US09039865B2
The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus in which ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are arranged closed to and along an induction antenna 1 composed of an inner circumference coil 1a and an outer circumference coil 1b. Ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are each characterized in that the radius from the center of the apparatus and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor body varies along the circumferential angle of the coils. Since the mutual inductances between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the induction antenna 1 and between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the plasma along the circumferential position are controlled, it becomes possible to compensate for the coil currents varied along the circumference of the coils of the induction antenna 1, and to improve the non-uniformity in the circumferential direction of the current in the generated plasma.
US09039862B2
The invention relates to the use of a hot-melt adhesive having high hardness for adhesive bonding of metal films or foils, paper films or foils, and/or plastic films or foils. The invention further relates to a method for adhesively bonding a metal film or foil, paper film or foil, and/or plastic film or foil onto a substrate.
US09039859B2
A ceramic green sheet laminate is produced by stacking ceramic green sheets, each including conductive films for forming first or second internal electrodes on a surface thereof. A first cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second end surfaces at which the first or second internal electrodes are exposed. A second cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second side surfaces at which the first and second internal electrodes are exposed. In the second cutting step, the ceramic green sheet laminate is pressed and cut by moving a cutting blade in a length direction or a width direction.
US09039855B2
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling diapers, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. As discussed in more detail below, opposing end regions of the chassis are connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. An elastic laminate may be formed by continuously bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer such that the elastic strands are bonded to both the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer in heavy-bond regions. And the elastic strands are bonded to the first substrate layer and/or the second substrate layer with in light-bond regions. The elastic strands are then intermittently deactivated by cutting the strands into one or more discrete pieces in the light-bond regions. The discrete pieces retract and remain in the light-bond regions.
US09039850B2
An aluminum alloy forging material of the present invention is constituted by an aluminum alloy cast product obtained by subjecting an aluminum alloy ingot having a structure in which a secondary dentrite arm spacing (DAS) is 40 μm or less and an average grain diameter of crystallized substances is 8 μm or less to homogenization treatment for holding the ingot for one hour or more under temperature conditions of 450 to 510° C., wherein the ingot is obtained by continuously casting a molten aluminum alloy having an alloy composition consisting of: Si: 0.80 to 1.15 mass %; Fe: 0.2 to 0.5 mass %; Cu: 3.8 to 5 mass %; Mn: 0.8 to 1.15 mass %; Mg: 0.5 to 0.8 mass %; Zr: 0.05 to 0.13 mass %; and Ti contained in such an amount that a sum of Ti and Zr is 0.2 mass % or less, and the balance being Al and inevitable impurities, wherein the alloy composition satisfies a Cu/Mg ratio of 8 or less, Ti is added in a form of an Al master alloy (5Ti-1B mother alloy) in which Ti and B are contained at a ratio of 5:1, and a Ti/Zr ratio satisfies 0.3 or higher.
US09039844B2
A steam cleaning apparatus including a main body having a main switch, a steam cleaning head coupled to the main body, and a position sensitive switch having a first state when the steam apparatus is in a substantially vertical storage position and a second state when the steam cleaning apparatus is in a tilted, cleaning position, the position sensitive switch being connected in electrical series with the main switch such that when the position-sensitive switch is in the first state the position-sensitive switch interrupts the flow of electrical current from the main switch and when the position-sensitive switch is in the second state, electrical power is supplied by the main switch.
US09039843B2
The invention relates to a cleaning system for coffee machines, comprising a cleaning device for periodically cleaning the coffee- and/or milk-carrying components using a cleaning liquid, which contains cleaning agent in the form of balls or tablets dissolved therein, wherein the cleaning device is provided with a time- and/or product-cycle-dependent controller and a metering apparatus (1) for the cleaning agent (10) that interacts with the controller. Thus, it is possible to program the cleaning process in a customized manner according to the mode of operation and to carry out the cleaning process fully automatically according to the program. The metering of the cleaning agent (10) according to the program ensures an always optimal cleaning effect together with sparing use of cleaning agents. Simple and safe handling is achieved by using ball- or tablet-shaped cleaning agents.
US09039836B2
A device for vapor deposition of chemical species on support grains of spherical or similar shape disposed in a fluidized bed. The device includes a first chamber including a fluidized bed in which a funnel-shaped fluidizer element is housed to receive support grains of spherical or similar shape; a second chamber in fluid flow connection with the first chamber to deliver precursors in a vapor phase of chemical species to be deposited on the support grains and to convey a fluidizing gas towards the first chamber; and a flute at an inlet to the fluidizer element to control distribution of the vapor phase precursors and the fluidizing gas within the fluidizer element. The distributor flute includes one or more outer grooves, each groove including a first portion oriented along the longitudinal axis of the flute and a second portion winding helically around the axis to generate a fluidizing gas vortex within the first chamber.
US09039830B2
A raw batch composition for concrete or concrete wherein the raw batch composition comprises Portland cement of about 15 wgt. % to about 45 wgt. % and dune sand preferably red dune sand is present in an amount of about 40 wgt. %. The dune sand has a particle size of less than or equal to 45 microns. The composition also includes limestone powder ranging from about 15 wgt. % to 45 wgt. % with particle sizes less than or equal to 45 microns to form a base material. To this base material suitable amounts of fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, water and superplasticizer are added. A method for producing a cast concrete product having a compressive strength of between 62 MPa and 90 MPa is disclosed. The method comprises a step of providing Portland cement, dune sand and limestone powder.
US09039823B2
A coating liquid comprising: an oxazoline group-containing resin; an alkanediol having 7 or more carbon atoms; a surfactant; and water.
US09039822B2
Ceramic inkjet inks comprising ceramic inorganic pigments having average particle size between 0.1 and 0.8 μm, an organic medium and a dispersant, the dispersant being the reaction product of a polyethyleneimine with a homo- or co-polyester based on lactic acid, and method for decorating green or fired ceramic bodies by the use of the above ceramic inkjet inks.
US09039820B2
The present invention relates to a wet-separation type dust collector for a vacuum cleaner. Said dust collector comprises: a dust collecting unit for collecting dust discharged from a centrifuging unit, and a water storage unit for producing liquid drops to be sprayed into said dust collecting unit, and said dust collecting unit has a plurality of spraying holes for spraying liquid drops by means of a vacuum pressure created in the inner side of the vacuum cleaner. By the above configuration, the dust collector of the present invention can effectively separate dust particles from the centrifuging unit by evenly spraying liquid drops into the entire interior of the dust container. In addition, the dust collector prevents the backflow of floating dust particles in the dust container by rapidly transferring the dust particles towards the lower side of the dust container.
US09039819B2
A total water desalination system is disclosed that includes a centrifugal separator, a feed-water device controlled by a relative humidity sensor, an air pump, an evaporator core, an air dryer, a non-particulate coalescent air filter, and an air flow/brine gravity separating tank. The evaporator core typically contains multiple conical processing chambers and introduces a physical dynamic that increases the surface area of the water, using low-level thermal energy to vaporize micron-size water particles into a gaseous state, suitable for reconstitution into desalinated (or lower salt content) water. The evaporator core operation principles are based on creating a highly dynamic environment that separates impurities from sea, brackish, river, or turbid water; evaporating the water into a residual clean vapor, and returning the vapor to water composition with high efficiency.
US09039811B2
Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates are provided. The apparatus includes a separator having an internal volume and a fluid discharge outlet, a particulate discharge outlet, a particulate inlet, and a fluid inlet disposed on the separator and in fluid communication with the internal volume. The particulate inlet is disposed toward a first end of the separator and the fluid inlet is disposed toward a second end of the separator. The fluid inlet includes one or more openings disposed through a sidewall of the separator.
US09039803B2
Methods for converting waste streams from the wood pulping industry to high-value fertilizers are described. For example, isolated lignin and lignosulphonate or waste streams containing lignin and lignosulphonate can be converted to methylol derivatives and treated with further reagents to produce controlled release fertilizers, hydrogel fertilizers, and soil stabilizers.
US09039778B2
A modular, adjustable, prosthetic hip/shoulder spacer adapted to being implanted in the hip or shoulder joint; the spacer comprises a frame that supports a rotatable cylinder from which a neck extends with the ball element of the joint attached to its end, and rotating the cylinder reposition the ball in the socket; the stem is connected to the base of the frame and is implanted in the long bone (femur or humerus); the stem may be modified to include a system for delivering medication to the implantation site following surgery. The stem leg and stem base may be modified to form a modular unit to adjust the relation between a center line of the stem leg and a center line of the frame and position of the neck and ball.
US09039766B1
A spinal implant includes a wave spring configured to surround a nucleus. The spring may be formed from a shape memory material. The implant may further include an artificial nucleus configured to simulate a disc nucleus.
US09039765B2
A sacro-iliac implant includes a body extending from a first portion having an outer surface configured for fixation with a sacrum to a second portion having an outer surface being spaced apart and non-continuous with the outer surface of the first portion. A sleeve is disposed about the body and configured for implantation within at least an ilium. The sleeve extends from a first portion to a second portion having an inner surface and a flange disposed to engage an outer non-articular surface of the ilium. The inner surface of the second portion of the sleeve is engageable with the outer surface of the second portion of the body to cause axial translation of the body relative to the sleeve such that naturally separated articular surfaces of the sacrum and ilium are drawn into fixation to immobilize the SI joint. Methods of use are disclosed.
US09039760B2
An intraocular lens is disclosed with an optic that changes shape in response to forces exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic with an inner and outer ring couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic stresses the optic when the intraocular lens is in a natural state such that the internal stress is present throughout the accommodation range in order to prevent ripples and/or waves in the optic.
US09039742B2
Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.
US09039735B2
Apparatus for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel includes a porous carrier formed from lyophilized hydrogel or other material. The plug may include at least first and second hydrogel precursors and a pH adjusting agent carried by the porous carrier in an unreactive state prior to exposure to an aqueous physiological environment. Once exposed to bodily fluids, the carrier expands as the lyophilized material hydrates to enhance and facilitate rapid hemostasis of the puncture. When the plug is placed into the puncture, the natural wetting of the plug by bodily fluids (e.g., blood) causes the first and second precursors to react and cross-link into an adhesive or “sticky” hydrogel that aids in retaining the plug in place within the puncture.
US09039731B2
A forceps includes first and second jaw members and at least one handle movable between an open position and a closed position for moving the jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A ratchet mechanism includes first and second ratchet components configured to engage one another upon movement of the at least one handle to the closed position to retain the jaw members in the approximated position. A knife is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the jaw members to cut tissue therebetween. A safety mechanism is configured to inhibit extension of the knife when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position. Movement of the ratchet components into engagement with one another to retain the jaw members in the approximated position disengages the safety mechanism, thereby permitting extension of the knife.
US09039716B2
A material-fastening device and related fastener and methods for use, and more particularly, a device with segments of the fastener capable of being independently exposed from a holding mechanism and independently attached to or placed in proximity to the material.
US09039713B2
A retrieval device with releasably attached loops is disclosed. Attachment portions on one or both ends of the shaft of the snare device may allow one or more loops to be coupled or de-coupled from the shaft. The retrieval device may further comprise a delivery conduit configured to receive both a snare shaft and a guidewire in one or more lumens.
US09039709B2
A puncture instrument has a simple configuration and can accurately control the insertion position and direction of the puncture instrument when in use to form a pilot hole in the vertebral pedicle. The puncture instrument is configured by including a puncture needle 2 for forming the pilot hole, and a reference bar 3 that is provided at the puncture needle to have a predetermined angle with respect to the puncture needle 2 and serves as a reference for guiding the puncture needle 2 to a desired position at a desired angle. With the present invention, the puncture needle 2 is guided by the reference bar 3 to a desired position at a desired angle, and hence the puncture needle can be controlled by a simple configuration as compared with the case where a guiding device is separately provided.
US09039700B2
A catheter is configured to indicate contact force between the catheter and tissue. The catheter includes an elongate deformable shaft having proximal and distal ends. The catheter includes an inner tip member projecting outwardly from the distal end, the inner tip member defining a fluid delivery lumen extending therethrough, and an outer tip member coupled to the distal end and disposed about the inner tip member. The inner and outer tip members define a gap therebetween in fluid communication within the fluid delivery lumen and the tip members are configured such that the size of the gap varies in response to contact of the outer tip member with the tissue. The catheter further includes first and second fluid sensing tubes defining ports upstream and downstream from the gap; wherein a difference in fluid pressure between the ports is indicative a contact force between the catheter and the external surface.
US09039699B2
A system for measuring physiologic characteristics or treating tissue in a body lumen. The system may be used for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus. The system comprises an energy delivery device, such as an ablation device including an electrode support and an electrode pattern on the support. The ablation device may expand in size from a pre-deployed state to a deployed state. The system may include a sizing device having an inflatable balloon on a distal end of a catheter that is inflated with an expansion medium to expand the balloon to engage the wall of the esophagus so that the internal cross-section can be calculated or measured. The sizing device may also a controller for delivering an expansion medium and measuring the amount and pressure of the expansion medium inside the catheter. Methods of treating or diagnosing tissue are also disclosed.
US09039697B2
This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for modifying biological tissue. In one embodiment, a device is provided suitable for applying RF energy to a treatment site in the presence of a supplemental magnetic field. The device comprises one or more electrodes electrically coupled to an RF generator, and a means for supplying a supplemental magnetic field. In another embodiment, a device is provided suitable for inducing an electrical current in a tissue. The device comprises a means for creating a magnetic field and a passive element adapted for reducing the amount of electrical current at the surface of the tissue. Also provided are methods of use of such devices. The methods and devices disclosed herein find utility, for example, in the field of medicine and cosmetology.
US09039673B2
A withdrawal spike unit (200) comprises a withdrawal spike component (30′) and an integrally formed adapter component (60′) that is adapted to couple with a vial (10) in a safe and secure manner. The integral formation of the component parts (30′, 60′) makes fully automated manufacture and assembly of assemblies comprising such a withdrawal spike unit (200) coupled to a vial (10) possible. As such, human errors associated with the assembly at the point of use are mitigated.
US09039660B2
Fluid delivery devices, systems and methods. The fluid delivery devices may be used to delivery fluid (e.g., insulin) to a user. The devices may have one or more inlets, and may be configured for use with an injection device, such as a syringe, and/or with a pump.
US09039657B2
Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and/or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.
US09039655B2
A medication delivery apparatus for use with a medication container includes a housing, a fluid conduit at least partially extending within the housing and configured to deliver medication within the medication container to a patient, a medication port extending from the housing and configured to be coupled to a fluid outlet of the medication container, the medication port being fluidically coupled to the fluid conduit, and at least one sensor disposed within the housing to generate information characterizing administration of the medication for processing by a remote data collection system. The housing can have a size and shape that enables it to be supported by a first hand of a user while the user administers the medication from the medication container via the medication port using a second hand of the user. Related apparatus, systems, and techniques are also described.
US09039651B2
A fibrous sheet having a basis weight of between 20 and 1000 g/m2 that disintegrates in water, has 10% to 70% starch on the basis of the total weight of the dry fibrous sheet. The disintegration time in water, measured in accordance with standard NF Q34-020 applied to a specimen of the sheet of 9×8 cm2, is less than 50 seconds. A loss of strength of the sheet measured in accordance with a defined table test corresponds to a loss of strength of a specimen of said sheet forming an angle of at least 85° after having being wetted with water for a duration of 6 seconds, and/or a residual wet strength of the sheet relative to its dry strength, as measured according to a defined ring crush test, is less than 1%. The fibrous sheet may be used for the manufacture of a water disintegrable core in a roll of tissue paper.
US09039648B2
A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump: first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.
US09039647B2
A system or method automates and optimizes citrate anticoagulant supplementation in a blood filtration circuit during CRRT. A processor-based control system interfaces with a blood filtration circuit to detect patient blood flow into the circuit, detect fluid loss through a hemofilter, and sense vital electrolyte concentrations in the blood flow, and in response, control the addition of citrate, substitution fluid, and electrolyte supplements to ensure stability of plasma concentrations in post-dilution flow returned to the patient. The controller executes the method embodied as process control algorithms for calculating an optimal citrate flow rate as a function of selected, detected, and calculated system parameters. Citrate may be added to the circuit separately, or as part of a substitution solution or a dialysate.
US09039644B2
An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes a rigid frame and a flexible subshell connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the rigid frame. The subshell may have a shell body and a perimeter edge portion defining a lip extending outwardly from a surface of a shell body and defining a clearance between the shell body and the lip. The subshell may include a plurality of slots and ventilated padding is used in combination with the slots. A tightenable fastener may be adjustably secured to the rigid frame and extend through an opening on the subshell, wherein the first side portion of the subshell is adjustable in location relative to the rigid frame.
US09039641B1
A massage device is disclosed and may include a substantially solid body with an array of at least twenty, and in some cases thirty or thirty-two or more, massage fingers each with an outward tip, an inward base and a center axis, the center axis extending to a center of the body. The massage fingers are spaced about the body at substantially equal distances from each of at least three, and in some cases up to five or six, massage fingers nearest to each massage finger such that the center axis of each massage finger is spaced and positioned to correspond to a location of one of at least twenty vertices of a polyhedron, in some cases a pentakis dodecahedron, and aligns with a vertex axis extending from a polyhedron center point through one of the vertices of the polyhedron.
US09039622B2
An image generation system is provided, the system generating an ultrasound image and a photo-acoustic image of an object and including a dual-wavelength laser source, an optical filter, and an optical-based ultrasound sensor. The laser source generates a first laser pulse with a first wavelength or a second laser pulse with a second wavelength. The optical filter almost completely absorbs the energy of the first laser pulse and by the photo-acoustic effect, generates and transmits an ultrasound to the object so the object scatters and reflects the ultrasound. The second laser pulse almost completely penetrates the optical filter and is transmitted to the object so the object absorbs the energy of the second laser pulse, generates and sends a photo-acoustic signal. The optical-based ultrasound sensor receives the ultrasound and the photo-acoustic signal to generate the ultrasound image and the photo-acoustic image of the object.
US09039618B2
An imaging system uses sensors to traverse an external portion of an object to generate a three dimensional image of the object.
US09039617B2
A method and system uniquely capable of generating thermal bubbles for improved ultrasound imaging and therapy. Several embodiments of the method and system contemplates the use of unfocused, focused, or defocused acoustic energy at variable spatial and/or temporal energy settings, in the range of about 1 kHz-100 MHz, and at variable tissue depths. The unique ability to customize acoustic energy output and target a particular region of interest makes possible highly accurate and precise thermal bubble formation. In an embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy. In other embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other energy forms, such radio frequency electric currents (including monopolar and bipolar radio-frequency current). In an embodiment, the energy is various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling.
US09039599B2
A vibratory assembly is provided that incorporates a vibratory mechanism worn by a sexual participant on one or more digits of an articulating member for the sexual exploration and stimulation of erogenous zones. A modular erogenous stimulation system including the vibratory assembly is also provided along with a kit for providing erogenous stimulation to at least one participant.
US09039578B2
An exercise device includes a first frame, a second frame that is pivotally connected to the first frame and movable relative to the first frame between a storage position and an operating position, and a latching mechanism that selectively holds the second frame in the storage position. The latching mechanism includes a seat having a seat engagement surface, a seat engagement member selectively positioned on the seat engagement surface to hold the second frame in the storage position, and a lever that selectively rotates the seat engagement member off of the seat to allow the second frame to move from the storage position to the operating position.
US09039576B2
Disclosed is a curved track simulation device. The curved track simulation device is configured such that a base board can rotate and tilt to the left or right and embody left or right cornering motion on an upper surface of a track belt that is rotating and circulating forward and rearward, thus making it possible for a user to feel a sensation as if he/she is enjoying a driving-based or sliding-based leisure activity or sport, and which can appropriately use a combination of frictional force and slippage which are created when the track wheel rotates to the left or right on the track belt, thereby satisfying the dual function of providing both amusement and exercise.
US09039569B2
A method of controlling an automated transmission for motor vehicles with one or several pressure activated positioning cylinders (6, 8, 20), via the assigned shift valves (10, 12), at least one main cut-off valve (4) which is positioned prior to the shift valves, and a control device for controlling the shift and main cut-off valves. The pressure requests, for the shifting, are determined and the respective main cut-off valves are triggered depending on the determined pressure requests. To enable a variable match of the supply pressure during transmission shifts, respective optimized pressures or pressure patterns are determined for certain shift scenarios which, for instance, consider a mass to be synchronized, the existence of a tooth-on-tooth position, or the like. Through this method, for instance, the load on shift elements, the shift timing, and the shift noise can be positively influenced.
US09039565B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
US09039562B2
Multi-stage transmission comprising four gear sets, shafts and shift elements. Sun of first set is connected to eighth shaft connected to sun of second set and is connectable, via third clutch, to drive shaft. Drive shaft is connectable, via first clutch, to fourth shaft connected to ring of first set and is couplable, via first brake, to the housing. Drive shaft is connectable, via second clutch, to seventh shaft connected to carrier of second set and being connectable, via fourth clutch, to third shaft which is connectable to ring of third set. Sixth shaft is connected to ring of second set and carrier of fourth set. Sun of third set is coupled to housing. Fifth shaft is connected to carrier of first set and sun of fourth set and is couplable, via second brake, to housing. Output shaft is connected to carrier of third set and ring of fourth set.
US09039554B2
A power transmission belt comprising cord, elastomeric undercord, at least one pair of opposing v-shaped pulley contact surfaces, and having discontinuous fiber embedded in the undercord, some of which protrude from a contact surface. The fiber comprises deformable polymer, such as nylon, and the fiber protrusions are substantially erect with respect to the surface and substantially straight or slightly bowed, especially near the free end, and the fiber protrusions are deformed from an original cross-sectional shape, which may be substantially round or oval or the like, to an elongated, oval, oblong, kidney, or flattened circle shape. The protruding fiber length is at least two fiber diameters.
US09039546B2
An impact training device for a sports device. The training device includes an elongate rod, a handle engagement element and a handle connector joining the handle engagement element to the elongate rod. The elongate rod is radially displaced from a handle of the sports device when the handle engagement element is engaged to the handle of the sports device.
US09039544B2
When manufacturing golf balls having a structural component which is a molded and vulcanized material obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition containing, as the essential ingredients, a base rubber and an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the distinguishability of structural components such as cores can be enhanced by including also a soluble pigment within, and thereby coloring, the rubber composition. Moreover, vulcanized rubber powder obtained by rendering processing scrap and waste from such cores into powder can be easily decolorized by liquid washing to remove the pigment, thus enabling advantageous use of the vulcanized rubber powder as a compounding ingredient in the manufacture of other golf ball cores without affecting the color tone of the manufactured balls.
US09039537B2
In a method for determining a shot position of a light gun on a display screen, a current image is captured by an image capturing device of the light gun. The method detects a screen area in the current image, calculates coordinates of an aimed point of the light gun on the display screen when the screen area has been detected, and transmits the coordinates of the aimed point of the light gun to a host computer so that a shot result of the light gun is displayed on the display screen by the host computer according to the coordinates of the aimed point of the light gun on the display screen.
US09039531B2
A control device comprises an electric motor and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the electric motor and selectively change a state of the control device responsive to the signal.
US09039519B2
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more auto-play game functionality. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the one or more auto-play game functionality. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the one or more auto-play game functionality.
US09039518B2
When the player identifies herself to a gaming machine at a casino, for example by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader, she is, at generally the same time, logging onto a game provider's backend system (the game provider being different from the casino operator). This concurrent sign-on to the game provider's system is done in a non-intrusive, transparent, and passive manner. The player is not distracted from the normal steps leading to game play on the machine until she is ready to redeem points with the game provider or for some reason additional authentication is needed from the player. By virtue of this single sign-on to the game provider network, in addition to continuing game play across different casinos, the player can publish events to the Internet, such as on social networking sites, take advantage of offers targeted specifically for her, or facilitate responsible gaming programs.
US09039511B2
A gaming system and method which provides a community group event to a plurality of players at a plurality of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Each gaming device participating in the group event is associated with an individual group event eligibility timer. Such individual group event eligibility timers regularly decrement based on time and may increment based on one or more aspects of the player's gaming experience, such as wagers placed. If the individual group event eligibility timer associated with a gaming device participating in the group event lapses before the conclusion of a group event timer or mode, that gaming device is eliminated from the group event. Upon the conclusion of the group event, a group event award is shared amongst the players at the remaining or non-eliminated gaming devices (i.e., the gaming devices associated with individual group event eligibility timers with any amount of remaining time).
US09039505B2
Action history writing means (92) of a game device (10) writes, into storing means (80), in a game being executed, action history data indicative of an action history performed by a specified character (62) among a plurality of characters (62). Action history condition determination means (94) determines, in the game being executed, based on the action history data, whether or not any one of a combination of a current action of the specified character (62) and one or more previous actions of the specified character (62) and a combination of a plurality of actions of the specified character (62) satisfies an action history condition. In a case where it is determined that the action history condition is satisfied, action control means (96) causes a character (62) to act based on action information associated with the action history condition.
US09039503B2
An air duct assembly includes upper and lower pliable sheets that can be assembled in a sequence that makes the assembly easier to install and later easier to remove for periodic cleaning. To install the assembly, the upper sheet can be installed first by inserting the edges of the upper sheet within a pair of tracks and then fastening the upper sheet to a vertical supply air duct. An optional airflow modifier (e.g., filter, airflow turning vane, or noise attenuator) can be install where the supply air duct connects to the upper sheet. Once the upper sheet is suspended from the tracks and fastened to the main supply air duct, the lower sheet can be installed separately. Pliable end panels and pliable fasteners (e.g., zipper or VELCRO fastener) can make most of the air duct assembly machine washable. The upper and lower sheets can have different degrees of air permeability.
US09039501B2
Device for cooling an electrical cabinet including a hollow upright beam having a lower end, an upper end and a cavity inside, the upright beam having an air inlet at the lower end and an air outlet at the upper end, the upright beam supporting the electrical cabinet on a side of the upright beam. The device further includes a first flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the lower end of the electrical cabinet; a second flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the upper end of the electrical cabinet; and a sealing element at an intermediate level between the first and second flow connections to block the cavity of the upright beam.
US09039499B2
An air guiding element (10) for an aircraft air conditioning system comprises a housing base body (12), in which an air inlet opening (14) and an air outlet opening (16) are constructed. A first flow control element (28) is arranged in the housing base body (12), relative to the direction of the air flow through the air guiding element (10), upstream of the air outlet opening (16). The first flow control element (28) comprises a plurality of air guiding channels (30) which are surrounded by a noise-absorbing material (32).
US09039486B2
Described are embodiments of an invention for a method and a tool to produce a textured surface on the retention tab of a storage cell. The tool has a form that fits within the storage cell. The form has a hard material with a hard surface with contacts a surface of the retention tab within the storage cell. The movement of the hard surface across the surface of the retention tab produces a textured surface on the retention tab. The textured interface between a notch of a data storage cartridge and a retention tab of a storage cell provides a consistent and low friction force that retains the data storage cartridge within the cell but allows the accessor to easily remove the data storage cartridge when needed.
US09039484B1
A toy truck is described which has a steering wheel positioned behind the truck at a distance and height permitting a child to turn the wheels of the truck while standing up. The front wheels thereof are contained within a swivel assembly that enables each of the front wheels to swivel or turn to the left or right in response to force being applied on said steering wheel by an operator.
US09039476B2
A method of manufacturing a flexible display device includes: forming a soft substrate on a carrier substrate; forming a thin film layer comprising a display region on the soft substrate; removing a thin film layer excess portion of the thin film layer beyond an edge of the soft substrate; and separating the soft substrate and the carrier substrate.
US09039473B1
A flotation device includes an elongated and flexible member with a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to support an individual within water during a recreational activity. The flexible member can include at least one cut-out defining a handle. A sleeve having a body member is dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and act as the flexible member's skin. The sleeve can includes at least one cut-out which substantially aligns with the at least one cut-out of the flexible member.
US09039455B2
A car charger includes a charger body, a cathode conducting elastic sheet and an auxiliary elastic sheet. The charger body has a housing and a holder. The cathode conducting elastic sheet has two elastic conduction arms clamped between the housing and holder. Each elastic conduction arm has a protrusion exposed out of each through hole. The auxiliary elastic sheet has two elastic sections disposed between the holder and the protrusion. The elastic sections will provide a resilience force to the protrusion when being squeezed.
