US08821305B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for measuring and analyzing movements of a body and for communicating information related to such body movements over a network. In certain embodiments, a system gathers biometric and biomechanical data relating to positions, orientations, and movements of various body parts of a user performed during sports activities, physical rehabilitation, or military or law enforcement activities. The biometric and biomechanical data can be communicated to a local and/or remote interface, which uses digital performance assessment tools to provide a performance evaluation to the user. The performance evaluation may include a graphical representation (e.g., a video), statistical information, and/or a comparison to another user and/or instructor. In some embodiments, the biometric and biomechanical data is communicated wirelessly to one or more devices including a processor, display, and/or data storage medium for further analysis, archiving, and data mining. In some embodiments, the device includes a cellular telephone.
US08821303B1
A double occupancy swing provides for two (2) infant seats arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The seats are attached to a swing mechanism and comprise features allowing each seat to be reclined or rotated side-to-side allowing the infants to face each other. The top portion of the infant swing is provided with means to hold an electronic device which provides visual and/or audio effects such as nursery rhymes, pictures, and music to help keep the child entertained.
US08821302B1
An amusement apparatus includes an elongate member having an upper extremity and a lower extremity with a pivot point. A self-contained child-supporting assembly is mounted to the elongate member between the upper and lower extremities for rotation and includes a seat to receive a child in a sitting position, handles to be taken up by hand by a child seated on the seat, and footrests to provide foot support for a child seated on the seat. A leveraging arm extends from the upper extremity of the elongate member to an outer end having an upright handle. The leveraging arm has a transverse handle between the upper extremity of the elongate member and the upright handle. The transverse and upright handles are available to be taken up by hand to reciprocally pivot the elongate member at the pivot point to impart rotation to the child-supporting assembly about the elongate member.
US08821299B2
Techniques for protecting wagering game machines from electrostatic discharge are described herein. In some embodiment, a wagering game machine includes a wagering game controller configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The wagering game machine can also include a button panel that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) connected to an electrical ground and a second PCB connected to the first PCB by a conductive connector. The button panel can also include a display device connected to the second PCB, an actuator connected to the second PCB, a cap in contact with the actuator, wherein the display device is visible through the cap, and a bezel to retain the cap, where the bezel is coupled to a panel.
US08821297B1
A server device receives a request to start a game playable on the chat from the terminal of a chat participating user, asks other chat participating users participating in the chat for their wish to participate in the game requested to start, accepts participation of a chat participating user responding to the inquiry about the participation as a game participating user, and starts the game on the chat. The server device receives an instruction for a progress of the game from the terminal of a game participating user, and displays an image corresponding to the received instruction on the chat screen.
US08821293B2
A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.
US08821292B2
A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. A player may obtain a ticket from a system kiosk. The player may then present that ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.
US08821289B2
A progressive jackpot system includes a progressive jackpot system controller, and a plurality of gaming machines coupled to the progressive jackpot system controller and participating in a progressive jackpot game in which a progressive jackpot is awarded in response to a triggering event at one of the gaming machines. A method of operating the progressive jackpot system includes maintaining data in the progressive jackpot system controller representing a composite progressive jackpot pool comprising a predetermined base component, and an incremental component funded by a portion of wagers made at the gaming machines. A message is sent from the gaming machine to the progressive jackpot system controller in response to the occurrence of a triggering event on the gaming machine. The message indicates that the triggering event has occurred and includes data representing a desired proportion of the progressive jackpot pool to award to the player. The progressive jackpot system controller calculates a composite progressive jackpot award for the player based on the desired progressive jackpot proportion. The composite progressive jackpot award comprises a first component funded from the predetermined base component of the progressive jackpot poll, and a second component funded from the incremental component of the progressive jackpot pool. A message is sent from the progressive jackpot system controller to the gaming machine indicating the amount of the progressive jackpot award for the player. The progressive jackpot system controller replenishes the base component of the progressive jackpot pool to the predetermined amount.
US08821286B2
A method includes receiving, by a motion sensing controller, two calibration wireless transmissions that were transmitted from two different wireless emitters that are fixedly positioned to two different components of a wagering game system during calibration. The method includes receiving, by the motion sensing controller, two gameplay wireless transmissions that was transmitted from the two different wireless emitters for tracking of the wagering game play of the wagering game. The method includes determining a calibration movement difference between the two calibration wireless transmissions and determining a gameplay movement difference between the two gameplay wireless transmissions. In response to the calibration movement difference and the gameplay movement difference being unequal, outputting an indicator of at least one of a component movement and distortion of one of the two different gameplay transmissions.
US08821285B2
A media center may include an interface to receive video game information including first and second tags from a communication link. The media center may also include a module to separate the video game information based on the first and second tags. A first modulator may modulate first video game information corresponding to the first tag at a first frequency on a media communication link, and a second modulator may modulate second video game information corresponding to the second tag at a second frequency on the media communication link.
US08821278B2
A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.
US08821277B2
A two dimensional barcode with default background and foreground colors uses other foreground colors, to make separate means of encoding data, used by decoding hardware and software, or by an observer's perception. The new colors show text or graphics. A barcode on a dynamic display shows a progress indicator for an operation started by a user who imaged the barcode with her phone. Or it shows the number of votes for users who picked it with their phones. The barcode could show scrolling text. A barcode on a computer screen simulates a pushbutton; pressed when the user takes a photo of it with a cellphone. Suppose a barcode has a symbol drawn on its foreground rectangles, and the barcode encodes a URL. The URL is crafted to maximize the number of foreground rectangles that the symbol intersects, helping a human interpolate the symbol from fragments.
US08821275B2
A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view a slow motion finish and/or replay including a flash photograph-effect.
US08821272B2
There is a system and method for gamification of real-life events over a computerized network. The system includes an observer module configured to generate real-life data in response to observation of a real-life event. The system includes an interface engine module configured to operate an ongoing computerized game that includes game objects. The system includes an implementation module configured to receive an implementation instruction and automatically effect a real-world occurrence associated with the implementation instruction. The system includes a control module, including a processor, configured to convert real-life data from the observer module into a game object, provide the created game object to the interface engine module for injection into an ongoing computer game, and convert a player interaction into an implementation instruction and provide the same to the implementation module. The system includes a player module configured to permit a player to play the ongoing game.
US08821269B2
Methods and systems are provided herewith for creating and managing wagers on possible states within a live event, such as possible outcomes of subparts of a sporting event or other possible occurrences within the event. An initial state and multiple possible future states of a performance parameter of the event is determined based on state information of the event. A betting market may be created by determining probabilities and odds for the possible future states. The betting market is closed after bets are received and before an end of an initial state of the performance parameter. A payout may be made to a winner who selected the correct outcome of the performance parameter.
US08821261B2
Technologies are generally described for processes and systems effective to select or determine a wager for an event. A wager processor may be configured to be in communication with a wager database and an event status processor over a network. The wager processor may be effective to receive event information and crowd information. The event information may relate to a status of the event. The crowd information may relate to demographics and/or interests of the participants at the event. The wager processor may select or determine the wager based on the event information and the crowd information.
US08821256B2
A game system that is capable of performing a game by employing an information card in place of a conventional paper-based system is provided. This game system includes: a plurality of gaming machines; a bill identifying device that is associated with each of the gaming machines, for identifying bills of different currencies and an amount of the bills, and outputting data representative of an identified result; a player tracking device that is integrated with each of the gaming machine, for converting data output from the bill identifying device to credit data for executing a game, based on a money exchange rate stored therein, and sending out the converted credit data to the gaming machine; a control device for inputting a money exchange rate from an outside, providing the input money exchange rate to the player tracking device, and updating the money exchange rate stored in the player tracking device; and an information card device that is integrated with the player tracking device, for causing an information card to store data equivalent to an amount of money to be awarded to a player according to a game result of the gaming machine, and sending out credit data for executing a game to the gaming machine.
US08821254B2
In a gaming machine, a unit game causing arranged symbols to be rearranged is displayed on a display. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a special game including a predetermined number of the unit games is displayed on the display. Additionally, a total amount of payout to be provided to a player when the special game is executed, a symbol rearrangement pattern in the predetermined number of unit games for providing the total amount of payout, and contents of an effect corresponding to the total amount of payout to be provided to the player are determined before start of the special game. Moreover, the contents of the effect previously determined and the predetermined number of unit games according to the symbol rearrangement pattern previously determined are displayed on the display during the special game. Furthermore, after the special game including the predetermined number of unit games is executed, the total amount of payout previously determined are provided to the player.
US08821247B2
There is described herein an interactive game having both lotterized and skill-based wagering aspects embedded therein. A skill-based game is used to provide players with the challenge and entertainment value that they are accustomed to experiencing in popular mobile games, while adding the possibility of collecting real world winnings via lotteries and other forms of wagering.
US08821245B2
The game system according to the present invention is a non chance-based game system, in which the winner is selected by and among the game participants, and the prize is awarded to the winner by the participants themselves through individual donations, voluntary and of moderate value, and in which a share of the prize may be donated to a charity or nonprofit organization associated with the winner.
US08821241B2
A casino wagering game wherein a player makes a wager and then a dealer and the player are each dealt respective hands. The player and dealer split their respective hand into a high hand and a low hand. Each hand is evaluated to see if it contains a “lucky break” which is a predefined subset of all hands. If the player has a lucky break and the dealer does not, then the player wins. If the dealer has a lucky break and the player does not, then the player loses. If both the player and the dealer have lucky breaks then the wager is resolved based on a comparison of the hands. If neither the player nor the dealer have lucky breaks, then the wager is also resolved based on a comparison of the hands. In addition to physical playing cards, the game can be played using physical Mahjong tiles. The game can also be played in electronic form on a computer, video terminal, portable device, and at an online casino.
US08821236B2
A table game system includes a dealer's game table for performing a table game. A dealer terminal can input game result information of the table game performed on the dealer's game table. A valuable information reading device is provided at a position distant from the dealer's game table, can receive and eject a storage card, and can read and change valuable information stored in the storage card while receiving the storage card. A player terminal is provided to correspond to the valuable information reading device, and can input betting information through reading the valuable information by the valuable information reading device. An administrative server is connected to each of the dealer terminal, the valuable information reading device, and the player terminal via a communication line, and can receive each of the game result information inputted from the dealer terminal and the betting information inputted from the player terminal.
US08821234B2
In an editor a plurality of valid start points are determined. Based on the plurality of start points a user may select one of the points. When a user selects one of the points, the editor determines at least one valid end point. The user may then draw a line between the selected point and a valid end point. As a result of the connection between the two points a new environment is created in the editor.
US08821231B2
Methods and system include obtaining attributes of athletic players from one or more sources. The attributes define statistics of the athletic players. Minimum requirements are determined for teams organized in a group. A listing is generated for each team in the group. The listing includes a plurality of entries wherein each entry is configured to present attributes of an athletic player or a team that is part of the group. Select ones of the plurality of entries in the listing are static and select ones of the entries are dynamic. The entries that are static are used to provide minimum requirements defined for each team in the group and the entries that are dynamic are used to provide attributes of the teams or the athletic players. The dynamic entries are adjusted during a drafting process to provide current status of the teams and the athletic players.
US08821229B2
A grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine directs a flow of high velocity air in a first direction about an inlet end of a cleaning shoe. The system further monitors the cleaning shoe in order to detect a change in an operational parameter of the cleaning shoe, wherein the operational parameter is one of a transient effect of a sieve of the cleaning shoe, a flow rate about and exit end of the cleaning shoe and a flow velocity about an exit end of the cleaning shoe. Further, the flow of high velocity air about the inlet end of the cleaning shoe can be redirected in a second direction in response to a detected change in the operational parameter.
US08821223B2
A gripper tool is employed for clamping the fish filet to facilitate the removal of skin from the filet. The gripper tool has a handle which is adapted to be gripped by the user and a gripping surface defined by a matrix of protrusions which clamp against the fish filet.
US08821222B2
The invention relates to a scraper head for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses provided with such a scraper head. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses, wherein a scraper head is moved out of the chest cavity into the neck.
US08821216B2
A method and a device for removing secondary burrs raised on the tooth flanks of a work piece wheel by a chamfering of the end tooth edges of said work piece wheel provides a tool wheel that rotationally meshes with the work piece wheel. Said tool wheel has cutting edges on its tooth flanks (5, 6) and their cutting motion, caused by the meshing, removes the secondary burrs by cutting.
US08821215B2
The invention provides a polishing composition containing a pyrrolidone polymer, an aminophosphonic acid, a tetraalkylammonium salt, and water, wherein the composition has a pH of about 7 to about 11.7. The invention further provides a method of using such a polishing composition to polish a substrate, especially a substrate containing silicon.
US08821211B2
Disclosed herein is a device for cutting a glass sheet, continuously supplied after a melting and solidification process, into quadrangular glass substrates. The glass sheet cutting device includes two or more cutters for cutting a glass sheet into quadrangular glass substrates, a defect inspector for scanning the glass sheet to three-dimensionally check defect positions in a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction of the glass sheet, a position adjuster for moving at least one of the cutters to a portion of the glass sheet at which few defects are distributed, and a controller for informing the position adjuster of positions of the cutters based on the scanned results received from the defect inspector.
US08821209B2
An interactive amusement device and a method therefor are disclosed. The device plays a musical soundtrack in a first game iteration. A sequence of user input actions received during this learning mode is detected, and an output signal is generated in response. Timestamps for each of the user input actions is stored into memory. Additionally, the output signal is generated on at least one interval of the user input actions based on the stored timestamps, and is coordinated with the play back of a second musical soundtrack during a second game iteration.
US08821206B2
The invention relates to a flotation device for use in retrieving an object that is dropped in water. According to the invention the flotation device comprises attachment means and a holder that is resistant in regard of spray water and atmospheric humidity. The holder comprises an inflatable body of a substantially waterproof and air-impervious material, and gas-forming reagents within the inflatable body. The inflatable body is sealed off from the rest of the interior of the holder by means of a narrow seal. In the event of activation of the flotation device, water ingresses in the holder and through the seal and comes into contact with the gas-forming reagents. The formation of gas required for the exertion of a flotation or driving force occurs within the inflatable body itself. The formed gas inflates the inflatable body.
US08821203B1
A body surfing hydrofoil includes a breastplate having a buoyant material extending between an inner surface and outer surface. The breastplate has a generally rigid planar shape defined by a perimeter having opposing sides diverging outwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion. A spacer is affixed to the inner surface of the breastplate and is sufficiently flexible for compressing and retracting as a result of breathing by a person biased against the spacer. A rear flotation member is integrally connected to the breastplate.
US08821199B2
Consolidated power tips allow a power adaptor to be connected to disparately sized input ports of electronic devices. The consolidated power tips may be sized to balance insertion and pull-out forces for the disparately sized input ports. Deformable members may be added to the consolidated power tips for more desirable insertion and pull-out forces and improved electrical contact. For input ports with different electrical requirements, a mode selector may be added to the consolidated power tip to select between the electrical requirements of the different input ports. The consolidated power tips may be combined into a multi-prong power tip. The multi-prong power tip allows users to interface with a large number of disparate devices without changing power tips.
US08821198B2
An electrical contact is provided for electrically connecting a connecting object to a printed circuit board, without the need of a housing. The electrical contact a board mounting portion, a spring region, and a contact portion. The board mounting portion extends parallel to the major surface of the printed circuit board with one end mounted thereto. The spring region extends from another end of the board mounting portion and having a holding portion that extends parallel to the major surface of the printed circuit board and an inclined portion that extends vertically from the holding portion and with respect to the printed circuit board. The contact portion connects to the inclined portion of the spring region and includes a curved shape with a connecting object contact point at a top of a curved part.
US08821193B2
Disclosed is a docking station for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device, a first plug on the connector module, a second plug on the connector module, a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug, a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug, a base member for holding the connector module, a first indexing member on the base member, and a second indexing member on the connector module.
US08821179B2
A clamp mechanism for clamping a cable on a circuit board is disclosed in the present invention. The clamp mechanism includes a base disposed on the circuit board. The cable can be accommodated inside the base. The clamp mechanism further includes a clamping portion disposed on the base in a resiliently deformable manner. The clamping portion moves away from the circuit board when the cable is accommodated inside the base, and a resilient recovering force generated by the resilient deformation simultaneously drives the clamping portion to press the cable, so as to constrain a movement of the cable relative to the base.
US08821176B2
A low-profile electrical connector includes a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, where the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user's body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface. The connector also includes a side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface. The channel includes an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element. The channel is also configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing. The connector includes a receptacle positioned within the housing and forms an electrically conductive interface with the electrically conductive element.
US08821174B2
A floating connector has a stationary housing, a movable housing, and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is made of a metal plate and is provided with a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion is embedded in a guide portion of the stationary housing so as to extend in a depth direction. The second plate portion is embedded in the guide portion so as to extend inward in a width direction from one end in the depth direction of the first plate portion.
US08821172B1
An electrical connector may include a cord comprising a plurality of wires and a plug extending from the cord. The plug may include a top portion and an opposing bottom portion, which each include a plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts on each of the top portion and opposing bottom portion may include at least two contacts with a first distance from a front portion of the plug and at least one contact with a second distance from the front of the plug. Each of the plurality of contacts on the top portion may be coupled to one of the plurality of wires and to one of the plurality of contacts on the bottom portion. The coupling may be configured to maintain a same arrangement of contacts and electrical paths to the plurality of wires when the plug is rotated one hundred eighty degrees.
US08821171B2
A rotatable electrical plug assembly for a volatile material dispenser includes a support block including a base having a base member and a wall extending from the base member and forming a cavity with the base member. The plug assembly further includes a cover disposed within the cavity and electrical plug pins extending through apertures in the base and including contacts that extend at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plug pins, wherein the contacts are disposed between the base member and the cover. A ratio of an overall plug assembly thickness over a plug pin thickness is less than about 1.5.
US08821170B1
An electrical contact includes a first set of spaced apart cantilevered beams connected to a first rail, and a second set of cantilevered beams connected to a second rail. The first set of cantilevered beams project toward the second rail, and the second set of cantilevered beams project toward the first rail, wherein the first and second sets of cantilevered beams reside in alternating relationship. Each cantilevered beam is bowed and is outwardly tapered from its connected proximal to its unconnected distal end.
US08821167B2
An electrical assembly combination includes (a) a receiver having a receiver housing and a plurality of receiver housing electrical contacts, and (b) a connector device comprising a connector housing capable of accepting and retaining a terminal end of a flexible assembly having a plurality of flexible assembly electrical contacts. The connector device is capable of being reversibly attached to the receiver housing such that each of the receiver housing electrical contacts is electrically connected to a flexible assembly electrical contact in a removable, non-permanent manner.
US08821164B2
The present invention is a decorative canister comprising a container further defined by an opened top end and a closed bottom end. A lid is hingedly connected to the opened top end. However, the lid can be non-connected. Decorative fabric surrounds the outer surface area of the sidewall. Decorative ornaments are attached at predetermined locations to the decorative fabric.
US08821162B2
A dental prosthesis, typically formed in a press to metal process, includes application of a porcelain composition sufficient to form a veneer on a dental prosthesis supporting metal structure, the composition having an integrated tooth-like translucency providing an aesthetic appearance. The composition is formed of a dentin frit and an enamel frit, typically sintered into a desired ingot shape including an amount of composition sufficient to veneer the prosthesis. The porcelain composition is a component of a kit that includes opaquers, other porcelains and stains useful in finishing to provide an aesthetic prosthesis.
US08821161B2
A prophy angle is provided that includes a paste-dispensing assembly that includes an actuator at the proximal end of the housing, a push rod linked to the actuator and supporting a plunger on the push rod is provided, where the push rod is supported by the housing in a biased manner to permit longitudinal movement within the housing in a reciprocating manner as actuated by the actuator, to dispense a controlled quantity of paste out of the prophy angle.
US08821158B1
The system creates digital images of teeth topography using a dental impression tray that provides registration information for integration of a digital three-dimensional model with a digital three-dimensional cranio-facial CAT scan record. The impression tray is held in the patient's mouth during a CAT scan. The tray includes fiduciary markers that can be accurately located by the CAT scan. The tray also includes a dental impression material which, subsequent to the CAT scan, is removed from the patient's mouth and placed on a table of an X-Y-Z scanning machine for scanning the impression. In this manner, a set of electronic data related to the patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissues is generated. The fiduciary markers, which may be constructed of titanium, are included in both sets of electronic data for the patient's teeth. The markers are then used as common reference points in the spatial matching of the two scans.
US08821145B2
A die for coextruding a plurality of fluid layers generally includes a primary forming stem, one or more distribution plates, and a microlayer assembly. The microlayer assembly includes a microlayer forming stem and a plurality of microlayer distribution plates.
US08821140B2
A gear pump having double-helical gears with bearing assembly seals and gear end seals which provided double seal interfaces between the pump cavity and bearing cups having disposed therein bearing assemblies for supporting pump shafts for rotation. The double seal interfaces preclude pumped fluid, particularly contaminated fluid including entrained abrasives from making contact with the bearing assemblies. An adjustable packing seal mechanism, a gear gap adjustment mechanism, a fluid pressure relief system, and pump heat exchanger features are also disclosed.
US08821135B2
The devices and systems are medical fluid treatment therapies. The device and systems are configured and capable of operating based on small volumes of fluids. The devices and systems include a pump configured for small volume of a fluid. The pump may include a first conduit configured for inflow of the fluid; a second conduit configured for outflow of the fluid; a fluid chamber configured to move the fluid through the pump; a diaphragm configured to force the fluid through the fluid chamber by indirectly exerting force on the fluid chamber; and a connector configured to removably attach the pump to a motor.
US08821120B1
A wind energy conversion system operable to convert wind energy into either mechanical or electrical energy. The wind energy conversion system further includes a first wind panel and a second wind panel having a plurality of pivotally mounted shutters. The first wind panel and second wind panel are operably coupled to a pivot bar and traverse in a reciprocating manner being driven by the altering of position of the plurality of shutters. A support platform is further included that has support rods laterally extending therefrom operable to provide support for the first wind panel and second wind panel. A power rod is included that is operably coupled to the pivot bar and transfers the reciprocal movement of the pivot bar into rotational movement to drive a gear mounted thereon. A directional vane orients the wind energy conversion system.
US08821113B2
An air cycle machine includes a bearing housing with a shaft bore. A rotor shaft is arranged in the shaft bore and includes knife edges extending from the rotor shaft. A seal engages the shaft bore and includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter providing a seal land axially aligned with the knife edges. A radial clearance between the seal land and the knife edges is nominally 0.006 inch. The inner diameter is arranged between lateral sides of the seal that define a width. In one example, a tapered surface extending at an angle relative to the outer diameter from the lateral side to the seal land, the tapered surface facing the large end. The outer diameter to the inner diameter provides a first ratio of 1.25-1.28, and the inner diameter to the width provides a second ratio of 4.33-5.58.
US08821112B2
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis. The housing defines an annular inlet passage around an inducer portion of the turbine wheel and an outlet passage including a tubular wall disposed around an exducer portion of the turbine wheel; the inlet passage is defined between first and second radial inlet surfaces, one of the inlet surfaces being defined by a moveable wall member and the other of the inlet surfaces being defined by a facing wall of said housing. The moveable wall member is moveable relative to the facing wall of the housing along the turbine axis to vary the size of the inlet passageway. The moveable wall member is displaceably mounted within an annular cavity defined between the tubular wall and a surrounding wall of the housing.
US08821109B2
A device for detecting the axial position of a rotary shaft of a rotary machine comprises a target of ferromagnetic material placed at the end of the rotary shaft, an induction coil associated with a stationary magnetic circuit and placed facing the target while leaving an airgap, and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit comprises an AC voltage source connected between a first end of the induction coil and a zone situated at a reference voltage, at least one capacitor connected between the ends of the induction coil, and a detector device interposed between a second end of the induction coil and the zone situated at the reference voltage, in order to deliver on a line information about the magnitude of the current flowing between the second end and the zone situated at the reference voltage.
US08821059B2
To make a cosmetic container convenient, a closing part 6b of a discharge cylinder 6 closes an insertion hole 2h of a middle cylinder part 2 and seals a cosmetic A when a moving part 3 is positioned at a first stopping position, the discharge cylinder 6 protrudes by a predetermined length from an end face of the insertion hole 2h and slits 6c of the discharge cylinder 6 are exposed when the moving part 3 is moved from the first stopping position to a second stopping position separating in an axial direction, so that a user can visually confirm that the cosmetic can flow out through the slits 6c, the discharge cylinder and a discharge cylinder opening part 6a, and the moving part 3 is left at the second stopping position, so that the cosmetic A can securely flow out without variation when in use.
US08821058B2
A paint applicator including an applicator head for carrying an applicator attachment, a substantially rigid elongate support having a hollow interior for supplying paint to the applicator head, a pivot mechanism interconnecting the elongate support and the applicator head, and a flexible conduit interconnecting the hollow interior of the elongate support and the applicator head. The pivot mechanism includes a detent arranged such that it releasably secures the applicator head in any of a plurality of discrete preset orientations with respect to the elongate support.
US08821047B2
A printing system includes: a control device configures to generate print data; and a printer configured to print the print data transmitted from the control device on a tape, wherein the control device includes a status information acquisition section for periodically acquiring status information including a tape width of the tape loaded in the printer, a display section for displaying an editing screen of the print data and the status information, and a display control section for performing a display control of the display section, and the display control section performs display control of the display section to display a present tape width based on the latest status information acquired, as the status information, on the display section.
US08821045B1
A system includes a beam bracket, a small camera bracket, and a large camera bracket. The beam bracket is adapted to be mounted to a building structure and has mounting holes distributed in a spatial configuration. The small camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket with the mounting holes of the small camera bracket adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The small camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a small camera. The large camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket and adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The large camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a large camera that is larger than the small camera.
US08821044B1
The invention is a clamping device for securing photographic equipment, which includes a mounting plate to a supporting structure, such as a tripod and or to a strap. The device includes a pair of opposed sliding clamps operably attached to a base. The clamp engages opposite sides of the base and may each be moved independently of one another to secure the supporting structure and to provide the capability to adjust to small variations in mounting plate sizes between equipment brands. The device has a loop to connect a strap or a strap connector.
US08821041B2
A connector for connecting a fiber optic cable to a light source comprising a female adaptor having a receiving bore and a channel projecting into the receiving bore; a male ferrule, having a first portion insertable into at least part of the receiving bore, and a second portion defined at least partially by a tapered diameter region; and a compressible ring member disposed in the channel that engages the tapered portion when the male ferrule is inserted in the female adaptor in order to provide some resistance to removal of the male ferrule from the female adaptor.
US08821033B2
An optical connector includes a connector plate having a connecting face operable to mate with a different connecting face on a different optical connector. A slot can be formed in a side of the connector plate and have a length (L) extending from the connecting face to an opposite face in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connecting face. A groove can be formed in a portion of the bottom wall of the slot and can extend at least partially along the length of the slot. The groove can receive an optical fiber. The optical connector can also include a retaining block shaped to fit between side walls of the slot and between the connecting face and the opposite face to retain the optical fiber within the groove.
US08821026B2
A double roller cage for a double-row cylinder roller bearing, with a central ring part (1) from which webs (2, 3) protrude axially on both sides, wherein the webs (2; 3) of one side in each case form a row of bearings (4; 5) together with the rolling bodies arranged therein, wherein every two adjacent webs (2; 3) of a row of bearings (4; 5) delimit a receiving pocket (6; 7) for a rolling body, and in which, at least in one row of bearings (5), the webs (3) are designed so as to taper in the circumferential direction for a radial filling of the receiving pockets (7) with the rolling bearings. So that the double roller cage has satisfactory running behavior and is relatively simple and cost-effective to produce, recesses (12, 12′, 13, 14, 16) are formed on the other of the two rows of bearings (4; 5) in order to produce a symmetrical mass distribution between the two rows of bearings (4; 5).
US08821023B2
A lubricated plain bearing having at least one dirt guide groove formed on the sliding surface, which dirt guide groove extends at least partially to a greater extent in the circumferential direction of the bearing shell than in the axial direction of a shaft mounted therein, extends as far as an edge of the bearing and is open at the edge, such that dirt particles transported by the dirt guide groove to the edge can be discharged to the outside.
US08821022B2
Provided are a novel sliding bearing and a construction machine provided with same, the sliding bearing being capable of maintaining an excellent sliding performance over a long period of time and exhibiting an excellent strength. A sliding bearing includes at least a brush and a shaft part, the shaft part being provided with a grease feeding pathway for feeding grease from the exterior to the sliding surfaces of the shaft part and the bush, the bush being formed from a porous sintered metal, and a decomposition catalyst being adhered to the sliding surface of the bush.
US08821014B2
A temperature detecting element is fixed reliably at an accurate position to enable improvement in a rising characteristic of a temperature and high-accuracy temperature control. Provided is a temperature sensor including a temperature detecting element detecting a temperature in a branch tube branched from a main tube and a positioning supporting mechanism positioning and supporting the temperature detecting element. Tension is applied to a cord of the temperature detecting element. The positioning supporting mechanism is supported by the tensioned cord to position and support the temperature detecting element. The positioning supporting mechanism includes a supporting tube supporting the temperature detecting element, a positioning member supporting the supporting tube and fixed at a set position, and a tensioner applying tension to the cord of the temperature detecting element.
