain-shaped airbag is arranged in a folded state on a side portion of the side panel inside the vehicle. The bracket includes a vehicle body attachment seat section that is attached to an attachment surface formed on the side panel; an arm section that is bent from the vehicle body attachment seat section and extends downward and inward in the vehicle width direction; and a grab rail attachment seat section that is bent from a lower end of the arm section, extends upward and inward in the vehicle width direction, and has the grab rail attached thereto. A space section formed by the side panel and the arm section opens downwardly and serves as a storage portion for receipt of the folded curtain-shaped airbag.
US08641076B2
A clevis pin combination comprises a clevis made of aluminum alloy; and a pin made of steel. This combination of parts and materials results in lighter weight and improved performance of maximum load carrying capacity over similar combinations of all aluminum or all steel. The clevis further comprises a first clevis leg having a first clevis aperture in a first clevis end and a second clevis leg having a second clevis aperture in a second clevis end. The second clevis end is spaced apart from the first clevis end forming an open end. A curved portion connecting the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg forms a closed end. The first clevis aperture and the second clevis aperture are axially aligned and the steel pin is sized to fit through the first clevis aperture and second clevis aperture allowing pivoting movement between the clevis and the pin. The clevis may be substantially U-shaped. At least the curved portion of the clevis may by significantly wider than it is thick, such that it is flat in cross-section. Alternatively, the clevis may be significantly wider than it is thick, such that it is flat in cross-section. The curved portion or the entire clevis may be formed of a single piece of solid aluminum bar stock bent into a U-shape, forming a weldless and seamless U-shaped clevis.
US08641073B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for adjusting the height of a saddle for a bicycle. The apparatus includes a saddle lift device that moves the saddle upwards or downwards to adjust the height of the saddle, and a controller that controls the operation of the saddle lift device. In the present invention, even when a bicycle is traveling, the height of the saddle can be automatically adjusted to an appropriate height depending on the travel conditions, thus enhancing the safety of a rider and providing convenience. Moreover, the present invention stores information about the body type of the rider and automatically adjusts the height of the saddle to a height suitable for the body type, thus making it markedly easy to adjust the height of the saddle, and enhancing the safety of the rider while riding the bicycle.
US08641072B2
A bicycle comprises a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is coupled to the swingarm. A change in vertical wheel travel (ΔVWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (ΔSL), providing a shock rate (SR). The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. In each case, the rate of change of the shock includes a change in sign, from positive to negative or from negative to positive. In some embodiments, the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.
US08641067B2
A suspension unit is disclosed comprising: a hub 6; a bearing sleeve 24 eccentrically mounted within the hub 6; a crank pin 22 rotatably received within the bearing sleeve 24; and a connecting rod 20, a first end 28 of which is connected for rotation with the crank pin 22 over a connecting area 26 that comprises less than a complete circumference of the crank pin 22; the bearing sleeve 24 comprising a slot 52 through which the connecting rod 20 extends from the first 28 end to a second end.
US08641042B2
A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated.
US08641039B2
Apparatus for handling documents comprises an inlet 30 for receiving documents, a transfer means for transferring documents from the inlet to a secure or securable location and deposit means, wherein the transfer means is operable, in use, to transfer documents between the inlet and a deposit position adjacent the securable location, said deposit means comprises a plunger 50 and movable members 523b, 523c wherein the movable members 523b, 523c are arranged to move along the plunger 50 as the plunger 50 urges documents into the securable location.
US08641034B2
The present application relates to techniques and equipment to manufacture mailpieces containing inserts. The equipment can be an inserter or an envelope wrapper that collects documents and inserts on a collating track before the material is inserted into an envelope by inserting equipment or wrapped with paper or film to make an envelope by wrapping equipment. More specifically, the present application relates to a rotary insert feeder that feeds inserts to a collating track on inserting or wrapping type equipment.
US08641028B2
A holding assembly for an edge of a flexible film sheeting where the assembly comprises an elongate flexible channel member for extending along the edge and an elongate locking strip detachably engagable within the channel member for clamping the associated film sheeting therebetween has the locking strip moved into place by a guide body arranged for sliding movement across a support surface such as the ground on which the film sheeting is located. The guide body having a slot therein for receiving the channel member and carries a pivotal lever including a pair of rollers for guiding and forcing the locking strip into place. The guide body is carried on a skid and moves underneath the edge of the film across the width of the opening to be closed.
US08641022B2
In a front fork, a throttle flow path is provided between a hole which is provided in an inner tube and is communicated with an annular gap chamber, and a lower oil chamber in an outer periphery of a hollow pipe.
US08641011B2
A solenoid comprises at least one armature supported in an armature space. The armature space is encircled by a coil carrying a number of windings which can be loaded with current. The magnetic field generated by it moves the armature against the core. The armature acts on a pin. The armature has on its front seen in the direction of movement a recess in which a structural part is set. The pin is supported on the structural part.
US08641008B2
Method for controlling the position of an electromechanical actuator for reciprocating compressor valves. The actuator includes a member (302) movable in a direction parallel to the direction for opening and closing the obturator of the valve (12), between a position corresponding to the closed position and a position corresponding to the open position of the obturator (11). The member (302) is provided with a mechanism (322) able to act on the obturator (11) and with a magnetizable portion (312) co-operating with two electromagnets (102, 202) and being arranged in equilibrium between the latter via a suitable mechanism.
US08640999B2
The fastening device of the present invention includes a base, two pawl shanks and two positioning rods. The base is formed with two hook portions and two base positioning holes. Each pawl shank is formed with a pawl positioning hole, and each pawl shank includes a pawl section and a hook section. Each positioning rod inserts in one of the base positioning holes and the pawl positioning hole of one of the pawl shanks, such that the pawl shanks are pivotable about the positioning rods respectively. Each hook portion and its corresponding hook section define a tube clamp space, and the pawl sections define a pad clamp space. The fastening device further includes a means for narrowing the tube clamp spaces and the pad clamp space.
US08640997B1
A harness clamp to hold, position and mount multiple thermocouple wire sensors in a continuous casting mold tube. The harness clamp has longitudinally spaced wire sensor openings with multiple apertured mounting tabs extending from a in use folded wire chase enclosure body member portion with overlying engagement retainment flanges to secure the wire retainment flange portion over the wire sensors positioned therewithin.
US08640996B2
An example includes an apparatus for releasing a railroad gate in at least two directions. The example includes a primary pivot member and a secondary pivot member pivotally connected to the primary pivot member, with one end of the railroad crossing connectable to the secondary pivot member. In the example the primary pivot member is rotable around a primary pivot of the apparatus, the primary pivot member rotable in a first direction against a first spring bias and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, against a second spring bias other than the first spring bias, andwherein the secondary pivot member is rotable around a secondary pivot of the apparatus, the secondary pivot member rotable in the first direction against a third spring bias other than the first spring bias and the second spring bias.
US08640991B2
An aircraft window includes a microstructure so that light rays with a correspondingly large angle of incidence are reflected back to the exterior region. By contrast, light rays with another, i.e. smaller, angle of incidence are allowed to pass almost without hindrance. The microstructures are designed as optical prisms, wherein the order of magnitude of the prisms is in the region of light wave lengths.
US08640989B2
A speed brake for aircraft in the form of a flap is provided. The flap can be extended into the air stream for increasing the flow resistance of the air. An extension is attached on the upper side of the flap on one side with respect to the center line of the flap, and the extension is attached in such a manner that in the retracted state of the flap, the extension extends along the flow direction of the air.
US08640986B2
An aircraft turbojet nacelle comprising blowing means intended to inject a tangential airflow (Ft) into the internal volume (V) of the nacelle, said blowing means being provided in a wall of the air intake of the nacelle in the supersonic area of said air intake. The invention also concerns a method for controlling separation in an aircraft nacelle, wherein a tangential airflow is injected (Ft) into the internal volume (V) of the nacelle in the locally supersonic area of the air intake so as to pull the main airflow (F) into the extension of the inner wall of the nacelle.
US08640985B2
The system of the present application represents a rotor hub for a rotorcraft and a rotorcraft incorporating the rotor hub. The rotor hub is represented as having multiple rotor disk assemblies, each rotor disk assembly rotating in the same direction about the same mast axis of rotation. In the preferred embodiment, each rotor disk assembly has three rotor blades. The upper rotor disc assembly and the lower rotor disk assembly are separated by approximately 2.5% of the rotor disk diameter, at least to take advantage of “wake contraction”.
US08640983B2
A rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a rotor hub having a plurality of rotor blade pairs mechanically coupled to a rotor mast. A pitch link assembly is mechanically coupled to each rotor blade pair for controlling the pitch angle of each rotor blade pair in tandem. Each rotor blade pair has an upper rotor blade and a lower rotor blade. The plurality of rotor blade pairs rotor in a single direction and about a single axis of rotation.
US08640982B2
An apparatus for dispensing strip materials onto one or more moving substrates includes a frame extending transversally of the substrate path that supports guide arms. Each guide arm includes pulleys for dispensing strip materials and is able to be moved along the frame by a friction drive system, which includes crank shafts, pulleys, and cables. Each guide arm can be held in position by a friction braking system, which includes members that are pressed against components of the drive system to frictionally prevent motion. A position feedback system measures and displays the location of the guide arms. A substrate tracking and adjustment system tracks the position of the substrate as it moves side to side from a normal path and automatically adjusts the position of the frame along a guide track to maintain the guide arms in a desired position in relation to the substrate.
US08640980B2
A showerhead is disclosed that has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. There is a ball joint at the inlet of the housing adapted to be connected to a source of water and a spacer within the housing channels water from the inlet towards the outlet. Within the spacer is a flow control disc having one or more apertures. Each aperture is surrounded by a chamber within the disc, and the depth of each chamber partially controls the spray dispersion of the water flowing through the spacer. There is also an outlet cap removeably retained in the outlet of the housing. The outlet cap has a plurality of nozzle chambers each being fed by an aperture of the disc. The depth of each nozzle chamber is such as to also partially control the spray dispersion of the water discharged from the showerhead.
US08640977B2
A push-button for a dispensing system for a liquid under pressure, the push-button includes a body having a mounting well on a delivery tube for the liquid under pressure and a housing in communication with the well, the housing being provided with an anvil around which a spraying nozzle is mounted in such a way as to form a dispensing path of the fluid between the housing and a vortex unit including a vortex chamber provided with a dispensing orifice as well as at least one supply channel of the chamber, the nozzle having a proximal wall wherein is formed a print of the vortex unit and the anvil having a distal wall whereon the proximal wall of the nozzle is pressing against in order to delimit the vortex unit between them, the distal wall having a recess which is formed across from the print of the vortex chamber, the maximum depth of the recess being between 25% and 300% of the minimum depth of the print of the supply channels.
US08640975B2
A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.
US08640974B2
A nozzle includes a center body and a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A plurality of apertures pass through the center body to the annular passage, and a plenum extends inside the center body and is in fluid communication with the plurality of apertures. A cooling medium is in fluid communication with the plenum. A method for cooling a nozzle includes flowing a cooling medium through a plenum across a surface of the nozzle.
US08640973B2
A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly comprises a tube portion having an input end and an output end. A nozzle assembly has a plurality of selectable nozzles, and the nozzle assembly is disposed near the output end and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern. A nozzle indicator is spaced from the output end and indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle.
US08640970B2
The present invention provides methods, devices and systems for improving air quality. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an air quality control system for maintaining or improving air quality within a room. The air quality control system includes a fan in fluid communication with a room. The fan is configured to vent air from within the room to control air quality therein. The air quality control system further includes a fluid flow sensor located proximate to a conduit. The fluid flow sensor is in communication with a wireless transmitter configured to generate a signal based upon fluid flow through the conduit. The air quality control system also includes a receiver configured to receive the wireless signal generated by the wireless transmitter, wherein the receiver is in communication with the fan to cause activation of the fan based upon the signal generated by the wireless transmitter.
US08640965B2
A dual-interface smart card comprises an integrated circuit (IC) module coupled to a plastic card body. The IC module includes multiple downwardly facing, externally exposed contact pads that are electrically coupled to corresponding externally exposed sections of a radio frequency (RF) antenna incorporated into the card body. Each contact pad is electrically connected to the RF antenna by a pair of opposing, stapled-shaped, conductive elements, with one conductive element being permanently welded to the contact pad and the other permanently welded to the antenna. Each conductive element includes a pair of resilient spring arms that maintain electrical connection between the contact pad and the antenna even upon movement of the IC module relative to the card body. To provide further redundancy of connection between each contact pad and the antenna, the resilient spring arms of the opposing conductive elements are encapsulated with a supply of conductive filler material.
US08640964B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample cartridge that includes storage slots for holding biosample plates. The cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges to allow the cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle data cartridges in an automated tape library. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biosample storage cartridge that has a movable door to provide access to inside the cartridge and a plate holder disposed inside the cartridge. The plate holder includes a plurality of slots for receiving biosample plates that are scanned and processed by the automated tape library.
US08640959B2
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, and method. In an embodiment, a portable system is provided. The system includes a context-detecting device operable to generate information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item, and an annotating device operable to generate information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item.
US08640955B2
A color barcode can record much more amount of information than black white barcode. However, the problem of the color barcode is that it is easy to lose integrity or authenticity in printing and copy generation. This invention provides an apparatus and a method to keep the integrity or authenticity of the color barcode. Such is accomplished by the color information portion of the color barcode representing the color information about what colors are used for color tiles of data portion of the color barcode and an apparatus and a method for producing and reproducing such color barcode.
US08640954B2
A filter-free projector includes a light source unit to generate light beams with different colors and a color control module coupled to the light source unit for switching the light source unit to emit one color of light at a time. A digital mirror device panel having a plurality of mirror elements is provided so as to reflect light fed from the light source unit. A projection lens is positioned in the reflected light path from the digital mirror device panel to project the image. The switching-on time of independent lights in the light source unit can be overlapped or not overlapped.
US08640952B2
An apparatus and method for mobile code decoding fault recovery are provided. The method includes scanning a mobile code, decoding the mobile code, when the mobile code is not decoded successfully, storing a decoded portion of the mobile code as a partially decoded mobile code, and decoding the mobile code based on a sequence alignment algorithm and a predetermined number of partially decoded mobile codes, and providing the decoded mobile code to the mobile device.
US08640950B2
The present disclosure relates generally to the authentication of contactless payments attempted by a device having embedded contactless payment functionality. In particular, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods that utilize authentication schemes that already exist on a device in which the contactless payment functionality is embedded. One example of such authentication schemes is the use of password protection to lock or unlock the device in which the contactless payment functionality is embedded. Using the password protection functionality may provide varying levels of authentication protection based on the desires of the user. A number of exemplary uses of such a method and apparatus are disclosed herein.
US08640946B1
An automated banking machine allows an authorized user to carry out transactions such as withdrawing cash, making a deposit, cashing a check, and transferring funds between accounts. The machine provides a transaction selection screen through a touch screen display. The transaction selection screen includes a plurality of visually different icons. Each icon represents a different transaction that is available to the current machine user. The user can select a particular transaction by dragging its representative icon with a contacting finger. Upon selection of the particular transaction, a display screen unique to that particular transaction is then provided through the touch screen display.
US08640944B1
A mobile user apparatus and associated methods useful for conducting and enabling payment transactions wirelessly, such as at point-of-sale locations. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a cellular-enabled mobile device that includes a short-range radio frequency device that communicates with a point of sale apparatus, including information relating to an account of the user of the mobile apparatus that is to be charged for the payment. In one variant, the information stored on the mobile device is further configured to receive transaction data wirelessly in return. In another variant, user biometric data is used to authenticate the transaction.
US08640941B2
A class of nickel based alloys having a fine grain structure resistant to stress corrosion cracking, and methods of alloy design to produce further alloys within the class are presented. The alloys act as suitable welding materials in similar applications to that of Alloy 622. The fine-grained structure of these novel alloys may also be advantageous for other reasons as well such as wear, impact, abrasion, corrosion, etc. These alloys have similar phases to Alloy 622 in that they are composed primarily of austenitic nickel, however the phase morphology is a much finer grained structure opposed to the long dendritic grains common to Alloy 622 when it is subject to cooling rates from a liquid state inherent to the welding process.
US08640937B2
A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. Those fittings may be an inboard shoulder strap or a handle located on an outboard portion of a face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The assembly may have a liner to contain liquids and an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed, and secured. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and includes a grip or handle located on the lower portion of the front side of the container to pull up on the bottom of the container when used by a person.
US08640926B2
A fluid dispenser including a backplate and a flexible cover fixedly secured to the backplate. A refill unit including a product reservoir and a pump is positioned within the dispenser and is carried by the backplate. The flexible cover is adapted to flex or deform when pressed by a user to actuate the pump, thereby alleviating the need for separate actuating members or pivoting of the cover.
US08640922B2
A multicomponent cartridge includes a first storage chamber for a first component and a second storage chamber for a second component. The first storage chamber is separate from, and arranged next to, the second storage chamber. A first piston is movably received in the first storage chamber. A second piston is movably received in the second storage chamber. Each of the first or second storage chambers has a respective filling end and a respective discharge end. The storage chambers are connected to one another at at least the discharge end. The storage chambers have inner walls with the discharge end opening into a discharge element in an opening aperture. A venting element is upstream of the corresponding opening aperture at at least one of the inner walls, with the venting element extending over a maximum of one third of a longitudinal dimension of the storage chamber.
US08640895B2
A drum tensioning method is provided for operating a crane having a continuously reeved load hoist line, with a first end of the load hoist line connected to a first drum and a second end of the load hoist line connected to a second drum, with the load hoist line reeved through boom sheaves and a hook block. The method includes the steps of applying a hold-back force to the second drum; applying a winding force to the first drum greater than the hold back force on the second drum; and applying the winding and hold back forces while limiting movement of the hook block, thereby spooling the load hoist line from the second drum through the boom sheaves and hook block to the first drum while maintaining tension in the load hoist line such that the load hoist line is wound under more tension on the first drum than it had previously been wound on the second drum.
US08640892B2
A pivoting storage apparatus that is adapted to storage structures such as cabinets, refrigerators, and the like, whose horizontal interior storage surfaces are generally rectangular. The shelving system is presented in the form of a shelf accessory, in addition to use as an independent storage platform. A portion of the rotary shelving is capable of being manually drawn out of the confines of the storage structure's interior by the user, thereby enabling easy access to shelf contents.
US08640888B2
A bike carrying device includes a support post (5), a mounting unit (4) mounted on the support post, a positioning bar (6) mounted on the mounting unit, a pawl member (7) mounted in the mounting unit, a release member (415) mounted in the mounting unit, a lock mechanism (414) mounted on the mounting unit and connected with the release member, and an elastic member (8) biased between the mounting unit and the pawl member. Thus, the bike carrying device has a simplified construction to decrease the cost of fabrication.
US08640879B2
A method of separating a mixture of solid materials includes supplying a stream of a mixture of solid materials to a stationary inclined surface and collecting a plurality of particles at one or more collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface. The mixture of solid materials includes a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles includes rubber particles and plastic particles. The particles of the mixture contact the stationary inclined surface and travel downward along the surface due to gravitational force. The collected particles include a higher percentage of the rubber particles than mixture due to a greater degree of bouncing of the rubber particles due to their higher friction compared with plastic particles. A material sorting apparatus includes a stationary inclined surface, a feeder, and a plurality of collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface.
US08640876B2
In a method for separating rich ore particles from agglomerates which contain said rich ore particles and magnetizable particles attached thereto, especially Fe3O4, in the course of a process for obtaining rich ore from crude ore, in which agglomerates the rich ore particle and the magnetizable particle are bonded by organic molecular chains, the agglomerates are contained in a suspension containing a carrier fluid and are broken up by an input of mechanical energy so that an agent contained in the suspension and decomposing the exposed, hydrophobic molecular chains can act upon the molecular chains. The Fe-containing oxide components are separated from the suspension in a magnetic separation process.
US08640868B2
A case assembly for a portable device is provided that has a first sleeve member, a second sleeve member and a customized plate member. The first sleeve member is mated with the second sleeve member to encase the portable device. The customized plate member is configured and arranged to connect with the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member.
US08640867B2
A protective and decorative casing for handheld devices such as a cellular phone, mobile computing device, or portable digital media player. The casing comprises a device stand. The casing expands to allow insertion of the handheld device. The casing has an accessory storage area.
US08640866B1
A golf club holding assembly includes a panel that has a perimeter edge including top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front side and a back side. A plurality of club pockets is attached to the front side. Each of the club pockets is vertically orientated and is laterally aligned with each other. The club pockets each have an upper end form an access opening configured to receive a golf club handle. The plurality of club pockets includes at most four club pockets and at least two club pockets. A coupler is attached to the panel and is configured to releasably secure the panel to a golf bag.
US08640863B2
A dust and particulate containment system for an open sided gallery conveyor, having a movable curtain for covering the open side of the conveyor and a trough positioned within and extending along a length of the conveyor. A rail is arranged within the conveyor and a carriage, having an opening for transferring bulk materials therethrough via a sealed connection to a cross conveyor, is positioned to move along this rail. Sealing strips in the trough retain the curtain tautly in place and seal the open side of the conveyor. As each carriage moves along the rail, a spreader frame attached to the carriage biasingly opens the sealing strips, and temporarily frees the curtain from being retained, so that the freed curtain is lifted over the carriage to avoid covering the opening in the carriage, so that transfer of bulk materials in the conveyor can occur through the opening.
US08640859B2
A conveyor system pallet is provided, having: a pallet body; and a guiding system operatively attached to the pallet body and designed to abut against at least one side rail of a conveyor system, the guiding system including: a plurality of first directional guides; and a plurality of second directional guides oriented approximately orthogonally to the first directional guides. A further guiding system for a conveyor pallet is provided, having: a plurality of first directional guides having: a plurality of guides designed to abut against a first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of guides designed to abut against a second side rail located above the first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of second directional guides designed to engage an underside of the first side rail.
US08640858B2
Method and apparatus for feeding sand molds from multiple sand mold forming stations to a common metal pouring station. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Transfer devices are provided for moving the sand molds onto and off of the conveyors.
US08640856B2
A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
US08640854B2
A stop unit comprising: a guiding device which can be mounted to an overhead conveyor; a carriage having an abutting section, wherein the carriage is movably supported by the guiding device along a transverse direction which is orientated transversely relative to a longitudinal direction; and a drive which is coupled to the carriage and which is configured to extract, during activation, the carriage from a release position.
US08640852B2
A spring feeder including a conveying path and a conveying portion including a conveying groove, the conveying groove having a width approximately equal to a width of the springs. The conveying path for feeding includes a first sorting and conveying portion and a second sorting and conveying portion, the first sorting and conveying portion, the second sorting and conveying portion, and the conveying portion for connection are linked consecutively from the container side. A width of the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion is narrower than a width of the conveying groove of the first sorting and conveying portion and the width of the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion is narrow enough to allow only one spring to be loaded in the conveying direction in the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion.
US08640845B2
A clutch driving device includes a pair of first and second roller wing arms horizontally moving to both sides by moving body moving forward/backward on an axial center line of an actuator and a roller inclined cam surface defining a move path of a pivot is formed such that first and second roller wing arms horizontally move to both sides from the axial center line of actuator, on the surface of a lever generating a stroke at a release bearing. Therefore, the lever can be lifted above a clutch engagement gap where a sufficient stroke is generated at the release bearing engaging a clutch, such that it is possible to achieve sufficient performance even if the output of actuator is reduced by the amount of energy consumption which is relative reduced.
US08640841B2
A bidirectional driving device includes a ratchet wheel, a movable handle, a fixed casing, a pawl reset spring, a handle reset spring and a central shaft. The handle reset spring is in an inner hole of the ratchet wheel. A positioning column of the handle reset spring is placed in sliding slots of the movable handle and of the fixed casing. First and second pawls are disposed between the ratchet wheel and the movable handle. Tooth sections of the first and second pawls are engaged with ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel. Positioning columns of the first and second pawls are connected with the movable handle. Bosses of the first and second pawls are placed in sliding slots of the fixed casing, each composed of two circular arc slot sections with different radius. The pawl reset spring is connected with the bosses and with the central shaft.
US08640829B2
The hydraulic elevator system has several configurations, each incorporating the hydraulic motor and pump at the lower end of the hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly. A first embodiment utilizes a wet pump and motor assembly at the lower end of the cylinder, with the volume between the cylinder and casing providing a hydraulic reservoir. A second embodiment provides a dry pump and motor installed at the lower end of the cylinder below the surrounding casing and hydraulic reservoir. A third embodiment attaches the pump and motor to the lower end of the hydraulic ram, with the pump and motor traveling up and down with the ram during operation. Further systems facilitating the installation and removal of the hydraulic cylinder and attached components for maintenance are also provided.
US08640822B2
An exhaust muffler includes a pair of base members disposed substantially parallel to one another and defining an exhaust entry and exhaust exit. At least one wall member is coupled to the base members. The at least one wall member is intermediate the base members and intermediate the entry and exit. The at least one wall member includes a linear portion coupled to a semicircular portion.
US08640821B2
An exhaust system for an engine includes an exhaust pipe connected to an exhaust port of an engine and a muffler attached to the exhaust pipe and configured to reduce exhaust noise. The muffler includes an inner cylinder part connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe, an outer cylinder part configured to cover an outside of the inner cylinder part and noise absorbing materials disposed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part. A plurality of first communication holes providing communication between an inside and an outside of the inner cylinder part is formed in an upstream portion of the inner cylinder part. A plurality of second communication holes providing communication between the inside and the outside of the inner cylinder part is formed in a downstream portion of the inner cylinder part. Guide walls extend toward the inside of the inner cylinder part.
US08640819B2
The invention provides a noise reducing enclosure for reducing the noise from a vacuum pump, e.g. a roughing pump of a high vacuum system, the vacuum pump having a long axis and the enclosure comprising a noise dampening material and being shaped to radially enclose the vacuum pump along its long axis and being axially open at each end. Airflow is permitted through the enclosure in use and optional integrated cooling means on the pump may assist cooling of the pump. The invention also provides an assembly of the pump and enclosure, a method for reducing the noise from a vacuum pump using the enclosure and a mass spectrometry system comprising: a mass spectrometer having one or more chambers therein which in operation are held under vacuum; and a vacuum pumping system for producing said vacuum, the vacuum pumping system comprising at least one vacuum pump which has a long axis and wherein the mass spectrometry system further comprises a noise reducing enclosure for radially enclosing the vacuum pump along its long axis, wherein the enclosure is axially open at each end.
US08640818B1
The present invention relates to speaker enclosures utilizing the golden ratio geometrically throughout the design to reduce reflections, resonance and phase shifting, and to improve the transient response. Enclosures can be box-shaped, trapezoidal, suspended or otherwise configured. The enclosure has a driver wall, a baffle and a rear wall. The driver wall and baffle define a front chamber, and the baffle and rear wall define a rear chamber. The volumetric ratio between the rear chamber and front chamber can be approximately 0.6. The rear chamber also can have braces or dividers that segment the chamber into a central portion and two side portions. The volumetric ratio between the side portions and the central portion can be approximately 0.6. Ports of various configurations are provided. Braces can be used in conjunction with the ports to diffuse the incoming air. The baffle can have a plurality of radiused holes there through.
US08640801B2
A drive apparatus (1) for a motor vehicle has a hollow portal axle (2) that accommodates two electrical machines (4). Wheels (12) are mounted rotatably at opposite ends of the portal axle (2) and can be driven by the electrical machine (4) associated with the respective wheel. A step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) is arranged between each electrical machine (4) and the respective wheel (12) and a separate connection from the respective wheel to the step-down gear mechanism, permits the wheel to be mounted in a non-rigid manner. The respective step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) is connected to the respective wheel (12) by a cardan shaft (10).