US09039449B2
A staggered mounting electrical connector assembly can include a shroud and an electrical connector. The electrical connector can include a connector housing, and the shroud can be configured to be mounted to the connector housing in a staggered fashion. The shroud and the connector housing can include complementary alignment members configured to interface with each other. The alignment members can act to align mounting members defined by the shroud during the process of mounting the shroud and the connector housing to an underlying substrate, such as a printed circuit board.
US09039443B2
Embodiments of a system, topology, and architecture for providing power and transceiving data to electronic devices having an interface are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09039440B2
A card connector with a card insertion detection mechanism has a first movable terminal, and a second movable terminal. An abutting portion located on the first movable terminal is engageable with a card upon insertion to displace the first movable terminal from the second moveable terminal, and is disengageable from the card upon removal. A cam portion of the first movable terminal is positioned to contact the second movable terminal, and wipe with the second movable terminal.
US09039436B2
This electrical connector (R) comprises a first connection element (100) and a second connection element (200). The two connection elements (100, 200) are able to be coupled to one another according to a coupling axis and comprise at least one pin and at least one respective contact, a locking mechanism (104, 218) comprising at least one locking pin (104) arranged on a body of the first connection element (100) and at least one locking ring (216) mounted rotatingly around a body of the second connection element (200) and comprising a locking groove (218) with an outlet (236) and a locking notch (238), means for indexing making it possible to position the bodies in relation to one another around the coupling axis in an indexed configuration. The second connection element (200) comprises a safety ring (220) mounted axially mobile in relation to the locking ring (216) and comprising at least one safety catch (234). In addition, the safety ring (220) is able to be pushed back by the locking pin (104) during coupling between, a first position, wherein the safety catch (234) blocks the passage of the pin towards the outlet (236), and a second position, wherein the safety catch (234) authorises the passage of the pin, with the safety ring (220) being drawn back elastically to its first position. In addition, each locking groove (218) comprises at the front, a chamfer delimiting the outlet and the rotation range of the locking ring is limited. Finally, in the indexed configuration of the bodies, the axis of travel (X4-X4) of the pin (104) intersects the outlet (238) over the entire the rotation range of the locking ring.
US09039435B2
A ground terminal assembly includes ground terminals (10A, 10B) and a connecting fitting (30). Each ground terminal (10A, 10B) has a main portion (11A, 11B) with a bolt insertion hole (12). A barrel (20A, 20B) extends from the main portion (11A, 11B) and can be crimped to a ground wire W. The connecting fitting (30) has superimposing portions (31A, 31B) formed with bolt insertion holes (32) and on which the main portions (11A, 11B) of the ground terminals (10A, 10B) are placed. The barrels (20A, 20B) of the ground terminals (10A, 10B) are arranged so that their extending ends (22) come close to each other when the main portions (11A, 11B) of the ground terminals (10A, 10B) are placed on and connected to the corresponding superimposing portions (31A, 31B) of the connecting fitting (30) at positions where the bolt insertion holes (12, 32) align.
US09039434B2
A plug including a housing that defines a cavity and an opening into the cavity. A flange extends radially inwardly into the opening of the housing. A tip assembly is received by the opening of the housing. The tip assembly includes a positive terminal that extends between a proximal portion in the cavity of the housing and a distal portion outside of the housing for electrical connection with the vehicle accessory. The tip assembly includes a sleeve that is sealingly disposed about the proximal portion of the positive terminal. The sleeve includes a projection that extends radially outwardly therefrom adjacent to the proximal portion of the positive terminal in sealing engagement with the flange of the housing to sealingly interconnect the tip assembly and the housing for preventing liquids from flowing from outside of the housing between the positive terminal and the sleeve into the cavity of the housing.
US09039433B2
A high float connector assembly that comprises a first connector that has at least a first contact, a second connector that is configured to mate to the first connector, wherein the second connector has at least a second contact, a high float bullet adapter that is disposed between the first and second connectors, wherein the high float bullet adapter includes a housing that has at least one hole, and at least one high float bullet subassembly is received in the hole of the housing. The high float bullet subassembly has an inner contact, an insulator that supports the inner contact, and an outer ground body that holds the inner contact and the insulator. The insulator has an end with a lead-in geometry. The inner contact engages the first and second contacts of the first and second connectors, respectfully, wherein the high float bullet subassembly provides float between the connectors.
US09039432B2
A system comprises a plurality of port cards arranged along a first orientation, the port cards operable to receive data from one or more nodes on a network. The system also comprises a plurality of switch-fabric cards arranged along a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation, the switch-fabric cards operable to route data between the one or more port cards based on one or more rules. The system further comprises a plurality of bridge cards coupling the one or more port cards to the one or more switch-fabric cards, the bridge cards arranged physically between the port cards and switch-fabric cards.
US09039423B2
A rotary device for providing continuous electrical connections between dynamic, rotationally engaged connector components. The rotary device includes a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of slip ring elements electrically connected to a connector or cable at the rotor end of the device. The rotary device also includes a stator assembly configured to receive the rotor assembly, with slide contacts electrically connected to a connector or cable at the stator end of the device. The rotor assembly is rotationally coupled to the stator assembly, and the slip rings and slide contacts maintain electrical contact during rotation of the rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. A first electronic device and a second electronic device connected using the rotary device can be freely rotated without twisting of the cable between the two devices. A method for assembling a rotary device configured based on the devices to be connected.
US09039421B2
An educational apparatus for educating, testing and entertaining individuals includes a rotatable spherical element, a planar support structure and a plurality of rollers for supporting the spherical element for rotational movement. The planar support structure defines an elevated planar surface with a circular opening therein. The rotatable rollers are hingedly mounted to the planar support structure around the opening for supporting the spherical element with a majority of the spherical element above the level of the planar support structure. A fixed element is fixed to the spherical element and a magnetic complimentary element is disposed adjacent the spherical element for contact by the fixed element.
US09039418B1
Disclosed is an optical imaging method and device enabling display and 3D measurement of tridimensional objects, whereby at least two individual images are captured one after the other and the effective amount of radiation energy for the image conversion is controlled or regulated differently for these individual images. By employing adjustable optical means for the illumination of the object or in the optical path for the imaging of the object on the image converter it is possible to acquire a larger amount of visual information on the object observed than that which is available in an individual image due to the limitations imposed by the design of the converter used. The invention relates to processes and design forms of the device enabling recording units to be designed, using simply and generally commercial components, which are able to display and measure larger objects despite a reduced field of vision imposed by the design. This is especially useful for diagnosis in invasive applications in the bodies of humans or animals.
US09039411B2
A disclosed thermal treatment apparatus includes a supporting member where plural substrates are supported in the form of shelves; a reaction tube that accommodates the supporting member within the reaction tube, and is provided with plural gas supplying pipes arranged in a side part of the reaction tube, thereby allowing a gas to flow into the reaction tube through the plural gas supplying pipes; and a first heating part that heats the plural substrates supported by the supporting member accommodated within the reaction tube, wherein the first heating part includes a slit that extends from a bottom end to a top end of the first heating part and allows the plural gas supplying pipes to go therethrough, and wherein an entire inner surface, except for the slit, of the heating part faces the side part of the reaction tube.
US09039405B2
Systems for spacing and transferring objects between operative stations are provided. Such systems can be used with ovens for preforms for plastic material, in blowing or stretch-blowing machines and for other applications in the packaging field. Such systems provide spacing and transferring of objects advancing in procession on transport elements, from a minimum pitch to a preset pitch larger than said minimum pitch, and for transferring said spaced objects to handling elements.
US09039401B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for making patterning tools from one or more discrete elements. Such tools can have one or more “seams” or joints where the individual elements abut which can limit the tools' performance and utility in roll-to-roll manufacturing. Methods are described herein for producing “near-seamless” tools, that is, tools having seams that exhibit minimum disruption of the tool pattern and thus improved material produced by such tools. The patterning tools can be cylindrical and/or closed in shape.
US09039394B2
A ceiling fan includes a suspending part fixed to a ceiling and a ceiling fan body suspended via the suspending part. The ceiling fan body has a plurality of horizontally-provided blades, a motor that rotates the blades, a shaft protruding from an upper side of the motor, and a joint part that is fixed to an upper side of the shaft and is connected to the suspending part. The joint part is detachable from the suspending part and is provided with a suspension detecting part extending from the joint part to the suspending part. The suspension detecting part detecting an energized state between the suspending part and the joint part.
US09039391B2
An exemplary center housing rotating assembly includes a turbine wheel (260); a compressor wheel (240); a center housing (210) that includes a through bore (215), extending from a compressor end to a turbine end along a bore axis, and a recess (217), adjacent the bore, in a plane orthogonal to the bore axis; a bearing assembly (230) positioned in the bore that includes a keyway (233); and an anti-rotation component (280) seated in the recess and at least partially in the keyway to restrict rotation of the bearing assembly in the bore. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09039387B2
A supercharged compressor and method of operating the compressor supplies a commercial vehicle with compressed air. The compressor includes a piston chamber, a dead space or clearance volume and a valve unit for switching the clearance volume. The valve element is configured such that the air volume supplied by the supercharged compressor can be reduced to a value that is different from zero by activating the clearance volume.
US09039385B2
A system for an engine is provided herein. The system includes a primary passage, a suction passage, and an outer casing coupling the primary and suction passages such that a primary axis is orthogonal to a suction axis. The system further includes a jet pump assembly coupled to the primary passage forming an annular channel between the outer casing and the jet pump assembly. Further, the jet pump assembly includes a flow divider positioned opposite from the suction passage within the annular channel.
US09039377B2
In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to fan assemblies and methods for installing the same. For example, some embodiments of the present invention include a fan assembly that includes: (a) a rotational member; (b) a connection member structured for connection to the rotational member and including a body portion and a head portion; and (c) a blade arm defining an opening therein, such that the opening includes an open end portion and a closed end portion. In some embodiments, the connection member and the blade arm are configured such that, (a) when the blade arm is positioned in a support state, the head portion of the connection member rests against the blade arm to support the blade arm relative to the rotational member, and (b) when the blade arm is positioned in a secure state, the head portion of the connection member at least partially bears against the blade arm adjacent to the opening defined in the blade arm. Also, some of these embodiments of the present invention may be characterized as “easy install” fan assemblies because they include an “easy install” blade arm to motor connection, as described above, and/or an “easy install” blade arm to fan blade connection.
US09039370B2
A nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprising a first housing member and a second housing member. The nozzle arrangement may further include a first nozzle and a second nozzle. Each of the first nozzle and second nozzle may extend between the first housing member and the second housing member so as to form a doublet. A plurality of cooling apertures may be arranged on at least one of the first nozzle, the second nozzle, the first housing member, or the second housing member so as to provide a different degree of first order cooling across the doublet.
US09039367B2
Provided is a small-sized propeller windmill which can efficiently generate power even when a wing speed is low, has no possibility that the windmill is broken even when a strong wind blows, can stably ensure a weathercock direction of a base blade, and can suppress an environmental burden, in such a propeller windmill, the blade having a corrugated wing shape is supported in a cantilever manner by way of an elastic body, and the blade and the elastic body are made of paper or plastic. Further, to stably ensure the weathercock. direction of the base blade, a weathercock stabilizing mechanism is arranged behind the base blade.
US09039352B2
A sound attenuating chimney element for a turbomachine system includes a high density outer body having an external surface and an internal surface, and one or more acoustic attenuation layers provided on the external surface of the outer body. The one or more acoustic attenuation layers include an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion. A structural layer is provided on the outer surface portion of the one or more acoustic attenuation layers. The structural layer includes an external surface that defines a duct configured and disposed to pass gases from the turbomachine system.
US09039340B2
A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
US09039339B2
In a spring nut (10) for attachment onto a stud (12), having a substantially oblong seat for the stud (12), the seat having an axial insertion opening (32) for the stud (12) and a holding section for the stud (12), provision is made that the spring nut (10) completely encloses the seat on a front wall (28) opposite the insertion opening (32) and in the peripheral direction.
US09039323B2
A grinding attachment for highways and similar surfaces is disclosed for grinding operations closer to adjacent obstacles than is possible with existing equipment using a straddle-type centrally mounted grinding drum. The grinding attachment assembly comprises at one end a stub axle, which engages the grinding drum via a head extension. The stub axle is attached to a shroud which is in turn supported by a mounting assembly, which in operation attaches to a vehicle or machine able to drive the grinding attachment. The grinding drum can thereby operate proximal obstacles adjacent a grinding surface by virtue of arrangement of the stub axle, shroud and mounting assembly.
US09039319B2
A vibratory compactor having a first compacting element having a variable vibratory mechanism that sets a modifiable compaction effort, a second compacting element, a first sensor configured to measure a first surface compactability associated with the first compacting element, a second sensor configured to measure a second surface compactability associated with the second compacting element and a control system. The control system is configured to receive the first surface compactability, receive the second surface compactability, determine a target compaction effort for the first compacting element based on the first surface compactability and the second surface compactability, and modify the variable vibratory mechanism to set the compaction effort at the target compaction effort.
US09039315B2
In one aspect, writing apparatus are described herein. In some embodiments, a writing apparatus comprises a bullet casing having a base, a neck, and a cavity disposed between the base and the neck of the casing. The apparatus also comprises a retaining member disposed in the cavity of the casing adjacent the base of the casing. The retaining member is operable to receive and retain a writing implement disposed in the cavity. Further, in some instances, the retaining member is a threaded retaining member such as a threaded cup.
US09039307B2
The invention pertains to a device which allows a person to hold a camera with a first arm (10) which extends longitudinally in the first extension direction (E). The first arm (10) is designed to be attached to or detached from the camera (2) and features a first free end (100) and a chin rest surface (21) provided on that first free end (100). The chin rest surface (21) is designed to rest on the chin (K) of the person (P) holding the camera (2). A second arm (30) extends from the first arm (10) along the second extension direction (E′) and features a free end (31) where a grip area (32) is provided. This grip area (32) is designed to allow a person (P) to grasp the camera with one hand (H) using the device (1) and is kept separate from the chin rest surface (21) along the first extension direction (E).
US09039306B2
The dual camera allows continuous wireless transmission of image data through radio waves to outside picture processing devices and continuous capture of images on frames of camera film rolls. A radio wave transmission attachment transmits image data though radio waves to outside picture processing devices. Several housing compartments of the dual camera receive camera film rolls. When images are captured on all frames of one camera film roll, a detachable housing compartment door is operable so that the camera film roll may be removed. While the camera film roll is being removed, the dual camera may simultaneously capture images on a remaining camera film roll in a filming position and the radio wave transmission attachment may transmit image data to outside picture processing devices without exposing the camera film roll in the filming position. Alternatively, a cable transmits radio wave image data to outside picture processing devices. An image radio wave converter of the dual camera converts photograph image data into radio wave image data.
US09039299B2
An optical-electric converting module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an optical-electric coupling element. The PCB includes a supporting surface, laser diodes and photo diodes. The laser diodes and the photo diodes are positioned on the supporting surface. The optical-electric coupling element includes a lower surface.The lower surface defines a cavity. A bottom portion of the first cavity forms light-receiving coupling lenses and light-emitting coupling lenses. The optical-electric coupling element is positioned on the supporting surface, with each light-receiving coupling lens being aligned with a laser diode, and each light-emitting coupling lens being aligned with a photo diode. A distance between the light-receiving coupling lenses and the laser diodes is equal to a distance between the light-emitting coupling lenses and the photo diodes in a direction perpendicular to the support surface.
US09039295B2
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber may include a ferrule, a optical fiber, and an adhesive composition. The ferrule may include a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface and the adhesive composition may be disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the optical fiber. The adhesive composition may include a partially cross-linked resin and a thermoset resin. The adhesive composition may include between about 1 to about 85 parts by weight of the thermoset resin per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linked resin.
US09039294B2
A method for assembling a fiber optic connector that includes heating an end of a cleaved fiber, inserting the end of the cleaved fiber into a ferrule until the end protrudes from the ferrule, wherein a first portion of the heated end protrudes from the ferrule and a second portion of the heated end remains in the ferrule, fixing the fiber in place in the ferrule, and polishing the end of the cleaved fiber.
US09039291B2
An optical fiber connection device mainly made up of two coupling elements shaped to be inserted in cavities of two connector housings. Each coupling element (11A, 11B) includes a fiber bar (14) having an optical fiber segment (16) passing axially therethrough, and each bar is situated at a predetermined distance from a lens (13) held stationary in the corresponding coupling element; the two coupling elements include conical engagement endpieces.
US09039284B2
A method is disclosed for energy calibrating quantum-counting x-ray detectors in an x-ray installation including at least two x-ray systems turnable around a center of rotation. A target, for producing x-ray fluorescence radiation, is positioned between the first x-ray source and first x-ray detector and irradiated with x-radiation of the first x-ray source in such a way that x-ray fluorescence radiation which strikes the second x-ray detector from the target is produced by the x-radiation of the first x-ray source. The second x-ray detector is then energy calibrated by way of the x-ray fluorescence radiation of the target. The first x-ray detector can be energy calibrated in the same way with the aid of the x-radiation of the second x-ray source. With the proposed method, the x-ray detectors of a dual-source CT x-ray installation can be calibrated with little expenditure under conditions close to those of the system.
US09039276B2
A control unit sets a time interval for measuring a temperature of a liquid crystal panel as a first time interval (1 second), and thereafter measures the temperature of the liquid crystal panel each time the first time interval elapses. When the temperature of the liquid crystal panel is stabilized, the control unit sets a time interval for measuring the temperature of the liquid crystal panel as a second time interval (5 seconds). The control unit measures the temperature of the liquid crystal panel each time the second time interval elapses. Moreover, if an operation to change the amount of light reaching the liquid crystal panel is performed, the control unit restores the time interval for measuring the temperature of the liquid crystal panel to the first time interval.
US09039271B2
Interfaces for electrical (e.g., lighting) devices involve use of electrically conductive edge contacts arranged on or protruding from edges of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that provide or facilitate electrical connections to first and second externally accessible electrical contacts, such as may include threaded and foot contacts of a lighting device including a screw-shaped male base. First and/or second edge contacts of a PCB may protrude through first and second openings in a housing to form first and second externally accessible contact, or directly engage first and second externally accessible contact elements associated with (e.g., retained by) the housing. A contact element retained by a housing may define a slot in the interior of the housing to directly engage an edge contact of the PCB. Electric power is supplied to the PCB via edge contacts without need for intervening wires or soldered connections.
US09039265B2
A display module has a display panel and a backlight module disposed on one side of the display panel. The backlight module includes a heat sink, a light bar, a light guide plate, a first reflective sheet, and a second reflective sheet. The light bar abuts against one side of the heat sink. The first reflective sheet is disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of the light guide plate, and the second reflective sheet is disposed adjacent to an edge of a light-emitting surface of the light guide plate. The second reflective sheet has a first part and a second part forming an included angle with the first part, the first part is attached to the heat sink or the light bar, and the second part overlaps a part of the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate.
US09039263B2
A bicycle rack for arrangement on the rear end of a motor vehicle in an extendible fashion is provided. The bicycle rack includes a carrying frame, a slide-in element that is displaceably arranged in the carrying frame, and a carrier element that is pivotably arranged on the side-in element.
US09039262B2
An optical unit includes: a heat sink that radiates heat from a light source; and a base portion including a reflector mounting section, a lens mounting section and a connecting section connecting the reflector mounting section and the lens mounting section. The base portion is configured such that the light from the light source is reflected by a reflector mounted onto the reflector mounting section and is incident onto a projection lens mounted onto the lens mounting section. The heat sink is exposed to a space surrounded by the lens mounting section, the connecting section and the reflector mounting section.
US09039258B2
A saddle type vehicle provided with a headlight stay for permitting a harness laying operation to be easily carried out. A motorcycle is provided with the headlight stay which is supported on a head pipe and extends toward the vehicle front side from the head pipe. A headlight unit is attached to the headlight stay. The headlight stay includes a first stay extending forward from the head pipe, in a side view of the vehicle and a second stay which is supported in a cantilever manner by a front portion of the first stay and extends rearwardly and upwardly. The headlight unit is partly disposed on the front side of the second stay and is disposed so as to overlap with the first stay.
US09039257B2
A lighting device pertaining to one aspect of the present invention includes a mount, a light-emitting module, and a substrate holder. The light-emitting module is mounted on a main surface of the mount, and the substrate holder covers a portion of the light-emitting module and is connected with the mount. The light-emitting module includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a sealant and a padding. The padding is provided on a first main surface of the substrate. The light-emitting module is mounted on the main surface of the mount such that a second main surface of the substrate comes into contact with the main surface of the mount, and the light-emitting module is fixed to the mount by pressure applied from the substrate holder via the padding brought into contact with the substrate holder. The padding is made of a same material as the sealant.
US09039249B2
A backlight module includes a laser light source, a light guiding board located at a side of the laser light source, a first lens and a second lens both located at a light path of light beams emitted from the laser light source. The laser light source includes one laser diode or a plurality of laser diodes. The light guiding board includes a light incident face and a light emerging face. The first lens firstly converges and then diverges the light beams emitted from the laser light source. The second lens changes the light beams passed through the first lens to be parallel light beams. The parallel light beams have a larger width than that of the light beams just emitted from the laser light source. The parallel light beams enter the light guiding board via the light incident face of the light guiding board.
US09039232B2
Underwater LED lights with enhanced cooling to allow the use of substantial numbers of high power LEDs. In all embodiments, the majority of the heat given off by the LEDs is transferred to the housing of the underwater light by heat transfer techniques other than by convection of the air or other gases within the enclosure, providing direct heat conveyance from the LEDs to or through the light enclosure walls, by conduction through a thermal conductor or by or as augmented by heat pipes to the inside wall of the enclosure or through the wall of the enclosure to the water. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US09039226B2
An annular shaped two tier desk organizer and multi-compartment storage unit or device. The organizer/storage unit includes a base assembly having a central vertical axis, a stationary lower member and a rotatable upper member superposed or superimposed on the lower member. The lower member includes a speaker, an electric pencil sharpener, an electric stapler and a USB port for charging a cell phone, calculator or the like. A small computer is also disposed in the lower member and is connected to the Internet.
US09039223B2
An LED lighting fixture including a housing and an LED assembly secured with respect to the housing to permit air/water-flow over the LED assembly. The LED assembly includes a plurality of LED-array modules on an equal plurality of individual heat sinks. The housing defines an air gap permitting air/water-flow to and from the heat sinks.
US09039219B2
A display apparatus includes a display unit; a chassis member provided at the rear side of the display unit; a fan attached to the chassis member; a first circuit substrate that is provided between the display unit and the chassis member and of which the component-mounting surface is arranged at a position facing the fan side; and a second circuit substrate that is provided between the display unit and the chassis member and of which the component-mounting surface is arranged to face the display unit side.
US09039215B2
A light source device includes a light source unit concluding LD element (1) for emitting a laser beam polarized in a particular direction and lens (2) for condensing the laser beam emitted from LD element (1) and phosphor layer (3) excited by the laser beam condensed by lens (2) of the light source unit to discharge incoherent light. The incident angle of the laser beam to phosphor layer (3) is larger than 0° and smaller than 90°, and the laser beam enters phosphor layer (3) as P-polarized light.
US09039214B2
In a vehicle outside rearview mirror device including a mirror housing capable of tilting with respect to a vehicle body, the vehicle outside rearview mirror device includes a base fixed to the vehicle body; a shaft fixed to the base; and the mirror housing mounted to the shaft so as to be capable of tilting, wherein a wall that reduces a flow rate of a wind passing through a gap between the base and the mirror housing is provided to the shaft.
US09039213B2
An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.
US09039211B2
A mirror assembly for mounting to a handlebar of a motorcycle or other cycle vehicle, including a handle enabling an operator of the motorcycle to rotate the mirror without requiring the operator to remove a hand from the handlebar. The rotation swivels the mirror from a view to the rear to a position with a view to the side. Upon releasing the handle, a compression spring within the assembly returns the mirror to its original position. The mounting arrangement for the assembly includes two portions rotatable perpendicularly to one another, permitting the mirror arrangement to be adjusted after coupling with the handlebar such that the stem of the mirror is plumb. This ensures that when the handle is engaged rotating the mirror, the orientation of the mirror is maintained such that the top edge of the mirror remains level during rotation and that the mirror stem remains plumb.
US09039206B2
A projection display apparatus may include a light source, a power supply unit, a detecting unit, a nonvolatile memory, a capacitor, and a control unit. The power supply unit supplies power from an external power supply to the light source power derived from the received power. The detecting unit detects a cut-off state in which no or no sufficient power is being received by the power supply unit. The capacitor accumulates charges in response to power being received. Following detection of the cut-off state and even after turning off the light source, the control unit is operable to carry out a data storage operation in which at least part of the data is stored in the nonvolatile memory, wherein power to carry out the data storage operation is obtained from the charges previously accumulated by the capacitor.
US09039204B2
A thin type projector is disclosed. The thin type projector according to present invention includes a panel part slidingly mounted at the front surface of the housing to open and close the projection lens part selectively. The thin type projector may further include a speaker part installed at the front surface of a housing, the speaker part converting an audio input signal into sound. When the panel part is separated, a lamp as a light source is exposed to the front of the housing. As a result, a user can replace the lamp with a new one conveniently.
US09039198B2
In a method for projecting an image onto a projection area (10) by at least one first (110) and second (210) beam, in order to create an improved image on the projection area, the deviation of the projection of the first and second beam on the projection area is determined, and the intensity of the first and/or second beam is varied over time according to the previously determined deviations.
US09039189B2
A projection apparatus includes a light source, a light valve, a light uniforming device, and a lens module. The light source provides an illumination beam. The light valve on a transmission path of the illumination beam converts the illumination beam into an image beam. The light valve has an active surface with a rectangular shape. The light uniforming device is between the light source and the light value. The lens module is between the light uniforming device and the light value. A refractive power of the lens module along a first direction is different from a refractive power of the lens module along a second direction. An f-number of the illumination beam along a direction parallel to a long side of the active surface of the light valve is greater than an f-number thereof along a direction parallel to a short side of the active surface of the light valve.
US09039184B2
A 3-D virtual display system that provides a compact display device which utilizes a small object to be projected. The 3-D virtual display system has a housing with a front panel having an opening, first and second opposing side panels, a display object, a mirror disposed diagonally within said housing facing said display object, a rotating motor, the display object is attached to the rotating motor adjacent to the front panel and the first side panel, a Fresnel lens covering the opening of the front panel and a light source disposed within the housing for illuminating the display object. The display object is illuminated by the light source and projects via the mirror and the Fresnel lens a virtual three-dimensional image outside the housing. The display system can provide an audio component that may be recordable by the user. The display system is capable of accepting a removable advertising faceplate.
US09039181B2
Example embodiments of a large dynamic range sequential wavefront sensor for vision correction or assessment procedures are disclosed. An example embodiment includes first and second optically coupled 4F relays and a variable focus lens disposed substantially at the image plane of the first 4F relay and the object plane of the second 4F relay.
US09039165B2
A recording apparatus includes: a transporting roller which includes a cylindrical shaft having one joint from one end portion to the other end portion of the shaft and transports a recording medium by being driven to rotate; a driven roller which holds and transports the recording medium with the transporting roller; and a recording section which performs recording on the recording medium, in which the joint includes a plurality of protrusion sections which protrude in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the transporting roller, in which the plurality of protrusion sections are disposed in positions which do not come into contact with both end portions of the recording medium in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft.
US09039164B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid toward a recording medium; a rib which projects in a direction toward the liquid ejecting head, and includes a support portion for supporting the recording medium; a detection target portion which is provided at a position lower than the support portion; a lower side portion located at a position lower than the detection target portion; a light emitting unit which irradiates the detection target portion with light rays; a light receiving unit which receives reflected light rays resulting from reflection of the light rays with which the detection target portion is irradiated, convers the received reflected light rays into photocurrent, and outputs the photocurrent as an output voltage; and a sensitivity setting unit which causes the light emitting unit to irradiate the detection target portion with light rays and sets the sensitivity of the light receiving unit.
US09039154B2
A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
US09039153B2
A printing apparatus adapted to have a cartridge detachably mounted thereon includes a cartridge mounting structure, a printing material supply tube, a plurality of apparatus-side terminals and a lever used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the printing apparatus. The lever has an operating member, a first apparatus-side locking portion and an axis of rotation. When an external force is applied to the operating member of the lever from the +X-axis direction to the −X-axis direction, the lever moves the first apparatus-side locking portion about the axis of rotation from a specified locking position toward the +X-axis direction and disengages the first apparatus-side locking portion from a first cartridge-side restriction portion, so as to eliminate the restriction of motion of the cartridge. This ensures stable electrical connection between cartridge-side terminals and apparatus-side terminals.