US08821010B2
A temperature measuring method comprises a step of detecting, by an infrared thermometer, the intensity of an infrared radiation coming from a region of interest of a patient for determining the patient's temperature, and a step of pointing a target area that is coincident with the region of interest and is the even and smooth surface of a body having a homogeneous underlying vascularization, and being preferably devoid of hair or chitinous or keratinous skin formations.
US08820994B2
A lighting apparatus includes a light-transmitting member, a first light source, a second light source, and at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle. The light-transmitting member is for transmitting light within the light-transmitting member. The first light source is for emitting a first light into the light-transmitting member. The second light source is for emitting a second light into the light-transmitting member. The at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle is disposed in the light-transmitting member for reducing transmission of the first and second lights within the light-transmitting member.
US08820986B2
There is provided a control device for controlling a vehicle lamp provided in a vehicle. The device includes: a receiver configured to receive an inclination angle of the vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane from an inclination detector; a controller configured to: i) generate a first control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in response to a change of the inclination angle, when the vehicle has already stopped; and ii) generate a second control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to maintain the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, when the vehicle is traveling on a road surface; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first control signal or the second control signal to an optical axis adjuster provided in the vehicle lamp.
US08820970B2
The invention relates to a window (1), in particular, a building window, wherein the window comprises photoluminescent material (2) located within the window. The photoluminescent material (2) is preferentially a phosphorescent material provided on a sun blind which is located within a sealed space (5) between two transparent plates (3, 4) of the window. The photoluminescent material can be charged up by daylight and during the night the photoluminescent material can emanate light. Since the photoluminescent material is located within the window, the photoluminescent material is protected against environmental influences, in particular, against humidity, thereby increasing the lifetime of the photoluminescent material and, thus, of the window. The invention relates further to an object, in particular, a building, comprising the window, thereby giving the object an ambient glow.
US08820965B2
A lighting device comprising a sealed transparent flexible outer tube having a handle at a first end. The handle includes a power source. Inside the tube is a flexible wire extending from and attached to the handle. The wire extending the length of the outer tube. Also inside the tube are multiple small lengths of inflexible interior tubing running at least a partial length of the flexible outer tube. Each interior tubing having at least one light emitting diode and at least one resistor inside. The resistors and diodes are connected electronically to a circuit board and the power source.
US08820962B2
An LED illumination apparatus includes a substrate, a light source disposed on the substrate, a cover unit to cover the light source, and a reflector configured to extend from the cover unit inside to the upper substrate, whereby a light generated by the light source illuminates an area below a bottom side of the substrate.
US08820958B2
The exemplary lamp devices have polygon lamp devices, polygon-round lamp devices and round lamp devices which can be used indoor and outdoor for illumination of a surrounding area.
US08820957B1
A lighting device for electronic equipment is provided. The electronic device has an outer casing. The lighting device comprises a light mounted to the casing of the electronic equipment wherein the light provides a directed illumination source. The light is recharged when the hand held electronic equipment device is being recharged at the same time using the same recharger.
US08820947B2
A projection apparatus with locking structure includes an apparatus case including a main casing, a lid and at least one locking structure at the main casing and the lid, a light source, a light valve and a lens. The structure includes a slot having two opposite ends at the casing, at-least one elastic arm in the slot and at-least one positioning pillar at the lid. When the lid covers the main casing and the pillar extends into the first end, by rotating the lid relatively to the main casing, the pillar moves along the slot to the second end; when the pillar is at the second end, the elastic arm limits the pillar at the second end. The light source is for providing an illumination beam. The light valve and lens are for respectively converting the illumination beam into an image beam and the image beam into a projection beam.
US08820945B2
A projector includes a lens driving section that drives a lens section having a projection lens, an accepting section that accepts first control value indication information indicating a first control value including a drive instruction value of the lens section, a determining section that determines whether a drive instruction direction for the lens section is a first drive direction that is same as the last drive direction or a second drive direction that is different from the last drive direction, and a control section that drives the lens section by using a second control value whose drive instruction value is greater than the drive instruction value of the first control value in case that the drive instruction direction is the second drive direction.
US08820944B2
A portable image projection device has a housing with first and second members pivotable between device folded and unfolded positions. First lens optics mounted within the first member are configured for projecting light modulated by a spatial light modulator along an optical axis through a first aperture with a first throw ratio with the device in the folded position. A second lens optics element movably mounted within the first member is configured for selective movement between positions of non-intersection and intersection with the optical axis. The second lens optics element is configured for cooperating with at least part of the first lens optics for projecting the light modulated by the spatial light modulator along the optical axis through a second aperture with a second throw ratio less than the first throw ratio with the device in the unfolded position.
US08820929B2
One embodiment is an apparatus/system for providing feedback to a procedure. The apparatus includes a real time wavefront sensor for measuring the wavefront of an optical beam, a real time video camera for capturing a scene where the optical beam comes from, a computer for processing the captured wavefront data and synchronizing the data with the video and outputting the synchronized information to a display, and a display for simultaneously displaying the synchronized wavefront and video information. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing feedback to a procedure. The method involves the steps of measuring the wavefront of an optical beam with a real time wavefront sensor; capturing a video of a scene from which the optical beam comes; processing the captured wavefront data and synchronizing it with the video; and simultaneously displaying the wavefront information with the video on the same display screen.
US08820927B2
Methods for designing an ophthalmic lens that provides enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci include utilizing pupil size measurements and based on the measurements determining the size of echelettes.
US08820922B2
The invention relates to an eyeglass hinge, composed of two hinge parts and at least one clamp connection. Further, the invention relates to an eyeglass frame, composed of two eyeglass hinges according to the invention, two eyeglass earpieces and one lens mounting rim. The eyeglass hinge (1) according to the invention comprises two hinge parts (2, 2a) and at least one clamp connection (3), whereby the at least one clamp connection (3) holds hinge parts (2, 2a) together in an articulated manner. When force is increased, the construction of the eyeglass hinge according to the invention makes possible a problem-free exceeding of frame opening angle α from a value of αopen which amounts to approximately 180° up to a value of αmax of approximately 186° (over-bending) and going below frame opening angle α from a value of αclosed, which amounts to approximately 90°, down to a value of αmin of approximately 85° (under-bending).
US08820917B2
A recording apparatus, including: a support portion; a recording portion; a first casing; a second casing; a positioning mechanism including a guide pin and a guide hole, for defining a relative position of the recording portion and the support portion by engagement of the guide pin and the guide hole when the second casing is positioned at a close position; and a movable member disposed at one end of the guide hole for moving in a direction away from the other end of the guide hole, so as to be retracted from a moving region of the guide pin that moves relative to the guide hole in association a pivotal movement of the second casing, wherein the movable member is for biasing the guide pin engaging the guide hole in a direction toward the other end of the guide hole such that the guide pin contacts the other end.
US08820908B2
An ink composition is disclosed which includes carbon black; at least one selected from the group consisting of a cyan pigment and a magenta pigment; at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol, at a ratio of 0.01% by mass or higher but lower than 1.00% by mass, relative to the total amount of the composition; water-insoluble or substantially water-insoluble resin particles, water-insoluble or substantially water-insoluble wax particles or any mixture thereof; and water. An ink set and an image forming method are also disclosed.
US08820905B2
A liquid ejecting head includes: a head body which ejects a liquid supplied from a liquid storing member via a liquid supply path; a first supply member which is provided with a first liquid supply path forming a part of the liquid supply path; a second supply member which is provided with a second liquid supply path communicating with the first liquid supply path and forming a part of the liquid supply path, and which supplies the liquid to the head body; and a filter which is sandwiched between the first and second liquid supply paths, wherein a sandwiching portion including the first and second supply members and sandwiching the filter includes an inclination portion that is inclined to the downstream side so as to face the outside of the liquid supply path. A liquid ejecting apparatus includes the liquid ejecting head.
US08820894B2
A liquid ejecting head is provided with a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer and a first electrode and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer, in which the piezoelectric layer contains a buffer layer provided on the first electrode and having a perovskite structure containing bismuth, iron, and at least one of zinc and nickel and a complex oxide layer provided on the buffer layer and having a perovskite structure containing bismuth, iron, barium, and titanium.
US08820887B2
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head, a cap member and a cleaning liquid. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle face in which a nozzle is formed. The cap member is attached to the nozzle face such that a space exists in a region facing the nozzle. The cleaning liquid ejection port is arranged inside the space to eject a cleaning liquid toward the nozzle face.
US08820884B2
A recording device includes a conveying part that conveys a roll paper, a support part that supports the roll paper, a recording part that ejects a liquid on the roll paper supported by the support part to record an image on the roll paper, a heating part that heats the support part to dry the liquid ejected on the roll paper, a cleaning part that cleans the recording part, and a controller that controls the conveying part to convey the roll paper while controlling the cleaning part to carry out a cleaning operation for cleaning the recording part.
US08820881B2
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a heater, and a control unit. The printing unit prints an image on a sheet without an ink receiving layer by repeating scanning of a print head. The heater heats an area on the sheet to which ink is applied by the print head. The control unit controls output and drive timing of the heater based on a parameter for each scanning of the print head.
US08820880B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving image data from one or more image readers and analyzing the image data to locate and classify artifacts on the medium caused by defective print engine nozzles.
US08820874B2
A tray mounting unit in which it is possible to replace a plurality of types of set trays; a detector capable of detecting the type of set tray mounted on the tray mounting unit in a state where the target textile printing material is set; a determining unit determining whether the type of set tray detected by the detector and the type of set tray recognized in advance are matched or mismatched; and a control unit performing a predetermined operation based on the determining result of the determining unit, are provided. Thus, inconsistencies in the type of set tray may be detected thereby preventing textile printing defects caused by such inconsistencies.
US08820871B2
A valve jet printer includes a solenoid coil and a plunger rod having a magnetically susceptible shank. A first end of the shank and at least a portion of the shank are received within a bore of the solenoid coil. The printer also includes a nozzle including an orifice extending therethrough and a spring biasing a second end of the shank toward the nozzle. The second end of the plunger rod includes a tip formed of perfluoroelastomer (FFKM). The second end of the shank includes a cup-shaped cavity having a convex bottom and a circular side. The tip includes a concave base and an annular flange. In an assembled state, the concave base of the tip contacts the convex bottom of the cup-shaped cavity, and the end of the circular side opposite the convex bottom is rolled over the annular flange thereby securing the tip in the cup-shaped cavity.
US08820870B2
A recording apparatus includes a carriage that is provided with a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium and is movable in a scan direction of the recording head, a guide member that guides the carriage in the scan direction, and a gap adjusting unit that is interposed between a housing of the carriage and the guide member so as to displace the housing of the carriage in a direction in which a gap varies between the recording medium and the recording head, the gap adjusting unit being mounted on the carriage.
US08820869B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording head performing recording on a recording medium, a carriage movable in a scanning direction of the recording head; a first guide member guiding the carriage in the scanning direction; a second guide member provided positioned at a predetermined distance in a direction intersecting the scanning direction with respect to the first guide member; a first gap adjusting unit provided on the carriage, and causing the housing of the carriage to displace in a direction changing the gap between a support face supporting a recording medium and the recording head; a second gap adjusting unit causing the housing of the carriage to displace by being synchronized with the first gap unit in a direction changing the gap; a synchronization unit.
US08820867B2
A control circuit for a light emitting diode for indicating power-on in a normal operating mode, power-on in a sleep mode, and power-off, the control circuit includes: a first voltage source having a DC voltage that is greater than a nominal forward voltage drop of the light emitting diode, the first voltage source connected to a first resistor in series with an anode of the light emitting diode; a second voltage source having a DC voltage that is greater than the DC voltage of the first voltage source; a first transistor connected between a cathode of the light emitting diode and ground; a control signal connected to an input of the first transistor; a second transistor connected between the first voltage source and the second voltage source, wherein an output of the first transistor is connected to an input of the second transistor.
US08820865B2
Provided is a refrigeration appliance (2) that includes a fresh food compartment (8) and a freezer compartment (4). A refrigerator liner (14) is located within the fresh food compartment. The liner includes one or more recesses for receiving brackets (10). Each bracket may be removably inserted into a recess (12) such that when the bracket is inserted into the recess, the bracket and recess form a substantially planar plane across the liner.
US08820862B1
A storage unit that may be used in place of an attendant seat, fits into the approximate space of the attendant seat and may employ the same attachment system for securing the storage unit. The storage unit comprises an enclosure having a door and a mounting bracket. The storage unit has a profile that may be configured to match that of a floor-mounted attendant seat, wherein the storage unit may be used to replace the floor-mounted attendant seat. The enclosure may be formed having a resilient structure that forms a compartment, a front wall enclosing the area of the compartment, at least one vertical rail, a top cap. The storage unit further comprises a mounting bracket and a plurality of fasteners for attaching the storage unit to a support frame.
US08820857B2
An apparatus and method for preventing parking brake-caused disabling of a vehicle is provided. In at least one of the vehicle's parking brake release actuators' supply lines there is provided a flow arrangement which allows parking brake release fluid to flow to and from the release actuator when its supply line is undamaged, and restricts flow from the release pressure source when the line between the flow arrangement and the actuator is damaged. The flow arrangement may be a pilot-operated, non-graduated control valve, a combination of a pressure protection valve and a check valve arranged in parallel, a velocity-sensing check valve, or any other device or combination of devices which provide the damaged line shutoff or metering functionality. Such an arrangement prevents automatic application of the parking brake by releasing pressure from all of the vehicle's parking brake actuators, thereby precluding automatic vehicle immobilization following damage at one wheel end.
US08820856B2
An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.
US08820844B2
A frame type dump deck for a dump truck includes a front panel having a pocket formed in a center portion of the front panel having side wall panels which extend perpendicularly from an interior face of the center portion. Two side panels attached to opposing ends of the interior face of the front panel extend in a deck length direction. A floor panel has floor frames arranged in two parallel rows which extend in the deck length direction and terminate at the front panel. Pocket frames extend from the terminal ends of the floor frames in parallel along each edge of the pocket, and include top portions connected via a pocket reinforcement member. The pocket frames are integrally formed on an outside face of the front panel so that an eye end cylinder may be connected to a cylinder hinge above the pocket.
US08820842B2
The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest and with a support structure for supporting the seat part as well as the backrest, in which the support structure is capable of being fastened to a bodywork component and in which forces acting upon the vehicle seat by means of the support structure are capable of being introduced into the bodywork component, and in which the support structure has an asymmetrical framework with main force braces extending substantially vertically.
US08820841B2
A chair includes a first component resembling sporting equipment and including a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion is pivotable about a first axis located on the handle portion. The chair also includes a second component that is substantially identical to the first component and interconnects with the first component to form a chair. The second component also resembles sporting equipment and includes a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion of the second component is pivotable about a second axis located on the handle portion of the second component. When assembled, one of the head portion of the first component and the head portion of the second component forms a seat of the chair.
US08820837B2
A locking device for an adjustment fitting of a vehicle seat has a locking cam rotatable about a first axis, and an actuation element rotatable about a further axis. The locking device has a locking position and a release position. The actuation element has a toothing system and the locking cam has a mating toothing system. The toothing systems have respective opening flanks, at least one of which is flattened to bring about an initially increased opening transmission ratio in comparison to a further course of the toothing systems.
US08820835B2
A reclining chair has a base coupled to a chair back. The chair back is adapted to recline from an upright position to a reclined position. To accommodate that reclining motion, the chair back includes a flex zone formed with notches extending through an inner portion of the flex zone. Those notches narrow as the chair back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position. The flex zone also includes an outer portion that is separated from the inner portion by a gap, the outer portion having one or more notches extending through the outer portion. Those notches also narrow as the chair back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position.
US08820833B2
On a rear side of seat back, a trim cover assembly of the seat back includes an openable first cover portion disposed centrally thereof and a pair of second cover portions disposed on opposite sides of the first cover portion. A pair of female fastener assemblies are provided to two lateral ends of the first cover portion, respectively, and each comprises: an anchor element; a female fastener element; and a connecting element connected between the anchor and female fastener elements. The anchor element is securely engaged with a seat back frame, thereby neatly securing the two lateral ends of the first cover to the rear side of seat back. The male fastener element is securely engaged with the female fastener element, thereby neatly securing the two second cover portions to the rear side of seat back in alignment with the two lateral ends of the first cover portion.
US08820830B2
A vehicle seat arrangement includes a seat body that includes a seat and a seat back at a rear of the seat. The vehicle seat arrangement also includes displaceable seat components which produce a lateral bracing as a function of accelerations in the direction of a transverse vehicle axis. The displaceable seat components are at least partly extendable in a necessitating situation. In a retracted state, the displaceable seat component is situated entirely within the seat back. In an actuated state, the displaceable seat component extends forward from an interior of the seat back, thereby forming an interior sidewall of the seat.
US08820829B2
A vehicle seat with a seat part, with a seat back and with at least one air-permeable upholstered part having at least a main upholstery, a barrier coat and an upholstery cover. The barrier coat is disposed between the main upholstery and the upholstery cover or a carrier layer thereof. The upholstered part has an additional air-permeable upholstery core that is different from the main upholstery. The air-permeable upholstery core in the region adjoining the main upholstery may be ventilated.
US08820814B2
In a vehicle rear seat, slits are respectively formed in side wall portions of retainers provided on a vehicle body side and are respectively open at upper end sides of the side wall portions. Hinge pins respectively provided at lower end sides on side portions of a rear seat back are inserted in the corresponding slits to thereby couple the rear seat back to the vehicle body side via the retainers. Furthermore, in the vehicle rear seat, distal end sides of the hinge pins, that is, portions that protrude outward of the rear seat back, are respectively covered with covers attached to the corresponding retainers.
US08820801B2
A coupling for multi-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a bell portion of corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a spigot portion of corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket disposed in a groove extending around a circumference of the spigot portion and engaged between the bell portion of corrugated wall and the spigot portion of corrugated wall. A multi-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of multi-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
US08820800B2
A coupling for multi-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a portion of the corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a portion of the corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket engaged between the corrugated wall of the bell portion and the outer wall of the spigot portion. A multi-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of multi-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
US08820798B2
A ring-shaped interfacial seal for a connector assembly includes an internal radial surface, inward oriented, surrounding a sealing surface of a connector, an external radial surface, outward oriented, surrounded by a second sealing surface, opposed top and bottom surfaces, and a groove in the bottom surface. The groove receives a sealing ring of a second connector. An internal sealing portion of the seal, located between the groove and the internal surface, and/or an external sealing portion of the seal, located between the groove and the external surface, is compressed radially.
US08820795B2
A fitting for joining pipe elements together includes housing portions held preassembled in spaced apart relation to permit pipe elements to be inserted without disassembly of the fitting. Elbow and tee fittings include sealing elements which support the housing portions in spaced relation. Angled surfaces on each housing portion interact with one another to rotate the housing portions in opposite directions to form a rigid joint between the fitting and the pipe elements.
US08820792B2
An inside leaflet of a book is provided which is bond-bound with pages of the book to provide an advertisement. The inside leaflet includes an advertisement printed part and a binding part. Catchphrases or illustrations for advertisement are printed on at least one side of the advertisement printed part. The binding part is configured to be bound with the pages along an edge of the inside leaflet such that the binding part has less binding portions than those of the pages in order to leave no traces or marks when the inside leaflet is detached from the book. Accordingly, since the inside leaflet is able to be bound to pages of various kinds of books and easily removed from the books without leaving any traces or marks in the books, the inside leaflet contributes to extension of the application range of advertisements and improvement of advertisement efficiency.
US08820785B2
An inflation portion of an airbag, which is inflated by inflation gas, is partitioned into an upstream inflation portion and a downstream inflation portion via a partition member. When being tensioned in a planar manner, the partition member has a length in a longitudinal direction that is longer than a length in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A pressure regulating valve that is closed at an early stage of a supply period of the inflation gas to the inflation portion and is opened from the middle of the supply period includes a slit-like inner opening that is provided on the partition member and extends in the transverse direction and a pair of valve body portions that are provided around the inner opening and are selectively positioned close to and separated from each other.
US08820778B2
At an airbag device for a front passenger's seat, due to an inflator being fixed to a front side bottom wall portion that is formed at a vehicle front side and upper side of a rear side bottom wall portion, the inflator is offset toward the vehicle front side with respect to a central axis of a case. Further, the front side bottom wall portion is inclined with respect to the rear side bottom wall portion such that a central axis of the inflator intersects a normal line of the rear side bottom wall portion further toward a vehicle upper side than airbag doors, and due thereto, the inflator is tilted.
US08820761B2
One variation includes a top mount, integrated housing and spring bearing.
US08820754B2
A seal assembly for an axial flow gas turbine engine includes a rotatable component having a radially extending mate face, a seal slot formed in the mate face, and a seal member slidably disposed in the seal slot. The seal slot includes a radially outer wall and an opposing radially inner wall extending into the component in a circumferential direction from the mate face. The radially outer wall is angled radially inwardly from the mate face toward an inner end portion of the seal slot. Rotation of the seal assembly during operation of the engine produces a centrifugal force on the seal member to effect movement of the seal member in the circumferential direction out of the seal slot.
US08820746B2
A realistic professional team sports board game, including an On-The-Roll mechanism where, once play begins, real time play continues, generally against a clock, opposing teams continue to roll dice continuing sub-play actions or elements, until a play is completed, as by a touchdown, tackle and a series of rules and charts, based on statistical compilation that maps various combinations of offensive and defensive strategies and dice rolls into realistic game situations and the progression among them. Both teams: secretly choose a strategy, generally by selecting a card placed face down; roll dice; reveal strategy choices by turning cards face up; determine a situation chart to consult, and further determine which result is selected from within the chart, based on some combination of which cards were played and the results of the dice rolls. A variety of play cards affect the overall game momentum of either team.
US08820744B1
Scratch-off game cards, systems and methods of play for pre-picking winners of real-time sporting events before events take place. Each player scratches off a number of scratch-off portions from scratch off sheets to determine teams picked before the sporting event begins. Players list selected racing teams and start positions on cards before events begin. After the event concludes, players list final position numbers for the teams. Players sum up their initial position numbers to determine initial position sum scores, and players sum up their finish position numbers to determine finish position scores. The player with the lowest initial and or final position sum score wins game. Optionally, the player with the winner of the race on the player's game card wins another portion of the game. In the case of a sponsored race, the rules and method of play can vary.
US08820742B2
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a first discharge opening and a second discharge opening, a sheet discharge portion, a restricting member and a sheet discharge tray. The sheet discharge portion is connected at a position below the first discharge opening, and the sheet discharged through the first discharge opening is to be placed thereon. The restricting member stands up on a downstream side of the sheet discharge portion in a discharging direction of the sheet and can come into contact with a downstream end edge of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge portion in the discharging direction. The sheet discharge tray includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion to be fixed to an upper end part of the restricting member and is attachable above the sheet discharge portion, and a sheet discharged through the second discharge opening is to be placed thereon.
US08820740B2
According to one embodiment, a link member is arranged on a conveying path where a sheet is conveyed in a direction substantially perpendicular to an access door. In conjunction with the opening operation of the access door, the link member is raised. On the raised portion of the link member, an upper side conveying guide has one side supported in a free rotatable way and forms a portion of the upper side of the conveying path where the sheet is conveyed in the direction substantially perpendicular to the access door. By interlocking with the opening operation of the access door, the link member is raised, and the upper side conveying guide is opened.
US08820736B2
To provide a post-processing apparatus for preventing a sheet from becoming misaligned in dropping the rear end side of the sheet carried in a processing tray from a sheet discharge path to store on the tray, and enabling the mechanism to be simplified, compact and configured at low cost, a sheet guide that guides a sheet from the sheet discharge path to the processing tray is comprised of a pair of right and left guide members, at the same time in the processing tray are disposed a pair of right and left side edge alignment members, and each guide member and each side edge alignment member are configured to shift to positions in the sheet width direction in an integral manner using a common drive motor.
US08820735B2
Provided is a sheet storing apparatus including a processing tray and a stack tray arranged respectively at the downstream side of a path sheet discharging port of a sheet discharging path and at the downstream side of the processing tray as forming a step respectively, and a reversing roller arranged at a tray sheet discharging port as being capable of rotating forwardly and reversely to convey a sheet conveyed from the path sheet discharging port selectively to the processing tray and the stack tray, so that a sheet to be conveyed to the processing tray from the path sheet discharging port is conveyed in a state of having corrugations formed thereon and a sheet to be conveyed to the stack tray from the sheet discharging port is stored at the stack tray in a flat shape as having the corrugations corrected after passing through the reversing roller.
US08820734B2
A loading device includes a disposing unit to dispose the recording media, and a detector to detect the disposed recording media. The disposing unit includes a loading member on which the recording media are loaded, a pair of guide members movable in width directions of the recording media that are mounted on the loading member, and a guide driver to move the guide members. The end detector detects positions at which the guide members are in contact with the recording media as the ends of the recording media. The guide driver further moves the guide members in the width direction to cause the recording media to form flexures, subsequently moves the guide members to separate from the recording media, and then moves the guide members to be in contact with the recording media again.
US08820730B2
A bidirectional bill transmission channel device (02) with multi-path steering, which is arranged between an upper core (01) having functions of recognizing and separating bill and a lower core (03) for storing bill, is used for transmitting and separating bill in a reversing way. The device (02) comprises a channel bracket (0200), a power shaft (0203) mounted on the channel bracket (0200), a transmission belt (0202), channel boards (02041, 02042), an auxiliary transmission wheel set (0205) and a corner guide plate (0210), wherein floating wheels (0211, 0211′) are provided in a steering transmission route formed by the corner guide plate (0210) and the power shaft (0203), the floating wheels (0211, 0211′) correspond to the power shaft (0203) for transmission belt (0202), and form rolling friction assembly with the belt (0202).
US08820723B1
A system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.
US08820716B1
A cord tightening tool used to tighten elongated flexible cord includes a frame with each outer end having a saddle that attaches to a cord to be tightened. A hook with a swivel mount is provided in a center of the frame that attaches to the cord between the saddles. A threaded shaft connected to the hook can be rotated to pull the cord downward to remove slack. The saddles and hook are interchangeable with different shapes to be used with various types of cord materials.
US08820715B2
A stringing angle clamp device and methods associated therewith are provided. The stringing angle clamp device has a pulley wheel rotatable about an axle. A connecting structure has at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end rotatably is affixed to the axle and the second end is sized to connect to a utility pole. A first guide arm and a second guide arm are each rotatably affixed to the axle. A first wire clamping structure is affixed to the first guide arm and a second wire clamping structure is affixed to the second guide arm.
US08820714B2
A sleeve driving structure for various easy jacks contains: a sleeve body including a polygonal fitting portion formed in a first end thereof for fitting with a rotating tool and including a first connecting extension and a second connecting extension symmetrically extending outward from a second end thereof, the first connecting extension and the second connecting extension being parallel to and separated from each other so as to insert at least one driving piece of a screw rod of a jack, and the first connecting extension and the second connecting extension having a first orifice and a second orifice symmetrically communicating and concentric with each other and defined in a first direction thereof; a bolt body fitted in the first orifice and the second orifice of the first connecting extension and the second connecting extension and at least one aperture of the at least one driving piece of the jack.
US08820711B2
A slide gate having a frame assembly including an intermediate cross member coupled between a first and second gate guide members defining a corresponding pair of side channel elements each containing an elongate side seal which abut opposed ends of an elongate top seal secured to the intermediate cross member to seal a gate slidely engaged in the pair of side channel elements.
US08820706B2
The on-off valve includes a body having a fluid path, a spherical valve body opening and closing the fluid path, a guide member opposing the valve body and having a flange portion radially extending outward, a first seat member slidable along an outer peripheral surface of the guide member and seating the valve body, an O-ring disposed between the first seat member and the guide member, a chamber formed of an inner wall portion of the fluid path, the outer peripheral surface, the flange portion, and the first seat member, and a spring member disposed in the chamber and urging the first seat member toward the valve body. In the on-off valve, a gap portion is formed between the inner wall portion and the first seat member and connects the valve body side of the fluid path to the chamber.
US08820696B1
The present invention provides methods and systems for a picture hanging device for mounting a picture to a retention member engaged to a wall that includes a tube having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the tube is designed to receive a retention member mounted to a wall, the top portion of the tube extends into the air for correctly aligning the picture on the retention member and contains a protective cap, whereby a hanging mechanism engaged to the picture is positioned about the tube and is slid down the tube for engagement to the retention member and the tube is positioned within the center of the picture for correctly aligning the picture on the retention member.
US08820695B2
A support for an object is provided. The support may comprise a bottom part, a sidewall, and a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of sidewalls may be connected to the bottom part. The bottom part and the plurality of sidewalls may be made of essentially one piece of flat member. The bottom part and the plurality of sidewalls form an easel to accept the object. The plurality of fastener may be disposed on the plurality of sidewalls.
US08820690B2
A force-spreading clamp including a tubular body having a longitudinal opening for receiving at least a portion of a generally cylindrical object and a wall encircling the longitudinal opening, a gate including a clamping member positioned within the longitudinal opening and having a contact wall for distributing clamping force along a surface of a generally cylindrical object, a guide mechanism being configured to maintain alignment between the gate and the tubular body, and an actuator configured to actuate the gate in a radially inward direction with respect to the tubular body wall to cause the clamping member to apply clamping force to a generally cylindrical object.
