US07655241B2
The present invention concerns the use of methods and compositions to prophylactically or therapeutically vaccinate a subject against a pathogen or disease. Embodiments of the invention include the production of an attenuated bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae with a non-functional lipoprotein for use as a vaccine or as a vaccine vector for delivering antigens to a subject to be vaccinated. In certain embodiments, a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family lacking a wild type LP, for example Salmonella typhimurium lacking a wild type LP, may be produced and used as a vaccine or vaccine vector.
US07655239B2
Methods for the detection, monitoring and treatment of malignancies in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated are disclosed. Detection of specific T cell activation (e.g., by measuring the proliferation of T cells) in response to in vitro exposure to the HER-2/neu protein, or detection of immunocomplexes formed between the HER-2/neu protein and antibodies in body fluid, allows the diagnosis of the presence of a malignancy in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated. The present invention also discloses methods and compositions, including peptides, for treating such malignancies.
US07655232B2
The invention concerns anti-NGF antibodies (such as anti-NGF antagonist antibodies), and polynucleotides encoding the same. The invention further concerns use of such antibodies and/or polynucleotides in the treatment and/or prevention of pain, including post-surgical pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, and osteoarthritis pain.
US07655231B2
The present invention features methods for treating or preventing pain comprising administering an amount of a nerve growth factor antagonist (such as an anti-NGF antibody) and an amount of an NSAID such that together they provide effective pain relief. The invention also features compositions comprising a nerve growth factor antagonist and an NSAID and kits containing the same.
US07655227B1
The present invention provides an agent for ameliorating low vasopressin level, which comprises, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of inhibiting the binding between parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and a receptor thereof; and an agent for ameliorating a symptom caused by a decrease in vasopressin level, which comprises, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of inhibiting the binding between parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and a receptor thereof.
US07655224B2
The present invention is based upon a surprising finding that stem cells, more particularly neural stem cells, can migrate throughout a brain tumor and track metastatic brain tumor cells. The invention provides a method for treating brain tumors by administering genetically engineered neural stem cells in an individual affected by brain tumors. The invention also provides a method of preparing genetically engineered neural stem cells and a composition comprising genetically engineered neural stem cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07655212B2
An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble fluorinated additive, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 50 micrometers.
US07655210B2
A method of making mesoporous carbon beads comprises steps of providing a nucleophilic component such as phenolic compound or phenol condensation prepolymer, dissolving the nucleophilic component in a pore former, together with at least one electrophilic cross-linking agent such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural and hexamethylene tetramine, dispersing the resulting solution into a mineral oil to form beads, condensing both the component and the agent in the presence of the pore former to form beads of porous resin, removing the beads from the mineral oil and carbonizing the beads to form mesoporous carbon beads.
US07655205B2
Disclosed is a process for the removal of sulfur from a gas stream containing sulfur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide. The process includes a hydrogenation step, a hydrolysis step, an ammonia removal step and a hydrogen sulfide removal step. An aqueous alkaline washing liquid is used in the hydrogen sulfide removal step and with the spent sulfide containing washing liquid being regenerated using an oxidation bioreactor that utilizes sulfide oxidizing bacteria such as autotropic aerobic cultures of Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira.
US07655203B2
A catalyst system for the reduction of NOx is disclosed. One embodiment of the catalyst system is based on a catalyst in a first zone, including a catalyst support, gallium, and at least one promoting metal; and a catalyst in the second zone following the first zone. The second-zone catalyst includes a second catalyst support and a zeolite material. The catalyst system further includes a gas stream comprising an organic reductant, such as a hydrocarbon material or a compound containing oxygen or nitrogen. A method for reducing NOx, utilizing the catalyst system, is also described.
US07655199B2
The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of uranium in high silica environments comprising the use of a strong base macroreticular ion exchange resin.
US07655195B1
An undulated-wall honeycomb structure (1) has multiple cell passages (2) with mutually parallel passage directions. With this undulated-wall honeycomb structure (1), intersections (4) between walls (3) partitioning the cell passages (2) are formed at cross-sections perpendicular to the cell passages (2) and positioned systematically maintaining a predetermined pitch, and also the wall face portions (5) of the walls (3) excluding the intersections (4) are formed with undulated shapes in both the cell passage direction and the cross-section direction perpendicular to the cell passage direction. According to this undulated-wall honeycomb structure, advantages such as improved exhaust gas purification capabilities and catalyst capabilities, improved mechanical strength for canning, and further improved heat-resistant shock properties can be obtained.
US07655187B2
The present invention provides systems for isolating toxins and collecting an eluate from a sampling column for subsequent testing and to methods of extracting and collecting an eluate using the same systems. Preferably, the systems comprise a sample holder such as an immuno-affinity column for holding the sample and a self-contained fluid delivery system that can deliver liquid, e.g., reagents, and gaseous fluids, e.g., compressed air. More preferably, the fluid control system of the fluid delivery system provides some amount of pressurized gas continuously to the headspace of the column even when a fluid is not being forced through the resin gel in the column.
US07655180B2
A method for controlling the shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies is provided, including performing a preliminary test to determine an average shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies made from test lots of a ceramic powder, and determining a linear correlation between the average shrinkage and measured amounts of the ground test lots removed from a ball mill during a specific milling time interval. A batch of the ceramic powder is then ground, an amount of the ground ceramic powder removed from the ball mill during the specific time interval is measured, and the linear correlation is used to estimate the shrinkage of a ceramic body made therefrom. The difference between a target shrinkage and the estimated shrinkage is determined, and one or more of the processing conditions used to form the ceramic body are changed to offset the difference.
US07655179B2
A container with a flange having excellent heat resistance and impact resistance in the lower part of the barrel portion and having excellent transparency in the wall despite the container is formed by molding an amorphous polyester sheet, and a method of producing the same.
US07655177B2
A wide mouth plastic barrel with a removable lid and a clamping ring closure is manufactured by extruding a plastic tube into a blow mold and by producing a closed preform. The preform is finish-blown to a barrel body, wherein the blowing air for finish-blowing a barrel body with a closed lid is introduced through a blow nozzle inserted into an intermediate ring of the barrel body and the blowing air for finish-blowing a barrel body with a bung lid is introduced through a bung hole by a blow nozzle and optionally through a blow nozzle in the intermediate ring. After removal from the blow mold, the lid is separated from the barrel body by cutting out the intermediate ring. A seal is inserted into the barrel lid, and the barrel lid is fastened by the clamping ring on a projection of the basic barrel member.
US07655170B2
A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.
US07655157B2
This invention provides novel cadmium tungstate scintillator materials that show improved radiation hardness. In particular, it was discovered that doping of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) with trivalent metal ions or monovalent metal ions is particularly effective in improving radiation hardness of the scintillator material.
US07655153B2
A deicing composition with a carboxylate salt as the primary deicer and that has a low corrosivity to galvanized steel is disclosed. The composition includes a soluble silicate as a corrosion inhibitor and a gluconate salt as a silicate stabilizer to maintain adequate solubility of the silicate salt at pH values below about 11.5.
US07655150B2
An apparatus for a programmable self sanitizing water dispenser apparatus with a digital computer as well as a programmable method for generating ozone for cleaning the reservoir and the water contained within it.
US07655149B1
This invention is based upon the discovery that kenaf balls that are comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers are highly useful for absorbing oil and other organic liquids from oil spill areas on land or water. In fact, the kenaf balls of this invention are capable of absorbing oil in an amount of over 1000% of their own weight and in some cases even over 1800% of their own weight. The subject invention more specifically discloses a kenaf ball which is comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers, wherein the kenaf ball has a density which is within the range of about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc, and wherein the kenaf ball has a mass which is within the range of 0.2 grams to about 10 grams.
US07655148B2
A water treatment composition includes an oxidizing component and an adsorbing component, wherein one or both of the oxidizing component and adsorbing component comprise nanostructured materials. The water treatment compositions are useful in at least partially removing contaminants such as metallic or cationic arsenic, lead, chromium, and/or mercury from water.
US07655146B2
The method comprises providing a leukocyte-removing filter having a thickness of 9.0 mm to 9.4 mm, an air permeability pressure drop of 300 Pa to 700 Pa, and effective filtration area of 50 cm2 to 70 cm2 which comprises a flat and flexible container having an inlet port and an outlet port and a sheet-like leukocyte-removing-filter material with a thickness of 8.2 mm to 8.6 mm disposed to divide the container into an inlet-port side chamber and an outlet-port side chamber, providing a pair of volume restriction boards disposed outside of the inlet port side external surface and the outlet port side external surface of the flexible container, having the distance between the volume restriction boards at the portion where the volume restriction boards facing each other sandwich the leukocyte-removing filter being in a range from [thickness of leukocyte-removing filter+0.5 mm] to [thickness of leukocyte-removing filter+2.5 mm], and filtering blood or blood components through the leukocyte-removing filter under a pressure of 30 kPa to 50 kPa while restraining expansion of the flexible container occurring during filtration by means of the volume restriction boards.
US07655144B2
A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater by processes which include aeration. The system includes an influent conduit for delivery of wastewater to be processed and a treatment tank for processing of the wastewater. Also included is an air conduit for providing compressed air for aeration of the wastewater and a particle size regulation device disposed between the conduit and the tank, wherein the particle size regulation device regulates a size of particles present in the wastewater to provide particle size regulated wastewater. The system also includes at least one aeration jet having a nozzle diameter sized to allow the particle size regulated wastewater to pass through the nozzle.
US07655140B2
A fuel water separator system includes a fuel tank for storing fuel and a fuel water separator fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for separating water from the fuel. A fuel pump has a suction side that is fluidly coupled to the fuel water separator for pumping fuel from the fuel water separator. The fuel pump has a high pressure side where the fuel has a higher pressure than at the suction side. A water pump, such as a venturi or a jet pump, is fluidly coupled between the fuel water separator and the fuel tank for pumping the water from the fuel water separator into the fuel tank. The water pump is fluidly coupled to the high pressure side of the fuel pump to receive the fuel at the higher pressure to drive the water pump.
US07655137B2
The reforming catalysts include a halogen promoter and a plurality of nanocatalyst particles supported on a support material. The nanocatalyst particles have a controlled crystal face exposure of predominately (110). The controlled coordination structure is manufactured by reacting a plurality of catalyst atoms with a control agent such as polyacrylic acid and causing or allowing the catalyst atoms to form nanocatalyst particles. The catalysts are used in a reforming reaction to improve the octane number of gasoline feedstock. The reforming catalysts show improved C5+ hydrocarbon production and improved octane barrel number increases as compared to commercially available reforming catalysts.
US07655131B2
Disclosed is a gas sensor for controlling a concentration of oxygen and/or measuring NOx by allowing a current to flow through an ion-conductive member for conducting oxygen ion, by the aid of a current supply circuit, wherein the current, which is outputted from the current supply circuit, has a pulse waveform (current signal) having a constant crest value, and the current supply circuit comprises a rectangular wave-generating circuit for controlling a frequency of the current signal on the basis of an electromotive force generated in the ion-conductive member to which the current signal is supplied. Accordingly, it is possible to highly accurately measure the predetermined gas component while scarcely being affected by the electric noise or the like.
US07655129B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods useful in the acceleration of binding of target analytes to capture ligands on surfaces. Detection proceeds through the use of an electron transfer moiety (ETM) that is associated with the target analyte, either directly or indirectly, to allow electronic detection of the ETM.
US07655125B2
For automating the operation of an electrophoresis apparatus and improving the throughput, the present electrophoresis apparatus has two platens capable of controlling temperature of electrophoresis plates placed thereon, a loading medium charging unit for sending a loading medium under pressure, a loading medium charging nozzle mechanism having a pair of nozzles connected to the loading medium charging unit, a pipetter mechanism for dispensing samples to sample dispensing openings of the electrophoresis plates placed on the platens, a stacker mechanism for storing sample plates, a loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a loading buffer solution dispensing mechanism connected to the loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a power unit for allowing electrophoresis separation for each electrophoresis plate placed on the platens, and a detector for optically detecting components migrating through each electrophoresis flow channel of the electrophoresis plates.
US07655118B2
This invention relates to an electrolytic processing apparatus and method useful for processing a conductive material formed in the surface of a substrate, or for removing impurities adhering to the surface of a substrate. An electrolytic processing apparatus, including, a processing electrode that can come close to a workpiece, a feeding electrode for feeding electricity to the workpiece, an ion exchanger disposed in the space between the workpiece and the processing and the feeding electrodes, a fluid supply section for supplying a fluid between the workpiece and the ion exchanger, and a power source. The processing electrode and/or the feeding electrode is electrically divided into a plurality of parts, and the power source applies a voltage to each of the divided electrode parts and can control voltage and/or electric current independently for each of the divided electrode parts.
US07655113B2
A process for producing a protein hydrolysate derived from keratin containing material with an oxidative bleaching agent at an acidic pH and mixing the keratin hydrolysate as an additive to the wet-end of a papermaking process. The process achieves a paper with a lower porosity and greater breaking length.
US07655112B2
An integrated paper having capabilities and functionalities provided by both the fiber and the active agent ingredients, and a method of immobilizing the active agents within the integrated paper. A tight pore structure with a mean pore diameter of less than about 2 microns provides short diffusion distances from a fluid to the surface of the paper ingredients by adsorption or diffusive interception, making it an excellent medium for fluid filtration. A microbiological interception enhancing agent may be added. The integrated paper may be formed using wet laid paper-making processes. Devices utilizing the integrated paper are used in fluid filtration.
US07655110B2
In the present invention, a probe which detects a time varying magnetic flux density in a direction around a center axis of a processing space is provided in a process vessel of a plasma processing apparatus. The probe detects an induced electromotive force generated in a coil as the time varying magnetic flux density, and a computer calculates an amount of radio-frequency current in the process vessel from the induced electromotive force, based on a predetermined calculation principle.
US07655108B2
Display panel assembly apparatus for assembling a display panel by bonding a driver substrate onto a glass panel via a connector and bonding material. A panel positioning table retains the glass panel in which the connector is bonded to its edge, and positions the glass panel with respect to a bonder from one side. The substrate to which a bonding tape is applied by a bonding tape applicator is transferred to the bonder from the other side by circulating a substrate holder on which the substrate is placed using a circulatory transport mechanism. The connector prebonded on the glass panel and the substrate are then bonded via the bonding tape. Adoption of this configuration for the display panel assembly apparatus and assembly method reduces the apparatus installation area while achieving high productivity.
US07655104B2
A moisture resistant film is for covering an architectural structure. The film includes a flexible membrane defining a plane and a first plurality of spaced apart, discrete embossings formed in the membrane extending outwardly of the plane. The embossings are formed in rows in an x-direction and in columns in a y-direction. The rows are parallel to and spaced from one another and the columns are parallel to and spaced from one another. A method and tool for making the film are also disclosed.
US07655101B2
A steel alloy for cutting tools, wherein the alloy comprises C, Si, Mn, Cr, Mo, W, V, Al, P, S and N within the concentration ranges recited in the claims. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07655094B2
Systems and methods for charging a cleaning solution used for cleaning integrated circuit substrates
Inventive methods, systems and compositions of cleaning integrated circuit (“IC”) substrates are described. The cleaning methods of the present invention include: charging a solution, which contains at least a solute selected to promote cleaning of the IC substrate, to produce a charged solution, such that at least a portion of the solute is present as clusters in the charged solution; and conveying the charged solution for cleaning the IC substrate.
US07655083B2
This invention relates to method of printing an ink jet image using an ink jet ink set comprising a colored aqueous ink and a substantially colorless aqueous ink, wherein the colored ink comprises a cationic coloring agent and the colorless ink comprises an anionic polymer or oligomer.
US07655080B2
The present invention relates to an air cleaning and filtering system, comprising an air intake filtering part and an air outlet filtering part, wherein the air intake filtering part further comprises filtering devices which connect with the air inlet and the air outlet of the air intake filtering part, wherein the air intake filtering part and the air outlet filtering part further comprise sterilizing units. The air cleaning and filtering system of the present invention can provide filtering and sterilization to the incoming and outgoing air of a room to purify and circulate the indoor air and prevent the backflow of the infected air, thus preventing disease spreading through air flow. The air cleaning and filtering system of the present invention can be widely used in hospital, mobile treatment room, clinic, hotel, theatre, office, toilet, public vehicles and home, etc.
US07655079B2
A gas-liquid separation apparatus includes an inlet pipe for transferring liquid with gas dissolved therein and a separating pipe for separating the gas from the liquid. The separating pipe has a spiral-shaped guiding member therein. The separating pipe extends from the inlet pipe and is in alignment and communicating with the inlet pipe. An outlet pipe extends from a joint of the inlet pipe and the separating pipe and communicates with the separating pipe, for transferring therein the liquid after the liquid has been degassed by the spiral-shaped guiding member in the separating pipe. A gas storage device communicates with the separating pipe and outside for collecting the gas from the separating pipe and discharging the gas to the outside.
US07655068B2
A method to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance is provided. The method includes providing an electrostatic precipitator including an inlet, a collector chamber and an outlet, where the collector chamber includes a plurality of discharge electrodes and a plurality of collector electrodes. The method also includes defining a respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes, identifying a particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode based on the respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and positioning each of the plurality of discharge electrodes in the electrostatic precipitator according to the particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode.
US07655063B2
The invention is a can-filter structure of an oxygen concentrator, which includes: a first can-filter having filter material; a second can-filter having filter material; and an outlet cover. The first can-filter includes an air inlet provided at the entrance side of the first can-filter and a first conical joint formed at the exit side of the first can-filter, wherein the first conical joint is hollow and at least one recess is provided on the outer surface thereof. The second can-filter includes a second conical joint formed at the entrance side of the second can-filter, wherein the second conical joint is hollow, and at least one engaging hook corresponding to the recess is provided on the inner surface thereof for coupling to the first conical joint. The outlet cover is provided at the exit side of the second can-filter and is coupled thereto by ultrasonic fusion.
US07655060B2
An electric vacuum cleaner is equipped with a dust collection unit (20) that can be detachably installed in the air passage en route from a suction unit to an electric fan of the cleaner. The dust collection unit (20) comprises a dust collecting case (21) for accumulating dust sucked in, a lid member (32) that can be opened to discharge the accumulated dust; and a lock mechanism (clamp lever) (33) for locking the lid member 32 tightly closed. The dust collection unit (20) is further provided with a hand grip (24), arranged to face said user, thereby facilitating a user to hold the dust collection unit when discharging dust from the bottom of the dust collecting case. Further, a hinge (31) is arranged at a position which is adjacent to said bottom (32) of said dust collecting case (21) facing the user holding the hand grip. Furthermore, a lock mechanism (33) is arranged near the periphery of the lid member (32) and at a position opposite to the hinge.
US07655057B2
A polishing composition contains a compound represented by the general formula (1) below and abrasive grains. In the general formula (1), X represents a residue of polyether polyol (having a polyether chain containing an oxyethylene group in an amount of 20 to 90% by mass) derived from a compound having an active hydrogen atom and an alkylene oxide; m represents an integer of 2 to 8, which is equal to the number of hydroxy groups contained in a single polyether polyol molecule; Y and Z represent a lower alcohol residue to which ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is added by addition polymerization, an alkyl group or an alkylene group, respectively; and n is an integer of 3 or more.
US07655046B2
An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration.
US07655038B2
Methods of making a coating on a medical device are disclosed, including associating a composition with at least a portion of the device to form a layer. In some embodiments, a composition may include a copolymer prepared from a room temperature melt of a plurality of monomer units that comprises a first monomer unit and a second monomer unit, wherein the second monomer unit has a glass transition temperature that is at least about 30 degrees Centigrade higher than the glass transition temperature of the first monomer unit, with a glass transition temperature of a monomer unit being defined as a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of that monomer unit.
US07655037B2
An aneurysmal repair system that utilizes a modified apex and delivery device is designed for accurate endoprosthesis delivery and deployment. The modified apex utilizes segments that overlap and hold one another down as well as the fixation barbs attached thereto. The delivery device holds or secures at least one section of the apex and may be easily released by retraction of a hold down member.
US07655021B2
The invention relates to a dilator having an expandable member and relates to a dilator and access sheath assembly including a first conduit which includes a wall defining a lumen therethrough and which is sufficiently rigid to dilate tissue in a body vessel; a member coaxially surrounding a first section of the first conduit, where the member is capable of expanding; and a second conduit coaxially surrounding a second section of the first conduit.
US07654990B2
A disposable diaper improved so that the wearer's skin can be reliably protected from being soiled with feces. A chassis constituting the diaper includes a spacer sheet attached to an inner sheet of the chassis. The spacer sheet has a front end zone and a rear end zone fixed to the inner sheet and an intermediate zone left free from the inner sheet. The intermediate zone is formed with an opening shaped so as to describe a circular arc which is convex forward. Along the opposite side edges of the opening, the spacer sheet is provided with elastic members extending in the length direction of the diaper and attached thereto in a stretched state in the direction. These elastic members extend forward with respect to the diaper along the peripheral edge of the opening so as to get close to a center line bisecting a width of the diaper.
US07654983B2
The present invention provides a pneumatic injector that includes a pressurized gas source, an actuator, a driver, and a dispenser. The dispenser of the injector includes a reservoir for containing a desired amount of a chosen medicament and a needle, such as a hypodermic needle, suitable for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intra-articular delivery of the chosen medicament. The actuator actuates the transmission of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to the driver, and as pressurized gas is delivered to the driver, the driver exerts at least an injection force. The injection force is of sufficient magnitude to expel a chosen medicament through the needle of the dispenser within a desired amount of time. Advantageously, the design of the injector of the present invention is extremely flexible, allowing the injector to be designed to deliver a wide range of medicaments in virtually any human or veterinary context calling for the injection of the subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intra-articular injection of medicament.
US07654979B2
The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.
US07654976B2
A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.
US07654974B2
A traction table (200) include a frame having a base-frame portion (202) rotabably coupled to a top-frame portion (250) at a pivot point 214, a seat back portion (208) coupled to the top frame portion, and a seat-bottom (204) slidably coupled to the frame top portion. The seat-bottom can rotate about a pivot point (262) and tilt about at least one axis (260 and/or 264). The seat-bottom can further slide forwards or backwards relative to the top frame portion. The traction table can include an optional neck piece (210) coupled to the top frame portion that can move parallel relative to the seat back portion and constructed to rotate, tilt side to side or forward and backward. The traction table can include at least one actuator motor (245 or 244) for moving the seat-bottom or neck piece relative to the top-frame portion and a controller (212) for controlling such actuator(s).
US07654968B1
A placental blood extractor consisting of an outside box having a plurality of plastic bags mounted within the top and bottom sections of the box and having an opening in the bottom section, a sterile bag having a central closure on a first side and a leader for an umbilical cord on a second side for holding a placenta mounted between the top and bottom plastic bags and a collector of blood system attached to the opening in the bottom, the collector of blood system consists of a pump, a manometer, a computer and a vibrator for gentle shaking of the collector of blood system.
US07654961B2
An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array shape, connection leads connected to the ultrasonic oscillating elements, and at least one board to connect the ultrasonic oscillating elements and integrated circuits. The board includes a first part having through-holes which are electrically connected to the connection leads when the connection leads are inserted, and second parts having bendable portions configured to connect the first part and the integrated circuits.
US07654948B2
Automated behavioral methods and systems for treating insomnia that use passive means for determining wake/sleep states.
US07654944B1
A base has a primary leg with a rear cross bar positionable on the ground. The primary leg has a raised forward end. The base has a secondary leg with a front cross bar positionable on the ground. The secondary leg is pivotably coupled to the primary leg. A seat rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A back rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A rearward adjustment assembly includes a pair of parallel adjustment bars with an upper pivot tube. The upper pivot tube pivotally couples the upper ends of the adjustment bars to the back rest. A slider is slidable along the primary leg. The adjustment bars are coupled to the slider beneath the primary tube. The adjustment bars couple the adjustment bars to the slider. In this manner pivoting of the back rest is allowed.
US07654943B2
A foldable hoop has an outer tube; and one or more swivel mechanisms connecting ends of the outer tube to form the hoop. The swivel mechanism is formed from two pieces of tubing held together at ends thereof, said two pieces of tubing being rotatable with respect to each other. The tubes forming the swivel mechanism may be solid plastic or hollow tubing, and they are connected to the outer tube using, e.g., rivets, screws, staples.
US07654934B2
A differential gear is equipped with a selectively controllable locking device which is self energizing, i.e. it utilizes the differentiation energy to self-lock on its own accord. The control signal is therefore not needed to lock the locking device but rather to selectively, separately for each of the two possible differentiation directions, control it to not lock itself. This gives the differential gear four different working modes. These are: open regardless of differentiation direction; open in one differentiation direction but self-locking in the other direction; open in the other direction but self-locking in the first one; self locking regardless of differentiation direction. A control unit is supplied with sensor data of the present “driving situation”. The control unit has a steering strategy. With the right steering strategy it can regulate the control signal so as to permit the differential gear to equalize the torque at each output shaft for as long as possible but still to practically eliminate the risk of one wheel spin.
US07654926B2
A continuously variable V-belt transmission basically has a driving pulley, a driven pulley and a V-belt wound around the pulleys. The frictional engagement between the pulleys and the V-belt is controlled by regulating pulley axial thrusts to the pulleys. The V-belt has a plurality of torque transmitting connected by an annular ring. A boundary-detection arrangement is provided to detect a boundary position between a first region, in which the elements are arranged without any gap therebetween, and a second region, in which the elements are arranged with a gap therebetween, along a portion of the driving pulley when torque is being transmitted. The detected boundary position is used to estimate the pulley axial thrust applied by the driving pulley against the V-belt, and to control the pulley axial thrust to a lower limit which ensures that the V-belt will not slip upon application of the maximum torque.
US07654925B2
A sprocket is provided having a plurality of teeth around its circumference. Adjacent teeth are separated by roots each having a root radius defined as the distance between the center of the sprocket and a point along the root closest to the sprocket center in a radial direction. In one aspect of the invention, the sprocket comprises at least two different root radii arranged in a pattern effective to redistribute tensions imparted to a chain by the sprocket at one or more predetermined sprocket orders.
US07654922B2
Sports ball, and more generally a pneumatic object with at least one internal pressure sensor (10) of said ball, automatic inflator (6), capable of compensating for a decrease in the internal pressure, this inflator having at least one gas micro-generator, said at least one micro-generator being capable of being actuated when the pressure sensor (10) measures an internal pressure below a predetermined threshold.
US07654909B2
A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3Al-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.
US07654908B2
A tripod type constant velocity universal joint that includes an outer joint member having three track grooves axially extending on an inner circumferential surface thereof; an inner joint member having three radially projecting trunnions; a boot fitted to an outer periphery of the outer joint member at an end portion and to a shaft extended from the inner joint member at another end portion to seal an inner region of the joint; wherein the outer joint member includes a first reduced-thickness portion on an outer periphery thereof in a region corresponding to the region between the track grooves, and a second reduced-thickness portion on an outer periphery thereof in a region corresponding to the region where the track grooves are located; and wherein the second reduced-thickness portion is of a groove shape axially extending with respect to the outer joint member.
US07654893B2
A simplified video game includes a series of timed events where each event is capable of a positive or negative result based on the timing of player input signal. A positive result requires a time period greater than a negative result. The following event automatically is initiated after completion of the preceding event until a certain cumulative time period is reached.
US07654891B2
The present invention provides a coin feeding device that can separate coins of multiple denominations that are different in diameter. A rotary disk has a circular base plate and a pushing out disk with a plurality of space radial projecting portions extending above the circular base plate. The spaces between the radial projecting portions form coin separating concave portions for receiving coins. The circular base plate can have cam grooves. A pivoting moving body can be driven by the cam grooves and can be positioned at either a radially inward surface of the separating concave portion or extended forward to discharge a coin. One side of the separating concave portions are curved as a coin pushing portion while the other side has a protruding portion that is cantilevered to extend into the concave portion and to project upward to remove any extraneous coin that may be carried by movement of the rotary disk.
US07654887B2
The vacuum chuck according to the present invention is provided with a sucking plate for sucking and holding an object to be sucked, in which a sucking layer made of a porous ceramic and a dense material layer are integrated, the sucking layer being located on the side for sucking the object to be sucked, wherein the dense material layer is formed by impregnating the porous ceramic with a metal.
US07654886B2
The present invention is a pneumatic grinder, with a housing, an air chamber stand, and a rotor. The air chamber stand includes a cylinder, an upper cover and a lower cover. The cylinder is fitted with an inlet hole and an exhaust hole. There is a lateral exhaust hole assembled on the upper cover or lower cover or both covers and provided with a vertical internal borehole section linking the air chamber within the air chamber stand, and a transverse external borehole section. The air exhaust capacity of the air chamber stand is increased, markedly reducing turbulence and improving rotational speed and strength of the rotor. The vibration of rotor is efficiently reduced for the users, thereby improving significantly the torque, performance and quality of the pneumatic grinder with better applicability.
US07654881B2
An action figure is provided having movable appendages. The action figure includes a body having a plurality of appendages including a first appendage configured to rotate about a first axis and a second appendage configured to rotate about a second axis. The action figure further includes a first movement assembly configured to drive movement of the first appendage and a second movement assembly configured to drive movement of the second appendage. At least one of the first and second movement assemblies is configured to delay movement of a corresponding appendage.
US07654872B2
An audio jack connector includes a housing and a terminal group. The housing has an insertion hole extending inward from the front of the housing. The bottom of the base defines at least one signal terminal recess and an auxiliary terminal recess, a first aperture is defined in the bottom of the auxiliary terminal recess and communicates with the signal terminal recess. The terminal group has at least one signal terminal and an auxiliary terminal received in the signal terminal recess and the auxiliary terminal recess respectively. The signal terminal has a contact portion projecting into the insertion hole and an elastic portion extending from the end of the contact portion. The auxiliary terminal has a transverse fixed portion and a first connecting portion extending upward and then longitudinally from one end of the fixed portion. One part of the first connecting portion is jammed in the first aperture, and the other part of the first connecting portion projects into the signal terminal recess.
