US07670665B2
An absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side. The topsheet defines a CD-MD plane and includes a fibrous nonwoven web and tufts, the tufts having fibers of the fibrous nonwoven web. The topsheet further includes first, second and third zones, each zone being characterized in a Z-direction by the zone fiber orientation, wherein the first and third zones are displaced relative to each other and each include fibers having portions orientated substantially parallel to said CD-MD plane of the topsheet. The second zone is intermediate and adjacent to the first and third zones, the second zone including substantially reoriented fibers that are substantially vertically oriented with respect to the CD-MD plane of said topsheet.
US07670664B2
In a honeycomb structure 1 which is made of a ceramic and in which a plurality of honeycomb segments 12 having cell structures 5 and porous outer walls 7 on outer peripheries of the cell structures 5 are integrated by bonding these outer walls 7 to one another with a bonding material 8, each of the cell structures being provided with a plurality of cells 3 constituting fluid channels divided by porous partition walls 2, a base material constituting the honeycomb structure 1 has a thermal conductivity of 0.1 to 20 W/mK. Moreover, an outer periphery coating material constituting the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure 1 has a porosity of 10 to 60%. Furthermore, the outer periphery coating material constituting the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure 1 has a thermal conductivity of 0.01 to 0.5 W/mK.
US07670660B2
A two-layer secondary carpet backing including a woven scrim layer and a fibrous layer is described. The woven scrim layer is characterized as having a low open area and a flat weave. The two-layer secondary backing is capable of having a non-abrasive, textile back surface. The secondary carpet backing is also capable of having a construction that permits high carpet manufacturing speeds due to high air permeability and is capable of providing high dimensional stability, seam strength, and delamination strength to tufted carpets made therefrom.
US07670657B1
A patch bag comprises a heat-shrinkable bag comprising tubular bag film, and a heat-shrinkable patch comprising a patch film, the patch being adhered to the bag, the patch bag having a seal which is through both patches as well as through both lay-flat sides of the bag. A process for making the bag includes sealing an inside surface of the film tubing to itself, the sealing being carried out by applying heat to each of the patch outside surfaces, the heat being applied by a first means for heating and a second means for heating, the first and second means for heating being in alignment with one another, with the patches and bag tubing therebetween during sealing.
US07670653B2
The coating method is for application to the coating of an end winding (3) of an electric motor (4), whereby the end winding (3) comprises several conductor arrangements (2) for coating. The coating material for application is atomized by means of a spray device (1). An electrostatic potential difference (U) is applied between the spray device (1) and the conductor arrangements (2) for spraying, such that atomized particles of the coating material are transported along the forming electrical field lines in the direction of the conductor arrangements (2) of the end windings (3) for coating.
US07670644B2
A die for extrusion-forming a honeycomb structure which includes: a die base provided with ceramic puddle introducing holes and slits in communication with the ceramic puddle introducing holes; and a substrate layer, which roughly defines the final width of the slits, and a surface layer, which precisely defines the final width of the slits, formed on the die base in this order so that the final width of the slits becomes 15 to 200 μm, wherein the surface layer is made up of tungsten carbide particles which are 5 μm or less in average particle diameter and contain W3C as a main ingredient. According to this invention, there is provided a die for extrusion-forming a honeycomb structure which can restrain fluctuation in extrusion-forming speed among its parts and resistance to pushing force, both caused at the time of extrusion-forming, to be very small and is superior in productivity and durability.
US07670643B2
An apparatus and method for dispensing a solution on a substrate is described in which the solution is dispensed through a solution nozzle assembly while the substrate is rotated. As the solution is dispensed, the solution on the substrate forms a wave front that radially spreads from the substrate center to the substrate edge. The dispensing of the solution is performed in such a way that the solution is dispensed at a radial location substantially equivalent to or less than the radial location of the wave front at any instant in time.
US07670642B2
The present invention provides a method of printing which includes providing a substrate having an inked surface. The inked surface is typically achieved using an offset lithographic printing press. A thermoplastic polymer powder is applied to the inked surface. The surface is then fused. An advantage of the prepared substrate is that there is reduced contamination of electrostatographic fusing systems when fused by heat and pressure fixing. Another aspect of the invention further provides a method of fusing a substrate having an inked surface wherein a thermoplastic powder has been applied to the inked surface prior to stacking the uncured offset prints.
US07670641B2
The invention provides low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coatings. The invention provides a monolithic pane bearing a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Further, the invention provides an insulating glass unit bearing a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Finally, the invention provides methods of producing coated substrates by depositing low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coatings.
US07670640B2
There are provided a curable fluorine-containing polymer which can realize a high hardness by photo-curing while maintaining a low refractive index, an antireflection film possessing improved scratch resistance and abrasion resistance while maintaining a reflection reducing effect, and an antireflection-treated article provided with such an antireflection film. The curable fluorine-containing polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 1,000,000 and is represented by the formula (1): AM (1) in which the structural unit M is a structural unit derived from a fluorine-containing ethylenic monomer and represented by the formula (M): wherein X1 and X2 are the same or different and each is H or F; X3 is H, F, CH3 or CF3; X4 and X5 are the same or different and each is H, F or CF3; Rf is an organic group in which 1 to 3 of Y1 (Y1 is a monovalent organic group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and an ethylenic carbon-carbon double bond at its end) are bonded to a fluorine-containing alkyl group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms or a fluorine-containing alkyl group having 2 to 100 carbon atoms and ether bond; a is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3; b and c are the same or different and each is 0 or 1, the structural unit A is a structural unit derived from a monomer copolymerizable with the fluorine-containing ethylenic monomer represented by the formula (M), and the structural unit M and the structural unit A are contained in amounts of from 0.1 to 100% by mole and from 0 to 99.9% by mole, respectively.
US07670639B2
An elongated electrical cable or flexible circuit board includes an electrically conductive path and an insulating body encompassing and electrically isolating the conductive path, the insulating body including an exposed surface having an array of fastener elements extending therefrom, the fastener elements arranged and constructed to engage mating fastener elements associated with a supporting surface to selectively secure the cable or flexible circuit board to the supporting surface. The fastener elements can be loop-engageable fasteners and/or loops. Such a cable or flexible circuit board is continuously formed by introducing an electrical insulating material including a thermoplastic resin into a gap formed adjacent a peripheral surface of a rotating mold roll, the mold roll defining an array of cavities therein, the insulating material being introduced under pressure and temperature conditions selected to cause the insulating material to at least partially fill the cavities to form fastener element stems integrally with and extending from one broad side of a strip of said insulation material; while introducing conductive wires and/or a conductive path formed on or within a substrate to the gap so as to cause the insulating material to envelop and electrically isolate the conductive path and/or to cause the conductive path to become an integral part of the strip of insulation material from which the fastener element stems extend.
US07670635B2
Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
US07670634B2
An apparatus for use in a vacuum stripping process having a first stripping vessel (2); at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3), said at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3) containing at least two trays (12), (13), (14) and (15) each provided with sparging (16), (17), (18) and (19) respectively, and further having a collector (4) connecting said first stripping vessel (2) and said at least one second stripping vessel (3), said collector (4) being provided with inlet openings above each said tray (12), (13), (14) and (15) and said collector (4) being connected to a pump (5) with a discharge into said first stripping vessel (2).
US07670625B2
The invention relates to a stable pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a novel micronisation process for manufacturing a stable formulation for formoterol or its enantiomers and a carrier/diluent comprising a carbohydrate such as lactose.
US07670621B2
The invention relates to a device for transdermally administering a compound of formula (I), wherein A represents hydrogen or deuterium, R represents a group selected among C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl, or phenyl, each of which can be substituted by C1-3alkoxy, fluoride, chlorine, bromine, iodine, nitro, amino, hydroxy, oxo, mercapto, or deuterium, the C atom marked by * (asterisk) being provided in the R configuration. The invention is characterized in that the compound of general formula (I) is provided in a polymer matrix and is released at a dose of 0.5 to 20 mg per day through human skin. The invention further relates to the use of said compounds of formula (I) for producing transdermal medicaments.
US07670597B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases using ex vivo and in vivo gene delivery technologies. One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating a vascular disease by introducing a DNA sequence encoding a TM protein or its variant into a segment of a blood vessel ex vitro using a gutless adenovirus vector. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method to deliver a gutless adenovirus vector carrying a DNA sequence encoding a TM protein or its variant using a stent.
US07670593B2
Unique abrasive and/or thickening materials that are in situ generated compositions of precipitated silicas and silica gels are provided. Such compositions exhibit different beneficial characteristics depending on the structure of the composite in situ generated material. With low structured composites (as measured via linseed oil absorption levels from 40 to 100 ml oil absorbed/100 g composite), simultaneously high pellicle film cleaning properties and moderate dentin abrasion levels are possible in order to accord the user a dentifrice that effectively cleans tooth surfaces without detrimentally abrading such surfaces. Increased amounts of high structure composite materials tend to accord greater viscosity build and thickening benefits together with such desirable abrasion and cleaning properties, albeit to a lesser extent than for the low structure types. Thus, mid-range cleaning materials will exhibit oil absorption levels from an excess of 100 to 150, and high thickening/low abrasion composite exhibit oil absorption properties in excess of 150. Such an in situ, simultaneously produced precipitated silica/silica gel combination provides such unexpectedly effective low abrasion and high cleaning capability and different thickening characteristics as compared to physical mixtures of such components. Encompassed within this invention is a unique method for making such gel/precipitated silica composite materials for such a purpose, as well as the different materials within the structure ranges described above and dentifrices comprising such.
US07670586B2
Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.
US07670584B2
Methods for forming colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles generally include forming soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors, which are then mixed with a surfactant and heated to form the colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. The soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors are generally formed using a hydrazine-based solvent. The methods can be used with main group and transition metals.
US07670582B2
Provided are a mesoporous carbon and a method of preparing the same, where the mesoporous carbon is prepared using phenanthrene as a carbon source and a mesoporous silica as a template. The mesoporous carbon has a significantly low plane resistance, which can be obtained without sacrificing other physical properties, and thus obtains a high conductivity and effectively transfers electrical energy. Accordingly, a fuel cell electrode or a fuel cell which is produced using the mesoporous carbon as a conductive material has high efficiency. Furthermore, the mesoporous carbon may be used in various electrochemical devices as a conductive material.
US07670564B2
In a liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing probe for sipping and injecting a liquid sample and a dispensing controller for operating the dispensing probe to ascend, descend and rotate, the liquid dispensing apparatus includes a sample moving device for moving a rack holding the liquid sample, a light beam generator, a photosensor for receiving a light beam reflected from a surface of the liquid sample, a computing unit for computing a liquid surface level based on an output signal from the photosensor, and a controller for controlling operations of those components in a supervising way and processing information necessary for the operations. With the liquid dispensing apparatus, precise information of the liquid surface level can be obtained before the start of the dispensing operation.
US07670560B2
Embodiments of droplet transport systems and methods are disclosed for levitating and transporting single or encapsulated droplets using thermocapillary convection. One method embodiment, among others comprises providing a droplet of a first liquid; and applying thermocapillary convection to the droplet to levitate and move the droplet.
US07670557B2
Planar sensor arrangement, sensor array and method for the production of a planar-sensor arrangement
A planar-sensor arrangement is disclosed, which is used to detect particles possibly contained in an analyte. The sensor element includes a substrate, a first planar-sensor electrode and a second planar-sensor electrode which are formed on and/or in the substrate and whereon catcher molecules can be immobilized. The first sensor-electrode and the second sensor-electrode are divided, respectively, into a plurality of planar sensor-electrode partial areas. The sensor electrode partial areas of the first sensor electrode and the sensor electrode partial areas of the second sensor electrode are arranged in an alternating manner in two dimensions on the surface plane of the substrate. The sensor element also includes a wiring structure by which at least one part of the sensor electrode partial areas of the first sensor electrode are electrically coupled together, and by which at least one part of the sensor-electrode partial areas of the second sensor electrode are electrically coupled together.
US07670549B2
The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility.
US07670530B2
The present invention is directed towards a method for patterning first and second substrates in a nanoimprint lithography system, the method including, inter alia, positioning the first substrate on a first substrate chuck; positioning a nanoimprint material on the first substrate; obtaining a spatial relationship between the first substrate and a nanoimprint mold assembly and imprinting a pattern in the nanoimprint material on the first substrate with the nanoimprint mold assembly while concurrently positioning the second substrate on a second substrate chuck; separating the nanoimprint mold assembly from the nanoimprint material on the first substrate; positioning a nanoimprint material on the second substrate; removing the first substrate from the first substrate chuck while concurrently obtaining a spatial relationship between the second substrate and the nanoimprint mold assembly and imprinting a pattern in the nanoimprint material on the second substrate with the nanoimprint mold assembly; and separating the nanoimprint mold assembly from the nanoimprint material on the second substrate, with the first and second substrates being subjected to substantially the same process conditions.
US07670529B2
The present invention is directed towards a method and a system of patterning first and second opposed sides of a substrate. The method and system may employ a mold assembly and obtaining a desired spatial relationship between the first and second opposed sides of the substrate and the mold assembly. In a further embodiment, the method and system may employ a first and a second mold assembly.
US07670526B2
A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a discrete length. The method includes the steps of feeding a first end of a corewire into an extrusion device, gripping the first end of the corewire with a gripping apparatus, and extruding a first extrusion material onto an outer surface of the corewire while the gripping apparatus pulls the corewire through the extrusion device to form an extrusion jacket on the outer surface of the corewire. The corewire has a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the guidewire.
US07670525B2
A method for fabricating a curved beam from fiber composite material. A flat fiber composite laminate including a plurality of layers and at least two different fiber directions is formed. The fiber composite laminate is disposed in contact with a male tool includes a first flange, a second flange and an intermediate web. The male tool is curved in its longitudinal direction with a radius of curvature in such a way that the first flange has a shorter longitudinal extent than the second flange. The fiber composite laminate is brought into contact with and secured to the first flange of the male tool. The male tool and the fiber composite laminate are then rotated relative to one another so that the fiber composite laminate is brought into contact with the intermediate web of the male tool in a first rotational movement, and brought into contact with the second flange of the male tool in a second rotational movement. The fiber composite laminate hardens on the male tool, and the finished beam is separated from the tool. Also a beam of fiber composite material fabricated according to the method.
US07670524B2
The present invention provides a method for molding an over-molded part by a multi-shot molding method. The method of the invention comprises combining a first mold section having one or more retractable tool portions and a second mold section to form a first mold cavity. A first thermoplastic resin is injected into a first mold cavity to form a first molded part. Subsequently, the second mold section is separated from the second mold section such that the first molded part remains in contact with the first mold section. The retractable tool portion is retracted to expose one or more channels. Next, a third mold section is combined with the first mold section to form a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic resin is then injected into the second mold cavity to form the over-molded part which may then be removed from the mold section. The present invention also provides a method in which a first mold section having one or more retractable tool portions is combined with a second mold section also having one or more tool sections. Finally, the present invention also provides a molding apparatus which executes the methods of the invention.
US07670522B2
A unitary fastener of a thermoplastic resin comprising a base film layer having generally parallel upper and lower major surfaces, arranged in a first direction the base film layer being oriented at least in the first direction. The backing layer having on at least one surface separated surface elements extending at an angle to said first direction. The invention is also related to a method of forming a unitary fastener. The method includes the steps of extruding a thermoplastic resin in a machine direction through a die plate having a continuous base portion cavity and one or more rib cavities extending from the base portion cavity, forming a strip having a base layer and one or more continuous ribs. Scoring or cutting the ribs and at least a surface layer of the base layer forms predetermined separable elements. Inelastically stretching the strip forms separated projections and separated separable surface elements across the strip. The spacings between adjacent separated surface elements comprises an oriented film.
US07670520B2
A process for producing fiber-reinforced structural cementitious panels made of at least one layer of fiber reinforced cementitious slurry, the process for each such layer of slurry including providing a moving web; depositing a first layer of individual, loose fibers upon the web; depositing a layer of settable slurry upon the deposited first layer of individual, loose fibers; depositing a second layer of individual, loose fibers upon the deposited layer of settable slurry; and actively embedding both layers of individual, loose fibers into the layer of slurry to distribute the fibers throughout the slurry.
US07670519B2
A method for producing a free-flowing granular material includes screening pumice and mixing it with sludge issuing from the biological treatment of municipal or industrial wastewater.
US07670512B2
Disclosed herein are second order nonlinear optic polyimide polymers comprising repeating units represented by the formula: wherein each of the substituents is given the definition as set forth in the Specification and Claims. Also disclosed are the preparation processes of these polymers, chromophore-forming compounds for synthesis of these polymers, and the intermediate polymers thereof. The second order nonlinear optic polyimide polymers of formula (I) may be used in the manufacture of electro-optic (EO) devices, such as electro-optic waveguide devices.
US07670511B2
A cathodic protection coating is disclosed that unexpectedly protects a treated metal substrate, notwithstanding the presence of a phosphate-containing conversion coating between the metal substrate and the cathodic protection compound. The cathodic protection coating includes sacrificial metallic particles less noble than metal in the metal substrate to be protected. The coating also includes inherently conductive polymer.
US07670508B2
Proton conductor, single ion conductor, manufacturing methods thereof, and electrochemical capacitor
A proton conductor or a single ion conductor having high conductivity and a broad operation temperature range, manufacturing methods thereof and an electrochemical capacitor using it are provided. A compound having a structural part of Chemical formula 1 and a compound having a structure of Chemical formula 2 are included. X represents a protoic dissociation group, R1 represents a component including carbon, R2 and R3 represent a component including carbon or hydrogen, and n is in the range of n≧1. By action of the ═NCOH group of the compound having the structure of Chemical formula 2, protons can be dissociated from the compound having the structural part of Chemical formula 1 and migrated. Therefore, water retention becomes unnecessary, and high proton conductivity can be obtained in a broad temperature range.
US07670500B2
The present invention provides a film-forming composition. The composition includes a reaction product of: a) a polyamine containing a primary amino group and a secondary amino group; and b) an acyclic carbonate. Also provided is a method of preparing a film-forming composition and an article coated with such compositions.
US07670498B2
The present invention relates to a coolant composition for fuel cell coolant, comprised of sulfur containing alcohol or sulfur containing phenol having at least one sulfur atom per molecule, which effectively prevents increase of electric conductivity due to oxidation of its base component for a long time. The coolant composition when diluted with water to a predetermined concentration effectively suppresses increase of electric conductivity of the coolant and maintain fluctuation of electric conductivity within the range from 0 to 10 μS/cm so that power generation efficiency of the fuel cell may not be lowered.
US07670495B2
An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.
US07670486B2
A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
US07670465B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method for plating copper into features formed on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes positioning the substrate in a plating cell, wherein the plating cell includes a catholyte volume containing a catholyte solution, an anolyte volume containing an anolyte solution, an ionic membrane positioned to separate the anolyte volume from the catholyte volume, and an anode positioned in the anolyte volume. The method further includes applying a plating bias between the anode and the substrate, plating copper ions onto the substrate from the catholyte solution, and replenishing the copper ions plated onto the substrate from the catholyte solution with copper ions transported from the anolyte solution via the ionic membrane, wherein the catholyte solution has a copper concentration of greater than about 51 g/L.
US07670464B2
Process for distillatively separating a mixture containing a vinyl ether of the general formula (I) R1—O—CH═CH2 (I) and alcohol of the general formula (II) R2—OH (II) in which R1 and R2 are each independently a saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and in which the alcohol (II) has a boiling point which is at least 1° C. higher, measured at or extrapolated to 0.1 MPa abs, than the vinyl ether (I), by a) passing the mixture into a first distillation column and withdrawing, as a top product, an azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II) and, as a bottom product, a stream enriched with the alcohol (II); b) passing the azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II) from the first distillation column into a second distillation column which is operated at a pressure which is from 0.01 to 3 MPa higher compared to the first distillation column, and withdrawing, as a bottom product or gaseous sidestream in the stripping section, the vinyl ether (I) and, as a top product, an azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II); and c) recycling the azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II) from the second distillation column into the first distillation column.
US07670458B2
A method of manufacturing a gravure printing paper includes: providing a substance having an effect of inhibiting a binding between pulp fibers; preparing a mixture of pulp fibers and fillers; and adding the substance to the mixture; making a gravure printing paper using the substance-added mixture.
US07670457B2
A method of making a cellulosic web includes: forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish, the nascent web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber; b) transferring the web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed; drying the web to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent including compactively dewatering the web prior to or concurrently with transfer to the transfer surface; fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric with a patterned creping surface, the fabric creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric wherein the fabric is traveling at a second speed slower than the speed of said transfer surface, the fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency being selected such that the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric such that the web has a plurality of fiber-enriched regions arranged in a pattern corresponding to the patterned creping surface of the fabric, optionally drying the wet web while it is held in the creping fabric. Preferably, the formed web is characterized in that its void volume increases upon drawing.
US07670447B2
A method for coating a substrate and a coating device used therein that can smoothly form an adhesive layer on the surface of a substrate without roughening, is provided which do not require a drying process and is free of various problems such as sick house syndrome stemming from use of organic solvents. In addition, a method of producing a laminated object using the coating method and the laminated object obtained thereby are provided. In the method for coating a substrate to form an adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate, while the substrate is being conveyed by applying a hot melt adhesive in a melted state via a rotating applicator roller, with the direction of rotation of the applicator roller and the direction of conveying the substrate being the same, adhesive is applied to the substrate while slipping the applicator roller by setting the circumferential speed of the applicator roller to be at least 20% slower or at least 20% faster than the predetermined speed at which the substrate is conveyed.
US07670436B2
A substrate ring assembly is provided for a substrate support having a peripheral edge. The assembly has an annular band having an inner perimeter that surrounds and at least partially covers the peripheral edge of the substrate support. The assembly also has a clamp to secure the annular band to the peripheral edge of the substrate support.
US07670431B2
A gas decomposer formed from a porous material to decompose a carbon-containing raw material carried on a gas flow and to synthesize a carbon nanotube from the decomposed carbon-containing raw material is provided as a member suitable for use in carbon nanotube manufacture that offers a user a choice of using, or not using, a metal catalyst according to the user's need in vapor phase growth, which allows successive operation and which is therefore fit for mass production. Also provided are carbon nanotube manufacturing apparatus and method which use the gas decomposer.
US07670427B2
A method of making a rapid setting composition for cement boards is disclosed. Compositions including portland cement, fly ash, gypsum, alkanolamine and phosphate are disclosed. A synergistic interaction between the alkanolamine and phosphate increases the effectiveness of accelerating reactions thus allowing for quick setting and increased early-age compressive strength compositions.
US07670417B2
A composite color includes a first colored ink and a second colored ink. The first colored ink exhibits a color that is different from that exhibited by the second colored ink. The first colored ink includes pigment particles either formulated at a basic pH so that a surface of the pigment particles carries a net negative charge or formulated at an acidic pH so that a surface of the pigment particles carries a net positive charge; and the second colored ink includes pigment particles either formulated at an acidic pH so that a surface of each of the pigment particles carries a net positive charge or formulated at a basic pH so that a surface of the pigment particles carries a net negative charge. The first colored ink and the second colored ink have opposite charges. The composite color exhibits enhanced color richness when printed on a substrate.
US07670389B2
The use of water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers obtainable by reaction of (a) polyalkylenepolyamines, polyamidoamines or ethyleneimine-grafted polyamidoamines or mixtures thereof, (b) if desired at least bifunctional crosslinkers and (c) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, salts, esters, amides or nitriles of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, chlorocarboxylic acids and/or glycidyl compounds, said component (a) having an average molecular weight Mw in the range from 20 000 to 2 000 000 and the molar ratio of the hydrogen atoms on the nitrogen in said component (a) to said component (b) being in the range from 1:0.7 to 1:0.9, as a laundry detergent additive.
US07670380B2
A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth.
US07670373B1
An obturator for a bronchial tube or tubule of a human or animal lung comprises a blocking element (92) and a securing element (90). The blocking element serves to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator when the obturator is disposed in a bronchial tube or tubule. The securing element serves to retain the blocking element in position. The blocking element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug of biocompatible, resiliently deformable closed-cell foamed plastics material, such as PVC. The securing element comprises a stent having barbs (98) to engage and retain the blocking element. The stent also has anchors (100) to retain the stent in a bronchial tube or tubule. A method of treatment of emphysema or other lung conditions or diseases in human or animal patients comprises placing an obturator in a bronchial tube or tubule of the patient so as to seal the tube or tubule against the passage of fluid past the obturator.
US07670367B1
A multi-section filamentary stent comprises a braided section of a first set of filaments, connected to at least one wound section comprising a second set of one or more filaments having a repeating configuration with a bent portion. The stent may comprise a first section, having a braided first stent architecture with a first flexibility and a first radial force, and a second section, having a non-braided second stent architecture with a secoid flexibility less than the first flexibility and a second radial force greater than the first radial force, in which at least one continuous filament is integral to both the first and second sections. The stent may have a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuraton, in which the first section has a first shortening ratio, and the second section has a second shortening ratio less than the first shortening ratio.
US07670366B2
Implantable medical devices comprising a support frame and a graft member attached to the support frame. The support frame can define one or more structural features that substantially prevent migration of the graft member along the support frame.
US07670361B2
An implant is provided for fixing neighboring bone plates of the cranial bone in a simple and reliable manner. The implant comprises an outer bearing element for covering a spacing gap between the bone plates, which sits on outer surfaces of the bone plates. The outer bearing element has a first pair of outer openings and a first pair of inner openings. An inner bearing element is provided for covering the spacing gap between the bone plates, which sits on inner surfaces of the bone plates. The inner bearing element has a second pair of outer openings and a second pair of inner openings. A thread-like tensioning element is provided which is threaded through the openings of the outer and inner bearing elements in a displaceable manner, such that, when tensioned, the tensioning element draws the inner bearing element and the outer bearing element together.
US07670354B2
A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
US07670353B2
A vascular occlusion device for use with a hydraulic deployment catheter is provided. The vascular occlusion device includes a headpiece that has a deformable interference element which changes from an initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon an increase of hydraulic pressure within the deployment catheter. When the interference element is in the initial configuration, the headpiece is secured to the deployment catheter, and when the interference element is in the deformed configuration, the headpiece can be removed from the deployment catheter for deployment of the occlusion device.
US07670343B2
A method and apparatus for repairing a cavity in bone may can include a longitudinal shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. A cutting tool can be selectively attachable to the distal end. A one-piece guide can have a body defining an opening and including a locator member extending therefrom. The locator member can be engageable to a first portion of the bone providing a reference point relative to the cutting tool while the cutting tool engages a second portion of the bone during cutting. The body can be slidably advanced onto the longitudinal shaft through the opening from the proximal end to an operating location in an assembled position. During operation, the body can define a handle concentric with the longitudinal shaft.
US07670340B2
An endomedullary nail for the treatment of proximal femur fractures, comprising an elongate body (12) having a proximal portion (14) and a distal portion (16). The proximal portion (14) has a first and a second hole (20, 21) for a respective cephalic screw (22, 23, 24, 25), each having a transversal axis to the axis of the proximal portion (14). The first hole (20) is split into two passages each having a respective axis (A, B) with a predetermined angle relationship with respect to the axis (C) of the second hole (21). The passages (30, 31) are arranged to be selectively engaged by a respective cephalic screw (22, 24).
US07670323B2
A reduced pressure treatment apparatus includes a drape for positioning over the wound site to create and maintain a substantially air-tight cavity between the wound site and the drape. A multi-lumen suction tube is provided to be attached to a reduced pressure source. The multi-lumen suction tube includes a center lumen and at least one outer lumen and is configured to deliver reduced pressure beneath the drape to the substantially air-tight cavity. The multi-lumen suction tube is adapted to allow fluid to be drawn from the wound site through the center lumen and pressure to be monitored at the wound site through the at least one outer lumen.
US07670309B2
A male genital protection device configured to conform to the male genitals, which provides the wearer with added comfort and protection.
US07670288B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a new system and methods for monitoring blood glucose concentration. A user of a continuous glucose monitor may program upper and lower blood glucose notification thresholds to fluctuate over time in order to facilitate management of the short-term effects of food consumption, insulin delivery aberrations, physical activity, emotions, and unforeseen circumstances.
US07670283B2
A history information obtaining unit obtains information about a use history of an endoscope. An estimating unit makes an estimation of a secular change in the endoscope from its use start until the present time based on this information. A displaying unit displays a ratio of a result of the estimation made by the estimating unit to the degree of the secular change, which is preset for the endoscope.
US07670282B2
This invention relates generally to lung access devices and methods of using the devices to gain access to the interior of a lung or to the mediastinal space around the lung. In particular, the invention relates to auxiliary access devices and tools for use with conventional bronchoscopes or other endoscopes to enable the delivery of more and larger devices to a target site than is currently possible through a typical endoscope or bronchoscope.
US07670273B2
An flexible pouch forming apparatus includes a transport means for transporting front and back panel films. A straw hole punch punches a straw hole with predetermined diameter in the front panel film. A seal material transport means unrolls a roll of seal material tape. A temporal hole punch punches a temporal hole in the seal material tape, and a guide means aligns the temporally punched section of seal material tape with the straw hole. A temporal heat sealing device temporally seals a periphery of the temporally punched section of seal tape material to the back side of the front panel film. An alignment station aligns the films to form the pouch body. A final heat seal means applies a final seal over the temporal heat seal at a lower temperature and pressure than the temporal heat seal. A seal means seals the edges, and a finishing station finishes the pouch.