US08640800B2
A chassis (1) for a motor vehicle has an electrical axle (2) with two electrical machines (4) for respectively driving two wheels (6). The chassis (1) also has a step-down gear mechanism (10, 11) arranged between the respective electrical machine and the associated wheel. Each step-down gear mechanism is connected to the respective wheel by a cardan shaft. The respective rotation axes (5, 5) of the two electrical machines are arranged parallel and next to one another. The chassis enables each wheel to be mounted in a non-rigid manner and permits the overall length of the electrical machines to be varied on account of the arrangement of the rotation axes of the electrical machines.
US08640795B2
A tool string disposed in at least one tubular having upper and lower threaded connections to connect to a drill string. The tool string includes a shock reduction tool, which includes an anchoring tail piece axially and rotationally fixed to the at least one tubular. A universal bore hole orientation (UBHO) muleshoe sub is disposed at an upper end of the shock reduction tool. A downhole electronics package coupled to the UBHO muleshoe sub.
US08640794B2
A pressurized fluid flow system for a normal circulation down-the-hole hammer comprises a cylinder coaxially disposed in between an outer casing and a piston which reciprocates due to changes in pressure of pressurized fluid contained inside a front chamber and rear chamber located at opposites sides of the piston, supply/discharge of fluid to/from these chambers being conducted through a supply chamber and a discharge chamber defined by recesses on the inner surface of the casing and separated by a dividing wall, the front/rear chambers' in/out fluid flow being controlled solely by the overlap of the piston and the cylinder. A hammer having this system comprises a drill bit with one or more flushing passages which extend from channels cooperatively formed between splines on the inner surface of the driver sub and on the outer surface of the drill bit shank up to the front face of the drill bit.
US08640784B2
A turf aerator including a plurality of rotary hoes (39) that are supported along a drive shaft (41). Each rotary hoe (39) has a single journal bearing adapter (60) including a bearing support sleeve (61) with a cylindrical outer surface oriented at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft so as to wobble the rotary hoes laterally in response to the rotation of the drive shaft.
US08640778B2
A subsea drilling method and system for controlling the drilling fluid pressure, where drilling fluid is pumped down into the borehole through a drill string and returned back through the annulus between the drill string and the well bore. The drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining drilling fluid out of the drilling riser (8) or BOP (6) at a level between the seabed and the sea water in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator (28) where the gas is vented to surface through a vent line (39), and the fluid is pumped to surface via pump (40).
US08640777B2
A bridging hanger with an expandable anchoring mechanism lands on a casing hanger in a subsea wellhead and actuates to anchor to the casing hanger. The anchoring mechanism includes a tubular main body, and a tubular sealing sleeve. The tubular sealing sleeve is coaxial with and mounted on an exterior diameter portion of the tubular main body. The body is moveable from an upper run-in position to a lower set position relative to the sealing sleeve. The anchoring mechanism also includes a first and second locking ring, both carried by the sealing sleeve. The first locking ring engages a profile within an interior of the casing hanger in response to movement of the main body from the run-in to the set position. The second locking ring locks the tubular main body in the set position in response to movement of the main body from the run-in to the set position.
US08640773B2
A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analyzing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.
US08640770B1
An end ring having a first ring with an inner diameter, a second ring with the inner diameter and a thickness 25 percent greater than the first ring; a shoulder with a sloped outer surface connecting the first ring to the second ring; a plurality of flutes formed in an outer surface of the end ring, a plurality of fastener holes formed in the first and second rings, wherein the end ring either slides over a first end of a base pipe and fastens together the base pipe and edges of a rubber tubular surrounding the base pipe; or slides over a first end of a frac tubular and fastens edges of a frac sleeve to the frac tubular. The invention includes a swell packer and a frac tubular having the end rings.
US08640767B2
A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount. The unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit. The support structure may further comprise a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. Various push/pull system embodiments.
US08640763B1
The present invention relates to a portable, protective barrier for facilitating the passage of oversized articles through a span provided between two barriers. The protective barrier is fabricated of a board having a first planar surface and an opposite planar surface defined by a peripheral edge. The protective barrier is placed between the article being transferred through the span and at least one of the barriers. The article is compressed against the protective barrier to facilitate movement of the article through the span. The article can be furniture, appliances, equipment, etc., and the barriers can be a corner, a wall, a doorjamb, a staircase, other furniture, artwork, etc. The protective barrier may include a smooth planar surface enhancing passage of the article through the span. A non-skid texture may be applied to the opposite surface to increase friction between the protective barrier and the respective edge of the span.
US08640760B2
An ultrasonic welding machine and method are provided. The machine includes an ultrasonic welding horn operably coupled to a housing. The machine further includes an anvil operably coupled to the housing. The machine further includes a removable collar assembly that is coupled around a portion of an outer surface of the ultrasonic welding horn. The removable collar assembly has at least first and second set screws that contact the housing such that when at least one of the first and second set screws are moved inwardly toward the housing, the removable collar assembly rotates the ultrasonic welding horn to align the ultrasonic welding horn relative to the anvil.
US08640754B2
A side wall reinforced run flat tire, wherein a second carcass layer that does not reach a bead core is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of a carcass layer. A position of an outer peripheral edge of a bead filler, a relationship between a rubber thickness Gc of the inner side and a rubber thickness Ga of an outer side taken on the line X normal to the rim line and centered on the carcass layer, a relationship between the rubber thicknesses Ga and Gb of the side wall rubber in an upper region of a bead portion, and a position of a folded up end of the carcass layer are each stipulated.
US08640750B2
A pneumatic tire comprises: an axially inner circumferential row of crown blocks disposed on each side of the tire equator; and an axially outermost circumferential row of shoulder blocks disposed axially outside thereof. The crown blocks are circumferentially divided by alternate first and second crown axial grooves. The shoulder blocks are circumferentially divided by alternate first and second shoulder axial grooves. The first shoulder axial groove has a groove width of not less than 3.5 mm. The first crown axial groove has a groove width of not less than 2.0 mm. The second shoulder axial groove comprises an axially innermost sipe-like part having a groove width of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and an axially outer main part having a groove width of not less than 3.5 mm. The second crown axial groove comprises an axially innermost sipe-like part having a groove width of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and an axially outer main part having a groove width of not less than 2.0 mm.
US08640747B2
A medicine filling device for filling empty vials of different shapes and sizes with medicine without having to replace any members or having to perform any special operations is disclosed. More specifically, the medicine filling device is provided with a first transfer means to transfer an empty vial B stored within a stocker while the vial B is positioned on a side, a vial lifter (second transfer means) to hold the transferred vial B in an upright position and to move said vial B towards a medicine filling unit, and a vial orientation detection means to detect the orientation of the vial B which was removed from the stocker by the first transfer means. The first transfer means is provided with a reversal mechanism and the vial B is supplied to the vial lifter from the first transfer means while the bottom of the vial B faces a vial guiding means.
US08640746B2
Devices and methods for the sealing of a container are disclosed. The devices and methods include stoppers that allow for removal of air from the container with a vacuum source. Various embodiments comprise a high-volume valve allowing for expeditious evacuation of the air. The stopper may also comprise a low vacuum indicator to indicate to the user whether the vacuum internal to the container is at or above a desired amount. The stopper may also comprise other indicators, such as a day of the week or month indicator. A rotating bezel may be used to identify temporal or other types of events, such as when the container was first opened.
US08640744B2
An apparatus for repairing and/or inflating a damaged and/or deflated inflatable article, includes a first container (1) for receiving and retaining for dispensing a sealant composition, a second container (100) which has housed thereon a compressor assembly which is releasably connectable to the first container (1), and means (200) allowing for controlled dispensing of the sealant composition from the first container (1) to the inflatable article, the said compressor assembly includes a housing (201) for a compressor which defines, with the interposition of valve means (200) a seating for the first container (1). The valve means (200) includes a main body portion which, in use, is releasably connected to neck portions of both the first and second containers (1,100). The valve means (200) includes passageways (203, 220) to be connected, via hoses (205, 223) to the first container (1) and inflatable article respectively.
US08640734B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a flow passage network and a flow passage network for minimizing energy loss occurring during fluid flow, and there are effects in which flow loss is reduced during fluid transport and the energy efficiency of flow passages increases by optimizing geometric factors of flow passages on the basis of biomimetic techniques and theoretical formulae of fluid mechanics. Further, it is effective in manufacturing microfluidics in which laminar flow with a low Reynolds number is dominant.
US08640731B2
A flow rate control device includes: a fuel gas supply channel having a flow rate adjusting valve; a thermal type mass flow rate sensor arranged in the supply channel; a calculation unit which calculates a thermal quantity flow rate of the fuel gas defined by a product of a volume flow rate of the fuel gas and a heat generation quantity per unit volume of the fuel gas according to an output from the thermal type sensor; and a flow rate control unit which controls the open degree of the flow rate adjusting valve according to a difference between a control target value for controlling the thermal quantity flow rate and the thermal quantity flow rate calculated by the calculation unit.
US08640728B2
A valve control device includes an operating stem, a valve top plate, a valve seat rubber, a valve bottom plate, and a valve seat ring. The valve top plate has a conical base with at least three stabilizer arms extending therefrom. Each of the at least three stabilizer arms has a flat outer surface. The valve bottom plate secures the valve seat rubber between the valve bottom plate and a flat bottom surface of the valve top plate. The valve bottom plate, the valve seat rubber, and the conical base are mounted on the operating stem. The valve seat ring has multiple slots, with each of the slots corresponding to one of the at least three stabilizer arms. A standpipe drain system, a method of draining a standpipe, and a locking fire hydrant with a valve access channel drain also are described.
US08640726B2
A cold and hot water balancing valve assembly which can fit common standard specifications. The bottom ends of the cold and hot water through holes of the high legged seat are configured with a water inlet pipe set housing groove for fitting an eccentrically positioned assembled water inlet pipe set, which are made up of cold and hot water tubes. When the meshing edges of the cold and hot water tubes are joined together, a balancing valve housing space is defined inside to hold a cold and hot water balancing valve unit. The cold and hot water balancing valve assembly dramatically reduces the production cost of cold-hot balancing valves while realizing the cold and hot water balancing function.
US08640723B2
A pilot valve configured to provide a control pressure within a dynamic fluid system, the pilot valve comprising: (a) a valve body having a supply port, a return port, and a control pressure port, the pressure control port in fluid communication with a subsequent valving component; (b) an axial bore formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with each of the supply, return, and control pressure ports; (c) a valve spool slidably supported within the axial bore of the valve body, the valve spool configured to control fluid flow through the supply, return, and control pressure ports, and to vary the rate of change of area of at least one of the supply and return pressure ports upon being displaced, thereby providing a variable resistance to fluid flowing therethrough and reducing the quiescent power of the pilot valve; and (d) means for displacing, in a selective manner, the valve spool within the axial bore about the supply, return, and control pressure ports to apportion fluid therethrough to provide a desired control pressure to the subsequent valving component. The pilot valve further comprises a feedback port formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with the control pressure port; and a feedback passage in fluid communication with the feedback port and a portion of the valve spool, the feedback passage configured to receive pressurized fluid therein to act against the valve spool to balance the forces acting on the valve spool from the motor.
US08640720B1
In a large parasol with a textile fabric roof with adjustable canopy strut ends for the attachment of the canopy fabric, in order to avoid the attaching seams of the canopy fabric from being openly exposed to the UV radiation and to prevent the connection to the fabric roof from becoming displaced or twisted inadvertently either in the open state or in the closed and relaxed state of the parasol, welt bulges are attached to the parasol roof edge along the seams of the parasol roof parts, the extensions comprising welt grooves, the welt bulges engaging in the welt grooves of the extensions and the welt bulges being held at the outer end of the extensions by means of a screw.
US08640715B2
A nail care apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a nail care apparatus comprises a housing, a blade extending from the housing to a distal end, a motor disposed in the housing and operatively driving the blade to reciprocate in two parallel planes, and a power source providing power to the motor. The distal end of the blade may narrow to a peaked distal edge.
US08640694B2
A fluid dispenser device comprising: a body (10); at least one individual reservoir (21); movable support means (50) that receive at least one reservoir (21), and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir-opening means (80) for opening a reservoir when said opening means are actuated; loading means (800) for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position; blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position; and inhalation trigger means (60); said blocking means (100) comprising a blocking element (110) that is movable between a blocking position and an unblocking position, said blocking element (110) co-operating with a projection (501) that is secured to movable support means (50).
US08640690B2
A solar heater includes a plurality of suspended vertical components that cover at least a portion of an interior side of a window and have open top and bottom ends. Each suspended vertical component has a heat absorbing body position within the transparent sheath. The heat absorbing body is located a first spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a first side portion of the sheath and a second spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a second side portion of the sheath. The open bottom end of the sheath receives cool ambient air that is heated while passing between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the first side portion and between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the second side portion. The open top end of the sheath exhausts the heated air to an interior space of a building.
US08640684B2
Disclosed is a pneumatic launcher and a method for launching projectiles at a target with a distance-dependent launch-power. Also disclosed are a distance-provider and a dynamic gun-sight suitable for use with such a pneumatic launcher.
US08640679B2
A method to control an exhaust gas recirculation and a manifold air pressure in an engine includes utilizing a decoupling matrix within a multiple input and multiple output controller to determine an exhaust gas recirculation command and a manifold air pressure command, wherein the decoupling matrix is configured based upon a diagonally dominant model of the engine compensated by the determined exhaust gas recirculation command and the manifold air pressure command. The exhaust gas recirculation and manifold air pressure are controlled based upon the determined exhaust gas recirculation command and the determined manifold air pressure command.
US08640677B2
An electrostatic air charging system that includes a primary electro-forming exciter (PEFE) having a plurality of tubes that define chambers that receive electrically conductive elements to electrostatically charge the air within an air intake assembly. The system further includes an electric conduit that directs low voltage current to the electrically conductive elements. The charging system further also includes a secondary electro-forming exciter (SEFE) within a positive crankcase ventilation system and connected to a ground within a vehicle. The SEFE includes a secondary tube that defines a secondary chamber having a secondary electrically conductive element disposed therein to electrostatically charge the particles within a positive crankcase ventilation system to provide greater combustion efficiency.
US08640676B2
An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes a control valve having a dead zone range in which an evaporated fuel is blocked even if the opening angle is increased from a close position in opening direction and a communicating range in which the evaporated fuel is allowed to flow therethrough when opening angle is increased from the dead zone range. A control unit determines whether the opening angle is switched between the dead zone range and the communicating range. The switching is determined on the basis of a pressure inside the fuel tank detected with a pressure sensor and an air-fuel ratio detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor. A control valve installed in a communication path between a fuel tank and a canister is prevented from being seized.
US08640670B2
A fuel-pressure waveform detector has a detect-waveform obtaining unit for obtaining a multi-stage injection pressure waveform by means of a fuel-pressure sensor while performing a multi-stage fuel injection during one combustion cycle. A model waveform memory stores a reference model pressure waveform of when a single fuel injection is performed. A waveform extracting unit extracts a pressure waveform due to the subject fuel injection by subtracting the reference model pressure waveform from the multi-stage injection pressure waveform. A correction unit corrects the reference model pressure waveform in such a manner that its attenuation degree becomes larger as a fuel injection period of the subject fuel injection is longer.
US08640669B2
To provide a piston for an internal combustion engine including a skirt which causes a relatively small frictional resistance and can maintain a favorable frictional property over an extended period of time. In a piston for an internal combustion engine having a skirt 4 on whose sliding surface a resin coating layer is deposited, the skirt 4 comprises a thin walled portion 51 located in a circumferentially middle part thereof and a pair of thick walled portions 52 provided on either lateral side of the thin walled portion 51. The resin coating layer 44 at least in the part thereof deposited on the thick walled portions 52 is formed with a plurality of dimples 45. The skirt may comprise a skirt main body 41 extending axially at a fixed distance from the central axial line of the piston in an axially middle part thereof, and a first reduced diameter portion 42 depending from the lower end of the skirt main body and having a progressively smaller diameter toward a lower end thereof. The dimples 45 may be arranged along a first boundary 6 between the skirt main body and first reduced diameter portion.
US08640665B2
The invention relates to a method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of a cyclically operating internal combustion engine using an ignition electrode constitutes a capacitance in cooperation with a wall of the combustion chamber that is at ground potential, wherein an electric oscillating circuit, which is connected to a secondary side of an electric DC/AC converter and the ignition electrode, is excited by way of a primary voltage applied to a primary side of the electric DC/AC converter, wherein the excitation of the oscillating circuit is controlled such that a corona discharge igniting the fuel/air mixture is created in the combustion chamber at the ignition electrode. According to the invention, the primary voltage is controlled to a specified setpoint value which is changed during the combustion duration of the corona discharge and is dependent upon the crankshaft angle and on at least one characteristic value of the fuel/air mixture.
US08640661B2
A continuously variable valve timing apparatus may include an end plate connected to a camshaft, a drive sprocket rotating the end plate, a first friction plate disposed to be coaxial to the end plate, a second friction plate disposed to be coaxial to the end plate, a first brake selectively braking the first friction plate, a second brake selectively braking the second friction plate, and a control gear portion which changes relative phase between the end plate and the drive sprocket according to braking of the first friction plate or the second friction plate.
US08640658B2
A thermal engine for an automotive vehicle, including at least one cylinder block including a first inner circuit for circulating a cooling liquid, of the type in which the first inner circuit includes an outer supply duct including an inlet opening into a reception chamber for a rotor of the engine water pump formed in the block. The chamber includes in its intermediate portion a supply opening having a level located above the level of the inlet opening of the inner supply duct of the first inner circuit. An additional degassing duct connects the upper portion of the reception chamber or water pump volute with an element of the engine cooling circuit.
US08640656B1
A self-sustaining boiler system for generating usable energy and heat without creating pollution. The self-sustaining boiler system includes a boiler capable of generating efficient usable energy and heat, and also includes an exhaust purifying assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for removing the pollutants from the exhaust generated by the boiler, and further includes a fuel source assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for providing fuel to the boiler.
US08640652B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a customizable modular pet house and entertainment system. In one general embodiment of the invention, a pet house comprises a module formed from a sheet of self-supporting material. The module comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, and four side panels. At least one of the panels may have at least one of a removable transition panel, a removable door panel, and perimeter of a removable window panel. Optional accessories include a top accessory panel, a side accessory panel, and an accessory bracket. More than one modular pet house may be joined together to form an extended structure. Embodiments of the invention have interior spaces and apertures sized for admittance of a common house cat.
US08640651B2
Fish hiding units are discloses herein, which may comprise a sinkable container comprising at least one open end; a plurality of elongated and substantially flat projection members comprising a body and opposing ends inserted at one end into the open end of the container; and an adhesive substance disposed in the container for attaching the projection members inside the container.
US08640647B2
The feeder toy is designed for cats and small dogs. The device is formed from a non-toxic, eco-friendly food grade plastic. The rounded, weighted profile provides a self-propelled motion, eliminating the need for any batteries. The innovative design wobbles and moves about the floor, forcing a pet to move and interact with the toy in order to eat. The unique food-dispensing hole adjusts by rotating the two ends; allowing for different sized dry food and dispensing rates. Holes at the bottom allow trapped bits to escape. The two ends come apart for easy filling and cleaning.
US08640642B2
An apparatus for internally lining an elongate member, the apparatus including an outer barrel portion and an inner mold head, an annular mold cavity defined between the outer barrel portion and the inner mold body, and means for providing a settable material to the mold cavity wherein the settable material is injected into the mold cavity as the elongate member is forced past the cavity, internally lining the elongate member.
US08640641B2
Apparatus and methods for applying liquid onto a substrate include a nozzle configured to be connected to a liquid source. The nozzle further includes a distribution passage with a length that can receive the liquid. A piston is positioned in the distribution passage and a slit-shaped nozzle opening is in fluid communication with the distribution passage. The piston is movable in the distribution passage so as to vary the length that can receive the liquid. The nozzle opening communicates with the distribution passage via a plurality of spaced apart outlet channels having respective outlet ends. The outlet channels are formed between first and second nozzle pieces each having a tip portion at the outlet ends. At least one of the first or second nozzle pieces is flexible at the tip such that the outlet ends open when under positive fluid pressure and close when the fluid pressure is reduced. An application valve is coupled to the nozzle for selectively interrupting or enabling a flow of liquid to the distribution passage.
US08640633B2
A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.
US08640630B2
A heavy duty torsion bar assembly, particularly an anti-roll bar assembly for a rail vehicle, includes a lever which is mounted on the bar by an oil injection taper fit, the cooperating surfaces having a drainage groove and being formed to a tolerance of IT7 or better, wherein the final assembled position is determined by a pre-defined axial displacement of the lever from an initial position defined by manual engagement of the two parts.
US08640623B2
A multiple-purpose projectile assembly includes an anti-personnel projectile, an armor-penetrating projectile, a propellant, a base bleed gas, and a primer. The anti-personnel projectile includes a cavity having a scored surface and is made out of a soft metal. The armor-penetrating projectile is made from a hard metal and is housed partially within the cavity of the anti-personnel projectile prior to firing from a weapon. The propellant and the primer are both housed within the cavity. The firing of the projectile assembly causes the armor-penetrating projectile to drive into the primer, thereby detonating the primer, causing the detonation of the propellant, thereby increasing the pressure of the cavity and causing the two projectiles to separate after the projectile assembly leaves the bore of the weapon. The burning of the propellant releases a base bleed gas that reduces the drag experienced by the anti-personnel projectile.
US08640619B1
The present invention is directed to use of a polyamide thermal plastic as a potting compound for potting electronic components (ex.—printed circuit boards) of an electronics assembly which is implemented in a munition. Use of the polyamide thermal plastic as a potting compound allows for a gun-hardened electronics assembly. Use of the polyamide thermal plastic as a potting compound also allows for reworkability. For example, during early testing phases of the electronics assembly, the potting material of the present disclosure may be removable (ex.—such as via a hot solvent bath) from the electronics assembly so that the electronics components may be: examined to determine the cause(s) for low yield during testing; and/or fixed, rather than having to rebuild the entire electronics assembly, thereby promoting lower costs of producing the electronics assembly.
US08640616B2
The present invention provides a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of washing a printing plate with a high degree of cleanliness. The present invention is a printing apparatus and a printing method, wherein: the printing apparatus comprises a print roll, a coater that is placed below the print roll and forms ink on the print roll, a first base placed above the print roll, a first stage placed on the bottom face of the first base, a first printing plate placed on the bottom face of the first stage, a print object to which the ink formed on the print roll is transcribed, a first stage placed on the top or bottom face of the print object, and a washer for washing the first printing plate; the washer has a washing device; and a spray nozzle of the washing device is directed to the side where the first base exists.
US08640612B2
A pneumatic packaging apparatus includes a fixed base provided thereon with a pressure cylinder unit connected with a chuck unit. The fixed base is further mounted with a valve seat combined thereon with a driving unit and a control unit. The control unit is able to receive external high pressure gas and control the high pressure gas to flow to the driving unit and to the pressure cylinder unit to let the driving unit and the pressure cylinder unit driven by air pressure to automatically pull tight the packaging strap and firmly squeeze the packaging fastener for fixing the packaging strap in place. Thus, the pneumatic packaging apparatus of this invention can assist users to complete packaging work with quickness, able to elevate efficiency of the packaging work.
US08640610B2
A squeeze juicer for extracting juice includes a base (2), a motor (1), a juice collecting cavity (4), a squeezing and crushing part, and a filtering part (50). The squeezing and crushing part includes a propelling screw (3) and a squeezing cylinder (5) cooperating with the propelling screw (3). The squeezing cylinder (5) is provided in the juice collecting cavity (4). The filtering part (50) is provided on the downstream of the squeezing cylinder (5). The filtering part (50) includes a plurality of grids (51). A filtering slot (7) for pomace and juice is arranged between two adjacent grids (51). The size of the filtering slot (7) for pomace and juice can be accordingly changed corresponding to the size of the materials under the action of the propelling screw (3).
US08640607B2
Provided is an improved bidirectional heating cooker having a cooking pan including a first pan portion whose one portion is cut out open in order to form an incision portion and a second pan portion that is placed at the incision portion of the first pan portion, in a manner that the cooking pan is not formed into a fitting method being fitted with a central supporting pillar through a center hole formed at the center of the cooking pan but formed into a seating method being seated on the upper portion of a lower heating unit, to thereby enable the cooking pan to be easily attached on or detached from the lower heating unit to thus be easily washed, and to thereby allow various types of cooking pans to be easily combined to thus enhance conveniences of use and to be easily replaced with new ones and to be easily combined with other types of cooking pans to thus enable the various types of cooking pans to be used in combination and to accordingly cook different kinds of foods simultaneously.
US08640605B2
Beverage making equipment, water heating equipment, and methods for using such equipment which use heated water and dispenses heated water from a heated water reservoir. The apparatus includes a water line extending from the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point, the line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point. A vent tube may also be used communicating with and coupled to the line with a return passage communicating with the vent and reservoir. The method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir involves dispensing water from the reservoir at one level and delivering water to a dispensing point at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir. the method may also include providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the line for removing gas which evolves from water passing through the line and returning the gas to the reservoir.
US08640604B2
A capsule (1) for the preparation of beverages within dispensing machines, has a sealing film (4) which is perforated at the time of the use when the pressurized infusion water is supplied to the capsule and deforms the film (4), bringing it into contact with underlying perforation means (6) fixed to the same capsule.
US08640603B2
Method and device for automatic preparing of tea. A container is provided with a strainer bottom and a closable discharge line downstream of said bottom. In a first step, water is fed in until the strainer bottom is substantially covered with water. Tea leaves, which can absorb the water, are then added. After that, further water is added, and tea can be made. The discharge line is then opened and the ready beverage is discharged, possibly with further water being fed in. The remaining tea leaves are left behind on the surface of the strainer. The container is then split into a container sleeve and strainer bottom, and a brush is placed between them for the purpose of removing the leaves.
US08640602B2
An actuator is provided whose expansion in the radial direction can be efficiently translated into longitudinal movement when its length is contracted and extended by injecting a fluid into the tubular body. The fluid injection type actuator includes an actuator body, which is an expansion and contraction section of the actuator. The actuator body is constructed of a cylindrical rubber tube and annular fiber groups inserted and extending longitudinally therein. The annular fiber groups are each a group of fibers, such as glass roving fibers having a diameter of about 10 μm, arranged in an annular array along the circumference of the rubber tube. The arrangement allows the rubber tube to be restrained over the entirety of the actuator body longitudinally when it is expanded radially.
US08640597B2
A weapons system includes a frame having an axis. A targeting assembly is arranged and operational to move rotationally the frame axis. The targeting assembly includes a weapon. A user interface is attached to the weapon and is operable actuate movement of the targeting assembly about the axis.
US08640595B2
A vehicle hull has a longitudinal blast mitigation duct formed between left and right hull portions. The duct includes a first section oriented at a first angle to a longitudinal reference line, and a second section adjacent to the first section and oriented at a second angle to the reference line. The second angle is greater than the first angle to form a diverging surface for a shock wave travelling from the first to the second section. The blast mitigation duct further comprises a second, rearward-oriented diverging surface for a shock wave travelling rearward along the hull. A rib projects generally perpendicular from a joint between the first and second sections and is configured to initiate separation of the shock wave from the hull, thereby reducing the amount of energy transferred to the hull.
US08640594B2
A blast shield for deflecting a blast incident on a ground vehicle includes an impact section having an exterior impact surface to face a source of the blast. The exterior impact surface defines a cross-sectional profile defining a smooth continuous curve.