US08820688B2
Provided is a tilt foot mechanism of a projection display device, in which the number of components is reduced to lower costs. The tilt foot mechanism includes foot (14) elevatable with respect to the case of the projection display device. Foot (14) includes rod (20) in which spiral groove (23) is formed. The tilt foot mechanism further includes base portion (11) integrally formed with the case, lever (12) rotatably attached to base portion (11) and having convex portion (42) formed to fit in groove (23) of rod (20), and spring (13) disposed between base portion (11) and lever (12). Lever (12) has projection (45) on which a part of foot (14) can abut. Lever (12) is rotated against the pressing of spring (13) along with the rising of foot (14) abutted on projection (45).
US08820685B2
A method is provided. The method includes, the railway network being subdivided into resources, the state being driven by a ground controller, and each vehicle including an onboard controller being capable of communicating with the ground controller. The method includes planning, by a regulating unit, of a vehicle's mission, transmitting said mission to the vehicle. The onboard controller of identifying a group of resources permitting the vehicle to continue its mission, reserving the identified resources with the ground controllers, once all of the resources are allocated, interlocking each resource in a required state, verifying that each resource is reserved and is in the required state and, when this verification is positive, extending permission for the vehicle to move on the path corresponding to said group of resources.
US08820682B2
An aircraft that includes a cabin that has a floor, side walls, a ceiling and an interior, a first class section positioned in the interior that includes a longitudinally extending first aisle extending therethrough, a first door positioned fore of the first class section, an economy class section positioned in the interior and aft of the first class section, and a longitudinally extending second aisle that extends parallel to the first aisle and that does not extend through the first class section. An economy class passenger that enters through the first door travels down the second aisle to enter the economy class section and never enters the first class section.
US08820678B2
The positions of balloons in a communication network of balloons, such as a mesh network of high-altitude balloons, may be adjusted relative to one another in order to try to maintain a desired network topology. In one approach, the position of each balloon may be adjusted relative to one or more neighbor balloons. For example, the locations of a target balloon and one or more neighbor balloons may be determined. A desired movement of the target balloon may then be determined based on the locations of the one or more neighbor balloons relative to the location of the target balloon. The target balloon may be controlled based on the desired movement. In some embodiments, the altitude of the target balloon may be controlled in order to expose the target balloon to ambient winds that are capable of producing the desired movement of the target balloon.
US08820673B2
An aircraft (1) having a fuselage (2), the aircraft (1) comprising a rotary wing (9) above the fuselage (2) and an extra fixed wing (10), the rotary wing (9) being above both the fuselage (2) and the fixed wing (10), said fixed wing (10) comprising at least one closed wing (20) comprising a first half-wing (21) and a second half-wing (22). Each half-wing (21, 22) is provided with a top lift portion (30) and a bottom lift portion (40), said bottom lift portion (40) of a half-wing being arranged in the wake (S) of the top lift portion (30) of that half-wing, the wake (S) being generated by a stream of air (F) coming from said rotary wing (9) and impacting against the top face (30′) of the top lift portion (30) when said aircraft (1) has a forward speed less than a predetermined threshold.
US08820670B2
A dual-bearing reel for forwardly releasing a fishing line includes a reel unit, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, and a rotary operation knob. The reel unit includes a frame, a first cover, a second cover, and a shaft support part. The first cover has a recess and a circular opening formed in the recess. The shaft support part is mounted to the first cover, and is relatively rotatable to the first cover. The shaft support part is pivotable between an attachment position and a detachment position. The shaft support part has a knob portion disposed astride the opening. The spool is mounted to the spool shaft to be rotated in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The rotary operation knob is disposed concentrically to the spool shaft in a position where the knob portion is disposed axially outside and astride the rotary operation knob.
US08820668B2
In order to create a roller press, particularly for comminuting a bed of material, the roller press having two rollers separated from each other by a roller nip and using hydraulic cylinders to press the one roller against the oppositely situated roller over the material situated in the roller nip, the stress on the surface of the rollers to be reduced and their service life to be increased, it is proposed according to the invention that both rollers are designed as loose rollers that are displaceable transversely relative to the roller nip, the bearing housings of the rollers being supported on side parts of the machine frame by hydraulic cylinders that apply the roller compaction pressure.
US08820663B2
A pressurized air-assisted liquid spray nozzle assembly having an air direction member that defines a central longitudinal airflow passage having an upstream end for coupling to a pressurized air supply and a plurality of cross-passages for directing a plurality of pressurized air streams radially outwardly, a liquid direction guide disposed in surrounding relation to the air direction member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced liquid passages extending transversely across the cross-passages for intersecting pressurized liquid and air streams and pre-atomizing the liquid, a downstream expansion chamber for receiving pre-atomized liquid, and discharge orifice communicating centrally with the expansion chamber for emitting a predetermined atomized liquid spray pattern.
US08820658B2
A heat resistant piezo bimorph synthetic jet apparatus comprises a working fluid chamber partially defined by a plate, a working fluid port that provides fluid flow communication between the working fluid chamber and a working fluid mass, and a bimorph piezoelectric structure included in the plate. The bimorph piezoelectric structure alternately increases and decreases chamber volume by alternately expanding convexly and concavely in response to application of voltage of alternating polarity to alternately draw working fluid into and expel working fluid from the working fluid chamber through the working fluid port. A thermal insulating layer is disposed between the working fluid chamber and the bimorph piezoelectric structure to protect a ceramic layer within the first bimorph piezoelectric structure from high temperature working fluid.
US08820654B2
A throttle passage is formed by providing a step portion by expanding an open end side of a refrigerant passage of the refrigeration cycle, placing a throttle passage member on the step portion, and squashing the throttle passage member using a columnar squashing jig to widen a rim of the outer periphery, thereby causing the throttle passage member to be fixedly engaged to an inner wall of the refrigerant passage. The throttle passage member has a simple shape formed only by machining a circular plate having a hole formed in a center thereof into a truncated conical shape, and therefore can be made at low cost. Throttle passage member is only squashed to be fixedly engaged in the refrigerant passage, and therefore can be easily formed.
US08820653B2
A water control fixture includes a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water and a pressurized supply of cold water. The fixture body interconnects the supply of hot water and the supply of cold water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body. The bypass valve blocks and permits recirculating flow from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water based on a temperature of the water.
US08820652B2
A bypass valve includes a housing having a hot water port configured to communicate with a hot water supply line and a return port configured to discharge water from the housing for recirculation to a hot water source. The housing has a passage permitting recirculating flow between the hot water port and the return port. A valve member is operable to allow and restrict recirculating flow through the passage. The valve member restricts water flow through the passage in a failed state.
US08820651B2
The invention provides an indoor environment regulating system with excellent energy efficiency. The indoor environment regulating system of the invention is provided with an indoor surface structural member 300, 400 constructed of a material comprising a far-infrared emitting substance that emits and absorbs far-infrared rays and has a far-infrared emissivity of 0.6 or greater, and a cooling and/or heating source 200, 301 having a cooling and/or heating surface constructed of a material comprising the same far-infrared emitting substance as the far-infrared emitting substance of the indoor surface structural member, and wherein when the cooling surface of the cooling source 301 is cooled, the far-infrared emitting substance of the cooling surface absorbs the far-infrared rays emitted by the far-infrared emitting substance of the indoor surface structural member 300, 400, and/or when the heating surface 200 of the heating source is heated, the far-infrared rays 62 emitted by the far-infrared emitting substance of the heating surface are absorbed by the far-infrared emitting substance of the indoor surface structural member 300, 400.
US08820648B2
Structures, systems, and methods verify the authenticity of a precious metal unit. A “ping bar” is designed to have a distinctive sound only if authentic and unadulterated. A “waffle bar” is shaped to discourage adulteration, damage, or counterfeiting and to facilitate easy core sampling and assay of the constituent metal's purity. Reeded edge features may additionally be employed to discourage tampering. An RFID device and a global registry system verify various attributes and ownership of the precious metal units.
US08820643B1
A barcode reader may be configured to capture at least one test image of at least a portion of a barcode. The at least one test image may include a plurality of window images. Each window image may be smaller than a full photo sensor array image. Illumination for each window image may be provided by a distinct one of the plurality of illumination systems. The barcode reader may also be configured to determine a selected illumination system. The selected illumination system may be the illumination system that yielded a window image having highest quality among the plurality of window images. The barcode reader may also be configured to cause the photo sensor array to capture a subsequent image using the selected illumination system.
US08820640B2
The present invention improves the environment resistance performance of a magnetic card reader, and also improves the operation stability of a system including a higher-level device. Specifically to describe, the magnetic card reader 1, for reading magnetic data recorded in a card 4 by using a magnetic head 5, includes: a storage section (a part of a RAM 104) for storing the magnetic data read and acquired by using the magnetic head 5; a first comparing section for comparing the total number of data in the magnetic data with a prescribed first threshold; and a first judgment section for judging that the magnetic data is effective data when the total number of data in the magnetic data is less than or equal to the prescribed first threshold in the first comparing section.
US08820638B1
A wirelessly updated consumer spending card includes a spending card housing, a memory module on the spending card housing, a processor module on the spending card housing in operable communication with the memory module, an output display on the spending card housing in operable communication with the processor, a transceiver on the spending card housing operable for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data across a metropolitan area in operable communication with the processor and display, and a power source on the spending card housing in operable connectivity to the memory, processor, transceiver and display. The card may further include a biometric input device on the spending card housing in operable communication with the processor.
US08820624B2
A cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes: a radio frequency tag; a cooking appliance provided with a radio frequency reader to receive food related data from the radio frequency tag, the cooking appliance comprising at least a heating element; and a server receiving at least the food related data from the cooking appliance, the server transmitting food cooking data for cooking a food suitable for the cooking appliance using the food related data, wherein the cooking appliance operates using the food cooking data.
US08820614B2
The method of producing a magnesium alloy joined part has the following steps: a joining step of joining a reinforcing material made of metal to a plate material made of magnesium alloy without allowing an organic material to remain at the joined portion and a plastic-working step of performing plastic working on the plate material to which the reinforcing material is joined. A desirable means of joining the reinforcing material to the plate material can be to use an inorganic adhesive. Because the magnesium alloy joined part is formed by a structure in which the reinforcing material is joined to the plate material, in comparison with the case where the reinforcing material is formed by machining or the like, the magnesium alloy structural member can be obtained with high production efficiency.
US08820612B2
Solder bumps of uniform height are provided on a substrate through the use of injection molded solder. Copper pillars or ball limiting metallurgy are formed over I/O pads within the channels of a patterned layer of photoresist. Solder is injected over the pillars or BLM, filling the channels. The solder, which does not contain flux, is allowed to solidify. It forms a plurality of solder structures (bumps) of equal heights. Solder injection and solidification are preferably carried out in a nitrogen environment or a forming gas environment. Molten solder can be injected in channels formed in round wafers without spillage using a carrier assembly that accommodates such wafers and a fill head.
US08820607B2
A retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. The retraction mechanism includes a motor, a first speed reducing mechanism, a clutch mechanism incorporating a second speed reducing mechanism, and a shaft. The first speed reducing mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The second speed reducing mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. In addition, the clutch mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first speed reducing mechanism. The shaft is configured to rotate upon activation of the motor the second speed reducing mechanism is in the locked state. The rotation of the shaft retracts a firing drive of the hand held surgical apparatus.
US08820600B2
The present application provides a yarn accumulator for use with a yarn sausage in a heat setting line. The yarn applicator may include a sled in contact with the yarn sausage and a tensioning device in communication with the sled. The tensioning device applies a variable tension to the sled based upon the length of the yarn sausage. The tensioning device may include a sled pulley in communication with the sled, a ratioed pulley set in communication with the sled pulley, a counterweight pulley in communication with the ratioed pulley set, and a counterweight in communication with the counterweight pulley.
US08820597B2
A garment hook assembly for use in a vehicle includes a housing, a cover slidingly coupled to the housing and having an aperture therethrough, and a garment hook pivotally mounted to the housing. The housing is mounted to a trim component having a complementary aperture therethrough such that pivoting the garment hook away from the housing exposes a passageway through the cover and trim component apertures for access to an underlying vehicle body structure.
US08820595B2
A hanger system with hooks attached to and suspended from a hanging or stationary frame, and from one to a multiplicity of rods capable of holding garments or other items, which rest in the hooks. The hooks are designed to allow the rods to rest in vertical relation to one another within the hooks although, depending on the hanging orientation of the hanger system, the rods may hang adjacent to or diagonal from one another. The frame may be hung from a closet rod or similar support, or may be attached to a surface such as a wall or a shelf, either directly or with spacers between the frame and the surface.
US08820594B2
A folding system for a fabric product is provided. The folding system includes an information obtaining device, a folding device and a width controlling device. The information obtaining device obtains first information held by a fabric product. The folding device includes a platen member, a width adjusting mechanism and a folding mechanism. The platen member is for holding the fabric product. The width adjusting mechanism adjusts the width directional length of the platen member. The folding mechanism folds the fabric product on the platen member. The width controlling device controls the width adjusting mechanism by using the first information obtained by the information obtaining device.
US08820590B2
A deformable small packaging structure for free-flowing products has a valve-like closure (10) produced by a two-component injection molding process and including a dimensionally stable carrier element (11) and an outer jacket (12) which envelopes the carrier element (11) at least in part and has a flexible squirt-nozzle (16) with slotted openings. The outer jacket (12), in relation to the withdrawn squirt-nozzle (16), has a meander-shaped configuration adjacent to the squirt-nozzle (16). The squirt-nozzle (16), in relation to the withdrawn state, is configured as a pot-shaped recess. The outer jacket (12) has an inner annular flange (17) which engages in a recess of the carrier element (11) and is firmly connected therewith. Further, the outer jacket (12) has adjacent to the inner annular flange (17) a circumferential web (18) which engages in a groove of the carrier element (11) and is also firmly connected therewith.
US08820587B2
A connector is described that is capable of reducing an amount of liquid remaining in a container when the liquid is drawn out therefrom. The connector includes a connecting unit having a threaded portion that is screwed onto a container-side threaded portion; a main body coupled so as to have a common a central axis with the connecting unit, and a siphon tube that is secured to the main body and that extends to a bottom portion of the container. The connecting unit and the main body are connected so as to be capable of relatively rotating about the central axis.
US08820586B2
A provided powder/granular material feeding device fully satisfies the function of sufficiently preventing bridges and ratholes and the function of favorably stabilizing the filling rate of an outlet portion. Moreover, the powder/granular material feeding device does not require consumable items such as a flexible chute or leave a large amount of powder/granular material in a specific region inside a chute. The powder/granular material feeding device includes: a hopper 1 that receives powder/granular material; an outlet portion 2 that discharges powder/granular material; a chute 3 that guides, into the outlet portion 2, powder/granular material dropped from the hopper 1; and a stirring part 4 that rotates stirring members 4b about a shaft 4a protruding so as to tilt diagonally upward from the lower part of the interior of the chute 3.
US08820576B2
A cosmetic container includes a piston in which content contained in the container always reaches a content inlet of an airless discharge pump as the piston rises upward along and on an inner wall of the container with operation of the airless discharge pump. More specifically, the content amount remaining in the container is indicated in association with the rising movement of the piston. The cosmetic container includes a container body, an airless discharge pump installed to the container body, a piston installed in the container body so that a topmost level of content contained in the container body reaches a content inlet of the airless discharge pump as the piston moves upward along and on an inner wall of the container body with operation of the airless discharge pump, and an indicator indicating content amount remaining in the container body in association with rising movement of the piston.
US08820572B2
A holder intended to hold a can upside down inside a container when attached thereto is described. The holder includes a clip having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced to accept an exterior wall of the container in between, where the clip is formed at an arc corresponding to the arc of the exterior wall of the container and a deck connected in a permanently fixed relationship to the clip and extending into the container, the deck including an aperture. The holder also includes an insert inserted into the aperture in the holder, the insert formed by a can receptacle having a first ledge to hold the top of the can when inserted therein and a neck insert, the neck inserted into the aperture until a second ledge on the insert comes to rest against the deck of the holder.
US08820563B2
The invention relates to a cooking lid (1) for preventing liquids from boiling over, having at least one passage opening (4) to which a movable closure part (3) of a closure element (2) is assigned. In order to make available a cooking lid (1) that guarantees not only a controlled cooking process but also sufficient escape of steam, and also offers a possibility of adding ingredients or liquids during the cooking process, the invention provides that the closure part (3) is disposed so as to rotate.
US08820552B2
A locking sleeve (17) is described for fastening a closure device (11) on a container opening comprising a sleeve body which is at least provided with a slip-on collar at its lower end region, wherein the slip-on collar has an inner circumferential surface (21) for enveloping coverage of an outer circumferential surface (25) of the closure device, this inner circumferential surface being provided with a retaining device (22) at least in an area of overlap with the outer circumferential surface and the retaining device comprising a plurality of retaining units (23) which are radially distributed over the circumference of the inner circumferential surface.
US08820545B2
A locking mechanism is provided for a product display tray of the type having a base formed of longitudinal wires and having a product pusher slideable on the wires and urged forwardly by a spring to maintain products at the front of the tray as items are removed by customers. A locking member is positioned to slide on the wires and is pushed forwardly by the spring. The locking member has angled edges which engage the wires when the element is tilted. When the pusher is moved toward the rear of the tray, the geometry of the pusher causes it to tilt the locking member such that its angled edges lock onto the wires, preventing the spring from moving the pusher forward during loading of the tray. Pressing rearward at the top of the pusher reorients the locking member and frees the pusher to be moved forward by the spring.
US08820544B2
A dishwasher includes an adjustable dishwasher rack that accommodates certain types of dishes (e.g., bowls) of varying sizes and shapes. The dishwasher rack includes a pair of parallel guide rails. A plurality of retainer assemblies ride along the guide rails. Each of the retainer assemblies has (i) a first clip positioned on the first guide rail, (ii) a second clip positioned on the second guide rail, and (iii) a retaining wire having a first end that is secured to the first clip and a second end that is secured to the second clip.
US08820535B2
Multiple embodiments of a variable flow classifier for vertical air-swept coal pulverizers are disclosed. In all embodiments, a classifier structure includes a cone with means for providing a pattern of inlet ports for introducing airborne coal to the cone wherein said means allows for selective variation in the size of the ports.
US08820531B2
A pad tray includes a base portion and a recessed region that is formed in the front side of the base portion and is for accommodating an electrode pad, the recessed region having a bottom region and a sidewall region that extends up from the bottom region and is provided so as to surround the electrode pad.
US08820530B1
An airport baggage tub, comprises a molded sheet. The molded sheet further comprises a large radius corner and a slick surface edge. The molded sheet is mechanically coupled to a material region.
US08820528B2
The present invention provides a module packaging device, which includes a cushioning device and a plurality of retention boards mounted to the cushioning device. The cushioning device includes a plurality of interconnected cushioning air columns of which every two adjacent ones of the cushioning air columns form a receiving channel. The retention boards are respectively mounted in the receiving channels. Modules are each positioned on each of the cushioning air columns between two of the retention boards. The module packaging device uses a cushioning device that is composed of cushioning air columns and the cushioning device, which is of a U-shaped, is positioned in a package box to provide an effect of cushioning and protection to opposite ends and bottom of the liquid crystal modules or the backlight modules received therein to protect the liquid crystal modules or the backlight modules from damages caused by external forces.
US08820524B2
A modular golf bag having an external frame is provided. Poles connect a frame top capable of receiving golf clubs to a frame bottom. A pliable bag body extends between the frame top and the frame bottom such that a cavity capable of receiving golf clubs through the frame top is formed. Poles may be affixed to the pliable bag body using internally positioned pole sleeves, one or more slits in the pliable bag body, or a combination thereof. Also, storage compartments may be detachably connected between the poles.
US08820517B2
A lateral plate element (106) for a link for a self-stacking endless conveyor belt includes an outer plate section (110); an inner plate section (120); and a bridging plate section (130) bridging the outer and inner plate sections. A resting surface (141) engages a lateral plate element of an underlying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt (1). An upper portion with an associated upper edge (7) engages the resting surface of a lateral plate element of an overlaying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt when it extends helically. An inner abutment surface (126) engages the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element to limit outward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element. An outer abutment surface (142) engages the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element to limit the inward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element. A spacer element (127) limits outward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element.
US08820513B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.
US08820509B2
A conveyor system for a use with mining machine is provided. The conveyor system may have a plurality of conveyor segments operatively connected end-to-end, a first of the plurality of conveyor segments also being configured to connect to the mining machine. The conveyor system may also have a plurality of mobile base supports each being configured to support one of the plurality of conveyor segments, and at least one controller for communication with the mining machine and the plurality of mobile base supports. The at least one controller may be configured to determine a desired location of the mining machine different from a current location of the mining machine, and to determine a required trajectory of the plurality of conveyor segments based on the desired location of the mining machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to communicate the required trajectory to each of the plurality of mobile base supports to move the mobile base supports into alignment with the required trajectory.
US08820498B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state.
US08820482B2
Safety apparatus for elevator apparatuses which can move a cab via a drive, wherein the drive can be monitored via a monitoring unit for monitoring the drive, including: a first safety circuit, which has a closed conduction state and an open conduction state, with an interruption apparatus for interrupting the drive depending on the conduction state of the first safety circuit, a safety device, which includes at least two sensors, which can be switched between at least two switching states depending on a state to be detected by the sensors. To provide improved maintenance, a switching unit is provided, which can be switched between at least two switching states by connection to the safety device and is designed to effect the closed and/or open conduction state of the first safety circuit, wherein the switching unit includes a transmission device for transmitting data and/or monitoring signals to the monitoring unit.
US08820478B2
A lubricating and cooling epicyclic stepdown gearing, for example in an aeroengine turbomachine, including a cylindrical casing mounted on a planet-carrier of the gearing and forming a centrifugal scoop surrounding stationary oil-delivery strips, the cylindrical casing including radial ducts feeding nozzles pointing towards zones where the planet gears mesh with outer ring(s) of the gearing.
US08820477B1
An acoustic panel for sound attenuation employs a septumized cellular core sandwiched between a backsheet and a linear acoustic facesheet. The linear acoustic facesheet employs a linear material layer that impedes acoustic waves entering the core substantially linearly over a wide range of frequencies and sound of pressure levels.
US08820475B2
An exhaust muffler for an internal combustion engine including a housing having a sidewall, a first end plate and a second end plate spaced apart and located opposite the first end plate. A plurality of partitions may be disposed within the housing defining a plurality of chambers, including a resonator chamber, a cross-flow chamber, and an outlet chamber. An inlet pipe may be disposed through the housing into the resonator chamber and in fluid communication with the cross-flow chamber, the inlet pipe having a bend in the resonator chamber, wherein the inlet pipe is in fluid communication with the resonator chamber through a resonator aperture located in the bend. A resonator tube may be in fluid communication with the cross-flow chamber and the outlet chamber. An outlet pipe may be disposed through the housing and in fluid communication with the outlet chamber.
US08820473B1
A gas dispersion nozzle for a gun silencer having a nozzle portion with a front end and a rear end and walls enclosing a hollow interior therein. The rear end of the nozzle portion is attached to the gun silencer and the nozzle portion extends into the interior of the gun silencer. The rear end also attaches to a firearm. The walls have channels which direct flow of propellant gases out of the hollow interior and into the interior of the gun silencer at an angle to a path along which the projectile passes when the firearm is discharged. The channels cause the flow of propellant gases to become turbulent or rotational or both and can cause the flow rate of said propellant gases to decrease. The gas dispersion nozzle reduces the report and/or flash produced by the discharge of a firearm.
US08820471B2
A speaker, including: a casing having a baffle plate; and a sound source fixed to the baffle plate of the casing, wherein at least one cutout is formed in the baffle plate, the at least one cutout having a configuration in which a width of the at least one cutout increases with an increase in a distance from the sound source.
US08820456B2
A tractor cab suspension system has a single support unit which mounts one end of the cab from a chassis of a tractor. The single support unit acts as a noise isolator and does not allow significant vertical oscillation of the cab relative to the chassis but allows the cab to pivot relative to the chassis in pitch and roll modes. A cab support is provided at the other end of the cab which supports the cab from the chassis and damps pitching of the cab about the single support. A roll damper is also provided to damp rolling of the cab about the single support, and a control bar extends between the cab and chassis which controls transverse movement of the cab relative to the chassis.
US08820455B2
A battery pack cooling mechanism for a hybrid vehicle is provided. An opening is formed in a floor panel located rearwardly of the vehicle. An upper portion of a battery pack inserted into the opening is closed by a cover panel. The opening is formed in misalignment with above an exhaust pipe so that the battery pack is arranged adjacent the exhaust pipe in the width-wise direction of the vehicle. An air-intake device is mounted on a top surface of the battery pack. An air outlet port of the air-intake device opens frontward of the vehicle. An air outlet port of an air outlet duct opens more rearwardly than the battery pack. A filer element which removes foreign substances is disposed in the air-intake device. A service lid is disposed on an upper portion of the cover panel for maintenance of the filter element.
US08820436B2
A method for operating a coring tool includes moving a handling piston of a coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool where the handling piston moving through a coring bit to the second position. The method also includes measuring the distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the second position to determine a core length, comparing the measured distance with a predetermined threshold, and operating a coring bit of the coring tool to obtain a core sample in response to determining that the measured distance is less than the predetermined threshold.
US08820433B2
A power tool that includes a housing, a trigger switch that is mounted to the housing, a tool output member and a motor and transmission assembly. The housing defines a handle. The motor and transmission assembly is coupled to the housing and is configured to drive the tool output member. The motor and transmission assembly include a motor, which is electrically coupled to the trigger switch, and a transmission having a transmission input member, which is drivingly coupled to the motor, and a transmission output member that is drivingly coupled to the tool output member. The motor and transmission are packaged in the housing in a manner that is extremely compact.
US08820421B2
The various embodiments herein provide a system and method for fire extinguishing in forests. The fire extinguishing system herein includes a first storage tank, a second storage tank, a first fire extinguishing element, a second fire extinguishing element, a cover provided on top side of the first storage tank, a compressed air inlet, an air regulator, one or more hosing hasps, one or more tarpaulin hoses, one or more hooks, one or more clips and locks, a nozzle attached to a bottom side of the tank and a pipe to lead compressed air to nozzle. In the first stage the helicopter carries the sand tank from the station/depot to the firing woods and starts bombarding the sand around and top of the fire and a second helicopter carries the water tank from the station to the top of the bombarded flames and starts spraying water before the flame starts again.
US08820399B2
A coiled tubing unit includes a coiled tubing reel skid comprising a load supporting skid frame having a plurality of guide post sleeves and a reel skid landing platform comprising a plurality of guide posts that mate with the plurality of guide post sleeves, wherein mating of the guide posts with the guide post sleeves is configurable so that the coiled tubing reel skid is disposable at multiple positions on the landing platform. The coiled tubing unit is configurable for many different weight distribution requirements.
US08820398B2
A down hole tool includes a tool body, a fluid cavity, a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the fluid cavity, and an electrical control unit in communication with the MR fluid. The electrical control unit is configured to adjust a viscosity of the MR fluid by varying a magnetic field.
US08820395B2
Computer systems having heat exchangers for cooling computer components are disclosed herein. The computer systems include a computer cabinet having an air inlet, an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet, and a plurality of computer module compartments positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet, and the computer module compartments define an air flow path through the computer cabinet. The computer systems also include a heat exchanger positioned between two adjacent computer module compartments. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange elements canted relative to the air flow path.
US08820386B2
A multiple shade apparatus and method includes a shade system with a shade header with end caps. A first shade roll is provided with a first shade connected with the first shade roll and the first shade includes a first bottom bar. The first shade roll is connected with the shade header. A second shade roll is provided with a second shade connected with the second shade roll and the second shade includes a second bottom bar. The second shade roll is also connected with the shade header. A first connector device is provided that is connected with the first shade and a second connector is connected with the second shade. A detachment device connected with the shade system is provided for automatically disconnecting the first connector and the second connector.
US08820367B2
An activity and storage bag is includes a central compartment for holding one or more removable objects. The central compartment has an inner surface that is water-resistant and an outer surface. The activity and storage bag further includes a wallet attached to the outer surface of the central compartment for storing wallet items. The wallet includes an external flap that folds out from and attaches back with an internal flap that is connected to the outer surface of the central compartment. The activity and storage bag further includes one or more side pockets attached to the outer surface of the central compartment adjacent to the wallet.
US08820363B2
A plug for temporarily plugging a lateral line from lateral opening in a main pipeline. A distal end of the plug is inserted in the lateral line from the main pipeline. The plug includes a fitting tube and a wedge constructed for deforming a deformable portion of the fitting tube outward to plug the lateral opening. Axial movement of the wedge with respect to the fitting tube toward a flow area of the main pipeline causes deformation of the deformable portion. A gripping member may be positioned on an outer surface of the fitting tube. The plug may include a fitting on the fitting tube to facilitate gripping of the plug by a tool. A cutting and brushing assembly may be used to remove the plug from the lateral line. Methods of installing and removing lateral plugs are also disclosed.