US07670272B2
An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.
US07670266B2
An elliptical machine has a frame and an operating linkage between the frame and foot supports. Each side of the operating linkage comprises five links that are connected with five pin joints. A foot support is connected to each side of the operating linkage with each of the five pin joints being positioned forward of the foot support.
US07670258B2
A control device is provided for a vehicle drive apparatus, which includes a differential mechanism distributing an output of an engine to a first electric motor and an output shaft, and an electric motor provided on the output shaft, for miniaturizing the drive apparatus and/or providing improved fuel economy while preventing switching shocks from occurring in starting or stopping the engine. A switching clutch C0 or switching brake B0 is provided for placing a shifting mechanism 10 in a continuously variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, enabling the vehicle drive apparatus to have combined advantages including a fuel economy improving effect of a transmission, enabled to electrically change a speed ratio, and a high transmitting efficiency of a gear type transmitting device enabled to mechanically transmit drive power. During the occurrence of overlapping phases between operation of switching control mean 50 for switching a shifting state and operation of engine starting and stopping control means 90 for starting or stopping the engine, execution control means 82 enables the operations to be sequentially executed so as to avoid overlapping executions, thereby suppressing the switching shocks.
US07670252B2
A method and apparatus to control an electro-mechanical transmission during a shift event, including identifying a fault in an off-going clutch, is provided. The method includes deactivating an off-going torque-transfer clutch, monitoring slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch, and limiting a change in operation of an electrical machine operatively connected to the transmission until the slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch exceeds a threshold. Limiting a change in operation of the electrical machine comprises limiting an output torque of the electrical machine, comprising limiting a time-rate change in the output torque and limiting a magnitude of the output torque. The limit of the change is discontinued when the slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch exceeds the threshold.
US07670248B2
A multi-stage automatic transmission comprises a drive input shaft (AN), a drive output shaft (AB), a double planetary transfer gearset (VS), a main gearset (HS) made as a coupled planetary gearset with at least three non-coupled input elements and one output element, and six shift elements (A to F), which, when engaged in pairs, enable at least eight forward gears to be engaged. An input element of the transfer gearset (VS) is connected with the drive input shaft (AN). An output element of the transfer gearset (VS) rotates at a speed lower than the input speed of the drive input shaft (AN). An element of the transfer gearset (VS) is fixed on a transmission housing (GG). The first input element of the main gearset (HS) can be connected via a second shift element (B) to the output element of the transfer gearset (VS), can be fixed by a third shift element (C), and can be connected with the drive input shaft (AN) by a sixth shift element (F). The second input element of the main gearset (HS) can be connected via a first shift element (A) to the output element of the transfer gearset (VS). The third input element of the main gearset (HS) can be fixed by a fourth shift element (D) and can be connected by a fifth shift element (E) to the drive input shaft (AN). The output element of the main gearset (HS) is connected to the drive output shaft (AB). The third and sixth shift elements (C, F) are arranged on the side of the main gearset (HS) opposite to the transfer gearset (VS). Alternatively, the third shift element (C) can also be arranged radially over the main gearset (HS).
US07670247B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, four fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07670246B2
The 8-gear transmission comprising an input shaft (AN), an output shaft (AB), four planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), eight rotary shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and five shifting elements (A, B C, E, E). The first shifting element (A) is arranged within the power flow between the third shaft (3) and a housing (GG) of the transmission, the second shifting element(B) is arranged within the power flow between the fourth shaft (4) and the housing (GG), the third shifting element (C) is arranged within the power flow between the first and the fifth shafts (1, 5), the fourth shifting element (D) is arranged within the power flow between the fifth and the eighth shafts (5, 8), and the fifth shifting element (E) is arranged within the power flow between the fifth and the seventh shafts (5, 7).
US07670245B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting mechanisms, two fixed interconnections and one grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07670241B2
In a continuously variable transmission metal belt, a lateral-most projecting portion of a side edge of a metal ring assembly wherein each metal ring is located between a radially central plane and a radially inner peripheral surface of the metal ring. A contact point in which the projecting portion abuts against a V-face of a pulley is closer to the radially central plane than to the radially inner peripheral surface. Moreover, as the metal rings are laminated on one another, recesses are formed between the side edges of the adjacent metal rings to retain oil therein, which lubricates the sliding faces of adjacent metal rings and enhances durability of the assembly.
US07670240B2
An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of grooves spaced along the length of the belt assembly. In one example, the grooves are separated by varying spacings along the length of the belt. In another example, at least a portion of each groove is aligned at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different spacings and the non-perpendicular alignment.
US07670239B2
Usually, the speed change control of the transmission is carried out in accordance with a real speed ratio “i” provided based on a primary pulley rotation speed “N1” and a secondary pulley rotation speed “N2”. While, when, at the time of stopping the vehicle, the real speed ratio fails to return to a value corresponding to the lowest speed position of the transmission, it is judged that there is a speed change failure. Upon this judgment, hydraulic pressures “p1” and “p2” for varying practical diameters of the primary and secondary pulleys are fixed to predetermined values “p1(old)” and “p2(old)” provided for such speed change failure.
US07670233B2
A golf swing training aid adapted to have a first rail and a second rail whereby a carriage system is slidably attached thereto and the pitch of the club is controlled with respect to the position of the carriage assembly in the course of a swing. In one form, the rotation of the club about the shaft (the roll) is controlled in conjunction with the pitch of the club.
US07670232B2
Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), have a high moment of inertia about their center, to help prevent twisting and mis-hits, particularly when the ball striking device hits the ball at a somewhat off-center position. The ball striking head of the ball striking device may be structured and/or weighted (optionally with separately attachable weight elements) to have a moment of inertia about a center of the ball striking surface of at least 10,000 g-cm2, and in some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 11,000 g-cm2, or even at least 12,000 g-cm2. In some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 20,000 g-cm2, or even at least 25,000 g-cm2 or at least 28,000 g-cm2.
US07670231B1
An alignment device including physical and optical alignment members for aligning an impact point of a golf ball in order to correlate the perceived alignment of the ball by a golfer with the actual direction of impact required to maximize the probability of the ball traveling in the desired direction.
US07670225B2
By evaluating a distance starting from a start point to a unit on the map, the strength of an enemy character to be encountered, the degree of difficulty for an object to pass through a gate, etc., a unit score is calculated for each route. This unit score can be taken as an index of the degree of difficulty for the object to arrive at a unit from the start point. By using this unit score, the game elements can be appropriately disposed on the map in accordance with the degree of difficulty.
US07670222B2
A device for and method of providing a poker game. In a broad aspect, the method is generally directed to a game in which, in a particular game instance, a hand is initially provided with a plurality of cards from which a user may select cards to be shifted from the hand and replaced with replacement cards. If at least one card is selected to be shifted from the hand by the user, the game is repeated for a subsequent game instance, with the hand initially provided in the subsequent game instance comprising cards corresponding to the cards that were selected to be shifted from the hand. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cards is provided as a sequence of subsets of cards (e.g. five cards provided as a sequence of two initial cards followed by three individually-dealt supplementary cards), and in a particular game instance, the user decides whether or not to shift from the hand each card of a given subset in the sequence before the next subset of cards in the sequence is provided to the user.
US07670217B1
A window rain shield ventilator for installation in an open window, such ventilator having slideably extending first and second ventilator shield members attached, respectively, to first and second flange members, each flange member having at least one rotatable engagement member to aid in retaining the ventilator in the window's sash channels.
US07670216B2
An automatically operated opening access closure and venting mechanism includes a vent with one or more baffles inserted in and opening. The baffles are coupled to an actuator mechanism which operates the baffles as the door moves from a closed to an open position or conversely, from an open to a closed position. When the door is in a closed position, the baffles are closed to maintain the integrity of the door. As the door begins to open, the baffle opens thus equalizing the pressure on both sides of the door allowing the door to be easily pushed open and to close with minimal force.
US07670215B2
The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling airflows in motor vehicles, comprised of a frame having at least one passage opening (4) and at least one controlling means, which is provided in the form of a roller louver (5) and which serves to modify the passage cross-section for the air flowing through the passage opening (4). The frame comprises a housing (2) with at least two hollow bodies (8) that are open along the longitudinal sides. These hollow bodies (8) accommodate the drive shaft (6) or the return shaft (7) for the roller louver (5), and each have a pivotal cover (8.3) for opening the respective hollow body (8). The control device (1) can be mounted inside airflow ducts of a heating and/or air-conditioning system for motor vehicles.
US07670213B2
A method of monitoring the production history of consumable animal primal cuts. Data collected from animal breeders and animal feeders is provided to a centralized data management system. An independent auditor also collects data on the operations of animal feeders. The data is analyzed to identify trends or relationships between aspects of the production lifecycle. Quality data on the quality of the primal cuts is also provided to the data management system. Feedback on procedures to be adjusted to improve primal cut quality can be provided to feeders.
US07670211B2
The present invention has an object to provide a rotating polishing tool with high durability that can finish a polished surface with desired surface roughness. As means thereof, a substantially cylindrical polishing member 3 is constituted by a pair of polishing units 9 at opposite ends, and an intermediate portion 10 provided between the pair of polishing units 9. The polishing member 3 is rotatably supported around the central axis thereof, and polishes a polished surface with a peripheral surface thereof. The polishing unit 9 includes a plurality of abrasive cloth/paper sheets 7 pressingly held by an inner metal fitting 8, and forms peripheral edges of the abrasive cloth/paper sheets 7 into a serpentine shape. The intermediate portion 10 includes a plurality of laminated abrasive cloth/paper sheets 7 axially pressingly held by the polishing units 9. The intermediate portion 10 is caused to fit along the polishing units 9 to form the peripheral edge of each abrasive cloth/paper sheet 7 into a serpentine shape. No clearance is created between the abrasive cloth/paper sheets 7, thereby stabilizing surface roughness of the polished surface and increasing durability of the polishing member 3.
US07670210B2
An embodiment of a tool includes a tool body. A base is coupled to the tool body and a pad is coupled to the base. The tool includes a working material coupled to the pad.
US07670202B2
A foam product includes a foam core, a foam buffer and a foam skin. The foam core includes a top surface and a bottom surface and defines at least one recess in an area of the top surface wherein the area is to be imparted during use with respect to other areas of the top surface. The foam buffer is more elastic than the foam core and is securely received in the recess of the foam core. In addition, the foam skin is bonded to and entirely covers a top surface of the foam buffer and the other areas of the foam core.
US07670200B2
An amphibious vehicle operable on dry land, wet land, or marsh land covered by water. In some embodiments, the amphibious vehicle includes a land-based vehicle, such as a car, truck, or all terrain vehicle (ATV), at least two pontoons supporting the land-based vehicle, and a track system disposed around each of the pontoons. Each pontoon has an internal volume configured to provide buoyancy for the land-based vehicle, whether on wet land or in water. The track system is adapted to propel the land-based vehicle. The amphibious vehicle may further include a drive system coupled between the land-based vehicle and the track system and a skid steering system. The drive system is configured to selectably rotate the track system about the pontoons, while the skid steering system is configured to control the direction in which the land-based vehicle is propelled. The amphibious vehicle may also include a suspension system.
US07670199B2
An electric connector includes an insulative body and groups of contacts. The contacts are disposed in spaced relationship inside the body and arranged in at least two rows in a lateral direction of the body. The groups of contacts include a plurality of first contacts; and a plurality of second contacts located in a different row from a row where their associated first contacts exist, the second contacts being arranged next to the first contacts. Out of one of the first contacts and one of the second contacts subject to impedance tuning, one of these two contacts has a width and an area thereof adjusted in accordance with a difference in impedance from impedances between other first and second contacts.
US07670197B2
An electrical splice connector includes a housing, a conductive member retained within the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, and at least two biasing members circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis of the conductive member and biased toward the conductive member. Each of the biasing members is configured to urge conductors inserted into the housing into electrical contact with the conductive member.
US07670195B2
This invention that forms the subject matter of this patent is related to a light socket that may be disassembled and repaired in case of any breakdown, or replaced by a new one that may be fixed to the body of a fridge by means of a special socket due to be used in fridges, at polyurethane isolated cabins.
US07670192B2
An audio plug (100) for a connection with an audio plug, includes a contact shaft (1) for a connection with the audio plug and a cable (5), a tubular sleeve (2) covering on the contact shaft, and a metal tube (4) glued on the tubular sleeve. Wherein the tubular sleeve has a plurality of channels (21, 22) on the external face thereof for accommodating glue.
US07670181B2
A connector and an electronic apparatus and a combination comprising the connector for first and second joints are disclosed. The connector includes a base, a plurality of first pins, and a plurality of second pins. The base has a first and a second connecting surface. The first pins are disposed on the first connecting surface and the quantity of the first pins is the same as the pin quantity of the first joint. In addition, the second pins are disposed on the second connecting surface and the total quantity of the second pins and the first pins is the same as the pin quantity of the second joint. The base may include two convex parts and a concave part. The first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are disposed on surfaces of the two convex parts respectively. The concave part accommodates the two convex parts.
US07670171B2
A battery pack for an electric appliance has a base body, a locking device for locking the base body to the electric appliance, at least one contact element for producing an electrical contact with the electric appliance, and a contact holding unit for holding the contact element. The locking device and the contact holding unit are fastened to the base body by means of a shared fastening module.
US07670165B2
A restriction mechanism for a card is provided. The card includes at least one electronic component mounted thereon. The restriction mechanism includes a substrate, a slot, at least one latch, and at least one latch restriction member. The slot allows the card to be inserted in the slot. The latch is pivotally connected to one side of the slot. The latch is rotatable between a first position in which the card is locked in the slot by the latch, and a second position in which the card is allowed to disengage from the slot. The restriction member is used to prevent the latch from being rotated to the second position.
US07670161B2
An electrical card connector for receiving at least two electrical cards, comprises: an insulating housing; a shielding shell substantially enclosing the insulating housing; a front row of terminals and a rear row of terminals received in the insulating housing; an ejector receiving in one side of the insulating housing for ejecting two cards; wherein the front row of terminals are for connecting with one kind of electrical card and the front and the rear row of terminals together are for connecting with the other kind of electrical card.
US07670159B2
Two supports (24) are formed on one side surface of a first housing (20) at positions symmetrical to a center of a connection area with a second housing (40) in a lengthwise direction (L). The lever (60) is selectively mounted in a first mode on one of the two supports (24) and rotated toward one side or in a second mode on the other support (24) and rotated toward the other side. The lever (60) has a first and second parts for exerting pushing forces on the first housing (20) in a direction to proceed with a connecting operation of the housings (20, 40) as the lever (60) is rotated. The first part is a cam groove (68) engageable with a follower pin (43) of the second housing (40) and the second part is a recessed groove (73) engageable with the support (24) not supporting the lever (60).
US07670153B2
An electrical connector including a pair of connector bars and a pair of biting pads. The connecting bars are configured to be located on opposite sides of a plate section of a first member. The connector bars include holes to receive a bolt for clamping the connector bars directly against each other. The pair of biting pads are connected to the connector bars. The biting pads include surfaces which are configured to contact the opposite sides of the plate section and bite onto the opposite sides as the connector bars are clamped against each other.
US07670151B2
An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing and a plurality of conductive contacts retained in the dielectric housing. The dielectric housing comprises a pair of guiding portions and an engaging portion between the guiding portions. The engaging portion comprises an upper engaging plane, and a parallel opposite lower engaging plane. A mounting plane defined between the upper engaging plane and lower engaging plane. The guiding portion defining a lower face aligned with the mounting plane. Each the contact comprises a tail portion extending to the mounting plane.
US07670146B2
A stack structure of the semiconductor packages and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. The packages of the present invention utilize plural stackable plug-receivers, which are similar to connectors, to stack and electrically connect with each other. The stack height of the stacked packages can be effectively reduced by utilizing the protrusion of a plug-receiver of one package to match with the concavity of a plug-receiver of another package at the corresponding position. Meanwhile, utilizing the stackable plug-receiver to replace the conventional soldering method can improve the warpage problem, and so as to promote the product reliability.
US07670142B2
A prosthesis mounting device and assembly for securing a prosthesis on an implant supported in bone tissue. An appendage or “preppable abutment” is carried by a dental implant and is milled or “prepped” into a shape suitable to accept a dental prosthesis such as a crown or bridge. Alternatively the appendage may be cast using a lost-wax investment molding process in which an appendage model is shaped by adding and sculpting wax onto portions of a calcinable appendage and/or removing material from portions of the appendage before using the model to form a mold. In each case the appendage is formed to include a recess that extends axially upwardly from a bottom end of the appendage and is shaped to fit over an O-ring receiver abutment or “O-ball” of a dental implant.
US07670137B1
An automated ignition assembly for a gas-fueled appliance includes a pressure plate positioned between an upper bellows and a lower bellows, each of which is in selective communication with a fuel gas source. If fuel gas is directed to the lower bellows, gas within the upper bellows is diverted to an ignition site; as the lower bellows inflates, it lifts the pressure plate and an associated linkage assembly to engage a piezo igniter, which creates a spark at the ignition site. The lower bellows is then deflated and the upper bellows is inflated to again engage the piezo igniter. Once a flame has been generated, or if a flame has not been generated within a predetermined time period, an automated valve disables fuel gas flow to the bellows.
US07670126B2
Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620) for controlling air flow in an air pressure channel (354, 454) of a molded article holder (50, 150, 250, 350, 450); (ii) a molded article holder (350, 450) co-operable with the valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620); and (iii) a post-mold holding device (315, 415) including the molded article holder (350, 450) and valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620).
US07670122B2
A gerotor pump includes an outer rotor having a first toothed surface and lobes that extend inwards. An inner rotor is eccentrically aligned relative to the outer rotor and includes a second toothed surface and lobes that extend outwards. Planetary gears are located between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. Each planetary gear has a third toothed surface that intermeshes with the first toothed surface and the second toothed surface.
US07670114B2
An engine fan has fan blades capable of switching between a sucking and blowing operation when the fan is not in operation. An internal mechanism allows for blade pitch adjustment of all fan blades by twisting one blade about its own axis. End positions of the blade rotation may be held by forces generated by the rotating blades or held by a locking mechanism.
US07670108B2
An air seal unit to be positioned adjacent blade structure in a gas turbine is provided. The air seal unit comprises a main body including a plurality of first impingement cavities and at least one first interconnecting passage extending between and communicating with a first pair of the first impingement cavities. The first interconnecting passage is nonparallel to the first pair of the first impingement cavities and defines a path for cooling air to pass from one impingement cavity of the first pair of the first impingement cavities to another impingement cavity of the first pair of the first impingement cavities so as to strike a wall defining at least a part of the other impingement cavity of the first pair of the first impingement cavities.
US07670106B2
A bushing for a variable-pitch vane pivot in a turbomachine, the bushing being for mounting in a recess in a ring of the turbomachine, the recess being of a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the bushing, the bushing comprising a body that is substantially tubular having a longitudinal axis, and at least three branches extending radially outwards relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and axially over the full height of said tubular body, said branches being distributed in substantially equidistant manner around the circumference of the tubular body.
US07670103B2
In order to improve cooling of a blade 31, 41/disc 32, 42 combination, a pre-swirler feature 40, 50 is utilised in order to present coolant air through presentational pathways typically incorporating holes 37 or grooves/slots such that coolant air displaces hotter air leaked past a seal 35, 45. The swirler features 40, 50 are located within stationary housing components 34, 44 such that the coolant air is propelled at substantially the same rotational speed as the disc 32, 42 whilst presentation of the coolant air flow A, C, E is such that hot air displacement is achieved at least adjacent front faces 36, 46 of blade roots 33, 43.
US07670101B2
A portable hydro-generator, for the generation of power, including a tower (10) filled with a driving fluid, a semi-sealed curved tubular housing with a drive portion and a return portion primed with a fluid, the drive portion having a larger diameter than the return portion, an inlet to allow the fluid to enter the tubular housing, a plurality of paddles to harness the kinetic energy of the fluid entering the curved tubular housing, a linkage assembly to link the plurality of paddles, a drive chamber, a sprocket within the drive chamber to engage a portion of the paddles, and an output power generator attached to the sprocket. A paddle adapted to be used in the hydro-generator include a top surface, a bottom surface, seals to prevent water leakage through the paddles, a linkage bar to allow an attachment of the paddle to subsequent paddle, wherein the top surface of the paddle further includes studs to increase the effective surface area of the top of the paddle.
US07670094B2
To produce can bodies, a continuous can jacket is disclosed, that is sealed by way of a first joint is produced from a flat metal material. At least one sealing element is mounted on the continuous can jacket by way of an additional joint. At least one of the additional joints is configured as a laser welding seam, which forms an annular continuous sealing seam between the continuous can jacket and the sealing element(s). Before the sealing seam is welded, complementary seam contact surfaces of the can jacket and the sealing element are configured as annular continuous edge regions that flare out of narrow towards the can axis. To weld the sealing seam, the can jacket and the sealing element(s) are pushed together until the edge regions make contact, one of the end faces of the two edge regions lying on the interior of the can body and the other lying on the exterior of the body. This enables the air-free welding of the seam contact surfaces, thus guaranteeing an impermeable welding seam even with the use of extremely thin metal sheets. The material overlap in the vicinity of the sealing seam is minimal.
US07670092B2
A laminated nut having a plurality of conical spring discs for use with a bolt assembly. Each of the discs is formed with a hex shaped outer periphery and a non-round central bore. The discs are assembled on top of each other forming a laminated stack. A threaded tension sleeve is located in the central bore and has a non-round outer periphery shape corresponding to the shape of the central bore of the discs. The tension sleeve has a threaded inner peripheral wall with the threads sized to fit the bolt assembly. The tension sleeve includes an upper flange to engage and hold the upper portion of the laminated stack and a lower flange to support the laminated stack. Application of a torqueing force to the outer, hex shaped periphery of the discs forces them to deflect and contact the threaded tension sleeve applying force along the length of the bolt assembly in a uniform manner to reduce clearance between the bolt threads and the threads on the nut tension sleeve.
US07670088B2
A tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body, and a cutting insert fixed in an insert seat in the basic body by a tightening element, and which, via at least one shoulder surface, is held pressed against a stop surface in the insert seat. An elastically deformable spring is arranged in the insert seat, which provides, by elastic deformation as a result of tightening of the tightening element, the pressing of the shoulder surface against the stop surface.
US07670076B2
A multi-sided shaft and locking hub apparatus, wherein the locking hub includes an inner hub having a multi-sided inner surface extending around a center hole for receiving the shaft for preventing rotation therebetween, the inner hub including a tapered outer surface, and being cut through, and an outer hub having a tapered inner surface defining a central hole for receiving the inner hub such that the tapered surfaces abut, the outer hub including a multi-sided inner surface defining an extension of the center hole therethrough for receiving the multi-sided shaft with the sides of the inner surface of the outer hub in non-rotating relation, and the tapered surfaces including opposing inner and outer half-holes at spaced locations therearound, for cooperatively receiving threaded members, outer half-holes at some of the spaced locations being threaded so as to be threadedly engageable with the threaded members for pressing the inner and outer hubs together while compressing the inner hub, and the inner half-holes at others of the spaced locations being threadedly engageable with the threaded members for jacking the inner and outer hubs apart.
US07670075B2
A binder unit, for binding a sheet stack having a mounting hole, includes an elongated binding body and two fastening arms. The binding body has a first binding portion biasing against a top side of the sheet stack at an edge portion thereof, a second binding portion biasing against a bottom side of the sheet stack, and a guiding slot aligning with the mounting hole. The fastening arms are extended from a first edge of the binding body to detachably engage with the second binding portion of the binding body at a position that the fastening arms are slidably coupled within the guiding slot through the mounting hole, wherein the fastening arms are bent for resting on the bottom side of the sheet stack to reinforce the edge portion of the sheet stack being securely sandwiched between the first and second binding portions of the binding body.
US07670070B2
An optical system comprises an imaging arrangement (1′, 1″) that transmits an image to an image plane; a sensor; and one or more locator elements that locate the imaging arrangement (1′, 1″) to provide the image on the sensor. Tolerances of the locator element(s) allow a lateral translation and a rotation of the imaging arrangement (1′; 1″) around a nominal rotation point. A parameter of the optical system is selected such that a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of an optical axis (OA) on the sensor is at least partly counteracted by a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of the image on the sensor with respect to the optical axis (OA). Thereby, the optical system is wholly or partly self-compensating with respect to tolerances affecting the angular position or the lateral position of the imaging arrangement.
US07670069B2
In a shutter drive device for a camera, the device including: a plate having an aperture; a shutter blade provided in the plate, and for opening and closing the aperture; and an driving source provided in the plate, and for driving the shutter blade. The driving source includes: a rotor magnetized with plural magnetic poles in a circumferential direction, and rotatable about an axis thereof; a stator generating magnetic force against the rotor; and a coil provided in the stator and for exciting the stator. The rotor has an arm portion extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotor, and a pin portion engaging with the shutter blade and provided in the arm portion to stand. The rotor, the arm portion and the pin portion are disposed within a thickness of the coil in the axis direction.
US07670067B2
A shutter and aperture device of a miniature digital camera module is coupled to a moveable lens group and is controlled by a horological type stepper motor from a fixed position from outside the moveable lens group. The coupling element between the stepper motor and the shutter device is a mechanical drive apparatus that allows movement of the shutter device along an optical axis before, during and after adjustment of the shutter setting by the stepper motor. The stepper motor is driven with CMOS I/O allowing integration of all control circuitry, image processing circuitry and a pixel photo imager array into a system-on-chip integrated circuit chip.
US07670061B2
A miniature high density connector including a thermoplastic insulating body having contact cavities for the insertion, the positioning and the retention of electrical, optical or electro-optical contacts, a back plate having clips for the locking of the contacts into the contact cavities of the insulating body, a receptacle shell constituting an interface element for coupling with a complementary mating connector having a flange for the assembly and the retention of the insulating body and the back plate in the receptacle shell, the back plate being movable and including a projecting dimple located on the side wall, making possible its locking into the receptacle shell.
US07670053B2
A detachable rolling-element retainer comprises: a slide block defined with a slide groove in which disposed a plurality of rolling elements and a base inserted in the slide groove of the slide block. The base is provided at either end thereof with elastic deformable stopping portions. One of the stopping portions is positioned at an end of the slide block after being compressed in to and passing through the slide groove, while another one of the stopping portions is positioned at another end of the slide block, thus enabling the base of the rolling-element retainer to be inserted into or disengaged from the slide groove of the slide block easily while preventing disengagement of the rolling elements from the slide block.
US07670047B2
A temperature sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine is inspected. Determination is made that conditions for inspecting the temperature sensor are satisfied in the current engine load range. The time for the temperature in the exhaust system to reach a value appropriate for checking the temperature sensor is determined in accordance with engine water temperature. Output of the temperature sensor is checked to determine if the temperature sensor is normal at the determined time.
US07670045B2
A power sensor having a microstrip transmission line, comprising: a dielectric substrate; a strip conductor disposed on one surface of the substrate; and a ground plane conductor disposed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The power sensor includes a plurality of thermocouples extending from the strip conductor, proximal end portions of the thermocouples being thermally coupled to the strip conductor. A plurality of electrical conductors is provided, each one having a first end electrically connected to a distal end of a corresponding one of the thermocouples and a second end electrically connected to the proximate end of one of the plurality of thermocouples disposed adjacent to such corresponding one of the thermocouples. The proximal ends of the thermocouples are electrically insulated one from the other.
US07670043B2
Device having a polysomic drive body for generating pulsed motions in a gas, liquid and/or bulk good
A device generating pulsed motions comprises: (A) two parallel shafts (3; 4) each having a longitudinal axis (5; 6), a rear end (7; 8) and a front end (9; 10), (B) a gear unit (2) comprising at least two gears (20; 21) where at least two gears (20) are oval gears and each gear (20; 21) is connected to a rear end (7; 8) of the two shafts (3; 4), (C) two arcuate drive levers (30; 31) each having a first end (32; 33) and at least one second end (34; 35), where each first end (32; 33) of the drive levers (30; 31) is connected to one front end (9; 10) of the two shafts (3; 4) in rotatable manner about a first axis of rotation (11; 12), and (E) a drive body (40) which is connected to the second ends (34; 35) of the drive levers (30; 31) in rotatable manner about two second axes of rotation (13; 14), where (F) the drive body (40) is a polysomic body.
US07670041B2
A backlight module (10) includes a light source and a light guide plate (12). The light source defines a number of light units (11) for emitting light beams. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface (121), an emission surface (123) adjacent to the light incident surface, a bottom surface (124) opposite to the emission surface, a plurality of side surfaces (122) between the emission surface and the bottom surface, and a plurality of diffusion units (13) formed on the bottom surface. A dot size of each diffusion unit/dot is inversely proportional to a summation of the sum of reciprocals of squares of distances between the diffusion unit and each of the light units and the sum of reciprocals of squares of distances between the diffusion unit and corresponding images of each of the light units formed, respectively, by the side surfaces.
US07670040B2
A lightening apparatus includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) module having a plurality of LEDs and a connection terminal for supplying electric power, a diffusing guide for diffusing light emitted from the LEDs, and a cover in which the diffusing guide is installed and to which the LED module is coupled.
