US08134033B2
To provide a novel polymerizable fluorocompound having a highly fluorinated norbornane structure, and a polymer obtained from the compound. Further, their production processes and a novel intermediate useful for the processes.A novel compound (1) such as a compound (11) or a compound (12), and its polymer. A compound (2) such as a compound (21) or (22), and a compound (3) such as a compound (31) or (32M), which are useful as an intermediate for the production of the compound (1), and its production process. However, each of ZA to ZE represents such as —CH(—OC(O)C(CH3)═CH2)— or —CF2, Each of WA and WB represents such as F, each of YA to YE represents such as —CH(—OH)— or —CF(CH2OH), and each of XA to XE represents such as —C(O)— or —CF2—.
US08134030B2
A process for preparing a primary amine with a tertiary alpha-carbon atom by reacting a tertiary alcohol with ammonia in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, by performing the reaction in the presence of a non-microporous, non-zeolitic aluminosilicate as a catalyst, where the aluminosilicate has a molar Al/Si ratio in the range from 0.1 to 30.
US08134023B2
Materials and methods for preparing (S)-(+)-3-aminomethyl-5-methyl-hexanoic acid and structurally related compounds via enzymatic kinetic resolution are disclosed.
US08134022B2
The present invention relates to a polyether carbonate polyol made by copolymerizing a starter molecule with carbon dioxide, at a pressure ranging from about 10 psia to about 2,000 psia, and an alkylene oxide, at a temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 190° C. and in the presence of from about 0.001 wt. % to about 0.2 wt. % of a substantially non-crystalline double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, wherein the polyol has an incorporated carbon dioxide content of from about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, wherein the ratio of cyclic carbonate by-product to total carbonate is less than about 0.3 and wherein the weight percentages are based on the weight of the polyol. The inventive polyether carbonate polyols may find use in producing polyurethane foams, elastomers, coatings, sealants and adhesives with improved properties.
US08134014B2
The invention relates to the use of specific pyridines as catalysts for the dimerization of isocyanates (uretdione formation) and a process for preparing polyisocyanates having a high content of uretdione groups.
US08134012B2
The novel active compound combinations comprising a carboxamide of the general formula (I) (group 1) in which A, R1 and R2 are as defined in the description, and the active compound groups (2) and (3) listed in the description have very good fungicidal properties.
US08134011B2
Oxazolidinium compounds are formed by the reaction of a halohydrin or an epoxide with a secondary amine and an aldehyde or a ketone. The oxazolidinium compounds are formed directly and do not require the reaction of a pre-formed oxazolidine with an alkylating agent. The compounds are useful as gas hydrate inhibitors in oil and gas production and transportation.
US08134010B2
Disclosed are novel NO-donating compounds, designed such that when NO is released from the compound a residue which is a naturally occurring metabolite is formed, and thus a development of tolerance to the compounds upon repetitive administration is prevented or decreased. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such NO-donating compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and medical devices containing such compounds and methods utilizing such compounds in the treatment of various medical conditions.
US08134001B2
There are provided compounds of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof wherein W, V, X, Y, A, R and R′ are as described herein. The compounds are useful as anticancer agents.
US08134000B2
A compound of general Formula (I) having histone deacetylase (HDAC) and/or Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitory activity, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, and a method useful to treat diseases using the compound.
US08133981B2
The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US08133980B2
The present invention relates to RF-amide peptides and their use for treating, preventing and curing neurological and metabolic medical disorders. The invention also relates to methods for modulating a G-protein coupled receptor and for identifying substances which modulate the receptor.
US08133972B2
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo. In contrast, CTL induced by antigenic peptides derived from IgE specifically inhibit IgE responses, and adoptive transfer of CD40L-specific CTL to NOD mice at early age delay the development of diabetes in NOD mice. In vitro generated CTL specific for non-tumor self-antigens expressed on activated CD4 T cells regulate immune responses in vivo.
US08133970B2
Oxidized and maleated derivative compositions, such as chemically modified oxidized and maleated tall oil fatty acid compositions, can be prepared and used in a variety of industrial applications, including as emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, concrete admixtures, and in reverse flotation mining applications.
US08133961B2
This invention relates to waterborne coatings with enhanced early water blushing resistance, chemical resistance, and adhesion to substrates. These waterborne coatings can be paints, varnishes, and water sealers that offer excellent early water blushing as well as excellent resistance to common household chemicals, such as gasoline, motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, household cleaners, window cleaning fluids, antifreeze, and the like.
US08133960B2
Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a random copolymer comprising hydrophilic units and hydrophobic units, wherein the random copolymer has at least one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent are disclosed.
US08133957B2
A resin composition for encapsulating an optical semiconductor element that comprises components (A), (B) and (C) described below: (A) a branched silicone resin containing 2 to 6 epoxy groups, one or more (R1SiO3/2) units, two or more (R2R3SiO)n structures and 3 or more (R43-xR5xSiO1/2) units per molecule, in an amount of 100 parts by weight, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a monovalent organic group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms which monovalent organic group may or may not contain an oxygen atom, provided that at least two of the R5 groups within each molecule represent an epoxy group and/or an epoxy group-containing non-aromatic group, n represents an integer of 3 to 20, and x represents an integer of 1 to 3, (B) a curing agent, in such an amount that a content of epoxy reactive groups in the component (B) ranges from 0.4 to 1.5 moles per 1 mol of epoxy groups within component (A), and (C) a curing catalyst, in an amount within a range from 0.01 to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a combination of component (A) and component (B).
US08133933B2
Phenolic resin binder systems for sand molds, used in metal casting, which improve the quality of thermally reclaimed sand, are described. The substantial or complete elimination of calcium compounds (e.g., calcium stearate and calcium hydroxide, conventionally employed as a mold lubricant and a resin curing catalyst, respectively) allows the thermally reclaimed sand to be reused over multiple thermal reclamation cycles without the adverse effects previously encountered.
US08133931B2
The present invention discloses an acrylate nanocomposite material which can apply to optoelectronic device encapsulation, dental restorations and light waveguide. The acrylate nanocomposite material comprises an inorganic nano-particle, an acrylate monomer with at least one acrylate group, an imidized acrylate oligomer and a photo-initiator. The acrylate nanocomposite material photopolymerizes to form an organic/inorganic 3D network wherein the absorption (%) is 0.01 to 5.00 and the permeability (g mm/m2 day) is 0.01 to 10.00 thereof. In addition, the transmittance of the nanocomposite is over 90%.
US08133928B2
A process for the storage or transportation of pretreated, conditioned ion exchangers as catalysts for chemical reactions is disclosed. The preconditioned ion-exchange resin is kept as preconditioned ion-exchange resin suspension in a storage or transporting container. The container with the preconditioned ion-exchange resin suspension is transported to either a storage site for storage or to a reactor for transfer of the resin to the reactor.
US08133922B2
Disclosed is a polyglycerol alkyl ether nonionic surfactant which is a nonionic surfactant composed of polyglycerol alkyl ethers and has a polyglycerol monoalkyl ether content of 75 percent by weight or more and a polyglycerol dialkyl ether content of 5 percent by weight or less. This nonionic surfactant is an aliphatic nonionic surfactant, is thereby environmentally friendly, has a superior surface activity equivalent to those of aromatic nonionic surfactants, exhibits a superior emulsifying activity stably over time, and is satisfactorily usable in general purposes.
US08133913B2
Synthesis of novel substituted indeno[1,2-b]indole derivatives of the type of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]indole-9,10-diones and 5H-indeno[1,2-b]indole-6,9,10-triones, which show pronounced inhibition of the human protein kinase CK2, and the use thereof as active ingredients in medicaments and/or drug products in particular for the treatment of neoplastic diseases.
US08133909B2
The present invention is concerned with novel sulfonamides of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Ar, Ar1, Ar2, n, o and p are as described in the description and claims. The compounds are orexin receptor antagonists that may be useful in the treatment of disorders, in which orexin pathways are involved.
US08133908B2
Disclosed are N-{[(1S,4S,6S)-3-(2-pyridinylcarbonyl)-3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-yl]methyl}-2-heteroarylamine derivatives having the following formula: wherein m, n, Het, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, and their use as orexin antagonists.
US08133907B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein A is (1); X is selected from CH, CF and N; R5 is selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkyl, and —OR12; R9 is selected from H —NR13C(O)R14 and —C(O)NR10R11; R12 is selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl and C3-C6 cycloalkyl, for use as inhibitors of the DPP-IV enzyme in the treatment or prevention of conditions including Type II diabetes.
US08133904B2
The present invention provides novel pyrazoles that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders.
US08133903B2
The present methods and compositions are of use for treatment of conditions involving fibrosis, such as Peyronie's disease plaque, penile corporal fibrosis, penile veno-occlusive dysfunction, Dupuytren's disease nodules, vaginal fibrosis, clitoral fibrosis, female sexual arousal disorder, abnormal wound healing, keloid formation, general fibrosis of the kidney, bladder, prostate, skin, liver, lung, heart, intestines or any other localized or generalized fibrotic condition, vascular fibrosis, arterial intima hyperplasia, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, restenosis, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension or any condition characterized by excessive fibroblast or smooth muscle cell proliferation or deposition of collagen and extracellular matrix in the blood vessels and/or heart. In certain embodiments, the compositions may comprise a PDE-4 inhibitor, a PDE-5 inhibitor, a compound that elevates cGMP and/or PKG, a stimulator of guanylyl cyclase and/or PKG, a combination of a compound that elevates cGMP, PKG or NO with an antioxidant that decreases ROS, or a compound that increases MMP activity.
US08133900B2
The invention provides methods of treating a disease selected from systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, mastocytosis, and chronic eosinophilic leukemia comprising administering biaryl meta-pyrimidine compounds having the general structure (A) to a subject in need thereof. The pyrimidine compounds of the invention are capable of inhibiting kinases, such as members of the JAK kinase family, and various other specific receptor and non-receptor kinases.
US08133891B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: I (where A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, D1, D2, J, K, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c, m and n are defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08133884B2
The invention encompasses compounds of formula I as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and are useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08133877B2
Therapeutic compositions used in the field of angiogenesis include nucleotide sequences of genes, the involvement of the genes in the angiogenesis mechanism having been demonstrated by the Applicant, and including the complementary sequences thereof, the antisense sequences of same, polypeptide sequences coded by the coding parts of the aforementioned genes and antibodies that are directed against the polypeptide sequences and also relate to genetically-modified cells that underexpress or overexpress the above-mentioned genes and to therapeutic compositions containing the cells, which are used to treat angiogenic disorders, and, moreover, relate to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosticating antigenic disorders and to novel methods of screening active compounds in the treatment of the disorders.
US08133875B2
Provided is a method for enhancing an immune response to a desired antigen in an individual. The method is performed by administering to the individual an agent capable of inhibiting class A macrophage scavenger receptor (SR-A) and optionally administering the desired antigen. Also provided is a method for enhancing an immune response to an antigen by administering to an individual a composition containing antigen presenting cells that are characterized by specifically inhibited SR-A. Substantially purified populations of mammalian dendritic cells characterized by specifically inhibited SR-A are also provided.
US08133874B2
The invention provides an oligonucleotide with a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or its functional homolgue, a composition comprising the same and a method for treating B cell neoplasm by using the oligonucleotide or its functional homologue or the composition comprising the oligonucleotide. The oligonulceotide induces the apoptosis of B cell neoplastic cells, up-regulates CD40 on B cell neoplastic cells and stimulates the production of IL-10 from B cell neoplastic cells.
US08133870B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I, II, and III as described herein, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and synthetic methods and intermediates that are useful for preparing the compounds. The compounds of formula I, II, and III are useful as anti-viral agents and/or as anti-cancer agents.
US08133862B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the growth rates, alleviating the symptoms, or improving the metabolism of human patients having insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency (IGFD). The invention relates to methods comprising administering insulin-like growth factor-I to a patient having a height which, at the time of treatment or prior to initial treatment with IGF-1, is at least about 2 standard deviations below normal for a subject of the same age and gender, a blood level of insulin-like growth factor-I that, and at the time of treatment or prior to initial treatment with IGF-1, is below normal mean levels, usually at least about 1 standard deviations below normal mean levels, for age and gender.
US08133861B2
Methods for modulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons are provided by means of internalized purine administration such as by intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and intrapleural administration. The methods are noted for stimulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons following an injury (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral aneurism, spinal cord injury and the like).
US08133855B2
A dilutable concentrated hard surface cleaning composition which comprises (preferably consists essentially of): a detersive nonionic surfactant based on an alcohol alkoxylate; a detersive surfactant based on glucoside surfactants; an alkanolamine; water in an amount of at least 75% wt., preferably at least about 80% wt., and optionally one or more further optional constituents, including a polyacrylate polymer, fragrances, colorants, etc. with the proviso that the compositions exclude one or more of: (a) organic acids, (b) inorganic acids, (c) organic solvents selected from glycols, glycol ethers, ether acetates, and alcohols, (d) thickeners, and (e) chelating agents based on nitrogen containing organic compounds which include a plurality of carboxylic acid groups, preferably the compositions of the invention expressly exclude two or more, preferably three or more and yet more preferably exclude four or five of (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
US08133854B2
The present invention relates to a liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition comprising an acid system, wherein the acid system comprises formic acid and acetic acid.
US08133852B2
The invention provides compositions comprising at least one alkylphenol resin (constituent I) and, based on the alkylphenol resin, from 0.05 to 10% by weight of at least one salt of an aromatic base and of a sulfonic acid (constituent II).
US08133847B2
The present invention relates to a method of controlling plants or inhibiting plant growth which comprises applying to the plants or to the locus thereof a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1; or salts or N-oxides thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes for preparing compounds of formula (I), to herbicidal compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and to certain novel pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazines.
US08133846B2
The present invention is directed to novel suspension concentrate compositions comprising finely milled crystalline sulfentrazone suspended in an aqueous glyphosate salt phase containing a surfactant component that chemically and physically stabilizes the composition.
US08133839B2
An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst (1) contains a rare-earth element, an alkaline-earth element, zirconium and a precious metal, wherein an atomic ratio of the alkaline-earth element with respect to a sum of the rare-earth element and the zirconium is 10 atomic % or more, a part of the rare-earth element and a part of zirconium form a composite oxide with at least a part of the alkaline-earth element, and the composite oxide and a part of the precious metal form a solid solution.
US08133837B2
Decreasing HC emission is made possible. An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a substrate, a hydrocarbon-adsorbing layer covering the substrate, and a catalytic layer covering the hydrocarbon-adsorbing layer. The catalytic layer includes a layered structure of a first catalytic layer including a precious metal and a carrier supporting it, and a second catalytic layer including the same precious metal as the precious metal of the first catalytic layer and a carrier supporting it and having a concentration of the precious metal higher than that in the first catalytic layer.
US08133835B2
Provided are a molecular weight controllable, high 1,4-trans polybutadiene catalyst system, and more particularly, a four-component catalyst for preparing 1,4-trans polybutadiene with high yield, the catalyst comprising a cobalt compound, an organoaluminum compound, a phenol-based compound, and a phosphorus-based compound used to prepare 1,4-trans polybutadiene by polymerizing butadiene or a butadiene derivative, and capable of controlling the molecular weight of 1,4-trans polybutadiene by regulating the amount of the phosphorus-based compound. In particular, 1,4-trans polybutadiene may be efficiently applied to tires, belts, or the like since it has excellent tensile strength, tear strength, and cut & chip properties with increasing processability.
US08133818B2
In a method of forming a hard mask pattern in a semiconductor device, only processes for forming patterns having a row directional line shape and a column directional line shape on a plane are performed so that the hard mask patterns can be formed to define densely disposed active regions. A pitch of the hard mask patterns is less than a resolution limit of an exposure apparatus.
US08133809B2
A scheme for forming a thin metal interconnect is disclosed that minimizes etch residues and provides a wet clean treatment for via openings. A single layer interlayer dielectric (ILD), BARC, and photoresist layer are successively formed on a substrate having a copper layer that is coplanar with a dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the ILD is silicon nitride with 100 to 600 Angstrom thickness. After a via opening is formed in a photoresist layer above the copper layer, a first RIE process including BARC main etch and BARC over etch steps is performed. Then a second RIE step transfers the opening through the ILD to uncover the copper layer. Photoresist and BARC are stripped with oxygen plasma and a low DC bias. Wet cleaning may involve a first ST250 treatment, ultrasonic water treatment, and then a third ST250 treatment. A bottom electrode layer may be deposited in the via opening.
US08133803B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor layer comprising: a) growing a semiconductor layer on a foreign substrate; b) forming at least one opening on the semiconductor layer, wherein the opening exposes the interface between the semiconductor layer and the foreign substrate; and c) removing at least part of the semiconductor solid state material along the interface between the semiconductor layer and the foreign substrate. The removing step c) is preferably achieved by selective interfacial chemical etching. The semiconductor layer may be utilized as a substrate for fabrication of a wide variety of electronic and opto-electronic devices and integrated circuitry products.
US08133798B2
There is provided a method for producing an ink jet head. The method includes: first oxidizing in which, in an SOI substrate having a first SiO2 layer between a first Si layer and a second Si layer, among the first Si layer and the second Si layer, at least the first Si layer is thermally oxidized to form a second SiO2 layer; forming a nozzle hole by removing a part of the second SiO2 layer and a part of the first Si layer between the first SiO2 layer and the second SiO2 layer, by performing an etching treatment until at least the first SiO2 layer is exposed; second oxidizing in which a side wall of at least the first Si layer in the formed nozzle hole is thermally oxidized to form an SiO2 layer; opening the nozzle hole by subjecting the SiO2 layers in the nozzle hole other than at the side wall to an anisotropic dry etching treatment until at least the second Si layer is exposed; and forming a nozzle by removing the second Si layer.
US08133795B2
In the present invention, in the exposure to light of a memory cell array or the like of a semiconductor memory or the like, when a group of unit openings for etching the STI trench regions in which the unit openings for etching the STI trench regions each having a rectangular shape are arranged in rows and columns are transferred by the exposure onto a negative resist film, multiple exposure is appropriately used which includes a first exposure step using a first optical mask having a group of first linear openings extending in a column direction and a second exposure step using a second optical mask having a group of second linear openings extending in a row direction.
US08133793B2
Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are provided, the microelectronic structure including a first conductor, a discontinuous film of metal nanoparticles disposed on a surface above the first conductor, a carbon nano-film formed atop the surface and the discontinuous film of metal nanoparticles, and a second conductor disposed above the carbon nano-film. Numerous additional aspects are provided.
US08133789B1
A silicon carbide power MOSFET having a drain region of a first conductivity type, a base region of a second conductivity type above the drain region, and a source region of the first conductivity type adjacent an upper surface of the base region, the base region including a channel extending from the source region through the base region adjacent a gate interface surface thereof, the channel having a length less than approximately 0.6 μm, and the base region having a doping concentration of the second conductivity type sufficiently high that the potential barrier at the source end of the channel is not lowered by the voltage applied to the drain. The MOSFET includes self-aligned base and source regions as well as self-aligned ohmic contacts to the base and source regions.
US08133787B2
A SiC semiconductor device having a MOS structure includes: a SiC substrate; a channel region providing a current path; first and second impurity regions on upstream and downstream sides of the current path, respectively; and a gate on the channel region through the gate insulating film. The channel region for flowing current between the first and second impurity regions is controlled by a voltage applied to the gate. An interface between the channel region and the gate insulating film has a hydrogen concentration equal to or greater than 4.7×1020 cm−3. The interface provides a channel surface having a (000-1)-orientation surface.
US08133786B2
A transistor and method of fabricating the transistor are disclosed. The transistor is disposed in an active region of a substrate defined by an isolation region and includes a gate electrode and associated source/drain regions. The isolation region includes an upper isolation region and an lower isolation region, wherein the upper isolation region is formed with sidewalls having, at least in part, a positive profile.
US08133782B2
A memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, memory elements formed above the substrate in rows and columns, bit lines and word lines selectively connected with the memory elements in the respective columns and rows, each memory element including, a first gate insulator formed above the substrate, a charge accumulation layer formed on the first gate insulator, a second gate insulator formed on the charge accumulation layer, and a control electrode formed on the second gate insulator, wherein a ratio r/d is not smaller than 0.5, where r: a radius of curvature of an upper corner portion or surface roughness of the charge accumulation layer and d: an equivalent oxide thickness of the second gate insulator in a cross section along a direction vertical to the bit lines.
US08133781B2
A mask layer formed over a semiconductor substrate is lithographically patterned to form an opening therein. Ions are implanted at an angle that is normal to the surface of the semiconductor substrate through the opening and into an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate. Straggle of the implanted ions form a doped region that laterally extends beyond a horizontal cross-sectional area of the opening. A deep trench is formed by performing an anisotropic etch of a semiconductor material underneath the opening to a depth above a deep end of an implanted region. Ion implantation steps and anisotropic etch steps are alternately employed to extend the depth of the doped region and the depth of the deep trench, thereby forming a doped region around a deep trench that has narrow lateral dimensions. The doped region can be employed as a buried plate for a deep trench capacitor.
US08133779B2
A conductive film is formed to extend from a bottom and a sidewall of a recess formed in an interlayer insulating film onto a top surface of the interlayer insulating film. Dry etching of the conductive film is performed such that a portion of the conductive film remains on the bottom and sidewall of the recess. The dry etching is also performed such that a deposition film is formed on a top portion of the recess.
US08133775B2
A semiconductor device has: a semiconductor substrate having a pair of current input/output regions via which current flows; an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a gate electrode opening; and a mushroom gate electrode structure formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate electrode opening, the mushroom gate electrode structure having a stem and a head formed on the stem, the stem having a limited size on the semiconductor substrate along a current direction and having a forward taper shape upwardly and monotonically increasing the size along the current direction, the head having a size expanded stepwise along the current direction, and the stem contacting the semiconductor substrate in the gate electrode opening and riding the insulating film near at a position of at least one of opposite ends of the stem along the current direction.
US08133771B2
A display device including a thin film transistor with high electric characteristics and high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the display device with high mass-productivity. In a display device including an inverted-staggered channel-stop-type thin film transistor, the inverted-staggered channel-stop-type thin film transistor includes a microcrystalline semiconductor film including a channel formation region, and an impurity region containing an impurity element of one conductivity type is selectively provided in a region which is not overlapped with source and drain electrodes, in the channel formation region of the microcrystalline semiconductor film.
US08133766B2
A fuse of a semiconductor device includes first fuse metals formed over an underlying structure and a second fuse metal formed between the first fuse metals. Accordingly, upon blowing, the fuse metals are not migrated under conditions, such as specific temperature and specific humidity. Thus, reliability of a semiconductor device can be improved.
US08133761B2
A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.
US08133756B2
A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) method of polishing a phase-change material and a method of fabricating a phase-change memory, the CMP method including forming the phase-change material on an activation surface of a semiconductor wafer, and performing a CMP process on the phase-change material using a polishing pad, wherein the performing the CMP process includes reducing a change in the composition of the phase-change material by adjusting, within a predetermined range, a temperature of a region where the semiconductor wafer and the polishing pad contact each other.
US08133751B2
A method of forming a CMOS image sensor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a P-type impurity characteristic. The semiconductor substrate includes a surface region. The method includes forming a gate oxide layer overlying the surface region and forming a first gate structure overlying a first portion of the gate oxide layer, the first gate structure has a top surface region and at least a side region. The method forms an N-type impurity region in a portion of the semiconductor substrate to form a photodiode device region from the N-type impurity region and the P-type impurity. The method includes forming a blanket spacer layer including an oxide on nitride on oxide structure overlying at least the first gate structure; and forming one or more spacer structures using the blanket spacer layer for the first gate structure while maintaining a portion of the oxide layer from the oxide on nitride on oxide overlying at least the photo-diode device region.
US08133749B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit sandwiched between a pair of a first impact resistance layer and a second impact resistance layer, an impact diffusion layer is provided between the semiconductor integrated circuit and the second impact resistance layer. By provision of the impact resistance layer against the external stress and the impact diffusion layer for diffusing the impact, force applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit per unit area is reduced, so that the semiconductor integrated circuit is protected. The impact diffusion layer preferably has a low modulus of elasticity and high breaking modulus.
US08133746B2
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device having implanted source/drain regions and a gate region, the gate region having been masked by the gate hardmask during source/drain implantation, the gate region having a polysilicon gate layered on a metal layered on a high-K dielectric layer. The gate region and the source/drain regions may be covered with a self planarizing spin on film. The film may be blanket etched back to uncover the gate hardmask while maintaining an etched back self planarizing spin on film on the implanted source/drain regions. The gate hardmask may be etched back while the etched back film remains in place to protect the implanted source/drain regions. The gate region may be low energy implanted to lower sheet resistance of the polysilicon layer. The etched back film may be then removed.
US08133741B2
Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.
US08133737B2
The invention relates to a simple screening test for neoplasia, a precancerous condition, or cancer of the breast. A method is described whereby a breast cancer marker is detected in breast fluid. In a particular embodiment, the method involves treating samples of breast fluids with an aldehyde detecting reagent without any prewashing. The appearance in breast fluids of a marker that is detected by an aldehyde detecting reagent, such as a Schiff's reagent, correlates very well with the disease status of the breast cancer subjects from which the fluids were obtained. Screening test kits are also provided.
US08133735B2
A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.
US08133721B2
A new design for a static diffusion cell for use in a diffusion sampling apparatus to be used in conjunction with automated or manual sampling is disclosed. The diffusion cell of present invention provides to an improved and efficient diffusion assay system.
US08133712B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an inactivated chimeric virus and immunogenic compositions for the treatment or prevention of infection with West Nile virus. Further, other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of preventing and treating West Nile virus infection with the inactivated chimera or immunogenic composition.
US08133692B2
Methods are provided for predicting responsiveness of cancer cells to chemotherapy by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Also provided are methods of selecting a chemotherapeutic treatment for a subject diagnosed with cancer by measuring the level of phosphorylated Stat or the level of expression of Survivin in a cancer and comparing the level in the cancer cell to the respective level in a control. Kits for performing the methods are also provided. Methods for modulating Survivin-dependent apoptosis in a cancer cell are also disclosed.
US08133684B2
The invention provides a method for diagnosing or predicting susceptibility to a prostate neoplastic condition in an individual. The method involves (a) determining a level of RDC1 in a sample from the individual, and (b) comparing the level of RDC1 in the sample to a reference level of RDC1, wherein a level of RDC1 in the sample 2-fold or more higher than the reference level indicates the presence of, or susceptibility to, a prostate neoplastic condition in the individual.
US08133680B2
The present invention provides methods, devices and kits for detecting a ligand. The methods involve capturing a ligand from a sample with an affinity substrate that includes a receptor for a ligand, transferring captured ligand to a detection surface and detecting the ligand on the detection surface with a liquid crystal. Accordingly, the capture step is decoupled from the detection step.
US08133659B2
This invention provides methods of creating via or trench structures on a developer-soluble hardmask layer using a multiple exposure-development process. The hardmask layer is patterned while the imaging layer is developed. After the imaging layer is stripped using organic solvents, the same hardmask can be further patterned using subsequent exposure-development processes. Eventually, the pattern can be transferred to the substrate using an etching process.
US08133655B2
In an optical information recording medium of the present invention, at least one information layer provided on a transparent substrate includes a protective layer and a write-once recording layer that are disposed in this order from the transparent substrate side. The recording layer contains at least one selected from Cr—O, Zn—O, Ga—O, In—O, Sn—O, Sb—O, Bi—O, and Te—O. The protective layer contains at least one selected from Cr—O, Zn—O, Ga—O, In—O, Sn—O, Sb—O, Bi—O, and Te—O. When the total amount of all the atoms other than oxygen atoms contained in the protective layer is taken as 100 atom %, the total amount of atoms of Cr, Zn, Ga, In, Sn, Sb, Bi, and Te in the protective layer is at least 70 atom %.
US08133638B2
An all-polymer grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light comprises a first polymer having a first refractive index and configured as a microstructure embedded within a second polymer having a second refractive index, each of the polymers of the first and second polymers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.05 greater than the refractive index of the second polymer.
US08133636B2
A fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte membrane positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; a separator including a channel for a flow of fuel and oxidant and closely adhered to the membrane electrode assembly; and a gasket with a two-layer structure stacked between the separator and the membrane electrode assembly.