US07654869B2
A card connector (100) for connecting with an electronic element, includes a first connector (30) comprising a first insulating housing (50) retaining a plurality of first terminals (51) and a first cavity (20) for receiving a first card; a second connector (40) stacked with the first connector and comprising a second insulating housing (60) retaining a plurality of second terminals (131) and a second cavity (80) for receiving a second card; a printed circuit board (10) sandwiched by the first connector and the second connector, the first terminals and the second terminals set on opposite sides of the circuit board; and a third connector (14) mounted on the printed circuit board for connecting the first connector and the second connector with the electronic element electrically.
US07654865B2
The electrical connector includes an electrical terminal, a housing delimiting a chamber for receiving the terminal along a reception direction (X), successively at a reception position and at a retained position, a pawl hinged to one amongst the housing and the terminal, and a stop fixed to the other amongst the housing and the terminal. Said pawl and stop cooperate for retaining the terminal at its retained position, and said housing includes a guiding wall with guiding surface on which the terminal is pushed against by the pawl being elastically pushed back. The guiding surface comprises a raising slope inclined toward the inside of the chamber along the reception direction (X) 1 the slope being located to be climbed on by the terminal pushed from its reception position to its retained position. Application in the automotive industry.
US07654863B2
An electrical connector assembly (100) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises an electrical connector (200) for connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate (60) and a connecting device (300) for fixing the electrical connector (200) to the circuit substrate (60). The electrical connector (200) includes a housing assembly (1) with a plurality of contacts (10) received therein. The connecting device (1) includes a first screw (70), a second screw (90) and a nut (80) connecting the first screw (70) and the second screw (90). The nut (80) connecting with the first screw (70) makes the first screw (70) securely located on the housing assembly (1) and prevents the first screw (70) losing in the transportation.
US07654857B2
A multimeter for testing a plurality of electrical parameters comprises a case having a plurality of test lead jacks. Each of the test lead jacks includes a unitary conductive socket. Preferably, the sockets are made of metal such as brass. A circuit board located in the case has jack conductors in electrical communication with each of the sockets. A jack detection arrangement is adapted to automatically determine whether a plug is inserted into a respective one of the sockets based on a change in electrical characteristics. For example, the jack detection arrangement may include a photonic emitter and a photonic detector situated such that a beam path therebetween is interrupted by insertion of a plug. The case may further have a rotary selector knob for selecting a multimeter function.
US07654849B2
A connector assembly couples signal lines for an optical catheter by providing a guided releasable latching mechanism that ensures optimal alignment with only a single vertical dimension under control. A receptacle carrying a first signal line defines a channel for receiving a plug carrying a second signal line. A spring-loaded pawl on the receptacle locks to a retaining bracket on the plug when the plug slides into the channel, imparting a retaining force on the plug, the force having a first component normal to channel and a second component parallel to the channel to maintain the first and second signal lines in optimal alignment. The retaining bracket may include a sloped edge to allow for easy release of the pawl in the presence of a release force. The release force may be set to allow disconnection of the assembly without affecting catheter installation or causing patient discomfort.
US07654843B2
A medical device connector assembly and fabrication method are provided wherein the connector assembly includes a core element, a plurality of conductive members positioned along the core element, and a plurality of sealing members positioned between the conductive members, the sealing members having an outer surface supported by the core element.
US07654842B2
The invention pertains to an electrical, optical or hydraulic connector (1) equipped with an electrical, optical or hydraulic plug, respectively, intended to be connected to an electrical, optical or hydraulic base, that self-aligns the plug (3) relative to the base (5), particularly for “offshore” connections, in which the plug (3) and the base (5) are attached to respective support parts (11, 7) intended to be positioned with respect to one another in order to approximately align the plug (3) and the base (5) in order to connect said plug and base to one another, characterized in that it has a mechanical driving mechanism (19) enabling the plug (3) or the base (5) to move forward or backward, in order to be connected into the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively, and a self-aligning mechanism (17) for the plug (3) or the base (5) relative to the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively.
US07654841B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a pre-terminated outlet assembly. The pre-terminated outlet assembly includes a device bracket, an outlet, and a plurality of electrical conductors. The outlet is connected to the device bracket. The plurality of electrical conductors is pre-terminated at the outlet.
US07654837B2
An exemplary chip card holder (100) used in a portable electronic device for holding a chip card (50) is provided. The chip card holder includes a housing member (10), a holding member (20), and a driving member (30). The holding member is fixed to the housing member for receiving and holding the chip card. The driving member is movable relative to the housing member and the holding member for moving the chip card from either of a released position and a holding position to the other of the holding position and released position.
US07654835B1
An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of terminals received within and a shell encircling the housing therein. The shell has a mating opening at one end thereof. A dustproof cover is assembled in the shell and positioned between the mating opening and the housing to perform anti-dust function. The dustproof cover has an insulator and a metal sheet combined with the insulator to strengthen the structure of the dustproof cover. The dustproof cover is of enough intensity and is not prone to deformation in use and therefore offers fully anti-dust function for the electrical connector.
US07654834B1
A track lighting assembly includes a coupler to join tracks which is movable through a plurality of angles. The assembly also comprises an adapter which allows for flush mounting of the track wherein the fixture adapters may be moved along the track despite the flush mounting of the track.
US07654825B2
A patient-controlled device for inhibiting intraoperative dental pain is disclosed. The device includes a removable tooth clamp, an actuator unit, and a control box. The actuator defines unit includes a vibratory actuator and a coupling device for coupling the vibratory actuator to the tooth clamp. The control box is electrically connected to the vibratory actuator and includes at least one controller. In this regard, the removable tooth clamp is configured to be attached to at least one tooth of a patient, and upon final assembly, the controller initiates oscillation of the tooth clamp via the vibratory actuator and vibrates the tooth/teeth to inhibit intraoperative dental pain.
US07654822B2
A melting plate candle assembly includes a melting plate with a locating protrusion, which engages a fuel element in a predefined orientation when in a preferred operative position. In one operative position, the bottom surface of the fuel element is disposed on the melting plate, and a capillary space is formed between a capillary pedestal on the melting plate and a capillary recess in the bottom surface of the fuel element. The locating protrusion provides positive indication that the fuel element is properly disposed in the operative position.
US07654815B2
There is provided a fine pattern transfer, belt-shaped mold, with which a fine structure having a high aspect ratio can be formed rapidly and stably using nanoimprinting, and a fine pattern transfer system (a nanoimprint system) that employs this mold. According to the present invention, a nanoimprint mold includes: a belt-shaped support member; a plurality of stampers, for each of which a fine convex-and-concave pattern, to be transferred, is formed on one surface; and an adhesive member, to which the belt-shaped support member and the stampers are to be securely adhered, wherein the adhesive member includes a porous member and adhesive layers, which are deposited on either face of the porous member, for impregnating one part of the porous member, and wherein, for the porous member, a porous area that is not impregnated with the adhesive layers, is provided and positioned so as to sandwich the porous member between portions impregnated with the adhesive layers.
US07654813B1
High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety. In another aspect of the invention, an extruder (210) is provided having diverging and converging sections (212, 214) along the length thereof and defining corresponding flow paths (230, 246).
US07654803B2
A flexible tube has a first portion and a second portion located close to each other in the vicinity of an opening of an accommodating case. A pressing member moves from the first portion to the second portion along the tube while pressing a portion of the tube. An assistant member is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the case. The assistant member has an assistant surface. When the pressing member passes the vicinity of the opening of the case, the assistant member transfers the pressing member from the second portion to the first portion via the assistant surface. This structure ensures a silent operation of the tube pump.
US07654801B2
A diaphragm pump including, in a pump body, a hydraulic control chamber disposed between a piston for executing reciprocating motion and the diaphragm, the pump including elements for compensating leaks from the hydraulic chamber, the elements including a refilling duct opening out into the hydraulic chamber via a normally-closed compensation shutter that is driven into the open position by the diaphragm, wherein the above-mentioned compensation shutter being driven by the diaphragm pressing against a free end of a rod for controlling the shutter, the diaphragm being subjected to the force of a suction-assistance spring which co-operates with the above-mentioned shutter to return it to its closed position by pushing the free end of the control rod back towards the diaphragm, the spring co-operating with the shutter to form a moving assembly that is moved without being deformed by the diaphragm during suction overtravel.
US07654798B2
A winglet includes a vertical member and a mounting member. The mounting member is configured to facilitate the mounting of the winglet to the tip of a fan blade. The vertical member is configured to extend perpendicularly relative the tip of a fan blade. Adding winglets to fan blades may improve the aerodynamics of the fan blades, and thereby increase efficiencies of a fan.
US07654795B2
An aerofoil for a gas turbine engine, the aerofoil comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, pressure and suction surfaces and defines therebetween an internal passage for the flow of cooling fluid therethrough. A particle deflector means is disposed within the passage to deflect particles within a cooling fluid flow away from a region of the aerofoil susceptible to particle buildup and subsequent blockage, such as a cooling passage for a shroud of a blade.
US07654790B2
The invention relates to a wind turbine (1) comprising stationary means such as a nacelle (3) and a tower (2) comprising stationary lightning protection means (46), and rotating means such as a rotor including at least one wind turbine blade (5) and shaft means (14), each of said at least one wind turbine blade (5) comprising rotating lightning protection means (47). The stationary and rotating lightning protection means (46, 47) comprise contact surfaces (17, 18) connected by lightning connection means (15). The lightning connection means (15) comprises at least two contact means (19, 19a, 19b) adapted for connecting said rotating and stationary lightning protection means (46, 47). Further, it comprises at least one electric conductor (30) establishing a dedicated connection between said at least two contact means (19, 19a, 19b) and force transferring means (26, 27) for said at least two contact means (19, 19a, 19b) establishing a continuous connection between said at least two contact means (19, 19a, 19b) and the contact surfaces (17, 18) of said stationary and rotating lightning protection means (46, 47). The invention also relates to lightning connection means (15) for a wind turbine (1), a method and use hereof.
US07654788B2
A device for mounting a pneumatic tire onto a vehicle wheel rim comprises a handling robot, including a robot hand (7), which is movable about a plurality of axes and comprises a rotationally drivable flange (8) and a gripper (2) attached thereto, the gripper including a base element (10) and at least two gripper arms (15) which are movable radially relative to the centre axis of the gripper (2). The gripper arms (15) are coupled to a synchronization device, which synchronizes the radial movement of the gripper arms (15) and includes a disc (23), mounted on the base element (10) of the gripper (2) so as to be rotatable about the centre axis of the gripper and rotationally drivable via a motor, and coupling members (25) fixed to the disc (23) and the gripper arms (15) via hinged joints (26,27) in such a way that a rotation of the disc (23) produces a synchronous radial movement of the gripper arms (15).
US07654777B2
The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.
US07654767B2
A transport securing arrangement for a side extension arm of a vehicle includes a locking device and a securing hook, wherein the locking device is arranged in relation to the securing hook in such a way that release of the locking device leads to the release of the securing hook from its anchorage.
US07654760B2
A tape printer includes a cutter lever that is capable of moving within a prescribed operating range, a tape-cutting mechanism for cutting a printing tape after the printing tape has been printed by a thermal head when the cutter lever moves past a prescribed range, a cutter lever sensor for detecting movement of the cutter lever within the prescribed operating range, and drive circuits for halting the tape-feeding operation and printing operation controlled by a controller when the cutter lever sensor detects an operation by the cutter lever. With this construction, a printing mechanism, which includes a tape-feeding mechanism, is completely halted when a cutter unit is operated, thereby eliminating all tape jams.
US07654754B1
A silicon-like resilient member is utilized for at least one of a mirror cushion and a light seal. This new member is believed to resist flaking and other problems associated with traditional foam members.
US07654751B2
The invention relates to an electro-optical data transmission arrangement with an optical multicore fiber, on the respective end faces of which an electro-optical transducer is arranged, wherein at least one of the electro-optical transducers consists of several segments. The electro-optical data transmission arrangement allows high data transmission rates and broad tolerances in the manufacture.
US07654749B2
Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
US07654745B2
The rotatable joinder of two sheets is provided by a two-piece interfitting bearing assembly with each element separately attached to one of the sheets so that the sheets are joined but rotation is controlled by the interfitting bearing surfaces. The interfitting parts comprise an inner and outer race which are placed together in superposition with aligned apertures in the sheets. The rotatable attachment of the sheets is accomplished in a single pressing operation in which each race is simultaneously pressed into one of the sheets with a gap remaining between them.
US07654743B2
A bearing assembly for use in an electric motor minimizes the generation of a negative pressure. In the bearing assembly, gaps are formed between a shaft provided with a flange portion, a ring member mounted on the shaft, and a sleeve member with a through hole formed therein are continuously filled with lubrication oil. When a rotor rotates, the rotor is supported by a fluid dynamic pressure. In the bearing assembly, herringbone grooves are formed in an upper surface of the flange portion of the shaft fixed to a base plate. When the sleeve member rotates with respect to the shaft, ends of all of the herringbone grooves and the through hole are superposed on each other sequentially. Thus, the lubrication oil can be efficiently supplied to an outer peripheral region in the thrust dynamic pressure bearing mechanism in which the negative pressure is most prone to be generated, and generation of the negative pressure can be efficiently minimized.
US07654738B2
The invention relates to a ceiling support system for a movable component (7) of a diagnostic X-ray device (1). The system comprises a horizontally movable carriage (8), a crane (9) attached to the carriage (8), which crane (9) is vertically extensible and contractible by means of telescoping sections (10), and at least one flexible electrical cable (17) for the power supply and/or for the control of the movable component (7). In order to provide such a ceiling support system with improved movability of the X-ray tube and/or the X-ray image detector, the invention suggests that the electrical cable (17) is led from the carriage (8) through the telescoping sections (10) of the crane (9), wherein a cable drum (18) is arranged at the top end of the crane (9) for winding the electrical cable (17) during vertical movement of the component (7).
US07654730B2
An apparatus for mixing material in a container includes a platform mounted for simultaneous movement on at least two axes and for supporting a container containing material to be mixed. A motor can be operatively associated with the platform to move the platform on the two axes. A container holding assembly having a vertical extent can be carried by the platform, and is moveable between a closed position in which the holding assembly is positioned proximate the container to retain the container on the platform during mixing operations, and an open position in which the holding assembly is positioned away from the container so that the container can be removed from the platform without lifting the container over the vertical extent of the holding assembly. The platform can be contained within a housing having a low profile opening such that the container can be removed without elevating the container.
US07654727B2
The present invention is directed to the provision of premixed aqueous compositions which are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Thus, the merchant distributing the paint composition made from the subject premixed compositions need only maintain inventory of four compositions. The particular compositions which are the subject of the invention exhibit stable characteristics during storage in their respective reservoirs. The compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant thickening agent, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The compositions are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases.
US07654726B2
A multiple-shaft extruder comprises a core (4) with outward leading channels that can be flown through by a cooling liquid. At least two housing segments (16 to 19) are each provided with a cooling circuit with interconnected cooling bore holes (28), which can be flown through by a cooling liquid, are distributed in the peripheral direction and in an axially parallel manner, and which are located on the section of the housing segments (16 to 19) that faces the process chamber (2).
US07654725B2
The invention relates to a multiple-screw extruder that comprises a first process chamber (1) and a second process chamber (2). In the degassing zones of said extruder, at least the first process chamber is provided with at least one degassing opening. The radius R of the conveyor element in the degassing zones, in at least one conveyor element (7; 9) of at least one screw (5, 7; 5, 9) configured as a passage screw, in a subsection configured as a passage subsection (71a, 71e; 91a, 91e), along the peripheral direction of the at least one conveyor element (7; 9) is by ΔR smaller than the full radius Rv of the conveyor element (6; 8) required for the mutual stripping of adhering product in a closely intermeshing screw operation with die adjacent conveyor elements (6; 8) of adjacent conventional screws (5, 6; 5, 8). The invention also relates to a method for degassing viscous or elasticoviscous flowable masses in such a multi-screw extruder having several process chambers, the respective process chambers communicating by means of a connecting opening.
US07654722B2
The wedge-shaped light guide plate has a number of reflection structures with gaps therebetween arranged along the light reflection plane. Each reflection structure from a previous gap contains sequentially a slant surface extended away from the light emission surface, a second reflection surface further slanting away from the light emission plane, and a first reflection surface slanting towards the light emission plane to connect to a next gap. The second and first reflection surfaces form a prism element. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reflection structures are more densely arranged as they are more distant from the light source. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the reflection structures are arranged uniformly.
US07654715B1
A system for illuminating a specimen are disclosed herein. In general, the system may include an illumination source configured to generate light with an uneven distribution at a pupil plane and field stop of the system, a lightpipe coupled for redistributing the light across the pupil plane and field stop, and at least one optical element configured to direct the redistributed light onto a specimen. The lightpipe may generally include a cone-shaped portion and a rectangular-shaped portion. The cone-shaped portion is configured for modifying an angular distribution of the generated light, so that the redistributed light is uniformly distributed across the pupil plane of the system. The rectangular-shaped portion is formed contiguous with the cone-shaped portion and configured for modifying a spatial distribution of the generated light, so that the redistributed light is uniformly distributed across a field stop of the system. A method for illuminating a specimen and a system for inspecting a specimen are also disclosed herein.
US07654707B2
A rear trim ring for a vandal resistant luminaire having a round front and rear opening, the rear opening mounts flush to the surface onto which the luminaire is installed eliminating pry points between the luminaire and mounting surface, and an annular space between the rear trim ring and a luminaire housing provides room for the rear trim ring to deform upon the application of physical shock absorbing a portion of the shock applied thereto.
US07654704B2
The present invention discloses a display with a lighting device comprising a display body having a housing and a power supply panel. The lighting device mounted at the bottom of the housing comprises a transparent base having a receiving cavity and a light source body disposed within the receiving cavity and powered by a power supply. Mounted at the bottom of the display body, the lighting device has the light downwards to illuminate the whole keyboard area of the medical diagnostic device such that the structure is tight without occupying extra space, thereby no inconvenience occurs during doctors' operation. Moreover, the entire lighting device is designed in a modularized manner, and therefore it is convenient for renewal and maintenance.
US07654696B2
A lighting unit is described which has a discharge lamp (1), in particular a high pressure or high intensity discharge (HID) lamp or an ultra high performance (UHP) lamp, a lamp driver (2) and a cooling device (3). To reduce mechanical stresses caused by temperature variations in the lamp (1), one or more operating parameters of the lamp (1) are detected. In addition, a control unit is provided for controlling the lamp driver (2) and/or the cooling device (3) at least during switching on and/or off of the lighting unit in such a way that there is no excursion from a predetermined range of the at least one operating parameter. By selecting the parameter range suitably, the service life of the lamp may be extended considerably or the power of the lamp may be increased while the service life remains the same.
US07654677B2
A micromirror array 110 fabricated on a semiconductor substrate 11. The array 110 is comprised of three operating layers 12, 13, 14. An addressing layer 12 is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer 13 is spaced above the addressing layer 12 by an air gap. A mirror layer 14 is spaced over the hinge layer 13 by a second air gap. The hinge layer 13 has a hinge 13a under and attached to the mirror 14a, the hinge 13a permitting the mirror 14a to tilt. The hinge layer 13 further has spring tips 13c under the mirror 14a, which are attached to the addressing layer 12. These spring tips 13c provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror 14a.
US07654671B2
An optical system for non-invasive monitoring includes a light source to direct one or more pulses of light into an eye, a subject and a light receiver to receive light returning from the eye. The light receiver, or a processor coupled to the light receiver, records a frequency or intensity of the returning light at a selected timing relative to the one or more pulses of light from the light source. This timing may be selected to reduce a proportion of light reflected from a cornea, iris, or lens of the eye.
US07654668B2
A method and a device for detecting the spatial position of the optical axis of the eye of a human or animal subject and for centering a reference system in relation to the optical axis are described, having at least one light source emitting a parallel light beam bundle, a positioning region for the subject provided opposite the light source, means for relative position orientation of the parallel light beam bundle in relation to the eye of the subject, and at least one detector unit for detecting reflection events caused in and on the eye by the parallel light beam bundle. The present invention generates control signals on the basis of the scattering and reflection events detected by the detector unit, by which the means for relative position orientation are activated, the control signals being generated in such a way that at least one reflection event and at least one scattered light event are to be brought into congruency in relation to the propagation direction of the parallel light beam bundle.
US07654666B2
Exemplary embodiments include a safety eyewear including: a frame; a flexible cable attached to the frame; and a strap attached to the flexible cable operable at an attachment point for securing the safety eyewear to a user, wherein the flexible cable permits the attachment point to be moved to accommodate a variety of strap configurations.
US07654663B2
A printing device includes an image receptor adapted to have formed thereon an inked image layer, a transfer roller, and a transfer roller biasing system. The biasing system is structured to displace the transfer roller toward the image receptor upon actuation of a motor, exerting a backing pressure.
US07654638B2
A pagewidth printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes an elongate support. A plurality of printhead modules is supported by the support. Each printhead module includes rows of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a nozzle through which ink can be ejected and an actuator configured to eject ink from the nozzle. Opposite edges of each printhead module define complementary formations so that the printhead modules can be engaged together in series along the support.
US07654625B2
A pull-out slide for drawers, in particular cabinet drawers, with opposing drawer side walls and with or without decoration components has drawer rails that are fastened on the drawer and cabinet rails that are fastened on the cabinet body and a device configured to cooperate with each drawer rail and each cabinet rail to enable a pull-out function of the drawer. A function carrier located at or near the front end of each drawer rail has one or more function elements for taking up, holding and/or connecting parts of the drawer and/or one or more function elements for readying, supporting and/or completing drawer functions.
US07654622B2
An overhead console (10) spanning the header above the windshield (150) includes support for a removable electronic device (120).
US07654617B2
A chair seat for flexibly supporting the buttocks of a user seated thereon. The chair seat includes a seat surface having a pair of adjacent or side-by-side concentric corrugated regions formed therein, and which are configured for flexibly supporting the buttocks of the user by being deflectable with respect to the seat surface. The seat surface further includes a third corrugated region surrounding and concentric with the pair of side-by-side corrugated regions, and which third region is configured for flexibly supporting the hips and thighs of the user while also being deflectable with respect to the seat surface.
US07654607B2
An automotive body structure includes a tubular load bearing structure and a hardware mount having a base plate with an annular axially extending spin welding initiator. The hardware mount is spin welded to the load bearing structure to provide a reinforced location for the mounting of automotive hardware, such as door hinges, with threaded fasteners.
US07654597B1
An armrest retracting mechanism for host vehicle armrests during side impact vehicle collision events.
US07654591B2
A snow shovel includes a blade, a handle stem, a stabilizer bar, and multiple positions to couple the handle stem to the blade. The blade may include a soft edge and a hard edge. One position is achieved by coupling a taper in the handle stem to the blade at a strap for shoveling snow at the ground level with the hard edge. One position is achieved by coupling the taper in the handle stem to the blade at a folded tab for shoveling snow off a car with the soft edge.
US07654588B2
A pipe connection includes a metal locking ring which can be pushed onto the external pipe of two interlocking metal pipes to connect the latter. The inner face of the locking ring has a leading section that tapers conically in a radial direction in opposition to the direction of application; a trailing section that tapers conically in a radial direction in opposition to the direction of application and that causes the pipe to be radially compressed, when the ring is in the locking position; and a central section lying between the leading section and the trailing section. A central section with a conical configuration improves a pipe connection of this type so that the tensile strength of heavy duty pipe connections or pipe connections consisting of pipes of material with low elasticity becomes mechanically more stable.
US07654584B2
A guide bushing for guiding a tubular element in a bore of a coupling, the bushing being provided externally with retaining elements for retaining the bushing in the bore, and internally with guide shoes for guiding the tubular element inside the bushing, the retaining elements and the guide shoes being associated with portions of the bushing that are deformable between a first state in which the retaining elements are in an active position anchoring the bushing in the bore and in which the shoes define a section for passing the tubular element, and a second state in which the retaining elements are in inactive position set back from their active position and in which the guide shoes define a section that is smaller than the section for passing the tubular element. The invention also provides a corresponding coupling.
US07654583B2
A device for a pressure-compensated swivel comprising a swivel housing and a swivel pipe rotatably arranged in the swivel housing, wherein pressure from fluid in the swivel acts on opposing compensating areas in the swivel, whereby an axially compressive force is established between the swivel housing and the swivel pipe.
US07654581B2
The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.
US07654579B2
The invention concerns an object of value (15), for example a credit card, banknote or identity card. The object of value (15) has a carrier layer (1), at least one first layer (21) containing a moiré pattern and at least one second layer (31, 33) containing a moiré analyzer for the moiré pattern of the first layer (21). That second layer is arranged above or beneath the first layer in a fixed position relative to the first layer in such a way that the moiré pattern of the first layer (21) and the moiré analyzer of the second layer (31, 33) are permanently optically superimposed at least in region-wise fashion, whereby a permanent moiré image is generated.
US07654578B2
There is proposed a security document comprising a security element, wherein the security element is of such a configuration that it can be determined by means of the sense of human touch. For that purpose either the surface nature of various surface regions can be selected differently so that the configuration and size of the different surface regions can be determined by the human sense of touch. Another possibility is for the substrate of the security document to be provided with suitably shaped openings which can be identified by means of the human sense of touch. A combination of different tactile security elements of that kind is also described.
US07654576B2
A flexible, preferably elastic empanelled book cover (12) that has pocket portions (25) to receive the covers of a book (10) that is inserted therein. The cover (12) consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet of pliable material such as “SPANDEX”, having extended upper and lower edges, with each edge bisected by a slot (32) of predetermined width that extends orthogonally. Fold lines (34, 36 and 38) form a laterally-extended rectangle, with the side fold lines (38) forming the lateral apices of the hexagon two triangular flap portions (20) of the cover pockets. The in-folded upper and lower flap portions of the hexagon are attached to each other and to the triangular side flap portions, to form the pocket portion (25), with lock stitching (27) at the innermost juncture by the spine opening. A central top and bottom fold-over engages the spine of the book in stabilizing relation. The unitary hexagonal blanks can be economically mass produced from roll material (40).
US07654572B2
An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU applies voltage having a predetermined waveform to the DC motor, and then detects a waveform of current flowing to the DC motor. The MPU carries out fault diagnosis of the DC motor, based upon the detected waveform of current when the voltage having the predetermined waveform is applied to the DC motor. Thus, accurate fault diagnosis of the apparatus can be achieved.
US07654560B2
An air bag 1 is provided. At a vehicle side impact, the air bag 1 unfolds from an upper part of a vehicle body downwardly. The air bag 1 includes an airbag body 10 having an inside foundation cloth 8a and an outside foundation cloth 8b, and a pair of inner-cloths 19a, 19b arranged in the airbag body 10. The inside inner-cloth 19a is joined to the outside inner-cloth 19b through two inner junctions 21, 21 separated from each other in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The inner-cloths 19a, 19b have front ends, rear ends and intermediate portions between the inner junctions 21, 21, all of which are joined to the foundation cloths 8a, 8b through overlapping junctions 22a, 22b. In arrangement, the overlapping junctions 22a of the inside inner-cloth 19a are shifted from the overlapping junctions 22b of the outside inner-cloth 19b forwardly. Consequently, triple-layer tubular expansion chambers 25a, 26, 25b are defined in the airbag body 10, allowing a passenger's head to be received certainly.
US07654559B2
An airbag apparatus equipped with an airbag, a garnish, a hinge, a protector and a bracket fixed to a vehicle body. An upper side of the garnish is supported by the bracket via the hinge. An engaging part protruding from the lower part of a garnish main part is engaged with an engagement receiving part disposed at the protector. Normally, the engaging part is engaged with the engagement receiving part, thereby retaining the shape of the garnish. On expansion of the airbag, the airbag presses the engaging part, by which the engaging part is disengaged from the engagement receiving part, and the garnish is opened smoothly. The airbag can be covered with the garnish, thereby allowing the garnish to move smoothly on expansion of the airbag.
US07654555B2
The invention relates to a module (1) for an occupant-protection device of a motor vehicle. Said module containing a functional element (2), which can be activated if the motor vehicle is involved in a collision and which comprises an electrically conductive material and a fixing device (3) mechanically fixing the functional element (2) to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the functional element (2) is electrically insulated in relation to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the functional element (2) is electrically insulated in relation to the bodywork of the motor vehicle. This guarantees that the functional element, which can be activated in a collision, cannot electrically interact with the bodywork of the motor vehicle, is particular in the form of a voltage surge. The invention permits the reliability of a module for an occupant-protection device of a motor vehicle to be increased and prevents potential malfunctions in a simple manner.
US07654536B2
A seal ring for sealing an annular clearance between two members, which are made rotatable relative to each other. The seal ring is provided with a relief 5 throughout the circumference of a sliding face side to confront the side wall face 72 of an annular groove 71. This relief 5 is set to have a radially smaller width in the vicinity of a separate portion 2 and a radially larger width at a position apart from the separate portion 2, and the portion of the relief 5 to transit from the narrower portion to the wider portion is set to have a gradually changing width.
US07654533B2
A game is provided wherein a player or team gains points by answering a question worded in such a way that the answer is always a number. In one embodiment, the questions are directed to points of trivia or general or specific knowledge, and the game includes a plurality of question cards, on the reverse side of which are the answers to the questions. The questions are such that players can make an informed or educated guess at the numeric answer. The object of the game is to answer each question by coming closer to the correct numeric answer than the opposing players. In one embodiment, players are given a preselected amount of time, as determined by a timing device, to write down their answers. Once the players have written down their answers, all players may display their numeric answers simultaneously. The player or team that comes closest to the answer given on the card gets more points than the other players or teams. In another embodiment, players or teams that come second closest, third closest etc. to the correct numeric answer also receive points. In a unique scoring system, made possible by the fact that all answers are numeric, the number of points players receive for their answers may depend on two factors: how close the answer is to the correct number and how many players or teams are taking part in the game. In one embodiment of the game, players answer a given number of questions and the winner is the player with the highest score at the end of the game. In another embodiment of the game, players move game pieces across a game board with the first player to reach the end of the board being the winner. Further, the game may be played on alternate game interfaces, such as a computer.