US07670039B2
A light pipe structure for a dimmer switch comprises a continuous status indicator lens and a plurality of light pipes, which are operable to conduct the light from a plurality of discrete sources to the lens. The light conducted from one of the discrete sources through a light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens. The pinpoint of light is surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens, which produces an aesthetically-pleasing effect by increasing the uniformity of the illumination across the front surface of the status indicator lens. The light pipes are coupled to the lens via a plurality of rounds, which provide for diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the lens. The light pipes may comprise light-refracting structures, which the amount of light emitted from adjacent discrete sources from reaching the front surface of the lens.
US07670032B2
A diffuser-reflector assembly for use with a photographic flash lamp (800) comprises, in one aspect, an elastic base (100) having rigid first inserts (125 and 130), two arms (105 and 110), a shaft (135), a pivot assembly (150), and one or more frames (116, 121) that hold second inserts (115, 120). The diffuser-reflector assembly installs slidably onto the light-emitting end of a flash lamp (800). The second inserts can have various optical properties. They can be specular or diffuse reflectors, color or neutral density filters, or a combination. The frames and inserts can be swung on the arms and independently pivoted over a wide range of angles above the lamp, thereby providing a wide range of lighting effects. The frames and arms are held in place by friction and can be adjusted by manual force. The entire assembly can be made of simple parts that snap together.
US07670031B2
A lighting device includes a plurality of self-luminous elements formed on a substrate and emitting different wavelengths of light from each other, a hemispherical lens structure formed on the substrate to cover the self-luminous elements, and a plurality of translucent spherical particles covering a surface of the lens structure. Light emitted from the self-luminous elements passes through the lens structure and enters the translucent spherical particles where its direction is largely inclined to scatter due to a difference in refractive index between the translucent spherical particles and air. Consequently, different wavelengths of light from the self-luminous elements are mixed to produce a desired color of light.
US07670029B1
An LED safety lamp includes a cover, a heat-conductive plate thermally attached to and mounted on the cover, a heat sink thermally attached to and mounted on the heat-conductive plate, a plurality of LED modules attached to the heat sink, a transparent housing enclosing the heat sink and the LED modules and hermetically secured to the cover. The cover includes a hollow tube, a flameproof connector and a flexible component received in the hollow tube. The flexile component is depressed by the connector to expand thereby to seal the hollow tube and fix the electrical wires extending through the flexible component in position, thereby providing an excellent airproof effectiveness to the LED lamp.
US07670028B2
An LED lamp includes a post (10), a heat sink (20) enclosing the post, an LED module (30) mounted on the post, a holder (40) secured on the LED module, and a lens (50) covering the holder. The heat sink is formed by a plurality of separated fins assembled together. Each fin comprises an outer portion (22) and an inner portion (24). An inner edge of the outer portion abuts interferingly against a periphery of the post, and a bottom of the inner portion contacts a top surface of the post. Heat generated by the LED module is conducted through the post to the plurality of fins, which dissipate the heat to the ambient air.
US07670018B2
An illumination device for a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same are provided. The illumination device includes a lamp assembly that irradiates light to an inside of a storage chamber of the refrigerator, a base plate mounted on a side within the storage chamber, wherein the lamp assembly is provided on a side of the base plate, a watertight cover formed to enclose the lamp assembly blocking direct penetration of water into the lamp assembly, and at least one fastening device formed on a side of the base plate. The at least one fastening device surrounds an outer surface and an inner surface of entire lower edge of the watertight cover along a side of the watertight cover forming a recess-prominence engagement with the watertight cover. Lamps provided in the lamp assembly are individually controlled through a manipulation panel mounted on the main body.
US07670015B2
In an optical switch controller, in order that residual vibration at movement control of a movable body such as a tilt mirror can be reduced and controlled with high accuracy, a processing unit outputs a driving signal for controlling the angle of the tilt mirror, the driving signal is D/A converted by a D/A converter and then is changed to a high-voltage signal by a high-voltage amplifier to be supplied to the tilt mirror, the electrostatic capacity of the tilt mirror changes corresponding to angle change of the tilt mirror, a mirror-angle detecting unit detects the electrostatic capacity and feeds back it as a correction value to a processing unit, and the processing unit corrects the driving signal using a correction value obtained when the angle of the tilt mirror is actually changed.
US07670011B2
A projector assembly includes a projector casing and an auxiliary device. The projector casing is formed with a mating aperture, and has a first light source for emitting light beams defining an optical path of the projector assembly. The auxiliary device includes a mating part inserted detachably into the mating aperture in the projector casing, a second light source disposed in the mating part for emitting light beams, and a light-beam guiding module disposed in the mating part in front of the second light source so that the light beams emitted from the second light source are guided into the optical path via the light-beam guiding module, thereby enhancing illumination of the optical path of the projector assembly.
US07670005B2
A display device includes a spatial light modulator and a light generator. The spatial light modulator may have an array of modulating elements with a plurality of image regions. The light generator may be configured to direct a different one of a plurality of substantially stationary light bands onto each of a plurality of the image regions of the array of modulating elements.
US07670004B2
A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided.
US07670002B2
A pupilometer having image capturing means, illumination means generating and emitting light of a first wavelength, stimulation means generating and emitting light of a second wavelength, and image processing software. The image processing software receives data from the image capturing means, identifies a pupil's dynamic response to light generated by the stimulation means, analyzes one or more components of the pupil's dynamic response, and produces an output comprising a value indicative of a neurological condition of a patient.
US07670000B2
The invention relates to eyeglasses of the rimless type comprising a bridge interconnecting the two eyeglass lenses, and two side branches of wire structure connected to respective side zones of the corresponding lenses, each side branch having a main portion together with a distal end extending said main portion and arranged to fasten to the side zone of the lens, said distal end being generally J-shaped. In accordance with the invention, each side branch is fitted with a hinge that is arranged so that the section and the profile of the side branch in its deployed position are generally continuous, thereby enabling it to pass through a through hole in the lens so as to enable said side branch to be put into place merely by being threaded, while in its deployed position, through the lens from its front face.
US07669999B2
A recording apparatus has a recording head, a platen, and a first hole. The recording head includes a dot formation element array, and the platen holds a recording medium opposite the recording head. The first hole is disposed in an area of the platen opposite a downstream portion of the dot formation element array and guides ink discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin. Alternatively or additionally, a second hole is formed in an area of the platen opposite an upstream portion of the dot formation element array, and the platen guides ink, which is discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin, to the second hole.
US07669993B2
The ink cartridge includes an ink supply port formed at a position, offset to one side, of a wall configuring an ink container body; a positioning projecting portion, formed on one wall out of two opposing walls adjacent the wall, whose upper surface and side portion are regulated in position when the cartridge has been mounted on a recording apparatus; a lever, formed on the other wall out of the two walls, maintaining a normal hinged-open state and having a projection that is forcibly displaced outward when the cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus; and electrodes that are connected to a memory unit storing information on the ink in an ink container and formed on the positioning projecting portion.
US07669991B2
An ink cartridge includes a cartridge case enclosing an ink chamber; an ink supply path extending from the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink cartridge; an ink filling path extending from the ink chamber to an area outside of the ink chamber; and a plug member provided in the ink filling path, the plug member sealing the ink filling path. The ink filling path adjoins the area outside of the ink chamber at a location enclosed by the cartridge case.
US07669983B2
A head is formed by stacking a plurality of plates including a cavity plate and a manifold plate, and includes a plurality of manifolds formed in the manifold plate, a communicating channel which makes the manifolds formed in the manifold plate communicate, and a plurality of pressure chambers formed in the cavity plate, which communicate with the manifold. Each pressure chamber is isolated by a partition wall of the cavity plate. Since the communicating channel and the pressure chambers are formed at different positions in terms of height, it is possible to widen a width of the communicating channel without widening an interval between the pressure chambers, and it is possible to accelerate a movement of a liquid between the manifolds.
US07669982B2
A laminated and bonded structure includes plural plates. The plates include first and second plates. The plates are laminated and bonded to each other with an adhesive agent. The first and second plates have laminated surfaces bonded to each other. A first escape groove is defined in the laminated surface of at least one of the first and second plates. The first escape groove guides the adhesive agent along the laminated surface. The first escape groove includes an outlet portion in an outer peripheral side surface of the at least one of the first and second plates. The outer peripheral side surface intersects with the laminated surfaces. One of the first and second plates defines a recessed first reservoir portion being capable of accumulating the adhesive agent passing through the first escape groove. The first reservoir portion communicates with the first escape groove.
US07669980B2
A printhead is provided having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of heater elements each for heating an ejectable liquid to cause ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from a respective one of the nozzles. Each heater element is configured such that the energy required to be applied thereto to cause ejection of the drop is less than the energy required to heat a volume of the ejectable liquid equal to the volume of the drop to a temperature less than 40 degrees Celsius above ambient temperature.
US07669954B2
The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a recording head which ejects an ejection liquid; a liquid container which accommodates air and the ejection liquid; a recording head connection flow channel which leads from the liquid container to the recording head; a pressure determination device which determines pressure of the ejection liquid accommodated in the liquid container; a first pressure supply device which drives a rotating body to remove or introduce the air from or to the liquid container so as to keep pressure of the air in the liquid container constant; a phase determination device which determines a phase of the rotating body; a second pressure supply device which is disposed in a pulsation suppressing flow channel that connects the liquid container with the recording head connection flow channel and which removes and introduces the ejection liquid from or to the liquid container; and a control device which controls rotation speed of the second pressure supply device in accordance with the phase of the rotating body determined by the phase determination device so as to cancel out variation of the pressure of the ejection liquid caused by the first pressure supply device.
US07669953B2
This invention provides a printing method of printing on a print medium. The method includes: a dot data generating step of performing a halftone process on image data representing a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image, for generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium; and a print image generating step of forming a dot on each of the print pixels for generating a print image according to the dot data. The print image generating step includes the step of generating the print image by mutually combining dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel groups in a common print area. The plurality of pixel groups have a physical difference each other at the dot formation, the dot formation being performed with respect to each of the pixel groups. The halftone process is configured to give specified characteristics to all of dot patterns formed on print pixels belonging to each of the plurality of pixel groups, and to equalize numbers of dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of the plurality of pixel groups, for each of the input tone values.
US07669952B2
This invention relates to a printhead integrated circuit assembly having a substrate, drive circuitry and a controller. The substrate includes a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements formed thereon. The drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate for operatively actuating the respective nozzle arrangements to eject a drop of printing fluid therefrom. The controller is configured to monitor the power required to eject a drop from each nozzle, and to deactivate such nozzle and compensate with another nozzle if a required power level is exceeded.
US07669950B2
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current, a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, the shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal, a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of the shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register, and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse. Each energy pulse has energy of less than 1 microjoule.
US07669949B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a piezoelectric body that deforms and ejects liquid droplets as a result of a voltage being applied thereto and, when a superposed voltage, obtained by superposing a constant voltage of a constant voltage level and a waveform voltage of a sinusoidal waveform is applied thereto, an electrostatic capacitance and a deformation amount changes in response to the voltage level of the constant voltage; and a voltage applying unit that uses, as a reference voltage level, a voltage level of the constant voltage when the square of the deformation amount divided by the electrostatic capacitance is at a maximum value, and which applies to the piezoelectric body, when the piezoelectric body is to eject the liquid droplets, a drive voltage in which a drive waveform is superposed on the constant voltage that is within a predetermined range that includes the reference voltage level.
US07669947B2
A print mechanism positioned in a housing having a pivotably mounted cover and including a ink flow regulator operatively connected to a print cartridge and provided with a plurality of seals to prevent contamination and damage from unwanted ink flow.
US07669936B2
A padded covering for parts of a chair, consisting of a padded material (2) with elastic properties at least within the thickness thereof, and covered with a semi-transparent, perforated mesh fabric, wherein said padded material has a three-dimensional structure that is at least partially visible through said fabric and comprises recesses opening out onto the fabric (3). Said covering is produced via a method comprising the steps of cutting out a suitably-shaped piece capable of covering the specific chair portion; stitching at least two concentric lines at the edges and over the entire periphery of the piece in order to flatten the edge region; cutting out, in a semi-transparent perforated mesh fabric (3), a correspondingly-sized piece; placing said semi-transparent fabric piece on top of the padded piece; and fastening the piece.
US07669933B2
A headrest mechanism includes a headrest stay, a headrest support, an engagement member, a plurality of adjustment portions, and a pullout prevention portion. The height of a headrest may be adjusted by pushing the button portion of the headrest support to disengage the engagement member provided in the headrest support from an adjustment portions provided on the side surface of a headrest stay. The headrest, including the headrest stay, may be removed by turning a lock portion of the headrest support by 90 degrees, pushing the button portion and pulling up the headrest. Thus, the headrest can be removed without using any additional tools.
US07669931B2
Disclosed is a seat reclining mechanism, which is designed to be mounted to a seat cushion and a seat back so as to allow the seat back to be reclined. The seat reclining mechanism comprises a guide bracket and an internal gear member coupled to the guide bracket in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis thereof with respect to the guide bracket and formed with internal teeth along a circle having a center on the rotation axis. A plurality of lock gear members is disposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear member. A fitting portion is provided in either one of the guide bracket and the internal gear member. A rotatable cam is rotatably supported by the fitting portion.
US07669927B1
A rocking and/or vibrating car seat for providing comfort to an infant comprising a base; a first rocker bar parallel to a second rocker bar in the inner compartment of the base extending from the first side to the second side of the base, a motor for driving the movement of the first rocker bar and second rocker bar; a cushioned seat for placing in the base atop the first rocker bar and the second rocker bar; and a vibrating unit disposed in the cushioned seat for vibrating the cushioned seat.
US07669918B2
Tunable structural member for a vehicle generally comprises an active material adapted to selectively undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in the at least one attribute results in a change in the mechanical properties of the tunable structural member. Active materials generally include shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, magnetorheological fluids and elastomers, piezoelectrics, electroactive polymers, and the like.
US07669907B2
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for partitioning seats in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first partition for separating the back row of seats from the front row of seat in a vehicle; and at least one mounting member for securing the partition to the front row seat. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for partitioning a seat from an adjoining seat, and further includes a second partition, attached to the first partition, and at least one mounting member attaching the second partition to the backseat. The present invention also includes methods for separating or partitioning pets, children, groceries, etc. from adjoining seats of a vehicle by using the apparatus described herein. Also embodied are systems, vehicles and kits that include the apparatus.
US07669892B2
One embodiment of the invention relates to an air bag module, in particular for a knee air bag. The air bag module includes an air bag housing, a air bag cushion, a tubular gas generator, a air bag cushion holding device, and a gas guiding device, to which the tubular gas generator is fastened. The gas guiding device is integrally formed with the air bag cushion holding device.
US07669886B2
An airbag module for protecting a vehicle occupant is provided. The airbag module comprises at least one airbag. A gas generator is in fluid communication with the airbag to inflate the airbag with a gas. A deformable ribbon interfaces with the fluid communication between the gas generator and the airbag. The deformable ribbon has a spiral form with a first radial end covering a second radial end when the gas generator is deactivated.
US07669884B2
An air bag device includes a retainer having an opening, a lid for covering the opening of the retainer, an air bag accommodated in the retainer, at least one hinge member connecting the retainer and the lid, and at least one guide plate having a hook-shaped or J-shaped cross section to define a recess. The hinge member is bent at its mid portion along the recess of the guide plate, and one end portion of the hinge member is fixed to a reverse surface of the lid at one side thereof and the other end portion of the hinge member is fixed to the guide plate and sandwiched between the guide plate and the retainer.
US07669881B2
A collapsible, foldable support structure and conveyance has a frame assembly with multiple interconnected frame members, junction blocks located at intersecting ends of some of the frame members, and wheels attached to the junction blocks or directly to frame members. Fixtures are attached to or integrally formed with the junction blocks for mounting of wheels or other conveyances or components to the frame assembly. A support structure is attached to the frame assembly to support a load such as a human or cargo or both. In a folded configuration, the frame members are moved into a generally parallel arrangement and the junction blocks and conveyances attached to the junction blocks or frame members are drawn together.
US07669860B2
A tool retaining device includes a housing having an engaging hole and having a chamber for slidably receiving a tool stem, the tool stem includes a socket opening for receiving a tool member which is also slidably engaged in the engaging hole of the housing, for allowing the tool member to be rotated by either the tool stem or the housing. The tool member may also be moved relative to the housing for changeably coupling tool members or tool bits having different lengths, and may be selectively moved into the housing, for allowing another tool element to be selectively engaged with the engaging hole of the housing when the tool member is moved into the housing.
US07669858B2
A mechanical seal support system may facilitate feeding barrier fluid to a mechanical seal. A predetermined difference in pressure between the barrier fluid at a position before and after passage through the seal is detected. The flow of barrier fluid to the seal may be reduced when the predetermined pressure difference is detected.
US07669855B1
A method of implementing a wagering game. A first hand of cards is dealt on a first row. Cards can be held or discarded by a player. Cards that are held are transformed into a card with a same face value but a different suit and copied into an additional row. Cards not held are replaced in the first row and the additional row.
US07669853B2
A card shuffling machine (10) includes a turntable (14) in which a plurality of cards (26) rest in respective trays (24). When the turntable (14) is spun, a tongue-like detent (30) resiliently strikes a circular arrangement of peg-like dividers (28) which progressively slows the turntable (14) to a stopped condition. A pointing device singulates one of the cards (26) which can be lifted from its tray (24) and the indicia thereon announced as a game decision. The indicia on the singulated card (26) can be scanned with a machine-readable code and processed through a digital processor (38) to resolve a variety of games played through respective computerized consoles (44).
US07669846B1
Apparatus and method for controlling the slope angle of sheet stock in a feeder/loader for copying/printing where leading edge side of the stock is elevated by elevating one side of the support tray to position the top sheet for nudging into a nip. When the slope angle of the stock reaches a critical value, in one version, a separate elevating mechanism raises the opposite side of the support tray to prevent the slope angle from exceeding the critical value. In another version, the elevating mechanism for the opposite edge is connected to the elevating mechanism for the leading edge of the stack and raises the opposite edge when the sheet stock slope angle reaches a threshold value to prevent potential misfeed.
US07669844B2
A paper feeder includes a storage section, a feed path, a delivery section, and a receiving section. The storage section is configured to store therein plural sheet members to be fed to a processing apparatus which is operative to perform processing on the sheet members. The feed path allows each of the plural sheet members fed from the storage section to pass therethrough in a feed direction toward the processing apparatus. The delivery section is located most downstream on the feed path in the feed direction. The feed path is open to exterior in the delivery section. The receiving section is located upstream of the feed path in the feed direction for communication with a delivery section of a separate paper feeder having an identical construction with the present paper feeder when the separate paper feeder is disposed upstream of the present paper feeder in the feed direction.
US07669838B2
An air handling heat exchanger humidifying apparatus (1) is provided with a humidifying cell (13) of a self supporting sheet like body with closely spaced air openings therein. Air is moved through the apparatus (1) so it passes through the openings in the humidifying cell (13). A humidifying liquid is deposited onto the body surfaces of the cell between adjacent openings. As the air moves through the openings it collects the humidifying liquid from the surfaces of the cell (13). The humidifying liquid can be cooled. The air then exits the apparatus (1) and can be used for cooling produce or other product. The cell (13) can be an expanded mesh with the openings having a somewhat diamond shape. The cell (13) body can be corrugated to assist in humidifying liquid retention.
US07669829B2
The present invention provides a cradle device designed to be connected to a portable terminal which is provided with a connector at an upper part thereof for external electrical connection and with grooves formed at four corners of the outline to be held by means of the grooves. The cradle device has a structure to allow the portable terminal to slide so that the grooves formed in the connector portion and the portable terminal body can be securely engaged. The cradle device also has a rotate and slide mechanism in the face thereof opposing the connector, and has a structure to ensure reliable engagement with the grooves formed in the portable terminal body. Thus, the portable terminal cradle device is easy to carry, small-sized and superior in mechanical reliability, equally to the base unit, or the portable terminal.
US07669828B2
An accessory mounting system is for attaching at least first and second accessories to a vehicle. A first bracket is configured to connectably receive the first accessory and a second bracket is configured to connectably receive the second accessory. The second bracket has a configuration substantially different than the first bracket. A mount is coupled with the vehicle and is configured to connectably receive the first bracket to attach the first accessory to the vehicle and to alternatively connectably receive the second bracket to attach the second accessory to the vehicle. The mount preferably includes a base coupled with the vehicle and at least one and preferably two apertures extending into the base, each configured to receive a fastener coupled with the accessory. A slotted opening extends into the base, is spaced below the apertures, and configured to receive a portion of either an accessory or a bracket connected therewith.
US07669824B2
The invention relates to a drive for adjusting motor vehicle seats comprising a spindle (5) fixed to a first (4) of two rails (3, 4) which are adjustable with respect to each other with the aid of holding devices (60) arranged on the end of the spindle (5). A transmission (9) actuated by a motor (2) is placed on the second rail (3), According to id invention, the holding devices (60) comprise an external bowl-shaped supporting surface (66) in which each end of the spindle (5) is fixedly mounted, respectively. Said solution is more advantageous in comparison with conventional holding devices which are embodied in the form of flexible stamped parts, in particular the inventive holding devices exhibit a high resistance in the case of crash.
US07669821B2
A retractable accessory hook assembly for a vehicle. A housing has a cavity with an opening. A hook is pivotably coupled to the housing and is movable between a stowed position substantially within the cavity and a deployed position at least partially extending from the opening of the cavity. A cover is also pivotably coupled to the housing and is configured to selectably close off at least a portion of the opening of the cavity. The cover is movable from a closed position proximate the housing to an open position away from the housing while the hook is being moved to a stowed or deployed position. The cover is also movable from the open position to the closed position to retain the hook in either the stowed or deployed positions.
US07669810B2
A variable revolving position device capable of facilitating revolving as well as providing a stable support for the display device at the same time. The variable revolving position device comprises a base, a revolving axle and a normal force providing device. The base includes a housing and a bottom, and the revolving axle includes a load bearing end and a friction block, wherein the housing has at least a first friction surface set correspondingly against a second friction surface formed in the upper surface of the friction block. The friction block is disposed in the housing, and is capable of moving along the axis up and down as well as revolving variably. The normal force providing device is disposed between the friction block and the bottom, where the normal force providing device provides a normal force pushing the friction block upwardly along the axis so that the second friction surface contacts the first friction surface.
US07669809B1
A saddle lift apparatus is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the saddle lift apparatus includes a base, an arm support member extending from the base, a saddle support arm pivotally carried by the arm support member, a saddle lift actuating assembly engaging the saddle support arm and a plurality of saddle supports carried by the saddle support arm.
US07669803B2
A constellation, including a plurality of spacecraft, including a first, second and third spacecraft, each of the plurality of spacecraft including a broadcast capability, and each of the plurality of spacecraft in its own approximately 24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has a substantially teardrop-shaped or oval-shaped ground track, is optimized based upon elevation angle or probability of signal availability, and has an apogee longitude of approximately 90° west to approximately 100° west. Each of the orbits has a semi-major axis of approximately 42,164 kilometers, an argument of perigee of approximately 270°, an inclination of approximately 40° to approximately 60°, and an eccentricity of approximately 0.16 to approximately 0.4. The orbits of each of the plurality of spacecraft are selected to bring each of the spacecraft to apogee at time increments of approximately eight hours.
US07669801B2
A method of scaring birds and animals includes launching a bird-scaring device in a substantially vertical manner and periodically causing the device to circle in the air in substantially opposite directions.
US07669800B2
Reinforced cover for gaps in an aerodynamic contour of a vehicle, with a first attachment section 1a attachable to a structural element 2, 5 of the vehicle 11, on a first axial plane I; a second elastic section 1c which covers a gap 3 which is located between a fixed part 5 and a moving part 6, 12 of the vehicle 11, and provided with a low-friction coating 8 on its inner surface 1e, an outer surface 1k with a fiberglass layer 7a; a main internal body 9 of an elastic material, a flexible transition section 1g between the first and the second section, 1a, 1c; the outer surface 1k of the second section 1c flushing with the outer surface 5a and extending towards the free end 1d as a continuation of the outer surface 5a of the fixed part 5.
US07669796B2
A system and method for equalizing internal and external pressure on an enclosed vessel moving through a gas or fluid is described, thereby reducing hoop stresses imposed on the vessel by pressure differentials. The vessel is divided into multiple chambers, and the internal pressure of a chamber may be equalized with an external pressure proximate the chamber through the use of a valve or controllable vent.
US07669795B2
A reel assembly (1) comprising a pivotable guide arrangement (4) for guiding material to and from a drum portion (2) of the reel assembly, the guide arrangement being resiliently biased towards an undeflected position.
US07669794B2
A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.
US07669788B2
A fluid injector for treating a surface of a flat display panel includes a case provided with a cavity for receiving fluid; a pair of nozzle guiders coupled to the case and disposed facing each other; a gap-adjusting plate disposed between the nozzle guiders to adjust a gap between the nozzle guiders; and a coupling device for coupling the nozzle guiders to the gap-adjusting plate.
US07669775B2
A room heating system includes a heatable floor having a floor heating system, and a room thermostat having a room air sensor and being connected with a regulating unit for the floor heating system. The temperature control in a room is improved by providing the room thermostat with a surface temperature sensor, which determines a temperature on the surface of the floor from a distance.
US07669763B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing stock visibility in a storage facility, such as a warehouse. Such systems and methods may provide information identifying the location of stock while it is being transported to a new location, as well as may provide the ability to alter the destination of stock while it is in transit to a new location. Upon the removal of stock from a bin, a warehouse management system may be updated to indicate a resource that is being used to move the stock and, thus, provide visibility of the stock while it is in transit. In addition, through identification of the resource moving the stock to a new location, the resource can be rerouted to transfer the stock to an alternate location.
US07669758B2
A system, method, and computer program product are used to obtain a transaction account. The system comprises at least one input device, at least one credit requesting system, at least one transaction account provider, and at least one credit reporting agency. The input device receives an identification card (e.g., driver's license) and possibly additional information from an individual. The data is then used to automatically generate a transaction account application The transaction account provider receives and evaluates the transaction account application. The credit requesting system is coupled to the transaction account provider and the at least one input device. The credit requesting system controls transmission of the transaction account application to the transaction account provider and receives the evaluation result from the transaction account provider.
US07669755B2
A blank capable of being formed into a carton to define a volume for receiving articles is provided. The carton includes a lid formed hingedly connected at a fold at one end and including a line of weakening to facilitate separation of the lid from the main body of the carton. The volume can accommodate introduction of ice or other substance with and/or between the articles and the lid can be hinged between open and closed positions.
US07669732B2
A cup lid dispenser is characterized by a cylindrical housing for containing a stack of relatively flexible cup lids in vertical orientation with a lip of the bottommost lid supported at points around its circumference on a plurality of shelves within and around a base of the dispenser at a lower end of the housing. The base has a forward opening that exposes just a front portion of the lip of only the bottommost lid of the stack for being gripped by a user. To dispense the bottommost lid, a user grips the exposed lip and pulls the lid downward to flex it away from the overlying stack and forward to move it off of the shelves and release it from the overlying stack of lids for downward movement into an underlying pocket in the base, with continued forward pulling of the lid then moving it through and out of a forward dispense opening from the base. Upon dispense of the bottommost lid, the stack gravitationally moves downward and the lip of the next lid up moves into the support shelves and into position for dispensing.
US07669726B2
A beverage container (10) is disclosed as including a body (12) with a top end and a cooling device (20) detachably engageable with the body (12), in which the body (12) is adapted to hold a beverage, and the cooling device (20) is adapted to contain a cooling agent, e.g. water and when the cooling device (20) is engaged with the body (12), at least a major portion of the top end of the body (12) is closed and at least part of the cooling device (20) extends into an interior cavity of the body (12), and the cooling device (20) includes a vessel (22) and a top (24) removably engageable with each other. A method of using such a beverage container is also disclosed.
US07669724B2
A pipelayer frame for a track-type machine having an engine compartment, a first track frame, and a second track frame is disclosed. The frame has a center frame removably attachable within the engine compartment, a first side frame removably attachable to the first track frame and to the center frame, and a second side frame removably attachable to the second track frame and to the center frame. The frame also has a spacer assembly removably attachable to the first side frame. The frame further has an adjustable assembly located between the second side frame and the center frame, the adjustable assembly being configured to adjust a distance between the second side frame and the center frame.
US07669723B2
A tool suspension device has a base bracket having a front surface, a rail bracket and multiple clamps. The rail bracket is attached securely to the front surface of the base bracket has a mounting panel, two opposite rails and two opposite channels. The channels are formed respectively in inner surfaces of the rails. The clamps are mounted slidably in pairs on the rails and in the channels and each clamp comprises a fastener to hold the clamps securely in position, the pairs of clamps clamp a tool securely.
US07669721B2
A drying rack assembly for drying baby bottle components features a drying rack and a drip pan which supports the drying rack. The drying rack suitably is porous, with tubular support posts extending upwardly from a support surface thereof, and the drip pan suitably has a draining configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan drains out of the drip pan and a collecting configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan remains within the drip pan. The drying rack assembly is suitably configured such that multiple such drying rack assemblies can be stacked on top of each other in a drying rack system. In another configuration, the drying rack is of one-piece construction, with a plurality of support posts and a plurality of longer stacking posts extending from a support surface of the drying rack. The one-piece configuration is designed for stacking of multiple such drying racks.