US09039143B2
An ink jet recording head includes a substrate having a plurality of discharge energy generation elements and having an ink supply port, a protective film provided on the substrate and configured to protect wiring connected to the discharge energy generation elements, and an ink discharge port forming member, wherein the protective film has a protruding portion, wherein the ink discharge port forming member has a beam-like protrusion, wherein the beam-like protrusion has a reinforcing rib, and wherein a separation film containing gold is formed at a portion where the protruding portion and the reinforcing rib are held in close contact with each other.
US09039140B2
The present invention addresses the problem of improving the quality of recorded images in ink jet recording technologies in which a plurality of nozzle lines that discharge ink of the same color are used. As a solution, nozzle lines (10) of n columns (where n is a natural number of three or more) each record a recording pixel column (2) on a recording medium by discharging ink of the same color while scanning over the recording medium (1); and when the nozzle lines (10) of n columns each extract a recording pixel column (2), which is recorded in a single scan, for each n columns in the scanning direction, ink is discharged in such a manner that there are at least two permutation patterns for the nozzle columns (10) that record each column of the extracted recording pixel columns (3).
US09039131B2
A method for producing an inkjet head may include, the inkjet head having: a head substrate having a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a wiring substrate having wiring lines through which electric power is fed to the respective piezoelectric elements through the drive electrodes, the method having: pressure-welding the wiring substrate to the head substrate by heat through resin adhesive sections made of a thermosetting resin so that the drive electrodes are electrically connected to the wiring lines through solder bumps; and joining the head substrate to the wiring substrate, wherein a melting point TB[° C.] of the solder bumps and a cure initiation temperature TR[° C.] of the resin adhesion sections meet a relation (TR[° C.]≦TB[° C.]≦TR+30[° C.]).
US09039125B2
Approaches to remove bubbles from ink in an ink jet printer are described. Bubble removal may be implemented using a membrane disposed along an ink flow path. The membrane includes first and second component membranes having first and second coefficients of thermal expansion. The membrane is configured to, in response to a change in ink temperature, mechanically displace as a function of temperature due to a difference in the thermal coefficients of expansion of the first and second component membranes. The mechanical displacement of the membrane causes a volumetric change in a portion of the ink flow path.
US09039112B2
In a line-head type inkjet printing apparatus that ejects a plurality of types of inks, an inkjet printing apparatus is provided in which the change of its ejection properties different depending on the type of ink is prevented from occurring. The line-head type printing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that counts the ejection number of liquid from each of print heads in each of a plurality of print heads. Furthermore, the printing apparatus compares the ejection number of liquid from each of the print heads counted by the acquisition unit with a threshold value set for each of the print heads. The printing apparatus includes a change unit that can move a holder in the main scanning direction when the counted ejection number of liquid exceeds the threshold value set for the print head.
US09039103B2
A pressure control valve arrangement for controlling a fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle so that, while there is a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in at least one associated brake cylinder can be adaptively adjusted, including: a housing; and at least one diaphragm valve is accommodated in the housing, the diaphragm valve having a diaphragm as the valve body, which diaphragm can be acted upon by introducing pressure medium into a control chamber that is covered on the outside of the housing by a cover so that the control chamber is formed between the diaphragm and the cover, wherein at least one pressure medium channel carrying pressure medium is formed in the housing in the region of the cover, wherein at least one cover has at least one projection projecting into the pressure medium channel in the housing, a pressure medium guiding surface for directing the flow of the pressure medium carried in the pressure medium channel being formed on the projection.
US09039096B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back connected to the seat cushion and including a storage portion, a belt member configured to restrain an occupant while the belt member is routed from a side of the seat back to a side of the seat cushion, and a rerouter member configured to be taken out from the storage portion of the seat back and connected to the belt member to change a routing position of the belt member at a middle portion thereof. In a state where a portion of the rerouter member is stored in the storage portion, another portion of the rerouter member is exposed from the storage portion.
US09039095B2
A cushion element for a vehicle seat or headrest comprises a non-woven layer and a fiber composite material. An insert material is arranged between the non-woven layer and the fiber composite material, and has different compression properties than the fiber composite material. The fiber composite material forms together with the insert material and the non-woven layer a one-piece material composite.
US09039090B2
A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.
US09039089B2
A latch plate for a lock device is proposed which comprises a latch plate proper and a film that covers the latch plate proper. The latch plate proper includes upper and lower finger portions between which a striker catching recess is defined. An upper surface of the lower finger portion includes a depressed main portion located near the bottom of the striker catching recess, a raised leading end portion and a stepped portion provided between the depressed main portion and the raised leading end portion. The film covers the latch plate proper except the raised leading end portion. The film covers the depressed main portion of the upper surface in such a manner that an outer surface of the film is flush with the stepped portion. When the film is depressed by the striker, the stepped portion enhances a function is to stop a movement of the striker toward a mouth of the striker catching recess.
US09039088B2
With a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are rotatable relative to one another and are in geared connection with each other, an enclosing ring, which axially holds together the first fitting part and the second fitting part, forming a disc-shaped unit, and which is fixed to the first fitting part and engages over the second fitting part radially outside, and a third fitting part which is pivotably mounted relative to the first fitting part and which can be locked by means of a toothed pawl with a latching element which is provided on the first fitting part, the toothed latching element is formed on the first fitting part.
US09039079B2
A children's tray with a placement indicator includes a tray and a groove/spot formed in the tray to indicate where an eating item (including food, utensils, or dishware) is to be placed. The tray can be mounted, removably or fixedly, to a variety of child support structures, including high chairs, booster seats and bouncers and includes a wall around the periphery intended to prevent items from falling off of the tray. The groove/spot formed in the tray may be formed from of a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the material used to form the tray. The groove/spot formed in the tray may be formed from of a material having a different color than the material used to form the tray.
US09039078B2
A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.
US09039077B1
A chair assembly for selectively charging an electronic device includes a frame. A back portion of the frame is operationally coupled to a front portion of the frame. A supporting panel is coupled to the frame. The supporting panel may support a user. A leg is coupled to the frame. The leg abuts a support surface so the leg supports the frame above the support surface. An arm rest is operationally coupled to the frame. The arm rest may support the user's arm. A bag is coupled to the arm rest. The bag may contain the electronic device. A charger is operationally coupled to the arm rest. The charger is selectively operationally coupled to the electronic device. The charger may charge the electronic device.
US09039072B2
A motor vehicle body is provided with a lateral front wall and a wheel installation strut connected therewith with an inner component and an outer component with an outer side wall. The outer component includes, but is not limited to a front portion with a lower front connecting flange, which is connected to the inner component and forms an angle with the horizontal which amounts to a maximum of approximately 20°, and a rear portion with a lower rear connecting flange, which is connected to the lateral front wall and forms an angle with the vertical which amounts to a maximum of approximately 20°.
US09039070B2
A crash load absorption structure for a motor vehicle. The structure includes a compressible load absorbing structure. The compressible load absorbing structure includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion and the rear portion are arranged to compress under a crash load along a generally longitudinal direction. The compressible load absorbing structure also includes a structural joint located within the compressible load absorbing structure, the joint is between at least two structural members. A load transfer element is configured to promote breaking of the structural joint during a vehicle crash.
US09039069B2
This invention provides an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear cargo body, having doors that swing open, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The embodiments provide an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the structure reduces drag, yet enables access to the door(s) in a folded position. The folded position allows access to the rear for loading and unloading, and in the case of swinging, hinged doors, allows the doors to be folded through a 270-degree arc, with a minimal sideways projection. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using actuators and/or linkages that tie the folding and deployment of panels of the structure together. This allows selective folding and deployment of the structure without undue effort or strength.
US09039062B1
An enclosure device for forming a secured enclosure area within a cargo area of a vehicle is disclosed. The enclosure device includes a front panel and a generally planar deck panel that extends from the front panel. The deck panel includes a pair of pair of spaced apart left and right sides that are adapted for extending over the wheel wells and the sidewalls. The deck panel also includes an aft edge that is adapted for extending to a location directly below an upper lip of the aft end of the cargo area when the front panel is adapted for fastening to the vehicle. At least one of the spaced apart left and right sides includes an abutment edge that is adapted for being positioned next to the sport cage upright, so that the secured enclosure area is created below the deck panel.
US09039058B1
A utensil manipulating article has a sleeve formed of a pliable material. The sleeve is suitable for receiving the utensil therein. The sleeve is movable between a utensil-receiving position and a utensil-manipulating position. The sleeve has an adhesive material on an outer surface thereof. The adhesive is suitable for attaching to fingers of a user so as to allow the user to move the sleeve between the utensil-receiving position and the utensil-manipulating position. The adhesive material includes a first adhesive strip and second adhesive strip respectively placed on a first side and an opposite side of the sleeve. A liner is removably affixed over the first and second adhesive strips.
US09039057B2
A jointed mechanism including a segment coupled to a joint; and an elongated component coupled to the segment, where applying a pulling force to the elongated component rotates the segment around the joint, elastically deforming the elongated component; wherein the elastic deformation generates an elongated component elastic force sufficient to rotate the segment, in an opposite direction, in absence of the pulling force.
US09039044B1
A standoff ring for a process pipe having either a plurality of single ring plates, or a plurality of alternativing single ring plates with a plurality of double plate ring plates to form the standoff ring. A plurality of fasteners secured through fastener holes in the plates to connect the plates together. A masterlink is used to adjust the plates to various diameters of the process pipe. A safety cage can be connected to or over the standoff ring encircling the process pipe.
US09039041B2
In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-rotation assembly for a steering column is provided. The anti-rotation assembly includes a bushing and a pin having a detent for engaging the bushing when the pin is inserted into the bushing.
US09039029B2
A system and method for adjusting the arms of an over-sized trailer is described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a center support, a plurality of swing arms, and a plurality of stabilizer rods. The swing arms can be mounted to the left side and the right side of the center support. The swing arms can each comprise an arm and an arm hinge. The swing arms can be capable of rotating about the arm hinge. Furthermore, a dolly can be capable of being mounted to each swing arms. Each of the stabilizer rods can comprise a first rod portion and a second rod portion. The first rod portion can be connected to the center support and the second rod portion connected to one of the swing arms.
US09039016B2
In the specification and drawings an accessory cart is described and shown with a base, a housing element that is connected to the base and extends upward from the base, and a platform, which is connected to the housing element with the height of the platform being automatically adjustable.
US09039012B2
A training device for installation in a practice area is provided, the training device providing an indication to a user as to where on a first surface of the training device a football should be aimed. The first surface is configured to allow the ball to pass through the first surface, where it is collected and returned to the user. The training device is also configured to indicate to the user approximately where in the practice area the football will be returned to, so as to allow the user to position themselves accordingly.
US09039006B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes frame, sheet stack portion, sheet stacking plate, feeding portion, conveyance portion, conveyance guide member, blower fan, air duct, and blowing control portion. Feeding portion feeds sheet stacked on sheet stacking plate. Conveyance portion is provided on downstream side in sheet conveyance direction relative to feeding portion. Conveyance guide member is provided on downstream side in sheet conveyance direction relative to feeding portion, and spaced from feeding portion by predetermined gap, and has guide surface to support lower surface of sheet fed by feeding portion and guide sheet downstream in sheet conveyance direction. An end portion of guide surface on upstream side in sheet conveyance direction is positioned lower than feeding position. Air duct blows air sent from blower fan, toward gap, from position lower than the gap. Blowing control portion controls blowing of air from air duct.
US09039004B2
There is provided a transport system including: a transport mechanism including first and second rollers; first and second driving devices; first and second measuring devices configured to measure a state quantities Z1 and Z2; and a controller configured to control the first and second driving devices. The controller is configured to perform: estimating reaction forces R1 and R2; calculating control inputs U1 and U2; inputting, to the first driving device, a control signal in accordance with a sum of the control input U1 and the control input U2; inputting, to the second driving device, a control signal in accordance with a difference between the control input U1 and the control input U2; estimating non-tensional components RE1 or RE2; and correcting the control input U2 to prevent a control error caused by the non-tensional components RE1 and RE2 included in an estimated tension of the sheet (R1−R2)/2.
US09039003B2
An apparatus for processing sheets of different formats, the apparatus including a feeding device that feed sheets of different formats in a feeding direction one behind the other, and at a certain conveying speed, at least two collecting drums disposed downstream of the feeding device, the at least two collecting drums having cylindrical lateral surfaces that rotate about an axis of rotation, securing means for temporarily securing the fed sheets on a circumference of the at least two collecting drums, a drive device that drives the collecting drums in rotation at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the conveying speed of the feeding device, and a sensing device for sensing the sheets of different formats moving past is arranged along the conveying path and senses the leading edge of the sheets of different formats, as seen in the feeding direction, or markings applied to the sheets of different formats.
US09039001B2
A device for cleaning trays comprises a tub that has a bottom and a wall. The tub is dimensioned such that a baking tray can be placed therein. The device further comprises a dish drain that can be placed in the tub. Said device for cleaning a baking tray uses only a small amount of space in a kitchen and is easy to handle. In fact, in a typical kitchen that already has a dish drain, the device requires no additional space.
US09038998B2
A support structure for supporting a semiconductor device during a bonding operation is provided. The support structure comprises a body portion defining an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor device during a bonding operation. The upper surface defines a constraining feature for constraining at least a portion of the semiconductor device during the bonding operation.
US09038984B2
A solenoid valve, the magnet armature of which is designed to be movable relative to a first valve-closing element, for which purpose the first valve-closing element is accommodated telescopically in a coupling element attached to the magnet armature, wherein the coupling element is guided along the inner wall of a guide sleeve inserted in the valve housing in order to align the magnet armature precisely with the first valve-closing element in the direction of a second valve-closing element which is likewise accommodated in the guide sleeve.
US09038983B2
A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.
US09038977B2
A holding device includes a case. A base includes a placement portion for placing an article, and a fixture holding portion provided on one end side of the placement portion, and is rotatably attached relative to the case through a pivot support portion. A slider is slidably attached to the base, and includes a movable holding portion for releasably holding the article between the movable holding portion and the fixture holding portion. An urging member urges the slider. A positional control device is provided between the base and the slider, and releasably locks the slider in an arbitrary position when the slider slides against an urging force of the urging member. A placement-angle holding device is provided between the base and the case, and holds the base at a predetermined placement angle relative to the case in conjunction with sliding of the slider against the urging force of the urging member.
US09038976B2
A surface mounted sports gear display apparatus capable of holding a wide range of equipment types and sizes implementing a transverse sliding tension mechanism that adjusts in width and applies a tension force on opposing grip members and that apply a compressive force on the displayed object which creates frictional contact on the long edges between the displayed object and grip members allowing the object to be held horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Additionally a center double-edged grip member can be added creating an expanded functionality for pairs of objects such as skis. The grip edge shape can be altered to enhance surface contact for objects such as surf boards, baseball bats, tennis rackets, kayak and canoe paddles, and rowing ores.
US09038962B2
A system and method for mitigating an aircraft incident is provided. The invention includes an aircraft panic component coupled to a terminal component. The aircraft panic component facilitates identification of a panic situation and communicates information associated with the panic situation to the terminal component. The aircraft panic component is further operative to at least partially disable a navigation system and/or operational system of an aircraft. The aircraft can then be sent to a safe zone, navigated remotely and/or a course of action for the aircraft can be determined. A safe zone component is adapted to facilitate identification of a course of action for the aircraft based at least in part upon aircraft positional information, aircraft condition information and/or aircraft resource(s). Further, aircraft navigational information and/or aircraft operational information can be sent via an aircraft communication component to a remote system having a remote communication component and a remote analyzing component facilitating transfer of information related to navigational and/or operational system(s) of the aircraft.
US09038959B2
A space debris remover aiming to remove a space debris object in earth orbits. Angular thrust calculation unit calculates angular thrust. Radial thrust calculation unit calculates radial thrust based on the angular thrust, estimated angular momentum and estimated space debris mass. A foam bonding mechanism connects the space debris remover and the space debris object. A space debris removal controller calculates firing time, and sends a space debris removal control signal comprising the radial thrust, the angular thrust and the firing time. A plurality of first stage thrusters generate the radial thrust and the angular thrust after the firing time. After the stage separator separates a first stage and a second stage of the space debris remover, a plurality of second stage thrusters generate the radial thrust and the angular thrust, and propel the space debris object towards the sun.
US09038958B1
Methods and apparatus are presented for spacecraft operation using non-Eigen axis attitude transitions via control momentum gyroscopes (CMGs) to avoid or mitigate singularities by providing a time-varying attitude command vector including a plurality of time-varying attitude command signals or values representing a plurality of spacecraft states and control trajectories as a guidance command input to an attitude controller of the spacecraft without modifying the spacecraft feedback control law.
US09038955B2
A fuel transfer system for an aircraft includes an upper tank, a lower tank, a fuel transfer line connecting the upper tank to the lower tank, an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, an upper float valve associated with the upper fuel transfer line outlet, and a lower float valve associated with the lower fuel transfer line outlet. The upper fuel transfer line outlet, which is in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank. The lower fuel transfer line outlet, which is located in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank.
US09038954B2
A method and apparatus comprising a refueling controller. The refueling controller is configured to receive data about a current rate of movement of a refueling boom while the refueling boom is in contact with a receiver aircraft during flight. The refueling controller is further configured to disconnect the refueling boom from the receiver aircraft based on the current rate of movement of the refueling boom and a current position of the refueling boom.
US09038952B2
According to one embodiment, a windshield attachment device for coupling a windshield to a body includes a fastener portion, a bolt, and an elastomeric load isolator. The fastener portion has an opening therethrough. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the fastener portion and couple the fastener portion to the body. The elastomeric load isolator surrounds at least a portion of the fastener portion and separating the fastener portion from the windshield.
US09038951B2
A coupling assembly for joining a first component to a second component, the assembly comprising a shaft for connecting to a first component, and a bracket including a mounting plate for connecting to a second component. The bracket has a bracket arm extending from the mounting plate, and a head having a through-bore on the bracket arm. The shaft is received in the through-bore. A setting device acts between the head and the shaft for setting of the position of the shaft with respect to the head in the axial direction of the shaft. The assembly further includes one or more spherical bearing surfaces, which permit self-alignment of the setting device to accommodate tilting of the shaft with respect to the head about a central point in two orthogonal directions. Also, a joint comprising a first component joined to a second component by one or more of the coupling assemblies. Also, a method of forming a joint using one or more of the coupling assemblies.
US09038950B2
An arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces is configured for being arranged on the underside of an aircraft and furthermore includes a longitudinal axis and at least one aerodynamic auxiliary surface, wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is laterally offset referred to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is configured for generating vortices when it is subjected to an oncoming air flow. This makes it possible to compensate vortices caused by the shape of the aircraft such that the directional stability of the aircraft can be improved and the aerodynamic drag may be reduced.
US09038946B2
A space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft includes an aft facing concave wall recess that provides a greater distance from an upper, forward facing portion of a cabin structure, such as an aircraft passenger seat to avoid having a passenger's head impact the aft facing lavatory or enclosure wall in a sudden aircraft deceleration. The aft facing concave wall recess also provides space for mounting of a protective cushion, in order to reduce a passenger's risk of head trauma in a sudden deceleration, as well as other items, such as a video monitor, a bassinet or infant bed, without inhibiting passenger movement.
US09038927B2
A plumbing spout device which has a jet regulating device is provided, which is situated on an outflow side from an upstream attachment screen in a direction of flow. The jet regulating device is provided in the form of a perforated plate having at least a perforated field in at least a partial area thereof. The spout device has a mounting sleeve that supports the jet regulating device on an outflow side sleeve end area thereof, and the mounting sleeve is joined to the water spout of the plumbing spout fitment via a screwed, clip, detent, adhesive or welded connection. The spout device has a comparatively low installation height that does not significantly limit design possibilities when designing associated spout fitments. The spout device also makes it possible to achieve a high jet quality and a good jet pattern.
US09038926B2
An attachment to be employed with any spray device is disclosed. The attachment includes four vanes which are radially attached to an air hub with a central aperture, the central aperture adapted to receive the front portion of the spray device therethrough which when activated dispenses an atomizable substance in a pattern toward a workpiece. At the distal end of each of the four vanes, the vane is angled forward such that it generally points toward the workpiece. At the terminal end of each vane is a plurality of compressed air exit apertures. A compressed air source is attached to the air hub which guides the air through air conduits interiorly disposed within each of the vanes, where the compressed air is forced to exit each of the compressed air exit apertures forming an a second pattern which surrounds the atomizable substance pattern, and further boosts or pushes the atomizable substance onto the workpiece. The second pattern reduces overspray, bounce-back, and errant particles, and improves the transfer efficiency.
US09038907B1
An improved document scanning device and a scanning method for checking the transparency and thickness of an identification document. In a preferred embodiment, any one surface of the document is illuminated by the illumination source facing the said surface and the opposite surface of the document is captured by the camera. The amount of light that passes through the illuminated surface of the document is measured and contrasted with the amount of light that passes through the same surface of a reference or original document. The scanning method is also capable of validating an identification document by detecting and authenticating any laser image imprinted on such document.
US09038896B2
A ticket reading system comprising a portable head section with an aperture and means for removably affixing the head section to a stationary fixture; in the head section, a camera with a field of view over the aperture to read visible code elements of a ticket; an RFID antenna and module adjacent to the aperture to read RFID/NFC code elements from a device or tag; a wireless network communication module to communicate data packets among a processor and a wireless network access point; means for ticket validation feedback; instructions which cause: receiving a ticket identifier value from the camera or RFID module; sending a request via the wireless network for a server computer to validate the ticket identifier value; receiving a ticket validation response from the server computer; based upon the response, driving the means for providing ticket validation feedback to generate either valid response feedback or invalid response feedback.
US09038894B2
A mobile device utilizes an embedded near field communication (NFC) capability to interact with a contactless transaction card to automatically obtain information from the card, e.g. reducing or eliminating the burden of manual user entry of the account information or the like into the mobile device. The mobile device, for a financial account transaction example, may read the information from the card at the time of a transaction, e.g. to facilitate an on-line purchase, an in-store purchase, ATM transaction or the like. The mobile device may store the information from one or more contactless transaction cards, for use in future transactions of various types. The mobile device and/or a server in communication with the mobile device may track various user activities on the mobile device that also utilize information obtained from the contactless transaction card.
US09038893B2
An approach for associating a card (e.g., a transaction card, an identification card, etc.) that corresponds to a primary account with one or more ancillary accounts (e.g., a library account, etc.) includes obtaining information from the card and associating that information with an ancillary account. The card may then be used to access the ancillary account. The card may be a transaction card and the primary account may be a financial account. The ancillary account may be a library account. When the card is a transaction card, fees associated with the ancillary account may be charged to the financial account.
US09038889B2
According to one embodiment, a system includes a processor and an interface. The interface receives, from a terminal, planned-deposit information. The terminal is at a location that is remote from a deposit location. The processor associates a deposit identifier with the planned-deposit information and stores the planned-deposit information and the deposit identifier in a memory. According to one embodiment, a method includes recognizing, at a deposit location, a deposit identifier. The method includes identifying, based on the deposit identifier and information stored in a memory, a planned deposit. The method includes detecting that the planned deposit has been delivered to a depository and determining, by a processor and based on one or more business rules, an availability of funds associated with the planned deposit.
US09038875B2
The present invention provides an improved height adjustable tower with integrated cargo rack apparatus for wakeboard boats. The inventive apparatus enables the adjustability of the height of the cargo rack/bimini which is accomplished by lowering or raising the lower tower legs with an actuator after releasing a locking mechanism. The apparatus also includes a displacement mechanism which allows the cargo rack to be simultaneously translated and rotated. The benefit to the user is the ability to control the amount of shade/sun for the people in the general cockpit area. It also allows a user to achieve a higher walk-through height for ease of maneuvering in the boat and provides easy access to items stored on top of the cargo rack.
US09038870B2
A head mount device is worn by a person to retain an electronic device in a desirable position for hand-free use as a video recorder. A head strap assembly with tri-glide adjustment mechanisms extends from the sides and top of the main body mounting plate, allowing the device to fit most head sizes. The mounting plate is preferably an injection-molded part for holding the electronic device in a horizontal position with an elastic retention strap securing mechanism between the mounting plate and the electronic device. An elastic strap extends from an upending portion of the mounting plate, wraps around the electronic device, extends through a slot in the mounting plate, and fastens back upon itself via hook and loop fasteners to capture the device in landscape orientation. The design of the mounting plate and preferred length of the retention strap fit most modern smartphone designs by simply tightening the retention strap around the smartphone.
US09038854B2
A product distribution device for accommodating at least one row of products with products which can be arranged in succession on a support surface of a product guide element in a receiving space with the following features: at least one door for stocking the receiving space with the products, guide means which are guided along the support surface in one conveyance direction F for advancing the products in the conveyance direction F, a catch element which can be switched between one catch position of the conveyance means and one conveyance position of the conveyance means.
US09038850B1
The beverage container lid assembly includes a clip that may engage a beverage container. A cover is movably coupled to the clip. The cover may close the beverage container. A trigger is coupled to the cover. The trigger is manipulated by a user. The cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position.
US09038848B2
A base structure for a blow-molded container having an annular sidewall and a central longitudinal axis, the base structure comprising: a bottom portion; an annular support heel positioned between the sidewall and the bottom portion, wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 15° to about 46° relative a plane extending from the sidewall; and a first rounded edge between the sidewall and the annular support heel and a second rounded edge between the annular support heel and the bottom portion, wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 1.0 mm to about 14.0 mm, and wherein the blow-molded container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene.
US09038846B2
A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes. The device has two opposing side walls and a cover panel connecting the side walls at the top. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover panel. The size of the opening is determined as a function of the standard-size containers to be placed in the opening. A laterally projecting opposite edges of the containers extend beyond the opening. Two opposing groove-like slots are on each of side walls below the opening. A tub for the purpose of tempering has two opposing, laterally projecting edges which are dimensioned to extend over the edges of the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, and which can be slid into the opposing slots in the side walls.
US09038844B2
The present invention relates to a container (2) and a pouch (1). The container and pouch is preferably mutually shaped so that the pouch fits tightly into the container. The container comprises a closure (5) for closing the container and preferably being adapted to maintain the pouch in an open state in a position where its opening is facing upwardly. In addition, the closure comprises a lid (7), allowing re-closable access to the contents stored in the pouch.
US09038843B2
A food container includes a glass container, a lid and a protective sleeve. The sleeve covers at least a portion of the side walls and bottom surface of the glass container. The lid has a perimeter that is absent of features directly securing the lid to the container. The lid has a receiving feature which is engaged by a latch on the protective sleeve when the latch is moved from an open position to a locked position.
US09038837B2
The present invention relates generally to electrical panels or enclosures. More particularly, the invention encompasses a removable endwall plate for electrical panels or enclosures. The present invention is also directed to a novel electrical panel or enclosure where an endwall is removably attached to a frame. The endwall can be removed and can be cut at desired locations to create holes or openings for electrical components. The removable endwall can also have one or more knockouts which can be removed from the endwall as needed. One could also have at least one knockout within the knockout.
US09038835B2
A user-friendly crane mat carrier is provided for conveniently transporting, storing and supporting crane mats, pads and other items. The economical light weight crane mat assembly can comprise a frame assembly with a main load-supporting bar, crossbars and perimeter bars. The special crane mat carrier can be easily connected to a crane, such as with a drawbar fixture, securing plate and locking plate. A hanger assembly with a suspension bar can be provided to hang the crane mat carrier. A latch mechanism can also be provided to securely lock the crane mat carrier.
US09038833B2
A display rack has a base which may be mounted on a wall. The base has an elongate slot having a retracted end, an extended end opposite the retracted end, a first groove and a second groove. The first groove is positioned between the retracted position and the second groove. The display rack has a tray with a fin movable within the elongate slot as the tray slides along the base between a retracted position, and an extended position. The fin may pass through the first groove, but not the second groove.
US09038824B2
The present invention relates to a packing box for accommodation of plate bodies, which comprises a backplane, and a side plate vertically arranged at the periphery of the backplane, the plate body including a main body, and a PCB plate connected through a flexible sheet to the edge of the main body, a positioning member being further arranged in the space enclosed by the backplane and the side plate for preventing the PCB plate from moving relative to the main body. The positioning member of the present invention can prevent the PCB plate from moving relative to the main body of the plate body, playing a role in protecting the circuit on the flexible sheet and having low costs.