US08640593B2
A damping suspension for an add-on armor system of an ACV (Armored Combat Vehicle), comprises mounting means for mounting said add-on armor system to an ACV; and damping means coupled to said mounting means and to said add-on armor system's armor means, in order to damp vibrations and restrain shocks unto which said armor means might be exposed as an outcome of said ACV's travel; and wherein said damping suspension is characterized by that said damping suspension includes a device of the ‘wire rope isolator’ type.
US08640589B2
A method of modifying a projectile includes removing material from an aft end of the projectile, and coupling a device to the aft end. The method may be used to convert a spin-stabilized projectile into a fin stabilized projectile, by modifying the aft end of a spin-stabilized projectile to accept a fin kit. The modifying may involve removing material with lathe, and may include forming external threads on the aft end that may engage corresponding internal threads on the device, to effect the coupling of the device to the aft end. The modification method allows versatility in employing projectiles, including existing stocks of projectiles. In particular the method allows spin-stabilized projectiles to be converted to more accurate fin-stabilized projectiles.
US08640588B2
A generally cylindrical cutting head for a weed cutting machine has blades that are exposed and lifted off of the head when an upper portion is rotated, with respect to a lower portion and/or a cap, without tools and without disassembly of the structure. A lock ensures that the upper portion does not open until desired, by a rigid plate or aim extending, in the locked position, through portions of both the upper portion and the lower portion, or through portions of both the upper portion and a cap portion. The lock plate/arm may extend into the cutting head from the top, bottom, or side. When pushed inward, the lock plate or arm moves to no longer reside in both upper and lower portions, or both upper and cap portions, to free the upper portion to rotate relative to the lower portion and cap.
US08640578B2
A tool post assembly includes a tool post body adapted to be mounted on a machine tool, a carrier block coupled to and movable relative to the tool post body by means of a tenon-and-mortise structure, and a lever pivotally mounted on the tool post body and having a manually operable power end and a weight end which is coupled to the carrier block such that, when the power end is actuated, the carrier block is moved from a normal position to a lifted position so as to quickly displace a tool held thereby away from a workpiece.
US08640574B2
A device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and four faces. The device is configured to stand upright on the second end. A plurality of tools is stored against the four faces in a closed position. A first face and a second face each includes a bit storage that holds at least one socket. A third face includes a drive, a can opener, and a blade. The drive and the can opener rotate about a first rotatable mechanism coupled to the second end. The blade rotates about an insert coupled to the first end. A fourth face includes a first set of tool drivers that rotates about a second rotatable mechanism coupled to the second end and a second set of tool drivers that rotates about a third rotatable mechanism coupled to the first end.
US08640572B2
A wrench includes a transmitting device and a shell. The transmitting device comprises a rotor, a first working member, a second working member, a first linking member and a second linking member. The first linking member is disposed between the first working member and the rotor. The shell has a containing room for the linking device to be disposed therein. The shell comprises a middle section. The first end of the middle section extends upwardly to connect with the first section. The second end of the middle section extends downwardly to connect with the second section. Thus, the wrench has two stair portions of different horizontal level. And Users can hold the wrench more stably. Because the wrench uses the rotor and two linking members to drive the first working member and the second working member rotating, a total size of the wrench can be kept as smaller as possible.
US08640569B2
A freewheel structure includes a wheel frame and at least one weight block. The wheel frame has a central axle portion and a flange portion around an outer edge thereof. The axle portion is for insertion of an axle member. The weight block is selectively located between the axle portion and the flange portion, so that the weight block has a certain distance relative to axle portion. The freewheel will generate a greater centrifugal force when it is rotated at a high speed. The inertial effect of the present invention can be enhanced when the rotational speed is increasing progressively, so the curve of inertial weight is elongated obviously. The whole weight of the freewheel is reduced effectively.
US08640556B2
An automated sample collection workstation is provided. The workstation includes a processor, a peristaltic pump, a valve actuator, and an algorithm. The peristaltic pump and the valve actuator are in electrical communication with the processor. The valve actuator can move a plurality of valves, when disposed therein, among an off position, a flush position, and a sample position. The algorithm is resident on the processor and is configured to: move all of the valves to the off position and place the pump in an off state when no sampling or flushing is required, move all of the valves to the flush position and place the pump in an on state for a predetermined flush time period when flushing is required, and move a respective one of the valves to the sample position, move any of the valves upstream of the respective valve to the flush position, and place the pump to the on state for a predetermined sample time period when a sample is required.
US08640553B2
A system for measuring forces applied to a moving vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a sensor plate that is configured to be mounted between a wheel and a hub of the vehicle. The sensor plate is further configured to sense at least one of the set of longitudinal, vertical, and lateral forces as well as longitudinal and vertical moments that are transferred between the wheel and the hub through the sensor plate. The system also includes an electronics package that is coupled to the sensor plate. The electronics package is configured to measure the forces and moments sensed by the sensor plate and provide an output comprising at least one signal representative of at least a portion of the measurements. The system also includes data system coupled to the electronics package, the data system configured to receive the output of the electronics package.
US08640552B2
A MEMS airflow sensor die having a heater control circuit, differential instrumentation amplifier, temperature compensation, and/or offset correction circuitry integrated with an airflow sensor on the MEMS die. The added circuitry may be placed on space available on the basic airflow die with MEMS fabrication techniques without enlarging the sensor die. The die with the added circuitry may result in a device having a reduced form factor, improved reliability and lower cost.
US08640549B2
A strain gage includes a strain sensitive element; and a temperature compensation element, wherein the strain sensitive element and temperature compensation element are monolithically formed. A method of manufacturing the strain gage includes: exposing and developing a strain sensitive element pattern and the temperature compensation element pattern; and etching the strain sensitive element pattern and the temperature compensation element pattern.
US08640545B2
An apparatus and system for sensing vibration in rotary or reciprocating machinery, such as motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes, compressors, turbo-machinery or high-speed spindles, which comprises a mechanical isolation member (14) interposed between a sensor base (15) and a main sensor body (11). In one aspect, the mechanical isolation member comprises a coaxial cylinder of plastic, rubber or polyurethane which is compressed between the sensor base and main sensor body.
US08640542B2
A cantilever beam structural resonant-type integrated optical waveguide accelerometer, includes an input waveguide (1), a dissymmetrical structural Mach-Zehnder interferometer (2), a micro-mechanical vibration cantilever beam (3), a short curved waveguide (4) and an output waveguide (5); all the waveguide structures and the cantilever beam use the integrated optical micromachining technique, and the device single-scale integration can be realized by using the temperature-insensitive organic polymer optical waveguide structure and the organic polymer substrate, the key technique indexes such as detection sensitivity, dynamic range are extensively adjusted. The phase difference of the optical signal can be measured by detecting the optical intensity of the resonant frequency of the optical circuit so as to achieve high sensitive acceleration detection, and to be free from the effect of the ambient temperature disturbance and waveguide birefringence.
US08640533B2
A device (1) for testing pneumatically operated brakes of a first vehicle (22) and of a second vehicle (23) being connected and having interconnected brake systems. A device supply line (3b) and a device control line (4b) are arranged for connection to respective corresponding supply and control lines (3a, 3c, 4a, 4c) in the vehicles such that the device (1) is fluidly connected into and between the brake system of the first vehicle (22) and the brake system of the second vehicle (23). A method of activating the brakes (5) of a trailer unit (23) which is connected to a tractor unit (22), without activating the brakes of the tractor unit (22), provides braking action by employing the device (1), and includes remotely activating the first valve means (9) in order to provide braking action.
US08640532B2
An apparatus and method for detecting an abnormal air-fuel ratio variation between cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine in which the output of an air-fuel ratio sensor is acquired at each sampling interval, a parameter correlated with the degree of fluctuation of the sensor output is calculated from a plurality of the acquired sensor outputs, and the presence or absence of the abnormal air-fuel ratio variation between cylinders is determined by comparing the parameter with a determination value. A cylinder air amount is estimated at each sampling interval. Every time the air-fuel ratio sensor output is acquired, the value of the cylinder air amount at the point earlier, by a transport delay time, than the point of the acquisition is determined based on the time-series data, and a corresponding determination value corresponding thereto is calculated. The determination value is determined based on a plurality of the calculated corresponding determination values.
US08640531B2
Systems and methods for inspecting turbine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a base frame adapted to position an inspection device relative a turbine component; and a set of mounts connected to the base frame, the set of mounts adapted to connect the base frame to at least one other point of the turbine component and to pivotally connect the base frame to a pivot point of the turbine component.
US08640528B2
The present invention relates to a method of determining a lubrication parameter indicative of a lubrication condition of an oil-lubricated rolling element bearing. The method comprises measuring high-frequency structure-borne acoustic emissions generated by asperity contact between rolling contact surfaces of the bearing, to provide a measured signal. The emitted acoustic energy is then extracted from the measured signal and the lubrication parameter is determined from the acoustic energy. The determination is made on the basis of a power-law relation between acoustic energy and the lubrication parameter.
US08640521B2
A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.
US08640516B2
A rolling mill stand and related rolling mill for rolling rod-shaped bodies, even large in size, which meets the requirement of stiffness uniformity of the rolling mill stands in the transversal direction, all the hydraulic capsules being firmly fixed to the external structure of the rolling mill and providing for the side change of the rolls of each stand. The arrangement of rolling rolls and related extensions of each rolling mill stand is such to avoid problems of corrosion and damaging to the extensions themselves and to the reducers due to the drainage of the cooling waters.
US08640513B2
An electronic and manual lock assembly having a lock housing, a mechanical lock, an electric motor, and a shackle having a pair of legs. The shackle can be unlocked relative to the housing by having one leg pivotally connected with the housing and the other leg rotated out of the housing. The lock includes a first stop member that prevents one leg from being rotated out of the housing. The first stop member is moveable as a result of unlocking the mechanical lock. The lock includes a second stop member that prevents one of the legs from being rotated out of the lock housing and is moveable as a result of operating the electric motor. The first stop member and the second stop member are independently moveable by the mechanical lock and the electric motor.
US08640508B2
Apparatus for releasing a magnetic security device used to inhibit unauthorised access to and/or unauthorised removal of an article. The apparatus has a first portion (1) for locating an article in a first direction (D1) and a second portion (2) for locating an article in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (D1), so providing an L-shaped slot or receptacle capable of receiving articles of a wide range of shapes and sizes having a security device installed adjacent two substantially perpendicular sides thereof. The first and/or second portions include magnetic release means for releasing a lock securing the security device to the article and arranged to assist in locating the article in a third direction (M) perpendicular to the first and second directions (D1, D2) by magnetic attraction of the security device as the article is brought into contact with the first and second portions to align the magnetic security device with the magnetic release means.
US08640506B1
A laundry bag for washing shoes comprises a first closing member disposed about a portion of the bag between the open end and a closed end, and a second closing member disposed about an open end of the bag. The bag is of a size such that a first pair of shoes may be secured in a first compartment formed between the closed end of the bag and the first closing member, and a second pair of shoes may be secured in a second compartment formed between the first compartment and the open end of the bag. A kit for washing shoes comprises such a laundry bag and at least one pair of waterproof shoe trees.
US08640501B2
A neck ring for molding a glass container neck finish that includes at least one closure attachment feature. The neck ring includes two semi-annular bi-metal neck ring halves, each consisting essentially of a neck ring insert of wear-resistant metal construction, and a neck ring body of heat-conductive metal construction different from said wear-resistant metal construction and formed around said neck ring insert so as to embed it in said neck ring body. Each of said neck ring halves has a glass-contacting cavity face that includes a first surface portion formed by said inserts for molding the at least one closure attachment feature on the neck finish, and a second surface portion formed by said bodies for molding portions of the neck finish excluding the at least one closure attachment feature.
US08640496B2
Air separation method in which air is separated within cryogenic rectification processes conducted in first and second cryogenic air separation plants. The first cryogenic air separation plant is designed to produce an oxygen-rich product stream and the second cryogenic air separation plant is designed to produce an impure oxygen vapor stream. At least part of the impure oxygen vapor stream is introduced into a lower pressure column of the first cryogenic air separation plant and oxygen contained in such stream along with air separated within the first air separation plant is used in producing the oxygen-rich product stream.
US08640495B2
A process and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide-containing product from a feed containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen and optionally argon. The carbon monoxide-containing product is produced using a hydrogen stripping column for forming a hydrogen-enriched vapor and a hydrogen-freed liquid, a nitrogen separation fractionator for forming a nitrogen-enriched vapor and a nitrogen-depleted liquid containing carbon monoxide and methane from the hydrogen-freed liquid, and a carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator for forming the carbon monoxide containing product and a methane-enriched liquid from the nitrogen-depleted liquid. At least part of the nitrogen separation fractionator condenser duty provides the feed vaporization duty and reboiler duty for the carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator, thereby reducing the energy requirement for the separation.
US08640490B2
This unit (37) comprises an evaporator (45) of liquid refrigerating fluid and an absorber (47) of gaseous refrigerating fluid linked to the evaporator (45). The apparatus (37) includes a migrating chamber (121) for gaseous refrigerant fluid delimited by an evaporation surface (73A) located on the absorber (47) facing the evaporation surface (73A), and through a connecting floor (57) linking these surfaces (73A, 109A). The evaporator (45) comprises a refrigerant fluid collector (65) linked to the evaporation surface (73A) to collect the refrigerant fluid downstream from this surface. The evaporator (45) comprises partitions (67) set out in the chamber (121) and delimiting, on the evaporation surface (73A) at least one area (103) covered by partitions (67) and at least one uncovered evaporation area (105). For application in motor vehicle air conditioning.
US08640488B2
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an ice bin assembly for a refrigerator is described. The ice bin assembly further includes an ice storage container having at least one upper guide element and at least one lower guide element. The upper guide element is located above a plane that intersects a center of mass of the ice storage container and the lower guide element is located below the plane that intersects the center of mass of the ice storage container. The upper guide element is configured to contact the upper docking element when the ice storage container is seated on the base and the lower guide element is configured to contact the lower docking element when the ice storage container is seated on the base.
US08640478B2
A nacelle cooling system of a wind turbine has cooling blocks which are arranged in order to respectively surround one or more heating devices installed inside a nacelle, a passage pipe line which is connected to the cooling blocks for coolant to flow, a primary heat exchanger which is connected to the passage pipe line and arranged on the outer lateral surface of the nacelle so as to seal the nacelle from outside, and a secondary heat exchanger which is capable of discharging heat generated inside the nacelle into outside the nacelle and constructed to seal the nacelle from outside.
US08640475B2
A heat pump-type hot water feeding apparatus includes a cooling cycle circuit, a heat storage tank, and a hydro kit heat exchanging unit, wherein the hydro kit heat exchanging unit is connected to the cooling cycle circuit, wherein during a heat storage mode operation that stores heat in the heat storage tank, heat of the first heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger, is stored in the heat storage tank or heat of the first heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger and heat of the second heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger, are simultaneously stored in the heat storage tank.
US08640465B2
A power generation plant generates electrical power to be distributed to consumers via a power grid. The plant also provides some of the power to a fuel processing facility that provides fuel for the plant, and re-cycles the by-products of the power generation process to provide at least some of the resources the plant uses to generate the electrical power.
US08640464B2
Fuel and air are injected in a first poloidal flow in a first poloidal direction within a first annular zone of an annular combustor. A first combustion gas from the at least partial combustion of the fuel and air is discharged into an annular transition zone of the annular combustor and transformed to a second combustion gas therein within an at least partial second poloidal flow followed by an at least partial third poloidal flow in the annular transition zone, wherein the direction of the second poloidal flow is opposite to that of the first and third poloidal flows. The second combustion gas is discharged into a second annular zone of the annular combustor, and then transformed to a third combustion gas therein before being discharged therefrom, responsive to which a back pressure is generated in the annular combustor.
US08640458B2
A method of controlling an engine includes manipulating a wastegate to maintain the operation of the turbocharger within an optimum operating range. A combustion air bypass valve is manipulated between an open position and a closed position to create a negative pressure differential across a supercharger. The supercharger is sequentially disposed in-line before the turbocharger. The negative pressure differential is converted into a torque by the supercharger and transmitted from the supercharger back to the engine to increase the operating efficiency of the engine.
US08640449B2
A hydrodynamic torque converter having a pump wheel accommodated in a housing, a turbine wheel, which can be driven by the pump wheel, and a torsional vibration damper, where the torsional vibration damper has a damper input drive component and a damper output drive component, which can rotate to a limited degree with respect to the damper input drive component to oppose the action of at least two damper stages which are operatively connected in series and which each have at least one energy storage element, where the torsional vibration damper also has an intermediate damper component, which is arranged operatively between the damper stages and which directly or indirectly accommodates a vibration absorber, where the energy storage elements of the damper stages are substantially arranged on a common radius, where the vibration absorber is arranged adjacent to the torsional vibration damper in the axial dimension.
US08640447B2
An exhaust emission control device includes a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter includes an upstream catalytic converter and a downstream catalytic converter arranged on a downstream side of the upstream catalytic converter. The upstream catalytic converter includes a first support and a first catalyst supported on the first support. The first catalyst includes a first lower layer catalyst and a first upper layer catalyst. Pd in the first lower layer catalyst is supported only on the oxygen storage component contained in the first catalyst. The first upper layer catalyst is provided on the first lower layer catalyst, Pd in the first upper layer catalyst being supported on each of the oxygen storage component and Al2O3 contained in the first catalyst.
US08640442B2
In an internal combustion engine, an SOX trap catalyst (13) which traps SOX contained in the exhaust gas is arranged upstream of an NOX storing catalyst (15) in an engine exhaust passage. When the NOX storing catalyst (15) should release NOX, auxiliary fuel is injected into a combustion chamber (2) at a combustible timing after the completion of injection of fuel into the combustion chamber (2) for generating the engine output. At this time, the auxiliary fuel is injected so that the air-fuel ratio A/F of the combustion gas in the combustion chamber (2) does not become below a minimum allowable air-fuel ratio M where SOX trapped at the SOX trap catalyst (13) will not be released.
US08640435B1
Fabrication of fibers using links of nanotubes including slicing a first nanotube rope from a nanotube forest. The method further includes wrapping the first nanotube rope in a first plurality of circuitous turns to create a first link. The method further includes slicing a second nanotube rope from the nanotube forest. The method further includes wrapping the second nanotube rope in a second plurality of circuitous turns to create a second link, wherein the second link is interconnected to the first link in a chain.
US08640433B2
A packaging apparatus including a rotary jaw device, the rotary jaw device comprising an elongate holder, an elongate knife mounted on and projecting outwardly from the elongate holder, the knife having an elongate cutting edge parallel to a plane of the knife, and at least one part of a heat seal device located on the elongate holder on opposed sides of the knife. A packaging method is also disclosed.
US08640426B2
A roller assembly includes a frame (16) defining a doorway (14). A rail (32), which includes at least one supporting surface along at least one side of the rail, is secured to the frame (16). At least one roller (38), which is adapted to roll along the supporting surface of the rail (32), has a tire material (68) that contacts the rail (32). A thermal barrier (62, 70, 72, 76, 80) is positioned to inhibit heat transfer from the rail (32) to the tire material (68).
US08640418B2
A surface covering system for covering surfaces with a covering material, particularly for covering wall surfaces or floor surfaces with tile material. The surface covering system includes at least two covering modules, which can be placed on the surface so as to adjoin each other. A first covering module has at least one first sealing profile, and a second covering profile has at least one second sealing profile. The sealing profiles are designed to engage each other in a positioned state of the covering modules and form a common seal.
US08640414B2
A large opening rolling door of the articulating type has multiple horizontally and vertically distributed insulative glass panes supported by a plurality of vertically disposed and horizontally disposed heat transmitting metal frame members arranged in vertical and horizontal regions respectively between adjacent glass panes. The horizontal frame members have opposed and closed or open and recessed edge volumes in the closed condition of the door; preformed, self-supporting, self-camming and self-compressing and cooperating male and female insulator bands that interfit with the open and recessed edge volumes, or insulation filled beams, in the closed condition of the door define insulation in the horizontal regions. Vertical frame members define a substantially enclosed volume in which a preformed, self-supporting insulator band is inserted into the volume to insulate the vertical regions and thus substantially the entire door against heat transmission therethrough.
US08640378B2
A head cover for a jig fishing lure or combination jig and rotating member fishing lure is disclosed which can prevent a fish from directly contacting the hard, weighted jig head of the fishing lure. The head cover can be permanently attached to the fishing lure or it can be a separate removable member. The head cover can combine a soft, elastomeric membrane along with one or more fish-attracting elements. The head cover can also include a flat surface to orient the jig fishing lure at a different angle when resting on the bottom underwater surface.
US08640376B2
An improved fishing system for the physically challenged including a reel assembly, the reel assembly including a reel shaft extension extending from a reel housing; a first toothed pulley coupled to the reel shaft extension; an electric motor assembly including an electric motor with a shaft extending from the electric motor; a second toothed pulley coupled to the motor shaft; and a toothed belt coupled to the first and the second toothed pulleys.
US08640371B1
A weighted sign post base which may be formed in various weights and has a central portion made of resilient material, such as compression molded rubber, having a universal sign post mounting hole molded into the center of the base. The universal sign post mounting hole is uniquely shaped to create a friction grip sufficient to secure the sign post to the universal sign post base upon insertion of the sign post into the universal sign post mounting hole, thereby eliminating the need of any mounting hardware and allowing speedy erection of the sign.
US08640366B1
A method for attaching a military award to a uniform comprises connecting a suspension member attached to the military award to the uniform beneath a collar flap of the uniform, so that the military award hangs from the collar in a position that coincides with its conventional semi-permanent attachment position in which the award is laterally offset on a chest area of the uniform. Temporary connection of the suspension member to the collar flap comprises cooperating hook-and-loop connectors mounted respectively to an underside of the collar flap and the suspension member.
US08640360B2
An overall restoration system useful in removing moisture from structures is provided. The contemplated system includes a power and control device, a series of sensors, and a number of various different drying equipment, all capable of communication with a remote server. The system is highly portable, flexible and cost-efficient to manufacture and operate.
US08640358B2
Movement of a slot door of a freeze dryer is driven by a rack and pinion actuator. The actuator is easily sanitized and includes internal elements that are accessible to sanitizing sprays. The pinions are driven by pinion shafts that pass through a seal separating an aseptic area from a non-aseptic area where the drive train is positioned. Only rotary motion is transferred across the aseptic barrier, reducing the need for a bellows or sliding covers, which are difficult to sanitize.
US08640356B2
The present invention is an attachment to the end of a measuring tape. The attachment is made from one piece of material wherein all the components are continuously connected. The tape measure end piece has a rounded bottom, a straight tongue, and a pair of front round tabs. The straight tongue allows the present invention to be attached to the blade of a measuring tape via a plurality of rivet holes to the rivets situated on the blade of the measuring tape. The plurality of rivet holes allows the position of the end piece to be adjustable along the end of the tape measure. The rounded bottom of the present invention allows the present invention and the end of the measure tape to travel over uneven surfaces at a distance. The pair of front round tabs allows the present invention to be hooked onto objects at a distance during measurement.
US08640355B2
A hand tool comprising a longitudinal alignment edge which facilitates alignment of the hand tool with an edge of sheathing. A measurement plate extends normal to the alignment edge. At least one of the alignment edge and the measurement plate contain indicia indicating a centerline of the hand tool. The measurement plate has at least a first pair of parallel marking edges, that are equally spaced from the centerline, to facilitate marking of a pair of alignment lines for use in aligning a framing member between the alignment lines during installation of the sheathing.
US08640354B2
A method for measuring a deviation from a joint target position of a member to which a measuring object is joined, in particular, measuring the deviation of an electrode position of a spark plug. The deviation of a ground electrode from an optimal igniting position O1 is measured while a metallic shell is engaged with a female thread jig. A distance “ε” between an axis A of the ground electrode and a reference straight line LS is calculated. The distance “ε” is a vertical length from the axis A to the reference straight line LS. An angle “α” between a first straight line L1 and the reference straight line LS is calculated using the distance “ε” and a predetermined distance “β” between the axis A of the ground electrode and an axis O of the metallic shell.
US08640353B2
A ride height gauge includes a chassis engaging member biased relative to a base member via springs. Lowering an RC car chassis onto the chassis engaging member causes the chassis engaging member to lower until the car's wheels touch a support surface on either side of the base member. The chassis engaging member's lowered position is displayed on measurement columns that measure the height of the chassis engaging member from the support surface, which can be used to determine the ride height of the vehicle. The measurement columns at opposite ends of the vehicle allow the user to simultaneously measure the ride height at either end of the vehicle without repositioning of the vehicle.
US08640342B2
A shaving system with a handle having an enlarged proximal end portion and a housing spaced apart from the enlarged proximal end portion of the handle. The housing has a front face, at least one blade and a cap behind the at least one blade. An elastomeric member is molded to the housing and the handle interconnecting the housing and the handle to form an integral unit. The elastomeric member includes a resilient skin contacting element that flexes to facilitate a pivotable movement of the housing relative to the handle between a biased neutral position and a flexed position and facilitates stretching of skin during a shaving stroke.
US08640340B2
Installation vessels and methods for offshore wind turbine installation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cantilever mast is used to transfer of wind turbine components from an installation vessel to an offshore installation site and guide the transfer to prevent undesired swinging movements of the wind turbine components. In another embodiment, a main crane is used in cooperation with a guide arm to transfer and guide wind turbine components from an installation vessel to an offshore installation site.
US08640338B2
Method for producing a dentist tool formed by an overlay to be used by a dentist in removing tooth structure, said method comprising the steps of: acquiring three-dimensional data relating to a shape of a tooth and at least a part of a neighboring tooth; processing said three-dimensional data with a computer so as to determine an overlay fitting said tooth and fitting at least said part of said neighboring tooth; further processing said three-dimensional data with said computer so as to determine a predetermined part of tooth structure to be removed from said tooth so as to prepare said tooth for further treatment; determining at least two guiding edges of which a first and a second guiding edge are spaced apart from each other by a distance d of at least 0.5 mm, said guiding edges being configured so as to enable said dentist cutting tool to be guided by simultaneously contacting said first and said second guiding edge in such a manner as to enable a guided removal of at least partially said predetermined part of tooth structure; producing said determined overlay having said determined guiding edges.
US08640322B1
Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.
US08640319B2
A nail clipping system comprises two opposed surfaces (relatively flat, curved or ergonomically or functionally non-planar) hinged at one end. The hinge may be a living hinge made from the same or similar structural material as the opposed surfaces, or may be a spring-loaded hinge connecting the two opposed surfaces. Associated with an upper one of the opposed surfaces is at least one (relatively) downward exterior plate, and associated with a lower one of the opposed surfaces is at least one (relatively) upward interior plate directly opposed to a downward exterior plate. The at least one downward exterior plate has a slot therein accessible to finger nails. The slot may be linear or curved (to accommodate the curve of nails). The at least one upward interior plate has a blade element that slides along an interior surface of the downward exterior plate and across the slot therein.
US08640312B2
A manufacturing method of an apparatus for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises disposing a first electrode on a substrate, disposing a nanowire comprising a piezoelectric material on the first electrode, disposing a photoelectric conversion layer which is electrically connected to the nanowire on the first electrode, disposing, a second electrode on the nanowire and the photoelectric conversion layer, connecting the first electrode and the second electrode by a connection part, and disposing a storage part which is electrically connected to the connection part, wherein when an external force is applied to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the nanowire is transformed to generate electrical energy.