US07669718B1
A convertible display fixture comprising: a top portion; a front portion coupled to the top portion; at least one side portion coupled to the front portion; a back coupled to the at least one side portion; a bottom portion coupled to the front portion; wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion, the bottom portion and the front portion form a shipping container; and wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion and the bottom portion collapse towards the front portion to form a display fixture. In alternate embodiments, the convertible display fixture further comprises a collapsible lock box coupled to the front portion and top portion. Other embodiments further comprise at least one skid and at least one wheel coupled to the bottom portion.
US07669700B2
An elastomer bearing with hydraulic damping is disclosed which includes a housing (1, 2), a connecting element (3), an elastomer body (4) which couples the housing (1, 2) and the connecting element (3) with one another for damping oscillations, two chambers (5, 6) filled with a magneto-rheological fluid, at least one flow channel (8) connecting the chambers (5, 6) with one another for fluid conduction, as well as an actuator (11) associated with the flow channel and attached on the outside of the housing (1, 2) for generating a magnetic field. According to the invention, a field return element (10) with interacts with the actuator is arranged on or in the flow channel (8).
US07669699B2
A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.
US07669690B2
A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator unit, is disposed in a middle portion of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle is disposed on one end of the steering shaft, or more specifically, on a lower end portion of an output shaft, or a leading end portion of an output shaft. During maintenance, this arrangement provides for easy removal and installation of the steering angle sensor.
US07669683B2
An energy storage type of dual-drive coupled power distribution system adapted to an all wheel driving (AWD) transportation means having a revolution output end from an internal combustion engine that drives front wheel through a front-wheel transmission assembly by means of an intermediate transmission and control interface or a coupling device providing gear-changing or clutching function, connects the revolving kinetics to drive the revolution input end of a dual-drive type of electromagnetic coupling drive device, and further drives the rear wheel through the other revolution output end of the dual-drive type of electromagnetic coupling drive device made in the construction of a revolving dual-end shaft with both end shafts respectively incorporated to a revolving magnetic field structure and a revolving rotor structure to regulate the power distribution between the front wheel and the rear wheel while being subject to the manipulation by a control device.
US07669682B2
A two-wheeled vehicle, a touring motorcycle, is disclosed. The touring motorcycle may include multiple fuel storage tanks arranged in a split side-by-side configuration. The touring motorcycle may include a rear suspension having a linkage which moves in a direction not parallel with a centerline plane of the motorcycle. The touring motorcycle may include a tip-over structure which prevents unwanted tip-over of the motorcycle.
US07669679B2
A wheel assembly for a vehicle. The wheel assembly including: a rim; a tire operatively connected to the rim; one or more movable assemblies extending in a radial direction from the rim towards an outer portion of the tire; and potential energy storage device operatively connected to the one or more movable assemblies for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy upon movement of the one or more movable assemblies thereby slowing a rotation of the wheel assembly.
US07669677B2
The vibration of a radiator is insulated from being transmitted to a vehicle body by an insulator having vibration-dampening protrusions, air pockets, and sub-air pockets, thereby greatly reducing noise and vibration of the vehicle compartment. The insulator includes an insertion portion, flange, supporting portion, coupling hole, air pockets, and vibration-dampening protrusions.
US07669656B2
A method of using a survey system comprising at least one sensor. The method comprises operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a first resolution level while the sensor is a first distance relative to the Earth's surface and operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a second resolution level while the sensor is a second distance relative to the Earth's surface. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The second resolution level is higher than the first resolution level.
US07669653B2
The invention concerns a system or a method for maintaining zonal isolation in a wellbore. According to the invention, the system comprises, at a specific location along said wellbore, a sealing element, said sealing element being able to deform both during and after placement and is maintained after placement under compression through a pressurizing fluid or by confinement in a volume.
US07669651B1
The level of petroleum accumulating from a production zone as it is pumped from a lower elevation in a wellbore is remotely monitored by using the energy of a sucker rod driven pump. One or more sensors are interposed between sections of the sucker rod between the production zone and the pump level. The sensors include trigger mechanisms moving with the sucker rod string within spring loaded and slidable pistons. Over a short span the reciprocating triggers engage deformable sleeve actuators which slide and spring load the pistons. When the triggers pass through the sleeve actuators, they release the piston which impacts against a pressure wave or sonic signal generator. The impacted elements transmit a signal up to the wellhead indicative of the presence or absence of petroleum at that elevation. One or two sensors, and optionally other inputs as well, can be used in adjusting the pumping rate to maximize production.
US07669636B1
A method of reducing glare from oncoming vehicle headlights is provided comprising providing an attachment for a vehicle having a front windshield, a driver's side and a passenger side, the attachment comprising a slatted blind having a plurality of horizontally-oriented slats extending between a headrail and a bottom rail, a flexible cord ladder connected between the headrail and bottom rail and supporting the slats, and a rotating means for rotation of the slats from opened to closed. Securing the slatted blind with mounting means connected to the headrail to an upper portion of the inside of the vehicle's front windshield on the driver's side such that the attachment has a width less than 30 percent of the horizontal width of the vehicle's front windshield and the passenger side is uncovered. Driving the vehicle on a surface that can have oncoming traffic. Rotating the rotating means to operate the slats such that they are open and allow a driver to see through the slats when there is no oncoming traffic with lit headlights approaching. Rotating the rotating means while driving to operate the slats such that they are closed and prevent a driver from seeing through the slats when there is at least one oncoming vehicle with lit headlights approaching the driver. And repeating the rotating steps while driving to accommodate varying oncoming traffic.
US07669634B2
A horizontal-pulling roll screen door for which the right/left hand can be set or changed easily and safely even by a layman and in a screen door in which a net wound up by a winding shaft of a movable stile is made capable of opening/closing by horizontal pulling. First and second caps rotatably supporting the winding shaft are mounted at the both ends of the movable stile capable of replacement by each other. A lock mechanism which can hold a locked state as necessary is provided between a connecting cylindrical shaft connected to the winding shaft and an intermediate support member connected to the first or the second cap unrotatably and removably. Rotation of the winding shaft by an urging force of a winding spring is prevented by this lock mechanism even when the both caps are removed for assembling or change of the right/left hand.
US07669615B2
The subject matter of the invention is a fabric layer of a bellows, e.g., of a connection between two hinge-linked vehicles or of an aircraft passenger bridge, the fabric layer being plastically deformed by a force acting on the fabric.
US07669614B2
A method for pipeline rehabilitation grout coverage inspection according to embodiments of the present invention includes installing a tubular liner within a pipeline by filling a space between the tubular liner and the pipeline with grout, creating a heat transfer across the tubular liner, and observing an inside of the tubular liner with an infrared camera to detect an infrared signal differential between areas of the tubular liner in contact with the grout and areas of the tubular liner not in contact with the grout. Observing and inspecting the inside of the tubular liner may be accomplished simultaneously with rounding of the liner and smoothing of the grout by harnessing an infrared camera to a swab and advancing the swab with chilled compressed air to cool the liner, according to embodiments of the present invention.
US07669608B2
There is disclosed a substrate treating method comprising supplying a treating solution onto a substrate, and continuously discharging a first cleaning solution to the substrate from a first discharge region disposed in a nozzle, while moving the nozzle and substrate with respect to each other in one direction, wherein a length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first discharge region is equal to or more than a maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate, the nozzle continuously spouts a first gas to the substrate from a first jet region, and the length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first jet region is equal to or more than the maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate.
US07669606B2
A make up case for discharging a powder includes an upper body including a cap insert member; a support jaw ring; an upper inside thread member; and a lower inside thread member, a lower body including a perpendicular rod body having a support member and a perpendicular rod wherein the perpendicular rod includes a closing jaw ring and a moving guide groove and the support member includes a plurality of through-holes therein; a reservoir; and an outside thread member, a middle member including an inner hole; an insert coupler; a support plate; and a cone resilient member, a discharge guide including a brush cover; a discharge hole; and a brush, and a cap, wherein the cone resilient member is pressed to open the inner hole in the state where the brush cover touches and pushes the support plate.
US07669599B2
Mask ports 180 for attaching supplemental oxygen tubes 510 or measurement devices to a respiratory mask are downwardly directed and recessed into the base 110 of the mask frame 100. The ports may comprise a pair of downwardly extending tubular spigots 185 each housed in a respective recess 190 in the base 110, with a shallow bridging recess 290 therebetween for receiving a bridging piece 300 of a closure cap 280.
US07669588B2
A rotary clip rotation mechanism for an air gun, having a nail for engaging with a nail engagement section provided in the rotary clip and causing rotation of a rotary clip, comprises an L-shaped arm, capable of rotating about an arm shaft, with a muzzle side end opening section formed from a curved surface section; an arm elastic section provided at a position contacting the tip of the curved surface section of the L-shaped arm, a nail support arm provided so as to rotate on a gun rear end side of the L-shaped arm by means of a connecting elastic section, and a nail urged in the direction of the tip end by a nail elastic section provided on a tip of the nail support arm.
US07669586B2
A gear drive assembly for a supercharger is provided. The gear drive assembly has at least one gear member rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a cover member operable to substantially enclose the at least one gear member. A tube member extends though the cover member and is generally aligned along the axis of rotation. The tube member is operable to vent the gear drive assembly. A supercharger assembly incorporating the gear drive assembly is also disclosed.
US07669573B2
A scooter type vehicle provides a pair of right and left frame members in the interior of a vehicle body cover so as to extend substantially horizontally between a head pipe and the front end of a seat. Right and left footrest plates are provided outside on the right and left of the vehicle body cover. An engine is provided between the right and left frame members with the cylinder axis of the cylinder block being provided so as to extend longitudinally, and the center axis of a crankshaft is provided so as to extend laterally and to be located above the upper surfaces of the right and left footrest plates as seen in a side view. A balancer shaft is located below the crankshaft, and the crankshaft and the balancer shaft are sandwiched and supported between the upper and lower case halves with their center axes being located on the joining surface.
US07669572B2
An intake manifold assembly includes an intake manifold having an inlet configured to receive an air/fuel mixture from a carburetor, an outlet configured to discharge the air/fuel mixture into a combustion chamber, an interior wall at least partially defining an intake passageway fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet, and an aperture in the interior wall. The aperture is positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The intake manifold assembly also includes a first regulator received in the aperture and at least partially positioned in the intake passageway to effectively decrease the cross-sectional open area of the intake passageway. The first regulator is selectable from a plurality of regulators configured to each be at least partially positionable in the intake passageway. The first regulator is configured to be removed and replaced by a second regulator from the plurality of regulators without disassembly of the intake manifold from the carburetor.
US07669570B2
A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter device to allow high pressure fuel from the fuel supply line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A one-way valve is in communication with the diverter device to manage the pressurized fuel provided to the plurality of fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank during normal operation.
US07669567B2
In a valve timing adjusting device, a support section of a planetary carrier supporting a planetary rotator to enable sun-and-planet motion is located on an inner peripheral side of a first center, which is a tooth contact center between a first gear section of the first rotator and a third gear section of the planetary rotator, and is separate from an inner peripheral side of a second center, which is a tooth contact center between a second gear section of the second rotator and a fourth gear section of the planetary rotator. First moment generated in the planetary rotator by a radial load applied to the third gear section by the first gear section is larger than second moment generated in the planetary rotator by a radial load applied to the fourth gear section by the second gear section.
US07669562B2
In a multi-cylinder engine provided with a cylinder pausing function, a hydraulically-operated valve-pausing mechanism is capable of selectively suspending operation of at least one intake or exhaust valve of one or more selected cylinders, depending on engine operating conditions, such that the suspended valve is temporarily held in a closed state. A hydraulic-pressure control device, for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to the valve-pausing mechanism, is disposed on an engine body so as to minimize an amount of protrusion of the hydraulic-pressure control device from the engine body, while situating the hydraulic-pressure control device near the valve-pausing mechanism. A recess portion is formed on an external surface of a cylinder head or a head cover, and the hydraulic-pressure control device is disposed on the engine such that at least part of the hydraulic-pressure control device is accommodated in the recess portion.
US07669560B2
A gas exchange control mechanism for an opposed-piston engine which opens and closes inlet and outlet slots provided in the cylinder irrespective of the position of the pistons. The opposed pistons are guided completely or partially during stroke in sliding sleeves during operation of the engine. The sleeves may reciprocate mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically in a linear manner. The sliding sleeves are adapted to open and close gas guide channels located in the engine housing.
US07669553B2
A bird feeding system may include a platform that is sized and configured to catch at least a portion of the bird feed that may fall from a bird feeder. The platform may include a frame and a catching portion, which may have a permeable construction. The frame may be configured to be moved between a collapsed position for storage and an expanded position for use. Advantageously, the platform may be connected to different types and configurations of bird feeders and/or other structures using attachment members that are adjustable in length.
US07669552B2
An inflatable bed is filled with a fluid, whether it is a gas or a liquid, a desirable, in order to form a comfortable bed. The durable pet bed has at least two layers of bullet resistant fabric therein, with a fluid chamber therein protected on all sides by the bullet resistant fabric layers and capable of receiving a gas, fluid, gel, or liquid to provide comfort and safety for the pet using the bed.
US07669551B2
A pet activity system for releasably joining a plurality of parts. These parts include bases, extenders and attachments wherein each is characterized as having either the male or female portion of at least one snap connector whereby the parts are releasably connectable to one another. As a preferred embodiment, multiple connectors are employed each requiring different forces to disengage those portions of the activity system that they connect from one another.
US07669539B2
A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion. The second housing portion is configured to move between a first position extending to a second portion of the seed disk to operate in concert with the first housing portion to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second position providing access to at least a portion of the second portion of the seed disk including the lowest most portion of the seed disk.
US07669529B2
An apparatus for mounting and demounting a materials sheet onto and from a cylindrical surface of a drum (10) has clamps (40) pivotably arranged upon the sheet materials drum. The clamps have a first region (80) and a second region (70) either side of a pivot axis. The second region (70) clamps the materials sheet to the cylindrical surface (20) of the drum. A backbone (120) extends along the length of the drum and is removably attached to the drum. Push rods (90) movably arranged on the backbone are capable of being operated to push against the first region of the clamps to pivot the clamps to move the second region of the clamps. Any existing clasped materials sheet is thereby unclasped from the cylindrical surface.
US07669516B2
A sealing arrangement which is designed for a cylinder-piston arrangement of a reciprocating piston vacuum pump for sealing a gap between a cylinder wall and a piston displaceable in the cylinder, includes at least one L-shaped annular seal having one of its leg secured on the piston for providing a static sealing, and its another free leg adjoining the cylinder wall for providing a dynamic sealing, and an annular guide member arranged on the piston between the piston and the cylinder on a side of the seal remote from a compression chamber of the pump.
US07669505B2
A hand tool for gripping a workpiece can include a first lever having a first handle and a first jaw and a second lever having a second handle and a second jaw. A locking assembly can include a pivoting lever, a locking pin and a blocking member. The pivoting lever can be pivotally coupled to the second lever. The blocking member can be coupled to the first lever. The pivoting lever can be movable between an unlocked position, wherein the first and second jaw move relative to each other and a locked position, wherein the first and second jaws are fixed relative to each other. In the locked position, the locking pin can be wedged against a contact surface of the blocking member precluding relative motion of the blocking member and the pivoting lever.
US07669496B2
A driving force transmission apparatus has a driving gear; a driven gear; a toothed clutch transferring the driving force from driving gear to driven gear and which includes driving-side and driven-side ratchets that are movable in the axial direction of the clutch; and a compression spring biasing driven-side ratchet toward driving-side ratchet. When the tip end of the pawl of the driven-side ratchet is at the same position as the tip end of the pawl of the driving-side ratchet in the axial direction of the toothed clutch, the compression spring biasing force acts on the driven-side ratchet. And when the driven-side ratchet fully engages the driving-side ratchet, the biasing force does not act on the driven side ratchet.
US07669492B2
A rotational movement generating apparatus having a platform supported by a support assembly. The support assembly connects to a central point of the platform in a manner that allows the platform to rotate at the central point. A central axis is defined with the circular rotation of the platform. The platform defines a first radius line extending from the central point to an outer edge of the platform. An arm connects to the platform at a connection point that is spaced apart from the first radius line of the platform. A first portion of the arm ends at an elbow where it connects to a second portion of the arm. The second portion of the arm is positioned to extend in an upward direction over the first radius line at a predetermined angle towards the central axis. A thrust bearing is positioned above the platform in alignment with the central point. The thrust bearing has an outer disk rotatably encircling a thrust cylinder. The second portion of the arm connects to the outer disk. The thrust bearing is positioned so that when the thrust cylinder is pulled with a predetermined force away from the platform along the central axis, the platform rotates.
US07669491B2
There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction; a second current tank adapted to rotate to produce a second current in a second direction; a sample adapted to be exposed to the first current and the second current.
US07669489B2
A method for automated loading of liquid sample to a liquid chromatography testing device is provided including installing a disposable tip on a probe, moving the probe with an automated liquid handler to a loading position proximate to a sample, and drawing a sample into the disposable tip. The probe is then moved to an injection position proximate an injection port, and the sample is injected from the disposable tip into the injection port. Also provided are the novel injection ports. After injection of the sample, the disposable tip is then removed from the probe. These steps may be repeated a plurality of times to sequentially load a plurality of samples. An exemplary method of the invention is directed to use with a liquid chromatography apparatus. An apparatus for assisting in the removal of the disposable tip is also provided.
US07669483B1
Tangential forces present at the mating area between a clamp-on transducer and a pipe can be made very small in order to provide a higher quality, more stable acoustic coupling. In some cases this is accomplished by providing a low friction bearing on a surface of a transducer housing. This bearing may be a slippery surface portion, or may involve a rotary bearing mounted on the housing. In other cases, where a steel pipe is used, pairs of permanent magnets coupled by a yoke can provide the desired clamping force directed solely along a radius of the pipe.
US07669482B2
A technique enables testing of a wellbore tubular under simulated well conditions. The wellbore tubular is mounted in a fixture for testing. Controllable systems are used to subject the wellbore tubular to a variety of predetermined conditions simulating potential downhole environments. The controllable systems include manipulators able to place the wellbore tubular under predetermined load, displacement, temperature, and pressure conditions.
US07669478B2
An ultrasonic driving device with multi-frequency scanning that includes a signal generating module, an output module, and an ultrasonic transducer module. The signal generating module provides a first drive signal, the frequency of which varies within a specified range. The output module is connected electrically to the signal generating module for receiving the first drive signal therefrom, and for adjusting amplitude of the first drive signal to result in a second drive signal. The ultrasonic transducer module is connected electrically to the output module for receiving the second drive signal therefrom, and for producing ultrasounds, the frequency of which corresponds to that of the second drive signal.
US07669467B2
This invention relates to an adhesive joint for joining components of transport craft, in particular of aircraft, wherein the adhesive joint is formed by an adhesive means. According to the invention, the adhesive means has several functional elements with actuatory and/or sensory properties, in particular for enabling a minimum mechanical load capacity of the adhesive joint and/or detecting a mechanical loading state in the adhesive joint. Due to the presence of functional elements integrated in the adhesive joint direct and simple testing of the mechanical load capacity of the adhesive joint is possible without costly external test structures, e.g. in the form of measuring and testing systems for conducting tensile load tests or the like. Moreover, mechanical stress states in the adhesive joint can be detected. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for determining a minimum mechanical load capacity and/or mechanical strength of an adhesive joint.
US07669463B2
A method of determining the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine 12, more particularly when operated on a test rig, wherein fuel is supplied in a circuit to the internal combustion engine and discharged therefrom and wherein a quantity of fuel is supplied to the circuit 11 via a branch line 22 from a fuel tank 23 and measured in the branch line, wherein temperature-related changes in the volume of the fuel are determined in the circuit 11 and wherein the consumed quantity {dot over (m)}S determined in the branch line 22 is corrected by a corrective quantity {dot over (m)}K corresponding to the temperature-related changes in volume in the circuit.
US07669461B2
The system and method for detecting water and/or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.
US07669455B2
The invention provides an automatic zero point correction device that includes a pressure sensor, wherein output from the sensor is outputted and the sensor output is inputted to a time-varying zero point drift correction means of the sensor; a sensor output judgement means of the time-varying zero point drift correction means, wherein the sensor output judgement means operates to make a judgement determining whether the sensor output is larger than a set value; and operating condition judgement means of the time-varying zero point drift correction means, wherein the operating condition judgement means judges operating conditions of the sensor, wherein the time-varying zero point drift correction means operates to cancel time-varying zero point drift of the sensor when the sensor output judgement means determines sensor output is larger than the set value and the operating condition judgement means determines operating conditions of the sensor are within previously set operating conditions.
US07669452B2
A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.
US07669446B2
An indexer is used on or in combination with a sheet bending brake to cut or bend a piece of sheet metal at a predetermined location without having to make pre-measurements and marks. The indexer comprises a scale and a rotable shaft having a handle. A first bending arm with a gauge and opposed second and third bending arms are connected to the shaft. Second and third arms each have a stop that positions the sheet metal to make a cut or bend at the predetermined location. An example of a method of using the indexer is also discussed.
US07669438B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. Prior to a condensation step, a compressor is used to increase the waste anesthetic gas pressure in order to facilitate condensation of anesthetic gas components at higher temperatures and in greater amounts than through condensation at lower pressures. Condensing the anesthetic gas components from the compressed waste anesthetic gas stream is then achieved using conventional condensation systems, which remove anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. A preferred embodiment of the invention may be used with existing high-flow scavenging or reclamation systems but is more preferably used with low-flow scavenging or reclamation systems, which employ intelligent waste anesthetic gas collection units to minimize the ingress of atmospheric gas when no waste anesthetic gas is to be purged from the healthcare facility.
US07669435B2
In an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing chilling in a localized area comprises a chiller compartment and an independent cooling source thermally coupled to the chiller compartment by a thermally conductive interface. The cooling source provides a separate controllable temperature to the chiller compartment, which is adapted to be removably positioned in a selected temperature controlled environment. In another aspect a refrigerator comprises a freezer unit, a fresh food unit and a chiller compartment adapted to be removably positioned in either the freezer unit or the fresh food unit as a secondary chilling compartment. In another aspect a method of chilling comprises cooling a modular chiller compartment using an independent cooling source, chiller compartment being removably positioned within a temperature controlled environment and the cooling source and the chiller compartment being thermally coupled.
US07669434B2
A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device.
US07669424B2
A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a casing arrangement defining an aperture and a seal element mounted on the casing arrangement through which a component of the combustor can extend. The seal element comprises a relatively flexible force absorbing portion and a relatively rigid sealing portion. The force absorbing portion is provided between the sealing portion and the casing arrangement. The force absorbing portion is resiliently deformable to absorb force during movement of the casing arrangement. Such resilient deformation restricts transmission of the forces to the sealing portion. The seal element may be configured to carry a seal member.
US07669421B2
A gas turbine combustor having an inner tube and a transition pipe connected together is provided. The combustor includes an internal swirler and an external swirler. The internal swirler is composed of a cylindrical inward swirler ring disposed concentrically with respect to a central axis of the inner tube, and a plurality of inward swirler vanes provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inward swirler ring. The external swirler is composed of a cylindrical outward swirler ring disposed on an outer peripheral side of the inward swirler vanes and concentrically with respect to the inward swirler ring, and a plurality of outward swirler vanes provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outward swirler ring. The internal swirler and the external swirler are disposed within the inner tube.
US07669413B2
In a hybrid excavator, a hydraulic pump and a generator motor are connected in parallel to an output shaft of an engine and a rotation motor is driven by a battery. The generator motor assists the engine by performing a motor function. Power consumption of each of the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor is detected. The output of the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor is controlled such that the sum of the detected power consumption does not exceed maximum supply power set as the sum of power that can be supplied to the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor.
US07669409B2
An exhaust treatment system for a combustion source is disclosed. The exhaust treatment system may have a supply of catalyst configured to lower the combustion threshold value of an exhaust constituent, and an injector operable to selectively pass catalyst to the exhaust constituent. The exhaust treatment system may further have a controller in communication with the injector. The controller may be configured to determine a temperature of an exhaust flow, and operate the injector to pass catalyst in response to the combustion threshold value being greater than the determined temperature.
US07669406B2
A supersonic propulsion system is provided. The supersonic propulsion system includes a plurality of systems for efficiently creating cyclic detonations and at least one rocket booster device. Each of the systems include at least a first initiator chamber configured to generate an initial wave, at least one main chamber coupled to the first initiator chamber. The main chamber is configured to generate a main wave and to output products of supersonic combustion. The products are generated within the main chamber. The main chamber is configured to enable the main wave to travel upstream and downstream within the main chamber when the first initiator chamber is located outside the main chamber. The system further includes an initial connection section located between the first initiator chamber and the main chamber that enhances a combustion process via shock focusing and shock reflection.
US07669404B2
A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.
US07669391B2
A mower-conditioner implement is equipped with a rotary disc cutter bar and associated with the cutter bar are a plurality of crop-lifting units that cooperate to define an upright lip that works together with transversely spaced ramp sections, of the respective lifting units, that incline downwardly to the front from transversely spaced locations along the top of the lip for lifting and directing cut crop to the conditioner. In one embodiment, the crop-lifting units are releasably coupled to the cutter bar, and, in a second embodiment, are formed integrally with the cutter bar.
US07669383B2
A fire door designed to slow the progress of a fire in a dwelling or commercial building. More particularly, a fire door having one or more vertical stiles that include a layer of intumescent material.
US07669368B2
Sliding door for motor vehicles, having an outer door skin, an inner door skin and a door inside trim, supported on a guide rail on a vehicle body and movable between opened and closed positions. The sliding door includes a cable guide assembly for accommodating and guiding electric cables, which connect first electric elements provided in or on the vehicle body to second electric elements provided on the sliding door, whereby on moving the sliding door, the cable guide assembly is movable in a plane including the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and whereby a guide channel for guiding the cable guide assembly is provided on moving the sliding door. Guide surfaces of the guide channel are formed or integrated at least in sections on the inner door skin, in a door module support and/or on the door inside trim.
US07669364B2
Plant protection devices, kits, and methods of protecting plants during adverse conditions are provided. The plant protection devices can have a enclosure and/or a precipitation member assembly. The plant protection devices can provide wind protection, mulch retention, and precipitation deflection.
US07669361B2
An adjustable outrigger moves a trolling pole on a fishing vessel to an elevated, outboard position for trolling and inboard to a lowered position when not in use. The outrigger of a preferred embodiment is operated using an operating handle. Rotating the operating handle in one direction rotates a pole held by the outrigger from an inboard position to the outboard, deployed position. Simultaneously with the rotation in the horizontal plane, the pole is elevated in the vertical plane from a near horizontal position to a suitable trolling angle. The operating handle turns a shaft that communicates the rotation of the handle to an internal drive mechanism, which is housed in a drive mechanism housing. The rotational motion is converted to a linear, vertical action using a ball gear mechanism. A track provided by a bayonet coupler converts the linear vertical motion into a combined vertical and rotational motion.
US07669351B1
A dispenser for a sanitary shoe cover holds a stack of shoe covers with their resiliently elastic mouths in a stretched-open condition in a storage zone. Sanitary covers are carried individually from the storage zone stack to a dispensing zone. The individual shoe cover is automatically released from the dispenser in response to downward insertion of the shoe-covered foot into the stretched-open shoe cover, permitting the resiliently elastic mouth to gather into abutment with the shoe-covered foot. The process is automatically repeated to carry another individual cover to the dispensing zone in response to the upward removal of the sanitary-covered, shoe-covered foot from the dispensing zone.
US07669346B2
An annular having a central bore includes a conical surface concentric with the bore such that the conical surface has a peak, an inner trough and an outer lip and the inner trough is adjacent to the central bore. A retention groove located under the outer lip has an outside diameter that is less than the lip outside diameter. A tapered reflective face extends outward from the retention groove. When a code wheel disc having an inside diameter that is smaller than said lip outside diameter is pressed onto the conical surface, the difference in size of the lip outside diameter and the disc inside diameter promotes a deflection of the disc which forces it to conform to the tapered reflective surface.
US07669344B2
A single-scale, single-drive coordinate measuring machine that compensates for hysteresis error caused by friction at the non-driven end of the bridge. The coordinate measuring machine is calibrated to estimate hysteresis effects at one or more distances from the scale. Measurements of workpieces are adjusted based on the calibration data and the distances of the carriage from the scale at the point of the measurements. The scale and the drive system may be positioned on opposite guideways.
US07669342B1
A snap-on support has a body and a pair of spaced-apart arms supported by the body and adapted for snap-fit connection with a geomatics target device. The arms are moveable between an operative position wherein the arms extend outward from the body for securing the support to the geomatics target device and a stowed position wherein the arms are retracted generally adjacent to the body for storage of the support.
US07669334B2
Disclosed is a system for forming a blade-section including a transporting frame, at least one transporting support removeably associated with the transporting frame, and a blade-section forming structure receptive of the transporting frame and the at least one transporting support.
US07669333B2
A method for providing a connection between concrete parts. One of the concrete parts is provided with a number of encased, projecting reinforcing bars. The other concrete part is provided with a series of cavities in which said reinforcing bars are placed and are then fixed to the concrete part in question by being encased. The cavities are produced by encasing a body, which at least on the outside comprises a polysiloxane material, in the concrete. When a tensile force is applied to the body a considerable reduction in its cross section takes place, so that it is possible for the non-sticking body to be removed from the concrete in a simple way, after which the desired cavity remains.
