US08696886B1

A new family of crystalline microporous silicometallophosphates designated MAPSO-64 and modified forms thereof have been synthesized. These silicometallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula R+rMm2+EPxSiyOz where R is an organoammonium cation such as ETMA+ or DEDMA+, M is an alkaline earth or transition metal cation of valence 2+, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The MAPSO-64 compositions are characterized by a BPH framework topology and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, and separation properties for separating at least one component.
US08696875B2

A magnetron sputter reactor (410) and its method of use, in which SIP sputtering and ICP sputtering are promoted is disclosed. In another chamber (412) an array of auxiliary magnets positioned along sidewalls (414) of a magnetron sputter reactor on a side towards the wafer from the target is disclosed. The magnetron (436) preferably is a small one having a stronger outer pole (442) of a first polarity surrounding a weaker inner pole (440) of a second polarity all on a yoke (444) and rotates about the axis (438) of the chamber using rotation means (446, 448, 450). The auxiliary magnets (462) preferably have the first polarity to draw the unbalanced magnetic field (460) towards the wafer (424), which is on a pedestal (422) supplied with power (454). Argon (426) is supplied through a valve (428). The target (416) is supplied with power (434).
US08696869B2

Stable, coating compositions useful for enhancing the dry strength of paper are disclosed. The compositions comprise an aqueous solution of nearly neutral polymer, cationic polymer and starch. Method of using the coating composition to improve the dry strength of paper is also disclosed.
US08696868B2

Fluorescent whitening agent compositions include at least two specific disulfo-type fluorescent whitening agents for optically whitening paper or board.
US08696858B2

An apparatus and method for controlling radial runout between stacked disk portions (14, 18) and providing a cylindrical pin (20) having at least two diameters (22, 24). The pin is dimensioned and configured to permit the disk portions, which have different center hole dimensions, to be indexed such that a center hole of each disk portion is received by a separate diameter of the pin. The disk portions are maintained in spatial relationship as provided by the pin by spot curing a portion of the adhesive.
US08696855B2

A method includes moving an absorbent composite in a machine direction, severing the composite at a first cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a second cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a third cut oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the machine direction, and separating the composite along the first cut, the second cut, and the third cut into discrete absorbent articles.
US08696851B2

A mandrel suitable for forming a hollow part from a heat curable material includes an (a) an elongate central member having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material, (b) at least one lateral member disposed at a first location and projecting away from the outer surface of the central member, the lateral member being slidably attached to the central member, and (c) a rigid elongate strut member having a coefficient of expansion substantially similar to the coefficient of expansion of the cured heat curable material. The first end of the strut member is affixed to the lateral member, and the second end of the strut member is affixed spaced apart from the lateral member.
US08696843B1

A method of repairing an acoustically treated area of a composite honeycomb sandwich structure restores the acoustic performance of the structure. An impaired section of the honeycomb core is removed and replaced with a honeycomb repair plug. Cell walls of the repair plug are bonded to cell walls of the core.
US08696842B2

There is provided a method for repairing a member comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic, which method can repair a through hole easily at a low cost. When a through hole 20 is repaired, a temporary hole 11 is formed, a fabric sheet 30 comprising reinforcing fibers is rolled into a cylindrical shape and inserted into the temporary hole 11, the fabric sheet 30 is impregnated with a resin, the resin is cured, and a new through hole 20′ is formed.
US08696839B2

A label applicator system provides for high speed, accurate label transfer from a web to items moving on an item transport along a path relative to the system. The items, such as bottles, have a contoured surface. The applicator includes a supply reel for supplying labels on a web and a take-up for taking up the web after transfer of the label. A drive roller moves the web through the applicator system. The system includes a web positioning assembly and a movable label applicator head. A contour sensor senses the bottle contour and develops a profile for the head to follow to apply the labels to the bottles. The supply, take-up and the drive are operably engaged with one another to maintain a relatively constant tension in the web. The web positioning assembly is configured to advance and retract the web to accommodate a pitch difference between the bottles in the bottle transport and the labels on the web and to accommodate movement of the decorating head toward and away from the bottles in the bottle transport.
US08696836B2

The present invention provides a nonmagnetic high-hardness alloy having a Ni-based alloy composition containing; by weight %, C of 0.1% or less: Si of 2.0% or less; Mn of 2.0% or less; P of 0.03% or less; S of 0.01% or less; Cr of 30 to 45%; Al of 1.5 to 5.0%; and a balance of unavoidable impurities and Ni, the nonmagnetic high-hardness alloy being subjected to cold or warm plastic working and then ageing treatment, and a method for producing the nonmagnetic high-hardness alloy.
US08696835B2

An austenitic stainless steel for use in a hydrogen gas atmosphere comprises, in mass %, C: 0.10% or less, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 0.01 to 30%, P: 0.040% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Cr: 15 to 30%, Ni: 5.0 to 30%, Al: 0.10% or less, N: 0.001 to 0.30% with the balance Fe and inevitable impurities. An X-ray (111) integration intensity of a cross section along the direction rectangular to the working direction is five times that in a random direction or less, and the X-ray integration intensity ratio of a cross section along the working direction satisfies I(220)/I(111)≦10. The high strength steel can also contain one or more of the groups of Mo and W; V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr and Hf; B; Cu and Co; Mg, Ca, La, Ce, Y, Sm, Pr and Nd.
US08696823B1

Methods for abrasive cleaning, deburring, providing barrier coatings and sealing leaks in existing pipes, in a single operation, in one pass by intermittent bursts of dry particulates forced and pulled by air throughout the piping system by a generator and a vacuum. Cleaning includes intermittently injecting bursts of abrasive particles into the pressurized gas into the piping system for cleaning pipe interior walls, reducing burrs and interior lips in the pipe interior walls and generating a vacuum suction in the piping system to remove abrasive particles and debris.
US08696822B2

A method of using a rendering trailer, the rendering trailer including a dump box or trailer body with a center gate dividing the interior chamber of the trailer body into forward and rearward compartments, from which dead animal parts may be respectively dumped in different locations. A doorway is formed in the center gate to allow a person to walk therethrough to facilitate washing the forward and rearward compartments. A rigid door is mounted on the center gate to open and close the doorway. Opening the door allows the person to walk through the doorway and wash the compartments. A hose may be draped over a sidewall of the trailer and pulled through the doorway to spray the forward compartment. Perforated panels may be mounted along lower ends of left and right side walls of the trailer body to allow water and other fluids to drain therethrough.
US08696815B2

A thin film deposition apparatus that forms a thin film on a substrate includes: a deposition source that discharges a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit that is disposed at a side of the deposition source and includes a plurality of deposition source nozzles; a patterning slit sheet that is disposed opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and includes a plurality of patterning slits; and a blocking member that is disposed between the substrate and the deposition source, wherein the thin film deposition apparatus is separated from the substrate by a predetermined distance, the substrate is moved relative to the thin film deposition apparatus, and the blocking member is moved along with the substrate to screen at least one portion of the substrate.
US08696794B2

A passive phase separator separates and traps gases that may be present in a liquid flowing through a system. The phase separator includes an inlet in fluid communication with a first separator chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a second separator chamber that is disposed annularly about the first separator chamber. Gas introduced into the first separator chamber is pushed downstream through the first separator chamber to a gas storage chamber. Once gas is trapped within the gas storage chamber it remains there for the entire operational life of the phase separator.
US08696781B2

An expanded metal is provided including a plurality of integral strands defining diamond shapes, each diamond shape having a long dimension as measured from two opposing vertices and a short dimension, generally transverse to the long direction, as measured between two other opposing vertices, such that the long dimension is less than twice the short dimension.
US08696779B2

A deoiler including a hub mounted on the vent shaft and a cover mounted on the hub between two stop faces which fix the cover avoiding the need to weld or bolt the cover.
US08696752B2

An interbody cage includes a substrate having a plurality of curve slits, with each of the curve slits having a plurality of sections. A plurality of deformable ribs is formed, with each deformable rib between any adjacent two of the curve slits and having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of each deformable rib respectively connect with two opposite lateral bars of the substrate, and a plurality of folds is formed on the plurality of deformable ribs in places adapted to be bent. In use, any adjacent two of the deformable ribs are capable of being bent to depart from each other to define a filling room.
US08696739B2

An endoluminal prosthesis includes a support structure including a curvilinear portion having a first strut and a second strut that meet at an apex. Disposed on the support structure is an anchor with an anchor body and one or more barbs extending outwardly from the anchor body. The anchor body can fit at least partially about, and can conform to the first strut, second strut, and the apex. A curved portion of the anchor and the curvilinear portion of the support structure can be co-formed, resulting in a secure interference fit so that welding, soldering, or other joining mechanisms can be avoided. Cutouts can be formed along the curved portion of the anchor to relieve stress or strain during the co-forming process.
US08696729B2

An implant delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system includes an elongated member having an implant mounting location. A self-expandable implant is mounted at the implant mounting location. The implant is held in a compressed orientation by a retractable sheath. An interlock structure prevents the implant from deploying prematurely as the sheath is retracted. The interlock structure includes radio-opaque markers that identify the position of the implant.
US08696728B2

A guidewire loaded stent for delivery through a catheter is described herein. The stent delivery assembly can deliver and place a stent within tortuous regions of the body which are accessible to guidewires but inaccessible to stenting catheters. The assembly comprises a guidewire covered in part by a retractable sheath and a radially expandable stent near or at the distal end of the guidewire. The whole assembly is advanced through conventional catheters or it may be used alone. In either case, when the stent is adjacent to a treatment site within the body, the sheath is retracted proximally to expose the stent for radial expansion into contact with the vessel wall. Radio-opaque marker bands are optionally located on either side or both sides of the stent on the guidewire body to aid in visual placement. The assembly can optionally include an expandable balloon on the guidewire for different treatment modalities.
US08696721B2

Devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. A fastener having a fastener head comprising a screw lumen and fastener shaft is provided. In some embodiments, an external groove and one or more openings between the screw lumen and an external groove are provided. An expandable member is located at least partially in the external groove and protrudes through the one or more openings into the screw lumen. Alternative fixation systems and screw retaining assemblies are also contemplated.
US08696719B2

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to implantable devices for the treatment of structural bone and joint deformity, including hallux valgus. More specifically, the various embodiments include systems, devices, and methods for implantation of an implantable device having at least one bone anchor with deployable prongs for treating such deformity.
US08696716B2

Surgical anchoring systems and methods are employed for the correction of bone deformities. The anchoring system and its associated instrument may be suitable for surgical repair of hallux valgus, tarsometatarsal sprains, ankle ligament reconstruction, spring ligament repair, knee ligament reinforcement, acromioclavicular sprains, coracoclavicular sprains, elbow ligament repair, wrist and hand ligamentous stabilization or similar conditions. The anchoring system may include a fixation system for anchoring two or more sections of bone or other body parts and a system for aligning of one section relative to another section.
US08696715B2

Disclosed embodiments of a low profile bone plate can allow for a locking relationship between the bone plate and one or more bone screws, without requiring specialized bone screws. According to the disclosure, a locking element and/or a flange can be provided in one or more through-holes in the bone plate to engage with the threads of the bone screw, to lock the screw in place. Locking elements, such as a straight wire or spring coil positioned near the bone-contacting surface of the bone plate can have a cross sectional diameter less than the pitch of the bone screw threads, so as not to interfere with insertion and tightening of the bone screw. Thus, standard bone screws without threaded heads or tapered shafts can be locked with a bone plate having a minimal thickness, which can advantageously improve chances of wound healing.
US08696704B2

Suture anchor systems for repairing torn or damaged tissue are described herein. In one embodiment, a system can include a first suture loop having a first suture anchor coupled thereto, the first suture loop including a slip knot formed thereon to allow a size of the first suture loop to be adjusted. The system can also include a second suture loop coupled to the first suture loop and having a second suture anchor coupled thereto. The second suture loop can have a fixed size. In use, the suture anchors can be deployed through tissue to be repaired and into the anchoring tissue at a position spaced apart from one another by a selected distance. The length of the first suture loop can then be tensioned to re-approximate the torn or damaged tissue toward the anchoring tissue, thereby securely attached the torn tissue to the anchoring tissue.
US08696697B2

A trocar device and measurement assembly, includes a trocar having a sharply pointed shaft and a handle. An elongated sheath receives the shaft of the trocar therein, wherein the elongated sheath includes a plurality of measuring indicia thereon for measuring a length of a tracheoesophageal puncture formed by the trocar. A method of measuring the tracheoesophageal puncture is provided by inserting the elongated sheath into the puncture while observing the measuring indicia on the sheath to determine a length of the puncture.
US08696695B2

Described herein are guidewire positioning and support devices, method for using them, method of treating a subject using them, and systems including such guidewire positioning and support devices. These devices typically include a rotatable distal tip region that may include one or more wedges. The wedges may be extendable from the rotatable distal tip. The distal end of the device may be steerable, and may be steered while still rotating the distal end of the device. The wedges (which may include sharp forward-cutting blades and blunt lateral portions) can be extended from the distal housing and locked in any position (extended, partially extended or retracted) and rotated clockwise and/or counterclockwise while locked in a retracted, extended or partially extended position. The distal region of the device may also be controllable steered from the proximal end of the device. Systems including these guidewire support catheters are also described, as are method of using them, including methods of treating chronic total occlusions.
US08696694B2

Apparatus and methods for endoscopic colectomy are described herein. A colectomy device having a first and a second tissue approximation device is mounted on a colonoscope separated from one another. During deployment of the colectomy device, a diseased portion of the colon is positioned inbetween the tissue approximation devices. The tissue approximation devices are radially expanded such that they contact and grasp the colon wall at two sites adjacent to the diseased portion of the colon. The diseased portion is separated from the omentum and is transected using a laparoscope or is drawn into the colonoscope for later removal. The tissue approximation devices are then urged towards one another over the colonoscope to approximate the two free edges of the colon into contact together where they are fastened to one another using the tissue approximation device as a surgical stapler to create an end-to-end anastomosis.
US08696686B2

Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.
US08696683B2

An extensible polyp retrieval apparatus designed to be slidably disposed along the outer surface of an endoscope that is fully or partially inserted in the lumen of a patient using a “connect and push” polyp retrieval apparatus to reach the distal end of the inserted endoscope. The polyp retrieval apparatus comprises: a flexible cylindrical polymeric tube capable of being deployed from a few centimeters in mounted length on an endoscope to over 210 centimeters in total length when partially deployed or fully extended, respectively; a multiplicity of clamping fasteners permanently mounted to the flexible cylindrical polymeric tube; a movable snare like device that is designed as an cooperating component of the polyp retrieval system to enable the grasping and storage of polyps therein so as to avoid the complete removal of the endoscope from the lumen as is normal to remove a large polyp after cauterization or after a piecemeal polypectomy. This is performed before continuing the inspection and removal process. The apparatus that is the subject of this invention will greatly improve this process and result in fewer chances for damage or injury to the patient along with the attendant cost benefits especially time saved in this medical procedure.
US08696677B2

A surgical instrument for removing an implanted glenoid component from the glenoid of a patient includes a protective cannula and a flexible wire saw. The flexible wire saw is positioned in the protective cannula such that both ends of the flexible wire saw extend out of one end of the protective cannula, with a portion of the middle section of the wire saw forming a loop that extends out of the other end of the protective cannula. Surgical methods for the use of such a surgical instrument are also disclosed.
US08696676B2

A bone plate fixing device comprises a first bone contacting element with a rod-shaped connecting member and a second bone contacting element displaceable on the connecting member. The connecting member has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion comprising a protruding projection, the protruding projection being located towards a proximal end of the connecting member and having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The protruding projection may comprise at least two teeth. The depth of the at least two teeth may be less than half the difference between the first diameter and the second diameter.
US08696671B2

A device for percutaneously excising tissue. In an embodiments the device comprises an outer tubular. In addition, the device comprises an inner tubular slidingly received within the outer tubular, wherein the inner tubular has a distal end including an upper member and a lower member. Further, the device includes an open position with the distal end fully extended from the outer tubular, and a closed position with the distal end disposed within the outer tubular, wherein the upper member is biased away from the lower member and is disposed at an open angle θO relative to the lower member when the device is in the opened position.
US08696663B2

An electrosurgical device is provided for removing polyps from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. In one implementation, an electrosurgical device comprises a snare support member and a snare positioning assembly mounted on an exterior surface of the snare support member. The snare positioning assembly has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with and offset from the longitudinal axis of the snare support member. The device also includes a base member attached to a distal end of the snare support member and has a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the snare support member. An aperture is formed through a side wall of the base member. Also included is a polyp snare extending through a first channel of the snare positioning assembly, through the aperture, and through a second channel of the base member.
US08696658B2

The invention provides a non-invasive method for treatment of arrhythmia. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of a trial fibrillation in a heart of a patient comprises directing radiation from outside the patient toward one or more target treatment regions of the heart so as to inhibit the a trial fibrillation. The radiation may induce isolation of a pulmonary vein.
US08696651B2

A manipulator includes a main arm, of which the proximal end bears a drive, and a proximal manipulation structure, and of which the distal end bears a controlled distal structure that may itself bear a surgical tool. The main arm passes through a surgical trocar. The proximal manipulation structure includes two opposed contact zones and stress sensors positioned in a central zone between the two opposed contact zones. The stress sensors operate the drive as a function of the stresses applied to the contact zones in order to produce the pivoting and rotating movements of the surgical tool with respect to the main arm. This ensures that there is optimal decoupling of the movements in the various degrees of freedom, thus making it easier to obtain movements through stressing operations that are natural to the operating surgeon.
US08696647B2

A locking component (100,200,300,400) for locking a catheter proximal end onto a stem (16,56) of a medical device. The locking component has upper and lower parts (104,102;204,202) that self-secure to each other, preferably in a first position partially open but still assembled, and a second position, locked fully together. The locking component has a compression surface (106,206) to compress the catheter lumen wall against the stem at a location axially offset from the protuberance(s) along the stem of the medical device. A method is disclosed for mechanically securing a catheter to a medical device that can involve placing the pre-assembled locking component along the catheter prior to securing the proximal catheter end to the stem of the medical device and then moving the locking component into position around the stem and then pressing it together into its second locked position, compressing the catheter lumen wall against the stem.
US08696646B2

A turbulator for promoting mixing of fluids passing through a body lumen includes an elongate flow perturbing component and an elongate shape controlling component freely slidable within the flow perturbing component. The turbulator is adjustable from a low profile, lumen access configuration to a deployed configuration via sliding the shape controlling component within the flow perturbing component. Adjusting the turbulator within a body lumen of a patient induces turbulence within a flow of fluid passing through the body lumen to increase mixing of a treatment fluid with the body fluid by way of the induced turbulence.
US08696623B2

An adjustable shape abscess irrigation device includes a first tube that is slidably associated with a second tube. The irrigation device includes a retainer that defines a variable shape diameter. The diameter of the retainer is selectively adjustable by the relative positioning of the first tube and the second tube such that, once placed relative to an abscess, the shape of the device can be manipulated to allow desired drainage of irrigation and abscess fluids beyond the confines of the abscess. Upon adequate drainage of the abscess, the cross-section shape of the retainer can be reduced to facilitate more comfortable and less detrimental removal of the device from the patient. Preferably, the irrigation device is formed via one or multi-shot injection molding and is formed of more than material.
US08696618B2

An injector (10) for injecting a medicament into a patient. The injector includes a container (18) defining a first chamber (22), which contains a fluid therein, and a second chamber (23). The injector also includes an injection conduit (126) configured for directing the fluid fired from the container into the patient. A transfer mechanism is operable by a user to transfer the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber in a first stage of operation, and a firing mechanism is operable by the user for firing the fluid from the second chamber through the injection conduit in a second stage of operation. An energy source (62) is in powering association with the firing mechanism to drive firing mechanism in the first and second stages.
US08696617B2

A portable drug administration device includes a pump and a controller configured to control operation of the pump according to a standard administration mode and a suspend mode in which drug administration is temporarily suspended. The device is configured to generate an event trigger on the occurrence of at least one of an error condition and/or the beginning of a maintenance action by the user. The controller is configured to detect the occurrence of the event trigger, and to store, in response to the event trigger, administration data, the administration data comprising all information that characterizes the current administration according at the time of occurrence of the event trigger automatically in a memory and to switch the device from the standard administration mode to the suspend mode. The controller is further configured to detect the occurrence of a restoring trigger and to retrieve, in response to the restoring trigger, the administration data from the memory, to switch the device from the suspend mode to the standard administration mode and to control the pump to resume administration according to the retrieved administration data.
US08696612B2

A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.
US08696611B2

A device for regulating blood pressure in a heart chamber is provided. The device includes a shunt positionable within a septum of the heart. The shunt is designed for enabling blood flow between a left heart chamber and a right heart chamber, wherein the flow rate capacity of the device is mostly a function of pressure in the left heart chamber.
US08696608B2

An objective is to perform a leg massage under appropriate temperature conditions. The lower leg massage apparatus 1 comprises: a pair of right and left insertion recesses 4,4 in a vertically-extending continuous form, into which are inserted feet F and calves C of a user; a first massage mechanism 5 disposed within an upper part of the insertion recess 4, for massaging the inserted calves C, and a second massage mechanism 7 disposed within a lower part of the insertion recess 4, for massaging the inserted feet F. Further provided are a cover body 12 of a two-layer structure which is disposed in the insertion recess 4 so as to cover the first massage mechanism 5 and the second massage mechanism 7, and a warm air/cool air supply section 15 for supplying a warm or cool current of air to a region between the two layers constituting the cover body 12.
US08696603B2

A method for measuring space width of joint includes: a joint image input step of inputting an image of a joint; a contour detecting step of detecting contours of a pair of bones constituting the joint; a measurement range setting step of setting a measurement range of a space of the joint based on the contours detected in the contour detecting step; a space width calculating step of calculating a space width which is a distance between the pair of bones within the measurement range set in the measurement range setting step; and a display step of displaying the space width calculated in the space width calculating step.
US08696591B2

A mainstream gas monitoring method includes a using a mainstream airway adapter and a gas sensing assembly associated with the mainstream airway adapter to measure an analyte of a gas flow through the adapter. A gas sensing portion outputs a signal indicative of the analyte in a gas flow in the mainstream airway adapter. A processing portion receives the signal from the gas sensing portion and determines an amount of the analyte in the gas flow based on the signal from the gas sensing portion. The processing portion also compensates for volumetric differences between the gas flow during inspiration and the gas flow during expiration to maximize the accuracy in the measurements.
US08696590B1

Vital sign monitoring is especially challenging in small animals, given the high metabolic rates and small volumes under consideration. An embodiment of the present invention includes a unique nose-cone design and associated instrumentation which allows for measurement of respiratory parameters, including anesthesia gas concentration, inspiratory and expiratory O2, and inspiratory and expiratory CO2 (capnometry). Such instrumentation facilitates a physiologic assessment of small animals undergoing general anesthesia, an increasingly important consideration as small animals play a greater role in in vivo biomedical studies. In addition, the techniques proposed herein are suitable for measurement on small respiratory volumes associated with neonatal monitoring.
US08696586B2

A method and device for measuring blood flow in the bone after a fracture, wherein a hole is drilled into the bone. The method includes the steps of inserting the metal sleeve of an osteoscope into the hole; inserting the optics of an osteoscope into the metal sleeve and focused on the cavity created by the drill; filling the device and the cavity with a physiological solution such that the pressure of the solution is above the systolic blood pressure; decreasing the pressure of the solution while observing the cavity through the osteoscope, and recording the pressure in the system at the commencement of bleeding.
US08696583B2

An ultrasound endoscope has a transducer unit that has a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, and performs transmission and reception of ultrasound on a top surface side, a cable that is for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal to and from the transducer unit and is connected to the side surface, a conductive shield case that has a lead-out port for leading out the cable, and a flexible extension portion extended from at least the top surface side of the lead-out port, and covers the side surface and the bottom surface, and a housing that holds a transducer unit 2 via the shield case, and has a cable insertion path in which the cable and the extension portion are inserted.
US08696571B2

A monitor for an extracorporeal therapy access site is disclosed. The monitor includes a bandage atop or adjacent the access site and a sensor for monitoring the bandage. The bandage includes a layer of polymer that expands when wetted with blood. The expansion causes a break in continuity of the sensor, or in an alternate embodiment, causes a sensor to cease detecting a target. When the break occurs, the control circuit monitoring the bandage sends a signal that a break has occurred, and a remote monitor then takes appropriate action, such as ceasing therapy, sending an alert, or sounding an alarm. In another embodiment, connecting wires in a continuity circuit are held apart by a polymer that dissolves when contacted by blood. If a leak occurs and a small portion of the polymer dissolves, the wires make contact, thus detecting a blood leak.
US08696564B2

All or a portion of a surface of an implantable sensor is covered with a biocompatible coating formed at least partially of a biomaterial matrix having properties that promote a substantially even growth of tissue cells over the surface of the coating. Additional materials, such as growth factors, agents that recruit endogenous stem cells, and cell adhesion motif arginine, glycine, aspartic acid may be included in the coating. Autologous cells may be added to the coating prior to implantation. The sensor surface may also be textured, by etching or abrading, in order to promote even tissue growth. Alternatively, the sensor surface may be covered with a coating having properties that inhibit the growth of tissue. These coatings may include a biomaterial, a biomaterial matrix having a drug, such as a sirolimus or a steroid, an active component, or a self assembled monolayer.
US08696562B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adapting a non-cylindrical serrated surgical retractor blade handle to the cylindrical bore of a universal joint. The apparatus includes an adaptor housing having a retractor handle passageway, at least a portion of the retractor handle passageway being configured to receive the slideable insertion of a non-cylindrical retractor blade handle. The adaptor housing is configured for rotational insertion into the cylindrical bore of a clamping member, thereby allowing the adaptor housing, the non-cylindrical retractor blade handle, and an attached retractor blade, to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the non-cylindrical retractor blade handle. In the illustrated embodiment, a pawl mechanism is connected to the adaptor housing and configured for automatic engagement with at least one of a plurality of serrations that are located on the non-cylindrical retractor blade handle, thereby allowing for the efficient adjustment and automatic locking of the linear position of the non-cylindrical retractor blade handle relative to the operative site.
US08696561B2

A guard and guide apparatus and method is used with a speculum having jaws in a vagina to define a passage toward a cervix at an end of the vagina. The guard and guide apparatus has a guard body movable into the passage, the guard body having sides, a top and a bottom defining a tunnel toward the cervix for preventing contact between a probe and walls of the vagina. Flexible cervix panels are at the inner end of the guard body and extend toward the fornix of the cervix for covering the fornix to protect it from contact by the probe. A support fulcrum is provided in the guard body tunnel at a location between inner and outer ends of the guard body for supporting the probe handle to help a practitioner hold the probe handle steady and aim the probe accurately to a selected location on the cervix.
US08696560B2

A retractor having a pair of blades is disclosed. A ring having an opening is attached to one end of the blades. The blades define a channel therebetween. The blades may be pivotally coupled to the ring. The retractor may have at least two conditions. In a first condition, the retractor is insertable through an incision in a patient's skin to an operative site. In a second condition, the retractor may be manipulated for retracting tissue surrounding the operative site. Instruments, prostheses, or tissue may be inserted or removed through the channel of the retractor.
US08696556B2

Retractor apparatus including a blade and a fluid port and/or a light emitter associated with blade, and surgical systems including an arm and a retractor apparatus.
US08696554B2

An endoscope of the invention includes: an insertion portion including in a distal end portion thereof an image pickup portion for picking up an image of an object in a living body; an operation portion connected to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; a cable including a connector portion connectable to a processor for performing signal processing on a signal outputted when the image of the object is picked up; a light source portion for emitting light to illuminate the object, the light source portion being provided in the connector portion; a light transmitting portion for transmitting the light emitted from the light source portion to the distal end portion to emit the light to the object; and a heat-radiating portion capable of radiating heat emitted from the light source portion, the heat-radiating portion being provided in the connector portion.
US08696553B2

An automatic retractable syringe includes a tubular body on which a syringe opening is provided; a piston body in whose pressing portion a vent hole VA is formed and in whose shaft portion a vent passage passing from the vent hole VA through inside to the front end portion is formed; and a spring which returns the pressed piston body to its original position. When the pressing portion is pressed by a thumb or other finger plugging the vent hole VA to move the piston body forward, air is supplied from the syringe opening. Subsequently, when the thumb or other finger is released, air flows into the tubular body through the vent hole VA and the vent passage, and the piston body automatically returns to its original position by the spring. Therefore, air can be consecutively supplied by repeatedly pressing the pressing portion.
US08696541B2

Hearing systems for both hearing impaired and normal hearing subjects comprise an input transducer and a separate output transducer. The input transducer will include a light source for generating a light signal in response to either ambient sound or an external electronic sound signal. The output transducer will comprise a light-responsive transducer component which is adapted to receive light from the input transducer. The output transducer component will vibrate in response to the light input and produce vibrations in a component of a subject's hearing transduction pathway, such as the tympanic membrane, a bone in the ossicular chain, or directly on the cochlea, in order to produce neural signals representative of the original sound.
US08696536B2