US08820360B2
Provided is an integrated gas panel apparatus which has excellent responsiveness, stabilizes gas concentration, and furthermore, can keep a conventional panel shape as it is. A panel body comprises at least a main flow channel block body for forming a main flow channel, and a branch flow channel block body for forming a branch flow channel. The branch flow channel block bodies are arranged on the both right and left sides to face each other by having the main flow channel block body at the center.
US08820353B2
Disclosed is a multipart valve assembly. The assembly can be used in selectively coupling two vehicles. The assembly includes inter-fitting male and female components and associated control valves. Coupling the male and female components establishes media (fluid or gas), communications, and electrical paths between space vehicles. This permits the passage of media from one vehicle to the other and likewise enables one vehicle to operate the control valve of the other vehicle.
US08820350B2
Provided is a fuel pump module in which a portion of fuel transmitted from a fuel pump provided in a reservoir or fuel returned from an engine is supplied to a first jet and a second jet and a portion of the fuel is supplied from a first jet tower to a second jet tower through a connection tube connecting the first jet tower and the second jet tower to each other when the returned fuel passes through the first jet and the second jet and is then jetted to each of the first jet tower and the second jet tower to fill an inner portion of the second jet tower with the fuel, such that the fuel in a second space part of a fuel tank is rapidly transmitted, thereby making it possible to stably supply the fuel to the engine.
US08820346B2
A self-actuating drainage device for placement on a structure to drain water accumulated on the structure includes a collection funnel having a bottom with a funnel hole extending therethrough, a siphon conduit contiguous with the funnel hole, the siphon conduit having a first end disposed on the structure and an opposite end disposed at a position lower than the first end. The device further includes a valve mechanism which includes a float maintained within the collection funnel. The valve mechanism opens when accumulated water raises the float so that the water collected in the collection funnel is released through the siphon conduit and starts a siphoning action from the first end to the opposite end when the valve mechanism closes.
US08820337B2
The present invention provides an elastic force magnifying structure of self-opening/closing umbrella. The umbrella includes a central post that comprises an inner tube, an intermediate tube, and an outer tube telescopically fit to each other. The central post receives a primary spring received therein. The elastic force magnifying structure includes an elastic force increasing spring arranged inside the outer tube. The elastic force increasing spring is coupled by a coupling sleeve to the primary spring to serve as an extension thereof.
US08820335B2
Disclosed is a cleaning apparatus capable of cleaning a holding unit of a holding member that holds a substrate. The cleaning apparatus is configured to prevent a cleaning liquid from adhering to a rear-end unit of the holding member where a drying is difficult to be done, while a cleaning process is performed by spraying the cleaning liquid to the holding unit. Also disclosed are a substrate processing system that incorporates the cleaning apparatus, a cleaning method based on the cleaning apparatus, a program to perform the cleaning method, and a storage medium to store the program. The cleaning apparatus is equipped with a cleaning unit that cleans the holding unit by spraying the cleaning liquid to the holding unit, and a cover unit that covers the rear-end unit by making a back-and-forth operation with respect to the holding member.
US08820334B2
An apparatus for heating washer liquid, may include a PTC (“Positive Temperature Coefficient”) heater provided in an air conditioning system of a vehicle, a subsidiary washer tank connected to a washer tank of the vehicle, and divided into a non-heated washer-liquid storage space for storing non-heated washer liquid received from the washer tank and a heated washer-liquid storage space for storing washer liquid which may be heated, a washer liquid circulation pump provided on the subsidiary washer tank, feeding the non-heated washer liquid into the PTC heater, and recovering the heated washer liquid to the heated washer-liquid storage space of the subsidiary washer tank, a washer liquid heating pipe fluid-connected to the washer liquid circulation pump and provided to pass through a heat radiation fin of the PTC heater so that the non-heated washer liquid fed by the washer liquid circulation pump may be selectively heated by the heat radiation fin provided in the PTC heater, and a washer liquid spray pump feeding the heated washer liquid, which may be stored in the heated washer-liquid storage space, to a spray nozzle.
US08820333B2
A device and method for mixing and applying hair coloring chemicals to a user's hair. The device comprises a brush applicator, a first compartment capable of holding the brush applicator, a second compartment containing a first hair coloring chemical, a third compartment containing a second hair coloring chemical, and a membrane. The brush applicator is movable toward the membrane to puncture the membrane and cause the hair coloring chemicals to be mixed together. In another embodiment, the device contains two or more hair coloring chemicals, at least one in at least one receptacle within the device. The device further comprises a cutting member in the form of a cursor, pull-member, rotatable element, or push-member to cut open the receptacle(s) within the device to release and thereby mix the hair coloring chemicals. The device can include an applicator removably attached to the housing to apply the mixed hair coloring chemicals.
US08820322B1
A water filled unitary flexible pouch for use with a heating element for delivering humidified air to a user, comprising a disposable pouch formed from a first and a second flexible polymer sheet sealed to the first flexible polymer sheet, wherein the second flexible polymer sheet comprises a flexible metalized area adapted to contact the heating element. A premeasured amount of distilled water is in the disposable pouch in contact with the flexible metalized area, and forms vaporized water when the flexible metalized area contacts the heating element. An integral inlet port is used to flow continuous pressurized air into the disposable pouch at a titrated pressure ranging from about 4 centimeters of water to about 30 centimeters of water, and an integral outlet port is used to flow vaporized water and pressurized air from the disposable pouch at a pressure up to about 30 centimeters of water.
US08820319B2
A guide adapted for facilitating insertion of a medical device into the trachea of a patient is disclosed. The guide includes an integral curved-shaped member having at least a first leg at one end of the guide. The curved-shaped member essentially includes an outside curved side defining a concave groove. A first angle is defined on the first leg configured and dimensioned to allow for at least the first leg to pass through the mouth and into the trachea of the patient. Insertion of the guide into the trachea allows for elevation of the tongue and surrounding soft tissue of the patient thereby forming an air space that allows for passage of a medical device.
US08820318B2
One aspect provides a drug dispenser device comprising a housing; extending from the housing, an outlet for insertion into a body cavity of a patient; provided to the housing and moveable with respect thereto, a drug discharge device having a longitudinal axis and comprising a container for storing a drug formulation to be dispensed, a discharge mechanism and a discharge channel from the container for discharge of the drug formulation to the outlet; connecting to the container, a container collar connected to the discharge device; connecting to the container collar and moveable with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of the drug discharge device; connecting to the container collar and moveable with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of the drug discharge device, a transfer element including an actuating portion; provided to the housing, at least one finger operable member moveable to apply an actuating force to the actuating portion of the transfer element to move the transfer element from an initial position along the longitudinal axis in a first direction; provided to the container collar, a pre-load mechanism to prevent transfer of the actuating force to the container collar to move the drug discharge device along the longitudinal axis in the first direction to actuate the discharge mechanism until a pre-determined threshold force is overcome; and connecting the container collar with the transfer element, a biasing return mechanism acting to bias the transfer element along the longitudinal axis in a second direction to return the transfer element to its initial position.
US08820305B2
Several variations of a toy projectile launcher apparatus for discharging EVA balls. The apparatus includes a housing, a barrel portion, a grip portion, a trigger, a ram movable in the housing, a carriage also movable in the housing, a negator spring, handles for cocking the apparatus, and a lever pivotally mounted to a shaft in the housing just behind a ball to be discharged. In operation, a user pulls a handle rearward to move the ram and carriage and extend the spring. Pulling the trigger disengages the ram to impact the lever causing the lever to slap the ball to cause discharge of the ball. The lever and the shaft may be moved from side to side to cause the ball to be discharged straight ahead or curved to the left or right.
US08820304B2
An adjustable cable guard for archery bows includes a guard holder and a cable guard held by the guard holder to engage a cable of the bow to maintain the cable a predetermined distance from a drawstring of the bow. The guard holder includes a body having a clamping groove having a length axis and a bifurcating slit that extends from the clamping groove into the body of the holder, and the cable includes a tongue located to be matingly and slidingly received by the clamping groove. The position of the tongue within the clamping groove may be locked against movement by compressing the slit to bear surfaces of the clamping groove against surfaces of the tongue.
US08820300B2
In a high pressure fuel supply pump for transmitting rotation of a cam to a reciprocating plunger via a tappet and a retainer, a diametric force acting on the plunger is reduced. The pump includes the retainer disposed on the plunger and a return spring exerting an urging force on the retainer in a direction of the tappet. A clearance between a plunger leading end and a tappet bottom surface opposed thereto is set to be greater than a clearance between a retainer bottom surface and the tappet bottom surface opposed thereto, and a clearance between a retainer inside diameter section and a plunger peripheral surface section opposed thereto is set to be greater than a clearance between a retainer outside diameter section and a tappet inner wall opposed thereto.
US08820298B2
A vehicle fuel system may employ a fuel pump module with a reservoir within a fuel tank. The system may also employ a fuel injection common rail, a fuel supply line leading from the fuel pump module reservoir to the fuel injection common rail, and a fuel return line leading from the fuel injection common rail through a fuel pump module flange. Additionally, the system may employ a first return fuel check valve to release fuel only into a reservoir jet pump and/or a transfer jet pump, while a second return fuel check valve may release fuel only directly into the fuel pump module reservoir. An electric fuel pump within the reservoir may have a fuel pump check valve and supply fuel only to the reservoir jet pump and/or the transfer jet pump, and not to an engine, when activated by a pressure sensor in the fuel return line.
US08820294B2
A combustion chamber for an opposed-piston engine includes a squish zone defined between circumferential peripheral areas of opposing end surfaces of the pistons, a cavity defined by one or more bowls in the end surfaces, and at least one injection port that extends radially through the squish zone into the cavity. The cavity has a cross-sectional shape that imposes a tumbling motion on air flowing from the squish zone into the cavity. Opposing spray patterns of fuel are injected into the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the opposing spray patterns are injected along a major axis of the combustion chamber.
US08820284B2
A variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine that is capable of being disposed in a small compact manner and also capable of reducing the generation of a knocking sound. In a variable valve gear, a camshaft is supported by supporting walls of a cylinder head, and camshaft holders formed separately from the supporting walls, two exhaust rocker arms are disposed adjacent to each other, and a connecting pin is movably inserted into pin holes provided in the exhaust rocker arms by an actuator through a pushrod to connect or disconnect the exhaust rocker arms to or from each other. In the variable valve gear, the pushrod is slidably supported in a rod insertion hole of the camshaft holder with the connecting pin being disposed between the pair of camshaft holders and has an axis that is offset toward the camshaft with respect to an axis of the pushrod.
US08820281B2
A camshaft for an internal combustion engine, having a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft which is concentrically mounted inside the outer shaft to be rotatable about an angle and a multi-part cam element having a first cam section that is mounted on the outer shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and a second cam section that is connected to the inner shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and rotationally mounted on the outer shaft. The two cam sections have different cam contours, the relative movement of the two cam sections in opposite directions allowing the resulting cam contour of the cam element interacting with a cam follower to be changed to adjust the variable valve opening period. The two cam sections have different maximum lifts, the cam top section of the cam section having the smaller maximum lift being substantially formed by an annular sector.
US08820271B2
A method for controlling flow of a cooling liquid in a combustion engine, including a casing and a water pump. A material temperature estimate, corresponding to the hottest point in the casing, is carried out from a stored power calculation calculated by a restored power integral corresponding to power restored to the cooling liquid if the cooling liquid were set in motion.
US08820266B2
An integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (multico) for a primary species, preferably a carnivorous marine species with high market value, secondary, preferably an omnivorous species of medium market value and tertiary species, preferably a detrivorous species with high market value, combined with an unfolding system for the primary species to an open semi-intensive or extensive system, the multico system for the primary species is an intensive closed or semi-closed system. The secondary species is stocked in an intensive closed or semi-closed system, while the tertiary species is stocked in a semi-intensive or closed extensive or semi-closed system. The multico system of the primary species is in communication with the system of the secondary species, while the system of the secondary species is in communication with the system of the tertiary species.
US08820262B2
The invention relates to a variable-height platform, which is fitted to a watercraft and has an additional travel and/or a longitudinally movable mounting plate, by positive control such that obstructions in the pivoting area can be fully bypassed without long pivoting arms and special linear-movement cylinders, and a reasonable immersion depth of the platform is ensured in all cases and, in the event of failure of the linear-movement cylinder, the platform can always be moved to the position A by an energy store or accumulator.
US08820257B2
The present invention provides an amphiphilic polymeric material well-suited as a coating for marine applications, such as use as a fouling-release coating on the external surfaces of ships, particularly ship hulls. Also provided are methods of making the polymeric material and methods for using the polymeric material, as well as articles and surfaces that are coated with the polymeric material.
US08820251B2
A mount for carrying a plurality of field-conditioning implements selected from trash whipping implements, rolling baskets and coulters for connection to a planter is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired.
US08820243B2
An electric match assembly for initiating a pyrotechnic device, the electric match assembly comprising an element for connection to a leader carrying the signal; a first electric match component for connection to the lift charge of the pyrotechnic device, the first electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the first electric match component is connected to the lift charge, the signal in the leader is applied to the lift charge; a second electric match component for connection to the time fuse connected to the burst charge of the pyrotechnic device, the second electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the second electric match component is connected to the time fuse, the signal in the leader is applied to the time fuse of the burst charge.
US08820238B2
In order to control the cut register of a web (1) in a web-fed rotary press, a pulling device (Z3) which transports the web (1) is changed with regard to its circumferential speed.
US08820236B2
A device for supplying radiant energy onto a printing substrate (14), including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through a printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit. The radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) having a peak-to-valley homogeneity of less than 15% in a direction transverse to the direction of the path (16) of the printing substrate (14).
US08820217B2
The present invention relates to a brewing unit for a coffee machine. The brewing unit comprises a brewing chamber in which a dose of coffee powder can be put, an inlet for supplying water to the chamber for preparing a coffee beverage, a first piston providing a moveable wall for adjusting the chamber internal volume, which wall has an outlet connected to a spout for delivering the coffee beverage to the user, and a valve assembly for connecting said spout to the brewing chamber or the atmosphere according to the position of the supporting means. Advantageously a second piston is provided which moves the first piston and supports the valve assembly. The second piston is also moveable with respect to the first piston, for actuating the valve assembly.
US08820208B2
Provided is a mine detector detachably attached to the combat boot, which includes a main body detachably attached to the combat boot, and provided with a power supply, a signal transmitting part and a signal receiving part, and a detection part detachably attached to the combat boot, and provided with an antenna connected to the main body.
US08820207B2
A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.
US08820206B2
The present invention relates to a bullet-projectile and case feeding device, characterized in that it comprises a drum (1) internally provided with at least two compartments: a concentric inner compartment (6), and another outer compartment (7), wherein the compartments (6, 7) are suitable for housing cases or bullets-projectiles. The bottom of the drum (1) has an inclination of essentially 45° to 70°, the compartments are provided with: first housings (8) and second housings (9) forming positioning means for positioning the bullets-projectiles and cases, and one inner tube (3) and one outer tube (4) per compartment for feeding the assembly press, said bullets-projectiles and cases being moved in a disorderly manner when the drum rotates (1) and accessing said inner tube (3) and outer tube (4). The device is used in a feeding method for feeding bullets and cases to an assembly press and in a case annealing method.
US08820200B1
Modular die set includes upper die shoe; lower die shoe, which has a first length, width, and thickness, and which is provided with an opening spanning a substantial, extensive portion of the first length and width of the lower die shoe, such that material can pass freely through the opening the first thickness of the lower die shoe and pass through the lower die shoe; and set of plural movable supports, which can be closely spaced or spaced apart in relation to one another, which can be selected and stationed to support a tooling subassembly and avoid any hole(s) in a lower tooling plate of the tooling subassembly such that scrap and/or parts to fall through the hole(s) can fall through the opening of the lower die shoe. The modular die can be mounted within a press, and parts made therewith.
US08820196B1
A safety block that includes a drive member on a lower face for attaching a socket or other tooling for applying torque to a screw, bolt, nut or other fastener. The safety block has a pair of drive pockets in an upper face of the block on opposed sides of a drive axis that passes through the drive member. The pair of drive pockets are sized and arranged to accept a square-shaped driver of a separately-provided wrench or breaker bar, to permit applying opposed, co-directional torque upon the socket or other tooling, thereby obviating the need to use a breaker bar or similar makeshift arrangement for breaking loose nuts and bolts in the field or on machinery.
US08820195B2
A tool includes a first bit receiving socket, a second bit receiving socket, and an angled metal structure. The angled metal structure includes a first end connected with the first bit receiving socket and a second end connected with the second bit receiving socket.
US08820191B2
A handguard assembly for a handlebars is provided. In one embodiment, the handguard mounting assembly includes a pair of arm members, a pair of shields, and a pair of mounting devices. In this embodiment, the mounting devices are configured to connect to an inner portion of at least one of the handlebars. Each arm member is configured to connect to one of the pair of mounting devices and is further configured to connect to an end portion of a respective handlebar. Each arm member includes an elongated front configured to extend in front of a handlebar. The elongated front includes a shield engaging portion, and a bend formed by at least an upwardly angled portion and a downwardly angled portion.
US08820188B2
A park-position mechanism includes a selector mechanism that includes a cam mounted on a selector hub shaft, a park gear mounted on a main shaft and corresponding in position to the cam, a park arm arranged between the cam and the park gear. The park arm has a holed base fit over a stud that rotates and supports the park arm in a crankshaft case. A torsion spring is arranged between the park arm and the crankshaft case with ends attached to the park arm and the crankshaft case respectively. The park arm has a driven section and an engaging section respectively extending from opposite sides of the holed base. The engaging section forms a projection. The driven section forms a hole in which a guide rod is received in an axially movable manner. The guide rod is engaged with the earn and is thus selectively driven by the cam to cause engagement of the projection of the engaging section with the park gear. A resilient member is arranged between the hole and the guide rod. The resilient member and the guide rod function to absorb a driving force induced by the earn to eliminate direct application of the force on the driven section thereby protecting the park arm from being damaged by excessive amount of force acting thereon and enhancing operation smooth of switching to the PARK position.
US08820186B2
A transmission particularly for bicycles, which is capable of multi-speed gear-shifting by means of reverse rotation and comprises: a transmission axle rotatable in both positive and reverse directions, a speed-changing gear set, a speed-changing cam set, and a transmission seat. The speed-changing gear set comprises a plurality of transmission gears and speed-changing gears which are respectively engaging with the transmission gears. When the transmission axle rotates reversely, the speed-changing cam set can be driven in order to control and decide which transmission gear of the speed-changing gear set is to be engaged and driven by the transmission axle during positive rotation, so as to achieve the feature of multi-speed gear-shifting by means of reverse rotation.
US08820177B2
A flow measurement unit for measuring a rate of airflow for a ventilation system. The flow measurement unit includes a flow measurement device installed in a housing. A first and a second pressure gauge are provided anteriorly and posteriorly, respectively, to the flow measurement device. The first and the second pressure gauge are configured to provide a first pressure reading, corresponding to the first pressure, and a second pressure reading, corresponding to the second pressure of airflow. Further, the flow measurement unit includes a fan to adjust airflow, such that the second pressure approaches the first pressure of airflow.
US08820175B1
The sensor for two-phase flow measurements is installed between two sections of pipe, providing an accurate measurement of radial temperature gradient in a two-phase flow. The sensor includes a heated tube having axially opposed first and second open ends. An annular sensor mount is secured about the first end thereof. First and second annular flanges are mounted to the heated tube for fluid-tight connection with the pair of pipe sections such that a two-phase fluid flowing through the pair of pipe sections continuously flows through the heated tube and a circular opening defined by the annular sensor mount. A central temperature sensor is suspended centrally within the circular opening for measuring a central temperature of the two-phase fluid. At least one peripheral temperature sensor is mounted on the annular sensor mount adjacent an inner annular wall thereof for measuring the peripheral temperature of the two-phase fluid.
US08820174B2
A sensor detects relative mechanical movement between two components. The sensor has two arms, and is to be mounted on one of the two components. Each of the arms has pins received in an opening in two fuse portions. The arms are pivotal within a fuse bracket. The two fuse portions include a thin portion to allow each to fracture. The fuse portions are designed to be distinct such that a distinct amount of relative movement between the first and second arms is allowed before each of the fuse portions fracture.
US08820166B2
An apparatus for detecting defects in a railway rail mounted on a test vehicle. The apparatus includes a transducer assembly with one or more arrays of ultrasonic transducers directed toward the running surface of the rail. Beams transmitted by the one or more arrays of ultrasonic transducers may be dynamically adjusted to compensate for the varying profile of the rail head and running surface. A laser profiler mounted on the test vehicle in combination with a linear encoder provide profile data, which is communicated to a system controller to dynamically adjust the focal laws for the one or more arrays of transducers to steer the transmitted beams to produce the ideal inspection beam sets while the test vehicle is in motion.
US08820161B2
A MEMS detection structure is provided with: a substrate having a top surface, on which a first fixed-electrode arrangement is set; a sensing mass, extending in a plane and suspended above the substrate and above the first fixed-electrode arrangement at a separation distance; and connection elastic elements that support the sensing mass so that it is free to rotate out of the plane about an axis of rotation, modifying the separation distance, as a function of a quantity to be detected along an axis orthogonal to the plane. The MEMS detection structure also includes: a coupling mass, suspended above the substrate and connected to the sensing mass via the connection elastic elements; and an anchoring arrangement, which anchors the coupling mass to the substrate with a first point of constraint, set at a distance from the axis of rotation and in a position corresponding to the first fixed-electrode arrangement.
US08820160B2
A method for producing a sensor element, wherein at least parts of the sensor element are subjected to at least one plasma treatment process during production. The plasma treatment process may be either a plasma cleaning process and/or a plasma activation process. During the plasma treatment process, a base element and/or a carrier element of the sensor element is subjected to a plasma treatment process before a placement process and/or before a contact-connecting process with electrical connection means. The sensor element is equipped with at least one measurement probe element and/or at least one electronic circuit. This method is used to produce a sensor element, such as a speed sensor element, that may be used in a motor vehicle.
US08820159B2
An adjustable measuring device is for use in measuring out various amounts of granular or powdered material such as infant formula powder or the like.
US08820158B2
A liquid level detecting device includes a resistor plate having conductive segments, a float that vertically moves in accordance with a displacement of a liquid level, a float arm that has one end to which the float is attached and the other end which is rotatably supported so as to be rotated in association with a vertical movement of the float, and a contact point that slides on the conductive segments in association with a rotation of the float arm. Each of the conductive segments is formed of a first metallic material and a second metallic material. The first metallic material has silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) and the second metallic material has gold (Au) as a main component. A part which is to be brought into contact with the contact point in each of the conductive segments is formed of the second metallic material.
US08820151B2
A cetane number estimation apparatus injects fuel from a fuel injection valve in a diesel engine based on a target fuel injection amount, calculates an indicator of output torque of the diesel engine produced through fuel injection, and estimates the cetane number of the fuel using the calculated indicator. The cetane number estimation apparatus includes a pressure sensor for detecting fuel pressure varied by variation in actual fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve at the time of the fuel injection. The cetane number estimation apparatus also has a pressure correcting section that is adapted to calculate actual operating characteristics of the fuel injection valve based on a variation waveform of the detected fuel pressure and corrects the target fuel injection amount based on the difference between the calculated actual operating characteristics and prescribed reference operating characteristics.
US08820147B2
A measurement system and method for permitting multiple independent measurements of several physical parameters of multiphase fluids flowing through pipes are described. Multiple acoustic transducers are placed in acoustic communication with or attached to the outside surface of a section of existing spool (metal pipe), typically less than 3 feet in length, for noninvasive measurements. Sound speed, sound attenuation, fluid density, fluid flow, container wall resonance characteristics, and Doppler measurements for gas volume fraction may be measured simultaneously by the system. Temperature measurements are made using a temperature sensor for oil-cut correction.
US08820144B2
According to some embodiments, an apparatus and method are provided for detecting the composition of a fluid. An alternating electromagnetic field may be applied to the fluid and distortions in the electromagnetic field are compared with predetermined, expected distortion “signatures” for particular components at particular concentrations. The presence and concentration of the components in the fluid may be detected by detecting these distortion signatures.
US08820140B2
A system for analyzing a gas mixture, including at least one chromatography column, a mechanism injecting the mixture into the column, and a mechanism detecting compound(s) forming the gas mixture, the detection mechanism including at least one detector of nanosensor type of an outlet of the column and a detector of nanosensor type in the column, capable of detecting passage of the compounds. It is then possible to determine the velocity of each of the compounds within the system.
US08820126B2
An anti-theft fastener with locking feature includes a nut, a nut casing, a lock casing and a lock. An engaging ball of the lock casing gets embedded in an engaging groove of the nut casing. The lock and its' casing are positioned inside the nut casing. An abutting portion of the lock no longer abuts against a positioning ball of the nut. The positioning ball is no longer embedded inside a positioning engaging passage of the nut casing, thereby preventing the nut casing from driving the nut except idling. Under locked condition, the fastener is unable to be mounted. To dismount the fastener requires turning the lock with a key until the engaging ball falls into a curved groove of the lock and exits the engaging groove. The positioning ball is pushed outward and embedded inside the positioning engaging passage, thereby unfastening the screw element.
US08820125B1
A padlock assembly includes two padlock halves fastened with at least one fastener, and a cylinder lock assembled with the padlock halves. A shackle has legs that are receivable in the padlock halves and lockable with the cylinder lock. The padlock halves are interlocked with the shackle such that even if the at least one fastener is removed, if the shackle is in a locked position with the cylinder lock, the two padlock halves cannot be separated from each other.
US08820119B2
To provide a vial with low alkali elution and a method for producing the same by removing a deteriorated region caused by processing on an internal surface of a vial. A vial with reduced alkali elution and a method for producing the same by forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes comprises a first step of forming a borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body by formation of a bottom of a vial, and a second step of forming the cup-shaped body into the vial by formation of a mouth of the cup-shaped body. Further provided is a vial with reduced alkali elution and a method for producing the same by forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes, which comprises a first step of forming a borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body to form a bottom of a vial; a second step of fire-blasting an internal surface of said cup-shaped body by a certain length from the bottom toward an opening of said cup-shaped body with flames to remove a deteriorated region caused by processing; and a third step of forming a mouth of said cup-shaped body to complete a vial with reduced alkali elution.
US08820114B2
Disclosed herein is a cooling system that utilizes a supersonic cooling cycle. The cooling system includes accelerating a compressible working fluid, and may not require the use of a conventional mechanical pump. The cooling system accelerates the fluid to a velocity equal to or greater than the speed of sound in the compressible fluid selected to be used in the system. A phase change of the fluid due at least in part to a pressure differential cools a working fluid that may be utilized to transfer heat from a heat intensive system.
US08820113B2
To reduce power consumption and more efficiently cool computing devices in a data center, an air supply unit supplies air from outside the data center to an air handling unit, which cools servers within the data center using the supplied air. Using air from outside the data center, rather than recirculating and cooling air from within the data center, reduces the power consumption of the data center. In an embodiment, a chiller and/or an evaporative cooling system are coupled to the air supply unit to allow further cooling of the outside air before it is circulated. Heat generated by the servers within the data center is collected, for example using thermal pathways coupled to server components, and used by the chiller in an absorption or adsorption process to further reduce power consumption of the data center and allow the air handling unit to further cool the outside air.
US08820108B2
A refrigerator including an ice maker is disclosed. The refrigerator includes an ice maker comprising: an ice making tray rotatably provided therein; a driving unit connected with the ice making tray, to rotate the ice making tray selectively; and a cooling member provided in the ice making tray, contactable with water supplied to the ice making tray.
US08820107B2
A wind machine for producing water by condensation, includes a wind rotor, an air-dehumidifying unit and at least one electric power generation unit, these being supported by a tower anchored in the ground, the dehumidifying unit including at least one refrigeration compressor, at least one condenser and at least one evaporator that are connected together by a refrigerant fluid circuit, incorporating a member for expanding the fluid, the machine furthermore including elements for recovering and storing condensed water vapor. The at least one electric power generation unit is mechanically coupled directly to the wind rotor via its rotation shaft. The wind machine includes a device for storing and recovering the electric power thus generated and a device for automatically controlling and regulating the dehumidifying unit.
US08820105B2
A medium voltage power controller box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The power controller box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the power controller box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the power controller box and the motor. In addition, the power controller box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the power controller box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the power controller box.
US08820103B2
An air conditioner includes a plurality of compressors, an intake passageway, a bypass unit, and an expansion valve. The intake passageway distributes a fluid to each of the compressors. The bypass unit includes a plurality of bypass pipes connected respectively to the compressors and a common bypass pipe to discharge the fluids from the compressors to the intake passageway. The expansion valve is provided to the bypass unit to control a flow of fluid from the common bypass pipe to the intake unit.
US08820101B2
A refrigerator with a condenser and a fan for the forced ventilation of the condenser, the refrigerator including a fan control circuit for controlling the fan to provide variable throughflow of air from the fan and an assembly for measuring temperature in operative communication with the fan control circuit for operating the fan in a temperature-dependent manner.
US08820095B2
A vortex-based temperature control system comprises a test chamber configured to receive a test article therein, a sensor disposed within the test chamber for detecting a temperature within the test chamber, a first vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a heating airflow to the test chamber, and a second vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a cooling airflow to the test chamber. The system also comprises a temperature controller coupled to the sensor and configured to control an airflow delivered to the first and second vortex tubes to obtain a desired temperature setting within the test chamber.