US07669328B1
A method of manufacturing a push rod from a length of tube having a first end and a second end. The tube is held in a first fixture and a first tool is brought into engagement with the first end while a force is applied to deform the first end into a cone. A disc is thereafter affixed to the cone through a welding process. The tube with the disc attached is moved to a second fixture and a threaded shaft is partially inserted into the tube adjacent the second end. A radial force is applied to the tube that causes the tube to be compressed into engagement with the threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is then rotated causing its translation within the tube to establish a desired length between a face on the disc and a head on the threaded shaft to complete the manufacture of the push rod.
US07669321B1
A test site is incorporated on a circuit board having a set of test connections passing through a test via on respective test connection layer, the test connection layers including (1) a first layer adjacent to a target layer, and (2) a second layer spaced apart from the target layer with the first layer therebetween. The test via is back-drilled from the direction of the second layer to remove undesired via metallization, breaking the test connections of all the layers through which it passes, and the continuity of the test connections is measured to determine a pattern of broken and non-broken test connections resulting from the back-drilling. The pattern of broken and non-broken test connections is examined to ascertain the actual depth of the back-drilling in relation to the target layer.
US07669314B2
Methods for fabricating a printhead are described. In one embodiment, a method includes forming on a substrate using a single fabrication technique multiple resistors, some of the resistors to be used as heater resistors configured to eject fluid and some of the resistors to be used as storage resistors that store data, annealing the heater resistors, and intentionally not annealing at least one of the storage resistors, wherein the annealed storage resistors have a first state representing a first digital value and the unannealed storage resistors have a second state representing a second digital value, such that the values associated with the storage resistors can be read by an appropriate detection circuit.
US07669307B2
Ultrasonic end stops and methods of making ultrasonic end stops are provided. The present invention relates to plastic reclosable fasteners with sliders for opening and closing the reclosable fasteners on plastic bags and the like and particularly to the use of protruding end stop structures on reclosable fasteners to prevent travel of sliders past the fastener ends. The end stop structures include at least one of high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, a cyclic olefin copolymer, a high density material, or a high modulus material and may optionally include low density polyethylene or linear low density polyethylene.
US07669301B2
A modular tenter frame for guiding a pair of chains with pins through a predetermined path to transport an open width tubular knit web through a drying oven and/or a steaming station to a compressive treating station to improve quality of the open width tubular knit web. The frame includes a rail section. The rail section guides an associated chain with the pins through the predetermined path to transport the open width tubular knit web through the drying oven and/or the steaming station to the compressive treating station to improve the quality of the open width tubular knit web. The rail section has a pair of recessed tracks being longitudinal, facing in a same direction, being spaced-apart from each other by a space therebetween defined by a web, and receiving the chains.
US07669292B2
A process of decortication for separating the bast from the inner core of fibre plants using a disc refiner includes the steps of cutting the straw to a predetermined length; refining the straw by passing the cut straw of the predetermined length through a disc refiner with an applied energy less than about 150 kWh/t; and screening the refined straw to separate the bast fibres from the inner core.
US07669281B2
A portable electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a body (23), and a suction nozzle (27) provided unitarily with the body (23) at a front lower portion of the body (23) and projecting forward from the body (23) as having a predetermined length. The suction nozzle (27) is, for example, a tubular member of a fixed shape composed of a resin and tapered toward a distal end thereof. The suction nozzle (27) has a nozzle suction port (271) provided at the distal end thereof. The portable electric vacuum cleaner is generally used with a floor brush (3) attached to the suction nozzle (27). When the floor brush (3) is detached from the body (2), the suction nozzle (27) appears. Thus, the portable electric vacuum cleaner is conveniently used. Further, the suction nozzle (27) is hardly missing.
US07669280B2
A steam nozzle attachment for a steam cleaner having a substantially rectangular frame with a steam outlet positioned between the front and rear walls of the frame is provided. A plurality of baffles to distribute steam are disposed substantially perpendicular to the steam nozzle between the side walls of the frame. A replaceable fabric pocket that fits snugly over the frame is provided to distribute cleaning steam to the surface to be cleaned.
US07669261B2
What is shown is an apparatus (10) for adjusting the bed (12) of an operating table, the said bed comprising a plurality of segments (14a to 14f) adjustable in relation to one another, at least some of the adjustable segments (14a to 14f) being connected to actuators (16a to 16f) which can be activated in order to adjust the associated segments (14a to 14f). The apparatus (10) comprises an input device (18) for the input of commands for the adjustment of at least some of the segments (14a to 14f) connected to actuators (16a to 16f). The apparatus (10) can be operated in at least two operating modes which correspond in each case to a specific position of a patient on the bed (12). The input device (18) has means for the input of body-part-related adjustment commands which are associated with the adjustment of the position of a body part or body portion of the patient. The apparatus (10) comprises means (22) for activating the actuators (16a to 16f, which are suitable for activating the actuators (16a to 16f) as a function of the current operating mode and of a body-part-related adjustment command, such that an adjustment of the position of a body part is brought about in accordance with the body-part-related adjustment command.
US07669259B2
A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck movable from a use position to a stowed position. The patient-support deck is configured to engage receivers of the patient-support apparatus to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism. A storage structure is configured to support the patient-support deck in a stowed position. The storage structure is configured to deflect under load to prevent damage to the storage structure or patient-support deck.
US07673347B2
Techniques are described for protecting information in a convenient and useful way. A user transmits information from a mobile device to an ambient display, so that other users may receive the information from the ambient display. A display controller detects a presence of a potentially unauthorized user relative to the ambient display, and modifies the outputting of the information at the ambient display so as to hide portions of the information that should not be seen by the potentially unauthorized user. The information, including the hidden portion, is nonetheless output, using one of a plurality of output channels of one or more secondary devices, either to the user and/or the other users. In this way, authorized users may continue to receive the information, and, moreover, may input an indication as to whether an extent of the hidden portion is sufficient to provide adequate security with regard to the information.
US07673340B1
A system and method for monitoring and analyzing user activity of an interactive system, providing insight and recommendations to improve the interactive system based on the user activity. The present invention analyzes user behavior in the context of the structure of the interactive system as experienced by the user, the analysis of business-critical user tasks, the automated generation of recommendations for improving the interactive system, reports on the interactive system's application logic and data, unique visualizations of user behavior through the use of graphical displays, and secure report viewing and creation. The present invention can be applied to number of interactive systems or a combination thereof.
US07673339B2
A member-store functional unit transfers the name of a member store and the title of a campaign to an ID-assigning functional unit which assigns IDs to the title of the campaign and the name of the member store. The ID-assigning functional unit then transmits the IDs to an encoding functional unit. A broadcasting functional unit broadcasts the IDs, encoded by the encoding functional unit, by multiplexing the IDs in an audio signal. A reception functional unit receives the IDs whereas a decoding functional unit extracts and decodes the IDs. The decoding functional unit then outputs the IDs to a customer-number-assigning functional unit with a receiver ID. The customer-number-assigning functional unit forms a judgment on validity of the member-store ID, the campaign ID and the receiver ID, and assigns a customer number to the receiver ID if the member-store ID, the campaign ID and the receiver ID are found valid. An anonymous-customer management functional unit sends the customer number to a member-store functional unit so as to make a request for a transmission of a service identified by the campaign ID to the reception functional unit by way of an anonymous-service management functional unit.
US07673338B1
An intelligent electronic cryptographic module comprising a processor in communication with data storage, a cryptography chip for encrypting and decrypting messages and responses, at least one server-side port for receiving and transmitting encrypted and non-encrypted messages and responses between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and an enterprise server, and at least one non-encrypted port for receiving and transmitting decrypted and non-encrypted messages and responses between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and at least one intelligent electronic device. The data storage comprises computer instructions for instructing the processor to select a protocol module and telemetry method, authenticate the enterprise server and intelligent electronic cryptographic module, encrypt and decrypt messages and responses using the cryptography chip, and transmit and receive messages and responses.
US07673333B2
A method of supporting a substantially secure backup copy of a key-server database, said database comprising security information specific to a plurality of users, absent the need for a duplicate key-server is disclosed. According to the method, each individual's security data is stored within the key-server database and is also stored on a portable data storage device, such as a smart card or a PCMCIA token. If the key-server crashes and the database stored thereon is lost, a duplicate key-server database is reconstructed using the aggregate of the partial database files stored on each individual's portable data storage device. Similarly, when a portable data storage device is lost, it can be rebuilt from the data stored within the key-server.
US07673303B2
A computer system uses simplified device drivers for operating hardware devices. A simplified device driver for a hardware device of a given device type, such as a flatbed scanner, works with a system-supplied common driver for that given device type. The common driver and the simplified driver together function like a regular device driver. The simplified device driver implements a small number of entry point functions corresponding to a pre-selected set of operation commands “generic” to hardware devices of that given device type. When an application makes a request for an operation by the device, the request is passed through a device driver interface (DDI) to the common driver. The common driver then calls the entry point functions in the simplified device driver to carry out the requested operation.
US07673297B1
A method and apparatus for updating set top box software from a resident software version stored in a memory of the set-top box to a current software version is disclosed. The method comprises the step of automatically checking to determine if the resident software version is the current software version, and downloading data comprising at least a portion of the current software version if the resident software version is not the current software version.
US07673291B2
Techniques for self-diagnosing performance problems in a database are provided. The techniques include classifying one or more performance problems in a database system. One or more values for quantifying an impact of the one or more performance problems on the database system are then determined. The quantified values are determined based on the performance of operations in the database system. A performance problem based on the one or more quantified values is then determined. A solution for the performance problem is generated and may be outputted.
US07673284B2
A method and system for generating efficient versioned codes for single instruction multiple data units whose memory systems have alignment constraints. The system creates multiple versions of codes based on relative alignments of the data streams involved in the computation. The system also analyzes characteristics of relative alignments (e.g. compile-time or runtime) to determine whether code versioning is beneficial based on a cost model.
US07673275B2
Embodiments of the invention include a system for integrated circuit development. Elements of the development system include hardware and software objects. These objects can be instanced, ordered, parameterized, and connected in a software environment to implement different functions. Once in software, the description defines the topology and the properties of a set of objects and hence the overall function. These objects are hierarchically composed from a set of primitive objects. By using a piece of hardware that can model any primitive object set as pre-established encapsulated hardware objects, the topology and properties define a piece of hardware that can perform the desired, implemented, functions. Using embodiments of the invention, circuit designers can design hardware systems with little or no knowledge of hardware or hardware design, requiring only a high-level software description.
US07673271B1
Enhancing relocatability of partial configuration bitstreams from a first area to a second area of programmable logic of an integrated circuit is described. A first set and a second set of logic resources of the programmable logic are identified. The first set and the second set of logic resources are respectively associated with the first area and the second area, the second area being wholly or partially offset from the first area. Differences between the first set of logic resources and the second set of logic resources are identified. The differences are associated with one or more of different types of circuit resources in each of the first area and the second area. Prohibit constraints associated with the differences are set.
US07673262B2
A system and method for predicting yield of integrated circuits includes at least one type of characterization vehicle which incorporates at least one feature which is representative of at least one type of feature to be incorporated in the final integrated circuit product. The characterization vehicle is subjected to at least one of the process operations making up the fabrication cycle to be used in fabricating the integrated circuit product in order to produce a yield model. The yield model embodies a layout as defined by the characterization vehicle and preferably includes features which facilitate the gathering of electrical test data and testing of prototype sections at operating speeds. An extraction engine extracts predetermined layout attributes from a proposed product layout. Operating on the yield model, the extraction engine produces yield predictions as a function of layout attributes and broken down by layers or steps in the fabrication process. These yield predictions are then used to determine which areas in the fabrication process require the most improvement.
US07673259B2
A method of synthesis of multiple implementations of a design is provided comprising: translating a model of the design to a first output model compliant with first constraints; and translating the model of the design to a second output model compliant with second constraints.
US07673256B2
Apparatus for indicating mobile electronic device status comprising a database for storing mobile electronic device status information and associated color information; a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs); a processor for retrieving the color information based on the mobile electronic device status and transmitting a signal based on the color information to the set of LEDs; wherein the set of LEDs provide a light corresponding to the color information to illuminate an area of the mobile communication device to indicate the mobile electronic device status.
US07673255B2
The present invention provides an interface, system, or method for displaying a window on a display in which a thumbnail corresponding to an application window is capable of being modified based on modifications in the application window. The modifications of the thumbnail may be accomplished in real-time. Also, the present invention provides an interface, system, and method for displaying a window or a thumbnail on a display in which a Desktop Window Manager (DWM) registers a source window and a destination window and/or may update or modify a thumbnail associated with the source window. Special effects may be applied to the thumbnail. The present invention further provides a method for registering and/or modifying a thumbnail and its properties or maintaining a list of thumbnail registrations.
US07673252B2
The present invention provides a method for protecting a character entered at a graphical interface. The method comprises the steps of: generating a set of images that form a complete image of a keypad having a button-to-character assignment; displaying the graphical keypad using said image set; and, obtaining the character of a selected button using the button-to-character assignment. The inventive method can be repeated with a different button-to-character assignment in each repetition to obtain a sequence of characters. In consequence of the inventive method, the entered character is protected as monitoring software can capture merely unreadable portions of the complete keypad image. In furtherance of this purpose, the present invention also provides a method for generating a set of images from a complete image of a character belonging to a character set.
US07673247B1
Control limit values may be related to noncomplying points by receiving a user selection indicating one or more datapoints to be used in a control limit operation, calculating control limit values based on the datapoints, wherein the control limit values indicate one or more noncomplying points that are not within an expected range, generating a display relating the control limit values to the noncomplying points, and identifying the noncomplying points in the generated display.
US07673243B2
A method and apparatus for a Web browser to display an alternate home page when a default home page is not presently accessible are provided. The method and apparatus ensures that the default home page is presently accessible before the browser contacts the computer system hosting the home page, when the web browser is first activated. If the default home page is accessible, it is accessed and displayed. If not, an alternate home page is accessed and displayed. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention uses a scheduler (i.e., time and day that the home page may be accessible) to determine whether the home page is presently accessible. In another embodiment, the invention uses IP addresses to determine whether the host computer and the computer used by the user are within the same network. If the two computers are within the same network, then the home page is determined to be presently accessible; otherwise, it is determined to be presently inaccessible.
US07673229B1
A gallery widget is invoked when a tag in a markup language document, such as a web page, is processed. The gallery widget selects a number of images specified in the tag and places the images in the markup language document as defined by the tag. The images are selected from a gallery containing all images available for display or from a pool of images chosen from the gallery using a gallery administration tool.
US07673228B2
Systems and/or methods are described that enable a data-driven action associated with altering a data instance of a network form without altering and/or having access to the data instance. These systems and/or methods, in one embodiment, render a result of a data-driven action for a network form without transforming the network form's data instance. In another embodiment, the systems and/or methods map a data-driven action to a view-centric logical representation of the electronic form.
US07673226B2
An approach is provided for generating Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. An LDPC encoder generates a short LDPC code by shortening longer mother codes. The short LDPC code has an outer Bose Chaudhuri Hocquenghem (BCH) code. According to another aspect, for an LDPC code with code rate of ⅗ utilizing 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying) modulation, an interleaver provides for interleaving bits of the output LDPC code by serially writing data associated with the LDPC code column-wise into a table and reading the data row-wise from right to left. The above approach has particular application in digital video broadcast services over satellite.
US07673218B2
A system for decoding coded data printed in ink on a surface. The coded data includes an encoded bit stream and associated redundancy data, and a registration structure of clock tracks indicative of a position of the coded data in the direction perpendicular to an alignment direction and two alignment lines for each clock track. The system has a store for storing the coded data and a decoder for determining a codeword format for the coded data, reading the coded data from the store using the determined format, correcting errors in the encoded bit stream, and writing the corrected data to the store. The coded data is read so as to de-interleave the encoded bit stream and redundancy data into codewords. The decoder uses an alignment phase-locked loop (PLL) to determine a position of the alignment lines so as to determine the position of each respective track and update the alignment PLL.
US07673213B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for performing data encoding involving encoding data bits according to an outer convolutional code to produce outer encoded bits, processing the outer encoded bits using an interleaver and a single parity check (SPC) module to produce intermediate bits, encoding the intermediate bits according to an inner convolutional code to produce inner encoded bits, processing the inner encoded bits using a puncture module to produce punctured bits, and combining the data bits and the punctured bits to produce encoded outputs. Methods, apparatuses, and systems are also presented for performing data decoding based on soft channel metrics derived from a channel using various iterative techniques.
US07673211B2
Methods for efficiently controlling the retransmission of data units in a wireless telecommunication system, wherein multiple complementary feedback mechanisms are used to control retransmission. A receiver attempts to decode each received data unit. If a data unit is successfully decoded, the receiver transmits positive feedback to the transmitter; if a data unit is not successfully decoded, the receiver transmits negative feedback to the transmitter. In all cases, the transmitter employs at least first and second feedback mechanisms for transmitting the positive and negative feedback. In an exemplary embodiment, acknowledgement (ACK) and non-acknowledgement (NACK) messages are sent in response to the receipt of each data unit on a first unreliable channel and Status Messages identifying sequence numbers of particular data units are periodically transmitted on a second reliable channel; the receiver preferably removes data units from its transmit window only upon receipt of a Status Message indicating successful decode.
US07673209B2
Provided are a test pattern generating circuit which generates test patterns having various types and lengths and a semiconductor memory device which performs a test operation using the test pattern generating circuit. The test pattern generating circuit includes a plurality of register blocks which receive test signals input from an external tester through an input/output pad and load the test signals into the resister blocks in synchronization with a low-frequency clock signal; a register block control unit which controls the activation of the register blocks; and an output unit which is connected to the register blocks and outputs the signals loaded into the register blocks as test patterns in synchronization with a high-frequency clock signal.
US07673208B2
An integrated chip architecture is provided which allows for efficiently testing multiple cores included in the integrated chip architecture and storing corresponding diagnosis data which include an indication of the failure-causing test data and the corresponding test analysis data. Embodiments are provided which enable that the test time and the number of required Input/Output test pins is nearly independent from the number of cores included in the multicore chip. The presented embodiments provide a multicore chip architecture which allows for providing input data to the multiple cores in parallel for simultaneously testing the multiple cores, and analyzing the resulting multiple test outputs on chip. As a result of this analysis embodiments may store on chip an indication for those cores that have not successfully passed the test, together with respective diagnosis data.
US07673204B2
A method is provided that uses non-linear data compression in order to generate a set of test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit. The method includes the steps of initially designing the set of test vectors, and selecting one of multiple available coding schemes for each test vector wherein at least two of the coding schemes selected for encoding are different from one another, and wherein one of the available coding schemes represents non-encoded data. The method further comprises operating a random pattern generator to generate data blocks, each corresponding to one of the test vectors, wherein the data block corresponding to a given test vector is encoded with a bit pattern representing the coding scheme of the given test vector. The corresponding data block also has a bit length that is less than the bit length of the given test vector. Each data block is routed to a plurality of decoders, wherein each decoder is adapted to recognize only one of the coding schemes represented by one of the bit patterns. The decoder recognizing the coding scheme of the data block decodes the bit pattern of the data block and generates the test vectors corresponding to the data block.
US07673193B1
An apparatus and method for a processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package (SiP) and system-in-package (SiP) integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a processing module, a memory module and a programmable system module. The programmable system module is configured to function as an interface between the memory module and the processing module, or as an interface between the memory module and a testing device. The invention facilitates integration and testing of processor-memory units including functional components having different communication protocols.
US07673192B2
A system and method are used to provide uncorrelated code hopping in a communications system. A multi-bit linear shift register receives data and clocks the data fifteen times. A word assembler receives the shifted data and outputs a fifteen bit word. A mixer mixes the fifteen bit word with an numerical value of active codes to generate a mixed signal. A divider divides the mixed signal to produce a divided signal. A truncator truncates the divided signal to its seven most significant bits to produce a pseudo random hop number. A code matrix shifter circularly shifts the active codes in a code matrix based on the pseudo random hop number to produce a circularly shifted code. A transmitter transmits the circularly shifted code matrix.
US07673191B2
Deviation of an expected error rate for a backend server invoked by an application to process a request is used to characterize the backend server health. Performance data generated in response to monitoring application execution is processed to select backend error rate data. The selected data is processed to predict future values of a time series associated with backend error rates. The predicted error rate values are compared to actual error rate values in the time series to determine a deviation from the predicted value. Deviation information for the time series data of error rates is then reported to a user through an interface in a simplified manner.
US07673188B2
A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.
US07673185B2
A SAS expander adaptively configures a Serial-Attached-SCSI (SAS) PHY to accommodate varying lengths of a cable coupling the PHY to a remote PHY. The expander (a) configures the SAS PHY with settings of an entry of a table of PHY configuration settings, each entry in the table having different PHY configuration setting values; (b) clears a counter; (c) operates the PHY to communicate with the remote PHY for a monitoring period, after configuring the PHY and clearing the counter; (d) increments the counter when the PHY detects a PHY event during the monitoring period, and otherwise decrements the counter; (e) repeats steps (c) and (d) unless the counter rises above a threshold; and (f) when the counter rises above the threshold, repeats steps (a) through (e), wherein step (a) is performed with the settings of a different entry of the table.
US07673165B2
The image processing device comprises a first function block section formed of functional blocks which require a supply of power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state when the power supply is on, and a second function block section formed of functional blocks which need not be supplied with the power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state even when the power supply is on. The supply of power to the second function block section can be stopped when desired, while continuing the supply of power to the first function block section, thereby saving the power.
US07673156B1
An SCP (System Control Processor) 7 is provided in addition to a CPU 1 responsible for control of circuits in a computer. Upon receiving a Main ON signal (low level) indicative of the CPU 1 being inactive, the SCP 7 responds to a switch operation on a control panel 6 to supply a CD-ROM drive 2 with a command corresponding to the switch operation on said control panel 6 independently of the CPU 1 as well as to feed a high-level CD-POWER-ON signal to a power supply circuit 8 through an OR circuit 9. The power supply circuit 8 selectively supplies the CD-ROM drive 2 and an Audio amplifier 10 with driving power upon receiving the high-level signal.
US07673145B2
This invention includes an image quality priority level decision processing unit (40) which evaluates the magnitude of an image quality of each of a plurality of first image data formed from biometric images associated with the same target on the basis of a specific index having the relationship of a monotone function with authentication accuracy of biometric authentication, and outputs each of the first image data upon adding a priority level thereto on the basis of the evaluation result, a first image storage (6, 81) unit which stores each of the first image data having a priority level added thereto from the image quality priority level decision processing unit (40), a second image storage unit (8, 61) which stores second image data used for comparison/collation with the first image data, an image collation unit (7) which compares/collates the second image data stored in the second image storage unit (8, 61) with the first image data stored in the first image storage unit (6, 81) and outputs the comparison/collation result, and a control unit (9) which controls each of the units. The control unit (9) causes the image collation unit (7) to compare/collate the second image data stored in the second image storage unit (8, 61) with the first image data stored in the first image storage unit (6, 81) in accordance with the priority levels, and outputs the comparison/collation result from the image collation unit (7).
US07673138B2
There is disclosed a method for switching access folders in accordance with a confidential mode. In this method, a confidential root directory is located below a normal root directory. A directory structure constituted by the at least one confidential folder other than a confidential root directory is the same as that constituted by at least one normal folder other than a normal root directory. A file access request from an application program to a disk device is received. If the application program is operating as a process in a confidential mode, file access to the confidential file in the confidential folder is executed through a kernel, by rewriting a specified file path name with a file path name corresponding to the confidential folder below the confidential root directory. If the application program is operating as a process in the normal mode, file access to the confidential file in the confidential folder is not permitted.
US07673130B2
A system uses a protocol stack on a card external to a motherboard in a target computer system. A processor on the motherboard is able to make use of the external protocol stack during boot-up of the computer, or at any other time, so that it is not necessary to load the protocol stack into the motherboard's memory. This saves time, memory, and disk space and permits an external, managing, computer system to communicate with a computer just after power-up without loading and configuring a protocol stack so that the managing computer system can control the boot-up of the target computer system. The extra memory saved, especially, is important in running many MS-DOS applications, such as firmware flash utilities. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a UDP/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) stack resident in a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) on, e.g, a network card. The approach described herein can be applied to other utilities, protocol stacks or resources (hardware and software) on other cards.
US07673128B2
Methods and apparatus to facilitate fast restarts in processor systems are disclosed. An example processor restart method disclosed herein includes recording a log of pre-boot initialization actions, and replaying a portion of the log during subsequent processor restarts to shorten pre-boot initialization time. The example processor restart method disclosed herein may further include creating a log index table for easier referral to portions of the log, storing the log and the log index table in non-volatile memory, using the log index table to reorder the replaying of the log, and reordering the replay of the log to initialize the video graphics adapter earlier in a processor restart sequence.
US07673127B2
A system and method for utilizing generic computer operating system software for computer hardware systems designed subsequent to the operating system software. The system and method of the present invention employs a separate modular software file called a System Enabler that has all patches, code, data and resources needed to make a particular computer system operational. The System Enabler file is matched to a particular hardware system and may be bundled with that hardware system. During computer system start up the System Enabler file modifies the generic operating system software for optimum operation with the particular computer hardware system.
US07673125B2
One embodiment of the invention is a method for resetting a partition of a multiple partition system, wherein the partition comprises a plurality of processors, the method comprising executing, by one processor of the plurality of processors, reset code from firmware, building a list of reset register addresses associated with the plurality of processors, sending an interrupt to the other processors of the plurality of processors, resetting the other processors by writing a reset code to their associated reset registers, and resetting the one processor by writing to its associated reset register.
US07673115B1
Described are techniques for processing a data operation. A data operation is received at a data storage system. The data operation requests a modification of data stored in the data storage system. A first address is obtained that represents a starting address of the data operation. A calculation is performed representing a boundary condition of the starting address of the data operation. Based on the calculation, it is determined whether the data operation has a starting address which is properly aligned.
US07673107B2
A virtualization system, including: at least one first port coupled to at least one host system; at least one second port coupled to a plurality of storage systems; wherein the virtualization system is capable to control to perform processes of splitting a relationship between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume; storing first differential information identifying data of a first write request; write data of first write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume; storing second differential information identifying data of a second write request, the data of the second request being written after the splitting step, receiving a differential copying request; to copy differential data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, or to copy differential data from the second virtual volume to the first virtual volume.
US07673101B2
An information carrier medium containing software that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to receive information from circuit logic that is adapted to collect the information from caches on different cache levels. Each of the caches comprises a plurality of cache lines, and each cache line is associated with a way. The software also causes the processor to reassign the way of a cache line to a different way.
US07673096B2
A virtual storage control apparatus of the present invention writes data of a write request in an empty block of a virtual disk for data integrity to which any malicious access or false operation is not made, and records the time and the way of rewriting the data into the virtual disk by the write request on a rewrite information storage unit. When there is a data restore request for the virtual disk by designating a virtual disk and write time, the virtual storage control apparatus reads the data of the virtual disk at the write time from a virtual disk for data integrity, based on the information in the rewrite information storage unit, and restores the data of the virtual disk at the write time. With this configuration, the integrity of the data updated successively with the passage of time can be implemented.
US07673090B2
Hot plug modules comprising processors, memory, and/or I/O hubs may be added to and removed from a running computing device without rebooting the running computing device. The hot plug modules and computing device comprise hot plug interfaces that support hot plug addition and hot plug removal of the hot plug modules.
US07673087B1
Arbitration for a processor block core is described. Master devices are associated with a processor block core embedded in a host integrated circuit (“IC”). The master devices are coupled to core logic of the host IC via a crossbar switch and a bridge, which are part of the processor block core. The crossbar switch includes an arbiter. An arbitration protocol is selected from among a plurality of arbitration protocols for use by the arbiter. Pending transactions having are polled for access to the bridge for arbitration using the arbitration protocol selected.
US07673086B2
Provided are techniques for retrieving lock attention data. A group of attention connection paths configured to transmit lock attention interrupts and lock attention data between the host and the control unit are identified. A lock attention interrupt is received from the control unit. In response to receiving the lock attention interrupt, a connection path from the group of attention connection paths is selected and lock attention data is retrieved from the control unit using the selected connection path.
US07673083B2
A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of the portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player, and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
US07673082B2
The invention relates to a method for determining device criticality in a computer system comprising the steps of building a component hierarchy graph using computer configuration information; labeling the nodes of component hierarchy graph with redundancy attribute; traversing the component hierarchy graph; and determining whether the device loses an access path by inspecting the redundancy attributes within the component hierarchy graph. Furthermore, one of a plurality of severity levels is assigned to each identified affected resource based on predetermined criteria. The severity levels include a low severity level, a medium severity level, and a high severity level. Each severity level represents degree of impact to the computer system if functionality of the identified affected resource became unavailable.
US07673081B2
In a method and system for data and signal transfer between different sub-units of a medically-related system, in particular a CT system, digitized signals and digital data are transmitted together on a transmission line by means of serial multiplexing. The digitized signals and the digital data are transferred combined into individual packets having a length that is so small that the adherence to a predetermined updating rate of the signals is achieved. The expenditure for the wiring as well as for future expansions in medically-related systems can be significantly reduced.