US08640301B1
A latch mechanism for selectively fastening a dirt cup to a vacuum cleaner having a locking recess. The latch mechanism can include a latch member having a portion that is selectively received in the locking recess and a cam follower surface, and a latch actuator comprising at least one button with a cam surface that faces the cam follower surface. When the latch mechanism is actuated, the cam surface bears against the cam follower surface, which initiates vertical movement of the latch member relative to the latch actuator. The latch member is thereby moved from a latched position in which the portion of the latch member is received within the locking recess to an unlatched position in which the portion of the latch member is removed from the locking recess, thereby allowing the dirt cup to be removed from the vacuum cleaner.
US08640284B2
The present invention relates to an articulated bed which comprises a perimetric tubular frame, two mattress support portions articulated at the ends opposite to the respective ends of the frame, and articulated to one another at facing ends by means of a common rotating shaft; a geared motor assembled in the frame which rotationally operates a transverse shaft provided with at least one crank coupled by means of a connecting rod with the common shaft for the articulation of the two mattress support portions, transmitting a vertical oscillation to the common shaft and to the facing ends of the mattress support portions. In one embodiment variant it comprises a second geared motor which transmits an longitudinal alternating movement to the mattress support portions by means of a connecting rod-crank mechanism.
US08640283B2
A cot operable to fold one or more legs thereof with the advancing of the cot onto a support object is disclosed. The cot comprises a wheeled transporter, having a frame and legs, and a leg release assembly. The leg release assembly comprises a contact member, a leg release member releasably engaged with at least one of the legs, and a linkage member operably connecting the contact member and the leg release member. The contact member is pressure-sensitive and activates with an application of pressure thereto. The leg release member releases the at least one of the legs from an engagement therewith with activation of the contact member. The at least one of legs folds relative to the frame with the release of the engagement with the leg release member.
US08640278B2
An adjustment mechanism for altering a height of a baby playpen from the ground to a bottom of the baby playpen is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism includes a foldable skeleton, a seat fabric slideably put on the foldable skeleton to construct a plurality of side surface and a bottom surface for forming an accommodation space, and a height adjustment positioning mechanism disposed between the foldable skeleton and the seat fabric thereby altering the height of the bottom surface from the ground by adjusting the seat fabric.
US08640272B2
A flush toilet bowl includes: a bowl portion including a pooling portion in communication with a drain conduit; a rim surface provided above the bowl portion; and a first slit opening configured to spout flush water supplied through a first conduit toward the bowl portion and to spout the supplied flush water in a generally tangential direction of the rim surface, thereby generating a swirling flow flowing forward near a boundary between the rim surface and the bowl portion. A slit opening shape in a cross section generally perpendicular to a flow direction of water flow spouted from the first slit opening is horizontally flattened. There is provided a flush toilet bowl capable of minimizing the overhang of the rim portion.
US08640268B2
The present invention is to provide an automatic toilet seat, including a base body, a toilet lid, a seat, a controller, a first lid lifter, a second lid lifter, a first sensor, a second sensor and a power supply. The controller comprises a micro processor. When the first sensor detects a human body, the micro processor activates the second sensor and drives the toilet lid pivot to a lifting position. When the first sensor detects the human body again, the seat pivots to the lifting position. When the human body is away from the second sensor, the micro processor would drive the toilet lid and the seat pivot to a closing position and deactivate the second sensor. Thus, the automatic toilet seat of the present invention provides a two-stage mechanism of an auto-lifting toilet lid.
US08640267B1
Embodiments of a protective helmet have a shell formed from a cushioning material, a cushioning spacer layer coupled to the shell and only partially covering an inner surface of the shell, a hard inner structure having an outer surface attached to the cushioning spacer layer and an inner surface, and an innermost cushioning pad layer attached to the inner surface of the hard inner structure. A flexible thin cover extending around an outer surface of said shell and with or without graphics may be provided.
US08646110B1
The present disclosure provides a procedure to obtain the absorption profiles of molecular resonance with ANSOM. The method includes setting a reference field phase to φ=0.5 π relative to the near-field field, and reference amplitude A≧5|αeff|. The requirement on phase precision is found to be <0.3 π. This method enables ANSOM performing vibrational spectroscopy at nanoscale spatial resolution.
US08646109B2
An improved mode of AFM imaging (Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode) uses force as the feedback variable to reduce tip-sample interaction forces while maintaining scan speeds achievable by all existing AFM operating modes. Sample imaging and mechanical property mapping are achieved with improved resolution and high sample throughput, with the mode being workable across varying environments, including gaseous, fluidic and vacuum. Ease of use is facilitated by eliminating the need for an expert user to monitor imaging.
US08646097B2
The aim of the present invention is to limit the impact of security breaches, which are the emulators of the security module. This aim is reached by a processing unit of audio/video digital conditional access data, encrypted by control words, responsible for processing security messages containing at least one cryptogram relative to a control word and one instruction relative to the control word, characterized in that it includes means to receive at least two micro programs by security messages, executable by the security module, said security module comprising means to store at least two micro programs and means to receive an instruction contained in the security message, for selecting the micro program indicated by the instruction, for executing the said micro program with at least the cryptogram as a parameter of execution, this execution allowing the calculation of the control word to be sent back to the audio/video processing unit.
US08646091B2
A digital software licensing system includes one or more subsystems to issue an order for one or more software licenses to a software vendor, receive from the vendor a wrapped license file, decrypt the wrapped license file using a manufacturer private key and verify authenticity of wrapped license file using a vendor public key. The wrapped license file includes a list of license keys which are signed using a vendor private key and encrypted using the manufacturer public key.
US08646085B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing and reconfiguring a technical system (2) with respect to security, as well as a corresponding decision support system and computer program product. A graph constructor (20) provides, based on technical information about the system (2) received via an input interface (10), a representation of potential attacks in a directed graph of attack nodes. A system/countermeasure analysis unit (30) ranks different sets of countermeasures to enable a selected set of countermeasures to be taken to improve security. The analysis unit (30) performs the following procedure for each set of countermeasures: i) logically apply the set of countermeasures to attacks in the directed graph, and ii) determine a rank of the applied set of countermeasures based on the effectiveness of the countermeasures with respect to the reduction of the risk of attacks. An output and/or control unit (40) may then provide appropriate control signaling and/or effectuate appropriate control actions for reconfiguration of the technical system (2).
US08646080B2
Embodiments of the invention address the problem of removing malicious code from infected computers.
US08646079B2
A computer-implemented method for using property tables to perform non-iterative malware scans may include (1) obtaining at least one malware signature from a security software provider that identifies at least one property value for an item of malware, (2) accessing a property table for a computing device that identifies property values shared by one or more application packages installed on the computing device and, for each property value, each application package that shares the property value in question, and (3) determining, by comparing each property value identified in the malware signature with the property table, whether any of the application packages match the malware signature without having to iterate through the individual property values of each application package. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08646065B2
The invention relates to a method for routing a bi-directional end-to-end connection between an end subscriber and the domain of a service provider by means of a signalling protocol via an interposed firewall with address transformation device, wherein by means of a security and tunnel device, located in the end-to-end connection between the end subscriber and the firewall with address transformation device in the domain of the end subscriber, and a session border controller, located in the end-to-end connection in the domain of the service provider, a tunnel is set up between the security and tunnel device and the session border controller and a bi-directional data exchange takes place via the tunnel between the end subscriber and the domain of the service provider in the area between the security and tunnel device and the session border controller by means of a tunnel protocol, and also a telecommunication network and a security and tunnel device for this.
US08646054B1
The present invention provides a bridged, direct-attached storage device that can be secured and work with any host system. In one embodiment, the storage device is configured with a secured user area and an unlocking mechanism for access to the secured user area. The storage device may comprise a translation module having a bridge that presents multiple logical units to a host. In addition, the storage device may comprise a controller having its own encryption engine to encrypt the entire user area of the storage media. In one embodiment, the storage device presents the unlocking mechanism via a second logical device as a read-only device, such as a CD/DVD-ROM, or virtual CD device. The secondary logical device comprises executable code, which allows the user, for example, to enter, change, or remove the password and unlock the user area.
US08646051B2
A method for resetting Internet access account passwords can include the step of connecting a user with an interactive voice response system (IVR). At least one access account associated with the user can be determined. The IVR can validate that the user is authorized to access the access account. The IVR can then cause a password associated with the at least one access account to be reset. The IVR can also present the reset password to the user.
US08646041B2
A method is provided for producing securing data for implementing a secured session between a first and at least a second entity based on a protocol for establishing secured sessions. The method includes setting up a third secured entity related to the first entity; generating at least a portion of the securing data within the third entity; and transmitting the securing data from the secured third entity to the first entity.
US08646037B2
Portable on-line identity verification technology includes, for example, portable widgets with an identity rating, and other on-line identification verification icons and identity rating scores.
US08646036B2
A network system of a projector is provided in which a network connection is established between a plurality of information terminal apparatus and the projector, and an image data file owned by an information terminal apparatus can be commonly used. A network system of a projector is arranged by an information terminal apparatus and a projector connectable to the information terminal apparatus via a network. The information terminal apparatus is arranged by a personal computer which supplies image data to the projector, and personal computers which are connected to this personal computer by a wireless manner When the network connection is established between the personal computer and the projector, and when the network connection between the personal computer and the personal computers is established, the image data is commonly used among these personal computers.
US08646033B2
A packet relay apparatus keeps only packets specified as authentication target packets of MAC address authentication, to reduce the number of packets to be transferred from H/W to a CPU. In addition to a source MAC address, the authentication target packet of MAC address authentication is specified by an Ethernet type, a destination IP address, a protocol, a source port number and a destination port number of TCP/UDP, and the like. In this way, the packet relay apparatus excludes a terminal not transmitting authentication target packets of MAC address authentication, from the MAC address authentication target, while allowing selection from other authentication methods such as Web authentication and IEEE802.1X authentication.
US08646031B2
There are provided a method of automated generation of a security rule-set and a system thereof. The method comprises: obtaining a group of log records of communication events resulting from traffic related to the security gateway; generating a preliminary rule-set of permissive rules, said set covering the obtained group of log records; generating, with the help of mapping the generated preliminary rule-set to the obtained group of log records, a rule-set of non-overlapping rules covering the group of log records; and generating an operational rule-set by processing the generated rule-set of non-overlapping rules, said processing including mapping the generated rule-set of non-overlapping rule to the obtained group of log records.
US08646023B2
A method of authentication and synchronous interaction between a secondary device and a multi-perspective audiovisual data stream broadcast on a primary device geospatially proximate to the secondary device is disclosed. In one aspect a method of secondary device includes authenticating the secondary device to a primary device based on a geospatial proximity of the secondary device and the primary device such that the secondary device is synchronizable with the primary device. The secondary device is synchronized to the primary device such that an audiovisual data stream of the primary device is adjustable through the secondary device. An audiovisual data stream of the primary device may be processed such that the audiovisual data stream is accessible through the secondary device. The audiovisual data stream may be an audiovisual data stream of a live performance of an event.
US08646022B2
Methods and apparatus to configure broadband-enabled entertainment systems are disclosed. An example method comprises presenting a first user interface to enable a user to configure a communication service between a residential gateway and a service provider, detecting a set-top box communicatively coupled to the residential gateway, directing the set-top box to present a second user interface, the second user interface to accept a security key to enable communication between the residential gateway and the set-top box, and presenting a third user interface to provide the security key to the user and to instruct the user to utilize the second user interface to provide the security key to the set-top box.
US08646011B2
In order to ensure that an entertainment access system is enabled to unify and simplify a user's enjoyment of content by managing the user's devices, entertainment content and usage rights, it is important to ensure the user devices, and the services they offer, function in accordance with well-established specifications and standards. Importantly, these specifications need to be the same from one device manufacturer to another. This is needed to ensure that the entertainment access system will be able to provide a consistent, reliable and predictable user experience to its users. In some illustrative examples, a certification program is implemented for user devices that receive and render the entertainment content received from the entertainment access system. The certification program establishes specifications to which the devices are to conform regardless of their manufacturer. The program also establishes a testing protocol to determine if the devices are manufactured in accordance with the specifications. The testing protocol is implemented on devices manufactured by the various manufacturers of the devices. Finally, a certificate is issued to those device manufacturers whose devices are demonstrated to be able to successfully complete the testing protocol. The certificate may also authorize the manufacturers to use a certificate mark on their products'packaging, literature and promotional information.
US08646006B2
A system and method is provided to automatically generate content for ITV products and services by processing primary media sources. In one embodiment of the invention, keywords are automatically extracted from the primary media sources using one or more of a variety of techniques directed to video, audio and/or textual content of the multimodal source. In some embodiments, keywords are then processed according to one or more disclosed algorithms to narrow the quantity of downstream processing that is necessary to associate secondary sources (reference items) with the primary video source. Embodiments of the invention also provide automatic searching methods for the identification of reference items based on the processed keywords in order to maximize the value added by the association of reference items to the video source.
US08646004B1
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US08646003B2
A method and device for displaying a broadcasting program are disclosed. An electronic program guide (EPG) is newly generated according to user set option information and the EPG is displayed on a screen on user's request.
US08645998B2
A video signal processing apparatus, comprises: a display unit; an user interface (UI) generating unit that generates a UI including a channel information array in which a plurality of channel informations are arranged to be displayed to the display unit; a user inputting unit that receives a first moving instruction and a second moving instruction for moving the channel information array, the second moving instruction including a position information about moving of the channel information array; and a control unit that controls the UI generating unit so that the channel informations arranged in the channel information array can move one by one if the first moving instruction is received, and the channel informations arranged in the channel information array can move in an manner that corresponds to the position information if the second moving instruction is received.
US08645981B2
Disclosed herein is a disk chucking apparatus. The apparatus includes a central boss which is coupled to a rotating shaft of a motor, a guide which extends from the central boss outwards and is inserted into a center hole of a disk, and a chucking unit which extends from the central boss outwards. The chucking unit is elastically deformable inwards when pushed by the disk that is fitted over the guide. The chucking unit includes a lower horizontal part, a vertical part and an upper horizontal part. The lower horizontal part extends from the lower portion of the central boss outwards in the horizontal direction. The vertical part is bent from the outer end of the lower horizontal part upwards. The vertical part extends in a direction inclined outwards. The upper horizontal part extends from the upper end of the vertical part inwards in a horizontal direction.
US08645980B2
An optical device and method are provided including a spindle motor mounted in a turn table on which an optical disk is attached and detached. The optical device includes a bracket secured with a stator of the spindle motor. The optical device also includes a tray body directly connected to the bracket. A skew angle of the spindle motor is adjusted while the bracket is assembled to the tray body, and an adjusting method of the optical device.
US08645976B2
A signal may be received in accordance with a protocol stack having a first portion (400) that contains a control layer and a stream layer, and a second portion (401) that contains a physical layer and a MAC layer. The first portion may invoke an application program interface (API 1402) to instruct the second portion to replace a current set of signal acquisition parameters with an initial set of signal acquisition parameters.
US08645975B2
An information processing apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect an additional function data file including a description of an added function that is provided in addition to an already-installed device driver, a storing unit configured to store the detected additional function data file in an information storage area recognized as a logical device by an operating system, and a driver control unit configured to incorporate contents of the additional function data file into the already-installed device driver in response to the additional function data file stored in the information storage area.
US08645972B2
Methods and system for interface data utilization are described. In one embodiment, source interface data may be provided from a provider. The source interface data may be capable of being used to provide a source user interface for a networked resource associated with the provider. A user request may be received through the source user interface. A service call may be provided over a network to an application based on the receiving of the user request. The application may be associated with an application manager. Response data may be received over the network from the application based on the service call. Target interface data may be rendered based on the response data. The target interface data may be provided from the provider.
US08645971B2
A method and a system that retrieves dynamic data when a notification with dynamic data is triggered. The dynamic data is associated with an account that is associated with a portable consumer device associated with a consumer. The method and system automatically send the notification with the dynamic data to a notification device, wherein the notification with the dynamic data is provided to the consumer.
US08645968B2
An information processing system capable of communicating with a printing apparatus which returns from power saving by external access, and having first and second access units adapted to access the printing apparatus, includes a requesting unit adapted to request notification of event occurrence generated by processing by the first access unit, and a determination unit adapted to determine the presence/absence of the notification of event occurrence. The second access unit accesses the printing apparatus, if the determination unit determines that there is the notification of the event occurrence.
US08645958B2
In general, this disclosure is directed to a software virtual machine that provides high-performance transactional data acceleration optimized for multi-core computing platforms. The virtual machine utilizes an underlying parallelization engine that seeks to maximize the efficiencies of multi-core computing platforms to provide a highly scalable, high performance (lowest latency), virtual machine. In some embodiments, the virtual machine may be viewed as an in-memory virtual machine with an ability in its operational state to self organize and self seek, in real time, available memory work boundaries to automatically optimize maximum available throughput for data processing acceleration and content delivery of massive amounts of data.
US08645955B2
Provided are a multitasking method and apparatus. By continuously maintaining the intrinsic information of each peripheral processing unit of when a process-centered task is stopped, when a reconfigurable array stops executing the process-centered task and executes a different process-centered task, by stopping executing a control-centered task and executing a reconfiguration task, only when the reconfigurable array receives an execution request of the reconfiguration task while the reconfigurable array is performing the control-centered task, or by causing a predetermined number of processing units to execute each of a plurality of reconfiguration tasks that are to be simultaneously executed by the reconfigurable array, wherein the predetermined number of processing units is set in consideration of an expected data processing amount required for the reconfiguration task, the reconfigurable array can more quickly complete execution of multitasking.
US08645949B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for scanning data utilizing one of a plurality of virtual machines of a device. In use, data to be scanned is identified utilizing a first virtual machine of a device, where the device further includes at least one second virtual machine and a cache shared by the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine. Additionally, it is determined whether the data was previously scanned by the at least one second virtual machine, utilizing the cache. Furthermore, the data is conditionally scanned utilizing the first virtual machine based on the determination.
US08645948B2
A server for automatically installing a required application responsive to a client device is described. The server comprises an interface agent arranged to receive a first signal from a client wireless device where the first signal comprises an identifier. A retrieval application is arranged to obtain an executable application corresponding to the identifier and an installer application is arranged to install the executable application responsive to the retrieval application obtaining the executable application. The interface agent is arranged to cause execution of the installed executable application.
US08645921B2
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to receive one or more risk factors, receive one or more contexts, identify one or more context relationships and associate the one or more contexts with the one or more risk factors. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to map the one or more risk factors for an associated context to a software defect related risk consequence to determine a risk model and execute a risk-based testing based on the risk model to determine a defect related risk evaluation for a software development project.
US08645908B2
A computer implemented rule for verifying consistency in design documents is modeled as a set of associations among deliverable components, and a descriptive text explaining the specification is generated in combination with a text template.
US08645902B1
Various embodiments provide a constraint-driven environment to interactively determine coloring of layout components when the layout components are being modified or created and to provide feedback with visual aids to users in nearly real-time. Layout components are thus appropriately assigned to respective mask designs upon their creation. Various embodiments check or verify various constraints during creation or modification of layout components, and the layout thus remains design rule clean as constructed. Some embodiments use data structure(s) including information associated with mask identifications of objects of a cluster to change some mask identifications without considering any of the constraints governing these mask identifications. Some embodiments further determine the mask identification for an object based at least in part on whether object splitting and stitching is permitted.
US08645899B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method for extracting information for a circuit design. The method may utilize an incremental extraction process for extracting information for a portion of the circuit design. Extracted results of this portion may be merged with a previously extracted result to obtain an integrated result that is equivalent to that of extracting the entire circuit design. The incremental extraction process may identify a set of changed shapes, a set of affected shapes, and a set of involved shapes for extraction. The method may also divide the circuit design into a plurality of regions, wherein two or more regions may be processed in parallel.
US08645896B1
A method and system for an IC design house to transfer design and layout information to a fabrication or failure analysis facility on a need-to-know basis to enable effective failure analysis while not providing unnecessary or extraneous information.
US08645892B1
An integrated circuit (IC) design includes configurable circuits arranged in a mesh structure to facilitate routing of signals between different platforms or logic blocks within the design. Each configurable circuit has a semiconductor element with input and output terminals in a first semiconductor layer, input/output (I/O) ports corresponding to directions of the mesh structure in a second semiconductor layer, configurable input vias to allow a signal traveling in a first direction to be received, and configurable output vias that allow an output signal to be output from the configurable circuit in a second direction.
US08645863B2
A region menu is used to easily access menu items. Generally, the region menu includes a number of regions with associated menus that are located close to an initial mouse position from where the region menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the regions of the region menu displays the menu item that is associated with the region. Additionally, hovering over a menu item within one of the regions of the displayed region menu may activate a live preview showing a projected result of what would occur should that menu item be selected. During a live preview, a portion of the region menu becomes translucent such that content beneath the menu becomes visible.
US08645861B2
An information processing system can be provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention which includes a processor and instructions executable by the processor to perform a method. Such method can be performed, for example, by receiving user input in response to prompts on a display, wherein the user input identifies a processable medical item (e.g., a medical sample or medical product). The user input can select each of a plurality of discrete actions for handling the medical item. The actions can have an at least implied order to be performed. Based on the received user input, identification information can be stored which identifies the medical item. Action information can also be stored which represents the selected actions. Then, a flow diagram can be displayed with at least some of the action information and at least some of the identification information. The flow diagram can depict at least some of the selected actions, the actions being automatically arranged on the displayed screen in the at least implied order.
US08645854B2
An exemplary method includes associating one or more workflow tasks with each of a plurality of universal workflow steps, the one or more workflow tasks being specific to a provisioning workflow that corresponds to a first type of network circuit, receiving a request to provision a network circuit of the first type, displaying, in response to the request, graphical depictions of the universal workflow steps in a graphical user interface, determining a completion status of each of the universal workflow steps based on a completion status of each of the one or more workflow tasks associated with each of the universal workflow steps, and graphically indicating in the graphical user interface the completion status of each of the universal workflow steps. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08645846B2
Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for describing elements within a virtual world to a user of the virtual world. An element may be identified based on a position of an avatar within the virtual world. The avatar is a representation of the user within the virtual world. A tag associated with the element is selected. The tag includes a description of the element. The element is described to the user based on the description.
US08645843B2
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for supporting role-based access control in a collaborative environment, wherein pluralities of users work together in a collaborative process using a software system. The method comprises componentizing the software system into a multitude of software components, and limiting access to specific software components to certain users based on roles assigned to the users as defined by a run-time state of the collaborative process. The set of components that a user can access is dynamic, that set can change based on the “context” or the step where the user is in a collaborative workflow/process. Thus, in comparison with traditional access control mechanisms, an embodiment of the invention combines three different elements: a) the set of components that comprise the application is partitioned in such a way as to make componentized role-based access control feasible, b) a method for specifying inter-component dependencies to enable role-based groups, and c) enabling the modification of the access privileges based on contextual information from a collaborative process.
US08645840B2
Mechanisms are provided herein which accommodate the sharing of a user device among multiple users. In particular, when multiple users are detected as sharing a user device, the user interface of the user device can be automatically altered to facilitate the sharing of the user device. Data associated with each sharing user may also be presented according to each user's presentation preferences and to accommodate presentation needs of each user.
US08645839B2
An apparatus and a method for an online desktop distribution is described. In one embodiment, an online desktop operates on a client with an online desktop distributor having an operating system with one or more kernels compiled for usermode. A server coupled to the client stores and uploads a user profile setting to the client to configure the online desktop on the client based on a user login on the online desktop. The online desktop can be booted from the client with the online desktop distributor or run as a hosted operating system in usermode under a default operating system of the client.
US08645836B2
An audience platform is disclosed. In a first example case, a first question is received. A preference event associated with the first question is received. A score is determined for the first question based at least in part on the preference. In a second example case, indications of a first and second potential interviewee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential interviewees are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential interviewees based at least in part on the received preference events. A designated interviewee is selected based on the first and second scores. In a third example case, indications of a first and second potential awardee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential awardee are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential awardees based at least in part on the received preference events.
US08645832B2
The present invention provides electronic methods and apparatus for interactively authoring, sharing and analyzing digital video content. Methods for authoring include displaying visual data, defining each traversal as a time-based sequence of frames and annotating and storing a record of the traversal and its associated audio records. Defining the traversal includes interactively panning the visual data by positioning an overlay window relative to the visual data and zooming in or out by resizing the overlay window. In alternative embodiments, the visual data may be displayed in a rectangular layout or a cylindrical layout. The methods are practiced using an integrated graphical interface, including an overview region displaying the visual data, a detail region displaying current data within the overlay window, and a worksheet region displaying a list of previously stored annotated traversal records. In a further aspect, the worksheet region list of annotated traversal records is published in a web document accessible via network using a standard HTML browser, and further annotations may be added by a community of network users. Analytical methods are also provided in which data markers corresponding to traversal records are plotted against an interactive abstract map enabling users to shift between levels of abstraction in exploring the video record.
US08645830B2
The invention describes a creation method of a summary of an audiovisual document respecting both the criteria defined by the user and criteria helping in the understanding of said summary. The document is first split into sequences, each sequence associated with attribute values and a dependence parameter. The user first selects the first sequences either manually, or according to attribute values. Then second sequences are added according to the value of the dependence parameters. These added sequences enable a better understanding of the summary thus created. According to an improvement, the user introduces a maximum duration for the summary, first and/or second sequences are withdrawn from the summary if the duration of the summary thus created exceeds the introduced duration. The invention also relates to an audiovisual device for the creation and viewing of the summary.
US08645824B2
An undo process performed on a data object includes selecting a stored prior state of the data object; comparing the stored prior state with the current state of the data object to determine differences between the stored prior state and the current state of the data object other than the effect of the undesired editing operation; and applying the differences to the stored prior state of the data object to obtain a new state of the data object. Each prior state of the data object corresponds to an effect of one of previously performed editing operations on the data object.
US08645823B1
Conversion of static web pages into resolution independent websites is disclosed through a web development environment (WDE). The HTML document defining the website to be converted is parsed to generated a document object model (DOM) of each scalable entity within the website. Access points are defined in order to provide searchable access to the scalable entities. Using these access points, the static properties are updated to reflect resolution independent relative properties. The images are then normalized according to a targeted resolution and size. Once these processes have been performed the updated HTML document and images are then uploaded and deployed to a web server.
US08645814B2
Methods, systems and computer program products are displaying one or more electronic messages on a user interface. In one method, the method records timestamps of one or more activities of a user in a first user session. Subsequently, the method compares the timestamp of an initialization of a second user session, with the recorded timestamp of the one or more events such as a last logout timestamp and/or a last activity timestamp of the first user session. Further, the method may mark one or more new electronic messages based on the comparison of the timestamps. The method may then display the status of the marked one or more new electronic messages on a user interface based on the markings applied on the one or more new electronics messages received.
US08645810B2
A termination indication is computed during an iteration of an iterative decoding of a representation of a codeword according to a schedule. The termination indication is tested to see if the decoding has converged or is not likely to converge. The testing of the termination indication shows convergence or lack of likelihood thereof even if a codeword bit estimate was flipped during an immediately preceding traversal of the schedule. Preferably, the termination indication includes an error correction syndrome weight, a zero value whereof indicates convergence, and the computing of the termination indication includes, in response to the flipping of a codeword bit estimate, flipping the error correction syndrome bits that are influenced by that codeword bit estimate.
US08645808B1
A method for communication includes receiving at a receiver a signal from a transmitter embodying data encoded with an error correction code. The signal is processed in order to extract a sequence of samples in a complex signal space. Scalar values are extracted from the samples and the scalar values are processed so as to define one or more clusters of scalar data points. Gain and noise of the signal are estimated responsively to the defined clusters. Bit value metrics for the signal are computed based on the samples and the estimated gain and noise of the signal. The error correction code is decoded using the bit value metrics.