US08133632B2
An Au plated film 12 is formed on the surface of a plate-formed metal base 13 composed of a metal less noble than Au, and the product is cut along a planned cutting line 18 reflecting a contour of a desired component, to thereby form a separator 10. Thus-formed separator 10 has the Au plated film 12 formed on the main surface 10a thereof, and has a cutting plane 16 formed as an end face 16 stretched up to the main surface 10a. The metal base 13 exposes in a part of the cutting plane 16, in a width of the exposed region of 1 mm or less. This is successful in providing a metal component for fuel cell which is satisfactory in the corrosion resistance and allows easy fabrication at low costs, a method of manufacturing the same, and also in providing a fuel cell having thus-fabricated metal component for fuel cell.
US08133628B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas using a heat medium before the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack, a reformer for reforming a raw fuel chiefly containing hydrocarbon to produce a fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, a combustor for burning a raw fuel and an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack after consumption in power generation reaction to produce a combustion gas, and a heat retention chamber provided to cover opposite ends of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction. Before an exhaust gas is supplied to the combustor, the exhaust gas flows into the heat retention chamber as a heat source for maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell stack.
US08133627B2
A fuel cell system that includes a stack includes a plurality of generators for producing electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The generators are connected in series. In addition, the fuel cell system comprises a fuel supply assembly for supplying fuel comprising hydrogen to the generators, an oxygen supply assembly for supplying oxygen to the generators and at least one branch member that is coupled to at least one of the generators.
US08133624B2
A fuel cell system is disclosed including a fuel cell stack and pressure sensors, wherein bypass conduits having flow restriction devices disposed therein are provided for bypassing fluids around the fuel cell stack to militate against the accumulation of moisture in conduits in fluid communication with the pressure sensors.
US08133622B2
A fuel cell system is provided comprising: a reformer for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; and at least one electricity generator for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The reformer includes a main body in which a plurality of reaction sections for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel is integrally formed. A heating section is disposed in contact with the main body in order to supply different amounts of thermal energy to the plurality of reaction sections.
US08133609B2
A pouch type secondary battery having enhanced reliability by protecting the battery from external impacts is described. A reinforcement structure may be installed on a pouch casing and an electrode assembly housed in the pouch casing. Short-circuits inside the pouch casing may be minimized. The pouch type secondary battery has an electrode assembly with positive and negative electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween, and positive and negative terminal portions extending from the positive and negative electrode plates. A first reinforcement member is closely adhered to one or more planes of the electrode assembly. A second reinforcement member may be adhered to the pouch casing and used with or without the first reinforcement member.
US08133608B2
A battery pack, or battery pack module, is provided that achieves improved battery pack performance, system reliability and system safety while impacting only a small region of the battery pack/battery module, and thus having only a minor impact on battery pack cost, complexity, weight and size. The battery pack/battery module is designed such that the fusible interconnects associated with a single battery, or a specific fusible interconnect associated with a single battery, will be the last interconnect(s) to fuse during a short circuit event. The risk of sustained arcing for the predetermined interconnect(s) is minimized through the use of rapid clearing interconnects. As a result, the risk of damage and excessive heating is also minimized.
US08133607B1
A parallel connection assembly of batteries and a battery set having the same are provided. The parallel connection assembly connects battery units to form a battery set, and it includes electrical-conductive connecting pieces, two flexible metallic woven bands and electrical-conductive fixing elements. Each battery unit has a positive electrode hole and a negative electrode hole. Each electrical-conductive connecting piece has a through-hole and a fixing portion. Each electrical-conductive fixing element passes through the through-hole to be fixed in the positive electrode hole or the negative electrode hole. The two flexible metallic woven bands serially connect the fixing portions of the electrical-conductive connecting pieces located on the positive electrode holes and the negative electrode holes respectively, thereby electrically connecting the battery units in parallel. Since the flexible metallic woven band is low in impedance, flexible and easy to assemble, the battery set has an increased electrical-conducting efficiency and resistance to vibrations.
US08133603B2
Disclosed is a battery pack that includes a bare cell for producing electricity, a circuit board electrically coupled to the bare cell, and a case for accommodating the bare cell and circuit board. The case has a foot rubber installing part formed on an outer surface of the case, and the foot rubber installing part has a tub for accommodating a foot rubber. The tub has a receiving groove formed on an inner surface of the tub. The receiving groove is an extra space that does not accommodate the foot rubber. The receiving groove stores an excess of glue material that is used to couple the foot rubber to the foot rubber installing part.
US08133602B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly, a case, a cap assembly, and an arc interrupter. The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The case houses the electrode assembly and has an opening for the electrode assembly, and the cap assembly is coupled to the opening of the case and is electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The arc interrupter includes an interrupting member movably disposed in the cap assembly and a driving member connected to the interrupting member to transfer the interrupting member.
US08133600B2
Polymerization of siloxane is improved using a gypsum-based slurry that includes stucco, Class C fly ash, magnesium oxide and an emulsion of siloxane and water. This slurry is used in a method of making water-resistant gypsum articles that includes making an emulsion of siloxane and water, then combining the slurry with a dry mixture of stucco, magnesium oxide and Class C fly ash. The slurry is then shaped as desired and the stucco is allowed to set and the siloxane polymerizes.The resulting product is useful for making a water-resistant gypsum panel having a core that includes interwoven matrices of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and a silicone resin, where the interwoven matrices have dispersed throughout them a catalyst comprising magnesium oxide and components from a Class C fly ash.
US08133595B2
Disclosed is a multilayer alloy coating film capable of maintaining heat resistance, high-temperature oxidation resistance and creep resistance for a long time even in an ultra high temperature environment. The multilayer alloy coating film comprises a barrier layer formed on a base surface, and an aluminum reservoir layer formed on the barrier layer and composed of an alloy containing Al. The barrier layer comprises an inner sacrificial barrier layer composed of an alloy containing Re, an inner stabilization layer formed on the inner sacrificial barrier layer, a diffusion barrier layer formed on the inner stabilization layer and composed of an alloy containing Re, an outer stabilization layer formed on the diffusion barrier layer, and an outer sacrificial barrier layer formed on the outer stabilization layer and composed of an alloy containing Re.
US08133593B2
A preform for forming a hollow-core, slotted photonic band-gap (PBG) optical fiber for use in an environmental sensor, and methods of forming such a fiber using the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a slotted cladding tube that surrounds a slotted, hollow-core PBG cane. The slots in the cladding tube and PBG cane are longitudinally formed and substantially aligned with each other. When the preform is drawn, the slots merge to form an elongated side opening or slot in the resulting hollow-core PBG fiber.
US08133588B2
A coated article and method of employing a water-based coating composition on a fiber cement composite substrate is provided. The coating composition contains: an epoxy resin, a crosslinker having epoxide-reactive functional groups, a latex polymer distinct from the epoxy resin, and water.
US08133584B2
A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection and having improved flash fire protection consisting essentially of from (a) 50 to 80 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, (b) 10 to 30 weight percent flame-retardant rayon fiber, (c) 10 to 20 weight percent modacrylic fiber, (d) 0 to 5 weight percent para-aramid fiber, and (e) 0 to 3 weight percent antistatic fiber based on the total weight of components (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e). In one embodiment, garments made from the yarn provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating.
US08133583B2
The present invention provides a fire retardant antiflux fiber, the fiber is composed of the following components: cellulose 60˜80% by mass, silicon fire retardant (calculated as silicon dioxide) 15˜36% by mass, tourmaline 0.1˜5%. The present invention also provides a process of producing fire retardant antiflux fiber, in the adding step, the silicon fire retardant is added into the cellulose xanthate in the xanthation step or the viscose which was prepared after the xanthation step, the level of adding the silicon fire retardant is 19˜30%, calculated as silicon dioxide. The fire retardant antiflux fiber of the present invention has high fire retardant antiflux effect, high fiber strength and excellent negative ion generating efficacy. At the same time, the viscose also maintains excellent filtering performance in the procedure using above production process, reducing the production standstill caused by the viscose blocking up filter screen, improving production efficiency. The viscose fiber can be used to fabricate nonwoven fabric widely.
US08133571B2
An interior article for automobiles is provided having a light-weight and suitable rigidity without lowering moldability even if the amount of use of a thermoplastic resin is decreased. A panel having a hollow double-wall structure and constituting an interior part for automobiles is formed from a mixture of polyolefin resins comprised of a propylene homopolymer having a specific gravity of 0.93 or less (JIS K7112), exhibiting a melt flow rate of 0.3 to 3.0 g/10 minutes (JIS K7210) and exhibiting a bending modulus of 1400 MPa or more (JIS K6758), a crystalline propylene block copolymer having a specific gravity of 0.93 or less (JIS K7112), exhibiting a melt flow rate of 0.3 to 1.5 g/10 minutes (JIS K7210) and exhibiting a bending modulus of 1250 MPa or less (JIS K7171) and a high density polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.925 to 0.965 (JIS K7112) and exhibiting a melt flow rate of 0.5 g/10 minutes or less (JIS K7210).
US08133559B2
The present invention provides multilayered materials, such as films usable in particular in medical devices in the form of vascular grafts, biocompatible coverings, and/or inflatable bladders, prosthesis for the endoluminal treatment of aneurysms, particularly aortic aneurysms including both abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA's).
US08133557B2
The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least one of the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (“Tg”) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker. Preferred compositions are substantially free of mobile BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds, e.g., BADGE, BFDGE and epoxy novalacs (e.g., NOGE) and more preferred compositions are also substantially free of bound BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds. In more preferred embodiments (e.g., alcoholic beverage cans), the polyol molecules used to make the polyester resin are substantially free of NPG. The present invention also provides a method of making such cans.
US08133556B2
Two-layer receiver coatings particularly well adapted for use in inkjet printing comprise: A. A base layer comprising: 1. First pigment particles having (a) a number average particle size of 3-25 microns (μm), and (b) at least one of (i) an oil absorption value of at least 150 g oil/100 particles, and (ii) a pore volume of at least about 1.2 cubic meters per gram (cm3/g); and 2. Water-insoluble binder resin having a surface energy greater than 40 dyne per centimeter (dyn/cm); the first pigment particles and water-insoluble binder resin present at a weight ratio of 0.75 to 2; and B. An imaging layer comprising: 1. Second pigment particles having (a) a number average particle size of 0.01-4 (μm) aggregated to form an inter-particle region of submicron pores, and (b) a pore volume of 0.4 to 2.2 (cm3/g); and 2. Water-insoluble binder resin having a surface energy greater than 40 (dyn/cm); the second pigment particles and water-insoluble binder resin present at a weight ratio of 0.75 to 2.
US08133550B2
A polybenzoxazole precursor is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1a to R4a, R1b to R4b, X1, Y1 and m are defined in the specification.
US08133546B2
A method is provided for producing an organic thin film on a substrate surface comprising improved heat resistance or durability; said method comprising at least a step (B) of allowing the substrate to contact with an organic solvent solution comprising a metal surfactant having at least one or more hydrolysable group or hydroxyl group, and a catalyst that can interact with the metal surfactant, wherein the method further comprises after step (B), step (E1) of heating the substrate which has been in contact with the organic solvent solution at 100° C. to 150° C.; step (E2) of immersing the substrate which has been in contact with the organic solvent solution in a warm water of 40° C. or more and less than the boiling point; or step (E3) of allowing the substrate which has been in contact with the organic solvent solution to contact with a moisture vapor of 60° C. to 150° C.
US08133544B2
High-strength quenched formed body with good corrosion resistance and process for producing the same
A high-strength quenched formed body containing a layer on the surface of an after-quenching formed-body steel material in which layer Zn is a major component and which layer contains 30% by mass or less of Fe, and which layer is present in an amount of 30 g/m2 or more. A quenched formed body is produced by quenching a zinc-plated steel material which includes a zinc-plated layer containing each of Al and Si having alloying-retarding function and readily-oxidizing function independently or compositely, in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more, after heating it to 800° C. or more and 950° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 0.1% by volume or more of oxygen.
US08133543B2
Method for improving printability on paper or paper products with the aid of ink-jet printing method
A process for improving the printability of paper and paper products by enhancing the water resistance of ink-jet printed images, wherein the process comprises treating the paper or paper products with aqueous solutions of cationic polymers comprising vinylamine units and having a charge density of at least 3 meq/g as the sole treatment composition in aqueous solution, wherein the sole treatment composition is applied in an amount from 0.05 to 5 g/m2 to the surface of the paper or the surface of the paper product.
US08133541B2
This invention relates to hydroxyalkylated chitosan solution characterized in that a hydroxyalkylated chitosan and an organic acid or its derivative are contained in an aprotic polar solvent. This invention also relates to a coating process of a substrate, which is characterized by a step of causing the hydroxyalkylated chitosan solution to adhere onto a surface of the substrate, and another step of heating the substrate, which has been obtained in the first-mentioned step, at 100° C. or higher for 1 second or longer. This invention can provide a one-pack solution of a chitosan derivative, which is free from crosslinking and stable at room temperature, can form a chitosan coating excellent in waterproofness after heated and dried, and is suited for the coating of a hydrophobic or lipophilic surface. This invention also provides a coating process of a substrate, which makes use of the one-pack solution.
US08133539B2
Ink jet printing on a non-absorbent substrate involves a wet primer having a primer viscosity. The wet primer is applied on the non-absorbent substrate. An ink jet ink having an ink jet viscosity lower than the primer viscosity is jetted over the wet primer while the primer is still wet. The wet primer and ink are simultaneously cured on the substrate.
US08133534B2
Methods of directing the self assembly of block copolymers on chemically patterned surfaces to pattern discrete or isolated features needed for applications including patterning integrated circuit layouts are described. According to various embodiments, these features include lines, t-junctions, bends, spots and jogs. In certain embodiments a uniform field surrounds the discrete feature or features. In certain embodiments, a layer contains two or more distinct regions, the regions differing in one or more of type of feature, size, and/or pitch. An example is an isolated spot at one area of the substrate, and a t-junction at another area of the substrate. These features or regions of features may be separated by unpatterned or uniform fields, or may be adjacent to one another. Applications include masks for nanoscale pattern transfer as well as the fabrication of integrated circuit device structures.
US08133525B2
Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08133524B1
A composition suitable for feeding hemophagous insects includes peptides, salt, and a CO2 generator.
US08133520B2
A commercial device and method for cooking food product in cooking oil includes a fry vat containing an amount of cooking oil used to cook discrete batches of uncooked food in discrete batches of a weight relative to the amount of cooking oil in the range of from about 0.0375 to about 0.1, with the total amount of food being cooked at any one time relative to the amount of oil in the fry vat being about 0.1 or less. Cooking the food results in an uptake of oil by the food in an amount of from about 5.5% to about 13% by weight of the uncooked food, and an oil turnover ratio of from about 0.0026 to about 0.007 per discrete batch. Replacement oil is periodically added, and a sufficient number of batches are cooked over 60 hours of operation to achieve at least one vat oil turnover.
US08133517B2
A microwavable vacuum-packed frozen sushi product comprising: a flexible microwave-safe plastic packing bag which is vacuumed to a pressure of 50 to 600 mmHg and, in the pressure-reduced state, hermetically sealed; an open-topped plastic box placed in said packing bag; and a sushi product placed in said box; said vacuum-packed frozen sushi product being such that a space is formed in said packing bag in the pressure-reduced state around said sushi product and the space has, in total, a volume 0.1 to 0.7 times that of said sushi product; an inner surface of said packing bag is in contact with an upper surface of said sushi product; and said packing bag, said box and said sushi product are frozen together in a unified form. Water vapor generated during thawing is allowed to flow through a space formed between the sushi material and the box and the packing bag to heat a rice section and a material or materials, thereby providing the sushi product with diminished unevenness in temperature distribution.
US08133514B2
Compositions useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. These delivery compositions include (a) an active agent; and (b) a carrier of at least one mono-C-substituted or di-C-substituted diketopiperazine. Methods for preparing these compositions and administering these compositions are also provided.
US08133512B2
Matrix controlled diffusion drug delivery systems based on one or more silicon-containing monomers of the general formula: wherein L, X−, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and V are as set forth herein.
US08133507B2
Dosage forms and drug delivery devices suitable for administration of pharmaceutical compounds and compositions, including the oral drug administration of compounds.
US08133494B2
The invention relates to polynucleotides encoding modified immunogenic HIV-1 South African subtype C Env polypeptides. The modifications to the Env polypeptides include deletions of V1, V2 and the stem region. The expression cassettes may be used, for example, to express the encoded polypeptide. A recombinant expression system for use in a selected host cell comprising an expression cassette encoding for the modified HIV-1 Env polypeptide is also described.
US08133492B1
This invention provides novel nitrocellulose-based or Hydrogel-based microarrays and methods of making and using them (1) to detect the presence of one or more agents in a sample, (2) to determine the amount of one or more agents in a sample, (3) to determine whether a subject is afflicted with a disorder, and (4) to determine whether an agent known to specifically bind to a first compound also specifically binds to a second compound. This invention also provides kits which comprise the instant microarrays. This invention further provides antibodies capable of specifically binding to a glycomer present both on the surface of a mammalian macrophage or intestinal epithelial cell, and on a bacterial cell. Finally, this invention provides diagnostic methods using the instant antibodies.
US08133485B2
Disclosed are bi-specific complexes aimed at inhibiting mast cells, eosinophils and/or basophils, and thus, at inhibiting allergy-type reactions. In particular, said complexes are best exemplified by bi-specific antibodies, which bind to two targets present in the same cell. One target is the inhibitory receptor IRp60. The second target is a cell-specific activator, e.g. IgE, cKIT, FcεRI, IL5R or CCR3. Binding of the bi-specific antibody to its targets results in the induction of an inhibitory pathway, through the inhibition of the signaling from the activator. Compositions and uses of the bi-specific complexes are also described.
US08133484B2
An adhesive material comprising gelatin and a non-toxic cross-linking material such as transglutaminase. The adhesive material is useful for medical purposes as hemostatic products. The hemostatic products are useful for the treatment of wounded tissue.
US08133482B2
The present invention relates to the field of conjugates comprising a substrate which is attached to at least one photoactivatable killing agent and at least one first quencher, and methods for their use. More particularly, the present invention relates to photodynamic therapy agents. The invention further relates to methods for decontaminating blood and methods for treating cancer or viral infection in a subject using the conjugates of the present invention.
US08133469B2
Processes are provided for conjointly producing Br2 and a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least about 5 wt % CaCI2, based on the weight of the concentrated aqueous solution, from an HBr-rich recycle stream and a feed brine dilute in CaCI2. wherein the aqueous HBr-rich stream is produced from an HBr-rich recycle stream and a portion of the feed brine. Such processes can comprise feeding the HBr-rich recycle stream and a liquid comprising a portion of the feed brine, either together or separately to an HBr absorption tower; producing an aqueous HBr-rich stream in the HBr absorption tower; feeding the aqueous HBr-rich stream and, optionally, a portion of the feed brine to a bromine tower, oxidizing bromide moieties within the bromine tower with CI2 to produce Br2; recovering Br2 from the bromine tower, removing a bromide-depleted bottoms from the bromine tower, such bottoms containing HCI; adding a Ca++ source to the bromide-depleted bottoms to convert substantially all of the HCI in the bottoms to CaCI2, and, as necessary, removing water from the treated bottoms to produce the concentrated aqueous solution.
US08133464B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide in a catalytic reaction from formic acid, said reaction being conducted in an aqueous solution over a wide temperature range and already at room temperature (25° C.). The reaction is advantageous because it can be tuned to take place at very high rates, up to about 90 liter H2/minute/liter reactor volume. The gas produced is free of carbon monoxide. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for providing hydrogen for a motor, fuel cell or chemical synthesis.
US08133457B2
The unit comprises a filter membrane filter module and a collection module for liquid coming from the filter module, with the filter module comprising an inlet compartment as well as an evacuation compartment for the liquids, the filter and collection modules being rotatably mounted relative to each other. The method comprises the step of obtaining such a unit, of disposing the filter and collection modules in a first position, of passing a liquid from the filter module to attain the collection module, of disposing the filter and collection modules relative to each other in a second position, and the step of passing another liquid from the filter module to attain the collection module.
US08133456B2
A microreactor capable of reaction between a sample and a mixed reagent containing a mixture of multiple reagents, which microreactor avoids the interposition of air between driving solution and reagents and realizes high-precision controlling of the timing of mixing of reagents and other liquids, the mixing ratio of liquids, the pressure for liquid feeding, etc. Further, there is provided a method of liquid feeding making use of the same. Accordingly, a flow path branched at the position of an inlet from a flow path through which an opening communicating with an external pump communicates with the inlet is provided with an air evacuation flow path with its terminal open outward. Further, the flow path resistance of the air evacuation flow path for a liquid is made greater than the flow path resistance, for the liquid, of a flow channel from the reagent storage chamber to a reagent feed-out flow path.
US08133448B2
A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
US08133445B2
This invention relates to a chamber in which a chemical reaction is carried out in the presence of catalyst and reagents, comprising at least one catalytic tube (10) into which is placed an internal tube (12) for evacuating the gas that is produced, means for introducing reagents (15) and means for introducing the catalyst (16) that are located in the upper portion of the chamber (1), means for heating the catalytic tube (10) that are arranged in the lower portion of the chamber (1), and in which the catalytic tube (10) comprises, in its upper portion above the catalyst (13), means that promote heat exchange between the reagents and the gas that is produced. The invention also relates to the process that uses this chamber.
US08133436B2
A method for manufacturing of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for implants, where the implants have been machined out of UHMWPE blocks or extruded rods, has anthocyanin dispersely imbedded in the polyethylene. The implant is then exposed to γ ray or electron beam irradiation in an amount of at least 2.5 Mrad followed by a heat treatment to prevent the implant from becoming brittle in the long term as well as to improve strength and wear. The method includes mixing a powder or granulate resin of UHMWPE with an aqueous liquid that contains anthocyanin in a predetermined amount. The water is then evaporated in order to deposit the anthocyanin in a predetermined concentration on the polyethylene particles. The doped UHMWPE particles are compressed into blocks at temperatures in a range of approximately 135° C.-250° C. and pressures in a range of approximately 2-70 MPa. Medical implants are made from the blocks.
US08133430B2
The present invention relates to a novel electrical devices fabricated from polycrystalline silicon carbide (SiC) and methods for forming the same. The present invention provides a method for fabricating polycrystalline silicon carbide (SiC) products infiltrated with SiC-containing preceramic precursor resins to substantially mask the deleterious effects of trace contaminants, typically nitrogen and aluminum, while reducing operative porosity and enhancing manufacturing ease.
US08133426B1
An injection molding process and apparatus are described in which a workpiece is formed using an injection molding tool. The mold composed of a cavity formed by a core and a plurality of cavity sides, wherein the workpiece has a plurality of undercut features formed in notches within the core. The injection molding method includes flexing sections of the workpiece apart from each other to at least partially separate the workpiece from the core.
US08133425B2
A valve in a mold as to provide a potential airflow pathway either way, the valving having at least a substantially closed condition from which it can be opened by a pressure differential in one direction that is below that which will cause it to open or fail to allow an airflow in the other direction.
US08133423B2
A method of fabricating silicone composite with a layer of antimicrobial coating, the method includes forming an antimicrobial mixture by adding a calculated amount of antimicrobial agent to a solution of water and alcohol, depositing the antimicrobial mixture in a container with a thickness of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, evaporating the water and alcohol of the antimicrobial mixture to form the layer of antimicrobial coating, adding silicone resin on top of the layer of antimicrobial coating and allow the silicone resin to permeate and crosslink with the layer of antimicrobial coating and removing the silicone composite with the layer of antimicrobial coating from the container.
US08133422B2
A batch mixture including ceramic-forming ingredients, a pore former, a binder comprising an ammonium salt of an alkylated cellulose binder, and a liquid vehicle, as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for producing a ceramic precursor article as defined herein having excellent extrusion properties.
US08133418B2
In order to allow for aligning a relative position between a transferred object and a stamper with high accuracy without providing an alignment pattern in the transferred object, there are provided: a pattern transfer method, including: when adjusting the relative position between the stamper and the transferred object, a step of detecting at least two or more edge positions of the transferred object and calculating an arbitrary point from the detected edge positions; a step of detecting a position of the stamper from an edge of the stamper or an alignment mark formed in the stamper; and a step of adjusting the relative position between the transferred object and the stamper from the arbitrary point and the position of the stamper; and an imprint device using the same.
US08133409B2
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes preparing at least a first substrate, coating an alignment material on at least the first substrate, aligning a main chain of the alignment material in a predetermined direction, and irradiating polarized ultraviolet (UV) rays onto the alignment material whose main chain has been aligned in the predetermined direction to form an alignment layer.
US08133408B2
An emulsion of pitch in water characterized by having a lower level of tack on drying by virtue of the incorporation of a finely divided filler, where the emulsion is useful for reducing the development of fugitive dust in a dust-forming material.
US08133406B2
A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CH2 or mixtures thereof with CHF2CF═CHF. This process involves (a) reacting CHCl2CF2CF3, and optionally CHClFCF2CClF2, with H2 in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a hydrogenation catalyst to form CH3CF2CF3 and, when CHClFCF2CClF2 is present, CH2FCF2CHF2; (b) dehydrofluorinating CH3CF2CF3, and optionally any CH2FCF2CHF2, from (a) to form a product mixture including CF3CF═CH2 and, if CH2FCF2CHF2 is present, CHF2CF═CHF; and optionally (c) recovering CF3CF═CH2, or a mixture thereof with CHF2CF═CHF from the product mixture formed in (b) and/or (d) separating at least a portion of any CHF2CF═CHF in the product mixture formed in (b) from the CF3CF═CH2 in the product mixture formed in (b).
US08133403B2
An acidic etcher solution for etching a substrate's surface. The acidic etcher solution includes an acid and a pH indicator, the pH indicator having at least one color transition at a pH below 7. The acidic etcher solution having an initial color at an initial pH when applied to the surface to allow determination of the evenness of the coating and the etcher having a second color at a second pH higher than the first pH wherein visual inspection allows for a determination that the etcher is substantially finished reacting.
US08133402B2
A pattern forming method includes performing a first resist development during a first time period to a substrate obtained by coating a resist film having a predetermined thickness onto a predetermined film to be etched, measuring the film thickness of the resist film after the first resist development, writing a predetermined pattern corrected in dimension on the basis of an amount of reduction in thickness of the resist film on the resist film by using a charged particle beam, performing a second resist development during a second time period which is longer than the first time period to the substrate after writing the pattern, and etching the predetermined film to be etched by using the resist film after the second resist development as a mask.
US08133387B2
The present invention is a stationary pool skimming apparatus that uses the flow of water in a pool to collect free flowing debris from the water in the pool. In one embodiment, a pool skimming apparatus for collecting debris from water in a pool includes a frame having a net attached thereto. A first end of the frame includes a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism is adapted for being connected to a skimmer port of the pool such that the frame and net extend into the pool in a manner enabling the net of the pool skimming apparatus to collect debris from the water in the pool. The compression mechanism operates in either of an inverted position and a non-inverted position.
US08133384B2
A method for heating materials by application of radio frequency (“RF”) energy is disclosed. For example, the disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for RF heating of petroleum ore, such as bitumen, oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, or heavy oil. Petroleum ore is mixed with a substance comprising mini-dipole susceptors such as carbon strands. A source is provided which applies RF energy to the mixture of a power and frequency sufficient to heat the mini-dipole susceptors. The RF energy is applied for a sufficient time to allow the mini-dipole susceptors to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212° F. (100° C.). Optionally, the mini-dipole susceptors can be removed after the desired average temperature has been achieved. The susceptors may provide advantages for the RF heating of hydrocarbons, such as higher temperatures (sufficient for distillation or pyrolysis), anhydrous processing, and greater speed or efficiency.
US08133362B2
A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having side walls, a cathode inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the cathode is configured to include a sputtering target, a radio frequency power supply configured to apply power to the cathode, an anode inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber, a chuck inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber, the chuck configured to support a substrate, a clamp configured to hold the substrate to the chuck, wherein the clamp is electrically conductive, and a plurality of conductive electrodes attached to the clamp, each electrode configured to compress when contacted by the substrate.