US08820091B2
A cooling fluid air injection system for use in a gas turbine engine includes at an external cooling fluid source, at least one rotor cooling pipe, which is used to inject cooling fluid from the source into a rotor chamber, a piping system that provides fluid communication between the source and the rotor cooling pipe(s), a blower system for conveying the cooling fluid through the piping system and the rotor cooling pipe(s) into the rotor chamber, and a valve system. The valve system is closed during full load engine operation to prevent cooling fluid from the source from passing through the piping system, and open during less than full load engine operation to allow cooling fluid from the source to pass through the piping system.
US08820090B2
During full load operation of gas turbine engine operation, a valve system is maintained in a closed position to substantially prevent air from passing through a piping system of a shell air recirculation system. Upon initiation of a turn down operation, which is implemented to transition the engine to a turning gear state or a shut down state, the valve system is opened to allow air to pass through the piping system. A blower is operated to extract air through at least one outlet port of the shell air recirculation system from an interior volume of an engine casing portion associated with the combustion section, to convey the extracted air through the piping system, and to inject the air into the interior volume of the engine casing portion through at least one inlet port of the shell air recirculation system to circulate air within the engine casing portion.
US08820088B2
A high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with an acoustic system having an acoustic impedance.
US08820087B2
A method and system for controlling delivery of fuel to a dual stage nozzle in the combustor of a gas turbine. A liquid fuel is conveyed from a single stage fuel supply through a plurality of primary fuel supply lines to a first nozzle stage including a plurality of primary nozzles. A predetermined operating condition of the gas turbine is identified and a signal is produced in response to the identified operating condition. The signal effects actuation of valves located on secondary fuel supply lines extending from each of the primary fuel supply lines to supply fuel to respective secondary nozzles.
US08820086B2
An endcover assembly for a turbine combustor adapted to support one or more combustor nozzles includes a substantially flat plate having one side which in use, faces a combustion chamber and an opposite side which, in use, faces away from the combustion chamber. At least one fuel passage extends through the substantially flat plate. A fuel manifold porting block is secured to the opposite side of the flat plate with at least one port aligned with the at least one passage. A fuel restrictor insert formed with multiple flow orifices is located between the flat plate and the fuel manifold porting block in alignment with the at least one fuel passage and the at least one port.
US08820081B2
A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again.
US08820073B2
A compressor comprises an impeller wheel mounted within a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. The wheel has a plurality of vanes and is rotatable about an axis. The housing has an inner wall defining a surface located in close proximity to radially outer edges of the impeller vanes which sweep across said surface as the impeller wheel rotates about its axis. The inlet comprises a tubular wall extending away from the impeller wheel in an upstream direction. An enclosed chamber is defined between said inner wall and an outer wall and in communication with at least one opening in said in said inner wall. The outer wall is penetrated by at least one ventilation aperture that is designed to be connected via a conduit to a location upstream of the inlet and downstream of an air filter.
US08820070B2
A vehicular hydraulic-pressure-generation device wherein a first bush compressively deforms due to pressure from a simulator piston that moves when hydraulic pressure produced when a brake pedal is depressed is transmitted into a cylinder part. Said vehicular hydraulic-pressure-generation device thus creates artificial reaction-force characteristics with respect to the position of the brake pedal. The aforementioned first bush has a third elastic modulus, which is smaller than a second elastic modulus, and is provided in parallel with a first return spring. The compressive deformation of the first bush occurs over a second region that overlaps a first region in which compressive deformation of the return spring primarily occurs. This makes the brake pedal move more smoothly, reducing the feeling of incongruity resulting from a V-shaped singularity in the reaction-force characteristics with respect to brake pedal position.
US08820069B2
This disclosure describes an apparatus having a valve and an elongated shape memory alloy element. The valve has a lever in a first position, whereby the valve is closed. The elongated shape memory alloy element has a first end connected to the lever. The shape memory alloy element has been strained to have a first length, wherein exposure of at least a portion of the shape memory alloy element to a temperature at or exceeding its austenite transformation temperature causes the shape memory alloy element to shorten to a second length, the second length being less than the first length, thereby causing the first end of the shape memory alloy element to pull the lever to a second position, whereby the valve is opened.
US08820068B2
A linear, multi-cylinder Stirling cycle machine comprises a plurality of Stirling cycle units arranged in an open series or closed loop. Each of the units comprises a compression space in fluid communication with an expansion space via a regenerative heat exchange assembly. The compression space and expansion space are in fluid communication with, respectively, a compression piston and an expansion piston, and the separate Stirling cycle units are mechanically coupled together by linear power transmitters, which connect the expansion piston of one unit to the compression unit of the other. The linear power transmitters can be linear transducers such as linear motors or generators. In the open series arrangement the series of Stirling cycle units can have an initiating compressor at one end and a terminating expander at the other end. hi the closed loop arrangement, one of the Stirling cycle units can include an exergy throttle to restrict gas flow rates to control the speed of the machine. The machine may be used in a combined heat and power apparatus with some Stirling cycle units acting as engine/generators and with waste heat being used for heating. Some Stirling cycle units can be used for cooling or heat pumping.
US08820067B2
The invention relates to a variable displacement hydraulic machine, in particular for a motor vehicle, said hydraulic machine comprising a rotating cylinder (10) including a series of axial pistons (12) connected to a first plate (14) axially located on one side of said cylinder within a substantially transverse plane, the slope of which can be controlled, so as to form a first controllable displacement for said machine, wherein said machine is characterized in that the cylinder (10) further comprises a second series of axial pistons (22) connected to a second plate (24), the slope of which is also controllable, said plate being axially located, relative to the first plate (14), on the other side of said cylinder so as to form a second controllable displacement for said machine.
US08820056B2
Disclosed is a super-turbocharger system that increases power and efficiency of an engine. The system uses the exothermic properties of a catalytic converter to extract additional energy from exhaust heat that is used to add power to the engine. Compressed air is supplied and mixed with exhaust gases upstream and/or downstream from a catalytic converter that is connected to an exhaust manifold. The gaseous mixture of exhaust gases and compressed air is sufficiently rich in oxygen to oxidize hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the catalytic converter, which adds heat to the gaseous mixture. In addition, a sufficient amount of compressed air is supplied to the exhaust gases to maintain the temperature of the gaseous mixture at a substantially optimal temperature level. The gaseous mixture is applied to the turbine of the super-turbocharger, which increases the output of said super-turbocharger, which increases the power and efficiency of said engine.
US08820054B2
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, an upstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (23), a hydrocarbon feed valve (15), an exhaust purification catalyst (13), and a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (24) are arranged in this order from the upstream. At the time of engine operation, the injection amount of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) is controlled based on the air-fuel ratio detected by the upstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (23) and the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (24) so that the amplitude of change of the concentration of hydrocarbons which flow into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) becomes within a predetermined range of amplitude.
US08820047B2
A combustion burner 10A according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a fuel nozzle 110; a burner tube 120 forming the air passage 111 between the burner tube 120 and the fuel nozzle 110; swirler vanes (swirler vanes) 130 arranged in a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction on the external circumferential surface of the fuel nozzle 110, each extending along the axial direction of the fuel nozzle 110, and gradually curving from upstream toward downstream; and a liquid fuel injecting hole 133A from which a liquid fuel is injected to a surface of each of the swirler vanes 130. The combustion burner 10A also includes multi-purpose injecting holes 11-1 to 11-3 as a cooling unit that cools a part of a vane pressure surface 132a of the swirler vane 130 on which the liquid fuel LF hits. Water is injected through the multi-purpose injecting holes 11-1 to 11-3 to form a water film 15A on the vane pressure surface 132a, whereby a combustion temperature is reduced and formation of carbon deposit is prevented.
US08820045B2
A drain assembly for an auxiliary power unit having a hot zone formed by a combustor case comprises a fire enclosure, a drain fitting, a discharge port and a piston seal. The fire enclosure encapsulates the hot zone of the combustor case. The drain fitting connects to the fire enclosure. The discharge port extends from the combustor case into the drain fitting. The piston seal is positioned between the drain fitting and the discharge port.
US08820040B2
A baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.
US08820039B2
A cornhead row unit including first and second longitudinally extending stripper plates mounted on a frame and having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between them. The frame further includes an adjusting arrangement operatively connecting the frame and at least one of the first and second stripper plates to selectably and transversely move at least one of the first stripper plate and second stripper plate with respect to the other stripper plate to vary the width of the gap. A loss detection device is operatively connected to the frame for permitting measurement of corn kernels lost as a result of drawing corn stalks through the gap to separate corn ears from the stalks.
US08820032B2
An entry door is shown and described. The entry door may include a first skin, a second skin, and at least one stile formed from a plurality of interconnected members attached together. The entry door may also include at least one rail formed from a plurality of interconnected members attached together, where the at least one rail and stile are positioned between and secured with the first and second skins forming a cavity between the first and second skins, and an insulative material positioned between the first and second skins generally filling the cavity.
US08820026B2
A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels.
US08820019B2
A runner, a suspended ceiling system, and a method of installing a suspended ceiling, the runner having a base with two laterally opposite flanges for supporting ceiling tiles, a hinged web connected to the base between the flanges so as to be foldable between a flat configuration with the web folded against one of the flanges and an inverted-T configuration with the web normal to the base for suspension and use, the hinged web allowing for economies is shipping when compared to conventional rigid inversed-T shaped runners.
US08820013B2
A plate is provided that spans a space between a bleeder hole in a wall and a drainage trench in a floor adjacent the wall. The plate includes a base and a wall extension, substantially perpendicular to one another. The base extends from a point proximate to the wall to the trench where the base and the wall extensions are spaced apart from the floor and the wall, respectively.
US08820008B2
An elongate beam that supports an object in a storage space. The elongate beam has: i) a bottom wall with a downwardly facing surface; ii) a top wall having an upwardly facing surface and laterally spaced first and second side edges; and iii) laterally spaced first and second side walls with oppositely facing substantially flat surfaces. The top wall has lengthwise ends defined by edges and projects in cantilever fashion laterally beyond the flat surface on the first side wall to define a first flange with a first width between the flat surface of the first side wall and the first edge. The end edges do not extend orthogonally to a lengthwise center line for the top wall between the first and second side edges fully between the first and second side edges.
US08820004B1
A modular bicycle storage system designed primarily for use in urban environments includes a plurality of enclosures formed from a weatherproof fiberglass or plastic sheeting. The enclosure is accessed by a door that can be secured with a lock further includes lighting for nighttime use. A plurality of enclosures can be fastened and arranged in a modular fashion, both vertically and horizontally. The arrangement forms a pattern which is both space efficient and aesthetically pleasing. The enclosures also provide features which enable tethering to a ground surface if desired.
US08820003B2
A closet can fit into an attic and a cabinet (105) can be retracted out of the closet to the living space below manually, or using a return spring or electrical means. An air space (150) around the cabinet insulates it from thermal contact with the walls. A panel (110) with vent openings (155) is affixed to the bottom of the cabinet. In an alternative embodiment the cabinet is hung from a restraining member (145), or arm (1105), by which it can be raised for storage and lowered for access. When raised, the panel is in contact with the ceiling (110) between the attic and air from the living space mixes into the air space by convection. A fan (160) can urge circulation between the air space and the living space, reducing of temperature extremes in the air space and hence the cabinet.
US08819999B2
A sliding door with a sliding panel and a fixed panel allows for the sliding panel to pivot with respect to the fixed panel regardless of the position of the sliding panel and allows both the sliding panel and fixed panel to pivot with respect to an outer frame in which the panels are mounted when the sliding panel is fully open or nearly fully open without requiring a floor track. The sliding panel may move linearly with respect to the fixed panel and outer frame along the length of a header, and a guide bracket cooperatively engaged with the sliding panel may be partially positioned in a guide track formed in the fixed panel bottom rail. A floor plate may be secured to the floor surface adjacent the bottom end of a first jamb to provide support/stability to the panels.
US08819992B2
Monitoring apparatus for monitoring a movement element pivoted between open and closed states of an opening to be closed, the apparatus having a sensor for detecting an object and for monitoring a spatial angle originating at or near the rotation axis. The sensor is fitted at or near the rotation axis and includes a transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving radiation within the spatial angle. The sensor emits detection signals generated by the receiver when radiation is detected. The monitoring apparatus includes an evaluation unit that evaluates the detection signals depending on the angular position of the detected radiation in the spatial angle and determines whether an object has been detected and/or the position of the detected object. The evaluation unit draws a distinction between the movement element and an object depending on the current angular position of the movement element.
US08819979B2
A remote valuable and/or gun monitoring system and method are disclosed. A module incorporating a motion sensor is interconnected to a valuable or gun. The motion sensor generates a motion signal if movement is detected. The motion signal can be passed to a communication device associated with the valuable or gun owner by a network. Remote locking/unlocking of a trigger lock provided as part of the module interconnected to a gun can also be supported.
US08819978B2
A reset apparatus for use in a firearm, comprising: a compression spring; a biasing member has a first end and a distal end wherein the compression spring is attached proximate to the first end of the biasing member; a notch disposed on the biasing member for cooperation with a trigger bar, wherein the trigger bar comprises a longitudinal axis defined by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is mechanically cooperated with a firearm trigger; and wherein the compression spring communicates a force through the biasing member and onto the trigger bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trigger bar.
US08819975B2
A rifle kit comprises a rifle receiver structure having a central passage configured for having a substantially as-manufactured breech bolt of a pistol mounted therein and has one or more shoulder stock mounting portions configured for having a shoulder stock structure engaged therewith. A substantially as-manufactured breech bolt of the kit is configured by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) thereof for being mounted on a pistol receiver body configured by the OEM. The rifle barrel is mountable within the central passage of the rifle receiver structure. A chamber end portion of the rifle barrel is configured for engaging a mating portion of the substantially as-manufactured breech bolt. A shoulder stock structure of the kit includes a receiver structure engaging portion configured for allowing the shoulder stock structure to be mounted on the rifle receiver structure exclusively through engagement with the one or more stock mounting portions of the rifle receiver structure.
US08819964B2
A sandal is described, which includes a sole, straps holding the sole to a user's foot, and a first a second plurality of orifices located at the sole, wherein the orifices of the first plurality are perpendicularly oriented to the orifices of the second plurality forming a “cross” and the straps, in order to be attached to the sole, are removable inserted into the cross formed by the first and second plurality of orifices.
US08819952B2
In a parallel slider device, the two sliders are allowed to move in a smooth manner without interfering with each other. A same position command is given to a front servo controller for a front linear servo motor and a rear servo controller for a rear linear servo motor, and the front servo controller and the rear servo controller are provided with mutually different control gains.
US08819949B2
A line marking assembly for applying a marking a straight line with a marking powder onto a surface is disclosed. The line marking assembly comprises two chambers configured to mount one on each side of a level. Each chamber contains a cord wound on a spool, marking powder and a tensioning assembly that exerts a constant and continuous pull on the cord. The cords from each of the chambers may be combined with a coupler. Moving the coupler back and forth between the chambers coats the cords with marking powder. Placing the assembly onto a surface and snapping the cord marks a straight line on the surface.
US08819948B2
The present invention relates to the field of cabinetry, cabinet making and the building industry in general. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for transcribing a profile of a reference surface onto a target surface. In one form, the present invention provides a scribe tool that may include at least one marking portion operatively associated with a reference surface following portion, the at least one marking portion extending laterally beyond the perimeter of the reference surface following portion and may include at least one marking region forming an angle of about 90° or less at its outer extent.
US08819946B2
A support arm that is rockably supported on one end of a grip portion and projects from the one end is provided. Both ends of a blade head are supported by the support arm such that the blade head can rock around an axis extending along a reciprocating direction of an inner blade, and an axial direction of the rocking motion of the support arm with respect to the grip portion is set in a direction intersecting with the reciprocating direction of the inner blade. This configuration achieves an electric shaver capable of increasing the movable range of the blade head while preventing a main body from increasing in size.
US08819935B2
A method for producing a liquid-ejecting head including a passage-forming substrate and a protective substrate. The passage-forming substrate has pressure-generating chambers communicating with nozzle orifices, piezoelectric devices that change the inner pressures of the pressure-generating chambers, and liquid supply channels for supplying the pressure-generating chambers. The protective substrate has a piezoelectric-device accommodating portion and a through-hole, through which wirings to lead electrodes extended from the piezoelectric devices pass thorough. The method includes forming the piezoelectric-device accommodating portion and a portion of the through-hole in the protective substrate while leaving a lid, a portion of the protective substrate, closing off an opening of the through-hole, bonding the protective substrate to the passage-forming substrate, forming the pressure-generating chambers and the liquid supply channels in the passage-forming substrate, forming a protective film on surfaces of the passage-forming substrate and the protective substrate, and removing the lid to complete the formation of the through-hole.
US08819933B2
A method for forming an electrical structure. The electrical structure comprises an interconnect structure and a substrate. The substrate comprises an electrically conductive pad and a plurality of wire traces electrically connected to the electrically conductive pad. The electrically conductive pad is electrically and mechanically connected to the interconnect structure. The plurality of wire traces comprises a first wire trace, a second wire trace, a third wire trace, and a fourth wire trace. The first wire trace and second wire trace are each electrically connected to a first side of the electrically conductive pad. The third wire trace is electrically connected to a second side of the electrically conductive pad. The fourth wire trace is electrically connected to a third side of said first electrically conductive pad. The plurality of wire traces are configured to distribute a current.
US08819932B2
A method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component prevents variations in characteristics even when the ceramic electronic component is embedded in a wiring board. Ceramic green sheets containing an organic binder having a degree of polymerization in a range from about 1000 to about 1500 are prepared. A first conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of each of the ceramic green sheets. The ceramic green sheets are laminated to form a raw ceramic laminated body. A second conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of the raw ceramic laminated body. The raw ceramic laminated body formed with the second conductive paste layer is fired.
US08819929B2
A component mounting method for mounting a plurality of types of components on a substrate is disclosed. The mounting method includes providing a component mounting apparatus 1 for mounting a semiconductor chip 6a picked from a component feeding stage 3 to a substrate 7, having a paste coating unit 20 for squirting paste from an associated coating nozzle to apply the paste to the substrate 7, a paste transfer unit 54 for transferring paste by an associated transfer tool to the substrate 7, and a heating-press unit 57 for pressing the component loaded on the substrate 7 against the substrate 7 while heating the component. The mounting method also includes selecting a work unit from the paste coating unit 20, the paste transfer unit 54 and the heating-press unit 57, and equipping a second head 12 with the selected work unit.
US08819916B2
A plurality of tubes are connected in a bundle that is bent to follow a curved tortuous path. The method includes providing a plurality of individual tubes and then encapsulating the tubes within a molded or extruded encapsulating material so that the tubes are joined and supported together in a tube assembly. Connectors are provided on the ends of the tubes, either before or after the encapsulating of the tubes. The tube assembly is then bent to the desired bent tortuous shape.
US08819912B2
A method of adaptively assembling first and second workpieces utilizing shape memory polymer activation to facilitate alignment and retention, wherein the workpieces present and the method employs at least one active nub and/or mated receptacle, and the modulus shifting and shape memorization capabilities of shape memory polymer are alternatively used to further engage the nub and receptacle during assembly.
US08819910B2
A positioning tool includes an actuating member and a rotating member rotatably attached to the actuating member. The actuating member includes a supporting lump. Two positioning pins are located on the supporting lump. The rotating member includes a rotating plate located between the two positioning pins. Three latching pins are located on the rotating plate.
US08819908B2
A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.
US08819905B2
The present invention provides a machining center that efficiently machines a long workpiece using two pallets. A machining center 1 includes a saddle 30 that moves in a Y axis direction on a bed 10, and a table unit 50 moves in an X axis direction on the saddle 30. At a right end and a left end of the front surface of the bed 10, setup stations 110 and 120 are respectively disposed. While a spindle head 80 is machining a workpiece W2 with one pallet 140 placed on the table unit 50, a workpiece W1 can be set up onto the other pallet 130. A long workpiece can also be machined on the two pallets 130 and 140 placed on the table unit 50.
US08819899B2
A band clamp has a band constriction sensing marker adapted so as to gradually visibly respond to the stage and state of the band clamp installation at the object to be secured. Before the band clamp is installed, a displaceable material may be partially or entirely hidden between the band and the securable object, for example flexible sleeve, wherefrom it is forcefully moved by the clamp to the sides during installation. A gradually appearing amount, color and shape of the moved marker material may provide visual clues about band clamp installation. In some embodiments, a contrastingly colored under material wider than the band clamp may be disposed underneath a marker on the side of the object being secured. Due to the band constriction during joint installation, the marker material parts sidewise from underneath the band clamp and masks the contrasting under material with neutrally colored marker material.
US08819897B2
Disclosed is a long arm quick release hinge comprised of a hinge cup pivotally connected to a hinge body with a hinge pin via a hinge arm and a link in a four-bar linkage arrangement. The link is a collection of plates with interlocking projections and indentions arranged adjacent to each other and separated by resilient shock absorbing spacers. The hinge body is adjustably connected to a connecting plate with an overlay screw and an adjustment screw.
US08819887B2
A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion that is rotatably connected to the frame. The hub portion has an inner surface, an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The hub portion includes a plurality of media elements secured thereto and arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction along the axis of rotation. The hub portion includes at least one translucent portion disposed on its outer surface. The translucent portion is disposed between a pair of adjacent rows of the plurality of spaced apart rows. The hub portion includes at least one illumination element for illuminating the at least one translucent portion such that said illuminated translucent portion is configured to be seen while the said hub portion rotates.
US08819885B1
A paint roller, comprising: a handle; a roller head; and a neck. The neck connects the handle to the roller, and the neck comprises: a first leg connected to the handle; a first bend connected to the first leg having a first radius of curvature, redirecting the neck about 90 degrees from the first leg; a second bend redirecting the neck about 180 degrees from the first leg; a second leg connected to the second bend, the second leg shorter than the first leg; a third bend redirecting the neck about 90 degrees from the second leg; a third leg connected to the third bend, the third leg shorter than the second leg; a fourth bend redirecting the neck about 90 degrees from the third leg; and a fourth leg connected to the fourth bend, shorter than the third leg, the fourth leg connected to the roller head.
US08819884B1
A paint pad with flat handle including a parallelepiped head member having a first surface to which a paint pad releasably secures, said head member attached to a flat handle at a torsion spring pivot disposed upon a second surface of said head member, whereby the paint pad with flat handle has a low profile and is readily positional in tight and hard to reach spaces for application of paint thereat.
US08819883B2
A golf club cleaning device (10) includes a base member (12) and a brush member (14) secured to the base member (12). The brush member (14) includes bristles arranged around a circular outer edge thereof. One or more straps (26) are provided having hooks (28) at first ends thereof and second ends secured to the base member (12). The hooks (28) engage with a peripheral edge of a rim (18) of the wheel (16) to secure the base member (12) to a side surface of a wheel (16) such that while the wheel (16) is turning, the brush member (14) and the base member (12) rotate so that a face of a golf club (44) can be cleaned by the rotating bristles (39).
US08819874B2
A toilet tank flush valve structure includes a valve base. A float assembly that is adjustable in buoyancy is movable between a sealing position and a flushing position. An overflow tube is attached to the float assembly and extends from a lower end in communication with a water outflow passage of the valve base to an upper end in communication with the interior space of the toilet tank. The upper end of the overflow tube is adjustable relative to the float assembly independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly. A guide member guides movement of the float assembly. A stop member on the guide member limits upward travel of the float assembly from its sealing position. The stop member is adjustable in position lengthwise of the guide member or by extension of the guide member independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly.
US08826460B2
An electronic device includes a requesting application and a hosting application. When the requesting application requests permission from the hosting application to access a category of data, the device identifies the requesting application and the permission request. The device awaits a user input to determine whether the user will permit the requesting application's request to be granted.
US08826445B2
In one embodiment, the present invention pertains to a method and system for deterring unauthorized use of media content in a computing system and network. In one embodiment, the invention comprises detecting an unauthorized use of the media content in a computing system or network, the media content having a characteristic digital waveform format and an associated indicator for indicating to a compliance mechanism an unauthorized use of the media content. On detecting an unauthorized use of the media content, the media content characteristic digital waveform format is degraded. In this embodiment of the invention, unauthorized use is non-compliance with a use restriction applicable to the presentation of the media content in the computing system or network. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the media content is rendered incomprehensible to an unauthorized user experiencing the media content, thereby likely deterring further unauthorized use of the media.
US08826440B2
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method includes initializing a first descriptor table and a second descriptor table. The first descriptor table is associated with a first permission level and the second descriptor table is associated with a second permission level that is different from the first permission level. The first descriptor table and the second descriptor table are associated with a hardware processor and initialized by an operating system kernel. The method also includes providing a memory address associated with the first descriptor table, in response to a descriptor table address request. The descriptor table address request is provided by a software process. The method also includes updating the second descriptor table, in response to an update request.
US08826439B1
Machine language instruction sequences of computer files are extracted and encoded into standardized opcode sequences. The standardized opcodes in the sequences are of the same length and do not include operands. A multi-dimension vector is generated as a static feature for each computer file, where each element in the vector corresponds to the number of occurrences of a unique N-gram (i.e., unique sequence of N consecutive standardized opcodes) in the standardized opcode sequence for that computer file. The computer files are clustered into clusters of similarly classified files based on similarities of their static features. An unknown computer file can be classified by first grouping the file into a cluster of files with similar static features (e.g., into the cluster with the shortest average distance), and then determining the classification of that file based on the classifications of other files that belong to the same cluster.
US08826431B2
Clients send telemetry data to a cloud server, where the telemetry data includes security-related information such as file creations, timestamps and malware detected at the clients. The cloud server analyzes the telemetry data to identify malware that is currently spreading among the clients. Based on the analysis of the telemetry data, the cloud server segments malware definitions in a cloud definition database into a set of local malware definitions and a set of cloud malware definitions. The cloud server provides the set of local malware definitions to the clients as a local malware definition update, and replies to cloud definition lookup requests from clients with an indication of whether a file identified in a request contains malware. If the file is malicious, the client remediates the malware using local malware definition update.
US08826426B1
An exemplary computer-implemented method for generating reputation ratings for URLs may include (1) identifying a URL that identifies the location of at least one web resource, (2) identifying the computing health of at least one member of a computing community that has accessed the URL, (3) generating, based at least in part on the computing health of the member(s) that accessed the URL, a reputation rating for the URL that indicates whether the URL represents a potential security risk, and then (4) providing the reputation rating for the URL to at least one additional computing device to enable the additional computing device to evaluate whether the URL represents a potential security risk. In addition, a client-side, computer-implemented method for determining whether a URL represents a potential security risk may be based at least in part on such a reputation rating. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08826424B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for runtime additive disinfection of malware. Runtime additive disinfection of malware may include performing the steps of identifying, based at least in part on its type, an executable software application that is suspected of being infected with malware, wherein the malware is adapted to perform a function during the execution of the executable software application, predicting the malware function based on known patterns of malware infection relating to the type of the executable software application, and in response to the prediction, adding a remediation software component to the executable software application that disables the executable software component from executing code that performs the predicted malware function.
US08826414B2
System-on-chip (SoC) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-based apparatus for detecting malicious code in portable terminal is provided. Apparatus includes SoC including hardware-based firewall packet-filtering packet received from outside through media access control unit according to setting of firewall setting unit in SoC memory and storing filtered packet in application memory or transferring filtered packet to anti-malware engine, hardware-based anti-malware engine detecting malicious code by performing pattern-matching operation between code pattern in file transferred from firewall or file received through input/output (I/O) interface unit and pattern of malicious code registered in malware signature database (DB) of mobile device application unit, SoC memory providing setting of firewall and support file decoding function for file format recognition of anti-malware engine, and hardware-based controller controlling switching operation to transfer file filtered by firewall directly to application memory or to anti-malware engine and control malicious code detection cycle of anti-malware engine.
US08826409B2
A secure USB flash drive employing digital rights management to implement secure digital media storage such as that provided by encrypted storage utilizing content protection for recordable media (CPRM) or the like. Unlike a secure digital card which provides such protection, it does not need an SD card port which is CPRM enabled, or alternatively a reader adapted for use therewith. The form factor can be that of a standard USB flash drive and a standard USB connector is employed making the device and its use familiar and comfortable to the average consumer.
US08826405B2
A method and an apparatus for configuring a key stored within a secure storage area (e.g., ROM) of a device including one of enabling and disabling the key according to a predetermined condition to execute a code image are described. The key may uniquely identify the device. The code image may be loaded from a provider satisfying a predetermined condition to set up at least one component of an operating environment of the device. Verification of the code image may be optional according to the configuration of the key. Secure execution of an unverified code image may be based on a configuration that disables the key.
US08826402B2
Maintaining an Instant Message (IM) session includes sending a login request to a first login server from a client; establishing the IM session and transferring Instant Messages between the client and the first login server; detecting an interruption in the transfer of the Instant Messages; obtaining an address of a second login server from a login allocation server; sending a reconnection request from the client to the second login server; and in the event that the reconnection request is accepted by the second login server, exchanging Instant Messages between the client and the second login server.