US07654527B2
A method includes the steps of rotating an input roller to transport a first leading edge of a first document from an input tray to an input passageway, a scanning position and an output passageway sequentially; rotating the input roller to transport a second leading edge of a second document from the input tray to the input passageway after a first trailing edge of the first document deviates from the input roller; rotating an output roller to transport the first leading edge from the output passageway to an output tray; and generating a linear speed difference between the input roller and the output roller, after the first trailing edge deviates from the scanning position, to transport the first trailing edge to the output tray, such that the second leading edge is still within the input passageway or the input tray when the first trailing edge deviates from the output roller.
US07654515B2
An image forming device is provided with a device main body, a first cassette, a second cassette that is capable of moving between a first position and a second position with respect to the device main body, a transportation device, and a printing device. The transportation device is capable of transporting a print medium housed in the first cassette in a case where the first cassette is positioned at a predetermined position wit respect to the device main body and the second cassette is positioned at the first position. The transportation device is capable of transporting a print medium housed in the second cassette in a case where the second cassette is positioned at the second position. The printing device prints an image on the print medium transported by the transportation device. A part of the second cassette positioned at the first position and/or the second position is positioned outside the device main body.
US07654511B2
An apparatus is provided with a processing tray 42 to mount sheets ejected from an image formation section, aligning means (aligning plates 61, etc.) for aligning end portions of a sheet ejected on the processing tray 42, a post-processing apparatus 43 that performs binding processing on the sheets aligned by the aligning means, and moving means (unit moving motor 60, etc.) for moving the post-processing apparatus 43 to a plurality of post-processing positions set to perform the binding processing at different binding processing target position on the sheets, and moves the sheets to a post-processing undergoing position corresponding to the post-processing position substantially in parallel with a travel direction of the post-processing apparatus 43. It is thereby possible to perform the binding processing on the ejected sheets appropriately while implementing the apparatus compact in size.
US07654508B2
An air humidifier including a first container and a second container that can be filled with water from the first container, an atomizer and electrodes. The second container is subdivided into a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the two reservoirs being interconnected with the interposition of a filter. Two electrodes are arranged in the first reservoir, and a component of the atomizer is arranged in the second reservoir in order to atomize the water.
US07654506B1
The stairway handrail of the present invention includes first, second rail bodies, a substantially cylindrical joint, and a first connecting element. The first, second rail bodies can engage with the joint, and the joint has a central axis and a longitudinal slot radially disposed from the pivot portion to the joint surface of the joint. The first connecting element is disposed in the longitudinal slot, and it has a pivot end pivotably disposed in the pivot portion and a connecting end fixed on the first rail body. Thereby, the first rail body is rotatable about the central axis to adjust the included angle between first and second rail bodies.
US07654504B2
An improved power actuated valve, particularly a ball valve, which can be manually opened or closed quickly, in the event of failure of power operation, by manual turning force applied directly to the control stem of the valve without the necessity to overcome any drag or negative torque imposed by the power operating mechanism and speed reducing transmission.
US07654503B2
A valve assembly is disclosed that includes a main valve, a pilot valve, and means providing fluid communication between the main valve and the pilot valve. The main valve includes an inlet, outlet, and means adapted to selectively open and close fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. The pilot valve includes a housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a piston disposed within the housing. The piston cooperates with the housing and the means providing fluid communication to selectively establish fluid communication between the first port of the pilot valve and one of the inlet and the outlet of the main valve.
US07654502B2
An apparatus for manufacturing simulated stone products is provided. The apparatus includes a mold having mold cavities. The mold cavities have a first section and a second section that intersect to form a cavity angle. A hopper is configured to introduce castable material into the mold. The hopper and the mold are moveable with respect to each other, enabling them to be selectively engaged with each other. The hopper includes a first funnel wall configured to contact the top of the first mold cavity and to introduce castable material into the top opening of the first section. The hopper has a second funnel wall configured to contact the second section and act as a barrier to close the top opening of the second section of the mold cavity.
US07654501B2
A vehicle parking assistance device to be positioned in a given parking location defined by a length and width is disclosed. In one embodiment, a support base member includes three bores disposed in linear alignment therein. Each of the three bores provides a distinct position within the length and the width of the given parking location. An elongated flexible pole having a visual indicator secured thereto is releasably engaged in one of the three bores. The three bores furnish easy adjustment of the placement of the elongated flexible pole in order to compensate for minor mistakes in the placement of the vehicle parking device and/or to accommodate vehicles of different dimensions.
US07654498B1
An article support device includes a cradle and a support shaft. The cradle includes a cradle portion and a slip yoke portion. The cradle portion presents an open channel for receiving and supporting an article such as a fire arm, a camera or telescope. The slip yoke portion is enclosed by a slip yoke wall. The slip yoke wall perforated by a strap receiving slot for receiving into the slip yoke an article carrying strap. The support shaft is fixed to the cradle and is for supporting the cradle in an elevated position above the ground.
US07654497B1
A system for securing a horizontal display component on different brands of slotted vertical rails, where the different brands of slotted vertical rails have different distances between the vertical rails, and different distances between slots. The system includes a pair of brackets, which slidably adjust their horizontal positions on the horizontal display component. Each of the brackets include a bracket front, secured to a bracket back, at a spacing which slidably encloses a horizontal member of the horizontal display component. A first hook is affixed to the bracket. A vertically slidable lower is slidable on the bracket. The vertically slidable lower has a second hook. The second hook has a slidably variable distance from said first hook, so that the first and second hooks may engage different pairs of said slots at their different distances.
US07654492B2
A support system for an elongate object comprising an elongate support bar, a tower member, and a stackable riser for securing the elongate object to the tower member.
US07654470B2
A rolling liquid herbicide applicator with an adjustable shield is attached to a hollow pole having an adjustable width protective shield mounted to one end weighted, textured wheels for rolling over most terrains are attached to the adjustable width protective shield. On the opposite end of the hollow pole handle is a trigger. When the trigger is activated, an internal trigger stick is moved down through the hollow pole, thereby causing a “C” piece to move upward. This upward movement pushes on a hard flat disk. The movement of the hard flat disk causes pliable cap center to move. The gravity flow of liquid herbicide from a liquid herbicide container causes the liquid herbicide to move through a tube and nozzle assembly. The adjustable width protective shield over the nozzle prevents overspray and accidental contact of the liquid herbicide on healthy desired vegetation.
US07654469B2
A fuel injection system having one high-pressure fuel pump and one fuel injection valve, communicating with the high-pressure fuel pump, for each cylinder of an internal combustion engine. A pump work chamber is defined by a pump piston, and the fuel injection valve has an injection valve member by which at least one injection opening is controlled. An electrically actuated control valve controls a communication of the pump work chamber with a relief region and a movable control piston acts at least indirectly in the closing direction on the injection valve member, and the control piston, on its side remote from the at least one injection valve member, is acted upon at least indirectly by the pressure prevailing in the pump work chamber. The control piston, with its side toward the injection valve member, defines a control chamber. The communication with the relief region, controlled by the control valve, discharges into the control chamber, and the control chamber communicates at least indirectly with the pump work chamber via a throttled communication.
US07654467B2
An IC card case storing an IC card in a case body which has an opening part formed on one side plate thereof and a fingerprint sensor set up on an internal side of other side plate thereof in a manner of facing inside the opening part, the case body includes: a case side control controlling the fingerprint sensor and performing communications with the IC card; and a power source supplying power to the case side control, wherein the case body is constituted such that when storing the IC card inside the case body, the IC card covers over the fingerprint sensor facing the opening part.
US07654465B2
A method and apparatus for forming transaction cards. A smooth glossy outer surface may be provided on transaction cards without the use of an over-laminate film. A liquid coating material may be applied to a sheet substrate, which is subsequently subjected to heat and pressure so that the liquid coating material forms a smooth outer surface that may be highly durable and abrasion resistant. Transaction cards may be made using a material that includes a substantial amount of PLA, and may be made to meet ANSI and ISO specifications for transaction cards.
US07654463B2
An electronic document management system includes an acquisition unit, a specifying unit and a database. A medium includes a document image and a plurality of code image two-dimensionally arranged. Each code image includes position information and medium identification information. The acquisition unit acquires a code image corresponding to an operation position on the medium in conjunction with a user's operation with respect to the medium. The specifying unit specifies the medium identification information included in the code image acquired by the acquisition unit. The database stores personal information associated with the medium identification information specified by the specifying unit.
US07654459B2
A method of capturing user control inputs includes providing a first navigation member slidably coupled on a housing portion of a portable computer and a stationary second navigation member external to and independent of the portable computer. An input card is provided that includes an optical navigation sensor and is configured with a size and a shape for deployment of the input card in a first releasably fixed arrangement relative to the first navigation member and a second movable arrangement relative to the stationary second navigation member. A first user control input is captured for controlling a function of the portable computer, via communication between the input card and the portable computer, based on relative motion between the optical navigation sensor of the input card and one of respective movable first navigation member and stationary second navigation member.
US07654458B1
A dual purpose munition includes a housing; a shaped warhead disposed in a front interior of the housing; a vertically orienting explosive disposed on a front end of the housing; a safe and arm device explosively connected to the shaped warhead for arming and detonating the shaped warhead; a dual sensor circuit comprising an E-field sensor board, a B-field sensor board and a processor board; and a power source connected to the dual sensor circuit and the safe and arm device.
US07654457B2
A voter cart capable of supporting a voting terminal, optical scan ballot counter and ballot box, and multiple (collapsible) voting booths in a portable, fully usable and secure configuration. The cart is generally formed with a pair of opposing side-rails joined together in a spaced-apart configuration and mounted on castors, and a plurality of reinforcing struts between and amongst the side rails. The touch-screen voting terminal is seated atop a sliding shelf mounted on roller-brackets between the side-rails and extensible from one end thereof at waist-level for easy wheelchair and/or any other voter access thereto. All the loaded equipment is fully restrained against lateral and vertical motion, and yet all equipment is given full access to their control panels, doors, etc. Moreover, the particular design maximizes strength and usability, and yet keeps weight to a minimum with a framework that is as light weight as possible.
US07654449B2
A method of performing a send money transfer transaction through a financial services institution includes storing transaction details on a data base, wherein the transaction details include a desired amount of money to be sent; establishing a code that corresponds to the transaction details stored on the data base; entering the code into an electronic transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base to retrieve the transaction details from the data base; and determining a collect amount based on the transaction details. A system for performing a send money transfer transaction is also disclosed.
US07654447B1
The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for providing checks to an account owner by comparing a quantity of cleared checks to a quantity of issued checks. The novel method includes receiving a request to register for an automated check reorder service, determining a first quantity of issued checks, determining a second quantity of cleared checks, comparing the second quantity of cleared checks to the first quantity of issued checks, and sending a third quantity of new checks to the account owner. The novel method also may include receiving a request for material to be sent to the account owner, determining the account owner's last known address, notifying the account owner at the account owner's last known address, and sending the material to the account owner.
US07654438B2
The invention proposes a brazing alloy, which can be produced in particular as a homogenous, ductile, amorphous brazing foil and consists of 2 to 20 atom % of nickel, 2 to 12 atom % of tin, 0.5 to 5.0 atom % of zinc, 6 to 16 atom % of phosphorus, remainder copper and incidental impurities. The total amount of copper, nickel, tin and zinc is between 80 and 95 atom %. The addition of more than 0.5 atom % of zinc produces excellent resistance to surface oxidation in air and/or atmospheric humidity. These brazing alloys can be used to produce excellent brazed joints.
US07654436B2
A wire bonding apparatus and method in which separate first and second positioning tables are provided for mounting electronic devices to be wire bonded, and a bonding tool is provided at a bonding position for bonding the electronic devices. First and second loading/unloading positions are provided for loading electronic devices to or unloading electronic devices from the positioning tables. The first and second positioning tables are operative to move independently of each other, such that the first positioning table is movable between the first loading/unloading position and the bonding position and the second positioning table is movable between the second loading/unloading position and the bonding position.
US07654435B2
A rotary tool for friction stir spot welding including: a rod-like probe to be inserted into one side of stacked planar portions of plural metal members to be joined while being rotated; and a cylindrical shoulder member which is disposed coaxially outwardly of the probe and which has a shoulder surface to be abutted against the one side of the stacked portions while being rotated, wherein the probe and the shoulder member are individual components and are disposed so as to have a double-acting structure which enable them to move independently in their axial direction, and in which a gap between an inner surface of the shoulder member and an outer surface of the probe is formed to have a small gap on a tip side of the rotary tool and to have an enlarged gap having larger clearance than the small gap on a base portion side thereof.
US07654431B2
A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a laterally sliding member in a proximal portion of a shaft that pivots the end effector to a selected side. Differentially opposing actuating forces (e.g., hydraulic, fluidic, mechanical) act against the laterally sliding member without binding by incorporating guidance mechanisms between the laterally sliding member and a frame of the shaft.
US07654430B2
A coil nailing device for finishing materials is invented that comprises a standby part for temporarily retaining and loading the nails into a muzzle. A door is installed adjacent to the standby part to check the nail supply. A door latch consists of a hook, coil spring and latch hinge shaft. The door and door latch are operated in the lateral direction, perpendicular to the axis of the main body. The muzzle consists of an adapter, lever arm and a pair of arc-shaped sliding grooves formed on both lateral surfaces. The adapter is attachable to the nose of the main body. A clearance setting device is designed to allow the use of various sizes of nails by setting the depth of the magazine depending on the loaded nail size. An interval setting device is convenient to nail a series of shingle panels by setting the panel interval while the coil nailing device is sliding along the edge of the panels.
US07654404B2
Protective door systems are presented for equipment enclosures in which an inner door is provided to resist outward opening pressures by facing or abutting one or more interior surfaces of an enclosure opening, with an optional outer panel covering the enclosure opening from the outside, where a closure mechanism is operated by an externally rotatable handle to initially back the inner door away from the enclosure front side and then to move the inner door upward at an angle to effectively clear two edges of the opening to allow pivoting of the inner door to an open position extending partially outside the enclosure opening.
US07654403B2
A filler neck cap includes a vacuum-relief valve member that moves from a normally closed position to an opened position when exposed to certain vacuum conditions to open a vent aperture and allow atmosphere to flow therethrough. The filler neck cap also includes a pressure-relief valve member formed to include the vent aperture that is closed normally by the vacuum-relief valve member.
US07654393B1
A retail display case for retail items such as a doll packaged in a center tubular section with end caps that may be removed from a center tubular section and assembled to form various accessories including a storage case. In addition one or more of the end caps may be used to provide a display stand for the doll. The retail display packaging includes the set of top and bottom end caps, and further includes the center tubular section made from clear plastic or the like. Internal components such as foam pieces or a set of molded plastic sections may be used with molded components for storage and subsequent use from the storage case. The display case is thus convertible from its original retail housing purpose into a storage case or use by the consumer for novel use as an alternative to discarding the packaging. Accordingly, the center section is provided as being disposable. The display assembly includes the set of top and bottom package end caps as molded parts secured to the center tubular section with a set of straps securing the top and bottom molded package end caps thereto. The set of top and bottom molded package caps can be removed from the tubular center section and assembled together with a variety of components and securing devices to form a storage case.
US07654385B2
Machine for front joining and sticking of oblong wood workpieces by toothed front joints and referential procedure consists of the flow press and entrance conveying line, and solves the problem of simple and quality front joining and sticking of workpieces, which travel through them fast and fluently in a consecutive row, irrespective of possible yet allowed curvature and dimensional deviation. This is enabled by the construction of entrance conveyors and exit conveyors of the conveying line, equipped with mechanisms for adjustment of side chain units, and with elastic couplings, whereby inside the side chain units the elastic insertions are placed, and inside pressing conveyors other elastic insertions are placed. Joints among individual entrance conveyors, among individual exit conveyors, and among conveyors are likewise elastic constructions by means of adjustable screws placed between fixed cantilevers, and between tension cantilevers. It is further enabled by the construction of entrance units and exit units in the flow press, or by the construction of pushing wheel pairs inside them, and which are simultaneously driven by the central driving coupling. For this purpose, each wheel pair is equipped with a pair of flexible cranks, the cylinder for pressure adjustment, the cylinder for position adjustment, the mechanism for interactive distance adjustment. Pushing wheel pairs also have the cylinder for the horizontal shift regulation and the shift-meter with which the force meter is connected, and which is placed at the end of the last pushing wheel pair.
US07654376B2
A clutch capable of cushioning forward movement and guarding backward movement comprises a first mandrel, a second mandrel, a clutch sleeve, a driving stick, a clutch ring, a cushioning springs and a safety springs. The first mandrel further comprises an engagement gear surface formed on the section close to the second mandrel for the engagement with the clutch sleeve mounted on the second mandrel. The clutch sleeve is driven by the driving stick to shift longitudinally. The clutch ring is slidably mounted on the clutch sleeve, having a cushioning mechanism with the clutch sleeve. The safety springs and the cushioning springs are included in the cushioning mechanism for slowing down the engagement between the clutch ring and the engagement gear surface on the first mandrel when the driving stick drives the clutch sleeve but they are not precisely aligned.
US07654373B2
The present invention relates to a torque transmission device in the drive train of a motor vehicle for torque transmission between a drive unit, in particular an internal combustion engine, a gearbox, and with a hydrodynamic torque converter. The torque converter lockup clutch comprises outer lamellae which work together with inner lamellae to connect to a driver plate which is connected to a torsional vibration damper. In order to provide a torque transmission device which has a long service life and can be produced economically, a coupling is fastened to the inner lamella carrier in such a manner that it cannot be turned, and to the radially inner edge area of the driver plate which bounds an annular space in which the radially inner edge area of the driver plate can be moved in the axial direction.
US07654372B2
To accomplish both prevention of disengagement of the shoe-hold spring from the shoe-hold apparatus and improvement of the assemblability of the same. The shoe-hold pin has the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. One end opened slots are formed at the pair of arms of the U-shaped shoe-hold spring, and the slots are such that the small diameter portion of the shoe-hold pin is passable therethrough and the large diameter portion is non-passable.The pin-insertion hole, which is continuous to the slot of the web side arm and may position the large diameter portion therein, is formed in the web side arm and restricts the shoe-hold spring from disengaging therefrom when the large diameter portion of the shoe-hold pin is positioned in the pin-insertion hole.
US07654369B2
A vibration damper piston includes a piston body with a bore from which first and second apertures respectively provide paths to first and second chambers of the vibration damper. A valve spool in the bore defines a pilot chamber and controls fluid flow between the first and second apertures. First and second springs bias the valve spool in opposing directions. A control orifice provides a continuous fluid path between the first chamber and the pilot chamber, and a variable orifice provides another fluid path between the second chamber and the pilot chamber. An actuator is operably connected to adjust the variable orifice in response to a control signal.
US07654368B2
The invention relates to a hybrid fastener, in particular for the absorption of kinetic impact energy and/or for the absorption of the forces occurring on towing, in particular on towing vehicles, comprising at least one force introduction member which introduces force into the hybrid fastener and/or introduces force from the hybrid fastener into an adjacent component and comprising at least one energy absorption member which absorbs the force introduced at least in part by deformation and which is in connection with the force introduction member, with the connection between the energy absorption member and the force introduction member being made in shape-matched and/or force-transmitting manner and/or such that the energy absorption member is connected to the force introduction member with bias.
US07654367B2
An actuator unit for a hydraulic brake mechanism on two-wheelers, comprising a housing fastened to the handlebar, a brake cylinder being arranged substantially perpendicular to the handlebar in the housing, a piston movable in it and a brake lever acting on the piston at an intermediate portion remote from either end of the lever, the lever being mounted at one end thereof to rotate relative to the housing, wherein the brake lever is mounted adjustably movable with respect to an axis substantially at an end of the lever, the axis being unchangeable in position but rotatably mounted to the housing, the adjustment option being provided for by the adjustment mechanism, wherein the lever, the adjustment mechanism and the axis rotate together relatively to the housing upon operation.
US07654352B2
A battery unit mounted in an electric vehicle is provided with a battery case and a plurality of battery modules. The battery case includes a tray member on the lower side and a cover member on the upper side. The tray member is fixed to side members by a beam member extending in a width direction of a vehicle body. Each battery module is composed of a plurality of cells. Among all the cells contained in the battery case, at least those cells on the outer peripheral side which are located near a flank of the vehicle body are located on the tray member so that a lamination direction of cell elements is coincident with the width direction of the vehicle body.
US07654351B2
A battery box housing a battery is mounted between left and right side frames extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body so that the battery box is offset to a left side of the vehicle body, and an intake duct and an exhaust duct for cooling air for cooling the battery are connected to an end of the battery box on a right side of the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible not only to protect the battery between the left and right frames from a shock caused upon a side collision, but also to ensure a space for disposition of the intake duct and the exhaust duct while ensuring a volume of the battery box to the maximum. Moreover, the battery box is connected at its left and right ends to the left and right side frames.
US07654333B2
The present invention generally provides a method and apparatus for selectively sealing a bore. The tubular valve generally includes a closing member for seating in and closing the bore, and a pressure-actuated, retention member having first and second opposed piston surfaces opening and closing the valve. The tubular valve prevents sudden loss of pressure in the tubular and is controllable from the surface.
US07654332B2
Radially expanding a tubular such as a liner or casing, especially in a downward direction. The apparatus includes at least one driver device such as a piston that is typically fluid-actuated, and an expander device is attached to the or each driver device. Actuation of the or each driver device causes movement of the expander device to expand the tubular. One or more anchoring devices, which may be radially offset, are used to substantially prevent the tubular from moving during expansion thereof.
US07654318B2
Fluid diversion measurement systems and methods are described. One system includes a section of tubular having a main flow passage and a fluid diversion port, the section of tubular adapted to be either moving or stationary during a fluid diversion operation, at least two sensors in the section of tubular, at least one sensor located upstream of the fluid diversion port and at least one sensor located downstream of the fluid diversion port, each sensor adapted to measure a parameter of a fluid diverted into a wellbore through the fluid diversion port; and means for using the measured parameters in realtime to monitor, control, or both monitor and control diversion of the fluid. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
US07654315B2
Apparatus and pumping systems including the apparatus are described, the apparatus including a protector body comprising a material allowing expansion and contraction of an internal fluid, the body serving as a barrier between fluids external of the body and the internal fluid. The body has first and second ends, at least one end adapted to connect the body to other components, the protector body further comprising structural features permitting facile cleanout and reuse of the protector body. Methods of use of the apparatus and systems are described, particularly in oilfield exploration, testing, and production. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07654312B2
The invention relates to a heating and/or cooling system (2) for a motor vehicle with a combustion engine (4) and a catalytic converter (8) arranged in the exhaust gas path (6) of the combustion engine (4), comprising a burner (10) attached before the catalytic converter (8) to the exhaust gas path (6) as well as a heat exchanger (12) for transmitting heat generated in the burner (10) to a heating and/or cooling circuit (28) of the motor vehicle. It is proposed that the heat exchanger (12) be arranged behind the catalytic converter (8) in the exhaust gas path (6) of the combustion engine (4) and can be acted upon through the catalytic converter (8) with hot combustion gases from the burner (10).
US07654310B2
A loop heat pipe includes an evaporator and a closed loop. The evaporator includes an evaporator body made of a heat conductive material. The evaporator body has at least two retaining holes and at least a channel hole penetrating the retaining holes. In addition, the closed loop includes a first pipe body and at least a second pipe body. One end of the first and the second pipe bodies is a heat reception end, which are securely fastened to the two retaining holes of the evaporator. The other end of the first and the second pipe bodies is a heat reception end, thereby sequentially forming a circulating loop. Meanwhile, a flattened liquid seal region is formed between the heat reception end and the connection end of the first pipe body.
US07654309B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink (10), a fan (20) disposed on top of the heat sink, a fan duct (30) arranged on the fan and a fan guard (40) sandwiched between the fan and the fan duct. The fan defines a through hole (26) at each corner and includes a plurality of positioning blocks (28) extending from each side edge thereof. The fan duct includes a plurality of connecting portions (32) extending from a circumference of the fan duct near the fan. Each connecting portion includes a post fitted in the through hole and a hook engaging with the positioning block.
US07654307B2
An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed comprising an evaporative cooler in series with the conventional vapor compression system. The evaporative cooler comprises an array of dry channels and a contiguous array of wet channels. The primary air stream to be conditioned by the evaporator of the conventional air conditioning system is preconditioned by the evaporative cooler by lowering its dry bulb temperature without changing its absolute humidity. An evaporator core is supported downstream of the evaporative cooler for receiving the primary air from the dry channels and thereby produces liquid condensate. The system is distinguished by conducting the liquid condensate from the evaporator core to the wicking tank for use in the wet channels of the evaporative cooler.
US07654305B2
According to one embodiment, a die includes a stationary die, and a movable die. A fin section provided between a runner section and a product section is extended from one end part to the other end part of the product section in a direction intersecting a stream direction of molten metal, and includes a fin central section opposed to a biscuit section in the stream direction of the molten metal, and a fin side section on a side of the fin central section. The fin side section includes a fin thick part formed thicker than a thickness of the fin central section. The fin thick part is extended to a boundary between the fin section and the product section. The product section includes a product thick part connected to the fin thick part in a region opposed to the fin thick part.
US07654302B2
A method and apparatus for molding molds having no flask wherein a match plate is put between an upper and a lower flask having intakes for foundry sand. An upper and a lower molding space are defined by inserting an upper and a lower squeeze device into openings of a pair of the upper and the lower flask having no match plate, and a pair of the upper and the lower flask and the match plate are rotated and moved so that they become perpendicular, and are moved so that the intakes of the flasks move upward. The upper and the lower molding space are filled with the foundry sand. The foundry sand in the molding spaces is squeezed by the squeeze devices. A pair of the flasks and the match plate are rotated so that they become horizontal. Then the match plate is removed. While the preceding processes are being carried out, if necessary a core can be installed between the molds, the flasks are matched to each other, and the molds are removed from the pair of flasks.
US07654290B2
A method for transporting the weft thread through the shed of an air-jet weaving machine having a nozzle fed with a flowing transportation medium, wherein the portion, changeable along the weft thread, of the natural thread charges arranged irregularly on the weft thread is contactlessly registered by means of an electrode array, wherein the changing total charge is determined on the electrode array, wherein the periodic change in the total charge is evaluated for determining the axial velocity of the weft thread, and wherein the nozzle of the weaving machine is controlled as a function of the axial velocity of the weft.
US07654289B2
A double layer forming fabric for a papermaking machine is warp-tied, all the warp yarns comprising binder pairs which forming a single combined path in the paper side surface. The pair members exchange positions at an exchange point between successive path segments and are laterally displaced in relation to each other at and between each exchange point. For each successive pair, an order of insertion of the first and second members in relation to each other into the weave is inverted in relation to the order of insertion for members of the immediately preceding pair, such that each first member is adjacent to the first member of the adjacent pair at the closest exchange point, and each second member is adjacent to the second member of the adjacent pair at the closest exchange point. The fabric has improved drainage uniformity leading to improved paper formation and reduced sheet marking.
US07654285B2
Disclosed is a high-pressure coupling device for directing media such as oil, water, gases, fats, and similar through quick-change systems. Said high-pressure coupling device comprises a bottom part and a top part. The bottom coupling part is provided with a firmly anchored, stiff valve thorn in the form of a valve screw which creates the sealing effect for delivering the medium along with a spring-loaded slide valve sleeve while the top coupling part is provided with a spring-loaded valve plate that creates the sealing effect for the side of the coupling device, which is to be supplied with high-pressure medium, together with a stiff valve body such that a stiff valve element actuates the spring-loaded valve element of the opposite part in the high-pressure coupling device in a valve-actuating manner when the bottom coupling part and the top coupling part are joined.
US07654284B1
A fluid draining manifold includes a central shaft that defines a horizontally registered first passageway and is provided with opposed open ends. The central shaft includes a semi-circular ring anchored to one open end for receiving a locking member, prohibiting unauthorized removal of the apparatus. Outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts are coupled to the central shaft and have linear lengths. Each auxiliary shaft defines an isolated auxiliary passageway in fluid communication with the first passageway. Each auxiliary passageway has opposed open ends in fluid communication with the first passageway such that fluid and debris is directed into the central shaft after traveling through the auxiliary shafts. A discharge shaft is abutted to the central shaft and is in fluid communication with the auxiliary shafts. The discharge shaft has offset open ends formed therein such that fluid and debris converges towards the lower open end prior to exiting the apparatus.
US07654276B2
Collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The first panel has a first retaining mechanism that defines an adjustment space, and the second panel has a second retaining mechanism that is movably received inside the adjustment space of the first retaining mechanism to couple the second panel to the first panel. The second retaining mechanism is movable within the adjustment space to allow the relative positions of the first and second panels to be adjusted. Other collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. A connector couples the first and second panels in a manner that allows the relative positions of the first and second panels to be adjusted.
US07654275B2
The present invention is a Cane/walking aid that provides the user with many security features along with mobility support. The cane/walking aid can be placed under the doorknob to secure the door(s) as a door-jamming device. The cane/walking aid will provide balance and mobility support. Life-saving medical alert information (identification, illnesses and medications) will be readily available inside the cane/walking aid. A safety alarm will sound if the user pulls the alarm string, which is to be wrapped around the user's wrist. This high-decibel alarm will also sound if the user becomes separated from the cane/walking aid. It also has a flashing safety light and a built in flashlight. The cane will have mace, an alarm, and/or other personal self-defense devices within. A G.P.S. device or a talking G.P.S. is provided for navigation. The cane/walking aid can accommodate an electronic insect repellent device.
US07654270B2
A brush for applying a substance onto keratinous fibers includes a core and bristles that are supported by the core and made other than by being injection molded together with the core. In embodiments, the brush has at least a portion that carries bristles that are curved and extend from the core in oriented manner.
US07654266B2
A surgical draping system (2), separates the sterile surgical field from the unsterile surgical table and isolates the patient so that sterile surgical procedures can be performed without chance of contamination. The components of the surgical draping system are provided folded and in sterile condition inside a sealed bag container. The sealed bag (4), is placed acres an operating table (8), prior to placement of the patient. Once the patient has been positioned on the operating table (8), the bag (4), is opened and the surgical drape (10), is extended. The draping system may include coverings for legs or arms and a top drape. The draping system isolates the operating field in a simple and sterile manner and can be discarded at the termination of the procedure.