US08133358B2
A method and an apparatus for producing a steel wire for reinforcing an elastomeric material. The steel wire has a metal core and a coating layer made of a metal alloy material having a composition including at least one first metal component and at least one second metal component. The method includes the steps of: a) conveying the steel core along a predetermined path in a substantially continuous manner; b) co-sputtering at least one first powered cathode made of said first metal component and at least one second powered cathode made of said second metal component onto the steel core being moved along the predetermined path to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a first composition; and c) adjusting the power provided to at least one of the first and second cathodes to obtain a coating layer made of a metal alloy material of a second composition.
US08133347B2
Workpieces in a vacuum chamber are treated by receiving a mains voltage from a voltage supply network; generating at least one intermediate circuit voltage; generating a first RF signal of a basic frequency, and of a first phase position, from the at least one intermediate circuit voltage; generating a second RF signal of the basic frequency, and of a second phase position, from the at least one intermediate circuit voltage; and coupling the first and the second signal and generating an output signal for the vacuum chamber using a 3 dB coupler.
US08133341B2
Methods of creating and transferring chemical patterns and physical patterns of deposited materials or molecules using block copolymers are provided. The methods involve providing block copolymer materials blended with one or more transfer molecules or inks. The differences in chemistry of the blocks of the copolymer that result in micro-phase separation (e.g., self-assembly into nanoscale domains) also allow inks to be sequestered into specific blocks. By designing the ink molecules to react, adsorb, or otherwise interact with a second substrate, inks are transferred to the second substrate in a pattern dictated by the pattern of block copolymer domains present at the surface of the block copolymer film.
US08133336B2
A multi-lamellar tissue-adhesive sheet comprises a structural layer or laminate conjoined to a tissue-contacting layer. The structural layer or laminate comprises one or more synthetic polymers having film-forming properties, and the tissue-contacting layer of material contains tissue-reactive groups. The synthetic polymers having film-forming properties are preferably biodegradable polyesters, and the tissue-reactive groups are most preferably NHS-ester groups.
US08133323B2
A film forming apparatus is provided with a chamber which defines a processing space for performing a film forming process to a substrate a stage arranged in the chamber for mounting the substrate thereon; a substrate heating unit arranged on the stage for heating the substrate; a shower head which is arranged to face the stage and has many gas injecting holes; a gas supply unit for supplying cooling unit arranged above the shower head for cooling the shower head; and a shower head heating unit arranged above the cooling unit for heating the shower head through the cooling unit.
US08133318B2
An epitaxially coated silicon wafer comprises a plane surface misoriented relative to a {110} crystal plane, wherein the <110> direction of the single silicon crystal is tilted away by the angle θ from the normal to the wafer surface and the projection of the tilted <110> direction forms an angle φ with the direction <−110> in the wafer, and θ is given by 0≦θ≦3° and 45°≦φ≦90°, as well as for all symmetrically equivalent directions.
US08133312B2
A dispersion having particles of a water-insoluble colorant containing at least two kinds of pigments dispersed with a dispersing agent in a medium containing water, wherein the water-insoluble colorant has a crystalline structure, and a light-scattering intensity is 30,000 cps or less, when a peak value of absorbance in the visible light region is set to 1.
US08133308B2
The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
US08133305B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a contaminant, such as carbon dioxide, from a gas stream, such as ambient air. The contaminant is removed from the gas stream by a sorbent which may be regenerated using a humidity swing, a thermal swing, or a combination thereof. The sorbent may be a substrate having embedded positive ions and individually mobile negative ions wherein the positive ions are sufficiently spaced to prevent interactions between the negative ions. Where a thermal swing is used, heat may be conserved by employing a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the regenerated sorbent to an amount of sorbent that is loaded with the contaminant prior to regeneration.
US08133298B2
An integrated system for blast furnace iron making and power production based upon higher levels of oxygen enrichment in the blast gas is disclosed. The integrated system leads to; 1) enhanced productivity in the blast furnace, 2) more efficient power production, and 3) the potential to more economically capture and sequester carbon dioxide. Oxygen enhances the ability of coal to function as a source of carbon and to be gasified within the blast furnace thereby generating an improved fuel-containing top gas.
US08133297B2
The invention relates to novel pre-alloyed metal powders a method for production and use thereof.
US08133296B2
In order to allow a significant reduction of the steel production cost when producing stainless steel with the alloying elements chromium and nickel, according to the invention, it is proposed to perform the intermediate production of ferrochrimium and ferronickel in two separate direct reduction processes based on low-cost chromium ore and nickel ore in two SAF (3, 4) arranged in parallel on the primary side of a processing converter (6).
US08133279B2
A system for treating an annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided. The system comprises a cannula for accessing a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, an expandable spacing device, and a material delivery instrument. The expandable spacing device has a first deflated position and a second inflated position. The spacing device is sized to pass through the cannula when in the first deflated position and the spacing device has a predetermined shape in the second inflated position. The material delivery instrument is adapted to inflate the spacing device from the first deflated position to the second inflated position by injecting a biocompatible material into the spacing device. In another aspect, a method of treating at least one annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided.
US08133276B2
A method for non-surgically treating an internal nasal valve of a patient comprising, injecting a working device into the internal nasal valve of the patient, wherein the injected working device in the nasal tissue causes an alteration of an internal or external nasal valve. A device introduced by injection into the nose, allowing for structural support or filling of defects in the nose, and causing a change in external shape of the nose. The device and inserts and implants described also have use in cosmetic applications relating to the facial tissue.
US08133273B2
An injectable intraocular implant including an optics portion and a resilient, flexible haptics portion mounted coaxially with the optics portion and a method for inserting the implant into the eye.
US08133272B2
A medical device for treating a heart having a faulty heart valve is disclosed. The medical device comprises a ligature including a first anchoring member and a second anchoring member is used. The ligature is percutaneously deployable into a patient with a faulty heart valve wherein the first anchoring member to anchor to a first tissue area of the heart and the second anchoring member to anchor to a second tissue area of the heart.
US08133270B2
The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.
US08133268B2
A plurality of endoluminal segments axially connected by fiber bridges is disclosed. The endoluminal segments may either be balloon-expandable or self-expanding, with the preferred embodiment being superelastic nitinol. The intraluminal segments may possess a textured surface or at least one geometric feature per segment, preferably located at the apex of a strut pair comprising the intraluminal segment, preferably capable of serving as an anchoring point for the fiber bridges. These geometric features may transmit axially compressive loads during deployment from a device such as a catheter, and may further be capable of interlocking the endoluminal segments when constrained within a device such as a catheter. The fibers comprising the bridges may be polymeric, silk, collagen, bioabsorbable, or a blend thereof. The fiber network comprising the bridges may be regularly oriented, randomly oriented, localized, or continuous. Moreover, the intraluminal segments and fiber bridges may be individually impregnated with therapeutic material, or may both be impregnated with therapeutic material.
US08133264B1
A therapeutic heating sleeve (10) consisting of a laminate pad (20) with an exterior cover (22), a batting (24), a polyester lining (26), a heating wire (28) and an interior lining (30) having a hook and loop fastener (32) that is attached on the exterior cover (22) and the interior lining (30). The laminate pad (20) has a lower portion that is in the shape of a human arm and an upper portion that is in the shape of a human shoulder. The heating sleeve (10) is completed by overlapping the pad's right side onto the pad's left side and attaching the two sides with the hook and loop fastener (32), thereby forming an open-ended sleeve. An electrical control is removably attached to the laminate pad (20) for applying electrical energy to the heating wire (28), thereby creating heat for baseball pitchers to warm up their arm and shoulder prior to pitching.
US08133263B2
A connector for a spinal alignment system includes a base, a hook, a guide aperture, and a locking portion. The base includes a channel extending therethrough to receive a fixation rod. The hook extends from the base. The guide aperture is adapted to receive a bone fastener and the locking portion is adapted to engage the bone fastener. The guide aperture extends through one of the base and the hook and the locking portion is located in the other of the base and the hook. The locking portion is coaxial with the guide aperture such that the guide aperture guides a shaft of the bone fastener into alignment with the locking portion when the bone fastener is received by the guide aperture. The bone fastener cooperates with the base and hook to form a tension band construct that resists opposing forces acting on the construct. A rod locking fastener engages the channel and the fixation rod to secure the fixation rod in the channel. The rod locking fastener and the base include mating surfaces that cooperate with each other to resist the force exerted by the fixation rod onto the rod locking fastener when the fixation rod is secured in the channel.
US08133257B2
A bioabsorbable suture anchor for anchoring soft tissue to a bone is provided. The suture anchor is configured to toggle and anchor itself inside a bone cavity of a small joint. The anchor comprises an elongate body defined by a longitudinal axis, a first, leading end and a second, trailing end. The elongate body also has two opposed surfaces between the first and second ends, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the two opposed surfaces. Extending from one of the sidewalls is a flared portion that is formed on the second end of the elongate body. The flared portion is adapted to engage and anchor into bone tissue upon toggling. A suture channel extends between the two opposed surfaces. The suture channel is formed in the elongate body for passage of a suture strand therethrough, such that pulling on an attached suture strand effects toggling of the anchor inside a bone cavity.
US08133255B2
A minimally invasive surgical assembly includes an outer hollow needle which may be used in puncturing skin to insert and advance the surgical instrument into the body, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The outer diameter of the needle may be dimensioned such that a wound formed from the hollow needle puncturing the skin is capable of being closed independent of stitching, and may be approximately 2 mm or smaller. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.
US08133253B2
A covered vascular filter can be placed in a blood vessel, for the purpose of intercepting thrombus. The filter may be introduced to a desired site for medical treatment through a catheter which defines a lumen or passage and a distal port or opening. The filter tends to resiliently expand from a compressed shape when it is inside the catheter lumen, to an expanded shape when the filter is pushed from the catheter lumen. A cover or sleeve over those portions of the filter that would otherwise contact the vessel wall tends to reduce pressure on the vessel wall. The sleeve also tends to resist growth of the vessel wall among the elements of the filter, called endothelialization. In other words, the sleeve resists incorporation of the filter elements into the vessel wall, enabling the filter to be retrievable for a longer time. The various features of the present invention may be used singly or in any combination, as desired in a particular vascular filter.
US08133250B2
The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.
US08133249B2
Various methods and devices for dilating strictures in a lumen are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a stricture dilation device is provided having an elongate shaft with at least one electrically expandable actuator coupled thereto and adapted to radially expand to dilate a stricture in a lumen.
US08133243B2
A device for unblocking an occlusion (3) in an occluded vessel (2) comprises a catheter (5) having an inflatable balloon (19) located at a distal leading end (8) thereof so that by inflating the balloon (19) the leading end of the catheter (5) may be anchored in the occluded vessel (2) or in a vessel adjacent the occluded vessel (2) with the leading end adjacent the occlusion (3). A guide wire (12) terminating in a pointed distal tip (18) is urgeable through a bore (10) in the catheter (5) for engaging and penetrating through the occlusion (3). A leading portion (17) of the guide wire (12) is externally threaded at (26), and is engageable with an internally threaded portion (25) of the bore (10) adjacent a leading portion (9) of the catheter (5), so that when the catheter (5) is anchored by the balloon (19) with the leading portion (9) of the catheter (5) adjacent and abutting the occlusion (3) with the external threads (26) of the guide wire (12) engaging the internal threads (25) of the catheter (5), rotation of the guide wire (12) urges the distal tip (18) of the guide wire (12) into engagement with the occlusion (3) and to penetrate through the occlusion (3).
US08133241B2
The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.
US08133240B2
Spring clips are arranged end to end in a cavity of an inner shaft. Such shaft slides within an outer shaft, and a pusher member slides in the cavity behind the clips. The clips have jaws biased together, but which are wedged apart by an opener as the pusher is moved distally. An opened clip is ejected by relative movement of the inner and outer shafts to clamp body tissue at a desired site.
US08133237B2
Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.
US08133235B2
An orthopedic tool having a one-way lock bearing and a one-way actuator bearing for tensioning surgical cables around a bone and a method for using the same.
US08133230B2
A method for correcting an angular deformity in a bone includes inserting a guide wire within a physis of a bone having an angular deformity, the physis extending between a first side the bone on which the guide wire is inserted and an opposing second side of the bone. The guide wire is used to guide a link to the physis. The link is then secured to the first side of the bone so that the link spans across the physis and restricts the growth of the physeal tissue of the physis on the first side of the bone. The physis is then allowed to generate more physeal tissue on the second side of the bone than on the first side of the bone so that the angular deformity of the bone is reduced.
US08133229B1
An improved method of performing surgery on a joint in a patient's body, such as a knee, includes making an incision in a knee portion of one leg while a lower portion of the one leg is extending downward from an upper portion of the one leg and while a foot connected with the lower portion of the one leg is below a support surface on which the patient is disposed. The incision is relatively short, for example, between seven and thirteen centimeters. A patella may be offset from its normal position with an inner side of the patella facing inward during cutting of a bone with a cutting tool. During cutting of the bone, one or more guide members having opposite ends which are spaced apart by a distance less than the width of an implant may be utilized to guide movement of a cutting tool.
US08133221B2
Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve positioning a distal end of an elongate catheter device at the site of the anatomic defect, exposing an expandable housing and energy transmission member out of the distal end of the catheter device, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, applying suction to the tissues via the housing to bring the tissues together; and applying energy to the tissues with the energy transmission member to substantially close the anatomic defect acutely. Apparatus generally include an elongate catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, and an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, the energy transmission member having at least one substantially planar surface.
US08133220B2
A catheter for measuring electrical activity and ablating tissue is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated generally-tubular catheter body. A non-retractable electrode assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a generally tubular ablation electrode formed of a material having shape-memory having a generally straight exposed region and at least one irrigation port in the exposed region through which fluid can pass from the inside to the outside of the ablation electrode. The exposed region is generally transverse to the catheter body. The electrode assembly further comprises a tip at the distal end of the electrode assembly comprising a generally ball-shaped exposed region. First and second distal mapping electrodes are mounted distal to the exposed region of the ablation electrode. At least the first distal mapping electrode, and optionally the second distal mapping electrode, is incorporated into the generally ball-shaped exposed region of the tip. The catheter further comprises an infusion tube extending through the catheter body and having a distal end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the ablation electrode.
US08133218B2
A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.
US08133215B2
A drug delivery system for an implantable medical device and methods for making and using the same. Embodiments include a housing of an implantable component of the medical device and one or more at least quasi-solid drug-delivery modules that retain an at least quasi-solid state if not a solid state. The drug-delivery modules and component housing are physically distinct, and as such, may be manufactured independently of each other. The independently-manufacturable drug delivery modules each carry a drug, while the component housing has an exterior surface with one or more recesses formed therein. Associated module(s) and recess(es) are correspondingly dimensioned so that each module may be securely retained within an associated recess via, for example, an interference fit such as by physical interlocking or by friction fit. When so retained in a housing recess, the drug-delivery module and surrounding exterior surface of the housing form a contiguous component surface.
US08133208B2
An injection control device having a metered/controlled injection rate proportional to the rate of withdrawal/injection, suitable for cosmetic as well as other applications is described. For example, after the cannula is advanced into an object, the cannula is withdrawn to create a tract or tunnel within the targeted area. As the cannula is withdrawn, filler material in the injection control device is uniformly deposited into the tract or tunnel via the automatic metering system. The automatic metering system incorporates a syringe activating mechanism coupled to a system which is capable of proportioning the deposition rate to the retraction/injection rate of the cannula. Accordingly, more consistent and uniform distribution of the material injected can be achieved with less cannula passes as well as requiring less dependence on the skills of the practitioner of this device.
US08133206B2
A safety intravenous catheter assembly includes a needle, a catheter hub having an axial bore extending through the catheter hub and a notch extending outwardly in the axial bore, a needle cover, and a notch clip connected to the needle cover. The notch clip is selectively maintained adjacent the needle throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the needle to being generally spaced from the needle and selectively maintained adjacent the catheter hub throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the catheter hub to being generally spaced from the catheter hub to lock the catheter hub to the needle cover while being operable to move the needle relative to the notch clip in a near frictionless relationship.
US08133204B1
A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising a plurality of threadably interconnectable sub-assemblies. One of these sub-assemblies houses a novel collapsible fluid reservoir defining component that is carried by a carriage while another comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control means that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoir of the collapsible reservoir defining component toward the patient via a plurality of fluid flow control passageways. In one form of the invention the collapsible fluid reservoir is filled at time of manufacture. In another form of the invention the collapsible fluid reservoir can be filled in the field using a syringe assembly.
US08133201B1
A template for identifying a specific location for insertion of a hypodermic injection device to inject insulin at specific areas of an abdomen. It comprises a flexible sheet having at least top and bottom edges and first and second lateral edges. The exterior face has a hole and at least one legend. The at least one legend comprises a calendar reference and first and second marking holes. The exterior face further comprises at least one offset hole at a predetermined distance from the hole. The calendar reference defines dates or days of a week. The calendar reference is positioned in between the first and second marking holes. The first and second marking holes serve as identifying means for identifying a specific location for insertion of a hypodermic injection device to inject insulin at specific areas of an abdomen in between the first and second marking holes.
US08133194B2
The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.
US08133192B2
The present invention relates to a massage device, and more particularly, to a leg and foot massage device capable of achieving foot swing. The device includes an electrical machinery deceleration element, a wobbler machine element and an air inflatable bag massage element. The electrical machinery deceleration element drives the air inflatable bag massage element through the wobbler machine element, and the electrical machinery realizes the one-off deceleration. Therefore mechanical transmission steps are simplified and transmission noise obviously dropped, wobbler machine element cooperates with air inflatable bags' inflation and deflation, generating many kinds of different massage motions and obtaining a comprehensive massage effect on leg and feet muscles and joints.
US08133191B2
The invention provides methods and apparatuses for the treatment of adipose tissue. The methods comprise application of ultrasound energy to a region of adipose tissue, and the apparatuses comprise at least one source of ultrasound energy configured to direct ultrasound energy through a skin surface into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In one embodiment, a pressure gradient is created in the region generating relative movement between fat cell constituents having different densities. In another embodiment, a protrusion of skin and underlying adipose tissue containing is formed and ultrasound energy is radiated into the adipose tissue in the protrusion. In another embodiment, an RF electric field is generated inside a region of adipose tissue together with the ultrasound energy.
US08133190B2
A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body and a coupling tip, the coupling tip having first and second sections. The first section is connected to the main body, while the second section defines an axial passageway having a distal opening and a proximal opening. The axial passageway is sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide therein. Both a distal portion of the main body and the first section are constructed of nitinol, the distal portion and the first section being welded together using the native nitinol material of the distal portion and first section.
US08133186B2
In an implantable sensor lead for sensing mechanical cardiac activity of a heart, as well as a sensing method and a cardiac stimulator embodying such a sensor lead, multiple cardiac activity sensing elements are distributed along a portion of a length of the lead body of the implantable lead. The sensing elements sense or detect mechanical cardiac activity and respectively emit electrical signals corresponding to the detected mechanical cardiac activity. The delivery of cardiac stimulation pulses can be controlled dependent on an analysis of the detected mechanical cardiac activity.
US08133184B2
A method for performing an in-vivo calibration of a blood pressure sensor that is associated with a balloon of an in-vivo balloon system, the sensor and balloon being associated such that the sensor is in-vivo when the balloon is in-vivo. The balloon is inflated so that a gas pressure in the balloon system is indicative of a patient's blood pressure. The patient's blood pressure is monitored through two channels, the gas pressure and the sensor. The blood pressure measurements obtained by monitoring the gas pressure are used as reference, or “true,” blood pressure measurements to determine a mathematical relationship between blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor and the reference blood pressure measurements. In this manner, future blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor can be modified according to the mathematical relationship to generate calibrated blood pressure measurements.
US08133183B2
This invention describes methods for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. The major aspect of the invention relates to methods for obtaining new and improved information from said pressure signals. The analysis output of said method may be presented in a variety of ways such as numerical values; trend plots of numerical values, histogram presentations or as a quantitative matrix, the presentation as a quantitative matrix is highlighted. Thereby completely new information about pressures is obtained. In particular, information about intracranial compliance is derived from the intracranial pressure (ICP) signal itself.
US08133163B2
A barrel formed from a sheet of blank material includes a plurality of side wall panels for forming sides of the barrel including a front panel, a rear panel, two opposing end panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel, at least one bottom flap for forming a bottom of the barrel, and a plurality of top flaps for forming a top of the barrel including a top front flap foldably connected to the front panel, a top rear flap foldably connected to the rear panel, and two opposing top end flaps each foldably connected to one of the end panels. The top front flap and the top rear flap include at least one closure slot. Each of the two opposing top end flaps includes at least one locking finger. The locking fingers are inserted within the closure slots for securing the top of the barrel in a closed position.
US08133162B2
A ring, preferably in the form of a lock nut, made for combi rolls, which ring includes at least one spring device in which a mechanical compression spring is included that acts between, on one hand, a front press body that is movable to and fro in order to constantly forward a spring force generated by the compression spring and, on the other hand, a support body, which may assume a fixed position, but which is adjustably movable by way of a screw in order to alter the tension in the compression spring.
US08133148B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08133143B2
A compact gear reducer electric motor assembly with an internal brake disclosed and claimed wherein a high speed electric motor is interconnected with a gear reducer having substantial gear reduction. The assembly includes a spindle, a brake mounted substantially within said high speed electric motor and operable against a spring biasing said brake into engagement with ground. The brake is electrically actuated to permit transmission of energy to the gear reducer. The gear reducer includes an input, intermediate and output planetary stages. The input and intermediate stages residing within the spindle, and, the output planetary stage drives an output ring gear. Releasing means for releasing the output ring gear from the brake allowing rotation thereof.
US08133134B2
A golf club head has a face portion and a body portion. The face portion has a support frame, a matrix structure attached to and contained within the support frame, and a face material surrounding the matrix structure. In some aspects, the matrix structure may be a racquet structure that is tensioned to influence performance characteristics. The face material may be a metal, polymer, ceramic, or a combination thereof, and may be encapsulated over the matrix structure by suitable techniques such as coating, dipping, or molding processes such as injection molding or metal injection molding (MIM). In some aspects, the face material is lighter than the body portion of the club head, to concentrate mass away from the striking face, e.g., as in cup face technology.
US08133131B1
Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
US08133130B2
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08133120B2
Method and system are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment over existing wagering games. The method and system involve a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank controller. Each wagering game terminal allows players to play a basic wagering game that is independent of other wagering game terminals. The wagering game terminals also allow players to play a bonus game where players take turns playing to win a portion of a jackpot. The portion awarded to each player may be the actual amount won by that player, or it may be a percentage of the entire jackpot based on the actual amount won by the player relative to other players. In one implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game.
US08133107B2
Aspects of the present inventions concern methods and devices for operating a Bingo game. Such aspects include: assigning to each of a first set of real or virtual balls a number selected from a group within a predetermined numerical sequence; assigning a non-numerical designation to only a second set of real or virtual balls within the predetermined numerical sequence, wherein the second set of real or virtual balls is a subset of the first set of real or virtual balls; providing each of one or more players with at least one real or virtual player card having a randomly assigned field of spaces each space of which includes a number within the predetermined numerical sequence given for the first set of real or virtual balls, wherein there are fewer spaces than numbers in the predetermined numerical sequence.
US08133103B2
An amusement center has at least one game cell. The game cell has a first video game console system including at least one controller; a first projection screen; a first video game; and a first decor themed to correspond to the subject matter of the first video game.
US08133091B2
A bra comprising two bra cups is defined. Each bra cup preferably comprises an outermost fabric layer and an innermost fabric layer and at least one intermediate layer intermediate of the outermost fabric layer and the innermost layer. The outermost fabric layer at at least part of at least one of the neckline edge region and underarm edge region of each cup is folded over the intermediate layer and secured at the inner side of the breast cup, preferably joined to the innermost layer through ultrasonic welding. The folded-over portion of the outermost layer is contiguous with and does not overlap the innermost layer. The intermediate layer extends beyond the innermost layer at the neckline edge region and the underarm edge region so that a reduction in thickness is defined at the neckline edge region and the underarm edge region. A method of making the same is also provided.
US08133090B2
A toy product including a doll and a display device that may be used with the doll is disclosed. The doll may have one or more movable features and may be releasably coupled to the display device. The display device may include an actuating assembly and a folding assembly with enclosure pieces that may alternately enclose and reveal the doll within the display device. The assemblies may communicate with each other and with movable features of the doll through selectively actuable components. A locking member may engage and releasably retain the folding assembly in a retracted position and may return the folding assembly to an extended position upon disengagement. In the embodiments in which the enclosure pieces resemble flower petals, the movement of the enclosure pieces may have the effects of a flower bloom closing and opening up to respectively surround and reveal the doll.
US08133078B2
An electrical connector includes a housing and a set of first terminals for eSATA and a set of second terminals for USB. The housing defines a mating cavity with a front opening and a mating tongue in the mating cavity, the mating tongue defines a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Each of the first terminals includes a first contacting section disposed on the first mating face, a second contacting section bending from the first contacting section to be in the second mating face and a leg portion. Each of the second contacts includes a contacting section disposed on the second mating face and a leg portion.
US08133073B2
A headset is provided which comprises a cable (100) having a plug (110) coupled to the first end of a cable (100), a connector (140) coupled to the second end of a cable, a housing (130) arranged between the first and second end of the cable and a cable section (120) between the plug (110) and the housing (130). The plug (110) comprises at least one pin and six terminals (110a-100f). The cable section (120) comprises four wires (121, 123, 125, 126) and two screens (122, 124). The housing (130) comprises a connecting unit (134) having a switching unit (136) which is connected to the four wires (121, 123, 125, 126) and the two screens (122, 124) and the soldering areas (135) to which wires of the headset can be coupled. The switching unit (136) is adapted to switch between at least two wiring settings connecting the four wires as well as the two screens (122, 124) to the soldering areas (135).
US08133070B2
A SATA electrical connector extends a lateral rib and a longitudinal guiding portion from a base surface of an insulator. The insulator and the terminals have intimate engagements, for minimizing height and width of the entire structure. The electrical connector can be joined to another electrical connector for forming an electrical connector assembly.
US08133057B2
A method for providing training media to a mobile device involves obtaining a training media file selected from multiple training media files, based on user metadata, and communicating the training media file to the mobile device, where the user metadata is associated with a user of the mobile device, and where the training media file includes training information associated with a job function of the user.
US08133056B2
A pre-writing teaching aid and method assists beginning writers in creating letters. The teaching aid includes a tray having a recessed area surrounded by a tray frame. A plurality of cards respectively depict alphanumeric characters, where each of the cards includes a start indicator designating a starting point for forming the depicted character. The students use dough having a consistency that is moldable into strips for forming the alphanumeric characters depicted on the cards in the tray. The teaching aid utilizes multi-sensory teaching methods to make it easy and fun for students to form letters and numbers correctly.
US08133055B2
Disclosed is a refreshable Braille display device comprised of a rotary character display assembly which can display a refreshable Braille character in the plane of the rotary display assembly. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a refreshable Braille character.
US08133050B2
A dental appliance and a method for correcting the arch shape and/or size of a patient by utilizing existing tooth shapes and sizes are provided. A method for correcting the position of the arch and/or teeth of a person is also provided either by a computer program or manually. Also provided is a method for correcting the position of teeth in the mouth, erupting teeth and/or teeth expected to erupt by utilizing existing tooth shapes and sizes and/or group standards. The dental appliance may be formed manually from altered models of the patient or may be formed from models made by stereolithography from a computer image. Further, the dental appliance may be made directly from laser-scanned models by stereolithography. Further, the dental appliances may have teeth sockets which may accept either a single tooth or multiple teeth. The teeth sockets may be formed to match the corresponding tooth of the patient identically or may be formed to correct the position of the tooth into the proper location. The teeth sockets may be sized based on predictions of the size and/or shape of the teeth which have not erupted. In addition, a series of appliances may be used to correct and/or guide the teeth of a patient into the proper location over a prolonged period of time. The dental appliance may correct, for example, rotations, spacing, crowding, overjet and/or overbite.
US08133041B2
A high pressure pump for use in the injection of liquid chemicals into subsea oil or gas wells, and intended to be positioned in the subsea environment adjacent to the wellhead, comprises a piezoelectric actuator (19) for reciprocating a plunger (22) which acts to compress and expand the effective volume of a pumping chamber (29) having a valved inlet (15) connected to a source of the liquid and a valved outlet (16) to lead the liquid to the well. The device has a minimum of moving parts and in particular avoids the need for any rotating parts and attendant high performance bearings and seals.