US07673067B2
The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a system for the transfer of medical image data from at least one source application to at least one sink application, and for managing the data transfer via a controller and a message system. The method is based on a pipeline mechanism that comprises various processing stages, a requester and a serializer controller that controls the data steam to be transferred. The pipeline mechanism comprises a serializer that decomposes the data stream in individual chunks or reassembles the decomposed chunks to form a data stream, and a carrier that is responsible for the physical data transmission. Moreover, the pipeline can also comprise a converter and a manipulator that respectively execute conversions and manipulations on the data.
US07673062B2
A software based system for facilitating streaming of media files to a device over a wide area network (WAN) includes an agent process, an authentication process, a client services process and a client process. The agent process catalogs local media files and advises the authentication process of it's availability on the WAN and the address at which it may be contacted. The client process contacts the client services process to obtain, after authenticating with it, the WAN address of the agent process and contacts the agent process to receive information or meta-data describing the media files available for streaming. The client process obtains information for forming a URI or playlist, that it then passes to a media player to request the stream over the WAN. Alternately, the client process may direct the agent process to pass the URL to another client process on, for example, the same local area network.
US07673056B1
A redirection gateway is provided that bridges connections between redirection server computers and redirection client computers. The redirection gateway communicates with a redirection gateway client executing on a redirection client computer. In response to receiving a request from the redirection gateway client application, the redirection gateway establishes a connection to a redirection server application. The redirection gateway client application then causes an appropriate redirection client application for connecting to the redirection server application to be executed. The redirection gateway client application also instructs the redirection client application to connect to the redirection gateway. Once a connection between the redirection gateway and the redirection client application has been established, the redirection gateway bridges its connection to the redirection server application with its connection to the redirection client application.
US07673046B2
Systems and methods for use in connection with the trusted transmission and reception of content, such as encryption key information, from one computing device in a network to a second computing device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a way to trust or validate the transfer of a public key using a very short code entered out of band of the network that is easy for end-users to remember, or write down.
US07673045B1
A logout feature of a service that facilitates login to multiple domain websites maintains a list of the sites that a user logs on to during a session and completely logs the user out of all the sites they visited during the session. A data structure in the form of a cookie named “Visited Sites” is used by a login server to maintain a list of all sites that a user logs on to during a session. When the user selects a logout link anywhere on the network, they are directed to a logout page on the login server. The login server retires all login domain cookies first, and displays a page that explains to the user that they are about to be logged out of each domain. The logout page generates image tags for each of the sites listed in the visited-sites cookie. The image tag provides a URL hosted at each site that expires any Passport cookies that are present at the site.
US07673044B2
In online shopping or the like via the Internet, a user transmits information indicating a credit card number or the like from a client computer of the user to a server of a mail-order dealer. Before such information is actually transmitted, the client computer displays an object selected depending on the importance level of the information which is going to be transmitted and moves the object from a location close to an information providing agent representative of an agent for the user to a location close to a shop agent representative of an agent for the mail-order dealer. Displaying the object in such a manner makes it possible for the user to recognize that the information is going to be transmitted and recognize the importance level of the information. After completion of moving the object, the client computer actually transmits the information to the server.
US07673042B2
A system and method of producing network conditions on a link between points of a network; changing a condition of the produced network conditions; recording a service level or other metric achieved by a transaction of an application under the change in network conditions; and comparing the recorded service level or metric to a pre-defined service level objective.
US07673038B2
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for maintaining a connection between a server and a client by receiving a message, determining whether to store one or more elements of the message, storing the one or more elements of the message when the one or more elements of the message are to be stored, transmitting the message, and determining whether the server has failed and when the server has failed, restoring the server to a pre-failure connection state using the one or more stored message elements.
US07673036B1
A method and system provides for automated handling of a service problem reported by a wireless device customer by first identifying the specific nature of the service problem by comparing certain system condition information to a database of known problems, and then initiating a corrective action responsive to the specific nature of the service problem. One such corrective action involves communicating certain computer instructions to one or more switches or other network components to adjust their settings.
US07673032B1
Provided are techniques and apparatuses for determining the geographic location of a node on a network. In a representative embodiment, a data packet is received over the network from a second node, the data packet including a network identifier for the second node and a Time-To-Live (TTL) field that has a value, with the value of the TTL field for the data packet indicating a maximum additional number of hops that could have been made by the data packet. A probe packet addressed to the network identifier for the second node is then sent, the probe packet also including a TTL field. The initial value for the TTL field of the probe packet is set based on the value for the TTL field of the data packet.
US07673028B2
A method and system for container-based configuration and administration. In one embodiment, a configuration file is created at a first location. The configuration file is duplicated into a duplicate configuration file, which is placed at a second location.
US07673026B2
The response time from a client on a network is measured and a destination address is selected based on the measured response time. The client requests an address from the network. The network may be a local network or a wide area network such as the Internet. The response time of the client is measured to determine the optimum speed at which the client may operate. The measured response time is communicated to the server, where a destination address is selected based on the requested address and the measured response time. The client may then be connected to the destination address.
US07673022B2
In an information processing apparatus having a function for exploiting higher performance than a single server module by constituting an SMP by combining a plurality of server modules, a user is inhibited from illegally constituting an SMP construction that exceeds license information. When a partition is constituted by a construction against the SMP license information, a slot number representing the number of server modules belonging to a partition and mounted to a chassis and the number of server modules in the same partition are checked and the SMP construction is inhibited when they do not fall within the range of the slot number and the number of server modules in the license information.
US07673020B2
A method and system are provided for controlling multiple types of media devices. The method and system also facilitate communication between a computing device and one of a plurality of types of media devices. The system includes device retrieval modules controlled by the computing device for retrieving information from a group of device data sets controlled by the media device. The device data sets including a device information data set that includes a set of properties specific the type of media device. The computing device also includes object retrieval tools for retrieving object information from a group of object data sets stored on the media device and control command modules controlling objects on the media device.
US07673016B2
A method, system and computer program product for managing applications service provider (ASP) transactions between an ASP and an ASP user. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes receiving an ASP transaction request from the user via a communications network such as the Internet, selecting an ASP for processing the transaction request, and transmitting instructions for performing the transaction request, via the communications network, to the selected ASP. The ASP transaction request may be received by receiving a user identifier from the user or by receiving a document consultation request from the user. Selecting an ASP may include selecting a special service ASP.
US07673013B2
Methods and systems of processing multi-media editing projects are described. In one embodiment, a software-implemented matrix switch is programmable to route multiple switch inputs to multiple switch outputs and to produce a single output that provides a data stream defined by a multi-media editing project. A request for one or more multi-media files for use in the multi-media editing project is generated by a user computer comprising part of a network where multi-media files are maintained in a network-accessible location. The request is intercepted and a determination is made as to whether a requested multi-media file is located on the user computer. The multi-media file is retrieved if the file is located on the user computer. If the file is not on the user computer, the requested file is sought from the network-accessible location. A multi-media editing project is then produced using the software-implemented matrix switch.
US07673001B1
Techniques are described that enable enterprise management of public instant message (IM) communications. When a user requests a connection with a public IM service, the connection request is redirected to a gateway server that is associated with a domain specified in the user's user ID. The gateway server acts as a pass through server between the user's IM client application and the public IM service. The gateway server may be configured to log IM communications in which the user participates. The gateway server may also be configured to control whether or not the user is able to participate in point-to-point communications through the user's IM client application. An enterprise routing server may also be implemented in a geo-distributed enterprise to route a redirected public IM connection request to an enterprise IM gateway server based on a geographic location associated with the user.
US07672996B2
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a conference; detect a connection between a participant and the conference; and automatically reconnect the participant with the conference after participant is accidentally disconnected from the conference.
US07672994B2
A data relay and information processing method including storing in a database section identification information for identifying language-dependent data and replacement data corresponding to the language-dependent data in association with each other, receiving server data from the server system, detecting the replacement data from the database section on the basis of the identification information contained in the server data, replacing the language-dependent data as contained in the server data by the replacement data, and transmitting the server data as replaced to a client system. Thus, even in the case where the language used in the server system providing a service on the Internet is different from the language used in the client system, it is possible to recognize the information from the server by the client with reference to the replacement data.
US07672993B2
A method and system for gathering, collecting, and supplying geographically distributed data. In one embodiment, geographically distributed data is gathered in a server-commanded mode, such that the user of an electronic device need not participate in the capturing or transmitting of the data. In another embodiment, a server initiates requests the user of an electronic device to input data and the data then transmitted to the server. In another embodiment, a user initiates the capture of data with an electronic device and the electronic device transmits the data to a computer server. In another embodiment, the gathering of geographically distributed data is accomplished by the user of an electronic device instructing his electronic device to automatically collect input data and the data is then transmitted to a computer server. In embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device is a palm-sized computer system.
US07672992B1
A system for monitoring modem use in a computer system is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium that is part of the computing device or in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium includes instructions for the system to implement a method for monitoring the system for modem use. The method starts a background application on the system. A communication port is monitored for communication data. It is determined whether the communication data is a modem instruction. If the communication data is a modem instruction, a notification is prepared to be sent to an administrative system. The notification is sent to the administrative system. The notification includes identification information.
US07672991B2
The invention concerns a method and device for configuring an electronic document processing peripheral. The invention concerns more particularly a method of determining a configuration profile for an electronic document processing peripheral with the configuration profile representing a set of parameters defining a particular configuration of the peripheral. To do so, the electronic document processing peripheral determines user characteristics as a function of a user identification of a data item and then determines, as a function of the user characteristics, a configuration profile applicable for configuring the peripheral.
US07672981B1
For migration or de-duplication of a file system having a large number of files, a utility program traverses the file system to create a log of file-specific information about the file system. For identification of duplicates, the utility program produces a signature for each file. Respective instances of the utility program are started on multiple nodes upon which the file system is mounted. A fully qualified pathname is compiled during transfer of the log to a database. Multiple databases can be produced for the file system such that each database contains the file-specific information for a specified range of inode numbers. The database also maintains classification state for each file. For example, for a migration or replication process, the classification state identifies whether or not the file has been untouched, copied, linked, secondary-ized, source deleted, or modified.
US07672980B2
A data read apparatus which, when reading data in a data region sequentially, consults information pieces indicative of positions of information pieces concerning files to identify a position of an information piece concerning a file corresponding to a data piece at a reading position, consults an information piece concerning the file at the identified position to calculate an output position in a temporary memory region to which the data is to be outputted, delivers the data read out of an area in the data region to the output position, decides whether files corresponding to outputted data are all present in the temporary memory region and delivers the files to a backup region in a unit of file when the presence of all files is determined.
US07672979B1
A method for backup and restore using inconsistent state indicators comprises identifying, from among a plurality of data objects to be backed up, one or more data objects that are in an inconsistent state, and storing inconsistent state indicators (such as modified object attributes) associated with the data objects. The method may further include generating a backup aggregate such as a snapshot of the plurality of data objects, where the backup aggregate includes backup versions of the inconsistent data objects. Prior to restoring one or more data objects from the backup aggregation, the method may include using the inconsistent state indicators to identify the backup versions that correspond to the inconsistent data objects, e.g., to exclude backup versions corresponding to inconsistent data objects from a list of full restoration candidates.
US07672970B2
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlating the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.
US07672968B2
Techniques for displaying information associated with a database are disclosed. A database-informer displays information (or additional information) about various database objects displayed for a user. The database-informer may be presented to user as a tool-tip. However, the database-informer can be customized and dynamically constructed based on various variables that are dynamically determined at runtime. As such, the information can be dynamically determined based on variables stored in different tables and provided on-demand when the database-informer is invoked by the user. As a result, database users can be provided with customized and up-to-date information without having to view different tables.
US07672967B2
A method and system create a data structure from an obfuscated data structure. First, the system operates on a first data structure whose obfuscation is desired, and creates a data string based on a portion of the first data structure. Next, based on the data string, a second data structure is deterministically generated from a third data structure and the second data structure replaces the first data structure.
US07672965B2
A process performs multiple evaluations of text simultaneously. There are multiple counters, each with pattern-amount pairs. The pattern-amount pairs are accumulated into a single finite-state machine, with each state having a list of (counter, value) pairs instead of a single value. While the finite-state machine is applied to text, a score for each counter is accumulated by summing values for the counter from value lists of visited states. With one state transition per character, evaluating text using one finite-state machine for multiple counters is more efficient than using separate finite-state machines for counters or patterns.
US07672962B2
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes of content of files. In one exemplary method, notifications to update a metadata database or an index database are combined into a combined notification. According to other aspects, an order among logical locations on a storage device is determined in order to specify a sequence for scanning for files to be indexed. According to another aspect, a method includes determining whether to index a file based on a path name of the file relative to a plurality of predetermined path names.
US07672947B2
The present invention performs asset management by giving the user asset information on a regular basis. The customer communicates with a central server via means such has telephone and the world wide web. The central server houses the application specific software to enable the user to manage assets. The central server communicates with the asset attachment device via means such as telephone and the world wide web. When a user accesses the system, the system sends back asset information such as the asset ID, location and status.
US07672945B1
A system and techniques are described for creating member private data in a global namespace. According to one aspect, first data that is associated with a key is stored in a repository shared by multiple members. After the first data has been stored, second data that is associated with the key is stored without overwriting the first data. Mapping data is stored. The mapping data maps the key, relative to a first member, to a first data structure that stores the first data. The mapping data also maps the key, relative to a second member, to a second data structure that stores the second data. Based on the mapping data, the first member is allowed to access the first data and not the said second data. Based on the mapping data, the second member is allowed to access the second data and not the first data. The first data and the second data may include key values and subtrees of child keys.
US07672938B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating search enabled Web pages. A search engine crawler requests a Web page. A Web server receives the request and constructs a Web page that includes client-side script configured to obtain a portion of content at a Web browser. The Web server inserts textual (e.g., HTML) hinting data for the client-side script into the Web page. When analyzed at the search engine, the textual hinting data provides similar analysis results to analysis results obtained from analyzing the portion of content that is to be obtained at through execution of the client-side script. Thus, the Web server can provide the search engine with information to sufficiently index the Web page even when the search engine lacks the capability to execute the client-side script.
US07672932B2
Providing a speculative search result for a search query prior to completion of the search query. In response to receiving a search query from a client node, a speculative search result is provided to the client node for the search query prior to receiving an indication from the client node that said search query is completely formed. The speculative search result may be displayed on the same web page on the client node as the search query, while the search query is being entered by the user. As the user further enters the search query, a new speculative search result may be provided to the user.
US07672931B2
A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for searching for content from a device. The system, method, and computer-readable media are adapted to transmit a voice search query from a device and can in return allow the device to receive corresponding non-voice search result data. Once non-voice search result data is received it can be displayed to the user on a display of the device.
US07672921B1
The invention relates to a system and methodology for facilitating managing product life cycle. A component that determines relevance of components to a product; an analyzing component that determines, infers or predicts obsolescence, level of risk to EOL of a subset of the components. A substitution component that identifies replacement components and suppliers for the subset of components. A cost analysis component that determines material/components cost savings, and redesign cost implementation and/or redesign cost avoidance. A viability component that measures reliability of a component. A transition component that identifies components that require updating or replacement. A profitability component that determines the expected revenue derived from a component over its projected remaining life.
US07672915B2
The described embodiments relate to methods and systems for data classification using a self-organizing map. Certain embodiments relate to a method of labeling data for training a classifier, comprising: obtaining data, the data comprising labeled data and unlabeled data; generating a self-organizing map of the data; and a labeling at least some of the unlabeled data based on proximity of the unlabeled data to labeled data within the self-organizing map to generate self-labeled data. The method may include training a classifier based on the labeled and self-labeled data. Other embodiments relate to systems and computer readable media configured to perform, or allow performance of, the method embodiments.
US07672911B2
An object recognition system is described that incorporates swarming classifiers. The swarming classifiers comprise a plurality of software agents configured to operate as a cooperative swarm to classify an object group in a domain. Each node N represents an object in the group having K object attributes. Each agent is assigned an initial velocity vector to explore a KN-dimensional solution space for solutions matching the agent's graph. Further, each agent is configured to search the solution space for an optimum solution. The agents keep track of their coordinates in the KN-dimensional solution space that are associated with an observed best solution (pbest) and a global best solution (gbest). The gbest is used to store the best solution among all agents which corresponds to a best graph among all agents. Each velocity vector thereafter changes towards pbest and gbest, allowing the cooperative swarm to classify of the object group.
US07672909B2
Systems and methods that recognize items based on aggregated tagging behavior of users regarding the items. Individual users can establish relationships among tagged items and the system analyzes aggregate of such established relationships, to recognize the item and/or infer additional information regarding the items (e.g., wisdom of crowd such as metadata annotations, relevance ranking, and the like). Subsequently, search engine crawlers can be supplied with such additional information (e.g., extra metadata for reverse link search tables) to facilitate enterprise management and search.
US07672904B2
A method and apparatus effectuates bilateral commerce in ideas. An originator and user-driven on-line commercial network system is designed to facilitate idea submission, purchase, and licensing, and is easily adapted to business-to-business transfers of innovation as well as consumer-to-business transfers of innovation. The invention allows originators of ideas to communicate nondisclosing synopses of ideas globally to potential users, for users conveniently to search for relevant ideas and for users potentially to bind an originator to a limited duration license granting user the exclusive right to access and consider confidentially the originator's fully disclosed idea. The invention also allows users to communicate confidentially or nonconfidentially unsolved problems or needs globally to potential originators, for originators conveniently to search for relevant unsolved problems or needs, and for originators to submit and communicate confidentially proposed solutions to the soliciting user.
US07672903B2
A system and method is provided for revoking a device. A method includes receiving a certificate from the device, the certificate including one or more of fields, at least one of the fields holding a signature, attempting to verify the signature, receiving a revocation list from a source, the revocation list identifying one or more data on the certificate as valid or invalid, the data including at least one of the fields of the certificate; and if one of one or more signatures identified unsuccessfully verified and one or more data is identified as invalid, preventing the transmission of a session key to the device, the session key being required to establish a secure communication channel.
US07672892B2
A system and method for networked exchange are disclosed. A system for networked exchange comprises an internal proxy; an exchange processor in communication with the internal proxy; a database in communication with the internal proxy; an external proxy in communication with the internal proxy; and, a communications network connected to the external proxy. A method for networked exchange comprises 8 steps. Those steps are (1) specifying a mode of operations for an exchange; (2) identifying a commodity for the exchange; (3) listing information about the commodity; (4) accessing of the listing by a potential purchaser; (5) accessing the network-based exchange by the potential purchaser; (6) processing information generated by the potential purchaser, the information comprising a negotiation; (7) concluding the negotiation; and, (8) clearing the concluded negotiation.
US07672885B2
A consolidated purchasing system for search term auctions is provided. The system typically includes receiving logic, analyzing logic, and purchasing logic. The receiving logic receives orders from customers. The analyzing logic receives and consolidates the plurality of orders, analyzes a dynamic auction for search terms on a search engine, and determines search terms upon which to bid and an amount to bid for the search terms. The determination of the amount to bid on the search terms is in response to a budget and an expected return on the search terms. The purchasing logic receives instructions from the bidding logic and bids on the search terms in the dynamic auction, wherein the cost of a position on a search result list for the search engine changes in response to input from auction participants. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07672876B2
A system for shopping in a store is provided that includes a multi-network for communications in a store, a shopping cart that weighs items placed therein and then transmits that weight information through the multi-network, and a wireless end device that may be handheld and/or releasably attached to the shopping cart whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network.
US07672874B2
Contextual presentation of information about related orders during browsing of an electronic catalog
An electronic catalog system, which may be implemented as a web site or another type of interactive system, presents context-sensitive account information to customers during browsing of an electronic catalog of products. In one embodiment, when a customer accesses a detail page for a particular product, the detail page is supplemented with information, such as status information, about a related order placed by the customer. The related order may be an order for the product represented in the detail page or may be for a related product. Information about related orders may additionally or alternatively be added to other types of pages, such as product category pages and shopping cart pages. In one embodiment, a customer's related order information is maintained in a cache during the customer's browsing session, and the cache is updated in real time to reflect actions performed by the customer.
US07672873B2
An online music purchasing system and method is disclosed, in which a radio service operates on a user's computer and is configured for receiving and playing digital radio representations of media content in near real-time in a radio session. A content server is configured for serving the digital radio representations of media content to the radio service, and a radio sequence server is configured for serving a sequential list of currently-playing and previously-played media content of the radio session to the radio service. An account server is configured for receiving a signal indicative of a user's desire to purchase a file of one of a currently-playing or previously-played media content. A download manager is configured for downloading the file to the user's computer according to the signal indicative of the user's desire to purchase the file.
US07672858B2
A system is disclosed that is useful by hospitals and other healthcare providers for automatically determining the best possible or maximum amount of payments a healthcare provider can lawfully expect to receive for healthcare resources which takes into account various discounts agreed upon by the healthcare provider with various private insurance companies as well as public (i.e., government) insurance providers, which administer managed healthcare plans including Medicare and Medicaid, all payments received against expected payments and a yield measurement approach for determining the providers performance at a given point in time and across various segments of its operations. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, contracts between a healthcare provider and all private insurance companies and public insurance providers may be modeled. Various data including healthcare resources provided to patients up to a given point in time, applicable insurance company, and healthcare resource code are entered into the system. The system is able to calculate the best possible revenue that the healthcare provider can lawfully expect to receive taking into account the various discounts negotiated with the various insurance companies. Indeed, once the data is loaded, the system can provide an accurate snapshot of a healthcare provider's best possible expected revenues at any given time based upon services rendered instead of waiting until the healthcare resources have been billed out to insurance companies, patients, and third party payers. It can also provide an accurate snapshot of all payments received against those expected payments to determine yield across various segments of its operations.
US07672851B2
Enhanced application of spoken input, in which a single, natural language voice command is accessed. Using a repository that associates multiple operations with natural language voice commands, multiple selected operations that correspond to the received single, natural language voice command are determined and applied to a user interface.
US07672848B2
An information processing technique for voice outputting an electronic mail, received by an information processing apparatus capable of voice output, at a sender's intended timing. For this purpose, the information processing apparatus has an electronic mail reception unit (101) to receive an electronic mail, an electronic mail selection unit (102) to select an electronic mail including a code describing voice output timing, from electronic mails received by the electronic mail reception unit (101), and a voice synthesis unit (104) to voice-synthesize the electronic mail selected by the electronic mail selection unit (102) and voice-outputs the result of voice synthesis based on the code.
US07672838B1
In accordance with the present invention, computer implemented methods and systems are provided for representing and modeling the temporal structure of audio signals. In response to receiving a signal, a time-to-frequency domain transformation on at least a portion of the received signal to generate a frequency domain representation is performed. The time-to-frequency domain transformation converts the signal from a time domain representation to the frequency domain representation. A frequency domain linear prediction (FDLP) is performed on the frequency domain representation to estimate a temporal envelope of the frequency domain representation. Based on the temporal envelope, one or more speech features are generated.
US07672836B2
A pitch estimating method and apparatus in which mixture Gaussian distributions based on candidate pitches having high period estimating values are generated, a mixture Gaussian distribution having a high likelihood is selected and dynamic programming is executed so that the pitch of the speech signal can be accurately estimated. The pitch estimating method comprises computing a normalized autocorrelation function of a windowed signal obtained by multiplying a frame of a speech signal by a window signal and determining candidate pitches from a peak value of the normalized autocorrelation function of the windowed signal, interpolating a period of the determined candidate pitches and a period estimating value representing a length of the period, generating Gaussian distributions for the candidate pitches for each frame for which the interpolated period estimating value is greater than a first threshold value, mixing the Gaussian distributions which are located at a distance less than a second threshold value to generate mixture Gaussian distributions and selecting at least one of the mixture Gaussian distributions that a likelihood exceeding a third threshold value, and executing dynamic programming for the frames to estimate the pitch of each frame, based on the candidate pitches of each of the frames and the selected mixture Gaussian distributions.
US07672826B2
Included are methods for modeling at least one physical property of a mixture of at least two chemical species. One or more chemical species of the mixture are approximated or represented by at least one conceptual segment. The conceptual segments are then used to compute at least one physical property of the mixture. An analysis of the computed physical properties forms a model of at least one physical property of the mixture. Also included are computer program products and computer systems for implementing the modeling methods.
US07672824B2
The present invention presents a method for determining shallow water flow risk using seismic data. The seismic data can be processed to enhance its stratigraphic resolution by sub-sampling the seismic data to less than a two-millisecond interval. Performing a stratigraphic analysis on the seismic data and evaluating the seismic attributes of the seismic data can be used to select a control location. A pre-stack waveform inversion is applied to seismic data at a selected control location to provide an elastic model, which includes pressure-wave velocity and shear-wave velocity. The shallow water flow risk is then determined using the elastic model by comparing the pressure-wave velocity to the shear-wave velocity. A post-stack inversion can be applied on the seismic data using the elastic model to model a 3D volume to determine the shallow water flow risk across the 3D volume.
US07672820B2
A device provides an interface for permitting a user to define a block diagram model that represents a system, linearizing at least a portion of the block diagram model, analyzing a linearization result of at least one block of the block diagram model to determine contribution information of the at least one block toward a linearization result of the block diagram model, and outputting information concerning a result of analyzing the linearization result.
US07672810B2
The present invention relates to a method for evaluating an object by reading and commands of a macro normally used in measurement equipment for evaluating a physical object, and applying said commands to a numerical (virtual) representation of a physical object. Said method provides a evaluation of the physical object, by applying said macro to a virtual representation of said object.
US07672807B2
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for ultrasonic color imaging that characterizes ultra-fine structures and distributional physical conditions within the target under inspection. The disclosed complementarily incorporates information arising from a plurality of repeated sound trips forced by repeated reflections of exterior and interior interfaces of target, and expresses the information into an image segment representing the main path that ultrasonic signals traveled within the target. The image produced is substantially more discriminative, descriptive, and position-sensitive to both acoustic interfaces and distributional acoustic characteristics of the target. The invention is especially useful for thin sheet targets most vulnerable to both non-continuous and continuous interior defects. The continuous interior conditions and effects of ultra-thin layered structures, that traditional ultrasonic inspection has been unable to express, are effectively expressed by linking their effects of deforming the waveform of passing ultrasonic signals to color image details.
US07672805B2
A method and apparatus for synchronizing digital and analog/mixed signal modules in a test site of an open architecture test system is disclosed. Event triggers from digital modules are routed to an ASYNC module, which selectively distributes them to analog/mixed signal modules. When an event occurs, the trigger may activate an analog/mixed signal module to perform a certain operation. The ASYNC module may also receive triggers from the analog/mixed signal modules and selectively distribute them back to the digital modules or analog/mixed signal modules. The digital modules can be programmed to wait for an analog/mixed signal module to complete an operation, as indicated by a trigger received from that analog/mixed signal module, before continuing. Because embodiments of the present invention enable synchronization of digital and analog/mixed signal modules under pattern control, synchronization can be very precise and repeatable as compared to synchronization from a site controller.
US07672804B2
A method and a corresponding system for testing an analog signal under test includes using knowledge of at least one parameter of the signal under test. The method includes generating a reference signal using the knowledge of at least one parameter of the signal under test, combining the generated reference signal with the signal under test, resulting in a combination signal, and evaluating the combination signal for testing the signal under test.
US07672803B1
A system and method is discussed for providing programmable test conditions for a built-in self test circuit of a flash memory device. The present invention employs a flash memory having BIST circuit for testing the memory and a BIST interface circuit adapted to adjust the test conditions of the memory tests. The BIST interface circuit is operable to receive one or more global variables associated with the test conditions of a plurality of tests used on the flash memory and to output results of the memory tests based on the value of the variables. The global variables are used to adjust the test conditions and to trim one or more references used in various flash memory tests and operations. The system may further include a serial communications medium for communicating the global variables to the BIST interface and test results from the interface.
US07672798B2
A method and apparatus for automatically sensing the temperature of a battery during the testing and charging. The method and apparatus can monitor the temperature of the battery, the charger or both. Additionally, a user can be notified when the temperature is at or exceeds a predetermined level. The temperature data is also used to aid in efficiently charging the battery.
US07672786B2
The invention discloses a Non-Equilibrium Capillary Electrophoresis of Equilibrium Mixtures (NECEEM) method and NECEEM-based practical applications. The NECEEM method is a homogeneous technique, which, in contrast to heterogeneous methods, does not require affixing molecules to a solid substrate. The method of the invention facilitates 3 practical applications. In the first application, the method allows the finding of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation. It advantageously allows for revealing two parameters, the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, and the monomolecular rate constant of complex decay, koff, in a single experiment. In the second practical application, the method of this invention provides an approach for quantitative affinity analysis of target molecules. It advantageously allows for the use of affinity probes with relatively high values of koff. In the third practical application, the method of this invention presents a new and powerful approach to select target-binding molecules (ligands) from complex mixtures. Unique capabilities of the method in its third application include but not limited to: (a) the selection of ligands with pre-determined ranges of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of target-ligand interactions, (b) the selection of ligands present in minute amounts in complex mixtures of biological or synthetic compounds such as combinatorial libraries of oligonucleotides, and (c) the selection of ligands for targets available in very low amounts. In particular, the method of this invention provides a novel approach for the selection of oligonucleotide aptamers. The NECEEM-based method can be used for discovery and characterization of drug candidates and the development of new diagnostic methods.
US07672785B2
A method and apparatus for displaying depth of positional data with tubing analysis data obtained by instruments analyzing tubing sections being withdrawn from a well includes an apparatus for communicably linking an encoder or other positional or depth sensors to the tubing analysis data processor. In addition, sensors capable of detected collars holding pieces of tubing section together can transmit signals to the analysis data processor that a collar has been detected and insert collar location information into the analysis data. Furthermore, information based on the length of the individual pieces of tubing or the data from the encoder or other positional sensor can be analyzed or associated with the analysis data and displayed with the analysis data by overlaying a depth component on a display of the analysis data.