US08645807B2
An apparatus of processing polynomials includes at least one reconfigurable module and an encoder controller. The reconfigurable module includes a plurality of linear feedback shift registers. The encoder controller can control the reconfigurable module to factor a generator polynomial into a factorial polynomial. In the reconfigurable module, the linear feedback shift registers can register a plurality of factors of the factorial polynomial respectively.
US08645806B2
An optical receiving apparatus includes: an A/D converting circuit; a received-signal demodulating circuit that demodulates a received digital signal from the A/D converting circuit into an m-bit received signal; a soft-decision-data generating circuit that generates n-bit (n≦m) soft-decision data based on the m-bit received signal; and an error correcting circuit that performs error correction based on the n-bit soft-decision data and outputs an error-corrected received signal. The soft-decision-data generating circuit generates soft-decision data of n bits (n=p+1) that corresponds to a determination result according to 2n−1 soft-decision thresholds, by using an MSB of the m-bit received signal as hard-decision data, and by using, as reliability information, a result of comparison between a plurality of bits (k bits, where k≦m) on an MSB side of the m-bit received signal and a fixed threshold, or p bits (p≦m−k) selected from (m−k) bits on an LSB side of the m-bit received signal.
US08645800B2
A method for integrating data and header protection in tape drives includes receiving an array of data organized into rows and columns. The array is extended to include one or more headers for each row of data in the array. The method provides two dimensions of error correction code (ECC) protection for the data in the array and a single dimension of ECC protection for the headers in the array. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed herein.
US08645798B2
The parallel RS-RAID data storage architecture can aggregate that data and checksums within each cluster into intermediate or partial sums that are transferred or distributed to other clusters. The use of intermediate data symbols, intermediate checksum symbols, cluster configuration information on the assignment of data storage devices to clusters and the operational status of data storage devices, and the like, can reduce the computational burden and latency for the error correction calculations while increasing the scalability and throughput of the parallel RS-RAID distributed data storage architecture.
US08645778B2
An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry and additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises at least one scan chain having scan cells. The scan test circuitry further comprises scan delay defect bypass circuitry comprising multiplexers arranged within the scan chain. At least a given one of the multiplexers is configured to allow a corresponding one of the scan cells to be selectively bypassed in a scan shift configuration of the scan cells responsive to a delay defect associated with that scan cell. A delay defect bypass controller may be used to generate a bypass control signal for controlling the multiplexer between at least a first state in which the corresponding scan cell is not bypassed and a second state in which the corresponding scan cell is bypassed.
US08645770B2
System and methods for proactively refreshing portions of a nonvolatile memory including a memory system that proactively refreshes a portion of nonvolatile memory based on data associated with the portion. The data may include the time elapsed since the portion was last refreshed, the number of times the portion has been cycled, and the average operating temperature of the nonvolatile memory. A portion of nonvolatile memory, when meeting certain criteria determined from the data, may be proactively refreshed during a downtime when the nonvolatile memory is not otherwise being accessed.
US08645761B2
Systems and methods for identifying expressions that are potential causes of program bugs are disclosed. A program and at least one input resulting in at least one passing test of the program can be received. Further, at least one plausible repair candidate expression in the program can be identified. In addition, the methods and systems can determine whether replacement of the at least one identified expression with at least one value, which is different from a value provided by the at least one identified expression, maintains the passage of the at least one passing test. Moreover, the at least one identified expression can be output when the replacement maintains the passage of the at least one passing test to enable a determination of a modification of the program that repairs a bug in the program.
US08645741B2
Described are the architecture of such a system, algorithms for time synchronization during a multiway conferencing session, methods to fight with network imperfections such as jitter to improve synchronization, methods of introducing buffering delays to create handicaps for players with faster connections, methods which help players with synchronization (such as a synchronized metronome during a music conferencing session), methods for synchronized recording and live delivery of synchronized data to the audience watching the distributed interaction live over the Internet.
US08645739B2
A power supply system for an information handling system is disclosed. The power supply system includes power supply units electrically coupled via an output line. The power supply units are configured to supply an output voltage to the output line. Each power supply unit receives a feedback signal indicative of a voltage of the output line and a programmed voltage signal indicative of a supply voltage required for the output line. A standby power supply unit is configured to transition between a standby mode and an active mode based, at least in part, on the feedback signal and the programmed voltage signal. Power supply units are configured to transition to a load sharing mode where the power supply units cooperatively supply an output voltage to the output line. The transitioning is based, at least in part, on the feedback signal and the programmed voltage signal.
US08645734B2
A computer system may place memory objects in specific memory physical regions based on energy consumption and performance or other policies. The system may have multiple memory regions at least some of which may be powered down or placed in a low power state during system operation. The memory object may be characterized in terms of access frequency, movability, and desired performance and placed in an appropriate memory region. In some cases, the memory object may be placed in a temporary memory region and later moved to a final memory region for long term placement. The policies may allow some processes to operate while consuming less energy, while other processes may be configured to maximize performance.
US08645732B2
User experiences on wireless devices are affected by communication, computation, and user interface capabilities. Another key performance indicator of a wireless device is its battery life. A method, algorithm and apparatus for improving the communication, computation and user interface capabilities of a mobile device is disclosed, which requires the expenditure of less energy and increases battery life. The trade-off between battery life and user experience related to the communication capability is managed by a protocol stack power optimization algorithm that optimally allocates energy resources. The power management algorithm inputs and combines measurements made at various layers of the protocol stack to selectively control a set of actions impacting energy usage. The algorithm maps from a set of measurements to a set of actions that provides the best trade-off between user experience and energy consumption.
US08645730B2
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption and power leakage in hybrid storage clusters is provided. More specifically, the systems and methods for reducing power consumption select a particular cache (memory) technology in hybrid storage clusters based on performance requirements and/or other parameters associated with an application (file or process). The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The program instructions are operable to monitor access patterns of one or more applications in one or more memory technologies in a computing system. The program instructions are also operable to select a memory technology to store the one or more applications based on the access patterns of one or more applications.
US08645728B2
An apparatus comprises a plurality of cores and a controller coupled to the cores. The controller is to lower an operating point of a first core if a first number based on processor clock cycles per instruction (CPI) associated with a second core is higher than a first threshold. The controller is operable to increase the operating point of the first core if the first number is lower than a second threshold.
US08645723B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for asynchronous management of access requests to control power consumption. In some cases, by asynchronously managing power within a system, multiple dies of a NVM can simultaneously draw current in order to match the power demand. In particular, an arbiter of the system can receive multiple requests to draw current, where each request may be associated with a different die of the NVM. In some embodiments, the arbiter can determine the servicing order using the time of arrival of the request (e.g., a first-in, first-out scheme). In other embodiments, the arbiter can simultaneously service multiple requests so long as the servicing of the multiple requests does not exceed a power budget.
US08645721B2
In one embodiment, a system for controlling an apparatus driven by a battery, the system operating by the battery, includes a computer to control the apparatus, a control signal circuit to send a signal from the computer to the apparatus so as to control the apparatus, and a nonvolatile memory circuit to store an operating state of the computer. The operating state includes a first operating state and a second operating state, the computer sets the apparatus to a low load state in accordance with the operating state and controls the apparatus when the computer is reset for shutdown due to a decrease of the residual quantity of the battery and is restarted for power-on.
US08645719B2
Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: an image processor which processes and displays an image signal; a communication unit which transmits a power consumption of the image processing apparatus to a power control server, and receives a message notifying necessary power saving function from the power control server; and a controller which controls the image processor to display a power load warning message and performs a power saving function in response to the power load warning message if the message notifying the necessary power saving function is received. With this, while operation rate of the power plant having high costs is lowered, low carbon emission of the plant may be achieved and a user of the image processing apparatus may reduce power consumption by performing a power saving function.
US08645717B2
A mechanism for creating secure storage for firmware for a computing device. A designated secure storage area holding firmware that is executable prior to a loading of an operating system for the computing device is created during a build of a ROM image. The creating marks one or more files as requiring encrypted storage and the one or marked files are combined during the build into the designated secure storage area. The designated secure storage area is located outside the ROM image and includes, during the build of the ROM image, a reference to the designated secure storage area in a build of firmware placed in the ROM image. The reference includes a flag indicating a current encrypted status of the designated secure storage area.
US08645707B2
An apparatus and method for unlocking a user equipment. The apparatus may include a first input unit, a second input unit, a controller, and a memory. The first input unit may be configured to set up a first password and to receive a first input. The second input unit may be configured to set up a second password and to receive a second input. The controller may be configured to compare the first input with the first password, compare the second input with the second password, and initiate an unlock operation of the user equipment based on a result of the comparisons. The memory may be configured to store at least the first password and the second password.
US08645704B2
Disclosed is a method for restricting access of a first code of a plurality of codes of a first function from a second function. The method comprises calling the second function by the first function, addresses of the plurality of codes are stored in a stack page and colored in a first color (102). The method comprises performing access control check in a transition page for verifying whether the first function has permission to call the second function (104). Further the method comprises protecting the first code from the second function by coloring the addresses in a second color (106). Furthermore, the method comprises executing the second function by pushing addresses of the second function on the stack page, the addresses of the second function colored in a third color (108) and unprotecting the first code by coloring the addresses of the first code in the first color (110).
US08645697B1
In some embodiments, a technique for authorizing a subsequent message comprises receiving a request to authorize a subsequent message, determining whether the request is valid, and authorizing the subsequent message, if it is determined that the request is valid.
US08645692B2
Provides e-mail address forming methods to know with certainty whether or not an e-mail address was leaked. A method includes: sending a receiver's identifier and a sender's identifier to a receiver's mail server; computing a value which is encrypted by the mail server with a secret key, the secret key being only possessed by the mail server, from the receiver's identifier, the sender's identifier, and a nonce issued by the mail server, and sending the value to a receiver; and forming an e-mail address (LD address) to be used by a sender who sends a mail to a receiver, by attaching a receiver's domain name to the encrypted value. Furthermore, the present invention has an e-mail address sending method, and an e-mail sending system which uses the e-mail address forming method to know with certainty whether or not the user of an e-mail address leaked the e-mail address.
US08645688B2
A method and apparatus for initiating secure operations in a microprocessor system is described. In one embodiment, one initiating logical processor initiates the process by halting the execution of the other logical processors, and then loading initialization and secure virtual machine monitor software into memory. The initiating processor then loads the initialization software into secure memory for authentication and execution. The initialization software then authenticates and registers the secure virtual machine monitor software prior to secure system operations.
US08645687B2
A digital file is associated with a security attribute in which identification data for a physical key is stored. The digital file content is encrypted, and may not be decrypted by a receiving computer unless a removable physical key that can be associated with the receiving computer includes identification data which matches the identification data stored in the file's security attribute. The digital content encrypted in the file may be compressed, and a portion of the security attribute may also be encrypted. When a portion of the security attribute is encrypted, the receiving computer may decrypt only the encrypted portion of the security attribute unless the identification data of the security attribute matches the identification data of a physical key physically or wirelessly coupled to the receiving computer. Improved security and reduction of pirating of the digital content are therefore provided.
US08645686B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for detecting encrypted Internet Protocol packet streams. The type of data within an encrypted stream of packets is inferred using an observable parameter. The observable parameter is observable despite encryption obscuring the contents of the encrypted stream of packets. A timer is established that maintains settings despite changes in the type of inferred data.
US08645684B2
Systems and methods for processing messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. A server within the wireless communications system maintains a list of certificates contained in devices that use the server. The server synchronizes or updates the list of certificates based on information contained in message to and from the device. By providing a server with certificates associated with devices that use the server, and providing a system and method for synchronizing the certificates between the device and server, the server can implement powerful features that will improve the efficiency, speed and user satisfaction of the devices. The exemplary embodiments also enable advantageous bandwidth savings by preventing transmission of certificates unnecessarily.
US08645671B2
Described is a technology by which a computer system operates in a mode that is different from a general purpose operating mode, upon detection of a special actuation mechanism coupled to the computing device. For example, actuation of a special hardware button may boot or resume a sleeping computer system into a direct experience upon actuation, including by launching a special program corresponding to that button. The computer system may thus enter a mode in which it mimics a special purpose device such as a consumer electronics device, e.g., a dedicated media player. When in a direct experience, the computer system may also operate in a constrained/sandboxed mode in which operating system limits available functionality to less than what is available when running as a general purpose computer system, e.g., keyboard operation and/or file access may be limited. Different actuation mechanisms may correspond to different modes.
US08645670B2
A processor including an architecture for limiting store operations includes: a data input and a cache input as inputs to data merge logic; a merge buffer for providing an output to an old data buffer, holding a copy of a memory location and two way communication with a new data buffer; compare logic for receiving old data from the old data buffer and new data from the new data buffer and comparing if the old data matches the new data, and if there is a match determining an existence of a silent store; and store data control logic for limiting store operations while the silent store exists. A method and a computer program product are provided.
US08645669B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program product manage computer executable instructions. At least one machine instruction for execution is received. The at least one machine instruction is analyzed. The machine instruction is identified as a predefined instruction for storing a variable length first operand in a memory location. Responsive to this identification and based on fields of the machine instruction, a relative location of a variable length second operand of the instruction with location of the first operand is determined. Responsive to the relative location having the predefined relationship, a first cracking operation is performed. The first cracking operation cracks the instruction into a first set of micro-ops (Uops) to be executed in parallel. The first set of Uops is for storing a first plurality of first blocks in the first operand. Each of said first block to be stored are identical. The first set Uops are executed.
US08645668B2
A sub-processor different from the main processor executing control in the operating system (OS) is designated to control a device driver corresponding to a communication unit and thus, the communication control is executed by the sub-processor in response to an interrupt originating from a network card functioning as the communication unit in an information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of processors and engaged in communication via a network. The structure enables the main processor to execute data processing with a high level of efficiency without a time lag in the data processing.
US08645649B2
A computer system includes: a first storage apparatus; a second storage apparatus; a first volume of the first storage apparatus; and a second volume of the second storage apparatus; wherein the first volume and the second volume have a copy pair relationship and a host system recognizes the second volume as the same volume as the first volume; and wherein the first storage apparatus sends reservation information of the first volume to the second storage apparatus; and the second storage apparatus controls access from the host system on the basis of the received reservation information.
US08645643B2
A data processing control unit for controlling two or more data processing operations SMI1,SMI2. The data processing control unit may include a control memory in control data may be stored which represents information about access to a main memory by the two or more data processing operations. A control data controller may be connected to the control memory. The control data controller may include a control data controller input or receiving an access request from one or more of the data processing operations. The control data controller may modify the data in the control memory upon receiving the access request. A process controller may be connected to the control memory. The process controller may control at least a part of the data processing operations SMI1.SMI2 based on a comparison of data in the control memory with a criterion. The process controller may include a process controller input for receiving the access request; and a process controller output for outputting a process control signal based on the comparison.
US08645629B2
A persistent cacheable high volume manufacturing (HVM) initialization code is generally presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced comprising a processing unit, a unified cache, a unified cache controller, and a control register to selectively mask off access by the unified cache controller to portions of the unified cache. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08645627B2
A data processing system includes a multi-level cache hierarchy including a lowest level cache, a processor core coupled to the multi-level cache hierarchy, and a memory controller coupled to the lowest level cache and to a memory bus of a system memory. The memory controller includes a physical read queue that buffers data read from the system memory via the memory bus and a physical write queue that buffers data to be written to the system memory via the memory bus. The memory controller grants priority to write operations over read operations on the memory bus based upon a number of dirty cachelines in the lowest level cache memory.
US08645622B2
Protection from uncorrectable media errors are provided for a RAID-configured storage system by a technique in which c redundancy information sectors are associated with n data information sectors. The n data sectors and c redundancy information sectors are then written as a single segment on a single storage unit. The RAID-configured storage system can be configured, for example, as a RAID 6 storage system, a RAID 5 storage system, a RAID 51 storage system, a RAID 3+3 storage system or a RAID N+3 storage system. The redundancy information can be based on a Reed-Solomon code, an XOR-based code, or one-dimensional parity.
US08645619B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to throttling accesses to a flash memory device. The flash memory device is part of a storage system that includes the flash memory device and a second memory device. The throttling is performed by logic that is external to the flash memory device and includes calculating a throttling factor responsive to an estimated remaining lifespan of the flash memory device. It is determined whether the throttling factor exceeds a threshold. Data is written to the flash memory device in response to determining that the throttling factor does not exceed the threshold. Data is written to the second memory device in response to determining that the throttling factor exceeds the threshold.
US08645600B2
Configuring expansion component interconnect (‘ECI’) physical functions on an ECI device in a computing system, including: configuring by an ECI device configuration manager, during run-time of the computing system, vital product data to include an ECI physical function configuration, wherein the ECI physical function configuration comprises data describing a type of ECI physical function; retrieving by an ECI device configuration manager, upon a subsequent startup of the computing system, the ECI physical function configuration from the vital product data; and configuring, by an ECI device configuration manager, a physical function of the ECI device to carry out the type of ECI physical function described in the ECI physical function configuration.
US08645596B2
Techniques are described that can be used by a message engine to notify a core or hardware thread of activity. For example, an inter-processor interrupt can be used to notify the core or hardware thread. The message engine may generate notifications in response to one or more message received from a transmitting message engine. Message engines may communicate without sharing memory space.
US08645585B2
A technique is disclosed for dynamically reconfiguring a digital video link based on previously determined link training parameters. Reusing the previously determined link training parameters enables a no link training (NLT) protocol for quickly configuring the digital video link without the need for repeating a link training process. A display device advertises NLT capabilities information to a GPU indicating it can retain link characteristics for one or more link configurations. The GPU uses the NLT capabilities information to determine whether the display device is able to quickly transition to a specific link configuration using the NLT protocol, or to switch between configurations. The NLT capability allows a link to be advantageously quiesced and restored quickly while the GPU is transitioning in and out of power-saving sleep states, or placing the link in a more power efficient configuration, or higher-bandwidth higher-performance configuration. Additionally, the NLT capability allows a source to determine if the link configuration can be changed quickly while the display device retains the image, and thus can continue to present a constant screen for uninterrupted viewing.
US08645584B2
Initiating USB-over-network connections based on partial USB enumeration, including the steps of: Discovering USB hosts by respective USB host adaptors (USBHs). Reading USB device descriptors of USB devices by respective USB device adaptors (USBDs) performing partial USB enumeration that stops prior to the configuration state of the USB devices. Forwarding the read USB device descriptors to the USBHs. And initiating, by the USBDs or the USBHs and based on the USB device descriptors, USB-over-network connections between the USB devices and the USB hosts.
US08645568B2
A method, apparatus, and system are described for a route server that connects network users to network providers. The route server may connect to network elements, including routers, from a plurality of Internet network service providers (ISP) to the network elements of a plurality of users through the route server. The route server also may make routing decisions for the plurality of users and the plurality of ISPs and is programmed to maintain multiple views of the routing table as well as implement multiple BGP instances, each instance representing different autonomous systems, in a single instance of the route server. The route server also may match a first user to one or more of the ISPs based on criteria including not only the best possible routes of each ISP but a full listing of all possible routes to a destination address from each ISP matching the user's criteria in order to construct a route table to get IP packets of a user to a destination address.
US08645563B2
A method for managing a session over a network that involves multiple end points obtaining services via an application server, the method involving: after the end points have registered with the application server for the session, establishing initial policies for network traffic flows for each end point participating in the session; after establishing the initial policies, determining information about the network traffic flows for at least some of the multiple end points participating in the session; from the information determined about the network traffic flows, identifying which of the multiple end points is functioning as a host server for the session; and after identifying which of the multiple end points is functioning as the host server, establishing new policies for network traffic flows for the multiple end points, wherein under the new policies fewer network resources are reserved for each of the multiple end points other than and as compared to the end point functioning as the host server.
US08645561B2
A method for broadcasting time sensitive content over an Internet protocol (IP) network for distribution in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method comprises segmenting the time sensitive content into a plurality of segments; separating each segment of the plurality of segments into a plurality vectors; generating random linear combination equations respective of the plurality of vectors; interleaving equations of at least two different segments of the plurality of segments; and transmitting at least a portion of the equations over the IP network to at least one distribution node for the distribution of the time sensitive content in the P2P network, wherein the time sensitive content is recreated from the equations at least the distribution node.
US08645559B2
Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for multiple audio device capture and playback during a remote desktop session. A custom device manager may instantiate proxy audio input and output devices on the server corresponding to each real device on the client computer. The proxy devices may redirect their respective audio input and output data to the physical device on the client. In an embodiment, multiple audio devices may be instantiated during a remote session, and multiple independent audio streams may be redirected to the selected device on the client computer.
US08645558B2
A data processing system arranged for receiving over a network, according to a data transfer protocol, data directed to any of a plurality of destination identities, the data processing system comprising: data storage (event queues 31-33) for storing data received over the network; and a first processing arrangement for performing processing in accordance with the data transfer protocol on received data in the data storage, for making the received data available to respective destination identities; and a response former arranged for: receiving a message (dashed line on FIG. 4) requesting a response indicating the availability of received data to each of a group of destination identities; and forming such a response; wherein the system is arranged to, in dependence on receiving the said message: identify received data that is directed to any destination identity that is both a member of the group and a member of a subset of the plurality of destination identities, and on which processing has not yet been performed; trigger processing by the first processing arrangement in accordance with the protocol on only the identified data; and subsequently form a response based at least partly on the result of the triggered processing, wherein the response (table 40-41) is formed so as to comprise a positive indication (41) of availability of data for a destination identity of the group if the triggered processing caused data to be made available to the respective destination identity.
US08645551B2
The present invention provides a service type auto-negotiation method and an aggregation device. The method comprises: comparing a service type capability set of a local device with that of a peer device to select a communal service type capability set; configuring a service type on an optical transmission network chip using the highest priority service type in the communal capability set; the service type capability sets including various service types supported by the devices and their corresponding priorities. The method negotiates automatically service types supported by both interconnected devices through a protocol and configures device hardware based on the negotiation result such that service interworking can be achieved without network management, thereby greatly decreasing the complexity of service development.
US08645541B1
A network communication system and a source device thereof. The source device may include a cluster manager that groups a plurality of connections between the source device and the plurality of destination devices into clusters, such as performance clusters. The cluster manager may also remove one or more of the destination devices that do not respond within a timeout threshold from their clusters, and when the removed one or more destination devices respond to the timeout threshold, the cluster manager may provide one or more of the plurality of destination devices full-buffer updates until such point as a recent average latency performance of a responding destination device is at a level that merits insertion back into one of the clusters.
US08645539B2
A content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content over the Internet is disclosed in one embodiment. The CDN includes a domain resolution service (DNS) server, caching servers and an Internet interface. The caching servers correspond to a plurality of addresses. The DNS server receives two domain resolution requests corresponding to a same domain and produces two different DNS solutions, each corresponding to a subset of caching servers. The interface receives domain resolution requests, including the two domain resolution requests, and transmits DNS solutions, including the two DNS solutions. The processing power is generally matched between the two DNS solutions.
US08645530B2
A method and apparatus of monitoring computer devices operating on a network is disclosed. Computer devices are all different and require monitoring settings that are tailored to their specific requirements. One example method of automatically configuring a set of monitoring requirements may include creating initial monitor counter values at a computing device and monitoring at least one computer based on the initial monitor counter values. Additional operations may include calculating override monitor counter values based on the monitoring of the at least one computer, and monitoring the at least one computer based on the override monitor counter values. The override values may be better suited for the device(s) being monitored and may replace the previously used monitoring settings.
US08645526B2
An information processing provided with a wireless communication unit adapted to communicate with a wireless network formed by a control apparatus, comprises: a first sending unit adapted to send a probe signal including identification data of the network via the wireless communication unit; a receiving unit adapted to receive a response signal to the probe signal from another information processing apparatus associated with the control apparatus via the wireless communication unit; and a determination unit adapted to determine an information processing apparatus capable of direct link communication, based on the response signal received by the receiving unit.
US08645523B2
A system and method to manage a SET history of a simple network management protocol (SNMP), the system including an SNMP manager to access a network apparatus and to request an object ID, and an SNMP agent to set the object ID in response to the request and to transmit corresponding set information to a plurality of SNMP managers connected to a network so that a set history of the object ID can be stored and managed with respect to each SNMP manager.
US08645512B2
A system and method of enabling access to remote information handling systems is disclosed. In one form, a method of enabling an initialization of an information handling system is disclosed. The method can include receiving a request to initialize a remote information handling system, and determining an access information operable to enable an initialization sequence of the remote information handling system. The access information can be configured to enable an initialization of the remote information handling system. The method can also include communicating the access information via a network to the remote information system.
US08645499B2
An image processing system includes an image processing apparatus and a decryption server interconnected via a network. When a portable recording medium having an encrypted target file and access information to access a decryption server that decrypts this encrypted target file, recorded therein, is connected to a connector of an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus reads out the encrypted target file and the access information from the portable recording medium connected thereto, accesses the decryption server according to the access information, then transmits the encrypted target file to the decryption server. The decryption server decrypts the encrypted target file received therefrom, and returns it to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus executes processing on the decrypted target file that is returned therefrom.
US08645497B2
At a client device, upon user selection of a respective bookmark, a document is downloaded from a network location associated with the bookmark, and then displayed at the client device. The bookmark contains a URL or parameter that references one or more content feeds to which the user has subscribed. The client device, in response to the user selection of the respective bookmark, transmits to a server a request specified by the respective bookmark, and receives in response to the request a redirect to a network location associated with the document. The downloaded document corresponds to a content feed to which the user has subscribed.
US08645494B1
A system and a method for accelerating delivery of a webpage by using a preloader file during a delay in fetching the web file are disclosed. When an end user makes a request through a client computer for a webpage, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) server sends the client a preloader file. The preloader file contains requests for resources that are likely to be part of the web file. The client downloads the resources, and the resources are saved in a browser cache. The preloader file also directs the client to request the webpage again. While the client is downloading the resources, the CDN server requests the web file from an origin server. The origin server composes the webpage and delivers the webpage to the CDN server. When the client makes a second request for the web file, the CDN server delivers the web file to the client. When the client renders the web file to display the webpage, the client can retrieve the resources from the browser cache.
US08645488B2
A method and system to extending naming of captured multimedia data to secondary applications is provided. The secondary applications are registered and associated with identifiers. The identifiers are stored in naming templates utilized by a file-naming engine. A multimedia-acquisition engine captures the multimedia data and communicates with the file-naming engine to generate a path that specifies a location to store the captured multimedia data. The file-naming engine processes the naming template to determine whether the secondary applications or default values are utilized to generate the path for the captured multimedia data.
US08645475B2
An image transmission system includes an image transmission device and a server that provides recipient information including recipient specification information and a transmission method and destination for image data. The server records, in association with a recipient identifier, recipient-designated recipient information and display mode designation information indicating a display mode for the recipient information. Each time the recipient information and display mode designation information is updated, the server overwrites the recorded information with the updated recipient information and display mode designation information. The image transmission device receives a selection of a recipient identifier for image data transmission, and if the selected recipient identifier is associated with the recipient information and display mode designation information in the server, acquires such information from the server, and when transmitting image data based on the recipient information, displays the recipient information according to a display mode indicated in the acquired display mode designation information.
US08645473B1
In one embodiment, a technique for managing electronic mail comprises receiving an email; assigning a rating to the email; and displaying the email in a rating-based order.
US08645468B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to arbitrating polling results and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for collaborative arbitration of polling results in a collaborative environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for collaborative arbitration of polling results in a collaborative environment can be provided. The method can include placing a poll within a message and sending the message to a select group of collaborators in the collaborative environment. The method further can include receiving poll results from a collaborator in the select group in a reply to the message, extracting the poll results from the reply and placing the poll within a new message along with the extracted poll results. Thereafter, the new message can be sent to the select group.