US08826399B2
A system for authenticating a user to a service includes a service, an authentication server and a device. The service includes first signal interface, first processing hardware and first user interface. The authentication server includes second signal interface and second processing hardware. First signal interface transmits a request to the authentication server to authenticate a user. Second processing hardware creates a session identifier and encodes it into a pictogram. Second signal interface transmits the pictogram to the service. The device includes third processing hardware that scans the pictogram and extracts the session identifier, and a third signal interface that transmits the credentials and the session identifier to the authentication server. Second processing hardware verifies the credentials, and second signal interface securely transmits the result of the authentication to the service.
US08826388B2
A secure VPN connection is provided based on user identify and a hardware identifier. A client application may initiate the VPN connection. A client device user may provide identification information to the application, which then sends a VPN connection request to a remote VPN gateway. The VPN gateway may require an equipment identifier to establish the secure VPN gateway. If the hardware ID is registered, the secure VPN connection is established. If the hardware ID is not registered with the VPN gateway, the connection may be denied. In some instances, a connection may be established with an unregistered equipment ID based on settings at the VPN gateway.
US08826378B2
Architectures and techniques that allow a firmware agent to operate as a tamper-resistant agent on a host platform that may be used as a trusted policy enforcement point (PEP) on the host platform to enforce policies even when the host operating system is compromised. The PEP may be used to open access control and/or remediation channels on the host platform. The firmware agent may also act as a local policy decision point (PDP) on the host platform in accordance with an authorized enterprise PDP entity by providing policies if a host trust agent is non-responsive and may function as a passive agent when the host trust agent is functional.
US08826375B2
A user annotates a shared document with text, sound, images, video, an e-mail message, graphics, screen snapshots, web site snapshots to share with others. The document and its annotations are stored in a digital object repository to which other users have access. Within the closed collaboration system, only users who are authenticated may upload digital objects, annotate digital objects and view objects and their annotations. The user sends a message to other users to invite them to view the object and its annotations and to add their own annotations. An annotated object generates an alert for all of the invited users. A remote authentication gateway authenticates users and has a repository for user metadata. Digital object repositories are separate from the authentication gateway, thus providing for disintermediation of the user metadata from the digital object data. The collaboration system may be hosted by a third party on a server computer available over the Internet that displays a web site. A user is not required to have collaboration system software on his or her computer and may annotate any image on the web site for later viewing by other users of the web site.
US08826362B1
An enhanced cable card device is described that operates in host devices without requiring an out-of-band data channel. One embodiment includes a broadcast receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, a processor for coordinating processing in the cable card, a memory for storing data normally received by the cable card over an out-of-band signal, an in band data receiver for receiving an in band data signal, and a control program running on the processor to signal reception of an out-of-band signal to a host device electrically connected to the cable card. In addition, the control program processes data from the memory and provides processed output data to the host device simulating data normally received over an out-of-band data channel, and the cable card allows the host device to operate normally without an out-of-band receiver.
US08826348B2
An apparatus and method for achieving power saving for a portable device in a wireless network for transmitting audio/video (A/V) data is disclosed. An optimal transmit power level is selected by transmitting multiple probe messages by a portable device at increasing transmit power levels until a response to one of the probe messages is received within a preset allowed response time. A relay node is selected by a portable device for receiving compressed A/V data, uncompressing the compressed A/V data, and transmitting the uncompressed A/V data to an intended receiver.
US08826346B1
A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F.
US08826339B2
Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs for implementing radio frequency (RF) and Internet Protocol (IP) virtual channel maps (VCM) in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver (DVR) are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for managing virtual channel information in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver. One such method comprises: receiving a data set associated with at least one IP transport stream; determining at least one virtual channel number (VCN) and at least one corresponding delivery parameter associated with the IP transport stream; and associating the VCN with the delivery parameter in a virtual channel map (VCM).
US08826325B2
An improved computerized process for an AUTOMATED UNOBTRUSIVE ANCILLARY INFORMATION INSERTION INTO A VIDEO is described that inserts an advertisement into a moving object in a video selected by a user by an algorithm which requires no manual operations by the advertising business entity. A user who has access to any computer hardware device chooses his selected video but sees on his monitor that selected video with an advertising segment inserted in some optimum placement on that moving object in the selected video by an optimizing subroutine so that the insertion-does not distract from the -content of interest to the viewer.
US08826324B2
A server apparatus used in a system that delivers, to a reception apparatus via a network, a commercial stream of a content prior to a delivery of a main-program stream of the content, the server apparatus including: a reproduction control information storage section to store reproduction control information for the commercial stream, that includes at least first setting information that sets whether to restrict a trick reproduction in the reception apparatus; and a reproduction control information transmission section to extract, in response to a first reproduction control information acquisition request from the reception apparatus, the reproduction control information for the commercial stream from the reproduction control information storage section and transmit the reproduction control information for the commercial stream to the reception apparatus.
US08826309B2
There is provided an optical pickup including a light source, an objective lens configured to focus light from the light source onto one signal face of an optical disc, the optical disc including two or more signal faces, each of the signal faces having a groove formed therein, a photodetector configured to receive returning rays from the optical disc, the photodetector having a light receiving face divided into four light receiving regions by a dividing line that is substantially parallel to a track direction of the optical disc and by a dividing line that is substantially perpendicular to the track direction, and a shading unit disposed at an incident side of the photodetector and configured to block, of returning rays from a signal face other than the one signal face of the optical disc, at least a diffracted ray that is diffracted by the groove.
US08826298B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using a web-based client-server application offline. During operation, the system receives a function call at an object within a browser that is executing on a client, wherein the function call is generated by the web-based client-server application and is directed to a communication layer on the client. Next, the system determines an intended resource for the function call. The system also determines if the function call should be redirected to an alternate resource. If so, the system redirects the function call to the alternate resource. If not, the system forwards the function call to the intended resource. Note that in some embodiments of the present invention, the entire system operates within the context of the browser.
US08826294B2
The present invention provides an efficient state management system for a complex ASIC, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, a computer-based system executes state-dependent processes. The computer-based system includes a command processor (CP) and a plurality of processing blocks. The CP receives commands in a command stream and manages a global state responsive to global context events in the command stream. The plurality of processing blocks receive the commands in the command stream and manage respective block states responsive to block context events in the command stream. Each respective processing block executes a process on data in a data stream based on the global state and the block state of the respective processing block.
US08826293B2
A method, system, and computer program product for visualization-centric performance-based volume allocation in a data storage system using a processor in communication with a memory device is provided. A unified resource graph representative of a global hierarchy of storage components in the data storage system, including each of a plurality of storage controllers, is generated. The unified resource graph includes a common root node and a plurality of subtree nodes corresponding to each of a plurality of nodes internal to the plurality of storage controllers. The common root node and the plurality of subtree nodes are ordered in a top-down orientation. Scalable volume provisioning of an existing or new workload amount by graphical manipulation of at least one of the storage components represented by the unified resource graph is performed based on an input.
US08826292B2
A mechanism for system-wide target host optimization in load balancing virtualization systems is disclosed. A method of the invention includes detecting a condition triggering a load balancing operation, identifying a plurality of candidate target host machines to receive one or more operating virtual machines (VMs) to be migrated, determining a load per resource on each identified candidate target host machine, and scheduling all operating VMs among all of the identified candidate target host machines in view of an expected load per resource on each candidate target host.
US08826290B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for monitoring performance of a virtual computer. In a method of controlling a computer system including a computer, the computer executes a virtualization program for causing logically divided resources of the computer to operate as first and second virtual computers, the first virtual computer executes a first OS, and the second virtual computer executes a second OS. In the method, information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program is obtained from the virtualization program, information indicating performance of the first virtual computer is obtained from the first OS, information indicating performance of the second virtual computer is obtained from the second OS, the obtained information and information indicating a time of obtainment of the information are stored in a storage system, and stored information is output.
US08826288B2
A computer system provides for both lock-step and free-step processor modes, allowing for an effective tradeoff between performance and data integrity.
US08826287B1
A resource manager computer system allocates computer resources from a pool of computer resources for executing an application. A data monitoring system monitors metrics for the allocated computer resources, and a resource assessment computer system executes a control plug-in specifying a policy for determining whether to adjust the allocated computer resources based on the metrics.
US08826285B2
The object of the invention is in particular a device for execution of applications (510) in an aircraft information-processing system (500), permitting the simultaneous execution of at least two distinct applications, the said information-processing system comprising shared calculation and storage resources. The device comprises software segregation means capable of creating at least two distinct information-processing environments (505), a partition of the said calculation and storage resources being allocated to each of the said at least two environments in such a way that the execution of one of the said at least two applications in one of the said at least two environments does not have any effect on the execution of the other of the said at least two applications executed in the other of the said at least two environments. Another object of the invention is a method for employing such a device.
US08826281B2
Document scheduling architecture for automatic publication and removal from publication of a document. A document can be developed, approved, and scheduled for automatic viewing and removal from viewing using start data and end data that are represented as job definitions. Based on a triggering event, the jobs are selected and executed to effect document publication. The document is automatically published making it viewable by all users who have suitable permission to do so. The architecture provides a pluggable override scheduling, and hence, extensible scheduling solution for third-party entities to provide alternative approval and/or scheduling behavior. Other attributes include reporting to a user the status of a document, execution of a policy in combination with the document publication such that the policy overrides selected attributes of the publication state, and a management filter process wherein the document can be reviewed independently by another individual for veto of publication if desired.
US08826279B1
Instruction set architectures for compute-centric object stores. An exemplary method may include receiving a request from a user, the request identifying parameters of a compute operation that is to be executed against one or more objects in a distributed object store, generating a set of tasks from the request that comprise instructions for a daemon, locating the one or more objects within the distributed object store, the one or more objects being stored on a physical node. The method includes providing the set of tasks to a daemon, the daemon controlling execution of the compute operation by a virtual operating system container based upon the set of tasks, and storing an output of the virtual operating system container in the distributed object store.
US08826271B2
A virtual system on chip (VSoC) is an implementation of a machine that allows for sharing of underlying physical machine resources between different virtual systems. A method or corresponding apparatus of the present invention relates to a device that includes a plurality of virtual systems on chip and a configuring unit. The configuring unit is arranged to configure resources on the device for the plurality of virtual systems on chip as a function of an identification tag assigned to each virtual system on chip.
US08826267B2
A method characterized by association of object elements to operational modes is adapted for use during installation or runtime of a software package. In an example embodiment, the software package includes objects and object behaviors, wherein a particular object has at least two different object behaviors associated with the particular object, and wherein different object behaviors are each associated with a different operational mode. The example method includes accepting a signal from a user input device to specify an operational mode in a target system for the software package and determining an object behavior that is associated with the specified operational mode. In one implementation, the determined behavior is installed in the target system while at least one other object behavior that is not associated with the specified operational mode is not installed in the target system. In another implementation, the software package is run via the target system, where the software package implements the determined behavior and does not implement at lease one other object behavior that is not associated with the specified operational mode.
US08826263B2
A portable terminal includes: a storage unit for storing at least a first program and software converting data to convert the first program into a second program; a storage control unit to perform reading and writing of the program and data as to the storage unit; a software converting processing unit to execute processing that converts the first program into the second program, using the first program and software converting data read by the storage control unit from the storage unit; and a terminal starting control unit to execute at the time of terminal startup one or the other of starting up the first program, and starting up the converting processing from the first program to the second program by the program converting processing unit and the second program that has been converted.
US08826250B2
A method for a discrete event simulation model of a system utilizing a just-in-time compilation for one or more code blocks associated with an event in one or more discrete event simulation models is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining the event in a discrete event simulation model, retrieving the code block associated with the event, compiling the code block into an object file using a compiler, linking the object file with a predetermined function in a simulation library, compiling the object file and the predetermined function into a customized dynamic link library, loading the customized dynamic link library (DLL) within a discrete event simulation program execution and linking the customized DLL to a simulation program. The method allows user entered logic to be executed in high speed by integrating a just-in-time compiler embedded into the discrete event simulation model to allow dynamic generation of high speed code blocks within one or more simulations.
US08826241B2
A method of sampling instructions executing in a multi-threaded processor which includes selecting an instruction for sampling, storing information relating to the instruction, determining whether the instruction includes an event of interest, and reporting the instruction if the instruction includes an event of interest on a per-thread basis. The event of interest includes information relating to a thread to which the instruction is bound.
US08826239B2
A system and associated method for asynchronous code testing in an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The IDE has components of a source code editor, an impact analyzer, a test case launcher, a graphical user interface (GUI), and a database. All components run concurrently for asynchronous and real-time code editing. Upon modification of a code block of an input code, a test case is automatically generated and a launching priority is calculated based on the relationship between the modified code block and each code block affected by the modification. Generated test cases are automatically run by the test case launcher or manually selected by the user to produce a test run result.
US08826237B2
A method, system and program product for guiding correction of semantic errors in code in an integrated development environment. The method includes inputting, using a code editor, code being developed by a developer in an integrated development environment, identifying, using one or more collaboration records located for a node in a syntax tree constructed for the code inputted, any semantic errors pertaining to use of a third-party library in the code inputted by the developer and, displaying one or more suggestions associated with the one or more collaboration records located to correct the any semantic errors identified for the node, wherein the developer can choose a suggestion of the one or more suggestions displayed to guide correction of the any semantic errors.
US08826236B2
A debugger allows a programmer to select the granularity of a line step function. Using a debugger step statement, the programmer can specify line step, statement step, or automatic selection. When the user specifies line step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in true line step mode, where a line of source code is executed for each step. When the user specifies statement step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in statement step mode, where a statement is executed for each step. When the user specifies automatic selection in the debugger statement, the program is analyzed, and a decision regarding whether to use line step or statement step is made based on the characteristics of the program and based on user-specified selection criteria. In this manner the function of the debugger when line stepping can vary according to the programmer's needs.
US08826235B2
A debugger allows a programmer to select the granularity of a line step function. Using a debugger step statement, the programmer can specify line step, statement step, or automatic selection. When the user specifies line step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in true line step mode, where a line of source code is executed for each step. When the user specifies statement step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in statement step mode, where a statement is executed for each step. When the user specifies automatic selection in the debugger statement, the program is analyzed, and a decision regarding whether to use line step or statement step is made based on the characteristics of the program and based on user-specified selection criteria. In this manner the function of the debugger when line stepping can vary according to the programmer's needs.
US08826234B2
A relational model may be used to encode primitives for each of a plurality of threads in a multi-core processor. The primitives may include tasks and parameters, such as buffers. The relationships may be linked to particular tasks. The tasks with the coding, which indicates the relationships, may then be used upon user selection to display a visualization of the functional relationships between tasks.
US08826227B2
A method, system and apparatus for visualization of versions of a BOM. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at least two different versions of a BOM can be loaded into a versioning data processing system of a modeling tool executing in memory of a computer. The data from both versions of the BOM can be loaded into a single table in which each row of the table can include columns for a class name of a corresponding class specified by one of the versions of the BOM, a version of the corresponding class and at least one characteristic of the corresponding class such as a member name, type, date, argument, or other annotations such as vocabulary, comments, date. Subsequently, the single table can be visualized in at least two different treemaps for at least two different attributes of the versions of the BOM set forth in the single table.
US08826225B2
The invention concerns a model transformation unit adapted to transform a first source model in a source domain into a target model in a target domain, the first source model being a tree of source elements and the target model being a tree of target elements representing a project to be implemented in computer code, the model transformation unit including at least one memory adapted to store the first source model (104, 106), a source meta-model (204) representing the source domain, a target meta-model (206) representing the target domain, and a transformation model (210) indicating rules for transforming between the source meta-model and the target meta-model; and a transformation engine (102) adapted to determine, based on the transformation model, a parent element of each target element of the target model to be generated and to construct the target model by generating, for each source element in the source model to be transformed, a target element based on the transformation model, and by positioning each target element in the tree of target elements below its parent element.
US08826221B2
An adaptive patterning method and system for fabricating panel based package structures is described. Misalignment for individual device units in a panel or reticulated wafer may be adjusted for by measuring the position of each individual device unit and forming a unit-specific pattern over each of the respective device units.
US08826214B2
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing an enhanced Z-directional macro port assignment or three-dimensional port creation for random logic macros of heterogeneous hierarchical integrated circuit chips. An initial port placement is provided on a layer for a macro. The initial port placement is expanded to provide a three-dimensional port shape including a plurality of metal layers along a z-axis. Wire routing of each of the macro level and a chip top level is defined within the expanded three-dimensional port shape. Each unnecessary metal layer of the expanded three-dimensional port shape is removed, providing a final three-dimensional port shape.
US08826206B1
An aspect includes a computer program product for implementing a model of an electrical circuit including a first region and a second region, the first region including simulated logic and a simulated latch circuit. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving, as simulated logical inputs to the simulated logic a simulated power supply voltage state of the first region, a simulated data input signal and a simulated clock signal. The method also includes generating, based on determining that the simulated power supply voltage state of the first region corresponds to an inactive state of the first region, a pseudo-random number as an output of the simulated latch circuit, the pseudo-random number generated based on the simulated data input signal and the simulated data output signal from the simulated latch circuit.
US08826205B2
A method for producing a verified design of a digital to analog converter (DAC) starts with providing an HDL representation of the DAC. Numerical values of the analog output signal as a function of the representation of the DAC for a range of numerical values of the digital input signal are simulated with a simulator. A model is used for converting the simulated numerical values of the analog output signal to numerical values of an equivalent model signal in the same digital format as the input signal. A comparator compares the numerical values of the input signal and the model signal and determines differences greater than a defined tolerance.
US08826201B1
A computer-implemented method and non-transitory computer readable medium for circuit design verification. Formal verification is performed on a circuit design to prove a correctness of a property of the circuit design. The circuit design has a cone of influence representing a portion of the circuit design capable of affecting signals of the property. A proof core of the circuit design is identified, the proof core being a portion of the cone of influence that is sufficient to prove the correctness of the property. A coverage metric is generated that is indicative of a level of formal verification coverage provided by the property based on the proof core of the circuit design.
US08826200B2
Methods and systems for binning defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes identifying areas in a design for a layer of a device being fabricated on a wafer that are not critical to yield of fabrication of the device and generating an altered design for the layer by eliminating features in the identified areas from the design for the layer. The method also includes binning defects detected on the layer into groups using the altered design such that features in the altered design proximate positions of the defects in each of the groups are at least similar.
US08826194B2
According to one embodiment, a pattern data generating apparatus comprises a storage unit that stores a table defining direct self assembly information that combines a direct self assembly material, a film thickness of the direct self assembly material, and a process condition for the direct self assembly material according to a pattern dimension, a division unit that divides layout data of a device based on the pattern dimension to generate divided layouts, an extraction unit that extracts the direct self assembly information corresponding to the pattern dimension of the divided layout from the table, and a generation unit that generates pattern data by allocating the direct self assembly information extracted by the extraction unit to the divided layouts.
US08826188B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to proximity sensors to measure distance from a surface, and more particularly, calibrating proximity sensors to adjust for various reflecting surfaces.
US08826187B2
A finger pointer is used for moving a cursor and selecting objects on a touchscreen. The finger pointer includes a cursor indicator and a finger contact area. The cursor indicator points to a location on the touchscreen that would be activated when the finger pointer is selected. The finger contact area indicates the location on the touchscreen where a user may touch the screen to activate or move the finger pointer. The finger pointer may be used to select objects such as hyperlinks on a browser web page, and items from an application of menu. The user touches the touchscreen within the finger contact area. The user then contacts the touchscreen at a different location to move the finger pointer to the different location such that the cursor indicator is positioned on an object is to be selected.
US08826185B2
The uniqueness of the screen name for each screen of a system to be evaluated is evaluated simply and with high precision. The GUI evaluation system includes GUI information acquisition means for acquiring a screen name that is classified according to a hierarchical level and displayed in an evaluation target screen possessed by an evaluation target system, in accordance with screen name designation information for indicating a screen name display location used to display at least part of information equivalent to a screen name in a screen of the evaluation target system, the screen name designation information being indicated as classified according to a hierarchical level within a hierarchical structure formed by screen names, and acquiring information about components used in a contents display area where the contents of the lowest-level screen name existing in the evaluation target screen are displayed as a title; and screen name evaluation means for evaluating the uniqueness of screen names in the evaluation target system in accordance with the information about the level-specific screen name in each evaluation target screen, the level-specific screen name being acquired by the GUI information acquisition means, and in accordance with the information about the components included in the contents display area of each evaluation target screen.
US08826180B2
An image display apparatus includes: a storage section for storing a plurality of content items sorted using categories of a higher level; a display section for displaying either of the content items or the categories; an operating section generating a first operation signal according to a first operation performed with a weak pressing force and a second operation signal according to a second operation performed with a pressing force stronger than that of the first operation; and a control section receiving the input of the first operation signal and the second operation signal and controlling a display image displayed on the display section.
US08826178B1
An example method includes designating a corner region of a display device as active, and outputting, for display at the display device, a user interface including at least one element positioned at a first location substantially diagonally opposite and at a first distance from the active corner region. The method further includes receiving an indication of a gesture interpreted by the computing device as originating within the active corner region and terminating within a center region of the display device, and responsive to receiving the indication of the gesture, outputting, for display at the display device, an updated user interface including the element positioned at a second location a second distance from the active corner region.
US08826175B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller adapted to present a task toolbar by way of a display of the communication device, create an entry in the task toolbar, identify a party responsible for one or more tasks associated with the entry, associate the party with the entry and update the task toolbar to show by way of the display the association of the party to the entry, create one or more tasks, associate the one or more tasks with the entry of the party in the task toolbar, and synchronize one or more communication resources of the party according to the entry associated with the party and the associated one or more tasks. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08826170B1
Methods for switching between tabbed windows are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an input of a touch gesture includes a dragging motion via a touch interface of a device, and determining whether the touch gesture begins within a predetermined distance from a first edge of the touch interface and proceeds towards a second edge of the touch interface. The method also includes providing at least one tabbed window in an application for display from a perspective vertically above the at least one tabbed window in response to determining that the touch gesture begins within the predetermined distance from the first edge and proceeds towards the second edge. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US08826169B1
In some implementations, content of a content item may be presented on an electronic device and a portion of the content item may be selected to be hidden from presentation. The electronic device may hide the selected portion of the content during presentation of the content. Further, selection information identifying at least the location of the selected portion of the content item may be communicated over a network to a computing device to enable synchronization of the hidden content with other instances of the content item on other devices of the user. In some examples, the user may select one or more chapters of the content item to be hidden by selecting one or more chapter identifiers in a table of contents of the content item. Hidden content may include text, images, audio and/or video content, depending on the type of content item that is accessed.
US08826168B2
A method and apparatus for the distribution of electronic media content for distribution to employees of a subscriber. The system includes an electronic display for displaying selected electronic media content that may be selected, modified and/or generated by the subscriber. The system allows for dramatically increased subscriber control of the media content presented as well as for increased security for any confidential media content to be presented on the customer display. The system further provides for individual control of multiple displays that may be located in differing geographic locations while at the same time providing for ease of information management.
US08826166B2
A method for evaluating the requirements of a task with the capabilities of an entity includes generating a first visual representation, creating a mask based on the first visual representation, applying the mask to a second visual representation, and generating a third visual representation conveying which task requirements the entity is capable of satisfying. The first visual representation includes the requirements of the task, the second visual representation includes the capabilities of the entity, and the third visual representation is generated based on the application of the mask to the second visual representation.
US08826164B2
An electronic device concurrently displays a plurality of user interface objects and a list of folder icons. The list of folder icons includes a first new folder icon. The device detects a first input by a user using a first user input device, selects a folder icon in the list of folder icons in accordance with the first input, and indicates selection of the folder icon in the list of folder icons. The device also detects a second input by the user using a second user input device on one or more of the displayed user interface objects, moves the one or more user interface objects into a folder that corresponds to the selected folder icon, and when the selected folder icon is the first new folder icon, displays a second new folder icon in the list of folders icons.
US08826159B2
The invention relates to controlling of a user interface of an electronic device (100). On a secondary display (104) of the electronic device (100), a list of executable applications is displayed. A selection for selecting a specific application is received from the user. When the user mechanically sets the electronic device (100) from transport state to principal operational state, a primary display of the electronic device (100) is taken into use. In principal operational state, a predetermined function relating to the user's selection is performed in the electronic device (100), whereby information relating to the procedure is displayed on the primary display of the electronic device (100).
US08826156B2
A method and system for displaying a web page. Each record in a container browser includes a web site locator of a web site and a web browser identifier of a web browser associated with the web site. A first web browser retrieves and displays a particular web page from a first web site. A user desires to replace a web browser identifier of a first web browser in a first record in the container browser with a web browser identifier of a second web browser. The web browser identifier of the second web browser is received from the user. The web browser identifier of the first web browser is replaced by the web browser identifier of the second web browser in the first record. The second web browser retrieves and displays the particular web page from the first web site.
US08826155B2
A system, method, and computer program product comprise presenting a plurality of search results within a graphical user interface. Further, an indicia of risk is presented that reflects an analysis in association with at least one of the plurality of search results within the graphical user interface.
US08826138B1
A system comprises a processor and a graphical user interface (GUI) executable by the processor. The GUI enables a user to specify constituent virtual connect domains (VCD) for a common VCD group. Each VCD comprises two or more computing devices virtualized by a virtual connect device. The virtual connect device comprises multiple ports for communicatively coupling the two or more computing devices to external networks. For all of the constituent VCDs of a particular VCD group, each corresponding port of a corresponding virtual connect device is connected to the same external.
US08826135B1
A media player user interface on behalf of a user associated with a user account is generated that has a social network module that includes music updates associated with other users to which the user is linked. Media player actions associated with the user occurring in the media player user interface are also captured, updates are generated and provided to social network modules in a media player user interface associated with other linked users.
US08826132B2
Media players and associated methods are described that may allow a user to navigate content or other media assets. A media player or portable media device, can include features for generating and utilizing navigation information for navigating content, such as audio books. An audio book may be analyzed to determine one or more locations within the audio book that represent chapters, paragraphs, sentences, or the like. Navigation information may be generated indicative of the one or more locations that may be used by a media player or portable media device to play content in the audio book. The navigation information may include audio clips extracted from the audio book to represent the chapters and the like. In addition, a user may navigate content in response to predetermined user motions. A media player may scroll through content based on the predetermined user motions.
US08826126B1
The embodiments provide a data processing system including a print dialog manager configured to provide a print dialog in response to receipt of a print request for content to be printed in accordance with at least one printing option from a user of an application associated with a device. The print dialog identifies at least one printer and provides the at least one printing option. The data processing system includes a print preview generator configured to generate a print preview providing the content displayed in accordance with the at least one printing option within the print dialog, and a user interface controller configured to receive a selection of the at least one printing option through the displayed content. The print preview generator is configured to change the displayed content of the print preview according to the selection of the at least one printing option received through the displayed content.
US08826120B1
Identification and correction of rendering problems that occur when a document (e.g., a web page) is displayed by a document viewer (e.g., web browser) are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a web page has a first element written in a markup language and a second element written in a style sheet language. A method includes receiving a command at a development environment, analyzing a structure of an electronic document responsive to the command, the electronic document having a first element written in a first computer language and a second element written in a second computer language, identifying a relationship between the first and second elements, wherein the relationship causes a rendering problem associated with a document viewer, and presenting information to the user about the rendering problem via the development environment.
US08826116B2
A method, system and program product for annotating a transient state of a computer displayed application enables annotation of transient applications particularly web based applications. A transient application address (or key) and state information related to an application at a transient state are stored in an annotation store along with an annotation. The annotation is related to the transient application by the application address or key. The application is automatically restored to the transient state when the annotation is requested. Optionally a screen capture of the application at the transient state is also presented.
US08826112B2
Methods, computer program products and systems are provided for navigating a display of a table in a computer application that includes enabling a context sensitive action menu, detecting activation of the action menu in the displayed table, and executing a table display control instruction from the context sensitive action menu to reformat and redisplay the table in a collapsed or an expanded format around one or more selected cells of the table. The display instruction indicates which columns, etc. are to be reformatted. Further steps may include populating an array with data from corresponding cells of the table and executing an array display control instruction to display at least a portion of the array on an action menu display panel. Navigation tools provide selection of array elements and reformatting and redisplaying the table in the collapsed or the expanded format around a table cell corresponding to the selected array cell.
US08826101B2
A memory system and method using at least one memory device die stacked with and coupled to a logic die by interconnects, such as through silicon vias. One such logic die includes an ECC system generating error checking and correcting (“ECC) bits corresponding to write data. The write data are transmitted to the memory device dice in a packet containing a serial burst of a plurality of parallel data bits. The ECC bits are transmitted to the memory device dice using through silicon vias that are different from the vias through which data are coupled. Such a logic die could also include a data bus inversion (“DBI”) system encoding the write data using a DBI algorithm and transmitting to the memory device dice DBI bits indicating whether the write data have been inverted. The DBI bits are transmitted using through silicon vias that are shared with the ECC bits when they are unused for transferring the ECC bits.
US08826098B2
Disclosed is a power isolation and backup system. When a power fail condition is detected, temporary storage is flushed to an SDRAM. After the flush, interfaces are halted, and power is removed from most of the chip except the SDRAM subsystem. The SDRAM subsystem copies data from an SDRAM to a flash memory. On the way, the data may be encrypted, and/or a data integrity signature calculated. If an error is detected, a data integrity signature may be corrupted. A completion signature may be written. To restore data, the SDRAM subsystem copies data from the flash memory to the SDRAM. On the way, the data being restored may be decrypted, and/or a data integrity signature and completion signature checked.