US08133038B2
A hermetic compressor having a frame, a cylinder provided at one side of the frame and having a compression chamber, a cylinder head coupled to the cylinder so as configured to hermetically seal the compression chamber and having a refrigerant discharge chamber to receive a refrigerant discharged from the compression chamber, a damping discharge chamber provided at the other side of the frame, a discharge guide path formed in the frame connecting the refrigerant discharge chamber and the damping discharge chamber, a discharge pipe having an entrance end connected to the damping discharge chamber, and an extension tube provided in the damping discharge chamber. The extension tube has an entrance end connected to an exit end of the discharge guide path, an exit end being spaced apart from an entrance end of the discharge pipe.
US08133036B2
A low pressure fluid powered motor or pump comprises a non-rotatable cover (k); an undulating lobe cam track (e) attached to the cover (k) and defining multiple crests and troughs; a rotatable cylinder block (c); at least three reciprocating pistons (d) each housed within a bore of the cylinder block (c) and each providing at one end a crown (d1), and at the other end a spherical seating cup (d2); a ball (f), adapted to engage with the cam track (e); a non-rotatable manifold block (n) incorporating a plurality of ports (s), each being radially disposed at equal intervals in an end face of the manifold block adjacent the pistons (d), with the ports (s) linked to galleries connected to a higher pressure delivery circuit, and a lower pressure return circuit, with the angular arrangement of the ports (s) being such that the higher pressure is supplied to the crown (d1) of each piston (d) only while the piston (d) is moving from a crest to a trough of the cam track (e), with a switch to the lower fluid pressure circuit as continued rotation of the cylinder block (c) moves a piston (d) from a trough to a crest; an output/input shaft (a) connected to the cylinder block (c); and a rotary shaft-mounted, spring biased commutation, multi-ported face plate (i) interposed between the cylinder block and the manifold block.
US08133030B2
An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a table. The table selected from the TABLE. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08133027B2
A propeller system includes a propeller hub which supports a multiple of propeller blades. A tailshaft extends from a propeller hub portion of the propeller hub along an axis of rotation with a propeller pitch change yoke mounted within the propeller hub for movement along an axis of rotation to change a pitch of the multiple of propeller blades, the propeller pitch change yoke in sliding engagement with the tailshaft.
US08133013B2
A stage of a turbine or compressor for a turbomachine including at least a vane disk surrounded with a sectorized ring supported by a casing and including a circumferential flange radially clamped on a rail of the casing by substantially C-shaped cross-section locks which are axially engaged on the casing rail and the flange of the ring is disclosed. The inner and outer walls of each lock includes radial bearing surfaces on the flange of the ring and the casing rail, respectively. The bearing surfaces only extend on a part of the width of the lock.
US08132995B2
A book binding machine includes a book block transport system and a plurality of clamps for clamping stacks of leaves. The clamps are disposed at a distance from each other and are guided in guide tracks of a machine frame. The book block transport system includes a clamp, which is also referred to as a lubrication clamp, having a device for lubricating the guide track. An applicator is assigned to each track roller of the clamp, and the lubricant is transferred to the track rollers through the use of a respective applicator such as a brush. The track rollers transfer the lubricant to contact surfaces of the guide track. A lubrication clamp for a book block transport system in a book binding machine, is also provided.
US08132994B2
A punching processing unit punches holes in a paper bundle delivered from a preprocessing device. A bookbinding unit includes a cartridge for stocking a plurality of rings, and performs a ring binding by binding the paper bundle with the rings. A detecting unit detects an abnormality of a ring in the cartridge. A control unit exchanges a signal with the preprocessing unit each time when detection information obtained by the detecting unit changes. When any one of the rings is determined as abnormal and an execution of ring binding is set, the control unit inhibits the ring binding.
US08132989B2
A drill achieves a long tool life while improving a property for discharging chips. The drill includes: a columnar body which is rotated about an axis; a plurality of cutting edges each being formed at a tip end portion of the body; and a plurality of thinning edges each being formed in conjunction with the cutting edge nearer the axis by providing thinnings at the tip end portion of the body. At least one of the plurality of thinning edges is provided with a concave portion that is formed by cutting the thinning edge to be recessed in a semicircular shape toward the rear side in the rotational direction, and a center of the semicircular-shaped concave portion is provided on a line extended from the tip end portion of the thinning edge when viewed from a tip end direction of the body.
US08132987B2
A method for remediating land contaminated by a combustible material, in particular, land contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), which includes the steps of locating a subterranean volume of combustible material such as a DNAPL in land to be remediated, and igniting the combustible material to combust the material and thereby remediate the land. By monitoring combustion of the material, combustion may be optimised by, for example, supplying an oxidant or a combustion suppressant.
US08132986B2
A water ballasted wave attenuator is provided. The water ballasted wave attenuator includes (a) a hollow shell formed of reinforced concrete; (b) a flotation medium in the upper region of the shell (a); (c) a water ballast chamber disposed in the lower region of the interior of the shell; (d) at least one water vent connecting the water ballast chamber with the exterior of the shell; and (e) at least one air vent connecting the water ballast chamber with the exterior of the shell, the at least one air vent including an outlet located higher than the at least one water vent.
US08132983B2
In a riding concrete finishing trowel, a stabilizer is operatively disposed between the frame and either the gearbox or a structure that is coupled to the gearbox so as reduce the effects of rotor assembly vibration on the trowel. In one embodiment, the stabilizer takes the form of a gas spring located between the frame and the pitch control post. The stabilizer may be located relatively close to the top of the pitch control post so as to take advantage of the mechanical advantage offered by the spacing between that location and the gearbox.
US08132979B2
The invention is an assembly for use in construction. In one embodiment, the invention is an assembly for connecting structural elements including an engaging member, a coupling member, and an elongate member. In another embodiment, the invention is a manifold assembly for use in construction including a manifold, an engaging member, and an elongate member. In yet another embodiment, the invention is structural assembly having dynamic constructive elements, manifolds, and a controller, wherein the controller regulates the environment within cavities of the dynamic constructive elements and conduits of the manifolds.
US08132974B2
An image generating apparatus includes a print portion printing a paper, a platen roller arranged so as to be opposed to the print portion, a heat radiating member mounted on the print portion, radiating heat generated in the print portion, integrally provided with a plate-like support shaft as an axis of rotation and rotatable in a direction for coming into pressure contact with or separating from the platen roller, a regulating member regulating movement of the print portion in a printing direction of the paper, a chassis having a hole-shaped bearing receiving the plate-like support shaft, and a side plate mounted on the chassis.
US08132958B2
A method and apparatus for substantially simultaneously mixing two fluids to form a mixture for application to a substrate.
US08132957B2
The kneading disc segment according to the present invention comprises plural disc sets each comprising two kneading discs and mounted on a kneading screw (3) which is for kneading a material while feeding the material to a downstream side. Disc sets each comprising a first kneading disc positioned on an upstream side and a second kneading disc, the second kneading disc being mounted continuously with and downstream of the first kneading disc so as to have a phase difference δ of an acute angle relative to the first kneading disc, are disposed continuously in the axial direction of the kneading screw. The first kneading discs in two continuous disc sets have a phase difference of 180°. With this construction, it is possible to attain a higher degree of kneading than in the conventional neutral kneading disc segment.
US08132955B2
A lamp body used in a LED light string comprises: a light-emitting chip which is installed on the frame, a package colloid which is provided to cover the top of the frame, wherein a lamp holder which covers the two leads and a part of the wires is provided beneath the package colloid and forms an integral unit with the package colloid, two leads and wires, so that it is capable of eliminating the potential problem as water inleakage at the joint of the package colloid and the lamp holder, and the waterproof ability is greatly improved. Meanwhile, the process of assembling the package colloid to the lamp holder by hand can be cancelled, so that mass production by machine can be realized efficiently.
US08132937B2
A lighting apparatus including at least two lighting members and a retractable housing member having at least two distinct retractable wires slidingly guided therethrough. The retractable housing member is positioned directly between the at least two lighting members to provide operable communication therebetween. The at least two lighting members are energized via the electrical power source while in a depressed position or in an expanded position.
US08132935B2
There is provided a light emitting module including: a printed circuit board; a plurality of light emitting diode chips disposed at a distance from one another on a conductive pattern formed on a top of the printed circuit board; and a connector formed on a bottom of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diode chips. The light emitting diode chips and the connector are optimally arranged to ensure that the light emitting module is suitably utilized as a high-density linear light source including a great number of light emitting diode chips and emits light outward with minimum loss.
US08132931B2
It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable backlight device with less color unevenness and less luminance unevenness, and a high-performance and highly reliable display device including the backlight device, which can display a high quality image. A light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source of a backlight device and thermoelectric elements are provided in a chassis for holding the light emitting diode so as to surround the light emitting diode (the thermoelectric elements are provided under the light emitting diode and on the four sides thereof). A temperature in the backlight device is adjusted by cooling and heating by the thermoelectric elements.
US08132922B2
A filter unit includes: a feeding shaft 24 around which an unused part of a roll filter 18 is wound; a take-up shaft 25 for taking up the filter from the feeding shaft; a motor 40 for rotating and driving the take-up shaft so as to take up the filter; a filter unit housing 26 for housing the feeding shaft and the take-up shaft and including, between the both shafts, an opening for exposing the filter; rotation detection patterns 42 that rotate in connection with transfer of the filter caused by taking up the filter and are placed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction in which the rotation detection patterns rotate; a pattern sensor 43 for detecting rotation of the rotation detection patterns and outputting a detection signal whose amplitude fluctuates in accordance with the predetermined intervals; and a used filter amount detecting unit for detecting a used amount of the filter based on a correspondence between a period at which the amplitude of the detection signal fluctuates and an amount of the filter taken up by the take-up shaft. Since the period at which the amplitude of the detection signal fluctuates corresponds to the used amount of the filter, the used amount of the filter can be detected precisely.
US08132914B2
An imaging control apparatus which controls an imaging unit configured to capture a tomogram of the fundus of a target eye includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information representing the direction of a fundus movement of the target eye, an analysis unit configured to analyze the direction of the fundus movement based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a control unit configured to control the imaging unit so as to align the direction of imaging of the imaging unit with the direction of the fundus movement based on the analysis result of the analysis unit.
US08132910B2
The contrast sensitivity of an individual may be tested and/or trained using a plurality of circular contrast zones. The individual may select the circular contrast zone having a different degree of contrast than the other circular contrast zones. For example, the individual may select the circular contrast zone having the highest or lowest contrast of a displayed plurality of circular contrast zones. A plurality of circular contrast zones may be displayed with a spatial arrangement that facilitates inputting a selection of one of the plurality by the individual. A variety of input devices may be used to receive a selection from an individual. Both the accuracy and speed of an individual's contrast sensitivity may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention.
US08132890B2
A recovery apparatus including an absorber, a holder member and a waste liquid foam is provided. The absorber abuts at least one nozzle for discharging ink and absorbs the ink from the nozzle by a capillary force. The holder member includes an open recessed portion and a communication port communicating an inside of the recessed portion with an outside of the recessed portion. The recessed portion houses the absorber. The waste liquid foam is disposed outside the holder member and contacts the absorber through the communication port of the holder member. The waste liquid foam has a capillary force greater than the capillary force of the absorber.
US08132888B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes an inkjet head, a tank in which liquid to be supplied to the inkjet head is retained, and a flow path for connecting the inkjet head and the tank to each other. The inkjet head includes a head main body, liquid chambers which are built in the head main body, and in which liquid is kept under negative pressure, a nozzle plate bonded to the head main body in such a manner that the plate constitutes one wall part of each of the liquid chambers, nozzles formed in the nozzle plate in such a manner that the nozzles communicate with the liquid chambers, drive elements for causing the nozzles to eject liquid droplets, and first suction holes formed in the nozzle plate in such a manner that the holes communicate with the liquid chambers.
US08132886B2
The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); providing a carriage (18) adapted for moving along a path; providing a recording head (16) on the carriage; operating the recording head to form a pattern of image features on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the pattern of image features while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting movement of the carriage in accordance with the detected distortion.
US08132879B2
An object of this invention is to decrease the amount of ink mist while keeping the image quality high in inkjet printing. To achieve this object, printing is performed by time-divisionally driving, for each block, a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink. In preliminary discharge, the nozzles are so driven as to set the driving time interval between neighboring nozzles to the first time interval. In printing, the nozzles are so driven as to set the driving time interval between neighboring nozzles to the second time interval longer than the first time interval.
US08132877B2
An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. A user interface is configured to enable a user to designate a low ink notification set point for the ink source at any ink level between the ample ink level and the ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point.
US08132873B2
A rail assembly includes an outer rail, a middle rail, an inner rail, and a retrieving unit. The middle rail has a receiving space defined in an underside thereof, such that a length and a moving range of the middle rail are increased. A guiding member is disposed in the inner rail and temporarily engages with a clip to connect the inner rail and a moving part. At least one spring is disposed between a fixing part and the moving part. Two receiving slots are respectively disposed between the fixing part and the moving part with the outer rail, such that the inner rail spans across the receiving slots to reach the closed end of the outer rail space for increasing an overall spread length of the rail assembly.
US08132872B2
A waste receptacle has an outer cabinet housing and a waste or trash bag support frame that can be moved from a position where it is at least partially within the cabinet, to a position where the support frame is extended sufficiently so it can be rotated about an upright axis to provide access to a bag held on the support frame. The support frame has an open ring on which a waste bag can be placed. The ring is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the bag support frame so that when the waste bag is full, it can be detached from the ring and dropped down for removal, rather than being lifted up through a container opening or support. The waste receptacle can have a cover that can be actuated to move from a closed position overlying the bag support frame to an open position.
US08132867B2
A brake control apparatus includes a braking force applying apparatus for applying a braking force to each of a plurality of wheels adapted to a vehicle, a braking force testing device for testing the braking force of a predetermined malfunction test subject wheel by controlling the braking force applied thereto to be reduced or maintained for a predetermined time on the basis of a test actuation pattern while the braking force applied to each wheel is increased, a wheel speed detecting device for detecting a wheel speed of each of the plurality of the wheels including the malfunction test subject wheel, and a malfunction detecting device for detecting a malfunctioning state, in a case where changes of the wheel speed of the malfunction test subject wheel towards acceleration is not detected while the braking force testing device testing the braking force applied to the malfunction test subject wheel.
US08132866B2
A brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus is provided with wheel cylinder pressure inference value acquisition means (step 402) for acquiring an inference value of the wheel cylinder pressure, master cylinder pressure inference value acquisition means (step 404) for acquiring an inference value of the master cylinder pressure by utilizing a wheel cylinder pressure inference initial value, reaction force compensation amount acquisition means (step 406) for acquiring a reaction force compensation amount which is a value depending on the variation of the master cylinder pressure caused by the flowing of brake fluid during an ABS control, and differential pressure inference value acquisition means (step 410) for acquiring an inference value of the differential pressure between the master cylinder pressure and the wheel cylinder pressure by adding the reaction force compensation amount to the difference between the master cylinder pressure inference value and the wheel cylinder pressure inference value.
US08132862B2
A seat back frame for a vehicle for supporting a seat back, includes a first back frame, at which a shoulder belt anchor for supporting one end portion of a seat belt is provided, a second back frame arranged substantially in parallel with the first back frame, and a cross member connecting the first back frame and the second back frame, wherein a protruding portion or a recessed portion is formed at the cross member so as to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first recessed surface portion or a first protruding surface portion is formed at the first back frame and a second recessed surface portion or a second protruding surface portion is formed at the second back frame so that the first back frame and the second back frame are fittedly connected to the protruding portion or the recessed portion of the cross member.
US08132851B2
The invention discussed above provides a reinforcing element for a lower impact region of a front bumper of a motor vehicle for the protection of pedestrians during the impact of a lower leg section against the lower impact region of the front bumper. The reinforcing element is thus connected behind, in direction of travel, the lower front bumper region to the latter. The reinforcing element has a base plate with reinforcing ribs attached thereto. It extends essentially in horizontal direction, approximately over the width of the front bumper. It is thus proposed for the first time that the reinforcing element is designed as a separate plate which can be integrated in the lower bumper region. The above invention also discusses a front bumper equipped therewith for a motor vehicle.
US08132843B2
A folding top compartment lid, in particular a folding top compartment lid with an integrated engine bay lid, is pivoted into an open position and into a closed position by a so-called four-bar hinge arrangement. An actuating device is articulatedly connected to a rear and a front setting-out lever of the four-bar hinge mechanism, which actuating device is coupled to a locking device which contains locking hooks. The actuating device with the setting-out levers can be activated by a hydraulic cylinder so as to pivot into the open and closed positions in such a way that the folding top compartment lid can be moved from the locked closed position into an unlocked open position and back from the open position into the closed position.
US08132836B2
A ball collecting device comprising a drum and a control element. A first cover and a second cover are installed at both ends of the drum respectively to form a containing space in the drum. The first cover and the second cover are hollow and connected to at least one ring-shaped body with an interval apart. Each ring-shaped body comprises at least one elastic element installed around the ring-shaped body. The first cover, the second cover and the ring-shaped bodies are connected by at least one rod. The control element is connected to the drum and provided for a user to hold and push the drum to roll. An elastic element installed around the second cover is provided for pushing at least one ball to shift and enter into the containing space for storage, so as to provide a convenient way of collecting balls.
US08132835B2
A workpiece gripping device includes a primary catching mechanism having a suction pad adapted to hold a workpiece by suction power and a rod-like part having the suction pad mounted on one end thereof, gripping pawls sandwiching and gripping the workpiece, a drive unit for supplying a drive power, and a transmission mechanism transmitting the drive power of the drive unit to the gripping pawls. The transmission mechanism moves the gripping pawls along an axis of the rod-like part between a gripping position where the gripping pawls are projected beyond the suction pad and a retreated position where the gripping pawls are retreated from the suction pad toward the base plate. The gripping pawls are moved to the gripping position along the axis of the rod-like part while shortening the distance between the gripping pawls.
US08132830B2
The invention concerns a security and/or value document, in particular a banknote. The security and/or value document has a support (1) of a paper material and an in particular strip-form or thread-form film element (2) which contains one or more optical security features. The support (1) has one or more window-shaped openings (35) which are closed by means of the film element (2) which projects beyond the openings on all sides. Applied to the side of the support (1) of a paper material, which is in opposite relationship to the film element (2), is a sealing layer (4) which covers the surfaces of the film element (2) at least in the region of the openings.
US08132829B2
In the pretensioner, a guiding wall is provided in a generator-side passing portion of a gas passing portion, and an inner portion of the generator-side passing portion at a portion where the guard wall is set is located to a base end rather than a tip end of a wire protective cylinder. Further, a gas generator mounting hole and the generator-side passing portion is inclined to be directed the base end of the wire protective cylinder. For this reason, gas that is jetted from a gas generator is blown to the base end of the wire protective cylinder or a surrounding portion thereof. As a result, even though the thickness of the wire protective cylinder is not set to be large, it can be against pressure of the blown gas.
US08132828B2
An apparatus for connecting a steering column control module to a steering column of a vehicle comprises a bracket for mounting the steering column control module and a collet for interconnecting the bracket and the steering column. The collet snaps into engagement with the bracket and with the steering column. One of the bracket and the collet includes a first projection and the other of the bracket and the collet including a recess for receiving the first projection. The recess includes a second projection for engagement with the first projection when the first projection is received in the recess.
US08132825B1
A fifth wheel hitch apparatus for connecting a kingpin to a towing vehicle includes a mounting mechanism having plate and skirt portions with an opening for ingress and egress of the kingpin, and a clamping mechanism having opposing first and second clamp elements. A first resilient device biases first and second lever arms of the respective first and second clamp elements to displace the first and second clamp elements into an opened configuration. Direct contact of the kingpin with the first and second clamp elements pivotally and positively displaces the first and second clamp elements from the opened configuration to a closed configuration to cooperatively capture the kingpin therebetween. A biased locking mechanism is releasably retained in an unlocked configuration and locks the first and second clamp elements in the closed configuration. In a modified embodiment, the first and second clamp elements are connected together to also pivot relative to each other about a common third pivot axis.
US08132824B2
A bicycle having a wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay and comprises a body member including a resilient material adapted to resiliently engage the stay, and a guard member positioned on (e.g., protruding beyond) an outer surface of the body member (e.g., on a top portion and/or bottom portion of the body member). Preferably, the stay includes a molded image on a central portion that is not covered by the guard member. In one embodiment, the guard member comprises a material that has a different hardness than the resilient material of the body member. For example, the guard member can comprise a material that is harder than the resilient material of the body member.
US08132821B2
The invention relates to an axle bracket for the rear axle of a motor vehicle, as an assembled structural unit comprising a single profiled transversal carrier (1) and consoles (2, 3) fixed to the end regions of the structural unit. Said consoles are each provided with molded binding positions (A, B; C, D; E; F; G, H) for at least three of the following units—the upper transverse links (6), the lower transverse links (4), the track rods (5), and the spring or damping unit (7)—and each comprise at least two molded binding positions (G, H) for attaching the axle bracket to the bodywork.
US08132818B2
A snowboard binding and hold-down device that may flex or move with the snowboard when ridden to minimize any impact on flex characteristics. The snowboard binding may be compatible with a variety of snowboard binding mount arrangements.
US08132815B1
A card seal with an annular arrangement of cards that form the card seal, where the cards each form an L-shape cross section with a wide front face and a narrow side face, where the side face has a constant width from a top end to a location greater than a mid-point, and from this point decreases in width to zero width at the bottom end. The side faces form a blockage against leakage flowing between adjacent cards in a cards seal assembly.
US08132812B2
A sheet discharging device that includes: a discharge roller that discharges a transported sheet to outside the sheet discharging device, the discharge roller being integrally formed with a flexible rotating shaft; first and second bearing members that rotatably hold one end side and another end side of the rotating shaft, respectively; a nipping member that nips the transported sheet in cooperation with the discharge roller, the nipping member being opposed to a peripheral surface of the discharge roller; and an abutment member abutting against one of the rotating shaft and the nipping member between the first bearing member and the second bearing member to curve the rotating shaft.
US08132810B2
An oblique feeding roller and a reference guide are provided on a re-conveying path for conveying a sheet in which an image has been formed on one side by an image forming unit to the image forming unit again. The sheet is obliquely fed by the oblique feeding roller. A side edge of the sheet abuts to a reference surface provided for the reference guide along a sheet conveying direction, thereby correcting the oblique motion and a positional deviation of the sheet. The reference guide is moved to a position according to a length in a width direction of the sheet which is conveyed by a movement of a cam.
US08132809B2
A feeder that stores a sheet used to form an image in an image forming apparatus main body and that is configured to be drawn out from the image forming apparatus main body in a perpendicular direction to a sheet conveying direction. The feeder includes: a separation member that is in press-contact with a sheet feed member disposed in the image forming apparatus main body for separating a stored sheet in cooperation with the sheet feed member; an arm part that is attached to the separation member, the separation member being rotatably attached through the arm part; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the separation member downward through the arm part and releases the press contact with the sheet feed member when the feeder is drawn out from the image forming apparatus main body.
US08132803B2
A sheet processing apparatus according to an aspect of the invention can process a first-size sheet having a first length and a second-size sheet having a second length smaller than the first length. The sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion on which the sheets are stacked; a stapler which performs a stapling process to the sheets; a second alignment reference wall and a first jogger which align the sheets with a stapling process position; and a second jogger which is moved toward the second alignment reference wall and first jogger. Irrespective of a sheet size, the second jogger is moved toward the second alignment reference wall and first jogger by an alignment distance necessary to align the second-size sheet with a stapling process position, which allows the stapler to staple the sheets with at least one of two staple legs.
US08132802B2
An apparatus for quickly retaining and releasing parts having a wide range of sizes and designs at an optical measurement station is provided. The apparatus includes a rod having proximal and distal ends. The apparatus further includes a part-engaging first tip attached to the distal end of the rod to move therewith. The apparatus still further includes a part-engaging second tip. The apparatus includes a support structure for supporting the second tip and the rod. The apparatus further includes a quick-release, clamping mechanism for adjustably and releasably clamping the rod to the support structure so that the rod can move the first tip between a part-release position in which a part held between the tips is released for removal from the station and a part-retaining position in which a part is firmly held between the tips. Held parts having a wide range of sizes and designs can be optically measured at the station.
US08132794B2
A flexible tubing for fine bubble aeration is provided with an air passageway defined in part by an upper portion and a lower portion. The tubing can be made of a uniform weighted material with more material in the lower portion than in the upper portion. This makes the tubing self-orienting, in that it will tend to orient itself with micro-slits along the upper portion facing upward and the lower portion facing downward when submerged in a body of water. An automated, one-stage production line converts raw tubing material to a finished tubing product without the need for separate processing. A method of coiling the tubing places the micro-slits approximately 90° away from the surface of a spool hub, thereby avoiding a longitudinal arch in the tubing and ultimately preventing roll-over and improper slit orientation after installation in a water body.
US08132787B1
Conical jack stands that are used to hold up a motor vehicle (or other object) after it has been raised (e.g., by jacks). Rather than having legs like conventional jack stands, they have the shape of a hollow cone, with a circular bottom edge. The circular bottom edge gives them a larger bottom surface area than the bottom ends of the legs of conventional jack stands, so that they will be less likely to sink into the ground or asphalt. There is a hole with internal screw threads in the top of each cone, into which a large bolt-like contacting member is screwed. The contacting members can be rotated to adjust the height of the jack stands. Their hollow conical shape makes it easy to stack the jack stands for storage. Four jack stands are stored in a square box, with one contacting member in each corner of the box.
US08132786B2
A stemless ball valve comprising: a right flange; left flange; ball with an axis pin and two travel pins; ball seal on either side of the ball; guide sleeve with inner walls comprising two channels; cartridge guide holder; inner magnetic cartridge; and outer magnetic cartridge. The ball is situated inside of the guide sleeve, and a travel pin is located in each of the two channels. The guide sleeve is situated inside of the cartridge guide holder, which is located adjacent to and outside of the inner magnetic cartridge and secured to the inner magnetic cartridge such that when the inner magnetic cartridge rotates, the cartridge guide holder also rotates. The cartridge guide holder is secured to the guide sleeve such that when the cartridge guide holder rotates, the travel pins move within the channels in the inner walls of the guide sleeve, thereby causing the ball to rotate.
US08132777B2
A blowout preventer for use in the oil and gas industry having a single modified, dual-acting hydraulic operator per door, comprising a reconfigured adapter. The reconfigured adapter comprises a body having a longitudinal bore, a plurality of hydraulic fluid passageways therethrough, and is slidably received by the blowout preventer.
US08132776B2
A sideform (10) for a sideform system includes an elongate body member (12) defining a side forming face (14) and an opposed mounting portion (16) for mounting the body member on a sideform holder. At least one recessed region (18, 20), in which an insert is receivable, is defined in the body member (12). An engaging arrangement (22) is associated with the recessed region (18, 20) for securing the insert in position in the recessed region (18, 20). At least one attaching formation (28) is arranged on the body member (12) in association with the side forming face (14) for attaching an edge form.
US08132774B1
A residential and commercial construction aid comprises a specialized set of clamps and brackets and a system directed thereto for the rapid and accurate set up of perimeter screed forms during concrete forming processes. The specialized components of the present invention include: brackets comprising a tubular shaft affixed to “L”- or “J”-shaped brackets for attachment to the forms; screed rod clamps oriented in a variety of embodiments to anticipate varying installation requirements; and a “T”-handled screw. A unique installation method utilizing the components mentioned above with concrete forms and stakes is also provided.
US08132765B2
A collapsible lockable support frame assembly includes a support frame pivoted to the support arm of a stand and having two parallel sliding rails, a slide holder carrying a positioning member at the back side and coupled to and movable along the sliding rails of the support frame for holding a display device and a locking mechanism having a casing affixed to the support frame and an upper stop member and a lower stop member pivotally swingingly connected to the casing. When the support frame is turned from a vertical position to a horizontal position, the upper stop member and the lower stop member are forced by the gravity thereof to turn out of the casing so that the upper stop member stops the positioning member from outward displacement to lock the slide holder, facilitating packing and delivery and the lower stop member limits the inward displacement distance of the slide holder to prohibit the display device from hitting the support arm of the stand.