US08645466B2
A system for displaying the listings of files and/or folders in one of a plurality of different views (e.g., gallery view or list view). In particular embodiments, the system determines which of the views to display in the listings in based on: (1) the types of files to be displayed; (2) a specified preference of a content sharer; and/or (3) a specified preference of a content recipient. Various embodiments are particularly useful for displaying lists of files that a content sharer shares with a content recipient via a URL within the context of a synched file sharing system.
US08645456B2
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to a mobile communications device which presents a user with content optimized for the mobile communications device based on connection speed, device capabilities, and user preferences. When a user wishes to view content, the user inputs an address. The mobile communications device accesses a policy management agent. The policy management agent checks an onboard database of websites, their mobile counterparts, and attributes of each. An optimal website is selected and the mobile communications device requests content from that website instead.
US08645440B2
A method for multidimensional scaling (MDS) of a data set comprising a plurality of data elements is provided, wherein each data element is identified by its coordinates, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying an iterative optimization technique, such as SMACOF, a predetermined amount of times on a coordinates vector, said coordinates vector representing the coordinates of a plurality of said data elements, and obtaining a modified coordinates vector; (ii) applying a vector extrapolation technique, such as Minimal Polynomial Extrapolation (MPE) or reduced Rank Extrapolation (RRE) on said modified coordinates vector obtaining a further modified coordinates vector; and (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) until one or more predefined conditions are met.
US08645439B2
Methods and devices for automatically determining a suitable bit-width for data types to be used in computer resource intensive computations. Methods for range refinement for intermediate variables and for determining suitable bit-widths for data to be used in vector operations are also presented. The invention may be applied to various computing devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphic Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), etc.
US08645434B2
Techniques for schema production and transformation are presented. Enterprise data from a plurality of data sources is analyzed to produce patterns to types of enterprise data. Merging rules group patterns together with entries across multiple schemas. Each schema associated with one of the data sources. A single entry is then produced within a single generic schema for each group of patterns. The generic schema can then be used to suggest changes to enterprise data policy and to make the enterprise data interoperable across the enterprise in an automated fashion.
US08645418B2
A method and an apparatus for word quality mining and evaluating are disclosed. The method includes: calculating a Document Frequency (DF) of a word in mass categorized data; evaluating the word in multiple single-aspects according to the DF of the word; and evaluating the word in multiple aspects according to the multiple single aspect evaluations to obtain an importance weight of the word. According to the solution of the present invention, the importance of the word in the mass categorized data may be evaluated, and words with high quality may be obtained through an integrated evaluation.
US08645394B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for ranking resources within clusters of resources, and for ranking the clusters. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a cluster of a plurality of resources associated with a name context; generating a quality score for a resource; generating a resource ranking score for the resource, with the resource ranking score at least partly based on the quality score and the cluster relation score; and ranking the resources in the cluster at least partly based on the resource ranking score.
US08645383B2
A semantic note taking system and method for collecting information, enriching the information, and binding the information to services is provided. User-created notes are enriched with labels, context traits, and relevant data to minimize friction in the note-taking process. In other words, the present invention is directed to collecting unscripted data, adding more meaning and use out of the data, and binding the data to services. Mutable and late-binding to services is also provided to allow private thoughts to be published to a myriad of different applications and services in a manner compatible with how thoughts are processed in the brain. User interfaces and semantic skins are also provided to derive meaning out of notes without requiring a great deal of user input.
US08645375B1
Described are techniques for use in controlling information about a data storage system returned to an end user. A first set of information is sent from a first recipient location included in a hierarchy to a second recipient location included in the hierarchy. At the second recipient location, a second set of information is produced using information control criteria of said second recipient location. The second set of information is sent from the second recipient location to a component used to manage the data storage system.
US08645368B2
A system ranks results. The system may receive a list of links. The system may identify a source with which each of the links is associated and rank the list of links based at least in part on a quality of the identified sources.
US08645365B2
An asset management system (AMS) facilitates management of electronic assets of a software service delivery organization. The AMS may facilitate classification of the electronic assets according to delivery phases in which each electronic asset is usable and accordingly enables users to identify and download the suitable assets usable in a desired delivery phase. The AMS also may receive from the users, usage data for (representing an extent of use of) the downloaded electronic assets and generate a set of utilization characteristics of the electronic asset based on the usage data. In addition, the AMS may facilitate classification of the assets according to a set of technology areas in which each electronic asset is applicable. On identifying that a new user is expected to operate in a specific technology area, the AMS may determine and provide suitable assets applicable to the specific technology area.
US08645364B2
Systems and techniques for providing definitions to a user. The provision embodies the context of a text in which the defined term appears. In one aspect, a system includes an electronic device that includes one or more data processing devices programmed to respond to receipt of the user selection of the first term by performing operations. The operations include accessing, from the one or more persistent data storage devices, the characterizations of the contexts of the texts, comparing the accessed characterizations of the contexts of the texts with one or more characteristics of the context of the textual content of a media file, and ranking the definitions of the first term according to respective likelihoods that the definitions appropriately characterize the usage of the first term within the textual content of the media file.
US08645358B2
The present invention provides a method and system for customized search results in an advanced search results page including vertical searching pivot points for personalizing and refining searching operations. The method includes tracking user network activities and receiving a search query from the user, the search query including a plurality of search terms. The method and system includes identifying a plurality of preferred content sources based on the tracked network activities and retrieving content items in response to the search query. The method and system filters the content items based on the preferred content sources and therein generates a search result page displaying at least a portion of the filtered content items and at least one of the preferred content sources, wherein the display of the at least one preferred content source allows the user to pivot the search results portion based solely on the preferred content source.
US08645343B2
Processing genetic data is disclosed, including: receiving two or more genetic data sets for an individual from one or more genetic data sources; merging the genetic data sets from the one or more genetic data sources, including identifying a duplicate SNP between the genetic data sets and determining one or more data values to be stored for the duplicate SNP; and storing a single set of merged genetic data for the individual.
US08645333B2
The invention provides a method for reducing identification of chunk portions in data de-duplication. The method includes detecting sequences of stored identification of chunk portions of at least one data object, indexing the detected stored identification of chunk portions based on a sequence type, encoding first repeated sequences of the stored identifications with a first encoding, encoding second repeated sequences of the stored identifications with a second encoding, and avoiding repeated stored identifications of chunk portions.
US08645331B2
A time-efficient means for identifying and processing cascading deletes due to referential constraint violations includes: logging, to an error file, all primary key (“PK”) errors detected during table load operations; building a foreign key (“FK”) index for each child table; recursively probing each relevant FK index to identify all loaded rows that violate a referential constraint due to a PK error; logging all identified FK errors to the error file; and using the (preferably sorted) error file contents to identify, mark and physically delete table rows that violate a referential constraint. The described cascade delete processing methods make only a single pass through the table data, using ordinary computer files to track and organize rows identified for deletion. Use of error files rather than tablescans (multiple passes through the loaded table data) can provide a significant reduction in table load times, especially for large or intricately “related” tables.
US08645326B2
An automation testing platform that will enable simultaneous testing of new product code over variety of Operating Systems by calling remote machines. In one embodiment, the system is an SAP master data management based system such as NetWeaver, and the testing platform places important testing information onto the master data database itself. The platform then calls and controls the remote machines using distributed computing methodology such as the Java RMI protocol. The system provides the ability to run automated tests according to different technologies, OS, platforms and codelines, and allows for an automatic test portfolio to be managed from a single test catalog. The results can be represented by a variety of configurable user interface reports. The system has an ability to use legacy automation code, and can report on the quality, reliability and stability of the new product code along various configurable key performance indicators.
US08645316B2
A system and computer program product for effectively utilizing database servers. A middle tier system, interfacing between clients and a database system, receives requests to create, delete or update a record from a client. An index is used by the middle tier system to determine if a record previously exists, and if so, its current record location. In this manner, the middle tier system keeps track of the locations of the records stored in the databases. By keeping track of the data load, the middle tier system identifies the most available resource to store the records. When a record is to be created, deleted or updated, the middle tier system rebalances the load capability of the database servers by distributing the data across the databases in a randomized manner based on the server load. In this manner, changes to the server load are more effectively managed.
US08645309B2
The specification describes data processes for analyzing large data steams for target anomalies. “Sequential dependencies” (SDs) are chosen for ordered data and present a framework for discovering which subsets of the data obey a given sequential dependency. Given an interval G, an SD on attributes X and Y, written as X→G Y, denotes that the distance between the Y-values of any two consecutive records, when sorted on X, are within G. SDs may be extended to Conditional Sequential Dependencies (CSDs), consisting of an underlying SD plus a representation of the subsets of the data that satisfy the SD. The conditional approximate sequential dependencies may be expressed as pattern tableaux, i.e., compact representations of the subsets of the data that satisfy the underlying dependency.
US08645305B2
According to certain embodiments, paths are identified from path data. One or more sensors are assigned to each path. The following are performed: at least one sensor is moved to a path intersection and excess sensors are removed. An excess sensor is a sensor that is not required to satisfy the desired number of sensors of one or more paths. According to certain embodiments, a combined array comprising combined entries is accessed. Each combined entry represents a location and has a value indicating a number of paths at the location. The following are performed to yield a sensor arrangement: a maximum value of the combined array is identified, a sensor is assigned to a location associated with the maximum value, and the paths are removed from the combined array. A result associated with the sensor arrangement is reported.
US08645303B2
Methods and systems for creating, accessing, and communicating content are described. The systems comprise a single platform that allows multiple coordinated communication channels with a single user device (or user system) or multiple user devices (or user systems) at the same time. The platforms contains a browser for communicating with a communications network, multiple types of servers for handling different communications between the platform and a user device external to the platform, a database for storing content, a speech engine for converting text to speech, for converting speech to text, or both, and a configuration engine for configuring the applications that users will use during interaction with the platform. The platform can accordingly communicate with a user (or a user system) using any desired number (or combination) of communication channels. Other embodiments are described.
US08645300B1
Website navigation may be enhanced by recording a visitor's intent and recording page rankings that indicate how well the pages of a website match the visitor's intent. Using historical intent data, an intent can be inferred for a visitor based on a URL. Page recommendations can also be made once a visitor has confirmed their intent by determining a ranked list of URLs for the indicated intent. Intent data may be collected and displayed by integrating an intent widget into webpages of a website.
US08645299B2
A method for enabling data interpretation includes receiving a plurality of data entries that are indicative of corresponding health care related events, determining an interest level rating for at least some of the data entries based at least in part on context information associated with a respective entity to which each data entry corresponds, and providing for presentation of selected data entries based on interest level rating. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.
US08645295B1
Users are enabled to provide structured ratings for various attributes of items or other such content in an electronic environment. Users are able to rate existing attributes associated with an item, or new attributes that the users want to associate with the item. In addition to allowing users to provide a rating for each attribute, users can be prompted to include information relating to these attributes in reviews for the respective item(s). Attributes can be automatically applied to various items using a process that determines aspects of items that are indicative of each attribute being relevant, and automatically applies the attributes to items having at least some of those or similar aspects. Various models and algorithms are described for providing such functionality.
US08645293B2
A method of optimizing a plurality of objectives includes the steps of initializing a set of simplices; selecting a simplex from the set of simplices; computing one or more weights based at least in part on the selected simplex; and generating a point on a tradeoff surface by utilizing the one or more weights in a weighted-sum optimization.
US08645292B2
A computer-implemented serendipitous recommendations system and method generates recommendations for delivery to system users in accordance with settings of desired levels of serendipity, including serendipity levels established through use of serendipity tuning controls operable by users. The recommendations are informed by an interest affinity anomaly function that identifies contrasting interest affinities between recommendation recipients and other users. Explanations may be generated that provide reasons as to why a recommendation was delivered to a user, and the explanation may include a selection of phrases that are influenced by a serendipity level setting, and may include an expression of a level of confidence with regard to the recommendation.
US08645280B2
A method for verifying permission to use a payment system such as an electronic credit card, using a hand held communication device such as a smart phone, where the customer presents the communication device to a merchant who extracts account information from the hand held device, and the hand held device generates a transaction code that is shared with the merchant and sent by both to a financial institution. The financial institution sends a new random code to the user and the merchant, which can be compared to verify the user's account and the financial institution's approval of the transaction.
US08645273B2
Embodiments of the invention can implement systems and methods for providing a vending network. In one embodiment, a system for providing a vending network can be provided. The system can include at least one transaction-type device associated with a vending machine, wherein the at least one transaction-type device is operable to facilitate cash transactions and/or cashless transactions associated with one or more products or services offered by the vending machine. The system can also include at least one server operable to communicate with the at least one transaction-type device, wherein the at least one server is operable to receive data associated with the transactions. Furthermore, the system can include at least one vend settlement server operable to communicate with the at least one server, wherein the at least one vend settlement server can settle some or all of the transactions.
US08645260B2
Systems and methods for market order volume clearing in online trading of credit derivatives are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for market order volume clearing may comprise: selecting, from a plurality of credit derivatives, at least one most liquid credit derivative; determining a volume clearing price level for the selected credit derivative; inviting trading clients of the electronic trading system to submit, within a time limit, buy orders and sell orders for the selected credit derivative at the volume clearing price level, each buy order or sell order specifying a desired volume; matching the buy orders and the sell orders submitted within the time limit to maximize a total notional amount of the selected credit derivative that can be traded at the volume clearing price level; and completing trades at the volume clearing price level according to the matching of orders.
US08645241B2
Methods, systems, and media for processing and clearing a check are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for generating an e-check in response to receipt of a paper check, by which a merchant performs the manual data entry for the merchant, the merchant's bank, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the purchaser's bank clearing procedures. The paper check is electronically scanned at the point of sale (POS) terminal to create a check object (the ‘e-check’) that contains the binary data of the check information, a scanned image of the paper check, and identification data from the purchaser. Then, the check object is submitted to the check writer's, or purchaser's bank, for automated clearing without having to process the physical document any further.
US08645223B2
A commerce system involves transactions between manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Product information for a plurality of products is collected and stored in a database. A website is provided for a consumer to create a shopping list with weighted product attributes. A baseline product value is determined for each of the products. A consumer weighted product value is determined based on the baseline product value and the weighted product attributes. A discounted offer is generated for the consumer. A product score is determined based on the consumer weighted product value and retailer product value. The shopping list is optimized based on the product score. The optimized shopping list is provided to the consumer to assist with purchasing decisions. Purchasing decisions within the commerce system are controlled by enabling the consumer to select the products for purchase based on the optimized shopping list.
US08645205B2
A system and method are disclosed for optimizing the performance of an advertisement. The advertisement may be targeted based on correlations between advertisements and/or users. The correlations may be used to improve the click-through rate of advertisements. As data is collected and feedback is received, the correlation between ads and users may be updated, so that an advertiser's campaign can optimize its targeting of users.
US08645204B2
A method for using promotional programs and merchant values is disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an authorization request message including a merchant verification value through a payment processing network, where the authorization request message is associated with a purchase by a consumer. A merchant-specific promotional program is then determined using the merchant verification value, and the merchant specific promotional program is performed. For example, the promotional program can be a sweepstakes and the task may be determining of the consumer is an instant winner.
US08645202B2
A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, a telephone number or a hyperlink is provided adjacent to a total amount owed listed on a statement (e.g., an electronically-displayed billing statement). The offers reviewed may be customized, for example, based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.
US08645199B1
This specification describes technologies relating to content presentation. In general, methods include the actions of receiving, for each of a plurality of mobile applications, application data associated with a respective mobile application of the plurality of mobile applications, the application data including different user interaction data associated with the respective mobile application; clustering applications of the plurality of mobile applications according to a classification; logging user interactions with each application of a cluster of applications for a plurality of users; generating an initial score for a first application in the cluster according to the logged interactions; and calculating pricing for content items served to the first application based on the initial score and an average score for applications in the cluster.
US08645185B2
A method, load regulator, and profiling tool for monitoring and analyzing system performance and spare CPU capacity in a system such as a telecommunication system. The load regulator and profiling tool utilize a communication interface to balance the profiling performance of the profiling tool with the available spare CPU capacity in the system. The load regulator regularly sends information to the profiling tool of any spare CPU capacity during profiling, and the profiling tool adjusts the profiling performance gradually in response to the received information.
US08645172B2
This document describes a computer-implemented method for facilitating a check-in finalization process for a travel passenger. The method includes receiving one or more check-in parameters related to a check-in procedure for a passenger checking in for a travel segment, and determining from the received check-in parameters a check-in workflow status corresponding to which of a plurality of steps of the check-in procedure have been completed. The method also includes identifying one or more finalization actions that are available for finalizing the check-in procedure based on the check-in workflow status. The method further includes determining a primary finalization action from the one or more finalization actions, the primary finalization action being the finalization action most likely to be taken to finalize the check-in procedure. The method also includes providing for display on a user interface the available finalization actions, where the primary finalization action is pre-selected on the user interface.
US08645170B2
The present embodiments provide methods, systems, apparatuses and/or code for use in determining premiums. Some embodiments provide methods for use in determining premium. These methods identify a work entry; determine a payroll based on the work entry; retrieve a compensation rate based on the work entry; calculate a base premium as a function of the payroll and the compensation rate; retrieve a customer experience modifier assigned to the customer; retrieve a staffer experience modifier rate for an employee provider; and calculate a modified premium by: modifying the base premium by the staffer experience modifier rate when the staffer experience modifier rate is less than the customer modifier rate; and modifying the base premium by the customer modifier rate when the customer modifier rate is less than the staffer experience modifier rate.
US08645161B2
A method for providing a user with the ability to access and collect records associated with the user in a secure and private manner includes associating access information with the user for the user to use to access a server storing files comprising records associated with the user in a computer readable storage medium, providing the user with a user interface on a computing device to remotely access the records stored on the server, receiving at the server the files comprising records associated with the user from a service provider associated with the user, receiving at the server a request from the user made through the user interface of the computing device for access to the files, wherein the access information is associated with the request, and sending the user a file containing the records associated with user from the server to the computing device in response to the request.
US08645158B2
A computerized system method for displaying a predicted length of stay and actual length of stay in an inpatient healthcare facility for a patient is provided. A predicted length of stay and an actual length of inpatient stay in a healthcare facility for a patient are accessed. The predicted length of stay and the actual length of inpatient stay for the patient are displayed concurrently.
US08645156B2
A system and/or method for managing patients and products used in the treatment of their sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is provided. A barcode scanner preferably scans product data and wirelessly communicates it to a database for use in an inventory management system for tracking and generating product and patient information for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) treatment, for example, when receiving items into stock, dispensing products, returning loaned, rented, and/or defective products, etc. Custom patient reminders, notes, reports, and the like may be generated automatically based on the scanned data.
US08645154B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing care to a patient, comprising a patient care device having a number of configuration databases stored in a memory in the device. Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating limits, rule sets and/or operating features that collectively define an operating environment, or personality, of the device. Selection of a specific configuration database preferably is based at least in part upon patient-specific information obtained from any location in a distributed hospital network. Examples of such patient-specific information include patient age or size, patient medical characteristics, a location of the patient or a location of the care device. In a preferred embodiment, programming a patient care device to deliver a drug to a patient entails activating a configuration database and scanning a machine-readable drug label identifying a particular protocol stored in the activated database. The selected protocol includes default parameters for delivering the drug, and the label optionally includes instructions for deviating from the default protocol.
US08645152B1
In an exemplary embodiment, this invention provides a method of providing medical test results. The method includes a step of selecting formulary information that corresponds to a result of a medical test. The method also includes a step of generating a medical report. The medical report includes a laboratory report that corresponds to the medical test. The medical report also includes the selected formulary information.
US08645150B2
Carbon values are provided by vendors of power to data center management and are used by data center management to keep carbon values for energy produced to provide services below service level agreement thresholds. A plurality of vendor carbon values, a plurality of static data, and a plurality of dynamic data are used to calculate a future power consumption and a future operating cost for a data center in a computing service environment. The future operating cost includes a future carbon cost indicating the amount of carbon generated to satisfy the future power consumption.
US08645138B1
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for processing spoken speech. Input speech can be received at a computing system. During a first pass of speech recognition, a plurality of language model outputs can be determined by: providing the input speech to each of a plurality of language models and responsively receiving a language model output from each language model. A language model of the plurality of language models can be selected using a classifier operating on the plurality of language model outputs. During a second pass of speech recognition, a revised language model output can be determined by: providing the input speech and the language model output from the selected language model to the selected language model and responsively receiving the revised language model output from the selected language model. The computing system can generate a result based on the revised language model output.
US08645137B2
A method and system for training a user authentication by voice signal are described. In one embodiment, a set of feature vectors are decomposed into speaker-specific recognition units. The speaker-specific recognition units are used to compute distribution values to train the voice signal. In addition, spectral feature vectors are decomposed into speaker-specific characteristic units which are compared to the speaker-specific distribution values. If the speaker-specific characteristic units are within a threshold limit of the speaker-specific distribution values, the speech signal is authenticated.
US08645136B2
A system and method for efficiently reducing transcription error using hybrid voice transcription is provided. A voice stream is parsed from a call into utterances. An initial transcribed value and corresponding recognition score are assigned to each utterance. A transcribed message is generated for the call and includes the initial transcribed values. A threshold is applied to the recognition scores to identify those utterances with recognition scores below the threshold as questionable utterances. At least one questionable utterance is compared to other questionable utterances from other calls and a group of similar questionable utterances is formed. One or more of the similar questionable utterances is selected from the group. A common manual transcription value is received for the selected similar questionable utterances. The common manual transcription value is assigned to the remaining similar questionable utterances in the group.
US08645129B2
A system and method is described that improves the intelligibility of a far-end telephone speech signal to a user of a telephony device in the presence of near-end background noise. As described herein, the system and method improves the intelligibility of the far-end telephone speech signal in a manner that does not require user input and that minimizes the distortion of the far-end telephone speech signal. The system is integrated with an acoustic echo canceller and shares information therewith.
US08645125B2
Techniques for providing quotations obtained from text documents using natural language processing techniques are described. Some embodiments provide a content recommendation system (“CRS”) configured to provide quotations by extracting quotations from a corpus text documents, and providing access to the extracted quotations in response to search requests received from users. The CRS may extract quotations by using natural language processing-based techniques to identify one or more entities, such as people, places, objects, concepts, or the like, that are referenced by the extracted quotations. The CRS may then store the extracted quotations along with identified entities, such as quotation speakers and subjects, for later access via search requests.
US08645123B2
Image-based semantic distance technique embodiments are presented that involve establishing a measure of an image-based semantic distance between semantic concepts. Generally, this entails respectively computing a semantic concept representation for each concept based on a collection of images associated with the concept. A degree of difference is then computed between two semantic concept representations to produce the aforementioned semantic distance measure for the pair of corresponding concepts.
US08645116B2
A hybrid simulation model includes a real model, a bus interface and an acceleration model. The real model simulates a group of instructions. The acceleration model includes a trace generation unit, a trace replay unit, a selection unit, a snapshot generation and load unit and a virtual breakpoint control unit. The trace generation unit records at least one trace file of the real model in a first simulation. The trace replay unit reads and accordingly accesses the at least one trace file. The selection unit dynamically switches to perform a real simulation or a trace simulation. The snapshot generation and load unit generates at least one status snapshot file and loads the at least one status snapshot file to the real model in repeated simulations. The virtual breakpoint control unit controls the selection unit to switch between the trace simulation and the real simulation according to a virtual breakpoint.
US08645101B2
A system and method for monitoring the condition of a vibration sensor in a system. Vibrations are received in the system at one or more vibration sensors. Sensor data is output by the vibration sensor(s). The sensor data includes data representative of the vibrations in the system and data representative of a natural frequency of the corresponding vibration sensor. The sensor data output from the vibration sensor(s) is monitored, and upon a change in the data representative of the natural frequency of a vibration sensor, that vibration sensor is flagged.
US08645093B2
A multi-dimensional sensor, a magnetometer or accelerometer, is calibrated based on the raw data provided by the sensor. Raw data is collected and may be used to generate ellipse or ellipsoid parameters, for a two-dimensional or three-dimensional sensor, respectively. An offset calibration factor is calculated based on the raw data, e.g., the determined ellipse or ellipsoid parameters. A sensitivity calibration factor is then calculated based on the offset calibration factor and the raw data. A non-orthogonality calibration factor can then be calculated based on the calculated offset and sensitivity calibration factors. Using the offset, sensitivity and non-orthogonality calibration factors, the raw data can be corrected to produce calibrated data.
US08645091B2
A method and associated system for evaluating a high-frequency signal (SNE) at a point of interest on a signal path. The high-frequency signal (SNE) at the point of interest on the signal path is calculated by applying an inverse transfer function (iG) for the signal path to an argument of a remote signal (SFE) measured at a remote pickup point on the signal path, wherein the point of interest and the remote pickup point are two distant points on the signal path, wherein the high-frequency signal (SNE) and the remote signal (SFE) are represented as a respective time domain variable, and wherein said calculating is performed by a time domain evaluation process that operates in test equipment for electrical devices. The calculated high-frequency signal (SNE) is transferred to an output device of the test equipment.
US08645090B2
A system for estimating a baseline of a signal exhibits a signal generator and a processor. The signal generator is configured to generate a signal exhibiting a plurality of peaks and a baseline. The processor is configured to perform operations including determining an estimator indicating at least one region of the signal that exhibits a peak, determining a weight indicating at least one region of the signal that does not exhibit a peak based on the estimator, and estimating the baseline of the signal based on at least the determined weight.
US08645085B2
A billiard cue stroke simulator includes a wireless acceleration sensing device and a computing system. The wireless acceleration sensing device measures acceleration of a billiard cue along two or more axes of a coordinate system during a stroke of the billiard cue and generates acceleration data including the acceleration data. Additionally, the wireless acceleration sensing device transmits a wireless communication signal including the acceleration data to the computing system. The computing system generates image data indicating movement of the billiard cue during the stroke of the billiard cue based on the acceleration data and displays the image data. In this way, the billiard cue stroke simulator simulates the stroke of the billiard cue.
US08645081B2
A light absorption examining device includes a laser light source that emits the pulse laser beam, a measuring unit that retains the measuring object and irradiates the measuring object with the pulse laser beam, a light receiving unit that receives the pulse laser beam transmitted through the measuring object and outputs a light receiving signal, a pulse generator that produces a single rectangular pulse at a time when a signal level of the light receiving signal output from the light receiving unit intersects a set threshold, a laser driver that supplies the produced rectangular pulse to the laser light source to emit the pulse laser beam, and a control/processing unit that determines an accumulated delay time and examines absorption of the pulse laser beam by the measuring object using the determined accumulated delay time, the accumulated delay time representing a delay in a production timing of the rectangular pulse.
US08645078B2
A method of recovering a nucleic acid sequence using a probe map includes: aligning a probe onto a target sequence based on a result in which the probe is hybridized to the target sequence; determining a representative value representing each aligned position of the probe; and recovering a base sequence of the target sequence by using a probe map to which the determined representative values and base sequence information of the probe are mapped.
US08645075B2
The attached disclosure provides a systems approach based on mathematical modelling of the kinetics of essential biochemical pathways involved in organ homeostasis. When this in silico model is coupled with in-vitro and/or in-vivo measurements to quantify drug-induced perturbations, a powerful platform that allows accurate and mechanistic-level prediction of drug-induced organ injury can be generated. The method described in this disclosure demonstrates that several physiological situations can also be accurately modelled in addition to the effect of perturbations induced by drugs. It can also be used along with high-throughput “omics” data to generate testable hypotheses leading to informed decision-making in drug development.