US09038821B2
A golf caddie device is disclosed that is designed for carrying golf equipment. The golf caddie device comprises a support rod having a spike and an ergonomically shaped handle. The golf caddie device also comprises a ball holder, a first cylinder comprising up to five openings for retaining golf clubs, and a second cylinder comprising up to five openings for retaining golf club shafts. Golf clubs are inserted into the golf caddie device by inserting the shaft part of the golf club through one of the first cylinder openings and into one of the openings of the second cylinder, thus, retaining the golf clubs within the golf caddie device.
US09038820B2
The present invention relates to utility surfaces. Specifically, the invention relates to a utility surface, generally a table or other flat surface, with drawers attached to the utility surface. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the utility surface and attached drawers may be folded into a collapsed format that is convenient for portability.
US09038809B2
A sortation conveyor for transporting and diverting a plurality of articles includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path angularly positioned relative to the first conveying path. A plurality of pusher elements may be selectively diverted laterally across the first conveying path to divert articles to the second conveying path. A piezoelectric actuated switch assembly positioned adjacent to the second conveying path selectively engages the pusher elements to divert the selected article to the second conveying path.
US09038808B2
A method for storing and transporting products in a low-pressure storage device and a low-pressure storage device therefore, to allow product storage in a simple manner, and to control the storage in a simple manner. The products transfer on a first storage path and on a second storage path that is arranged directly next to the first storage path, during the storage operation of the storage device.
US09038806B2
The present invention provides a truss device for an escalator or moving walk comprising an outer panel and an inner panel facing the outer panel, characterized in that, the inner panel is formed from a single integral panel and comprises a body part and a plurality of connection parts extending from the body part toward the outer panel thus forming corresponding through openings in the inner panel, each connection part is connected to the outer panel so that the outer panel and the inner panel are fixed together, wherein the inner panel further comprises a support part formed on the body part of the inner panel and projecting in a direction away from the outer panel. The present invention also provides an escalator or moving walk having the above truss device.
US09038804B1
A roller track comprising a base, a tray, and a plurality of rollers. The tray is configured to slide into the base, and comprises a first end, a center portion comprising a plurality of notches, and a second end. The first end and the second end comprise a plurality of slots. The plurality of rollers is configured to engage the plurality of notches.
US09038797B2
A switchable coupling with a coupling system between a driving element and an output element is provided. The switchable coupling includes an actuator, an elastic actuating element and a switching element movable between starting, central and end positions. In the central position the switchable coupling has a different state (open or closed) than in the starting position. The switchable coupling further includes a bolt constrained between first and second bolt stops. Axial movement of the switching element causes operative surfaces connected to the switching element or the bolt to engage with elements on other of the switching element and the bolt, such that the bolt rotates relative to the switching element. The bolt alternately moves relative to the switching element into a first relative position blocking switching element movement in the central position, and into a second relative position permitting movement of the switching element toward the starting position.
US09038795B2
A cord storage apparatus includes an electric motor configured to retract a power reception cord to be connected to an external power supply and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground when the power reception cord is connected to the external power supply and control the electric motor to stop retracting the power reception cord when the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground.
US09038781B2
An elevator may include an elevator car, a set of hoisting ropes, a hoisting machine, a traction sheave, and a brake. The elevator car may be suspended on the hoisting ropes. The hoisting machine may drive the traction sheave to move the elevator car using the hoisting ropes. The brake may include a brake wheel and brake shoes. The brake may exert an effect on rotation of the traction sheave. During braking, the effect of the brake on the rotation of the traction sheave may depend on a direction of rotation of the traction sheave. The effect of the brake on the rotation of the traction sheave may be greater when the direction of rotation of the traction sheave during braking corresponds to the elevator car moving downward than when the direction of rotation of the traction sheave during braking corresponds to the elevator car moving upward.
US09038780B2
An incline elevator with a load carrying unit running on a U-shaped track. The load carrying unit is mounted on trucks engaging the track. Below the trucks are swivelably mounted eccentric safety devices, with roller guides spring loaded against the interior walls of the channel, and eccentric brakes retracted during normal operation or extended during emergencies like a break in the elevator hoist cable. The eccentric brakes are retracted when both mechanically and electrically driven linkages are engaged. The brakes are retracted when tension is present in the hoist cable, and when electrical speed sensors sense an underspeed condition. The eccentric brakes deploy when either there is a hoist cable break, an overspeed condition, or an incline elevator power failure. The eccentric brakes are spring loaded to swing out, engaging the interior walls of the channel of the track, and jam in position stopping the load carrying unit.
US09038777B2
A fall protection system is provided providing all protection for all workers in building erection. The system involves an interior net, and a perimeter net if needed. The net system may be both horizontally and vertically mobile, allowing it to be easily moved as building erection continues.
US09038776B2
A ladder system is disclosed which allows for stabilizing a ladder on multiple surfaces without the need for a second person or a great deal of setup time. The collapsible ladder system includes a larger ladder section and a smaller ladder strut section which are pivotally connected at a point which is at or below the midpoint of the larger ladder section. The larger ladder section and smaller ladder strut section are connected by a rigid adjustable linkage, or spreader, at a point that is below the pivotable connection. The ladder further includes a means for stability on a variety of surfaces. At the ground contact point, the point where the ladder side rail ends and the ground meet, there are adjustable gripping feet, which can be independently or in combination vertically or angularly adjusted for maximum stability.
US09038772B2
A hybrid silencer in a fuel cell system includes an expansion chamber connected to a predetermined apparatus of the fuel cell system, where the expansion chamber reduces acoustic noise of a fluid discharged from the predetermined apparatus, a water-absorber disposed inside the expansion chamber, where the water-absorber absorbs a liquid component of a fluid which flows into the expansion chamber; and a perforated silencer which discharges the fluid from which the liquid component is removed by the water-absorber while reducing acoustic noise of the fluid discharged therefrom.
US09038757B2
A vehicle battery mounting structure having a service hole cover that closes a service hole the service hole cover includes a rear cover that covers a rear end side of the service hole in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a front cover that covers a front end side of the service hole in the vehicle longitudinal direction. That is, the service hole cover is split into the rear cover and the front cover in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front cover is detachably attached to a floor upper reinforcement provided on a floor panel by bolts.
US09038745B2
A drive train for supplying power to a power tool may include, a motor, a motor shaft, a rotational coupling mechanism connected to the motor shaft, and a drive shaft connected to the rotational coupling mechanism that forms the shape of a “U.” A pair of enmeshed bevel gears transfers the motion from the motor shaft to an orthogonal tool bit. The drive train may also include a hammering device that transfers a rotational impacting motion to the tool bit. A hand power tool for driving a screw may include a tool shell with an integrally formed vertical handle, a rotational recess formed into the tool shell opposite the handle, and a tool chuck within the rotational recess that drives a screw. The tool may incorporate the drive train as described above. The tool may include a mechanism for locking the tool chuck in a particular position.
US09038739B2
An anchoring assembly in a downhole tool, the assembly including a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, and an anchoring block disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The anchoring block includes a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a central bore formed therethrough, a contact crown, in which at least one annular flow channel is formed between the contact crown and the body, and a contact ring configured to engage at least a portion of the first tubular member.
US09038733B2
A hydrocarbon drilling tubulars storage and handling system, said system comprising: —first and second rotary storage racks, each rotary storage rack being rotatable about a vertical axis and having storage slots for storage of multiple tubulars in each rotary storage rack in vertical orientation, the first and second rotary storage rack each including a drive to rotate the storage rack about its vertical axis, —a tubulars racking device positioned between the first and second rotary storage racks, said racking device including a rotary structure that is rotatable about a vertical axis and a drive to rotate the rotary column structure about said vertical axis, the rotary structure supporting at a first side thereof a first tubular racker assembly and at a second side thereof a second tubular racker assembly, each tubular racker assembly including one or more one gripping members adapted to grip a tubular.
US09038732B2
A method and a device for enabling the use of riserless drilling fluid recovery from a seabed-based borehole (1) which is to be drilled by means of a casing (26), the casing (26) being provided with a drill bit (28) at its lower portion and with an inner wellhead (30) at its upper portion, and there being a conductor casing (6), which has an outer wellhead (8), in the seabed (2), the method including: —providing a suction module (12) with a dividable adapter (16) which fits complementarily in the outer wellhead (8); —drilling a length of the borehole (1) by means of the casing (26) extending through the suction module (12), while, at the same time, drilling fluid is flowing via the suction module (12) from the borehole (1); —subsequently pulling the adapter (16) up from the outer wellhead (8) and dividing the adapter (16); and—lowering the casing (26) with the inner wellhead (30) through the suction module (12) and the adapter (16) to its position in the outer wellhead (8).
US09038730B2
A marine riser includes one or more buoyancy modules running along a length of the marine riser, wherein the one or more buoyancy modules are molded such that an umbilical may be secured along a length of the one or more buoyancy modules.
US09038728B1
System and method for diverting fluids from a wellhead by using a modified horizontal christmas tree
A system for diverting fluids from a wellhead in a subsea environment has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection or interconnection to the wellhead, a flow base fixedly positioned in the subsea environment, and a conduit connected to the outlet of a diverter line of the capping stack and connected to the inlet of an interior passageway of the flow base. The conduit is suitable for passing fluids from the capping stack toward the flow base. The flow base is a modified horizontal Christmas tree. The interior passageway within the horizontal Christmas tree has a plug therein located a level below the level of the inlet to the flow base. The flow base can be attached to a wellhead or to an anchor pile in the subsea environment.
US09038722B2
In an embodiment, the cement compositions comprise: (i) hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has a ratio of CaO to SiO2 in the range of 2.0 to 4.0; and (ii) a water-soluble metaphosphate in a concentration of at least 2.5% bwoc. In another embodiment, the cement compositions comprise: (i) hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has a ratio of CaO to SiO2 of less than 2.0; and (ii) a water-soluble metaphosphate; wherein any alkali nitrate is in a concentration of less than 2% bwoc; and wherein any alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate, or alkali citrate is in a concentration of less than 0.2% bwoc. Methods of cementing in a well comprising forming either of such cement compositions and introducing it into the well are provided.
US09038715B2
Methods are provided for identifying the location and height of induced subterranean formation fractures and the presence of any associated frac-pack or gravel pack material in the vicinity of the borehole using pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logging tools. The proppant/sand used in the fracturing and packing processes is tagged with a thermal neutron absorbing material. When proppant is present, increases in detected PNC formation and/or borehole component cross-sections, combined with decreases in measured count rates, are used to determine the location of the formation fractures and the presence and percent fill of pack material in the borehole region. Changes in measured formation cross-sections relative to changes in other PNC parameters provide a relative indication of the proppant in fractures compared to that in the borehole region.
US09038714B2
A dump bailer for downhole placement of flowable materials in a wellbore. The dump bailer has an elongated housing with a cavity for placement of the flowable materials. The housing has an open bottom. An expendable cap or plug, of a magnetic material, is held within the open bottom by a shear pin, sufficient to hold the plug in place with the material within the cavity. An electric solenoid surrounds the plug. Energizing the solenoid coil by electric current creates a magnetic field which overcomes the shear pin and forces the plug out of the open bottom. The material may then flow out of the cavity. Alternatively, a sliding sleeve may be disposed in the open bottom, which moves from a first closed position to a second open position, in response to the magnetic field.
US09038706B2
A method of forming a cast product (30) by providing a core (52) having a plurality of sections (54) and one or more gaps (55) there-between. The core further includes an insert member (60) spanning the gap (55) between adjacent sections (54). The core (52) is located within a mold (68) and a liquid phase material is introduced into gap (55) between the core sections. The liquid phase material is solidified in the gap so as to form a cast feature of a resulting solid product and the core sections (54) are removed from the solid product (30) such that the insert member (60) remains securely held within the feature (74).
US09038704B2
Aluminum alloys are provided that have improved fluidity and elongation, as well as freedom of die soldering. The aluminum alloys are particularly suitable for die-casting of structural components. The aluminum alloy includes silicon at from about 8 weight % to about 11 weight %, manganese at from about 0.8 weight % to about 1.9 weight %, iron at from about 0.1 weight % to about 0.5 weight %, magnesium at from about 0.2 weight % to about 0.7 weight %, boron at from about 0.002 weight % to about 0.15 weight %, strontium at from about 0.006 weight % to about 0.017 weight %, less than about 0.25 weight % copper, less than about 0.35 weight % zinc, less than about 0.25 weight % titanium, and a balance of aluminum. Methods related to the aluminum alloys are also provided.
US09038697B2
An electric curtain opening and closing device includes a curtail rail and a movable body arranged in the curtail rail. The curtain rail has a hollow portion that is hollow extending in a longitudinal direction, and an opening opened in the longitudinal direction on its bottom face. Power supply patterns for supplying electricity are arranged inside left and right side faces that constitute the hollow portion in the longitudinal direction. The movable body has electrodes in contact with the respective power supply patterns, an electric motor receiving electricity through these electrodes to positively or negatively rotate, and a hanging portion for hanging a curtain. The movable body is driven to move by the electric motor. When the movable body is arranged in the hollow portion of the curtain rail, the hanging portion protrudes from the opening of the curtain rail.
US09038690B1
A universal heat press machine includes an adjustable supporting frame having, a main body, an actuating handle assembly, and a heat pressing assembly. The heat press assembly includes a first pressing member attaching on the actuating handle assembly, and a second pressing member suspendedly extending from a lower portion of the main body to define an operational space. When the heat pressing assembly is in a heat press position, an imprinting surface of the work piece is arranged to rest on the second pressing member while other parts of the work piece is allowed to temporarily accommodate in the operational space. The first pressing member is pivotally moved to bias against the second pressing member and the imprinting surface of the work piece for imprinting the graphics on the imprinting surface.
US09038689B2
A system for fluid partitioning for chemical amplification or other chemical processing or separations of a sample, comprising a first dispenser of a first polymeric sheet, wherein the first polymeric sheet contains chambers; a second dispenser of a second polymeric sheet wherein the first dispenser and the second dispenser are positioned so that the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet become parallel; a dispenser of the fluid positioned to dispense the fluid between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet; and a seal unit that seals the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet together thereby sealing the sample between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet and partitioning the fluid for chemical amplification or other chemical processing or separations.
US09038684B2
A pneumatic tire unit comprises a front tire to be mounted on a leading side of a vehicle, and a rear tire to be mounted on a trailing side of the vehicle. A plurality of recesses is provided in at least one tire side portion of the front tire, and a plurality of protrusions is provided on at least one tire side portion of the rear tire. A negative pressure region that can be generated at a back surface side of the vehicle is reduced and, therefore, air resistance of the vehicle is reduced and fuel economy is enhanced.
US09038679B2
A protective bag, such as for a handbag, has configurable dimensions so that the protective bag can be conformed to the shape and size of the handbag. The width, depth, height and silhouette of the protective bag can be separately configured. The protective bag may have a rim that can be independently configured. Accessory pockets and removable carriers such as a shoulder strap or a pair of handles may be part of the protective bag.
US09038677B2
A combination scoop and funnel apparatus provides a scoop portion defining a dry material reservoir having an open top and a downwardly tapered conical bottom portion which terminates in a discharge aperture. A handle is joined to the scoop reservoir. A movable frusto-conical funnel member defines a funnel aperture at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. The funnel member supports a valve slide which extends upwardly through the discharge aperture and further supports a valve cap on the upper end thereof. The valve member is movable between a downwardly extending valve closed configuration and an upwardly positioned valve open configuration.
US09038670B2
A polymer tube for conducting a pipe buried underground, having a plurality of RFID tags arranged at regular intervals along the tube and a protective layer of the RFID tags.
US09038665B2
A valve system oriented for an irrigation system which is activated by a control unit is disclosed. The system comprises a solenoid switch and a manual switch, wherein an electrical wire extends from the valve to the control unit. The manual switch operates as a hand handling rotating lever; another use of manual switch is to serve as a means to force close the solenoid valve's outlet opening so as to provide a mechanism responsive to preventing automatic opening of solenoid valve controlled by control unit.
US09038653B2
The present invention discloses a double-handle faucet, comprising two valve seats, two spools, two inlet pins, two handles, an outlet pipe, a connecting tube, an upper panel, and a lower panel. The double-handle faucet further comprises two semi-cladding members. The two valve seats, the connecting tube, and the two semi-cladding members are all made of a plastic material. Each of the valve seats is provided with an upper annular flange and a lower annular flange. Each of the inlet pins is further provided with a connecting ring. Each of the semi-cladding members comprises two first enveloping parts and a second enveloping part. The two first enveloping parts are located at both sides and correspond to the positions of the valve seats. The second enveloping parts of the two valve seats together cover the outer side of the connecting tube. The two semi-cladding members oppositely cover the outer side of two valve seats to fasten the inlet pin and the valve seats. As compared with the prior art, the present invention not only avoids lead contamination, but also has a low cost.
US09038647B1
A cane includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The shaft is formed of at least two telescoping, adjustable sections that allow the height of the shaft to be selectively varied. Near the upper end of the shaft is a motorized armrest that can be raised to a horizontal position to support a user's arm or elbow. Slidably mounted on a lower portion of the shaft is a deployable leg assembly for firmly bracing the cane when a user leans on the armrest. Accordingly, if a user wishes to rest, he or she deploys the leg assembly and raises the armrest allowing the cane to easily support the user's body weight. When the armrest and leg assembly are collapsed, the cane may be used in a conventional fashion.
US09038645B2
In order to treat human or animal hair fixedly arranged on a sopport, hair is divided into strands. The divided strands are subjected to a dielectric plasma treatment by drawing an apparatus connected to a high voltage source (8) through the strands. The apparatus can be in the form of tongs or have a comb-like structure.
US09038638B1
An enclosure for protecting an infant from smothering by a parent while feeding features one or more load bearing elements supported above a significant portion of an infant's upper body half, an infant supporting bottom surface, and a removable access panel to provide access to the infants face for feeding.
US09038637B2
A device for preventing aspirated substance from going inside lungs of a patient and enabling speaking. The device comprises an outer tube, an inner tube, an inner tube opening in the inner tube to allow air to travel from the inner tube to the outer tube, an outer tube opening in the outer tube to allow air to escape out of the device, a valve disposed on the outer tube opening, which allows the air to escape out of the device to the trachea of the patient while exhaling, such that the valve closes by gravity and prevents any material to go inside the device from the outer tube opening and a inflatable cuff disposed around the inner end of the outer tube.
US09038635B2
The disclosure is directed to various tubing arrangements and an associated Y-connector which may be used to facilitate the operative interface of the mask to a ventilator within a ventilation system. The tubing arrangement may comprise a pair of bi-lumen tubes. One end of each of the bi-lumen tubes is fluidly connected to the mask, with the opposite end being fluidly connected to the Y-connector. The Y-connector is in turn fluidly connected to one end of either a tri-lumen tube or a quad-lumen tube also included in the tubing arrangement, the opposite end of such tri-lumen tube or quad-lumen tube being fluidly connected to the ventilator. The Y-connector is uniquely configured to fluidly connect certain lumens of the tri-lumen tube or the quad-lumen tube to dedicated, corresponding ones of the lumens included in respective ones of the bi-lumen tubes, and to further allow for the selective detachment of the tri-lumen tube or the quad-lumen tube from the bi-lumen tubes.
US09038629B2
A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle, the retaining mechanism being structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. The humidifier and/or flow generator may include various features to manage inadvertent back-spill of water from the humidifier to the flow generator.
US09038621B2
A coupling for connection of a valve and a control element in a gas cooking appliance is provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a flexible coupling to connect between a control element manipulated by the user and a gas valve that regulates the flow of fuel to a gas burner. By coupling the control and valve by a flexible coupling, options are created for the relative placement of the valve and control, which increases the space available in the interior of the appliance and can increase the space available upon its control panel.
US09038614B2
A system for a cylinder head is provided. The system comprises a cam cover mounted on the cylinder head and including an oil separator and a coil on plug (COP) coupled to the oil separator via a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection holds the coil-on-plug in position and may provide a lower cost alternative to existing systems of retaining coil-on-plugs on a cam cover.
US09038612B2
An exhaust gas recirculation device is provided. The device recirculates, from an exhaust system to an intake system, a part of exhaust gas from a plurality of cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine as EGR gas. The device includes a single EGR pipe extending from the exhaust system toward the intake system, an EGR manifold branching from a downstream end portion of the EGR pipe toward each cylinder, and an EGR valve for adjusting an EGR gas amount. The EGR manifold has one or more common EGR passages having a single pipe portion and branched pipe portions, and one or more independent EGR passages. Each shape of the common and independent EGR passages is set so that a communicating path in the EGR manifold communicating an arbitrary cylinder with a cylinder where combustion is performed subsequently thereto has the same volume for any cylinder combination having the adjacent combustion order.
US09038607B2
An air cooler line is provided. The air cooler lines includes a first air cooler having a plurality of air flow conduits, each of the air flow conduits including an inlet, and a first air flow deflector extending across peripheral portions of the inlets and fixedly coupled to the air flow conduits and a second air cooler having a plurality of air flow conduits, each of the air flow conduits including an inlet, and a second air flow deflector extending across peripheral portions of the inlets and fixedly coupled to the air flow conduits, the second air flow deflector differing in at least one of size and geometry than the first air flow deflector.
US09038606B1
A method of controlling fuel injection in a dual fuel engine system includes determining, with a first controller, a diesel injection pulse indicative of a first amount of diesel fuel to be injected into a combustion chamber of the engine and a first timing at which the first amount of diesel fuel is to be injected. The method also includes determining, with a second controller, a combined injection pulse based on the diesel injection pulse. The method further includes injecting the second amount of diesel fuel and the third amount of natural gas into the combustion chamber in accordance with the combined injection pulse. In such a method, injection in accordance with the combined injection pulse results in a combustion event characterized by a second combustion characteristic substantially equal to a first combustion characteristic associated with the diesel injection pulse.
US09038599B2
A fuel injection adapter can include a primary cavity into which a primary fuel injector can be received and a secondary cavity into which a secondary fuel injector can be received. A channel can provide fluid communication between the primary and secondary cavity, and the primary cavity can be in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel injection adapter.
US09038596B2
Methods and systems are provided for addressing pre-ignition that may be induced in response to actions taken to mitigate a cylinder misfire. An amount of engine load limiting applied may be adjusted to reduce the likelihood pre-ignition while also addressing component over-temperature issues. By limiting an engine load while shutting off fuel in a misfiring cylinder, and while combusting a lean air-fuel mixture in the remaining cylinders, pre-ignition induced by the misfire-mitigating lean combustion conditions can be reduced.
US09038581B2
A linear alternator assembly is provided that includes a block defining a cylinder. The cylinder block has inlet ports at which fluid enters the cylinder, exhaust ports at which fluid is exhausted from the cylinder, and a fuel port. Energizable coils surround the cylinder. A first and a second magnetic or magnetizable piston are contained within the cylinder and are positionable within the cylinder in response to energization of selective ones of the coils and combustion of fuel within the cylinder to selectively establish a four-stroke working cycle having an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke, producing at least one of compressed gas and electrical energy. The four-stroke working cycle may be varied to adapt to changes in power demanded, thereby balancing required output power with efficiency considerations.
US09038579B2
The present invention relates to a fuel cell-engine hybrid system formed to effectively utilize an exhaust gas discharged from a process for generating electricity. A fuel cell-engine hybrid system according to the present invention includes: an electricity generating unit including a cathode and an anode interposing an electrolyte membrane therebetween; and an engine unit connected to a rear end of the electricity generating unit and generating power by receiving the exhaust gas discharged from the anode.
US09038563B1
A parking brake engagement indicator for a parking brake system on a commercial truck wherein an indicator bar is mounted on the truck and is moveable between a position of impediment between the driver's outside lower leg portion and the driver's side exit doorframe of the truck, to a second position of non-impediment. The indicator bar is connected to the parking brake system whereby the bar is manipulated by the brake system itself to the position of impediment when the parking brake is disengaged and the bar is manipulated by the brake system to the position of non-impediment when the parking brake is engage.
US09038562B2
A craft includes a rigid hull (1) that consists of a V-shaped bottom (5) and a bridge (4) on which a load can rest. The hull includes plating consisting of compartmentalized pneumatic floats (2), the rear compartments (32) of which are combined with an inflation and deflation system so as to vary the buoyancy of the craft. The craft also includes a submergible hull (1), the central cavity (9) of which is formed between the bottom (5) and the bridge (4) and is open at the rear so as to be automatically filled or emptied, the central cavity (9) containing at least one bag (10) that is combined with an inflation and deflation system enabling the buoyancy to be varied and consequently the level of immersion of the stern (7) to be changed as needed.
US09038557B2
A hull robot is disclosed for operation on a surface of a hull of a vessel. The robot can include a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. A sensor subsystem onboard the robot can sense an attachment state of the robot to the hull. The attachment state can include at least one of attached and detached. A signal generation subsystem onboard the robot can emit a distress signal when the attachment state is detached.
US09038548B2
An interconnectable furniture having a planar surface. The planar surface includes at least one convex side that is convex with respect to points within the planar surface, and at least one concave side that is concave with respect to points within the planar surface. Additionally, a plurality of attachment points attached to a bottom of the planar surface and located substantially near rounded corners of the planar surface, and configured for attaching a corresponding plurality of legs.
US09038546B2
A plastic pallet described herein may have a plastic upper deck with an upper side on which goods can be stacked. Furthermore, a plurality of plastic skids are present, spaced apart from the upper deck and arranged substantially parallel to the upper deck. Plastic spacer blocks are located between the upper deck and the skids. The upper deck and the skids are manufactured as separate parts which in an assembled state are tightened together by tightening pins. The tightening pins each extend through a bore in each of the spacer blocks and corresponding holes in the upper deck and the skids.
US09038543B2
The amusement ride 1 comprises a track 2 and a vehicle 3 being moveable along the track 2 at a velocity v. Within the vehicle 3 a video camera 4 is installed. The video camera 4 takes a video film of the face of a passenger received within the vehicle 3 during a ride. A sender 5 transmits the data 6 to a facial expression recognition system 7. The result 10 of the process carried out by facial expression recognition system 7 may be downloaded from a server 11 by a client 13.
US09038542B2
Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
US09038541B2
A railroad tie removal machine for removing a railroad tie from beneath a pair of rails. The machine includes a movable frame, wherein when the frame is in a stationary location, a workspace is defined with respect to the stationary frame. A tie shear workhead and a kicker workhead are both mounted to the frame. The tie shear workhead includes two sets of shears configured and arranged to divide the tie into a center portion and two outer portions. The kicker workhead includes at least one kicker configured and arranged to outwardly kick corresponding outer portions of the cut tie from under the associated rail.
US09038535B2
A printer according to the present invention includes a transfer roll and a plurality of the printing rolls. At least one printing roll of the plurality of the printing rolls transfers ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll. Preferably, the at least one printing roll includes a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll and a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll.
US09038524B2
The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages.
US09038515B2
Woodworking machines with cutting tools and motors to drive the cutting tools are disclosed. The machines may be equipped with a detection system that detects a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, and with a reaction system that performs a specified action upon detection of the dangerous condition. The machines also may be equipped with a control system that tests the operability of at least a portion of the detection system and/or the reaction system. The control system may disable the motor if the tested portion is inoperable.
US09038507B2
A dual-pawl ratchet wrench mechanism is disclosed having a stop mechanism for limiting over-travel of a reversing lever for selecting drive directions. The stop mechanism is formed on a disc is selectively engageable with first and second pawls to move the pawls into and out of engagement with a ratchet gear to determine a torque drive direction, the ratchet gear capable of providing torque to a working piece in the selected drive direction. The design simplifies manufacturing. Additionally, the reversing lever is assembled with the mechanism in a manner to improve sealing.
US09038503B2
Tools (100) are provided for use in uncapping one or more of a plurality of linearly-oriented, spaced-apart tubes; each cap having a cap upper surface with a depression. The tools comprise a body (30) having first portion (40) for engagement by a user and a second portion (50) for engaging a plurality of caps. The second portion comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections (60). Each projection is configured for releasably engaging a cap. The projection may comprise two or more spaced-apart projection elements (62,64). Optionally, the first portion is configured in a non-coplanar relationship with respect to the second portion. Methods of use are also provided.