An apparatus for folding a driver airbag cushion, including: a first plate where an airbag cushion is placed to be folded; a fixing jig that fixes the center portion of the airbag cushion on the first plate; a second plate that covers the fixed airbag cushion; a plurality of first press jigs that is inserted between the first plate and the second plate and circumferentially divides the airbag cushion into several sections by pressing inward the edge of the airbag cushion; and a plurality of second press jigs that is inserted between the first plate and the second plate and compresses the airbag cushion, which has been divided into several sections by the first press jigs, by pressing inward the edge of the airbag cushion.
US08696532B1

An exercise ball stabilizer apparatus includes a ball stabilizing assembly and a telescopically connected platform assembly to allow for length adjustment along an axial distance between the stabilizer assembly and the platform assembly. The stabilizer assembly is adjustable to accommodate different exercise ball diameters. The exercise ball is stably maintained within the stabilizer assembly, thereby providing a stable support during conventional exercise ball exercising activities.
US08696529B2

A vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath a base member, and at least one selector rod is rotatably mounted on the base member and selectively rotated into engagement with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. A horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the base member and selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. Various combinations of these arrangements may be used to provide adjustable resistance to exercise on dumbbells and/or weight stack machines.
US08696525B2

A starting block for swimming equipped with a single curved surface to facilitate track starts while reducing the trip hazard of such a surface. This allows for safer mounting from rear and side steps and removes undesirable gaps in the top surface of the starting block. A pliable embodiment of said curved surface can modify the distance of the curvature from the leading edge of the starting block to adapt to different swimmer needs. An apparatus to obtain said distance for a given swimmer from a meet management system to modify the pliable embodiment for quick change during time-constrained events such as meets.
US08696516B2

A control device for a vehicular drive system having (i) an engine, (ii) an electrically controlled differential portion operative to control an operating state of an electric motor connected to a rotary element of a differential mechanism for power-transmissive state for thereby controlling a differential state between a rotation speed of an input shaft connected to the engine, and a rotation speed of an output shaft, and (iii) a shifting portion forming a part of a power-transmitting mechanism between the electrically controlled differential portion and drive wheels, the control device including high-speed rotation preventing means for preventing high-speed rotations of each rotary elements of both the differential mechanism and the shifting portion, when a drop occurs or drop occurrence is predicted, in a supplied hydraulic pressure applied to a hydraulically operated frictional engaging device of the shifting portion, to a level less than a given value, wherein the high-speed rotation preventing means reduces torque or rotation speed of an input shaft of the shifting portion by controlling the engine or the electric motor.
US08696508B2

A drive mechanism has a drive source which is connected by a main clutch to a transmission which is connected to wheels of the vehicle. The drive mechanism further includes two hybrid modules of which a first module is connected to the drive source and the second module is connected between the transmission and the wheels to the drive line. The first hybrid module has a flywheel and a flywheel clutch and the second hybrid module has a motor/generator and a further clutch.
US08696506B2

A device for a drive train of a hybrid vehicle having a planetary gear set (4) including a ring gear (9), a sun gear (10) and a carrier (8). A first element of these elements of the planetary gear set serves as the connection to a transmission input shaft (11) of a transmission (3) and a second element of these elements of the planetary gear set serves as the connection to an electric machine (2) of a hybrid drive. A clutch (5) and associated shift element (6) by which, in a first shift position (A), a third element of the planetary gear set can be coupled to an internal combustion engine (1) of the hybrid drive while in a second shift position (B), can be coupled to one of the other elements of the planetary gear set (4).
US08696502B2

The invention provides a chain transmission mechanism capable of alleviating impact and impact noise caused when a chain engages and contacts with a sprocket, of not increasing the impact and impact noise even if the chain transmission mechanism is driven in heavy load and in high speed, of reducing vibrations, breakage, wear and others of the chain and the sprocket and of improving its durability. Tooth bottoms of the sprocket are formed so as not contact any pin, bush or drive roller when the chain is wound around the sprocket as guide rollers rotatably supported coaxially with a pin of the chain rolls on a track along the guide rail provided on the side of teeth of the sprocket. The invention provides a guide rail around the sprocket to engage the chain and lighten its impact with the sprocket as the mechanism operates.
US08696500B2

In a pivoted tensioner lever extending upward from a pivot axis, both ends of boss through which a pivot shaft extends are provided with funnel-shaped grooves that guide oil adhering to the lever body into a region between the shaft and the inside of the boss. Oil guiding walls, continuous with the boss, and downwardly sloping reinforcing ribs with oil passages formed at their lower ends, increase flow of oil adhering to the lever body to the region between the shaft and the inside of the boss.
US08696496B2

In order to reduce or eliminate bad green reads, the inventor has devised expert green reading techniques that allow a golfer to accurately and quickly read greens, thereby reducing scores and increasing enjoyment for the golfer. Rather than making a green read while being positioned behind the ball with respect to the cup as in conventional green reading techniques, in the disclosed expert green reading techniques a golfer takes a specific, precise, and consistent stance on or adjacent to a path between the ball and the cup.
US08696483B2

A golf club putter having an alignment pattern is disclosed herein. The alignment pattern has first and second long lines that approach each other as they extend from an aft region of the putter to a front region of the putter and, when the putter is properly aligned with a golf ball, create an optical illusion of convergence of said lines at or near a center of the golf ball without actually intersecting.
US08696480B2

The present invention discloses a golf swing trainer for improving a golfer's drive, posture, and technique when swing a golf club. The golf swing trainer includes a base, two lateral arms, and inside and outside guides which form a corridor through which a golf club is swung. Other elongated members are disclosed for securing a golfer's waste with a harness, bracing their leg, and the like. These components allow a golfer to simulate a golf swing and practice posture and technique preparatory to driving an actual golf ball.
US08696474B2

A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first annular member, a second annular member arranged to be axially separated from the first annular member, an annular and dish-shaped first disc spring arranged between the first annular member and the second annular member, a first support portion arranged between the first annular member and the first disc spring and being partially or continuously in contact with the first disc spring on a circle passing through a first predetermined radial portion of the first annular member, and a second support portion arranged between the second annular member and the first disc spring and being partially or continuously in contact with the first disc spring on a circle passing through a second predetermined radial portion of the second annular member, the second predetermined radial portion being radially different from the first predetermined radial portion of the first annular member.
US08696469B2

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computers, receives a request for game play, and in response to the request, causing prior game play data to be retrieved, where the prior game play data was stored in response to prior game play of another user. Further, an asynchronous game play environment may be provided where an active participant, who made the request, is able to play against and interact with an apparently live participant based on the prior game play data.
US08696464B2

Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties. A simulated race in a computing device initially occurs with objects and a playing field of relatively low graphic complexity, limited by constraints of the system's processing power and the associated limited number of polygons that can be processed per second, the resolution of the screen, etc. A more powerful rendering of such objects/playing field thereafter takes place in a server after the ghost/performance data is collected and uploaded.
US08696462B2

A game apparatus is capable of controlling infrared radiation emitters for radiating infrared light. The game apparatus executes game processing using imaging information on the infrared light obtained from an input device. The input device takes an image of the infrared light radiated by the infrared radiation emitters, and also receives an input from a user. The game apparatus comprises pattern storage means; selection means; and radiation control means. The pattern storage means stores at least one signal pattern of an infrared signal usable by a control target device. The selection means selects at least one of the at least one signal pattern stored by the pattern storage means, using the input received by the input device. The radiation control means causes the infrared radiation emitters to output an infrared signal of the signal pattern selected by the selection means.
US08696460B2

A game controller having at least one arm mobile in relation to a base over a nominal range of displacement between two extreme positions, which implements a stopping mechanism of the aim 1n an intermediary locking position between the extreme positions to avoid reaching involuntarily a zone of the nominal range of displacement. An element of the stopping mechanism is removable and/or retractable with respect to the base so that this element is able to take two positions, an active position, wherein the stopping mechanism in the intermediary locking position is active and cooperates with the base and the arm, and an inactive position, wherein the stopping mechanism is inactive. The game controller also implements mechanical means of crossing the intermediary locking position under the action of a specific control carried out by a user when the stopping mechanism is active.
US08696446B2

A system and method for conducting a game between at least one live player and at least one computer-controlled player includes executing a training program between at least two agents to generate probability weights correlating actions or meta-actions representing a set or sequenced set of actions with a probability that the action or meta-action will produce a game outcome meeting a specified criterion or specified criteria. A game is conducted in which at least one live player plays against at least one computer-controlled player in which the computer-controlled player selects actions at one or more of the decision nodes in the game based, at least in part, on the probability weights.
US08696435B2

Gaming system(s) and/or method(s) are provided to implement a game including a first game and a second game. A gaming system includes a game controller arranged to control operation of a first game and a second game, and a display arranged to display representations of play of the second game. The representations include a selector having a plurality of outcome indicating parts and an indicator. The game controller is arranged to determine a second game outcome for the second game and control the indicator to indicate the outcome indicating part associated with the second game outcome. The second game outcome is dependent on operation of the first game.
US08696429B1

In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.
US08696424B1

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a Pai Cow draw poker game. For a play of a card game, the gaming system provides a player set of cards to a player and a dealer set of cards to a dealer. The gaming system enables the player and the dealer to each discard a card from their respective sets of cards. If the player discards a card from the player set, the gaming system adds a draw card to the player set. If the dealer discards a card from the dealer set, the gaming system adds a draw card to the dealer set. The gaming system then enables the player and the dealer to each form two hands using their respective sets of cards, and determines any awards based on a comparison of the player and dealer hands.
US08696423B2

Entertainment system based on multiple choice competition games, characterized in that it comprises at least one terminal including connection means to a dedicated remote server (1), the system also comprising means of playing an extract of a recording with a configurable duration on at least one terminal (2, 3) comprising means of reproducing the recording, means of interaction with a user and means (21, 31) of connection with a dedicated remote server (1), means of asking a terminal user a question and suggesting multiple choice answers, the question being related to information characteristic of the extract of the recording, and the recording being selected by means independent of the terminal user.
US08696404B2

Systems for recycling slurry materials during polishing processes are provided. One system includes a polisher having an inlet and drain outlet, and a slurry storage tank to supply a slurry including a preselected material to the polisher inlet, and a recycling assembly including a cross flow filter including an inlet to receive a waste slurry including the preselected material from the polisher drain outlet, where the cross flow filter is configured to concentrate the preselected material in an outlet slurry, a density meter configured to measure a concentration of the preselected material in the filter outlet slurry, a valve coupled to the filter outlet and configured to supply the slurry storage tank, and a controller coupled to the density meter and valve, where the controller is configured to open the valve when the concentration of the preselected material reaches a first concentration threshold.
US08696400B2

A shopping cart liner includes a body configured to nest in the child seat portion of a shopping cart. The body may define one or more openings positioned to enable the feet of a child seated in the shopping cart to protrude through the body, and the shopping cart liner includes a track at least partially embedded in a portion of the shopping cart liner. A clip is slidingly engaged with the track, and defines an opening for attaching an item to the shopping cart liner. An item such as a toy, teething ring, pacifier, or other item may be attached. The body may be padded, and, and may include one or more pockets. The shopping cart liner may include a seat belt for securing a child to the shopping cart liner, and may be used in combination with a pillow.
US08696398B2

A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.
US08696381B2

An electrical connector (100) for electrically connecting an IC package with a substrate includes a number of conductive contacts (4), a number of grounding terminals (5), an insulative member (32) made of insulation materials locates around the conductive contacts (4) with insert-molded method and an electrical member (1) made of electrical resin locates around the insulative member (32) and the grounding terminals (5) with insert-molded method, the conductive contacts (4) are insulated from the electrical member (1) and the grounding terminals (5) are electrically connected with the electrical member (1).
US08696369B2

Aspects of the disclosure related to a plug module including main contacts that connect to conductors of an electrical cable and retractable secondary contacts that connect to a storage component installed on the plug module. The secondary contacts may be releasably latched in the retracted position. The secondary contacts may be biased to the extended position. The storage component may move along with the secondary contacts.
US08696365B1

Student growth can be defined, tracked, and analyzed using a method that comprises PLAN, ASSESS and REFLECT steps, potentially in conjunction with related sub-steps. This type of method can be facilitated using computer software that can be deployed over a remote network, and that can present a number of screens relevant to defining, tracking and analyzing student growth to a user.
US08696364B2

Interactive electronic training systems and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments provide preprogrammed video, audio, and/or textual presentations of training materials which provide information related to skills/information to be trained. A scenario including real or animated actors is presented, simulating an interaction. The example training system presents related queries for the trainee who audibly responds. The training system stores a score based in part on a comparison of the trainee's response with an answer stored in training system memory. Optionally, the scores are substantially immediately presented by the system to the trainee.
US08696355B2

Maxillary molar teeth and mandibular molar teeth are formed so as to be different in intersection angles (vertical line angles) between vertical lines extending in a vertical direction to occlusal facets and occlusal planes. That is, the maxillary molar teeth and the mandibular molar teeth are formed so as to be different in intersection angles of vertical lines of the protrusive occlusal facet and retrusive occlusal facet respectively. The occlusal facets of at least one of buccal cusps of the maxillary molar teeth and lingual cusps of the mandibular molar teeth are designed so that at least one of the width in the mesiodistal direction and the width in the cuspal-cervical direction is smaller than the occlusal facets of the opposite cusps of the antagonist molar teeth.
US08696349B2

The invention relates to a method for the combustion of a fuel using an oxygenated gas, in which a jet of fuel and at least two jets of oxygen-rich oxygenated gas are injected. According to the invention, the first jet of oxygen-rich oxygenated gas, known as the primary jet, is injected such as to be in contact with the jet of fuel and to produce a first incomplete combustion, the gases produced by said first combustion comprising at least one part of the fuel, and the second jet of oxygen-rich oxygenated gas is injected at a distance I1 from the jet of fuel such as to combust with a first part of the fuel present in the gases produced by the first combustion. Moreover, a low-oxygen oxygenated gas is injected at a distance I2 from the jet of fuel such as to combust with a second part of the fuel present in the gases produced by the first combustion, I2 being greater than I1. The invention also relates to the burner used to carry out the method and to the use of said method for the heating of a glass filler or for a reheating furnace.
US08696345B2

Disclosed is an apparatus for providing packaging material, comprising a shaping device (25) that has a couple of motor-driven molding wheels or rolls, a housing support (15) with an interior, an inlet via which packaging material can be fed into the interior, and an outlet via which packaging material can be discharged from the interior in which the molding wheels are arranged. The molding wheels are rotatably mounted on the housing support and each define an axis of rotation. A continuous penetration shaft (23), the longitudinal direction of which extends substantially parallel to the two axes of rotation of the molding wheels, from the interior to the exterior of the housing support, is formed withing the housing support, said penetration shaft (23) being open towards the interior and towards an exterior of the housing support.
US08696333B2

An electric pump which includes a rotor rotationally supported by a housing at a rotation shaft, a stator positioned at an outer side in radial direction of the rotor and fixed to the housing, a pump portion for taking in and discharging fluid in response to a rotation of the rotor, and a can positioned in between the rotor and the stator for preventing the fluid in the pump portion from flowing into the stator. The can possesses conductivity. The stator is grounded via the can.
US08696327B2

An electrical submersible pump motor has motor oil flowing through external circulation tubes for cooling the motor. A substantial portion of the exterior of each tube is submerged in and exposed to wellbore fluid. Heat is transferred from the motor to the motor oil, and then circulated through the external circulation tubes to conduct heat to the wellbore fluid. Internal or external motor oil pumps may be used to propel the motor oil through the circulation tubes. Guards or baffles may be used to protect the circulation tubes and to influence the flow of production fluid over the circulation tubes.
US08696321B2

There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting cavitation in fluid machines, for example pumps (100). In one embodiment a piezoelectric gasket (102) is used as a sensor to sense cavitation. In some embodiments highpass filters (302), (501) are used to detect ultrasonic acoustic signals in about the MHz range. If the energy in the MHz range is excessive then cavitation is deemed to be occurring and the speed of a motor (110) may be reduced in proportion to the degree of cavitation deemed to be occurring. In another embodiment (FIG. 5) the energy in the MHz range is normalized against the energy in the kHz range. Other sensors (600, 701) are also disclosed.
US08696311B2

A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine has a plurality of vanes extending radially and inwardly from an annular casing. An outer end of each vane radially and outwardly projects from the casing and is received in one of apertures defined in an elastomeric ring which is placed around the casing. A strap of a non-metallic material is placed in a pre-tensioned condition around the elastomeric ring to compress the elastomeric ring and to radially retain the outer end of each vane.
US08696298B2

A variety of process modules are described for use in semiconductor manufacturing processes.
US08696297B2

The invention relates to an automated method for positioning eggs on a tray that comprises the automated detection of the presence/absence of eggs in the cells of a tray, and the picking-up of eggs from a supply and the placement thereof in the empty cells of a tray. The invention also relates to a system or positioning eggs on a stabilizing tray, the tray including evenly distributed cells in which the eggs are placed, one or more cells being likely not to contain eggs, this information being stored in an information processing unit, wherein said system includes a means in the form of a robot having an egg pick-up head that are driven by the information processing unit in order to pick up eggs from a supply tray and to place them in the empty cells of the stabilizing tray.
US08696296B2

Seed tender apparatus for holding one or more seed containers and including an inclined conveyor apparatus pivotable between a stowed configuration and a discharged configuration.
US08696282B2

A cantilever-type standoff includes a column body, a plurality of cantilevers, a plurality of blocking plates, and a plurality of bumps. The cantilevers are respectively disposed on opposite end surfaces of the column body. The blocking plates are respectively parallel to the cantilevers. A plurality of clamping grooves are respectively defined by the blocking plates and the cantilevers. The bumps are respectively disposed on surfaces of the cantilevers facing the blocking plates.
US08696273B1

An I-shaped cargo restraint device for an intermodal shipping container having an internal wall with corrugations comprising: a central member having a pair of ends; a first wing associated with one of the ends for securing to one of the corrugations; a second wing associated with the other of the ends extending parallel to the first wing, the second wing being spaced apart from the first wing by about 5⅜ inches for securing to an other corrugation adjacent to said one corrugation; and a handle associated with the second wing. The cargo restraint device includes a top surface and a plurality of strengthening ribs disposed thereon. The cargo restraint device including a strengthening lip disposed on the top surface extending around a perimeter of the cargo restraint device. A method of restraining cargo in an intermodal shipping container having internal corrugated walls.
US08696271B2

A fastening nut for fastening a receiving body and a collet together is disclosed. The fastening nut comprises a main body having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end distal to the first end and a plurality of blades located radially on the outer surface of the main body, wherein each blade is at an angle to the second end. The fastening nut is attachable on the receiving body for coaxial retention of the collet. Furthermore, axial rotation of the fastening nut creates a suction proximate the second end of the fastening nut. In one embodiment of the fastening nut, the plurality of blades protrude axially past the second end of the main body in a direction away from the first end. A tool bit holding system and a system and method for machining specimens comprising the fastening nut are also disclosed.
US08696269B2

A support pad intended for metal machining drills and of the type that includes an outer surface, an inner surface, front and rear end surfaces, as well as a pair of spaced-apart side surfaces, between the outer surface and at least the front end surface a convexly arched entering surface being formed that extends between, on one hand, a pair of front and rear borderlines, the rear one of which borders the outer surface, and, on the other hand, two tangentially spaced-apart side borderlines. The rear borderline of the entering surface has the shape of a convex arc line as viewed in planar view toward the outer surface, more precisely an arc line the crest of which is facing forward. In such a way, the position of the contact of the support pad with a hole wall can be predetermined in an exact way. The drill body may be equipped with one or more support pads.
US08696263B2

A cutting insert includes two end surfaces each having a main surface usable as an attachment surface to a tool body, a peripheral side surface extending between the two end surfaces and a plurality of cutting edge portions each formed at an intersection between each end surface and the peripheral side surface. Each cutting edge portion includes a corner edge formed at a corner of a related end surface, a major cutting edge extending from one end of the corner edge and extending so as to depart from an intermediate plane defined to be perpendicular to the first axis and to include the second axis, and a minor cutting edge extending from the other end of the corner edge and extending in a direction to approach the intermediate plane.
US08696260B2

The present invention relates to a tool for machining a workpiece, comprising a tool body, a cutting tool, and fastening means for fastening the cutting tool in a receiving recess of the tool body, the cutting tool having a cutting edge and a cutting-tool through-bore, and the tool body having a tool-body through-bore that opens into the receiving recess, wherein the fastening means comprises a clamping bushing that is provided with an internal thread, and comprises a clamping screw that is provided with an external thread corresponding to the internal thread of the clamping bushing, which are inserted into the cutting-tool bore or into the tool-body bore from opposing sides in order to fasten the cutting tool to the tool body, the clamping bushing is screwed directly to the clamping screw, irrespective of whether it is inserted into the cutting-tool bore or into the tool-body bore, and anti-rotation means are provided to prevent the clamping bushing from rotating about its longitudinal axis when being screwed and undone by means of the clamping screw.
US08696252B2

A milling cutter, having an adjustable cooling mechanism, has a tool body having a body central bore. At least one flute is formed on a body peripheral face. Each flute comprises a first row of insert pockets and at least a second row of insert pockets axially rearwardly displaced from the first row. The cooling mechanism includes a center pin having at least two grooves axially spaced apart from one another along the length of the center pin. A relocatable seal is seated in one of the grooves. When the relocatable seal is seated in a first groove, the body central bore is in fluid communication with cooling holes associated with a first number of rows of inserts; when the relocatable seal is seated in a second groove, the body central bore is in fluid communication with cooling holes associated with a second number of rows of inserts.
US08696251B2

There is provided a mesh system (2) comprising a mesh sheet (4) and a reinforcing member in the form of a cable (6) coupled to one side of the sheet (4). The cable (6) is coupled to the mesh by wire ties (7). Two lengths (6a) and (6b) of the cable (6) may overlap or be disposed in a mutually adjacent manner. The lengths (6a) and (6b) may be coupled together by U-bolts or crimped bands (9), which may also engage the underlying sheet (4).
US08696250B2

A retaining wall system comprising an earth structure defining an earth surface, a wall system arranged on the earth surface, and a backfill structure arranged on the earth surface behind the wall system. The backfill structure comprises a base portion, a plurality of backfill members, and a cap portion. The base portion comprises at least one layer of loose backfill material. The plurality of backfill members are arranged in at least one course on top of the base portion. The cap portion comprises at least one layer of loose backfill material.
US08696237B2

A road paver with a movable screed and with a layer thickness measuring device, which includes at least two sensors. The sensors are formed to carry out a distance measurement to the paving plane at intervals to determine a distance between the sensor and a point on the surface of the plane, said point being registered by the sensor. One of the two sensors defines a coordinate system. The layer thickness measuring device is formed to add as vectors the distance to the plane measured by the sensor that defines the coordinate system and a movement, relative to the plane and resulting from the driving of the road paver, of the coordinate system that is defined by the one sensor. In this way, a first vector can be determined which, together with a second vector, is used by the measuring device for determining the layer thickness of the laying material.
US08696235B2

A precast concrete solid core paver block which has a first pair of flat parallel side walls and a second pair of transverse parallel side walls. One side has at least one block engaging projection in one or more portions thereof and spaced between a top and bottom surface of the paver block. The opposed side wall has a slot to receive in close sliding fit the at least one block engaging projection of an adjacent one of the paver blocks for side-by-side interengagement while permitting horizontal displacement of the adjacent paver block and the block engaging projection thereof while preventing vertical displacement thereof wherein a top face of the paver blocks lie in a substantially common planar surface. Spacers form open joints about each block in portions thereof to communicate with a support bed and form a permeable paved surface.
US08696228B1

The current application is for a cosmetic marker device which applies a specifically formulated hair dye to the hair in a very controllable manner to the region proximate to hair roots to cover hair. Preferably, the hair is newly grown graying hair. The marker product of this invention employs a single fiber construction that delivers a specially formulated hair dye in a manner that enables the user to color just the area of hair that is of interest without staining the scalp to any large extent.
US08696225B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
US08696222B2

An image-pickup apparatus includes a lead screw, a moving member, an image-pickup element, a mirror member that is capable of rotating between a first state and a second state, an urging member, and a first abutment member configured to abut against the mirror member when the mirror member is in the first state. An engagement portion parallel to a rotational axis of the mirror member is protruded from the mirror member. The engagement portion is held by both ends of the urging member when the mirror member rotates between the first state and the second state. A first end of the urging member elastically deforms so as to be apart from the engagement portion when the mirror member abuts against the first abutment member.
US08696221B2

The present invention relates to a method for splicing an optical fiber element (13, 23) of an optical cable (1, 2) reinforced with at least one strain relief fiber element (14, 24) and a splice effected by such method. In order to improve the strain resistance of the spliced optical cables (1, 2), the method according to the invention comprises the steps removing a jacket (11, 21) thereby exposing the optical fiber elements (13, 23) and the at least one strain relief fiber element (14, 24) of each of the two optical cables (1, 2) to be spliced, joining the optical fiber elements (13, 23) of the two optical cables (1, 2) to be spliced, providing a splicing sleeve (40) in such a way that it surrounds the joint of the two optical fiber elements (13, 23), attaching said splicing sleeve (40) against the circumferential surface of said optical cables (1, 2) thereby connecting the exposed strain relief fiber elements (14, 24) of the two optical cables (1, 2) to each other. The present invention furthermore provides a splice of two optical cables having improved strain resist which is characterized in that the strain relief fiber elements are connected to each other with the exposed optical fiber elements (13, 23) being surrounded by the sleeve.
US08696216B2

An optical module has a support board, an optical transmission path, and at least a single optical element having a light receiving function or a light emitting function provided on the support board. A light emission surface of the optical transmission path or a light incidence surface of the optical transmission path is arranged such that the optical element and the optical transmission path are optically coupled to each other, with respect to a light receiving surface or a light emitting surface of the optical element. The optical element is sealed by a sealing agent. A gap is provided between the optical transmission path and the surface of the sealing agent on the light receiving surface or the light emitting surface of the optical element.
US08696205B2

A sliding bearing for structural engineering applications, in particular for civil works such as bridges, buildings, structures that are required at the same time to withstand vertical loads and to allow relative movements and/or rotations, and structures to be protected against seismic events, said bearing having a low friction coefficient and being suitable for being used in severe operating conditions, both due to the loads applied and to particularly high operating temperatures. The bearing, which is of the type comprising a first part (2) connected to a supporting structure (P), a second part (3) connected to an element (G) to be supported by the supporting structure (P) and means suitable for allowing said second part (3) to translate and/or rotate with respect to said first part (2), the means comprising plates (4) and/or strips of a low-friction polymer material, is characterized in that the low-friction material is a polyamide.
US08696201B2

A device and a method are disclosed, for energetic calibration of a photon-counting X-ray radiation detector by way of X-ray fluorescence radiation. The device includes a plurality of specifically selected elements, of which each element, upon being irradiated with electrons or with high-energy radiation, emits photons of X-ray fluorescence radiation of at least one specific or characteristic energy. The photons of X-ray fluorescence radiation of the at least one specific or characteristic energy are then useable or are used for energetic calibration of the photon-counting X-ray radiation detector. A calibration apparatus and an X-ray apparatus are also disclosed, which include such a device.
US08696198B2

A temperature recorder mainly includes a micro control unit (MCU), a temperature sensing circuit, a memory with RF transmission function, and at least one antenna unit. The MCU electrically connects to the temperature sensing circuit and the memory, and the antenna unit electrically connects to the memory. The temperature sensing circuit senses external temperature variations surrounding the temperature recorder, and the sensed temperature variations are progressed by the MCU and then stored into the memory in accordance with scheduled parameters. The temperature recorder can be connected externally through wired serial transmitting interface or wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitting interface when internal temperature data needs to be retrieved, or a new parameter needs to be written into the memory. Thus, the memory in the temperature recorder can be retrieved and written via both wired connection and wireless connection, the usage of the temperature recorder is more flexible.
US08696194B2

A detent escapement 100 includes an escape wheel 110, a balance 120 which has an impulse pallet 122 and an unlocking stone 124, and a blade 130 which has a locking stone 132. A one side actuating spring 140 which can contact the unlocking stone 124 is provided in the blade 130. When a working reference line 129, which is a line connecting the rotation center of the balance 120 and the rotation center of the blade 130, is set to a reference, the one side actuating spring 140 is disposed at an angle so that a distance of the tip of the one side actuating spring from the working reference line is increased as the tip is separated from the rotation center of the balance 120 in a side opposite to the side at which the escape wheel 110 is present. The one side actuating spring 140 is disposed between the locking stone support arm 131 and the one side actuating spring support arm 133.
US08696192B2