US07672780B2
Provided is a navigation system using a RFID system and a method for displaying a construction area road. The navigation system includes a RFID tag for storing construction information, and upon receipt of a predetermined command, transmitting the construction information; and a RFID reader for transmitting an information read command to the RFID tag, and receiving the construction information in response to the information read command. A bypass path is re-searched depending on the received construction information, and path guidance is performed.
US07672776B2
A mobile computing device, including a main body, a processor and associated memory housed within the main body, a display screen housed within the main body and responsive to signals from the processor, an optical sensor fixed to the main body for capturing successive images and providing image signals representative of the captured images to the processor, and a navigation module associated with the processor for determining, based on the image signals, a relative movement between the main body and a reference surface and moving a pointer on the display screen based on the determined relative movement.
US07672775B2
Systems, methods, and data structures for correcting traffic information data may accumulate traffic information data including, for each link, a link travel time during at least one trip time. The systems, methods, and data structures may convert the link travel time into a vehicle speed and correct the converted vehicle speed if a the vehicle speed or a first speed change amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
US07672773B2
The present invention makes it possible to cope with a plurality of standardized transient operation modes in a method for adapting the engine transient characteristic to a required performance targets and a system therefore. When there are a plurality of prescribed standardized transient operation modes, transient testing is conducted in a single transient operation mode that covers changing patterns of control values of control factors of the plurality of transient operation modes. Only data in a data distribution range to be focused on is captured to create a transient engine model.
US07672751B2
A system for controlling a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank comprises a tank, a first heating element, a first switch, a temperature-based switch, and logic. The first heating element is mounted on the tank, and the temperature-based switch is coupled to the first heating element and to the first switch. The logic is configured to control a state of the first switch based on a temperature of a liquid residing in the tank.
US07672742B2
A method for reducing audio latency when executing program instructions for processing audio data is provided. In this method, a top threshold value and a bottom threshold value are provided. A determination is then made as to the amount of audio data stored in an audio buffer of an audio renderer. Thereafter, the amount is compared with the top threshold value and the bottom threshold value, and accordingly, an audio data feed to the audio renderer is adjusted incrementally such that the amount is between the top threshold value and the bottom threshold value.
US07672740B1
Systems and methods that provide for event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian (e.g. micro historian). Upon reaching predetermined thresholds (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in the embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine can further include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (e.g., associated with the storage capacity of the micro-historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.
US07672737B2
An industrial automation device comprises a data storage component that retains at least a portion of a schema, the schema facilitates usage of a hierarchically structured data model by the industrial automation device. A processor is communicatively coupled to the data storage component and facilitates at least one of receipt, execution, and creation of an object that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model. In another example, the industrial automation device can be employed to execute a workflow.
US07672727B2
An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms.
US07672725B2
A cardiac rhythm management system modulates the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses based on heart rate variability (HRV). An HRV parameter being a measure of the HRV is produced to indicate a patient's cardiac condition, based on which the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses is started, stopped, adjusted, or optimized. In one embodiment, the HRV parameter is used as a safety check to stop an electrical therapy when it is believed to be potentially harmful to continue the therapy.
US07672724B2
A cardiac rhythm management system modulates the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses based on heart rate variability (HRV). An HRV parameter being a measure of the HRV is produced to indicate a patient's cardiac condition, based on which the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses is started, stopped, adjusted, or optimized. In one embodiment, the HRV parameter is used to evaluate a plurality of parameter values for selecting an approximately optimal parameter value.
US07672723B2
A heart stimulator for biventricular pacing comprises at least one stimulation pulse generator connected or connectable to a right ventricular or atrial stimulation electrode lead and a left ventricular or atrial electrode lead, respectively. The heart stimulator is adapted to generate right chamber stimulation pulses for a right atrium or ventricle and left chamber stimulation pulses for a left ventricle or atrium. A high rate protection unit connected to said stimulation pulse generator is adapted to trigger, upon any right or left chamber stimulation pulse, a protection time window having a predetermined duration in time and comprising an early part immediately followed by a late part. The protection unit is further adapted to only allow atrial or ventricular stimulation pulses in said early part of said protection time window and to suppress any atrial or ventricular stimulation pulse in said late part.
US07672718B2
This document discusses, among other things, a cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device that uses thoracic impedance to determine how much fluid is present in the thorax, such as for detecting or predicting congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, hypotension, or the like. The thoracic fluid amount determined from the thoracic impedance is compensated for changes in blood resistivity, which may result from changes in hematocrit level or other factors. The blood-resistivity-compensated thoracic fluid amount can be stored in the device or transmitted to an external device for storage or display. The blood-resistivity-compensated thoracic fluid amount can also be used to adjust a cardiac pacing, cardiac resynchronization, or other cardiac rhythm management or other therapy to the patient. This document also discusses applications of the devices and methods for predicting or indicating anemia.
US07672713B2
A tip assembly for a catheter includes a housing having a recess that receives an optical bench. The optical bench accommodates adjacent fibers, one of which is in optical communication with a first beam re-director. The first beam re-director is oriented to cause a beam incident thereon to travel in a direction away from the optical bench. An engaging structure coupled to the optical bench provides torque coupling between the housing and an end of a torque cable extending axially along the catheter.
US07672699B2
A driving apparatus enables a sliding-type portable wireless terminal to be opened or closed with reduced noise and through multiple stages of opening. The portable wireless terminal may have various functions corresponding to each of the multiple stages. The driving apparatus comprises: a main body; a sub body sliding in a longitudinal direction of the main body, so as to be opened from or closed onto the main body; a first magnetic module provided at a rear surface of the sub body and having a first magnet, the first magnet having a first polarity and extending in a longitudinal direction of the first magnet; and a second magnetic module provided at a front surface of the main body and having a second magnet, the second magnet having a second polarity and being opposed to the first magnet.
US07672698B2
A mobile terminal and a specific absorption rate reducer method are provided, in which a printed circuit board (PCB) is installed in a main-body, a liquid crystal display (LCD) module is installed in a sub-body, a hinge connects the main-body and the sub-body rotatively and generates a current in the opposite direction to a current generated during the operation of the mobile terminal in a calling mode, and a filter controls a frequency pass characteristic of the mobile terminal by controlling the current flowing in the hinge. Accordingly, frequency pass characteristics may be set differently according to frequency bands by controlling the current flowing in the hinge with a filter having a lumped constant circuit.
US07672692B2
A pointing device that can be operated to move an operational object on a display screen in any direction comprises a control unit for changing an operation mode of the pointing device according to contents displayed on the display screen and, further, a mobile telephone comprises such a pointing device.
US07672690B2
Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate selection of with which network portion of a WLAN-cdma2000, or other multi-network radio communication system, that the mobile node should communicate. A parameter message is communicated to the mobile node. The parameter message includes indications, values of which are extracted from the message, buffered at a buffer, and subsequently accessed. A selector utilizes the accessed values to determine with which of the network portions that the mobile node shall communicate.
US07672683B2
A non-interfering multipath communication technique establishes a base transmit and receive period for a variety of spaced apart transceiver devices of a base station and communicates between at least one field station and the base station through those transceiver devices; a period of the base station is allocated amongst the transceiver devices to maintain the non-interfering multipath communication between the at least one field station and the base station.
US07672677B2
The present invention relates to a method and system to display information about an object. The system includes a mobile device to relay information about an object to a location content provider. The location content provider formats the information into a visual representation and transmits the information to one or more digital television provides. One or more of the digital television provides can forward the information to a recipient to display on the recipient's television.
US07672672B2
A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria. A penalty function is used to determine a figure of merit for a particular set of frequency assignments.
US07672657B2
Embodiments of an active bandpass filter are described. Such a filter includes a transistor; a series-tuned inductive-capacitive (LC) network (STLCN) in a common source circuit associated with the transistor to produce a tuned degenerative filtering of at least one interfering signal; and a first, variable resistance associated with the STLCN to provide a first control of a resonance quality factor (Q) associated with the filter. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07672653B2
Various embodiments are directed to removing interfering signals in a broadband radio frequency (RF) receiver by implementing a silicon tuner arranged to replicate high quality factor (Q) performance without the advantages of using high Q components available for module tuners. In one or more embodiments, tuned filter elements within a broadband silicon tuner are reused to maximize the attenuation of unwanted signals while minimizing induced undesirable channel ripple. In various implementations, a number of tuned passive inductor/capacitor filter elements are combined as required such that filter elements for an unused frequency band are reconfigured to provide attenuation of and enhanced immunity to unwanted signals. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07672647B2
An integrated circuit for transmitting and/or receiving signals includes a differential antenna terminal for coupling to an antenna, a processing circuit for processing differential signals, and first differential lines coupling the differential antenna terminal to a differential input and/or output of the processing circuit.
US07672645B2
Transmitter architectures designed to accommodate both constant and non-constant of envelope modulation schemes and capable of providing local oscillator carrier frequencies within any one of numerous desired frequency bands, thus allowing compliance with many different communication standards. One example of a programmable frequency synthesizer includes a plurality of transmitter components and a microcontroller coupled to the frequency synthesizer and to the plurality of transmitter components. The microcontroller is adapted to provide a frequency control signal to the frequency synthesizer to control a frequency of the local oscillator carrier frequency. In addition, the microcontroller is also adapted to provide digital control signals to at least some of the plurality of transmitter components to turn on and off different ones of the plurality of transmitter components based on an operating mode of the transmitter, such that the transmitter can accommodate both constant envelope modulation and non-constant envelope modulation schemes.
US07672643B2
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for transmitter leak-over cancellation. In one example, a method includes transmitting a signal via a transmit chain in a wireless device, where a portion of the signal leaks over into a receive chain of the wireless device. A portion of the signal is diverted from the transmit chain into cancellation circuitry coupled to the receive chain to manipulate an amplitude and phase of the portion before combining the manipulated portion with the signal and other portion to at least partially cancel interference caused by the leak-over portion. After downconverting, a remainder portion is filtered from the received signal. A power level of the remainder portion is detected and compared to a threshold value. An amplitude and phase configuration of the cancellation circuitry is modified based on a result of comparing the power level to the threshold value.
US07672642B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to uplink communication in a GSM/EDGE telecommunication system. A method according to certain embodiments of the invention include at least one wide-band carrier wave in the group of carrier waves being generated in a mobile station by applying linear modulation at a first modulation symbol rate, the first modulation symbol rate being a multiple of a second modulation symbol rate, while preserving a predefined carrier spacing and allowing the at least one wide-band carrier wave to overlap with at least one adjacent carrier wave.
US07672641B2
An electronic device (100) having at least a first portion (102) and a second portion (104) is disclosed. The first portion is joined to the second portion by a mechanical connection. The electronic device (100) includes a first communication unit (106) present on the first portion (102), and a second communication unit (108) present on the second portion (104). The first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a first link for internal data communication between the first portion (102) and the second portion (104), when communicatively engaged with each other. Further, at least one of the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a second link for external data communication with an external device when the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) are not communicatively engaged with each other.
US07672636B2
An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed.
US07672628B2
A post-fixing support unit which is disposed between a fixing roller including a heating roller having a heat generator and a pressure roller so disposed opposite to the heating roller as to form a nip portion and a plurality of sheet discharge rollers which are disposed on the downstream side relative to the fixing roller and corrugation rollers disposed respectively between the adjacent two sheet discharge rollers, such that the post-fixing support unit is located on the upstream side relative to the corrugation rollers at the same position as at least the corrugation rollers in the width direction.
US07672625B2
A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus that use ETH development, and are capable of forming good multi-color images with a simple construction, and are capable of preventing the dispersal of powder. The developing device is for developing latent images on a latent image carrying member by applying powder to the latent image carrying member, and comprises: a transport member disposed in opposition to the latent image carrying member and having a plurality of transport electrodes that generate a progressive wave electric field to move the powder; a voltage supply device for applying a multi-phase voltage to the transport electrodes; and a transport member surface potential determination device for determining the surface potential of the transport member. The voltage supply device in the developing device according to the present invention applies a multi-phase voltage to the transport electrodes so that the surface potential on the transport member is between the potential of the image portions and the potential of the non-image portions of the latent image carrying member.
US07672618B2
A CPU 113 executes a control program stored in a memory 116 thereby forming a plurality of patch images with a developing bias increased for each of the patch images; detecting a density of each of the patch images by means of a patch sensor 17; and comparing the image densities to determine whether the image density is saturated or not. Then, an image forming condition in which an image density is substantially saturated is determined and is stored in the memory 116. When a print command signal is inputted from an external device via a main controller 100, a printing operation is performed under the image forming condition stored in the memory 116.
US07672615B2
An image forming apparatus, includes: an intermediate transfer type image forming unit that primarily transfers a toner image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member to an intermediate transfer member and then secondarily transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a printing medium; and a control unit that controls a moving speed ratio ΔV represented by Expression 1 depending on a usage history of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, Δ v [ % ] = v 2 - v 1 v 1 × 100 ( 1 ) where V1 is a moving speed [mm/s] of a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and V2 is a moving speed [mm/s] of a surface of the intermediate transfer member in a moving direction of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a surface layer containing a curable resin on a surface facing to the intermediate transfer member.
US07672611B2
A developer cartridge includes a casing, a development roller, a support member, and at least one transmission gear. The development roller is rotatably disposed in the casing. The support member is provided as a separate member from the casing and is mounted on the casing. The at least one transmission gear is rotatably supported by the support member. The at least one transmission gear transmits a driving force to the development roller. The support member is configured to be dismounted from the casing together with the at least one transmission gear.
US07672605B2
A transfer device is provided for an image forming apparatus designed such that toner images formed on a plurality of image bearing members are transferred one over another on a transfer body disposed in contact with each of the image bearing members with predetermined pressure and thus a toner image in two or more colors is formed on the transfer body. The transfer device includes a pressure varying mechanism which is capable of separating the transfer body from at least some of the image bearing members, and capable of varying transfer pressure between the image bearing members and the transfer body in contact with said image bearing members.
US07672600B2
An image forming apparatus that includes: a movable unit that can move between a first position that is for when image formation is being performed and a second position that is retreated from the first position; a first display that is used when the movable unit is in the first position; and a second display that is used when the movable unit is in the second position.
US07672593B2
An OTDM transmitting method and transmitter realizing an OTDM distortion-free transmission substantially not relying upon dispersion. A time division multiplexed OTDM signal from an OTDM signal transmitter (1) enters an optical Fourier transform unit (2). Optical Fourier transform can be carried out most accurately so long as the optical pulse is a chirp-free Fourier transform limit pulse. The optical Fourier transform unit (2) converts the time waveform of the pulse into a signal on the frequency axis, and an optical inverse Fourier transform unit (2′) converts a spectral shape on the frequency axis into a time waveform (pulse). An optical fiber transmission line (3) is a transmission line having an arbitrary dispersion and a polarization mode dispersion. These dispersions may involve a time variation. An OTDM signal receiver (4) demultiplexes a transmission signal into low-speed optical signals, in a light region, receives optical pulses for respective channels and converts them into electric signals.
US07672591B2
A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber gateway using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires or coax cable from the subscriber gateway, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the system is free of monthly meter charges and does not require a separate power network.
US07672583B2
A camera includes a base section, and a grip section which is provided in at least one lateral end of the camera, bending to a rear side of the camera. The grip section is disposed with a slip-proof section adjacent to a zoom key which is longitudinally arranged. Additionally, a slip-proof section to prevent finger slipping is positioned on a back surface of the grip section.
US07672579B2
A lens barrel includes a standard optical element used in a standard photographing operation and an insertable optical element which is selectively inserted into and removed from a photographing optical path. The lens barrel includes an accommodating driving device which moves the standard optical element and the insertable optical element rearward in an optical axis direction from a ready-to-photograph state to a retracted state; an insertable-optical-element drive mechanism which moves the insertable optical element between an inserted position on the optical axis on which the standard optical element is positioned, and a removed position off the optical axis, in the ready-to-photograph state of the lens barrel; and a forced removing device which forces the insertable optical element to move from the inserted position to the removed position independently of the insertable-optical-element drive mechanism when the lens barrel moves from the ready-to-photograph state to the retracted state.
US07672563B2
A device and method of blocking customer access to a fiber optic distribution cable. A service blocker is positioned between a fiber distribution cable and a customer drop cable within a fiber optic adapter. The service blocker includes a unitary body which does not permit optical transmission between the fiber distribution cable and the customer drop cable. The service blocker includes a first end configured to be inserted within the fiber optic adapter and a second end configured receive a fiber optic cable connector. A system for mounting fiber optic cables including a service blocker positioned within a bulkhead mounted adapter between two fiber optic cables.
US07672558B2
An optical device can be fabricated by forming a silicon rib, such as a poly-silicon rib, on a SOI substrate so that a portion of the SOI substrate is exposed, and by forming silicon spacers, such as amorphous or poly-silicon spacers, that round off corners of the silicon rib.
US07672552B2
A mode conversion technique to convert higher-order-mode into a nearly fundamental Gaussian shape by using a beam expander is developed and is particularly useful in high-power lasers and amplifiers. By using a beam expander between a transmitted fiber and a conventional mode conversion system, the strict lateral tolerance requirement can be overcome with high conversion efficiency.
US07672547B2
A printed circuit board including an optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the board. In the board, the optical waveguide includes a metal layer extending portion integrally connected to a metal layer constituting a mirror formed in the optical waveguide. Since the method creates the mirror using electroless plating, which is typically used in a process of manufacturing general printed circuit boards, it is suitable for the manufacture of printed circuit boards having a large area, and the mirror has high reflectivity and is efficient in terms of material consumption.
US07672545B2
Methods and apparatuses for obtaining information, such as location and/or identification information, regarding sensors in optical paths such as optical fibers. One embodiment provides a method for identifying a location of a tag in an optical path. The tag is (1) adapted for producing a response to an optical signal propagating along the optical path; and (2) responsive to a variation of a physical parameter to vary the response to the optical signal. The method comprises causing a variation of the physical parameter and identifying the location of the tag at least in part by observing the response of the tag to the optical signal. The tag may be associated with a sensor such that a location of the sensor may be derived based on the location of the tag.
US07672544B2
An optical fiber sensor that can detect a liquid level or detect a property of liquid with high reliability even under a frequently vibrational environment. The optical fiber sensor includes an optical fiber that includes a core having an area where a grating is formed and a clad, the optical fiber being disposed so that at least a part of the area with the grating is immersed in liquid, a light source for making light incident to the optical fiber so that a cladding mode light having a wavelength band is generated by the grating, and a light receiving unit for detecting the intensity of light which is incident from the light source to the optical fiber and transmitted through the grating.
US07672532B2
Methods for encoding transitions between low-intensity regions and high-intensity regions such that the transitions are more readily detectable in a digital image captured by a digital image capture device. The encoding applied to the transitions act to retard and minimize blooming effects and ISI that can occur in the digital image, especially when the transitions are captured from a television, computer display screen or other transmissive media.
US07672529B2
A system, apparatus, method and article to filter media signals are described. The apparatus may include a media processor. The media processor may include an image signal processor having multiple processing elements to determine a level of noise for an image using an internal spatial region of said image, select filter parameters based on the level of noise, and filter the image using the filter parameters. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07672527B2
Chromatic correction of a Fresnel lens is effected by collecting data at multiple detectors arrayed along the optical axis of the lens and then digitally processing data from each detector to obtain multiple sets of image data corresponding to selected tuned wavelengths associated with the multiple detectors, or to obtain composite multi-color image data. Digital processing includes deconvolving data from each detector with a point spread function (PSF) associated with the tuned wavelength of the detector, and thereby enhancing the image derived from the detector. Two possible techniques are also disclosed for deriving sub-band signal data having a wavelength that falls between the tuned wavelengths of adjacent detectors.
US07672510B2
A vehicle environment monitoring device identifies objects from an image taken by an infrared camera. Object extraction from images is performed in accordance with the state of the environment as determined by measurements extracted from the images as follows: N1 binarized objects are extracted from a single frame. Height of a grayscale objects corresponding to one of the binarized objects are calculated. If a ratio of the number of binarized objects C, where the absolute value of the height difference is less than the predetermined value ΔH, to the total number N1 of binarized objects, is greater than a predetermined value X1, the image frame is determined to be rainfall-affected. If the ratio is less than the predetermined value X1, the image frame is determined to be a normal frame. A warning is provided if it is determined that the object is a pedestrian and if a collision is likely.
US07672502B2
Noise reduction processing for detecting the circumferential edge of a wafer W placed on a rotary stage with a light-transmitting sensor, obtaining detection values provided by the light-transmitting sensor as substrate edge shape data, detecting sudden abnormal data in the substrate edge shape data, eliminating the detected sudden abnormal data and interpolating the substrate edge shape data with estimated data generated based upon surrounding data in place of the abnormal data, notch mark judgment processing for detecting a notch mark candidate in the substrate edge shape data having undergone the noise reduction processing and making a decision as to whether or not the sets of data corresponding to the notch mark candidate area satisfies a predetermined judgment condition, and substrate positioning processing for positioning the substrate based upon a notch mark that satisfies the predetermined judgment conditions are executed.
US07672501B2
A substrate inspection system is formed with an inspection device associated with a reflow process at the end of a series of production processes for substrates, image collectors each associated with a different one of the production processes upstream to the reflow process and an image display device for receiving images from the inspection device and the image collector and displaying the received images. The inspection device inspects a specified number of substrates to obtain measured values and calculates a margin for each component with respect to a specified reference value and transmits to the image collectors and the image display device the component code of the component with a small margin value. The image collectors save the image corresponding to the component code from the inspection device. The image display device receives images of the component corresponding to the component code from the inspection device and the image collectors and display images of the same component and the same substrate at each process.
US07672495B2
A method and an apparatus display marks in an image data set, wherein an image data set comprising marks is provided and wherein during a review phase not all marks within the image data set are displayed at the same time. A list of the marks can be generated by sorting the marks depending on a predetermined sorting criterion and wherein the marks are displayed temporally one after another within the image data set in accordance with the generated list. The image data set is for example a medical image data set, wherein the marks are computer-aided detection (CAD) marks and wherein the sorting criterion is the probability of marking illness, in particular the suspiciousness.
US07672491B2
Systems and methods are provided for processing a medical image to automatically identify the anatomy and view (or pose) from the medical image and automatically assess the diagnostic quality of the medical image. In one aspect a method for automated decision support for medical imaging includes obtaining image data, extracting feature data from the image data, and automatically performing anatomy identification, view identification and/or determining a diagnostic quality of the image data, using the extracted feature data.
US07672487B2
Methods and apparatus for obtaining a digital code representative of a skin-covered body part (fingertip or other). An image of the body part is acquired, where the image includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated shade value. A plurality of subsets of pixels from the plurality of pixels is identified, with each subset including at least two pixels having a common one of a plurality of designated shade values. For each of a plurality of combinations of pixels taken from the pixels in the subsets of pixels, a geometric measure of the pixels in that combination is determined and then the geometric measures are encoded into a digital code for the skin-covered body part. In this way, a unique code is obtained that does not contain information about the structure of the body part, thereby alleviating privacy concerns in applications such as access control and offender supervision.
US07672485B2
A quick, reliable and accurate method and device for measuring an optically reflecting surface, enabling quantifying of the curvatures and/or slopes and raised parts of the optically reflecting surface without risk of deteriorating the measured surface and adapted to measurement of large-dimension surfaces. The system and method for measuring the geometry of an optically reflecting surface to be measured S includes observing with a camera (2) the image of the surface to be measured S set in a measuring space (1), then interpreting the image in quantitative values characterizing at least one geometric quantity of the optically reflecting surface to be measured S.
US07672484B2
A method and system for processing image data to identify objects in an image. The method and system operate using various resolutions of the image to identify the objects. Information obtained while processing the image at one resolution is employed when processing the image at another resolution.
US07672483B2
A spatial data handling and map generation system comprises a receiver component that receives a request for information associated with a geographic region and data associated with an initiator of the request. A mapping component renders a representation of the geographic region, the representation is customized according to a role assigned to the initiator of the request, the role is assigned based at least in part upon the received data.
US07672479B2
A camera assembly is disclosed which may be implemented on a mail processing system for photographing flats mail items. In one embodiment, the assembly includes lighting components (e.g., light emitting diodes) which are capable of projecting light toward a mail item in a viewing station at a specific angle, which angle may be adjusted to reduce the amount of specular reflection from an item toward a camera. The lighting components may reside in a nose unit which may be easily attached to and detached from the housing for ease of maintenance. The nose unit may be attachable to the housing in a manner which seals the camera and lighting components off from the operating environment, such that airborne dust and debris does not enter the housing or nose unit and damage the camera or lighting components.
US07672477B2
Methods for embedding and reading identification codes from media signals use embedded code signals modulated with the auxiliary message. These embedded code signals convey hidden tracking codes in images, video, music and printed objects. The embedded code signals are embedded by varying characteristics of the signal. The identification code varies for different copies of a media signal and indexes distribution information such as point of sale information and ownership information.
US07672468B2
In a method for adjusting the transmission characteristic of a hearing aid, the characteristic being defined by hearing aid-specific parameters, a data processing device is used that has a screen and a pointer device. On a graphics user interface of the data processing device, an object displayed in a first area of the screen is selected and copied with the pointer device and the copy is moved into the second area of the screen and stored there, with the transmission characteristic of the hearing aid being able to be changed by the stored object. Settings selected for a hearing aid or a hearing program thus can be transferred quickly and easily to a second hearing aid or a second hearing program.
US07672466B2
An audio signal processing apparatus includes a splitting unit for splitting an audio signal of a first system and another audio signal of a second system into pluralities of frequency band components, a level comparing unit for calculating a level ratio or a level difference between each of the frequency bands of the first system and each of the frequency bands of the second systems, and an output control unit for removing frequency band components whose level ratio or level difference calculated by the level comparing unit is equal and substantially equal to a predetermined value from at least one of the first and second systems.
US07672459B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to a key distribution and caching mechanism that facilitates roaming in wireless networks. In one implementation, the present invention reduces the latency associated with handoffs by reducing the time required to set up encryption or other secure access mechanisms between access points and clients in the wireless network infrastructure. In one implementation, the present invention operates proactively to distribute authentication credential information to selected components of the wireless network infrastructure before a client roams to another access point.
US07672455B2
A method and apparatus for use in encrypting and decrypting digital communications converting an initial block to final block based on freely selectable control information and secret key information having double the length of prior art keys and maintaining compatibility with the prior art encryption system.
US07672450B2
The disclosure describes an active network interface device (NID) enclosure having a modular construction that provides flexibility to a vendor and permits independent access to technician-accessible connections and subscriber-accessible connections while promoting resistance to environmental and security threats. The active NID enclosure includes an electronics enclosure and an access enclosure. The electronics enclosure contains active electronic components for conversion of data carried on a network signal carrier into services for delivery to subscriber devices. The access enclosure includes two separate access compartments, having separate covers, for independent access to either network terminals or subscriber terminals.
US07672446B2
The invention concerns a method and device for processing echo between at least two communication devices in order to attenuate, in a picked-up signal of a communication device comprising at least one microphone, the components of the signal broadcasted by at least one other communication device comprising at least one loudspeaker, characterised in that the echo processing device comprises: means for receiving, by means of a connection with at least one other device, information representing at least one broadcasted signal of at least one other communication device, means for modifying the picked-up signal of the communication device according to information representing the broadcasted signal and information representing the coupling separating a loudspeaker of the said at least one other communication device from the microphone of the communication device.
US07672441B2
A communication assistance system includes a first database having a plurality of listings, each listings has at least one contact name and a corresponding contact number. A means is provided for receiving communications from a user among a plurality of users desiring to access the listings. An operator terminal displays a search screen among a plurality of search screens, each of which maintain at least a partially different arrangement of content and search windows for receiving search terms to search for listings contained in the first database, where the displayed search screen is determined based on criteria contained in a search request from the user. The operator terminal is further configured to receive the communication from the user and retrieve a listing from the first database using the displayed search screen.
US07672438B2
Providing multiple line functionality using alternative network telephony is disclosed. A local telephone installation comprises a first local telephone equipment associated with a first local node, a second telephone equipment associated with a second local node, and local telephone wiring connected to the first and second local nodes. The local telephone installation is associated for purposes of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) with a single telephone line. A request from a calling party to establish a connection with the local telephone installation is received at a third local node. It is determined whether the calling party desires to establish a connection to (1) a first telephone extension associated with the first local node or (2) a second telephone extension associated with the second local node. A connection is established from the third local node to the desired extension over the local telephone wiring in a manner that does not affect the other extension.
US07672431B2
To increase the contrast in the imaging in an object under examination that contains at least one radiopaque element, an arrangement that has the following features is used: a) at least one essentially polychromatic x-ray radiation source that emits x-ray radiation, b) at least one energy-dispersive detector, with which the intensity of the x-ray radiation that gets through the object under examination is detectable, c) at least one correlation unit, with which the intensity of the detected x-ray radiation from a pixel of the object under examination with a first energy E1 can be correlated with the intensity of the detected x-ray radiation from the same pixel with a second energy E2, d) at least one output unit for visualizing the object under examination from the pixel signals that are obtained by correlation of the intensities.