US09038497B2
A pedal apparatus for a vehicle may include a pad, a bracket which may be disposed below the pad, wherein the bracket may be coupled to the pad and a pedal arm at each opposite end of the pad and the pedal arm, respectively, a link section which may be disposed in the bracket, wherein the link section may be coupled to a lower portion of the pad and an intermediate portion of the bracket, respectively, such that the bracket may be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hinge-adjusting section which may be disposed above the link section such that an angle of the pad may be adjusted as the link section moves in the longitudinal direction thereof.
US09038483B2
Wireless strain and displacement sensors wirelessly monitor structural health and integrity, and are made by printing inductor-interdigital capacitor sensing circuits on a variety of substrates, including ceramic substrates, with thermally processable conductive inks. Sensors of the invention can be employed to detect strain and displacement of civil structures, such as bridges and buildings. The sensors include sensing elements that are mounted or printed on stiff, inflexible substrates, which prevent the sensing elements from bending, stretching, or otherwise warping when the sensor is strained. An interlayer between the sensing elements allows the sensing elements to move with respect to each other during application of strain. Thus, strain causes the sensing elements to move but not to deform, causing changes in sensor resonance that can be detected through wireless radio-frequency interrogation. Because the sensing elements do not change shape when under strain, the sensor can undergo millions of measurement cycles before breaking.
US09038478B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the fatigue capital of a cable supporting a civil engineering structure, the method including: a measuring step (S1, S2) during which the normal tensile stress in the cable and the bending stress in the cable are measured in a synchronized manner so as to obtain the compound stress in the cable; a counting step (S3) during which a count of the number of stress cycles, depending on the amplitude of the stress, is carried out from the measured compound stresses; and a step (S4) of assessing the fatigue capital of the cable during which the fatigue capital of the cable is determined by comparing the count, carried out in the counting step, with a pre-set Wohler curve for the cable.
US09038475B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a system for identifying an anomalous movement of a reciprocating element in a reciprocating device, the system comprising: at least one sensing device for sensing a vibration signal of the reciprocating element; a processing apparatus for separating the vibration signal into a first component having a first frequency range and a second component having a second frequency range different than the first frequency range; and a device for at least one of analyzing or displaying at least one of the first or the second components of the vibration signal, wherein the vibration signal includes positional data of the reciprocating element along at least one axis of the reciprocating element.
US09038471B2
A method for ultrasonically inspecting components with wavy or uneven surfaces. A multi-element array ultrasonic transducer is operated with a substantial fluid layer, such as water, between the array transducer and the component surface. This fluid layer may be maintained by immersing the component in liquid or by using a captive couplant column between the probe and the component surface. The component is scanned, measuring the two dimensional surface profile using either a mechanical stylus, laser, or ultrasonic technique. Once an accurate surface profile of the component's surface has been obtained, data processing parameters are calculated for processing the ultrasonic signals reflected from the interior of the component that eliminate beam distortion effects and reflector mis-location that would otherwise occur due to the uneven surfaces.
US09038457B2
A quadrupole responder for an OQR-type gravity gradiometer comprises a housing, and a mass quadrupole positioned within the housing. The mass quadrupole has a pair of sides, and also has a center of mass between the sides. At least a pair of torsion spring flexures are provided by pins connecting said side of said mass quadrupole to the housing. The torsion spring flexures provide an axis of rotation which passes through the center of mass of the mass quadrupole and through both spring flexures. The pins are integral with the mass quadrupole.
US09038450B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for testing a cemented bonding with the formation under wellbore pressure conditions. The apparatus comprises a pressure chamber containing a core of formation material. The cement material to be tested is allowed to set or bond to one side of the core while formation fluids under wellbore pressure conditions are present on the other side. Leakage of formation fluids is measured to evaluate the quality of the interface between the cement and formation materials.
US09038446B1
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of measuring torque. The method and apparatus entails measuring the torque generated by an automobile engine using a torque sensor replacing the driver side engine mount. A spring component of the torque sensor tares the weight of the engine and a hydraulic pressure gauge measures the lifting forces acting on a pressure receiver of the torque sensor.
US09038445B2
According to a method and an apparatus of the present invention for diagnosing a fault of an engine, a cranking rotation state is created by rotating a crank shaft while explosions in each cylinder are stopped; a variation of angular velocity of the crank shaft is detected for each cylinder in the cranking rotation state; a cylinder the compression pressure of which is insufficient is detected based on the variation; and if a cylinder indicated as a misfiring cylinder by a fault code is the same as the cylinder detected as being insufficient in compression pressure in the cranking rotation state, the cylinder is specified.
US09038442B2
A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.
US09038434B2
In a method for calibrating a star probe of an image measuring machine, the star probe includes one or more probe heads. Probe configuration information for the star probe is configured when there is no probe configuration file of the star probe stored in a storage device of the image measuring machine, and one of the probe heads to be calibrated is selected from the star probe. The method calibrates a radius value of the selected probe head, and calibrates the deviation between the center point of the selected probe head and the focus of the camera lens. The method further generates a star probe model of the star probe according to the probe configuration information and the probe calibration information, and displays the star probe model of the star probe on a display device of the image measuring machine.
US09038428B2
A method of forming a groove in a pipe element by spin forming wherein the pipe element is pinched between an arbor revolving in an eccentric orbit of expanding diameter within the pipe element and an outer die which captures the pipe element. The pinching action causes a portion of the pipe element to move radially inwardly away from the die contrary to the direction of the motion of the arbor.
US09038426B2
A manacle configured to detain or arrest a person by placing pressure on a spring-loaded handle which closes a clamp. The clamp dynamically adjusts to the wrist size of a target individual or subject. When the clamp is open, the first end and the second end are systematically disposed on either side. When the clamp is closed around the wrist of an individual, they provide a maximum gripping force capable of detaining the individual from movement. Furthermore, the ratchet portion of the tool allows for the device to close around a wrist in an adjustable fashion, meaning the tool will automatically adjust to the circumference of an individual's wrist upon deployment.
US09038417B2
When mirror polishing is performed on a glass substrate by bringing a polishing pad into contact with the surface of the glass substrate while supplying a polishing liquid containing polishing grains to the substrate surface, the pH of the polishing liquid is maintained within a certain range or the agglomeration degree or dispersion degree of the polishing liquid is controlled. Consequently, an adequate mirror polishing rate can be maintained and there can be obtained a glass substrate having a good end shape.
US09038416B2
A glass-substrate manufacturing method which includes a forming step and a cooling step. In the forming step, a molten glass is formed into a sheet glass by a down-draw process. In the cooling step, the sheet glass is cooled. The cooling step includes first, second and third coating steps as defined herein.
US09038415B2
A fusion down-draw method for making a glass sheet using a forming body comprising an upper part (101) made of a first material and a lower part (103) made of a second material, where the first material has lower creep rate than the second material at the normal operating temperature of the forming body, and an fusion down-draw forming apparatus comprising such forming body. The invention is advantageous in that it solves the issues of internal stress and long-term creep issue of a unitary forming body made of a single material such as zircon.
US09038407B2
The electronic control has an electric control which incorporates circuitry which will generate heat in use. A cooling channel placed in contact with at least one surface on the electric control. The cooling channel has a portion which receives an enhanced heat transfer surface. At least one electrode pair is mounted on an inlet channel portion upstream of the portion of the channel that receives the enhanced heat transfer surface. A source of current is provided for the electrode. The electrode induces an electric field in the inlet channel, to drive a dielectric fluid across the enhanced heat transfer surfaces.
US09038405B2
A control system to selectively control the operation of the compressor of a mini-split air conditioning system including at least one remote evaporator operatively coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant therethrough, a sensor to monitor the operation of the evaporator and to generate an operating control signal to turn-off the compressor when a predetermined operating condition is sensed at the evaporator and a condensate drain pan to receive or catch condensate from the evaporator, the control system comprising a condensate sensor disposed to sense condensate in the condensate drain pan at a predetermined level and to generate a condensate level signal fed to a battery powered control device including an isolated solid state relay coupled to the sensor by a control coupling device to generate a condensate level control signal fed to the sensor causing the sensor to generate the operating control signal fed to turn off the compressor when condensate within the condensate drain pan reaches the predetermined level.
US09038401B2
The invention relates to a beverage cooler having an in-line operating cooling unit for instant cooling of beverage flowing through the same, comprising a cooling container (5) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (11), for feeding the beverage to and from the cooling container, respectively, and a cooling tube (14) located inside the cooling container. The cooling container (5) is adapted to be located in an ambient temperature which is above the freezing point for the beverage, wherein the cooling tube (14) is adapted to carry a cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the beverage and is located such that the beverage can pass between the cooling tube and an outer wall of the cooling container (5). Hence, the beverage will pass by the cooling tube and be cooled from it and freeze to solid phase in the area closest to the cooling tube, whereas the outside of the cooling container, having a temperature above the freezing point of the beverage, will ensure a free passage of non-frozen beverage closest to the outside wall of the cooling container.
US09038394B2
A turbine system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine system includes a transition duct. The transition duct includes an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of the transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The transition duct further includes an interface feature for interfacing with an adjacent transition duct. The turbine system further includes a convolution seal contacting the interface feature to provide a seal between the interface feature and the adjacent transition duct.
US09038387B2
Thermal energy can be stored in a fluid-based thermal storage system for later use. The stored thermal energy may be derived from steam generated using insolation in a steam-based solar power system. The thermal storage system can store energy when insolation is generally available. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal energy may be derived from electricity from the electrical grid. For example, the thermal energy can store energy when the electrical grid has excess electricity available for storage. At a later time, the energy stored in the thermal storage system can be released to heat pressurized water or steam in addition to or in place of steam generated by the insolation. For example, the stored thermal energy may be used in preheating the solar power system during startup, in supplementing steam output of the solar power system, or to replace steam generation during low insolation periods.
US09038384B2
A first supercharger and a second supercharger are disposed in series in intake and exhaust passages. In a B region in which both the supercharging effects of the first and second superchargers are utilized, the opening of an exhaust control valve disposed in a passage for bypassing the turbine of the first supercharger is set to an intermediate degree, and the opening of an intake control valve disposed in a passage for bypassing the compressor of the first supercharger is set to the minimum. In a C region in which the supercharging effect of only the second supercharger is utilized, both the openings of the exhaust control valve and the intake control valve are set to the maximum. When the control region shifts from B region to C region as result of acceleration of the vehicle, the fuel injection amount is reduced over a predetermined period immediately after the shift.
US09038367B2
A fan case of a gas turbine engine includes a fan blade containment section defined about an engine axis, a thrust reverser cascade section downstream of the blade containment section and a Fan Exit Guide Vane section downstream of the thrust reverser cascade section.
US09038366B2
A gas turbine engine includes a core housing that includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flowpath. A shaft provides a rotational axis. A hub is operatively supported by the shaft. A rotor is connected to the hub and supports a compressor section. The compressor section is arranged in a core flow path axially between the inlet case flow path and the intermediate case flow path. The core flowpath has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. At least a portion of inner diameter has an increasing slope angle relative to the rotational axis. A bearing is mounted to the hub and supports the shaft relative to one of the intermediate case and the inlet case.
US09038365B2
A method, system and apparatus for generating thrust. The method, system and apparatus can include a fuel that may be accelerated into one or more openings on a rotating wheel. The rotating wheel, which may be balanced, may then have a temporary increase in mass in one location on the wheel. Additionally, the fuel that is accelerated into one or more openings in the wheel may be decelerated and may exert an outward force on the wheel. This generation of force can be repeated and increased to provide thrust.
US09038362B2
A turbofan engine (10) employs a flow control device (41) that changes an effective exit nozzle area (40) associated with a bypass flow path (B) of the turbofan engine. A spool (14) couples a fan (20) to a generator (52). The turbofan emergency power system includes a controller (50) that communicates with the flow control device (41). Upon sensing an emergency condition, the controller manipulates the flow control device to reduce the effective nozzle exit area (40) of the bypass flow path, which chokes the flow through the bypass flow path thereby increasing the rotational speed of the fan. In this manner, the generator is driven at a higher rotational speed than if the flow through the bypass flow path was not choked, which enables a smaller generator to be utilized.
US09038353B2
A pole splint, generally for use with a broken wooden utility pole, which can provide for a strong repair at a pole breakpoint and which uses relatively little manpower and equipment to install, even under difficult conditions. The splint generally comprises two panels which are designed to be interconnected with elongated connectors. The connectors will generally interact with one of the panels through the use of a nut and washer, and may connect with the other panel through a nut and washer or via a chain formed of chain links.
US09038344B2
A suspended ceiling system for a building structure includes a plurality of parallel struts for supporting a plurality of parallel vanes suspended from the struts in perpendicular relationship thereto. The vanes can be suspended in downwardly spaced relationship to the struts or in contiguous relationship therewith and occur in different forms including illuminated vanes, adjustable vanes and the like.
US09038314B2
An adjusting apparatus is provided in a sash to turn slats automatically while the sash is being opened. The adjusting apparatus includes a plurality of first engaging members, a driven unit, and a driving unit. The first engaging members are connected to the slats respectively. The driven unit is connected to the frame of the sash for reciprocation, and has a second engaging member, wherein all the first engaging members are engaged with the second engaging member. The driving unit is connected to the carrier and the driven unit respectively to drive the driven unit to move while the sash is being opened. The first engaging members are turned by the second engaging member when the driven unit is moved by the driving unit to turn the slats from the first position to the second position.
US09038311B2
A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.
US09038307B2
A reticle of a projectile-weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes first and second series of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below a primary aiming point, the first and second series providing holdover aiming points for regularly incrementing target distances for respective subsonic and supersonic .300 AAC Blackout ammunition, or other differing types of ammunition, without requiring adjustment of the optics or settings of the aiming system.
US09038304B1
A gun magazine includes an outer shell, an inner shell mounted in the outer shell and including a top opening, a track extended from the top opening, a guide block supported on a spring member in a rear end of the track and movable in and out of the top opening, a bottom cover affixed to the inner shell and the outer shell at a bottom side, and an adjustment member including a lever inserted through an elongated slot in the bottom block, a pivot holder located at a top end of the lever and pivotally connected to the inner shell and a guide rod extended from the top end of the lever and terminating in a retaining tip that is movable in and out of the track to stop or not to stop the guide block subject to operation of the lever between two positions, thereby adjusting the bullet storage capacity of the track.
US09038303B1
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for repeating cone-breech firearm systems are provided. A cone-breech firearm system may, for example, comprise a tapered bolt having a cartridge channel that facilitates engagement of an ammunition cartridge with a cartridge seat and/or a plunger-style ejector.
US09038295B2
A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.
US09038283B2
A large bore measuring system includes a modular and extendable bore gage with analog and digital readouts, also includes a settable set-master. The modular bore gage is designed to measure two sets of large bore diameters. A first set of large bores is accomplished by using a modular bore gage design described in this disclosure. The second set of larger bores is accomplished by adding attachments therein extending the gage for the larger range of bore diameters. A set-master is used for both sets of large bores.
US09038282B2
A method of operating a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising an articulated head having at least one rotational axis. The method comprises, in any suitable order, loading at least one interchangeable task module onto the articulated head; and loading at least one interchangeable task module counterweight on the articulated head. The at least one interchangeable task module counterweight at least partially counterbalances the weight of the at least one task module on the articulated head about the at least one axis.
US09038272B1
A spring tape suitable for use in spring motor applications where reactive torque varies with rotational deflection. An elongate elastic element is advanced lengthwise and is laser cut into longitudinally complementary shapes which are separated and subsequently pre-stressed into rolls which are cut to length for assembly into a spring motor.
US09038268B2
A manufacture method can form an inkjet printing head by which a plurality of ejection openings have a uniform shape. Heaters adjacent to one another have thereamong a common conductive line commonly connected to these heaters or a dummy conductive line not involved in the energization of the heaters.
US09038257B2
The present invention relates to methods and an apparatuses for loading and unloading objects into/from corresponding cavities in holders at a high count rate. For loading, a plurality of objects are present on an object path which mutually converges with a holder path. For unloading, the object path mutually diverges from the holder path. Integration of this method and apparatus respectively into a method of manufacturing unleaky containers and a corresponding apparatus for leak testing containers is also proposed.
US09038256B2
Method for non-destructively forming a component made of cast material beyond the quasistatic elongation at break, wherein the component is formed by means of electromagnetic high-speed forming (EMF) method.
US09038254B1
An apparatus for unloading a stuffing box is formed from a resiliently deformable material. It features a base and a plurality of elongate finger elements. The finger elements are supported about the periphery of the base, and define outer boundaries of a hollow interior region. Each finger element supports an externally projecting lip. In the relaxed position of the apparatus, the lips project outside the cross-sectional profile of the base. In a compressed configuration, the lips are fully contained within the base's cross-sectional profile. When the apparatus is inserted into a stuffing box loaded with coaxially aligned annular packing elements, it assumes a compressed configuration until the lips clear the lowermost packing element to be removed. The apparatus then assumes a relaxed position with the lips engaging the underside of the lowermost packing element. The apparatus and the engaged packing elements are then withdrawn from the stuffing box.
US09038241B2
Disclosed is a hinge having a rigid portion integral with a flexible portion suitable to be bent with respect to the rigid portion, wherein the rigid portion has a substrate in a rigid composite material and the flexible portion has a first flexible sheet, wherein a first portion of the first flexible sheet is joined at least partially to the substrate by means of at least one first layer of resin for composite materials, wherein the flexible portion also has a second flexible sheet joined at least partially by means of at least one second layer of resin for composite materials both to the first portion of the first flexible sheet and to at least one second portion of the first flexible sheet which is not joined to the substrate.
US09038240B2
A hanger for a sash of a window to detachably engage the sash with a rail of the window, and the hanger includes a pulley assembly and a restricting assembly. The pulley assembly has a base and a plurality of pulleys mounted on the base for rotation. The pulleys engage the rail so that the pulley assembly moves in the rail. The base is provided with a slot. The sash is provided with a rod. The rod engages the slot of the pulley assembly to engage the sash with the rail, and the rod leaves the slot via a lateral opening thereof while the covering rotates for a predetermined angle. At this time, the sash is disengaged with the rail to be moved off the window.
US09038233B2
A floor cleaning robot comprises a housing, wheels, and a motor driving the wheels to move the robot across a floor, a control module disposed within the housing and directing movement of the robot across the floor, a sensor for detecting and communicating obstacle information to the control module so that the control module can cause the robot to react to the obstacle, a removable bin disposed at least partially within the housing and receiving particulates, a first rotating member directing particulates toward the bin, and a second rotating member cooperating with the first rotating member to direct particulates toward the bin. The removable bin receives particulates directed thereto by the first and second rotating members and the particulates pass from the first rotating member to the removable bin without passing through a filter.
US09038232B1
A wheeled suction and blower apparatus for either sucking up debris or blowing debris. The wheeled suction and blower apparatus includes a base member supported upon wheels and being towed behind a prime mover; a motor supported upon the base member; a housing with an impeller being in communication with the motor; a chute fastenable to the housing; a hood being pivotally attached to the chute; and an actuating assembly for adjusting the positioning of the hood.
US09038231B2
Cleaning liquid is easily prevented from adhering to a main wiping side of a windshield glass when a main wiping side wiper, that rotates reciprocally, moves to a reciprocal rotation inbound side. Cleaning liquid is jetted-out from a jetting-out opening of a jetting-out nozzle, but the cleaning liquid does not stick to a reciprocal rotation outbound side of a driver's seat side wiper. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid does not remain without being wiped-off at a driver's seat side of a windshield glass.
US09038229B2
A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. At least one of the head and the handle may generally include an open area partially enclosed with elastomeric material, said elastomeric material being readily deflectable from an original orientation during use of said toothbrush and configured to recover to the original orientation after use of said toothbrush.
US09038228B1
A multi-pin grooming brush having multi-sectioned bristles on the brush pad to provide a triple combing action. The brush has an outer layer of fixed pin tufts which encircle the exterior of the brush pad and preferably are metal pin tufts. The brush has a middle layer of flexible tufts preferably made of pure boar bristles and which are surrounded by the fixed pin tufts. As the brush is moved through a pet's hair or human hair, the outer layer of fixed pin tufts gently yet thoroughly detangles the coat, removes larger particles and provides a gentle massage effect, then the middle layer of pure boar bristles conditions the hair by distributing natural oils, leaving a healthy shine and a protective layer over the pet's coat, and then the opposite section of fixed pin tufts passes through the hair once again to smooth and separate the conditioned hair.
US09038216B2
A medical examination table includes a seat, a compartment below the seat, a first extension, a second extension, a lift mechanism, a base, and a storage section formed in the base. The first extension is configured to be stored in the compartment, and is further configured to project outward relative to the seat when in an extended configuration of the first extension. The second extension is configured to be stored in the compartment with the first extension, and is further configured to project outward relative to the first extension when in an extended configuration of the second extension. The lift mechanism is configured to raise and lower the seat, the compartment, and the first and second extensions. The base is coupled to the lift mechanism.
US09038208B2
A swimming pool with a circulating water flow includes a plurality of side walls adjacent a swimming compartment, one of the side walls including an outlet, at least one inlet positioned at each lateral side of the outlet, and a plenum arrangement on a side of the one wall opposite the swimming compartment. The plenum arrangement is in communication with each inlet and the outlet. A water propulsion device is positioned within the plenum arrangement and effects a pair of circuitous water flow paths within the swimming compartment.
US09038201B2
Disclosed is a non-slip footwear which comprises a main body formed of a flexible material and formed to surround the sole of a foot of a user and to open the top side of the foot; toe insertion holes formed of the flexible material, protruding from the front part of the main body so that toes of the foot are respectively inserted into the toe insertion holes; an non-slip outsole formed at the heel part of the main body and formed of foamed rubber having abrasion resistance, and having a thickness of 1 mm˜5 mm; and non-slip dots formed at the sole part of the main body and the non-slip outsole.
US09038200B2
A footwear remover has a platform elevated above the ground, with one or more recesses in the platform for removing footwear. The platform provides sufficient surface area to allow a user to place an unshoed, clean foot away from where a soiled shoe was previously positioned. In one embodiment, the footwear remover may be mounted to a suspending surface and used as a drying and storage rack for footwear. The footwear remover may optionally include hanging features for drying and hanging accessory items.
US09043946B2
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the near-field signal of a sample in a scattering type near-field microscope and to a device for conducting said method.
US09043945B2
An enhanced encryption keypad (100) capable of preventing illegal disassembly for an automated teller machine comprises a key panel (101) and a main control board (102). A removal detection protection circuit is disposed inside a main chip of the main control board (102), and at least one pin of the removal detection protection circuit is guided out from a surface (1021) of a side of the main control board (102) near the key panel to form a removal detection point (1022). The removal detection point (1022) has two opened signal contact points. The two opened signal contact points are conducted by a conductive adhesive (103) to activate the removal detection protection circuit. A conductive protection ring (1023) isolated from the removal detection point is disposed at the periphery of the removal detection point. The conductive protection ring (1023) is connected to the removal detection protection circuit inside the main control chip. A protection circle (1024) is disposed at the periphery of the conductive protection ring and the corresponding conductive adhesive. The present application effectively protects the encryption keypad from illegal attacks on the removal detection point from the side.
US09043942B1
Methods and systems for facilitating limited access to paid-access or registration-required content items. In one example, a server responds to a request for access to a restricted access content item (e.g., from a Web browser) by first determining whether a user associated with the request is already authorized to access the content item. If the user is so authorized, the user is allowed access to the content item. If the user is not already authorized, the server provides the user a limited preview of the content item. The limited preview is subject to preview rules associated with one or more of: a referral path by which the user (i.e., the browser) was directed to the content item, the content item itself, and previous accesses or access attempts by the user to the content item and other content items, access to which other content items is controlled by the server.
US09043941B2
A biometric authentication device includes a processor to execute an operation including: obtaining biometric information from a user; creating verification characteristic data from the biometric information; verifying registered characteristic data registered in a storage device with the verification characteristic data and determining whether the user is a true user; permitting execution of re-authentications up to a predetermined number of times when the user is determined to not be the true user; managing the verification characteristic data by storing the verification characteristic data in an existing group or by creating a new group and storing the verification characteristic data therein, when the user is determined to not be the true user; determining whether the user is a false user based on the number of groups; and limiting the execution of re-authentications by the user when the user is determined to be the false user.
US09043934B2
A system, method, and device includes a platform data storage that stores a wrap that secures an executable controller and executable sensors. The wrap is verified, optionally through a downloaded authentication driver. After verifying the wrap, the wrap is opened and a sister of the executable controller is installed into the platform memory to cooperate with the executable controller. Additionally or alternatively, the authentication driver may cooperate with the executable controller. The executable controller allows the platform processor to access data secured in a vault and/or verify the platform to create a connection to a connection server.
US09043931B2
A multi-layer USB drive for storing data in a memory has at least two printed circuit board assemblies, each one including a memory for storing data and a control microprocessor controlling the flow of data to and from the memory. The circuit board assemblies are operatively connected to one another in a serial manner for exchange of data between adjacent assemblies upon access by a user and wherein at least one of the control microprocessors is security enabled requiring a user defined security input for accessing the memory of the printed circuit board assembly of that security enabled control microprocessor. A USB connector is for connecting to a USB slot of a device and the USB connector is operatively connected to only one of the printed circuit board assemblies. A USB hub is provided on at least one of the assemblies for recognizing the circuit board assemblies of the USB drive. An opaque housing completely encloses the circuit board assemblies preventing at least the printed circuit board assembly or assemblies other than the one connected to the USB connector from being viewed.
US09043928B1
Methods are provided for tracking data corresponding to a mobile device that accesses a web page. Once a mobile device is registered with a network, the mobile device is instructed to request permission before accessing a web page. An access request is received, and based on a user profile, the access request is approved such that the mobile device may access the web page. Access data that corresponds to the mobile device accessing the web page is collected so that it can be added to and stored in a database.
US09043925B2
A system for protection of information on a secured microdevice, including a control unit, an obliteration driver, and a circuit arranged to conduct the at least one pulse of electric current. The circuit incorporates at least one resistive load having a localized predetermined resistance such that the delivered portion of stored electric energy is locally resistively converted into a mechanical energy of motion during a time period shorter than a duration of time needed for heat diffusion out a volume in the proximity of the at least the fraction of stored information.
US09043902B2
Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for executing software in a secure computing environment. A secure processor can be used and configured to request a context swap from a first context to a second context when switching execution from a first portion of software to a second portion of software. A context manager, which can be in communication with the secure processor, can be configured to receive and initiate a requested context swap. A trust vector verifier, which can be in communication with the secure processor and the context manager, can be configured to load a trust vector descriptor upon command from a context manager.
US09043888B1
A computer-implemented method of detecting automated identities, including. The method includes, using one or more computing devices, providing for display to a user a first representation of a first profile for a first identity and a second representation of a second profile for a second identity, providing for display to the user a choice indication mechanism for indicating a judgment about the first representation of the first profile for the first identity and the second representation of the second profile for the second identity, receiving an indication of the judgment from the user about the first representation of the first profile for the first identity and the second representation of the second profile for the second identity, and determining whether at least one of the first identity, the second identity, or the user is more or less likely to be automated, based at least in part on the received indication.
US09043880B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for exporting user accounts and associated information from a directory service for a local computing environment to the authentication service of a remote computing environment. A list of user accounts including usernames and other associated data is selected after querying the directory service. The selection of user accounts is then analyzed to make sure that a minimum set of data has been selected. Subsequently, the user account data is written to file, which can then be either programmatically uploaded or manually uploaded. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, user account information may be directly exported to an authentication service through a network connection without the intermediate step of first writing the data to file.
US09043874B2
Provided are a system and method for protecting data in an electronic communications environment. An interested entity establishes one or more controls for a received unit of data. At a source device in the electronic communications network, the unit of data is encapsulated with self-protection security data that includes the one or more controls. The encapsulated unit of data is delivered from the source device to a destination device in the electronic communications network. A data broker facilitates the delivery of the data to the destination device according to the controls. Facilitating the delivery of the data includes: identifying for the receiving device a collection of services corresponding to the controls independently of the network.
US09043858B2
A digital broadcast receiver on a mobile body includes: a tuner that receives a broadcast signal of a physical channel; a signal intensity detector that detects a signal intensity of the broadcast signal; a current position detector that detects a current position of the mobile body; a movement direction detector that detects a movement direction of the mobile body; a reception judging unit that controls the tuner to judge whether the physical channel can be received; an area information storage unit that stores receivable area information indicating a receivable area of the physical channel; and an area information updating unit that determines, when it is judged that the physical channel can be received, a position apart from the current position in the movement direction according to the signal intensity as a receivable position, and updates the receivable area information to extend the receivable area to the receivable position.