A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member so as to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may, for example, be configured as an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.
US08696190B2

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a vibration-free placement of the concrete and for placement and enforced speed inertial compaction of the concrete under a high pressure. The method permits to optimize the values of the compaction factor of the concrete mix being placed without vibration. Whereupon, in the case of variation assigning and implementing (adjusting and optimizing) the integral indices of the mix, and/or the plume modes, and/or the space medium characteristics, increasing the concrete strength in early time of the concrete curing, increasing the width of the placed and compacted mix in one step of concreting, reducing the mix losses in the case of placing with compacting the concrete mix. The method implements a stage of concreting under super-high pressure using a speed force inertial characteristic of components, wherein the steps are joined into the continuous serial process of the steps of: preparing the mix, unloading and transporting thereof, reconstructing the stream, discharging the mix stream for placing with compacting thereof, particularly by means of stabilizing the uniformity of the concrete mix. The apparatus is designed for implementing the method.
US08696189B2

The present invention provides a light-guide-plate (LGP) positioning sheet, which comprises: a fixing portion used to fix the LGP positioning sheet onto a fixing frame of a backlight module, a positioning portion used to abut against and position a light guide plate, and a connecting portion used to connect the fixing portion and the positioning portion. The present invention is further related to a backlight module. According to the LGP positioning sheet and the backlight module of the present invention, the LGP positioning sheet can efficiently ensure the complete alignment between a light emitting diode (LED) light source and a light input side surface of the light guide plate, so as to increase the light utilization rate of the light guide plate.
US08696187B2

An optical member includes a first optical sheet, and a second optical sheet disposed on the light exit side of the first optical sheet. The optical sheets each include a body portion, and unit shaped elements arranged side by side on the body portion. The ratio of the height of the unit shaped elements relative to the arrangement pitch of the unit shaped elements in the first optical sheet is smaller than that in the second optical sheet.
US08696183B2

A backlight module has a light guide plate, a notch structure, a light absorption layer, and at least one light source. The light guide plate has a light-emitting surface and at least one side surface forming an angle with the light-emitting surface. The notch structure is continuously formed on the side surface and concave towards the inside of the light guide plate. The light absorption layer is distributed on an area substantially overlapping the notch structure, and the light source is stored in the notch structure.
US08696182B2

Disclosed are a display device and a backlight unit. The display device comprises a flexible light guide plate, a light source disposed at one side of the light guide plate, and a support member disposed in opposition to the light guide plate and the light source to support the light guide plate. The support member allows the light source and the light guide plate to have constant interval therebetween, and prevents the light source and the light guide plate from being tilted each other. The display device and the backlight unit ensure improved brightness and brightness uniformity.
US08696181B2

A vehicular lamp with an optical axis adjusting device includes a housing, a reflector assembly pivotably mounted to the housing, a light source assembly mounted to the reflector assembly, and the optical axis adjusting device mounted to the reflector assembly. The optical axis adjusting device includes a threaded shaft and a fulcrum. The fulcrum is pivotably mounted to the reflector assembly and threaded with the threaded shaft. When the threaded shaft is rotated, the fulcrum can move along the axial direction of the threaded shaft and drive the reflector assembly to pivot with respect to the housing, so the angle of the optical axis of the vehicular lamp can be adjusted.
US08696178B2

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for illuminating roadways, paths, tunnels, bridges, and areas adjacent to such in a manner which minimizes glare and/or other adverse lighting effects commonly experienced by night-time drivers. According to aspects of the invention, horizontal and vertical aiming of a plurality of solid-state light sources permits projected light from a fixture to be tailored to roadway features (e.g., bends in the road) and in some cases, permits the mounting height of fixtures to be reduced which can make the envisioned system a cost-effective alternative to traditional roadway lighting.
US08696177B1

A garage or work shop utility device provides a mobile base with wheels and a vertical support structure that can accept numerous attachments designed to aid in the performance of garage or work shop tasks.
US08696176B2

A self cooling light effects device for use in a standard light bulb socket having a socket adaptor, surface embedded LEDs as means to generate light effects, means to control light effects, and means for cooling. Fiber optic cables provide further light effects. Means to control light effects may include a logic board. Means for cooling may be any combination of fans, heat sinks, heat pipes, thermoelectric cooling, a heat conductive filler, and a heat conductive housing.
US08696175B2

A lens for a light emitting diode is formed with a material having a refractive index of n, and the lens includes a base, a first curved circumferential surface extending from the base, a curved center-edge surface extending from the first curved circumferential surface, and a curved centermost surface extending from the curved center-edge surface. The base includes a groove for receiving a light emitting chip therein. In the lens, a distance from a center of the base to a point of the curved center-edge surface is always shorter than the radius of curvature for the point of the curved center-edge surface. The curved centermost surface has a concave shape with respect to the base. In addition, when an obtuse angle formed between a main axis of the lens and a tangent line of a point of the curved centermost surface is A1, and an acute angle formed between a straight line linking the center of the base to the point of the curved centermost surface and the main axis of the lens is A2, the lens satisfies the equation: A1+A2<90+sin−1(1/n).
US08696166B2

An apparatus for creating flickering flame effects. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.
US08696157B2

A heat sink for cooling LEDs, which includes a heat sink housing which is configured as a finned concentric tube configuration. Also, an LED heat sink assembly and an LED cooling system which include a heat sink housing which is configured as a finned concentric tube configuration. Also, a method for cooling LED modules.
US08696148B2

A mirror base is proposed that is extruded at least partially out of plastic and which retains its rigidity via long steel bolts, which at the same time produce the fastening to the vehicle.
US08696133B2

A projection optical system (6) comprises a relay optical system (61), a PBS prism (71), and two projection lenses (81). The image light beam from a DMD (5) enters the PBS prism (71) via the relay optical system (61), is polarization-split there, and is directed to a screen by means of the two projection lenses (81). Displaying an image by means of the DMD (5) is controlled while the polarized states of the light beams produced by the polarization split by means of the PBS prism (71) are controlled. Thereby, a three-dimensionally viewable image and a high-resolution image created by pixel-offset can be projected. Since the relay optical system (61) is provided, the lens backs of the projection lenses (81) can be shortened, and the projection lenses (81) and further the projection optical system (6) can be made compact.
US08696132B2

An image display system includes: display unit (13) for spatially combining a first polarized image generated by first polarized light and a second polarized image generated by second polarized light having a polarized light component different from that of the first polarized light and displaying a combined polarized image; display control unit (1) for causing display unit (13) to multiplex-display a plurality of different images in a time division manner concerning each of the first and second polarized images; and optical shutter (14) that selectively transmits only a polarized image corresponding to a selected image arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of different images.
US08696129B2

A method and system are disclosed for producing a color-corrected stereoscopic film for three-dimensional (3D) projection. Based on color measurements performed with different optical configurations of a projection system, at least one dye density adjustment can be determined for reducing discoloration in projected stereoscopic images that arises from one or more optical components in the projection system.
US08696120B2

The present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for determination or selection of a lens power based on the postoperative vitreous length of an eye. The measurement of VLpre is highly predictive in calculating the postoperative vitreous length, from which the position of the implanted intraocular lens or optic can be derived, and then selection of the appropriate lens power.
US08696119B2

The present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for determination or selection of a lens power based on the postoperative vitreous length of an eye. The combined measurements of VLpre, ACDpre, AL, and/or LT are highly predictive in calculating the postoperative vitreous length, from which the position of the implanted intraocular lens or optic can be derived, and then selection of the appropriate lens power.
US08696115B2

This invention relates to comfortable ophthalmic devices and methods of producing such devices by treating said ophthalmic lens with a wetting agent and packaging solution.
US08696113B2

Improved wearable optics is disclosed. The wearable optics comprises a frame member and a lens. The wearable optics also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the wearable optics. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the wearable optics for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the wearable optics to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
US08696109B2

An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.
US08696107B2

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to a print media jam clearance assembly for use in a printing device. The print media jam clearance assembly includes a first print medium jam clearance position and a second print medium jam clearance position. This is accomplished, in part, by a repositionable platen of the printing device.
US08696096B2

An ink distribution assembly for distributing different inks from respective ink sources to a plurality of print chips which together define an inkjet printhead. The assembly includes: a longitudinal distribution molding having an ink duct for each of the different inks extending longitudinally therealong; an ink inlet port corresponding to each ink duct, each ink inlet port being in fluid communication with a respective ink source for delivering ink from each ink source to a respective one of the ink ducts; and a laminated ink distribution stack in fluid communication with the distribution molding for distributing ink from the ducts to the print chips.
US08696084B2

A printer enables setting roll paper in a center-referenced position based on received paper width information, and printing correctly to the printing area of the paper set to the centered position. When the paper width of the paper used for printing is not contained in the received data, the printer sets the paper width of the paper for printing to the maximum paper width. The distance L from the edge of the transportation path to the start printing position of the inkjet head is also set to L=Lm (where Lm is the size of the margin on the paper). When the paper width is contained in the received data, the position where the paper is set is the center reference, and the received paper width is set as the paper width of the paper used for printing.
US08696082B2

Expansion effects of moisture on media resulting from ejection of fluid by the fluid-ejection device onto the media within a print zone in accordance with a portion of a print job are inferred. In response to inferring the expansion effects of moisture on the media, an action is performed to counteract the expansion effects of moisture on the media.
US08696078B2

A device for releasably coupling a drawer to a retractable rail of a drawer retraction guide includes a locking part which can be releasably locked to releasably couple the drawer to the retractable rail of the drawer retraction guide; a handle part which is designed to be actuated by hand and allows the locking part to be released relative to the retractable rail of the drawer retraction-guide; and an opposite retaining part between which retaining part and the locking part the rail is accommodated in the mounted position. The locking part can be moved into a direction pointing away from the opposite retaining part by a hand applying pressure to the handle part, the opposite retaining part being provided with at least one resilient tongue.
US08696054B2

Provided is a linkage mechanism for a recliner that includes a seat rail, an arm mounting plate that is vertically supported by one or more legs, a footrest assembly adapted to extend ottoman(s) when the recliner is adjusted from a closed to an extended position, and a roller link that translates forward when the recliner is adjusted from the extended position to a reclined position. The arm mounting plate includes a forward guide slot and a rearward guide slot having respective tracks installed thereto. The roller link includes a forward roller and a rearward roller that are rotatably coupled thereto. Further, the forward and rearward rollers are moveably engaged to the tracks of the forward and rearward guide slots, respectively, facilitating the forward translation of the roller link. A pair of substantially parallel-spaced TV links act in cooperation to pivotably couple the roller link to the arm mounting plate.
US08696049B2

A vehicle body structure includes a cowl extending in a vehicle transverse direction at an upper rear section of an engine compartment, an air inlet to introduce outside air into a vehicle cabin from the cowl, a fluid discharge channel provided at the bottom of the cowl, the fluid discharge channel inclined to guide fluid entering the cowl to a drain opening disposed at a transverse end of the cowl, a one-way valve disposed inside the cowl at a position corresponding to the drain opening, the one-way valve including a flapper operable to open and close the drain opening in response to a differential pressure generated when air flows through the air inlet and a frame comprising a valve opening corresponding to the drain opening, wherein the one-way valve covers the drain opening.
US08696047B2

An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations, and in some embodiments, with one or more of the air deflection elements being associated with a frame within which it is substantially disposed when in the retracted position. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.
US08696046B2

A tailgate hinge retaining mechanism for a truck bed. The retaining mechanism can have a post bracket and a tailgate bracket. A retaining bracket is also included and attached to the tailgate bracket, the retaining bracket having a sleeve with an offset slot that prevents the tailgate bracket from being undesirably removed from the post bracket.
US08696031B2

The present invention discloses a security element comprising a transparent substrate and a magnetically oriented image coating on said substrate, wherein said image coating is preferably laid out such as to show a 3-dimensional effect, appearing in positive or negative relief respectively, if observed form the recto- or the verso side, respectively. The security element can be easily identified by the unaided eye, by just turning around the document and observing the angle-dependent image on either side. On the other hand, the security element cannot be reproduced by scanning or copying the document.
US08696027B2

Vehicle seatbelt positioner for pregnant women and persons with abdominal problems that acts on the shoulder strap and the lap belt, coupled to the user, easy to install and remove, which prevents an incorrect positioning of the seatbelt that could harm the user in case of accident.
US08696022B2

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) includes a vent opening with a flow area that can be adjusted to throttle inflation fluid flow through the vent. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) throttles the vent (160). The second connection of the tether is positioned on the protection device (14) such that deployment of the protection device throttles the vent (160) toward an actuated condition, and occupant (20) penetration into the protection device throttles the vent toward a non-actuated condition.
US08696017B2

A chair for use by a person with limited lower-body mobility, the chair having a height adjustable seat and chair sides that fold down to form a ramp or bridge to facilitate lateral movement by a user between the chair and an adjacent surface.
US08696006B2

A vehicle has a cockpit area and lateral passages for the ingress and egress of a rider to and from the cockpit area. At least one lateral flexible cover selectively extends at least partially across at least one of the lateral passages. The cover has at least one upper attachment point connected to the roll cage, at least one lower attachment point connected to one of the frame and the roll cage, and a forward attachment point selectively connected to one of the frame and the roll cage. When the forward attachment point is connected to the one of the frame and the roll cage, the at least one lateral flexible cover extends forwardly and downwardly from the at least one upper attachment point to the forward attachment point, and forwardly and upwardly from the at least one lower attachment point to the forward attachment point.
US08696003B2

A front axle support is provided with arrangement of a steering gear and a front axle stabilizer. The front axle support has receptacles for fastening the steering gear and for fastening the front axle stabilizer with screw connections. The steering gear and the front axle stabilizer are fixed on a common fitting. The common fitting is disposed with a common screw connection on the front axle support.
US08696001B1

A binding for a skateboard and a skateboard with bindings are disclosed. The skateboard with bindings have a platform having a longitudinal length and a transverse width; a pair of wheel trucks, spaced apart and attached to a bottom side of the platform; a pair of wheels spaced apart from each other across the transfers width of the platform and attached to each of the wheel trucks, the wheels for supporting the platform on an external surface; and at least one binding comprising engagement portion for receiving direction from a user's foot and a support shaft attaching to the platform, the engagement portion extending above an upper side of the platform.
US08695993B2

Devices and methods of transport are disclosed. Various embodiments include structural aspects related to steering and changing the direction of conveyances including features which utilize leaning or shifting of weight as part of turning.
US08695986B2

A static cylinder head gasket assembly includes an inner distance layer having an opening extending between opposite planar sides with the opening being configured to register with a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of inner functional layers overlie each of the opposite sides of the inner distance layer. The inner functional layers have axially aligned, nested annular sealing beads extending about the opening in the distance layer. The gasket assembly further includes a plurality of outer functional layers separate from the inner functional layers. The outer functional layers have annular inner peripheries spaced axially from one another to provide a gap configured to receive at least a portion of the inner distance layer therein. The outer periphery of the inner distance layer is captured axially between the outer functional layers and thus, the inner distance layer is prevented from being disassembled from the outer functional layers.
US08695982B2

Systems and methods for providing, conducting and modifying an underlying wagering game involving standard playing cards, comprising the steps of providing one or more randomly ordered decks of playing cards; receiving a wager on the final outcome of the underlying game; dealing the playing cards according to the rules of the underlying game; comparing each playing card dealt with a preset criteria, wherein the preset criteria includes at least one identifiable characteristic associated with at least one card of the standard playing cards; and applying a game feature responsive to the satisfaction of the preset criteria, wherein the game feature immediately advances the game to a final outcome.
US08695977B2

Apparatus and methods for handling items of currency using a triple gate diverter are provided. An apparatus is provided that comprises first, second and third diverter members (100, 200, 300) that are adapted for rotational/pivotal movement with respect to another. Each of the diverter members (100, 200, 300) is coupled to a longitudinal shaft (400), itself defining a central longitudinal axis of the triple gate diverter.
US08695976B2

A sheet conveyor device may include a first portion configured to move, a cam configured to move in response to movement of the first portion, and a guide portion configured to move between first and second positions in response to the movement of the cam, to choose a first or second conveying path for a sheet. The cam may cause the guide portion to remain in position even if the first portion is moved a small amount, thereby helping to reduce the likelihood of paper jams arising from undesired movement of the guide portion.
US08695974B2

An image forming device includes a sheet container, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed from the sheet container, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a first conveyance roller set and a second conveyance roller set that convey the sheet therebetween. The first conveyance roller set includes a first driving roller that receives a driving force and a first pinch roller that contacts the surface. The second conveyance roller set includes a second driving roller that receives the driving force and a second pinch roller that contacts the surface. The first driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. The second pinch roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller.
US08695964B2

A sheet conveying device to convey a sheet in a sheet path is provided. The sheet conveying device includes a separator roller, which is arranged to be rotatably in contact with the sheet to apply conveying force to the sheet, a pad assembly including a separator pad, which is arranged to be in contact with the sheet stack to apply convey resistance to the sheet stack, and a holder, which is swingably attached to a base member and holds the separator pad, the base member being in a fixed position with respect to the separator roller, a spring, which urges the pad assembly toward the separator roller, and a slidable member, which is attached to the pad assembly to be integrally movable with the pad assembly and to be slidably in contact with a first slidable section in the base member.
US08695962B2

A device for generating a controllable reciprocal movement of a moveable mechanical element between a first stop point and a second stop point. At least one drive element is moved continuously with reciprocal movement between two turning points. A coupling device with a controllable coupling serves for the selective coupling of the mechanical element to the drive element. The coupling device further features a freewheel and is arranged such that in the active state of the coupling the mechanical element is coupled to the at least one drive element during a first half-cycle of the movement of the drive element and is moved from the first stop point to the second stop point, and during a second half-cycle of the movement of the drive element is substantially uninfluenced by the drive element due to the action of the freewheel.
US08695953B2

One exemplary embodiment may be a distribution tray for a vessel. Generally, the distribution tray includes a member, a compartment, and an insert. The member can form a first side and a second side. Typically, the first side is adapted to receive a liquid thereon. Additionally, the member can form a plurality of openings. Usually, the compartment extends through the member with a first portion protruding from the first side and a second portion protruding from the second side, and is adapted to permit the passage of a fluid there-through. The insert may be positioned within the compartment to constrict and then expand the passage of the fluid there-through.
US08695951B2

A carburettor includes a primary air passage (19), an adjustable throttle valve (8) situated within the primary air passage, a fuel supply nozzle (28) communicating with the primary air passage and connected to a fuel metering valve for varying the amount of fuel discharged through the nozzle. The fuel metering valve includes an elongate sleeve (32) movably accommodating an elongate valve member (33). The sleeve and valve member define a fuel inlet space (35). A fuel inlet (37) communicates with the fuel inlet space. A fuel outlet (39) passes through the wall of the sleeve (32) and communicates with the fuel supply nozzle (28). A portion of the outer surface of the valve member (33) is so profiled that the valve member (33) is movable relative to the sleeve (32) such that the area of communication between the fuel inlet space (35) and the outlet (39) varies progressively between a maximum and a minimum value.
US08695949B2

An improved fence assembly is comprised of a plurality of pickets, an inner rail and an outer rail. The pickets are vertically oriented and attached to the inner rail. The inner rail has an upper locking seat, a lower locking seat and a recess between the seats. The fasteners attaching the inner rail to the pickets have their heads entirely enclosed within the recess. The outer rail snap fits over the inner rail. The outer rail is securely attached to the inner rail, but it may slide along the inner rail. The outer rail has an upper locking tang, a lower locking tang and a tensioning wall. These components slidingly interlock with the inner rail locking seats to provide a fence assembly wherein the outer rail is slidingly attached to the inner rail and the fasteners securing the inner rail to the pickets are hidden.
US08695933B2

An adjustable foot for an electric household appliance having a body integrally fastenable to a casing of the electric household appliance, a stem carried by the body so as to vertically slide, a support element associated with a lower end of the stem, a first screw mechanism operatively associated with the stem and provided with anti-rotation portion cooperating with the body, a toothed wheel carried by the body so as to be coaxial to the stem and idle about a substantially vertical symmetry axis of the latter, a second screw mechanism operatively associated with the toothed wheel and cooperating with the first screw mechanism for vertically translating the stem in response to a rotation of the toothed wheel.
US08695922B2

An aircraft fuselage structure with frames (11) running transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fuselage, and main deck cross members (14) is disclosed. The aircraft fuselage structure contains premanufactured integral units (10) which each comprise at least the lower region of the fuselage frame (11) and the main deck cross member (14), the fuselage frame (11) and a region (14a) of the main deck cross member (14) that spans at least an essential part of the width of the main deck and merges on both sides into the fuselage frame (11) being premanufactured in the form of an integral component.
US08695906B2

A combination herb storage, grinder and pouring container includes a grinding and pouring cup having grinding elements. A cap is removably attached to the grinding and pouring cup. An herb storage receptacle is nested within the cup and cap. The receptacle defines an herb storage compartment having grinding elements extending therefrom so as to be disposed adjacent to the grinding elements of the cup, so as to selectively grind herbs placed between the storage receptacle and the cup. Preferably, the cup and cap are removably locked to one another, and an airtight and watertight seal formed between the cap, cup and storage receptacle.
US08695905B1

An electrically-powered food processor apparatus with special features to aid in the processing of foodstuffs, particularly for Latin American recipes comprises a central hopper with a large open top. A top mounted central crank turns a blade disc located on the bottom inside surface of the hopper. The cutting design of the blade disc is such that the foodstuffs that are cut are the ideal size for use in recipes such as pasteles and alcapurrias. The blade disc can be interchangeable for other blade discs that allow for thinner foodstuffs, thicker foodstuffs, or special serrated designs.
US08695902B2

A water sprinkler includes a base defining a first cavity and an outflow opening, a conduit assembly positioned in said first cavity and defining a first channel and a second channel, and said first channel defining a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, and further said second channel defining a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, and a timer mechanism having a timer inlet and a timer outlet, said timer mechanism being configured to operate in (i) a first mode in which fluid is allowed to pass between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, and (ii) a second mode in which fluid is prevented from passing between said timer inlet and said timer outlet, wherein said first channel outlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer inlet, wherein said second channel inlet is positioned in fluid communication with said timer outlet, and wherein said base and said conduit assembly are configured so that fluid advancing through the water sprinkler must pass through both (i) said second channel outlet, and (ii) said outflow opening.
US08695879B1

A method of preventing fraud, and a fraud prevention terminal, are described. The method comprises: detecting an unauthorized reader in the vicinity of a dip card reader, and closing a pin to prevent a card being inserted into the dip card reader.
US08695874B2

A card actuated automated banking machine (152,198,200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative, responsive to receiving a check and certification data, to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check to the machine need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices of the machine in order to receive cash for the check. Furthermore, prior to accepting the check as a payment, the person can communicate with a least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208) to verify that the check is payable for the check amount.
US08695868B2

Devices and methods of welding dissimilar materials are contemplated in which an adaptor is used in an intermediate position between the dissimilar materials. Most preferred adaptors are manufactured by friction stir welding from two dissimilar materials that are identical or similar to the dissimilar materials to be welded together. Therefore, coupling of dissimilar materials in the field via the adaptors is greatly simplified as conventional welding methods can now be employed.
US08695864B1

A surgical tool may include a circular surgical stapler and an anvil initially disconnected and separate from the surgical stapler; where at least one of the circular surgical stapler and the anvil is magnetic.
US08695862B2

An oscillation reducing suspension device for a fan motor of a combustion-powered tool includes a rigid axial-play setting unit mounted on an upper major surface of a cylinder head, and having upper and lower limit defining members that are spaced apart from each other by an axial play route, a suspending mount configured to keep the fan motor oriented in a rotary axis, and having a lug which extends radially into the axial play route to divide the axial play route into proximate and distal regions, and an elastomeric damper unit having upper and lower damping members respectively disposed in the distal and proximate regions. By virtue of the rigid mount supporting the fan motor, and the resilient damper unit coupling the mount and the cylinder head, the fan motor is firmly secured to the cylinder head, and axial oscillation of the fan motor is reduced.
US08695855B2

A unit for dispensing a dosage material of a powdery or granular consistency has a housing and at least one dispensing head. At least one reservoir cavity is formed inside the housing and serves to receive dosage material. The at least one dispensing head is formed of an elastomeric material. The dispensing head has an outlet which is slit-shaped in its non-deformed state and is delimited by a first outlet lip and a second outlet lip. The outlet can be opened to a variable width by the application of a lateral compressive force. The arrangement further includes at least a first motion-transmitting means designed to impart an oscillatory movement to the first outlet lip relative to, and in the lengthwise direction of, the second outlet lip.
US08695854B2

An intermediate bulk container (IBC) for storing and offloading materials comprises a portable tank including a bottom wall having a bottom discharge outlet. A discharge assembly comprises a sweep elbow and an outlet valve. The sweep elbow has an inlet connected to the discharge outlet and an outlet connected to the outlet valve. A bottom interior surface of the sweep elbow proximate the sweep elbow outlet is substantially even with a valve opening inside the outlet valve.
US08695845B2

Top mounting can container that couples with a can. One or more embodiment enables simultaneous access to both the contents of the can and contents of the container. A half circle cut-out in the lid provides for spill free snacking from an independent vessel. Various configurations enable the inclusion of fresh food, eating and drinking from a straw if desired while standing and walking and access of solid or liquid in the container and can. Coupling elements that couple the top mounting can container to the can, may utilize any type of easily removable or semi-removable technology. Simplifies eating and drinking from one container and can in a theater or stadium having seats for example that provide one beverage holder per seat. Provides one free hand to hold a child's hand for safety while in stadiums and amusement parks.
US08695840B2

A closure assembly for a container including an internally-threaded annular flange, an externally-threaded closure plug that is received by the annular flange, and an annular gasket positioned between the annular flange and the closure plug for establishing a sealed interface. The container includes a container end panel that is formed over and around a portion of the annular flange and provides an inner axial wall that is positioned between the annular flange and the annular gasket. The clearance between the closing plug and the inner axial wall relative to the size of the annular gasket determines the degree of radial compression of the annular gasket as the plug is threaded into the flange. A radial lip of the plug is designed to contact an upper surface of the container end panel that is formed over the flange as a visual indication when the required tightening torque of the plug within the flange has been reached.
US08695838B1

In an example embodiment, a container is provided that includes a circular rim having a recess, where the container has a depth defined by a sidewall and an inner bottom surface. The container also includes a clasp configured to extend across the recess in order to inhibit movement of an object that rests on a surface of the recess. In other example implementations, the clasp operates in a first configuration when a downward force is applied to the clasp and against the circular rim such that the object is secured within the recess. In addition, the clasp can operate in a second configuration when a downward force is applied to the clasp and against the circular rim such that the clasp is secured in a groove of the container.
US08695834B2

A carrier is configured to hold a container having a door mounted for reciprocation between opened and closed positions. The carrier includes a body adapted to receive the container as well as an extension coupled for reciprocal movement with respect to the body. The extension is adapted for engagement with the door of the container, and the reciprocal movement of the extension is adapted to reciprocate the door of the container between the opened and closed position. A container system including a container and the carrier is also provided.
US08695824B2

A flexible container assembly and methods for making and using such an assembly are disclosed herein. The assembly is configured to hold an amount of material, such as heavy and/or bulky material (e.g., industrial, job or work site waste material). In some embodiments, the assembly includes a support structure and a flexible container structure configured to interface with, so as to be supported at least in part by, the support structure.
US08695823B2

An external power supply housing configured for multiple mounting options. In one or more embodiments, the housing of the invention comprises channels configured to accept straps for mounting said housing to a support structure by means of those straps. In one or more embodiments, the housing of the invention comprises threaded inserts configured to mount said housing to a support structure by means of threaded fasteners. In one or more embodiments, the housing of the invention comprises a snap engagement portion configured to snap engage a mating power supply caddy for mounting the housing to the caddy.
US08695808B2

In a method of sorting mailpieces, in which method the mailpieces sorted into the sorting outlets of a postal sorting machine are transferred from said sorting outlets to an unstacker magazine of the machine, or to an unstacker magazine of another sorting machine for the purpose of being sorted again into sorting outlets, said mailpieces are handled by means of shuttle trays of variable storage capacity for the purpose of transferring them from the sorting outlets to the unstacker magazine.
US08695801B2

The present invention relates to a device for handling a number of sleeves, preferably paper sleeves, before, during and after rolling up of a paper web each thereon, at least one insert sleeve bent from a rigid material web and having a length substantially corresponding to the total length of the rolls being inserted in the rolls for simultaneous handling thereof, wherein the insert sleeve is polygonal, e.g. triangular, rectangular, etc.
US08695800B2