US08826094B2
Accumulating LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. The accumulating decoding architecture described herein is applicable to LDPC codes operating on a parity check matrix, H, consisting of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks) or permuted identity sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks). In such a structure, the entire LDPC matrix is broken into square sub-matrices such that each sub-matrix consists of either a CSI sub-matrix or a permuted identity sub-matrix, or a null matrix. The iterative decoding process operates by updating of APP (a posteriori probability) or gamma (γ) values and check edge message (λ) values, and this by updating one or more individual rows within a number of sub-matrix rows (or all sub-matrix or sub-block rows) are processed in parallel. The amount of parallelism is specified by the designer and is typically an integer divisor of the sub-matrix (or sub-block) size.
US08826090B2
The present disclosure describes using the JTAG Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminals as general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) Manchester coded communication terminals. The Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminal can be used as a serial I/O communication channel between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC. The use of the TMS and/or TCK terminal as serial I/O channels, as described, does not effect the standardized operation of the JTAG Tap, since the TMS and/or TCK I/O operations occur while the Tap is placed in a non-active steady state.
US08826085B2
A display screen control device comprises: a communicating part for performing data communication with a web server; a browser for acquiring a display screen available for the user to make the entry operation from the web server via the communicating part and displaying the acquired display screen on a display part; an error detecting part for detecting whether or not a display error of a content contained in the display screen acquired by the browser is occurred with the display screen being displayed; an error determining part for determining whether or not the content in which the display error is detected is necessary for the user to continue the entry operation when the display error is detected by the error detecting part; and an annunciation controlling part for controlling displaying or not displaying an annunciation image to alert the user to again acquire the display screen on the display part.
US08826084B1
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for automated test and retesting using an interactive interface provided by a computer processor comprising: a test case builder, comprising at least one processor, configured to automatically generate code for a test case; a test flow tool, comprising at least one processor, configured to generate a plurality of test flows for the test case; an execution engine, comprising at least one processor, configured to automatically execute the plurality of test flows on a system under test; and an output interface configured to receive output data from the system under test.
US08826081B2
A data processing apparatus having processing circuitry and debug circuitry is debugged by operating the processing circuitry to generate data. The debug circuitry is employed to generate trace elements indicative of the operation of the processing circuitry. Trace elements are caused to be output from the data processing apparatus over a communication bus capable of connecting a plurality of devices. The communication bus is controlled by a protocol for data interchange requiring data interchange from any device on the communication bus to be controlled by a single processing system. The passing of the trace elements onto the communication bus is controlled using an interface unit of the debug circuitry. The interface unit comprises a controller arranged to allow each of the interface unit and processing circuitry to be separate processing systems which can each independently control data interchange from the data processing apparatus.
US08826080B2
A method for validating the data defining an executable program prior to loading of the data for program execution is described. The method includes calculating a verification number for the data within a primary data storage area, the data defining an executable program, comparing the calculated verification number with a stored number, executing the program within the primary data storage area if the verification number matches the stored number, calculating a verification number for the data within a secondary data storage area, the data within the secondary data storage area defining the same executable program as that within the primary data storage area, if the verification number and the stored number do not match, comparing the calculated verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area with the stored number, causing the program to be executed if the verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area and the stored number match, and indicating a failure if the verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area and stored number do not match.
US08826075B2
A method, apparatus and product. The method comprising automatically determining an abstract CSP based on a formally defined problem having interconnected sub-problems, wherein the abstract CSP corresponds to the problem, wherein the abstract CSP has a reduced complexity in comparison to a CSP representing the problem, wherein the abstract CSP captures the interconnection between the sub-problems and reduces the details of each sub-problem, wherein the abstract CSP comprises constraints over variables, wherein each variable having an associated domain; and repeatedly: (1) propagating constraints of the abstract CSP to reduce domains of the abstract CSP; (2) selecting a sub-problem to solve; (3) solving the sub-problem; and (4) updating the abstract CSP with values in accordance with the solution of the sub-problem. Whereby, a solution to the formally defined problem is determined based on the solutions to the sub-problems.
US08826074B2
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining that a diagnostic test should be performed on a hardware component of a plurality of hardware components, wherein the plurality of hardware components support a plurality of agent devices and at least one agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to at least one of the plurality of hardware components; ensuring that no agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to the hardware component; and after ensuring that no agent device of the plurality of agent devices is assigned to the hardware component, performing the diagnostic test on the hardware component, wherein at least one other hardware component of the plurality of hardware components continues operation during performance of the diagnostic test.
US08826073B2
A three-dimensional (3-D) processor system includes a first processor chip and a second processor chip in a stacked configuration. The first processor chip includes a first processor having a first set of state registers. The second processor chip includes a second processor having a second set of state registers that corresponds to the first set of state registers. The first and second processors are connected through vertical connections between the first and second processor chips. A mode control circuit operates the processor system in one of a plurality of operating modes. In one mode of operation, the first processor is active and the second processor is inactive, and the first processor operates at a speed greater than a maximum safe speed of the first processor, and the first processor uses the second set of state registers of the second processor to checkpoint a state of the first processor.
US08826070B1
A method and system for checkpointing at least one application in an application group. At least one full checkpoint and at least one incremental checkpoint are created for the application in the application group. The at least one incremental application checkpoint is merged against the at least one full application checkpoint, and checkpointing across all applications in the application group is synchronized. A storage checkpoint is taken for at least one of the full checkpoint and the incremental checkpoint, and memory and storage checkpoints are synchronized and consistent.
US08826064B2
Disclosed is a system comprising: —a reconfigurable hardware platform; —a plurality of hardware units defined as cells adapted to be programmed to provide self-organization and self-maintenance of the system by means of implementing a program expressed in a programming language defined as DNA language, where each cell is adapted to communicate with one or more other cells in the system, and where the system further comprises a converter program adapted to convert keywords from the DNA language to a binary DNA code; where the self-organization comprises that the DNA code is transmitted to one or more of the cells, and each of the one or more cells is adapted to determine its function in the system; where if a fault occurs in a first cell and the first cell ceases to perform its function, self-maintenance is performed by that the system transmits information to the cells that the first cell has ceased to perform its function, and then the self-organization is performed again in order to provide that a second cell undertakes the function of the first cell.
US08826063B2
An electronic device for data processing is disclosed having a CPU (3), a Closely Coupled Memory (5), an external memory system (8), and a first clock unit (1) and second clock unit (9) for receiving a main clock signal (2) and converting the main clock signal (2) into a first clock signal (6) for at least the Central Processing Unit (3) and Closely Coupled Memory (5) and a second clock signal (10) for the external memory (8). The first clock signal has a first clock frequency and the second clock signal has a second clock frequency being higher than said first clock frequency and wherein the device is configured to switch per time unit the external memory for an active period Tactive in an active state and for a standby period Tstandby in a standby state to retrieve a predetermined amount of data from the external memory per time unit.
US08826061B2
A method of implementing a system time in an electronic device using a timer is disclosed. The method comprises storing a first count reset value in the electronic device; increasing a count value; comparing the first count reset value with the count value at a first particular time; resetting the count value when the count value is the same as the first count reset value at the first particular time; and generating an interrupt request signal when the count value is reset.
US08826057B1
A multiple time domain synchronizer includes a data pipeline containing a plurality of serially-connected delay elements therein. A latency selection circuit is provided, which has a plurality of inputs electrically coupled to outputs of a corresponding plurality of delay elements in the data pipeline. The latency selection circuit is configured to pass a data pipeline signal from an output of a selected one of the plurality of delay elements in response to a latency control signal. A synchronization circuit is provided, which is electrically coupled to an output of the latency selection circuit. This synchronization circuit, which includes first and second unequal timing paths therein, is responsive to a clock that synchronizes capture of the data pipeline signal selected by the latency selection circuit and a destination code that selects one of the first and second unequal timing paths to be traversed by the captured data pipeline signal as active.
US08826055B2
A computer system includes memory units; a power supply to supply power to the memory units; and a controller to control the supply of power to the plurality of memory units so as to intercept power supplied from the power supply to at least one of the memory units, among the plurality of memory units according to user input.
US08826054B2
A computer system and a control method thereof, the computer system includes a host unit which includes a plurality of lines, a plurality of memory units to which power is selectively supplied, a power supply which supplies power to the plurality of memory units, a graphic processor which connects with the host unit through the plurality of lines and accesses the plurality of memory unit, and a controller which controls supply of power to the plurality of memory units on the basis of an operation mode of the host unit, controls whether to use the plurality of lines in transmitting data in accordance with the supply of power to the plurality of memory units, and controls the graphic processor not to access the memory units receiving no power among the plurality of memory units.
US08826046B2
A light fixture monitoring/control system/method allowing a lamp associated with a lighting fixture to be controlled in response to localized lighting fixture sensor inputs and/or remote wireless commands is disclosed. The system utilizes a light fixture adapter (LFA) as a dimming control and monitoring interface between a light fixture and the lamp installed in the LFA. Dimming control is directed by a computing device based on a LFA program (LFAP) that analyzes information from one or more sensors integrated within the LFA. The LFA supports a web-based browser interface and a wireless communication link allowing remote users to define the LFAP and/or directly control lamp dimming and/or access data from LFA sensors. The LFA permits low-cost retrofitting of existing light fixtures with “smart” networked lighting controls that may incorporate advanced spatially diverse security monitoring functions including audio and/or video surveillance.
US08826043B2
A storage device is configured to communicate with a host device over a Bluetooth connection. The storage device includes a flash memory, a processor, and a Bluetooth controller. The memory stores at least one permission for determining access to the memory. The processor manages access to the memory, independently of the host device, based on a comparison of a request at the removable storage device to access the memory to at least one permission. The comparison is independent, requiring no management by an operating system of the host device, such that if the at least one permission includes a particular access type that matches the access requested in the request, the processor provides access to the memory.
US08826039B2
A technique to provide a hardware security module that provides a secure boundary for retention of a secure key within the secure boundary and prevention of unauthorized accesses from external sources outside of the secure boundary to obtain the secure key. The hardware security module includes a security processor to unwrap and authenticate a secure key within the secure boundary to decrypt or encrypt data and to provide data through a single interface that communicates with external sources, so that all data transfers between the secure boundary, formed by the hardware security module, and external sources are transferred only through the interface. The hardware security module ensures no unwrapped key leaves the secure boundary established by the hardware security module.
US08826036B1
An electronic book distribution system encrypts distributed electronic books (“eBooks”) with a content key. The content key is in turn encrypted with a voucher key. The voucher key for a particular eBook is generated based on a combination of (a) an ID or serial number of an eBook reader device to which the eBook is being distributed, (b) a user account secret associated with a user of the eBook reader device, and (c) metadata associated with the eBook itself.
US08826033B1
A virtual machine on a physical host computer provides controlled access to protected data by creating and storing a “stored system fingerprint” from stable system values (SSVs) as existing when creating the stored system fingerprint. The SSVs include virtual-machine-specific values that change upon cloning the virtual machine (VM) but do not change upon migration of the VM. Upon a request for access to the protected data, a current system fingerprint is calculated from the SSVs as existing when processing the request, the current system fingerprint is compared to the stored system fingerprint to determine whether there is a predetermined degree of matching, and the requested access to the protected data is permitted only if there is the predetermined degree of matching.
US08826029B2
Providing registration for password/challenge authentication includes receiving an access code or pattern inputted by a user, recording a time message associated with each component of the access code or pattern via a processor, generating a data record in combining each component of the access code or pattern with the associated time message, and storing the data record.
US08826023B1
Various methods and systems for securing access to hash-based storage systems are disclosed. One method involves receiving information to be stored in a storage system from a storage system client and then generating a key. The key identifies the information to be stored. The value of the key is dependent upon a secret value, which is associated with the storage system. The key is generated, at least in part, by applying a hash algorithm to the information to be stored. The key can then be returned the key to the storage system client. The storage system client can then use the key to retrieve the stored information.
US08826015B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable system and method for accessing data remotely. The system and method include a first module and a second module, each of the modules being associated with the host system, wherein the first module is capable of being connected to the host system and the second module, and the second module is capable of being connected to the remote system to establish a secure communication channel between the first and second modules across the data link to access the data.
US08826014B2
A method, system and apparatus for authenticating a communication request sent from a client computing device. The communication request is initially blocked by a firewall preventing delivery to a server. A first logging event corresponding to the communication request is created. The communication request and the logging event are stored in a firewall. The server is notified of the first logging event. The communication request corresponding to the first logging event is authenticated. A port in the firewall is enabled if the communication request is authenticated.
US08825999B2
A data encryption service is provided over the Internet. Users specifying only authorized users' identity information can share encrypted information without sharing passwords or accessing public key certificates. A user sends data to be encrypted to a trusted EWS, along with authorization information. An encrypted data envelope including signed encrypted data blocks, authorization information, and a digital signature is returned to the user. When a second user attempts to access the data inside the encrypted data envelope, it is transmitted to the EWS. If the EWS authenticates the second user, determines that tampering has not occurred, and verifies the second user's identity against the authorization information in the data envelope, then the data are returned. The encrypted data envelope can be expressed as a raw byte stream or encoded within an HTML file to enable browser-based data envelope submission and retrieval.
US08825998B2
A method includes controlling security in a communication system that involves a node capable of routing traffic according to one or more security algorithms with respective security levels. The node is adapted to estimate at least one safety degree relating to the node, to select at least one security algorithm of the one or more security algorithms, depending on the estimated safety degree; and to activate the at least one security algorithm.
US08825989B2
A technique to perform three-source instructions. At least one embodiment of the invention relates to converting a three-source instruction into at least two instructions identifying no more than two source values.
US08825973B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for processing a read operation for a target block of data. A read operation for the target block of data in target storage is received, wherein the target block of data is in an instant virtual copy relationship with a source block of data in source storage. It is determined that the target block of data in the target storage is not consistent with the source block of data in the source storage. The source block of data is retrieved. The data in the source block of data in the cache is synthesized to make the data appear to be retrieved from the target storage. The target block of data is marked as read from the source storage. In response to the read operation completing, the target block of data that was read from the source storage is demoted.
US08825970B1
An updateable list is provided for use in mounting a storage volume. Such list may include a plurality of block references capable of being used to access corresponding blocks required for mounting the storage volume. In use, such list may be utilized for accessing the blocks in a more efficient manner, by accessing a plurality of such blocks in parallel, as well as performing the block accessing and storage volume mounting in parallel.
US08825967B2
A memory device, comprising a first control input port, a second control input port, a third control input port, a data input port, a data output port, an internal memory and control circuitry. The control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the first control input port to capture command and address information via the data input port. When the command is a read command, the control circuitry is further responsive to a read control signal on the second control input port to transfer data associated with the address information from the internal memory onto the data output port. When the command is a write command, the control circuitry is responsive to a write control signal on the third control input port to write data captured via the data input port into the internal memory at a location associated with the address information.
US08825961B2
A system and method is provided wherein, in one aspect, a currently-requested item of information is stored in a cache based on whether it has been previously requested and, if so, the time of the previous request. If the item has not been previously requested, it may not be stored in the cache. If the subject item has been previously requested, it may or may not be cached based on a comparison of durations, namely (1) the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the subject item and (2) for each other item in the cache, the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the other item. If the duration associated with the subject item is less than the duration of another item in the cache, the subject item may be stored in the cache.
US08825954B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for weather adaptive environmentally hardened appliances. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for weather adaptation of an environmentally hardened computing appliance includes determining a location of an environmentally hardened computing appliance. Thereafter, a weather forecast including a temperature forecast can be retrieved for a block of time at the location. As a result, a cache policy for a cache of the environmentally hardened computing appliance can be adjusted to account for the weather forecast.
US08825953B2
Information on strides configured in the second cache includes information indicating a number of valid tracks in the strides, wherein a stride has at least one of valid tracks and free tracks not including valid data. A determination is made of tracks to demote from the first cache. A first stride is formed including the determined tracks to demote. The tracks from the first stride are added to a second stride in the second cache that has no valid tracks. A target stride in the second cache is selected based on a stride most recently used to consolidate strides from at least two strides into one stride. Data from the valid tracks is copied from at least two source strides in the second cache to the target stride.
US08825949B2
A method for regulating I/O requests in a RAID storage system may comprise: receiving a first request to access a first set of one or more logical block addresses (LBAs) of a RAID volume; receiving a second request to access at least one of the first set of one or more LBAs of the RAID volume; and queuing the second request. A system for regulating I/O requests in a RAID storage system may comprise: means for receiving a first request to access a first set of one or more logical block addresses (LBAs) of a RAID volume; means for receiving a second request to access at least one of the first set of one or more LBAs of the RAID volume; and means for queuing the second request.
US08825934B2
Multiple devices may be simultaneously programmed using JTAG circuitry or a JTAG operation. The output of a master device's programming may be used to verify the programming of one or more slave devices. The comparison of the master device's programming output to a slave device's programming output may be handled by a logic circuit. The logic circuit may signal the result of the comparison by, for example, a LED.
US08825931B2
There is set forth herein a computer program product, device, and method. In an example method, at least one of one or more processors of a device including one or more wired connectors and a wireless communication device receive a video output from a computing device via at least one of one or more wired connectors. At least one of the one or more processors send the video output to a wireless-enabled device via the wireless communication device using a wireless communication protocol. At least one of the one or more processors receive a keyboard or mouse input from the wireless-enabled device via the wireless communication device using the wireless communication protocol. At least one of the one or more processors send the keyboard or mouse input to the computing device via at least one of the one or more wired connectors.
US08825926B2
A processor has a central processing unit (CPU), a first CPU register set, a second CPU register set, a multiplexer logic for either coupling the first or the second CPU register set with the CPU, and control logic for controlling the multiplexer logic to switch from the first CPU register set to the second CPU register set upon receipt of at least one of a plurality of interrupt signals, wherein the at least one of a plurality of interrupt signals must meet a condition that is programmable within the control logic.
US08825925B1
An example method and system process a SuperSpeed packet transferred at a SuperSpeed transfer rate and based on processing the SuperSpeed packet, generate a Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 packet to be transferred at a USB 2.0 transfer rate, the USB 2.0 transfer rate being less than the SuperSpeed transfer rate.
US08825921B2
A technique includes executing at least one instruction on a processor to control a driver circuit; and in response to a predetermined trigger condition, asynchronously causing the driver circuit to enter a predetermined state.
US08825920B2
An electronic device includes an input/output (I/O) interface and a plurality of memory elements comprising a non-volatile memory portion for storing a default firmware and a working memory portion having a firmware area. The device also includes a controller coupled to the I/O interface and the memory elements, where the controller is configured for operating the memory elements, according to the firmware area, and for monitoring the I/O interface. In the device, the controller is also configured for loading the default firmware into the firmware area when the controller is enabled and for granting access to the firmware area for loading an alternate firmware if a bypass code is detected at the I/O interface.
US08825907B2
A system and a method enabling a mobile user-terminal to participate as a peer in a peer-to-peer network, the system including a mobile user-terminal and a network device, the network device including a peer-communication module operative to communicate as a peer in a peer-to-peer network, a terminal-communication module operative to communicate with a user-terminal device, and a proxy module operative to perform peer operations in the peer-to-peer network on behalf of the user-terminal device.
US08825901B2
A system and method for parallel discovery includes grouping a set of nodes including redundant information. After a first discovery stage, a portion of the set of nodes is selected to perform an additional discovery stage. The additional discovery stage is performed with the portion of the set of nodes where each node makes a decision whether to perform the additional stage or not.
US08825899B2
Provided is a method of performing communication by using a plurality of network interfaces mounted on a communication terminal apparatus. The method includes allocating different Internet protocol (IP) addresses corresponding to the plurality of network interfaces to a plurality of applications of the communication terminal apparatus, relaying data transmitted or received between the plurality of applications and the plurality of network interfaces based on the allocated IP addresses, and simultaneously performing communication with an external network by the plurality of network interfaces through the relaying of the data.
US08825898B2
A technique optimizes routing of application data streams on an Internet Protocol (IP) backbone in a computer network. According to the novel technique, a client router learns of server states (e.g., number of pending requests, etc.) of a plurality of application servers and also determines metrics of intermediate links between the application servers and the client router (intermediate link metrics), e.g., particularly link metrics in a direction from the application servers to the client router. Upon receiving an application request from an application client (“client request”), the client router determines to which of the application servers the client request is to be sent based on the server states and intermediate link metrics, and sends the client request accordingly.
US08825888B2
A method includes monitoring an activity stream to identify actions that match stored sponsored story specifications, for providing one or more sponsored stories to a viewing user. The sponsored story specifications include a visual specification for the sponsored story, and matched sponsored stories are ranked for a viewing user. Users can set privacy preferences related to sponsored stories. The ranking and privacy settings contribute to which sponsored stories are provided for display to the viewing user.
US08825883B2
Disclosed are a connectivity platform that allows for proprietary connectivity modules to plug into the operating system and also allows the operating system users and various existing networking applications in the operating system that are authorized by those providers to use that connectivity via existing APIs without the need for the applications to change or for extra configuration of the application to be performed. In an example disclosed herein, the providers provide NAT or firewall traversal and implement the appropriate transport mechanism. This allows for applications and computing devices to communicate in environments where connectivity is prevented by intermediate systems.
US08825875B2
A method and apparatus for establishing a communication session in an IMS Centralized Services communication network. A Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (SCC AS) receives a request from an originating device to establish a session with a target device. The request includes a plurality of codec identifiers that could be used by the originating device. The SCC AS sends a second request to establish the session to the target device. The SCC AS subsequently receives, from an intermediate node between the SCC AS and the target device, an invite message. The invite message includes an indication that a codec identifier has been selected from the plurality of codec identifiers. The SCC AS then sends a message to the intermediate node instructing the intermediate node to establish the session.
US08825872B2
Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station provides a plurality of functions including an online service selector function that enables a user at the user station to select any one of a plurality of available online service providers, and a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and the selected one of the available online service providers. Corresponding methods for operating a user station are also described.
US08825864B2
A system and method can support dynamically scaling up/down transactional resources in a transactional middleware machine environment. Transactional resources, such as groups and machines, can be by added or removed using a dynamic resource broker according to resource usage changes. The transactional middleware machine environment can comprise a deployment center in the transactional middleware machine environment, wherein the deployment center maintains one or more deployment policies for the transactional middleware machine environment and one or more deployment agents. Each of the one or more deployment agents is associated with a transactional middleware machine of a plurality of transactional middleware machines in a transactional domain in the transactional middleware machine environment. The deployment center operates to receive machine usage information from the one or more deployment agents, and dynamically scale up/down resources used in the transactional domain based on the resource usage information collected by the one or more deployment agents.
US08825862B2
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for pre-provisioning computing resource sub-components in order to achieve improved overall provisioning times. In a typical embodiment, when a workload request is received, a set/sequence of tasks needed to complete the workload request is identified. Based on the set of tasks, a set of corresponding computing resources is determined. Rather than provision each computing resource as a whole, embodiments of the present invention break each computing resource into its individual sub-components. Once the sub-components are identified, the time required to provision (i.e., provisioning time) each sub-component is determined (e.g., based on historical data). Based on these provisioning times, an optimal order in which the sub-components should be provisioned is determined, and the sub-components are then provisioned in this order.
US08825853B1
A method for providing automatic, personalized information services to a computer user includes the following steps: transparently monitoring user interactions with data during normal use of the computer; updating user-specific data files including a set of user-related documents; estimating parameters of a learning machine that define a User Model specific to the user, using the user-specific data files; analyzing a document to identify its properties; estimating the probability that the user is interested in the document by applying the document properties to the parameters of the User Model; and providing personalized services based on the estimated probability. Personalized services include personalized searches that return only documents of interest to the user, personalized crawling for maintaining an index of documents of interest to the user; personalized navigation that recommends interesting documents that are hyperlinked to documents currently being viewed; and personalized news, in which a third party server customized its interaction with the user.
US08825836B1
A computer-implemented method for managing notification messages generated by one or more applications is described. A policy is configured to control notification messages scheduled to be shown on a display. One or more events associated with the creation of a message are monitored. A determination is made as to whether the created message is a notification message. The configured policy is applied if the created message is a notification message.
US08825829B2
Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus of reduction of routing and service performance management in an application acceleration environment. In one embodiment, a system includes a branch site that includes a branch client. In addition, the system includes a headquarters site that includes a headquarters server. The headquarters site including a headquarters server includes the branch site. The headquarters site is communicatively coupled over a link via transmission media. The link is identified through a link identifier. The headquarters site including a headquarters server also includes the branch client and the headquarters server being communicatively coupled over a network connection via the transmission media. The network connection is identified through a connection identifier. The system also includes a first point of presence (POP) communicatively coupled with the branch site over a first segment of the link.
US08825827B2
A method and an apparatus for acquiring a real name registration status, and a terminal are provided. The method includes: a terminal sends the real name request message to a network, wherein the real name request message is configured to request from the network real name status information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal has performed a real name registration (101); and the terminal receives the real name status information returned by the network in response to the real name request message and displays the real name status information (103). Through the disclosure, the terminal initiates a request for the real name status information so as to acquire the real name status information and present it to a user. The user knows the real name status of the terminal before using the terminal, so that the user experience is improved.
US08825826B2
The invention facilitates remote management of a computer via a network. Remote computer management capability can be expanded beyond that previously available through the addition of one or more new primitive functions that can be performed on a managed computer.
US08825810B1
The embodiments describe an apparatus for accessing a remote object. The apparatus includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit a Domain Name Service request of the remote object to a Domain Name Service server and receive a Domain Name Service response comprising an Internet Protocol of the remote object. The transceiver is further configured to connect to the Internet Protocol of the remote object based on the Domain Name Service response.
US08825804B2
When conducting anti-virus, anti-spam, or other content filtering on a gateway device, data traffic is run through a proxy that completes a “fetch-scan-forward” operation of the data traffic exchanged between a server and a client. During the transmission of data from the server to the proxy and while the gateway is scanning the data, the client is idle and in danger of timing-out and aborting the data request to be received from the proxy. To prevent this, the proxy sends an intervention message, typically in the form of an extension header file, continuation response, and/or innocuous command, in advance of the client-side time-out. Alternatively, during the transmission of data from the client to the proxy and while the gateway is scanning the data, the server is idle and in danger of timing-out. A proxy sends an intervention message, in the form of an innocuous command, in advance of the server-side time-out.
US08825803B2
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communications with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communications with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server.
US08825794B2
A multicast broadcast service (MBS) receiving device establishes an MBS connection with an MBS transmitting device through a connection establishment message. When it is determined to receive MBS right after establishing the MBS connection, the MBS receiving device starts to receive the MBS right after establishing the MBS connection. When it is determined to not receive MBS right after establishing the MBS connection, the MBS receiving device transmits an MBS report message to the MBS transmitting device and then starts to receive the MBS.
US08825792B1
The present disclosure provides a system and method for online brand continuity. Online brand continuity can include a number of Internet or intranet access points via which one or more network addresses can be advertised. A client can be provided with availability of a business image application via at least one of the Internet or intranet access points.
US08825785B1
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums which provide a relevance engine for determining a relevance of an individual (either a non-member or another member) to another individual (either a non-member or another member). This relevance engine may use signals in the form of data that the social networking service may learn about the individuals to determine how relevant the individuals are to each other. Example applications may include ordering of connection invitations in a social networking service.
US08825784B2
A method and system for managing mobile exchange of profile information between a requestor and a recipient. A mobile client is provided on a requestor's first mobile device. The requestor provides requestor profile to an information exchange server through the mobile client. The requestor requests for a connection with the recipient using the mobile client. The mobile client is provided on a recipient's second mobile device. The recipient provides recipient profile to the information exchange server through the mobile client. On acceptance of the request for connection by the recipient, the information exchange server transfers the recipient profile to the mobile client on the requestor's first mobile device and vice versa. The mobile client automatically updates the transferred recipient profile on the requestor's first mobile device based on changes made by the recipient to the recipient profile and vice versa.
US08825779B2
Systems and methods of performing real-time data subscription and reporting for telecommunications systems and devices. The systems and methods employ a real-time data aggregation component that can manage subscription requests for real-time data objects stored on the telecommunications systems and devices from one or more users over a network, dynamically start and stop such subscription requests, cache the requested real-time data objects, and supply the real-time data to the respective users. By employing the real-time data aggregation component to handle such subscription requests for data from one or more users, the systems and methods can supply such data, including real-time data, to the respective users, while reducing the overhead on the telecommunications systems and devices and increasing overall system performance.
US08825772B2
A system and method for operating a server on a communication network. The system and method involving the progressive receipt of time-based media at the server as the time-based media is transmitted by a sender over the communication network and the discovery at least a partial delivery route to a recipient of the time-based media as the time-based media is being received. The time-based media is progressively transmitted as the media is available and as the partial delivery route over the communication network to the recipient is discovered.
US08825769B2
Methods and apparatuses for filtering electronic communications in a communication system. The method includes receiving a message report from a user in response to an electronic message received by the user, and identifying a confidence value associated with the user from whom the message report is received. The method also includes adding, if the confidence value exceeds a predetermined confidence value threshold, the confidence value to a signature value associated with the electronic message, and determining if the signature value exceeds a signature value threshold. The method further includes filtering the electronic message if the signature value exceeds the signature value threshold.