US08132762B2
A self rotating deployed film solar battery array includes film solar batteries, electrical cables, a center axle and connecting lines. A plurality of long strip shaped film solar batteries radiate to form a circle or a polygon-array. Two adjacent film solar batteries are linked by connecting lines. Each film solar battery is linked to the center axle by electrical cables. The film solar batteries are deployed and maintained in an array shape by a self rotating centrifugal force in space. The film solar batteries are coiling outside the surface of the center axle before their deployment. The unit weight of a thin film battery is only 1/30 of a traditional solar cell paddle.
US08132760B2
A parachuting method may include: (1) determining a release point where parachute items must be released from an aircraft, (2) determining a first end point that is located on a straight reference line downstream of the release point where the release of parachute items must stop, (3) determining a second end point that is located on the straight reference line downstream of the first end point where parachuting is ended, (4) performing a first parachuting sequence by guiding the aircraft along the straight reference line and releasing some of the items to be parachuted between the release point and the first end point, (5) determining a flight circuit for the aircraft to return from the second end point to follow the straight reference line until it reaches the second end point, and (6) performing additional parachuting sequences.
US08132752B1
A blade structure has at least three pairs of blade arms constructed and arranged to create regions of material movement in a blender cup, wherein material is moved outward and upward in a lower region near outer walls of the blender cup, material is moved upward and inward in an upper region near the outer walls of the blender cup, material is chopped and moved downward in a region partway between the outer walls and a central axis of the blender cup, and material is moved downward near the central axis of the blender cup. One embodiment of the blade structure includes a first pair of blade arms arranged in opposition about a common central axis, constructed and arranged for efficient chopping of ice; a second pair of blade arms arranged in opposition about the common central axis, constructed and arranged to move material impinging on a central part of the second pair of blade arms in a downward direction and to move material impinging on a tips of the second pair of blade arms in an upward and inward direction; and a third pair of blade arms arranged in opposition about the common central axis, constructed and arranged to move material impinging on a central portion of the third pair of blade arms in a generally downward direction and arranged to move material impinging on tips of the third pair of blade arms in an outward direction.
US08132749B2
To provide an electrophotographic toner pulverizing apparatus and an electrophotographic toner pulverizing method for preventing reduction in wear resistance of a rotor, a stator, and the like even in long-term pulverizing of toner. The electrophotographic toner pulverizing apparatus according to the present invention has a pulverizing chamber with at least a rotor and a stator disposed therein. The surface of at least one of the rotor and the stator has a chromium plated layer having Cr as a main component and containing Mg, Al, Si, Ti, Mn, Fe, and C elements.
US08132741B2
Systems and methods for applying substances to target areas are disclosed. The system includes a hood supported by a frame and moveable relative thereto between open and closed positions, and one or more spray heads coupled to the underside of the hood and configured to spray the target area when the hood is in the closed position, the spray heads and the hood configured such that the hood provides a wind barrier for the spray from the spray heads. The system further includes a liquid tank for holding the substance to be applied to the target area, an agitation system for desired mixing of the tank contents, and fluid pathways for delivery of the contents of the tank to the spray heads for application to the target area.
US08132725B2
A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment.
US08132722B2
Systems and methods for binding a smartcard and a smartcard reader are provided. A smartcard is provision to store a first set of credentials for use in traditional transactions such as at a brick and mortar retail store and a second set of credentials for use when performing a transaction using a smartcard reader associated with a user such as an on-line transaction. The user smartcard reader registers with a smartcard issuer server by cryptographically authenticating a secure processor associated with the smartcard reader. As a result of the registration, the secure processor obtains a set of private keys associated with the second set of credentials. When a request for a authorizing a transaction via the user's smartcard reader is received, the smartcard reader cryptographically authenticates itself to the smartcard using a private key associated with a credential to be used to authorize the transaction.
US08132706B2
An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical apparatus having an articulating tool assembly is described. The articulation mechanism includes a rotatable shaft which is fixedly secured to a disk defining a spiral groove or slot. A linearly movable translation member is provided and includes a pin which is received within the spiral groove such that rotation of the disk effects linear translation of the translation member. The configuration of the spiral groove can be selected to provide any desired ratio of angular rotation of the disk to linear advancement of the translation member. As such, the configuration of the spiral slot can be selected to provide a uniform rate of articulation of the tool assembly of the surgical apparatus or a variable rate of articulation.
US08132694B2
Disclosed is a dispensing device comprises a dispense mechanism and a multicomponent syringe. The fastening parts of the syringe are embodied such that the syringe can be inserted into a holder on the dispense mechanism on the plane of the reservoirs thereof and perpendicular to the plane formed by the handle and the triggering lever of the dispense mechanism. The fastening parts on the syringe and the insertion opening on the syringe holder of the dispense mechanism are provided with coding elements that ensure that the syringe is inserted in only one direction, thus preventing non-certified syringes from being dispensed by the dispense mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, ergonomically shaped syringe flanges can optionally be used for dispensing the syringe in an optimal manner by hand with the aid of a dispense mechanism.
US08132685B2
A closure for a container (14) comprises a first portion (12) for mounting to the container and a second portion (10) adapted for mounting to the first portion. When the second portion is removed from the first portion it opens the container. When the first portion is mounted to the container and a deformable seal (66) is positioned therebetween, and when the second portion is then mounted to the first position, the seal is deformed and is simultaneously able to seal between the first portion and the container, and between the first portion and the second portion.
US08132680B2
An apparatus main body of a frame structure and an apparatus main body of a wall structure are formed separately, tray units 200 are attached to the frame main body and the wall main body, and magazine units 100 which are held by the tray unit 200 hold cigarette packs T. Since the two types of main bodies use the tray units 200 and the magazine units 100, the cigarette packs T can be displayed in various ways without decreasing productivity. In this way, the present invention provides a cigarette display system 1000 having a structure which can display the cigarette packs T in various ways without decreasing productivity.
US08132674B1
A tramp metal separation device includes a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first drawer and a second drawer. The first drawer and the second drawer each have a plurality of magnets and a wiper assembly, where each drawer is supported with respect to the first housing such that each first drawer is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the magnets of the respective drawer are positioned within the first housing and are adapted to be in contact with the stream of raw materials. In the retracted position, the magnets of the respective drawer are positioned outside of the first housing. The wiper assembly of each drawer removes contaminants from the magnets as the respective drawer moves from the extended position to the retracted position. Each of the first drawer and the second drawer is restrained against movement from the extended position to the retracted position when the other of the first drawer and the second drawer is disposed in the retracted position.
US08132672B2
A flexible, compact, and securely closed pill pouch pocket packet folder designed for secure handling, has multiple pockets, containing securely stored pouches for easy and orderly storing and retrieving of pills or similar small items, as when needed, for home or travel.
US08132670B1
A protective cover for portable electronic device includes a front lid and a rear lid coupled together. The front lid has an inner side contained a holding means to hold the body of an electronic device. The front lid has an outer side with a first fastening element located thereon. The rear lid has an inner surface holding at least one support leg and an outer surface with a second fastening element located thereon. When in use the front lid can be flipped outwards for 360 degrees and coupled through the first and second fastening elements. The support leg can be expanded to facilitate user's viewing of the screen.
US08132666B2
This invention relates to conveyor guides comprising conveyor guide rail units, such as those used on automated handling lines where containers of different sizes are processed. One or more guide rails are employed to the sides of the conveyor guide to ensure that articles follow a desired path. This invention provides an adjustable conveyor guide rail unit that comprises a guide member operable to be set in a plurality of discrete positions, thereby allowing the width of a channel through which an article may be conveyed to be varied. The guide rails are adjustable to accommodate containers of differing sizes.
US08132665B2
Particular embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as a position control apparatus that comprises a fluidic drive system configured to drive, with a single fluidic displacement, each of a plurality of positioners in a first relative direction; and a bias system that includes a plurality of biasers that bias the positioners in a direction that is opposite the first relative direction. In particular embodiments, and as but a few of the many possible design features, positioner actuators may be fluidicly linked in parallel and with the fluid compressor, the positioner actuators may each include a piston; and a plurality of positioners may each be responsive to at least one of the pistons.
US08132663B2
A conveyor table of a cutting machine capable of making a difference in level between a conveyor table and a air table small, and preventing a sheet material from shifting or collapsing with a simple configuration is provided. A pair of caterpillar tracks 10 formed by bridging a chain 11 over a pair of sprockets 12, 13 arranged at a carry-in side end and a carry-out side end in a conveying direction, a plurality of brush mounts 20 attached to the chain 11 in parallel to connect the caterpillar tracks 10, and a brush block 30 having bristles 32 arrayed on each of the brush mounts 20 are arranged. The brush mount 20 has a portion on the carry-in side fixed to the chain 11 and a portion on the carry-out side not fixed to the chain 11.
US08132658B2
Provided is a seat where pumping operation of a lever of the seat not only rotates an output member by inching but also, when a load in the operation direction of the lever is applied to the output side member, rotates it at one stroke in that direction. A seat adjustment device of the seat has a clutch unit (X) provided between the lever and a rotation member of a movement mechanism. The clutch unit (X) has a lever side clutch section (11) which is provided on the input side and controls, through lever operation, transmission/interruption of rotational torque to the output side, a brake side clutch section (12) provided on the output side, which transmits input torque from the lever side clutch section (11) to the output side, and interrupts reverse input torque from the output side, and a rotation control clutch section (13) which is disposed adjacent to the brake side clutch section (12), allows a pinion shaft (28) of the brake side clutch section (12) to rotate by inching through pumping operation where the lever of the lever side clutch section (12) is rotated in one direction, and makes the pinion shaft (28) rotatable through a single operation in which the lever is rotated in the opposite direction.
US08132654B2
The invention relates to a hydraulic damper, in particular for the suspension system of a motor vehicle, comprising a tube filled with working fluid; a piston assembly slidably positioned inside the tube; a fluid compensation chamber located outside of the tube, and a base valve assembly at the end of the tube for controlling the flow of working fluid between the tube and the compensation chamber. A compression valve module added between the piston assembly and the base valve assembly allows the damping to increase during extremely fast compression strokes without modification of the other damper components, affecting neither tuning options nor performance in a normal operating range of piston velocities.
US08132644B2
A method and apparatus for the reduction of sound travelling in a wave-guide in the air above the ground is presented, comprising the provision below the ground of at least a top layer which, at the interface of the top layer and air, has an acoustic impedance which substantially matches the acoustic impedance of the air. Also a cylindrical structure with holes can be used. The method and apparatus may be used for the reduction of aircraft sounds, especially in the range of 15 Hz to 40 Hz, during the first part of take-off, wherein said layer(s) below the ground are provided in a range starting at a lateral side of the runway and extending until at least 100 meters, preferably until at least 300 meters and more preferably until at least 500 meters, from the runway.
US08132643B2
A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.
US08132636B2
An in-wheel motor drive unit (21) comprises a casing (22), a motor part (A), a deceleration part (B), a wheel hub (31), and a wheel hub bearing (33) rotatably supporting the wheel hub (31) with respect to the casing (22). The wheel hub bearing (33) includes first and second outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) provided on the inner diameter surface of the casing (22), a first inner track surface (33c) provided on the outer diameter surface of a wheel-side rotation member (30) and opposed to the first outer track surface (33a), a second inner track surface (33d) provided on the outer diameter surface of the wheel hub (31) and opposed to the second outer track surface (33b), and a plurality of rolling elements (33e) arranged between the outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) and the inner track surfaces (33c) and (33d).
US08132633B2
A self positioning cutter element and cutter pocket for use in a downhole tool having one or more cutting elements. The self positioning cutter element includes a substrate and a wear resistant layer coupled to the substrate. The cutter element includes a cutting surface, a coupling surface, and a longitudinal side surface forming the circumferential perimeter of the cutter element and extending from the cutting surface to the coupling surface. The cutter element has one or more indexes formed on at least a portion of the coupling surface. In some embodiments, the index also is formed on at least a portion of the longitudinal side surface. Hence, the coupling surface is not substantially planar. Additionally, at least a portion of the longitudinal side surface does not form a substantially uniform perimeter. The cutter pocket also is indexed to correspond and couple with the indexing of the cutter element.
US08132631B2
There is provided a method for drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop. A drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus, such as a sonic drill, for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground. The hollow drill string having an inner space. A hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. The fluid forming a fluid column in the inner space of the drill string. The fluid column impedes entry of ground materials into the inner space of the drill string and is vibrated to create a water hammer for adding an additional drilling force. A geothermal transfer loop is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string and the drill string is removed from the ground. The method may also include discharging grouting material into the hole.
US08132627B2
A tool 10 is provided for radially expanding a downhole tubular C, and includes a central tool mandrel 12 which functionally is part of a drill string or work string, a tubular expander 48 at the lower end of the tubular, and a downhole actuator 15 for forcibly moving the expander axially within the downhole tubular. Slips 20 are positioned for securing the tool within the tubular, so that the slips may be set, and the tool subsequently stroked to move the expander 48 and radially expand a length of the tubular. Upward pull on the work string may expand long portions of the downhole tubular.
US08132615B2
A heat sink includes a heat dissipation fins assembly, a heat spreader, and a heat pipe. The heat dissipation fins assembly includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins. A guide plate extruding from a bottom of each of the heat dissipation fins. The guide plate being connected to an adjacent heat dissipation fins. The heat dissipation fins are connected in series by the guide plate thereby defining a number of air channels. Each heat dissipation fin includes a through hole defined therein and aligned with each other. The heat spreader is disposed under the heat dissipation fins assembly and a through groove is formed in the heat spreader. A heat pipe passes through the through hole and the through groove. The heat sink has improved heat dissipation efficiency.
US08132613B2
A core-setting apparatus and a method for setting the core in a lower mold used in a molding apparatus, wherein the core-setting apparatus has a simple structure and can maintain the core in the mold in a highly accurate position. The core-setting apparatus to set a core in the lower mold while the upper and the lower mold and a match plate are separated from each other after molding the upper and lower mold in a cope and drag flask includes a handling tool having a holding device and a rotatable rod, wherein the handling tool is rotatably supported by the rod, a carrier for transferring the handling tool, wherein the carrier supports the rotatable rod and is moved to or from a location above the lower mold, and an actuator for lowering and lifting the cope flask together with the carrier and the handling tool which are located above the drag flask, the actuator being mounted on the main body of the molding apparatus.
US08132610B2
A window covering includes a first rail, window covering material, lift cords that extend from adjacent the first rail to the window covering material, and at least one pulley and at least one pulley release device. At least one pulley is positioned so that at least one lift cord passes along that pulley. Each pulley release device is attached to at least one respective pulley to releasably connect the one or more pulleys to the first rail. Each pulley release device is configured to permit the one or more pulleys to which it is attached to release from the first rail when a release force acts on a component of the pulley release device. Preferably, the one or more pulleys are positioned on the outside of the first rail adjacent to the window covering material. The one or more pulleys may also be positioned adjacent to a valance.
US08132609B2
A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating bar mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines, for example, a serpentine path. The shade fabric is received through the fabric-receiving opening and is folded by the pleating bar, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates. The shade fabric is neatly wrapped around the roller tube (i.e., bunching of the shade fabric is avoided) and is stored out-of-sight when rolled up.
US08132607B2
A tire pressure control system that controls the tire pressure in the tire at each wheel of a vehicle includes: a wheel-side tire pressure sensor; a transmitter that transmits the detected tire pressure; a receiver that receives the tire pressure information from the transmitter; a tire pressure regulating device; and a control unit that drives the tire pressure regulating device based on the tire pressure information. The control unit drives the tire pressure regulating device regardless of whether the tire pressure information is received if a reception-incapable condition, in which the receiver is unable to receive the tire pressure information, has occurred.
US08132600B2
A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.
US08132597B2
A fabric for protecting a wearer thereof from an energy weapon. The fabric is made of a plurality of coupled strands. Each strand is made from at least two fibers, an electrically non-conductive fiber and an electrically conductive fiber. The electrically non-conductive fiber at least partially encloses the electrically conductive fiber.
US08132591B2
The present invention provides a tractor, comprising: a vehicle body that is supported by a plurality of wheels; a switching valve that is disposed rearwardly of a vicinity of a rear end of a driver's station floor as viewed from above; a duct connecting member that is positioned at the front end of the driver's station floor and provided with a plurality of duct connecting ports; and a plurality of metal ducts that connect the switching valve and the duct connecting member below the driver's station floor, wherein the metal ducts are positioned on a laterally outer side of a portion, that is located below the driver's station floor, of a pedal arm for an operation pedal, the pedal arm being disposed at a front portion of the driver's station floor.
US08132586B2
A supervisory system and method for monitoring multiple flow rate fluid distribution systems and for determining the presence of a failure therein are provided. The system monitors the flow of fluid through the distribution system with a single flow meter, determines the flow rate at which fluid is flowing, and accumulates at that rate a water flow control value. If the accumulated water flow value exceeds a predetermined threshold, further flow of fluid in the system will be disabled. To take account of the multiple flow rates capable through the distribution system, the accumulated water flow value will decremented at the immediately preceding increment rate.
US08132585B2
A collapsible enclosure for protecting food from pests and debris comprises in one configuration at least two flexible structural beams, a cover having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least one opening and at least one flap attached above the opening. The flap is substantially larger in length and width than the opening and has ballast along its base to hold it flush against the at least one opening. In another configuration the collapsible protective food enclosure comprises three or more resilient structural frame loops, a cover having at least one opening and a flap. The structural frame loops are affixed within the cover forming walls. The flap is attached above the opening and has a resilient structural frame loop affixed along its perimeter to allow the flap to fit flush against the at least one opening.
US08132584B2
A gazebo cover adaptable for gazebos having different sized canopies include a fabric panel having a central opening and a perimeter defining at least three adjacent perimeter portions. The fabric panel includes a plurality of centrally-converging gussets extending between the perimeter and the central opening. A closure, for example, a slide zipper, is provided for selectively opening the gussets to form a relatively large canopy sized to fit a predetermined large size canopy frame, and for selectively closing the gussets to form a relatively small canopy sized to fit a predetermined small size canopy frame. A peak cap is positioned over and attached to the central opening of the fabric panel for closing the central opening.
US08132573B1
A curling iron operable to protect a portion of the user's skin that is adjacent the heating element from incidental contact with the heating element. The curling iron further includes a handle that is integrally mounted to the heating element. A shield is slidably mounted to the handle and is configured to be deployed to substantially extend the length of the heating element. The shield is further configured to be rotatable about the circumference of the heating element so as to maintain a position such that the shield is intermediate the heating element and the user's skin.
US08132565B2
The invention relates to an inhalator (1) for powdery substances (33), especially medical substances. The inhalator comprises a substance reservoir chamber (27) and a metering chamber (34). The metering chamber is configured as a crossbore (35) of a rod (36) and can be displaced from a filling position (B) to a discharge position (E), in which discharge position (E) the metering chamber (34) is positioned in an air flow channel (21). The aim of the invention is to improve said inhalator, especially with regard to the filling or emptying of its metering chamber, even when particles of smallest dust-like grain size are used. For this purpose, at least a part of the reservoir chamber wall (28) is displaced in the direction of the rod (36) when the inhalator (1) is actuated.
US08132561B2
Provided in a gas-feed system, in particular a system for supplying methane or hydrogen to an internal-combustion engine, is an electronic pressure-reducer or pressure-regulator unit, integrated in which are both a pressure-reducing valve for reducing the pressure of the gas coming from the fuel tank to a value suitable for supplying a distribution manifold or rail and a modulating solenoid valve that functions as modulator of the degree of pressure reduction performed by the pressure-reducing valve. Likewise made in the body of said unit are passages that provide the communications of said valves with one another and of each of said valves with the inlet and the outlet for the gas in said unit. Furthermore, the unit incorporates an electronic control module for controlling the modulating solenoid valve.
US08132549B2
A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values.
US08132546B2
An engine system and a method of operation are described. The engine may be operating in two-stroke and four-stroke modes while still maintaining a target exhaust air-fuel ratio.
US08132539B2
Apparatus and method for confining livestock with a portable corral gate assembly comprising a bottom frame, a top frame, a plurality of vertical members releaseably interconnecting the bottom frame to the top frame, a plurality of first side members each pivotally attached to a first vertical member and a second end attached to and extending outwardly from a first flexible member attached to the top frame and extending downwardly therefrom, and a plurality of second side members each pivotally attached to a second vertical member and a second end attached to and extending outwardly from a second flexible member attached to the top frame and extending downwardly therefrom.
US08132536B2
A portable and collapsible housing for poultry or other animals that includes a shelter having a half-lap shape, a base cage having a complimentary half-lap shape, a means for joining the shelter onto the base cage to form the housing is disclosed. A space in the shelter and a space in the base cage communicate with each other through an opening in the shelter. The housing further includes a door frame, at least one door, at least one cantilevered rod, and a ramp. The shelter is transformable into a box shaped container for shipping or storage.
US08132535B2
A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth. A movable power-driven pusher wall pushes the marketing age fowl onto a conveyor for harvesting.
US08132522B2
The present invention relates to a method and to a device for processing highly flexural material in strip form. In order to provide a method and a corresponding device for processing highly flexural material 2 in strip form with optimization of working processes and increased production reliability, it is proposed that, in a method for processing highly flexural material 2 in strip form with a first and a second end region 10, 16, in particular of textile belt material 2, the two end regions 10, 16 of the highly flexural material 2 are essentially processed simultaneously, wherein one of the types of processing includes at least one sewing operation. In this case, ensured and consistent quality is achieved with a shortened working cycle time.
US08132517B2
A supporting portion for a foldable table or a foldable bench is described. The supporting portion includes a V-shaped assembly and a supporting brace. The V-shaped assembly includes two connecting rods and a sliding sleeve. Each of the connecting rods has a disconnected end and a connected end. The connected ends are connected to opposite sides of the sliding sleeve to form a unitary block. The sliding sleeve includes a front ring, a rear ring and a middle piece. The middle piece has a locking hole. The disconnected ends are rotatably connected to a pair of legs respectively. One end of the supporting brace is connected to the undersurface of the table or bench top, and the other end is adapted to slide through the sliding sleeve. The supporting brace has an elastic pin proximate to the other end. When the foldable table or bench is in unfolded position, the elastic pin is inserted into the locking hole.
US08132515B2
A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.
US08132514B2
A lap bar assembly with dual lap bar and grab bar functions. The assembly includes a locking mechanism and a lap bar pivotally mounted to the locking mechanism via a support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a ratchet wheel affixed to the support shaft. A pawl is pivotally supported within the locking mechanism on a pawl support axle parallel to and spaced apart from the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a trip cam pivotally attached to the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a cam follower that selectively engages the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to automatically first lock in a first position (or ride position) with the pawl engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel and then second lock in a second position (or released position) with the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel on an uplock surface spaced apart the ratchet teeth.
US08132512B2
First and second conveyors are positioned along opposite sides of a frame positioned about centrally between the first and second conveyors, wherein the first and second conveyors are operably connected to a railroad engagement wheel positioned under the frame to coordinate movement of the first and second conveyors relative to the railroad engagement wheel. The conveyors can be integrated with a hi-rail truck adapted for use with the first and second conveyors and which contains an infeed conveyor for transporting tie plates from the hi-rail truck to the first and second conveyors.
US08132511B2
A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.
US08132510B2
A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a press-fitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile.
US08132508B2
A method of generating a digital AM halftone image output includes the steps of: (a) receiving a grey scale image from an image source; (b) generating an image component from the grey scale image; and (c) producing the digital AM halftone image output. The digital AM image output includes a plurality of halftone dots, each of which comprises at least one ink-receptive portion and at least one non-receptive portion. Patterns of halftone dots prepared in this manner may be sent as a digital output to an platesetter for producing a printing plate.
US08132504B2
A method and system of embossing ink including applying the ink to a print substrate, applying an embossing substrate to the ink wherein the embossing substrate imprints a predetermined pattern into the ink, and curing, via a radiation source, the ink such that an imprint of the predetermined pattern is embossed in the ink.
US08132496B2
A firearm has a frame, a trigger, a trigger bar, a hammer-type firing mechanism including a hammer having a hammer pin connected to the trigger via the trigger bar and a firing pin, and an automatic firing pin block safety mechanism (“automatic safety”) including a flange that is spring biased into engagement with the firing pin and a pivot lock arm rotatably mounted to the hammer pin and releasable engageable with the flange. The flange blocks the firing pin from discharging a chambered round unless and until the trigger is positively actuated. The automatic safety reduces the risk of accidental discharge, thereby rendering the firearm safer.
US08132494B1
An impact resistant rigid composite article comprising a fibrous layer comprising a network of filaments dispersed in a rigid matrix comprising one or more thermosetting resins and one or more thermoplastic resins which preferably include one or more initiating/compatibilization agents.
US08132493B1
A lightweight armor system may comprise multiple reinforcement materials layered within a single metal matrix casting. These reinforcement materials may comprise ceramics, metals, or other composites with microstructures that may be porous, dense, fibrous or particulate. Various geometries of flat plates, and combinations of reinforcement materials may be utilized. These reinforcement materials are infiltrated with liquid metal, the liquid metal solidifies within the material layers of open porosity forming a dense hermetic metal matrix composite armor in the desired product shape geometry. The metal infiltration process allows for metal to penetrate throughout the overall structure extending from one layer to the next, thereby binding the layers together and integrating the structure.
US08132491B2
The present invention is an apparatus for detecting and disabling a human eye or optical device used in the fire control of a weapon. This apparatus comprises a prism having a plurality of peripheral reflective surface. This prism has a longitudinal axis and rotating about said longitudinal axis. An infrared (IR) laser directs an infrared laser beam toward the prism side that the laser beam is reflected toward the human eye or optical device, such that the IR laser beam is retroreflected to the prism. There is also an infrared IR detector which detects the IR retroreflected laser beam reflected from the prism. A visible light wavelength laser which produces a visible light wavelength laser beam which is reflected from the prism to the human eye or optical device to disable the human eye or optical device to prevent use of the weapon.
US08132490B2
A rotary trimmer for cutting and/or trimming paper and related sheet material is disclosed. The rotary trimmer comprises a trimmer housing having: (i) a first end portion; (ii) a second end portion; and (iii) a cutting platform having: (a) a first platform; (b) a second platform; and (c) a base platform. The first and the second platforms are pivotably connected at least indirectly to (1) the base platform; and/or (2) the first and the second end portions. The rotary trimmer further includes a blade carriage guide disposed between the first and the second end portions and a blade carriage having one or more cutting blades, and slidably mounted to the blade carriage guide wherein the blade carriage can slide along the blade carriage guide to cut and/or trim a sheet or sheet-like material positioned on the cutting platform. A method of using a rotary trimmer is also disclosed.
US08132489B2
A clamping and cutting apparatus for a conveyor belt is provided. The apparatus includes upper and lower elongate members between which the belt is to be clamped. A clamping mechanism has a screw drive mechanism mounted to the upper member and an end linkage assembly which are operable to generate a more rapid clamping operation of the elongate members on the belt. The upper elongate member can be releasably latched to the lower elongate member for quick connection and removal therefrom. A cutting blade of the apparatus is preferably provided with upper and lower guides to increase the rigidity thereof for increasing cutting accuracy and allowing thicker belts to be cut therewith without increasing blade thickness.
US08132484B2
A sprocket cover arrangement for a hand-held chain saw has a housing and a sprocket cover that has an opening and is connected to the housing. At least one stud bolt having a first end secured to the housing and having a second end that is a free threaded end is provided. The free threaded end projects through the opening of the sprocket cover to an exterior side of the sprocket cover when the sprocket cover is positioned in an operating position on the housing. A nut is screwed onto the free threaded end of the at least one stud bolt on the exterior side of the sprocket cover so as to secure the sprocket cover on the housing. The nut is secured captively, rotatably and with play in the opening of the sprocket cover.
US08132474B2
A Hall effect helicopter mast torque meter includes a stand pipe, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a sensor. The stand pipe is connected to the top of the mast such that the stand pipe rotates at the same velocity as the mast. The first magnet is operably associated with the stand pipe which is operably associated with the top of the mast. The second magnet is operably associated with the bottom of the mast. The sensor detects the magnetic field of the first magnet and the second magnet.