US09043851B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for measuring multicast latency are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes emulating one or more Internet protocol television (IPTV) user devices by generating channel leave and join requests. The method further includes monitoring network responses to the channel leave and join requests and calculating, during a cycle of channel leave and join requests for a user device and prior to repeating the cycle, at least one metric of latency associated with the channel leave and join requests.
US09043849B2
Disclosed is a method for linking MMT media and DASH media. A method for linking MMT media and DASH media comprises the steps of: generating MPD information by extracting an MPD linking information from a home media server, the MPD linking information, which has been transmitted from an MMT transmission server to an MMT, being information comparable to an MPD of DASH for interconnecting DASH and MMT; and transmitting the MPD information to a mobile terminal so that the mobile terminal can replay as DASH media by means of the MPD information.
US09043847B2
A playback apparatus to play back content data including sound data includes an instruction operating portion to detect an instruction operation that instructs execution of prescribed processing, a hold operating portion to detect a hold setting operation that sets a state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion, a state control portion to set the state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion if the hold setting operation is detected by the hold operating portion, and a video processing portion to perform processing for displaying a video. If the video processing portion performs processing for displaying the video when the hold setting operation is detected, the state control portion controls the video processing portion to suspend at least a part of processing for displaying the video.
US09043842B2
A method for virtual channel management is provided. The method includes the following steps. In response to a command, a control unit of a network-based multimedia reproduction system determines whether the command is associated with virtual channel switching. When the command is associated with virtual channel switching, the control unit checks whether a channel value corresponding to the command exists in an application virtual channel table. When the channel value exists in the application virtual channel table, the control unit determines an application corresponding to the channel number from the application virtual channel table, and executes the application. According to a first operation parameter set corresponding to the application, the control unit sets the executed application to retrieve digital contents through a network unit of the network-based multimedia reproduction system.
US09043839B2
A method and system of providing a content guide that identifies a spatial relationship between the elements in the content guide is described. A controller receives electronic program guide data. The received electronic program guide data is parsed to identify a plurality of programs listed in the electronic program guide and data corresponding to at least one program description attribute for the identified programs. A relationship is determined between each identified program based on the at least one program description attribute. At least one cluster is generated and includes at least one of the plurality of identified programs based on the determined relationship. A user interface display processor generates a user interface display image representing a clustered content guide and including the at least one generated cluster enabling the user to view the relationship of the plurality of programs.
US09043830B2
The present invention provides techniques relating to rich media advertising. Techniques are provided in which an advertiser-provided image-based component of an advertisement creative is matched with an advertiser-provided audio component of the advertisement creative. A rich media advertisement may be served that includes the image-based component and a synchronously presented audio component. Presentation of the rich media advertisement on a user computer may not require downloading or utilization of a video player.
US09043819B2
This broadcasting receiver includes a receiving portion receiving a broadcast signal, a determination portion determining whether or not a user to be subject to parental control of the broadcast signal has entered a prescribed range, and a control portion performing control of enabling parental control corresponding to a user determined to have entered the prescribed range in the case where the parental control corresponding to the user determined to have entered the prescribed range is disabled when the determination portion determines that the user to be subject to parental control has entered the prescribed range.
US09043812B2
A method for providing rules for a plurality of processes from a user mode to a kernel mode of a computer is disclosed. The method includes providing to the kernel mode a policy for at least a first process of the plurality of processes, the policy indicating at least when and/or how notifications are to be provided from the kernel mode to the user mode upon detection in the kernel mode of launching of the first process. The method further includes selecting, from the rules stored in the user mode, rules related to the launching of the first process, in response to receiving from the kernel mode a first notification in accordance with the policy, and providing the selected rules related to the launching of the first process from the user mode to at least one of the one or more filter drivers in the kernel mode.
US09043799B1
The technology of the present application provides a networked computer system with at least one workstation and at least one shared resource such as a database. Access to the database by the workstation is managed by a database management system. An access engine reviews job requests for access to the database and allows job requests access to the resource based protocols stored by the system.
US09043797B2
An electronic device for using pause to manage resources is described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The electronic device monitors a pause duration and determines whether to perform a resource management operation based on the pause duration. The electronic device performs the resource management operation based on the pause duration.
US09043790B2
A system and method for reordering storage levels in a virtualized environment includes identifying a virtual machine (VM) to be transitioned and determining a new storage level order for the VM. The new storage level order reduces a VM live state during a transition, and accounts for hierarchical shared storage memory and criteria imposed by an application to reduce recovery operations after dynamic resource allocation actions. The new storage level order recommendation is propagated to VMs. The new storage level order applied in the VMs. A different storage-level order is recommended after the transition.
US09043788B2
An execution environment may have a monitoring, analysis, and feedback loop that may configure and tune the execution environment for currently executing workloads. A monitoring or instrumentation system may collect operational and performance data from hardware and software components within the system. A modeling system may create an operational model of the execution environment, then may determine different sets of parameters for the execution environment. A feedback loop may change various operational characteristics of the execution environment. The monitoring, analysis, and feedback loop may optimize the performance of a computer system for various metrics, including throughput, performance, energy conservation, or other metrics based on the applications that are currently executing. The performance model of the execution environment may be persisted and applied to new applications to optimize the performance of applications that have not been executed on the system.
US09043782B2
A software streaming platform may be implemented that predictively chooses units of a program to download based on the value of downloading the unit. In one example, a program is divided into blocks. The sequence in which blocks of the program historically have been requested is analyzed in order to determine, for a given history, what block is the next most likely to be requested. Blocks then may be combined into chunks, where each chunk represents a chain of blocks that have a high likelihood of occurring in a sequence. A table is then constructed indicating, for a given chunk, the chunks that are most likely to follow the given chunk. Based on the likelihood table and various other considerations, the value of downloading particular chunks is determined, and the chunk with the highest expected value is downloaded.
US09043781B2
A method of automating the deployment of a number of enterprise applications on one or more computer data processing systems. Each enterprise application or update is stored in a dynamic distribution directory and is provided with identifying indicia, such as stage information, target information, and settings information. When automated enterprise deployment is invoked, computer instructions in a computer readable medium provide for initializing deployment, performing deployment, and finalizing deployment of the enterprise applications or updates.
US09043775B2
This invention relates to a method, computer readable medium, and apparatus for identifying one or more problematic loops in an application. This invention provides a Directed Acyclic Graph or DAG representation of structure of one or more loops in the application by performing a static and a dynamic analysis of the application source code and depicts the loop information as LoopID, loop weight, total loop iteration, average loop iteration, total loop iteration time, average loop iteration time and embedded vector size. This aids a programmer to concentrate on problematic loops in the application and analyze them further for potential parallelism.
US09043774B2
Computer-implemented methods for analyzing computer programs written in semi-structured languages are disclosed. The method is based on unification of the two classic forms of program flow analysis, control flow and data flow analysis. As such, it is capable of substantially increased precision, which increases the effectiveness of applications such as automated parallelization and software testing. Certain implementations of the method are based on a process of converting source code to a decision graph and transforming that into one or more alpha graphs which support various applications in software development. The method is designed for a wide variety of digital processing platforms, including highly parallel machines. The method may also be adapted to the analysis of (semi-structured) flows in other contexts including water systems and electrical grids.
US09043771B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for modifying a pre-existing application program for multi-processing and/or distributed parallel processing. The method includes searching an application program for a computational loop; analyzing the computational loop to determine independence of the computational transactions of the computational loop; and replacing the computational loop with master code and slave code to provide master-slave execution of the computational loop in response to analyzing the computational loop to determine independence of the computational transactions of the computational loop. Multiple instances of the modified application program are executed to provide multi-processing and/or distributed parallel processing.
US09043762B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for providing a simulated network. Providing a simulated network can include collecting a number of network parameters for a plurality of locations and determining an application frequency of an application for the plurality of locations. Furthermore, providing a simulated network can include providing a simulated network with the number of network parameters to a number of testers of the application, wherein the number of network parameters are provided proportionally to the application frequency.
US09043758B2
An information processing system, computer readable storage medium, and method for automatically generating human readable and meaningful documentation for one or more source code files. A processor of the information processing system receives one or more source code files containing source code artifacts (SCA) and infers semantics therefrom based on predefined rules. The processor, based on the inferred semantics, extracts documentation from another source code file. The extracted documentation and the inferred semantics are used to generate new human readable and meaningful documentation for the SCA, such new documentation being previously missing from the SCA. The generated new documentation is included with the SCA in one or more source code files.
US09043749B2
A cancelation registry provides a cancelation interface whose implementation registers cancelable items such as synchronous operations, asynchronous operations, type instances, and transactions. Items may be implicitly or explicitly registered with the cancelation registry. A consistent cancelation interface unifies cancelation management for heterogeneous items, and allows cancelation of a group of items with a single invocation of a cancel-registered-items procedure.
US09043747B2
Systems and methods for dynamic development and deployment of computing applications including a development framework, a visual design subsystem, and a deployment subsystem, where at runtime the deployment subsystem is operable to dynamically deploy a computing application realized by a blueprint by sending a request at runtime for graphs and components instantiated by the blueprint.
US09043746B2
A method of applying formal verification methodologies to event processing applications is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: representing an event processing application as an event processing network, being a graph with event processing agents as nodes; generating a finite state machine based on the event processing network, wherein the finite state machine is an over-approximation of the event processing application; expressing stateful rules and policies that are associated with the event processing application using temporal logic, to yield a temporal representation of the event processing application; combining the temporal representation and the finite state machine into a model; generating a statement associated with a user-selected verification-related property of the event processing application, wherein the statement is generated using the temporal representation; and applying the statement to the model, to yield an indication for: (i) a correctness of the statement or (ii) a counter example, respectively.
US09043743B2
Methods, systems, and structures for detecting residual material on semiconductor wafers are provided. A method includes scanning a test structure including topographic features on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The method further includes determining, based on the scanning, that the test structure includes an amount of a residual material of a sacrificial layer that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09043737B2
A technique for determining whether an integrated circuit design is susceptible to glitches includes identifying storage elements in an original register-transfer level (RTL) file of the integrated circuit design and identifying clock signals for each of the storage elements in the original RTL file. The technique also includes generating respective assertions for each of the identified clock signals and identifying potential glitchy logic in respective clock paths for each of the identified clock signals. Finally, the technique includes inserting, at the potential glitchy logic, glitches in each of the respective clock paths of the original RTL file to provide a modified RTL file and executing an RTL simulation using the modified RTL file and the respective assertions.
US09043728B2
Techniques for sorting and filtering a list in a space-constrained viewing area are described. A filter widget and a list of items are displayed in a view of an electronic display screen. In response to user input selecting the filter widget, and without changing to a different view, a filter category overlay is displayed in the view to provide various selectable filter categories. In response to selection of a filter category, a visual depiction of the selected filter category is displayed in the view. The list of items is filtered according to the selected filter category and displayed in the view without changing to any other view. Subsequently added visual depictions are linearly stacked in the view. Further, a filter modification overlay, which provides selectable filtering attributes, is displayed upon selection of a visual depiction.
US09043722B1
User interfaces for displaying relationships between cells in a grid. In one example embodiment, a user interface includes a grid including rows and columns and a plurality of cells each having a specific position in the grid. A first one of the cells is related to a second one of the cells. The grid is configured to display, upon selection of the first cell or second cell, a visual representation of the relationship between the first cell and the second cell.
US09043713B2
An information processing apparatus configured to display a user interface on a display unit according to screen information acquired from an outside device changes the screen information according to a display attribute set by a user, and if setting of a display attribute of an object included in the screen information is unchangeable, color conversion processing of a specified object included in the screen information is performed and the screen information obtained by executing conversion processing according to the display attribute set by the user with respect to the screen information including the object which has undergone the color conversion processing is displayed.
US09043711B2
A file managing software program for managing a list of elements in a specific sequence in a first file of a computer program, including the steps of copying the first file to form a second file having an identical list of elements as the first file. The user is then permitted to rearrange the sequence of the elements of the second file independently of the sequence of the first file. A display of both the first and the second file list elements is provided to the user. Further embodiments allow the user to categorize, prioritize, and order according to users specified rules of how the second file element list is organized and displayed to provide a more convenient and flexible presentation of the file contents.
US09043710B2
In one embodiment, a view in a graphical user interface includes a selection area that includes identifiers associated with a plurality of attributes, each of the attributes having a plurality of possible values. The area further includes one or more graphical tools to define filter criteria based at least in part on selected ones of the plurality of possible values of one or more of the attributes. The area further includes one or more switch controls each being associated with a respective one of the one or more of the attributes and indicating presentation criteria including: whether selected ones of the possible values of the respective attribute are to be shown in a report, and a dimension of the report in which to space the selected ones of the possible values from one another if the selected ones of the possible values are to be shown in the report.
US09043697B2
A computer readable medium is provided embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for modifying a document according to a display context, the method including providing a document for display, the document comprising a function for determining a display context and modifying a style of the document, determining the display context for display of the document, modifying the style of the document according to the context, and displaying the document according to a modified style.
US09043690B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a parity error in a sequence of DQPSK symbols of a digital transmission system, comprising determining a first demodulated symbol r1; determining a second demodulated symbol r2; determining a first parity symbol p1; determining a second parity symbol p2; determining a super-parity symbol q1; and detecting a parity error in the sequence of DQPSK symbols by comparing a combination of the first parity symbol p1 and the second parity symbol p2 against the super-parity symbol q1, wherein a parity between two DQPSK symbols describes a phase difference between the two DQPSK symbols.
US09043683B2
A method for providing error detection and/or correction to an array of storage cells includes determining a sensitive direction and an insensitive direction of the storage cells and adding a first error control mechanism to the array of storage cells in the insensitive direction. The method also includes adding a second error control mechanism to the array of storage cells in the sensitive direction. The second error control mechanism has a higher Hamming distance than the first error control mechanism.
US09043681B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe device, methods, computer-readable media and system configurations for decoding codewords using a side channel. In various embodiments, a memory controller may be configured to determine that m of n die of non-volatile memory (“NVM”) have failed iterative decoding. In various embodiments, the memory controller may be further configured to generate a side channel from n-m non-failed die and the m failed die other than a first failed die. In various embodiments, the memory controller may be further configured to reconstruct, using iterative decoding, a codeword stored on the first failed die of the m failed die based on the generated side channel and on soft input to an attempt to iteratively decode data stored on the first failed die. In various embodiments, the iterative decoding may include low-density parity-check decoding. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09043678B2
A method includes determining a read threshold voltage corresponding to a group of storage elements in a non-volatile memory that includes a three-dimensional (3D) memory of a data storage device. The method also includes determining an error metric corresponding to data read from the group of storage elements using the read threshold voltage. The method includes comparing the read threshold voltage and the error metric to one or more criteria corresponding to a corrupting event.
US09043667B2
A method and user equipment for simultaneous transmission of a first set of information bits and a second set of information bits by a user equipment, either separately encoded utilizing transmit power or rate matching to increase successful decoding of a set of information bits, or jointly encoding using a priori knowledge or bit positioning to increase successful decoding. Also, the use of joint coding where a first set of information bits is encoded first and then encoded with a second set of information bits, and modulation symbol mapping are provided.
US09043666B2
In a wireless communication system, a compact control signaling scheme is provided for signaling the selected retransmission mode and codeword identifier for a codeword retransmission when one of a plurality of codewords being transmitted over two codeword pipes to a receiver fails the transmission and when the base station/transmitter switches from a higher order channel rank to a lower order channel rank, either by including one or more additional signaling bits in the control signal to identify the retransmitted codeword, or by re-using existing control signal information in a way that can be recognized by the subscriber station/receiver to identify the retransmitted codeword. With the compact control signal, the receiver is able to determine which codeword is being retransmitted and to determine the corresponding time-frequency resource allocation for the retransmitted codeword.
US09043655B2
An apparatus includes a first memory, a second memory, a processor configured to perform an initialization process including adding data that generates a first error to initialization data and storing the initialization data together with the added data in the first memory to initialize the first memory, and a controller configured to perform an exchanging process including, when a second error occurs in the second memory during reading or writing data from or to the second memory, copying the data stored in the second memory into the first memory and switching, using a selector, a memory for use in writing and reading data from the second memory to the first memory. The processor is configured to read data from the first memory and the second memory and detect a failure of the selector or a failure of the exchanging process depending on whether the first error occurs or not.
US09043647B2
Systems and Methods for detection and localization of performance faults in data centers are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying a performance fault in a data center upon detection of the performance fault at any of a plurality of monitors in the data center, wherein the plurality of monitors are placed at monitor nodes, amongst a plurality of nodes, in the data center. Further, the method comprises evaluating a fault vector for the data center upon identification of the performance fault, wherein the fault vector is evaluated based on a fault indicator corresponding to each of the plurality of monitors. Based on the comparison of the fault vector with signatures of each of the plurality of nodes, one or more faulty nodes, amongst the plurality of nodes in the data center, are determined as likely root cause of the performance fault.
US09043634B2
Arrangements for restarting data transmission on a serial low-power inter-chip media bus (SLIMbus) are presented. A clock signal may be provided in an active mode to a component communicatively coupled with the SLIMbus. Immediately prior to the clock signal in the active mode being provided, the clock signal may have been in a paused mode. While the clock signal was in the paused mode at least until the clock signal is provided in the active mode, the data line may have been inactive (e.g., a toggle on the data line may not have been present). Frame synchronization data for a frame may be transmitted. The frame synchronization data for the frame, as received by the component, may not match expected frame synchronization data. Payload data may be transmitted as part of the frame to the component, wherein the payload data is expected to be read properly by the component.
US09043633B2
An integrated-circuit memory controller outputs to a memory device a first signal in a first state to enable operation of synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device. A transaction queue within the memory controller stores memory read and write requests that, to be serviced, require operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits, respectively, within the memory device. Power control circuitry within the memory controller determines that the transaction queue has reached a predetermined state and, in response, outputs the first signal to the memory device in a second state to disable operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device.
US09043632B2
An SOC implements a security enclave processor (SEP). The SEP may include a processor and one or more security peripherals. The SEP may be isolated from the rest of the SOC (e.g. one or more central processing units (CPUs) in the SOC, or application processors (APs) in the SOC). Access to the SEP may be strictly controlled by hardware. For example, a mechanism in which the CPUs/APs can only access a mailbox location in the SEP is described. The CPU/AP may write a message to the mailbox, which the SEP may read and respond to. The SEP may include one or more of the following in some embodiments: secure key management using wrapping keys, SEP control of boot and/or power management, and separate trust zones in memory.
US09043627B2
Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
US09043615B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a cryptographic processor within a wireless device. The cryptographic processor includes at least one cryptographic unit. The cryptographic processor also includes a nonvolatile memory to store one or more microcode instructions, wherein at least one of the one or more microcode instructions is related to a sensitive operation. The cryptographic processor also includes a controller to control execution of the one or more microcode instructions by the at least one cryptographic unit, wherein the controller is to preclude execution of the sensitive operation if the apparatus is within an untrusted state.
US09043609B2
Security measures for tokens comprise storing security rules associated with a generated token in a memory. A processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, accesses the security rules associated with the generated token and determines whether to encrypt the generated token by applying at least a portion of the security rules to the generated token. The processor encrypts the generated token. An interface, communicatively coupled to the processor, communicates the encrypted token to a mobile device associated with a user.
US09043604B2
Keying materials used for providing security in a platform are securely provisioned both online and offline to devices in a remote platform. The secure provisioning of the keying materials is based on a revision of firmware installed in the platform.
US09043585B2
In an example embodiment, there is described herein an apparatus comprising an interface for communicating with a plurality of digital signal processors and logic operable to send and receive data via the interface. The logic is configured to determine a first set of digital signal processors to be maintained in a ready state, a second set of digital signal processors to be maintained in a first energy saving state, and a third set of digital signal processors to be maintained in a second energy saving state.
US09043582B2
Systems and methods for static code scheduling are disclosed. A method can include receiving an intermediate representation of source code, building a directed acyclic graph (DAG) for the intermediate representation, and creating chains of dependent instructions from the DAG for cluster formation. The chains are merged into clusters and each node in the DAG is marked with an identifier of a cluster it is part of to generate a marked instruction DAG. Instruction DAG scheduling is then performed using information about the clusters to generate an ordered intermediate representation of the source code.
US09043581B2
A processing apparatus includes an execution unit which performs computation on two operand inputs each being selectable between read data from a register and an immediate value. The processing apparatus also includes another execution unit which performs computation on two operand inputs, one of which is selectable between read data from a register and an immediate value, and the other of which is an immediate value. A control unit determines, based on a received instruction specifying a computation on two operands, whether each of the two operands specifies read data from a register or an immediate value. Depending on the determination result, the control unit causes one of the execution units to execute the computation specified by the received instruction.
US09043580B2
A microprocessor capable of running both x86 instruction set architecture (ISA) machine language programs and Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) ISA machine language programs. The microprocessor includes a mode indicator that indicates whether the microprocessor is currently fetching instructions of an x86 ISA or ARM ISA machine language program. The microprocessor also includes a plurality of model-specific registers (MSRs) that control aspects of the operation of the microprocessor. When the mode indicator indicates the microprocessor is currently fetching x86 ISA machine language program instructions, each of the plurality of MSRs is accessible via an x86 ISA RDMSR/WRMSR instruction that specifies an address of the MSR. When the mode indicator indicates the microprocessor is currently fetching ARM ISA machine language program instructions, each of the plurality of MSRs is accessible via an ARM ISA MRRC/MCRR instruction that specifies the address of the MSR.
US09043578B2
Apparatuses and methods for providing data are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a plurality of memories coupled to a data bus. The memories provide data to the data bus responsive, at least in part, to a first address. The plurality of memories further provide at least a portion of the data corresponding to the first address to the data bus during a sense operation for a second address provided to the plurality of memories after the first address. Each of the plurality of memories provides data to the data bus corresponding to the first address at different times. Moreover, a plurality of memories may provide at least 2N bits of data to the data bus responsive, at least in part, to an address, each of the plurality of memories provide N bits of data to the data bus at different times.
US09043577B2
The invention pertains to a memory management unit for a microprocessor system, the memory management unit being connected or connectable to at least one processor core of the microprocessor system and being connected or connectable to a physical memory of the microprocessor system. The memory management unit is adapted to selectively operate in a hypervisor mode or in a supervisor mode, the hypervisor mode and the supervisor mode having different privilege levels of access to hardware The memory management unit comprises a first register table indicating physical address information for mapping at least one logical physical address and at least one actual physical address onto each other; a second register table indicating an allowed address range of physical addresses accessible to a process running in or under supervisor mode; wherein the memory management unit is adapted to prevent write access to the second register table by a process not in hypervisor mode. The memory management unit is further adapted to allow write access to the first register table of a process running in or under supervisor mode to reconfigure the physical address information indicated in the first register table with memory mapping information relating to at least one physical address, if the at least one physical address is in the allowed address range, and to prevent write access to the first register table of the process running in or under supervisor mode if the at least one physical address is not in the allowed address range. The invention also pertains to a microprocessor system and a method for managing memory.
US09043576B2
System and method for conversion of virtual machine files without requiring copying of the virtual machine payload (data) from one location to another location. By eliminating this step, applicant's invention significantly enhances the efficiency of the conversion process. In one embodiment, a file system or storage system provides indirections to locations of data elements stored on a persistent storage media. A source virtual machine file includes hypervisor metadata (HM) data elements in one hypervisor file format, and virtual machine payload (VMP) data elements. The source virtual machine file is converted by transforming the HM data elements of the source file to create destination HM data elements in a destination hypervisor format different from the source hypervisor format; maintaining the locations of the VMP data elements stored on the persistent storage media constant during the conversion from source to destination file formats without reading or writing the VMP data elements; and creating indirections to reference the destination HM data elements in the destination hypervisor format and the existing stored VMP data elements.
US09043571B2
Proposed are a management apparatus and a management method capable of improving the stability of the overall computer system. In a computer system which manages a storage area provided by each of a plurality of mutually connected storage apparatuses as a logical pool, provides to a host computer a virtual volume associated with the logical pool, and assigns a real storage area from the logical pool to the virtual volume when the host computer writes into the virtual volume, when a storage apparatus is added to the plurality of storage apparatuses, the host computer is controlled to switch the access path to the added storage apparatus.
US09043568B2
An abstraction for storage class memory is provided that hides the details of the implementation of storage class memory from a program, and provides a standard channel programming interface for performing certain actions, such as controlling movement of data between main storage and storage class memory or managing storage class memory.
US09043562B2
A computing system includes a parent partition, child partitions, a hypervisor, shared memories each associated with one of the child partitions, and trigger pages each associated with one of the child partitions. The hypervisor receives a system event signal from one of the child partitions and, in response to receiving the system event signal, accesses the trigger page associated with that child partition. The hypervisor determines whether the trigger page indicates whether data is available to be read from the shared memory associated with the child partition. The hypervisor can send an indication to either the parent partition or the child partitions that data is available to be read from the shared memory associated with the child partition if the hypervisor determines that the trigger page indicates that data is available to be read from the shared memory associated with the child partition.
US09043557B1
A heterogeneous memory system includes a main memory arrangement, a first-level cache, and a memory management unit (MMU). The first-level cache includes an SRAM arrangement and a DRAM arrangement. The MMU is configured and arranged to read first data from the main memory arrangement in response to a stored first value associated with the first data and indicative of a start time. The MMU selects one of the SRAM arrangement or the DRAM arrangement for storage of the first data and stores the first data in the selected one of the SRAM arrangement or DRAM arrangement. The MMU reads second data from one of the SRAM arrangement or DRAM arrangement and writes the data to the main memory arrangement in response to a stored second value associated with the second data and indicative of a duration.
US09043552B2
A flash memory file system including a plurality of flash modules. Each of the plurality of flash modules includes a respective cache memory, a respective flash memory, and a respective flash controller in communication with the respective cache memory and the respective flash memory. A first flash module of the plurality of flash modules is configured to receive a file lookup message including a path name for file data stored on a second flash module of the plurality of flash modules. A third flash module of the plurality of flash modules is configured to select the second flash module based on the path name and a directory table, and generate a file metadata message responsive to the file lookup message. The file metadata message identifies the second flash module as containing the file data.
US09043542B2
Described is a technique for managing the content of a nonvolatile solid-state memory data cache to improve cache performance while at the same time, and in a complementary manner, providing for automatic wear leveling. A modified circular first-in first-out (FIFO) log/algorithm is generally used to determine cache content replacement. The algorithm is used as the default mechanism for determining cache content to be replaced when the cache is full but is subject to modification in some instances. In particular, data are categorized according to different data classes prior to being written to the cache, based on usage. Once cached, data belonging to certain classes are treated differently than the circular FIFO replacement algorithm would dictate. Further, data belonging to each class are localized to designated regions within the cache.
US09043540B2
Systems and methods for, among other things, providing a storage system which allows for efficient tracking of in-use storage disk blocks using “sharing nodes”. Disk blocks are a result of low-level formatting, which breaks up the total storage capacity into a set number of blocks. High-level formatting of the disk creates the file system, and part of the file system may create metadata known as inodes, and associate an inode with each file, such that an inode tracks the disk blocks in use by that file, pointing from the file to a set of blocks. An S-node generator creates another type of metadata, complementary to an inode, known as an S-node data structure, such that an S-node data structure is associated with a block, and tracks the set of inodes using the block, pointing from the disk blocks to inodes.
US09043537B1
Certain MLC blocks that tend to be reclaimed before they are full may be programmed according to a programming scheme that programs lower pages first and programs upper pages later. This results in more lower page programming than upper page programming on average. Lower page programming is generally significantly faster than upper page programming so that more lower page programming (and less upper programming) reduces average programming time.
US09043533B1
A method is used in sizing volatile memory (VM) cache based on flash-based cache usage. A user selection for a flash-based cache is received. Based on the selection, configuration and sizing factors are provided, by a flash based cache driver, to VM cache size determination logic. Based on the configuration and sizing factors and a sizing formula and rules, a requested VM cache size is produced by the VM cache size determination logic. Based on the requested VM cache size, the VM cache is caused, via VM cache resizing logic, to be resized to the requested VM cache size.
US09043531B2
A method of transferring data in a flash storage device comprising a random access memory and a plurality of channels of a flash array is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of data segments from a host system, storing the plurality of data segments in the random access memory, allocating the plurality of data segments among the plurality of channels of the flash array, and writing the allocated data segments from the random access memory to the respective channels of the flash array.