US08645063B2
Techniques are provided to determine an initial quaternion transform that is used to transform measurements received from accelerometer, rate sensor and inertial reference subsystems from a vehicle coordinate frame to an inertial navigation frame. Methods disclosed determine corrective angular rates to use as a feedback signal to rotate the quaternion transform to counter errors that result when transforming a gravity vector and an inertial reference vector (e.g., a magnetic North reference vector) that are being measured by the accelerometer and an inertial reference subsystems, respectively. The initial quaternion determination is performed during a time period when the only substantial acceleration on the vehicle is due to gravity. The initial quaternion can be used for processing various guidance, navigation and control functions.
US08645060B2
A routing system can be configured to determine a route based on availability and reliability of location reference devices to determine a most reliable route between a source and a destination. Visibility information that is indicative of availability of at least a threshold number of location reference devices along the route can be determined. For each of a plurality of routes between the source and the destination, a reliability rating associated with the route can be determined based on the visibility information associated with the route. The reliability rating is indicative of a reliability of the route and an ability of the routing system to maintain continuous connectivity to the at least the threshold number of location reference devices along the route. The reliability ratings of the plurality of routes are compared to identify and to present one of the plurality of routes with a highest reliability rating.
US08645058B2
In a vehicle drive support device 10a including an optical beacon communicator 11 that acquires exterior information on roads from an optical beacon communicator 100 on the roadside outside a subject vehicle, a navigation system 12 that acquires interior information on roads inside the subject vehicle and a vehicle drive support processing unit 24 that performs vehicle drive support of the subject vehicle using the exterior information acquired by the optical beacon communicator 11, the vehicle drive support processing unit 24 changes use aspects of the exterior information for the vehicle drive support in accordance with the interior information acquired by the navigation system 12. Accordingly, it becomes possible to perform the vehicle drive support by more efficiently using the information from outside of the subject vehicle.
US08645052B2
Systems and methods for analyzing acceleration as a road segment characteristic in a vehicle are provided for determining information about a route including for example, the estimated fuel consumption of the route. An example of a system includes a data storage medium for storing map data having road segments, a bus interface to a data bus for receiving measured values of a velocity or an acceleration from a velocity or acceleration sensor, a position data receiver configured to receive position data for determining a current position, and a system controller. The system controller is configured to identify a road segment associated with the current position. The system controller retrieves parameters of a probability distribution of acceleration associated with the identified road segment from the data storage medium. Updated parameters of the probability distribution of acceleration are determined from the measured values of the velocity or acceleration.
US08645048B2
An internal combustion, compression ignition engine for use with a pressurized low viscosity fuel includes an engine power cylinder with its associated gas flow path, a valve system for opening fluid communication between the engine power cylinder and the gas flow path, and an engine management system (EMS). The engine management system is adapted to provide a pre-starting mode in which an open fluid communication between the engine power cylinder and the gas flow path is established in such a manner that any fuel present inside said engine power cylinder is prevented from reaching the fuel ignition temperature for the fuel.
US08645043B2
A control system for an engine includes a transient operation detection module, an injection determination module, and an injection control module. The transient operation detection module detects whether the engine is operating in a transient state. The injection determination module, based on an elapsed time since a fuel request and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters, at least one of (i) increases a number of fuel injections per combustion cycle to N, and (ii) adjusts periods for each of the fuel injections, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. The injection control module controls fuel injection during the transient state based on at least one of (i) N fuel injections per combustion cycle and (ii) the adjusted periods.
US08645030B2
Provided is a controller for an inverted pendulum type vehicle capable of moving the vehicle smoothly. The inverted pendulum type vehicle 1 is provided with a grip 18 at a upper end portion of a base body 9. A grip-acting external force F acting on the grip 18 is detected by a force sensor 55. According to the detected grip-acting external force F, a required center-of-gravity velocity generator 74 determines required center-of-gravity velocities Vb_x_aim and Vb_y_aim, and on the basis thereof, a traveling motion unit controller determines a manipulated variable for control.
US08645022B2
A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network. The actuator controller includes a control target value generating unit for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller and received by the actuator controller via the network when the control target value generated by the command controller is abnormal, and controls the actuator in accordance with the control target value generated by the control target value generating unit.
US08645021B2
In one embodiment, a method for remotely initiating a software trace on an avionics device operating on an aircraft is provided. The method includes at the avionics device, receiving one or more messages sent from a ground station over an aeronautical datalink to the aircraft, wherein the one or more messages conform to a protocol of the aeronautical datalink. The one or more messages are interpreted to identify any commands for the avionic device therein. If the one or more messages include one or more commands for tracing software on the avionic device, the software on the avionic device is traced in response to the one or more commands. Trace data obtained from tracing the software can be sent to a memory device for storage.
US08645020B2
A system for performing diagnostic checks on a data message transmitted from a sensor and received by a receiver includes a receiver clock tick counter, a prescaler counter, a calibration pulse detector, a nibble counter, and a calculator. The system receives first and second data messages transmitted from the sensor. Pulse widths of first and second calibration pulses of the first and second data messages, respectively, and lengths of the first and second data messages are measured using the receiver clock tick, prescaler, and nibble counters based on a compensated receiver clock signal. Thereafter, the pulse widths of the first and second calibration pulses and the lengths of the first and second data messages are compared using the calculator to perform the diagnostic checks.
US08645019B2
A method and system for comparing and merging fault models which are derived from different data sources. Two or more fault models are first represented as bipartite weighted graphs, which define correlations between failure modes and symptoms. The nodes of the graphs are compared to find failure modes and symptoms which are the same even though the specific terminology may be different. A graph matching method is then used to compare the graphs and determine which failure mode and symptom correlations are common between them. Finally, smoothing techniques and domain expert knowledge are used to merge and update the fault models, producing an integrated fault model which can be used by onboard vehicle systems, service facilities, and others.
US08645017B2
A communications system that includes a vehicular diagnostic tool and a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to be connected to a vehicular computing system. In operation, the vehicular diagnostic tool automatically detects the presence of the VCI when the VCI is proximate thereto. Thereafter, the VCI and vehicular diagnostic tool communicate through a wireless connection. Also, a method of communicating using the aforementioned vehicular diagnostic tool and VCI.
US08645012B2
A system for controlling a marine vessel that includes a sonar depth finder configured to display a chart for a body of water. The chart has depth information for the body of water, and is programmed to allow a user to select from a plurality of depths indicated on the sonar depth finder display. The sonar depth finder further is configured to generate a route for the marine vessel. The route includes a path through the body of water where each point along the path is at the desired depth. The system includes a vessel control device in communication with the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is configured to receive transmissions from the sonar depth finder. The transmissions include the route generated by the sonar depth finder. The vessel control device is further configured to automatically direct the marine vessel along the route.
US08645005B2
Embodiments according to the methods and systems provide for the selection, assembly, deployment, exploitation of data collected, redeployment, retrieval and stowage of a remotely operated lighter than air (LTA) network of vehicles. From modular components stowed with a mobile platform, one or more LTA vehicles can be assembled, deployed and retrieved. Determining the desirable number of LTA vehicles and the modular components to be assembled for each vehicle can be performed through a computer recommending modular components based on mission parameters. A remote controller device can be used for pre-deployment setup, in-flight mission management and analysis of data gathered by a plurality of possible sensing devise operably attached to the one or more LTA vehicles.
US08645004B2
Method for automatically docking a passenger bridge (1, 2) to an airplane (5) door (3, 4) at an airport gate, wherein the airplane is brought to and stopped in a predetermined position by contact less measurement of the distance between the airplane and a fixed point and wherein a control computer (14) is adopted to control the movement of the passenger bridge and wherein a start signal (24) is required from a person after the person has established the correct type of airplane and version of the airplane type to enable the control computer to cause the passenger bridge to be moved for docking.
US08644999B2
A method and system is disclosed that includes a controller that determines a sleep schedule for reduced function devices on a home network. The devices have various sleep schedules in which to operate in an active state or a reduced function state. The controller determines the different schedules by sending communication messages to each device via a communication module. A timer is used to determine a sleep schedule for reduced function devices (RFDs) on the network. The sleep schedule is used to monitor when the devices are communicating on the network and are no longer able to communicate with the controller.
US08644998B2
A pre-programmed energy saving ballast or driver is presented, having a pre-defined energy profile to which the output power is controlled in accordance with the current time ascertained from the input power connection via simplex clock information or from received broadcast time signals, and which allows a user to select from a number of pre-programmed profiles and/or to modify and store user-defined energy profiles.
US08644990B2
An apparatus for providing robot interaction services using an interactive behavior model for interaction between a user and a robot includes: a control module having a behavior model engine for receiving an observation signal from the outside and determining and outputting an interactive behavior signal based on previously stored behavior and policy models; a robot application module for executing a robot application service and applying the behavior signal to provide the service; a robot function operating module having sensors for observing an external circumstance and a function operating means for performing behavior or function of the robot; and a middleware module for extracting external circumstance observation information and service history information and inputting the information to the control module as the observation signal, and for analyzing the behavior signal to generate and provide motion and function operating signals to the robot function operating module.
US08644988B2
Control systems and methods for a remote joint use position measurements to determine and control the force that an actuator applies to the joint through a linkage. The use of force and feedback allows control of a medical instrument having a linkage that provides non-negligible compliance between the joint and a proximal actuator and particularly allows precise instrument operation even when the position of the distal joint cannot be directly related to the proximal motor position.
US08644983B1
An order fulfillment system is provided. The system comprises logistics substations comprising an entry and exit points. The system also comprises conveyors that adaptively couple the logistics substations in a serialized order fulfillment logistics workflow to convey an order from a selected one of the entry points of one of the logistics substations to a selected plurality of logistics substations where order fulfillment procedures are performed on the order and to a selected one of the exit points of one of the logistics substations. The system also comprises a computer system that receives batches of orders, that analyzes a trend of orders, that analyzes a current inventory, that analyzes a current topology of the serialized fulfillment logistics workflow, and that changes the topology of the serialized fulfillment logistics workflow by commanding the plurality of conveyors to change their coupling of the logistics substations, based on the analysis.
US08644982B2
A unit dose package is provided that facilitates the automated picking of the package. The unit dose package includes a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications separated by perforations. The unit dose package also defines a hole that may be located along at least one perforation, such as at an intersection of at least two perforations, to permit the package to be stored by being suspended by a rod. A robotic dispensing system and method are also provided that facilitate the selective dispensation of unit dose packages having different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medications. The system includes first and second storage locations for storing first and second unit dose packages which have different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medication(s). The system also includes a controller to direct picking of the first or second unit dose packages dependant upon a requested number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s).
US08644969B2
A method for provisioning content to users, including for each of a plurality of items of media content, maintaining information about one or more owners of the item of media content, and maintaining information about one or more providers of the item of media content, for each of a plurality of users, maintaining information about items of media content acquired by the user and about player devices owned by the user, for each of a plurality of time periods, maintaining a history log of items of media content played by one or more of the plurality of users during the time period, receiving a request from a user to play a designated item of media content on a designated player device, during a current time period, identifying an appropriate provider of the designated item of media content, according to a location of the user and according to the designated player device, causing the identified provider of the designated item of media content to transmit the designated item of media content to the user's designated player device, updating the history log for the current time period to reflect the user having played the designated item of media content, and calculating revenue disbursement among the owners of the plurality of items of media content, and the providers of the plurality of media content, for the current time period, based on the history log of the current time period. A system is also described and claimed.
US08644963B2
Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.
US08644962B2
The present application provides an adaptive control system for controlling a plant in particular a DC-DC power converter. The control system has two controllers of differing characteristics. The output of the individual controllers H0 and H1 are combined together to provide a combined control signal H to the plant, where H=αH1+(1−α)H0 and where the adaptive control system is tuned by adjusting the value of α between 0 and 1 to find an optimum control position.
US08644961B2
A method and apparatus for estimating and/or controlling mercury emissions in a steam generating unit. A model of the steam generating unit is used to predict mercury emissions. In one embodiment of the invention, the model is a neural network (NN) model. An optimizer may be used in connection with the model to determine optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables associated with operation of the steam generating unit.
US08644957B2
A device according to some embodiments may include an implantable flexible carrier and a pair of electrodes located on the carrier. The electrodes may be spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and may be configured to cause, when supplied with an electrical signal, a unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate at least one nerve.
US08644955B2
The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body.
US08644954B2
Methods and systems of facilitating stimulation of a stimulation site within a patient include implanting a distal portion of a stimulating member such that the distal portion of the stimulating member is in communication with a stimulation site located within a patient, securing the distal portion of the stimulating member at a first securing site with a first securing device, forming at least two curves of opposite concavity with a proximal portion of the stimulating member, securing the stimulating member at a second securing site with a second securing device, and coupling a proximal end of the stimulating member to a stimulator. In some examples, the at least two curves of opposite concavity are located in between the first and second securing devices.
US08644948B2
A device includes a housing, a radio-frequency (RF) antenna, a ground plane, an inductive telemetry antenna, and a processing module. The RF antenna is associated with the housing. The ground plane of the RF antenna is within the housing. The inductive telemetry antenna is within the housing and is disposed over a portion of the ground plane. The processing module is within the housing and is configured to communicate with a medical device using at least one of the RF antenna and the inductive telemetry antenna.
US08644946B2
One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method that includes storing a volume of tissue activation (VTA) data structure that is derived from analysis of a plurality of patients. Patient data is received for a given patient, the patient data representing an assessment of a patient condition. The VTA data structure is evaluated relative to the patient data to determine a target VTA for achieving a desired therapeutic effect for the given patient.
US08644944B2
An implantable stimulation device is disclosed which provides for reduced power consumption when compared with bipolar stimulation and better stimulation performance when compared with monopolar stimulation. Implantable stimulator devices use less power in monopolar stimulation mode than that of bipolar stimulation but stimulation performance is greater when using bipolar stimulation. The device comprises circuitry capable of simultaneous stimulation between a reference electrode and an electrode of a stimulation array and between electrodes of the stimulation array, the ratio of current to the reference electrode and array electrodes being selectable.
US08644939B2
A method and device for treating sleep apnea and sleep hypopnea by monitoring respiratory-related activity from the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, interpreting these internal signals to detect and classify apnea events, and stimulating nerves or muscles to elicit appropriate corrective responses to adverse respiratory events.
US08644927B2
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for the detection and treatment of atrial arrhythmia comprising an electrical lead having proximal and distal portions. The distal portion is positionable in an atrial chamber and the end of the proximal portion is configured to be coupled to a pacemaker. The lead comprises a plurality of conductive wires clad with an insulative coating and has sufficient flexibility to be positioned in the atria from a percutaneous introductory site. The conductive wires are coupled to a plurality of pairs of bipolar electrodes positioned on a membrane attachable to an endocardial wall. The electrode pairs are distributed in a pattern defining an area for detecting a location of a foci of aberrant electrical activity located within or adjacent the area and sending a pacing signal to that location to prevent or stop an occurrence of atrial fibrillation caused by that foci.
US08644920B2
The disclosure relates to a device and a method for detecting electromagnetic fields, in particular fields occurring in imaging magnetic resonance tomography.
US08644917B2
A method and system for determining the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmia in a patient is disclosed. The method basically entails measuring the impedance of cardiac tissue in a portion of the patient's heart using a catheter during an episode of supraventricular tachycardia to produce an iso-impedance map of that cardiac tissue on a video display and analyzing the pattern of the iso-impedance map to differentiate focal arrhythmia caused by a circumscribed region of focal firing and reentrant arrhythmia caused by a macroreentrant circuit. The method can also be used to identify regions of coherent rapidly conducting tissue e.g., Bachman's bundle or the inferoposterior pathway insertion points, to identify focal “mother rotors” throughout the left atrium that may participate in the generation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation and to identify areas of CAFE (complex atrial/fractionated electrograms) that truly reflect these mother rotors.
US08644916B2
This document discusses, among other things, a system comprising a sensor signal processor configured to receive a plurality of electrical sensor signals produced by a plurality of sensors and at least one sensor signal produced by an implantable sensor, a memory that includes information indicating a co-morbidity of a subject, a sensor signal selection circuit that selects a sensor signal to monitor from among the plurality of sensor signals, according to an indicated co-morbidity, a threshold adjustment circuit that adjusts a detection threshold of the selected sensor signal according to the indicated co-morbidity, and a decision circuit that applies the adjusted detection threshold to the selected sensor signal to determine whether an event associated with worsening heart failure (HF) occurred in the subject and outputs an indication of whether the event associated with worsening HF occurred to a user or process.
US08644913B2
The present invention relates to: (1) guidewire support/placement catheters; (2) support/placement catheters with imaging; (3) atherectomy catheters, (4) atherectomy catheters with imaging, (5) occlusion crossing catheters, and (6) occlusion crossing catheters with imaging as well as methods for using them to treat disorders (and particularly peripheral artery disease) and systems including them.
US08644903B1
Improved electrode assemblies for recording and stimulation. Cortical and depth electrode structures are provided as well as inline interconnection systems. Methods of manufacture are further taught to provide enhanced surfaces for cortical electrodes. The inline interconnection systems include connector assembly embodiments for electrode leads which have structure providing ease of EEG recording as well as stimulation.
US08644898B1
A device includes a circuitry layer having one or more circuitry regions and a superconducting layer having a plurality of naturally-occurring defects. Potential wells are formed in the superconducting layer and located outside of the bounds of the circuitry regions. A pattern of engineered defects is formed in the superconducting layer and are configured such that, upon encountering a pulse of electromagnetic energy applied at a high potential region of the superconducting layer prior to energizing any circuits within the circuitry layer and when the superconducting layer is in a superconducting state, magnetic flux trapped within the naturally-occurring defects is directed to one or more of the potential wells.
US08644897B2
Provided is a superconducting apparatus, including a joint of superconducting wires having high electric conduction characteristics and a superconducting magnet or the like. The superconducting joint comprises a plurality of superconducting wires and a sinter which integrates the plurality of superconducting wires. Herein, at least any one of the superconducting wires is a MgB2 superconducting wire, the sinter contains MgB2, and the sinter is compressed form the direction different from the direction toward which the superconducting wires protrude. Further, in order to form such a joint, a compression vessel provided with an opening used for introducing raw material powders to construct the sinter and another opening used for inserting the superconducting wires is utilized, and the openings are directed to different directions each other. Accordingly, MgB2 is filled in the sinter at high density, allowing the joint structure to have a good bonding property among particles.
US08644870B2
A method in a communication node of a wireless communications system that provides at least two communication links each having at least two frequency channels. The communication node is configured to communicate with a receiving communication node over a link under influence of interference from surrounding transmitter(s) using said frequency channels. The method includes determining a target for said link for the sum of the data rates and allocating power on the frequency channels to reach said target while minimizing the sum of the power on said link.
US08644869B2
A method and apparatus for communication using multiple carriers is provided. A mobile station receives information regarding at least one assigned carrier selected from the available carriers based on the multiple carrier capability from a base station. The mobile station activates or inactivates the at least one assigned carrier by receiving a message comprising information indicating activation or inactivation of the at least one assigned carrier from the base station. Signaling overhead for managing multiple carriers may be reduced.
US08644867B2
To provide a mobile station apparatus and a communication system that realize an efficient transmission control for a base station apparatus to allocate resources of the PUSCH with appropriate AMC mode in accordance with the channel feedback report and the scheduling request from the mobile station apparatus, and also enable rapid transmission of the uplink data (enable rapid transmission of the UL-SCH) when the mobile station apparatus transmits only the channel feedback report. A mobile station apparatus 200 applied to a system in which a base station apparatus 100 allocates the physical uplink shared channel and the mobile station apparatus 200 transmits uplink data using the physical uplink shared channel, transmits to the base station apparatus 100 the scheduling request requesting the base station apparatus 100 to allocate resources for transmitting the uplink data, using the physical uplink shared channel.
US08644853B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hierarchal base station almanac received at a mobile station.
US08644844B2
Methods and systems for indoor mobile unit positioning, for seamlessly toggling a mobile unit positioning between outdoor positioning and indoor positioning and for providing location based services or application generated by an external location server to the mobile unit while the mobile unit is indoors. The indoor mobile unit positioning includes mobile unit-based positioning which makes use of reception of access point signals by the mobile unit.
US08644843B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products obtain power information indicating a detected power of respective signals received in a mobile device from multiple transmitters. Using at least the obtained power information, respective probability values for a plurality of positions are determined, each probability value indicating a probability that the mobile device is in a corresponding position. An estimated position of the mobile device is identified based at least in part on the determined probability values.
US08644841B1
A method and system is disclosed for dynamically adjusting a signal-to-noise (SNR) bias based on relative load between a macro type base station and a micro type base station of a wireless communication system. The SNR bias corresponds to a threshold differential SNR between SNRs of the macro base station and of the micro base station, wherein the SNR bias is configured to be provided to an access terminal (or user equipment) to cause the access terminal (i) to be biased to seek service from the micro base station if the access terminal detects an SNR from the micro base station that is less than the threshold differential SNR below an SNR that the access terminal detects from the macro base station, and (ii) to be biased to seek service from the macro base station otherwise. Once the SNR bias is determined based on the relative load, it is communicated to one or more access terminals.
US08644839B2
In a wireless mobile communications system, a method for controlling a radio resource allocation is provided. A network transmits access control information to a terminal such that a request for the radio resource allocation which will be transmitted from the terminal can be controlled. The terminal selectively transmits the request for the radio resource allocation based on the received information, thus a transmission of an unnecessary request for the radio resource can be minimized, thereby preventing a waste of the radio resource.
US08644833B1
A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). A mobility server facilitates call handoffs for the multi-mode mobile station, from the WLAN to the WWAN and vice versa. The mobility server maintains an activity log for the multi-mode mobile station. When the multi-mode mobile station becomes involved in a call, the mobility server stores call information regarding the call in the activity log. During the call, the multi-mode mobile station transmits a handoff request. In response to the handoff request, the mobility server controls establishment of a bearer path for call handoff between the WLAN and the WWAN, based on the call information contained in the activity log.
US08644825B2
A method is provided for definitive customization or customization for a predetermined duration related to a subscription of a radio communication terminal possessing an operating mode requiring the association with the terminal of a customization data set specific to a radio communication network, so as to allow the terminal to be linked with the radio communication network. The method includes the following steps: obtaining carrier information pertaining to carriers received by the terminal; and selecting a customization data set for the terminal, from a plurality of customization data sets, as a function of a selection criterion applied to the carrier information obtained.
US08644820B2
A service list acquisition apparatus is provided for acquiring, from at least one service list provision apparatus located in a wireless network coverage area, a service list related to a wireless network which can embody a portion where a service list is exchanged with the service list provision apparatus in a layer lower than an Internet protocol (IP) layer, thereby acquiring the service list without an additional IP address allocation procedure.
US08644813B1
A customer initiated mobile service diagnostics system is provided. The system comprises a database containing diagnostic data, a computer system, and an application, that when executed on the computer system, receives a message from a portable electronic device enrolling for diagnostic services. The system also sends a message to activate diagnostics software on the portable electronic device and receives notification of at least one service problem experienced by the portable electronic device. The system also analyzes data stored by at least one of the portable electronic device and the database to identify the root cause of the at least one service problem. The system also sends information to the portable electronic device providing resolution of the root cause of the at least one service problem.
US08644806B2
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or a portion thereof, or an e-mail address are employed as auxiliary indicators of dialing of a voice call from a mobile phone to an URL- or specific e-mail address-associated part, with the part originating the call not identifying the telephone number of the other part An automated conversion is performed from an URL, or a portion thereof, or e-mail address, for an intended telephone number, or multiple intended telephones, in response to requirements started at the telephone system by the caller A part with presence in the Internet achieves a better availability with the public by means of voice telephone calls, since the URL's and e-mail addresses are convenient, known by, and significant to the clients.
US08644795B2
Disclosed are a system and method for managing access to a mobile telecommunication account by disabling use of a mobile device associated with a mobile telecommunication account or sub account when the mobile network detects that a restriction contained in a restriction database is violated.
US08644790B2
Antenna amplifiers and automobile top antenna devices are provided. The antenna amplifier includes an AM frequency selection circuit, an AM signal amplification circuit, an FM frequency selection circuit, an FM signal amplification circuit, and a power circuit. The antenna amplifier is further provided with a trap circuit that has an end connected to the ground terminal of the antenna amplifier, and another end connected to a metal mounting base for an antenna on the automobile top. The antenna device includes a shark-fin antenna case, a metal mounting base, an antenna support and a radio receiving antenna. The antenna case is mounted on the metal mounting base to form an internal accommodation space in which the antenna support, the radio receiving antenna and a circuit board with an antenna amplifier are provided.
US08644788B2
A signal receiver used in a satellite communication system is provided. The signal receiver comprises a first type code generator, a second type code generator, a composite code generator, a correlation module and a determining module. The first type code generator generates a first type code corresponding to a first type signal. The second type code generator generates a second type code corresponding to a second type signal and having a code length N-time longer than that of the first type code. The composite code generator generates a composite code by superimposing N successive first type codes on the second type code. The correlation module correlates the composite code with a cell of a received signal to generate correlation results. The determining module determines a type of the received signal according to correlation results of the composite code with the received signal.
US08644786B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed to effectively frequency translate a filter characterized as a low quality factor (Q) filter, corresponding to a baseband frequency of approximately zero Hertz or to an intermediate frequency (IF), to a filter characterized as a high Q filter at frequencies greater than the baseband frequency or the IF. A downconversion mixer frequency translates a communication signal to the baseband frequency or the IF using a first local oscillator signal to provide a downconverted communication signal. A filter corresponding to the baseband frequency or the IF filters the downconverted communication signal to provide a filtered communication signal. An upconversion mixer frequency translates a communication signal using a second local oscillator signal. The frequency translation by the upconversion mixer, in effect, translates the filter characterization from the low Q filter to the high Q filter at frequencies greater than the baseband frequency or the IF.
US08644778B2
A method is disclosed including, using a measurement antenna in a wireless device, determining whether a user is proximate the wireless device at least by transmitting a signal using the measurement antenna; in response to a determination the user is not proximate the wireless device, transmitting the signal using a main antenna at a normal transmit power; and in response to a determination the user is proximate the wireless device, transmitting the signal using the main antenna at a limited transmit power. Another method includes in response to a determination a user is not proximate a wireless device, transmitting a signal using a first set of main antennas; and in response to a determination the user is proximate the wireless device, transmitting the signal using the second set of main antennas. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed.
US08644776B1
A power detection system is disclosed that determines a power level of a transmission signal. The power detection system includes an adjustable comparator circuit, an algorithmic state machine, and an output node. The adjustable comparator circuit receives the transmission signal and provides an adjusted transmission signal, and further compares the adjusted transmission signal to a reference signal. The algorithmic state machine iteratively adjusts the adjustable comparator circuit until the adjusted transmission signal is substantially close to the reference signal. The output node is coupled to the algorithmic state machine and provides an output signal that is responsive to the power level of the transmission signal and to the reference signal.
US08644773B2
A multiband low noise amplifier (LNA) with parallel resonant feedback includes an amplifier element configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at an RF input and provide an amplified version of the RF signal at an RF output, a resistive feedback circuit coupled between the RF input and the RF output, and a plurality of series-coupled resonant circuits coupled in series with the resistive feedback circuit between the RF input and the RF output of the amplifier element, wherein each of the resonant circuits is configured to operate as an effective short circuit at a frequency other than a resonant frequency and configured to operate as an effective open circuit at the resonant frequency to decouple the resistive feedback from the amplifier element at each resonant frequency.