US08132466B2
A mechanical property testing device and method for reliably measuring strain and fatigue characteristics of material specimens is described. An input electrical signal is applied to create an electric field around a first piezoelectric member. The resultant deformation of the first piezoelectric member transfers a force to the specimen being tested which transfers a force to a second piezoelectric member causing deformation. The deformation of the second piezoelectric member generates an output electrical field which is measured. The stress state of the specimen is calculated from fundamental material constants and the measured output electrical field.
US08132465B1
Circuits, methods, and systems that calibrate or account for packaging and related stress components in a pressure sensor. Further examples provide an improved sensor element or device. One example provides one or more sensing elements on the diaphragm and near the diaphragm-bulk boundary. Sensors near the diaphragm-bulk are used to estimate package-induced stress. This estimation can then be used in calibrating package stress from pressure measurements.
US08132464B2
A process variable transmitter for measuring a pressure of a process fluid includes a process coupling having a first port configured to couple to a first process pressure and a second port configured to couple to a second process pressure. A differential pressure sensor is coupled to the first and second ports and provides an output related to a differential pressure between the first pressure and the second pressure. First and second pressure sensors couple to the respective first and second ports and provide outputs related to the first and second pressures. Transmitter circuitry is configured to provide a transmitter output based upon the output from the differential pressure sensor and/or the first and/or second pressure sensors. Additional functionality is provided by the transmitter using the sensed first and/or second pressures.
US08132460B1
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for creating bond delaminations in a controlled fashion within adhesively bonded structures. In one embodiment, a system for inducing a defect in a bond of a bonded article includes a laser and a laser processor head. The laser processor head includes a housing, a lens disposed within the housing, at least one magnet disposed within the housing, and at least one sensor disposed within the housing. The system is capable of applying a laser pulse of sufficient energy fluence to cause localized weaknesses in the bond.
US08132455B2
A micromachined thermal mass flow sensor comprises a high mechanical strength polyimide film as a supporting layer of suspending membrane. The polyimide film provides superior thermal insulating properties to reduce the power consumption of device. Due to the tendency of humidity absorption, the polyimide suspending membrane is double side passivated on both top and bottom surfaces to sustain its long term stability from rush and humid working environment. A thin layer of silicon dioxide deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is overlaid between the silicon nitride and polyimide film to enhance the adhesion property of passivation layers to polyimide surface. With such embodiments, a sturdy and robust micromachined thermal mass flow sensor with high measurement accuracy could be formed.
US08132451B2
A system, method and device for measuring toner performance by randomly applying a toner sample having toner particles to a substrate, and positioning the substrate such that a force may be applied to individual particles of the measuring toner. A rolling resistance or rotation of the individual particles of the measuring toner is measured. The measurements may be analyzed to determine adhesion and distribution properties of individual toner particles of the measuring toner sample.
US08132439B2
An effective thread number in the thread section which is disposed on the mouth section of the bottle is formed to be 2.2. That is, the thread section is formed such that the thread section 13 should serve effectively in the mouth section such that an interval between a start position and an end position should be 2.0 to 2.5. In the bottle can member 11 which has such a thread section, an outer diameter of the thread section which is formed on the mouth section is 28 to 38 mm. Also, the thickness of the mouth section is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. The thread section which has the effective thread number 2.0 to 2.5 is formed by eight-thread per inch pitch. By doing this, it is possible to put the cap desirably.
US08132423B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator having an ice making apparatus installed at a cooling chamber door that opens/closes a cooling chamber. The refrigerator includes a body having a cooling chamber therein, a cooling chamber door to open/close the cooling chamber, and an ice making apparatus installed in the cooling chamber door to make ice. An ice making evaporator is provided in the ice making apparatus to independently supply the ice making apparatus with cooling air and an ice making evaporator chamber, in which an ice making evaporator is installed, is provided adjacent to the cooling chamber door while being partitioned from the cooling chamber.
US08132420B2
A method of controlling a refrigerant chiller system is particularly suited for chillers where the water being chilled (or some other liquid) flows through the chiller's evaporator at a flow rate that is variable and is not directly known. To effectively control the chiller and maintain the temperature of the water leaving the evaporator at a desired target temperature, the cooling capacity of the chiller's evaporator is estimated based the degree of valve opening of an expansion valve, a pressure differential across the expansion valve, and a change in enthalpy per unit mass of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. In some embodiments, the chiller system includes multiple refrigerant circuits that are hermetically isolated from each other.
US08132419B2
In a refrigeration system (10) that includes a refrigerant circuit (20) configured by connecting a plurality of circuit component parts including a compressor (30), a pressure reduction device (36, 39) and a plurality of heat exchangers (34, 37) and operates in a refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit (20), a refrigerant state detection section (51) is provided for detecting the refrigerant temperatures and entropies at the entrance and exit of each of the compressor (30), the pressure reduction device (36, 39) and the heat exchangers (34, 37), and a variation calculation section (52) is provided that uses the refrigerant temperatures and entropies detected by the refrigerant state detection section (51) to separately calculate the magnitude of energy variation of refrigerant produced in each of the circuit component parts.
US08132418B2
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for cooling an environment using a low temperature heat source. A cooling apparatus is provided. A refrigerant is vaporized from a refrigeration solution using the low temperature heat source. The vaporized refrigerant with part of the refrigeration solution is channeled to a separator. The vaporized refrigerant is separated from the channeled refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is further vaporized from the separated refrigeration solution leaving behind a dilute refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is condensed. A part of the condensed refrigerant is fed to the first vaporizer leaving behind a residual part of the condensed refrigerant. The residual part of the condensed refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the environment thereby cooling the environment. The evaporated refrigerant is absorbed by the dilute refrigeration solution to produce a concentrated refrigeration solution. The concentrated refrigeration solution is fed to the first vaporizer via a heat exchanger.
US08132416B2
Apparatus and processes are provided for combusting hydrocarbon-containing waste fuel with an oxidizer, preferably liquid oxygen, and producing a substantially clean exhaust gas and a separate high purity steam product (e.g., superheated steam) that can be used to generate electrical power. The apparatus includes a plurality of combustion chambers in series with means to control the combustion temperature while facilitating complete combustion. The apparatus and method are useful for transforming waste materials, particularly solid and liquid wastes, such as the rubber from scrap tires into non-hazardous materials and energy.
US08132414B2
A steam turbine includes a bucket implanted in a turbine rotor and a nozzle disposed on an upstream side of the bucket and supported by a turbine casing, in which a plurality of stages, each including the bucket and the nozzle, are arranged axially in the turbine so as to define a steam path. A hydrophilic coating portion is disposed in the entire area or an area of at least one portion of a circumferential surface of the turbine rotor, surfaces of the nozzles, surfaces of the buckets, and an inner circumferential surface of the turbine casing.
US08132412B2
A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A Rankine-Brayton hybrid cycle heat engine is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller or other mechanism for enabling sustained free flight. The Rankine-Brayton engine has a thermal battery, preferably containing a lithium-hydride and lithium mixture, operably connected to it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery to a working fluid. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.
US08132409B2
Systems and methods for collecting solar energy and converting it to heat, mechanical work, or electricity on a small scale and utilizing one or more system components originally adapted for use in a non-solar-power-generation application are described. Solar energy is used to heat a fluid that is part of a solar energy collector. This fluid transfers heat to the working fluid of thermodynamic engine, which converts some of the heat into mechanical work or electricity. One or more system parameters are monitored and controlled to enable improved efficiency under variable environmental conditions.
US08132406B2
A tide activated power system has a plurality of horizontally oriented cylinders that each have a pair of chambers. The cylinders are carried on float/weight barges that are located in a lagoon. A plurality of float/weight barges each have at least two cylinders in series. Each cylinder has a chamber holding a piston movable in the chamber defining a pair of variable size chambers: a flood variable size chamber and an ebb variable size chamber. As the float/weight barge rises and falls on the tide in the lagoon, the variable size chambers vary in size and force a working fluid to a turbine generator to create electrical energy. The piston of each of the multiple cylinders of the multiple barges forces combined to move the working fluid above the turbine generator where the flow drives the turbine generator prior to returning to the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, other mechanisms convert the energy from the rising and falling of the flow/weight barges to a non-uniform motion in one direction. The system can accumulate energy from the mechanism for converting the motion and converts the accumulating energy to another form of energy.
US08132387B2
The present invention provides thermal insulation products including a thermal insulation batt, board and loose fill, and methods of manufacture thereof, and a method of insulating an attic with loose fill, and an attic having the loose fill. The insulation products include randomly distributed inorganic fibers which are supplemented with microspheres, preferably hollow microspheres.
US08132384B2
The invention relates to a fastening system (1) for rectangular, tabular panels (2, 3, 10), especially floor panels. Comprising retaining profiles disposed on the small faces of said panels (2, 3, 10). Opposite retaining profiles match said retaining profiles in such a manner that similar panels (2, 3, 10) can be interlinked. The panels are provided with opposite first retaining profiles that are configured in such a manner that on a panel (2, 3, 10) being in first line a new panel (2) can be locked in second line by attaching the new panel (2) to the installed panel (3) at a temporary angle relative to the installed panel (3) and then swiveling it down into the plane of the installed panel (3). The panel further comprises opposite second retaining elements that comprise corresponding hook elements (6, 7). A hook connection (8) can be established by means of one of the hook elements (6, 7) of the new panel (2) and a hook element (6, 7) of a panel (3) that is already installed in second line by swiveling down the new panel (2). Every hook connection (8) is associated with an additional locking element (13, 22, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 40, 46) that prevents, in the hooked state of two panels (2, 3, 10), the hook connection (8) from being released in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the installed panels (2, 3 10).
US08132382B2
Thermal insulation is provided which includes randomly distributed inorganic fibers and about 5-500 wt. % unexpanded hollow microspheres comprising a polymeric shell having disposed therein a blowing agent or gas, said unexpanded hollow microspheres increasing in size when heated. Also provided is an insulated attic, including a plurality of rafters, an attic floor and a thermal insulation comprising randomly distributed glass fibers in at least about 5 wt. % hollow expanded microspheres having a diameter of 20-140 microns, which have been expanded from about 6-40 microns. The hollow expanded microspheres reduce the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation by at least about 5%, and have shown improvement up to 19.4% decreased thermal conductivity during tests at loadings from 30% to 257%. Additionally, calcium acetate and cupric carbonate additions to glass fiber insulation products showed improvement by at least about a 1% decrease in thermal conductivity.
US08132378B2
A glass element for forming glass brick walls, which has an overall parallelepiped shape and side walls shaped to enable insertion-engagement with the adjacent elements.
US08132376B2
The present invention is directed toward a track assembly comprising two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall. The system may further comprise a strap or series of engaging surfaces on the inner and outer tracks that generally restrain the inner track relative to the outer track.
US08132374B2
In regards to the invention titled “External Wall Panel Unit for Saving Energy and External Wall Structure System Using the Same,” there are an external wall panel unit and an external wall structure system for saving energy.The external wall panel unit is attached to an external wall structure (1) of a building to form an external wall of the building, and includes: an external frame (10); a frame rainwater tube (20); a frame duct (30); and a window (40).The external wall structure system using the external wall panel units is installed in such a way that a plurality of the external wall panel units are arranged and mounted vertically and horizontally.
US08132370B2
Self-draining panel threshold assemblies including a reservoir chamber are discussed. The threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween. The interior sill portion may include a condensation channel, which in one example, includes a roller track centrally positioned therein. The exterior sill portion includes a drain chamber and the reservoir chamber, where the reservoir chamber is positioned below and optionally to the exterior of the drain chamber. The drop-down chamber is partially defined by an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip. In varying examples, a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure. In certain examples, an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch, such as less than or equal to 1/2-inch. Methods and apparatuses related to the threshold assemblies are also discussed.
US08132367B2
A container for receiving and growing plants is disclosed. The container includes a latticework having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall defining a cavity with an open end, a covering for the bottom wall and the sidewall for receiving plant growth medium for supporting roots of plants, and a plurality of spaced apart flexible cords securing the covering to the latticework.
US08132365B2
A panel for a modular green roof system includes a bottom and four sides extending upwardly therefrom to provide an enclosure for growing medium, with a first side having a height above the bottom, the panel configured to accommodate an irrigation head. The bottom of the irrigation head is positioned below the height of the first side and connects with a water supply line running horizontally along the first side. A mold defining a first opening can be formed in the first side, the first opening configured to receive the irrigation head, the mold extending toward a side opposing the first side. A notch formed in a first side flange extending from the first side may alternatively help secure the irrigation head. The top of the irrigation head can be elevated above the height of the first side to irrigate the panel and nearby panels with pressurized water.
US08132363B2
Articles-of-manufacturing which comprise (a) a germinateable seed having a germinating end and an apparent germination polarity; or alternatively a germinateable seed having a hole formed therein; and (b) a cage or, respectively alternatively, a member securing the germinateable seed; the cage having a structure such that when securing the germinateable seed, the cage not inhibiting or slowing a germination process of the germinateable seed; the member is secured to the hole. Seedlings which comprise the cage or member engaged therewith. Articles-of-manufacturing which comprise the seed or seedling, the cage or member and a display article attached to the cage or member. Methods of making same and of displaying the display article in context of the seedling.
US08132360B2
The present invention provides a Christmas tree stand that is self-watering and rotatable. The self-watering system, that rotates with the tree, mainly includes a water reservoir, a hose, a water tank that holds on to the lower end of the tree, and a valve mechanism that automatically keeps the water in the water tank at optimum level. A rotatable tank assembly is driven by an electric drive motor on a stationary support assembly. Electrical power is passed from the stationary support assembly to the rotatable tank assembly through a slipping-ring connector. In the preferred embodiment, a remote control is provided to supply power for rotation of the rotatable tank assembly, including the tree, and the power receptacle on the rotatable tank assembly for suitable electrical loads, e.g., decorative lights, separately.
US08132359B1
A flower pot saucer for receiving a flower pot or the like is provided. The flower pot saucer comprises a base having an outer surface and a flat annular top surface angled downward toward the outer surface. A revolving saucer is mounted within top surface of the base with the flower pot positionable upon the revolving saucer. At least one solar panel is positioned on the angled top surface of the base. A motor is mounted within the base and powered only by the solar panel with the motor connected between the solar panel and the revolving saucer and the motor causing the rotation of the revolving saucer wherein the junction of the outer surface and the top surface of the base creates an outer edge and wherein the angling of the top surface of the base allows any liquids or other debris spilled on the top surface to drain off the top surface toward the outer surface and over the outer edge.
US08132343B2
A boot that includes a shell base and a collar, an articulation provided between the collar and the shell base, such that the collar can pivot with respect to the shell base about an articulation axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base, the devices for blocking the rearward rotation including the following: a rocker mounted so as to rotate with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the pivot being oriented along a first axis and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end and a lower end, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the two ends; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other of the ends, including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever mounted so as to rotate with respect to the rocker around a second pivot, the second pivot being oriented along a second axis, parallel to the first axis, and the second pivot being positioned between the first pivot and the support base, the lever including an actuating palette and a cam surface.
US08132332B2
A cutting device with two toothed blades arranged to be moveable with respect to each other includes a magnetic arranged to press both blades together.
US08132326B2
A method and equipment for making a needle-fin tube having needle-like external fin parts, and internal fin structure formed by a spiraled spring wire which expands to clamp again the tube in the needle-fin tubes. The wire used to form the internal fin is wound along and around a bar which is moved and rotated along a straight line. The bar is moved inside the needle-fin tube from its one end to the other and the wire is released from the bar to attach to the internal surface of the needle-fin tube under spring force.
US08132325B2
A method of forming a rotor for a turbine engine such that the rotor is formed of two materials including: an inner disk formed from a first material, such as steel, and an outer ring formed from a second material, such as a nickel alloy, having a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the first material forming the inner disk. The ring may include an inner aperture having a conical shape, and the disk may have an outer surface with a conical shape and a diameter with a portion that is larger than a portion of the ring. The ring may be heated such that the aperture expands to a size greater than the largest diameter of the inner disk. The ring may be positioned over the disk and allowed to cool to allow the ring to be attached to the disk. The ring and disk may then be co-forged.
US08132323B2
A tool for installing an end of a cable into a connector generally includes a front jaw assembly adapted to retain the cable connector and a back jaw assembly movably coupled to the front jaw assembly. The cable connector includes a connector body and a compression sleeve and the back jaw assembly is adapted to insert an end of the cable into the cable connector upon movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly and subsequently press the compression sleeve into the connector body upon further movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly.
US08132320B2
A circuit board process is provided. In the circuit board process, a first substrate and a second substrate are stacked to form a cavity for accommodating chips. The top of the cavity is covered by a third metal layer that serves as a mask. The first substrate has a base, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and at least a first conductive structure, and the first metal layer is patterned to form a first circuit layer having a number of first pads. The second substrate, at least an insulation layer and a third metal layer are laminated to the first substrate with a common opening in-between, and the third metal layer covers the common opening. A third circuit layer having a number of third pads is formed on the second substrate. The first pads and the third pads are not on a same plane for wire bonding.
US08132312B2
A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base.
US08132311B1
A method for fabricating a unit of luggage includes photographing one or more graffiti scenes, photographically processing the resulting images to yield a composite design image, transferring the composite design image to a sheet of fabric material in a repeating design, cutting the fabric to form pieces of the luggage unit and joining the cut pieces form the luggage unit.
US08132309B1
A clamping apparatus is provided that includes a first clamp component having a center portion, and a first set of flexible fingers and second set of flexible fingers disposed on opposing sides of the center portion. The first and second sets of flexible fingers extend angularly in a direction towards the center portion such that the first set of flexible fingers extend in a generally opposing directions from the second set of flexible fingers. The clamping apparatus includes a second clamp component having a center portion, and a first set of flexible fingers and second set of flexible fingers disposed on opposing sides of the center portion. The first and second sets of flexible fingers extend angularly in a direction towards the center portion such that the first set of flexible fingers extend in a generally opposing direction from that of the second set of flexible fingers.
US08132304B2
A method for producing a piezoelectric actuator has the following steps: providing a plurality of piezoelectric material layers (2) which can be assembled into a stack; applying electrode layers (3) each having a recess (4, 4′) to the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, such that an alternating sequence of piezoelectric material layers and electrode layers is formed in the stack, wherein electrode layers with a recess (4) in a first recess zone and electrode layers with a recess (4′) in a second recess zone which differs from the first recess zone are alternatingly formed in the stack; and providing a stress-relieving material (5) in the first and second recesses, the stress-relieving material exhibiting electrically insulating properties after the stack is sintered, and preventing the individual material layers from adhering to one another.
US08132300B2
A gasket for fastening the automotive safety belt is disclosed. A plastic material is applied to form a one-piece body comprising a fixing part, a flexible part and a plug part. The plug part of the gasket is inlet into the hole of the suspension sheet of the safety belt for fastening the safety belt so as to avoid the safety belt rolling automatically to bind the human body so close that the chest are oppressed uncomfortably. In addition, the gasket mounted on the outer surface of the buckle of safety belt is made of plastic materials. Even the gasket is touched with human body in use, to adjust and to fasten the safety belt will not result in the human body being hurt from impact. It is much safer for utility.
US08132283B1
A push broom that is constructed of a broom head that includes a broom plate for supporting bristles or the like and having a rest surface and a bristle support surface; an elongated handle attached to the broom plate of the broom head and for controlling a sweeping action of the broom head and a pivotal coupling member for mounting the elongated handle with the broom head. The pivotal coupling member has separate positions including a rest position in which the broom head rests on the rest surface of the broom plate so that the handle is substantially upright to maintain the broom free-standing and an action position in which the handle is pivoted relative to the broom head so as to enable the sweeping action of the broom head by a user.
US08132275B2
The present invention is a tub and shower enclosure formed from three pieces. A wet wall, back wall, and dry wall are each formed separately. Living hinges connects the wet wall to one end of the back wall and the dry wall to the opposing end of the back wall. The hinges allow the wet wall and dry wall to be folded into positions that are generally parallel to the back wall for shipping.
US08136165B2
A method of establishing a secure communication channel between end nodes of an IP communication network via one or more intermediate nodes using the Secure Shell, SSH, protocol, the method comprising defining an SSH configuration file containing a plurality of sections, each section defining parameter values for a corresponding hop of the tunnel and an identification of the section defining parameter values for any subsequent hop. At that end node, a first instance of an SSH client is established, with the name of the configuration file being an initialization value for the first instance, and using the parameter values contained in a first section of the configuration file to establish a first SSH connection to the next node in the sequence. Following establishment of said first SSH connection, one or more further instances of the SSH client are established, with an identification of said configuration file and an identification of a corresponding section of the configuration file being an initialization value for an SSH instance, the or each further instance using the parameter values contained in the corresponding named section of the configuration file to establish an SSH connection to a subsequent node in the sequence over the already established SSH connection(s).
US08136161B2
The present invention is directed to a distributed architecture of an information handling system, including a buried nucleus inaccessible for inspection without heroic means while the buried nucleus is in operation, and a trusted authority for generating a secure protocol. The secure protocol controls the operation of the buried nucleus.
US08136150B2
Roles and policies are used to provide display and access to data in a flexible manner. Users and/or web applications can be mapped to user roles that dictate which displays or other application resources are available to the user or application. Roles are assigned to web applications individually, allowing for user roles to be used without requiring an independent mapping of users to roles. In some cases, application roles can be centrally managed, so that presentation systems also avoid the need for an independent mapping of user or application roles.
US08136135B2
Methods, systems, and products block objectionable content and substitute alternative content. Multiple fields of a preferred tag are retrieved from memory. Multiple fields of an alternative tag, associated with alternative content, are retrieved from the memory. A number of matching fields, between the multiple fields of the preferred tag and the multiple fields of the corresponding alternative tag, are determined. The number of matching fields is compared to a threshold value. When the number of matching fields exceeds the threshold value, then the alternative content is substituted for the objectionable content.
US08136123B2
Bulk operations on a large number of items may be processed by a computer with a reduced likelihood of exceeding a timing or hardware limitation of a system. An instruction or its related information can be examined to determine if the instruction may potentially involve a large number of items. If so, the instruction may be passed to a bulk operations manager software component to determine the number of items involved. The bulk operations manager software component can break down the operation into smaller groups of items. Operations can be performed on each of the smaller groups of objects. The changes can be transparent to a developer writing code or a computer generating code to perform a specific operation.
US08136122B2
The example embodiments disclosed herein relate to application integration techniques and, more particularly, to application integration techniques built around the publish-and-subscribe model (or one of its variants). In certain example embodiments, triggers are provided for establishing subscriptions to publishable document types and for specifying the services that will process documents received by the subscription. A standards-based messaging protocol (e.g., JMS messaging) may be fully embedded as a peer to a proprietary messaging protocol provided to an integration server's trigger subsystem so that all or substantially all of the feature-rich capabilities available via the proprietary protocol may also become available via the standards-based messaging protocol. The triggers may be JMS triggers in certain example embodiments.
US08136120B2
A method of processing a print job in a document production environment includes receiving a job ticket having job ticket parameters, identifying a process plan template having processing instructions for processing the print job and performing a parameter value resolving process for each job ticket parameter. The resolving process may include identifying candidate values, identifying the source associated with each of the candidate values and determining whether a candidate value has a source having precedence. If a source has precedence, the corresponding candidate value may be selected as a resolved parameter value. A user may be presented with a representation of a set of the resolved parameter values and may be permitting to modify at least one of the resolved parameter values. A first portion of the print job may be processed using the identified process plan template, the resolved parameter values, and any user-modified parameter values.
US08136118B2
A system for maintaining application operations within a suboptimal grid environment includes a grid management system. The grid management system submits an application from among multiple applications to at least one resource node of a grid environment, wherein separate jobs each request at least one of the multiple applications. The grid management system monitors a performance status of the at least one resource node running the application according to a profile for the application. The grid management system compares the performance status with an operational requirement specified in the profile for when the application is operating at the at least one resource node. The grid management system, responsive to the performance status not meeting the operational requirement, adjusts the use by the application of resource nodes in the grid environment according to the profile, such that the application continues to operate when suboptimal conditions arise in the grid environment.
US08136114B1
Disclosed herein is a system and method for the dynamic assignment of tasks within an enterprise through determining a group of one or more candidate resources based on defined attributes of a task. The group of one or more candidate resources is then analyzed to intelligently assign the task to one of the resources based on one or more of presence, location, schedule, workload, and performance history for each candidate resource.
US08136106B2
A system includes a processor, a memory, a cache, program software, and a marker management engine. The software includes at least one marker. Each marker is a computer instruction and marks distinct computer code sections in the software. The engine (a) determines whether one of the at least one marker is executed during the execution of the program software, (b) monitors data accesses by the at least one processor to the at least one cache and the main memory, (c) stores at least one of the monitored data accesses in a pre-defined location in the main memory, and (d) optimizes only the computer code section indicated by the determined marker of the program software executed by the at least one processor based on the stored data accesses.
US08136097B2
A thread debugging device which can provide reliable debugging is provided when at least one thread is debugged among a plurality of threads which are executed in association with each other. According to the thread debugging device, a target computer (20) executes at least some processing of at least one target thread to be debugged among the plurality of threads, and further executes non-target threads, which are threads other than the at least one target thread among the plurality of threads, during execution of the at least one target thread while restricting access by the non-target threads to at least some hardware resources of the computer (20).
US08136088B2
A task based polymorphic graphical program node system and method. A node is displayed in a graphical program. First user input is received invoking display of a plurality of function type options for the node, and the function type options for the node displayed. Second user input is received specifying a function type from the function type options. Based on the second user input, program instructions executable to provide functionality in accordance with the specified function type are determined and associated with the node, after which the node is executable in the graphical program to provide the functionality in accordance with the specified function type. Associating the program instructions with the node may include configuring the (possibly generic) node with the program instructions, replacing default program instructions of the node implementing default node functionality with the program instructions, and/or replacing the node with another node that includes the program instructions.
US08136084B2
A portion of an IC layout that includes a plurality of through silicon vias (TSVs) is evaluated to identify linearly aligned TSVs. The portion of the IC layout is modified to reduce a number of the linearly aligned TSVs, resulting in less wafer breakage.
US08136082B2
A method of testing an integrated circuit. The method includes selecting a set of physical features of nets and devices of the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit having pattern input points and pattern observation points connected by the nets, each of the nets defined by an input point and all fan out paths to (i) input points of other nets of the nets or (ii) to the pattern observation points; selecting a measurement unit for each feature of the set of features; assigning a weight to each segment of each fan out path based on a number of the measurement units of the feature in each segment of each fan out path of each of the nets; and generating a set of test patterns optimized for test-coverage and cost based on the weights assigned to each segment of each of the nets of the integrated circuit.
US08136079B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method and computer program product to determine metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gate functional limitations. A simulator obtains a plurality of slices of a MOS gate, the slices each comprising at least one parameter, the parameter comprising a slice gate width and a slice gate length. The simulator determines a current for each slice based on a slice gate length of the slice to form a length-based current for each slice. The simulator determines a length-based current for the MOS gate by summing the length-based current for each slice. The simulator calculates a stress profile for each slice. The simulator determines a slice carrier mobility for each slice based on the stress profile of each slice. The simulator determines a carrier mobility-based current for each slice, based on each slice carrier mobility. The simulator determines a carrier mobility for the MOS gate based on the carrier mobility-based current for each slice. The simulator determines an effective length for the MOS gate based on the length-based current.
US08136073B1
Circuit design fitting for an integrated circuit is described. A mapped design for the circuit design is obtained. A first placement of the mapped design in association with an integrated circuit is performed. Circuit blocks are marked associated with the integrated circuit with control set identifiers. A circuit object is associated with a control set identifier. A site for placement of the first circuit object is located. The site is associated with a circuit resource block, which is associated with circuit resource blocks of the integrated circuit. Nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks with respect to the circuit resource block are acquired. The nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks of the circuit resource block are categorized in response to statuses. The circuit object is placed in a nearest neighbor of the nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks of the circuit resource block for a second placement.