US09043518B2
Apparatuses and methods of calibrating a memory interface are described. Calibrating a memory interface can include loading and outputting units of a first data pattern into and from at least a portion of a register to generate a first read capture window. Units of a second data pattern can be loaded into and output from at least the portion of the register to generate a second read capture window. One of the first read capture window and the second read capture window can be selected and a data capture point for the memory interface can be calibrated according to the selected read capture window.
US09043517B1
The various implementations described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to enable multipass programming in buffers implemented in non-volatile data storage systems (e.g., using one or more flash memory devices). In one aspect, a portion of memory (e.g., a page in a block of a flash memory device) may be programmed many (e.g., 1000) times before an erase is required. Some embodiments include systems, methods and/or devices to integrate Bloom filter functionality in a non-volatile data storage system, where a portion of memory storing one or more bits of a Bloom filter array may be programmed many (e.g., 1000) times before the contents of the portion of memory need to be moved to an unused location in the memory.
US09043498B2
In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a remote direct memory access (RDMA) device, a plurality of RDMA requests referencing a plurality of virtual pages. Data transfers are scheduled for the plurality of virtual pages, wherein the scheduling occurs at the RDMA device. The number of the virtual pages that are currently pinned is limited for the RDMA requests based on a predetermined pinned page limit.
US09043493B2
A virtual machine (VM) migration from a source virtual machine monitor (VMM) to a destination VMM on a computer system. Each of the VMMs includes virtualization software, and one or more VMs are executed in each of the VMMs. The virtualization software allocates hardware resources in a form of virtual resources for the concurrent execution of one or more VMs and the virtualization software. A portion of a memory of the hardware resources includes hardware memory segments. A first portion of the memory segments is assigned to a source logical partition and a second portion is assigned to a destination logical partition. The source VMM operates in the source logical partition and the destination VMM operates in the destination logical partition. The first portion of the memory segments is mapped into a source VMM memory, and the second portion of the memory segments is mapped into a destination VMM memory.
US09043487B2
A technique dynamically configures and verifies routing information of broadcast networks using link state protocols in a computer network. According to the novel technique, a router within the broadcast network receives a link state protocol routing information advertisement from an advertising router, e.g., a designated router or other adjacent neighbor. The router learns of a next-hop router (“next-hop”) to reach a particular destination from the advertisement, and determines whether the next-hop is located within the same broadcast network (e.g., subnet) as the designated router. If so, the router further determines whether the next-hop is directly addressable (i.e., reachable), such as, e.g., by checking for link adjacencies to the next-hop or by sending request/reply messages (e.g., echo messages or “ping” messages) to the next-hop. In the event the next-hop for the destination is not directly addressable by the router (e.g., no adjacency or reply), the router installs a route to the destination via the designated router. Otherwise, the router installs a route to the destination via the next-hop.
US09043478B2
A method and apparatus for using an ad hoc peer-to-peer distributed message bus is provided. The method may include determining, by a local bus node, using a first power level communication protocol, that a remote bus node is available, obtaining, by the local bus node, connection information from the remote bus node using a second power level communication protocol, wherein the connection information comprises connection information for one or more remote endpoints associated with the remote bus node, and generating one or more local virtual endpoints, wherein each of the one or more local virtual endpoints corresponds to each of the one or more remote endpoints, and wherein the remote endpoint is described with reference to a well-known name, unique to the remote endpoint.
US09043474B2
Users of various devices may participate in communication sessions, but only if the interfaces and components of such devices feature a minimum set of capabilities involved in the communication session type; e.g., in order to participate in a teleconference, the device of every user has to be capable of sending and receiving audio. Instead, a communication session server may automatically convert session items received from each user into interface-specific representations for each other user, based on the capabilities of the interface and device of the other user. For example, speech recognition may transform speech to text output; speech synthesis may transform text input to speech; and video recognition may identify individuals and gestures in a video stream and represent this information as text. The server may therefore host a “mixed” communication session, where each user may fully participate irrespective of the capabilities of the chosen device and interface.
US09043470B2
Methods and systems for allocating memory of user terminals are disclosed. A user terminal may determine a weight for one or more categories, each category being associated with Internet information to be broadcast. The user terminal also may determine an available memory size of memory and may allocate memory to the one or more categories for storing the Internet information based on the weights and the available memory size.
US09043464B1
The disclosed subject matter relates to computer-implemented methods for automatically grouping resources, such as electronic files, websites, applications, and the like, that are accessed by a user. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter relates to automatically displaying frequently accessed websites in website groups. One approach to defining the groups is to consider websites that are accessed within a certain amount of time to belong to a particular group. Website group graphics can be generated which point to the various groups of websites. The website group graphic for a grouping of websites can be used to access the websites that are a part of that grouping.
US09043439B2
A system for streaming packet captures over the Internet includes multiple network access devices, each operating as one of a gateway device, a wireless access point, and a network switch, and a management server communicatively coupled to the network access devices over the Internet for managing the network access devices. The management server maintains a persistent hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) connection with each of the network access devices over the Internet. The management server is to generate a bytecode based on a filtering expression for packet captures (PCAPs) representing one or more PCAPs filtering rules, transmit the bytecode to the network access devices without requiring the network access devices to compile the PCAPs filtering rules, receive PCAPs from the network access devices captured by the network access devices based on the PCAPs filtering rules, and merge the PCAPs received from the network access devices into merged PCAPs.
US09043438B2
The invention provides for the connection of a plurality of remote applications with a data source, to maximize the speed and reliability of data transfer. An interface module interfaces with a remote application such as a web browser. A port module interfaces between interface module and a data source. A connection manager facilitates the interface between the interface module and the port module. The port module detects the unavailability of the data source in response to an initial request for the data source by the remote application. The port module may then dynamically detect the availability of the data source in response to a subsequent request for the data source and re-connect to the data source to the remote application in response to the subsequent request without having to reinitialize the connection manager.
US09043437B2
Methods and systems for coordinating provisions of storage service for clients are provided. For each storage provider of a set of storage providers, a service-provider database stores a metric characterizing a property of a service provided by the service provider. The storage providers are independently owned and operated relative to each other. The metrics are repeatedly updated. A selection engine repeatedly selects a service provider from the set of service providers to store a content object of a client of the content delivery system. The selection is based on the repeatedly updated metrics for the set of service providers. For each service provider selected by the selection engine to store the content object of the client, a service manager coordinates with the service provider such that the service provider stores the content object of the client.
US09043436B2
Distributing licensed content across multiple devices, including: identifying, by a mobile device, licensed content being presented by a local presentation device; determining, by the mobile device, whether the mobile device is eligible to receive the licensed content; requesting, by the mobile device, a license for the licensed content being presented by the local presentation device; receiving, by the mobile device, the license for the licensed content being presented by the local presentation device; receiving, by the mobile device, licensed content for mobile device presentation; and presenting, by the mobile device, the licensed content for mobile device presentation.
US09043430B2
Using logical block addresses with generation numbers as data fingerprints for network deduplication
The technique introduced here involves using a block address and a corresponding generation number as a “fingerprint” to uniquely identify a sequence of data within a given storage domain. Each block address has an associated generation number which indicates the number of times that data at that block address has been modified. This technique can be employed, for example, to determine whether a given storage server already has the data, and to avoid sending the data to that storage server over a network if it already has the data. It can also be employed to maintain cache coherency among multiple storage nodes.
US09043424B2
A system, apparatus, and method for controlling the operation of a service in a client device. The invention uses an existing protocol which is used for communications between an application resident in the device and a remote server to convey information about the service to the application. The information may be relevant to a service specific function, such as configuration or provisioning, or an activation or de-activation instruction, for example. The application receives the service related information, processes the information and then provides the information to the service via a notification channel. The service related information may be incorporated into a message sent from the remote server to the client device by using an element of the protocol, for example, by appending a text string to a header.
US09043413B2
Enriching emails includes: receiving a user's email messages; performing a semantic analysis on the email message body; deriving a plurality of objects of interest; associating search-based content with the objects of interest; ranking the objects of interest; and outputting the ranked objects with the search-based content into a current email message of the user.
US09043411B2
A compose form for drafting a message is presented inline within a window along with a message list. For example, instead of overlaying the message application's user interface (UI) with a new window for composing a message, the compose form is displayed within a portion of the window reserved for viewing content of messages. While composing the message using the compose form, the rest of the message application's UI remains visible and accessible to the user. For example, the user may navigate to another folder and/or move to another message/conversation by interacting with the tree view/message list view. A draft of the message being composed may be automatically saved when the user navigates away from the compose form (e.g. by selecting another conversation in the list view).
US09043410B2
An instant messaging client application is executed on a first terminal, to participate in threads of instant messaging between user terminals over a packet-based network, each thread comprising exchanging text-based messages between the user terminals of a selected group of contacts comprising the first user and at least one second user. A digital record of the messages is maintained in a data storage medium. A further text-based message is received from one of the second terminals over the packet-based network, comprising a citation of a cited one of the text-based messages previously transmitted over the packet-based communication network and stored in the storage medium. The further message is processed at the first terminal so as, by reference to the storage medium, to recover a context of the cited message in relation to others of the text-based messages in the respective thread.
US09043407B1
An interactive chat-bot user interface to a communication-enabled business process (CEBP) application is provided. The user interface receives instant message commands from a user. The received instant message commands are parsed and transformed into commands formatted according to the application programming interface of the CEBP application. Feedback or other output from the CEBP application can be provided to the user by the interactive interface in an instant message. In addition, the interface can participate in a dialog with the user, all in the natural language of the user and using instant messages, in order to obtain the instructions and parameter information required by the CEBP application in order to perform a requested operation.
US09043402B2
This disclosure concerns novel tools and techniques for distributing status information, including without limitation status information about commercial equipment. In some cases, a status monitoring device can be attached to, incorporated within, or otherwise placed in communication with a piece of commercial equipment. The status monitoring device can monitor the status of the equipment and communicate that status. Some of the discloses tools and techniques employ a social networking infrastructure to convey information (such as status information about a piece of equipment).
US09043399B2
A disclosed transmission management system includes a receiver unit to receive alteration information for altering a communication status of a first transmission terminal from the first transmission terminal that communicates with a second transmission terminal to exchange content data, a terminal management unit to manage first status information indicating the communication status of the first transmission terminal, an acquisition unit to acquire the first status information from the terminal management unit in a case where the receiver unit receives the alteration information for altering the communication status of the first transmission terminal, and an alteration unit to alter the first status information managed by the terminal management unit, based on the alteration information for altering the communication status of the first transmission terminal received by the receiver unit and the first status information acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09043398B2
The problem of abuse of privileges at cloud-hosted service sites is addressed at the sign-up stage by identifying suspicious or abusive users and preventing them from signing up in the first place. This approach may utilize a relatively small initial data set based on the recognition that while abusers' profiles are mutable and difficult to characterize stably—abusers will deliberately shift their usage patterns to evade detection—a site's legitimate users tend to have similar and stable characteristics; that is, such characteristics are “cohesive” across cloud-hosted service (e.g., social media) sites and their users. The information gleaned from analysis of this small data set can be applied to a much larger, unsorted data set to obtain profiling criteria based on a large population for statistical reliability.
US09043394B2
Provided is a system and method to accomplish system messaging in SIP by introducing a new content in the form of MIME body and a new feature tag to the existing SIP framework, for transmitting service specific information and receiving the user response. System Messages may contain a list of possible options and require a response from the user.
US09043389B2
Flow control is applied to increasing the performance of a browser while pre-fetching Web objects while operating over bandwidth constrained links to increase the level of concurrency, thus reducing contention for limited bandwidth resources with increased levels of concurrency. Using an agent or a gateway to speed up its Internet transactions over bandwidth constrained connections to source servers. Assisting a browser in the fetching of objects in such a way that an object is ready and available locally before the browser requires it, without suffering congestion on any bandwidth constrained link. Providing seemingly instantaneous availability of objects to a browser enabling it to complete processing the object to request the next object without much wait.
US09043386B2
The present invention relates to systems and method for synchronizing collaborative web applications, such as collaborative form filling using a message bus server and HTTP protocol. The method includes delivering compatible plug-ins to a first and a second user so that the users may substantially simultaneously access compatible plug-ins and operate the plug-ins in a coordinated substantially synchronized manner for modifying and/or observing a common file. The process includes delivering a collaborative form to the users. Following the modification of the collaborative form by one of the users, the modification is communicated to a different user. The communication is substantially simultaneous with the modification and takes place by serializing the modification to string and sending the string using HTTP.
US09043385B1
The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of scanning a response to a first HTTP request for a web page in order to identify a web object for prefetching, and using a static tracker to identify and improve results. In one potential alternative embodiment, after a response is scanned a web object may be prefetched to a proxy server prior to a browser requesting the web object. The proxy server may observe one or more HTTP requests that are associated with the response to the first HTTP request for the web page and measure the success of the prefetching. After success is measured for the specific instance of the web object and the web page, a success rate for prefetching or not prefetching the web object as associated with the web page may be updated.
US09043380B2
A data processing system arranged for receiving over a network, according to a data transfer protocol, data directed to any of a plurality of destination identities, the data processing system comprising: data storage for storing data received over the network; and a first processing arrangement for performing processing in accordance with the data transfer protocol on received data in the data storage, for making the received data available to respective destination identities; and a response former arranged for: receiving a message requesting a response indicating the availability of received data to each of a group of destination identities; and forming such a response; wherein the system is arranged to, in dependence on receiving the said message.
US09043377B2
A Montgomery inverse calculation device includes a plurality of registers each storing a value of a variable, a modulus register storing a modulus, a multiplier performing multiplication on the modulus. A comparator compares the value of the variable stored in each of the registers with an output value of the multiplier and generates a plurality of control signals. A plurality of shifters shifts bits of a value of a variable stored in a corresponding register among the registers in response to at least one first control signal, and a quotient generation block calculates a quotient of mod 2m with respect to values output from some of the shifters in response to a second control signal. A calculation block calculates an updated value of an output value of each of the shifters using the quotient in response to at least one third control signal.
US09043376B2
Examples disclose a computing system comprising a computing device with a display surface to detect a selection of functionality from a list of functionalities to be disabled on a calculator. Further, the computing device creates a custom configuration based on the selected functionality. Additionally, the examples also disclose a calculator with a processor to integrate the custom configuration, the custom configuration restricts the selected functionality on the calculator.
US09043375B2
A method and system for detecting plagiarism of software source code is disclosed. In one embodiment, a database exists of program elements that have previously been found to be matching within the source code for two different programs. This embodiment searches the Internet for occurrences of these matching program elements to determine how many times they appear and thus whether they are commonly used or not. The elements and their associated number of hits are placed in a spreadsheet for further observation and manipulation. One of skill in the art will see that this invention also applies to other kinds of text documents.
US09043368B2
A method, system, and computer program product for interfacing an R language client with a separate database engine environment. The method commences by interpreting an R language code fragment to identify and select R language constructs and transforming the R language constructs into queries or other database language constructs to execute within the database engine environment. The method further implements techniques for transmitting marshalled results (resulting from the execution of the database language constructs) back to the R client environment. In some situations, the marshalled results include an XML schema or DTD or another metadata description of the structure of the results. User conveniences in the form of transparent database query construction, and transparent exploitation of parallelism is achieved by determining the computation resource requirements of executable language constructs, and mapping the execution to one (or more) of, a local R client, a database engine, or a remote execution engine.
US09043361B2
A method and system for translating data to be migrated from an older legacy database to a newer recipient database. Legacy data elements in the older legacy database are translated to correspond the one or more recipient data elements in the newer recipient database by utilizing a translation table in the older legacy database. The translation table defines recipient data elements in the newer recipient database based upon metadata of the older legacy database. The metadata of the older legacy database describes legacy data fields in the older legacy database. The older legacy database utilizes a first operating system. The newer recipient database utilizes a second operating system that differs from the first operating system. The legacy data elements translated in the older legacy database are used to migrate the legacy data elements translated from the older legacy database to the newer recipient database.
US09043359B2
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology include systems and methods for linking entities in an internal database by utilizing co-convergence and clustering. The method may include clustering database records into a first set of clusters having corresponding first cluster identifications (IDs). The clustering may be based at least in part on determining similarity among corresponding field values. The method may include associating mutually matching database records, by performing at least one matching iteration for each of the database records. The method may include determining similarity among corresponding field values of the database records, re-clustering at least a portion of the database records into a second set of clusters, the re-clustering based at least in part on the associating mutually matching database records and on the determining similarity among corresponding field values of the database records.
US09043358B2
A unified search service may collect information related to an enterprise from at least one of publicly available data and private enterprise data. In some implementations, crowd sourcing may be used to determine a source list of one or more sources of information. Authored content can be generated, such as by combining one or more items of information from the public data with one or more items of information from the private enterprise data. Further, in some implementations, a public index may be generated from the public data, and one or more affiliation indexes may be generated from the private enterprise data. For example, a first affiliation index may contain confidential enterprise information, while a second affiliation index may contain non-confidential enterprise information. A user's affiliation to the enterprise may be taken into consideration when determining which indexes to use when responding to a search request from the user.
US09043352B1
Methods for searching relationships between and among documents are detailed. One method includes steps for selecting one or more initial search items from a group consisting of: (a) document objects, (b) link references to document objects, (c) link reference attributes, and (d) link relationship attributes. The method also includes steps for identifying one or more link relationships using the selected initial search items, and for presenting one or more link relationships attributes describing the identified link relationships. A user interface for presenting and searching relationships between document objects located on a network is also detailed. The user interface may include a first portion of a screen display for displaying one or more link relationship attributes and a second portion of the screen display for displaying one or more entries from a group consisting of: (a) link references that represent the document objects, (b) link relationship attributes describing the link relationships, (c) link reference attributes describing the link references, and (d) document objects. The displayed entries in the second portion of the user interface are related to the displayed one or more link relationship attributes in the first portion.
US09043339B2
A computer system, method, and article of manufacture for extracting a term from electronic document data that includes a text segment. The system includes: a first extraction unit that uses a first text processing information to extract a noun word from the document data; a second extraction unit that uses a second text processing information to extract a term candidate in relation to the noun word or a corpus that includes text data described in the same language used in the document data; a weight assignment unit that uses a third text processing information to select which type to assign a weight from the plurality of types and assigns the weight to the selected type for each noun word and term candidate; a determination unit that determines the type to which the noun word and term candidate belong; and an output unit to output the noun word and term candidate.
US09043334B2
A method for accessing files on a storage system is provided. A hash memory table including a plurality of hash buckets respectively corresponding to a plurality of index hash codes is built. Each of the hash buckets has a pointer pointing towards at least one entry. Each of the entries has a physical address field and a hash code field. The physical address fields respectively record physical addresses storing the files, and the hash code fields respectively record verification hash codes corresponding to the files. The index hash codes are generated by inputting keys of the files to an index hash function and the verification hash codes are generated by inputting keys of the files to a verification hash function. Then, the hash memory table is loaded into the buffer with a bucket-based replacement policy so that the files are able to be accessed according to the hash memory table.
US09043313B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and/or method for providing enhanced content search results based on metrics indicating user affinity for an information site such as a web site. Information on user visits to a particular web site may be accumulated, for example, in connection with a beacon or other tracker placed on the publisher web site. The enhanced content may be provided by the publisher web site or may be generated otherwise.
US09043312B2
Systems and computer program products for identifying symbolic links in network file systems are provided herein. An absolute path may be determined at a network file server. This may include determining a complete client path from an initial client path and combining the complete client path with a server export path. Once the absolute path is determined, it may be traversed using a file descriptor of each file in the absolute path to identify a symbolic link.
US09043309B2
Techniques are provided for a database server to identify a query that comprises an access check operator specifying a data access control policy, and if so, to re-write the query to produce an optimized query execution plan. A first technique rewrites a query comprising an access check operator based on the privileges associated with the database principal requesting the query. The rewritten query exposes the access predicates relevant to the requesting principal to subsequent database optimization processes. A second technique rewrites a query comprising an access check operator that specifies a data security policy that does not include a denied privilege. A third technique rewrites a query that comprises an access check operator specifying one or more database table columns that store row-specific access control lists. The rewritten queries are used to generate a query execution plan that provides for several query execution optimizations.
US09043300B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an input method editor receives composition inputs in an input method editor environment, the composition inputs based on user inputs. Candidate selections are identified in the input method editor environment based on the composition inputs. Each candidate selection comprises one or more ideograms. The input method editor environment receives a search command based on a user input, and selects one of the candidate selections in response to the search command. The selected candidate selection and the search command are provided to a search engine interface external to the input method editor environment.
US09043296B2
A system and method for offering suggestions to a user of a mobile computing device based on information relevant to the user and a context data. The mobile computing device has access to lists of data associated with the user. The mobile computing device also has a sensor for detecting data about the user's context. Based on the lists of information and the contextual data, the device generates a hypothesis as to information that may be of interest to the user. Using context data in conjunction with lists in this fashion focuses the system on information likely of interest, without requiring express user input. A search may be performed in accordance with the hypothesis. Based on the results of the search, one or more suggestions are then presented by the mobile computing device to the user. The user has the option to provide feedback input to the device resulting in an update of the suggestion.
US09043286B2
A computer device (2010) with a file system having clusters and meta data. The computer device (2010) includes a processor (1030) and a storage (1025) coupled to the processor and having physical representations of instructions so that the processor is operable to reserve (230) at least one of the clusters and to create a log record when meta data for the file system is to be updated by a write (240) of such meta data beforehand to such a reserved cluster, and then set (250) at least one state entry to substantially represent readiness to write the meta data to the file system.
US09043283B2
Database updates to primary and secondary database structures are performed by writing information from a client to both primary and secondary database services and building the database structure at the primary database service while delaying application of data written to the secondary database service until notification at the secondary database service from the primary database service. The primary database service provides notification upon completing the database structure so that the secondary database service can proceed with building the database structure from the information provided by the client or with information provided by the primary database service.
US09043272B2
A system for determining the start of a match of a regular expression has a special state table which contains start state entries and terminal state entries; a plurality of start state registers for storing offset information indicative of the start of a match of the regular expression; a deterministic finite state automaton (DFA) next state table which, given the current state and an input character, returns the next state. The DFA next state table includes a settable indicator for any next state table entry which indicates whether to perform a lookup into the special state table. A compiler loads values into the special state table based on the regular expression.
US09043263B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system by using an offline mode of operations. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system.
US09043261B2
To provide a latent variable model estimation apparatus capable of implementing the model selection at high speed even if the number of model candidates increases exponentially as the latent state number and the kind of the observation probability increase. A variational probability calculating unit 71 calculates a variational probability by maximizing a reference value that is defined as a lower bound of an approximation amount, in which Laplace approximation of a marginalized log likelihood function is performed with respect to an estimator for a complete variable. A model estimation unit 72 estimates an optimum latent variable model by estimating the kind and a parameter of the observation probability with respect to each latent state. A convergence determination unit 73 determines whether a reference value, which is used by the variational probability calculating unit 71 to calculate the variational probability, converges.
US09043257B1
Observation-based user profiling and profile matching are provided. The network behavior of users of a computer-implemented social network are observed and used for user profiling. By observing network behavior instead of necessarily relying on user self-reported data, accurate and objective user profiles can be formed; user profiling is accomplished based on the observed network behaviors with or without the knowledge of the user being profiled. The observed network behaviors can include the customization of a visual graphic, a media preference, a communication preference, or a selection of words from a word list. The user profiles can be with respect to a domain and two or more users can be matched based on their profiles with respect to the same domain. User ratings and profile updating based on the ratings are also provided.
US09043256B2
A method and apparatus for data processing. The method calculates correlations between a plurality of attributes in a dataset. The attributes are factors involved in transaction processing. The method generates a relationship graph by using the plurality of attributes and the correlations between the plurality of attributes; and extracts a sub-graph from the relationship graph to represent a hypothesis. The hypothesis describes the impacts of the factors on the transaction processing. Also provided is an apparatus for implementing the above data processing method.
US09043251B2
An apparatus for recognizing a representative user behavior includes a unit-data extracting unit configured to extract at least one unit data from sensor data, a feature-information extracting unit configured to extract feature information from each of the at least one unit data, a unit-behavior recognizing unit configured to recognize a respective unit behavior for each of the at least one unit data based on the feature information, and a representative-behavior recognizing unit configured to recognize at least one representative behavior based on the respective unit behavior recognized for each of the at least one unit data.
US09043250B2
An apparatus, system and method are introduced for preserving privacy of data in a dataset in a database with a number n of entries. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes memory including computer program code configured to, with a processor, cause the apparatus to form a random matrix of dimension m by n, wherein m is less than n, operate on the dataset with the random matrix to produce a compressed dataset, form a pseudoinverse of the random matrix, and operate on the dataset with the pseudoinverse of the random matrix to produce a decompressed dataset.
US09043236B2
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a financial instrument impairment attribute values analytical result business object.
US09043227B2
A system for viewing shopping information on a social networking platform is disclosed. At the social networking platform, the system receives a request from a user device corresponding to a first user of the social networking platform to view a list of a second user of the social networking platform. The list may include items offered for transaction on a network-based commerce server. In response to receiving the request from the user device, the system forwards the request to the network-based commerce server, and then receives updated information for at least one item on the list from the network-based corner server. Then, the system communicates the updated information received from the network-based commerce server to the user device.
US09043221B1
Apparatus and method for optimizing different amounts of output products derived from an initial biomass material. The method includes obtaining economic data of costs and availability of raw materials and resources, and prices that would be paid for output products derived, performing calculations to determine an optimum amount of each of the output products; and controlling processes that generate the output products. In some embodiments, the processes convert initial biomass materials into intermediate and output products, an economic engine that obtains economic data relating to costs of initial materials and prices that would be paid for output products derived from the raw materials, and performs calculations to determine an optimum amount of each of the output products, and valves that are controlled by the economic engine to route variable amounts of the initial biomass materials to the processes to obtain a mix of output products that provides an optimum profit.
US09043209B2
This device 301 stores a first content-specific language model representing a probability that a specific word appears in a word sequence representing a first content, and a second content-specific language model representing a probability that the specific word appears in a word sequence representing a second content. Based on a first probability parameter representing a probability that a content represented by a target word sequence included in a speech recognition hypothesis generated by a speech recognition process of recognizing a word sequence corresponding to a speech, a second probability parameter representing a probability that the content represented by the target word sequence is a second content, the first content-specific language model and the second content-specific language model, the device creates a language model representing a probability that the specific word appears in a word sequence corresponding to a part corresponding to the target word sequence of the speech.
US09043207B2
The present invention relates to a method for speaker recognition, comprising the steps of obtaining and storing speaker information for at least one target speaker; obtaining a plurality of speech samples from a plurality of telephone calls from at least one unknown speaker; classifying the speech samples according to the at least one unknown speaker thereby providing speaker-dependent classes of speech samples; extracting speaker information for the speech samples of each of the speaker-dependent classes of speech samples; combining the extracted speaker information for each of the speaker-dependent classes of speech samples; comparing the combined extracted speaker information for each of the speaker-dependent classes of speech samples with the stored speaker information for the at least one target speaker to obtain at least one comparison result; and determining whether one of the at least one unknown speakers is identical with the at least one target speaker based on the at least one comparison result.
US09043197B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for extracting information from unstructured text. Fact pairs are used to extract basic patterns from a body of text. Patterns are generalized by replacing words with classes of similar words. Generalized patterns are used to extract further fact pairs from the body of text. The process can begin with fact pairs, basic patterns, or generalized patterns.
US09043191B2
Embodiments include methods of identifying a personalized cardiovascular device based on patient-specific geometrical information, the method comprising: generating a patient specific model of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature from image data of the patient's vasculature and one or more measured or estimated physiological or phenotypic parameters of the patient; determining pathology characteristics from cardiovascular geometry of the patient specific model; defining an objective function for a device based on design considerations and one or more estimates of hemodynamic and mechanical characteristics; optimizing the objective function, by simulating at least one change in devices and evaluating the objective function using fluid dynamic or structural mechanic analysis; and using the optimized objective function to either (i) select a device from a set of available devices or (ii) manufacture a desired device.
US09043187B2
A computer method of material modeling for crash test dummy finite element models includes the steps of making a material card for the material, applying the material card to validate a finite element model of a crash test dummy component, determining whether the finite element model is acceptable, ending the method if the finite element model is acceptable, and adjusting a relative volume (J) range for the material to make the material soft or stiff if the finite element model is not acceptable.