US08644772B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include coordinating a session transfer timeout period between first and second multi-band wireless communication devices capable of communicating over at least first and second wireless communication frequency bands, wherein the session transfer timeout period corresponds to at least one communication session between the first and second wireless communication devices; and if the first wireless communication unit cannot communicate with the second wireless communication device over the first wireless communication frequency band for a time period of at least the session transfer timeout period, transferring the at least one communication session from the first wireless communication frequency band to the second wireless communication frequency band. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08644767B1
A system and methods for wraparound signal monitoring are presented. An initial signal is transmitted through a signal path to provide a transmitted signal, and the transmitted signal is transmitted through an inverse signal path to provide an inverse signal. The inverse signal path comprises an inverse of the signal path. The transmitted signal is filtered to provide a filtered signal, and the filtered signal is transmitted through the inverse signal path to provide an inverse filtered signal. The inverse signal, the inverse filtered signal, and the initial signal are compared to provide a signal status.
US08644764B2
The present disclosure provides for an improved application of signal strength weightings in an SDMA sectored cellular network. The improved signal strength weightings application is conducted through the improved selection of weightings from a new codebook subset or by the selection of weightings from a larger codebook subset. In a further embodiment, an antenna beam index or bit map can be used to select the best beam(s) in an SDMA sectored cellular network. In another embodiment, a field or factor in an uplink or downlink transmission packet can designate which directional transmission beam is best suited for the transmission or when the directional transmission beam should be activated.
US08644762B1
A specific user is tracked based on the cell site or service area that the user's device connects to. RANAP, GMM, and SM sessions are associated based on P-TMSI, IMSI, or IMEI. The sessions are maintained based on packets transmitted over the IuPS interface between one or more radio network controllers and a serving GPRS support node. Tracking information associated with information includes usage information such as responsiveness errors, device usage and location. Tracking of a user down to the cell site or service area level assists a mobile service provider in troubleshooting connection issues by providing more complete information and enabling recreation of a user's situation.
US08644758B2
The present invention provides a repeater system, comprising: first transceiver circuitry, for establishing communications with a base station of a cellular communications system; second transceiver circuitry, for establishing communications with a wireless device; and a single antenna system, comprising a plurality of antenna elements. Signals to and from the first transceiver circuitry and the second transceiver circuitry can each be received and transmitted through the single antenna system. The single antenna system includes beam definition circuitry, in which amplitudes of signals between the first transceiver circuitry and each antenna element, and between the second transceiver circuitry and each antenna element, can be adjusted independently, such that different beam patterns can be provided for the first transceiver circuitry and the second transceiver circuitry.
US08644747B2
A heating device including a heating member that heats a recording medium; a pressure unit that applies pressure to the heating member; and a rotation member that is mounted to the heating member. The rotation member is rotated upon receiving an external force and the heating member is rotated along with a rotation of the rotation member by a frictional force between the heating member and the rotation member.
US08644744B2
A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium; a pressure member that forms a fixing pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member by making pressure contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, the fixing pressure portion being passed through by the recording medium holding an unfixed toner image; a heat supplier that supplies heat to the fixing member; and a thermal diffusion member that diffuses heat on a surface of the fixing member by contact with the fixing member.
US08644730B2
A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge, which holds a developing roller at a first end portion thereof, and which is detachably mounted to the drum cartridge; a lock member, which is provided to the drum cartridge, and which is displaceable between a lock position and a lock release position; an operation member that displaces the lock member to the lock release position; a lifting member that lifts a second end portion of the developing cartridge from the drum cartridge as the lock member is displaced to the lock release position; a developing-side holding part that extends in a direction orthogonal to the lifting direction of the second end portion from the drum cartridge; and a drum-side holding part that extends in parallel with the developing-side holding part while being opposed to the developing-side holding part in the lifting direction when the developing cartridge is mounted.
US08644722B2
A fixing device is provided with a fixing unit for fixing a toner image; a magnetic flux generator including a switching element for generating a magnetic flux; and a control unit for performing a start-up mode for raising the temperature of the fixing unit to a fixing temperature by the magnetic flux and a steady mode for maintaining the temperature of the fixing unit at the fixing temperature. The control unit turns off the switching element when the temperature of the switching element is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature lower than a destruction temperature during a period of the start-up mode, and turns off the switching element when the temperature of the switching element is equal to or higher than a second reference temperature lower than the destruction temperature and higher than the first reference temperature during a period of the steady mode.
US08644719B2
A cleaning device includes a cleaning roller which contacts an intermediate transfer belt for carrying an image developed using a liquid developer, a cleaning roller which contacts the other cleaning roller and has a greater axial length than the other cleaning roller, and a rubber blade which contacts the cleaning roller and has a greater axial length than the cleaning roller.
US08644718B2
A controller unit determines the operation mode of a device when an error relating to a color cartridge has been detected. When the controller unit determines that the operation mode of the device is a toner replacement priority mode, the controller unit determines whether or not the number of times a monochrome printing job has been executed is equal to or greater than a threshold value without resolving the error. When the number of times a monochrome printing job has been executed is equal to or greater than a threshold value without resolving the error, the controller unit switches the operation mode of the device to a monochrome performance priority mode.
US08644715B2
A method and a device for monitoring and controlling a phase difference based on DQPSK modulation are provided, and the method includes: performing the nth power multiplication operation respectively on a first differential current signal and a second differential current signal output after DQPSK demodulation to correspondingly obtain a first monitor signal and a second monitor signal, where, n is a positive integral multiple of 4; monitoring phase differences between respectively two arms of a first demodulator according to the first monitor signal and two arms of a second demodulator according to the second monitor signal; adjusting the phase differences between respectively two arms of the first demodulator and two arms of the second demodulator using the monitor result, so that the differences can meet demodulation requirements and a receiver can obtain transmitted information.
US08644713B2
An optical receiver, transmitter, transceiver or transponder for bursty, framed or continuous data. The optical receiver includes a burst mode clock recovery module that recovers the clock rapidly and with a small number of preamble or overhead bits at the front end of the data. A local clock is used for timing when the recovered clock is not available. Transitions between the recovered clock and local clock are smoothed out to avoid undesirable artifacts.
US08644696B2
The present invention discloses an image capturing device and an automatic backlash correction method, comprising: a group of zoom lenses, a storage module and a processing module. The processing module drives the group of zoom lenses moving to a datum point to get the moving step value. The current backlash value is then calculated according to the moving step value and the predetermined step value. Then, the difference value between the current backlash value and the predetermined step value are stored in the storage module. The processing module determines whether the difference value is within an allowable error range. When the difference value is within the allowable error range, the processing module writes the current backlash value into the storage module to replace the backlash compensation value. Therefore, the backlash compensation value of the image capturing device can be corrected automatically to enhance image quality.
US08644692B2
A method for heating medical fluid with different supply voltages comprising: configuring first, second and third switches in electrical communication with first and second power lines, the switches configured such that (i) in a first switch state first and second heater elements are placed in series, solely via a closing of the first switch, for operation with a first supply voltage applied to the first and second power lines, and (ii) in a second switch state the first and second heater elements are placed in parallel, via the second and third switches, for operation with a second supply voltage applied to the first and second power lines, and configuring a control element to automatically set the switches in the first or the second switch state based upon a signal sent to the control element indicative of the first or the second supply voltage.
US08644691B1
A method includes initiating, through an interface of a multimedia application executing on a data processing device, seeking of a desired frame of a video sequence rendered thereon. The desired frame corresponds to a desired point in time. The method also includes causing, through a set of instructions associated with a processor of the data processing device and/or an operating system executing thereon, the processor to decode frames of the video sequence from a closest frame in a temporal past relative to the desired frame following the initiation. Further, the method includes rendering, through the processor and on the interface, frames of the video sequence after a predeterminable threshold time period at a lower frame rate than a frame rate of the video sequence otherwise at least until the desired frame is decoded and rendered when the desired frame is not decoded within the predeterminable threshold time period.
US08644690B2
A method and system for storing a video on a storage device are provided. The method includes formatting each image in a plurality of images into a plurality of tiles, the plurality of images being captured as a temporal sequence of images at successive points in time. The method further includes selecting a tile from each image in the temporal sequence of images to obtain a temporal sequence of tiles to generate a video segment; selecting another tile from each image in the temporal sequence of images to obtain another temporal sequence of tiles to generate another video segment; and repeating the selecting a tile from each image in the temporal sequence of images to obtain a plurality of temporal sequences of tiles to generate a plurality of video segments. The obtained plurality of video segments are stored in a file on the storage device.
US08644683B2
A moving image processing apparatus gives an ID to a video segment obtained by dividing moving image data, and stores information for associating a section of each video segment with the ID as video segment section information. Here, meta-data corresponding to each video segment is managed by associating the meta-data with the ID given to each video segment. In editing operations, editing in units of a video segment is performed, and an arrangement of video segment IDs is manipulated. Therefore, even if the editing is performed, there arises no inconsistency in referring to meta-data information so that it is equivalent to having the meta-data updated in synchronization with the moving image editing. Thus, it is possible to have virtual editing of the moving image automatically followed by an update of the meta-data and also alleviate a burden of reediting the meta-data of an editor.
US08644676B2
A data processing apparatus is provided. The data processing apparatus includes a plurality of ports, a memory, a determining unit, and a processing unit. The plurality of ports are configured to input and output video data. The memory is configured to store the video data when the video data is recorded onto a recording medium and when the video data is played back from a recording medium. The determining unit is configured to determine whether video data, for which a video data playback request designating one of the plurality of ports has been issued, is stored in the memory, using data identification information for identifying video data and usage management information. The processing unit is configured to have the video data stored in the memory outputted from the designated port, when the determining unit determines that the video data is stored.
US08644671B2
A display apparatus includes: a display unit; a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) through which an external device can be connected; a user input unit; a user interface (UI) generator; and a controller which outputs a command signal for generating a UI for external device through the HDMI if a control signal for generating the UI for external device is input to the user input unit, and controls the UI generator to display the UI for the external device on the display unit based on UI data input from the external device.
US08644670B2
A contents reproduction apparatus is provided that can resume reproduction according to the viewer. A CPU of a television executes the steps of: sending to a camera a command to pick up an image in response to input of an instruction to display a contents list; sending to an analysis unit a command to analyze image data of the person who inputs the instruction to display; specifying the person who inputs; sending data for displaying the list; detecting input of an instruction to select contents; calculating a backward amount in the case where the input instruction is an instruction to reproduce the same contents; and sending a command to reproduce the contents from a position preceding by the backward amount.
US08644659B2
A method for predicting polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in an installed optical fiber. Values of PMD are measured for a first optical fiber at various points in time during the manufacture and installation of the first optical fiber. Values of PMD are identified that correspond to sensitive ones of the various points in time. A set of correlation coefficients is calculated based on the values of PMD corresponding to the sensitive ones of the various points in time. An installed value of PMD for a second optical fiber is predicted based on the set of correlation coefficients.
US08644658B2
A light transmission system includes a light guide support, a first convex lens, an optical waveguide member, and two second convex lenses. The light guide support includes a first surface, a second surface, a hollow space formed between the first surface and the second surface, and an inner reflecting surface forming an angle of 45 degrees relative to the first surface. The first convex lens is formed at the first surface, and configured for converging light to the inner reflecting surface. The optical waveguide member is located at the hollow space, and includes a main section parallel with the first surface, two first branch sections extending from and forming equal angles relative to the main section, and two second branch sections extending from the respective first branch sections. The two second convex lenses are formed at the second surface and aligned with the respective second branch sections.
US08644656B2
A via hole is formed in a first cladding layer laminated on a wiring board. A conductive material is filled in the via hole so as to form a first conductor portion (a portion of a conductive via) having a mushroom-like shape projecting from a surface of the first cladding layer. Then, a second cladding layer is formed to cover the first conductor portion, the first cladding layer and a core layer, and a via hole is formed in the second cladding layer. A conductive material is filled in the via hole so as to form a second conductor portion (a remaining portion of the conductive via) connected to the first conductor portion.
US08644649B2
A silicon optical waveguide for transmitting an optical signal input to the optical waveguide with a first frequency. The optical waveguide includes a plurality of modulator circuits configured along a silicon optical transmission channel. Each modulator circuit includes at least one resonant structure that resonates at the first frequency when the modulator circuit that includes the at least one resonant structure is at a resonant temperature. Each modulator circuit has a different resonant temperature.
US08644648B2
Electro-optic (EO) modulator and related device structures which can be used in conjunction with high EO materials to lower switching voltage and improve related performance parameters.
US08644644B2
Methods and apparatus for blending regions from multiple images to produce a blended image. An image blending module may obtain multiple digital images of a scene. A base image and a source image are selected, and a stroke is applied to the source image to indicate a desired region which is to be blended with the base image. A region in the source image is identified from the stroke using a segmentation technique such as a graph cut algorithm, and the identified region is blended with the corresponding region of the base image, for example using alpha blending. Additional strokes may be applied to the source image to select other regions to be blended with the base image. A different image may be selected as a source image, and a region from the different image may be selected for blending with the base image.
US08644639B2
A block noise reduction system and method which may determine a feature value of a local texture at each location of input pixel, may selectively determine 1D filtering mode or 2D filtering mode as a filtering mode based on the determined feature value, and may perform filtering to preserve an edge according to the determined filtering mode.
US08644636B2
A method and apparatus for removing an image blocking artifact by using a transformation coefficient are provided. The method includes: detecting a first blocking artifact which is in a flat region of the input image; removing the first blocking artifact using a number of low frequency coefficients from among transformation coefficients for each transformation block of a plurality of transformation blocks of the input image, based on a result of detecting the first blocking artifact; detecting an edge region of the input image; and removing a second blocking artifact, which is in an edge region of an intermediate image obtained from the removing of the first blocking artifact of the input image, based on the detected edge region in the input image.
US08644635B2
An image processing method and an image processing apparatus, the method including: generating a blurry image by using a maximum telephoto image among N (where N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) live view images; generating an alpha map by using two or more images of the N live view images; and generating a soft focus image by combining the maximum telephoto image and the blurry image by using the alpha map.
US08644626B2
The present invention relates to a method for storing an image sequence and a method for compressing, storing an image sequence. The method for storing an image sequence comprises the following steps: within the image sequence, forming a pixel-bit sequence according to known positions and order of each pixel in each of image frames formed by pixels; within the image sequence, setting a pixel value of a first pixel-bit position of a preceding image frame as a “preceding pixel value”, while setting the pixel value of the same pixel-bit position of the succeeding image frame adjacent to the said preceding image frame as a “succeeding pixel value”, comparing the said “preceding pixel value” with the said “succeeding pixel value”; creating a recording program to record a number of times of consecutively repeated presence of the “preceding pixel value” in the pixel-bit position. The present invention can decrease the data storage amount of the image when the image is processed and stored by statistically recording the repeated data content.
US08644625B2
When scores of classifiers for discriminating an image to be discriminated are sequentially obtained in a predetermined order, positions of saturated pixels in the image to be discriminated are detected. For each classifier which outputs the score based on pixel values at the detected position, the score is obtained by obtaining a value determined based on a difference between a discontinuing threshold set in advance correspondingly to the identified classifier and a discontinuing threshold set in advance correspondingly to a classifier immediately before the identified classifier. For each of the other classifiers, the score is obtained by obtaining an output obtained by applying the classifier to the image to be discriminated. A sum of the scores obtained so far is compared with the discontinuing threshold. If the sum exceeds the discontinuing threshold, the score of the next classifier is obtained.
US08644623B2
Various embodiments provide approaches for measuring the rendering times of a webpage that can be browser-independent. In at least some embodiments, as a web page is rendered, video data of the webpage is captured and analyzed to ascertain when the webpage, or portions thereof, have likely been completely rendered. In at least some embodiments, image processing can be performed on captured video data to ascertain, from observed pixel changes over time, when the webpage has likely been rendered.
US08644622B2
To compute a signature for an object comprising or represented by a set of vectors in a vector space of dimensionality D, statistics are computed that are indicative of distribution of the vectors of the set of vectors amongst a set of regions Ri, i=1, . . . , N of the vector space, at least some statistics associated with each region are binarized to generate sets of binary values ai, i=1, . . . , N indicative of statistics of the vectors of the set of vectors belonging to the respective regions Ri, i=1, . . . , N; and a vector set signature is defined for the set of vectors including the sets of binary values ai, i=1, . . . , N. The computing, binarizing, and defining operations may be repeated for two sets of vectors, and a quantitative comparison of the two sets of vectors determined based on the corresponding vector set signatures.
US08644599B2
A method and apparatus for processing image data is provided. The method includes the steps of employing a main processing network for classifying one or more features of the image data, employing a monitor processing network for determining one or more confusing classifications of the image data, and spawning a specialist processing network to process image data associated with the one or more confusing classifications.
US08644591B2
An alignment method for assembling substrates without fiducial mark is provided and has steps of: pre-defining at least two partially standard character regions; capturing at least two partially actual images of a first substrate; comparing to obtain at least two partially actual character regions; building an actual coordinate system of the first substrate; comparing the actual coordinate system with a coordinate system of a second substrate to obtain three types of offset values; moving the first substrate to a correct waiting position based on the offset values; ensuring if the first substrate is disposed at the correct waiting position; and stacking the first substrate with the second substrate to finish the alignment and installation. Thus, the alignment method of the present invention can be applied to to-be-installed substrates without any fiducial mark for alignment.
US08644581B2
In accordance with the principles of the invention, methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums are provided for positioning cellular analysis data including measuring a similarity between pixel data in a target sample data and pixel data in a template data. An offset position is determined based on the measured similarity. The pixel data in the template data is shifted based on the offset position to produce shifted template data having pixel data at shifted locations which match the corresponding pixel data in the target sample data.
US08644577B2
A method is disclosed for generating image data of an object under examination from X-ray projection data of the object under examination, wherein, before a reconstruction of the image data, the X-ray projection data are subjected to scattered radiation correction on the basis of scattered radiation measured values. Here, the scattered radiation measured values are initially subjected to an extra-focal radiation correction before being used for the scattered radiation correction. A projection data processing device is also disclosed for carrying out a method of this kind and an X-ray system, in particular computed tomography system, with a projection data processing device of this kind.
US08644570B2
A patient defines a patient space in which an instrument can be tracked and navigated. An image space is defined by image data that can be registered to the patient space. A tracking device can be connected to a member in a known manner that includes imageable portions that generate image points in the image data. The tracking device can be tracked to register patient space to image space.
US08644564B1
In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes setting an IR (infrared) level to a first predetermined level. The method also includes reading an image and determining if a face is detected. If a face is not detected, the method sets the IR level to zero and waits a first predetermined amount of time. The method further includes repeating the setting the IR level to the first predetermined level and the reading an image. The method also includes determining a face is detected. The method further includes setting the IR level to a second predetermined level. The method also includes reading an image and determining if a face is recognized. The method may further include setting the IR level to zero and waiting a second predetermined amount of time. The method may also include setting the IR level to the first predetermined level, reading an image and determining if a face is detected.
US08644556B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image input configured to receive image data, a target extraction device configured to extract an object from the image data as a target object based on recognizing a first movement by the object, and a gesture recognition device configured to issue a command based on recognizing a second movement by the target object.
US08644551B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking planar shapes for augmented-reality (AR) applications. Systems for real-time recognition and camera six degrees of freedom pose-estimation from planar shapes are disclosed. Recognizable shapes can be augmented with 3D content. Recognizable shapes can be in form of a predefined library being updated online using a network. Shapes can be added to the library when the user points to a shape and asks the system to start recognizing it. The systems perform shape recognition by analyzing contour structures and generating projective invariant signatures. Image features are further extracted for pose estimation and tracking. Sample points are matched by evolving an active contour in real time.
US08644546B2
An image containing text (e.g., a surveillance camera photo that includes a vehicle license plate) is analyzed to determine the text (e.g., by an OCR technique). The recognized text is then stored in a database. The image is digitally watermarked with an identifier that associates the image with the database location where the text is stored. In addition to surveillance contexts, this technology can be employed in indexing the World Wide Web. Images used in web pages can be watermarked to link to associated text or other data. When the web page is crawled by an indexer, the watermark can be decoded and the associated data repository accessed to obtain information that can augment the web index for that page.
US08644545B2
A condenser microphone unit includes a diaphragm, a diaphragm ring, a fixed electrode, a casing unit accommodating the diaphragm ring, the diaphragm, and the fixed electrode. A condenser microphone includes the condenser microphone unit. The diaphragm ring is indirectly fixed to the interior of the unit casing through a fixing ring fixed to the unit casing. The fixing ring has a planar ring portion and a plurality of projections projecting from the internal periphery of the ring portion and provided in a circumferential direction. The plurality of projections urges the diaphragm ring toward the fixed electrode.
US08644544B2
A dynamic microphone unit includes a diaphragm vibrating in response to received sound waves; a voice coil fixed to the diaphragm; a magnetic circuit generating magnetism in a magnetic gap where the voice coil is disposed; and an acoustic resistor disposed in a space adjacent to the reverse of the diaphragm. The acoustic resistor includes a cover disposed between a felt and the diaphragm. A case having an open end and a closed end accommodates the felt and the cover. The cover has holes transmitting sound waves at the closed end and a bending portion at the open end which urges the cover and the felt.
US08644543B2
With a hearing aid device in a frame configuration, acoustic feedback is avoided with an opened battery charger. To this end, a seal surrounds the frame component in an annular manner, the seal sealing a gap between the frame component and the housing thus providing a more user friendly hearing aid.
US08644542B2
In an embodiment, a hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid may include a set of battery charging terminals configured to be connected to a battery. A receiver oscillator circuit is electrically coupled to the set of battery charging terminals, the receiver oscillator circuit includes a receiver coil. The receiver coil may be tuned to resonate at a resonance frequency in a range of MHz and at the resonance frequency. The receiver coil may be configured to receive magnetic energy in the form of electromagnetic waves of a frequency similar to the resonance frequency of the receiver coil and to convert the magnetic energy of the received electromagnetic waves to an electrical current to charge the battery via the set of battery charging terminals.
US08644541B2
A hearing apparatus and in particular a hearing aid are to be optimized as regards the risk of feedback. The hearing apparatus contains a housing, having a first opening and a second opening, and with a frame, in or on which a signal processing component is attached, and which can be inserted into the first opening of the housing as far as an end position. A ramp is disposed in the housing which interacts with the frame such that the frame is also moved perpendicular to the direction of insertion toward the second opening during insertion into the housing along a direction of insertion only in one section as far as the end position, which is less than 30% of the insertion path from the first opening to the end position.
US08644536B2
A method of operating a hearing prosthesis. The hearing prosthesis includes memory and a clock and is configured to deliver stimuli to a user. The method includes determining the stimuli, with the hearing prosthesis, in response to a sound signal and at least in part by using one or more adjustable parameters stored in the memory. The method further includes receiving, from the user, a request to adjust at least one of the parameters, and determining whether to make the requested adjustment by reference to an amount of time, as determined by said clock, or a function based around an amount of time since a predefined event.
US08644533B2
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus, including: a microphone to convert sound into a signal; and an electrically adjustable shutter including conductive polymer, the shutter in acoustic communication with the microphone and configured to provide an adjustable acoustic resistance to the microphone. Variations include conductive traces adapted to apply an electric signal to the conductive polymer. In some embodiments a diaphragm in acoustic communication with the shutter configured to detect acoustic energy is included. The present subject matter also provides methods including, but not limited to a method for operating a microphone in a hearing assistance device, including measuring acoustic energy detected by a diaphragm in acoustic communication with a shutter via a conduit, and controllably adjusting an acoustic resistance of the shutter with an electric signal to change directionality of the microphone.
US08644524B1
Methods and systems for reducing noise relating to an electronic system are disclosed. The methods and systems determine a noise signature, which characterizes a targeted noise of the electronic system. A cancellation signal is then generated based on this noise signature, so that if the cancellation signal is transmitted, the targeted noise is at least partially reduced.
US08644514B2
According to one general aspect, a method may include acquiring a message. In some embodiments, the method may also include determining if a relay station (RS) is allowed to manipulate portions of the message. In some embodiments, the method may also include, if so, generating a message authentication code (MsgAC) based upon a MsgAC key (MsgACK) known to the RS. In some embodiments, the method may also include combining the message with the MsgAC. In some embodiments, the method may also include wirelessly transmitting the combined message to the RS.
US08644509B2
The present invention is a method to ensure a secure exchange of crypted numeric data between two entities, where their decryption depends to the approval of a third entity. The solution uses a combination of Identity Based Encryption scheme, and transcription trap use.
US08644502B2
A secure data parser is provided that may be integrated into any suitable system for securely storing and communicating data. The secure data parser parses data and then splits the data into multiple portions that are stored or communicated distinctly. Encryption of the original data, the portions of data, or both may be employed for additional security. The secure data parser may be used to protect data in motion by splitting original data into portions of data, that may be communicated using multiple communications paths.
US08644496B2
An apparatus is provided for suppressing an echo signal included in a measured signal corresponding to a measured sound. In the apparatus, the measured signal and a reference signal in a time domain are transformed into a frequency domain, and calculated for obtaining each value of a ratio and a correlation between the measured signal and the reference signal in the frequency domain. With executing a comparison of the values of the ratio and the correlation, a coefficient is derived, where a product of the coefficient and the measured sound in the frequency domain gives an estimated value of the echo signal. The echo in the measured signal is suppressed with subtracting the estimation of the echo signal from the measured signal, respectively in the frequency domain.
US08644491B2
A distributed contact center is described and systems, methods, and devices for sharing state information between the various parts of the contact center are provided. Skill state information is condensed into one or several bits such that a message describing the state of multiple skills can be generated and shared with other parts of the contact center. This provides the ability to convey a large amount of state information for a particular site in a multi-site system without consuming a large amount of bandwidth or utilizing a large amount of processing capabilities.
US08644489B1
Various embodiments of the invention force a contact center agent to adhere to taking a scheduled break from handling communications for a contact center. In particular, a time corresponding to a start time for a scheduled break is detected and, upon detection, a current state is determined for the agent that indicates whether the agent is available to handle communications. In response to the state indicating the agent is available, the agent's state is automatically set without the agent's intervention to indicate the agent is unavailable to handle communications so that no communications are routed to the agent. At this point, the agent is to take his scheduled break. Accordingly, after a period of time, the agent's state is then automatically set to indicate the agent is available so that the agent's break is over and at least one communication is routed to the agent.
US08644486B2
A method and system are disclosed to proxy mobile and network originated call sessions. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method to access a phone directory using a mobile device including transmitting on a data channel of a wireless communications network a request for access to the phone directory, transmitting on the data channel one or more selective requests to search the phone directory, receiving on the data channel one or more successive portions of the phone directory according to the one or more selective requests, and transmitting on the data channel an abbreviated identifier associated with an entry of the phone directory for establishing voice communications with a terminal device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08644482B2
A method for implementing Customized Ringing Signal (CRS) services is provided. The method includes: receiving a call request initiated by a caller terminal; obtaining a policy of playing a CRS tone according to the call request, where the policy is a policy of playing a CRS tone, namely, a caller CRS tone or a callee CRS tone, or a policy of filtering the CRS tone; and playing the CRS tone to a callee according to the policy. By setting a policy of playing the CRS tone to the callee in the network or the callee terminal, the users enjoy the CRS services at their own discretion.
US08644474B2
A method and a system that allows a person to contact one or more companies with which the person has a relationship, such that the person can contact each company using a single telephone number. According to a first embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving a call from a person (member) requesting to contact a first company; accessing a member profile stored on a database, the member profile comprising information regarding the identity of the person and identities of one or more companies selected by the person; verifying the identity of the person; verifying the request to contact the first company by determining if the first company is one company stored in the member profile; and then transferring the verified request to the first company by way of a dedicated number, so as to rapidly access an agent.