US07654264B2
A medical device may include a tubular body configured to communicate gas and an inflatable cuff coupled to the tubular body at least by a collar. The tubular body may include an opening. The collar may include a notch positioned relative to the opening in the tubular body such that a passageway extends through at least a portion of the notch and at least a portion of the opening.
US07654260B2
An apparatus and system are disclosed to extract breathable air from snow via a protective helmet. The apparatus includes a protective structure, at least one air intake cavity, and a mouthpiece. The protective structure defines an inner cavity and an outer surface. The air intake cavity or cavities are disposed on the outer surface of the protective structure. The mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the air intake cavity or cavities. Additionally, the mouthpiece is configured to allow a user to draw intake air from ambient snow through the one or more intake cavities and to the user's mouth upon inhalation. Advantageously, the apparatus and system provide a reliable mechanism for drawing air from ambient snow when a user, especially the user's face or head, is at least partially buried in the snow. Additionally, bulky and inefficient breathing tubes are minimized or eliminated.
US07654255B2
A paintball agitator for use with a paintball loader is provided. The paintball agitator includes a rotatable shaft having a drive end and a second end opposite the drive end. A base portion extends radially from the shaft adjacent the second end of the shaft. The base portion is rotatable in combination with the shaft. At least one fin is pivotally affixed to the base portion and extends radially from the shaft. The at least one fin is rotatable in combination with the base portion and the shaft. The paintball agitator further includes at least one sensor mounted to the base portion that detects movement of the at least one fin.
US07654247B2
A gas engine has a starting operation mode in which fuel gas flow is controlled based on actual mixture flow rate and adequate excess air ratio prescribed for each of detected values of operating conditions of the engine and then mixture flow is controlled so that engine rotation speed approaches a target rotation speed, and a normal operation mode in which fuel gas flow is controlled so that engine rotation speed approaches the target rotation speed and then mixture flow rate is controlled so that air fuel ratio of the mixture coincides with an adequate value prescribed for each of detected values of operating conditions of the gas engine with the fuel gas flow flowing at the commanded fuel gas flow rate, and a switchover rotation speed is predetermined so that operation mode is switched from starting mode to normal mode when engine speed reaches the switchover rotation speed.
US07654244B2
An arrangement and a method for a combustion engine for self-ignition of a fuel mixture. A first device supplies a first partial quantity of the fuel mixture to the combustion space, and a second device supplies a second partial quantity of the fuel mixture to the combustion space, which second partial quantity of the fuel mixture is at a different fuel concentration from the first partial quantity of the fuel mixture. The devices supply the first and the second partial quantities of the fuel mixture as to create in the combustion space at least one region which is at a higher fuel concentration than other regions and in which the self-ignition of the fuel mixture is intended to start.
US07654242B2
A multiple-cylinder engine for a planing water vehicle includes an operation control device which changes the number of deactivated cylinders step by step in response to an engine speed when the engine speed exceeds a preset speed. The operation control device can have a plurality of cylinder deactivation order maps used for instructing an increment order of cylinders which are deactivated step by step when the engine speed exceeds the preset speed. The operation control device can exchange one of the cylinder deactivation order maps which is currently used for another one of the maps in accordance with an operation state of the engine.
US07654232B2
A hydrogen engine system for driving an engine with hydrogen gases as a fuel comprises a hydrogenated liquid fuel tank, which holds a hydrogenated liquid fuel in a liquid phase, a preheater, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel and a dehydrogenated fuel from the hydrogen feed unit are transported and which preheats the hydrogenated liquid fuel owing to heat exchange, an vaporizer, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel as preheated and exhaust gases of the engine are transported and which heats the hydrogenated liquid fuel to put the same in a vapor phase, and a hydrogen feed unit, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel as vaporized and exhaust gases of the engine are transported and which generates hydrogen gases owing to dehydrogenation to transport the same to the engine.
US07654221B2
An electroless deposition system and electroless deposition stations are provided. The system includes a processing mainframe, at least one substrate cleaning station positioned on the mainframe, and an electroless deposition station positioned on the mainframe. The electroless deposition station includes an environmentally controlled processing enclosure, a first processing station configured to clean and activate a surface of a substrate, a second processing station configured to electrolessly deposit a layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a substrate shuttle positioned to transfer substrates between the first and second processing stations. The electroless deposition station also includes various fluid delivery and substrate temperature controlling devices to perform a contamination free and uniform electroless deposition process.
US07654219B2
Sight glass assemblies, pipe assemblies including the same, and methods for assembling pipe assemblies are disclosed. Sight glass assemblies may include an annular body of a transparent material. The annular body may include a peripheral surface, an interior surface defining at least a portion of a fluid path, first and second parallel planar annular surfaces spaced a first distance apart, and at least one passage extending through the annular body from the first planar annular surface to the second planar annular surface between the peripheral and interior surfaces. In some examples, a sight glass assembly may include at least one spacing element, which may include first and second bearing surfaces. The first and second bearing surfaces may be spaced a second distance at least as large as the first distance. In some examples, the interior surface may be chemically resistant to at least one predetermined fluid.
US07654197B2
A hand press (1) for squeezing garlic cloves having a double lever linkage driving a ram 30 into a receiving container (2). Two handles (4,5) pivoted together at one end to operate as levers operate two crossing lever arms (6,7) which are pivoted to each other. Pressing with minimal effort takes place due to the mechanical advantage which is produced by the double lever linkage. Additional advantages of the device are that it can be manufactured with minimal edge clearance between the ram (3) linkage and the receiving container (2), a stop (71) for automatically positioning the ram (3), a return spring (8) for automatically opening the hand press (1), and an anti-adhesive coating of the discharge pins (33) on the ram (30) and the base (20) of the receiving container (2).
US07654192B2
In a coffee automat, a vertically adjustable and lockable outflow unit (3), which comprises at least one coffee outflow tube (6) in fluid-conductive connection with a coffee brewing device is continuously height-adjustable relative to a cup base and can be locked by a locking means. In order to easily and smoothly adjust, in a coffee automat rationally to be manufactured, the outflow unit (3) with the locking means released, the outflow unit (3) is supported on housing (1) by means of a longitudinal ball bearing (12) as a first bearing element, which embraces a vertical longitudinal ball bearing shaft (13) as a second bearing element. One of the two bearing elements is connected with outflow unit (3) and the other of the two bearing elements is in solid connection with a housing (1) of the coffee automat.
US07654191B2
A beverage dispenser and method of operation, in which incoming water for beverage preparation is heated by a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The heated water may be mixed with cold water using controlled valves, to generate a selected temperature stream. This controlled-temperature stream may be mixed with beverage concentrate or sprayed over coffee grounds to brew fresh coffee.
US07654186B1
A self-contained fuze module, for installation on pieces of ordnance, having sensing devices and processing capability within the fuze module to determine whether conditions have been met to arm the ordnance. The fuze module is a unitary sealed module communicating with a launch vehicle via one or more communication/power buses.
US07654184B2
In a band saw machine in which a pair of guide posts for guiding a saw blade housing that rotatably supports a driving wheel and a driven wheel and can vertically move in the vertical direction are provided between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, an upper traveling part of a band saw blade is disposed in the rear of the guide posts and a lower traveling part of a band saw blade is disposed in front of the guide posts, when the band saw machine is viewed from the side, an intersection point between centers of the both wheels and the center line of the wheel width is almost equal to the width of the guide posts.
US07654178B2
A method of dialing a workpiece having an axis into a chuck includes providing a chuck assembly having a plurality of independent hydraulically controlled jaws distributed about a central axis, each jaw having first and second hydraulic chambers. The method further includes the steps of inserting a portion of the workpiece into the chuck assembly, pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are substantially touching the perimeter of the workpiece, and adjusting one or more of the jaws to align the axis of the workpiece with the central axis of the chuck assembly by pumping hydraulic fluid into at least one of the chambers of at least one of the jaws. The method also includes the step of pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are clamped around the perimeter of the workpiece at a predetermined pressure.
US07654177B1
Snap ring pliers include a first section having a first jaw portion with a first outer end and a first tip projecting outwardly from the first outer end, and a second section having a second jaw portion with a second outer end and a second tip projecting outwardly from the second outer end. The first tip opposes the second tip. A pivot pivotally couples the first section to the second section for movement of the first and second jaw portions between closed and open positions. The first and second tips are joined forming a tongue adapted to be received in a snap ring gap in the closed position of the first and second jaw portions, and the first and second tips are spaced apart and separated by a gap in the open position of the first and second jaw portions.
US07654175B2
A tool for rotating fasteners has an inner body with a cavity in a forward end, the cavity being configured to engage the head of a fastener. An outer socket has a cavity in a forward end, the cavity being configured to engage the head of a fastener, and the outer socket is coaxial with and slidably carried on the inner body. The outer socket is movable between retracted and extended positions, the retracted position locating the cavity of the inner body in a position for engagement of the head of a fastener, the extended position locating the cavity of the outer socket in a position for engagement of the head of a fastener.
US07654165B2
A steering rack for a vehicle rack and pinion steering gear and a method of manufacturing a steering rack includes a first member having a toothed region, attached to a tubular second member, the second member includes a bore, the cross section of the bore being circular along the length of the second member. The second member has at least one region of increased wall thickness and reduced bore diameter formed by an upsetting operation.
US07654161B2
The invention relates to a method and a device of inspection of a rolled band, wherein a band sample (M) is inspected on a first face then turned over for the inspection of a second face.According to the invention, by running parallel to its longitudinal axis, the band sample (M) is brought between two spaced apart grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) which are clamped respectively on each transversal end (M1, M2) of the sample (M), both grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) are spaced apart longitudinally from one another so as to stretch the sample for visual inspection of a first face, then the sample is turned over, by simultaneous rotation of both grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) around the longitudinal axis O, while holding the tension applied, so as to proceed to the inspection of the second face, such tension being sufficient to conduct the inspection without the sample contacting a table.The invention enables, in particular, the inspection of a band at the exit of a continuous rolling line.
US07654155B2
Methods and apparatus determine phase fractions for phases within a fluid mixture flow under a wide range of flow conditions including wet-gas flow. Appropriate flow algorithms can utilize this phase fraction information with a total flow rate of the mixture to find individual flow rates for phases, such as oil, water, and gas or gas and liquid, which can represent a combination of oil and water phases. For some embodiments, a multiphase flowmeter includes an array of spatially distributed pressure sensors configured to determine a velocity of the mixture flow and hence the total flow rate, which is applied with information from a differential pressure meter to calculate the bulk density of the fluid mixture. Further, additional speed of sound information or a water-in-liquid ratio as may be determined by spectral analysis can enable differentiation between the oil and water phases.
US07654154B2
An element of an averaging orifice plate fluid flow meter for measuring the volumetric rate of fluid flow in a conduit having an interior circumference for carrying a flow of fluid comprising, a planar flow impedance plate for disposition transversely across the interior of the conduit and perpendicular to the fluid flow, a plurality of spaced apart orifices disposed in the plate where the profile of each orifice is a segment of a circle on an arc where the arc is coincident with a portion of the interior circumference of the conduit.
US07654152B2
A measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube vibrating, at least at times, during operation and serving for conveying a medium, wherein the measuring tube communicates with a pipeline via an inlet tube piece on an inlet side and an outlet tube piece on an outlet side; a counteroscillator, which is affixed to the measuring tube on the inlet and outlet sides to form coupling zones; an cantilever coupled with the measuring tube on the inlet side; an cantilever coupled with the measuring tube on the outlet side; a sensor arrangement secured, at least in part, to the counteroscillator for registering oscillations at least of the measuring tube; an exciter mechanism secured, at least in part, to the counteroscillator for driving at least the measuring tube; a transducer housing affixed to the inlet tube piece and to the outlet tube piece; as well as connection lines, of which at least one is secured at least pointwise to the transducer housing and at least pointwise to an inner part of the measuring transducer formed by means of measuring tube, counteroscillator and the two cantilevers. A section at least of the one connection line extends freely suspended between two mutually spaced tie-down points. One of the tie-down points is located on the inner part of the measuring transducer and the other on the transducer housing. The two tie-down points are so placed that a relative distance therebetween remains essentially unchanged, even when the measuring tube is vibrating.
US07654150B2
An orthopedic simulator, such as a spinal implant wear test machine, is provided with a specimen containment module that may be removed from the machine as a unit. The releasable attachability of the specimen containment module permits remote specimen installation and reduces environmental contamination.
US07654142B2
The method for obtaining an image of a part to be inspected includes the steps of determining, by simulation, the ultrasonic field (s0) generated by the propagation of a wave in a flawless reference part; transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the part to be inspected; measuring the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected; subtracting from the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected an ultrasonic field (u0) obtained from a previous corresponding measurement on the reference part; calculating a variable related to the topological energy (ET) in the reference part on the basis of the field (s0) determined by simulation and of the field (um−u0) obtained by subtraction; and determining the image of the part to be inspected on the basis of the values for this variable.
US07654141B2
In a method and a device for the detection of at least one structure-borne acoustic vibration in a component of an agricultural harvesting machine, a timer is used to determine a transit-time difference of a structure-borne acoustic vibration that is received by at least a first structure-borne sound sensor and at least a second structure-borne sound sensor and, based on the transit-time difference, a source of the structure-borne acoustic vibration is determined, thereby enabling the location of the pulses triggering the structure-borne acoustic vibration to be identified.
US07654136B2
A tire pressure sensor including a body, a sealing member and a circuit and signal transmission apparatus is provided. The body includes a first casing, a first hole, a receiving portion and a second casing. The receiving portion connects with the first hole passing through the first casing. The sealing member includes a second hole that is set through the rubber component of and communicates with the first hole. The sealing member is located in the receiving portion. The circuit and signal transmission apparatus includes a circuit apparatus and a hole. The hole positioned on the surface of the circuit apparatus communicates with the first hole and second hole to form an air seal channel. The air pressure of the tire is injected through the air seal channel into the hole, and the tire pressure sensor can detect the pressure and temperature of the air of the tire.
US07654133B2
Malfunction diagnostic apparatus and malfunction diagnostic method for combustion improvement device
A malfunction diagnostic apparatus for a combustion improvement device that is disposed in an intake passage connected to each of combustion chambers in an internal combustion engine to improve a combustion state, includes a detector that detects an average crank angular acceleration or a correlated value correlated with the average crank angular acceleration in each of cylinders in the internal combustion engine; an operating state detector that detects a current operating state of the combustion improvement device; and a malfunction determination device that determines whether a malfunction occurs in the combustion improvement device for each of the cylinders, based on the average crank angular acceleration or the correlated value and the current operating state of the combustion improvement device.
US07654132B2
In a method for indirectly ascertaining the cylinder pressure during the operation of piston engines by measuring cylinder pressure-dependent parameters at crankshaft bearings of the piston engine, one essential feature is that the force which is introduced by the main bearings of the crankshaft into an engine housing is measured. For performing the method, sensors for obtaining cylinder pressure-correlating signals are disposed on the bearing screws, and that the signals generated by the sensors are carried to the outside.
US07654127B2
The present application is directed to systems and methods associated with infusion pumps, which can optionally utilize an electrokinetic driving mechanism. Infusion pumps, including electrokinetically-driven pumps, are discussed, along with schemes for controlling their operation. As well, systems and methods of detecting malfunctions in infusion pumps are discussed. Any number of malfunctions can be detected including the presence of occlusions and/or leaks. In some instances, a measurement associated with some aspect of electrokinetic phenomena (e.g., an electrode measurement such as voltage or current) is compared with one or more sample values, the comparison allowing an indication of pump malfunction to be determined. A variety of such measurements and comparison techniques are discussed in the present disclosure.
US07654124B2
In a method of making a sheet metal part for motor vehicles, a blank is placed with its opposite length sides between outer lower forming jaws of a die. The blank is then clamped by moving the outer lower forming jaws toward one another. Outer upper forming jaws are then moved to their closed position so that the length sides of the blank are secured in place between the lower and upper forming jaws. The lower and upper forming jaws and a press tool are then moved toward one another, and the blank is shaped to its final configuration to produce a sheet metal part.
US07654121B2
A method for selecting Quality of Service (QoS) policy, the method including: setting QoS policy processing information in a QPH; receiving, by a QoS Manager (QM), a QoS request from a CP, selecting a QPH to provide QoS policy for a traffic stream according to the processing information of each QPH in a home network, and providing QoS policy to the traffic stream according to the QoS policy of the selected QPH. Through the method and the system of the present invention, the problem that only the QoS policy of the QPH specified by the CP or the default QoS policy can be used as the QoS policy of the traffic stream when multiple QPHs exist in the home network is solved.
US07654115B2
A knitted fabric bra formed of a length of circular knit material flattened into a double ply fabric with ends secured together to form a torso encircling main body portion having rounded top and bottom edges. A pair of lengths of circular knit material flattened into double ply fabrics have ends secured to the main body portion to form shoulder straps having rounded side edges. The main body portion has a pair of enlarged, relatively loosely knit, relatively highly resiliently stretchable breast pockets. Under-sections are formed below the breast pockets. A front section extends between the breast pockets. Side sections extend from the breast pockets and are connected by a back section. The yarn selection and stitch size are varied in knitting of the fabric to provide desired fabric characteristics.
US07654114B2
Disclosed herein is a method that can adopt the flat weft knitting machine to continuously weave the knitwear whose appearance is a structural texture pattern of X-yarn by a semi-turn (or semi-twist), Y-yarn by the semi-turn and the special-purpose yarn guiding mouth thereof. There is two or three parallel positioned yarn guiding holes provided in a yarn guiding mouth. X-yarn and Y-yarn can be independently fed through two guiding holes being parallel placement; Alternatively, X-yarn, Y-yarn and C-yarn can be independently fed through the three guiding holes being parallel placement; Or, Z-yarn can be fed through outside of the two or three guiding holes being parallel placement. To achieve the fabric whose surface is X-yarn by a semi-turn and Y-yarn by another semi-turn, or appearance in most is X-yarn, and Y-yarn in small part; or most of the appearance is X-yarn and C-yarn by a semi-turn and Y-yarn and C-yarn by another semi-turn; or pattern on the appearance includes several patterns aforesaid, inside is Z-yarn, which are plating knitting, there is no need to change the yarn guiding mouth or the yarn by using the present invention.
US07654110B2
A sculpted interconnected split piece of jewelry is connected in a variety of ways through magnets that are placed in recesses where the connection is invisible from the outside; in another embodiment a second connecting means is provided for connecting and stabilizing the piece of jewelry.
US07654109B2
The invention relates to refrigerating systems, primarily, to refrigerating systems employing compressors with economizing inlets and multi-pass condensers. In accordance with the invention a refrigerating system with economizing cycle employs a compressor unit with an economizer inlet and a condenser unit having a first condensation stage, a second condensation stage, and means to remove liquid refrigerant portion between the condensation stages. An intermediate liquid outlet from the first condensation stage feeds a circuit with the evaporator and a liquid outlet from the second condensation stage feeds a circuit with the economizer inlet. The invention provides a high efficiency refrigerating system incorporating of advantages of cost-effectiveness provision of liquid sub-cooling or/and liquid temperature inherent for refrigerating systems with economizing cycle and cost-effectiveness advantages of two-stage condensation condensers.
US07654108B2
A unit for a refrigerant cycle device includes an ejector that has a nozzle part which decompresses refrigerant, and a refrigerant suction port from which refrigerant is drawn by a high-speed refrigerant flow jetted from the nozzle part, a first evaporator connected to the outlet of the ejector, and a second evaporator connected to the refrigerant suction port of the ejector. One of the first evaporator and the second evaporator has a tank structure that includes a tank for distributing refrigerant into or for collecting the refrigerant from refrigerant passages of a heat exchanging part. The tank has therein a first space through which the refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the ejector flows into a heat exchanging part of the first evaporator, and a second space through which the refrigerant to be drawn into the refrigerant suction port flows into a heat exchanging part of the second evaporator.
US07654104B2
A multi-compressor heat pump system configured to provide heating and cooling over a range of ambient temperatures. The compressors can be operated independently and alone or together in series for maximum output. Heat exchangers are selectively fluidically connected to the compressors to enable refrigerant flow between the compressors and at least two heat exchangers in a manner that enables the heat pump system to be selectively operable in various modes. Preferred aspects include selectively operating the compressors based on the ratio of the evaporating and condensing pressures of the refrigerant within the heat pump system, a mixing chamber between the compressors, and a lubricant management system to prevent the accumulation of a lubricant in one of the compressors.
US07654101B2
A geothermal desiccant cycle cools and dehumidifies the air in an indoor conditioned space. The return air is split into two streams. One of the streams passes through a desiccant wheel to remove water vapor and then through a cooling coil for sensible cooling from geothermal water. The other stream is heated to increase its capacity to absorb moisture, and then is passed through the desiccant wheel to pick up the moisture transferred from the first stream and regenerate the desiccant. The second air stream, which now has a higher dewpoint temperature, flows through a geothermal cooling coil, for sensible cooling as well as condensation of the moisture. The two air streams are mixed and supplied back to the conditioned space. A regenerative air-air heat exchanger can be used to recover some of the heat used in heating the second air stream.
US07654086B2
An air induction system for an engine is disclosed. The air induction system has a compressor operable to compress air directed into the engine, a bypass valve, and a throttle valve. The bypass valve may be disposed between the compressor and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively divert a portion of the compressed air away from the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The throttle valve may be disposed between the bypass valve and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively restrict the flow of compressed air into the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The movements of the valve elements of the bypass and throttle valves may be substantially sequential.
US07654075B2
A static structure is provided such as that used as an engine structure 30 within a gas turbine engine. A structure 30 comprises a hub or core 33 with a concentric ring or casing 32. The hub 33 and casing 32 are secured together through spoke or vane elements 31 which are sloped axially and tangentially relative to a principal axis X-X. In such circumstances any roll torque reaction caused by differentially rotating hub and ring motions is retained by the tangential inclination of the spokes or vanes whilst axial sloping of these spokes or vanes 31 and axially sloping of the struts 34 creates bracing in the direction of the principal axis X-X. In such circumstances essentially robust triangles are formed radially and longitudinally respectively each comprising spokes or vanes 31 and struts 34 secured at axially spaced locations on the hub or core 33.
US07654073B2
A power-generating system is provided for operating adiabatically and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. The system may include gas reactors and/or combustors that burn a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas under substantially adiabatic conditions such that high-pressure combustion products and low pressure combustor housing cooling air are combined to produce a medium pressure working fluid. Higher thermal efficiencies reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Products of combustion can be processed to further reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from portable and stationary exhaust-producing devices using different fuels. The system may also include solar collectors that pick up a spectrum of solar energy by means of cells containing fluids, aligned to concentrate the solar rays. The collectors may pick up direct and/or diffused solar radiation and can be used to power self-propelled vehicles or function as a roof of a building.
US07654067B2
A mower-conditioner conditioning roller comprising a superficial relief over the entirety of its periphery. This roller, of cylindrical overall shape, is hollow and has no cylindrical core and has a wall of reduced thickness directly comprising reliefs. The body of the roller is formed with at least one structured plate comprising reliefs obtained by bending or rolling.
US07654057B2
A concrete component embedded anchoring insert for bracing panels in buildings, and prefabricated concrete component provided therewith, the anchoring insert comprising an insert body delimiting a compartment and having a face with a main access opening. The insert body can be embedded in the concrete component so that the face is substantially flush with a face of the concrete component. A connecting element can be inserted in the main opening. The insert body has at least one secondary opening allowing concrete of the component body to enter the compartment, and a protection provided in the compartment adapted to prevent the concrete from accessing a portion of the compartment which is designed to receive the connecting element.
US07654051B2
Insulation spacer devices, methods and related construction techniques are provided. An exemplary device may include a body having a plurality of openings defining an openwork, to allow the passage of air therethrough when placed in contact with insulation material. The device may further include a plurality of spacer struts and/or spacing depressions fixedly attached to the body. The struts may be configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a first side of the insulation material and a building surface. The body and struts act together to define and maintain a space between the first side of the insulation material and the building surface, for example, for ventilation. The building surface can be the bottom face of a roof, an insulated attic floor, wall sheathing or a soundproofed demising wall, for example. The spacer device can be capable of being transported and stored together with, or as a separate item from, the insulation material, and can also be stored in nested layers. The device can also be stored in rolled form. The openwork of the device can additionally or alternatively include a sheet of Entangled net filaments or other similar material.
US07654048B2
A grain bin roof ring mounting bracket having a mounting plate secured to a roof bin, a clip portion extending vertically from the mounting plate, and a back portion that extends outwardly from the clip portion.
US07654042B1
A lower support is provided between the side edges of the roof beneath. The lower support is in contact with the roof adjacent to the exterior edge. Upper supports are provided above and in contact with the roof. The upper supports include upper exterior, interior and intermediate supports. The upper exterior support is adjacent to the exterior edge. The upper interior support is adjacent to the interior edge. Central supports extend between the interior and exterior edges of the roof. The lower support is provided below and the upper supports are provided above. The central supports are located above and in contact with the roof. In this manner lower intersections are formed with the upper exterior and lower exterior and central supports. Upper intersections are formed with the upper interior and the central supports. Central intersections are formed with the upper intermediate and central supports.
US07654037B2
The invention provides methods for improving germination of manufactured seeds. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of (a) incubating a plant somatic embryo under suitable conditions for reducing the size of the embryo to produce a compact plant somatic embryo and (b) assembling the compact plant somatic embryo of step (a) into a manufactured seed.
US07654036B2
The present invention involves a horticultural growing rack used for growing plants. The horticultural growing rack offers a variety of benefits to a plant grower. The horticultural growing rack can be modified to create various sizes of racks. The rack can also hold various attachments such as a light bar, ballast bar, and tray holders. This rack can be easily shipped and stored.
US07654033B2
The invention is a storage system for fishing lures and fishing tools that can be mounted to a vehicle such as a boat, prevents the lures and tools from becoming entangled or unintentionally dislodged, and yet provides easy and immediate accessibility for the user. A key feature of the present invention is the means for securing the fishing lures. Individual lures are isolated from each other and from dislodgement during the rough motion of a fishing boat at speed. Special tortuous slots retain the tackle hooks until deliberate removal by an angler for use. Another key feature of the present invention is the means for securing commonly used fishing tools, such as pliers, wire cutters, or hook disgorgers, against dislodgement. The tools are held in place by rubber grommets. This means resists tool dislodgement during the rough motion of a fishing boat at speed, yet it also provides easy access to the angler.
US07654032B1
An adjustable quick rig for a bait comprising a bait pin to hold the bait, a leader channel having a tapered passage to receive a leader, and a line stopper intended for crimping onto the leader at an adjustable location to set a desired length of the leader relative to a hook in the bait. The line stopper can jam within a portion of the tapered passage to provide the desired length. The adjustable quick rig can transfer a pulling force from a back of the bait to a front of the bait to suppress a spinning motion during trolling. Moreover, the adjustable quick rig can use one leader to accommodate a variety of bait fish of different lengths.
US07654031B2
A trolling apparatus and method of use are provided. According to one aspect, a trolling apparatus includes a frame including an upper line guide positioned toward a rear portion of the frame and operable to engage a fishing line during a release state and a lower line guide coupled to the rear portion of the frame and operable to engage the fishing line during a retained state. The apparatus further includes a line retainer operable to be coupled to a holder aft of the lower line guide and a release mechanism operable to engage a portion of the line retainer to provide the retained state and the released state.
US07654029B2
A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.
US07654028B1
A detachable sling swivel capable of withstanding substantial pull forces includes a loop joined to a mounting body that detachably engages a sling swivel stud or other similar mounting device. At least a portion of the loop may have a substantially “T” shaped cross section, or T-beam construction. Various locking gate mechanisms are disclosed, including one having a gate configured to engage the T-beam construction of the loop for improved security and strength.
US07654027B1
An embodiment is a sling swivel that may be removably attached to and detached from a sling swivel base mounted on or within a firearm. More specifically, the sling swivel of an embodiment may be quickly detachable while not substantially prone to inadvertent detachment. An embodiment includes a knob coupled to a spring-biased plunger or actuator, wherein rotating the knob operates the plunger or actuator to removably attach and detach the sling swivel with respect to a sling swivel base.
US07654026B2
An elongated extruded snap frame member for biasedly removably capturing a display graphic for support and display thereof. The frame member comprises an elongated extruded frame receiving panel, an elongated strip of securement material applied to the frame panel at the time of extrusion and an articulable housing comprised of a cover and a plurality of articulable legs co-extruded with one another and connected to one another by a flexible web of material. A further flexible web of material connects the cover to a portion of the articulable housing, the further web of flexible material providing an axis of rotation for the cover when the cover is biasedly rotated onto the display graphic.
US07654024B2
A business form particularly adapted for use during medical emergencies includes in a first embodiment a wristband/label assembly that is readily separable from a carrier, with the wristband including a single end for looping around a victim's appendage through a cinch and a tab carrying a plurality of labels with the wristband and each label having an identifying indicia such as a bar code printed thereon. The wristband bar code thus becomes associated with the victim and the labels are used to identify items associated with the patient such as his possessions, medical charts, medicines, etc. The wristband may be color coded so that as the medical personnel triage victims they are categorized by color as to their need for medical care, with the color coding thus being readily ascertainable by others as multiple victims are processed. A second embodiment includes a pre-printed form having a tab portion with the bar code labels as in the first embodiment and also a series of tear off tabs for indicating the medical condition of the patient. Additionally, the medical condition tabs may also be bar coded so that the patient's ID and medical condition may both be “swiped” into a data base using bar code information. Once the data is collected, it is conveniently input into a computer with the computer then transmitting the information to a server for display at a web site. The server and related software is fully capable of handling input from multiple computers in real time so that victim information is made available over the internet almost immediately as the victims are processed.
US07654020B2
Among other things, disclosed is a device with an adhering mechanism and signage that can be placed on a gun, such as a paint ball gun, that can identify the user or a sponsor or advertiser. A thin flat piece of material may be rolled up and its sides connected into a seam, with signage placed on an outside surface, and the material is placed on a gun, e.g. on a gun barrel.