US09043185B2
A method of performance monitoring in a data processing environment is provided. The data processing environment includes multiple systems, each of which has resources. Each resource relates to a resource type, wherein at least one performance parameter is defined for each resource type. The method includes determining a value of the at least one performance parameter for at least one resource, aggregating performance parameter values and related resources of a resource type, creating for at least a part of the resources a next predefined aggregation level which includes all resources relating to the resource type and associating all performance parameter values to this aggregation level, and repeating the creating for at least a part of the resources a next predefined aggregation level until a predefined target aggregation level of the data processing environment has been reached.
US09043180B2
Aspects of the invention provide for reducing power consumption during manufacturing testing of an IC. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a method for reducing power consumption during a manufacturing test of an integrated circuit (IC), the method including: providing a plurality of domains, each domain associated with a clock phase; grouping, based on each domain, a first plurality of scan chains into a first test group; grouping, based on each domain, a second plurality of scan chains into a second test group, wherein the grouping of the first test group and of the second test group includes determining which domains can be tested simultaneously; and performing the manufacturing test of the IC.
US09043166B2
Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a volume flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a volume-density product to an accumulated volume-density product and add the volume flow to an accumulated volume flow, and determine a non-aerated volume-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated volume-density product by the accumulated volume flow.
US09043162B2
A method and apparatus for acquiring data from a mass spectrometer and its transmission to a computer system including a data acquisition engine, a network interface and a throughput optimization module which includes a ring buffer and a protocol stack. A compression engine may be provided between the acquisition engine and the ring buffer. The ring buffer is configured as a number of segments containing portions of memory matching the size of data words from the acquisition engine. When a segment is full of data corresponding to the words, or is partially full and has received data containing an end of scan marker, the number of words in the segment is written into a header word in the segment and the data in that segment are moved to the protocol stack. Subsequent data is received by the next segment in the buffer.
US09043160B1
The invention is directed to methods for determining clonotypes and clonotype profiles in assays for analyzing immune repertoires by high throughput nucleic acid sequencing of somatically recombined immune molecules. In one aspect, the invention comprises generating a clonotype profile from an individual by generating sequence reads from a sample of recombined immune molecules; forming from the sequence reads a sequence tree representing candidate clonotypes each having a frequency; coalescing with a highest frequency candidate clonotype any lesser frequency candidate clonotypes whenever such lesser frequency is below a predetermined value and whenever a sequence difference therebetween is below a predetermined value to form a clonotype. After such coalescence, the candidate clonotypes is removed from the sequence tree and the process is repeated. This approach permits rapid and efficient differentiation of candidate clonotypes with genuine sequence differences from those with experimental or measurement errors, such as sequencing errors.
US09043157B2
A device for the collection and processing of information relating to the exposure of one or more persons to one or more products of chemical or biological origin has: at least one coded sensor for automatic or semi-automatic identification of a person likely to be exposed to at least one product, at least one coded sensor for the collection of information relating to the handling of at least one product by the person likely to be exposed to the product, at least one sensor for validating the information collected by the identification and collection sensors, at least one module for reading at least one coded sensor, and a module for processing information collected by the sensors.
US09043154B2
A method of calculating a 3-D geologic model in real time using, as input, 2-D geologic data. The 3-D is used for conducting further drilling operations. The model may be updated in real time using additional measurements obtained during drilling operations.
US09043148B2
A navigation system and various methods of using the system are described herein. Search query results are refined by the system and are prioritized based at least in part upon sub-search categories selected during the searching process. Sub-searches can be represented by graphical icons displayed on the user interface.
US09043140B2
In one embodiment, a navigation system provides predictive natural guidance utilizing a mobile landmark based on location data. The location data may be a schedule. A controller receives data of a schedule of a mobile landmark. The location data could be collected in real time or estimated. The mobile landmark may be a vehicle or a celestial body. The controller correlates a route from an origin location to a destination location and the location of the mobile landmark. The controller generates a message based on the correlation. The message is output during presentation of the route and references the mobile landmark.
US09043136B2
A method for illustrating an aircraft flight plan comprising at least one waypoint on a flight display of a flight deck of an aircraft, where the method may include displaying on the flight display of the flight deck some type of display indicia that indicates the suitability of locations for future waypoints.
US09043132B2
An apparatus for estimating a travel path of a vehicle is mounted on the vehicle; and includes: an object detection device that detects an object lying ahead of the vehicle; a stationary object detection device that determines whether a detected object is a stationary object; a device that calculates an approximate straight line indicating a path of the stationary object from the temporal positional data for the stationary object projected on two-dimensional coordinates using a vehicle position as a starting point; a device that calculates a orthogonal line which passes through a midpoint in the temporal positional data for the stationary object and goes straight with respect to the approximate straight line on the two-dimensional coordinates; and a device that calculates a vehicle turning radius from an intersection point where the orthogonal line intersects with a x axis.
US09043127B2
Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, a blind intersection along a section of road. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a blind intersection is located along a section of road. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the blind intersection located along the section of road. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a blind intersection.
US09043114B2
A module for determination of speed set-point values vref for a vehicle's control systems, comprising an input unit adapted to input, e.g., by the vehicle's driver, of a reference speed vset which is the speed desired by the driver for the vehicle. The module includes a horizon unit to determine a horizon by means of received position data and map data of an itinerary made up of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment; a processor unit to calculate vref for the vehicle's control systems across the horizon according to rules pertaining to categories in which segments within the horizon are placed, so that vref is within a range bounded by vmin and vmax, where vmin≦vset≦Vmax, which control system regulates the vehicle according to these set-point values.
US09043112B2
A method of signalling an aquaplaning condition of a tire, the latter rolling on a rolling surface, a footprint area being defined between the tire and the rolling surface, a layer of water being interposed between the tire and the rolling surface, includes: detecting a first signal representative of a deformation of the tire due to rolling of the tire on the rolling surface, the first signal including at least one portion representative of the interaction between the tire and the layer of water; processing the first signal so as to determine a parameter representative of an aquaplaning condition of the tire as a function of the first signal; and generating a notification signal as a function of the at least one parameter. A system for signalling an aquaplaning condition of a tire.
US09043110B2
An active control method of pedal effort for an accelerator comprises steps to actively vary pedal effort. When a vehicle having a controllable pedal effort accelerator pedal runs, the active control method can actively vary the accelerator pedal effort according to accelerator pedal manipulation habits of a driver, thereby improving the accelerator pedal manipulation efficiency of the driver.
US09043109B2
A method for automatically braking a vehicle using a hydraulic brake system, which includes a multi-stage valve situated between a master brake cylinder and the intake side of a hydraulic pump. To attenuate a pressure equalization process between a fluid volume on the side of the master brake cylinder and a suction line of the hydraulic pump, the control current for the valve is increased in ramp-shaped manner in order to first open a preliminary stage and then a main stage of the valve.
US09043106B2
A control system that makes adjustments, such as limiting the maximum speed or maximum torque in a vehicle, is provided. These adjustments can be based on knowledge about the vehicle and trip, and on the estimated energy remaining. The control system is applicable to a wide range of vehicles, including ground, air, water, and sea vehicles, as well as vehicles powered by battery, electricity, compressed natural gas, or even liquid fuel propulsion systems. The control system may be used to adjust vehicle operation in route to assure the vehicle reaches a destination and to inform or counteract a human vehicle operator. Control system can also be used in racing applications to calculate the fastest-possible race speed and drive torque for a given race length; or alternatively, in endurance racing or delivery applications to optimize the vehicle speed and/or drive torque for a given race length or route.
US09043105B2
There is provided a behavior control device for the prevention of a jackknife phenomenon of a combination vehicle including a tractor and a trailer pivotably coupled with the tractor, taking into account that the relative pivoting action of the trailer and tractor varies according to the magnitudes of a vehicle speed or a deceleration. The inventive behavior control device comprises a braking-driving force control portion which controls a braking-driving force of the tractor or the trailer to reduce a difference between a yaw rate of the tractor and a yaw rate of the trailer and a judgment portion which judges whether or not a braking-driving force control of the tractor or the trailer by the braking-driving force control portion is necessary; wherein the judgment portion changes based on a vehicle speed or a deceleration of the vehicle the judgment of whether or not the braking-driving force control is necessary.
US09043103B2
A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a rotary shaft, plural dog clutch mechanisms, each of the dog clutch mechanisms including a clutch ring, a clutch hub arranged next to the clutch ring, a sleeve fitted with the clutch hub, a dog clutch portion which is provided at the clutch ring and selectively meshes with a spline formed at the sleeve, an axial driving device for moving the sleeve, the dog clutch control apparatus includes a disengagement detecting portion for detecting disengagement before the sleeve reaches a neutral position and a control apparatus for controlling operation of the axial driving device, wherein in a case where the disengagement is detected at a time of shifting operation, the control apparatus starts a shift-related control.
US09043093B2
Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, e.g., a side curtain airbag, a housing, a gas generating system arranged apart from the housing for generating gas, and a conduit leading from the gas generating system to the housing to provide gas to the housing, e.g., to a lateral end of the housing. A filter may be arranged between the gas generating system and the housing, possibly in the conduit. A nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The housing may be movably arranged relative to a fixed base and mounted to vary its relation to the base as a function of temperature, e.g., via elastic or deformable supports which support the housing on the base.
US09043078B2
A method and system for performing diagnostics or software maintenance on a vehicle comprises recording high-fidelity data at the vehicle consistent with configuration files to support engineering analysis or diagnostics on vehicle components, systems or performance. Supplemental data is retrieved via a low bandwidth transmission at the vehicle to supplement the recorded high-fidelity data. The recorded high-fidelity data and retrieved supplemental data is processed to generate a diagnostic status report message from transmission to the central electronic data processing system. A data processor or central electronic data processing system organizes the diagnostic report message, the recorded high fidelity data and the retrieved supplemental data into a data mart or diagnostics database to support engineering analysis or diagnostics on vehicle components, systems or performance.
US09043076B2
An approach is provided to automate predictive vehicle maintenance. In the approach, a vehicle's information handling system receives vehicle data transmissions from a number of other vehicles in geographic proximity to the vehicle. Both the vehicle and the other vehicles correspond to various vehicle types that are used to identify those other vehicles that are similar to the vehicle. The sets of received vehicle data transmissions that are received to similar vehicles are analyzed with respect to a plurality of vehicle maintenance data corresponding to the vehicle. The analysis of the vehicle data transmissions resulting in predictive vehicle maintenance recommendations pertaining to the first vehicle.
US09043071B1
Methods and systems for implementing steering-based scrub braking are described. A computing device or system assisting in the control of a vehicle may be configured to make a determination to reduce a speed of the vehicle or enhance the stability of a vehicle that is traveling in a given direction. The computing device may provide instructions to turn a pair of wheels or any combination of wheels of the vehicle in a direction away from parallel to the given direction in which the vehicle is traveling and in opposite directions to each other so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle. In an example, the computing device may estimate a range to execute speed reduction of the vehicle.
US09043066B2
A vehicle uses electric power from a mounted power storage device to drive a motor generator by a PCU to generate traction driving force. The vehicle can execute, as a function to discharge residual electric charge from a capacitor in PCU, MG discharging in which current is applied to the motor generator while preventing generation of torque for discharging, and PCU discharging through the conduction loss of switching elements in the PCU for discharging. In an event of detecting collision of the vehicle, an HV-ECU executes PCU discharging by priority, and executes MG discharging when the voltage of the capacitor is high.
US09043064B2
In a hybrid vehicle, a controller includes a target drive power setting device which sets a target drive power requested for the running of the vehicle, a target drive power calculator which calculates target drive power from the target drive power set by the target drive power setting device and the vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detector, an output limiter which limits the amount of power obtained from an electricity storer based on the state of the electricity storer, and a transition prohibitor which prohibits the transition of an engine to a stopped state when the power consumed for the transition of the engine from an operational state to a stopped state exceeds a value obtained by subtracting the target drive power calculated by the target drive power setting device from the output limit value set by the output limiter.
US09043053B2
A method and apparatus comprising an existing aircraft node and an information agent located in the existing aircraft node. The existing aircraft node is connected to a number of aircraft systems and a network in an aircraft network data processing system. The information agent is configured to provide access to information received by the existing aircraft node to other aircraft nodes in the aircraft network data processing system.
US09043051B1
Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating and presenting one or more flight management strips on a visual display unit are disclosed. An event generator (“EG”) is configured to receive flight management data representative of one or more future vertical mode actions or future lateral mode actions, generate event data representative of one or more flight management strips, and provide the event data to a presentation system for the subsequent display of flight management strip(s). Each future vertical mode action may be comprised of a vertical FMS event or a speed/thrust FMS event, and each future lateral mode action may be comprised of a lateral FMS event. Also, each flight management strip could be informative of one FMS event and comprised of at least one commencement time row and one FMS event row for displaying time and event information, respectively.
US09043045B2
A travel assist apparatus performs assist of warning or auxiliary for preventing departure of a vehicle in a lateral direction of the vehicle. A value of the estimated time to lane crossing at which assist is to be performed is varied in accordance with the velocity of the vehicle in the lateral direction. This enables selection of a value of the estimated time to lane crossing at which assist is to be performed that is suitable for the velocity of the vehicle in the lateral direction, enabling optimization of the timing of performing assist. Therefore, assist of warning or auxiliary is performed in an optimal way without bothering the driver.
US09043034B2
An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.
US09043025B2
In various embodiments, safe collaboration between a robot and humans is achieved by operating the robot continuously at or below a first threshold speed at which any collisions with a person's arms do not cause harm, and, upon detection of the person's torso or head within a danger zone around the robot, reducing the speed to or below a second threshold at which any collisions with the person's torso or head do not cause harm.
US09043024B2
A vision correction method for establishing the position of a tool center point (TCP) for a robot manipulator includes the steps of: defining a preset position of the TCP; defining a preset coordinate system TG with the preset position of the TCP as its origin; capturing a two-dimensional picture of the preset coordinate system TG to establish a visual coordinate system TV; calculating a scaling ratio λ of the vision coordinate system TV relative to the preset coordinate system TG; rotating the TCP relative to axes of the preset coordinate system TG; capturing pictures of the TCP prior to and after rotation; calculating the deviation ΔP between the preset position and actual position of the TCP; correcting the preset position and corresponding coordinate system TG using ΔP, and repeating the rotation through correction steps until ΔP is less than or equal to a maximum allowable deviation of the robot manipulator.
US09043021B1
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with swarm management are described. One example system comprises a communication component configured to establish a communication link with at least one element, where the at least one element is part of a swarm. The example system also comprises a management component configured to manage performance of a task list by the swarm through the communication link.
US09043020B2
A substrate transportation path is determined by first determining a trajectory of a first straight line passing through a start point, calculating a trajectory of a circular arc in contact with the first straight line, calculating a trajectory of a second straight line in contact with the circular arc and passing through the end point, then, if the position of the end point is changed, re-calculating the second straight line as a straight line passing through the changed end point and in contact with the circular arc, and allowing the center of the substrate holding unit to move on the first straight line, and then, move on the circular arc from a first contact point, followed by moving on the second straight line from a second contact point so as to reach the end point.
US09043016B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
US09043013B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for assisting sort operators in identifying the appropriate location to sort an item. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for identifying a particular bin from a plurality of bins for sorting a package is provided. The system includes a plurality of bins configured to receive sorted packages; an optical reader positioned to capture destination indicia associated with the package; a keypad comprising a plurality of keys, where in at least some of the keys are associated with individual bins of the plurality of bins and at least some of the keys include lights; and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive data from the optical reader relating to the destination indicia; identify a particular bin within the plurality of bins associated with the received data; and trigger illumination of one or more lights on the keypad.
US09043007B2
The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel way of automatically assigning materials to 3D CAD models. A predefined material template specifies that a particular part or material name is assigned to a particular material such that all instances of the particular part name are assigned or modified automatically by the material template. By having a consistent naming convention for the parts in the CAD file, this material assignment can be performed automatically when the CAD file is imported or viewed.
US09042999B2
A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD. The capacitor and the inductor form a band pass filter for attenuating electromagnetic signals through the antenna except at a selected frequency band. Values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band pass filter is resonant at the selected frequency band. In an alternative form, the band pass filter is coupled in series with the telemetry pin antenna for attenuating MRI signals of a selected frequency band.
US09042980B2
Methods and devices for cardiac signal analysis in implantable cardiac therapy systems. Several signal processing and/or conditioning methods are shown including R-wave detection embodiments including the use of thresholds related to previous peak amplitudes. Also, some embodiments include sample thresholding to remove extraneous data from sampled signals. Some embodiments include weighting certain samples more heavily than other samples within a sampled cardiac signal for analysis.
US09042979B2
The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode.
US09042974B2
A method and system for treating brain disorders comprises detecting activity of a first target area of the brain via a first implanted sensor and determining the presence of target brain activity by analyzing the detected brain activity in combination with treating the user based upon the determined presence of target brain activity by supplying a first therapeutic agent to the first target area via a first implanted fluid delivery member including at least one distal opening adjacent to the first target area. In addition, the system may be used as well for testing the effectiveness of drugs.
US09042958B2
MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.
US09042957B2
A device for electroimpedance tomography with an electrode belt (2), which has electrodes (E1 . . . E16), wherein at least two groups (5, 6) of electrodes located next to each other are formed and the electrodes of one group are contacted with at least one, multiwire feed cable (7, 8). For a reduced noise level during data acquisition, provisions are made for at least one electrode (E9) of two mutually adjacently located electrodes (E8, E9) of two different groups (5, 6) to have an additional electrode feed line (15), which is led over the feed cable (7) of the adjacent group (5).
US09042950B1
The detachable front flip cover comprises a flip cover and a first barrier rod. The flip cover covers a front face of the cell-phone. The flip cover comprises a first side cover portion for covering a first side edge portion, and a front cover portion for covering a front surface portion. The first barrier rod is provided along the first edge of the flip cover, and extends from the first barrier rod, and has a diameter larger than a thickness of the first edge portion of the flip cover, and is configured for being partially fitted into a first groove provided along an edge portion of the main cell-phone case so as to be received and held in place. The first edge portion and the first side cover portion are connected to each other along a line foldably so as to fit a corresponding edge of the cell-phone.
US09042947B2
A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.
US09042946B2
An underwater communication device (100) is provided with a voice interface (4), a transceiving unit, a voice quality converting unit and a body (1), etcetera. A bone conduction/throat microphone unit, assembled in the voice interface (4), converts the vocal cord vibrations of a diver to voice signals. The voice quality converting unit converts the voice signals to voice signals based on a clearer voice. A transmitting unit, assembled in the transceiving unit, transmits the converted voice signals to the outside. A receiving unit, assembled in the transceiving unit, receives voice data which is transmitted from the outside. A bone-conduction speaker unit, assembled in the voice interface (4), outputs vibrations corresponding to the voice data received by the receiving unit. Attachment equipment (1, 2, 3) are put on a diver in a state where the bone-conduction speaker unit is in attached to the diver. The receiving unit and the bone-conduction speaker unit are integrally attached to the body (1).
US09042945B2
A method and apparatus is provided that launches a selected application on a User Equipment (UE) such that if the launched application requires a mobile data connection and the UE's modem is in a dormant state, then the UE will transition the UE's modem from the dormant state to an active state and/or establish a mobile data connection while or in parallel with the selected application's initialization.
US09042938B2
A first user equipment (UE) wirelessly communicates with a network element (e.g., an eNB) on a carrier (e.g., a cellular uplink or downlink carrier) in accordance with its first capability partitioning configuration. The first UE engages in direct wireless communication on the carrier with a second UE in accordance its second capability partitioning configuration.
US09042923B1
A communication expands a text message into a web page and provides a link to the web page to a recipient device. The web page includes image content representing a subject or verb of the text message.
US09042921B2
Disclosed are a system, method, and article of manufacture of associating a context data with a voice-message component. The context data may be encoded into a voice message signal. The context-data may be associated with the voice-message component according to an attribute of the voice message. The attribute of the voice message may include at least one of a word, a phrase, a voice timbre, a duration of a pause between two words, a volume a voice and an ambient sound voice and a duration of a pause between two words. The context data may be selected according to a meaning of the attribute of the voice-message component.
US09042918B2
A method in a network node for enabling proximity detection is presented. The network node is comprised in a wireless communications network and serves a wireless device. According to the method, the network node obtains a fingerprint of a CSG cell, or of an inter-frequency cell. The network node then transmits the fingerprint to the wireless device, thereby enabling the wireless device to determine when it is in the proximity of the cell.
US09042899B2
An adjacent cell is determined to be a private cell, and then a measurement report of it that includes an identifier for the private cell is sent from a UE to the UE's serving network node. Methods, apparatus and computer readable media storing a program are detailed. In exemplary non-limiting embodiments: the identifier is at least a TA ID for the private cell's CSG network, where the UE receives the TA ID over a broadcast channel/system information of the serving network node; the TA ID may be a short TA ID received over a primary broadcast channel of the serving network node; the identifier comprises the TA ID and either a LI cell ID or a CSG cell ID; and if the UE is not a member of the CSG network it sends the measurement report only in response to a command received from the serving network node.
US09042894B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for interference mitigation of an open-access node. The method includes determining, at the open-access node, whether uplink interference from a mobile entity is above a threshold. The method includes adjusting a transmission power to trigger a hand-in of the mobile entity in response to determining the uplink interference is above the threshold. The method includes handing-in the mobile entity from a first cell in response to adjusting the transmission power. The method includes redirecting the mobile entity to a second cell different from the first cell.
US09042893B2
A congestion control method for a femtocell is provided. When the femtocell is not congested, the femtocell is prompted to enter an access permitted mode. When the femtocell enters the access permitted mode, the femtocell sends a system information modification notification. When the femtocell enters the access permitted mode, the femtocell repeatedly adjusts at least one cell selection parameter or at least one cell reselection parameter to gradually increase a coverage of the femtocell.
US09042882B2
A device and method are provided for concurrently using a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) to support a wireless-enabled communications session. A set of data is processed at a client node to identify a subset of priority data. The set of data and the subset of priority data are respectively provided to a first and second protocol stack, which correspond to a first and second RAT. The first and second protocol stacks are then used to control the transmission of a first and second set of transmitted data, which in turn respectively comprise the set of data and the subset of priority data. The first and second sets of transmitted data are received by an access node, which uses corresponding first and second protocol stacks to control their reception. The first and second sets of transmitted data are then processed to generate a set of received data.
US09042880B2
Method and apparatus for uploading content from a user terminal in response to a request triggered at the user terminal to upload content is provided. An exemplary method includes initiating a test call at the user terminal to a wireless network in response to an indication to upload content from the user terminal, obtaining user-channel information for the test call and network-level state information for the user terminal during the test call, determining whether a user-channel condition and a network-level condition are satisfied based on the user-channel information and network-level state information respectively, and uploading the content to the wireless network in response to the user-channel condition and the network-level condition being satisfied. The user terminal obtains at the user terminal user-level state information and triggers the indication to upload content from the user terminal if the user-level condition is determined to be satisfied.
US09042877B1
A method for retrofitting a branding framework into a mobile communication device is provided. The Method comprises the mobile communication device wirelessly receiving update instructions. In response to executing the update instructions, reducing the amount of memory in the mobile communication device allocated to a system memory partition. The method further comprises in response to executing the update instructions, reducing the amount of memory allocated to a user memory partition. The method further comprises determining the memory of the mobile communication device to allocate to create a carrier memory partition on the mobile communication device. The method further comprises installing a branding framework application into the system memory partition, wherein the branding framework application is configured to change the mobile communication device from a current brand to a different brand, wherein some information related to the current brand of the mobile communication device is stored in the carrier partition.
US09042876B2
Systems and methods for uploading location information based on device movement are disclosed. In some embodiments, location information may be received or determined by a mobile communications device. The location information may be associated with a physical location of the mobile communications device. A rate of movement of the mobile communications device may be identified. In some embodiments, the location information may be transmitted or uploaded from the mobile communications device to a server. The frequency of the transmitting or uploading of the location information may be based on the rate of movement of the mobile communications device.
US09042875B2
A vehicular communication apparatus establishes, by a narrow area communication channel establishment unit, a narrow area communication channel to a cellular phone that is brought into a vehicle compartment, and establishes a wide area communication channel to an access point outside of a vehicle. Upon detecting a stop condition of the vehicle by using a stop detection unit, the vehicular communication apparatus disconnects the narrow area communication channel by using a narrow area communication channel disconnection unit.
US09042857B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filter that splits a filter input signal into first and second input signals, modifies the first input signal to produce a first output signal, modifies the second input signal to produce a second output signal having an intermediate frequency response, and combines the first and second output signals while adjusting their relative phases and/or amplitudes to produce a filter output signal with the target frequency response. Adjustment includes splitting the second input signal into third and fourth input signals, which are modified and then combined to produce the second output signal having the intermediate frequency response.
US09042854B2
Apparatus and methods for tuning a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) are provided. In one aspect, a method of auto-tuning in a phase-locked loop includes generating a VCO clock signal using a VCO coupled to a capacitor array, dividing the VCO clock signal to generate a divided clock signal using a prescaler circuit having a selectable division ratio, controlling a value of the selectable division ratio using a first counter and a second counter of a counter module, generating a phase-frequency detector feedback signal based on a division control signal M and the divided clock signal using the counter module, counting a number of cycles of the divided clock signal that occur during a calibration interval using a cycle counter of a digital processing logic circuit, and determining the value of a capacitor array control signal based on the number of cycles counted during the calibration interval.
US09042852B1
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for adjusting a sensitivity threshold of a wireless communication device (WCD). In an embodiment, a WCD measures both a signal power level of a received signal and a noise power level. The WCD also makes a sensitivity-adjustment determination, which includes (i) a determination that the signal power level is less than a current sensitivity threshold of the receiver of the WCD and (ii) a determination that a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal power level to the noise power level is greater than an SNR threshold. Responsive to making the sensitivity-adjustment determination, the WCD adjusts its receiver from having the current sensitivity threshold to having an adjusted sensitivity threshold that is less than or equal to the signal power level.
US09042849B2
Various embodiments of a panoramic display for a wireless device are described. In one embodiment, a wireless device may include a display comprising a plurality of display regions. The display regions may include a central display region and multiple lateral display regions arranged to provide a panoramic display. Image compression and/or scaling may be applied to media content that is to be displayed in one or more of the lateral display regions based on the proximity of the lateral display region to the edge of the display.
US09042838B2
A system and methods for cancelling transmission leakage signals in a wide bandwidth Distributed Antenna System (“DAS”) having remote units is disclosed. An internal cancellation circuit within the remote unit is employed to reduce the transmitted leakage signals by generating a cancellation signal. This cancellation signal is added to the received signal to cancel the transmission leakage signal in the receiving signal path. A pilot signal generation circuit is employed to optimize the cancellation circuit operating parameters. The frequency of the pilot signal is swept over a range to determine the pilot frequency having the highest electromagnetic coupling. The amplitude and phase of the cancellation signal is then optimized to minimize the level of transmission leakage in the receiving transmission path.
US09042830B2
An input device for switchable use between first and second computer systems. A controller of the input device can execute switching logic to direct a radio transceiver of the input device to switch an operating channel of the radio transceiver to a first channel monitored by the first computer system in response to a first event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the first computer system. The controller can execute switching logic to direct the radio transceiver to switch the operating channel to a second channel monitored by the second computer system in response to a second event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the second computer system.
US09042829B2
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable devices to invoke a programmed process, if the one or more wireless communication messages received over the wireless communication connection, has a measured power level greater than a threshold value. In an example embodiment, a method includes measuring, by an apparatus, a power level of one or more wireless communication messages received from a selected wireless device over a wireless communication connection; and invoking, by the apparatus, a programmed process, if the one or more wireless communication messages received over the wireless communication connection, has a measured power level greater than a threshold value.
US09042827B2
For modifying a function based on user proximity, a proximity module determines a distance between an electronic device and a transported device in wireless communication with the electronic device. The proximity module further modifies a function of the electronic device if the distance is within the specified range.
US09042822B2
A communication device having a wireless communication system and a Near Field Communication (NFC) circuit is provided. The NFC circuit includes two pads, two ferrite beads and a NFC controller. The first pad and the second pad are coupled to a NFC antenna. The first and the second ferrite bead are respectively coupled to the first pad and the second pad. The NFC controller includes two pins. The first pin and the second pin are coupled to the first ferrite bead and the second ferrite bead, respectively. The first pin and the second pin output a differential NFC signal to be emitted by the NFC antenna. The first and the second ferrite bead allow the fundamental frequency component of the NFC signal to pass, and filter out a plurality of high-frequency components for avoiding the operating frequency of the wireless communication system from being interfered by the high-frequency components.