The invention relates to a holding and packaging device for a tooth implant, with an elongate cylindrical receiving element (12) which has a cylinder wall (14) and at least one end wall (16), wherein the end wall (16) has an opening (18) for receiving a tooth implant (50), and the cylinder wall has a longitudinal opening (20) in this region. It is proposed that the longitudinal opening (20) extends over the entire length of the cylinder wall (14), that at least two grip elements (22, 24) which are mounted opposite each other on the cylinder wall and extend outward are provided, and that the cylinder wall (14) is manufactured from an elastic material such that, by application of a force, the opening (18) in the end wall (16) can be widened in order to introduce or remove a tooth implant.
US08695796B2

A ball bag having an interior formed of a stretchable material that pulls the bag exterior towards its own center, shaping the bag and locking the balls in place. This technique enables the bag to be used as a ball backpack.
US08695792B2

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes wig or hair piece boxes for both the efficient storage and display of wigs or hair pieces before sell, as well as providing simple, efficient and effective storage facilities for wigs or hair pieces for use of the consumer. The wig or hair piece boxes include a form which holds the wig or hair piece and preserves the curl, style, and one directional curl of the hair tip end on the wig or hair piece. This avoids the common problem of loss of original curl and style of the wig or hair piece which plagues conventional wig and hair piece boxes.
US08695785B2

A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.
US08695781B2

The invention relates to a machine for forming groups of products that arrive in a line, separated on a feeding conveyor (2), which includes vertically separated collectors (4) connected to chutes (8) that are arranged transversely relative to the feeding axis, said chutes (8) each comprising a mobile carriage (7) that supports a collector (4) by means of an actuator (11), said carriages (7) and actuators (11) being vertically adjacent and controlled by a programmable automaton (17) suitable for controlling the cyclic polygonal movement of each collector (4). The means for controlling the collectors (4) offer the possibility of organizing the capture of the products and, in particular, of selecting a number of collectors (4) suited to the group forming rates and/or the type of products (1) to be formed into groups.
US08695773B2

A rotational coupling is provided. The coupling includes first and second hubs disposed about an axis of rotation. A wrap spring is disposed radially outwardly of the hubs and rotatably couples the hubs upon rotation of the first hub in a first rotational direction. A spring actuation member is configured for rotation about the axis and coupled to one end of the wrap spring. The opposite end of the wrap spring is coupled to the second hub. An actuator is configured to selectively stop rotation of the spring actuation member and the second hub in the first rotational direction and cause rotation of the spring actuation member in a second rotational direction to thereby unwrap the wrap spring. The rotational coupling therefore facilitates disengagement of the wrap spring from the first hub during release of the coupling to prevent undue noise and vibration and reduce wear.
US08695771B2

The object of the invention is to provide a lockup device that can improve a fuel efficiency of a vehicle. The lockup device (6) has a piston (61), an output plate (63), a first coil spring (65), an inertia member (64), and a second coil spring (66). The output plate (63) is coupled to a turbine (4) such that it can rotate as an integral unit with the turbine (4). The first coil spring (65) elastically couples the piston (61) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction. The inertia member (64) is provided such that it can rotate relative to the output member (63). The second coil spring (66) elastically couples the inertia member (64) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction.
US08695764B2

A system for monitoring a liquid level in an aircraft shock strut includes a cylinder having an internal chamber sealed by a piston telescopically movable within the cylinder. The chamber contains a gas and a liquid, and a sensor assembly is provided for monitoring a condition of a level of the liquid in the chamber. The sensor assembly includes at least one probe within the chamber, and a fitting assembly allows one or more leads from the probe to pass through the wall of the strut while maintaining pressure in the chamber. The fitting assembly includes a plug molded to the one or more leads extending from the probe. The fitting assembly also includes a retainer for holding the plug in sealed relationship with a through passage in the strut.
US08695763B2

A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.
US08695756B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interlayer film for a laminated glass excellent in a sound-insulating property, which is preferably usable for a head up display and the like wherein a driver can look at the front view and an instrument display simultaneously without requiring to look down, and to provide a laminated glass.The present invention is directed to interlayer film for a laminated glass, which comprises at least a pair of protection layers and a sound-insulating layer sandwiched between the pair of the protection layers, and which has a wedge shape as a cross-sectional shape, a wedge angle θ of 0.1 to 0.7 mrad, the maximum thickness of 2000 μm or thinner, and the minimum thickness of 400 μm or thicker, the minimum thickness of the sound-insulating layer being 20 μm or thicker.
US08695755B2

A pop up device for a curtain, that is compressed to be packaged in a box, and expanded out of said box.
US08695750B1

A hydraulic power steering system controllable by left and right steering wheels has two control valves, each valve connected to a respective left and right steering wheel, and a valve arrangement that selectively connects one control valve to a source of high-pressure fluid and disconnects the other control valve from the source of high-pressure fluid.
US08695740B1

A vehicle having a traction battery disposed within a battery housing is provided. The battery housing is in selective fluid communication with the cabin of the vehicle. An accessory battery separate and distinct from the traction battery is also provided. A closeable barrier system is electrically connected with the accessory battery and is configured to fluidly isolate the battery housing from the cabin when closed. At least one controller is configured to, in response to a trigger condition, disable the traction battery and increase an output of the accessory battery to close the barrier system to isolate gas in the battery housing from the cabin.
US08695737B2

The device for crossing obstacles for a motorized vehicle includes a chassis connected to n (n≧3) wheels on each side, and a driver suitable for rotating the wheels. Each side of the chassis includes a mechanism comprising n−1 arms hingedly connected two-by-two about a shared pivoting axis on which the n wheels are distributed, respectively a front wheel, n−2 intermediate wheels, and a rear wheel. The mechanism allows each wheel to pivot relative to the axis of each adjacent wheel.
US08695735B2

A triangular continuous track device is disclosed for direct replacement of a conventional tire and wheel combination found commonly on cars, trucks and other vehicles. A hub on the device is provided for direct bolt onto vehicles with a standard wheel bolt pattern. A track tensioning feature allows the track to be installed or repaired without removing the device from the vehicle. Grooves on the wheels are provided that engage with ribs on the inside of the track to efficiently transfer power from a power wheel in direct communication with the vehicle's axle to the two bottom idle wheels. The two idle wheels are centered under the power wheel and are held in ground contact by the weight of the vehicle. Other features as shown and disclosed are also provided.
US08695727B2

A coupling adapter is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string as the drill string is extended from a drill rig. The coupling adapter includes an arrangement for receiving a data signal that is generated by an inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described.
US08695725B2

A power tool handle is selectively connectable to a power tool head. The power tool handle includes a grip portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a motor housed within the handle and including a drive shaft driven by the motor, the drive shaft mounted for rotation within the handle and defining an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The power tool handle also includes a trigger disposed proximate the grip portion for actuating the motor, and a button movable in a direction defining an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to a first position when the tool head is coupled to the handle and to a second position when the tool head is removed from the handle. In the first position, the trigger can actuate the motor, and in the second position, the trigger is inhibited from actuating the motor.
US08695723B2

The invention is based on a hammer drill and/or chisel hammer, having an impact mechanism unit, an impact mechanism housing and at least one damping unit. The invention proposes that the damping unit is arranged on the impact mechanism housing along a main extension direction of the impact mechanism unit.
US08695720B2

A fireproof system is provided for protecting a structure during a fire event. The system includes a fire resistant panel defining a first attachment opening and disposed adjacent to the structure; a canister including a side wall defining a first end and a second end, and an end wall enclosing the first end and defining a second attachment opening that is aligned with the first attachment opening; a fastener extending through the canister at the second attachment opening and the fire resistant panel at the first attachment opening such that the canister, the fire resistant panel, and the structure are fastened together; and a fire retardant agent disposed within the canister in an inactive condition and configured to transition out of the second end of the canister in an active condition at a predetermined temperature.
US08695704B2

The present invention relates to encapsulated breakers and the use of encapsulated breakers for breaking viscosified treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a viscosified treatment fluid having a first viscosity having a gelling agent, a crosslinking agent, a proppant, an aqueous-base fluid, and an encapsulated breaker composition having an encapsulant that has a poly(meth)acrylate blend; introducing the viscosified treatment fluid in the subterranean formation; creating or enhancing a fracture in a subterranean formation; and allowing the encapsulated breaker composition to release the breaker so as to reduce the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to a second viscosity.
US08695702B2

A dipole antenna may be created by surrounding a portion of the continuous conductor with a nonconductive magnetic bead, and then applying a power source to the continuous conductor across the nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic bead creates a driving discontinuity without requiring a break or gap in the conductor. The power source may be connected or applied to the continuous conductor using a variety of preferably shielded configurations, including a coaxial or twin-axial inset or offset feed, a triaxial inset feed, or a diaxial offset feed. A second nonconductive magnetic bead may be positioned to surround a second portion of the continuous conductor to effectively create two nearly equal length dipole antenna sections on either side of the first nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic beads may be comprised of various nonconductive magnetic materials, and preformed for installation around the conductor, or injected around the conductor in subsurface applications. Electromagnetic heating of hydrocarbon ores may be accomplished.
US08695701B2

A logging probe supporting device includes a connector that can be plugged in at the bottom of the well with a logging cable contained in the inner space of rods to which the supporting device is fastened and fluid communicating openings provided between the inner space of the rods and the outside of the supporting device, the openings being arranged between the probe and connector. The device includes, between the openings and the connector, a shutoff such as check valves allowing fluid circulation from the inside towards the outside and preventing circulation from the outside towards the inside of the supporting device.
US08695694B1

A deflector assembly includes two deflectors that can cooperate for directing a bullnose assembly toward an intended bore in a multi-bore well based on a configuration of the bullnose assembly without requiring use of gravitational forces or requiring the assembly to be oriented in a certain manner. The deflectors can cooperate by being spaced by a certain amount that, depending on if the amount is less than or greater than a longitudinal length and diameter of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly, can allow the bullnose assembly to be diverted toward the intended bore.
US08695691B2

A subsea connection apparatus to allow connecting a surface blowout preventer stack and riser to a subsea wellhead is disclosed. The subsea connection apparatus uses a single cavity blowout preventer with a set of shearing blind rams. Hydraulically actuated wellhead connectors are secured to the top and bottom of the blowout preventer to allow connection to a subsea wellhead below the subsea connection apparatus and a well head hub profile on the lower end of a riser above the apparatus. A control system can operate both of the hydraulically actuated connectors and the blowout preventer independently. A frangible bore protector is disposed in the bore of the blowout preventer to protect the shearing blind rams from pipe, tools, and fluids being passed through the blowout preventer and can be sheared by the shearing blind rams along with any drill pipe in the bore.
US08695682B2

A pull bar device includes a pull bar unit that is adapted to be connected to a shade member, and that has a hole-defining surface portion defining an engagement hole that is adapted to be engaged removably with a hook member, and a cushion unit that is connected to the pull bar unit, that is exposed from the engagement hole, and that is adapted for biasing resiliently the hook member to abut against the hole-defining surface portion.
US08695681B2

A system for operating and positioning a roller shade may include a roller shade clutch and an idler which are mounted to a bracket for attachment to a structure. The bracket may include a mounting plate and a wall or ceiling engaging member mounted to the mounting plate. The roller shade clutch or idler may be releasably coupled to attachment member of the bracket by a locking device. The locking device may comprise an insert having a body portion, a first end that is configured to be secured within a recess formed in a rear facing surface of the clutch, and a second end that is configured to remain extending at least partially beyond the rear surface of the clutch and to be secured by engagement with a slot formed in the bracket.
US08695674B2

A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.
US08695673B2

The present invention provides a laminator with a corner cutter including a main body, a laminating device and a cutting device. The main body includes a receiving space. The main body is horizontally formed with an entering slot, an exiting slot, a penetrating groove and a corner-cutting recess. The main body having two lateral sides formed between the entering slot and the exiting slot, the corner-cutting recess being disposed at one of the lateral sides. The laminating device disposed in the receiving space includes two rolling rods, a driving portion and two heaters. The two rolling rods are heated by the two heating members. The driving portion drives the two rolling rods to rotate. The cutting device includes a pushing portion and a cutting portion. The cutting device is disposed at one side of the receiving space where corresponding to the corner-cutting recess.
US08695671B2

A prepreg lamination head and a prepreg automatic lamination apparatus with the same is provided. By using them, the curling-up of the cut terminal portion of the prepreg sheet can be prevented. The prepreg lamination head includes: a first roller, a second roller, and a forward-placed paper liner peeling device. The forward-placed paper liner peeling device includes a third roller, which is provided between and above the first and second rollers. The paper liner attached on the first side of the prepreg sheet is peeled off right after passing the first roller. The peeled paper liner is hanged over the third roller between the first and second rollers. The third roller guides the peeled paper liner to the second roller. The prepreg sheet is pressed on the laminated body with the second roller through the paper liner.
US08695664B2

A pneumatic tire has a distinguishing mark is formed on a surface of a side wall portion. The pneumatic tire comprises a first protruding portion protruding along a profile of the mark and a second protruding portion protruding at a height which is lower than the first protruding portion, adjacent to an outer side of the first protruding portion.
US08695662B2

This invention relates to a tire with a circumferential rubber tread comprised of a rubber composition for promotion of reduced internal heat build-up. The invention particularly relates to truck tires.
US08695645B2

A fuel transfer system and a method of using said system by an operator in transferring fuel from a fuel tank or fuel line of an off-road or sport/recreational vehicle to the fuel tank of a second vehicle, the fuel tank of auxiliary equipment or to some other reservoir is provided. The fuel transfer system generally comprises a fuel transfer fitting, a flexible conduit, and a nozzle.
US08695640B2

A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
US08695637B2

Embodiments of a gate valve equalization system comprise: a gate valve; a gate; a preloading valve arrangement; a floating coupler assembly; a relief valve arrangement; and a means for control. The preloading valve arrangement permits fluid to enter the valve body from the upstream side of the gate. The means for control serves as a control interface allowing engagement of the floating coupler assembly and opening/closing of the gate valve. Engagement of the floating coupler, engages the assembly relief valve arrangement and allows redistribution of fluid pressure and circulation of fluid from one side of the gate to opposing side of the gate within the gate valve.
US08695634B2

Provided are a sliding component, such as a mechanical seal ring, which is capable of maintaining superior sliding characteristics even in the long-term continuous use thereof, as well as a mechanical seal, a faucet valve, and a rolling support device, each of which includes the sliding component. The sliding component includes a stationary member, and a movable member contactedly sliding on the stationary member. The stationary member and the movable member are respectively composed of a silicon carbide sintered body containing graphite. The content of the graphite in one of the stationary member and the movable member is at least 4% by mass greater than in the other. Thus, the sliding component includes the stationary member and the movable member which are a combination of those having different contents of graphite. Owing to a high lubricating effect, the superior sliding characteristics can be maintained, permitting a long-term continuous sliding.
US08695623B2

A gas concentration control device for pressure vessel is provided for controlling gas concentration inside an accommodation space that is set in an interior of a chamber formed inside a pressure vessel curing oven. The pressure vessel curing oven includes a gas inlet tube with a first valve and a gas outlet tube with a second valve, which are in communication with the accommodation space. The gas concentration control device includes a gas concentration detection device, which is operative for timed detection of concentration of a gas inside the accommodation space, and a control unit for setting a predetermined concentration, performing a judgment if the gas concentration inside the accommodation space reaches the predetermined concentration according to a detection result of the gas concentration detection device, and thereby controls the first valve and the second valve according to result of the judgment.
US08695618B2

Methods of controllably creating three-dimensional (3D) combined-flow-interface patterns in multi-lane fluidic devices, and systems, apparatuses and software therefor. In one example, the 3D-pattern is created and varied as a function of one or more of the geometry of the inlets to a main fluidic channel in which the 3D-pattern is formed, the Reynolds number of the flows, the dimensions of the main fluidic channel and the inlets, and the spacing of adjacent inlets. In one embodiment particularly disclosed, differing 3D combined-flow-interface patterns are created using a three-lane fluidic device having a fixed inlet geometry. In another embodiment particularly disclosed, differing 3D combined-flow-interface patterns are created using a five-lane fluidic device having a fixed inlet geometry that can be used to effectively mimic variable inlet geometries.
US08695610B2

A method of making up the skin or the lips, the method including measuring at least one optical characteristic at least one location of the skin or the lips; and automatically forming on the skin or lips a deposit that has an optical characteristic that varies and that corresponds substantially at said location, to the measured optical characteristic.
US08695606B2

The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of compositions for occluding or of means for opening conduits. The implantable occlusive material may be delivered pre-formed or in situ cured and, may be a resorbable material that supports tissue ingrowth that eventually replaces the material leaving little or no original material in place. The delivery system is positioned to allow for placement of the occlusive material into the body conduit. Use of delivery systems, methods and devices for re-opening an occluded body conduit are also included.
US08695602B2

A ventilation mask comprises a corrugated flexible seal, and a plurality of ridges disposed along the corrugated flexible seal. The corrugated flexible seal is configured for establishing a fluid seal between the ventilation mask and a patient, and for allowing facial movements of the patient while maintaining the fluid seal. The plurality of ridges disposed along the corrugated flexible seal is configured for physical contact with the patient.
US08695599B2

The invention relates to a respiratory device for keeping a patient breathing artificially or support his or her breathing naturally. Said respiratory device comprises an air inlet, an air source, and at least one proportionally adjustable control valve. The control valve is provided with a housing (11) and a rotary valve (12) which is arranged in the housing so as to be twistable about the longitudinal axis thereof and which allows through-holes (11d) of the housing (11) to be entirely or partially closed by twisting the rotary valve (12). The rotary valve (12) and a corresponding support surface (11f) of the housing (11) have a conical shape, the support surface (11f) cooperating with the rotary valve (12). The through-holes (11d) are disposed in the area of the support surface (11f).
US08695596B2

Devices and systems for monitoring weaning of a subject from a respiratory ventilator including a processing logic configured to characterize distinct patterns in a series of CO2 waveforms, the distinct patterns indicative of the effectiveness of a weaning process; and to provide an indication relating to the effectiveness of the weaning process.
US08695594B2

A method of providing a recruitment procedure to a patient includes monitoring at least one derecruitment event. A score is calculated for the at least one derecruitment event. A derecruitment score is aggregated. The derecruitment score is compared to a recruitment threshold. A ventilator is operated with the processor to perform a recruitment procedure. A system for providing mechanical ventilation to a patient includes a mechanical ventilator configured for pneumatic connection to a patient in order to deliver medical gas to the patient. A peripheral system is configured to provide medical assistance to the patient and the peripheral system produces a signal indicative of the operation of the peripheral system. A processor is communicatively connected to the mechanical ventilator in the peripheral system. The processor receives the signal from the peripheral system and calculates a first score from the signal. The processor aggregates the first score into a derecruitment score and compares the derecruitment score to a predetermined threshold. The processor operates the mechanical ventilator to provide a recruitment procedure to the patient.
US08695592B2

The present invention provides for elements of an improved drug or medicine dispersion and delivery system. The dispersion methods employ curved surfaces to impart rotational motions to one or more fluid flows from a pressurized container to create turbulence and improve mixing of medicament with fluid.
US08695591B2

The present disclosure involves a system for monitoring patients, and more specifically post-operative patients receiving narcotics, and a novel apparatus for automatically delivering a narcotic-reversing agent, including but not limited to the agent commonly known as naloxone, in response to dangerous respiratory conditions such as respiratory depression or other undesired consequences caused by reaction to narcotic dosage.
US08695583B2

Charcoal grill weather cover systems are operable to shelter a charcoal grill from rainfall. An exemplary embodiment has a charcoal grill weather cover portion configured to be disposed above a charcoal grill cover portion. The charcoal grill weather cover portion includes an exhaust portion and at least one support member. The support member includes at least a first end configured to be secured to the charcoal grill weather cover portion and a second end configured to be secured to the charcoal grill cover portion. The charcoal grill weather cover portion is configured to substantially prevent rainfall becoming incident on an outer surface of the charcoal grill cover portion while facilitating exhaust of combustion gasses out from the charcoal grill weather cover portion.
US08695581B2

An archery bow stabilizer includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an elliptical shaped cross-section. The elliptical shaped cross-section is arranged perpendicular to a length dimension of the stabilizer at a location between the proximal and distal ends. The elliptical shaped cross-section has a ratio of a maximum height dimension to a maximum width dimension that is about 0.6 or less.
US08695569B2

A vehicle burner (6) for heating a gas flow (14) in a motor vehicle is provided with a fuel pump (10) for delivering a fuel to an injection nozzle (11) that can be actuated for injecting the fuel into a combustion chamber (7), with an air delivery device (16) for delivering air to the combustion chamber (7), with a control (17) for operating the. A vehicle burner (6), which is coupled with the fuel pump (10), with the air delivery and/or air regulating device (16) and with the injection nozzle (11). Burner waste gas, which is generated during the operation of the. A vehicle burner (6) by the reaction of fuel with air in the combustion chamber (7), is used to heat the gas flow (14). To increase efficiency, a control (17) determines a quantity of fuel, a quantity of air and a fuel pressure as a function of a presettable heat output. The control (17) actuates the air delivery and/or air regulating device (16) for setting the quantity of air determined, the fuel pump (10) for setting the fuel pressure determined and the injection nozzle (11) for setting the quantity of fuel determined to set the predetermined heat output.
US08695567B2

A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters.
US08695566B2

An engine control apparatus includes a hydraulic pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic actuator to which pressure oil discharged form the hydraulic pump is supplied, an operation lever configured to operate the hydraulic actuators, a detection means detecting operation amounts of operation lever means, an target flow rate calculation unit (50) calculating an target flow rate of the hydraulic pump based on the operation amount of the operation lever, a first target speed calculation unit (61) calculating a first target speed of the engine according to the target flow rate, a pump output limit value calculation unit (500) limiting the maximum target speed of the engine in an relief operation according to a load pressure of the hydraulic pump, a fourth engine target speed calculation unit (63).
US08695560B2

A piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston crown, a circumferential fire land, a circumferential ring part having annular grooves, and a piston skirt, which comprises two skirt walls and two box walls set back from the ring part and connecting the skirt walls in such a way that an exposed underside of the ring part is formed in the area of each of the box walls. The box walls are provided with pin bosses having pin bores. At least one support element is arranged between each exposed underside of the ring part and the box wall associated with the underside of the ring part.
US08695559B2

A cylindrical piston for internal combustion engines, comprising a piston crown and a piston base, in the piston base a hollow space being provided, and in a piston base wall forming the hollow space pinholes being provided, characterized in that the outer circumferential surface in at least the piston base at least one oil guide is provided, the direction thereof having an axial component relative to the piston axis and the oil guide extending from the piston crown in the direction of a pinhole.
US08695558B2

The invention relates to a cylinder sleeve (2) for lining the cylindrical wall of a cylinder (A1) of an internal combustion engine. The inventive sleeve (2) comprises an inner wall (3) which is intended to guide a piston in translation and an outer wall (4) which is intended to rest on the cylindrical wall of the cylinder. The outer wall (4) of the sleeve of the cylinder (2) comprises an upper part (6) which is flared toward a top edge (5) of the sleeve (2), which is defined between the inner (3) and outer (4) walls of the cylinder sleeve. The invention also relates to a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least two cylinders (A1, B1) which are each equipped with one such cylinder sleeve.
US08695554B2

Disclosed is a modified valve guide for a four-stroke internal combustion engine that utilizes compressed air to accelerate outflow of exhaust gases from a combustion chamber and through the exhaust manifold. The device comprises a ported valve guide that is concentrically mounted about an exhaust valve stem. The valve guide is a hollow cylinder that surrounds the exhaust valve stem, and includes a vertically mounted port on its working end. Below the port is a circumferential ring and guide tube connection that accepts compressed air input, communicating forced air through the valve guide port on its working end into the combustion chamber and exhaust manifold. The introduction of forced air increases volumetric efficiency of the system by improving scavenging and forcibly removing exhaust gases from the cylinder during the exhaust stroke. Both the power and efficiency of the engine are improved, along with reduced emissions from the engine exhaust.
US08695551B2

A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body defining an axial bore and having an open end and a closed end. A hollow piston is telescopically received within the axial bore and defines a fluid reservoir. The hollow piston has a first end disposed within the axial bore and a second end extending outwardly beyond the open end of the body. A high pressure volume is defined by the axial bore and the first end of the hollow piston. The hydraulic lash adjuster also includes a valve mechanism positioned through an opening of the hollow piston and including a valve member having an open position defining a fluid path from the fluid reservoir to the high pressure volume. The valve member also has a closed position in which the fluid reservoir is fluidly blocked from the high pressure volume at the opening. The hollow piston includes a band of radial recirculation openings defining recirculation paths from the high pressure volume to the fluid reservoir along an exterior of the hollow piston. A diameter of each of the radial recirculation openings is smaller than a width of the band.
US08695546B2

An engine that may be provided with a variable valve device may include an hydraulic pressure lash adjuster pivotally supporting one side of a swing arm, a valve supporting the other side of the swing arm, and an operating portion pushing a portion of the swing arm downwards so as to pivotally move the valve based on the hydraulic pressure lash adjuster, wherein the hydraulic pressure lash adjuster includes a housing in which an insertion hole may be formed therein, a slave piston that may be slidably inserted into the insertion hole, a master piston of which an end thereof may be placed into the insertion hole with a predetermined gap from the slave piston, wherein the other end of the master piston protrudes out of the housing and may be engaged with the one side of the swing arm, and an oil control valve that opens or closes a passage communicating with a master chamber that may be formed between the master piston and the slave piston in the housing.
US08695541B2

During engine warm-up, a flow regulating unit in a cooling system operates in a fuel efficiency priority mode. In this mode, a head-side cooling water flow rate (Qhd) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a first upper limit; a block-side cooling water flow rate (Qbk) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a second upper limit; and cooling water flowing out of a block-side passage and a head-side passage flows mainly into a bypass passage. When a heating request to heat blown air is made during engine warm-up, the regulating unit operates in a heating priority mode. In this mode, Qhd is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a third upper limit; Qbk is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a fourth upper limit; and at least cooling water flowing out of the head-side passage flows into a heat exchanger.
US08695535B2

A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.
US08695525B2

An underwater robot is configured to be charged in response to a charging signal from a charging dock, and includes a main body having a waterproof chamber, and an electric power unit disposed in the waterproof chamber. The electric power unit includes a rechargeable battery set storing electric power, and a charging module coupled to the rechargeable battery set and configured to charge the rechargeable battery set in response to the charging signal from the charging dock.
US08695519B2

A method for using a tufting machine to produce athletic turf bearing precise graphic tuft patterns at a high throughput rate is disclosed. The utilized machine includes tenter frame and a series of tufting frames upon which tufting head components are mounted. The entire length of a piece of backing material is wrapped around the tenter frame, and the tenter frame circulates the backing past the tufting frames, and the tufting head components are shifted as may be necessary to form a desired graphic tuft pattern.
US08695516B2

The present invention provides improved boiler assemblies (10) with enhanced pollution abatement properties through injection and recycling of particulate sorbent materials including sodium bicarbonate, trona, and mixtures thereof. The assemblies (10) include a boiler (12), economizer (14), air heater (15), and recirculation reactor (16). Fresh sorbent material is introduced via assembly (60) into the boiler assembly (10) at one or more injection locations, and serves to sorb NOx, SOx, and other pollutants in the flue gas. The flue gas and entrained sorbent material then pass through reactor (16) for separation of sorbent, which is then recycled for injection back into the assembly (10) upstream of reactor (16). In another aspect, the invention provides pollution abatement apparatus (110) and methods employing an upstream recirculation reactor (114), a supply of fresh sorbent (118), and a downstream collector (116). In the reactor (114), fresh sorbent reacts with incoming hot flue gas (112) to generate a reduced pollutant flue gas (128) and a solids fraction including reacted sorbent and pollutants, and unreacted sorbent. Recirculation apparatus (120) provided between the reactor outlet (126) and reactor (114) serves to generate a substantially constant mass or volume flow rate of the reactor solids fraction, which minimizes the use of fresh sorbent and maximizes the pollution abatement efficiency of the apparatus (110).
US08695511B2

A method and apparatus for providing pallet runners and pallets constructed using them for use in the storage and/or transport of goods and, more particularly, to a low cost, strong, recyclable, reinforced pallet and runner design.
US08695503B2

An assembly for actuating a stripper blade in an indirect printer has been developed. The system includes a blade mounted to an elongated member, a first cam, a second cam, and an actuator configured to rotate the first and second cams. The elongated member is fixed in the vertical direction by a channel, and the first cam is configured to limit the horizontal movement of the elongated member. The second cam pivots the elongated member in and out of engagement with an image receiving member when the horizontal movement of the elongated member is constrained.
US08695493B2

Process of baling a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3. A 3×4×8 ft switchgrass bale so produced weighs between 1,402 and 1,968 pounds.
US08695486B2