US07654017B2
A trenching attachment for selective attachment to a working machine features a frame arranged for selective connection to the working machine, an internal combustion engine mounted to the frame and a boom assembly connected to the frame and having a trencher chain installed thereon. The internal combustion engine is operatively connected to the trenching chain to facilitate driving thereof. Having its own dedicated engine, the trenching attachment is less dependent on the power take-off system of the working machine than a conventional trenching attachment that uses a hydraulic motor to power the trencher chain and relies exclusively on delivery of hydraulic fluid from the working machine for operation.
US07654005B2
An assembly having a first piece and a hollow second piece, the first piece having upper and lower parts which are connected by a hinge-forming part and form a space, a part of the second piece being accommodated in the space, the hollow second piece includes a cavity and a bushing is provided in at least part of the cavity, the bushing being provided at a level of a part of the hollow second piece that is accommodated in the first piece. The assembly further has a clamping unit that brings together the upper and lower parts of the first piece. The assembly relates in particular to the manufacture of tools for cutting, shearing, clamping or gripping, such as pruning shears. The assembly also concerns an assembly kit and a method for achieving an assembly.
US07654002B2
A side member for a vehicle is formed by an extruded profile as well as a closed profile which are both constructed as open profiles with an approximately L-shaped cross-section. On the interior side of the extruded profile, a hollow chamber is situated which is removed in sections along the longitudinal course of the side member in order to achieve a targeted compression behavior (folding) of the side member in the event of an impact of the vehicle. Bushes for receiving the chassis components are inserted in the extruded profile. Like the partial weakening of the hollow chamber, the insertion of bushes takes place before the closing of the side member by connecting the profiles.
US07654001B2
Embodiments of a method for manufacturing a paint roller support are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a paint roller support comprises placing first and second bearings on an elongated shaft at spaced apart locations such that the bearings are retained against rotational and axial movement relative to the shaft, and placing first and second rotatable hubs on the first and second bearings, respectively, the hubs being configured to rotate relative to the bearings and to each other and having outer surfaces on which a roller cover is placed during use, wherein the first and second hubs are retained on the shaft by the first and second bearings, respectively.
US07654000B2
A modular fuel nozzle configuration is defined which permits lower-cost manufacturing operations such as injection moulding to be employed. Also described is a method of making such a component.
US07653994B2
A method for repairing a gas turbine stationary flowpath shroud. The method comprises providing a superalloy gas turbine stationary flowpath shroud that has previously been in service. The method further comprises preparing a restoration coating for application to the flowpath surface of the shroud by the steps of providing a precursor mixture comprising a higher-melting-point alloy component, a lower-melting-point alloy component, and a fugitive binder. A perform is prepared from the components and pre-sintered into a mildly curved form. The partially densified perform is applied to the flowpath surface and thermally bonded to the flowpath surface, forming a restoration coating.
US07653991B2
A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board having an embedded component is disclosed. The method includes: forming at least one contact bump and at least one electrode bump on one side of a base substrate; mounting the component such that the electrode bump is in correspondence with a contact terminal of the component; stacking an insulation layer, in which an opening is formed in correspondence to the component, on the one side of the base substrate, such that the contact bump penetrates the insulation layer; filling a filler in the opening; and stacking a metal layer on the insulation layer. Using the method, the reliability of circuit connections between the component and the circuit patterns can be improved, and the manufacturing process can be reduced in embedding the component in the printed circuit board.
US07653987B2
A device for holding electrical wires that supply power to an in-wheel motor. A clamp for restricting movement of the electrical wires only in a longitudinal direction is provided to a front area in which the electrical wires fixed at one ends to the motor are bent at about 90°. A fixing member for fixing the rotation and longitudinal movement of the wires is provided in proximity to the power source.
US07653984B2
A method comprising: a first process of placing a laminated rotor core (13) in a preheating device (18) to preheat the laminated core (13); a second process of removing the preheated laminated core (13) from the preheating device (18) and disposing the laminated core (13) between upper and lower dies (14, 15) of a resin sealing apparatus (29); a third process of pressing the laminated core (13) by the upper and lower dies (14, 15) and liquefying resin material (17) in resin reservoir pots (16) by heating; and a fourth process of ejecting the liquefied resin material (17) from the pots (16) into the magnet insertion holes (12) by plungers (32) inserted and moving vertically in the pots (16) and thermally curing the resin material (17). The method improves efficiency of resin sealing the permanent magnets (11) in the laminated core (13).
US07653982B2
A method of printing chipless RFID tags with unique features, includes printing a RFID antenna pattern precursor using a first printing process, wherein the RFID antenna pattern precursor includes a plurality of disconnected wire segments; and printing a conductive ink using a second print process to interconnect at least two of the plurality of disconnected wire segments, to produce a final RFID antenna with a unique antenna geometry.
US07653976B1
A repair kit for fishing rods that has a replacement tip and a coupler to repair the shafts of the broken rods. The kit can be carried in the field as part of regular tackle box. The replacement tip is a formed body that has a threaded end. The ferrule is formed as part of the body so that is not susceptible to breakage. The ferrule can be also lined with a ceramic eyelet that reduces friction on the line passing through it as well as adding strength. The coupler is a two ended-part that has two formed tapered threads or two formed metal inserts inside the coupler. The coupler is twisted onto the end of the broken rod until it is secure. The other end of the broken rod is then twisted into the open end of the coupler. Once the second end of the rod is secure, the rod is again ready to use.
US07653972B2
An open-type hose clamp which comprises a mechanical connection between overlapping inner and outer band portions, in which the mechanical connection includes at least one outwardly extending member extending outwardly from the inner band portion and adapted to engage in a corresponding aperture in the outer band portion, and in which the mechanical connection is such as to assure a lock up of the mechanical connection upon engagement of the outwardly extending member in the aperture and tightening of the clamp.
US07653970B1
A detachable hand tool includes a handle, a spindle partially received in one end of the handle, a cap partially received in the other end of the handle, a casing sleeved on the spindle, a head sleeved on the casing, a tool driver partially and detachably mounted in the spindle, and a control assembly mounted on the spindle for detaching the tool driver.
US07653954B2
A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck coupled to first and second lift systems configured to lift the patient-support deck relative to the floor. The lift systems each include a pair of supports and a carriage coupled to the patient-support deck and suspended from the supports by tethers which are wound and unwound to raise and lower the patient-support deck.
US07653951B2
A flushing device comprising an evacuation fitting (6) that is provided with a sealing member (7) within a pressurized container (2). The sealing member (7) is lifted counter to the pressure of a piston (16) in order to initiate the flushing process. A connecting device (39) for a water pipe (24) is disposed on the container (2). The flushing device further comprises a structure (49, 50) for flushing with a partial quantity of the flushing water. For example, the structure (49, 50) is provided with a power-loaded part (50) which moves the valve member (7) down onto the valve seat (5) of the evacuation fitting (6) when the flushing process is interrupted. In an alternative embodiment, two chambers are provided, only one of which is emptied during partial flushing. Flushing water can be conserved by the fact that the flushing process can be interrupted.
US07657947B2
A method for exciting free torsional vibrations a spring cantilever, which is clamped in on one side and has a longitudinal extension, of an atomic force microscope (AFM) is disclosed. The invention provides by the one-sidedly clamped-in spring cantilever being placed at a distance over a surface between which and the spring cantilever there is an acoustic coupling medium, by the surface being set into oscillations which are oriented laterally to the surface and are polarized linearly along an oscillation direction, and by the polarization axis given by the oscillation direction being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the spring cantilever.
US07657945B2
Systems and arrangements to adjust resource accessibility based upon usage modes are contemplated. Embodiments may include a supervisor instance such as an operating system that is adapted to select one or more supervisor keys from a set of supervisor keys available to the host node or platform upon which the supervisor instance is operating. The supervisor instance may select the supervisor key(s) based upon an association of the supervisor instance with a usage mode represented by a supervisor key name. In many embodiments, supervisor key names may be associated with resources via with one or more of the supervisor keys based upon the resources needed when operating in the usage modes by a system administrator. Once the supervisor instance is initialized, the supervisor instance may issue client keys that allow access to subsets of the resources available to the supervisor instance based upon usage modes of the clients.
US07657943B2
A data storage medium includes a data structure, called a disk control block, used for administration and control information for the data storage medium. One medium may contain multiple different disk control blocks, each addressing a different function. Each disk control block includes a control block identifier that specifies the function of the disk control block. Each control block also includes a set of standard access control parameters. If a drive encounters an unrecognized disk control block, the drive can still decode the standard control parameters, so that the drive behavior is not inconsistent with the requirements of the unrecognized disk control block.
US07657934B2
A monitoring device is disposed to thwart denial of service attacks on a data center. The monitoring device is a device that collects statistical information on packets that are sent between a network and the data center for a plurality of customers by examining traffic as if the device was disposed on links that are downstream from links that the provisioned monitor is disposed on.
US07657933B2
An apparatus is described comprising: a plurality of security processing resources for processing two or more different types of data traffic within a cryptographic processor; a first scheduler to provide a first type of data traffic to a first predefined subset of the security processing resources using a first scheduling technique; and a second scheduler to provide a second type of data traffic to a second predefined subset of the security processing resources using a second scheduling technique.
US07657930B2
A system and method for configuring a device using a remote controller are provided. The system includes at least one device which transmits and receives data using a wireless communication connection and performs a preset operation according to a received control signal; a server which communicates data with the at least one device over a radio channel and controls functions of the at least one device; and a short distance wireless communication device that authenticates the at least one device by receiving a device address list through radio communications with the server and assigning a device address selected from the received address list to the at least one device. Thus, inputting password information of the device directly to the server is not required when a new device is configured.
US07657923B2
A framework for a security system is described. The framework may be used to track which security engines are available to enforce security policies. A security engine is a software resource that enforces security policies designed to help ensure that a vulnerability of an application or operating system cannot be exploited. The framework may be used to maintain a holistic view of a status of computing devices that a security system is configured to operate with. The framework may enforce security policies uniformly across components of a security system by providing an application program interface. The security system may broker security enforcement events and security policies. By providing these services, the framework presents a unified model for interactions between software components and the security system.
US07657919B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving IP video and audio signals at a subscriber's premises. A QAM modulator then modulates the IP signals and provides the modulated signals to a conventional digital home communications terminal (DHCT). Accordingly, conventional DHCTs can be used in an IP-based network.
US07657908B2
Disclosed is a television broadcast receiver including: a reception member to receive a television broadcast signal with added time information; an acquirement member to acquire broadcast program information; program information storage member to store the broadcast program information; a time information storage member to store the time information; judgment member to judge whether a time period from interception of a power supply to re-activation is longer than a predetermined time or not, based on time information stored just before the interception and time information received just after the re-activation, the judgment being performed when the power supply of the television broadcast receiver is activated; and acquirement control member to make the acquirement member acquire new broadcast program information when the judgment member judges that the time period is longer than the predetermined time.
US07657883B2
A dispatch scheduler in a multithreading microprocessor is disclosed. Each of N concurrently executing threads has one of P priorities. P N-bit round-robin vectors are generated, each being a 1-bit left-rotated and subsequently sign-extended version of an N-bit 1-hot input vector indicating the last thread selected for dispatching at the priority. N P-input muxes each receive a corresponding one of the N bits of each of the P round-robin vectors and selects the input specified by the thread priority. Selection logic selects an instruction for dispatching from the thread having a dispatch value greater than or equal to any of the threads left thereof in the N-bit input vectors. The dispatch value of each of the threads comprises a least-significant bit equal to the corresponding P-input mux output, a most-significant bit that is true if the instruction is dispatchable, and middle bits comprising the priority of the thread.
US07657876B2
A system and method for determining where bottlenecks in a program's data accesses occur and providing information to a software developer as to why the bottlenecks occur and what may be done to correct them. A stream of data access references is analyzed to determine data access patterns (also called data access sequences). The stream is analyzed to find frequently repeated data access sequences (called hot data streams). Properties of the hot data streams are calculated and upon selection of a hot data stream are displayed in a development tool that associates lines of code with the hot data streams.
US07657874B2
A system and method for constraining generic types is disclosed. In brief, the subject invention provides a pattern type for defining a set of one or more parameter constraints. Rather than being confined to a predetermined set of hard-coded constraints in an execution engine, a pattern type can be specified as an extensible constraint mechanism for generic type parameters. According to one aspect of the invention, the pattern type can manifest itself as a class including one or more properties and/or features. The shape of the pattern type can then be compared or matched to instantiated type parameters to determine constraint satisfaction.
US07657870B2
A method, an apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for implementing dynamic function groups in a data processing system. An extensible framework is provided, which provides function groups to amalgamate extended sets of functionality by either vendor or purpose and allows the function groups to be dynamically enabled or disabled within a software application. A user may specify which extended sets of functionality are relevant and when to enable them. With the use of function groups, third party vendors may integrate added functionalities with existing ones in a software application, and indicate when these functionalities should be available to end-users without the need to duplicate code. The invention allows for the construction of other extensible frameworks including wizards, editors, and operations may also be extended with the use of function groups.
US07657863B2
A method for calculating area values of a pattern written by using a charged particle beam, includes virtually dividing a pattern into a plurality of mesh-like first square regions surrounded by first grids defined at intervals of a predetermined size, virtually dividing the pattern into a plurality of mesh-like second square regions surrounded by second grids defined at intervals of the predetermined size, wherein the second grids being positionally deviated from the first grids by a half of the predetermined size, distributing an area value of a sub-pattern in each of the second square regions to a plurality of apexes of each of the second square regions such that a center-of-gravity position of the sub-pattern does not change, wherein the sub-pattern being a part of the pattern, and outputting the distributed area values as area values, for correcting a proximity effect, defined at the center position of each of the first square regions.
US07657854B2
A method and system for designing a test circuit in a System on Chip (SOC) includes identifying the test design constraints of the test circuit. The SOC is partitioned logically into a first set of logic blocks and a second set of logic blocks. A first set of scan chains is inserted in the first set of logic blocks, and a second set of scan chains is inserted in the second set of logic blocks, based on the test design constraints. Bypass circuits are inserted in the paths of the second set of scan chains, which are capable of bypassing at least one logic block of the second set of logic blocks during testing of the SOC.
US07657848B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems for displaying nodes on a display device, wherein the nodes have a hierarchical context. Positional information associated with a plurality of nodes is used to generate a display for the nodes. The generated node display maintains hierarchical contextual information about the nodes.
US07657838B2
Systems and methods are presented which generate modified email messages, which are largely devoid of embedded functions, from original email messages, which have embedded functions. The embedded functions are amenable to self-executing codes such as viruses, worms, and Trojan programs. Thus, the modified email message without these embedded functions, and any argument associated with these functions, provides a more secure email environment.
US07657830B2
Described is an information sharing method and mechanism used by a layout system to share information across related column and row user interface elements (corresponding to definitions). Definitions of a table or grid are grouped together with respect to sizing via a common group name. Scope values may be used to limit the grouping to selected subtrees of elements. When layout occurs, size sharing information is determined for the group-related definitions via a common size sharing object. Grouped definitions thus may be sized to the largest content to display of any one element. Elements corresponding to definitions may be manually sized by a user, or may be based on the size of a defined master element, such as the width of a header. The scope value of a group may be changed dynamically, such as by user interaction, which may cause groups to merge or split.
US07657828B2
A method and apparatus for concurrently accessing network-based electronic content in a Voice Browser and a Visual Browser can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for display in the Visual Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Voice Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Voice Browser. The Voice Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and audibly present the electronic content. Concurrently, the Visual Browser can visually present the network-based document formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser. Likewise, the method of the invention can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Visual Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Visual Browser. The Visual Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and visually present the specified electronic content. Concurrently, the Voice Browser can audibly present the network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser.
US07657827B2
A workflow container defines boundaries within which a user interface appears on a page. The workflow container may change what is displayed on the user interface based on a current state of the workflow. Each workflow container maintains an independent association with a workflow that drives the user interface. The workflow is associated with the workflow container at a control level such that multiple workflows may be independently executed on the same page concurrently or separately.
US07657824B2
A method for puncturing a low density parity check (LDPC) code that is decoded through a parity check matrix expressed by a factor graph including check nodes and bit nodes connected to the check nodes through edges. The method includes classifying the bit nodes mapped to a parity part of a codeword into hierarchical groups according to their decoding facilities when the bit nodes are punctured, determining puncturing order of the groups, and sequentially performing puncturing on the bit nodes from a bit node belonging to a corresponding group according to the puncturing order of the groups to acquire a codeword with a desired coding rate.
US07657820B2
A decoding device for decoding an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code. The decoding device may include a first operation unit for performing a check node operation for decoding the LDPC code, the operation including an operation of a nonlinear function and an operation of an inverse function of the nonlinear function; and a second operation unit for performing a variable node operation for decoding the LDPC code. The first operation unit includes a first converting unit for converting a first quantization value assigned to a numerical value into a second quantization value representing a numerical value with a higher precision than the first quantization value, and a second converting unit for converting the second quantization value into the first quantization value.
US07657817B2
If a large minimum data unit for recorded data is used to record a small data amount of management information, the recording time is long, and furthermore when a WO (write once) is used as the recording medium, the number of recording operations is restricted. To solve the above problems, the present invention records data in a management area in units smaller than ordinary units for recorded data to suitably record information in a limited management area and thereby efficiently use the user data area. At that time, the present invention simplifies interleave processing usually applied to ordinary recorded data, and performs the simplified interleave processing on a data structure (for data of small size) of the present invention so as to ensure the signal processing compatibility between the ordinary data and data having the data structure according to the present invention.
US07657813B2
Expect data signals are generated for a series of applied data signals having a known sequence to determine if groups of the data signals were properly captured. A first group of the applied data signals is captured, and a group of expect data signals generated from the captured first group. A second group of applied data signals is then captured and determined to have been properly captured when the second group corresponds to the group of expect data signals. In this way, when a captured series of data signals is shifted in time from an expected capture point, subsequent captured data signals are compared to their correct expected data signals in order to determine whether that group, although shifted in time, was nonetheless correctly captured. A pattern generator generates expect data signals in this manner, and may be utilized in a variety of integrated circuits, such as an SLDRAM.
US07657794B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an error recovery scheme that allows a data read/write error in a data storage device to be processed within a short time, and a data storage device that attempts error recovery using the error recovery scheme. In one embodiment, a data storage device conducts an error recovery process for a data access error in accordance with an error recovery procedure having multiple error recovery steps; the data storage device including a head that accesses a data region of a user data storage medium, and a controller that controls the error recovery process by using not only address information of the sector where the access error to the data region has occurred, but also an error recovery log which has address information of the data region and past error recovery information associated with the latter address information.
US07657793B2
A computer readable medium is provided embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for triggering a software rejuvenation system or method, the method includes receiving a request for resources at a node, determining an estimated response time to the request for resources, determining that the estimated response time is greater than a first threshold, and triggering the software rejuvenation system or method at the node, the triggering including broadcasting an alert upon determining one of, a number of estimated response times is greater than the first threshold is greater than or equal to a dynamic second threshold, and a prior alert is received from another node.
US07657790B2
Testing of an electrical device is achieved by providing a test access mechanism within the device that can receive scan frames from an external tester. The received scan frames contain stimulus data to be applied to circuitry within the device to be tested, a command for enabling a test control operation, and a frame marker bit to indicate the end of the scan frame pattern. The inputting of scan frames can occur continuously and simultaneous with a commanded test control operation.
US07657789B1
An integrated test framework is disclosed that allows software testers to easily generate and execute tests of software involving multiple interacting computer systems. A copy of the integrated test framework resides on each computer system in the test. The integrated test framework on each computer system supports the independent testing of software on that system and also the synchronization between the computer systems. A test manager is provided to coordinate the synchronization. All the information necessary to direct the test framework on each of the computer systems is included within a single test script that is propagated to and executed on each computer system. The test script dictates the role of each computer system within the test and includes role specific actions and identifies points at which the computer systems must synchronize together for the passing of data, messages or other communications.
US07657788B2
A host apparatus capable of sensing failure in an external device connected thereto through communication cable, comprises an external signal detector for sensing failure in the external device by detecting signals of the external device through the communication cable; a display for outputting a predetermined message; and a controller for displaying a predetermined warning message informing the failure on the display, if the external signal detector senses the failure in the external device. Therefore, a user can be informed of the failure in the external device.
US07657785B2
A system of circumvention and recovery in a multi-function system. The system includes a plurality of peripherals, at least one event detector and a controller. The plurality of peripherals have different levels of susceptibility to environmental events. The at least one event detector is configured to detect environmental events. The controller is coupled to receive an event detected signal from the at least one event detector. The controller is further configured to control circumvention procedures of each peripheral based on the detected event and the level of susceptibility of the peripheral.
US07657782B2
A mechanism is provided for creating and managing multiple virtualized remote mirroring session consistency groups. The mechanism virtualizes a single physical session of a remote mirroring storage system so that a user is able to create and manage multiple virtual sessions as if they were storage volumes belonging to different physical sessions. With the mechanism of the illustrative embodiments, failover and failback operations may be performed with regard to a first set of virtual sessions while other virtual sessions continue uninterrupted. Thus, a user is provided with the flexibility to temporarily move, through a selective failover operation, selected application production workloads from production sites to recovery sites while other applications can run continuously at the production site. Later, those failed-over applications may failback to the production site and rejoin the physical session.
US07657779B2
A method, system and apparatus for server failure diagnosis and self-healing in a server farm. An autonomic server farm which has been configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements can include a multiplicity of servers enabled to respond to requests received from clients which are external to the server farm. A resource director such as an IP sprayer or a network dispatcher can be configured to route requests to selected ones of the servers, in accordance with resource allocation algorithms such as random, round-robin and least recently used. Significantly, unlike conventional server farms whose management of failure diagnosis and self-healing relies exclusively upon the capabilities of the resource director, in the present invention, client-assisted failure detection logic can be coupled to the resource director so as to provide client-assisted management of failure diagnosis and self-healing.
US07657778B2
When a primary computer is taken over to a secondary computer in a redundancy configuration computer system where booting is performed via a storage area network (SAN), a management server delivers an information collection/setting program to the secondary computer before the user's operating system of the secondary computer is started. This program assigns a unique ID (World Wide Name), assigned to the fibre channel port of the primary computer, to the fibre channel port of the secondary computer to allow a software image to be taken over from the primary computer to the secondary computer.
US07657770B2
A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.
US07657768B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a storage system is configured as at least one logical unit including at least one disk device; a controller for executing a read processing or a write processing of data having been stored or to be stored in the logical unit which is a destination of a read request or a write request, in response to the read request or write request transmitted from the computer, wherein the controller receives an instruction from the computer to turn on or off a disk device corresponding to the logical unit; and wherein, based on the instruction, the storage system turns on or off the disk device corresponding to the logical unit independently of disk devices corresponding to the other logical units.
US07657759B2
A method for altering text displayed in a formatted page, including locating a buffer of memory locations containing contents of a formatted page, locating a first text string between two markers within the buffer, the first string being an encrypted text including N characters, replacing the first text string with a second text string within the buffer, the second string being a decrypted text including M characters, where M is less than N, and inserting N-M special fill characters in the N-M unfilled memory locations between the markers within the buffer, so as to avoid the need to move the markers closer together.
US07657757B2
The present disclosure relates generally to semiconductor devices and related methods of operation. A semiconductor device is disclosed that comprises at least one cipher interface (126, 128) to a plurality of different cipher hardware modules (112, 114, 116) and central mode control logic (130-138, 106) responsive to the at least one cipher interface (126, 128). The central mode control logic (130-138, 106) is configured to provide a cipher operation in accordance with a selected cipher mode (104) in connection with at least one of the plurality of different cipher hardware modules (112, 114, 116).
US07657755B2
A cryptographic device may include a cryptographic module and a communications module removably coupled thereto. The cryptographic module may include a first housing, a user Local Area Network (LAN) interface carried by the first housing, a cryptographic processor carried by the first housing and coupled to the user network interface, and a first connector carried by the first housing and coupled to the cryptographic processor. The communications module may include a second housing, a second connector carried by the second housing and being removably mateable with the first connector of the cryptographic module, and a network communications interface carried by the second housing and coupled to the second connector. The communications module may also include at least one logic device for cooperating with the cryptographic processor to determine a status of the communications module.
US07657753B2
An image forming apparatus includes an input part to input authentication information for authenticating a predetermined operation with respect to a registered printing job, an input part to input log-in authentication information for authenticating the predetermined operation from an operation part, an image forming part to form an image of the printing job, and a control part to request input of the authentication information for authenticating the predetermined operation with respect to a printing job that is being executed by the image forming part when the predetermined operation is made from the operation part in a logged in state, and authenticating the predetermined operation with respect to the printing job when authentication of the authentication information input by the input part is successful.
US07657746B2
Supporting statements are provided to help safely and efficiently construct and verify proofs necessary for deciding whether to grant a request from one entity for accessing a resource owned or administered by another entity.
US07657740B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for verifying the authority of an owner, in terms of an identifier of a product, the first verification information for verifying the authority held at a terminal for an owner with the authority involving the product, and the second verification information for verifying the authority concerning the identifier of the product stored in a product database. The apparatus comprises means for receiving the identifier and the first verification information, means for acquiring the second verification information from the product DB, and means for determining whether or not there is the authority from the first verification information and the second verification information. A hash value acquired from a one-way hash function is employed as a verification key of the verification information.
US07657734B2
The invention allows automatically multi-booting a computer. Each functional mode of a computer having at least two operating systems installed is associated with one of the operating systems. Functional mode information identifying a particular functional mode of the computer is stored by a recovery system. While starting the computer, a boot loader receives the stored functional mode information, selects the operating system associated with the particular functional mode, and activates the selected operating system for the computer.
US07657722B1
A method and apparatus for automatically securing non-volatile (NV) storage in an integrated circuit provides improved resistance to code copying and reverse-engineering attacks. External interfaces that provide read access to the NV storage are be disabled, for a predetermined time after a reset or other initialization signal is received. An internal lock state bit or key is checked as well as an external lock prevent indication. If the lock prevent indication is not received, or the internal lock state bit is already set, then the integrated circuit is operated under a locked condition, in which external access to the NV storage values is prevented. The lock prevent indication may be a signal provided during reset of the integrated circuit on a terminal that is used for another purpose after initialization of the integrated circuit.
US07657718B1
Described are techniques used in performing data replication processing. Data is replicated on a recovery site from a production site. When a disaster occurs, the state of the replication processing is determined and a restart copy of the data is made available from the recover site. Processing continues based on whether protection mode is desired such that the system executes using the recovery site as the restart with a replicated copy of the data. Data is propagated from the recovery site to the production site to resume operations and replication processing originating from the production site.
US07657716B2
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment save a protected area of a storage device by booting to the protected area, copying the contents of the protected area to the user area of the storage device, rebooting to the user area, and then saving the user area to a backup storage device. In another embodiment, a restore mechanism is provided by copying the saved contents of the protected area from the backup storage device to the user area of the storage device, booting into the protected area of the storage device, and copying the saved contents into the protected area. In this way, in various embodiments the contents of the protected area of a storage device can be saved and restored.
US07657715B2
A host implement a method for controlling a dynamic transition of the host from a current operation mode to a target operation mode. The method involves the host receiving an operation mode transition request to transition a logical representation of a storage subsystem as maintained by the host from the current operation mode to the target operation mode, and the host reconfiguring the logical representation of the storage subsystem to the target operation mode based on the operation mode transition request exclusive of a re-IPLing of an operating system of the host.
US07657710B2
A system may include a processor node, and may also include an input/output (I/O) node including a processor and an I/O device. The processor and I/O nodes may each include a respective cache memory configured to cache a system memory and a respective cache coherence controller. The system may further include interconnect through which the nodes may communicate. In response to detecting a request for the I/O device to perform a DMA write operation to a coherence unit of the I/O node's respective cache memory, and in response to determining that the coherence unit is not modified with respect to the system memory and no other cache memory within the system has read or write permission corresponding to a copy of the coherence unit, the I/O node's respective cache coherence controller may grant write permission but not read permission for the coherence unit to the I/O node's respective cache memory.
US07657705B2
A method may include providing a management application with firmware information of a RAID controller and/or system information of a particular set of physical disks forming a particular underlying RAID implementation that is relevant to creating a configuration on the RAID controller of the particular underlying RAID implementation to enable the management application to configure the RAID controller of set of physical disks forming any RAID implementation without prior knowledge of firmware information of the RAID controller and system information of at least one of set of physical disks forming a RAID implementation and determining the configuration of the particular underlying RAID implementation using a decision making process of the management application based on of a firmware information of the RAID controller and system information of the particular set of physical disks forming the particular underlying RAID implementation to determine the configuration of the particular underlying RAID implementation.
US07657701B2
The wear leveling system and method spreads write cycles across a flash chip, thereby reducing repeated usage of the same areas of the flash chip, and facilitating even usage of all of the memory on the flash chip. When a delete operation occurs in the system and method, the deleted cluster is marked as “dirty” in a table, and the sector address of that cluster is calculated and written into a cache memory. When a write operation occurs, the “dirty” cluster is viewed as a used cluster in order to limit the number of writes to any particular cluster. In a write operation, an unused cluster address is retrieved from a table and a sector address is calculated. If the sector address has a good and low age count, then the write operation writes into the cache memory as well. Before the write operation writes into the cache memory, however, the system and method of the present disclosure checks whether the table requires cleaning and memory updating, or whether a switch to a new table is necessary. Once a purge or sync trigger is effectuated, all of the data written into the cache memory is written into the flash memory.
US07657699B2
A flash memory device includes an array of memory cells for storing data pages, at least one buffer (e.g. a memory buffer and a cache buffer) for transferring the data pages to and from the array of memory cells and a host, and an output pin. A logic mechanism is operative to select, from among a plurality of conditions related to an operation on the array of memory cells, a condition that drives a signal being output on the output pin. A data page transfer by the host is contingent on the signal being output on the output pin.
US07657691B2
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) device uses a same elasticity buffer for buffering packets for multiple different ports and only necessary packet detection circuitry is associated with the individual ports. A collision detection circuit is further included corresponding with information received from the packet detection circuitry. This simplified universal elasticity buffer architecture reduces the complexity and cost of the USB device.