US08136065B2
An integrated prototyping system (IPS) is proposed for verifying and validating an electronic system design (ESD) with hierarchical design elements (HDEs). The IPS has: a) A reprogrammable logic device (RPLD) having an emulation timing base and an RPLD-interface for programming and simulating HDEs under validation while transacting exchanging vectors. The RPLD is also switchably coupled to numerous external peripheral electronic devices (PED), b) An EDA simulator for simulating then verifying selected HDEs while transacting exchanging vectors. The EDA simulator also has a simulator interface; and c) An IPS controller bridging the RPLD and the EDA simulator. The IPS controller has an IPS executive for progressively verifying and validating the ESD. The IPS executive further includes a co-emulation software for jointly and simultaneously running the RPLD and the EDA simulator with an event-based synchronization scheme for interchanging exchanging vectors on demand between the RPLD and the EDA simulator.
US08136057B2
A semiconductor manufacturing method comprising, a data generating process including, acquiring a simulation light pattern that simulates a shape of a light exposure pattern formed on a substrate on the basis of design data of a semiconductor device, acquiring a simulation electron beam exposure pattern that simulates a shape of an electron beam exposure pattern formed by an electron beam exposure on the substrate on the basis of the design data, extracting difference information representing a shape difference portion between the simulation light pattern and the simulation electron beam exposure pattern, acquiring changed design data for modifying shape by changing the design data in accordance with the difference information, conducting the electron beam exposure on the substrate by use of the changed design data for modifying the shape.
US08136056B2
Methods and systems for representing the limitations of a lithographic process using a pattern library instead of, or in addition to, using design rules. The pattern library includes “known good” patterns, which chip fabricators know from experience are successful, and “known bad” patterns, which chip fabricators know to be unsuccessful. The pattern library can be used to contain exceptions to specified design rules, or to replace the design rules completely. In some implementations, the pattern library contains statistical information that is used to contribute to an overall figure of merit for the design. In other implementations, a routing tool may generate a plurality of possible IC layouts, and select one IC layout based on information contained in the pattern library.
US08136053B1
Embodiments enable a mobile device to execute an action analogous to a user-defined action in response to receipt of a gesture analogous to a user-defined gesture. In a first embodiment, a computer-implemented method executes an action on a mobile device. A lock screen view is displayed on the mobile device to prevent unauthorized and inadvertent access to the mobile device's data. While the mobile device is locked, a touch gesture having a pre-defined shape is detected on a touch screen of the mobile device independently of the initial position of the touch gesture on the touch screen. In response to detection of the touch gesture, a particular action is executed on the mobile device while the mobile device stays locked. The particular action determined according to the pre-defined shape. In this way, detection of the touch gesture causes the particular action to execute while keeping the mobile device locked.
US08136049B2
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which improves processing efficiency by allowing display of a message according to a usage status of a user and also has good operability. The image processing apparatus includes a setting section 9a for setting a display form of a message 13c. The user sets a display form, that is, display or nondisplay, display time, a color of a display pane, a shape of the display and a display position of the message 13c, to be more precise, from a setting screen capable of setting each kind of message 13c. In the case where “Nondisplay” is selected in selecting display or nondisplay of the message 13c, no setting thereafter is performed. In the case where “Display” is selected, the setting is performed as to all the items, such as the display time, color of the display pane, shape of the display and display position.
US08136028B1
There are provided methods and systems for providing viewers of a digital image with information about identifiable and scenes within the image. In an embodiment, digital images, uploaded to a host website, are customized through the incorporation of some number of selectable informational links and other text based information to provide viewers of the image real-time access to social and advertising related information regarding certain identifiable objects and scenes in the image. The selectable information links are incorporated within and around the digital image in a process referred to herein as image tagging.
US08136018B2
Forward error correction may be implemented in a network having first, second and third nodes. The second node receives streaming media message packets and one or more check packets from an upstream first node. The second node transmits the message packets and check packets to a downstream third node. The second node uses the check packets to decode missing message packets and transmits the decoded missing packets to the third node before the missing message packets are to be presented by the third node. The third node may receive message packets and a first set of check packets from the second node and a second set of check packets from the first node. The third node may use check packets from both sets to decode missing message packets.
US08136014B2
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells arrayed capable of storing information of N bits (N≧2) in accordance with variations in threshold voltage. A parity data adder circuit adds parity data for error correction to every certain data bits to be stored in the memory cell array. A frame converter circuit uniformly divides frame data containing the data bits and the parity data into N pieces of subframe data. A programming circuit stores the subframe data divided into N pieces in respective N sub-pages formed corresponding to the information of N bits.
US08136003B2
A system and method for sharing a communications link between multiple protocols is described. A system includes a communications interface configured to exchange information with other systems using at least one of a plurality of protocols; a protocol select register that stores a value that selects a protocol from among the plurality of protocols to become an active protocol; and a state machine accessible to the communications interface, the state machine used to control the exchange of information through the communications interface according to the active protocol. The active protocol is used by the communications interface to exchange information while the remaining protocols of the plurality of protocols remain inactive. The state machine sequences through a series of states that cause the communications interface to operate according to the active protocol, and that are designated as inert sequences under the remaining protocols.
US08135993B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide for updating a firmware image during a debugging sequence using a firmware debugger application without re-flashing each updated firmware image on a non-volatile memory device. Embodiments include a debugger application operating on a host computer system and a debugger driver located within a firmware image undergoing the debugging sequence on a target computer system. The debugger application and debugger driver may communicate and transfer data between one another. Upon detecting an error in a firmware image, the debugger driver notifies the debugger application. The debugger application sends an updated firmware image to the debugger driver on the target computer system. The debugger driver loads the updated firmware image and passes control to an entry point of the updated firmware image for continued debugging from the new entry point.
US08135990B2
Network survivability is quantified in such a way that failure cases can be compared and ranked against each other in terms of the severity of their impact on the various performance measures associated with the network. The degradation in network performance caused by each failure is quantified based on user-defined sets of thresholds of degradation severity for each performance measure. Each failure is simulated using a model of the network, and a degradation vector is determined for each simulated failure. A comparison function is defined to map the degradation vectors into an ordered set, and this ordered set is used to create an ordered list of network failures, in order of the network degradation caused by each failure.
US08135986B2
The invention provides a method for computing the appropriate capacity of a journal volume based on the operating patterns of backup and recovery performed by the user, and composing a recovery system that enables recovery to be performed in a short time using journals. The invention provides a computer system comprising a storage system 120 having a volume 124, a managing computer 100 and a host computer 110, wherein the storage system 120 retains a journal of data stored in the volume and a volume replicating the data stored in the volume, and restoring a volume data at any update time point based on the journal and the replicated volume, and upon receiving operation from a user regarding the volume retaining the journal, the managing computer 100 acquires a registration creation demand including a recovery time objective which is the time to be restored and/or a recovery point objective which is the recovery time point and a journal retention period which is the period for retaining the journal, monitors the journal of data stored in the volume, computes the quantity of the journal, and determines the capacity of the volume for retaining the journal.
US08135980B2
A secure storage appliance is disclosed, along with methods of storing and reading data in a secure storage network. In one aspect, a method includes assigning a volume to a primary secure storage appliance located in a secure data storage network, the secure data storage network including a plurality of secure data paths between the primary secure storage appliance and a client device and a plurality of secure data paths between the secure storage appliance and a plurality of storage systems, the volume corresponding to physical storage at each of the plurality of storage systems. The method also includes detecting a connectivity problem on at least one of the secure data paths. The method further includes assessing whether to reassign the volume to a different secure storage appliance based upon the connectivity problem.
US08135978B2
A system, method and computer program product for performing a Perform Timing Facility (PTFF) instruction for steering a Time of Day (TOD) clock of the computer system for synchronizing the TOD clock with TOD clocks of other computer systems. The computer system comprises a memory; and, a processor in communications with the computer memory. The processor is capable of performing a PTFF instruction comprising: obtaining a function code specified in a first general register, the function code for identifying any one of a query function or a control function to be performed; obtaining, from a second general register, a memory address of a parameter block; responsive to the function code specifying a query function, storing timing information of the computer system in the parameter block according to the specified query function; responsive to the function code specifying a control function, using timing information obtained from the parameter block to perform the specified control function; and setting a condition code value indicating an outcome of the specified function.
US08135975B2
A first output count is compared with first and second stored count values for generating an output event at a first node if the first Output count corresponds to the first or second stored count values.
US08135973B2
A system and method for dynamically managing groups of power supplies for a computer system has a plurality of first circuits, each of the first circuits responsive to an electrical condition of each of the plurality of power sources. A second circuit is coupled to the plurality of first circuits, and is responsive to the plurality of first circuits. The second circuit identifies a state associated with any one of the plurality of power supplies. A third circuit is coupled and responsive to the second circuit. The third circuit communicates the states of the plurality of power supplies to a user.
US08135972B2
Apparatus and techniques relating to data interface power consumption control are disclosed. Components of a data transfer module may be selectively moved between their normal operating states and reduced power states at times when the data transfer module is not to be used for transferring data. Decisions as to particular components that are to be moved to their reduced power states may be based on respective timing characteristics of the components and/or respective power consumption characteristics of the components, for example. In some embodiments, an action may be performed to reduce a powering up time of the data transfer module when normal operation of the data transfer module is to resume. In the case of a multiple-connection interface having respective data transfer modules for each connection, the interface may be partially shut down by moving a subset of the data transfer modules into reduced power states.
US08135969B2
In a storage apparatus, an MPU acquires a value of power capable of being used to transition a HDD from a power-saving state to an access-enabled state, receives an access command via a host I/F, determines whether or not it is possible to respond to the access command using one or more HDD in the access-enabled state from among the HDD configuring a LU, and when it is determined that it is possible to respond, selects, from HDD in the power-saving state in the access command-targeted LU, one or more HDD, which are capable of transitioning to the access-enabled state using power in a range of usable power values, and which can make a response possible, as a target to be preferentially transitioned to the access-enabled state.
US08135964B2
An apparatus, system, method, and computer program product are provided for executing a program provided a second party utilizing a processor to generate keys for decrypting content of a third party. In operation, content and a program to confidentially generate keys for decrypting the content of the third party are received at a processor. Additionally, the second party's program is executed utilizing the processor-derived keys to decrypts the third party's content.
US08135961B2
A method for interacting with a memory device is provided. In this method, a cryptographic communication application is registered to be associated with a protocol type in a web browser. A message encapsulated in the protocol type from the web browser is received and thereafter transmitted to the memory device. Here, the message is associated with a cryptographic operation.
US08135958B2
A method, system, and apparatus for dynamically validating a data encryption operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises decrypting a first sequential data element of a plurality of data elements substantially in parallel with the encryption of a second sequential data element of the plurality, where the first element comprises first data and first encryption validation metadata. In response to the decryption, second encryption validation metadata is generated utilizing the first data. Thereafter, a determination is made whether the first element has been validly encrypted based upon a comparison of the first and second metadata. In other embodiments, an encryption validation indicator may be generated (e.g., to notify a user of a detected encryption error and/or to mark a portion of data for re-encryption), further encryption operations may be suspended, and/or the storage of the first data element may be controlled following such a determination.
US08135951B2
A system and method for automatic key and certificate management is disclosed. In particular, a key store in a base computer contains both new and previously viewed cryptographic keys. In one embodiment, for each new key, if a corresponding certificate matches an existing certificate, the new certificate may be automatically downloaded to a mobile communications device without prompting a user.
US08135942B2
A method receives a complex instruction comprising a first portion and a second portion. The method sets a single issue queue slot and allocates an execution unit for the complex instruction, and identifies dependencies in the first and second portions. The method sets a dependency matrix slot and a consumers table slot for the first and section portion. In the event the first portion dependencies have been satisfied, the method issues the first portion and then issues the second portion from the single issue queue slot. In the event the second portion dependencies have not been satisfied, the method places the second portion into a side issue queue. The method issues the second portion when the side issue queue indicates that the second portion is eligible for issue.
US08135934B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product dynamically allocate limited system memory for direct memory access (DMA) among a plurality of input/output (I/O) adapters in a system partition. Initially a minimum entitlement of I/O entitled memory capacity is allocated to each of the respective multiple I/O adapters. The minimum entitlement enables operation of an I/O adapter driver. Additional entitlement of I/O entitled memory capacity is selectively allocated based upon I/O demands of each I/O adapter.
US08135926B1
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for efficiently processing atomic operations transmitted from multiple general processing clusters to an L2 cache. A tag look-up unit tracks the availability of each cache line in the L2 cache, reserves the necessary cache lines for the atomic operations and transmits the atomic operations to an ALU for processing. The tag look-up unit also increments a reference counter associated with a reserved cache line each time an atomic operation associated with that cache line is received. This feature allows multiple atomic operations associated with the same cache line to be pipelined to the ALU. A ROP unit that includes the ALU may request additional data necessary to process an atomic operation from the L2 cache. Result data is stored in the L2 cache and may also be returned to the general processing clusters.
US08135922B2
A method is disclosed to validate the configuration of an information storage and retrieval system. The method provides a source information storage and retrieval system, a target information storage and retrieval system, and a master controller capable of communicating with the source information storage and retrieval system and with the target information storage and retrieval system. The method sequentially determines if each of the physical objects and logical objects disposed in the source information storage and retrieval system is also found in the target information storage and retrieval system.
US08135919B2
A method of controlling a shared memory and a user terminal controlling the operation of the shared memory are disclosed. The portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention has a memory unit with a storage area partitioned to blocks in a quantity of n and a plurality of processors reading or writing data by accessing a partitioned block. At least one of the partitioned blocks is assigned as a common storage area, accessible by a processor having an access privilege, and the processor having the access privilege performs an operation of maintaining the data stored in the common storage area. With the present invention, the common storage area can be accessed by a plurality of processors, and thus the data transmission time between the processors can be minimized.
US08135912B2
A system and method for increasing cache size is provided. Generally, the system contains a storage device having storage blocks therein and a memory. A processor is also provided, which is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a first category of storage blocks if the storage blocks that are available to the system for storing data when needed; categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a second category of storage blocks if the storage blocks contain application data therein; and categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a third category of storage blocks if the storage blocks are storing cached data and are available for storing application data if no first category of storage blocks are available to the system.
US08135910B2
A cache, system and method for improving the snoop bandwidth of a cache directory. A cache directory may be sliced into two smaller cache directories each with its own snooping logic. By having two cache directories that can be accessed simultaneously, the bandwidth can be essentially doubled. Furthermore, a “frequency matcher” may shift the cycle speed to a lower speed upon receiving snoop addresses from the interconnect thereby slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines. Each dispatch pipeline is coupled to a sliced cache directory and is configured to search the cache directory to determine if data at the received addresses is stored in the cache memory. As a result of slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines and accessing the two sliced cache directories simultaneously, the bandwidth or throughput of the cache directory may be improved.
US08135908B2
The storage system including a first disk array apparatus for providing first volumes for storing data sent from a host system; a second disk array apparatus for providing second volumes for storing back-up data of the first volumes; and a console terminal for operating the first disk array apparatus. The console terminal is equipped with a setting unit for setting a priority for each first volume in accordance with an external command. The first disk array apparatus is equipped with: a storage unit for storing the priorities set by the priority setting unit; and a transfer unit for reading the priorities from the storage unit upon receiving the data and transferring the data stored in the first volumes to the second volumes of the second disk array apparatus in order of descending priority of the first volumes that store the data.
US08135896B2
A serial peripheral interface of an integrated circuit including multiple pins and a clock pin is provided. The pins are coupled to the integrated circuit for transmitting an instruction, an address or a read out data. The clock pin is coupled to the integrated circuit for inputting multiple timing pulses. The plurality of pins transmit the instruction, the address or the read out data at rising edges, falling edges or both edges of the timing pulses.
US08135891B2
Method and system for transferring button status information between a media player and an accessory
A method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information.
US08135890B2
In a system, a memory bus has a first bus segment coupled to a memory controller that includes control logic and a first memory device, a second bus segment coupled to a second memory device, and a switch to selectively couple and decouple the first bus segment and the second bus segment in response to control information from the control logic. Note that the control logic may output control information to the switch to selectively decouple the first bus segment and the second bus segment to effect a change in an electrical length of the memory bus to enable data transfer with respect to the first memory device at a first data rate. Additionally, the control logic may output control information to the switch to selectively couple the first bus segment and the second bus segment to effect another change in the electrical length of the memory bus to enable data transfer with respect to the second memory device at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate.
US08135886B2
A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip.
US08135880B2
Disclosed is a mass-storage device, comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a locking function coupled to the USB interface wherein the locking function is accessible via a USB device class other than a mass-storage class, and a data mass-storage memory coupled to the locking circuit.
US08135876B2
This patent application relates generally to identifying a self-powered device connected to a medical device.
US08135855B2
The subject matter herein relates to a method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.
US08135852B2
A data streaming system and method typically use a server arranged to stream one of a plurality of encoded data streams to a client. Each of the plurality of data streams may be an independent representation of a common data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams. The server can include a transmitter and a first buffer. The transmitter can be arranged to transmit data packets of the encoded data stream to the client via the first buffer. The transmitter can be arranged to monitor the content of the first buffer and switch to transmit another of the plurality of data streams in the event that predetermined criteria are detected from the first buffer.
US08135845B2
According to the present invention, a service is configured by a plurality of sessions and respective session negotiation requests defined by different media formats can be performed without influencing existing connected sessions, and hence it is easy to add, delete, and change the media, the contact of session negotiation can be specified, and the response to the session negotiation request can be processed easily with the service acceptance or rejection of the contact.
US08135837B2
A universal plug and play quality of service (UPnP QoS) network system and a method of reserving a path and resource thereof are provided. In order to set a path from a source device to a target device and to clearly control reservation of network resources for setting the path, the UPnP QoS network system includes: one or more UPnP QoS execution devices collecting and providing network status information and performing QoS for a service requested by reserving network resources based on path information and resource reservation information; and one or more UPnP QoS management devices acquiring and providing the path information and the resource reservation information to the UPnP QoS execution device by considering a QoS rank for the requested service and the network status information provided by the UPnP QoS execution device. Accordingly, since the path calculated by the UPnP QoS management device is the same as the path through which the UPnP QoS execution device reserves the network resources, it is possible to reserve suitable network resources and to provide stable QoS.
US08135833B2
Site metrics are presented in association with search results. The site metrics are derived from site analytics that uses clickstream data collected from a panel of internet users to generate and present internet activity metrics. Data collected from a community of internet users may be augmented by clickstream data store content, third party content, search results, and other sources to form estimates of internet activity, such as traffic, that is structured and analyzed to produce metrics of nearly any internet web site or domain. The data may be further augmented with ratings, such as web site trust ratings, retail deals, and analysis of web site content to form a comprehensive set of data that is mined to formulate various metrics of internet activity about web sites. Metrics of internet activity, a.k.a. site analytics, provides analysis that represents aspects of internet user access to a web site. Such aspects may include activity related to visitors, engagement, growth, trust, deals, and the like.
US08135832B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for detecting multiple Active devices in a stack. In the method, a new Active device generates a Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) packet when a stacking link is in failure, the LACP packet contains a bridge MAC address and a member number of the new Active device; the new Active device transmits the LACP packet to a stacking member through an access switch; and the stacking member detects collision of multiple Active devices according to the MAC address and the member number and enters a Recovery state. In the present invention, by containing the bridge MAC, the Active ID and the configuration dividing identifier in the extended field of the LACP packet, the collision of multiple Active devices in a distributed stack can be detected.
US08135823B2
A system and method provide comprehensive and highly automated testing of vulnerabilities to intrusion on a target network, including identification of operating system, identification of target network topology and target computers, identification of open target ports, assessment of vulnerabilities on target ports, active assessment of vulnerabilities based on information acquired from target computers, quantitative assessment of target network security and vulnerability, and hierarchical graphical representation of the target network, target computers, and vulnerabilities in a test report. The system and method employ minimally obtrusive techniques to avoid interference with or damage to the target network during or after testing.
US08135808B2
An automated provisioning system for provisioning a service or device in a communications network, which system comprises a listener (2) adapted to receive a request from a user and a driver adapted to control operation of the service or device. The driver supports a describe operation, which enumerates which operations are available for the user and co-operates with a control processor (22), which mediates between the driver and a data store holding information on which operations are available for the user. When a request to provision an available operation is received, the control processor (22) mediates between the data store and driver to determine what information is required to provision the service or device and to permit the driver to provision the service or device. The system dispenses with the table driven approach of known systems.
US08135806B2
A method, system and apparatus for decoupling devices in a network for use by a system-wide application. The invention includes accumulating configuration information for the network, wherein the network includes a plurality of units, and each of the units includes a processor and at least one switch device. The invention further includes analyzing the configuration information and determining a logical configuration for the network based on the analyzed configuration information. The invention further includes virtually attaching a remote switch device to the network.
US08135798B2
An over-the-air device services and management system includes a web applications server for providing a software download service, an account management server for providing an account maintenance service, and a synchronization server for providing a data management service. The suite of services offered by these servers may be wirelessly accessed from a client device.
US08135775B1
At least one node in the network is assigned to a first deployment group and at least one other node in the network is assigned to a second deployment group. A set of distribution criteria specifies a triggering event which must occur before a software package is deployed to the second deployment group. The software package is deployed to at least one node within the first deployment group. Distribution of the software package to at least one node within the second deployment group is deferred until after the triggering event has occurred.
US08135774B2
A network-based interaction system includes a machine connected to the network for receiving and routing an interaction request, a server application having access to the network for matching an interaction request to a profile, and a data repository for storing profile information.
US08135771B2
A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) cloud architecture for clustering DSP resources across multiple integrated media-services gateways. The control plane components use peer-to-peer overlay connections for DSP resource management. The data plane components use a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) for media stream packet processing.
US08135770B2
A computer-implemented method of processing recurring events within personal information management (PIM) clients can include executing a plug-in component within a PIM client. The method can include receiving, within the PIM client, an event update including a recurring event identifier that is natively understood by the PIM client and supplemental recurrence data not natively understood by the PIM client. The method further can include, responsive to the plug-in component detecting the supplemental recurrence data and a user input executing the event update, the plug-in component can locate a recurring event corresponding to the recurring event identifier. The method can include the plug-in component updating the recurring event according, at least in part, to the supplemental recurrence data, and storing the recurring event within the PIM client.
US08135768B2
An electronic circuit for performing logic operations is provided. The electronic circuit comprises a logic gate having at least two binary inputs adapted to receive corresponding input binary digits; an output for outputting an output signal; signal transmission means between said input and said output; a logic circuit coupled to said transmission means and having an input capacitance, and capacitance decoupling means between said logic circuit and said transmission means for decoupling the input capacitance of said logic circuit from said transmission means.
US08135754B2
Previously published content is played back by identifying a previous time in which the previously published content was previously published and automatically adding an indication of the previous time in which the content was previously published, while playing back the previously published content. The indication may include a timestamp of the previous time, ambience and/or historical context of the previous time, an electronic program guide for the previous time, a current events guide for the previous time and/or archived content for the previous time that is related to the user of the content. Related systems, methods, computer program products and content playback devices are described.
US08135752B2
Techniques and articles of manufacture are provided comprising computer readable programs that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to delete a leaf from a patricia tree having leaf keys and pattern search control blocks containing a prefix and either an end-of-trail leaf or a pointer to another of the pattern search control blocks, by placing each of the prefixes in a tree prefix table; searching for a key in the tree; searching for the key in the prefix table if the tree searching does not find the key in the tree; confirming that the key is deleted if the key is not found in the prefix table; deleting the key from one of the pattern search control blocks; and collapsing the patricia tree by eliminating the left most pattern search control block from the patricia tree if the patricia tree searching finds the key.
US08135743B2
A method for automating the redirection of references that can include downloading an original document using an original uniform resource identifier (URI), storing the original document in a repository, parsing the original document to determine the existence of one or more dependent documents referred to in the original document and executing an automated redirection subprocess. The method can include parsing each dependent document to determine one or more dependent documents, and responsive to determining the existence of one or more dependent documents, conducting the automated redirection subprocess for each dependent document and further dependent document and repeating the parsing of dependent documents and conducting the automated redirection subprocess steps until all further dependent documents have been redirected.
US08135738B2
A predicate over a single column of a table is converted into at least one IN-list, wherein the IN-list is generated for a set of tuples of the column, and the generation is done over a data structure representing a set of distinct values of the column where the predicate applies and having a smaller cardinality than the table. The generated IN-list is evaluated over the set of tuples and the results of the evaluation are outputted as an evaluation of the predicate.
US08135730B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product retrieve data from a database. A search request is received from a user for a set of data in at least one database. An ontology query over is performed over at least one ontology associated with at least one database resulting in an ontological dataset associated with the search request in response to receiving the search request from the user. The ontological dataset includes at least one of a set of synonyms, a set of hypernyms, and a set of hyponyms, associated with the search request. A data query is performed over data in the at least one database using the ontological dataset in response to performing the ontology query. The set of data is returned to the user based on the data query that has been performed.
US08135726B1
The present invention relates to inventory management solutions, and in particular, to methods and systems for inventorying items over wireless and data networks, using digital imaging, positioning, and data terminals. The user experience in performing inventory management is simplified and enhanced over existing methods.
US08135719B2
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.
US08135717B2
Words having selected characteristics in a corpus of documents are found using a data processor arranged to execute queries. Memory stores an index structure in which entries in the index structure map words and marks for words having the selected characteristics to locations within documents in the corpus. Entries in the index structure represent words and other entries represent marks with the location information of a marked word. The entries for the marks can be tokens coalesced with prefixes of respective marked words or adjacent. A query processor forms a modified query by adding a mark for a word to the query. The processor executes the modified query.
US08135711B2
A method to enable improved analysis and use of sociological data, the method comprising identifying causal relationships between a plurality of documents, identifying a plurality of characteristics of a communication, including a modality used, actors involved, proximate events of relevance, and enabling a user to query based on available characteristics.
US08135709B2
One embodiment of the invention may include a method for searching electronic information to produce search results based on a taxonomy item, a user-controllable threshold, and a user-controllable weighting factor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08135706B2
A method for managing reference to an entity on a network includes determining shares of voice for an entity and other entities across a plurality of channels with respect to a plurality of search terms. The method also includes correlating shares of voice for the entity and the other entities with respect the search terms to determine a relative change in share of voice for the entity with respect to the other entities. Thereafter, shares of voice for the entity across the plurality of channels may be correlated to determine relative changes in share of voice for the entity within each of the channels. The relative change in share of voice for the entity with respect to the other entities and the relative changes in share of voice for the entity within each of the channels may then be displayed.
US08135705B2
There is described a method, system and computer program product for processing a link embedded in a link document in a client computer, said link comprises a URL reference for a URL document in the client computer or another computer, there being stored a record containing a link reference and an intended fingerprint, said intended fingerprint representing the content of the URL document associated with the URL of the link at the time of or after the link was created, said method comprising the steps of: fetching the intended fingerprint for the link; fetching the URL document; creating a current fingerprint of the fetched URL document; comparing the intended fingerprint and the current fingerprint; and identifying that the intended fingerprint and the current fingerprint are different in a material way. There is further described, on identifying that the intended fingerprint and current fingerprint are different in a material way and there being provided a database of current fingerprints and corresponding URLs, searching the current fingerprint database and locating current fingerprints that are similar to the intended fingerprint; choosing a current fingerprint that matches the intended fingerprint; and changing the URL of the link in link document to match the URL of the matched current fingerprint.
US08135696B2
A human-computer interface for a search engine or similar application includes specification means for a time condition applicable to a search query, and visual feedback means expressive of relative availability of sought or potentially sought database items at one or more specific times within a time period under consideration. The invention provides a new and unique way to support interactive searching of a database that includes information relating to time availability of represented items, in order to identify items that match one or more search term(s) and are available at a specific time or during a specific time period.
US08135694B2
The augmentation of contents of an electronic document with data from a search is described. The augmentation of data includes reading a search criterion from an electronic document, where a portion of the electronic document is comprised of the search criterion, retrieving data that matches the search criterion, and augmenting the contents with the retrieved data.
US08135689B2
Systems, methods, computer program code, and means are provided for processing retrieve requests received in a business software system. Pursuant to some embodiments, a retrieve request is processed by identifying that the requested node is a retrieve transformation node, determining that the node relates to one of a currently selected business object and a secondary business object, and retrieving the node data from one of a persistence buffer and a secondary buffer based on the determining.