The invention discloses a plunger-filter beverage-making machine with a lid which can be closed by a valve. The beverage-making machine has a vessel (2), a lid (3) and a filter piston (4) which can be vertically displaced in the vessel and has a piston rod (41). The lid (3) contains a pouring opening (37) which can be closed by means of an elongate lever (33) which extends transverse to the piston rod. To this end, the lever is mounted on the lid such that it can pivot about a horizontal axis. The lever has, in the region of its front end, a closure body (36) in order to close the pouring opening and, in the region of its rear end, an operating region (331) in order to pivot the lever by virtue of pressure exerted by a finger of a user.
US08695482B2

A beverage making apparatus having structures and methods to facilitate programming of the apparatus with parameters suitable for a pre-determined brewing substances. The beverage making apparatus has a water delivery system for delivering water to a brewing substance holder containing a brewing substance. A temperature adjusting system is provided for adjusting the temperature of water in the water delivery system. A controller is provided for controllably operating the apparatus, the controller further being programmable with characteristics suitable for predetermined brewing substances.
US08695478B2

In order to impart a pleasant brake pedal feeling to the operator in the transition from a ‘conventional mode’ to a ‘brake-by-wire’ mode, it is disclosed that the travel (s) covered upon application of the brake pedal is determined and subsequently reduced by the operator, and in that upon reduction of the actuating travel (s) by a predetermined value (Δs) or in the event of a detected vehicle movement or a positive result of a monitoring function of the connecting and disconnecting device running in the background, the connecting and disconnecting device is activated and the brake booster is actuated by the electronic control unit.
US08695473B2

An elastomeric charge holder includes one or more holes formed therein into which is disposed an explosive charge. The elastomeric charge holder further includes one or more metal wires also disposed within the elastomeric charge holder. The elastomeric charge holder may be over molded or over extruded over each of the one or more metal wires, thereby retaining each of the one or more wires in place during use of the elastomeric charge holder. The one or more wires are also a better match of thermal coefficients to a metal confinement tube that holds the elastomeric charge holder, which results in improved retention of the elastomeric charge holder in place, particularly during initiation of the explosive charge.
US08695456B2

An electronically triggered locking differential includes a differential case, at least one pinion gear and a pair of side gears. A clutch pack is disposed between one of the side gears and the differential case and retards relative rotation between the differential case and the side gear. A cam member is disposed adjacent the clutch pack so that the clutch pack engages when the cam member ramps up. An engagement shaft has one end engaged with the cam member and an opposite end extending through the differential case and engaged with a sprocket. A magnetic coil and flux conductor magnetically couple the sprocket to the differential case when the coil is energized. This coupling retards rotation of the engagement shaft and the cam member relative to the gear case, initiating engagement of the clutch pack to lock the differential.
US08695445B2

A wear-indicating system includes a wear-indicating mark applied to a portion of a surface edge margin of an internal component of a turbine. The wear-indicating mark is visually discernible from the surface edge margin through boroscopic inspection. An inner extent of the wear-indicating mark is spaced a pre-selected distance from the surface edge.
US08695437B2

The present invention provides a vibrating sensor assembly (310). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) includes a conduit (103A), a driver (104), and at least a first pick-off (105). The driver (104) includes a first driver component (104a) and a second driver component (104b). The first pick-off (105) includes a first pick-off component (105a) and a second pick-off component (105b). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) also includes a first reference member (250). The first pick-off component (105a) is coupled to the conduit (103A) while the second pick-off component (105b) is coupled to the first reference member (250). The vibrating sensor assembly (310) also includes a second reference member (350). The first driver component (104a) is coupled to the conduit (103A) while the second driver component (104b) is coupled to the second reference member (350).
US08695436B2

A measuring transducer comprises: a transducer housing, of which an inlet-side is formed by means of an inlet-side, flow divider having exactly four flow openings spaced from one another and an outlet-side formed by means of an outlet-side, flow divider having exactly four flow openings from one another; a tube arrangement having exactly four, curved, or bent, measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers for guiding flowing medium along flow paths connected in parallel. Each of the four measuring tubes opens with an inlet-side, measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the flow divider and with an outlet-side, measuring tube end into one the flow openings of the flow divider. Two flow dividers are arranged in the measuring transducer. An electromechanical exciter mechanism is provided.
US08695421B2

A fuel pump module includes a reservoir and a sender gauge. The reservoir is configured to contain fuel. A sender gauge includes a card mount and a resistance card. The card mount is fixed within the reservoir. The resistance card is fixed to the card mount and has a length oriented horizontally.
US08695416B2

A method of examining a coin for determining the validity of its denomination, comprises the steps of moving a coin through a passageway, sensing said moving coin in said passageway with one or more sensors to interact with said moving coin and provide at least two values indicative of the said coin, calculating two or more coin features by using said at least two values, determining that said coin features values lie between predetermined minimum and maximum stored values, applying predetermined coefficients of weighted-error to each of said coin features, calculating weighted-error correlation coefficients using two or more of the said coin feature values, and determining validity when the said calculated weighted-error correlation coefficient is above predetermined minimum stored values, or when said coefficient is the maximum of all calculated coefficients.
US08695414B2

A pump can include two pistons, each piston having one side exposed to a support pressure and another side exposed to a respective annular chamber, the chambers being pressurized greater than the support pressure. Fluid can be discharged from one annular chamber and received into the other annular chamber by displacement of the pistons. A method of testing a fluid can include pressurizing the fluid in response to increasing a support pressure exposed to one side of each of two pistons, thereby increasing pressure in chambers exposed to respective other sides of the pistons, and then displacing the pistons, thereby flowing the fluid through a test manifold assembly. A fluid test system can include a pump having a support pressure exposed to sides of two pistons, and another side of each of the pistons being exposed to a respective annular chamber. Each annular chamber can be connected to a sensor.
US08695412B2

A probe for measuring a local angle of attack designed to be fixed to a wall and a method implementing the probe are provided. The probe comprises at least three pressure sampling ports disposed over a nose of the probe body, pressure measurement means associated with the pressure sampling ports and calculation means capable of determining an angle of attack of the flow with respect to the main direction of the probe body as a function of the pressures measured by the pressure measurement means. The calculation means are configured for choosing from amongst the pressure sampling ports those allowing the best measurement precision of the local angle of attack to be obtained and for calculating the local angle of attack with respect to the main direction using the pressure measurements carried out in the chosen pressure sampling ports.
US08695397B2

The invention relates to a method for calibrating a sensor which is configured for checking value documents. The sensor senses measurement signals of a calibration medium which is transported past the sensor. From the sensed measurement signals there are determined reference data of the calibration medium and there is moreover determined a transport property of the calibration medium, e.g. the transport speed or the transport position of the calibration medium. From the transport property there is ascertained at least one correction value which is employed for correcting the sensed reference data of the calibration medium. After the calibration, the corrected reference data are compared with target data of the calibration medium. Optionally there is then effected an adjustment of the sensor using the corrected reference data.
US08695394B2

In order to achieve a bending operation which provides a U-shaped metal piece of increased depth and to provide a bending operation safe to an operator involved in the bending operation, the invention is a lower die for press bending which includes: a block body which includes a groove on an upper surface thereof, the groove extending in a right and left direction, and the block body being fixed to a bending machine; and a rotating block which is received by the groove of the block body and is capable of oscillating about an axis of the groove, wherein a process groove is formed on an upper surface of the rotating block to receive a blade edge of an upper die. The block body includes a front shoulder and a rear shoulder at the front and rear sides of the groove. A level difference is defined between these shoulders such that the front shoulder is smaller in height than the rear shoulder.
US08695392B2

A rolling mill, which can use work rolls of a smaller diameter for rolling a hard material and a thin strip material, and can obtain strips of high product quality with high productivity, is provided. For this purpose, a six-high rolling mill includes upper and lower work rolls (2) as a pair for rolling a strip (1), upper and lower intermediate rolls (3) as a pair for supporting the paired upper and lower work rolls, and upper and lower back-up rolls (4) as a pair for supporting the paired upper and lower intermediate rolls, but has no supporting rolls inside and outside the rollable strip width of the work rolls. The work rolls have a small diameter, and use a material having a high longitudinal modulus, such as a hard metal or a ceramic.
US08695388B2

A mechanical key for accommodation in a portable device for use in an electronic key system. The mechanical key is provided with a grip including a socket and a key plate fixed to the grip. The key plate includes a blade and a shank, which is inserted into the socket. The shank includes a first edge for abutting against the socket when the shank is inserted into the socket and a shoulder extending from the blade. The socket includes a guide for abutting against and guiding the first edge of the shank when the shank is inserted into the socket. The guide is mated with the first edge under pressure. The socket further includes a second edge for abutting against the shoulder when the shank is inserted into the socket. The second edge is mated with the shoulder under pressure.
US08695386B2

A lockbox for attaching to a surface including a housing, a lid that is selectively coupled to the housing and includes a lid lock that is arranged to selectively maintain the lid coupled to the housing and to inhibit removal therefrom. An anchoring mechanism is positioned at least partially within the housing and is moveable between an engaged position in which the lockbox is attached to the surface and a disengaged position in which the lockbox is removable from the surface. The anchoring mechanism includes an anchoring mechanism lock which inhibits movement between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
US08695383B2

A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
US08695355B2

A heating/cooling device for a microfluidic apparatus having a thermal insulating substrate. The device includes heating/cooling chamber for heating and/or cooling a sample disposed in the chamber; a waste heat channel for carrying away waste heat and/or waste cooling; and at least one Peltier junction having first and second opposing faces, the first face thereof facing towards said heating/cooling chamber and being in thermal communication therewith for providing either heat or cooling to the chamber in response to a flow of electrical current through the at least one Peltier junction, the second face thereof facing towards said waste heat channel and being in thermal communication therewith for either receiving heat from or dumping heat to the channel in response to a flow of electrical current through the Peltier junction.
US08695354B2

The thermal flux generating device (10) with magnetocaloric material comprises an external cylindrical shell (11), made out of metal or any other adequate material, which delimits the inside of the device (10). Inside this shell (11), a rotor (12) is mounted coaxially which consists of a rotary magnetic arrangement, at least one roughly circular ring of elements (13) comprising at least one magnetocaloric material, this ring is positioned coaxially around the rotor (12) and a set of electric coils (14), with radial axes, evenly positioned around the rotor (12) and which make up a stator (15) electrically supplied so as to create a rotating field that rotationally drives the magnetic arrangement.
US08695348B2

A combustor of the present invention includes: a plurality of nozzles which is arranged around the central axis of a combustor and of which each base end is connected to an oil supply tube; a nozzle tube base which supports the plurality of nozzles and includes an oil chamber supplying fuel to the nozzles via an oil inflow portion provided in each oil supply tube; a first guide portion which faces the center of the combustor inside the oil chamber and guides the oil remaining inside the oil chamber to the oil inflow portion; and a second guide portion which faces the base end of the combustor inside the oil chamber and guides the oil remaining inside the oil chamber to the oil inflow portion.
US08695335B1

The present disclosure concerns liquid ring systems, including (i) a fixed or rotating casing adapted to contain a liquid, (ii) a rotor located within the casing and having at least one impeller, (iii) a liquid ring formed by rotation of the rotor or the casing, and (iv) a plurality of gas cells formed between the inner surface of the liquid ring and vanes of the impeller. For example, at least one compressing gas cell is in fluid connection with at least one expanding gas cell integrated with the rotor. A liquid valve consisting of a small gas cell with a reciprocating liquid surface and at least two fluid connections having a free pathway between the connections during an angle of rotation of the rotor and a closed pathway between the connections during 360 minus the angle of rotation.
US08695328B2

An exhaust purifying apparatus achieving placement of components so as to prevent an increase in the size of the vehicle caused by the placement of the exhaust purifying apparatus while maintaining the performance of the exhaust purifying apparatus by secondary air in a saddle-ride type vehicle. An exhaust purifying apparatus of a saddle-ride vehicle includes a secondary air supply pipe of which one end is connected an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. A secondary air control valve is connected with the other end of the secondary air supply pipe for controlling the supply of secondary air to the secondary air supply pipe. An outdoor air introduction passage is connected to the secondary air control valve, wherein an air filter for secondary air and a resonant passage are installed in the middle of the outdoor air introduction passage.
US08695325B2

Inside of an engine exhaust passage, in order from an upstream side, a hydrocarbon feed valve oxidation catalyst exhaust purification catalyst, and NOX selective reduction catalyst are arranged. By lowering the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst by a predetermined period while maintaining it lean, the NOX is reduced in the exhaust purification catalyst and the NOX which was not reduced at the exhaust purification catalyst is reduced by the ammonia which is adsorbed at the NOX selective reduction catalyst. The air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst is sometimes switched from lean to rich. At this time, the ammonia which was generated at the exhaust purification catalyst is adsorbed at the NOX selective reduction catalyst.
US08695324B2

A fan assembly having an outer fan system is disclosed, the fan assembly comprising an outer fan first stage and an outer fan second stage both extending radially outward from an arcuate platform.
US08695323B2

A plant (100) for the gasification of biomass comprises a gasifier (10) and an apparatus (23) for the filtration of the gas. The apparatus comprises a scrubber (31), a tank (41), and a wet electrostatic precipitator (51). The scrubber is in fluid communication with the gasifier and with the tank, and is adapted for the injection of a washing liquid in the gas flow. The tank comprises a bottom area for collecting the liquid and a top area for holding the gas. The wet electrostatic precipitator is in fluid communication with the top area of the tank. In some examples, a gasifier comprises a gasification reactor (12), a grate (125) for the support of the biomass in the reactor (12) and a plug (126). The plug is vertically movable so as to close and/or open the middle part of the grate.
US08695317B2

A method is provided for forming a high strength synthetic rope useful for towing warps, trawler warps, yachting ropes, mooring lines, anchor lines, oil derrick anchoring lines, seismic lines, seismic lines and any other uses for rope, cable or chain.
US08695312B2

An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.
US08695302B2

An air seal assembly is provided. The air seal assembly includes a plurality of segments configured to form a cavity. The cavity is configured to engage an edge of a construction material. A gasket material is applied to an exterior surface of one of the segments. In an installed position, the air seal assembly is configured to substantially seal gaps formed between the construction material and other materials forming a wall.
US08695296B2

A mounting hardware and a mounting system for mounting a vertical panel from a support member suspended from a ceiling. The mounting hardware has a panel mounting section, a support member receiving portion, and a movable mounting section. The support member receiving portion extends from the panel mounting section. The movable mounting section can be rotate relative to the support member receiving portion to secure the mounting hardware to the support member.
US08695293B2

A window sill pan flashing or a door sill pan flashing with drain. The sill pan flashing has an inclined base, and window or door continuous or near continuous sill supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit. Sill pan flashing offsets provided in the rear sill pan flashing wall and in the front flange create a flow path for water to drain from the sill pan flashing to the exterior of the building. The base may be solid or hollow with window or door supports extending vertically through the base. Extension couplers are provided to join a plurality of sill pan flashing base sections. The sill pan flashing base sections and extension couplers may be manufactured by extrusion.
US08695289B2

The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: a flexible roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the flexible roofing substrate; and an electrical connector operatively coupled to the photovoltaic element, wherein the flexible roofing substrate has formed therein a recess shaped to at least partially receive the electrical connector.
US08695273B2

The present invention relates generally to a waste fishing line holder for anglers carried by a person while fishing. It secures the waste fishing line that an angler generates when changing flies or fishing rigs. The holder is carried in an angler's pocket, a tackle box or attached to an item of clothing or gear. The apparatus is mostly comprised of a generally J shaped body with a long leg and a short leg and being of elongate length of rigid and durable material with an area of deformable resilient and cushioned material attached to the short leg. Formed so that line is held securely in a slit/gap between the long leg and deformable cushioned material.
US08695272B2

A weight to facilitate weed resistant fishing is disclosed. Embodiments include a biconically-tapered weight shaped to define a relatively centrally located aperture, an off-center exit aperture, surrounded by a lip, wherein the weight has a channel where conventional fishing line may pass through the top of the weight, through the channel, and out an exit aperture. With tension on the line, a portion of the hook enters the lip and the hook is relatively shielded from accumulating weeds on decent through a weed mass. A variety of methods disclose manipulating a conventional fishing rod and line with the subject weight.
US08695269B1

A fishing rod handle with line type and strength indicator.
US08695265B2

A mount comprising a connecting portion attachable to a firearm, a first member connected to the connecting portion to be rotatable about a first axis, a second member connected to the first member to be rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and an attachment system connected to the second member for receiving an accessory. Also, a mount attachable to a firearm and having a dampener system connected to base and body portions thereof, the dampener system acting to dampen a recoil force produced by the firearm. Further, a mount attachable to a firearm and allowing a first rotation varying an azimuth of an accessory and a second rotation varying an angle of elevation of the accessory, and control means adjusting the second rotation to obtain a desired value and automatically producing the first rotation to correct a lateral drift of the firearm.
US08695259B2

A souvenir 10 has a display portion 21 upon which is incorporated a three dimensional profile of a representation or display 40 of a memory evokable element, such as an iconic geographical location, cityscape, building, event, structure or person in positive or male profile. A complementary removable covering portion 20 has incorporated therein a negative or female profile of the representation or display 40, allowing the souvenir to be cast from either one of the portions 20, 21 should one of the portions become lost. A recess 51 is located within the display portion 21 for retaining a relic 52 taken from or closely associated with the memory evokable element displayed on the display portion 21. When assembled, the two portions show on the sides silhouettes of the representation or display, to further evoke viewer memories.
US08695252B2

A system for advertising, having a post assembly with first and second ends. The first end has a first neck member with a first threaded opening having a cap thereon, and the second end having a second neck member with a second threaded opening. A display assembly has first and second transparent or translucent walls joined at least at first, second, and third edges. The display assembly further has a first seam to define a first channel and a second seam to define a second channel. A fourth edge defines a sealing edge. First and second elongated rods prevent the display assembly from bending or flapping. The display assembly displays matter housed between the first and second transparent or translucent walls. An extension post assembly has third and fourth ends, and at least one tension arm.
US08695249B1

The external elevator/advertising board for buildings includes an elevator carriage riding on a track assembly on at least one side of a building. Each elevator carriage is defined by an elongate, open box frame having a control console mounted to a floor panel. A power assembly is operatively connected to the control console at the bottom of the elevator carriage. Operation of the console facilitates selective raising and lowering of the elevator carriage at select speeds along a side of the building to a select level for cleaning, maintenance, and emergency evacuation. A front panel of the box frame is disposed at an angle angled towards the ground. The front panel displays advertisements for maximum exposure to traffic around the building.
US08695246B2

A display apparatus includes: a cylindrical casing which is rotatably driven; and a plurality of curve-arranged displays which are installed inside the casing and have the same number as a plurality of slits formed in the casing, wherein the curve-arranged displays include a light housing which is an approximately semi-cylindrical column having a hollow structure, and a plurality of display device substrates installed on an arc-shaped side surface of the approximately semi-cylindrical column of the light housing.
US08695235B2

A soccer shoe absorbs and stores energy from the foot at foot-strike and return some of this energy to the object being struck. The shoe may also cushion the foot, leg and body; provide foot stability and motion control; reduce fatigue; extend the float time of a runner and increase the jump height of the wearer. The shoe is intended to absorb, store and return energy to the object struck, which would otherwise be lost using the existing shoe components and inserts. The shoe has a vertical component that extends around the periphery of the front of the shoe and another component (horizontal) that extends longitudinally from the front of the shoe towards the back of the shoe, at least to about the middle of the shoe, and preferably proximate the heel of the shoe.
US08695223B2

A bush cutter comprises an operating rod, a cutting unit, a main unit and a transfer shaft. The cutting unit is disposed at a front end of the operating rod and rotatably supports a cutting blade. The main unit is disposed at a rear end of the operating rod and houses a motor that drives the cutting blade. The transfer shaft is disposed within the operating rod and transfer output torque of the motor from the main unit to the cutting unit. An adapter is fixed to the rear end of the operating rod and the main unit is provided with a rod insertion hole configured to receive the rear end of the operating rod with the adapter fixed. This configuration may prevent the operating rod, which has versatility, from being erroneously assembled.
US08695214B2

A network and method of laying network cables in water supply pipes is disclosed. A building is situated near a roadway along which is laid a trunk cable. A water supply pipe branches off the water main to enter the building. A water supply pipe is provided at the time of construction of the building and is an underground pipe. It is conventional to provide a dedicated (and usually underground) conduit for a branch cable, which is expensive and disruptive. In the present invention the branch cable is laid along water supply pipe, enabling the cable to cross between the trunk cable and the building with minimal disturbance of the ground therebetween. This is achieved by introducing cable to pipe by use of a suitable Y-junction at location and removing the cable from the pipe by use of a second such Y-junction at location.
US08695209B2

A method of producing a surface-mount inductor by encapsulating a coil with an encapsulation material containing a resin and a filler using a mold die assembly is provided. In the method, a tablet and a coil are used. The tablet is prepared by preforming the encapsulation material into a shape having a flat plate-shaped portion and a pillar-shaped convex portion on a peripheral thereof. The coil is a wound conductive wire having a cross-section of rectangular-shape. The coil is placed on the tablet to allow both ends of the coil to extend along an outer side surface of the pillar-shaped convex portion of the tablet. The coil and the encapsulation material are integrated together while clamping the both ends of the coil between an inner wall surface of the mold die assembly and the outer side surface of the pillar-shaped convex portion of the tablet, to form a molded body. External electrodes are formed on a surface of or around an outer periphery of the molded body in such a manner that the external electrodes are electrically connected to the both ends of the coil at least a portion of which is exposed to the surface of the molded body.
US08695206B2

A device includes a clamp and a sensor. The sensor can be attached to the clamp and tissue by the force exerted by the clamp. The clamp includes a first jaw member having a jaw face and a second jaw member having a complementary face. The first and second jaw members are held in alignment by a joint. The joint has an elastic member configured to exert a compressive force. The joint allows movement of the jaw face relative to the complementary face in directions corresponding to pitch, roll, yaw, and heave. The compressive force is distributed over a surface of the jaw face. The sensor is coupled to the jaw face or held in place by the compressive force of the jaw face. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to a physiological parameter of tissue proximate the jaw face.
US08695203B2

Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank (FT) equipped with an internal accessory, by molding a parison using a mold comprising two cavities and a core, said process comprising the following steps: the parison is introduced into the mold cavities; the core is introduced inside the parison, the core having first been fitted with the accessory; the mold is closed so that the cavities come into leaktight contact with the core; the parison is pressed against the cavities by blowing through the core and/or applying a vacuum behind the cavities; the accessory is fastened to the parison by snap riveting using a device attached to the core; the mold is opened to withdraw the core; and the final molding of the parison is carried out by blow molding and/or thermoforming. The accessory comprises an orifice for the snap riveting and at least one protuberance which, during the fastening of the accessory by snap riveting, will at least partially melt to form a local weld which is at another location than the obtained rivet to obtain two different attachment points.
US08695198B2

The present invention provides a method of positioning a first pipe facing a second pipe, the end of the first pipe being provided with a first chamfer and a first substantially annular surface placed close to its inside surface, the end of the second pipe being provided with a second chamfer and with a second substantially annular surface located close to its inside surface, said first and second annular surfaces defining a joint plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of each of said pipes. According to the invention, a plurality of clamping actuators regularly distributed around the first and second pipes are used and controlled to shift the second pipe relative to the first pipe parallel to said joint plane as a function of a radial offset H, H′ between the first and second annular surfaces so as to guarantee a maximum facing area, referred to as a “coincidence” area for said annular surfaces.
US08695195B2

A process for manufacturing a metal part reinforced with ceramic fibers including machining at least one housing for an insert in a metal body having an upper face. At least one insert formed from ceramic fibers in a metal matrix is placed in the housing. The insert is covered with a cover. A vacuum is created in the interstitial space around the insert and the interstitial space is hermetically sealed under vacuum. The assembly, namely the metal body with the cover, is treated by hot isostatic pressure. The treated assembly is machined in order to obtain the part. The cover includes an element covering the insert in the slot and projecting from the upper face, and a sheet covering the upper face with said element. In particular, the insert is straight and the housing for the insert in the metal body forms a straight slot.
US08695186B2

Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of suppressing occurrence of a discharge phenomenon during the anodic bonding and achieving stable anodic bonding of the base board and the bonding film. Providing a method for manufacturing a package including: an alignment step where an inner surface of the lid board 50 is superimposed onto an inner surface of the base board 40, and an outer surface of the base board 40 is disposed on an electrode base portion 70 for anodic bonding; and an anodic bonding step where a bonding voltage is applied between the bonding film 35 and the electrode base portion 70 while heating them to a bonding temperature, whereby the bonding film 35 and the base board 40 are anodically bonded, wherein the anodic bonding step involves applying the bonding voltage in a state where the penetration electrodes 32, 33 are exposed to a void portion 73 formed in the electrode base portion 70.
US08695180B2

A locking clip for securing one or more objects thereon includes a loop portion and a sleeve. The loop portion defines first and second ends interconnected by first and second intermediate segments. The first intermediate segment includes a gap defined therein. The sleeve is disposed about the first and second intermediate segments between the first and second ends of the loop portion. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the loop portion between a closed position, wherein the sleeve extends completely along a length of the gap to inhibit passage of the object(s) therethrough, and an open position, wherein the sleeve extends only partially along the length of the gap to permit passage of the object(s) therethrough. The loop portion and/or the sleeve also includes a feedback feature configured to produce an audible and/or a tactile feedback response when the sleeve is rotated to the closed and/or the open position.
US08695171B2

A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame, including first and second connector elements disposed on either of the support frame or the waist belt for selective connection of the support frame to the waist belt, first and second quick release pull straps releasably coupled to the first and second connectors, each of the pull straps having a quick release handle portion for grasping with a hand. A users pulls one of the quick release handle portions away from the waist belt to accomplish a partial release of the waist belt from the support frame, and by pulling both of said handle portions, the waist belt is fully decoupled from the support frame, such that the self-contained breathing apparatus may be removed by the wearer without also having to unbuckle or to remove the waist belt.
US08695154B2

A vacuum cleaner (11) with a housing (12) and a suction hose (16) as well as to a suction hose holder (31) arranged on the housing (12) that has two holding elements (32, 37) that are at a distance from each other and that each have a receptacle (34, 39) to hold two sections of the suction hose (16), whereby additional holders (20, 35, 40) are provided at the receptacles (34, 39).
US08695146B2

An oral care implement is provided with a head platform having an opening extending between first and second faces. A first cavity may be defined between the first face and an upper support ledge and a second cavity may be defined between the second face and a lower support ledge. A channel may be defined between the upper and lower support ledges and an area circumscribed within the upper support ledge may be greater than an area circumscribed within the lower support ledge. First and second plates may be attached to the head platform proximate the first cavity and channel, respectively. A shoulder of the first plate may be received on the upper support ledge such that first cleaning elements extend away from the first face. A shoulder of the second plate may be received on the lower support ledge such that second cleaning elements extend through the second cavity away from the second face.
US08695144B2

Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.
US08695138B2

A folding survival knife that includes structural elements to implement any combination of a bottle opener/pan holder/quick opening feature, wire breaker/choil, jimping/wire strippers, hex nut driver/lashing point, pry bar/scraper, glass breaker in a single blade configuration.
US08695135B2

A sacrum support pillow comprises a three-sided deformable member having a length and a width. The length defines a central region disposed between first and second ends. The width in the central region is greater than the width in the first and second ends such that the width tapers to points near the first and second ends. The three sided deformable member defines three edges, and wherein a deformable member surface is located between the first and second edges, the second and third edges, and the third and first edges, and wherein each surface is concave and may have a different width. An outer covering encloses the three sided deformable member.
US08695132B2

The shower head is invented with a hydroelectric generator, a motor and an externally equipped brush. When the user turns on the water tap, water goes through the hydroelectric generator inside the shower head and the motor makes the brush either rotate or vibrate while the electricity is received. Accordingly, the shower head allows the user not to only take a shower but also to have body cleaning and body massage.
US08695121B2

Helmet systems and methods reduce the formation of vapor condensation within the helmet interior, and inhibit fogging of the helmet visor. Exemplary embodiments include a helmet shell having a venting tube, a visor coupled with the helmet shell, a humidity sensor that senses humidity within the helmet interior cavity, and a ventilation system that removes moist air from the helmet interior.
US08695120B2

The invention is directed to a glove that includes an outer shell having several finger shells. At least one finger shell includes first, second, and third tongues, the first tongue forming the palm portion of the finger shell, and the second and third tongues forming the back and side portions of the finger shell. The tongues are joined together at their adjacent edges. The glove can further include waterproof strips overlapping the adjacent edges and fastened to the edges. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing the glove.
US08695117B1

A skydiving garment provides a wearer with enhanced control, maneuverability, and extended gliding range during free-fall. The garment includes ram-air structures that form under the sleeves, between the legs and around other selected parts of the wearer's body respectively. There are ram air pocket entries to these ram-air structures, improved zippers and zipper release mechanisms, all to provide increased safety during launch, glide, parachute opening and landing.
US08695116B2