US07657687B2
A memory card controller is provided with a clock start/end control unit that suspends supply of a clock signal to the memory card when a data amount transferred from the memory card as a result of the transfer operation reaches a data amount specified by an nth command received from the host device. The memory card controller resumes supply of the clock signal to the memory card if a subsequent command received with supply of the clock signal to the SD card in a suspended state specifies an address consecutive to an end address of data transfer requested by the nth command as a start address.
US07657686B2
Methods and apparatuses for dynamic virtual frame buffer management. At least one embodiment of the present invention dynamically enables or disables the use of a virtual frame buffer, which is not under control of graphics hardware of a data processing system, without restarting the graphical user interface system (e.g., the window system) of the data processing system. For example, in response to the addition or removing of a frame buffer that is under control of a graphics controller (e.g., due to the activation or deactivation of the graphics controller, or the hot plug-in or hot disconnection of the graphics controller), the virtual frame buffer is disabled or enabled respectively.
US07657672B2
The invention relates to transmitting data elements of a data stream based on a priority and target buffer fill levels at a receiving device. A transmitter controller transmits data elements of a data element class with a highest priority first, for reaching an associated buffer fill level and then turns to data elements of successively lower priorities, until the available bandwidth is exhausted.
US07657669B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for managing dataflow through a processing system is disclosed. A buffer monitor maintains and monitors a buffer full threshold to control the write throughput to a data bus.
US07657668B2
A system synchronizes data flow between a first device and a second device. The system includes a data link that connects two or more devices that are capable of sending and receiving data through a bus. A capture device senses and transfer information through the bus. A ring buffer temporarily stores data transmitted through the bus. A read controller copies or reconstructs data in a length that is different from the length of the data received. A monitor detects underflow or overflow conditions into or out of the ring buffer and compensates for clock drift.
US07657665B2
Local drive presence is provided for local and remote drives by maintaining a plurality of uninterrupted protocol connections between a plurality of I/O controllers and a plurality of device interfaces through which peripheral bus commands are transmitted. Preferably, the I/O controllers are each housed in a separate server blade and provide each blade with access to the local and remote drives. At each of the device interfaces, rather than attaching an actual storage device, peripheral bus commands received at the device interfaces are serialized and conditionally passed or suppressed to and from the shared drive which is shared amongst the plurality of uninterrupted protocol connections. Preferably, the plurality of uninterrupted protocol connections is maintained such that the shared drives can be simultaneously shared. In one embodiment, the local drives are provided in a media tray which is shared amongst a plurality blades.
US07657658B2
A system and method for deployment of a resource adapter are described. Under an embodiment of the invention, a method comprises storing deployment information for a resource adapter, the deployment information comprising one or more elements to configure the resource adapter; deploying the resource adapter, deploying the resource adapter comprising implementation of the one or more elements to configure the resource adapter; and providing a connection between a server application and an external resource using the resource adapter.
US07657657B2
A system for providing failover redundancy in a remote access solution includes at least one application resource on a back-end server, and multiple gateway servers. One of the gateway servers is a primary gateway server while the others are failover gateway servers. Each gateway servers hosts a session with at least one executing application instance for the same application, each session on the failover gateway servers maintained in the same state as that on the primary gateway server. The primary gateway server is the only gateway servers allowed to communicate with the application resource(s). The system further includes a client device in communication over a VPN with the primary gateway server, receiving output of the application instance executing on the primary gateway server and displaying the received output on a viewer of the client device. The client device also sends input to the primary gateway server.
US07657656B2
A method for decompressing a signalling message in a communications device in a communication system comprising the steps of receiving a virtual machine bytecode block for carrying out decompression on the signalling message; detecting in at least one part of the virtual machine bytecode block at least one predefined code block, matching the virtual machine bytecode block comprising at least one detected code blocks against a bytecode reference block comprising a reference to at least one instruction set; selecting the at least one instruction set on the basis on the matching step; and performing the selected at least one instruction set.
US07657653B2
The present invention discloses a load decentralization method for decentralizing load centralized to a MAP of a hierarchical domain in a network where packets destined to mobile nodes in the network are transmitted to the mobile nodes via the MAP, in which the MAP includes a table part for managing a corresponding relation of home addresses and Care-of-Addresses of the mobile nodes in the hierarchical domain. The method includes the steps of providing a same function as the MAP to at least a portion of routers situated in the hierarchical domain of the MAP, moving one of the elements in the table part to the portion of the routers when a congestion of the MAP is detected, and actuating the portion of the routers to operate as a substitute of the MAP.
US07657651B2
A resource-efficient live streaming system includes a broadcaster and a streaming server. The broadcaster receives a live feed and broadcasts a media stream to the streaming server containing several descriptions of the live feed along with control information. The broadcaster includes a stream thinner that implements a pruning algorithm. If descriptions from different streams are similar enough, one or more of them may be discarded without penalizing the quality of service perceived by the receivers. The streaming server assembles compressed data units into streams according to the control information from the broadcaster. The streaming server may also gather client feedback in order to estimate the status of the transmission channels and forwards the information to the broadcaster. The streaming server builds and streams media information to clients according to user preferences and receiver capabilities.
US07657635B2
A method is provided to convert network management protocol request into a markup language representation. In one embodiment, the present invention includes receiving a network management protocol request at a network device, generating a plurality of markup language tags and content embedded in the markup language tags based on the received request, and responding to the request using the plurality of markup language tags and content embedded in the markup language tags using a unified backend interface. In one embodiment, routines used to generate the plurality of markup language tags and content are generated automatically using an instrumentation module.
US07657626B1
Systems and methods for detecting instances of click fraud are disclosed. Click fraud occurs when, for example, a user, malware, bot, or the like, clicks on a pay per click advertisement (e.g., hyperlink), a paid search listing, or the like without a good faith interest in the underlying subject of the hyperlink. Such fraudulent clicks can be expensive for an advertising sponsor. Statistical information, such as ratios of unpaid clicks to pay per clicks, are extracted from an event database. The statistical information of global data is used as a reference data set to compare to similar statistical information for a local data set under analysis. In one embodiment, when the statistical data sets match relatively well, no click fraud is determined to have occurred, and when the statistical data sets do not match relatively well, click fraud is determined to have occurred.
US07657625B2
An Internet Protocol (IP) usage pattern of a first computer system is monitored by a second computer system remotely located from the first computer system. Based on the monitoring, it is determined if the IP usage pattern is abnormal for the first computer system. If the IP usage pattern is abnormal, an alert signal is generated for the first computer system by the second computer system. The alert message indicates a potential presence of parasite software on the first computer system.
US07657624B2
A network usage management system comprises at least one collector adapted to collect network usage data associated with a data source using a network, the at least one collector adapted to generate log data associated with the at least one collector. The network usage management system also comprises at least one log collector adapted to retrieve the log data from the at least one collector.
US07657615B1
An approach for provisioning network devices generally involves supplying boot data to network devices over a network so that the network devices can be booted up in an imaging mode or an application mode, depending upon the particular boot data supplied to the network device. When booted up in the imaging mode, imaging data can be downloaded and stored on network devices. When booted up in the application mode, the network devices execute one or more programs contained in the image data stored on the network devices. The first and second boot data may be in the form of boot loader scripts. Furthermore, the first and second boot data may be provided to the network device in the payload of a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) reply. The DHCP reply may be generated and provided by a DHCP server to the network device in response to receiving a DHCP request from the network device. The approach may be implemented using a secure network environment.
US07657613B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for provisioning a storage consumer with storage in a SAN networked computer system are disclosed. A SAN networked computer system may include one or more consumers of storage, such as host computers, a plurality of storage devices, and one or more SAN fabrics including the devices needed to connect the storage consumers to the storage devices. The system may also include a storage consumer-centric storage provisioner. To provide a storage consumer with storage, the storage consumer-centric storage provisioner may perform discovery on the system to acquire topologic information on the system along with the characteristics of system components. The storage provisioner may contextualize the information into the perspective of the storage consumer to present a user with candidate system configuration parameters from which to select, and when sufficient parameter selections have been input, the provisioner may configure the system according to the user selections.
US07657604B2
A system, method and program product for securing online chat conversations. The disclosed method includes the steps of capturing a chat conversation into an image file; adding a watermark to the image file; extracting the watermark from the watermarked image file; and validating the watermark.
US07657597B2
Embodiments of a distributed instant messaging system that uses a distributed index in peer-to-peer networks. A distributed index may be used to implement an instant messaging system in a group of participating peers. The distributed index may be used, for example, to route messages between participating peers, in identifying and authenticating peers wishing to participate, in notifying peers of newly joined peers, and in notifying joining peers of participating peers. In one embodiment, zones of the distributed index may be moved to joining peers. In one embodiment, zones of the distributed index stored on departing peers may be moved to participating peers. One embodiment may be implemented in peer-to-peer networks implemented according to a peer-to-peer platform including one or more peer-to-peer platform protocols for enabling peer nodes to discover each other, communicate with each other, and cooperate with each other to form peer groups and share network resources.
US07657594B2
A system for determining directed media for a user is provided. The exemplary system comprises a media selection optimizer which is configured to determine a directed media component based on a user profile associated, via a device identifier, with a network access device. The media selection optimizer may also utilize access point information, historic information, and access point location-centric information in its determination of the directed media component. The directed media component may then be forward to a media server which provides the corresponding directed media to the user. The directed media may comprise advertisement, coupons, video, music, or any other media which is customizable to the user.
US07657587B2
A multi-dimensional FFT is calculated upon 2n rows of 2m data values set out end-to-end in memory by traversing the data set as a whole using stride values and block sizes which halve upon each pass through the data. As the data values represent multi-dimensional data, there are one or more dimensional boundaries within the data and as these are crossed the coefficient values being applied by the complex butterfly calculation are adjusted to take account of the manipulation being performed. The linearity of the matrix calculations underlying the butterfly calculation means that the order in which these calculations are performed is not significant and accordingly multiple passes with appropriate coefficient changes can perform a multi-dimensional calculation even if the different components of the calculation in respect of each dimension arise upon different passes through the data set.
US07657586B2
An archive cluster application runs in a distributed manner across a redundant array of independent nodes. Each node preferably runs a complete archive cluster application instance. A given nodes provides a data repository, which stores up to a large amount (e.g., a terabyte) of data, while also acting as a portal that enables access to archive files. Each symmetric node has a set of software processes, e.g., a request manager, a storage manager, a metadata manager, and a policy manager. The request manager manages requests to the node for data (i.e., file data), the storage manager manages data read/write functions from a disk associated with the node, and the metadata manager facilitates metadata transactions and recovery across the distributed database. The policy manager implements one or more policies, which are operations that determine the behavior of an “archive object” within the cluster. The archive cluster application provides object-based storage. Preferably, the application permanently associates metadata and policies with the raw archived data, which together comprise an archive object. Object policies govern the object's behavior in the archive. As a result, the archive manages itself independently of client applications, acting automatically to ensure that all object policies are valid.
US07657582B1
A system for using recent activity information to select backup versions of storage objects for restoration comprises a processor and memory coupled to the processor, where the memory stores program instructions computer-executable by the processor to implement a backup manager. The backup manager is configured to maintain one or more backup versions of a plurality of storage objects and a plurality of access history records, where each access history record is associated with a particular backup version. Each access history record includes information indicative of an access to the corresponding storage object by a user. The backup manager may be configured to select a particular backup version as a restoration candidate using at least the contents of the access history record associated with the backup version.
US07657574B2
Systems and methodologies that facilitate synchronization of a mobile device with a source, via employing a file change tracking database table created in non-volatile memory to designate files for synchronization. The subject invention includes a file modification logger that detects and track changes to files across multiple file systems. The file change tracking database table has a plurality of columns such as: a unique identification column that identifies a file, a file name, previous time the file was changed, and previous time the file was synchronized with a particular machine. A list of files that have changed between a current time and an earlier time can be designated for synchronization, by evaluating when was the file last changed and/or synchronized with a source device (e.g., a desktop, or a lap top.)
US07657573B1
A method and system for exchanging at least one data value between a first device and at least one second device, including providing at least one data structure at the first device, the data structure including at least one descriptive field and an associated at least one data value field, the at least one data value field including the least one data value, the at least one descriptive field including a usage type field having usage type data to associate the at least one data value field with a data type, transmitting the at least one data structure from the first device to the at least one second device, and, based on at least the usage type data, at the at least one second device, extracting the at least one data value from the at least one data value field.
US07657566B2
A hanging protocol simulator system and method permit the design and storage of hanging protocol without requiring the actual hardware utilized in the design. The creation and/or modification of hanging protocols can be made either: a) automatically, by sending images to the simulator and receiving the configuration based on these images, or b) manually, in which case the user utilizes a hanging protocol editor to define the preferred screen layout. The user can define a preferred screen layout and then test it, without need of available real hardware, and can check the performance of the configuration long before investing in the ultimately required hardware. A database is provided for storing hanging protocols which can be accessed, and/or user-provided input can further be provided to define or refine hanging protocols.
US07657565B2
To provide a technique of writing data efficiently on a storage medium and thereby play back a content continuously. Specifically, the file allocation table (FAT) of a storage medium is supposed to be read on a partial FAT basis and data is written by a preferred method for that reading method.A data processor writes a content data stream on a storage medium, on which a data storage location is defined based on a file allocation table (FAT). The processor includes: a control section for determining the amount of data to be read continuously until a portion of the data stream, which should be played back during a data stream reading suspended period, is acquired, the suspended period including at least a time for reading a partial FAT forming a part of the FAT; an area detecting section for detecting an available area, in which that amount of data is storable, from a partial area managed by a single partial FAT; and a writing section for writing the content data stream on the available area, whereby the data stream is readable, and the content is playable, based on the partial FAT.
US07657561B2
A compressed rendition of a video program is provided in a format suitable for electronic searching and retrieval. An electronic pictorial transcript representation of the video program is initially received. The video program has a video component and a second information-bearing media component associated therewith. The pictorial transcript representation includes a representative frame from each segment of the video component of the video program and a portion of the second media component associated with the segment. The electronic pictorial transcript is transformed into a hypertext format to form a hypertext pictorial transcript. The hypertext pictorial transcript is subsequently recorded in an electronic medium.
US07657557B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for generating code on a network. Input files including information files and schema files are utilized to generate platform independent runtime files. The processing of the runtime files generates one or more business service applications. The runtime files map data between a standard format and an internal format.
US07657556B2
A b-tree having information stored therein is utilized to facilitate positional access of elements stored in the leaves of the b-tree. The b-tree is structured such that for each non-leaf level value, a count is located to its immediate left and a value is located to its immediate right. These left and right counts indicate the number of leaf level values located in the leaves of the sub-trees to the immediate left and right of the value. The left and right counts are used to determine the path to take when descending the b-tree in search of a specific position. The counts can also be utilized to determine the total number of values in the leaf level of the b-tree.
US07657555B2
A method of generating a search result list also provides related searches for use by a searcher. Search listings which generate a match with a search request submitted by the searcher are identified in a pay-for-placement database which includes a plurality of search listings. Related search listings contained in a related search database generated from the pay-for-placement database are identified as relevant to the search request. A search result list is returned to the searcher including the identified search listings and one or more of the identified search listings.
US07657553B2
A method and apparatus provide improved cache coherency and more effective caching operations without placing an undue burden on network links. A proxy receives a request for a resource and then, depending on information in the proxy cache, generates a resource request for transmission to a resource server. The proxy appends a proxy filter to the request. The resource server maintains one or more volumes of resources based on some predetermined criterion that can be either static or dynamic in nature. Upon receipt of the request and the proxy filter the resource server generates a request response and a piggybacked list of additional resources selected from the volume with which the requested resource is associated.
US07657548B2
Membership in a group is defined, either manually or by rule. Items are distributed to the members of the group as the items are associated with the group. When a container hierarchy changes (by adding, removing, or changing the properties of an object), the object is checked to see if the change affects the group. If so, then items are re-distributed and/or recalled from the affected members of the group.
US07657545B2
An object oriented design for an automated modeling system for mapping and monitoring the business roles and impact of elements within an IT Infrastructure that make up specific applications or business processes, spanning not only network elements, hosts, servers and programs but also users, company structure and processes. The design including: a series of collector modules for collecting relationship, modeling and status information from both IT and external non IT specific sources used to build a model of the application or process in the database and to gather data about activities occurring on the computer network from a business impact perspective; a series of visualizer modules for reporting monitoring activities conducted by the monitoring system; a modeling database for storing information collected by the collector modules; a series of correlator modules for automatically determining relationships between data objects stored in the database to build application models of individual applications in the context of business process and IT service delivery.
US07657542B2
A method and apparatus to afford a technical application for gathering, storing, tracking, and using requirements, engineering software for those requirements, and releasing finished enterprise software. A method is described that gathers requirements into a constrained data structure designed to facilitate the engineering of pre-specified definitions of the work to be done. A data structure and schema are described that organizes the gathering of requirements, the engineering of software that meet those requirements, and the orderly release of the software components. A computer readable medium is described, the medium having computer executable instruction to cause a system perform the method.
US07657539B2
Facilitating customs planning and clearance including creating in an international customs server, in response to a signal communicated through a client device coupled for data communications through at least one internet connection to the international customs server, a master customs planning record; creating a related customs planning record wherein the related customs planning record is related to the master customs planning record; calculating duty on the goods described in the related customs planning record; storing the amount of the calculated duty in the related customs planning record; incrementing the total amount of duty stored in the duty total field in the master customs planning record; submitting, to the destination country, payment of the duty; creating, in dependence upon the related customs planning record, a customs declaration form for a destination country; and submitting the customs declaration form to a customs declaration forms database for the destination country.
US07657536B2
An apparatus, program product and method enable program code that manages a managed resource, e.g., a high availability manager, to receive status information associated with an externally-managed resource such that the program code can properly apply an activation policy to the managed resource in a manner that is consistent with any requirements placed upon that resource by the externally-managed resource. Where, for example, a managed resource is required to be collocated on the same node or computer as an externally-managed resource, the status information may include location information that identifies where the externally-managed resource is currently active, such that the program code can activate the managed resource on the same node as the externally-managed resource.
US07657525B2
An improved data structure is provided by modifying a public-domain data structure known as a “heap”. When these improvements are applied, the resultant data structure is known as a “pile.” This invention further describes a pipelined hardware implementation of a pile. Piles offer many advantages over heaps: they allow for fast, pipelined hardware implementations with increased throughput, making piles practical for a wide variety of new applications; they remove the requirement to track and update the last position in the heap; they reduce the number of memory reads accesses required during a delete operation; they require only ordinary, inexpensive RAM for storage in a fast, pipelined implementation; and they allow a random mixture of back-to-back insert, remove, and swap operations to be performed without stalling the pipeline.
US07657519B2
A method is provided for analyzing a plurality of search sessions to identify intent-based clusters therein. Each session comprises at least one received query from a user and a corresponding set of returned search results, and each set of search results includes or refers to at least one piece of content. Each cluster represents a group of similar search sessions that are perceived as representing a common purpose and that can be mapped to a common set of search results. In the method, for each search session, each received query thereof, the corresponding set of search results, and whether any particular piece of content of the search results was acceptable to the user as responsive to the corresponding search session are identified. Thereafter, search sessions are grouped into clusters.
US07657508B2
A system and method for managing database systems, wherein the database systems perform database queries to retrieve data stored by the database systems. One or more regulators are used for managing the database systems, wherein a database tuning agent function of the regulator uses statistics on physical and logical data access in order to perform automated block size management for database objects.
US07657507B2
A search method uses pseudo-anchor text associated with search objects to improve search performance. The pseudo-anchor text may be extracted in combination with an identifier of the search objects (such as a pseudo-URL) from a digital corpus such as a collection of documents. Pseudo-anchor texts for each object are preferably extracted from candidate anchor blocks using a machine learning based approach. The pseudo-anchor texts are made available for searching and used to help ranking the objects in a search result to improve search performance. Method may be used in vertical search of objects such as published articles, products and images that lack explicit URL and anchor text information.
US07657492B2
The HMI system is provided with a mobile control and monitoring device for automation components of a technical system. It comprises means for contactless data transmission between the mobile control and monitoring device and the automation components, a manual device for triggering or blocking security relevant operations of the technical system and means for locating the mobile control and monitoring device. Evaluation means are provided for managing an active operational area and which activate the automation components for security-relevant operations of the technical system via the mobile control and monitoring device solely when the manual device is released and the locating means detect that the mobile control and monitoring device is located inside the active operational area, the advantage thereof being that manual triggering of security-relevant operations by an operator is the condition upon which they can be activated via the mobile control and monitoring device. If the manual device is placed directly on the housing of the technical system, for example, an operator has to approach in such a way that he/she enters the active operation are in a secure manner.
US07657484B2
Bill information is electronically presented to a user via a wide-area communications network. The wide-area communications network has multiple different network sites, including a first network site associated with a first bill information presentment entity, a second network site associated with a first user entity, and a third network site associated with a second bill information presentment entity. First information for authenticating the first user entity is received by the first bill information presentment entity. The first user entity is authenticated to the third network site based on this received first authentication information. First bill information, which represents a first bill of a first biller for the first user entity, is accessed at the third network site based on the authentication of the first user entity to this site. The accessed first bill information is transmitted from the first network site to the second network site, for presentation to the first user entity.
US07657477B1
A trading game allows players to engage in trading based on real-world prices of real-world securities. Simulated positions of real-world securities in player portfolios may be opened and closed in accordance with instructions provided by each player. The performance of each player may be tracked relative to an index. A tradescreen may be generated for displaying current financial information of a portfolio of a player and for entering hypothetical data to produce revised financial information. The hypothetical data may be submitted to update the portfolio of the player.
US07657475B1
A multifamily investment management tool comprises user interface logic and an investment rating engine. The user interface logic is configured to provide a user interface accessible to a user and includes risk profile configuration interface logic configured to permit a user to define a plurality of different risk profiles for a plurality of different investments. The investment rating engine is coupled to the user interface logic and is configured to evaluate the plurality of different investments according to the plurality of different risk profiles.
US07657474B1
A computer based method and system for advanced scenario based alert generation and processing is presented, with the specific ability to identify trading compliance violations in fixed income securities trading. Advanced scenarios that describe such trading compliance violations are specifically defined. By applying these scenarios to fixed income security transaction data from a variety of financial institutions, trading compliance violations can be detected on an automated basis.
US07657466B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing personalized delivery services by a carrier providing a package delivery service. Typically, the consignee indicates a delivery preference to be applied to delivery of a package, such as indicating a specific location where the package is to be left upon delivery, if the consignee is not present to accept the package. In one embodiment, the consignee may be notified by the carrier of the scheduled delivery of the package, and may be linked to the carrier's web site to indicate a delivery preference. Alternatively, the delivery preference may be indicated by the consignee proactively accessing the web site. After conveying a delivery preference, the carrier's systems communicate the delivery preference at the appropriate time to a portable computing device which informs the delivery personnel of the consignee's delivery preference. Other embodiments allow the consignor to indicate delivery preferences.
US07657463B1
An exemplary system for delivering an item price notification to a mobile device can include a processor, an inventory database including a plurality of inventory items, and a memory that is in communication with the processor. The memory can be configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of an exemplary method. An exemplary method can include querying the inventory database to determine if an inventory item meets a price reduction threshold, generating the item price notification including a sale price for the inventory item, if the inventory item meets the price reduction threshold, and transmitting the item price notification to the mobile device. The query can be invoked by the mobile device being proximate the inventory item, such as the mobile device being located at a merchant premises.
US07657460B2
A method for partially verifying the legitimacy of a remote purchase request based on a card number from a card issuing financial institution. The method includes receiving and storing a first purchase request information set including an origin and a card number. Further, the origin and the card number are sent to the card issuing financial institution to determine if the origin matches an origin on file for the card number at the card issuing financial institution.
US07657457B2
A computer system is provided for operating a graphical user interface (GUI) to enable a customer to select products. The system comprises a displaying mechanism displaying virtual shelves containing a plurality of first selectable elements in a form of product images arranged on the shelves to represent available products in a group of products selected by the customer, and a plurality of second selectable elements attached to respective first selectable elements. The second selectable elements are in a form of a price tags or price labels attached to the respective product images.
US07657453B2
A system, computer-readable storage medium and method for storing, filtering, selecting and manipulating business exceptions generated by forecasting and replenishment processes and systems. When an exception is generated, it will be associated with attributes corresponding to those business objects and business areas to which the exception relates. Exceptions may also be associated with administrative attributes such as status, priority and generation date, as well as information identifying the specific business process that generated the exception. Alternatively, forecasting and replenishment exceptions may be logged or stored in a database for future review and treatment. Within an exceptions monitor or workbench tool, a business replenishment specialist may browse, search, select, review, filter, rearrange, edit, forward and/or respond to generated exceptions. Exceptions may be filtered tacitly according to a user profile associated with the business replenishment specialist. Alternatively, exceptions may be filtered according to explicitly supplied selection criteria.
US07657450B2
A trigger engine and infrastructure for event registration and handling that is reliable, secure and scalable. Transactional authenticated and/or encrypted messages (e.g., via MSMQ) are used to transport events across each server. A stable recovery mechanism is provided wherein the recovery path is nearly identical to the normal path. A trigger engine may concentrate multiple similar requests into a single base request for event notification, and upon receipt of the base event, access tables maintained in the trigger engine to track which client registered for which type of notification. In this manner, only the base event request is registered remotely, reducing the number of events that need to be communicated to remote servers. Identical event requests from clients may also be concentrated into a base event request, and events distributed to those clients when appropriate. Duplicate base event requests are blocked locally and thus only the first such one ever reaches the remote server. The trigger engines are capable of combining events in a complex manner, such as to notify a client only when a combination of time events, job events and/or other events have occurred, thus being suitable for use in a batch system.
US07657449B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting and reserving time slots for an appointment. The system or method transmits information relating to a plurality of available individual time slots for an appointment to an application running on a general purpose computer on the wide area network for display to the end user. The system or method also provides a graphical user interface that includes an interactive map showing information relating to the available time slots for the appointment. Through the interactive map the end user can select one or more available time slots. The interactive map may provide additional information on the one or more of available individual time slots when triggered by, for example, a mouse placed over one of the available individual time slots.
US07657447B2
A system, method, and processor-readable medium are provided for quantitatively evaluating risk associated with nanotechnology. An insurance company computing system obtains nanomaterial-related data from a variety of sources, including nanomaterial sensors such as differential mobility analyzers located on-site at an insured facility. The insurance computing system uses the obtained data and a computerized model to compute a risk score that is used in evaluating the insurability of the facility or the operating entity. An insurance policy or modifications to an existing insurance premium are subsequently produced based on the computed risk score.
US07657446B1
Management of a database lock for a clinical trial study is provided. A database is provided that includes clinical trial data and the status of the data for a plurality of patients. Lock criteria is defined for the study from a plurality of selectable subsets of the clinical trial data. A processor automatically generates a list of tasks that must occur to achieve the lock defined by the lock criteria using the clinical trial data and the status of the data.
US07657441B2
A system for facilitating payment transaction disputes is provided. According to one aspect of the system, a user, such as an issuer, is allowed to use the system to resolve a disputed transaction. Based on information provided by a cardholder, the issuer is able to use the system to retrieve transactional information relating to the disputed transaction reported by the customer for review. When the issuer uses the system to retrieve information relating to the disputed transaction, a case folder is created. The case folder is a repository for storing all the relevant information and documentation relating to the disputed transaction. Using the information retrieved by the system, the issuer then determines whether to initiate a dispute. Alternatively, the system can also be used by an acquirer to respond to a dispute, usually on behalf of one of its merchant. If a dispute is responded to, a questionnaire is then created by the system. Alternatively, the issuer may decline to initiate a dispute and either seek additional information from the cardholder or deny the cardholder's inquiry. The case folder and the questionnaire are created for a specific disputed transaction. The questionnaire is designed to capture information from the cardholder and/or the issuer relating to the disputed transaction. The questionnaire may be pre-populated with previously retrieved transactional information which is stored in the case folder. Relevant documents in support of the disputed transaction may also be attached as part of the questionnaire. Various parties to the dispute may then provide relevant information (including supporting documentation) to the system. The relevant information provided by the parties is maintained in the case folder. The system then keeps track of the relevant timeframes for the case folder to ensure that each party to the dispute is given the correct period of time to respond during the processing of a dispute. Prior to filing the dispute for arbitration or compliance, the system permits the parties to resolve the dispute amongst themselves without the help of an arbiter through pre-arbitration and pre-compliance. If the parties to the dispute are unable to resolve the dispute on their own, the system also permits the parties to resolve the dispute via arbitration or compliance with the help of an arbiter. The system provides the arbiter with access to the case folder to allow the arbiter to render an informed decision on the dispute.
US07657438B2
A method for controlling a vehicular electric system having multiple power sources including an engine-driven generator. The power sources for supplying power to charge an onboard battery are determined based on difference between the power generation cost of each power source and that for generating an amount of power charged in the battery. Furthermore, amounts power to be supplied to the battery 103 for charge is determined based on the amount of power currently charged in the battery.
US07657432B2
A technique for improved score calculation and normalization in a framework of recognition with phonetically structured speaker models. The technique involves determining, for each frame and each level of phonetic detail of a target speaker model, a non-interpolated likelihood value, and then resolving the at least one likelihood value to obtain a likelihood score.
US07657428B2
A system and method for seamless switching and concatenation of compressed audio streams in Internet, Digital Radio, Digital Television, DVD, storage, and other applications. The technology allows switching between streams at pre-determined points without the introduction of audible artifacts. It can be used for the personalization messages such as advertisements, news systems and other.
US07657427B2
Speech signal classification and encoding systems and methods are disclosed herein. The signal classification is done in three steps each of them discriminating a specific signal class. First, a voice activity detector (VAD) discriminates between active and inactive speech frames. If an inactive speech frame is detected (background noise signal) then the classification chain ends and the frame is encoded with comfort noise generation (CNG). If an active speech frame is detected, the frame is subjected to a second classifier dedicated to discriminate unvoiced frames. If the classifier classifies the frame as unvoiced speech signal, the classification chain ends, and the frame is encoded using a coding method optimized for unvoiced signals. Otherwise, the speech frame is passed through to the “stable voiced” classification module. If the frame is classified as stable voiced frame, then the frame is encoded using a coding method optimized for stable voiced signals. Otherwise, the frame is likely to contain a non-stationary speech segment such as a voiced onset or rapidly evolving voiced speech signal. In this case a general-purpose speech coder is used at a high bit rate for sustaining good subjective quality.