US08135688B2
A method and apparatus for the on-demand allocation of segments and creation of metadata for previously-created data storage spaces and partitions are provided. A space is created in a database. As part of this creation process, no segment is allocated for the space. Rather, metadata describing the space sufficiently to allocate the segment in the future is created and maintained by the database. Data is received indicating a new item. Based on the metadata, it is determined that the new item pertains to the space. In response to the determination, a segment is allocated for the space. Additional metadata necessary for normal database operations in relation to the space and newly-allocated segment may also be created at this time. The new item can then be stored in the space.
US08135685B2
Providing information classification in a computer system for use in an information management system. Information management provides services such as data protection, backup, retention, compliance, etc., by classifying the objects and/or environment of an entity according to its value to the entity. Initially a series of rules are identified relating to information management services. Using these rules, information is classified into categories by using a series of plugins that relate to specific characteristics of information within data. Often, classification includes the collection and/or generation of metadata. After the data is classified, service level objectives can be identified and mapped to service levels. After service levels are selected, the corresponding actions can be orchestrated such that the objects of the entity received the selected services in the service level.
US08135671B2
A first storage system stores information relating to the updating of data stored in that system as a journal. More specifically, the journal is composed of a copy of data that was used for updating and update information such as a write command used during updating. Furthermore, the second storage system acquires the journal via a communication line between the first storage system and the second storage system. The second storage system holds a duplicate of the data held by the first storage system and updates the data corresponding to the data of the first storage system in the data update order of the first storage system by using the journal.
US08135658B1
Decision software implements a decision process that handles and decides a request from a requestor in a generally automated manner. The decision software denies the request according to a predefined standard. Information relating to the request and the denial decision is stored as a quote, and it is determined that further consideration of the denial decision by a human reviewer of the organization is desired. The human reviewer is contacted and retrieves the stored quote by way of an actuated interface that presents the quote as a focused screen including information from the quote and a determination entry device. The human interviewer determines based at least in part on the focused screen whether to over-ride the denial decision and enters such determination into the determination entry device. The entered determination is stored with the stored quote and the request proceeds in accordance with the stored determination.
US08135656B2
An online identification document management service includes a host server having a web-based interface adapted to facilitate secure customer access to the host server. The host server is configured to receive identification data communicated from the customer through use of a computing device. The identification data includes at least one of an imaged identification document and information related to the imaged identification document. A processing module is in operative communication with the host server and is configured to process the identification data communicated from the customer. A processing software application is trained to classify the processed identification data and selectively extract data therefrom based on the classification. The processing software application is configured to selectively present the processed identification data for a customer verification via the web-based interface upon at least one of an unsuccessful classification and an unsuccessful extraction of data. A storage device is in operative communication with the processing module and is configured to store the extracted data as metadata upon at least one of the customer verification and the extraction of data. The processing software application is cumulatively trained to subsequently classify the processed identification data successfully upon the customer verification thereof. A content management software application operates on the host server and is configured to process a customer request through the web-based interface to selectively generate at least one reproduction of the processed identification data.
US08135654B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that generates extended data for a pattern-recognition model used in electronic prognostication for a computer system. During operation the system determines, for each sensor in a set of sensors, a regression coefficient between training data from the sensor and training data from each of the other sensors in the set of sensors. Next, for each sensor in the set of sensors, the system stretches the training data from each of the other sensors by a predetermined amount, and generates extended data for the sensor based on the stretched training data for each of the other sensors and the regression coefficients between training data from the sensor and training data from each of the other sensors.
US08135645B2
A transmitting gateway may utilize a retrieved domain-specific key to secure an outbound message, and a receiving gateway may utilize another retrieved domain-specific key to authenticate and validate the secured message.
US08135642B1
A computer-implemented system for processing a customer application for a wireless telecommunications device is provided. The system includes a first credit component to obtain first credit information for a customer and a second credit component maintaining default credit information. The system includes a credit processor and a payment component. Where the first credit information is available the credit processor uses the first credit information otherwise it uses the default credit information to process the customer application. The payment component uses a first payment verification to verify a customer payment. When the first payment verification is not accessible, the payment component provides a payment identification and continues processing the customer application until the first payment verification is obtained. When the payment component is unable to obtain the first payment verification and the customer application is otherwise completed, the payment component validates the customer payment to complete the customer application.
US08135639B2
A system and method are provided for trading a tradable object. One example apparatus includes a microprocessor, a graphical user comprising a first screen region having a plurality of locations in the first screen region, each location corresponding to a price level along a first axis and a time along a second axis. The apparatus also comprises a user input device for sending a command to initiate placement of a timed trade order, and an indicator being dynamically displayed in one of the plurality locations of the first screen region and corresponding to the timed order. In one example embodiment, the indicator dynamically moves over time relative to the second axis indicating a time until the order will be automatically sent to a computerized matching process.
US08135634B2
The present invention is a method for managing funds in anticipation of paying at least two financial obligations, such as an estimated tax payment and a mortgage payment. The due dates and amounts due are determined from customer financial information. During an escrow period leading up to the first obligation due date, amounts of money are transferred on at least two occasions from a customer account into a second account, whereby the combined value of the transferred amounts substantially matches the estimated tax or other amount due for the first obligation. The transfer amounts and/or timing are adjusted so as to maintain sufficient funds in the customer account for paying the other obligations. The transferred money is used to automatically pay the first obligation on or near the due date. In embodiments, the customer can access the money in the second account until the first financial obligation is paid.
US08135625B2
The invention relates to an electronic data processing system for conducting auctions over a data network. A component of the system consists of an auction server, which is connected to the data network and which has an auction database for managing auction data records containing product description data and bid data. A number of bidder terminals are connected to the data network and comprise appropriate means for retrieving data from the auction database and comprise means for transmitting bid data to the auction server. The aim of the invention is to enable the effective and economical use of conventional internet auction platforms by product manufacturers and retailers in order to sell goods. To this end, the invention provides that the electronic data processing system is supplemented by a retailer server, which is connected to the data network, and by an intermediary server that is also connected to the data network. The intermediary server has a program controller with which auction data records are automatically put into the auction database according to production description data that are extracted by the intermediary server from corresponding product portfolio data records of the retailer server. The intermediary server uses its program controller to automatically create order data records for the auction data records.
US08135620B2
A network advertising system and method includes a network server, a computer user, an electronic banner advertisement (BA) file, multiple web page files, a BA program, and a monitor. The BA is displayed on the monitor in a window of a browser program from about the point in time that a new web page is requested to about the point in time that the web page file corresponding to the new web page is downloaded onto the user computer and ready for viewing. The BA offers an advertising venue that will serve up a very discernible advertisement, uncluttered by other content that captivates the viewer's interest, at a point of time that a web (Internet or other network) surfer is willing and amenable to review additional data and information. This is typically a down-time, interstitial period, during a browser session. However, by displaying the advertisement as described, most web surfers will pay attention to the BA and the message that it is providing.
US08135618B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for dynamic content delivery. Initially, at a first point in time, content is received with metadata, utilizing a network. In use, at a second point in time (after the first point in time), at least one aspect of the delivery of the content, may be controlled and/or modified utilizing the metadata. To this end, at least one aspect of the delivery of the content (which may, as an option, even include the content itself) may be updated and/or made current.
US08135617B1
The invention in some embodiments features a contextual content delivery system (CCDS) for enhancing conventional web content with pop-up bubbles that display information when a cursor hovers over a word, link, or icon. The CCDS is configured to identify words or links in a document, determine their context, select the appropriate bubble from a plural of bubble types for each of the words or links, select content for each bubble based, in part, on the context in which the words and hyperlinks are used. The context can be determined from various sources including the resource in which the word or link appears and the target resource to which the link points. Thereafter, the CCDS enhances the words or links so that bubbles are automatically invoked in response to the appropriate trigger.
US08135611B2
Efficient and effective centralized management of automated field force installation and evaluation of assets. Service representatives can each perform an asset installation and/or an asset evaluation with the aid of a handheld device. The handheld device can display worksheets comprising a sequence of instructions and prompts related to the installation/evaluation. In performing the asset installation/evaluation, the service representative can follow the instructions and enter responses to the prompts into the handheld device. The handheld device can communicate with a server to download the worksheets onto the handheld device and to upload from the handheld device data related to the installation/evaluation. Authorized users' network devices can interact with a reporting module of the server to generate reports based on the uploaded data. The reports can provide the authorized users with real-time or near real-time information about the service representatives' performance and about particular assets, including, e.g., information about particular asset installations/evaluations.
US08135608B2
Methods, systems, and software for conducting a marketing campaign are described. One or more scores associated with sending offers to proposed contacts are received; and an overall campaign score corresponding to a sum of the scores is optimized to generate optimal assignments of offers to customers. The optimal assignments are included in the marketing campaign.
US08135581B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for a system to provide information based on a query, the method comprising: performing a first search of at least one first source for information responsive to the query; providing a result of said search to a user; based on user input, performing a second search of at least one second source for information responsive to the query; and providing a result of said second search to the user.
US08135580B1
Indexing and querying in multiple languages is accomplished using an ordered chain of filters and/or other such components. When receiving information to be indexed or for a query, the information can be tokenized and typed based at least in part on the language of each token. The character types can be adjusted if appropriate for the languages, and the tokens can be further segmented using a dictionary for the respective language types. Once appropriate tokens are determined, relevant synonyms in each appropriate language can be determined and typed accordingly. If necessary the case of the tokens and synonyms can be adjusted and further segmented based on punctuation. The terms and synonyms then can be used as part of the index or as part of the search query to include other terms or phrases based on relevance to the original information.
US08135574B2
Computer program products and arrangements of creating and displaying bodies of parallel segmented text are discussed. The bodies of parallel text may be divided into matching segments. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to display in separate areas one or more segments of text from each body of text. The embodiment may involve emphasizing one segment of text from each body. The emphasized segments may match. The text from one of the bodies may include two or more segments. The embodiment may include receiving from a user a command to emphasize a different segment within the one body of text. The embodiment may involve presenting a second display of text in response to the command. The second display may include the different segment and matching segments in the other bodies of text. The different segment and the matching segments may be emphasized.
US08135572B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that provide an integrated debugger simulator. A debugger is provided that allows a user to debug an application in a live mode. A simulator is provided to read recorded data from an earlier point in time in an execution of the application. An integrated debugger simulator is provided by multiplexing the debugger between the application in the live mode and the simulator that reads the recorded data. A simulation mode is provided to allow the user to interact with the recorded data using the debugger. In this simulation mode, the user is able to interact with the recorded data using commands and data views available in the debugger. The user can multiplex between the live mode and the simulation mode from within the debugger.
US08135562B2
Provided are a system, method and medium calibrating a gyrosensor of a mobile robot. The system includes a camera to obtain image data of a fixed environment, a rotation angle calculation unit to calculate a plurality of angular velocities of a mobile robot based on an analysis of the image data, a gyrosensor to output a plurality of pieces of raw data according to rotation inertia of the mobile robot and a scale factor calculation unit to calculate a scale factor that indicates the relationship between the pieces of raw data and the angular velocities.
US08135561B2
A sensing system includes a panel, a reflective element, an image sensor, a processor, a first light guide rod, a second light guide rod and a light source module. The panel has a plane and a first area and a third area located at the plane. The third area in the first area is smaller than or equal to the first area. The first area has four boundaries connected in order. A reflective mirror plane of the reflective element disposed at the first boundary mirrors the first and third areas. The image sensor disposed at the intersection of the third and fourth boundaries is electrically connected to the processor. The first and the second light guide rods are disposed at the second and the third boundaries respectively. The light source module is adapted to emit light passing through the first and the second light guide rods to the image sensor.
US08135557B2
An apparatus for testing a semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input part that inputs circuit description data that describes a circuit structure of the semiconductor integrated circuit, a clock domain of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and a first test vector to be used for testing a normal operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and a simulator that performs a simulation on the semiconductor integrated circuit with the use of a test vector. The simulator includes an asynchronous transfer point extraction unit that extracts an asynchronous transfer point in the semiconductor integrated circuit in accordance with the circuit description data and the clock domain that are input through the input part, a simulation unit that calculates a logic circuit output of the semiconductor integrated circuit by performing a simulation in accordance with the circuit description data and the first test vector that are input through the input part, and a second test vector generation unit that generates a second test vector by changing a signal of an asynchronous transfer point of the logic circuit output calculated by the simulation unit in accordance with the asynchronous transfer point extracted by the asynchronous transfer point extraction unit.
US08135551B2
A system and method for identifying turn faults in a stator of a motor are provided. The method includes determining a normalized cross-coupled impedance from the symmetrical components of measured voltages and currents of the motor. Additionally, the normalized cross-coupled impedance may be normalized to a negative sequence impedance. The negative sequence impedance may be determined through a regression analysis using parameters of the motor, such as line-to-line voltage, horsepower, and number of poles. A system is provided that includes a device having a memory and processor configured to determine a normalized cross-coupled impedance, compare the normalized cross-coupled impedance to one or more thresholds, and trigger and alarm and/or trip the motor.
US08135548B2
A computer implemented method for receiving a plurality of analyte sensor related signals, determining a probability of signal attenuation associated with the received plurality of analyte sensor related signals, verifying the presence of signal attenuation when the determined probability exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and generating a first output signal associated with the verification of the presence of signal attenuation is provided. Also provided are systems and kits.
US08135546B2
Techniques for analyzing protein structures, such as a tertiary protein structure, are provided. A centroid of the residue centroids is calculated. The centroid of the residue centroids is used as a spatial origin of a global linear hydrophobic moment. The correlation between residue centroid magnitude and residue solvent accessibility is enhanced. The global linear hydrophobic moment is defined, wherein each of the residue centroids contributes a magnitude and direction to the global linear hydrophobic moment. A method for comparing at least two tertiary protein structures is also disclosed.
US08135544B2
Generally, the present invention provides a number of procedures to spatially profile proteins by using hydrophobic moments. In all procedures, a hydrophobicity distribution of a protein is shifted and normalized. In one procedure, a shape or profile of a curve of a second-order moment of hydrophobicity is determined. A second procedure involves determining one or more ratios, such as the ratio of a distance at which the second order moment of hydrophobicity vanishes to the distance at which a zero-order moment of hydrophobicity vanishes. The distance at which a peak occurs in a profile of the zero- or second-order moment of hydrophobicity can also be used for comparison. For many of these procedures, a surface or profiling contour can be chosen and used to accumulate hydrophobicities and to determine the moments. These procedures can be combined to provide a good mathematical determination of whether a protein belongs to a particular class of proteins.
US08135539B2
Techniques are provided for displaying a map for a route in a ground-based vehicle. The map includes a variable road network map showing finer detail for geographic features near the route and less detail for geographic features farther from the route. The map is displayed based on the travel direction of the ground-based vehicle.
US08135537B2
A route data base generating system avoids GPS satellite signals sources for land based vehicle azimuth and heading determinations in areas where reception of the satellite signals is unavailable or impaired and relies on vehicle part movements that are equatable to the heading and azimuth changes of the vehicle for determining such vehicle orientations. Part movements equatable to the heading changes are found in the vehicle wheel assemblies. A route data base founded on interconnecting linear route segments that are arranged in and end-to-end serial order is advocated and wherein the angular deviation between connecting segments in the order is predetermined. Various uses of the generating systems and related procedures are advocated for both on-the-road and off-road usage.
US08135527B2
A commercial vehicle trailer includes an electronically controlled braking system having an electronic control unit that has a parameter memory having one or more memory areas that can store vehicle-specific data. The electronic control unit controls the electronically controlled braking system based on the vehicle-specific data, and has an interface to an external computer. To permit reliable correlation of the vehicle-specific data to the commercial vehicle trailer, information is displayed on the trailer itself that characterizes the vehicle-specific data and that can be read into the computer via a reader unit. Based on such information, the appropriate vehicle-specific data is transferred to the electronic control unit.
US08135525B2
A torque converter having a first damper stage, a second damper stage, a floating flange torsionally connecting the first and second damper stages, an inertia element, and a tuned torsion damper. The torsion damper connects the inertia element and the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the inertia element is a turbine. In one embodiment, the first damper stage is a radially outer damper stage and the second damper stage is a radially inner damper stage. In another embodiment, the torsion damper generates a friction torque when rotated.
US08135521B2
A control device for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and also capable of operating in a manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed based on an upshift command or a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation device, the control device includes a manual shift control unit that changes and sets the gear ratio after downshift depending on a degree of requirement for deceleration based on a driving operation when the downshift command has been operated by the manual operation device in the manual shift mode, and performs the downshift to the gear ratio that has been changed and set.
US08135515B2
An electronic control apparatus has a microcomputer including a first CPU and a second CPU configured to perform calculation processing and control processing for a vehicle control device such as a variable gear ratio steering device. The first CPU and the second CPU calculate temporary detection values of an operation amount of an actuator based on a detection signal of a sensor, respectively. The temporary detection values are compared to determine whether the vehicle control device is controllable based on the detection signal of the sensor. Thus, the electronic control apparatus is reduced in size, and calculation results are monitored each other within one microcomputer.
US08135511B2
An electronic control system, electronic control unit and an associated methodology for adapting a vehicle system are provided. A visual sensor detects a three dimensional profile of an occupant of a vehicle. An electronic control unit determines at least one of three dimensional locations and orientations of a plurality of body parts of the occupant of the vehicle, a body-volume of the occupant of the vehicle and body dynamics of the occupant of the vehicle based on the three dimensional profile detected by the visual sensor. The electronic control unit adapts a vehicle system based on at least one of the determined three dimensional locations and orientations, the determined body-volume and the determined body dynamics.
US08135504B2
A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.
US08135503B2
An unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a housing, a rotor that is rotated to propel the housing, a pressure sensor that generates a signal indicative of an air pressure proximate a bottom surface of the housing, and a processor configured to determine, based on the signal, when an increase in air pressure proximate the bottom surface is greater than or equal to a threshold value associated with the ground effect of the rotor, wherein the processor controls the rotor to cease rotating or decrease rotational speed to land the unmanned aerial vehicle upon determining that the increase in pressure is greater than or equal to the threshold value.
US08135501B2
Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.
US08135491B2
A method, system, and apparatus for an adaptive controller for controlling a machining operation on a workpiece by a machining tool are provided. The system includes a sensor for measuring a present value of a spindle load on a spindle drive, and an adaptive controller for comparing the present value of the spindle load to a present value of a target spindle load. The adaptive controller includes a computing element configured to determine a first feed rate value of a machining tool, and a number generator configured to generate a first feed rate dither adjustment value used for adding noise to the first feed rate value. The adaptive controller is configured to control the feed rate of the machining tool relative to the workpiece to maintain the present value of the spindle load approximately equal to the present value of the target spindle load using one or more of the first feed rate value, the first feed rate dither adjustment value, and the second feed rate dither adjustment value.
US08135479B2
A sensor assembly, which may be incorporated by a medical electrical lead, includes an insulative body, formed from a biocompatible plastic, and a sensor mounted on a mounting surface of the insulative body. The mounting surface extends distally from a proximal portion of the insulative body in which first and second conductive inserts extend, being spaced apart and isolated from one another. The sensor is coupled to each of the first and second conductive inserts, and the first conductive insert includes a conductor-coupling end extending proximally from the proximal portion of the insulative body. The sensor assembly may further include an electrode extending around the sensor and the insulative body, wherein the electrode includes an aperture approximately aligned with an active surface of the sensor to expose the active surface. A mounting platform assembly for the sensor assembly may include the conductive inserts and the insulative body.
US08135474B1
A cochlear implant for a cochlear stimulation system and method of assembling the implant comprising an implantable sealed housing comprising a metal feedthrough case and a metal bottom cover and containing cochlea stimulation circuitry, the feedthrough case comprising silicone enclosed feedthrough pins for connecting an electrical lead of a cochlear electrode to the stimulation circuitry, and a moisture absorbing material comprising calcium oxide secured within the housing and sufficient in quantity to absorb moisture released by the circuitry materials and leaking into the feedthrough case at leak rates of about 1×10−7 atm cc/s to maintain the cochlear implant within acceptable internal moisture limits for at least about 60 years.
US08135467B2
Bio-impedance may be used for navigation systems to chronically implant pacing and defibrillation leads in the heart using a non-fluoroscopic position sensing unit (PSU). Such a system requires that a conductive material, such as a retractable helical tip-electrode, be exposed during implantation. Since the tip is retracted during implantation, this disclosure provides a modified distal portion employing at least one aperture (or “window”) for fluid exposure of the helix-electrode and a deployable internal sleeve for covering the aperture(s) when the helix-electrode is extended.
US08135465B2
A cardiac rhythm management system includes techniques for computing an indicated pacing interval, AV delay, or other timing interval. In one embodiment, a variable indicated pacing interval is computed based at least in part on an underlying intrinsic heart rate. The indicated pacing interval is used to time the delivery of biventricular coordination therapy even when ventricular heart rates are irregular, such as in the presence of atrial fibrillation. In another embodiment, a variable filter indicated AV interval is computed based at least in part on an underlying intrinsic AV interval. The indicated AV interval is used to time the delivery of atrial tracking biventricular coordination therapy when atrial heart rhythms are not arrhythmic. Other indicated timing intervals may be similarly determined. The indicated pacing interval, AV delay, or other timing interval can also be used in combination with a sensor indicated rate indicator.
US08135460B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator using a measurement of elapsed time. The present invention provides a defibrillator with a timer function. Upon activation of the defibrillator, an internal timer begins to run. By closely associating the activation of the defibrillator with the onset of the patient's attack, and by making allowances for inherent time differences between these events, the timer provides a measure of the elapsed time between the onset of the patient's emergency and the presentation of the defibrillator at the patient's side. Using this measure of elapsed time, the defibrillator determines an appropriate treatment therapy, such as CPR or defibrillation therapy.
US08135457B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for measurement of a living body, comprising: a personal data input unit; a basal metabolism input unit; a standard value storage unit; a comparison unit; and a display unit. According to the invention the personal data input unit enters at least an age of a person to be measured, the basal metabolism input unit enters a basal metabolism of the person to be measured, and the standard value storage unit stores standard values of basal metabolism according to the ages. Furthermore, the comparison unit compares the basal metabolism entered by the input unit with the standard values of basal metabolism according to the ages stored in said storage unit, and calculates a basal metabolic age indicating what age the basal metabolism of the person to be measured corresponds to. Then, the display unit displays the information about the calculated basal metabolic age.
US08135453B2
A method and apparatus for generating a three dimensional representation of an ear canal are disclosed whereby an ear canal of a patient is imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT). In a first embodiment, cross-section images of an ear canal are taken by, for example, rotating an OCT imaging sensor about a predetermined axis at each of a plurality of positions. In accordance with another embodiment, a contour line is then identified in each of the cross section images and a flow algorithm is used to identify the boundary of the ear canal cross section. Once the boundaries of each cross section have been identified, all of the cross section images are combined to generate a three dimensional image of the ear canal.
US08135445B2
A method of performing a ranging process between a base station and a mobile station in sleep mode in a wireless access system, wherein the base station provides the mobile station with an initial notification of a periodic ranging time that occurs during a sleep time interval and during which the mobile station is to perform the ranging process, the initial notification included in a first message, the first message indicating whether the mobile station should terminate sleep mode to receive downlink data, and wherein the base station provides the mobile station with subsequent notifications of periodic ranging times that occur during the sleep time interval, the subsequent notifications indicated in a second message, the second message transmitted to the mobile station as part of the ranging process such that the mobile station performs a plurality of ranging processes within the sleep time interval.
US08135441B2
A mobile terminal having a dual display unit and a method of changing a display screen using the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a main body, a front display unit for providing a multimedia mode, a rear display unit for providing a normal mode, and a screen control module for controlling to turn off the rear display unit and turn on the front display unit, and to display a multimedia execution screen in the front display unit. The method of changing a display screen of the mobile terminal having additional multimedia functions provides an optimum multimedia environment and improves user convenience and effectiveness of the mobile terminal by flexibly supporting a multimedia function to be executed according to a screen state of the rear display unit.
US08135434B2
Techniques for integrating device functionality into a composition of telecommunication service are provided. The techniques include using a service specification to generate a composition, wherein the composition comprises one or more telecommunication network blocks, one or more non-telecommunication blocks, and one or more place holders for device functionality, and integrating device functionality into the composition based on a target device.
US08135429B2
In a transmission power control method for a base station in a communication system including at least a mobile station and at least one base station, the ratio of transmission power approaching a predetermined reference power is changed between a communication having a slot not transmitting a signal and a communication having no slot not transmitting a signal. Thus, in the transmission power control, it is possible to prevent the downstream transmission power from being too much alienated from a desired transmission power.
US08135427B2
According to an embodiment of the invention, a system and method to provide alignment of hibernation and active cycles is provided. When one device receives a beacon from one of its neighbors it can be implemented to check for the neighboring device's global cycle start countdown value and to compare it's global cycle start countdown value with its own. If the beacon from the neighboring device contains a global cycle start countdown value that is different from the device's own global cycle start countdown, the device can be implemented to check a predefined condition. For example, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first half of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor. In another embodiment, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first 256/K superframes of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor. In one embodiment, K can be the number of different global active cycle start times observed by the device.
US08135425B1
A system or method for communicating data over a voice channel between a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a silence detector, coupled to the transmitter, that identifies a pause in voice traffic that is to be transmitted over the voice channel and generates an interjection signal during the pause and (2) a data injector, coupled to the silence detector, that receives the interjection signal and responds by causing the transmitter to transmit data to the receiver over the voice channel.
US08135422B2
A missing-call short message notification device includes: a main control module for controlling and scheduling other modules; a relay signaling processing module for receiving information sent by the switching device and sending information to the switching device; a short message constructing module for constructing a missing-call short message; a short message sending module for sending the constructed message to the called user. A method for realizing short message notification service for missing calls includes: a called user sets a call forward number to be a missing-call short message notification number; a switching device detects that a call from a calling user to a called user is not put through, and sends information of the calling user to an MCND based on the call forward number; the MCND constructs a missing-call short message based on the information of the calling user and sends the constructed message to the called user.
US08135417B2
A method and apparatus for estimating a geo-location of a terminal in a wireless communication system are provided. In a method of operating a terminal for providing geo-location information in a cognitive ratio (CR) system, the method includes obtaining first ranging information and transmitting a first ranging code to a base station (BS) in a network entry process; receiving an allocated second ranging resource from the BS; and transmitting a second ranging code.
US08135414B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for mobility profiling includes collecting a plurality of locations of a mobile electronic device, determining at least one trajectory for the mobile electronic device from the plurality of locations, and storing the at least one trajectory in computer readable media. Each of the plurality of locations have a spatial and temporal component. Using the at least one trajectory, estimating a future location of the mobile electronic device, and communicating data to the mobile electronic device corresponding to the estimated future location such that the content of the communicated data is based on the future location.
US08135410B2
A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster or disaster recovery period. The method can offer disaster recovery to an enterprise depending upon its size, financial well-being and desired capabilities. For example, the enterprise has the option of owning or renting all of the equipment required so that it may perform disaster recovery on its own and with little outside intervention. The enterprise may own some or none of the necessary equipment and contract with a service bureau so that the bureau provides recovery equipment when needed. The system also provides for roll call, priority preemption and seamless switching services to and from circuit and packet communication devices.
US08135406B2
A mobile device maintains a communication link with a radio access network (RAN) which is part of a generic access network (GAN). The mobile device maintains, via the GAN, a serivce connection for a voice and/or data service with a core network of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). The mobile device operates to set and run a timer and, in response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile device sends, to a gateway controller via the RAN, a service conneciton request for a service connection with a core network of a home PLMN of the mobile device. If the service connection request is accepted, the mobile device operates to establish and maintain, via the GAN, a service connection with the core network of the home PLMN for communications.
US08135405B2
Techniques to efficiently search for wireless networks while minimizing page loss are described. An available search time that excludes paging periods is determined. A search for cells in wireless networks is performed during the available search time. Pertinent information is obtained for cells acquired during the search. The pertinent information may be dependent on the type of search being performed. For a manual search to find detectable wireless networks, the pertinent information for each acquired cell may be network identifier information. For an automatic search to find higher priority wireless networks, the pertinent information for each acquired cell in a higher priority wireless network may be system information used to select that cell. The search may be suspended prior to a paging period. State information for the search may be saved prior to suspending the search. The search may be resumed using the saved state information at the end of the paging period.