US07672430B2
A system in one embodiment includes a source for directing a beam of radiation at a sample; a multilayer mirror having a face oriented at an angle of less than 90 degrees from an axis of the beam from the source, the mirror reflecting at least a portion of the radiation after the beam encounters a sample; and a pixellated detector for detecting radiation reflected by the mirror. A method in a further embodiment includes directing a beam of radiation at a sample; reflecting at least some of the radiation diffracted by the sample; not reflecting at least a majority of the radiation that is not diffracted by the sample; and detecting at least some of the reflected radiation. A method in yet another embodiment includes directing a beam of radiation at a sample; reflecting at least some of the radiation diffracted by the sample using a multilayer mirror; and detecting at least some of the reflected radiation.
US07672424B2
A radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detector (16) and a radiation source (12) which projects a non-parallel beam of radiation into field of view (14). A footprint of each voxel (v) which is projected on the detector (16) is corrected based on the position of the voxel (v) in the field of view (14) in relation to the radiation detector (16) and the radiation source (12). The contributions from substantially parallel redundant projections are further combined based on a fractional distance frac from a center point (82) of the voxel (v) to a center of each of the adjacent redundant projections.
US07672411B2
A radio receiver comprising: an antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal amplitude modulated with an audio frequency signal; a digitizer for periodically sampling the radio frequency signal and generating a digital reception signal representative of the amplitude of the radio frequency signal; and a demodulator for demodulating the digital reception signal to generate a representation of the audio frequency signal.
US07672405B2
The invention provides a method for controlling the signal gain of a MultiBand Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MB-OFDM) baseband receiver. The symbol boundary of a signal is first detected. Power of the signal is then measured according to the symbol boundary, so that a zero-padding section of the signal is not measured. A gain magnitude for amplifying the signal is then determined according to the power of the signal. The signal is then amplified according to the gain magnitude.
US07672400B2
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a method device and/or system of secure communication in a wireless network using a spatial division multiple access transmission scheme. The method, according to some demonstrative embodiments may include allocating transmission power to N channels to be transmitted to one or more destination stations by N antennas, such that the power to be received by each one of the one or more destination stations is not greater, by more than a predefined power margin, than a minimum power required for reception at a desired quality of service. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07672399B2
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for signaling to a receiver an availability of a service and a deterministic mapping of a service content corresponding to the service. A modulator receives a digital signal and generates a data frame from the digital signal, where the data frame is divided into segments, where at least one grouping of the segments contains the service content. The modulator modulates at least one grouping in accordance with the deterministic mapping. A receiving device receives a digital signal containing the availability of a service, the deterministic mapping corresponding to the service, and the service content, and performs an operation on the service content in accordance with the deterministic mapping.
US07672395B2
A predistorter includes: a divider that divides an input signal and supplies the divided input signal to a linear transmission path and a distortion generating path; a (2k−1)th-order distortion generator that raises the signal supplied to the distortion generating path to the (2k−1)th power to generate a distortion component; a vector adjuster that adjusts the amplitude and phase of the output of the (2k−1)th-order distortion generator; and an adder that sums up the output of the vector adjuster and the output of the linear transmission path to generate a predistorted signal r(t), in which the (2k−1)th-order distortion generator comprises: a (2k−1)th-order multiplier (27B4) that raises the divided signal to the (2k−1)th power; a lower-than-(2k−1)th-order multiplier (27B3, 27B2, 27B1) that raises the divided signal to the 5th, 3rd and 1st power, respectively; a vector adjuster (27C3, 27C2, 27C1) that adjusts the amplitude and phase of the output of the lower-than-(2k−1)th-order multiplier; and an adder (27D) that sums up the output of the vector adjuster and the output of the (2k−1)th-order multiplier.
US07672392B2
Methods, computer-readable medium, a transmitter, a receiver and a transceiver include the transmitter and the receiver in a digital communication system for reducing the transmit power level when there is no user data is to send, i.e., when dummy data is sent instead. That is achieved by defining a symbol alphabet Q and scrambling a modulated bit stream including user data and dummy data with randomly generated symbols from the symbol alphabet Q.
US07672374B2
An image processing apparatus includes an inputting unit for inputting moving image data that is composed of frames each including first and second fields and that is encoded by intra-frame and inter-frame encoding; an instructing unit for submitting a request for outputting a still image; a still image generating unit for generating still image data including first encoded data and second encoded data, each of these encoded data having a prediction error of zero with respect to a reference image; a multiplexing unit for selecting to output either the still image data generated by the still image generating unit or the moving image data input by the inputting unit; a controlling unit for controlling the multiplexing unit so as to select the still image data generated by the still image generating unit; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the image data output from the multiplexing unit in an encoded state.
US07672361B2
Implementation of an improved matched filter system for despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal utilizes a matched filter system that may be broadly conceptualized as a system that optimizes the number of multipliers and adders utilized by the system in despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal. This lowers the power consumption of the improved matched filter system and increases the speed at which the system despreads the PN code from the spread spectrum signal.
US07672351B2
A projection and a raised portion are formed on an upper surface of a blue-violet semiconductor laser device. A projection and a raised portion are formed on a lower surface of a red semiconductor laser device. The height of the projection is smaller than the height of the raised portion, and the height of the projection is smaller than the height of the raised portion. The blue-violet semiconductor laser device and the red semiconductor laser device are joined to each other such that the projections are opposed to each other.
US07672350B2
A semiconductor device is provided that includes an optical feedback structure that is monolithically integrated with a VCSEL device and which extends the speed of the VCSEL device beyond the speed to which it would otherwise be limited due to relaxation oscillation. The optical feedback structure does not rely on light emissions from the VCSEL substrate material to produce optical feedback. Consequently, extension of the bandwidth of the semiconductor device through the use of optical feedback is not limited by the absorption threshold wavelength of the substrate material. Furthermore, because the optical feedback structure does not include the substrate, the ability to use optical feedback to extend the bandwidth of the device is independent of the precision with which the substrate thickness can be controlled.
US07672334B2
A wireless communication apparatus includes a memory to store reference data including transmission rates usable for transmission of an aggregated frame including frames and reference frame lengths of the aggregated frame corresponding to the transmission rates, respectively, a throughput obtained with one of the transmission rates and a reference frame length of the reference frame lengths which corresponds to the one of the transmission rates is higher than any throughputs obtained with any frame length at another transmission rate lower than the one of the transmission rates, selects a trial transmission rate and corresponding reference frame length as a trial frame length, sets the trial transmission rate and the trial frame length, with which communication is determined to be possible by transmitting a trial aggregated frame, to initial/maximum values of a transmission rate for transmitting the aggregated frame and a frame length of the aggregated frame, respectively.
US07672333B2
A non-agile channelization method for multichannel medium access control (MAC) is provided, in which an available channel is categorized as an agile or non-agile channel, an operation mode of the channel categorized as the non-agile channel is selected, and multichannel switching is performed according to the selected operation mode. The non-agile channelization method for multichannel MAC enables non-agile channel switching to create a connected network, and allows agile and non-agile channel switching to coexist to avoid a change in existing hardware.
US07672326B1
A double data rate SMII circuit comprises a transmit circuit, responsive to a clock signal, that samples serial transmit data on a clock rising edge to generate a first transmit serial stream. The transmit circuit, responsive to the clock signal, samples the serial transmit data on a clock falling edge to generate a second transmit serial stream. A receive circuit, responsive to the clock signal, generates a receive serial stream from two receive data streams. The receive serial stream having a first operating frequency, each of the two receive data streams having a second operating frequency. The first operating frequency is about twice the second operating frequency. A transmit port, corresponding to the transmit circuit, includes a single terminal to communicate the serial transmit data to the transmit circuit. A receive port, corresponding to the receive circuit, includes a single terminal to communicate the receive serial stream from the receive circuit.
US07672323B2
In a network system for transporting GFP-encapsulated Fibre Channel/FICON data across a SONET/SDH transport network between two Fibre Channel/FICON ports, a transport interface for one Fibre Channel/FICON port intelligently allocates the amount of buffers for receiving Fibre Channel/FICON data from the other Fibre Channel/FICON port by determining the latency of travel across the SONET/SDH transport network. The first transport interface inserts a special latency instruction message into the Fibre Channel/FICON data before encapsulation in a GFP frame. After transport across the SONET/SDH network, the receiving second transport interface immediately sends the special latency instruction message back across the SONET/SDH transport network to the first transport interface which times the return of the special latency instruction message. From the time interval, the first transport interface can determine the latency of the SONET/SDH transport network and allocates the amount of buffers appropriately. This latency determination procedure is performed periodically so that the amount of allocated buffers can change as the latency of the SONET/SDH transport network changes.
US07672317B2
A method, a system, and network elements for transmitting information between a user equipment and an IP packet gateway, are disclosed, the IP packet gateway communicating with an IP network via an interface, wherein, when the UE is requesting at least one service requiring access to the IP network, authorization of the requested service is checked, wherein an error message is sent from the IP packet gateway to the user equipment, when the requested service is not authorized. The present invention discloses several options of signaling error messages between IP packet gateway and UE, for example, via IP layer signaling (e.g. RESV ERR messages) or link layer signaling (e.g. IS2000 and IOS signaling). The solution according to the present invention, in particular, relates to a CDMA network in connection with an IP multimedia subsystem network.
US07672316B2
A method for overhead processing of optical network and device thereof are disclosed, the device includes: an overhead memory, an overhead processor, and an overhead processor control module. The overhead processor control module is used for controlling the operation of the overhead memory and the overhead processor. The method includes: a system chip inputs the time slots of all overhead bytes that will be processed and descrambled data, and corresponding virtual container numbers, the overhead processor encodes the byte and stores all overhead byte of the same channel in the address of the same overhead memory; at the same time it stores in turn the overhead byte of different channels in different address spaces based on the virtual container numbers, so that an overhead processing logic performs a polling process. The method and device only use a set of overhead processing logic for the overhead of large capacity chips, and save the area and power consumption greatly, thereby reduce the production cost.
US07672314B2
In one embodiment, a technique for processing data packets in a data network comprising a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs) is disclosed. A data network is divided into a core network and a plurality of domain networks, each domain network coupled to one or more customer networks. A plurality of VLANs are apportioned between the domain networks and the core network. The VLANs that are allocated to the domain networks are local to each domain network. However, the VLANs allocated to the core network are global to the domain networks and core network. When a data packet is acquired at a domain ingress edge node in a particular domain network, the node generates a domain network packet from information contained in the data packet. The node then tags the domain network packet with a domain VLAN (DVLAN) tag associated with a VLAN allocated to the domain network.
US07672313B2
A method for realizing route forwarding in a network, including: establishing LSPs in a bearer network; setting an entrance label in the starting node of each LSP pointing to forwarding information of the LSP; a bearer control entity assigning a transfer path for the service flow and sending the information of all corresponding entrance labels of the transfer path to the ingress edge node of the transfer path; when the service flow needs to be forwarded, the ingress edge node puts the label stack into the data packet of the service flow to generate an MPLS exchange packet; and forwarding the MPLS exchange packet in the bearer network according to the label stack until the packet reaches the egress edge node of the transfer path. The present invention grants high compatibility to the network, minimizes the network investment, and reduces the difficulties in network implementation.
US07672311B2
In order to easily set IP addresses required for communicating with apparatuses connected to a network, an MFP includes a port scan unit for acquiring, by port scanning, an IP address of a server having a predetermined port open from one of the servers connected to the network, and a network environment storage part for storing a set of acquired IP address and a port number of the predetermined port.
US07672310B2
Preamble length of burst communication signals dynamically changed to compensate in changes to linear distortion of a communication channel. Pre-equalization coefficients are provided to network element which pre-equalize communications with the CMTS. Long preamble lengths are used for a select few communications while short preamble lengths are used for the rest of the communication signals. When change in distortion characteristics is detected, a station maintenance is performed on the affected network element and new pre-equalization coefficients are determined and provided to the network element. Alternatively, all communications may be provided with long preamble lengths and communications may continue while the CMTS determines new pre-equalization coefficients.
US07672308B2
The present invention describes a method, system and network node for controlling quality of service for existing data connections using shared radio resources in a wireless communication network. The Quality Control monitors the satisfaction level of every user as well as the user satisfaction rate in the system. The purpose of this function is to indicate the degraded situation to the Admission Control. In that way, appropriate actions to counteract those situations in which the provision of QoS is not in line with the negotiated QoS for a determined amount of users can be triggered. The Quality Control indicates the Admission Control about the convenience of starting to block users that request guaranteed QoS, such as streaming service users, or non Real Time (nRT) users to avoid the degradation in the provision of QoS for those users already admitted to the system.
US07672305B2
Port input sections generate, when the head flits of a packet are stored in the first and second registers, first and second mediation request signals destined for a desired request destination, and further generate a first notification signal used to notify the presence or absence of the first mediation request signal destined for any request destination. Upon reception of a mediation result signal, the port input sections output the flit from the first register and sequentially forward flits to be stored in the first register and the second register, and the port output sections sequentially output the flit outputted from the first register of any one of the port input sections to the node. A register suppresses a delay of the mediation result signal caused by a transmission path in a predetermined range, upon reception of the first and second mediation request signals sent thereto and the first notification signal, transmit and receive each mediation result signal between the mediation sections as a second notification signal; and perform mediation at the mediation circuit to output a mediation result signal.
US07672304B2
A method for switching frames in a switching system is provided. The method includes receiving a first stripe set for a first port at a second port. The first stripe set is stored in a particular location in a queue of the second port. A determination is made regarding whether a first full flag associated with the first port has been set. If the first full flag has not been set, the first full flag is set and the particular location in the queue of the second port is provided to the first port.
US07672303B1
A method is provided for performing arbitration in an information packet controller. The method includes transmitting different types of information packets from an initiator to a receiver. One type of information packet has a quality of service requiring a faster transmission time from the initiator to the receiver than another type of information packet having a quality of service having a slower transmission time from the initiator to the receiver. The transmitting of the information packets from the initiator to the receiver is in accordance with priority assigned to the information packet, the quality of service assigned to the information packet, and the age of such information packets having been stored in a queue of the initiator, such quality of service being a function of the speed at which the packets are required to pass from the initiator to a receiver.
US07672297B2
Mediation systems and methods for hybrid networks including an IMS network. A system and method mediates an IMS network having a serving call state control function (S-CSCF) for providing session control for user endpoint (UE) devices with an alternative network to create a hybrid network. A service and corresponding service request code are defined to utilize at least a subset of capabilities provided by said alternative network. The S-CSCF is provisioned to identify and receive an alternative network service request message from a UE, including providing a call model having at least one filter code to associate said alternative network service code with at least one application server (AS) dedicated to serving alternative network service requests, said AS being responsive to service point triggers (SPTs). The AS is in communication with and capable of controlling delivery of at least a subset of services provided by said alternative network. The alternative network is a wireless broadcast network, such as a DVB-H network or a forward link only (FLO) network. The IMS network and S-CSCF and ASs are provisioned to provide two-way transport for interactive services for said hybrid network. The call model for alternative network services is constructed as a dynamic call model.
US07672294B2
An IP bridge phone for operatively coupling one or more analog phones to a digital communications network to support parallel communications is disclosed. The IP bridge phone includes a phone handset interface adapted to connect to a phone handset, an analog phone interface, and a network interface. A mixing module is adapted to receive a first voice signal from the handset interface, a second voice signal from the analog phone, and a third voice signal from the data communications network; generate a plurality of combined signals from the first voice signal, the second voice signal, and the third voice signal; and transmit each of the plurality of combined signals to one of the plurality of interfaces. The plurality of combined signals provide parallel communications between the phone handset, the analog phone, and the remote calling party.
US07672287B2
A method for transmitting a signal of a medium access control sublayer in a mobile communication system which has mobile and base stations for providing a bearer service. A bearer service profile type is decided according to a bearer service combination type of the bearer service for the provision of the bearer service. A transport format indicator is set according to the decided bearer service profile type, and a transport format combination indicator is appended to a dedicated physical control channel. The most efficient data is transmitted on the basis of a service type and a measured radio environment result. Therefore, a data frame format most suitable to a channel environment can be produced, thereby providing the best service.
US07672285B2
An approach is provided for minimizing co-channel interference in a communication system is disclosed. Non-header portions of frames, which are transmitted over the communication system, are scrambled according to respective different scrambling sequences. The above arrangement is particularly suited to a digital satellite broadcast and interactive system.
US07672282B1
A wireless client station includes a received signal strength module to estimate N signal strengths of N signals received by the wireless client station from N access points, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one. The wireless client station further includes a control module to determine N path losses based on the N signal strengths and N transmit power signals included in the N signals. The control module selects and associates with one of the N access points based on a lowest one of the N path losses. The control module adjusts a minimum transmit power of the wireless client station based on a sum of the lowest one of the N path losses and a receiver sensitivity of the wireless client station.
US07672281B1
A method of communicating in a wireless ad-hoc network is disclosed. The network has a plurality of nodes, including a requesting node, configured for wireless communication therebetween. Each node transmits a situational awareness message to adjacent nodes. The message informs other nodes of a geographic location of the transmitting node. Each adjacent node, upon receiving the message, re-transmits the message to nodes adjacent the adjacent nodes when the transmitting node is within a predetermined re-transmitting distance. The requesting node transmits a situational awareness request to the nodes in the network. Each node in the set of nodes transmits a situational awareness response to the situational awareness request. The situational awareness response provides a geographic location of said each node in the set of nodes. Each node in the network that receives the situational awareness response re-transmits the situational awareness response along a transmission path toward the requesting node.
US07672270B2
In order to provide a communication system as well as a vehicle comprising such a communication system for communication between and among vehicles and a method for communication between and among vehicles moving in any different directions within the same area by means of at least one channel designed for transmitting at least one message, the channel comprising at least one code for communication of the vehicles within at least one cluster in which at least one group of vehicles are clustered, wherein interference is to be eliminated, the vehicle comprises directional antennas oriented in different directions in relation to the moving direction of the vehicle to enable the sending direction of the message to be allocatable to directions in relation to the moving direction of the vehicle and the channel is assigned to direction areas, north, east, south and west.
US07672268B2
In a system utilizing double wide communication channels, if a particular CPE requires a sustained rate that is greater than the bandwidth of a single channel, data to and from the CPE may be split across Channels A and B. Also, when the bandwidth requirements of a particular CPE peaks at a data rate greater than the capacity of a single channel, the CPE's data may be split across the two channels. In one embodiment, a single-wide CPE may communicate with the base station without knowing that it is communicating with a base station configured to communicate using a double wide channel.
US07672266B2
A method of and a digital data recovery circuit (1) for extracting digital data from an analog data signal in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communications system, wherein the analog data signal of a communications link is exchanged in bursts or time slots. The circuit (1) comprises analog-to-digital (ADC) converter means (4), digital filter means (6) for providing a threshold or slice level, and digital comparator means (5) for comparing the digital data signal and the slice level for providing the recovered digital data. The digital filter means (6) comprise storage means (15) for digitally adjusting the filter time constants and slice level for each burst or time slot independently in accordance with specific settings applicable to a communications link associated with a burst or time slot.
US07672254B2
The present invention relates to a wireless local area network (WLAN). In the present invention, an access point transmits and receives a probe frame including identity numbers of each access point with a near access point, determines a master access point, and establishes a connection with a near access point through a first radio channel. The master access point transmits a beacon frame, including time information, to a station through a second radio channel, and establishes a connection with the station. The master access point relays a wired internet service received from internet network to the station. Thereafter the master access point switches the connection to the first radio channel and transmits a data frame to the near access point connected with a target station.
US07672251B2
A multiple network service sharing method and a device for the same are provided. With the sub-network aggregation information collecting function and service arbitration function, the network user can easily add new network services to the existing network structure. The method and device support wired, wireless, IP-based and non-IP-based networks.
US07672239B1
Techniques, systems, and apparatus for offloading data connections from a kernel onto an associated TNIC are disclosed. Generally, embodiments of the invention are configured to send message packets of a connection to an endpoint at substantially the same time as an associated offload set-up process is performed. A method provides a data connection enabling data exchange between two TCP endpoints. After a determination is made that the connection is suitable for offloading, the kernel sends connection state information and a request that the connection be offloaded to a TNIC. Prior to completion of offload set up, an initial transmission of connection data is sent to an associated TCP endpoint. These principles can be implemented as software operating on a computer system, as a computer system module, as a computer program product and as a series of related devices and products.
US07672229B2
The invention discloses a method for dynamically allocating link bandwidth on resilient packet ring. This algorithm comprises the steps of measuring a group of variables in one advertisement interval, calculating the local fair rate using the measured variables, determining an advertising rate based on the local fair rate, and transmitting the data packets with the advertising rate. Compared with existing fairness algorithms, the new algorithm introduces integration for the idle rate to achieve 100% of bandwidth utilization. It also avoids using the concept of “congestion state” which is essential in the existing fairness algorithm.
US07672227B2
A stackable Ethernet switch system (SESS) includes a number of stack switch elements in which loops are prevented. In one embodiment, logic is provided for monitoring control management traffic on a stacking port of a stack switch element of the SESS. Also included is logic, operable responsive to determining that there is a loss of control management traffic on a stacking port of a particular switch element of the SESS, for disabling user traffic data on that stacking port while keeping the control management traffic path open. The user data traffic on that stacking port of the particular switch element may be enabled upon detecting that the control management traffic on that stacking port has resumed.
US07672225B2
Swapping an operational networked electronic system for a nonoperational networked electronic system
A method of switching a network access configuration associated with a first electronic system to a second electronic system via a network is described. The first electronic system is inoperable. The second electronic system replaces the first electronic system such that a user seamlessly transitions from the first electronic system to the second electronic system. The user continues to access the network resources using the second electronic system rather than the first electronic system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an application for switching the network access configuration is invoked using the second electronic system. During a first phase, the application transmits first data to a network infrastructure provider. The network infrastructure provider obtains approval for switching the network access configuration from the network service provider. If the network service provider approves switching the network access configuration, the network infrastructure provider updates its databases such that the network access configuration of the first electronic system is associated with the second electronic system. During a second phase, the network service provider updates its databases such that the network access configuration of the first electronic system is associated with the second electronic system if the network infrastructure provider successfully updates its databases. At the conclusion of the second phase, the second electronic system can access the network using the network access configuration.
US07672222B2
A data communications architecture employing serializers and deserializers that reduces data communications latency. In an illustrative implementation, the data communications architecture communicates data across communications links. The architecture maintains various mechanisms to promote data communications speed and to avoid communication link down time. These mechanisms perform the functions including but not limited to handling uncertain data arrival times, detecting single bit and multi-bit errors, handling communications link failures, addressing failed link training, identifying and marking data as corrupt, and identifying and processing successful data transactions across the communications link.
US07672217B2
The present invention provides an optical recording medium that includes a recording layer composed mainly of an organic compound and can utilize blue-violet semiconductor laser light (390 to 420 nm in wavelength) as recording/reproducing laser light. The present invention also provides an optical recording/reproducing method using the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium 1 comprises at least a supporting substrate 2; a recording layer 3 on the supporting substrate 2, the recording layer 3 containing an organic compound as a major component; and a light-transmitting layer 5 on the recording layer 3, the light-transmitting layer 5 being capable of transmitting laser light with a wavelength of 390 to 420 nm for recording and reproducing information. The organic compound in the recording layer 3 includes a monomethine cyanine dye that has the minimum value nmin of its refractive index n (real part of the complex refractive index) within the range of 370 to 425 nm and has a refractive index n of 1.2 or lower with respect to the wavelength of the recording/reproducing laser light. The organic compound, when absorbing the laser light, melts or degrades to bring about a change in the refractive index, thereby effecting recording of the information.
US07672213B2
This invention relates to an optical mechanism comprising: an optical beam generating mechanism to generate an optical beam; and a unitary, transparent waveguide for guiding the optical beam to an optically writable surface wherein optical elements for guiding the optical beam are coated onto the waveguide to create a relatively compact optical system, a relatively low exit numerical aperture for the exit pupil, and for bending and re-directing the optical beam.
US07672212B2
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. The first optical path difference providing structure is a ring-shaped structure which includes a plurality of ring-shaped zones including respective steps having at least two kinds of amounts selected from the predetermined expressions.
US07672209B2
An example hologram recording/reproduction device reproduces recorded information from a holographic recording medium where interference fringes formed by a reference light and an object light corresponding to the recording information are recorded. The example hologram recording/reproduction device irradiates the reference light to a holographic recording medium; generates detection information data (Ddet) according to the detection light generated by irradiation of the reference light; sets a target irradiation position of the reference light on the surface of the holographic recording medium according to the detection information data; and moves the irradiation means with respect to the holographic recording medium along its surface so that the reference light is irradiated to the target irradiation position.
US07672205B2
A method is provided for variably controlling a data read speed in an optical disc drive. The method includes determining whether or not a read command has been issued; if the determining step determines that the read command has been issued, examining additional information associated with the read command; and variably controlling a data read speed for an optical disc according to the additional information.
US07672203B2
The present invention is a dubbing device for dubbing data from a portable first recording medium such as a CD-DA (compact disc digital audio) to a second recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), in which dubbing to the second recording medium with a large capacity is automatically carried out when reproducing data from the first recording medium. When data is reproduced from the first recording medium, database means is searched on the basis of identification information for the first recording medium and execution control of dubbing is performed in accordance with the result of search for recording history information. For example, whether or not data to be reproduced from the first recording medium has been already recorded on the second recording medium is discriminated, and dubbing is carried out if the data to be reproduced data has not been recorded on the second recording medium.
US07672198B2
An optical pickup head and an electromagnetic actuating device thereof are provided. The electromagnetic actuating device is used to move an objective lens carrier having an objective lens assembly to form an optical pickup head. The electromagnetic actuating device includes at least a magnet, at least a coil, and at least a yoke. The magnet is spaced apart from the objective lens carrier by a distance, and the coil is disposed at the objective lens carrier, for generating an electromagnetic force to interact with the magnet. The yoke is spaced apart from the objective lens carrier by a distance, in which the yoke has a protruding part that extends towards the objective lens carrier and is used to attract magnetic flux lines produced by the magnet, and thus making the magnetic flux that passes through the coil be distributed evenly.
US07672196B1
A sound source localizer is provided which includes a receiver (41) composed of a plurality of highly versatile microphones (10) each having a predetermined directivity D, a data base (12) which is to calculate a difference in directional sensitivity between one of the microphones (10) of the receiver (41) pointed in one direction and the other directed at an angle of 180 deg. to the one direction and has pre-stored therein information used for determination of an arrival direction and angle of a sound source, and a calculator (11) for calculating differences in level between signals received by the receiver (41) in different directions to determine the arrival direction, angle and sound level of the sound source with reference to the information stored in the data base (12).
US07672193B2
Methods and systems for taking acoustic measurements related to subterranean formations. The methods and systems provide extracting a portion of the acoustic measurements based on predetermined parameters for selecting reflected arrival waves in the acoustic measurements; generating time projection of the extracted acoustic measurements versus borehole depth; and generating an indication or imaging of acoustic reflectors in the formation based on the time projected acoustic measurements.
US07672192B2
Method for computing one or more timing errors that occur in one or more multiples predicted by a multiple prediction algorithm. The method includes the steps of generating one or more actual three-dimensional primary travel times and one or more actual three-dimensional multiple travel times, applying the multiple prediction algorithm to the actual three-dimensional primary travel times to generate one or more travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm, and subtracting the actual three-dimensional multiple travel times from the travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm.
US07672191B2
A data output control circuit includes a data output control circuit configured to compensate a delay amount of a system clock on a clock path when a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit is enabled in such a state that the semiconductor memory device exits a reset state in response to an active signal, and to determine an output timing of data corresponding to a read command by counting the system clock and a DLL clock outputted from the DLL circuit 0 when the DLL circuit 0 is disabled, without compensating the delay amount.
US07672190B1
A circuit and method are provided that eliminate race conditions in data storage devices. Generally, the circuit includes: (i) an input latch to which an address signal (ADD) is applied; (ii) a multiplexer (MUX) to which the ADD is coupled from the input latch and through which an output is supplied to an output latch; (iii) an address valid signal (ADV) input coupled to the output latch and to which an ADV is applied to close the output latch supplying the output to a circuit output; and (iv) a middle latch coupled between the input latch and the MUX to hold the ADD applied to the MUX until the output latch closes, independent of a change in the ADD applied to the input latch. Preferably, the circuit includes control logic configured to close the middle latch on a rising edge of ADV and reopen it when the output latch closes.
US07672186B2
An antifuse replacement determination circuit of a semiconductor memory device, in which the address of a bad memory cell is stored by destroying the insulation of an antifuse element, includes a charging circuit for charging a node of the antifuse element to have a predetermined voltage, and making the charge at the node self-discharge via the antifuse element after the charging of the node is completed; a comparison and determination circuit for comparing the voltage at the node of the antifuse element with a plurality of reference voltages when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of the charging of the node; and a determination part for determining, based on a determination result with respect to the comparison using the plurality of reference voltages in the comparison and determination circuit, whether or not replacement of the bad memory cell has been performed normally by using the antifuse element.
US07672184B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a level feedback circuit and a refresh signal generator. The level feedback circuit outputs a bulk voltage applied to a cell transistor as a feedback signal. The refresh signal generator generates an internal refresh signal for driving a refresh operation at predetermined intervals during a self refresh mode. A period of the internal refresh signal is adjusted according to a voltage level of the feedback signal.