US07657423B1
A system offers potential completions for fragments of text. The system may obtain a text fragment and identify documents that include the text fragment. The system may locate sentences within the documents that include at least a portion of the text fragment, identify sentence endings associated with the located sentences, and present the sentence endings as potential completions for the text fragment.
US07657416B1
A method of system design, and more particularly a method of designing systems that achieve a set of performance goals using a hierarchically partitioned system representation wherein performance simulations are performed at multiple levels within the hierarchy and are combined to simulate a system level result in order to reduce the aggregate time required for performance simulation.
US07657411B2
A transformation method is described having three phases. The first phase provides a tool and language independent annotation framework to capture semantics of entities as well as their relationships with other entities. The second phase converts the entities on the business level into corresponding entities on a technical level. The conversion preserves the semantics of the entities defined at the business level and transforms them into a representation implementable at the technical level. The third phase reassembles the transformed entities into a cross-organizational business process in a desired technical modeling language and tool.
US07657406B2
A system for simulating interdependencies between a plurality of infrastructure models includes a first infrastructure data model that models a first infrastructure, a second infrastructure data model that models a second infrastructure, a simulation engine including a society of software agents and adapted to automatically produce, in response to a first change in the infrastructure data model, a second change in the infrastructure data model, and a user interface permitting a user to interact with the simulation engine. The system is adapted to simulate interdependencies between different critical infrastructure models as well as interdependencies between an infrastructure of one infrastructure category and an infrastructure of a different infrastructure category. Infrastructure categories include behavioral infrastructures, relational infrastructures, and physical infrastructures.
US07657393B2
The invention concerns a system for determining inflating pressures of tires mounted on a motor vehicle wheels, which includes acquiring vertical accelerations of a front wheel and of a rear wheel of the vehicle and estimating coefficients of stiffness of the tires of these wheels based on the acquired accelerations on another of the acquired accelerations, these coefficients of stiffness being estimated based on the thus temporally reset accelerations.
US07657381B2
A method of designing a probe set for identifying a target sequence from a plurality of target sequence groups by a hybridization reaction is provided. The method includes: (a) selecting a first target sequence group including a plurality of target sequences; (b) selecting oligonucleotides specifically binding to the target sequences from the first target sequence group as a probe; (c) selecting one or more target sequences having no specifically binding probe from the first target sequence group as a second target sequence group; (d) selecting oligonucleotides specifically binding to the target sequences from the second target sequence group as a probe, wherein the operations (c) and (d) are repeated until a target sequence having no specifically binding probe is absent in the second target sequence group.
US07657375B2
A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for evaluating an earth formation includes making measurements with a logging tool having a first depth of investigation in a borehole in the earth formation. A first dip of the formation is estimated using multi-component measurements. The estimated dip is compared with a second dip measurement in the borehole. The results of the comparison are stored on a tangible medium.
US07657370B2
A navigation apparatus searches for a route from a starting point to a destination wherein, predicted traffic information is associated with each of at least one links within any one of a plurality of predefined areas based on a time at which, according to the predicted traffic information, a vehicle traveling the route is expected to arrive within that predefined area.
US07657368B2
The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a navigation request at a service provider from a telematics unit. The navigation request includes current location information of the telematics unit, destination information, and telematics unit memory capacity information. The method further includes producing navigation instructions based on the received navigation request. The navigation instructions provide directions from the current location of the telematics unit to the destination. The navigation instructions include a plurality of data elements describing the navigation instructions. The amount of data elements included within the navigation instructions is associated with the received telematics unit memory capacity information. The method additionally includes communicating the produced navigation instructions to the telematics unit. The method may further include providing the produced navigation instructions to a user interface.
US07657366B2
A method of controlling the stopping and staffing of a heat engine (2) of a vehicle is such that (i) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine stop request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the stopping of the engine (2), in order for the engine (2) to be stopped or (ii) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine staff request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the staffing of the engine (2), in order for the engine to be started. For a given engine stop request phase, the engine (2) can only be stopped or staffed at most a pre-determined number of times.
US07657361B2
An electronic control unit 30 of a diesel engine 10 stores a relationship between a required fuel injection amount and a corresponding injection command signal. The unit 30 generates the injection command signal corresponding to the required fuel injection amount based on the stored relationship, and drives injectors 20 based on the injection command signal to inject fuel. The unit 30 includes a shifting section, which forcibly changes the engine rotational speed by temporarily shifting the fuel injection mode between a first injection mode and a second injection mode. The first injection mode is a mode in which an after injection is executed after a main injection. The after injection has less fuel injection amount than the main injection. The second injection mode is a mode in which the after injection is not executed. The unit 30 includes a correction section, which detects the variation of the engine rotational speed caused by shifting the fuel injection mode, and corrects the relationship based on comparison between the detected variation of the engine rotational speed and a previously determined standard variation of the engine rotational speed.
US07657344B2
A cabinet suitable for use in storing items. The cabinet includes a drawer having a base. A plurality of cassettes are arranged within the drawer. Each cassette is individually movable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the base. A plurality of locking mechanisms cooperate to inhibit movement of each of the plurality of cassettes. A controller is operable to actuate one or more locking mechanisms to release one of the plurality of cassettes for movement.
US07657340B2
A system usable by a processor to enable a user to select a type of garment and view an image of the pattern for the garment. Under direction of the system, the processor enables the user to input data relating to the characteristics of an intended wearer of the garment, and the processor generates a graphical model of the intended wearer. Also, under direction of the system, the processor enables the user to view a simulation of the garment worn on the graphical model. Furthermore, the system changes the pattern image in response to changes the user may make to the garment or the graphical model.
US07657331B2
A reaction system for epoxidation of olefins, with a feed control system configured to control the relative quantity of reaction modifier present in the feed, where the relative quantity of said reaction modifier is changed in response to changes in the reaction temperature.
US07657328B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided with a device control system including: an acquiring unit which acquires a BML document which can be delivered in digital broadcasting; a BML interpreting unit which interprets a description described in the BML document, for controlling an external device; and a communication unit which communicates with the external device on the basis of a result of interpretation by the BML interpreting unit.
US07657314B2
Methods and systems are directed to selecting from a variety of capture verification modes. A plurality of capture verification modes, including a beat by beat capture detection mode and a capture threshold testing mode without intervening beat by beat capture detection is provided. An efficacy of at least one of the capture verification modes is evaluated and, based on the evaluation, a capture verification mode is selected.
US07657308B2
The present intention involves systems and related methods for performing dynamic pedicle integrity assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.
US07657289B1
A communications system for receiving and transmitting information signals. An electronic processor is adapted to receive information signals from at least one source, operatively connected to the electronic processor. An audible signal generator generates sounds related to the information signals. The source of information signals can be a telephone, cell phone, microphone, PDA, computer, printed document, Internet web site, e-mail or immediate message. The processor has a mechanism for generating an audible signal reminiscent of a celebrity voice, a cartoon voice, or a computer-generated sound.
US07657288B2
The present invention relates to a method and system using dynamic beam forming for wireless communication signals in a wireless network. Base stations and/or UEs are provided with antenna systems having a range of beam forming selections. Relative base station and UE locations are one type of criteria used to make beam forming decisions.
US07657282B2
A multimode wireless communication apparatus including a radio frequency unit having controllable communication mode and a control unit for periodically making the radio frequency unit operate in a mobile telephone mode and, after predetermined time, switching the mode to a wireless LAN mode, wherein if occurrence of an incoming call event is detected when the radio frequency unit is in standby reception in the mobile telephone mode, the control unit suppresses the switching to the wireless LAN mode and determines whether the communication in the mobile telephone mode should be continued or not.
US07657275B2
Techniques to mitigate spikes in transmit power, by reducing the magnitude and/or duration of the spikes, are described. Initially, power control is performed in a normal manner and in accordance with a transmit power control (TPC) scheme. If a (e.g., upward) transmit power spike is detected, the power control is performed in a manner to mitigate the adverse effects of the spike and in accordance with another TPC scheme. An upward transmit power spike may be detected, e.g., if a predetermined number of consecutive TPC commands in the upward direction is obtained for increasing transmit power. The upward transmit power spike may be mitigated by limiting the transmit power, reducing the rate of transmit power adjustment in the upward direction, delaying and/or filtering TPC decisions used for transmit power adjustment, preventing upward adjustment of transmit power, and so on. Multiple states may be defined and used to facilitate power control with spike mitigation.
US07657271B2
A system for synchronizing information comprises a plurality of mobile communication devices storing individually incomplete user information, and at least one mobile service interface adapted to receive and transmit the stored user information for processing. The information synchronization system also comprises at least one processor adapted to arrange the transmitted user information to allow each mobile communication device to complete its user information without data duplication. The processor transmits the arranged user information to each mobile communication device via the mobile service interface for storage therein.
US07657268B2
Facilitating mobile node mobility includes facilitating at a current access location a communication session for a mobile node. Context information for the communication session is managed, where the context information comprises information for supporting the communication session. A predictive set comprising one or more predicted next access locations is established for the communication session. The context information is transferred to the predicted next access locations prior to the communication session moving to an actual next access location.
US07657259B2
Particular embodiments provide an optimal allocation of a bearer manager or home agent. In one embodiment, a message is received from a mobile node requesting access to a visiting network that is different from a home network for the mobile node. An authentication request is sent to the home network requesting authentication for access. The authentication request indicates that a home agent has not been assigned. The home AAA server then sends a response that indicates the visiting AAA server can assign a home agent for the mobile node. The visiting AAA server then assigns a home agent that is optimally determined. The visiting home agent is different from a home agent that is found in the mobile node's home network. When a registration request is received, an IP gateway may send the registration request to the visiting home agent, which may not be sent back to the home network.
US07657258B2
A testing system for testing the radio software stack (40) of a radio device (16) is described. The system comprises test control means (10) and perturbation means (38) connected to said radio device. The perturbation means enables perturbation and subsequent monitoring of a radio stack operation. The perturbation means may also directly alter data in a radio message en-route through the software stack. In a further aspect of the present invention a distributed testing system is described enabling a wider range of environmental and real world situations to be simulated to enable thorough testing of the software stack in design for an application.
US07657240B2
An adjustable RF audio receiver and method are provided. The adjustable RF audio receiver includes an RF antenna configured to receive RF audio signals, and a tuner coupled to the RF antenna and configured to decode received RF audio signals. The adjustable RF audio receiver further includes signal processing circuitry coupled to the tuner and configured to determine signal quality characteristics of the signals received by the adjustable RF audio receiver. The signal processing circuitry provides determined signal quality characteristics and identifies an environment in which the RF audio receiver is operating. The signal processing circuitry is configured to adapt how received signals are processed based on the determined environment.
US07657239B2
A system and methods (300, 400) are disclosed for conserving energy in a multimode communication device (106). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a multimode wireless transceiver (202) for accessing a plurality of wireless access technologies (103), and a controller (214) for managing operations of the multimode wireless transceiver. The controller is programmed to enable (300) scanning for a select one of the wireless access technologies when the communication device is near a known location of a wireless access point. An embodiment for a network management system (100) is also disclosed.
US07657237B2
A method and system are provided to compensate for the nonlinearity of a wireless transmitter. The method includes sending a predetermined input bit stream to the power amplifier, calculating the coefficients of the polynomial representing the response curve of the power amplifier and generating the predistortion coefficients of the polynomial representing the response curve of the predistortor. The method linearizes the response curve of the transmitter chain in a communication device.
US07657230B2
A method of and system for detecting an interfering multi-path condition is provided. A parameter is determined from a pulse of a correlation function derived from a received signal. The parameter is examined to determine if it is inconsistent with a non-interfering multi-path hypothesis. If so, an interfering multi-path condition is detected.
US07657214B2
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).
US07657210B2
A developer collection system comprises a plurality of image carrier members, a plurality of development sections for developing the electrostatic latent images formed respectively on the plurality of image carrier members by means of liquid developers of different colors containing a non-volatile solvent as carrier, an intermediate transfer member for sequentially transferring the developer images developed by the primary transfer sections respectively corresponding to the plurality of image carrier members, superposing them one on the other and carrying and conveying the developer images, an output section for transferring the superposed developer images from the intermediate transfer member onto a sheet on a sheet conveyance route in the secondary transfer section and developer collection means for collecting excessive developers from at least two of the plurality of image carrier members, the plurality of development means, the intermediate transfer member and the output section and at least two of the flow channels from the developer collection means are merged to form a single flow channel.
US07657208B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member; an intermediate transfer member which makes contact with the image bearing member and bears a toner image transferred from the image bearing member; a first driving means which transmits driving to the intermediate transfer member; and a second driving means which transmits driving to the image bearing member when a rotating speed of the image bearing member is lower than a predetermined speed, wherein a rotating speed of the rotatable image bearing member is faster than the predetermined speed by receiving a rotating friction force from the intermediate transfer member.
US07657204B2
A locking apparatus includes a lever unit disposed at an intermediate transfer belt frame to cause an intermediate transfer belt to contact a photosensitive medium; a locking unit disposed at a supporting cover to cause the supporting cover to be fixed to and separated from an engine frame; and a coupling unit to cause the lever unit to operate in association with the locking unit.
US07657196B2
An optical sensor detects at least one of a toner image and a toner adhesion amount per unit area based on a change of an optical characteristic on a surface of an endless belt member. A control unit performs a predetermined process based on a detection result obtained by the optical sensor. A sensor moving unit moves the optical sensor between a first position in opposite to a belt supporting area in which the endless belt member is supported by a supporting roller and a second position that is different from the first position. The detection result is obtained by the optical sensor when the optical sensor is placed at the first position by the sensor moving unit.
US07657195B2
An optional apparatus of an image forming device is provided for setting its own driving condition using received specification information of a main body and method thereof. The optional apparatus is additionally combined into the main body of the image forming device to expand functions of the image forming device, and includes a driving unit driven to perform an addition function required to expand the functions of the image forming device, and a control unit for receiving specification information of the main body, setting a driving condition of the driving unit based on the received specification information, and then controlling the driving unit according to the set driving condition. The optional apparatus can be implemented as a general optional apparatus that can be combined into any kind of image forming device.
US07657193B2
A consumable management device includes a life determining unit that determines whether a consumable reaching a life end exists in an object apparatus which operates with a plurality of consumables or not, a stop process unit that, when the life determining unit determines that a consumable reaching a life end exists, performs a stop process of stopping the operation of the object apparatus, an additional replacement determining unit that, when the object apparatus is to be stopped, determines whether, in addition to replacement or replenishment of the consumable, a consumable which is to be replaced or replenished exists or not, and a notification process unit that, when the additional replacement determining unit determines that a consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished exists, performs a notification process of notifying an operator that the consumable which is to be additionally replaced or replenished is to be replaced or replenished.
US07657190B2
An optical DQPSK modulator comprises a pair of phase modulators. Each of the pair of the phase modulators is provided with first and second driving signals. The first and second driving signals are amplified by first and second amplifiers, respectively. An RZ intensity modulator generates an optical RZ-DQPSK signal from an optical DQPSK signal output from the optical DQPSK modulator. A photodetector generates a monitor signal from the optical RZ-DQPSK signal. A gain adjuster unit adjusts the gains of the first and second amplifiers so as to minimize the power of the monitor signal.
US07657185B2
A low form-factor transceiver system appropriate for long-reach optical communications is presented. In accordance with the present invention, an electronic interface to a receiver optical sub assembly (ROSA) and a transmitter optical sub assembly (TOSA) is arranged on a multi-layer board to electrically shield the transmitter and receiver portions from a high-voltage power supply, which is utilized to provide bias voltages to optical detectors in the ROSA. In some embodiments of the invention, the high-voltage power supply is arranged on a top layer while the transmitter and receiver are arranged on a bottom layer in a split-ground arrangement. Layers between the top layer and the bottom layer include at least one ground plane and provide vias for electrical connections.
US07657184B2
An interactive vehicle communication system, particularly for communication between motor vehicles, comprises a communication device (2) which may be placed on a stationary support (3) or a vehicle (4) traveling on a roadway and a receiver device (5), which may be placed on a stationary support (3) or a vehicle (4′) traveling on a roadway and interacts with said communication device (2). The communication device (2) comprises first means (6) for interfacing with external data detection and/or generation means, emitter means (9) for generating and emitting a visible light-emitting laser beam (8) with predetermined solid angle (a) and range, digitizing means (7) for digitizing said laser beam (8) and control means (10) for appropriately conforming and orienting said laser beam (8), to allow it to selectively interact with vehicle driving in a predetermined drive direction, excluding the other vehicles driving in the opposite drive direction. The receiver device (5) comprises: receiving means (11) for receiving said laser beam (8) and second means for interfacing (12) with external transducer means.
US07657182B2
An optical transmission apparatus is provided in which high optical output power is secured in an optical transmitter, the fine adjustment of the optical axis is unnecessary, and the propagation range of the optical output signal can be adaptively changed. A diffusing liquid lens includes a first liquid and a second liquid containing a scattering material that scatters light, and the curvature of the boundary surface between the first and the second liquids is changed according to the control voltage applied from a controlling unit. A first optical signal outputted from a light emitting device is diffused in the first liquid, and emitted as a second optical signal having a spread angle corresponding to the curvature of the boundary surface and a substantially uniform radiant intensity distribution.
US07657176B2
A method, apparatus, and system for evaluation of a faulty point in a multi-stage optical amplifying and repeating transmission line which provides a totally new technique for searching for faults neither of the typical “command response type” or the “DCR method”. When a fault occurs in an optical submarine cable, the profile exhibited by the optical spectral characteristics of the optical noise signal (ASE) successively amplified through the chain of optical amplifying repeaters at the downstream side of the faulty point changes in accordance with the number of the repeaters. The technique finds the number of the repeaters until the faulty point based on the change in the profile so as to evaluate the location of the faulty point and has a step (S11) of monitoring the optical spectrum at the light receiving end and a step (S12) of determining the location of the faulty point from the monitored optical spectrum.
US07657172B2
A controller includes a photographing control unit controlling an image pickup unit taking a photograph of an object to perform a short-time photographing operation in which an exposure time is set shorter than a normal exposure time and an image correcting unit acquiring correction information for correcting image data taken in the short-time photographing operation and correcting the image data using the acquired correction information.
US07657168B2
An image capture apparatus includes: a zoom motor which drives a target object of a retractable zoom lens drive mechanism; a driver for the zoom motor; a reference position detector detecting reference positions of the target object by using edges provided by each of two reset sensors; a position determination section determining as to a current position of the target object based on a current combination of outputs of the two reset sensors, a history of past outputs of the two reset sensors, and a driving direction of the target object; and a controller controlling drive of the zoom motor so as to drive the target object in a direction in which an arbitrary edge at one of the reference positions exists, in accordance with a determination result of the current position of the target object.
US07657152B2
A fixed form data broadcast playback apparatus 5 of the present invention has fixed form data broadcast playback means 108 that inserts predetermined data to fixed form data 300 from fixed form data storing means 111 with data inserting means 110, makes the resultant data into an MPEG transport stream by MPEG-TS means 109 and playbackly transmits the resultant to a digital broadcast receiver 3 via a digital interface 320. This construction enables to operate the fixed form data broadcast playback apparatus 5 even from a digital broadcast receiver that does not have a control function to the fixed form data broadcast playback apparatus 5, and further, enables to unify the operability of the screen and remote controller between the digital broadcast receiver 3 and the fixed form data broadcast playback apparatus.
US07657151B2
A method and system for displaying identifiers for one or more series of recordable events is described. A system, such as the system of a digital video recorder, may receive a set of recordable events data, such as a listing of all television shows to be broadcast over a two-week period. The system analyzes the set of recordable events data for determining one or more sets of recordable events, where each set includes recordable events having the same title. The system analyzes each set of recordable events to determine sub-sets of recordable events based on relationships between the recordable events of each sub-set. The system displays an identifier for each sub-set of a given set of recordable events when the given set of recordable events is selected for display. A user may select to record a sub-set of recordable events by selecting the identifier that represents the sub-set.
US07657147B2
Sunlight simulators that have optical homogenizer units that provide adjustably positionable beams of radiation, each within a selected portion of the spectrum of wave lengths of radiation emitted from a light source, that have uniform output intensity profiles measured across the ends of the optical homogenizer units. These sunlight simulators include either liquid light guides or fiber optic light guides that conduct the beams of radiation, developed from the light source, to the optical homogenizer units. Dosage regulating means control the doses of radiation provided by the optical homogenizer units.
US07657146B2
An optoelectronic controller for regulating an optical signal. The controller includes a ridge or rib waveguide in an SOI-type substrate. The controller also includes an active zone formed by a plurality of thin layers of silicon. The layers are either N+ type doped or P+ type doped. The zone is defined between an N+ doped zone and a P+ doped zone which together form a PIN diode. The optoelectronic controller is all-silicon and operates by carrier desertion.
US07657142B2
The invention concerns a method for making an optical fiber (18) including the following steps: producing a preform (10) containing nanoparticles provided with an active element including at least one recess (14) proximate at least part of the nanoparticles; fiber drawing of the preform (10) by introducing a non-oxidizing gas in the recess (14), thereby limiting the risks of oxidizing the nanoparticles of the preform (10). The preform (10) designed to the manufacture of an optical fiber (18) by the inventive method comprises nanoparticles provided with an active element in a doped zone (12) and at least one recess (14) proximate the doped zone (12).
US07657140B2
An optical cable module has an optical waveguide formed by surrounding a core with a clad layer and a light-receiving/emitting element, installed on a supporting substrate. A light-releasing face of the optical waveguide or a light-incident face to the optical waveguide is aligned so as to face a light-receiving face or a light-emitting face of the light-receiving/emitting element. The optical waveguide is formed into a film shape having flexibility, and provided with a reinforcing member that prevents a deflection from occurring in the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is placed on a protruding portion from a supporting face of the optical waveguide on the supporting substrate.
US07657130B2
A silicon-insulator-silicon capacitive (SISCAP) optical modulator is configured to provide analog operation for applications which previously required the use of relatively large, power-consuming and expensive lithium niobate devices. An MZI-based SISCAP modulator (preferably a balanced arrangement with a SISCAP device on each arm) is responsive to an incoming high frequency electrical signal and is biased in a region where the capacitance of the device is essentially constant and the transform function of the MZI is linear.
US07657129B2
Systems are disclosed that utilize electrical signals from detectors of an imaging focal plane array or antenna elements of an antenna array to modulate optical signals. Antenna or focal plane array elements are coupled to optical waveguides by way of whispering gallery mode resonators made of electro-optic material. The resonators modulate optical signals in the waveguides based on the electrical signals from the detectors/antenna elements. The signals received by the array are converted into the optical domain, allowing subsequent optical processing and/or distribution. Each detector/antenna element involved can be identified by the specific wavelength and waveguide through which its signal is coupled, enabling subsequent optical processing of the signals such as by wavelength division multiplexing systems. Additionally disclosed are imaging sensor photonic systems that include WDM components and other optical components such one or more optical narrow-band amplifiers and/or filters. Related electro-optic modulation and tuning methods are also described.
US07657127B2
A method and apparatus for strobed image capture includes stroboscopic illumination synchronized with one or more cameras to improve a signal to noise ratio, reduce motion blur and avoid object damage in sensor systems used to analyze illumination sensitive objects.
US07657124B2
Systems and methods for providing image data/information products to customers are provided. A data management facility generates a graphical user interface that is viewed by customers on computer systems coupled to a processor of the data management facility over a network. The graphical user interface allows a customer to search at least one of stored image data/information products or algorithms, to select at least one of the stored image data/information products or algorithms, and to select a desired geographic location. The data management facility generates a data/information product based on the selected image data/information product and the selected geographic location, and receives a request for an image data/information product, if a desired image data/information product cannot be found in the data management facility. In addition, the processor sends the generated image data/information product to the customer and bills the requestor based on the generated image data product.
US07657122B2
Using image data on a plurality of reduced object images to calculate a shift amount in regard to the gap of relative positions between the reduced object images by a correlation calculation between the reduced object images. A conversion equation is obtained from the shift amount for geometric projection process from the object image to each of the reduced object images. Initial image data on a single object image is generated using image data on the plurality of reduced object images. The above are used to estimate images of each of the reduced object images. A difference between the estimated image of the reduced object images and the reduced object images is projected in the reverse process of the geometric projection process, updating the image data on the single object image. The processes are repeated until the difference satisfies a predetermined condition and a high resolution object image is outputted.
US07657118B2
A method of displaying an image with a display device is provided. The method comprises receiving first image data for the image where the first image data is associated with a first color space, converting the first image data to second image data associated with a second color space, generating first and second sub-frames using the second image data, and alternating between displaying the first sub-frame in a first position and displaying the second sub-frame in a second position spatially offset from the first position.
US07657116B2
Location information representing the location of a defective pixel in an image pickup device and pixel defect level information representing the pixel defect level of the defective pixel are stored beforehand in a memory. The defect level of the defective pixel is determined after shipment of the image pickup device, and the pixel defect information is updated based on the defect determination result. If a new defective pixel is detected at a location different from the location of the defective pixel with the pixel defect information stored in the memory, the pixel defect information of that defective pixel is added. If a defective pixel is detected at the same location as the defective pixel with the pixel defect information stored in the memory, and if the defect level of the detected defective pixel is worse than the original defect level, the defect level of the defective pixel is updated.
US07657111B2
Processing for obtaining processed compressed moving image data can be carried out efficiently through image enhancement processing on compressed moving image data. In a moving image processing unit of a relay server in a mobile phone system, a division unit divides compressed moving image data attached to an e-mail into a target part to be corrected and a non-target part not to be corrected. A decoding unit decodes the target part to generate decoded data. A correction unit carries out image enhancement processing on the decoded data, and obtains corrected decoded data. An encoding unit encodes the corrected decoded data, and obtains encoded corrected data. A combination unit combines the encoded corrected data with the non-target part, and obtains processed compressed moving image data.
US07657110B2
A system for coding images, and more particularly, to a system for compressing images to a reduced number of bits by employing a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) in combination with a visual model.
US07657109B2
Subtitling aims at the presentation of text information and graphical data, encoded as pixel bitmaps. The size of subtitle bitmaps may exceed video frame dimensions, so that only portions are displayed at a time. The bitmaps are a separate layer lying above the video, e.g. for synchronized video subtitles, animations and navigation menus, and therefore contain many transparent pixels. An advanced adaptation for bitmap encoding for HDTV, e.g. 1920×1280 pixels per frame as defined for the Blu-ray Disc Prerecorded format, providing optimized compression results for such subtitling bitmaps, is achieved by a four-stage run length encoding. Shorter or longer sequences of pixels of a preferred color, e.g. transparent, are encoded using the second or third shortest code words, while single pixels of different color are encoded using the shortest code words, and sequences of pixels of equal color use the third or fourth shortest code words.
US07657106B2
A switching device that selectively switches connections to a predetermined terminal among two or more terminals connected to servers, and can be remote-controlled via a network, includes a network interface circuit to be connected to the network, an image processing unit that includes an image compression circuit for compressing image signals outputted from the servers, and a controller that changes a compression method or compression rate to be used at the image compression circuit in accordance with the congestion level of the network.
US07657102B2
A fast variational on-line learning technique for training a transformed hidden Markov model. A simplified general model and an associated estimation algorithm is provided for modeling visual data such as a video sequence. Specifically, once the model has been initialized, an expectation-maximization (“EM”) algorithm is used to learn the one or more object class models, so that the video sequence has high marginal probability under the model. In the expectation step (the “E-Step”), the model parameters are assumed to be correct, and for an input image, probabilistic inference is used to fill in the values of the unobserved or hidden variables, e.g., the object class and appearance. In one embodiment of the invention, a Viterbi algorithm and a latent image is employed for this purpose. In the maximization step (the “M-Step”), the model parameters are adjusted using the values of the unobserved variables calculated in the previous E-step.
US07657095B2
An information processing apparatus includes a display acquisition unit including a display screen which displays information to a user, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire an input pattern written by the user, a storage unit which prestores, as a registered pattern, a pattern corresponding to the input pattern, a comparison unit configured to compare a shape and orientation of the input pattern with a shape and orientation of the registered pattern, a computation unit configured to compute a degree of difference between the orientation of the input pattern and the orientation of the registered pattern, and a selection unit configured to select a display orientation of a display target corresponding to the input pattern, displayed on the display screen, from a plurality of display orientations determined by a shape of the information processing apparatus, based on the computed degree of difference.
US07657094B2
Methods and systems for converting text into natural personal handwriting are provided. One aspect relates to the training of a computer to recognize a user's handwriting style. In one embodiment, the computer receives handwriting samples of at least one character written by the user, such as the character being provided as the beginning, middle, or ending character among a plurality of other characters. Further embodiments allow for increased personalization of the handwriting. Another aspect relates to system and methods for displaying a representation of a computer user's handwriting. In one embodiment, the handwriting comprises variant shapes of letters, personalized connection style between letters, and connection parts that look pressure-sensitive. In another embodiment, characters are adjusted, such as cutting portions of the character to create a more realistic recreation and synthesis of the handwriting.
US07657088B2
A method and apparatus for encoding and/or decoding image data. The encoding method includes: if the color space of an image is a single color space, correcting pixel values by applying identical correction pixel values to all color components of a previous image, and if the color space of the image is not a single color space, correcting pixel values by applying different correction pixel values to the color components of the previous image; performing temporal prediction encoding of a current image by using the corrected pixel values of the previous image; quantizing the prediction encoded data; and generating a bitstream by entropy encoding the quantized data. According to the method and apparatus, when the pixel values of a previous image are desired to be corrected in order to perform temporal prediction encoding, different pixel value correction methods are applied according to whether or not the characteristics of color components included in the color space of the image desired to be encoded. By doing so, when image data is encoded, the encoding can be performed adaptively to a variety of color spaces and higher compression efficiency can be maintained.