An air emitting device for use with a costume to create the illusion that air is being emitted from an anatomical body part. A wearable housing contains a source of air within the hollow compartment of a cup. A nozzle focusing the air stream protrudes from a cup. This costume enables the wearer to affix a balloon to the nozzle and inflate it, thus creating the illusion that the air is being emitted from the wearer's anatomical body part.
US08695114B2

An adjustable bathing suit including a channel extending through the length of a waistband. An adjustable band is received within at least a portion of the channel and is attached to the bathing suit. Preferably, the adjustable band extends around the front of the hips around a majority of the waistband. The adjustable band includes a plurality of openings for receiving a button attached to the bathing suit. The button can be located at the rear of the bathing suit. An opening in the waistband is provided in the location of the button to provide access to the adjustable band contained within the channel. A flap attached to an upper portion of the waistband extends over the opening of the waistband for closing the opening. The flap can include a self-gripping material and a self-gripping material can be positioned under the flap for providing secure closure of the flap.
US08701209B2

Remote meter reading terminal devices 2 generate electronic signature data based on meter reading information that includes a measured value acquired by electricity meters 3, measurement date and time, and an electricity meter ID, and transmit the generated electronic signature data and the meter reading information to a meter reading data management server 1. When the verification of the electronic signature data received from the remote meter reading terminal devices 2 has succeeded, the meter reading data management server 1 generates a hash value of the meter reading information and transmits the generated hash value to a TSA server 4. The meter reading data management server 1 also acquires a time stamp generated by the TSA server 4 and stores therein meter reading data that includes the time stamp, the meter reading information, the electronic signature data and the hash value.
US08701201B2

The privacy of users of the Internet and interactive television is protected by actuating a ‘privacy button” on the computer of the end user to cause the computer to search the user's computer to identify all cookies designed to track the user's computer behavior; disable each of the cookies identified by the search; identify the source of each of the disabled cookies; create, carry and forward a message to the identified cookie source that the end user does not want to have his computer behavior observed and/or to receive any advertising until further notice; create, carry and forward a message to the end user's Internet service provider that the end user does not want to receive any advertising and/or that computer observation activity is to be suspended by the Internet service provider until further notice; search the computer memory to identify all websites visited by the end user on the computer during a given time period; and create, carry and forward a message to each website identified in the search that the end user does not want to have his computer behavior observed and/or to receive any advertising until further notice.
US08701200B2

A facility is described for analyzing access control configurations. In various embodiments, the facility comprises an operating system having resources and identifications of principals, the principals having access control privileges relating to the resources, the access control privileges described by access control metadata; an access control scanner component that receives the access control metadata, determines relationships between principals and resources, and emits access control relations information; and an access control inference engine that receives the emitted access control relations information and an access control policy model, analyzes the received information and model, and emits a vulnerability report. In various embodiments, the facility generates an information flow based on access control relations, an access control mechanism model, and an access control policy model; determines, based on the generated information flow, whether privilege escalation is possible; and when privilege escalation is possible, indicates in a vulnerability report that privilege escalation is possible.
US08701195B2

A method for antivirus in a mobile device is performed by using a mobile storage and a system thereof. The method includes a mobile storage that is connected to a mobile device. The control module in the mobile storage automatically runs. The control module obtains root privilege of the operation system of the mobile device, and calls virus-killing module in the mobile storage to eliminate a file(s) or program(s) threatening security of the mobile device. The advantage is to obtain the newest antivirus method by using a mobile storage when a mobile device is unable to update antivirus software through internet.
US08701192B1

Behavior based signatures for identifying applications are generated. An application is monitored as it runs. Specific behaviors concerning the execution of the application are detected, and a behavior based signature representing detected behaviors is created, such that the behavior based signature can be used subsequently to identify instances of the application. Behavior based signatures identifying known malicious and/or non-malicious applications can be used to determine whether other applications comprise malware. To do so, a running application is monitored, and specific behaviors concerning the execution of the application are detected. The detected behaviors are compared to one or more behavior based signatures. Responsive to whether the detected behaviors match, a behavior based signature, it can be determined whether the application comprises malware. An additional malware detection test, such as a heuristic analysis, can also be performed and used in determining whether the application comprises malware.
US08701184B2

An authentication apparatus includes: a database section that stores a password; an entry section through which a password is entered; a storage section that stores an entered password which is entered through the entry section; an authentication section that authenticates whether the password and the entered password match with each other; and a determining section that determines whether or not a re-entered password is to be subjected to an authentication processing performed by the authentication section when the re-entered password is entered through the entry section after the authentication section determines that the password and the entered password do not match with each other.
US08701182B2

A system for and method of automatically enforcing a configuration change process for change requests of one or more configurable element within one or more configurable computation systems. The system comprises means for managing a configuration change process for one or more configurable elements within a corresponding configurable computation system, means for generation a configuration request, means for applying a set of authorization rules to the configuration change requests to generate selective authorization of the CEs, and means for selectively locking and unlocking changes to configurable elements within the configurable computational systems.
US08701180B2

In an embodiment, a method is provided for communicating a protocol request at a network zone. In this method, the protocol request is received from a computing device and this protocol request is encapsulated in a different protocol. The protocol request is then transmitted to a different network zone by way of the different protocol. A message is then accessed from the different network zone by way of the different protocol, and this message includes a protocol response to the protocol request. The protocol response is extracted from the message and transmitted to the computing device.
US08701175B2

Methods, devices, systems and computer program products for providing secure communications between managed devices in a firewall protected area defined by a firewall and a network management station (NMS) in a network segregated from the firewall protected area are provided. Management information associated with managed devices in the firewall protected area is obtained from the managed devices by a de-militarized zone (DMZ) controller. The obtained management information is transmitted from the DMZ controller through the firewall to a gateway module associated with the NMS. Communications between the DMZ controller and the gateway module are enabled by a single firewall rule.
US08701170B1

A system and method for providing, as a service over a computer network (especially a packet-switched computer network) to a body of merchants connected to the computer network, verification of consumer identification based on data provided over the computer network by scanning devices attached to the computers operated by consumers.
US08701169B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for using a single credential request (e.g., registered public key or ECQV certificate) to obtain a plurality of credentials in a secure digital communication system having a plurality of trusted certificate authority CA entities and one or more subscriber entities A. In this way, entity A can be provisioned onto multiple PKI networks by leveraging a single registered public key or implicit certificate as a credential request to one or more CA entities to obtain additional credentials, where each additional credential can be used to derive additional public key-private key pairs for the entity A.
US08701166B2

Apparatus, systems, and methods provide a mechanism to enhance the security of operating client devices with systems controlling secure data. Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to authenticate a communication session between a server and a client device without providing authentication tokens to the client device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08701165B2

Verification of web domains that request login credentials is provided to assist a user in identifying fraudulent request or in avoiding transmission of login credentials in response to such requests. Domain information from a login credential is used to select a verification service corresponding to the domain issuing the credential. Based on a trust level provided by the verification service for the requesting domain, corrective actions may be taken to warn the user or prevent transmission of login credentials. Alternatively, verification may be performed on applications residing on a local computer.
US08701162B1

An arrangement analyzes a data stream to identify particular token sequences known to be of interest or malware. A preprocessing step organizes the malware tokens into a “graph” in which overlapping token sequences are interconnected with logic splices. The preprocessing is performed only once for a given set of malware targets. The resulting graph can be traversed quickly in runtime operation to identify malware token strings in the data stream.
US08701158B2

An information processing system includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses, each apparatus including a transmission unit and a verification unit, and a plurality of authentication servers connectable to the plurality of information processing apparatuses via one or more networks. When one information processing apparatus, used as a receiving apparatus, receives a request of executing a processing at the receiving apparatus from other information processing apparatus, used as a requesting apparatus, the transmission unit of requesting apparatus transmits information to the receiving apparatus, and the verification unit of receiving apparatus determines whether the requested processing can be executed at the receiving apparatus for a user of the receiving apparatus based on a comparison of the information transmitted from the requesting apparatus and information settable for the receiving apparatus by using the authentication server useable for user verification of the information processing apparatuses.
US08701153B2

One aspect of the invention is a method of providing video to attendees of a live concert. Video of different views of the live concert is captured. A plurality of video streams are provided to attendees of the live concert while the live concert is occurring. The plurality of digital video streams enable an attendee of the live concert to select which of the plurality of digital video streams to view using a portable digital device associated with that attendee such that the attendee may choose from among the different views of the live concert.
US08701149B2

A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.
US08701138B2

Methods and apparatus for providing control over targeted secondary content based on a zone associated with a user. In one exemplary embodiment, a user request for primary content from a non-legacy device results in the delivery of the same secondary content which would have been provided had the request been generated at a legacy device (so-called “zone preservation”). To accomplish this, the devices are associated with a user's zone at a zone preservation server in communication with the server providing content to the devices. The zone preservation server associates each user with an advertisement zone identifier, and utilizes the identifier to direct the delivery of primary and secondary content. In another embodiment, a prescribed rule set for one or more zones is employed, such as where certain types of advertisements or secondary content are inserted given a particular device or user context.
US08701135B2

A computing system is programmed to detect if program content is presented on a channel. A program signature is determined based on set-top box tune data from set-top boxes in a market in which it is known the program content was presented. The program signature can be compared to program signatures from other local markets or from the same market to determine if the same program content was presented. In some embodiments, the program signature represents the number of set-top boxes simultaneously tuned to the channel on which the program content is presented.
US08701130B2

A first computing device is programmed to perform operations (i) to collect parameter data for use by a remote function, and (ii) to pass information, including the parameter data, to a second computing device. The second computing device is programmed to perform operations (i) to build a stack based on the parameter data, (ii) to use the information to locate code for the function on the second computing device, (iii) to execute the code for the function on the second computing device, where the function uses the parameter data on the stack, (iv) to obtain output values from execution of the code for the function, and (v) to pass parameter data, including the output values, to the first computing device.
US08701128B2

Described are a client application-programming interface (API) in a service oriented architecture (SOA). A system includes an application client having application code, one or more service interfaces, and a processor. An enterprise service bus (ESB) having a service registry connects one or more service implementations with the application client through the ESB. A processor is configured to execute the application code to invoke at least one of the one or more service interfaces and request at least one of the one or more service implementations via a request message. The request message comprises application code language based objects requesting a service. The processor is further configured to dynamically create a service instance for the service message. The service instance comprises the service message formatted for transport in the ESB and an endpoint reference for the one of the one or more service implementations as determined by the service registry.
US08701101B2

A system and method for management of a portable electronic device is provided. An embodiment includes a system that comprises a portable electronic device that is wirelessly connectable to a carrier administrative server and an enterprise administrative server. The portable electronic device maintains a policy that defines how upgrade requests are to be managed. The policy can define, for example, whether or not the carrier administrative server is permitted to instruct the portable electronic device to install upgrades.
US08701097B2

A compiler and method of optimizing code by partial inlining of a subset of blocks of called blocks of code into calling blocks of code. A restart of the called blocks of code is provided for the case where non-inlined blocks of code are reached at run time. Blocks selected for partial inlining may include global side effects depending on the computer program environment. Global side effects in the selected blocks of code leading to a restart are sanitized in order to defer changes to the global state of the computer program.
US08701095B2

Based on a requested allocation of a managed object, a native memory required with the managed object is determined. A portion of native memory is allocated and a portion of managed memory is allocated based on requirements of the managed object. A memory management strategy is implemented based on the allocation of native memory and unmanaged memory. For example, the memory management strategy can comprise garbage collection of first managed objects that have only managed heap associated therewith is performed before garbage collection of second managed objects that have both managed heap and native memory associated therewith.
US08701093B2

Event management in a non-stop debugging environment that includes a debugger configured to debug a multi-threaded debuggee, where encountering an event by one of the threads stops execution of only the one thread without concurrently stopping execution of other threads and event management includes: receiving, by the debugger, a user request to establish a dynamically disabled event that is disabled for all threads upon a stop in execution of any thread; establishing, by the debugger, the dynamically disabled event; identifying, by the debugger, a stop in execution of a particular thread; and disabling, by the debugger, the dynamically disabled event for all threads of the debuggee.
US08701092B1

A system and method for testing at least one application is provided. The system comprises a test plan or script creation module for enabling a user to create at least one test plan or script for use in testing the at least one application. The system also comprises a test results module for initiating and determining test results associated with testing of the at least one application according to the at least one test plan or script. In some embodiments, the test results module determines and compares: (1) baseline test results achieved by resolving the at least one test plan or script against the application prior to the application being put to actual use, and (2) dynamic test results achieved by resolving the at least one test plan or script against the application after the application has been put to actual use.
US08701089B2

Conventionally, when executing a plurality of programs while being synchronized by a plurality of debuggers, an interface has been required for performing a particular coordination between the debuggers. In the present invention, programs are synchronously executed without coordination between the debuggers by performing a control method including a step for maintaining a program execution state in the debuggers to be different from an actual program execution state, so that the program execution is retained, if necessary, in response to a program execution request from a debugger.
US08701084B1

A computer-implemented method for automatically modifying software code in an integrated development environment, includes the steps of: analyzing software code, wherein the software code is stored in at least one file on a computer readable medium; displaying to a user at least one indication that the software code can be automatically modified; receiving a selection from the user to automatically modify the software code; modifying the software code without modifying the at least one file; and displaying the modified software code to the user.
US08701081B2

A computer-implemented method for generating code based on a graphical model may include: translating the graphical model into a graphical model code, the graphical model code including a first graphical model code function; performing a lookup of the first graphical model code function in a hardware specific library, the hardware specific library comprising a plurality of relationships between graphical model code functions and hardware specific functions, where the first graphical model code function is one of the graphical model code functions; obtaining a matched hardware specific function based on the lookup, wherein the matched hardware specific function is one of the hardware specific functions from the hardware specific library; and modifying the graphical model code based on the matched hardware specific function.
US08701079B2

A procedure for generating an executable overall control program such as a measurement, control, regulation and/or calibration is illustrated and described for controlling a control system having at least one electronic processor unit, whereby multiple functional model components of one of the functional models describing the functionality of the overall control program are compiled in data code, the data elements used in the functional model components are listed at least partially in one of the various data element sets of the functional model. References between data elements in the data element set and those functional model components of the functional model in which the data elements are used are registered, and these references are saved as additional reference information. Such data elements in the data element sets, which are assigned to multiple functional model components are grouped as common data elements in at least one data element group, and at least a part of the data elements in the data element set is compiled to data code. The data code for common data elements is generated from the data set independently of the functional model, and the function code and the data code are completely merged and compiled into the executable overall control program using the reference information consistently.
US08701078B1

A method of managing agile software development includes displaying a group of assets associated with an agile software development process. The group has a particular type and the assets include a first set of attributes selected for display. In response to detecting a request by a first user, a group of available attributes is displayed including the first set. De-selection of an attribute from the first set is detected. For other users accessing respective groups of assets of the particular type, the first set of attributes is displayed for assets in the respective groups, wherein the first set does not include the deselected attribute.
US08701077B1

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and systems which generate a plurality of Read-Only Memory (ROM) codes. In response to generating the ROM codes, an image is generated for each of the plurality of ROM codes. The images for each of the plurality of ROM codes are mapped on a single reticle, and a wafer is provided, which includes a plurality of individual devices. The reticle is utilized, which includes an image for each of the plurality of ROM codes, to print a respective one of the images onto a respective one of the plurality of individual devices.
US08701072B1

The present invention is directed to a method and system for rapidly identifying physical locations of manufacturing defects on the surface of a semiconductor die. The method and system first retrieve information about an electrical failure from an IC's electrical test result and then identify a set of electrical elements from the IC's layout design including a start resource and an end resource. Next, the method and system identify a physical signal path between the start resource and the end resource using the IC's layout design. Finally, the method and system examine a corresponding region on the semiconductor die that covers the physical signal path for manufacturing defects that may be responsible for the electrical failure.
US08701070B2

Among other things, one or more systems and techniques for defining a group bounding box for related cells of an integrated circuit, and generating a new layout for the integrated circuit comprising the group bounding box are provided herein. That is, one or more group bounding boxes are defined based upon positional values of related cells. Such group bounding boxes are placed within the new layout based upon a placement technique, such as an objective function that takes into account wire length, timing, and cell density, for example. The one or more group bounding boxes are sized or reshaped to reduce cell overlap within the new layout. In this way, the new layout comprises related cells, bound by one or more group bounding boxes, that are placed within the new layout according to a configuration that mitigates wire length and timing delay of the integrated circuit.
US08701069B1

A method of utilizing high level synthesis to automatically configure control logic of a hardware design for a pipelined parallel stream processor includes obtaining a scheduled graph representing a processing operation in the time domain as a function of clock cycles. The graph includes a data path to be implemented in hardware as part of the stream processor, an input, an output, functional objects, and parallel branches to enable data values to be streamed therethrough from the input to the output as a function of increasing clock cycle. The functional objects are grouped based upon having a cycle position dependent upon common factors. Common control logic elements are allocated to groups of functional objects. The graph and allocated control logic is used to define a hardware design for the pipelined parallel stream processor.
US08701068B2

An integrated circuit (IC) comprising a shielding mesh in at least one layer of the IC, the shielding mesh having a first plurality of lines which are designed to provide a first reference voltage and having a second plurality of lines which are designed to provide a second reference voltage and wherein the shielding mesh comprises a window in which signal lines are routed with less shielding than signal lines which are routed in the shielding mesh. The IC further comprising power supply lines in at least a first layer of the IC, the first layer being different than the at least one layer which contains the shielding mesh, the power supply lines being coupled to the shielding mesh and being larger in width than the first plurality of lines and the second plurality of lines.
US08701066B1

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for verifying an integrated circuit (IC) design. The method receives a process description file that specifies a process technology for building the IC. The process description file describes a particular device type in which a first conductor overlaps a second conductor by recessing from the second conductor in one or more cut-outs. Based on the process description file, the method finds a section of the IC design that matches the particular device type and uses the description of the particular device type to compute a capacitance value and a resistance value for the section of the IC design.
US08701064B2

A timing error removing method includes selecting a logic-level correction location and a first buffer to be inserted at the logic-level correction location, wherein the logic-level correction location and the first buffer are able to remove a timing error in a semiconductor integrated circuit to be designed; and searching for a vacant area in the semiconductor integrated circuit where the first buffer can be placed for the logic-level correction location, and if the vacant area is not found, further searching for a combination of a plurality of buffers smaller than the first buffer, the combination of the plurality of buffers being able to be placed in the semiconductor integrated circuit and being able to replace the first buffer in terms of a delay obtained as if the first buffer is inserted.
US08701057B2

An integrated circuit (IC) is designed that includes one variant having a plurality of a modular circuits communicatively coupled together and a second variant having a sub-set of the plurality of modular circuits. The modular circuits are then laid out on a wafer for fabricating each of the variants of the IC. The layout includes routing communicative couplings between the sub-set of the modular circuits of the second variant to the other modular circuits of the first variant in one or more metallization layers to be fabricated last. Fabricating the IC is then started, up to but not including the one or more metallization layers to be fabricated last. One or more of the plurality of variants of the IC is selected based upon a demand predicted during fabrication. Fabrication then continues with the last metallization layers of the IC according to the selected layout.
US08701055B1

The present disclosure provides a system and method of designing an integrated circuit. A plurality of devices are selected and properties assigned to each of the plurality of devices. These plural devices having assigned properties are then combined into a macro cell whereby a density gradient pattern is generated for the macro cell. Layout dependent effect (LDE) parameters are determined for the macro cell as a function of the combination of plural devices, and electrical performance characteristics for the macro cell are simulated. A layout distribution of the plurality of devices within the macro cell can then be determined as a function of one or more of the simulated electrical performance characteristics, determined LDE parameters, and generated density gradient pattern. A design layout of an integrated circuit can be generated corresponding to the layout distribution for the macro cell.
US08701051B2

The delivery of targeted advertisements (ads) to wireless mobile handheld display devices (MHDDs) with client specific advertisement and dynamic content for response and feedback is becoming important in advertising. As the return for ads on MHDDs becomes higher, there is a push to show larger and more interactive ads on devices that have small displays. This has created a need to maximize the area available for ad viewing. The need for larger viewing area reduces the area available for call-to-action response enabling switches or inserts on the screen for customer interaction. To overcome this deficiency and provide the necessary end-to-end response capability, hot-spots on the ad image are provided as call-to-action response regions without limitation on the ad viewing area. The use of such hot-spots provides users of MHDDs a preferred interaction mechanism for responding to the advertisement, while maintaining a large ad viewing area.
US08701049B2

A mobile communication terminal, an electronic device, a computer program product, and a method of controlling including receiving a control signal for controlling a predetermined area; and controlling a size and an operating mode of a screen by the control signal. Therefore, various operation modes can be easily selected, and a plurality of touch signals can be recognized and processed.
US08701044B2

Vehicle multimedia system having a display that displays at least two icons which are selectable by a user for changing a setting of the multimedia system, each icon representing one feature of the multimedia system and an operating module comprising at least one operating device for operating the multimedia system, wherein each icon shown on the display is selected by operating one operating device in a single way.
US08701043B2

Exemplary methods and systems for dynamically providing access to enhanced content during a presentation of a media content instance are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes an enhanced content access system detecting a presentation of a media content instance, analyzing a stream of text associated with the media content instance to obtain one or more keywords each corresponding to at least one of a plurality of portions of the media content instance, selecting one or more enhanced content instances associated with the media content instance in accordance with the one or more keywords, and dynamically displaying one or more display elements each representative of an enhanced content instance included in the one or more enhanced content instances in a graphical user interface during the presentation of the media content instance. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08701039B2

A method for discriminating axes of user-selectable elements on a display comprising providing a plurality of user-selectable elements, displaying a first axis of user-selectable elements adapted to group user-selectable elements in a substantially rectilinear fashion, displaying a second axis of user-selectable elements adapted to group user-selectable elements in a substantially rectilinear fashion and graphically discriminating at least one axis of user-selectable elements on the display on a basis of an order between the axes of user-selectable elements, wherein a selection of an axis of user-selectable elements does not effect the order thereof. A graphical user interface and a system thereof are also provided.
US08701034B2

An electronic device and a user interface display method thereof are provided. The method organizes a plurality of computer programs and a web browser executable on the electronic device into a virtual book including a plurality of ordinary pages and a list page. Each ordinary page of the virtual book includes a user interface of one of the computer programs or a web page displayed by the web browser. When one of the ordinary pages is displayed as the current page, the user interface or the web page of the current page is accessible to the user of the electronic device. The list page includes a plurality of entries and each of the entries represents one of the ordinary pages.
US08701030B2

Methods and apparatuses to manipulate a window during a drag-and-drop operation. In one aspect of the invention, a method to manipulate a window includes: receiving input of dragging an item to a first window in a first state in which the first window is not completely accessible on a first screen; and bringing the first window from the first state to a second state in which the first window is more accessible or completely accessible on the first screen before the item is dropped. In one example according to this aspect, the first window is brought to the second state in response to a first determination that the first window contains a target location for the item. The first determination is in response to a predetermined input which is one of: a) a determination that the item has hovered around a location in the first window for a predetermined amount of time; and b) an input of pressing a key while the item is being dragged in the first window.
US08701029B2

Techniques for presenting a modal dialog box in a graphical user interface are described herein. According to one embodiment, a semi-transparent panel is displayed superimposed on a graphical user interface (GUI) page in response to a first user interaction with the GUI page. The GUI page provides a user interface for managing a virtualization system. A dialog box is then displayed on top of the semi-transparent panel, where the dialog box is to receive an input from the user. An alert is generated in response to a second user interaction with an area of the semi-transparent panel other than the dialog box, where the alert indicates that the second user interaction is invalid. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08701023B1

A design tool provides a conflict management graphical user interface (GUI). The conflict management GUI notifies a user that requested values of a global resource result in a conflict during development of an embedded application. The conflict management GUI further provides the user with a user interface element to adjust the requested values until the conflict is resolved.
US08701021B2

An embedded marker system includes a plurality of devices communicatively coupled to a single system model. The system further includes a plurality of application views configured to communicate with the system model to obtain status and configuration data associated with one of the plurality of devices.
US08701020B1

In general, this disclosure describes techniques for overlaying information related to a text message onto a video. In one example, a method includes receiving communication data at a first computing device that is sent from a second computing device while the first and second computing devices are engaged in a real-time video communication, wherein the communication data comprises video data. The method also includes displaying the video data on a display of the first computing device and receiving a text-based message at the first computing device that is sent from the second computing device during the real-time video communication. The method further includes overlaying information related to the text-based message onto the video data displayed on the display of the first computing device.
US08701018B1

A system and technique provide management and display of information objects (IOs) in an electronic personal information management application. The system further provides a graphical user interface which allows every object to be used as a folder and the ability to subordinate any other type of object. A unique list view through which IOs can be displayed and managed is also disclosed.
US08701011B2

A UI specification creating apparatus displays a format that allows information relevant to a condition of an element displayed on an operation screen of a user interface to be activated and information concerning content of process that the element operates to be described in a given form and receives descriptions relevant to specifications of the element based on the format. The UI specification creating apparatus then displays the operation screen of the user interface and carries out a simulation of an operation of the element displayed on the operation screen of the user interface based on the information relevant to the condition of the element to be activated and the information concerning the content of process that the element operates received.
US08701004B2

A method for generating multi-language menus comprises grouping language-dependent menu resource files on a storage medium, and selecting only those menu resource files from a group that are labeled with an indication that matches the preferred menu language of the respective player.
US08700999B2

Methods and systems for managing open documents are disclosed. Document representations are displayed in a carousel display. Each of the representations displays a document viewport portion of content from a corresponding open document. Upon determining a first gesture associated with a selected representation, a full view of the document viewport portion of the open document corresponding to the selected representation is displayed. The content of the open document displayed in the document viewport portion may be adjusted based upon a user action in the open document. Upon determining a second gesture, the full view of the document viewport portion is closed and the adjusted content is displayed as the document viewport portion in the carousel display. A greater portion of the open document than what is visible in the document viewport portion is displayed.
US08700993B2

Techniques for interacting with a client process on a mobile device connected to a network over a wireless link includes managing information at a mobile applications server executing on a platform connected to the network. The information includes device profile information about the mobile device. First data is received from an application. The first data describes graphical elements for display on the mobile device. It is determined whether the first data exceeds a capacity of the mobile device based on the device profile information. If it is determined that the first data exceeds the capacity, then a subset of the first data is formed that does not exceed the capacity of the mobile device. The subset of the first data is sent to the client process. If it is determined that an external converter does not convert using a particular format, then a first description of graphical elements is converted internally into a second description using the particular format. Second data including the second description is sent to the client process. These techniques allow network-based services to be made readily available to a wide range of mobile devices without having to explicitly program each application for providing one or more network-based services to support all forms of mobile devices.
US08700992B1

A method of determining position and dimensions of webpage elements includes inserting test border code around certain elements of content in existing content code. The resulting content code including the test border code is rendered by a content-rendering application. A screen capture image of the rendered content is obtained, and the dimension and/or position of a rendered test border is obtained by analysis of the screen capture image. The dimension and/or position is compared respectively with a reference dimension or position to obtain a dimension difference and/or position difference. If the difference satisfies a predetermined condition, a test parameter corresponding to the element is adjusted based on the difference. In certain embodiments, the non-border elements are removed from the screen capture image.
US08700991B1

A method and system for protecting content presented in a web browser is provided. The method may include modifying a content item to obfuscate content, and then causing obfuscation to be dynamically removed when the content item is presented in the web browser.
US08700989B2

Provided is a method and apparatus for transmitting a markup document in a mobile device, such as a cellular phone, which captures images. The method includes creating a markup document indicating certain predetermined content as fixed parts and certain predetermined content as variable parts, and requesting a printing of the markup document by separately transmitting the fixed parts and the variable parts.
US08700979B2

An error correcting code decoding device includes a first decoding circuit, a word-length reduction circuit configured to reduce bit lengths of a first external values corresponding to a plurality of bits obtained after decoding process performed by the first decoding circuit a first predetermined number of times and to reduce bit lengths of words included in word string, and a second decoding circuit configured to decode the bit string by executing a decoding process a second predetermined number of times for calculating second external values and posterior values of the bits included in the bit string in accordance with the word string including the words having the reduced bit lengths using the first external values having the reduced bit lengths as second prior probabilities that corresponding bits among the plurality of bits are the predetermined value.
US08700978B2

Subject matter disclosed herein relates to semiconductor memories and, more particularly, to multilevel non-volatile or volatile memories.
US08700971B2

A parallel residue arithmetic operation unit is provided to reduce processing delay, and to make an additional multiplier or a residue arithmetic circuit unnecessary, so that a circuit can become small in size. In the parallel residue arithmetic operation unit, a parallel CRC calculation circuit includes input terminals to which input data are divided into a plurality of sub-blocks and the sub-blocks are input in parallel, an initial value generating unit for generating a part CRC corresponding to the forefront of each sub-block as an initial value, a part CRC generating unit for receiving the part CRC corresponding to the forefront of each sub-block as the initial value and sequentially generating a residue part CRC in accordance with a recurrent equation, AND units for calculating logical multiplications of part CRC values, and a cumulative adding unit for cumulatively adding values output from the AND units.
US08700962B2