US08825766B2
The METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR A PEER-TO-PEER CACHE CONTENT REPLACER (“P2PCCR”) rates the value of storing specified existing content and replaces the lowest rated existing content with the requested new content. In one embodiment, a method for content replacement that may be used in a peer to peer video on demand system is described. The method includes receiving a request for new content, obtaining usage and availability data, determining a value rating based on the usage and availability data, and replacing lowest value rated content with said new content.
US08825762B2
A graphical interactive visual response system and method is provided in which a graphical user interface provides such interactivity and visual response. A user can initiate contact with a representative using an application residing on a personal device, such as a mobile telephone or computer. The application (graphical interface) allows the user to interactively select options on a displayed menu, arrive at the appropriate service and initiate a connection with the representative. The connection is established when the user and representative are available, thereby avoiding hold and wait times typically associated with conventional interactive voice response system.
US08825755B2
Provided is an information processing device including a determination unit that determines, based on process-related information acquired from a first server that provides a service, if a process based on the process-related information is executable; a process control unit that makes, if it is not determined that the process is executable, the process based on the process-related information executable by an application that performs processes corresponding to a plurality of services; and a processing unit that causes the application to execute the process based on the process-related information. The process control unit causes a second server to generate, based on the process-related information, a processing instruction that is based on the process-related information, and the processing unit causes the application to execute a process indicated by the generated processing instruction.
US08825741B2
There is provided a method and system for the creation of an intelligent document that can be executed upon the occurrence of a precondition. An exemplary method comprises providing displayable contents that include static contents and dynamic contents, and inserting the dynamic contents into the intelligent document separately from the static contents.
US08825738B2
A system having a server and an information terminal of A which records A's personal information Pa and B's personal information Pb′, an information terminal of B which records A's personal information Pa and B's personal information Pb′. B's information terminal generates a calculation result F(Pa′,Pb) via the calculation of Pa′ and Pb, sends F(Pa′,Pb) to a server. The server correlates B's identification tag with F(Pa′,Pb) and records it. A's information terminal forms F(Pa,Pb′) calculated via the calculation of Pb′ and Pa and sends F(Pa,Pb′) to the server. The server searches for a calculation result which matches F(Pa,Pb′) and by detecting a match between F(Pa′,Pb) and F(Pa,Pb′) detects B's identification tag which has been correlated with F(Pa′,Pb) and detected B's identification tag is sent to A's information terminal.
US08825737B2
In client-server architectures, systems and methods for per-application remote volume control are disclosed. In an implementation, one or more audio session are created between a client computing device and a server computing device corresponding to one or more media applications running on the server computing device. The volume of each of the media application is selectively changed at the server and the change in volume is synchronized at the client for the corresponding audio session.
US08825725B2
A file system corresponding to virtual hard disk files is identified, and a file size of the virtual hard disk files after optimization is calculated from the size of the volume in use of the file system so that a volume size can be ensured by the optimization is calculated. Specifically, a management server performs the above-described processing, and has the following structure. The management server is connected to a physical server that is virtually composed of virtual servers including virtual hard disks. The management server comprises a volume acquiring unit that acquires the volume in use of a first file system on the virtual hard disks; a file size acquiring unit that acquires the file size of virtual hard disk files corresponding to the first file system; and a calculating unit that calculates an optimized file size of the virtual hard disk files on the basis of a difference between the acquired volume in use and the file size.
US08825720B1
Scaling Asynchronous reclamation of free space in de-duplicate multi-controller storage systems is disclosed. In one example, a set of de-duplicated data segments/blocks organized in a hierarchical data structure is received, the set of de-duplicated data segments/blocks are allocated across a plurality of controllers of the file system, where each de-duplicated data segment is restricted to be co-allocated to the same controller as the reference(s) referencing the de-duplicated data segment/block in the hierarchical data structure. In various embodiments, the file system is traversed, each controller of the file system updates its own local live vector and reclaim storage space that are not marked as alive.
US08825717B2
A method and apparatus for a configurable offline data store are described. For example, a method includes receiving a request for a first set of one or more records from a client application, wherein the first set is stored in a client data store and the client application also has access to a server data store unit of a server. The method further includes determining whether a first set of records in the client data store unit is valid; and upon determining the first set is valid, deleting those records of the first set in the client data store unit that are outdated. The method further includes upon determining the first set is not valid, deleting the first set; determining whether the record is in the client data store unit; and upon determining the record is in the client data store, transmitting a version of the record to the client application.
US08825712B2
The method and system of the present invention provides an improved technique for replacing, implementing and managing computer-related assets. A technician accesses the World Wide Web through a user's computer. The information resident on the computer, including information regarding the computer and the user's preferences, are downloaded to a remote storage medium through the World Wide Web. Once downloaded, all information may be removed from the user's computer. Subsequently, the technician accesses another computer such as, for example, a new computer that has been assigned to the same user. The technician accesses the World Wide Web through the new computer and downloads the information previously stored on the remote storage medium. This information can then be used to install the user's prior applications, settings and preferences on the new computer.
US08825710B2
A cloud computing platform includes first device having a graph or tree structure with a node which receives data. The data is processed by the node or communicated to a child node for processing. A first node in the graph or tree structure determines the reconfiguration of a portion of the graph or tree structure on a second device. The reconfiguration may include moving a second node and some or all of its descendant nodes. The second and descendant nodes may be copied to the second device.
US08825706B1
Information for personnel of a plurality of business organizations is collected. For each person, the information includes the name of the person, the identity of a business organization that the person currently works for and biographical information containing any affiliations identified for the person. Information for a plurality of affiliations is collected and a table of the affiliations is generated, the table of affiliations being stored in computer-readable storage. From the collected information, a data structure is generated and is stored in computer-readable storage. The first data structure includes an entry for each match between the biographical information of a person and an affiliation included in the table of affiliations. A query of a user may be responded to by executing a computer-implemented process on the first data structure. Results of the query are displayed for the user.
US08825699B2
Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communications device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query.
US08825695B2
Mapping one or more elements of an input dataset to one or more elements of an output dataset includes: receiving in an interface one or more mapped relationships between a given output and one or more inputs represented by input variables, at least one of the mapped relationships including a transformational expression executable on a data processing system, the transformational expression defining an output of a mapped relationship based on at least one input variable mapped to an element of an input dataset; receiving in the interface identification of elements of an output dataset mapped to outputs of respective mapped relationships; generating output data from the data processing system according to the transformational expression based on input data from the input dataset associated with the element of the input dataset mapped to the input variable; determining validation information in response to the generated output data based on validation criteria defining one or more characteristics of valid values associated with one or more of the identified elements of the output dataset; and presenting in the interface visual feedback based on the determined validation information.
US08825692B1
The techniques described herein include a mechanism by which users (such as software developers) can modify runtime libraries in a local workspace to display personalized translations of text of spoken languages in their programs via a browser interface. A server provides translation libraries to users with extracted text strings that can be used with one or more runtime libraries. Users can then customize the text strings in the translation libraries locally according to their specific needs, and those customized text strings can be sent to the server, merged with the original translation libraries, and then compiled into custom translation libraries, which are digitally encrypted and sent back to the users as an automated process that avoids many problems of conventional approaches.
US08825682B2
A MMR system for publishing comprises a plurality of mobile devices, an MMR gateway, an MMR matching unit and an MMR publisher. The mobile devices send retrieval requests including image queries and other contextual information. The MMR gateway processes the retrieval request from the mobile devices and then generates an image query that is passed on to the MMR matching unit. The MMR matching unit receives an image query from the MMR gateway and sends it to one or more of the recognition units to identify a result including a document, the page and the location on the page. The MMR matching unit includes an image registration unit that receives new content from the MMR publisher and updates the index table of the MMR matching unit. A method for automatically registering images and other data with the MMR matching unit, a method for dynamic load balancing and a method for image-feature-based queue ordering are also included.
US08825669B2
Disclosed is a mobile application search method and system using a human activity knowledge database. The mobile application search system includes a user interface unit that provides an input environment to allow a user to input a user query and displays a mobile application search result related to the user query and a mobile application search engine that receives the user query from the user interface unit and searches for a mobile application related to the user query using an activity knowledge database in which a list of elements involved in achieving a plurality of goals that people desire in daily life is stored. The present invention increases the user's satisfaction by solving a word mismatching problem between a user query and a mobile application and improves mobile application search performance using a human activity knowledge database.
US08825667B2
Techniques for managing data objects of a data storage system are described herein. According to one embodiment, a hash function is generated for a plurality of data objects by analyzing each of the data objects stored in the data storage system. For each of the data objects, a hash operation is performed on the data object using the hash function, generating a hash value. The hash value is associated with a predetermined attribute of the data object, such that the predetermined attribute of the data object is uniquely identified using the hash function subsequently in response to a request for accessing the predetermined attribute of the data object. The data object is then stored at a persistent storage location of the data storage system, wherein the persistent storage location is identifiable based on a hash value obtained from the hash function.
US08825665B2
Certain example embodiments relate to a database index for indexing one or more text documents in a database. The text documents include one or more hierarchical nodes, and each node includes one or more words. The database index includes at least one entry, with each entry including a key. The key, in turn, includes a subset of words occurring in one of the hierarchical nodes of the text documents and the name of the respective hierarchical node. Associated with each key is a value including one or more references to the text documents in which the subset of words occurs.
US08825663B2
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer storage mediums for receiving an initial index, the initial index associating each application of one or more applications with one or more applications of interest; for each application, receiving metadata associated with the application and receiving metadata associated with each of the one or more applications of interest; processing the metadata to selectively remove at least one of the one or more applications of interest from the initial index to provide a final index, the final index associating each application of the one or more applications with a remaining one or more applications of interest; storing the final index in memory; receiving a user selection of a particular application of the one or more applications; retrieving the one or more applications of interest based on the particular application using the final index; and providing the one or more applications of interest for display.
US08825662B1
A system, method and computer-readable medium provides steps of merging one or more sources of IP addresses to create a merged database comprising a plurality of IP zones, user typing each of the plurality of IP zones, enhancing each of the plurality of IP zones, receiving an input address and selecting one or more of the plurality of IP zones having a predetermined statistical relationship to the input address.
US08825658B1
A system and method for organizing indications of approval using a collection application is disclosed. The collection application includes a processing module, a social network application, a collection module, a sharing module, a permission module, a user interface engine and a suggestion module. The processing module receives an indication of approval submitted by a user. The collection module groups the indication of approval into a collection. The sharing module shares the collection with one or more users. The suggestion module suggests a collection or indications of approval to a user. The user interface engine generates a user interface that includes the collection.
US08825657B2
Systems and methods are described for the creation of hierarchical networks of overlapping informational Web neighborhoods, where each neighborhood comprises a set of closely linked pages that share a common set of concepts and intent and purpose. A general description of a category of information can be used to generate a network of overlapping communities of web pages and objects, where the neighborhoods represent pages or objects that share a common set of underlying concepts and semantic associations. Each such neighborhood can be semantically tagged. Overlaps among neighborhoods and the hierarchical structure of the network capture complex relationships among the concepts that the corresponding informational neighborhoods represent. All informational neighborhoods of the web can be mapped. The systems and methods can be adapted for any digital content and constitute a hybrid network of contents and their relationships.
US08825653B1
Embodiments of this invention are directed to a system and method for characterizing and modeling a virtual synthetic file system workload. In one embodiment, a virtual synthetic system is adapted to select a first location in a prior generation dataset of a first cluster and generate a first offset using a distance distribution function. Thereafter, the virtual synthetic system selects a second location in the prior generation dataset of a second cluster, wherein the second location is offset from the first cluster by the first offset. Finally, the virtual synthetic system modifies each cluster selected on the prior generation dataset thereby creating a next generation dataset. This process is repeated to generate multiple generations of a dataset. Other embodiments are also described herein.
US08825649B2
Smart defaults are provided for data visualization by creating a default layout of rows, columns, filters, and comparable elements that improve a user's experience in finding relevant answers within the data. Usage history of the ways that users look at data in various data sources, user specific information, and inferred relationships between a current user and similar users are used to determine elements relevant to visualization of data for a particular user such that the visualization process may be automatically started, and a relevance model is formed/adjusted based on these factors. Queries may also be executed in a preemptive fashion based on the relevance model and results provided to a requesting user more rapidly enhancing user experience with networked data visualization.
US08825645B1
A ranking component ranks documents, such as web pages or web sites, to obtain a ranking score that defines a quality judgment of the document. The ranking score of a particular document is based on the ranking score of the documents which link to it and based on affiliation among the documents.
US08825641B2
Measuring duplication in search results is described. In one example, duplication between a pair of results provided by an information retrieval system in response to a query is measured. History data for the information retrieval system is accessed and query data retrieved, which describes the number of times that users have previously selected either or both of the pair of results, and a relative presentation sequence of the pair of results when displayed at each selection. From the query data, a fraction of user selections is determined in which a predefined combination of one or both of the pair of results were selected for a predefined presentation sequence. From the fraction, a measure of duplication between the pair of results is found. In further examples, the information retrieval system uses the measure of duplication to determine an overall redundancy value for a result set, and controls the result display accordingly.
US08825638B1
Systems and processes are described for generating a generic relationship dataset that can be adapted for use by multiple domain-specific applications. Such applications can include recommendation applications, search applications, optimization applications, and/or other applications. These systems and processes can analyze some or all actions of users with respect to a network application, such as a web application. Data representing user actions occurring in a time window can be paired together in the relationship dataset, together with one or more metrics related to the user actions. These metrics can represent general measurements that in certain embodiments are not customized for an individual application. As a result, separate domain-specific applications can independently analyze the relationship data according to different criteria without maintaining separate sets of the relationship data.
US08825632B2
A method of interrogation or modification of a database having a plurality of tables each with fields and relationships between the fields of various tables, the method including: filling in a single privileged table; filling in at least one field in another table for which data are sought or to be modified; filling in at least one filter pertaining to a field of another table allowing the selection of the data sought or to be modified; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the tables containing these fields; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the relationships between these fields of various tables; reformulating a query to the database by stating in full the fields, the identified tables, joins representative; and applying the query to the database.
US08825621B2
An enterprise business intelligence system includes a data access service. In one example, a method comprises receiving, with a data access service, a query and a report specification from an application, wherein the data access service is positioned between the application and a data source; creating a run tree that comprises a sequence of executable decoration nodes; executing the query on the data source, thereby providing a query result set comprising query results drawn from the data source that are responsive to the query; and executing the sequence of decoration nodes on the query result set. The decoration nodes modify the query result set, thereby producing a decorated result set based on the query result set and the decoration nodes. Producing the decorated result set comprises associating members or values in the query results with corresponding positions or calculated members in the report specification.
US08825619B2
Systems and methods enable remote (or “off-campus”) users complete authorized access to full-record content of 3rd-party databases subscribed to by the user's institution. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that acts as a transparent conduit between the user and a remote database, managing relevant session/context information without the user's awareness and without the need for users to install plug-ins or configure browser proxies.
US08825618B2
A computer based system manages the collection, analysis and presentation of data. The system in one arrangement includes an online platform for collecting and unifying data across multiple channels. The platform also provides a vehicle for a plurality of users/groups to collectively analyze the data. The present system in one illustrative embodiment thus provides a data clearinghouse for gathering information from a plurality of channels, facilitating the sharing of this information, and facilitating the cooperative analysis of this information.
US08825611B1
A technique for dynamically sharing information includes executing a sharing policy indicating when to share a data object responsive to the occurrence of an event. The data object is created by formatting a data file to be shared with a receiving entity. The data object includes a file data portion and a sharing metadata portion. The data object is encrypted and then automatically transmitted to the receiving entity upon occurrence of the event. The sharing metadata portion includes metadata characterizing the data file and referenced in connection with the sharing policy to determine when to automatically transmit the data object to the receiving entity.
US08825608B2
Example embodiments herein include a system having one or more edge servers disposed in an edge site of a content delivery network (CDN). The system can include a collector for collecting analytics associated with requests for content in the CDN. One or more additional collectors can be instantiated in the system, for example, in response to an increase in recordable events detected in the CDN. The system can include an aggregator for aggregating the collected analytics with analytics collected from other edge stages of the CDN. The system can also include a data store that stores the aggregated analytics according to a configurable data model.
US08825607B2
A Dynamic Live System for collecting, inputting, storing, and reporting Element Effort Event Data, whose processes upon query enable the reporting of well formatted Formulaic Conjoined Project Effort Instance (CPEI) Reports per the Systems Who did What in Phasetime Effort Instance Formulas in Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Auto Displays, and Inferences, not stored as displayed in Systems base tables. The formulas 5th Element permits effort instances to be reported as past, present and future CPEI displays, regardless if said effort event data was inputted by an element directly or generated automatically by the system's use of AI type techniques. Dynamically generated well formatted CPEI report displays incorporate functional interaction designed attributes that hyperlink formula primitives by their CPEI associations, whether or not said associations are acknowledged as credited efforts by a project owner. Functional interaction designed virtual data tables permit rated report displays per formulaic CPEI element virtual data field fulfillment.
US08825603B2
A data transfer application implemented in a computational device receives a request to copy a plurality of storage volumes that form a consistency group. A determination is made that a first storage volume of the plurality of storage volumes is more likely to be written into than a second storage volume of the plurality of storage volumes, in response to receiving the request to copy the plurality of storage volumes. The first storage volume is copied before copying the second storage volume, in response to determining that the first storage volume is more likely to be written into than the second storage volume.
US08825601B2
Architecture that eliminates the need for on-disk full backups of data retaining only changes that have occurred, in a separate table. Thus, the architecture provides for incremental recovery of incremental changes in a relational database (e.g., SQL). The architecture provides improved recovery time and recovery point objectives. By using the incremental capture of changed data (e.g., in an XML format), the capability is provided to capture schema changes, query the incremental change data and efficiently restore user data to an earlier point-in-time state. Changes (e.g., insert, update and delete operations) are tracked (e.g., continuously) by a set of triggers and the incrementally captured changed rows are inserted in a data capture table (a differential change “delta” table) in a human-readable format (e.g., XML). Rollback is also provided.
US08825600B2
A file backup apparatus and method estimates whether a file has been changed in a directory based on directory property information, and backs up the directory which includes a changed file according to the estimation result.
US08825599B2
A computer-based system creates a data object by preparing a data structure for the data object in a database and processes the data object at different processing stages each associating a different workflow state with the data object. The system can take and store automatically a snapshot of the data object, prior to a workflow transition of the data object from a first workflow state to a second workflow state, respectively associated with the snapshot and with the data object. The system also creates a unique locating reference for the snapshot based on a unique locating reference created previously for the data object. When the unique locating reference for the data object is received, controlled access to the data object and the snapshot is provided. Based on one unique locating reference, multiple states of the data object can be easily and efficiently made available concurrently to a user.
US08825584B1
A system is disclosed for evaluating communicative acts to determine a social regard score between two communicating entities participating in the communicative act. The two communicating entities collectively define a communication pair. The system includes a patterns database and an etiquette processor. The patterns database stores behavior recognition patterns defining particular redressive behaviors that may be used in the communicative acts and a redress score associated with each one of the particular redressive behaviors. The etiquette processor is in communication with the patterns database and is configured to determine a pairwise regard score for the communicative pair based on ones of the particular redressive behaviors identified in the communicative acts between the two communicating entities of the communicative pair.
US08825578B2
The invention describes systems and methods of determining an entity's identity and assessing risk related to the entity's identity using a computer. A computer-based system including a tracking module, an information module, a risk assessment module, and a memory is provided. The tracking module records encounters of the entity with the computer-based system. The information module gathers and detects changes in biographic information and biometric information relating to the entity's identity. The risk assessment module evaluates risks associated with the entity. The memory stores the information.
US08825577B2
Techniques for assessing trust in information are provided. The techniques include collecting information from one or more information sources, detecting one or more inconsistencies in one or more statements from the information collected from the one or more sources, assigning a penalty to each information source involved in an inconsistency and a reward for each statement not involved in any inconsistencies, and using each assigned penalty and reward to perform an aggregation to assess trust in the collected information.
US08825575B2
A method, apparatus and product for encoding a cardinality constraint in Conjunctive Normal Form (CNF). The method comprising: having a Boolean formula comprising a cardinality constraint, wherein the cardinality constraint relating to a set of Boolean variables, the set of variables consisting of N variables, the cardinality constraint given in a non-Conjunctive Normal Form; and encoding the cardinality constraint in Conjunctive Normal Form based on a mapping by a Perfect Hash Family, whereby said memory is modified to retain the CNF encoded cardinality constraint.
US08825574B2
Peer-to-peer media item recommendations are provided by presenting a selected list of media items to a first user to consider for recommendation to a friend, receiving an indication from the first user that one or more of the presented media items are to be recommended to the friend, and presenting the one or more indicated media items to the friend. The presented list comprises media items the friend hasn't rated, and is selected using a media recommendation engine.
US08825565B2
A spatial and temporal memory system (STMS) processes input data to detect whether spatial patterns and/or temporal sequences of spatial patterns exist within the data, and to make predictions about future data. The data processed by the STMS may be retrieved from, for example, one or more database fields and is encoded into a distributed representation format using a coding scheme. The performance of the STMS in predicting future data is evaluated for the coding scheme used to process the data as performance data. The selection and prioritization of STMS experiments to perform may be based on the performance data for an experiment. The best fields, encodings, and time aggregations for generating predictions can be determined by an automated search and evaluation of multiple STMS systems.
US08825559B2
According to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems and/or computer readable mediums are provided. According to some embodiments, a method includes generating at least one shipment request data object based at least in part on at least one outbound delivery data object; generating at least one freight unit data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment request data object; generating at least one shipment data object based at least in part on the at least one freight unit data object; generating at least one invoice data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment data object; and generating at least one customs export document based at least in part on the at least one invoice.
US08825554B2
A method and system for performing transactions between a client and a server. The client sends to the server a transaction request for performing a transaction, and receives from the server a transaction policy. The client displays a first representation of the transaction policy depicting transaction policy options for fulfilling the transaction policy. After the user selects a first transaction policy option, the client displays a second representation of the transaction policy, depicting at least one mechanism pertaining to the first transaction policy option for satisfying the requirements of the first transaction policy option. After the user selects a first mechanism, the client depicts evidence options for each requirement of the first transaction policy option. After the user selects an evidence option for each requirement of the first transaction policy option, the client sends to the server transaction enablement information that includes evidence dictated by the selected evidence options.
US08825552B2
A system and method are disclosed for providing a radio station for playback at a user device using previously obtained Digital Rights Management (DRM) locked content for the radio station. In one embodiment, a radio station application and DRM locked content to be used by the radio station application are downloaded to a user device, which is preferably a mobile user device. The DRM locked content includes a number of DRM locked songs that may be used for the radio station. Thereafter, the radio station application obtains a playlist for the radio station, where the playlist for the radio station includes at least a subset of the DRM locked content provided to the user device for the radio station. Playback of the playlist for the radio station is then provided at the user device, and playback is reported to a remote service for royalty tracking.
US08825551B2
The systems disclosed here provide a complete standards-based end-to-end scalable system for storage, delivery and in-home distribution of digital content over IP networks using standard protocols such as Real-time Transport Protocol (“RTP”) or IP-encapsulated MPEG-2 Transport Stream, or traditional MPEG-2 networks. Mechanisms are provided for receiving content from one security domain, re-encrypting that content uniquely for a receiving device, persistently storing that content, and playing back that content at a later time to and within another security domain. The systems also provide the ability to stream the persistently-stored content from the initial receiving device to another device that has been authenticated as part of a, e.g., home network. This allows a media server, e.g., a dual-tuner set-top box (“STB”) with hard drive, to deliver recorded content to any TV in the house by streaming to media clients such as STBs.
US08825542B2
A network enables a plurality of servers to share information about customers' trading activities and locally recalculate customer trading limits resulting from these trading activities. If a trading limit is exceeded, a server may automatically change to a less permissive trading mode, prevent an order being placed with the at least one exchange server and/or enter a trading mode in which orders that decrease account exposure are allowed and orders that increase account exposure are prevented.
US08825539B2
Relating resources expended by a securities research entity to revenue received by a financial services firm including the securities research entity. A computer system may receive account revenue data indicative of revenue received by the financial services firm from a first customer investment account for at least securities trade execution by the financial services firm for the first customer investment account. The computer system may also receive expense data indicative of expenses incurred by the securities research entity on behalf of the first customer investment account. The computer system may determine a market condition-adjusted elasticity for the first customer investment account. The market condition-adjusted elasticity, determined based on at least one market condition for securities, may indicate a relationship between the expenses incurred by the research entity on behalf of the first customer investment account and the revenue received by the financial services firm from the first customer investment account.
US08825532B1
A payment system and method using a mobile telephone network for charging and settlement, which comprises a user's cell phone being associated with a payment account, and the user's cell phone accessing the international payment and settlement center. The international payment and settlement center generates a payment code according to the amount of payment, which is transmitted to the user's cell phone. The user uses said payment code to pay the merchant's POS machine. The POS machine reads said payment code and requests authorization for the transaction from the international payment and settlement center. The international payment and settlement center authorizes said transaction after verifying the correctness. During settlement, the international payment and settlement center collects the money of said transaction from the payment account of the user, and pays the money that should be charged by the merchant in this transaction to the receipts account of the merchant.
US08825524B2
To provide an electronic book provision system that can make advertisements easily recognized by a user. The electronic book acquisition unit (104) acquires an electronic book in which tag is set in the text. The tag indicates a replacement target phrase in the text of the electronic book to be replaced with an advertising phrase on an advertisement. An advertising phrase acquisition unit (106) acquires the stored content of an advertising phrase storage unit (102) storing an advertising phrase such that the advertising phrase is associated with the replacement target phrase or the tags. An advertising phrase insertion unit (108) inserts the advertising phrases into the text of the electronic book based on the tags included in the text of the electronic book and the stored content of the advertising phrase storage unit (102). An output control unit (202) causes an output unit included in a terminal device (20) to output the electronic book in which the advertising phrase has been inserted by the advertising phrase insertion unit (108).
US08825515B1
Disclosed are various implementations of systems, methods, and computer programs that facilitate associating a sentiment with a user-defined topic. In an implementation, a system comprises a computing device in communication with a client device. The computing device includes a memory operable to store one or more modules. The computing device also includes a processor coupled to the memory to retrieve a user-defined topic and a sentiment selection, associate the sentiment with the user-defined topic, and cause generation of graphics at the client device. The graphics represent sentiment statistics corresponding to the sentiment over a predetermined time period.
US08825514B2
The present disclosure describes novel systems and methods that can be utilized to evaluate and/or direct an interaction with a consumer database and/or evaluate a consumer database, where the consumer database contains information about consumers and particular products and/or services held or used by the consumers. The interactions may be, for example, determining a strategy for sales, marketing, cross-selling, and/or retaining one or more of the consumers. The evaluations may include, for example, hierarchically ranking the consumers and/or determining a clustering of the consumers.
US08825512B2
A system configured to receive a request to perform an electronic transaction associated with merchant equipment, where the request identifies one or more value-added services that are to be provided when the transaction is performed; retrieve workflow information, associated with a workflow that corresponds to the transaction, where the workflow information identifies how the transaction is to be performed and how the value-added services are to be provided; obtain information associated with one or more second server devices that provide the value-added services; instruct the second server devices to provide the value-added services, in a manner that conforms to the workflow information, based on the information associated with the one or more second server devices; perform the transaction in a manner that conforms to the workflow information; and transmit, to the merchant equipment, a notification that the transaction has been performed or that the value-added services have been provided.
US08825511B2
A system and article of manufacture for smart reminder management include receiving input pertaining to a user task for which a schedule reminder is to be managed, automatically determining a timing and repetition management scheme for the schedule reminder based on a user model, analysis of current user context and a model of oscillators, determining a confidence level for the schedule reminder, associating the confidence level with the timing and repetition management scheme, and conveying the schedule reminder to the user in accordance with the timing and repetition management scheme.
US08825510B2
Techniques for smart reminder management. A method includes receiving input pertaining to a user task for which a schedule reminder is to be managed, automatically determining a timing and repetition management scheme for the schedule reminder based on a user model, analysis of current user context and a model of oscillators, determining a confidence level for the schedule reminder, associating the confidence level with the timing and repetition management scheme, and conveying the schedule reminder to the user in accordance with the timing and repetition management scheme.
US08825509B2
There are provided mechanisms and methods for leveraging a customer relationship management system (CRM) to send meeting invitations. These mechanisms and methods for leveraging a CRM system to send meeting invitations can enable identification of invitees to which to send the meeting invitation using customer information stored by the CRM system. The ability to leverage the CRM system to identify the invitees can provide a more efficient technique for scheduling meetings.
US08825507B1
A system and method for facilitating service representatives' self-scheduling of work. Work may be released for a given work period (e.g., one week) in multiple rounds, with the period being broken into multiple timeslots, each timeslot having one or more seats for representatives. A representative may be limited as to the number of timeslots he can commit to in a given scheduling round. A representative operates a user interface to access his personalized schedule, which indicates the status of each timeslot through different appearances (e.g., colors, line patterns). The representative commits to timeslots that have work available for which he is qualified, and the schedule is updated in real-time as work availability changes. Seats may be distributed among multiple virtual rooms in a timeslot, and a representative may need to be qualified to sit in a special room.