US07657080B2
Method and apparatus for producing an image containing depth information is provided. The method detects radiation emanating from a scene and forms at least two images of the scene at different planes. Each image contains a set of intensity data values. A variation of the data values is obtained so that two sets of intensity variances are obtained from the data values, and the intensity variance data is processed to obtain depth information. The depth information is coded so as to identify different depth information in the image data.
US07657079B2
A system to capture an image and determine a position of an object utilizes a camera. A first processing module recognizes a set of predetermined landmarks, including a first landmark and remainder landmarks, in the image. A second processing module determines an actual location of the first landmark in the image, and applies at least one filtering scheme to estimate positions of the remainder landmarks in the image. A third processing module determines a pose of the object based on the actual location of the first landmark and the estimated positions of the remainder landmarks.
US07657078B2
An apparatus for reviewing defects including an image processing section (defect classification device section) with a function of estimating a non-defective state (reference image) of a portion in which the defect exists by use of a defect image, and a function of judging criticality or non-flat state of the defect by use of the estimation result. It becomes possible to establish both of a high-throughput image collecting sequence in which any reference image is not acquired and high-precision defect classification, and then to realize both of a high performance classifying function and a high-throughput image collecting function in a defect reviewing apparatus which automatically collects and classifies images of defects existing on a sample of a semiconductor wafer or the like.
US07657075B2
A method for determining a transformation of a three-dimensional pre-operative image data set to obtain a registration of the three-dimensional image data with an X-ray imaging system. In one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of the user identifying a center point and extreme contour points of the object from an X-ray image, obtaining a set of contour points for the image object in each of a plurality of section-planes, and selecting from a sampling of section-planes the points projecting nearest to the user-identified extreme points. The method then defines a grid having a predetermined number of intervals at a predetermined interval spacing with the grid center at the user-identified center of the pre-operative image, and performs a projection of the center point of the three-dimensional image data set onto each grid point for evaluation and selection of the grid point projecting nearest to the user-identified center. Registration of a three dimensional image data will allow, among other things, overlay of a visual representation of a pre-operative image object onto an X-ray image plane that can serve as a visual tool and a surgical navigation aid.
US07657059B2
A method and apparatus for tracking an object in an image. An image of a scene comprising an object is received. The image is processed with a first tracker to produce a first estimate of a position of the object in the image and a first confidence value. The image is processed with a second tracker to produce a second estimate of the position of the object in the image and a second confidence value. The second tracker processes the image concurrently with the first tracker. An estimate of the position of the object in the image is selected using the first and second confidence values. The object is then tracked using the selected estimate.
US07657052B2
A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly (10) comprises an accessory (24), a reflective element (18) and a bezel (20). The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket (23) that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly (11) may include a microphone (124) and an acoustic cover (126) positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports (124j, 124k) of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer (130b) that substantially limit air flow therethrough and a diffusing material (130a) that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier (132) may be positioned between a pair of inlet port of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.
US07657048B2
An acoustic receiver comprises means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal. The receiver has a housing having a plurality of sides that surround the converting means. One of the sides include an output port for broadcasting the acoustic signal. A jacket fits around the housing and has sections for engaging the sides. The sections are generally flat. The jacket may also form a gap with a corresponding side surface of the housing. A printed circuit board can be located within the gap. The printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.
US07657045B2
A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.
US07657036B2
Techniques are provided for determining an updated session encryption key. According to one embodiment, a packet index can be computed using a sequence number received in a session data packet during a SRTP session and a predetermined value. The predetermined value can be, for example, a non-zero value from a roll-over-counter that has been set to the non-zero value. The updated session encryption key can then be determined using a master key received from a BCMCS controller and the packet index. The determined updated session key is used to encrypt or de-encrypt content provided by a content server.
US07657035B2
Each terminal registers the key generation information into each session management server, the information including a plurality of setting items necessary for determining set values to generated a key to be used by itself, and set value candidates which are stored in the setting items.When the encryption communications are established between the terminals, the individual session management servers and a key generation information management server are associated, so that the key generation information management server selects the algorithm suite based on the key generation information. The session management server generates the parameters based on the selected algorithm suite, acquires the information on the selected algorithm suite from the key generation information management server, generates the key for the encryption communications based on that information and distributes the key to the each terminal.
US07657018B2
The present invention is a switching system interface providing conversion between time-division multiplexed digital signals and packetized digital signals used to bypass a common control and switch matrix of a class 5 digital switch. The switching system interface includes a network interface for terminating a digital transmission facility that is part of a network architecture. In addition, the interface includes a line/trunk interface, compatible with the internal signals used to operate the line/trunk interface of the class 5 digital switching system and a switch, connected to the network interface and to the line/trunk interface, for routing data between network interfaces and line/trunk interface. The interface also converts the data between time-division multiplexed digital signals and packetized digital signals.
US07656997B1
A system and method for automatic digital radiographic inspection of piping in which a radiation source and radiation detector are mounted on an inner carriage that rotates concentrically inside an outer carriage and both carriages are placed externally to the piping during operation. A rotating system is provided to cause the inner carriage to rotate completely around the piping. A positioning system is provided for moving the outer carriage longitudinally on the piping. A balancing system is provided such that any tilting of the system during its longitudinal movement on the piping is corrected. In operation, the system is placed on the piping and the rotating system causes the inner carriage to rotate around the piping. After one complete rotation is ensured the positioning system moves the assembly in a longitudinal direction on the piping. A controller controls the rotating; positioning and balancing systems in a coordinated manner to move the outer carriage after the inner carriage has made one complete rotation of the piping. The radiation detector receives the data signals form the radiation source and these signals are used to generate images of the piping for inspection of defects.
US07656993B2
A compression device has a compression plate that applies a pressure to a subject on a support plate. The compression plate has a number of elastically-deformable compression plate elements that are substantially transparent for an examination field used with the compression device. In a method for compressing a subject, at least one pressure sensor measures the pressure applied by a compression device to a subject, and wirelessly supplies a signal representing the detected pressure to a control unit, wherein the detected pressure is compared to a stored compression pressure value. The control device adjusts the pressure applied to the subject by the compression device so that the pressure detected by the sensor is equal to the stored compression pressure value.
US07656985B1
A timestamp-based all digital phase locked loop is utilized for clock synchronization for Circuit Emulation Service (“CES”) over packet networks. The all digital phase locked loop at a CES receiver includes a phase detector, a loop filter, a digital oscillator and a timestamp counter. The all digital phase locked loop enables the CES receiver to synchronize a local clock at the receiver with a clock at a CES transmitter, where indications of transmitter clock signals are communicated to the receiver as timestamps. The phase detector is operable to compute an error signal indicative of differences between the timestamps and a local clock signal. The loop filter is operable to reduce jitter and noise in the error signal, and thereby produce a control signal. The digital oscillator is operable to oscillate at a frequency based at least in-part on the control signal, and thereby produce a digital oscillator output signal. The timestamp counter operable to count pulses in the digital oscillator output signal, and output the local clock signal.
US07656981B2
A high-speed signaling system with adaptive transmit pre-emphasis. A transmit circuit has a plurality of output drivers to output a first signal onto a signal path. A receive circuit is coupled to receive the first signal via the signal path and configured to generate an indication of whether the first signal exceeds a threshold level. A first threshold control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust the threshold level according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level. A drive strength control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust a drive strength of at least one output driver of the plurality of output drivers according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level.
US07656967B2
There is proposed a technique for determining an estimate of interference power, in the receiver of a communication system utilizing adaptive antenna techniques. The technique uses information transmitted in the antenna signals and in the beam signals to determine the estimate of the interference power.
US07656963B2
A method for data transmission includes forming a notched radio-frequency (RF) burst according to one or more data values, where a bandwidth of the notched RF burst is at least two percent of the center frequency of the notched RF burst. Forming a notched RF pulse includes altering, according to the data, at least one of the amplitude and phase of one or more selected components, where each of the selected components has a bandwidth within the bandwidth of the notched RF burst.
US07656956B2
A system and method for conveying supervisory signaling and power over the same twisted wire pairs in a cable as are used to carry data communications in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol. Supervisory signals having first and second differential components are generated. The first component is coupled to both wires of one of the twisted wire pairs as a common mode signal and the second component of the supervisory signal is coupled to both wires of another twisted pair as a common mode signal. The first and second components are recovered at the remote end of the cable. Physical interfaces are AC coupled to the respective twisted pairs at both ends of the cable and positive and negative voltage rails powered by a power sourcing device are coupled to predetermined twisted pairs to convey a DC voltage over the cable which may be used to power a remote electronic device.
US07656944B2
A receiver for an optical signal is described. The receiver comprises a decision feedback equalizer (DFE), wherein a distorted input signal (DIS) being derived from the optical signal, as well as a first threshold signal (Th1) and/or a first coefficient (Coeff1) are provided to the decision feedback equalizer (DFE), and wherein an error signal (ES1) is provided by the decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The receiver comprises a control unit (CU), wherein the error signal (ES1) is provided to the control unit (CU), and wherein the first threshold signal (Th1) and/or the first coefficient (Coeff1) are adapted by the control unit (CU). The receiver comprises an eye monitor (EM) for optimizing the adapted first threshold signal (Th1) and/or the adapted first coefficient (Coeff1), wherein the distorted input signal (DIS) is provided to the eye monitor (EM).
US07656931B2
Systems and methods are described for hybrid spread spectrum radio systems. A method includes modulating a signal by utilizing a subset of bits from a pseudo-random code generator to control an amplification circuit that provides a gain to the signal. Another method includes: modulating a signal by utilizing a subset of bits from a pseudo-random code generator to control a fast hopping frequency synthesizer; and fast frequency hopping the signal with the fast hopping frequency synthesizer, wherein multiple frequency hops occur within a single data-bit time.
US07656930B2
The disclosure details methods of measuring the quality of service of received media signals by analyzing digital watermarks embedded in such signals. The quality of a received video or audio signal can thereby be assessed without having the original version of the signal before transmission. Instead, the strength or quality of the embedded digital watermark is analyzed to determine the quality of the received signal. The degradation of a watermark signal is used to assess quality of service of signals, such as audio and video.
US07656922B2
A laser and electroabsorption modulator (EAM) are monolithically integrated through an etched facet process. Epitaxial layers on a wafer include a first layer for a laser structure and a second layer for an EAM structure. Strong optical coupling between the laser and the EAM is realized by using two 45-degree turning mirrors to route light vertically from the laser waveguide to the EAM waveguide. A directional angled etch process is used to form the two angled facets.
US07656921B2
A current blocking structure of a semiconductor laser includes a p-type InP buried layer, an n-type InP current blocking layer, and a p-type InP current blocking layer laminated along the mesa side surface of a ridge. In the structure, an upper end part of the n-type InP current blocking layer is covered with the p-type InP buried layer and the p-type InP current blocking layer. The n-type InP current blocking layer is prevented from contacting n-type and p-type InP cladding layers. Creation of an ineffective current path from one of the n-type InP cladding layers through the n-type InP current blocking layer to a p-type InP cladding layer of the semiconductor laser is prevented.
US07656916B2
A nitride semiconductor device includes a stem. A heat sink is provided on the stem. At least one nitride semiconductor light-emitting element is connected to the heat sink. A light-detecting element for detecting light from the semiconductor light-emitting element is provided on the stem. A cap for encapsulating therein the heat sink, the semiconductor light-emitting element, and the light-detecting element in a sealed manner is connected to the stem. The space in the cap has an encapsulated atmosphere. The encapsulated atmosphere contains a component for inhibiting diffusion of hydrogen atoms contained in the semiconductor light-emitting element. The present invention suppresses defect due to an increase in operation voltage to increase a ratio of good goods thereby improving the fabrication yield of the semiconductor light-emitting device.
US07656907B2
A system for reducing clock speed and power consumption in a network chip is provided. The system can have a core that transmits and receives signals at a first clock speed. A receive buffer can be in communication with the core and be configured to transmit the signals to the core at the first clock speed. A transmit buffer can be in communication with the core and configured to receive signals from the core at the first clock speed. A sync can be configured to receive signals in the receive buffer at a second clock speed and to transmit the signals from the transmit buffer at the second clock speed. The sync can be in communication with the transmit buffer and the receive buffer.
US07656901B2
A system and method that creates an abstraction of the physical layer of a wireless communication network (100), in particular, a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network (100), and that normalizes the feedback from the physical layer to enable multiple types of nodes (102, 106, 107) in the wireless network to operate using a common wireless routing protocol. This routing protocol uses a link quality metric to determine the best route regardless of how it actually chooses the route or disseminates such link quality information. The generalized routing metric can be derived for any node (102, 106, 107), regardless of its relative performance or its media access control (MAC) technology. The system and method also create a transaction summary that can be used for link adaptation and link quality estimation to determine, for example, future data rates, link quality/routing metrics, and transmit powers.
US07656899B2
The present invention is directed to methods and wireless communication devices that are configured to enhance communication capacity in a wireless network. In one aspect of the invention various scheduling processes and schedulers for the transmissions of data packets are disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, the selection of appropriate transmission rates to advertise by a common unit which provides wireless service to different types of wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs) is addressed.
US07656897B2
CPRI-based multiprotocol signal transmission method and apparatus in distributed base station system
The present invention provides a method for realizing transmission of multiprotocol client signals in a distributed base station subsystem, comprising: encapsulating client signals by a GFP-T frame; and mapping the GFP-T frame into a lower-layer transmission link to realize the transmission of client signals. The lower-layer transmission link is a common public radio interface CPRI link. The client signals are one of the following: baseband I/Q signals of WCDMA supported by CPRI protocol, baseband I/Q signals of radio interface protocols other than WCDMA, structured signals of E1/T1, STM-1 and other constant-rate links, structured variable-rate link signals such as Ethernet MAC frame signals, PPP/HDLC frame signals, etc. This method is also applicable to other types of synchronous transmission links between a remote radio unit and a primary baseband processing unit, e.g., the links as specified by OBSAI (Open Base Station Architecture Initiative).
US07656896B2
One embodiment relates to an automatic system comprising a plurality of subscribers which are connected to a common communication channel, whereby each of the subscribers automatically provides the diagnosis information associated therewith on the communication channel, another conversion station is connected to the communication channel and comprises a web server which converts the diagnosis information available in the communication channel into a single web-enabled format, the conversion station is connected to a service station via a network and the service station has a web browser and a display connected to the web browser, whereby the web browser converts the diagnosis information transmitted via the network into a single display format and the display is provided in order to display diagnosis information provided by the web browser.
US07656895B2
A communications device is used to interface a plain old telephone system (POTS) terminal, which includes a dial-up modem to transmit data, to a communications network. The communications device appears to the POTS terminal to be a modem accessed via a telephone network.
US07656887B2
A function block containing a process-cache tag for storing process-cache tags in the pre-stage of a process cache and an FIFO queue for each tag entry are installed as a traffic controller. The traffic controller stacks packet groups, identified as being from the same flow, in the same FIFO queue. Each FIFO queue records the logged state of the corresponding process queues, and when a packet arrives at an FIFO queue entry in a non-registered state, only its first packet is conveyed to a function block for processing the process-cache misses, and then it awaits registration in a process cache. Access to the process cache from the FIFO queue is implemented at the time that registration of the second and subsequent packets in the process cache are completed. This allows packets other than the first packet in the flow to always access the process cache for a cache hit.
US07656886B2
A method and system for computing the maximum amount of admissible ingress and egress traffic of each edge router of the MPLS core network is presented. As long as the ingress and egress traffic amounts are below the admissible amount limit, traffic routes through any link in the network will never exceeds the link capacity. A calculation scheme and a load-distribution scheme make an Internet MPLS backbone network non-blocking. The output of the route computation algorithm includes a set of paths for any source-destination pair and the load distribution ratios among the paths. The routing algorithm and the associated distribution scheme will determine how to balance the loads that meet the distribution requirements specified by the ratios computed from the route algorithm. This greatly simplifies call admission control and allows hard QoS to be supported in a large scale and cross domains in the Internet.
US07656885B2
A system for enabling exchange of content over a communications network is disclosed having a first category of users comprising wireless carriers and a second category of users comprising content providers. A content gateway platform is provided having a database for storage of content. The content providers supply content to the database for use by the wireless carriers and the content is ultimately offered to end-user customers of the wireless carriers.
US07656877B1
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively filtering data messages that are communicated between a head end complex and its associated cable modems. Filtering includes obtaining a copy of the message and sending the copied message to a memory device. The memory device is accessible, for example, via a user so that the filtered message may be analyzed. In a preferred embodiment, the memory device is a monitoring device in the form of a computer system (e.g., a router). Messages may be filtered to the memory or monitoring device based on any suitable filtering criteria that identifies specific message parameters. In a specific embodiment, filtering may be based on one or more message types. When filtering criteria specifies a particular message type, messages having such a specified type are filtered to the monitoring station. Additionally or alternatively, filtering may be based on one or more values of a particular field of the message. For instance, when filtering criteria is set to a particular field value, messages that contains that particular field value are copied and sent to the monitoring device. Filtering may also or alternatively be based on whether a message is associated with the downstream channel, the upstream channel, or a particular port number.
US07656876B1
A multi-protocol label switching system using multiple cores. In establishing a virtual private network in a MPLS system, more than one core is available. Paths are established over each core separately and weights are assigned to the two routes. Thus, the route which is preferred by manually configuring in advance will be chosen.
US07656874B2
In a sending peer of a data unit transmission protocol, a first record of a data symbol stream (10) is maintained in terms of one or more first sequences of data units of a first format A, and simultaneously a second record of a data symbol stream (10) is maintained in terms of one or more sequences of data units of a second format B, where the first and second record have a common reference point (14) to the data symbol stream (10).
US07656872B2
L2TP packet forwarding apparatus to be connected to at least two LACs (L2TP Access Concentrators) via L2TP sessions to receive packets transmitted from a gateway, which accommodates user terminals, in the form of a L2TP packet encapsulated in Bridge over PPP, has a lookup table indicating the correspondence of tunnel ID/session ID pairs to an identifier (VPN-IDs) of a wide area network to which a plurality of user terminals belong. The packet forwarding apparatus specifies an VPN-ID from the lookup table based on the tunnel ID and the session ID of a received packet and forwards, if it is confirmed that another tunnel ID/session ID pair associated with the same VPN-ID exists in the lookup table, the received packet to another L2TP session identified by the another tunnel ID/session ID pair in the form of a L2TP packet.
US07656864B2
A telecommunications service node is connected to a data network using a packet data protocol and a telephone network using a circuit switched protocol. The service node is also connected to a wireless roaming network using the IS-41 signaling protocol. The service node stores status information, including location and registration information, for mobile computing devices connected to the data packet network. The location information includes a temporary data network address for visiting mobile computing devices. The service node manages voice calls to and from the mobile computing devices. If a call is received to a mobile computing device which is not registered, the service node will attempt to connect the call to a wireless telephone associated with the mobile computing device, or a predefined destination established as a preference by the user. In the case of a voice call between a telephone connected to the telephone network and a mobile computing device connected to the data network, the service node acts as a gateway and translates between the data packet protocol and the circuit switched protocol. A personal information manager executing in a mobile computing device may be used for managing call processing functions of the mobile computing device.
US07656849B1
A system and method for bypassing an access point in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) for direct point-to-point data transfers are provided. A user device in the wireless LAN is equipped with a primary local wireless interface establishing a wireless communication link with an access point of the wireless LAN, a secondary local wireless interface used for direct point-to-point (P2P) file transfers, and a P2P file transfer application. When the P2P application desires to transfer a data file to another user device within the wireless LAN, the user device determines whether the other user device is within a coverage area of the secondary local wireless interface and whether the file transfer meets one or more alternate transfer criterion. If so, the data file is transferred to the other user device via a direct P2P wireless communication link, thereby bypassing the access point of the wireless LAN.
US07656845B2
A method for data transmission over first and second media that overlaps in frequency includes computing one or more time division multiple access (TDMA) time-slot channels to be shared between the first and second media for data transmission; allocating one or more time-slot channels to the first medium for data transmission; allocating one or more of the remaining time-slot channels to the second medium for data transmission; and instructing transceivers for the first and second media to communicate only in their allocated time-slot channels.
US07656840B2
A method and system reduces denial-of-service attacks malicious mobile nodes in a mobile IP environment. The method and system includes maintaining, by each of a plurality of access routers within the mobile IP environment, a cache of neighboring access routers as candidates and their associated access points. The caches are populated in response to actions initiated by mobile nodes. Each cache entry is tagged with the identity of the action initiating mobile node. The identity is based on information that is verifiable by the access routers and which cannot be modified arbitrarily by the mobile node. The total number of entries that can be tagged and thus introduced into a cache by any given node is limited.
US07656838B2
A base station (2a,2b,2c) which can communicate with radio terminals on common and dedicated channels according to specific speeds, is provided with a band-pass which is available according to the use of the common and dedicated channels in order to receive data from a radio terminal on a high-speed uplink channel. An available band-pass is determined in the base station in order to receive the data from at least one radio terminal (1) on at least one high-speed dedicated uplink channel. A first indication relating to the available band-pass is subsequently transmitted on a common downlink channel. At least one second indication relating to a percentage of the available band-pass which should not be exceeded by the radio terminal during a forthcoming transmission on said high-speed dedicated uplink channel is then transmitted independently for each radio terminal.
US07656836B2
A method is disclosed that enables an improvement in the scalability of a centralized server by reallocating to the client endpoints some, but not all, of the feature functionality of the server. Each logical user in the system is represented by his own private domain of endpoint entities, from which an endpoint is selected to serve as a super peer to represent the user to the centralized server. Furthermore, a designated endpoint is selected, also from the private domain of devices, to handle some of the telecommunications features that the server otherwise would have handled. Each endpoint in the private domain is permitted to have limited direct access to the server, typically for the purposes of registering and subscribing to features, in addition to and in contrast with the indirect access through the super peer. During the subscribing process, the server redirects a subscribing endpoint to the designated endpoint that is handling the feature.
US07656820B2
A transmission apparatus that automatically makes area division on the basis of a predetermined condition to lessen the labor of a maintainer. Transmission apparatus 1a, . . . , 1m, . . . make up one area. Each of the transmission apparatus 1a, . . . , 1m, . . . transmits data in the area or between areas according to its level. The transmission apparatus 1a, . . . , 1m, . . . select the transmission apparatus 1h as a network leader in the area. The transmission apparatus 1h calculates division points at which the area is to be divided on the basis of the predetermined condition. The transmission apparatus 1h selects the transmission apparatus 1a and 1b adjacent to one of the division points as area group leaders. Each of the transmission apparatus 1a and 1b changes its level so as to be able to transmit data between a new area formed as a result of division and an existing area. The transmission apparatus 1a, . . . , 1m, . . . transmit data between the new area and the existing area via the transmission apparatus 1a and 1b selected as area group leaders.
US07656817B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provision name-servers. An example method disclosed herein includes associating a plurality of ranges of threshold numbers with respective ones of a plurality of name-servers, computing a number based on an identifier for a plurality of subscribers, locating at least one of the plurality of ranges of threshold numbers corresponding to the computed number, and assigning a plurality of name server records for the plurality of subscribers to at least one of the plurality of name-servers corresponding to the located one of the plurality of ranges of threshold numbers.
US07656814B2
The application discloses a system and a method of selecting a profile of a digital subscriber line. In a particular embodiment, the method includes determining a number of code violations of the digital subscriber line; determining a first estimated data packet throughput value associated with a first profile based on the number of code violations; determining a second estimated data packet throughput value associated with a second profile based on the number of code violations; and selecting a profile to be applied to the digital subscriber line based on a comparison of the first estimated data packet throughput value and the second estimated data packet throughput value.
US07656813B2
An approach for ranging in a radio frequency communications system is disclosed. A transmission channel class that includes at least one of transmission rate, modulation scheme, coding scheme, and transponder footprint is selected by a terminal. The terminal transmits a ranging message according to the selected transmission channel class over a channel. The transmission channel class is selectively modified based upon characteristics of the channel. Accordingly, an optimal transmission channel class is determined for a particular terminal. The above approach has particular applicability to a two-way satellite communications system.
US07656811B2
A test system detects proper connection wiring in a connection frame between a customer's lines and a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). A multi-loop tester at a central office generates a test signal on low frequency lines to a customer's connection in a connection frame. A signature circuit is electrically connected between the customer's connection in the connection frame for the low frequency lines and the DSLAM. The signature circuit responds to the test signal and generates a signature signal. The multi-loop tester senses the signature signal to verify that the DSLAM is properly connected to the customer's lines.
US07656802B2
In order to apply and incorporate Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) concepts into a service enterprise environment, the present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable medium that expands DBR through the use of simulation of service activities. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes the steps of: creating a DBR for Services (DBRS) model of a service process; simulating the service process by populating the DBRS model with user-selected values for a constraint drum, a pre-constraint buffer, a service level rope, and a constraint rope, and determining if the service process will be in compliance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) based on a DBRS simulation of the service process.
US07656800B2
According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to improve the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for data such as delay sensitive or bursty data. A maximum send window and a minimum send window are set to correspond to maximum and minimum bandwidth parameters associated with a network. Round trip times are monitored to adjust maximum send windows and minimum send windows. A variable rate shaper is also used to pace packet introduction onto the network.
US07656797B2
An apparatus for providing a distributed router architecture includes a processing element and a resource availability element. The processing element may be configured to receive indications of receipt of data associated with a service for routing to a destination address. The resource availability element may be in communication with the processing element and may be configured to monitor resource usage over a plurality of distributed resource planes. The processing element may be further configured to allocate a resource associated with routing the data based on the monitored resource usage.
US07656796B1
This is a method for use in detecting and measuring microcongestion on links where QoS is utilized to provide a prioritized packet delivery service. Microcongestion is a transient condition that occurs over extremely short periods of time and is generally invisible to the end user. However, the ability to monitor the frequency and severity of microcongestion can help identify link capacity issues with far greater accuracy than standard passive measurements and at a much earlier stage than traditional active measurements. This capability can be particularly valuable on very-high-speed links where even small periods of perceptible congestion can represent a significant number of queued packets.
US07656785B2
In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US07656781B2
An information recording medium is at least composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer formed on the microscopic pattern for recording information, and a light transmitting layer formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P≦λ/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, λ is a wavelength of reproducing light for reproducing the recording layer, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. An auxiliary information based on data used supplementally when recording the information and a reference clock based on a clock used for controlling a recording speed when recording the information is recorded alternately. Information is recorded in the recording layer corresponding to only a land portion by at least either one change of reflectivity difference and refractive index difference in the recording layer so as to be more than 5% for reflectivity and so as to be more than 0.4 for modulated amplitude of signal recording.
US07656780B2
An optical disc medium 10 having a wobbled track groove 12 includes three wobble patterns including a flat wobble pattern, a positive pulse wobble pattern, and a negative pulse wobble pattern. In the flat wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is zero such that the track groove is flat. In the positive pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is positive such that the track groove is wobbled in a first direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. Further, in the negative pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is negative such that the track groove is wobbled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Then, three data values can be recorded using three distinctive wobble patterns.
US07656779B2
A visible image is formed on an optical disk by using an optical disk recording apparatus that forms a pit with a length defined by recording data (EFM-modulated data) by applying a laser beam onto the optical disk. At least a part of the recording data are replaced with the visible image forming data to generate the recording data containing visible image forming data. When the recording data containing the visible image forming data are recorded on the optical disk, the visible image forming data are extracted from the recording data to act as a gate signal. The visible image is formed by forming a pit defined by the recording data in an area of the gate signal.
US07656776B2
Provided is a data storing and reading apparatus for storing and reading data using a nano device with nano-dots dots regularly arranged, comprising a probe movable by a cantilever so as to be placed onto each nano-dot of the nano device, a bias power supply unit for supplying a storing bias voltage and a reading bias voltage between the probe and the nano device, a light beam generator for generating a light beam to detect a position of the probe, a position detector for detecting the light beam reflected from the probe, an amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the position detector, and a detection circuit for reading data stored in the nano-dot using an output signal of the amplifier.
US07656774B2
An objective lens for at least one of recording and reproducing for an optical information recording medium includes in the order from a light source side: a first lens group having negative refracting power, which is in a meniscus shape having a concave surface facing the light source side; a second lens group having positive refracting power; and a third lens group having positive refracting power, which is in a meniscus shape having a concave surface facing an image side.
US07656772B2
There is provided an optical reading/writing apparatus. The optical reading/writing apparatus includes an object lens barrel for mounting an object lens, an SIL (solid immersion lens) barrel for mounting an SIL, the SIL barrel being separated from the object lens barrel, and a movement control unit for selectively aligning the SIL with the object lens according to a type of an optical storage medium.
US07656770B2
An optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first light source for emitting a first light flux; a second light source for emitting a second light flux; a third light source for emitting a third light flux; and an objective optical element. The objective optical element has an optical surface including at least two areas provided with optical path difference providing structures. The objective optical element converges the first to third light fluxes each passing through the predetermined areas on the objective optical element onto respective information recording surfaces of the first to third optical disks. One of the optical path difference providing structures includes a first basic structure and a second basic structure which are predetermined optical path difference providing structures and overlap with each other.
US07656768B2
A spatial light modulator (SLM) having a phase mask that is provided as an internal component thereof. The phase mask can be provided as a multilevel surface of relatively higher index of refraction material on an inner surface of a transmissive cover window or as a separate transmissive window between the cover window and the pixels of the SLM. If the phase mask is to be used with a liquid crystal SLM, then it may be desirable to planarize the surface of the cover window contacting the liquid crystal by providing a layer of relatively lower index of refraction material adjacent the multilevel surface. The phase mask can also be provided on the transmissive cover window by patterned ion deposition, exposing patterned light to a photopolymeric material, or in some other suitable fashion. Arranging for the pixel electrodes to be at one of multiple levels rather than lying in an exactly planar relationship can also effectively create the phase mask.
US07656766B2
The present invention relates to a servo-controlling method of an optical disk apparatus. In the present invention, an order on which servo-control manner is sequentially applied is determined in advance based on various depth to respective recording layers of a CD, a DVD, and a high-density DVD, and when a disk is placed a servo-control manner is sequentially selected in the determined order. Therefore, a collusion between a disk and an optical pickup can be prevented for any type of disk.