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 is configured to control at least a given one of the scan cells so as to prevent the scan cell from capturing a potentially non-deterministic value from a portion of the additional circuitry. The portion of the additional circuitry that provides the potentially non-deterministic value may comprise, for example, at least one of a mixed signal logic block and a memory block of the additional circuitry. The given scan cell may be controlled by configuring the scan cell such that it is unable to capture data in a scan capture mode of operation in which it would otherwise normally be able to capture data.
US08700954B2

A method of generating common trouble case data for managing a plurality of systems. The method includes (a) obtaining first identifiers of actual system components and a second identifier of a template from a system data storage unit, (b) obtaining third identifiers of definitional system components from a template data storage unit on the basis of the second identifier, (c) selecting, by a computer, a first identifier subset among the first identifiers on the basis of the third identifiers, and (d) selecting, by the computer, a first trouble case data subset among a plurality of first trouble case data pieces on the basis of the first identifier subset to generate the common trouble case data. In the above (c), the first identifiers of the first identifier subset are identical to the third identifiers. In the above (d), the first trouble case data subset includes the first identifier subset.
US08700953B2

An operation management device includes: an information collection module which collects, from a managed device, first and second performance information showing a time series change in the performance information; a correlation model generation module which derives a correlation function between the first and second performance information and creates a correlation model based on the correlation function; a correlation change analysis module which judges whether or not the current first and second performance information acquired by the information collection module satisfy the relation shown by the conversion function between the first and second performance information of the correlation model within a specific error range; and a failure period extraction module which, when the first and second performance information does not satisfy the relation shown by the conversion function of the correlation model, extracts a period of that state as a failure period.
US08700946B2

A recover to cloud (R2C) service replicates a customer production environment to virtual data centers (VDCs) operated in a cloud service provider environment. Customers provision both a disaster recovery VDC and a test VDC. At A Time of Disaster (ATOD), the disaster VDC is made available to the customer through the cloud. The disaster VDC is allocated a first set of resources dedicated to the specific customer and to disaster recovery. The test VDC, brought on line at A Time of Test (ATOT), is allocated resources from second set of resources arranged in a shared pool, separate from the first set. Provisioning of the test VDC does not disturb critical resource assignments needed in the event of a disaster.
US08700936B2

A method of operating an electronic device includes determining whether one or more operating conditions for allowing the electronic device to operate in a low-power mode are satisfied, preventing the electronic device from operating in the low-power mode if fewer than all of the operating conditions are satisfied, and causing the electronic device to operate in the low-power mode if all of the operating conditions are satisfied.
US08700934B2

There is disclosed a system and method executable in a wireless mobile communication device for dynamically configuring processing speed for a main processor in the device during device initialization. In an embodiment, the method comprises: initiating a boot-rom procedure; determining whether a battery is present in the device, and in response to the presence of the battery, determining whether the battery charge level is above a predetermined threshold; determining whether a USB connection to the device is present, and in response to the presence of a USB connection, enumerating the USB connection; and wherein, in response to the presence of the battery and the battery charge level being above a predetermined threshold, or in response to the USB connection being enumerated at a higher current, the processing speed of the main processor is increased.
US08700918B2

Method, device, and storage medium to receive test data including multiple test strings, wherein the test data is a data set that includes all possible values of input strings to be data masked; encrypt each of the test strings; select a portion of the encrypted test string; compare each portion to the corresponding test string; determine, for each portion, whether the portion of is equal to the corresponding test string; assign the portion as a replacement string when the portion is not equal to the corresponding test string; determine whether each replacement string is unique; store each replacement string that is not unique; generate, for each replacement string that is not unique, an alternate replacement string; and output an alternate replacement string, as a masked string in response to a determination that art input string matches one of the stored test strings associated with one of the alternate replacement strings.
US08700912B2

A database comprising biometric data stored in encrypted form is managed by a management unit. It comprises a set of filters respectively associated with filter identifiers. A biometric data item is received at a management unit; next, said biometric data item is stored in an encrypted form at a given address in the database. Then keywords are obtained on the basis of a first set of hash functions and of the biometric data item. A subset of indexing filters is associated with each keyword by selecting, for each keyword, filters as a function of the respectively associated filter identifiers, of said keywords, and of a second set of hash functions; and the given address is associated with each of the filters of the subset of filters.
US08700910B2

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which biometrics can be utilized without leaking to a third person so that a strict personal authentication can be conducted. The communication system includes, storing a correspondence table in a card, storing a reference password which is formed by converting a part of biometrics of an authorized user in the card by using the correspondence table, reading a part of biometrics of a user by the card, converting a part of the biometrics of the user into a password by the card using the correspondence table, and checking the password against the reference password by the card, wherein the card and the user are authenticated if a the password and the reference password match in the step of checking.
US08700898B1

Systems and methods for providing sensitive data protection in a virtual computing environment. The systems and methods utilize a sensitive data control monitor on a virtual appliance machine administering guest virtual machines in a virtual computing environment, wherein each of the guest virtual machines may include a local sensitive data control agent. The sensitive data control monitor generates encryption keys for each guest virtual machine which are sent to the local sensitive data control agents and used to encrypt data locally on a protected guest virtual machine. In this manner the data itself on the virtual (or physical) disc associated with the guest virtual machine is encrypted while access attempts are gated by a combination of the local agent and the environment-based monitor, providing for secure yet administrable sensitive data protection.
US08700892B2

A traffic management device (TMD), system, and processor-readable storage medium are directed to determining that an end-to-end encrypted session has been established between a client and an authentication server, intercepting and decrypting subsequent task traffic from the client, and forwarding the intercepted traffic toward a server. In some embodiments, a second connection between the TMD and server may be employed to forward the intercepted traffic, and the second connection may be unencrypted or encrypted with a different mechanism than the encrypted connection to the authentication server. The encrypted connection to the authentication server may be maintained following authentication to enable termination of the second connection if the client becomes untrusted, and/or to enable logging of client requests, connection information, and the like. In some embodiments, the TMD may act as a proxy to provide client access to a number of servers and/or resources.
US08700891B2

According to one general aspect, a method of using a network device may include receiving, via an ingress port, a data packet that includes a payload portion, a source network address and a destination network address. In various embodiments, the method may also include determining if the data packet includes a security tag that includes a role based authentication tag. In some embodiments, the method may include, if the data packet includes a security tag that includes a role based authentication tag, transmitting, via an egress port, at least the payload portion and the role based authentication tag towards, in a topological sense, the destination network address.
US08700890B2

A system and method for securely storing and transmitting digital information includes a computing device connected to at least one of a network device or a storage device or both. The system and method also includes a communication network connected to the at least one of a network device or the at least one of a storage device, or both. The system and method may include the computing device being configured to receive and receiving at least a portion of one or more first bit streams from an input device, being configured to parse and parsing the at least a portion of the one or more bit streams to form one or more first datasets, being configured to compress and compressing the one or more first datasets to form one or more second datasets, being configured to encrypt and cryptographically modifying the one or more second data sets to form one or more third datasets, being configured to assemble and assembling the one or more third datasets to form at least one second bit stream; and being configured to disperse and dispersing the at least one second bit stream into multiple portions in such a manner that any minimum number of the total number of dispersed portions contains a complete second bit stream, and being configured to output and outputting the total number of dispersed portions to one or more of local and remote data storage devices.
US08700888B2

Examples of specific-purpose local clients are provided for self-provisioning of configurations and for obviating reinstallation of entire windows-based embedded images onto the specific-purpose local clients. Each local client may have a windows-based embedded image with a write-filter, and may include a configuration history memory unit configured to store a plurality of extensible markup language (XML) configuration files. The configuration history memory unit may be in a persistent storage area of the local client to allow the plurality of XML configuration files to be retained on the local client when it is shut down. The local client may include a retrieval module configured to facilitate automatically locating a remote repository server containing a new XML configuration file, to facilitate automatically obtaining the new XML configuration file from the remote repository server over a network, and to facilitate automatically obtaining a previous XML configuration file from the configuration history memory unit.
US08700887B2

A processor and a processor control method which efficiently perform an operation on data using a register, are provided. The register may include a data type field and a data field. The processor may generate the data type bits and store the generated data type bits in the data type field.
US08700876B2

Database partition monitoring and dynamic logical partition reconfiguration in support of an autonomic self-tunable database management system are provided by an automated monitor that monitors one or more resource parameters in a logical partition running a database application in a logically partitioned data processing host. The monitor initiates dynamic logical partition reconfiguration in the event that the parameters vary from predetermined parameter values. In particular, the monitor can initiate removal of resources if one of the resource parameters is being underutilized and initiate addition of resources if one of the resource parameters is being overutilized. The monitor can also calculate an amount of resources to be removed or added. The monitor can interact directly with a dynamic logical partition reconfiguration function of the data processing host or it can utilize an intelligent intermediary that listens for a partition reconfiguration suggestion from the monitor. In the latter configuration, the listener can determine where available resources are located and attempt to fully or partially satisfy the resource needs suggested by the monitor.
US08700873B2

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing data packets are presented. A data packet in the data packets is stored in a first portion of a memory in response to receiving the data packet at a device. The first portion of the memory is allocated to the device. A determination is made whether a size of the data packet is less than a threshold size. The data packet is copied from the first portion of the memory allocated to the device to a second portion of the memory in response to a determination that the size of the data packet stored in the memory is less than the threshold size.
US08700866B2

A data transfer apparatus includes: a first port and a second port that communicate data; a memory unit that stores the data; and a securing unit that secures, when a first time period starting from transmission of data up to reception of a response to transmitted data at the first port is longer than a second time period starting from transmission of data up to reception of a response to transmitted data at the second port, a first memory space that is used in data transfer in the first port so as for the first memory space to have a larger size than a size of a second memory space used in data transfer in the second port.
US08700858B2

A method and system to allow power fail-safe write-back or write-through caching of data in a persistent storage device into one or more cache lines of a caching device. No metadata associated with any of the cache lines is written atomically into the caching device when the data in the storage device is cached. As such, specialized cache hardware to allow atomic writing of metadata during the caching of data is not required.
US08700855B2

A computer-implemented method and system can support a tiered cache, which includes a first cache and a second cache. The first cache operates to receive a request to at least one of update and query the tiered cache; and the second cache operates to perform at least one of an updating operation and a querying operation with respect to the request via at least one of a forward strategy and a listening scheme.
US08700852B2

Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for processing read and write requests in a storage controller. A host adaptor in the storage controller receives a write request from a host system for a storage address in a storage device. The host adaptor sends write information indicating the storage address updated by the write request to a device adaptor in the storage controller. The host adaptor writes the write data to a cache in the storage controller. The device adaptor indicates the storage address indicated in the write information to a modified storage address list stored in the device adaptor, wherein the modified storage address list indicates modified data in the cache for storage addresses in the storage device.
US08700845B1

A host accessing memory devices by providing common address and command information on a parallel-connected serial bus to each of the memory devices and shifting data in the memory devices through a daisy-chain serial interface.
US08700844B2

A control method for a memory is provided. The memory includes a plurality of storage units, each storing a plurality of bits. In a read mode, a read command is provided to the memory. The value of a most significant bit (MSB) of each storage unit is obtained and recorded. The value of the most significant bits is output. The value of a neighboring bit of each storage unit is obtained and recorded. The neighboring bit neighbors the most significant bit. The value of the neighboring bits is output.
US08700843B2

Provided are a computer program product, system and method for managing Input/Output (I/O) requests to a storage device. In response to a write request, a determination is made as to whether preserve mode is enabled. A first entry is located in a volume control table for the logical address to write indicating a version number of the data and a first physical location in the storage device. The write data is written to a second physical location in the storage device. If the preserve mode is enabled, a second entry is added to the volume control table for the logical address, the volume control table is updated to have the first or second entry for the logical address point to the second physical location and indicate a current version, and the first or second entry not indicating the current version indicates the first physical location and a previous version.
US08700841B2

A read/write ratio for each of a plurality of data segments classified in a hot category as hot data segments is determined. Each of the plurality of hot data segments is ordered by the read/write ratio in a descending order. Each of a plurality of available SSD devices is ordered by a remaining life expectancy in an ascending order. Those of the plurality of hot data segments are matched with those of the plurality of hot data segments with those of the plurality of available SSD devices such that a hot data segment having a higher read/write ratio is provided to an SSD device having a smaller remaining life expectancy than another hot data segment having a lower read/write ratio.
US08700829B2

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for implementing one or more individual pressure sensitive keys that each support multiple native scan codes, with each scan code corresponding to a unique pressure level output. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in one exemplary embodiment to allow users to leverage the capability of a variable pressure keyboard by providing an information handling system having individual variable pressure keys that are each capable of outputting a different macro or multi-key sequence per key pressure level sensed.
US08700819B2

A communication link between a host device and a client device can be suspended based on a suspend request or notification provided by the client device. The suspend request can be transmitted by a client device to a host device if the client device determines that suspension is appropriate, and can be sent in response to receiving a polling request from the host device. After receiving a suspend request, the host device can initiate an operation to suspend the communication link between the devices.
US08700817B2

A detection device to detect a power serving time of a super capacitor for a power-disconnected storage card and an amount of the data packets capable of being stored during the detected serving time is provided. The power-disconnected storage card includes a memory. The detection device includes a power supply unit, the super capacitor, a controller, a storage unit, and a detection unit. The storage unit stores the data packets. The detection unit includes a charge notification module, a data notification module and a time module. The charge notification module generates a first notification signal to the time module. The data notification module generates a second notification signal to the time module when the storage unit transmits the data packet to the memory. The time module records time when the memory completely store the data packet according to the first notification signal and the second notification signal.
US08700811B2

Disclosed are methods for exposing multiple interfaces of a communications fabric (Ethernet, FiberChannel, Serial-Attached-SCSI, Infiniband, etc.) of a virtual machine and automatically mapping those interfaces onto separate physical interfaces. Such an approach may preserve the simple management experience of a single connection point into the virtual machine while allowing the OS and application within the virtual machine to supply information necessary to efficiently use the multiply underlying physical links.
US08700810B2

A semiconductor device includes at least one endpoint communicating with a host, and an endpoint controller dividing each of the at least one endpoint into a majority of sub-endpoints and performing numbering to each of the divided sub-endpoints. The endpoint controller transmits a packet generated by the host to any one of the sub-endpoints.
US08700805B2

The invention refers to a method for synchronizing clocks in a communication network, wherein a first clock of a first network element (MA) which is a master element is used for synchronizing second clocks of one or more second network elements which are slave elements. According to the method of the invention, a first sequence of first messages transmitted from the first network element to the second network element and/or a second sequence of second messages transmitted from the second network element to the first network element is recorded. First messages and/or second messages out of those sequences are identified by using an appropriate threshold function with respect to the transmission delays of those messages. Those identified messages have the same constant minimum delay, and based on those messages clock synchronization between the first clock and the second clock is performed. The invention has the advantage that clock synchronization is possible even if an intermediate switch causing an unknown delay is located in the transmission path between the first and the second network element. This is because most of the messages are transmitted within a minimum constant delay via such an intermediate switch and, by identifying those messages, a line delay between the first network element and second network element can be estimated and used for synchronizing the second clock with the first clock. The synchronization method of the invention is preferably used for synchronizing clocks in a DECT network. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the first and second messages are messages according to the standard IEEE 1588.
US08700800B2

A method and apparatus of allowing client roaming between gateways of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The gateways are connected through a layer 3 network to an aggregation router. The method includes a first gateway sending a first route update to the aggregation router when a client joins a first cluster of the first gateway, the first gateway aging the route, and a second gateway sending a second route update to the aggregation router when the client roams to a second cluster of the second gateway.
US08700795B2

Data streams are generally selected according to user preferences and transmitted to the user in general alignment with expressed preferences of the user. Such data streams may be music, including music videos. Users may indicate their general or specific preferences with regards to song, artists, or albums. Any other aspects or factors that might affect the user's preferences can be taken into account. A playlist is created that combines all of these factors. The playlist then serves as the basis for feeding the data streams to the user. Each user is able to express his or her own preferences and receive music corresponding to those preferences on an on-going basis.
US08700789B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.
US08700786B2

Systems for graceful termination of support for session initiation protocol communications on a server are described. Systems include techniques for setting a time period for gracefully terminating such support, for sending a service unavailable message to a client, for causing the server to maintain support, until no later than the expiration of the time period for terminating support, for uncompleted session initiation protocol invites accepted by the server before sending the service unavailable message to the client, and for terminating support for session initiation protocol communications on the server no later than upon expiration of the time period for terminating support. Methods for graceful termination of such support and computer-readable storage media whose contents cause a computer system to perform a graceful termination of such support are also described.
US08700773B2

Described is a technology by which load balancing is accomplished by HTTP redirect responses. A web application (rather than a server) receives an HTTP request, such as identifying a database that is available on one or more servers. From among those servers having the database, the web application selects a server based upon server load information collected from each of the servers. Load balancing is accomplished by selecting a server based upon the load information and which servers have the most recent data, and returning an HTTP redirect response that identifies the selected server. Also described is using redirection to refresh a database on a server without affecting any other databases on that server, by removing that server from those available while the database is refreshing, whereby requests for that database will not be redirected to that server while being refreshed.
US08700771B1

Systems and methods for caching information related to access rights are provided. The access rights may be rules stored in an access control list. The cache may include packet parameters against which packets in a data flow are matched to determine if a match is possible from the cache. If a match is possible, a corresponding rule is applied to the packet. If a match is not found in the cache, the access control list may be searched for a corresponding rule. The rule from the access control list may be populated into the cache when a match is found in the access control list.
US08700763B2

Systems and methods for performing automated load and usability testing via an application delivery appliance can include methods where a browser having a unique identifier is detected and a script is injected into the HTML response generated by the page displayed within the browser. The injected script renders the page and the links on the page, and then selects a link within the rendered page. Upon selecting a link, the script then waits for a period of time before calling a function associated with the selected link. In situations where the browser is a control browser, the calling of a function associated with the link is followed by the spawning of one or more slave browsers, where each slave browser further executes the above-listed steps beginning with the execution of the injected script and ending with the calling of the function associated with the selected link.
US08700761B2

A method and system of managing network alarms including associating an alarm type with a plurality of network alarms using information associated with the plurality of network alarms, the information comprising a quantity of the plurality of network alarms and a cause of the network alarms; and processing the plurality of network alarms based on the alarm type associated therewith.
US08700751B2

In an example embodiment, a new qualifier is added to members in a Fiber Channel zone to specify whether each member is a target or initiator and in another embodiment a time-range attribute is added to a zone in the zoneset. When the zoneset is applied the number of ACL entries that must be programmed is reduced from k×(k−1) entries to 2(k−1) entries for a zone with k members where k−1 members are of one type (e.g. initiators) and one of the members is of a different type (e.g., a tape device). The time-range attribute is enforced by zone server software and enhances security by, for example, limiting access to sensitive data to specified times. In another embodiment, an incremental zoneset activation protocol is implemented where a hash of a zoneset is created by a switch updating the zoneset and the hash and ID of the switch updating the zoneset are sent to all other switches in the fabric when the zoneset is propagated. The hash and switch ID are stored in persistent storage at all switches in the fabric. When a target zoneset is updated by a source switch only the incremental change is propagated to other switches in the fabric along with the hash and switch ID of the target zoneset. Each switch checks a received hash and switch ID against its stored hash and switch ID to assure that the stored local zoneset is the same as the target zoneset before applying the incremental change.
US08700743B2

An article of manufacture includes an interface component configured to couple to a computer, the computer being part of a network having a gateway device. The article further includes a memory component containing computer-implementable instructions that, when executed by the computer, gather network configuration information from the gateway device. The network configuration information is configured to enable an electronic device to join the network.
US08700737B2

The disclosed embodiments relate to creating a web service composition from a plurality of web services. For creating the web service composition, an augmented definition of the plurality of web services is created. Based on the augmented definition and a user request, a task listing the required inputs for the plurality of web services, the required outputs of the plurality of the web services, the mapping between the output of one service to the input of the second service is computed. The task of identifying the required inputs for the plurality of web services, the required outputs of the plurality of the web services, and the mapping between the output of one service to the input of the second service is crowd sourced to crowd workers who submit their responses to an online crowd sourcing platform. The collected responses are used to generate the desired web service composition.
US08700734B2

A method for providing a provider-selected message in response to a user request for user-selected information is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a client program for user-selected information. If a provider-selected message has not been previously transmitted to the client program, the method further includes transmitting provider-selected information to the client program. If a provider-selected message has been previously transmitted to the client program, the method further includes transmitting the user-selected information. In one embodiment, the method also includes receiving a second request from the client program for the user-selected information after the provider-selected information is displayed for a limited time.
US08700731B2

A method for providing content via a computer network and computing device, which may include: storing data associated with and indicative of a plurality of presentations; receiving a request to host an audio presentation; receiving and storing data associated with the requested audio presentation; initiating and recording one or more telephone calls; and, presenting at least a portion of the stored data for selection by the computing device; wherein, selection causes the stored data indicative of the selected audio/visual or audio presentation to be provided to the computing device for playback thereby via the computer network. The method may include storing data associated with and indicative of a first plurality of presentations; storing data associated with a plurality of second presentation feeds: automatically and periodically accessing each of the feeds; and aggregating each of the presentations for delivery via the computer network.
US08700730B2

Disparate devices in an audio/video ecosystem may be connected and managed by having multiple crossbar connections at nodes in a node and leaf network. The leaves of the network may be various audio and video devices, with receivers, personal computers, and other devices comprising the nodes, which have at least some crossbar switching ability. When the nodes are connected, some or all of the devices attached to all of the nodes may be made available at each interface for control and display. Each node may act as a crossbar, allowing a user at each interface to enjoy the services of any device, regardless of the node to which the device is attached.
US08700729B2

A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.
US08700722B1

The disclosed technology covers messaging systems and methods, and computer program products embodying such systems and methods. An example computer-implemented method may include receiving, at a message server, a plurality of messages directed toward a plurality of computing devices, the plurality of messages including a first message directed toward a first user profile. A first computing device may be identified as being associated with the first user profile. It may be determined, by a computer processor, that the first user profile is inactive on the first computing device and that a second user profile is active on the first computing device. In that case, the first message may be held at the message server due to the first user profile being inactive. Other implementations of the messaging systems and methods are also disclosed herein.
US08700716B2

Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.
US08700710B1

Aspects of the disclosure provide techniques that enable a first user to add a second user to a social subnetwork of the first user's social network. In one example, a method may include discovering a second computing device associated with a second user. A first user associated with a first computing device and the second user may each be associated with a social networking service. The method may include receiving, from the second computing device, identification data associated with the second user. The method may include determining an identifier based at least in part on the identification data received from the second computing device. The identifier may identify the second user in the social networking service. The method may also include sending a request to a remote computing device to associate the second user with the social subnetwork of the first user.
US08700703B2

The present invention relates to a communication system, and the invention specifically provides a contents server that appropriately stores media contents from group users in a PoC Service and a conference service. The contents server includes: a recording unit that records media information from plural users in a communicatable state participating in a predetermined group, for each group; a detecting unit that detects a communicatable state or an uncommunicatable state of each participating user, at each predetermined time; and a deleting unit that deletes confirmed media information already recorded in the recording unit, upon detecting that all the participating users are in the communicatable state.
US08700701B2

A client computing system determines whether an entitlement for a product is valid for a first point in time. Upon determining that the entitlement for the product is not valid for the first point in time, the client computing system sends a first entitlement request to an entitlement server. Upon determining that the entitlement for the product is valid for the first point in time, the client computing system determines whether the entitlement for the product is valid for a second point in time. Upon determining that the entitlement for the product is not valid for the second point in time, the client computing system sends a second entitlement request to the entitlement server.
US08700691B2

Embodiments are provided that include client-server computing architectures that use minimal download features and functionality as part of page navigation operations, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a client-server computer system uses a page transition strategy to navigate between electronic pages based in part on script, style, content, and/or other page differences that can be used as part of providing minimal download features and functionality. A method of an embodiment operates to package page incremental rendering information for use in rendering a new electronic page without having to reapply common aspects of the new electronic page and a reference electronic page. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08700689B2

Solving computational problems may include generating a logic circuit representation of the computational problem, encoding the logic circuit representation as a discrete optimization problem, and solving the discrete optimization problem using a quantum processor. Output(s) of the logic circuit representation may be clamped such that the solving involves effectively executing the logic circuit representation in reverse to determine input(s) that corresponds to the clamped output(s). The representation may be of a Boolean logic circuit. The discrete optimization problem may be composed of a set of miniature optimization problems, where each miniature optimization problem encodes a respective logic gate from the logic circuit representation. A quantum processor may include multiple sets of qubits, each set coupled to respective annealing signal lines such that dynamic evolution of each set of qubits is controlled independently from the dynamic evolutions of the other sets of qubits.
US08700687B2

A video codec method is provided, for processing video data processed by a Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) operation, comprising: (a) if a transformation matrix having a plurality of coefficients comprises at least one non-integer coefficient among the coefficients, multiplying the transformation matrix by a multiplication factor α to make all coefficients of the transformation matrix integers, (b) estimating a compensation set, (c) performing a Column in Row out IDCT two-dimensional operation on the video data according to the transformation matrix and the compensation set, to obtain a compensated two-dimension operation result, (d) selectively dividing the compensated two-dimension operation result by α2 to obtain an IDCT operation result.
US08700685B2

Apparatuses, computer readable media, methods, and systems are described for processing a workload record for each of a plurality of assessors, each of the workload records identifying an assessment previously assigned to a particular one of the assessors, calculating a complexity score for each of the assessments, calculating a workload index for each of the assessors based on the complexity score of the assessment previously assigned to that assessor, and assigning a new assessment to a particular one of the assessors based on the workload indexes.
US08700679B2

Conversion of a snowflake-like schema to a star-like schema includes a distribution of the snowflake-like schema across several host computer systems. Each host computer system has a fragment of the snowflake-like schema, including a fragment of constituent fact tables. Dimension keys in the fact table fragments are mapped to data tables via the constituent dimension tables. Data table keys are identified and populate the fact table for the converted star-like schema, thus obviating the dimension tables in the converted star-like schema.
US08700678B1

Techniques are disclosed for generating data provenance associated with a computing system. For example, a method comprises the following steps. Information associated with the execution of a given process in a given computing environment in accordance with a given process data set is captured. A provenance data set is generated based on the captured information. The generated provenance data set comprises one or more states associated with one or more execution components of the given computing environment that existed during the execution of the given process. At least a portion of the generated provenance data set may be utilized to revert the computing environment back to the one or more states associated with the one or more execution components of the given computing environment that existed during the execution of the given process.
US08700661B2

A method and system for full text search (FTS) using a navigation system is disclosed. The FTS system generates vectors for documents that are stored in a database. The vectors are formed by converting data token pairs to binary or hexadecimal strings. The FTS system may generate and store vectors in a multi-dimensional index (e.g., an R-Tree) for each document stored in the database. The FTS system may receive two or more search terms inputted by a user and generate one or more vectors based on the inputted search terms. The FTS system may then use the generated vectors to query the multi-dimensional index.
US08700659B2

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products relating to multi-media management and streaming techniques implemented over a computer network, including, for example, one or more features and/or functions relation to one or more of the following (or combinations thereof): venue-based streaming radio stations, mobile user graphical user interfaces, QuickPlay dynamic streaming radio stations based on a user's geolocation, etc.
US08700647B2

In a plurality of sub-systems, a respective sub-system processes data according to a logic system specific to the respective sub-system. At least some of the sub-systems respectively include at least one acquisition unit which is configured in such a way that it acquires information relating to the processed data of the respective sub-system and converts it into a predefined data structure which is the same for at least some of the sub-systems. the acquisition units are connected to a common analysis unit which during operation of the communication system receives information from the acquisition units relating to the processed data in the predefined data structure and analyzes it in relation to predefined criteria.
US08700634B2

A deduplicated data storage system provides high performance storage to heterogeneous clients that connect to it via a communications network. The deduplicated data storage system provides fast access to deduplication data by caching the most frequently accessed deduplication data in a hyperindex. Updates to the non-cached deduplication data are serialized by use of a store queue and hold queue.
US08700626B2

Systems, methods and computer products for content-derived (generated) metadata. Exemplary embodiments include a metadata generation method, including receiving a media file, searching the media file for metadata associated with the media file, adding the metadata to a metadata file associated with the media file, searching the media file for media components and adding metadata entries that are associated with the media components to the metadata file.
US08700624B1

A system and method for searching for content. The method includes the steps of receiving a user query, determining one or more search apps that can answer the user query, employing each of the one or more search apps to query one or more content sources associated with each of the one or more search apps, ranking search results, corresponding to the one or more content sources, provided by the one or more search apps, and storing the ranked search results to a non-volatile computer readable storage medium.
US08700621B1

An improved query suggestion system can allow a user to more effectively search for items they would like to purchase online. The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for generating query suggestions based on user-generated content. A user may begin an online shopping venture by entering a keyword into the search function on a shopping website or other search engine interface. The search engine can launch a search of user generated content on the Internet, such as product related blogs, product reviews, or question-and-answer articles. The search engine can extract frequently repeated bigrams from the content. The search engine may combine the bigrams to generate candidate composite words and select a final query suggestion list from the candidate words. The query suggestion list is displayed to the user in the search interface. The user may select one of the suggested queries if it more accurately defines his search.
US08700620B1

The invention entails a method of Etiological prioritization based on an original symbolic model of the causative construction of singular logical relations which are built from an initiation of sensed masses in patterns, the naming of sensed patterns into words, the description of the relations of masses using specific English language primitives, the relations between masses and words, and the relations between primitive words. This process is built upon a theory and model of discretized human capabilities and learned experiential meanings. Human capabilities and learned experiential meanings are identified as singular primitives and amount to words identified and matched to singular parts that make up human capabilities and the inventive model of the experiences of the sensing and understanding of the spatiotemporal physical world.
US08700615B2

A system and method for improving the relevance of search results is disclosed. Voters who may be human searchers or guides may review search results or other review items associated with a search request or other reference item. A review may be activated based on a usage indicator(s) which may improve utilization of guides. A vote by a voter may be weighted based on a voting history associated with the voter and one or more reference voters who may be designated by the system. A voter may be presented with a group of items for review including simultaneously. A number of comparison voting sessions or elections may be used to determine a rating or ranking of a review item associated with a reference item.
US08700612B2

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a search input, select a first cell related to the search input, and display data of the first cell and selectable objects in response to the search input. Each cell defines a way to display a portion of searchable data within a first contextual relationship and a way to display a portion of the searchable data within a second, different contextual relationship. Selection of a first selectable object results in displaying a first portion of the data of the first cell with a first set of other data related to the first portion based upon the first contextual relationship. Selection of a second selectable object results in the computer displaying a second portion of the data of the first cell with a second set of other data related to the second portion based upon the second contextual relationship.
US08700603B2

The invention provides an improved algorithm for selecting paid advertisements for inclusion with search engine results or with any resource retrieved from the Internet. The algorithm collects personalized data of each user and feeds the collected personalized data into search queries of search engines, to retrieve paid advertisements. The advertisements are retrieved based not only on search keywords input by the user, but also based on personal preferences, interests and demographics of the user, as well as the location of the user and the time when the search is performed. In other words, the inventive technology enables each user to receive very targeted, localized and personalized advertising materials.
US08700598B2

A method and apparatus for searching a manual in an image display device includes a display unit, a key input unit and a control unit. In the method, a menu call command for setting a function of an image display device is input at the request of a user. Menu items for the function setting are displayed. One of the items is selected, and a predetermined key is input for a manual call command for the item. A manual page of the selected item is displayed.
US08700595B2

The present invention provides systems and methods for automating a search over a network such as the Internet. A user selects data such as text from within an application. The selected data is activated and a search is performed without the user having to leave the application. The search is performed while the user is continuing within the application. When the search is complete, the search results are made available to the user within the application from which the search was initiated. In one embodiment, the data is pre-searched and the results are cached such that the results are already available should the user desire. The present invention is particularly suited to integration with an operating system such that the methods of the present invention are thereby available to all applications. Alternatively, the present invention can be specific to a particular application.
US08700587B2

According to the present invention, techniques for performing security functions in computer storage subsystems in order to prevent illegal access by the host computers according to logical unit (LU) identity are provided. In representative embodiments management tables can be used to disclose the Logical Unit in the storage subsystem to the host computers in accordance with the users operational needs. In a specific embodiment, accessibility to a storage subsystem resource can be decided when an Inquiry Command is received, providing systems and apparatus wherein there is no further need to repeatedly determine accessibility for subsequent accesses to the Logical Unit. Many such embodiments can maintain relatively high performance, while providing robust security for each LU.
US08700575B1

A method and system for initializing a Network Attached Storage (NAS) system having disaster recovery capabilities uses a communication link disposed between control stations of a source and destination NAS to enable the destination NAS to consolidate configuration and mapping information at a centralized location, thereby enabling validation of disk mirroring and mapping of standby components to be performed in a consistent manner.
US08700552B2

Deep Neural Network (DNN) training technique embodiments are presented that train a DNN while exploiting the sparseness of non-zero hidden layer interconnection weight values. Generally, a fully connected DNN is initially trained by sweeping through a full training set a number of times. Then, for the most part, only the interconnections whose weight magnitudes exceed a minimum weight threshold are considered in further training. This minimum weight threshold can be established as a value that results in only a prescribed maximum number of interconnections being considered when setting interconnection weight values via an error back-propagation procedure during the training. It is noted that the continued DNN training tends to converge much faster than the initial training.
US08700547B2

A general model is provided which provides collective factorization on related matrices, for multi-type relational data clustering. The model is applicable to relational data with various structures. Under this model, a spectral relational clustering algorithm is provided to cluster multiple types of interrelated data objects simultaneously. The algorithm iteratively embeds each type of data objects into low dimensional spaces and benefits from the interactions among the hidden structures of different types of data objects.
US08700539B2

A user may be matched to a community or another user based on travel information such as destination, route, time to arrival and the like. Thus, a user traveling to a destination may be able to communicate with or meet other users traveling to the same destination. Other information may also be used in determining matches including habits, interests or relationship status. In one arrangement, travel information may automatically be obtained from a navigation engine while a user is traveling. The travel information may be automatically sent from the navigation engine or a communication system associated therewith to a server configured for identifying matches between users or between users and communities. A user may further set a match threshold to control the number of matches that are returned. Recommendations for restaurants, activities, hotels and the like may also be determined based on the history and profile of matching users.
US08700532B2

A project managing unit 11 authenticates users of virtual machines 24-1 to 24-N and specifies a project to which the users belong. A key managing unit 12 distributes an encryption key, which is assigned in advance to the project specified by the project managing unit 11, to encryption processing units 232-1 to 232-N of virtualizing units 23-1 to 23-N. Input/output monitoring units 231-1 to 231-N of the virtualizing units 23-1 to 23-N receive input/output data generated between the virtual machines 24-1 to 24-N and devices 22-1 to 22-N, and deliver the data to the encryption processing units 232-1 to 232-N. The encryption processing units 232-1 to 232-N encrypt output (write) data and decrypt input (read) data by using the distributed encryption key.
US08700531B2

The present invention generally relates to a single transaction account identifier that can be used for in transactions with one of multiple transaction accounts. The method includes one or more of the following steps: establishing at least two transaction accounts, wherein the transaction accounts are respectively associated with transaction account identifiers; receiving, at a transaction processing system, a common account identifier; recognizing the common account identifier as being associated with more than one account; and determining, which of the at least two transaction accounts to access for processing the transaction. The determining step may be based on selection criteria and the selection criteria may be modified by a user. One of the first and second transaction account identifiers may be forwarded to the respective first and second transaction accounts based on the determining step; and the transaction may be processed via the selected transaction account.
US08700527B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for transmitting, via an intermediary system, a payment request from a payment requestor to a customer. In some embodiments, a method includes: (a) receiving, at an intermediary computing device, the payment request from a source system, wherein the payment request includes a payment amount and an alias associated with a payment recipient, (b) in response to receiving the payment request, determining, via a computing device processor, whether the payment recipient is a registered payment recipient based on the alias, and (c) in response to determining the payment recipient is a registered payment recipient based on the alias, communicating, via the intermediary computing device, the payment request to the payment recipient based on the payment recipient being the registered payment recipient.
US08700514B1

A method and a system is disclosed for creating and managing financial instruments, which may be designed to increase the risk-adjusted return of investment portfolios and other collections of assets and/or liabilities. A computer may be used to access databases containing asset information, liability information, counterparty information, metric information, and swap agreement information. Swap information may be received including first counterparty information and first metric information comprising a future cash flow that is at least partially determined by one or more events associated with playing one or more games. A first swap agreement may then be executed. A metric value for the first metric information may be determined and cashflows value to be paid and/or received may be calculated. The calculated cashflows value may be exchanged.
US08700510B2

Redirecting or returning international credit transfers is described. In one embodiment a system for redirecting or returning international credits is described including a gateway operator that receives a credit transfer from a foreign originator, compares routing and account numbers of the credit transfer with a predetermined table of routing and account numbers, and forwards the credit transfer based on the comparison of the routing and account numbers with the predetermined table, an Automated Clearing House (ACH) that presents the credit transfer to a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) for clearing and settlement, and a wire transfer service that presents the credit transfer to the RDFI for clearing and settlement. In another embodiment a method for redirecting or returning international credits is described.
US08700508B2

Systems and methods are provided for electronically providing spending information and budgeting recommendations to a student of an educational institution. The systems and methods comprise capturing student interaction data, wherein the student interaction data has one or more data elements. At least one of the captured one or more data elements is associated with student financial account usage. The systems and methods provide spending data based on the student financial account usage, and provide one or more spending recommendations based at least in part on the associated student financial account usage. The spending recommendations may be based at least in part on a student role (e.g., first year student, second year student, a transfer student, a non-traditional student, or a foreign student, etc.), demographic, activities attended, or academic major.
US08700506B2

A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.
US08700504B2

The invention provides a system and method for calculating, collecting and/or disbursing one or more third party payments owed to one or more third parties resulting from one or more electronic transactions occurring over a wide area network (WAN) between a customer and a merchant.
US08700503B2

A transaction management system includes a database system configured to receive and store data for a plurality of financial transactions, the data for the plurality of financial transactions being associated with a plurality of financial accounts of a user. The system further includes a server system coupled to the database system and configured to categorize the plurality of financial transactions into a plurality of categories, the categories including merchant categories and payment method categories, the server system being further configured to provide a plurality of user interfaces to the user, each user interface providing a display of a different portion of the plurality of financial transactions, each user interface configured to enable a user to select a link configured to direct the user to an image of a check associated with one of the plurality of financial transactions; and categorize the financial transaction into a one of the merchant categories.
US08700490B1

Systems and methods for presenting a user interface that shows a consolidated representation for an item available from multiple sources are described. The multiple offerings of the same items offered for sale by multiple sellers are combined into a simple user interface that is transparent to the consumer, but where the consumer can find an item and all of its attributes as though it was offered for sale by a single seller. The user interface can be created when a consumer selects an item, a list is generated of the sellers offering that item for sale, a list is generated of the various attributes of the item, a representation for each attribute is gathered, and an optimal representation for each attribute can be generated for display to the consumer when that attributed is selected by the consumer. The process for creating and modifying such a user interface can be automated or semi-automated, decreasing the manual intervention needed.
US08700486B2

Methods of the present invention allow for rating eCommerce transactions. An exemplary method for rating an eCommerce transaction may comprise the steps of identifying a plurality of data indicating the trustworthiness of a Hosting Provider, a Merchant, and/or a Customer, collecting the data, and generating a Transaction Trust Rating for an eCommerce transaction, with the Transaction Trust Rating being based upon the collected data. The Transaction Trust Rating may be stored in a Repository accessible to Internet users. A Transaction Trust Rating Indicator (indicative of the Transaction Trust Rating) also may be provided to the Hosting Provider, Merchant, and/or Customer and may take the form of a certificate for display on a webpage, a change in color of an address bar on a browser, and/or an alphanumeric ranking.
US08700475B1

The revenue stream of a master agent and a Sub Agent marketing wireless products and services is enhanced by providing wireless services not provided by upstream Carriers of wireless services. The master Agent or Sub Agent can independently contract to market the wireless services of other third parties, where such wireless services are not provided by the upstream Carrier. These ancillary wireless services are then marketed to the customer base of the Sub Agent, together with the wireless products or services of the upstream Carrier.
US08700472B2

A method, system, media, and device are directed to providing a check-out of a merchant transaction. A gift-card redemption interface is provided for redeeming a gift-card. A payment interface is provided for presenting a plurality of additional non-gift-card payment options comprising a credit-card payment option and a non-credit-card payment option. A mechanism is provided for performing operations. The operations include restricting a use of the gift-card redemption interface with the payment options; and processing the merchant transaction based on payments the gift-card.
US08700459B2

A method and apparatus for selling a combination of travel tickets and consumer items to customers and, in particular, for selling international travel tickets and duty free items to international travelers. By acquiring surplus international travel tickets in bulk at discounted prices and by selling the duty free items in a way which avoids the overhead typically associated with such sales, the selling merchant is able to offer the combination of an international travel ticket and a duty free item to a consumer at a price below what the consumer would pay if the consumer separately acquired the ticket and duty free item from third parties. In one implementation, the selling merchant offers the consumer a free duty free item upon purchase of an international travel ticket, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, both the consumer and the selling merchant employ computers communicating over a computer network to carry out the inventive method.
US08700458B2

A check verification system and method that (a) uses a customer's check ID as a unique identification code, (b) stores customer information in a local customer database for that store. Each customer is assigned one of three check verification statuses: POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, and CAUTION. The CAUTION status is assigned to first time customers, and the customer is automatically converted to a POSITIVE status if the customer's initial check(s) clears—those customers who achieve a POSITIVE status, but stop frequenting the store can be reset to the CAUTION status. In addition, a CALL MANAGER conditional check verification response may be returned for those customers with a POSITIVE status but who attempt a check transaction that meets certain predetermined transactional criteria (such as check frequency or dollar amount). A multiple-store architecture can be used in which each store has a local customer database, and in which global customer information is communicated between the stores as preselected intervals.
US08700453B2

Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details.
US08700452B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, that can include receiving from an advertiser a request for billing based on a first measure of services, determining from quality data related to the advertiser whether the first measure of services can be converted with sufficient confidence to a second measure of services, providing services according to the first measure of services, monitoring stability data indicative of the stability of the relationship between the first measure of services and the second measure of services, and automatically switching from one to another mode of determining a price to be charged the customer for services provided.
US08700445B2

A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes. Relevant information is communicated to one or more parties associated with the operations; in particular, requesting parties are apprised of the status of ongoing operations, and given confirmation that operations have been performed and are completed. Requesting parties and/or other interested parties (e.g., excavators, facility owners, locate contractors, municipalities, regulators, auditors, damage investigators, insurance companies, etc.) also may be provided with detailed information regarding the performance of operations and quality assessment of same.
US08700442B2

An operating device includes a receiving section for, when set values using respective reception screens relating to a further workflow selected in a selection input section are input, receiving these set values and set values input using respective reception screens relating to a workflow previously selected in the selection input section as set values applied for a series of functions as a combination of the selected further workflow and the workflow previously selected in the selection input section.
US08700437B2

Methods, systems, and products that execute modeled business controls on a modeled input work item to generate a corresponding modeled output work item. Input data values included in the modeled input work item either match or approximate corresponding values included in a corresponding actual input work item. Each modeled business control is defined by business rules that represent a business policy, and the business rules and the input data values of the modeled input work item are used to generate the modeled output work item. An actual output work item from a business process is compared to the modeled output work item. The actual output work item includes actual output data values. The business process changes the actual input work item into the actual output work item. The modeled output work item includes modeled output data values. Differences between the actual and modeled output work items are reported.
US08700436B2

Provided a framework that allows a user who represents a group and carries out an accommodation reservation procedure to solicit participating members while holding an accommodation. The procedures includes: (1) receiving a tentative reservation application from an organizer, requesting approval from members, receiving responses to the request for approval from the members, and sequentially identifying a tentative reservation number, member and answer; (2) when the identified answer is “approved” (Yes in S1122), adding 1 to “number of members decided to participate” (S1124); (3) when the number of members decided to participate is the multiple of the maximum number of guests (Yes in S2026), adding 1 to “reservation placement plan quantity” (S2028), assigning a new reservation number, and registering reservation information of an order quantity 1 into the reservation DB (14) (S2030).
US08700434B1

A method for analyzing and comparing data from various sources, extracting data from the various sources, converting the data into a particular format, and using that data to generate data records, data documents, and/or reports to assist in isolating medical expenses incurred as a result of automobile accidents and further processing the data to identify whether or not potential third parties may be liable/responsible for the medical expenses incurred from the specific automobile accident.
US08700429B2

Methods and systems are provided for managing and transmitting pedigree information. The methods and systems allow a user to access a pedigree information portal to submit and transmit pedigree data to a recipient of the physical drug product. The method provides security and reliability in relaying the drug history and data. In addition, methods and systems are provided for associating the electronically transmitted pedigree information to the physical drug product. A user may thus retrieve and review pedigree information using, for example, one or more barcodes representing a sender identifier and recipient identifier.
US08700428B2

An integrated health care delivery network with enabling software and network technology to maximize bed resources, manage varying census levels, and avoid patient diversions through real-time monitoring, automation and communication, is disclosed. Preferably, the present invention is embodied in a bed management system that interfaces with and complements existing Admission/Discharge/Transfer (ADT) systems. The bed management system is an easy-to-use business intelligence application that is designed to allow administrators, clinicians and managers to easily access, analyze and display real-time patient and bed availability information from ancillary information systems, databases and spreadsheets. It enables users to see trends and relationships in hospital (bed) management data directly from their desktop personal computers.
US08700421B2

A method and apparatus provides for configuring the backlight brightness level. The backlight brightness level can be configured at the drug library and/or at the medical device, thereby improving the flexibility a user has in changing backlight parameters. A method and apparatus for managing a power saving mode allows the user to configure the power saving program at the drug library and/or at the medical device.
US08700410B2

A method of encoding samples in a digital signal is provided that includes receiving a frame of N samples of the digital signal, determining L possible distinct data values in the N samples, determining a reference data value in the L possible distinct data values and a coding order of L−1 remaining possible distinct data values, wherein each of the L−1 remaining possible distinct data values is mapped to a position in the coding order, decomposing the N samples into L−1 coding vectors based on the coding order, wherein each coding vector identifies the locations of one of the L−1 remaining possible distinct data values in the N samples, and encoding the L−1 coding vectors.
US08700402B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for tracking multiple dialog states. A system practicing the method receives an N-best list of speech recognition candidates, a list of current partitions, and a belief for each of the current partitions. A partition is a group of dialog states. In an outer loop, the system iterates over the N-best list of speech recognition candidates. In an inner loop, the system performs a split, update, and recombination process to generate a fixed number of partitions after each speech recognition candidate in the N-best list. The system recognizes speech based on the N-best list and the fixed number of partitions. The split process can perform all possible splits on all partitions. The update process can compute an estimated new belief. The estimated new belief can be a product of ASR reliability, user likelihood to produce this action, and an original belief.
US08700398B2

An interactive user interface is described for setting confidence score thresholds in a language processing system. There is a display of a first system confidence score curve characterizing system recognition performance associated with a high confidence threshold, a first user control for adjusting the high confidence threshold and an associated visual display highlighting a point on the first system confidence score curve representing the selected high confidence threshold, a display of a second system confidence score curve characterizing system recognition performance associated with a low confidence threshold, and a second user control for adjusting the low confidence threshold and an associated visual display highlighting a point on the second system confidence score curve representing the selected low confidence threshold. The operation of the second user control is constrained to require that the low confidence threshold must be less than or equal to the high confidence threshold.
US08700394B2

Described is a technology by which a speech recognizer is adapted to perform in noisy environments using linear spline interpolation to approximate the nonlinear relationship between clean speech, noise, and noisy speech. Linear spline parameters that minimize the error the between predicted noisy features and actual noisy features are learned from training data, along with variance data that reflect regression errors. Also described is compensating for linear channel distortion and updating noise and channel parameters during speech recognition decoding.
US08700391B1

Audio signal bandwidth expansion is performed on a narrow bandwidth signal received from a far end source. The far end source may transmit the signal over the audio communication network. The narrow band signal bandwidth is expanded such that the bandwidth exceeds that of the audio communication network. The signal may be expanded by performing frequency folding on the signal. One or more features are determined for the narrow bandwidth signal, and the expanded signal is modified based on a feature. The feature may be signal band energy slope, narrow band signal energy, or some other feature. The modification may be performed by a shelf filter selected based on the feature. The modified signals are provided for additional processing. In some embodiments, a noise component is added to the narrow band signal prior to folding to create an excitation that reduces the appearance of a fully harmonic signal characteristic.
US08700390B2

A Voice Activity Detection/Silence Suppression (VAD/SS) system is connected to a channel of a transmission pipe. The channel provides a pathway for the transmission of energy. A method for operating a VAD/SS system includes detecting the energy on the channel, and activating or suppressing activation of the VAD/SS system depending upon the nature of the energy detected on the channel.
US08700389B2

The present invention includes model-based processing of linguistic user inputs. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method comprising receiving linguistic inputs, parsing the linguistic inputs, mapping the linguistic inputs to a formal representation used by a model, applying the formal representation against the model, where the model comprises said formal representation, and where the model specifies relationships between the elements of the formal representation and defines process information, and accessing software resources based on the formal representation of the user input and the relationships and process information in said model.
US08700380B2

A method for generating performance evaluation model may be provided which executes, by using first models of function modules which are described in a transaction level, a first simulation of system operation at the transaction level between the function modules, records transactions which are generated in the first simulation per function module, executes, by using second models of the function modules which are described in a hardware level, a second simulation of circuit operation of each of the function modules to determine a delay time of each function module of the recorded transactions, and assigns information of the delay time to the first model and generating a third model per function module.
US08700378B1

A graphical model is received and includes a plurality of entities and connectivity information between the entities. The entities include properties, behavioral descriptions, and optionally behavioral constraints. A symbolic expression is received. The symbolic expression represents a property of a first entity in the graphical model. A second entity is identified. The second entity includes the property represented by the symbolic expression. The second entity is identified based on at least one of the connectivity information, a behavioral description, or a behavioral constraint. The symbolic expression is propagated to the second entity. The second entity is expressed in terms of the propagated symbolic expression. An updated graphical model is generated.
US08700377B2

A method and system for performing analog and RF simulation is disclosed that balances the need for accuracy with the desire for increased simulation speed by using two different circuit descriptions, one description is used during the simulation where needed for accuracy and the other circuit description is used where needed to speed the simulation. For example, one circuit description may include parasitic information and is used where necessary to maintain accuracy and, whereas a reduced circuit description (with at least some parasitic information removed) can be used to enhance speed. This combined solution that uses two different, but related, circuit descriptions has substantially increased the speed of simulation with minimal sacrifice of accuracy.
US08700376B2

A system for mapping a magnetic field in a volume of interest, the system includes a magnetic field transmitter, generating a magnetic field in the volume of interest, at least one freestanding magnetic field detector, operative to freely move within the volume of interest, the at least one freestanding magnetic field detector acquiring measurements of the flux of the magnetic field at a plurality of poses, and a processor, coupled with the magnetic field detector, the processor re estimating parameters characterizing the magnetic field model according to deviations between the measurements of the flux of the magnetic field and according to predictions of the flux, the predictions being determined according to a stored magnetic field model, thereby, the processor estimating a new magnetic field model.
US08700370B2

A method, system and program storage device for history matching and forecasting of subterranean reservoirs is provided. Reservoir parameters and probability models associated with a reservoir model are defined. A likelihood function associated with observed data is also defined. A usable likelihood proxy for the likelihood function is constructed. Reservoir model parameters are sampled utilizing the usable proxy for the likelihood function and utilizing the probability models to determine a set of retained models. Forecasts are estimated for the retained models using a forecast proxy. Finally, computations are made on the parameters and forecasts associated with the retained models to obtain at least one of probability density functions, cumulative density functions and histograms for the reservoir model parameters and forecasts. The system carries out the above method and the program storage device carries instructions for carrying out the method.
US08700367B2

A system and method for viewing models and model variables within a sophisticated modeling environment is disclosed. The system provides varying levels of insight into a modeling infrastructure to help the user understand model and model variable dependencies, usage, distribution, and/or the like. The method includes storing model and model variable data within a relational database system, receiving a request from a user interfacing with the system via a web interface, extracting search criteria and presentation preferences from the request, formulating and executing one or more queries on the database to retrieve the required data, formatting the data in accordance with the request, and returning the data to the requesting user in the form of a web page.
US08700361B2

A system and method for auto-transpose replication is provided. Auto-transpose replication may be considered the ability to automatically create copies of a given prototype model. Auto-transpose replication may include receiving a first list of data values and determining a total number of levels of the first list. Auto-transpose may also include creating a rectangularized list, where the rectangularized list is a rectangularized copy of the first list based on the determined total number of levels of the first list. Further, auto-transpose may include creating a return list, detecting an item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list, calculating an index trail of the item, rotating the values in the index trail, and storing the item into the return list according to the rotated index trail.
US08700360B2

A closed-loop system having a controllable variable is monitored to detect the off-nominal behavior and raise an alert when fault is detected. The faults show up in such a way that the tracking error signal is impacted and this impact manifests itself as a change in the frequency components. A filter isolates a band of frequency components of the tracking error signal that are more impacted than others by deviation caused by a fault to be detected. The filter can effectively amplify the section of the error tracking signal that contains the frequency components having impact. In addition, the filter will also have the characteristics to attenuate the impact of other frequency components. An accumulated error signal is generated from the filtered tracking error signal, compared with a predetermined fault threshold characteristic, and a fault alert is provided if a predetermined threshold is satisfied.
US08700359B2

A system includes a count detector, a communication medium; and a processor coupled to the count detector. The processor continuously receives a plurality of pulses from the count detector. A pulse indicates a detection of a radiation unit emitted from a source material or a background. The processor determines a first period of time based on an expected range of speed of a carrier of the source material, and integrates the plurality of pulses over the first period of time, thereby yielding an integrated count associated with a time at a midpoint of the first period of time. The processor creates a continuous time series of count profiles from a plurality of integrated counts that are computed using a plurality of windows within the first period of time, and shifts each window over a second period of time. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. The processor estimates a background count from a history of the count profiles, computes an adaptive threshold based on the estimated background count, and detects the source material when consecutives of the integrated counts exceed the adaptive threshold.
US08700339B2

Disclosed is a sample processing apparatus, comprising: a sample processing unit for processing a sample with an auxiliary item used to process the sample; an output device for outputting a processing result by the sample processing unit; and a controller for determining whether or not the auxiliary item is appropriate for the sample processing by sample processing unit, and controlling, when determining that the auxiliary item is not appropriate for the sample processing by the sample processing unit, the output device so as to output the processing result and reliability information showing that the processing result has a low reliability. Also disclosed is a method for outputting the processing result by the sample processing apparatus and a computer program product.
US08700338B2

The present invention provides processes for determining accurate risk probabilities for fetal aneuploidies. Specifically, the invention provides non-invasive evaluation of genomic variations through chromosome-selective sequencing and non-host fraction data analysis of maternal samples.
US08700335B2

A system and method for determining individualized medical intervention for a particular disease state, and especially for cancers, that includes the molecular profiling of a biological sample from the patient, determining whether any molecular findings including one or more genes, one or more gene expressed proteins, one or more molecular mechanisms, and/or combinations of such exhibit a change in expression compared to a reference, and identifying a non-specific disease therapy or agent capable of interacting with the genes, gene expressed proteins, molecular mechanisms, or combinations of such molecular findings that exhibited a change in expression.
US08700333B2

The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating bulk density of a formation. The method may include using gamma ray count rate information to model bulk density. The method may include using time-dependent ratios with a pulsed radiation source. The method may also include dividing gamma ray information by time and/or by energy window. The apparatus includes a processor and storage subsystem with a program that, when executed, implements the method.
US08700330B2

A vehicle navigation device comprises a map data base storing map data and a processing unit. The map data base includes first attributes indicative of the presence of express lanes and second attributes assigned to lanes to indicate which lanes of a road segment are express lanes. The processing unit is coupled to the map data base and is configured to perform a route search based at least on the first attribute and to control outputting of route guidance information via a user interface based at least on the second attribute.
US08700324B2

A navigation system for a machine is disclosed. The navigation system may have a navigation unit configured to measure a position of a machine at a first time and at a second time, and at least a first sensor configured to generate at least a first signal indicative of a speed and a heading of the machine during a time period from the first time to the second time. The navigation system may also have a controller configured to estimate a position of the machine at the second time based on the measured position of the machine at the first time and the at least a first signal, and to make a comparison of the measured position of the machine at the second time with the estimated position of the machine at the second time. The controller may also be configured to determine an integrity of the navigation unit based on the comparison.
US08700315B2

A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite.
US08700314B2

A method for searching for parking for a vehicle using a positioning device and a map having a plurality of segments; determining that the vehicle is near a first location; generating a first route comprising segments from the plurality of segments, prioritizing segments closer to the first location and avoiding use of segments more than once in the first route; generating signals to direct the vehicle along the first route using positioning information from the positioning device; and determining that the vehicle is parked.
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